Nanami "Seven Seas" Nagura (JP), Air Guitar World Champion 2014

The Air Guitar Channel

The Air Guitar Channel

This Ancaconda's Dinner Decides Not To Be "Eaten Alive"

     New York - An Anaconda was going to eat naturalist Paul Rosolie in a Discovery Channel two-hour special on Sunday, December 13, 2014.  Paul Rosolie bailed out of being eaten alive.  Yes, he literally bailed out of an Anaconda's mouth before being consumed by the giant Amazon Rainforest Anaconda.  The naturalist attempted to defend his decision not to be swallowed by the snake Monday, December 8, 2014.
     On a television production set, deep in the Amazon Rainforest, Paul Rosolie halted the feast for the super-giant Anaconda after the animal had only consumed Paul Rosolie's head.  Ths "snake-malfunction" occurred in spite of the fact Rosolie was wearing a "snake-proof" suit.  The "snake-proof" suit was covered in pigs blood to help make the snake eat Paul Rosolie.  The suit was also made of material that would protect some of Rosolie's bones from being crushed by the super-giant snakes jaws.  On Jimmy Kimmel Live naturalist Paul Rosolie attemted to defend his decision not to be swallowed by the snake.  The naturalist realized it would be better if he didn't continue, "About the time I felt my bones starting to creak," Rosolie recalled.  See whole story, abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live.     

Pentatonix's Popular Christmas Music

     New York - Pentatonix's "That's Christmas to Me" is the best-selling holiday album of the season as of December 9, 2014.  Pentatonix has been spending a lot of time recording in the studio and performing. 
     Entertainment Tonights (ET's) Brooke Anderson aked Pentatonix (Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstie Maldonado, Avi Kaplan, and Kevin Olusola) how they handle so much time touring.  Brooke Anderson:  "Do you ever get into tiffs?"  "Absolutely," Scott Hoying said when asked if Pentatonix ever gets annoyed with each other.  "It's like a family.  Like when you bicker with your sister.  It's the same thing."  Pentatonix seems to agree their favorite song from their popular album is the album's title track, "That's Christmas To Me," says Kevin Olusola, as the band members nod in agreement.  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com.     
        

Ultimate Television Finale Cliffhangers

     New York - the top final episodes of television are:  










"Breaking Bad" ("Felina") 2013
"Lost" ("The End") 2010
"Friday Night Lights" ("Always") 2011
"The Sopranos" ("Made in America") 2007
"The West Wing" ("Tomorrow") 2006
"Six Feet Under" ("Everyone's Waiting") 2005
"Friends" ("The Last One") 2004
"Sex and The City" ("An American Girl in Paris) 2004
"Seinfeld" ("The Finale") 1998
"Newhart" ("The Last Newhart") 1990
"St. Elsewhere" ("The Last One") 1988
     This finale is still rated as one of the most watched television episodes of all time...M*A*S*H.  Www.insideedition.com.   

Aaron Carter Marine Biologist

    Tampa - Aaron Carter (27), brother of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, has over 19 years of professional performing under him.  Aaron Carter started performing at the age of seven in the group "Dead End," a triple platinum album "Aaron's Party" (September 26, 2000), and a leading role in a feature film "Pop Star" (2005).  Having celebrated his birthday December 7, 2014, Aaron told Entertainment Tonight (ET) in a video conducted 15 years ago that music wasn't his first passion.  Aaron had goals of eventually leaving the music business to follow his true passion.  In the interview, the then 12-year old Aaron Carter says, "My ultimate goal is to be a marine biologist because that's my dream.  I always wanted to be one and I always wanted to be a discoverer and go around the world, see different things."  Aaron is currently on a world tour titled, "The Wonderful World Tour."  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com. 

NBC CIA IT PDB's ODNI's DI and PDA's..."State of Affairs" with Kathryn Heigl

     Washington - "State of Affairs" focuses on the details of being a spy and having to report to the President of The United States.  As "State of Affairs" focuses on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the CIA focuses back on "State of Affairs."  The CIA fact checks the National Broadcasting Company's (NBC's) drama.  This is done so the CIA can "counter popular myths and misconceptions," a CIA spokesperson says. 

     In "State of Affairs" a CIA analyst Charleston Tucker (Kathryn Heigl) presents the President Constance Payton (Alfre Woodard) her President's Daily Brief (PDB) by putting a small-briefcase size stack of papers on the President's desk, in the oval office.  The PDB that today's President's see are based on the first one that appeared in the 1960s, for then President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Today, the PDB is an Information Technology (IT) product co-ordinated by the Office Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the CIA's Directorate of Intelligence (DI).   Today's PDB's appear on Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). President Obama requested his PDB be delivered to him via tablet computer.  "State of Affairs" airs Monday's at 10:00 p.m. on NBC.  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com.               

     

Footsteps Filled Once Again For Broadway's "Cabaret"...Emma Stone in The Drivers Seat For This Version of "Cabaret"

     New York - Julie Harris, Liza Minnelli, Natasha Richardson, Michelle Williams, and now 26-year old Emma Stone is the latest star to take on the famed role of Sally Bowles (the main character in "Cabaret"), in "Cabaret." 
     On November 11, 2014 Emma Stone made her Broadway debut, replacing Michelle Williams.  Stone will perform alongside "The Good Wife Star," Alan Cumming until February 1, 2015.  See also, www.cabaret.roundabouttheatre.org. 
       

Iggy Azalea - Fancy ft. Charli XCX (Official Video + Lyrics) [HD]

Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang

This Real Housewife of New Jersey and Her Husband Head Off to The Pokey

     Atlanta - "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe Giudice have received sentences.  Joe Giudice will do approximately 41 months in prison once his wife has served her 15 months in prison.  Their sentences will be served one-at-a-time, so one parent be there to look after their four young daughters.     
     In a 39 count indictment Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice were accused  with hiding assets when they submitted their Chapter Seven request.  Teresa Giudice is blaming her lawyer for her jail time and is planning to take legal action of her own.  Teresa Giudice is suing her attorney, James Kridel, who represented her during her 2009 bankruptcy filing.  Teresa estimates her damages at $5,000,000.  The couple filed bankruptcy in 2009, saying they had $11,000,000 in debt.  Their bankruptcy request was dropped in 2011, but the 2009 request had already trigerred scrutiny from the Federal Bankruptcy Court.  Teresa Giudice's lawsuit filed in a Manhattan Supreme Court on, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, claims that lawyer Kridel prepared inaccurate amendments, mishandled the bankruptcy filing, and failed to prepare Teresa for a meeting with the Federal Bankruptcy Court trustee and Teresa Giudice's creditors.  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com.                  

Victoria's Secret London Fashion Show 2014

     London - Wings, 'honorary angels', and  pop stars set the tone for Victoria's Secret's London Fashion Show 2014.  Karlie Kloss hanging with Taylor Swift, Ed Sheehan a hit with the ladies, and at the after party, Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel dubbed Taylor Swift an honorary angel.  The 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airs Tuesday, December 9, 2014, on CBS at 10 p.m. eastern time and 7 p.m. pacific time.  See whole story, www.victoriassecret.com. 

Nicki Minaj Beyonce Ariane Grande Perform As a Trio For Their Most Recent Song

     London - Nicki Minaj and Beyonce will team up for Nicki's "The Pinkprint." "The Pinkprint" is a 19 song album compilation with Beyonce being featured on song number five "Feeling Myself."  Also featured on the album is Nicki's "Bang Bang" partner Ariana Grande.  Ariana Grande sings on "Get on Your Knees."  Other artists on Nicki Minaj's album are Jeremiah (on "Favorite"), Lunchmoney Lewis ("Trini Dem Girls"), and Meek Mill ( on "Big Daddy" and "Buy a Heart").  Ms. Nicki has been working lately to promote her album.  Nicki Minaj has been appearing on recent magazine covers that include:  Complex, Dazed, V, and Billboard.  #Pinkprint.  According to Entertainment Tonight "The Pinkprint" will be available beginning December 15, 2014.  Fans can pre-order the standard and deluxe versions via Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com. 

Gotham 2014 Featured "Birdman" and Michael Keaton the 2014 Gotham Awards

     New York - Award Tours!  The entertainment industry's award season is officially underway.  In November things kicked off with a televised event honoring Michael Keaton, and "Birdman," among others, that included Julianne Moore.  The event was the 24th annual Gotham awards, at the Cipriani Wall Street, in New York City.  The annual Independent Film Awards handed out the first trophies of the award-tour season.  "Birdman" took the top prize for 'Best Feature' beating out "Boyhood," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "Love is Strange," and "Under the Skin."  "Under the Skin," a dark-comedy with Michael Keaton as a former Hollywood superhero.  "Under the Skin" earned Michael Keaton an award for 'Best Actor'.  Taking home the 'Audience Award' was "Boyhood," directed by Richard Linklater ("Dazed and Confused" and "Before Midnight").  "Boyhood" is a film coming-of-age drama that tracks 12 year of newcomer Ellan Coltrane's life. "Boyhood" has been praised for its ambitious achievement development.  "Boyhood" was also named 'Best Film' by the New York Film Critics Circle.  Other acting prizes went to Julianne Moore for 'Best Actress' in "Still Alive" and Tessa Thompson for 'Breakthrough Actor' for "Dear White People".  Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum were jointly awarded a special 'Jury' prize for an ensemble performance in the "Foxcatcher."  These next three stars have also been earning rare reviews and talks of Oscar for the "Foxcatcher," a film that first premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.  The Gotham Awards is watched as one possible indicator of who might win an Academy Award.  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com.                    

