December 23, 2007
Jennifer and I went to the Claremont Farmer's Market. It was a beautiful day. They weather was great. Some areas got into the mid 70's. After the market we walked around a bit.
Here's some info on the Claremont Farmer's Market:
Name: Claremont Farmers & Artisans Market
Day: Sunday
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Indian Hill and 2nd Street
City: Claremont
County: Los Angeles
Manager: Oscar de Leon
Office Address: 111 S. College Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711
Phone: (714) 345-3087
Printable Map
Then we headed back to Monrovia and had breakfast at the Peach Cafe with my brother Dan Caballero and our nephew Justin Caballero. We ate on the patio. The Peach Cafe is a pretty good place. It took a while to get seated, about 20min. Which was fine as my Dan was driving over from Whittier. The water the server brought was frozen, I showed it to them and they said they use a fork to poke it..... go figure.... we did have a little sun and it started to melt. The only complaint I had about the food was that the potatoes in the skillet I had did not appear to be cooked, only boiled and then cut up. It would have been nice if they would have been fried, or heated on the "skillet". The pancakes here are really good. I think they use real buttermilk.
If you want to the Peach Cafe:
Peach Cafe
http://www.thepeachcafe.com/
141 E Colorado Blvd
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 599-9092
After breakfast we went to visit my folks, Victor Caballero and Margarita Caballero. We also saw my uncle and his wife. Fernando Caballero and Elva Caballero.
We had a nice visit outside in the patio.
After our visit with my folks we came home and fixed up a few things. I made another attempt to fix the leaking valve going into the new refrigerator we bought from Sears(I'll have more to say about it in another post).
Before dinner we decided to take a drive up to see the lights in the UHRA(Upper Hastings Ranch Association) lights on the streets. There are so many streets with lights. It is really one of the most organized lighting events around.
Then we went to the Balian home in Altadena, at Mendocino and Altadena. Every year there are so many people driving and walking around this mansion. This year we even saw vendors(3 of them) selling santa hats and various toys. It is really a pretty amazing display of lights.
We then came home and ate a bowl of sourdough clam chowder and salmon(from our Dream Dinners) and a salad.
It was a pretty busy day!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
The Biggest Potluck in the Nation
The Biggest Potluck in the Nation
Union Station Foundation’s Annual Christmas Dinner-in-the-Park Brings 3,500 meals and holiday cheer to Pasadena's homeless community members.
Pasadena, CA, December 21, 2007 --(PR.com)-- This Christmas, those with no place to call home are invited to eat at the nation’s largest holiday potluck. Union Station Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency serving homeless adults and families, will hold its Annual Christmas Dinner-in-the-Park on December 25 from 12-2 pm in Pasadena's Central Park.
This community event brings bountiful meals and holiday cheer to 3,500 people, many of whom are homeless, senior citizens, alone at the holidays or unable to afford a holiday meal.
“Our supporters bring donated turkeys, hams, side dishes and desserts to the park,” said Marvin Gross, Executive Director of Union Station Foundation. Community members will drop-off home cooked food at Fair Oaks/Del Mar from 9am -12pm.
Volunteers work together to accept drive-up food donations, decorate the park, set-up food stations, and serve more than 3,500 meals. Ten buffet lines, staffed with hundreds of volunteers of all ages, serving food to our homeless and low-income community members. The outdoor dining in the park will seat hundreds, and will have special areas designated for handicapped and senior citizens. In Santa’s Village, children will receive holiday gifts, donated by the Foy Foundation, Children’s Hunger Fund and Platte College.
Call (626) 240-4550 or visit www.unionstationfoundation.org to donate or learn about volunteer opportunities.
###
Union Station Foundation is the largest, most comprehensive social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income people in the Pasadena and West San Gabriel Valley area. Their mission is to offer homeless individuals and families the resources they need to transform their lives and become productive, stable, and self-supporting. Their programs are based on a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual and they strive to provide the highest quality of services based on a foundation of respect for all people.
To accomplish their mission, they operate Passageways intake and assessment center, the 56-bed Adult Center, the 50-bed Family Center, Euclid Villa transitional housing apartments, and SOURCES career development program. Their team of skilled professional staff and volunteers provide homeless men, women, and children with the services they need to permanently escape homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency. With the exception of their transitional housing facility, all programs and services are provided free of charge.
This community event brings bountiful meals and holiday cheer to 3,500 people, many of whom are homeless, senior citizens, alone at the holidays or unable to afford a holiday meal.
“Our supporters bring donated turkeys, hams, side dishes and desserts to the park,” said Marvin Gross, Executive Director of Union Station Foundation. Community members will drop-off home cooked food at Fair Oaks/Del Mar from 9am -12pm.
Volunteers work together to accept drive-up food donations, decorate the park, set-up food stations, and serve more than 3,500 meals. Ten buffet lines, staffed with hundreds of volunteers of all ages, serving food to our homeless and low-income community members. The outdoor dining in the park will seat hundreds, and will have special areas designated for handicapped and senior citizens. In Santa’s Village, children will receive holiday gifts, donated by the Foy Foundation, Children’s Hunger Fund and Platte College.
Call (626) 240-4550 or visit www.unionstationfoundation.org to donate or learn about volunteer opportunities.
###
Union Station Foundation is the largest, most comprehensive social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income people in the Pasadena and West San Gabriel Valley area. Their mission is to offer homeless individuals and families the resources they need to transform their lives and become productive, stable, and self-supporting. Their programs are based on a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual and they strive to provide the highest quality of services based on a foundation of respect for all people.
To accomplish their mission, they operate Passageways intake and assessment center, the 56-bed Adult Center, the 50-bed Family Center, Euclid Villa transitional housing apartments, and SOURCES career development program. Their team of skilled professional staff and volunteers provide homeless men, women, and children with the services they need to permanently escape homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency. With the exception of their transitional housing facility, all programs and services are provided free of charge.
| Contact Information |
| Union Station Foundation Dana Bean 626 240 4550 dbean@unionstationfoundation.org www.unionstationfoundation.org |
IMEEM and Universal Music - the state of labels and new media
There's been a lot of articles on how companies like IMEEM, SpiralFrog, and others are able to make deals with the major distribution labels. From everything I have been reading the labels are requiring a big upfront commitment with cash. This appears to be the only way the record companies will do deals. Money upfront.
I will write more about this in the next few days.
I will write more about this in the next few days.
United Online postpones IPO
United Online postpones the ClassMates IPO, stating the climate for an IPO is not favorable.
Microsoft goes after pirates
According to the LA Business Journal, Microsoft has been actively taking tips from consumers about illegal copies of software being available from on ebay and Craig's List.
I have posted requests for software on CraigsList.org and have received several people offering copies. Even after I stated that I am only interested in original software NOT copies.
Sometimes I don't think people can read. Anyway, apparently Microsoft is hammering down further on the illegal copying of software.
More to follow.
I have posted requests for software on CraigsList.org and have received several people offering copies. Even after I stated that I am only interested in original software NOT copies.
Sometimes I don't think people can read. Anyway, apparently Microsoft is hammering down further on the illegal copying of software.
More to follow.
TicketMaster and Live Nation
In an interesting move things are moving forward with Live Nation controlling its ticketing and disolving the TicketMaster partnership according to this story in the Wall St. Journal today.
Live Nation to Drop TicketMaster for German Rival
By ETHAN SMITH
December 21, 2007; Wall St. journal Page B5
Moving to take control of a key part of its business, concert-promotion
giant Live Nation Inc. said it plans to sell tickets to most of its
events with the help of Germany-based CTS Eventim AG when its agreement
with TicketMaster expires at the end of next year.
The announcement comes four months after TicketMaster said that it and
Live Nation had reached an impasse in talks to extend their 10-year
contract.
Details of the new arrangement have yet to be worked out, but its broad
strokes appear to offer Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Live Nation
important logistical and financial concessions it couldn't get from
TicketMaster. Under the new agreement, Live Nation's tickets are to be
sold primarily through LiveNation.com, and Live Nation will have control
over customer data. Live Nation said it also plans to sell tickets to
events being staged by third parties -- positioning itself as a direct
competitor to TicketMaster. It also is likely to give up less money in
transaction fees than it does under its deal with TicketMaster, which
typically takes half the "convenience charge" assessed on each ticket sale.
"We will provide the infrastructure and technology required to reshape
how Live Nation consumers access ticket inventory." CTS Eventim Chief
Executive Officer Klaus-Peter Schulenberg said in a statement.
It is unclear whether service fees are to be levied on tickets sold
under the new Live Nation-CTS Eventim regime, and how any fees would be
divided.
Such issues were the main stumbling block in Live Nation's talks with
TicketMaster. Live Nation wanted to change the system so that people
attending the company's events would buy tickets primarily through
LiveNation.com, rather than through TicketMaster's Web site. Live Nation
also wanted to control data about customers' buying habits and other
information. TicketMaster didn't want to cede that control.
The development comes as Live Nation has been trying to reposition
itself as a player with broader ambitions than promoting concerts, which
is minimally profitable. It recently struck a 10-year, $120 million deal
to represent pop star Madonna in nearly every aspect of her professional
life, including sale of recorded music and licensing of her image.
Live Nation has said it plans to sign as many as three dozen other
artists to similarly wide-ranging contracts. It also has acquired
companies that run online fan clubs and manufacture and sell merchandise
such as T-shirts.
Selling tickets is an important piece of what Live Nation Chief
Executive Michael Rapino recently described as a three-year
transformation of his company, whose stock price has sunk since the
October announcement of the Madonna pact, amid broader market problems
and concerns the deal is overpriced. The shares rose 10 cents to $14.12
in 4 p.m. composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Write to Ethan Smith at ethan.smith@wsj.com1
Live Nation to Drop TicketMaster for German Rival
By ETHAN SMITH
December 21, 2007; Wall St. journal Page B5
Moving to take control of a key part of its business, concert-promotion
giant Live Nation Inc. said it plans to sell tickets to most of its
events with the help of Germany-based CTS Eventim AG when its agreement
with TicketMaster expires at the end of next year.
The announcement comes four months after TicketMaster said that it and
Live Nation had reached an impasse in talks to extend their 10-year
contract.
Details of the new arrangement have yet to be worked out, but its broad
strokes appear to offer Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Live Nation
important logistical and financial concessions it couldn't get from
TicketMaster. Under the new agreement, Live Nation's tickets are to be
sold primarily through LiveNation.com, and Live Nation will have control
over customer data. Live Nation said it also plans to sell tickets to
events being staged by third parties -- positioning itself as a direct
competitor to TicketMaster. It also is likely to give up less money in
transaction fees than it does under its deal with TicketMaster, which
typically takes half the "convenience charge" assessed on each ticket sale.
"We will provide the infrastructure and technology required to reshape
how Live Nation consumers access ticket inventory." CTS Eventim Chief
Executive Officer Klaus-Peter Schulenberg said in a statement.
It is unclear whether service fees are to be levied on tickets sold
under the new Live Nation-CTS Eventim regime, and how any fees would be
divided.
Such issues were the main stumbling block in Live Nation's talks with
TicketMaster. Live Nation wanted to change the system so that people
attending the company's events would buy tickets primarily through
LiveNation.com, rather than through TicketMaster's Web site. Live Nation
also wanted to control data about customers' buying habits and other
information. TicketMaster didn't want to cede that control.
The development comes as Live Nation has been trying to reposition
itself as a player with broader ambitions than promoting concerts, which
is minimally profitable. It recently struck a 10-year, $120 million deal
to represent pop star Madonna in nearly every aspect of her professional
life, including sale of recorded music and licensing of her image.
Live Nation has said it plans to sign as many as three dozen other
artists to similarly wide-ranging contracts. It also has acquired
companies that run online fan clubs and manufacture and sell merchandise
such as T-shirts.
Selling tickets is an important piece of what Live Nation Chief
Executive Michael Rapino recently described as a three-year
transformation of his company, whose stock price has sunk since the
October announcement of the Madonna pact, amid broader market problems
and concerns the deal is overpriced. The shares rose 10 cents to $14.12
in 4 p.m. composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Write to Ethan Smith at ethan.smith@wsj.com1
Thursday, December 20, 2007
iPhone Observations
A couple items I thought I would share about the iPhone after having some friends and people at the office buy them and helping them set them up.
1. There is no voice recognition option. Many users have really become accustomed to using this feature on many other phones. Apparently this will soon be available, but having released a product without this feature was somewhat of a mistake.
2. The screen typing is somewhat difficult to use. I know there are options to adjust, but it is a little frustrating trying to type in a character and the wrong character comes up, the one next to the one you wanted. Maybe in the setup there could be something to help learn from the users point characteristics how to center better.
3. The screen does get dirty easily, looks like it does scratch as well. Apple should have included a couple of those screen guards with the iPhone.
4. Make it available to any carrier's network.
I love the iPhone, don't get me wrong.
1. There is no voice recognition option. Many users have really become accustomed to using this feature on many other phones. Apparently this will soon be available, but having released a product without this feature was somewhat of a mistake.
2. The screen typing is somewhat difficult to use. I know there are options to adjust, but it is a little frustrating trying to type in a character and the wrong character comes up, the one next to the one you wanted. Maybe in the setup there could be something to help learn from the users point characteristics how to center better.
3. The screen does get dirty easily, looks like it does scratch as well. Apple should have included a couple of those screen guards with the iPhone.
4. Make it available to any carrier's network.
I love the iPhone, don't get me wrong.
Nanosolar and Solar Future
I am a firm believe in solar power and how solar will become a large part of our energy production in the this country. As more all electric cars start to hit the street, we are going to need more sources of energy for the electric grid. Solar is going to become one of those growing sources.
This week Nanosolar started to roll out their first panels. Nanosolar is backed by Google.
The quote the NYT from CEO Martin Roscheisen is that "with #1-per watt panels, it is possible to build $2-per-watt systems."
Here's some more info from the blog:
I think we will be hearing more about Nanosolar. I image that as Google is a big consumer of electricity with their datacenters they will invest in finding more cost effect forms of power. Solar on the buildings in Mountain View and various data centers around the world is going to grow!
I attended the first annual open house in LA for Solar and I was impressed. Sweatwater Digital in the San Fernando Valley was in the process of installing a solar power system comprised of 600 panels. One of the largest in the city.
This week Nanosolar started to roll out their first panels. Nanosolar is backed by Google.
The quote the NYT from CEO Martin Roscheisen is that "with #1-per watt panels, it is possible to build $2-per-watt systems."
Here's some more info from the blog:
Our product is defining in more ways I can enumerate here but includes:
- the world’s first printed thin-film solar cell in a commercial panel product;
- the world’s first thin-film solar cell with a low-cost back-contact capability;
- the world’s lowest-cost solar panel – which we believe will make us the first solar manufacturer capable of profitably selling solar panels at as little as $.99/Watt;
- the world’s highest-current thin-film solar panel – delivering five times the current of any other thin-film panel on the market today and thus simplifying system deployment;
- an intensely systems-optimized product with the lowest balance-of-system cost of any thin-film panel – due to innovations in design we have included.
