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Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Japanese Royal Jelly Producer Expands

Japan Yamada Bee Farm to Open First Directly-Managed Store
Japanese News Digest, 2/28/2006

Japanese honey and royal jelly producer and mail-order seller Yamada Bee Farm Corp will open on March 3, 2006 its first directly-managed store, in Okayama, southwestern Japan, it was reported on February 28, 2006.

The 60-sq m store will sell approximately 200 items such as honey and beverages produced both in Japan and overseas, honey-based cosmetics and natural yeast bread. . .

Monday, February 27, 2006

Beeswax Lip Balm Infused with Caffeine

Eco Lips Introduces HIGH POWERED Lip Balm
NPI Center, 2/27/2006

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (February 27, 2006) - Want a high-powered boost from your lip balm? Eco Lips, Inc. introduces Eco Lips ENERGY, an all natural lip balm infused with caffeine, green tea extract and Vitamin B12 for a quick and discreet way to get more ENERGY— anytime, anywhere. Unlike coffee and most “energy” products which are absorbed through the digestive system, Eco Lips ENERGY transfers the nutrients directly into your body through the lips and mouth. The result is a quicker surge of energy utilizing a smaller dose of ingredients. Deliciously flavored with exciteMINT, the new balm contains organic jojoba oil, organic essential oils and organic beeswax for a “smooth and soothe” lip experience. . . .The boost is provided easily through one of the most absorbent parts of your body – your lips!” . . .

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Propolis Protects Human Spermatozoa from DNA Damage

Life Sciences, Volume 78, Issue 13 , 23 February 2006, Pages 1401-1406

Abstract: Many environmental, physiological and genetic factors have been implicated in defective sperm function, the most common cause of infertility. In addition, sperm preparation techniques such as centrifugation, used prior to in vitro fertilization, are associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increase in the level of DNA damage.

Factors that can offer spermatozoa protection are, therefore, of great importance. This study was designed to examine in vitro the effect of a Chilean propolis ethanolic extract on human spermatozoa treated with benzo[a]pyrene and exogenous reactive oxygen species. . .

The propolis extract was shown to possess the capacity to protect sperm membrane from the deleterious action of oxidative attack, reducing TBARS formation and LDH release.

In summary, our results evidence that the protective effect exhibited by this natural compound in human spermatozoa is correlated, at least in part, to the antioxidant capacity of its active components, and suggest that propolis may have a role in protection against male infertility.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

APIMEDICA 2006 in Athens October 12-15

The "APIMEDICA2006 - Ist International Forum on Apitherapy" under the patronage of APIMONDIA is being organised in Athens, the capital of ancient and modern Greece. . .

Friday, February 24, 2006

Bees Being 'Trained' as Odor Detectors

Bloodhound Bees to Take the Sting Out of Terrorism
By Clive Cookson, Financial Times (UK), 2/24/2006

British bees are vying with American wasps to play a role as ultra-sensitive odour detectors, with applications that include sniffing out explosives, diagnosing disease and monitoring food quality.

The insects are as sensitive as bloodhounds but can be "trained" far more quickly than dogs to recognise specific molecules.

Scientists have known for decades that insects have amazing olfactory powers, detecting molecules in the air at concentrations below one part per trillion (million million) but they have only recently found ways to exploit that ability.

In the UK a company called Inscentinel, based at Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire, has been working for four years to harness honey bees for trace vapour detection. . .

Market for Propolis, Venom Grows in South Africa

Bee-Farming Project Causing a Buzz for Trainees
By Athane Scholtz, The Herald (South Africa), 2/24/2006

THE pilot project of an innovative bee-farming initiative that might possibly create endless job opportunities, this week got under way with the training of 17 former forestry workers to become bee farmers in the Wilderness National Park.

The project is already lauded as the new hope for communities that have been left jobless after the discontinuation of government pine forestry functions on the Garden Route a few years ago.

Trainees from forestry communities in Rheenendal, Karatara, Farleigh and Kraaibos yesterday said they were initially skeptical about the promises made regarding a community project that could create money and jobs. . .

The pilot project will start with harvesting of honey and propolis, but other products such as wax, venom and pollen can be added when appropriate. . .

“The market for honey, and by-products such as propolis, beeswax and venom, continues to grow and South Africa needs to produce much more for local and possible international demands.”

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Yemenis Recognize Medicinal Benefits of Honey

AP Blog From Yemen
Donna Abu-Nasr, Associated Press, 2/22/2006

Yemenis have honey for dessert. After a meal, they dip bananas in the thick, sweet liquid, the color of which varies from amber to black. Or it's poured in circles over a huge round pastry that tastes like chewy puff pastry.

But that's not its only use. Long before honey stores cropped up about three decades ago, honey was used mainly for medicinal purposes. It was not sold commercially; rather, jars were presented as gifts.

Today, the medicinal benefits of honey are touted by honey stores, which display jars of honey-laced cream to treat everything from hemorrhoids to back pain, fatigue to dry skin. The shelves the jars are on look like beehives.

There's also the "newlyweds mix," honey spiked with ginseng and herbal extracts that salesmen promote as an aphrodisiac.

"We give it to men and women who come to us with sexual problems," said salesman Ahmed al-Nahari. "Honey is a good aphrodisiac." . . .

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

4th German Apitherapy Congress, Expo and Course with International Participation

When: March 24 (noon) to March 29, 2006
Where: Holiday Inn Hotel, Passau, Germany
Contact: Dr. Stefan Stangaciu at drstangaciu@apitherapie.de or drstangaciu@apitherapy.com
For More Information: www.Apitherapie.de

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Brazilian Company Offers Propolis Mouthspray for Carnival

Brazil Carnival Kissers Get Anti-Germ Mouthspray
By Terry Wade, Reuters, 2/21/2006

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Serial kissers at Brazil's racy Carnival parades can now swap saliva with even more revellers thanks to a mouth spray designed to fight germs, just one of many weird products companies have launched to profit from traditionally libidinous revelry.

The spray was launched by a local company for Carnival celebrations this weekend in Salvador, the heart of Brazil's African culture, and Sao Paulo, its biggest city. . .

"Beije," or "Kiss," is made with propolis, or bee hive glue. Though propolis has long been used in natural medicine, many health experts disagree about its positive effects.

Still, propolis extracts from tropical Bahia state have special qualities that fight microorganisms and boost the immune system, Brazilian researchers say.

A 35-milliliter bottle of mouthspray will sell for 5 reais (1.35 pounds) and the local Naturapi company hopes to sell more than 100,000 bottles during the bash. . .

Chinese Spa Uses Honey Body Wrap

Wrap Me Up in Honey
Shanghai Daily News, 2/21/2006

Modern lifestyle can be hectic at the best of times, which means we often struggle to find time to relax. Yet it is essential to do this in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.

InterContinental Pudong's newly opened 600-square-meter I-Spa can offer you everything you could dream of in order to achieve the ultimate state of relaxation. . .

After another hot, cleansing shower, I was ready for the second section - a body wrap. A mixture of cooling honey, warming ginger and almond oil was spread all over my body and I was then wrapped up "mummy style." After 60 minutes, I was showered and a totally new me emerged. My skin was smooth, soft and moist - it was like magic. . .

Monday, February 20, 2006

Beeswax ‘Ear Candles’ Featured at US Trade Show

New Age Treatments Target Age-Old Ailments
Aline Mendelsohn, Orlando Sentinel (USA), 2/17/06

If falling asleep on the couch watching the Olympics is the extent of your relaxation and wellness regimen, perhaps you need some help. At the International New Age Trade Show East, held this month at the Orange County Convention Center, several products were featured that offer users the chance to march to a radically different drummer, including:

Ear candles -- These are candles made of muslin, food-grade wax and unprocessed beeswax that you light and place inside your ear for 10 to 15 minutes. The candle irrigates the ear canal and can also help with ear infections and pink eye, says Kevin Bolton of Harmony Cone, the company that makes the candles. Details: harmonycone.com. . .

Sunday, February 19, 2006

MediHoney Targets U.S. Wound-Care Market

The Buzz About Medical Honey
Elizabeth Esfahani, Business 2.0, 3/1/2006

Ancient Egyptians treated injuries with honey, and World War II doctors dressed wounds with it. Now honey is back on the medical scene, thanks to a startup called MediHoney.

A subsidiary of Australia's Capilano Honey, a maker of edible honey with $80 million in annual sales, MediHoney makes creams, ointments, and other products that treat everything from surgical wounds to eczema.

Honey's chemical makeup is determined by local plant life, so MediHoney and two U.K.-based competitors, Medlock Medical and Advancis Medical, sell different therapeutic varieties. In Australia, MediHoney founder Anthony Moloney discovered three types with high levels of hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial properties. "The view about honey is changing dramatically," Moloney says.

