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Mr. Softee Battles Heat Up This Year in Midtown
Did you catch that article last week in the NYPost that uncovered the cut-throat (literally) business of finding a spot to park a soft serve ice cream truck? We've long known that aside from public property and the Parks Department, no vendor can actually own his or her spot. There is an unwritten "gentlemen's agreement" that certain vendors have nurtured certain spots. There are thousands of street corners all across the city.
Ask the Street Vendor Project or the New York City Food Truck Association. When you start a mobile food business, you need to introduce yourself into the food truck community in a safe, gracious way instead of trying to push somebody else out of their spot. Disagreements still occur with trucks and cart owners who break that "vendor code." We've seen the disputes on the street and more recently on Twitter.
But based on the Post article, fights over spots continue to occur and they are getting more and more violent.
It seems the worst offenders are some Mister Softee and Yogo trucks who threaten each other about coveted spots. Even though Mister Softee assigns their drivers a specific route and neighborhood to operate in, not everybody plays by the rules. And other ice cream companies, like Van Leeuwen have been bullied, especially in Midtown.
Fights among ice cream vendors are certainly nothing new, but can't we all just get along? I understand that this is their livelihood (some can earn up to $1500 a day), but shouldn't these violent guys then deal in something that doesn't represent innocence and childhood nostalgia? I'd expect that kind of behavior if I was doing business with a different kind of drug dealer. But sugar and ice cream should be sacred!
Posted by brianhoffman at 9:00 am, July 30th, 2012 under Street Vendor Issues.
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Features & Controls
Like most of Sony's Cyber-Shot models, the TX7 boasts their proven
Optical StreadyShot technology, which uses a lens-shift system including
two gyro-sensors that detect movement and compensate accordingly to
reduce blur in you photos and videos.
The TX7 utilizes a fast 9-point AF system, which is the same system we saw on the DSC-TX1. This autofocus system offers Spot, Center-weighted, and Flexible Spot (Touch) AF options, and is aided in low-light with a
low-light focus assist
Illuminator. Sony does not specify the focus range, however they do
show the macro capabilities as being able to focus from 0.39" (1cm) to
Infinity at wide angle or 1.64' (50cm) to Infinity at telephoto.
You can also see the stereo microphones to the left, and the built-in flash unit towards the center of the photo above. This tiny speedlite has modes for Auto flash, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow
Synchro, with Red-Eye Reduction On or Off. The flash has a working
range using ISO Auto: Approx. 0.26' - 12.47' (0.08 - 3.8m) Wide or 1.64'- 10.17' (0.5 - 3.1m) Telephoto. Using ISO 3200 will extend the
range to 26.25' (8.0m) at Wide angle or 20.67' (6.3m) at Telephoto.
the back of the camera you won't find much, just the large 3.5-inch
Touchpanel "Xtra Fine TruBlack" LCD monitor. This unit offers 921,000 pixels
of resolution. The TruBlack technology uses a Ultra AR coating to help reduce reflections while at the same time improve both brightness and contrast. This is the only viewfinder on the camera, which means it's used for all of the cameras function, including framing photos or video, reviewing files,
sharing and accessing the menu system, changing camera settings, etc. All of the controls are onscreen,
and you make menu selections by touching the desired value on the screen
with your finger tips or you can use the
included stylus "Paint Pen".
The I/O port is on the bottom next to the
battery/memory card door and the metal tripod mount. Instead of including the normal multi-cable for USB and AV output, Sony has packaged the TX7 with their Multi Output Camera dock.
This multi-function dock allows you to charge the camera, share photos thanks to it's angled positions as well as connect your camera to a variety of devices.
Here you can see the I/O ports on the back of the dock. We have options for DC IN to provide your camera with power, USB (2.0) connectivity for your PC or PictBridge printer, HDMI output (optional cable required), and standard A/V output.
Located on the bottom with the battery is the Memory Stick Duo / SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card
slot. The DSC-TX7 also has ~5MB of internal
memory, however don't expect to capture to much with it. Data can be easily
copied back and forth between the internal memory and flash cards.
Located under the same port door is the tiny Sony NP-BN1 3.6v 630 mAh InfoLITHIUM rechargeable battery pack that is charged in the included AC charger or when you are using the cradle with the DC IN option. The AC charger has fold-away prongs, making it very handy to keep along with you at all times to charge one pack while you are using another. A second battery pack (about $50) is recommended if you plan on extended shooting, like vacation, etc. They quote that a fully charged pack can power the TX7 for up to approx. 230 images using CIPA standard testing.
Approx. Storage Capacities
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.

subset: commoncrawl


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Baseball City St. Petersburg
Baseball City St. Pete is a former Major League Baseball Spring Training site that is in close proximity to top-rated international airports and world-renowned beaches, and includes five Major League Baseball regulation-sized fields with batter's eyes, plus a half-field (infield only) along with the following amenities:
- Full complement of protective field screens for MLB-style batting practice, including L-screens, infield protective screens, and hitting shell backstops.
- 8-pack of pitcher's mounds and catcher's area centrally located in the 4-field quad.
- 8 MLB-size outdoor cages with L-screens.
- 15,000 square foot turfed indoor hitting facility with L-screens and clay pitching mounds useful during inclement weather and/or evenings.
- 4,000 square foot, fully equipped weight room and training area useful to supplement baseball workouts.
- Scouting tower in the center of the 4-field quad, complete with restrooms and concessions stand.
- MLB-style club house with lockers, restrooms and showers useful for arrival days and getaway days before heading to the airport.