New Star Wars Coming To The Motion Picture Screen

     Nicasio - After a $4 billion acquisition (purchase) of LucasFilm by Disney, "Star Wars:  The Force Awakens," gives us a glimpse of some new faces of the franchise.  Little is known about some of these new-comers, but three popular ones are Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley.  The three are are probably going to be the new hero trio.  "Star Wars:  The Force Awakens" comes to theatres December 18, 2015.  See whole story, www.entertainmenttonight.com.    

Tom Cruise Almost Hit By Bus | NBC News

Meryl Streep Tells Why Rule Excepted of Never Playing a Witch

     New York -  Disney's "Into The Woods" with Meryl Streep marks the first time Meryl Streep has ever played a witch.  She tell Entertainment Tonight (ET) why witches are not her favorite character.  Meryl Streep was able to make an exception for her latest performance, that is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, "Into The Woods."  The movie follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack-and-the Bean Stalk, and Rapunzel.  Streep's co-stars praised her during their chats with ET.  "She's so cool and fun and smart and she charms everyone," said Emily Blunt, who shared the screen with Streep in 2006's "The Devil Wears Prada."  Meryl Streeps kudos include 18 Oscar nominations and three wins.  "Honestly, the idea of witches --I think is a terror of older women that has lived in many cultures and I don't like it,"  Streep (65) remembers being offered three witch scripts the year she turned 40.  Meryl Streeps latest performance is the talk of the town.  A baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) want to begin a family despite their interaction with a witch (Streep), who puts a curse on them.  See whole story, www.disney.com.         

Hackers Gain Entry to Motion Picture Studio Computer System

     Culver City - Sony Picture's World War II drama "Fury", starring Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf has been downloaded over 888,000 times since it first appeared on some personal computing networks.  Other movies downloaded were "Still Alice" starring Julianne Moore, "Mr. Turner" starring Timothy Spall, and "To Write Love on Her Arms" starring Kat Dennings.
     The movies were uploaded to an unknown server, possibly in North Korea.  On November 24, 2014 hackers took over computers at the famous movie studio.  This forced Sony to shut down its e-mail and some of its other computer systems.  Sony has hired a company to restore service to its computer systems.  A news wire reported Sunday, November 30, 2014, Sony hoped to bring all its computer systems back online by Monday.  A hacking group has threatened to release "secrets and top secrets" of Sony.  There is some speculation that the leaks could be related to anger over "The Interview," which North Korea has publicly condemned.  In the film a two-man CIA team is sent to assassinate Kim Jong-un, of North Korea.  It has also been suggested that China could be behind the leaks.  See whole story, www.insideedition.com.                  
 

Rapper Presents Daughter With Huge Birthday Gifts Including one Private Concert

     Atlanta - This rapper presented his 16-year old daughter, with, not one, but two luxury European cars for her birthday. 
     World famous rapper Lil Wayne went super-sized Saturday night, November 29, 2014, when he celebrated his daughter, Reginae Carter's 16th birthday.  The birthday party was held at Lil Wayne's Atlanta residence.  For Reginae the night included at least five different outfit changes during the birthday party.  Two of the gifts for Reginae Carter (16) to try on for size, were a BMW and a Ferrari GTO!  Yes, daddy presented TWO cars to his baby girl that night.  After those gifts were presented Reginae was pleased and happily surprised to receive a performance by the one and only Nicki Minaj.  "The Princess and I Luv U #NaeDay," the rapper tweeted.  See whole story,     www.insideedition.com. 

Girls Scouts Use Computers to Market and Their Increase Sales

     New York - Now you can purchase Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-si-Dos, and more on the internet.  The Girl Scouts have recently approved a new "Digital Cookie" program.  Before, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. preferred to keep its sales offline, encouraging individual scouts to set up booths and go door-to-door.  With the "Digital Cookie" program, "Girls across the country can now use modern tools to expand the size and scope of their cookie business and learn vital entrepreneurial lessons in online marketing, application use, and e-commerce," as Sarah Angel-Johnson, director of the digital cookie plan, told the New York Times.  Per GirlScouts.org rules, the scouts themselves must still initiate each cookie sale.  The girls can market their online cookie business by inviting customers to their personalized websites.  Still others will be able to take in-person cookie orders through a Girl Scouts mobile app.  Using this applet customers can pay by credit card.  See also,           www.girlscouts.org. 

Some Origins of Wonder Woman

     New York - DC Comics launched Wonder Woman, partly, in response to backlash by concerned parents against violence in comic books like Superman and Batman.  Wonder Woman's creator was  psychologist, William Moulton Marston.  In the mid-to-late 1940s, Wonder Woman was to be a magic bullet that could empower women and silence critics who said comics always contained too much violence.  As William Marston put it in 1945, Wonder Woman would act as "Psychological propaganda for the new type of woman, I believe, should rule the world."  "The Secret History of Wonder Woman" is not just her history, but a story of feminism and birth control.  Wonder Woman appeared just as America entered the second world war in December 1941.  Of the thousands of comic-book characters created in the 1940s, only Superman and Batman were more popular.  See full story, www.economist.com.     

Rainforest in The Middle of The City

     Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney's Rainforest cafe is part of a national chain.  This restaurant offers a fun dinner with plenty of excitement to watch while you eat.  There are two Rainforest Cafe's at the Disney World Resort in Florida.  There is one at the Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and a Rainforest Cafe in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. 
     Downtown Disney is a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in the southwest corner of the Disney World property.  Guests who are particularly inspired by the rainforest theme may visit the extensive gift ship after their meal.
     The Rainforest experience begins before you enter the restaurant.  A towering volcano rises from the top of the restaurant.  As you get closer to the restaurant you will see waterfalls cascading from volcanic crevices.  Around the entrance to the Rainforest are blooming tropical plants, more trickling water, and jungle animals in their natural habitat.  Sometimes, live tropical birds will be there, with their handlers, for guests to admire. 
      The experience continues inside the restaurant.  Cylindrical, long salt-water fish tanks are spaced throughout the dining area and add tropical color and tropical environment feel.  Trees tower from the restaurant floor and vines dangle from the spreading treetop canopy.  Indoor waterfalls, and a variety of species of animals in the tropical-rainforest tanks, add constant sound, and motion to the restaurant that truly makes the restaurant seem like it is alive with plants and animals.  Exotic tropical trees and plants in tanks are not the only decorative feature of the Rainforest Cafe.  The restaurant is also full of jungle creatures.  Monkeys swing from the treetops, a herd of elephants loom from the dense forest, and birds native to the tropical-rainforest fly overhead or sit perched on the trees.  The ceiling of the restaurant is an artificial sky that spreads a twilight glow over the restaurant and twinkles with thousands of stars.  Sometimes an afternoon thunderstorm rolls through, but guests are in no danger of being soaked, as rain washes through the dining area.  After the rain the animals begin to come alive again.  See also  www.disneyworld.com.

Movie Maker Says IRS Audit in Retaliation For Video

     Washington - Movie producer and conservative activist says, the IRS is auditing him.  Logan Clements suspects the IRS move in "retaliation" for a documentary of his that criticizes ObamaCare. 
     Clements suggests in a preview of his movie in 2010, that ObamaCare would reslt in the type of socialized medicine in Canada that, Logan claims led to the death of his uncle.  Logan Clements appears to be using the incident in part to promote his movie, a video directs those who watch it to a website where they can download a copy of the movie for $10.  The political activist, Clements says ia a four-minute long YouTube video, there are several times in the Obama administration where others in the media were targeted by the IRS.  This allegation includes Breibart News, which alleged in September 2014, which says it is was also being audited.  Clements speculates that his audit, with its request for a "ridiculously long list of documents", is an attempt to delay the release of his movie until after the midterm elections.  Clements new film is titled "Sick and Sicker: ObamaCare Canadian Style."  Clements admits, "This could be a coincidence, but there seems to be a pattern here."  See full story, www.foxnews.com.            

Harry Potter: Order of The Phoenix Debuted For Halloween

     Ottery St. Catchpole - After a life prison sentence in Azkaban (Harry Potter: Order of The Phoenix), J.K. Rowling wants us to explore a little more of her Harry Potter novels.  In Rowling's new updated short-stories we learn some of  Professor McGonagall's life before Hogwart's, we discover the history of the Malfoy family, we learn about the manufacturer of Floo Powder, and much more.  According to the website cinemablend.com we see 10 new things in the new online add-on for Halloween:  Kingsley Shacklebolt is still Minister for Magic, Azkaban has a horrifying original start, Sybill Trelawney has a drinking problem, there are quite a few similar last names among the Ministers of Magic, Dolores Umbridge was ashamed of her family, hiring a Naming Seer is costly and probably a bad idea, Luna Lovegood could see Threstrals when she was very young because she's especially awesome, one of J.K. Rowling's teachers inspired aspects of Dolores Umbridge,  Dolores Umbridge never married but professor Trelawney did (temporarily), and historical muggle events impacted the Wizarding world.  See whole story, www.pottermore.com.     

Michael Jackson Tom Sneddon.

Green Lantern Roller Coaster Front Seat View Six Flags Great Adventure ...

