Tourism Australia and Quiksilver have launched a Facebook contest that will send one lucky winner to Australia to be the official blogger for the 2012 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
ETA Visa
Sharing your favourite Australian adventure could win you a two-week trip to the country.
The competition, "Surf, Sun and Social Networking in Australia", gives contestants the opportunity to upload their best adventure photo to either Facebook.com/AustraliaWorkandPlay or Quiksilver and describe in 100 words or less what they think is the best adventure Down Under.
For those who aren't familiar with Australia, they can get inspired by visiting Australia.com or Quiksilver.com. The winner will be determined by who has the most 'likes' at the end of the contest period.
"There's nothing like an Australian adventure," said Daryl Hudson, vice president, the Americas for Tourism Australia. "From our iconic beaches, to our world-class cities and of course our native wildlife, the winning blogger will be on the front lines of some amazing experiences."
The winner will receive a two-week trip to Australia including round-trip international economy airfare from Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, or New York to Australia; one week in Queensland attending and blogging from the 2012 Quiksilver Pro, and vacation and blogging for one week in another Australian state of their choice.
All international visitors to Australia, unless they have an Australian or New Zealand passport, must have an Australia Travel Visa. The most popular of these is the ETA Visa, as it can be quickly applied for online and once approved it is electronically added to your passport.
"The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast is the premier surf event in all of Australia and the kick-off to the world tour every year" said Eddie Anaya, Marketing Director of Quiksilver.
"It's exciting to partner with Tourism Australia to offer one of our fans a behind the scenes experience where they get to blog and rub elbows with the best surfers in the world at one of Australia's legendary surf breaks - Snapper Rocks."
2011年3月20日星期日
School officials getting plenty of input on cuts
Proposals to close a $3.75 million gap in the Grand Island Public Schools budget provide
something for everybody to hate.
"Hate" is probably too strong a word considering the civility that has been part of the
debate so far, although it is clear that nobody likes the proposed cuts.
The district started off with a deficit of $12.8 million that it needed to close. Cutting the
first $8 million to $9 million caused little outcry, but it is the final several million
dollars, which are affecting personnel, that has caused more debate.
The Independent asked permission to see the e-mails with the understanding that e-mailers
would be called to see if they would be willing to share their views in the newspaper. While
many people were passionate in their views, everybody was very civil, both in the 39 e-mails
submitted and also in the few interviews The Independent was able to conduct.
Gary Swallow, who said he worked at a manufacturing plant for 37 years, including 10 years as
plant manager, said his e-mail suggested cutting administrators, not classroom teachers.
Swallow said he did not believe that administrators have as big an impact on what happens in
the classroom as teachers, and that is one reason he favors cutting administrative personnel.
He also said administrators make more money than teachers, so a reduction eliminating one
administrator saves more money than eliminating one teacher.
He said he was not impressed that central office administrators have offered to have their
salaries frozen for the coming year. He said that prevents costs from rising, but it does not
lower costs to help close the deficit.
Kris McElligott is another person who questions whether enough has been done to cut
administrative costs, specifically at central administration.
When questioned by The Independent, Finance Director Virgil Harden said the district has the
right to issue reduction-in-force notices to building principals, as well as to teaching
staff. He noted the RIF notices that have already have been publicly discussed include a
half-time elementary principal.
Harden said he believes the superintendent would have the right to trim personnel in the
central office. Any administrative change would need approval or at least acquiescence by the
school board.
Harden also was questioned on whether the school district could unilaterally cut
administrative pay. After thinking the question through, Harden said he believes interim
Superintendent Harrison Cass could propose a cut in pay for both central office and building
administrators. He said pay cuts would have to be approved by a vote of the school board, who
would have earlier voted to approve the existing pay packages.
The district theoretically could cut that pay because administrators are not organized as a
formal bargaining group like the Grand Island Education Association.
But Harden said that might be a short-term solution with long-term consequences. He said
employees who have seen their pay cut could be motivated to form a bargaining unit to protect
themselves in the future.
The current situation for the Grand Island school district is that central office
administrators have offered to freeze their salaries for the coming year. GIPS classified
staff members have made the same offer.
