What will the gila monsters and coyotes think?
A project reminiscent of Ski Dubai - the world’s largest snow park, in a country where daytime temperatures average 113 degrees - is taking shape in the Arizona desert. Water, not snow, is the theme for this one.
Developers plan to build a massive new water park that would offer surf-sized waves, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking - all in a bone-dry region that gets just 8 inches of rain a year.
“It’s about delivering a sport that’s not typically available in an urban environment,” said Richard Mladick, a real estate developer who persuaded business leaders in suburban Mesa to support the proposal, called the Waveyard.
Artists’ drawings of the park show surfers gliding through waves that crash onto a sandy beach, and kayakers navigating the whitecaps of a wide, roiling river. Families watch the action from beneath picnic umbrellas. If constructed, the park would use as much as 100 million gallons of groundwater a year.
That water use may raise future questions in a state that has been in a drought for a decade.
Many other water-hungry projects dot Arizona, courtesy of water tapped from rivers and pumped from deep underground. They include carpets of Bermuda grass, swimming pools, golf courses and lakeshore homes.
Waveyard’s developer, Mladick, who is 39, says he wants to create the kind of lush environment he remembers from growing up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and surfing in Morocco, Indonesia, Hawaii and Brazil.
“I couldn’t imagine raising my kids in an environment where they wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow up being passionate about the same sports that I grew up being passionate about,” he said.
The Waveyard, to be built 15 miles east of Phoenix, would dwarf the typical water-slide parks familiar to many Arizona families and at 125 acres, is considerably bigger than Ski Dubai, a close cousin in terms of rising above nature.
The Arizona water sports complex is to include an artificial whitewater river with multiple channels where kayakers can test themselves on Class 2 to Class 4 rapids. Visitors could enjoy an artificial beach and a simulated ocean capable of producing different size waves, from 12-foot barreling waves to tamer chop for boogie boarders.
The park will feature a scuba lagoon, a snorkeling pond with reefs and a rock-climbing center. The park will also have restaurants, a shopping district, a spa, and a hotel and conference center.
Jerry Hug, a businessman who co-founded the project, said he expects it will eventually generate more than $1 billion in revenue and create 7,500 jobs. That is especially attractive in Mesa, a city of about 460,000 people that has struggled to keep up with the booming development of its neighbors.
“We don’t have a property tax in our city,” said Eric Jackson, chairman of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. “It requires us to be very heavily dependent on revenues from sales taxes.”
Mesa voters overwhelmingly approved their proposal on Nov. 6, granting the Waveyard an estimated $35 million in tax incentives with more than 65 percent of the vote.
No citizens groups overtly opposed the project, but its water usage may raise questions in the future as the growing Phoenix areas struggles to replenish its vast aquifer. Arizona has been in a drought for a decade, and rivers that feed Phoenix and surrounding communities experienced near-record low measurements this year.
“Water is a scarce and valued commodity,” said Jim Holway, associate director of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University.
Holway said the Phoenix area currently enjoys huge supplies of underground water. But it is tough to determine how long communities can sustain their rate of water consumption, given that global warming may make the desert even drier.
The Waveyard will need as much as 50 million gallons of water at first to fill its artificial oceans and rivers.
Replenishing water lost to evaporation and spillage will require another 60 million gallons to 100 million gallons per year, enough to support about 1,200 people in the Phoenix area.
Project organizers say they will not tap Mesa’s drinking water supplies to fill the park. Instead, they plan to draw from a well that has elevated levels of arsenic, which makes its water unsuitable for drinking. The Waveyard will build a treatment plant to make the water safe for swimmers.
Rita Maguire, a former director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources who studied water availability for Waveyard developers, said the project will not use any more water than one of Arizona’s many golf courses.
“Initially, the reaction is, ‘Oh, my - is this an appropriate use of water in a desert?”‘
“But recreation is a very important part of a community. And if you can make the use of that water in a highly efficient way, it’s a smart choice,” she said.
