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Aurora college student has knack for startups
Wilbur You always had the kind of entrepreneurial drive that is nearly impossible to rein in, even after it almost landed him in big trouble when he was just 10 years old.
Wilbur, now 22, is the CEO and founder of the creative ad agency Youtech & Associates in Naperville -- the third startup business he's launched in three years, all while managing a full course load at Northern Illinois University. He will be graduating in May with a degree in computer science.
"I'm not just here to walk through my life and not do anything, and just work," the Aurora resident said. "I want to do something that changes the world, or has a huge effect."
His first business venture at age 10, however, got a quick ax from his parents.
Wilbur figured out how to access an online video game for free. Soon he not only had scores of other online players playing for free with him, but he also was making money selling them customized game features.
"When we found out what he was doing, we made him get offline, and we banned him from the computer for several months," said his father, Mark Stanek. "We kind of figured, 'It's gotta be illegal.'"
These days, business for him is all on the up-and-up, Wilbur says.
Youtech & Associates occupies a small, two-room office perched atop a computer repair store in downtown Naperville. The company started last summer in the basement of Wilbur's parents' home, where he lives, and moved into the office space in November.
Youtech has two employees, creative director Shawn Herrick, who also is Wilbur's best friend since childhood, and technology director Frank Hilgers, whose son is another of Wilbur's friends.
The company's philosophy is "simple is better," Wilbur said.
"Back in the day, websites used to be so crowded, so busy," he said. "Now people don't like to go on a website to read pages and pages of information -- they just want to get to the point."
The company has about 40 to 50 clients, Wilbur said. If all goes according to plan, he added, Youtech will hire more staff in next few months and move into a bigger office in downtown Naperville.
The business is indeed going well -- almost surprisingly well, said Hilgers, who took a 60 percent cut from his previous job's salary to work for Youtech.
"I like Wilbur. I like his energy, his attitude, his enthusiasm," he said. "I said, 'If we're going to do it, let's just do it -- everything in.'"
The atmosphere of camaraderie coupled with serious work is a great combination, Hilgers said. "It's a lot of fun working here. It's a lot of pressure, but fun, which takes a lot of the pressure off."
Herrick agrees.
"It has picked up really fast, real quick within the last eight months," he said. "When we started out it was rough, but it's something we pushed through."
Growing up, everyone knew Wilbur would be a leader some day, Herrick said.
"He planned everything in high school," he said. "His destiny is to lead."
Among Youtech's clients is Phil Marrone, of Philip+Rae & Associates in Naperville, who said he had no hesitation about hiring such a young firm.
"(Wilbur is) a true entrepreneur willing to take risks and create jobs," Marrone said. "We need more Wilburs."
Marrone said he met Wilbur after the young businessman did work for Marrone's brother.
"I was impressed with his abilities and his quick understanding of the project, and vision for the end result," Marrone said.
Wilbur, a 2009 graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, attributes much of his success to his well-rounded upbringing.
He was raised by his mother, Hong Stanek, who is of Chinese descent, and his adoptive father Mark Stanek, after his birth father died when he was 2. He has a younger brother, Justin, 12.
Mark Stanek was his "No. 1 fan" and taught him to play baseball, basketball and football, while his mother instilled in him the value of education and insisted on piano lessons, Wilbur said.
"My mom always would say, 'You weren't brought here to be (just) someone else in this country. You were brought here to make something of yourself,'" he said.
"Chinese culture is more strict, but my dad's culture is not as strict," he said. "I got the best of both worlds."
At age 18, Wilbur launched a marketing website designed to sell ad space.
"It required a lot more money, and higher advanced technology than we could build," he said.
In 2010, he started Youchers, a suburban deal website along the lines of Groupon. It was successful initially but ran into problems, mostly due to lack of startup capital, and folded after a year, he said.
After that, Wilbur said, he decided he needed to learn firsthand about business operations. He got a job in marketing for American Invsco, a condominium development company in downtown Chicago, where he worked for a year, spending three days a week in Chicago and two days in class in DeKalb.
Despite the juggling act, he never was tempted to go to school part time.
"That's still my main priority. At the end of the day, my family stresses education," he said. "I liked the busy schedule. The busier I get, the more productive I am."
Mark Stanek admits he's worried over the years as Wilbur's first businesses didn't pan out. But he's optimistic about Youtech.
"I'm happy for him. He's one that doesn't really want to work for somebody else," he said. "He wanted to go on his own and try to build a business for himself. I tip my hat to him."
Wilbur's former high school teacher Christine Bell remembers him as always energetic and positive.
"There are kids that are going to be successful in no matter what they do, you get that vibe," said Bell, who now teaches at Naperville Central High School. "And you see that in Wilbur."
Since starting college Wilbur has been as a guest speaker in Bell's marketing class several times. He really engaged her students with his enthusiasm and honesty, including about past mistakes, she said.
"(Students) see that 'if I do this, I can get that too.' They see it's reachable, it's attainable."
One of her students was hired as an intern at Youtech, Bell added.
Wilbur said his long-term plan is to open up a Youtech division in San Diego, and ideally spend winters there.
"Eventually, I want to have an agency with camera team, a photography team, a printing press," he said. "I want a huge marketing agency."
• Elena Ferrarin wrote today's column. She and Kimberly Pohl always are looking for Suburban Standouts to profile. If you know of someone whose story just wows you, please send a note including name, town, email and phone contacts for you and the nominee to email@example.com or call our Standouts hotline at (847) 608-2733.
Wilbur YouAge: 22
Hometown: Aurora
School: Northern Illinois University
Who inspires you? My grandpa Zhu Xiang Wang. He was a nuclear scientist from China, and he came here to work at Fermilab. He's the smartest man I know. Even to this day, he can outdo me in calculus.
What's on your iPod? Everything. I listen to hip-hop, rock, even country.
What book are you reading? I recently finished "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson.
The three words that best describe you? Motivated. Humble. Happy.


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BACK AT I-D: Fiona Dallanegra has been named publisher of i-D magazine, the British fashion glossy that was purchased by Vice Media in December. Dallanegra's appointment marks her return to the magazine. She was named fashion editor of i-D in 1997, and later worked for Chanel in Paris. She returned to the U.K. in 2011, where she worked as a consultant for luxury brands, according to Vice.
She will take up her role as publisher on April 2, and replaces i-D founders Terry and Tricia Jones, who sold the title to Vice Media, parent of the namesake magazine. "Fiona Dallanegra returning to i-D as the new publisher is a classic i-D success story. We're delighted to welcome her back," said the Joneses.
In September, i-D will launch a new, video-driven online fashion channel, "dedicated to exploring everything from high-end couture to the myriad of underground fashion scenes all over the world," the statement added.
Original programming will focus on profiling personalities in fashion and culture; the intersection of fashion and music, film and design, and emerging trends and talent around the globe, among other topics.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Chevy Volt, GM's much anticipated electric car, will be a sipper, not a guzzler, getting an astounding 230 miles per gallon in the city, the company said.
The Volt runs on a battery that can be recharged by its 1.4-liter gasoline engine. That will allow it to top Toyota's vaunted Prius by more than four-fold, according to Bloomberg News. The 2011 Volt is due out next year and will cost around $40,000.
GM CEO Fritz Henderson announced the rating and combined city-highway mileage of more than 100 mpg Tuesday at GM's technical center in Warren, Michigan. But some experts said the claim, using a new federal Environmental Protection Agency formula, is misleading. The Volt will be able to go 40 miles on a single charge before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the battery. The in-city claim likely means drivers are going fewer miles between recharging, so it's no wonder little gas is used, they say.
GM is banking on the Volt as it tries to remake itself following a short stint under bankruptcy protection.
Get more: MSNBC, Bloomberg News, TechCrunch


