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If you've seen the 1973 movie "The Exorcist," you at least have some idea of what exorcism is about. It has to do with ridding a human being of diabolic possession, it's typically associated with Roman Catholic beliefs, and if the movie is any indication, it's very, very scary. You may remember with a shudder the teenage girl whose head spun around, her body in convulsions, her voice that of a demon spewing curses and obscenities while the battered priest of "The Exorcist" fought the devil to save her soul.
This Hollywood version of an exorcism is supposedly based on a real-life exorcism performed on a Maryland boy in 1949. Priests are still performing exorcisms today.
Is exorcism real, or are the subject and the exorcist unconsciously acting out roles from a popular movie? Are there other explanations for what some people call "possession"? In this article, we'll focus on the Roman Catholic exorcism rite because of its tremendous presence in popular culture thanks to "The Exorcist" and its successors. We'll learn why a priest might perform an exorcism, find out what the ritual involves, take a look at a real-life exorcism and discuss the controversy surrounding the practice.
What is Exorcism?
The Catholic Encyclopedia defines exorcism as "the act of driving out, or warding off, demons, or evil spirits, from persons, places, or things, which are believed to be possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice." In short, it is a ritual performed by a Catholic priest to expel the devil from a person, place or thing.
There are several types of exorcism in the Roman Catholic Church:
- Baptismal exorcism - blessing an infant prior to baptism to cleanse it of evil resulting from original sin
- Simple exorcism - blessing a place or thing to rid it of evil influence
- Real exorcism - performing the Rite of Exorcism to rid a human being of diabolical possession
A "real exorcism" is what most of us think of when we think of exorcism. In this case, the priest-exorcist is dealing with a human being who is possessed by the devil -- the devil is inhabiting this person's body. The Hollywood version of a real exorcism looks something like this:
According to the Church, telltale signs of demonic possession include [ref]:
- Speaking or understanding languages which the person has never learned (different from "speaking in tongues," which is considered a sign of religious ecstasy, not possession)
- Knowing (and revealing) things the person has no earthly way of knowing
- Physical strength beyond the person's natural physical makeup
- A violent aversion to God, the Virgin Mary, the cross and other images of Catholic faith
If you do a Google search for the word "exorcism," you'll find ads for exorcists -- Wanda Pratnicka, for example, has "30 years experience with 25,000 successfully performed exorcisms." This makes demonic possession seem like a pretty common occurrence. But to the Roman Catholic Church, it's rare: It only finds true demonic possession in about one out of every 5,000 reported cases [ref]. So what does it take for the Church to send in an exorcist?
The Investigation: Possessed?
When someone reports a possible case of possession to the Church, an investigation begins. Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan priest who holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University, was the man the Archdiocese of New York called on to investigate cases of apparent possession that landed on its desk in the '70s and '80s. In "American Exorcism," he describes his experience this way (Cuneo 22):
... when cases were referred to me I usually sought the help of a laywoman in the archdiocese who possessed a gift for discerning spirits. In her view, and also mine, none of the people I brought to her were victims of possession; none of them, in other words, were in need of formal exorcism. But that doesn't mean they weren't being afflicted or oppressed in various ways by demonic presences. Demonic oppression is much less serious than full-scale possession, and it can usually be dealt with by what we refer to as a simple prayer of deliverance.
A typical investigation is essentially a process of elimination: Does the subject exhibit the telltale signs of demonic possession? Is there any other way to explain the subject's behavior besides demonic possession?
Often, the priest will consult a psychiatrist in his investigation in order to determine whether the "possessed" person's symptoms can be fully explained by mental illness. According to Michael Cuneo's "American Exorcism," there are about a dozen psychiatrists in the United States who evaluate potentially possessed subjects for the Catholic Church. The subject will also undergo a medical examination to find out if the symptoms can be attributed to a physical disorder or illness. The priest may consult a Church-approved expert on the paranormal for additional input. Another possibility the investigator must consider is plain old fraud.
If the priest is convinced of the validity of the possession and that an exorcism is the appropriate way to help this person, he will report back to his supervisor (in most cases, the diocesan bishop) that an exorcism is in order. The Church may then decide to sanction an official exorcism and appoint an exorcist to the case.
The Exorcist
If the Church decides it has a truly possessed individual on its hands -- one that requires an exorcism -- the next step is to appoint an exorcist to the case. This is often the same priest who performed the investigation, but not always.
Casting out the devil is not part of a typical priest's daily duties. Most priests have never performed an exorcism. But some have.
Official numbers are hard to come by, but "American Exorcism" reports that in 1996, the Catholic Church appointed 10 priests to the position of exorcist in the United States, bringing the total number to 11. Cuneo estimates the worldwide number at somewhere between 150 and 300, while other reports claim there are 300 to 400 official exorcists in Italy alone [ref]. There are also priests who are not official exorcists but claim to have permission from their local bishop to perform exorcisms at their discretion. The exorcism ritual has made a big comeback from being nearly extinct throughout most of the 20th century.
Traditionally, Catholic exorcists undergo very little specific training to aid them in their job. While they learn a great deal about the devil and the risks and manifestations of evil, exorcism itself is not a specialized area of study in seminary school. What they know, they know from their experience in the role of priest and from the Roman Catholic rite of exorcism, which is the official document detailing the prayers and steps of an exorcism. Things are starting to change, though. Official exorcists of the Catholic Church formed their own organization in 1992. The International Association of Exorcists holds biannual meetings in Rome and sends out a quarterly newsletter to its members. In the newsletter, exorcists tell of particularly difficult or interesting cases and swap "tricks of the trade" (Cuneo, 266). In addition, in 2005, Rome's Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Academy (a university connected to the Vatican) started offering a class on exorcism.
Once the Church appoints one of its official exorcists to perform the ritual, the next step is to get the devil to leave the person's body.
The Exorcism
In January 1999, the Vatican issued a revised exorcism rite to be used by Catholic priests. The directions for conducting an exorcism comprise a single section in the Roman Ritual (Rituale Romanum), one of the books describing the official rites of the Roman Catholic Church. Prior to 1999, the official exorcism rite dated back to 1614.
To perform the rite, the exorcist dresses in his surplice and purple stole. The ritual of exorcism is mostly a series of prayers, statements and appeals. These prayers are loosely broken down into the "imploring formula," in which the priest asks God to free the subject from the devil ("God, whose nature is ever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that this servant of yours, bound by the fetters of sin, may be pardoned by your loving kindness"), and the "imperative formula," in which the priest demands in the name of God that the devil leave the subject's body ("Depart, then, impious one, depart, accursed one, depart with all your deceits, for God has willed that man should be His temple"). To read the entire 1999 revised rite, see Catholic Doors Ministry: 1999 Rite of Exorcism.
In addition to these recitations, the priest takes certain actions at particular times during the rite: He sprinkles holy water on everyone in the room, lays his hands on the subject, makes the sign of the cross both on himself and on the subject and touches the subject with a Catholic relic (usually an object associated with a saint).
Malachi Martin, a former Jesuit priest and self-proclaimed (but not official) exorcist, offers additional information on exorcism -- information not endorsed by the Church. A controversial figure in the Catholic world, Martin reveals in the book "Hostage to the Devil" what he considers to be the typical stages of an exorcism (Cuneo 19-20):
- Pretense - The demon is hiding its true identity.
- Breakpoint - The demon reveals itself.
- Clash - The exorcist and the demon fight for the soul of the possessed.
- Expulsion - If the exorcist wins the battle, the demon leaves the body of the possessed.
"Hostage to the Devil" created quite a stir in the Church. The book details supposedly factual exorcisms that Martin claims to have performed, assisted with or witnessed. The exorcisms Martin describes are on the level with "The Exorcism" in terms of action and violence. It has been criticized by believers, who think Martin has sensationalized and therefore belittled the power of the devil. But if Martin's vivid scenes don't ring true to the Church and its supporters, what does a real exorcism look like?
