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ViewSonic outs energy efficient, earth-friendly VOT125 nettop -- won't help that there oil spill

Way back at CES in January, we spied ViewSonic's full offering, and we caught wind then of the VOT125 nettop -- but we didn't really have any details to go on. Well, the company's officially announced the VOT125 PC Mini today, and the slim little guy looks pretty cute. Sold as a space-saving PC with green design, ViewSonic says that the VOT125 uses up to 90 percent less plastic than similar nettops, and consumes up to 90 percent less power, making use of a range of ultra low power Intel ULV CPUs. The VOT125 boasts 2GB of memory, a 250GB hard drive, four USB 2.0 ports, plus DVI / HDMI. You can grab one up starting today, and it's got a starting price of $499. The full PR follows.

Show full PR text

ViewSonic® Leads the Way to Smarter, Greener Computing with New PC Mini

ViewSonic's VOT125 PC Mini provides compact, energy saving solution for business and home users
WALNUT, Calif. - May 18, 2010

ViewSonic® Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced that the VOT125 PC Mini – the latest compact and energy efficient computing solutions – is now available for order.

Providing an ideal compact and space-saving solution for home and business, the VOT125 provides the ultimate in smarter, greener computing. With a green-centric design, this compact and sleek PC mini uses up to 90% less plastic and consumes up to 90% less energy than traditional tower PCs. With an Intel® ULV processor and 0.6L form factor specifically designed for less power usage, less plastic and less cables, the VOT125 allows green-conscious users to reduce their carbon footprint. And with Windows® 7 installed, the VOT125 presents an ideal product for businesses looking to transition from Windows XP® or Vista®.

With a compact design and trim 1.5" x 5.1" x 4.5" specifications, the VOT125 helps create an efficient and clutter-free workspace. Whether placed on the desktop or mounted to the back of an LCD monitor with the included VESA® mount kit, this petite device is an ideal space-saving solution for an organized home or business space.

Powered by ultra low voltage, Intel® ULV processors, the VOT125 offers high performance and flexible computing in a compact package. Including 2GB internal memory, 250GB hard drive, four USB 2.0 ports, DVI/HDMI outputs and Ethernet/wireless Internet connections, this model provides powerful and adaptable computing solutions with a green conscience.

For further information on ViewSonic products, please visit or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Trademark footnote: All corporate names and trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's expectations with regard to future events. Actual events could differ significantly from those anticipated in this document.

Executive quote

"Saving space and reducing energy spending are key priorities for our customers" said Sally Wang, senior director product marketing, ViewSonic. "We're proud to help achieve both goals with the VOT125 PC Mini, and truly deliver a smarter, greener solution for your desktop."

Pricing and availability

The VOT125 PC Mini is available with a choice of Intel® Celeron® M Processor ULV 743, Intel® Celeron® Processor SU2300, Intel® Pentium® Processor SU4100 and Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor SU7300, and is currently available for order at an ESP starting at $499.


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Microsoft joins Apple in stance against Blu-ray

Apple has a surprising ally in its campaign of apathy against Sony's Blu-ray disc format. Microsoft, of all companies, has also stepped out with a passive-aggressive stance against the standard, as UK head of Xbox gaming head Steven McGill says that "Blu-ray is going to be passed by as a format." He says that Microsoft was right to stick with the older DVD format for its game consoles, and that with the rise of streaming content and the infrastructure to deliver it, there's no longer a need for a disc-based format.

Apple would probably agree, given the recent introduction of the Apple TV and its streaming content possibilities. Apple and Jobs alike have never been interested in Blu-ray as a format -- originally, the reason given was that they just wanted to see whether HD-DVD or Blu-ray would become the preferred standard, but at this point, with iTunes moving more and more away from physical media entirely, it seems unlikely that Apple will court Sony and its proprietary format at all. So on this issue, at least, Apple and Microsoft appear to have found some common ground.

[via Slashdot]

This article was originally published on Tuaw.

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Fable 3 patch prevents crashes, cures Jasper's laryngitis

With a 5MB title update released this morning on Xbox Live, Lionhead Studios has corrected some major Fable 3 issues. Primary among the fixes: quest progression issues (enemies not appearing, player getting physically stuck in certain parts of the world, etc.) and total game crashes.

Additionally, various online multiplayer issues have been resolved, as has Jasper's curious case of sudden laryngitis. And hey, if you played in Japanese and really missed Reaver's voiceover in that one quest, you're all set now! The complete, embarrassing list of fixes can be found after the break.

Major Fixes

  • Sanctuary: Fixed numerous issues whereby Jasper would stop talking or whereby the world map would become unusable
  • Quests: Tabletop: The Hobbes may not spawn in the last area causing the player to be unable to progress
  • Quest: Tabletop: Online multiplayer: Player host is unable to vault off platform to Hobbe area
  • Quest: Tabletop: Player can become stuck behind some rocks
  • Quest: Tabletop: After defeating the hollowmen in the room with the lever the player is unable to progress
  • Quest: The Masquerade: Player can become trapped in Reaver's mansion.
  • Quest: The Masquerade: Player can fall out of the world
  • Quest: GNOMES PART 1: Player can break script
  • Live: The players fall out of the world (FOOTW) when transitioning from Shifting Sands to The Veiled Path
  • Crash: Mourningwood guards audio
  • Crash: During the quest "Peace, Love and Homicide"

Minor Fixes

  • General improvements to performance and frame rate
  • World: Online multiplayer: Fast Travel area does not extend from end of level the "The Hole" to go to Mistpeak Valley
  • World: Player can fall out of environment in Mistpeak Valley while in combat
  • World: After proposing marriage, Bowerstone Castle cannot be selected as family home
  • World: If client repairs a house, the house goes from renting out to living in
  • World: Player can become stuck during Castle Battle after vaulting over sandbags near burning cart
  • World: Bowerstone Industrial: Player can fall off the world
  • World: A fix for existing or future FOOTW situations
  • World: Online multiplayer: No Particle Effects on Host Screen after Marrying another Player
  • Live: Orbs do not always show up
  • Live: Online multiplayer: Fixed an issue with sliding host in the sanctuary
  • Live: Fixed several issues relating to gifting and receiving gifts in local and online co-op
  • Quest: Tabletop: Breadcrumb not leading to Demonic Chickens
  • Saves: Fixed a few issues that could cause a corrupt save game slot
  • World: Driftwood: Hero can become stuck inside of tree
  • World: Shooting a crate creates a duplicate crate
  • World: Black chicken in castle gardens flies straight up into the air for several seconds when kicked
  • Speech: Japanese: Reaver is missing VO in one quest

This article was originally published on Joystiq.


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FPV servo controlled plane grabs epic vacation footage, puts old family videos to shame (video)

By the time winter rolls around, Alistair Roberts will probably remember his summer vacation a heckuva lot better than the rest of us. Why? Because he brought an FPV plane to record his mountain biking holiday in the Spanish sun. With a GoPro camera mounted on the servo-powered cradle, Alistair piloted the plane by moving his head and using a remote control -- all while streaming first person video from the cockpit into a pair of goggles. By pairing the high tech toy with another GoPro on his dad's mountain bike, and a stationary camera on the ground, Alistair was able to create a truly amazing vacation video from 1200 - 1500 feet in the air traveling around 20kmph (12mph) -- way cooler than any of the ones our dads recorded back in the day. Check out the video after the break.

[Thanks, @btudor]


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Video review: Mad Catz Arcade FightStick Soul Edition

A few weeks ago, Mad Catz sent me one of its latest arcade sticks, the SoulCalibur 5 branded Soul Edition arcade fightstick. After daily testing on SC5, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Mortal Kombat, the Soul Edition not only met my expectations, but exceeded them, as you can tell from the review video above.

The company's Tournament Edition sticks have always been excellent pieces of hardware, and the Soul Edition is no exception. It's solidly constructed from arcade-quality parts and is heavy enough to stay in place, regardless of whether you fight on a table-top or your lap. The stick's striking motif and subtle design elements set it apart from every other mass-produced arcade stick on the market; if you want to stand out at your local Ranking Battles without incurring the cost of a custom-made stick, you'd be hard pressed to find a piece of fighting tech that's this unique, right out of the box.

This article was originally published on Joystiq.


