Find Answers to the Hottest Questions About Ice Bucket

Christopher ClareyMARCH 7, 2005INZELL, Germany - It was freezing in this small Bavarian town, just below freezing actually, and yet Anni Friesinger was staring down from the side of a chalet wearing a sultry look and very little clothing. It was only a poster, an advertisement for sports underwear. The real Friesinger was just a short walk away Sunday, much more of her surface area covered in her snug-fitting racing suit as she powered around the 400-meter oval of ice on her way to her fourth medal and second gold medal of these world single-distance speed skating championships.They were, in a sense, her championships. Friesinger was raised in Inzell and, though she now lives just across the border in the postcard-ready Austrian city of Salzburg, her training base remains Inzell's quaint, historic stadium, one of a fast-shrinking number of outdoor venues in her increasingly indoor sport."Everybody calls this my living room," she said. "Nobody knows this ice rink as well as I - the turns, the ice quality. I'm used to the wind, the cold."Friesinger first skated here when she was four years old. "It was the most natural thing in the world," she said.It was natural because both of Friesinger's parents were competitive speed skaters. Her father, Georg, was good enough to race in the world junior championships for West Germany. Her mother, Jana Korowicka, raced in the 1976 Olympics for Poland, finishing 16th in the 3,000 meters.Anni was born less than a year after those Games, and after taking to the sport in a hurry, she would eventually improve greatly on her family's competitive record. The gold medal in the 3,000 on Sunday was her 12th at the world championship level.But neither that remarkable statistic nor her world record and gold medal in the 1,500 at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City fully explains why she is the most prominent female athlete in Germany at the moment.Speed skating is an unusual sport. With its bent-forward-at-the-waist technique; big arm swings; shining clap skates and hooded, big-thighed, tricontinental cast of Dutch, Germans, Norwegians, Americans, Canadians, Japanese and Chinese, it can be mistaken for nothing else.Yet sex still sells, and Friesinger has done her best to respect market forces: posing in the near-nude for a German magazine, exposing plenty more skin for her sponsors and publishing a provocative, romp-in-the-hay autobiography last year titled, "My Life, My Sport, My Best Fitness Tips.""She's beautiful; she's got the body for it, maybe if I looked like her, I'd be doing the same sort of thing," said American Jennifer Rodriguez, one of Friesinger's friendly rivals.Friesinger is not doing much that the tennis player Anna Kournikova has not done in larger, better-remunerated doses before her, but the extroverted, generally sunny Friesinger is a much more pleasant interlocutor. She also wins, although not quite as often as she would like. Coming into the Olympics in 2002, she expected to dominate on the fast ice of Salt Lake City, but she ended up with one medal - her gold in the 1,500 - while her teammate Claudia Pechstein won the 3,000 and 5,000 in world-record times.During that Olympic season, Friesinger's and Pechstein's frosty relationship became a national talking point. The blizzard in an ice bucket began when Friesinger questioned Pechstein's sincerity after Pechstein raced to a brilliant victory in the 5,000 at the European championships after complaining of illness. But the issue also played into lingering concerns about the state of east-west relations. Like Gunda Niemann, whose success helped raise the profile of speed skating here, Pechstein was raised in the former East Germany. She was 17 when the wall in her native Berlin came down.When Pechstein and Friesinger competed in the 3,000 in Salt Lake City, an estimated 15 million Germans were watching on television.There were only about 8,000 spectators in attendance for the 5,000 in Inzell on Sunday, as Friesinger ended up beating Pechstein, who settled for a silver medal, by 35/100ths of a second. The chill between the women appears to have thawed somewhat. 1 2 Next Page »We're interested in your feedback on this page. Tell us what you think.

Every week, Mark Oldman -- wine expert, acclaimed author and lead judge of the hit series The Winemakers -- shares with readers the basics of wine, while making it fun and practical. In the coming weeks, he'll tell you what to ask at a wine store, at what temperature to serve it and share his must-have wine tools. The serving temperature of wine is like weather conditions in a city: Small differences can vastly change your attitude about what's in front of you. The following guidelines will cast your wine in the most flattering light: White wine: It's no surprise that most of us like our whites -- along with our rosés and sparklers -- fully chilled. It's just more refreshing that way. At the same time, if you are drinking a special white -- say, an expensive California Chardonnay or French Pinot Gris -- in a setting where you really want to appreciate its subtleties, you might allow a cold white to warm up 15 minutes or so before serving. As eating a frozen Snickers bar demonstrates, coldness numbs our perception of flavor. A slightly warmer temperature, therefore, unleashes a fine white wine's aromas and flavors. Red wine: We don't drink reds as cold as whites because low temperatures can bring out the bitterness (i.e., tannins) present in many reds, especially in heftier types like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. That said, a bit of chilling -- five or so minutes in an ice bucket -- can focus a red's flavors and make it taste more refreshing. If the red is a lighter type such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, it can take even more of a chill -- a welcome opportunity in the swelter of a summer picnic or barbecue. Chilling wine is, of course, easiest in a refrigerator or ice bucket, the latter working even better when you add cold water to the ice, which fills the spaces between the cubes and instills a chill even faster. As for dropping ice into your wine, it is perfectly acceptable to do it for a few seconds with a simple, everyday glass of wine, as my video demonstrates. And what if you want to keep the ice in there? As wine collector and NFL legend Joe Montana once told me: "I'll sometimes throw an ice cube in wine, especially in the summer. I'm not afraid to do it. Follow your taste." How can you argue with "Joe Cool"?