Despite that pay freeze offer from classified staff, 8.84 FTE paraprofessionals with the
Grand Island school district are being laid off, Harden said.
While McElligott joined Swallow – and other e-mailers – in concern over administrative
costs, the original issue that prompted her e-mail was the proposal to cut back the amount of
time devoted to middle school math instruction, as well as the proposal to integrate the
middle school technology program with science.
McElligott said middle school is a critical time for math instruction. She said her concern
is that only the best math students will be able to grasp the increasingly difficult math
concepts introduced in middle school, while more students will struggle.
As a result, McElligott is worried that fewer middle school students will go on to take the
higher level math courses at Senior High, which can end with some students taking AP
calculus. She said a greater number of students will opt to take the less demanding math
track in high school because they spent less time on math while in middle school.
McElligott also objected to integrating middle school technology with science because she
believes it could hinder student achievement in both subject areas. She said the applied
science and applied math in middle school technology courses can help students decide if they
want to pursue careers such as engineering.
She said the middle school modules in technology give students hands-on experience in areas
such as robotics. McElligott said another concern is that the district's investment in the
technology modules will go to waste if technology and science are integrated.
She questioned why the district is cutting back on middle school technology instruction at
the same time it is planning on greatly expanded career and technology education (CTE) course
offerings at Senior High.
If middle school students somehow manage to get all the technology they need, then McElligott
said there is a danger those students will need to learn all the basic science they need to
know.
McElligott said a secondary issue for her is that it seems as though the cuts to athletic
programs are not balanced. She wondered why school officials are considering eliminating the
swim program – which is a relatively low-cost sport – and not making bigger cuts in the
more expensive sports programs.
Mikki Vlach and her husband were among several swim parents who sent e-mails to the school
district asking that the high school swim team not be eliminated. During an interview, Vlach
said their 10-year-old daughter, Izzy, is on the Quicksilver swim team.
Vlach believes her daughter will stay interested in the sport all the way through high
school, a view she also noted in her e-mail when she wrote, "she (Izzy) is already talking
about being a member of the high school swim team even though she has only been swimming for
a year."
Vlach said swim team is a relatively low-cost program, so she questioned the proposal to end
it. Because the sport is a cooperative program involving several schools, Vlach also wondered
whether other school districts could make a greater financial contribution to the program.
It sometimes seems as though the school district focuses its resources on "at-risk" students
to the detriment of motivated students like the ones on the Quicksilver team, who have swim
practice four days per week, 10 months per year, Vlach said.
Another proposal before the board is to cut fifth-grade band and orchestra. At the time, the
proposal was presented as simply delaying student participation in band and orchestra for one
year. But Walnut Middle School band instructor John Schultz was part of an e-mail that
reminded everyone of a possible unintended consequence of the delay.
Under the current system, band and orchestra teachers travel from building to building to
give lessons to small groups of students who are just learning how to play a band instrument
or string instrument, Schultz said. But those small groups add up to big numbers. During the
current school year, 374 fifth-graders began learning how to play a band instrument and 85
students began learning how to play a string instrument.
Those fifth-graders are spread over 14 elementary schools. But as sixth-graders, those
students would be concentrated in just three middle schools, creating problems both in terms
of staffing and perhaps physical space.
"Teaching beginning students in small groups leads to a better chance of success," Schultz
said.
something for everybody to hate.
"Hate" is probably too strong a word considering the civility that has been part of the
debate so far, although it is clear that nobody likes the proposed cuts.
The district started off with a deficit of $12.8 million that it needed to close. Cutting the
first $8 million to $9 million caused little outcry, but it is the final several million
dollars, which are affecting personnel, that has caused more debate.
The Independent asked permission to see the e-mails with the understanding that e-mailers
would be called to see if they would be willing to share their views in the newspaper. While
many people were passionate in their views, everybody was very civil, both in the 39 e-mails
submitted and also in the few interviews The Independent was able to conduct.
Gary Swallow, who said he worked at a manufacturing plant for 37 years, including 10 years as
plant manager, said his e-mail suggested cutting administrators, not classroom teachers.
Swallow said he did not believe that administrators have as big an impact on what happens in
the classroom as teachers, and that is one reason he favors cutting administrative personnel.
