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Story by
Matt Brian
Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him on Google+.
Shortly after Apple announced a huge number of updates for its Mac OS X and iOS platforms, it released software to developers, allowing them to download and install the new iOS 5 update.
Apple's iOS 5 software brings with it over 1500 APIs and tools, giving users get more than 200 new features. Users will be able to take advantages of new notifications, download publications via a new Newstand app and deep Twitter integration – improving the smartphone/tablet experience for iPhone and iPad users as a result.
We've got the first beta installed on our devices at The Next Web and have been playing with iOS 5 so that we can bring you an overview of the new firmware, before it launches in the Fall.
Initial Setup
Once iOS 5 is installed, you will be asked to set up the new features but first, you enter a remarkably similar process to Google's Android platform when it is first enabled. Users are asked to pair their devices with an Apple ID but also to connect to a local WiFi connection to aid synchronisation and quicken the setup process.
Once you have signed-in, the device will launch a wizard that help you take advantage of the option to store contacts, calendars, photos, music, books and apps in the cloud. Doing so is easy, simply switch the iCloud option to "On" and you are good to go.
The next part of the wizard is to configure "Find My iPhone", presenting this to the user immediately on launch instead of requiring the handset owner to either specify the option on their MobileMe account or download the application from the App Store on newer iPhone handsets.
Once that has been toggled to the user's preference, the iPhone setup is complete.
You will notice that the iOS sliders are a little different, now displaying a circular toggle instead of the rectangular switch with rounded edges.
The announcement of iMessage immediately led to reports that Apple had delivered a fatal blow to RIM and its BlackBerry Messaging service. Whilst we are sure the service has a lot of life left in it, Apple's new service is set to shake up how text messages are sent in the future, especially between iOS devices.
iMessage isn't a separate app, it is built into the core of the stock Messages app, delivering peer-to-peer messages without affecting a user's text message allowance from their carrier. With the feature only available to iPhone, iPod and iPad owners, Apple has made sure to differentiate between contacts that own an iOS device and those who don't.
If you notice the shots below, the image on the left shows a message sent to someone without an iPhone. The image on the right shows a message sent to another iPhone user that also has the new iOS 5 beta installed:
Green shows a user does not have an iPhone, Blue means that your friend does have an Apple smartphone. When iMessage's are being sent, the text message screen will also label the exchanges at the top of the screen. The app will also tell you when a message has been sent but also alert you when it has been delivered.
The feature can be switched off in the settings and allows the user to specify to send a normal SMS when iMessage is unavailable. To identify if a user is using iMessages, it can match against an email address or a phone number (also available in the settings).
iMessage is also present on the iPad, bringing a stock text messaging app to the tablet device for the first time.
Notification Center
Probably the most requested feature amongst iOS device owners, notifications have been given a drastic overhaul with the release of iOS 5. Instead of the common notification popup that was used by each and every application, Apple has introduced a dropdown menu which can be accessed by swiping down the status bar.
By default, phone calls, text messages, a stock ticker and the weather are automatically added to the Notification Center, allowing you to see at-a-glance what you may have missed. If you receive a notification whilst you the screen is locked, it will be displayed on the main screen, waiting for you to unlock and read the message.
Display options are built into the settings, allowing you to specify which apps you would like to be visible in the Notification Center, choosing whether they display as a banner or an alert. The order of the notifications can be set manually or left to order by the time they are received.
We are only just beginning to get to grips with some of the features iOS 5 includes, there are a lot of them. We will be bringing you a look at the Newstand app, Airplay support, Music and show you how the stock apps have received a facelift.
Stay tuned, there is plenty more to come.
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I bought this hoodie back in 2002 while staying in New York. I remember wearing it for the first time to a house party in the West Village full of wealthy older Europeans who were slicing up a roasted pig on the front stoop. At the end of the night, a perfectly coiffed woman chased me down the street to find out where I had bought it. When I told her, I was shocked that she seemed familiar with Trash & Vaudeville. I went a solid four years without wearing it but recently, it seemed appropriate to pull it back out for another spin since so much of my life has come full circle since that time.
I never tire of late night visits to the Doug Fir. It's always fun to sit around the fire in the back and listen to the rambling conversations of intoxicated patrons. As I was walking through their dark parking lot with my friend Todd on Saturday night, a cab came speeding around the corner, straight at us. Luckily, I jumped out of the way just in time. No smashed nubbles!
I think this super retro sign of perfection was on the edge of Sellwood somewhere. I discovered it while out with my dad, en route to a mansion to buy a bear head and bear rug (seriously). The mansion turned out to be the most amazing place I'd ever stepped into; I can only describe it as a French chateau with gothic accents. And, the bear rug? It's now in my living room!
Hammer time? Perhaps. This week, I moved back into 'the pit' with all of the rowdy Nemo boys and when I sat down, I noticed a hammer conveniently placed on my desk. So far, I haven't had to use it…
From a clearly subjective standpoint, my brother has very odd taste. And, since I live with him, I am a witness to the creepy things he owns every single day. All of these 'animals' reside in his room. Yes, that's a stillborn baby dear. No, I won't touch it. Mom and dad, if you'd let us have pets when we were kids, we might not have this problem.
Over the weekend, I went to an estate sale and hit the jackpot. These red handmade elfy shoes are impossibly tiny, but I had to have them. Aren't they amazing? If I was alive in this era, I would have worn something very similar!
I've barely been home at all this week and now it's time to play a very quick round of catch-up since I am taking off to Phoenix on Sunday. A copy of the new Forever 21 magazine just showed up and it's all beyond exciting. Scans coming on Monday!
Until next week,

subset: commoncrawl


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How do I embed an mp4 video in a text box?
MP4 videos can embed in a text box using the Rich Text Editor. Other file types that can be embedded in a text box are .FLA, .F4V, .3GPP, .M4V or .MOV files.
In the text box, position your cursor where you want to embed the mp4 video.
Click the Insert/Edit Movie icon.
This displays the Movie Properties dialog box.
Click Browse Server.
This displays the Entity Picker dialog box.
Locate and select the mp4 video file that you want to embed in the text box.
Once you have located and selected the file, click Open to upload it.
The file will upload.
Your file will be uploaded to the server. This may take a while if it is a large file.
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Once the file has finished uploading, it will appear in Resources and will be selected by default. Click OK to add the video to the Rich Text Editor.
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The embedded video will display in the editing view as "Movie." When the text box is posted or saved, it will display the video on the page.


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Save: $23.62
Marine SR-M Series
The Rigid Industries Marine SR-M (Single Row Mini) LED Light is one of the most versatile lighting products on the market today. This compact LED light can be used for virtually any lighting application – from off-road to agriculture. The SR-M utilizes the same technology as our D-Series, but is half the size and incorporates half the number of LED's. The size and shape of the SR-M LED Light allows it to fit almost anywhere. Its cast aluminum housing and polycarbonate lens are sealed against the elements for years of trouble-free operation.
The Marine Series products are given special attention due to the elements they will be exposed to in a marine environment. The aluminum housing receives a chromate conversion coating that acts as a corrosion inhibitor against elements such as salt. We then give the housing a high quality, UV-resistant powder coat finish. We use 316 marine-grade stainless steel hardware that receives a coating that's been tested for over 1,000 hrs of corrosion resistance. The mounting bracketry included with our marine products is also 316 stainless steel. This product does not include a wire harness or switch, due to the fact that most installations on marine equipment are custom and require smaller holes and unique components.


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Warlocks Getting Male and Female Demons
A lot of warlock players have been waiting a long time for this one – soon any warlock will be able to choose to summon a male or female version of their demon, regardless of what summonable demon it is.
That's right ladies, it means you'll eventually get to summon an incubus instead of a succubus. Here's what Zarhym had to say on the official forums:
I'm happy to share we actually do have plans for offering players a choice between male and female versions of all warlock demons. This is a task already in our system, though I don't have a time frame for you at the moment. Other art tasks could always take precedence, but we're committed to making this happen. :)
Now I have no idea how they'll make imps and infernals and doomguards female, but we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?