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Interview: Amy Adams On Miss Pettigrew
The rumors are true: Amy Adams is charming, beautiful, and a total pro. The former dancer and Gap employee has burst onto the scene in a major way lately, starring in Disney's blockbuster last fall, Enchanted. She's been in the business for a while, though, making her film debut in the always-hilarious Drop Dead Gorgeous nearly 10 years ago.
Now that Adams is a bona fide star, she's playing one on the big screen, in the frothy romantic comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. As the flustered and beautiful aspiring actress Delysia Lafosse, Adams is stuck deciding between three men: the handsome club owner Nick, the young play producer Phil, and the destitute piano player who loves her, Michael (Lee Pace). She also wears gorgeous costumes, runs around in beautiful sets and pals around with Frances McDormand before—spoiler alert!—making out with Lee Pace.
Yes, it's hard not to hate Amy Adams, but you it anyway because she's so darn likeable. She sat down with a group of journalists in New York to talk about her early roots in Atlanta, getting into the manic energy to play Delysia, and her return trip to the Oscars this Sunday. [A journalist introduces himself as being from Atlanta.] My sister and my mom are in Atlanta. And I lived there for a while, I lived in Virginia Highlands. I worked at the Lenox Mall in the Gap. I wanted to work in the stockroom, but I was just too peppy. I tried, they were like "No you have to be at the front of the store. You are the only person who will literally talk to everyone who comes in the store."
How long was it between working at the Gap and where you are now?
I moved to Colorado and started working in theatre. From there I moved to Minnesota and worked in dinner theatre. I was a dancer, so we did musicals. I worked there for three years, when I was cast in Drop Dead Gorgeous. And that gave me the chutzpah to move to Los Angeles.
So obviously you don't have the fake the energy to do this role.
I'm a little bit older now, so there's some pushing at times.
How do you keep the energy level up in this. Your character doesn't stop.
No, she really doesn't. You just do it. I enjoy it, and I've played depressed characters, and there's a benefit to that, but I have to tell you, this is much more infectious in your life. You go home with energy, you go home with more spirit. I get something from my characters as well, even though I'm putting a lot in. She gave me a different perspective on myself.
Is that something you look at when deciding what roles to take—can I get something from this character?
Not intentionally. I'm sure somewhere in the back of my brain that's why I'm responding, because I'm feeling something while I'm reading this, whether it's joy or some sort of simpatico relationship. That's usually how I choose it—what do I feel when I read that, and is that something I want to explore?
What is the story with the relationship with Nick, the club owner in the film? He's kind of brutal, and I think she sort of likes that. What I love about her is that her whole world is a stage, and every day is a performance. With him it's that violent, passionate relationship. He just overpowers her, and she can play the damsel in distress and manipulate him with her feminine wiles and her ways. As much as it hurts her, I do think she really enjoys some part of playing all the roles with all of those men. I think there's deeper reasons for that, and that's explained a little bit in the film. You see glimpses of what's really happening, and why she's doing what she's doing.
Could you use a Miss Pettigrew in your life? Are you anything like Delysia, with three men and money trouble and all that?
No, I'm such a practical person. Well, for the most part. Maybe she could clean my closet, because I'm messy. I sort of nitpick and worry about little things. You get a bed set at Bed, Bath & Beyond and wake up in the middle of the night going "I should have gotten the patterned one." For like an hour, debating patterned sheets. If somebody could just make me stop doing that, I think I could accomplish a lot more in my life.
Do you identify with Delysia's ambition and drive to become a star?
To a certain degree. I can understand her reasons for wanting it. I don't even know that she wants to be a star. What she wants is security, she wants stability. That I definitely can relate to, that feeling of wanting some sort of certainty, and some control over your destiny.
How does it feel now, then, that you've kind of made it?
Well, as Delysia would have learned, there's no such thing as stability and security. I think sometimes when you get what you want, you realize that maybe what you wanted isn't what you needed. I think that's what Miss Pettigrew showed her. I always consider, is this really making me happy? I don't think any one thing can make us happy. Singularly focusing on career cannot make us happy. What I'm trying to do is achieve balance in my life, and I'm doing a pretty good job. I fall short sometimes.
Does it make you happy to be on the cover of Vanity Fair?
Yes. It was so much fun. I love Annie Leibowitz. I've always loved Annie Leibowitz. As long as they've had that Hollywood cover, that's sort of been, for me, that was always "Oh, that would be so much fun." And it was. And I was really happy—I have so much respect for all the girls that I was on there with .Emily Blunt and I worked on a film together, so she's like a sister to me. That was really special, to get to do that with her. I think the world of the other two girls as well. It was a really fun shoot.
Your scenes with Frances in the movie are so fast-paced. Did you have to do a lot of rehearsal, or did you just shoot a lot and hope you got it?
We did not have a ton of rehearsal time. So it was such a relief at the table read and in the time we did have to rehearse to find out that we were really on the same page. It was almost too easy. What was important for Frances and I was to create a relationship between these two women, and understand how they would be friends and what they have in common. They are really similar as far as their struggle for survival.
There must have been a lot of marks to hit on those scenes.
Yeah, it was very technical, but I don't know why it didn't seem hard. I don't know if it's because I've worked onstage, but it didn't seem difficult. Also the director created such a permissive environment—there was no wrong idea, so you got to try a lot of different things. Everything moved very quickly. It's such a blur, really.
What was it like working with Frances? Lee Pace mentioned how good she is on film, and how aware of the camera she is.
She's amazing. You can learn so much. I go in there going "I know that you know more than I do, and I want to learn from you." What she has is a sense of professionalism. They're on time, they're the first person on set. There's no ego involved. They're there for the work, they're 100% there. When I'm working with someone, I always want to be the first person on set, I don't want to keep anyone waiting. But I could never beat Frances to the set! I am leaving right when they ask me, I grab my diamonds and run, and I'm like "How is it that you continue to beat me to set?" And she looked at me and says "I never leave." Then of course, I couldn't leave set! She doesn't leave, I can't leave. She just creates this wonderful environment, she's funny and free and open. The talent is unquestionable, I could go on and on about that, but the things that I take away are the professionalism and the joy of the craft.
Can you talk about working with Lee? He spoke very highly of you.
Yes, he's very charming, didn't you find, ladies? I think it's that old Hollywood thing he has. He's so tall and solid. He's really good, a very good actor. I immediately felt that relationship between Michael and Delysia. That he was the person who made her knees weak, who made her feel the most whole and the most genuine.
He said that all he had to do was fall in love with you.
And did he? [The entire room cracks up] Sorry, that was Delysia coming out of me. I'm a little boy crazy.
How did you develop the fast-paced style for your character?
I think the physicality, as far as being a dancer. That's how I always approach roles. I first figure out how do they feel, it's all very tactile and thematic. What does it feel like to be this person? Also being a huge fan of old movies, and having watched a lot, you really did act that way. It's coming from stage. The older films are much more closely related to stage and those performances. It was something I really wanted to accomplish, that style of acting. It was very intentional. Frances, once I saw what she was doing with Guinevere, it opened up all sorts of roads for me, and a lot of permission to go there. She was being so physical, and you understood that this was such a physical movie. You want people to get caught up in the whirlwind of this day. It's Delysia's world, which is just moment to moment to moment. I was very tired!
Has Disney approached you about doing a sequel to Enchanted? Not yet. We will see. I was told yesterday that the director said yes, there is going to be a sequel. I have not heard that. I'm the kind of person that until ink is dried and it's posted on a banner saying "Hear ye, hear ye," I don't ever…
Are you singing all three songs at the Oscars?
No, I'm singing one. I didn't want to be greedy. Kristen Chenoweth is singing my other song, which is nerve-wracking and flattering at the same time.
Is your first return to the stage in a while?
I haven't done it recently enough to feel comfortable. It'll be a fun challenge. You've got to do things that scare you and that are outside your comfort zone, and that's definitely outside my comfort zone. I'm going to have fun no matter what.
Has there been a downside to the success you've had lately?
I'm homesick. I'm really homesick. I try to make the most of it, but you never know how long of a run you get. I'm really trying to make the most of it, and I love working.
Do you deal with paparazzi and all that?
I don't. If you go to an even there's usually some, but I don't go to that many events. They don't follow me home, they don't follow me out to dinner. They don't follow me down the street, thank goodness, because I walk out in my PJ's. I have a puppy where you if don't take her out first thing in the morning, and I mean first thing in the morning, you're picking up stuff in the house.
Can you tell us about working with Meryl Streep in Doubt and Julie & Julia? It's amazing. I've been really fortunate. At one point in my life I really wanted female mentors, and working with Frances and working with Meryl, following by example, I feel like I've gotten that wish.
Staff Writer at CinemaBlend
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The new sanctuary anchors the southern corner of the city block on which the church is located. As a foil to the present sanctuary – built in the early 1920s – at the northern end, the new sanctuary combines simplified classical and Romanesque forms. The facility seats approximately 650 congregants in a Greek cross configuration, focused upon an elevated chancel and choir area.
Size: 14,000 Sq. Ft.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Client: First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville


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20 Miles Around...Charleston, SC
The city of Charleston, with its antebellum and Civil War attractions, stunning old mansions, and excellent restaurants, is a haven for history buffs and foodies alike. And within 20 miles of the city are the quiet beaches and anchorages of the barrier islands. Sailors can venture into the open waters of the Atlantic or sail the vast expanse of marsh, creeks, and rivers to visit quiet beaches and hideaways.
Read full story here.


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ErgoDeck General Purpose Solid
- Softer compound for greater standing relief in wet or dry applications
- Customize in 3" (8 cm) increments to fit any area or configuration
- Positive Interlocking System prevents separation
- Easily replace single pieces or sections as needed to reduce costs
- 100% Silicone Free PVC tiles provide maximum durability
- Available in Solid and Drainage version and with GRITSHIELD for extra traction
- Overall thickness 7/8" (22 mm)
- Each case covers 22.5 sq. feet (2.2 sq. meters)


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Posts Tagged 'smokey mountains'
I hate Instagram
Matt Hodel hiking Gregory's Bald In April of 2018 I awoke on a Gregory's Bald in the Smokey Mountains. The altitude gave me a headache and the morning air made me sick. I didn't take time to make a cup of instant coffee before morning light. As I walked in through the scatted trees, every…Read More


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The fate of 516 SSC students, whose answer-sheets were stolen from an evaluation centre last month, continues to hang in the balance as the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is yet to decide how it will evaluate them.
On April 4, four days after the board exams ended, 516 answer-sheets were stolen from an evaluation centre at Isra Vidyalaya in Dahisar. Following a complaint, the police arrested two persons who had stolen the sheets to sell it to a scrap dealer. Around 300 answer-sheets were recovered from where the duo had dumped them.
The identities of the 516 students whose answer-sheets were stolen, have, however, not been revealed by the board as a result of which, students are not aware if the papers that were stolen were theirs.
However, with less than a month left to declare Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) results, the state board is awaiting possession of the recovered answer-sheets. It has now decided to move court.
"We have been trying to get possession of the recovered answer-sheets and get them corrected at the earliest. However, they are still with the Dahisar police," said S Y Chandekar, secretary, Mumbai division of MSBSHSE. "We will move the Bombay High Court for possession of the answer-sheets. A letter to this effect has been issued to the principal of Isra Vidyalaya, who will file the motion," he said.
Senior inspector of Dahisar police station Subhash Sawant said that the team had so far recovered 330 answer-sheets, all of which were in the possession of the police. "The board will have to seek possession through the court. Once there is a decision, we will duly hand it over to the board," said Sawant.
Meanwhile, the board is yet to decide on how to mark the students whose answer-sheets may not be recovered. Chandekar said that MSBSHSE was hopeful that the rest of the stolen answer-sheets will be recovered. If unrecovered, the board may allot the average of the marks scored in the remaining subjects for the subject where answer-sheets are missing.
"We will wait until a couple of days before the declaration of result. If the sheets are recovered, we will correct and mark students accordingly. For those whose papers are not recovered, a policy decision will be taken at the time," said Chandekar.
Senior inspector Sawant, however, said that the chances of finding any more papers were bleak. "The last paper was recovered on April 16. We haven't found any more papers from where the accused duo had dumped them," said Sawant adding that a team was investigating the matter further.