Today we are announcing that we have begun shipping panels for freefield deployment in Eastern Germany and that the first Megawatt of our panels will go into a power plant installation there.
As far as the first three of our commercial panels are concerned:
Panel #1 will remain at Nanosolar for exhibit.
Panel #2 can be purchased by you in an auction on eBay starting today.
Panel #3 has been donated to the Tech Museum in San Jose.
[These are obviously not the first three we ever produced – we have produced loads for testing – but these are the first three of what we consider our commercial panels.]
I think we will be hearing more about Nanosolar. I image that as Google is a big consumer of electricity with their datacenters they will invest in finding more cost effect forms of power. Solar on the buildings in Mountain View and various data centers around the world is going to grow!
I attended the first annual open house in LA for Solar and I was impressed. Sweatwater Digital in the San Fernando Valley was in the process of installing a solar power system comprised of 600 panels. One of the largest in the city.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8
Word is that Microsoft is preparing to release IE 8 Beta 1 in first half of 2008.
According to the IE blog, IE 8 has been in development for the past year and now renders the Acid2 Face in IE8 standards mode.
This according to Dean Hachamovitch - General Manager - Internet Explorer for Microsoft
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/
There have been many updates to Windows and IE this past year. It appears that Microsoft is doing everything they can to make Internet Explorer the best product it can be.
I am still open to using IE but have also been using Firefox and the latest beta is impressive. We will see how it shakes down and what program becomes the preferred browser. It's also interesting to mention Safari as it is now available in version 3 for Mac and Windows.
According to the IE blog, IE 8 has been in development for the past year and now renders the Acid2 Face in IE8 standards mode.
This according to Dean Hachamovitch - General Manager - Internet Explorer for Microsoft
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/
There have been many updates to Windows and IE this past year. It appears that Microsoft is doing everything they can to make Internet Explorer the best product it can be.
I am still open to using IE but have also been using Firefox and the latest beta is impressive. We will see how it shakes down and what program becomes the preferred browser. It's also interesting to mention Safari as it is now available in version 3 for Mac and Windows.
Google and Doubleclick Deal gets ok
Today we receive word that the Google - Doubleclick acquisition is has received the green light from the FTC, at least the FTC is not going to attempt to stop it.
This deal earlier this year and several groups attempted to prevent the deal from happening.
At the same time we hear Microsoft and Viacom have signed a $250 million deal.
This deal earlier this year and several groups attempted to prevent the deal from happening.
At the same time we hear Microsoft and Viacom have signed a $250 million deal.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
iPhone from Apple
There is lots of interest in the Apple iPhone this year.
Use this link to buy your Apple iPhone today!
Use this link to buy your Apple iPhone today!
Local Advertising and Newspapers
Shelly Palmer reported that local newspapers are losing their share of advertising revenue. Here is the story Shelly reported.
NEWSPAPERS have lost the lead in local online advertising for the first time. According to media research from Borrell Associates, newspapers have seen their share of local ads drop to 33.4% - down from 44.1% just three years ago. Internet companies now have 43.7% of the local ad market. Meanwhile, ad spending on social networks is expected to almost double next year, reaching $2.2 billion dollars. $1.2 billion was spent on the social nets in 2007, with MySpace and Facebook earning 70% of the revenue.
If you haven't been to Shelly Palmer's site you should check it out.
At www.media30.com.
NEWSPAPERS have lost the lead in local online advertising for the first time. According to media research from Borrell Associates, newspapers have seen their share of local ads drop to 33.4% - down from 44.1% just three years ago. Internet companies now have 43.7% of the local ad market. Meanwhile, ad spending on social networks is expected to almost double next year, reaching $2.2 billion dollars. $1.2 billion was spent on the social nets in 2007, with MySpace and Facebook earning 70% of the revenue.
If you haven't been to Shelly Palmer's site you should check it out.
At www.media30.com.
Affiliate Summit and Shawn Collins
I want to thank Shawn Collins and the folks at Affiliate Summit for the book I received yesterday. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
The book is Be Unreasonable: The Unconvential Way to Extraordinary Business Results by Paul Lemberg. Click Here to buy
I will read this on my trip to Astoria, OR to visit my Uncle Felix next week.
I am trying to find room in my budget to attend Affiliate Summit in Las Vegas Feb 26-28, 2008. I know there are some pretty good discounts floating around.
It is a great event Shawn and the Affiliate Summit Team put on.
The book is Be Unreasonable: The Unconvential Way to Extraordinary Business Results by Paul Lemberg. Click Here to buy
I will read this on my trip to Astoria, OR to visit my Uncle Felix next week.
I am trying to find room in my budget to attend Affiliate Summit in Las Vegas Feb 26-28, 2008. I know there are some pretty good discounts floating around.
It is a great event Shawn and the Affiliate Summit Team put on.
Guess the price of the item and win $3500
I am a little skeptical when I see ads like these, just more examples of what marketers are trying to do to capture people as leads.
Car Loans
This site offers to provide users with options for car loans.
Try it out if you are looking for a car loan in your area.
Try it out if you are looking for a car loan in your area.
Monday, December 17, 2007
More on Bob Dylan at the Skirball Cultural Center
Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956–1966
Skirball Cultural Center presents BOB DYLAN’S AMERICAN JOURNEY, 1956–1966, Organized by Experience Music Project
January 11–March 30, 2008
Multimedia exhibition features newly developed interactive gallery that invites visitors to re-mix and re-imagine original Dylan recordings
LOS ANGELES—Few figures in the history of American popular music have attained the status of Bob Dylan (b. 1941). To critical and popular audiences alike, his distinctly American body of work matches the legacies of Walt Whitman, Louis Armstrong and his own early hero, Woody Guthrie.
On view at the Skirball Cultural Center from February 8 through June 8, 2008, Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956–1966, organized by Experience Music Project (EMP), is a visual and aural recounting of Dylan's transformation from rock 'n' roll–loving Midwestern teenager to Greenwich Village folk troubadour to the rock star/poet who electrified contemporary songwriting. The exhibition not only illuminates this fertile decade in Dylan’s personal and artistic development, but chronicles a tumultuous period in American history, marked by the Civil Rights and anti-war movements.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Katie Klapper
(323) 874-9667
katie@katieklapper.com
Mia Cariño
(310) 440-4578
communications@skirball.org
Skirball Cultural Center presents BOB DYLAN’S AMERICAN JOURNEY, 1956–1966, Organized by Experience Music Project
January 11–March 30, 2008
Multimedia exhibition features newly developed interactive gallery that invites visitors to re-mix and re-imagine original Dylan recordings
LOS ANGELES—Few figures in the history of American popular music have attained the status of Bob Dylan (b. 1941). To critical and popular audiences alike, his distinctly American body of work matches the legacies of Walt Whitman, Louis Armstrong and his own early hero, Woody Guthrie.
On view at the Skirball Cultural Center from February 8 through June 8, 2008, Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956–1966, organized by Experience Music Project (EMP), is a visual and aural recounting of Dylan's transformation from rock 'n' roll–loving Midwestern teenager to Greenwich Village folk troubadour to the rock star/poet who electrified contemporary songwriting. The exhibition not only illuminates this fertile decade in Dylan’s personal and artistic development, but chronicles a tumultuous period in American history, marked by the Civil Rights and anti-war movements.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Katie Klapper
(323) 874-9667
katie@katieklapper.com
Mia Cariño
(310) 440-4578
communications@skirball.org
Hothouse Studios
Richard Morales and his crew are doing some amazing things in the rehearsal space community. Be sure to check out his hotsheet. You can subscribe by clicking here.
Even if you are not in the area you will want to subscribe as there are many articles you can read and a good source of information in the business.
Even if you are not in the area you will want to subscribe as there are many articles you can read and a good source of information in the business.
Facility with HD video
CenterStaging has an amazing facility where you can walk out of their facility with high-definition video or even go through their post production facility.
What makes this facility unique is that the video is shot with 12-16 robotically controlled cameras. With a 150TB Apple SAN. There are no camera people in the room. Like the "fly on the wall"
Specializing in music but any type of production can be accomodated. Music videos, rehearsals, table reads, and more.
See some of the content at rehearsals.com.
Call the folks at CenterStaging at 818.559.4333 for more info and to schedule your shoot.
What makes this facility unique is that the video is shot with 12-16 robotically controlled cameras. With a 150TB Apple SAN. There are no camera people in the room. Like the "fly on the wall"
Specializing in music but any type of production can be accomodated. Music videos, rehearsals, table reads, and more.
See some of the content at rehearsals.com.
Call the folks at CenterStaging at 818.559.4333 for more info and to schedule your shoot.
Fix your movies with FixMyMovies.com
I just heard about this site, www.fixmymovie.com, from Jay over at SteamingMediaDojo. The service offers to enhance your movies through the use of DSP. It is also a video sharing site. Powered by MotionDSP patent pending video enhancement technology.
Fixmymovie will take videos from mobile phones, digital cameras, or a webcam.
You can try it for free at www.fixmymovie.com.
Fixmymovie will take videos from mobile phones, digital cameras, or a webcam.
You can try it for free at www.fixmymovie.com.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Priceline air travel and hotels
Looking to name your own price on travel?
Car rental and hotels as well as airlines.
Car rental and hotels as well as airlines.
Travelocity deals
Travelocity is a good site to check when you are getting ready to take a trip.
Airline, Hotels, Air, car rental
Airline, Hotels, Air, car rental
Friday, December 14, 2007
Staples Weekly Specials
If you are looking for the Staples weekly specials, this is a pretty good place to go.
Skirball Milestone
I just learned that since opening in June 2007, the Noah's Ark Exhibit at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles has been visited by 50,000 people!!!
This is a great accomplishment for an establishment offering a rich experience.
I went through the exhibit last weekend and can only say great things about it. The creativity and interactivity with and by the kids is fantastic. The story of Noah's Ark is a great way to communicate so many messages to kids and families.
This is the kind of place you want to keep coming back to visit. Kids will have a different experience every time, I can assure you it will always be good.
Check out more on the Skirball Cultural Center at www.skirball.org
-Victor Caballero
This is a great accomplishment for an establishment offering a rich experience.
I went through the exhibit last weekend and can only say great things about it. The creativity and interactivity with and by the kids is fantastic. The story of Noah's Ark is a great way to communicate so many messages to kids and families.
This is the kind of place you want to keep coming back to visit. Kids will have a different experience every time, I can assure you it will always be good.
Check out more on the Skirball Cultural Center at www.skirball.org
-Victor Caballero
More info on Starbucks and the Marines
Summary of the eRumor
An email from a Marine who says some Marines wrote to Starbucks to say how much they liked Starbucks coffee and to request some donated coffee for the Marines.
The eRumor says Starbucks responded by saying they don't support and war and will not send any coffee.
The writer urges a boycott of Starbucks.
bullet The Truth
TruthOrFiction.com contacted Starbucks about the story.
Starbucks says that the originator of the email, Sgt. Howard Wright, and talked with him about his complaint.
He has now sent a follow-up email to his email list, which appears below.
Starbucks assured him of their support of the military and that the only reason any coffee was not donated was because the official Starbucks donation policy authorizes such gifts to officially designated public charities, including libraries and schools, and that the U.S. military or military personnel do not qualify.
It was not meant to be a comment on the war or the service of military personnel in the war.
The company said that there have been employees that have showed their support through donations of coffee.
Starbucks told us that many of the company's employees (called "partners" by Starbucks) receive one pound of free coffee each week and some of that coffee has gone to members of the military or related organizations.
For example, the employees in the Starbucks in Atascadero, California, decided to send their weekly free coffee to troops in Afghanistan and there are other such stories about Starbucks coffee finding its way into the hands of military personnel.
Here is Sgt. Wright's follow-up email after Starbucks spoke with him:
Dear Readers,
Almost 5 months ago I sent an e-mail to you my faithful friends. I did a wrong thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard by word of mouth about how Starbucks said they didn't support the war and all. I was having enough of that kind of talk and didn't do my research properly like I should have. This is not true. Starbucks supports men and women in uniform. They have personally contacted me and I have been sent many copies of their company's policy on this issue. So I apologize for this quick and wrong letter that I sent out to you.
Now I ask that you all pass this email around to everyone you passed the last one to. Thank you very much for understanding about this.
Howard C. Wright
Sgt USMC
1st Force Rcon Co
1st Plt PLT RTO
An email from a Marine who says some Marines wrote to Starbucks to say how much they liked Starbucks coffee and to request some donated coffee for the Marines.
The eRumor says Starbucks responded by saying they don't support and war and will not send any coffee.
The writer urges a boycott of Starbucks.
bullet The Truth
TruthOrFiction.com contacted Starbucks about the story.
Starbucks says that the originator of the email, Sgt. Howard Wright, and talked with him about his complaint.
He has now sent a follow-up email to his email list, which appears below.
Starbucks assured him of their support of the military and that the only reason any coffee was not donated was because the official Starbucks donation policy authorizes such gifts to officially designated public charities, including libraries and schools, and that the U.S. military or military personnel do not qualify.
It was not meant to be a comment on the war or the service of military personnel in the war.
The company said that there have been employees that have showed their support through donations of coffee.
Starbucks told us that many of the company's employees (called "partners" by Starbucks) receive one pound of free coffee each week and some of that coffee has gone to members of the military or related organizations.
For example, the employees in the Starbucks in Atascadero, California, decided to send their weekly free coffee to troops in Afghanistan and there are other such stories about Starbucks coffee finding its way into the hands of military personnel.
Here is Sgt. Wright's follow-up email after Starbucks spoke with him:
Dear Readers,
Almost 5 months ago I sent an e-mail to you my faithful friends. I did a wrong thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard by word of mouth about how Starbucks said they didn't support the war and all. I was having enough of that kind of talk and didn't do my research properly like I should have. This is not true. Starbucks supports men and women in uniform. They have personally contacted me and I have been sent many copies of their company's policy on this issue. So I apologize for this quick and wrong letter that I sent out to you.
Now I ask that you all pass this email around to everyone you passed the last one to. Thank you very much for understanding about this.
Howard C. Wright
Sgt USMC
1st Force Rcon Co
1st Plt PLT RTO
Starbucks and the Marines
Here's some interesting email I got today.....
Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to
let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they
send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines
thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not
support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops
their brand of coffee.
So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by
buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I
know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't
mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street -to-street and
house-to-house.
If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can
discard it and no one will never know.
Thanks very much for your support. I know you'll all be there again when I
deploy once more.
Semper Fidelis.
Sgt. Howard C. Wright
1st Force Recon Co
1st Plt PLT
PLEASE DON'T DELETE THIS . . ALLOW IT TO BE
PASSED TO ALL IN MEMORY OF ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE DIED SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO SUPPORT THEM OR NOT! ! !
Also, don't forget that when the Twin Trade Towers were hit the fire
fighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by for
water for the survivors and workers and Starbucks charged them! ! !
JUST A NOTE TO THIS; STARBUCKS HAD STORES ON SEVERAL MILITARY BASES IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE NOW BEING REMOVED BECAUSE OF THIS. GO GET 'EM AMERICA. STAND-UP FOR OURSELVES!