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The Cola Peace Is Over
Pepsi cola has already been revealed to be the pinnacle of the entire universe. But that has not resulted in Pepsi's "Max" chemical product beating Coke's similar chemical product in market share. Solution? War.
There is a cola drink called "Pepsi Max." Perhaps you know it? No, probably not, because it has less than 1% of the market. What is this "Max?" It is some diet thing, not that you could tell from the name. No wonder nobody drinks the shit, right? Pepsi sees the matter differently. Its competitor's product, Coke Zero, has more than four times the market share. Therefore, Pepsi Max must directly attack Coke Zero. The Cola Wars—which rocked the planet earth and outer space for decades upon decades—are back on. The two sides are already firing volleys of killer words, in Ad Age:
[Lauren Hobart, 'chief marketing officer of sparkling brands at PepsiCo'] said that consumers should "expect to see the playful rivalry come to life in future executions. ... We love that it's lighting a fire in the cola wars."
Coke, for its part, couldn't resist zinging its competitor when asked about the campaign from TBWA/Chiat/Day for Max. "Clearly Pepsi was looking for a rising star to appear in their latest commercial when they chose to feature Coke Zero," said [a Coke spokeswoman]. "We're actually pretty flattered."
Must our children be subjected to the same advertising wars for syrupy chemical liquid dominance that so scarred our own generation? Let's all just drink juice. Wait—juice is owned by Coke and Pepsi, too. Let's all just drink water. Oh—that won't work either.
Let's all drink cyanide. [Ad Age]


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Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome is one of the largest churches in the city after St. Peters. Of all the great Roman Churches and basilicas the Church of St Mary Major Rome enjoys the most successful blend of different architectural styles. Its colonnaded triple nave is part of the original 5th Century building.
The Cosmatesque marble floor and delightful Romanesque bell tower, with its blue ceramic roundels, are from the medieval period. The Renaissance saw a new coffered ceiling, and the baroque gave the church twin domes and its most imposing front and rear facades.
The mosaics are St Mary Major's most famous feature. From the 5th century come the biblical scenes in the nave and the spectacular mosaics on the triumphal arch. Medieval highlights include a 13th century enthroned Christ in the loggia.
The church of Santa Maria Maggiore is also famous for its' excesses and instigated some violent demonstrations by the protestants who vehemently opposed the decoration of the entire ceiling with gold leaf when thousands were starving. Today, the church remains one of Rome's most fascinating churches and is well worth a visit.
For the more budget conscience traveller there is the Hotel Montreal a cheap hotel Santa Maria Maggiore.
The whole of the ceiling above the nave and loggia was completely covered in gold and gold leaf. This caused consternation amongst christian groups and events like this and others gave rise to the protestant faith who "protested" against the excesses of the Catholic Church in Rome.


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Prohibition, Civility, and Political Discourse
Ken Burns
National Press Club | Luncheon Speech
Ken Burns talked about his PBS series, Prohibition, which chronicles the ratification, implementation, and eventual repeal of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as the era in which the movement took place. He also responded to questions from the audience.
# – # – #
An outstanding discussion of Prohibition and how it relates to our current state with the "(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs". While I was aware of the relation between the Women's Rights Movement, I was unaware of of the relation between the Progressives with the Income Tax and the Dry's who wanted to eviscerate the reliance of the Federal Government on the booze industry taxes. Worth an hour and you can see that past is prologue.
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D1 Sprints and Hurdles Prelims - 2013 MHSAA LP Track and Field Finals
East Kentwood High School, Michigan on June 1st, 2013. Photos by Matt Yacoub. Prints and Downloads available for purchase. Just click on the "Buy" button above the thumbnails or larger image. Questions or comments? Please let us know.Read More


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The old-school/new-school debate is raging again after the old-school Giants beat the equally old-school Tigers in the World Series to win their second championship in three years and then sabermetric favorite Mike Trout lost to Miguel Cabrera in the American League MVP balloting.
Some of the rhetoric got downright nasty.
This is getting like Republicans vs. Democrats, Fox News vs. MSNBC.
Can't we all get along?
For a while, it looked as if the sides were at least meeting in the middle, but this Cabrera-Trout debate — in which Baseball Writers Association of America voters wound up giving Cabrera 22 out of 28 first-place votes — has stoked the fires once again.
I generally lean old-school, but as I wrote last week, I love the numbers, too — I'm just not married to them. The data guys make a convincing case for their side. They really do. But the intangible things that old-schoolers look at are also compelling, because they have a street-smart common sense attached to them. Old-schoolers know what their eyes tell them, even if the data point the other way.
From Aug. 1 to Oct. 3, Trout hit .287 for the Angels with 12 homers, 28 RBIs, 49 runs, 18 stolen bases, and 67 strikeouts, while Cabrera hit .344 for the Tigers with 19 homers, 54 RBIs, 42 runs, no steals, and just 39 strikeouts.
Do these numbers mean anything to those who are so adamant that Trout should have won the MVP race? This was framed as a close race before the voting, but in fact, it was not a close vote. It was like Obama-Romney. If you listened to Fox News, Mitt Romney was going to win in a landslide, but the election turned out overwhelmingly in Barack Obama's favor.
Nate Silver, who has correctly predicted the results of the last two presidential races, presented a strong case for Trout in his FiveThirtyEight blog last Sunday, pointing out that Trout added 12 runs with his baserunning while Cabrera cost his team three runs, and Trout saved 11 runs defensively while Cabrera cost his team 10. And when Silver speaks, we listen, because he's usually right.
It's very interesting, and you can make a strong case with the numbers he presented. But you can't ignore the fact that Cabrera's team made the playoffs and Trout's team didn't. And forget this stuff about the Angels winning one more game than the Tigers. They still finished third in the AL West, and the Tigers played well when it counted to hang on and win the Central.
While Trout's numbers were strong the last two months, Cabrera's performance was dominant when it counted the most. He also had immense pressure on him to win the Triple Crown, which he did.
"Cabrera was the right choice for the MVP," said Orioles general manager Dan Duquette. "The Triple Crown is a rare accomplishment, and Trout was in the minors for the first month of the season."
But another prominent AL general manager who did not want to be named said, "Trout. The data overwhelmingly indicates that Trout was the MVP of our league."
Wayne Krivsky, a special assistant to Twins general manager Terry Ryan, said Cabrera was his choice, for reasons similar to Duquette's.
"You can't overlook the Triple Crown, an extraordinary accomplishment that hadn't been done in 45 years," Krivsky said. "From an overall skills point of view, you can make the case for Trout, but this is the MVP, and that to me was Cabrera."
"I lean traditional," said Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers. "I use the data — you'd be crazy not to, because there's a lot of good stuff out there. I wish there were better defensive metrics out there because that's the one area I feel hasn't quite been perfected yet."
So Cabrera or Trout?
"Cabrera," Towers said. "What he did for that Tiger team this year was extraordinary. And the kid is going to win some of those in the future. He's a great player."
"They are both great players, and I get the objective arguments," reasoned Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, "but I have no issue with Cabrera winning. The guy moved positions and is the best righthanded hitter in the league who carried them down the stretch. Trout will end up with plenty of hardware before it's over."
Cabrera won. He won by a wide margin.
Now, let's get over it and act like adults.
Apropos of something
If the Red Sox-Dodgers deal was approved by commissioner Bud Selig, why wouldn't the Blue Jays-Marlins deal be approved?
Both were legitimate trades in which one team shed an enormous amount of payroll but received legitimate, above-board talent in return. This isn't like the Joe Rudi-Rollie Fingers deal Oakland made with Boston in 1976, which was an obvious maneuver by Athletics owner Charles O. Finley to make money despite weakening his team. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn nixed that deal in "the best interests of baseball."
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is taking considerable heat for dismantling his team.
On one hand, the criticism is legitimate since public money went into financing the new stadium in Miami, and there is a feeling that he owes those fans a competitive team.
On the other hand, he spent a lot of money last season on major free agents such as Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Heath Bell, plus manager Ozzie Guillen, and it backfired. The Marlins were a major disappointment.
The Miami market is a major challenge. All of the owners there have a history of building up, dismantling, then building up again. The Marlins won two championships that way. Obviously, this is a bigger shedding of salary in one fell swoop, though it started at the trading deadline when they moved Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers and Anibal Sanchez to the Tigers.
In Toronto, there is a completely different feeling. The Jays haven't been to the playoffs since 1993. They seem to be the team perennially on the verge of something big, and the fan base is getting tired of waiting. With this deal, the Jays could go from 73 wins into the 90s — if everything goes well and they avoid injuries.
Rogers Communications, which owns the Blue Jays and has a lot of money to spend, felt the time was right to open up the pocketbook, sensing perhaps that Boston and New York may be down, and Toronto can take advantage.
"I think people are very excited in Toronto," said Jays coach Luis Rivera. "It's great for the country. They want a contender and they seem to have an excellent team now. It's too bad we had the injuries we had when we had them or I think we would have been in the race."
Rivera is a big fan of infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, one of the players going to Florida in the big deal.
"He's going to be really good," Rivera said. "I would say he has the best range of any shortstop in baseball. He's so flexible. He can go down for a ball and get up without losing rhythm. He has so much elasticity. He'll be a good hitter, too. It's hard to put a number on it, but it wouldn't surprise me if he hit .270-.280."
The Jays also signed free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, who served a 50-game suspension last season for a positive test for testosterone, to a two-year, $16 million deal. Cabrera, who was leading the National League in hitting at the time of his suspension, is likely to hit behind Reyes and ahead of Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Brett Lawrie in what is shaping up as a potent lineup. The Jays are throwing caution to the wind in signing Cabrera, hoping he won't be dumb enough to commit a second offense. If he can perform without the juice, he can be outstanding offensively and defensively.
Apropos of nothing
1. Should the Red Sox have tried harder to land Jose Reyes and Josh Johnson? Despite some injury concerns with both guys, the answer is yes. If you tried to get commensurate talent on the free agent market, you'd pay a steep price. Reyes didn't have quite the sensational season he had in New York that landed him a big contract with the Marlins, but he played in 160 games and was not the problem in Miami. Johnson had his worst season (8-14), but he is 28 and everyone expects him to rebound.
2. Yep, Manny Ramirez can roll out of bed and hit. First time up in the Dominican winter league: home run off Daniel Cabrera.
3. The Red Sox are distributing 1,200 turkeys to 12 food pantries and food banks throughout New England Monday as part of the club's "100 Acts of Kindness" initiative. With the assistance of food distributor SYSCO, Red Sox staff will visit a pair of organizations in all six New England states and deliver 100 frozen turkeys to each location. Red Sox staff also will assist at the Boston Living Center's "Celebration of Life Thanksgiving Dinner" Tuesday.
4. Former Red Sox international scouting director Craig Shipley joined the Diamondbacks as a special assistant to Kevin Towers. He will have a number of duties, including evaluating the farm system and special assignment scouting.
5. As much as he needed a shortstop, Towers was never in the Reyes hunt. And as far as Justin Upton goes? Nobody has knocked his socks off with an offer.
6. Speaking of Upton, I know his brother, B.J. Upton, is very talented and entering his prime, but will he always be unfulfilled potential?
7. The Red Sox can afford to let Jacoby Ellsbury have a great year and then go into free agency. Jackie Bradley should be the real deal.
8. Every GM I called last week: "On the phone with agents trying to get pitching . . ."
Updates on nine
1. David Ross, C, Red Sox —
2. Jarrod Saltalamacchia , C, Red Sox — Speaking of Salty, there may be a decent market for him. The White Sox, who don't seem to plan on bringing back A.J. Pierzynski, could be players for Saltalamacchia. They could move someone like Gavin Floyd, who also could be a fit for the Blue Jays should they be interested in moving J.P. Arencibia.
3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Indians — The Red Sox and Diamondbacks are two of the teams interested in Cabrera, who will earn $6.5 million in 2013 and $10 million in 2014. That's fairly cheap for a starting shortstop, but with Mike Aviles now in tow, the Indians may listen to serious offers for both Cabrera and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.
4. Stephen Drew, SS, free agent — He played well for the A's after being dealt by the Diamondbacks, who lost patience with his recovery time (11 months for a broken ankle). The Red Sox have some interest in Drew, who had some productive years before being injured. Like his brother, J.D. Drew, he is not a natural-born leader but has a good skill set.
5. Carl Pavano, RHP, free agent — After an injury-filled season in Minnesota (a bone bruise in his right shoulder limited him to 11 starts) Pavano was given a clean bill of health in September and has prepared for his new adventure this offseason. Agent Dave Pepe said he has received a few preliminary calls on Pavano, who turns 37 in January. Pavano could come in with a minor league deal or a one-year major league deal. He had pitched more than 220 innings the previous two seasons for the Twins and could be an interesting back-end-of-the-rotation starter.
6. A.J. Pierzynski , C, free agent — There are two obvious places that fit Pierzynski like a glove: Tampa Bay and Texas. The Rays would have to open the wallet a little more, but Pierzynski's bat and leadership seem perfectly suited for the Rays, who never seem to have a decent catcher. Pierzynski hails from Orlando, so the geography makes sense. He also makes sense for the Rangers, who may lose Mike Napoli in free agency. Pierzynski could also fit the Red Sox if they deal both Saltalamacchia and Lavarnway. You always like to have a left-right combo as your backstops.
7. Dan Haren, RHP, free agent — Most executives we speak to love Haren but because of his back issues would not be comfortable offering any more than two years — most prefer one year and an option. "I would guess the free agent player who is having his medical records gone through with a fine-tooth comb more than anyone out there is Haren," said an American League executive. "You love his past durability, but now you have to be careful that he actually missed a few starts last season. He's one of those guys you'd love to add to your rotation." Haren missed three weeks, but still made 30 starts.
8. Jason Grilli, RHP, free agent — From journeyman to highly sought reliever. That's what Grilli has become. "We've got eight teams" — including the Red Sox — "interested right now," said Grilli's agent, former major leaguer Gary Sheffield. "We have three offers right now." Sheffield, who runs Gary Sheffield Management in Tampa, which advises players on personal finances, said, "We're not in a hurry. There are some things we want to look at a little further. We're not sure the market has fully developed for Jason." Grilli, 36, was 1-6 with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP out of the Pirates bullpen.
9. Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B, free agent — Good-sized market so far for Youkilis, at both third and first base, according to his agent, Joe Bick. The Indians are looking at him as a first baseman, while the Phillies and Dodgers are considering him at third (a back-burner option for the Dodgers). The Diamondbacks made a call, but Towers indicated they will likely not be involved.
Short hops
From the Bill Chuck files: "The OPS decline for Mark Teixeira continues. In his four years with the Yankees, starting in 2009, his OPS has gone from .948 to .846 to .835 to .807 last season." Also, "Both Jay Bruce and Michael Bourn played 155 games and struck out 155 times. The only other player to have a 155/155 season was Mark McGwire in 1998." . . . Happy birthday to David Ortiz (37), Tom Gordon (45), Dante Bichette (49), and Jamie Moyer (50).
Nick Cafardo can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickcafardo. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report .


