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2013 Memphis Regional Summit Recap

April 15, 2013

–This post was written by Danesha Winfrey, President of The University of Memphis chapter of Golden Key.–

The Region 2 Summit was held in Memphis, Tennessee from March 1-3, 2013. The night before our Golden Key chapter had a packing party. We gathered a bunch of U of M, Memphis, and Golden Key swag to give to our fellow delegates. There was a buzz in the air of the Fogelman Building. We knew we were about to pull off something big!

Friday, March 1st:

On Friday, Golden Key’s Memphis Chapter welcomed guests from all over Region 2. The region consists of universities from Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. We also welcomed students from schools in Alabama and Mississippi! Golden Key Memphis Chapter was honored to host the Golden Key Executive Director, Brad Rainey, and the entire Regional Summit Board (Traci Gordon– Region 2 Associate Director; Beverly Forbes, Theodore Ross, Ricky Tran and others).  There was school spirit in the air as it mixed with Memphis’s wintry weather. The event started with registration of the different schools. We handed out the Golden Key world tour t-shirts, networked and schmoozed with Mr. Brad Rainey. Mr. Rainey felt right at home, as Memphis is his hometown. Then, we had a mixer and Golden Key members were able to mix, mingle and eat. The food was great. There was everything from hot wings to spanakopita.

1 2 3

Next, it was time for our opening speakers. Dr. Rosie Phillips Bingham was our first speaker and our own Mayor Wharton, Jr. was the other. We started the opening session with the Vice President of Golden Key International Honour Society’s Memphis Chapter welcoming the delegates, advisors and administrators. Next, we had an introduction by our region’s Associate Director, Traci Gordon.

Then there were icebreakers. Region 2 went around and mingled with each other. We were asked by Ricky Tran to go outside of our comfort zone when initiating conversations. Region 2 seemed to bond instantly!

Saturday, March 2nd:

Saturday morning started with breakfast in the Fogelman Classroom Building on our sprawling University campus. We then had the pleasure of a presentation by the Executive Director. Mr. Rainey informed the group of our seven new charters in the United States, scholarships, as well as how Society funds are productively being spent. Mr. Rainey also spoke of our Chapter Standards and our accuracy of reports. He ended with an opportunity for Golden Key Members. It is an internship that provides housing, transportation, and the most important – a career! We had our group photos done by photographer Maggie Landry.

It was then time for our brunch. Memphis Golden Key arranged for our Tiger Cafeteria, the Fresh Food Company, to feed everyone. We ate and laughed. After playing hard, it was time for the Golden Key members to work hard. The workshops are the main reasons for attending summits as you can learn valuable lessons to take back to your chapter. Although we learned much information, it is all in an effort to enjoy our time as officers and to bask in the prestige and responsibility of being a Golden Key Member.

There were workshops that focused on BillHighway, the GIN system, becoming a Key Chapter, Better World Books and other service initiatives, and business etiquette. There were even “Roundtable Workshops” for the Presidents and the Advisors. All of the attendees were excited about the workshop topics offered. We listened intently and voiced concerns. We really felt like our voices were heard. It was comforting to know that someone else has been in our shoes, whatever our concerns may be. We provided feedback and displayed keen interest in the material. The friendships made helped solidify this level of comfort in sharing our concerns and suggestions.

After much note taking and feedback at the workshops, it was time for an intermission. This consisted of Golden Key having a break to decompress for dinner. Region 2 arrived at The University of Memphis’s University Center to have dinner in the River Room. The entertainment – New Session Band – provided such a delightful atmosphere in the River Room, overlooking the Student Plaza. The evening atmosphere was tinged with Memphis charm: the Memphis Golden Key Officers wanted to show our Region 2 that Southern charm. This was done with great food and dancing – surf and turf and the electric slide, anyone?

The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Barbara Bekis, the Educational Support Program Coordinator, U of M.  She provided us with wonderful nuggets of advice and enlightened us with the books that she is reading. She spoke of how our knowledge can take us around the world. We ate and exchanged t-shirts as the band entertained us. Some of the Golden Key Memphis officers got up to dance (ahem, I was one) and then mostly everyone joined! We cupid-shuffled, Harlem-shook, wobble-wobbled, and electric-slid in unison! Then after the party, there was an after-party!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Our morning ended quietly. Traci, Danesha, Matthew, Darryl, and Sokoya arrived to dole out to-go bags. We said goodbye to our new friends and saw them off to their hometown with well wishes of a safe trip. The Regional Summit was a success! What better way to make friends and learn about a chapter to which one is devoted? Golden Key International Honour Society continues to unlock our potential!

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Jil Sander shoes

The red carpet is always a place of hits and misses and the 2010 MTV Music Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif. were no exception. I’ve picked one winner and one loser–there were so many ladies on the red carpet!

Jessica Biel traded in her usual sexy look for the cute teeny [...]

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Red Alert

Equal Pay getting Further Away

Posted by on February 21st, 2013

Today the Business and Professional Women of NZ are commemorating Equal Pay Day to mark the number of days extra each year that women have to work to earn the same as men.
Sadly, Equal Pay Day this year is three days later than it was last year because the gender pay gap has grown again according to the StatisticsNZ Quarterly Employment Survey.
It shows the average hourly wage for men is $29.09, while women earn $25.25 per hour – a gap of almost 12%.
This comes on the back of the Minister for Women’s Affairs telling a select committee that the correlation between gender and low occupational status is “debatable.”
She was responding to a petition signed by 10,607 people calling on the Government to properly fund aged care services.
Her answer was that women would get better pay if they did jobs that men had traditionally done and this would fix the gender pay gap.
All very well, Minister Goodhew, but who is going to take care of you when need rest homecare if all of those hard-working women go off to be plumbers?

2 Responses to “Equal Pay getting Further Away”

  1. Mike says:

    The average men’s hourly rate is nearly twice as much as what I get. Yet my jobs involve the use of heavy machinery and heavy vehicles – both of which could cause massive damage and/or death if I stuff up. Plus, I don’t get the benefits of minimising my tax bill with creative accounting and Cayman Islands bank accounts. Godzone sure ain’t what it used to be!

  2. AmeriKiwi says:

    Additional reading and video material to ponder when considering “equal pay”.


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blog  /  Keep Grilling!

July 7, 2014

Keep Grilling!

Kale 7-2014

If you want to keep on grilling this weekend, toast up some country italian bread, then sauté cavolo nero or kale, like this one from my garden, with olive oil and garlic. Try my recipe below from my Lidia’s Italian Table Cookbook.

Bruschetta with Dinosaur and Kale

Bruschetta con Cavolo Nero

Yield: Serves 6

Dinosaur kale, also called black kale, has darker leaves, a crinklier, almost scaly leaves. If you can’t find it, use regular kale instead. I find my dinosaur kale at New York City’s Union Square Greenmarket.

1/2 pound “dinosaur”, black or green kale

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

1/4 cup thinly sliced onions

Pinch of peperoncino (crushed red pepper)

Water, if needed

Bruschette (recipe follows)

Separate the kale into leaves and remove the thick stem from the center of each leaf. Shred the leaves 1/4‑inch wide. Wash the leaves thoroughly and drain them well, preferably in a salad spinner.

 In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the kale, season lightly with salt and add the peperoncino. Reduce the heat to low and cooking the kale, stirring often, until the kale is very tender, about 30 minutes. If the kale begins to stick, add a tablespoon of water and continue cooking.

Meanwhile, prepare the bruschetta.

Adjust the seasoning and divide the kale evenly among the bruschette and serve immediately.

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Lion Brand Notebook

News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn

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Moderne Jacket Crochet-Along: Get the CAL Badge

March 19th, 2009

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Download the Moderne Jacket CAL badge and put it on your website, blog, or Ravelry page!

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  • Sally Penning

    I sure would like a knitted version of this sweater!

  • Dola Wheeler

    HELP!!!!!!!! I have crocheted for years but this is my first garment. I am having a problem with getting the gauge right. The size M needle is two large and the L is to small. What should I do hold the tension tighter? I love the pattern and really look forward to wearing something that I made myself. Thanks, Dola

    Heather says: “Hi, Dola: Make sure you do a large enough swatch to see if either of those hooks will come close. Then you may have to make the jacket a size up or down depending on your gauge. Trying to hold the yarn tighter usually is tricky, because I find you can go back to your normal tension in the piece later on. Oh, and you may want to block your swatches as well to see if either of those hooks will work the correct gauge. Hope this helps you!”


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Lyris Connections Blog

Category: Industry Trends and News

Making Email Sign-up Simple with Facebook

Mar 02, 2015 by

Creating a prominent call-to-action (CTA) for signing up email subscribers on your Facebook page has just become a whole lot easier. With the release of Facebook’s call-to-action buttons you now get a prominent sign-up button on your page with just a few clicks, as shown at the bottom in this example: Let’s leave the conversation

Guest Blog: Is the Gmail Promotions Tab Still Bothering you?

