Some 60 female golfers are expected to participate in the Open, scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11. Only women with a verified handicap, either with the Golf Handicap and Information Network or with the United States Golf Association, can enter the competition. Martin said that should ensure a competitive quality to the rounds of golf being played that weekend.
Entry costs $175 per team, a fee that covers two rounds of golf with a cart, tee gifts, on-course non-alcoholic drinks, lunch and awards. Day one of the competition will be on the American course at Bobby Jones, with play on the second day planned on the British Course. Jan Thornburg, Sarasota senior communications manager, said that so long as nothing prevents the use of the British Course, this tournament will be the first opportunity for golfers and the public to view new greens being completed at the city-owned course.
Martin said proceeds from the event will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Entrees and payments must be received by Oct. 5. Registration forms may be downloaded here.


The Moon is in earthy Taurus bestowing a warm and grounded energy amongst us. Ruled by Venus, Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and it is here we come face to face with the limitations of and love of our physical body. Emotions are stabilised during this time and you may find yourself blessed with patience which may have been missing in the past couple of days. Exalted in this sign, the Moon is content and at peace here.
Whilst the Moon is in Taurus, it's time to get in touch with the body beautiful. Take yourself for a manicure, massage your feet, have a bubble bath. Run your hands across your body and reconnect with the parts you love and those you don't. If you have scars, honour them, for these scars show you survived. Venus can see the beauty in everyone. If you believe in your beauty, so will others.
Feed your senses – sight, sound, taste, touch and scent. In modern life sometimes we have a tendency to shut down the barrage of the outside world. Moon in Taurus encourages us to become aware. What can you hear right now? What scents are around you? Eat a piece of your favourite fruit and really savour the flavour.
Venus adores beautiful surroundings. Taurus is about the abundance of life. Go from room to room and look at all you have acquired What items remain the most important to you and why? Dust off any prized possessions. Throw or give away items that no longer hold any significance or can no longer perform the function they were intended for. A farmer needs to tend to the weeds as well as the seeds. Check your bank balance and explore websites or books that help you save and increase your earnings.
Whilst financial security is important, emotional security is the order of the day. Your routines during this time can give you comfort. Positive habits help free the mind so that it can work on creative projects. The Taurus moon is ideal for indulging in a natural talent. Arts and crafts, gardening, music and food are favoured pursuits.
Expressed negatively, the Taurus Moon can indicate stubbornness and sloth. If stubbornness is a problem, you need to dig deeper to find out why you are so rooted in your particular way of being. What is it that you are attached to? Sloth or laziness often comes from being in a passive state (Venus). It is in direct contrast to fiery Aries who acts on impulse and jumps into the fray. Whilst Taurus is certain that it is important to take time to smell the roses, he knows that the moment of appreciation is savoured after the hard work beforehand. Often 'laziness' is a mask for resistance to change.
Essentially the Taurus Moon gives us a window in time where we can review what we have accomplished and also to look at what we value both in the material world and in ourselves. There is magic in Mother Earth and within each of her children.
Have a massage, tend your garden, check your finances, make dinner for your lover, wear your favourite item of clothing, sing, go for a walk in the woods, treat yourself to something special, make time to do something you are naturally good at or make time to discover your gifts!


The history-making inauguration of President Barack Obama also was a cell-phone test. Wireless networks braced for an onslaught of photos, text messages, video and voice communications from the millions of people attending the inauguration.
Initial reports were that cell phones in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area were buckling under the strain, with some voice communications having trouble getting through, although text messages were doing fine.
Many parents would love to be able to give their teenagers a cell phone that could not be used while driving. Now some inventors say they have come up with ways to make that possible, but they appear to be relying on wishful thinking.
NotePage has set up an account on Twitter. Follow NotePage on Twitter.
The nonprofit National Safety Council on Monday called on all U.S. states to ban the use of cell phones while driving.
The NSC, which says it counts 55,000 companies as members, compared talking or texting while driving to drunken driving and urged states to ban even the use of phones with hands-free kits.
No state has completely banned cell-phone use while driving, though 23 have passed some form of restriction.
TV stations in 22 U.S. cities announced Thursday that they will start broadcasting their signals this year in a format designed to be received by mobile devices like cell phones, MP3 players, GPS units and in-car entertainment systems.
Unlike current mobile TV services, the broadcasts would most likely be free, and would provide access to local news, weather and traffic updates. The broadcasts could also fill an important role in emergencies like hurricanes, since they can be received by portable devices and do not jam up under load like cell-phone networks.
There is a new application called Mobile Spy and lawyers are contemplating whether it is legal. The software works like this: if someone sends a text message from an iPhone, or to an iPhone user, a third party could receive the message on any desktop computer. Moblie Spy claims to be a useful tool for employers and parents, but an attorneys are not so sure.
The BlackBerry Storm is an impressive piece of hardware.
Global Positioning System, stereo Bluetooth, fast processor, powerful battery, excellent camera and a huge, sharp screen. The first touch-screen phone from Research in Motion comes with everything you could want, except Wi-Fi.
But the software suffers major problems.
Nearly 18 percent of households in the United States have no traditional telephone and rely on wireless services only, which is up several percentage points from a year earlier, the government said on Wednesday.
In the first half of 2008, 17.5 percent of households were wireless only, up from 13.6 percent a full year earlier, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


[Image: From "Don't Trip" by Calvin Waterman].
The project "explores the relationship between written prose and illustrated scenarios," Waterman explains, as it zooms into specific spatial episodes in the lives of five characters.
There are thus five specific buttons a viewer can push, each of which corresponds to one of these characters: "When one of the five character buttons is pressed a version of that character's scenario is chosen from a database of possible outcomes." It is a choose-your-own-adventure cube of light, a projection whose contents are partially decided by viewer interest.
[Images: From "Don't Trip" by Calvin Waterman].
Waterman achieves the installation's disorientingly holographic visual effect, as you can see in these photographs, using a white cube inside of another half-cubic projection area in the lower corner of a room; the smaller cube supports a sort of projection inside the projection, amplifying the resulting image's apparent 3D.
That smaller cube is a burning stove in one character's life, an ambulance in another, an ominous train tunnel in another, and so on.
A larger version of this, perhaps installed atop a billboard cantilevered next to the roadway, would be interesting to see, offering pseudo-holographic variations on future signage. Or flip it upside-down and you've got surfaces for virtual ornament on the corners of existing buildings.
The materials used, Waterman says, include MAX/MSP/JITTER, Arduino, a five-button circuit, projector, computer, foam board, 15 thirty-second animations, inkjet prints, and fluorescent light.
Check out a short film of the installation over on Vimeo.
[Vaguely, but not really, related: Urban Greenscreen].
It's nice work, but is it really all that different from the singing statues inside Disney's Haunted Mansion?


text:
A Schimanski visszatér (eredeti címén: Schimanski) 17 részes német bűnügyi filmsorozat, ami 1997 és 2013 között futott először az WDR csatornán. A Tetthely című filmsorozat spin-offja, amiben a Götz George által alakított duisburgi Horst Schimanski felügyelőt emelik ki. Götz George 1991-ben a Tetthely 252. részében alakította utoljára Schimanskit, ezt követően 6 év múlva sikerült rávenni őt arra, hogy bújjon ismét a legendás nyomozó bőrébe. Schimanski társa Christian Thanner felügyelő azonban már nem tudott ebben a sorozatban részt venni, mivel az őt alakító Eberhard Feik 1994-ben elhunyt. A történet szerint Thannert meggyilkolják, Schimanskinak emiatt kell visszatérnie. Thanner halálát az 1. részben láthatjuk, itt azonban csak hátulról mutatják, mivel egy másik színésznek kellett eljátszania az ő szerepét. Schimanski egy másik régi kollégája a Chiem van Houweninge által alakított Hänschen a 7. résztől a sorozat állandó szereplője lesz, és a történet szerint már az Interpol embere, illetve a 9. részben szerepet kapott az Ulrich Matschoss által alakított Karl Koenigsberg főtanácsos, aki Schimanski régi főnöke volt, az ő karaktere ebben az epizódban méltó befejezést kapott. A sorozatot idehaza az m1 csatorna kezdte sugározni, később a Klub Publishing Kft. gondozásában az első 4 rész DVD-n is megjelent, bár a 2. és 4. rész számozását felcserélték, továbbá az ismertetőben az 1992-es évet tüntetik fel Schimanski visszavonulásának, holott 1991-ben vonult vissza, valamint a borítók elején a "Tetthely" címet is feltüntették, miközben ez a sorozat a Tetthelytől függetlenül készült.

Történet
Miután Schimanskit kirúgják a duisburgi rendőrségtől Belgiumba költözik. De mivel Duisburgban több különleges bűncselekmény is történik, éppen ezért állandóan visszahívják, mert ő a legmegfelelőbb ember ezeknek a felderítésére. Schimanski persze nem igazán örül ennek, de mivel kell neki a pénz, így mindig igent mond.

Szereplők

Epizódok

Érdekességek
 A 6. "Testvérek között" c. epizód egyik jelenetében Schimanski hallucinációjában megjelenik a lakásán az Eberhard Feik által alakított Christian Thanner, akinek a megjelenését a Tetthely 217. és 225. részéből válogatták ki, majd számítógépes technika segítségével helyezték be a jelenetbe, Götz George szövegeit meg Eberhard Feik szövegéhez írták. Érdekes, hogy a stáblistán sem Eberhard Feik neve, sem az említett Tetthely részek nincsenek feltüntetve. Eberhard Feik ekkor már 4 éve halott volt.
 A 7. "Vágyakozás" c. epizód egyik jelenetében Schimanski a franciánál videokazettákat vizsgál, és akkor a kezébe veszi az 1987-es Zabou (Schimanski kelepcében / Zabou) című moziban vetített Tetthely rész "ál" kazettáját.
 A sorozat 16 éven keresztül készült, de az intrója (főcíme) egyszer sem változott. Az első- és utolsó rész intrójában is ugyanúgy a 49 éves Götz George szerepel.