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Breakfast Topic: The many mysteries of loot drops

Looting monsters in World of Warcraft can be an experience filled with mystery. Surely you've had the quest where you're sent off to collect bear paws or the like where you only get one paw per bear -- or even less? Where do all of those paws go? Or perhaps you've killed a bat who dropped a lockbox, leaving you to wonder what was he keeping in it and how he even got into it. What about the creatures of Azeroth who carry around spare pairs of pants or plate armor? If you're a leatherworker, you've probably occasionally picked up some intestines along with the leather you skinned -- and find gold inside. Yuck. And let's not even get started on the raid bosses of Azeroth who apparently lug around whole chests of loot. (And where was Garrosh hiding all of those heirlooms?)

The game is full of loot conundrums, so today why not tell us yours? What's the most oddball loot you've acquired -- or haven't acquired -- in the game?

This article was originally published on WoW Insider.


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Texas-based marathon-gaming group The Speed Gamers is preparing for its annual winter charity drive once again, this year raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through extensive exposure to Mario and his various exploits. Starting at 7 p.m. Eastern on December 14, the group's non-stop 72-ho...

2 years ago 0 Comments
December 6, 2012 at 3:00AM


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Do you have any of the Philips hue smart lightbulbs installed in your home? If you do, grab your iPhone, pull up the App Store, and grab two apps that promise to get you in the mood for the remaining FIFA World Cup games. Those games are scheduled for Saturday at 4 PM ET to determine the third-p...

11 months ago 0 Comments
July 10, 2014 at 7:00PM


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A New Breed Of Unfair Advantage In Sports – ‘Technology Doping’
Josh Chan posted on July 12, 2012 | | 6558 views

The 3D printing (additive manufacturing) industry hashad a lot of publicity recently. All of the 3D printing information I have been exposed to has been fascinating and informative. The stories shows today's productive applications while highlighting the amazing potential in the future. Yet, some people believe that there is a negative side to 3D printing, more specifically 3D printing in the sports industry.

“It is vital for sports regulators to work with engineers to make sure these advances are introduced fairly and openly so the sporting world isn’t taken by surprise.”

According to a report released by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, there are concerns that new technological advances in nanotechnology, 3D printing and biomedical engineering may create an unfair advantage (‘technology doping’) in the sports industry. They insist on sport officials teaming up with engineers to predict results of these new technologies.

Some of the technological advances include improving hydrodynamics of a swimmer with the use of 3D scanners and mapping or 3D printing a shoe (or any piece of equipment for that matter) minutes before the event to optimize for weather conditions, injuries or even the athlete’s physical state. These technologies are predicted to be available within a few years to elite athletes.

I tend to view things with an optimistic (yet realistic) attitude and see this as more of a step forward in science and technology rather than another way for unfair advantages to affect sports.

How do you feel these new technologies will affect sports? Do you think that it can be monitored properly for fair play?

For more technological advances and information on the report, please visit:


text:
Return to

Sports and Hobby > Auto Racing

Mercedes Benz Giclee Print by H. Liskars

This is a fine art giclee printof a vintage Mercedes Benz auto racing ad poster at the Grand prix Frankrig 1954. This fine art giclee print of a vintage Mercedes Benz Grand Prix raicing advertising poster by H. Liskars. Ifeatures a speeding Mercerdes Benz racing down the track as fans cheer him in the stands. This image is available in oversize murals on canvas with custom framing.

The quick frame option comes ready to hang and framed as shown, with acrylic glass and a solid wood black frame, no mats.

Mercedes Benz Giclee Print by H. Liskars
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Provider Profile: Smoothstone IP Communications

Provider of converged voice/video/data over IP sees profound change in how comm services are delivered.

By Ted Stevenson | Posted May 2, 2007
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Louisville, Kentucky-based Smoothstone IP Communications is predicting a "perfect storm" in its line of business—which, as the name suggests, is business communications. As we know, perfect storms result from a convergence of not-necessarily-related contributing forces.

As Smoothstone sees it, the forces calling up this particular tempest are the convergence of all the principal communications applications—voice, video, and data –onto a single IP-based network, and the ascendance of the software-as-a-service delivery model (aka SaaS). Melding the two contepts, Smoothstone is predicting a future in which businesses naturally turn to CCaaS: Converged Communications as a Service.

While network convergence is a fundamental topic covered by this website, SaaS may not be such familiar territory, despite the widespread success of examples such as and, in the communications domain, Sylantro Systems.

Okay, quick course: SaaS—one evolutionary line within the so-called ASP, or Application Service Provider, model—offers application software and associated services on a per-user subscription basis, with most or all of the application infrastructure housed on the provider's network, as opposed to on the customer premises. In other words, outsourced, distributed, centrally managed software/services.

There are several basic rationales for this approach to business tools.

First, the customer is spared most, if not all, of the cost of purchasing, deploying, and maintaining the applications, and, to some degree, the infrastructure on which it runs. Second, all maintenance, management, and upgrading are handled by the provider. Finally, outsourced services often come cheaper than owning/managing, and you buy only what you need. Extra capacity is just a phone call away.

Smoothstone has been practicing what it preaches since the turn of the century, when the ASP or SaaS idea first broke upon the technology scene (before the tech bubble pulled the rug out from under it, to mix a metaphor). It has built a nationwide private IP network for delivering voice, data, and video, and now offers local dialtone in roughly 6,200 local calling areas, serving businesses in the 50 to 5,000 extension range.

We spoke last week with the company's vice president of marketing, Russ Maney. He was at pains to stress the importance of that fortuitous confluence of independent forces.

"We've taken advantage of [communications technology] convergence by being able to do everything IP," he said . . . "and then added that to a managed service—or software as a service—delivery model. It's really the intersection of those two worlds where we are, and where we think we're in virgin territory."

"We are not "Internet telephony." Maney stressed. "Our calls never touch the Internet—although we do offer our clients Internet access over the same circuit. It's all over a nationwide IP-over-MPLS backbone that we manage end to end."

The Smoothstone platform as a whole has a distributed architecture, with different features or functionalities being served from various facilities.

"We've got what we call 'feature controllers' that deliver features directly to the phones": Maney explained—"on-demand conference calling, call hold, caller ID, etc., served over network by a feature controller. Then there's the call processing/call routing layer. We also have an application layer where we serve various applications—for example network-based automated call distribution."

The solution works particularly well for distributed business organizations, he pointed out.

"We've got one client that is about a 40-location travel agency," Maney told "We've got all their locations on our network. And now that travel agency and all of their locations operate as one virtual call center. They can move people in and out of queues, direct calls to any location they want—even people working at home."

Clients also have the use of a web-based management portal where they can tweak their call routing, pick up call detail records, and the like.

Another management amenity is Smoothstone's WAN infrastructure management system, based on the application the company developed so it could monitor its customers' networks. "We realized this was something our clients would love to use as well—so we developed a client version of it called NetStalk," Maney said. It comes as an integral part of the offering.

But for all the "how it works" and "what you get" details, Maney was careful to stress what it is that the company considers most important: service. "We really have a service we try to use to have communications excellence improve the way the [client's] company does business—as opposed to just being a kind of off the shelf dialtone provider." Maney explained

Despite the various terms used to describe the mode of doing business, Smoothstone sees itself far more as a provider of services than of application functionality—one that takes pains to be responsive to customer interaction.

"We don't want our clients calling anybody else about anything that might have anything to do with communication. You need video conferencing? Call us. You have a problem with your voicemail? Call us. You see a new toy out there? Let us know; we'll probably add it to our platform and provide it to you."

