The NBA Finals are over and the Heat are the champs, but that wouldn?t be the case without a healthy LeBron James. One championship is nice but they?ll need him healthy again next year if they want to defend their title.
But when does the King get to rest?
Not now, the Olympics are getting close and it?s time for more practice.
His Heat teamates, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, have dropped out of the Olympics with legitimate injuries leaving James no choice but to represent Miami on the Olympic team. That better not mean carrying another group of guys on his back.
It sounds strange and it probably isn?t in his DNA, but I?m ready to give LeBron the Olympics off. After a strike-shortened season and an impressive run through the NBA Playoffs, it should be in his contract to get a break every now and then.
He needs to be on the Olympic team to show the world the NBA?s best player, but I think it?s alright if he goes through the motions. There are plenty of other stars to carry the load.
Put on the jersey, dunk a few in warmups and run the floor on a few fast breaks, but don?t go all out.
The last thing the Heat need is a big injury to their biggest star and that is a possibility for someone who plays as physical as LeBron.
I?m sure James will give it his all in the Olympics because that?s all he knows, but I?ll be the first to cringe when he twists his knee or breaks a bone.
If LeBron gets hurt in London and misses significant time next season, he might want to start nursing injuries like the rest of the stars in Miami.
After all, there?s no rest for the healthy.
Unibrow Business
I?m not the type to tell other guys how to groom their facial hair, but I can?t help but feel for Anthony Davis? stylist.
Davis and his unibrow are the talk of the NBA after the Kentucky standout was drafted first overall on Thursday night and the fact that he trademarked his unique look is a little troubling. He might make a little money in the beginning but I hope this isn?t a statement saying he?ll never clean up his furry forehead. Never say never, Anthony.
It?s one thing to be a freshman in college leading the nation in blocks in the midst of a march to the national championship, but what about when he?s out at a nice dinner with his teammates? What about ten years from now when he?s showing rookies how to conduct themselves in the NBA?
I understand refusing to conform because you are different, but I?m guessing he didn?t want to get out the shears himself.
He probably won?t put up much of a fight when his teammates decide to trim the eye beard as part of rookie hazing and I won?t blame him when he shows up at a news conference with a big smile on his face.
He?s got his gimmick for now, but I hope he plans on giving people something else to remember him by in the future.?
Microsoft had to know they?d make some of their OEM allies mad when they announced the Surface tablet. According to some, they?re so mad that they?re planning to skip Windows RT altogether and focus on Android tablets instead. Among the first to bail: HP, one of Microsoft?s closest partners.
Now, there are all kinds of way to interpret a rumor that HP is not going to introduce a Windows RT tablet. The most obvious is that they may believe ?and rightly so ? that HP customers will expect to be able to run all kinds of Windows apps on a Windows 8 desktop, all-in-one, laptop, or tablet. Windows RT can only run Metro apps, of course, and that?s no doubt going to cause some confusion when the new ARM hardware hits retail shelves.
One thing that?s very clear is that HP isn?t going to ?dump? Microsoft over the introduction of the slate. They?re one of the top PC makers in the world, and a huge chunk of their revenue comes from the sale of Windows systems. Another thing that?s clear is that they?re going to build at least one Windows 8 tablet (according to a previous Neowin leak) or convertible ? but they?ll stick to Intel or AMD chips to start.
If the Surface proves successful and HP thinks there?s a decent buck to be made, you better believe they?ll build ARM devices. They?re just taking a measured approach this time around and giving consumers time to adjust to the newness of Windows RT.
As for putting their time and effort into building an Android tablet?it?s hard to imagine HP doing that either. They?ve never tried before, and it?s not as though their previous attempts with a mobile OS went all that well.
Add Eric Wilbur*??to the list of people who think that attending an event to aid families struck by tragedy, when said event does not conflict with any doctor?s orders and is totally cool as far as the team is concerned, is ?immature?:
Buchholz did not drink at the charity event, which also featured a golf outing hosted by WAAF?s Greg Hill, but his appearance still speaks volumes about the pitcher?s immaturity and lack of perception.
Wilbur wrote that before being informed that Red Sox doctors cleared it. Then, after being informed of this, Wilbur says that makes it even dumber, somehow. He then offers this doozy:
I get it. It sounds malevolent to complain about a guy attending something for charity, and if he didn?t drink, what?s the big deal? Good for Buchholz for showing his support.
But what an idiot.
He goes on to imply that Buchholz?s immaturity (or something of his own doing) is what landed him in the hospital in the first place:
Mind you, had Buchholz not swallowed chewing tobacco, taken too many Alleves, or whatever caused his bout of esophagitis, he was supposed to be on a Western-bound plane following yesterday?s 10-4 win over the Blue Jays.
I have no idea what caused Buchholz?s medical condition. It may very well have been something he did. But I?m also pretty sure that Dr. Wilbur here doesn?t know either. Not that that?s gonna stop him.
My favorite part is the ?lack of perception? idea Wilbur puts in here. Like, it?s not a problem, except for the way it?s going to be perceived.
Well, given that it?s people with absolutely no perspective about things that truly matter in the world ? people like the radio idiots who blew this up this morning and Wilbur here who is running with it ? who are perceiving it, I sincerely hope Buchholz refuses to give a single crap about what they?re saying.
*UPDATE: I had originally referred to this as a Boston Globe article. It?s not. Wilbur is not a Boston Globe staff person. He writes a fan blog which is hosted by Boston.com, which is also the web home of the Globe.
It isn't for people who appreciate beautiful beaches, for instance, or folks who aren't into being out in the sun or eating like prince or relaxing on a chaise by the pool. If you don't like having fun, basically, you're probably not going to like it here.
If you're looking for the vacation of a lifetime, however, you've come to the right place. Nestled into the juncture of the Sea of Cort?s and the Pacific, you'll never run out of things to do in Los Cabos. Big game fishing, world-class golf, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking quiet coves and inlets, taking to the outback on ATVs, bikes and horseback, relaxing and rejuvenating in high-end spas and luxury resorts, or dancing 'til dawn... Wherever you go in Los Cabos, you will find everything you need to leave the cares of everyday life behind.