Now targeting Australia and parts of Europe, MediHoney hopes to gain Food and Drug Administration approval in 2006 and get a taste of the U.S. advanced wound-care market, which Business Communications estimates will hit $2.8 billion in 2008. It'll be up to MediHoney to make sure the idea sticks.

Comvita Deal May Mean More Jobs

By Stephen Ward, The Dominion Post (New Zealand), 2/16/2006

MORE jobs may be possible in the long term at Comvita's Cambridge factory after the company signed a deal with US wound care products manufacturer and supplier Derma Sciences.

The exclusive licensing deal covers the use of Comvita's medical-grade manuka honey-based wound care products, which are based on research by Waikato University's Peter Molan.

Comvita chief executive Brett Hewlett said it was hard to predict how quickly sales would take off as a result of the deal. The company's experience in Britain was that overseas markets were slow to take on new products.
But the deal with Derma gave Comvita an important foothold in American markets, he said. . .

Honey Fair Opens in Moscow

Moscow News (Russia), 2/17/2006

The sweetest All-Russian fair opened in the center of Moscow. In the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall, Muscovites can sample over 100 varieties of honey brought from different parts of Russia. President of the Russian Union of Beekeepers Arnold Butov told TV Center that honey sold in supermarkets is a good food source but is not a medicinal and biologically active product because it has been heated up and pasteurized. Ninety honey varieties sold in the fair are two times cheaper than that sold in the city's shops. Muscovites can also buy propolis, beeswax, pollen and natural drinks made of honey till February 25.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Honey Used in Ayurvedic System of Medicine

Try Honey!
Rama Gokul, Deccan Herald (India), 2/17/2006

Honey is invaluable with its nutritional and medicinal properties. It makes a very good substitute for sugar/jaggery in drinks. It is used in confectionery, ice creams, biscuits, cakes and fruit salads, candies etc.

Ayurvedic system of medicine uses honey as a medicine as well as a medium as it facilitates their use and acts as a catalyst.

It contains complete vitamin B complex and helps to retain vitality and vigour and refreshes a tired body.

Hence, while feeling low and tired, instead of a cola, go for a glass of water with a dash of honey (and lime) as the glucose in honey is rapidly absorbed by the body to energise you.

Honey has curative properties too. It cures cold/cough, indigestion and liver disorders.

It is also a brain and nerve tonic, which enhances memory. It is equally good for skin wounds and ailments. In fact, it makes an excellent first-aid for burns and scalds, when applied generously, instantly. It has antiseptic and anti bacterial properties too.

A regular use is recommended to build up good resistance and blood purification. A spoon full a day keeps doctor away. Its application on the skin along with glycerine, makes a good wrinkle remover. . .

A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin

Sharon Hopkins, Daily India, 2/17/2006

For the ultimate natural all round healing potion, try Honey. Thanks to Cleopatra’s milk and honey baths, Honey has become a favourite with one and all to be used in beauty regime. Beside Cleopatra, there were other beauties from the past, who swear by honey being an indispensable ingredient in beauty treatments.

Pollution, dirt, and other chemical agents in the air make the skin lose its ability to retain water, making it look dry, wrinkled and aging the person bit earlier. The natural hydrating and antioxidant properties of honey trap and seal the moisture, rejuvenate the skin, cleanse the complexion leaving it soft and supple.

Honey in its purest form is suitable for all skin types’ even sensitive skin. Beauticians suggest using honey abundantly for radiant complexion. Skin care products like baths, shower gels, face creams, skin lotions, moisturizers, body scrubs and even newborns products contain pure honey. . .

Friday, February 17, 2006

Use Extra Care with Bee-Sting Injection

Suzy Cohen, Newsday (USA), 2/7/2006

My 12-year-old daughter is very allergic to bee stings. In fact, I was told that if she ever got stung again, she could die. Her doctor prescribed EpiPen, a medicine that I'm supposed to give her if she gets stung. He went over it briefly, but I would like your input. . .

EpiPen and its pediatric formula, EpiPen Junior, are injectable drugs intended to be self-administered during an emergency by people who experience life-threatening allergic reactions.

The drug is just an injectable form of epinephrine, which is made in the body and completely natural to human life.

During an allergic response, the amount of epinephrine in the body plummets, triggering a cascade of potentially fatal symptoms. . .

Anaphylactic reactions are different from typical allergies because symptoms include flushing, fainting, rash, rapid heartbeat, a drop in blood pressure, wheezing, vomiting, convulsions and a closing of the throat. . .

According to the manufacturer's instructions, EpiPen should be injected only into the muscle of the outer thigh. It should not be injected into a vein because this could cause a brain hemorrhage. . .

If you think the drug comes without risk, you're wrong. . .

New Propolis Toothpaste Introduced in UK

Product Round-up: Shield Your Teeth
Community Pharmacy, 2/15/2006

Phyto Shield is a new range of natural toothpaste produced by The New Zealand Natural Oral Care Company.

The range is said to be based on natural antibacterial agents, which help to fight plaque, tooth decay and bad breath. The paste comes in three flavours: Herbal Botanical, an everyday paste with natural plant oils, Propolis Botanical, with healing properties of bee propolis for extra gum care and sensitive or receding gums, and Lemon Myrtle Botanical, which acts like a mouthwash and is recommended for stain removing.

The range, which retails at £3.95, does not contain fluoride or sodium lauryl sulphate and is sweetened with xylitol.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Can Local Honey Help Allergies?

The Bradenton Herald (USA), 2/16/2006

I heard that locally produced honey could help allergies. How much should be taken each day?

Although we, too, have heard of this remedy, a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (February 2002) suggests it is ineffective.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Does Raw Honey Help Cure Allergies?

A Honey of a Cure?
Probably not, but it sure tastes good
By Jean Prescott, Sun Herald (USA), 2/15/2006

As if the air weren't polluted enough, it's about to become saturated with spring pollen.

Bob Strickler of Strickler Apiaries in Moss Point says, "Oh, yeah, it's common knowledge that honey helps (with allergies), and we do sell it raw," raw being a requirement for allergy "treatment." It means the honey has not been subjected to the heat of pasteurization. . .

"I don't think there's anything harmful about taking it, but the science just doesn't make sense," said Dr. Douglas Leavengood, an allergist with Gulf Coast Asthma & Allergy Clinic in Biloxi. He has disappointing news for those who swear by the honey treatment.

"Here's the deal," he said. "Pollen allergy is caused by plants that don't flower. Trees, grasses - they produce huge amounts of tiny pollen that fill the air and our nostrils" and produce allergic reactions.

"Bees collect a small amount of much larger, very sticky pollen," he said. This pollen doesn't float in the air but migrates from plant to plant thanks to bees, which are only in it for the nectar.

So the pollen in the beehives isn't the pollen that produces allergic reactions, says Leavengood. . .

Send a letter to the editor.

US Firm Signs Deal With NZ Manuka Wound Care Products Producer

Derma Sciences Announces Licensing Deal with Comvita

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2006--Derma Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: DSCI), a manufacturer and full line supplier of wound and skin care products, today announced that the company has entered into a long-term exclusive licensing deal with Comvita Limited, a New Zealand based natural health products company. The licensing deal, which includes patents and other intellectual property, covers the use of Comvita's Medical Manuka honey based products for the management of chronic wounds, skin tears, post operative wounds and burns. . .

‘Ear Candling’ Uses Beeswax to Remove Ear Wax

Ear Candling a Hot Topic as Natural Therapy
By Dawn Zera, Wilkes Barre Times Leader (USA), 2/14/2006

It's not often you come across people who say that sticking a candle in their ear makes them feel good. However, an ancient way of removing ear wax is fast gaining steam.

Ear candling, or coning as it is sometimes called, is believed to have originated thousands of years ago perhaps among the Egyptians as a therapeutic way to draw wax and toxins out of the ear. Today, it is used as a natural therapy to clean out the ears and provide relief for sinus passages. Ear candling at AJA Salon and Day Spa in Trucksville. The process involves a beeswax candle placed in the ear and set alight.

The results of the ear candling, wax and pollen that was drawn out, according to the practitioners. . .

At Star Tresses, West Pittston, 45-year-old Mary Rose lay down on her side while co-worker Stephanie Markert demonstrated the procedure. The comforting sound of a nature tape played background music as Markert carefully laid a flame-retardant cloth on Rose's head, then took a 10-inch beeswax cone candle, which was poked snugly through a tin pan, and inserted one end gently in Rose's ear. . .

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Brazilian Mini-Course on 'Management for the Production of Propolis'

Manejo para a produção de própolis
16º Congresso Brasileiro de Apicultura

Translate from Portuguese to English.