Díjak
 Christiane Hörbiger 2001-ben Adolf Grimme-díjat kapott a 9. részben nyújtott alakításáért.

Források
 MTVA Sajtóarchívum

További információk
 PORT.hu
 IMDb.com
 FilmKatalógus.hu

1997-ben bemutatott német televíziós sorozatok
Bűnügyi televíziós sorozatok
Televíziós kalandsorozatok
Német thrillerek
2013-ban befejezett német televíziós sorozatok

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I thought it was best not to post in launcher section as it is a in game fault but it does affects launching of game. I submitted a crash report from the launcher, I don't know if they are submitted with our usernames but mine is Curious_Toad.
MC-15564 start up failure: IllegalStateException: "Cannot determine close requested state of uncreated window"


Within the Birthright setting noble families are literally descended from the old, dead gods - or rather, from their powers. Almost 2000 years ago, the old gods met on a battlefield atop a mountain and fought against their brother Azrai, who had become twisted and corrupt with dark powers. The old gods sacrificed themselves in order to stop Azrai, and in the cataclysmic battle their powers exploded outward, killing many mortals on the battlefield and infusing the bodies of the rest with divine power. The battle continued and the first use of these blood powers led to the discovery that by slaying another person with one of these mystical bloodlines would increase their own powers.
Almost all nobles are descended, in some way or another, from survivors of this battle at Mount Deismaar. In 2000 years, the bloodlines have diluted and become weak, but those who rule provinces and countries find that their bloodlines can increase. This is a double-edged sword, because the greater in power a bloodline is, the more tempting it is for another person to come and try to steal it from you - with a knife to the heart.
The events of my campaign are heavily influenced by the events of World War One, hence the title of "The Great War," but only in part. While the war is not in every scene of the story, it is a constant presence within the story and around the characters.
In the real world, World War One was precipitated by the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, which took place in Sarajevo by a Bosnian Serb. Without going into the finer details of why and how, Austria had a tenuous relationship with both Sarajevo and Bosnia due to past conflicts. In response, Austria sent a list of demands to Serbia which would have dissolved the country and made it a territory for Austria. Amazingly they agreed to all but one of the conditions and Austria used that as an excuse to invade. Soon every other country in Europe was lining up allegiances and enmities to help sway the conflict in one way or another, and within a few months everybody in Europe was at war with one another.
Many of the countries in this fantasy world have past histories that make for already existing alliances and rivalries.
Diemed is a theocratic monarchy, the state religion worships Haelyn through the Orthodox Imperial Temple and is ruled by Baron Heirl Diem. A thousand years ago Diemed spanned across all of southern Anuire, but as it's fortunes waned the country of Roesone and Ilien grew up within voids of prosperity. Medoere is a small little country in the middle of the southern coast. It was once a part of Diemed but it split off in a battle for independence that ended only eight years ago.
Recently, Medoere's split was the result of the rise of a new religion. As magic returns to Cerilia, the patron deity of magic is growing in strength and he has chosen the provinces that make up Medoere as the home of his new church, the Celestial Spell of Ruornil. To the west of Medoere is Ilien, a trading nation and port city that thrives due to strong alliances with many coastal regions, and Roesone, a fiercely independent nation and strong ally to both Ilien and Medoere.
This is where the war starts!
The son of Baron Heirl Diem was visiting the capital city of Ilien when an assassin struck him with a poisoned dagger. The assassin surrendered to Ilienese authorities rather than be chased and killed and declared himself a loyal and free citizen of Medoere. To add further insult, he escaped from Ilien's jail less than a week later. The Baron of Diemed issued a list of demands to both Medoere and Ilien, chiefly among them was that Medoere would dissolve it's sovereignty back into Diemed rulership. The ruler of Medoere and Archpriest of the Celestial Spell, Suris Enlien, agreed to the terms of all of the demands except this first point. Diemed began it's invasion upon receiving the response.
Tuornen was once part of Alamie, one of the mightiest countries in all of Anuire, but split off during a civil war less than a hundred years ago. The Duke of Alamie had an illegitimate son who claimed the throne for himself and the people in the west of Alamie supported this son, while the people in the east supported the rightful heir. This schism, fought mostly between the noble houses, caused Alamie to split in half. Noble houses crumbled, new nobles rose to power, and the wounds of this war are still felt in the rivalry between the two nations today.
If you look at the map, you'll see the southern tip of Tuornen connects to the small country of Endier. Endier is a thriving trade capital, much like Ilien, but it relies on trade through the river and essentially acts as a safe haven around the Spiderfell. The countries of Tuornen, Ghoere and Diemed are all in a common trade agreement through Endier referred to as the Triple Alliance. While Diemed might be an economic ally to Tuornen, the personal goals of the Duchess are at odds with Baron Heirl Diem's warmongering.
The war was started by an agent of Diemed, a shapeshifter who escaped Ilien's jail easily and is now headed into Avanil to assassinate somebody else.
The ruler of Ghoere, Baron Gavin Tael, is responsible for giving Baron Heirl Diem the idea of getting rid of his son and starting a war with Medoere. Baron Tael wants all eyes on Diemed so that he can legitimately launch attacks into Endier and Roesone and expand his territory by taking over the trade city of Endier, the farmland of Roesone, and blockading Ilien. But Avanil is a strong ally of Roesone, so they will quickly come to Roesone's aid, even if they have to go through Diemed and fight Ghoeran troops to give it - which is why Baron Tael instructed Baron Diem to send his assassin into Avanil and disrupt the noble houses there.
And this is only patterned after the first few months of World War One. The real world conflict lasted four years and was incredibly bloody and drawn out.
Once the war starts I diverged from the events of World War One a bit. I take elements from the War of the Roses and the Hundred Years War to flesh out many of my Great War's turning points, but the beginning is rooted in World War One's conflict.


