Teachers unions in four school districts in Allegheny County have now authorized strikes, but no walkouts have been scheduled yet.
Teachers in the West Allegheny School District voted unanimously to give their union leadership the authority to call a strike if necessary. Earlier, teachers in the Allegheny Valley, Bethel Park and Moon Area School Districts authorized strikes. Unions must notify school district officials at least 48 hours in advance of a walkout.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Rendell Campaigning for Marcellus Tax
When state lawmakers approved a new budget for Pennsylvania in early July, there was an agreement to take a vote on a Marcellus Shale gas severance tax by October 1. Governor Ed Rendell is now turning up the heat on the General Assembly to pass the tax by that deadline but there is still disagreement over a tax rate and how the revenues should be divided between the state and local municipalities.
Speaking in Tioga County Friday, the governor said drilling in the Marcellus Shale has the potential of being a tremendous economic boom for the state...
"We need the resources to inspect, monitor and enforce against companies that don't meet our environmental standards, and local governments need the resources to maintain their bridges, respond to emergencies and meet increasing demands for social services."
The governor said he wants the drilling industry to succeed in Pennsylvania...
"Because if they flourish and they make money, they'll be creating jobs and economic development and wealth for Pennsylvanians. I want it to flourish, but I want it to flourish the right way and the right way means a fair and significant and robust severance tax."
The governor notes that Pennsylvania is the only major energy-producing state that does not levy a tax on natural gas extraction.
Rendell has indicated he would like a tax similar to that in West Virginia...4.7 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of gas produces and 5% on the value of gas sold. The governor is hoping for $70 million in revenues to help balance this year's budget.
Speaking in Tioga County Friday, the governor said drilling in the Marcellus Shale has the potential of being a tremendous economic boom for the state...
"We need the resources to inspect, monitor and enforce against companies that don't meet our environmental standards, and local governments need the resources to maintain their bridges, respond to emergencies and meet increasing demands for social services."
The governor said he wants the drilling industry to succeed in Pennsylvania...
"Because if they flourish and they make money, they'll be creating jobs and economic development and wealth for Pennsylvanians. I want it to flourish, but I want it to flourish the right way and the right way means a fair and significant and robust severance tax."
The governor notes that Pennsylvania is the only major energy-producing state that does not levy a tax on natural gas extraction.
Rendell has indicated he would like a tax similar to that in West Virginia...4.7 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of gas produces and 5% on the value of gas sold. The governor is hoping for $70 million in revenues to help balance this year's budget.
Movies... For Free! Duel (1971)
Duel, 1971.
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Starring Dennis Weaver, Carey Loftin and Jacqueline Scott.
Written by I Am Legend novelist Richard Matheson and based off his own short story that had featured in Playboy, Duel is a psychological thriller about a motorist (Dennis Weaver) who is stalked by a crazed truck driver (Carey Loftin). It is notable for being the feature debut of Steven Spielberg, who had recently signed to a contract with Universal and had been honing his skills on the well-received TV pilot Night Gallery (1969) and episodes of several TV shows including Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970), Columbo (1971) and Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1971).
Shot on location in 13 days for an original running time of 74 minutes, Duel enjoyed high ratings when it premiered on US television as an ABC Movie of the Week in November 1971. This prompted Spielberg to embark on two additional days of filming, extending the movie to 90 minutes for a theatrical release in Europe and the UK (along with a limited North American release the following year). With the success Duel establishing Spielberg as a major emerging talent, he would go on to produce two further TV movies before making his theatrical feature film debut in 1974 with The Sugarland Express.
For more on Steven Spielberg, check out Trevor Hogg's in-depth career profile Encountering Spielberg and be sure to vote in our poll for your favourite Steven Spielberg movie.
Embed courtesy of GoogleVideo.
Related:
Five Essential Films of Steven Spielberg
Short Film Showcase - Amblin' (1968)
Click here to view more short films and public domain features.
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Starring Dennis Weaver, Carey Loftin and Jacqueline Scott.
Written by I Am Legend novelist Richard Matheson and based off his own short story that had featured in Playboy, Duel is a psychological thriller about a motorist (Dennis Weaver) who is stalked by a crazed truck driver (Carey Loftin). It is notable for being the feature debut of Steven Spielberg, who had recently signed to a contract with Universal and had been honing his skills on the well-received TV pilot Night Gallery (1969) and episodes of several TV shows including Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970), Columbo (1971) and Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1971).
Shot on location in 13 days for an original running time of 74 minutes, Duel enjoyed high ratings when it premiered on US television as an ABC Movie of the Week in November 1971. This prompted Spielberg to embark on two additional days of filming, extending the movie to 90 minutes for a theatrical release in Europe and the UK (along with a limited North American release the following year). With the success Duel establishing Spielberg as a major emerging talent, he would go on to produce two further TV movies before making his theatrical feature film debut in 1974 with The Sugarland Express.
For more on Steven Spielberg, check out Trevor Hogg's in-depth career profile Encountering Spielberg and be sure to vote in our poll for your favourite Steven Spielberg movie.
Embed courtesy of GoogleVideo.
Related:
Five Essential Films of Steven Spielberg
Short Film Showcase - Amblin' (1968)
Click here to view more short films and public domain features.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Dreamliner Delayed After Engine Goes Kaput
BRITAIN – Boeing (NYSE:BA) has once again delayed the schedule for its new 787 Dreamliner. The hold up comes after a test engine broke down while running an on-ground test in England earlier this month. Boeing and Rolls-Royce Group, the maker of the engine, declined to comment on the “uncontained failure.” When asked about the dangerous failure and the impact it could have on an in-air flight, or even to the company as a whole, a spokesperson declined to comment.
“Jeez! Can anyone take care of it?” Andy “Raw” Kibbens, co-CEO of The Markets Are Open commented on the disaster. “This needs to be fixed fast.”
A Boeing spokesman, Jim Proulx said that only Rolls-Royce would comment. However, after being telephoned by the co-CEO of The Markets Are Open himself, Allan Edwards, Rolls Royce failed to return his call.
“See if I help you again.” Said Edwards in despise after trying to find out more information about the matter, and lend his own expertise. “You want a piece of me?” Edwards shouted into the answering machine. He stood up and smashed one of his model planes on the floor of his office, “Take that!”
Boeing suggested that the new plane which was originally set for release in May 2008, may be pushed into 2011. US Airways declined to comment if they would want the plane or not after the incident.
Kenya Airways told Ait Transport World magazine that it might cancel its order for 9 Dreamliners and buy Airbus planes instead. An Airbus spokesperson taunted Boeing saying “Let’s see how you handle our new ships,” referring to Airbus’ new planes in Europe.
Shares or Boeing were up 3% on the day as investors held their breaths and bought the stock anyways after it was beaten down over the past week.
“Jeez! Can anyone take care of it?” Andy “Raw” Kibbens, co-CEO of The Markets Are Open commented on the disaster. “This needs to be fixed fast.”
A Boeing spokesman, Jim Proulx said that only Rolls-Royce would comment. However, after being telephoned by the co-CEO of The Markets Are Open himself, Allan Edwards, Rolls Royce failed to return his call.
“See if I help you again.” Said Edwards in despise after trying to find out more information about the matter, and lend his own expertise. “You want a piece of me?” Edwards shouted into the answering machine. He stood up and smashed one of his model planes on the floor of his office, “Take that!”
Boeing suggested that the new plane which was originally set for release in May 2008, may be pushed into 2011. US Airways declined to comment if they would want the plane or not after the incident.
Kenya Airways told Ait Transport World magazine that it might cancel its order for 9 Dreamliners and buy Airbus planes instead. An Airbus spokesperson taunted Boeing saying “Let’s see how you handle our new ships,” referring to Airbus’ new planes in Europe.
Shares or Boeing were up 3% on the day as investors held their breaths and bought the stock anyways after it was beaten down over the past week.
Football: Friday Night Scoreboard
VivaLoudoun Friday Night Football Scoreboard
Fri. Aug. 27
Loudoun Scores
Briar Woods 10, Millbrook 8
Broad Run 21, Fauquier 0
Loudoun Valley 57, Dominion 7
Loudoun County 14, Musselman (WV) 13
Sherando 35, Park View 32
Potomac Falls 14, Jefferson (WV) 7
Tuscarora 33, Woodgrove 21
Cedar Run Scores
Martinsburg WV 27, Stonewall Jackson 21
Osbourn 56, Forest Park 32
Battlefield 14, Lake Taylor 6
Fri. Aug. 27
Loudoun Scores
Briar Woods 10, Millbrook 8
Broad Run 21, Fauquier 0
Loudoun Valley 57, Dominion 7
Loudoun County 14, Musselman (WV) 13
Sherando 35, Park View 32
Potomac Falls 14, Jefferson (WV) 7
Tuscarora 33, Woodgrove 21
Cedar Run Scores
Martinsburg WV 27, Stonewall Jackson 21
Osbourn 56, Forest Park 32
Battlefield 14, Lake Taylor 6
Baseball: 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth World Series Schedule
Babe Ruth World Series fans: We have anchored the results and standings on the top of our page this week so you can find out the latest news here!
DotW Talks Pickles
With all due respect to our FOTF brethren, DOTW may take the occasional vacation from writing intros to our columns, but we somehow manage to put out a weekly edition with astonishing regularity. (In other words, none of that every-other-week stuff, you slackers.)We do find ourselves in a bit of a pickle this week, with deadlines looming for IN VIVO, START-UP, and our annual Pharmaceutical Strategic Alliances meeting. (You’re coming, right?)
Mmm, pickles. In an ideal world we would simply be referring to a piquant condiment perfect for enlivening pedestrian burgers and dogs in what may be one of the last opportunities of the summer grilling season. But a whole lot of folks found themselves in a barrelful of briny situations this week. Let us dive in.
For starters, how about Jazz, Immunogen/Roche, and EpiCept, which all woke up on the wrong side of the FDA regulatory bed? Throw in Novartis, which still has to woo those pesky independent Alcon shareholders to its cause without shelling out an additional bolus of cash. And squirt on a little Sanofi-Aventis, which not only lost the first round in its fight to stop a Lovenox biosimilar but also can’t seem to seal a deal with Genzyme.
Better add Inspire Pharmaceuticals to that mix as well. This week Inspire amended its partnership deal with Allergan for late-stage dry eye therapy Prolacria. No surprise, really; back in January the company reported Prolacria failed to show efficacy in a Phase III clinical trial, and it's no secret revised deal terms typically follow in a partnership that suffers a clinical setback.
