Boulder, Colorado, May, 2020 – PS Audio recently announced it is shipping its new Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier. Designed to deliver extraordinarily clear, detailed and musically accurate performance, the monoblock M1200 features an all-new hybrid design that combines a tube input stage with a customized ICE Edge output stage and delivers 1200 watts (into 4 ohms, 800 watts into 8 ohms), to effortlessly reproduce the most dynamic musical passages as well as the subtlest musical details.
The M1200 was designed by Darren Myers, the engineer who created the acclaimed Stellar Phono stage and other PS Audio products. The M1200 employs a 12AU7 vacuum tube at its input, chosen for its optimum gain and voltage characteristics in the circuit, and for its ability to preserve the most delicate nuances of the amp’s input signals. The 12AU7 is the identical tube used in PS Audio’s flagship BHK Signature amplifiers, chosen after extensive listening and performance tests.
The ICE Edge output stage is a new type of high-current Class D design, offering extremely low total harmonic and intermodulation distortion with high headroom and linear performance across the frequency range. As Darren Myers explained, “other output modules can exhibit non-linear phase and impedance issues at the frequency extremes. The ICE Edge design eliminates these problems thanks to patented circuitry and feedback techniques.” Myers continued, “Although it can deliver massive amounts of clean power into even the most demanding loudspeaker loads, the M1200 sounds equally good at lower volumes.”
Like every PS Audio product, meticulous attention has been paid to parts quality and construction. The M1200 has a sleek, elegant appearance that matches other Stellar Series components and is available in silver or black.
The PS Audio Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier will be available in June 2020 at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $5,998 per pair. Pre-orders are currently being taken.
M1200 Features at a Glance: Zero-loss vacuum tube input stage and custom ICE Edge output stage. Fully balanced circuitry, RCA single-ended and XLR balanced inputs. 1200 watts RMS into 8 ohms, 600 watts into 4 ohms, stable to 2 ohms. Greater than >1100 damping factor for exceptional loudspeaker control. High-efficiency operation. Dual, solid copper, plated output binding posts facilitate bi-wiring, 12-volt input trigger, 27 lb. each; 17″ wide by 3.75″ high by 12″ deep (13″ with connectors)
About PS Audio Founded in 1973, PS Audio has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in manufacturing innovative, high-value, leading-edge audio products. Located in Boulder, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, PS Audio’s staff of talented designers, engineers, production and support people build each product to deliver extraordinary performance and musical satisfaction. The company’s wide range of award-winning products include the all-in-one Sprout100 integrated amplifier, audio components, power regenerators and power conditioners.
Announcement Comes As Nuclear, Climate, and Tech Issues Dominate An Unsettled World Stage; Experienced World Leaders to Join Bulletin Experts on Climate and Nuclear Warfare.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NEWS ADVISORY – The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will host a live international news conference at 10 a.m. EST/1500 GMT on Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 to announce whether the minute hand of the iconic “Doomsday Clock” will be adjusted. The decision is made by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board in consultation with the Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors, which includes 13 Nobel Laureates.
The factors contributing to the decision about the Doomsday Clock time will be outlined today.
The Doomsday Clock did not move in 2019. However, the Doomsday Clock’s minute hand was set forward in January 2018 by 30 seconds, to two minutes before midnight, the closest it has been to apocalypse since 1953 in the early years of the Cold War. Previously, the Clock was moved from three minutes to midnight to two and a half minutes to midnight in January 2017. Click the image below to watch the live stream of the news announcement.
News event speakers for the Doomsday Clock announcement on January 23rd, 2020 will include:
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, deputy chair, The Elders; and former South Korean Foreign Minister;
Former California Governor Jerry Brown, executive chair, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, chair, The Elders; and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights;
Rachel Bronson, president and CEO, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Robert Rosner, William E. Wrather Distinguished Service professor, Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics at the University of Chicago; and chair, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Sharon Squassoni, research professor, Institute for International Science and Technology Policy, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University; and member, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Robert Latiff, member, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; fellow, University of Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study; and member, Intelligence Community Studies Board, and the Committee on International Security and Arms Control of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and
Sivan Kartha, member, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; and senior scientist, Stockholm Environmental Institute.
In the past decade and a half cellphones have evolved from contraptions you make calls from to devices that do so much more. Now they can help you organize your social life, perform your banking and act as a food diary. There’s an app to be found that is based on your entire existence!
With tablets being commonly used in schools, and the fact that ICT is a relatively new subject, technology is changing the way students are being taught.
In this piece, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide of how technology will shape the future of education and what students will be studying and using in years to come.
From making use of 3D printers, to using virtual reality as part of an immersive learning experience, the possibilities are endless!
So what are you waiting for? Take that first step to get ahead in the future by having a sneak peek in this infographic from our friends at educationcity.com.
This year’s 2019 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi GP is almost here! Have you ever wondered how the cars make it to the race? It’s a logistical miracle. Custom containers. Hydraulic platforms. Modified cargo jet airliners and much, much more. If you’re a fan of F1 races you may have wondered how your favorite team manages to travel all around the globe in order to make it to the circuit safely on time. Some teams save money by using cargo ships and traveling via sea. Sometimes, they are required to complete this entire process from start to finish in only 48 hours!
Take a look at this nifty infographic from our friends at storagecentres.co.uk to learn more and have another level of appreciation for this incredible sport.
“For me It was an incredible feeling to use this 120 ton radio dish, capable of peering into the far reaches of the universe, to create an artwork focusing on one of the greatest achievements in human history” Richard Clar image: space.com
Los Angeles, CA, – Richard Clar using an earth-moon-earth (EME), or moon bounce as it is also called, radioed two very special signals off the surface of the moon where their return was received at Dwingeloo Radio Observatory in the Netherlands.
