''Tonight was a great win for the team,'' Smith said. ''Everyone played well and made tremendous plays. We did whatever it took to win.''
Zion-Benton (5-4) took a 10-point lead in the second quarter, but brothers Michael and Aaron Simpson led North Chicago (4-3) in a third-quarter rally that pulled the Warhawks within …
The necessity to regain U.S. economic strength is a pressing issue of national security, but actions taken to regain our strength cannot occur in a vacuum. Rather, economic recovery is one of three important elements of a larger strategic problem. Individually, each of the three elements is an enormous intellectual, political and organizational challenge, but they are a related set, making the problem a colossus.
The first element involves winding down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while continuing the larger, global war against al Qaeda and its associates in ways that achieve U.S. strategic objectives, increase stability and create a better peace. The second concerns American …
International scientists said Tuesday they are almost certain a mud volcano that has displaced tens of thousands of villagers in central Indonesia was caused by faulty drilling of a gas exploration well _ not an earthquake as claimed by the company.
Debate over the eruption has flared since a seemingly endless torrent of hot, black sludge started oozing from a gaping hole near the country's second-largest city of Surabaya on May 29, 2006.
Well operator Lapindo Brantas, owned by the family of Indonesia's richest man, Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie, says it was triggered by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that occurred 155 miles from the site two days …
BRISTOL, Conn. -- ESPN and Orbitz have teamed up to create ESPNSports Travel, a booking and travel information site for sports fans.
The Web site at sports.espn. go.com/travel/ allows users to bookflights and hotels through Orbitz without leaving ESPN.com. (It canalso be accessed by going to ESPN.com and searching for "travel.")
In addition to ESPN.com's schedules, statistics and sports news,the site includes a sports trip-planner with …
Mayor Daley's salary going up to $170,000? Ridiculous. If itwasn't for his father, he'd be a cabdriver or doorman.
The aldermen are getting a 36 percent raise over four yearswhile a working man gets a 3 percent raise. It's wrong. It's apart-time job, and they are overpaid without the raise.
What kind of democracy is this where the people can't vote onraises (for government officials)? Joe Maile, Near North Side Feeding the Fat Cats
With dismay I learn of a recent bill to pass our revolutionaryRepublican Congress. This bill would allow the self-employed todeduct a percentage of their health insurance bills, which would putsmall-business owners on a …
NEW YORK (AP) — A study calls for new runways and other expansions at two of the three main airports serving the New York region, where airline delays and cancellations frequently wreak chaos on air travel throughout the United States.
But the report released this week by the Regional Plan Association, an advocacy group, also warns of major obstacles, including environmental laws and development that has eaten up land around the airports.
It offered four options to expand Kennedy airport, each calling for one or two new runways. Three of the four options would require filling in parts of Jamaica Bay, a part of the federally protected Gateway National Recreational …
Malaysia's central bank Wednesday raised its economic growth forecast for 2010 and indicated more interest rate hikes are in the pipeline.
Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said growth picked up in the fourth quarter and the increased momentum would help the economy expand between 4.5 and 5.5 percent this year, underpinned by strengthening domestic demand and the global economic recovery.
The government earlier forecast 2010 economic growth at 2-3 percent.
The central bank this month raised its key interest rate for the first time in nearly four years, reflecting a strengthening economic recovery.
Gross domestic product rebounded …
SPRINGFIELD Gov. Ryan attacked estimates Friday that hisincentives for Boeing could cost up to $50 million but later backeddown as sources reiterated that the price tag is accurate.
During a pair of appearances, the governor said the state'sincentive plan is worth no more than $5 million and sharply disputedlegislative estimates placing its worth at 10 times as much.
"There is no $50 million package," Ryan told reporters.
Later in the day, Ryan's aides clarified his statements and saidthe $5 million figure the governor mentioned involved "Illinois FIRST-type grant" money that might go to Boeing, not the package's totalcost. Illinois FIRST is Ryan's $12 billion …
NEW YORK (AP) — Manufacturing company Fabrinet said Monday that it expects its Chokchai plants in flood-hit Thailand to remain shuttered through the rest of the quarter.
Fabrinet, based in Bangkok, provides services and parts for optical, electro-mechanical and electronic manufacturing companies.
As of Saturday night, the company's offices and manufacturing floors at its Chokchai campus in Pathum Thani, Thailand were flooded, with the manufacturing buildings filled with about 3.5 feet (1 meter) of water, Fabrinet said.
Before the flooding started, Fabrinet said it attempted to move and protect its production and test equipment, inventory and tooling. The company hasn't …
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — NATO forces say an international service member has been killed in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.
The international military coalition did not provide further details in its Friday statement on the attack, which happened the …
Gary E. Congram, 66, Katy, TX
Henry A. Holcomb, 92, Amarillo, TX
Charles E. Huckaba*, 85, New York, NY
William E. Huffman, 64, Auburn, …
NEW YORK (AP) — Given the economic climate of the past couple of years, is this really the right time to cheer a scheming, backbiting and unfit rascal businessman as he manipulates his way to the top of a bloated corporation?
It is, if it's Daniel Radcliffe who is playing the lovable go-getter J. Pierrepont Finch in a lush revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" that opened Sunday at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Radcliffe is doubly brave here. He's tackling his first musical and a tricky role in 2011: A con man with little business acumen who uses insinuation and flattery to get ahead, ultimately destroying his company in the process.
But Radcliffe is …
The potential for mobile robots is huge. They can help scope out disaster areas too dangerous for humans to tread.They can be built for domestic applications, like butlers.They can be useful in manufacturing processes. But that potential won't be realized until robots have a better power supply-one that lasts. Today's state-of-the-art robots, powered by a combination of a lithium battery and a DC electric motor, poop out after only 15 to 25 minutes. Not a lot of commercial appeal there.
But two researchers at Vanderbilt University are developing a rocket-powered actuator for mobile robots.The device not only weighs much less than batteries, but can repeatedly lift a 51 pound load five times longer than the most efficient batteries or motors. It runs on about 1 gallon of liquid hydrogen peroxide mixed with iridium, a precious metal that acts as a catalyst. This is nearly pure hydrogen peroxide, not the 3 percent stuff the drug store sells, notes Michael Goldfarb, who is overseeing the project with Eric J. Barth.The pair are co-directors of Vanderbilt's Center for Intelligent Mechatronics. Eventually, using that same amount of fuel, a human-size robot could be powered for up to 8 hours, Barth says, which is more like a human work schedule, minus the coffee and lunch breaks. Barth admits there's some risk to having hydrogen peroxide in a pressurized tank, but no more than having gasoline in a car tank."That's something that society has managed to deal with fairly safely," he says. Moreover, he adds, batteries aren't exactly risk-free, either."The contents of the leadacid battery in your car are pretty nasty, but packaged correctly, they are not a major safety concern."
The Department of Defense funds the actuator research and eventually wants to develop robotic exoskeletons to boost soldiers' strength. Exoskeletons could help a soldier carry, say, a 160-pound load because it would only feel like 10 or 20 pounds. So, in theory, tomorrow's infantry soldier may be jet-propelled.
Oil and gasoline futures rose Monday as a tropical storm heading into the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. dollar both weakened.
Benchmark crude for December delivery on Monday gained $1.85 to $79.28 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Ida had been listed as a Category 1 hurricane until midmorning, a storm that can take 1.3 million barrels off the market.
Yet the U.S. National Hurricane Center downgraded Ida to a tropical storm once its top sustained winds fell close to 70 mph (112 kph) and it appeared to be heading east of the most crowded region in the gulf as far as energy production goes.
There are also huge surpluses of crude, gasoline in distillates because of the recession, meaning the reaction to the storm was muted as far as energy prices.
Ida was the first Atlantic hurricane to approach the United States this year.