Post Media's Offer to Buy Sun Media Would Make It Dominant in Canadian Newspaper

     Toronto- Postmedia Network says it will buy Quebecor Inc's Sun Media newspaper for $282 million, the deal would give a single publisher control of most of the major English-language dailies in Canada.  If the acquisition goes through it would make Postmedia the owner of competing major local dailies in cities such as Ottawa, Edmonton, and Calgary.  The deal would bring in approximately 175 newspapers and publications, including the Sun's flagship assets, the Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary Sun newspapers - as well as the London (Ontario) Free Press, into the Postmedia conglomerate.  Postmedia says the deal will position it to better compete with foreign-based offerings.  The Competition Bureau downplayed its role so far as acting as a guardian of the diversity of voices in the media.  "While media ownership concentration can raise other publicised interest concerns, under the Competition Act, the bureau's mandate is  to review mergers exclusively to determine whether they are likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition," the agency said. 
          Postmedia said it plans to operate the major Sun dailies and their websites side-by-side with its existing publications, in markets with multiple brands, as it has in Vancouver for more than 30 years, with the Province and The Vancouver Sun.  Postmedia competes against Torstar Corp., publisher of The Toronto Star.   It also competes against The Globe,  and Mail a national daily, majority-owned by the Thomson family.  See also, www.reuters.com. 

United States Navy to Deploy Robot Boats

     Washington - The U.S. Navy did not give a date for when the system will be deployed to the fleet, but The Office of Naval Research recently released video of a test conducted in August 2014 that showed five unmanned "drone" boats swarming a vessel that posed as a threat to a U.S. Navy ship. See also, www.popularmechanics.com.     

Always in Season

     Manhattan - With each suite having four diagonal balconies and being two stories, guests have eight different views of Manhattan.  Guests may not want to leave their suite after seeing its multi-million dollar views.  However, when they do, a chauffeur is always on call, and when they arrive back home they will have at least one personal butler to watch their every move. 
     The library contained within each suite boasts a 26-foot cathedral ceiling and is decorated with $50,000 worth of gilded bronze vine-and-leaf motif.  Semi-precious stone surfaces and fabrics woven with platinum and 22-carat gold decorate the penthouse.  The penthouse cost $50 million to construct.  According to Fox Business News, designer Peter Marino and architect I.M. Pei came out of retirement for the project and collaborated with hotel owner Ty Warner to build this luxurious suite.  A staggering 800-feet above Manhattan, this 4,300 square-foot Ty Warner penthouse can be yours for $45,000 per night.  On the 52nd floor, this suite is offered by the Four Seasons in New York.  With iPads in all 285 guest rooms, Four Seasons Beverly Hills Intelity ICE technology was first introduced on iPad2s in October 2011.  In February 2013, a second phase of this process was completed.  Four Seasons worked with Intelity to develop a mobile app for guest's use on personal smart phones and tablets in order to reinforce Four Seasons' success with ICE on its in-room iPads.  The completion of this upgrade made Four Season's Hotels the first in its market to feature an integrated mobile solution.  It was of the utmost importance for the Four Seasons to remain ahead by taking advantage the increasing popularity of mobile devices, particulary among younger guests.  Guests can order things and communicate with the hotel, whether on or off the hotel property.  Four Seasons Hotels mobility offers.  See also, www.fourseasons.com.                     

Experience The Millennium Force

Giga-Coaster Millennium Force

     Sandusky - Cedar Point pushed the limits on roller coaster design.  The Millennium Force broke ten world records when it debuted in 2000.  The impressive Millennium Force is a steel roller coaster for which a new term was invented.  This "Giga-coaster" was the first full-circuit (vs. shuttle coasters that stay on the chain or cog after they leave the lift hill) to reach more than 300-feet in altitude.  Millennium Force has an "out-and-back" ( high altitude first drop with plenty of smaller hills that give you feelings of weightlessness - known as airtime -  as you ride back to the starting point) layout that does not have any inversions (points where the coaster is upside down) but includes over-banked turns (during the curve the roller coaster tilts 90 degrees or more left or right). 
     Millennium Forces's lift-hill has an altitude of 310-feet and parallels Lake Erie.  Millennium Force is 6,595-feet long and includes hills of 310-feet, 182-feet, and 169-feet.  Millennium Force has a stomach stealing 300-foot drop, at a near vertical 80 degree angle, two dark tunnels, and three over-banked turns. 
     Since its debut in 2000 Millennium Force has consistently been voted the number one steel roller coaster in the world.  Millennium Force has a ride duration of two minutes and twenty seconds.  Millennium Forces top speed is 93 miles-per-hour, two of Millennium Forces three over-banked turns are 122-degrees and the other is 112-degrees.  Millennium Force is the first roller coaster to use an elevator-cable system to lift the trains up the 310-foot lift-hill.  See also, www.cedarpoint.com.   

Mayors Vote on Climate Change

     Dallas - Mayors are looking for alternatives to traditional infrastructure projects that will be cost-effective and provide residents with amenities.  A bipartisan group of mayors from across the country unanimously approved a resolution, Monday, October 6, 2014 that calls on cities to use natural solutions to fight the effects of climate change.  Attendees of the United States Conference of Mayors voted in Dallas on a resolution that encourages cities to use nature to "protect freshwater supplies, defend the nations coastlines, maintain healthy tree and green spaces, cover air-quality, and protect air-quality," sometimes by partnering with non-profit organizations.
     In a move from partisanship (different parties voting differently against one another) the resolution was backed by mayors from GOP-dominated (Republican Gubernatorial candidates).  Austin Mayor, Annise Parker, and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.  Science shows human industrial activity (including, not recycling computer and mobile cell phone hardware when possible), is contributing to global warming, some conservatives remain skeptical.  "What's so significant is that there was a unanimous vote on an issue that can be so divisive," said Laura Huffman, director of the Nature Conservancy, in Texas.  See whole story, www.foxnews.com. 

The First Hypercoaster Magnum XL 200

First Hypercoaster Magnum XL 200

     Sandusky - Loaded with airtime, Magnum XL 200 is the roller coaster that started the modern-day
coaster wars.  When Magnum XL 200 debuted in 1989 it exceeded the 200-foot altitude limit for roller coasters.  The limit that was once thought to be impenetrable for roller coasters.   At that time Cedar Point dubbed the giant coaster a 'hyper', a "hypercoaster".  Today roller coasters are known as 'hypercoasters' if they meet or exceed the 200-foot altitude.     
     With no inversions (points where the roller coaster is upside down), Magnum XL 200 was designed for height.  That height translates into speed, acceleration, and a lot of air-time (points where riders are weightless).  Magnum XL 200 has a maximum speed of 72 miles-per-hour, an altitude of 205-feet, a first drop of 195-feet, and a ride duration of two minutes.  Magnum XL 200's location along the banks of Lake Erie adds to the rides value.  The view from the top of the lift-hill, before the first drop, is of Lake Erie's sparkling blue water shimmering 195 feet below.  Magnum XL 200 can be a little rough in some spots as the ride is in its 25th year of operation and compared to some of today's other, super-smooth, steel coasters.  A ride on the steel Magnum XL 200 can sometimes feel like a rode on a wooden roller coaster.  See also, www.cedarpoint.com.          

Hewlett-Packard Separates

     Palo Alto - a recent wave of break-ups and spin-offs at technology companies and in the broader corporate world is fueled by the idea that companies with a narrower focus perform better.  In many cases the concept is well-received by shareholders who feel that getting good at one thing before diversifying, makes sense.  In 2012, under current Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Meg Whitman, Hewlett-Packard reorganized itself to combine the PC business with its more profitable printer operation, helping pare the way for the current plan to separate.
     Now, after two years Hewlett-Packard Co. says it plans to separate its personal-computer and printer businesses from its corporate hardware and services operations, the latest attempt by the technology company to improve itself.  If the separation goes as planned it would give rise to two publicly traded companies.  The company will make the split through a tax-free distribution of shares to stockholders by the end of fiscal 2015, if the deal goes as planned.  The planned break-up is one that Palo Alto, California - based Hewlett-Packard and its investors have long contemplated.  Hewlett-Packard came close to separating off its PC operation in 2011.  See also,      
    www8.hp.com/us/en/home.html.

Buffalo Bill's Desperado

     Primm - Buffalo Bills Resort and Casino in Primm Valley, Nevada (formerly known as State Line) is home to a desperado (someone wanted by the police). 
     Desperado, by some, is considered to be one of the best roller coaster rides in the Southwest.  In 1994 "The Desperado" at Buffalo Bills in Primm, Nevada was listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world's tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster.  Operating since 1994 "The Desperado" is a steel, sit-down (versus stand up), hypercoaster, "The Desperado" has a length of 5,843 feet, an altitude of 209 feet, a maximum drop of 225 feet, and a maximum speed of 80 miles-per-hour, during its two-minute and forty-three second ride.  "The Desperados" maximum angle is sixty degrees and during the ride you will experience G-Forces of up to 4.0 G's.  Desperado has become an area landmark that, as hypercoasters (roller coasters higher than 200 feet) are, is visible for miles around.  Despite the odd location on Highway 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles and about 50 miles south of the Las Vegas strip, Desperado attracts thousands of passing motorists traveling to and from Las Vegas.  Desperado's highest altitude is 209 feet, however Desperado's maximum drop is 225 feet long, into a dark enclosed tunnel.  After the tunnel the coaster's trains rocket along more than a mile of track reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.  The Desperado is the centerpiece of the Primadonna hotel and casino resorts, in Primm, Nevada, about 45 minutes from the Las Vegas strip.
     Desperado's loading station is inside of Buffalo Bills casino.  The track winds around and into the casino.  Coaster technology has surpassed Desperado's altitude, speed, and steepness (maximum angle of drop), but Desperado is still in the Guiness Book of World Records as having a heart-pounding 225 foot first drop.  That first drop places Desperado firmly in hypercoaster territory.  See also, www.primmvalleyresorts.com.           
               