Clar’s extraordinary two-part project, Giant Step and Lune sur la Lune, paid tribute respectively to Apollo Astronaut pioneer Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon on July 20, 1969 and to the far side of the moon itself, something witnessed only by a rare group of individuals, the Apollo Astronauts. The two radio transmissions to the moon and back emanated from a radio dish in Italy.
Giant Step is a personal response to an event Clar personally witnessed back in 1969, and he wanted to use his creativity to pay tribute to those who took part in the Apollo program, and especially Neil Armstrong for what he did on that momentous day.
He wanted this work to say something about the moon itself, using the moon.
His interest was piqued after hearing about an earth-moon-earth bounce (EME) from Italian artist and colleague, Daniela de Paulis, who together with radio specialist Jan van Muijlwijk developed the process of using EME to send images to the moon and back in 2009. As he researched the Apollo Archives, he came across an Electrocardiogram (EKG) of Neil Armstrong as he took the first step on the moon on July 20, 1969 – and Richard found his inspiration!
While data scientist Dr. Ryan Compton created the sonification tone from Armstrong’s actual EKG graph, prominent Los Angeles-based double-bass jazz performer and composer Roberto Miranda used the tone to create compelling sounds that have been called “edgy and hauntingly beautiful.”
“I wanted the art to say something about the first humans to set foot on the moon. Think how many living beings have observed the moon for eons…and now we have made a number of trips to the moon and back. I want people to have new experiences through my artwork,” says Clar.
Lune sur la Lune, an image of the far side of the moon, was transmitted in a poetic gesture onto the earth facing side of the moon. Since only the Apollo astronauts have seen the far side of the moon, using the radio-reflective surface of the moon to produce a site-specific artwork makes the moon a unique part of the process rather than just a subject matter ─ and also gives people on earth an opportunity to witness this phenomenal event and experience the moon in a new and different way. Shortly after the sound and image from Giant Step and Lune sur la Lune were received and processed at Dwingeloo, and will soon be accessible to the world at www.rockthemoon.com.
There was considerable excitement at the Dwingeloo Radio Dish on September 26th by those who witnessed the sound signal and image signals being received from the surface of the moon after the moon bounce. All in all, the art mission was a great success.
“For me It was an incredible feeling to use this 120 ton radio dish, capable of peering into the far reaches of the universe, to create an artwork focusing on one of the greatest achievements in human history,” stated Clar.
Richard Clar’s timeless work has been exhibited in museums, galleries and universities throughout the United States and Europe. His visionary ‘art in space’ began in 1982 with a NASA-approved concept for an art-payload for the U.S. Space Shuttle. Philosophical in nature, many of Clar’s themes originate in space environment issues, such as orbital debris, war and peace, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and water management on earth.
Clar studied at the Chouinard Art Institute (now Cal-Arts). In 2001 and 2002, he coordinated the Leonardo/OLATS/IAA Space Art Workshops in Paris. Clar is the Director of Art Technologies; a Member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA); a Member of the IAA SETI Permanent Study Group; a Member of Women in Aerospace, and a Member of the Leonardo Space Art Working Group. He was the Secretary of the former Art and Literature Subcommittee of the International Academy of Astronautics, and a past Member of the Executive Board, Graphic Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
An early example of Richard Clar’s Space Art
Clar founded Art Technologies in 1987 as a liaison between the worlds of art and technology. By collaborating with such partners as the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Boeing Aerospace Corporation, and contemporary composers, Clar generates high-visibility art works that transform state-of-the-art technology and highly-engineered materials into evocative contemporary art. His work is found in many corporate collections, including JBL Sound, Home Savings of America, and the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
After spending the last fourteen years in Paris, Richard Clar now resides in Northern California. For more information on his extraordinary artwork, please visit:
Alfred Marshall’s (Principles of Economics, 1891) view of housing still goes right to the heart of what makes housing and built environment an important anthropological topic. No artifact is so clearly multi-functional, simultaneously a utilitarian object of absolute necessity, and an item of symbolic material culture, a text of almost unending complexity.
In every house the economic, social and symbolic dimensions of behavior come together. This may be why the analysis of housing has had such a wide appeal in disciplines as diverse as social psychology, folklore, economics and engineering. Anthropologists themselves have shown a new willingness to consider the house as a key artifact in understanding the articulation of economic and social change during economic development.
An ethnocentric home.
From the perspective of our own contemporary society, surrounded by houses of all shapes and sizes, where wealth and luxury are synonymous with housing, this seems obvious and commonplace. The 1980’s television show “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” and journals like “Architectural Review” are odes to the home as a shrine and symbol of wealth. But just as clearly, there are societies where all the houses look alike, even though all the people are not alike. Perhaps then, the assumption that there is something natural and obvious about spending on the house and home market as a marker of prestige is ethnocentric. Why the house instead of something else?
A number of anthropological approaches attempt to place the house in a theoretical context which answer this question by relating housing to social, economic, and psychological variation and change. For example, a utilitarian approach that views the house partially as a workspace links changes in the elaboration of houses to changes in the kinds of work done in the household (Braudel 1973:201). Or if the house is seen as a reflection of how all household activities are organized and divided, then the shape of the house will change as activities are modified, differentiated, or recombined (Kent 1983, 1984).
Utilitarian houses.
An even more utilitarian perspective relates the form of the house to climate, technology and the kinds of building materials that are available (Duly 1979). For the Silo, Richard R. Wilk.