As an American and a fellow Marine I will back my brothers in boycotting Starbucks! SEMPER FI
~PFC. Donnie Tice
2nd FSSG
Camp Lejune NC
-------------------------------IN GOD WE TRUST-------------------
Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to
let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they
send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines
thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not
support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops
their brand of coffee.
So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by
buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I
know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't
mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street -to-street and
house-to-house.
If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can
discard it and no one will never know.
Thanks very much for your support. I know you'll all be there again when I
deploy once more.
Semper Fidelis.
Sgt. Howard C. Wright
1st Force Recon Co
1st Plt PLT
PLEASE DON'T DELETE THIS . . ALLOW IT TO BE
PASSED TO ALL IN MEMORY OF ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE DIED SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO SUPPORT THEM OR NOT! ! !
Also, don't forget that when the Twin Trade Towers were hit the fire
fighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by for
water for the survivors and workers and Starbucks charged them! ! !
JUST A NOTE TO THIS; STARBUCKS HAD STORES ON SEVERAL MILITARY BASES IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE NOW BEING REMOVED BECAUSE OF THIS. GO GET 'EM AMERICA. STAND-UP FOR OURSELVES!
As an American and a fellow Marine I will back my brothers in boycotting Starbucks! SEMPER FI
~PFC. Donnie Tice
2nd FSSG
Camp Lejune NC
-------------------------------IN GOD WE TRUST-------------------
Monday, December 10, 2007
What to Include on Your Music Promotion Website
What to Include on Your Music Promotion Website
by: Ty Cohen
One of the powerful tools you can have as when attempting independent music promotion is a website. This is a given. There is absolutely no excuse for a musician, in this day and age, to not have a website. Your website is how you will reach the world. This is how you will market yourself to every single person you come in contact with. The internet and your website will be two of the most powerful music promotion resources you will have.
If you are sold on the idea of online music promotion and are ready to start your site but don’t know what to include, then you have come to the right place. It is crucial that you properly design your site and include all the correct information. You want to be as creative and stylish as possible, all the while staying true to who you are and what your music is about.
Other independent artists are making a killer living online selling their music and merchandise and so should you. independent music promotion on your website will be best achieved if all the right information is displayed. Your online music promotion success depends on it.
First, you need to add all of your contact information onto your site. This includes all phone numbers, email addresses, mailing address etc…In addition to this, you are going to need a bio of you or your band. Remember, with independent music promotion, you have no one else to rely on so try to be as thorough as possible.
Do you have any press releases, reviews or customer testimonials? If you do, incorporate these. It will let your future fans know that you presently have happy, committed fans. And of course you are going to need an upcoming schedule of some sort so your fans know where to go to hear you.
One of the most powerful music promotion resources you can acquire is an email list. With this list you can keep your fans up to date on the latest news and happenings with you or your band.
Lastly, you have your sounds and sights. Post some photos or video clips from live events. Action photos are always great so if you don’t have some, get some. Include downloadable sound clips from your CDs, this will entice folks to want more. And the best part, place your CDs, MP3 tunes and merchandise for sale! Incorporate all of the above things into your site and you will no doubt be an online music promotion success.
About the Author:
Ty Cohen, the online music industry's most recognizable voice is the former owner of a successful independent record label, current owner of Platinum Millennium publishing and nation-wide music industry seminar speaker and panelist. He is also the author and creator of over 40 best-selling music business books, reports, courses, audio products and other music industry "How to" resources, that have helped tens of thousands of individuals like you to successfully find their way in the music business. Visit: http://www.musiccontracts101.com/cmd.php?Clk=2198789 for more information on online music promotion, music promotion resources and independent music promotion.
by: Ty Cohen
One of the powerful tools you can have as when attempting independent music promotion is a website. This is a given. There is absolutely no excuse for a musician, in this day and age, to not have a website. Your website is how you will reach the world. This is how you will market yourself to every single person you come in contact with. The internet and your website will be two of the most powerful music promotion resources you will have.
If you are sold on the idea of online music promotion and are ready to start your site but don’t know what to include, then you have come to the right place. It is crucial that you properly design your site and include all the correct information. You want to be as creative and stylish as possible, all the while staying true to who you are and what your music is about.
Other independent artists are making a killer living online selling their music and merchandise and so should you. independent music promotion on your website will be best achieved if all the right information is displayed. Your online music promotion success depends on it.
First, you need to add all of your contact information onto your site. This includes all phone numbers, email addresses, mailing address etc…In addition to this, you are going to need a bio of you or your band. Remember, with independent music promotion, you have no one else to rely on so try to be as thorough as possible.
Do you have any press releases, reviews or customer testimonials? If you do, incorporate these. It will let your future fans know that you presently have happy, committed fans. And of course you are going to need an upcoming schedule of some sort so your fans know where to go to hear you.
One of the most powerful music promotion resources you can acquire is an email list. With this list you can keep your fans up to date on the latest news and happenings with you or your band.
Lastly, you have your sounds and sights. Post some photos or video clips from live events. Action photos are always great so if you don’t have some, get some. Include downloadable sound clips from your CDs, this will entice folks to want more. And the best part, place your CDs, MP3 tunes and merchandise for sale! Incorporate all of the above things into your site and you will no doubt be an online music promotion success.
About the Author:
Ty Cohen, the online music industry's most recognizable voice is the former owner of a successful independent record label, current owner of Platinum Millennium publishing and nation-wide music industry seminar speaker and panelist. He is also the author and creator of over 40 best-selling music business books, reports, courses, audio products and other music industry "How to" resources, that have helped tens of thousands of individuals like you to successfully find their way in the music business. Visit: http://www.musiccontracts101.com/cmd.php?Clk=2198789 for more information on online music promotion, music promotion resources and independent music promotion.
Warriors vs. Worriers
Listening to a conference call with Ty Cohen. He is talking about the differences with WARRIORS and WORRIERS.
Tonight's Motivational Music Tele-seminar
Here's some of the highlights from the call:
Recognize your uniqueness.
Stay true to what makes you happy
India.Arie
Jay Z - knows how to do it, creates value in him and his music
Being a person of integrity and ethics, strong work ethic, companies will come seek you out.
You have to do things to get the word out, YouTube, MySpace, Fan Generation, Giveaways, Articles, etc...
Traits:
Warriors
Born for success and destined for greatness
Decisive -
Don't worry about what other people think
Do what is in their heart
Don't try to please everyone with your music
Takes action for themselves, constantly on the go, constantly trying to help their carriers, to teach themselves something
Give it 120%
stay focused, I am focused to put things into perspective. What is important for the day.
Elevated expectations - they want more, they know they can have more, not that they have to be broke, waiting for handouts, they know they do things that will get them what they want.
No worries, aim high to sell 50 cds a day, with no discounts, full price
No holds bar, set goals and achieve them
Have a faith in themselves
Take chances away from the normal
Focused - they know what they want and devise a plan until they achieve or surpass.
Don't play for peanuts, don't beg for deals, position themselves to draw people to see value and people can't turn you down,
Build value in yourself
Prepared and Plan - every night they plan the next days activities the goals, keep a pen with you and piece of paper
Worriers
Indecisive - worry so much about making a decision. Ty mentioned one of the artist
They worry about what other people think, every little thing
Try to please everyone or too many people, never please themselves and cause a mess
Try to cater to everyone
They claim to always be planning waiting for right moment, they never take action,
Worried about selling a limited amount, i.e. 50 cds for a week
live meager lives
never been taught to make money with their talent or that they need someone to assist them
Stop being afraid of going to the next steps, like signing with a major label or not being able to do it yourself, do you need a major label?
Expect labels to hand them a deal
Worry about what if
Full of fear, nobody will listen, color of background, simple things
Worried about putting it out
Easily distracted
No idea, no plan, no idea what they are doing from day to day, not getting things done, wasting time
Change your attitude, people will start to recognize you!
Testimonials! Be a fanatic and put in 120%!
Getting you music out there. Sell music online like crazy with the website, www.sellmusiconlinelikecrazy.com How to use the internet to sell your music on a global level. Like Soldier Boy
Ty holds this call weekly, I recommend it.
Next week, "call to action" How to get people to your site. To recognize your business, services, talent
Tonight's Motivational Music Tele-seminar
Here's some of the highlights from the call:
Recognize your uniqueness.
Stay true to what makes you happy
India.Arie
Jay Z - knows how to do it, creates value in him and his music
Being a person of integrity and ethics, strong work ethic, companies will come seek you out.
You have to do things to get the word out, YouTube, MySpace, Fan Generation, Giveaways, Articles, etc...
Traits:
Warriors
Born for success and destined for greatness
Decisive -
Don't worry about what other people think
Do what is in their heart
Don't try to please everyone with your music
Takes action for themselves, constantly on the go, constantly trying to help their carriers, to teach themselves something
Give it 120%
stay focused, I am focused to put things into perspective. What is important for the day.
Elevated expectations - they want more, they know they can have more, not that they have to be broke, waiting for handouts, they know they do things that will get them what they want.
No worries, aim high to sell 50 cds a day, with no discounts, full price
No holds bar, set goals and achieve them
Have a faith in themselves
Take chances away from the normal
Focused - they know what they want and devise a plan until they achieve or surpass.
Don't play for peanuts, don't beg for deals, position themselves to draw people to see value and people can't turn you down,
Build value in yourself
Prepared and Plan - every night they plan the next days activities the goals, keep a pen with you and piece of paper
Worriers
Indecisive - worry so much about making a decision. Ty mentioned one of the artist
They worry about what other people think, every little thing
Try to please everyone or too many people, never please themselves and cause a mess
Try to cater to everyone
They claim to always be planning waiting for right moment, they never take action,
Worried about selling a limited amount, i.e. 50 cds for a week
live meager lives
never been taught to make money with their talent or that they need someone to assist them
Stop being afraid of going to the next steps, like signing with a major label or not being able to do it yourself, do you need a major label?
Expect labels to hand them a deal
Worry about what if
Full of fear, nobody will listen, color of background, simple things
Worried about putting it out
Easily distracted
No idea, no plan, no idea what they are doing from day to day, not getting things done, wasting time
Change your attitude, people will start to recognize you!
Testimonials! Be a fanatic and put in 120%!
Getting you music out there. Sell music online like crazy with the website, www.sellmusiconlinelikecrazy.com How to use the internet to sell your music on a global level. Like Soldier Boy
Ty holds this call weekly, I recommend it.
Next week, "call to action" How to get people to your site. To recognize your business, services, talent
Imeem To Offer Universal's Music And Videos
December 10, 2007
Imeem To Offer Universal's Music And Videos
Imeem now has deals with all four major music companies to compensate them and their artists by sharing ad revenue.
Universal Music Group's entire digital music and video catalogue will stream for free on the social media networking site, imeem.
The companies announce an agreement Monday that completes deals between all four major music companies and imeem, which compensates labels and artists by sharing ad revenue. The arrangement is a new model for the music industry, which has been struggling to increase profits as the distribution of music changes radically because of the Internet.
According to eMarketer, spending on advertising on social networks will rise from $900 million this year to more than $2.5 billion in 2011.
The social media networking site, imeem, claims 19 million unique visitors each month and 50,000 new registered users each day. Users can upload their favorite music, videos, and photos, search for and stream videos, find new content through social discovery, and create custom playlists to share with friends on and off the site.
In October, comScore ranked imeem the fastest growing social site in the United States. Hitwise ranked imeem the fourth largest American social networking site and the fourth largest American media and entertainment site. The site has drawn ads from Apple, Microsfot, AT&T (NYSE: T) Wireless, T-Mobile, Nike, Puma, and others.
Universal's catalogue includes works from Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, the Pussycat Dolls, Maroon 5, and Nelly. The company has operations or licenses in 77 countries. Its labels include Island Def Jam Music, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Verve, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, and Deutsche Gramophone, among others.
"imeem has developed an innovative way to make our artists' music a central part of the social networking experience," Doug Morris, chairman and CEO of UMG, said in a statement. "More importantly, they've done so the right way -- by working with UMG to provide an exciting musical experience for consumers, while ensuring that our artists are fairly compensated for the use of their works."
The Universal deal comes after imeem has announced deals with Warner Music Group, EMI Music, and Sony BMG.
Imeem To Offer Universal's Music And Videos
Imeem now has deals with all four major music companies to compensate them and their artists by sharing ad revenue.
Universal Music Group's entire digital music and video catalogue will stream for free on the social media networking site, imeem.
The companies announce an agreement Monday that completes deals between all four major music companies and imeem, which compensates labels and artists by sharing ad revenue. The arrangement is a new model for the music industry, which has been struggling to increase profits as the distribution of music changes radically because of the Internet.
According to eMarketer, spending on advertising on social networks will rise from $900 million this year to more than $2.5 billion in 2011.
The social media networking site, imeem, claims 19 million unique visitors each month and 50,000 new registered users each day. Users can upload their favorite music, videos, and photos, search for and stream videos, find new content through social discovery, and create custom playlists to share with friends on and off the site.
In October, comScore ranked imeem the fastest growing social site in the United States. Hitwise ranked imeem the fourth largest American social networking site and the fourth largest American media and entertainment site. The site has drawn ads from Apple, Microsfot, AT&T (NYSE: T) Wireless, T-Mobile, Nike, Puma, and others.
Universal's catalogue includes works from Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, the Pussycat Dolls, Maroon 5, and Nelly. The company has operations or licenses in 77 countries. Its labels include Island Def Jam Music, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Verve, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, and Deutsche Gramophone, among others.
"imeem has developed an innovative way to make our artists' music a central part of the social networking experience," Doug Morris, chairman and CEO of UMG, said in a statement. "More importantly, they've done so the right way -- by working with UMG to provide an exciting musical experience for consumers, while ensuring that our artists are fairly compensated for the use of their works."
The Universal deal comes after imeem has announced deals with Warner Music Group, EMI Music, and Sony BMG.
Microsoft starts offering U.S. ads on MSN Mobile
Microsoft starts offering U.S. ads on MSN Mobile
Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:28am EST
Microsoft Corp. began on Monday to place advertisements on its U.S. MSN Mobile page, moving into the nascent mobile phone advertising business.
Computer-based Web usage dwarfs mobile Internet use in the United States, but companies like Microsoft, Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. see advertising tied to mobile phones as potentially more lucrative than the $40 billion online advertising market.
The company will start with advertisements from Bank of America, Paramount Pictures and Jaguar. Microsoft already sells mobile phone advertisements in Belgium, France, Spain, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Microsoft's idea is to offer customers the option to place advertising across a wide range of platforms from the Internet to mobile phones to its Xbox Live online video game service.
Microsoft also plans to bring new features such as astrology and movie ticket buying to its MSN Mobile page.
Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:28am EST
Microsoft Corp. began on Monday to place advertisements on its U.S. MSN Mobile page, moving into the nascent mobile phone advertising business.
Computer-based Web usage dwarfs mobile Internet use in the United States, but companies like Microsoft, Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. see advertising tied to mobile phones as potentially more lucrative than the $40 billion online advertising market.
The company will start with advertisements from Bank of America, Paramount Pictures and Jaguar. Microsoft already sells mobile phone advertisements in Belgium, France, Spain, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Microsoft's idea is to offer customers the option to place advertising across a wide range of platforms from the Internet to mobile phones to its Xbox Live online video game service.