A Real-life Exorcism
In researching "American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty," Michael Cuneo, a sociology professor at Fordham University, attends all sorts of exorcisms. One official, Church-sanctioned exorcism that Cuneo sat in on involved a man he calls Warren (the possessed) and a priest-exorcist he calls Father Peter. Warren's life is painful to him -- he is a heavy drinker, regularly has sex with people he has just met and is generally depressed. He has recently begun to hear voices, see things and feel an "unbearable pressure" on his body at night. In short, Warren is tormented. His local pastor contacted Father Peter's supervisor, and with the agreement of a psychiatrist, they arranged an exorcism. The following details of a real-life, official exorcism are taken from "American Exorcism" (243-245). While Cuneo does not provide a date, this exorcism most likely took place before the 1999 revisions to the rite.
In the basement of an unremarkable building in the Midwest, Father Peter, in his surplice and purple stole, stands directly in front of Warren, who sits in a chair with his head bowed and his fists clenched. Cuneo sits off to the side. Father Peter begins the ritual:
"All-powerful God, pardon all the sins of your unworthy servant. Give me constant faith and power so that, armed with the power of Your holy strength, I can attack this cruel evil spirit in confidence and security..."
While speaking these initial words, the priest sprinkles Warren, Michael Cuneo and himself with holy water.
Father Peter moves closer to Warren, makes the sign of the cross and lays his palm on Warren's forehead. Warren sits perfectly still while Father Peter recites the prayers of the exorcism ritual. Father Peter appeals to Christ, the Virgin Mary and the saints to aid him in his endeavor to save Warren's soul. Warren remains silent.
"I exorcise you, Most Unclean Spirit! All Spirits! Every one of you! In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Be uprooted and expelled from this Creature of God..."
Father Peter makes the sign of the cross on Warren's forehead, presses a relic against his chest and ultimately finishes the exorcism with:
"Go away, Seducer! The desert is your home. The serpent is your dwelling. Be humiliated and cast down. For even though you have deceived men, you cannot make a mockery of God ... He has prepared Hell for you and your angels."
Father Peter then leads Warren in a few closing prayers and additional readings. He asks Warren how he feels. Cuneo relays Warren's answer: "Peaceful, Warren said, but also a bit confused. He thought he'd felt something leaving him during the exorcism, but he wasn't sure."
It's not exactly "The Exorcist," but then, that's a pretty tough act to follow. Was Warren possessed? Did Father Peter get the devil to leave Warren's body? There are those who believe, and there are those who don't. But no one got hurt, and it may just be that Warren is better off having undergone the exorcism. So some might wonder, what's the problem?
The Controversy
The battle surrounding exorcisms exists mainly on two related fronts: the huge "exorcism for profit" ministries that have sprung up in the last couple of decades; and the "psychology vs. religion" debate that sprang up with the advent of psychiatry in the 1800s.
Exorcism for Profit
As soon as money enters the picture, the skeptics are going to win some ground. The rise of money-making "exorcism ministries" around the world leads many people who might otherwise reserve judgment to outright reject the validity of the Catholic view of possession and exorcism, even though the exorcisms performed by these unofficial exorcists are not in any way connected to the Catholic Church.
A particularly popular exorcism ministry in the United States, Bob Larson Ministries, televises its weekly conferences. In these mass exorcisms, for which large groups can receive a "family rate" on tickets, Mr. Larson exorcises the demons of an auditorium full of people. Financial donations on top of the ticket price are not required for his services, but they are welcome.
There are always people who will point to profit as evidence of an ulterior motive, especially when you mix profit with the paranormal.
Psychology vs. Religion
Where one person sees possession and pulls out his rite of exorcism, another sees mental illness and pulls out the DSM IV. This is probably the greatest debate surrounding the practice of exorcism: there may be earthly explanations for behavior the Church considers evidence of diabolical possession.
Several psychological disorders, including Tourette syndrome and schizophrenia, can produce the types of effects seen in "possessed" people. People with epilepsy can suddenly go into convulsions when having a seizure; Tourette syndrome causes involuntary movements and vocal outbursts; schizophrenia involves auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoia, delusions and sometimes violent behavior. Psychological issues like low self-esteem and narcissism can cause a person to act out the role of "possessed person" in order to gain attention. In a case where the subject is in fact suffering from mental illness, the Church is doing harm by labeling the person possessed if this prevents the person from seeking out the medical treatment he or she requires.
Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, introducing the New Rite for Exorcisms to the press in 1999, responds to the conflict this way [ref]:
... exorcism is one thing, and psychoanalysis is another. If the exorcist has any doubt about the mental health of the possessed, he should consult an expert ... It often happens that simple people confuse somatic problems with diabolical influence, but not everything can be attributed to the devil.
The ultimate question remains, "Does exorcism help people or harm people?" It is difficult to come by documentation of any outcomes of official Roman Catholic exorcisms, harmful or beneficial. This is by design: According to the official rite, exorcisms are supposed to be low-key -- not necessarily secret, but not performed in public or in front of press representatives -- so that the ritual does not become a "show." Results are not to be published, whether the exorcism is a success or a failure.
There is considerable documentation, however, of the harmful outcomes of exorcisms performed outside the Catholic Church. One widely reported incident took place in June 2005 in Tanacu, Romania. A priest and several nuns in a Romanian Orthodox convent believed that Maricia Irina Cornici, a 23-year-old nun who lived in the convent, was possessed. So they carried out an exorcism ritual: They tied her to a cross, pushed a towel into her mouth and left her alone without food and water. The intent was to drive out the demon inhabiting her body. Cornici died after three days. Officials believe the young woman had schizophrenia.
To learn more about the case, see CBSNews.com: Nun Dies After Convent Exorcism.
For more information on exorcism and related topics, check out the links on the next page.
Related HowStuffWorks Articles
More Great Links
- "Cardinal Medina on New Rite for Exorcisms." ZENIT News Agency - The World Seen From Rome, January 26, 1999. http://www.zenit.org/english/archive/9901/ZE990126.html
- "Crucified nun dies in 'exorcism.'" BBCNews.com. June 18, 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4107524.stm
- Cuneo, Michael W. "American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty." Doubleday. New York, 2001.
- "Exorcism Rite Reformed." Catholic Culture. http://catholicculture.net/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=2824
- "Exorcism." Metareligion.com. http://www.meta-religion.com/Psychiatry/Demonic_possesion/exorcism.htm
- "Exorcism." New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05709a.htm
- "Exorcism." The Skeptic's Dictionary. http://skepdic.com/exorcism.html
- "Jinn Comrade (Qareen): How to Get Rid of It?" Islam Online. http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546050
- "Priests Sign up for Exorcism 101." L.A.Times.com. February 18, 2005. Reprinted by The Tibetan Foundation. http://www.tibetanfoundation.org/ExorcismOnRise.htm
- "Vatican issues first new exorcism ritual since 1614." CNN.com. January 26, 1999. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9901/26/exorcism/
- "Vatican U. Offers Exorcism 101." CBSNews.com. February 17, 2005. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/17/world/main674660.shtml
- "What is Tourette Syndrome?" Tourette Syndrome Association. http://www.tsa-usa.org/


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True to its name, there's nothing particularly wrong with Laurel Canyon quartet Dawes' second album. The foursome thread enough Neil Young-isms into their songs to fill a thousands Harvests, the 11 tracks here spilling over with bluesy piano bursts and sumptuous vocal harmonies, a crunchy thrum of electric guitar ever-present. No, nothing is amiss or even slightly askew about the Californian group's return – and perhaps that's the problem. Nothing Is Wrong is an album that paws so affectionately at the Americana idols that inspired it that you glean nothing of the band that penned it.