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Miscellaneous Products & Services

Business Opportunity
Startup Costs
Carpet-cleaning machine rental and delivery
Push Models
Promotional modeling & event staffing
R & S Industries Corp.
Polishing cloth
Real Water Solutions Inc.
Water-filtration products
Recycled Granite
Granite recycling
Restoration Preservation Conservation Products
Wax, polish, restoration products
to $500
Pattern-painting system
Royal Flush Mobile Restrooms
Luxury mobile restroom trailers for small events
Salsbury Mail Boxes
Mailboxes & lockers
Select Pace Golf
Golf courses
Shaklee Corp.
Nutritional, personal-care & household products
SimplyFun LLC
Games, puzzles, puppets, entertainment products
Sincere Sentiments Inc.
Greeting card route
Speaking Roses
Embossed flowers
Specialty Prepaid Cards
Prepaid credit cards
Spectrum Unlimited LLC
Personalized birthday greetings
Spirit Halloween Superstores
Temporary Halloween retail stores
Spookshop.com Inc.
Halloween retail store
Stampin' Up!
Decorative rubber stamps & scrapbook supplies
Starscapes Int'l.
Ceiling-art system
Video-monitoring service for at-risk drivers
Strider Sports Int'l. Inc.
Bicycles for toddlers
Successful Fundraiser, The
Fundraising products & services
Tea Company LLC, The
Organic loose-leaf teas
Teen Store Developers
Retail stores aimed at teens
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Misc. Services Franchises

Found 140 businesses for 'Misc. Services'
Displaying 1 - 50
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Home Helpers/Direct Link
Medical/nonmedical personal care
$65K - 106K
Pirtek USA
Hose service and supply center/mobile services
$332K - 581K
Caring Transitions
Sales of estates and household goods
$53K - 82K
Photo, video and webcam services to the construction industry
$95K - 478K
Digital photo booths
$48K - 208K
'Til We Meet Again
Custom caskets, urns and memorial products
$85K - 219K
Junk removal
$112K - 144K
101 Mobility
Mobility and accessibility equipment sales and services
$114K - 206K
ACFN-The ATM Franchise Business
Automated teller machines
$40K - 68K
Advanced Maintenance
Commercial fleet maintenance
$118K - 175K
America's Color Consultants
Paint-color consulting
$13K - 41K
American Title Loans
Vehicle title loans
$253K - 419K
AmSpirit Business Connections
Professional networking referral groups
$14K - 35K
Apex Fun Run
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Araya Clean
Commercial and residential power washing
$97K - 152K
ARCpoint Labs
Drug, alcohol and wellness testing, HR services
$154K - 219K
Assisted Living Locators
Senior-care referrals and senior-living placement
$59K - 70K
Assisted Transition LLC
Senior-living referral, placement, advisory and concierge services
$67K - 90K
ATMtrailer LLC
Mobile automated teller machines
$65K - 89K
Attractions Dining and Value Guide
Fundraising coupon books
$36K - 124K
Award Winning Fundraising
Food fundraising program
$43K - 99K
Baby Bodyguards
Baby proofing, CPR instruction, car-seat installation
$33K - 60K
Barbecue cleaning
$24K - 41K
Barmetrix USA LLC
Food and liquor inventory-control services
$67K - 100K
Bedbug Chasers
Pest control using heat remediation
$99K - 144K
Bellacures Nail Salons
Nail salon
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Big Frog Custom T-Shirts Inc.
Custom garment printing
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Bin There Dump That
Residential-friendly dumpster rentals
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Bio-One Inc.
Crime-scene and trauma-scene cleaning
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BlueGrace Logistics
Transportation management
$40K - 181K
BodyBrite USA
IPL hair removal and skin care
$114K - 178K
Book by Owner Resort Property Management
Resort property management
$46K - 85K
Bottle & Bottega
Paint-and-sip studio
$94K - 146K
Brightway Insurance
Property and casualty insurance
$100K - 181K
Caring Transitions
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$53K - 82K
Central Courier
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$30K - 150K
City Saver
Coupon-book fundraising
$35K - 48K
Class 101
College planning and educational services
$36K - 55K
Clear Lights Franchising Corp.
Headlight restoration, auto appearance services
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Clothes Bin Franchise
Clothing, shoe and textile recycling bins
$149K - 174K
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CMIT Solutions Inc.
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College Hunks Hauling Junk/College Hunks Moving
Junk removal, moving and labor services
$95K - 208K
Compassionate Beauty
Boutique and spa for women with cancer
$178K - 419K
Complete Weddings and Events
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$30K - 49K
Countrywide Gold Buyers Franchising LLC
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text:
Food Allergy Risk

Increased Risk for Food Allergies:
Children, Males and Blacks

A new study estimates that 2.5 percent of the United States population, or about 7.6 million Americans, have food allergies. Food allergy rates were found to be higher for children, non-Hispanic blacks, and males, according to the researchers. The odds of male black children having food allergies were 4.4 times higher than others in the general population.

The research, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, is the first to use a nationally representative sample, as well as specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) or antibody levels to quantify allergic sensitization to common foods, including peanuts, milk, eggs, and shrimp. The hallmark of food allergy is production of IgE antibodies to a specific food protein. Once IgE antibody is made, further exposure to the food triggers an allergic response. IgE levels are often high in people with allergies.

"This study is very comprehensive in its scope. It is the first study to use specific blood serum levels and look at food allergies across the whole life spectrum, from young children aged 1 to 5, to adults 60 and older," said Darryl Zeldin, M.D., acting clinical director at the NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and senior author on the paper. "This research has helped us identify some high risk populations for food allergies." In addition to the identification of race, ethnicity, gender, and age as risk factors for food allergies, the researchers also found an association between food allergy and severe asthma.

Food allergy rates were highest (4.2 percent) for children 1 to 5 years. The lowest rates (1.3 percent) were found in adults over the age of 60. The prevalence of peanut allergies in children aged 1 to 5 was 1.8 percent and in children aged 6 to19, it was 2.7 percent. In adults, the rate was 0.3 percent.

The odds of patients with asthma and food allergies experiencing a severe asthma attack were 6.9 times higher than those without clinically defined food allergies.

"This study provides further credence that food allergies may be contributing to severe asthma episodes, and suggests that people with a food allergy and asthma should closely monitor both conditions and be aware that they might be related," said Andrew Liu, M.D., of National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, and lead author on the paper.

The data used for the study comes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006. NHANES is a large nationally representative survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zeldin and Liu note more research is needed to understand why certain groups are at increased risk for food allergy. The authors comment in the paper that food allergies may be under-recognized in blacks, males, and children, because previous studies relied on self-reporting and not food-specific serum IgE levels.

"Having an accurate estimate of the prevalence of food allergies is helpful to public health policy makers, schools and day care facilities, and other care providers as they plan and allocate resources to recognize and treat food allergies," said Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., NIEHS director.

Liu AH, Jaramillo R, Sicherer SH, Wood RA, Bock SA, Burks AW, Massing M, Cohn RD, Zeldin DC. National prevalence and risk factors for food allergy and relationship to asthma: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. J Allergy Clin Immunol. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.07.026.

The NIEHS supports research to understand the effects of the environment on human health and is part of NIH. For more information on environmental health topics, visit our Web site at http://www.niehs.nih.gov. Subscribe to one or more of the NIEHS news lists (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/releases/newslist/index.cfm) to stay current on NIEHS news, press releases, grant opportunities, training, events, and publications. For more information about food allergy, visit http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/understanding/Pages/whatIsIt.aspx .

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov .

Editor's Note

Listen On NIH RADIO: Speaker:  Darryl Zeldin, M.D., NIEHS Acting Clinical Director, "Children, Males and Blacks are at Increased Risk for Food Allergies".
  • Download (http://ocplmedia.od.nih.gov/nihradio/20101012niehsfoodallergy.mp3)
  • Transcript (http://www.nih.gov/news/radio/oct2010/20101012niehsfoodallergy.htm)

(2011). Food Allergy Risk. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/51cbf04c7896bb431f6a11d7

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• News/

    Arnold and Maria Reconciling? Not So Fast! But What's the Deal With Those Wedding Rings?

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    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Arnold Schwarzenegger Splash News

    Stars reconciling after extramarital indiscretions is hardly a new phenomenon—particularly not in the family Maria Shriver comes from.

    So when Arnold Schwarzenegger was photographed out and about over the holidays not only wearing a ring on that finger, but making what seemed like a pointed attempt to show it off to the cameras, speculation ramped up that the onetime power couple was in the throes of a reunion. That Shriver made the rounds with her own conspicuous bling did nothing to silence the rumors.

    Naturally, reports of Maria having second thoughts about the divorce filing followed. There was even some circumstantial evidence: according to the court docket, the duo's next divorce hearing wasn't in the standard six months' time, but a whopping five years away, in 2016.

    So what gives? All the more time to reconsider their union?

    MORE: Did Maria and Arnold make the cut as one of the biggest stories of 2011?

    As it turns out, no.