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Solar Activity Heats Up
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April 14, 2011: If you've ever stood in front of a hot stove, watching a pot of water and waiting impatiently for it to boil, you know what it feels like to be a solar physicist.
Back in 2008, the solar cycle plunged into the deepest minimum in nearly a century. Sunspots all but vanished, solar flares subsided, and the sun was eerily quiet.
"Ever since, we've been waiting for solar activity to pick up," says Richard Fisher, head of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. "It's been three long years."
Quiet spells on the sun are nothing new. They come along every 11 years or so—it's a natural part of the solar cycle. This particular solar minimum, however, was lasting longer than usual, prompting some researchers to wonder if it would ever end.
News flash: The pot is starting to boil. "Finally," says Fisher, "we are beginning to see some action."
As 2011 unfolds, sunspots have returned and they are crackling with activity. On February 15th and again on March 9th, Earth orbiting satellites detected a pair of "X-class" solar flares--the most powerful kind of x-ray flare. The last such eruption occurred back in December 2006.
Another eruption on March 7th hurled a billion-ton cloud of plasma away from the sun at five million mph (2200 km/s). The rapidly expanding cloud wasn't aimed directly at Earth, but it did deliver a glancing blow to our planet's magnetic field. The off-center impact on March 10th was enough to send Northern Lights spilling over the Canadian border into US states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.
"That was the fastest coronal mass ejection in almost six years," says Angelos Vourlidas of the Naval Research Lab in Washington DC. "It reminds me of a similar series of events back in Nov. 1997 that kicked off Solar Cycle 23, the solar cycle before this one."
"To me," says Vourlidas, "this marks the beginning of Solar Cycle 24."
The slow build-up to this moment is more than just "the watched pot failing to boil," says Ron Turner, a space weather analyst at Analytic Services, Inc. "It really has been historically slow."
There have been 24 numbered solar cycles since researchers started keeping track of them in the mid-18th century. In an article just accepted for publication by the Space Weather Journal, Turner shows that, in all that time, only four cycles have started more slowly than this one. "Three of them were in the Dalton Minimum, a period of depressed solar activity in the early 19th century. The fourth was Cycle #1 itself, around 1755, also a relatively low solar cycle," he says.
In his study, Turner used sunspots as the key metric of solar activity. Folding in the recent spate of sunspots does not substantially alter his conclusion: "Solar Cycle 24 is a slow starter," he says.
Better late than never.
See the ScienceCast of this story on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBl_FOONrB0
Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA
|More Information
The fast CME of March 7, 2011 -- a movie prepared by Karl Battams of the Naval Research Lab in Washington DC