Feb 27, 2015 by

We’re happy to share this blog from Lyris partner and client iCubes, India’s leading email marketing solution provider. The blog asks the important question, is the Gmail Promotions tab still bothering you? Find out how several trials have provided better insight into different ways to approach this challenge, including  switching from the usual image and text

A View from the Top – This Week’s 30-Minute Mentor Webinar for Publishers

Feb 23, 2015 by

Who better to discuss audience messaging challenges and opportunities than the senior executive in charge of customer acquisition and retention for one of the world’s largest publishing companies? We’ll wrap up our five-part 30-Minute Mentor Webinar series for publishing, media, and entertainment companies this Thursday with an insightful conversation between Access Intelligence Sr. Vice President

This Week’s Webinar: Audience Messaging Goals for Publishing, Media, and Entertainment

Feb 17, 2015 by

Our 30-Minute Mentor series rolls on!  As mentioned in previous blogs, we’re focusing a five-part Webinar series around findings from our recent FOLIO survey of publishers. You’ll find information on our three previous Webinars below. For our fourth presentation in the series, we’re taking on another key topic: Audience Messaging Goals for Publishers, Media, and Entertainment

Still Time to Vote for Lyris in the People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Customer Service

Feb 11, 2015 by

Have you experienced great customer service at Lyris? Then vote by Friday, February 13 and help us beat out the competition! As announced in a previous blog, in addition to being named a finalist for Customer Service Department of the Year – for the second year in a row – Lyris is also a finalist


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A Blessing for the Present Moment

01 Jul
July 1, 2013

May you treasure wisely this jeweled, gilded time

And cherish each day as an extra grace

Whose heedless loss would be a tragic crime

In today’s tasks may you find God’s tender face

May you know that to miss love’s smallest chance

Is a lost opportunity, a senseless waste

May you see need in every anxious glance

May you sort out of the dull and common place

An invitation to God’s merry, manic dance

And may the Lord of the Dance bless you

As he invites you to the dance of the hallowed present.

~Andrew M. Greely, A book of Irish American Blessings and Prayers

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Warping for Bead Weaving on the Mirrix

I had a three hour session today with a lovely woman who was new to bead weaving on a loom and was purchasing her first Mirrix.  It was so much fun to watch her go from the: “I don’t quite get what this is about stage” to the “Ah ha, I totally get this shedding device.”

But she wasn’t the only one who learned something.

We were both having a hard time putting on the second set of heddles. This was a function of the color of the warp and the lousy light today due to overcast yuck out there (I am most often blessed with deep, brilliant, fabulous light and hence am very spoiled).  But it was also a function of:  that second set of heddles is harder to put on than the first.

So I came up with a new idea that worked.  In our PDF instructions we tell you to use the thin metal rod that ends up inside the spring to pick up one warp in each dent.  You then put your first set of heddles around these warps.  This helps you see the second set of warps in relationship to the first set of warps.  What I discovered is:  if you use another rod (this could be anything from a piece of cardboard to a chop stick) to pick up the second set of warps, making sure to bring those warps to the right of the first set, this makes putting on the heddles easy. You don’t have to pause to look for the warp because all the warps are clearly marked by the second rod.  They are also already placed on the correct side of the warps with heddles.  Failure rate goes down to zero.

Don’t have pictures though.  I will take pictures the next time I warp a loom for bead weaving.  Right now I am trying to get though a zillion tapestry/bead cuffs for my upcoming debut on Beads, Baubles and Jewels.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

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Williamson at center of raucous mayoral forum

Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journal By Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journal The Flint Journal
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on August 05, 2007 at 10:05 PM, updated September 30, 2007 at 2:06 PM

FLINT -- Mayor Don Williamson's first appearance in a public debate quickly turned into a shouting match between supporters, opponents, and Williamson himself.

Appearing with seven other candidates for the city's top job, Williamson didn't get far into his list of accomplishments as mayor before catcalls and barbs from opponents that led him to yell at one audience member to "sit down and shut up."

Williamson described Flint as a "perfect" city since he took office and called acting Police Chief Gary Hagler "probably the most honest chief of police there is" before a receiving a series of boos from the audience at Eastwood United Moethodist Church.

"I feel like I need to apologize for you," Williamson said to his vocal opponents. "It's too bad you have to be so small."

The back and forth cut several minutes from Williamson's 10-minute talk time, at the end of which he left the building.

Calm returned, mostly, for the remainder of the candidate speeches, but a pointed comment from a Williamson supporter -- about whether other candidates would accept a salary -- sparked the audience again at the beginning of the question and answer session.

By that point, barely 75 minutes into the forum, audience members left while candidates implored them to settle their differences and focus on the issues.

"I really am being a referee right now, because we've all just turned into a bunch of different teams," said candidate David Davenport, who referees local basketball leagues.

Throughout the otherwise calm candidate speeches the eight candidates touted their positions and ideas to address familiar problems plaguing Flint including crime, public education and job opportunities.


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Lions can't back up Lewand's prediction vs. Bears

Philip Zaroo By Philip Zaroo
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on October 06, 2008 at 9:30 AM, updated October 06, 2008 at 9:34 AM

I never caught this quote from Tom Lewand after the Detroit Lions fired Matt Millen a couple of weeks ago, but Mike Florio pointed it out in Pro Football Talk's "Rumor Mill." Apparently, Lewand was feeling pretty confident in how much the team could improve during the by week.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Sporting News, September 26: One of Millen's faults was that, at times, he used words brashly and bluntly and recklessly. Lewand proved on Thursday that he learned a thing or two from his former supervisor.

"The public perception will be positive when we beat the Chicago Bears in 10 days," Lewand said.


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Will it have legs? 'Hancock' snags $100 million-plus over five days

John Serba | By John Serba | The Grand Rapids Press
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on July 07, 2008 at 1:04 PM, updated July 07, 2008 at 10:39 PM
A whale of an opening weekend: Will Smith in "Hancock."
What is the July 4 weekend without Will Smith?

He's lined up a string of holiday hits since "Independence Day," including the "Men in Black" movies and, uh, (cough) "Wild Wild West." Now, add "Hancock" to the list -- unsurprisingly, it ruled the cineplex during its first five-ish days (it technically opened last Tuesday night), nabbing $107 million.

But I predict "Hancock" will fizzle once word of its lousy, drag of an ending gets out.

It's also nice to see "WALL-E" holding strong. And "Kung Fu Panda" clings to the top five, so it's offically a pretty good summer for family movie-going.

Here are the weekend stats, according to

1. "Hancock" -- $66 million

2. "WALL-E" -- $33.4 million

3. "Wanted" -- $20.6 million

4. "Get Smart" -- $11.1 million

5. "Kung Fu Panda" -- $7.5 million

And on to this week's icky haiku:

Hero hits bottle

And hero hits box office

There's no snuffing Smith

If you get the pseudo-pun in the last line there, you must be a fan of newspaper comic strips.

Next week: "Hellboy" haiku. Or will it be "Meet Dave"? Or "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D"?

We'll find out on Monday.


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« In the Studio... John Oates | Main | In the Studio... Mark Montgomery »

September 10, 2010

I heard this interview and it sounded great! It was off-site (not in the studio). What was the equipment setup and workflow?

Hey there. This is Gary, producer for MBR. I will have our engineer respond to your question. I am not a tech guy, I just watch over them and make sure it sounds good to me. I am glad that you thought is sounded good as well. Keep listening. We appreciate it.

Hey, glad you enjoyed the program. I used RE-20s for the vocals and an AT 4040 for the acoustic. These went through a Universal Audio 4110 into Apogee Conversion.

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Coverage and insight from College Station.

Manziel, Joeckel named AP first-team All-Americans

COLLEGE STATION – The honors keep rolling in for Texas A&M. On Tuesday, Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel and offensive tackle Luke Joeckel were named first-team Associated Press All-Americans.

Defensive end Damontre Moore earned second team AP honors and offensive tackle Jake Matthews followed on the third team. The AP squad is the most recognized and respected of all the All-American teams.

Manziel, a freshman from Kerrville Tivy, won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday in New York, and the Davey O’Brien Award on Thursday in Orlando. Joeckel, a junior from Arlington, won the Outland Trophy on Thursday in Orlando.

Some NFL draft projections list Joeckel as the No. 1 overall selection in April, should he turn pro a year early. Several projections also list Moore, a junior from Rowlett, as a Top 10 pick, should he declare for the draft early. Matthews, from Elkins High, is another junior with a decision to make, considering some projections list him as a first rounder.

Meanwhile A&M is hosting a celebration starting 5 p.m. Wednesday on campus in welcoming Manziel home from New York. The even will be held at the Leadership Entrance to the MSC, and fans are encouraged to park for free in lots 61 and 62.

The 10-2 Aggies of the SEC take on 10-2 Oklahoma, a former Big 12 foe, on Jan. 4 in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Nine SEC players earned first-team AP All-American honors.

Categories: Texas A&M

Brent Zwerneman

Brent Zwerneman


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Earth Matters

Express-News and mySA staff keep you up to date on energy, the environment, and green living in San Antonio.
Posts filtered on Tag

hydraulic fracturing

Struggle against sand mines for fracking continues

A public meeting designed to quell residents’ concerns about a sand mine and processing plant proposed for the tiny community of Katemcy didn’t go well, say residents who attended the meeting.

[Read More]


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David Filner on Classical Music

David Filner assumed the administrative leadership of the San Antonio Symphony in November, 2012. Led by Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, the San Antonio Symphony is celebrating its 73rd year this season.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

Celebrating Liszt this weekend

Franz Liszt was the greatest piano virtuoso of his day. He later became a composer and wrote his own showpieces because his technique had outstripped most of the conventional piano pieces. He was as popular as The Beatles, and known for his many affairs. After he retired from touring as a pianist he became an important composer and conductor. He spent his later years living a secluded religious life.

Liszt was born October 22, 1811 and orchestras around the world are celebrating his 200th anniversary this season. The San Antonio Symphony opens our 72nd season on Friday and Saturday with two Liszt compositions — his Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 and his Piano Concerto No. 1.

The Hungarian Rhapsody was originally written as a virtuoso piano showpiece. Here is a video of the original version played by Nobuyuki Tsujii, who is playing a recital in San Antonio on Thursday.

