Ambulance from 'Ariel' found in aircraft graveyard! by BrownCoat1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

I would really hate to see it sit out there in the desert and rust. Maybe I am just being sentimental, but someone who could appreciate it, and knows what it is, should check into rescuing it. If I lived in Cali I would definitely check into it. My wife might give me grief about it sitting in the garage or back yard, but it would be worth it.

Imagine what a cool coversation piece it would be for Firefly shindigs or viewings. For that matter it would be a really shiny play item for the kids, so long as it is properly made safe of course.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:25 AM

ICCLEDAMES

Fly it out of there!

What do you mean it doesn't really fly? Firefly's not real?! Oh for the love of god!

Strike Darth Vader pose (a.k.a. Revenge of the Sith): NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:28 AM

ZOL

I think maybe get Joss involved or cast members - "Save Our Ride", maybe the cast don`t even know about it?

I wonder how much work would be involved in putting it `back together` as in the TV show, looks not too bad from the angle in the photos, although it may be missing something on the otherside etc..

Darin (Zol.)

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:29 AM

THATWEIRDGIRL

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
For that matter it would be a really shiny play item for the kids, so long as it is properly made safe of course.

Safe schmafe. Kids need more tetanus shots. They don’t cut themselves on old rusty metal nearly as often as we did when we were kids.

www.thatweirdgirl.com
---
"...turn right at the corner then skip two blocks...no, SKIP, the hopping-like thing kids do...Why? Why not?"

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:03 AM

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by thatweirdgirl:
Safe schmafe. Kids need more tetanus shots. They don’t cut themselves on old rusty metal nearly as often as we did when we were kids.

LOL!

Too true!

(Scratches head still trying to work logistics of going to California to save piece of a cancelled show)

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:11 AM

STARRBABY

Okay, there is no way in hell I can go out there and do anything considering I'm restricted to the city limits until the twins get here.
However, if anyone DOES decide to "rescue" it, you should make a plea for cash from fans. I'll definately contribute.

My husband mentioned www.fundable.org
I've never heard of it, but he says it's neat.

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:12 AM

XANDERHARRIS

what would the crew of Serenity do?

hmmm.....i smell a heist.

I love it when a plan comes together

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:24 AM

CALLMESERENITY

I agree, let's steal it! What we need is a plan.

Somebody get naked!

Okay, kidding.

Maybe what we need to do first is figure out if it's possible to get it out and who has the authority over it. Anyone got any ideas of where to start? How about-what's the name of the place where it's at?

"Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us." ~Jerry Garcia

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:05 AM

Please pardon me if someone has already mentioned this (I didn't read the whole thread, got too excited) but why can't we Browncoats find out how much and if too much, pitch in and buy it? Heck, I'll put it in my yard and Browncoats from the East and West can come visit. Equidistant cause I'm in Nashville, whaddayuh think?

"And I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an over-abundance of schooling." Mal, Train Job

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:32 AM

THATWEIRDGIRL

Quote:
Originally posted by DucesTecum:
Equidistant cause I'm in Nashville, whaddayuh think?

Whoah. Hold on there. If we're talking equidistant, Nashville ain't it. I think I'm a bit more middle of the road. I say we house it in Tulsa. What do you think?

www.thatweirdgirl.com
---
"...turn right at the corner then skip two blocks...no, SKIP, the hopping-like thing kids do...Why? Why not?"

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:45 PM

ICCLEDAMES

Is nobody listening!

We can fly it out I tell ya!

We should sponsor it (somehow) or pay (somehow) to have it turned into a real ambulance. Imagine calling 999 or 911 (or whatever the number is where you are) and getting that turn up!

Heck I'd call the ambulance more often!!

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:53 PM

>>>>Whoah. Hold on there. If we're talking equidistant, Nashville ain't it. I think I'm a bit more middle of the road. I say we house it in Tulsa. What do you think? <<<<

Hey! I was here first and I'm more equidistant... cuz I am! What about North and South? Who's in the middle hmmmm?

"And I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an over-abundance of schooling." Mal, Train Job

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:56 PM

>>>>Heck I'd call the ambulance more often!!

<<<<

Are you sharing?

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:57 PM

ICCLEDAMES

Well I'd offer to chip-in but if we're doing this equidistant thing, well that'd put it somewhere in the Atlantic (with me being on the east coast of England) and I don't think thats much good to anyone.

And as for sharing, well I daresay there's room for a couple. We can always boot the driver out and go for a spin in it...