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Strategy for gender equality in development policy
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Strategy for gender equality in development policy
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
Employment and social policy > Equality between men and women
Strategy for gender equality in development policy
Document or Iniciative
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 8 March 2007 – Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development Cooperation [COM(2007) 100 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
Equal opportunities are a key factor for sustainable development, especially in areas where this inequality is more pronounced in developing countries, i.e.:
- employment and economic activities, because most women work in the informal sectors, with low productivity and incomes, poor working conditions and little or no social protection;
- governance, as in many countries women are marginalised as decision-makers. In order to protect the fundamental human rights of women, legislation ensuring equal rights for men and women must also be accompanied by implementation;
- access to education, where gender equality is related in particular to the responsibility of women for everyday tasks in the household;
- health, as women have limited access to basic health services, especially in the sphere of sexual and reproductive health;
- gender-based violence.
The Commission recognises that there has been considerable progress towards gender equality in development cooperation. This is increasingly becoming part of the dialogue with partner countries and the EU's consultations with civil society. In addition, there has been progress in gender equality projects and programmes and in capacity-building in Member States and the Commission.
Nevertheless, the Commission emphasises that certain challenges remain regarding:
- the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education. Moreover, the MDGs adopt an approach confined to the health and education aspects of gender equality and neglect other dimensions of equality;
- the presence of social and cultural obstacles associated with traditional social structures which are not conducive to changes in the traditional division of power between men and women;
- gender mainstreaming, which has not been fully integrated into the country strategies and the implementation of EU development cooperation.
Objectives of the strategy
The first objective of the EU strategy is to increase the efficiency of gender mainstreaming. This implies actions in three areas:
- at political level, the Commission stresses the importance of discussing gender equality with the partner countries at the highest level;
in development cooperation, the Commission proposes:
- establishing effective dialogue with relevant stakeholders in the preparation of country strategies and aid programmes;
- putting in place mutual accountability mechanisms;
- using performance indicators;
- linking the disbursement of incentive tranches to gender-sensitive indicators;
- in institutional capacity-building, the Commission recommends using practical tools in the assessment and implementation phases. It also stresses the need to provide improved access to information and best practices and gender training for partner countries and staff.
The second objective is to refocus specific actions for women's empowerment in partner countries. The Commission has notably identified the following fields of action:
- governance, especially women's political empowerment, promotion of human rights, development of gender-sensitive indicators, development of the role of women in conflict and post conflict situations;
- employment and economic activities, especially promotion of the economic and social empowerment of women, equal treatment of men and women at work, analysis of the gender equality budget and public finance management based on a gender equality perspective;
- education, especially abolishing school fees, adopting incentives to send girls to school, improving the school environment, enhancing gender equality awareness among adolescents and adult literacy;
- health, especially promotion of social protection schemes for impoverished women and protection of sexual and reproductive health (for example, through HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and training of traditional midwives to reduce the mortality of mothers and children in rural areas);
- gender-based violence, especially reform of the legislation on the subject, victim protection, awareness-raising through media, education and training of military and judicial personnel.
The Commission underlines the importance of the ownership of development cooperation initiatives by the women beneficiaries themselves, through participation in civil society organisations (CSOs) and Community-based organisations. The EU needs in particular to promote the emergence of CSOs supporting gender equality where they do not exist and ensure capacity-building of the existing CSOs.
The financing of the aid is to be paid on the basis of the improvements in gender equality indicators. In addition, gender responsiveness is to be integrated into the preparation of the budgets of the partner countries at national and local levels. This requires re-prioritisation of expenditure, re-orientation of programmes within sectors to achieve gender equality and monitoring of government revenue and expenditure.
The national poverty reduction strategies must analyse the gender equality situation of a country to understand all its implications for growth and poverty. The Commission emphasises that these national strategies should encompass a wider definition of poverty extending beyond a lack of financial resources. They should also accept the contribution of civil society to the formulation and monitoring of the strategies.
Finally, the Commission stresses the importance of coordination and harmonisation with Member States through regular meetings and exchange of best practices. In addition, the EU will continue to foster debate on gender equality at international and regional levels, in particular by stressing the importance of extending the scope beyond the areas of health and education.
Specific actions by the Commission
To implement this strategy, the Commission proposes actions in three areas, i.e.:
country programming (national and regional strategies), especially:
- the further development of programming guidelines;
- the systematic gender assessment of country strategies;
- the adjustment of strategies according to the results of these assessments;
- the building of partnerships with relevant international organisations (such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women – UNIFEM – and the International Labour Organisation – ILO) which have significant experience in mainstreaming gender equality into programmes;
- multi-annual thematic programmes under the financial perspectives 2007-2013, which can support gender equality in the fields of human resources, the environment and food security;
- other financial instruments to support gender equality, notably the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and the Instrument for Stability.
In 2001 the "Programme of Action for the mainstreaming of gender equality in Community Development Cooperation 2001-2006" provided the basis for capacity building within the European Commission in this field.
Subsequently Regulation (EC) No 1567/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which expired on 31 December 2006, established a financial framework for the implementation of actions on reproductive and sexual health and rights.
In addition, Regulation (EC) No 806/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which expired on 31 December 2006, provided for a budget of EUR 9 million to finance specific actions in this field. Finally, the European Consensus of 2005 identified gender equality as one of the fundamental objectives to reduce poverty.
Related Acts
Commission working document of 8 March 2010 – EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development [SEC(2010) 265 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission has presented a Plan of Action 2010-2015 in order to implement the strategy in the above-mentioned Communication and thereby reinforce the promotion of gender equality in developing countries. This Plan of Action contributes towards the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) and the objectives of the United Nations Convention against all forms of discrimination against women.
In this perspective, the Commission shall in particular:
- develop the EU's capacity for action and its lead role in defending gender equality at global level;
- discuss gender equality in the context of the political dialogue between the EU and developing countries;
- integrate the promotion of gender equality into the projects financed by the EU and develop reliable indicators in order to assess the progress achieved;
- encourage the participation of civil society in developing countries;
- improve the management and transparency of European financing;
- support UN action for the protection of women in conflicts, through the implementation of the United Nations Resolution on Women, Peace and Security (Resolutions 1325 of 2000 and 1889 of 2009).


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Mariska Hargitay talks motherhood, plastic surgery
Mariska Hargitay isn't afraid to flaunt her curves. The actress sat down with Ladies' Home Journal for their March issue (out Feb. 12) to talk about everything from confidence and motherhood to plastic surgery to accepting compliments. Some highlights from the chat:
On confidence: "I wasn't always confident. I spent most of my 20s having people say no to me. I'd go to auditions and the casting directors would be like: You're not tall enough, you're not pretty enough, you're not blonde enough, your nose is too big, your nose is too small, your skin is too dark, your skin is too light, change your name! There was so much rejection. I didn't work for eight years."
How other women can feel more comfortable in their own skin: "I'm a big believer that your word is your wand. You know how people say things like, "Oh my gosh, I'm such an idiot." I don't say those things anymore. Those put-downs, even if they're in jest, are little bullets of negativity that you don't need in your life."
On accepting compliments: "I find it so upsetting when I try to pay a compliment to a friend and instead of taking it she puts herself down. I'll say, "I like your shirt!" And she'll say: "This? It's so old." We feel the need to dismiss a compliment and make it less than one. Take the moment. Take it in. Focus on your gifts."
Her famous curves: "I love my curves because they scream, "I'm a mama!" I'm the girl who started wearing maternity pants about an hour after I found out I was pregnant because I was so excited about becoming a mom. "
On getting older: "Things are sagging a bit—I'm not going to lie. But am I going to be upset about the sag or am I going to look at my three gorgeous kids and my husband and count my lucky stars?"
On plastic surgery: "I used to be against it. I think it's because I was raised by a father who didn't like makeup. If I had makeup on he'd say, "Honey, you didn't wash your face!" But now that I'm older I think women should do whatever they want to make themselves feel good. I don't think they should go overboard, and I still think the natural look is the most beautiful. But if you want to do something to help you look more refreshed, I'm all for it."
Bonding with other women who grew up without their mothers: "I feel a total kindred spirit with anyone who has lost her mother, especially at a young age. When something like that happens it leaves a hole in your heart that can never be filled. I know I'm not over it. I'll hear women talk about their mothers and how close they are and it's so painful. I had a lovely stepmother but it's not the same as having your own mom. But I do know that hole in my heart pushed me to want to become the best mother I could be. Sometimes it's what you don't have that dictates or guides your life the most."


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Two very gracious people!
Two very gracious people!
Rory McIlroy's mistake as Europe steal Ryder Cup after tee-time error
Late scare for Ulsterman but Europeans pull off Miracle at Medinah
By PATRICK COUNIHAN, IrishCentral Staff Writer
*** begin quote ***
Rory McIlroy was brought to Medinah in a police car – as Europe stole the Ryder Cup from under American noses!
*** and ***
Television coverage listed his start time at 12:25pm but that referred to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is 11:25am Central Time (CT).
He said: "I was just casually strolling out of my hotel room when I got a phone call saying you have 25 minutes.
"I have never been so worried driving to the course. Luckily there was a State Trooper outside who gave me the escort, if not I would not have made it on time."
Officials confirmed that if McIlroy was two minutes late he would have forfeited the opening hole while five minutes late, he faced disqualification.
*** end quote ***
Now bear in mind, I give not a about "golf", Riders Cup, or any holed up competition between Europe and the USA.
I will correlate the taxpayer's sad state in Chicago with having "centurions" standing around to provide "escorts".
Mach nix to me.
But maybe I am just enough of grump to ask why this was provided?
If I'm late to a business meeting does any of the privileged class of our masters give a …
Well you get the idea.
I think there should be an investigation into this. Obviously, the "Statie" fails to understand his duty.
I sit here just shaking me head.
##### #####