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First Monday - June 3, 2013
In this Issue:
- Michael Satz Named to Interim Law Dean Position
- Alumnus Frank Shrontz Receives "Legacy of Leading " Award
Michael Satz Named to Interim Law Dean Position
Professor Michael Satz is moving up from the position of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs to the position of Interim Dean of the College of Law. His new office became official on June 1. He succeeds Don Burnett, who served as Dean of the College since 2002, and has become the Interim President of the University of Idaho.
Dean Satz received his new appointment from outgoing University Provost Doug Baker and incoming Interim Provost Katherine Aiken. "Michael brings a great depth of experience and a sense of continuity in his new position," said Dr. Aiken. "His leadership as a professor and administrator will greatly benefit our faculty, students and institution."
Dean Satz's duties will include fostering a culture of empowerment, optimism, equity, trust, integrity and respect; strengthening collaborative and participatory processes to develop integrative solutions; enhancing vertical and horizontal communications, advancing the complementary Moscow and Boise programs; and continuing to pursue fundraising efforts.
Dean Satz came to the University of Idaho in 2006 as an associate professor for the College of Law. He has taught courses in consumer law, creditors' rights and secured transactions, contracts, property security, and critical legal studies, as well as a special team-taught course in architecture and the law. He earned tenure in 2011, and was appointed as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs for the College of Law in 2012.
Dean Satz received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Prior to coming to the University of Idaho, Satz worked as corporate counsel for Nissan North American, Inc.
"I am both excited and humbled by the trust the university administration and my faculty colleagues have placed in me to be the steward for the College of Law during this period of transition for the State of Idaho's only public law school," said Dean Satz. "I am looking forward to working with the college faculty, staff, students, alumni and university administration to maintain the college's high standards and to provide our students with the very best legal education possible. Go Vandals!"
The University will undertake a national search in 2013-14 to identify candidates for consideration as the College's next long-term dean.
Alumnus Frank Shrontz Receives "Legacy of Leading " Award
Former CEO and Board Chairman of The Boeing Company, Frank Shrontz (Law '54), has been honored with the University's "Legacy of leading" Award. The distinctive award, bestowed on only two other individual's in the University's history – the late Senator James A. McClure (Law '50) and Sharon L. Allen, chairperson of Deloitte LLP – recognizes leaders, thinkers, and global citizens.
Frank served as the chairman of Boeing from 1988 to 1997 and as chief executive officer from 1986 to 1996. He also served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for installations and logistics, and as Assistant Secretary of Defense. Today he is part of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club ownership group and is on the team's Board of Directors. He also has served on the board of directors for Boise Cascade Corporation, ChevronTexaco, 3M, and Citicorp. He is a regent emeritus of The Smithsonian Institution and active in numerous civic and charitable organizations.
Frank, who grew up in Boise, entered the U.S. Army upon graduating from law school. Following his military service, he attended the Harvard Business School where he received an MBA degree in 1958.
In 1986, Frank was inducted into the University of Idaho's Alumni Hall of Fame; in 1992, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law degree; in 1995 he was given the Business Achievement Award and in 1998 he received the Idaho Award of Legal Merit. In 1996, he was the first recipient of the E. Donnall Thomas Medal from the Northwest Industry Partnership; in 1997, he was honored by the Junior Achievement Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame; in 1997 he was the recipient of the Stanford Arbuckle Award; and in 2004 he was inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame. He was also honored by Seattle University's School of Business and Economics with an endowed chair in his name, the Frank Shrontz Chair of Professional Ethics.
Frank and his late wife Harriet have been generous supporters of students at the University of Idaho, creating scholarship funds for students in law and in the arts. Frank and Harriet also were among the first alumni of the University to step forward with support for the College of Law's initiative to deliver legal education in Boise, complementing the Moscow program.


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There are many reasons why people want to lose weight, it may be because of their health, but there may be more personal reasons for wanting to change.
Below are some quotes from people who have started to make changes to lead a healthier life:
"If I lose weight I will be able to fit into smaller dress size"
"Losing weight will mean that I won't need to take the medication for my diabetes"
"The pain in my knee will be reduced if I lose weight"
If you are overweight, spend a few minutes thinking about what losing weight would mean to you.
Facing the challenges
It's often easy to focus only on the positive things that can come from losing weight. But often there is a cost too, as you will need to change behaviours that you enjoy or have been doing for a long time.
Thinking through the pros and cons realistically will help you to anticipate the things that might make your plans difficult to stick to, so that you can think ahead of ways to overcome them.
Download a pdf of the 'Facing the Challenges' Worksheet
* Some information on this page has been produced with the kind permission of the British Heart Foundation, which is the joint copyright owner with Weight Concern


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Bridge and Burn's Love Story
Local Bridge & Burn designer, Erik Prowell, is a busy fella. When he's not churning out new men's and women's collections every season, he's busy collaborating on adorable fashion videos like this for his classic contemporary line. How did the little love story display come about? He says, "We met Monica Reyes, the multi talented director of this video, on a visit to NYC when we stayed at her place via Air Bnb. We hit it off immediately and decided we had to work together. The video was shot in and around her apartment and features two of her close friends."
And if that's not enough to keep a schedule full, Bridge & Burn are currently setting the stage to open their first flagship store. The full fledged shop won't be open with all the bells and whistles until February, but you can get a sneak peek at the spot now (1122 SW Morrison) while B&B has a temporary pop up shop at the site through Saturday.
Bridge & Burn Winter 2012 from Bridge & Burn on Vimeo.


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Regarding Obama's "you-didn't-build-that" comment back in July, I explained why that attack on entrepreneurs and small business owners was misguided.
And I also shared some humorous cartoons on the topic.
But it is true that no entrepreneur produces a product without help from many others. But what the President apparently doesn't understand is that almost all of the real help comes from voluntary and decentralized exchange in the private market.
This CEI video is a good introduction to this spontaneous process.
And if you want to look at the topic from a different perspective, this video helps to explain how we often get much more than we pay for in a competitive market economy.
There's also a moral argument presented in this video from the American Enterprise Institute.
Needless to say, Walter Williams is always worth reading to understand the difference between markets and statism. And here's some good real-world evidence about the benefits of better policy.


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Monday, October 5, 2009
Apple Crisp
I think I love apple crisp almost more than apple pie. The crumble topping is delicious.... especially when paired with ice cream :)
Apple Crisp - Mom
5 large apples (tart are best!)
1/2 C sugar*
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 T flour
1 C oatmeal
1/2 C brown sugar
1/3 C flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 T butter, softened
Peel, core and slice apples. Then, stir 1/2 C* (or less, if your apples are sweeter) sugar and 2 T of flour together with the apples.
Sprinkle the apples with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.
In a large bowl, mix together the oatmeal, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Then, cut in the softened butter.
Sprinkle the topping over the apples.
Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
Allow to cool for 10ish minutes before serving.
Top with ice cream for an extra treat.
This recipe is linked to Mouthwatering Mondays and Save Room for Dessert!
8 comments:
Your crisp looks scrumptious. I, too, prefer crisp to pie. I hope you are having a wonderful day.iReplyDelete
I love apple crisp. Yours looks yummy from the first photo through the steps. I bet it is delicious.ReplyDelete
This is just like the recipe I use and it is the BEST!!! I just made Hubs a big dish of it last week.ReplyDelete
I think I just drooled on my keyboard!ReplyDelete
This is very similar to my recipe and it is really good. Thanks for sharing with us today!ReplyDelete
This looks like are a really good apple crisp. Thank you for participating in Save Room for Dessert.ReplyDelete
I used your recipe this weekend and it turned out fantastic! I wasn't sure what size dish to bake it in, a 9x9 seemed too small, a 11x13 seemed too big, so I settled for a deeper 2.5 quart baking dish and it was great! Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear from you; especially how you're finding JOY in your kitchen.