The latest storm track projection showed Ida brushing near Louisiana and Mississippi, then making landfall overnight near Alabama before continuing across north Florida.
Since hurricanes Gustav and Ike raked the gulf last year, there have been no major threats to the energy complex and demand for crude has left the country well supplied.
Crude oil stocks are 23.8 million barrels, or 7.62 percent, higher than a year ago. Gasoline stocks are up 13.6 million barrels, or 7 percent, and distillate stocks are up 39.8 million barrels, or 31.2 percent, higher than a year ago, according to energy consultancy Cameron Hanover.
The dollar, however, continues to fall and helped to push oil prices higher to start the week.
Investors holding euros or other strong currencies can buy more dollar-based crude, and that has sent prices higher throughout the year. Oil rose to $82 last month, its 2009 high, from $32 in December.
"At this point it seem unlikely that there will be any major damage to the facilities in the Gulf, yet the market has to be cautious," said PFGBest analyst Phil Flynn. "It is hard to determine how much of the rally in oil is Ida related and how much is it is dollar related."
In other Nymex trading, heating oil rose 4.8 cents to $2.0495 a gallon. Gasoline for December delivery gained 4.95 cents to $1.9738 a gallon. Natural gas for December delivery lost 1.8 cents to $4.577 per 1,000 cubic feet.
In London, Brent crude for December delivery fell $1.50 to $77.37 on the ICE Futures exchange.
___
Associated Press Writers Alex Kennedy in Singapore and Pablo Gorondi in Budapest, Hungary, and Becky Bohrer in New Orleans contributed to this report.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
BATTING_Hamilton, Texas, .358; MiCabrera, Detroit, .349; Morneau, Minnesota, .345; ABeltre, Boston, .333; DelmYoung, Minnesota, .330; Cano, New York, .329; DeJesus, Kansas City, .318.
RUNS_Teixeira, New York, 75; Crawford, Tampa Bay, 74; Youkilis, Boston, 73; MiCabrera, Detroit, 71; Cano, New York, 69; Jeter, New York, 69; Hamilton, Texas, 67; MYoung, Texas, 67.
RBI_MiCabrera, Detroit, 88; ARodriguez, New York, 81; Guerrero, Texas, 77; DelmYoung, Minnesota, 76; JBautista, Toronto, 75; Hamilton, Texas, 74; Teixeira, New York, 70.
HITS_Hamilton, Texas, 139; ISuzuki, Seattle, 127; MiCabrera, Detroit, 126; Cano, New York, 126; ABeltre, Boston, 124; MYoung, Texas, 124; Podsednik, Kansas City, 119.
DOUBLES_MiCabrera, Detroit, 35; Markakis, Baltimore, 33; Hamilton, Texas, 32; Mauer, Minnesota, 32; DelmYoung, Minnesota, 31; Longoria, Tampa Bay, 30; VWells, Toronto, 30.
TRIPLES_Crawford, Tampa Bay, 7; AJackson, Detroit, 7; Span, Minnesota, 7; Pennington, Oakland, 6; Podsednik, Kansas City, 6; FLewis, Toronto, 5; Youkilis, Boston, 5.
HOME RUNS_JBautista, Toronto, 30; MiCabrera, Detroit, 24; Hamilton, Texas, 23; Konerko, Chicago, 23; CPena, Tampa Bay, 22; DOrtiz, Boston, 21; Guerrero, Texas, 20; Teixeira, New York, 20; VWells, Toronto, 20.
STOLEN BASES_Crawford, Tampa Bay, 37; Pierre, Chicago, 37; Podsednik, Kansas City, 30; RDavis, Oakland, 29; Gardner, New York, 27; BUpton, Tampa Bay, 27; Figgins, Seattle, 26.
PITCHING_Sabathia, New York, 13-4; Price, Tampa Bay, 13-5; Pavano, Minnesota, 13-6; PHughes, New York, 12-3; Verlander, Detroit, 12-6; Pettitte, New York, 11-2; CBuchholz, Boston, 11-5; Garza, Tampa Bay, 11-5; Lester, Boston, 11-5; Danks, Chicago, 11-7.
STRIKEOUTS_JerWeaver, Los Angeles, 155; FHernandez, Seattle, 145; Lester, Boston, 143; Liriano, Minnesota, 139; Verlander, Detroit, 130; Morrow, Toronto, 125; RRomero, Toronto, 124; Sabathia, New York, 124.
SAVES_NFeliz, Texas, 28; Soria, Kansas City, 27; RSoriano, Tampa Bay, 27; Papelbon, Boston, 24; Gregg, Toronto, 23; Valverde, Detroit, 21; Valverde, Detroit, 21; MRivera, New York, 21.
A car bomb apparently targeting military personnel killed four people and wounded 34 Thursday in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern city of Diyarbakir, the prime minister said.
A bus transporting military personnel was passing by a five-star hotel when the bomb exploded, the state-run Anatolia news agency said. Four people were killed and 52 people wounded in the blast, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
RANDALLSTOWN, Md. - Ravens linebacker Roderick Green was stabbed early Sunday during a fight at a bowling alley, Baltimore County police said.
Green was taken to Sinai Hospital. Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne told WBFF-TV that Green's injury doesn't appear to be serious.
Police said a fight broke out when Green bumped into another bowler. Green tried to break it off and left the bowling alley, but the man came after him and stabbed him in the parking lot.
Green ran after being stabbed, and the attacker tried to chase him down but was unable to do so.
Police have no suspects in the attack. The assailant and the player didn't know each other, police said.
Green, 24, is a third-year player out of Central Missouri State. He played in 16 games last season and had two sacks.
TOP STORY:
SOC--WCUP BIDS
ZURICH — With Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pulling out of helping Russia's 2018 World Cup bid, the frantic last day of politicking was left to other leaders, princes and football greats to work their charm on the 22 voters. Developing. By Raf Casert.
WITH:
BC-SOC--WCUP BIDS-BECKHAM. Moved. By Rob Harris.
BC-SOC--WCUP BIDS-RONALDO. Moved.
BC-SOC--WCUP BIDS-PUTIN MYSTERY. Moved. By David Nowak.
BC-SOC--WCUP BIDS-OCEANIA. Moved. By Graham Dunbar.
SPORTS COMMENT:
SOC--JOHN LEICESTER-120110
ZURICH — There'll be two winners and seven losers who may feel they've been robbed. There'll be the televised drama of football supremo Sepp Blatter announcing which countries — by bending over backward, by twisting arms and by offering who knows what else in promises and inducements — won the right to host the World Cups of 2018 and 2022. But there will not be peace of mind, not after the unsightly developments of recent weeks. By Sports Columnist John Leicester. AP Photos. By 1500 GMT.
NEW/DEVELOPING:
CRI--PAKISTAN-FIXING
ISLAMABAD — A Pakistan television news program has aired video of allegedly corrupt player agent Mazhar Majeed incriminating four more Pakistan cricketers in spot-fixing. Moved.
COM--INDIA-GAMES CORRUPTION
NEW DELHI — Indian police raided the homes and offices of two top organizers of the recent Commonwealth Games following accusations that that they paid exorbitant rates for buying equipment from a Swiss company, an official said Wednesday. Moved.
ML--IRAN-HANGING
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran on Wednesday hanged a former football player's mistress — known as a "temporary wife" — who was convicted of murdering her love rival in a case that captivated the Iranian public for several years. Shahla Jahed was hanged at dawn, after spending more than eight years in jail for the slaying of Nasser Mohammad Khani's wife, the official IRNA news agency reported. Moved. By Ali Akbar Dareini.