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AstraZeneca provides update on MYSTIC trial timeline
AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, today announced an updated timeline for the final analysis of the Phase III MYSTIC trial of Imfinzi (durvalumab) as monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab, versus platinum-based standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy in previously-untreated patients with metastatic (Stage IV) 1st-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
MYSTIC is an event-driven clinical trial and continues per protocol. Based on current predictions, the final analysis of overall survival (OS) is now expected in the second half of 2018 (previously anticipated in the first half).
About MYSTIC
The MYSTIC trial is a randomised, open-label, multi-centre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy or Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab versus SoC in treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) wild-type locally-advanced or metastatic (Stage IV) 1st-line NSCLC.
The trial is being conducted in 167 centres across 17 countries, including the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia and parts of Asia including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. Primary endpoints include progression-free survival (in combination), which read out in July 2017, and OS in monotherapy and in combination.
About Imfinzi
Imfinzi is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
In February 2018, Imfinzi received US FDA approval for the treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Imfinzi has also received accelerated approval in the US for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or whose disease has progressed within 12 months of receiving platinum-containing chemotherapy before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is also being investigated as a monotherapy and/or in combination with tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine, as a first line treatment for patients with NSCLC, small cell lung cancer, locally-advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, head and neck cancer and other solid tumours.
About tremelimumab
Tremelimumab is an investigational human monoclonal antibody that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Tremelimumab blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T cell activation and boosting the immune response to cancer. Tremelimumab is being investigated in an extensive clinical trial programme in combination with Imfinzi, in NSCLC, locally-advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, head and neck cancer, liver cancer and blood cancers.
About AstraZeneca in NSCLC
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-third of all cancer deaths and more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and potential new medicines in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC across all stages of disease and lines of therapy. We aim to address unmet needs of patients with EGFR-mutated tumours as a genetic driver of disease, which occur in 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and EU and 30-40% of NSCLC patients in Asia, with our approved medicines Iressa and Tagrisso and ongoing FLAURA and ADAURA trials. Our extensive late-stage immuno-oncology programme focuses on 75-80% of patients with NSCLC without a known genetic mutation. Our portfolio includes Imfinzi, an anti-PDL1 antibody, which is in development as monotherapy (ADJUVANT, PACIFIC, MYSTIC, PEARL and ARCTIC trials) and in combination with tremelimumab (MYSTIC, NEPTUNE and POSEIDON trials).
About AstraZeneca's Approach to Immuno-Oncology
Immuno-Oncology (IO) is a therapeutic approach designed to stimulate the body's immune system to attack tumours. At AstraZeneca and MedImmune, our biologics research and development arm, our IO portfolio is anchored by immunotherapies that have been designed to overcome anti-tumour immune suppression. We believe that IO-based therapies will offer the potential for life-changing cancer treatments for the clear majority of patients.
We are pursuing a comprehensive clinical-trial programme that includes Imfinzi (anti-PD-L1) as monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4) in multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of therapy, using the PD-L1 biomarker as a decision-making tool to define the best potential treatment path for a patient. In addition, the ability to combine our IO portfolio with small, targeted molecules from across our Oncology pipeline, and with those of our research partners, may provide new treatment options across a broad range of tumours.
About AstraZeneca in Oncology
AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly-growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients' lives and the Company's future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance Oncology as a growth platform for AstraZeneca, focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.
By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug Conjugates – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
About MedImmune
MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across Oncology; Respiratory, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases; and Infection and Vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, US., one of AstraZeneca's three global R&D centres, with additional sites in Cambridge, UK, and Mountain View, US. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. The Company is also selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
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About six months ago, I wrote several posts (see below) about the differences between small business vs. scalable entprepreneurship and the implications for an educational curriculum. Silicon Valley, for the most part, is geared towards scalable startups (i.e. the companies that seek to be the next Google). As a result, programs in entrepreneurship offered by Stanford, UC-Berkeley, etc. tend to be oriented towards entrepreneurs with the big ideas.
But what about entrepreneurs with more modest ambitions? While organizations like SCORE have long sponsored clinics for small business people, there doesn't seem to be the same effort geared towards educating small business entrepreneurs. Yet, it's a well publicized fact that 45.6% of people employed in the U.S. work for companies with less than 100 people and that these firms make up 99.6% of U.S. companies. It is also a well known fact that the rate of small business failure is high. And while I don't have hard facts to support it, based on what I've seen working with small business people, it is my hypothesis that much of this failure could be prevented by educating small business entrepreneurs in the tools and concepts they need to make better decisions.
Since I wrote this post, I've had the good fortune to become connected with educators and business people who feel the same way. I've been part of an advisory group working with West Valley College in Saratoga, CA. Under the leadership of Heidi Diamond, Dept. Chair for Business Administration and Real Estate, West Valley has created two new offerings in entrepreneurial education geared towards the needs of the small business entrepreneur. The first, called the Entrepreneurship Academy starts July 12 and is directed towards budding small business entrepreneurs. The second, called the Small Business Academy starts July 9 and is geared towards more experienced small business people who have gotten their businesses off the ground but are looking for the knowledge to take their ventures to the next level.
Related Posts:
Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employment
The Creative Economy
Small Business vs. Scalable Entrepreneurship
6 Steps To Showing The Business Value Of What You Do
46 minutes ago


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Focus: This class includes a number of restorative Iyengar Yoga inversions. It also contains supported chest opening poses that focus on breath awareness. Several passive, hip opening poses are also included. Many of the poses in the sequence use yoga props in specific ways to support the body. The set up, and correct usage of these props is explained in detail for each pose. The class as a whole will help to bring stillness and clarity to the mind, whilst soothing and calming the nervous system.
Key Poses: Sirsasana, viparita dandasana, supta baddha konasana, niralamba sarvangasana, savasana
Equipment: Mat, chair, 2 bolsters, 3 blankets, 2 blocks, belt
Level: Advanced
Duration: 65 min


