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Developing a love of books and reading in the Early Years

A few weeks ago, I delivered a training day on developing early reading skills. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to share their ideas and there was such a love of reading at the heart of the day that it really made me think about the texts that we use with the youngest children in our schools. Consequently, I thought that I would write a blog to explore some of the books that I have been using lately to stimulate language acquisition, teach early reading skills and inspire pupils to see themselves as readers.

Developing the reading environment:
As a consultant, I visit some amazing schools and am lucky enough to witness wonderful practice, both inside and outside the classroom. It’s such a joy when I experience high quality learning environments where books are celebrated and enjoyed in every area:

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@Higher Openshaw Primary, Manchester      @The Friars, Salford

I love the way this topic box, that is attached to the wall, takes the theme of shoes and shares both The Elves and the Shoemaker and Cinderella with their foundation pupils. Texts, artefacts and characters are explored to enhance their understanding of the stories.

Texts within small world displays enable pupils to visit texts and use finger puppets to retell stories and create new versions:

3@Whitefield Infants, Nelson

@Higher Openshaw, Manchester

I love this simple idea of having a Book Basket that shows pupils brand new books that they might enjoy and want to share with each other.

5@Whitefield Infants – Nelson

Quality texts are an intrinsic part of the provision, inside and outside the classroom.

Many of the schools that I support have created invited reading areas and sheds so that children will experience reading outside the classroom, as well as inside it:

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@laurs26                                  @The Friars

Great books for stimulating talk and extending language:
There are now so many amazing texts to extend pupils’ language that it is difficult to pick just a few. I use the following texts with the visualizer on the interactive whiteboard for large group or whole class talk, laminated for individual and small group talk and of course have the book in the provision so pupils can really enjoy them with the staff and other pupils.

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You Choose –Sharratt &  Goodheart

This is probably my favourite book for encouraging high quality talk. I use it all the time to really stimulate and extend pupil’s language as it is full of images that will support language acquisition and spark pupil’s imagination. Pages on buildings, hats, food, animals, transport will engage them and link to many of the EYFS topics. Maddy Barnes has blogged about it already, so if you want more ideas look at her blog on this website.

I have also used the You Choose colouring book to support pupils to follow instructions or to play barrier games in reception:

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14Home by Carson Ellis
This is packed full of different sorts of houses. I love the first page where it shows the same house but uses language to show how it would be different if it was clean or messy, tall or short. It is wonderful for discussion and helps pupils think about where different sorts of people would live. Great to link up with pages from You Choose.

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I can’t wait to see the brand-new book You Choose in space – Sharratt & Goodheart in September 2017. It will be taking the layout of You Choose but transporting it to the topic of space! Guess what topic I’ll be doing in the autumn!

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There are some old and some new texts that help children explore the world they live in:

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Richard Scarry’s written a number of books with intricate pictures capturing a world of worms, foxes, rabbits and cats!  Pupils will have so much to look at and talk about. I’ve used them to help generate story telling too! There is even a tv series where they are animated!

I have just discovered this series of books by Olivier Tallec, including Who Done it?, that are wonderful for getting young children to give their reasons for their opinion. Each page asks a question and the reader has to work out which character is the answer:

 Texts that pupils will love for generating story-telling:

The Story Path is an interactive book can be used with individuals, small groups or the whole class to help create brand new stories. It could be supplemented with puppets, characters and objects to help make the story more tangible.

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Here comes Mr Postmouse by Marianne Dubac is part of a series of books that I’m using with reception to underpin their story-telling. There are so many things to look at within each picture and the story can follow a simple linear route or pages could be used in isolation for children to create their own ideas and link to small world provision or construction.

27Journey by Aaron Becker is a magical story about what happens when I child draws a door with her red crayon and then opens it to find a world of adventure. We drew large doors to travel through and then used our imagination, and rolls of lining paper, to capture the different journeys we could travel on. We also used big pieces of material to bring the setting to life!

Early reading skills, as well as story-telling, can really be enhanced by using texts like The Great Fairy Tale Search by Chuck Welon. Pupils can be shown how to use skimming and scanning skills to find the key parts of the stories, as well as use the intricate images to retell known stories or be introduced to new ones!

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Texts to support topics!

High quality texts, linked to engaging topics, can help pupils see the importance of reading to bring learning to life:

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Book shelves and display tables have then be used imaginatively to help pupils see how the books can be explored with them depth:

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Both images @Whitefield Infants, Nelson

There are so many gorgeous texts about bears that pupils will love. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is a well-loved classic that every EYFS child should experience. However, there are a number of others that will become favourites too and I particularly like those studying pandas!

These texts about Mr Panda by Steve Anthony have real humour whilst also exploring how important it is to be polite and patient, especially where food is involved! Their simple repetitive structure make them very accessible and also introduce foundation pupils to different sentence types!

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38Children will love this story about what happens when Stanley the zookeeper can’t find Fred in the zoo, as they have to search the pages to see where he is hiding. Reading will become a really interactive activity whilst also embedding early reading skills.

Information books could also really broaden pupils experience of the reading process:

All of these texts could then be used on the working wall in the classroom to capture the learning taking place:

Using high quality texts:

I am really fond of this text, as when it was first published there was nothing quite like it. It was a real favourite of mine for a number of years,  however, when I used it on my recent training lots of teachers hadn’t heard of it, so I thought that I would share it in this blog and show some of the different ways it has been used in the schools where I support learning.

It is a simple journey story about a birthday present that turns out to be a naughty bus! This toy has its own idea about how he should behave and loves rushing around the house and garden creating havoc!

The photographic nature of the book make it so believable, but I also absolutely love the simplicity of the text that is actually very clever, as it plays with typography to give an extra layer of meaning within the text. There is so much to talk about!

  • I love the way the doorway into EYFS welcomes people in by exploring the text before you’ve even entered the classroom:

 @Whitefield Infants

  • Introduce the text and use props to bring the text to life – discuss the story it tells, the way the images tell the story and the way the text works.
  • After reading the text use Aiden Chamber’s focus by asking them which part they liked or disliked and whether they saw any simple patterns. You could ask them if they were puzzled by any parts.
  • Map the journey of naughty bus:

  • Explore individual pages and how the text works on that page:

  • In pairs, give children pictures from the book and ask them to discuss in detail what they can see in the pictures and then share with the whole class. Why is the picture like it is? (blurred, close up, just bus etc)
  • Around the environment set up areas that relate to the book, e.g. bricks, cars, play food, water tray plus other things that are not in the book to encourage children to play and go beyond the story. Annotate photographs of this with comments from the pupils

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  • As an outcome of play produce a physical map of their story (guided activity). A possible framework might be that there has to be 4 different settings and one must be outside. Pupils can be encouraged to annotate their plans:

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  • Give pupils cameras, if the school has them, and teach them how to take photos of the new ‘pages’ they have created as the Naughty Bus visits the new settings. Pupils could also use dicta-phones or recordable ‘tin-lids’ to capture their oral ideas about what happens in this setting. These could be displayed with the photos to share with the rest of the class.
  • Wrap up a toy for each group and give it to them to use in the play settings around the room to help them think about a new story.
  • Scan some of the images of contrasting or interesting settings and place into the map of the journey. Discuss how the setting directly influences the actions of the bus. Start to introduce particular settings into role play and small world play to stimulate thinking about how they might affect the character’s behaviour and what their toy does in those settings.

Pupils could respond to the text in a variety of written way:

Pupils could practise their pencil control

  • Label the different characters and places within the story:

  • Create a large class book retelling the whole story using the pupil’s photographs to tell the story;
  • The story can also be retold in much more detail, learning using Talk for Writing techniques, to really challenge the pupils:

  • Through drama explore what all the different characters will say when the Naughty Bus zooms past them. Then produce speech or thought bubbles showing how the characters felt when this happened:

  • Pupils could write about where each character would like to go on the bus:

  • Produce lists of all the places that the Naughty Bus wants to travel around the school or the area;
  • Create a special bus tickets showing this journey;
  • Write a new diary of the Naughty Bus visiting the school/local area/going on holiday;
  • Produce an information booklet about buses
  • Write a sequel to the story, either about the bus or about a new character such as the cheeky taxi or the silly tractor. What does happen at night?

  • Ask children to bring in similar toys, books, characters, videos to make a display.

 Other texts to link with The Naughty Bus:
A simple text about the exploits of a bus in London.