    Though the Los Angeles Superior Court date of July 1, 2016, is curious (maybe it takes that long to count out all those millions?), there's no indication that Shriver has suddenly had a change of heart about the immeasurable betrayal doled out by her estranged husband when he simultaneously impregnated his wife and maid and then hid the news for more than a decade.

    In fact, a source told E! News that despite fervent rumors of a reunion, Maria has not and is not expected to move back into the family home.

    "They are still living apart," the source said, adding that Shriver bought a house in Brentwood last year, but that it is still under construction, and she has since taken up residence at the swank Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

    MORE: Get the latest on Arnie's comeback movie

    However, reports of her coming and going to the family home in L.A.'s Mandeville Canyon are true—though not because of any peace talks with Arnie, but rather to visit her sons Patrick and Christopher, who still live in the house.

    "The younger kids live at Arnold's house, though, so she is over there a lot," the source said.

    So what about those rings? The seeming indisputable proof that the duo is slowly making amends?

    That, too, isn't all that it seems.

    Sources close to Shriver confirm to E! News that her ring finger bling is actually an heirloom piece, the engagement ring of her late mother Eunice Shriver, which she has been wearing since her mom's death in 2009.

    —Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum and Ken Baker

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The X Factor Recap Shocker: Britney, L.A. Pick Their Teams—but Rain Delays Demi and Simon!

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Demi Lovato Ray Mickshaw/ FOX

Tonight on The X Factor, we got to see how Britney Spears managed when it came time to deliver the bad news—"I'm sorry, you're going home"—in a more up-close-and-personal setting for the first time.

And we thought we were going to see Demi Lovato do the same—and we did, but only for a little while.

What is going on, you ask? Well, a rain delay during the National League Championship Series game in St. Louis delayed the start of The X Factor on the East Coast by a good 40 minutes. About an hour later, after Britney and L.A. Reid had chosen their teams and Demi had picked two finalists, the show cut to commercial and never came back.

Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian Odom named hosts of The X Factor!

Now Fox has informed us that the West Coast is getting a repeat and the entire top-16 selection will air next Tuesday. But at least we've got 10 of your top 16 right here!

First to get the life-changing news was 13-year-old Diamond White, who couldn't possibly have fallen for Britney's "you also did a lot of things that weren't so good" act.

Please, the child's a phenom. On to the live show! (To be hosted by Mario Lopez and Khloé Kardashian Odom, in case you hadn't heard.)

Inside Britney Spears' new $8.5 million home

Joining Diamond right away in the group of teens being mentored by Britney this season are Carly Rose Sonenclar, 13, who's feelin' really good now; and Arin Ray, 17, who gets a shot at solo stardom after making the live round as part of a group last year.

But that was three yeses right off the bat, meaning Britney had yet to give her first no when 15-year-old rapper James Tanner sat down across from her. (At least the setting, a pair of wicker chairs perched on a Malibu hillside, overlooking the ocean, was really nice.)

"I don't know if you're where you're supposed to be at this point, there's a lot of technical things with your voice that need to be worked on," Britney said carefully. "So, I've made my decision...and you're going home, sweetie."

Justin Bieber and help L.A. and Britney make cuts

"I'm so sorry," she offered as she moved to hug the dejected James.

Reed Deming, 13, who melted Britney and Demi's hearts with his too-precious version of "Grenade" when he first auditioned, was also sent packing, meaning Beatrice Miller, 13, got the remaining spot on Brit's team.

L.A. Reid, who has apparently since come to terms to getting the over-25 singers this season (talk about getting bad news: "When I first heard I had the over-25s, I was disappointed"), also had to cut his group down to size.

Meet the top 24 who made it to the judges' houses?

He picked booming singer Jason Brock, 35; David Correy, 26, who's hoping to find his birth mother by hitting the big-time on The X Factor; country crooner Tate Stevens, 37; and heavily tattooed soul singer Vino Alan, 40.

That means the road ended for Tara Simon, who got called out by guest mentor Justin Bieber for being a little on the not-humble side and who said in her pre-cut interview, "The only thing right now that's really holding me back is L.A. Reid."

Yup, he sure is.

Meanwhile, before The Mindy Project and more baseball kicked in, Demi got to choose Jennel Garcia, 18, and Willie Jones, 17, for her 17-24 group.

See, that wasn't confusing or anything! We'll have the full scoop on the top 16 for you next Tuesday!

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Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Purchase Order to Rees Scientific - Calibration and Service Agreement

Posted Date: January 30, 2014

Procurement Office: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters Procurement Operations Division (3803R)

Response Date: February 4, 2014 NLT 9:00 AM ET

NAICS Code:  811219.  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) intends to award a sole source purchase order for the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) under the authority of FAR part 13.106-1(b) to Rees Scientific for a calibration and service agreement of the Agency's Environmental Monitoring System which monitors the temperature and humidity of laboratories, refrigerators, freezers, and incubators within the laboratories, located at the Ft. Meade, MD Environmental Science Center.  NO SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROCUREMENT.  It has been determined that Rees Scientific is the only source for this system that meets the Government's requirements.  Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting EPA's requirement as stated herein, may submit its capability by 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, which may be considered by the Government.  A determination not to compete the purchase order based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  All questions or comments regarding this procurement shall be addressed in writing to Jemmott.Abbie@epa.gov

The point of contact for this requirement is Abbie Jemmott, Contracting Officer, at Jemmott.Abbie@epa.gov.

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Cleanup Work Progresses on Leachate Release Problem

March 2006

Temporary shoreline collection trenches designed to stop corrosive, contaminated leachate from entering Lake Michigan appear to be working. Remaining parts of an interim drainage and pump system should be completed by the end of this year, according to US EPA Region 5. These collection systems are intercepting between 90,000 and 200,000 gallons per day of leachate that was flowing into Lake Michigan under the Bay Harbor Resort. These numbers will increase as additional interim trenches are brought on line. EPA officials said testing and sampling will continue over the next few months to determine if the trenches are stopping most of the caustic seepage. If the trenches are not working well enough, CMS Energy, which is paying for the short-term cleanup measures, may be required to modify them or build alternative systems. The operation of all interim collection trenches across the site will continue until permanent remedies have been selected, implemented and shown to be effective.

Investigation work continues

In the meantime, EPA and its partners will continue evaluation of CMS’ proposed alternatives for a permanent cleanup plan at the East Park portion of the site. Concurrently, EPA will continue to oversee CMS’ investigation field work for the rest of the former Penn-Dixie facility locations within the boundaries of the Bay Harbor Resort. Once that work has been completed, the regulatory agencies will review permanent cleanup alternatives for those areas. It is expected that this process will be completed sometime in 2007.

Permanent cleanup project will take longer

EPA and CMS last year negotiated legal agreements under which the energy company will build the temporary cleanup measures and study the site. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, with EPA assistance, will oversee CMS when it designs and builds a long-term cleanup system. EPA officials believe CMS is making progress in stopping the flow of leachate into Lake Michigan. EPA, MDEQ and other partnering agencies will continue to work closely with CMS to develop and implement permanent remedies. Study, design and construction of the permanent cleanup plan will likely take at least two more years. CMS Energy has indicated to EPA that it hopes to make design work on the permanent remedy for the seepage problem at East Park a priority so that it can be returned to the public as soon as possible.

The pollution is coming from cement kiln dust piles on a former industrial site along a 5-mile stretch of shoreline on the northwest tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Precipitation and underground water are mixing with the cement dust and causing seepage (leachate) into the lake and pooling on some parts of the beach. The leachate can be as caustic as household bleach and can burn skin. It often contains metals such as arsenic and mercury. Several sections of shoreline totaling about a mile in length have been fenced off to block access to affected beaches. The Bay Harbor Resort was built on top of the former industrial site.

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Support Studies and Analyses for Definition of Solid Waste 2011 Proposed Rule

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s PDF page to learn more.

Analyses estimating the burden of the 2011 proposed rule:

Analyses related to the 2007 Environmental Problems Study:

Analysis that provides details on the current reclamation occurring under the 2008 DSW final rule exclusions:

Analyses that support the proposed exclusion for certain high value solvents being reclaimed:

EPA will accept comment on this proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The docket for this rulemaking is EPA-HQ-RCRA-2010-0742 and can be accessed at Regulations.gov once the proposed rule is published.