FOOTBALL:
EUROPA LEAGUE ROUNDUP
LONDON — Manchester City, Lech Poznan and Sporting Lisbon are among the clubs looking to progress to the knockout stage of the Europa Cup on Wednesday night. Expected by 2200 GMT. By Stuart Condie
SOC--FRENCH ROUNDUP
PARIS — Defending champion Marseille is coming back into form after a slow start to the season, and a home win against Rennes will move Didier Deschamps' team three points clear at the top of the French league. Also, Valenciennes hosts Saint-Etienne. Expected by 1900 GMT.
ALSO:
— ROME — BC-SOC--SERIE A-STRIKE. Moved.
— LONDON — BC-SOC--CHELSEA-WILKINS. Moved.
— MADRID — BC-SOC--REAL MADRID-KAKA. Moved.
— BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — BC-SOC--ARGENTINE ROUNDUP. Moved.
CRICKET:
CRI--SRI LANKA-WEST INDIES
PALLEKELLE, Sri Lanka — Darren Bravo hit an unbeaten 63 and added 115 runs for the second wicket with Devon Smith as West Indies recovered to post 134-2 after losing Chris Gayle in the first ball of the match. Moved.
CRI--BANGLADESH-ZIMBABWE
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Chris Mpofu claimed three wickets to help Zimbabwe win the first of five one-day internationals against Bangladesh by nine runs on Wednesday at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Moved.
CRI--INDIA-NEW ZEALAND
JAIPUR, India — New-ball bowler Shantakumaran Sreesanth bagged four for 47 as India restricted New Zealand to 258-8 in the second limited-overs international. Will be updated.
CRI--AUSTRALIA-ENGLAND
ADELAIDE, Australia — England batsman Jonathan Trott on Wednesday played down suggestions his team will take momentum from its strong performance in the Ashes series opener into the second cricket test against Australia. Moved.
ALSO:
— ADELAIDE, Australia — BC-CRI--ASHES-AUSTRALIAN FALLOUT. Moved.
— ADELAIDE, Australia — BC-CRI--ASHES-CLARKE
CRI--ICC-REVIEW SYSTEM
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates —The International Cricket Council wants the decision review system used in one-day internationals ahead of next year's World Cup. Moved.
GOLF:
GLF--AUSTRALIA-RICH LIST
SYDNEY — Former world golf No. 1 Greg Norman has been dropped from the list of Australia's top sports earners after 15 years because its compilers believe his income now derives more from business interests than sporting endeavors. Moved.
ALSO:
— SYDNEY — BC-GLF--AUSTRALIA-O'MALLEY. Moved.
BOXING:
BOX--HOLYFIELD-NIELSEN
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield plans to fight Denmark's Brian Nielsen in March. Moved.
BOX--HARRISON FUTURE
LONDON — British heavyweight Audley Harrison says he will continue fighting despite his embarrassing defeat to David Haye. Moved.
CYCLING:
CYC--DOPING-ASTARLOA BANNED
MADRID — Former world road racing champion Igor Astarloa has received a two-year doping ban from the Spanish cycling federation. Moved.
RUGBY:
RGU--SOUTH AFRICA TEAM
LONDON — South Africa will field three new players in Saturday's tour-ender against the Barbarians at Twickenham. Center Andries Strauss, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and prop Coenie Oosthuizen were drafted in Wednesday among 12 changes to the side that defeated England 21-11 last weekend. Moved.
RGU--DUBAI SEVENS
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Fresh off its Commonwealth Games gold, New Zealand is looking to reclaim the World Sevens title that once was its for the taking but in recent years has gone to a string of rising powers including Samoa and South Africa. Moved. By Michael Casey.
ALSO:
— OAKLAND, California — BC-BKN--NBA ROUNDUP. Moved.
— NEW YORK — BC-BBO--BASEBALL ROUNDUP. Moved.
— CHICAGO — BC-HKN--NHL ROUNDUP. Moved.
— LOS ANGELES — BC-BBN--DODGERS-MCCOURTS. Moved.
— ARLINGTON, Texas — BC-BBA--RANGERS-TATEYAMA. Moved.
YOUR QUERIES: Questions and story requests are welcome. Contact your local AP bureau or the AP International Sports Desk in London by telephone at 44-207-427-4105, fax 44-207-427-4118.
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia won't lift incentives that encourage foreign carmakers to produce parts in the country in exchange for World Trade Organization membership, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned on Friday.
Speaking to workers at a major Russian steel plant in the Ural mountains, Putin assured them that Russia will not sacrifice the development of its car industry in exchange for WTO membership.
Foreign carmakers operating in Russia are entitled to low import duties for parts if they produce at least 300,000 cars a year and at least 60 percent of parts are produced locally.
"We're in difficult talks with the European Commission and the United States," Putin said on national television. "But our position here is unwavering. This is the red line that we will not cross because we cannot give up the interests of our producers."
Those comments were in stark contrast with the optimism expressed by President Dmitry Medvedev in June.
At a summit with the EU, Medvedev said Russia, the largest economy outside the WTO, "is sick of" 18 years of talks to join the organization and described the remaining differences as insignificant.
At that time, Medvedev and European officials voiced confidence that Russia would join the WTO before the end of the year, and U.S. officials gave similar timelines.
Scores of foreign carmakers have opened plants in Russia in the past decade, hoping to cash in on a market that is on track to become Europe's largest. Sales in Russia rose by 56 percent, to 1.2 million, in January-June, according to the Association of European Businesses in Russia. Nine out of ten best sellers were produced in Russia.
But as the foreign majors started to reap profits from the market that local producers were unable to satisfy, the government launched a campaign to couple up struggling Russian plants with foreign majors and push them to produce parts in Russia.
Most carmakers operating in Russia have signed deals with the government, committing to invest millions of dollars in exchange for low import duties. Among them are General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan, Fiat and other global majors.
Russians generally prefer foreign brands and complaints of the poor quality of Russian cars abound, but the government has been propping up struggling and loss-making carmakers for years.
The government provided a much criticized $1 billion bailout to save troubled carmaker AvtoVAZ after requiring that the plant modernize its products. Critics say AvtoVAZ's cars still have a long way to go to be competitive with cheaper and more reliable Korean and Chinese cars.
Mattel Inc. and its Fisher-Price subsidiary have agreed to settle a consumer lawsuit for what could total more than $50 million over the 2007 recall of millions of toys made in China that were found to contain high levels of lead, the company said Tuesday.
The proposed class action settlement will resolve 22 suits filed against Mattel and Fisher-Price and major retailers on behalf of millions of families who purchased or received the defective toys as gifts before they were later recalled or withdrawn from market.
In the settlement, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Mattel and Fisher-Price agreed to provide refunds or other reimbursement to those who purchased the Chinese-made toys, said John J. Stoia Jr. of plaintiff law firm Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP.
Plaintiff law firm Whatley Drake & Kallas said Mattel will provide toy buyers who are part of the class-action lawsuit either 50 percent of the total amount of vouchers Mattel has sent out following the recalls or $10, whichever is greater.
Consumers who didn't participate in the recalls but have a recalled toy or proof of purchase of a recalled toy will receive a check or a voucher in the amount of the toy. And those who declare they bought or acquired a recalled toy but destroyed it after the recall will get a voucher for the amount of the toy for up to three toys, totaling up to $10 million for the class.
Finally, consumers who bought or acquired some recalled toys in which only one standalone piece of the toy was affected can receive up to $12.
Members of the settlement may recover all out-of-pocket expenses incurred for lead testing, up to $600,000 for the class.
Joe R. Whatley of Whatley Drake & Kallas said the settlement will total tens of millions of dollars, largely depending on how many people file claims. He said he considered $50 million a conservative estimate of the final amount.
The affected toys include popular lines including certain Sesame Street toys, Dora the Explorer and Diego toys made by Fisher-Price, and certain Mattel toys, such as Batman, Polly Pocket, Barbie accessories, and Sarge cars.
If approved by the court, the settlement will require Mattel and Fisher-Price to provide refunds to consumers and reimburse families who incurred costs for testing their children for lead exposure.