text:
Pittsburgh Filmmakers
PF/PCA
Filmmakers Theaters
Pittsburgh Biennial
3 Rivers Film Fest
Pittsburgh Filmmakers' faculty is composed of many of the best artists and professionals working in the Pittsburgh community. We draw our faculty from a broad cross-section of professions: independent filmmakers, photographic and video artists, actors, web designers, screenwriters, animators, experimental filmmakers, curators, editors and producers at public and commercial television stations, owners of production companies, and magazine and newspaper photographers. Their expertise and creative energy are a significant contribution to the quality of education at the School.
SUE ABRAMSON
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
(BFA, Maryland Institute College of Art) Sue exhibits her work nationally and regionally including exhibitions at the Houston Center for Photography, the Visual Studies Workshop and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Her photographs have been published in Extended Frames, Pittsburgh Revealed: Photographs Since 1850 and in the Pinhole Journal. Her work is in numerous collections including the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Allentown Art Museum and the Polaroid Collection. Examples of Sue's work are online here. email: sueabe@pghfilmmakers.org
JOHN CANTINE
(MFA, Film Production, Ohio University; BFA, Creative Writing, Carnegie Mellon University) John is a freelance video editor and script consultant, an independent film and video artist. His short films have been screened in several regional and national film festivals. He is co-author of the filmmaking textbook, Shot By Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking. See johncantine.com online or contact John at jpc@pghfilmmakers.org.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Richard is primarily a portrait photographer and photo essayist. His work has been published in numerous publications including: PITTSBURGH, PEOPLE and FORTUNE. A 2009 recipient of a Fellowship from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Exhibitions of his work have been exhibited at Concept Art Gallery and Silver Eye Center for Photography. Kelly received a 2011 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Award at the United Nations. Past President of the ASMP and the former director of photography at WQED Multimedia, and is currently the president of Indigo Factory, Inc. See richardkelly.com online.
BRADY LEWIS
FULL PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR
(BFA New York University) Brady is an independent filmmaker and is Director of Education at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. He wrote and directed the feature-length film, Daddy Cool (2002), which has been showcased in many international film festivals. He has presented his short films, which have received more than thirty film festival awards, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Figueira da Foz International Film Festival in Portugal, and on the Southern Circuit. He has received numerous Mid-Atlantic Fellowships as well as grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. His short films have been purchased for the permanent collections of museums and libraries in Australia, Denmark, and the U.S. He is co-author of the widely-used filmmaking text Shot By Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking. email: brady@pghfilmmakers.org
WILL ZAVALA
(MA, Stanford University) Will is a freelance media producer specializing in documentaries. He works with business and institutional clients, and has credits on productions for ITVS, PBS, MTV, and HBO. His films and videos have screened in festivals internationally and on public television. He also runs the monthly open screening, Doc Salon. email: zavala@pghfilmmakers.org
CLAUDE O'STEEN
(M.F.A Tisch School of the Arts Asia, NYU.) Claude is a Narrative Film Director who shot his first feature at the age of 25 which garnered him a seat at NYU's MFA program. After graduating from Tisch he worked in Asia on commercials for Ogilvy and Mather. He shot the 'Sharing Can' spot for Coca-Cola as a cinematographer and it won a Golden Lion at Cannes Film festival 2013. As a Director, his latest released film 'Nie,' screened internationally at ICAPFF in Istanbul, Turkey 2013. email: cio@pghfilmmakers.org
Adam Abrams, Adjunct Instructor
(BA, Philosophy & History of Mathematics, St. John's College) Adam is a filmmaker, educator, obsolete equipment technician, former board member of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, and curator of Jefferson Presents... micro-cinema for over a decade from 2000-2010. He explores hand-processing, system films, optical printing, re-photography, contact printing – both hand and machine – and other duplicative filmmaking, camera-less filmmaking, direct animation, projector performance, and chance informed time-based experiments in multi-lateral image and audio synchronizations.
Karen Antonelli, Adjunct Associate Professor
(MFA, Vermont College; BA, University of Wales Institute, UK) Karen is an artist from Bristol, England, where she exhibited at the Arnolfini Gallery, Watershed Media Centre and Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. After completing an artist residency in Omaha, Nebraska, she moved to Pittsburgh where she teaches photography at Filmmakers. Locally, her work is on permanent exhibition at the Convention Center, and the Tom Museum on the North Side.
Jack Bailey, Adjunct Instructor
B.A. & M.A., Allegheny College; 30+ years experience in sound production, as audio engineer, soundtrack designer, producer/director, & studio manager; produced/engineered over 20,000 tracks in New York, Nashville, Dallas, San Francisco, & Pittsburgh; teaching experience at Robert Morris U., Duquesne U. & Pgh. Filmmakers; specializes in audio post for film/TV, and directing spoken word recordings, including (with partner Amy Hartman) teaching & producing professional VO demos.
Tim Benedict, Adjunct Instructor
Tim was the director of audio services at Summit Film Lab. He has extensive experience with fundamental recording technologies, editing and mixing for video, film and multimedia. He is certified in audio technology (Brown Institute) and is immersed in the continuing digital evolution.
Mary Jane Bent, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BA, Mount Holyoke College) Mary Jane is the manager of photographic services at the University of Pittsburgh and a freelance photographer. She has taught photography at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Carnegie Mellon University and privately. Formerly the Director of Photography at Allegheny General Hospital, her work has been published regionally and nationally. She has received several awards for her work including the Addy, the Matrix and PRSA awards. See maryjanebent.com online.
Aaron Blum, Adjunct Instructor
(MFA, Syracuse University; BFA, West Virginia University) Aaron is an artist from West Virginia, which is the subject of his photographic work. He exhibits both nationally and internationally at such places as; The Halpert Biennial: Appalachian State University, the Phodar Biennial in Bulgaria and the Mpls Photography Center. Aaron won the juror's choice award for the 2011 project competition at the Santa Fe Center for Photography.
Mike Bonello, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BA, Pennsylvania State University) Mike is an independent media artist and musician. His work has been screened locally at the Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory, as well as at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and on MTV2 in Europe.
Kamen Bonev, Adjunct Instructor
(MFA, Film and TV, National Academy for Theater and Film Arts of Bulgaria) Kamen is a visual media artist, an independent photographer/cinematographer, and lecturer in forensic photography. He is an underwater visual media specialist and contributed to UNESCO underwater archeology research team. Also he is a member of Ensemble Palimpsest group, performing internationally.
Jeffrey Boyd, Adjunct Instructor
(BFA, Carnegie Mellon University) Jeff is an award-winning graphic/industrial designer for Grant Paul Design, Inc. and he was the manager of the corporate design group for PPG Industries. Jeff won the first digital imaging award presented by the Printing Industry of America.
Derek Burgess, Adjunct Instructor
(B.S. Graphic Design, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh) Derek is a designer/developer, serial entrepreneur, and documentary producer. He views the world in Cascading Style Sheets.
Jim Burke, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BA, Point Park University) Jim is the former director of Photo Services at the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught photography at Community College of Allegheny County and at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, where he also served as a member of the Board of Directors. His post-undergraduate work at the Rochester Institute of Photography included the study of materials and processes of photography, the history of photography and antique photographic processes.
Frank J. Caloiero, Adjunct Instructor
(BA, Duquesne University) Frank is an editor/director of photography for WQED-TV. He works on both national and local documentaries, and has shot in the Oval Office, the Papal Palace, Super Bowl XL and many locations for Rick Sebak's local documentaries. He has also edited music videos, commercials and an Imax film. His television credits include PBS, VH1, The Learning Channel, and the Discovery Channel.
Amy Hartman, Adjunct Instructor
Amy studied at New York University and Hunter College. Produced hundreds of demo cd's; producer and director with NPR and for regional radio and television spots; national voice-over spots include American Express, Pepsi, Levi Jeans, McDonald's and many others; appeared in Emmy-winning Titanic documentary; member of S.A.G; A.F.T.R.A. and Actor's Equity Association.
Lorraine Heidekat, Adjunct Associate Professor
(BA, Duquesne University) Lorraine is an Emmy-winning freelance writer/producer whose projects have included everything from a documentary about adopting disabled children to a comedy set in a funeral home. Her writing experience covers newspaper reporting, copywriting, playwrighting and scripting.
Teresa Heistand, Adjunct Assistant Instructor
(B.A., Film Studies, University of Pittsburgh) Teresa is an independent digital artist; freelance video producer, editor, writer; 2D and 3D graphics.
Susan Howard, Director of Pittsburgh Filmmakers Youth Media Program
(BA, Pennsylvania State University) Susan has been Director of PF/PCA's youth media program, Pittsburgh Filmmakers Youth Media Program, since 2007. An adjunct faculty member of Pittsburgh Filmmakers School of Film, Photography and Digital Media since 1988, she is co-author of the widely used filmmaking text, Shot By Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking. A veteran film and video editor with credits ranging from public television to independent features and commercial production, she served as editor of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for more than ten seasons.
Barry Howell, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(MA, University of Pittsburgh. BA, Temple University.) At Filmmakers, Barry teaches courses on film analysis, film theory, and criticism. He has taught courses at the University of Pittsburgh in film analysis, world film history, television analysis, and film-based composition. His doctoral research examined the historical, theoretical, and creative relationship between film and new media. He has worked as an editorial assistant for an internationally acclaimed syndicated cartoonist. Additionally, Barry is an independent artist and writer who has collaborated with Bewegung Nurr, a multi-media arts group based in Berlin and Dresden, Germany.
William Judson, Adjunct Associate Professor
(MA, Oberlin College) Bill is the former curator of Film and Video at Carnegie Museum of Art and teaches in the Art History Department at the University of Pittsburgh. He held a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship to France through Yale University for film research. He has served on many selection panels for state and federal agencies and private foundations, and has lectured and published on a range of art history and media arts topics.
Seth Kenlon, Adjunct Instructor
Seth is an independent multimedia artist, free culture advocate, and UNIX geek. He has produced albums for Fat Chance Lester, has produced award-winning short films and experimental films too weird to win any awards. Currently he maintains a set of multimedia software packages for slackbuilds.org and an online tutorial on building a free, GNU+Linux multimedia workstation on his websiteslackermedia. He has written articles for Linux Journal, Linux Identity, and the L.A. Final Cut Pro Users Group. He has also published three science fiction e-books currently also being produced as audio books: "Revolution Radio", "Private Property", and "Kathy and Thomas".
Paul William Kruse, Adjunct Instructor
(BA, Northwestern University) Paul is a playwright, film/video maker, and teaching artist from Western Wisconsin. He works as an independent video artist on a freelance basis for various local performing artists and arts organizations. He is a founding member and resident playwright of Hatch Arts Collective, a group of performing artists working in Pittsburgh's East End. Seewww.paulwkruse.com online.
Zsuzsi Matolcsy, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(MFA, photography, Maine Media College; BA, photography, Point Park University) Zsuzsi is a photographer, educator, and a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts fellow. Her work has been exhibited in a variety of regional, national and international galleries, and is in the permanent collections of the Carnegie Museum of Art and the State Museum of Pennsylvania. She has been published in the European photography journal Fotomuvszet. See zsuzsimatolcsy.com online.
William (Buzz) Miller, Adjunct Instructor
(BA, University of Pittsburgh) Buzz is a freelance videographer, editor, AV systems integrator, installation artist and video designer for live performance. His recent collaborators include Attack Theater and Squonk Opera. He has designed and integrated multimedia into live science demonstrations for the Carnegie Science Center.
Jeff Monahan, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Jeff is a professional actor, screenwriter, producer/director, and president of 72nd St. Films. He has appeared on television in ABC's "Target Earth," NBC's "Deep Attack," and PBS's "The War That Made America;" films include John Sayles's Lone Star and George Romero's Bruiser. Two of his screenplays have been produced as feature films: Hits,with Martin Sheen, and Spree, with Michael Ironside. He's the co-creator, co-producer, co-director, and writer of the DVD series, George A. Romero Presents Deadtime Stories.He's taught screenwriting, acting technique and film production at Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University and New York University. His company is developing a number of film and TV projects. See 72ndstfilms.com online.
Dean Mougianis, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BA, University of Pittsburgh) Dean has been an electronic media professional for over 25 years. During that time he has functioned as scriptwriter, producer, editor, digital animator, compositor and designer. He was at one time station manager of WYEP-FM and a regular contributor of radio theatre productions there. He currently operates a digital video post-production business producing work for clients locally and nationally.
Ross Nugent, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(MFA, Film Production, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; BA, Film Studies, University of Pittsburgh) Ross is a moving-image artist creating experimental, observational documentary and expanded cinema works. He has screened his films and videos at festivals, museums and cinemas both nationally and internationally. Ross is also an independent film and video curator, and an advisor for MONO NO AWARE (NYC), a film exhibition and education group.
Carol O'Sullivan, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BA, Film Studies, University of Pittsburgh) Carol teaches American and International Film History at both Pittsburgh Filmmakers and LaRoche College. She was assistant curator of Film and Video at the Carnegie Museum of Art for several years. Currently she is Pittsburgh Filmmakers's media relations coordinator, as well as a freelance writer.
Mark Perrott, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BFA, Carnegie Mellon University) Mark is a fine art and commercial photographer. His work is in the collections of many museums including the San Francisco Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Baltimore Museum of Art. His photographs have been exhibited in museums and galleries, including the Carnegie Museum of Art and O.K. Harris in New York. He has published two monographs of his photographs, Eliza and Hope Abandoned. See markperrott.com online.
Tom Persinger, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BGS, Kent State University) Tom is a photographer, writer, curator, and the founder of f295, an international organization that believes in the value of a heterogeneous photographic approach, in which digital, historic, and self-made methods are employed. His photographs have been shown in numerous exhibitions and are in many private collections in the US and Europe. He has been published in Photographic Possibilities (3rd Edition), Afterimage, Ag, Black and White Photography (UK), PhotoEd, and View Camera.He has lectured at numerous colleges and universities, and is a member of Freestyle Photographic's Advisory Board of Photographic Professionals.
Mary Rawson, Adjunct Associate Professor
(MFA, Theatre Arts: Acting, Point Park University) Mary is an independent filmmaker, an Emmy award-winner, and a writer/producer of dramas and documentaries shown on PBS and A&E. She is an award-winning actor in film, television, and on the stage. She is also an improv performer, broadcast coach, a member of Pittsburgh Playhouse Repertory Company and a member of AFTRA, EQUITY and SAG. She played Cousin Mary on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" for many years.
Robert Rutkowski, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) Robert is a writer, producer, and director. He operates a film and video production company, The Magic Lantern, which specializes in producing audio/visual programs for business and industry. He began his career as a director in the U.S. Army and has produced commercials and industrial films. He was the director of production services at George Romero's Latent Image company where he was responsible for pre and post production of feature films.
Michael Schwab, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(MA, Antioch University, McGregor; BFA, Kansas City Art Institute) Mike is an administrator, producer and animator at Kensington Falls Animation, a Pittsburgh-based animation studio. His studio has won more than a dozen local and regional awards for their animated TV commercials and has had animation presented on MTV Cartoon Sushi, Sundance Film Festival, and Nicktoons Animation Festival. He is an instructor, on campus and online of Hand-Drawn Animation, Acting, Drawing and Anatomies, and Production Team in the Media Arts and Animation Department at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
Ivette Spradlin, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ivette Spradlin received her BFA in Photography from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA and her MFA in Photography from Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA. She has concentrated on photographing the people of different subcultures and their environs, from punks to skateboarders to Cuban exiles in the United States. She has shown her work nationally and internationally, and has taught photography and digital art at colleges and universities in and around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Brian Staszel, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BFA, New York University) Brian is the Multimedia Designer for the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute and an adjunct faculty member in the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University. His video work at the Robotics Institute has been credited in programs produced for PBS and The Discovery Channel. Before coming to Pittsburgh Brian was a Multimedia Programmer with Brady Communications and worked on a team that produced interactive projects for clients such as PNC Bank, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Phipps Conservatory. Brian won a silver medal in the New York Festivals competition for his work at Brady. He was a teaching assistant in the audio recording and mixing studios at NYU for three years and his films have been featured in festivals in the US and broadcast in the UK and Japan. See brianstaszel.com online.
Kaoru Tohara, Assistant Professor
(MFA, Indiana University) Kaoru is a fine art photographer and 3D artist who exhibits and lectures regionally, nationally and internationally. His work was included in the 1996 Biennial at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Digital Image Biennial Exhibition at the Wellington B. Gray Gallery in North Carolina, where he won the Qualex Corporation Award.
Dylan Vitone, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BA, St. Edward's University; MFA, Massachusetts College of Art) Dylan is primarily a documentary photographer. He was named the 2009 Emerging Artist at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. His photographs have been exhibited widely and collected by many major museums including; The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP), The Smithsonian National Museum of American History, George Eastman House, Portland Art Museum, Harry Ransom Center, Polaroid Collection, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He is Assistant Professor in the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University. Seedylanvitone.comonline.
Ralph Vituccio, Adjunct Associate Professor
(BS, University of Pittsburgh; M.E.T. (Masters in Entertainment Technology), Carnegie Mellon University). Ralph is an independent film and video writer, producer and director. He is the Director of Media Development in Communications Design and a Professor in the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University. As an independent film and video maker, he has received numerous grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Mid-Atlantic Region Media Arts Fellowship Program and the National Endowment for the Arts. His documentary, Performance: The Living Art, won a 1990 Artist Distinction Award at the 40th annual Berlin International Film Festival. "In Service: Iraq to Pittsburgh", a film about local Western Pennsylvania soldiers returning home from the Iraq war, was nominated for an 2010 Emmy. He's currently working on, "Shipbreakers", a film about how cargo ships and ocean liners are salvaged. Shot in India, China and the United States it looks at the people who do this type of work and the harm it does to the environment. Ralph's interactive exhibits can be seen in the Philadelphia Seaport Museum, Carnegie Science Center, National Civil War Museum, and Philadelphia Civic Center, among others.
Bill Wade, Adjunct Assistant Professor
(BFA, Ohio University) Bill is a photojournalist, writer, educator, curator and fine art photographer. He is an award winning staff photographer and photo editor at the daily Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, having been nominated four times for the Pulitzer Prize in Photography and three times named Pennsylvania Press Photographer Association's Photographer of the Year. He has exhibited and published internationally, has received a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Visual Arts fellowship, and a Golden Light award from the Maine Photographic Workshops for "Television in Our Culture." See www.williamdwade.com
Nancy Zielinski, Adjunct Instructor
(MA, University of Pittsburgh) Nancy has taught the history of art and architecture at the University of Pittsburgh and has exhibited and reviewed literature on digital imagery. She earned a graduate Certificate in Multimedia from Duquesne University, where her thesis work focused on the role of James A.M. Whistler and the defining of styles of photography in Alfred Steiglitz's publicationCamera Work (1903-1917). She interned with The New Media Group.
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text:
Rafael Caldera Rodríguez (Caracas, 24 januari 1916 – 24 december 2009) was van 1969 tot 1974 en van 1994 tot 1999 president van Venezuela.