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Club Briefs: Marco's Rhode Islanders meet
Jolley Roger Crossword Puzzle Club
The Jolley Roger Puzzle Club meets every Wednesday afternoon to discuss, dissect and otherwise chat about The New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. If tackling the Sunday puzzle is part of your regular routine and you would like to get together with people who share your hobby, call Lee at 394-1492 or Lynn at 609-678-0424 for meeting time and location.
American Association of University Women's Mission: Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. The AAUW Marco Island Branch meets at 9 a.m., October through April, on the third Monday of the Month at the United Church on Barfield Drive. Information: Durell Buzzini, director for membership, 207-745-4679.
Just Friends
Just Friends meets for lunch and socializing the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m., at United Church of Marco, 320 North Barfield. To become a member, you must have been a member in good standing of the Marco Island Newcomers for at least three years. President: Sharon Cook. Membership information: Janet at 682-1010 or Candy at 970-0727. Luncheon information: Lisa at 293-9077 or Donna at 642-1985. Mail luncheon checks for $27 to Just Friends, P.O. Box 1685, Marco Island, 34146.
Marco Island Newcomers Club
Women meet for lunch, socializing and to learn about the local area, at 11:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Hideaway Beach Club, 333 Hideaway Circle North. Information: Kecia Chronowski, 920-265-3544, and Kathie Richel 352-634-2547, or visit marconewcomers.org.
Marco Island Men's Club
The club meets at 10 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at United Church of Marco Island, 320 N. Barfield Drive. MMC is open to residents of Marco Island, Goodland and the Isles of Capri. Information: Fred Stavola at firstname.lastname@example.com or 239-389-1724 or marcomensclub.com.
Marco Island Woman's Club
Marco Island Woman's Club awards scholarships to graduating high school students, who live on Marco Island, and supports various local nonprofit organizations. The group meets for lunch at 11:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month. To become a member, Priscilla Penn at 239-642-3046 or go to marcowomansclub.com.
Democratic Women's Club
The Democratic Women's Club of Marco Island provides a forum for discussion of public policy matters, to support qualified candidates for public office and to encourage qualified Democratic women to seek elected office. We have interest groups pertaining to issues affecting women. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at Rose Auditorium at the Marco Island Library. The meetings begin at 5 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m.
Calusa Garden Club
Business meetings begin at 12:30 p.m. and speakers begin at 1:15 p.m. the second Monday of the month, October through March, at the Fellowship Hall of Wesley United Methodist Church, 350 S. Barfield, Marco Island. Community members interested in gardening, floral design and environmental issues are welcome to attend and invited to join the group. Information: Jackie Purvis, 239-970-6644, or calusa.org.
Italian American Society
The Italian American Society of Marco Island meets at 7 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month, November through April, at MIHS Rose History Auditorium. This energetic group of men and women with Italian heritage are dedicated to remembering their roots while having as much fun as possible. Information: Carol Marrella Lindstrom 630-450-4092 or Gene D'Onofrio 239 642-3940.
Cancer Support Group
Marco Island Cancer Support Group has been helping people for over 25 years. Join us on the first and third Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m., 40 Heathwood Drive (NCH) and see if we help you. All are welcome. Information: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Civitan International
Civitan International is an organization of volunteer service clubs around the world, dedicated to helping people in their own communities. Civitans help wherever the need arises – from collecting food for a homeless shelter to volunteering at their local retirement home to building a playground for children with disabilities. Civitans have been helping people since the organization's founding in 1917, by a group of businessmen determined to make a difference in their community. The Marco Island Civitan Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Mario's, 845 Bald Eagle Drive. For more club information, contact Nery Kircher 239-774-2623 or visit Civitan.org.
Civil Air Patrol
Marco Island Senior Squadron meets 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays in the CAP Hangar at Marco Island Executive Airport at the end of Mainsail Dr., off Collier Blvd. South (State Road 951). Capt. Bob Corriveau, Squadron Commander, at 239-331-2290. Information: marcoislandcap.org.
American Legion Post 404
If you are a wartime veteran or current Legion member and are interested in joining, contact Bill Horton at 239-642-8928 or Bill Irvine at 239-595-4172. Meetings are held at 11 a.m., on the third Tuesday of each month, followed by lunch, at on the Marco Island Princess dockside at Rose Marina, all veterans are welcome.
Marco VFW Post 6370
The Marco VFW Post 6370 meets the second Tuesday, at the Mutual of Omaha Bank on San Marco Road at 7 p.m. at the rear entrance to the bank. The VFW sells U.S.-made flags of all types at wholesale prices using proceeds for veterans' relief and welfare. New male and female veterans who served in combat areas are needed. Transfers are accepted from other Posts. Contact Dave Gardner at 239-289-5862.
Marco Island Lions Club
Meetings held the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant, 4335 Tamiami Trail East, Naples. Information: David Gardner, 239-289-5862. Club is not active in July, August and September.
Shrine Club
The Marco Island Shrine meets every Friday at 11:30 a.m. for fun and fellowship. All Masons and Shriners are welcome. Call for location. Information: Bill at 239-595-4172.
Daughters of the American Revolution
Chapter meets the third Thursday of the month at 10:30 at Hideaway Beach Club. Visiting and prospective member are welcome. Information, Karen Lombardi at 239-394-0028.
Sons of the American Revolution
Chapter meets the second Thursday of each month, October through May, at 11:30 a.m. at The Club at Longshore Lake. Visiting Compatriots and prospective members are welcome. Information: email email@example.com or call Ed Lary, Chapter Registrar, at 239-732-7280.
Sons & Daughters of Erin
Southwest Florida Sons & Daughters of Erin meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at San Marco Catholic Church Parrish, 851 San Marco Road. Information: Kathleen Reynolds, 239-394-0220.
La Mesa Española
La Mesa Española meets at Stonewalls for coffee and conversation in Spanish on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. All levels from beginner on up are cordially invited. Native speakers willing to share their language with learners are especially welcome. Information: Ted at firstname.lastname@example.com.
The MIMYC starts its winter season of Model RC Laser Sailing: Will sail Sundays from 2 until 4 p.m. at Mackle Park. The MIMYC has been in existence since 2008 and host the Annual Marco Island RC Laser Championships the first weekend of March. Information: 239-642-1825.
Marco Island Paddlers Association
Marco Island Paddlers Association Inc. (MIPA) is a nonprofit association for people interested in Kayak, SUP or Canoe paddling in the broader Marco Island Area. MIPA host group paddles, training sessions, and paddle related meetings and events. Information: email firstname.lastname@example.com visit meetup.com/Marco-Island-Paddling-Association/.
Scuba Marco Dive Club
The scuba Marco Dive Club meets at 7 p.m., the last Thursday of each month at the dive shop, 1141 Bald Eagle Drive. The club shares dive stories, meets new dive buddies and has guest speakers on occasion. Information: 239-389-7889 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Car Guys Breakfast
First Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Sand Bar, 826 E Elkcam Circle, Marco Island. Details call Keith Pershing 239-394-1887.
Marco Island Corvette and Muscle Car Club
Corvette and classic muscle cars gather every Friday at 8 p.m. in the Marco Town Center parking lot in front of Susie's Diner. All Corvettes and muscle cars are welcome. Information: marcoislandcorvettes.com.
Antique Automobile Club of America
The Naples-Marco Island Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America is now meeting at 7 p.m. every third Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Naples, 388 First Avenue South, Naples. Information: 239-642-0147 or naplesmarcoaaca.org.
Marco Cruise Club
The club extends a welcome to fellow boaters with large or smaller boats. Marco Cruise Club was founded in December 1975 and is the one of the oldest boating clubs on the island. General membership meetings are held at 7 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Mutual of Omaha Bank on San Marco and Barfield Drive. Boating enthusiasts are welcome to join. Information: marcocruiseclub.com or Neil Blaauboer at 642-8493.
Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron
Join members of the Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron at the Captain's Meeting (social hour), at CJ's on the Bay, 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. No need to own a boat or be a captain; just have an interest in boating and enjoying the beautiful waters around Marco Island. Introduce yourself to a member wearing a name tag and allow us to welcome you. Information: 239-393-0150, email email@example.com or visit MarcoIslandSailandPowerSquadron.org.
Sailing Association of Marco Island (SAMI) is the club for those people interested in sailing or just meeting others who share a love of sailing. We have day or overnight cruises planned throughout the year, participate in a yearly regatta, meet for dinner or hold potlucks, and have interesting speakers. We welcome new members. Check our website: samisailor.org. Membership contact is Robin Singer 419-376-1387.
Sailing solo singles group
Marco Lutheran Church's singles group meets on the fourth Sunday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. Join for refreshments, discussions, programs, projects and lots of good friendship and fun. Information: 394-0332.
Marco Island Yacht Club
When you cross the Jolley Bridge entering Marco Island, the first thing you'll see to the right of the bridge is the Marco Island Yacht Club (MIYC). Members enjoy a full calendar of social and boating events, plus waterfront dining with the most spectacular views on the Island. We are currently welcoming new members. Check our website marcoislandyachtclub.net or call our membership director at 239-394-0199.
Marco Bay Yacht Club
Marco Bay Yacht Club is the oldest and most active yacht club on Marco Island with numerous cruise and social events a year. The club has boating events for both large and small vessels. There's a club social at CJ's on the Bay at 4:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the month. New potential members are always welcome. Come visit and see if this is the boating club for you. Information: Dianne Kernan at firstname.lastname@example.com or 239 389-0314.
Marco Island Road Runners
The Marco Island Road Runners Club meets every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at Mackle Park. All running levels are welcomed. Find us on Facebook at Marco Island Road Runners or email Scott@ firstname.lastname@example.com.
Kiwanis Club
The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island meets every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and meeting at Stonewalls, 551 S. Collier Blvd. Information: President Dr. Kathleen Reynolds at 239-394-0459.
Toastmasters Club
Meetings are every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. at the Centennial Bank, 645 East Elkcam Circle, Marco Island. Everyone is welcomed. Contact: Chris Pritchard, firstname.lastname@example.com or visit 1126118.toastmastersclubs.org/.
Marco Wine Tasting Group
Club's purpose is tasting wines and meeting new friends. This is not for profit and is noncommercial. If interested, call Carol Martin 239-784-3025 for details.
Sunrise Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise meets 7:30 a.m., every Tuesday at Stonewalls, 551 S. Collier Boulevard. Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. with meeting following. Information: marcoislandsunriserotary.org.
Noontime Rotary Club
The Marco Noontime Rotary Club meets every other Thursday from May through October at DaVinci's Restaurant, 11:30 a.m. for lunch and meeting. Anyone interested in Rotary should contact Gwyn Steiner at 952-484-1058.
Civitan Club
The Marco Island Civitan Club meets the second Tuesday of the month and has social/educational meetings the fourth week, both at 6 p.m. The Naples Civitan Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at noon and has social/educational meetings the third week of the month in the evening. For more Civitan information call 239-774-2623 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Island Knitters
All knitters are welcome, expert to novice, every Wednesday from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. at The Family Church, 1450 Winterberry Drive. Join us to share your stitches and your stories. Free of charge, walk-ins welcome. Parks and Recreation Department, Frank E. Mackle Community Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace Marco Island. Information: 239-642-0575, cityofmarcoisland.com.
Marco Association of Condominiums (MAC)
MAC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Marco Island Historical Society's Rose Hall (across the street from the library). Information: 239-394-3222 or mac-online.org for a listing of topics and speakers at upcoming meetings.
Marco Meetup Group
The group is a social activities club for adult couples and singles. There are no dues or fees. Information: 239-595-4661 or email@example.com.
Marco Island Writers
Marco Island Writers meets from 6 until 8 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for registration and networking on the second Wednesday of every month, year round, at the Marco Center for the Arts at 1010 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island. All skill levels of writers are welcome. First-time visitors are free. Information: Elisabeth Noyes, phone 239-394-5856; email: firstname.lastname@example.com or marcoislandwriters.com.
Great Books Discussion Group
The Great Books Discussion Group meets every the second and fourth Monday of the month from 3-5 p.m. Excerpts from great literature, including short stories are read and discussed. Information: George at 239-970-6644 or 610-710-5861.
Gourmet Stud Muffins
The Gourmet Stud Muffins is a men's social club committed to the cooking and enjoyment of food: the history, preparation and eating. The group hosts regular events at a member's house. Each member hosts at least one event a year. Participants contribute to purchase the food and help with preparation, sharing recipes, learning new cooking skills and ultimately enjoy a meal together. Information: Bruce Novark at email@example.com.
Southwest Florida Ski and Travel Club
Snow skiing in Southwest Florida? Join fellow skiers and snowboarders for updates on our upcoming ski, non-ski trips and social activities. Business meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month; 6:30 p.m. at the Parrot Room at Gulf Coast Inn; 2555 Tamiami Trail N. (Route 41); Naples. Information: naplesskiclub.com or 239-839-3711.
Chess K-12 for all students from K-12. Parents, grandparents or guardians encouraged to attend. The club meets each Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon at Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N. Collier. Chess Marco for all chess players of all ages meets each Monday 9 a.m. to noon at the Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N. Collier. Casual chess players are always ready for a chess game. Information: Wade Keller 389-2525 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Alpha Chi Omega AXO alumni monthly luncheons
The Alpha Chi Omega Alumni Chapter is open to alumnae of Alpha Chi Omega chapters across the country. Call Donna at 239-594-9401 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae
Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Chapter hosts a lunch bunch on the second Monday of each month from May to October at different local restaurants. Information: Pat Morton, 239-213-0474 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Club briefs must be submitted to email@example.com.