But the revision is a little more complicated since the Prolacria failure also triggered an amendment in the two companies' ongoing relationship for Allergan’s Restasis. To summarize some ancient history, Allergan and Inspire first teamed up in 2001 to develop dry-eye treatments in a deal that gave Inspire the right to co-promote Restasis. In 2008, Inspire withdrew from the co-promote, but still received royalties on the Allergan medicine at the same rate as before. But there was a very big hook.
The royalty rate was good only as long as Allergan and Inspire continued to work on Prolacria. Now ith no new plans for a study, Inspire will get less of the revenue pie from sales of Restasis and “any other human ophthalmic formulations of cyclosporine owned or controlled by Allergan." The upshot? Look for Inspire to focus instead on its denufosol and Azasite programs.
To avoid your own deal-making pickle (or even a jam), we bring you another edition of...
Roche/BioImagene: In a bid to keep locking up capabilities in personalized medicine, Roche, via its Arizona-based Ventana Medical Systems, this week took out the privately-held digital pathology start-up BioImagene in a deal worth $100 million. The take-out comes just two years after BioImagene investors put $26 million to work in a Series D financing, the small company’s only disclosed fund raising since its inception in 2003. Backers of the company include Burrill and Co., Ascension Health Ventures, Artiman Ventures, and Siemens Venture Capital, the corporate venture arm of industrial giant and competitor to General Electric. Indeed, that Roche won the small firm, known as a leader in pushing pathology into the digital realm, was somewhat of a surprise. Given Siemens’ involvement in the 2008 financing, its presence in imaging markets and its ambition to become a one-stop-shop for medical testing, the odds in Vegas probably didn't favor Roche as the buyer. Still, the deal is a strategic fit for the pharma, since it complements the pathology offerings already in-house as part of Ventana. Moreover, it enhances the Swiss company’s cancer workflow offerings, providing a service element that’s become increasingly of interest to imaging companies, diagnostic players, and even life science tools providers.—Ellen LickingProcter & Gamble/Somaxon Pharmaceuticals: Somaxon is finally ready to launch the insomnia drug Silenor (doxepin) now that it has a co-promotion partner, Procter & Gamble. The San Diego specialty pharma announced the commercial arrangement Aug. 25, five months after Silenor received FDA approval. Under the agreement, the two companies will launch Silenor in September with a combined U.S. sales force of about 215 reps. P&G will provide about 105 reps who will promote Silenor to targeted primary care physicians and pharmacies, while Somaxon’s team will market to specialists and "top-decile physicians who treat insomnia," the firm said. For its efforts, P&G will receive a combination of fixed fees and royalties on U.S. net sales of the drug. In a same-day conference call, Somaxon CEO Richard Pascoe estimated P&G's take would amount to no more than 15% of the drug's annual net sales. The deal seems like a win for P&G, which made no upfront payment, and also gained an interesting downstream perk -- the right of first refusal to develop and commercialize Silenor as an over-the-counter product.—Joseph Haas
Roche/Aileron: On August 23, Roche announced it would collaborate with privately-held Aileron to use the biotech’s proprietary stapled peptide
Cypress Bioscience/Alexza; Cypress/Marina Biotech: Even as it continues to fight a public battle with hedge fund operator and minority shareholder Ramius, Cypress Bioscience inked a pair of small deals this week. The specialty player announced it would acquire rights to Marina Biotech’s autism drug for $750,000 upfront, plus milestone payments. It also licensed a preclinical smoking-cessation product from aerosolized CNS drug maker Alexza Pharmaceuticals. The agreement is worth $5 million upfront plus a $1 million milestone-based tech-transfer fee and includes a carried-interest fee in the event of a future acquisition of rights to Alexza’s Staccato technology for nicotine, an inhalable delivery system with electronic dosing controls intended to help smokers kick the habit. In the case of the Alexza alliance, Cypress will also pay for Phase I trials of the medicine, anticipated to commence next year. Back in June, Cypress, which markets fibromyalgia drug Savella (milnacipran), paid $30 million upfront to license an anti-psychotic drug candidate from Israel-based BioLineRx in a deal that also includes milestones. That partnership prompted a hostile takeover attempt last month by Ramius, which harshly criticized Cypress’ management and its acquisition strategy while offering $4 per share to acquire the company.--PB
Isotechnika/3SBio: Isotechnika announced an agreement Aug. 24 with 3SBio covering sales of Isotechnika's lead candidate voclosporin, a Phase III compound that helps suppress the immune system's rejection of transplanted organs. 3SBio will pay $1.5 million upfront to license voclosporin for transplant and autoimmune indications in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Chinese firm also will invest $4.5 million in Isotechnika via a three-year convertible debenture and will be responsible for clinical development, registration and commercialization in China. Interestingly, 3SBio also got the right to develop voclosporin products in other indications (including presumably ophthalmology where troubled Lux had worldwide rights via a 2006 deal.) 3SBio CEO Lou Jing said his company would work with Isotechnika to apply for approval from the Chinese State FDA for a Phase III trial inside China. 3SBio has become one company biotechs can look to for China-only licensing deals. Previously, 3SBio licensed Chinese development and marketing rights to AMAG’s chronic kidney disease drug ferumoxytol.--JH
Image courtesty of flickrer gadgetgirl used with permission through a creative commons license.
UPDATED TUESDAY 08.31.2010. Due to an editing error, IVB inappropriately referred to Aileron's peptide technology via the proprietary trademarked name of Anchor Therapeutics.--EL
Golf Roundup: Broad Run, Dominion, Park View and Potomac Falls Score Dulles Wins
(Aug. 27, 2010) - Broad Run High School has taken its lumps in tournament play this season but the Spartans improved to 3-0 in Dulles District duals with a three-stroke win over Briar Woods at Lansdowne on Thursday. Dominion derailed Freedom by 14 strokes at Trump National, 157-171, and in narrow victories, Park View edged Woodgrove by eight strokes at Stoneleigh and Potomac Falls edged Tuscarora
UPMC to Expand by 500
Most of the 500 positions UPMC plans to add in the coming year will be at UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, and in the insurance division. The move comes as the non-profit announced operating income that jumped 13 percent in the fiscal year ending June 30. The jobs come just a few years after the now 20-hospital network cut a similar number of workers. UPMC Spokesperson Paul Wood says those positions were very different than the ones that will be created. Woods says the system always has about 1,000 job openings as it deals with attrition however he says he does not think they will have any problem filling the new positions. In its latest financial report UPMC reports it generated $8 billion in revenue and netted $240 million in operating income for fiscal 2010. That compares to $212 million in 2009.
Taking nominations
We haven't done a vote on where we poll in quite a long time. That's more of an early cycle thing where we're trying to figure out which races are competitive and which aren't, and now that we pretty much know the answer to that we're tightening the rotation of states we poll and focusing heavily on places where there is a tight race for both Governor and the Senate.
But we'll do one next week: give us your nominations on where to poll next week and we'll pick finalists and put it to a vote starting Monday. We're not going to do any House races- just states that have a Governor's and/or Senate race in 2010. Fire away!
But we'll do one next week: give us your nominations on where to poll next week and we'll pick finalists and put it to a vote starting Monday. We're not going to do any House races- just states that have a Governor's and/or Senate race in 2010. Fire away!
Football: Beat the LoCo Experts - Week One Picks Revealed!
(Aug. 27, 2010) - We call this contest the Beat the LoCo Experts because, frankly, we must be a little crazy to reveal our picks prior to the football games on Friday but that is what VivaLoudoun Editor Dan Sousa, Loudoun Times-Mirror Editor Carl Lukat, Clarke County Sports Editor Moe Murphy and local football guru Jason Rufner all are doing!
You can enter your picks for each game by emailing to
You can enter your picks for each game by emailing to
Crist's Biggest Issue
There's been all sorts of analysis this week about whether there is or is not a path to victory for Charlie Crist in the Florida Senate race but the biggest problem for his candidacy is really quite simple: voters in the state just don't like him that much anymore.
Crist's approval rating on our poll this week was just 42% with 44% of voters disapproving of him. Republicans don't like him much at all anymore, giving him a 29/59 approval rating. Independents like him more than they like most politicians but his approval with them is still under 50% at 47/37. Democrats give him the best numbers at 54/29 approval but that doesn't come close to matching Marco Rubio's popularity with Republicans at 67/20/
The days of 60%ish approval ratings for Crist are long gone and that loss of popularity is the biggest thing he's going to have to find a way to overcome in the final two months of the campaign.
Crist's approval rating on our poll this week was just 42% with 44% of voters disapproving of him. Republicans don't like him much at all anymore, giving him a 29/59 approval rating. Independents like him more than they like most politicians but his approval with them is still under 50% at 47/37. Democrats give him the best numbers at 54/29 approval but that doesn't come close to matching Marco Rubio's popularity with Republicans at 67/20/
The days of 60%ish approval ratings for Crist are long gone and that loss of popularity is the biggest thing he's going to have to find a way to overcome in the final two months of the campaign.
Highlight of My Week
I sometimes post a crazy e-mail of the week, today I'm going to relate a crazy voice mail of the week. As you can imagine when your company makes hundreds of thousands of phone calls every week some people are going to call you and leave you an irate message for calling them.
One lady this week began with: "I am on the Do Not Call list (pollsters are exempt) and I can't believe you are calling me up asking for sex."
After a 2 second pause she proceeded to say 'and age and party and race.' Her complaint was that she thought it was inappropriate for us to ask her demographic questions. But that two second pause after the 'asking for sex' made it one of the funnier voice mails we've ever received. I don't think she was trying to be funny, she was definitely mad, and I wonder if the pause was because she realized how bad what she just said sounded. Should have stuck with saying gender ma'am! But you made us laugh...and we took you off our lists.
One lady this week began with: "I am on the Do Not Call list (pollsters are exempt) and I can't believe you are calling me up asking for sex."
After a 2 second pause she proceeded to say 'and age and party and race.' Her complaint was that she thought it was inappropriate for us to ask her demographic questions. But that two second pause after the 'asking for sex' made it one of the funnier voice mails we've ever received. I don't think she was trying to be funny, she was definitely mad, and I wonder if the pause was because she realized how bad what she just said sounded. Should have stuck with saying gender ma'am! But you made us laugh...and we took you off our lists.
News: LoCo Elite 5 - Top 5 Rankings for Football and Volleyball
(Aug. 27, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com are teaming up this fall to present the LoCo Elite 5 -- a top five rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun's 12 public high schools.