He also said administrators make more money than teachers, so a reduction eliminating one
administrator saves more money than eliminating one teacher.
He said he was not impressed that central office administrators have offered to have their
salaries frozen for the coming year. He said that prevents costs from rising, but it does not
lower costs to help close the deficit.
Kris McElligott is another person who questions whether enough has been done to cut
administrative costs, specifically at central administration.
When questioned by The Independent, Finance Director Virgil Harden said the district has the
right to issue reduction-in-force notices to building principals, as well as to teaching
staff. He noted the RIF notices that have already have been publicly discussed include a
half-time elementary principal.
Harden said he believes the superintendent would have the right to trim personnel in the
central office. Any administrative change would need approval or at least acquiescence by the
school board.
Harden also was questioned on whether the school district could unilaterally cut
administrative pay. After thinking the question through, Harden said he believes interim
Superintendent Harrison Cass could propose a cut in pay for both central office and building
administrators. He said pay cuts would have to be approved by a vote of the school board, who
would have earlier voted to approve the existing pay packages.
The district theoretically could cut that pay because administrators are not organized as a
formal bargaining group like the Grand Island Education Association.
But Harden said that might be a short-term solution with long-term consequences. He said
employees who have seen their pay cut could be motivated to form a bargaining unit to protect
themselves in the future.
The current situation for the Grand Island school district is that central office
administrators have offered to freeze their salaries for the coming year. GIPS classified
staff members have made the same offer.
Despite that pay freeze offer from classified staff, 8.84 FTE paraprofessionals with the
Grand Island school district are being laid off, Harden said.
While McElligott joined Swallow – and other e-mailers – in concern over administrative
costs, the original issue that prompted her e-mail was the proposal to cut back the amount of
time devoted to middle school math instruction, as well as the proposal to integrate the
middle school technology program with science.
McElligott said middle school is a critical time for math instruction. She said her concern
is that only the best math students will be able to grasp the increasingly difficult math
concepts introduced in middle school, while more students will struggle.
As a result, McElligott is worried that fewer middle school students will go on to take the
higher level math courses at Senior High, which can end with some students taking AP
calculus. She said a greater number of students will opt to take the less demanding math
track in high school because they spent less time on math while in middle school.
McElligott also objected to integrating middle school technology with science because she
believes it could hinder student achievement in both subject areas. She said the applied
science and applied math in middle school technology courses can help students decide if they
want to pursue careers such as engineering.
She said the middle school modules in technology give students hands-on experience in areas
such as robotics. McElligott said another concern is that the district's investment in the
technology modules will go to waste if technology and science are integrated.
She questioned why the district is cutting back on middle school technology instruction at
the same time it is planning on greatly expanded career and technology education (CTE) course
offerings at Senior High.
If middle school students somehow manage to get all the technology they need, then McElligott
said there is a danger those students will need to learn all the basic science they need to
know.
McElligott said a secondary issue for her is that it seems as though the cuts to athletic
programs are not balanced. She wondered why school officials are considering eliminating the
swim program – which is a relatively low-cost sport – and not making bigger cuts in the
more expensive sports programs.
Mikki Vlach and her husband were among several swim parents who sent e-mails to the school
district asking that the high school swim team not be eliminated. During an interview, Vlach
said their 10-year-old daughter, Izzy, is on the Quicksilver swim team.
Vlach believes her daughter will stay interested in the sport all the way through high
school, a view she also noted in her e-mail when she wrote, "she (Izzy) is already talking
about being a member of the high school swim team even though she has only been swimming for
a year."
Vlach said swim team is a relatively low-cost program, so she questioned the proposal to end
it. Because the sport is a cooperative program involving several schools, Vlach also wondered
whether other school districts could make a greater financial contribution to the program.
It sometimes seems as though the school district focuses its resources on "at-risk" students
to the detriment of motivated students like the ones on the Quicksilver team, who have swim
practice four days per week, 10 months per year, Vlach said.
Another proposal before the board is to cut fifth-grade band and orchestra. At the time, the
proposal was presented as simply delaying student participation in band and orchestra for one
year. But Walnut Middle School band instructor John Schultz was part of an e-mail that
reminded everyone of a possible unintended consequence of the delay.
