NJTransit term "unprecedented destruction" Superstorm sand out the mass transit system of New Jersey suspended until further notice, officials said Tuesday.
Power lines and trees falling onto the track vehicles across the state, several bridges damaged by storms, floods experienced team and part of the North Jersey Coast Line NJTransit wash, said James Simpson, Commissioner of the state Department of Transportation. and the device is immersed in water. A major intersection in Midtown direct route - a popular channel for the City of New York-bound passengers - also wash.
None of the 11 rail commuter line NJTransit saved, Gov. Chris Christie told a news conference on Tuesday: "There is no major damage to any line of Railroad of New Jersey," he said.
Storm chaos created by the train routes passing near the beach.
Two tug boats collided on the beach Raritan River Draw Bridge Tuesday morning. Morgan Drawbridge Line, three boats and two cargo containers fell during the period Cheesequake Creek, and two boats arrived at the top left of the bridge.
"The boat was removed from the bridge," said spokesman John Durso NJTransit.
Major transit centers in Hoboken, Secaucus, and Newark Penn Station was flooded, the PATH station. Water also rushed through the tunnel from the Newark Light Rail and port wire catenary railway station Imperial Hudson-Bergen Light.
Ease of maintenance in Kearny completely surrounded by swamp surrounding water Tuesday. NJTransit Damage is based in Newark, where 78 mph winds remained. The window broke and flooded parking lot.
NJTransit crew began the process of examining 500 miles of real estate agents and over 300 songs in the entire state, including bridges, catenary lines and equipment on Tuesday morning.
"It's a grueling process," said Durso. "Our customers should not expect the system to resume soon."
Bus was better during the storm, receiving only minor flooding garage. Durso said the bus service likely to resume the new rail service.
It is too early to determine the amount of damage or the way you pay, Mr. Durso said.
Showing posts with label hot news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hot news. Show all posts
11.02.2012
The tone became threatening weather channel because the storm is imminent in Sandy
New York - The Weather Channel has a third day in a row on guard all day to come superstorm, and the tone of their tellers to be building more fun on Sunday there was evidence that their predictions have come true.
Network to broadcast live coverage of TV online for people in the eastern United States lost the power to keep up with the news on their mobile devices. The storm is expected to affect nearly 50 million people.
"We want them to know that we are exaggerating this storm, okay?" In the air meteorologist Vivian Brown. "We did not do that when the channel, because we want to alert and conscious."
Network television news more sand storms laced with stories like the presidential campaign. In New York, the local CBS outlet publishes a split screen with the Governor of New Jersey. Chris Christie gives hurricane conference Sunday afternoon and the New York Jets play against the Miami Dolphins.
But Hurricane sand, mixed with other weather systems to create a storm of unprecedented power in the region, attracting the attention of Weather Channel Forecasts.
Network Julie Martin, parked on a beach in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, seems to be tired of the wind and rain storm as resistance describes a series of live reports.
Meteorologist Jim Cantore, the most visible figures of the chain, said that it is like nothing ever seen or met him. I had to take a short break from their reports live from Battery Park City in New York to move their assets because their hotel was evacuated, the evacuation zone are also apartments publication.
Bryan Norcross, hurricane specialist core network, said in an interview that the network is trying to keep the tone serious but urgent. Computer network model is consistent with their prediction that the storm and did as planned, it could be difficult.
"Our goal is to get people to appreciate the magnitude of the storm and try to show them, based on what we know, it will be a system of their experience," said Norcross.
The Weather Channel has sent a message via Twitter that he called "an incredible storm, a very serious threat" and urged his followers to re-tweet. Storm "occupies a place in the annals of history as one of the most remarkable that affect the United States," writes network.
Quick, Business Insider Twitter: "Whoa. The Weather Channel meteorologists predict quite nervous. '
Full message of concern for the people in the street, and some rare twitter. Comic Ricky Gervais jokes lewd suggestions, while media mogul Rupert Murdoch tweeted: ". Feels weird, but kids are preparing to celebrate the school is not "
ABC News published a news blog related to the storm, while another Twitter message contains a link to a live webcam where computer users can keep track of the storm.
Cosmopolitan Magazine Twitter council "how to cut your bangs at home (because if you're going to be house-bound for Sandy, why not?) '. "Sesame Street" offers a set of tools to help children understand what is going storm.
Choosing the Weather Channel, there are also people who see a business opportunity. There are companies that make announcements electric generator to keep the home when the power cord.
Partly to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, the Weather Channel refrain from using "Frankenstorm" nickname coined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week when hurricane computer models predicted.
4.18.2011
In North, Civil War sites, events long 'forgotten'
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The gravesite of your Union Army major normal sits largely forgotten in a very small cemetery along that Massachusetts Turnpike. A little bit of the coat worn through President Abraham Lincoln whenever he was assassinated rests quietly inside a library attic in some sort of Boston suburb. It's established upon request, a extraordinary occurrence. A monument honoring among the list of first official Civil Struggle black units stands within a busy intersection while you're watching Massachusetts Statehouse, barely gaining notice from your hustle of tourists and workers who ignore each day. As the world marks the 150th anniversary from the Civil War, states within the old South — along side it that lost — will be hosting elaborate re-enactments, complex memorials, even formal galas showcasing the war's persistent legacy while in the region. But for many states inside the North — the facet that won — just scant, smaller events are planned in a place of the nation in which helped sparked the turmoil but now, historians point out, struggles to acknowledge this. "It's almost like this never happened, " claimed Annie Murphy, executive director belonging to the Framingham History Center within Framingham, Mass. "But all you've got to do is browse around and see evidence so it did. It's just men and women aren't looking here. " Massachusetts, a state that sent greater than 150, 000 men to war and was home to a few of the nation's most radical abolitionists, made a Civil War commemoration " transaction fee " just earlier this four week period. Aging monuments stand unattended, often even vandalized. Sites of major historical events regarding the war remain basically unknown and often take on the more regionally favorite American Revolution attractions. Relationship, states like Arkansas, Va, North Carolina and Missouri not merely established commissions months, otherwise years ago, but have ambitious plans for memories around well-known tourist web sites and events. In Southern area Carolina, for example, 300 Civil War re-enactors participated this morning in well-organized staged fights to mark the addition of the war. To be positive, some Northern states own Civil War events planned and now have formed commemoration commissions. Connecticut's 150th Civil War Commemoration was create in 2008 and has scheduled many events and exhibits until finally 2015. Vermont, the initial state to outlaw captivity, started a similar commission a year ago to coordinate activities statewide and also in towns. And some Massachusetts modest non-profit and historic groups making the effort to spark interest through study, planned tours and village events. But observers say those events pale matched against those in the Sth. That difference highlights Upper states' long struggle with how you can remember a war that's largely fought on Southeast soil, said Steven Mintz, some sort of Columbia University history mentor and author of "Moralists as well as Modernizers: America's Pre-Civil Struggle Reformers. " For North states like Massachusetts, Mintz said revisiting the Civil War includes revisiting their own unsolved, less than enjoyable issues like racial inequality soon after slavery. "We've spent a century including a half turning (the war) proper gigantic North-South football game where everybody was a good guy, " Mintz said. "In various other words, we depoliticized an entire meaning of the warfare. And insofar as it absolutely was captured, it was captured with the descendants of the Confederates. " Son's of Confederate Veterans, an organization open to male descendants with veterans who served inside Confederate armed forces, include 30, 000 members throughout the Old South. The Sons belonging to the Union Veterans of that Civil War has 6TH, 000 members. Kevin Tucker, Massachusetts Department Commander with the Sons of the Marriage Veterans, said some Northern descendants really don't even know they're regarding Union veterans. "I discovered after my father have some research and found that my great-great-grandfather have collected a Union type of pension, " said Tucker, regarding Wakefield. "Until then, Thought about no idea. " Recognise Simpson, 57, South Carolina commander involving Sons of Confederate Veterans, said his family suspected for generations about his great-great-grandfather's service while in the Confederacy. "I visit his gravesite on an annual basis and put a banner down, " Simpson claimed. "He is real to my opinion. " Mintz said the actual North has another element affecting its Civil Warfare memory: immigration from Italy and Eastern Europe for the turn of the Twentieth century. He said these populations, and more new immigrants, sometimes struggle to spot with that war in comparison to more contemporary ones. Next, Mintz said, after the Civil War many Northerners moved West — also to the South. History buffs with all the Framingham History Center within Framingham, Mass.,a town where occupants say "The Battle Hymn belonging to the Republic" was first sung, said they may be using the sesquicentennial to be able to bring attention to long-forgotten area Civil War sites plus personalities. Included in a planned event is really a celebration at Harmony Grove, site of a lot anti-slavery rallies where abolitionist Bill Lloyd Garrison famously burned a copy with the U. S. Constitution and called it a "pact with all the Devil. " Today, only a small plaque facing a house announces the particular historic site now ornamented by industrial lots, train tracks including a motorcycle shop. Volunteers additionally hope to raise all around $1 million for Framingham's dilapidated Municipal War memorial building to help repair its cracked surfaces and leaky ceiling. The building houses any memorial honoring Framingham soldiers killed while in the war and an Us flag that flew with the Battles of Gettysburg and also Antietam. (Murphy said the flag was discovered while in the 1990s after being forgotten inside a case for 90 ages. ) Fred Wallace, your town's historian, said that more to the point, volunteers wanted to deliver attention to General George THEY WOULD. Gordon, a long-forgotten Union good guy from Framingham who appeared to be a prolific writer and organizer belonging to the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. "I do not understand how this man had been lost to history, " claimed Wallace, who has researched Gordon's life as well as being now writing a biography with him. "He was down the middle of everything. " During a freshly released afternoon, Murphy took your reporter and photographer to be able to Gordon's gravesite, which she said is included in a structured walking tour. But Murphy couldn't locate your website and a cemetery official was required to comb through maps to look for it. Murphy said putting the particular pieces together of Gordon's life is section of the fun, even if it surprises residents. "When I was told we lived in what was once a barn of Gen. Gordon's deer, " 81-year-old Ellen Shaw claimed, "I was like...Normal who? " Since then Shaw offers joined history buffs in seeking what they believe is really a marker announcing the gravesite involving Ashby, Gordon's horse in several battles. She hasn't positioned it on her residence. "I hope I find it at some point when I'm just taking walks around outside, " Shaw claimed. "Then I can declare, 'Glad to meet people. Sorry we forgot in relation to you. '".
2.02.2011
UW-Madison experts available to media to discuss State of the State
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about in the following paragraphs. If there's at least one fact you didn't know before, imagine the difference it might make. uw madison
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Gov. Scott Walker is scheduled to give his first State of the State address to the Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 1. UW-Madison has a number of experts who can discuss the speech and some of the issues Walker has focused on in the first two months in office:
* Dennis Dresang, emeritus professor of political science, is an expert on Wisconsin politics and can discuss how Walker's message compares with previous Wisconsin governors. Contact: dresang@lafollette.wisc.edu, 608-238-8714.
* Michael Flaherty, senior lecturer of life sciences communication and former state Capitol reporter in Wisconsin, is an expert on the media and public relations and its role in public dialogue and can discuss how Walker's approach to delivering the speech differs from that of past Wisconsin governors. Contact info: mjflaher@wisc.edu, 608-332-5200.
* Charles Franklin, professor of political science, is an expert on public opinion and can discuss how the speech could affect Wisconsin voters and members of the state Legislature. Contact info: franklin@polisci.wisc.edu, 608-235-1960.
* Andrew Reschovsky, professor of public affairs and applied economics for the La Follette School of Public Affairs, can talk about the state budget and efforts to reduce the state’s estimated $3.1 billion deficit. Contact: reschovsky@lafollette.wisc.edu, 608-263-0447.
* Peter Carstensen, professor of law, is an expert on torts and insurance and can discuss Walker's plans for tort reform in the state of Wisconsin. Contact info: pccarste@wisc.edu, 608-263-7416.
* Kathy Cramer Walsh, associate professor of political science and a faculty research scholar with Morgridge Center for Public Service, is an expert on civic engagement and political communication who can discuss the speech as a tool for communicating with the public. Walsh can also weigh in on the discussions about civility in public discourse sparked by the Arizona shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Contact: kwalsh2@wisc.edu, 608-265-3679. Note: Walsh is only available for comment in the days leading up to the speech, not after.
You can't predict when knowing something extra about will come in handy. If you learned anything new about &keyword% in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again. uw madison
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Gov. Scott Walker is scheduled to give his first State of the State address to the Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 1. UW-Madison has a number of experts who can discuss the speech and some of the issues Walker has focused on in the first two months in office:
* Dennis Dresang, emeritus professor of political science, is an expert on Wisconsin politics and can discuss how Walker's message compares with previous Wisconsin governors. Contact: dresang@lafollette.wisc.edu, 608-238-8714.
* Michael Flaherty, senior lecturer of life sciences communication and former state Capitol reporter in Wisconsin, is an expert on the media and public relations and its role in public dialogue and can discuss how Walker's approach to delivering the speech differs from that of past Wisconsin governors. Contact info: mjflaher@wisc.edu, 608-332-5200.
* Charles Franklin, professor of political science, is an expert on public opinion and can discuss how the speech could affect Wisconsin voters and members of the state Legislature. Contact info: franklin@polisci.wisc.edu, 608-235-1960.
* Andrew Reschovsky, professor of public affairs and applied economics for the La Follette School of Public Affairs, can talk about the state budget and efforts to reduce the state’s estimated $3.1 billion deficit. Contact: reschovsky@lafollette.wisc.edu, 608-263-0447.
* Peter Carstensen, professor of law, is an expert on torts and insurance and can discuss Walker's plans for tort reform in the state of Wisconsin. Contact info: pccarste@wisc.edu, 608-263-7416.