This is the version made famous by the Tom and Jerry cartoons:

Here is the entire program of the first concert in the Symphony’s Classics series at the Majestic Theatre:

Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 at 8 p.m.
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Alexander Gavrylyuk, piano

Barber: Overture to The School for Scandal
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in D minor
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

Jack Fishman

Email: fishmanj@sasymphony.org

For more blogs by Jack Fishman visit: www.sasymphony.org/blog

Follow the Symphony on Facebook and Twitter.

Categories: Uncategorized

San Antonio Symphony

San Antonio Symphony

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Dallas Cowboys and the NFL

Latest news on the Cowboys

Pass rush giving Cowboys a huge spark

DALLAS – Two things have sparked the Cowboys during their two-game winning streak: The play of WR Miles Austin and a dominant pass rush.

After going without a sack the first two games, the Cowboys have 14 in their last six contests, including four apiece in each of the past two games.

The Cowboys sacked the Falcons’ Matt Ryan four times in Sunday’s 37-21 win. Ryan had been sacked only twice coming into the game and he didn’t deal with the heat well, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.

“When you get aorund a quarterback and hit him and make him feel some heat, it’s going to affect him,” said Cowboys DE Marcus Spears, who notched the first sack. “You might not see it early, but late in the game, that’s when you see them throwing the ball over guys’ heads.

“If you’re back there getting beat to death, you want it to stop. It’s no disresepect to anybody. It’s human nature.”

Categories: Uncategorized
Tom Orsborn


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What the Spurs and Hornets said after Thursday’s game

Here’s a collection of comments  from both locker rooms after the Spurs’ 93-81 victory over New Orleans Thursday night at the AT&T Center.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich

(What helped you get started closing this game out?)

“Lots of things helped us.  Maybe we made a shot, maybe we missed a shot.  I don’t know.  A lot of things happen on the court, it’s not one thing.  Finally the game broke.  We made a few stops in a row and were fortunate enough to score at the other end at the same time and that’s what happened.”

(Discuss the defensive execution in the fourth quarter …)

“Again, the defense generated offense for us as the game went on into the fourth quarter.  I thought Tony was really good in the second half in forcing the issue and I thought Tiago had a great run in there defensively and offensively. The two of them really got us going and that was it.  New Orleans work hard.  You know they’re injured and they got guys out there going 100 percent constantly.  Monty and those guys do a great job with them and they just didn’t have all their pieces and that’s tough.”

 (On Tim Duncan…he seemed to have a lot of energy again tonight after last night…)

“We kept his minutes down.  He didn’t play that much.  As long as the minutes are low, he feels pretty good.”

 (On Tim Duncan…it seems like in the last two games he’s consciously trying to play in the post more …)

“He has.  He feels really good.  He feels like he’s got a good balance and that’s always a good sign when he wants the ball down on the block.”

 (On Tiago and Tony playing together…they seem to have a nice kinship going…)

“Yeah.  At one point, Tony came over and told me what he wanted to run because of Tiago and he thought he could get him the ball and he did it.  Tiago went right to the hole and scored.”

Spurs forward Tim Duncan

(On his aggressive performance tonight…)

“You know, I just took the initiative to be aggressive and attack them a little bit. We didn’t have shots falling from the outside as we didn’t shoot the three-ball real well. Opportunities were there, so I just took them when I could.”

(On whether his high number of free throws was due to being in the post more…)

“I’m just trying to attack when I get the ball. I’ve had some good situations the last couple of games to attack and I’ve gotten to the free throw line luckily. That’s just a big part of it. It helps me get started and it helps me in feeling good, so I just need to get to the free throw line more often.”

(On whether their skipping of practice will be good for them against Oklahoma City…)

“You know, I think we had some tired legs tonight as you could tell with our shooters. Guys were worn out a little bit and it’ll be good for us. It’s a crazy season as it’s taking a lot out of a lot of people. Any rest is good rest. I don’t think we’re going to lose much in just today, as it’s good to get some rest under our belts. I know there are a lot of games coming up as well as the season we have ahead of us.”

(On the defense in the fourth quarter with New Orleans trying to catch up…)

“I don’t understand it either. I thought we were playing pretty decent defense all the way through. They made some shots especially in the first half as they made shots from some guys were weren’t expecting. We stuck with it, stuck with the game plan we had, as it finally started to turn for us.”

Spurs forward Tiago Splitter

(On his performance in the fourth quarter…)

“Well, I think we had a great run as our defense stepped up a little bit. Offensively, I think TP runs the team very well as he finds the right guy open every time.”

(On the comfort he had with the offense tonight…)

“These are the kind of games where if you’re comfortable you have to ask for the ball. Overall, I think I‘ve been doing this for years even though this is my second year in the NBA. I’m feeling good and comfortable on the court, so I’m just trying to play my game.”

(On his drive on the top of the key…)

“That was a weird handoff from Tony but I saw my man sleeping, so I just went to the basket and tried to score.”

(On his thoughts about the upcoming matchup against Oklahoma City…)

“They’re a tough team. They’re very athletic, they play very fast and they have great players. You can see why they’re one of the best teams in the NBA right now. We got to have a great game and start very well to matchup against them.”

(On whether the talks about Oklahoma City being the best is creating motivation…)

“Of course. Also by playing at home in front of our crowd, we want to play good. We want to show our basketball as we know what we can do and it starts with our defense.”

New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams

(When asked about what he noticed in the game at the start of the fourth quarter…)

“We tied it up and then Gary Neal hit that three at the end of the quarter.  That was a bit of a let down because we know that’s what he does.  You have got to close out on him as the hot guy and make sure he puts the ball down.  They (the Spurs) just executed.  Their main guys stepped up.  They guys we were counting on to step up tonight just didn’t have it.  If you can hold San Antonio to that amount points you take it.  Our shooting and ability to score the ball wasn’t there in the fourth quarter.”

Follow up to previous question (When asked you called that quick timeout in the fourth what did you tell your players?)

“I told them to slow it down.  You don’t have to get it all in one possession.  They (the Spurs) made a run and we expected that on their home floor.  So we tried to go out there and run a set where we could get a good possession and we weren’t able to do it.”

(When asked about the play of Trevor Ariza and Jason Smith, did the Spurs do anything to try to make it tougher on them tonight…)

“I don’t think so.  With Jason (Smith) because he shoots the ball so well, teams are rotating to him.  Outside of that, I don’t think so.  We have to be forceful at the basket and try to dunk the ball.  For the most part, the ball was moving in the first half.  In the second half, I thought it came to a stand still at times.  It’s easy to play against iso-basketball.”

(When asked about the play of his guards tonight…)

“I thought they did O.K. With the circumstances I thought that Greivis (Vasquez) was really good in the first half.  Squeaky (Carldell Johnson) gave us great minutes.”

Hornets guard Marco Belinelli

(On what happened tonight…)

“In the fourth quarter, we only had 13 points and they had 22. That’s good on our defensive part but we just didn’t stick to our principle on offense. We stood with them the entire game. It’s just closing out games like coach said over and over but like I said last night, we just have to flush the toilet on this one and look forward to the next game and continue to work harder.”

(On coming out of the timeout in the fourth quarter, what did coach tell you guys…)

“Just to stay out there and run our stuff. Sometimes when we get into a pinch, we start doing stuff uncharacteristically not us, not running our offense and trying to go one on one basketball. We need to stay with what has kept us in the game and what has kept the game close. I felt like we were starting to get away from that so I tried to get the guys together and get us realigned.”

 Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez

(On the inability of closing out in the fourth quarter…)

“I take responsibility for that because I was the point guard out there today. In the last five minutes, I should have taken control of the game better. It is just a learning process, but I’m tired of learning. I don’t want to learn no more. I really take responsibility because as a young guy here, you have to learn quick. There are no excuses. It’s not coach, we are playing good defense and we are holding teams to a low score. At times we turn the ball over, then we try to come back and it is too late. We waste too much energy and when we are playing all stars we cannot be doing that.”

(Does it get frustrating by each loss?)

“We lost the last two games in the fourth quarter. We play hard in the third quarter and then we do not execute in the fourth (quarter). As a point guard, it is hard to fill Chris Paul’s shoes, but I expect myself to be better and that takes a little work. I’m going to get back and work, watch film and see how I can get better. ”

Tim Griffin

Comments are closed.


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New Ways To Wow Them This Holiday Season

North American Precis Syndicate By North American Precis Syndicate
on November 05, 2010 at 2:18 PM, updated November 05, 2010 at 2:20 PM
LF0274.gifAn easy way to serve a juicy turkey this holiday season is to use Char-Broilâs oil-less infrared fryer, which sears the meat surface to create a nice brown crispy skin and locks in the natural juices.

(NAPSI)-While more than a quarter of the country expects to celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time and place this year as last year, the fare they’ll be eating may be very different indeed.

Survey Says

The latest “Juicy Secrets Survey” from Char-Broil LLC discovered home cooks plan on making the menu more interesting than ever. The survey also uncovered a few new facts and debunked conventional wisdom about how Americans prepare and enjoy their holiday feasts. While 40 percent of the people surveyed said they serve the same menu that mom created, more than half say they’re open to trying new recipes or techniques to make the meal special—and a full 10 percent make it a tradition to do so each holiday.

Frying Has Fans

Frying the turkey is at the top of that “must try” list, with one in three Americans reporting they’ve eaten fried turkey. The majority said it was better than traditional oven-baked turkey. The primary reason: It’s juicier. Of the few who didn’t like their turkey fried, more than half said it was because of the grease.

Cooks Warm to Infrared

Fortunately for them, Char- Broil has created the first oil-less infrared turkey fryer: The Big Easy. A safer and healthier alternative to traditional oil-based fryers, it uses natural infrared heat to cook moist, flavorful turkey in significantly less time than an ordinary oven.

Now, with The Big Easy oil-less fryer, the idea of “frying” a turkey doesn’t have to mean loads of calories, safety hazards or messy cleanup at Thanksgiving.