Here is our preseason picks, with a word from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa about each pick:
LoCo Elite 5 Foootball
1, Stone Bridge
If they filmed Friday Nights Lights in Loudoun, Stone
Here is our preseason picks, with a word from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa about each pick:
LoCo Elite 5 Foootball
1, Stone Bridge
If they filmed Friday Nights Lights in Loudoun, Stone
Polling on the Spill
The oil spill in the Gulf may be mostly out of the headlines now but Louisiana voters aren't getting any less mad at Barack Obama about his handling of it. Only 32% give Obama good marks for his actions in the aftermath of the spill, while 61% disapprove.
Louisianans are feeling more and more that George W. Bush's leadership on Katrina was better than Obama's on the spill. 54% think Bush did the superior job of helping the state through a crisis to 33% who pick Obama. That 21 point margin represents a widening since PPP asked the same question in June and found Bush ahead by a 15 point margin. Bush beats Obama 87-2 on that score with Republicans and 42-30 with independents, while Obama has just a 65-24 advantage with Democrats.
Louisianans are generally softening with time in their feelings about how Bush handled Katrina. Almost as many, 44%, now approve of his actions on it as the 47% who disapprove. Of course it should be noted that many of the people most negatively impacted by the federal government's handling of Katrina aren't in Louisiana to answer polls about it now.
If there is a political 'winner' in the aftermath of the oil spill it's Bobby Jindal. 70% of Louisiana voters are happy with how he handled the spill to only 20% giving him bad marks and his overall approval rating of 58% puts him at the top of the heap for Governors and Senators PPP's polled on this year. Specifically on the issue of the spill 89% of Republicans, 76% of independents, and even a 47% plurality of Democrats think he did a good job.
One thing very clear is that the spill hasn't done much to change Louisianans' opinions on offshore drilling. 82% of voters in the state support it with only 9% opposed and only 21% say the spill made them less supportive of drilling while 32% say it actually made them more so.
Full results here
Louisianans are feeling more and more that George W. Bush's leadership on Katrina was better than Obama's on the spill. 54% think Bush did the superior job of helping the state through a crisis to 33% who pick Obama. That 21 point margin represents a widening since PPP asked the same question in June and found Bush ahead by a 15 point margin. Bush beats Obama 87-2 on that score with Republicans and 42-30 with independents, while Obama has just a 65-24 advantage with Democrats.
Louisianans are generally softening with time in their feelings about how Bush handled Katrina. Almost as many, 44%, now approve of his actions on it as the 47% who disapprove. Of course it should be noted that many of the people most negatively impacted by the federal government's handling of Katrina aren't in Louisiana to answer polls about it now.
If there is a political 'winner' in the aftermath of the oil spill it's Bobby Jindal. 70% of Louisiana voters are happy with how he handled the spill to only 20% giving him bad marks and his overall approval rating of 58% puts him at the top of the heap for Governors and Senators PPP's polled on this year. Specifically on the issue of the spill 89% of Republicans, 76% of independents, and even a 47% plurality of Democrats think he did a good job.
One thing very clear is that the spill hasn't done much to change Louisianans' opinions on offshore drilling. 82% of voters in the state support it with only 9% opposed and only 21% say the spill made them less supportive of drilling while 32% say it actually made them more so.
Full results here
Baseball: All-American (Almost) Semifinals for 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth Baseball World Series
Purcellville (Aug. 27, 2010) - It is an All-American (almost) semfinals for the 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth World Series as the American Division No. 2 and No. 3 seeds swept their quarterfinal games on Thursday with shutouts.
When the draw was made for the World Series it was evident that the American Division was a powerhouse with three teams returning from the 13-Year-Old World Series including
When the draw was made for the World Series it was evident that the American Division was a powerhouse with three teams returning from the 13-Year-Old World Series including
City Finds New Way to Delay CPRB Request
Despite saying that it would turn over all the requested documents, the City of Pittsburgh has once again argued that it cannot give the Citizen Police Review Board what it wants. The board has asked for arrest reports and other documents related to police staffing and assignments during the G20 Summit in September of 2009. The board says it needs the documents to do its job. The city has argued alternately in the past that the data would put national security at risk, that it would jeopardize its efforts to defend itself against litigation, and that the board is not entitled to the documents without a specific citizen complaint being filed. It turned over heavily redacted documents in May and last month said all documents would be forthcoming. Yesterday, the city went before Judge R. Stanton Wettick and argued that it could not hand over the documents due to state laws prohibiting the CPRB from seeing the information. CPRB attorney Hugh McGough says the city does not fall under the Criminal History Record Information Act because it operates under a home rule charter. In fact, he notes that the city’s solicitor under Mayor Tom Murphy specifically laid out tight privacy rules and procedures that should be used in freely handing over the documents. In past investigations the city has made the non-redacted document available to the CPRB without question. Judge Wettick has not set a time line for making a ruling on the city’s latest argument, but McGough points out that the judge took ten days to rule in the last instance.
Republican Disconnect
One of the most interesting things about this fall's election is that the Republicans in Congress may take control even though less than half of the people planning to vote for them think they're doing a good job.
Our last national generic ballot poll found the Republicans ahead 45-42 despite the fact that Congressional Republicans had a 24/61 approval rating. Even among respondents who said they were going to vote Republican the Congressional GOP could muster only a 44/35 approval.
John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are going to claim a mandate when their party does well at the polls this fall but they don't even have much of one with the people who are going to vote Republican this fall, much less with the population at large. If they keep on doing what they're doing the GOP may well take control of the House this fall and then lose it right back in 2012.
I'm really interested in whether Republican voters would like to see their party's leadership in Congress replaced. It's not likely to happen- you don't tend to lose your spot after a good election cycle- but it speaks to a major disconnect between the folks voting Republican and the Republican leaders themselves. We're delving into some of these questions as it relates to Ohio GOP voters and John Boehner this weekend, and we'll probably do some of that on our next national poll as well.
Our last national generic ballot poll found the Republicans ahead 45-42 despite the fact that Congressional Republicans had a 24/61 approval rating. Even among respondents who said they were going to vote Republican the Congressional GOP could muster only a 44/35 approval.
John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are going to claim a mandate when their party does well at the polls this fall but they don't even have much of one with the people who are going to vote Republican this fall, much less with the population at large. If they keep on doing what they're doing the GOP may well take control of the House this fall and then lose it right back in 2012.
I'm really interested in whether Republican voters would like to see their party's leadership in Congress replaced. It's not likely to happen- you don't tend to lose your spot after a good election cycle- but it speaks to a major disconnect between the folks voting Republican and the Republican leaders themselves. We're delving into some of these questions as it relates to Ohio GOP voters and John Boehner this weekend, and we'll probably do some of that on our next national poll as well.
Jail Time for Pharma Execs? IN VIVO Blog Readers can Relax
There's lots of buzz right now about the potential for FDA to seek jail time for executives involved in quality control problems. This piece on CNN.com, for example.
Readers of the IN VIVO Blog, however, have nothing to worry about. For the past two years we've been noting the calls for executive accountability, and comments by FDA officials and others about their sweeping ability to hold top executives responsible for failures they may not even have been aware of under the so-called Park doctrine. (Start here or here).
So all of you can relax, because you made sure that your compliance with FDA standards is beyond question.
Didn't you?
Readers of the IN VIVO Blog, however, have nothing to worry about. For the past two years we've been noting the calls for executive accountability, and comments by FDA officials and others about their sweeping ability to hold top executives responsible for failures they may not even have been aware of under the so-called Park doctrine. (Start here or here).
So all of you can relax, because you made sure that your compliance with FDA standards is beyond question.
Didn't you?
KARTS: Apollo Motorsports' Parker Thompson shows speed at Canadian National Championships
Apollo Motorsports driver Parker Thompson, driving under the SH Karting banner, had a strong outing this past weekend at the ASN/FIA Canadian National Championships held at Circuit Karting Mont-Tremblant in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. Competing in the Rotax Mini Max class, Thompson adapted to the tricky facility early and proved that he was one of the drivers to beat all weekend long.
Driving the #80 Tony Kart, Thompson’s Canadian National Championships week got off to a rough start as a misplaced package in shipping would see Parker’s motor and other important pieces for his machine be lost in transport to Montreal. Utilizing a borrowed motor and engineering some pedal risers to make Thompson comfortable in the kart, the talented driver would set forth for a pair of test days as he looked to get up to speed quickly.
“We were thankful for the motor that SH Karting loaned us for the test sessions,” explained Thompson after Wednesday’s practice day. “We are hopeful that are stuff will show up before Friday’s qualifying session.”
Looking for an upside to the lost package, Thompson was able to log long practice sessions and multiple laps to familiarize himself with the facility. Learning tricks around the 16 corner track that decreased his lap time, Thompson was looking forward to the official timed sessions and the intense wheel-to-wheel racing action.
Arriving at the trace track on Friday morning, Thompson and his crew had learned that the race engine had arrived and they quickly began preparation to get it fitted to their Tony Kart. Hitting the track for practice one, Thompson was one of the quickest drivers on the track and was looking good heading into qualifying. Some major changes for practice two to test some different setups were in order and Thompson struggled slightly.
After resetting the kart and qualifying in the fourth position, Thompson and the rest of the Mini Max field were forced to use the heat race format to set the grid for the pre final. Starting all three of his heat races outside the second row, Thompson would look to improve with each heat and garner a front row starting spot for ‘Super Sunday’.
When the green flag flew for the first two heat races, Thompson and his Tony Kart machine were on a tear scoring third and first place results. Not only was Thompson at the pointy end of the field, the talented driver set the fastest race laps in both heats as he looked for Canadian National Championships glory. The third and final heat did not go so well for the Apollo Motorsports driver as the rain began to fall harder and harder. After being caught up in an opening lap incident, Thompson was forced to unfamiliar territory at the back of the pack and came home eighth.
With the combined points from all three heats, Thompson would improve one position for the start of the pre final and would line up inside row three. With the rain continuing to fall, Thompsons luck would head south as at one point in the twelve lap pre final he was mired back in the fifteenth position. Racing hard for every position, Thompson battled back up to the eighth position where he would take the checkers.
With high hopes for the main event, Thompson looked strong at the drop of the green flag. Looking like a seasoned veteran, the Tony Kart driver sliced and diced his way through the field. Setting the fastest race lap by almost half a second, Thompson was looking to make a pass for the third place podium position but a slight mechanical problem caused his machine to slow on the final circuit as he was forced to nurse it home to a fourth place result.
Thompson added, “I learned a lot this weekend. The tracks on the east coast of Canada are amazing and I am happy to have had the opportunity to compete against Canada’s best. I would like to thank my tuner Chris Freckelton and all the guys from SH Karting and Apollo Motorsports for their support this weekend.”