Microsoft also plans to bring new features such as astrology and movie ticket buying to its MSN Mobile page.
Friday, December 7, 2007
California Hall of Fame 2007
California Hall of Fame - Class Of 2007:
Ansel Adams
Best known for his dramatic photographs of the American West, Ansel Adams achieved a popularity that few other photographers have known. Dedicated to wilderness preservation, he succeeded in changing the way Americans perceived their natural environment.
Milton Berle
Milton Berle (Berlinger), who became known as "Mr. Television" for his role in popularizing the new medium, had a career that was one of the longest and most varied in show business, spanning silent film, vaudeville, radio, motion pictures and television.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is the CEO of Apple, which he co-founded in 1976. Apple leads the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook Mac computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also leading the digital music revolution with more than 100 million of its iPod portable music players sold and more than 2.5 billion songs legally downloaded from its iTunes online store.
Willie Mays
To many, Willie Mays is the greatest all-around baseball player in history, excelling in hitting for average, hitting for power, fielding, throwing and base running. During 22 seasons of major league play, the "Say Hey Kid" hit 660 home runs, putting him in fourth place for the all-time home run record.
Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi, a global symbol of American wine and food, introduced technical improvements and marketing strategies that brought worldwide recognition to the wines of California's Napa Valley.
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is one of the few performers to have won all four of the most prestigious showbusiness awards: the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson will always be remembered as the civil rights pioneer who broke baseball's color barrier. When he stepped up to the plate for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he became the first black player to play modern-day Major League Baseball.
Jonas Salk
Jonas Salk became an international hero when he developed the first successful vaccine against polio, which once crippled or killed thousands every year. Thanks to his work and that of others in the field, the disease has been nearly eradicated today. He never patented the vaccine, nor did he earn any money from his discovery, preferring to see it distributed as widely as possible.
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck's writing, deeply rooted in the Salinas Valley of his youth, earned him worldwide recognition. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 for "his realistic as well as imaginative writings, distinguished by a sympathetic humor and a keen social perception."
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor has been enchanting audiences for more than 60 years. Born in England of American parents, Taylor relocated with her family to Los Angeles during World War II. Stunningly beautiful even as a child, she soon caught Hollywood's attention, and in 1944, "National Velvet" catapulted her to stardom. She went on to star in more than 50 more films. Nominated five times, she won Best Actress Academy Awards for "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966). One of her most famous roles remains "Cleopatra" (1963), in which she became the first actress to earn $1 million for a film.
Earl Warren
One of the most influential Supreme Court Chief Justices in U.S. history, Earl Warren created fundamental and lasting changes in American society. Born March 19, 1891, in Los Angeles, Warren was the son of immigrant parents. As a youth in Bakersfield, he worked summers for Southern Pacific Railroad. He later said that his progressive political and legal attitudes were the result of seeing firsthand the lives and struggles of working people.
John Wayne
Appearing in more than 175 films during a career that spanned a half-century, John Wayne became the personification of the Western hero and an American icon. Nearly 30 years after his death, he still consistently ranks among the most popular movie stars of all time.
Tiger Woods
Born and raised in Southern California, Tiger Woods dreamed of being the world's best golfer from the time he was a child. Encouraged by his father, also a golfer, he revealed his talents early, swinging his way onto television with Bob Hope at age 2, and making it into Golf Digest magazine at age 5.
More Resources:
www.CaliforniaMuseum.org
Ansel Adams
Best known for his dramatic photographs of the American West, Ansel Adams achieved a popularity that few other photographers have known. Dedicated to wilderness preservation, he succeeded in changing the way Americans perceived their natural environment.
Milton Berle
Milton Berle (Berlinger), who became known as "Mr. Television" for his role in popularizing the new medium, had a career that was one of the longest and most varied in show business, spanning silent film, vaudeville, radio, motion pictures and television.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is the CEO of Apple, which he co-founded in 1976. Apple leads the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook Mac computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also leading the digital music revolution with more than 100 million of its iPod portable music players sold and more than 2.5 billion songs legally downloaded from its iTunes online store.
Willie Mays
To many, Willie Mays is the greatest all-around baseball player in history, excelling in hitting for average, hitting for power, fielding, throwing and base running. During 22 seasons of major league play, the "Say Hey Kid" hit 660 home runs, putting him in fourth place for the all-time home run record.
Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi, a global symbol of American wine and food, introduced technical improvements and marketing strategies that brought worldwide recognition to the wines of California's Napa Valley.
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is one of the few performers to have won all four of the most prestigious showbusiness awards: the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson will always be remembered as the civil rights pioneer who broke baseball's color barrier. When he stepped up to the plate for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he became the first black player to play modern-day Major League Baseball.
Jonas Salk
Jonas Salk became an international hero when he developed the first successful vaccine against polio, which once crippled or killed thousands every year. Thanks to his work and that of others in the field, the disease has been nearly eradicated today. He never patented the vaccine, nor did he earn any money from his discovery, preferring to see it distributed as widely as possible.
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck's writing, deeply rooted in the Salinas Valley of his youth, earned him worldwide recognition. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 for "his realistic as well as imaginative writings, distinguished by a sympathetic humor and a keen social perception."
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor has been enchanting audiences for more than 60 years. Born in England of American parents, Taylor relocated with her family to Los Angeles during World War II. Stunningly beautiful even as a child, she soon caught Hollywood's attention, and in 1944, "National Velvet" catapulted her to stardom. She went on to star in more than 50 more films. Nominated five times, she won Best Actress Academy Awards for "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966). One of her most famous roles remains "Cleopatra" (1963), in which she became the first actress to earn $1 million for a film.
Earl Warren
One of the most influential Supreme Court Chief Justices in U.S. history, Earl Warren created fundamental and lasting changes in American society. Born March 19, 1891, in Los Angeles, Warren was the son of immigrant parents. As a youth in Bakersfield, he worked summers for Southern Pacific Railroad. He later said that his progressive political and legal attitudes were the result of seeing firsthand the lives and struggles of working people.
John Wayne
Appearing in more than 175 films during a career that spanned a half-century, John Wayne became the personification of the Western hero and an American icon. Nearly 30 years after his death, he still consistently ranks among the most popular movie stars of all time.
Tiger Woods
Born and raised in Southern California, Tiger Woods dreamed of being the world's best golfer from the time he was a child. Encouraged by his father, also a golfer, he revealed his talents early, swinging his way onto television with Bob Hope at age 2, and making it into Golf Digest magazine at age 5.
More Resources:
www.CaliforniaMuseum.org
CenterStaging Cutbacks
I want to do a special post for a few of my fellow co-workers who have been laid-off in the past week.
Just today we learned that Warren Weideman and Courtney McGhee have been laid-off from CenterStaging(CNSC)/rehearsals.com in Burbank, CA.
Some of the others laid off include:
Todd Roberts
Matt Johnson
Jacquie Johnson
Hank Daniels
Jason Green
Bernard
Jordan Torso
Rik Reinholdtsen
Antonia
More updates to follow. But my thoughts go out to these people. I enjoyed working with them in the limited time we worked together.
-Victor
Just today we learned that Warren Weideman and Courtney McGhee have been laid-off from CenterStaging(CNSC)/rehearsals.com in Burbank, CA.
Some of the others laid off include:
Todd Roberts
Matt Johnson
Jacquie Johnson
Hank Daniels
Jason Green
Bernard
Jordan Torso
Rik Reinholdtsen
Antonia
More updates to follow. But my thoughts go out to these people. I enjoyed working with them in the limited time we worked together.
-Victor
Plastic Shell Packaging
I thought I would bring up a sore subject. How many times have you purchased a product that is encased in one of those plastic shells, that is nearly impossible to break into?
The biggest problem with these packages isn't that most of us can't get into them without much difficulty, but that what you end up in the process. I just bought one of the TomTom ONE GPS units and I must say it had to be one of the most difficult shells to open, not only was he plastic extra thick, but there are metal pieces on the hole where the package goes onto a display rack.
Why not have packaging that is sealed, but also hard to open unless you have purchased it? Perhaps once you purchase the item the store has a device that removes part of the seal so that it is easier to open.
Or instead of using these plastic shells, use a recycled box material. I prefer this packaging any day. Plastic is bad for the environment and is unecessary.
Here are a few tools which can be of help with opening these shells.
OpenNX:
http://www.myopenx.com/home.htm
Pyranna:
http://www.pyranna.com/
Shears and scissors will also work, but these above devices are a little more effective.
The biggest problem with these packages isn't that most of us can't get into them without much difficulty, but that what you end up in the process. I just bought one of the TomTom ONE GPS units and I must say it had to be one of the most difficult shells to open, not only was he plastic extra thick, but there are metal pieces on the hole where the package goes onto a display rack.
Why not have packaging that is sealed, but also hard to open unless you have purchased it? Perhaps once you purchase the item the store has a device that removes part of the seal so that it is easier to open.
Or instead of using these plastic shells, use a recycled box material. I prefer this packaging any day. Plastic is bad for the environment and is unecessary.
Here are a few tools which can be of help with opening these shells.
OpenNX:
http://www.myopenx.com/home.htm
Pyranna:
http://www.pyranna.com/
Shears and scissors will also work, but these above devices are a little more effective.
North By Northeast Music Festival & Conference
North By Northeast Music Festival & Conference (NXNE) is accepting submissions.
70,00 fans and over 600 accredited media show up for the Music Festival and gives
over 500 artists the chance to showcase for agents, talent buyers, media, promoters,
labels and other industry professionals. Over 2,300 delegates show up for the
Music Conference to listen to demos and attend mentoring sessions. The Festival is held
June 12 to 15, 2008 . Sonicbids will automatically submit you band for consideration
with a six-month, "risk free," membership ($25). Go to www.sonicbids.com for details.
A weekly radio program on KPFK 90.7 FM called For The Record and hosted by Samm Brown
is seeking artists/bands for airplay and critique. The program focuses on the music business,
but also presents a segment that showcases new and emerging artists. To submit you music for
airplay and critique, send a package to Samm Brown's For The Record, KPFK Radio, 90.7 FM,
11054 Ventura Blvd. No. 237 , Studio City , CA. 91604
70,00 fans and over 600 accredited media show up for the Music Festival and gives
over 500 artists the chance to showcase for agents, talent buyers, media, promoters,
labels and other industry professionals. Over 2,300 delegates show up for the
Music Conference to listen to demos and attend mentoring sessions. The Festival is held
June 12 to 15, 2008 . Sonicbids will automatically submit you band for consideration
with a six-month, "risk free," membership ($25). Go to www.sonicbids.com for details.
A weekly radio program on KPFK 90.7 FM called For The Record and hosted by Samm Brown
is seeking artists/bands for airplay and critique. The program focuses on the music business,
but also presents a segment that showcases new and emerging artists. To submit you music for
airplay and critique, send a package to Samm Brown's For The Record, KPFK Radio, 90.7 FM,
11054 Ventura Blvd. No. 237 , Studio City , CA. 91604
Solar Power Event in Los Angeles: Solar Open House Dec 8, 2007
I am excited to learn about this event this weekend here in Los Angeles. It's the first annual Solar Open House at one of the leading facilities for Hi Def video production and editing.
Solar Open House & MUCH more!
The first annual Solar Open House and Green Holiday Gift Fest, hosted by Renewable LA, is Sat. Dec. 8th and is FREE and open to the public. There will be free clean car rides, a solar tour of one of San Fernando Valley's largest solar installations (100KW!!!), organic food, entertainment, continuous screenings of Who Killed the Electric Car, and some green seminars as well. This sounds like a great event you won't want to miss!!!
More info/Press Release: http://www.renewablela.org/Renewable%20LA%20Release.pdf
Date: Sat. December 8
Time: 10-5
Location:
American Hi Definition and Sweetwater Digital
7635 American Business Park Way
Van Nuys, CA 91406
View Larger Map
Cost: FREE FREE FREE (and free parking)
Some of the seminars will cover:
- Who's reviving the electric car?
- Solar Home Financing
- Environmentalism for Dummies
- Biodeisel: Out of the FOG (Fats, Oils & Greases)
- The Present and Future of Clean Car Technology
For more info visit: http://www.renewablela.org/
Solar Open House & MUCH more!
The first annual Solar Open House and Green Holiday Gift Fest, hosted by Renewable LA, is Sat. Dec. 8th and is FREE and open to the public. There will be free clean car rides, a solar tour of one of San Fernando Valley's largest solar installations (100KW!!!), organic food, entertainment, continuous screenings of Who Killed the Electric Car, and some green seminars as well. This sounds like a great event you won't want to miss!!!
More info/Press Release: http://www.renewablela.org/Renewable%20LA%20Release.pdf
Date: Sat. December 8
Time: 10-5
Location:
American Hi Definition and Sweetwater Digital
7635 American Business Park Way
Van Nuys, CA 91406
View Larger Map
Cost: FREE FREE FREE (and free parking)
Some of the seminars will cover:
- Who's reviving the electric car?
- Solar Home Financing
- Environmentalism for Dummies
- Biodeisel: Out of the FOG (Fats, Oils & Greases)
- The Present and Future of Clean Car Technology
For more info visit: http://www.renewablela.org/
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Nasty Spyware
So I've been hit with a nasty spyware.
My IE browers wants to launch a new window usually an address of 67.201.36.14 will come up in the browser window. But I get all sorts of pops and the sites that come up range from search sites, to adult sites. I imagine that these people that created this somehow are getting backend revenue from the clicks?
These are some of the steps I am taking now to fix and prevent this from happening again. I thought I was protected against spyware, I guess not.
Thanks to the folks at SWI Forums.
Please download VundoFix.exe, and save it to your Desktop.
Double-click VundoFix.exe to run it.
Click the Scan for Vundo button.
Once it's done scanning, click the Remove Vundo button.
You will receive a prompt asking if you want to remove the files, click YES
Once you click yes, your desktop will go blank as it starts removing Vundo.
When completed, it will prompt that it will reboot your computer, click OK.
Please post the contents of C:\vundofix.txt and a new HiJackThis log.Note: It is possible that VundoFix encountered a file it could not remove.In this case, VundoFix will run on reboot, simply follow the above instructions starting from "Click the Scan for Vundo button." when VundoFix appears at reboot.Then, please download Combofix by sUBs.1. Save it to your Desktop.2. Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.3. When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Post that log, as well as a fresh HijackThis log, in your next reply
First, navigate to Start --> Run, and type Combofix /u in the box that appears. Click OK afterwards. Notice the space between the X and the /uNext, Please download OTMoveIt
Double click OTMoveIt.exe.
Click the CleanUp! button.
Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
The tool will delete itself once it finishes.Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTMoveIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.After that, please open HijackThis, and select Do a system scan only.Place a checkmark next to the following entries:R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blankO2 - BHO: (no name) - {BBB05D9E-0297-404D-A6BF-D8F2876B84A6} - (no file)O2 - BHO: (no name) - {F15BC6B6-0D55-4470-AC4F-2D14913FDD47} - (no file)Then, close all other open windows, leaving only HijackThis open, and select Fix checked.Now, restart your computer, post a fresh HijackThis, and let me know how things are running now.
