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OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada intends to become the first country to ban the import and sale of some types of plastic baby bottles because they contain a chemical that the government says could harm infants and toddlers.
Health Minister Tony Clement said on Friday he would bring in rules to outlaw plastic polycarbonate baby bottles, perhaps within the next year. These bottles are made with bisphenol A, which is also used in food and water containers.
Clement said bisphenol A could hinder child development and cited a study which he said showed that overexposure at an early age could cause behavioral and neurological symptoms later in life.
"We have concluded that early development is sensitive to the effects of bisphenol A," he told a news conference.
"Although our science tells us that exposure levels to newborns and infants are below the levels that cause effects, we believe that the current safety margin needs to be higher... It is better to be safe than sorry."
The U.S. government said on Tuesday that bisphenol A could be tied to early puberty, and to prostate and breast cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers the chemical safe in products for use by infants and children.
Canadian scientists also found low levels of the chemical could over time harm fish and other organisms.
Clement said bisphenol A could migrate into food, especially when heated, and he warned parents never to pour boiling water into bottles made with the chemical.
Officials had initially said Ottawa might ban all drink and food containers that contained bisphenol A. But Clement said Ottawa was focusing on products for children.
"Most Canadians need not be concerned ... because in most instances, negative health effects occur at levels much greater that those we are exposed to," he said.
Major Canadian retail chains have already started removing bottles and containers containing bisphenol A, citing public concerns about possible health risks.
U.S. firm Nalgene, a major producer of baby bottles, said on Friday it would phase out the use of bisphenol A, also known as BPA, although it also said the products were safe.
"We continue to believe that Nalgene products containing BPA are safe for their intended use. However, our customers indicated they preferred BPA-free alternatives and we acted in response to those concerns," Steven Silverman, the firm's general manager said in a statement.
Bisphenol A is also used in the lining of infant formula cans, and Clement said Ottawa would work with industry to reduce the use of the chemical.
Rick Smith, executive director of the Environmental Defence group, said Clement's announcement marked the beginning of the end for the chemical.
"This sends a clear message to the plastics industry that it needs to do better," he told Reuters.
The American Chemistry Council -- based in Arlington, VA -- said the proposed ban was not supported by science and noted that Canadian studies showed infants were not exposed to harmful levels of bisphenol A.
Editing by Janet Guttsman
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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Free Shipping Details
Free Shipping Policy excludes LTL Truck Deliveries and just a few oversized products. Click Here for more info
This solar system is designed to interface with a hydronic boiler. The hydronic boiler (Electric or Gas) will act as backup when the solar energy is insufficent to heat domestic water or the heating loop. There are also two tanks - one tank has a double heat exchanger, which take the heat from the solar panels and from the boiler when the tank temperature falls below a certain set point. The Buffer tank is used to store excess solar energy for later use.
Please note: that when using solar for domestic water only - you can achive close to 100% of your domestic needs with the proper amount of panels (Generally 40 to 60 Solar Evacuated Tubes) and storage. However, you will always need a back up for when there is insufficient solar energy. You can use many different heat sources - such as electric storage tank, gas storage tank, tankless water heater or boiler like we've shown below. However, when using solar for space heating - you will proably want to use an efficent gas or electric boiler. Why? Well - solar for space heating may give you up to 30% of your heat so you will have to heat the other 70% with something else. Also, you will generally have at least 120 to 180 Tubes Evacuated Tubes or more for solar heating systems.
All systems are different - so contact one of solar specialist for a detailed system design for you residential or commercial location.
This is only an example. Actual layouts vary from job to job.

subset: commoncrawl


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|Juneja, Vijay
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/4/2006
Publication Date: 8/13/2006
Citation: Munukuru, P., Slade, P.J., Juneja, V.K., Ravishankar, S. 2006. Effects and interactions of temperature, sodium lactate, sodium diacetate and pediocin on the starved cells of listeria monocytogenes. Meeting Abstract.
Interpretive Summary:
Technical Abstract: The effects and interactions of temperature (55-60 degrees C), sodium lactate (SL; 0.0-4.8%), sodium diacetate (SDA; 0.0-0.4%) and pediocin (0.0-10000 AU) on the starved cells of L. monocytogenes inoculated on the surface of the frankfurters were investigated, and a predictive model was developed. Central composite design (CCD) was chosen with five different levels of each parameter and twenty-five combinations were obtained. The organism was starved in Butterfield's phosphate buffer (BPB) at 37 degrees C for 24h. The decimal reduction times were calculated using linear regression. The D-values ranged from 1.41 to 21.77 min. Among the parameters, temperature had the most prominent effect on inactivation of L. monocytogenes. Both SL and SDA showed protective effects at high temperatures by increasing the D-value. SDA inactivated the L. monocytogenes population at lower temperatures by decreasing the D-value from 26.75 to 14.81min. An increase in the D-value (26.75 to 32.96 min) with the increase in pediocin concentration was observed at all temperatures. The interaction of pediocin with SL was significant. With the increase in concentration of pediocin from 0 to 10000 AU, the predicted D-value increased from 14.81 to 20.40 min. Similarly, with the increase in concentration of SL from 0.0 to 4.8%, the predicted D-value increased from 14.81 to 23.77 min. The combined effect of SL and SDA on the predicted D-values was statistically significant (p<0.05). Changes in the protein expression pattern of starved cells of L. monocytogenes inoculated on the surface of frankfurters having different concentrations of SL, SDA, pediocin at different temperatures were analyzed using two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). The synthesis of a number of proteins by starved cells of L. monocytogenes exposed to various temperatures was reduced as compared to the control. The number of repressed proteins (26) and novel proteins (23) was more than the number of amplified proteins (9).


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With labels like Wierd and Captured Tracks trotting out bands like Xeno & Oaklander and The Soft Moon, that early '80s synthpop sound is back in a major way. Which also means the original bands are back in a more-or-less major way too. Even ones you didn't know were back…well, they are! Here's five to prove it.
The Human League – Credo
Late-'70s post punk industrialists turned genuine '80s megastars thanks to hits like "Love Action," "Mirror Man," "The Lebanon" and now karaoke favorite "Don't You Want Me." The Human League actually never broke up and have released albums in the '90s and '00s.
Does it Sound like The Human League: Phil Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley are working within the template the band created for Dare!, right down to the synth sounds and boy-girl vocals.
An eye to the future: Apart from some prominent use of Autotune on a few tracks,
Should it exist? Not bad. lyrically a little dull (or in the case of "Night People," annoying), The Human League still know how to write a catchy tune. But you won't be putting away your copy of Dare! any time soon.
Then: These Are the Things Dreams Are Made Of
Now: Get Together
Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark – History of Modern
One of the great synthpop bands and certainly one of the best live ones.The "classic line-up" that gave us OMD classics like "Enola Gay," "So In Love" and "If You Leave" reformed in 2007. The US just got it's first tour in 25 years.
Does it Sound Like OMD: Yes! "New Babies, New Toys" owes more than a little, melodically, to "If You Leave." Andy McLuskey's voice is still in fine form.
An eye to the future: Classic synths, but modern production and drum sounds.
Any good? You know… pretty good actually. Hard-pressed to call it vital, but History of Modern was definitely not phoned-in. The title track (pt. 1) is especially nice.
Then: So In Love
Now: History of Modern Pt. I
Blancmange – Blanc Burn
Named after either a dessert or a Monty Python sketch, this semi-obscure UK duo was best know for melodramatic single "Living on the Ceiling." Never really did much in the U.S. outside of college radio or KROQ. Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe got back together last year and released Blanc Burn in March.
Does it Sound Like Blancmange: Lead single "The Western" seems written to remind people who remember Blancmange of "Living on the Ceiling" to the point it's almost a re-write.
An eye to the future: Apart from "The Western" you'd never guess this Blancmange. The singing is relatively subdued. It's still synthpop, but this sounds like a modern album without trying too hard.
Any good? Listening to Blanc Burn, you'd be hard-pressed to accuse Arthur and Luscombe of making this for the money. The two are still highly idiosyncratic — with a nice sense of humor — but not trying to pretend it's still 1984 and they're still 25.
Then: Don't Tell Me
Now: Drive Me
John Foxx & the Maths – Interplay
Original singer for Ultravoxx when they were good, before Midge Ure took over and turned them into histrionic bombast. Foxx released some classic synthpop singles as a solo artist in the '80s before hanging up music for graphic design and teaching. He returned to recording in the late '90s and has been prolific ever since
In touch with the past: Made entirely with analogue synthesizers, Interplay album sounds like it was made in 1981.
An eye to the future: Made entirely with analogue synthesizers, Interplay album sounds like it was made in 1981.
Any good? Quite good, actually. It may sound like it was made in 1981, but take that as a big plus. Anyone who's into minimal wave or the Wierd or Captured Tracks labels should give Interplay a spin. If you buy only one record from this list, this is it. Do read on, though.
Then: Underpass
Now: Evergreen
Shriekback – Life in the Loading Bay
Formed by Barry Andrews (XTC), Dave Allen (Gang of Four) and Carl Marsh, Shriekback were a high-concept post punk supergroup, slithery, atmospheric, funky and unlike anything else out there in 1982. Line-up changes were frequent with Andrews the only real constant. Apart from a period in the mid-'90s, Shriekback have existed in one form or another.
Does it Sound Like Shriekback: Barry Andrews is one weird cat, with a distinctive, menacing baritone. Even when it's on an uninspired album, Shriekback always sound like Shriekback. Life in the Loading Bay is no exception.
An eye to the future: Shriekback may sound like Shriekback, but Andrews and Marsh are no slaves to the past. But maybe because they've always been ahead of their time.
Any good? There may not be any of the manic funk the band were known for on classic singles "My Spine is the Bassline" or "Nemesis," it's seeped with that off-kilter atmosphere Shriekback are known for. Andrews seems genuinely inspired here, making for one of Shriekback's best-ever albums.
Then: Lined Up
Now: Another Day Above Ground