This Half Off Depot deal is basically your ticket to paradise. With it, you're entitled to an All-Inclusive 4 Day/3-Night Getaway for 2 Adults to Los Cabos, Mexico. That's a $999 value for only $149!
Details
Must book by Dec, 2013.
Limit 1 per household; may buy 2 additional as gifts.
Airfare not included. Must be 21 or older.
1 adult must be 21 years of age and must have credit card per hotel policy.
May add children for a surcharge.
Seasonal/holiday/Peak dates surcharges may apply.
Must book at least 30 days in advance; terms are subject to availability.
If a date/location is not available, will receive equivalent alternative.
Restrictions
No Cash back for unused portion.
No cash value.
Not valid with any other promotion.
Tax and gratuity not included.
One per household, additional 2 purchases are available for gifts.
Once you have purchased your Half Off Depot voucher please email halfoff@funtimetravelshop.com with your voucher code to receive your reservations form.
Must book by Dec, 2013. Limit 1 per household; may buy 2 additional as gifts. Airfare not included. Must be 21 or older. 1 adult must be 21 years of age and must have credit card per hotel policy. May add children for a surcharge. Seasonal/holiday/Peak dates surcharges may apply. Must book at least 30 days in advance; terms are subject to availability. If a date/location is not available, will receive equivalent alternative.
Restrictions
No Cash back for unused portion.
No cash value.
Not valid with any other promotion.
Tax and gratuity not included.
One per household, additional 2 purchases are available for gifts.
Once you have purchased your Half Off Depot voucher please email halfoff@funtimetravelshop.com with your voucher code to receive your reservations form.
There are no reviews for this product at this time.
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Email halfoff@funtimetravelshop.com with your voucher code
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the best player in the NFL, according to a vote of his fellow players.
Rodgers was revealed as the pick for No. 1 on NFL Network?s Top 100 show, which surveyed NFL players and asked them to name the best in their ranks. Rodgers? selection was widely expected, as he?s the reigning league MVP.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was, as expected No. 2. In something of a surprise, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was voted the third-best player in the NFL, ahead of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was No. 1 last year but slipped to No. 4 this year.
Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was the highest-ranking defensive player on the list, improving from No. 8 last year to No. 5 this year.
The full Top 100 is below.
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers quarterback 2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback 3. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions wide receiver 4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback 5. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets cornerback 6. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker 7. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver 8. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings running back 9. Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens nose tackle 10. Patrick Willis, San Fransisco 49ers inside linebacker 11. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker 12. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars running back 13. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings defensive end 14. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints tight end 15. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans wide receiver 16. Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens safety 17. Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers defensive end 18. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles running back 19. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers safety 20. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker 21. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots tight end 22. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens running back 23. Wes Welker, New England Patriots wide receiver 24. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants defensive end 25. Arian Foster, Houston Texans running back 26. Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears defensive end 27. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker 28. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers running back 29. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker 30. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback 31. Eli Manning, New York Giants quarterback 32. Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints guard 33. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears running back 34. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker 35. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers wide receiver 36. Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers cornerback 37. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams running back 38. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions defensive end 39. Victor Cruz, New York Giants wide receiver 40. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers quarterback 41. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions quarterback 42. Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles left tackle 43. Vernon Davis, San Fransisco 49ers tight end 44. Jason Babin, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end 45. Vonta Leach, Baltimore Ravens fullback 46. Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos cornerback 47. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver 48. Devin Hester, Chicago Bears returner 49. Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers center 50. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos quarterback 51. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears middle linebacker 52. Von Miller, Denver Broncos outside linebacker 53. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons tight end 54. Brian Cushing, Houston Texans inside linebacker 55. Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals cornerback 56. Greg Jennings Green Bay Packers receiver 57 Trent Cole Philadelphia Eagles defensive end 58 Jonathan Vilma New Orleans Saints middle linebacker 59 Jake Long Miami Dolphins left tackle 60 Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders running back 61 Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers quarterback 62 Justin Tuck New York Giants defensive end 63 LaMarr Woodley Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker 64 Logan Mankins New England Patriots guard 65 Roddy White Atlanta Falcons receiver 66 Earl Thomas Seattle Seahawks Safety 67 Joe Staley San Fransisco 49ers tackle 68 Elvis Dumervil Denver Broncos defensive end 69 Carlos Rogers San Francisco 49ers cornerback 70 Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles quarterback 71 DeSean Jackson Philadelphia Eagles receiver 72 Lance Briggs Chicago Bears outside linebacker 73 Johnathan Joseph, Houston Texans cornerback 74 Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens quarterback 75 Jason Witten Dallas Cowboys tight end 76 Carl Nicks New Orleans Saints guard 77 A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver 78 Derrick Johnson Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker 79 Nnamdi Asomugha Philadelphia Eagles cornerback 80 Jordy Nelson Green Bay Packers receiver 81 Vince Wilfork New England Patriots nose tackle 82 Joe Thomas Cleveland Browns left tackle 83 Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills running back 84 Chris Long St. Louis Rams defensive end 85 NaVorro Bowman San Fransisco 49ers linebacker 86 Darren Sproles New Orleans Saints running back 87 London Fletcher Washington Redskins linebacker 88 Michael Turner Atlanta Falcons running back 89 Dwight Freeney Indianapolis Colts defensive end 90 Hakeem Nicks New York Giants wide receiver 91 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys quarterback 92 John Kuhn Green Bay Packers fullback 93 Cortland Finnegan Tennessee Titans cornerback 94 Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks running back 95 Tim Tebow Denver Broncos quarterback 96 D?Qwell Jackson Cleveland Browns inside linebacker 97 Donald Penn Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle 98 Willis McGahee Denver Broncos running back 99 Ryan Kalil Carolina Panthers center 100 Chris Johnson Tennessee Titans running back
Fans of the Indiana Jones series already got the good news in March that the flicks are finally coming to Blu-ray this year, and now we know when. Paramount has set September 18th as the release date, and also finally revealed cover art for the set, seen above... yeah, that's really it. No matter how cartoony it is (or how mind-numbing Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was) we're sure some will still be lining up when it ships. For their trouble, they can expect a "meticulously restored" edition of Raiders of the Lost Ark, after a process supervised by director Steven Spielberg and sound designer Ben Burtt. This has included a 4K scan of the original negatives, as well as a revisiting to the original audio mix, with music tracks and sound effects that had previously only been used in mono upgraded to stereo surround for the 5.1 DTS-HD MA track. Check after the break for a press release with more details on the restoration and a trailer for the boxed set, or head to Amazon where the price is currently sitting at $90 to preorder.