* Kathy Cramer Walsh, associate professor of political science and a faculty research scholar with Morgridge Center for Public Service, is an expert on civic engagement and political communication who can discuss the speech as a tool for communicating with the public. Walsh can also weigh in on the discussions about civility in public discourse sparked by the Arizona shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Contact: kwalsh2@wisc.edu, 608-265-3679. Note: Walsh is only available for comment in the days leading up to the speech, not after.
You can't predict when knowing something extra about will come in handy. If you learned anything new about &keyword% in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again. uw madison
1.26.2011
Ex-Minn. governor sues over body scans, pat-downs
MINNEAPOLIS – Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura sued the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration on Monday, alleging full-body scans and pat-downs at airport checkpoints violate his right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Ventura is asking a federal judge in Minnesota to issue an injunction ordering officials to stop subjecting him to "warrantless and suspicionless" scans and body searches.
The lawsuit, which also names Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and TSA Administrator John Pistole as defendants, argues the searches are "unwarranted and unreasonable intrusions on Governor Ventura's personal privacy and dignity . and are a justifiable cause for him to be concerned for his personal health and well-being."
According to the lawsuit, Ventura received a hip replacement in 2008, and since then, his titanium implant has set off metal detectors at airport security checkpoints. The lawsuit said that prior to last November officials had used a non-invasive hand-held wand to scan his body as a secondary security measure.
But when Ventura set off the metal detector in November, he was instead subjected to a body pat-down and was not given the option of a scan with a hand-held wand or an exemption for being a frequent traveler, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit said the pat-down "exposed him to humiliation and degradation through unwanted touching, gripping and rubbing of the intimate areas of his body."
It claims that under TSA's policy, Ventura will be required to either go through a full-body scanner or submit to a pat-down every time he travels because he will always set off the metal detector.
Ventura, who was Minnesota governor from 1999 through 2002 and is now the host of the television program "Conspiracy Theory," did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Napolitano said in December that the new technology and the pat-downs were "objectively safer for our traveling public."
The U.S. Attorney's Office did not immediately return an e-mail message seeking comment Monday.
The TSA's website says there are nearly 500 full-body scanners in use at 78 airports. The scanners show a traveler's physical contours on a computer screen that's viewed in a private room. Faces aren't shown, and the person's identity is supposedly not known to the screener reviewing the images.
Not all travelers are selected to go through the scanners, but the TSA requires people who decline to submit to pat-downs that include checks of the inside of their thighs and buttocks.
James Garner to be featured Tuesday on PBS’ “Pioneers of Television”
Oklahoma native James Garner will be featured on Tuesday’s episode of the PBS series “Pioneers of Television,” according to NewsOK TV blogger Melissa Hayer. The Norman native, now 82, broke out with his portrayal of the charming gambler Bret Maverick on the 1957-60 Western TV series “Maverick.”
Here is the description of Tuesday’s episode on Westerns:
Known everywhere as the quintessential American cultural identity, Westerns filled small screens across the country night after night and were some of the most successful television shows in history. Fess Parker’s portrayal of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett channeled the bravery, independence, honesty and rugged individualism of a young nation — and made Walt Disney enough money to build an empire. Westerns introduced James Garner, who starred in the television hit “Maverick,” where he developed the reluctant hero character that would cement his successful TV and film career. This episode also examines the success of Robert Conrad in “The Wild Wild West,” the popularity of “Bonanza” and the creation of the classic series “Gunsmoke” with James Arness — one of the longest-running television series of all time.
• Tonight’s new installment of the PBS series “Pioneers of Television” focuses on “Westerns.” Among those featured during the hour-long episode are Fess Parker, actor James Garner and Linda Evans who discusses strong female characters in “The Big Valley,” “The Wild Wild West,” Bonanza’,’ and Gunsmoke.’’
The speech will be carried on the networks, cable news channels and PBS.
• If you’re more interested in cupcakes than the State of the Union, tune to the Food Network (cable Channel 46) at 9 for a new episode of “Cupcake Wars.” Tonight, the bakers compete to have their delicious displays featured at the world renowned LA Auto Show.
• You can stick with the Food Network (cable Channel 46) at 10 for a new episode of “Chopped.” On tonight’s show, the chefs open their basket for the appetizer round to find a deckle of beef. Here’s the scoop: Rib-eye steak actually comes in two parts: The loin and the cap, or deckle. • There’s even more food available at 9 on the Travel Channel (cable Channel 41). On tonight’s new episode of “Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern,” Andrew samples Pennsylvania cuisine some may consider a little bizarre.
Here is the description of Tuesday’s episode on Westerns:
Known everywhere as the quintessential American cultural identity, Westerns filled small screens across the country night after night and were some of the most successful television shows in history. Fess Parker’s portrayal of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett channeled the bravery, independence, honesty and rugged individualism of a young nation — and made Walt Disney enough money to build an empire. Westerns introduced James Garner, who starred in the television hit “Maverick,” where he developed the reluctant hero character that would cement his successful TV and film career. This episode also examines the success of Robert Conrad in “The Wild Wild West,” the popularity of “Bonanza” and the creation of the classic series “Gunsmoke” with James Arness — one of the longest-running television series of all time.
• Tonight’s new installment of the PBS series “Pioneers of Television” focuses on “Westerns.” Among those featured during the hour-long episode are Fess Parker, actor James Garner and Linda Evans who discusses strong female characters in “The Big Valley,” “The Wild Wild West,” Bonanza’,’ and Gunsmoke.’’
The speech will be carried on the networks, cable news channels and PBS.
• If you’re more interested in cupcakes than the State of the Union, tune to the Food Network (cable Channel 46) at 9 for a new episode of “Cupcake Wars.” Tonight, the bakers compete to have their delicious displays featured at the world renowned LA Auto Show.
• You can stick with the Food Network (cable Channel 46) at 10 for a new episode of “Chopped.” On tonight’s show, the chefs open their basket for the appetizer round to find a deckle of beef. Here’s the scoop: Rib-eye steak actually comes in two parts: The loin and the cap, or deckle. • There’s even more food available at 9 on the Travel Channel (cable Channel 41). On tonight’s new episode of “Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern,” Andrew samples Pennsylvania cuisine some may consider a little bizarre.
1.25.2011
Mary Harvey
This article explains a few things about , and if you're interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don't know.
Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.
HARVEY, Mary A., 90, of Wellsburg, WV, passed away on January 20, 2011 in Wheeling Medical Park Hospital.
Mary was born on April 21, 1920 in Wellsburg, WV, a daughter of the late Harry A. and Margaret West Davis. She is also, preceded in death by her husband, William A. Harvey on February 8, 1975, and three brothers, and one sister.
Mary was a member of St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Wellsburg. She was a retired Site Manager of the Brooke Senior Nutrition Program, and member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Mary was devoted to St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, and was also devoted to WVU and the Steelers.
Surviving are: Son, William C. Harvey and wife Mary Beth of Wellsburg, WV; Daughter, Christina Hollis and husband, Regis of Hopewell Township, PA; six Grandchildren: Bob Hollis, Mary Beth Cordeiro, Suzanne Hollis Hernandez, Mike Hollis, Zak and Zane Harvey; nine Great-Grandchildren; Beloved friend, and caregiver, Debby Leonard and longtime friend, Rose Stone, her beautician.
Friends will be received on Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 1-5 p.m.. and on Monday, January 24, 2011 from 1-2 p.m. at the Chambers Funeral Home, 1030 Main St. Wellsburg, WV.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Vincent Joseph as celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, 1300 Charles St. Wellsburg, WV 26070.
You can't predict when knowing something extra about will come in handy. If you learned anything new about &keyword% in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.
Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.
HARVEY, Mary A., 90, of Wellsburg, WV, passed away on January 20, 2011 in Wheeling Medical Park Hospital.
Mary was born on April 21, 1920 in Wellsburg, WV, a daughter of the late Harry A. and Margaret West Davis. She is also, preceded in death by her husband, William A. Harvey on February 8, 1975, and three brothers, and one sister.
Mary was a member of St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Wellsburg. She was a retired Site Manager of the Brooke Senior Nutrition Program, and member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Mary was devoted to St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, and was also devoted to WVU and the Steelers.
Surviving are: Son, William C. Harvey and wife Mary Beth of Wellsburg, WV; Daughter, Christina Hollis and husband, Regis of Hopewell Township, PA; six Grandchildren: Bob Hollis, Mary Beth Cordeiro, Suzanne Hollis Hernandez, Mike Hollis, Zak and Zane Harvey; nine Great-Grandchildren; Beloved friend, and caregiver, Debby Leonard and longtime friend, Rose Stone, her beautician.
Friends will be received on Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 1-5 p.m.. and on Monday, January 24, 2011 from 1-2 p.m. at the Chambers Funeral Home, 1030 Main St. Wellsburg, WV.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Vincent Joseph as celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, 1300 Charles St. Wellsburg, WV 26070.
You can't predict when knowing something extra about will come in handy. If you learned anything new about &keyword% in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.
1.24.2011
Bitter cold hits Northeast, woman dies in driveway
When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.
Those of you not familiar with the latest on now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come.
NEW YORK – An arctic blast from Canada is responsible for some of the frigid temperatures in the northern U.S. and some of the coldest air to hit the Northeast in two years.
The cold was linked to at least two deaths in the Northeast, including that of a woman whose frozen body was found in a driveway.
Temperatures were projected to fall well below zero across New England on Sunday night as a high-pressure area builds over the region. The coldest spots will dip to less than 30 degrees below zero, with the wind chill expected to drop to 51 below zero in some places, the National Weather Service said.
"This is the coldest air we've had in about two years," said Michael Hill, a weather service meteorologist in Caribou, Maine.
Emergency management agencies were urging residents to bundle up and heat their homes safely. Shelters were preparing for an increase in the number of people wanting to get out of the cold, and authorities in Maine and Pennsylvania waived restrictions on heating oil delivery.
Northern New England is used to cold winters; a remote site in northern Maine recorded a minus 50 reading on Jan. 16, 2009, that tied a 1933 record set in Vermont for the coldest temperature recorded in New England.
But last year's relatively warm winter provided a respite from the dangerously cold temperatures that are being forecast for early this week. Temperatures are expected to rise somewhat Tuesday before reaching seasonable levels Wednesday.
Though a high of 24 was forecast for New York's Central Park on Sunday, wind chills made daytime temperatures feel more like 3 to 7.
The National Weather Service predicted a high of 19 on Monday, meteorologist Joe Pollina said. That's the coldest it's been in New York City since Jan. 16, 2009, when the high was 16.
In Philadelphia, the city extended an alert issued Thursday that gives officials the power to go out onto the streets and bring in homeless people to shelters because the weather conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death.
About 90 miles northwest of Philadelphia, a man died after spending the night in his car in frigid temperatures in Lansford, and his wife found him Saturday morning. Temperatures had dropped into the single digits overnight, Lansford police Detective Jack Soberick said, but it's unclear why 49-year-old Alan Kurtz had slept in his car.
In North Haven, Conn., a woman's frozen body was found in a home's driveway Sunday morning after a neighbor called police. Denise O'Hara apparently fell in a driveway and froze to death Saturday night, when temperatures were close to zero, police said.
In Pittsburgh, where the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the New York Jets in the NFL playoffs Sunday evening, the temperature was about 13 degrees at game time.
That's the latest from the authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.
Those of you not familiar with the latest on now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come.
NEW YORK – An arctic blast from Canada is responsible for some of the frigid temperatures in the northern U.S. and some of the coldest air to hit the Northeast in two years.
The cold was linked to at least two deaths in the Northeast, including that of a woman whose frozen body was found in a driveway.
Temperatures were projected to fall well below zero across New England on Sunday night as a high-pressure area builds over the region. The coldest spots will dip to less than 30 degrees below zero, with the wind chill expected to drop to 51 below zero in some places, the National Weather Service said.
"This is the coldest air we've had in about two years," said Michael Hill, a weather service meteorologist in Caribou, Maine.
Emergency management agencies were urging residents to bundle up and heat their homes safely. Shelters were preparing for an increase in the number of people wanting to get out of the cold, and authorities in Maine and Pennsylvania waived restrictions on heating oil delivery.
Northern New England is used to cold winters; a remote site in northern Maine recorded a minus 50 reading on Jan. 16, 2009, that tied a 1933 record set in Vermont for the coldest temperature recorded in New England.
But last year's relatively warm winter provided a respite from the dangerously cold temperatures that are being forecast for early this week. Temperatures are expected to rise somewhat Tuesday before reaching seasonable levels Wednesday.
Though a high of 24 was forecast for New York's Central Park on Sunday, wind chills made daytime temperatures feel more like 3 to 7.
The National Weather Service predicted a high of 19 on Monday, meteorologist Joe Pollina said. That's the coldest it's been in New York City since Jan. 16, 2009, when the high was 16.
In Philadelphia, the city extended an alert issued Thursday that gives officials the power to go out onto the streets and bring in homeless people to shelters because the weather conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death.
About 90 miles northwest of Philadelphia, a man died after spending the night in his car in frigid temperatures in Lansford, and his wife found him Saturday morning. Temperatures had dropped into the single digits overnight, Lansford police Detective Jack Soberick said, but it's unclear why 49-year-old Alan Kurtz had slept in his car.
In North Haven, Conn., a woman's frozen body was found in a home's driveway Sunday morning after a neighbor called police. Denise O'Hara apparently fell in a driveway and froze to death Saturday night, when temperatures were close to zero, police said.
In Pittsburgh, where the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the New York Jets in the NFL playoffs Sunday evening, the temperature was about 13 degrees at game time.
That's the latest from the authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.
8 Surprising Energy Sappers
Are you looking for some inside information on ? Here's an up-to-date report from experts who should know.
Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you're fully informed about , keep reading.