Supplemental-Complete Text Principles of Economics (London: Macmillan and Co. 8th ed. 1920).
Author: Alfred Marshall
About This Title: This is the 8th edition of what is regarded to be the first “modern” economics textbook, leading in various editions from the 19th into the 20th century. The final 8th edition was Marshall’s most-used and most-cited.
“If there is no sound philosophy in making the audio gear, then all product you make is plagiarism.”Zoran Mihajlovic
Having grown up around record players of dubious quality, I remember very clearly my first ‘real’ turntable. An audiophile friend of the family helped my father put together an entry level system for my 15th birthday. The system included 3 way Acoustic Research speakers, Sansui integrated amplifier, Sansui 3 head cassette deck and my first decent turntable- a gently used Sansui direct drive with a shiny S-arm and what looked like a strange silver hockey puck.
At 15 I was into my second year of drumming and with this turntable was now able to play along to LP records without having to worry about the inevitable skipping that the cheap family record player performed almost every time I hit the bass drum hard. I later learned that the puck was actually a custom made record clamp that the previous owner had fashioned to squeeze every last bit of performance out of the record player.
There is a surprising amount of science behind the advantages of using record clamps to ‘push’ the vinyl down onto the slipmat and platter and people that use them swear by them. In general terms, the added mass from the fitted clamp flattens warps in the record and a beneficial flywheel effect takes place once the record is spinning at speed.
Today, turntable designs have advanced and exotic materials and technologies are incorporated into high end models. This has translated into a need for ultra high quality clamps designed to properly secure records to all kinds of esoteric spindles and platters.
Enter Zoran Mihajlovic- a man devoted to producing the highest quality record clamps such as the Model 1 via his Serbian company Supreme Analog. At 3000 euros (at time of this article, 1 euro = 1.5 Canadian dollars) , this is a record clamp (Supreme-Analog calls it a record weight) that is produced on order only and commands attention.
70mm wide, 50mm high, 460g weight Swiss stainless steel and Serbian sinked wood
If you are on a more modest budget, they also offer the BL-006 for 250 euros. Also made from Swiss stainless steel, the more basic model weighs in at 950g and ships world wide for free in a solid wood box.
It’s easy to tell that Supreme-Analog have a real passion for audio and they make a number of interesting products including jewel like tonearms and gorgeous horn speakers. Check them all out. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.
Here in Canada, you may not have heard of Edifier but take note- their state-of-the art manufacturing facilities in China produce 8 million units every year for home, consumer electronics and PC multimedia applications. Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance while keeping prices amazingly low.
Normally if you are spending just $100 on a set of speakers you expect to be left desiring better quality. Let’s take a closer look at our review pair that arrived safely in a well packaged box. The Edifier R1280T are an affordable, entry-level set of bookshelf speakers that deliver clear and balanced sound at low or high volumes. For only $124.99CDN including free shipping to Canada these speakers set a new standard for affordable quality.
The speakers have a 102mm (4-inch) bass driver and a calibrated, flared bass reflex port augmented by a 13mm silk dome tweeter for a total output of 42W RMS (21W each speaker). An optional front cover can be removed to expose the speaker components allowing for a sleek look or a more exposed techie aesthetic. Use them with a television, computer, or other device, they sound great on any surface because of the design team’s passion for sound and for quality.
Edifier’s uncompromised design elegance is recognized internationally by prestigious design awards. Some of their designs are winners of the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Product Design Award and the CES Design & Engineering Showcase Honours.
“Inspirational design derived from architecture, furniture, automobiles, home electronics — even nature itself — provide for ideas that transform themselves into unique sensory and emotional products with functional simplicity, coupled with technological excellence. It’s a journey to provide an exceptional audio and visual experience with design elegance, innovation, features and measured risks, for whatever the application, to form a lasting end-user impression and experience.” — Anthony Wilkinson, Managing Director, Edifier International Limited
R1280T powered bookshelf speakers lets you connect to multiple audio devices using the dual RCA inputs. By looking at the back panel you can easily tell one of these is a passive speaker and one is an active speaker. The active speaker has two inputs located on the back. These inputs are perfect for RCA to RCA or RCA to AUX connections. Connect them to a PC, laptop, tablet, phone or record player. The speakers are connected to each other via regular speaker wire (included along with a generous variety of cables to ensure you enjoy your music from most devices right out of the box- if you require digital connections or bluetooth Edifier make a larger model).
Some overseas manufacturers of electronics have been questioned about their environmental impacts and strategies but refreshingly, Edifier are committed to best operating practices.
Use suppliers of raw materials who practice environmentally friendly manufacturing.
Use LED and T5 lighting in all office floors and manufacturing facility.
Install solar panels for water heating.
Use Biological Liquid Processing to reduce and filter fume emissions.
Use Membrane Bioreactors to recycle waste water
For environmentally conscious, budget minded individuals looking for a solid entry level speaker with the convenience of remote control and easy hook-up you can’t go wrong choosing the R1280T. Highly recommended.
We spent several days and evenings having fun with these speakers in a small bedroom Laserdisc and projector bookshelf setup. The sound quality was quite nice, dialogue was easy to understand and stereo soundtracks came to life, even with a noisy air conditioner running and the fan noise from the projector.