The theme of buses can be explored through this vivid information text that shows the children the variety of buses that can be found. They could then create their own buses through drawings, paintings and construction.

59Imaginative buses could also be explored.

This story simply grows and grows as more and more interesting people want to travel on the bus. It begins with the man with the big red tie who gets on at the roundabout and the noisy children who jump on at Clover Drive, but ends up packed with new and exciting people. The giant fold-out ending will lead to lots of chatter about who all these characters are and why they are travelling on the bus!

My final book choice is a wonderfully quirky text all about a pigeon who is desperate to drive a bus, but the bus driver asks us, the readers, not to let him! This is great book for sharing with the whole class and getting them to join in as we try to stop him!  It reinforces how wonderful reading really is!

You can order all of the above books from the Book Centre or online at

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Anthony J. Yeung

March 28, 2017

Six, 60-Second Finishers to Blast Fat

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When it comes to working out, everyone wants to build lean muscle, burn stubborn fat and get results as fast as possible. Even with the best intentions, you can make critical mistakes that limit...

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April 25, 2011

Masquerade Mask Cut-out Coloring Page

A new free coloring page that offers two crafts in one!  A festive coloring page that children can color, decorate and accent with glitter, sequins or feathers. And a fun Masquerade Mask craft that they can cut-out to create their very own mask. This a a great party craft for a Mardi Gras or Masquerade event.

To download the PDF file of this free Mardi Gras Masquerade Mask, click the link below:

For the entire selection of  free Mardi Gras coloring page downloads, click here:

Feel free to pass along  this free Mardi Gras Masquerade Mask coloring page, but please credit it back to Mardi Gras Outlet!

  1. My school is having a Masquerade ball for our homecoming theme. I am in charge of the invitations and these will work great!

  2. What a great idea! I hope the invitations and party turn out great. We love to see idea photos so send us some if you have time. Thanks!

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Week of Whisky in Scotland

The Vaults at Leith
Directly after the PSA, I took a vacation of sorts last week to go touring around Scotland in search of Guid Scotch Drink with my friend and whisky tour-guide Jason Johnstone-Yellin. What a great time! We started out in Edinburgh at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Vaults where we could sample from unique single-cask offerings bottled by the SMWS. I'm a member of the SMWSA — and so can order these bottles — but it was great to be able to "try before you buy". Hopefully they'll still have some of 127.5 (Cask #5 of Bruichladdich's Port Charlotte line) for me to order. . . .

Dog guarding Knockdhu.
After Leith, we headed up north to visit Glenglassaugh and Knockdhu distilleries in the Highlands, passing by dozens of Speyside distilleries. Had really wonderful visits with distillery managers there where we saw the whole production works in action. We also got to visit a certain cask of Glenglassaugh of which I am a shareholder (the 2nd peated octave there). Judging from what we tasted there (even very young stuff), we have reason for being pretty excited about this. I'm expecting a little more than three bottles of a unique cask-strength malt a few years from now. . . .

We swung down from the highlands to catch the ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen on Islay — my favorite whisky region. The weather was picking up by this time and they decided to make the ferry foot passengers only. So with some trepidation, we left our car behind and took a surprisingly calm two hour ride to Port Askaig (on the other side of the island) and bused down to Port Ellen. Luckily, the car was waiting for us, keys under the windshield wipers, the next morning. Welcome to Islay! Stayed at Rhona and Hamish Scott's great B&B, Caladh Sona in Port Ellen (Hamish is former distillery manager at Ardbeg, and I understand presided over some fantastic malts — need to remember to pick up my birthday malt one of these days before it disappears!). Really enjoyed meeting two other Oregonians who were staying there: Mick and Tammy, owners of the Highland Stillhouse near Portland. Great folk! I'll be a regular there whenever I'm back in Portland.

We hit all of the distilleries on Islay except Kilchoman, the newest distillery on Islay which is also producing some really promising spirit which I got to try at the Glasgow Whisky Festival. The UK was enjoying some pretty rough weather, including wind gusts at up to 80mph! Nothing like horizontal rain to drive one inside (even if just into a warehouse!) for a dram. The best visit was definitely with the distillery manager at Bruichladdich, by far the quirkiest distillery on the island. Spent several hours with him.

Weather (so it was said) held us up on Islay a short while longer — long enough to enjoy another fabulous breakfast from Rhona! — so we were only able to catch the last two hours or so of the Glasgow Whisky Festival, where we were able to taste a few things that we didn't catch while touring around. All in all, it was just a great trip. I highly recommend you take a tour with Jason. It's well worth the money: he can get you into places that other tour groups (we saw them) can't even get near (and with good cheer)! Now to start saving up for the next one. . . .

Here are my favorite 165 photos from the 600 or so I took that week.
Ardbeg Distillery

Thursday, November 11, 2010

PSA 2010

What a concept: windows you can actually open in a hotel!
Went up to Montreal last week for the biennial meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association. Two missions this time: give a paper and take photos at the meeting for the PSA to post on their website. Done and done. Got my registration comped and put up in the program chair's sweet suite before he arrived in exchange — for the photos, that is. After the Hyatt, I stayed in this lovely 27 room hotel in the old city, called Auberge du Vieux Port. Really nice place if you're looking for a good, (relatively) inexpensive place to stay in Montreal.

Really great conference. Montreal's a lovely city. Fortunately, the really nice days were before the conference got going. Have to remember to apply to organize a symposium next time — yeah San Diego! Let me book my hotel right now.

Photos from the rest of the conference here.


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Mopar and Dodge Begin Championship Chase, Celebrate 80 Years of Mopar as 2017 NHRA Season Blasts Off

  • Four-driver Mopar Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car squad competes to capture fifth title in seven seasons
  • Leah Pritchett back in Mopar/Pennzoil Top Fuel Dragster, looks to build off top-ten finish
  • Mopar and Dodge put focus on NHRA Sportsman racers, Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak drivers for 2017 season

February 6, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – When the fastest race cars on the planet roar to life this week for the NHRA Winternationals, a fleet of Mopar-powered Dodge machines will be among the front-runners at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. Drivers and teams will also continue the yearlong Mopar 80th anniversary celebration at the 2017 season-starter as they look to add to the brand’s rich drag racing tradition.

The stout, four-driver NHRA Funny Car stable at Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) will look to mark the brand’s 80 years by capturing a fifth NHRA Mello Yello Series title in the past seven seasons. Longtime Mopar-powered DSR driver Ron Capps gained the title of World Champion for the first time in 2016. His championship run began in Pomona where he collected the victory in the first event of the season. Capps went on to win a total of five races in 10 finals appearances and will return to defend his crown in the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T.

Meanwhile, 2011 and 2014 Funny Car Champion Matt Hagan seeks to dethrone teammate Capps. Hagan finished third in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T in the Funny Car points standings last season, collecting four wins along the way, and also set dual national records. Hagan was responsible for the lowest E.T. in Funny Car history by turning in a time of 3.822 seconds at Minnesota’s Brainerd International Raceway in August. He also set the record for speed, reaching a staggering 335.57 mph at Heartland Park Topeka in May.

Just as much a threat for race wins and world titles are 2012 champ Jack Beckman and 2016 championship runner-up Tommy Johnson Jr., in the Infinite Hero and Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T machines, respectively. Beckman won twice in 2016 and is also second in lowest E.T., having turned in a pass of 3.825 seconds during last season’s fall Pomona event. Johnson earned three event wins last year, including at the Pomona season finale.

In the Top Fuel class, Leah Pritchett will compete in her first full season with DSR after coming onboard with the team midway through the 2016 campaign. A winner last year at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix and a top-ten finisher in the standings, Pritchett proved she’s ready to build on that solid season as she battles in her Mopar/Pennzoil Top Fuel Dragster. During Nitro Spring Training in Phoenix on Saturday, Pritchett recorded the unofficial quickest elapsed time in drag racing history, clocking a run of 3.654 seconds at 331.85 mph.

Pritchett will compete alongside one of the most successful Top Fuel drivers in history, eight-time champion Tony Schumacher, as he pilots the Mopar-powered U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster.

Several HEMI®-powered Dodge Dart cars will also compete in the Pro Stock ranks, led by veteran Mopar driver Allen Johnson. Mopar pro and Sportsman drivers will also attempt to repeat the cumulative success that helped earn Mopar and Dodge the prestigious NHRA Manufacturers Cup in 2016.