Buffalo Bill's...Near Las Vegas Roller Coaster

Victoria's Secret Reportedly Wants Kendall Jenner as Next Angel

     New York - Victoria's Secret known for their unique costumes, is now going to sign Kendall Jenner as their newest Victoria's Secret Angel.  "Becoming an Angel significantly increases a model's earning potential due to their visibility around the world," says Richard Habberly at DNA Model Management.  See also, www.eonline.com/showl/kardashians.     

Mt. Ontake Near Central Japan Erupts

     Tokyo - Flights at Tokyo's Haneda airport suffered delays on Saturday, September 28, 2014, as planes changed routes to avoid a volcano at Mt. Ontake.  Most flights at Haneda airport were back to normal by Sunday, September 29, 2014, an airport spokeswoman said.
     Sakurajima, another active volcano, in the Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyusho, Japan, at the southern end of the western island of Kyushu, is 50km (31 miles) from Kyushu Electric Power's Sendai nuclear power plant.  Sendai was approved to restart by Japan's nuclear regulatory agency earlier in September 2014.  Ash from Saturday's volcano was found on cars as far away as 80km (50 miles).
     Japan is home to 110 active volcanoes.  Kyushu Electric has said it will install new monitoring equipment around nearby calderas (caps on top of previously erupted volcanoes).  Kyushu Electric also says it plans to remove highly radioactive fuel to a safer site if the threat of an eruption is detected.  See also, www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/.

United States Postal Service to Start Sunday Deliveries

    Washington - Electronic mail (e-mail) has taken so much regular mail from the United States Postal Service, that the online company Amazon.com and the United States Postal Service will start Sunday deliveries of online items bought thru Amazon.com; this is according to kfiam640.  See also, www.usps.com.     

Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know? [Lyrics]

Raging Bull

This Roller Coaster is a Raging Bull

     Chicago - With the ancient art of bull-taming as a theme, a practice that has been around for thousands of years, and is still used today, Raging Bull is named after a fictious ferocious bull-beast that terrorized citizens of the old Southwest Territory.  The states that are now South of the Ohio River were commonly known as the Southwest Territory, in the late 1790s.  Legend has it that the citizens of this area fled the main town and built a courtyard and mission elsewhere.   Raging Bull allows riders to experience the tough rodeo ride of the legendary Southwest Territories.    
     When it opened in 1999 Raging Bull was the first hyper-twister roller coaster in the United States.  A hyper-coaster is a roller coaster that has extreme height, hyper-coasters usually start at approximately 200 feet tall.  The land now being used by Raging Bull was formerly used by Rolling Thunder, a bobsled which had been relocated from Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey) in 1990, and was removed from Six Flags Great America (Illinois) in 1996, to make room for the Southwest Territory, which Raging Bull is a flagship attraction of.  The bobsled Rolling Thunder is now Alpine Bobsled at Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, in Queensbury, New York.  The Southwest Territory at Six Flags Great America (Illinois) is, Raging Bull (opened 1999), Giant Drop (opened 1997), and Viper (opened 1995).  Viper is a Coney Island Cyclone-styled wooden roller coaster.   With a maximum height of 208 feet, Raging Bull is the tallest coaster at Six Flags Great America (Illinois), an the maximum drop is 202 feet, with a maximum drop angle of 65 degrees.  Raging Bull includes a lot of space-age weightlessness, that results from, Raging Bulls, air-time hills ( a series of small hills that result in feelings of weightlessness by Raging Bull riders).  Raging Bull has speeds of up to 73 mph and has a helix (corkscrew turn) that feels like a bull trying to shake riders off of it.  Raging Bull is 5,057 feet (1541.4 meters) long.  See also, www.greatamericaparks.com.                   

California Great America's Flight Deck

     Santa Clara - Paramount Picture's Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, was the top grossing movie of 1986.  As the popularity of the movie continued to grow, even years after release, the Paramount Theme Parks began to capitalize on that appeal, by theming several new roller coasters with a Top Gun premise.  The theme's of the several Top Gun type coasters vary, for example Batman The Ride at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Illinois), is built by the same company that built California Great America's Flight Deck (Santa Clara, California).  All of the Top Gun type rides maintain the connection to the fighter jets.  Either through a military jet-like stark steel-gray coloration, by having patriotic accents, through the use of movie clips, or by playing recorded music in certain areas of the ride, and in the use of other props as necessary in the ride area and the area surrounding the ride area.  In 2006, The Paramount Company sold its theme parks to Cedar Fair, a company that owns several theme parks around the country.  Paramount's justification for the sale was that operating theme parks was removing Paramount from its primary mission objective of movie production, and movie distribution.  Roller Coaster fanatics interested in experiencing the rush of a Top Gun type ride can do so at parks stretching across the United States and Canada. 
     Because of the familiarity and popularity of the Top Gun name, some of the Top Gun coaster still have their original names and/or their original theming.  Top Gun opened in 1993.  It is a Swiss-made inverted steel coaster.  It uses floor-less coaches suspended below the track.  It reaches speeds of up to 50 miles-per-hour.  Top Gun lasts approximately two minutes and 26 seconds.  Top Gun has three inversions and features an initial 91 foot drop.  California Great America's Flight Deck is sometimes still called Top Gun because it is a Top Gun styled roller coaster similar to Batman The Ride. 
     Flight Deck mimics the awesome aerobatics of fighter jet manuevers.  Thrill seekers have four different options, or elements, designers use when designing roller coasters.  They are the drop (Flight Deck has a maximum height of 102 feet and an initial drop of 91 feet).  The turn or curve, a change in the direction of the roller coaster train.  If the turn or curve is very close to the track going in the opposite direction, it is sometimes called a horseshoe for its shape.  360 degree rolls (sometimes known as barrel rolls), or tilts, rotating around the track while going in a straight line.  Loops, vertical turns or vertical curves that go 360 degrees.  At the top of the loop the riders are completely inverted.      
   
           

Great America's...Flight Deck

Luxury Planes of Fame

     Tampines - When you first learned that a person could own their own ISLAND you were impressed.  The private PLANES of the rich and famous are just as impressive and important.  One wonders how they would get to their exclusive beach oasis's without there private jets, for speed and timeliness.  The 747, the kind of plane that fits the swinging go-go days of martini-drinking travelers lingering around a bar, was introduced for commercial service in 1970.  With a spiral staircase, to get to the "flying penthouse," the 747 reminds us of images of a luxurious cruise ship.  Singapore Airlines was the first company to use the 747. 
     If you like speed and comfort the Airbus A380 is the leading European made passenger airplane in the world.  The Airbus A380 maintains glamour in flying, like the 747.  In 2008 the Airbus A380 was introduced.  Singapore Airlines was the first company to use the Airbus A380. 
     Airbus and Boeing offer a wide variety of customization options to give customers exactly what they want.  Prices vary, with a new 747 series-eight costing approximately $280 million and an Airbus A380 costing approximately $300 million.  Air Force One is, of course, on the list.  Among the many features that Air Force One has is a lift elevator that descends from the 747 to the ground, to speed baggage loading.  More than one Sultan, King, or Prince owns a pre-owned or new Boeing-747 for $100 million and up. One prince has already sold his $500 million dollar customized Airbus A380 to another un-named billionaire, before the world's most expensive passenger plane even took flight.  The billionaire who purchased the original prince's plane was desperate to skip the waiting list for the world's largest private jet.  For one-half-of a billion dollars one gets such amenities as a marble-finish Turkish bath, a boardroom, and a concert hall.  Among other customized items are:  a loading ramp that lowers from the rear of the Airbus A380, a dedicated prayer area (in which computer-generated mats move to point toward Mecca), lift-shuttles that go between the three stories of the plane, a self-loading baggage system (like air force one's) that can lower to the ground to serve as a private entrance, a "floating" grand staircase, a giant built-in floor viewing system that shows the ground being flown over, a concert hall that can generate life-like holograms, and a steam-room lined with 2mm thick marble (big enough for four to sit). 
     The ultra-rich do not always get their way.  In 2008 the interior designer of one prince's $500 million dollar Airbus A380 wanted to include a whirlpool tub .  The interior designer assured Airbus the whirlpool tub would come with a rapid drainage system that can empty standing water in seconds to a tank in the cargo hold.  Airbus refused to 'include a swimming pool on board.'  An Airbus executive, says "You can forget about the swimming pool"..."can't happen and won't happen.  See also,   www.time.com/money.

Aerosmith. I don't wanna miss a thing -(Armageddon soundtrack)

EXTRA...Small Asteroid Closely Approaching Earth

     Wellington - NASA just discovered the asteroid Sunday, August 31, 2014.  This asteroid 2014RC will get close to earth this weekend.   If you want to take a look at this asteroid, 2014RC, you will need a telescope and a ticket to New Zealand (if you're not already reading this in New Zealand).
    This house-sized object's orbit will swing it by Earth on this Sunday (in three days).  2014RC's path will take it about 10 times closer to the Earth, than Earth's own moon.  When it crosses between the Earth and the moon it will be near our satellites.  2014RC will get close to our communication and weather satellites.  NASA notes, "while this celestial object does not appear to pose any threat to Earth or satellites, its close approach creates a unique opportunity for researchers to observe and learn about asteroids."  On September 7, 2014, the time of closest approach for 2014RC, based on current calculations, is about 2:18 p.m. EDT (11:18 UTC).  The asteroid will approximately be over New Zealand.  Measuring its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid is about 60 feet (20 meters) in size.  See also, www.nasa.gov.  

