| Ed Killer: Sea grass beds get new protection – at least from prop
Places that once had pristine meadows of lush green sea grass, now are showing crisscrossing white trails caused by boaters running in water too shallow for their motors. Aerial photos of flats all over the state show the carved paths made by turning propellers as a boater unwittingly plowed into a grassflat. Many times, a boater is unaware he is outside a navigable channel. Sometimes, a boater is trying to save time on his trip at the wrong tide. Grass often cannot re-grow in the disturbed sand. The destruction has been labeled "prop scars" or "propeller scars." Sea grass's importance is why the legislature agreed to protect it through a bill passed this spring. Now it is a "noncriminal infraction" punishable by a citation if a boater is observed damaging sea grass in one of the state's 41 designated aquatic preserves.
The Bratz Designer Counterpunches Mattel
Larian says he'll soon be running ads in magazines such as Parenting with the tagline "Your daughter's best friend shouldn't cost a fortune." Much about doll marketing is different since the Bratz line hit the scene in 2001. The lobby of MGA's Van Nuys (Calif.), headquarters is decorated with photos of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Jessica Alba posing at fancy parties with Bratz dolls. These days celeb-filled soirées are out. Instead, Larian is spending a significant amount of his marketing budget online at sites such as Stardoll.com, a Web site where girls design virtual dolls. "It's a changing world," he says. Retailers seem to be embracing the new lines. Toys 'R' Us has featured both Moxie and Best Friends in its circulars. On Oct. 3 the chain held in-store events where girls could win Moxie prizes.
Spied! Coyote 5.0-Liter V-8 Ford F-150
We've just received spy photos from Brenda Priddy & Company that show a pack of “Coyote"-powered F-150 pickups out running with Ford's new 4-valve dual overhead cam 5.0-liter V-8 engine, including the first photo you see here of the Coyote in an F-150 engine bay. In January, we first told you about Ford's plans to phase out the current 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter eight cylinder engines and replace them with the Coyote V-8 in 2010. The engine will be shared with the Mustang and is expected to produce approximately 400 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque. We also showed you the first pictures of the new Coyote V-8 cradled under the open hood of a Mustang test car. Worth noting: The Mustang engine we spied earlier appeared to have an aluminum intake manifold while the 5.0-liter V-8 in the F-150 appears to have a composite intake manifold.
Prep football: Little Falls pull off Clark surprise
Quarterback Alex Hanks scored on a one-yard run with 3:20 to go in the third quarter to culminate a five-play, 65-yard drive. The key play was a 54-yard sweep by Tyler Wieber, Tech�s biggest play of the night. The two-point conversion failed. Why were the Tigers� going for two? Because kicker Dan Stoterau, the soccer star, injured his quadriceps muscle. Tech had others out. Starting offensive tackle Garrett Berg suffered a high ankle sprain in practice and tried to play Friday. He came right out. Paul Kaczor, another lineman, tore up his other knee and didn�t play. Ryan Halverson dislocated his shoulder in warmups, an injury he had done before , and didn�t play. And yet, they were in it until the end. �It was a tough-fought game,� Scott said. �Tech�s defense, they�re enthusiastic.
10k run and diet changes see landlady shed pounds
"We concentrated on running and building my leg muscles," said Fay. "Leonie and I did a 10k run a few weeks before the race just so I knew I could do it. On the flat it took me an hour and 31 minutes. On the day, with all the hills, it was an hour and 26 minutes. " I set a target of an hour and 45 minutes to include the hills so I did better than expected. It was a big relief and an achievement." Fay has signed up for another challenge — the Great West Run half marathon in May next year. She is now training with Leonie once a week, concentrating on her core fitness using a medicine ball, step and weights as well as some sprinting. She runs with friends once a week and uses a resistance band, which is similar to using weights, at home. Fay is also sticking to the healthy eating regime suggested by Leonie.
|