Well, probably. Though possibly (and hopefully) not intentionally1. How does completing the ice bucket challenge help find a cure?The dumping of the cold water was just a practice to spread the actual act of donating. With an easy and cheap ritual as well as the aspect of spreading the challenge to friends and family, it became a modern fad and thus spurred the viral sensation that is the challenge itself. In one video describing the challenge however, the creators of the charity had said that they chose ice water because it simulated the stiffness of muscles that someone with ALS might experience through the course of their life.2. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: POLL: Against Ice Bucket Challenge? Why or why not?I do not mind raising money for something like that but i do not get how dumping water on your head is suppose to help with anything3. Coworker uses ice in bucket for her Starbucks drinks, but the ice belongs to the lab. And since I work in the lab, I had to get more ice.?Really, she orders iced drinks and they do not provide the ice? Lame trolling attempt.4. Why are people with incurable diseases other then ALS doing the ice bucket challenge?Last minute ditch to show how strong they really arent. Its a very tough thing to know youre going out and decide to go out like a champ5. ice bucket or hot bucket?if you have shin splints.do not use heat ice only. heat will make it worse.shin splints really suck but it doesnt sond like thats what you have.running is very hard on you feet.before you run during your warm up stretch your feet it will help6. Why should I take the ice bucket challenge when it contributes to Animal Testing, Torture and Murder?Godwin's law7. The first reported fatal accidents of ice bucket challenges are coming in, so my question is...?Kindly cite your source. I have seen no such reports8. Would you like to see the ISIS guys do the ice bucket challenge?Mmmmm extremely large bucket.......solid ice!9. How to do the ICE bucket challenge ? What things are required ?Bucket of Ice With Water, Video tape it, Call out 3 friends to do it also within 24hrs! OR donate $100,00 to ALS...OR Both10. Why is ice water used in the ice bucket challenge?Cold water make the body unactive for a second.. That's how people who has ALS feel their whole life, that's why bucket of ice ..11. Why is Hillary refusing to take the ice bucket challenge?She's already cold as ice12. How many jelly beans will fit in a tervis tumbler ice bucket?At least four, and quite possibly more than that13. How does the ALS ice bucket challenge raise money?Many people are sending in cash AND dumping the water. it's also raising awareness which equals more money being donated14. Is it wrong if I do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge without being nominated?No, 1/2 of the challenge is that you spread the word about the previously unheard of disease. If you start it among your circles, they might doante even if you can not and they will all know about ALS. Just do it, and good on you-just make sure that it is about ALS not just a laugh. Good Luck Kitty15. Am i the only one who is tired if everyone doing the ice bucket challenge?Excuse for 13 year girls in bikinis to dump water all over themselves Not into attention seeking16. What do religious people think about the ice bucket challenge?What does religion have to do with the ALS challenge? Also, since religious affiliates in the U.S. are a majority, you are probably not going to find a general consensus.17. What is your favorite ice bucket challenge that you have seen so far?The one where that guy got a bucket of ice water dumped on his head. IT WAS AMAZING!!!18. How is it that fracking "may hold the solution of water conservation," but the Ice Bucket Challenge is somehow a significant contributor to California's water crisis?Apples and oranges. One article you cite talks about a technology to recycle wastewater (i.e., bring water used back into circulation) and the other talks about actively wasting water on a viral publicity stunt. The amounts are not comparable, sure, but then again neither are the articles' contents. Both articles use sensationalistic headlines to grab clicks, but it's clear that each one is talking about very different things. Since you best articulated your reasoning for this question in a comment to the other answers below, I am just going to quote it here:nThe point of my question is about how we make sense of the two culturally current ideas represented by these articles. How is it that the water waste of the Ice Bucket Challenge is taken seriously, while also the notion that fracking is a form of water conservation is also taken seriously? Do these two culturally current ideas harmonize for you? If so, how?nFirst, "fracking is a form of water conservation" is a gross misrepresentation of what that article is talking about. At best, it's talks about a possible way to make hydraulic fracturing water-neutral rather than actively withdraw water. That might put a couple tens of millions of gallons back into the supply through conservation. This is not a difficult concept to get across, and it is emphatically not cultural. I suspect your real question is that you are wondering why we as a society can produce headlines bemoaning wasting water on the ALS ice bucket challenge while condoning the use of hydraulic fracturing. It's probably because hydraulic fracturing produces something at least marginally useful and thus receives a certain level of tolerance while the ice bucket challenge dumps expensive, potable water and ice produced largely from fossil energy onto the street as an arguably frivolous publicity stunt.How is it that fracking "may hold the solution of water conservation," but the Ice Bucket Challenge is somehow a significant contributor to California's water crisis?.