Low energy is a common complaint among SELF readers and women in general, and it seems like our energy lags more than usual in January. Which makes sense for a number of reasons: The hectic holiday fun is over and it’s cold and gray outside, so we stay cooped up indoors, getting less exercise and likely eating more of the hearty comfort food that leaves us too full and groggy. But if you feel like you’re dragging more than you should be and the usual pick-me-ups aren’t working—a better night’s sleep, extra cup of coffee, brisk outdoor jog (if you haven’t tried this, you should—one study at the University of Rochester found that students who spent a mere 20 minutes a day outside felt much more energetic)—there might be something else going on with your health or daily habits that deserves your attention. Pick up your pace today with these fast fixes from top experts that shift you out of slow-mo.
Energy sapper: your breakfast menu
Missing a morning meal slows metabolism and depletes your body of the fuel it needs to function optimally, explains nutrition expert Joy Bauer, R.D. But what you eat matters as much as the fact that you eat something. Bauer suggests starting each day with a breakfast that contains at least 5 grams of protein. This nutrient activates the production of norepinephrine, a neurochemical that increases heart rate and alertness. It also digests slowly so blood sugar and energy levels stay stable. Some tasty recipes: a cup of cereal (with 3 g or more of fiber, no more than 120 calories per serving) topped with skim milk, 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts (10 g of protein per serving), or an omelet made with 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup chopped broccoli, 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1 ounce lowfat shredded cheese (22 g of protein per serving).
Energy sapper: your outfit
Those killer heels and pencil skirts may look polished and professional, but if you’re sacrificing comfort for fashion, they can also turn you into the office sloth. Workers took an average of 491 fewer steps on days they wore more formal business attire compared with dress-down days, according to research commissioned by the American Council on Exercise in San Diego. And using less energy leads to having less energy, says Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., chief science officer with ACE: “Sitting at your desk all day slows circulation, so less energizing oxygen is delivered to cells throughout your body.” Wear clothes that allow for movement and cushy footwear instead of uncomfortable heels to the office so you’ll be more likely to walk around. If you can’t part with your stilettos, keep them on at work, then slip into flats or low-heeled shoes for a lunch-break walk outdoors and your commute.
Energy sapper: your worrying
Credit card debt, a micromanaging boss—long-term stressors such as these can leave you spent. “Chronic stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, making your body work overtime,” explains Nieca Goldberg, M.D., director of the New York University Langone Medical Center Women’s Heart Program in New York City. “When you’re on edge, you also tend to tighten your muscles, which sets you up for aches and fatigue.” What’s more, worriers often take shallow breaths, so they don’t take in enough oxygen, Dr. Goldberg says. “You’re essentially hyperventilating and building up carbon dioxide in your blood, a waste product that can make you feel tired and dizzy.” When anxiety strikes, take three slow, deep breaths to give your body a big dose of energizing oxygen while slowing down a rapid heart rate. Then, as soon as you have a few minutes of downtime, do something distracting that feels good, like talking to a friend or watching a funny movie.
Energy sapper: your messy desk
Digging through piles of unorganized paperwork is a time and energy stealer in and of itself, but merely the sight of those stacks can stress you out, decrease efficiency and drain your brain, says Carol Landau, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychiatry and medicine at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island. While a little disarray is OK, in general, your desk should hold only items that you use very frequently—your computer or stapler—and the paperwork you’re working on that day,” notes Laura Stack, author of The Exhaustion Cure (Random House). Nonessential items—a labeler and a three-hole punch—can go in a drawer. To keep your desk clear, spend five minutes at the end of each day putting documents you’re working on in a neat pile and filing away the rest.
Energy sapper: your Saturday sleep-ins
“Bingeing on sleep on weekends to catch up on missed zzz’s throws off your circadian rhythm, your body’s 24-hour clock that plays a key role in sleep and wakefulness,” says Amy Wolfson, Ph.D., author of The Woman’s Book of Sleep (New Harbinger Publications). Sleeping in—and hitting the hay that night later than usual as a result—also makes it hard to readjust to your workweek routine, so you start Mondays in a fog. Strive to get up within the same 60-minute range both days: Oversleeping by more than one hour significantly disrupts your body clock. Still wake up with a case of the groggies? Open your bedroom shades as soon as your alarm goes off. The sunlight sends a signal to your brain that it’s time to get up.
Energy sapper: your lack of vitamin C
About 30 percent of women don’t get enough vitamin C, and too-low levels can zap your energy. That’s because vitamin C helps produce carnitine, a molecule that shuttles fatty acids into cells where they’re burned for energy, says Carol Johnston, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Arizona State University at Mesa. “Lack of carnitine forces the body to use carbs or protein for energy instead. That can cause your body to produce lactic acid, a waste product that builds up in tissue and fatigues muscles.” Aim to get the recommended daily allowance of 75 mg of C daily by noshing on naturally rich sources such as an orange or a kiwifruit (both have about 70 mg per fruit), broccoli (1 cup chopped: 74 mg) or strawberries (1 cup: 89 mg).
Energy sapper: your stuck-in-a-rut routine
Grandma was right: Variety is the spice of life. “We all crave diversity and challenge,” Steven Berglas, Ph.D and author of Reclaiming the Fire: How Successful People Overcome Burnout says. “When there’s no challenge in completing a task, you go on autopilot—it’s mind-numbing.” If job monotony is dragging you down, ask your boss for more or different responsibilities, or have lunch with someone in another department to find out if her type of job is something you’d like to explore, Berglas suggests. Blasé about your daily regimen? Simple change-ups can deliver some rut-busting benefits. For instance, find an alternate route home (and stop at a park or shop that grabs your eye along the way); sign up for a language, pottery or photography class to get your brain chomping on something new; or trade the treadmill for a fun circuit training class.
Energy sapper: your sluggish thyroid
Found at the base of the throat, this gland secretes hormones that help control metabolism, heart rate and more. “The less active your thyroid is in producing hormones, the slower your metabolism and the less energy you have,” says Stephen Richardson, M.D., an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. Other telltale signs of an underactive thyroid include constipation, menstrual irregularities and dry skin, hair and nails. A blood test can reveal whether your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone are high—a sign that the thyroid isn’t working up to speed. If they are, your M.D. can help pinpoint and treat whatever is elevating them; a viral infection or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease) are potential culprits. If your gland can’t do its job, you may need to take a daily synthetic thyroid hormone pill. Fortunately, once those hormones are back in balance, your lethargy will disappear. In the meantime, try relaxation exercises (deep breathing or yoga). “If you have a thyroid problem, stress might add to the drain on your energy levels,” Dr. Richardson says. That’s one more good excuse to take it easy—and save your energy for something fun.
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.
Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you're fully informed about , keep reading.
Low energy is a common complaint among SELF readers and women in general, and it seems like our energy lags more than usual in January. Which makes sense for a number of reasons: The hectic holiday fun is over and it’s cold and gray outside, so we stay cooped up indoors, getting less exercise and likely eating more of the hearty comfort food that leaves us too full and groggy. But if you feel like you’re dragging more than you should be and the usual pick-me-ups aren’t working—a better night’s sleep, extra cup of coffee, brisk outdoor jog (if you haven’t tried this, you should—one study at the University of Rochester found that students who spent a mere 20 minutes a day outside felt much more energetic)—there might be something else going on with your health or daily habits that deserves your attention. Pick up your pace today with these fast fixes from top experts that shift you out of slow-mo.
Energy sapper: your breakfast menu
Missing a morning meal slows metabolism and depletes your body of the fuel it needs to function optimally, explains nutrition expert Joy Bauer, R.D. But what you eat matters as much as the fact that you eat something. Bauer suggests starting each day with a breakfast that contains at least 5 grams of protein. This nutrient activates the production of norepinephrine, a neurochemical that increases heart rate and alertness. It also digests slowly so blood sugar and energy levels stay stable. Some tasty recipes: a cup of cereal (with 3 g or more of fiber, no more than 120 calories per serving) topped with skim milk, 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts (10 g of protein per serving), or an omelet made with 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup chopped broccoli, 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1 ounce lowfat shredded cheese (22 g of protein per serving).
Energy sapper: your outfit
Those killer heels and pencil skirts may look polished and professional, but if you’re sacrificing comfort for fashion, they can also turn you into the office sloth. Workers took an average of 491 fewer steps on days they wore more formal business attire compared with dress-down days, according to research commissioned by the American Council on Exercise in San Diego. And using less energy leads to having less energy, says Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., chief science officer with ACE: “Sitting at your desk all day slows circulation, so less energizing oxygen is delivered to cells throughout your body.” Wear clothes that allow for movement and cushy footwear instead of uncomfortable heels to the office so you’ll be more likely to walk around. If you can’t part with your stilettos, keep them on at work, then slip into flats or low-heeled shoes for a lunch-break walk outdoors and your commute.
Energy sapper: your worrying
Credit card debt, a micromanaging boss—long-term stressors such as these can leave you spent. “Chronic stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, making your body work overtime,” explains Nieca Goldberg, M.D., director of the New York University Langone Medical Center Women’s Heart Program in New York City. “When you’re on edge, you also tend to tighten your muscles, which sets you up for aches and fatigue.” What’s more, worriers often take shallow breaths, so they don’t take in enough oxygen, Dr. Goldberg says. “You’re essentially hyperventilating and building up carbon dioxide in your blood, a waste product that can make you feel tired and dizzy.” When anxiety strikes, take three slow, deep breaths to give your body a big dose of energizing oxygen while slowing down a rapid heart rate. Then, as soon as you have a few minutes of downtime, do something distracting that feels good, like talking to a friend or watching a funny movie.
Energy sapper: your messy desk
Digging through piles of unorganized paperwork is a time and energy stealer in and of itself, but merely the sight of those stacks can stress you out, decrease efficiency and drain your brain, says Carol Landau, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychiatry and medicine at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island. While a little disarray is OK, in general, your desk should hold only items that you use very frequently—your computer or stapler—and the paperwork you’re working on that day,” notes Laura Stack, author of The Exhaustion Cure (Random House). Nonessential items—a labeler and a three-hole punch—can go in a drawer. To keep your desk clear, spend five minutes at the end of each day putting documents you’re working on in a neat pile and filing away the rest.
Energy sapper: your Saturday sleep-ins
“Bingeing on sleep on weekends to catch up on missed zzz’s throws off your circadian rhythm, your body’s 24-hour clock that plays a key role in sleep and wakefulness,” says Amy Wolfson, Ph.D., author of The Woman’s Book of Sleep (New Harbinger Publications). Sleeping in—and hitting the hay that night later than usual as a result—also makes it hard to readjust to your workweek routine, so you start Mondays in a fog. Strive to get up within the same 60-minute range both days: Oversleeping by more than one hour significantly disrupts your body clock. Still wake up with a case of the groggies? Open your bedroom shades as soon as your alarm goes off. The sunlight sends a signal to your brain that it’s time to get up.
Energy sapper: your lack of vitamin C
About 30 percent of women don’t get enough vitamin C, and too-low levels can zap your energy. That’s because vitamin C helps produce carnitine, a molecule that shuttles fatty acids into cells where they’re burned for energy, says Carol Johnston, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Arizona State University at Mesa. “Lack of carnitine forces the body to use carbs or protein for energy instead. That can cause your body to produce lactic acid, a waste product that builds up in tissue and fatigues muscles.” Aim to get the recommended daily allowance of 75 mg of C daily by noshing on naturally rich sources such as an orange or a kiwifruit (both have about 70 mg per fruit), broccoli (1 cup chopped: 74 mg) or strawberries (1 cup: 89 mg).
Energy sapper: your stuck-in-a-rut routine
Grandma was right: Variety is the spice of life. “We all crave diversity and challenge,” Steven Berglas, Ph.D and author of Reclaiming the Fire: How Successful People Overcome Burnout says. “When there’s no challenge in completing a task, you go on autopilot—it’s mind-numbing.” If job monotony is dragging you down, ask your boss for more or different responsibilities, or have lunch with someone in another department to find out if her type of job is something you’d like to explore, Berglas suggests. Blasé about your daily regimen? Simple change-ups can deliver some rut-busting benefits. For instance, find an alternate route home (and stop at a park or shop that grabs your eye along the way); sign up for a language, pottery or photography class to get your brain chomping on something new; or trade the treadmill for a fun circuit training class.
Energy sapper: your sluggish thyroid
Found at the base of the throat, this gland secretes hormones that help control metabolism, heart rate and more. “The less active your thyroid is in producing hormones, the slower your metabolism and the less energy you have,” says Stephen Richardson, M.D., an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. Other telltale signs of an underactive thyroid include constipation, menstrual irregularities and dry skin, hair and nails. A blood test can reveal whether your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone are high—a sign that the thyroid isn’t working up to speed. If they are, your M.D. can help pinpoint and treat whatever is elevating them; a viral infection or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease) are potential culprits. If your gland can’t do its job, you may need to take a daily synthetic thyroid hormone pill. Fortunately, once those hormones are back in balance, your lethargy will disappear. In the meantime, try relaxation exercises (deep breathing or yoga). “If you have a thyroid problem, stress might add to the drain on your energy levels,” Dr. Richardson says. That’s one more good excuse to take it easy—and save your energy for something fun.
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.
As edgy NYC disappears, does its character go too?
The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage--at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you need to know more about it, here's your opportunity.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
NEW YORK – CBGB, the birthplace of punk rock, is gone. No longer can visitors to Coney Island plunk down a few coins to play the unsettling attraction called "Shoot the Freak." And seedy, edgy, anything-might-happen Times Square? These days, it's all but childproof.
It continues: That diner on the corner for decades — closed. The beer garden down the street — now a Starbucks. The block once home to clusters of independent businesses — thriving as a big-box store.
And last month, another piece of the old New York slipped away with the demise of the city's Off-Track Betting parlors. It's enough to make old-school New Yorkers bristle.
Around countless corners, the weird, unexpected, edgy, grimy New York — the town that so many looked to for so long as a relief from cookie-cutter America — has evolved into something else entirely: tamed, prepackaged, even predictable.
