Now 21, Chris Murarik is leading six Alaskan Huskies on slick snow, competing against some of the best dog sled racers in the nation.

Last week, he finished fourth at the New York Championship Race in Inlet, N.Y., after taking first place at the Tug Hill Challenge in Lorraine, N.Y. two weeks ago.

"It's a thrill and a challenge in one," he said. "Every race is a new adventure with different twists and turns, out on fresh snow, out by yourself. You feel free."

Murarik is a sprint racer, where dogs run at 20 mph for about six miles, compared to distance racers such as those in the Iditarod race taking place this week in Alaska, where those mushers travel an average of 6 mph along more than 1,150 miles.

"The dogs have to trust you," Murarik said. "You have to get them working as one, and you're only as fast as your weakest dog.

Investigate the farm owners

We already pay for fire protection, why should the businesses have to pay again? The city of Oceanside, Carlsbad and San Marcos provide fire inspecting no charge. My fire inspection cost me, like most other businesses, $30. Restaurants paid $150 and more. Multiply that by every business in Vista. Talk about a stimulus plan.You don't think city government is trying to bail us out of this financial mess they've gotten us into? As for me, I don't intend to pay it. I hope the rest of the Vista business owners feel and do the same. Keep in mind we already pay for the service, fire protection.Robert MartinezVistaCoverage astoundsThe North County Times' coverage of Oceanside government continues to astound ("Oceanside facing $2M budget gap," Feb. 10). You quoted Mr. Kern regarding a possible budget shortage, as saying, "If you're the pot hole guy, we may not have the money to fill every pot hole." Wow.

E-Marketers Getting Crafty in Spam-Flooded World

It offers businesses the chance to use video e-mail, among other tools, to market themselves. "E-mails are commonplace, often ignored and in many cases dreaded." In contrast, she said, video e-mail is "one way to almost assure a message will be seen and heard."

All Guardian Stories

In praise of... rime frost Corrections and clarifications Country diary: Tamar Valley Nick Hardwick: The criticisms of the IPCC's investigations stem from the caseload we inherited Letter: Saviour of the left Letters: Cutting the odds on problem gambling Letters: Political abuses are part of the system Letters: Give us resources to cut prison numbers Letters: Local solution to global food crisis Letters: Divorce vows Obituary: Larry Norman Philip Whiteman Obituary: Sunny Lowry Obituary: Gen Dan Shomron Obituary: Robin Moore Madam, 12 Bar, London Eels, Royal Festival Hall, London LSO/Temirkanov, Barbican, London Theatre review: The Vortex / Apollo, London Stephanie Dosen, Bush Hall, London Guardian Weekly podcast: Turkish incursion into Iraq SportWebfeed Football: Thaksin's Thai return could bring City a crock of gold Football: Scudamore forced to climb down over Game 39 Football: Foster set for comeback as Capello seeks to solve goalkeeping riddle Rugby league: Bailey out of Bradford game for dangerous throw Digger: Absent fans' needs ignored Football: Hicks hits out at suggestions he will sell Liverpool David Hytner: Grant struggling to cope with Chelsea's surplus of riches Football: Troubled times at Stamford Bridge Football: Tottenham turn down cup parade Football: Speed in a slower lane but roaring towards his forties Football: O'Neill gives listless Petrov time off to rediscover form Louise Taylor: Middlesbrough wait to get money's worth from overweight and overhyped Alves Football: Anger at Aliadière ban Football: Litmanen back in training after heart scare Football: Smith sets sights beyond pursuit of a perfect 10 Football: Groin operation threatens early end to Given's season Championship: Preston North End 2-0 Stoke City Tennis: Robbery haunts Chakvetadze Tennis: French seeking court ban on online betting David Conn: Triesman gives backbone to FA after decade of subservience Six Nations: Lions can wait as Jones focuses on grand slam Boxing: Haye warned that long night will favour Maccarinelli Six Nations: Haskell should be fit to face Scots Athletics: Williamson joins Chambers in world indoor squad Rugby union: Justin Harrison fills gap in Bath's scrum Mike Selvey: Shah caught out in Strauss slipstream Cricket: Gloucestershire turn to Jack Russell as they await return of top dog Bracewell Cricket: Vaughan backs Sidebottom to be fit for Test Cycling: Millar calls for peace as rift threatens Tour Rugby league: Leeds seek win and respect from Australia Horse racing: Johnson hopes bad straw is last of his problems Horse racing: Ron Cox's tip of the day Horse racing: Good to soft on the cards for Cheltenham Simon Hattenstone: Spurs spring cultural revolution on the gang of four G2Webfeed Just because they swim, doesn't mean they're dim Eduardo's leg: the only story in Croatia The question: What happens when there are no first-time buyers? Marcel Berlins: One restaurant has given in to intimidation and changed its menu.

Open Letter To George W. Bush

Perhaps you are not worried about this lonely epidemic of death, disease and injury day after day, since it is not caused by terrorists. Even if every three weeks, workplace conditions lead to a fatality toll greater than 9/11. Imagine, every three weeks, on average.

Ralph Nader is a consumer advocate, lawyer, and author. His most recent book is The Seventeen Traditions.

Oscar Events

It was my first time seeing the film, which has been on the festival circuit since Telluride back in September. I don't think I can even begin to qualify it. I'm pretty sure it's an undeniable work of art, but beyond that, I need time to let it soak in and, most assuredly, I'll need another viewing. I didn't even mosey over to Haynes during the reception because, quite frankly, I have no idea what I would have said to him. In any case, my opinion isn't what's important. What IS important is how floored the viewers in attendance were. There was even a cryer. Yeah, a cryer. Michael Mann was in attendance, said he enjoyed the film, and spent quite a while making the rounds during the reception. Most enthusiastic, however, was Ben Foster, who could not contain his sheer glee, not only at "I'm Not There," but at what he calls a "great year for movies." He had recently come from seeing the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men," which had him on a high to go along with the Chivas Regal he was throwing back.

Latest News Archive March 2008

Some really great tools for video publishing, visual presentations, video editing and conversion as well as a fabolous image library visualization are just some of the visual communication gems contained in this weekly Sharewood Picnic. Photo credit: Irina Tischenko So, without further due, here below are my selected... .

BEA’s stance on Oracle deal pummeled

The reaction to BEA's rejection of a $17 a share takeover offer from Oracle is brutal.

BEA's shares could easily trade back to the $12-$14 level absent activist pressure and Oracle's bid. While BEA has reduced expenses, it still hasn't offered a sustainable strategy and demonstrated consistent execution to warrant a standalone share price above $17 let alone $21. We think the $17 per share proposal is more than reasonable, and certainly worth the time and effort of BEA's management team to begin earnest negotiations.