In 2010, it was hard to even approach technology with any kind of problem or question without being met by the Apple trademark slogan: "There's an app for that!" I found myself parroting it back to friends for the humor factor - "Can't remember if you called your mom today? - (Everyone join in!) - There's an app for that!" But anyone who knows me will tell you - I'm not a subscriber to technology's apparent universal wisdom in solving all of life's problems. In fact, four years later, I find myself parroting that familiar cadence with a new replacement:There's a book for that.Having a hard time adjusting to life in a new country, or finding where you belong? There's a book for that. (I would recommend: The Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit). Unsure about the future, or your life's work, or really everything in general for that matter? There's a book for that. (Definitely pick up Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance by Jonathan Fields). Even - bear with me - searching for meaning in this seemingly ridiculous viral trend of throwing a bucket of ice water over your head in order to raise awareness for ALS?There most certainly is a book for that.Time Magazine, The Huffington Post, and NBC are only three of the major networks engaging in a current debate to answer the question: how does dumping ice water help to cure a debilitating disease? (By the way, my favorite subtitle: "Ice Bucket Challenge Brings Flood of Donations." What can I say? I'm a sucker for puns). Does taking a video of your flinching face, posting it to Facebook, and challenging friends benefit ALS awareness in the long run? Probably so, judging by all the current statistics of money raised, visits to the ALS Association website, and also likely to Google or Wikipedia. There is a conversation happening, and that fact cannot be denied. The heartier debate is whether or not the simple act of social media circulation really bolsters causes towards a solution. Or, conversely, whether we are all just made to feel better, more "involved" in the current trending discussion or debate, assuaging our sense of participation, duty, or accountability without actually taking action. But I digress. That's just one discussion. For the other part of this video - the momentary meeting with a bucket of ice water - there's a book for that. In 2011, Julien Smith wrote a book called "The Flinch". It's short, sweet, and free on Kindle. But just because it's short, that doesn't mean it's easy. And just because it's free, that doesn't mean it's not valuable.What is "the flinch?""The X is the flinch. The flinch is the moment when every doubt you've ever had comes back and hits you, hard. It's when your whole body feels tense. It's an instinct that tells you to run. It's a moment of tension that happens in the body and the brain, and it stops everything cold."Julien circulates this book for free online purely because of the weight behind its content. The flinch is a problem that too many of us face, without facing up to it at all. And this kind of problem - this shrinking back, this maintaining the status quo, this fear of change - is exactly the problem that perpetuates apathy. Fake involvement. The desire to reach out and affect something, but the inability to take the step. In essence, exactly what this ALS donation versus social media is about."If the flinch works, you can't do the work that matters because the fear it creates is too strong."In "The Flinch," Julien has created a practical workbook, short enough that you may actually finish it, but dense enough to be packed with real challenges. When I read it, I had to fight the urge to flip forward past a "homework assignment" I didn't like - I wanted to keep reading, yes. But my mind was also glossing over the work of having to do A Real Thing - an action that I could really perform, a step I could take right now to start affecting a change. Where does change first happen? Within the self. The person who finds a cure for ALS will have to believe that it's possible for them to do it. And a small - although not insignificant step towards this - is the urge to walk forward and face your own flinch. To know that action is important, even if your instinct is to pull back. To push on through the reflex, towards a better result with more resolve.Yes, this #icebucketchallenge is a summer-month flinch, a wearing-your-bikini-while-filming-flinch. But after watching ten of my friends drench themselves, it was easy to recognize the moment when the body pulls back, wants to abort. And then decides to push on through anyway. In fact, the first homework assignment in "The Flinch": take a two-minute cold shower, everyday for a week. Meet your flinch. Get to know what that feels like in your body."This is a book about being a champion, and what it takes to get there. It's about decisions, and how to know when you're making the right ones. It's also about you: the current, present you; the potential, future you; and the one, single difference between them. It's about an instinct - the flinch - and why mastering it is vital."There's a book for that.·RELATED QUESTIONWhat is the cost of a CNC machine?CNC router machinehas a very high cost, high production efficiency, saving the cost of processing, attracted a lot of business. Many CNC router buyers often received uneven offer from CNC router manufacturers and sellers in the purchase of the CNC router Machine, in this case, many buyers tend to fall into the trap of CNC router price, while ignoring the CNC router quality. So, how to choose the right CNC router? and what factors affect the CNC router price?STYLECNC will introduce the factors affecting the CNC router prices as following:1.the brand: with a product, if the product brand is different, the price is not the same, I believe we all know this truth. of course, big brands of CNC router price will be higher, relative to the after-sales service will better.2. the cost of materials: different CNC woodworking routerproduction materials are different, and the gap is great. The CNC router prices with good accessories and materials will be relatively high.3. R & D and technical inputs.CNC wood machineis a high-tech CNC equipment. In order to ensure the leading product technology and product quality, well-known brands of CNC router manufacturers have a large number of scientific research costs. In the assembly of the staff, these CNC router manufacturers will hire experienced engineers. 