Please open HijackThis, and select Do a system scan only.Place a checkmark next to the following entry:O20 - Winlogon Notify: iifdedb - iifdedb.dll (file missing)Then, close all other open windows, leaving only HijackThis open, and select Fix checked.Besides that, good work. Your log appears to be clean!Now that your computer seems to be in proper working order, please take the following steps to help prevent reinfection:1) Download and install Javacool's SpywareBlaster, which will prevent malware from being installed on your computer. A tutorial on it can be found here.2) Download and install IE-Spyad, which will place over 5000 'bad' sites on your Internet Explorer Restricted List. A tutorial on it can be found here.3) Go to Windows Update frequently to get all of the latest updates (security or otherwise) for Windows.4) Be sure to update your Antivirus and Antispyware programs often!Finally, please also take the time to read Tony Klein's excellent article on: So How Did I Get Infected in the First Place?
My IE browers wants to launch a new window usually an address of 67.201.36.14 will come up in the browser window. But I get all sorts of pops and the sites that come up range from search sites, to adult sites. I imagine that these people that created this somehow are getting backend revenue from the clicks?
These are some of the steps I am taking now to fix and prevent this from happening again. I thought I was protected against spyware, I guess not.
Thanks to the folks at SWI Forums.
Please download VundoFix.exe, and save it to your Desktop.
Double-click VundoFix.exe to run it.
Click the Scan for Vundo button.
Once it's done scanning, click the Remove Vundo button.
You will receive a prompt asking if you want to remove the files, click YES
Once you click yes, your desktop will go blank as it starts removing Vundo.
When completed, it will prompt that it will reboot your computer, click OK.
Please post the contents of C:\vundofix.txt and a new HiJackThis log.Note: It is possible that VundoFix encountered a file it could not remove.In this case, VundoFix will run on reboot, simply follow the above instructions starting from "Click the Scan for Vundo button." when VundoFix appears at reboot.Then, please download Combofix by sUBs.1. Save it to your Desktop.2. Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.3. When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Post that log, as well as a fresh HijackThis log, in your next reply
First, navigate to Start --> Run, and type Combofix /u in the box that appears. Click OK afterwards. Notice the space between the X and the /uNext, Please download OTMoveIt
Double click OTMoveIt.exe.
Click the CleanUp! button.
Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
The tool will delete itself once it finishes.Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTMoveIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.After that, please open HijackThis, and select Do a system scan only.Place a checkmark next to the following entries:R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blankO2 - BHO: (no name) - {BBB05D9E-0297-404D-A6BF-D8F2876B84A6} - (no file)O2 - BHO: (no name) - {F15BC6B6-0D55-4470-AC4F-2D14913FDD47} - (no file)Then, close all other open windows, leaving only HijackThis open, and select Fix checked.Now, restart your computer, post a fresh HijackThis, and let me know how things are running now.
Please open HijackThis, and select Do a system scan only.Place a checkmark next to the following entry:O20 - Winlogon Notify: iifdedb - iifdedb.dll (file missing)Then, close all other open windows, leaving only HijackThis open, and select Fix checked.Besides that, good work. Your log appears to be clean!Now that your computer seems to be in proper working order, please take the following steps to help prevent reinfection:1) Download and install Javacool's SpywareBlaster, which will prevent malware from being installed on your computer. A tutorial on it can be found here.2) Download and install IE-Spyad, which will place over 5000 'bad' sites on your Internet Explorer Restricted List. A tutorial on it can be found here.3) Go to Windows Update frequently to get all of the latest updates (security or otherwise) for Windows.4) Be sure to update your Antivirus and Antispyware programs often!Finally, please also take the time to read Tony Klein's excellent article on: So How Did I Get Infected in the First Place?
Stan's Cafe - Of All the People in All the World - Skirball
Stan's Cafe - Of All the People in All the World
through December 30, 2007
Skirball Cultural Center - Los Angeles
Working with 33,000 pounds of rice representing the 900 million people of North and South America, six performers from Stan's Cafe will create an ever-changing landscape, depicting global society with statistics both profound and playful. Of All the People in All the World: The Americas shows that numbers, in both their complexity and simplicity, can tell stories.
through December 30, 2007
Skirball Cultural Center - Los Angeles
Working with 33,000 pounds of rice representing the 900 million people of North and South America, six performers from Stan's Cafe will create an ever-changing landscape, depicting global society with statistics both profound and playful. Of All the People in All the World: The Americas shows that numbers, in both their complexity and simplicity, can tell stories.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
MyStrands
Today I finally signed up for MyStrands after reading about it on various sites.
This is my profile page:
http://www.mystrands.com/action/member/alias/victorcab
This is from the MyStrands blog. Very exciting news.
We are very excited to announce that MyStrands has secured $24 million in its Series B2 round of funding. Spanish bank BBVA led the funding along with existing investor Debaeque. As you know, the last round of funding closed in June at $25 million, bringing the total capital raised to date to $55 million.
What is the value of MyStrands?
In the past four years, MyStrands has developed a scalable Personalized Discovery Platform and a Social Recommender Engine. The Social Recommender Engine provides real-time personalized recommendations of products and services through computers, mobile phones, and other Internet-connected devices; and takes into account that taste is context-sensitive and evolves over time.
These developments have already resulted in sales of $12 million during 2007.
Why more money?
The future of the Web is personalization and we are committed to leading it. These new funds will allow us to go one step further, enabling us to grow to the next level of product development, always respecting our core proposition: help people discover new things.
Why BBVA?
They endorse our vision and realize that summarizing and understanding people’s preferences will allow us to deliver relevant content to people, wherever they are.
What is BBVA?
BBVA is a financial services group with more than $782 billion in total assets, 42 million customers in 40 countries and a market capitalization of approximately $95 billion.
The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America, and has started a growth and diversification strategy in Asia and the United States, where it recently bought Compass for approximately $9.6 billion.
We are Growing, Hiring!
This is the perfect moment to repeat it: we are hiring! We are bringing the best developers all over the world to come and join our team of 90 people. We are headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, but you can join our teams in other cities. In the US: San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and Seattle (upcoming). International: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza in Spain; Helsinki in Finland or Sao Paulo in Brazil.
This is my profile page:
http://www.mystrands.com/action/member/alias/victorcab
This is from the MyStrands blog. Very exciting news.
We are very excited to announce that MyStrands has secured $24 million in its Series B2 round of funding. Spanish bank BBVA led the funding along with existing investor Debaeque. As you know, the last round of funding closed in June at $25 million, bringing the total capital raised to date to $55 million.
What is the value of MyStrands?
In the past four years, MyStrands has developed a scalable Personalized Discovery Platform and a Social Recommender Engine. The Social Recommender Engine provides real-time personalized recommendations of products and services through computers, mobile phones, and other Internet-connected devices; and takes into account that taste is context-sensitive and evolves over time.
These developments have already resulted in sales of $12 million during 2007.
Why more money?
The future of the Web is personalization and we are committed to leading it. These new funds will allow us to go one step further, enabling us to grow to the next level of product development, always respecting our core proposition: help people discover new things.
Why BBVA?
They endorse our vision and realize that summarizing and understanding people’s preferences will allow us to deliver relevant content to people, wherever they are.
What is BBVA?
BBVA is a financial services group with more than $782 billion in total assets, 42 million customers in 40 countries and a market capitalization of approximately $95 billion.
The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America, and has started a growth and diversification strategy in Asia and the United States, where it recently bought Compass for approximately $9.6 billion.
We are Growing, Hiring!
This is the perfect moment to repeat it: we are hiring! We are bringing the best developers all over the world to come and join our team of 90 people. We are headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, but you can join our teams in other cities. In the US: San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and Seattle (upcoming). International: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza in Spain; Helsinki in Finland or Sao Paulo in Brazil.
MyStrands
Today I signed up for MyStrands after seeing that they have raised some money on PaidContent.org.
My profile is located at:
http://www.mystrands.com/action/member/alias/victorcab
This is from their site blog. Be sure to check it out. Looks like some very cool stuff going on their.
We are very excited to announce that MyStrands has secured $24 million in its Series B2 round of funding. Spanish bank BBVA led the funding along with existing investor Debaeque. As you know, the last round of funding closed in June at $25 million, bringing the total capital raised to date to $55 million.
What is the value of MyStrands?
In the past four years, MyStrands has developed a scalable Personalized Discovery Platform and a Social Recommender Engine. The Social Recommender Engine provides real-time personalized recommendations of products and services through computers, mobile phones, and other Internet-connected devices; and takes into account that taste is context-sensitive and evolves over time.
These developments have already resulted in sales of $12 million during 2007.
Why more money?
The future of the Web is personalization and we are committed to leading it. These new funds will allow us to go one step further, enabling us to grow to the next level of product development, always respecting our core proposition: help people discover new things.
Why BBVA?
They endorse our vision and realize that summarizing and understanding people’s preferences will allow us to deliver relevant content to people, wherever they are.
What is BBVA?
BBVA is a financial services group with more than $782 billion in total assets, 42 million customers in 40 countries and a market capitalization of approximately $95 billion.
The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America, and has started a growth and diversification strategy in Asia and the United States, where it recently bought Compass for approximately $9.6 billion.
We are Growing, Hiring!
This is the perfect moment to repeat it: we are hiring! We are bringing the best developers all over the world to come and join our team of 90 people. We are headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, but you can join our teams in other cities. In the US: San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and Seattle (upcoming). International: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza in Spain; Helsinki in Finland or Sao Paulo in Brazil.
My profile is located at:
http://www.mystrands.com/action/member/alias/victorcab
This is from their site blog. Be sure to check it out. Looks like some very cool stuff going on their.
We are very excited to announce that MyStrands has secured $24 million in its Series B2 round of funding. Spanish bank BBVA led the funding along with existing investor Debaeque. As you know, the last round of funding closed in June at $25 million, bringing the total capital raised to date to $55 million.
What is the value of MyStrands?
In the past four years, MyStrands has developed a scalable Personalized Discovery Platform and a Social Recommender Engine. The Social Recommender Engine provides real-time personalized recommendations of products and services through computers, mobile phones, and other Internet-connected devices; and takes into account that taste is context-sensitive and evolves over time.
These developments have already resulted in sales of $12 million during 2007.
Why more money?
The future of the Web is personalization and we are committed to leading it. These new funds will allow us to go one step further, enabling us to grow to the next level of product development, always respecting our core proposition: help people discover new things.
Why BBVA?
They endorse our vision and realize that summarizing and understanding people’s preferences will allow us to deliver relevant content to people, wherever they are.
What is BBVA?
BBVA is a financial services group with more than $782 billion in total assets, 42 million customers in 40 countries and a market capitalization of approximately $95 billion.
The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America, and has started a growth and diversification strategy in Asia and the United States, where it recently bought Compass for approximately $9.6 billion.
We are Growing, Hiring!
This is the perfect moment to repeat it: we are hiring! We are bringing the best developers all over the world to come and join our team of 90 people. We are headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, but you can join our teams in other cities. In the US: San Francisco, New York, Washington DC and Seattle (upcoming). International: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza in Spain; Helsinki in Finland or Sao Paulo in Brazil.
ecomxpo conference info
Enroll In
eComXpo University!
Enrolling in the eComXpo University gives you up to three month's access to 100+ on-demand presentations from industry experts.
Enjoy and learn from industry heavyweights like: Seth Godin, Shawn Collins, Declan Dunn, Paul Colligan and Chris Pirillo!
ENROLL TODAY!
Just $49.95!
ecomxpo - - Everything is Miscellanous
I want to thank the folks at ecomxpo for the package I received yesterday.
Apparently I was one of top 100 point-getters at ecomxpo.
The book they sent was "Everything is Miscellaneous" by David Weinberger.
The next ecomxpo is March 25-27, 2008.
Get more info on the conference here:
www.ecomxpo.com
Apparently I was one of top 100 point-getters at ecomxpo.
The book they sent was "Everything is Miscellaneous" by David Weinberger.
The next ecomxpo is March 25-27, 2008.
Get more info on the conference here:
www.ecomxpo.com
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sears.com
Check out sears for the 2007 shopping season.
I'm looking for a refrigerator and the best deal. Going there tonight.
I'm looking for a refrigerator and the best deal. Going there tonight.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Grill at Linens and Things
So I'm going to go over to Linen's and Things and buy a grill. They have one on sale that is $279.99, and you get 20% off. And you can buy online.
The sale expires today I believe. It appears to be a good grill.
Buy Online at LNT.com & Pick Up at the Store
The sale expires today I believe. It appears to be a good grill.
Buy Online at LNT.com & Pick Up at the Store
Friday, November 30, 2007
Urban Network Summit 2008
It's time to get ready for The Urban Network Summit. Coming in March 26-29 2008 in Newport Beach at The Hyatt Regency.
This is a link to the Sponsor opportunities.
You can learn more about the event by visiting www.urbannetwork.com
If you or anyone is interested please contact me.
This is a link to the Sponsor opportunities.
You can learn more about the event by visiting www.urbannetwork.com
If you or anyone is interested please contact me.
Error 0x800cccof
Try this if you are getting this error with Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.
Getting 'error 0x800CCCOF'. the connection to the server was interrupted?
1. If you are using Firewalls or Norton internet security etc, please disable them and try sending emails.
2. Follow these instructions:
1. At Tools menu, choose Account.
2. Choose Mail.
3. Click double to your Account.
4. Choose Servers.
5. Click My Server Requires Authentication.
6. Choose OK to complete.
Then try sending email.
3. Check this document for more reasons and solutions:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813514
Getting 'error 0x800CCCOF'. the connection to the server was interrupted?
1. If you are using Firewalls or Norton internet security etc, please disable them and try sending emails.
2. Follow these instructions:
1. At Tools menu, choose Account.
2. Choose Mail.
3. Click double to your Account.
4. Choose Servers.
5. Click My Server Requires Authentication.
6. Choose OK to complete.
Then try sending email.
3. Check this document for more reasons and solutions:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813514
EVS Electric Vehicle Expo this weekend
Electric Vehicle Expo: The Future of Transportation
EVS 23 International Symposium & Expo/Sustainability: The Future of Transportation
The International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS) series, organized by the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA), has long been recognized as the premier event for academic, government and industry professionals involved in electric drive technologies. The EVS series began in 1969 as an academic forum for global networking and the exchange of technical information. As electric drive technologies progressed from the classrooms and laboratories into the marketplace, EVS blossomed into an event that is both academic and business oriented.
Today, the EVS series is recognized as the global electric transportation industry's premier and largest forum, showcasing all forms of technologies in the market place and on the drawing boards--from low speed battery electric vehicles to fuel cell electric buses. The event attracts academic, government and industry leaders from around the world who are interested in exploring and understanding the technical, policy and market challenges to a paradigm shift toward use of electric transportation technologies.
Who are the exhitors?