Mattel will also create a quality assurance program, overseen by the court, and will donate $275,000 to the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, a not-for-profit group of 150 children's hospitals and pediatric units.
Mattel said the settlement resolves "virtually all" U.S. claims related to its 2007 product recalls.
Mattel already had money set aside for the litigation and the settlement will not materially affect its operating results, it said.
The proposed settlement removes uncertainty that hung over the company related to the lawsuits, and investors sent shares up 34 cents to $19.21 during morning trading, after earlier reaching a 52-week high of $19.39.
Lead can cause irreversible brain damage. The six Mattel-related recalls in 2007 involved more than 2 million toys, and were part of a slew of recalls by several dozen companies which resulted in a total of 21 million toys being recalled.
The recalls frightened parents and drove Congress to pass a new law that sets strict limits for lead, lead paint and chemicals known as phthalates. It mandates third-party testing for companies, big and small, making products geared for children 12 and under. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently granted Mattel's request to use its own labs for testing.
Last year, Mattel and Fisher-Price agreed to pay $12 million to 39 states to end a lengthy investigation into the lead-tainted toys. In June, Mattel also agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty for violating the lead paint ban.
The companies have not had any lead-related toy recalls since 2007.
____
On the Net:
Feb. 5, 1917 -Feb. 5, 2009
We, as a family, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Sylvester Funk on Feb. 5, at the age of 92. He passed away peacefully at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, with family by his side. SyI was born on Feb. 5, 1917, to John and Mary Funk on a farm close to Drake, Sask. He attended school in Drake through Grade 11 and completed Grade 12 at Rosthern Junior College. While at RJC, SyI enjoyed an active school year, including playing hockey for the Rosthern Wheat Kings. Of greater significance to him was meeting his future wife, Anna Toews, whom he married in Rosthern on July 27, 1940. Following high school, SyI enrolled in the engineering faculty at the University of Saskatchewan. When his father died unexpectedly, SyI left university to take over the family store in Drake. His years in the Drake General Store led to many other opportunities. His partnerships throughout Saskatchewan resulted in successful businesses and close friendships. After selling the Drake store, he and Anna moved to Saskatoon, where SyI pursued a career in financial investments. Not on Iy did SyI excel at his work, he found pleasure in contributing to causes that he believed in. It was the act rather than the praise, that served as his reward. SyI achieved balance in his life through enjoying travel, tennis, skiing and golf with his family and friends. His patience in sharing his skills was a character! stic ad m i red by everyone he taught. SyI was always a great role model, with strong values, a strong sense of family importance and community values. His faith in God and his commitment to the church was evident in all aspects of his life. SyI is survived by his loving wife Anna; his children Marilyn (Jack)Janzen, Doreen (George) Reynolds, Gwenyth (Richard) Ep p, John (Vera) Funk, and seven grandchildren, Christine, Mark, Trevor (Elisa) Reynolds, Gillian and Jonathan Epp, and Michael and Anika Funk. He will also be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends.
PRINCIPLES OF ESTIMATING
Seam sealing? One insurance company in our local market allows $10, no matter what.
Even if it was $5 or $50, does it make sense for one price to cover the wide range of seam sealing work needed after collision repairs? One price to cover material and any additional labor costs no matter what quality should be used, how much needs to be used, how difficult the application is, or how much time and attention is spent making it appear like factory?
A ceiling on sealing?
Let's review a few basics. Is seam sealing really necessary or even that big of a deal? What do the information providers say? How can you estimate material costs?
Seam scaling is done at the factory, so it must be important. However, there is a difference when rebuilding a vehicle after collision damage.
Both building and rebuilding a vehicle require welding. Welding, by using heat to fuse metal together, disturbs metal surfaces and loses anti-corrosion properties. There must be steps taken to prevent corrosion after the vehicle begins driving out in the elements.
At the factory, all welding to build a vehicle is done first, then the entire structure is dipped in an electrodeposition (e-coat) bath. This permits liquid anti-corrosion materials to flow into all the seams, nooks and crannies of the vehicle body, including those places where metal surfaces have been disturbed during the welding process. This bath allows liquid material to flow throughout the body, and is evenly deposited with the help of electrical charges.
In the repair shop, this process cannot be duplicated, but there still needs to be protection. Weld-through primer is a help for the metal around each weld, but is not fool-proof. Epoxy primers help protect bare metal that is accessible. Vulnerability still exists. As moisture works its way to the weld, corrosion will begin on any weak or unprotected area. Since a bath to fully protect all surfaces inside and out is impossible, another approach is needed.
While weld-through primer and epoxy primers are still important, the best way to keep moisture from initiating corrosion is to simply keep moisture away. But it's not that simple.
At the factory, seam sealer is used as an additional layer of protection, so it is not always applied to all seams, or both sides. E-coat is still there for protection.
In the repair shop, seam sealer is the first layer of defense. It is obvious to replace any seam sealer that the factory had, but more important to protect the area. You want the visible seams to look like factory, as well as to protect like factory. You also want the back sides sealed to keep any and all moisture out. Now, seams that were not seam sealed from the factory still need protection. After repairs, they do not have the advantage of an e-coat bath. The seam can still be sealed, with the extra sealer wiped off to appear invisible. Sometimes, also sealing the left side when only the right side was repaired, would help give an "invisible look" along with some extra protection.
Review: Sealing all seams is essential for corrosion protection and appearance after repairs. Now, how do the information providers handle this?
Mitchell includes, "Remove and replace caulking for standard factory application." MOTOR includes, "Caulk/Seam Sealer." Audatex includes, "Seam Sealing."
All three state that seam sealing is included in their suggested labor allowances, although without much detail. It is reasonable to assume labor is allowed for replacing factory sealer only. Quality repairs require more.
How much should be charged over and above the included labor allowance? Additional labor could be negotiated for seam sealing backsides or where the factory had only e-coat protection.
How much should be charged for material? An I-CAR Advantage article states "vehicle manufacturers use up to 15 different sealers, and all types are available in the after market." As a repair professional, you choose the type and quality level of sealer. As a business professional you track the quantities used and costs incurred to determine a selling price. Of course, documentation is critical for negotiations.
Each repair needs a specific type of sealer and a different quantity for quality, long-lasting repairs. Although a single price for every seam sealing job is simple and easy, it is unrealistic. Putting a ceiling on sealing doesn't make much sense.
"The time is always right to do what is right."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
[Author Affiliation]
Bruce Burrow, AAM started writing estimates over 30 years ago, has worked for most of the information providers, and, as an independent instructor for the last 10 years, has trained estimators all across North America. He is ASE Master certified and an instructor for the Automotive Management Institute. Send questions, ideas, and comments that you would like to see addressed here to burrow@inc.net and stay tuned.
BRUCE BURROW started writing estimates more than 30 years ago. In this month's Principles of Estimating column, Bruce takes a look at the seam sealing ceiling. E-mail him at burrow@mc.net.
Six red roses were delivered to the British Consulate onschedule again yesterday, and the mystery of the anonymous sender isas dark as ever.
The roses started coming more than 25 years ago on Aug. 1, theanniversary of the Battle of Minden, an almost forgotten Britishvictory over the French that took place 227 years ago.
The envelope is always marked, "In memoriam."
The unsigned card, with minor variations, always reads:
Minden Day, 1 August, 1759.
They advanced through rose gardens to the battleground anddecorated their tricorn hats and grenadier caps with the emblem ofEngland.
These regiments celebrate Minden Day still, and all wear rosesin their caps on this anniversary in memory of their ancestors.
The card also lists the outnumbered British regiments that, withtheir German allies, routed 60,000 French troops during the SevenYears War at Minden, in what is now West Germany.