Under the current system, band and orchestra teachers travel from building to building to
give lessons to small groups of students who are just learning how to play a band instrument
or string instrument, Schultz said. But those small groups add up to big numbers. During the
current school year, 374 fifth-graders began learning how to play a band instrument and 85
students began learning how to play a string instrument.
Those fifth-graders are spread over 14 elementary schools. But as sixth-graders, those
students would be concentrated in just three middle schools, creating problems both in terms
of staffing and perhaps physical space.
"Teaching beginning students in small groups leads to a better chance of success," Schultz
said.
2011年3月15日星期二
Quicksilver Resources Trading Higher on 1.1x Above-Average Volume
Shares of Quicksilver Resources (NYSE: KWK) are trading up 1.8% to $14.87 today on above
average volume. Approximately 2.8 million shares have traded hands today vs. average 30-day
volume of 2.5 million shares.
Spikes in volume can validate a breakout or signify a potential turning point. As such,
SmarTrend will continue to monitor shares of KWK to see if this bullish momentum will
continue.
SmarTrend currently has shares of Quicksilver Resources in an Uptrend and issued the Uptrend
alert on September 07, 2010 at $12.89. The stock has risen 13.3% since the Uptrend alert was
issued.
In the last five trading sessions, the 50-day MA has remained constant while the 200-day MA
has risen 0.56%.
In the past 52 weeks, shares of Quicksilver Resources have traded between a low of $10.53 and
a high of $16.15 and are now at $14.64, which is 39% above that low price.
Atlas Pipeline Partners(APL), owner and operator of natural gas pipeline gathering systems in
U.S., gained 3.4%. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Atlas to $38 from $35 and
maintained its overweight rating on the stock. The bank sees Atlas's 2011 earnings at $1.68
per share and 2012 earnings at $2.23 per share.
Sunoco(SUN) surged 2.2% last week after reporting better-than-expected quarterly numbers. Net
income increased to $87 million or $0.72 per diluted share for 2010 fourth quarter, compared
to $26 million or $0.22 per diluted share during the same quarter in 2009. The yearly
financial numbers also staged a comeback. Sunoco reported net income of $234 million for 2010
versus a net loss of $329 million for full-year 2009.
Chesapeake Midstream Partners(CHKM) and Quicksilver Resources(KWK) advanced 2.1% and 1.95%,
respectively.
Sinpoec(SNP) gained 1.6%. The company said it has met or even surpassed the operational
targets for the first quarter of 2011. During the week, the company asked its refining plants
to boost gasoline output, says parent China Petrochemical.
Other movers TransCanada(TRP), Weatherford International(WFT), OGE Energy(OGE) and
PetroChina(PTR) were flat, up 0.96%, 0.7%, 0.14% and 0.11%, respectively.
LDK Solar(LDK) was the top loser, plummeting 15.3%. Lazard Capital downgraded LDK Solar to
hold from buy. Lazard Capital expects industry pricing to decline faster than expected, given
the expected policy changes in Italy and Germany.
average volume. Approximately 2.8 million shares have traded hands today vs. average 30-day
volume of 2.5 million shares.
Spikes in volume can validate a breakout or signify a potential turning point. As such,
SmarTrend will continue to monitor shares of KWK to see if this bullish momentum will
continue.
SmarTrend currently has shares of Quicksilver Resources in an Uptrend and issued the Uptrend
alert on September 07, 2010 at $12.89. The stock has risen 13.3% since the Uptrend alert was
issued.
In the last five trading sessions, the 50-day MA has remained constant while the 200-day MA
has risen 0.56%.
In the past 52 weeks, shares of Quicksilver Resources have traded between a low of $10.53 and
a high of $16.15 and are now at $14.64, which is 39% above that low price.
Atlas Pipeline Partners(APL), owner and operator of natural gas pipeline gathering systems in
U.S., gained 3.4%. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Atlas to $38 from $35 and
maintained its overweight rating on the stock. The bank sees Atlas's 2011 earnings at $1.68
per share and 2012 earnings at $2.23 per share.