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All the news you need to know.The home has been covered in 14,000 post its.Source:SuppliedGOOD morning, and welcome to our morning news coverage. We will be bringing you the best of what's happening this morning, so you can get across the news quickly.TODAY: Unit block evacuated in Sydney War Machine police report released Mega-gator caught in river Facebook to launch new 'satirical' tag Obama launches independent investigation into Ferguson killing Clive Palmer launches tirade on live television Couple returns home to find house covered in Post-its 10:00That's it for our live #RUSHHOUR news blog. You can get across the stories you need to know today below or go to news.com.au for the latest headlines. 9:50Police talk to residents after chemicals were found in a home in Pullenvale.Source:News Corp AustraliaMore than 50 kilograms of explosives similar to those used in the London bombings and maps identifying possible targets were found in a Brisbane home where police carried out controlled explosions last week.It also contained crudely drawn maps that appeared to show targets in Sydney and Newcastle, the Courier Mail reports.Queensland police would not confirm details of the find but are due to release more information about the case today.The rental home was the scene of controlled explosions last week after a real estate agent found chemicals in a shed. The man who rented the property is now in custody after being arrested last month on unrelated charges in Newcastle, The Courier Mail reports. Read more on this story at The Courier Mail. 9:27Islamic Council leaders in Victoria have pulled out of talks with the Prime Minister.Source:News Corp AustraliaThe Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) has pulled out of talks to discuss counterterrorism laws with Tony Abbott and is encouraging others to follow suit.The ICV issued a statement ahead of planned talks due to go ahead today.The group said it had been given "extremely short notice" and little information about the meeting, and it appeared the Prime Minister was trying to "tick the box" on consultation before pushing through legal changes, AAP reports.ICV secretary Ghaith Krayem said: "What we look for from our Prime Minister is true leadership in difficult times but what we find ... is a Prime Minister who wilfully places our community in the crosshairs of every bigot and racist in the country," after Mr Abbott said everyone in the country needs to be on "team Australia"."When we are trying to build harmony and goodwill across the community we cannot understand the motives behind the Prime Minister's inflammatory remarks," Mr Krayem said.The proposed law changes include requiring documentation for anyone visiting certain destinations and cutting welfare paymentsf for those who have fought for extremist organisations. - With AAP 9:04Dramatic pictures have emerged of ground collapsing at a building site in Sydney's northern beaches after heavy rain soaked the city.Fire and Rescue New South Wales confirmed crews are on scene and will monitor the site for any movement.A neighbouring unit block has been evacuated."There has been some structural collapse to a driveway adjacent to a unit building. The building is not at risk of collapse however crews are monitoring," a Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said.The collapse is a result of "significant rainfall" in the are for the last 24 hours so continued showers are proving challenging, the spokesman said. Engineers are on scene. Read more on this story at The Daily Telegraph 8:51Arnotts has announced plans to lay off 120 staff from its South Australian factory.Source:News LimitedIn business news today electronics retailer Dick Smith announced a $19.8 million net profit in its first result as a listed company.Shareholders will be paid eight cents per share after the sales were ahead of forecasts given when the company listed on the share market in December.Meanwhile, Arnotts has announced plans to make 120 staff redundant as they move 30 per cent of their biscuit production from the Marleston Bakery in South Australia to other sites across the country.The company said it has spend $150 million creating 'super sites' in Sydney and Melbourne. 8:20We all love Game of Thrones, but these fans have taken things to the next level.More than 110 fans of the HBO show have opted to ink themselves as part of an HBO promotion outside Comic Con last month.They could choose one of 12 options including the slogans "Valar morghulus" or "Valar dohaeris" or the sigil of each of the main houses, Mashable reports. Check out the results below.@GameOfThrones @LHBLKstudio Hand of the King tattoo done at the #SurviveTheRealm experience brought to you by HBO! pic.twitter.com/9GT8BZ4sJICelebrating the beginning of the 4th season with a brand new tattoo @HBO @GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/shPr2LzyIs See some more examples at Mashable 8:08Charlie Sheen has a different take on the ice bucket challenge.Source:SuppliedYou've seen Bill Gates, Oprah and Mark Zuckerberg do it. Now Charlie Sheen is on board with his own unique take on the ice bucket challenge.The craze sweeping social media is designed to raise funds for myotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. Once tagged in a post, people have to tag three more friends which is why the video has spread like wildfire around your Facebook feed. MORE: What is the ice bucket challenge and why is everyone doing it?But far from tipping a bucket of ice on himself, Charlie Sheen has done it with cold hard cash.He said he would donate the $10,000 to a charity to fight the disease and challenged Two and a Half Men crew Chuck Lorre, Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer to do the same.Arrogant or charitable? You be the judge. Watch the full video at TMZ 7:45MMA fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver, aka War Machine.Source:Getty ImagesYou may have heard by now about allegations against MMA fighter Jon Koppenhaver, aka War Machine, who is accused of violently beating his ex-girlfriend/pornstar Christy Mack.A copy of the police report has now been made public, including details about the incident which has made headlines the world over. MORE: War Machine's prison blog MORE: Christy Mack's account of the attackChristy Mack suffered a ruptured liver and 18 broken ones in the assault.War Machine surrendered to police and is now in custody. 