Getting started in setting up a fancy eCommerce store with attractive features can really not start till one gains faith of the browsers to our online portal. eCommerce businesses globally are facing a fierce issue Browse but not buy behavior from online community.
To combat abandoned carts, what steps must a Retailer really take??
The only possible way out to this is by gaining trust, which means by gaining the confidence of visitors to your site so that they buy from your online store without any fear. The best possible way through which online retailers (especially pure online retailers ? with or without inventory) can gain trust is to ?HUMANIZE THE ONLINE STORE?.
Question in focus is how?
It simply refers to making your online store more interactive by providing value added features ?which ensure the genuinity of transactions to online shoppers & makes them? believe that they a dealing with are a real business and/or person to automated machine or a piece of junk software.
There are a few strategies that can help you humanize your eCommerce store, which in turn would help you gain trust and build a huge & loyal customer base.
Chat Live:?Adding a LIVE CHAT button on an eCommerce website is a method for telling people that their queries will be straightaway answered by the appointed customer support representatives. More often, live chats are text based & one can easily manage resources from their existing Brick & mortar channel without much of? pain
Speak Live? with your customers:?Providing a facility for your online shoppers to speak to you or your associates is one of the best ways to humanize online business. Employing Toll-free numbers has been a globally accepted phenomenon to interact with your client & reaffirm that he is doing business at the right place. With Cloud telephony becoming a rage call back forms or click to call functionality too can be conveniently integrated to an eCommerce portal.
Broadcast Live:?Videos of product reviews, demos, and so on from your product expert would also add value. ? Videos are one of the most effective ways to communicate with the modern mobile, social shopper, it generates curiosity and has been a great medium to generate sales.
Mail Live:?Another feature that can help is email forms and email ids provided on your website. It allows people to email instantly to reach you if they have any queries.
Answer Live:?Online shoppers are always on the quest for product information, so they ask questions on forums, visit review sites and other authentic sources. Making your staff/product experts available at these places for answering these queries will help shoppers gain trust.
Be Social:? Integrating your online store to the social environment contributes a lot towards humanizing your store. Social media plays a monumental role in brand building; there are numerous tools to publish yourself and network with end users directly. Successful online retailers have used them to track customer preferences & choices and have succeeded in outshining others who didn?t
ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) ? Queen Elizabeth II is beginning a two-day visit to Northern Ireland celebrating the British territory's hard-won peace in a town that suffered one of the IRA's worst massacres.
The British monarch's planned meeting Wednesday with former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness comes the day after her visit to Enniskillen, where a no-warning IRA bomb in 1987 killed 11 Protestant civilians and wounded 63 others as they commemorated British dead from the two world wars.
The queen is expected to meet survivors and relatives of the dead alongside religious services in Enniskillen's neighboring Protestant and Catholic cathedrals.
Worldwide revulsion at the Enniskillen massacre spurred McGuinness and other IRA chiefs to begin sounding out peace terms with the British. That quarter-century journey is to end with a Belfast handshake.
Randy Travis' ex-wife insists she didn't torpedo the country legend's career, despite Randy's accusations in a recent lawsuit. She claims he did that all on his own.
By Evan Mantyk Epoch Times StaffCreated: June 25, 2012Last Updated: June 25, 2012
Herman Cornejo in American Ballet Theatre?s ?Le Corsaire.? The ballet will be running at the Metropolitan Opera House July 2?7. (Gene Schiavone)
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PERFORMING ARTS
?Le Corsaire?: American Ballet Theatre
An extravagant way to end American Ballet Theatre?s dazzling run in New York City, this ballet features 120 performers and showcases the company?s male dancers. Based on the 1814 poem by Lord Byron, the swashbuckling tale of adventure and romance culminates in a shipwreck billed as ?one of the most breathtaking spectacles in all of ballet.? Choreography by Konstantin Sergeyev, after Marius Petipa. Approximately 2 hours 28 minutes.
The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center July 2?7, times vary Tickets: $20?$245 www.abt.org
Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role of Mozart?s ?Don Giovanni.? (Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera)
Don Giovanni?: Live in HD
See opera at your local movie theater when the Metropolitan Opera offers a live performance of Mozart?s 1787 opera ?Don Giovanni? with high-definition video. Don Giovanni is the classic arrogant and morally deficient playboy who must pay for his misdeeds. The live performance was recorded last October and is approximately 3 hours long.
Check listings for participating movie theaters Wednesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. Encore Summer HD series continues each Wednesday through July 25 with a new opera each week. Tickets: $12.50 www.metoperafamily.org \>");
?As You Like It?: Shakespeare in the Park
Now in its 50th year, the Public Theater?s Shakespeare in the Park presents this romantic comedy that follows Rosalind, the daughter of an exiled French duke, on her adventure into the Forest of Arden. Broadway star Lily Rabe plays Rosalind. Directed by Daniel Sullivan.