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Insights on publishing, postal issues, paper, and printing from a U.S. magazine industry insider.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The Hidden Benefit of Postal Service Retirement
Answer: When a U.S. Postal Service employee compares the retirement annuity the USPS says he will receive to the payments he will actually get. Ignorance of the additional payments has hindered employees from accepting early-retirement incentives that are so crucial to the Postal Service's cost-cutting efforts.
Consider the case of "Joan", an APWU member who is eligible for Voluntary Early Retirement (VERA) and a $15,000 incentive to quit as part of a major USPS downsizing effort. In early October, as part of the incentive program, USPS sent her a notice that her retirement annuity would be $16,638 annually.
After factoring in her other potential income sources, Joan at first decided she couldn't afford to quit her $53,000-per-year job. But fortunately, she dug a little further and talked to experts in the arcane world of USPS retirement benefits.
An additional $13,000
That's how Joan learned that if she took the VER she would be eligible for an additional "FERS annuity supplement" of $13,020 annually when she turns 56 in a few years, says Don Cheney, who for years has been helping fellow APWU members understand their various retirement benefits.
"With this new information, she is taking the VER," Cheney says.
The FERS annuity supplement is "a quasi-Social Security payment prior to the start of the actual Social Security benefit at age 62," writes Robert Benson, who runs the FedBens web site that calculates FERS annuity supplements and other federal benefits. (USPS has declined to license the software.)
Contrary to USPS strategy
Although thinning its ranks is one of the Postal Service's major strategic thrusts, USPS does not tell employees how much their FERS annuity supplements will be until after they make an irrevocable commitment to retire.
"Who in their right mind would sign a Statement of [Retirement] Irrevocability before getting all the facts needed for a decision to retire?" Cheney asks. The failure to provide such information, says Cheney, is dampening response to the current early-out program aimed at approximately 115,000 clerks, mechanics, and other APWU-represented employees. If successful, the buyout program could save USPS more than $1 billion annually, as explained in New Poll: How Many Postal Workers Will Take the USPS/APWU Buyout Incentive?
APWU members who were hired before 1984 "are leaving in droves," says Cheney. As participants in the CSRS retirement program, "they get accurate annuity estimates." "FERS postal employees were hired after January 1, 1984 and are hesitant to leave. They get incomplete annuity estimates that omit the monthly FERS annuity supplement."
"The FERS annuity supplement typically ranges from $700 to $1,000 per month from age 56 to 62," Cheney says. "It dwarfs the measly $15,000 incentive the Postal Service offers. Employees want to know: Are they eligible for it? When will they start getting it? How much is it?"
Afraid to retire
"I'm always surprised at the incredible misconceptions that our employees have about their retirement plan," writes Roseanne Jefferson, a retired USPS benefits manager who pens the Postal Retirement column for PostalMag.com. "Particularly in the last years of their employment, they are so sure of their retirement benefits, and are so surely wrong. It has always amazed me how our organization is OK with the understanding that employees are afraid to retire, because they don't trust the HRSSC to get their retirement correct."
Jefferson wrote recently that she is being deluged with emails from APWU-represented employees workers who are considering the buyout. Many are confused about their benefits.
This message exemplifies the confusion, "Roseanne, I am leaving with the early out, I am a FERS employee and I am 58 and have 25 years. I don't know if I can afford to retire, my annuity is only going to be $1400 per month, I have to wait until I am 62 to collect my social security, and then I still have to wait until I am 59 and a half to begin my TSP [Thrift Savings Plan payout]."
Wrong on all counts, Jefferson replied. Immediately upon retirement, this particular employee is also eligible for a FERS supplement of about $800 per month and TSP payments of $397 per month, Jefferson wrote.
Unlike most federal agencies, the Postal Service does not offer individual counseling to employees who are considering retirement, even when it is using incentives to encourage them to retire. What it's offering retirement-eligible APWU members, says Cheney, is "a group phone seminar with ten people plus their spouses that covers general questions only, not the specific ones that people have."
Related articles:
27 comments:
Please clear up a misconception I have about the FERS annuity supplement. Can you actually rcv this with less than 30 yrs of service but have reached your FERS MRA? Is there a penalty to the supplement amt. if you have less than 30 yrs of service? Thank you.
- November 25, 2012 at 2:58 AM
No penalty..you don't need 30 years just your MRA and if you're not at MRA you'll get supplement when you reach MRA
- November 25, 2012 at 3:39 AM
Do you think there will ever be a buyout for Rural carriers
- November 25, 2012 at 4:26 AM
I don't believe anon is correct. I retired this year at 60 yrs of age with 17.5 yrs of service and do not receive any supplement.
- November 25, 2012 at 4:39 AM
- D. Eadward Tree said...
Regarding the question about a buyout for rural carriers: The prospects don't look good. With the number of delivery points increasing, it doesn't make sense for the Postal Service to induce a lot of carriers to leave -- unless maybe they can be replaced with employees with much lower pay and benefits.
- November 25, 2012 at 5:02 AM
You retired with 17.5 years without the VER. A VER is what makes the difference. If you retire with the minimum retirement age without the 30years with NO early retiremenet incentive then there is no supplement. Same rule applies in reverse if you have Minimum retirement age and no 30 years but fall under a VER then you receive the supplement at MRA.
- November 25, 2012 at 5:24 AM
You get a supplement, earlier than you would if there was a VERA. I think if and when we go to five day delivery, then the carriers will get their buyout. Let the top people who make the most go, and move the bottoms ones up, and then higher TE workers
- November 25, 2012 at 6:04 AM
Go to http://www.opm.gov/retire/pubs/handbook/C051.pdf for more info on eligibility and how to calculate the FERS supplement.
- November 25, 2012 at 7:04 AM
shell game, now you see now you don't
looks like you get the supplement until you reach the age 62, Than what? you will be stuck at same benefits you get at 62 for the rest of you life, If you work until full retirement you get full benefits,
plus addition years added to your postal retirement, plus extra money you can pay into your tsp. Not to mention the your paycheck more take home money.
than your retirement package.
If you can stay, it may be worth it.
- November 25, 2012 at 7:07 AM
- D. Eadward Tree said...
Regarding the "shell game" comment: At 62 you become eligible for Social Security. The supplemental FERS annuity is meant to tide you over until then.
- November 25, 2012 at 7:16 AM
You still need 20 yrs MINIMUM for the supplement.
- November 25, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I work for usps as an rca been there about a year alot of people in front of me they say it takes 6 to 7 years to get full time is it worth staying with all this going on thanks
- November 25, 2012 at 10:38 PM
I would like to know why they never include any disabled workers under the age of 62 in their VER buyouts. I think many would go if they were included. They of course would have to haveva minimum age or time in service requirement also, but still be allowed to retire under te VER rules.
- November 26, 2012 at 3:56 AM
Also, be aware that your FERS supplement IS taxable.
- November 26, 2012 at 5:09 AM
retired as a rural carrier 8/31/12, to this date have not recieved my ben. I am not sorry about that, but the amount was way less than I thought. 12 yrs as a sub, no bu back on sub time, thank someone I do have SS, we all can't retire millionaires,all thro it looks like we all want to. I've found you can do a good life on whatever you get. Grow up we're not on Wall Street. Enjoy your kids and your grand kids and go on.
- November 26, 2012 at 5:19 PM
I am trying to go out on a disability. My 2 doctors have written reports and my lawyer has sent them in for a disability retirement. I am 53 and I have 27 years in. Can I still receive the FERS annuity supplement when I turn 56 if I receive the disability retirement?
- November 26, 2012 at 6:52 PM
In 2005 turned down first of eligible VERAS,because I was not close to MRA, now at MRA and with close to 30 years, goodbye!
How is it that employees do not know eligibility for pensions, supplement Just go to OPM.gov, all you want to know,my supplement will be around 1130.00 monthly along with a 1500 FERS monthly (minus medical, Ins. etc.)try postal websires, postalmag, postal reporter...
- November 28, 2012 at 5:54 AM
after separating from the po under fers before 591/2 yrs of age would i be able to withdraw some money from my tsp without penalty?
- December 6, 2012 at 11:37 AM
- Retirement Annuity said...
Yeah mate am agree with you be aware people when FERS supplement is taxable.
- March 7, 2013 at 6:41 AM
You should all know that if you retire at age 62 or later your years of service are multiplied by 10 percent. I will retire with 29 years and a few months as a rural carrier (in a year and a half) so will have my high three multiplied by 32 percent rather than 29 percent.
- January 8, 2016 at 5:10 PM
- Unknown said...
I am 62 years old.I will be 63 next month. I have been working for the Postal Service for 28 years this month. I am a FERS employee. Should I stick it out until 30 years? Would this supplement even apply to me? I am eager to retire, but don't want to if I am screwing myself out of some kind of benefit that I would lose unless I stay for a couple of more years.
- February 13, 2016 at 2:05 PM
- Unknown said...
No, the supplement stops at 62, so you already don't qualify.
- February 15, 2016 at 6:12 AM
I worked 12 years as rural carrier,then quit for another job,I am 63 now.Do I have any retirement coming for those 12 years! I do have the the 401 though and I rolled it into a Ira!?
- March 10, 2016 at 1:26 PM
- William Perkins said...
But I still have K KK as part of my login that doesn't seem to bother them.
- September 3, 2016 at 10:43 AM
- richone said...
I'm considering retiring from the po after 27 yrs of service can my ex spouse receive benefits awarded by the court now if I don't retire for another 3 years?
- December 20, 2016 at 11:12 AM
I am a CSRS postal employee (35 years) turning 65 March 2018 with FEHP. I also have enough credits for SSA and medicare. I am confused about medicare. I understand it's a choice but, would I benefit from medicare and FEHP?
- January 19, 2018 at 11:23 AM
- Unknown said...
I work as dispatch clerk I have been with usps for 25 years I'm 58 years old can I retire? If yes how ?
- May 17, 2020 at 2:21 AM


