I was walking down Fifth Ave. a few days ago, when a woman striding down the sidewalk behind me gave off such antagonistic vibes that I scurried out of her path. As she passed by, I thought <I>There's someone just waiting to explode</I>.

One of the most popular URLs I ever linked to was <A HREF="http://www.wesjones.com/shipbreakers.htm">"The Shipbreakers"</A>. Here's more, including pictures of many of the treasures that have been "liberated" from the ships.

A flash video from the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. Those cover girls don't really look like that, but we all know this, right? Still, a nicely done reminder.

Steve Silberman passes along this article and video on Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick. Put fragile documents away before you read this one&mdash;unless tear stains won't bother you.

If you didn't follow Paul Messenger's <I>2006 Hi-Fi News Show Report</I>&mdash;and really, you missed some fine reporting if you didn't&mdash;you may be unaware of the fact that <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/hifinews2006/092406apogee/">Apogee Acoustics</A> has been reborn in the Antipodes.

On July 1, 1986, Advanced Audio Systems opened for business. On Saturday, November 11, it's going to celebrate with what Curtis Havens calls "an open format seminar" at the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel (1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, WA 98402. Tel: (253) 572-3200).

As you read this, are you listening to your stereo? Whatever the music, what you're actually hearing is your public utility's AC as modulated by your power amplifier. No matter how good the gear, the final result can be only as pure as the power feeding your components. Unfortunately, plenty of sonic schmutz usually comes along for the ride.