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Mali Is Not a Stan
When it comes to covering Africa's latest conflict, it's suddenly amateur hour.
For nearly 10 months, Mali sat on the international community's back-burner of global crises in need of addressing. The eurozone, Syria's civil war, and China and Japan's dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands garnered far more column inches among America's talking heads than did the situation in Mali, where an inadvertent coup d'état last March by low-level military officers created a security vacuum in the country's north. Meanwhile, the usual small group of experts on the Sahel -- the vast, parched region spanning across Africa from Mauritania to Sudan -- watched closely as jihadist groups seized more and more territory, imposing a harsh from of Islamic law upon hapless Malian civilians.
For nearly 10 months, Mali sat on the international community's back-burner of global crises in need of addressing. The eurozone, Syria's civil war, and China and Japan's dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands garnered far more column inches among America's talking heads than did the situation in Mali, where an inadvertent coup d'état last March by low-level military officers created a security vacuum in the country's north. Meanwhile, the usual small group of experts on the Sahel — the vast, parched region spanning across Africa from Mauritania to Sudan — watched closely as jihadist groups seized more and more territory, imposing a harsh from of Islamic law upon hapless Malian civilians.
It wasn't until Jan. 11, when France began bombing the Islamists to stop their advance on Mali's government-held south, that the rest of the world snapped to attention. And that's when the trouble began: the terrible headlines, the misleading cover art, and the bad analysis.
But first, some background on how we got here. By April 2012, the collapse of state authority in northern Mali had allowed a separatist rebel movement, the MNLA (the French acronym for National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad), to take over the north's major cities and to declare the independence of their long-dreamed-of state of Azawad. The dream of Azawad lasted less than two months, when MNLA fighters were pushed out of power by three Islamist groups, Ansar Dine, MUJAO (Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa), and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). These movements attempted to erect governance structures and systems based on a strict interpretation of sharia in the areas they controlled, going so far as to impose such penalties as cutting off hands for accusations of theft, requiring women to wear hijab in public, and segregating boys and girls at school.
Despite displacing over 100,000 people, the 2012 turmoil in northern Mali did not provoke much international response beyond pro forma condemnations. It took the Security Council until late December to approve a plan to retake northern Mali via the deployment of a 3,300-person West African force. That plan involved extensive training for West African troops, and no sort of invasion was expected before late 2013 at the earliest.
Fast-forward to mid-January, when the French stunned the world with the speed of their intervention. France's involvement in the crisis expanded quickly; as of this writing, there are approximately 3,000 French forces deployed to the country. In addition, a total African force of 7,700 soldiers is deploying to fight alongside the Malian army to secure and protect the country's north. These forces have taken control of the cities of Gao and Timbuktu, and already France may be signaling its intention to pull back and leave African forces to run the operation.
African affairs are generally a low foreign-policy priority for the United States. As such, the American foreign policy establishment is not well known for its expertise on West African security crises. But France's sudden and deep engagement in Mali — and limited U.S. support for the operation — left most media outlets and think tanks in need of immediate explanations. Not surprisingly, this state of affairs led to a sudden proliferation of Mali "experts" pontificating on the airways and in print about a country most could not have located with ease on a map two weeks before. False claims based on limited contextual knowledge have since abounded, including one widely repeated claim that this crisis is largely a result of the Libya intervention (it's not; this happened due to domestic political crises in Mali).
Among the most egregious — and inaccurate — claims about the crisis to emerge is the idea that Mali could become France's Afghanistan. Apparently based on the understanding that engaging in war against Muslim extremists on difficult terrain in a fragile state, reporters and politicos across the ideological spectrum have embraced the comparison, warning of the possibility of mission creep and/or other dire consequences. The Economist took this notion the farthest last week, dedicating its cover to "Afrighanistan?" Time followed suit with a brief cover reference to "Africanistan."
The idea that Mali is or could be the next Afghanistan is flat-out wrong, as is the notion that France's role in West Africa is likely to be akin to the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. While there are comparisons to be made (e.g., both countries are struggling to combat the presence of Islamist extremists), the two situations are so different that defining them as near-equivalents only serves to muddle clear thinking about Mali's current and future prospects. Remember all those comparisons of Afghanistan to Vietnam? The historical analogy had only very limited utility because the former's history and context had almost nothing in common with the latter's. Likewise, Mali's uniqueness means that outcomes in that country — as well as the depth and breadth of French engagement — will no doubt be very different.
How is Mali different from Afghanistan? First, Mali is not where empires go to die. Afghanistan is well-known as a place that has always been difficult for any outsiders to invade and sustain military engagement, much less establish governing institutions. What governing institutions are established have long been weak and largely decentralized structures that allow local and tribal leaders maximum autonomy. Mali, by contrast, has a longer history of at least some centralized rule. The Mali Empire, which governed a huge swath of West Africa from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, included the renowned city of scholarship in Timbuktu. Mali's colonization by France in 1892 was largely peaceful, and the country has never engaged in a serious war until now, with the exception of a brief and violent border dispute with Burkina Faso in the mid-1980s. France's exit from Mali at the end of colonization was accomplished peacefully as well.
France's engagement in Mali is also unlike U.S. engagement in Afghanistan in that, because of their colonial history, the French know what they are getting into. There are decades of outstanding French scholarship on Mali; France is practically drowning in Mali experts in government, academia, and the private sector. This is more important than many realize; having deep cultural and historical knowledge and a shared language (most educated Malians still speak French) makes it much easier for French forces to relate to average Malians and build friendships with key local leaders whose support will be necessary for long-term success.
Not surprisingly, French forces have been greeted by most Malians as liberators, with one citizen complimenting their desire to learn how to properly greet in the Bambara language in an interview with Reuters. In a country where extended and elaborate greeting rituals are a very important feature of communal life, knowing the importance of greeting others correctly is probably the single most important means by which French soldiers will win Malian hearts and minds.
Third, Mali is not Afghanistan because there are no Pashtuns. While the MNLA separatists are comprised of some members of the Tuareg ethic group, outside of that dynamic, ethnicity in Mali is much less a basis of contention than it is in Afghanistan. Indeed, the most interesting social dynamic in Mali may be the relationship between competing forms of Islamic devotion, not ethnic groups. Likewise, Mali lacks an equivalent to Pakistan — there is no neighboring state or individuals in that state who share militants' ethnicity and have the backing of elements of a hostile spy agency. The Islamists who do operate in northern Mali are a disparate group with diffuse goals, as this series of posts by Sahel expert Andrew Lebovich make clear. Ansar Dine just split, and it is likely that the group dynamics of the Islamists will continue to evolve in the near future. This is not to say that ethnicity and other social cleavages do not matter in Mali; they do. But unlike in Afghanistan, they are not directly tied up in the dynamics of northern Mali's Islamists. Many Islamist leaders in northern Mali aren't even Malians.
Finally, the circumstances of French intervention in Mali are completely different from those of the U.S.-led intervention in Afghanistan. The French did not invade Mali; the Malian government asked them to come assist in repelling the Islamists. France also intervened with the clear expectation and understanding that the bulk of peace-building in Mali will be conducted by an African force, and that local and regional African leaders will have long term responsibility for the crisis. The French do not seem to have plans to stick around, build forward operating bases, and attempt to govern on their own terms. Furthermore, the stated goal of the French intervention is to rid northern Mali of Islamist militants rather than the more ambiguous goals of the U.S. "War on Terror." France laid out a measurable objective for fighting from the beginning. In this, the French seem determined to avoid the pitfalls of Afghanistan rather than replicating them.
That said, Mali's future is far from certain. There are already signs that the MNLA are trying to reassert authority in northern Mali, which could lead to more violence in the weeks and months to come. Mali's domestic politics are still far from settled; the junta that staged the coup that created this mess is still very much around and willing to intervene in politics, though their power seems to have diminished since the French arrived. Mali's president has announced his intention to hold elections by July 31, but whether doing so will be logistically or politically possible remains anyone's guess. The only thing that is clear is that America's punditocracy will need to understand the crisis for some time to come. They might do well to call some actual Mali experts next time.
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Cats Vs Pickles™ (Foul Baldrick #189) are super fun plush collectible toys. Don't tell him his whistle is broken.
Cats are scared of pickles, but pickles just want love. Welcome to the world of Cats vs Pickles™ where lovable but misunderstood pickles are in hopeless pursuit of colorful cats. Pickles love all the cats! Musical cats, food cats, cool cats, dressed-up cats, cats with glasses, cats with class, and cats for school. Cats vs Pickles are silly and soft and so fun to collect! Which are you? Team Cat or Team Pickle?
Adorable plush characters made of premium soft plush and filled with special beans.
Each character has a special name tag with their name and bio, along with a QR code for a free Cats vs. Pickles game download.
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I really love this set! They are absolutely adorable. Thanks for the quick shipping and the discount coupon. I will be back for more shopping.
My 5 year old sun he love it so fun