Parker would like to thank his current supporters and sponsors: Tony Kart West, SH Karting, Apollo Motorsports and BGR Graphics for all their hard work and continued support.
Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development // Photo courtesy of: Doug Thompson
PHOTO: Thompson leaves Montreal with a solid fourth place finish
NCATS Statistical Advance: Analyzing The NAPA Autopro 100 At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2010) – The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 makes its fourth visit to Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday, Aug. 29 for the NAPA AUTOPRO 200. It is the 2010 season’s 10th event and the last of five road-course races this year. Below is a statistical look at the race and recent performance of selected drivers in Montreal, as well as some statistical trends:
Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Mobil 1 Dodge)
· Posted his best Montreal finish of sixth last season
· Posted finishes of 28th and 21st in first two starts on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· On Aug. 21 at Mosport, posted first top-five finish since July 3 at Autodrome St. Eustache
· One of seven drivers to start all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, to date
Jason Bowles (No. 11 Triad Racing Technologies Dodge)
· Making third series start
· Finished third on June 13 at Mosport International Raceway in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut and second in Toronto
· Is reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion
· Four of his nine career wins in the K&N Pro Series West have come on road courses
· Is splitting time behind the wheel this season with John Gaunt handling the duties on the oval tracks
Patrice Brisebois (No. 71 L’equipeur Dodge)
· Making fourth career NASCAR Canadian Tire Series start
· Finished 12th last season in his track debut
· Veteran of 18 National Hockey League seasons – 16 with Montreal Canadiens
Robin Buck (No. 66 Active Green+Ross/Durabody Ford)
· Has a pair of top-10 finishes in Montreal – third in 2007 and eighth in 2008
· Making his 13th series start, all on road courses
· As an instructor at Mosport International Raceway, once had current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Jeff Gordon, at 15 years of age, as a student
Mark Dilley (No. 9 Exide Dodge)
· Has consecutive top-10 finishes – seventh in 2008 and fifth in 2009 – after a 21st-place finish in 2007
· Has posted four consecutive top-10 finishes
· Has a pair of top-10 finishes – Mosport and Trois-Rivieres – in four road-course starts this season
· One of seven drivers to start all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, to date
Maryeve Dufault (No. 10 Dodge Dealers of Quebec Dodge)
· Making her second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series start after debut in Trois-Rivieres
· The fourth female driver in series history following Ashley Taws, Catlin Johnston and Isabelle Tremblay
· Has raced sports cars and motorcycles, as well as serving as a Hollywood stuntwoman
· Developmental driver with FAZZT Race Team that fields car for Alex Tagliani in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
J.F. Dumoulin (No. 04 Group Bellemare/GP3R Dodge)
· The Quebec native, and brother of fellow competitor Louis-Philippe, is making his fifth series start
· Making first series start in Montreal
· Often competes in GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series events
· Car owner is current National Hockey League star Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning
L.P. Dumoulin (No. 47 Maskimo/Somavrac Dodge)
· The Quebec native, and brother of fellow competitor Jean-Francois, is making his fifth series start
· Finished 23rd in last season’s NAPA AUTOPRO 100
· Car owner is former Montreal Canadien Marc-Andre Bergeron
JR Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Schick Hydro Chevrolet)
· Won last season’s Montreal event
· Finished 22nd in each of his first two trips to Montreal, despite leading laps in both races
· Has led a series-high 39 laps in action at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· Current points leader by 16 points over DJ Kennington
· Collected sixth series victory on July 25 at Edmonton City Centre Airport and fifth series victory on June 13 at Mosport International Raceway
· Five of his six career series wins have come on road courses – Mosport (2), Edmonton (2) and Montreal
· Competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event, as well
· Finished seventh on June 19 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., in his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start in 2010 and first for JR Motorsports
· Finished 11th on Aug. 7 in NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.)
Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge)
· Finish of 13th a season ago is career best in Montreal
· Finished 20th in 2007 and 28th in 2008 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· Has top-10 finishes in three of four road-course starts this season, with Toronto being the exception
· Had a four-race streak of top-10 finishes snapped in his last outing at Mosport Speedway with a 14th-place effort
· One of seven drivers to start all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, to date
Caitlin Johnston (No. 01 Pizza Pizza Dodge)
· Making her third career Canadian Tire Series start after competing this season at Mosport Int’l Raceway and Exhibition Place in Toronto
· One of three female drivers, along with Maryeve Dufault and Isabelle Tremblay, entered into the event
· At Mosport, became the second female driver to compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series following Ashley Taws in 2008
DJ Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge Dodge)
· Finished fourth in all three Canadian Tire Series starts in Montreal
· Has strung together four straight top-10 performances
· Earned the victory in four of his last 10 series starts dating back to 2009
· Collected his seventh career series win and third of 2010 on Aug. 4 at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway
· Collected his sixth career series win and second of 2010 on July 3 at Autodrome St. Eustache
· Collected his fifth series-career win in 2010 season opener on June 5 at Delaware Speedway
· Competing in NASCAR Nationwide Series event, as well
Jeff Lapcevich (No. 23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet)
· Has registered top-10 finishes in all three of his Montreal starts – eighth in both 2007 and 2009, and sixth in 2008
· The 18th-place finish on Aug. 21 at Mosport Speedway was first outside the top 10 in 2010
· Posted top-10 finishes in seven of last 10 series starts dating back to last season
Kerry Micks (No. 02 Dickies/Beyond Digital Imaging Ford)
· Won the 2007 race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· Finished third in other two Montreal starts
· Has led a total of 28 laps in Canadian Tire Series action in Montreal
· Has finished inside the top 10 in 15 of his last 16 series starts dating back to last season
· Has one oval-track win (Mosport Speedway in 2008) and two road-course wins (Montreal and Trois-Rivieres in 2007) in NCATS action
· Is one of seven drivers to compete in all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races
Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Dodge Dealers of Quebec Dodge)
· Won the 2008 Montreal event
· Finished second in his other two series starts at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· Has two Canadian Tire Series wins this season – Toronto and Trois-Rivieres
· Has 10 consecutive Canadian Tire Series podium finishes on road courses, including seven wins, dating back to 2008
· Eight of his 11 Canadian Tire Series wins have come on road courses
· Has a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series road-course wins this season – Infineon Raceway (West) and Lime Rock Park (East)
· Two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion (2007 & 2009)
· Holds overall career series mark for wins at 11
Anthony Simone (No. 95 Rx100 Chevrolet)
· Has finished of 33rd (2008) and 30th (2009) in his two Montreal starts
· Has top-10 finishes in four of his last five starts
· Posted a pair of runner-up finishes on road courses – Mosport and Trois-Rivieres – last season
Scott Steckly (No. 22 Canadian Tire Jumpstart Dodge)
· Career-best Montreal finish was second in 2008
· Finished fifth in 2007 and 19th in 2009
· Finished 17th on Aug. 21 at Mosport Speedway for his first finish outside the top 10 for the first time since July 17 at Toronto
· Collected his first win of the season on July 31 at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, B.C.
· Has finished inside the top five in five of nine starts this season
· Has eight NASCAR Canadian Tire Series wins to his credit
· Won 2008 series championship
Don Thomson Jr. (No. 4 Home Hardware Chevrolet)
· Logged finishes of sixth (2007) and fifth (2008) on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· Finished 18th a year ago in Montreal
· Broke a 10-race winless streak with Aug. 21 victory at Mosport Speedway for sixth career win and first of 2010
· Has top-10 finishes in seven of last eight starts
· Holds the overall series career mark for poles with 11
· His six series wins is tied (JR Fitzpatrick) for the fourth-highest total in series history
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by MOBIL 1 At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
· This is the series’ fourth season to compete at the legendary circuit in Montreal.
· The average starting field in Montreal is 32.67 and average cars finishing on the lead lap is 19.
· There has been an average of 2.67 caution periods for an average of 5.67 laps in the three prior races in Montreal, with the earliest coming at Lap 2 in 2009 and the latest at Lap 22, also in 2009.
· The average starting position of the winner is 3.67, while the polesitter has an average finish of 14th.
· There are 10 Quebec natives entered into the event – Brisebois, Marc-Andre Cliche, Dufault, J.F. Dumoulin, L.P. Dumoulin, Ranger, Michel Pilon, Dexter Stacey, Isabelle Tremblay and Derek White.
· First series race with three female drivers – Dufault, Johnston and Tremblay – in the field.
For more information, contact: Shon Sbarra, NASCAR Public Relations, (704) 309-5493 or ssbarra@nascar.com
BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY: Ontario Dirt Late Models on tap this Saturday
BRIGHTON, ON - The Ontario Dirt Late Models are ready to go for this Saturday Nights points championship battle where Garland Pennsylvania's David Scott takes a narrow 5 point lead into Saturday over 2008 and 2009 ODLM Champion #22 Greg Oakes from Franklinville New York. Scott has already scored two victories this season however Oakes has had consistent top 5 finishes all season long keeping him in the hunt. 2V Chad Valone of Warren, Pennsylvania, Canadian Late Model legend #38 Kirk Hooker from Chatham, Ontario and #88 Andrew Reaume from Blenheim, Ontario round out the top 5 in points for this very competitive series.
Also this Saturday the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club makes it's first appearance of 2010 after being rained out back in June. Many of these classics that raced back in the day will be on hand Saturday Night to show they can still race door handle to door hanlde and mix it up with the best of them!
Don't miss the Ontario Dirt Late Model series featuring full sized Super Late Models with 700 plus horsepower take on the 1/3rd mile clay oval. The Bainer’s Radiators Canadian Modifieds, Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks, the Quinte Towing Stingers , the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club and a Canadian Modified Mechanics Race. Gates open at 5:30 pm and racing begins at 7:00 pm. Admission is $18.00 for Adults, $14.00 for Youths and Seniors, $4.00 for children 7 to 12 and $42.00 for a Family Pass. Visit www.brightonspeedway.com for a listing of all of the upcoming events and excitement at Brighton Speedway. More series info is also available at www.ontariodirtlatemodels.com.
The Labour Day Classic Weekend is fast approaching and advance tickets are on sale in the Souvenir Booth at the Speedway. Be sure to get your tickets for the Double Header Sprint Car weekend including live music from Printers Alley on Saturday night and a stock car show and shine Sunday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Complete details are on the web site.