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AikiWeb Aikido Forums
> The Zen of Jazz.....
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The Zen of Jazz.....
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I have been listening to Jazz and Blues ever since I can remember. My father I guess kind of "conditioned" me ever since I was a small tike. I still to this day never get sick of listening to the recordings of Joe Pass, Al Demiola, Return To Forever, etc. I started playing the drums when I was around the age of 7. I was in the High School Jazz band, and now I currently play with a few people now and then. When I started to practice Zen, and later Aikido, I found that my creativity, and skill on the drum set, kinda opened up for some reason or another. I guess I could contribute this to having a more peaceful mind or somethin, but I really cant put my finger on it. I think that maybe Jazz and Blues, can relate to zen, and Aikido in more ways than one. Before being involed with them, music gave me almost the same tranquility that you may feel after doing zazen, or getting home from the dojo. I was wondering if anyone else can relate to this.
OK Mathew. You just struck a chord with me. I started playing drums at age 6 and continued religiously until I was around 18. I took some time off and started up again at around 25. I went to Drummers Collective in NY and was coached by Kenwood Denard (Sting's former drummer).
I mainly listen to "old" jazz though- Monk, Coltrane, Parker, Dizzy, Miles, etc but also like a lot of blues from Robert Johhnson to S.R. Vaughn and Robert Cray. Also love that Louisana sound.
I really feel a connection between jazz and aikido- the freedom of movement, the ad libbing, the centeredness, etc It is a very Zen-like performance art.
In my aikido club I have another drummer and a friend of mines who visits often is a capoira stylist and jazz drummer. The DC area is ripe in jazz.
BTW- tell Clapp Sensei I said hi. We trained together a few times at Baltimore Aikido Academy. We had a good time.
Enter and blend with the momentum of the rhythm, free flow improvisation based on the energy. Yep, sounds like jazz and Aikido to me.
I love the older jazz to man. Hey lets start a Jazz club/dojo.......hahaha
Michael Young
Good to know there are some other Jazz/Aikido fanatics like myself out there! (I was just sitting here surfing the net and listening to "Studio Jams" on the BET Jazz channel when I saw the title of this thread)....I've been a fan of Jazz for a long time too, and I can relate to what you're talking about. There are many parallels between Aikido and music, but Jazz in particular with its improvization. I personally play the piano/keyboards (albeit very badly) and bass. I can't count the number of times I've used the analogy of learning to play an instrument and music to learning Aikido...particularly when junior students start to express frustration with their "lack" of progress. Usually I'll ask people if they've ever tried to learn to play an instrument like the piano...you've got to start with basics, like learning how to read the notes on paper, where to put your fingers, how to sit at the keyboard, then you've got to learn the various scales, chords and modes, etc. Then you've got to..practice, practice, practice... before you can really start to "feel the groove" and play "in the moment". Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi, etc. make it look easy, and beautiful.... just like advanced Aikido practioners do. There are years of unseen practice when you listen/see those guys. Enough of my pontificating...
Keep swingin!
Ghost Fox
Joseph Jarman the dojo-cho at Jikishinkan Dojo in Brooklyn is not only a Godan in Aikido, he is also a Zen priest and a world-renowned jazz musician.
Studying under him for the last five years I have seen how all of these various arts have blended together. His movements are fluid and have an impromptu edge I've rarely seen in other instructors. I really enjoyed working with him.
Anyway if anyone's interested here's a link that points to various bios on his life. Jarman (http://www.directmind.com/new_page_2.htm)
Yes, I've heard of Jarman Sensei. I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to meet him while I was living in NYC. Hopefully on my next visit I will be able to stop by.
Thats freakin cool.....think I need to move to NYC
David Warden
I've just taken up Aikido a few months ago and I have found that my Saxophone playing has improved mainly due to be more relaxed (even with yonkyo bruises on the wrists) and my improvisation is coming along nicely
Hi Matthew,
I can definitely relate to what you're saying. I was a jazz-fusion drummer for 30 years and would often find myself "in the zone" - meaning, that at that time, I had totally transcended beyond the mere mechanics of the playing into a place where everything just became as one. Sometimes, I would even lose myself so much in the music, that when listening back to recordings, I suddenly begin to play things and interact in a way that I never felt was possible! I am a big fan of genius guitarist, Allan Holdsworth's music and I can feel the intensity of being "in the zone" in all his music. His whole band just let themselves go. The interaction between drummer, Gary Husband and Allan is total oneness - their chemistry is astounding! While working as a drummer, I was amazed at the amount of musicians I met who practiced Aikido too!
There is this same connection in Aikido. It's like centering yourself and being at one with your Ki. It's something you can't force - it just evolves naturally. I have recently begun training in Aikido again after a long period of illness, and now I'm searching for "inner peace" and a sense on oneness. Ultimately, I believe it is possible to find enlightenment through Aikido. That is my quest. I've given up drumming now to focus entirely on this search.
I know it may sound far-fetched and idealistic, but Aikido has always felt right for me, and I feel drawn into it. I also believe that by studying this Art for these reasons, rather than for self-defence, will be more rewarding and make you grow inside.
Take care,
Aikidoiain. :)
Wow, I cant belive that there has been this many responses to this post! I think that its pretty interesting that there are so many people with this connection. Small world...... Iain, I totaly belive that Aikido can and is a vehical for enlightenment. Everyone has to find there own way. It may be one of them.
Anita Crowhurst
I took up the clarinet after listening to an amazing jazz jam session, & thinking, "Wow, I wanna do that!" However, after playing for about a year now, I was beginning to wonder if I'd really be able to do it.
Been doing aikido for a little bit now. You never know it might just help the jazz flow...
jacob wood
i know exactly what Iian was talking about i play the guitar and one time while palying with my band we just let go and went off on a tangent for like 10 minutes it was so much fun. All of a sudden i could just flow with the chords being played and switching through the modes. Unfortunatley we didn't record it and there is no way to duplicate it, it just sprung out of my fingers but it felt like we were completley free. Ive only been taking aikido for 2 months but ive noticed being more relaxed especially my wrists while playing the piano. (im not good enough at the piano to improvise yet its a lot harder!)
Hi Jacob,
I've always been into jazz and in particular, improvisation. Anyone can improvise in music irrespective of playing ability. It's simply a case of someone starts playing something, another joins in and the process evolves. No one knows where they're going, but that's not the point - it's the journey to that place that's important. On occasions when everyone merges as one, that's called being "in the zone". It also teaches you to listen to others and learn how to interact. Some surprising music can be produced through improvisation.
This also applies to Aikido practice. Just play around with your partner as you spar - without consciously thinking about techniques - and you may discover some interesting things can be achieved. Ultimately - like music - Aikido should flow effortlessly with little or no conscious thought. Mind and body as one.
Jill N
Hi all:
This is a fun thread. I know a great aikido instructor who is a professional Jazz musician as well. He did a seminar for us a couple years ago: Steve Wolf. He is an instructor at Northern Virginia Ki Aikido. Here is his group's website:
Check it out. I love his CD. Great guy- good solid and fluid aikido too and a great instructor..
e ya later
To all,
I should at this point mention that in drumming, the late, great Buddy Rich is the drumming equivalent of Morihei Ueshiba - and, Buddy was a Karate man too! Everyone should check out Buddy's videos. I saw him perform twice, and actually met the great man. What a genius!
Buddy could play things on the kit, that even today leave virtuoso players mesmerized!
So many links between jazz and "Zen".
Michael Young
Man I dig this thread! It is great to see that there are some serious professional Jazz musicians taking and teaching Aikido. I'd heard of Jarman before, but only related to Jazz, I had no idea he was a high ranked Aikidoka. I think I'm going to be making a trip to NYC myself in the near future. This thread is really getting me inspired to get more serious about the piano too, I would really love to get to the same point in playing and creating music as I'm striving for in Aikido....thanks for the inspiration everyone.
Hey Jill, so you trained with Wolfe Sensei? I trained at VKS for about 17 months and me and Wolfe Sensei became good friends. We still get together sometimes on the mat. I turned him on to Nora Jones.
True story- Elvin Jones is resonsible for me doing aikido today. After hearing him I decided to focus on martial arts. Seriously.
Buddy was into martial arts? Thats cool... Really cool... Hes the drummer that got me into Jazz to begin with. Have any drummers out there heard of Terry Bozio? He used to play drums for Frank Zappa. Freakin amazing......
Jill N
Hey Jill, so you trained with Wolfe Sensei? I trained at VKS for about 17 months and me and Wolfe Sensei became good friends. We still get together sometimes on the mat. I turned him on to Nora Jones.
True story- Elvin Jones is resonsible for me doing aikido today. After hearing him I decided to focus on martial arts. Seriously.
Hi Asim:
I'm not familiar with Nora Jones. What's the story behind that?
Say "Hi" to Steve for me.
e ya later
Nora Jones is more folk, jazz, and country influenced. http://www.norahjones.com/
Her dad is Ravi Shankar. She is a throwback to the torch singers and pianists.
I used to listen to Punk Rock for inspiration, then moved on to some cool jazz (Brubeck etal).
I finally found my true music love which is Fusion. Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck, Weather Report, Niacin to name just a few. Manu Katche, Dennis Chambers, Omar Hakim, Billy Cobham, the list goes on for inspiration.
It's funny that the longer I did aikido, my music tastes changed. I never really thought of it until this thread. My playing style changed from aggressive to somewhat laid back and relaxed (like Joe Morrello).
To Matthew,
Yes Terry Bozzio's great. Check out an album he did with David Torn and Mick Karn, called "POLYTOWN" - there's great drumming on that.
I also suggest you listen to Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl - both great drummers, but the list is endless. Also, the drummer with Pat Metheny's new group, Antonio Sanchez. He can solo while keeping a cowbell pattern going with his left foot!..and jumping to and from his hi-hat and double-kick pedal!! You should buy Pat's "Speaking of Now" DVD to see this guy (and band) - they're incredible!
Best wishes,
Iain. :ki: :)
hi all. heh. I don't know if one of them helps another but here is a jazz bassist aikidoka for you. We should make an intercontinental song with channel recording. :)
Although I gave up drumming "professionally", I still feel an over-powering need to play again. Some day I hope to meet like-minded individuals who are into free form improvisation. When I did this in the past, it was way more inspiring than any gig I ever played.
I would love to meet just a few such players - go into a rehearsal room; say nothing, and just start playing. Afterall, music is the International and Spiritual language. Unfortunately, playing my drums at home is a no no! The whole street would go crazy! Besides, I wouldn't have the room for my kit. But some day.....
Playing a musical instrument is akin to letting go and perhaps even touching on transcendence. I used to play drums a lot, on my own in a rehearsal room - and just lose myself. I often wonder if this is what "enlightenment" is like.
I miss playing so much. I love jazz, but many other styles too, and recently I bought the new DVD "RUSH in Rio". Neil Peart was one of my early influences in my teens - and boy, I still love his playing with RUSH.
Iain. :ki: :)
I used to play blues on my guitar, but I have not been into that for a little while now. Every once and a while I fire up the tube amp and play soem though.
Now I am mostly into flamenco. I find I really love flamenco, because of the way it opens up the hand and mostly my mind. Flamenco has lots of improvisations, just like blues.
Also I found that in my aikido there is 2 other students who are into playing flamenco, this is surprising as very few people here play flamenco.
Side note, there is one problem. My nails on my right hand are a tiny bit longer then they should be, however I have been carefull. I also have to file them everyday so they don't get longer then they have to be.
garry cantrell
i play bass in a texas blues n boogie band called blue collar crime. groovin'on stage and groovin on the mat are pretty much the same (even the same facial expressions at times). check out www.bluecollarcrime.com
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InfoNIAC Presents: Top 10 Latest Inventions of September 2009
Vote for the Best Invention of 2009
"InfoNIAC Presents" is our new section in which we bring you the top 10 latest inventions selected from www.InfoNIAC.com each month. Today we bring you the top 10 latest inventions published on www.InfoNIAC.com in September. Hope you enjoy; and in case you liked one invention more than other, than vote for it (you will find the link to the poll at the bottom of this article).
1. Sky Pods - Part of Futuristic Transport System
The sky pods are part of a new transport system dubbed SkyTran. These pods use magnets to be able to levitate their rails. When you enter the pod, you only need to type the location you wish to visit. Almost everything is done by the computer. A SkyPod travels at 150mph and is able to carry up to 3 passengers. The invention could reduce traffic jam, it's inexpensive and environmentally-friendly. Read more…
2. Biogel that Effectively Cures Brain Injuries
This latest invention of American scientists is meant to help people with brain injuries, including victims of car crashes and injured soldiers. The injectable biogel will be tested on humans in three years. Read more…
3. Drug that Erases Unpleasant Memories
Developed by Swiss scientists, this latest invention proved to be effective on animals and researchers hope to test it on humans. If the results are good, in future people could use the pill to selectively erase bad memories. Read more…
4. Technology that Makes 3D Maps Using Digital Photos
The technology was created by engineers from the University of Washington. They developed an algorithm that can recreate entire cities in 3D by simply analyzing images of the location uploaded by users on various photo-sharing websites such as Flickr. With the help of this latest invention, users will have the possibility to take virtual tours around the world. In addition the technology can be widely used in developing video games. Read more…
5. New Batteries Made of Paper and Salt
Such environmentally-friendly batteries could be used to power various portable gadgets. Currently engineers are working on improving their efficiency, and namely they try to make it more comparable to the lithium ones. If researchers succeed, these batteries can push aside lithium batteries because their cost of production is much lower. Read more…
6. E-nose that Can Identify a Smoker
Australian researchers are the authors of this invention. The e-nose can easily detect a person who smoked. It includes 32 sensors that identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of a person if he or she smoked a cigarette. This could prove to be useful for insurers who might use the invention to test people who apply for health or life insurance. Read more…
7. Solar Panels that Produce Electricity Without Direct Sunlight
Everyone knows that to produce energy, solar cells need direct sunlight. However, these new solar cells, created by Scientists from Tel Aviv, Israel, can generate electricity from diffused light, meaning they don't need direct sunlight. They have a specialized colored panel that looks like a colored plexi-glass. The glass is made with fluorescent dyes and nanoparticle metals. The new solar panels are not just more efficient than traditional solar cells, they are much less expensive because the need 80 percent less silicon. Read more…
8. Device that Allows Visually Impaired to See With Their Tongue
Developed by neuroscientists from Middleton, Wisconsin, this invention can help visually impaired people to see by using their own tongue. The device is called Wicab BrainPort. It gathers information using a small digital camera installed on a pair of glasses that the user wears. The data is transmitted to a "lollipop" electrode array connected to the user's tongue. Read more…
9. Spacecraft that Redirects Asteroids from Our Planet
British engineers are the ones who came up with the idea. They designed a "gravity tractor" spacecraft that is meant to divert asteroids that could threaten Earth. Engineers develop their latest invention for a space company located in Stevenage, England. The idea to make such spacecraft appeared after astronomers spotted a scar on Jupiter. They consider that the scar appeared after an asteroid collided with the planet, having the size of Earth. Read more…
10. Swimming Robot for Studing Biodiversity and Spotting Pollution
Scientists from Ocean Technologies Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Bath said that the inspiration for their latest invention served the Amazonian knifefish. The robot, dubbed Gymnobot, claims to revolutionize submersible technology. Researchers could use such inventions to analyze the biodiversity in the shallow water as well as identify pollution. Read more…Click this link to vote for you favorite invention. Powered by www.infoniac.com