The speakers will most likely benefit from a break in period as new drivers tend to have a slight compression effect that is alleviated as the speaker suspension is stretched from playing source material. These speakers fit nicely onto the shelf and were easy to position and operate, we were pleasantly surprised by the handy mini remote control that arrived with batteries included. For darker watching conditions we left the front grilles in place but would be happy to remove them and show off the nicely designed faux woodgrain cabinet sides in brighter conditions. Highly recommended…
Toilet paper … it’s one of life’s necessities. Then why is the roll so difficult to replace? The problem lies in the awkward spring tube holder that always leaves you fumbling. No one wants to deal with it. We all know of that one person that always fails to change out the toilet paper roll. They’ll leave the empty roll on the holder and put a brand new one on top of the toilet or counter. The ZeNa attachment will solve that bad habit. Thanks to Alex Li, a thinker and inventor out of Toronto, Canada, this bathroom conundrum has finally been solved.
You can now change a roll out in a matter of seconds. It’s faster, easier and cleaner than the traditional spring tube method.
The ZeNa Attachment is an incredibly smart solution that fully modernizes your toilet paper holder. Its peel and stick design securely attaches (in seconds) to your existing TP dispenser, so there’s nothing more to install or buy. ZeNa Attachment’s patent pending swing design lets you swap out toilet paper rolls with one hand and it keeps it all in place with zero fuss.
Design
The patent pending design is an easy attachment to add to your existing toilet paper holder. No need to hire a contractor. The heavy duty double-sided foam tape on the underside of the base is super strong. Simply stick this on to your clean existing holder and you’re good to go. Both sides are the same so there’s no getting this wrong.
The arms always fall back into place from a tension mechanism that forces the arms downward. So it doesn’t matter if your ZeNa Attachment is not level as long as you have installed it properly, it will work.
The ZeNa Attachment is super durable, comes in several colors and is the perfect bathroom assistant for the disabled, kids and seniors too. Learn more and support this initiative by visiting the ZeNa Kickstarter page.For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Aquila is pleased to announce that they have built their 100th catamaran boat, an Aquila 44.
Frank Xiong SinoEagle CEO
The Aquila 44 boasts Aquila’s signature fresh evolution of classic boating traditions where efficiency in design and performance compliment her luxurious living and was named “Best New Multihull 40′-49′” in the 2014 AIM Media Editor’s Choice Awards.
“This is an exciting and momentous occasion for us. From the very beginning, we have felt the Aquila Power Catamarans were the best in the world, and we have been excited to be a part of the team designing and building them. We look forward to surpassing this milestone and continuing to celebrate many more,” stated Frank Xiong, Sino Eagle Group CEO.
Construction of Aquila Power Catamarans began in 2012 when Sino Eagle Group began building the Aquila 38 specifically for MarineMax, the world’s largest power boat dealer, for its new charter business in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
In 2012, experts from multiple development, design, and manufacturing firms, namely, Sino Eagle Group, J&J Design Group, Seaway, and MarineMax, all collaborated to expand the Aquila range by developing a new, purebred power catamaran.
This international team consisted of MarineMax’s Lex Raas, a highly-experienced boat developer and charter industry veteran, and J&J Design group and their development arm, Seaway, who have worked on designs for Azimut, Bavaria, Beneteau, Dufour, Jeanneau and Monte Carlo. This highly regarded, award-winning group began the process of designing the first true Aquila Power Catamaran, the Aquila 48.
“Bringing this group of companies together made for a very knowledgeable and powerful team. We’ve been able to combine our experience and expertise to design and build boats that are innovative and truly setting new standards for the industry,” stated Lex Raas of MarineMax.
To position itself to become a prominent boat builder, Sino Eagle Group, recognized globally in high-tech composite manufacturing, built a new factory which provided the Aquila brand with full in-house manufacturing capabilities paired with in-depth knowledge and experience in advanced yacht building practices.
With the combined knowledge and advanced experience of the most talented group in the yachting industry, Aquila is establishing a new standard of power catamaran innovation and becoming the game changer in the marketplace.
Aquila represents the newest and most exciting evolution on the market today, offering practicality and comfort with trend setting innovation, quality, and design. Both inside and out, Aquila Catamarans are designed to provide the perfect cruising vessel whether crossing oceans or traveling the Great Loop, living aboard, or exploring worldwide destinations, or simply entertaining friends and family at the dock. The expanding Aquila range currently consists of the Aquila 36, Aquila 44, Aquila 48, and will soon be including the Aquila 60 (2019 debut). MarineMax is the exclusive dealer for the Aquila brand boats throughout the world other than mainland China.
Bill McGill, MarineMax CEO
“Congratulations to the Sino Eagle Group, J&J Design, and MarineMax teams for their hard work on designing and building industry leading catamarans. Passionate teams pulling together has created winning products for our customers,” exclaimed Bill McGill, MarineMax CEO.
Aquila is excited to have reached this milestone in their continued growth to new markets with new model offerings.
ABOUT AQUILA
Recognized globally for its high-quality, advanced composite manufacturing capabilities, Sino Eagle Yachts builds Aquila Power Catamarans in a state-of-the-art facility to exacting standards. With one of the most talented teams in the industry providing the combined knowledge and extensive experience, Aquila has established a game changing new standard of power catamaran innovation. Leading the way in the market segment, Aquila continues to pave the way with strong international sales of the award-winning Aquila brand. Uncompromising design coupled with unmatched industry experience, engineering, and manufacturing by world class builders, make up the Aquila line of true pure-bred power catamarans. For more information visit aquilaboats.com. For the Silo, Sara Yasi & MarineMax.
As one who is exposed to new product innovations as a regular course of business, I’ve seen my fair share cool gear and smart solutions that’ll make the rigors of travel, well, that much less rigorous. From leading-edge technology to killer fashion and keepsakes to helpful health and wellness resources to things that just make jaunting more fun, here’s an awesome assortment of things I’m absolutely loving right now.