The units - all of which still exist - are the Suffolk Regiment,the Lancashire Fusiliers, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the King's OwnScottish Borderers, the Royal Hampshire Regiment and the YorkshireLight Infantry.
Caroline Cracraft, spokeswoman for the consulate at 33 N.Dearborn, says, "We assume that the donor had an ancestor who foughtand fell at the battle of Minden, or that he himself served in one ofthe regiments.
"We should like to thank our anonymous donor. Is there anychance that we might thank him in person for paying honor every yearto the men who fell on Aug. 1, 1759?"
Although Minden Day is not generally remembered any more, evenin Britain, the six battle units still celebrate their past on Aug. 1by wearing roses in their uniform caps.
In 1984, the sender added to his note what looked like clues tohis identity - the number 168 written under the list of regiments,and a cryptic quotation, "He was,`95 always on the right."'
But if they were clues, the British have so far been unable todecipher them.
Even McMahon Florists, 729 S. Dearborn, where the roses arealways purchased, haven't been able to help.
They've told the consulate that every year about two weeksbefore Aug. 1, a man calls and asks how much it would cost to deliversix roses to the British consulate.
A few days later, the florist gets the exact amount in the mail,in cash.
The Bush administration's rejection of state efforts to tighten rules on greenhouse gas emissions has touched off a flurry of counterattacks. Democrats in the U.S. Congress launched an investigation. State governors led by California's Arnold Schwarzenegger said they would sue, and environmental groups demanded to see the government's rationale for its decision.
Those were the opening moves in what is shaping up to be a fierce legal and political battle over the Environmental Protection Agency's decision announced Wednesday to block California and at least 16 other states from regulating greenhouse gases that come from new cars and trucks.
Environmental lawyers and congressional aides were focusing on whether EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson denied California's waiver request without relying on the legal and technical documentation they said should accompany such a decision. His statement that his position was based on a legal analysis of the federal Clean Air Act appeared at odds with the way other government officials characterized the process.
Johnson's decision overruled a consensus among EPA's legal and technical staff that denying the waiver probably would not stand up in court, according to government officials familiar with the decision. Johnson's advisers told him that granting California the waiver would have put the agency in a much more defensible legal position should automakers take EPA to court.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, confirmed a report in The Washington Post that a Power Point presentation prepared for Johnson included the prediction, "EPA likely to lose suit," if taken to court for denying the waiver.
Critics also pointed to a sentence in a letter Johnson sent Schwarzenegger on Wednesday: "I have decided that EPA will be denying the waiver and have instructed my staff to draft appropriate documents setting forth the rationale for this denial."
Environmental lawyers said such after-the-fact reasoning was unusual and predicted it would not stand in court. "Here they've decided to deny without figuring out what the proper reason for denial should be," said Dan Galpern, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center in Oregon, who is representing several environmental groups in the case.
EPA spokeswoman Jennifer Wood said it was not unusual for the EPA chief to make a decision on a Clean Air Act waiver request and then ask staff to draft technical documentation to back it up. In this case Johnson provided early notification in order to meet his commitment to Schwarzenegger to issue the decision by the end of the year, Wood said.
She said a decision document would be published in the federal register as soon as possible but could not say when that might be.
"As a 26-year career scientist and EPA veteran, the administrator clearly values legal and technical expertise of his staff," Wood said. "The Clean Air Act states the authority rests with administrator, and Administrator Johnson evaluated the waiver according to the criteria in the Clean Air Act and made his decision."
Schwarzenegger announced the state would file an appeal within three weeks.
"I have no doubt that we will prevail because the law, science and the public's demand for leadership are on our side," said the Austrian-born California governor, as officials in Vermont, Washington and other states also announced plans to sue.
It was the first time EPA had completely denied California a Clean Air Act waiver request, after granting more than 50.
The tailpipe standards California adopted in 2004 would have forced automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in new cars and light trucks by 2016.
Under the Clean Air Act, the state needed a federal waiver to implement the rules, and other states could then adopt them, too.
Twelve other states _ Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington _ have adopted the standards, and the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah have said they plan to adopt them. The rules also were under consideration in Iowa.
Johnson said California's emissions limits were not needed because Congress just passed energy legislation raising fuel economy standards nationwide to an average of 35 miles per gallon (15 kilometers per liter) by 2020. California officials said their law was tougher and acted faster.
Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee whose district is in California, wrote to Johnson on Thursday demanding "all documents relating to the California waiver request, other than those that are available on the public record" by Jan. 23. Another California Democrat, Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairwoman of the Senate's environment committee, also was demanding to see the documents.
President George W. Bush stood behind his EPA administrator.
"The question is how to have an effective strategy. Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases? Or is it more effective to have a national strategy?" Bush said at a Thursday news conference.
The National Resources Defense Council filed a Freedom of Information Act request demanding EPA produce the records it used to make the decision.
___
Associated Press writer Rita Beamish contributed to this report from San Mateo, California.
No fines or suspensions have been announced from last Friday'sWhite Sox-Rangers brawl, but left-hander Greg Hibbard will pitchtoday with a scratch on the inside of his left index finger.
Hibbard was on the bottom of the pile after Steve Buechelecharged the mound when hit by a pitch from Hibbard, who doesn't know how he got thescratch.
"It's fine," he said. "The only time it bothers me is when Ithrow a changeup."
Pitching coach Sammy Ellis noted that Hibbard pitched threeinnings with the finger following the brawl. He also threw on theside Sunday. "He's OK," Ellis said. "It'll be fine by the time hepitches."
Hibbard is looking forward to tonight's start under pressure."It's fun when you get to pitch against somebody who's supposed to bebetter than you," he said. "It adds a little more to it because youwant to prove something to yourself." When Bobby Thigpen recorded his 40th save Sunday, it was theearliest any reliever had reached that plateau. Thigpen got there 21 days (23 games) earlier than Bruce Sutter of St. Louis in1984, research by the Rolaids Relief awards people showed. Sutterfinished with 45 saves that season. When the Yankees Dave Righettiset his record of 46 saves in 1986, he reached 40 on Sept. 15. For the first time, Puerto Rico native Ivan Calderon says he willrest after the season. "No winter ball this year," he said. "I will play basketball and lift weights for my (left) shoulder.Maybe I'll get stronger and I can hit more home runs." Sox manager Jeff Torborg on the seemingly endless rain delays anddoubleheaders: "We should make the clubhouse into a dormitory. We'velived at the ballpark the last few weeks." Asked in late afternoon what the weather forecast for Monday nightwas, Torborg replied: "Ozzie (Guillen) has been all over me aboutthat. He says, `Are you the manager or a weatherman? Heck, Ithought we were going to play that (rained out game) Sunday." Oakland manager Tony LaRussa is carrying a copy of Notre Dame coachLou Holtz' book The Fighting Spirit. Said LaRussa, "I use a lot ofhis stuff. There isn't anything I know I haven't learned fromsomebody else. I was - and still am - a big Bobby Knight fan, too." Little Craig Grebeck has not yet sent home the ball from his firstmajor league home run off Nolan Ryan. Grebeck says the homer was abig deal, "but maybe making the team the first time was bigger." Disabled Eric King throws on the side again today, then it may beminor league rehabilitation. "I'm assuming I'll be back the (Sept.)first, that's what I've been hearing," he said. "Everything's good sofar." When the rosters expand Sept. 1, look for Class AA Birmingham DHMatt Stark to be among the callups. A right-handed power hitter whodoesn't catch because of a shoulder operation, Stark's 101 RBI areseven short of the club record. He is seventh in the Southern Leaguewith .303.
Cyclist endures rigours of biking across America in support of a Kenyan orphanage
Extreme. That's what I'd call it. But that word barely begins to scratch the surface. It's called Race Across AMerica (RAAM), and it's known as the world's toughest buce race. Four thousand eight hundred kilometres from Oceanside, Calif, to Annapolis, Md. Over 30,500 metres of climbing (the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest three-and-a-half times). And all in less than 12 days.