Opener 'Time Spent In Los Angeles' begins the record in promising fashion – a poppy slice of breezy indie rock, pausing on frontman Taylor Goldsmith's enduring restlessness. Organs stalk the backdrop, bass guitar snaking crisply around the skeleton of the song, while Goldsmith laments that "these days my friends don't seem to know me / without a suitcase in my hand."
Unfortunately, as the rest of the record unfolds, the group rarely travel beyond this sort of So-Cal college rock, sepia-hued and swimming in vague allusions to heartbreak. There are only slight variations: doffing a cap to Conor Oberst on the grittier 'Fire Away,' turning to piano on closing ballad 'A Little Bit Of Everything' to exorcise their affections for Jimmy Webb. You can practically taste the moonshine as Goldsmith spits his tales of stunted romance in the great American outdoors over the rootsy-folk backdrops his bandmates provide. Homage is all very well, but where is the character, the colour, the insight here?
There have, of course, been bands who have successfully harked back decades in their sonic stylings – Midlake, for instance, pry open not-dissimilar vaults from musical history on 2006's monumental Trials of Van Occupanther album, and more recently Fleet Foxes have been winning over audiences and critics alike with their Sixties folk-rock revivalist shtick. But, where Helplessness Blues, for all its overblown baroque silliness, leaves you with a firm, disarming impression of Robin Pecknold, Dawes find themselves unable to shoehorn a bit of themselves into Nothing Is Wrong amid all the well-placed nods and winks.
If Dawes appear a little eager to pay homage to their heroes, perhaps it's because they have spent a lot of time in the company of them – since their 2008 debut, the group have been recruited to serve as backing band to US AOR-rock royalty Robbie Robertson (once of The Band, don't you know) and Jackson Browne, who returns the favour in a way, guesting on backing vocals on various tracks here. These stints may have sharpened their prowess as a tight, Americana-bleating music machine – guitar licks fizz with distorted accomplishment and their close vocal harmonies are unwavering, no less than on upbeat country swagger number 'So Well' – but the lingering suspicion is that Nothing Is Wrong would have been a better record had that time been spent eking the emotion out of their own lives, rather than their record collections.
5Al Horner's Score

subset: commoncrawl


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Personal Information shall not be disclosed unless it is being disclosed to another Custodian and is reasonably necessary for the provision of health care to the individual, or for certain other instances as permitted in Privacy Laws. This Office and our Affiliates may perform activities in other provinces and territories and outside of Canada through third party agents. You acknowledge and agree that, as a result, your Personal Information may be transferred to, processed, used, stored or accessed in other provinces and territories, and in other countries, and may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions. For example, Personal Information may be disclosed in response to valid demands or requests from government authorities, courts, or law enforcement in other countries. We will use contractual and/or other means to provide a comparable level of protection over your Personal Information while the information is being accessed and/or processed by any such third party. However, contractual or other measures we may use to protect your Personal Information are subject to the legal requirements of foreign jurisdictions where your Personal Information may be transferred, processed, used, stored or accessed. Our Office keeps Personal Information only as long as necessary to satisfy the purposes for which it was collected, however, some Personal Information is kept for a number of years to comply with legal requirements. Our Office has protocols in place for the retention of Personal Information in accordance with applicable law and with the College's guidelines on dental recordkeeping. In destroying Personal Information, our Office has developed guidelines to ensure secure destruction in accordance with applicable law and the College's guidelines on dental recordkeeping. As discussed in this Code, Personal Information may be transferred and stored outside of Canada. We encourage you to contact the Privacy Officer should you require further information. Accuracy of Personal Information This Office endeavours to ensure that your Personal Information is as accurate, complete, and as up-to-date as necessary for the purposes that it is to be used. The extent to which your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date will depend upon the use of the Personal Information, while at all times taking into account the interest of our patients. Your Personal Information needs to be sufficiently accurate, complete and up-to-date to minimize the possibility that inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date Personal Information is used to make a decision about you as our patient. If your Personal Information changes, or if you believe the Personal Information maintained by our Office is inaccurate, we ask that you contact our Office to have the information updated or corrected. Safeguards for Personal Information Our Office has Information Practices in place in relation to the administrative, technical and physical safeguards and practices that we maintain with respect to Personal Information. Our Office staff are aware of the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of your Personal Information and we have taken appropriate measures to safeguard your Personal Information. These safeguards are in place to protect your Personal Information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification. We use reasonable measures to ensure your information is protected, whether recorded on paper or electronically, and care is used in its retention and destruction to prevent unauthorized access while in our care and control. This Office has implemented additional safeguards for electronic information as required by applicable Privacy Laws. Openness about Privacy Our Office will make readily available to the public a written statement with specific information about our Information Practices relating to the management of Personal Information. This information includes: - the individuals at this Office and the Privacy Officer to whom you can direct any questions or complaints regarding your Personal Information; - a copy of our Patient Consent Form that explains how this Office collects, uses and discloses your Personal Information; and - this Code. Patient Access to Personal Information You have a right of access to your Personal Information, subject to specific and limited exceptions, and a right of correction or accurate amendment of your Personal Information. Upon written request and with reasonable notice, you shall be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of your Personal Information, and shall be given access to it, subject to certain legal exceptions. Upon written request and with reasonable notice, our Office shall provide you with an accounting of how your Personal Information has been used. In providing this information, we will attempt to be as specific as possible. We will respond to your request within a reasonable period of time, and at minimal or no cost to you. The request for information will be provided or made available in a form that is generally understandable. You are free to challenge the accuracy and completeness of your Personal Information and seek to have it altered, amended, or changed for accuracy and completeness. When a challenge is not resolved to your satisfaction, we will record the substance of the unresolved challenge accordingly. When appropriate, the existence of the unresolved challenge shall be transmitted to third parties having access to the Personal Information in question. This disclosure may be appropriate where a dentist has been challenged about a change to a service date or services rendered under consideration for insurance benefits. Our Office may refuse to grant access to information in certain instances as outlined under Privacy Laws. As soon as possible but no later than 30 days after receiving the request for a record containing Personal Information, our Office will provide you with written notice that either grants your request, refuses your request or extends the deadline for replying to your request. Where your request is refused, we will provide you with a written notice that sets out the reasons for the refusal, the contact information of an Affiliate who can answer your questions about the refusal, as well as advise you that you are entitled to make a complaint to the Review Officer about our refusal. Challenging Compliance You shall be able to challenge compliance with these principles with the Privacy Officer who is accountable within the Office for compliance with the Privacy Laws by each of our Custodians. Our Office has in place procedures to receive and respond to your complaints or inquiries. The procedures are easily accessible and simple to use. Our Office has an obligation to inform our patients who make inquiries about how to access the privacy complaint process in our Office, and about how to access that process. The Privacy Officer will investigate each and every complaint made to the Office in writing. If a complaint is found to be justified, the Privacy Officer will take appropriate measures, including, if necessary, amending any office policies and practices. Updating this Privacy and Anti-Spam Code Any changes to our privacy standards and information handling practices will be reflected in this Code in a timely manner. Our Office reserves the right to change, modify, add, or remove portions of this Code at any time. Please check this page periodically for any modifications. To determine when this Privacy and Anti-Spam Code was last updated, please refer to the modification date at the bottom of this Code. By providing Personal Information to this Office and/or by using our services after changes to this Code have been made, you accept and consent to those changes. How to Contact Us Our Privacy Officer is our Affiliate. For more information about our privacy protection practices, or to raise a concern you have with our practices, contact our Affiliate at: 181 Bay Street, Suite #2600 Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3 Attention: Julian Perez, Chief Privacy Officer In certain instances, as outlined under applicable Privacy Laws, you are able to make complaints to the Province's Privacy Review Officer, or the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. The Review Officer can be reached at: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer of Nova Scotia PO Box 181 