In 2017, Mopar and Dodge are also putting extra emphasis on Sportsman racing with a new program designed to provide incentives to Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak racers. The Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Drag Pak Rewards program will offer monetary incentives to racers running that particular car and package. The Top 20 drivers in the final point standings will be eligible for cash prizes, while rewards are also available for a Factory Stock Showdown win and a Stock Eliminator World Championship.

All Mopar Sportsman racers will continue to be eligible for awards under the Mopar contingency program, while a variety of special events are scheduled for Sportsman racers through the year. FCA US LLC engineers will provide on-site support to Mopar and Dodge racers across all Sportsman divisions during each of the 24 national events as well.

Mopar and Dodge on Manufacturers Midway
The Mopar display trailer will be on hand on Manufacturers Midway at 15 of the 24 stops on the national event calendar, offering fans a view of the latest Mopar products and hosting special events, such as driver autograph signings. The first signing event is slated for 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday, February 11 in Pomona.

A brand-new Dodge exhibit will also join the Mopar rig at each event, with the full-scale Dodge display to debut at the NHRA Gatornationals in March. The brands will also serve as primary sponsors at two events on the NHRA schedule: the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, set for July 21-23 near Denver, Colorado, and the Dodge NHRA Nationals, scheduled for September 21-24 in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar) FCA – Global
“The 2016 season was a banner one for Mopar, with Ron Capps winning his first Funny Car World Championship and Mopar and Dodge collecting the NHRA Manufacturers Cup. Mopar is celebrating 80 years in 2017, and over eight decades the dragstrip has always figured prominently in our DNA. Once again, we will field an elite lineup of drivers and teams ready to add to our brand’s championship-winning legacy at the track.”

Matt Hagan, driver, Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T
“2017 is going to be a big year I think for all of us, especially here at DSR. I have a lot of goals that I’ve set for myself. With my brother passing, I think that it put some stuff in perspective for me, treating every day and every lap and every race as it could be your last. He was 33 years old and he’s gone. Somehow that stuff hits home. You’ve got to take life and really realize how special every moment is. So, I think that when I’m crawling into the race car this year I’m not going to take anything for granted and not just go through the motions. I never really do that, it just means a lot more to me now knowing that it can be gone tomorrow.”

(About 80 Years of Mopar)
“I think that [Mopar’s 80th anniversary] speaks for itself. 80 years of Mopar, that’s just 80 years of horsepower. It’s pretty cool that everybody’s so brand-loyal and supported the cause and allowed Mopar to be out here and be able to demonstrate the horsepower like they do on the racetrack. 80 years, that’s pretty awesome. I think that we have to have a big year for them. We’ve got to go out here and win a bunch of races and win this championship and make it all happen.”

Ron Capps, driver, NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T
“Every time I go to the starting line I know that we sort of have a target on our back with the performance that our team has always put on the racetrack. It’s funny how you spend the offseason always finding out where you can be better from the previous season. This year was no different. It was great to win a world championship and it’s another feather in the cap for [crew chief] Rahn Tobler and the crew guys, but we still did the same thing in the off-season. We sat down and figured out how we can be better here, how we can be better there, and Tobler implemented it all winter long. Hopefully we’ll start off the season in Pomona like we did last year with a win and go on to have a good season.”

Jack Beckman, driver, Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
“Winning so many championships in the recent NHRA tour for Funny Car, I think that says that there’s a deep level of commitment and excellence, both at Don Schumacher Racing and at Mopar. You know they don’t just design the body, send us a chunk of carbon and say, ‘go race.’ We’ve got engineering support literally at every race, trying to make what already is arguably the best Funny Car body out here even better. So, I think the philosophy that everybody shares is your best, 100 percent every day, and we never stop trying to get better.”

Tommy Johnson Jr., driver, Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T
“I think we’ve shown over the past three years we’re very consistent, we’ve steadily improved and I hope to stay on that track. It isn’t like we have to go a long ways now. We were just one position out of a championship. To be third and a second, it shows the strength of the team and how methodical they are. I’m looking forward to this season. I think we’ve learned from each season and we’ll take what we’ve learned and apply it and hopefully move up one more spot.”

Leah Pritchett, driver, Mopar/Pennzoil Top Fuel Dragster
“The security and sustainability that 2017 brings is remarkable. It’s actually everything I’ve dreamed of. Last year I began an official partnership with Mopar and they have been incredible, not only as a sponsor, but as a partner. They do cool things to engage fans with what we’re doing. Yes, we have the performance part of the house and deliver that on track. But we also get to go into some of their sales conferences and participate in their Block Party in Reading.

“I’m extremely pumped for the fact that we get to have a Mopar-primary car again in Reading during the Dodge race. Something really cool that I never thought would happen is being able to have the [Dodge Challenger SRT] Hellcat. I’ve had a couple different ones and have been able to utilize them in not only different shoots, but really live the power that I get to talk about. I’ll tell you what, on the street it’s a beast and on the track we’re a beast. To go into my second year with Mopar, that’s been a dream since I got my license with Schumacher Racing in 2008 in a Funny Car. We’re the epitome of power, and Mopar is the epitome of power.”
About Mopar Motorsports
The Mopar brand’s commitment to professional motorsports competition was established in the 1950s when a partnership ignited with drag racing pioneer Don Garlits, resulting in the breaking of numerous speed and performance barriers in HEMI-powered vehicles over the next several decades. In 2016, thanks to Don Schumacher Racing driver Ron Capps, Mopar captured its fourth NHRA Funny Car World Championship in the last six years. As Mopar celebrates 80 years as a brand in 2017, it will focus its NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series efforts on NHRA Funny Car and, with rising star Leah Pritchett, NHRA Top Fuel Dragster. Mopar will also bolster its commitment to NHRA Sportsman racing with new contingency rewards, factory support and at-track technical advice and guidance.

Mopar-First Features
During the brand’s 80 years, Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

  • Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
  • wiADVISOR: first to incorporate a tablet-based service lane tool
  • Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
  • Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
  • Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format

80 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was born on August 1, 1937, as the name of a line of antifreeze products. Mopar has since evolved over 80 years to serve as the total service, parts and customer-care brand of all FCA vehicles around the globe.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era, with Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, and expanded to include technical service and customer support. Today, the Mopar brand’s global reach distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in over 150 markets around the world. With more than 50 parts distribution centers and 25 customer contact centers globally, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

For 80 years, Mopar has been the source for genuine parts and accessories for all FCA brands. Mopar parts are engineered together with the same teams that create factory-authorized specifications for FCA vehicles, offering a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. Complete information on the Mopar brand is available at


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Tips and Tricks

The Benefits of Driving with Snow Tires

When winter hits here in Minnesota it’s always good to be prepared and we have a few winter driving tips to help with that. One of the most important things to factor in is that the only thing between your car and the road is your tires. Making sure you have well treaded tires is a great idea and another huge advantage to that is adding snow tires to your vehicle. More >

StreetSmarts Defensive Driving Program Powered by Morrie’s Automotive Group

Today we kicked off our first Teen Driving School event in partnership with BIR Performance Driving School in an effort to teach teens the skills they need when acquiring a drivers license. The Driving Defense Program was held at the National Sports Center and was the first test run at an event that we will be offering regularly this summer. The program is designed to help young drivers to feel comfortable and confident when behind the wheel by teaching them the advanced techniques they need to become safe, responsible drivers.

Here’s a quick break down of the program and what it entails:

Teens will attend Classroom instruction and in-car exercises (in their own car) and those will include the following:

Fundamental vehicle dynamics and knowing the limits of your car

Emergency and threshold braking including ABS activation

Emergency lane change maneuvers

Skidpad exercises and traction loss

Distracted driving exercises simulating texting and driving under the influence

Combined skills course

A few of our teen drivers at the National Sports Center today!

If you are interested in our Summer Defensive Driving Program please contact us at 952-797-1336. We look forward to hearing from you!

Preparing for Winter Weather Conditions

Weather patterns change quickly here in the midwest and so do road conditions. In the blink of an eye you could be stranded in your vehicle so we did some research of our own to help you be more prepared. We talked to employees in different departments at our Chippewa Valley Mazda dealership and they provided some helpful tips to ensure safe winter driving.