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Today's News: Our Take - Mega Buzz: True Blood Death, Criminal Minds Returns and The Killing's New Case
Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to email@example.com or tweet them to @adam_bryant or @NatalieAbrams.
I can't wait forTrue Bloodto return! Please tell me you have some scoop! - Andre
NATALIE: To sum up the show's return: Blood. Death. Blood. Repeat. (But that second death won't stick.) More specifically, remember last season when Sookie and Jason discovered that someone named Warlow killed their parents? Well, suffice it to say that finding and destroying him will be at the narrative fore (particularly because of this casting). What will surprise you, though, is Warlow's connection to Bill's occupation of/transformation into/death by Lillith. Nora is going to have to brush up on her vampire Bible, tout suite.
If Criminal Minds won't "repeat The Replicator" story line in Season 9, what are they going to do? - Emily
ADAM: You might see some blasts from the past! Besides smaller arcs - á la The Reaper - showrunner Erica Messer wants to bring back a few old faces and maybe close some open cases. "I'd like to see old unsubs, like we did in [Season 5's] 'Outfoxed,' but do it differently," she says. "That might be a world we'll explore this year - people we've hunted in the past. We also have a few unsubs still at large. ... Maybe we'll finally catch them too."
What can you tell me about the new season of The Killing? - Janet
ADAM: Well, there's this girl named Rosie Larsen... kidding! The new season, which takes place a year later, finds Holder investigating the death of a prostitute whose killer took her rings and broke her finger - details eerily similar to one of now-retired Linden's old cases. Although she tries to ignore the connection at first, it isn't long before Linden is back in action (she fires her weapon in the very first episode!) and questioning Ray Seward (Peter Sarsgaard), the man now 30 days from being executed for the murder of his wife. Although he surprisingly maintains he is guilty of the crime, the grisly final shot of the premiere suggests that the real killer has been far more active than Ray's prison sentence would allow.
Only two episodes of Game of Thrones left this season! Give me some scoop or I'm going to weep manly tears into my ale! - Jorge
NATALIE: Get ready to make love and war with a new colorful yet charismatic warrior, as the producers are looking to cast Oberyn in Season 4. This highly skilled and cultured man with a vendetta will run afoul of at least one of the Lannisters, while cultivating another to his side. But will his bloodlust overshadow his lust for a string of diverse lovers? Let's just hope he doesn't peak too soon!
What's Jane's history with the new guy on Rizzoli & Isles? - Rebecca
ADAM: You won't have to wait very long to find out. All will be explained via flashback in the new season's second episode, when Lt. Det. Rafael Martinez (Amaury Nolasco), the new head of the Boston PD drug unit, arrives. The case-of-the-week involves the drowning of Martinez's confidential informant. The ordeal brings back painful memories of a case Jane was involved in nearly a decade earlier. Let's just say she clearly understands what Martinez is going through.
How does Wonderland fit into the world of Once Upon a Time? - Betty
NATALIE: Let us take a look back to what executive producer Edward Kitsis told reporters before the show was picked up to series: "Wonderland takes place post-curse, so the pilot actually starts when magic comes and the Wraith happens." Note the Wraith, because that's very important to where the spin-off actually picks up, with fans seeing a different character's point of view that won't make you angry. Also look for the spin-off to feature other lands in a mash-up style similar to Once that may make you question who a past character really was.
I'm loving Hannibal. Got any teases about what's coming? - Kyle
ADAM: Will's increasingly erratic behavior will hit its breaking point on Thursday's episode, when even his teammates begin to question him. But it's not just the murders Jack Crawford is asking Will to investigate that are getting to the gumshoe. "There's a culmination of Hannibal's manipulations," executive producer Bryan Fuller says. "He's taking advantage of [Will] to drive him over the edge." Of course, Hannibal remains convinced he's "helping" Will. "[For Hannibal,] it's a form of therapy to free [Will] from his neuroses and his personality disorders - to break him down and reshape him, perhaps in something closer to his own image," Fuller teases. "Hannibal's radical therapy on one level works very well, and Hannibal gets what he wanted."
How is Agent Coulson alive in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? - Matt
NATALIE: "He's a Skrull," Clark Gregg jokes. (Don't worry, he's not really a Skrull!) But Gregg promises the reveal will be realistic and won't undermine the integrity of The Avengers. In my very humble comic-book-nerd opinion, I would put money on Coulson being a Life Model Decoy. (#CoulsonLivesLMD. Tweet it now before everyone does come September.)
Got any more information about Nadine Velazquez's character on Major Crimes? - Alex
ADAM: Don't be fooled by the former My Name Is Earl star's first scene as Emma Rios, the new deputy D.A. assigned to prosecute the Philip Stroh case. Although she almost faints at the sight (and smell) of a dead body in the morgue, she's no shrinking violet. In fact, when Emma learns that her case might be threatened because Rusty, her best witness against Stroh, is living under Capt. Raydor's roof, Emma and Raydor have quite the verbal showdown about removing Rusty from the home. We won't spoil who wins the first battle, but you should count on a season-long war.
Do you have any scoop on the Chicago Fire spin-off? - Adrian
NATALIE: Even though Peter Mills picked up an application for the police department in the season finale, that does not mean Charlie Barnett is heading to Chicago PD. A source says that while it's obviously a possibility, nothing has been set in stone yet. Would you rather see young Peter Mills on Fire or PD? Hit the comments!
What's next on White Collar after Peter's arrest? - Maria
ADAM: Surprisingly,It doesn't take long for Peter to get back into the FBI's good graces, and once he does, he looks into starting a new joint task force with the NYPD for large-scale busts. In the meantime, Peter and Neal will fall into their old routine quickly. In fact, before you know it, Neal will be posing as a butler for an affluent family Elizabeth knew way back when so that he can investigate the rebellious eldest son. Call me crazy, but I'm not so sure that Neal will be very good at taking orders.
Do you know if Thea or Roy will become Speedy on Arrow? - Zach
NATALIE: Even though DC Comics fans have always suspected that Roy would go on to become Oliver's sidekick Speedy, the Season 1 finale seemed to indicate that he might skip over that and go on to become Red Arrow or Arsenal. (He is always wearing that red hoodie!) "One of the fun elements is what I call the comic book destinies for each of the characters and seeing how much they'll follow those destinies and how much they'll deviate," executive producer Marc Guggenheim says of Roy's future. "As we've probably shown a couple times in Season 1, we like to be unpredictable."
Adam's Mega Rave: I may be a hypocrite, but Don's hookup with ex-wife Betty is one Mad Men affair I can get behind. Plus: Looks like it's time to retire this.
Natalie's Mini Rant: In an otherwise superb SVU finale, it seemed totally insane to let Benson go home without protective detail after serial rapist William (Pablo Schreiber) was released on bail.
Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail Adam and Natalie at firstname.lastname@example.com or drop us a line at Twitter.com/TVGuide
(Additional reporting by Joyce Eng, Sadie Gennis, Hanh Nguyen and Kate Stanhope)
View original Mega Buzz: True Blood Death, Criminal Minds Returns and The Killing's New Case at TVGuide.com
Other Links From TVGuide.com
- Charlie Barnett
- Clark Gregg
- Peter Sarsgaard
- Criminal Minds
- My Name Is Earl
- Amaury Nolasco
- Nadine Velazquez
- Edward Kitsis
- Bryan Fuller
- True Blood
- Rizzoli & Isles
- Game of Thrones
- The Killing
- Once Upon a Time
- Major Crimes
- Chicago Fire
- Hannibal
- Erica Messer
- Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Chicago PD
- Once Upon a Time in Wonderland


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+ Tap or click image to enlarge
(Set of 10) 2" Wheel Lift Strap w/ Flat Snap Hook & Cordura Sleeve 8'
2" Strap w/ Flat Snap Hook & Cordura Sleeve 8'
$136.08 $185.11 You Save $49.03 InStockSKU: 38-3D-x10
Set of 10 Straps
This 8′ wheel lift strap comes with a flat snap hook and cordura sleeve. Commonly used on Dynamic® Tow Trucks.
Working Load Limit: 2,000 Lbs.
B/A Products Co. warrants that its products shall be free from defects in quality for a period of ninety (90) days from date of shipment. B/A Products Co. sole liability and customer rem- edy is limited to the replacement of any products determined by B/A Products Co. to be defective in quality; providing that claims for any defects are made within the warranty period. More Information Visit BA Products


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Why you shouldn't rake leaves this year
If you had driven past my house in recent days, you might have thought you were watching a movie in reverse. There I was, opening trash bags, dumping out leaves and spreading them over the ground.
These were bags left curbside for me by neighbors near and far.
It does seem crazy, doesn't it, gathering up all these bags and dumping out all those leaves? But dried, dead leaves contain stored energy, the sun's energy. Put them on or in the soil, as I have been doing, and they release their energy to support the growth and activity of fungi, earthworms and other soil organisms. Mostly, these are friendly creatures, and nurturing them allows them to thwart unfriendly organisms, such as those causing some plant diseases.
Besides disease prevention, when leaves are gobbled up by soil organisms, the nutrients in them are being released. Think of all those minerals taken in by a tree's wide, spreading and deep roots. Just falling to the ground all around you, leaves are, pound for pound, about as rich in minerals as is manure.
Of course, spreading leaves over the ground or just leaving them there in the first place is not an option for every site.
I have spread leaves over a hayfield in which I've planted chestnut trees. In coming years, these trees will shade out the grass; I'm just helping the ground become the leaf-blanketed forest floor that it will eventually turn into.
Beneath a row of dwarf apple trees, a leafy mulch keeps weeds from growing and stealing nutrients and water from my small trees.
And no need to rake up all the leaves from even a manicured lawn: A mulching mower can grind them up to let enough grass peek through to thrive.
If leaves form such a thick blanket that raking is necessary, don't bag them until you've spread all you can under your shrubs and trees, and over your flower beds. Save yourself effort and do something for the plants: At the very least, leave leaves where they drop.
Still drowning in leaves? Hold off a bit longer before you pack them into trash bags. Consider packing the leaves into a dense pile for composting. Leaves make excellent, weed-free compost if you let them sit long enough.
In a rush? Then mix in some manure, sprinklings of soybean meal or other materials rich in nitrogen.
By next year at this time, most of the leaves you spread around or piled up this year will have either settled or evanesced into thin air, becoming mostly carbon dioxide and water. A significant but small portion will endure in the soil, having been transformed to humus. This humus provides long-term benefit to the soil, aerating sticky clays and helping sands sponge up and hold onto water for plant use.
Roses, rhododendrons, lawns — almost all plants, in fact — appreciate any leaves left or applied around their "feet."
Of course, if everyone follows my advice, I'll no longer be importing neighbors' leaves.