Organic Honey Certification Impossible in U.S.

Obstacles to Certifying Honey Organic
Producers feeling the sting from inability to obtain right to use 'organic' label
Kelly Stone, Grand Forks Herald (USA), 2/13/2006

When you think of honey, you probably think of words like "healthy," "pure" or "natural." But you might be surprised to hear that, currently, it's impossible for U.S. honey producers to get their product certified as organic.

Dr. Marla Spivak, a University of Minnesota entomologist, says while Europe and Canada have standards in place for certifying organic honey, there are no such standards yet in the United States. Spivak says under existing USDA guidelines, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to create honey certification standards.

Right now, USDA classifies bees as livestock. To certify livestock as organic, producers must prove that the animals have not come into contact with certain chemicals or genetically modified material. While cattle ranchers can confine their herd with fences, bees fly freely up to 10 miles from their hive in search of pollen and nectar. Spivak says it's unrealistic to expect beekeepers to control so much surrounding farmland. . .

Monday, February 13, 2006

Bee-Collected Pollen May Stimulate Reproductive Systems

The Magic of Bee Pollen
Hugh Martin, Jamaica Gleaner, 2/13/2006

Honey is expensive stuff. And yet it is one of the cheapest of all the products derived from bee-keeping except perhaps beeswax. One of the more expensive products is bee pollen which is what I really I want to look at, but have taken so long to come to.

The demand for this product is bound to increase dramatically after the publication in the Outlook magazine recently of Dr. Heather Little-White's article 'The truth about bee pollen and sex'. You only need to hint that a product has properties that can increase sexual performance and Jamaican men will be beating down your door for it. The article didn't hint, it declared that bee pollen 'contains natural hormonal substances that stimulate the male and female reproductive system to enhance sexual performance'. . .

Bee pollen has been used from ancient times to treat arthritis, hay fever, prostate problems and other ailments as well as for general good nutrition. It is the male sperm cells of flowering plants and is collected by bees to feed their young. Indeed the protein provided by it is essential to the growth and development of the bee in the first six days of the larval stage. . .

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Bee Venom Therapy May Relieve Arthritis Pain

Antinociceptive Effect and the Mechanism of Bee Venom Acupuncture (Apipuncture) on Inflammatory Pain in the Rat Model of Collagen-Induced Arthritis
Brain Research, 2/2/2006

Abstract: The antinociceptive effect and the mechanism of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) on inflammatory pain, especially in the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), have not yet been fully studied. This study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive effect and its μ-opioid and α2-adrenergic mechanism of BVA in the CIA rat model.

To induce CIA, male Sprague–Dawley rats were immunized with bovine type II collagen emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant followed by a booster injection 14 days later. The antinociceptive effect was evaluated by tail flick latency (TFL).

After induction of arthritis, the inflammatory pain threshold decreased as time passed, and there was no big change of the pain threshold after 3 weeks. Three weeks after the first immunization, BVA (0.25 mg/kg) injected into the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) showed the antinociceptive effect. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect of BVA was blocked by yohimbine (α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, 2 mg/kg, i.p) pretreatment, but not by naloxone (μ-opioid receptor antagonist, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment.

These results suggest that BVA can relieve inflammatory pain in CIA and the antinociceptive effect of BVA can be mediated by α2-adrenergic receptor.

Corresponding author - Fax: +82 2 958 9043.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Propolis Component Helps Prevent Colon Cancer

Use of Artepillin C Helps Prevent Colon Cancer
Drug Week, 2/17/2006

According to a study from Japan, "Potential chemopreventive agents exist in foods. Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis was investigated for its effects on colon carcinogenesis."

"We had found that artepillin C was a bioavailable antioxidant, which could be incorporated into intestinal Caco-2 and hepatic HepG2 cells without any conjugation and inhibited the oxidation of intracellular DNA. Artepillin C was then added to human colon cancer WiDr cells. It dose-dependently inhibited cell growth, inducing G(0)/G(1) arrest. The events involved a decrease in the kinase activity of a complex of cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and in the levels of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylated at Ser-780 and 807/811. The inhibitors of the complex, Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27, increased at the protein level," explained K. Shimizu and colleagues, Kobe University. . .

The researchers concluded, "Artepillin C appears to prevent colon cancer through the induction of cell-cycle arrest by stimulating the expression of Cip1/p21 and to be a useful chemopreventing factor in colon carcinogenesis."

Shimizu and colleagues published the results of their research in Molecular Carcinogenesis (Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis induces G(0)/G(1) arrest via stimulation of Cip1/p21 expression in human colon cancer cells. Mol Carcinog, 2005;44(4):293-299).

For additional information, contact K. Kanazawa, Kobe University, Graduate School Science & Technology, Dept. Life Science, Nada Ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6578501, Japan. . .

Friday, February 10, 2006

Volatile Constituents of Propolis Vary

Volatile Constituents of Propolis from Honey Bees and Stingless Bees from Yucatán
Journal of Essential Oil Research, Jan/Feb

Abstract: Volatiles of propolis from honey bees and stingless bees from Yucatán were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Ninety-nine volatiles were identified in the propolis from honey bees, whereas 94 were identified in stingless bees' propolis. It was found that in addition to yield variance of 16 and 465 mg/kg depending upon origin, the propolis could be differentiated by their chemical composition. In particular, upon the common constituents, α-pinene, β-pinene, trans-verbenol, α-copaene, β-bourbonene, β-caryophyllene, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide, which were found in higher content in the propolis from stingless bees.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Beeswax High in Cholesterol-Reducing Component

Policosanol Contents of Beeswax, Sugar Cane and Wheat Extracts
Food Chemistry, Volume 95, Issue 2 , March 2006, Pages 312-318

Abstract: Policosanol (PC) is a mixture of high molecular weight aliphatic primary alcohols. Currently, a number of dietary supplements containing PC are commercially available in the US market. The majority of these products are prepared from beeswax or sugar cane extracts.
The main objective of this study was to compare the PC contents and compositions of beeswax, sugar cane and wheat as PC sources. . .

The total PC contents of brown beeswax were about 20 and 45 times higher than those of the WGO-solids and sugar cane peel, respectively. Commercial dietary supplements contained less total PC than were claimed on the product labels. . .

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 405 744 7062; fax: +1 405 744 6313.

Canadian Couple Promotes Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

Natural Honey is Making a Buzz
Steven Heywood, Parksville Qualicum News, 2/7/2006

Some swear by a spoonful of honey each day to help ward off illness. In fact, honey has for years been considered as having antibacterial properties.

It is this fact that gave Catherine and Sebastien Martin an idea for a business on Vancouver Island.

The couple, who had worked in France in an importing business, moved to Chemainus and, with the help of the Duncan Business Futures office, embarked on a plan to promote the beneficial aspects of organic Manuka honey.

They, through their business Wedderspoon Organic, have become exclusive suppliers in Canada of the honey from New Zealand - obtaining the designation of Organic Manuka Active, which ensures their product is some of the best-quality Manuka honey available. . .

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

US Honey Board Requests Research Proposals on Honey and Disease Prevention

Honey Consumption and Disease Prevention: Request for Research Proposals
Deadline: March 15, 2006

Project Description: The National Honey Board is soliciting proposals from research institutions to study the efficacy of honey consumption on disease prevention/risk reduction. Conditions of particular interest include (but are not limited to) heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, glucose intolerance/insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

As part of this project, researchers would be expected to produce the following: (1) a presentation of the findings at an appropriate scientific meeting and, if appropriate (2) the publication of the findings in a scientific, technical or trade journal. . .

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

One-Week Sale on World Apitherapy Day Products

Save on quality T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and posters imprinted with the World Apitherapy Day (March 30, 2006) logo. The logo features a 16th century woodcut of a beekeeper and "World Apitherapy Day" translated into the official languages of the United Nations - Chinese, Spanish, Russian, French, and Arabic. Sale ends February 14. All proceeds will go to Bees for Life - World Apitherapy Network.

To order online, go to: http://www.cafepress.com/apitherapy

Celebrate World Apitherapy Day following the upcoming 4th German Congress and Workshop on Apitherapy (March 24-29, 2006) in Passau, Germany.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Bacillus Species Found in Up to 38% of Argentinian Honey

Bacillus Species Highly Prevalent in Food Products in Argentina
Lab Business Week, 2/12/2006

According to recent research from Argentina, "The prevalence of Bacillus spp. in 279 samples of different food products collected in Argentina was studied.

"Bacillus spp. was confirmed in 28 out of 70 honey samples, 29 out of 29 flour samples, 15 out of 50 cheese samples, and 30 out of 30 spice samples, while Bacillus spp. was not found in fresh anchovy."