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Grass-fed beef conference attendees seek management, expansion ideas
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, email@example.com
COLLEGE STATION – One by one, they had questions and lots of them. A roomful of grass-fed beef producers came to Texas A&M University in College Station recently to learn more about an emerging aspect of beef production that continues to steadily gain momentum.
"It's not going to take over the entire beef industry, but grass-fed beef production is certainly catering to consumers who are wanting meat products directly from the farm," said Dr. Rick Machen, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist from Uvalde and conference coordinator. "There's an ever-growing segment of consumers interested in natural products, organic products and grass-fed products. Our primary focus here is to outline how we produce grass-fed beef."
The conference, the second of its kind conducted by AgriLife Extension, drew more than 50 participants, and feedback indicated strong desire for another workshop next year, Machen said.
"This is a growing aspect of the beef cattle market and producers are wanting more information about how to get into this business and be profitable," Machen said.
Grass-fed beef has at least three definitions, but essentially it is meat from cattle that have been fed from birth to harvest on grass, legumes and forages without the use of any grains.
Mac Young, AgriLife Extension economist, said beef producers traditionally have marketing options such as a sale barn, private treaty or value-added.
Photo: Dr. Davey Griffin, Texas AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, displays a beef cut during a carcass processing demonstration. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
"Grass-fed is value-added," he told attendees. "Direct sales to consumers, suppliers or both? You need to identify your goal and above all, you've got to have a plan."
Young said it is important for grass-fed producers to plan out what they are trying to do with their operation and what they want to accomplish.
"Any new venture is risky, and any change to your existing operation is risky," he said.
Young said producers should consider if they have enough capital to enter or expand into the grass-fed business. Sustainability and profitability are other important issues to consider.
"You need to project out and see if you are going to have enough to cover all of your costs," he said. "Review the resources you have with regards to capital, labor, herd numbers and forage. You need to also ask will you have enough volume to cover your expenses?"
Gene Sollock from Iola has been in the grass-fed beef business for 15 years. His operation consists of 91 acres, and he sells his grass-fed cattle to a buyer from Burton, who "has them sold over the telephone before they are finished out."
"We are growing them out to about 800 to 900 pounds," said Sollock, who receives payment based on dressed, hanging weight.
Sollock said he uses no commercial fertilizer and grazes the cattle on ball clover established 20 years ago.
"We have 40 different paddocks that are about 2 acres in size," he said. "We move those cattle into knee-deep forage where they graze about two days. But you've got to have rain."
Mark Muncer, a grass-fed beef producer from South Africa, said his operation finishes cattle at about 990 pounds, with dressed carcass weight at approximately 550 pounds.
Since there is not an established market for grass-fed beef, there are premiums for grass-fed beef on top of the already historically high cattle prices, according to the producer panel.
Charlie Bradbury, chief executive officer of Nolan Ryan's Beef, told attendees the company has just begun marketing a grass-fed line of beef.
"We don't own any cattle," Bradbury said. "We buy beef from producers that meets our specifications, then brand it and sell it."
Photo: Dr. Rick Machen, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, Uvalde, coordinated the grass-fed conference. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
Bradbury said consumers want to know where their food, including beef, comes from, how it is raised and what it has been fed. Currently, the company is processing approximately 48 head a week in Nebraska, then shipping to a plant in Dallas where primal cuts are made and packaged with the Nolan Ryan brand.
Ground beef, rib-eye steaks, tenderloin filets and chuck roasts are the main cuts marketed by Kroger. The beef is marketed in about 80 stores and demand has been steady, Bradbury said.
He said Kroger eventually would like to have the grass-fed line of beef in all of its stores, but "our biggest problem is supply."
That encouraged attendees who were looking to go back home with new ideas to implement into their operations, they said.
Photo: Gene Sollock of Iola, member of a speaker panel, provides a first-hand account of his grass-fed beef operation. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
"The discussions of nutrition were really interesting, particularly as the cattle mature and their needs change," Muncer said. "Value-adding is critical in this aspect of the business and you have to adjust your production methods accordingly."


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You can enjoy the sun and fun of hotel or villa holidays, but your kids (and you) get to make new friends. You get the adventurous feel of a camping holiday, but in comfortable, civilised surroundings. These are just some of the reasons 89% of people would book again with Eurocamp. Discover why other holidays just can't compare.


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Liquor and medicine dependency appears to be an high incidence in the United States. Consuming alcohol is actually a social tradition and lawful and illegal prescription drugs alike are extremely simple to gain access to. As a result of the pleasant brain adjusting effect as well as the simple investment of materials like these, mistreatment and dependence will be more commonplace than one might anticipate.
So, the question is, where by does one select assist if product abuse is becoming a concern? The larger most of the specialist physical and mental wellness local community is becoming comfortable with transport every alcoholic drinks or medicine abuser off and away to a 12-step reaching. How successful will be the 12-step method like a 1 sizing suits all alcoholism remedy program, though?
Statistical study on 12-step courses is tricky to find primarily for the reason that 12-move programs tend not to regularly keep track of their own success or failure costs. Even so, the tiny amount of analysis which has been accomplished implies that plans like AA have somewhere between a 5-15Percent success rate. This means that of those that enroll in a 12-stage plan as a solution to their product misuse issues, only 5-15Per cent of them will stay with it and remain sober for longer than 1 season.
Speculative hypothesis will suggest a number of reasons for the low accomplishment charges of alcoholic beverages therapy courses like AA. I personally feel that there are some main components that give rise to these kinds of low success charges:
1. Religious/cult like renters
AA spawned from the movement referred to as Oxford Class that was well-liked during the early 1900's. The Oxford Group of people was an evangelical Christian business that committed to healing people's vices via "Christ".
While permitting its people to choose a "the lord that belongs to them knowing", the 12-stage software still involves the idea that just a faith based waking up by means of god is plenty to stop an addiction and stays religious naturally. This policies out the achievements of anyone that retains an Atheist or Agnostic viewpoint and in addition deters other folks that basically have no viewpoint about the matter but definitely usually do not believe that "our god" is going to mend them.
12-phase applications also sustain some eerily cult-like renters. They mandate long term account, ritualistic practices (meetings, prayers, and so on.), renunciation of one's capability to govern or repair their very own daily life, semi-devotion/obedience to your "recruit", and unpleasant criticism for pursuing other methods of achievement or pondering the potency of the 12-methods.
2. Concept of Achievement
The only concept of achievement in 12-phase applications is complete, life time, abstinence from the imagination modifying elements what-so-at any time. This is, in my view, a rather filter sighted definition of achievement.
Lots of people that end up seeking support for compound neglect issues have not reached a stage in which whole, life time, abstinence will be the only viable choice. For folks like this, there are many different marker pens for success. Figuring out how to modest alcohol consumption, reduced regularity and volume, undertaking organized intervals of abstinence, or establishing and keeping yourself within a collection of personal-outlined rules and guidelines with regard to their consuming alcohol can all act as guidelines of good results.
For people who are incapable of average their consuming alcohol, then abstinence needs to be their goal. Nonetheless, there are several methods to achieve abstinence without doing themselves to a small group of people and a idea program to the remainder in their life.
3. The Disease Model
Although Dependency is recognized as a health care condition with the AMA and a lot of physical and mental healthcare professionals, there are many people who feel this proposal is ridiculous, such as me. Alcohol consumption and ultizing drugs is really a option that the person tends to make. It is far from the same as malignancy where the hold does not have any selection within the issue.
Regardless if people get sober through a 12-stage software and join the renters of your condition model, they neglect to know that, finally, that they had to produce a decision to stop making use of medications and alcohol to acquire effectively. Provided you can make a decision to alter the effects of any certain actions, it's not just a sickness.
Personally, i believe the condition product and also the concept of powerlessness give rise to much more failure than good results. It provides many men and women a justification and excuse to continue harmful actions mainly because they might still use the oh-so-renowned tag collection "I'm unwell. I can't control it. It's not my fault".
Profitable choice treatment solutions market the idea that habit is the effect of selections and may basically be remedied by making new, healthier options. This seems to work for people who can't find a devote 12-phase plans and don't have confidence in the condition product.
I want to help it become obvious i am not in opposition to AA or connected 12-step courses. For that number of people that get accomplishment there, I would personally never want to discredit or get that clear of them. 12 stage courses give a solution of your dreadful condition. For people that resonate with the methodologies of AA, it is a fantastic solution. I actually do, nevertheless, feel that there should be a lot more extensive understanding of alternative alcoholism treatment method software methods offering hurt lowering, small amounts, abstinence, and so on.
Numerous people that have misused elements before adult from it over a duration of time. Consequently at some point the average person displayed all indications of alcoholism or severe addiction, nevertheless, they eventually grow out of it. They go forward and remove chemical misuse using their day-to-day lives while ongoing to consume alcoholic beverages in average, sociable, ranges. They are doing this without the assistance of any therapy software. Or possibly they enroll in a treatment software for the a time period of time as well as then move ahead, finding their own personal power from within.
In my humble opinion, an alcoholism therapy system should determine accomplishment from the general improvement from the patient's standard of living and the way well the person is able to attain their own, personal outlined, objectives. Just how a individual achieves success in this field is erroneous, as long as they become successful.
Inspired by: ezinearticles