Delacorte Theater, Central Park Now through June 30 Performance at 8 p.m., free tickets available beginning at 1 p.m. Two free tickets per person, distributed at Delacorte Theater www.shakespeareinthepark.org
Summertime Classics: Tchaikovsky Festival
Conducted by Bramwell Tovey and featuring pianist Simon Trpceski, the New York Philharmonic performs Tchaikovsky?s Festival Coronation March, Piano Concerto No. 2 (Siloti version), selections from Act IV of ?Swan Lake,? and 1812 Overture. Concertgoers can also reserve a two-course prix fixe meal with a complimentary glass of wine from Arpeggio Food & Wine. Call (212) 874-7000 for reservations.
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center July 6 at 8 p.m., July 9?10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $40?$50, additional $34 for meal Nyphil.org
FINE ARTS
Self-Portraits II
The Eleanor Ettinger Gallery specializes in representational art, also known as contemporary realism, which it describes as ?forever classic and enduring.? The gallery works with artists who ?explore the timeless genre with a fresh commitment and passion.? This exhibit features self-portraits by the gallery?s roster of highly skilled artists.
Eleanor Ettinger Gallery, 24 W. 57th St. Now through July 14 No admission fee www.eegallery.com
Woman in a Mulberry Dress by Isaac Sheffield (1807?1845), part of Compass: Folk Art in Four Directions (Gavin Ashworth)
Compass: Folk Art in Four Directions
Pulled from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum, this exhibition explores the rich history of New York?s seaports, an exotic, exciting, and dangerous world. The exhibit is installed in four galleries of Schermerhorn Row, the historic mercantile houses that were created between 1810 and 1812.
South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St. Now through Oct. 7 Admission: $10, Children under 9 free www.folkartmuseum.org
FAMILY
High Line Kids: Arty Hours
Let your kids get creative in the most creative park in the city. Kids can paint, draw, and build. The High Line Children?s unique Workyard Kit will be available for creating vehicles, forts, structures, and machines from custom-designed wood planks, nuts, and bolts.
High Line, between West 22nd and West 23rd streets Every Saturday this summer 10 a.m.?12 p.m. This event is free (212) 206-9922 karla.osorio-perez@thehighline.org
Music and Stories for Independence Day
Learn about America?s rich culture and history through traditional music performed by balladeer and teaching artist Linda Russell from Symphonyspace. Recommended for children ages 3 and up.
Peter J. Sharp Children?s Glade, Central Park Sunday, July 1, 12?1 p.m. This event is free Call (212) 860-1370 in case of inclement weather www.lindarussellmusic.com
Banjo Player Noam Pikelny. (Courtesy of Compass Records)
Madison Square Music: Noam Pikelny and More
Celebrate July 4th with highly acclaimed banjo player Noam Pikelyn, who will treat you to a real American bluegrass experience. Pikelyn is winner of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. Other performers include Sweetback Sisters and Spuyten Duyvil (which is Dutch slang for ?in spite of the devil?).
Madison Square Park Wednesday July 4, 3 p.m. This event is free www.madisonsquarepark.org Submit Arts Events
The arts at their best are not purely for entertainment or the reinvention of art itself. Rather, they strive forward with traditional forms, toward technical mastery, and place the highest value on virtue and the spiritually sublime.
Email events for consideration to NYC_news@epochtimes.com
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Topics to be discussed during July International Coral Reef SymposiumPublic release date: 25-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Jackie Marks media@icrs2012.com 301-495-9570 SeaWeb
Now confirmed: Schedule of daily news briefings and international coral expert presenters
The 12th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS 2012), the world's leading coral reef science conference held once every four years, will begin Monday, July 9, in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Daily media briefings will be held for reporters who are in attendance, and accessibility to this information and to coral experts will be provided through an online media portal to journalists worldwide. In addition to the briefings, journalists will be given daily updates on the groundbreaking presentations in science and management of coral reefs and contact information to pursue additional stories.
The confirmed line-up of daily media briefings, which will include presentations and discussion by scientists and experts in the featured topic areas, follows. The program book and full book of abstracts are available online.
All briefings will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre, Mezzanine level (1st floor), Meeting Room 7 (Press Briefing Room).
Monday, July 9
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The State of Coral Reefs: Leading coral experts present an overview of the state of coral reefs globally and what it will take to manage them sustainably. Briefing includes a discussion of a Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs signed by thousands of scientists worldwide and the expected outcomes from ICRS2012.
Terry Hughes, Director, Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Jeremy Jackson, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution; Professor of Oceanography Emeritus, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Stephen R. Palumbi, Jane and Marshall Steel Professor of Marine Science, Department of Biology; Harold A. Miller Director, Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University
Robert H. Richmond, President, International Society for Reef Studies; Research Professor, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lessons from the Great Barrier Reef: The most well managed reef in the world has experienced many management successes, but it continues to face as many challenges. That's why the Great Barrier Reef today is a World Heritage Area, but is being considered by UNESCO for a designation as site "in danger." What can the world learn from efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef?
Jon Brodie, Principal Research Scientist and Leader, Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University
Peter Doherty, Science Leader of the Tropical Ecosystems Hub in the National Environmental Research Program, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Alana Grech, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Laurence McCook, Manager, Outlook Report, Communications and Policy Coordination Branch, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Tuesday, July 10
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Clear and Present Danger: A changing climate is already having impacts on coral reefs. But the impacts are more complicated than it is often portrayed. There will be winners and losers of climate change and ocean acidification. Speakers explore what changes are already taking place and what that means for the future of reefs and the benefits they provide people worldwide.
Janice M. Lough, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science; Adjunct Professorial Research Fellow and Partner Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for Reef Studies, James Cook University
John M. Pandolfi, Director, Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Queensland
Roberto Iglesias Prieto, Research Scientist, Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of Mxico
Philip L. Munday, Professor, ARC QEII Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Model for Healthy Reefs: What we can learn from the CTI, a multinational partnership of six nations working together to sustain their extraordinary marine and coastal resources by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change and marine biodiversity.