"Among the 70 honeys studied," said M.O. Iurlina and colleagues at the University of Nacl Mar Plata in Buenos Aires, "Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus laterosporus and Paenibacillus larvae subspp. larvae showed an incidence of 23, 4, 8 and 38%, respectively. . .

Iurlina and colleagues published their study in LWT - Food Science and Technology (Prevalence of Bacillus spp. in different food products collected in Argentina. LWT-Food Sci Technol, 2006;39(2):105-110).

For additional information, contact M.O. Iurlina, University of Nacl Mar Plata, Faculty Ciencias Exactas & Nat, Dept. Quim, Funes 3350, RA-7600 Mar Del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Publisher contact information for the journal LWT - Food Science and Technology is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Alternative to Langstroth Hive Gaining Acceptance in Africa

Please Just Show Me the Money, Honey
By Ted Keenan, Financial Mail (South Africa), 2/3/2006

Challenging the status quo is never easy. Crispin Jackson found this out the hard way when he developed a beehive that would improve on the mighty Langstroth hive - invented in 1853 by the Rev LL Langstroth and the standard hive of beekeepers around the world.

Jackson's design is called the Jackson Horizontal Hive (JHH) and has attracted global recognition as an alternative to the Langstroth. However, the commercial beekeeping industry has been slow to accept it, preferring to stick with conventional standards for producing and extracting honey.

Rather than confront the traditional industry head-on, Jackson has shifted his focus to rural beekeepers and is enjoying growing acceptance from African communities.

That's because Jackson's hive lends itself to rural environments. At 6,5kg it is 22kg lighter than the Langstroth, making it easier for women to manipulate; it costs R360, nearly half the price of the Langstroth; and it's easier to maintain. It incorporates the best of the Langstroth hive, the traditional African log hive and the Top Bar hive in its own unique design.

The hive is made of corrugated plastic, which is lighter than wood, sturdier than waxed cardboard, and more durable than rigid plastic, which becomes brittle under the African sun.

Though the plastic box of the JHH is less traditional-looking than other hives, it is light enough to be suspended from branches on greased wire stays. US-based research reveals that bees perform best in a hive that is positioned about 4m above the ground. This is difficult to achieve with a heavy and unwieldy hive. The height also deters vandals, both human and animal, especially honey badgers, which are particularly partial to bee larvae.

Bees in a JHH hive seem able to produce up to 30% more honey than bees in traditional hives.

The reason, suggests Jackson, is that bees use evaporation in the manufacture of honey and the corrugated plastic is more conducive to it than the wooden Langstroth hives. Up to 80% of the water is removed from the nectar when bees turn it into honey, and the faster this is done the more active the bees are in the collection process. . .

SIT Recommended as First Line Therapy for Allergies

Toll-like Receptor Ligands Act as Adjuvants in Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy
Lab Law Weekly, 2/10/2006

"Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) leads to long-term amelioration of T-helper type 2 (Th2)-mediated allergic symptoms and is therefore recommended as a first line therapy for allergies. The major disadvantage of SIT is its low efficiency, requiring treatment over years. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands to facilitate Th1-type immune responses," researchers in Switzerland and the United States report.

"The immunogenicity and therapeutic potential of the major bee venom allergen phospholipase A2 (PLA2) combined with various TLR ligands were tested in mice and compared with immune responses induced by conventional aluminum-based preparations," said P. Johansen and collaborators at University Hospital in Zurich in Switzerland and MannKind Corporation in the U.S. . .

Johansen and associates published their study in Clinical and Experimental Allergy (Toll-like receptor ligands as adjuvants in allergen-specific immunotherapy. Clin Exp Allergy, 2005;35(12):1591-1598).

For additional information, contact P. Johansen, Unit for Experimental Immunotherapy, University Hospital, Gloriastrasse 31, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. E-mail: pal.johansen@usz.ch

Friday, February 03, 2006

83 Pct of Royal Jelly Arriving in Italy Contaminated

ANSA, 1/31/2006

(ANSA) - Florence, January 31 - A total 83 pct of the royal jelly arriving to the Italian borders is found to be contaminated with antibiotics, Italian zoological institute in Teramo, central Italy, said.

Italy has been importing royal jelly chiefly from China in the last three years. China is the world largest producer of royal jelly with an average 1.0 million kg per year.

The average annual consumption of royal jelly in Italy totals 400 quintals but only 3.0 pct of the consumption is covered by Italian products.

There are no apposite regulations regarding the production and the trade in royal jelly in Italy and this fact makes possible the sale of dangerous products, the chairman of the organic food and honey producers consortium Conapi, Lucio Cavazzoni, said. . .

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Animal Antibiotic Found in UK Honey

The Independent (UK), 2/2/2006

Traces of an antibiotic were found in honey sold in the UK, according to a Which? report. Tests showed residues of tylosin in three out of 20 jars. The antibiotic is licensed to treat animals but not bees. The consumer organisation said the antibiotic posed no health threat but that honey should be a pure food.

Honey Recommended for Coughs, Allergies

Treat Your Children Naturally
By Rachel Murphy, The Mirror (UK), 2/2/2006

To mix your own cough medicine, Janey Lee Grace, author of Imperfectly Natural Woman, recommends steeping 1oz of thyme leaf in a cup of boiling water.

Cool, strain then mix with half a tablespoon of honey. "Take a teaspoon whenever you need it and it keeps in the fridge," she says. . .

Janey Lee Grace suggests giving kids locally-grown honey before the hay fever season starts as it can ward off the allergy. . .

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

US Newspaper Says Honey May Be Harmful to Infants

Giving Young Infants Honey Can be Harmful to Their Systems
By Ruth Spencer, Detroit News (USA), 1/30/2006

You may have wondered why there's a warning for parents on jars of honey. Honey contains bacterial spores that adults and older children can handle, but babies' digestive systems are much more sensitive. A baby younger than 1 year could contract infantile botulism. It's very rare, but potentially fatal. Symptoms include muscle weakness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and constipation. Heating honey or using it in a recipe does not diminish the potential danger. That's why honey packaging warns parents to wait until a baby gets older to give them the sweet stuff.

You can send letters to The Detroit News three different ways. You can send an e-mail to letters@detnews.com. You can send us a fax to (313) 222-6417. Or you can send a letter by mail to The Detroit News, Letters, Editorial Page, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226. Please include home and work phone numbers, plus city of residence, for verification. We prefer letters of 250 words or less.


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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Vanilla cake layered with Chocolate Ganache

This is a very very basic,simple & easy to bake vanilla cake recipe...I use it all the time and can make it even in my sleep.:) The measures are too little, ideal for beginners - once you master this recipe - it will be something u could call a "quick fix". So, here we go........

Ingredients :

1 cup All purpose flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
4 Eggs
1 cup Sugar
1tsp Vanilla Essence
1 cup Vegetable Oil
A pinch of salt to taste

1. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature.
2. Sieve flour & baking powder together - 3 times ideally.
3. Beat eggs,and salt using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on medium speed.
4. While beating add sugar to the egg & increase to high speed.
5. Add Vanilla essence to the egg - sugar mix. (I use essence because that is the only this available in the place where i live)
6. Beat until the mixture reaches a pale creamy texture. At this point reduce speed and add oil. Now, oil could be corn,sunflower,canola etc. I am happy with the sunflower oil results.
7. Once the oil has mixed in well,stop and remove the bowl off the mixer.
8. Now, with a ladle or a spatula - mix in the sieved flour & baking powder spoon by spoon. I say this- so that you don't stir in so fast that it loses out all the air.
9. Pour into prepared pan. Put into preheated oven to bake at 180 degrees for about 45 minutes.
10. Important tips :
i. Since this is a layered cake, you could slice the cake into equal sized layers. what i did was i baked it in separate pans -  therefore the 5 layers as shown in the picture.
ii. Always grease the pan - either flour dust it or lay a wax paper to play safe.
iii.Oven temperatures differ gadget to gadget, always better to leaf through the instruction manual to ensure the details. I use a gas oven and this set temperature works just fine for me. if nothing else works, set oven to the lowest temperature, this would take a longer baking time - yet would give perfect results.Always preheat oven & for the first 20 minutes do not open the oven door.
iv. As the baking is on - there would an aroma of vanilla - do not assume that the cake is done at this point, wait for the aroma to fade away & then open the oven.Prick the cake at the center with a toothpick/skewer. If it comes out clean - the cake is done !

Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack.Now prepare the Chocolate Ganache........