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2M4 firstname.lastname@example.com Last revised: April 2019 APPENDIX –A DEFINITIONS Affiliate – means Dentalcorp Health Service ULC and/or an affiliate or agent thereof, which provides institutional health care services, including dental laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic services, and the operation of dental operatories and dental equipment. Collection – The act of gathering, acquiring, receiving, gaining access to or obtaining personal information from any source, including third party sources, by any means. College – Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia. Commercial Electronic Message or CEM – is a message sent directly to an electronic address (such as an email address, a phone number, an instant messaging account, or social media account) with the purpose, or one of its purposes, of encouraging participation in a commercial activity. Consent – A voluntary agreement with what is being done or is being proposed to be done. Consent can either be express or implied. Express consent may be given explicitly, either orally or in writing. Custodians – means a person or organization as listed in PHIA that has custody or control of Personal Information as a result of or in connection with performing their powers or duties Disclosure – Making Personal Information available or to releasing to other Custodians or other persons, but does not include the use of the information. Information Practices – means the policies of the Custodian or a prescribed entity for actions in relation to personal health information, including when, how and the purposes for which the Custodian routinely collects, uses, discloses, retains, de-identifies, destroys or disposes of personal health information, as well as the administrative, technical and physical safeguards and practices that the Custodian maintains with respect to the information. Member – A member of the College and includes a health professional corporation registered with the College to practice dentistry in Nova Scotia. Office – The dental office operated by Dr. Podolsky Dental Professional (NS) Inc. which provides professional dental services comprising of diagnosis, the interpretation of x-ray radiographs produced by the Affiliate, treatment planning and intra-oral professional services at [Suite 104, 998 Parkland Drive, Halifax NS]. Patient – An individual about whom our Office collects Personal Information in order to carry out prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment, including controlled acts. Personal Health Information – Identifying information about an individual, whether living or deceased, and in both recorded and unrecorded forms, if the information relates to the physical or mental health of the individual, including information that consists of health history of the individual's family, relates to the application, assessment, eligibility and provision of health care to the individual, including the identification of a person as a provider of health care to the individual, related to payments or eligibility for health care in respect of the individual, relates to the donation by the individual of any body part or bodily substance of the individual or is derived from the testing or examination of any such body part or bodily substance, is the individual's registration information, including the individual's health-card number, or identifies an individual's substitute decision-maker. Personal Information – Identifying information about an individual, and includes Health Information. Personal Information, as defined federally by PIPEDA, excludes an individual's business contact information where the collection, use or disclosure of is for the purpose of communicating or facilitating communication with the individual in relation to their employment, business or profession. Privacy Officer – means the contact person designated in this Privacy and Anti-Spam Code as the agent of our Office authorized on our behalf to, among other things, facilitate our compliance with the Privacy Laws. Privacy Laws – All applicable laws governing the collection, use, storage or disclosure of personal information, including the Dental Act, Dental Hygienists Act, Dental Technicians Act, By-laws of the College, the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act (CASL), and regulations made under these Acts. Review Officer – means the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer of Nova Scotia. Service Providers – means dentists and dental professional corporations providing professional services at the Office in conjunction with Dr. Podolsky Dental Professional (NS) Inc. and the Affiliate. Use – the act of handling or dealing with Personal Information in the custody or control of a custodian or person, but does not include the disclosing of Personal Information.
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|This is an avoidable crime. This one looks sturdy, but is actually crap security, like all cables.
This is part of a continuing series on the uselessness of cable locks for bicycle security that I wish was unnecessary. After input from several thoughtful blog visitors, my view of cables is that they are semi-adequate for "just-a-minute" stops where you can keep your eye on the bicycle the whole time. Possibly they also deter easy theft of cheap wheels, thus avoiding inconvenience, when used together with a decent U-lock that is locked through the frame to some fixed structure, including the Sheldon "hook the rear wheel inside the rear triangle and lock it to something" method and its variants. But I'm telling you, and this photo is part of a sad, continuing series supporting the point: cable locks have no place as the primary method of securing a bicycle to rack for an extended and unattended period of time in a city. Period. The packages they come in ought to have warning labels stating that clearly and unequivocally so that people who do not know are not misled.
Today's example represents the theft of someone's daily transportation, the method that they used to get to and from work to earn a living. People who work to earn a living pay taxes, and spend their income on goods and services to keep the juices of our market economy flowing. This was someone who commuted on their bicycle to work in Phoenix in the summertime. So not only is it disappointing and saddening to me as a fellow cyclist, but also I feel that crimes which hamper someone's efforts to earn a living are a concern for all citizens.
I think I'll go U-lock shopping soon, and hang around the bike rack after work to see who wants one, and who wants to learn how to use it properly--there's one U-lock user I see regularly who locks his nutted front wheel to the rack. I would much rather start a collection of uncut cable locks that I traded to people for decent U-locks while showing them how to use them properly. I'm keeping my eyes open for U-lock sales. And going to the office supply store this weekend to look for printing supplies. I'm not sure that I'll find card stock in yellow, but I will be searching.
|Possibly the most effective use of cable locks for bicyclists: basket weights


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Sassy, spicy, a peach and a pistol, that's what you get with Laura Hadar. She's not afraid to be who she is, do things her way, do it in her own style and Nikita loves her for it. Nikita is ecstatic to be signing Laura for two more years.
Laura attacks snowboarding the way she goes after life, with zeal and passion. General Manager and Head Designer, Runar Omarsson and Heida Birgisdottir, said, "We've been stoked on having Laura on the Nikita team and are thrilled to renew our contract with her. Not only is she an amazing snowboarder but she's also in the business of street fashion with her shop, Fice. Nikita is all about girls who dig snowboarding and street fashion – so we're the perfect couple. We look forward to riding with her for years to come!"
How does Laura feel about signing? "I love Nikita! I'm super excited. I've been reppin' Nikita for over five years. This contract just brings me that much closer to celebrating a decade with them…It's been amazing to grow with them, and watch them grow too. I feel lucky that I could be part of something bigger than just clothes with Nikita."
With women's snowboarding taking on new challenges, reaching new heights and pushing harder each season it's great to have women out there like Laura who maintain a sense of independence and individuality. Laura is a great reflection of what Nikita stands for, being an individual and having a good time with it.
According to Laura, Nikita stands for, "chicks who like to keep up with the boys while still looking liking like girls. There's a strong connection with all girls out there who are charging the board scene and Nikita helps bring them together."
That's what we like, a community of creative and talented women who just want to have fun and look good while they're at it.
For more info on Nikita visit nikitaclothing.com


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Alabama freshman outfielder Ben Moore (Cullman, AL) was selected to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Baseball Team as announced by Collegiate Baseball Newspapers on Wednesday.
A 2012 Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team selection, Moore started 54-of-55 games and all 30 games during SEC play this past season for the Crimson Tide. Moore had a solid rookie season, as he finished second on the squad with a .342 average to go along with 10 doubles, two home runs and 31 runs batted in.
Moore had three hitting streaks of at least eight games, which included an 11-game streak and a team best 13-game hitting streak from Mar. 24-Apr. 13. Additionally, he reached base in 49-of-55 games, which included a streak of 26 consecutive games. Moore had 17 multiple hit games and led the Tide with nine multiple RBI games.
Moore hit safely in 45-of-55 games in 2012, including having at least one hit in 24-of-30 SEC contests. Moore was the third best hitter in the SEC season, posting a .345 average during conference action.
Moore was one of seven freshmen from the SEC to be selected to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team. He was joined by fellow SEC players Austin Cousino (Kentucky), A.J. Reed (Kentucky), Grayson Greiner (South Carolina), Jordan Montgomery (South Carolina), Aaron Nola (LSU) and Jonathan Holder (Mississippi State).
Courtesy UA Media Relations


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In 1989, the Brolin men co-starred in a made-for-TV movie called Finish Line. We'd never heard of this film until a tipster sent along a link to the promo last week. It's worth watching the clip in its entirety, because as far as we can tell, it doesn't miss a single important moment from the movie itself (but it looks like you can still get the VHS for about five bucks on Amazon).