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Grilled Swiss Cheese, Tuna and Red Pepper Sandwiches

Yield: Serves 2
Gourmet | March 1990

  • 1/4 cup minced drained bottled roasted red peppers
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • a pinch of ground cumin
  • a 6 1/2-ounce can tuna packed in oil, drained well
  • 1 hard boiled large egg, minced
  • 1 hot cherry pepper, seeded and minced
  • two 5-inch-long soft Italian rolls
  • 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
  • 4 slices of Swiss cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

In a bowl whisk together the roasted peppers, the mayonnaise, the lemon juice, and the cumin, add the tuna, flaked, the egg, the cherry pepper, and salt and black pepper to taste, combine the mixture well. Split the rolls, divide the mixture between the bottoms, and top each portion with half the onion, 2 slices of the Swiss cheese, and the tops of the rolls. In a large skillet heat the oil over moderate heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it cook the sandwiches, pressing them with a spatula and turning them, for 8 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.


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Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and Red Pepper Salsa

Gourmet July 1998

2/4 fork user rating

reviews (2)

make it again

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

YIELD: Makes about 4 cups

  • a 1-pound piece watermelon
  • a 1-pound piece cantaloupe
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 1/2 small sweet onion such as Vidalia
  • 1/3 cup packed fresh cilantro sprigs
  • 1/2 fresh jalapeño chile
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Remove rinds and seeds from melons and cut fruit into 1/4-inch dice. Cut bell pepper into 1/4-inch dice. Finely chop onion and cilantro and, wearing rubber gloves, finely chop jalapeño with seeds. In a bowl toss together all ingredients and season with salt. Salsa may be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

my notes

Nutritional Info

  • Calories11
  • Carbohydrates3 g (1%)
  • Fat0 g (0%)
  • Protein0 g (1%)
  • Saturated Fat0 g (0%)
  • Sodium3 mg (0%)
  • Polyunsaturated Fat0 g
  • Fiber0 g (1%)
  • Monounsaturated Fat0 g
  • Cholesterol0
per serving (32 servings) Powered by Edamam

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I didn't feel that this was anything special. I also made a salsa from a recipe off recipes.com with melon, jicama, mango, and chili and thought it was much better.

A Cook from Irvine, CA 05.26.03 flag if inappropriate
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Do You Suffer From Unsightly Spider Veins?

Treatment of Spider varicose veins or sclerotherapy has been employed for more than 4 decades. Recent advances in medical technology have made treatment of spider veins increasingly effective at removing unwanted or unsightly veins. Spider veins are most commonly located on the thighs, ankles, and calves but do occasionally appear elsewhere. The goal of spider vein treatment is to permanently remove unwanted spider veins and eliminate the unpleasant symptoms that are usually associated with spider veins. There are many causes of spider veins and they can appear without warning due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, weight gain, a long time spent on your feet, and even as a side effect of certain medications. Spider veins manifest in three different usual patterns, all of which are visible through the skin surface. These three common types of spider veins are very thin “spider web-like” or “tree-like” veins and finally lengthy single veins.

Apart from being unsightly spider veins often burn, swell, or ache. This discomfort, coupled with their unsightly appearance may have a negative impact on your everyday life. If you suffer from these sorts of symptoms spider vein treatments may be appropriate for you. Good candidates for sclerotherapy are usually between 13 and 60 and are ideally in good health. To become the best candidate for spider vein treatment you should educate yourself about the treatment, so that your expectations are reasonable and you know how to care for yourself after the treatment.

Fortunately spider vein treatments are a relatively non-invasive procedure and do not require anesthesia. Discomfort from spider vein treatment is usually minimal. Sclerotherapy can be performed at your doctor’s office or in any well appointed outpatient surgical setting. After a spider vein treatment the doctor will usually provide you with a compression stocking to wear on the treated area, this is to assist you in a quick recovery and you should take care to wear it for as long as directed.

There are more options available today than ever before for spider vein treatments and the doctor will discuss the various types of solutions that may be injected to collapse the vein. The doctor can answer your questions and work with you to reach the best choice of solutions appropriate for your condition.

The spider vein treatment procedure itself is a basic technique where a bright light is directed at the offending spider vein as the doctor injects the solution into the vein with a thin needle, the solution then collapses the vein. The needle is very tiny and the injection locations are in close proximity. Collapsing a spider vein will reduce and usually eliminate its visibility and should also reduce or eliminate most of the uncomfortable symptoms usually associated with spider veins. If you are curious about how many injections you will require, as a rule of thumb each inch of spider vein you wish treated will require an injection.

A normal session lasts between 15 and 45 minutes and you can expect between five and fifty injections in a treatment depending on the severity of your spider vein condition.

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Bamboo Zen Promotional Pen Holder

Bamboo Zen Promotional Pen Holder

Production Time: 10 business days
1 Day Rush Available ($50.00)

Two tone bamboo desktop promotional pen cup will help hold all your pens and pencils while sporting an eco-friendly message for sustainability.

Bamboo is rapidly-renewable, restoring itself for use in just five years, and requires far less energy to harvest and produce than most traditional lumber products. So toss the idea of standard wooden desktop items and go for this great bamboo pen holder.

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Home page > Utilities > Energy unions: coherent energy policy needed for investment, jobs and (...)

Energy unions: coherent energy policy needed for investment, jobs and economic growth

(5 March 2013) The EPSU utilities group had a comprehensive discussion on European Union energy policy. The internal market prevents that clear choices are made and is thus contributing to insecurity for companies which do not invest with closure of power plants causing social dramas in several countries with most recent example being EON that closes 5 (coal fired) power stations in France as well as a ultramodern and efficient gasfired power station in Germany.

The market for CO2-emissions (and the low price for emission rights) is adding to the problems. EPSU will be active towards the European institutions in arguing:
- More stress on a role for the state and regulation rather than the market as the way to achieve CO2 emissions and a change to a more sustainable energy system, stressing that the market does not bring about democratic decisions and is not a mechanism for deciding preferences of people.
- Underlining the role of public investment in energy and other infrastructures to help kickstart and sustain growth; consistent policies are needed to determine prices and provide guarantees to investors.
- Employment and social considerations should play a role in European energy policy. When addressing climate change Just transition and decent job principles (as agreed in Cancun) should be guiding principles.

A major issue for the next Standing Committees and unions will be preparation for the 20- 22 May Congress 2014 in the French town of Toulouse. Members considered a first draft for a resolution on the utilities, the work EPSU should undertake to develop policy, promote workers’ interests and influence employers and European institutions. Coordination of collective bargaining could get more prominence.

Several members reported on the progress with the www.right2water.eu campaign. It is a success with close to 1.2 million signatures online and several ten thousands on paper. In several countries activities will take place on 22 March, World Water Day. We are looking for a strong message and more countries that pass the minimum threshold for their country.

Other issues considered:
- The union group adopted a position on shale gas. We argue that with the current state of technologies there are too many risks that the exploitation of shale gas through fracking leads to negative effects on the environment and communities. EPSU does not oppose research if it does not affect the environment but we stress that this should happen through public research bodies with participation of stakeholders (and including critical ones) to prevent that profit-maximization drives this.
- EPSU will continue to monitor the developments regarding nuclear safety and including when the proposal of the Commission for a review of the nuclear safety directive is published.
- The lack of progress with ensuring that the social dialogue for the gas sector as employers do not make enough effort to invest in it
- Members also adopted the trade union side position on several issues on the agenda with the electricity employers (Eurelectric):

  • Framework of actions on training and competencies committing employers and unions to follow up at national level.
  • A joint statement on the European Commission proposal for Quality Framework on Traineeships.
  • A joint position on the social strategy for the Energy community.
  • A critical approach on the sector skill councils. Clarity is needed on the long-term funding, the positive contributions that can be achieved and the need to have a decent feasibility study.

- A report on the public procurement and the concessions directive. The unions want to see progress with regard to social criteria and respect for collective agreements, more transparency, clear possibilities for in-house provision and public public cooperation. The attitude towards the concession directive remains critical as its justification is not clear, and its application to public services such as health and water not appropriate.
- The Standing Committee chose Jan Ruden, SEKO as its President. Jan is president of SEKO, a member of the EPSU Executive Committee and had been vice-president of EPSU’s Standing Committee. Members agreed to elect the presidential team after Congress in May 2014.
- The unions adopted a critical attitude versus the European Commission proposal on the Blueprint for water. While there are positive elements, these risk being overshadowed by the attention for economic instruments and solutions while the social dimension and the human right to water do not have a prominent place.
- Company developments in the electricity, gas, water and waste sectors.