Achtergrond, studie en vroege carrière
Rafael Caldera werd geboren in een middenklasse gezin. Hij studeerde rechten in Caracas. Op twintigjarige leeftijd richtte hij de Nationale Studenten Unie (UNE) op die sterk gekant was tegen de militaire dictatuur. In januari 1941 werd hij in de Kamer van Afgevaardigden gekozen. Als kamerlid lid zette hij zich in voor een betere sociale wetgeving voor de arbeiders.

Lid van de Grondwetgevende Vergadering
In 1943 trad hij als kamerlid terug en werd hoogleraar rechtswetenschappen. In 1946 werd hij in de Grondwetgevende Vergadering gekozen. Dit orgaan was belast met het opstellen van een nieuwe, progressieve grondwet. Caldera en een groep progressieven maakten zich sterk om het recht op sociale voorzieningen in de grondwet op te nemen. Daarnaast was Caldera verantwoordelijk voor het wetsartikel voor de bescherming van het menselijk leven ("vanaf de conceptie"). In 1947 werd de nieuwe grondwet goedgekeurd door het parlement. Deze grondwet behoorde toen tot de meest vooruitstrevende en democratische van Latijns-Amerika.

Medeoprichter van de christendemocratische COPEI
Op 14 oktober 1947 was Caldera medeoprichter van de Sociaal Christelijke Partij COPEI, waarvan hij de voorzitter werd. In hetzelfde jaar werd hij opnieuw lid van de Kamer van Afgevaardigden.

Tijdens de dictatuur
In november 1948 grepen militairen de macht en werd het democratiseringsproces afgebroken. Caldera en de andere leden van de COPEI in het parlement traden direct als parlementariërs af, omdat ze weigerden samen te werken met de militairen. In 1951 werden er toch verkiezingen gehouden, maar toen deze negatief uitpakten voor de junta, werden de resultaten geannuleerd. Enige tijd later werd Caldera gearresteerd en zat hij enige tijd gevangen.

Herstel van de democratie
In januari 1958 kwam er een einde aan de dictatuur en werd het democratiseringsproces hervat. Rómulo Betancourt van de Accion Democrática (AD) werd in 1959 gekozen tot president.

President van Venezuela
Bij de verkiezingen van 1968 werd Caldera tot president van Venezuela gekozen. Als president week hij af van de zogenaamde 'Betancourt-doctrine' die samenwerking of verdragen met landen waar presidenten via staatsgrepen aan de macht waren gekomen, afwees. Caldera meende dat de 'Betancourt-doctrine' Venezuela in een isolement had gedreven. Na zijn ambtsaanvaarding ging hij diplomatieke betrekkingen aan met Panama, Argentinië en Cuba. Caldera zocht ook toenadering tot Cuba en de Sovjet-Unie, alsmede de staten die tot het communistisch blok behoorden.

President Caldera voerde in het binnenland grote hervormingen door, met name op economisch gebied. Met de buitenlandse oliemaatschappijen werd eind 1971 een service-contract gesloten. Hierdoor kreeg de staat meer aandelen in de buitenlandse oliemaatschappijen, in de hoop dat dit zou oplopen tot meer dan 85%. De afloop van de lopende concessies werd vervroegd, en voor strategische beslissingen hadden de maatschappijen voortaan toestemming van de staat nodig.

Toch bleven de verhoudingen met de Verenigde Staten - die de meeste oliemaatschappijen in Venezuela bezaten - goed. In 1972 werd een handelsverdrag met de VS echter niet verlengd.

Naast economische hervormingen, voerde Caldera ook een belangrijke politieke hervorming door: de tot dan toe verboden communistische partij werd in 1970 gelegaliseerd. Ook sloot Caldera een verdrag met de guerrilla's, die beloofden hun activiteiten tegen het regime te staken. Uiteindelijk hielden de guerrilla's zich niet aan dit verdrag.

Bij de verkiezingen van december 1973 leed de COPEI een nederlaag en werd Andrés Pérez van de Accion Democrática in maart 1974 president.

Tweede termijn als president
Na zijn presidentschap werd Caldera opnieuw lid van de Kamer van Afgevaardigden. In het begin van de jaren negentig was Venezuela bankroet en was het er politiek onrustig (mislukte coup door Hugo Chávez in 1992).