Frill-less Flying Brings Flying to the Masses

     New York - In the 1950's flying was a privilege enjoyed by only the wealthiest.  The costs associated with flying were too high for most ordinary people.  In 1952 a London-to-Scotland return flight would set the average Englishman back a week's wages.  A trip to New York might require saving up for five months.  No-frills flying helped bring flying to the common public market.
     Borrowing parts of the no-frills formula, such as striping out non-essential services and introducing yield-management systems to price tickets, airlines have slashed ticket prices on flights that offer this type of flying.  Southwest Airlines, the world's first successful no-frills carrier, pioneered ways of reducing operating costs.  These ways now used all over the world.  To reduce costs Southwest filled its planes with more seats and made sure each flight was packed with passengers.  No-frills airlines also cut costs by using only one type of aeroplane,  the Boeing 737.  British-based EasyJet, Ryan Air, and other airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, that offer no-frills flying, virtually eliminated the business-class flying section.  They then introduced fees for non-essential services, like carrying luggage in the cargo hold of the plane, this further reduced the workload on the plane, when passengers began increasing their use  of the overhead bin.  Airlines invented a unique sales strategy.  Airlines developed and built their own airline ticket reservation system which eliminated the need for so many travel agents.  This so-called direct booking system made fares further obtainable to the traveling public and cut out the fees charged by travel agents.  To help target prices better airlines began using yield-management systems (YMSs). YMSs increase ticket prices when demand is high and reduce them during quieter traveling periods.  This increased the airlines' ticketing reservations system's efficiency.  When airlines have more ticket revenue coming in during high volume periods, they can keep up with their increased operating costs during those high traffic times.  See also, www.forbes.com. 

Origins of the Enzo Ferrari

        Las Vegas - Sometimes known as the F60, the Enzo Ferrari is the design preceding the current one (La Ferrari).  Ferrari built 400 Enzos.  The Enzo Ferrari is the last of the V-12 Ferraris that feature brawn over brains.  La Ferrari introduces more computerization and electric motors.  The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinger mid-engine berlinetta.  Berlinetta is a sporty form of coupe.  It is typically a two-seater.  The original meaning for Berlinetta in Italian is "little saloon."  The style was introduced in the 1930s and was popularized by Ferrari in the 1950s.  Maserati and  some other European car companies also use the Berlinetta insignia.  This gesture of Ferrari's highest achievement when produced from 2002-2004 is named after the company's founder Enzo Ferrari.  The Enzo Ferrari was built from 2002-2004 and due to the limited number produced, 400, helps keep it near or at the top of  all super cars. 
     The Enzo Ferrari uses some Formula One technology such as a carbon-fibre body, a F1-style electrohydraulic shift transmission, and carbon-fibre-reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite disc brakes.  The Enzo Ferrari V-12 engine is hte first of a new generation for Ferrari.  It is based on the architecture of the V-8 found in Maseratis Quattroporte.  The Enzo, named after the founder, was established to commemorate Ferrari's first formula one title of the new millennium.  The Enzo was designed by the independent car design firm and coach builder Pininfarina of Cambiano, Italy.  The design was initially announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, with a limited production run of 349, that was increased to 400.  The initial price of the Enzo Ferrari was US$659,330.  The Ferrari company sent invitations to existing customers.  They particularly wanted to attract those that had bought the F40 and/or F50.  All 349 cars were sold in this way before production began.  After numerous requests Ferrari decided to build 50 more Enzos, bringing the total to 399.  That, plus the one at The Paris Auto Show makes the total 400.  See also,  www.Ferrari.com.

Kentucky Roller Coasters..are they faster or is that only an illusion?

Lightening Run at Kentucky Kingdom

     Louisville - Lightening Run is a "Hyper GT-X" type roller coaster that is an even 100 feet tall.  It is not the tallest roller coaster, but its 20-seat trains reach a top speed of 55 miles-per-hour, it is 2,500 feet long and has a ride length of approximately two minutes.  Kentucky Kingdom celebrated a re-opening Saturday, May 24, 2014.  Lightening Run uses two trains with five cars per train.  Riders are arranged two across in two rows for a total of 20 riders per train.  The ride lasts approximately two minutes and has a maximum drop angle of eight degrees.  That means when you are on your steepest drops you are going almost straight down.  Kentucky Kingdom (formerly known as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom) is an amusement park in Louisville, Kentucky.  The park's 63-acres includes a water park named Hurricane Bay.  Lightening Run's starting station-house was previously used for Greezed Lightnin.'  The Hyper GT-X designation of Lightening Run indicates it is a new coaster with state of the art rider restraints.  See also, www.kentuckykingdom.com.     

Gold Striker..Western style roller coaster.

California Great America's Gold Striker

     Santa Clara - Gold Striker began with a soft opening, promotions and other events, to publicize the ride.  Gold Striker features an old West theme.  The ride is 108 feet tall.  When Gold Striker opened in 2013 it had been one of the most anticipated additions to California Great America in the park's history.  Gold Striker reaches speeds of up to 54 miles-per-hour and a maximum fifty-degree angle.  Gold Striker is 3,200 feet long and lasts over two minutes.  Gold Striker is California Great America's eighth roller coaster and is located in the Celebration Plaza area, it wraps around Star Tower, with views overlooking the new 49ers stadium.  The roller coaster is  California Great America's wooden, chain-lifted (versus launched) coaster with a maximum height of  108 feet and a maximum drop of 103 feet.  Gold Striker has a top speed of 53.7 miles per hour and length of 3,197 feet, with a ride length of two minutes and thirteen seconds.  Gold Striker is the first roller coaster built at California Great America since 2001.  Trains are 12 cars with two across seating, for a total of 24 riders per train.
     When opened Gold  Striker was the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California.  Gold Striker is a wooden, twisting, coaster that features, an eighty-degree banked curve, and a station fly-by.  The name Gold Striker was chosen to recognize the pioneering and adventurous spirit of the California gold seekers who rushed the area in 1849.  California Great America is an amusement park owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.  California Great America is one of four major amusement parks that operate around the Bay Area.  California Great America is the only amusement park in Northern California that has a water park within the park grounds.  According to Wikipedia, a permit was issued to Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in May 2012.  Cedar Fair filed a trademark for the name Gold Striker.  Gold Striker was officially announced on August 29, 2012, as being the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California.  Representatives of the San Francisco 49ers were on hand at the ceremony, since the ride is themed and named after what built the city of San Francisco, the California Gold Rush.  February 20, 2013, California Great America announced the first drop will be fully enclosed, setting the record for world's longest initial drop tunnel on a wooden coaster.  March 6, 2013, the park announced it would be holding a, first rider, auction for Gold Striker.  The public could spend money to be first to ride until April 28, 2013.  However, California Great America made it possible for the public to take some early rides on April 30, 2013, while a commercial for the park was being done.  Gold Striker officially opened June 1, 2013.   See full story, www.greatamericaparks.com  
        

Super Bowl Half-Time Pay-to-Play

       Glendale - In 1992 Michael Jackson headlined (was the main performer) at Super Bowl XXVII (27).   Unlike previous years, Michael Jackson was the only performer in the entire half-time show.  Super Bowl XXVII was the first Super Bowl where audience figures actually increased during the half-time show.  Since then, the NFL and television network, officials decided it was necessary to sign top acts for the half-time in future years, in order to boost future viewership and interest for the Super Bowl.  Michael Jackson's performance at Super Bowl XXVII is considered one of the most watched television broadcasts in American television history.  Now, the NFL announces this long-time practice of signing the top performers, might literally turn into pay-to-play. 
     The NFL is asking music acts to pay for playing at Super Bowl half-time shows.  The Super Bowl is America's most-viewed annual sporting event.  According to the Onion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, that the NFL has notified Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Cold Play that they are under consideration to perform at the half-time of Super Bowl 49 next February.  In the process of notifying them, the paper reports the league has also asked some of the artists to either give a portion of their post-Super Bowl tour proceeds to the league or make some type of financial contribution in exchange for being offered the privilege of performing at the Super Bowl half-time show.  NFL spokeswoman, Joanna Hunter, told the Wall Street Journal, the NFL's contracts with performers are confidential and the leagues only goal is to "put on the best possible show."  Hunter also said, the half-time act for this season's Super Bowl game in Glendale, Arizona, has not been decided.  However, the featured performer for the half-time show is typically announced by the NFL at the same time during the regular season.  See also, www.espn.go.com. 

Extra... Balmer... Moves From Microsoft

       Los Angeles - According to NBC Southern California, "Clippers will win:"  A rowdy Steve Balmer, took Monday's August 19, 2014, fan rally by storm when Steve Balmer introduced himself as the new owner of theLos Angeles Clippers.   Now, Steve Balmer says, he has accomplished as much at Microsoft as he can or has wanted to, and is stepping aside.  See also, www.losangelestimes.com.