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There were several American teenagers among the Team USA squad who competed in the London 2012 Olympic Games and in the London 2012 Paralympic Games who achieved success greater than their years.
And that was just in the summer sports.
Here is what 12 teenagers achieved in London and elsewhere around the world. Some of them came home with gold medals. But that did not get them out of doing their homework.
Just 15, Ledecky was the youngest athlete of the 532-member Team USA contingent to compete in London this summer and she came up as one of the biggest winners. Ledecky not only shocked the swimming world at the U.S. Olympic Trials by beating 2008 Olympian Kate Ziegler in the 800-meter freestyle to qualify for the Games, but also she left the rest of the world in her wake in London by capturing the gold medal in the event. Her time of 8:14.63 broke an American record set by Janet Evans (8:16.22) back in 1989. Ledecky is now back home in Bethesda, Md., where she is a high school sophomore and a member of her school's swim team.
At 17, Franklin came home from London with four Olympic gold medals as well as a bronze. She is the current world record holder in the 200 backstroke. And like Ledecky, Franklin also is rejoining her high school swimming team. Franklin announced in October that she will reunite with 2012 U.S. Olympic women's swimming coach Teri McKeever next year as a freshman on the swim team at University of California, Berkeley.
In 2011, at age 15, he became the youngest American to win the USA Luge Start Championship. In 2012, he did it again. Along with teammates Ty Andersen, Pat Edmunds and Summer Britcher, West was part of the Team USA relay to strike gold at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck. West also tied with Olympian Chris Mazdzer to become the Fall 2012 Norton National Champion.
This 16-year-old made her Olympic debut in table tennis in London and showed plenty of promise for making return trips to the Games. Hsing won her first two matches and nearly upset the No. 2 seed (China's Li Xiaoxia). Watching Hsing in the stands in London was a man she calls, "Uncle Bill". To the rest of the world, that would be Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates. Another fan? Warren Buffett. When she returned to California, she discovered her high school started a table tennis club. Guess who was named president?
Team USA's Winter Golden Girls are hoping their quick ascent in their respective sports -- Arielle, 16, in snowboarding and Gracie, 17, in figure skating -- will continue through to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Arielle Gold claimed two silvers in the Winter Youth Olympic Games in snowboard slopestyle and halfpipe. She then won gold in halfpipe at FIS Junior World Championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain. She scored two top-10 finishes in two World Cup starts. Gracie Gold, meanwhile, claimed the 2012 U.S. junior figure skating title and the silver medal at the World Junior Championships. She finished second in her second senior-level Grand Prix event, the Rostelecom Cup, which, appropriately, was held in Russia.
In the first Olympic Games where women's boxing was part of the competitive program, a 17-year-old from Flint, Mich., made history as the first (and only) American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport. Shields beat Russia's Nadezda Torlopova, 19-12, and in the process, brought attention to gender equality in the Games.
She became the biggest winner of the women's gymnastics competition in London, claiming not only the all-around title but also she was part of the "Fierce Five" that captured the team crown. And she will not turn 17 until Dec. 31. For all of those teens trying to write personal essays for college applications, Douglas has even beaten you to the punch on that. Her autobiography, "Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith," was released Dec. 4.
Another member of the "Fierce Five," this 18-year-old will be remembered not only for her role in helping Team USA to gold in the team competition, but also for becoming the first American woman to earn a gold medal in the floor event and earning bronze in the balance beam. She just missed out on another medal after losing a tie-breaker and placing fourth in the all-around. She got some revenge in the balance beam when she again was part of a tie-breaker. After her routine was reviewed (courtesy of a boisterous Bela Karolyi who demanded one), her score was upgraded and she was rewarded with the bronze.
One of the biggest stars in the London 2012 Paralympic Games was 18-year-old wheelchair racer Raymond Martin. He won gold medals in all four events he entered in the T52 classification: the 100, 200, 400 and 800-meter track and field races. The U.S. Olympic Committee had named him Paralympic SportsMan of the Year. Part of his post-Paralympic goals this year? Make it through his freshman year in college.
At 18, Kessler became the youngest Olympic show jumper when she competed in the equestrian event in London. Although she did not ride her mount, Cylana, to an Olympic medal, she brought attention to a sport that usually features older athletes. In fact, her teammates in the team show jumping event in London were: Beezie Madden (age 48), Rich Fellers (52) and McLain Ward (36). Now Kessler is back in the saddle and preparing for possibly many more trips to the Games.
At 19, Leek entered the London Games ranked first among women archers in the United States and sixth in the world. She was disappointed that she did not get past the second round in her Olympic debut, but she doesn't plan on retiring any time soon. Leek's year was also highlighted by team gold and individual silver at the World Archery Indoor Championships, as well as team bronze at a World Cup in Ogden, Utah, and an individual fourth-place finish at the World Cup in Shanghai, China.


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I always liked to cook with wine or liqueur, therefore I constantly experiment. When I come up with a dish where the wine actually helps the taste and transforms it into something better, the new variation becomes a favorite.
Beef Patties in Red Wine
Serves 4
- 6 tbsp margarine
- 2 red onions, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 lb 7 oz ground beef
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus extra to garnish
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup all'purpose flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
- Melt 2 tbsp of the margarine in a skillet. Add the onions, add the garlic, and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until softened.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the ground beef, oregano, parsley and egg. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands until fully combined.
- Shape the mixture into 4 patties, about 1/4″ thick each. Dust with flour, and gently shake off the excess.
- Melt another 2 tbsp margarine with the oil in the skillet. Add the patties and cook for 4 minutes on each side. Remove the patties to a serving dish, using a spatula. Keep them warm.
- Pour off the fat from the skillet, then add the wine and bring to a boil over medium to high heat. Boil until reduced to about half. Dice the last 2 tsbsp margarine. Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the margarine, 1 piece at a time. Wait for each piece to be fully incorporated before adding the next. Pour the sauce over the patties, garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!
// //


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InnerFidelity Launched With Tyll Hertsens As Editor-in-Chief
Reviews and topics will include headphones, headphone amplifiers, and portable media players, as well as articles on USB DACs, computer speakers, iPod/iPad docks, network players, streaming players, and portable device and computer applications. Tyll Hertsens (founder and previously CEO of HeadRoom) will lead the charge as Editor-in-Chief to uncover and expose all the great gizmos and gadgets that bring the world of music to your ears.
As a sister site to the online properties for Stereophile, Home Theater, Home Theater Design, Ultimate AV, and Shutterbug, InnerFidelity will focus on the world of "Personal Audio" as experienced through the ears of experts and enthusiasts.
InnerFidelity Forums are a perfect place for you to ask questions and get advice from our staff and seasoned hobbyists. InnerFidelity will also develop community projects and organize events in the forum areas.
InnerFidelity will also cover and participate in various aspects of the headphone hobbyist community and feature: DIY kit reviews; DIY builds; forums for community inspired headphone measurement projects; and attendance at community sponsored events.
We look forward to seeing you at www.innerfidelity.com, and helping you keep in touch with the world of great personal audio.