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Vaginal Mesh Implants Complication
If you have experienced complications as a result of a vaginal mesh implant, you may be eligible for compensation. Coleman Legal has a team of experienced solicitors currently representing a number of people in Ireland who have suffered complications as a result of mesh implants.
How can we help?
To discuss your case in detail, contact us today or request a callback from our experienced team.
Vaginal Mesh Implants – Complications
The majority of women are given vaginal mesh implants to treat prolapse or incontinence.
A growing number of women have had serious complications as a result of their vaginal mesh implants, and if you have been affected by vaginal mesh implants complications in Ireland, you can discuss your situation in strict confidence with a member of our medical negligence and defective products team.
Currently, in the United Kingdom, more than 800 women are bringing an Action against the NHS and the manufacturers of their vaginal mesh implants, after suffering severe complications.
Claims made following the Transvaginal mesh procedure
Thousands of claims have been lodged against Ethicon Inc. one of the manufacturers of this device and its parent company Johnson & Johnson. These claims have alleged that the device was defective and negligently designed in that the mesh was made of polypropylene which is not safe for use in the human body.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the late 1990s and early 2000s approved transvaginal mesh implants as a treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Early on, these products were embraced by doctors as a simpler, easier way to create a long-term solution for women suffering from these embarrassing and often debilitating conditions. With nearly 500,000 of these surgeries performed each year, many medical device companies saw a potentially lucrative market to enter. Since the first vaginal mesh product was approved by the FDA, dozens of vaginal mesh products have entered the market.
Paving the way for so many companies to produce multiple brands of mesh was an FDA decision to make transvaginal mesh a Class II product. This classification put a lighter burden on manufacturers to gain approval for their new products. Under Class II guidelines, and the FDA 510k program, manufacturers are only required to show that the device they are producing is substantially similar to a product that has already been approved and is on the market. This made it very easy for manufacturers to quickly and easily bring new vaginal mesh products to market.
Although there are a large number of companies manufacturing vaginal mesh, there are five companies considered dominant in the market: Johnson & Johnson, Bard Medical, American Medical Solutions, Boston Scientific, and Coloplast. These companies produce multiple brands through multiple subsidiaries, making billions of dollars in profit every year.
Johnson & Johnson/Ethicon Transvaginal Mesh Products
Of all the mesh manufacturers, J&J's Ethicon has been the slowest to offer settlements. The company also faces the highest number of federal lawsuits in the US. In January 2015, the company settled four lawsuits for an undisclosed amount.
A federal jury in West Virginia awarded $3.27 million to Jo Husky in September 2014. Huskey claimed her Ethicon Gynecare TVT mesh caused permanent injuries and the company failed to warn her.
In 2013, a New Jersey jury returned an $11 million verdict against Ethicon for injuries caused by its Gynecare Prolift. Another woman also won $1.2 million in Texas state court against J&J.
Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson was eager to jump into the emerging mesh market and created a new mesh product line through its subsidiary, Ethicon Inc. Ethicon was charged with developing "easy-to-use" surgical mesh kits. These kits provided doctors with pre-cut mesh and the tools needed for the implant procedure.
Surgeons embraced the convenient new kits. They quickly became the preferred treatment for prolapse and incontinence. Ethicon's Gynecare brands were believed to be superior to traditional surgery, but doctors had many more complications than they expected. The surgical mesh was difficult to implant, and complaints of severe post-surgery complications were common.
In June 2012, amid mounting legal pressure and growing concern from the FDA, Ethicon announced that it would no longer manufacture and distribute vaginal mesh products. However, both Ethicon and J&J have refused to call the decision a recall.
Because of the injuries caused by these products, over 25,400 lawsuits have been filed against Ethicon and J&J in the United States alone.
Gynecare Prolift Kit
J&J started selling the Gynecare Prolift Kit for prolapse treatment in 2005 without marketing approval from the FDA. The FDA scolded J&J for breaking the rules but approved the Prolift anyway in 2008.
Gynecare TVT Secur
The Gynecare TVT Secure was the first mini bladder sling used in the United States. Instead of using needles, the U-shaped TVT Secur has built-in blades for attaching the mesh. However, the TVT Secur is more likely to loosen after surgery.
Gynecare Prosima Pelvic Floor Repair System
J&J tried to perfect the mini bladder sling with the Gynecare Prosima Kit. It uses slits cut with scissors to implant the mesh, instead of needles. A tiny balloon is then placed on top of the anchored mesh and inflated to support organs after surgery. The balloon is removed 24 hours after the operation. Because of the way it is attached, this mesh is useful only if incontinence is caused by organs dropping to the back of the vagina; it is likely to fail if organs prolapse toward the front.
Gynecare Prolift + M Kit
In another effort to avoid patient complaints of vaginal scarring and perforation J&J created the Gynecare Prolift +M to treat prolapse. It was the first surgical mesh in the United States to use plastic fibers that could be partially absorbed by the body. This mesh isn't as dense as the Prolift, and it has larger holes that are supposed to help patients heal after surgery. The mesh also resists folding and wrinkling. Despite J&J's efforts, the Prolift + M eroded and shrank, just like many of its other mesh brands.
Bard Medical Transvaginal Mesh Products
Like Johnson & Johnson, Bard Medical's brands were approved under the 510(k) process. Bard even outsourced the clinical testing for its Alyte Y-Mesh device, relying on data from a 2010 European survey of 17 surgeons to get the brand approved by the FDA. Bard makes transvaginal mesh kits for both prolapse and incontinence.
Almost 11,000 patients who received Bard transvaginal mesh have already filed lawsuits against the company for injuries related to the products. These women suffered from erosion, organ perforation, nerve damage, migrated mesh and infection caused by Bard's brands.
Bard Transvaginal Mesh Products
|Prolapse Repair
|Bladder Sling
|Alyte Y-Mesh Graft
|Ajust Adjustable Single-Incision Sling
|Avaulta Solo Anterior and Posterior
|Align Urethral Support System
|Avaulta Plus Anterior and Posterior
|Pelvilace BioUretral Support System
Pelvicol Acellular Collagen Matrix
(Pelvicol Pelvisoft Tissue)
|Pelvilace Trans-Obturator BioUrethral Support System
|Pelvisoft BioMesh
|Uretex Self-Anchoring Urethral Support System
|Uretex Trans-Obturator Urethral Support System
|Faslata Allograft
Endo Pharmaceuticals/ American Medical Systems' Transvaginal Mesh Products
American Medical Systems made mesh for both stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse throughout the 2000s. In 2011, the company was purchased by Endo Pharmaceuticals. Some patients are suing both Endo and American Medical Systems to recover medical costs from injuries sustained from their transvaginal mesh products. Removal and revision surgeries for American Medical Systems transvaginal mesh brands happen frequently. Endo argued it could be sued for the actions of its subsidiary. However, by 2015, it had already paid close to $900 million to settle AMS lawsuits.
|American Medical Systems Transvaginal Mesh Products
|Prolapse Repair
|Bladder Sling
|MiniArc Precise Sling
|MiniArc Single-Incision Sling
|Elevate Anterior and Posterior Repair
|Monarc Subfascial Hammock
|In-Fast Ultra Transvaginal Sling
|BioArc SP Sling
|The Straight-In
|BioArc Trans Obturator Subfascial Hammock
|SPARC Sling
|Elevate with InteXen LP
|InVance Male Sling
|Monarc Sling
Boston Scientific Transvaginal Mesh Products
Boston Scientific is facing over 16,400 lawsuits over its mesh and incontinence products. Like the other manufacturers, Boston Scientific's brands injured many patients when the faulty mesh eroded and punctured organs. The company has stated it still believes transvaginal mesh is an important treatment for incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Boston Scientific's revenue was $7.6 billion in 2011, and transvaginal mesh sales made up less than 5 percent of the company's revenue.
|Boston Scientific Transvaginal Mesh Products
|Prolapse Repair
|Bladder Sling
|Pinnacle Pelvic Floor Repair Kit
|Advantage Transvaginal Mid-Urethral Sling System
|Uphold Vaginal Support System
|Prefyx PPS Sling
|Polyform Synthetic Mesh
|Obtryx Sling
|Lynx Sling
|Advantage Mesh
|Advantage Fit
|Lynx Suprapubic Mid-Urethral Sling
|Obtryx Transobturator Mid-Urethral Sling
Coloplast Transvaginal Mesh Products
Coloplast markets mesh products for the repair of prolapse and incontinence. As of June 2015, the company is still facing almost 2,000 lawsuits, which have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The patients say Coloplast's mesh products caused serious injury. In 2014, the Danish company offered $16 million to settle about 400 suits.
The FDA ordered dozens of manufacturers to conduct studies on their mesh products, including Johnson & Johnson/Ethicon, Bard Medical, Endo Pharmaceuticals/ American Medical Systems, Boston Scientific and Coloplast. While each company makes its own version of transvaginal mesh many of the products are similar in both their design and the material used to construct the mesh. Most transvaginal mesh brands are prone to erosion and organ perforation. Because the complaints the FDA received on mesh complications are not tied to any specific transvaginal mesh manufacturer, all companies that produce transvaginal mesh brands are potentially liable for compensating patients for injuries caused by their products.
Other Transvaginal Mesh Manufacturers and Products
|Exair, Supris Suprapublic Sling, T-Sling, Aris Transobturator Sling, Restorelle, Minitape, Omnisure, Novasilk sling
|Fortaflex, FortaPerm
|Pegasus Biologics
|Orthadapt, Orthadapt, Bioimplant
|Easy Lift, Minisling, Zippere
|RTI Biologics
|Tutopatch Tutomesh
|Tyco Healthcare
|IVS Tunneller
|Duo, IVS Tunneler, Parietene Mesh, Surgipro Mesh
|Pelvetex, Uretex, Uretex Sling, UretexTO, Uretex TO Avaulta BioSynthetic System
|PM Devices
|Serica Technologies Inc.
|Surgicraft Surgical Mesh
Source: drugwatch.com