Our staff recommends that you keep these items in your car at all times in case of emergency: A blanket, water, a knife or scissors, glow sticks, road flares, a flashlight, hand and feet warmers, a first aid kit, matches, a candle, booster cables, hat and gloves, an extra set of warm clothes, an ice scraper, and a bag of road salt, sand, or kitty litter.

With icy conditions, our Service Manager suggests using kitty litter or road salt if you get stuck. Put the litter under your tires to help gain added traction. Our Sales Manager suggests digging snow away from your exhaust pipe if you become stuck in deep snow. This prevents the exhaust from seeping back into your vehicle and becoming a hazard. Some other suggestions from staff members included staying in your vehicle until emergency personnel arrive, always carrying a cell phone with a car charger, and packing a snack that won’t spoil or freeze. Maneuvering the roads in Wisconsin/Minnesota during winter months can be dangerous, but being prepared with some of the simple tips above can help if you find yourself stranded.


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Last month, 22 of our team members at Morrie’s Minnetonka Mazda put down the razors to raise money for prostate, testicular cancer and other men’s health issues. With your help, we made an everlasting impact on men’s health by raising over $9,000! We want to thank everyone who donated to our team and helped to spread the word. Many individuals within the Morrie’s Automotive Group and Morrie’s Minnetonka Mazda have been touched by cancer. We felt that Movember was a great oppertunity to come together and fight a cause that we care deeply about.

We made sure to have a little fun throughout Movember and we shared a lot of entertaining mustache content throughout the month. Head over to our Facebook page to see some of our Movember trivia, pictures and the winner of our “best stache” contest.

Movember Best 'Stache

Thank you again for helping us to make this a Movember to remember! Make sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates at the Morrie’s Automotive Group!


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More transportation resources

Yesterday, I blogged a list of transportation resources. Inevitably, worthy websites will be left off a list like that. So here’s a couple more:

First, the San Antonio Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization:

MPOs are regional agencies, created by the federal government, who work with all local transportation agencies. If a transportation project is paid for by even one penny of federal money, that plan must be vetted by the MPO.

VIA Metropolitan Transit is the city’s public transportation agency. Here’s a link to its proposed long range comprehensive plan, SmartWaySA.

I know I’ve forgotten other websites, so I’ll add them as time goes on. If there’s something you think I’ve overlooked, let me know!

Vianna Davila


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Garrett defends having a roster loaded with specialists

Jason Garrett doesn’t mind that the Cowboys having five specialists on their 53-man roster limits their ability to make roster moves to bolster depth.

With Mat McBriar sidelined by a nerve condition in his left foot, the Cowboys were forced last week to promote Chris Jones from the practice squad. That move gave them two punters to go along with kicker Dan Bailey, kickoff specialist David Buehler and long snapper L.P. Ladouceur.

“It’s just the reality of the situation – you have to deal with injuries,” Garrett said Wednesday. “We feel like the punter and the kicker, those are really important positions. I think the other day in the game against Seattle was a great indication of that. The punter (Jones) did an outstanding job of taking a real threat and weapon (Leon Washington) that they have had really out of the game. No opportunities in the punt game for them, and I think David did a really nice job in the kickoff game as well.”

Washington entered the game averaging 12 yards per punt return and 23 per kickoff return. But thanks to Jones and Buehler, Washington was forced to make three fair catches on punt opportunities and averaged only 16.7 yards on three kickoff returns.

“A lot of people might want to say, ah, it’s not worth it to deal with this punter and kicker situation like we’ve had,” Garrett said, “but we feel those are valuable positions on our team and they certainly can make the difference-making plays in the game.”

Tom Orsborn


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Duncan’s injury could benefit Spurs’ playoff hopes

The collective angst around Spurs Nation has reached dramatic levels since Tim Duncan’s sprained ankle Monday night against Golden State.

But in a weird way, the injury might be beneficial for the team as it prepares for a shot at its fifth NBA title.

The team’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs appears secure. The team’s magic number for clinching homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs is seven against Chicago, its top challenger in the Eastern Conference. San Antonio currently has a six-game lead over the Lakers for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Even with a brutal closing schedule that will include 11 playoff contenders in the final 12 games, the upcoming stretch could develop a couple of spots that the Spurs will desperately need in a playoff run.

Tiago Splitter has been a disappointment this season, playing only 49 out of 70 games so far. But he has shown flashes in his last two games, capped by his first NBA double-double after Duncan’s injury Monday.

The Spurs can’t beat teams like Dallas, the Lakers, Boston or Chicago in the playoffs without a larger contribution from Splitter. The time without Duncan will be a force-feeding of sorts for Splitter, who is better suited to the challenge now than at any other time earlier this season.

And the Spurs’ bench needs  to return to its earlier level this season when it was playing like the best group in the NBA. Recent slumps by Matt Bonner and Gary Neal have significantly reduced the bench’s production. That group will be counted on more with Duncan gone from the lineup during the next few games.

If the Spurs can play .500 basketball during the rest of the regular season, their top seed appears secure.

It will be a challenge without Duncan, but the upcoming games will provide a working laboratory for Splitter and a chance for the bench to improve. Both will be vital when the playoffs begin in mid-April.

Tim Griffin


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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Bored at Home Macro

Maybe it is raining outside and you don't have anything to do. Maybe it isn't raining, but you go no where else to go. What do you do? Feel like taking photos? If you do macro photography, there are a lot of things you can take photos of! Just look around your house, I assure you will find something. :) Today, I want to show you some macro photos I took of objects around the house. All of these photos were taken with the help of my Kenko Extension Tubes and a few shots were lit using my Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT. Most of the photos here were taken with my new Canon EOS 5D Mark III except for one photo which I shot with my Canon EOS 7D

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. To see my best 2012 macro shots, use this linkTo see all of my 2012 at home and backyard photography photos, use this link.

Photo of an orange's skin. This was the only shot taken using my Canon EOS 7D. I shot this photo using one of the fruits on my orange tree in my front yard.

I sometimes solder up electronic circuits so I have quite some electronic components laying around. Here is a photo of a resistor I had lying around my parts bin.

A photo of a spring I had lying in my parts bin.

For this photo, I laid a US Dime (10¢) on a DVD that failed the burning process. The DVD creates the colorful background. If you want to see more of coin shots like this, I have some photos from a previous blog post on a US Quarter (25¢).

Drops of water can always help spice up an image. I covered the back of the US Dime (10¢) with water and quickly gave the rest of the DVD a spray using my spray bottle. A spray bottle is always handy for macro photography, especially on flowers and leaves!

Yum. Jelly Belly. That is right, I took a jelly bean out of my Jelly Belly jar to get a photo of it. Good thing I got through the shot with out eating it first. LOL

Here is another photo of the jelly bean. Just looking at this makes me want some now, which is exactly what I will be doing after I finish typing this sentence.

I also found some LEDs in my parts bin. Here are a few photos. The above is of my green LED.

Another photo of my green LED.

After trial and error placing these 3 LEDs under my camera set up, I finally got it. Here is a photo of my red, green, and yellow LEDs. It takes a lot of time to set it up. Remember, the camera's angle of view is only around 3.5 cm across. You need patience and steady hands to set it up.

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed them. Please don't forget to share with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.
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Nordic Blog

    Midwest Fall Technology Conference featuring Midwest Area HIMSS chapters

    Posted by Nordic on Nov 17, 2014 9:01:00 AM

    We had a great time at The Midwest Fall Technology Conference in Chicago last week. It was wonderful to make new connections as well as catch up with our consultants and clients.

    Read More

    Topics: Midwest Fall Technology Conference, HIMSS

    Nordic's Blog

    Insights to help you get the most from your Epic EHR

    Most of the time we're interviewing our Nordic consultants in one manner or another to gather tips and tricks that help you work better with Epic. Occasionally, we'll slip in a little fun to show you what it's like to partner with us.

    If you have a topic that you'd like to see us cover here, let us know!

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Saturday, 15 December 2012

Silver head missing on new England litho-printed 1st & 2nd class stamps.

We received the new litho-printed England and Wales 1st and 2nd class stamps in November, and posted all the details here.

Somebody has since asked why there is no silver cylinder on the England stamps, as there was on the Scotland stamps issued in the summer.  I concede that with everything else going on I hadn't noticed the missing cylinder number (properly 'plate number' as it is litho).

Here are the C1 numbers in yellow, magenta, cyan and black with phosphor above the yellow.  The Wales stamps of course have the Queen's head reversed out of the colour printing so it appears white.