7:27Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon. Scott Morrison. Pic: Hollie AdamsSource:News Corp AustraliaThe government has confirmed hundreds of children and their families will be released from detention centres on bridging visas.Children under aged 10 and their families will be moved into the community while their applications for refugee status are processed under newly approved bridging visa arrangements.The rules apply to children who arrived before July 19 last year and the program is expected to save the government $50 million. 7:01The alligator weighs 459 kilograms. Pic: AP.Source:APA 'mega gator' has been caught in the US, weighing a record 459 kilograms and measuring 4.5 metres long.An Alabama family "struggled for hours" against the gator which is said to be the largest legally hunted alligator in the state.John and Mandy Stokes, their two children and brother in law said it was the first time they had requested a permit to hunt alligators.The alligator was caught in the Alabama River by Mandy Stokes at right, along with her husband John Stokes, at her right, and her brother-in-law Kevin Jenkins, left, and his two teenage children, Savannah Jenkins, 16, and Parker Jenkins, 14, all of Thomaston, Alabma.Source:AP"Right now the fairest way for me to say it is that we'll apply (for a permit) again," Mandy Stokes told the AL website."But I can assure you, I have no desire to hook into anything like this again. I truly don't," she added.The alligator broke the hoist used to measure it and was measured at a check in station at Roland Cooper State Park where it was caught. - With AP. The alligator was 4.5 metres long.Source:AP 6:39President Barack Obama has returned from holiday to give a press conference on Iraq and Ferguson. Pic: AP.Source:APThe US Justice Department will open an independent investigation into the death of Michael Brown, after national guard troops have been deployed in Ferguson, Missouri.President Obama announced the news at a press conference this morning, saying it's clear the majority of people are peacefully protesting.However those that are looting or carrying guns are undermining rather than advancing justice."The Department of Justice has opened an independent, federal civil rights investigation into the death of Michael Brown." -President Obama"In too many communities around this country, young men of color are left behind and seen as objects of fear." -President Obama #FergusonHe also addressed the situation in Iraq, saying US forces took a major step towards recapturing Mosul dam in Northern Iraq."We will continue to pursue a long-term strategy to turn the tide against ISIL by supporting the new Iraqi government and working with key partners in the region," Obama saidObama: "Today-with our support-Iraqi forces took a major step forward in their operations to recapture the largest dam in Iraq.""American air strikes have stopped the ISIL advance around the city of Erbil, and pushed back the terrorists." -President Obama #Iraq 6:26 Facebook is testing ways to let members know when it is satirical. Pic: AFP.Source:AFPIf you've ever fallen victim to a prank on your news feed before, don't worry you're not alone.Facebook is testing new ways to let gullible users know what is real and what is 'satirical', with a tag that will add the word to tongue in cheek posts."This is because we received feedback that people wanted a clearer way to distinguish satirical articles from others in these units," a Facebook spokesman told AFP.The website literallyunbelievable.org lists a range of responses to satirical stories that seem to be serious. 6:11Clive Palmer has shocked viewers with an extraordinary rant on live television.Source:News Corp AustraliaClive Palmer has launched into an extraordinary rant against China on live television, describing the Chinese government as "mongrels" who shoot their own people.The Queenland MP accused the "communist Chinese government" of trying to take over Australia's ports to steal the nation's natural resources."I don't mind standing up against the Chinese bastards and stopping them from doing it," he said.The Palmer United Party leader is currently in a legal battle against a Chinese state-owned company which has accused him of siphoning off $12 million in funds. Mr Palmer denies his company misused funds to finance his political party's election campaign.China is Australia's largest trading partner, with two-way trade hitting nearly $151 billion in 2013. - With AAP For more on this story and reaction, click here. 6:00A newlywed couple has returned home to a surprise redecoration - their friends had covered their entire house in post it notes.Jamie and Emily Pharro returned from Lake Garda in Italy to find the home covered in 14,000 of the sticky yellow notes covering everything from the walls to couch and kitchen cupboards of their three bedroom home. Even the washing machine and inside kitchen cupboards were covered.The redecorating was the handiwork of four friends who spent eight hours at the home and set up a camera to film the reaction. Emily told The Mirror the couple suspected a prank after friends had stuffed their lounce full of balloons after their wedding last year. Read more at the Mirror

The Christmas party that unfolds in the Kansas City Ballet's "Nutcracker" is quite sweet, but it's the after-party - a.k.a. the battle scene - that really kicks things up a notch. That's when the Mouse King rolls onstage astride a giant sardine can, like a furry, humpbacked Napoleon. His minions go to war armed with spoons, fountain pens and cheese balls.And then, because this is a particularly satisfying fantasy, it's all cleaned up. Every crumb! By the time the cannon fire clears, the victorious toy soldiers have compelled the surviving rodents, at sword-point, to sweep the stage.This handsome production, which opened Wednesday night at the Kennedy Center Opera House and continues through Sunday, positively oozes charm. A prologue introduces us to the toymaker Dr. Drosselmeier, struggling to gift-wrap his misbehaving dolls. Reindeer prance through the Kingdom of the Snow in white bootees and pert satin skirts. A hot-air balloon wafts young Clara, our heroine with the overactive dream life, from scene to scene.Drosselmeier, however, needs no clever conveyance. At one point he simply flies away, zooming above the stage, his black cape billowing.This little-traveled company from the Midwest is an unusual choice for the Kennedy Center's annual "Nutcracker" run, but it's easy to see why it won over the programmers. Artistic Director Devon Carney's version of the holiday ballet, created just two years ago, is especially lovely with its bright, fresh decor. The eye stays busy taking in the storybook sets and props by French painter Alain Vaes and carefully designed Victorian costumes by the veteran Holly Hynes.Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau conducted the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra in the Tchaikovsky score.With 36 company members and apprentices, this troupe is smaller than the typical Opera House guest, and at times during the second-act divertissements, the stage looked a bit bare. Its second company, KCB II, plus trainees and local dance students, helped fill out the production.This is a solidly traditional account of the familiar story, with a formal Christmas Eve gathering leading into a child's reverie of sweets and playthings. There is no complicated psychology in play here. Carney's choreography is clear and elegant, tending toward restraint and classical purity. The exquisite snow scene was a major showpiece. You couldn't ask for a more transporting winter storm, amid frost-coated trees in bluish light, with the snowflakes in silvery-blue gowns and icicle crowns whirling in ever-shifting patterns. It is all light, swift and magical.Among the many standout performers, Maggie Crist as Clara deserves special mention. Crist is an enchanting actor and dancer, and I felt quite a pang at her moment of shock when the lively Alexander Santiago, as Clara's brother Fritz, tore her Nutcracker doll's head off.The hardest-working performers of all were the members of the second company and its trainees. A close read of the program revealed that some of the ladies in those ranks were not merely double- or triple-cast but danced four roles: parents in the party scene (and the moms wear pointe shoes here, which isn't the norm, making their party exertions that much more difficult), plus snowflakes, French shepherds and flowers. I imagine them staggering to the ice bucket after the bows, though really there should be champagne in that bucket, and toasts delivered in honor of these true heroes of the holiday launch. The Nutcracker by the Kansas City Ballet, at the Kennedy Center Opera House. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. through Sunday. $59-$175. 202-467-4600 or kennedy-center.org.

Update (Saturday, August 30): With controversy swirling, the ALS Association announced that it would withdraw its applications to trademark the phrases "ice bucket challenge" and "ALS ice bucket challenge." The group posted a note to Facebook on Friday explaining its decision:The charity also announced on Friday that it's taken in more than $100 million in donations in the past month, which the organization largely credits to the challenge.Original Post (Thursday, August 28):The ALS Association has raked in more than $94 million in donationsfrom the ice bucket challenge in just under a month. Now, the organization is asking for something else: Trademarks to the phrases "ice bucket challenge" and "ALS ice bucket challenge."One trademark attorney calls the effort "shameful."Two trademark applications, filed last week, claim that the ALS Association owns the phrases for the purposes of charitable giving. Both applications are available for public viewing on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site, here and here.Trademark attorney Erik Pelton spotted the applications Wednesday. "I was upset," he told The Post. "Similar to the reaction I had last year when I saw the applicationsfor 'Boston Strong.' "The latter phrase was a popular rallying cry in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.While Pelton believes that the "ice bucket challenge" trademark applications will probably be rejected, the applications themselves were enough for the Virginia-based attorney to draw attention to them on his blog. "The reasons in general one seeks to protect a trademark is to prevent others from using it," Pelton said in an interview Thursday. "Ifind this to be shameful, because I hope that they would never consider ... preventing some other charity from using the phrase."In his blog post about the application, Peltonwritesthat he's "not sure they can claim real ownership" of the phrases in question, pointing out that "many others have taken the challenge in the name of (and/or contributed to) other charities."In the interview, he added: "It's been great to raise awareness and money."If the applications are approved, Pelton said the charity could use the registration to try and take other groups to court who use it withoutitspermission; to take control of social media accounts using the phrases "ice bucket challenge" or "ALS ice bucket challenge"; and to "potentially stop other charities from using it."In an e-mailed statement to The Post, the ALS Associationdefended itstrademark applications, noting that the charityonly applied "afterseeing many examples of unscrupulous profiteers trying to drive revenue to themselves, instead of the fight against ALS."The Post recently took a look at some of the "ice bucket challenge" commodities on the market, including a Halloween costume, several T-shirts and a pin. Profits from those products don't necessarily go to towards ALS research, or to any other charity.Other critics of the trademark applications notedthat the ice bucket challenge did not originate with the ALS Association, although its exact origins are somewhat in dispute. The challenge has been used to raise money for other charities and causes, including funding for a hospice in Florida.In its statement, the ALS Associationadded that it "secured the blessing of the families who initiated the challenge" before filing the trademark applications.The ALS Association isn't the only charity challengers have donated to in recent weeks: As Mashablereported, when the challenge caught on in early June, on Facebook, it wasn't specifically about ALS. That particular association began inJuly.On its application, the ALS Association says the first use of both phrases was "at least as early as" Aug. 4.Although we'll have to wait for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to rule on the applications, there might be a clue in how the federal office handled all those"Boston Strong" trademark filings. Earlier this year, the USPTO rejected several applications for the phrase, including one from the makers of Sam Adams beer.Here'sthe full statement from the ALSA:RELATED READING:Ice bucket challenge participants keep getting hurt[This post has been updated.]