More Timesaving Tips

Other popular ways home chefs save time and trouble include:

• Letting guests bring a side dish

• Using frozen vegetables

• Serving store-bought desserts

• Adding dry mix to get the gravy just right.

Learn More

For more information, tips and recipes, go to The Big Easy can be purchased at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops and


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Mary Pratt By Mary Pratt
Follow on Twitter
on June 21, 2011 at 3:15 PM, updated June 21, 2011 at 4:56 PM

255832_1970151746133_1613170694_2061475_6432108_o.jpgView full sizeThe 2011 Keystone Assault players and staff

Fourteen weeks ago, the women of the Keystone Assault were psyched, ready to start their 2011 season.  Full of excitement, they vowed to walk onto that field every week and fight, side by side with the women they have come to know as friends, family and teammates. This past Saturday that came to an end, when the Assault finished up their 2011 season with an incredible win against the New England Nightmare.

As the Assault took the field for the 7:00 p.m. kick off, winning was all that was on their minds.  Heading into this game fresh off a win against the Philadelphia Liberty Belles, their long time divisional rivals, the Assault had no doubts that they could finish this season strong. That they did, beating the Nightmare 26-8 and ending their 2011 season 3-5.

Rachel Fischer proved once again she can dominate on both offense and defense scoring 7 tackles, 3 for a loss, 65 rushing yards on 4 carries and 85 passing yards. Shanice Tharkur, an Assault rookie, showed the Nightmare how it was done, also making 7 tackles and rushing for 18 yards.  Cori Young proved once again why she was named to the Women's Football Alliance, first team All American team for the last two years, by scoring 3 touchdowns on 171 receiving yards. She also carried 3 punt returns for a total of 93 yards!  Always the unsung hero's, the offensive line played amazingly, holding the aggressive Nightmare defense and giving both Jess Weir and Rachel Fischer plenty of time to make the offensive plays happen.

Although to many this looks like a losing season for the Assault with only 3 wins and 5 loses,  to the less then 20 women who finished out this incredible season, it could be nothing but a win. They entered the battlefield together and through injuries, game ending weather and low numbers; this little team with a big heart came out on top.


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“What do bikes mean to you?” from the Alliance for Biking & Walking

by Brighid O’Keane, interim executive director

Bikes bring people together. Riding a bicycle is an affordable, healthy, and fun way to engage with the people and places in your community. The Alliance for Biking & Walking is a coalition of more than 200 state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations across North America. For each organization, each staff and board, each member and volunteer, there is a unique and personal reason why bicycles are important.

And May is an exciting month when a spotlight is cast on the work we do in our communities all year long. For each new person who jumps on his or her bike, or feels a new sense of pride in riding, our movement is growing and connecting our transportation choice to our work, family, home, opportunities, and all the other things we care about.

How are some advocates maximizing National Bike Month? How can you ensure your organization gets the most out of a month with so many opportunities to bolster the visibility of the important work you do in your community? Here are some tips from advocates in Long Beach, Seattle, and Washington DC:

  • Work with community partners – major employers, bike shops, local non-profits, or places of worship – to enhance the reach, impact, and success of your event or programming
  • Find new audiences and activate supporters with social media
  • Don’t start with the bike – think about the things that inspire people’s passions and connect bicycling to that activity in a fun and effective way
  • Be clear about what you can offer, whether it’s safety training, educational materials, or free schwag
  • Make participation easy
  • Make it about more than biking to work; encourage people to bike to all of their destinations

For more ideas for maximizing Bike Month and keep the momentum going beyond May, read and listen to the Alliance’s recent webinar. You’ll learn more about the work of the Alliance for Biking & Walking as well as becoming involved with your local advocacy organization.

“What do bikes mean to you?” from People for Bikes

people for bikes

PeopleForBikes has more than a million individual supporters, which means that when you ask what bikes mean to us, you’re actually asking what they mean to each one of those people. With a million individuals you might get a million different answers, and we think that’s just fine. And just like there isn’t one kind of PeopleForBikes supporter, there isn’t one answer to what bikes mean to those who ride. Here are a few ways we could answer that question.

Bikes mean a sense of adventure, on roads or on mountain trails.

For lots of our supporters, biking is how they explore their world. Some of them might do it by riding 100 miles on nearby roads, while others prefer to pedal over rocks and roots on mountain biking trails. Some people travel the world, others find adventure right out their front door. To us, bikes mean discovery, no matter where and how you ride.

Ride on Chicago – Photo by Jamie Kripke

Bikes mean bonding for friends and families who bike together.

PeopleForBikes sees bicycling as a perfect way to unite people. Parents and children, neighbors and teammates, to us bikes mean fun for everyone. Our goal is to make every bike ride better, so you can enjoy it whether you’re a beginning rider out for the first time or an experienced bicyclist who goes out every week rain or shine.

Bikes mean affordable and convenient transportation for commuters.

Whether you own your own bike, or you use a bike share, biking for transportation is a big part of what bikes mean to us. We support and fund ways to integrate bikes and cycling into the community, like bike lanes, because biking for transportation is what motivates many PeopleForBikes supporters to ride each day.

Bikes mean victory for competitive bike riders.

The same routes that people take to work Monday through Friday often become part of a racecourse on the weekend. For those riders who get suited up in head-to-toe spandex and ride like the wind, bikes are more than just a tool for getting from point A to point B. PeopleForBikes is for these people too. From downhill mountain biking, to cyclocross, to road racing, bikes are a great way to get the competitive juices going.

What all these different people have in common is that they love biking because of the way it makes them feel. Commuters, recreational riders and racers alike can all agree that when you ride a bike, you feel better. Some call it meditation, others say it’s a form of therapy. We call it shedding the monster. The anger and frustration melts away and you turn from a growling beast into the best version of yourself. Our latest video, Shed the Monster, is our way of saying that when you ride a bike, good things happen. This is what bikes really mean to us, no matter how you ride.

“What do bikes mean to you?”: Guest Post from the League of American Bicyclists

The League of American Bicyclists is the oldest bicycle advocacy organization in the country. Founded in 1880, the League believes bikes bring people together.

When more people ride bikes, life is better for everyone; communities are safer, stronger and better connected; our nation is healthier, economically stronger, environmentally cleaner and more energy independent.

So, “what do bikes mean to you?” To us, bikes provide the path to that better life for everyone.

Our mission is to lead that movement to create a bicycle-friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change. Our vision is of a nation where everyone recognizes and enjoys the many benefits and opportunities of bicycling.

The League has sponsored National Bike Month since 1956, and we look forward to celebrating bikes with local communities near and far every May. But National Bike Month is so much more than 31 days in May.  It’s a celebration of bikes; an impetus to get rolling again; a gateway to riding more often; a time to evangelize the beauty of bikes; and much, much more.

League of American Bicyclists Jim Oberstar Memorial Bike Ride

Jim Oberstar Memorial Ride at 2015 National Bike Summit – Photo by Brian Palmer – Courtesy of League of American Bicyclists

National Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day are often cited as the month’s flagship events, occurring the third week and third Friday of May, respectively. Indeed, bike commuting has grown by 62% from 2000 to 2014 — but Bike Month is about so much more than just getting to and from the office.

Everyone can take a leading role in organizing events for Bike Month, whether you’re part of a city government, advocacy group, local business, bike shop, school or any other group interested in making your community better.

Thousands of organizations, many in the more than 325 League-designated Bicycle Friendly Communities, organize, plan and host events throughout the month of May, introducing bicycling to new riders, cultivating local bike culture and  helping build momentum among the already converted.

The momentum is building: With growing cultural awareness around health and wellness, sustainability and economic savings, bicycling is being seen by new and broader audiences as a simple solution to many complex problems, from reducing obesity rates to increasing mobility options.

And with the help of folks like you, we’ll be able to carry that momentum from Bike Month forward throughout the year. Learn more about all the things the League does throughout the year — from helping businesses, communities and universities become more bike-friendly to uniting the voices of bicyclists on Capitol Hill and amplifying the voices of women, people of color and youth in the bike movement – at bikeleague.org.

Ride Inspiration

A few weeks ago we gave our Facebook fans the chance to win a great Bike to Work Day package by telling us what inspired them to ride.

While the winners have already been notified, we were overwhelmed by the responses we got. Everyone gave us some great reasons for riding, but a few of our favorites really inspired us to get out and ride ourselves. From a wish to be healthier, to the freedom of the ride, to rediscovering your inner child, we hope you find your fellow cyclist’s thoughts as great as we do.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and if you haven’t already, go ahead and like us on Facebook to keep up on the latest at Performance, and the chance to enter for more great give-aways.

Check out some of our favorite comments…

Karen H.

I ride my bike to work every day. I am a much happier person when I ride… Burn of stress, have a little quiet time. I feel like I know a secret that other people are completely missing out on!

Matt B.

I love the freedom of a bike and being to get away from the world for a few hours.  Everything looks different from a bike.

Mike P.

It’s just me, the bike, my thoughts and the road.

Jackie V.

For exercise and fresh air. It’s a fun way to switch things up

Kevin P.

Built in triathlon training. .outdoors. .save gas..wind in my face..destress time..justify bike cost..health..exciting roads alongside deer..

Bill J.

My 3 year old yelling “go daddy go” from the Burley behind me.

Scott W.

Freedom and peace of mind on the open road!

Bob K.

Because it makes me feel like I’m still 12.

Steven T.

Peter Sagan inspires me to ride; ripped calves inspire me to ride; the feeling of fresh air rushing in my lungs; the feeling of flying when I’m on a mountain descent; and reducing my carbon footprint on bike to work day. Biking = Inspiration!