"What draws people to New York is its uniqueness. So when something goes, people feel sad about it," says Suzanne Wasserman, director of the Gotham Center for New York City History at the City University of New York.
"I think that's also part of the New York character," she says, "that 'Things were better when ...'"
Change is constant, and few cities change faster than New York. But at what cost? Where is the line between progress and lost distinctiveness?
Raul Alvarado, a 70-year-old retired accountant, recently lost a piece of what made New York City special to him when the Off-Track Betting parlors closed.
No more smoke-filled entryways. No more Racing Forms blowing around the sidewalk. No more eruptions of cheers to make passers-by jump.
Launched in 1971, OTB was meant to undercut illegal bookies. It became the nation's largest betting operation, but was derided as dingy and seedy and drew loitering and littering complaints. The management gained a reputation for loose oversight and political patronage, and OTB was shut down last month after years of financial troubles.
"I've been playing horses for what, 30 years, maybe? It's part of your day," Alvarado said, closing out his account at a Manhattan parlor. "It's a little piece of the Apple."
The debate, of course, is a legitimate and basic one — edgy vs. safe, energizing vs. prepackaged. For every argument about New York's lost pizazz, there's another about how now you can take your toddler's stroller around most of Manhattan and not be afraid of what might happen.
Still, many say there's just something about the energy of New York City — about more than 8 million people crowded into a few cramped patches of land — that will always make it something special.
"There's a pace that exists here," says Paul Birkett, a tourist from Darby, England, visiting the city with his wife. For him, it's about the people: "You can change the surroundings, the infrastructure, but what I've always liked about New York is the New Yorker, and that's always pretty much going to be the same."
The couple was standing amid the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the most visible example of how New York City has changed in the recent past — particularly under Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the 1990s.
Now filled with massive signs of backlit plastic, big-name stores and casual dining, Times Square has come a long way from its days as a "GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!" haven for peep shows, sex shops, drug dealers and squeegee men.
So has the once dank home of defunct rock club CBGB, closed after the owner lost a rent fight with his landlord. Last year, a men's fashion boutique opened there.
Some may long for that edgier atmosphere, but it hasn't disappeared entirely, says Kenneth T. Jackson, a Columbia University historian and editor of The Encyclopedia of New York City.
"The people looking for strip shows can always find it," he says.
In comparison to other places, Jackson says, New York City has changed less and managed to hold onto more of what makes it unique — like small mom-and-pop stores that can't be found anywhere else.
"New York City has done a good job of saving some of its treasures and holding on to its character and allowing change," Jackson says.
If there's one thing that doesn't change in New York City, it's nostalgia. Consider Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. After his election in 1934, he worked to remove the pushcart peddlers clogging the streets of the Lower East Side, viewed by many as a problem.
Once they were gone, people missed them.
"It drove him crazy that people were just bemoaning the loss of the peddlers," Wasserman says.
Anthony Berlingieri understands that sentiment. The man who brought Shoot the Freak and Beer Island to the Coney Island boardwalk was outraged when he was told to leave by the new developers — and even more so when his attraction was taken down.
Zamperla USA, Coney Island's new developer, has lofty plans — new rides and roller coasters, a year-round sit-down restaurant and a sports bar. Berlingieri doesn't deny the need to improve Coney Island but laments the demise of its wild and wacky flavor.
"The things that Coney Island presented, no other amusement park in the world presented that," he says. "The reason we were able to compete was our uniqueness."
Wasserman is hopeful New York will remain unique even as the places of the world start looking more alike.
"New York," she says, "will have a kind of individuality that isn't going to completely replicate anywhere else."
This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
NEW YORK – CBGB, the birthplace of punk rock, is gone. No longer can visitors to Coney Island plunk down a few coins to play the unsettling attraction called "Shoot the Freak." And seedy, edgy, anything-might-happen Times Square? These days, it's all but childproof.
It continues: That diner on the corner for decades — closed. The beer garden down the street — now a Starbucks. The block once home to clusters of independent businesses — thriving as a big-box store.
And last month, another piece of the old New York slipped away with the demise of the city's Off-Track Betting parlors. It's enough to make old-school New Yorkers bristle.
Around countless corners, the weird, unexpected, edgy, grimy New York — the town that so many looked to for so long as a relief from cookie-cutter America — has evolved into something else entirely: tamed, prepackaged, even predictable.
"What draws people to New York is its uniqueness. So when something goes, people feel sad about it," says Suzanne Wasserman, director of the Gotham Center for New York City History at the City University of New York.
"I think that's also part of the New York character," she says, "that 'Things were better when ...'"
Change is constant, and few cities change faster than New York. But at what cost? Where is the line between progress and lost distinctiveness?
Raul Alvarado, a 70-year-old retired accountant, recently lost a piece of what made New York City special to him when the Off-Track Betting parlors closed.
No more smoke-filled entryways. No more Racing Forms blowing around the sidewalk. No more eruptions of cheers to make passers-by jump.
Launched in 1971, OTB was meant to undercut illegal bookies. It became the nation's largest betting operation, but was derided as dingy and seedy and drew loitering and littering complaints. The management gained a reputation for loose oversight and political patronage, and OTB was shut down last month after years of financial troubles.
"I've been playing horses for what, 30 years, maybe? It's part of your day," Alvarado said, closing out his account at a Manhattan parlor. "It's a little piece of the Apple."
The debate, of course, is a legitimate and basic one — edgy vs. safe, energizing vs. prepackaged. For every argument about New York's lost pizazz, there's another about how now you can take your toddler's stroller around most of Manhattan and not be afraid of what might happen.
Still, many say there's just something about the energy of New York City — about more than 8 million people crowded into a few cramped patches of land — that will always make it something special.
"There's a pace that exists here," says Paul Birkett, a tourist from Darby, England, visiting the city with his wife. For him, it's about the people: "You can change the surroundings, the infrastructure, but what I've always liked about New York is the New Yorker, and that's always pretty much going to be the same."
The couple was standing amid the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the most visible example of how New York City has changed in the recent past — particularly under Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the 1990s.
Now filled with massive signs of backlit plastic, big-name stores and casual dining, Times Square has come a long way from its days as a "GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!" haven for peep shows, sex shops, drug dealers and squeegee men.
So has the once dank home of defunct rock club CBGB, closed after the owner lost a rent fight with his landlord. Last year, a men's fashion boutique opened there.
Some may long for that edgier atmosphere, but it hasn't disappeared entirely, says Kenneth T. Jackson, a Columbia University historian and editor of The Encyclopedia of New York City.
"The people looking for strip shows can always find it," he says.
In comparison to other places, Jackson says, New York City has changed less and managed to hold onto more of what makes it unique — like small mom-and-pop stores that can't be found anywhere else.
"New York City has done a good job of saving some of its treasures and holding on to its character and allowing change," Jackson says.
If there's one thing that doesn't change in New York City, it's nostalgia. Consider Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. After his election in 1934, he worked to remove the pushcart peddlers clogging the streets of the Lower East Side, viewed by many as a problem.
Once they were gone, people missed them.
"It drove him crazy that people were just bemoaning the loss of the peddlers," Wasserman says.
Anthony Berlingieri understands that sentiment. The man who brought Shoot the Freak and Beer Island to the Coney Island boardwalk was outraged when he was told to leave by the new developers — and even more so when his attraction was taken down.
Zamperla USA, Coney Island's new developer, has lofty plans — new rides and roller coasters, a year-round sit-down restaurant and a sports bar. Berlingieri doesn't deny the need to improve Coney Island but laments the demise of its wild and wacky flavor.
"The things that Coney Island presented, no other amusement park in the world presented that," he says. "The reason we were able to compete was our uniqueness."
Wasserman is hopeful New York will remain unique even as the places of the world start looking more alike.
"New York," she says, "will have a kind of individuality that isn't going to completely replicate anywhere else."
This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.
Crucial characteristics of lasting love
So what is really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about --info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of . What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
First comes that split second of physical attraction. Next, that thrilling feeling of chemistry. But when the veil of romance starts to lift, what’s life really like off the dance floor?
Too often, love is blind
When Jenny and Michael met, they were instantly attracted to each other. Those electrifying sparks started flying. In an exciting whirlwind of parties and romantic dates, they swept each other off their feet. They decided to get married and live happily ever after. Years later the hormones had calmed down (and so had the fireworks). When the smoke cleared, the mismatches started to emerge. Her passion to shop and his questionable money decisions created constant financial stress. He liked to hang with the guys and play sports. She loved to go to the theater with friends. They disagreed on children and family values, especially religion. Communication broke down. Eventually, they grew apart.
Sound familiar? A physical match is essential at the start, but the excitement of a budding new romance eventually wears off. Making thoughtful dating decisions can mean the difference between revolving relationships and finding lasting love.
Is there really any information about that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of . What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
First comes that split second of physical attraction. Next, that thrilling feeling of chemistry. But when the veil of romance starts to lift, what’s life really like off the dance floor?
Too often, love is blind
When Jenny and Michael met, they were instantly attracted to each other. Those electrifying sparks started flying. In an exciting whirlwind of parties and romantic dates, they swept each other off their feet. They decided to get married and live happily ever after. Years later the hormones had calmed down (and so had the fireworks). When the smoke cleared, the mismatches started to emerge. Her passion to shop and his questionable money decisions created constant financial stress. He liked to hang with the guys and play sports. She loved to go to the theater with friends. They disagreed on children and family values, especially religion. Communication broke down. Eventually, they grew apart.
Sound familiar? A physical match is essential at the start, but the excitement of a budding new romance eventually wears off. Making thoughtful dating decisions can mean the difference between revolving relationships and finding lasting love.
Is there really any information about that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.
First Person: How We're Spending Less, Saving More
The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about .
When it comes to tweaking the household budget to free up cash for unexpected bills, my husband and I have always discovered that the easiest plan is simply to stop spending money.
Sure, there's always household bills that a family can't avoid such as housing costs, transportation, groceries, and other essentials. But there is also a whole other tier of household spending that can and should be trimmed, especially in this fickle economy. The money saved should help reduce your debt and build up a savings fund. These two goals will put you in a better financial position for 2011.
Cutting your household spending starts with evaluating all your expenses and breaking them down into "wants" versus "needs." Needs are the things your family absolutely must have to survive. Wants are things you would like to have, but really don't need. Once all these household costs have been identified, figuring where to slash costs is easy.
What changes should you make to your family spending trends in 2011? The answer depends on your current debt and what you are willing to give up. If you need some ideas, here is how our family's 2011 budget is measuring up:
Groceries cut by 40% from 2009. Last year, I started shopping aggressively at discount grocery stores plus expanded the size of our orchard and vegetable gardens to drop this household expense.
Apparel costs cut by 75%. "Use it up, wear it out" is our motto for 2011. For our teen daughter the fashionista, we shop the thrifts and outlet stores for her wardrobe needs.
Beauty Care dropped by 90%. Instead of buying department store beauty aids, we're now shopping the dollar stores for name brand cosmetics and VO5 hair products.
Travel costs are down by 20% which has been attributed to carpooling and consolidating errands.
Vacation costs for 2011 are being trimmed by 75%. Instead of a road trip, we plan on visiting our relatives in the Puget Sound this year for a low cost vacation.
Credit cards, medical bills, and credit line payments were eliminated from the budget since these were paid off in 2010.
Entertainment and dining out have also been eliminated from the budget. If we want to see a movie, we'll raid the coin jar for 50 cent Tuesday Movies at our favorite discount movie theater.
Household repairs are back in the budget for 2011. Now that most of our consumer debt is paid off, we can afford to tackle home maintenance issues again.
Home decor & landscaping needs has been eliminated from the budget since they fall in the category of a "want" instead of a necessity.
Piano payments are a new budget item for 2011. While some families may regard this as a "want" versus a "need", we've got eight years of music lessons invested in a child who had finally outgrown her old practice piano. With the money saved in other areas however, the goal is to get this debt paid off by summer.
Emergency savings fund. This is also a new budget item for our family. Like may other families living on a shoestring, we are having to borrow instead of cash flowing emergencies as they come up. My goal is to have $5000 in this fund by the end of the year.
These are just a few examples of our household spending has changed to reflect the current state of the economy. Spend less, save more really is the key to weathering tough economic times both in this year and the years ahead.
That's the latest from the authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about .
When it comes to tweaking the household budget to free up cash for unexpected bills, my husband and I have always discovered that the easiest plan is simply to stop spending money.
Sure, there's always household bills that a family can't avoid such as housing costs, transportation, groceries, and other essentials. But there is also a whole other tier of household spending that can and should be trimmed, especially in this fickle economy. The money saved should help reduce your debt and build up a savings fund. These two goals will put you in a better financial position for 2011.
Cutting your household spending starts with evaluating all your expenses and breaking them down into "wants" versus "needs." Needs are the things your family absolutely must have to survive. Wants are things you would like to have, but really don't need. Once all these household costs have been identified, figuring where to slash costs is easy.
What changes should you make to your family spending trends in 2011? The answer depends on your current debt and what you are willing to give up. If you need some ideas, here is how our family's 2011 budget is measuring up:
Groceries cut by 40% from 2009. Last year, I started shopping aggressively at discount grocery stores plus expanded the size of our orchard and vegetable gardens to drop this household expense.
Apparel costs cut by 75%. "Use it up, wear it out" is our motto for 2011. For our teen daughter the fashionista, we shop the thrifts and outlet stores for her wardrobe needs.
Beauty Care dropped by 90%. Instead of buying department store beauty aids, we're now shopping the dollar stores for name brand cosmetics and VO5 hair products.
Travel costs are down by 20% which has been attributed to carpooling and consolidating errands.
Vacation costs for 2011 are being trimmed by 75%. Instead of a road trip, we plan on visiting our relatives in the Puget Sound this year for a low cost vacation.
Credit cards, medical bills, and credit line payments were eliminated from the budget since these were paid off in 2010.