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BATTLE of the TOMATO BRANDS
by: Steven Carruthers
Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses Australia
In the competitive world of marketing and communication, brand building and relationship marketing is a powerful combination. Brand building is about product identification and trust, and relationship marketing is about establishing profitable relationships with customers and consumers that really last. In the fresh produce market, it's something the organics industry does really well, and the hydroponics industry does poorly. While organic produce sales continue to grow worldwide, hydroponic produce is seldom marketed as such in supermarkets, with growers battling to differentiate their product from their competitors and overseas imports.
According to many consumer studies, people generally buy organic food because it is seen to be healthier and more natural than its non-organic equivalents. A recent study by the NZ Vegetable Growers Federation (VegFed), found that nearly 40% of people who purchase organic food do so because they believe it is pesticide-free. Of course, that's not always true, but that's the power of marketing, and an industry able to communicate its marketing message.
I'm not aware of any consumer research on hydroponic produce, however, I would venture to say that consumer perceptions would weigh heavily in favour of produce that is grown using artificial fertilisers or 'chemicals', and that freshness, quality, taste and shelf-life would hardly rate a mention. Many consumers believe hydroponic tomatoes are picked green, gassed to ripen, and that they are flavourless. Nothing could be further from the truth, but how do hydroponic growers convey their marketing message through the marketing chain to the end user? Consumers also think hydroponic tomatoes are high priced, but with the arrival of imported hydroponic tomatoes from New Zealand, and soon from the Netherlands, this perception may change.
Neither the organic nor the hydroponic industry can claim they are pesticide free, although hydroponic and greenhouse growers are headed that way with the adoption of Integrated PestManagement (IPM) strategies.
How are tomatoes marketed?
Today, not all supermarkets market hydroponic tomatoes as such, and less so in farmers markets and the corner fruit and veg store. Hydroponic tomatoes are definitely tomato non grata at organic markets.
Instead, tomatoes are marketed as 'vine-ripened', 'truss' or 'cluster',' greenhouse' or 'gourmet 'tomatoes, which may or may not have been grown hydroponically. In Canada and parts of the US, they are marketed as 'Tomatoes on the Vine'and ' Cherry Cluster Tomatoes'. Supermarkets use these names as a gimmick or a way of attracting the buyer, each saying that my tomatoes are fresher and better than competitor', a claim usually reflected by price.
Importance of branding
In the context of fresh food marketing, branding is an important source of information in consumer decision making. It offers three specific benefits:
• Product quality - consumers will often pay more for a product that they associate with high quality and dependability.
• Innovation - innovative products are usually heralded by a new name.
• Choice - Consumers value the freedom of choosing from among the many offerings in a given product category, and branding makes this possible by identifying each offering.
From a food wholesaler and retailers perspective, branding strategies revolve around ensuring that a brand name will stick in consumers'minds. To achieve this marketing goal, they consider fresh produce branding in the context of market segmentation and promotional strategy, developing brand names that help promote a unique image and character that may allow for price differentiation.
Branding is so universal a marketing strategy, that it is difficult to isolate its benefits for fresh produce marketers. However, it is particularly important for:
• Market control - where branding can assist an organisation in obtaining a significant share of the market for its product. Once a product becomes established, a well-known brand name can help it retain its position.
• Pricing independence - where branding enables a company to charge more or less money for a product than its competitors.
• Product introduction - one of the factors that can entice consumers into using a new product is an appealing product name. Some marketers may try to link their new offering to an already respected brand or name, while others may choose a new name that promises excitement or satisfaction.
• Promotional advantage - when a brand name is firmly fixed in the consumer's mind, promotional campaigns are apt to be more effective and less expensive.
• Positioning - a new brand name can often help to reposition a product line in the market.
Tomato segments
In the context of tomatoes as a commodity group, fresh produce marketers use brand building and market relationship strategies to create different tomato segments, such as Truss, Vine-ripened, Greenhouse and Gourmet tomatoes, which may or may not be hydroponically grown.
In the US, Howard Wener, a Vegetable Consultant with
AgriSupportOnline said truss and cluster both mean the same thing. The truss or cluster is the place on the tomato vine where the flowers form and turn into fruit. "The term truss tomatoes is not used in North America," said Mr Wener." Tomatoes that are picked as a cluster or truss are often called cluster tomatoes and are larger than cherry tomatoes, but smaller than the normal greenhouse tomato. "In Canada and parts of the US, they are called TOV's or 'Tomatoes on the Vine'. Cherry tomatoes when picked as a cluster are more commonly referred to as 'Cherry Cluster Tomatoes'," he added.
Mr Wener said that greenhouse tomatoes should refer only to tomatoes grown and picked from greenhouses. However, because indeterminate tomatoes, which were bred for greenhouses are now grown outdoors, the term has become somewhat confusing. "Some people will call any indeterminate tomato grown outdoors on good staking a greenhouse tomato because of the shape and size,"said MrWener." I think this is partially done to convince the consumer that it is a better product, "he added.
Of vine-ripened tomatoes, Mr Wener said this is a very "explosive" term. He said that everyone seems to have a different interpretation of what it means. "In the States, you often see a sign in the supermarket that says vine-ripened tomatoes, but they have been ripened artificially with ethylene gas. They are picked at the 'breaker stage', which simply means that they have good size and should be ready to turn colour. The gas is used to hurry them along," he said.
Mr Wener said that this is one definition of vine-ripened, but most people would like the term to mean that they have been picked red after having ripened on the vine. "In NorthAmerica, it is mostly the big outdoor growers with determinate varieties, using the gas method, who advertise their tomatoes as vine-ripened, " he said. " Determinate tomatoes that are picked red are not usually sold in big supermarkets, but rather at farmer's stands, and they do not need advertising. The colour and taste speak for themselves," he said.
Mr Wener explained that growers of indeterminate tomatoes started introducing all the other terms to differentiate their product from their competitors.
Consumer Reports (www.Consumerreports.org), a respected US consumer research website, defines vine-ripened tomatoes as grown outdoors or in, and they're usually picked when turning from pink to red. Field-grown is defined as tomatoes grown outdoors, which may have a higher brix (sugar level) or sweetness than greenhouse tomatoes.
Of gourmet tomatoes, Mr Wener said that this term is only used in Australia. "It was first introduced when growers started growing the indeterminate type tomatoes, and they wanted to differentiate their product from the old determinate and semi-determinate varieties," he said.
Tomato Terms
Indeterminate – Tomato plants that are grown throughout summer,forming a vine that requires cages and/or stakes for support. Plants bear fruit throughout the summer, though less at any one time than determinate types.
Determinate – Also known as "bush types", determinate tomato plants grow to a certain height and then stop.Plants need less support, but only bear fruit for about a month.
Semideterminate –
These plants grow larger than bush types, but smaller than true indeterminates.Plants require staking.
A mark of freshness
The calyx is left on vine-ripened and 90% of greenhouse tomatoes as a mark of freshness. In truss tomatoes, the greenness of the calyx and truss stem is also used as a mark of freshness.
The practice of leaving the calyx on was once exclusive to hydroponic growers as a group, however, many soil growers "cashed in" on this marketing strategy to get a higher price for their produce. As a general guide, Mr Millis said that greenhouse tomatoes are marketed with the calyx on, and outdoor-grown tomatoes are generally sold without the calyx. As a wholesale agent himself, he said the calyx is no longer as important. "The calyx is an easy form of reference for the uninformed consumer...and soil-grown tomatoes sold with a calyx are a poor substitute for quality," he said.
Mr Millis predicts most greenhouse tomato growers will be out of soil within 12-18 months. "They can't match the yields," he said.
Imported tomatoes
There are some tomatoes sold without a calyx that do represent quality. New Zealand tomatoes arrive in Australia without a calyx, which could carry pest and diseases not found here. Branded as hydroponic tomatoes, they are popular with buyers because of their quality. " Buyers are looking for quality all the time, and they have become familiar with the quality of New Zealand tomatoes," said Mr Millis.
The same import controls for NZtomatoes will also apply to high quality truss and single tomatoes from Holland, which are likely to reach Australian supermarkets in the near future. A draft import policy for truss tomatoes from the Netherlands was circulated by Biosecurity Australia in late May 2003. The purpose of the draft review that was sent to industry stakeholders, is to provide information on:background to the access request; pests and diseases of quarantine concern;existing import conditions for tomatoes; and proposed import conditions for tomatoes from the Netherlands.
With its review of NZtomatoes extended to include truss tomatoes, Biosecurity Australia has ruled that there is no need to proceed with Impact Risk Analyses (IRA) for Dutch tomatoes.
When Dutch tomatoes do arrive in Australia,which now seems likely,their quality may surpass anything grown in Australia. Their arrival will be good news for consumers who will pay about the same, a little more or less for quality tomatoes; but it could be bad news for Australian tomato growers unable to match Dutch production costs, yields and quality.
The fresh food industry is driven by price. New Zealand and Dutch growers adopt state-of-the-art hydroponic and greenhouse technologies, and have access to cheaper energy for greenhouse heating,and bumblebee technology to increase production yields and fruit quality. With Dutch yields in the high 60kg/m2compared to around 50kg/m2for Australian growers, they may be able to grow and land high quality tomatoes below the cost at which Australian growers can produce. Transport from Europe won't be cost prohibitive. Airlines such as KLM Cargo (www.klmcargo.com) and their partner airlines operate a fleet of cargo and combi passenger/cargo aircraft that are specially designed to deliver distinct levels of temperature and ventilation conditioning care to their customers working in the perishables industry. They currently deliver to over 185 countries worldwide.
Packaging is the most important sales tool available to food marketers.In the near future, consumers will be able to differentiate between the local product and imported tomatoes by attractive and functional, tamper-resistant packaging that conveys a message of freshness, flavour and long shelf-life, and maybe pesticide-free.
Australian consumers will also have a wider choice of tomatoes.They will experience marketing strategies that include brand building for products such as bite-sized 'Grape' tomatoes', larger-sized 'Cherry' tomatoes that come in red,yellow and orange;and egg-shaped 'Plum' or 'Paste' tomatoes that are ideal for cooking. These product segments will offer consumers more benefits and choices,and will be priced accordingly.
Summary and conclusion
In a competitive market environment, it's important for hydroponic and greenhouse growers to understand the power of brand building and relationship marketing so that they can recognise market opportunities that will allow them to grow into the future. What we know from this discussion is that fresh food wholesalers (agents) and retailers control the market environment with few opportunities for hydroponic growers to differentiate their product. We know that greenhouse and vine-ripened tomatoes may or may not be hydroponically grown, and that truss or cluster tomatoes are.We also know that the greenness of the calyx is a mark of freshness, but its importance is diminishing with the introduction of quality tomatoes from New Zealand where the calyx is removed.
With the arrival of imported tomatoes from New Zealand and, as seems likely, from the Netherlands,the industry needs to understand the different market segments and current marketing practices in order to distinguish their product from competitors including high quality overseas imports.
For the last word, Mr Millis said that there is only one way to develop the brand, but up to now growers have not been prepared to promote the product. In the absence of this promotion, supermarkets want the generic brand, which allows them to put a wide array of products under one banner.
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MADRID – Tarak Ben Ammar's high-flying Italian distributor Eagle Pictures has acquired Italian rights to Mira Nair's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist."
Struck with "Fundamentalist" sales agent K5 International, deal was announced just 48 hours before Nair's political thriller world preems at Venice Aug. 29, opening the 69th Venice Festival, playing out of competition.
Eagle's buy marks a preemptive move on rights to Italy, the prime sales territory for Venice titles, made by Italy's only active big pic buyer after Mediaset's Medusa and RAI 01 Distribution froze international acquisitions before the American Film Market, in order to focus on Italian co-productions.
With Medusa and RAI out of play, Eagle has a good run at not only big genre movies, its traditional focus, but more upscale fare as well.
Based on Mohsin Hamid's bestseller, "Fundamentalist" stars Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Liev Schreiber, Martin Donovan and Om Puri.
Lydia Dean Pilcher produced with Qatar's Doha Film Institute, which financed the film. The DFI also co-financed the Ben Ammar-produced "Black Gold."
Cinetic's Bart Walker and Hal Sadoff for the DFI are handling the film's North American rights. Ben Ammar and Carl Clifton, K5 partner and head of sales, negotiated the Italy sale.
"This is an important film with a message of tolerance and mutual understanding between cultures that is universal and timely," Ben Ammar said.