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Seems Jason Calacanis has woken up to the fact that podcasting is big. He even got a sponsorship deal from my friends at GoDaddy. You do know Jason who brought GoDaddy into the podcast advertising space don't you? Pleasure to have been of service in a round about way.
Jason has caught the bugg and will be doing a series of Podcast and I look forward to listening to them. In a Keynote he gave at the Blog Business Summit he talked about podcasting, blogging and integrity.
His points struck home because the community has worked very hard to bring a level of integrity to blogging and podcasting.
But there is one thing that I think does not work in podcasting that works in blogging. Podcasters have worked hard to build relationships and prove the model with advertisers, Podcasters have to believe in the product they are pitching, after all our audiences are part of our extended family, and you would never recommend something to a family member that you could not stand behind.
So his policy of separating the Weblog Inc bloggers from advertisers will not work in podcasting. Without the relationship, and without the podcaster being able to get behind a product the audience will be able to tell in an instant. This is one challenge that Google may have if they enter the space. But one thing for sure finding the write vendors is very hard work. But it will be nice to have another advocate out their that understands and can convey the power of the medium. [Pro PR]


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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Male artists led the nominations announced on Wednesday for the 2013 Grammys, as fun., Frank Ocean, Mumford & Sons, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys landed six nods each for music's biggest awards.
The nominations for New York-based indie-pop band fun. - made up of Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff - included the four main categories for record, song and album of the year, and best new artist.
fun., which also performed at the Grammy nominations concert with Janelle Monae, said it felt good to be recognized and "took pride" in its live performances.
"Tonight, all I wanted to do was get up and really give it our all ... receiving the nomination is amazing and a culmination of hard work the three of us have put into this band," lead singer Ruess told reporters backstage.
The group scored a huge hit with its first single, "We Are Young," and then followed that up with its successful album "Some Nights" and single of the same name.
Joining it in the album, record of the year and best new artist categories was hip hop artist Ocean.
The 25-year-old rapper-singer made waves earlier this year after revealing his first love was a man, a groundbreaking move in the hip hop industry, which has faced criticism in the past for being hostile toward gays.
His debut album, "Channel Orange" was a critical and commercial success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart in July.
Ocean and fun. will be competing with blues-rock group Alabama Shakes, country singer Hunter Hayes and folk-rockers The Lumineers for the coveted best new artist title.
While young male artists made up a large portion of nominees in key categories, noticeably absent was 18-year-old Canadian singer Justin Bieber, one of 2012's biggest pop music stars with chart-topping album "Believe" and singles such as "Boyfriend."
The winners will be announced at the televised awards show in Los Angeles on February 10.
After British singer Adele dominated the previous Grammy Awards with her juggernaut album "21," male artists took the lead in the album of the year category, where Ocean and fun. are competing with The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons and Jack White.
British folk band Mumford & Sons, which scored six nominations both in 2011 and 2012 for its debut album, "Sigh No More," landed six more nominations on Wednesday for its chart-topping sophomore album, "Babel," which is the second biggest-selling album in the United States this year.
Ohio rock duo The Black Keys, formed by frontman Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, landed five nominations, while Auerbach also notched a non-classical producer of the year nomination for his work on four albums.
Blues-rocker Jack White, the former frontman of The White Stripes, picked up three nods for his chart-topping debut solo album "Blunderbuss."
Rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West continued to pick up nods for their 2011 album, "Watch The Throne," including best rap performance for "N****s in Paris." Jay-Z also landed nods for collaborating on songs with Young Jeezy and Rihanna, while West scored multiple nominations for his song "Mercy."
Kelly Clarkson was one of the few leading female nominees, picking up three nominations, including record of the year and best pop vocal album.
R&B singer Rihanna also landed three nods, including best solo pop performance for "Where Have You Been."
Record of the year nominees saw an assortment of rock, pop and hip hop nominees, with Clarkson's "Stronger" competing with The Black Keys' "Lonely Boy," fun.'s "We Are Young," Australian artist Gotye's heartbreak hit "Somebody That I Used To Know," Ocean's "Thinkin Bout You," and Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
To be eligible for nominations this year, artists had to release their music between October 1, 2011, and September 30, 2012.
Adele, who swept the awards in February with six accolades including the top three, landed only one nomination this year for best pop solo performance, as she did not release any music in the eligibility time frame.
The nominations for the top awards and main categories were announced during an hour-long televised concert in Nashville for the first time, co-hosted by country-pop artist Swift and veteran Grammy host, rapper-actor LL Cool J.
Adding a twist to the announcements, Hayes sang the nominees for best pop album, a tight contest between Maroon 5, Clarkson, Pink, fun. and Florence and the Machine. Hayes picked up two nods for best new artist and best country vocal performance.
British rock legends The Who will receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February.
(Writing by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Peter Cooney and Lisa Shumaker)


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Brown Signs California High-Speed Rail Bill Amid Challenges
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Gov. Jerry Brown gave his approval Wednesday to spending billions of dollars in government money for a high-speed rail line that still faces major funding, environmental and political challenges before it could connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Brown was at historic Union Station in Los Angeles to celebrate the project and sign a bill authorizing California to begin selling $2.6 billion in bonds for construction of the initial 130-mile segment of the bullet train in the Central Valley. The move allows the state to tap $3.2 billion in federal funds for the project.
However, most of the money for the $68 billion project linking the two major cities has yet to be identified.
California voters approved $10 billion in bonds for the project in 2008, and the state's business plan calls for some backing from private investors and for a private operator to run the system without a state subsidy.
Supporters say it's rarely known upfront where all the money for such massive transit projects will come from.
The Democratic governor signed the bill, SB1029, at a carefully staged event where cheering politicians and unionized construction workers provided a striking contrast with the political fight earlier this month in the state Senate, where the plan narrowly survived.
The first segment of the line will be financed by taxpayers, and Brown said there was strong interest from private companies in financing the rest of the project. He didn't provide any specifics on possible investment or name any of those firms.
"Private investment will come in the second phase," he said. "Private investment has worked in Europe, and it will work in this project."
The business plan by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which is overseeing the project, relies on the private sector to "design, build, operate, and maintain a high-speed rail system that is funded by a combination of government investments and future revenues that support the investments of capital from the private sector."
Officials at the authority were unable to identify any future investors and instead released a written statement from Chief Executive Jeff Morales.
"We are continuing to receive strong interest among private investors," it said. "Once the (initial segment) is completed we will bring on board a private operator and will have private investment and expansion of the system. We are continually sounding the market to determine if there are options that could bring in investment opportunities sooner."
Republicans promise to block future public funding for the line, and the project could take years to clear environmental reviews.
Farmers whose land lies in the path of the massive infrastructure project are among the most vocal critics, and farm bureaus in Madera and Merced counties have sued to stop it.
As in the past, Brown on Wednesday dismissed suggestions that the train was too costly or would become a drain on taxpayer dollars while California is slashing programs and facing budget shortfalls linked to the weak economy and soaring public pension and health care costs.
"I've been around long enough to know the difference between the skeptics, the fraidy-cats and the builders," he said. "And we will create jobs, not by hiding out, not by saying no, but by saying yes to the future."
Some business leaders back the project, such as the Bay Area Council, a coalition of Bay Area business officials. President Jim Wunderman credited Brown with turning around a mismanaged project.
"After the project's tumultuous start, the governor's speeches, appointments to lead the project, his focused attention on the details, and steely spine in the face of opposition, will pay big dividends for California for decades to come," he said.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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For many years, technologists, venture capitalists, journalists, and large companies have pined for the era when the mobile phone would become our wallet.
And yet, already five years into the smartphone era, mobile payments are not mainstream.
In recent coverage, BI Intelligence lays out the main kinds of mobile payment solutions that currently matter, sizes the market, analyzes global adoptipon trends and discusses the key problems that any mobile payment solution must solve to break into the mainstream. It also maps out potential winners and losers in the mobile payments race.
Access the Full Report By Signing Up For A Free Trial Today >>>
Here are the four kinds of mobile payment solutions that currently matter:
- Carrier billing: Where the consumer pays by text message and the charge is added to their phone bill. This is great for a variety of specific use cases (reaching the unbanked, especially teenagers; ecommerce and gaming), but is crimped by carrier fees and control.
- Near-Field Communications (NFC): Where the consumer can pay at the point of sale by waving his phone in front of a terminal. NFC has been overhyped: it's not more convenient than cash or credit, and the many companies who want a piece of NFC are canceling each other's efforts out.
- Apps: Where the consumer uses an app on his smartphone to pay, typically by scanning a barcode at the register. This is especially useful for specific companies and retailers to offer, as it allows them to offer loyalty rewards and discounts on top of payments.
- Card readers: Pioneered by startup Square, with recent entries from eBay (PayPal), Intuit, and Verifone, these solutions allow merchants to take payments by plugging a card reader into a smartphone or tablet. They're very convenient (swiping a credit card is already ingrained consumer behavior) and piggyback on the existing credit card network. Card reader companies can offer value-added services on top of the payments experience to spur adoption by merchants and consumers.
In full, the special report:
- Outlines the two overriding strategic issues in the market.
- Analyzes the four kind of solutions that currently matter -- card readers and apps, carrier billing, and near-field communications -- and their prospects for success.
- Show why it's too early to size the market (but why it will be big).
- Map out the winners and losers.
For full access to the report on Mobile Payments sign up for a free trial subscription today.