V-MODA Remix – Premium Bluetooth Speaker (www.V-Moda.com) – $300.00USD
Nothing beats a picnic or beach outing, or a killer backyard soiree, like your favorite tunes playing in the background. Now that’s super easy with the Remix Premium Bluetooth Speaker from V-MODA—the company’s first Bluetooth portable speaker boasting a built-in amplifier and hi-fi sound quality. As the world’s first 3D-printed custom speaker, all six sides of REMIX can be personalized (patent-pending). Using V-MODA’s renowned jewelry-grade 3D-printing expertise, owners can add new sides, change the front grill or even replace the main “C-shell” housing for the ultimate in bespoke appearance. Built on the foundation of V-MODA’s multi-award-winning audio technology, Remix projects precise and vibrant sound at all listening levels. Available in two finishes–minimal CNC aluminum and luxurious vegan leather–this premium speaker exemplifies the work of V-MODA’s Milano-based design studio. It’s classically styled, beautifully proportioned and completely customizable on all six sides to reflect the personality of its owner. Led by Chief Visionary Officer and professional musician Val Kolton, V-MODA blends analog renaissance age inspiration, Italian design and precise Japanese engineering. V-MODA products have reportedly won 40-plus editors’ choice awards and have become essential gear for the world’s top professional DJs.
Whether touring with family and friends or knocking around town, a great way to keep cool and comfortable, while still being fashionable, is with Cotton Junkies. This company’s super comfy tees are great year-round! They offer a nice range of tees and tank tops for both him and her in the softest of cotton–and the standout designs are super cool. Centered around an ethos of natural style, sex appeal and comfort, this brand new label combines cotton, the most comfortable of materials, with modern designs in eye-catching colors from charcoal greys and electric blues, to volcano reds and sage greens. From V-necks to crew necks, their secret is in the way the cotton is treated. All of their merchandise is handpicked, and uses a blend of organic cottons with other natural materials that are U.S. made and pre-washed for a true-to-you fit and style. This means they don’t shrink in the wash! What’s more the brand has a unisex feel, so a lot of the tees for him can be worn by her!
Grayton Automatic Watches ‘Radiance’ Collection (www.Grayton-Watches.com) – Starting at $200USD
For any travel itinerary, keeping time is of the essence. And, the ‘Radiance’ Collection from Grayton Automatic Watches is a way to do this in fab form. They feature a classy design and advanced quality reflecting the company’s exceptional experience of crafting automatic watches—and offering them at a reasonable price. Like the prayer flags that sway eternally in the breeze, the colors of the Radiance collection watch dials are said to be inspired by the unique color palette of Shangri-La: green alpine pastures, white-silver mountain snows or brown wooden Tibetan chalets in the old city itself. The elegance of the Radiance collection makes it the perfect combination between traditional and modern. Grayton choose top-quality materials for watch cases, straps and bracelets, and integrates a Japanese movement by Seiko—a respected standard in the watch industry and a token of quality. One of its finest features is its transparent backside design that allows you to see the detailed mechanical movements operating within the watch. Its super luminous colored hands will also tell you the time no matter how dark it is. Whether for style, quality or utility, This and other Grayton Automatic Watch designs can be handed down from one generation to another as valued family treasures.
Image: Grayton Automatic Watches
Grafo Maps (www.GrafoMap.com) – $49USD – $168USD
Here’s something great-looking and fashionable for your walls! Remind yourself of the place you grew up, went to college, your honeymoon location, or that unforgettable vacation spot with a beautifully designed custom map poster from Grafo Maps. These posters are an artful decor piece designed by you. The company’s easy-to-use online poster editing tool lets you design anyplace you love—you can even search by address. Once you have found the perfect spot you want to map, simply choose a color scheme that will add even more personality to your piece. Within days you will receive your unique one of a kind poster printed on acid-free 180g matte paper made to not only to look great, but also last a lifetime. You can order it framed or unframed. Place it in a special location as a reminder of that place you love or a special event. It’s sure to spark conversations with family and friends.
Image: Grafo Maps
tech21’s Impact Clear Urban Edition Case (www.Tech21.com) – $44.95USD
Image: Tech21
It’s imperative to keep that iPhone safe while out and about. Clear protection meets urban design with the Impact Clear Urban Edition Case from tech21. Inspired by minimalistic streetwear, The Urban Edition offers a unique geometric pattern with sleek and clean lines, fit for the fashion-conscious smartphone user looking to coordinate their case with their outfit in a subtle manner. tech21 products feature a highly advanced impact protection material called FlexShock, which is an ultra-thin and lightweight material that absorbs and dissipates force and can withstand drops up to 6.6 feet. With enhanced UV yellowing resistance and a durable, scratch resistant finish, your phone, and your case, will look better for a longer period of time. It’s available in two different styles and two colors (Brushed Black or Clear White) for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Combining urban design with clear materials and advanced drop protection, the Urban Edition can keep your phone as beautiful as the day you took it out of the box.
Kardia Mobile (www.AliveCor.com) – $99USD
Here’s a way to stay heart healthy all year through and no matter where you are (however near or far from your doctor): the Kardia Mobile personal EKG. Sadly, more people die from heart disease and stroke each year than any other disease- but did you know that 80% of strokes are preventable? Kardia Mobile is a consumer EKG monitoring device that allows you to quickly access, track and analyze your heart health. Taking a clinical-grade heart rhythm reading in just 30 seconds, results are delivered right to your smartphone! Now you can know anytime, anywhere if your heart rhythm is normal, or if atrial fibrillation is detected—helpful data that can reduce your risk of stroke. Smaller than a credit card, it provides a way for people to easily take their health into their own hands. Kardia Mobile gives you peace of mind right from your pocket.