Dear Heloise: I'm big on saving money, and lowering my air-conditioner bill is a great way to do it. Here are some hints I use, even in the heat of summer:● Comfort is key, but I've gotten accustomed to a room temperature of 78 to 80 degrees.● I keep my outdoor unit free of grass and bushes.● Ceiling fans often are all that I need to cool off, especially at night.● Closing blinds and window treatments, I've discovered, keeps the house cooler.● I replace and clean the AC filters regularly.● I don't have a room AC unit, but it's best to keep these out of direct sun.● I close the doors and vents to rooms I don't use, so they don't get cooled.● I turn up the AC when I'm away from home.My unit is fairly new, but if you have an older model, it's probably not as energy-efficient as it could be. I'd consider an upgrade.Mike C. in Arizona Mike C. in Arizona: Great hints! Use some of the dollars saved to have an ice-cream treat or cool glass of iced tea! Dear Readers: Jeri and Bill M., via email, sent a picture of their adorable papillon and corgi mix, Henry the IX (ninth). They got him "used" from a rescue group - he is their ninth pet, and he turned 11 years old on July 1! He always tilts his head when his name is called. He loves kids, car rides and sailboat trips!To see Henry the IX and our other Pet Pals, visit Heloise.com and click on "Pet of the Week." Do you have a funny, furry and fabulous friend? Send a picture with all the details to: . Dear Heloise: I bought an ice bucket with a good-fitting lid from the thrift store and lined it with a plastic produce bag. I put the waste from my cat's litter pan in it and change the bag once a week on trash day. The insulated bucket completely contains all the odor. Works great!Vicki L., Mansfield, Ohio Dear Heloise: My complaint is that many stores have their cart return far away from the accessible spots. I'm not disabled, but my wife is.Gary H. in Maine Dear Heloise: An old golf bag can be used in the garage to store mops and brooms, etc. It holds a lot and doesn't take up a lot of space.Elaine H., Port Charlotte, Fla. Dear Heloise: Why all the stubble? Every man can be cleanshaven. Just shave twice - once going down, and once going up!Phil in Arcadia, Calif. Heloise's column appears six days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, or email it to . 2017, King Features Syndicate

RONDA ROUSEY'S move to WWE started with the ice bucket challenge and involved the company secretly smuggling her from Colombia to the Royal Rumble.The legendary former UFC bantamweight champion, 30, shocked the world as she made a surprise appearance at the wrestling pay-per-view on Sunday.And it emerged after her staredown with Charlotte, Asuka and Alexa Bliss at the end of the women's Rumble match that she has signed a full-time deal with WWE.Hunter Hearst-Helmsley (real name Paul Levasque, WWE EVP of Talent, Live Events and Creative, has now revealed the full story of how the wrestling giants persuaded one of the planet's biggest sport stars to swap the octagon for the wrestling ring.Speaking to USA Today, Triple H explained:"I had heard about her being a big fan. There were a few things we sort of inadvertently connected with each other on without actually meeting."She came and did the Ice Bucket Challenge with Steph [McMahon] when we were in LA, and even then she kind of floated it out how much she loved [WWE]."And just her knowledge of what we do was so deep. She would mention at the time 'oh I'd love to do this. When I get done, this is what I want to do.' She would always say that, 'this is what I want to do,' you know, but you hear that a lot. But over the years it slowly morphed into things. She didthe stuff with us at 'Mania, and we've just had conversations over and over."And then this year it really escalated. We had not been in contact other than a little text here and there... She called to ask about coming to the Performance Center, if she could come in there and be with a few of her friends for a Bachelorette party."And we had a discussion about it, and during that discussion, boy, it really started to come up that this is something she was not just throwing out there or suggesting - it was something that she really wanted to do."It's something that she's really wanted to do the whole time. She was dead serious every time she mentioned it to me. On our end, you hear that a lot, it's usually just people saying something. She was dead serious the whole time." He continued: "It's funny, there wasn't pressure on the timing of this at all of necessarily the Rumble part. It really just came together. There wasn't a lot of back-and-forth or like intense negotiations. It kept coming up in the media, and to be honest we had had conversations but we just hadn't - between her schedule and my schedule - we just hadn't sat down and said 'what do we want to do here?' "And she's been training this whole time, specifically for WWE. She's been training intensely this whole time, and I knew that and I knew what her intent was, but we had yet to sit down and have that deep conversation about it. Once we did, the timing just worked out. Once we did, it went extremely quick from there."She was sending me bits and pieces of training footage along the way, so I knew she was serious. It was just a matter of getting time to sit and talk. Once we did it was really quick, and it was a thing like 'hey, I'm ready to go now if you want me to do something right away.' So that changed our thinking, and we went from there." Speculation has been rife for months that Rousey was considering an offer to join WWE and with WrestleMania season now in full swing, rumours of a debut at the Rumble