Holway agreed, saying communities could do a better job using water in public spaces “that everybody can enjoy as opposed to having lush yards that we just lock behind fences.”
“From that point of view, maybe this is a good thing.”
“Ocean” To Be Built In Arizona Desert
Samsung’s LED-backlit LN-T4681F LCD HDTV gets reviewed
Although it’d be easy to take one of our reader’s for it, Sound and Vision Magazine set out to see if Samsung’s sleek LN-T4681F really was the best home theater display on the market. The 46-inch LED-backlit display is a proud member of Sammy’s , and while the glossy motif sure boosted the sexiness, reviewers did note that a “fair amount of reflected light pooled up on the screen during daytime viewing.” The crew didn’t have much trouble tweaking the settings to get the image just right, but it did exhibit a few problems deinterlacing film-sourced 1080i-format programs. Nevertheless, LED SmartLighting / LED Motion Plus both proved extremely beneficial, color rendition was deemed “excellent” and picture uniformity was satisfactory save for the slightly lackluster off-axis performance. Overall, those in charge of critiquing this here set were mighty impressed, and while a few niggles may annoy those looking for reasons to nitpick, most everyone else will likely walk away quite pleased with its performance.
Samsung’s VP-HMX10A HD camcorder makes retail premier
Samsung’s camcorder is now on sale. No, not in North America or Europe, but S.Korea-only at the moment. ₩799,000 (about $870) nabs this 720p recorder with 2.7-inch LCD and 4GB of internal flash storage for all your H.264 recordings (SD expansion for more) in a 310-gram barrel. With any luck these will go global on the quick.
Profit dips at Enterprise Inns (FT.com)
The smoking ban and poor weather during the summer were behind a slump in annual profits and turnover at Enterprise Inns. ADVERTISEMENT
The pub group said pre-tax profit for the year dipped 19 per cent to £337m, on revenues that shrank 5 per cent to £921m. However, it increased its dividend from 13.5p to 15.6p and earnings per share rose from 50.5p to 53.4p. Enterprise said the smoking ban had made some pubs in its estate unviable and it would sell 96 pubs unlicensed for conversion to alternative use. However, the ban also meant fast growth in food revenues, which rose 13 per cent. Sales of food now account for an average of 20 per cent of pub turnover across the group. "With standards of pub food constantly improving, there is a risk that the market place for 'value for money' food may become overcrowded, so our advice to licensees tends towards 'do it really well or not at all'," Enterprise said. Following the sale during the year of 769 pubs to Admiral Taverns, and a further 137 pubs in its Scottish estate, Enterprise's estate now consists of more than 7,700 pubs valued at £5.7bn. Enterprise was considering restructuring to become a Real Estate Investment Trust, which allows property-focused companies to reduce their tax provided they return most of their profits to shareholders through dividends. However, the group said that, following discussions with the government, it was not ready to make the change. "HMRC has expressed the view that the group, as currently structured, does not meet the qualifying criteria for admission as a REIT," Enterprise said. "We are, however, currently exploring . . . whether an internal restructuring of the Group's activities . . . would result in the group becoming eligible for admission to the REIT regime." Enterprise did not give any indication of a timeline for its conversion. Other pub groups, including Mitchells & Butlers are also contemplating a switch to the low-tax status.
Dell’s 15.4-inch Vostro 1000 laptop hits $399
Dell’s 15.4-inch Vostro 1000 laptop hits $399
Posted Nov 20th 2007 2:17AM by
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Invasion Of Privacy Or Smart Parenting?
In an upper-middle class suburb in the Midwest, Tom and Cindy are spying on their 16-year-old daughter Jane.
Its a frightening window on our daughters world, Cindy told CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg. And its the dark side.
What were the first things they came across?
The amount of drinking, Tom said. And the boasting about sexual activity.
They asked that CBS News conceal their identities, because their daughter doesnt know they are tapping into all her online communications.
They can read her e-mail, instant messages and Web page postings. Using one of many available software programs, they can do everything from capturing all the Web sites she surfs to seeing every keystroke she makes on her computer - grabbing her passwords - so they can log into her world.