Porfirio M. Alio, Professor, Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman
Bob Pressey, Distinguished Professor, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Jamaluddin Jompa, Professor and Director, Center for Coral Reef Research, Hasanuddin University
Maurice Knight, Chief of Party, USAID Coral Triangle Support Partnership, World Wildlife Fund, South Jakarta
Agnetha Vave-Karamui, Chief Conservation Officer (CTI), Environment & Conservation Division, Ministry of Environment Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Solomon Islands
Wednesday, July 11
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Reefonomics: Coral reefs are critical to the trade of live fish for food and to the aquarium and coral retail industries. But can the world's demand for reef species be sustained? From source countries to consumption countries, experts explore the cultural and economic drivers of the trade, the impact on coral reef biodiversity and the potential solutions.
Michael Fabinyi, Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Yvonne Sadovy, Professor of Marine Science, University of Hong Kong
Elizabeth Wood, Marine Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation Consultant, Marine Conservation Society, England
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Bottom-Up Conservation: While science has taught us much about coral reef management, enlisting the people who depend on the resources most for food and income in management has proven a key element of success. Reports will come from countries that have attempted to combine Western science, traditional practices and community determination in marine resource management. What elements of this are generally applicable across the globe?
Jovelyn T. Cleofe, Country Coordinator and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Philippines, LMMA Network
Stacy Jupiter, Fiji Country Program Director, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji
Cliff Marlessy, Country Coordinator, Indonesia, Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network
Alifereti Tawake, Technical Advisor, Learning Committee, Fiji LMMA Network (FLMMA); and an IUCN-WCPA North & South Pacific Marine Coordinator
Alan T. White, Senior Scientist, The Nature Conservancy, Global Marine Initiative, Hawaii
Thursday, July 12
11:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
What Big Critters Tell Us: Research presented at the Symposium involving sharks, dugongs and turtles provides critical information about how the ocean is changing and what steps need to be taken to restore and maintain the health of coral reefs.
Sean R. Connolly, ARC Australian Professorial Fellow, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Helene Marsh, Professor of Environmental Science, Dean of Graduate Research Studies, James Cook University
Loren E. McClenachan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Colby College, Maine
Mark Meekan, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Reef Connections: New research shows the early travels of fish and coral larvae provide important lessons on how reefs should be managed, including information about the value of Marine Protected Areas. It will explore how the early life in the ocean provides an indicator to its future and the conservation strategies that need to be taken.
Leanne Fernandes, Director and Principal Consultant, Marine and Coastal Resource Management, Earth to Ocean, Townsville, Australia
Geoffrey P. Jones, Professor, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Stephen D. Simpson, Marine Biologist & NERC KE Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Bob Warner, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Journalists will have access to videos of the media briefings, which will be posted following their conclusion, as well as news releases on other research findings presented at the Symposium, high-resolution photos, b-roll video footage, and access to other ICRS events through the online media portal: www.icrs2012.com/Media.htm.
###
Key Information
What: 12th International Coral Reef Symposium: www.icrs2012.com
When: Monday, July 9 to Friday, July 13, 2012
Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Who: Experts on coral reefs and climate change, coral reef fisheries, ocean acidification, coral reef diseases, and reef management will be available for media interviews. Only registered and paid attendees and the news media can attend. Credentialed members of the press can register at www.icrs2012.com/Media.htm.
Key Facts
The first Symposium was held in 1969 in Mandapam Camp, India. ICRS has grown from participants representing 11 countries to a global scientific event with 2,000 participants from 80 countries. Previously the ICRS has convened at locations including: India, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Tahiti, Guam, Panama, Indonesia, and most recently in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA in 2008. The research and findings presented at ICRS 2012 will be fundamental in informing international and national policies and the sustainable use of coral reefs globally.
Media Contacts
Melissa Lyne: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. + 61 0415 514 328
Scott Radway: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. + 1 808 587 7740
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Topics to be discussed during July International Coral Reef SymposiumPublic release date: 25-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Jackie Marks media@icrs2012.com 301-495-9570 SeaWeb
Now confirmed: Schedule of daily news briefings and international coral expert presenters
The 12th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS 2012), the world's leading coral reef science conference held once every four years, will begin Monday, July 9, in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Daily media briefings will be held for reporters who are in attendance, and accessibility to this information and to coral experts will be provided through an online media portal to journalists worldwide. In addition to the briefings, journalists will be given daily updates on the groundbreaking presentations in science and management of coral reefs and contact information to pursue additional stories.
The confirmed line-up of daily media briefings, which will include presentations and discussion by scientists and experts in the featured topic areas, follows. The program book and full book of abstracts are available online.
All briefings will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre, Mezzanine level (1st floor), Meeting Room 7 (Press Briefing Room).
Monday, July 9
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The State of Coral Reefs: Leading coral experts present an overview of the state of coral reefs globally and what it will take to manage them sustainably. Briefing includes a discussion of a Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs signed by thousands of scientists worldwide and the expected outcomes from ICRS2012.
Terry Hughes, Director, Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Jeremy Jackson, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution; Professor of Oceanography Emeritus, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Stephen R. Palumbi, Jane and Marshall Steel Professor of Marine Science, Department of Biology; Harold A. Miller Director, Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University
Robert H. Richmond, President, International Society for Reef Studies; Research Professor, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lessons from the Great Barrier Reef: The most well managed reef in the world has experienced many management successes, but it continues to face as many challenges. That's why the Great Barrier Reef today is a World Heritage Area, but is being considered by UNESCO for a designation as site "in danger." What can the world learn from efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef?
Jon Brodie, Principal Research Scientist and Leader, Catchment to Reef Research Group, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University
Peter Doherty, Science Leader of the Tropical Ecosystems Hub in the National Environmental Research Program, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Alana Grech, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Laurence McCook, Manager, Outlook Report, Communications and Policy Coordination Branch, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Tuesday, July 10
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Clear and Present Danger: A changing climate is already having impacts on coral reefs. But the impacts are more complicated than it is often portrayed. There will be winners and losers of climate change and ocean acidification. Speakers explore what changes are already taking place and what that means for the future of reefs and the benefits they provide people worldwide.