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Japan: Festival in Ojiya features balloons, fireworks
February 22, 2012
Winter in Japan can be magical, and with so many places to go skiing or snowboarding, it's easy to miss out on other activities taking place.
Last winter, I came across a hidden gem in Ojiya, in Niigata prefecture: the annual Ojiya Balloon Festival.
A couple dozen colorful balloons are tethered in a snow-covered field. Some offer visitors a brief ride, while others float up in the air. The one that stood out most was shaped like Doraemon, a popular Japanese manga character.
Sadly, last year all the tickets to ride the hot air balloons were sold out, so I had to go back this year.
But even if you can't go on a balloon ride, there are plenty of other things to do.
No Japanese festival would be complete without some tasty fair food and drinks, and Ojiya's offerings included yakisoba, takoyaki (ball-shaped fried octopus dumplings) and a warm, hearty beer stew and rice.
The first day of the festival kicks off with a snow sculpture competition. People from local organizations frantically work together to build these colorful ice sculptures — you'll see Hello Kitty and other cute Japanese characters.
There are also plenty of fun snow activities for kids, such as ice slides and sleds pulled by snowmobiles. The event, a winter lover's dream, is child-friendly, but entertaining enough for adults.
The highlight of the festival has to be the evening fireworks show combined with the hot air balloons. While the fireworks didn't go on as long as I'd hoped, the show was absolutely amazing. The combination of the lit-up, grounded hot air balloons with the color and pizazz of the fireworks display definitely made the long drive worthwhile. It was impressive that such a small town could put on such a grand production.
Ojiya, a four-hour drive from Tokyo, is a great change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ojiya is famous not only for the hot air balloon festival, but also for farming koi — Japan's famous freshwater fish. And if you want to fit in a little skiing or snowboarding, there are plenty of slopes on the way to Ojiya.
This year's festival is Feb. 25 and 26. The snow sculpture competition and the fireworks show take place on Saturday only.


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Tamar Levi
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My Autism Book
A Child's Guide to their Autism Spectrum Diagnosis
By Tamar Levi and Glòria
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
When a child is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, parents often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to communicate the diagnosis to their child. This beautifully illustrated picture book helps parents to explain autism to their child in a sensitive, positive and accurate way using clear language that speaks directly to the child.
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text:
what is it to write a good piece,
something that is worth reading,
something that is worth looking back to.
what is this?
my head,
my mind,
my train of thoughts,
a lot.
it is a drought in here
i feel it
i live in it
it does not mean much
it is like a shitstorm in here
i just lost the compassion
to pen them down anywhere.
it is like a barren land in here
most of the times
i just lost the flow
to bear thoughts in my writing.
it is like a void in here
i am just lost
with time
with space
with the comfort that i have
nothing feels better than doing nothing
this is bad.
i do not believe this at all, previously.
did i extinguish myself after all the efforts?
why so?
i think i am just not patient enough to make it through
i think i am not trusting time itself.
those who make it,
comparison is the thief of joy.
what is the purpose of writing?
is it to create?
is it to generate views?
is it to…?
look at you back then,
heads over tails every single day
just to produce a piece of writing
churning out something every day.
look at you now,
feeling there is no need to do so
there is no meaning behind this.
it is like chasing a wild goose,
following a red herring.
slumping around with a phone in your hands,
browsing through contents which are deader
than your creativity.
what's the point?
why have i become so lazy?
why have i become the very thing
i swore not to become?
a generic human-
being sub-par productive,
stop chasing the little what-ifs,
not wanting to get up,
for no apparent reason.
what is your priority?
in life.
after all that spiel,
what is your priority?
right now.
i don't really know,
i just want to write.
don't lie to yourself
what is your priority?
be true.
i lost them.
i wanted to write
i wanted to do Maths
i wanted to do write.
that's all in the past
the dust.
do you want them back?
the generic answer.
the innate me
i am just fabricating,
lying to myself
about the construct of
my very existence.
just like everyone else.
content and eventually
losing the sense of self.
take a leap of faith
Craving for more? Down below:
2.352 Seconds
First 21 KM (NPE Challenge)
"Let There Be Light." (Revisited)
29516 Steps From Tsukiji to Ginza to Odaiba
32703 Steps From Kudanshita to Shibuya to Yotsuya