X-Flight

Origins of X-Flight Six Flags Great America

     Chicago - X-Flight is a steel roller coaster in the County Fair Section of Six Flags Great America near Chicago, Illinois.  X-Flight opened as the second Wing Coaster in the United States after,Wild Eagle, and it is Six Flags Great America, Illinois, thriteenth roller coaster.
     A little bit about what happens when you ride on the X-Flight will be like: a pre-drop (or, kicker) that is usually found on coasters of this type.  After the lift hill (devices used to pull trains up hills), a pre-drop acts as a shelf for the front of the train while the back is still leaving the lift hill.  This is used to reduce strain on the chain lift.  After the pre-drop, a half-barrel roll (while riding straight) rolls left to right up to 180 degrees.  After the half-barrel roll the ride enters a lead-up to the main drop.  This lead-up is upside-down (inverted).  Six Flags Great America's X-Flight defies gravity.  By virture of being a "wing coaster" their is no track above or below your feet.  Instead, sitting in pairs (two side-by-side) riders are suspended (hung) on either side of the steel X-Flight track.  X-Flight rises twelve stories (approximately 120 feet), reaches speeds up to 55 miles-per-hour, features five inversions, has a Zero-G roll, and a complete barrel roll (360 twist around the track, while going straight).  In order, the inversions are:  Dive Loop, Zero-G Roll, Immelmann, Zero-G Roll, and an Inline Twist (360 degree twist around the track while going straight).
     X-Flight opened May 16, 2012.  X-Flight trains have seven cars with one row each, seating four side-by-side.  X-Flight is one of America's first wing roller coasters.  X-Flight may refer to one of two roller coasters.  X-Flight (Six Flags Great America) the wing roller coaster at Six Flags Great America.  Or, X-Flight (Geauga Lake).  According to Wikipedia, while the park was still named Six Flags Ohio, plans for a new roller coaster known as X-Flight were revealed on January 4, 2001.  Six days later Six
Flags purchased Sea World Ohio - next to Geauga Lake - with the intent of merging the two to create Six Flags, Worlds of Adventure.  The new venture advertised X-Flight as the first Flying roller coaster in the Midwest, and it was the park's tenth roller coaster overall - it was the fifth added since 2000.  The new coaster was built on a former bus parking lot, and Geauga Lake Road had to be re-routed around the ride.
Land clearing for X-Flight began December 1, 2000, and construction on the footers began February 9, 2001.  X-Flight opened May 26, 2001.  See full story, www.sixflags.com/greatamerica.                   
                 

The Great Noreaster Morey's Piers Wildwood Jersey Shore

Origins of the Great Nor' Easter...Morey's Piers Jersey Shores

      Wildwood - In 1995, Morey's Piers wanted to expand their theme park with a roller coaster, they wanted the first inverted coaster in the North East region.  Later, in 1995, the Great Nor' Easter was installed.  The Great Nor' Easter is 2,100 feet of twisted steel, that takes riders high over Raging Waters water park,  through rollovers, sidewinders, and double spins, at speeds in excess of fifty miles per hour (55 m.p.h.).  The Great Nor' Easter is a Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC).  This type of steel inverted roller coaster is installed in at least 39 locations around the world.  The first suspended looping roller coaster installation was El Condor at Walibi, Holland, in the Netherlands.  SLC's were intended to run with ten cars in each train.  Troublingly high maintenance costs with this configuration led to the trains being shortened to a seven or eight car layout.
     Of the several different track layouts of SLCs, most feature a similar pattern.  The ride starts by taking riders up a 33.3-metre (109 ft.) chain hill.  In 2006, the track and support were painted white.  Previously, they had been painted in a pinkish-red.  For 2008, the coaster received some upgrades.  According to Wikipedia, newer-styled "Freedom Seats" cars were installed.  These new trains, with new-styled seats, featured an ergnomically designed seat that makes the ride smoother, while also providing a view of all directions, as well as complete arm freedom.  The design utilizes a lap bar and new innovative vest of large rubberized plastic pads, they maximize safety and comfort.  Add to that a redesigned station, and a new color scheme for the starting station ( in this case red, white, and blue), gives a brand new ride experience. 
     The theme of "Fly-the Great Nor' Easter" is a major East Coast storm, and was given to the roller coaster to help add thrills.  Despite the limited space designers had to work with, the compact layout of the SLC was able to fit into Morey's Piers at Wildwood, New Jersey.  See also, www.moreyspiers.com.  

Shivering Timbers...Michigan, United States

Shivering Timbers Turns 30

      Muskegon - Shivering Timbers was intended to be one of the biggest roller coaster rides ever created.  It was envisioned as a mile-long, out-and-back roller coaster, that would rank as America's third-largest wooden roller coaster.  In June 1997, ground was broken for Michigan Adventure's 1998 season.  In May of 1998 Shivering Timbers debuted.  It was Michigan Adventure's 30th Anniversary year.  Shivering Timbers employs an easier  the to design and maintain out-and-back design construction layout.  The out-and-back design layout uses hills that are usually quite large on the way out of the  starting station and gradually decrease in size.  The hills on the way in-toward the starting station are smaller, and are intended to maximize air-time.  Air-time is the feeling of weightlessness one sometimes experiences on roller coaster rides.  Shivering Timbers has consistently ranked among the best wooden roller coasters.  Shivering Timbers uses a lift hill (versus launch-type system).  Shivering Timbers has a maximum height of 124 feet, with a maximum drop of 114 feet.  The length of the ride is in excess of one mile, at 5,384 feet.  Shivering Timbers speed is 57 miles per hour, with a top speed of 65 miles per hour.  The maximum angle for Shivering Timbers is approximately 53.43 degrees.  When riding Shivering Timbers riders will be able to experience maximum negative or positive gravitational force (g-force) of 3.8 pounds per square inch.  As would be expected for a roller coaster ride of a mile-long.  The duration of Shivering Timbers is two and-a-half minutes.  According to wikipedia, Shivering Timbers uses four-seats per car and six cars per train, for a total of 24 riders per roller coaster train.  See also, www.miadventure.com.            

Goliath Wooden Roller Coaster At Six Flags Great America 2014

Origins of Six Flags Great America's Goliath

     Chicago - Goliath of Six Flags Great America, Illinois is the tallest fastest, and steepest wooden roller coaster in the world.  Goliath opened June 19, 2014, Goliath includes, a steep 85 degree 180-foot drop, speeds up to 72 m.p.h., a zero-gravity roll, and two overbanked turns.  An overbanked turn is a left or right roll up to 90 degrees, that is similar to going all the way up-side down, while, still going straight.  At 72 m.p.h. Goliath is the fastest of any wooden roller coaster ride.  Goliath includes surprising curved and outrageous twists, according to one online website.  Goliath also features the aforementioned intense overbanked turns, a 180-degree zero G-roll twist, and two wild inversions; that flip the rider completely 360 degrees through a winding inverted drop and a spiraling inverted zero G-stall.
     Goliath debuted in the County Fair section of Six Flags Great America, Illinois.  Goliath is now the staple of the Six Flags Great America, Illinois, skyline.  August 5, 2011, Six Flags Great America announced on their official facebook page that Iron Wolf would be closed on September 5, 2011.  Iron Wolf was removed and relocated to Six Flags America where it operates as Apocalypse:  The Last Stand.  On August 1, 2013, Six Flags Great America, Illinois, began a teaser campaign entitled "Follow the Journey."  In mid-August 2013, it was revealed Six Flags Great America would be building a 165-foot tall (53m) roller coaster, with plans being lodged with the local zoning committee to exceed the 125-foot (38m) height limit imposed by the park.  On August 29, 2013 it was officially announced that Six Flags Great America would be adding Goliath for the 2014 season.  Goliath uses the same station house, and waiting line area, as Iron Wolf.  For Goliath, the station house platform was lengthened because thee trains for Goliath are longer than the Iron Wolf trains.  The Iron Wolf's train used to have seven rows and Goliath will feature twelve rows.  On February 21, 2014, Six Flags Great America revealed some of Goliath's final design.  The updated version of the design includes a steel lift hill structure, rather than the traditional wooden structure.  Construction for Goliath began in September 2013.  Goliath officially opened to the public on June 19 2014.            
     Goliath's name and theme were chosen purely on the basis of the rides size and scale.  Goliath is 3,100-feet-long (940m) and stands 165-feet (50m) tall.  Goliath features two inversions (rolling upside down while going straight) and two overbanked turns.  To utilize space at Six Flags Great America, Illinois, Goliath was built in a small space.  The lift hill, the section of the track where the roller coaster train is mechanically lifted to an elevated point or peak on the track, was built at a steep angle of 45 degrees.  Goliath claims three Guiness World Records.  The rides 180-foot-tall (55m) drop at angle of 85 degrees is the steepest and longest in the world for a wooden roller coaster ride.  Goliath is also the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, with a top speed of (116 km/h).  Goliath, also resulted in Six Flags Great America claiming the record for the amusement park with the most wooden roller coaster ride track in the world, this according to Wikipedia.  See also, www.sixflagsgreatamerica.com                   

Vertical Velocity V2 Roller Coaster Front Seat Six Flags Great Ameri...