Sunoco(SUN) surged 2.2% last week after reporting better-than-expected quarterly numbers. Net
income increased to $87 million or $0.72 per diluted share for 2010 fourth quarter, compared
to $26 million or $0.22 per diluted share during the same quarter in 2009. The yearly
financial numbers also staged a comeback. Sunoco reported net income of $234 million for 2010
versus a net loss of $329 million for full-year 2009.
Chesapeake Midstream Partners(CHKM) and Quicksilver Resources(KWK) advanced 2.1% and 1.95%,
respectively.
Sinpoec(SNP) gained 1.6%. The company said it has met or even surpassed the operational
targets for the first quarter of 2011. During the week, the company asked its refining plants
to boost gasoline output, says parent China Petrochemical.
Other movers TransCanada(TRP), Weatherford International(WFT), OGE Energy(OGE) and
PetroChina(PTR) were flat, up 0.96%, 0.7%, 0.14% and 0.11%, respectively.
LDK Solar(LDK) was the top loser, plummeting 15.3%. Lazard Capital downgraded LDK Solar to
hold from buy. Lazard Capital expects industry pricing to decline faster than expected, given
the expected policy changes in Italy and Germany.
2011年3月13日星期日
Alfred application tries to up your productivity
Alfred, a productivity app for the Mac meant to help you search and optimize your computer,
may prove indispensable as your computer's right-hand man. The program launched a year ago
and as with the (rarely updated) Quicksilver launcher, the app pulls up a menu bar from which
you can launch programs, control iTunes, conduct Web searches, log into e-mail services and,
of course, search your computer for key phrases.
Mac users know that Alfred shares many of its key functions with the Spotlight feature built
into Mac's OS. Why would you need a launcher? Alfred learns what applications and commands
you use most often and adapts its actions over time.
All that, plus seeing its delightful bowler hat icon sitting in your Mac's menu bar can be
oddly comforting. Alfred is a free download from the Mac App Store.
may prove indispensable as your computer's right-hand man. The program launched a year ago
and as with the (rarely updated) Quicksilver launcher, the app pulls up a menu bar from which
you can launch programs, control iTunes, conduct Web searches, log into e-mail services and,
of course, search your computer for key phrases.
Mac users know that Alfred shares many of its key functions with the Spotlight feature built
into Mac's OS. Why would you need a launcher? Alfred learns what applications and commands
you use most often and adapts its actions over time.
All that, plus seeing its delightful bowler hat icon sitting in your Mac's menu bar can be
oddly comforting. Alfred is a free download from the Mac App Store.
2011年3月9日星期三
Incat Crowther to design 42 m cat for Indonesia
Incat Crowther has secured a contract to design a 42 m wave piercing catamaran ferry for
Indonesian operator Quicksilver Bali.
Quicksilver runs day tours and dinner cruises out of Bali, using the Incat Crowther-designed
wavepiercer Quicksilver 6.
Under construction at PT Caputra Mitra Sejati Shipyard, the new vessel will be built to
Lloyd's Register class and carry 450 passengers in two salons and on three outdoor decks.
quicksilver500
In addition to passengers, the vessel will carry up to 50 crew and Quicksilver personnel,
many of whom work at the operator's pontoon at Nusa Penida Island. At this pontoon, the
operator offers activities including snorkeling, semi-submersible scuba, jet skiing and even
tattooing.
The vessel is configured to not only transport this small army of support staff to the
pontoon, but also to allow meetings and briefings onboard during the outbound voyage.
Incat Crowther worked in close collaboration with Quicksilver Bali to develop a vessel
optimized for the service being offered. Many features have been implemented to increase
passenger comfort, such as window washing platforms on both decks. Safety demonstrations and
live music shows performed on the main deck are relayed throughout the vessel via the
integrated AV system.
The main deck interior cabin features seats for 268 passengers, and has a large bar at the
aft end. Adjacent to the bar is a dual-entry cool room, which allows for quick loading of
supplies, and immediate access from the bar. Behind the bar and cool room are extensive
amenities. A total of 15 toilets are provided.
The mid deck cabin seats 168 passengers, with a small servery aft. The servery is linked to
the main deck bar via a dumb waiter.
The aft mid deck has 42 exterior seats. Stairs lead from this deck to a large sundeck, with
50 outdoor seats and ample standing room.
The vessel will have multiple boarding points to allow quick embarkation and disembarkation.