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At Microsoft's annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in April 2005, Bill Gates predicted that 64-bit hardware, operating systems, and software would "transform the way we work and play." Systems using 64-bit processors would be mainstream by the end of 2006, he said, and 64-bit computing at the server level would happen more quickly than any other platform changeover in the past.
Certainly, the building blocks for enterprise 64-bit computing on volume processors are falling into place. Today, enterprises have a wide choice of reasonably priced server and desktop hardware based on AMD64 and Intel EM64T architectures.
By adding 64-bit extensions to the existing IA-32 (x86) instruction set, these systems run most legacy 32-bit operating systems and software with few or no hiccups.
In fact, both AMD and Intel have been upgrading their x86 processor lines so quickly that it's becoming difficult to find any new server or workstation hardware that isn't 64-bit enabled. Undoubtedly, desktops are poised to follow suit.
As of May 2005, users now have a choice between 64-bit versions of Linux, Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2003 Server. The final building block, and the one that takes the longest, is software.
"One thing we've learned," says Nick Carr, marketing manager at Linux vendor Red Hat, "is that ISVs don't like to support any more OSes than they absolutely have to."
Linux users have a pretty good supply of 64-bit database and other enterprise applications (see table "Vendors Ramp Up for 64-Bits,"), since the 64-bit kernel has been around since AMD's Opteron launch in April 2003. Windows x64 applications have begun trickling in, with the notable addition of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 in early November.
So, is it time to make the switch to 64-bit hardware and software? Will you really see great leaps in application performance and stability? Which applications should you focus on first? And what are the issues that are likely to come up in the process? The answer is actually a mixed bag.
Thanks for the memory
Memory addressing is one of the primary benefits of 64-bit computing. The maximum memory today's 32-bit processors, operating systems, and applications can address directly is 4GB. Intel's 32-bit Xeon provides a work-around called Paging Address Extensions, which ups the limit to 8GB, but it's a clumsy work-around at best.
With 64-bit EM64T and Opteron chips, the amount of memory that operating systems and software can address directly rises to 128GB for desktops and 1TB for servers. The theoretical memory-addressing limitations of 64-bit processing are actually on the order of 18 exabytes; the limit for Intel's 64-bit Itanium chip, for example, is 1,024TB. For most of today's mainstream desktop and server applications, however, that much memory will probably not make much of a difference.
"In most enterprise environments, file serving, Web serving, and traditional infrastructure applications will have no reason to move to 64-bit for a long time," says Jay Bretzmann, director of IBM's xSeries high-performance division. If you're running applications and workloads that need and can benefit directly from such massive amounts of memory, however, you'll see a definite benefit in performance and scalability.
What applications are those? The obvious ones frequently cited are large database implementations, which can gain significant performance and scalability advantages by dumping their huge data sets directly into memory. Memory can be accessed 10,000 times faster than disk drives, so the more data that can be stored in memory, the better the query response, particularly for query-intensive decision-support systems. In particular, queries that require large data sorts will benefit if the sorting is done in memory.
A 2004 study commissioned by Dell compared OLTP (online transaction processing) performance of 32-bit and 64-bit Oracle 9i Database Release 2 on a Dell PowerEdge 2850 server running Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3. It found that "OLTP performance on the 64-bit configuration was observed to scale 25 percent to 50 percent better for a database cache size of 9GB in both medium and heavy workloads, compared to the 32-bit configuration."
Scalability in number of simultaneous users is another memory benefit that is particularly important for large Web and e-commerce sites. For example, testing done by Performance Tuning (with sponsorship by Dell and Microsoft) on a quad-processor Dell PowerEdge 6850 found a limit of 1,300 simultaneous connections on Windows 2003 Server x64 running 64-bit Oracle 10g, versus anywhere from 101 to 1,000 for a 32-bit Windows/Oracle configuration, depending on the server's extended memory configuration.
These scalability benefits were not lost on MySpace, a fast-growing music and social networking Web site running 15 billion transactions a day. "With 1,000 Web servers connecting to our database servers, we were eating up memory so fast that SQL Server was ejecting things from the procedure cache in order to handle all those connections," says MySpace CTO Aber Whitcomb.
After migrating its connection-intensive databases to 64-bit SQL Server 2005 running on Windows 2003 Server x64, MySpace saw "a huge gain in stability," says Aber, adding that "we're benefiting from the space and power savings we've been able to realize through hardware consolidation." MySpace also discovered another use for all that memory addressing capability: its middle-tier caching servers. "We're now using 16GB RAM on each cache server" to rocket up its caching performance, Aber says.
All the major database vendors have either released or plan to release 64-bit versions for both Linux and Windows x64, including CA, IBM, MySQL, and Oracle. Microsoft has released a 64-bit version of SQL Server 2005 for Windows only.
More benefit than meets the eye
Other, similar applications can also benefit. "We see strong benefits for business intelligence, supply chain management, and ERP applications," says Lorie Wigle, Intel's marketing director for server software and technology. Data warehousing is another category that is frequently cited.
Does that mean we'll see a mass migration to 64-bit databases? "As usual, most enterprise customers will probably take a very cautious approach," says Al Gillen, research director for system software at IDC. "Most won't rush in unless they absolutely have to for performance and scalability reasons, especially if it's a deep software stack on top of the operating system. They'll be too concerned about software incompatibilities." Gillen adds that many will wait for Longhorn to make the 64-bit transition and kill two birds with one stone.
But Insight64 analyst Nathan Brookwood disagrees. "There's always that initial reluctance, but the payoff is humongous, especially if you look at Oracle and IBM pricing schemes," he says. "If you can run the same workload on a dozen 64-bit processors that takes 50 or 100 processors on a 32-bit machine, you'll be highly motivated."
Another category that can benefit significantly from all that memory is thin client computing using solutions such as Citrix Presentation Server or Microsoft Terminal Services, which require a certain allocation of memory per user. "You can get 170 percent more Terminal Services users on a single server with Windows 2003 Server x64 than you can with 32-bit Windows," says Bob Kelly, general manager of infrastructure server marketing at Microsoft. Citrix similarly estimates the benefit as anywhere from 65 to 300 percent more users as 32-bit versions of Presentation Server.
Microsoft and AMD point to another database-centric category: messaging. "Many organizations don't like to run lots of Exchange users on a single server, but if you do, a 64-bit platform makes a lot of sense," says Margaret Lewis, AMD's commercial marketing strategist.
Microsoft's Kelly agrees. "There's a real benefit [to 64-bit computing] in Exchange in terms of being able to consolidate servers and mailboxes. It's also easier to give end-users much larger mailboxes," he says.
In fact, Microsoft is forcing the issue. Its upcoming Exchange Server 12 will be available only in a 64-bit version, as will Windows Compute Cluster 2003.
The other principal benefit to the new generation of 64-bit processors is that they add eight additional general-purpose registers to the x86 design, for a total of 16. All of the general-purpose registers have also been upgraded from a width of 32 bits to 64 bits. In addition, there are also eight new 128-bit registers, called XMM registers.
Again, for applications and tasks that are not register-intensive, this is not particularly relevant. What is? "Anything graphic intensive, such as modeling applications for financial markets and the aeronautics industry," says Red Hat's Carr. Add technical applications, including high-performance design, 3-D animation, mechanical CAD/CAE, 3-D rendering, and high-end digital video editing to the list. Many of these applications also use large data sets and would benefit significantly from the extra memory addressing.
Digital media management company Agnostic Media has increased media transcoding performance 40 percent following a move to 64-bit Opteron systems. They've also seen a 200 percent performance increase for database transactions after moving from Microsoft SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005, according to CEO Jason Turner.
Similarly, MESoft, another media technology company that offers software and services for the feature film and television broadcast industries, found it was able to encode, encrypt, and compress high definition media almost in real time on the 64-bit Opteron platform. "Previously, it took six hours to compress one hour of video," says CEO Mark Kapczynski.
Porting challenges remain
As with any platform migration, moving operating systems and applications to 64-bit processors causes organizations to bump up against unforeseen issues. For example, the Performance Tuning/Dell testing previously cited actually found decreased query performance with a 64-bit configuration, which it eventually traced to a flawed Fibre Channel driver. Driver issues will probably be less severe in server environments than with the plethora of different desktop configurations in many enterprises, however, and 64-bit versions of Windows ship with a hefty supply of drivers. Still, migrating to the new platform will not necessarily be as easy as simply ripping and replacing CPUs.
"Thirty-two-bit applications that violate the user kernel space will have trouble running on 64-bit platforms," says AMD's Lewis. "AutoCAD has lots of plug-ins that want to address the same memory as the application. If AutoCAD goes 64-bit, all those plug-ins will have to be upgraded as well to function properly."
"The challenge for writing 64-bit code is to make sure it's actually taking advantage of all the 64-bit performance benefits," says MESoft's Kapczynski. "You need hard-core programmers that really understand memory management, and you have to keep iterating and testing. It took us three times longer than we expected, but that is the nature of development on a new platform."
The users we talked to, however, had relatively few problems with their migrations. "We had some issues with Fibre Channel drivers and with full-text indexing of SQL Server, but they were quickly resolved," says MySpace's Whitcomb. "Installing 64-bit Windows and SQL Server took about a day."
Agnostic's Turner agrees. "We had some minor driver incompatibilities, but in my experience, the platform is mature and ready for prime time."