From Brighton Speedway
Groups Call on EPA to Regulate Coal Ash
Several environmental organizations have joined forces less than a week before the Environmental Protection Agency launches a series of hearings on coal ash, to call for tight federal regulations. Right now the EPA sets up guidelines for the retention ponds and acceptable levels of materials in drinking water but leaves enforcement to states. The groups released a report today that finds in many cases states know toxins are spreading out of the ponds but are not doing anything about it. In other cases they say states wont even monitor the ponds. Those are among the reasons why the Sierra Club, Earthjustice and the Environmental Integrity Project say the federal government needs to step in with enforcement. The study looks at 39 sites as case studies including FirstEnergy’s Bruce Mansfield Power Plant’s Little Blue Run Surface Impoundment in Beaver County and Allegheny Energy Supply Company’s Hatfield’s Ferry Power station in Greene County. Arsenic, Aluminum, Barium and Cadmium were among the chemicals and elements found in wells or surface waters near those coal ash ponds. Researcher Russell Boulding says he looked at ground water contamination at two plants where the power company has on-site wells. He says those wells were being used to supply drinking water to employees and although he did not test the water he believes they were contaminated based on test done to other wells in the area. “Unless they are doing some pretty fancy treatment of the ground water they are poising workers at the plant,” says Boulding. The groups are calling for the EPA to set liner standards for the ponds, monitoring protocols and clean up requirements.
The full report can be found here.
The first EPA hearing comes Monday in Washington DC followed by 6 more around the country including one September 21st in Pittsburgh.
The full report can be found here.
The first EPA hearing comes Monday in Washington DC followed by 6 more around the country including one September 21st in Pittsburgh.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Movies That Might Have Been - The Beatles Do The Lord of the Rings
Gary Collinson ponders the fate of The Lord of the Rings had the stars aligned differently in Movies That Might Have Been...
What We Got…
Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings were surely satisfied with Peter Jackson’s Award-winning trilogy, which remained pretty much faithful to the sacred source text and adopted the book's three-part structure of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Jackson and his special effects house Weta Digitial brought Middle-Earth to life with state of the art visual techniques and a near-perfect cast that included Elijah Wood (Frodo), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Sean Astin (Sam), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Christopher Lee (Saruman), Hugo Weaving (Elrond) and Liv Tyler (Arwen), along with the splendid motion capture work of Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Released in three installments between 2001 - 2003, The Lord of the Rings delighted audiences and critics alike on its way to a world-wide gross of almost $3 billion and a place as one of the most popular film franchises of all time. The series sparked a resurgance in the big-budget fantasy genre along with a host of prestigious awards, while anticipation for the oft-delayed prequel The Hobbit continues to grow by the day.
What Might Have Been...
Back in the mid-1960s when discussing possible projects for their three picture deal with United Artists, John Lennon was lobbying his fellow band-mates in The Beatles to bring The Lord of the Rings to the screen. His proposal would have seen Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr as hobbits Frodo and Sam, with George Harrison as Gandalf (he certainly looked the part) and Lennon taking on the role of Gollum. Unfortunately - and perhaps rather unsurprisingly - the former Oxford University professor wasn't too keen on letting The Beatles loose on his baby and nixed the idea, holding onto the film rights until 1969 by which time a Beatles adaptation was a tad unlikely.
So, how would a Beatles take on The Lord of the Rings have gone down? When you consider their output around that time (the utterly bizarre Yellow Submarine, for example) and the amount of mind-altering substances that would have no doubt inspired the look and feel of the picture, you can only begin to imagine how surreal this could have turned out. It would certainly have been an experience and, as Peter Jackson commented back in 2002 when hearing the news direct from McCartney himself, “there probably would’ve been some good songs coming off the album.”
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the possibilities for the soundtrack to The Beatles Do The Lord of The Rings…
Across the Middle-Earth
Dragons in the Sky with Nazgûl
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me and My Gamgee
Good Mordor, Good Mordor
I Am the Warg-rus
Lady Galadriel
The Ballad of Sam and Frodo
The Continuing Story of Tom Bombadil
The Eye on the Hill
When I’m Eleventy-One
Have we missed out then?
There's no doubting the quality of Jackson's trilogy, which has to be one of the most definitive adaptations of just about anything ever, but thirty-odd years is more than enough time for a reboot. The Beatles version of The Lord of the Rings would likely have been a 'loose' adaptation at best, but certainly a moneymaker in its day and something that I'm sure a lot of people would love to have seen come to fruition. Let's face it - it certainly couldn't have been any worse than Ralph Bakshi's animated effort from 1978.
Alas, it just wasn't to be so if you want to see the Fab Four larking about on ring-centric adventures then you'll just have to make do with Help! I'm afraid.
Any thoughts on how you think this would have worked out? Any more song titles?? Feel free to leave your comments...
Gary Collinson
What We Got… Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings were surely satisfied with Peter Jackson’s Award-winning trilogy, which remained pretty much faithful to the sacred source text and adopted the book's three-part structure of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Jackson and his special effects house Weta Digitial brought Middle-Earth to life with state of the art visual techniques and a near-perfect cast that included Elijah Wood (Frodo), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Sean Astin (Sam), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Christopher Lee (Saruman), Hugo Weaving (Elrond) and Liv Tyler (Arwen), along with the splendid motion capture work of Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Released in three installments between 2001 - 2003, The Lord of the Rings delighted audiences and critics alike on its way to a world-wide gross of almost $3 billion and a place as one of the most popular film franchises of all time. The series sparked a resurgance in the big-budget fantasy genre along with a host of prestigious awards, while anticipation for the oft-delayed prequel The Hobbit continues to grow by the day.
What Might Have Been...
Back in the mid-1960s when discussing possible projects for their three picture deal with United Artists, John Lennon was lobbying his fellow band-mates in The Beatles to bring The Lord of the Rings to the screen. His proposal would have seen Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr as hobbits Frodo and Sam, with George Harrison as Gandalf (he certainly looked the part) and Lennon taking on the role of Gollum. Unfortunately - and perhaps rather unsurprisingly - the former Oxford University professor wasn't too keen on letting The Beatles loose on his baby and nixed the idea, holding onto the film rights until 1969 by which time a Beatles adaptation was a tad unlikely.So, how would a Beatles take on The Lord of the Rings have gone down? When you consider their output around that time (the utterly bizarre Yellow Submarine, for example) and the amount of mind-altering substances that would have no doubt inspired the look and feel of the picture, you can only begin to imagine how surreal this could have turned out. It would certainly have been an experience and, as Peter Jackson commented back in 2002 when hearing the news direct from McCartney himself, “there probably would’ve been some good songs coming off the album.”
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the possibilities for the soundtrack to The Beatles Do The Lord of The Rings…
Across the Middle-Earth
Dragons in the Sky with Nazgûl
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me and My Gamgee
Good Mordor, Good Mordor
I Am the Warg-rus
Lady Galadriel
The Ballad of Sam and Frodo
The Continuing Story of Tom Bombadil
The Eye on the Hill
When I’m Eleventy-One
Have we missed out then?
There's no doubting the quality of Jackson's trilogy, which has to be one of the most definitive adaptations of just about anything ever, but thirty-odd years is more than enough time for a reboot. The Beatles version of The Lord of the Rings would likely have been a 'loose' adaptation at best, but certainly a moneymaker in its day and something that I'm sure a lot of people would love to have seen come to fruition. Let's face it - it certainly couldn't have been any worse than Ralph Bakshi's animated effort from 1978.
Alas, it just wasn't to be so if you want to see the Fab Four larking about on ring-centric adventures then you'll just have to make do with Help! I'm afraid.
Any thoughts on how you think this would have worked out? Any more song titles?? Feel free to leave your comments...
Gary Collinson
Football: Beat the LoCo Experts - Week One Contest!
(Aug. 26, 2010) - VivaLoudoun.com editor Dan Sousa and Loudoun Times-Mirror sports editor Carl Lukat are cooking up something new this football season -- and no it is not Sousa's Sliders or Lukat's Lambchops -- it is a Beat the LoCo Experts style football pick'em where Sousa, Lukat and other area sports writers give their picks each week and the fans compete against them.
The fan with the
The fan with the
News: Dulles District Appears the Winner as Region II Levels the Playoff Playing Field with Expanded Format
(Aug. 26, 2010) - Region II has unveiled a new payoff format that addresses previous unequal representation in a region where the Dulles District, with nine schools, is almost twice as large as the Northwestern and Evergreen districts, which each have five schools.
The Dulles District appears the winner in the new format that will see some sports (volleyball, baseball, softball, girls and boys
The Dulles District appears the winner in the new format that will see some sports (volleyball, baseball, softball, girls and boys
Thoughts on... Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, 2010.
Directed by Edgar Wright.
Starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong, and Kieran Culkin.
SYNOPSIS:
In order to date the girl of his dreams Ramona Flowers, Scott Pilgrim must defeat her seven evil ex’s.
Having so much hype around a film can ensure that unless the film lives up to its expectations, it can leave you with a feeling of disappointment, which I’m afraid, was the case for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. I’m not saying the film was bad; in fact I really enjoyed it, it just wasn’t amazing. The cast were brilliant, and I’m big fan of Edgar Wright, but there were some parts of this film that just didn’t work.
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is an unemployed bass player who spends his time rehearsing with his band and holding hands with his seventeen year old girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). That is, until he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Completely infatuated, Scott pursues Ramona until they eventually begin dating. Unfortunately for Scott this means he must now defeat her seven evil ex’s.
The part of the film I really enjoyed most was probably the beginning. It was funny, witty, the acting was excellent, and I loved the perfectly balanced mixture between reality and the gaming world. Somewhere between the fight scenes I started to lose interest. The problem is that after the first battle the rest of the film is like a staccato of scenes; nothing flowed together and each scene seemed to jump into the next. The fight scenes themselves were great and each ex was very different from the previous, in terms of both appearance and supernatural abilities. The fights were well choreographed, entertaining, and I loved that each ex exploded into coins after being defeated.
What got tedious was Ramona disappearing or breaking up with Scott after every battle and Scott then moping around after her until the next fight sequence. By the fifth or sixth ex I was bored and wanted the film to be over. That being said the final fight sequence was by far the best, it’s just a shame that the time it took to get there felt a bit like being pulled in six different directions at once.
The film did have its good elements, and I think the cast was one of the reasons why I did enjoy the film. Ellen Wong as Scott’s seventeen year old slightly stalker-ish girlfriend was probably one of the best, although Kieran Culkin who played Wallace, Scott’s gay roommate, was another performance that I really enjoyed. Each of Ramona’s ex’s were played by some great actors, one of my favourites being Brandon Routh (although I am a slightly biased fan ever since Superman and Chuck), who had vegan superpowers.