Large aft quarter decks are provided for transfer of passengers to the pontoon. These load
into broad stairs that link to the main deck boarding area. Large passageways and stairs are
provided to the main deck cabin and the mid deck. There are also passenger loading gates on
the mid deck.
At the aft end of the main deck is an area reserved for luggage trolleys and supplies for the
pontoon. These are loaded by a pair of davits outboard allowing loading and unloading on both
sides.
The design of the vessel pays particular attention to adequate access for maintenance of
machinery and to the fast and easy removal of engines for major overhauls.
The vessel is fully compliant with IMO HSC stability regulations, providing a level of safety
exceeding regulations for domestic use.
The vessel will be powered by four Caterpillar C32 Acert C engines, each producing 1,080 kW.
Propulsion is carried to KaMeWa 50A3 waterjets via ZF3050/D gearboxes and cardan shafts. The
vessel will have a service speed of 26 knots and a top speed of 30 knots. Extensive long-
range fuel tanks will be fitted, giving the vessel a delivery range of 800 nm.
Indonesian operator Quicksilver Bali.
Quicksilver runs day tours and dinner cruises out of Bali, using the Incat Crowther-designed
wavepiercer Quicksilver 6.
Under construction at PT Caputra Mitra Sejati Shipyard, the new vessel will be built to
Lloyd's Register class and carry 450 passengers in two salons and on three outdoor decks.
quicksilver500
In addition to passengers, the vessel will carry up to 50 crew and Quicksilver personnel,
many of whom work at the operator's pontoon at Nusa Penida Island. At this pontoon, the
operator offers activities including snorkeling, semi-submersible scuba, jet skiing and even
tattooing.
The vessel is configured to not only transport this small army of support staff to the
pontoon, but also to allow meetings and briefings onboard during the outbound voyage.
Incat Crowther worked in close collaboration with Quicksilver Bali to develop a vessel
optimized for the service being offered. Many features have been implemented to increase
passenger comfort, such as window washing platforms on both decks. Safety demonstrations and
live music shows performed on the main deck are relayed throughout the vessel via the
integrated AV system.
The main deck interior cabin features seats for 268 passengers, and has a large bar at the
aft end. Adjacent to the bar is a dual-entry cool room, which allows for quick loading of
supplies, and immediate access from the bar. Behind the bar and cool room are extensive
amenities. A total of 15 toilets are provided.
The mid deck cabin seats 168 passengers, with a small servery aft. The servery is linked to
the main deck bar via a dumb waiter.
The aft mid deck has 42 exterior seats. Stairs lead from this deck to a large sundeck, with
50 outdoor seats and ample standing room.
The vessel will have multiple boarding points to allow quick embarkation and disembarkation.
Large aft quarter decks are provided for transfer of passengers to the pontoon. These load
into broad stairs that link to the main deck boarding area. Large passageways and stairs are
provided to the main deck cabin and the mid deck. There are also passenger loading gates on
the mid deck.
At the aft end of the main deck is an area reserved for luggage trolleys and supplies for the
pontoon. These are loaded by a pair of davits outboard allowing loading and unloading on both
sides.
The design of the vessel pays particular attention to adequate access for maintenance of
machinery and to the fast and easy removal of engines for major overhauls.
The vessel is fully compliant with IMO HSC stability regulations, providing a level of safety
exceeding regulations for domestic use.
The vessel will be powered by four Caterpillar C32 Acert C engines, each producing 1,080 kW.
Propulsion is carried to KaMeWa 50A3 waterjets via ZF3050/D gearboxes and cardan shafts. The
vessel will have a service speed of 26 knots and a top speed of 30 knots. Extensive long-
range fuel tanks will be fitted, giving the vessel a delivery range of 800 nm.
2011年3月7日星期一
Horror day at Quicksilver Pro
JOEL Parkinson was the remaining Gold Coast surfer left in the Quiksilver Pro after a
horror day which saw Mick Fanning and Josh Kerr eliminated.
The Snapper Rocks event is one locals have dominated in its 10-year history, with
Fanning, 29, and Parkinson, 29, having taken two each and Dean Morrison, 30, another.