The plot: high school track phenom Glenn Shrevelow (Josh Brolin) is pushed to the limit by his demanding father, Martin (James Brolin) and turns to scary scary steroid drugs in order to win. He sacrifices a lot, including a romance with maybe investigative reporter Mariska Hargitay, according to the dramatique voice-over:
The desire for success can be greater than the desire to love... The desire to win, greater than the desire for life... In this hard and lonely world, there is no room for quitters... And Glenn Shrevelow is not about to quit.
Until... (spoiler!) it kills him.
H/T Woo.
Thank you for your continued support of Deadspin. You're all really grand. Here's Hickey.


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New on TV today: Saturday 6 June
Two songwriting reality shows start tonight: Songland on SABC3 and The Launch on SABC1.
Hindi simulcast back on Star Life for first run series
The mystery of the channel's missing dual audio soundtrack has been solved.
Binnelanders Teasers - July 2020
Hadad has a revelation but it leads to anger, frustration and questions.
New on TV today: Friday 5 June
This Is Fate returns to Zee World as CuriosityStream examines Today in Africa.
SABC1's Sunday night Mzansi movie line-up - June 2020
The channel marks Youth Month with a Sunday festival of these four local fliks...
The Way To Paradise 2 Teasers - July 2020
Diabla escapes! Also, Hilda gets put into a mind hospital.
Generations: The Legacy Teasers - July 2020
Smanga makes an unexpected announcement to the board.
New on TV today: Thursday 4 June
Harvey Weinstein takes centre stage on IDx and American Soul croons its way back to BET.
Power, wealth and race in the spotlight in SABC2's novela Side by Side
Two episodes air a week as two women stand by side-by-side for freedom and equality.
COVID-19 shuts down The River
A member of the production tested positive on Tuesday (2 June).
More activity at TVSA Central
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Dr Michael Miroshnik is a fully qualified Australian trained Plastic Surgeon specialising in cosmetic plastic surgical procedures. He is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) and a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS). The Royal Australian College of Surgeons is the only statutory recognised body for the training of plastic surgeons in Australia.
After completing 6 years of medical & surgical training at the University of Sydney, he was awarded the Sidney B Clipsham Memorial Prize in Operative Surgery and then embarked on his journey into the world of plastic surgery. After a further 10 years of training amongst all the major hospitals in Sydney, Dr Miroshnik was awarded his FRACS (PLAS.) degree. Over this 10 year period, Dr Miroshnik performed over 5000 surgical procedures involving every part of the body.
To further his understanding and knowledge of cosmetic plastic surgery, Dr Miroshnik visited several leading centres in Europe to have a more global sense of the latest techniques available. He spent several months within the leading plastic surgical units in London, Paris, Rome & Stockholm developing new ideas and exchanging information with notable surgeons.
Dr Miroshnik has been widely published within medical literature and regularly presents talks in scientific meetings around the world. Through his work in Royal North Shore Hospital, he is also actively involved in educating and training future plastic surgeons in both reconstructive as well as cosmetic plastic surgery. His teachings emphasise both the scientific as well as the artistic aspects of the field.
Dr Miroshnik specialises in short scar, minimally invasive plastic surgery of the breast, face & body producing natural looking, beautiful results. He also regularly attends both national & international society meetings to stay abreast of the latest techniques on offer, which he can then confidently offer to his patients.
In Australia, just about anyone with a basic medical degree is allowed to perform cosmetic surgery. In fact, currently there is no legislation in place which stops any doctor, even your local GP, without having undergone formal surgical training to call themselves a 'surgeon'.
Your only safeguard is to look for the letters FRACS (PLAS.) under a doctor's name and check that they are affiliated with the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), as only fully qualified plastic surgeons have these titles and memberships. They reflect many years of training & exams (at least 10 years) in surgery far beyond the medical school period.
A woman's breasts help define her femininity, and with the vast differences in shape, size, and appearance, breasts further help to define her individualism. Cosmetic plastic surgical procedures of the breast can enlarge (augment), reduce, lift or completely reshape both the breast and the nipple/areola.
Dr Miroshnik is widely renowned for his exceptional work on the breast, specialising in short incision breast surgery. This allows him to use the very latest techniques to produce natural looking, dramatic results with little to show for it.
Breast augmentation, also known as breast enlargement or breast implant surgery, is Dr Miroshnik's most commonly performed procedure. He is widely renowned around Australia and New Zealand for producing exceptional results that are in total harmony and balance with the womans figure.
Women with excessively large breasts desire not only an improvement in breast size & shape but also an improvement in lifestyle. These women report difficulty with exercise, activities of everyday living, finding appropriately sized bras, maintaining hygiene under the breast and troublesome strap marks. But this can all be changed with a single procedure!
With the passage of time, the breasts undergo changes in response to factors such as genetics, the aging process, pregnancy and breast feeding, weight gain or loss, and hormonal fluctuations. Breasts that were once firm and shapely often begin to sag and droop giving them a loose or heavy appearance. A breast lift, or mastopexy, can help restore a firmer, shapelier breast, which will improve body contours and give the breasts a perky, youthful appearance.
Many men suffer from a condition known as gynaecomastia, or feminisation of the male breast. In this condition extra fat and breast tissue accumulate in the chest area, giving the male an unnatural feminine fullness to their chest. Gynaecomastia can occur secondarily as a result of several medical conditions or certain drugs. Alternatively, it may occur without any predisposing factor. Either way, it is a condition that can be very embarrassing for many men.
Nipples come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common complaint is a nipple that is inverted or non-protruding. Alternatively, the areola, the pigmented region around the nipple may be too large for the breast. Some, such as those that are undergoing breast reconstruction, have lost their nipple altogether and need a new one created.
Problems with breast augmentation may occur as a result of poor planning, poor surgery or simply as a result of the way scarring and healing has occurred in the individual patient.
Dr Miroshnik treats many patients who have had their breast augmentation surgery performed elsewhere around the country. The assessment process and the technical aspects of the corrective surgery itself are usually many times more complicated than primary (or first-time) breast augmentation. For this reason, secondary (or corrective) plastic surgery is usually more expensive and takes much longer. It is usually, however, at least partially health fund rebatable.
Now available is the non-surgical breast augmentation/ breast enlargemement.
The procedure involves using an injectable filler to increase the volume of the breasts and hence breast size. The filler is very similar to the filler that is used to augment lips but is thicker so that it lasts a lot longer.
Our bodies are many and varied. They can change shape with our environment, age, diet and exercise habits. Plastic surgical procedures on the body can achieve dramatic results which lead to a greater self-confidence and quality of life. To benefit best from them, it is important that you have stabilised your weight for at least 6 months.
Please select a procedure from the above subheadings to learn more about it.
Liposuction, which is also known as liposculpture or lipoplasty, is a very commonly performed plastic surgery procedure used for removing stubborn deposits of fat through tiny incisions. In doing so, the contours of the body can be changed to create a slimmer and more attractive figure.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is an operation that is designed to reshape the abdomen. It works by removing bulges, loose skin, fat deposits, and stretch marks from this region and yields dramatic results.
There are many reasons for people to consider belly button reshaping surgery. One of the more common reasons is the presence of what's known as an umbilical (or paraumbilical) hernia.
In this condition, a defect in the abdominal musculature allows the protrusion of intra-abdominal contents to the surface. This often manifests itself as an 'outie' belly button and is a common feature post-pregnancy. It can effectively be surgically corrected by repairing the defect in the muscles with a hidden incision. Alternatively, it can be addressed as part of a complete tummy tuck procedure.
For those who have lost a significant amount of weight, such as those who have undergone bariatric surgery, there is often a significant excess of loose, sagging skin that doesn't tighten on its own. Such skin can detract from the aesthetic appearance of the weight loss.