Origins of the Vertical Velocity

     Illinois - Vertical Velocity is an inverted steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great America, near Chicago, Illinois.  Using the name 'Twisted Impulse Coaster' this launched shuttle-style coaster has been running at the Yankee Harbor section of Six Flags Great America (Illinois), since May 18, 2001.  Launched roller coaster rides are modern platforms of roller coaster that have seen increased use in the previous decade.  In place of a traditional chain lift, the launched roller coaster initiates a ride with high amounts of acceleration via one or a series of Linear Induction Motors (LIMs), Linear Synchrous Motors (LSMs), catapaults, or other mechanisms employing hydraulic or pneumatic power.  These are some of the fastest rides in the world.  Launched roller coasters cost more to maintain, but they operate at higher speeds which allows more fun designs.  This roller coaster ride uses a single seven seat car (28-passenger) train, which runs along a 656-foot (200 metre), U-shaped track, incorporating two 185 foot (56 m) vertical spikes.  The forward spike incorporates a twisted spiral, and the rearward spike provides a straight freefall.  The 65-foot (20m) train, propelled by linear induction motors (LIMs), is accelerated in less than four seconds to 70 mph toward the forward tower, before dropping back down through the station house, the platform where the next riders are standing, and up the rearward tower.  The train passes at speed through the station four times per ride.  Then, it is braked by eddy-current braking (also called Foucault currents braking) before being brought into final position at the station by the LIM(s).  According to wikipedia 'Vertical Velocity' is 185-feet tall.  Another website had the height at 150-feet tall.  However, one thing both agree on is that 0-70 mph in less than four seconds is fun.  See also, www.sixflags.com/greatamerica. 

The Demon Roller Coaster California's Great America

Origins of the Demon Ride

      Chicago - The 'Demon' is a multi-looping roller coaster ride at Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Illinois, in the Chicago area and at California's Great America in Santa Clara, California.  Both roller coaster rides opened in 1976 as Turn of the Century, were re-themed and re-named 'Demon' in 1980.  Both roller coasters were painted blue and were among some of the first roller coasters to feature a double corkscrew.  The new roller coasters were the biggest at the park in 1976 when they opened.  The main draw of the Turn of the Century was the novelty of the corkscrew element that turned riders head over heels twice.  The rides most extra-ordinary feature was the exceptional, up-out-your-seat "airtime" produced on the second and third hills.  After the 1979 season Turn of the Century was largely re-designed.  The airtime hills after first drop were removed and replaced with two back-to-back vertical loops and a lighted-tunnel.  The entire ride was painted black and re-named 'Demon.'  In another closely following improvement the themes design included fog machines placed in the tunnels, blood-red colored water fell out of a rock formation by the corkscrews, and a unique picture of the demon was introduced. In 1980 when the loops were added the two Turn of the Century roller coasters known as the 'Demon' were the second and fourth roller coasters that included inversions where the riders get to go upside down for a while.  The first was the Carolina Cyclone which had opened two months earlier, and is a very similar roller coaster. 
       A 'Demon' soundtrack plays on stereo speakers placed through out the ride length.  The soundtrack includes the infamous "Demon Song", which was particularly written for the Great America parks.  Along with the song are imitation (fake) radio broadcasts about people who had seen the demon or had other experiences with the demon.  For a time in the 1980's the 'Demon' at Six Flags Great America was branded the Looney Tunes' Tasmanian Devil.  The storyline of the rides transformation is what the "Demon Song" is about.  It tells the park missed three rent payments on the roller coaster, and a demon came and repossessed the ride.  See full story, www.greatamericapark.com.   

Green Lantern Roller Coaster Front Seat Six Flags Great Adventure Ne...

Origins of the Green Lantern Roller Coaster

        Jackson Township - Green Lantern is a steel stand-up roller coaster that is located at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.  Green Lantern is about 155 feet (15 stories).  For roller coasters, it reflects a respectable, top speed of 63 miles per hour.  The ride is 4,155 feet long and features five inversions (barrel rolls or semi-vertical to vertical barrel rolls exiting in normal level roll out).  The duration of the 1266 metre ride is approximately 2 1/2 minutes.  Green Lantern originally operated at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky from 1997 to 2009, where it was known as Chang. 
     Chang ("long" in Mandarin Chinese) set world records for this type of roller coaster in 1997.  The records were in height, drop, speed, length, and number of inversions.  Around 1999 the Green Lantern's track was painted lime green, and the support columns were painted violet.  In early 2006 the track was returned to its original yellow, and the support columns were painted blue.  Six Flags originally announced the ride would have a Batman theme, along with its T2 coaster.  T2 was expected to be known as "Batman:  The Ride" and Chang "Riddler's Revenge," but these plans were later cancelled.  Chang was closed over the weekend of September  19, 2009, and subsequently removed to expand Splashwater Kingdom.
     According to Wikipedia the expansion was cancelled, while Six Flags later announced plans to dispose of its Kentucky Kingdom property. Green Lantern emerged at Six Flags Great America.  The ride was already planned to be opened at Six Flags Great America in 2011.  As it turns out, on July 5, 2010, Six Flags Great Adventure announced that its Great American Scream Machine would close on July 18, 2010, to make way for a new attraction the following year.  This sparked rumors that Kentucky Kingdom's "Chang" would move to Great Adventure in 2011.  On September 16, 2010, Six Flags Great Adventure announced that it would open a Green Lantern - themed roller coaster in 2011.  Green Lantern is Magic Mountain's second stand-up coaster, Magic Mountain's first stand-up roller coaster was the "Shockwave," which operated from 1990 to 1992.  "Shockwave" had already been installed at Six Flags Magic Mountain parks preceding the "Riddlers Revenge."  As its name suggests, Green Lantern is themed for the DC Comics character of the same name.  The name was chosen to coincide with the "Green Lantern" film, released in 2011.  The ride Green Lantern is basically a mirror version of "Mantis."  At its opening, Chang claimed the record for the tallest vertical loop of any roller coaster in the world.  And, was the world's fastest, longest, stand-up ride, with the largest drop, and the most inversions on a stand-up roller coaster.  All of Chang's records were eventually passed by "Green Lantern and" the "Riddlers Revenge."  See also, www.sixflags.com. 

2014 BMW i3..Communicating via BMW

       Spartanburg - The i3's range is about 80 miles.  Charge Point's network of public stations provide 80 percent charge in 20 minutes.  After downloading Charge Points app to a smart phone you can save which stations are available by using the monitor charging status of your car and remotely start and stop your car's charging session(s).  There are three drive modes available in the BMW i3.  Each of these three drive modes may be selected from a button on the center console.  According, to Auto & Parts News, comfort proves the best performance, but uses the most energy.  However, Eco Pro and Eco Pro+ increase range by about 12 percent.
     The BMW i3 uses space-age construction to reduce the weight of the car.  And, to help reduce 'range anxiety,' a rear mounted 650 cc, 34-horsepower, two-cylinder gasoline engine, called "Range
Extender," is available.  "Range Extender" can double the vehicle's driving range.  The Range Extender engine starts up to maintain the BMW i3's state of battery charge.  Since the Range Extender has a tiny 2.4 gallon gas tank it is classified as a plug-in Hybrid Vehicle.  The regular BMW i3 is classified as an Electric Vehicle.  If you are considering an electric vehicle like the popular Nissan Leaf or the more expensive Tesla Model S, be sure to put the BMW i3 on your shopping list.  See also, www.caranddriver.com.     

New Regulations Attempt To Stimulate Investment in Mexico Telecoms

      Mexico - Anti-monopoly legislation in telecommunications is forcing American Movil to unexpectedly sell part of its business.  Reforms orchestrated by President Enrique Pena Nieto are intended to limit the size of some of Mexico's largest telecommunication companies.
     The announcement came during a 20-hour session to put into affect laws that follow up on last year's constitutional reforms on telecommunications and broadcasting.  The laws which the lower house of Congress approved July 9, 2014, are far reaching.   According to Business Week magazine, these laws will abolish long-distance phone charges next year, they will make it easier for customers to switch telephone companies, and broaden access to free-to-air- television stations.  This legislation will be judged by how well, or not, these laws curb the power of two companies, American Movil and Televisa (a TV broadcaster).  As long as the two firms have a market share of more than 50 percent in their respective businesses, the legislation subjects these two companies to stringent pricing rules.  One executive at American Movil, says American Movil seeks to cut its market share by 15-20 percentage points.  That will put American Movil out of the "preponderant" (dominating) firm category.  American Movil's market share is now sixty percent.  The executive did not say whether the part of the business that American Movil is selling will come from its fixed line, mobile, or internet service branches of the company.  Or, whether that fifteen to twenty percent reduction of market presence will come from a combination of all three.  Also, at issue in the partial divestiture is whether American Movil has to share it wires or its mobile-phone towers, when it becomes a normal (non-preponderant) company.  The executive, a son-in-law of American Movil's owner, said the sale would be to a strong competitor.  Stock speculators say interest is focused on AT&T, of the United States of America, which divested its stake in American Movil last month.  The sale depends on whether a new regulator, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), approves the plan.  American Movil could be litigating these issues  in front of a judge and jury for "up to two years," says a boss of one of American Movil's competitors.  Also, according to Business Week, American Movil's stock price for its shares surged on the announcement of a partial sell-off of American Movil.  See full story,  www.businessweek.com. 