But the England stamps have the head in silver - or do they? Well in fact no.  Although in this scan the head on the right could easily be silver it is, in fact, grey-black.  There is no silver on the new England stamps!

This, of course, makes it very much easier to identify the Cartor stamps.  It must also mean that the 1st class stamp will have a new catalogue number as SG EN18 printed in litho by Enschede for the British Army prestige stamp book is "lake-brown and silver".  The 2nd class has not previously been printed in litho.

In fact this reminds me that the country definitives are an odd mixture.

The Wales and Northern Ireland stamps have both head and value in white.
The Scotland stamps have both head and value in silver.
The England stamps have the head in silver (or grey-black), and the value in white!

1 comment:

  1. This helps clarify why England and Wales have renumbering as per SG catalogue supplement this month


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Someday We’ll Know

The thing about being with good friends is that they are people you can be silly with…no pretense. With Hagen and Angeline, that’s what our friendship is like…I know I’ve probably never mentioned them, and that is because I haven’t seen them in years. And I mean years~~~ So one fine day last week, me and Hagen decided to do a video together. And so it was done. =)

This time, you can’t complain about bad video or audio quality, because it was recorded with a proper mic. I really really enjoyed myself doing this song with Hagen, with Angeline being the director.

I’ve loved this song since I was 18, and I’m really happy to be able to do a cover, even if it’s just on Youtube.

Our rendition of ‘Someday We’ll Know’ by Mandy Moore and Jonathan Foreman. I love it, and I hope you guys will like it too~ =D

(Having problems trying to embed the video so here’s the link)

This entry was posted by big_eyes on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm and is filed under My Videos, Songs . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Tag Archives: medical

Updated Online Tutorial for GeneTests

Comprehensive tutorial on the publicly available GeneTests resource enable researchers to quickly and effectively use this invaluable resource.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 25, 2010 – OpenHelix today announced the availability of an updated tutorial suite on GeneTests.

GeneTests is an integrated resource designed to provide access to current genetic testing and other clinical genetics information. The GeneTests resource includes the Laboratory Directory database, an international directory that identifies the location of clinical laboratories offering genetic testing; and GeneReviews, a collection of up-to-date, comprehensive disease-specific overviews which include clinical descriptions, diagnosis, management, molecular genetics, current genetic testing, and genetic counseling. This tutorials, in conjunction with OpenHelix tutorials on OMIM, dbSNP, GVS, HapMap and many others will give the medical researcher or clinician a set of training resources to help be efficient and effective at accessing and analyzing genomic variation and biomedical data.

The tutorial suites, available through an annual OpenHelix subscription, contain an online, narrated, multimedia tutorial, which runs in just about any browser connected to the web, along with slides with full script, handouts and exercises. With the tutorials, researchers can quickly learn to effectively and efficiently use these resources. The scripts, handouts and other materials can also be used as a reference or for training others.

This tutorials will teach users:
*to perform disease-specific searches and navigate the GeneTests site
*to understand the GeneReviews and Laboratory Directory Displays
*to access additional searches to query the GeneReviews and Laboratory Directory databases by disease feature, gene and protein specific searches, and more
*to identify U.S. and international laboratories offering molecular genetic testing for specific disorders, use the Clinical Directory to locate genetics professionals and services, and investigate additional educational and other resources

To find out more about these and over 90 other tutorial suites visit the OpenHelix Catalog and OpenHelix. Or visit the OpenHelix Blog for up-to-date information on genomics and genomics resources.

About OpenHelix
OpenHelix, LLC, (www.openhelix.com) provides a bioinformatics and genomics search and training portal, giving researchers one place to find and learn how to use resources and databases on the web. The OpenHelix Search portal searches hundreds of resources, tutorial suites and other material to direct researchers to the most relevant resources and OpenHelix training materials for their needs. Researchers and institutions can save time, budget and staff resources by leveraging a subscription to nearly 100 online tutorial suites available through the portal. More efficient use of the most relevant resources means quicker and more effective research.

How much rat poison indeed…

It is somewhat serenditous in that I just completed the first draft of a tutorial that uses several genomic resources to look at the CYP2C9 gene variations and wafarin dosage, but a recent report in the NEJM looks at wafarin dosage from a combined clinical and pharmacogenetic data standpoint. As Daniel MacArthur at Genetic Future says,

“the real clinical benefits of widespread genetic screening will come first in pharmacogenomics – these results provide a neat demonstration of this process in action.”

And he also points to a nice tool the authors created for determining dosage based on CYP2C9 genotype and other indications. A taste of things to come.


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Lighting Bitmaps in Papervision

1 Comment

This is a technical article explaining how to code a light source into your Papervision 3D scene. Papervision is an open source 3d library for the Flash platform.

Lighting in Papervision is a very useful tool. It helps add realism to your 3D project. Often times, you will have a scene or 3D objects that have textures on them using bitmaps. You can easily add lighting effects to these textures.

First you’ll need to add the following import statements:
import org.papervision3d.lights.PointLight3D;
import org.papervision3d.materials.shaders.PhongShader;
import org.papervision3d.materials.shaders.ShadedMaterial;

Phong Shading is a set of 3D rendering techniques which includes a model for reflecting light onto surfaces. It was invented by Bui Tuong Phong at the University of Utah, who published them in his 1973 Ph.D. dissertation.

Where you set up your scene, just create a light source
light = new PointLight3D();

In the part where you create your 3D objects that you want to light, you will create a PhongShader based on the light source and a ShadedMaterial based on your BitmapMaterial and your PhongShader. Please note that it HAS to be a BitmapMaterial and not a BitmapFileMaterial.

var earthBitmap:Bitmap = new earthAsset() as Bitmap;
var mat:BitmapMaterial = new BitmapMaterial(earthBitmap.bitmapData, true);

// create a shader using the light source
var phongShader:PhongShader = new PhongShader(light, 0xFFFFFF, 0x000000, 10);

// create the material based on the Phong shader
var phongShaderMat:ShadedMaterial = new ShadedMaterial(mat, phongShader);

globe = new Sphere(phongShaderMat, 200, 20, 20);

view.scene.addChild( globe );

The project source code is available for download here.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Twitter + Augmented Reality

What happens when you put together Flash, Augmented Reality, Papervision3D, the Twitter API, and a bored geek? You get this little webcam demo of a Flash app that tracks a marker and displays a speech bubble with your latest tweet.

Although Augmented Reality (AR) has been around for a while now, cheap webcams, 3D on the web, and other factors have only recently enabled the field of AR to be usable by the masses.

Thanks to John Lindquist’s tutorials, I was able to quickly put together a small demo of what you can do with AR and the Twitter API.

The commercial use of AR is still in it’s infancy and people are still trying to figure out how to use it. There have been some examples in the entertainment space, namely the PS3 game Eye of Judgement and the Topps Baseball trading cards.

Here’s a cool AR idea for a conference. Your registration badge can come with a marker that can be read by a big interactive wall installation with cameras. You can then walk up to it and it would show you your sessions. Not only that, but other people who walk up to it can also see their sessions and maybe, if the person standing next to you has the same sessions as you, it would let you know that so you can connect.

Here’s another cool AR idea for the web. Webcam Poker. Each player would have a marker on their desk. The webcam can then pick up the marker and project a virtual hand on your desk, so that your opponent would see your desk as if you had cards on them and you would be able to play virtual poker in a slightly more realist fashion than just clicking cards on screen.

Popularity: 4% [?]


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Clothing & Accessories · Seasonal & Holiday

How to do Red, White, and Blue

Now that it’s nearly July 4th, you’ll be seeing a lot of patriotic threads at the store. It’s hard to pull off this look without looking too kitschy. Once you overdo it, you’ll look like a human parade banner. The rules are not so different for women and men, but ladies; you have a bit more latitude on this one. You should have navy and white in your closets this summer because they go with everything. Navy is a neutral and works with yellow, coral, bright pinks and oranges, teal, and so much more. For the patriotic holidays, work it with white and a splash of red.

Here are some tips for ladies:

Bold stripes are a good thing paired with solids and other patterns, if you dare. The broad stripes modernize the whole look. We love this dress for it’s simplicity and the fact that it can be toned down with a nude shoe, or sassed up with a red shoe or a bold red statement necklace. You’ll find plenty of this patterns on skirts that you can dress up or down (think a chambray shirt, or blouse with tiny white stars on it).