Sometimes, thigh liposuction alone is not enough to reshape large or flabby thighs correctly. This occurs particularly when there is an excessive skin component. Often, this may be attributable to the patient who has lost a lot of weight. In these circumstances, excess deposits of skin and fat around the thigh area may require a lateral or medial thigh lift to reshape the area.
Excessive deposits of skin and fat in the upper arm region (flabby arms) may need more than simple arm liposuction of the area to produce the desired change. An arm lift procedure, or brachioplasty, combines the use of liposuction with incisions in the inner arm and armpit to tighten the surrounding skin and produce slimmer more attractive arms.
Labiaplasty (or labioplasty) is a procedure that is designed to reshape the lips and clitoral hood of the vulva. Often the inner lips (Labia Minora) are too excessive, uneven, too thick or non-symmetrical in women. This can in turn interfere with self confidence, sexual activity as well as the activities of daily living.
Becoming a mother, is a new and exciting stage in most women's lives. However, as any mother will tell you- there are many changes to the body that occur as a result of pregnancy and breast-feeding. These changes are often compounded with multiple pregnancies. However, the good news is that most of these changes are reversible!
The goals of reconstructive surgery differ from those of cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumours, or disease. It is generally performed not just to improve appearance but often, more importantly, to improve function.
Our face distinguishes us from one another - its structure, appearance and expressions gives us an identity and conveys to the world how we are feeling. Both surgical and non-surgical means are effective in rejuvenating or reshaping any part of the face.
For more information, please select your area of interest and dont forget to look in the Skin section too, for useful adjuncts to these procedures.
Nose Reshaping (Nose Job), or Rhinoplasty, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today. Often, the structure or size of the nose is not proportionate with the other features on the face. Nose reshaping procedures can help to correct the disproportionate appearance of the nose by altering the size or shape of the nose, the nasal tip, the span of the nostrils, or the angle between the nose and the upper lip.
Over time, the eyes undergo changes that often make people feel as if they appear sad or tired. The aging process can cause the eyelids to sag and droop, which in combination with bags and puffiness can make you look tired and older than you really are.
A brow lift, or forehead lift, can help rejuvenate the upper face by lifting the brow line to a higher, more youthful, position and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles of the forehead. The procedure is done endoscopically, using small concealed scars within the hair of the scalp.
Our face distinguishes us from one another- its structure, appearance and expressions gives us an identity and conveys to the world how we are feeling. As such, age-related changes that can alter the appearance of the face may make an individual feel as if their identity has changed over time.
Ear Reshaping Surgery, or Otoplasty, is a procedure that is used to pin back overly prominent ears. This involves re-setting the ear closer to the head and sometimes a reduction in the overall size of the ear. The goal is to achieve a natural appearance with the ears in harmony with the remainder of the face.
Facial implants are designed to enhance the facial features by creating volume and smooth, round contours- creating a proportional and balanced appearance. Although they can be used alone, facial implants are often used in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures for a more total effect.
Many people feel self conscious about smiling because they show too much gum tissue as their lip elevates. This condition, known as a gummy smile is often caused by a number of factors. These factors include overactive lip elevator muscles, too much gingival/mucosal tissues as well as too much maxillary height. The good news is that there is a relatively small procedure that may be performed under local anaesthetic that greatly improves this condition. Dr Miroshnik is one of the only plastic surgeons in the country who performs this technique.
As the face ages, it loses volume particularly in areas like the cheeks, lips and around the eyes. It is often quite useful to combine a liposuction procedure with volume restoration of the face by transferring the removed fat to areas where it is needed. The fat is injected using blunt needles so no facial scars are created during the procedure. As opposed to synthetic dermal fillers, the transferred fat stays permanently where it is placed.
There has been tremendous progress in the field of non-surgical facial rejuvenation and reshaping in the last few years. Multiple products and injectables, when used correctly and in the right combinations can produce results that will literally amaze you. With little to no down-time, minimal discomfort and instant results, its no wonder why non-surgical alternatives are becoming more and more popular within our busy, working environment.


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Revised and republished September 12, 2013


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New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on Sunday made official her candidacy for mayor, embarking on a five-borough tour aimed at working-class voters.
Quinn, a Glen Cove native, announced her bid in an early morning Twitter post and a video in which she referenced her Irish immigrant grandparents and Long Island childhood, saying they inspired her fight for blue-collar New York.
The Democrat touted her record of balanced city budgets, protecting teachers' jobs, keeping firehouses open and preventing the wrongful deportation of immigrants.
"I'm about keeping New York City a place for the middle class to live and grow, and a place that's going to help all of those hardworking people get into the middle class," she said in the video.
Quinn, 46, who lives in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, would be the city's first female and openly gay mayor, if elected. Kim Catullo, whom she married in May, accompanied her on Sunday's tour.
Quinn's "Walk and Talk" tour took her through uptown Inwood in Manhattan, Foxhurst in the Bronx, Forest Hills in Queens, Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn and northern Staten Island. She vowed to boost jobs, build housing and improve schools. Quinn shook hands with seniors, ducked into delis to introduce herself and even boarded an MTA bus to greet the driver.
Vietnam War veteran Alfredo Martinez, 58, of Washington Heights, said, "It's about time a woman became mayor. She's for the working people, she's for the poor as far as housing."
But Quinn's vote as council speaker in 2008 against term limits haunted her. City law had imposed a two-term limit and would have prevented Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Quinn, as speaker, from serving third terms.
"You understand we voted twice for term limits?" Herbert Goldman, 77, of Forest Hills Gardens, asked her during her stop in Queens.
Quinn shook his hand cordially and responded, "I respect that for some people -- like you, sir, perhaps -- the decision I made will make it impossible for you to vote for me for mayor."
"Yes, it will," Goldman responded.
Earlier in the day, Quinn had said, "the term limits decision was one I made with many of my colleagues in a moment in time when we were faced with the worst economic crisis the city had seen since the Great Depression. And I thought in that moment it was fair to give New Yorkers the opportunity, if they chose, to send elected officials back or not."
Quinn, speaker since 2006, barely mentioned Wall Street or big business, cornerstones of Bloomberg's tenure. She also downplayed her potential to make history as a gay and female mayor, saying "all of who I am" had led her to where she is.
She enjoys high polling numbers in a crowded field, where Democratic hopefuls include Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former Comptroller Bill Thompson. Republican candidates include former MTA chairman Joe Lhota and supermarket executive John Catsimatidis.
A Quinnipiac University poll put Quinn at the head of the pack, with 37 percent, 3 percentage points shy of avoiding a runoff.
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Getting Gymnasium Acoustics Right
Upgrading or specifying an audio system in a gymnasium can be a daunting proposition. Unfortunately, in the design phase of recreational facilities, the acoustics of a building are often neglected by architects in favor of all the visual aspects.
What's Your RT Factor?
RT (Reverberation Time) is a simple measure of the echo characteristics of your building. In many poorly designed gymnasiums, it is as high as 10 seconds or more. With an RT like this, you can easily spend a small fortune on upgraded audio and only see a 5% improvement in sound. The ideal range for RT in a recreational facility is between 1 and 3 seconds. If it is less than this, then your facility begins to feel like a library. It will lack the feeling you want from an excited crowd when the home team scores.
But, the downside of high RT is much more serious. No one can hear the announcements properly. The coaches can't make themselves heard to instruct their players. Everyone is shouting at everyone, and the net effect is higher stress levels and shorter fuses. Studies have actually shown that vandalism increases in gymnasiums with overly high RT.
How Do You Check the RT?
Most installers who are well-experienced in gymnasiums or other recreational facility installations can measure the RT for you. Or, if you want to call someone who isn't going to try to sell you their solution, your local professional sound company will very likely be able to measure it for you. We're talking here about the sound company that provides the PA for concerts in your area.