With Fanning's frustrating round-three loss to Dusty Payne, then Kerr's close defeat
to Adrian Buchan, it was left to Parkinson to keep the Gold Coast flag flying and he
did just that, by defeating Kai Otton in the second-last heat of round three.
Twice world champion Fanning failed to catch a wave in the final 10 minutes of his
heat and was eliminated by less than a point, 11.77 to 11.
"I am the only one of the three local boys left now, so hopefully I'm the lone
standing at the end too," Parkinson said after his heat.
Fanning's was the first men's heat of the day and it certainly wasn't classic Snapper
Rocks conditions, especially in the early heats on high tide. With the dropping tide
barrels came on offer in 1.5 metre swell and Parkinson got plenty of them to beat
Otton 14.14 to 7.17.
South Africa's Jordy Smith, 23, put in the performance of the day, posting a 17.17
out of a possible 20 for an unmatched affinity with the barrel, massive turns and
aerials. The high-fi exhibition was enough to eliminate replacement surfer Cory Lopez
(USA), 33.
"I was pretty nervous going into my heat," Smith said. "Cory (Lopez), I know how well
he surfs and I didn't want to get stuck behind the rocks. Matt (Wilkinson) and those
guys psyched me up and it was fun out there surfing with one other guy."
Finishing runner-up at this event last season as well as in the hunt for the ASP
world title, the big South African is confident in his abilities and mind frame in
2011. "I'm feeling really good," Smith said. "I feel confident. I have nice boards
under my feet and am taking it one event at a time. I'm having fun with it."
Keeping Australian hopes alive are Matt Wilkinson, 22, Adrian Buchan, 28, and
defending champion Taj Burrow, 32.
Wilkinson put on an electric performance to beat Heitor Alves. The progressive goofy
-footer blasted away at the bowly righthanders, netting a 9.27 out of a possible 10
for one of the highest single-wave scores of the day.
The performance included a nearly-completed rodeo flip that had the thousands in
attendance on their feet.
Burrow beat world tour rookie Julian Wilson to advance.
horror day which saw Mick Fanning and Josh Kerr eliminated.
The Snapper Rocks event is one locals have dominated in its 10-year history, with
Fanning, 29, and Parkinson, 29, having taken two each and Dean Morrison, 30, another.
With Fanning's frustrating round-three loss to Dusty Payne, then Kerr's close defeat
to Adrian Buchan, it was left to Parkinson to keep the Gold Coast flag flying and he
did just that, by defeating Kai Otton in the second-last heat of round three.
Twice world champion Fanning failed to catch a wave in the final 10 minutes of his
heat and was eliminated by less than a point, 11.77 to 11.
"I am the only one of the three local boys left now, so hopefully I'm the lone
standing at the end too," Parkinson said after his heat.
Fanning's was the first men's heat of the day and it certainly wasn't classic Snapper
Rocks conditions, especially in the early heats on high tide. With the dropping tide
barrels came on offer in 1.5 metre swell and Parkinson got plenty of them to beat
Otton 14.14 to 7.17.
South Africa's Jordy Smith, 23, put in the performance of the day, posting a 17.17
out of a possible 20 for an unmatched affinity with the barrel, massive turns and
aerials. The high-fi exhibition was enough to eliminate replacement surfer Cory Lopez
(USA), 33.
"I was pretty nervous going into my heat," Smith said. "Cory (Lopez), I know how well
he surfs and I didn't want to get stuck behind the rocks. Matt (Wilkinson) and those
guys psyched me up and it was fun out there surfing with one other guy."
Finishing runner-up at this event last season as well as in the hunt for the ASP
world title, the big South African is confident in his abilities and mind frame in
2011. "I'm feeling really good," Smith said. "I feel confident. I have nice boards
under my feet and am taking it one event at a time. I'm having fun with it."
Keeping Australian hopes alive are Matt Wilkinson, 22, Adrian Buchan, 28, and
defending champion Taj Burrow, 32.
Wilkinson put on an electric performance to beat Heitor Alves. The progressive goofy
-footer blasted away at the bowly righthanders, netting a 9.27 out of a possible 10
for one of the highest single-wave scores of the day.
The performance included a nearly-completed rodeo flip that had the thousands in
attendance on their feet.