This is one is from Zappos for $98!

Red jeans or khakis are a bold choice, but will work for you in the fall. This pair from the Neiman Marcus are so wearable. We would go with solids and avoid patterns–red jeans are pretty bold. The model does it with neutrals, but we’d love to see this with a navy cardigan or cross body bag. Dress it up with pumps and a navy statement necklace. These will take you right into Fall.

Neiman Marcus, $124

Neutral accessories pare it down. It will keep you form looking like an American flag and will work to make the whole outfit less distracting; especially if you’re going with a patterned look. We’d love to see this bag with a pretty gold watch and cute pair of neutral wedges.

Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Cami
Zappos Luxury $148 For Men…

It’s in the details. Invest in a festive pair of socks or belt. If you can pull it off, a bow tie is cute, but avoid actual flag patterns. Blue and white stripes or polka dots will keep you looking modern.

FBT-FLAG - Red - White - Blue - American Flag Self Tie Bow Tie
Amazon, $17.95

Keep it tailored and occasion appropriate. Look dapper because of his tailored jacket and pocket square. Red pants are hard for most men to pull off, but if you commit to it, like above, they will go a long way. Note that he’s pictured by the water, which is likely the place you’ll get away with daytime this nautical look.

Blue jeans count. We kind of love this look from Old Navy. It’s simple and effective. A red accessory or cute American Flag tank underneath is festive without being over the top. We also love that these are only $40 because the overall trend is…well a trend. But have fun with it!

product photo


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Ruffo Brothers host demos at the OC Auto Show

October 26, 2009

Carlos and Giovanni Ruffo host demos at Orange County Auto Show on October 16-17, 2009.

Founded in 1996 by Paul Reavlin, Revgear has proudly earned the distinguished acclaim ‘Pro Gear for Pro Fighters’ and continues to be the leading innovator and manufacturer of Martial Arts equipment including training gear, fight gear and fight apparel. The Revgear winning formula of supreme construction and cutting edge technology allows them to succeed in their strives to meet the training needs of athletes and competitors all over the world with durable equipment that can withstand the most demanding bouts. Revgear’s innovation creates products that are devoted to specifically meeting and exceeding the needs of those training in Martial Arts, MMA, Boxing, Self-Defense or Fitness Training.


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John Deere Adds Nursery Fork to Worksite Pro™ Attachments Lineup

Operators can tackle a variety of material-handling tasks with the new John Deere Nursery Fork attachment. The Nursery Fork (NF44) is the latest addition to the ever-expanding lineup of Worksite Pro™ attachments and is optimized to work with select John Deere E- and D-Series skid steers, compact track loaders (CTLs) and most competitive models.

The Nursery Fork boasts many key features that help drive additional productivity from a skid steer or compact track loader, including:

  • Ability to transport and easily position up to 44-inch (1,118-millimeter) balled or container trees and shrubs, along with rocks and light boulders
  • A 3,000-pound carrying capacity and 54-inch fork opening
  • One stationary arm and a second arm that has the ability to swing open and then close onto the load
  • A 6-inch (152-millimeter) tread plate that firmly grips bags, boxes, plants and rocks
  • An optional pressure-control kit that limits the arm-closing pressure, reducing the possibility of damage to the materials

“Like all Worksite Pro attachments, our new Nursery Fork was designed to optimize performance and productivity,” said Gregg Zupancic, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Whether you’re moving plants, trees, boulders or boxes, the Nursery Fork is an ideal tool to help contractors move materials quickly and easily.”

With the universal, self-cleaning Quik-Tatch™ easy attachment system found on all John Deere skid steers and CTLs, the machine can easily add and remove the Nursery Fork in no time. The new attachment is also backed by John Deere parts, service and warranty coverage.

To learn more visit or contact your local John Deere dealer.

About Deere & Company

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land – those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at


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An Inauspicious Debut

Fifty-nine years ago today, the first flight test of a full-scale Lockheed X-7A ramjet test vehicle took place near Alamogordo, New Mexico.  However, the dreaded flight test gremlins prevailed on this occasion as the entire X-7 launch stack disintegrated shortly after drop from its USAF B-29 launch aircraft.

The inauspicious start to the X-7 flight test program on Thursday, 26 April 1951 was but a momentary bump in the road.  Ultimately, that road would lead to significant technological progress in the development of ramjet propulsion systems.  Approximately 130 flight tests involving the X-7 would be conducted between 1951 and 1960.

The beginning of the X-7 program dates back to December of 1946.  At that time, the United States was on the cusp of an unprecedented period of frontiersmanship in the realm of high-speed flight.  Among other needs, a flying testbed was required to perform ramjet propulsion flight research.

A ramjet is a form of airbreathing propulsion well suited for flight up to a Mach number of about 5.  Unlike the turbojet, a ramjet contains no internal rotating machinery.  Flow compression comes entirely from deceleration of the supersonic freestream.  However, a ramjet cannot produce static thrust.  Hence, it must be boosted to flight speed via another propulsion system such as a turbojet or rocket.

The X-7 was rocket-boosted to ramjet take-over conditions.  Booster thrust was on the order of 100,000 pounds with a burn time of 5 seconds.  Following booster separation, the type would fly on ramjet power until fuel exhaustion.  The ramjet test article was slung under the belly of the X-7 airframe which made for an asymmetric vehicle configuration.

The entire X-7A-1 launch stack measured almost 33 feet in length and had a gross weight of about 8,000 pounds.   Later variants such as the X-7A-3 and XQ-5 would be longer by 3 and 4 feet, respectively.  However, their gross weight was about the same as that of the X-7A-1 configuration.

The X-7 was designed for reusability.   Vehicle recovery was effected via a multi-segment parachute system.  This feature afforded engineers the unique opportunity to make a post-flight inspection of each ramjet engine test article.  These inspections of flight hardware made for a more reliable means of making needed propulsion system design improvements.

Typically, the X-7′s long conical nose penetrated several feet into the soil at landing.  The result was that the X-7 airframe stuck out of the ground with the main parachute usually draped over the vehicle’s aft end.  This somewhat comical operational feature made the X-7 much easier to locate on the floor of the vast desert test range.

The X-7 was utilized to flight test ramjet engines that ranged from 20 to 36 inches in diameter.  Key propulsion performance data were telemetered to ground stations for post-flight analysis.  The ability to test an assortment of ramjet engine configurations during many flights produced a wealth of ramjet propulsion data over the life of the X-7 program.

The X-7 established a variety of flight performance records during its heyday.  The type’s airbreathing propulsion speed, altitude and range records included 2,880 mph (Mach 4.3), 106,000 feet and 134 miles, respectively.  Note that these marks were all accomplished in the 1950′s.

The technological legacy of the X-7 program is impressive.  Indeed, flight vehicles such as the Boeing BOMARC, Lockheed SR-71 and Lockheed D-21 were direct beneficiaries of X-7 propulsion flight research.  Though difficult to assess the extent thereof, Lockheed’s legendary Advanced Development Program (i.e., Skunk Works) has undoubtably benefitted from the X-7′s rich propulsion legacy as well.

J. Terry White


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Posts by Author

Author: Chris Preovolos

Reports: Slipknot guitarist Mick Thompson stabbed in head by brother

Slipknot guitarist Mick Thompson has allegedly been stabbed in the head by his brother Wednesday, reports Thompson, a longtime member of the Iowa-based heavy metal band, was injured in his home in Clive, Iowa, the music website said, adding that according to police both parties involved appeared to have been drinking. TMZ reports that both […]

Some guy overdubbed Mary Poppins with a death metal version of ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’

Today’s totally random YouTube gem:
Andy Rehfeldt and Sera Hatchett at Endless Noise recorded an overdubbed a death metal version of Mary Poppins’ “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and even though the sound of it is something quite atroci…

Photos: Nearly 20 manatees rescued from Florida drainpipes

Nearly twenty manatees were rescued from drain pipes in Satellite Beach, Florida Monday night into Tuesday morning. Firefighters, SeaWorld Orlando employees and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission participated in the rescue. According to, the the manatees may have entered the pipe seeking warmer waters during a cold snap in the area: Florida […]

James Van Der Beek is in a really dark ‘Power Rangers’ fan film

Joseph Kahn, a director whose credits include “Blink 182: Greatest Hits,” “Britney Spears: In the Zone” and a music video featuring Taylor Swift violently assaulting a sweet Shelby Cobra, has released a “bootleg” Power Rangers fan film starring James Van Der Beek and Katee Sackhoff (obviously). And it’s dark as hell. POWER/RANGERS, launched on Vimeo (that […]