The EPSU Standing Committee Utilities took place on 26 February 2013, in Brussels. It was chaired by Jan Ruden, SEKO, Sweden. Colleagues participated from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, UK. For the EPSU Secretariat Jerry van den Berge and EPSU Deputy General Secretary took part.


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Put on your boots and jeans, saddle up your pony and giddy on up to the historic Stanley Hotel! Giddyup Kitty is back in town, with a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Celebrate Spring! Have fun on April 7, at 2 p.m., at the Stanley Hotel Concert Hall, with the award-winning bluegrass band Giddy Up Kitty, as they return to Estes for a high-energy performance of country-grass music.

Admission is $7 at the door or Save by subscription: $60.00 for a block of 10 tickets of your concert choice. Children and students are admitted free.

This Concert is sponsored by Lanty McCartney of Great Golf-Only Better.com and Mountain-n-Plains, Inc. Real Estate Services, Ft. Collins.

Giddyup Kitty is a four-piece, high-energy, all-female bluegrass band that performs their original material, along with carefully selected bluegrass, country and Americana music. The Denver Post says they are "the finest bluegrass you'll find anywhere." Weaving fine melodies with rich harmony, these award-winning musicians create a show that leaves an audience joyful, and asking for more!

They call themselves Giddyup Kitty because the name captures the enthusiasm, excitement and energy they feel about their music. Quentin Young from the Longmont Times-Call describes Giddyup Kitty as a "bluegrass band made up of serious pickers, accomplished harmonizers and experienced performers." In 2009, the band placed third at the Telluride Band Competition.

Kerry Claxton was inspired to play the mandolin after she first heard David Grisman, while living in Steamboat Springs in the late 1980s. Her father, a bass player, took her to her first bluegrass jam at Ralph's Top Service in Denve,r where she was introduced to the bluegrass subculture of Colorado. She has performed at the major festivals in Colorado, including Telluride, Mid-Winter Bluegrass, Rockygrass and the North Fork Bluegrass Festival.

Adrienne Yauk, a Colorado native and ex-pig farmer, has been performing in the West for longer than she can remember, taking time off to raise a family and travel the world. Ever seeking new musical experiences and having inordinate amounts of fun is what she's enthusiastic about — playing with Kerry, Marni, Rise and the Kitty is no exception. She's an accomplished vocalist who plays dobro, guitar, banjo, piano and the occasional snare drum. As a songwriter, she's won accolades at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas and Boulder's KBCO songwriters' competition.

Marni Pickens is a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll and a lot of bass player. Born in the shadows of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, she moved to New York City as a mere teen. As a city-dweller, Marni learned how to navigate intricate subway systems, how to use cuss words effectively and how to play just about any type of music wafting through the mean city streets.

From CBGB to the Bitter End, she has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Kristen Thien, Torin Alter, David Driver, Gretchen Phillips, Joey Ramone and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Ronnie Spector. Marni is delighted to be pickin' with some remarkably talented women, who have even more giddyup than she.

Rise Pacacha: With the influences of Peggy Lee and Aretha Franklin, Rise Pacacha started singing before she could walk. Classically trained on violin from age 8, with intense studies at Georgia State University, Rise heard her first Bluegrass Concert in Atlanta's Piedmont Park and was lost forever to the world of acoustic and bluegrass music. The bands she played with in the Atlanta area were honored by visits from such great guests as Vassar Clements and Mark O'Conner. She played in bands with notables such as Louisa Branscomb, who penned "Steel Rails" for Alison Kraus, and Tom Gray, who wrote "Money Changes Everything" for Cyndi Lauper, and made several appearances at Eddie's Attic, with the Indigo Girls. She even got to play on an episode of Crook & Chase back in the day and appeared on Townes Van Zandt's last album. After taking time off to raise some babies and start some businesses, Rise has relocated to Colorado and has played with Stray Grass, Liz Masterson, Knapweed and KC Groves. She is honored to be playing with Giddyup Kitty.

This group brings a wagon full of talent to the table. Sharing many music awards and accolades among them, they are master musicians, weaving the finest melodies and harmonies into a sweet, sassy mix of tunes. Classy, sweet, and smooth, you'll be a believer, once you catch Giddyup Kitty fever!

The Estes Park Music Festival (EPMF) participates in the annual Estes Park Duck Race to help raise funds that allow the EPMF to present wonderful musical programs to the residents of the Estes Valley throughout the year. Each Duck Race adoption form sells for $20, with $19 of that money going to the Music Festival (#27), provided you circle the EPMF (#27) on your particular adoption form. In addition, your $20 ticket entitles your adopted duck to race to the finish for big prizes. Your adoption form will detail the many great prizes to be awarded this year.

As a special treat for the Giddyup Kitty audience, Quiltin T. Canvasback, the official mascot of the Duck Race, will make an appearance before the concert. Duck Race adoption forms will be available for sale before and after the concert. Bring your camera and take a picture with Quiltin and enjoy another wonderful "blue grass" afternoon with Giddyup Kitty. Circle #27!

April 14 will be a special treat, with the return of the Margaret Patterson Trio. Margaret and crowd favorite tenor Fred Peterbark will perform the Three Petrarch Sonnets by Liszt.

Thank you to the Stanley Hotel, Peterbark Productions, our weekly sponsors and Winter Season Major Benefactors: Daniel and Stephanie Rauk, Ron and Vivian Gordon, Chevron Corporation and the Estes Park Community Thrift Shop.


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How to feed Linseed to Horses - make linseed jelly

Linseed for horsesLinseed is highly nutritious and rich in proteins and oils. It is the small brown seed of the flax or linen plant.

Fed as a linseed jelly, cake or oil it has the benefits of improving the horse's condition and produce a glossy shine to an equine coat.

Linseed is also available in an oil-extracted cake for feeding to horses. The linseed cake is sometimes an ingredient in coarse horse feed mixes.

To benefit a horse or pony linseed must be cooked before it can be fed - either as a linseed jelly or tea.

When raw or uncooked linseed is poisonous to horses - it contains cyanide containing compounds linustatin, linamarin and neolinustatin as well as an enzyme which liberates the poison cyanide if the linseed is fed raw.

How to prepare and cook Linseed Jelly for horses

A daily quota of 6 oz - 1 lb (200 - 450 grams ) of linseed (pre-cooked weight) for each horse is advised.

To prepare linseed for cooking first soak overnight in cold water in an old saucepan. If you have several horses to feed you can use a boiler.

When the linseed has been soaked add more water, if necessary, before bringing to the boil and boiling for 15 minutes to remove the poisons.

After 15 minutes of boiling reduce the heat and simmer the linseed for 2-3 hours- until it forms a jelly. (Some people advise simmering for up to 6 hours).

Keep a careful watch on the jelly as it is cooking, do not allow to dry out and add more water if necessary.

Before feeding cooked linseed jelly to your horse or pony ensure that the linseed has cooled to blood temperature - otherwise it may scald you horse's mouth.

When the mixture has cooled it will turn into a rather messy looking jelly - but most horses and ponies really enjoy it when mixed into their feed!

Remember that linseed is poisonous if it is not boiled thoroughly and it must be used the same day that it is cooked. Linseed jelly will quickly turn rancid.

Any left over linseed jelly should be very carefully disposed of where it cannot be eaten by any other animals, such as dogs or cats, in the stableyard.

Linseed tea

Linseed tea is cooked in the same way as linseed jelly - but with more water. The prepared linseed tea is used to feed the horse in a gruel or mash.


text:
ERCIM News No.44 - January 2001 [contents]

Levels of Detail in Physically-based Real-time Animation

by John Dingliana and Carol O’Sullivan

The demand for realism in interactive virtual environments is increasing rapidly. However, despite the recent advances in computing power, it is necessary to make certain simplifications, sacrificing accuracy in order to meet the demands of real-time animation. An ongoing project at the Image Synthesis Group (ISG) in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) addresses the problem of optimizing this speed-accuracy trade-off by using adaptive processes for computationally intensive tasks such as Collision Detection.