250ml Heavy cream
200gms Baking Chocolate
1tsp Butter

1. Chop chocolate into chunks and melt it in a double boiler. make sure no moisture seeps into the chocolate while it is melting.
2. In a saucepan heat cream to boiling point.
3. Pour the hot cream into the melted chocolate & keep stirring till the chocolate & cream mixes well.
4. Stir in butter  - this will add glaze to the ganache.

SUGAR SYRUP: In saucepan,stir in 1 cup of sugar in 1cup of water till it dissolves completely, remove from heat when it reaches boiling point.Let it cool.

Step 1:
Place the first cake slice on a plate. With a brush dab  the sugar syrup on the cake & see that its moist all over. Pour ganache over the cake until it spreads all over.

Step 2:
Place the second cake slice on the ganache and dab with sugar
syrup to make it moist. Pour ganache over it and spread.

Step 3:
Repeat the process through each layer. When you have reached the last layer - dab with sugar syrup and pour the entire batch of left over ganache on it - so that it covers all over the cake.Allow it to set for an hour or so.
Alternately - if u have buttercream on hand - crumb coat the last layer and pour the ganache over it. This is how it will look when it is ready to eat :))
Trust me - this is YUM! YUM! YUM!

  1. You dont have to say its yummy-I feel like eating it right out of the pic! Looks delicious and makes me nostalgic for my mom's cake-tho it used to be double layered chocolate cake with chocolate ganache.....will try yours soon!

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Spider-Man Unlimited Game Review

Spider-Man Unlimited is the first free Spider-Man game developed by Gameloft. What’s more, one of the best super hero games from the Marvel comic. Get ready to swing and running up to the walls. Well, Spider-Man Unlimited you can experience the adventure, endless runner, unlimited fighting. Try your best skills and enjoy to save the world.

We are incredible excited in Spider-Man Unlimited game review. What’s good for this fancy game? The game has beautiful pictures with super-smooth graphic animation, which you can make every action run smoothly. It’s the greatest challenge to be the real hero. Moreover, it brings the movie experience on your mobile or tablet.

You might like: Top Five Car Racing Android Games

The extraordinary things you will uncover in this game is the way the Spider-Man jumps and attack it’s opponents. Spider-Man Unlimited brings you the most playable with over 23 different Spider-Men such as Iron Spider, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Armor, Scarlet Spider, Cosmic Spider-Man, and many more. Besides, you have a chance to confront against Green Goblin, Vulture and Electro. You also can fight with 5 boss battles and 25 missions per issue. It’s awesome and exciting adventure, either you can combine and level up your Spider-Men to unlock him.

You may have wondered why everyone gets extreme about Spider-Man Unlimited game. This is a game play variety and fun mission you should not miss.

Spider-Man Unlimited is now available for free download on iOS, Android and Windows Phone. We recommend for fans of Marvel’s Spider-Man comics and action games. We hope everyone have fun and enjoy the game. Please leave us a comment if this is amazing game that you can play unstoppable.

Price : Free

Platforms : iOS 6.0 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher, Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 OS

Spider-Man Unlimited ScreenshotsSpider-Man Unlimited-Screenshot-1 Spider-Man Unlimited-Screenshot-2 Spider-Man Unlimited-Screenshot-3

Spider-Man Unlimited Characters Reveal

The following are several characters reveal that you will experience in this Spider-Man Unlimited game. Well, here you are!

Ends of the Earth Spider-Man First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #682

An armored costume created to fight a resurgent Sinister Six, Peter Parker crafted it using technology that he developed in Horizon Labs. The costume greatly enhances his strength and speed and is chock-full of different audio and visual enhancements that allow him to see through visual illusions and even tell the identity of an enemy in disguise by their heartbeat.

Iron Spider First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #529

Created by Tony Stark, the Iron Spider armor is fabricated with advanced protein-scale nanotechnology that grants it a variety of powers, including enhanced strength and durability, controlled gliding, and mechanical arms created from rapidly growing mono-atomic alloy crystals.

Scarlet Spider First Appearance: Scarlet Spider (vol. 2) #1

A suit worn by a twisted clone of Peter Parker that was doomed to a lifetime of slow, painful physical degeneration. Driven mad with envy, this clone spent years trying to kill Spidey’s other clone, Ben Reilly, and then Spider-Man himself. After finally being cured of his degeneration and realizing the error of his ways, the clone moved to Houston, Texas, and took on the identity of the Scarlet Spider.

Cosmic Spider-Man First Appearance: Spectacular Spider-Man #158

The Cosmic Spider-Man was born after a lab accident granted Spider-Man the Uni-Power, a sentient energy field that grants whoever is united with it the powers of Captain Universe. After uniting with the Uni-Power, Spidey’s new form gave him incredibly enhanced strength, speed, and senses, as well as limited telekinesis.

Scarlet Spider (Ben Reilly) First Appearance: Web of Spider-Man #117

A clone of the original Peter Parker with all of his memories. Ben Reilly wandered the United States aimlessly for years before Aunt May’s presumed death brought him back to New York City. There, he was manipulated by a shadowy figure – later revealed to be Norman Osborn – into believing that he was the original Peter Parker! Ben Reilly took up the Spider-Man identity until his death at the hands of the Green Goblin, after which the truth about him being the clone was revealed.

Bulletproof Spider-Armor First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #654

After losing his Spider-sense and getting shot. Peter Parker creates this suit in Horizon Labs out of a highly flexible impact-resistant polymer that is resistant to bullet but does not impede his agility.

Spider-Man (Ben Reilly) First Appearance: Sensational Spider-Man #0

A redesign of the classic Spider-Man costume by Ben Reilly, the clone of Peter parker, that he wore during the brief time he was Spider-Man.

Spider-Armor First Appearance: Web of Spider-Man #100

Developed by Peter Parker in the lab at Empire State University, this armor is extremely durable but is so bulky that some of his agility is hampered. The armor was later destroyed in battle.

Spider-Man First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15

An awkward young science nerd who wasn’t exactly Mr. Popular, Peter Parker’s entire life changed when he was bitten by a radioactive spider that gave him superpowers! Initialy trying to use then for his own fame and fortune Spider-Man decided to become a hero after ignoring a fleeing thief led to the death of his Uncle Ben. Since that day, Spider-Man has fought for those who cannot fight for themselves because, as his uncle said. “With great power comes great responsibility”!

Last Stand Spider-Man First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #500

A Spider-Man from a dark future where he murdered Kraven the Hunter. Last Stand Spider-Man operates in the shadows, constantly on the run from an increasingly brutal police force who considers him to be Public Enemy No.

House of M Spider-Man First Appearance: Spider-Man: House of M #1

Exciting in a pocket universe created by the Scarlet Witch where mutants are the dominant force in society. House of M Spider-Man is a famous public figure believed to be a mutant by the public at large. He is married to the beautiful Gwen Stacy and they have a child together.

The Bombastic Bag-Man First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #258

Sometimes Spider-Man has to improvisel after having the Venom symbiote separated from him by Reed Richards in the Fantastic Four laboratory. Spidey was left in a costume (or lack thereof) best described as his birthday suit. However, with the aid of a spare Fantastic Four costume and a relatively stirdy paper bag, a new hero was born – the Bombastic Bag-Man, ready to swing around the city and make people wonder whether or not he’s completely sane.

Secret War Spider-Man First Appearance: Secret War #1

A S.H.I.E.L.D.- designed stealth suit that Spider-Man wore during a cover mission to overthrow the government of Latveria, which was organized by Nick Fury after he could not get the President to approve of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents undertaking the mission.

Mangaverse Spider-Man First Appearance: Marvel Mangaverse: Spider-Man #1

A devotee of a ninja clan known as the Spider-Clan, Peter Parker became the last surviving member of the clan after his uncle was killed by Venom. Now he trains in the hopes of becoming powerful enough to avenge his uncle.

Spider-Man Noir First Appearance: Spider-Man Noir #1

During the Great Depression. The young Peter parker is bitten by some cursed spiders that had been imprisoned inside of a golden spider statue. After receiving the spider bite, he finds he has the proportional strength, agility, and speed of a spider, as well as the ability to shoot organic webbing nets from his hands. Donning a black mask and trench coat, the newly empowered Parker fights crime across the economically depressed New York City.

Are you a good runner? Try Subway Surfers for PC

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4.28.290  <<  4.28.320 >>   4.28.325

RCW 4.28.320

Lis pendens in actions affecting title to real estate.