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So I'm sitting in the Miami International Airport as I write
this, doing homework in preparation for missing this Tuesday and Thursday. I'll be in Jamaica for a week celebrating my cousin's wedding!
During the fall quarter, I had the opportunity to go to
another wedding in Mexico, but I wasn't sure if I could skip myclasses. But
this time I was prepared. It's been quite a struggle planning around my school
schedule and this family event, but I found a way to miss class without losing
points or precious class time!
Check your school's
academic calendar! It's important to check for crucial events going on at
school during the time you'll be away. I'll be out the week right before
midterms, so I had to make sure I wouldn't miss any early exams teachers sometimes schedule and that I would be able to keep up with the study guides.
More From Seventeen
Contact teachers
right away. As soon as I registered for my spring quarter classes, I
emailed all of my professors asking if my absence would interfere with my
midterms. Most of the professors will reply right away and let you know if that
works with their syllabus. Sometimes they'll even let you reschedule a test.
Don't forget to talk to them in person about your absence on the first day of
class too! They're much more likely to be understanding if you give them the heads up
right away.
Complete your
assignments ahead of time. You don't want to be stuck doing homework during
your little vacation (like me, unfortunately). Try to stay ahead of your assignments and avoid having to set aside time for schoolwork while you're away. If you do
end up doing homework during your trip, make sure there's WiFi or an Internet
source for you to connect to!
I hope this helps you guys who have a lot of important
events coming up next year. Of course, school is always a top priority, but
it's important to find a balance between schoolwork and life milestones, like a
wedding, a family tradition, or any other emergencies. Good luck!


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Suspension and Revocation
These are the reasons for receiving suspension and revocation notices:
- Failure to submit a current Medical Examiner Certificate.
- Failure to submit requested additional information, add restrictions or both.
- Failure to meet medical standards, vision standards or both to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
You may call 602.771.2460 for more information.
If your CDL privilege is suspended, revoked or both for failure to submit your DOT Medical Examination Report, Medical Examiner Certificate or additional information, you may submit your information by fax to a CDL Office or by using our secure email system.
You have the right to request a hearing on these actions; however, such request will not stop the immediate suspension. Your request must be received within 15 days from the date of the notice. The request must be made in writing and may be made by any one of the following methods:
- Online: Use our secure email response system, which encrypts your personal information.
- Mail:
Arizona Department of Transportation
Executive Hearing Office
P.O. Box 2100
Phoenix, AZ 85001
- Fax: 602.241.1624
- Personal Delivery: Go to the Executive Hearing Office at 3838 N. Central Ave., Suite 300, in Phoenix, or you can go to an MVD office in the state.
The request must include your full name, date of birth, license number, mailing address, home and business phones, and case number. Upon receipt of your written request, a hearing may be scheduled, and you will be notified as to the date, time and location.
If your CDL is disqualified, suspended or revoked for one year or more, it is considered expired (invalid). You will be required to take all written and skills tests for a new CDL and to pay all applicable licensing and reinstatement fees.
It is against the law to operate any motor vehicle on the public roads of this state while your driving privilege is suspended. If such operation results in your arrest and conviction, the suspension will be extended for up to one additional year.


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Ballard, according to media reports, has concerns over the proposal believing that it will give straight couples in Indianapolis a reason not to marry. Reports say (and he's not denying it) the Mayor is trying to strike out language that would make the proposal apply to opposite sex couples and make it only a same-sex couple ordinance if passed. This would likely cause most of the Republicans and maybe a couple of Democrats supporting the measure currently to vote against the proposal.
So, that raises the question: how often do people get married for benefits only? I'm sure it happens. I know there are definitely "marriages of convenience" out there. I really don't think that's germane to this ordinance, though. I don't think this will cause a significant change in the rate of people joining in holy matrimony. Pretty much, if you want to get married; you will get married. If not, you won't. Benefits aren't going to change that. This just opens another door for some couples that meet very specific requirements to get benefits from the City of Indianapolis. The financial benefits of marriage still outweigh any benefits this proposal would allow qualifying couples to receive from the city.To see the rest of the article, click here.
|Councilor Angela Mansfield, sponsor of
domestic partnership benefits proposal.
I think Jon has the politics of this issue wrong. If same sex couples could get married, the domestic partner benefit measure would never have gotten off the ground in the first place. The whole reason for the ordinance is to compensate for the state's discriminatory treatment of same sex couples when it comes to marriage. There are a lot of Republicans, like myself and apparently Mayor Ballard, who believe strongly in traditional marriage but do not like to see it denied to same sex couples who love each other and want to make that commitment.
Undoubtedly arguing that domestic partner benefits ordinance is not about marriage discrimination is part of a strategic move by advocates who are trying to enlist the support of Republicans who fear the measure might intrude on traditional marriage. The irony though is the measure - by granting benefits to heterosexual couples, people who can get married and choose not to - actually does undermine traditional marriage. If the ordinance was confined to awarding benefits for same sex couples that are discriminated against from getting married, at least until such time as same sex marriage is allowed, then the measure would support traditional marriage.
The Mayor appears to have this one right. Let's not extend domestic partner benefits to heterosexual couples who choose not to get married.