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Plumber Johannesburg | Plumber Midrand
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About Johannesburg
Johannesburg ( joh-HAN-iss-burg, US also -HAHN-, Afrikaans: [juəˈɦanəsbœrχ]; Zulu and Xhosa: eGoli [ɛˈɡɔːli]), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Demographia, the Johannesburg-Pretoria urban area (combined because of strong transport links that make commuting feasible) is the 26th-largest in the world, with 14,167,000 inhabitants. It is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, which is the wealthiest province in South Africa. Johannesburg is the seat of the Constitutional Court, the highest court in South Africa. Most of the major South African companies and banks have their head offices in Johannesburg.
Neighborhoods in Johannesburg, Gauteng
Atholl, Auckland Park, Belgravia, Bellevue, Berea, Bezuidenhout Valley, Birdhaven, Birnam, Bramley, City Deep, City and Suburban, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Crown City, Denver
Things to do in Johannesburg, Gauteng
Our Newest Profiles


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Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough burst onto the New York fashion scene as the good-looking fashion duo who famously sold their Parsons senior thesis collection to Barneys New York. Ten years later, the designers have proven to be no novelty act, maintaining their title as fashion's reigning cool kids while establishing a growing business. WWD's executive editor Bridget Foley interviewed Hernandez and McCollough about their decade in fashion and their talent for finding the right partners, both creative and financial.
WWD: You've been in business now 10 years, after a meteoric rise. What's been the single biggest surprise for you along the way?
Lazaro Hernandez: I guess the biggest surprise was maybe the success of the leather goods. That took us by surprise. For the first maybe five years, we were focused exclusively on defining the ready-to-wear, and then we had an idea for a bag. We were like, "A lot of these designer companies have a really successful bag business; let's attempt that. Let's try to take this to another level." We wanted to introduce a very specific bag. Just one idea, and that really hit.
WWD: Talk a little about the PS1. It's very interesting to me that when you were starting out, it was at the height of an "It" bag moment.
Jack McCollough: We didn't want to put a bag out there until we had something to say with bags. As you said, it was at a time when it was very much about an "It" bag, and aesthetically those bags were very much covered in hardware and buckles and logos, and we kind of wanted to do something that was the antithesis of an "It" bag in a way. Something more stripped down and incognito, easy wearing. Something that could stand the test of time and not just be of the moment. And we chose not to show that bag [on the runway]. We wanted to keep it not of a season. When you show a bag it kind of becomes old news the next season, and we wanted to do this classic item.
WWD: Do you think there's a cool classicism to it? That's what made it click?
L.H.: We had just come off that Target thing and that did really well. I remember the Target people saying it was one of the most successful collaborations for them. They were really psyched about it, and that showed us, all the press that we had gotten, that people were really interested in the product. So if we offered something that was more accessible, such as an accessory — one size fits all — hopefully that would stick, and that was directly after the Target thing when we started to develop the bag.
WWD: When you came out of school, you came out to tremendous acclaim. Barneys bought your senior projects. Many of us mark your ascent as the beginning of this next generation. Why you? Was it a combination of timing and talent? Why do you think the moment was right?
J.M.: I think it was very much a mixture of timing and talent. It was at a time when all the different generations of fashion were shifting. The Calvin Kleins and the Donna Karans went from designers to these megaestablished brands. Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs became the establishment and it opened up a gap. People were just ready for some new blood in the game.
L.H.: You were the first person to come to us in our apartment. We were still in school. We had wire hangers. No wire hangers! So it's a question for you, I guess. You were seeking out new talent.
RELATED STORY: Proenza Schouler RTW Spring 2013 >>
WWD: Talk about your creative partnership. I'm always fascinated by designer partners. I think, Lazaro, you once said, "If one of us wants black and one wants white, we do gray." How does that work?
L.H.: It's such an abstract process. No one designer works in a vacuum. Every designer has a team of people they have a dialogue with through the season. We're no different, we're just sort of a public duo. Our collections aren't about equestrian one season and hippie the next season. It's not so basic. It's a six-month process. We try to engage in the world as much as possible and absorb as much information individually. Throughout the season, we bring different ideas to the table that end up merging and becoming one thing. If I was doing it alone, it wouldn't look like Proenza Schouler. If Jack was doing it alone, it wouldn't look like Proenza Schouler. What makes it look like Proenza Schouler is the combination of our two ideas.
J.M.: I think the seasons where we're arguing the most or a little off tend to be the most successful collections. It's more layered. It's not so one-dimensional. It's about the mixture of many different elements that create something that hopefully no one's ever seen before.
L.H.: We work so much together and we're always traveling. We'll be like, "Remember that car we saw in Nepal last year? That pink color? Yeah, that's the color."
WWD: You are the creative partners. You're the front people, but there's another partner. Talk about Shirley Cook's role and this idea of younger designers finding the right business partner to work with.
J.M.: Shirley has been with us since the very beginning. We met Shirley through Kate Fleming, who we went to Parsons with. She was roommates with Shirley, who was going to NYU. She was a religion major. She graduated a year before us and was doing p.r. at Helmut Lang. After we graduated and Barneys bought our senior collection, we had to kind of scramble and get this thing rolling. I think our strengths are our design and, especially back then, in the beginning we had weaknesses. Shirley was a good friend and would come over after work at Helmut and help us organize receipts, or Barneys gives you this big book of all these things you have to follow in order to ship, and we were like, "What the hell is this?" Shirley helped us figure it out, and eventually she left Helmut and joined forces with us. She's our ceo and our right hand. It's so important for a designer to have someone like that on your side.
WWD: The escalation of your business has been incredible over the past few years. Let's talk about the growth of the business. I know Shirley brought on your first backer and now Andrew [Rosen] came on in 2011. Talk about your various backing situations and why you feel Andrew Rosen and John Howard are the right fit.
J.M.: In the beginning Shirley brought on this guy Markus Höfels. He came in on a personal level, and we have a lot of respect for him. We were right out of school and had nothing to show.
L.H.: He was a true angel investor.
J.H.: He helped jump-start the business and get an influx of cash, and then we got to the point where we wanted to take this to the next level, and he just didn't have the means. We started talks with Valentino, which was really instrumental in growing our manufacturing capabilities in Italy, specifically.
WWD: When you started it was Valentino and then it was sold to Permira.
J.M.: Yeah, it was a great relationship, but we got to the point a year or two ago where we were ready for investors who were here and who we could have the day-to-day with. With Permira being over in Italy, there was a bit too much separation. We were also interested in people who were on a completely other side of the business.
L.H.: Permira is a huge private-equity firm. When we signed on with Valentino, it was different ownership, and soon it was sold to this big private-equity firm. We were this fledgling fashion brand, they were like, "Who the hell are you guys? You're in America." There wasn't this intimacy. Like Jack said, they helped us incredibly with Italian luxury manufacturing, which we had a hard time with. We were producing everything in New York at the time. Now 50 percent of our ready-to-wear is produced in Italy and 100 percent of our leather goods. That stemmed from that relationship.
WWD: Andrew Rosen has been in the business so long and knows it so well.
L.H.: That's when we started talking to Andrew and John Howard. Both have been so supportive and understand what we're trying to do. We see Andrew all the time. He comes to see us, and we talk to him about what's working. Now we have a board, which is the weirdest thing for us. We have a boardroom. We're lucky to have Rose Marie Bravo. For those who don't know, she was the ceo of Burberry for many years, and now she's the head of our board.
J.M.: She turned Burberry from an umbrella and trenchcoat business to what it is today.
WWD: Let's go back to fashion. We all know New York Fashion Week is extremely long and has its peaks and valleys. Your show has become one of the absolute editorial highlights, and you have increasingly pushed the editorial quotient, the fashion quotient. You've put to me in the context that now you have pre-collections that allow you to push the runway. Talk about that.
J.M.: Before we didn't have these pre-collections, and we didn't have a commercial collection. We didn't have the funds to develop these huge collections, so what we showed on the runway was what you were able to buy. We had to stay commercial in a way on a show level. We couldn't push it too far so it could be salable. But it was pushed a little too far so it wasn't all entirely commercial. Now as we develop the business, now that we have more funding, we can be more editorial, create the mood and have commercial collections to fuel the business.