In 1994 won Caldera namens de Democratische Convergentie (CD), een samenwerkingsverband van kleine partijen, de presidentsverkiezingen en werd hij voor de tweede keer president. Caldera bleek niet in staat om de problemen op te lossen. Bij de presidentsverkiezingen van eind 1998 won kolonel Hugo Chávez van de Beweging van de Vijfde Republiek. Reden dat Chávez won was dat de oude partijen (COPEI, AD en CD) niet in staat waren de problemen op te lossen, ook waren de meeste partijen tot bolwerken van corruptie verworden.

Caldera werd talrijke keren onderscheiden en won in 1998 Path to Peace Award. Hij overleed op 93-jarige leeftijd.

Zie ook
 Rómulo Betancourt
 Andrés Pérez
 Lorenzo Fernández
 Luis Herrera
 Hugo Chávez

President van Venezuela


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The ideas which I should like to present were stimulated by the tasks posed to us as members of a Biomedical Application Team sponsored through NASA's Technology Utilization Program. It therefore is appropriate to set the stage by a brief description of the Biomedical Application Program's goals and methodology. These NASA programs were established at three institutions, Midwest Research Institute, Research Triangle Institute, and Southwest Research Institute, to help bring about a highly desirable but difficult to accomplish aim, namely, to transfer applicable aerospace generated research products to the field of biomedicine. Suitable ideas, concepts, techniques and designs were to be sought in all varieties of aerospace research programs. It was an important premise of the project that the quest for biomedically useful technology not be restricted within biologically oriented research programs. That is, our special challenge was to locate biomedically applicable technology among the products of research carried on in areas which might at first glance seem to be totally unrelated to biology. Indeed, relevant research was on occassion discovered in remote technological areas. For example, one of the research hospitals associated with our project is currently engaged in an extensive program to evaluate clinical applications of a device originally developed at Langley Research Center as a reduced (lunar) gravity simulator.


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This firm has many clients in the commercial real estate world (50%) and clients in many different industries. They perform as an off-site accounting department so clients do not have the cost or headache of managing their own accounting department. The bulk of referrals come from CPAs who are familiar with their work. Marketing is mostly word of mouth and networking with CPAs and other business professionals. Since most everything is done online, the office could really be located anywhere. Very small % of our clients visit the office. Most initial meetings take place at the client's office. Communication from then on is done via email, phone, etc. This firm has an excellent staff and wonderful clients to work with. The business has enjoyed an excellent reputation for 25 years. The staff goes above and beyond for clients. And there is substantial growth potential with the right person at the helm. The billing rate ranges from $75-$150/hr. Charges for services rendered are based on actual time spent at hourly rates in effect at the time services are rendered, plus out-of-pocket costs related to performing the services, such as travel, postage, delivery, long distance telephone, etc.


text:
Q: Canopy Relief Ratio (Grid Metrics) FUSION/LDV According to the paper cited below, CRR tells us about the shape of trees and is defined as:
Canopy Relief-Ratio (CRR) is a quantitative descriptor of the relative shape of the canopy from altimetry observation (Parker and Russ, 2004; Pike and Wilson, 1997), defined as mean height returns minus the minimum height divided by the maximum height minus the minimum height. This ratio reflects the degree to which canopy surfaces are in the upper (> 0.5) or in the lower (< 0.5) portions of the height range.
Reference
Parker, G. G., & Russ, M. E. (2004). The canopy surface and stand development: assessing forest canopy structure and complexity with near-surface altimetry. Forest Ecology and Management, 189(1-3), 307-315.
In Fusion, this can be computed using GridMetrics, my question is, for example, if the CRR is 0.6474, how can I interpret the shape of the canopy with this value?

A: Not the shape of trees, it is the variation of the canopy (relative surface morphology). The higher the CRR the more local variation occurs in the canopy (eg., open canopy) whereas small values represent less variation (eg. closed or uniform age canopy). Because of all of the different possible canopy configurations and the influence of the defined scale, there is no single interpretation of a given value thus, CRR is a relative measure of canopy variation and technically represents rugosity.
This metric is just a repackaging of Pike's geomorphometric Surface Relief Ratio (SSR) and is derived such: (mean(x) - min(x)) / (max(x) - min(x)) where; x is a matrix of some NxN window (in the case of CRR, canopy heights).

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The whole pizza looks a bit worse because our dough isn't wood-fired. We have pizza stones and a convection oven though, so it's not total crap.
a good piece of information: pizzas are cooked with temperature around 300C°(again,can't remember the exact number) so if your oven can't reach that temperature, get it to max temp and let it stay a bit longer,because that pizza looks raw to me.
also: why the green onion?
p.s.: your "cooking place" looks like the one we had in our restaurant years ago,6 fires and a simple big oven.
Dodo's [cooking place] makes me pretty jelly. I've got a 3-room 64.5 m^2 apartment with a tiny [cooking place]: its not even got a normal size oven, only a 3 stove oven.
On the flip-side it is a student apartment pretty close to campus and rent isn't too bad, so I can put up with the tiny [cooking place].
It's ok. Just post pics of girlfriend, instead.
Made some foccacia. I don't do it very often because my recipe involves a lot of waiting. I'm locally renowned as the king of foccacia- even local bakery owners say so.
What's the link one has to use to place an order?
Omnivore here. Lately I've been craving curry goat so I've been honing my carribean cooking skills. I've made it about 5 times and it keeps getting better and better. I'm always trying new recipes and I like to eat a variety of meats and veggies but usually I'm reduced to Vienna sausages and roasted potatoes because we can't afford to buy only good food.


text:
AMERICAN IDOL S10: Top 9 Rock Out
This post is by guest blogger Poncho, an expert on AI and many things pop culture.—PCN
Even with the theme being "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," the episode had little rock and less roll. Some of the choices were weird, most of the songs were performed (mostly better) in previous seasons, and the whole thing was more boring than last week. So let's get rolling:
I just figured out who Jacob Lusk reminds me of. His weird dance moves in the second half of "Man in the Mirror" immediately made me think of Juan Gabriel! Not that it's necessarily a bad thing; JG is a very successful recording artist…in Mexico. Anyway, the vocals were kind of good, but what's with him thrusting the backup singer? And what's with the backup-bots waving boringly? Besides, I'm fed up with his overly theatrical skanky diva faces. The judges loved the performance; I say meh.
I told PCN last week I was on board Haley Scarnatto Grrrreinhart's bandwagon, and after hearing her cover Erma Franklin/Janis Joplin, I say the girrrrrrl took another "Piece of My Heart." She wasn't as good as last week, but she's growing as an artist, picking songs that fit her grrrowl, improving the phrasing, looking gorgeous on stage, commanding more presence and, in general, looking less awkward. On the downside, she's still got lots to grrrrrow.
Casey Abrams brought an upright bass! I couldn't care less for his performance, even though "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" is one of my favorite songs ever. The upright bass upstaged Casey but it might still be me hating him for what he did to Nirvana.
I'll say it about Lauren Alaina: NOBODY has made that girl feel like a "Natural Woman." I'm not advocating underage sexin', just saying you can master the technical aspects of a song as hard as "Natural Woman," make changes to the phrasing and intonation of the verses (I hated the runs in the first ones, liked the softness in the middle), but if you have no connection, there's no point. And that's it—she sang pretty but sold nothing.
One thing we learned (or re-discovered) about James Durbin is that he has serious trouble with his lower register. And I mean serious. It's a good thing Steven gave him props for "weeping" like his guitar because it was the only good thing about the performance. The pitch problems throughout the song made all guitars around the world need tissues.
This was the first time Scotty McCheesy actually really entertained me. It's no secret I like his voice and believe he's got a real chance in country music, but this was the first time he looked like a contender. He raised the tempo and he's starting to pull the cheese factor back. Weird thing—the cheese he brought kinda worked.
I had a headache watching Pia Toscano. She sang uptempo (more like mid-tempo in my book, but whateva) and even with a few pitch problems here and there, managed to sound amazing. But then, the visuals were all wrong. First, the dress was a fashion no-no (hear it from a straight guy); second, she walked around the stage and her walk was very, very boring. If you close your eyes, you hear a great "uptempo" song. If you mute the TV/VCR/PC, you see someone singing a ballad. Guess she's still Pia Tosca-bore.
If anyone was really a bore, it was Stefano Langone. Three words: Kick him out.
Finally, Paul McDonald was real fun to watch. It wasn't the greatest performance, but his voice actually fitted the song and the arrangement. He brought his spastic-chicken dance to the stage, even while playing his guitar (I think the other guys beside him had ants in their pants, too, because they danced very weirdly as well). But somehow it all worked. It was fun, a little underwhelming, but fun nonetheless.
What did you think?
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Few Thoughts on the 70th Golden Globes
AMERICAN IDOL Season 8 — Group 3 Finalists & Wild Card Contestants Revealed!
Paulette Feeney
I hear you! However, voice-wise I am lovin' Haley! Tonight, I think puppet boy (Paul)gotta go! His movements make me cringe! Gospel boy could not comfortably sing his first song choice but gyrated on stage? What's with that? The least favorite for me are Stefano, Paul, Jacob …and I could live without Pia! Great commentary, Poncho!
Nan Rennie
Great guest blog. Loved the "spastic chicken dance" and comments about Jacob's weird moves. There is something annoying and creepy about the way he throws in a wiggle and then tries to cover it up.
Wonderful piece, Poncho. While I follow AI very little (in between dodging my children's homework questions), I do pick up on some of the highlights on radio and morning news. I can easily say, your take on things is way better. Thanks.
Paulette—Noooooo! I like Paul; he's maybe my favorite right now. He's so crazy and unique. I like his groovy off-key singing. But I agree Stefano should be LONGone and I can do without Jacob, too.
Nan—Welcome! Glad you liked Poncho's post.
le0pard13—I agree Poncho is more entertaining in his recap than some of the local pundits. That's why I'm happy to have him cover the rest of the season.
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. This is my first attempt at a full blog post in English and thanks to PCN's kindness I'm having a blast.
Paulette I'm liking Paul's quirkiness more and more each week, but I think he's still got something awkward about him. I say give him a chance. Haley, on the other hand, LOVE HER!
Nan I used to call Danny Gokey for the 'spastic chicken dancing', but this year Paul's taken it to a whole new level.
le0pard13 Thanks cousin! Very glad you liked it!
Oh, Elyse! Noooooo! Paul reminds me of a marionette I had as a child and I would try to manuver the strings to make it kick itself! He is much more accomplished than I ever was at that task!
Marionettes are fun. Pinocchio is one and I love him.
Holy canolis!
[SPOILER ALERT]
Pia was sent home. That's a massive Wow. I guess she bore America as well as she confused me. The show is becoming weird.
Me? I would've sent Stefano home.
*SPOILER* SPOILER* SPOILER*
That was pretty surprising. I thought Stefano was a goner. The irony was I liked Pia more tonight than I ever have. She kept smiling, insisted she was okay while everyone was booing and Lopez was near tears. She was gracious in the face of defeat. And then she sang "I'll Stand by You" while clearly America didn't stand by her. That was classy.
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Book Giveaway: Geraldine Brooks's CALEB'S CROSSING