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The Novell® GroupWise® 7 Async Gateway connects GroupWise domains and users by way of modems and phone lines.
When you connect GroupWise domains using the Async Gateway, the domains can be part of your local GroupWise system, or you can use the Async Gateway to connect domains in separate GroupWise systems so that the GroupWise systems are connected using the Async Gateway. The Async Gateway can be installed in a primary domain or a secondary domain. The Async Gateway enables the MTAs for the domains to communicate with each other over phone lines.
The following diagram illustrates that the Async Gateway must be installed in both domains that it links together.
When you connect GroupWise users to your GroupWise system using the Async Gateway, they must run the GroupWise Windows* client in Remote mode, as described in:
The Async Gateway enables the Windows* client to access users' GroupWise mailboxes over phone lines. This can be convenient for users who want to access their GroupWise mailboxes from a hotel room or from home.
If your GroupWise system is large or supports a heavy message load, you might need more than one Async Gateway. You can install additional Async Gateways in the same domain or in different domains, as needed.


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Evergreen Welcomes New Vice President for Student Affairs
(Olympia, WA) Successfully concluding a search process that drew applicants from across the nation, The Evergreen State College recently named Wendy Endress, Ph.D., as its new vice president for student affairs.
Endress has more than 20 years of experience in student affairs at both public and private institutions. At Evergreen since 2007, Endress served as the executive associate to the vice president for student affairs as well as interim director of recreation and athletics. Prior to Evergreen, Endress was at Portland State University as dean of students and associate vice provost for student affairs. She holds a doctorate in college student personnel from the University of Maryland, as well as a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Union College.
"Wendy brings a deep commitment to student access and success in higher education as well as depth and breadth in leading student affairs," said Evergreen President Thomas L. "Les" Purce.
Endress succeeds Art Costantino, who held the position from 1992 until his retirement this summer. The vice president for student affairs, one of four vice president positions at Evergreen, oversees enrollment, student and academic support services, residential and dining services, recreation and athletics, and police services.
The Evergreen State College is a nationally acclaimed public liberal arts and sciences college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary, student-centered approach to academics.


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SKY Mining Machinery
From 1987 till now, SKY Mining Machinery has always been committed to manufacturing mining crushing equipment, sand-making equipment and industrial grinding equipment for the past three decades, which provide high-grade sand material solutions and high-end equipment for highways, railways, water & electricity and other large-scale projects.
Just as careful and elaborate cutting and grinding, SKY Mining Machinery has now become a high-tech enterprise integrating research, production, sales and services after years of steady development, shining brilliantly in the international market as an iconic enterprise among China's mining machinery industry.About Us
K series wheel mobile crushing plant
K series wheel mobile crushing plant is a new type of equipment developed on the basis of years of independent research and development and manufacturing experience of wheel mobile crushing plant, and in combination with the latest user demands. It is optimized and innovated in the aspects of structural design, equipment configuration and combined application, so as to realize more flexible combinations, greatly widen the application fields of wheel mobile crushing plant, and truly realize the approaching treatment of materials.Know More
Respect Industrial Value
Established in 1987, SKY has had 30 years of experience in mining machine industry.
The area of 6 domestic first-class digital mining machine production bases and 1 biggest mining machine manufacturing factory.
Only can Lingang production base bring annual output value of 4 billion yuan.
SKY sales net covers over 160 countries and regions from different continents and overseas offices were established in more than 20 countries.
Satisfy Production Request
Turn Science Into Productivity
Under the guidance of R & D purpose --- independent innovation, the annual R & D input of the group accounts for above 3% of gross sales. Supported by computer aided design system --- CAD and Solidworks, simulation analysis software --- Ansy and matlab, programming software --- VCC and EasyBuoder8000, the group optimizes each detail of product research, design and production to ensure accuracy, reliability and perfection of program formulation. Besides, the group has integrated R& D, technical service, marketing and production within the company, thus enhancing enterprise R& D and innovation abilities and comprehensive competitiveness at home and abroad.
SKY has a perfect set of international trade system, ranging from international trade marketing to international trade negotiation and from domestic one-stop service to overseas localization service across dozens of countries and regional offices. Group's international trade markets have been expanded with steady pace across Asia, Africa, Latin America and other developing countries and have been successfully extended into Europe, America and Australia.
Everyone in SKY believes the value of brands, which originate from not only excellent products and solutions, but also considerate pre-sales & after-sales technical services. So, we have set up a team with hundreds of technical engineers to resolve a series of problems during project consultation, on-site surveys, sample analysis, program design, installation debugging and maintenance guidance, which can ensure that each link is docking in pace with customers and timely solve customer needs.


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President of the European Parliament and 2018 European Young Leader (EYL40)
Roberta is the youngest ever and third woman President of the European Parliament. Prior to this, she served as Vice-President of the European Parliament, also as a member on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, among several other parliamentary committees and delegations. A lawyer by profession, Roberta is a member of the European People's Party Group (EPP) and among the first female members of parliament to represent Malta. She is a two-time recipient of Parliament Magazine's MEP Award, receiving recognition for her work on justice and civil liberties, and hosted the awards ceremony in 2017.


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Environmental Science Fair Project
There are increasing numbers of students who are choosing an environmental science fair project for their school assignments. Hardly a day goes by that there is not some sort of news event on the television regarding the problems we are facing with the environment. These students are choosing an environmental science fair project for school because they are interested in studying this area of science. Many of these students are very devoted to finding solutions to the current environmental crises. They have the long term vision that many adults lack by realizing that what we do now will affect the planet in a positive or negative way for years, decades, and/or centuries to come. They are taking this devotion to the cause and choosing an environmental science fair project as their topic of study.
An environmental science fair project can be presented on a wide variety of specific topics. Issues surrounding soil use and preservation are some of the most popular. These issues deal with loss of topsoil, which is where all the plant life is grown. This type of environmental science project can also examine the effects of runoff on the waterways of the world. The silting of rivers is a major concern due to the detrimental effects to plants and animals that rely on oxygenated water for survival. An environmental science fair project may also cover the issues surrounding the use of pesticides and other chemicals on the soil and surrounding wildlife. Students who demonstrate aptitude in these areas will likely continue their passion into their careers as agricultural scientists.
Other students who choose an environmental science fair project could focus on the latest increases in greenhouse gases around the Earth. While the task may sound too monumental for an environmental science fair project, there are ways to scale down the project. These projects are scientifically accurate and if properly implemented and documented can lead to the answers we are in need of to address this issue. Likewise, the study of animals such as frogs can lead to knowledge that can be applied on a larger scale. Frogs are the litmus paper for the health of water, and students can gather information in their local areas to determine the health of ponds and streams.


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From Op Art in the 1960s to the current explosion of dazzling abstraction, this nationally touring exhibition traces the development of a "psychedelic sensibility" in the art of the past 40 years. Organized by the San Antonio Museum of Art, Psychedelic showcases figurative and abstract works characterized by intense color and vivid imagery. The artists include such modern masters as Frank Stella, Deborah Remington, Robert Williams, Fred Tomaselli, Victor Vasarely and Ray Rapp.
This exhibition is organized by the San Antonio Museum of Art with generous support from SAMA Contemporaries, Jerry Gore, and the Toby Devan Lewis Philanthropic Fund of The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. In Rochester, it is made possible by Richard F. Brush, with additional support from the George D. and Freida B. Abraham Foundation, The Philipson Group and ESL Federal Credit Union.
Public Programs
Concert by Big Brother & The Holding Company: October 17
Lecture on Psychedelic Fashion by Victoria Pass: October 28
Show and Tell: Psychedelic (collector's event): November 14 CANCELED
Lecture on Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg by author Peter Conners: December 9
Especially for Educators
"A MAG Medley": October 28
Learn more
Pictured above: Erik Parker, Space Chase (2006). Private collection, Los Angeles, Courtesy Honor Fraser Gallery.