At any time after an action affecting title to real property has been commenced, or after a writ of attachment with respect to real property has been issued in an action, or after a receiver has been appointed with respect to any real property, the plaintiff, the defendant, or such a receiver may file with the auditor of each county in which the property is situated a notice of the pendency of the action, containing the names of the parties, the object of the action, and a description of the real property in that county affected thereby. From the time of the filing only shall the pendency of the action be constructive notice to a purchaser or encumbrancer of the property affected thereby, and every person whose conveyance or encumbrance is subsequently executed or subsequently recorded shall be deemed a subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer, and shall be bound by all proceedings taken after the filing of such notice to the same extent as if he or she were a party to the action. For the purpose of this section an action shall be deemed to be pending from the time of filing such notice: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such notice shall be of no avail unless it shall be followed by the first publication of the summons, or by the personal service thereof on a defendant within sixty days after such filing. And the court in which the said action was commenced may, at its discretion, at any time after the action shall be settled, discontinued or abated, on application of any person aggrieved and on good cause shown and on such notice as shall be directed or approved by the court, order the notice authorized in this section to be canceled of record, in whole or in part, by the county auditor of any county in whose office the same may have been filed or recorded, and such cancellation shall be evidenced by the recording of the court order.
PurposeCaptions not law2004 c 165: See notes following RCW 7.60.005.
Effective date1999 c 233: "This act takes effect August 1, 1999." [ 1999 c 233 § 24.]
Site Contents
Selected content listed in alphabetical order under each group


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Wednesday, March 1, 2017

2017 Conference Registration is now open!

Can't hardly wait? Neither can we...the APRA Metro DC 2017 Conference webpages and registration are LIVE! Check out our amazing speakers and sponsors!  More info here.

#ResearchPride month is here!

Dear Apra peeps and all of my fellow fundraisers,

March is when the entirety of the Prospect Development profession joins together in celebrating our fabulousness. To me, #ResearchPride month is a reminder to our community to find our #PowerTone (or #PowerPose!) by speaking up and often, to demonstrate a sense of community among fellow professionals, and to highlight the added value we bring to partnerships with our key stakeholders. To me, the most important part of that triad is the latter bit about partnerships.

That might be controversial given it’s #ResearchPride month, but I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous gift officers of varying background, experience, and seniority that have helped me find my own #ResearchPride. My working relationships with these individuals are make or break for my success in a shop. My #ResearchPride is not just in my personal contribution, or that of my team’s, but in the holistic partnership I have with my gift officers. So I wanted to share some of my personal moments of #ResearchPride that specifically highlight when gift officers have made me proud to be a researcher.

To the various road warriors I’ve worked with:
  • Thank you for sharing your successes with me by stopping in just to update me on the positive impact my research had on your visit or ask. This is the Holy Grail for a researcher and literally all I need at times to keep going.
  • Thank you for thinking of research early and often by bringing us in on conversations from the get-go. We are here to help, and it warms my heart when you embrace that.


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williams creek, australia

Iva Bell Hot Springs

...and the journey to the Lost Keys Lakes

The idea to backpack to the Iva Bell Hot Springs and the Lost Keys Lakes was born around the campfire during the Yosemite Trail Ride. More specifically, I was examining a trail map of the wilderness around Mammoth Lakes in search of lakes with fish that could serve as a destination for a 4-day / 3-night backpacking trip. This search led me to the remote Lost Keys Lakes, and as a bonus, the Iva Bell Hot Springs were en route to the lakes (I’ve had yet to experience hot springs in the wilderness). As soon as Mark confirmed that the Iva Bell Hot Springs and the Lost Keys Lakes were some of his favorite destinations in the Sierra, the decision had been made: I would be booking a permit to the Lost Keys Lakes with three companions. Jimmy, Ben, and Darcy signed-up for a 4-day backpacking trip over Labor Day weekend.

Day 1:
With a big 13-mile day ahead of us, we left Reds Meadow as early as the shuttle service allowed so that we would have time to stake out a campsite at Iva Bell and soak in one of the seven pools. The hike was relatively easy since it was a gentle downslope to Fish Creek (apart from the switchbacks) followed by a gentle upslope to the Iva Bell Hot Springs. Reading Iva Bell trip reports on the Internet told us that the pools were located at different altitudes and that the pools at the top commanded a spectacular view of the Fish Creek valley. So, we headed to the top and found the pools we had sought. After soaking in the mineral water for hours, I can say that I have never felt better after a 13-mile hike! Also, sitting under the stars in a wilderness “hot tub” is remarkable.

Day 2:
The ultimate destination of this backpacking trip was the Lost Keys Lakes, and the hike to them from the Iva Bell Hot Springs involved a 2,000 ft. elevation gain over 4 miles. Upon sighting the first lake, there was no doubt that our hike was worth it – the calm waters nestled at the base of granite cliffs provided ample opportunity for fishing and relaxing. After picking out a campsite, fishing for a while, and cooking the keepers (delicious), we ventured to another lake in the Lost Keys group. The evening was spent around the fire eating smores and listening to some of our favorite backcountry music.

Day 3:
Apart from a group of forest rangers that were “renovating” the campsites around the lakes, Jimmy, Ben, Darcy, and myself were the only backpackers that had spent the previous night at the Lost Keys Lakes (a testament to the remoteness). Before beginning the hike back, Jimmy and I spent a few hours fishing and cooking the few additional keepers that we caught. The hike back went much faster than expected, and in no time we found ourselves back at Iva Bell. We spent a few hours soaking in my new favorite Iva Bell pool before continuing further down the trail so that we could make an early exit the next day.

Day 4:
Our early start made the shaded, uphill hike back to Reds Meadow very comfortable. Before finishing the hike at Reds Meadow, we made a quick stop at Rainbow Falls. Once we made it to Reds Meadow, Jimmy and I decided to treat ourselves to the famed chocolate milkshakes of the Mule House Cafe – it was a tasty end to an amazing summer in the Sierras. Until next summer, Happy Trails!

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After working a lot with non-pitch related material I was interested in delving further into notes and timbre. I recorded lots of myself and discovered I had a large amount of interesting vocal material from slurping and flutter-tounging to vocal improvisations, so decided to create a work exploring these sounds. The piece is structured through interludes of breath, which serve as bridging components to the next outpouring of vocal sounds. This overall shape leads to a climax at the end of the piece where I layered many effects I had developed earlier in the piece to create a frenetic, rhythmical conclusion which finally vents the build up of the piece.

February 2014.

Pro Tools Recording.


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Monday, May 21, 2007

A Tale from Interzone

I spent exactly 24 hours in Jacksonville, FL this past weekend for the film festival down there, now in its fifth year. Adam P. and I drove down hoping to catch a glimpse of the wildfires that have been ravaging south Georgia, but instead we became engulfed in one of our own. The trip reminded me of Naked Lunch, a book I've read twice; not out of pleasure, but out of a deep need to comprehend and distill its freewheeling prose and structure. I keep replaying the events of Jacksonville in my head over and over, expecting to see bodily fluids selling newspapers to communists and insects selling their thoraxes on the NYSE. Even though I never saw those things, I did see what they represent - the abstract, the allegorical. The trip will forever remain that for me - abstract, like a Jackson Pollack painting or a paragraph of Burroughs. Something splattered on a wall or a page.

That is not to say I cannot recollect the day in concrete terms. Adam and I hit the road early and made the trip in five hours flat, violating posted speed limits and leaving a scar of interstate in our wake. Jacksonville welcomed us with the grand Saint Johns River, conquered by bridges, but flowing in the cardinal direction North like Egypt's legendary Nile. River nerds might clamor at this and say rivers do not flow north or up, but only down.

At the JFF, each filmmaker is designated a 'host', an ambassador for the film festival who kindly drives you to venues and handles any and all personal needs. Jacksonville Mike was Alex's host and we attached ourselves to him. I don't know if Alex filled out some questionnaire about what kind of host he would like to have at this festival, but we couldn't have been any luckier unless it was Wong Kar-wai. Let me revise a famous Taxi Driver tag line: On every street in every city, is a somebody who loves movies who dreams of meeting someone else who loves movies. If we had a list, we could check off the city of Jacksonville.

Alex had arrived a few days earlier for the festival's opening. He said only five or six filmmakers were in attendance. I don't know if Jon Waters was included in that stat, but rest assured, he was there, too. Fate reared its beautiful head and reunited us with Cullen H. of Cinequest/Monster Camp fame and M. Tully of Sarasota/Silver Jew fame. A silver Jew is a Jewish person with blond hair, real blond hair. I met him briefly in Sarasota, but it was a pleasure to chat with a real NYC cinephile.

Blood Car was written up in the local entertainment magazine, eu, and given a complimentary, if occasionally backhanded, recommendation. It twice deemed the movie hilarious, but called the acting "ridiculously obnoxious". You can read it in its entirety here by clicking on the JFF Guide.