Video: Watch a guy beat the ‘hardest’ Super Mario level ever

Over on a Super Mario World Forum, a user named PangeaPangea explains how it took him three years to beat the ‘hardest’ Super Mario level ever. And he was the guy who made it. So yeah, he made it and yeah, it’s a “tool-assisted speedrun” (meaning he used software to alter gameplay in an emulator) […]

Crazy photo: Jeep leaves behind ice-sculpture imprint

A thin sheet of ice was left standing after a Jeep’s engine freed it from the front end of the SUV in Greenville, North Carolina. That’s the working theory anyway. Check it out, the photograph is nothing short of amazing:

Ferguson cops testing new ‘alternative’ for police shootings

Ferguson, Missouri police have begun testing a device that could allow officers to fire on a suspect with their service pistol with a greatly reduced risk of killing the target. The device called “The Alternative,” manufactured by a California company Alternative Ballistics, can quickly be fitted over a semi-automatic pistol’s slide, which holds a large metal […]

‘Straight Outta Compton’ : Ice Cube releases official trailer

Mark you calendars hip-hop fans: a biographical drama centered around the original 1980s gangsta rap super group N.W.A. hits screens on August 14 and today Ice Cube released the first official trailer for the film on social media. In the trailer we see original N.W.A. members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube rolling around Compton, California where […]

Video: Intense California Highway Patrol pursuit, shooting

KCRA, a Sacramento, California Hearst Television station, has obtained exclusive video of a car chase that ended in Sacramento with CHP officers shooting a man in who allegedly stole a truck in Stockton. Check out the wild video above for details.

Video: Family finds creepy skeleton in old barn

A family near Fort Smith, Arkansas bought an old barn and inside they found a casket, complete with a human skeleton. According to Hearst television station KHBS, the skeleton was likely one of two that  belonged to a chapter of the Odd Fellows fraternal organization who used them for who knows what. What happened to […]


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Miley Cyrus invites the Roots to go on tour with her

Miley Cyrus has invited the Roots to go on tour with her next year after they joined forces to perform an a cappella version of her hit “We Can’t Stop” on TV on Tuesday night.

Cyrus was a guest on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” and she recruited the show’s house band, hip-hop group The Roots, and host Jimmy Fallon to film the special set, in which they appeared in a colorful Brady Bunch-style grid to beatbox and harmonize on the track.

The pre-taped performance aired at the start of the talk show, and Cyrus was so happy with the collaboration, she admitted it would be perfect for her concert tour next year.

At the top of her interview, she said, “That was sweet, we should bring that on tour when I go on the road next year.”

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Tag: UW Huskies

What we learned: Huskies fall to Ducks in high-stakes rivalry game

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Lee Corso chooses Ducks to beat Huskies on ‘College GameDay’

The throngs of Huskies who surrounded the ESPN “College GameDay” set at UW’s Red Square early Saturday were hoping to catch a glimpse of TV host Lee Corso with the head of a husky. Instead, they saw a

New Husky Stadium earns its first Trophy (Cupcakes, that is)

It turns out the Idaho State Bengals aren’t the only cupcakes the Washington football program will encounter this year. Trophy Cupcakes on Wednesday confirmed the company will open a location inside

UW amateur Cheng-Tsung Pan placing high at US Open — above Tiger Woods

Only two years removed from high school, UW’s Cheng-Tsung Pan is playing with the pros now — and how. As of Friday morning, he was beating Tiger Woods. You read that right. After shooting only two


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49ers say they won’t underestimate Rams

49ers say they won’t underestimate Rams

The 49ers‘ first game against the Rams began at 1:25 p.m. on Nov. 11, but the home team didn’t really arrive until St. Louis had a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.

On Thursday, 49ers backup nose tackle Ricky Jean Francois shook his head as he recalled the sleepy start.

“We rolled the ball out there slowly,” Jean Francois said.

In response, the Rams grabbed the ball, ran it down the 49ers’ throats and passed it as they pleased.

St. Louis began the game with touchdown drives of 66 and 93 yards, the latter the longest of the season against San Francisco. It also was the first time a team has scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives against the 49ers in 2012.

After the Niners eventually awoke to rally for an unsatisfying 24-24 tie, they’d learned a lesson in underestimating a decided underdog.

“They came out on fire and we didn’t come ready to play,” defensive tackle Ray McDonald said. “I remember those two drives. They just wanted it more than we did.”

Said safety Donte Whitner: “I think we were prepared, but we didn’t have our edge.”

Three weeks later, the 49ers (8-2-1) will get a chance to prove the lesson has stuck when they visit St. Louis (4-6-1) on Sunday. The rematch comes at an interesting time given the pattern of San Francisco’s season: two wins, loss, two wins, loss, two wins, tie, two wins.

If the trend continues, San Francisco is due for another stinker in a game that’s begging for them to keep hitting snooze: Kickoff is at 10 a.m. West Coast time.

In recalling the first meeting against the Rams, McDonald said it’s hard to be foaming at the mouth for 16 straight games.

“It’s just being in the league,” McDonald said. “You don’t want to make excuses, but every team goes through it. You have those weeks sometimes. It’s a long season. Sometimes you’re doing to be down.”

The Rams, who have beaten only one team with a winning record this season, could be limping into Sunday’s game.

Defensive end Robert Quinn, who had 1 1/2 of his 8 1/2 sacks against the 49ers on Nov. 11, hasn’t practiced this week because of a concussion. Meanwhile, wide receiver Danny Amendola (foot), who had 11 catches for 102 yards in the first game at Candlestick Park, has yet to practice and is sporting a walking boot this week. Even Steven Jackson (101 yards on Nov. 11) missed practice Wednesday with a foot injury and was limited Thursday.

Of course, St. Louis was also at less than full strength in the first meeting: Before the game, wide receiver Chris Givens and cornerback Janoris Jenkins were suspended for violating team rules.

Even without those two starters, the Rams delivered a forceful first-quarter message that Whitner remembers three weeks later.

“Oh, yes,” he said. “They’ve got our attention.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch

San Francisco Chronicle


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It’s Official: Skype founders settle, join investor group

EBay Inc. said today that the investor group buying a majority stake in Skype has reached a settlement agreement with the founders of the online calling service, clearing the way for the deal to proceed.

Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis sold Skype to eBay in 2005, but claim they retained ownership of the underlying software code. They filed lawsuits against eBay, claiming it broke the licensing terms of the deal, as well as the investors planning to buy the service.

EBay Inc. said in early September it agreed to hand over its controlling stake in Skype to a consortium led by Menlo Park private-equity firm Silver Lake for $1.9 billion in cash and a note worth $125 million. The other parties included Index Ventures, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Andreessen Horowitz.

Under the agreement, the founders’ companies, Joltid Ltd. and Joost N.V., hand over ownership of all the software and end the litigation upon the closing of the acquisition. In addition, Zennstrom and Friis will join the investor group, contributing Joltid software and a capital investment in exchange for a 14 percent stake in Skype.

Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board will together hold 56 percent of Skype. EBay will retain 30 percent. Index Ventures has withdrawn from participation.

The deal, which values Skype at $2.75 billion, is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

“Skype will be well positioned to move forward under new owners with ownership and control over its core technology,” said eBay Inc. Chief Executive John Donahoe in a statement. “At the same time, eBay continues to retain a significant stake in Skype and will benefit from its continued growth.”

Silver Lake Managing Director Egon Durban said in a statement: “We are very pleased to have the litigation resolved. We remain confident in a great future for Skype, and we look forward to working with Niklas, Janus and the other investors as partners to help the company achieve its full potential.”


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If you’ve been to Rome, you probably visited Piazza di Trevi, Piazza di Spagna, or some of the other, more popular public squares. But Rome’s other piazzas offer just as much culture and history as their touristy counterparts. Here are five lesser-known piazzas worth seeking out:

Piazza Mattei
This piazza, located in the Jewish Ghetto, has one of the few fountains in Rome commissioned by a citizen, Muzio Mattei, and not a pope. According to legend, when everyone found out Mattei had lost his fortunes to gambling, he ordered a fountain to be built overnight in order to impress the father of the woman he wished to marry. Given Mattei’s wealth and influence, the story is probably not true — but you don’t want to miss the Fontana delle Tartarughe, or Turtle Fountain, regardless. (For the architecture fans: Della Porta designed this fountain, but the tortoises were added later by either Gian Lorenzo Bernini or Andrea Sacchi, in either 1568 or 1569, depending on who’s telling the story.)