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(Redirected from Himself)
In philosophy, the self is the idea of a unified being which is the source of an idiosyncratic consciousness.
- There is good evidence for a sensorimotor self, an emotional and motivational self probably represented in the right hemisphere, a social self-system, and perhaps an appetitive self. All these self-systems ordinarily work in reasonable coordination with each other, though they can be in conflict at times.
- Bernard J. Baars, "Understanding Subjectivity: Global Workspace Theory and the Resurrection of the Observing Self" Journal of Consciousness Studies, 3, No. 3, 1996, pp. 211-16
- One way to think of 'self' is as a framework that remains largely stable across many different life situations. The evidence for 'self as stable context' comes from many sources, but especially from the effects of deep disruptions of life goals. Contextual frameworks are after all largely unconscious intentions and expectations that have been stable so long that they have faded into the background of our lives. We take them for granted, just as we take our health and limbs for granted. It is only when those assumptive entitlements are lost, even for a moment, that the structure of the self seems to come into question. Losing a loved friend may be experienced as a great gap in oneself. ...It helps to take this common tragedy seriously as a basic statement about the self in human psychology.
- Bernard J. Baars, "Understanding Subjectivity: Global Workspace Theory and the Resurrection of the Observing Self" Journal of Consciousness Studies, 3, No. 3, 1996, pp. 211-16
- Oddly enough, in the sensorimotor area on top of the cortex there are four maps of a little upside-down person, distorted in shape, with every bit of skin and muscle represented in detail. This upside-down map is called the sensorimotor homunculus, the little human. The nervous system abounds in such maps, some of which appear to serve as 'self systems', organizing and integrating vast amounts of local bits of information.
- Bernard J. Baars, ibid., "Understanding Subjectivity: Global Workspace Theory..."
- The Arch-flatterer, with whom all the petty flatterers have intelligence, is a man's self.
- Francis Bacon. 'On Love', Essays (1597-1625)
- The one self-knowledge worth having is to know one's own mind.
- Francis Herbert Bradley (1846–1924), British philosopher. Aphorisms, No. 8 (1930)
- Identities are not tangible anymore. If you look for an identity you find inequality. The self has been refracting.
- Giannina Braschi, in the Postcolonial novel United States of Banana (2011).
- I read, among many others... Sri Ramana Maharshi..., whose Path of Self-knowledge I sought to follow. Through his meditation on "Who am I?", I found myself precipitated into a sense of identity with the whole phenomenal world: the earth, the sky, the houses and people; the trees and birds and clouds, I saw to be my self. I disappeared as a separate being, yet retained full consciousness, a consciousness expanded to include everything. I saw that this was the true Reality, that one's normal waking consciousness simply covers this, keeps it hidden, through wrong identification with oneself as this body. I also saw this phenomenal world as a kind of ritual, a ritualised shadow-play, acting out a dream or desire of That which alone existed, alone was Real, which was also myself.
- Benjamin Creme, in The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom, (1980)
- Hope, in the more occult sense... is the realization of the inner connectedness of all things; of your life and your daily activity with the cosmic scheme of things. The awareness of who you are, that you are the Self – that gives you faith or hope. Faith and hope stem from the same inner, intuitive realization of who you are, that you are here for a purpose and that nothing on Earth can shake that.... To have hope is to have complete faith in life. It does not mean to say that everything is going to go smoothly. It does not mean that on the outer, physical plane you will have a life of ease... Many people think that if everything works easily and smoothly they are somehow on the right track. Following the line of least resistance is not necessarily the right way to live one's life...
- Benjamin Creme, Maitreya's Mission Volume Two (1993)
- Maitreya says: "The Self alone matters" (the Self meaning the divine aspect, the Lord). "You are that Self, an immortal Being." And, He says, our pain, our suffering, our problems, are due to the fact that we identify with everything and anything other than that Self. He says, ask yourself "Who am I?" If you do so, you will find you are identified with this physical body, which lasts only for one life at a time and is renewed successively, so it cannot be the eternal Self.
Or you identify with your emotions, your feelings, your energy sensations, which are transient — one day you feel one thing, another day you feel another. They are not the Self. Or you identify with the constructions of the mind, with your beliefs, ideology, whether you are Christian or Buddhist or Hindu or whatever, and with all the traditions that go with that. It does not matter to the Self for one instant whether you are a Christian or a Buddhist or a Moslem or a Hindu, or of no religion at all; what matters is that you register yourself as the Self, that you identify with the Self, which is the same as God. Self-realization is God-realization. If you practise right identification and detachment, you come inevitably to Self-awareness, which leads to Self-realization. It is not a belief, not a religion, not an ideology, but something which benefits all people and is, in fact, the goal of all life.
- Benjamin Creme in The Ageless Wisdom, An Introduction to Humanity's Spiritual Legacy, (1996)
- Self-realization — The process of recognizing and expressing our divine nature.
- Benjamin Creme in The Ageless Wisdom, An Introduction to Humanity's Spiritual Legacy (1996)
- Self-realization is the same as God-realization. When unity or at-one-ment has been established between the individual in incarnation and his or her soul, and through the soul with the Monad (in Theosophical terminology) or Spark of God, Self- or God-realization takes place.
- Benjamin Creme in Maitreya's Mission Vol. III, (1997)
- Self-realization is God-realization. If you practise right identification and detachment, you come inevitably to Self-awareness, which leads to Self-realization. It is not a belief, not a religion, not an ideology, but something which benefits all people and is, in fact, the goal of all life...
The nature of the Self is not happiness, but it is continuous, unbroken joy; it never changes. Or something nasty and painful happens and you are miserable, have a sense of loss, pain, disillusionment, depression. What has happened to that happiness, where did it go? Neither the pain nor the happiness is anything to do with the Self. These are the experiences of the man or woman in incarnation, the physical, mental, emotional vehicles of the Self. The Self itself knows none of that; it has no emotions, no thoughts, it alone is, it is Being, manifesting through physical body, emotional structure, mental body. These are vehicles for the Self to experience at this level. When you are detached, the Self can go in and out of these at will. It can use these vehicles but does not get attached to them.
- By wrong identification the Self, which is pure Being, gets fixed, as it were, trapped in a net on the physical plane, for example, where someone has, perhaps, total addiction to drugs - he cannot help himself. You have to get the person to realize who is taking the drugs. When you find out who is taking the drugs, you can distance yourself from it, and the process of rebuilding the connection with the Self takes place.
- Benjamin Creme, Maitreya's Teachings, FAQ (1999)
- Mind, spirit and body are the temples of the Lord; the Self experiences in these "the supreme Being and Becoming of the Lord. Spirit, in the Sanskrit terminology, is Shiv-shakti, which is energy. Mind is Brahma, which is thought-formation. Body is Prakriti, which is material substance and can also be thought of as material activity. These terms can be regarded as objective facts, but they can also be thought of as movement or processes. The destiny of the Self is to be free. Considered in its freedom, in its Being, it is called Atman. Within the limitations of time and space, in its becoming, it is the soul, or Jiva. The Self is not energy (Shiv-shakti, spirit); the Self is not thought–formation (Brahma, or mind); the Self is not material activity (Prakriti, the body). The destiny of the Self is to enter and leave these temples of the Lord at will.
- Benjamin Creme, The art of Self-realization (1999)
- Maitreya teaches that everyone needs their 'inner space', where there is no direction, no one telling you where to go and what to do. No one can lead you. You are born to be aware of yourself, to know the Master in yourself. Your inner space is sacred. It is where all things, all problems, dissolve. It is where you go... when you want to be left alone to find your own space.
According to Maitreya, "You have been given that space so that the confusion and chaos around you will dissolve. You must never surrender that space to anyone, except your true Self. Meditation is really a journey back to that space to find peace and happiness". Be what you are "Be what you are," He tells us. "Do not follow one another. If you practise honesty of mind, sincerity of spirit and detachment, you will know your Self, you will know me, you will know the Lord." If you follow others instead of being yourself, you lose your sparkle and cannot reflect the light of individuality. Without that light, there is no progress in life. To follow another means to copy, imitate or identify with another, forgetting your real Self.
- Benjamin Creme, The practise of Self-realization (1999)
- For in every action what is primarily intended by the doer, whether he acts from natural necessity or out of free will, it is the disclosure of his own image. Hence it comes about that every doer, in so far as he does, takes delight in doing; since everything that is desires its own being, and since in action the being of the doer is somehow intensified, delight necessarily follows... Thus, nothing acts unless [by acting] it makes patent its latent self.
- Dante Alighieri, De Monarchia (1312-1313) Libri iii, Caput XIII, (XV.) Translation as quoted by Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition (1958) p. 175.
- Cogito, ergo sum.
- I think, therefore I am.
- Descartes Discours de la Méthode, Discourse on the Method (1637)
- Identity is an illusion, a temporary state. Everyone is searching for it, but it's only a brief reflection in a very shallow pool of time.
- Olivia Dresher (b. 1945), American poet and publisher. 'Aphorisms by Olivia Dresher' on, Olivia Dresher.com
- And when you think of others, far away, think of yourself
And say: I am a candle in the darkness.
- Mahmoud Darwish, Think upon others edinburgharabicinitiative.wordpress.com, aldiwan.net (Arabic)
- Human beings are so constituted that we take for granted the fact that a direct awareness of our past selves is preserved... We take for granted the durability of the individual self. ...But ...the preservation of memories ...is as great an exercise in magic as the transfer of memories from the dead to the living. ...How the magic works ...is still a dark mystery. ...When once the technology exists to read and write memories from one mind to another, the age of mental exploration will begin in earnest. ...[W]e will look at nature directly through the eyes of the elephant, the eagle and the whale. We will... feel in our own minds the pride of the peacock and the wrath of the lion. That magic is no greater than the magic that enables me to see the rocking horse through the eyes of the child who rode it sixty years ago.
- Freeman Dyson, Infinite in All Directions: Gifford Lectures given at Aberdeen, Scotland April-November 1985 (1988) Ch. 17 Butterflies Again, pp. 289-291 (paperback edn, 1989).
- If there is a community of computers living in my head, there had also better be somebody who is in charge; and, by God, it had better be me.
- Jerry Fodor, "The Trouble with Psychological Darwinism" London Review of Books, Vol. 20 No. 2, 22 January 1998, pp.11-13
- Self-correction begins with self-knowledge.
- Baltasar Gracián. In maxim 69, The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)
- The self really is an illusion—and realizing this is the basis of spiritual life.
- The best mirror is an old friend.
- George Herbert Jacula Prudentum (1651) (17th Century English proverb)
- It appears to be an inborn and imperative need of all men to regard the self as a unit. However often and however grievously this illusion is shattered, it always mends again. The judge who sits over the murderer and looks into his face, and at one moment recognizes all the emotions and potentialities and possibilities of the murderer in his own soul and hears the murderer's voice as his own, is at the next moment one and indivisible as the judge, and scuttles back into the shell of his cultivated self and does his duty and condemns the murderer to death. And if ever the suspicion of their manifold being dawns upon men of unusual powers and of unusually delicate perceptions, so that, as all genius must, they break through the illusion of the unity of the personality and perceive that the self is made up of a bundle of selves, they have only to say so and at once the majority puts them under lock and key, calls science to aid, establishes schizomania and protects humanity from the necessity of hearing the cry of truth from the lips of these unfortunate persons.
- Herman Hesse, Steppenwolf, B. Creighton, trans., (New York: 1990), pp. 58-59
- If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now — when?
- Hillel, from Leo Rosten's Treasury of Jewish Quotations (1972,) p. 459
- How much easier is self-sacrifice than self-realization!
- Eric Hoffer, "Thoughts of Eric Hoffer, Including: 'Absolute Faith Corrupts Absolutely'"; in The New York Times Magazine (April 25, 1971), p. 60
- In its widest possible sense, however, a man's Self is the sum total of all that he can call his, not only his body and his psychic powers, but his clothes and his house, his wife and children, his ancestors and friends, his reputation and works, his lands and horses, and yacht and bank-account. All these things give him the same emotions. If they wax and prosper, he feels triumphant; if they dwindle and die away, he feels cast down.
- William James, The Principles of Psychology (1890)
- Your identity changes with how you perceive reality.
- Vithu Jeyaloganathan, as quoted in SACRED SPACE: Your Identity (July 11, 2009), The Times of India, SACRED SPACE: Who are you? (September 21, 2011).
- Variant: "The identity of one changes with how one perceives reality." As quoted in Between Dog and Wolf: Understanding the Connection and the Confusion (2012) by Jessica Addams and Andrew Miller, Dogwise Publishing.
- Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.
- Carl Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections (1963)
- "A human being is spirit. But what is spirit? Spirit is the self. But what is the self? The self is a relation that relates itself to itself or is the relation's relating itself to itself in the relation."
- Soren Kierkegaard. (1813-1855) "Sickness Unto Death".
- Rose: Does something like a "self" exist inside of you?
- Colonel: That which you call "self" serves as nothing more than a mask to cover your own being.
- Rose: In this era of ready-made 'truths', "self" is just something used to preserve those positive emotions that you occasionally feel...
- Colonel: Another possibility is that "self" is a concept you conveniently borrowed under the logic that it would endow you with some sense of strength...
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty written by Hideo Kojima and Tomokazu Fukushima
- Self: that invisible chain that snaps tight whenever we stray.
- Yahia Lababidi (b. 1973), Egyptian-Lebanese essayist and poet. Signposts to Elsewhere (2008)
- Knowing others is wisdom.
Knowing oneself is enlightenment.
- Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Ch. 33, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
- At the highest level of satori from which people return, the point of consciousness becomes a surface or a solid which extends throughout the whole known universe. This used to be called fusion with the Universal Mind or God. In more modern terms you have done a mathematical transformation in which your centre of consciousness has ceased to be a travelling point and has become a surface or solid of consciousness... It was in this state that I experienced "myself" as melded and intertwined with hundreds of billions of other beings in a thin sheet of consciousness that was distributed around the galaxy. A "membrane".
- John C. Lilly Tanks for the Memories : Floatation Tank Talks (1995)
- No Self, No Fear.
- Joseph Ledoux, The Deep History of Ourselves, ref.
- The self is a simplification of the notion of soul, created to serve the purposes of the modern sciences of psychology and economics, both of which want you to be happy in a simple, straightforward way they can count.
- Harvey Mansfield, "How to Understand Politics: What the Humanities Can Say to Science"
- Music is reflection of self, we just explain it, and then we get our checks in the mail.
- Marshall Bruce Mathers III, "Sing For the Moment", The Eminem Show (2002)
- Self-awareness is a complex, but carefully constructed illusion: we rightly place high value on the work of those mental agencies that appear able to reflect on the behavior of other agencies—especially our linguistic and ego-structure mechanisms.
- Marvin Minsky, "K-Linesː A Theory of Memory" Cognitive Science 4, pp.117-133 (1980)
- One's present personality cannot share all the thoughts of one's older personalities—and yet it has some sense that they exist. This is one reason why we feel that we possess an inner Self—a sort of ever-present person-friend, inside the mind, whom we can always ask for help.
- Marvin Minsky, The Society Of Mind (1986)
- Should one think of a city as having a Self?
- Marvin Minsky, The Emotion Machine (2006)
- It strikes me that self, not just my self, but all self, the phenomenon of self, is perhaps one field, one consciousness – perhaps there is only one 'I', perhaps our brains, our selves, our entire identity is little more than a label on a waveband. We are only us when we are here. At this particular moment in space and time, this particular locus, the overall awareness of the entire continuum happens to believe it is Alan Moore. Over there – [he points to another table in the pizza restaurant] – it happens to believe it is something else.
I get the sense that if you can pull back from this particular locus, this web-site if you like, then you could be the whole net. All of us could be. That there is only one awareness here, that is trying out different patterns. We are going to have to come to some resolution about a lot of things in the next twenty years time, our notions of time, space, identity.
- Alan Moore, in "Alan Moore Interview" by Matthew De Abaitua (1998), later published in Alan Moore: Conversations (2011) edited by Eric L. Berlatsky
- We are unknown to ourselves, we knowers: and with good reason. We have never looked for ourselves — so how are we ever supposed to find ourselves? ...We remain strange to ourselves out of necessity, we do not understand ourselves, we must confusedly mistake who we are, the motto, 'everyone is furthest from himself' applies to us for ever, - we are not 'knowers' when it comes to ourselves…
- Friedrich Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morality, Preface
- Of course, "O'Blivion" was not the name I was born with. That's my television name. Soon, all of us will have special names — names designed to cause the cathode ray tube to resonate.
- Professor Brian O'Blivion, in Videodrome, a 1983 film directed by David Cronenberg
- Nosce te ipsum.
- Know thyself.
- Delphic maxim originating in Luxor Egypt inscribed in the pronaos (forecourt) of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi as quoted by Pausanias, Description of Greece, 10.24.1.
- The key to self-generated happiness (the only reliable kind) is the refusal to take oneself too seriously.
- This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet (c. 1600-1602), act I, scene iii, lines 78–80. Polonius is speaking to Laertes.
- People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.
- Thomas Szasz (b. 1920), Hungarian-American psychiatrist, writer and academic. The Second Sin (1974)
- You want to be yourself, idiosyncratic; the collective (school, rules, jobs, technology) wants you generic to the point of castration.
- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms (2010) The Universal and the Particular, p. 54.
- Human nature is so constituted that all see and judge better in the affairs of other people than in their own.
- Terence, The Self-Tormentor (163 BC), III. i. 503.
- What we do belongs to what we are; and what we are is what becomes of us.
- Henry Van Dyke, Ships and Havens (1898), chapter 2, p. 10.
- Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul.
- Henry Van Dyke, The Prison and the Angel
- To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.
- Oscar Wilde, 'Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young', (1894)
- Self-image is the beginning and ending of living, I think.
- Henry Winkler (b.1945), American actor, producer and director. Stated in his appearance on, The One Show, BBC1 (UK) television talk show, 15th May 2009.
See also[edit]
- Awareness
- Consciousness
- Ego
- Egotism
- Higher self
- Identity
- Kenosis
- Meditation
- Selfishness
- Self-actualization
- Self-awareness
- Self-love
- Self-realization
- Soul