While Scott Pilgrim isn’t amazing, it’s certainly worth viewing and deserves more box office attention than its competitors The Expendables and Eat, Pray, Love. Just don’t expect the film to be as good as the hype.
Vicki Isitt
Movie Review Archive
Directed by Edgar Wright.
Starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong, and Kieran Culkin.
SYNOPSIS:
In order to date the girl of his dreams Ramona Flowers, Scott Pilgrim must defeat her seven evil ex’s.
Having so much hype around a film can ensure that unless the film lives up to its expectations, it can leave you with a feeling of disappointment, which I’m afraid, was the case for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. I’m not saying the film was bad; in fact I really enjoyed it, it just wasn’t amazing. The cast were brilliant, and I’m big fan of Edgar Wright, but there were some parts of this film that just didn’t work.
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is an unemployed bass player who spends his time rehearsing with his band and holding hands with his seventeen year old girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). That is, until he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Completely infatuated, Scott pursues Ramona until they eventually begin dating. Unfortunately for Scott this means he must now defeat her seven evil ex’s.
The part of the film I really enjoyed most was probably the beginning. It was funny, witty, the acting was excellent, and I loved the perfectly balanced mixture between reality and the gaming world. Somewhere between the fight scenes I started to lose interest. The problem is that after the first battle the rest of the film is like a staccato of scenes; nothing flowed together and each scene seemed to jump into the next. The fight scenes themselves were great and each ex was very different from the previous, in terms of both appearance and supernatural abilities. The fights were well choreographed, entertaining, and I loved that each ex exploded into coins after being defeated.
What got tedious was Ramona disappearing or breaking up with Scott after every battle and Scott then moping around after her until the next fight sequence. By the fifth or sixth ex I was bored and wanted the film to be over. That being said the final fight sequence was by far the best, it’s just a shame that the time it took to get there felt a bit like being pulled in six different directions at once.
The film did have its good elements, and I think the cast was one of the reasons why I did enjoy the film. Ellen Wong as Scott’s seventeen year old slightly stalker-ish girlfriend was probably one of the best, although Kieran Culkin who played Wallace, Scott’s gay roommate, was another performance that I really enjoyed. Each of Ramona’s ex’s were played by some great actors, one of my favourites being Brandon Routh (although I am a slightly biased fan ever since Superman and Chuck), who had vegan superpowers.
While Scott Pilgrim isn’t amazing, it’s certainly worth viewing and deserves more box office attention than its competitors The Expendables and Eat, Pray, Love. Just don’t expect the film to be as good as the hype.
Vicki Isitt
Movie Review Archive
News: Heritage High School AD Ron Petrella Raises Money for Cancer Research in Role as Justice of the Peace
Heritage High School Athletic Directory Ron Petrella is also a civil celebrant (Virginia's version of a Justice of the Peace) and the cancer survivor raises money for cancer research by donating his fee for officiating at weddings to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
Editor's note: How about this story on the American Cancer Society website featuring Heritage High School athletic
Season Stock Car Champs to be crowned at CFS on Sunday
SHEDIAC, NB - With just a few points separating the top drivers in most stock car racing divisions at the Centre for Speed (CFS), it all comes down to Sunday afternoon's 2:00 p.m. final points championship event for 2010 where four new divisions champs will be crowned.
In the Super Sportsman division, points leader Craig Ward (#02) of Riverview has the slimmest of margins - one point – on Luc Bourgeois (#88) of Memramcook heading into
Sunday's 'winner-take-all' final points championship event.
In the Shediac Sportsman division, Don Marcoux (#27) of St. Louis de Kent will be watching his rearview mirror as three other drivers within striking distance. Marcoux goes into Sunday's final points event with a five point lead on Tim Layton (#6) of Hillsborough while both Doug MacEwen (#40) of Charlottetown and Tyler Rossiter (#14) of Weldon are tied for third, only one point behind Layton.
In the Four Fun division, points-leader Scott Bourque (#69) of Cap-Pelé gained valuable points with two wins in last weekend's event and heads into the final points event a few points ahead of Serge Robichaud (#63) of St. Louis de Kent.
And in the Mini Stock division, points leader Martin Landry
(#00) of Grand Barachois has already started to chill the champagne as he goes into the final points event with a seemingly insurmountable lead over Mike Edwards (#23) of Riverview. But as they say, you never know what can happen when the racing rubber hits the speedway
A reminder that CFS will be hosting a Street Rod Drag Racing and Tuner Fest event on September 18 as well as the annual Atlantic Stock Car Championships on October 2 and 3. The Monster Truck Nationals and Demolition Championships will cap-off the motorsports season at CFS on October 16. Full schedule details are available at www.centreforspeed.com.
This Sunday's racing action gets underway at 2:00 p.m.
From Tim Wile, Promoter & General Manager / CENTRE for Speed (CFS)
Volleyball Round-up: Briar Woods, Loudoun Valley Open Season With Wins
(Aug. 26, 2010) - Both Briar Woods High and Loudoun Valley High School opened the 2010 season with victories on Tuesday with the AA Falcons coming back to beat Kettle Run and the defending AAA state champion Vikings needed four games to beat Fauquier.
Also opening, Park View lost to Gar-Field, 25-21, 25-12, 25-22.
In that match Kayla Rymer had six kills and four 4 blocks for the Patriots while
Also opening, Park View lost to Gar-Field, 25-21, 25-12, 25-22.
In that match Kayla Rymer had six kills and four 4 blocks for the Patriots while
Golf: Loudoun Valley, Missing No. 1 Player, Finishes 12th in Tough VSGA Invitational Field
Midlothian (Aug. 26, 2010) - The Loudoun Valley High School golf team, playing without its top individual athlete, finished 12th in a tough 23-team field at the 4th Annual Virginia State Golf Association Foundation High School Invitational two-day event that wrapped up Wednesday at Independence Golf Club.
Each team, many of them the top in their classifications from last year's VHSL state
Each team, many of them the top in their classifications from last year's VHSL state
Financings of the Fortnight is... the Most Interesting Biopharma Column in the World
FOTF never really goes on summer vacation, unlike those namby-pambies over at DOTW. But as befits the Most Interesting Biopharma Column in the World, we constantly travel far and wide. And when we travel we cannot help but meet other Most Interesting People who want to discuss all manner of things, from protein folding to peregrine falcon migration patterns to the amyloid hypothesis to American trade policy.Despite having vocal cords that have addressed the United Nations General Assembly and performed Tristan und Isolde -- all in one day -- even we sometimes overdo it. This morning, after a night spent deep in conversation with three well-funded post-doctoral frauleins under the glow of poolside tiki torches and a gibbous subtropical moon, we felt slightly hoarse and downed an emergency anti-logorrheic. (That means this week's installment is short and sweet.)
Still, we can't help but note that all four editor's picks this fortnight underscore the changing nature of biotech venture capital. Heavily tranched rounds are now a mainstay, and perhaps here to stay. We've got two of 'em for you. We also profile an unusual PIPE with four participating VCs who are usually as private as private can be, and word from the feds that the Department of Health and Human Services wants to start a pandemic/emergency/countermeasure venture fund. They'd be wise to check in with Kleiner Perkins, which launched its own $200 million "flu fund" in 2006.
Stay informed, my friends, and when you read about biopharma financing, make sure it's...
Anchor Therapeutics: The peptide drug developer closed on $10 million of its Series B round from inside investors, with a new goal of $15 million – half its original target of $30 million. The company hopes new backers will join TVM Capital, HealthCare Ventures and the Novartis Option Fund, who supplied the first tranche of the new round as well as $19 million in Series A funding in 2008. “A little bit of setting goals is testing the market and seeing what the reality is,” CEO Rick Jones told our Pink Sheet colleagues. Anchor is developing candidates called "pepducins" to selectively bind to G protein coupled receptors. Anchor hopes its pepducins can trigger specific responses inside the cells and avoid side effects often associated with small molecule drugs targeting the receptors. Anchor's most advanced program is a CXCR4 agonist designed to attract stem cells to accelerate healing in fractures and myocardial infarctions. Novartis maintains an option agreement with Anchor that includes over $200 million in potential milestones as well as royalties. -- Shirley Haley and Paul Bonanos
Taligen Therapeutics: Taligen collected a $10 million tranche of its massive $65 million Series B round, bringing to $36 million the contributions of Sanderling Ventures, Clarus Ventures, Alta Partners and High Country Venture since 2008. That’s on top of a $4 million Series A and a small seed round, all in support of Taligen’s development of therapies that target the alternative pathway of the complement system, a surveillance system employed by the body to attack and clear pathogens that may go awry in certain inflammatory diseases. Taligen also revealed a broad patent on its compound TT-30, a replacement of the Factor H protein that regulates reactions in the complement pathway. CEO Abbie Celniker told The Pink Sheet that Taligen is likely to bring TT-30 into Phase I for an unspecified orphan disease in the fourth quarter of 2010. The compound is said to be applicable to a range of indications including age-related macular degeneration, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria,. Taligen is actively seeking a partner for its ophthalmic program, but expects the rest of its promised Series B money will help it take an in-house candidate into Phase III on its own. -- PB
Achillion Pharmaceuticals: Months after bringing in $22.9 million in a follow-on public offering, Achillion turned to venture capital investors to raise $50 million in a warrant-heavy PIPE financing. At least one, Clarus Ventures, has backed the anti-infectives developer before. Under the deal, announced Aug. 18, Achillion sold 19.755 million shares of common stock at $2.49 per share, its closing price as of Aug. 17. But for an additional $0.125 per unit, buyers also received seven-year warrants to buy 0.35 shares in the New Haven, Conn., firm for an exercise price of $3.1125 a share. Structuring the financing this way put Achillion on the hook to issue another 6.921 million shares, resulting in stock dilution that analyst Brian Skorney of ThinkEquity LLC said would add 69 percent to company’s share count as of second-quarter 2010. “The return to a more venture capital-based investor structure somewhat mitigates the benefit of the raise and will effectively decrease share liquidity,” he wrote in an Aug. 20 note. Joining Clarus, which participated in a 2008 PIPE that netted Achillion $29.5 million, were Domain Associates, Quaker BioVentures and Pappas Ventures. Achillion said it will use the proceeds to move lead candidate ACH-1625, a protease inhibitor for hepatitis C, into Phase II in September, while bringing two other HCV compounds, pan-genotypic protease inhibitor ACH-2684 and NS5A inhibitor ACH-2928, into the clinic in early 2011. -- Joseph Haas
Medical Countermeasure Strategic Investor: As part of a broad review of US medical countermeasure strategy released Aug. 19, an HHS committee is recommending the creation of a government-backed $200 million venture fund to boost startups working on products critical to medical emergencies, terrorist attacks or pandemic outbreaks. Different than BARDA, the agency charged with dispensing so-called "Bioshield" funds to build the national emergency stockpile, the countermeasure fund would invest in companies, explained National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci at a press conference. Known for now as MCMSI, the fund needs Congressional authorization. It would focus on companies developing new drugs to fight multi-drug resistant organisms, novel mechanisms for disrupting pathogenesis through host pathway targeting, and multi-use platform technologies for diagnostics, vaccines/prophylaxis and therapeutics, according to the review report. (The full HHS review is available here, with the MCMSI section on page 15.) As proposed, the fund would operate independently of the government and try to leverage private capital. The HHS committee cited as a relevant model In-Q-Tel, a CIA-funded firm that invests in intelligence high-tech. -- Cathy Dombrowski and Alex Lash
Photo courtesy of flickr user TreyDanger.