RELATED STORY: Proenza Schouler: Grown-Up and Uptown >>
WWD: Psychologically for you as designers, what does it mean for you to have that separation, to have that outlet to do what you do on the runway?
L.H.: It's why we started to do what we're doing. We went to art school, we were art kids. Fashion was a creative outlet, and we approached it as such in the beginning. It was only a couple of years into it we were like, "Oh, this is a business, too." That became very important to us, and the whole pre-collection thing — every designer hates pre-collections. First of all, there's no time. But at the end of the day, it's a blessing in a way. Pre-collections have become a commercial endeavor. It's based on sales. We work closely with merchandising. The shows allow us to dream and let us do what we do we do best. For us fashion is not just a business. It's a dream. It's a fantasy. It's creativity.
WWD: It seems to me that all the brand building, and that idea doesn't get in the forefront enough or get talked about enough. Ultimately, nobody needs any of it, so you have to sell that idea, that it is a dream.
L.H.: People have a lot of what they need already. We're in the business of inspiring people. Someone coming into our store, yeah, they have a million jackets, but this jacket speaks to them. It takes them to a place where they can dream. It's an emotional thing.
WWD: A great deal of the fashion for you is on the surface. You have become virtually obsessed with fabric, and I know you develop all of your runway fabric in-house.
J.M.: In the last couple years we've been obsessed with new fabrics, new textiles, things that don't already exist, that are created from scratch. Especially in a day where things are getting knocked off left and right, it's interesting to us that you can't just buy it off a header. We have a couple of mills in the Como area of Italy, and we work with them on fabrics. We'll say, "We like these yarns, but let's put leather through it and photo-print it." We're obsessed with 2-D texture and innovation. It's how we move these collections forward.
L.H.: At the end of the day, the human body has two arms, two legs and a torso. A lot of the shapes that can be worn have already been created. It's not about three sleeves or three pant legs or anything like that. For us, it's about the surface. That's what the future of fashion is. It's technology. How do we use technology to create new fashion? We found all these mills are upping their technological possibilities tenfold every year. We can create novel texture to create basically simple clothes out of.
J.M.: At the same time, we're really interested in craft and old techniques. Like, last season we got this plasticized leather and sent it over to Madagascar and it was hand-crocheted together.
WWD: There are so many iterations of technology, so many areas of marketing. For your last collection, you referenced the randomness of the Internet. Talk about that.
L.H.: I don't know. We were just getting really into Twitter and Facebook. We got a stat yesterday that we're the number-nine fashion company in the world with Twitter followers, out of all the Burberrys and Versaces out there. We're the only sort of not-big-advertiser.
WWD: Do you do Twitter yourselves?
J.M.: We have someone on staff. We're too busy.
L.H.: I think you have to be in your 20s. We hired someone who's, like, 20 years old to do it. She's very savvy.


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Dixie Bibb Graves (1882-1965) served in the U.S. Senate for five months from 1937 to 1938, a position to which she was appointed by her husband, Gov. Bibb Graves to fill the seat of Hugo Black. Known as "Miss Dixie" by most Alabamians, Graves was an early advocate for women's rights who supported drafting women in times of war, participated in the Alabama suffrage movement, and was the first woman to have represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate. She was a descendent of Alabama's first two governors, William Wyatt Bibb and Thomas Bibb.
Dixie Bibb was born on July 26, 1882, outside Montgomery to Peyton and Isabel Thorpe Bibb on the family plantation. She and her four sisters grew up in the family home on South McDonough Street in Montgomery. In 1900, at the age of 18, she married state legislator and first cousin David Bibb Graves, who was 10 years her senior and would be elected to his first term as governor in 1927.
Early in their marriage, Graves travelled to various political gatherings to hear her husband speak and later served as a guest speaker herself. Graves declared herself "a lifelong Democrat." She was a member of the Alabama Equal Suffrage Association and had lobbied the state legislature in support of the Anthony Amendment to give women the right to vote. In addition, Graves served as president of the League of Women's Voters and the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was a member of the Illiteracy Commission.
Dixie Graves stepped into the national spotlight in August 1937, during her husband's second term as governor of Alabama. Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt had appointed Alabama U.S. senator Hugo L. Black to the Supreme Court that month, setting the stage for an historical event in Alabama, the appointment of a new junior senator. Following Black's departure from the Senate, Governor Graves was empowered to appoint an interim senator until a special election could be held. Graves had numerous possible candidates, most of whom were political supporters from previous elections. But Graves was an astute politician and strategist and made a decision to favor none of the possible candidates over any other. He appointed his wife Dixie, thus solving his difficulties in choosing one ally over another, which could have led to a loss of support for his programs. Also, with the Democrat Graves in the Senate, the president would have a loyal supporter voting for his progressive New Deal legislation. After the appointment was announced, Alabama newspapers and citizens wasted no time in expressing their views. Some were very pleased and thought she would do a better job as senator than her husband was doing as governor. Others denounced the appointment as a political move by the governor to control events not only in the capitol building and the state legislature, but also the U.S. Senate.
During her first week in Washington, Graves proposed a "Peace Bill," which called for drafting both women and men in time of war. Graves's resolution stated that when war exists or is imminent, men, women, money, and materials should be available for unlimited use and service and without profit, but the bill was not approved. That same week, the Senate debated an anti-lynching bill, which southern senators filibustered in opposition, prompting an impassioned speech by Graves. Her response was notable because it was the first time that a woman gave a speech on the floor of the Senate and attracted much attention. Lawmakers returned to their seats and other attendees filled the gallery to listen intently to her words. Stating that she abhorred the practice, Graves nevertheless opposed the bill because it would force states to surrender some measure of their sovereignty, or rights. Newspapers related that at the conclusion of her speech, Senate rules were ignored as she was applauded by senators from both sides of the aisle, who congratulated her on the impressive extemporaneous speech.
In the following weeks, Vice President John Nance Garner asked Graves to chair the Senate, apparently a first for women. During her term, she voted in support of New Deal programs directed at agriculture, crop control, and labor policy. Several months later, in a speech before a group of Washington women, Graves compared running the national government to housekeeping on a larger scale. She noted that with women moving into public affairs, the nation's housekeeping should show improvement, encouraging more women to enter the political arena.
On January 10, 1938, as she resigned her position following the election of Lister Hill to the seat, she made another speech on the Senate floor. She thanked everyone who helped during her term in office, and Senate members responded with glowing comments about her five-month tenure. Graves returned to Alabama and the governor's mansion, where she enjoyed spending time in the gardens and working in and supervising the plantings at the mansion. She reverted back from senator to first lady with the greatest of ease; cutting ribbons at grand openings of pilgrimages and public gardens and speaking at various functions.
Graves's public activities continued beyond her years in the mansion and her husband's death in 1942. She was active in causes that were of interest to both of them, including public welfare, health, and education. During World War II, she recruited for the Women's Army Corp (WACs) and worked for the Red Cross and the United Service Organizations (USO). Her efforts resulted in the designation of one WAC group as the Dixie Bibb Graves Unit. Following World War II, Graves fought to cure polio. She worked for the development of special hospitals for Alabama's children to treat and cure the disease and became a very active member of the State Advisors on Women's Activities of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, an organization later known as the National March of Dimes Association. In 1955, Graves lent her support to a constitutional amendment on education. She was also chair or honorary chair of the Women's Division of the State Democratic Campaign in 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960. At the time of her death on January 21, 1965, at the age of 83, she was a member of the Alabama Historical Association, the American Legion Auxiliary, the No Name Club, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy and a board member of Boys Industrial School and Bob Jones College in Cleveland, Tennessee. Graves was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery and named to the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1972.
Additional Resources
Yelverton, Mildred Griffin. They Also Served: Twenty-Five Remarkable Alabama Women. Dothan, Ala.: Ampersand Publishing, 1993.
Additional Resources
Yelverton, Mildred Griffin. They Also Served: Twenty-Five Remarkable Alabama Women. Dothan, Ala.: Ampersand Publishing, 1993.