Greece is gifted with a mild climate bringing a fertile soil rich in nutrients. The cultivation tradition of the country is dating back to ancient years while the knowledge base of production and farming of fermented products is recognized in an international level. Besides, a wide range of Greek products have been privileged with the distinction of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). More specifically, 101 Greek products have been awarded as Products of Protected Designation of Origin including cheeses, olive oils, vegetables and pulses, sweet beverages, the avgotaraho of Mesolongi (a salted flat-head mullet fish roe), the cherry tomato of Santorini, the crocus of Kozani and the mastic of Chios. The gastronomic spirit of Greece is one of the most healthiest and nutritional in the world and one has to taste the vast variety of fine wines, dairy products, garden vegetables and aromatic fruits to understand the spirit!
The most characteristic product of Greece is the olive oil, which is being used in all the recipes of the gastronomy of the country, and has gained worldwide recognition as it is considered one of the best olive oils in the world. Numerous labels have awarded as Products of Protected Designation of Origin and as products with Protected Geographic Indication from the regions of Agios Mathaios, Crete, Lakonia, Lesvos, Lygourio, Kefalonia, Olympia, Peloponnese, Preveza, Rhodes, Samos, Zakynthos, Thasos, Thrapsano and Trizinia. Another wonderful delicacy are the Olive Oils of the country which have also been honored with Products of Protected Designation of Origin varying to the color, size, and flavor of each type including the Olives of Kalamata and the Conservolia Olives of the regions of Amfissa, Arta, Atalanti, Chalkidiki, Chios, Crete, Euboea, Stylida, Volos and Thasos.
The honey of Greece is popular for its irresistible aroma, high quality and outstanding taste deriving from the rich flora of the country comprising from numerous herbs and wild flowers. Among the most tasteful categories of honey are the famous thyme honey, the aromatic orange honey, the chestnut honey, the heather honey and various other types of flower honey, which are collected with aromatic plants including lavender and oregano. The production of honey is a Greek tradition that dates back to the ancient years as it is the first sweetener of the diet of the Greeks, while the majority of the production involves fir honey, oak honey and pine honey which have high nutritional value. The best honey can be found in mountain villages and the best aromatic honey can be found in the islands! Taste the traditional honey topped sweets including the friend doughnut, called loukoumades, baklava and honey pies! Every year, 12.000 tones of honey are being produced in Greece!
Spoon sweets are the most traditional treat to visitors in the homes of Greece, which is considered as one of the oldest customs of the country, and it is being served in a teaspoon. The sweets are being produced with natural ingredients during the season that every fruit ripens including grapes, figs, apricots, berries, wild cherries, plums, bergamots, citrons and quinces. The fruits retain their original taste, color and aroma while these fruits are also used in marmalades, jams and preserved fruits. Women have formed local Women's Agricultural Cooperatives all over Greece in order to preserve the traditional recipes of the country developing new skills and improving the production methods. Offering a spoon sweet to your guests is a wonderful tradition and a sign of hospitality! The island of Chios has specialties of spoon sweets including Lemon, Orange and Tangerine Spoon Sweets and a unique specialty called Ipovrihio (Submarine), in which mastic, a sticky substance, is combined with water, lemon and sugar and it is being served on a spoon in cold water. The island of Crete is known for its Baby Eggplant Spoon Sweet! The island of Ikaria is known for its Walnut and Sour Cherry Spoon Sweets! The island of Aegina is known for its Pistachio Spoon Sweet! The area of Peloponnese is known for its Citrus and Orange Spoon Sweets! The island of Naxos is known for its Quince Spoon Sweets scented with leaves of lemon or roses! The island of Santorini is known for its Tomato Pomodoro Spoon Sweet seasoned with almonds and cinnamon!
The Sultanas and Currants of Greece are one of the most ancient products of the country with beneficial properties and nutritional value growing in the entire region of Peloponnese, the birthplace of this sweet product used in traditional cooking. Sultanas are a type of large seedless grapes with a delicate flavor and Currants are small black sweet seedless grapes. The Currants from Zakynthos and Vostitsa, and the Raisings from Corinthia and Ilia are Products of Protected Designation of Origin.
The rich tradition of Greece in animal husbandry is reflected in the exceptional dairy products of tasteful cheeses with beautiful aromas. Twenty types of cheeses have been honored as Products of Protected Designation of Origin included Feta, one of the finest cheeses, Graviera (hard yellow round rind) from Agrafa, Crete and Naxos, Xynomizithra (soft white cheese) from Crete, Katiki (low fat soft white cheese) from Domokos, Sfela (a strong tasting white cheese) from Mani, Formaela (a hard hellow cheese) from Arachova , San Michael (a yellow cheese) from Syros, Ladotiri (olive cheese) from Mytilene, Kalathaki (brine white cheese) from Limnos, Anevato (soft white cheese), Galotiri (milky type of cheese), Kaseri (medium-hard pale yellow cheese) , Kefalograviera (hard and salty yellow cheese) Kopanisti (salty, spicy cheese) , Manouri (mi-soft fresh white cheese) and Metsovone (semi-hard smoked cheese).
The countryside of Greece is home to some of the most exceptional products of great nutritional value. The Crocus of Kozani, a Product of Protected Designation of Origin, is a flower providing the saffron collected from the farmers, which are the stamens with a wonderful aroma, color and flavor with antioxidant properties. Beans are widely cultivated and some varieties have been honored as Products of Protected Designation of Origin and Geographical Indication, including the Legumes of Elephant and Megasperma of Prespa, the Gigantes (big white beans) of Kastoria, the Beans Mesosperma of Kato Nevrokopi, the Potatoes of Nevrokopi and the Fava (split peas) of Santorini. The variety of the Tsakonian Eggplant from Leonidio, a wide variety of fruits including the Peaches of Naoussa, the Cherries of Rodohorio, the Figs from Kymi and Vravrona, the Pistachio Nuts from Aegina, the Honey from Mountain Mainalo, the Avrotaraho (fish roe) from Mesolongi and the Rusks from Crete are also Products of Protected Designation of Origin. Kiwi from Sperhios and Pieria, Kumquat from Corfu, Apples from Zagora, Kastoria and Tripoli, Oranges from Maleme of Chania, Potatoes from Naxos, Tangerines from Chios, Figs from Taxiarchis, Gum from Chios, Lamb and Goat from Elassona.
Greece has a rich tradition in viniculture from ancient times. Wine was a product of supreme importance in Ancient Greece as evidenced from the wine production of the Dionysian orders while the tradition continued through the Byzantine times, becoming a cultural element of great importance of the country. The wine producers and the viticulturists of Greece respect this tradition shown from a large number of Greek wines that have been awarded as protected designation of origin. Liquid treasures of traditional grape varieties can be found in the islands of the Aegean and the Ionian Seas and the regions of Attica, Crete, Epirus, Macedonia, Peloponnese, Thessaly and Thrace, honoring the long-lasting wine tradition of Greece.
Owing to the extensive knowledge of wine in Greece, there is a long tradition in the distillation of traditional spirits of Ouzo (an anise-flavored spirit), Raki (an unsweetened, anise flavored alcoholic spirit) Tsipouro (pomace brandy) the trademark of Greek celebrations, which continue to be manufactured in traditional distilleries. Another unique product of Greece are the local liquors which are produced with natural products of cranberries, mastic, mint, plus and walnuts, that lend their aromas to unique alcoholic spirits. Liquid treasures of spirits are the Ouzo of Mytilene, the Raki of Crete, the Ouzo and Tsipouro of Tyrnavos, the Ouzo of Macedonia, the Koumkouat of Corfu and the Kitro of Naxos showcasing an excellent taste.
Koum Kouat of Corfu is a traditional liquor of Corfu, which is produced from kumquat fruits with an exquisite aroma and taste resembling strawberries and flowers. The product is exclusively produced in the island of Corfu.
Kitro of Naxos is a traditional liquor of Naxos, which is produced from the citron leaves of the island of Naxos. This elegant aromatic spirit aids digestion with its sweet citrus fruits aromas.
Mastic is a traditional liquor of Chios, which is produced with the resin of the Mastic trees that are solely grown in the island of Chios. It is usually enjoyed untreated. According to Hippocrates, mastic has therapeutic properties for stomach disorders.
Ouzo is a traditional alcoholic spirit of Greece, which is produced from distilled alcohol, aromatic ingredients and water with aniseed prevailing. It is usually enjoyed either neat or with added ice or water served with mezedes (appetizers). The islands of Lesvos and Chios are renowned for their ouzo! And remember to drink ouzo with everything that comes from the sea!
Retsina is a traditional alcoholic spirit of Greece, which is produced from the resinated white or rose wine flavored with pine resin. The regions of Attica, Voiotia, and Euboea are known for their Retsina!
Tsipouro is a traditional pomace brandy of Greece, a strong distilled alcoholic spirit which is produced from the residue of wine press, the pomace, and it is enjoyed either pure or anise flavored. However, the spirit is called raki or tsikoudia in Crete owing to its stronger aroma! The regions of Epirus, Macedonia, Mani, Thessaly and the island of Crete are renowned for their tsipouro! And remember to drink tsipouro with everything that comes from the mountain!