Volleyball: Two Stone Bridge Players Verbally Commit - Class of 2011 Amy Christensen to UConn and Class of 2012 Alex Heyn to Ohio State
(Aug. 26, 2010) - Showing its depth and talent, Stone Bridge High School has already had two volleyball players verbally commit to NCAA Division I college scholarships including Class of 2011 Amy Christensen, who will play at the University of Connecticut, and Class of 2012 Alex Heyn, who will play at The Ohio State University.
Christensen, who can play defense as well as she can play the front
Christensen, who can play defense as well as she can play the front
Charlie Crist's Big Dilemma
Charlie Crist led most polls from the time he left the Republican race for Senate until now because he was winning the Democratic vote. Now that Democrats in the state have gotten to know and like Kendrick Meek better some of Crist's support there has evaporated and as a result Marco Rubio is back in the lead. So what does Crist do now?
One thing Crist could do is flat out say he's going to caucus with the Democrats. Our poll last weekend found 66% of Kendrick Meek's voters said they would support Crist instead if he committed to siding with the Dems. 9% of Meek's voters said they wouldn't vote for Crist if he did that and 25% weren't sure.
There are perils for Crist in doing that too though. Only 63% of those currently supporting him say they would still do so if he said he would go with the Democrats while 20% say they explicitly would not vote for him if he did that and 17% aren't sure. Most of his remaining Republican support would dry up and he'd lose a fair number of independents as well.
Crist polled at 32% on this survey. 37% say they'd vote for him if he caucuses with the Democrats while 47% explicitly say they would not. Out of that 47% about 44% are Rubio people (Rubio's current supporters plus Republicans for Crist who say they wouldn't be if he went with the Dems) and 3% are Meek people. So you'd basically have a 44-37-3 race at that point with Crist needing to win somewhere in the neighborhood of 75% of the undecideds. It is a Democratic leaning group of voters, mostly folks currently supporting Meek or already supporting Crist but unsure if they would continue to do so if he committed to being a Democratic vote.
It is not impossible that Crist would get 75% of those people but it is unlikely. Nevertheless with his path to victory looking tougher and tougher promising to caucus with the Democrats is probably something he at least has to consider doing to reignite his campaign. It might not work- but it also might be his only chance.
One thing Crist could do is flat out say he's going to caucus with the Democrats. Our poll last weekend found 66% of Kendrick Meek's voters said they would support Crist instead if he committed to siding with the Dems. 9% of Meek's voters said they wouldn't vote for Crist if he did that and 25% weren't sure.
There are perils for Crist in doing that too though. Only 63% of those currently supporting him say they would still do so if he said he would go with the Democrats while 20% say they explicitly would not vote for him if he did that and 17% aren't sure. Most of his remaining Republican support would dry up and he'd lose a fair number of independents as well.
Crist polled at 32% on this survey. 37% say they'd vote for him if he caucuses with the Democrats while 47% explicitly say they would not. Out of that 47% about 44% are Rubio people (Rubio's current supporters plus Republicans for Crist who say they wouldn't be if he went with the Dems) and 3% are Meek people. So you'd basically have a 44-37-3 race at that point with Crist needing to win somewhere in the neighborhood of 75% of the undecideds. It is a Democratic leaning group of voters, mostly folks currently supporting Meek or already supporting Crist but unsure if they would continue to do so if he committed to being a Democratic vote.
It is not impossible that Crist would get 75% of those people but it is unlikely. Nevertheless with his path to victory looking tougher and tougher promising to caucus with the Democrats is probably something he at least has to consider doing to reignite his campaign. It might not work- but it also might be his only chance.
Table Games Generate $2,455,508 for PA in First Month
The first numbers on the launch of table games at Pennsylvania casinos have been released and Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh is topping the list. In the first 24 days (7/8 – 7/31) of operations the casino had gross revenues on 85 tables of $3,052,531. That resulted in $427,354 in state tax and $61,051 in local tax being collected. Of the nine casinos operating table games in July that was the highest take from the third highest number of tables. Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack had the most tables at 99 but had fewer days of operation. The Medows Racetrack and Casino grossed $1,911,064 from 62 tables over the same 24 days. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Executive Director Kevin O'Toole says, "While the implementation of table games created a significant patron traffic increase in July, it is too early to draw any conclusions on these numbers or the effect of table games on slot machine gaming."
Volleyball: Broad Run's Emily Sears Commits to NCAA Division I Southern Miss; Will Join Older Sister on Golden Eagles
(Aug. 26, 2010) - Broad Run High School senior Emily Sears has verbally committed to play NCAA Division I volleyball starting in the Fall of 2011. Sears will join older sister Lauren, a junior this season on the Golden Eagles roster.
Emily Sears
In addition, Sears will become the third sister to play college volleyball as older sister Sarah Sears played at Stetson University. Father David and
Emily Sears
In addition, Sears will become the third sister to play college volleyball as older sister Sarah Sears played at Stetson University. Father David and
BFGoodrich Online Poll: Which racing event are you most looking forward to this fall?
To have your say, visit the Inside Track Motorsport News homepage (www.insidetracknews.com) and look for the BFGoodrich Online Poll.
The results will be published in an upcoming issue of Inside Track.
Obama in the Swing States
Barack Obama expanded the map in 2008 but for the most part you're still going to find Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania as the most important states at the Presidential level because of their size and competitiveness and Obama's numbers in those places right now are brutal.
The trend is the same in all three states: independents are very unhappy with Obama and Republicans dislike him more than Democrats like him. And although part of the reason his numbers are so bad in these states is that they model a 2010 electorate, the polls also show him losing far more of his 2008 voters than picking up support from folks who went for John McCain.
-In Florida Obama's approval is 39% with 55% of voters disapproving of him. 88% of Republicans disapprove while just 73% of Democrats approve and independents go against him by a 52/36 margin. Only 78% of people who voted for him in 2008 like the job he's doing while 93% who voted against him disapprove.
-In Pennsylvania Obama's approval is 40% with 55% of voters disapproving of him. 85% of Republicans disapprove while just 68% of Democrats approve and independents go against him by a 63/32 margin. Only 78% of people who voted for him in 2008 like the job he's doing while 93% who voted against him disapprove, identical numbers to Florida on that count.
-In Ohio Obama's approval is 42% with 54% of voters disapproving of him. 94% of Republicans disapprove while only 79% of Democrats approve and independents go against him by a 58/33 margin. Only 76% of people who voted for him in 2008 approve while 91% who voted against him disapprove.
Obviously it's a long way from 2012 but these swing state numbers for Obama are pretty brutal and underscore why Democrats could lose a whole lot of House seats this year in those states.
The trend is the same in all three states: independents are very unhappy with Obama and Republicans dislike him more than Democrats like him. And although part of the reason his numbers are so bad in these states is that they model a 2010 electorate, the polls also show him losing far more of his 2008 voters than picking up support from folks who went for John McCain.
-In Florida Obama's approval is 39% with 55% of voters disapproving of him. 88% of Republicans disapprove while just 73% of Democrats approve and independents go against him by a 52/36 margin. Only 78% of people who voted for him in 2008 like the job he's doing while 93% who voted against him disapprove.
-In Pennsylvania Obama's approval is 40% with 55% of voters disapproving of him. 85% of Republicans disapprove while just 68% of Democrats approve and independents go against him by a 63/32 margin. Only 78% of people who voted for him in 2008 like the job he's doing while 93% who voted against him disapprove, identical numbers to Florida on that count.
-In Ohio Obama's approval is 42% with 54% of voters disapproving of him. 94% of Republicans disapprove while only 79% of Democrats approve and independents go against him by a 58/33 margin. Only 76% of people who voted for him in 2008 approve while 91% who voted against him disapprove.
Obviously it's a long way from 2012 but these swing state numbers for Obama are pretty brutal and underscore why Democrats could lose a whole lot of House seats this year in those states.
Toomey, Corbett Lead in Latest Poll
There are still a lot of undecided voters when it comes to the U.S. Senate and governor's races in Pennsylvania. A new poll from Franklin and Marshall College released today shows Republican Pat Toomey with a 40% to 31% lead over Democrat Joe Sestak in the Senate race. Still 26% of voters don't know which candidate they like better with about 9 weeks remaining till the November 2 general election. Pollster Terry Madonna says to catch up with Toomey in the frequency of TV ads.
The survey also shows Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett with a 38% to 27% lead over Democrat Dan Onorato. 4% of those polled said they would vote for someone else, but 31% are still undecided. Madonna believes that Onorato could be hurt by Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell's job performance rating of only 30%.
A potentially bad indicator for both Sestak and Onorato: at the moment Democrats are less likely to vote than Republicans. Only 37% of Democrats said they are likely to vote in November compared to 45% of Republicans.
The survey also shows Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett with a 38% to 27% lead over Democrat Dan Onorato. 4% of those polled said they would vote for someone else, but 31% are still undecided. Madonna believes that Onorato could be hurt by Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell's job performance rating of only 30%.
A potentially bad indicator for both Sestak and Onorato: at the moment Democrats are less likely to vote than Republicans. Only 37% of Democrats said they are likely to vote in November compared to 45% of Republicans.
Baseball: Six Teams Head Into Single Elimination at Babe Ruth 14-Year-Old World Series Including Unbeaten Defending Champion Tallahassee
Purcellville (Aug. 26, 2010) - After five days of exciting pool play at Fireman's Field six teams moved on to today's single elimination play in the Babe Ruth baseball 14-Year-Old World Series including defending 13-Year-Old World Series champion Tallahassee, Fla. which was the only team here to go 4-0 thus far.