I was part of the crew for my father, Arvid Loewen, who wanted to test the human limits of his physical, mental, emotional and spiritual endurance this past summer. It meant staying awake when his body wanted to fall asleep-even while on the buce. It meant riding around 20 hours a day just to make it to the finish line. The clock never stops. Everything the riders do is part of their time, eating and sleeping included.
RAAM is not known as the world's toughest bike race without reason. During the heat of the day in the Cahfornia desert, Dad would drink nearly two litres of water every hour and struggle severely with eating. He soon discovered that, apart from his regular sports drinks, the only food that would slide down his throat was greasy KFC. That and McDonald's Big Macs and milkshakes became common over the next week.
After 10 days on the bike, having had only a couple hours of sleep each night, Dad was nearing the East Coast of the USA; we were sure we could smeU the salt in the air. Determination born of years experience shone through as he put his "race face" on and literally attacked the Appalachian Mountains. He set a blazing pace through some of the steepest climbs of the entire trip, outdistancing the competition in his age category (5059) and passing three riders on the way to the finish line. He fought through that last night with only half-hour naps to keep him awake on the bike.
Finally, after an accumulated time of 11 days 3 hours 19 minutes, Dad pulled up to the pier in Annapolis. Tenth out of 25 riders-and first in his age category-he had done phenomenally better than he had ever hoped for. As a finisher of RAAM, he received a jersey, a medal and the chance to stand up on the podium and speak about the race.
The passion and excitement shone through his weary face as he held the microphone in one hand and kept his bike steady with the other. There was much more to this event than simply a buce race, he said.
Dad has been a supporter of Mully Children's Family (MCF), a dynamic street rescue orphanage in Kenya, for the past three years. This event was a fundraiser for MCF, and the jersey Dad wore proudly displayed the logo of the orphanage which has saved over a thousand lives and souls, as founder Charles Mulli has pulled them from poverty and given them food, shelter, education, love, and hope, with the help of a loving God-a God my father loves to serve.
[Author Affiliation]
BY PAUL LOEWEN
Special to Canadian Mennonite
WINNIPEG
[Author Affiliation]
Originally published in a longer format by Breakaway magazine. Paul Loewen and his wife Jeanette are junior youth pastors at Douglas Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. Visit Arvid Loewen at his website (spokeimpact. com).
WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., took a break from thepresidential campaign trail in March to fly to a posh Utah skiresort, where he mingled with hundreds of top corporate executivesassembled by J.P. Morgan Chase for its annual leadership conference.
McCain's appearance at the Deer Valley event, arranged by J.P.Morgan Vice Chairman James B. Lee Jr., a top McCain fundraiser, puthim in a room with the chief executives of companies such as GeneralElectric, Xerox and Sony. It was, Lee said, "a chance for him to letthem see him for who he is and possibly decide to support him." Theeffort paid off: J.P. Morgan executives have donated $56,250 toMcCain's campaign, two-thirds of which came after his Utahappearance. And his visit there was quickly followed up by dozens ofsmaller private meetings with corporate executives in New York Cityarranged by leading Wall Street figures.
"We tried to get him around to a lot of those kinds of things,"said McCain campaign manager Rick Davis. "We were very much in thefriend-making business."
It is common for politicians to court big money during acampaign. But private schmooze sessions such as the gathering inUtah pose a particular dilemma for McCain, who has spent a longcareer decrying "special interests" and politicians who offerspecial access to them in order to raise money. As a presidentialcandidate this year, McCain has found himself assiduously courtingboth lobbyists and their wealthy clients, offering them privateaudiences as part of his fundraising. He also counts more than 30lobbyists among his chief fundraisers, more than any otherpresidential contender.
McCain aides bridle at the notion that the senator, who hasconsistently fought in the Senate against so-called pork-barrelspending from such interests and championed laws to restrict theirlobbying and political donations, might favor his big contributors."There's never been anybody who's done more to rein in specialinterests and lobbyists than John McCain," Davis said. "If you giveto him, you know there's no quid pro quo. People give to him becausethey want him to be president of the United States. They can't bemotivated by any other reason."
McCain began his anti-special-interest drive two decades agoafter he and four other senators were accused of trying to influencebank regulators on behalf of donor Charles Keating, a savings-and-loan financier later convicted of securities fraud. The SenateEthics Committee said McCain had used "poor judgment" but also saidhis actions "were not improper" and did not merit punishment.
Ever since, McCain has made high ethical standards a hallmark ofhis public persona. In his 2002 memoir he wrote that "money does buyaccess in Washington, and access increases influence that oftenresults in benefiting the few at the expense of the many." Just thismonth in Detroit he told reporters that he had "never done anyfavors for anybody - lobbyist or special interest group - that's aclear, 24-year record."
Nonetheless, a recent study by the nonpartisan Campaign FinanceInstitute and the liberal advocacy group Public Citizen found thatMcCain has more lobbyists raising funds for his presidential bidthan do any of his rivals. He has 32 "bundlers" of donations who arelobbyists. Former New York Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani is theclosest to him with 29 lobbyist bundlers, followed by Sen. HillaryRodham Clinton, D-N.Y., with 18.
McCain's campaign has also been guided by lobbyists. Davis, thecampaign manager, is a former lobbyist who represented majortelecommunications companies. The campaign's senior adviser isCharles Black Jr., chairman of BKSH & Associates, which representsdrug companies, an oil company, an automaker, a telecommunicationscompany, defense contractors and the steel industry, among others.
Former congressman Tom Loeffler, R-Texas, was brought in to shoreup the campaign's finances and operations yet still maintains hisday job as chairman of the Loeffler Group, whose clients includeoil, auto and telecommunications companies as well as a tobacco firmand an airline client.
Other occasional McCain advisers include the lobbyists TimothyMcKone of AT&T, Robert Aiken of Phoenix-based Pinnacle West Capital,John Timmons of the Cormac Group and John Green of Ogilvy GovernmentRelations. Also at Ogilvy is a major McCain fundraiser, WayneBerman.
Their firms' clients have been a significant source of campaigncontributions to McCain. Executives for the clients of OgilvyGovernment Relations gave at least $271,000 for McCain'spresidential bid. Loeffler Group client employees donated $118,500,according to a Washington Post analysis. BKSH clients' executivesgave $24,000.
McCain has personally worked many corporate leaders this year aspart of his money chase. At the Utah event, he put on a show forabout 90 minutes, holding a "fireside chat" with public televisiontalk show host Charlie Rose and answering pointed questions abouthis policies from the high-powered audience.
Similar though smaller events in New York City were organized byother well-known Wall Streeters including Henry Kravis, John Thainand Lew Eisenberg, all top McCain fundraisers in the presidentialrace.
McCain began the 2008 race as a Republican front-runner andquickly raised more than $30 million, boosted by large sums of GOPestablishment money from such sources.
Nothing says 'here are my precious valuables-and you can't have them!' like a quality safe
A popular image of safes derives from movies and television shows in which a burglar attempts to open a wall safe, most likely one hidden behind a framed picture. The clever criminal-was it the butler, or that shady brother-in-law?-may have gotten hold of the combination. Then he might get his hands on the family jewels or dear old Dad's last will and testament. Another cinematic standby was the adept safecracker, who likely learned his trade at his father's knee. In old Westerns, the burglar usually resorted to pulling out a pistol and blowing the lock to smithereens and helping himself to stacks of cash.
Just as criminals have evolved, so have methods of securing safes. Today's wall safes tend to be narrow, deep and bolted inside the wall, making them difficult to remove, yet not impossible to open. Criminals also know to look behind pictures for hidden safes and to rummage in pantries and freezers for ersatz "books" or "cans" of goodies that are actually tiny safes.