sufficed.But Rousey has been in South America filming her latest movie and shared a post on Instagram of her in Colombia less than 24 hours prior to her bow in WWE.And Triple H revealed the operation put in place to ensure that only a selected handful of people knew of the plan for the MMA queen to be in attendance at the Rumble.He added: "As it was coming down to making the decision we wanted to do this, there were a lot of last-minute things. She was in Colombia doing the movie. Trying to get somebody on a flight that is as famous as Ronda is, and as visible as she is - and internationally she's almost bigger than she is in he U.S. - on a flight, into the country, through customs, clear security, on another flight to Philly, shuttle to a hotel, into the service entry, brought to a bus, hidden in the arena the whole day, and not until right before she walks out there does anybody see her."It was a monumental task, it took a large team. But it's all for trying to create a moment for our fans, and trying to create a moment for the world where you just have... while people expect it, they don't know. And it's so difficult now because the second somebody is seen somewhere, social media is all over it. The world cannot wait to be the person to say 'I was the one who saw her,' or 'I broke this.' "So when you're able to pull off something that's a big surprise like that, it's great. Trust me, we all kept it very, very quiet on all fronts. Very few people knew... there was only a handful at best that knew."

Over the weekend, the Ice Bucket Challenge made its way through the Brewers Clubhouse, starting with Ryan Braun on Saturday and culminating with Kyle Lohse, Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez on Sunday.Designed to help raise money and awareness for ALS, the Ice Bucket Challenge is quite simple: Fill up a bucket of ice water, as cold as you can get. Have someone record a video while you dump the bucket over your head. Then share on social media, issuing the challenge to three friends.Yesterday, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (via Jonathan Lucroy);PGA golfer Jason Dufner (via Kyle Lohse, likely as payback for the Stadium Shootout Golf Challenge); and FOX Sports Wisconsin's Sophia Minnaert (via Carlos Gomez) were tapped for the challenge and so far, two of the three complied.Aaron Rodgers:Sophia Minnaert:No word yet from Jason Dufner, but we'll give him an extension on the 24-hour window commonly given for the challenge, as the golfer was forced to withdraw from the 2014 PGA Championship after nine holes on Thursday due to bulging discs in his neck.Thanks to each of these Ice Bucket Challenge participants for being such good sports and helping to raise awareness and funds for ALS. To learn more about how you can help, click ·RELATED QUESTIONWhat is the cost of a CNC machine?CNC router machinehas a very high cost, high production efficiency, saving the cost of processing, attracted a lot of business. Many CNC router buyers often received uneven offer from CNC router manufacturers and sellers in the purchase of the CNC router Machine, in this case, many buyers tend to fall into the trap of CNC router price, while ignoring the CNC router quality. So, how to choose the right CNC router? and what factors affect the CNC router price?STYLECNC will introduce the factors affecting the CNC router prices as following:1.the brand: with a product, if the product brand is different, the price is not the same, I believe we all know this truth. of course, big brands of CNC router price will be higher, relative to the after-sales service will better.2. the cost of materials: different CNC woodworking routerproduction materials are different, and the gap is great. The CNC router prices with good accessories and materials will be relatively high.3. R & D and technical inputs.CNC wood machineis a high-tech CNC equipment. In order to ensure the leading product technology and product quality, well-known brands of CNC router manufacturers have a large number of scientific research costs. In the assembly of the staff, these CNC router manufacturers will hire experienced engineers. These two aspects of investment, is an important guarantee of CNC router quality. Of course, the corresponding increase in product costs.4.parts and raw materials.Good CNC router raw materials and accessories procurement are regular manufacturers of quality products, quality and after-sale service guarantee. As we all know, good quality products, prices are higher than the average product price, because in raw materials and accessories, the cost is relatively higher, the price will be higher.5.suppliers and agents.Factory direct sales and sales agents are also there is a certain price gap, factory direct sales will be cheaper than the agents, but agents cheaper than manufacturers, these are uncertain factors.5.after-sales service investment.In order to ensure every purchase of CNC router buyers, timely after-sales service, regular CNC router manufacturers usually equipped with a number of proficient in CNC router operation and technical service personnel, after receiving the customer calls, a strong after-sales service team can ensure timely provide technical support and maintenance services, to ensure the smooth progress of the customer production and processing.Above is the six factors affecting the CNC router prices, so STYLECNCbelieves that in the purchase of a CNC router machine, not only focus on the CNC router price and CNC router quality, but also focus on the CNC router service life, machining efficiency, accuracy and after-sales service to make a choice, to choose a suitable CNC router for their products processing.