Entertainment and dining out have also been eliminated from the budget. If we want to see a movie, we'll raid the coin jar for 50 cent Tuesday Movies at our favorite discount movie theater.
Household repairs are back in the budget for 2011. Now that most of our consumer debt is paid off, we can afford to tackle home maintenance issues again.
Home decor & landscaping needs has been eliminated from the budget since they fall in the category of a "want" instead of a necessity.
Piano payments are a new budget item for 2011. While some families may regard this as a "want" versus a "need", we've got eight years of music lessons invested in a child who had finally outgrown her old practice piano. With the money saved in other areas however, the goal is to get this debt paid off by summer.
Emergency savings fund. This is also a new budget item for our family. Like may other families living on a shoestring, we are having to borrow instead of cash flowing emergencies as they come up. My goal is to have $5000 in this fund by the end of the year.
These are just a few examples of our household spending has changed to reflect the current state of the economy. Spend less, save more really is the key to weathering tough economic times both in this year and the years ahead.
That's the latest from the authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.
At Obama's midpoint, an altered State of the Union
Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about ? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about .
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of . What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
WASHINGTON – Nearly two years ago on a cold February day, President Barack Obama stood for the first time before a joint session of Congress and spoke of a national day of reckoning.
It was time not just to stabilize the shaken economy, he declared, but to reach for lasting prosperity.
His goals were expansive: overhauling health care, cutting the deficit, improving schools, finding a way out of Iraq and a way ahead in Afghanistan. Most of all, creating jobs. Jobs by the millions.
He had big plans and a Democratic majority in Congress to help him carry them out.
"We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before," Obama said to rousing applause.
Grim as the economic news was at the time, the nation — and Obama — didn't know how bad it was going to get before things started to turn around. The economy hemorrhaged nearly 4 million jobs in 2009, Obama's first year as president.
Two years in to his term, as Obama prepares to stand before Congress once again on Tuesday, he will size up an altered State of the Union.
The economy undisputedly is on stronger footing, though far from robust. There's a new health care law. U.S. troops have come out of Iraq and gone into Afghanistan.
"The most productive two years that we've had in generations," the president pronounces it.
Yet he will speak to a radically reshaped Congress. His party's ranks have been thinned by voters who delivered a harsh verdict in November on two years of collaboration between Obama and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.
He faces Republicans who are sworn to slash spending by as much as $100 billion as the government comes off an economic rescue effort that has put the country on track for a third consecutive year of $1 trillion-plus deficits.
Ask people whether Obama has delivered on his broad-brush promise of change, and 42 percent — the biggest share — say it's still too soon to tell, according to an AP-GfK poll. One-third say he's failed to deliver; one-quarter think he's kept his promise.
The public is divided, too, on whether Obama is attempting to change things at the right pace, according to the poll. About one-third think he's moving too fast, and almost equal shares think his pace is just right or too slow.
Where do we stand? "I think I'd use the word transitional," says Rutgers political scientist Ross Baker. "There's a sense of expectation on the part of the public. I think it's tinged with hopefulness."
The nation may have weathered its economic crisis, but the same cannot be said for many people.
The unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in February 2009, when Obama first addressed Congress. It hit double digits by that October and was 9.4 percent at last report. While the administration is quick to point out that 1.1 million jobs were created last year, there are 2.8 million fewer jobs now than when Obama took office.
Housing is a particular sore spot. Foreclosures hit a record 1 million in 2010, and this year's figures are likely to be worse.
"I don't think they ever fully got their arms around the factors that were contributing to such an appalling rate of foreclosures and I don't think they've done it yet," says the Brookings Institution's Bill Galston, a former Clinton administration official who gives the president good marks overall for stabilizing the economy.
In Obama's first address to Congress, the president spoke passionately about the inequities and "crushing costs" of the health care system, of families denied treatment or forced into bankruptcy because of medical bills.
Last March 23, after a long and fierce battle, Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aimed at expanding coverage to virtually all in this country and preventing insurers from denying coverage to those with health problems.
The political repercussions were immediate and intense. Republicans campaigned against "Obamacare" in the fall elections; Democrats mostly tried to avoid the subject.
On Tuesday, Obama will stand before Congress in the same chamber where House Republicans voted just days ago to scrap the law (knowing their repeal effort would founder in the Senate.)
While the economy commanded Obama's attention, the two wars he inherited tested his resolve as commander in chief. Obama sought an exit strategy in Iraq, the war he had opposed from the start, and an escalation in Afghanistan, the war he thought was just.
The U.S. had about 138,000 troops in Iraq when he took office and 36,000 in Afghanistan.
Two years later, the situation has flipped: There are 47,000 in Iraq, 97,000 in Afghanistan.
All in all, Obama made an astonishing array of promises in his campaign and rededicated himself to them in the early days of his presidency. They ranged from small-bore ones such as his pledge to open American cultural centers in Islamic cities abroad (a promise being kept) to his vow to repeal the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy (a promise broken).
To the Heritage Foundation's Brian Darling, Obama has emerged as the "over-promiser in chief."
"Walking into another State of the Union speech," says Darling, "the American people will look at his statements skeptically."
To Galston, Obama's efforts on the economy are the overarching achievement of the first half of his term — and the key to a successful second half.
There's no doubt that the topic of can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about , you may find what you're looking for in the next article.
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of . What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
WASHINGTON – Nearly two years ago on a cold February day, President Barack Obama stood for the first time before a joint session of Congress and spoke of a national day of reckoning.
It was time not just to stabilize the shaken economy, he declared, but to reach for lasting prosperity.
His goals were expansive: overhauling health care, cutting the deficit, improving schools, finding a way out of Iraq and a way ahead in Afghanistan. Most of all, creating jobs. Jobs by the millions.
He had big plans and a Democratic majority in Congress to help him carry them out.
"We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before," Obama said to rousing applause.
Grim as the economic news was at the time, the nation — and Obama — didn't know how bad it was going to get before things started to turn around. The economy hemorrhaged nearly 4 million jobs in 2009, Obama's first year as president.
Two years in to his term, as Obama prepares to stand before Congress once again on Tuesday, he will size up an altered State of the Union.
The economy undisputedly is on stronger footing, though far from robust. There's a new health care law. U.S. troops have come out of Iraq and gone into Afghanistan.
"The most productive two years that we've had in generations," the president pronounces it.
Yet he will speak to a radically reshaped Congress. His party's ranks have been thinned by voters who delivered a harsh verdict in November on two years of collaboration between Obama and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.
He faces Republicans who are sworn to slash spending by as much as $100 billion as the government comes off an economic rescue effort that has put the country on track for a third consecutive year of $1 trillion-plus deficits.
Ask people whether Obama has delivered on his broad-brush promise of change, and 42 percent — the biggest share — say it's still too soon to tell, according to an AP-GfK poll. One-third say he's failed to deliver; one-quarter think he's kept his promise.
The public is divided, too, on whether Obama is attempting to change things at the right pace, according to the poll. About one-third think he's moving too fast, and almost equal shares think his pace is just right or too slow.
Where do we stand? "I think I'd use the word transitional," says Rutgers political scientist Ross Baker. "There's a sense of expectation on the part of the public. I think it's tinged with hopefulness."
The nation may have weathered its economic crisis, but the same cannot be said for many people.
The unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in February 2009, when Obama first addressed Congress. It hit double digits by that October and was 9.4 percent at last report. While the administration is quick to point out that 1.1 million jobs were created last year, there are 2.8 million fewer jobs now than when Obama took office.
Housing is a particular sore spot. Foreclosures hit a record 1 million in 2010, and this year's figures are likely to be worse.
"I don't think they ever fully got their arms around the factors that were contributing to such an appalling rate of foreclosures and I don't think they've done it yet," says the Brookings Institution's Bill Galston, a former Clinton administration official who gives the president good marks overall for stabilizing the economy.
In Obama's first address to Congress, the president spoke passionately about the inequities and "crushing costs" of the health care system, of families denied treatment or forced into bankruptcy because of medical bills.
Last March 23, after a long and fierce battle, Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aimed at expanding coverage to virtually all in this country and preventing insurers from denying coverage to those with health problems.
The political repercussions were immediate and intense. Republicans campaigned against "Obamacare" in the fall elections; Democrats mostly tried to avoid the subject.
On Tuesday, Obama will stand before Congress in the same chamber where House Republicans voted just days ago to scrap the law (knowing their repeal effort would founder in the Senate.)
While the economy commanded Obama's attention, the two wars he inherited tested his resolve as commander in chief. Obama sought an exit strategy in Iraq, the war he had opposed from the start, and an escalation in Afghanistan, the war he thought was just.
The U.S. had about 138,000 troops in Iraq when he took office and 36,000 in Afghanistan.
Two years later, the situation has flipped: There are 47,000 in Iraq, 97,000 in Afghanistan.
All in all, Obama made an astonishing array of promises in his campaign and rededicated himself to them in the early days of his presidency. They ranged from small-bore ones such as his pledge to open American cultural centers in Islamic cities abroad (a promise being kept) to his vow to repeal the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy (a promise broken).
To the Heritage Foundation's Brian Darling, Obama has emerged as the "over-promiser in chief."
"Walking into another State of the Union speech," says Darling, "the American people will look at his statements skeptically."
To Galston, Obama's efforts on the economy are the overarching achievement of the first half of his term — and the key to a successful second half.
There's no doubt that the topic of can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about , you may find what you're looking for in the next article.
China sports brand tries to break into US market
Do you ever feel like you know just enough about to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from experts.
Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you're fully informed about , keep reading.
BEIJING – Chinese athletic shoemaker Li-Ning knew it couldn't "out-Nike" Nike, especially in the sporting giant's own backyard. So the company is going low-budget edgy in its expansion to the U.S, using an irreverent YouTube video to play up its heritage while taking a lighthearted dig at the company name shared with its high-profile founder.
Li-Ning is among the first Chinese consumer product brands trying to build a following in the U.S., seeking to grab a slice of its saturated but highly coveted market. As China's economic might increases — it last year overtook Japan as the second-biggest economy after the U.S. — its companies are increasingly confident about expansion overseas. But corporate China has yet to produce a brand with the global name recognition of the likes of Apple, Sony or Google.
"It's a process of finding out — while staying true to our heritage, our brand — what side of our DNA is going to resonate with the American consumer," said Jay Li, general manager for Li-Ning International. "We're still searching, to be perfectly honest with you. And we're not in a hurry."
Americans might remember Li Ning (pronounced lee-NING) as the final torchbearer during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics — the former gymnastics gold medalist who "ran" along the opening in the stadium roof while suspended by wires.
His namesake company is a top domestic brand in China's lucrative athletic shoe and apparel industry, with more than 7,900 stores across the country. Though it has forecast slumping sales and a one percentage point decline in gross profit margin in 2011, CEO Zhang Zhiyong recently told the Wall Street Journal that Li-Ning plans to invest $10 million in U.S. operations this year.
"Our founder Mr. Li Ning has always said his vision was never about building China's Nike, it's about building the world's Li-Ning," Li said. "You can't be global without having a legitimate claim of market share in the most mature sporting goods market."
There are significant hurdles to overcome: Americans are still smarting from the recession and spending less. Chinese goods are widely regarded as shoddily made, knockoffs or even dangerous. Li-Ning's logo recently underwent a redesign, but many consumers may still see a strong resemblance with the Nike "swoosh."
"The way to fight the perception is to continue rolling out your own world-class products and that perception will go away," Li said.
He would not provide sales figures for the U.S., where Li-Ning products are sold online and through a few select retailers, but said international operations made up only 2 percent of the company's total revenue.
Expansion into the U.S. is "important for them because if they show they have retail presence in the U.S. it helps them not only sell there but it helps them sell in their home market in China and wherever else they go," said Ben Cavender, associate principal at Shanghai-based China Market Research Group which has studied Li-Ning. "They can say, 'Look, we really are an international brand.'"
The U.S. expansion began in earnest in 2007 with the opening of a R&D center and design studio in the Portland, Oregon, area, heart of the U.S. athletic shoe industry where Nike is headquartered and Adidas has a regional office.
Li-Ning's U.S. staff includes about 30 people, veterans of companies like Nike, Adidas, Converse and Columbia. In comparison, more than 6,000 work at Nike's headquarters just outside town.
Products sold in the U.S. include equipment and apparel for Asian-dominated sports like pingpong and badminton, niche areas where Li-Ning is an established leader. Its running shoes have debuted in specialty shops, with the aim of attracting avid runners who are concerned more about performance than brand name.
But it's with street culture-influenced basketball shoes that Li-Ning may be able to score its breakthrough. Endorsement deals with NBA players like Shaquille O'Neal, Baron Davis and Evan Turner have so far been key to building awareness among image-conscious consumers.
Li-Ning has a quality product but "we need to bring in the cool factor, the street legitimacy, the street cred. Bring all these elements together and fuse them into the product. It's a systemic project and we are working on it," Li said.
That's the thinking behind the YouTube video, featuring a Chinese Li-Ning import agent who has to convince two suspicious U.S. customs officials that the new F2 sneaker is a real shoe. It is a humorous take on real events involving a shipment of F2s that got stuck in U.S. customs because of questions over how to declare the components of a shoe made almost entirely of rubber-like foam material.
The YouTube import agent protests, "They're shoes! Li-Ning!" prompting one officer to snarl, "I'm Li-Ning toward kicking your ass!"
Created by L.A. ad agency Zambezi, the video has received about 40,000 views since December and is a way of getting some attention with limited resources.
There probably won't be a sequel — the Portland customs office called to complain about being in the video and Li's office pledged not to revisit the topic again.
For now, Li-Ning's baby steps are showing encouraging results. Cavender pointed out that one industry insider has found some Li-Ning products to be better quality than Adidas products. And the colorful, sometimes cartoon-like designs are turning heads, even if they haven't yet translated into massive sales.