Inventive as they are, these devices-known as diversion safes-are too small to hold much, but just the right size for toting off into the night by a light-fingered thief. In fact, owning any portable safe may be an exercise in futility. The best reason for having one is to have easy access to one's papers and other valuables in case of a fire or other event requiring immediate evacuation.
While wall safes remain popular, there are other options. One is the floor safe, which can be bolted to the floor. In addition, some locks are now digital, which can foil most clumsy attempts at accessing the contents.
Who needs a safe?
Many homeowners think they don't need a safe. After all, they can stash heirloom rings, important documents and other expensive or even priceless objects in a safe-deposit box at their local bank. The simple, time-tested double-key method-in which the bank keeps one key and the customer the second key and both are needed to unlock the boxhas worked for ages. When a trip or court date looms on the calendar, one simply takes one's key to the bank and retrieves the desired items.
It is not always convenient to visit the bank, however, and not even possible when the institution is closed. Moreover, bank boxes are not large enough to accommodate possessions such as guns, whether the sporting variety or those purchased for home security. And of course in the latter case, a weapon intended only for self-defense is completely useless when it's down at the bank vault.
Basic safes can be found for less than $100, but dependable safes with fire or theft protection start at about $1,000.
What kind of safe should you consider buying?
A lot depends on what you need to protect. If it's a matter of jewelry, cash and a handful of documents or computer files, a small safe should be adequate. For these valuables, some prefer an unobtrusive wall safe. More extensive documents and larger valuables will obviously require more space, so perhaps a freestanding unit such as a floor safe would be preferable. There are special models designed to accommodate collections of guns or other outsized pieces. These are almost all freestanding units that can be bolted into the floor.
The next consideration is whether you need protection from fire or theft or both. Fire-rated safes are recommended for passports, photographs, jewelry, cell phones and other small items. They usually come with a one hour fire-protection guarantee. While two-hour protection is also available, house fires rarely last that ' long (unless kerosene or other flammables are stored on the premises). Some models are also rated burglary safe.
The Web site for Brown Safe Manufacturing recommends a safe have a U.L. Group 2 lock, ideally from one of the three most dependable lock manufacturers: LaGard, Sargent & Greenleaf or Kaba Mas. The last thing you want is to have your most valuable possessions stored in a safe with a malfunctioning lock.
Convenience is crucial: The more difficult the safe is to access, the less likely it is to be used. An electronic lock can make opening the safe a snap and also enables the owner to reset the combination at any time without involving the services of a locksmith. Another desirable feature is a relocker. Relockers are hardened pins that are triggered during an attempted break-in and cannot be retracted without hours of drilling. (The recommended number of relockers ranges from two to 10 or more, depending on the size and burglary grade of the safe.) The best safes have, at a minimum, a half-inch-thick solid steel door (not cheaper materials such as composite, which can be useless-think sheet metal).
Consumers should bear in mind that floor safes are not watertight, so everything should be placed in double zip-lock bags, dry bags or sealed plastic containers before being stored inside.
Some drop safes-commonly used in retail and other commercial enterprises-do come with built-in water protection features, but these are not normally used in a residential setting.
There are a number of choices when it comes to locks-combination, mechanical or electronic keyless. The ultimate in security, however, is a safe lock with fingerprint recognition technology. This option is especially recommended for gun collections. One BioVault model is a wall unit that has a system for protecting stored fingerprints even in the event of a total power loss. Though not fireproof or even fire resistant, it does come with some impressive credentials: Its technology detects only live fingers for scanning (a deterrent against burglars who would cut off a finger and try to use it to access the safe).
Safe choices in Marin
Valley Security has a showroom in Mill Valley where customers can view various models. Prices start at around $1,000 for safes that can be bolted into the floor. The company also carries wall safes, but only ones without safety or burglary ratings. According to Dave Barnes, Valley security sells mostly safes
made by AmSec (American Security). "They are available to us," he said, "and there are really not a great number of safe companies."
Marin Lock & Safe in San Rafael does not carry stock, but can order any safe a customer wants, most often models from AmSec, Horizon or Gardall.
For something different: custom and antique safes
Aside from mass-produced contemporary safes, consumers can order a custommade safe or vault or look into something different such as a vintage safe. These tend to be veritable works of art rather than the utilitarian-looking stainless steel safes that are more popular. An antique safe provides a certain glamour impossible to achieve with modern furnishings. These pieces require special care to protect against deterioration from age and humidity.
The Antique Safe Collector, Guy Zani Jr., has amassed a tremendous number of old safes. While he does not sell them, he does allow other collectors to sell, at no charge, via his Web site. One of his prized possessions is a safe from an old New York City hotel that remained in the original family until he bought it.
The first commercial safe was developed around 1840. Prior to 1820, safes-or iron chests, as they were often called-were designed to protect against burglars but were not particularly safe from fire damage.
[Sidebar]
Lock it up
Valley security, 34 Miller Ave., Mill Valley; 415/388-1315
Marin Lock & Safe, 808 Third St., San Rafael; 415/4564346
American Security: www.amsecuea.com
Gardall Safes: www.gardall.com
Brown Safe Manufacturing: www.brownsafe.com
The Antique Safes Collector: www.theantiquesafescollector.com
BioVault Safes: The company Web site is not in service, but some of their products are available via www.rewci.com.
Safe at home!Nothing says 'here are my precious valuables-and you can't have them!' like a quality safe
A popular image of safes derives from movies and television shows in which a burglar attempts to open a wall safe, most likely one hidden behind a framed picture. The clever criminal-was it the butler, or that shady brother-in-law?-may have gotten hold of the combination. Then he might get his hands on the family jewels or dear old Dad's last will and testament. Another cinematic standby was the adept safecracker, who likely learned his trade at his father's knee. In old Westerns, the burglar usually resorted to pulling out a pistol and blowing the lock to smithereens and helping himself to stacks of cash.
Just as criminals have evolved, so have methods of securing safes. Today's wall safes tend to be narrow, deep and bolted inside the wall, making them difficult to remove, yet not impossible to open. Criminals also know to look behind pictures for hidden safes and to rummage in pantries and freezers for ersatz "books" or "cans" of goodies that are actually tiny safes.
Inventive as they are, these devices-known as diversion safes-are too small to hold much, but just the right size for toting off into the night by a light-fingered thief. In fact, owning any portable safe may be an exercise in futility. The best reason for having one is to have easy access to one's papers and other valuables in case of a fire or other event requiring immediate evacuation.
While wall safes remain popular, there are other options. One is the floor safe, which can be bolted to the floor. In addition, some locks are now digital, which can foil most clumsy attempts at accessing the contents.
Who needs a safe?
Many homeowners think they don't need a safe. After all, they can stash heirloom rings, important documents and other expensive or even priceless objects in a safe-deposit box at their local bank. The simple, time-tested double-key method-in which the bank keeps one key and the customer the second key and both are needed to unlock the boxhas worked for ages. When a trip or court date looms on the calendar, one simply takes one's key to the bank and retrieves the desired items.
It is not always convenient to visit the bank, however, and not even possible when the institution is closed. Moreover, bank boxes are not large enough to accommodate possessions such as guns, whether the sporting variety or those purchased for home security. And of course in the latter case, a weapon intended only for self-defense is completely useless when it's down at the bank vault.
Basic safes can be found for less than $100, but dependable safes with fire or theft protection start at about $1,000.
What kind of safe should you consider buying?
A lot depends on what you need to protect. If it's a matter of jewelry, cash and a handful of documents or computer files, a small safe should be adequate. For these valuables, some prefer an unobtrusive wall safe. More extensive documents and larger valuables will obviously require more space, so perhaps a freestanding unit such as a floor safe would be preferable. There are special models designed to accommodate collections of guns or other outsized pieces. These are almost all freestanding units that can be bolted into the floor.