Image: AliveCor
International Hyperhidrosis Society ‘Fan Faves’ Products (www.SweatHelp.org) – Prices vary
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a serious medical condition that affects approximately 5% of the population. This means that nearly 367 million people worldwide—including throngs of travelers—struggle with extreme, uncontrollable sweating…be it on their hands, feet, face, underarms, torso, lower extremities, or any combination of these—which greatly impacts their quality of life. From stress and embarrassment to depression and isolation, hyperhidrosis takes its toll; but there’s help! Since 2003, The International Hyperhidrosis Society has been providing information, resources, expert perspective, and support to those struggling with this condition. It’s is the only global non-profit organization dedicated entirely to improving the lives of those affected by hyperhidrosis while also supporting healthcare providers and researchers to improve hyperhidrosis treatments and understanding. From the International Hyperhidrosis Society’s website, SweatHelp.org, you’ll find up-to-date information on treatment options, U.S. insurance codes, clinical trials, a physician finder, an award-winning, useful blog, and much more. IHhS also maintains a useful product guide called “Fan Faves” where you can receive special discounts and discover ingenious, cutting-edge products to help handle even the sweatiest situations.
Image: The International Hyperhidrosis Society
WeCool Kits for Kids (www.BuyBobbleBitz.com) – $7.99USD – $29.99USD
For some crafty portable fun for kids I love the Compound Kings Makin’ Station from WeCool! This activity set lets kids make their own slimy mixture in just two quick-and-easy steps – and get it perfect every time. There’s no mess or long list of ingredients that need precise measuring. All they have to do is add water to the special powder mix in the activity center and the stretchy compound is ready within minutes! It yields more than one pound. Compound Kings offers a range of slimy mixes from single packs to activity sets, including glittery, fluffy, and crunchy slimes in addition to make-your-own varieties. Also awesome is WeCool’s Bobble Bitz Creation Station, an activity set featuring an irresistibly squishy, squeezy and crunchy medium that doubles as a molding compound. It’s a textured product kids have called “oddly satisfying” – like playing with bubble wrap. The set includes molds, tools and accessories so kids can make their own unique designs that air-harden overnight for cool 3D creations they can wear, share and display.
For the Silo, By Merilee Kern, ‘The Luxe List’ Executive Editor.
As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority–a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She identifies and reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories.Reach her online, on Twitter , on Facebook and on Instagram.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or sponsored at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
San Francisco, CA —School’s out for summer, but learning doesn’t have to stop at the classroom door. For parents and educators looking to keep their students exploring, tinkering, and creating, No Starch Press offers the latest addition to its lineup of STEM books. This time focusing on the Arduino microcontroller.
The Arduino Inventor’s Guide (No Starch Press, $29.95USD, 336 pp., June 2017) is a project-packed introduction to building and coding with the Arduino microcontroller. With each hands-on project, total beginners learn useful electronics and coding skills while building an interactive gadget.
This is No Starch Press’s second installment in its introductory-level educational series for aspiring makers. The series is a collaboration with SparkFun Electronics, the popular electronics parts retailer dedicated to making the world of electronics more accessible to the average person. Authors Brian Huang and Derek Runberg of SparkFun’s Department of Education use their teaching experience to make learning about electronics an adventure.
“We wanted to share the magic that happens when you build something interactive with electronics,” says Huang. “The goal is to teach real, valuable hardware skills, one project at a time,” adds Runberg.
Readers learn how to make their hardware move, buzz, flash, and interact with the world as they build 10 projects, including:
A miniature traffic light
A light-sensitive, color-changing night-light
A temperature-sensing mini greenhouse
A motorized, programmable robot
A tiny, playable electric piano
“We’ve teamed up with SparkFun to make electronics and coding skills achievable for anyone,” says No Starch Press founder Bill Pollock. “This book will take total beginners from blinking their first LED to programming their first robot.”
Sample pages from The Arduino Inventor’s Guide:
For the Silo, Amanda Hariri.
About the Authors
Brian Huang is the Education Engineer for SparkFun Electronics. He combines his knowledge of teaching and engineering to create professional development materials.
Derek Runberg works in the Department of Education at SparkFun Electronics, where he runs workshops about technology in classrooms and at conferences. He is the author of The SparkFun Guide to Processing.
SparkFun Electronics is an online retail store that sells electronic parts for DIY projects. It offers classes for the public as well as resources, tutorials, and professional development for educators through its Department of Education.
The Arduino Inventor’s Guide
Publisher: No Starch Press
Authors: Brian Huang and Derek Runberg
Print ISBN: 978-1-59327-652-2
Price: $29.95USD
Publication Date: June 2017
Specs: 336 pp., 4C Available in fine bookstores everywhere, contact [email protected] for locations near you and online ordering information.About No Starch Press
From deep in the heart of San Francisco’s start-up gulch, No Starch Press carefully crafts the finest in geek entertainment. The growing list of award-winning No Starch Press bestsellers covers topics like LEGO, hacking, STEM, programming, science, and math. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our books tackle topics that people care about.
Researchers have independently verified the presence of a type of energy long believed to be the source of healing practices familiar to many as Reiki and Energy Medicine. This important discovery is based on the work of Jim Kaszyk, noted developer of The Ageless Secret (Kasz Enterprises).
Scientists at the William A. Tiller Institute: “When Jim Kaszyk first asked us to determine if a sample of his product contained Subtle Energy, we were reluctant….we had been trying to prove the existence of Subtle Energy for 40 years, with only minor success and had almost given up. Attempts to measure Subtle Energy usually involved the human energy field either in the measurement or in its creation.