Piazza del PopoloOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA The Piazza del Popolo isn’t exactly a hidden piazza — in fact, it’s well known for its Egyptian obelisk from Heliopolis; the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli; the Porta del Popolo; and several fountains. But, it qualifies here because, if you’re in the know, there’s a special way to experience the piazza. First, take the steps beside the waterfall to Pincio Gardens, where you’ll get a panoramic view from the balustrade stretching out over the Piazza del Popolo. When you’ve soaked up the sights, continue into the gardens. Busts of famous Europeans line the walkways to the obelisk believed to be commissioned by Emperor Hadrian, and to a water clock built in 1867 by a Dominican father.

Piazza Santa Mariatrastevere-piazza-santa-maria-trastevere Boasting what is believed to be the oldest fountain in Rome, Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere provides escape from Rome’s summer crowds. Shop in the boutiques surrounding the square, savor a meal at a trattoria, or relax near the fountain with a gelato. While you’re here, you’ll also want to set aside some time to visit Santa Maria, the first church built by Christians in Rome. Don’t let its bland exterior fool you. Inside, you’ll be dazzled by the intricate gold mosaics.

Piazza Farnese Thermae_of_Caracalla_Pool_at_Piazza_Farnese It wasn’t too long ago that Piazza Farnese was a parking lot a short walk from the Campo de’Fiori, an open air fruit and vegetable market that has been operating since 1869. Today it’s an open, public square with two fountains featuring giant tubs taken from the ancient Baths of Caracalla. Here, go see Palazzo Farnese, commissioned by Alessandro Farnese (later Pope Paul III), who also had Michelangelo add elements like a cornice to the exterior. After the Farnese line died out, the French Embassy moved into the palace, where it remains today.

Piazza MontiMASSIMO BARSOUM AGENZIA TOIATI PIAZZA DELLA MADONNA DEI MONTI Located in Monti, adjacent to the Coliseum and Forum, the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti takes its name from the nearby Church of Santa Maria dei Monti and features buildings dating back to the 14th century. You’ll find locals gathering near the fountain, designed by Giacomo Della Porta in 1588, while children play. Make a point to stroll through the vintage shops lining the piazza, where gladiators once walked. Grab a bite to eat at Bottega del Caffe and spend time people watching, or explore the piazza’s vibrant nightlife — this is one of the few places in Rome where drinking on the street is not only tolerated but encouraged.

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–Technical Writing For Dummies® by Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts

Anyone who writes technical documents must understand how critical it is to take a
strategic approach. For example, if you design a custom home, do you first call someone
to wield a hammer? Of course not. A hammer is merely a tool. To design a custom home,
you call an architect — a trained professional who designs layout; renders plans for the
plumbing, electrical, and heating systems; and provides the structure. Then you call
someone who knows hammers.
The same holds true in technical writing. Effective technical documents require an
information architect — a technical writer . Whether this person is a professional
technical writer or an engineer or software developer who writes technical documents,
she must plan, design, and provide logical structure. Anyone can learn to use the
software to create the document. Much like the hammer, software is merely a tool. The
key to writing a great document is strategy, not software.

Someone once told me that she wouldn’t make a good technical writer because she
can’t even use jumper cables to rev up an ailing car battery. Remember that
technical writing isn’t about jumper cables or about understanding every aspect of
the technical and scientific communities. And it isn’t about knowing every nuance of
the latest software application. Very few people have that broad a knowledge base.
Technical writing is about using strategy and resources to write clear, accurate, and
logical documents. If you apply a logical strategy and avail yourself of resources,
you can write just about anything — from turning on your computer to assembling a
jet airplane.


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Thursday, March 5, 2015

by Joan R. Shepherd, FNP

Recently, I attended a remarkable conference in Phoenix Arizona. Although the content was geared around helping clients with weight loss, the main presenter, Dr. Martha Beck, is doing extensive work with people addicted to heroin. It’s not such a stretch to see the connection between using food and using any other substance (or behavior) to separate one’s mind from one’s body.

Choosing not to feel is a protective mechanism that human’s have perfected beautifully. Constant avoidance of unpleasant emotions is easily dealt with by putting anything between the painful thought and the subsequent emotion.

The pesky little problem with doing that is that it consumes an inordinate amount of energy to always be in Avoidance Mode. Not only that, stuffing in food, alcohol or addiction has its own set of pretty nasty consequences.

What I want you to believe is that at the very core of your being, you can know peace. It is there, waiting for you. The process of finding it is simple, but not necessarily easy.

It begins with acknowledging, accepting and stopping one’s addictive behavior. Not medicating with food, drugs, sex, gambling or whatever--may seem terrifying, especially if you have you have been doing this behavior for a long time to cover up some painful experiences.

Believe me, we have heard some truly tough stories. But, once you choose to own and embrace your painful story, you can start to move forward.

There really is a beautiful life waiting for you; it’s called Reality, and there is nothing funnier, more joyful or more rewarding than living in it.

We love helping people take that first step and ushering you to the next.

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Category: Barack Obama

Obama declares emergency in New York (updated)

President Barack Obama has declared an emergency in New York, which frees up federal aid; the declaration is retroactive to yesterday. This isn’t particularly early or late to take this action: in

Pataki To ‘Remain Active’ In 2012, But Not As Candidate

Former Gov. George Pataki just released a statement formally confirming reports that he has decided not run for president in 2012. A source said this morning that Pataki’s decision was based mainly on family concerns. And now we have this: “Earlier this year I launched No American Debt to put a focus on our debt

More Trouble For Obama In NY: PEF Takes A Pass On Early Endorsement

The PEF Executive Board refused earlier this month to adopt the union’s statewide political action committee recommendation for an early endorsement of President Obama that is being pushed hard by its “parent” organizations, SEIU and, to a lesser extent, AFT, according to a PEF source. The vote was not a roll call, but my source

NRCC Ties Owens To Obama

…Whether he likes it or not. The NRCC are seeking to tie NY-23 Rep. Bill Owens to President Obama, insisting the Democratic congressman is little more than a “yes” man for the commander-in-chief, who has seen his approval rating tank in New York – particularly in more conservative-leaning upstate. Upon reading The Watertown Times report

NY Dems Want Obama To Rethink S-Comm Mandate

Led by Sen. Gustavo Rivera, 20 NYC Democrats have written a letter to President Obama, calling on him to reconsider his decision that mandates state participation in the federal Secure Communities program – regardless of what their governors want. Back in June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo temporarily suspended NY’s participation in what has come to be

Poll: Obama still carries NY, Giuliani comes closest

A poll released this morning by the Siena Research Institute finds Barack Obama winning re-election in the Empire State over every Republican challenger, but by a lower margin than several months ago.

Siena: Obama Hangs By A Thread In True-Blue NY

Today’s Siena poll brings more bad news for President Obama, who is leading all potential GOP challengers despite the fact that his job approval rating is the worst it has ever been. Almost two thirds of NYers think the president is doing a poor or fair job, and they’re evenly divided when asked about a

Koch: Time Never ‘Righter’ For 3rd Party Prez Candidate

In an exclusive interview with the conservative Website Newsmax, former NYC Mayor Ed Koch suggested he might not vote for his fellow Democrat, President Obama, insisting it’s time for an independent candidate to enter the fray. Koch floated conservative commentator George Will for the job, but said he would be “supportive” if his longtime friend

Rivera: Suing An ‘Option’ Over Obama Secure Communities Mandate (Updated)

ICYMI: Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a frequent critic of the federal Secure Communities program, expressed significant “disappointment” during a CapTon interview last night with the Obama administration’s reversal on allowing states to opt out. S-Comm, as it has come to be known, compels local law enforcement officers to share information about new arrests with federal immigration

Q Poll: Obama In Negative Territory For 1st Time In NY

Bad new for President Obama from the Q poll this morning on the heels of his quickie fundraising trip to the Big Apple last night. For the first time, Obama’s negatives outweigh his positives – 49-45 – when it comes to job approval in this Democrat-dominated, and supposedly safe blue, state. (Remember: No Republican presidential