The next consideration is whether you need protection from fire or theft or both. Fire-rated safes are recommended for passports, photographs, jewelry, cell phones and other small items. They usually come with a one hour fire-protection guarantee. While two-hour protection is also available, house fires rarely last that ' long (unless kerosene or other flammables are stored on the premises). Some models are also rated burglary safe.
The Web site for Brown Safe Manufacturing recommends a safe have a U.L. Group 2 lock, ideally from one of the three most dependable lock manufacturers: LaGard, Sargent & Greenleaf or Kaba Mas. The last thing you want is to have your most valuable possessions stored in a safe with a malfunctioning lock.
Convenience is crucial: The more difficult the safe is to access, the less likely it is to be used. An electronic lock can make opening the safe a snap and also enables the owner to reset the combination at any time without involving the services of a locksmith. Another desirable feature is a relocker. Relockers are hardened pins that are triggered during an attempted break-in and cannot be retracted without hours of drilling. (The recommended number of relockers ranges from two to 10 or more, depending on the size and burglary grade of the safe.) The best safes have, at a minimum, a half-inch-thick solid steel door (not cheaper materials such as composite, which can be useless-think sheet metal).
Consumers should bear in mind that floor safes are not watertight, so everything should be placed in double zip-lock bags, dry bags or sealed plastic containers before being stored inside.
Some drop safes-commonly used in retail and other commercial enterprises-do come with built-in water protection features, but these are not normally used in a residential setting.
There are a number of choices when it comes to locks-combination, mechanical or electronic keyless. The ultimate in security, however, is a safe lock with fingerprint recognition technology. This option is especially recommended for gun collections. One BioVault model is a wall unit that has a system for protecting stored fingerprints even in the event of a total power loss. Though not fireproof or even fire resistant, it does come with some impressive credentials: Its technology detects only live fingers for scanning (a deterrent against burglars who would cut off a finger and try to use it to access the safe).
Safe choices in Marin
Valley Security has a showroom in Mill Valley where customers can view various models. Prices start at around $1,000 for safes that can be bolted into the floor. The company also carries wall safes, but only ones without safety or burglary ratings. According to Dave Barnes, Valley security sells mostly safes
made by AmSec (American Security). "They are available to us," he said, "and there are really not a great number of safe companies."
Marin Lock & Safe in San Rafael does not carry stock, but can order any safe a customer wants, most often models from AmSec, Horizon or Gardall.
For something different: custom and antique safes
Aside from mass-produced contemporary safes, consumers can order a custommade safe or vault or look into something different such as a vintage safe. These tend to be veritable works of art rather than the utilitarian-looking stainless steel safes that are more popular. An antique safe provides a certain glamour impossible to achieve with modern furnishings. These pieces require special care to protect against deterioration from age and humidity.
The Antique Safe Collector, Guy Zani Jr., has amassed a tremendous number of old safes. While he does not sell them, he does allow other collectors to sell, at no charge, via his Web site. One of his prized possessions is a safe from an old New York City hotel that remained in the original family until he bought it.
The first commercial safe was developed around 1840. Prior to 1820, safes-or iron chests, as they were often called-were designed to protect against burglars but were not particularly safe from fire damage.
[Sidebar]
Lock it up
Valley security, 34 Miller Ave., Mill Valley; 415/388-1315
Marin Lock & Safe, 808 Third St., San Rafael; 415/4564346
American Security: www.amsecuea.com
Gardall Safes: www.gardall.com
Brown Safe Manufacturing: www.brownsafe.com
The Antique Safes Collector: www.theantiquesafescollector.com
BioVault Safes: The company Web site is not in service, but some of their products are available via www.rewci.com.
An official close to a Paris burglary investigation says an apartment belonging to movie star Monica Bellucci and her husband, French actor Vincent Cassel, was the target of a theft.
The official says the thieves made off with about euro80,000 ($111,000) worth of jewelry, two laptop computers and …
WASHINGTON - President Bush will call for an international conference this fall to include Israel and some of its Arab neighbors to help restart Mideast peace talks and will pledge increased aid to the Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas, The Associated Press has learned.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would lead the peace conference, which would include representatives of Israel and "neighbors in the region," said a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymit.
Bush planned to speak Monday afternoon at the White House about the peace conference and U.S. financial and diplomatic support for Abbas, who controls just the West Bank …
2001 JAN 25 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cerus Corporation and Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced January 2, 2001, that they have submitted a CE Mark application for approval to market the Intercept Platelet System in Europe.
The system is designed to inactivate viruses, bacteria, other pathogens, and white blood cells in platelets intended for transfusion. If approved, the Intercept Platelet System will be the only system commercially available to enhance the safety of platelet transfusions through pathogen inactivation.
"We look forward to the approval of the Intercept Platelet System and working with Baxter to launch the first system to inactivate …
A selection of prints and multiples that Blinky Palermo made in the '70s, on view recently at Zwirner & Wirth, demonstrated that while the artist employed heterogeneous media and processes, he consistently took as his point of departure early-twentieth-century models of abstraction. Palermo's exploration of a range of disciplines, including sculpture and architecture, was arguably, at least as he approached it, somewhat idiosyncratic in the '60s and '70s, when many artists were concentrating on the refinement of highly focused practices developed within such genres and subgenres as Pop and Minimalism, Conceptualism and performance, and, latterly, neo-expressionism.
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A former New York police officer, who had been a fugitive for almost 14 years stemming from his conviction in a series of bombings, has been arrested in California, law enforcement officials said.
Joseph Hamilton Harper, 45, of Woodbury, Orange County, was arrested Friday evening at a house in Oxnard, a coastal community west of Los Angeles in Ventura County, according to Oxnard police and the FBI.
"The arrest went down without incident," Oxnard police Cmdr. Jamie Skeeters said.
Harper, who had been using an alias of Donald Nagy, was transported to the Ventura County Jail in Ventura, Skeeters said. Harper will be returned to New York to begin …
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Government security officials say a bomb exploded in a suburb of the capital Yangon, wounding four people..
The officials say a man suspected of carrying the bomb was among those wounded Sunday evening near the Aung Zeya bridge in northern Yangon. A three-year-old girl was also hurt/
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity …
WASHINGTON U.S. officials in Havana issued visas today to ElianGonzalez's father and his immediate family, as negotiations resumedin Miami over how custody of the 6-year-old Cuban boy will betransferred to his father.
The State Department approved visas Monday for Juan MiguelGonzalez, his wife, their infant son, a male cousin of Elian's, apediatrician and a kindergarten teacher.
Juan Gonzalez has said he would come to the United States only ifhe could be assured custody of his son, who has lived with relativesin Miami since he was rescued off the Florida coast more than fourmonths ago. It was not clear today when he might travel to Washingtonor where a custody …
If you're hoping there's a faster future for your trusty portable, dream on. Though processor, RAM and drive upgrades are available for some laptops, these enhancements are slower, smaller and more expensive than their desktop equivalents.
The most cost-effective upgrade for notebooks, as for desktops, is an infusion of supplemental RAM, especially if your portable currently carries 16MB or less. You can upgrade 8MB to 32MB for about $200 (depending on your notebook) and see a noticeable increase in performance.
But adding RAM may be the only upgrade to boost notebook performance. A hard drive upgrade is costly and may not add speed--expect to pay over $700 …
Staff at two local post offices are celebrating success in a national awards scheme.
New Mills Post Office in Torr Top Street has been voted the best multiple branch in the North of England in the financial services category. The branch team receives [pounds sterling]750 in vouchers and a wall plaque.
And staff at Hartington Post Office will share [pounds sterling]250 in vouchers after being placed runner-up in the North of England in the rural branch category.
A spokesperson for Post Office Ltd said the awards were an opportunity to show customer appreciation and reward dedication, hard work and success.
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