"People are actively asking about it every time they walk in and see it," said Frank Pacifio, manager of a Champs Sports shoe store in Wayne, New Jersey, which sells two to 10 pairs of Li-Nings a week. In that time the store sells 10 to 25 pairs of its most popular shoe, the Nike Air Max 2010.
"A lot of people try the (Li-Ning) shoe on to see how it feels but people are just accustomed to the Nikes, the Jordans," Pacifio said. "People are so used to what they've had, you never want to take the leap to the other side."
Li remains confident, pointing to the mainstream acceptance of other Asian companies in the U.S.
"A few brands are attempting it, but no one has come out as a dominant Chinese brand in any industry yet," he said. "I always optimistically look back on the Japanese brands in the '50s and '60s and the Korean brands in the '80s and '90s. It's our turn. We'll get there."
Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of . Share your new understanding about with others. They'll thank you for it.
Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you're fully informed about , keep reading.
BEIJING – Chinese athletic shoemaker Li-Ning knew it couldn't "out-Nike" Nike, especially in the sporting giant's own backyard. So the company is going low-budget edgy in its expansion to the U.S, using an irreverent YouTube video to play up its heritage while taking a lighthearted dig at the company name shared with its high-profile founder.
Li-Ning is among the first Chinese consumer product brands trying to build a following in the U.S., seeking to grab a slice of its saturated but highly coveted market. As China's economic might increases — it last year overtook Japan as the second-biggest economy after the U.S. — its companies are increasingly confident about expansion overseas. But corporate China has yet to produce a brand with the global name recognition of the likes of Apple, Sony or Google.
"It's a process of finding out — while staying true to our heritage, our brand — what side of our DNA is going to resonate with the American consumer," said Jay Li, general manager for Li-Ning International. "We're still searching, to be perfectly honest with you. And we're not in a hurry."
Americans might remember Li Ning (pronounced lee-NING) as the final torchbearer during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics — the former gymnastics gold medalist who "ran" along the opening in the stadium roof while suspended by wires.
His namesake company is a top domestic brand in China's lucrative athletic shoe and apparel industry, with more than 7,900 stores across the country. Though it has forecast slumping sales and a one percentage point decline in gross profit margin in 2011, CEO Zhang Zhiyong recently told the Wall Street Journal that Li-Ning plans to invest $10 million in U.S. operations this year.
"Our founder Mr. Li Ning has always said his vision was never about building China's Nike, it's about building the world's Li-Ning," Li said. "You can't be global without having a legitimate claim of market share in the most mature sporting goods market."
There are significant hurdles to overcome: Americans are still smarting from the recession and spending less. Chinese goods are widely regarded as shoddily made, knockoffs or even dangerous. Li-Ning's logo recently underwent a redesign, but many consumers may still see a strong resemblance with the Nike "swoosh."
"The way to fight the perception is to continue rolling out your own world-class products and that perception will go away," Li said.
He would not provide sales figures for the U.S., where Li-Ning products are sold online and through a few select retailers, but said international operations made up only 2 percent of the company's total revenue.
Expansion into the U.S. is "important for them because if they show they have retail presence in the U.S. it helps them not only sell there but it helps them sell in their home market in China and wherever else they go," said Ben Cavender, associate principal at Shanghai-based China Market Research Group which has studied Li-Ning. "They can say, 'Look, we really are an international brand.'"
The U.S. expansion began in earnest in 2007 with the opening of a R&D center and design studio in the Portland, Oregon, area, heart of the U.S. athletic shoe industry where Nike is headquartered and Adidas has a regional office.
Li-Ning's U.S. staff includes about 30 people, veterans of companies like Nike, Adidas, Converse and Columbia. In comparison, more than 6,000 work at Nike's headquarters just outside town.
Products sold in the U.S. include equipment and apparel for Asian-dominated sports like pingpong and badminton, niche areas where Li-Ning is an established leader. Its running shoes have debuted in specialty shops, with the aim of attracting avid runners who are concerned more about performance than brand name.
But it's with street culture-influenced basketball shoes that Li-Ning may be able to score its breakthrough. Endorsement deals with NBA players like Shaquille O'Neal, Baron Davis and Evan Turner have so far been key to building awareness among image-conscious consumers.
Li-Ning has a quality product but "we need to bring in the cool factor, the street legitimacy, the street cred. Bring all these elements together and fuse them into the product. It's a systemic project and we are working on it," Li said.
That's the thinking behind the YouTube video, featuring a Chinese Li-Ning import agent who has to convince two suspicious U.S. customs officials that the new F2 sneaker is a real shoe. It is a humorous take on real events involving a shipment of F2s that got stuck in U.S. customs because of questions over how to declare the components of a shoe made almost entirely of rubber-like foam material.
The YouTube import agent protests, "They're shoes! Li-Ning!" prompting one officer to snarl, "I'm Li-Ning toward kicking your ass!"
Created by L.A. ad agency Zambezi, the video has received about 40,000 views since December and is a way of getting some attention with limited resources.
There probably won't be a sequel — the Portland customs office called to complain about being in the video and Li's office pledged not to revisit the topic again.
For now, Li-Ning's baby steps are showing encouraging results. Cavender pointed out that one industry insider has found some Li-Ning products to be better quality than Adidas products. And the colorful, sometimes cartoon-like designs are turning heads, even if they haven't yet translated into massive sales.
"People are actively asking about it every time they walk in and see it," said Frank Pacifio, manager of a Champs Sports shoe store in Wayne, New Jersey, which sells two to 10 pairs of Li-Nings a week. In that time the store sells 10 to 25 pairs of its most popular shoe, the Nike Air Max 2010.
"A lot of people try the (Li-Ning) shoe on to see how it feels but people are just accustomed to the Nikes, the Jordans," Pacifio said. "People are so used to what they've had, you never want to take the leap to the other side."
Li remains confident, pointing to the mainstream acceptance of other Asian companies in the U.S.
"A few brands are attempting it, but no one has come out as a dominant Chinese brand in any industry yet," he said. "I always optimistically look back on the Japanese brands in the '50s and '60s and the Korean brands in the '80s and '90s. It's our turn. We'll get there."
Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of . Share your new understanding about with others. They'll thank you for it.
1.22.2011
Halle Berry's ex, Eric Benet, gets engaged
Are you looking for some inside information on ? Here's an up-to-date report from experts who should know.
If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole story from informed sources.
Singer Eric Benet has just announced his engagement to Manuela Testolini, an entrepreneur and founder of children's charity In A Perfect World.
Benet, 44, was once married to Halle Berry. Their marriage ended six years ago. Testolini was once married to Prince.Their marriage ended in 2006.
Benet and Testolini are in Egypt now celebrating the engagement. He tells Lifeline Live in a statement how he popped the question:
"During a romantic dinner I decided to finally let Manuela hear Never Want to Live Without You, a song off my new album that I had written for her. I sang it to her, then got down on one knee and proposed."
So now you know a little bit about . Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.
If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole story from informed sources.
Singer Eric Benet has just announced his engagement to Manuela Testolini, an entrepreneur and founder of children's charity In A Perfect World.
Benet, 44, was once married to Halle Berry. Their marriage ended six years ago. Testolini was once married to Prince.Their marriage ended in 2006.
Benet and Testolini are in Egypt now celebrating the engagement. He tells Lifeline Live in a statement how he popped the question:
"During a romantic dinner I decided to finally let Manuela hear Never Want to Live Without You, a song off my new album that I had written for her. I sang it to her, then got down on one knee and proposed."
So now you know a little bit about . Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.
UNC keeps Clemson winless in Chapel Hill
The only way to keep up with the latest about is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about , it won't take long for you to become an influential authority.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
CHAPEL HILL - Given his matter-of-fact nature, it's safe to reason North Carolina coach Roy Williams has never been a huge fan of soap operas. Suspense and melodrama, after all, aren't exactly the lures that hooked Williams into coaching.
Yet heading into Tuesday's game against Clemson, so many attention-grabbing plotlines were swirling at the Smith Center and so many questions waiting to be asked, it was hard to know what to focus on.
Could North Carolina extend its home winning streak against Clemson to 55 games, keeping the Tigers winless in Chapel Hill since the dawn of time?
Indeed. The Tar Heels won Thursday night's ACC clash 75-65, extending Clemson's frustration for at least one more year and climbing into a four-way tie for first place in the conference.
Would Tar Heels coach Roy Williams finally make a change to his starting lineup, inserting Kendall Marshall as his point guard and benching junior Larry Drew?
Indeed. In a move Carolina fans have seemingly been clamoring for since "Late Night with Roy" in October, Williams finally made the Marshall-for-Drew swap and wound up getting solid play from both floor generals. Solid enough, anyway, that the Tar Heels never trailed in the game's final 31 minutes.
Finally, did UNC have the energy and resolve to bounce back from Sunday evening's embarrassing 78-58 loss at Georgia Tech, a surprising wreck that brought back nightmares of the anxiety and doubt that ruined last season?
Yes, once again. Thanks to a gritty defensive effort late in Tuesday's game, the Tar Heels forced Clemson to miss 13 of its final 14 shots and outscored the Tigers 12-2 over the final 5 minutes.
For one night anyway, order was restored with Williams feeling as if he had gotten a vital message through to his players.
"I think we had that emotional feeling out there tonight," he said. "I told the guys (Monday) in practice, you can change your way of thinking and you can change your way of acting by changing your attitude. We have to be more aggressive. We have to be more into it on the defensive end."
Bench work
After Tuesday's loss, Clemson (13-5, 2-2 ACC) has now come to Chapel Hill 55 times since 1926 with 14 coaches and never once left with a victory. The Tigers lost three times at the Tin Can, 15 times at Woollen Gymnasium and 14 times at Carmichael Auditorium. Now, they've now dropped 23 straight at the Smith Center.
Don't think that 54-0 mark wasn't in the back of many of the Carolina players' minds heading into the night. Yet when the action started, the Tar Heels instead set the early tone with a renewed aggressiveness and got their offensive spark from freshman Reggie Bullock.
With Leslie McDonald, the team's top 3-point shooter, sidelined with a back contusion, Bullock came off the bench and responded by burying three first half 3-pointers and scoring 16 of his game-high 18 points before the break.
"I was just knocking down shots," Bullock said. "And I was finding points as easy as I could get them, whether that was going to the boards, getting rebounds or playing off my teammates."
That much-needed production propelled UNC to a 46-38 halftime lead. It didn't hurt that sophomore John Henson was active on both ends, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots.
Attitude check
As for the point guard subplot, neither Marshall (five points, five assists, three turnovers) nor Drew (eight points, one assist, two turnovers) provided anything spectacular. But both point guards were sturdy enough to allow UNC to retain its assertive edge from start to finish.
Marshall said he learned of his promotion Monday evening. Drew, however, didn't get the word until early Tuesday, news that initially shook the junior leader even if he is determined to wear a positive face publicly.
"I'm trying to go about everything in a very professional way," Drew said. "I still consider myself one of the veteran leaders of this team. So I need to stay as professional as I can. I just want to win."
Williams confessed after Tuesday's game he had intended an even more dramatic change to the starting five, wanting to insert McDonald and Justin Knox in place of Dexter Strickland and Tyler Zeller. But McDonald's injury ultimately nixed that plan.
Still, such a significant shakeup at this stage of this season wasn't just a strategic maneuver for Williams. It was a motivational tactic.
"Ultimately, what Coach was saying is that, just like last year, we can't, expect other teams to just lay down for us just because we're North Carolina," Drew said. "We have to go out and hit people back as they're hitting us. Or bob and weave or do something. Instead of going out and letting teams attack us, we have to attack them. And once they're down, put our foot on their throat and never let them back up."
There's no doubt that the topic of can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about , you may find what you're looking for in the next article.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
CHAPEL HILL - Given his matter-of-fact nature, it's safe to reason North Carolina coach Roy Williams has never been a huge fan of soap operas. Suspense and melodrama, after all, aren't exactly the lures that hooked Williams into coaching.
Yet heading into Tuesday's game against Clemson, so many attention-grabbing plotlines were swirling at the Smith Center and so many questions waiting to be asked, it was hard to know what to focus on.
Could North Carolina extend its home winning streak against Clemson to 55 games, keeping the Tigers winless in Chapel Hill since the dawn of time?
Indeed. The Tar Heels won Thursday night's ACC clash 75-65, extending Clemson's frustration for at least one more year and climbing into a four-way tie for first place in the conference.
Would Tar Heels coach Roy Williams finally make a change to his starting lineup, inserting Kendall Marshall as his point guard and benching junior Larry Drew?
Indeed. In a move Carolina fans have seemingly been clamoring for since "Late Night with Roy" in October, Williams finally made the Marshall-for-Drew swap and wound up getting solid play from both floor generals. Solid enough, anyway, that the Tar Heels never trailed in the game's final 31 minutes.
Finally, did UNC have the energy and resolve to bounce back from Sunday evening's embarrassing 78-58 loss at Georgia Tech, a surprising wreck that brought back nightmares of the anxiety and doubt that ruined last season?
Yes, once again. Thanks to a gritty defensive effort late in Tuesday's game, the Tar Heels forced Clemson to miss 13 of its final 14 shots and outscored the Tigers 12-2 over the final 5 minutes.
For one night anyway, order was restored with Williams feeling as if he had gotten a vital message through to his players.
"I think we had that emotional feeling out there tonight," he said. "I told the guys (Monday) in practice, you can change your way of thinking and you can change your way of acting by changing your attitude. We have to be more aggressive. We have to be more into it on the defensive end."
Bench work
After Tuesday's loss, Clemson (13-5, 2-2 ACC) has now come to Chapel Hill 55 times since 1926 with 14 coaches and never once left with a victory. The Tigers lost three times at the Tin Can, 15 times at Woollen Gymnasium and 14 times at Carmichael Auditorium. Now, they've now dropped 23 straight at the Smith Center.