Like every film festival, JFF had parties. Grey Goose sponsored an extravagant party in a gutted library right downtown. We went to a party before that where we played the pitch game, in which we tried to pitch movie ideas to complete strangers. A winner is typically determined by a few factors, but mainly completion of the pitch. This entertained us for a while. After that, the rest of the night was a bit of a mess. I arrived at the screening of BC late because I couldn't find a ride to the theater(far away) and had to call a taxi. Somehow I left my cell phone in the cab and had to spend the entire screening and Q&A tracking it down. This is a photo right after I realized where I had left my phone. Alex is trying to comfort me by flashing the ATL sign and saying, "At least you didn't leave it in A-town." What you don't see is the audience through the wall on the left laughing their heads off at BC. We placed second in the audience award for the festival with only one screening of our film. Many other films had two screenings.

I've gone on to sum up this trip with this statement, which embarrasses me: "While I was there, the only time I stepped into a movie theater was to use the bathroom." True story.

In other news, the blood car used in the film was impounded last week. Alex parked it on my street, Archie's street, because parking is limited at his apartment complex. Several days later it was gone, probably due to expired tags. Now, the city of Atlanta has the Blood Car in an impound lot. They don't even realize what they're sitting on - the power, the knowledge, the invention. It's like the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I can only hope that one day, when gas prices really are $40/gallon and nobody drives anymore and impound lots become car graveyards, that a couple of randy teenagers pry open that rundown Honda and screw to their heart's content in the backseat. I hope...I hope.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Atlanta to Maryland: The Last Colony to the 6th

Our 2nd screening at the Atlanta Film Festival arrived much quicker than expected. Less than 18 hours after Thursday's platinum sellout, it drew an eclectic mix of young, old and middle-aged moviegoers to its sunny 515pm start time. Two wild ladies showed up who had attended the night before, invoking the spirit of Rocky Horror without playing dress-up. Apparently, such devoted mimicry needs time to develop.

The actual Blood Car, now more an embodiment of independent filmmaking than of disturbed sociopathic violence, sat cooking under the southern sun all afternoon. The poster we tacked up in the windshield nearly peeled off. Wrinkles seemed to develop in the hood and chassis almost overnight. 'Twas dreary to behold. Fairly soon, we'll have to organize a not for profit campaign to save the car that brought us to the Atlanta Film Festival and beyond. As if flattering the car's dilapidated state, the projection at our Friday screening left much to be desired. The film had to be restarted after an incorrect aspect ratio issue and poor picture sharpness. But worst of all was the color balancing of the projection system, which egregiously rendered the red blood of the title card "Blood Car" a Barney the dinosaur purple.

Alex was furious and we were disappointed. Following several attempts on Alex O.'s part to address the problem with the help of AFF volunteers, the decision was made to let the film continue. We let off steam upstairs in the filmmaker's lounge shooting pool and having drinks, but thanks to Hugh B., who stayed to watch the film, we received text message updates that reassured us, "Crowd laughing." We returned to the theater to conduct the Q&A. We were quite warmed up for this one because of an extended interview with up and coming film mag Short End Magazine prior to the screening. No photographers or sellout crowds this time, though we did have a strong showing for a challenging slot. It nevertheless was a marked difference from the previous night. Poor 515pm. It can never grow up. It will never be 9pm or 10pm. The Peter Pan of screening times.

Nothing too wild followed. In fact, we acted much more sedated at AFF than our previous two festivals, which I believe is directly correlated to the 'out of town' factor. We didn't cut loose nearly as much, at least I didn't. Cinequest and Sarasota imbued us with the confidence of master criminals, but in Atlanta everyone knew us already so if we tried to break the law, we'd be apprehended much more easily. But what I continue to notice from festival to festival is the recurrence of various films and how it resembles a club, one I wish existed in high school. I was in the French club but never attended one meeting. It's a film festival club upon which we unknowingly stumbled, but will now desperately seek out. The great indie films travel the circuit. At first glance, this repetition might seem slack, but it feels quite the opposite. It brings these filmmakers and their films together. I missed many films in Sarasota because I knew I could catch them in my hometown. I regret missing a number of AFF's programming triumphs; Protagonist, for instance.

But Atlanta's closing brought what felt like the first leg of our festival run to a close. The culmination was the unforgettable Thursday night. You can only find that kind of support at home. We've been on the circuit since March. Only two months have passed. Winter was the pupa stage and now spring ushers in adulthood. A greater question might be how many legs there are to a festival run? Alex leaves for the Maryland Film Festival tomorrow morning, and had I known how good the program was up there I might have made an effort to attend. It's his first solo festival trip, but it won't be his last as the perks of being a film's director include free flights and hotel rooms. Anna C. will be traveling down from NYC to meet him so he won't be all on his own which should assuage your fears. Southern boys in the big city occasionally meet a Joe Buck fate, but Alex is a bit more street smart than Voight's gigolo hayseed incarnate.

.342 - Believe it or not. I don't remember what our festival BA was last time, but this is assuredly an increase over it.

Two dynamite slide shows of photos of BC at AFF can be found at and Kudos to the photographers. And there's a special gem on CinemATL's website for anyone who missed the Thursday night BC screening. Click here and you'll find video footage with memorable snippets of our screening in Atlanta and of me announcing my candidacy for President of the United States of America in 2008.


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Old Feb 24, 2012, 06:01 PM // 18:01   #1
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: The Netherlands
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Unhappy Switching accounts problems (during login) since feb 22 update

Since the feb 22 update i have problems when switching accounts...

I can login with 1st account just fine. But when i want to switch to another account, i get an extra window saying "connecting" and a cancel-button. I have to press the cancel-button to see my characters on that account.

I have this problem with and without the /newauth switch (i cant see any differences).

Ofcourse i can close the game and start it again, but that is an annoying option...

Are there more players with this problem?

Last edited by GODh; Feb 24, 2012 at 06:23 PM // 18:23..
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Old Feb 25, 2012, 02:51 PM // 14:51   #2
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Profession: W/A
Unhappy Likewise

Similarly, just about every time I change accounts, the entire application shuts down as I try to login to the next account. Everything just disappears, and I have to reload. That works, but "annoying" aptly describes that "solution." Likewise, this problem has only occurred after the 2/22 update, although unlike GODh, I don't even get the "connecting" window.
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Mirror (Put Your Sweet Fingers)

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Clark had been working at the newspaper for a few weeks now. He was settling in, learning the ropes, starting to feel decidedly normal. There was something nice about being normal, about being just Clark. He went out after work with his colleagues, he did his best to report the news honestly, and he spent his paycheck on frivolous things like new shirts and cinema tickets. He was even saving to go on holiday. He was feeling comfortable and, dare he admit it, happy. At least, he thought this might be what happiness felt like. It was hard to tell with human emotions.

Anyway, there he was, sitting at his desk, writing up a story about an heroic lollipop lady waging a one-woman war on asshole drivers in big cars, when someone came up to the desk opposite him. This desk, he had been informed, belonged to someone called Louis, but Clark hadn’t met him yet, because Louis had been on assignment in Afghanistan since before Clark joined the paper. There was a tone about the office whenever Louis was mentioned, a reverential note came into people’s voices and all of their faces took on a wry, impressed expression. There were lots of stories told about Louis around the office, and Clark was no longer sure which ones to believe.

So, with a certain curiosity, Clark glanced over his computer screen at the new arrival and got his first glimpse of Louis Lane. Louis was tall, though he probably seemed taller because Clark was sitting down, and he had a mess of curly, dark hair that gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the window behind. He was wearing a beautiful, dark grey suit that perfectly set of his grey eyes. And it was at this moment, when Clark looked at the glory that was Louis’ preposterously handsome face that something very strange began to happen to him. Clark got flustered, and he felt himself blush, and his throat went dry, but worst of all, his mouth, which had been halfway opened with the grand intention of greeting this new arrival, got confused and decided instead to remain dangling halfway open. Then Clark’s hand seemed to come up of its own accord, upsetting his cup of lukewarm coffee, and giving Louis a limp, effete little wave that only made him blush even redder. All in all, an excellent first impression, no doubt.

But Louis seemed utterly unphased by this, and smiled back at him. Clark reasoned later that, being so ridiculously handsome, Louis must have been used to people making fools of themselves around him. Possibly, Louis even thought that this was just how people behaved, and he didn’t even realise that their behaviour was part of their reaction to the sight of his face.

“Hi there, “Louis reached over the two computers to shake Clark’s hand. Clark overcompensated for his weak-willed wave by squeezing that hand so hard he made Louis wince. “You must be the new guy,” Louis said, extracting his hand quickly.

“Clark Kent.” Clark allowed himself a silent cheer of victory that he had managed to get the words out in a sensible fashion.

“Louis Lane, good to meet you,” Louis smiled a devastatingly handsome smile and Clark hoped, more than he had ever hoped for anything in his life, that Louis meant what he had said.