Only two people have had their licenses suspended since a high-profile law aimed at slowing pedestrian-traffic deaths went into effect. This article was originally published June 10 in the West Side Spirit.
Dana Lerner embraces Jonathan Hume, who along with his twin brother Jacob, eulogized their former classmate Cooper Stock at a recent street renaming ceremony. Photo by Daniel Fitzsimmons.
Most of Cooper Stock's friends were able to hold it together during a street renaming ceremony last week at 97th Street and West End Avenue, where the nine-year-old was killed by a reckless cab driver last January. Jacob Hume, age 10, wasn't one of them.
As Hume spoke, Cooper's mother, Dana Lerner, broke down, choking back sobs. The two embraced after Hume finished, and cried softly together.
"I love what you guys said, it meant so much," said Lerner, as she hugged the rest of his class, now in fourth grade.
Last week, students at the Calhoun School marched from their building on 81st Street up to Cooper Stock Way to remember their classmate and draw attention to the issue of pedestrian safety. Cooper and his father, Richard Stock, were struck by cabbie Koffi Komlani as they crossed 97th Street with the green light. After Cooper's death, Komlani was charged with a traffic violation and issued a $500 fine by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance's office.
In the months following the tragedy, Lerner devoted herself to advocating for pedestrian safety and railing against reckless driving. Her efforts led to the passage of Cooper's Law, which revokes a cab or livery driver's license if they are found guilty of committing a traffic violation resulting in the death or critical injury of another person. Under the law, if a driver licensed by the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission is issued a violation or summons for an accident where someone is killed or critically injured, their TLC license is immediately suspended pending an investigation. If, during the investigation, the driver is found guilty of the violation or summons, their TLC license is permanently revoked.
The bill was signed into law last June and was part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's slate of pedestrian-friendly Vision Zero laws, which included lowering the citywide speed limit to 25 m.p.h and other measures.
Calhoun School students march in memory of former classmate Cooper Stock, who was killed by a reckless cab driver last January. The students called themselves "Cooper's Troopers" and carried homemade signs highlighting safe driving. Photo by Daniel Fitzsimmons.
But despite the attention that the issue has received, and the high profile of Cooper's death, the impact of the law named after him has been disappointing: According to the TLC, in the almost nine months since the law went into effect, only two drivers have had their licenses suspended under Cooper's Law — and none have been permanently revoked.
Lerner said she was "horrified" to learn that her son's law had only been used twice, information that came through a Freedom of Information Law request filed by this newspaper.
Helen Rosenthal, the New York city councilmember who championed Cooper's Law, was not aware that the law had been applied so infrequently, and said that, as a result, she is considering tweaks to the legislation.
An analysis of the law reveals two critical weaknesses. One is that in order for it to be triggered, the driver must be issued a summons or violation at the scene of the accident, or retroactively. Out of dozens of NYPD accident reports examined by this paper that were part of the FOIL request, only two TLC licensees were issued summonses or charged with crimes. In one case the charges were dropped.
In the other case, that of livery car driver Joseph Mergile, who was arrested in January for backing over a person shoveling snow on a sidewalk in Brooklyn, Cooper's Law was applied. His TLC license was suspended and an investigation is underway, in accordance with Cooper's Law, said the TLC. The victim in that case was listed as critical but not likely to die, according to police reports.
Another driver had his license suspended under Cooper's Law since it was passed last September, but the details of that incident are unclear as it happened recently and fell outside of the scope of this paper's records request.
The other weakness is that Cooper's Law is only applied to accidents where someone is killed or critically injured. In March, a California woman named Rosemarie Mifsud was pinned between two cabs in Times Square, completely dislocating her right knee and shattering her left leg. But because medical professionals at the scene deemed her injuries non-life-threatening and said she was likely to live, Cooper's Law did not apply.
Dana Lerner moves to unveil Cooper Stock Way at the corner of 97th Street and West End Avenue, where her son was killed last year by a reckless cab driver. Photo by Daniel Fitzsimmons.
According to Mifsud, driver Mohamed Gendia initially claimed he didn't see her, and then later said the accident occurred due to icy conditions at the time.
Records indicate Gendia's TLC license is current. A month and a half after hitting Mifsud, records also show he was hit with a TLC summons for using an electronic communication device while driving.
Mifsud, who has been out of work since March and has at least another six months of recovery, said she has nightmares about the accident every night and said it doesn't seem right that Gendia is back behind the wheel catching fares, especially given Cooper's Law.
Several incidents examined closely from last September to this April, where it seems Cooper's Law should have come into play but did not, include cases like the fatal accident of famed CBS correspondent Bob Simon. According to police and news reports, livery car driver Abdul Rashad Fedahi accelerated into a Mercedes that was waiting at a red light in Chelsea, careened into a metal stanchion in the intersection, and killed Simon, who was a passenger in Fedahi's car. The Manhattan DA's office declined to comment on whether charges have been brought against Fedahi, but said the case remains open. News reports at the time said Simon was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.
In April a delivery truck driver for the Daily News named Jonathan Long was killed in Brooklyn when his vehicle was clipped by a green cab whose driver, according to police reports, disobeyed a steady red signal. Police reports indicate driver Tazul Islam was not charged at the scene and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said they do not have him listed as a defendant in their system.
The TLC licenses of both Fedahi and Islam were suspended in the wake of the accidents that killed Simon and Long, but because Cooper's Law does not appear to have come into play, could be reinstated. According to several news reports, Fedahi's license was suspended at least six times before the crash that killed Simon.
The apparent reticence on behalf of law enforcement to issue summonses or make arrests in accidents that cause critical injuries or fatalities exploits a weakness in the law, said Rosenthal.
In Cooper's case, Komlani wasn't charged with a failure to exercise due caution violation until eight months after the crash and after considerable pressure from pedestrian advocates. Under Cooper's Law, Lerner wonders, who is following up on whether TLC drivers are charged with traffic violations in these accidents and initiating investigations?
Cooper Stock Way. Photo By Daniel Fitzsimmons.
"The question is, shouldn't Cooper's Law mean that these drivers are no longer allowed to drive in a cab the minute they're charged?" she said.
Rosenthal requested her own data from the TLC after she was reached for comment on this story, and said that since the law went into effect, TLC licensees have been involved in 34 accidents where a person was killed or critically injured. Of those, two had their licenses suspended as a result of Cooper's Law, while another six lost their TLC licenses as a result of other laws.
Rosenthal said she doesn't know if Cooper's Law isn't being applied in enough cases, but agreed that the critical injury stipulation was another weakness.
"You're piquing my interest in thinking about a tweak to the law, but Cooper's Law only takes into account critical injury or death," said Rosenthal, who noted her office would be looking into reexamining portions of the law given recent findings.
While Lerner doesn't fault Rosenthal for the way the law is written, she said revelations about its use are evidence of systemic dysfunction in enforcement.
But the limitations of Cooper's Law had no effect on his friends and supporters, who marched last week with homemade signs and fond memories to the street corner now bearing his name.
"Goodbye, my friend," said one classmate, as 10 blue and orange balloons floated on the air above West End Avenue, one for every year of Cooper's life, if he were still alive.


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by Jason Snively 5/31/2017 9:47:14 PM
Less than an hour to go!
by Jason Snively 6/5/2017 3:59:10 PM
Doors are open, we're being let in!
Welcome to #WWDC17, being held in San Jose for the first time in recent history
by danieleran 6/5/2017 4:22:26 PM
Panorama from WWDC!
by victormarks via null edited by Jason Snively 6/5/2017 4:37:12 PM
Some technical difficulties with WiFi!
Shiny media badge :)
First announcement to take seats, it's about to start
Please switch all devices to silent mode. Thank you.
The music is getting louder in the hall.
Imagine Dragons, Whatever It Takes
The lights are dimming, people are cheering
The video is starting
World leaders discuss appocalypse
Apple imagines a world collapsing without your iOS apps.
Tim Cook says, "I'm so glad that really can't happen!"
"the one thing that hasn't changed is our commitment to the development community and our ability to do amazing things together."
Apple and developers are on a collective mission to change the world. 16 million registered developers, with 5300 total attendees, from 75 countries around the world. The most student developers attending, ever.
One of the youngest is here, Yuma Soerianto, 10 years old. He started coding when he was 6 and he has 5 apps on the App Store.
Also attending is Masako Wakamiya, 82 years old, from Japan, and she published her first app earlier this year. "So if you haven't published yet, there's still time."
Turning attention to platforms, tvOS, macOS, iOS, watchOS
6 important announcements this morning.
tvOS: We recently introduced the TV app to create the easiest way to discover and enjoy content in one convenient place. Now we have 50 partners integrated into the TV app. Today, we're announcing Amazon is coming to the TV app and all Apple TV later this year with Prime Video.
number 2 - let's talk about Apple watch
Apple watch is the #1 selling smartwatch by far. It's number one in customer satisfaction by far. It's designed to help you live a healthier life, and people love the health capabilities, the access to information, and the ability to swim with it.
Kevin Lynch coming up.
New watch faces!
Siri watch face automatically displays information using machine learning, the apps you use when you use them and routines.
It dynamically updates whenever you raise your wrist.
Kaleidoscope face as well - you can create faces from your photos.
New characters. Woody, Jessie, and Buzz faces from Toy Story!
Activity. In watchOS 4, activity notifications are more personalized to you, to help you meet goals. It's smarter coaching, with monthly goals. All are achievable, because they're based on your history.
Dan says Siri watch face looks like a Personal Facebook almost.
Hi intensity workouts, and multiple workouts in a single session.


