| Spontaneous catastrophe: Notes from a recent 'Bakken Evening Out'
Behind the thick stone walls and arched windows of an impressive 25,000-square-foot home on Lake Calhoun, one might expect to find fine wine and food, enlightened conversation, entertainment and music. And one would find all of these things in this beautiful structure, mingling with some lunatic dressed as Ben Franklin, a machine that electrocutes you, strange fish, Frankenstein’s monster and a little miniature house that explodes. Welcome to the Bakken Museum, second Tuesday of the month. The home sits tucked away on the west shore of Lake Calhoun, almost out of sight from those touring the lakes by bike or car. No extravagant sign marks the spot, although being a museum of electricity, the proprietors could surely think of something to grab the attention of passersby.
Is it coaching or cussedness driving England?
Although the defence coach, Mike Ford, seems to be doing a good job, there has to be a question mark against John Wells, the forwards coach, after the sluggish rucking and mauling in Rome and the erratic line-out performance in Paris. As always in these matters, it is hard to tell whether the faults lie with the players or the way they are coached. .
Adspend predictions for 2008
Growth in these countries offsets the downward spiral seen in developed countries such as Japan and Germany and bumps up the worldwide adspend perspective to 5.3%, contributing US$359.5 billion out of the advertising pie.Internet adspend climbingIn 2007 the growth of Internet adspend drew money away from traditional activities and in the US was up 20% of the budget of national advertisers. Coen predicts that the Internet adspend will enjoy a sturdy 16.5% in 2008. Nevertheless, with all budgets coming under scrutiny in 2008, online marketers are also expected to think more carefully where they spend their cash this year.While adspend growth is expected for South Africa, this will be somewhat tempered by economic pressures. “With inflation at about 7%, 2% above the Reserve Bank's target, we can expect that advertising budgets will be tighter this year," comments Suliman.
John McCain’s Vice Presidential Not-So-Short List
John Hawkins lists 24 candidates that John McCain might conceivably pick as his running mate with synopses as to the pros and cons of each. I'm rather sure the eventual choice is on that list, as there's nobody that I've heard of who isn't. Indeed, there are several people I haven't heard of on it. Frankly, the available choices are rather uninspiring. There are good reasons for bypassing each of McCain's big name opponents (Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee) and there aren't a lot of Republican governors who already come with name recognition. .
2008 high school soccer season preview
Smunk's height is a huge advantage on corner kicks as his flying header attempts are quickly becoming legendary at Beaufort. "He just has a knack," Greenlee said. Mozzo's calm under pressure was a big key to his success last season. In Beaufort's two shootout wins in region play last year, Mozzo didn't allow a single goal. With Beaufort's defense taking a hit because of graduation, Mozzo will be asked to do a little more this season "We had a tremendous defense last year (and) lost a lot of those guys to graduation," Greenlee said. "Most importantly, Erik is there. His leadership is back." Returning starters Matt Stewart, Nash Brace and Ashby West will provide support for Smunk, Jaramillo and Mozzo. The versatile Stewart could be used on defense or play more of an offensive position.
Text-only Version
A fascinating archive of wildlife films from the last 100 years will be available online this week when www.wildfilmhistory.org goes live. The website, created by Bristol-based conservation charity Wildscreen and digital British wildlife library ARKive, will be launched on Tuesday February 26 2008. Two years in the making, WildFilmHistory celebrates the pioneering people and landmark productions in the world of natural history film-making. .
Iranian Peace Runner Navigates Maine Roads Enroute to Ground Zero
On Highway 41 in Florida it was crocodiles. Just outside El Paso, Texas, he was arrested, fingerprinted and detained for seven hours before a tobacco chewing police officer learned that Reza Baluchi, 35, by birth an Iranian, did not represent a threat to border security.
Baluchi is running the perimeter of the United States in the name of world peace, and to raise funds for the Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
On Jan. 4, he expects to arrive at Ground Zero in New York City, having run nearly 11,000 miles since June 17. He started his run from Central Park, heading south along the eastern seaboard. He passed through Newcastle on Friday, just a few hundred miles from his goal, and within reach of a world record for running the perimeter of the United States in less than seven months.
Peak-hour bike ban plan for trains sparks outcry
EXCLUSIVE: BIKES will be banned on all trains at peak hour from tomorrow, sparking an outcry from cyclists and public transport groups. The new rule, hidden in a State Government document, has been posted on the Metlink website. The Government has not announced the rule despite its publication in the Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual. And the Herald Sun understands the city's private rail operator, Connex, has not been notified of the change. The rule flies in the face of the Government's push for transport to be more environmentally sustainable. Just last week VicRoads, the Government body responsible for the road network, urged motorists to get out of their cars and on to bikes to take the pressure off the city's freeways. The new ticketing manual, effective from January 1, states "bicycles will not be permitted on services travelling through Zone 1 that; arrive in Melbourne between 7am and 9am and; depart Melbourne between 4pm and 7pm".
Florida cycling starts to pick up speed
BIKE SEBRING: One of the first events on Florida's 2008 bicycle touring calendar is Bike Sebring 12/24, Friday though Sunday in Sebring. Ride registration will be held Friday at the Four Points Sheraton near Chateau Elan from 6 to 9 p.m. The 24-hour event is a non-drafting endurance event, designed to challenge participants to ride as many miles as possible. All riders will begin at the 12 Hours of Sebring racetrack at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the 12-hour portion ending at 6:30 p.m.Riders in the 24-hour portion will finish at 6:30 Sunday morning. The 24-hour finishers will then be qualified for Ride Across America RAAM. For more information on ride registration, housing and scheduling, head to www.bikesebring.org or call Mark Andrews at (863) 385-3936.
|