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FREESOULS Captured & Released
Years ago, I decided my friend Joi Ito knows everyone. And not just that, he knows everything. And not just that, he is everywhere. And not just that, he knows how to connect people everywhere to other people with ideas anywhere.
Joi is the CEO of Creative Commons, the nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright.
Joi also is an incredible portrait photographer.
And now, a collection of his photographs has been published in a book called FREESOULS captured and released. The book is being published in two limited editions. A hard-cover "boxed set" book in an edition of 50 copies, and a limited edition soft-cover book with a print run of 1024 copies. As with almost everything Joi does, this approach provides a glimpse at a creative niche publishing model.
The book features Joi's photographs of many of the people whose names are synonymous with the threads of theory and law and commerce and community and serendipity that are resulting in this ever-changing and beautifully chaotic thing happening here on the live and conversational and disruptive and collaborative and argumentative and alway expressive web.
I am honored to be included in the book.
And like everyone else whose photo is in the book, I provided a Creative Commons model release so that the name of Joi's book, "FreeSouls," could fulfill its purposeful pun. Over the years, Joi has discovered that many of the people who are written about in Wikipedia and other open-source spaces don't have images displayed because of copyright issues.
With his book, Joi says, "I'm asking everyone to be much more open and giving about their image than most people typically are. I'm giving, you're giving, we're all giving to participate and to try to create this wonderful work, and allow others to create derivative works."
I live in two worlds and appreciate the swirling debate on the value of intellectual property. I respect and protect the work of writers, photographers and artists whose work is featured in the media we create at Hammock Inc. However, when it comes to my personal photography or this blog, I grant a license that permits anyone to use the content for non-commercial purposes as long as the work is attributed to me.
I support the goals of Creative Commons and hope that other photographers and musicians and film-makers and bloggers and scientists and creators of all types will learn more about the various ways to utilize Creative Commons licenses to protect their work while still freeing their work to be used in ways that benefit everyone — especially the creator.
Because all of the photographs in Joi's book can be used under a Creative Commons license, Oliver Ding was able to create this slide show explaining what a "FreeSoul" is:


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Jan. 05, 2004
Substance use is still common at age 35, U-M study finds
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The proportion of 35-year-olds who abuse alcohol and use illicit drugs is higher than might be expected, a University of Michigan study shows.
More than 32 percent of men report heavy drinking—defined as having five or more drinks in a row—at least once in the past two weeks. Nearly 13 percent of men and 7 percent of women report using marijuana in the past month, and 7 percent of men and 8 percent of women report misusing prescription drugs in the past year.
The study, published in the January 2004 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, uses data on 7,541 respondents from the Monitoring the Future study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted annually at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR) since 1975. The men and women who graduated from high school between 1977 and 1983 were randomly selected after graduation to participate in follow-up surveys every two years.
"We found that substance use was surprisingly prevalent at the start of midlife," said Alicia Merline, an ISR researcher who is the lead author of the article. "And we also found that it is not restricted to stereotypical drug users with low socioeconomic status."
After controlling for gender, education and income, the researchers found that professionals are equally as likely to use marijuana as those in other job classifications. Nearly 10 percent of the 35-year-old males with professional jobs report having used marijuana in the past month, for example.
Merline and co-authors Patrick O'Malley, John Schulenberg, Jerald Bachman and Lloyd Johnston, all psychologists at the ISR, discovered a high level of stability of substance use over the 18-year time period covered by the follow-up study. "The foundation for later substance use is set for most people by the time they finish high school," Merline said.
The association between high school experience and cigarette smoking at age 35 is particularly strong, the researchers noted. Having even tried cigarettes at all before graduating from high school increases the odds of smoking at age 35 by more than 3 times the odds of those who had never tried cigarettes by their senior year.
The odds of smoking at age 35 were more than 12 times higher for participants who used cigarettes during the month prior to their twelfth grade survey than for those who had never smoked by their senior year. And the odds of smoking at age 35 were 42 times higher for those who were daily smokers during the twelfth grade than for those who had never smoked by their senior year.
Similar patterns were found for episodic heavy drinking, and for the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs. When compared with those who did not drink heavily as high-school seniors, participants who drank heavily had 3 times the odds of drinking heavily at 35 years of age. When compared with those who had not tried marijuana by the twelfth grade, individuals who had tried marijuana by the twelfth grade had 8 times the odds of using marijuana at age 35.
Those who had tried any illicit drug other than marijuana by their senior year had 5 times the odds of using cocaine and 3 times the odds of misusing prescription drugs at 35 years of age compared with those who had not.
But the researchers found that current demographic and socioeconomic factors also play an important role in adult substance use. Men and women who are currently married are much less likely to smoke, drink heavily, use marijuana or other illicit drugs or to misuse prescription medications than those who are single, divorced or separated.
While research on young adults has shown that college students drink more than their non-student peers while in college, by age 35 this pattern has reversed and college graduates are less likely to drink heavily than those who did not attend college.
The researchers also found that living with one's child, rather than just being a parent, was associated with lower substance use. Still, they found that a sizeable segment of custodial parents drink heavily or use illicit substances. For example, more than 29 percent of fathers whose children live with them report heavy drinking within the past two weeks. Also, custodial parents are just as likely to smoke or misuse prescription drugs as those who have no children.
Established in 1948, the Institute for Social Research (ISR) is among the world's oldest survey research organizations, and a world leader in the development and application of social science methodology. ISR conducts some of the most widely cited studies in the nation, including the Survey of Consumer Attitudes, the National Election Studies, the Monitoring the Future Study, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the Health and Retirement Study, the Columbia County Longitudinal Study and the National Survey of Black Americans. ISR researchers also collaborate with social scientists in more than 60 nations on the World Values Surveys and other projects, and the Institute has established formal ties with universities in Poland, China and South Africa. Visit the ISR Web site at www.isr.umich.edu for more information. ISR is also home to the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the world's largest computerized social science data archive.
Contact: Diane Swanbrow


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City prepares to demolish two downtown motels for $230,000
Two abandoned motels that have long loomed over Reno's gateway to downtown while awaiting a grand urban renewal project once promised but never delivered will soon be razed by the city.
On Wednesday, the Reno City Council will vote on whether to send out to bid the $230,000 contract to demolish the Golden West Motor Lodge and Heart o' Town motel on Virginia Street near Fifth Street.
The motels are two of dozens of blighted properties assembled in northeastern downtown by Northern Nevada Urban Development Co., which sought STAR bond financing for a mixed-use project about a decade ago. When the real estate market collapsed the Tessera District never materialized and the city has been living with the boarded up properties.
"This demolition is long overdue," Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said. "It is an exciting time for downtown Reno, but we still have more work to do. I am grateful to the council and Operation Downtown for their continued support of an aggressive strategic downtown plan."
The city will tap its $1 million blight fund to demolish the motels. The bill will be sent to the property owner. If it's not paid, the city will lien the property and could eventually become the owner if it's not reimbursed.
While the demolition has been hailed by many downtown stakeholders who have come to see the motels as high profile symbols of Reno blight, not everyone agrees they should be razed.
Kelly Rae, who with her partner Pamela Haberman has redeveloped about 200 properties in Reno since 1998, said the motels could be rebuilt into vintage boutique motor lodges, or affordable housing units. She pointed to other cities such as Palm Springs, which have refurbished mid-century motels into thriving properties.
She said the pair, who do business as Haberae, would be interested in buying the motels themselves.
"For that quarter of a million dollars you could completely redo all those rooms and have it become an income producing property instead of a boarded up piece of crap or weed infested lot," Rae said. "Pam and I have done it over and over and over again."
Rae questioned whether the city would ever see its money back. She said she worries if the city liens the property, it could end up in a subordinate position to other investors who would be paid first or have a priority to assuming ownership of the land.
Northern Nevada Urban Development Co. purchased the properties with money lent by dozens of investors, who have since foreclosed on the parcels and are trying to sell the land, said Jim Pfrommer, a manager representing the company. He said any lien by the city would have priority.
Alex Woodley, the city's code enforcement manager, confirmed that. The city's lien for blight abatement costs would have priority over any other entitlements to the property or the proceeds from its sale, he said.
"It has the same power and authority as a tax lien," Woodley said. "No one can kick us off, no foreclosure, no bankruptcy."
Woodley, who has been in discussions with the property owner, said he doesn't expect the current owners would be able to reimburse the city immediately. But with the improving economy, it's possible the property could sell, putting the city first in line to be reimbursed from the proceeds.
"It's in their best interest (to pay the lien or sell the property)," Woodley said. "There's no way they would allow a million dollar property go for only $200,000. Especially when there are 30 investors who don't want to lose it all."
Editor's Note: This story has been edited to update the current land ownership situation.


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Dr. Melanie Hennenfent was born and raised in Vancouver. She received her Bachelor Of Science Honours at Queen's University and her Doctorate degree from the New England College of Optometry. Dr. Hennenfent scored the national top score for her performance on the National Board Examination (Diagnosis & Treatment of Ocular Disease), and was the recipient of the NECO Clinic Award for 'Superior Knowledge and Competence in Patient Care'.
Dr. Hennenfent's optometric experience includes an internship at the VA Hospital in Washington, working with specialized ophthalmologists in Florida, as well internships at Tufts Medical Center and Perkin's School for the Blind, where she focused on providing care for children and patients with mental and physical disabilities. Dr. Hennenfent participated in the NE-Eye On-Sight program, a mobile clinic that provides accessible eye care to underprivileged children throughout Massachusetts. She has a special interest in binocular vision, and is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and eye-teaming difficulties, as well as patients with Post Concussion Vision Syndrome. She recently attended the COVD meeting in Anaheim, where she received a week of specialized training in the treatment of head injury patients, including the use of therapeutic lenses and administration of neuro-optometric rehabilitation and vision training.
Dr. Hennenfent is very excited to be back on the West Coast, where she can enjoy outdoor activities with her friends and family. In particular, she loves hiking, yoga and photography.


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Life 201
04.02.2020 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
This is a 5 session group that will utilize the therapeutic arts as well as mindfulness, music, yoga and massage to help the individual process their grief as they move forward in their grief journey. This group is for individuals who are further along in their grief journey or for those who the traditional "talk therapy" groups have not worked. Registration is required. Group participants must enter the first or second week because the group then closes. Please Call 912-629-1097 for further information and to register. This group, like all groups at Full Circle, is offered free of charge to the community as a way to give back for all of the support has so generously been given to us.