“Critics could say that it was all just the placebo effect or wishful thinking. The samples that Kaszyk submitted had so much Subtle Energy they allowed us to create new test procedures allowing for the first time, not just a way to prove Subtle Energy existed independent of the body, but also a way to measure it. This is huge for science because until his discovery Subtle Energy was considered a ‘theoretical energy.’” These tests concluded that Subtle Energy does, in fact, exist. Founded by William Tiller, PhD., professor emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, the Tiller Institute is a recognized authority on alternative medicine practices.
Click me to learn more…
Subtle Energy is the basis for Reiki, Energy Medicine, Acupuncture, and 4,000 year old Traditional Chinese Medicine.
“Before now, Reiki and Energy Medicine were considered pseudoscience because that type of energy could never be scientifically proven,” Kaszyk explains. “Now it is no longer pseudoscience. The implications for health and beauty are enormous.
“I created www.ReikiTruth.org as an information resource for scientists, the news media, and the general public to see and learn about my discovery of a new natural energy that is all around us, with the power to change our lives. Subtle Energy is linked to aging and this discovery is the source for my new theory of aging: The Subtle Energy Theory of Aging.” Holistic Healing News recently endorsed Mr. Kaszyk’s work here: http://www.holistichealingnews.com/the-beauty-of-subtle-energy-is-contained-in-groundbreaking-aesthetic-potion-the-ageless-secret/
Jim Kaszyk is a recognized pioneer in the field of chemistry with experience in the U.S. government and major manufacturing companies. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Mr. Kaszyk served as a medic lab tech during the Vietnam War. He went on to become a toxicologist and researcher for the prestigious Laboratory of Pathology in Texas.
His father’s illness inspired him to delve into holistic and alternative medical solutions; in 1985 Mr. Kaszyk began extensive research in vibrational medicine following the works of Dr. Richard Gerber, M.D., and renowned Yale researcher Dr. Harold Burr. Combining his vast knowledge of chemistry with his new discoveries in vibrational medicine, Mr. Kaszyk developed catalyst chemistry, an innovative method of creating natural products, and founded Kasz Enterprises in 1989.
After discovering a formula that vastly improves skin quality and elasticity, Mr. Kaszyk refined and introduced The Ageless Secret. It soon caught the eye of physicians and anti-aging experts, inspiring countless unsolicited endorsements and accolades. After moving to Palm Springs, CA, in 2006, Mr. Kaszyk and The Ageless Secret have since been prominently featured in The Desert Sun, Desert Magazine, 92260, and on the PBS special Discoveries in Alternative Medicine and Spotlight on the Desert. For more information, visit www.LightEnergySecret.comand http://agelesssecret.com
Supplemental: FAQ’s
Q: Subtle Energy is an ancient healing energy. Critics have said it was all pseudoscience. You claim to have bottled it. What proof do you have?
A: We have a lot. We have a 10 page scientific report that was the result of 2 years of rigorous experiments and was published in a peer reviewed journal. We have other independent labs who have verified the results in the report. Q: Do your products heal?
A: The Subtle Energy in our products is part of a large spectrum of energies that mirror the entire electromagnetic spectrum of heat, light and magnetism. Some of these energies are beautifying and some are healing. The same is true for this mirror image spectrum of Subtle Energies. Our products contain beautifying energies.
Q: Can you give me an example of beautifying energies?
A: Red light is a good example. There are many companies selling red LED lights to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Q: How do you know your products contain beautifying energies?
A: By its effect on skin. We know the Subtle Energy is there by its effects on water. The concept of energy may be hard for some people to understand, but think of a magnet. We can’t see the energy but we know it is there by its effects. Skin has lots of water. The effect we see on skin is a combination of the Subtle Energy infused ingredients and the Subtle Energy in the bottle. When the product is applied to skin we see the effect on skin with the lifting, plumping and tightening as result of the Subtle Energy causing the water within to act like it did when were young. This led us to a new theory of aging.
Q: What do you mean a new theory of aging?
A: We have discovered that young children have more Subtle Energy than adults. We learned this by doing tests with the children. We had several under the age of 10, hold a glass of cold water with both hands for 30 seconds. Then we tested the water. It tasted softer and bigger than normal water and it felt smooth. Almost like a skin lotion. The result is temporary, but is shows the power of Subtle Energy in children. Some teens could do this and some could not. We found very few adults could do it and those that could looked very good for their age. So there is a decline in the amount of Subtle Energy with age. We also know the results are due to a decline in Subtle Energy because we can have adults spray their hands with our Subtle Energy infused product and then hold the glass of water and the extra Subtle Energy gives them the ability to make the water tastes soft and smooth like when they were they were young. This led us to create The Subtle Energy Theory of Aging.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — Minnetonka Audio Software Inc. (MASI), a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound, and consumer electronics applications, recently announced that it is now providing worldwide distribution and resales of the Dolby(R) Media Emulator toolkit from California-based Dolby Laboratories Incorporated. This fortifies Minnetonka Audio’s already comprehensive offering of production problem solvers. Minnetonka Audio has added Dolby Media Emulator to its SurCode for Dolby E Master Suite 3 product bundle without raising the bundle price.
“Our strategic decision to distribute Dolby Media Emulator strengthens our current product mix and expands our reach into more post suites,” said Jayson Tomlin, vice president of business operations at Minnetonka Audio. “For our customers, Dolby Media Emulator is a bargain in itself. By bundling it with the SurCode suite without raising the price, we’ve created a one-stop shop for media producers that is truly an outstanding value.”