Darren D.

My wife, kids, and career as a firefighter.  Riding keeps me fit so I can do my job and make it home to my family.

John B.

Joy of being under my own power,  and for my health.

Jane B.

Adventure!  You never know what is around the corner!

Terry K.

The burn

Raymond J.

My kids get a chance to see their dad workings towards living healthier….plus there isn’t much better then riding a trail you’ve never been on what an adventure

Jennifer B.

My Husband!  I started riding for Bike MS as he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Carl S.

My 9 year old son wants to ride every day with me and its great for inspiration.

Jason R.

To be healthier after beating cancer twice.

Read all the entries here

National Bike Month: Meet the League of American Bicyclists

May is National Bike Month, a celebration of all things cycling, so it seemed like the perfect time to chat with our great cycling advocacy partners who work hard to make riding bikes better. Every week this month we will introduce you to a different group that is making a difference here in the US. First up is Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.

League of American Bicyclists Logo

What’s the goal of your organization?

The mission of the League is to lead the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. We believe that bicycling brings people together, and that as more people ride life is better for everyone; communities are safer, stronger and better connected; and our nation is healthier, economically stronger, environmentally cleaner and more energy independent. We want everyone to enjoy the benefits and opportunities of bicycling. I’ve been with the organization for more than ten years, and I feel like our mission is more relevant and valuable now than ever. ( I can’t speak for the entire time since we were founded in 1880!)

League of American Bicyclists in DC

Advocating for cycling on the steps of the US Capitol

What projects are you working on currently?

Today, we aim to achieve those goals through advocacy, education, and promotion. We have a national advocacy presence in Washington DC where we work with Congress and the Federal agencies to ensure funding, policies and programs are in place to build a more bicycle-friendly America. We run the Bicycle Friendly Community (and Business, University and States) program that recognizes cities for their work but more importantly provides a roadmap or blueprint for becoming much more bike-friendly. On the education side, we run the only national certification program (with curricula and materials) for bike education experts — we currently have around 2,000 active League Cycling Instructors sharing their passion and knowledge for safe cycling with anyone that will listen!

National Bike Challenge

Events like National Bike Month, Bike to Work Day, and the National Bike Challenge fall into the promotion category along with the extraordinary volume and variety of rides that our 900+ affiliated local clubs and advocacy groups put on year-round. The National Bike Challenge has to be the most inspiring way of getting more people riding. Every year we are blown away by the stories of lives transformed by participation in the Challenge. We love it and hope you are signed up and part of the Challenge. And as if that weren’t enough, we are also actively engaged in promoting greater participation by women in bicycling, the bike movement, and the bike industry.

May is Bike Month

What actions can I take locally to make the experience of cycling better in my community?

In each of those areas, there are ways for individual cyclists and local organizations to plug in and take action. You can sign up for action alerts — both national and local “calls to action” when we need the voice of cyclists to be heard — or attend the National Bike Summit each March to be part of the advocacy team. We have scorecards you can use to do a quick analysis of your community or business to determine how bike-friendly they are; every BFC  and BFB application generates specific feedback — we encourage you to join your local advocacy group to get plugged in there. If you can’t stop talking about bikes and bike riding and safety…maybe you need to share that passion with others by becoming an instructor. If you aren’t quite ready for that, the classes those LCIs teach are full of great advice whatever your level of experience.

Having said all that, there are TWO really simple things you can do to make your community more bike friendly. Number one: ride your bike. Number two, write to your Mayor, County Executive or Council member and tell them you care about bicycling and want bicycling to be better. Throw in a couple of specific examples of improvements, and you are on the way!

Real Advice: Commuting by Bike

Today we continue with our Real Advice series – hard-earned practical knowledge from real riders here at our home office. This week we asked Aaron, one of our copywriters and a regular commuter (the guy rides over 20 miles each way), to share some of his thoughts about commuting by bike.

Aaron at his locker at our home office with his Osprey Momentum 24 commuter bag

This morning, like every morning, I crept around the house smiling in at sleeping kids and trying not to get the dogs all worked up. I skip the top step because it creaks really badly. I do the morning ritual…French press, whatever piece of fruit or bread is lying around, trying to resist picking at the pie on the counter…and failing. I pack my bag for work and walk out to the garage.

I open the garage door and there’s my ride—like every day I fall in love all over again. My ride is an old race bike and although it’s already 84° and the humidity is 95%, I can’t wait to hit it. I check the quick releases, top off the tires, clip in, and go.

I spin out across the lake whose fingers span for miles between my home and my office and contemplate the steely reflection of haze on the water. I lock into the tightrope that is the edge of the road and let my mind wander. This is my commute and I love it. No news radio, no pressure to make the next light. I mentally prepare for the giant hill that leaves me winded every time, but I am fully into it.

But why would someone want to ride a bike 10 miles each way on a little pinstripe-sized shoulder, smelling road kill, and being passed by cars and big diesel trucks when he has a perfectly good car at home? Why indeed.

View from Aaron’s commute

Remember those commercials for the US Army that proudly touted the mantra, We do more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day? It produced this awe-inspiring vision of people who accept any challenge, tackle any obstacle, and aren’t afraid of getting a little icky.

This is why I commute. Because it makes me feel empowered—like I’m treating my mind and body to the reverie and exertion that they need to function best. When I get to work, I feel lucid, fit, and guiltless—it’s amazing.

It occurs to me…I just burned 900 calories and could totally eat that doughnut if I wanted to. Wow.

To be sure, my reasons aren’t the only reasons to commute. I also save a bunch of money which is good. I’m not contributing to the sickening amount of pollution jettisoned into oblivion every morning by droves of gridlocked drivers. Plus, I really love the joy of gliding on a bike—it’s fun.

So whatever there is between your home and your work, chances are that the possibility of a rewarding bike commute exists. If you work right in the neighborhood, you could enjoy a quick jaunt on your beach cruiser. If you live in the city, you can jet across town on a city bike and get there in half the time it would take you sitting in traffic, marinating in your own impatience. If you live in the suburbs, swap out the highway for a greenway on your hybrid bike. You’ll find what’s waiting for you at work has somehow gotten smaller, more manageable…better.

The jump from driving to riding can seem fraught with barriers. Finding the right bike, taking the right safety precautions, dealing with weather, knowing how to deal with bike trouble, these are all issues worthy of consideration.

Since we’re a cycling community with a wealth of insight and knowledge, let’s try to spread the commuting bug with our tips, advice, experiences, and most importantly, our stories and images that illustrate the rewards and joys of getting empowered, ditching that car, and being awesome.

Bike to Work Day: Portraits from our Home Office

We love to ride, so we’re pretty serious about National Bike to Work Day. Check out the collage below for just a few of the folks who pedaled in to work today at our home office here in North Carolina!

Gaynor’s Bike To Work Week Wisdom

Our Head Spin Doctor (and all-around motivator) Gaynor has been busy reminding, encouraging and cajoling everyone here at our home office to participate in National Bike to Work Week, and especially on National Bike to Work Day (Friday, May 18th). His big goal is fulfilling our “Empty Parking Lot Challenge” on Friday – an ambitious target, but we’re certainly going to give it a try! Since Gaynor is so effective at rallying the bike commuting efforts here at our home office, we thought we’d share some of the bike to work wisdom he’s used to motivate us. Hopefully you can use some of Gaynor’s wise counsel to encourage friends or coworkers to give bike commuting a try!

Reason #1: According to the Mayo Clinic, “Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.”

Most of us know this but how do we find the time to exercise? It’s easy – commute by bike! By cycling to work, you are scheduling 2 exercise periods each day you ride. The ride in provides a quiet time to plan your day before the confusing onslaught of details and demands. The ride home gives you time to reflect, decompress and let the tension go. You’ll be healthier, happier and more productive.

But don’t trust me! Here again from the Mayo Clinic: “Physical activity helps to bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner’s high, a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike [or a bike ride] can contribute to this same feeling.

Reason #2: Biking to work saves bucks. The average American commutes 33 miles each day. The average American car gets 22 miles per gallon. Regular gas costs $3.85/gallon. Average Joe spends $29/week, $115/month and $1500/year for gas.

If you only live an easy 5 mile commute to work, you’ll still save $8.75/week (the cost a six pack of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale), $35/month and $455/year.

Reason #3: Add some adventure to your day. Shake up your routine, try something different, spice up your life. Why settle for the same-old, same-old? Become the hardy, intrepid person you really are.  Commute to work!

Reason #4: Show the doubters. Think of all the times that someone told you that you could not do it. That you were too old, too young; too big, too small; too dumb, too smart; too thin, too stout; too loud, too quiet; too brash, too timid. You’re a girl; you’re a boy! It’s too long, it’s too steep; it’s high, it’s too deep; it’s too fast. It’s too slow. Ride to work! Show ‘em you won’t be stopped!

Reason #5: Join a gang. By riding to work you are joining a select group of mostly well-adjusted, fun, happy and pleasant bike commuters.

Reason #6: Save the planet. Each year, the average passenger car on an average commute of 33 miles produces 77.1 lbs of hydrocarbons, 575 lbs of carbon monoxide, and 11,450 lbs of carbon dioxide. Aside from a little methane from too much roughage, commuting by bike produces zero pollution!

Reason #7: If you ride to work you won’t get pulled over for speeding. Ride a bike = no tickets. Drive a car = tickets.

Reason #8: Beer Pressure. Cycling dramatically improves the taste of beer, especially good beer. Ride for beer but drink responsibly.

Reason #9: Peer Pressure. Your coworkers and friends will be cycling to work. What’s your excuse when others less fit but spunkier are riding? Ride and have no excuses!