Janice M. Lough, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science; Adjunct Professorial Research Fellow and Partner Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for Reef Studies, James Cook University
John M. Pandolfi, Director, Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Queensland
Roberto Iglesias Prieto, Research Scientist, Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of Mxico
Philip L. Munday, Professor, ARC QEII Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Model for Healthy Reefs: What we can learn from the CTI, a multinational partnership of six nations working together to sustain their extraordinary marine and coastal resources by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change and marine biodiversity.
Porfirio M. Alio, Professor, Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman
Bob Pressey, Distinguished Professor, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Jamaluddin Jompa, Professor and Director, Center for Coral Reef Research, Hasanuddin University
Maurice Knight, Chief of Party, USAID Coral Triangle Support Partnership, World Wildlife Fund, South Jakarta
Agnetha Vave-Karamui, Chief Conservation Officer (CTI), Environment & Conservation Division, Ministry of Environment Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Solomon Islands
Wednesday, July 11
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Reefonomics: Coral reefs are critical to the trade of live fish for food and to the aquarium and coral retail industries. But can the world's demand for reef species be sustained? From source countries to consumption countries, experts explore the cultural and economic drivers of the trade, the impact on coral reef biodiversity and the potential solutions.
Michael Fabinyi, Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Yvonne Sadovy, Professor of Marine Science, University of Hong Kong
Elizabeth Wood, Marine Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation Consultant, Marine Conservation Society, England
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Bottom-Up Conservation: While science has taught us much about coral reef management, enlisting the people who depend on the resources most for food and income in management has proven a key element of success. Reports will come from countries that have attempted to combine Western science, traditional practices and community determination in marine resource management. What elements of this are generally applicable across the globe?
Jovelyn T. Cleofe, Country Coordinator and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Philippines, LMMA Network
Stacy Jupiter, Fiji Country Program Director, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji
Cliff Marlessy, Country Coordinator, Indonesia, Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network
Alifereti Tawake, Technical Advisor, Learning Committee, Fiji LMMA Network (FLMMA); and an IUCN-WCPA North & South Pacific Marine Coordinator
Alan T. White, Senior Scientist, The Nature Conservancy, Global Marine Initiative, Hawaii
Thursday, July 12
11:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
What Big Critters Tell Us: Research presented at the Symposium involving sharks, dugongs and turtles provides critical information about how the ocean is changing and what steps need to be taken to restore and maintain the health of coral reefs.
Sean R. Connolly, ARC Australian Professorial Fellow, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Helene Marsh, Professor of Environmental Science, Dean of Graduate Research Studies, James Cook University
Loren E. McClenachan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Colby College, Maine
Mark Meekan, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Reef Connections: New research shows the early travels of fish and coral larvae provide important lessons on how reefs should be managed, including information about the value of Marine Protected Areas. It will explore how the early life in the ocean provides an indicator to its future and the conservation strategies that need to be taken.
Leanne Fernandes, Director and Principal Consultant, Marine and Coastal Resource Management, Earth to Ocean, Townsville, Australia
Geoffrey P. Jones, Professor, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Stephen D. Simpson, Marine Biologist & NERC KE Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Bob Warner, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Journalists will have access to videos of the media briefings, which will be posted following their conclusion, as well as news releases on other research findings presented at the Symposium, high-resolution photos, b-roll video footage, and access to other ICRS events through the online media portal: www.icrs2012.com/Media.htm.
###
Key Information
What: 12th International Coral Reef Symposium: www.icrs2012.com
When: Monday, July 9 to Friday, July 13, 2012
Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Who: Experts on coral reefs and climate change, coral reef fisheries, ocean acidification, coral reef diseases, and reef management will be available for media interviews. Only registered and paid attendees and the news media can attend. Credentialed members of the press can register at www.icrs2012.com/Media.htm.
Key Facts
The first Symposium was held in 1969 in Mandapam Camp, India. ICRS has grown from participants representing 11 countries to a global scientific event with 2,000 participants from 80 countries. Previously the ICRS has convened at locations including: India, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Tahiti, Guam, Panama, Indonesia, and most recently in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA in 2008. The research and findings presented at ICRS 2012 will be fundamental in informing international and national policies and the sustainable use of coral reefs globally.
Media Contacts
Melissa Lyne: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. + 61 0415 514 328
Scott Radway: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. + 1 808 587 7740
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Finally, the school door's closed, your schoolbag thrown underneath your bed to lie there, gathering dust for the next three months. It's summertime! No more school until September, no more teachers complaining about your attitude and most important of all: no more homework! This all means that you have all three months for yourself! As always, everyone travels west to the coast, to the beach of a little town called Summerland, where they stroll down the boulevard with the cose cafes, popular loungebars and the all-night-lasting-clubs. Others just go there to tan, bathe in the sun or to surf. This is what summertime means; live, laugh and love. With the lazy summertime there's also time for love, flirts and crushes...
This is the basic idea. I'm not very familiar with RPgateway anymore ( I used to play here a long, long time ago, though), but I'd like to catch up again with the PbP RP. I prefer the realistic ones, So, I just decided to come up with this little plot, it's not really extended, but it's clear enough to get the basic idea.
Would there be enough people interested in this, you think, or is it too cheesy to make a nice, literate RP of?
If you’re looking for a simple way to improve the picture quality of your TV, the Darbee might be one of the easiest ways to do it. The Darbee is a small iPhone sized device that has HDMI Input and an HDMI Output jacks. Plug this device in between your HD TV and your source [...]
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Egypt's ruling military has issued a declaration apparently granting itself sweeping powers, as the country awaits results of presidential elections, according to BBC. The document by the Supreme Council of Armed ...
Source: Panorama
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Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, a half brother of King Abdullah, died on Saturday, the royal court said, leaving the oil powerhouse with no apparent successor to the throne.