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Well this is it. The end is upon us.
By now you're probably near-bald from tearing your hair out over the effed-upedness that we are subjected to every time Breast Cancer Awareness Month rolls around. Suddenly we're inundated with pink crap as every company around tries to glom on to the breast cancer epidemic in an offensively opportunistic fashion.
From makeup, to laptops, to Swiffers (clean for the cure!), to ugly-ass jewelery, to one million stupid pink candles, it's fair to say that pinkwashing has gotten totally out of control. And as if the feminizing pinking of absolutely everything (because breast cancer is so soft and delicate and lady-like) and the concerted efforts to make breast cancer all about consumerism directed very specifically at women (because effecting change can only be done by buying more stuff), there must also be, of course, the pornification of women's cancer diagnoses (because why the should anyone care about women unless they're fuckable?).
First we get these idiotic 'Save the Tatas', 'Boobies Rule', and 'Touch Some Breasts' campaigns/businesses which sexualize breast cancer by making women's suffering about the male gaze (classy!). Then there's this horrible video which came out of Chile recently that tries to get men on board by reminding them that breasts exist only for male pleasure. Which is, of course, why they matter. Get it? Women don't matter — it's their sexualized body parts that are important (are we starting to understand how objectification hurts women now?).
And finally, I somehow managed to miss the worst of them all earlier this month (clearly I've started blocking this stuff out as some kind of coping mecanism) — the icing on the porn-culture-is-everywhere cake — having realized that they weren't exploiting absolutely every aspect of women's lives, Pornhub.com jumped on board (not linking to the campaign page, nope, no way) the breast cancer awareness train.
While originally the company tried to partner with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the organization (which is capable of making ethical decisions every once in a while, apparently) refused to align themselves with Pornhub and said they wouldn't accept any donations from them. Apparently they are still looking for a charity to donate to.
Corey Price, vice president of Pornhub says, pervily: "Our viewers will be raising money and awareness by doing something they already love: watching porn."
Uh huh. Right. For sure all those dudes are "raising awareness" about breast cancer via masturbation – the cure for everything.
So now porn is being presented as something that saves women's lives. Or at very least cares about them. I'm thinking this is what the end of the world looks like.
The problems with awareness campaigns have been well documented. Most of these campaigns either don't actually do anything and some of the companies who use 'breast cancer awareness' in order to sell products are actually part of the problem. Awareness campaigns tend to focus on unproductive solutions that ignore and distract from the root issues.
Organizations like Breast Cancer Action point out that "despite better treatments and increased access for many women, 40,000 women still die from the disease each year. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. In the 1960s, a woman's lifetime risk for breast cancer was 1 in 20. Today it is 1 in 8."
What the hell is going on here? Is it possible that we all just aren't watching enough porn?
Well, no. In fact porn is not the missing link.
While awareness campaigns and pink ribbon crap are on the rise, so is breast cancer. The reality is that we still have minimal understanding around causes of breast cancer, though we do know that "involuntary exposures to toxins in the environment" are a factor. Toxins and environmental factors are not addressed by awareness campaigns or pink ribbons. I assume this is because these issues have nothing to do with masturbation or profit. If only there were a way to sex up carcinogens.
Pornhub hates women. Which makes it all the more sickening to read statements such as this one, from their actual press release:
It doesn't matter if you're into itty-bitty-titties, the perfect handful, jumbo fun-bags or low-swinging flapjacks, what matters most is that your kind and selfless gesture will go a long way towards helping our sisters to find a cure.
"Sisters"?? Go die.
Porn culture is the beginning of the end. If we aren't talking about the objectification and sexualization of women as a key issue in the feminist movement then we may as well give up.