Burrow beat world tour rookie Julian Wilson to advance.
2011年3月3日星期四
Drill-site leak shows need for master plan for Lake Arlington
In July, a small amount of water from a Fort Worth natural gas drilling site leaked
into Lake Arlington after the shutoff valve of a frac tank was apparently left open.
Arlington, which owns and controls the lake, conducted immediate and follow-up testing
to check for metals and volatile chemicals such as benzene and chlorine but found no
contamination related to the incident, Water Utilities Director Julie Hunt said.
But the spill from Quicksilver Resources' Olcott South drill site is a perfect example
of why city officials are drafting a Lake Arlington Master Plan and other ordinances
aimed at protecting the lake, which supplies drinking water to more than 500,000
people, including Arlington residents.
The City Council is considering, for example, requiring gas-drilling sites to be at
least 600 feet from the lake.
"If an event did occur on-site, you are putting a buffer between the drinking-water
reservoir and the gas-drilling sites," Hunt said. "Giving that extra distance allows
there to be less influence if there was a spill that was not contained."
On Tuesday, Hunt presented a draft of the lake master plan to the council. The
document is meant to help protect water quality, serve as a planning tool, optimize
recreational opportunities, manage the lake ecosystem and identify the potential
impact of development.
City officials have worked with their counterparts in Fort Worth, which borders the
western shoreline, as well as with the North Central Texas Council of Governments to
facilitate communication with the 10 other cities and two counties in the lake's
watershed. Part of the plan addresses ways to reduce litter and polluted runoff from
upstream.
Several natural gas sites are along the lake, mostly on the Fort Worth side. Arlington
plans to ask Fort Worth to also consider the 600-foot setback for future drill sites,
Hunt said.
After the spill, the city did detect bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, used to make
plastics, at levels above the maximum contaminates allowed for drinking-water
standards, a staff report shows. City officials attribute the results to plastic
litter in the lake, not the drilling site spill.
Quicksilver paid all costs -- just under $10,000 -- associated with the soil and water
testing and has implemented measures to prevent future lake contamination from water
runoff, according to the staff report.
After Hunt's presentation Tuesday, Councilwoman Kathryn Wilemon praised the two
cities' cooperation on the lake plan.
into Lake Arlington after the shutoff valve of a frac tank was apparently left open.
Arlington, which owns and controls the lake, conducted immediate and follow-up testing
to check for metals and volatile chemicals such as benzene and chlorine but found no
contamination related to the incident, Water Utilities Director Julie Hunt said.
But the spill from Quicksilver Resources' Olcott South drill site is a perfect example
of why city officials are drafting a Lake Arlington Master Plan and other ordinances
aimed at protecting the lake, which supplies drinking water to more than 500,000
people, including Arlington residents.
The City Council is considering, for example, requiring gas-drilling sites to be at
least 600 feet from the lake.
"If an event did occur on-site, you are putting a buffer between the drinking-water
reservoir and the gas-drilling sites," Hunt said. "Giving that extra distance allows
there to be less influence if there was a spill that was not contained."
On Tuesday, Hunt presented a draft of the lake master plan to the council. The
document is meant to help protect water quality, serve as a planning tool, optimize
recreational opportunities, manage the lake ecosystem and identify the potential
impact of development.
City officials have worked with their counterparts in Fort Worth, which borders the
western shoreline, as well as with the North Central Texas Council of Governments to
facilitate communication with the 10 other cities and two counties in the lake's
watershed. Part of the plan addresses ways to reduce litter and polluted runoff from
upstream.
Several natural gas sites are along the lake, mostly on the Fort Worth side. Arlington
plans to ask Fort Worth to also consider the 600-foot setback for future drill sites,
Hunt said.
After the spill, the city did detect bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, used to make
plastics, at levels above the maximum contaminates allowed for drinking-water
standards, a staff report shows. City officials attribute the results to plastic
litter in the lake, not the drilling site spill.
Quicksilver paid all costs -- just under $10,000 -- associated with the soil and water
testing and has implemented measures to prevent future lake contamination from water
runoff, according to the staff report.
After Hunt's presentation Tuesday, Councilwoman Kathryn Wilemon praised the two
cities' cooperation on the lake plan.
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