And so the day passed. On the outside, Clark was calm; he wrote his article and did his reporter duties as well as he could. Hopefully no one else noticed the butterflies fluttering in his stomach or the dizzy feeling in his head. Louis was a talkative, friendly sort of guy, and every time his voice crossed the space between them, Clark perked up, struggling desperately to think of something funny or witty to say. Sometimes he succeeded, sometimes not so much. But Louis didn’t seem to mind, he just smiled and shook his head, or came back with some comment that saved the situation and stopped it from becoming awkward. By the end of the day, Clark decided that he was doing well. Of their thirteen interactions throughout the afternoon, he had made a mess of only five of them.

But there was a point when Louis was off in the editor’s office when Clark had time to examine his feelings. He couldn’t really understand what was happening; all he knew was that it had never happened to him before. He surreptitiously Googled his symptoms and returned a series of links about love and attraction and lust and dating and sex and all these things that he had heard about but never really considered relevant to his own life. Even when he had thought he was human he had never understood these feelings. And now that he knew what he was, or more accurately, knew what he wasn’t, it was even worse trying to make sense of all these things swirling around his head. Not for the first time, Clark wished he had never found out the truth about himself.

And there was another problem that had occurred to him. All of the pictures of love and lust and all these other things, they were of a man and a woman, or sometimes a man with two women. And that was a problem, because Louis was a man, a beautiful, glorious specimen of a man, and Clark was, to all intents and purposes, a man too. So all of these things that he was feeling, they were nothing but a waste of time. Because the chance that Louis was one of the ten per cent of homosexuals in the world was pretty slim. Clark tried to reason with himself, to argue that it was a one in ten chance, which wasn’t so bad really, but it wasn’t really good enough. No, it was time to put a stop to these thoughts, before someone noticed.

“Hey, are you coming out tonight?” Clark already knew his voice, a rich, baritone symphony of sound. Clark had never told anyone, but he didn’t quite hear like humans did; he heard music even in mundane sounds, and Louis’ voice sounded like a cello playing the minor scale.

“Tonight?” he asked, wondering if he had taken too long to respond.

“Sure,” Louis shrugged. “We’re going for celebratory ‘congratulations for not dying in Afghanistan drinks’ after work.”

“What was it like, Afghanistan?” Clark asked.

Louis winked at him, grinning wide. “Come tonight and I’ll tell you all about it.”

Clark nodded his head before he had time to think. It didn’t matter that Louis would never be interested in him, it didn’t matter that these new thoughts were scrambling up his brains, it didn’t matter that he felt both happy and sad at the same time and he didn’t really know why, because Louis had asked him out for drinks.

Pretty much the whole office went out to the pub after work. It was crowded and noisy and Clark was feeling intensely claustrophobic. He was cramped up against the wall, his elbows tucked in tight against his body, clutching a flat, lukewarm beer in an unenthused hand. He was jostled once, splattering beer across his shoes, then again a few moments later. The third time it happened, he gave up. He dumped the drink onto a table nearby and wriggled his way through the crowds, making for the exit with an almost childish desperation.

Bursting out into the beer garden he took several deep, soothing breaths before he was finally able to look around himself. The garden was mostly empty; there was a chill in the air and heavy clouds threatening rain above. There were tall, thick plants all around the walls, shutting out the rest of the city, and some of the benches were pushed so far back into the leaves that it was almost like the plants were reaching out to claim them. The chairs and tables were all grey, beaten wood, old and much used, scattered with eponymous drink stains and cigarette burns. Strung all around the walls were lines of fairy lights, sparkling like stars amid the thick, waxy leaves. Clark felt like he could breathe out here, like things couldn’t be nearly so bad as he had thought they were inside.

He sat down on one of the benches half-swallowed by plants, and ran his hands over his face. He had been sweating inside, and the cool air felt good against his skin. He just sat for a moment, not really thinking about anything, enjoying the gentle sound of the leaves rustling all around him.

“I didn’t take you for a party type.” His voice sounded from the doorway of the pub, and Clark recognised it, just like he always would, it was too beautiful to forget. He looked up and saw Louis watching him, leaning his long, thin frame against the doorjamb. Standing there in his waistcoat and shirtsleeves, his pale skin cast in silver by the little fairy lights, Clark thought he was almost too beautiful to be real. The thought made his insides turn to jelly.

“I don’t like crowds,” Clark admitted, hunching up his shoulders and looking down at the flagstones between his feet.

“Me neither,” Louis said, sauntering forward to come and sit next to him. “But they’re doing it for me, so I felt sort of obligated to show my face.”
“Why did you invite me tonight?” Clark asked the question before he really realised what he was asking. When he glanced up at Louis, he guessed that he was more surprised than Louis was that he had said it.

Louis raised his eyebrows and ran his long hands over and around each other, twisting an abstract, silver ring that he wore on the index finger of his left hand. “I don’t know,” he admitted eventually. “I guess you remind me of someone.”

Clark was about to ask him who that was when Louis shifted suddenly. He reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a battered packet of cigarettes. Slowly, with something resembling reluctance, he took out one of the cigarettes, and twirled it idly in his fingers a few times, staring down at it. His eyes had such a faraway look in them that Clark felt loathe to interrupt.

“Do you want one?” Louis asked. He shook his head, as though he was clearing out some unpleasant thought, and when he turned back to Clark the smile was planted firmly back on his face.

“No,” Clark held up a hand and Louis shrugged, shoving the box back into his pocket. “You shouldn’t smoke, you know, it’s bad for your health.”

Louis, who had made no move to light the cigarette, smiled a strange, sad smile that made his face almost ethereally beautiful, but also tragic. Clark had to resist the urge to reach out and stroke that pale, perfect cheek, to try and smooth the sadness away.

“It’s bad for a lot of things,” Louis said softly, still twisting the cigarette in his fingers. He raised it up closer to his face and seemed to sniff the air for a moment, closing his eyes as though savouring the scent.

“So why do you do it?” Clark asked gently. A part of him considered just leaving it alone, but he wanted to do something, if not to take that sadness away, then maybe to share the burden, even just a little.

Louis leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands hanging down between his legs and his head hanging down between his shoulders. He glanced up at Clark from this hunched position, his eyes black and shadowed and his face unreadable. “It reminds me of someone.” He sighed a huge, heavy sigh and dropped his head back down once more. “Someone I knew. Someone I cared about.” He was almost mumbling to himself at this point, and Clark felt suddenly like an intruder, creeping up on someone else’s grief. Because there could be no doubt about it, this was grief that he was witnessing.

He reached out one of his big, clumsy hands, and rested it gently on Louis’ shoulder. Louis’ skin was warm beneath the material of his shirt and Clark could feel his heart beating deep inside his chest. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

“No,” Louis sat up and Clark had to drop his hand, which he did, but with a certain regret. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be loading this on you. It’s not fair.”

“I’m a very good listener,” Clark said, a slight note of pride entering his voice as he said it. This was something that he had been told many times in high school, when girls came to him with their problems and he sat, for hour after hour, listening, sympathising, asking nothing of them but to share their troubles.

Louis smiled at that and sniffed hard. “I believe you are,” he said softly. “But you don’t want to hear this story.”

Clark shrugged and sat back on the bench. “So we don’t have to talk. Let’s just sit here, and enjoy the quiet for a little while.” He was worried that this might turn out to be a terribly dorky thing to say, but Louis just nodded and slumped back in his seat, looking at the cigarette still held loosely in his fingers.

They had been sitting for maybe twenty seconds when the first drop of rain landed. Clark saw it fall on the arm of the bench, darkening the wood, a big, wet droplet. But he didn’t move, he didn’t speak, and he found himself fervently hoping that Louis hadn’t noticed it. Then another drop fell, this one landing on his head, then another on his hand, and a fourth on his knee. Then it was raining, and he could hear the patter as the rain struck the leaves around them. And Clark still couldn’t bring himself to move, to speak, to bring this moment to a close. But neither, it seemed, could Louis. He sat, without moving, as the rain dropped all around him, patterning his suit and clumping his dark hair into wet strands. A couple of drops fell on his face, and dripped down his cheeks, silvered by the garden lights. He looked to Clark as though he was crying.

Finally, Clark managed to make himself move, to make himself speak. “Do you want to go inside?” he asked softly.

“No,” Louis whispered the word, barely loud enough to be heard, and Clark could see his chest rising heavily with pent up emotion. His beautiful grey eyes were almost overpowering in their grief and Clark couldn’t look away from them. Louis reached out to him and Clark gave him his hand, letting him hold it in his own. Clark never said anything, but he could feel Louis’ cold hand shaking in his own and he didn’t know what to say.