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I-15 closes NE of Los Angeles after bridge fire
I-15 northeast of Los Angeles to close for up to 2 days after fire at bridge construction site
HESPERIA, Calif. (AP) -- Interstate 15 in Hesperia is expected to remain closed in both directions for up to two days after a fire was accidentally ignited by a worker at a bridge construction site Monday.
The freeway — Southern California's main connector to Las Vegas — was closed around 1:30 p.m. because of falling debris.
Officials said drivers should stay away from the Cajon Pass, which is just south of the area of Interstate 15 closed by the fire. Traffic was backed up 6 miles to the south and up to 20 miles to the north Monday evening.
The blaze was started when a construction worker's blowtorch accidentally ignited the wooden supports of the Ranchero Road overpass bridge, said San Bernardino County Fire Capt. Josh Wilkins.
Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze in windy conditions, with limited access to water, and high danger that the wooden skeleton of the football-field-sized bridge would collapse.
By Monday night most flames were out aside from some smoldering; firefighters were expected to remain throughout the night, said Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga.
Caltrans crews worked into the evening demolishing remnants of the wooden skeleton of the bridge, which had been under construction since early 2013, Kasinga said.
When the fire erupted, Caltrans contractors were still working on top of the bridge and unaware of the blaze until being evacuated by firefighters because the flames were being pushed away by the wind. One worker suffered smoke inhalation, Wilkins said.
"The Cajon Pass is going to be a nightmare for the next 24 to 48 hours at least," Wilkins said. "So if at all possible, avoid it altogether, because there is just no way they're going to open it any time soon."
Kasinga recommended drivers use alternate routes including interstates 138 and 18.


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90 Degrees Hard Tube Adaptor 16mm to 16mm
Under the label "CoolForce - powered by Nanoxia" we present selected components for demanding water cooling and modding enthusiasts.
We offer you a broad variety of straight and angled connectors and compression fittings for every demand. Using our products makes it very easy to lay out your tubing inside your system as desired. Our fittings are of the highest grade and offer outstanding quality. Sealing rings ensure that the fittings are permanently sealed.
This 90° angled compression fitting is ideally suited to connect two of our CF1 PETG tubes with an outer diameter of 16 mm in a water cooling system. The adapter is a coupling for joining two tubes which are not running on a common straight line. Two rubber rings on both sides seal the connection. In addition, the Hard Tubes (or acrylic tubes with identical dimensions) are secured with screw caps.
|Model: CF 90° Hard Tube Adaptor - 16 mm Ø to 16 mm Ø
|Color: Black
|Material: Brass
|Inner Thread: 16 mm Ø to 16 mm Ø
|Diameter: 20 mm
|Length: 29 mm
|Angle: 90°


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State's 8th-grade 'ambassadors' dedicated to community service
Gov. Deval Patrick honors Project 351
Gov. Deval Patrick honored a group of Massachusetts eighth-graders who thrive on giving back to their community.
"I'll send them home with the charge to continue to be service leaders in their communities and spread the word," said Patrick.
Watch report
About 400 eight-graders from every one of the state's 351 cities and towns were nominated by their schools as leaders in service to their communities.
"They are students who are already demonstrating the values of kindness, compassion, humility, generosity of experience," said Michael Neagle, a fifth-grade teacher at Lowell Public Schools.
On kick-off day they work side by side with the governor in public service at sites including the Pine Street Inn and Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School. But that's just the beginning.
"They go back to the community, and they are expected to continue service and engage others in service," said Neagle.
It's called Project 351 and is now in its fourth year.
Olga Cruz and Riley Panneton were chosen as ambassadors for the Lowell schools.
"It's just an honor to serve and for people to know I care," said Panneton.
"It's a good feeling to know that you are doing something that's worth your time and it's useful," said Cruz.
Their commitment to public service is a constant in their lives. They already raised money to build housing in Cambodia, cleaned up local parks and helped those in need with clothing and other goods.
Throughout the year, the ambassadors will work locally and with their peers across the state, sharing ideas and honing their leadership skills. Educators say given the chance, many young students would serve their community.
"We talk about students as the next generation, but that's not really true. They are the now generation. They are ready to serve. As adults, we need to give them the opportunity to do that and they step up," said Neagle.


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CTFC delays derivatives oversight overseas
- CFTC voted 3-1 to delay effective dates for overseas derivative regulation
- Wall Street banks opposed the new regulation.
- Obama administration favored a delay to allow foreign regulators to finalize their own rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — A policy allowing a U.S. agency to regulate derivatives trading overseas to help reduce risks to the global financial system will be delayed under a vote Friday.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission voted 3-1 to stagger the effective dates for the policy. The delay marks a middle ground between Chairman Gary Gensler, who wanted to extend the CFTC's regulation to overseas markets now, and Wall Street banks, which opposed extending its reach.
The Obama administration favored a delay to allow foreign regulators to finalize their own rules for derivatives oversight.
A derivative is an investment that's based on the value of an underlying asset, such as oil or corn or dollars. Bad bets on risky derivatives, and lax regulation of them, were a leading cause of the 2008 financial crisis.
The CFTC policy applies new rules governing the $700 trillion derivatives market to U.S. banks' foreign affiliates that trade derivatives and to U.S. trading operations of foreign banks.
The agency's new oversight rules were mandated by the 2010 financial overhaul law. One requires banks that trade derivatives to put up money to cover potential losses. Another would require most derivatives to be traded in clearinghouses to make prices more transparent.
Under Friday's vote, the new rules would be phased in overseas starting in September. The CFTC commissioners also agreed to have European regulators monitor derivatives trading in their countries if their oversight rules closely resemble the CFTC's. By March, European banks with trading operations in the United States will have to meet the requirements.
On Thursday, the CFTC and the European Commission announced an agreement to coordinate their derivatives rules.
"What happens in one nation impacts another," Commissioner Bart Chilton said before the vote. "Risk travels around the globe with a click of the mouse."
Proponents of the wider reach for the CFTC say that regulations overseas tend to be weaker and that stricter supervision is needed to reduce the risk to the broader financial system. Banks and other opponents counter that the CFTC's rules will make it harder for U.S. firms to remain competitive in some foreign markets.
Friday was the deadline for the agency to act under the financial overhaul law, which authorized the CFTC to define which overseas derivatives transactions should be subject to oversight.
The CFTC proposed the policy last year, a few weeks after JPMorgan Chase, the biggest U.S. bank, announced that it had lost billions because of high-risk derivatives trades at its London office.
Scott O'Malia, the lone Republican commissioner on the CFTC, dissented in Friday's vote.
The CFTC "is not the global regulatory authority that it may think it is," O'Malia argued.
Derivatives often are used to protect producers or users of commodities against future price fluctuations of an underlying commodity or security. But they also are used by financial firms to make speculative bets, and they have grown increasingly complex and risky.
Gensler and other advocates of the "cross-border" reach have pointed to the $182 billion federal bailout of American International Group Inc. at the height of the financial crisis — the largest for any company. AIG nearly collapsed because of its huge derivatives bets on the housing market. AIG has since repaid the bailout.
JPMorgan's trading loss from the London unit was eventually estimated at more than $6 billion. The bank drew sanctions from U.S. regulators for lapses in its oversight of the London unit.
Five of the biggest U.S. banks — JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc. and Morgan Stanley — account for more than 90% of derivatives contracts. Regulators estimate that nearly half of derivatives are traded outside the United States.
The big banks have lobbied against stricter regulation for derivatives, which are a significant source of the banks' revenue.
In contrast to the CFTC, the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken a looser approach for the smaller proportion of derivatives it regulates. The SEC would allow overseas trades to avoid U.S. regulation if the country in which they occur has rules roughly equivalent to those in the United States.