Prince Nayef, a long-serving interior minister, "died outside" Saudi Arabia having recently left the Gulf state for medical treatment, said a statement carried by state media, including Al-Ekhbariyah Television and SPA news agency.
His funeral would be held on Sunday after sunset prayers in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, after his body is repatriated, it added.
The 79-year-old prince died of "cardiac problems" while he was in Switzerland, at his brother's residence in Geneva, according to a medical source in the city who requested not to be identified.
US President Barack Obama offered King Abdullah, the royal family and the Saudi people his "deepest condolences".
"Under his leadership, the United States and Saudi Arabia developed a strong and effective partnership in the fight against terrorism, one that has saved countless American and Saudi lives," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House.
French President Francois Hollande said his country lost a "friend" who "contributed in a decisive way to Franco-Saudi relations," according to a statement from his office.
Nayef's death, just eight months after he replaced his late brother crown prince Sultan, raises the issue of succession because of the advanced age of the first line of apparent heirs, at a time of turmoil rocking the Arab world.
King Abdullah himself is 88 and ailing, and nobody is officially in line to replace Nayef.
However, his brother Prince Salman, 76, who took over the portfolio of defence minister after Sultan's death, appears to be a strong candidate.
The monarch established in 2006 the allegiance council, a body of around 35 senior princes, as a new succession mechanism aimed in the long term to choose the crown prince.
"No doubt, the new crown prince will be appointed by the allegiance council," said Anwar Eshqi, head of the Jeddah-based Middle East Centre for Strategic Studies.
"All expectations point to Prince Salman to succeed Prince Nayef for his experience in administration, security and politics," he said.
But the new commission had not been activated when Nayef was chosen as crown prince, according to political scientist Khaled al-Dakheel, who argued that naming his successor is a chance to put the new body to use.
"Prince Nayef was named under the old system, without activating the allegiance council system," he said, pointing to the royal decree that established the council and postponed its use until after Abdullah's death.
"This is a chance to activate the allegiance council system... which provides a legal foundation for a peaceful power transfer within the family and leaves no room for surprises. This is important for state stability," Dakheel said.
Nayef, who spearheaded Saudi Arabia's clampdown on Al-Qaeda following a wave of attacks in the conservative kingdom between 2003 and 2006, became heir to the throne in October last year.
He was the middle prince of the Sudairi Seven, the formidable bloc of sons of King Abdul Aziz by a favourite wife, Princess Hassa al-Sudairi.
Prince Nayef travelled abroad several times this year for medical reasons, including to Algeria, the United States and Switzerland, where he was shown on television in Geneva three days ago greeting supporters.
The nature of his illness has not been made public.
Less than two weeks ago, his brother Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying in a Saudi daily that the crown prince was in "good health" and would "soon" return to the kingdom.
On May 26, SPA reported that Prince Nayef had left the country for medical tests abroad for the second time in less than three months, without naming his destination.
In March, the royal palace said he was in Algeria on holiday after the results of medical tests carried out in the US city of Cleveland were reported as "reassuring."
He returned to Saudi Arabia from Algeria on April 10.
Seen as more conservative than King Abdullah, Prince Nayef was a staunch defender of the Saudi dynasty who resisted any form of opposition.
He ordered and oversaw a fierce crackdown on Al-Qaeda, forcing the jihadist group's leaders and militants to flee to Yemen, from where they continue to threaten Saudi interests.
As interior minister, Prince Nayef also dismantled charitable organisations that collected donations for the terror network.
He was known to be close to the religious establishment, and has opposed introducing elections to vote in members of the all-appointed consultative council, as well as being against allowing women to vote in municipal elections.
During his 37 years as interior minister, Nayef also made sure that women were not allowed to drive, decreeing in 1990, following a daring demonstration in cars by 47 Saudi women, that women were banned from getting behind the wheel.
Jordan, meanwhile, declared a day of national mourning on Sunday while Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Nayef "worked to strengthen ties between all Arab and Islamic countries."
In 2011, a record 46 million people - or 1 in 7 Americans -- participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as Food Stamps.
The increased use of Food Stamps is a huge social and political issue for America, and it's also big business. In 2011, the U.S. government spent $72 billion on Food Stamps.
Among the beneficiaries, food producers such as Cargill, PepsiCo. (PEP), Coca-Cola (KO) and Kraft (KFT), as well as retailers like Wal-Mart. Of course, Wall Street gets a cut too, led by JPMorgan Chase (JPM), which administers the SNAP benefits in 24 states.
In the accompanying video, I discuss the (big) business of Food Stamps with Marion Nestle, professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University and author of several books, most recently Why Calories Count.
Generally speaking, Nestle is a supporter of the program, calling it "the only safety net we have left for the poor."
However, with obesity rates rising among the poor -- and obesity a huge factor in rising health-care costs -- Nestle and other health experts wonder whether there should be restrictions on what kind of foods can be purchased with Food Stamps.
Currently, there are few restrictions on what can be purchased with Food Stamps, other than alcohol and prepared foods.
Here's Where the Profits Come In
"Here's where the profits come in," Nestle says. "A vast percentage of Food Stamps' money goes into the pockets of soda companies and snack food companies...and also the stores that sell these foods."
Wal-Mart "gets a large fraction of Food Stamp dollars," which contributes 25% to 40% of revenue at select stores, according to Nestle. "These companies, therefore, have a vested interest in making sure Food Stamps are allowed for any purchase at all."
Funding for Food Stamps comes from the Farm Bill, which is currently being debated in Congress. "You can bet the food companies like it just the way it is and they are lobbying" to prevent restrictions on how Food Stamp dollars are spent, Nestle says.
Citing a recent report by public health lawyer Michele Simon at EatDrinkPolitics.com, Nestle recently made the following observations on her blog about "some of the politics behind efforts to maintain the status quo":
Food industry groups such as the American Beverage Association and the Snack Food Association teamed up with anti-hunger groups to oppose health-oriented improvements to SNAP.