They also get alerts for certain keywords, such as “beer, bitch, boob, cheat, smoke, steal, whore and so on,” Cindy explained.
Every time Jane writes or reads one of those words, Cindy gets an email and can see what shes up to.
Its a far cry from past generations, where parents knew what their kids were up to. The family telephone didnt offer much privacy.
These days, parents have good reason to worry. According a Pew survey, 55 percent of online teens have posted profiles, 79 percent of those include a photo, and 32 percent of online teens have been contacted by a stranger.
Click here for tips and resources on how to keep teens safe online.
Read more on Tech Talk: Parenting or Prying?
Visit GenTech, a special section on teens and technology.
We’re gonna have a big fire, food music and a crazy amount of drinking. That was one email Tom and Cindy saw - a party Jane was planning to attend.
You clearly know whats going to be happening at that kind of party, Tom said.
But then the dilemma - do they confront her with their knowledge and blow their cover?
Absolutely not. No way, I think parents have to do whatever it takes to keep kids safe on the Internet, said Gregory Smith, an author who wrote a book on the subject.
If they sense that parents are doing it, or if they know theyre doing it, they will adapt and they will change their behavior, Smith said.
In the end, Tom and Cindy told Jane they heard about the party from other parents and asked her not to go. She agreed - this time - a good thing, because the police came and broke it up.
So far, Tom and Cindy say Jane is suspicious, but still hasnt figured out exactly what theyre doing.
But this gives them at least a chance to head off the worst.
I absolutely think its a parents responsibility to protect their child in any way they can, Cindy said.
Some may call it prying. Others, good parenting.
Vodafone Germany obtains restraining order against T-Mobile iPhone sales
Vodafone Germany obtains restraining order against T-Mobile iPhone sales
Posted Nov 20th 2007 1:27AM by
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Halcyon game for “Terminator” adaptation (Reuters)
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "The Terminator" will be back on video game consoles.
The Halcyon Co., which owns the rights to the "Terminator" franchise, is forming its own gaming subsidiary and making a game adaptation of the company's upcoming film "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins" its first release. The game, which will be available on all formats, including next-generation consoles, PC and mobile, is expected to hit the marketplace at the same time as the film, which is slated for release in summer 2009. Halcyon co-CEOs Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson will become co-chairmen of the gaming division. Former Disney and Bellrock Media exec Peter Levin is heading up Halcyon Games as acting CEO. Cos Lazouras, most recently with Vin Diesel's game production house, Tigon Studios, is joining Levin as VP production. Levin said the privately financed Halcyon opted to form its own game division rather that outsource the "Terminator" license to an outside publisher in order "to control our own destiny." He added, "When you own the intellectual property and have the creative control, you can make sure you're publishing a top-tier video game that will satisfy the needs of the marketplace." Like a lot of blockbuster film franchises, "Terminator" has had its share of licensed games, most of which have done well in the marketplace. In May, Halcyon announced its acquisition of the franchise rights to "Terminator" from C2. Development of the "Terminator" game has been under way for several months, and a Halcyon representative has been on location with the film production crew in Budapest. "We don't want the game to be the stepchild to the film," Anderson said. "They're of equal importance, and we want both to be of the same quality and be the same compelling experience." "Terminator" will not be the only franchise in the Halcyon Games stable. Halcyon created a splash this year when it secured first-look rights to the works of famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. The Halcyon executives said they aim to bring out titles based on the Dick books beginning in 2010. Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Senators urge tougher rating for “Manhunt” game (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) - A bipartisan group of lawmakers including a Democratic presidential hopeful is calling on the makers of video games to review the industry's ratings system. ADVERTISEMENT
In letter to the Entertainment Software Rating Board, the lawmakers complained about its decision to give an "mature" rating Rockstar's "Manhunt 2" game. Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., Sam Brownback, R-Kan., Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said the game's violent content, which includes "many graphic torture scenes and murders," should have garnered an "adults only" rating. Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president, has long pressed for tougher ratings and has called for a unified ratings system for movies, games and TV shows. "We ask your consideration of whether it is time to review the robustness, reliability and repeatability of your ratings process, particularly for this genre of 'ultraviolent' video games and the advances in game controllers," the senators wrote. "We have consistently urged parents to pay attention to the ESRB rating system. We must ensure that parents can rely on the consistency and accuracy of those ratings." Rockstar also makes the controversial "Grand Theft Auto" series of games. Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Great HDTV Deals Beckon ‘Black Friday’ Shoppers (PC World)
Retailers plan plenty of bargains for holiday-shopping consumers on the day after Thanksgiving. And one of the hottest buys this year will be high-definition TVs. ADVERTISEMENT
If you're ready to forsake your trustworthy 10-year-old TV for a sleek new flat-panel model, this season is a great time to buy. DisplaySearch analyst Paul Gagnon, who handles North American TV research, says, "The drivers of a lot of the promotional activity and growth last year were flat panel TVs, and that will happen again. Last year, prices fell unexpectedly far. And this year, you'll see some good deals on Black Friday, too."