? Domestic and international vehicle manufacturers ? Off-road, industrial, heavy-duty and bus manufacturers ? Fuel cell, battery, and drive-train suppliers ? Electricity, hydrogen, and other fuel suppliers ? Automotive, industrial and heavy-duty component suppliers ? Government agencies and laboratories ? Universities with breakthrough technology programs ? Industry, environmental, and consumer associations Date Sun, Dec/02/2007 Time: 11am Location: Anaheim Convention Center Hall A, Ballroom, Room 201-204, 303 800 W. Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 92803
Cost: FREE and Open to the Public
Website: www.evs23.org
When: Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Where: Anaheim Convention CenterHall A,
Ballroom, Room 201-204, 303
800 W. Katella Ave.Anaheim, CA 92803
Event fee: USD10.00 per person
EVS 23 International Symposium & Expo/Sustainability: The Future of Transportation
The International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS) series, organized by the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA), has long been recognized as the premier event for academic, government and industry professionals involved in electric drive technologies. The EVS series began in 1969 as an academic forum for global networking and the exchange of technical information. As electric drive technologies progressed from the classrooms and laboratories into the marketplace, EVS blossomed into an event that is both academic and business oriented.
Today, the EVS series is recognized as the global electric transportation industry's premier and largest forum, showcasing all forms of technologies in the market place and on the drawing boards--from low speed battery electric vehicles to fuel cell electric buses. The event attracts academic, government and industry leaders from around the world who are interested in exploring and understanding the technical, policy and market challenges to a paradigm shift toward use of electric transportation technologies.
Who are the exhitors?
? Domestic and international vehicle manufacturers ? Off-road, industrial, heavy-duty and bus manufacturers ? Fuel cell, battery, and drive-train suppliers ? Electricity, hydrogen, and other fuel suppliers ? Automotive, industrial and heavy-duty component suppliers ? Government agencies and laboratories ? Universities with breakthrough technology programs ? Industry, environmental, and consumer associations Date Sun, Dec/02/2007 Time: 11am Location: Anaheim Convention Center Hall A, Ballroom, Room 201-204, 303 800 W. Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 92803
Cost: FREE and Open to the Public
Website: www.evs23.org
When: Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Where: Anaheim Convention CenterHall A,
Ballroom, Room 201-204, 303
800 W. Katella Ave.Anaheim, CA 92803
Event fee: USD10.00 per person
Rain in LA
So we are getting some rain this morning. Friday November 30, 2007. Around 5am it started drizzling in Pasadena, CA. It is cloudy and overcast at this time. No rain right now. But the streets are wet. More to follow later. This is a good sign for Southern California which is experiencing a severe drought.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Bush and Cheney Joke
Dick Cheney and George W. Bush were having breakfast at the White House.
The attractive waitress asks Cheney what he would like, and he replies,
"I'd like a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit."
"And what can I get for you, Mr. President?"
George W. replies, with his trademark wink and slight grin, "How about a quickie this morning?"
"Why, Mr. President!" the waitress exclaims. "How rude! You're starting to act like Mr. Clinton! ''As the waitress storms away, Cheney leans over to Bush and whispers ... "It's pronounced 'quiche'."
The attractive waitress asks Cheney what he would like, and he replies,
"I'd like a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit."
"And what can I get for you, Mr. President?"
George W. replies, with his trademark wink and slight grin, "How about a quickie this morning?"
"Why, Mr. President!" the waitress exclaims. "How rude! You're starting to act like Mr. Clinton! ''As the waitress storms away, Cheney leans over to Bush and whispers ... "It's pronounced 'quiche'."
Solar for Townhomes
Tonight I am going to our homeowner meeting. I am bringing up the topic of solar systems for townhomes.
So I'll be doing research on this topic and posting updates. Stay tuned on my project.
So I'll be doing research on this topic and posting updates. Stay tuned on my project.
Goji Berries healthy benefits and sources
Today I want to write about goji berries and the health benefits.
Goji berries
- Contain extreme levels of antioxidants. "It is quite possibly the highest antioxidant on earth."
- Contain Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and Vitamin E(rare in fruits).
- Contain more Vitamin C by weight than oranges.
- 13% protein
- Has been believed the Goju berries many be good for the treatment of eye problems, skin rashes, psoriasis, allergies, insomnia, chronic liver disease, diabetes, and tuberculosis.
- Also may be a good for the treatment of kidney and liver problems.
- Maye help LOWER cholesterol!
There are several brands and varieties you can buy. I sell some from Organic Nectars, which are one of the best around.
Himalania brand is pretty good too.
Gojilania.com
cjolsoncherries.com
More to follow on this topic.
Goji berries
- Contain extreme levels of antioxidants. "It is quite possibly the highest antioxidant on earth."
- Contain Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and Vitamin E(rare in fruits).
- Contain more Vitamin C by weight than oranges.
- 13% protein
- Has been believed the Goju berries many be good for the treatment of eye problems, skin rashes, psoriasis, allergies, insomnia, chronic liver disease, diabetes, and tuberculosis.
- Also may be a good for the treatment of kidney and liver problems.
- Maye help LOWER cholesterol!
There are several brands and varieties you can buy. I sell some from Organic Nectars, which are one of the best around.
Himalania brand is pretty good too.
Gojilania.com
cjolsoncherries.com
More to follow on this topic.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Inconsiderate Drivers Continued
Today I was driving down the 210 Freeway in Pasadena and this is what I experienced.
I want to report the driver in vehicle # 407591 from Access Paratransit.
At approx 7pm on 11/28/07 near the offramp of Hill off the 210 Freeway, this driver was weaving in and out of traffic and driving down in the breakdown lane.
Our roads are dangerous enough without having this type conduct from an agency which is supposed to use extreme care when driving.
I want to report the driver in vehicle # 407591 from Access Paratransit.
At approx 7pm on 11/28/07 near the offramp of Hill off the 210 Freeway, this driver was weaving in and out of traffic and driving down in the breakdown lane.
Our roads are dangerous enough without having this type conduct from an agency which is supposed to use extreme care when driving.
Pasadena Ford and Ford Motors at the LA Auto Show
Pasadena, CA
Date: 11/28/07
By: Victor Caballero
I have to say I am very disturbed by my experience with Ford and their dealers.
I stopped by the LA Auto Show booth for Ford and signed up for take a test drive and get a $75.
So since Saturday when I went I have received no fewer than 50 calls!!! Either from an unknown number or from 888 520 7225, which is not answered and has a recording that is not affiliated with any dealer.
This morning I decided enough was enough, so I answered the call.
I asked them for the number to the dealer and that I would call when I was ready to take the test drive and to please remove my number from their database. They give me the number to the Ford dealer. 626.793.3154.
A few minutes later I get a call from what appears to be the Ford dealer in Pasadena, Pasadena Ford from an unkown number. Get a clue people, stop calling from unknown numbers unless you have something to hide or you are trying to protect your identity. I typically will not answer calls from Private Caller or Unknown, usually a solicitor of some sort, or sales people.
Anyway the person on the other end was rude, asked me to hold while she listens to her voice mail, WTF. You call me, I'm busy and you ask me to hold! What nerve. Anyway I tell her, I justed talked to someone at some other place and they gave me a number to call and I told her I would call the number when I was ready or I would just stop by. She emphasized that the Ford Escape is hot and selling for sticker price, ok, whatever and then proceeds to give me a different number, 626.993.3600.
Couple things, FORD, get this right, your cars are crap. I already have a Ford Taurus and the trany is giving out at 50k miles..... what a joke! Your dealers are a bunch of idiots for allowing people like this to handle calls to potential customers. The rear window doesn't work, it just stopped working. The car is less than 3 years old and has been in the shop numerous times. I will never buy an american car, at least not FORD.
Will I come to take the test drive for the $75, most likely, but you bet I will report my experience, good or bad. Because the story continues.
Ford and Pasadena Ford, need to take a lead from other auto manafacturers. You guys are desparate, who wants to buy cars that use so much fuel and get such poor gas mileage. Plus the cars are so poorly made.
If you have something to add to your experience with Ford let me know.
Date: 11/28/07
By: Victor Caballero
I have to say I am very disturbed by my experience with Ford and their dealers.
I stopped by the LA Auto Show booth for Ford and signed up for take a test drive and get a $75.
So since Saturday when I went I have received no fewer than 50 calls!!! Either from an unknown number or from 888 520 7225, which is not answered and has a recording that is not affiliated with any dealer.
This morning I decided enough was enough, so I answered the call.
I asked them for the number to the dealer and that I would call when I was ready to take the test drive and to please remove my number from their database. They give me the number to the Ford dealer. 626.793.3154.
A few minutes later I get a call from what appears to be the Ford dealer in Pasadena, Pasadena Ford from an unkown number. Get a clue people, stop calling from unknown numbers unless you have something to hide or you are trying to protect your identity. I typically will not answer calls from Private Caller or Unknown, usually a solicitor of some sort, or sales people.
Anyway the person on the other end was rude, asked me to hold while she listens to her voice mail, WTF. You call me, I'm busy and you ask me to hold! What nerve. Anyway I tell her, I justed talked to someone at some other place and they gave me a number to call and I told her I would call the number when I was ready or I would just stop by. She emphasized that the Ford Escape is hot and selling for sticker price, ok, whatever and then proceeds to give me a different number, 626.993.3600.
Couple things, FORD, get this right, your cars are crap. I already have a Ford Taurus and the trany is giving out at 50k miles..... what a joke! Your dealers are a bunch of idiots for allowing people like this to handle calls to potential customers. The rear window doesn't work, it just stopped working. The car is less than 3 years old and has been in the shop numerous times. I will never buy an american car, at least not FORD.
Will I come to take the test drive for the $75, most likely, but you bet I will report my experience, good or bad. Because the story continues.
Ford and Pasadena Ford, need to take a lead from other auto manafacturers. You guys are desparate, who wants to buy cars that use so much fuel and get such poor gas mileage. Plus the cars are so poorly made.
If you have something to add to your experience with Ford let me know.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Black Friday Shopping Experience
Today Nov 23, I got up around 6:30, thinking of not going to do any shopping, because I know how bad the crowds can be. And was I right.
Here's how it went.
I showed up to Fry's in Burbank around 7am, two hours after they opened at 5am. There was a line around the outside of the building of people just waiting to get in the store! After about 20min of waiting in the line I got in.
I spent maybe 30-45 minutes getting around and picking up some items. Then the most shocking part of the trip......the line to get out! One line, ran completely around the inside of the store, be the cafe, through the appliances around the software, through the bags, unreal... it felt like I was in the twighlight zone.
That lasted around 2.5 hours. Then I got to the checkout, and the guy seemed a little slow, actually very slow and he ended up charging me twice for an item. Then he had to go and get a credit, this whole checkout process while at the register lasted at least an hour! So 5.5 hours later I am out of Fry's in Burbank... What nice weather outside. Why would anyone want to spend such a nice day inside a store waiting in a line? Well you can save a few bucks, but is that really worth it? I wanted a camera, which they didn't have, there was items left scattered throughout the store in the line where people had abandoned the march to the checkout. So I picked up a few things.
Some advice, bring a buddy, you go through the store and pickup stuff and the other person stands in line. This could save you at least 45 minutes if the line was as bad as it was this morning.
The other thing you can do is pays someone to stand in line....or just buy the item from someone else.
Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and holiday.
I'll report on the various items I purchased in a future post.
Best wishes,
Victor
Here's how it went.
I showed up to Fry's in Burbank around 7am, two hours after they opened at 5am. There was a line around the outside of the building of people just waiting to get in the store! After about 20min of waiting in the line I got in.
I spent maybe 30-45 minutes getting around and picking up some items. Then the most shocking part of the trip......the line to get out! One line, ran completely around the inside of the store, be the cafe, through the appliances around the software, through the bags, unreal... it felt like I was in the twighlight zone.
That lasted around 2.5 hours. Then I got to the checkout, and the guy seemed a little slow, actually very slow and he ended up charging me twice for an item. Then he had to go and get a credit, this whole checkout process while at the register lasted at least an hour! So 5.5 hours later I am out of Fry's in Burbank... What nice weather outside. Why would anyone want to spend such a nice day inside a store waiting in a line? Well you can save a few bucks, but is that really worth it? I wanted a camera, which they didn't have, there was items left scattered throughout the store in the line where people had abandoned the march to the checkout. So I picked up a few things.
Some advice, bring a buddy, you go through the store and pickup stuff and the other person stands in line. This could save you at least 45 minutes if the line was as bad as it was this morning.
The other thing you can do is pays someone to stand in line....or just buy the item from someone else.
Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and holiday.
I'll report on the various items I purchased in a future post.
Best wishes,
Victor
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Obituary: Eileen Bay Caballero
I am sadened to report that my Aunt Eileen Caballero passed away recently. She will be missed dearly.
I remember going up to visit them and go on trips down the Oregon Coast, which is so beautiful to see.
This is the Obituary from the Daily Astorian. The local paper of Astoria, Oregon where her and my Uncle Felix Caballero reside.
Obituaries: Eileen Bay Caballero
Astoria resident, 71
Eileen Bay Caballero, 71, of Astoria, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in Astoria.
She was born Oct. 28, 1936, in Clatskanie, to Arnold and Hilja (Mustonen) Bay. Her parents preceded her in death.
Mrs. Caballero graduated from Knappa High School and attended beauty school in Portland. She moved to Southern California, where she worked as a hairdresser.
In February 1969, she married Felix Caballero in California. He survives, residing in Astoria. In 1971, the couple moved to Astoria.
Mrs. Caballero worked as a waitress at the Happy Inn and at local convenience stores. She was also co-owner of Bays Upholstery.
Mrs. Caballero attended the Bay View Baptist Church in Astoria and was a member of the Finnish Brotherhood Lodge.
Family members said she loved animals, especially Boston terrier bulldogs.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a sister, Jeanne Fluhrer of Clatskanie; two brothers, Richard Bay of La Center, Wash., and Glen Bay of Minneapolis; and an aunt, Mildred Anderson of Knappa.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Knappa Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.
I remember going up to visit them and go on trips down the Oregon Coast, which is so beautiful to see.
This is the Obituary from the Daily Astorian. The local paper of Astoria, Oregon where her and my Uncle Felix Caballero reside.
Obituaries: Eileen Bay Caballero
Astoria resident, 71
Eileen Bay Caballero, 71, of Astoria, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, in Astoria.
She was born Oct. 28, 1936, in Clatskanie, to Arnold and Hilja (Mustonen) Bay. Her parents preceded her in death.
Mrs. Caballero graduated from Knappa High School and attended beauty school in Portland. She moved to Southern California, where she worked as a hairdresser.
In February 1969, she married Felix Caballero in California. He survives, residing in Astoria. In 1971, the couple moved to Astoria.
Mrs. Caballero worked as a waitress at the Happy Inn and at local convenience stores. She was also co-owner of Bays Upholstery.
Mrs. Caballero attended the Bay View Baptist Church in Astoria and was a member of the Finnish Brotherhood Lodge.