Physically-based modelling concerns itself with emulating the properties and behaviours of objects in the real-world. Objects in a physically based virtual environment interact with each other based on rules that are modelled on the laws of physics. Unfortunately, given the finite nature of machines in comparison to the infinite complexity of the physical world, we must always accept that no matter how detailed our model, it will be at best an approximation. This is particularly true in the case of real-time animation where the requirement is to produce frames on the fly at a rate of at least 20 per second. Current work at TCD addresses this problem by using adaptive, time-critical algorithms to deal with some of the more computationally-intensive processes in the production of an animation.

A naive approach to ensure real-time frame rates would be to simplify the scene to such a degree that it would always be possible to perform the necessary calculations involved in producing each frame of an animation. However, it is frequently the case, particularly in interactive animations, that the complexity of a scene will change significantly over time. Such pre-emptive simplification, based no doubt on worst case scenarios, is usually excessive as we would end up simplifying the entire animation for the sake of what is likely to be relatively fewer snapshots of high complexity. It would be more desirable to be able to dynamically adapt levels of simplification based on the workload at every stage of the animation. Even better would be if we could strategically simplify, in every frame, certain parts of the scene that were less important.

One consistently time-consuming part of physically-based animation is detecting and handling the case where two or more objects in the simulated world come into contact. It is often through such events that the user is able to interact, directly or indirectly, with the environment. Thus, it is important that the effect of such events is modelled accurately as it will significantly impact upon the believability of the animation from the user’s perspective. On the other hand, such events are not only quite frequent but also require a large amount of processing time to deal with appropriately. It seems apparent that collision handling is one of those processes where significant gains can be made by carefully balancing the speed-accuracy trade-off.

We employ an approach which uses hierarchical multi-resolution volume models to represent objects in the scene. This is an approximation of an object’s volume at different levels of detail and is separate from the model used in rendering the object. The volume model is used instead in calculations involving the objects state and behaviour in the virtual world. Typically, it consists of unions of simpler volumes (eg spheres) which are stored in hierarchical tree structures so that it is possible to localize which part of colliding objects are touching. The process of collision detection involves intersection tests using the volume models at different levels of detail, traversing the volume tree to get a better approximation of the actual contact points. Interrupting this tree traversal at different stages allows us to obtain approximations of the contact at different levels of accuracy. Thus, we can not only process individual frames but also individual objects in a single frame at different levels of detail.

Collisions in a scene are prioritised based on their potential effect on the believability of the animation. A scheduler deals with collisions based on their perceptual importance, allocating more time to the processing of higher priority collisions. Criteria for judging the importance of particular objects are based on paychophysical tests to determine the effects of states and conditions which might affect user-perception of collisions.

Ongoing Work
A library for adaptive collision detection and response entitled ReACT (Real-time Adaptive Collision Toolkit) is currently under construction and will allow the low level procedures for collision handling to be used in more specific applications. Extensive user-tests have been performed to determine user perception of collisions, and an eye-tracking device is being used to track which collisions a user is looking at. Further user tests will be undertaken with the specific goal of determining the perception of collision response. More efficient volume representation schemes using heterogeneous unions of subvolumes are also being investigated. All of this goes towards the goal of optimising the speed accuracy trade-off whilst guaranteeing real-time animation.

Please contact:
John Dingliana - Trinity College Dublin
Tel: +353 1 608 3679
E-mail: John.Dingliana@cs.tcd.ie


text:
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text:
Cricket News Hurl January 5, 2013

Victory Camel edition

When Jesse Ryder wasn't challenging Freddie Flintoff to a boxing duel, he was trying to bring peace and love to the world this week with a 62 off 37 balls

When Jesse Ryder wasn't challenging Freddie Flintoff to a boxing duel, he was trying to bring peace and love to the world this week with a 62 off 37 balls. But the world wouldn't have it. And instead of enjoying everything that comes from a Jesse magic session, some idiots started a rumour that Rangana Herath and Chaminda Vaas had died in a car crash in Sydney.

Now I know Herath is not dead because I am watching him bowl right now. And while I am always hoping that one day an army of undead, slow-bowling zombies takes over the world, Herath and his seductive spinner's hips are clearly very much alive. The bright minds behind this prank didn't check to see whether Chaminda Vaas was actually in Sydney before claiming he was involved. As idiotic fake death rumours go, this one was as embarrassing as Ed Cowan's run out.

Unfortunately other people died for real.

The cricket media read more like an obituary section: Legendary, gentlemanly cricket commentator and writer Christopher Martin-Jenkins; cricketer, commentator, salesman and Sri Lanka Tourism spokesman Tony Greig; Western Province legspinner John Commins; and organising secretary of the Vizianagaram District Cricket Association P. Appala Raju. All men of cricket, who will be missed by the game, their family and friends.

Yet, cricket goes on. Although in South Africa, it doesn't go on for as long as it should. Forty-five: it's an age not a batting total.

Poor Prince Brendon McCullum, his first Test as captain was always going to be hard, the media and fans waiting to put the boot in as an undermanned team played the world's best away from home.

But 45 runs in your first innings? That's not a Test Match score. That's just harsh. If you type "New Zealand" into Google on the right kind of day, it autofills to "New Zealand Cricket's lowest totals". Well, it should.

In 1946 New Zealand made 42 and 54 in a Test at the Basin (which is currently fighting for its future ). Australia refused to play them in an official Test for almost 30 years because of that. It seems that South Africa are yet to make that decision.

Australia are currently trying to give Mike Hussey a better send-off than they gave Ricky Ponting. That was made easier as Herath, although presumed dead, is the only player not injured at the moment. Shaminda Eranga is the latest cricketer to be punished for playing soccer. This will please those who believe any physical activity that is not cricket based is evil and must be stopped.

Some people might be saying the same thing of Ravi Jadeja's twitter feed after he put a sweary threatening direct message in the inbox of @TanujVirani who had been abusing him on twitter. Now if it's ok for @TanujVirani to tweet abuse at Ravi, it should be ok for Ravi to do the same back. Except, it isn't, because you can't go swearing in a threatening way on twitter when you're a famous person. You're supposed to rise above the hate and lay in your bathtub of money. Jadeja didn't do that. Considering that Jadeja gets so much abuse on twitter, and that he also has his restaurant to look after, he's going to have to spend all his free time abusing people who have trolled him on twitter.

Instead, Ravi should be trying to work out how to get out Nasir Jamshed. Although, that's a trick, isn't it, because you can't work out the Jamshed, you just have to sit back and wait for him to get bored of beating you. That's exactly what he did to India in this series, he beat them.

His teammates must love him. Not only did he provide a victory over the arch enemy on their own dirt, he has provided each and every player with their own camel. CAMEL.

According to PakPassion: "The Provincial Minister of Food in Balochistan - Haji Ali Madad Jattak - has announced a unique award for the players in the Pakistani cricket team who were successful in winning the 3 match ODI series in India. The member of the ruling Pakistani Peoples Party (PPP) has announced that each player will receive their very own camel worth Pakistani Rupees 3-4 lakh (about $3,000).

The camel is considered to be quite prestigious in the province of Balochistan - thus the minister chose this as his way to express his appreciation for the team's efforts."

Do you know what else is prestigious, an actual payment of $3,000. A camel is also a silly animal for an ODI series. A camel is a Test gift, they're a longevity animal. They should have got greyhounds.

It's not all camels for Pakistani cricketers, Javed Miandad, who you might presume to be a known non-threat, pulled out of travelling to India after his visa was vociferiously opposed by people angry because his son is married to the daughter of an underworld don.

It sounds like I've made up the last two stories, doesn't it?

In more credible news, Roger Wensley was made captain of the Devon Over 50s cricket team. According to the Exmouth Journal, Wensley is an early-order batsman with a reputation for being difficult to dismiss. One of his main jobs is to find some players. 'My message to them is get in touch and when we start indoor nets in March or April, come along."

In slightly less professional cricket, USACA have decided on their new CEO, Darren Beazley, the former general manager of business development with the WACA. It again illustrates that no matter what job in cricket administration you need filled you can find an Aussie you've never heard of to fill it.