What to Do
Fortunately, reducing a too-high RT Factor isn't rocket science. After all, we're not trying to create a new Carnegie Hall. Acoustically absorbent materials can be placed on ceilings and walls just like so many "blotters." The idea is to cut down on the percentage of acoustically reflective surfaces in the area.
In existing buildings, this can be done using 4'x8' panels of acoustic material placed on the ceiling and walls. If you are able to address this at the construction stage, it is advisable to specify steel decking with noise-reducing characteristics such as a deeply ribbed profile and perforations that help disperse sound waves rather than reflecting them back like a mirror. You'll need help from a reputable contractor with expertise in this area, but you don't really need to hire a team of PhDs and engineers to get the job done. Once you've got the RT under control, the next question is…who are you going to call? The watchword here is experience. When shopping for an installer, you need to be sure that they have real in-depth experience with gymnasium installations that verifiably goes back at least 5 years and preferably 10 or more. Installing sound systems in convention centers, restaurants, dance clubs, shopping malls, etc. does not necessarily prepare you for the conditions that are part of a gymnasium install. Hanging a heavy speaker that is not designed to be hung is inviting disaster. Improvised or improper hardware mounts are pretty dangerous for anyone underneath.
Speakers are often used for target practice, and this can do serious damage to a conventional speaker designed for less hostile environments. So, your installer has to know which products are tough enough for the job. Choosing an installer who can demonstrate that his installations sound great and last for years is probably the most important part of the whole process.
Important Features
When designing a multi-zone sound system for a gymnasium facility, there are some special considerations to keep in mind. Look for specialized speakers. Make sure that your installer is specifying speakers that are rugged and are designed to project sound efficiently and with a high degree of intelligibility. This is the opposite of the speakers used for hi-fi, which tend to be relatively inefficient (less volume per watt of input signal) and are optimized for music. Centralize the control. Plan for a separate room that will contain the main control elements of your system. In this room will be your signal processing equipment, main power amps, graphic equalizers, etc. Once your installer has tuned these elements for optimum sound in the various areas of the building, you want to be able to keep the electronics locked up and out of reach of the curious. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing here. Your control room should include monitor speakers and a zone switching system. Monitoring the zones within the system will enable the operator to know what is going on in all zones. Interrupting a young gymnast's test routine with a booming voice saying, "Joe, please pick up line 101" will not go over well.
Keeping it simple is very important when it comes to the interface with the end users. There are mixers that feature effective function linked with the simplest possible interface. Users simply plug in a mic or music source and adjust the volume. Critical adjustments such as volume limits are internal and cannot be tampered with by the end user. These units are just the kind of thing for gyms, as they are built to withstand years of hard use and are even available in a lockable case for added security. Recently, the price of mixers with many channels and a bewildering array of features has come down so dramatically that it's tempting to choose this type of equipment over simpler alternatives. The downside is that it's a rare individual who really understands how to properly set up a complex multi-channel mixer.
Getting the audio right in large recreational facilities is a very complex task. Covering everything in one short article just isn't possible, but we hope we've been able to provide you with some key points to get you off on the right foot. Remember, cheaper isn't always better. Pay careful attention to the acoustics of the building first and be sure you are dealing with installers who have real in-depth experience in recreational facility audio.


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BMPH Series motor, SAE - "A" 2 Bolt mounting flange, 1" Parallel 0.40 dia. cross hole drive shaft, 1/2 NPTF Port. Replaces Char-Lynn 101-1825.
The BMPH ROTORTORC gear set, shaft distribution flow, hydraulic motor is a compact, highly efficient, low speed-high torque design which can be used in either parallel or series systems.
These low weight advanced construction design motors are manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the ISO 9000-2000 quality system.
5.90 in3/rev
Max Speed
Continuous 590 RPM
Intermittent 675 RPM
Max Torque
Continuous 1425 in.lbs
Intermittent 1885 in.lbs
Max Differential
Continuous 1840 PSI
Intermittent 2425 PSI
Max Flow
Continuous 15.80 gpm
Intermittent 19.75 gpm
13.00 lbs
Continuous = maximum of continuous operation
Intermittent = maximum operating range for 6 seconds per minute
For optimal performance, the following is recommended:
* Normal oil operating temperature should be 70° to 150°F.
* Maximum operating temperature should not exceed 190°F.
* Filtration level per ISO Cleanliness Code level 18/3.
* Minimum oil viscosity should be 100 SUS
* Motors should be operated at less than 30% of rated performance for the first hour of operation.
* Simultaneous maximum torque and maximum speed is not recommended.


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Review: Will Xbox One "Kinect" with Consumers?
Get "Kinect-ed"
Continue Reading Below
Xbox One is vying to be the center of your "smart" living room scene. You can impress your friends and family by launching the game system and your TV with a simple command, "Xbox, on" and voila! You have nearly instant access to your content. A simple setup includes hooking your cable or other content delivery device into the Xbox via HDMI and the One aims to live up to its name by being the only device needed to control your viewing and playing pleasure.
In a demo, the pass-through technology made it easy to verbally call up cable TV (Time Warner) menus or change channels using voice command while watching a program, or to go to the video or music apps. The process takes some trial and error, and there were some issues accessing a few channels and commands, but overall it was very quick and easy. If you have a DVR on your cable box, the One allows you to pause and rewind TV using voice control as well, but as of now, there is no built-in DVR functionality.
The box's appearance is not groundbreaking; it's yet another black rectangle requiring a few more cables around your TV. It actually has a larger footprint than the newer models of the Xbox 360 (and the PS4) and the Kinect sensor is also bigger than its predecessor, presumably all the better to see you and your play space. The Xbox One and Kinect are, however, both considerably quieter and quicker to launch applications and respond to commands than the last generation.
Perhaps the coolest functionality is the facial recognition. Xbox recognizes registered gamers and welcomes them with an onscreen nametag bubble even if you walk into frame after someone else starts up the system. It's part of Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) efforts to customize the device (gamers can select their favorite color for tiles on their Xbox homepage) or as some skeptics may say, to keep an eye on their customers. It does make it easy for visiting a friend and instantly logging in just by showing up. You can also access your own profile to add to achievements or continue a marathon match you paused at your place (as long as it was a downloaded game since that data is stored in the cloud).
Navigating the apps menus remains simple on Xbox: You can browse or use Bing search to reach a specific title. The app offerings are ramping up into the launch. Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), Redbox, FoxNow, and ESPN are just a few free offerings already running.
The Xbox One can multi-task, which you didn't know you needed to do until you did it (smart phone users can relate). You can watch TV while surfing through the main menu, surf the web while watching video, pause a game, and then pick it back up when you restart it, even at someone else's house on their console (after signing in via Kinect).
Some viewers may find this distracting, but the feature aims to bring the second screen experience to your primary viewing screen. In early tests, one useful way to use this feature was "snapping" the NFL app as a sidebar on the TV screen and pulling up standings or schedules while watching shows about the league. There is also a fantasy football interface to track your team on the app while watching live broadcasts, the catch here is you must have a league set up on NFL.com. The downside, if you are sorting through videos or trying to surf the Web, is the small thumbnail space on the Snap bar can be difficult to see if you don't have a huge screen. Smart Glass aims to create unholy, but wholly helpful alliances between iOS and Android devices with the Xbox One. The free app can turn devices, including non-Windows ones such as iPhones and iPads into Xbox remote controls. You can also access video and audio content including game clips on your devices as well as check in on your Xbox friends.
If you want to go old school, there is a Blu-ray DVD/CD player. But keep in mind that games or other content started at your place using a disc cannot be accessed from a friend's place. Only downloaded or web accessed content will work that way.
Private Eyes
Xbox One does not need to be always on or even always connected to the Internet. In fact, after the initial update is downloaded, Microsoft officials say it can be played offline with no issues. Yes, you can "diss"-Kinect. That may be a relief to some Americans who may not appreciate having a camera and open mic in their home given the ongoing privacy concerns involving big tech sharing data with the government and the NSA spying scandals.