Family members said she loved animals, especially Boston terrier bulldogs.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a sister, Jeanne Fluhrer of Clatskanie; two brothers, Richard Bay of La Center, Wash., and Glen Bay of Minneapolis; and an aunt, Mildred Anderson of Knappa.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Knappa Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Green Glam - how to use various fruits and vegetables for skin care
GAYLE ANDERSON - GREEN GLAM
Gayle Anderson was live at the Artloris Eco-Salon, Los Angeles' FIRST eco-salon. Artur Zhamgaryan, founder of Artloris Eco-Salon, transformed his salon from conventional salon to environmentally focused salon in March of 2007. His team of celebrity stylists trained by the prestigious Legendary Beauty Expert Vidal Sassoon, are not only extraordinary hair stylists and makeup artists, but are making a difference by making eco-conscious choices in hair care, makeup and color lines.
Every other Friday, the salon features something called GREEN GLAMOUR FRIDAYS, where customers can enjoy the following NON-TOXIC salon services:
Wash and Blow Out
Men's Trim
Ladies Style
Makeup or Brows
Manicures
Mini Pedicures
Mini Massage
ArtLoris Eco-Salon
12606 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City (Across from the STAPLES STORE)
818.761.1788
www.artloris.com
Gayle also took a look at GREEN MANICURES AND PEDICURES. Those services were provided by Kristi Marie Jones (Narayan) Licensed Pedicurist.
Kristi Marie Jones/Narayan has been healing the soles of people for over 25 years . She has soaked, scrubbed and buttered feet from homeless shelters to the hills of Hollywood. Her work has appeared on the pages of Vogue Magazine to the screens of music videos & many red carpet events.
After completing Teachers Training in Kundalini Yoga & Meditation at Golden Bridge, Narayan searched for a way to bring both aspects of her life together & a way to reach more people than the hand full of clients she can see a day. Narayans passion for Yoga most specifically the Mantras along with her knowledge of natural ingredients & the ability they both have to heal the mind body & sole, lead her to create NARAYAN sacred healing beauty 100% natural, Organic when possible Mantra Infused, Sole Food products.
Kristi Marie Jones/Narayan
Amrit Davaa Wellness Center, Inc. at Golden Bridge
6322 De Longpre Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323.988.4051
www.amritdavaa.com
On the subject of non-toxic cosmetics, according the the Safe Cosmetics.org website, toys made in China are not the only products laced with dangerous heavy metals: lipstick manufactured in the United States and used daily by millions of American women also contains surprisingly high levels of lead, according to new product tests released today by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The lead tests were conducted by an independent laboratory over the month of September on red lipsticks bought in Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco and Minneapolis.
Top findings include:
*More than half of 33 brand-name lipsticks tested (61 percent) contained detectable levels of lead, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). None of these lipsticks listed lead as an ingredient.
*One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 0.1 ppm limit for lead in candy - a standard established to protect children from directly ingesting lead. Lipstick products, like candy, are directly ingested into the body. Nevertheless, the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick, which fits with the disturbing absence of FDA regulatory oversight and enforcement capacity for the $50 billion personal care products industry.
*The good news is that the tests show it is possible to make lipstick without lead: 39 percent of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead, and cost doesn't seem to be a factor. Some less expensive brands such as Revlon ($7.49) had no detectable levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict brand ($24.50) had higher levels than some other brands.
*Among the top brands testing positive for lead were: -L'Oreal Colour Riche "True Red" - 0.65 ppm -L'Oreal Colour Riche "Classic Wine" - 0.58 ppm -Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" - 0.56 ppm -Dior Addict "Positive Red" - 0.21 ppm
Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.
"Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure," said Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice.
To learn more about so-called SAFE COSMETICS, visit the following websites:
www.toxicfreelegacy.org/safecosmetics
www.ecocycle.org
www.safecosmetics.org
Gayle Anderson was live at the Artloris Eco-Salon, Los Angeles' FIRST eco-salon. Artur Zhamgaryan, founder of Artloris Eco-Salon, transformed his salon from conventional salon to environmentally focused salon in March of 2007. His team of celebrity stylists trained by the prestigious Legendary Beauty Expert Vidal Sassoon, are not only extraordinary hair stylists and makeup artists, but are making a difference by making eco-conscious choices in hair care, makeup and color lines.
Every other Friday, the salon features something called GREEN GLAMOUR FRIDAYS, where customers can enjoy the following NON-TOXIC salon services:
Wash and Blow Out
Men's Trim
Ladies Style
Makeup or Brows
Manicures
Mini Pedicures
Mini Massage
ArtLoris Eco-Salon
12606 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City (Across from the STAPLES STORE)
818.761.1788
www.artloris.com
Gayle also took a look at GREEN MANICURES AND PEDICURES. Those services were provided by Kristi Marie Jones (Narayan) Licensed Pedicurist.
Kristi Marie Jones/Narayan has been healing the soles of people for over 25 years . She has soaked, scrubbed and buttered feet from homeless shelters to the hills of Hollywood. Her work has appeared on the pages of Vogue Magazine to the screens of music videos & many red carpet events.
After completing Teachers Training in Kundalini Yoga & Meditation at Golden Bridge, Narayan searched for a way to bring both aspects of her life together & a way to reach more people than the hand full of clients she can see a day. Narayans passion for Yoga most specifically the Mantras along with her knowledge of natural ingredients & the ability they both have to heal the mind body & sole, lead her to create NARAYAN sacred healing beauty 100% natural, Organic when possible Mantra Infused, Sole Food products.
Kristi Marie Jones/Narayan
Amrit Davaa Wellness Center, Inc. at Golden Bridge
6322 De Longpre Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323.988.4051
www.amritdavaa.com
On the subject of non-toxic cosmetics, according the the Safe Cosmetics.org website, toys made in China are not the only products laced with dangerous heavy metals: lipstick manufactured in the United States and used daily by millions of American women also contains surprisingly high levels of lead, according to new product tests released today by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The lead tests were conducted by an independent laboratory over the month of September on red lipsticks bought in Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco and Minneapolis.
Top findings include:
*More than half of 33 brand-name lipsticks tested (61 percent) contained detectable levels of lead, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). None of these lipsticks listed lead as an ingredient.
*One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 0.1 ppm limit for lead in candy - a standard established to protect children from directly ingesting lead. Lipstick products, like candy, are directly ingested into the body. Nevertheless, the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick, which fits with the disturbing absence of FDA regulatory oversight and enforcement capacity for the $50 billion personal care products industry.
*The good news is that the tests show it is possible to make lipstick without lead: 39 percent of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead, and cost doesn't seem to be a factor. Some less expensive brands such as Revlon ($7.49) had no detectable levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict brand ($24.50) had higher levels than some other brands.
*Among the top brands testing positive for lead were: -L'Oreal Colour Riche "True Red" - 0.65 ppm -L'Oreal Colour Riche "Classic Wine" - 0.58 ppm -Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" - 0.56 ppm -Dior Addict "Positive Red" - 0.21 ppm
Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.
"Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure," said Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice.
To learn more about so-called SAFE COSMETICS, visit the following websites:
www.toxicfreelegacy.org/safecosmetics
www.ecocycle.org
www.safecosmetics.org
Fresh Vegies Gift Idea
I read about this in the December 2007 issue of Money.
You can select from over 1600 farms and pickup the freshest produce.
Anna Lappe who co-authored the book "Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen"
The site is www.localharvest.org/csa
Cost is 350-500 for 20 weeks of produce.
This sounds like a very good deal. Comes out to 25 per week for produce for your your family.
It's work checking it out.
Let me know what you find out.
Victor Caballero
You can select from over 1600 farms and pickup the freshest produce.
Anna Lappe who co-authored the book "Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen"
The site is www.localharvest.org/csa
Cost is 350-500 for 20 weeks of produce.
This sounds like a very good deal. Comes out to 25 per week for produce for your your family.
It's work checking it out.
Let me know what you find out.
Victor Caballero
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Firefox + Google Toolbar Download
If you haven't downloaded the Firefox and Google Toolbar, now is a good time to try it out.
Especially with all the problems we hear about with Internet Explorer. Make sure to do an update to Firefox after you install. There's a new version coming.... Version 3 is available as a developer release, not meant for general consumers.
Especially with all the problems we hear about with Internet Explorer. Make sure to do an update to Firefox after you install. There's a new version coming.... Version 3 is available as a developer release, not meant for general consumers.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Wake up Services
Couple of services to check out that offer wake up/alarm type services.
PARTYPALACE
http://www.partypalaceentertainment.com
WAKERUPPER
http://www.wakerupper.com
TELEPIXIE
http://www.telepixie.com
IPING
http://www.iping.com
WAKEUPLAND
http://www.wakeupland.com
SNOOZESTER
http://www.snoozester.com
PHONEBUGGER
http://www.phonebugger.com
PARTYPALACE
http://www.partypalaceentertainment.com
WAKERUPPER
http://www.wakerupper.com
TELEPIXIE
http://www.telepixie.com
IPING
http://www.iping.com
WAKEUPLAND
http://www.wakeupland.com
SNOOZESTER
http://www.snoozester.com
PHONEBUGGER
http://www.phonebugger.com
Top 3 sites
DSNews list some interesting sites this month.
www.OfferAngel.com - offers borrowers' rescue by simplifying the information they receive in their federal disclosures to help them understand complex loan terms and so they can choose the right mortgage loan.
www.Classifiedflyerads.com - A new mobile option for creating advertisements with distribution to GoogleBase, Oodle, Lycos, and many more. Users can log into their account anytime and modify, ehance, or add their advertisement.
www.HomesTrackerOne.com - Now you can streamline the real estate process. BidSelect has supported the sale of more than 48,000 propertoes and achieved a listing average of 30 days on market with six offers per property.
Some good sites to check out.
www.OfferAngel.com - offers borrowers' rescue by simplifying the information they receive in their federal disclosures to help them understand complex loan terms and so they can choose the right mortgage loan.
www.Classifiedflyerads.com - A new mobile option for creating advertisements with distribution to GoogleBase, Oodle, Lycos, and many more. Users can log into their account anytime and modify, ehance, or add their advertisement.
www.HomesTrackerOne.com - Now you can streamline the real estate process. BidSelect has supported the sale of more than 48,000 propertoes and achieved a listing average of 30 days on market with six offers per property.
Some good sites to check out.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Digestion Tips
I'm watching a KOCE special on digestion and they mention some interesting items.
One tip is to have a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar when you experience indegistion.
It's all about how to assist the digestion process and prevent disease.
Taking digestive enzymes with your food.
Another item is to talk hydrochloric acid supplements to aid the digestion process.
I have also found that eating slowly is a good thing. People in this country eat way too fast.
Some items that affect food digestion as well:
Stress
Inadequate Chewing
Food sensitivities
Bacteria - good bacteria, acidopolphis, symbiotic, helps you digest and absorb food.
One tip is to have a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar when you experience indegistion.
It's all about how to assist the digestion process and prevent disease.
Taking digestive enzymes with your food.
Another item is to talk hydrochloric acid supplements to aid the digestion process.
I have also found that eating slowly is a good thing. People in this country eat way too fast.
Some items that affect food digestion as well:
Stress
Inadequate Chewing
Food sensitivities
Bacteria - good bacteria, acidopolphis, symbiotic, helps you digest and absorb food.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Bob Dylan at Skirball Cultural Center
Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956–1966
February 7 - June 8, 2008
Getty Gallery
The Bob Dylan exhibit that is part of the music experience is coming to Los Angeles in a couple months and will be here for a few months.
This acclaimed exhibition follows Bob Dylan from his beginnings in Hibbing, Minnesota to his debut on the Greenwich Village folk scene and his rise to fame as one of the first true rock stars and the artist who “electrified” contemporary songwriting. Visitors will be amazed by the exhibition’s unprecedented collection of films, artifacts, and listening stations, as they discover Dylan’s story intersecting with folk music, rock ‘n’ roll, and a nation in the throes of social change. Photo by Barry Feinstein.
ADMISSION:
$10 General
$7 Seniors and Full-Time Students
$5 Children 2-12
Free to Members and Children under 2
Free to all on Thursdays
Includes admission to all other exhibitions
This exhibition is organized by Experience Music Project, Seattle Washington, and is presented at the Skirball by Steve Tisch. Photo by Barry Feinstein.
February 7 - June 8, 2008
Getty Gallery
The Bob Dylan exhibit that is part of the music experience is coming to Los Angeles in a couple months and will be here for a few months.
This acclaimed exhibition follows Bob Dylan from his beginnings in Hibbing, Minnesota to his debut on the Greenwich Village folk scene and his rise to fame as one of the first true rock stars and the artist who “electrified” contemporary songwriting. Visitors will be amazed by the exhibition’s unprecedented collection of films, artifacts, and listening stations, as they discover Dylan’s story intersecting with folk music, rock ‘n’ roll, and a nation in the throes of social change. Photo by Barry Feinstein.
ADMISSION:
$10 General
$7 Seniors and Full-Time Students
$5 Children 2-12
Free to Members and Children under 2
Free to all on Thursdays
Includes admission to all other exhibitions
This exhibition is organized by Experience Music Project, Seattle Washington, and is presented at the Skirball by Steve Tisch. Photo by Barry Feinstein.
Fender Bass Bash 2007
For the past two days(Nov 14 and 15, 2007) Fender has been holding the Fender Bass Bash at CenterStaging in Burbank, CA. The event drew some of the best bass players around to try out some new gear being released.
Video and photos of the event should follow soon.
Video and photos of the event should follow soon.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Next TWIISTUP 1/16/08
Twiistup 3: Save 20% on Registration
Twiistup is the premier event that showcases tech talent in Southern California. Twiistup’s goal is to allow start-ups to showcase their ideas and create a friendly atmosphere where guests can network with fellow innovators, investors, job seekers, and established industry leaders. Twiistup 3, which will be held on January 16th in Venice, CA, will be focusing on “New Year’s Resolutions” startups related to the following 9 “Resolutions”:
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Fitness
3. Quit Smoking
4. Enjoy Life More
5. Get Out of Debt
6. Learn Something New
7. Help Others
8. Get Organized
9. Dating
If you are a startup who would like to showcase your idea related to one of the above “Resolutions” then fill out your proposal form immediately, because the deadline is Thursday, November 16th.
If you wish to attend, Mashable is offering a 20% ($5) discount; just use the code “mashable” when registering.
Twiistup is the premier event that showcases tech talent in Southern California. Twiistup’s goal is to allow start-ups to showcase their ideas and create a friendly atmosphere where guests can network with fellow innovators, investors, job seekers, and established industry leaders. Twiistup 3, which will be held on January 16th in Venice, CA, will be focusing on “New Year’s Resolutions” startups related to the following 9 “Resolutions”:
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Fitness
3. Quit Smoking
4. Enjoy Life More
5. Get Out of Debt
6. Learn Something New
7. Help Others
8. Get Organized
9. Dating
If you are a startup who would like to showcase your idea related to one of the above “Resolutions” then fill out your proposal form immediately, because the deadline is Thursday, November 16th.
If you wish to attend, Mashable is offering a 20% ($5) discount; just use the code “mashable” when registering.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Pasadena Area Solar Installation
SoPas firm energizing with solar-power panels
By Cortney Fielding Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/11/2007 10:36:23 PM PST
SOUTH PASADENA -- One of the city's most prominent business leaders has gone solar -- in a big way.