And finally…

Reason #10: Because it’s fun! When you commute by bike you have another reason to ride your bike, and what’s not to like about that?

Product Profile – Burley Travoy Urban Bike Trailer

Since today is National Bike to Work Day, the culmination of Bike to Work Week, we thought it was the perfect opportunity for a product profile of the new Burley Travoy Urban Bike Trailer.  If you’ve been commuting by bike this month, you have probably already tried hauling your gear with a set of panniers, or in a backpack or a classic messenger bag. While those are all good commuting options, the Travoy bike trailer is a great alternative to transport just about anything – from a week’s worth of groceries, to a change of clothes for the office, or up to 60lbs of cargo!

Here David demonstrates how the Travoy Trailer hitches effortlessly to your seatpost and travels at a 45° angle, redistributing the load’s weight for easier riding and offering better stability than standard panniers or backpacks.

Setup is quick and easy, as all you need to do to get up and running is to clamp the trailer quick release bracket to your seatpost, and then mount or remove the trailer itself by pulling a little spring-loaded arm out of the way of the hitch pin.

And did we mention that the Travoy trailer can carry up to 60lbs! You can carry some serious loads in the included tote bag:

The tote bag has a nice wide opening and sturdy construction, but you can also upgrade to a waterproof Burley Dry Bag if the forecast calls for heavy downpours.

And when you’re done with your commute, just twist the 2 grips and fold the Travoy down into a convenient size for storage (you can even store the folded Travoy in its own tote bag). The whole setup weighs less than 10lbs, so you can easily just bring it inside with you when you get where you’re going.

Check out the Travoy in action in this video by Burley:

If you’re serious about commuting by bike, take a look at the Burley Travoy Urban Bike Trailer – it’s a great option to haul your gear in comfort and style.

Bike to Work Week Employee Profile: Tony DeRubeis

Here’s our last Bike to Work Week Employee Profile about one of the many commuters who ride to work here at Performance HQ. They ride different bikes and different routes, but they’ve all got great advice on how to make your commute easier and more fun!

What’s your name?

Tony DeRubeis .

What do you do at Performance?

Spin Doctor Pro Bike Build Coordinator.

How often do you ride to work?

1-2 times per week.

How far do you ride?

42 miles round trip.

What bike do you ride?

I ride a Scattante XRL cross frame with a Frankenbike parts kit.

Why do you commute by bike/what’s your favorite part of commuting by bike?

It’s a good workout, plus it’s more enjoyable than driving, it saves money and it’s better for the environment!

Any advice for someone who’s thinking about commuting by bike?

Any distance commuting by bike is better than driving – driving half of your commute and biking half is better than driving the whole thing.  And commuting by bike is like stealing time – if your 30 minute drive takes 60 minutes to ride, you get a 60 minute workout while only taking 30 minutes out of your day.

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Archive for July, 2011

Our Gift Box service has just arrived!

They say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but let’s be honest – that’s easier said than done.

And I’m sure I’m not the only one who is guilty of picking out a bottle of wine based on its fun name or cute label. So why on earth would it be different for gifts? It’s not!

Gift presentation is a very important part of gift giving (except maybe for little kids whose only concern about gift wrap is how quickly they can rip it off their present). The way a gift is presented can “make or break” a present. A gift can be made to look more expensive or cheaper than it actually is based on how it is presented.

You may spend a lot of money on a gift for a loved one, but if you just throw it in a dollar store gift bag, or wrap it in cheap crinkled wrapping paper, you risk the chance of your gift being received with the message, “your day isn’t special enough for me to spend a couple extra dollars or minutes on your gift.”

That’s why we just unveiled our new exclusive gift box service for our customers! We wanted to offer a service to help our customers present the special and unique personalized gifts they created for their loved ones in exquisite fashion. When they see the sophisticated Personalization Mall gift box, they will know they are about to discover a thoughtful and chic treasure that you created just for them. They will be touched to see how important their special day was to you!

giftbox 3 Our Gift Box service has just arrived!

Our gift box option can be added on each product page or during checkout for an additional $4.95 or $6.95. We will personally present your gift in our signature black and white gift box – the black and white contrast is so elegant it’s almost as if your present is wrapped in a tuxedo! Inside the gift box, your unique present will be enveloped in crisp white tissue paper just waiting to be discovered! A stylish black ribbon frames our polished and refined logo that makes your gift look like a million bucks!

The gift box option is perfect for out of town relatives who now can be proud to know their loved one is receiving a gift in beautiful fashion instead of only bubble wrap or package peanuts.

Or for the busy bees out there, our gift boxes are so stylish that once you receive the Personalization Mall gift you purchased you can present it to your loved one as is – you won’t even need to spend your precious time wrapping it!

Our gift boxes are already a big hit with our customers but you don’t have to take our word ffbookgiftboxpage 5 Our Gift Box service has just arrived!or it, check out all the praise they’ve been getting on our Facebook page.

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook and join in on the conversation. It’s a great place for our customers to post pictures of their personalized gifts and share fun and unique personalization tips and tricks with each other. You’ll also come across exclusive contests and discounts on our Facebook page and Twitter account.

If you have a question regarding gift boxing or whether an item can be gift-boxed, please call 866-386-8300 or use our Live Help and Chat Now feature on the main Personalization Mall site.

Host A Unique Golf Outing To Spice Up Summer!

Can you believe we’re halfway through summer already?

The end of July is usually when I start to tire of the dog days of summer and begin craving a new, unique way to spend the day

out with friends.

It’s time to put an end to the mid-summer blues and enjoy a warm sunny day catching up on much-needed girl time with friends by hosting your own personalized golf outing!

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a rookie who’s self-conscious about your score, or a seasoned pro with a serious handicap – you can create a fun and light atmosphere for players of all skill levels by choosing Scramble or “Best Ball” play to keep things less intimidating but still challenging.

For the beginners out there, Scramble or “Best Ball” play is when each player tees off every hole. The best shot from the group is chosen and then all the players shoot their second shots from that spot. This continues until the ball drops in the cup!

Let the planning begin!

Start off by creating a unique tournament name to set it apart from all the other run-of-the-mill golf outings. Something like “1st Annual Ladies & Lattes on the Links” would be a fun theme to work with.

Keep the party intimate and invite three friends for one foursome or invite as many players as you’d like. Once you’ve decided on the name, date and location for the party, have some fun making golf-themed invitations and check out our golf-themed return address labels for the perfect finishing touch.

 Fun tip: Keep it light by encouraging your guests to dress the part in all pink or over-the-top golf outfits.

golfpartybanner 7 Host A Unique Golf Outing To Spice Up Summer!After the RSVPs have been counted and the day finally arrives, impress your guests with your party planning skills first thing that morning by welcoming them to the “1st Annual Ladies & Lattes on the Links” with the personalized “Golf Par-Tee” banner you created.

The banner is a great way to make your party stand out from any previous golf outing your friends have attended.

Make sure you are in the first foursome so that you’ll be ready in the clubhouse to hear the ladies gasp as they trickle in from the back nine and get their first glimpse of your table setting skills.

golfballs 7 Host A Unique Golf Outing To Spice Up Summer!The first thing that catches their eyes will be the special centerpiece you prepared just for them by filling a large glass vase full of “Ladies & Lattes on the Links 2011”You Name It® personalized Callaway® golf balls topped off with a bouquet of matching pink flowers.

Fun tip: Count how many of the golf balls you put into the vase making sure to keep an odd number. Have your guests guess how many golf balls are in the vase and whoever wins or guesses closest to the correct number wins the centerpiece! You can divvy up the golf balls between guests for an extra party favor and let the winner take home the vase and flowers or let the lucky lady take home the whole prize – it’s up to you!

Your guests will be touched as they take their seats and are met with their very own “Go Play Golf” coffee mug you had specially made just for them and their lattes. For the perfect finishing touch you can fill clear cellophane bags with a handful of pink“Tee it Up” golf tees you had branded with your tournament name, tie the top with a matching ribbon and place inside each guest’s mug as their very own “Tee-bag.”

golfornamentqueenofthegreen 3 Host A Unique Golf Outing To Spice Up Summer!While everyone shares the fun events of the day over their meal keep an ear out for how each player faired on the course because you’ll have one final surprise for your guests … the “2011 Ladies & Lattes on the Links Award Ceremony”!

Have the ladies vote or you can be the judge of who wins the different “Golf Chick” personalized ornaments. Keep everyone laughing as you announce the 2011 winners of the “Miss Mulligan,” “Bunker Babe,” “Puttin’ Princess,” and “Queen of the Green” awards to some or all players. Or for a more competitive group stick to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ornaments. Your friends will be talking about it all the way ‘til Christmas when they add it to their tree with pride!

As the party comes to a close, and you say goodbye to your guests, remind the trash-talking award winners they better get it out of their system now because the 2nd Annual Ladies & Lattes on the Links is only a year away!

What do you think? What unique party theme have you used this summer? Or do you have any other fun ideas to add to the personalized golf outing? Please share your stories by adding a comment to this post.

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Tag archives: origami

Rise of the real transformers, a celestial farewell for your furry friend and more

A view of the robot in three stages

Ready, steady, go: a profile view of the “transformer” robot. (Courtesy: Seth Kroll, Wyss Institute)

By Tushna Commissariat and Michael Banks

While the latest Transformers film hit cinemas in the UK earlier this month, scientists in the US at Harvard University, along with colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have developed the very first “real life” transformer: a robot that starts out flat, folds and assembles itself into a complex shape and can then crawl away – all without any human intervention. Indeed, these printed robots can self-fold themselves in about four minutes – a huge improvement on previous models that could take up to two hours. They can even turn and naviagte around, making them a handy and practical tool.