Don't think that 54-0 mark wasn't in the back of many of the Carolina players' minds heading into the night. Yet when the action started, the Tar Heels instead set the early tone with a renewed aggressiveness and got their offensive spark from freshman Reggie Bullock.
With Leslie McDonald, the team's top 3-point shooter, sidelined with a back contusion, Bullock came off the bench and responded by burying three first half 3-pointers and scoring 16 of his game-high 18 points before the break.
"I was just knocking down shots," Bullock said. "And I was finding points as easy as I could get them, whether that was going to the boards, getting rebounds or playing off my teammates."
That much-needed production propelled UNC to a 46-38 halftime lead. It didn't hurt that sophomore John Henson was active on both ends, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots.
Attitude check
As for the point guard subplot, neither Marshall (five points, five assists, three turnovers) nor Drew (eight points, one assist, two turnovers) provided anything spectacular. But both point guards were sturdy enough to allow UNC to retain its assertive edge from start to finish.
Marshall said he learned of his promotion Monday evening. Drew, however, didn't get the word until early Tuesday, news that initially shook the junior leader even if he is determined to wear a positive face publicly.
"I'm trying to go about everything in a very professional way," Drew said. "I still consider myself one of the veteran leaders of this team. So I need to stay as professional as I can. I just want to win."
Williams confessed after Tuesday's game he had intended an even more dramatic change to the starting five, wanting to insert McDonald and Justin Knox in place of Dexter Strickland and Tyler Zeller. But McDonald's injury ultimately nixed that plan.
Still, such a significant shakeup at this stage of this season wasn't just a strategic maneuver for Williams. It was a motivational tactic.
"Ultimately, what Coach was saying is that, just like last year, we can't, expect other teams to just lay down for us just because we're North Carolina," Drew said. "We have to go out and hit people back as they're hitting us. Or bob and weave or do something. Instead of going out and letting teams attack us, we have to attack them. And once they're down, put our foot on their throat and never let them back up."
There's no doubt that the topic of can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about , you may find what you're looking for in the next article.
1.19.2011
Michigan Announces Hiring Of Greg Mattison, Other Assistant Coaches
This article explains a few things about , and if you're interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don't know.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about .
Brady Hoke's coaching staff at Michigan is nearly complete. Michigan announced Tuesday night that Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has been hired to the same position with the Wolverines, and the school also confirmed the hiring of six other assistant coaches.
On offense, the assistants who have been officially hired are offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Al Borges, running backs coach Fred Jackson, wide receivers coach Jeff Hecklinski, offensive line coach Darrell Funk and tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno, who will also serve as the special teams coordinator. Aside from Jackson, who was retained from Rich Rodriguez's coaching staff (and Lloyd Carr's and Gary Moeller's before that), the offensive assistant coaches followed Hoke to Michigan from San Diego State.
On the defensive side of the ball, only defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and linebackers coach Mark Smith have been officially hired. It's possible that either Hoke or Mattison will serve as Michigan's defensive line coach, which would allow the Wolverines to fill out the rest of the coaching staff with both a cornerbacks coach and a safeties coach. Hoke coached the defensive line at San Diego State (and when he was on Michigan's staff under Carr) and Mattison was actually Michigan's D-line coach during his first stint in Ann Arbor (from 1992-96). In 1995 and 1996 Mattison was the defensive line coach and the defensive coordinator for Michigan.
In addition to announcing the hiring of these assistants, it was also confirmed that Aaron Wellman has left San Diego State to become Michigan's strength and conditioning coach. Director of football operations Bob Lopez is also reportedly leaving SDSU for Michigan, but that has not been confirmed just yet.
Below is a breakdown of what Michigan's coaching staff looks like right now. Two more assistants can be hired to fill the final three openings. That means that one of the coaches already on the staff will take care of the defensive line duties and two assistants will be hired to handle the defensive backs, or a defensive line coach from the outside will be hired in addition to a secondary coach that is responsible for both cornerbacks and safeties.
Those who only know one or two facts about can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about .
Brady Hoke's coaching staff at Michigan is nearly complete. Michigan announced Tuesday night that Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has been hired to the same position with the Wolverines, and the school also confirmed the hiring of six other assistant coaches.
On offense, the assistants who have been officially hired are offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Al Borges, running backs coach Fred Jackson, wide receivers coach Jeff Hecklinski, offensive line coach Darrell Funk and tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno, who will also serve as the special teams coordinator. Aside from Jackson, who was retained from Rich Rodriguez's coaching staff (and Lloyd Carr's and Gary Moeller's before that), the offensive assistant coaches followed Hoke to Michigan from San Diego State.
On the defensive side of the ball, only defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and linebackers coach Mark Smith have been officially hired. It's possible that either Hoke or Mattison will serve as Michigan's defensive line coach, which would allow the Wolverines to fill out the rest of the coaching staff with both a cornerbacks coach and a safeties coach. Hoke coached the defensive line at San Diego State (and when he was on Michigan's staff under Carr) and Mattison was actually Michigan's D-line coach during his first stint in Ann Arbor (from 1992-96). In 1995 and 1996 Mattison was the defensive line coach and the defensive coordinator for Michigan.
In addition to announcing the hiring of these assistants, it was also confirmed that Aaron Wellman has left San Diego State to become Michigan's strength and conditioning coach. Director of football operations Bob Lopez is also reportedly leaving SDSU for Michigan, but that has not been confirmed just yet.
Below is a breakdown of what Michigan's coaching staff looks like right now. Two more assistants can be hired to fill the final three openings. That means that one of the coaches already on the staff will take care of the defensive line duties and two assistants will be hired to handle the defensive backs, or a defensive line coach from the outside will be hired in addition to a secondary coach that is responsible for both cornerbacks and safeties.
Those who only know one or two facts about can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.
Curtis Stone's barbie guide
Have you ever wondered if what you know about is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on .
If your facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important information slip by you.
THE thing I love about a barbie," says celebrity chef Curtis Stone, "is there's no bloody mess. And if you do a bit of preparation and get ready all the stuff you need, including a cold beer, there's nothing simpler."
For Curtis, who has two barbecues including an Argentinean coal-fired barbie there are a few easy rules to stick to. And he reckons any food at all can be suitable for the barbie, even notoriously tricky items such as shellfish.
SEVEN EASY STEPS
1 Clean your barbie: "It needs a good scrub because there's nothing worse than a dirty barbie," Curtis says.
2 Don't grill cold meat: "I have seen people using very cold meat and using frozen meat on the barbie, which is even worse," he says.
"Really, you want to have your meat at room temperature when you cook it.
"Take it out of the fridge about half an hour before you are ready to use it. Then, when you cook it, it will stay nice and pink in the centre."
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
3 Consider using a meat rub or marinade:
"I like to season the meat before I use it," Curtis says.
"I usually use just salt and pepper but you can also do a dry rub mix. If you like a bit of spice, you can make a mixture out of cayenne pepper, cumin, fennel and coriander seeds and add a bit of tumeric for a bit of extra Indian flavour."
4 Cook steak on a very hot plate: "You want that nice sear on it that beautiful caramelisation on the outside which subtly increases the sweetness of the meat," Curtis says.
"If you have a thin steak, cook it very quickly on that high heat. If you have a thicker piece, I'd sear it on both sides, then move it to a cooler part of the barbecue and leave it there for a few minutes."
5 Rest the meat: "Once you take the meat off the heat, then you have to let it rest," Curtis says. "The basic rule is that you need to rest your meat for half the time it took to cook it.
"So if you cooked it for 7 minutes, you'll need to rest it for 3 1/2 minutes. It will still carry on cooking during this time."
6 Don't be afraid to barbecue fish or shellfish: "How you cook fish depends on the thickness of the fillet, but I tend to wrap it up or put it into foil and close the hood of the barbie so it cooks in that ambient heat," Curtis says. "I also put in a bit of liquid into the parcel, like white wine or soy sauce, to help the cooking.
"Clams and mussels are great like this. I put them into foil and let them steam open.
"The great thing about them is they tell you when they're done: As soon as they're open, they're ready.
"You can even do a lobster. When I did one for Oprah (on Hamilton Island recently) I poached it in water for about 3 minutes at about 70C, just below boiling, then I cut them in half, took the meat out, put them back in and lay them flat on the barbie."
7 Have your sides ready: "Think about everything you're going to need, like your salads, your knives and forks, sauces and dressings before you go outside," Curtis says.
"I love how the men stand around cooking the barbie while the women have done all the work beforehand doing the marinade and making the salads and then everybody says, 'what a great barbie' to the guy cooking. A barbecue is just the ultimate blokes' pastime, isn't it?"
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Steak cuts such as beef fillet, rib eye, sirloin, T-bone and rump and lamb steaks, fillet, eye of loin, loin chops and lamb cutlets are perfect to barbecue, as they don't need much cooking to get the best results.
Cook sausages over a low, gentle heat this ensures the sausage is cooked through, with a nice browned skin. Or poach them first to cook through, then finish on the barbecue to caramelise.
Use scissors to remove the backbone of a chicken and flatten with your hands. Use metal skewers in a cross pattern, going through the drumstick to the wing on the opposite side. Brown chicken on both sides on the direct heat of the grill. Transfer to a foil tray and cook over indirect heat with the hood closed.
If you have a hooded barbie you can roast a whole chicken. Place the bird in a foil tray, put lemon slices and herbs in the cavity, place over indirect heat and shut hood.
Cook lamb or pork roasts slowly, over indirect, low heat with the hood closed.
Fish is great on the barbecue. Buy cleaned, scaled snapper and rinse under cold, running water to remove any blood which can make it bitter. Dry with paper towel. Cut 1cm-deep, long slashes in the thickest flesh. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and place on foil. Cook over direct heat for 6-8 minutes each side or until the flesh looks opaque when tested with a fork.
BARBECUE ESSENTIALS
Apron
Tongs
Wire brush
Meat thermometer
Foil trays
with Sarah Hobbs
EASY MARINADES & RUBS
Full of flavour: There's a marinade to suit whatever protein you fancy.
ASIAN MARINADE COMBINE 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 cup peanut oil, 2 shredded kaffir lime leaves, 1 stem finely chopped lemongrass. Use
this marinade with beef, chicken or seafood.
SPICED YOGHURT HEAT a small frypan over low heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 chopped brown onion, 2 garlic cloves, 2 tsp finely grated ginger and stir until onion is soft. Add 2 tsp each of ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and paprika. Remove from heat. Transfer to a bowl and add
2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 cup natural yoghurt and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. This is an ideal marinade for lamb cutlets, chicken thighs or prawns.
CHERMOULA IN a food processor, combine 1 tsp each ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and paprika, 1 brown onion, chopped, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves, crushed, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 2 tbsp coriander and 2 tbsp olive oil. Process until fine. Rub on steaks, lamb cutlets, chicken or fish before barbecuing.
RED WINE MARINADE COMBINE 1/2 cup dry red wine, 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp coarsely chopped thyme and 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard in a glass or ceramic bowl. Great for beef or lamb.
PORTUGUESE MARINADE COMBINE 2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 1 long fresh chilli, seeded and finely chopped, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil and 1 tsp sea salt. Perfect for chicken or prawns.
HONEY & SOY MARINADE COMBINE 1/2 cup light soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, 1 tbsp finely grated ginger, 1/2 cup peanut oil, 2 finely chopped green onions, 1 tsp sesame oil. Goes well with chicken, lamb cutlets or salmon steaks. Before serving, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
NEED A DRINK WITH THAT
THE barbecue has evolved considerably from its days as a pile of charred, red meats and daggy snags.
It can travel across so many cultural variations of flavour and spice, via a full pantry of meat, seafood and many vegetables.
So the old idea of stocking just a simple, quaffing red to cover every taste around the table is now defunct.
Tuna, for instance, is a medium-weight fish that can handle heavier white wine varieties like viognier and good chardonnay, as well as lighter red styles from pinot noir, grenache/shiraz blends and a range of roses from, say, sangiovese, tempranillo and pinot.
And remember, if you're outside, there will be plenty of sensory distractions already around you, so go for a wine with plenty of flavour rather than a subtle beauty that requires too much thinking time.
For the burger, a wilful sangiovese with an aromatic lift of garden herbs think thyme and oregano and similarly a grenache, shiraz, mataro blend will suit a hands-on approach to eating. There's a chance a bit of black-tea-like tannin in the wine will soften, too, in concert with the red meat and savoury elements.
And check the spice/chilli/citrus wow in the pork (recipe on p4) a dash of equatorial flavour from right around the globe. Try a wine with its own zing to match a crisp and refreshing riesling is the go, and ask not just for a dry style. There are some very smart off-dry, just-sweet styles around now and they would really suit the spice and saltier elements of this final dish.
Knowing enough about to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about , you should have nothing to worry about.
If your facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important information slip by you.
THE thing I love about a barbie," says celebrity chef Curtis Stone, "is there's no bloody mess. And if you do a bit of preparation and get ready all the stuff you need, including a cold beer, there's nothing simpler."
For Curtis, who has two barbecues including an Argentinean coal-fired barbie there are a few easy rules to stick to. And he reckons any food at all can be suitable for the barbie, even notoriously tricky items such as shellfish.
SEVEN EASY STEPS
1 Clean your barbie: "It needs a good scrub because there's nothing worse than a dirty barbie," Curtis says.
2 Don't grill cold meat: "I have seen people using very cold meat and using frozen meat on the barbie, which is even worse," he says.
"Really, you want to have your meat at room temperature when you cook it.
"Take it out of the fridge about half an hour before you are ready to use it. Then, when you cook it, it will stay nice and pink in the centre."
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
3 Consider using a meat rub or marinade:
"I like to season the meat before I use it," Curtis says.
"I usually use just salt and pepper but you can also do a dry rub mix. If you like a bit of spice, you can make a mixture out of cayenne pepper, cumin, fennel and coriander seeds and add a bit of tumeric for a bit of extra Indian flavour."