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Balsamic-Agave Tofu With Beet Infused Couscous
photo by erinwyso
- Ready In:
- 2hrs
- Ingredients:
- 16
- Serves:
- 1 1⁄2 lbs tofu, sliced into 6 thin slabs and pressed for at least an hour
- 12 spears fresh asparagus
- 1⁄2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, crushed between your fingers
- 5 garlic cloves, grated on a mircoplane grater
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup of fresh beet, skinned and cubed into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1⁄2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1⁄2 cup large pearl couscous
- 1 cup water
- white pepper
- Using your circular ring mold, carefully cut out circles in the four pieces of pressed tofu. Set aside. In a large pyrex dish, combine all of the ingredients for the marinade. Place the tofu into the marinade, flipping over once to ensure its well coated. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, flipping again halfway through the marinade time.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Boil 1 1/4 cups water in a small saucepan. Place the cubed beets in the boiling water for about 5 minutes. Transfer the beets with a slotted spoon to a well-greased baking pan, adding 2 TB of the oil to coat. Bake for 25 minutes. Add the diced red onion to the beet mixture with the remaining 1 TB oil and place back into the oven for 25 minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Once you've added the red onion to the beets, make your couscous by placing the couscous into the beet infused water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover. Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
- Once your beets and couscous are done, remove the tofu from the refrigerator and saute over medium high heat in a large skillet until well-browned, about 5-7 minutes on each side. Remove from the heat and add the asparagus to the pan. Saute until bright green, about 6 minutes.
- Place the remainder of the marinade into a small saucepan over medium high heat until it slightly thickens and reduces. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly while you plate.
- To assemble the tower, place a ring mold onto a plate and add a slice of the tofu. Spoon some of the beet mixture over than, lightly but firmly packing it into place. Add another slice of tofu and then add a layer of the couscous on that, packing it lightly but firmly. Top with another slice of tofu and carefully remove the ring.
- Serve with the sauteed asparagus and spoon some of the reduced balsamic marinade over the top.
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Realistic targets are needed to achieve a competitive and sustainable energy ecosystem
The EESC's engagement with civil society organisations in Russia is governed by the five guiding principles for EU-Russia relations agreed between EU foreign ministers and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. One of these guiding principles is "support for people-to-people contacts".
Dialogue and the exchange of experiences between civil society representatives from the EU and Russia contribute in a significant way to the continued implementation of the EU-Russia Strategic Partnership. The EESC has adopted a two-stranded approach to its relations with Russian civil society in order to engage with as wide a range of civil society representatives as possible. On the one hand, it maintains relations with the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, its official Russian counterpart, and organises – amongst other things – annual joint seminars on topics of interest to civil society on both sides. The EESC's other partner is the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum, which brings together a different set of civil society organisations.
The EU-Russia Follow-up Committee is an internal EESC body, which acts as a steering group, and is responsible for developing and maintaining relations and organising meetings and joint seminars with civil society in Russia.
On 30 and 31 March, 100 students and 39 teachers from all 28 EU Member States and the five EU candidate countries (Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) met at the EESC in Brussels for "Your Europe, Your Say!" 2017. This year's theme was "Europe @ 60: Where to next?".
The EESC organised debates with organised civil society in all Member States between 2 September and 2 November 2016. The debates were coordinated by three EESC members ('trios') from the country concerned, often in co-operation with the European Commission (15 debates) or the national Economic and Social Council (7 debates).
On 17-18 March 2016, students from schools in all 28 EU Member States and, for the first time, from the 5 EU candidate countries (Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey) met at the EESC in Brussels for Your Europe, Your Say!. They came to debate an issue that has been one of the most important topics on the European political agenda for some time: migration and integration. The key question for this year's event was "How can we better integrate migrants and refugees in our societies?".
The European Union: how does it work? Can you influence decisions? Do you know how the policies that affect your life are made?
What if some of the EU's complicated procedures were turned into a game – fun to play but challenging as well – that you could download onto your smartphone, tablet or laptop?
The study was conducted with the aim of analysing feasibility of a supply chain, to capitalise on unsold seafood products for distribution to deprived people
The European Economic and Social Committee has been an ardent supporter of the Eastern Partnership from the very outset and the EESC's Employers' Group has continually emphasised the need to strengthen the partnership's economic dimension. An appropriate tool was needed to enable the representatives of employers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises from the EU and its partner countries to meet and openly assess the process of convergence with the European acquis and its impact on the economic situation.
The impact of TTIP in Malta: benefits and challenges - Summary of the debate that took place in Malta on the 9 March 2015
The business sector in Europe believes a deep and comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) can further enhance this economic relationship and ensure that everyone enjoys the benefits of trade and investment ties more fully.
The document is a summary of the discussion on the Impact of the TTIP in Malta, which took place in Valletta, Malta on 9 March 2015. The meeting was organised together with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
The EU is highly dependent on energy resources. More than a half of EU energy consumption is linked to imports. Increasing instability in the Middle East together with the deterioration of EU-Russia relations mean that energy security will remain at the top of the EU's agenda in the coming years. How can we achieve a true energy union? How can interconnectivity be increased between Member States? What should the ideal energy mix look like and how can energy efficiency be increased within the EU? The publication summarises the debate that seeks answers to these questions.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is the biggest and most ambitious free trade agreement currently being negotiated by the European Union. Economists believe that an agreement with the USA will be advantageous for both the European Union and the USA, and the negative effects of trade liberalisation will be insignificant. This publication is a summary of the debate on "What development opportunities does the TTIP bring to Europe?" that was held in Sopot on 2 October 2014 as part of the European Forum for New Ideas.


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HBO to air segments of Beyonce concerts
NEW YORK (AP) — Beyonce is headed back to HBO.
The network announced Thursday that it will air four 10-minute segments of her concerts ahead of "True Blood." Dubbed "Beyonce: X10," the segments will air Sundays at 8:55 p.m. Eastern starting June 29, when the final season of "True Blood" premieres.
The footage is from Beyonce's Mrs. Carter World Tour, which wrapped in March. She launches a co-headlining tour with Jay Z next week.
The Beyonce documentary "Life Is but a Dream" debuted on HBO last year. The network said it was the most viewed music special on the channel since 2003.
The megastar is riding high off the release of her self-titled fifth album, which has sold 2 million units. It features the hit, "Drunk in Love."


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Mahindra the Indian car giant has gone after the amazingly stylish Pininfarina which many know as the stylish Italian car designer which has designed almost 1,000 cars across brands over the years.
Pininfarina were operating with a debt of approximately 47.4 million euros and Mahindra have now picked up the company for 25.3 million euros and will help enhance Pininfarina in the future.
Mahindra will also inject 20 million euros into the designer through a rights issue of new stock, and will provide a guarantee worth up to 114.5 million euros to its lenders, creditors and lessors.
Mahindra now own 76.6% of Pininfarina, the remaining percentage to be left open to be purchased in the future.
Pininfarina will continue to remain an independent company, listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, with Mr Paolo Pininfarina continuing as the Chairman of its board, Paolo is the son of Sergio (above) who is son of the original founder Battista (image 2).
2-Founder Battista Pininfarina
Battista Pininfarina the founder is where the Pininfarina brand came about; he began working in his older brothers car body workshop at the age of 12, in Turin, Italy, he worked here for decades and it was here where he learnt about body work and he even began designing his own cars.
Interestingly Battista incorporated his nick name Pinin meaning the youngest/little one in the family, so the logo read as Pininfarina and also in 2013 Mahindra the Indian company hired Hubert Tassin, a former Pininfarina designer.
The Pininfarina features their logo on many Ferraris and have collaborated with Alfa Romeo for over 70 years too. Other collaborations include Maserati and Lancia and General Motors and BMW, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar to mention the most prominent.
The logo is world renowned and a car featuring the logo is known to be an exclusive model. The Pininfarina site sums up their history from 1930 to date by saying:
"Starting from its roots and from the solid reputation achieved during 85 years of glorious history, Pininfarina has confirmed its role as standard-bearer of the aesthetic values of Italian design in the world. Today's activities are focused on design (automotive and non-automotive), engineering services (product development, testing, prototype construction) and production of very small series or exclusive high quality cars."
"In its genes, Pininfarina today is the same as it was in the Thirties: the central role of design, aesthetic sensitivity capable of creating timeless beauty, constant striving for innovation, the strength of a tradition that brings together industry, technology and stylistic research, the capacity to interpret the client's requirements thus maintaining its brand identity, and a propensity for long-term collaborations. These values, together with the commitment of the entire Group, will enable us to build a bridge towards the future" – Paolo Pininfarina grandson of Battista Pininfarina.
Battista's son was Sergio who managed the Pininfarina brand until 2012 when he passed away.
The Pininfarina brand is 85 years old and has worked with a variety of Car manufacturers, many of which are exotic. Paolo is currently chairman of the board. "The firm will remain in Italy, as will the workforce and management, the style and the brand are linked to our history." Said Paolo Pininfarina.
The Pininfarina cars sell at Auction for millions especially the Ferrari models. Mahindra the Indian car manufacturer have purchased the Italian car designer at a discounted price as they were in financial trouble and needed the help of a bigger company to help them recover and continue their excellent work in the future. The Pininfarina website stated recently that they have become the latest jewel in the Mahindra crown.
Mahindra will be able to feature more now internationally not just India, but also in Germany, Italy, China and the US. Pininfarina said of the acquisition "For Pininfarina, the acquisition will mean an ability to leverage Tech Mahindra's presence across 90 countries and access to about 780 customers. Tech Mahindra's global delivery model will lend Pininfarina a newly heightened scale to its operations."
It looks like we are soon set to see Mahindra continuing the work alongside Pininfarina to create super styled model cars and with the wealth of Mahindra these cars will be set to take the future by storm and allow Pininfarina to grow and produce more of these exquisite future models and set a new platform for the future of stylized cars.
You can find out more about Pininfarina at : "Pininfarina.com" and more about Mahindra Tech / Mahindra and Mahindra at "TechMahindra.com".


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If you need urgent medical attention outside of our office hours, please go directly to the nearest emergency department or call 911.
St. Luke's now offers on-demand virtual care services seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., if appropriate depending on your symptoms.
Simply log in to your MyChart account, answer a few questions about your symptoms, and begin a virtual visit with the next available St. Luke's primary care provider.
You may still have to wait a bit, as you would at an in-person urgent care clinic, but you'll be waiting wherever you choose.


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Talk:Upcoming Feast days
This "article" is titled "Upcoming Feast days" yet no dates are mentioned nor is the question answered of what upcoming feast days? are up coming. The text on the saints mentioned in the article should be part of individual articles, if they are not already present, and this article should then be deleted.Wsk 22:18, December 13, 2008 (UTC)
- The article is just an RSS feed from iconograms.com. I'm not sure it's really worth syndicating here, though. —Fr. Andrew talk contribs (THINK!) 01:04, December 14, 2008 (UTC)