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◀ The Principal Blog

Posts tagged ‘Retirement Readiness’

How Fit Will You Be in 2015?

Recently the 2014 CrossFit Games concluded to determine the Fittest on Earth. After the competition the four time defending champ, Rich Froning, stated, “We can’t anticipate the events in life…so we do any and everything we can to be ready for what’s thrown at us.” While most of us will…

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Don’t get caught in Mickey Mouse swim trunks, plan now!

Is it truly August already? You have spent the last six months planning for your summer vacation and it is finally time to go! All that planning for a week on the beach, the amusement park, camping or maybe even backpacking through Europe (someone keeps nagging me to do this). How many times are…

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While Mike-Vinny-Pauly might be the ultimate shore pick-up crew, which professor has helped you pick up the best education? Nominate your favorite professor for MVPMost Valuable Professor — and you’ll automatically be entered to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards!
Questia MVP — Most Valuable Professor Competition

College scholarships created in honor of MVP!

For the grand prize, Questia, the premier online library and research tool for students, will establish three $2,500 scholarships in the winning professor’s name, and the reigning MVP will help select the scholarship recipients. Scholarship criteria will be determined at a later date with input from the MVP. What better way to honor an educator than to give back to education!

Nominating a professor is easy

Visit Questia’s Facebook page and tell us why your professor deserves the Most Valuable Professor title in just 400 characters or less.

Doesn’t your favorite professor deserve to be in MVP status with NBA MVP Derrick Rose, NL MVP Ryan Braun and AL MVP Justin Verlander?

“Valuable professors not only educate students on their subject of expertise, but provide students with tools and lessons they can apply to real life situations,” says Joe Miller, Chief Researcher at Questia. “We probably don’t thank them enough. Nominating a special professor is a wonderful opportunity for students to elevate an unsung hero to MVP.”

What students have said about their personal MVPs

About Professor Zafar Iqba and Professor Hank Rodkin at DePaul University:

“Zafar and Hank exemplify what it means to look out for the goals and futures of students. They taught me the value of building a network, helping others succeed, and connecting people with like interests for future success. Zafar works with the DePaul IME Program, and his influence on the members of that program shows for years beyond graduation.”

About Professor Neal Houze at Purdue University:

“I’m grateful to Professor Houze because his classes made me realize that I could graduate (I did in 1999) with a chemical engineering degree and use the problem solving techniques he taught to apply to anything (not just engineering) and that yes, indeed, engineers can be well-rounded and have a sense of humor.”

About Richard Castaldi at San Francisco State University:

“To many that didn’t pass his class, he was the one thing that stood in the way from you and your degree. It was a serious class, it was a realistic class. He exposed us to what it would be like to work in the professional world. The fluff that got us through other classes didn’t fly with him. He pushed us to be polished and I will always be grateful to him for that.”

Submit your own nominations now!

Competition timeline

  • Nominations will be accepted through April 18.
  • Following the nomination period, a jury of Questia’s researchers will select the top ten professors based on student testimonials.
  • Voting will then be open to the public for a week starting April 23 to determine which of the top ten professors will ultimately receive Questia’s National Title of MVP!
  • The winner will be announced on April 30. Follow it all on Facebook.

  • All nominations will be vetted. Only legitimate professors may be submitted for consideration in order for us to find and notify them if they make the top 10 finalists.
  • You will not be eligible for the $50 Visa gift card with fraudulent or invalid entries.
  • When voting begins, you may vote for each finalist once per day.

In a recent survey, Questia asked students who they turn to first for trustworthy academic advice, and more than half said it was a professor. When asked who their college mentor is, the majority also said it was a professor. It seems as though professors are a go-to source for more than just homework questions—they are advisors, mentors and MVPs!


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bored worker2

The Galatea Effect: How to Cultivate Employee-Driven Development

We wrote last week about the Pygmalion and Galatea effects and their role in the workplace. Harnessing them can enable transformative changes in your organization for a relatively low investment—it…

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The Pygmalion-Galatea Tango: Driving Performance from Employee and Supervisor Expectations

One of the most famous people in business history, Henry Ford, once said about expectations: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re probably right.” Over the last…

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white interlocking gears with human figure in center2

Development Plans: Employee-Driven vs. Supervisor-Driven

Central to the goal of employee growth is the development plan. After all, growth is accomplished more efficiently when tackled in a systematic, professional fashion. But who should steer the…

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Job Growth In Clean Energy Is Essential At Home And Abroad

There are numerous reasons why economies around the world, particularly the U.S., are interested in investing more in renewable energy. Due to global climate change, storm systems have become more…

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Why Meetings Are So Painful, and How You Can Turn Them Around

Meetings are a common fixture of the corporate world. Businesses thrive on communication, and meetings are the best way to disseminate information to a large group of employees. With businesses…

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Aspen Skiing Company Uses Rosetta Stone to Help Keep Pace with Growth of Global Clientele

As the 2014-2015 ski season gets under way in North America, Rosetta Stone, the world’s leading provider of education technology and language-learning solutions, released a case study offering new evidence of…

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Author Archives: Amabel

May 13, 2010

BE BIG in Your Community

Posted by at 8:43 am in Kid Power | Permalink

Hi Splotters! We know service and volunteerism are important topics to you. So today we want you to meet a special teen who is being BIG in her community! Adrianne received a grant from the 2009 BE BIG in Your Community Contest for her BIG idea, which involves two of her passions — the sun and kids. Her BIG idea, which she calls SunSmiles, promotes sun safety for kids. She is doing BIG things in her Florida community and we wanted to share her BE BIG actions with you from Adrianne herself!

Q: How did you react when you received the news that your BIG Idea was to receive a grant from the BE BIG in Your Community Contest?

I was completely shocked when I found out because “SunSmiles” was only an idea. Winning the contest made it a reality. I think I was a little shaken for three days. I just couldn't get mind to believe that I had won a grant for $2,500.

Q: How are you using the grant to put your BIG Idea into action? How is it benefiting your community?

The money is going into the investment of a sun shade structure for the playground of the school. It protects the youngest kids in the school from the UV rays while they are playing outside. The location of their playground is directly in the sun and is dangerous for the skin health of the kids.

Q: Why is sun safety for kids important to you?

Since I live in Florida, the sun is a big presence in our everyday lives. Skin cancer rates are going up each year and many people do not know that it starts during childhood. The UV rays are one of the most harmful forms of radiation. The kids are always playing the playground carefree, and they should be aware of what they are doing. Without proper sunscreen, a child's skin can become burned and the chance for skin cancer can go up. It is especially important to inform them around the summertime. There are certain sun safety rules that I believe kids, parents and faculty advisors at school should know about and apply in everyday life.

Q:”SunSmiles” is a pretty cool name. What made you think of the name for your project?

The name was fun to come up with. I figured the name should have the word sun in it since it is about educating kids on sun safety. The “smiles” part came from my dream of becoming a pediatrician. One of the reasons I want to become one is because when you help a child feel better they do not say “thank you” but rather they give you a giant smile that leaves you speechless.

Q: As a high school student, you must be pretty busy with school and activities, but yet you make time to get involved with your community. What advice would you give to kids who have BIG ideas of their own and want to do the same?

Yes, my schoolwork seems to pile up each day along with my involvement in school chorus. I know there are people who only do service hours because they are required to, but it doesn't have to be that way. If you have the mentality that it is mandatory, it will get you nowhere. A quote I have on my bulletin board says, “Lack of passion is often the difference between Failure and Success.” If you have a BIG idea, do not let it be just an idea, but something that you are passionate about. If the passion is in your heart and mind, the people around you will see it as well. It will motivate those around you to help you to accomplish the dream, and make your idea a reality.

This month, Adrianne will see her BIG idea come to life as she unveils the sun shade structure at the school's playground.
Inspired or have a BIG idea of your own? Like Adrianne you can see your BIG idea become a reality. Enter the BE BIG in Your Community Contest today for a chance to win a $25,000 grant!

— Amabel, Scholastic Media

April 19, 2010

BE BIG for National Volunteer Week

Posted by at 1:00 pm in Kid Power | Permalink

Hi Splotters! It’s National Volunteer Week, a week that inspires everyone to take action to improve their communities. Now is the perfect time to show your BE BIG actions and contribute to your community.

This week, thousands of volunteers around the country will engage in service projects to strengthen their neighborhoods and build their communities. You can too! Whether it’s mentoring, serving meals or building community gardens—there are all sorts of service projects that would love your participation. No project is too big or too small. Grab a parent (and a friend!) and together find a volunteer project in your community.

Need some examples for ways to BE BIG in your community? Check these kids out!

  • Adrianne is building sun shades in local schools and parks to protect children from the harmful effects from the sun.
  • Madelon is building a handicapped-accessible playground in her neighborhood.
  • Skyler is creating "Kids Care Packs" for children in homeless shelters. “Kids Care Packs” are hand-painted knapsacks filled with school
    supplies, toiletries, a healthy snack, a toy and a note of friendship. His BIG idea is being honored this week by HandsOn Network, the organizers of National Volunteer Week!

Skyler Pinto

“Kind acts of giving are the most important thing in making a community a
better place.” Skyler said. “When kids who are feeling sad, lonely,
sick and hungry receive a ‘Kids Care Pack,’ they will feel like someone

Bebig-in-your-community You and your friends probably have a BIG idea that could help your community. Don’t be shy. . .tell us about it and we can help make your idea happen with the BE BIG in Your Community Contest! The contest will award $75,000 in community grants to several BIG ideas. Plus, you’ll have the help of HandsOn Network, who will work with the winners to bring their BIG idea to life—just like Adrianne, Madelon and Skyler, BE BIG winners from 2009!

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we want to hear your stories about volunteering in your community. Post a comment and let us know how you're helping to make the world a better place!