New South Wales and Australia administrators this week decided to let Brett Lee off without a fine. Cricket NSW reported Lee to Cricket Australia for alleged code of conduct breaches after he depicted Anthony Stuart, sacked as NSW coach, as a scapegoat for others' failings, notably Cricket NSW boss Dave Gilbert.

In their words, "Cricket New South Wales confirms that the conduct charges against Brett Lee have been withdrawn. Both parties acknowledge that there is a code of conduct in place and to which all contracted players must adhere."

Lee is being silenced publicly, but they'll still have to stop him complaining privately as they've invited him onto a sub-committee looking at the future of New South Wales. Of course, they could have done that before they made a far bigger story out of this by trying to fine him under their ridiculous code of conduct breach. It's not even like Brett Lee is a real Cricket Australia cricketer, he's only playing in the Big Bash.

The Big Bash provided some magic cricket this week when Scott Coyte provided a 12-ball over. The over (wide, no ball, 4, dot, wide, 1, wide, wide, 1, wide, dot, dot) went for 12 runs. The second-last ball of Coyte's opus was a shout for lbw against Shaun Marsh, who was probably tired of having to face so many balls in the over. For some, they'll see this over as a failure, but I see it as very economical. Coyte went at a run a ball, which is a success in T20.

It was his only over that night, and his side lost.

The Big Bash League has eight teams. Two of their teams are currently based in Melbourne. The ladder has these two teams at number one and number three.

If you've got anything you think should be in next week's cricket news hurl, email or tweet #cricketnewshurl. If you want to send me a camel, feel free, I am partial to the breed Kachchhi.

Jarrod Kimber is 50% of the Two Chucks, and the mind responsible for

Comments have now been closed for this article

  • Sachingreatfan24041973 on January 7, 2013, 15:11 GMT

    The camel part is really funny.But this new hurl was shorter than others(well, it seemed so).

  • Sachingreatfan24041973 on January 7, 2013, 15:11 GMT

    The camel part is really funny.But this new hurl was shorter than others(well, it seemed so).

  • No featured comments at the moment.

  • Sachingreatfan24041973 on January 7, 2013, 15:11 GMT

    The camel part is really funny.But this new hurl was shorter than others(well, it seemed so).


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United States
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50-50 Challenge

Fortress Old Trafford is still Villa's biggest challenge

Fortress Old Trafford isn't quite so impenetrable these days but the odds are against Villa becoming the team to inflict a seventh home defeat this season on an out-of-sorts Manchester United.

Why? Because history says as much -- United have long had an iron grip of a hold over Villa.

The Red Devils will finish the season with their lowest points total in over 20 years; falling short of defending the league title they won by some distance in 2012-13 is only the half of it. United won't qualify for next season's Champions League, barring a perfect run from now until the end of the season and a collective loss of form from the clubs above them.

All of which suggests Saturday's game offers Villa the ideal opportunity to record a rare victory and yet, many a claret and blue supporter just wants this match out of the way. For regardless of form, circumstance and everything else, Villa have a horrible habit of surrendering rather meekly to United. It's been that way for a very long time.

Manipulate the statistics and the sequence of results all you like. Villa come out badly, whether the focus is just on more recent games -- United have won the last five, scoring three goals or more on four of those occasions -- or going back even further. The Manchester club has won eight of the last 12 encounters, with Villa victorious just once. And that win, in December 2009, courtesy of a Gabriel Agbonlahor header at Old Trafford, was Villa's only success against these opponents in the last 36 matches. Professional careers have been launched and concluded in less time.

In this fixture last season, Villa were embarrassed, the makeweight opponents on a night of celebration in which United sealed the Premier League championship without getting out of second gear. Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick inside the opening half an hour, and Paul Lambert's players chased shadows for the evening.

Enough of this depressing talk. History is what Villa's players must overlook. In the past, United's reputation has worth a goal head start but as David Moyes admits to the challenge of a major transformation, and struggles to unite a group of players still adjusting to the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, that intimidating influence has waned. Villa must think of West Brom and Swansea, clubs below them in the league table, who have been to Old Trafford and won this season.

It is a matter of fact that Villa have performed well against the top clubs in 2013-14, though it's reasonable to ask whether United can be classed in that group this season. Nevertheless, Lambert's team have beaten three of the current top four -- Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal -- taken a point at Liverpool, been beaten by a single goal at Everton and Newcastle, and also won at ninth-placed Southampton. It's a source of pride -- and frustration, too -- that Villa have performed better against teams in the top ten than the bottom ten.

That's something to take into the game. United are unlikely to sit back and take the pragmatic approach after their derby humbling to Manchester City this week. There will be an impatience around the stadium for goals, which will suit Villa. Lambert's tactics will be familiar: to soak up pressure and counter quickly. It's what worked against Chelsea, and it's a strategy Villa's players are comfortable with.

Despite the disappointment of the campaign, United have players of top quality, of course. Van Persie is absent, but in Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata, the hosts have two match-winners of high class. Earlier in the season, Antonio Valencia was superb in the 3-0 win at Villa Park, though the winner won't be facing Antonio Luna this time around. The Spaniard has disappeared from Villa's squad. Ryan Bertrand, who has spoken this week of his time at Chelsea just about being up, should be a more difficult opponent.

But Bertrand, and Villa, have to defend far better than they did last Sunday. After conceding four goals against Stoke, there's a case to be made for leaving every member of the back four that afternoon out. Collectively, and individually, Villa's defenders were poor. Leaving Ron Vlaar out is unthinkable, however, given the club's lack of central defensive options, while Bertrand remains a surer left-back than Joe Bennett.

Leandro Bacuna, the worst culprit against Stoke, should find his place under pressure -- a recall for Matt Lowton must have crossed the manager's mind this week, though the right-back wasn't even in the 18-man squad last weekend. Another possible change could be Ciaran Clark over Nathan Baker. Baker starting ahead of Clark in recent weeks has been a contentious decision anyway; many see the Republic of Ireland centre-back as the more assured defender.

Injuries could force Lambert into change. Karim El Ahmadi and Andreas Weimann were both substituted in the first half on Sunday. If neither are fit to resume, their replacements last week, Yacouba Sylla and Marc Albrighton, could start but Lambert should consider all his options. Limited though they are.

If the Villa manager wants to retain his favoured midfield diamond set-up, it might be smarter to bring Lowton back into the side at right-back, push Bacuna into the No.10 role (Weimann's spot) he looked pretty good in against West Brom a few weeks ago, and give Albrighton the right midfield place that El Ahmadi has made his own this season.

Bacuna is Villa's second leading scorer this season and is arguably better suited to that attacking midfield position than Weimann anyway. Albrighton doesn't have El Ahmadi's passing quality but will press the opposition, and cover his own full-back, and gives the team width and a decent delivery from the flank.

If Lambert decides Sylla will start, he has to do something to make the Frenchman, who has spent most of the season on the bench, more comfortable. That means not playing him wide on the right of midfield, but centrally, where his physical strength can compliment Ashley Westwood's passing.

Villa's travelling support will go to Old Trafford more in hope than expectation, though their club has surprised them a few times this season.


text:
United States
10:30 PM GMT
Game Details
11:30 PM GMT
Game Details
Houston Dynamo
Chicago Fire
1:00 AM GMT Jul 4, 2015
Game Details
Seattle Sounders FC
DC United
3:00 AM GMT Jul 4, 2015
Game Details
River Plate
Rosario Central
1:30 AM GMT Jul 4, 2015
Game Details

Marshall: MLS right for Dos Santos?

Boyata adapting to life at Celtic

Woodgate: Standards have dropped

Stoke City defender Jonathan Woodgate believes the standard of play and quality of players in the Premier League has dropped this year.

Woodgate, who has played for Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid, Middlesbrough and Tottenham during an injury-affected career, believes Liverpool's current struggles - and the number of teams within striking distance of the seventh-placed Reds - indicates the drop in quality at the top of the table.

However, the 32-year-old admits he has been impressed by Swansea's adjustment to the Premier League, especially the attractive way they have played.

"I don't think the standard is as good as it has been - you can tell because teams aren't too far behind Liverpool," Woodgate said. "Maybe the quality has gone out of the league a bit although Swansea have been unbelievable.

"I love the way they play football. Brendan Rodgers is destined for a big job."

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