Get a Head Start
Already, many of the deals can be previewed on Web sites like and Black Friday 2007, which post leaked sales circulars in a searchable, Web-friendly format. Some of the deals to be had won't be known until a bit closer to the day after Thanksgiving, which is called Black Friday since sales can push retailers' annual revenue into profitability. The pricing trends and promotions will vary depending upon size. According to Gagnon, most of the best deals will be in the 40-inch plus screen sizes, for both LCD and plasma. "In the 42-inch class, LCD manufacturers have captured a lot of market share," he explains. "Demand for plasma is shifting to 50-inch and larger screen sizes, and there, the price points are very attractive, with greater price declines this year relative to other screen sizes." Forty-inch LCD panels that offer full 1920-by-1080p resolution are available in greater supply this year, at cheaper prices. These two factors combined account for why average selling prices of 40-inch LCD TVs are expected to fall by about 31 percent this quarter, according to DisplaySearch's estimates, as compared with the prices in 2006.
Nitty Gritty Bargain Details
Gagnon expects particularly sweet deals on larger plasma TVs. "We'll see the biggest discounts this holiday season from plasma. Plasma manufacturers have surplus capacity available to them," he says. Circuit City, for example, is advertising a for $999. For the fourth quarter of 2006, 50-inch plasmas showed a 38 percent decline in price; this quarter, Gagnon expects that decline to grow slightly, to 40 percent. As compared with last year, Gagnon says we'll see a larger price decline on 1080p models, simply because these models have greater margins available than do lower-resolution 1080i or 720p models. However, the 720p models are where the bargains are: Most every time you see a lead doorbuster item, it will be a 720p model, Gagnon concurs. Here's one of the best bargains I've spotted so far: Sears is selling for just $776.99 through November 21. Some other top deals that we've culled from ads: $900 for a, an "early bird" special at Best Buy; and $900 for Sylvania's LC420SS8, a 42-inch 1080p LCD TV that is an early markdown at Sears. Earlier this fall, there had been rumors among industry jockeys about a 42-inch 720p plasma TV for $600 by the holidays, but don't hold out for this deal: Nothing has surfaced on the Black Friday spoiler sites, and Gagnon says the research firm's own ferreting hasn't confirmed this, either.
Smaller Screens
Surprisingly, one area you'll see more attention this year: Smaller size displays. With the demand for CRT televisions–which are virtually absent from stores now–down dramatically, analysts say 15-inch, 19-inch, 26-inch, and will be pushed by retailers. The deals on these models won't be as good as last year, due to more limited LCD panel supplies and increasing panel prices. Best Buy will have the for $600; A Dynex (Best Buy's house brand) DX-LCD32 TV will be priced at $450 on an early bird deal. As helpful as the Black Friday ad sites may be, remember that some last-minute surprises may come your way. "A lot of those really precipitous price drops that happened last year happened last minute," recalls Gagnon. "They didn't even make it into circulars: The price drops happened in stores and on the Web."
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