4 Cook steak on a very hot plate: "You want that nice sear on it that beautiful caramelisation on the outside which subtly increases the sweetness of the meat," Curtis says.
"If you have a thin steak, cook it very quickly on that high heat. If you have a thicker piece, I'd sear it on both sides, then move it to a cooler part of the barbecue and leave it there for a few minutes."
5 Rest the meat: "Once you take the meat off the heat, then you have to let it rest," Curtis says. "The basic rule is that you need to rest your meat for half the time it took to cook it.
"So if you cooked it for 7 minutes, you'll need to rest it for 3 1/2 minutes. It will still carry on cooking during this time."
6 Don't be afraid to barbecue fish or shellfish: "How you cook fish depends on the thickness of the fillet, but I tend to wrap it up or put it into foil and close the hood of the barbie so it cooks in that ambient heat," Curtis says. "I also put in a bit of liquid into the parcel, like white wine or soy sauce, to help the cooking.
"Clams and mussels are great like this. I put them into foil and let them steam open.
"The great thing about them is they tell you when they're done: As soon as they're open, they're ready.
"You can even do a lobster. When I did one for Oprah (on Hamilton Island recently) I poached it in water for about 3 minutes at about 70C, just below boiling, then I cut them in half, took the meat out, put them back in and lay them flat on the barbie."
7 Have your sides ready: "Think about everything you're going to need, like your salads, your knives and forks, sauces and dressings before you go outside," Curtis says.
"I love how the men stand around cooking the barbie while the women have done all the work beforehand doing the marinade and making the salads and then everybody says, 'what a great barbie' to the guy cooking. A barbecue is just the ultimate blokes' pastime, isn't it?"
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Steak cuts such as beef fillet, rib eye, sirloin, T-bone and rump and lamb steaks, fillet, eye of loin, loin chops and lamb cutlets are perfect to barbecue, as they don't need much cooking to get the best results.
Cook sausages over a low, gentle heat this ensures the sausage is cooked through, with a nice browned skin. Or poach them first to cook through, then finish on the barbecue to caramelise.
Use scissors to remove the backbone of a chicken and flatten with your hands. Use metal skewers in a cross pattern, going through the drumstick to the wing on the opposite side. Brown chicken on both sides on the direct heat of the grill. Transfer to a foil tray and cook over indirect heat with the hood closed.
If you have a hooded barbie you can roast a whole chicken. Place the bird in a foil tray, put lemon slices and herbs in the cavity, place over indirect heat and shut hood.
Cook lamb or pork roasts slowly, over indirect, low heat with the hood closed.
Fish is great on the barbecue. Buy cleaned, scaled snapper and rinse under cold, running water to remove any blood which can make it bitter. Dry with paper towel. Cut 1cm-deep, long slashes in the thickest flesh. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and place on foil. Cook over direct heat for 6-8 minutes each side or until the flesh looks opaque when tested with a fork.
BARBECUE ESSENTIALS
Apron
Tongs
Wire brush
Meat thermometer
Foil trays
with Sarah Hobbs
EASY MARINADES & RUBS
Full of flavour: There's a marinade to suit whatever protein you fancy.
ASIAN MARINADE COMBINE 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 cup peanut oil, 2 shredded kaffir lime leaves, 1 stem finely chopped lemongrass. Use
this marinade with beef, chicken or seafood.
SPICED YOGHURT HEAT a small frypan over low heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 chopped brown onion, 2 garlic cloves, 2 tsp finely grated ginger and stir until onion is soft. Add 2 tsp each of ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and paprika. Remove from heat. Transfer to a bowl and add
2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 cup natural yoghurt and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. This is an ideal marinade for lamb cutlets, chicken thighs or prawns.
CHERMOULA IN a food processor, combine 1 tsp each ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and paprika, 1 brown onion, chopped, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves, crushed, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 2 tbsp coriander and 2 tbsp olive oil. Process until fine. Rub on steaks, lamb cutlets, chicken or fish before barbecuing.
RED WINE MARINADE COMBINE 1/2 cup dry red wine, 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp coarsely chopped thyme and 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard in a glass or ceramic bowl. Great for beef or lamb.
PORTUGUESE MARINADE COMBINE 2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 1 long fresh chilli, seeded and finely chopped, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil and 1 tsp sea salt. Perfect for chicken or prawns.
HONEY & SOY MARINADE COMBINE 1/2 cup light soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, 1 tbsp finely grated ginger, 1/2 cup peanut oil, 2 finely chopped green onions, 1 tsp sesame oil. Goes well with chicken, lamb cutlets or salmon steaks. Before serving, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
NEED A DRINK WITH THAT
THE barbecue has evolved considerably from its days as a pile of charred, red meats and daggy snags.
It can travel across so many cultural variations of flavour and spice, via a full pantry of meat, seafood and many vegetables.
So the old idea of stocking just a simple, quaffing red to cover every taste around the table is now defunct.
Tuna, for instance, is a medium-weight fish that can handle heavier white wine varieties like viognier and good chardonnay, as well as lighter red styles from pinot noir, grenache/shiraz blends and a range of roses from, say, sangiovese, tempranillo and pinot.
And remember, if you're outside, there will be plenty of sensory distractions already around you, so go for a wine with plenty of flavour rather than a subtle beauty that requires too much thinking time.
For the burger, a wilful sangiovese with an aromatic lift of garden herbs think thyme and oregano and similarly a grenache, shiraz, mataro blend will suit a hands-on approach to eating. There's a chance a bit of black-tea-like tannin in the wine will soften, too, in concert with the red meat and savoury elements.
And check the spice/chilli/citrus wow in the pork (recipe on p4) a dash of equatorial flavour from right around the globe. Try a wine with its own zing to match a crisp and refreshing riesling is the go, and ask not just for a dry style. There are some very smart off-dry, just-sweet styles around now and they would really suit the spice and saltier elements of this final dish.
Knowing enough about to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about , you should have nothing to worry about.
Tonight's TV: It's A Wrap For 'Life Unexpected,' And 'Pioneers' Return
Imagine the next time you join a discussion about . When you start sharing the fascinating facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.
Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to than you may have first thought.
It's the two-hour series finale of the CW's Life Unexpected (8:00 p.m.), a show with a small but often very devoted fanbase.
PBS's Pioneers Of Television (8:00 p.m. many places, but check local listings) airs its Science Fiction installment tonight. You can watch a preview, in which Leonard Nimoy talks about playing a zombie.
Bob Newhart is guest-starring on tonight's NCIS (8:00 p.m., CBS). Just thought you'd want to know.
Diane Sawyer talks to Mark Kelly, the husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, on tonight's 20/20 (10:00 p.m., ABC).
Another episode of FX's Lights Out — the first critically adored but tepidly rated show FX has put on the air since ... well, since Terriers — airs tonight at 10:00 p.m. But it's on opposite, among other things, BET's The Game, which it rescued from A 2009 cancellation by the CW, to startlingly good ratings last week.
The second episode of Onion Sportsdome, which I reviewed last week, airs tonight on Comedy Central at 10:30 p.m. As I mentioned in that review, I like the second episode more than the first, so if you haven't checked it out — or if you saw the first episode and thought it was so-so — you might give it one more shot at impressing you.
Knowing enough about to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about , you should have nothing to worry about.
Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to than you may have first thought.
It's the two-hour series finale of the CW's Life Unexpected (8:00 p.m.), a show with a small but often very devoted fanbase.
PBS's Pioneers Of Television (8:00 p.m. many places, but check local listings) airs its Science Fiction installment tonight. You can watch a preview, in which Leonard Nimoy talks about playing a zombie.
Bob Newhart is guest-starring on tonight's NCIS (8:00 p.m., CBS). Just thought you'd want to know.
Diane Sawyer talks to Mark Kelly, the husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, on tonight's 20/20 (10:00 p.m., ABC).
Another episode of FX's Lights Out — the first critically adored but tepidly rated show FX has put on the air since ... well, since Terriers — airs tonight at 10:00 p.m. But it's on opposite, among other things, BET's The Game, which it rescued from A 2009 cancellation by the CW, to startlingly good ratings last week.
The second episode of Onion Sportsdome, which I reviewed last week, airs tonight on Comedy Central at 10:30 p.m. As I mentioned in that review, I like the second episode more than the first, so if you haven't checked it out — or if you saw the first episode and thought it was so-so — you might give it one more shot at impressing you.
Knowing enough about to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about , you should have nothing to worry about.
On the Set: NCIS Welcomes Bob Newhart
So what is really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about --info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.
Truthfully, the only difference between you and experts is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to .
Shooting a scene in the autopsy lab on the NCIS set, Bob Newhart looks a bit absentminded, and an interloper might not know whether to chuckle. The TV legend is playing Dr. Walter Magnus, who preceded Ducky (David McCallum) as the unit's medical examiner. Looking over a corpse with Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Ducky suggests their old colleague add his forensic two cents. "Walter, why don't you jump into some scrubs? ...Walter?"
Newhart's hesitancy in responding isn't far off from the trademark stammer he made into a science on two of TV's most beloved sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) and Newhart (1982-90). Since NCIS is a drama in touch with its lighter side, you might guess the visiting icon was cast in "Recruited" to capitalize on his levity. Not so. The former doc is starting to fade mentally and, in a poignant twist, revisits his old haunts to see if they stir some memories.
"I know this guy," says Newhart, taking a break between scenes. "Well, I'm getting closer to knowing this guy." This dramatic gig isn't completely out of character for Newhart, who was Emmy-nominated for a three-week run on ER in 2003. "That was [exec producer] John Wells' idea," he says. "There was nothing in my previous history to suggest I could carry that off, but he felt I could. That was a guy with macular degeneration who worked with his hands and wound up killing himself. That's something I could never consider, having four kids and nine grandkids and loving life, but I could understand how this guy got there. In this script, it's a similar thing, with a guy who had to give up what he loves."
There's no danger of the 81-year-old Newhart giving up his life's work. "People say, 'Why don't you retire?' But as long as you're physically able, how can you [be] tired of making people laugh?" he asks. "The travel's a pain in the ass and I would never go back into a weekly grind — that's for young people. But I still love comedy."
On NCIS, "they encouraged me to make it as light as I wanted to," he says, although circumstances didn't allow for much of that. "Mark said to the director, 'We've got Bob, so let's put a phone call in,'" alluding to one of his comedic trademarks. "I said, 'Let me fool with it.' I was trying to walk a line between being funny and maintaining the integrity of the show — not to have the show stop for a Bob Newhart moment."
A set visitor wonders if his character might recur, à la recent NCIS guest Robert Wagner. "They're gonna have to hurry," points out Newhart, whose character's prognosis is grim. Exec producer Gary Glasberg passes by and says all hope is not lost. "We'll do some crossover with House and cure you," he jokes. "You were on the wrong medication. Too much Viagra or something."
Newhart says his wife of 48 years, Ginnie, is the biggest NCIS fanatic in the family, having gotten hooked on constant USA Network repeats while recovering from a liver transplant in 2009. "We go out for dinner every Tuesday with Tim Conway and Mike Connors and their wives, but we always make it home by eight — that's one of the conditions." He would've taken the gig without spousal nudging, though: "If you can pick and choose, why not go with the No. 1 drama on TV?"
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.
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Shooting a scene in the autopsy lab on the NCIS set, Bob Newhart looks a bit absentminded, and an interloper might not know whether to chuckle. The TV legend is playing Dr. Walter Magnus, who preceded Ducky (David McCallum) as the unit's medical examiner. Looking over a corpse with Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Ducky suggests their old colleague add his forensic two cents. "Walter, why don't you jump into some scrubs? ...Walter?"
Newhart's hesitancy in responding isn't far off from the trademark stammer he made into a science on two of TV's most beloved sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) and Newhart (1982-90). Since NCIS is a drama in touch with its lighter side, you might guess the visiting icon was cast in "Recruited" to capitalize on his levity. Not so. The former doc is starting to fade mentally and, in a poignant twist, revisits his old haunts to see if they stir some memories.
"I know this guy," says Newhart, taking a break between scenes. "Well, I'm getting closer to knowing this guy." This dramatic gig isn't completely out of character for Newhart, who was Emmy-nominated for a three-week run on ER in 2003. "That was [exec producer] John Wells' idea," he says. "There was nothing in my previous history to suggest I could carry that off, but he felt I could. That was a guy with macular degeneration who worked with his hands and wound up killing himself. That's something I could never consider, having four kids and nine grandkids and loving life, but I could understand how this guy got there. In this script, it's a similar thing, with a guy who had to give up what he loves."
There's no danger of the 81-year-old Newhart giving up his life's work. "People say, 'Why don't you retire?' But as long as you're physically able, how can you [be] tired of making people laugh?" he asks. "The travel's a pain in the ass and I would never go back into a weekly grind — that's for young people. But I still love comedy."
On NCIS, "they encouraged me to make it as light as I wanted to," he says, although circumstances didn't allow for much of that. "Mark said to the director, 'We've got Bob, so let's put a phone call in,'" alluding to one of his comedic trademarks. "I said, 'Let me fool with it.' I was trying to walk a line between being funny and maintaining the integrity of the show — not to have the show stop for a Bob Newhart moment."
A set visitor wonders if his character might recur, à la recent NCIS guest Robert Wagner. "They're gonna have to hurry," points out Newhart, whose character's prognosis is grim. Exec producer Gary Glasberg passes by and says all hope is not lost. "We'll do some crossover with House and cure you," he jokes. "You were on the wrong medication. Too much Viagra or something."
Newhart says his wife of 48 years, Ginnie, is the biggest NCIS fanatic in the family, having gotten hooked on constant USA Network repeats while recovering from a liver transplant in 2009. "We go out for dinner every Tuesday with Tim Conway and Mike Connors and their wives, but we always make it home by eight — that's one of the conditions." He would've taken the gig without spousal nudging, though: "If you can pick and choose, why not go with the No. 1 drama on TV?"
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.
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