Dolby Media Emulator is a software tool for authoring and post that provides real-time emulation for Dolby broadcast formats. Acting as a plug-in for popular digital audio workstations, Dolby Media Emulator enables an audio engineer to simulate accurately how content will sound when played back through licensed consumer electronics.
Dolby Media Emulator lets an operator preview the results of differing metadata values when decoding Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and HE-AAC audio formats.
One application worth highlighting: Take a look at this diagram. See all of those speakers? Consider that Dolby Surround formats are varied but most include multiple speakers and therefore multiple positions of “sound”. The vast majority of consumers are listening to complex surround signals through only one or two speakers. That means, a proper mix MUST take this into account. Minnetonka’s Dolby Media Emulator makes sure you get this right. CP
“With the majority of surround programs being played back in stereo and mono environments, correct metadata and downmix settings are a critical requirement for deliverables,” said Markus Hintz, director of global sales and business development at Minnetonka Audio. “In addition to previewing their metadata settings, audio engineers can use Dolby Media Emulator for standardized loudness measurement, proper monitoring of LtRt sources, and downmixes from all other sources.”
Rather than resort to using home audio gear in a professional workflow, engineers can use Dolby Media Emulator to validate mix and metadata decisions against a certified standard in their familiar monitoring environment.
To aid in specifying proper metadata values, Dolby Media Emulator can measure and properly determine the dialogue normalization (dialnorm) value with a standardized loudness meter. The included loudness meter supports international ITU-R BS.1770, ITU-R BS.1770-2, and EBU R-128 loudness standards and incorporates the optional Dolby Dialogue Intelligence(TM) algorithm. Its ability to configure and control the monitoring environment and evaluate metadata parameters makes Dolby Media Emulator an essential product for postproduction, DVD, and DTV facilities that master, author, or broadcast program material with Dolby surround sound formats. Dolby Media Emulator runs as an Avid(R) Pro Tools(R) RTAS(R) plug-in, and as a VST(R) plug-in for popular programs such as Nuendo(R).
Dolby Media Emulator is available for immediate delivery from Minnetonka Audio resellers and distributors, and also directly from Minnetonka Audio’s eShop. In-depth information on Dolby Media Emulator and how it enriches existing tools and workflows is available at www.minnetonkaaudio.com.
If you’re a space geek, science fan or techno nerd then you may already know a bit about the latest planetary lander called Curiosity. Today (August 6th, 2012) this engineering marvel (not to mention the challenge of sending and landing) sits near Gale Crater (this crater is so big there’s a mountain called Mount Sharp inside it CP) and prepares to investigate some of the most geologically interesting areas on the Red Planet.
What’s the big deal? This is an investigation that could unravel the greatest mystery of all…..”is/was there life out there?” So without further ado, here is the LIVE stream with real time chat. Update Aug6 10:03PM EDT the first LIVE stream has ended but has been archived and will play in the window below. Other LIVE streams will play in real-time as the mission developments continue. CP Update Aug22 1:03PM EDT we will be streaming the LIVE NASA press conference with updates on the mission and rover status. Video feed begins at 2:30 PM EDT CP
Testing out the optics on board the rover. These are an array of basalt rocks likely similiar to “Coronation”
The MARS/NASA/JPL team showed media the first scientifically laser-beamed and analyzed Mars rock during today’s press conference. This Basaltic rock (called Coronation by the team) displayed interesting hydrogen variations and preliminary results showed more hydrogen measured on its surface with exponentially decreasing amounts as the laser probed deeper.
Planetary Scientist Joy Crisp answering media questions during today’s Live feed.
The plan now before searching for water, is a ramping up of technical and rover checkouts, a more thorough planning order of activities and lengths, driving the rover to new sites for rock drilling and investigating what scientists are calling ‘scours’- ground indentations made by the Sky Crane thrusters during the descent of the Mars rover.
Scientists caution the fact that there are no definitive time tables for upcoming tests. This is due to such unpredictable conditions as weather forecasting and rover checkouts and performance. As these tests are conducted and checkouts are completed, the Mars team hope to learn how to ‘fine tune’ future tests after properly calibrating the rovers testing instruments. For example, the wavelength instrument is affected by the slight temperature shifts from the time of the Mars day and from the rover’s movements.
Spectrum results from Mars Rock “Coronation”. Note the Hydrogen peak after laser ‘zap’ #1. image:NASA/TheSilo
Reporter questions focused on the geological aspects of today’s conference and the team responded enthusiastically about plans to drive the rover to areas that have bedrock and opportunities for testing varied rock types. A short video in honor of deceased science fiction author and Mars fan Ray Bradbury rounded things out. As one scientist put it “ We are only 16 days into a two year mission.” Stay tuned. CP
The speakers have a 102mm (4-inch) bass driver and a calibrated, flared bass reflex port augmented by a 13mm silk dome tweeter for a total output of 42W RMS (21W each speaker). An optional front cover can be removed to expose the speaker components allowing for a sleek look or a more exposed techie aesthetic. Use them with a television, computer, or other device, they sound great on any surface because of the design team’s passion for sound and for quality.
R1280T powered bookshelf speakers lets you connect to multiple audio devices using the dual RCA inputs. By looking at the back panel you can easily tell one of these is a passive speaker and one is an active speaker. The active speaker has two inputs located on the back. These inputs are perfect for RCA to RCA or RCA to AUX connections. Connect them to a PC, laptop, tablet, phone or record player. The speakers are connected to each other via regular speaker wire (included along with a generous variety of cables to ensure you enjoy your music from most devices right out of the box- if you require digital connections or bluetooth Edifier make a larger model).
As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority–a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She identifies and reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. 