As for the games, the graphics and controller are both definitely improved over the last generation. The new controller is less bulky than the older model and features grooves on the analog sticks to prevent slippage, which is helpful when battling for your virtual life or trying to hold your line while speeding a McLaren P1 across Prague's Charles Bridge.Game On
All of these bells and whistles have garnered praise from many casual gamers but attracted skepticism and criticism from some hard-core gamers, DIYers, and critics who want to see more power, the ability to swap out to a bigger hard drive, or even better graphics for the price. After all, most consumers aren't going to plunk down five hundred bucks for yet another content delivery device (plus $60 per year), no matter how good the original programming is from Xbox Studios.
The games available for demo gave a cross-genre sample: Killer Instinct offered colorful backdrops for fighting vs. murderous mutants in a game that required you to use almost every button and fighting move you could muster on the controller, a family game with some basic strategy taking care of animals and facilities as a Zoo Tycoon, and chase game LocoCycle featured a campy, live-action back story before revving into animated action to showcase the new improved grooves and haptic feedback on the controller.
The rumble sensations in the controller's triggers truly make you feel like you were behind the wheel on the streets of Prague in Forza Motorsport 5. The in-house game tapped into the superior graphics and may be an early hit for the system.
Kinect Sports Rivals gets you off the couch and into various adventure sports. The demo featured a raucous wake race around a harbor with swelling seas, launching off ramps, and avoiding mines while using your body to control the craft and pass your opponents. There will be other sports options when the title debuts next spring.
Microsoft is banking on exclusive titles including its in-house, best-selling Halo franchise (new games as well as scripted video content produced by Steven Spielberg) and content partnerships with the likes of the NFL and ESPN to attract young consumers who want a second screen experience while watching videos or listening to music.
Microsoft says there will be 22 titles available at launch for Xbox One. Ten will be exclusive games, with four of those brand new franchises.
It also integrates Skype with the Kinect sensor and the Upload Studio app allows gamers to record and edit highlights that they can upload to SkyDrive allowing for customized social gaming to share with friends and rivals.
One possible downside for consumers is the $499 price tag plus $60 for each new game. There's also a $60 annual fee for an Xbox Live Gold membership that's needed to access most content and for online challenge matches.
Additionally, your old Xbox games won't work on the One, which is not backwards compatible. Your achievements and friends list will update and some games and accomplishments may be forward compatible via downloads or instant updates from your account, but gamers will largely need to buy new titles to play on the One.
The One to buy?
Consumers will ultimately judge with their wallets whether the improvements are dramatic enough, the content offerings enticing enough, and the slate of games compelling enough, to merit paying an extra $100 for the Xbox One over PS4 or an older gen system—that is if they can even find it in stores before Christmas.


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Pumpkin Flans
Total TimePrep: 45 min. Bake: 30 min. + chilling
Makes6 servings
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1/4 cup water
- 1-1/2 cups fat-free evaporated milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 large egg white
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, cloves and ginger
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional ground cinnamon, optional
- In a small heavy skillet over medium-low heat, combine 1/3 cup sugar and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar begins to melt. Cook without stirring until amber, about 20 minutes. Quickly pour into six ungreased 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups, tilting to coat bottoms of dishes. Let stand for 10 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, heat milk until bubbles form around sides of saucepan. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, egg white, salt, spices and remaining sugar. Remove milk from the heat; stir a small amount of hot milk into egg mixture. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla. Slowly pour into prepared ramekins.
- Place in a baking pan; add 3/4 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle). Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Carefully run a knife around edges of ramekins to loosen; invert each dish onto a rimmed serving dish. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts1 serving: 233 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
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May 16, 2013
Reading all of the 5-star reviews makes me think it must have been just me. I turned over the ramekins to put the flans on serving plates, and the insides were so runny that it was a soupy mush all over, and the outsides were so done they were curdled. I've made plain (unflavored) flans quite a few times before without any problem with the centers not setting, so I'm not sure what I did wrong here. I was also disappointed because I thought the pumpkin flavor would be more noticeable, but I didn't taste it much.
Oct 10, 2012
First time I have ever made flan. We didn't know what to expect, but everyone said it was good (not great). That was probably more so to trying a new food, versus this specific recipe. Also my first time carmelizing sugar. Even though I had a problem with the sugar getting hard really fast, it still all turned out fine in the end.
Oct 8, 2012
I'm not fond of the heavy custard in pumpkin pie, so decided to give this flan a try this year - excellent! I made it in a 3cup mold & cooked it for an hour. My grown son, who hates change, initially was suspicious, but had 2 helpings and took home leftovers!
Oct 5, 2012
Sorry, I meant I added fresh nutmeg.
Oct 5, 2012
These were delicious and tasted like a very creamy, jazzed-up pumpkin pie (I added cloves). My problem continues to be that I seem to be genetically unable to caramelize sugar. They were wonderful anyway, and I've been asked to make them again!
Oct 4, 2012
I made these pumpkin flans for dinner guests last weekend and they were amazing! They are easy to make and turned out so picture perfect and were so delcious. I will definetely keep them in my file to make again.
Sep 27, 2012
se ve una receta facil de hacer


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SANTA CLARA (AP) — Intel CEO Paul Otellini received a pay package valued at $18.9 million last year as he prepared to retire, bowing out from a challenge posed by the growing popularity of mobile devices that have curtailed the demand for the company's personal computer chips.
The amount disclosed in a Wednesday regulatory filing represents a 10 percent increase from Otellini's total compensation in 2011, based on a formula used by The Associated Press.
The uptick stemmed from the size of the Intel stock awards and options that Otellini got last year. Those could end up being worth more or less than the company's estimated values, depending on how Intel's recently slumping stock fares in the future.
Intel Corp.'s board wasn't entirely satisfied with Otellini's performance last year. To reflect its disappointment, the board's compensation committee trimmed the cash portion of Otellini's incentive pay by 19 percent from the previous year to $5.23 million.
Although Intel's board says it wanted him to remain CEO, Otellini announced late last year that he will retire at the company's annual meeting this year. The board plans to name Otellini's successor before the May 16 meeting, which will be held at Intel's Santa Clara, Calif., headquarters.
The change in command comes at a critical time for Intel. After thriving for decades as the dominant seller of PC microprocessors, Intel is scrambling to prove it can make chips that work well on smartphones and tablet computers.
Qualcomm Inc. and other chip makers have gotten the upper hand in the mobile-device market so far, undercutting Intel's financial performance and standing among investors. Last year, both Intel's earnings and stock price fell by 15 percent from 2011.
Intel's stock fell 40 cents to $21.06 in Wednesday afternoon trading. The shares have fallen by 18 percent since Otellini was promoted to CEO in May 2005.
Otellini, 62, had been expected to remain Intel's CEO until 2016 before springing his decision to end his 38-year career at the company.
Most of Otellini's 2012 compensation package consisted of stock awards and options valued at $11.9 million, up from $9.1 million from the previous year. Intel raised his salary by 9 percent last year to $1.2 million. The rest of his compensation consisted of more than $523,000 to cover contributions to his retirement and deferred compensation plans, financial planning expenses and a new security system for his home.
Otellini also reaped a $16.1 million gain from exercising 1.9 million of Intel stock options issued to him before 2012, according to Wednesday's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That windfall isn't included in the calculation of last year's compensation package.
The Associated Press' formula for executive compensation takes into account salary, bonuses, perks, above-market interest the company pays on deferred compensation and the estimated value of stock and stock options awarded during the year. The AP formula does not count changes in the present value of pension benefits, which makes the AP total slightly different in most cases from the total reported by companies to the SEC.
The values that companies assign for executive's stock and option awards are based on estimates on what the awards are expected to be worth over time.