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What I didn't realize then was that the $800 million was a highly inflated cost estimate produced by a center that received substantial industry funding and has very little credibility. The same goes for the latest cost estimate of $1.3 billion per new drug bandied about by the same folks.
Now, in a newly published report in Biosocieties journal, researchers at Stanford and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey have taken apart both of these inflated cost estimates and shown exactly where they are wrong. Don Light and Rebecca Warburton note, for instance, that neither the $800 million or $1.3 billion estimate includes the substantial contributions made by taxpayers through tax write-offs for research and development. As it turns out, taxpayers indirectly pay for about 39 of drug company R&D. In addition, the industry-based figures are based on clinical trials (and number of participants) much larger than actual trials reported by the FDA and the National Institutes of Health.
Perhaps most disingenous, half of the industry estimates are not real costs, but exaggerated estimates of profits that companies might have made if they had not developed the drugs but just put their money into the stock market. As Light and Warburton note, "even if one were to accept the argument that profits foregone should be included as a 'cost' (which no other industry does), US government guidelines call for using three percent, not the 11 percent used by (the Tufts group). Light and Warburton argue that the pharm industry "cannot have it both ways."
They cannot treat R&D costs as if they are a long-term capital investment when tax authorities do the industry the favor of treating them as an ordinary business expense, fully deductible each year.In their report, Light and Warburton attempt to reach a more realistic estimate for drug development, which, as they acknowledge, is hampered by the fact that the pharmaceutical industry is exceedingly secretive about its R&D data. But building on some of the data gathered by the Tufts Center and research done by Merrill Goozner of gooznews among others, they conclude that the real cost per "self-originated" drug product is closer to $180-231 million, a big reduction from the estimates that continue to be thrown out by industry spokesmen whenever they want regulatory concessions or more government spending. The latest example of this can be found in Christoph Westphal's op-ed in The Boston Globe, which I blogged about here.
The myth of high R&D costs not only exerts a destructive influence on state and federal policy, but it provides drug companies with an excuse for focusing on high-priced me too drugs (like Paxil and Seroquel), instead of developing lower priced drugs that might really save lives -- such as vaccines and treatments for disease. As Light and Warburton note:
The mythic costs of R&D are but one part of a larger, dysfunctional system that gives us mostly new medicines that have few or no advantages and serious side adverse reactions that have become a leading cause of hospitalization and death.
I couldn't have said it better.


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The folks at Climax Jerky will tell you to "reach your peak" as part of their marketing slogan. The brand, owned by Climax Jerky, LLC, based out of Dillon, CO, got its start in 1998, and is a family run business headed by Brooke Comai.
Climax Jerky got its start selling jerky atop of Fremont Pass, which is officially listed as 11,318 ft above sea level, along the Colorado Rockies. It was named for the Climax Mine. Fremont Pass is apparently well known for bicyclists and other travellers wanting to stop to take a gander across the countryside. The Comai family continue to sell their jerky here, building a reputation for handing out free samples to oxygen-starved tourists.
Interestingly, according to Brooke, their best selling jerky is smoked elk. Men's Journal magazine named it the "best jerky in the country" in their July 2007 edition. I'll definitely be reviewing that later, but for now we have this original beef jerky variety to review here.
Beef, water, salt, brown sugar, spices, soy sauce, flavorings.
The first taste I get off the surface of these pieces is a smoky, meaty aroma, followed by a slight sweetness, and just a hint of black pepper. Moving into the chew, a salty flavor comes out and a bit of the natural meat flavors.
If I can just summarize it up front, and detail it below, my first sense is that this is definitely a jerky that sits above all of the "garden variety" jerky that you find in the grocery store chains. It has a good deal of flavor consisting of an even mix of seasonings and natural meat flavors.
The natural meat flavors are light, but its taste-aroma helps strengthen its presence. What I mean by aroma is the flavor that your nostrils pick up from inside your mouth, not necessarily from the tongue. The meat flavor is actually quite good, with a smooth mellow taste, but just not a strong one. Being this jerky comes without preservatives, it still has a fresh taste.
The other flavorings in this is largely presented to me as combination of sweet, salt and black pepper. I'd say the salt has the strongest presence, but it's not overly salty at all. The sweet is probably the second strongest on a piece-by-piece basis. However, the black pepper aftertaste eventually drowns out the sweet after several pieces.
The soy sauce listed in the ingredients is not well detected. I can pick up a slight resemblance of it, but only when I look for it. Otherwise it's a flavor that adds to the "ambience" without being noticed on its own.
It's tough to pick a dominant flavor of this jerky. I'd say it's a pretty even mix of salt, black pepper, and natural meat flavors.
Meat Consistency
These appear to be cuts of whole meat, sliced into strips of about 1/4 inch thick and about 2-3 inches long. According to Climax Jerky, this is a "brisket cut".
It's a soft and tender jerky, being easy to bite off, and very easy to chew. It has slight bit of moisture in the meat. The photos below might make this jerky look very moist, but that's largely the oils which may have been drawn out of the meat from the vacuum packaging.
The chewing experience this jerky provides does have a "softened texture" but still seems to resemble eating real steak. On the other hand, I did find a couple of aberrant strips that had a mushy, or crumbly texture.
And these strips are also very lean, I found no pieces of fat, tendon, or gristle. In terms of cleanliness, my fingers do pick up some of that oil, and I find myself rubbing my fingers together to wipe them off.
Product Value
Climax Jerky sells this hickory smoked beef jerky from its website at a price of $8.00 for a four ounce package. That works out to a price of $2.00 per ounce, putting this on the border between expensive and average.
For general jerky snacking purposes, it's a good buy at that price because I do pick up a great deal of snackability. It provides a good volume of flavor, including some natural meat flavors, and isn't too salty. It's also easy to bite off and chew. If priced any lower, I'd call it an excellent value.
I'm giving this a good rating.
Overall, this hickory smoked beef jerky from Climax provides a great taste-mixture of salt, black pepper and natural meat flavors. There's even some sweetness off the surface and a bit of smokiness too. Then, include the fact it's easy to bite off and chew, and provides a good chewing experience, you've got a jerky that easily sits above many others.
I didn't go so far as to give this a best rating only because nothing really stood out as being exceptional. The natural meat flavors taste good, but is not a strong taste. The seasonings and marinade also taste good, but also don't dominate. This jerky is actually a very good basis for a wide array of other varieties, like maybe a jalapeno, or a sweet & spicy, or a red chile.
So, did I actually reach my peak with this offering from Climax Jerky? Well I'll put it this way, Fremont Pass is indeed pretty high up in elevation, but there are other passes even higher. Still, if I were drive up Fremont Pass in my car or on my motorcycle, and I saw the Climax Jerky folks there, I'd definitely stop to get some jerky.
And if I'm going to stop for some jerky, I may as well have a beer while I'm at it. How about a brown ale with this one?
NOTE: I couldn't find a nutrition facts label for this jerky.
Rating: Good
Buy this online:
Friday, November 7, 2008
Climax Jerky - Hickory Smoked Beef
The folks at Climax Jerky will tell you to "reach your peak" as part of their marketing slogan. The brand, owned by Climax Jerky, LLC, based out of Dillon, CO, got its start in 1998, and is a family run business headed by Brooke Comai.
1 comment:
- AnonymousNovember 7, 2008 at 3:26 PM
I really like Wild Hare Brand beef jerky. They've got some great sticks and jerky at www.wildharefoods.com.ReplyDelete


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Possible Duplicate:
How to install apps which are targetted for another country?
i would like to loadthe bbc news app but i get the following error on android market place.
This app is incompatible with your Samsung GT-P7510. Samsung GT-P7510 This item cannot be installed in your device's country.
any ideas on how to solve this?


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Even YOU can be a Minor League GM!
MiLB is teaming up with Fritos for the 'Be A Minor League Baseball GM For A Weekend Sweepstakes'. Five winners will recieve
: round trip transportation for two people; double occupancy hotel accommodations for two nights; two premium tickets to the game; autopraphed Minor League Baseball host club replica jersey; a chance to sit in on team meetings; and $1,525 in spending money. Sounds like a good deal to me. I'd even just take th money…The choices for host teams include the Portland Sea Dogs, Durham Bulls, Memphis Red Birds, New Orleans Zephyrs, Las Vegas 51's, and the San Antonio Missions. My choices would either be Portland or Durham. I contimplated not posting this, because it would lower my chances of winning, but since I never win anything it would be cool if maybe someone from the blogosphere here won it. Just remember your ol' buddy here at M.I.B. if you win. The trip is for two.
Even if you don't win, you can still probably afford to take in a MiLB game. During recent survey, Minor League Baseball concluded that for the cost of four people to attend a game is around $57. This includes two adult tix, two child tix, four hot dogs, two sodas, two beers, a program and parking. They found an adult ticket is $8 or less at 80% of the ballparks. The highest I've paid for a Minor League game is $13 for the AAA Indianapolis Indians last season. My tickets for the Single-A Peoria Chiefs this seaons were $5, and that's for a premium seat. The average cost of a night at the ballpark ranges from around $67 for AAA to $50 for Single-A Short Season or Rookie League.
If you still don't want to get off your lazy, well, ya know, and catch a live game luckily the MLB Network will be broadcasting some Minor League games as well, including the Triple-A All Star game. The first game will be aired this Monday at 11:00 am and feature the Gwinnett Braves at the Durham Bulls. The next game will be the Burlington Bees at the Quad Cities River Bandits on May 3. Figures they'll be televising a game just two days after I'm there. Other games slated include Scanton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at the Indianapolis Indians on May 19 at 11:00 am and the Norfolk Tides at the Columbus Clippers on June 15 at 12 noon. Victory Field in Indy was one of the best venues I've watched a game at, and should look great on TV. MLB Network will be airing weekday afternoon games thoughout the summer, too.


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Garlic Confit is a staple in the Gascon larder and an excellent ingredient to have on-hand during the holidays. In this super easy recipe, fresh garlic is slowly cooked in duck fat which changes the firm, pungent cloves into soft, mellow, spreadable garlic goodness.
Use as a spread on crusty country bread, add to mashed potatoes, pastas, soups, dips and casseroles. Add a few cloves right inside the cavity of your holiday bird! Here's the recipe to view, download, print and share. Happy eating!