Entrepreneur and commercial developer Jeffrey Burke will complete the installation this week of what Southern California Edison has called the largest commercial solar-power system in the Pasadena area.
Packed tightly atop of the roof Burke's company at 99 Pasadena Ave. are 200 solar panels capable of generating enough electricity each year to power 10 average houses, according to the project's specifications.
The array, which costs about $300,000 before government rebates and tax credits, is expected to provide about a quarter of the electricity needed for the 16,000-square-foot building, which is home to the digital-imaging company JupiterMedia.
Burke said the decision to undertake the project was based largely on a desire to clean up the Earth for his children.
"As much as I can, I really want to do the right thing in trying to leave a world my kids can live in," he said. "It sounds like a real platitude, but I really believe that."
But his decision wasn't entirely altruistic. Burke estimates he will make his money back through energy savings within eight to 10 years.
"And with gas prices shooting up, it could be sooner," he said. "If you've got the cash to invest into your property over time, it not only breaks even, but after break-even time, you're making money."
Burke also expects the solar installation will boost the overall value of his building.
Burke and his wife, Lorraine Triolo, made headlines in 2005 when they sold their imaging company, PictureArts, to JupiterMedia for $63.2 million in cash.
Jupiter's 60 employees moved into the Pasadena Avenue building, but the couple retained ownership of the building in the deal.
Once up and running, the solar panels are expected to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air each year by nearly 67,000 pounds.
South Pasadena Mayor Michael Cacciotti said the project is a boon to the city.
"The effort to curb climate change must be undertaken by all segments of our society - from the government to the private sector," he said. "Jeffrey Burke and Lorraine Triolo's use of solar power - a clean, abundant and renewable resource - is a great example of entrepreneurial leadership and establishes an environmental benchmark for other businesses to follow."
The new solar system represents a first step in the redevelopment at 99 Pasadena Ave., located in a business park area known as the "Ostrich Farm" district.
Burke and Triolo have begun construction on a new three- story, 20,000-square-foot building on property acquired from the city of South Pasadena, to be attached to the existing structure. The addition will have a solar array of its own.
While still in preliminary stages, Burke said he and Triolo are looking into the possibility of harvesting wind power for the building, using new micro-turbine technology.
"Whatever we can do," Burke said, "we'll do."
cortney.fielding@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4494
By Cortney Fielding Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/11/2007 10:36:23 PM PST
SOUTH PASADENA -- One of the city's most prominent business leaders has gone solar -- in a big way.
Entrepreneur and commercial developer Jeffrey Burke will complete the installation this week of what Southern California Edison has called the largest commercial solar-power system in the Pasadena area.
Packed tightly atop of the roof Burke's company at 99 Pasadena Ave. are 200 solar panels capable of generating enough electricity each year to power 10 average houses, according to the project's specifications.
The array, which costs about $300,000 before government rebates and tax credits, is expected to provide about a quarter of the electricity needed for the 16,000-square-foot building, which is home to the digital-imaging company JupiterMedia.
Burke said the decision to undertake the project was based largely on a desire to clean up the Earth for his children.
"As much as I can, I really want to do the right thing in trying to leave a world my kids can live in," he said. "It sounds like a real platitude, but I really believe that."
But his decision wasn't entirely altruistic. Burke estimates he will make his money back through energy savings within eight to 10 years.
"And with gas prices shooting up, it could be sooner," he said. "If you've got the cash to invest into your property over time, it not only breaks even, but after break-even time, you're making money."
Burke also expects the solar installation will boost the overall value of his building.
Burke and his wife, Lorraine Triolo, made headlines in 2005 when they sold their imaging company, PictureArts, to JupiterMedia for $63.2 million in cash.
Jupiter's 60 employees moved into the Pasadena Avenue building, but the couple retained ownership of the building in the deal.
Once up and running, the solar panels are expected to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air each year by nearly 67,000 pounds.
South Pasadena Mayor Michael Cacciotti said the project is a boon to the city.
"The effort to curb climate change must be undertaken by all segments of our society - from the government to the private sector," he said. "Jeffrey Burke and Lorraine Triolo's use of solar power - a clean, abundant and renewable resource - is a great example of entrepreneurial leadership and establishes an environmental benchmark for other businesses to follow."
The new solar system represents a first step in the redevelopment at 99 Pasadena Ave., located in a business park area known as the "Ostrich Farm" district.
Burke and Triolo have begun construction on a new three- story, 20,000-square-foot building on property acquired from the city of South Pasadena, to be attached to the existing structure. The addition will have a solar array of its own.
While still in preliminary stages, Burke said he and Triolo are looking into the possibility of harvesting wind power for the building, using new micro-turbine technology.
"Whatever we can do," Burke said, "we'll do."
cortney.fielding@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4494
Spain's Irrigation systems
The LA Times has an interesting story on Spain's upgrading of its national irrigation system.
The plan is to computerize and automate as well as upgrade from a flood type system to drip system. The savings will be substantial.
Read more here:
Water management 2.0
Farmers in Spain are going high-tech by pushing for a nationally controlled digital grid to manage irrigation and preserve precious agua.
By Ciaran Giles, The Associated Press November 12, 2007
ALBERIQUE, SPAIN -- For decades, Alberto Martorell and his family have been irrigating their rolling groves of orange and persimmon trees in this sweltering corner of eastern Spain by the traditional method -- swamping them under a flood of water from the local canal.But if a national farmers' group has its way, those days will soon be over.Martorell is one of a growing number of Spanish farmers who have signed up to go digital -- agreeing to switch to drip irrigation and connect their fields to a national grid monitored from Madrid.The idea is to save money and, equally important in an era of global warming, precious water. Officials say the system could end up saving 20% of the water Spain uses for irrigation today -- a whopping 1.3 trillion gallons per year.It is a watershed change for a country that is one of Europe's breadbaskets, but has been basically relying on a system introduced by Moorish invaders centuries ago."We're jumping from the 13th century to the 21st century," said Juan Valero, secretary general of Spain's irrigation farmers' federation, called Fenacore.Although computer-assisted irrigation is not new, Spanish officials believe that no other country is organizing it at a national level. So far 200,000 farmers have signed up for the project, Valero said. By 2010, the government hopes that number rises to 500,000, representing the vast majority of the farmers who utilize irrigation in Spain.Valero said that years of chronic drought, coupled with vastly increased water use, had worn down resistance to the changes. The government is chipping in, paying all the costs of the system right up to where it reaches each farmers' land.Martorell, a stocky, sun-beaten 50-year-old, acknowledged that his main motivation for making the switch was money, not becoming part of any green revolution."The methods we have been using are obsolete," he said, standing amid a field of persimmon trees. "New technology allows you to save time, improve harvests and most importantly, save water, which is the principal problem we have nowadays."His land's irrigation system is in the process of being modernized, and Martorell hopes to have it completed within three years.Under the project, Fenacore is encouraging farmers not just to move away from wasteful flood irrigation systems but also to lay highly efficient telecommunications cables alongside main water conduits.The telecommunications cables will be connected to computer centers regionally and nationally from where the irrigation grid can be monitored, with screens showing which land is getting water, how much it is getting, when and at what pressure."Instead of manually lifting sluice gates to flood fields, farmers will be able to do it from laptops or even mobile phones," Valero said. "The aim is to manage water better. We have to rationalize its consumption, and to do this, information is fundamental."The endeavor represents a revolution in a country that is 50% arid and outpaces the rest of Europe by devoting as much as 70% of its water resources to irrigation.But much of its system of channeling water from rivers for miles and miles is based on an intricate grid of open canals first developed by the Arabs after they invaded Spain in the 8th century.Such was the influence of the Moors that nearly every Spanish word dealing with irrigation and water stems from Arabic, such as acequia for irrigation ditch or alcantarilla for a drain.Although many of the Arab-styled watering ditches have been replaced with closed concrete piping, especially over the last century, many of the original open channels can still be seen crisscrossing the lush fields of southern and eastern Spain.But these systems lose millions of gallons through evaporation, poor maintenance and runoff, something a country just emerging from a drought caused by the lowest annual rainfall on record cannot afford."In almost half of Spain, the irrigation technique used is flooding, which uses up to three or four times more than the water that is necessary," Environment Minister Cristina Narbona said recently.Spain's profligate water usage has long concerned experts and conservationists. The country is estimated to lose more than 60% of its water before it reaches the tap, and only 1.5% is recycled.In addition, Spain's never-ending construction boom -- with sprawling urban projects, mushrooming tourist complexes and golf courses -- has greatly increased demand."Spain is finally bringing itself up to date in terms of irrigation," said Complutense University professor Manuel Ramon Llamas, one of Spain's leading water experts
The plan is to computerize and automate as well as upgrade from a flood type system to drip system. The savings will be substantial.
Read more here:
Water management 2.0
Farmers in Spain are going high-tech by pushing for a nationally controlled digital grid to manage irrigation and preserve precious agua.
By Ciaran Giles, The Associated Press November 12, 2007
ALBERIQUE, SPAIN -- For decades, Alberto Martorell and his family have been irrigating their rolling groves of orange and persimmon trees in this sweltering corner of eastern Spain by the traditional method -- swamping them under a flood of water from the local canal.But if a national farmers' group has its way, those days will soon be over.Martorell is one of a growing number of Spanish farmers who have signed up to go digital -- agreeing to switch to drip irrigation and connect their fields to a national grid monitored from Madrid.The idea is to save money and, equally important in an era of global warming, precious water. Officials say the system could end up saving 20% of the water Spain uses for irrigation today -- a whopping 1.3 trillion gallons per year.It is a watershed change for a country that is one of Europe's breadbaskets, but has been basically relying on a system introduced by Moorish invaders centuries ago."We're jumping from the 13th century to the 21st century," said Juan Valero, secretary general of Spain's irrigation farmers' federation, called Fenacore.Although computer-assisted irrigation is not new, Spanish officials believe that no other country is organizing it at a national level. So far 200,000 farmers have signed up for the project, Valero said. By 2010, the government hopes that number rises to 500,000, representing the vast majority of the farmers who utilize irrigation in Spain.Valero said that years of chronic drought, coupled with vastly increased water use, had worn down resistance to the changes. The government is chipping in, paying all the costs of the system right up to where it reaches each farmers' land.Martorell, a stocky, sun-beaten 50-year-old, acknowledged that his main motivation for making the switch was money, not becoming part of any green revolution."The methods we have been using are obsolete," he said, standing amid a field of persimmon trees. "New technology allows you to save time, improve harvests and most importantly, save water, which is the principal problem we have nowadays."His land's irrigation system is in the process of being modernized, and Martorell hopes to have it completed within three years.Under the project, Fenacore is encouraging farmers not just to move away from wasteful flood irrigation systems but also to lay highly efficient telecommunications cables alongside main water conduits.The telecommunications cables will be connected to computer centers regionally and nationally from where the irrigation grid can be monitored, with screens showing which land is getting water, how much it is getting, when and at what pressure."Instead of manually lifting sluice gates to flood fields, farmers will be able to do it from laptops or even mobile phones," Valero said. "The aim is to manage water better. We have to rationalize its consumption, and to do this, information is fundamental."The endeavor represents a revolution in a country that is 50% arid and outpaces the rest of Europe by devoting as much as 70% of its water resources to irrigation.But much of its system of channeling water from rivers for miles and miles is based on an intricate grid of open canals first developed by the Arabs after they invaded Spain in the 8th century.Such was the influence of the Moors that nearly every Spanish word dealing with irrigation and water stems from Arabic, such as acequia for irrigation ditch or alcantarilla for a drain.Although many of the Arab-styled watering ditches have been replaced with closed concrete piping, especially over the last century, many of the original open channels can still be seen crisscrossing the lush fields of southern and eastern Spain.But these systems lose millions of gallons through evaporation, poor maintenance and runoff, something a country just emerging from a drought caused by the lowest annual rainfall on record cannot afford."In almost half of Spain, the irrigation technique used is flooding, which uses up to three or four times more than the water that is necessary," Environment Minister Cristina Narbona said recently.Spain's profligate water usage has long concerned experts and conservationists. The country is estimated to lose more than 60% of its water before it reaches the tap, and only 1.5% is recycled.In addition, Spain's never-ending construction boom -- with sprawling urban projects, mushrooming tourist complexes and golf courses -- has greatly increased demand."Spain is finally bringing itself up to date in terms of irrigation," said Complutense University professor Manuel Ramon Llamas, one of Spain's leading water experts
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Your Online Identity
Some ways to manage your online identity.
So what can the savvy tech executive do to create and control ones online presence?
How can we make sure that those things we wish to be noticed for like favorable press releases and articles get higher billing on search engines and that things like that awkward photo of you with that silly grin holding a beer at what looks like a fraternity party never see the light of day.
With tools like Ziggs, Zoominfo, ClaimID, Ziki and other id management tools out there is there any excuse for not managing ones online identity as closely as one manages ones career. If nothing else join us as we explore the fine line between valid self promotion and narcissistic self-aggrandizement.
So what can the savvy tech executive do to create and control ones online presence?
How can we make sure that those things we wish to be noticed for like favorable press releases and articles get higher billing on search engines and that things like that awkward photo of you with that silly grin holding a beer at what looks like a fraternity party never see the light of day.
With tools like Ziggs, Zoominfo, ClaimID, Ziki and other id management tools out there is there any excuse for not managing ones online identity as closely as one manages ones career. If nothing else join us as we explore the fine line between valid self promotion and narcissistic self-aggrandizement.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Lunch 2.0 November 16, 2007
Lunch 2.0 is at Business.com
Host: Business.com
When: Friday, November 16, 12:05 - 2:00 PM
Where: Santa Monica, CA
RSVP: on Mixergy
Lunch 2.0 in Los Angeles is growing. Our next one is hosted by Business.com.
If you’re in the area, RSVP now to let us know you’re coming. If you know someone in LA, help us get the word out by telling your LA friends.
About Business.com: Business.com was just named among the Best Places to Work by the Los Angeles Business Journal and has been a part of Southern California’s Internet community since 1999. Business.com is the leading business search engine / directory and pay-per-click advertising network serving more than 40 million unique business users and thousands of advertisers every month.
With the Q3 2007 Acquisition by RH Donnelley (RHD), the Business.com team will be adding staff to ensure the continued success of our sites; Business.com and www.Work.com, while working to launch our successful ad serving technology throughout RHD’s interactive business.
Host: Business.com
When: Friday, November 16, 12:05 - 2:00 PM
Where: Santa Monica, CA
RSVP: on Mixergy
Lunch 2.0 in Los Angeles is growing. Our next one is hosted by Business.com.
If you’re in the area, RSVP now to let us know you’re coming. If you know someone in LA, help us get the word out by telling your LA friends.
About Business.com: Business.com was just named among the Best Places to Work by the Los Angeles Business Journal and has been a part of Southern California’s Internet community since 1999. Business.com is the leading business search engine / directory and pay-per-click advertising network serving more than 40 million unique business users and thousands of advertisers every month.
With the Q3 2007 Acquisition by RH Donnelley (RHD), the Business.com team will be adding staff to ensure the continued success of our sites; Business.com and www.Work.com, while working to launch our successful ad serving technology throughout RHD’s interactive business.
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