Companies such as Cargill, PepsiCo, and Kroger lobbied Congress on SNAP, while also donating money to America's top anti-hunger organizations (who fear any changes to the Food Stamps program will result in benefit cuts).
At least 9 states have proposed bills to make health-oriented improvements to SNAP, but none have passed, in part due to opposition from the food industry.
Coca-Cola, the Corn Refiners of America, and Kraft Foods all lobbied against a Florida bill that aimed to disallow SNAP purchases for soda and junk food.
Banks and other private contractors are reaping significant windfalls from the economic downturn and increasing SNAP participation.
"The point here is that banks that administer SNAP have a vested interest in keeping SNAP enrollments high and makers of junk foods have a vested interest in making sure that there are no restrictions on use of benefits," she writes.
As you'll see in the accompanying video, one other thing stands out when discussing these issues: There is no public data available on how Food Stamp funds are being spent.
"If there are data on what Food Stamps are spent on, they are proprietary data the companies have and either the government doesn't know, doesn't have access or isn't saying," Nestle observes.
Whatever you think of the program or whether there should restrictions on Food Stamps, we have a right to know how (and where) these taxpayer funds are being spent.
Aaron Task is the host of The Daily Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @aarontask or email him at altask@yahoo.com
Nik Wallenda walks across Niagara Falls on a tightrope as seen from Niagara Falls, N.Y., Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls. The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. (AP Photo/James P. McCoy)
Nik Wallenda walks across Niagara Falls on a tightrope as seen from Niagara Falls, N.Y., Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls. The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. (AP Photo/James P. McCoy)
Nik Wallenda walks over Niagara Falls on a tightrope in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls. The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)
Nik Wallenda walks over Niagara Falls on a tightrope in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls. The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)
Nik Wallenda walks a tightrope over Niagara Falls as seen from Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Friday, June 15, 2012. Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls. The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
Graphic explains Nik Wallenda's high wire walk across Niagara Falls
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) ? There was "wind coming from every which way," mist so powerful it clouded his vision and an unfamiliar wire beneath him, but daredevil Nik Wallenda didn't let that stop him from becoming the first person to walk on a tightrope across the Niagara Falls.
He took steady, measured steps Friday night for 1,800 feet on a wire across the widest part of the gorge of the roaring falls separating the U.S. and Canada, accomplishing what he said was his childhood dream ? albeit wearing a tether.
"I feel like I'm on cloud nine right now," an exuberant Wallenda told reporters after his feat, which he performed before an estimated 112,000 people crowding the shores of both countries and millions more who watched a live television broadcast.
"I hope what I do and what I just did inspires people around the world to reach for the skies," he said.
He described a breathtaking view during the nighttime walk illuminated by spotlights that "compared to nothing."
"There was no way to focus on the movement of the cable," said Wallenda, 33. "If I looked down at the cable there was water moving everywhere. And if I looked up there was heavy mist blowing in front of my face. So it was a very unique, a weird sensation."
He said he accomplished the feat through "a lot of praying, that's for sure. But, you know, it's all about the concentration, the focus, and the training."
The seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas had long dreamed of pulling off the stunt, never before attempted. Other daredevils have wire-walked over the Niagara River but farther downstream and not since 1896.
"This is what dreams are made of, people," said Wallenda, who wore a microphone for the broadcast, shortly after he stepped off from a platform on the American shore.
Along the way, he calmly prayed aloud.
After passing the halfway mark, Wallenda expressed fatigue. "I'm strained, I'm drained," he said. "This is so physical, not only mental but physical."
Toward the end, as he neared the Canadian shore, Wallenda dropped to one knee and pumped his fist while the spectators cheered. He broke into a playful run about 15 feet from the finish line, where his wife and three children waited.
"I am so blessed," he said later. "How blessed I am to have the life that I have."
ABC televised the walk and insisted Wallenda use a tether to keep him from falling in the river. Wallenda said he agreed because he wasn't willing to lose the chance to perform the walk it took him well over a year to win permission from two countries to do. Such stunts are normally illegal. ABC's sponsorship helped offset some of the $1.3 million cost of the spectacle.
Wallenda said he thought about the tether, which was secured at his waist and dragged behind him, at several points along the 30-minute walk but wasn't hindered by it as he'd feared.
"Awesome! The whole thing is awesome," 8-year-old William Clements of Dresden, Ontario, said after watching the walk with his family from the Canadian side, adding he wouldn't want to walk "even over something not high."
"He was meant to do it. The weather was perfect," said Glenda Rutherford of Ontario. "It was amazing."
For Wallenda, who has grown up on the high wire and holds six Guinness records for various stunts, the Niagara Falls walk was unlike anything he'd ever done. Because it was over water, the 2-inch wire didn't have the usual stabilizer cables to keep it from swinging. Pendulum anchors were designed to keep it from twisting under the elkskin-soled shoes designed by his mother.
The Wallendas trace their roots to 1780 Austria-Hungary, when ancestors traveled as a band of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, animal trainers and trapeze artists. The clan has been touched by tragedy, notably in 1978 when patriarch Karl Wallenda, Nik's great-grandfather, fell to his death during a stunt in Puerto Rico.
Wallenda said that at one point in the middle of the walk, he thought about his great-grandfather and the walks he had taken: "That's what this is all about, paying tribute to my ancestors, and my hero, Karl Wallenda."
About a dozen other tightrope artists have crossed the Niagara Gorge downstream, dating to Jean Francois Gravelet, aka The Great Blondin, in 1859. But no one had walked directly over the falls, and authorities hadn't allowed any tightrope acts in the area since 1896. It took Wallenda two years to persuade U.S. and Canadian authorities to allow it, and many civic leaders hoped to use the publicity to jumpstart the region's struggling economy, particularly on the U.S. side of the falls.
___
Associated Press Writer Jennifer Peltz in New York City contributed to this report.
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