Tallahassee and Waite Park, Minn. (3-1) both received byes into Friday's semifinals.
Tallahassee and Waite Park, Minn. (3-1) both received byes into Friday's semifinals.
New Children's Hospital Study
A new study published in the September issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation says Vitamin D might be used to treat and prevent severe allergic response to Aspergillus Fumigatus, a common airborne mold. While the mold does not cause serious symptoms in the majority of people who inhale it, for people with cystic fibrosis, it can cause a severe allergic response.
The research team was led by Dr. Jay Kolls, a lung disease researcher at Children's Hospital who works at Louisiana State University. They studied patients who had infections and had developed severe allergies and some who had not. Vitamin D helped those who had cystic fibrosis.
Kolls says this research might make treating the allergies a lot easier than with the strong medications commonly prescribed.
The researchers are now moving into clinical trials. This new research add to previous evidence that vitamin D may play a critical role on immune responses and allergic diseases.
The research team was led by Dr. Jay Kolls, a lung disease researcher at Children's Hospital who works at Louisiana State University. They studied patients who had infections and had developed severe allergies and some who had not. Vitamin D helped those who had cystic fibrosis.
Kolls says this research might make treating the allergies a lot easier than with the strong medications commonly prescribed.
The researchers are now moving into clinical trials. This new research add to previous evidence that vitamin D may play a critical role on immune responses and allergic diseases.
Vitter headed for a romp
There have been a lot of bad campaigns across the country in 2010 but Chet Traylor may win the gold medal for having the singularly most unimpressive one. With the Louisiana Republican Senate primary coming Saturday Traylor trails Vitter by a remarkable 81-5 margin, barely even exceeding also ran Nick Accardo's 4% despite the fact that Accardo's campaign has received virtually no attention.
Even if Traylor was a good candidate he'd face quite an uphill battle because Vitter's approval rating with Republican primary voters is a strong 78/17 spread. But Traylor has made quite a poor impression with the electorate. Only 10% of likely primary voters have a favorable opinion of him to 30% who seem him unfavorably. The 60% of Republicans with no opinion of him is a pretty good indicator of how his campaign never had the resources to get off the ground but the fact that his negatives out weigh his favorables 3:1 with those who do have an opinion of him wouldn't have boded very well anyway. This race will get called about 15 seconds after the returns after start coming in.
Looking ahead to the 2012 Republican Presidential race voters are pretty evenly divided with Newt Gingrich ahead at 25%, followed by Mike Huckabee at 24%, Sarah Palin at 20%, and Mitt Romney at 16%.
Full results here
Even if Traylor was a good candidate he'd face quite an uphill battle because Vitter's approval rating with Republican primary voters is a strong 78/17 spread. But Traylor has made quite a poor impression with the electorate. Only 10% of likely primary voters have a favorable opinion of him to 30% who seem him unfavorably. The 60% of Republicans with no opinion of him is a pretty good indicator of how his campaign never had the resources to get off the ground but the fact that his negatives out weigh his favorables 3:1 with those who do have an opinion of him wouldn't have boded very well anyway. This race will get called about 15 seconds after the returns after start coming in.
Looking ahead to the 2012 Republican Presidential race voters are pretty evenly divided with Newt Gingrich ahead at 25%, followed by Mike Huckabee at 24%, Sarah Palin at 20%, and Mitt Romney at 16%.
Full results here
Boys Soccer: Potomac Falls Grad Shanosky Recalled Into U.S. U-20 National Team
Washington, D.C. (Aug. 26, 2010) - D.C. United announced today that midfielder Conor Shanosky has been recalled into the United States U-20 side to take part in the Cuadrangular Internacional in Arequipa, Peru. On August 16, Shanosky became the third player to make the jump from D.C. United’s Academy to the senior squad, following midfielder Andy Najar and goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
Shanosky
Shanosky
Pittsburgh Schools Reconfiguration Okayed
The Pittsburgh school district Excel reconfiguration plan has the final approval of the school board. Superintendent Mark Roosevelt says implementation of the reforms will enable the district to transform some of the most underperforming high schools into schools that advance student achievement. Most of the changes will begin with the start of the 2011-12 school year. The Board approved the closing of Peabody High School effective June 2011. Students from the International Studies Obama 6-12 School will relocate to the Peabody building starting with the 2012 school year. Two 6-12 single gender academies will open in the Westinghouse building in Homewood next year. Peabody students may choose to attend either the single gender academies at Westinghouse or Milliones University Prep in the Hill District. Oliver high school will be reconfigured as an early college model program. The Homewood Early Childhood Center will move to the Crescent facility. The reconfiguration vote was 8-0 with Mark Brentley abstaining.
The Excel program was first introduced in 2006 as a five-year roadmap for improving the academic performance of all high school students in the Pittsburgh Public schools. But one of the components is a Teacher Academy. Yesterday's school board vote also approved the academy to be based at Brashear High School and King Pre-K-8. Over the past three years many aspects of the plan have been launched. District officials say the implementation of the next phase of the Excell plan will allow city schools to meet requirements of the U.S. Department of Education's requirements for federal and state allocations.
The board also approved an evaluation of Superintendent Roosevelt's performance and gave him a $15,000 raise to $240,000 annually.
The Excel program was first introduced in 2006 as a five-year roadmap for improving the academic performance of all high school students in the Pittsburgh Public schools. But one of the components is a Teacher Academy. Yesterday's school board vote also approved the academy to be based at Brashear High School and King Pre-K-8. Over the past three years many aspects of the plan have been launched. District officials say the implementation of the next phase of the Excell plan will allow city schools to meet requirements of the U.S. Department of Education's requirements for federal and state allocations.
The board also approved an evaluation of Superintendent Roosevelt's performance and gave him a $15,000 raise to $240,000 annually.
Free Marcellus Leasing Workshops Offered
CCAC has teamed up with a land brokerage firm to offer a series of free workshops on Marcellus Shale Drilling at the school’s Washington County facility. CCAC Director of Community Education M. J. Mandler says people in Washington County are starting to sign leases and now is the time to become educated on the subject “before it is too late.” “This is only going to get bigger,” says Mandler, “information is power and they should go into this knowing exactly what the are going to get into.” The free workshops begin September 11th and then run each of the next three Saturdays from 9:30am-11:30am. Mandler says they have limited space so participants are asked to preregister at CCAC.edu or by calling 412-369-3703 M-F 9a-3p. The workshops will be conducted by Terra Energy Advisors, which bills itself as an “oil and gas investment and management company” that “assists property owners to become educated on the process of fully developing their mineral rights and obtaining the maximum income for leasing their land.” Mandler says the workshops will address a long list of topics including; how shale drilling works, water and environmental issues associated with shale drilling and understanding the contracts involved in gas extraction.
Change in Gender ID Policy
PennDOT has changed its policy on how transgender people identify themselves on their driver's licenses. Transportation Department spokesman Craig Yetter says the agency and Equality Pennsylvania reached an agreement...
"Equality advocates approached the department and brought the policy change for passports to our attention and let us know there were 26 other states and the District of Columbia that had similar policies in place and then PennDOT took action to change the policy."
The U.S. Department of State in June implemented a change in policy regarding the gender markings on passports.
Under PennDOT's old policy, to change the gender on their licenses or state ID cards, people had to prove they had sexual reassignment surgery. The new policy that is effective immediately doesn't require proof of surgery. It does allow a change in gender on the licenses if people are living full-time in the new gender and it is verified by a licensed medical or psychological caregiver or social worker "whose practice includes helping people with gender identity issues."
Yetter says that can be done online at Department of Motor Vehicles website.
"Equality advocates approached the department and brought the policy change for passports to our attention and let us know there were 26 other states and the District of Columbia that had similar policies in place and then PennDOT took action to change the policy."
The U.S. Department of State in June implemented a change in policy regarding the gender markings on passports.
Under PennDOT's old policy, to change the gender on their licenses or state ID cards, people had to prove they had sexual reassignment surgery. The new policy that is effective immediately doesn't require proof of surgery. It does allow a change in gender on the licenses if people are living full-time in the new gender and it is verified by a licensed medical or psychological caregiver or social worker "whose practice includes helping people with gender identity issues."
Yetter says that can be done online at Department of Motor Vehicles website.
CCTCC: Castrol Touring Cars at Grand Prix of Mosport
TORONTO, ON - As the end of the season quickly approaches, Canada's best drivers racing today's hottest touring cars in the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires, will compete during the Grand Prix of Mosport this weekend. The CCTCC is proud to be one of the top flight series running this weekend, as this culminates a great season of auto racing at such a prestigious event.
The weekend schedule will start off Friday afternoon for the two distinct car classes with a 30-minute practice at 4:30pm. The teams are just back from a 3 day stint at the GP3R in Trois Rivières and will use this first session to set up their cars for some exciting wheel to wheel race action. On Saturday morning the fans will be treated to a 30-minute qualifying session at 11:45 where 36 cars will take to the track to determine where the competitors will start in the afternoons heat race when the green flag drops at 5:30pm.
The fans will have quite a few local favourites to cheer for, such as Touring Class championship leading Anthony Rapone (1167 pts) alongside his team mate Durabond/Compass360 Racing's Karl Thomson (1042 pts). Driving for Pfaff VW, Toronto, Ontario based P.J. Groenke (953 pts) hopes to dethrone Rapone from the top spot as will M&S Racing's Tom Kwok (904 pts). Look for last years Rookie of the year, Betz Pools Racing's Ryan Blanchet (593 pts) from Mississauga, Ontario as he fights his way to keep in the top ten.
The Super Touring Class championship points leading Lombardi Honda Racing driver Nick Wittmer (1084 pts) will do what he can to defend his position atop the standings. Wittmer will be under attack from Toronto, Ontario based Donnington Motorsports, Dave Ciekiewicz (978 pts) piloting his potent Subaru WRX STi and Montreal, Quebec GT Racing's Etienne Borgeat (788 pts).
With less than 330 points separating the top five drivers in the Super & Touring classes, the fans will have an opportunity to watch the years tightest racing and fiercest battles as each driver attempts to make his way to top of the podium. The green flag drops at 11:30am for Sunday's feature race. Be sure to grab a spot at the top of Mosport's famous 'turn-two' or at the end of the 'Andretti Straight-away' where a lot of the door-to-door action happens.
The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship Presented By Toyo Tires is Canada's Premiere Touring Car Series and features Canada's Best Drivers Racing Today's Hottest Touring Cars. The Championship is showcased at seven event weekends in Quebec and Ontario with marquee events at Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres and Honda Indy Toronto.
From CCTCC
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