After 6 seasons, Tim Allen's hit ABC show Last Man Standing was cancelled this year, and Allen has some thoughts as to why.
Allen, himself more conservative than many in Hollywood, played conservative father Mike Baxter on the show. So when the show was cancelled, some people suspected a political motivation behind it (which ABC denied).
You can watch above (the relevant part starts at the 34:40 mark), via Norm Macdonald Live.


The plum cherry looks VERY pretty. Can't wait to see that made up. Tell Dan to source the best bead shops to take you to in Singapore - I'll give you some pocket money to spend!!!!!
I have been holding my breath all day, hoping that my grandchild will NOT be born today! - only a few hours to go and then I can let it out.
How exciting, to be going to Singapore!
I am eagerly waiting for the hook holders.
The last time I was in Singapore was last year where I met with Sheila Dutton. She took me to Arab Street for the beads and loads of notions. I can't recall exactly which shops they were, but if you take a walk along the walkways, you will not miss them.
Those woods look so luscious, especially the plum cherry! I can hardly wait for the opportunity to purchase another Pop-A-Bobbin shuttle! I do love mine!
I'll take you bead-shopping. I know the nooks and crannies. With Jane's word about giving you the pocket money, you will be sure to enjoy this trip!
An amazing post! I can't imagine where you have the room to store all that wood! The baptismal font is beautiful, and the doves are so special! You always have such interesting stories and histories about the woods.
And what an exciting trip coming up, to see your son! Isn't it amazing that you already 'know' tatters who live in Singapore?
As to Leap Year, I always do wonder about those who are born on Feb. 29. My niece (now 21) was born on the 27th, but it wasn't a leap year, so it wasn't a worry to us back in 1991.
Maureen - I hope your grandchild has arrived safely.
Jon - 'Im in the garage has now a bad cold (man flu) so nothing being produced at the moment! Arab street sounds great, think I will have to take an empty suitcase!
Diane - thanks for your lovely compliment, the woods are so tempting aren't they?!
Val - My boys think that all I want to buy is beads!! Whatever gave them that impression?! As for the nooks and crannies sounds like you are the best guide. Yes we are selling the doves for the upkeep of the church.
Ladytats - we are sure to have a fun trip, not going quite yet though.
Kathy - You are right the wood is taking over this place! We are very excited about our trip especially as our other son is coming with us so we will be together as a family a rare event.
I would love to purchase a pop a bobbin shuttle! Please let me know when available!
Tats - Be assured I will let you know when they are available.


text:
Mariana Van Zeller on Covering the Opioid Trade
Mariana Van Zeller with an opioid trafficker in SInaloa, Mexico, holding a bag of Fentanyl ready to be shipped to the United States. Photo courtesy of Fusion.
"I had the Portuguese television station on one side, and my mother on another phone crying and begging me not to leave the house. And I had to tell her 'Mom, this is this is my life.'"
We spoke to correspondent, investigative reporter, and J-School graduate Mariana van Zeller about covering drug stories, how she got her break in journalism, and selling carpets in Syria to make a living as a stringer.
Van Zeller was a 2017 duPont-Columbia Award winner for her work on Death By Fentanyl, Fusion's investigative documentary into the pharmaceutical companies and drug cartels that have let to the ongoing opioid crisis.
The crux of the story? Drug traffickers in Sinaloa learned from the ways pharmaceutical companies in the US were selling opioids to patients. And they were all making a fortune. See the rest of the 2017 duPont-Columbia Awards here.
Tagged: Conflict Reporting
Newer PostHere's How Michigan Radio's Lindsey Smith Broke the Flint Water Story
Older PostInvestigating the Military's Mental Health Crisis with NPR's Danny Zwerdling


One of the most controversial topics in carpet maintenance is that of carpet cleaning. According to many knowledgeable in the field of proper carpet cleaning tips, carpet cleaning, when done properly is very effective as an interim type of carpet maintenance. However, if done incorrectly, the effects of this type of cleaning is costly.
In order to ensure that carpets are not damaged, it is imperative to train custodians in the proper techniques of carpet cleaning.
Carpet cleaning offers a valuable method of cleaning carpets recommended by many distributors. It compares to dust mopping in the maintenance of hard surface floors. It helps to keep carpets clean, control stains and clean areas quickly.
It must be stressed that carpet cleaning is only an interim type of cleaning and the process has changed over time. Today, one should not call the process carpet cleaning. Instead, a better name is interim cleaning with the use of a carpet.
Regardless of what one calls the process, custodial managers agree that the process involves use of precise steps and proper technique to ensure it is effective.
Before beginning the process, it is essential that carpets are thoroughly vacuumed, a step often overlooked. Removing dry soil before introducing moisture makes fore easier and more effective cleaning.
The problem with adding moisture before vacuuming is that dry soils turn into mud and then seep deep into the fibers of the carpet. The mud is difficult to remove using carpet cleaning, a process designed to clean the tips of carpet fibers.
After the thorough vacuuming, floors should be pretreated using shampoos designed for encapsulating soils or specifically for carpet cleaning. It is essential to use the correct chemicals as the wrong ones increase the chances of building up soap and attracting more dirt to carpets in the end. Chemicals that dry sticky or oily trap more dirt. Encapsulating chemicals or those that dry to a powder are desirable.
Once carpets are pretreated, a number of carpets need to soak in clean water. Each needs to be moist and ready for use. This step requires clean water. The water soaked carpets are designed to attract and remove the soils that have been pretreated.
Shampoos should not be mixed with water for this step. carpeting using a water and cleaner mix only transfers the shampoo into the carpets. It does not remove them from carpet fibers.
Clean a 10×10 square and replace with a fresh carpet. Do not flip carpets to clean additional areas. This only pushes the dirt around instead of absorbing it.
The last step involves vacuuming a final time. Carpets should be dry before the final vacuuming. It is designed to break up detergents and remove any soil they may have left behind.
If carpet cleaning is not done in the correct order, it is possible to spread soils and make carpets even dirtier.
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As carpet cleaning uses little moisture, drying times are reduced, allowing crews to clean the room and have it ready for use quickly. Drying times with this process are half an hour or less when it is done properly.
The process is ideal for those times when there is little time to clean the area. If someone wants to use the area, but notices the carpets look somewhat soiled, the crew can come in quickly, carpet clean the surface of the carpet and have the room looking and smelling fresh in time for the meeting to occur.
Because carpet carpet maintenance is a quick solution to improve the looks between deep cleaning, the recommendations for frequency of cleaning vary widely.
Determine the frequency depending on the soil load. In rooms that have heavy use, it may be necessary to do once per week. In those that see less use, it is possible to hit the high traffic areas weekly and the rest of the room monthly. Target the high traffic areas to eliminate traffic patterns from forming.
Management likes carpet cleaning as it requires less time while presenting the room with a nice face lift for dirty carpets between extraction cleanings.
While recognizing the need to clean carpets correctly, managers recognize there are times to get the job done. carpet cleaning offers a quick method that provides acceptable results. carpet clean when time is short and the need to accomplish the goal must be met quickly.
While carpet cleaning offers many benefits, it is essential to realize the process is only to be used for interim cleaning. It should only be done in conjunction with regularly scheduled maintenance using standard extraction methods.
carpet cleaning only affects the top 1/3 of the carpet fibers. However, it keeps dirt and stains from being driven deep into fibers. With proper use, you do not need to extract as often. Still the method is no replacement for regular extraction methods. It is only a part of the regular maintenance program in caring for buildings.
carpet cleaning does not create a positive feeling in all facilities. Some refuse to use the process as it involves elevated risks and carpet manufacturers provide firm warnings against its use. The manufacturers often discourage use of the equipment and threaten to void warranties if the carpet cleaning method is used on their product.
Carpet manufacturers oppose carpet cleaning because the equipment operates at 175 rpm. Manufacturers warn the speed of the equipment, along with the weight of the machine (90-100 pounds) creates equipment using a lot of power and function with a lot of weight.
In addition, some carpet cleaning equipment functions at speeds of up to 350 rpm. With the water and friction from carpets, it is easy to heat carpet fibers to the point they melt and are beyond repair.
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A second risk with the use of carpet equipment, according to manufacturers of carpet is that machines use rotary motion, which untwists carpet fibers, may result in fraying, shading and changes in color of the material.
The risk, along with the warranty warnings from the manufacturer are enough to deter many facility maintenance managers from using carpet cleaning on the carpets in the buildings they manage.
Even in facilities that have used carpet cleaning in the past, the voiding of warranties is often enough to cause managers to look for alternative interim cleaning methods. Even though they admit carpeting has a place with the correct type of carpet and training, most fear using it due to manufacturer warnings.
For most managers, the cost of alternative methods to clean the carpets outweighs the risk of voiding the warranty of the carpets. However, if the process is done correctly businesses can experience positive results.
carpet cleaning, is a form of interim cleaning often abused. A lack of training causes the process to be ineffective in many departments, adding to the cost of keeping carpets clean.
Training is often passed from one employee to the next. Proper procedure is lost. If the process is to be used, it should be in written form allowing each employee to use proper carpet cleaning tips each time.
Take time to contact carpet manufacturers to determine the preferred method of cleaning their products.
Take time to make sure the cleaning method is acceptable and recommended by the carpet manufacturer before cleaning any carpets. Never assume the methods you have in place are acceptable with the manufacturer and will not void the warranty. In some cases, carpet cleaning is acceptable by the manufacturer and crews prefer it.
In many cases, the guidelines for new carpeting are available at no additional cost online. When shopping for new carpets and you have already invested in carpet equipment, look for carpets that allow cleaning using the machines you have already. Be proactive and involved in the decision process of the carpet to be installed in your building.