Robotic Soccer

        Pittsburgh - According to the Economist robots are coming on stronger.  Half a century is roughly the time that separates ENIAC, America's first electronic computer, from Deep Blue, the IBM machine that beat chess playing grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1997.  Now, robots are beginning to do to European football (soccer) what IBM's Deep Blue did to the board game of chess. 
     RoboCup is a competition for robot soccer players, rather than flesh-and-blood ones.  This year RoboCup kicked off on July 19, 2014 in Joao Pessoa, Brazil.  A question that is on many minds is: when will real machines conquer the sport.  Robots do not require a salary and may reduce the annual costs of running a soccer team.  When the first RoboCup was held in 1997, those who launched it set a target of 2050 as the decade engineers would produce a humanoid robot that will rival the champions of that future teams era.  The plodding clumsiness of the RoboCup players is quickly improving.  For instance, self-driving cars and delivery drones, which seemed hopelessly futuristic a decade ago, are now products that businesses may purchase for use now, in 2014.  This years RoboCup had 150 teams.  However, the tournament includes features the organizers hope will accelerate innovation, without the incentive of cash.  For instance, the teams run on very low yearly budgets that are regulated by league rules.  The second rules is a clever combination of competition and co-operation.  Leading up to the playoffs, teams prepare new strategies and fine-tune their hardware and software secrets.  And, immediately after the finals have been played the teams must publish the methods they employed during the competition.  That fills in the gap for something another team might be weak at, and thus the level of learning how to make the robots play, is raised for the entire sport of robotic-soccer.  Thirdly, there are limits to how far teams can push their hardware.  This encourages machinists and engineers to develop smarter ways to win, rather than by using mere brute force.  Fourthly RoboCup is comprised of several leagues.  These RoboCup leagues range from a little league of miniature cylinders on wheels, like the "Star Wars" character R2-D2, and in which league, the entire team is controlled by one computer using input from overhead cameras.  To, a fully limbed humanoid league, like R2-D2's companion C-3PO.  In the humanoid league, which is further divided into three sizes of robot - kid, teen, and adult - each android has its own independent on-board sensors and artificial intelligence software.  Also with software, for those robo-jocks who are better at software than hardware, their is a virtual league.  Competition in the virtual league focuses on improving the software needed to program the robots. That software will be used for the fast play style of robotic soccer.  The software will eventually be combined with the hardware - machinery of the robot - to make the robot.  While robots in the humanoid league are still lumbering and prone to error, the speed-and-accuracy of the smaller robots is stunning.  In the little league the robots mechanical accuracy is better, perhaps because they require less power.  Little league robots can kick a ball at speeds of up to 24 feet per second.  They could easily shoot harder were it not for hardware-control regulations that set a maximum speed.  Manuela Veloso helped found RoboCup and her group has won the most final's titles in the little league.  In 2009 Dr. Veloso and her colleagues decided to share with their competitors, the software that had led their team to a win-streak of RoboCups.  See also, www.popularmechanics.com.           

Free Mobile Video Gaming

       New York - Apple has already agreed to refund at least $32 million to consumers whose children made in-game purchases without their parents permission.  Some longtime players and game developers also worry that the freemium model is ruining the culture of gaming by nickel-and-diming players and making video games feel like slot machines.  Freemium games make a lot of money.  Revenue in the mobile-gaming market is up 13% over 2013, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Most of that comes from in-applet purchases.  In-applet purchases accounted for a large increase of revenue for Apple's applet store.    
     A few mobile games, like mine craft have become huge hits even though they use the old-fashioned approach of charging players up front.  The debate over freemium games continues.  For example, in one opinion article on the game site Polygon last month, Barry Meade, a founder of the mobile-game developer Fireproof studios, criticized the poor quality of free mobile games.  So, called Fremium ware allows you to download the software for the game for free.  The patron pays nothing until they want to upgrade features of the game.  To upgrade features such as a characters power or move up to the next level people have to spend 99 cents here and 99 cents there.  Customers who previously spent $20 to $60 to own the game can now download the software for free to their mobile unit (cell phone, tablet, personal computer, etc.).  However, after playing for a while consumers may need to upgrade the features on the game they originally downloaded for free.  Ubisoft, the publisher of Trials, said that more than 12 million people had downloaded that particular mobile game.  King Digital Entertainment which publishes Candy Crush Saga, a successful game that involves arranging identical confections in a row, has said three percent of its active monthly players spend money in King Digital Entertainments' in-game applets.  The number of players is so large however, that King Digital Entertainment still makes a sizable profit.  "We make games that people love to play and are fun - whether they chose to pay or not," said Sebastian Knutsson, chief creative officer of King.  Fans of free games have said they are no so different than full-size arcade games; the kind of arcade games that require a constant feed of quarter to keep playing.  See full story,  www.nytimes.com.                        

HGTV Still Successful At 20

      
     Hollywood - The network relies heavily on shows featuring duos of "real people," knowledgeable in real estate.  The so-called property brothers, identical Canadian twins Drew and Jonathan Scott, have three shows with a fourth on the way and have become the de-facto faces of HGTV.  Tarek and Christina El Moussa are featured on "Flip or Flop."  And, Chip and Joanna Gaines are the husband-and-wife team on "Fixer Upper."  For many fans the relationships are as funny as the real estate they are viewing. 
     HGTV launched December 1994 as a TV equivalent of niche lifestyle magazines like Better Homes and Gardens.  It was initially a tough sell with cable operators, who questioned whether the public would be interested in watching 24 hours of  "paint drying and grass growing," as one HGTV executive joked at the time.  But, by 1999 HGTV was reaching 57 million homes and turning a profit, after only three years of broadcasting on cable television.  HGTV has built a lineup full of quiet consistent performers - most notably the 15-year old House Hunters franchise.  The network's pleasantly formulaic programming, which includes "Property Brothers," "Flip or Flop," and "Fixer Upper," offers ever-so-slight variations on the same theme:  people buying, renovating, and selling property.  For many fans the relationships between the duo-hosts are as intriguing and funny as the properties. 
     The launch of "House Hunters" in 1999 marked a pivotal moment in the network's evolution.  In 2006, "House Hunters International" was added to HGTV's lineup and quickly became as popular as the original show, spawning yet more spinoffs (shows revolved from a similar previous show):  "House Hunters Renovation," "House Hunters on Vacation," and "House Hunters:  Where Are They Now?"  The L.A.Times says, some 2000 episodes of "House Hunters" and its various incarnations have been made by Pie Town (the production company co-founded by Jennifer Davidson) and other independent production companies, using bare-bones crews and budgets that are on the lower side.  Jennifer Davidson along with Tara Sandler conceived "House Hunters," when they discovered a niche in the early days of reality television with such low-budget documentary series' as "A Baby Story" and "A Dating Story," for TLC.  The pair, also life partners, were inspired by their own stressful experience buying a home.  HGTV's tidy unwavering formula of programming is probably one of its greatest selling points.  Aside from a few small script changes, including adding the prices of the homes for sale and over the years shifting to bigger characters (more interesting hosts and guests), the programming has remained unchanged.  According to the television ratings company Nielsen, in June the typical week-end tune-in to HGTV was 25% longer than the cable average.  Unlike other cable channels that rely on a few breakout hits, HGTV built a lineup of shows with solid ratings.  Other reality networks have tried their own versions of real-property improvement programming.  "Flip That House" on TLC, "Flip This House" on A&E, and "Flipping Out" on Bravo.  All of these shows played up the idea that with a fresh coat of paint and some stainless steel appliances, practically any home could be re-sold for a profit.  Compared with these shows HGTV's programming is tame, soothing - even polite.  This relaxing escapist television viewing is heightened by the number of Canadian accents heard on several shows.  "We call it property porn, said Drew Scott of "Property Brothers."  That's what people want to see.  They'll never get enough of it."  See also, www.hgtv.com. 

Doctors Doing House Visits are Making a Virtual Comeback

     Boston - Medical appointments via smart phones that have downloaded  an applet or via telephone texting are gaining favor with consumers that have full schedules.  These new services can help you more quickly connect to your doctor.
     Download the applet and after a few minutes you will be connected to a board-certified doctor.  These doctors will provide a prescription to ease the symptoms you're contacted them for.  And, they will give you a list of tips from the doctor about how to fight off future infections.  One recent user says, "For me it was worth it to pay $40 to avoid spending two hours at the doctor's office."
     Consumers seeking convenience and predictable prices are being driven to search for medical services that are available at extended hours and for a fixed fee.  Critics of the service say there is no substitute for a face-to-face examination and a first hand diagnosis.
     Employers and insurers are beginning to make these products offered in their benefits packages.  Anthem Blue Cross, for instance, recently announced that policyholders would have access to video consultations through American Well for $49.  The cost may be covered by insurance depending on the benefit plan. Web-based services combined with the ability to telephone text a doctor have increased your ability to reach a physician.  First Opinion is a text-messaging service that connects patients within nine-minutes to a physician who can answer questions by responding in text message format.  "We're meant to be the first place you go when you have a question," says McKay Thomas, First Opinion's chief executive officer. However, unlike video consultation, the doctors working with this service cannot give a prescription.  What they give you instead is one text message consultation per month for free.  If patients need more contact, they can buy it for $12, or get unlimited access for $25 per month.
     Treatment via online video and text is convenient and cost-effective but not right for everyone or every situation.  For example, if a person has a chronic condition these medical services are not for them.  Online medical exams and retail clinics offer a convenient, low-cost alternative to long waits at primary care offices. These services may even help to avoid un-necessary trips to emergency rooms across the country.  Like patients, some doctors are also finding new primary-care models appealing.  They can get re-imbursed right away and avoid the red-tape of insurance contracts, says a Boston healthcare consultant.  A web-based primary care service is one that uses technology like remote video medical examinations.  This feature is offered by companies like Doctors on Demand, American Well, MD Live Inc., and Teledoc Inc.  For a flat fee of roughly $40 to $50 patients can have a 15-minute visit with a licensed physician via smartphone, tablet, or computer.  During the doctor's virtual visit the doctor can evaluate symptoms and offer a diagnosis (if appropriate) and prescribe a prescription if needed.
     These medical services can also be useful when patients have been diagnosed with an illness and want a second opinion.  See also,  www.nejm.org.