— Amabel, Scholastic Staffer


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Suppose you hire a consultancy to perform a black-box assessment of your software. After executing the test, the firm produces a report outlining several vulnerabilities with your application. You remediate the vulnerabilities, submit the application for re-testing, and the next report comes back “clean” – i.e. without any vulnerabilities. At best, this simply tells you that your application can’t be broken into by the same testers in the same time frame. On the other hand, it doesn’t tell you:

  • What are the potential threats to your application?
  • Which threats is your application “not vulnerable” to?
  • Which threats did the testers not assess your application for? Which threats were not possible to test from a runtime perspective?
  • How did time and other constraints on the test affect the reliability of results? For example, if the testers had 5 more days, what other security tests would they have executed?
  • What was the skill level of the testers and would you get the same set of results from a different tester or another consultancy?

In our experience, organizations aren’t able to answer most of these questions. The tester doesn’t understand application internals and the organization requesting the test doesn’t know much about the security posture of their software. We’re not the only ones who acknowledge this issue: Haroon Meer discussed the challenges of penetration testing at 44con. Most of these issues apply to every form of verification: automated dynamic testing, automated static testing, manual penetration testing, and manual code review. In fact a recent paper describes similar challenges in source code review.

The opaque nature of verification means effective management of software security requirements is essential. With requirements listed, testers can specify both whether they have assessed a particular requirement and the techniques they used to do so. Critics argue that penetration testers shouldn’t follow a “checklist approach to auditing” because no checklist can cover the breadth of obscure and domain-specific vulnerabilities. Yet the flexibility to find unique issues does not obviate the need to verify well understood requirements. The situation is very similar for standard software Quality Assurance (QA): good QA testers both verify functional requirements AND think outside the box about creative ways to break functionality. Simply testing blindly and reporting defects without verifying functional requirements would dramatically reduce the utility of quality assurance. Why accept a lower standard from security testing?

Before you perform your next security verification activity, make sure you have software security requirements to measure against and that you define which requirements are in-scope for the verification. If you engage manual penetration testers or source code reviewers, it should be relatively simple for them to specify which requirements they tested for. If you use an automated tool or service, work with your vendor to find out what requirements their tool or service cannot reliably test for. Your tester/product/service is unlikely to guarantee an absence of false negatives (i.e. certify that your application is not vulnerable to SQL injection), but knowing what they did and did not test for can dramatically help increase the confidence that your system does not contain known, preventable security flaws.

Abridged from this article on InfoQ

5 Steps to Starting a Software Security Requirements Program

5 Steps to Starting a Software Security Requirements Program


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Rainy Days in Seattle

Despite today’s “sunbreak,” the weather has been ridiculously rainy (check out the P-I’s story today on record rainfall) and it looks like we are in for a few weeks of storms. Here are my two favorite things to do on a rainy day:

1.Play in the rain
2. Find any way to stay inside.

If you like being in the rain, there is no better place to puddle jump then while walking down Broadway. The roads always seem to be flooded perfectly for puddle jumping. Just make sure you wear good shoes or you will end up with soggy feet, which really ruins the fun.

If you would rather stay inside, I suggest coffee shops and movies. Here is a short list of a few Capitol Hill coffee shops.

Bauhaus Books & Coffee- 301 E. Pine St. 625-1600 (Free Wi-Fi)
Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Company- 1005 E. Pike St. (206)709-4440 (Free Wi-Fi)
Espresso Vivace Roasteria Cafe- 901 E Denny Way (206) 860-5869 (Free Wi-Fi)
Starbuck’s- Pike and Broadway, inside QFC
Top Pot- 609 Summit Ave. E. /Mercer (Free Wi-Fi)
Tully’s- Pike and Broadway (Free Wi-Fi)
Victrola Coffee & Art- 411 15th Ave. E. 325-6520 (Free Wi-Fi)

For those planning on seeing a movie, try the Egyptian Theatre. It is close by so if you don’t have a car you won’t have to go far. It is located at 805 East Pine St. Call for showtimes at (206) 781-5755.

Stay dry…or wet!

Categories: Events

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Up next: Washington Redskins

A new manager for the Mariners. Apple Cup week. A 2-8 Seahawks team.

Something had to give in the P-I sports section this morning, and it turned out to be the weekly Wednesday feature that previews the Seahawks’ upcoming opponent.

So here it is, unleashed in cyberspace:

When/where: Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Qwest Field

Redskins’ record: 6-4, after losing 14-10 to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night

Where they rank: No. 13 on offense (5th rushing, 20th passing); No. 4 on defense (5th rushing, 8th passing)

Series: Redskins lead 9-4 in the regular season, but the Seahawks have won the past two meetings – both in the playoffs, both at Qwest Field (2005 and 2007).

Star power: Clinton Portis. Forget the Maserati. Get past the what-is-he-wearing? outfits. The multi-talented back is what makes the Redskins’ offense run. He already has rushed for 1,063 yards, a 4.9-yard average and seven touchdowns, despite spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee against the Steelers two weeks ago. Portis was NFC offensive player of the month in October, when he had 616 yards from scrimmage. But he has lost the NFL rushing lead to the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson (1,110 yards) because the knee limited Portis to 51 yards against the Steelers and 68 yards against the Cowboys.

Unsung hero: London Fletcher. The too-small middle linebacker (5 feet 10, 245 pounds) just continues to come up big. He doesn’t just lead the Redskins with 84 tackles, he has 33 more than the team’s No. 2 tackler (rookie strong safety Chris Horton). But then this is nothing new for Fletcher, who entered the league in 1998 as an undrafted rookie with the St. Louis Rams. He has a string of eight consecutive seasons with at least 135 tackles (two for the Rams; five for the Bills; one with the Redskins).

On the spot: The Redskins. They started 6-2, but have lost at home to the Steelers (23-6) and Cowboys the past two weeks. Now they’re facing a game against the Seahawks – and a long Right Coast to Left Coast trip – before playing the NFC East-leading New York Giants at home next week.

Burning question: Which Jason Campbell will be playing quarterback for the Redskins this week? The one who did not throw an interception in his first 249 pass attempts this season? Or the one who has threw three picks in his past 58 attempts? It helps that he’s playing the Seahawks, whose five interceptions are fourth fewest in the league.

Familiar faces: Coach Jim Zorn was the Seahawks original quarterback (1976-84) and then coached the position for them the past seven seasons. Offensive coordinator Sherman Smith played for the Seahawks (1976-82) and running backs coach Stump Mitchell coached for the Seahawks (1999-2007). The Redskins also have five players who are former Seahawks: running back Shaun Alexander (2000-07), cornerback Shaun Springs (1997-2003) and left guard Pete Kendall (1996-2000), who were first-round draft choices; and punter Ryan Plackemeier (2006-08) and backup safety Mike Green (2006-07).

The last word: “I think we’re kind of treading water. We haven’t just put the hurt on anybody, no question. Is it frustrating? Yeah. We haven’t dominated.” – Zorn, on the Redskins’ two-game losing streak

Categories: Uncategorized
Clare Farnsworth

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Building Seattle Green

We are a collective of professionals dedicated to exploring green building and the technologies, practices, materials and designs that are at the forefront of this movement. We will work to dispel the myth that green building is more expensive and we hope that this blog not only informs but inspires people, businesses and communities to join us in creating a more sustainable urban environment.

Lessen the Impact with L.I.D.

Flooding is a concern in the Pacific Northwest during the rainy winter and spring months. During a storm, rainwater sheds off streets, sidewalks, and buildings into sewers, nearby lakes, streams, and other bodies of water carrying along with it pollutants, such as fertilizers and sediment. Storm water pollution contaminates our local bodies of water and is a detriment to fish and wildlife. Storm water management is a major concern for the built environment, including large developments down to the private home. Developing and designing to address and even utilize storm water will help to lessen the impact heavy rains will have on your property, your neighborhood, and local environs. Utilizing Low Impact Development (LID) methods for managing storm water is not only smart, but is also required in many jurisdictions for new developments, new construction, and major renovation projects.

What is Low Impact Development (LID)?

Low Impact Development (LID) for storm water management provides alternatives to the traditional method of directing all the storm water to the city sewer. These alternate techniques provide ways to store, slowly filter, or infiltrate storm water naturally into your site. Ideally, a combination of techniques is used to simulate the natural way storm water would have been absorbed into the site prior to development.

Why should we use Low Impact Development (LID) techniques?

-LID storm water management techniques help reduce the cost of development on the site rather than spending large amounts of money building infrastructure to deal with storm water
-Helps to reduce or eliminate flooding
-Helps reduce storm water pollution in local streams, lakes, and other bodies of water making them safer and cleaner for us (and the fish) to enjoy
-Provides aesthetically pleasing landscape, more green space, and habitat for wildlife

What are some LID storm water management techniques?

Developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and homeowners should be considering LID methods for each and every project; be it in an urban, suburban, or rural setting. An appropriate combination of methods will significantly reduce the amount of storm water shed from the site. Some methods include:

Pervious Paving (specific type of paving that allows water to infiltrate through the paving surface)
Rainwater Harvesting (rainwater collection from rooftops into rain barrels or cisterns which can be used for irrigation or for domestic water use in some jurisdictions)
Rain Garden (designated planted area on the site to collect storm water and allow it to percolate slowly back into the ground)
Green/Vegetative Roof (planted roof to help absorb and slow the flow of storm water run off)
Bio Swale (designated planted area along a street, parking lot, or other impervious surface that collects storm water and helps it to percolate slowly into the ground)

To learn more about Low Impact Development in your neighborhood, visit your local city or county website.

More on green building, visit H2D’s Architecture and Design blog.

Heidi Helgeson

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