Obviously the police wouldn't be able to catch it and it would not look at all conspicuous driving down the street

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 2:03 PM

STILLSHINY

Quote:
Originally posted by thatweirdgirl:
Quote:
Originally posted by DucesTecum:
Equidistant cause I'm in Nashville, whaddayuh think?

Whoah. Hold on there. If we're talking equidistant, Nashville ain't it. I think I'm a bit more middle of the road. I say we house it in Tulsa. What do you think?

www.thatweirdgirl.com
---
"...turn right at the corner then skip two blocks...no, SKIP, the hopping-like thing kids do...Why? Why not?"

Tulsa, I absolutely agree. Of course I may be a wee bit biased. I think Universal could pick it up and use it in a future Serenity / Firefly display. Though I truly think Tulsa would be all manner of better.

Check out my shop! Firefly & LOST products.
http://www.zazzle.com/contributors/products/gallery/browse_results.asp
?cid=238187680745956238

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FRIKKIN' SHOW. I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damn." --Joss

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 2:31 PM

ANGELHARP42

No, no, Nashville sounds pretty good to me... that's where I am! Better still, how's about we park it in one of my hayfields? I've got about 70 acres, c'mon!

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 3:03 PM

MUTT999

Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:
I just got the same kinda thrill Mal must've got in the last flashback of "Out of Gas."

It may not be Serenity, but that whitewashed hulk looks like she's just resting a bit.

Not quite ready to belong in a junkyard yet. We oughtta rescue her.

Well said. It is kinda sad just seeing it sitting there.

"That's the buffet table....."

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 3:44 PM

There wasn't any name on the fence anywhere that I could find... I'm going back up there friday for more pictures, I'll be checking again...

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 3:45 PM

GABRIEL

Somebody's gotta rescue it.

I just found the junkyard on Google Earth; pictures are fuzzy and I don't think they're recent enough to include the Ariel Aerial Ambulance.

Coordinates are: 35 hours, 2 minutes, 20.15 seconds N, 118 degrees, 7 minutes, 49.89 seconds W.

___
RIVER: They weren't cows inside. They were waiting to be, but they forgot. Now they see the sky and they remember what they are.
MAL: Is it bad that what she said made perfect sense to me?

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 3:49 PM

GKTHURSDAY

Did anyone notice that it is missing the tail?

GK

War is not 'the best way of settling differences; it is the only way of preventing their being settled for you."
G. K. Chesterton
ILN, 7/24/15

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 4:22 PM

SIMONSAYS

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
Check this out:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/akin/198125.html

Scroll down to the pics. That is the ambulance the crew took from the junkyard and painted up. Looks like it ended up in an aircraft junkyard in the desert in California.

How shiny would it be if some Browncoat rescued this piece of Firefly history and it could be saved instead of left to rust.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

I bet it is out in the Mojave Desert. There are several HUGE aircraft storage facilities out there. It is really wierd to see them from the highway. Things don't seem to rust in the Mojave Desert (must be the dry HOT climate). Alot of movie props can be found out there.

Remember what LOUIS VUITTON said: "It's in the bag!"

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 4:46 PM

HORSEPLAYER

Dear Akin

As an idiot with more money than time, I would be very interested in buying it and bringing it back to my home in Las Vegas(not too far).

I would of course, invite interested Firefly fans over from time to time to see it if anyone is interested.

If you could keep me posted on what you find out, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you

Peter

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 4:51 PM

WHITEFALL

That is so cool.

Frankly, I think universal has the best chance of getting it out of there, as they are the only corporate entity who has reason to be interested in it.

However, barring that, we really need to find out who owns that junkyard. It'd be nice if it was free for the taking like in Ariel itself

"Some people juggle geese!" -Ancient Chinese proverb.

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:28 PM

MONTESA

Okay, so I just saw this as I was perusing for the evening and OMG I live like an hour away from that field. We drive by it every time we travel to San Diego (which hasn't been enough lately) so I might try to convince my husband to make a trip this weekend. I will let you guys know if I can get any information on it.

Montesa

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:32 PM

BARCLAY

Quote:
Originally posted by Whitefall:
That is so cool.

Frankly, I think universal has the best chance of getting it out of there, as they are the only corporate entity who has reason to be interested in it.

However, barring that, we really need to find out who owns that junkyard. It'd be nice if it was free for the taking like in Ariel itself

"Some people juggle geese!" -Ancient Chinese proverb.

Isn't there this thing called Universal Studios? A theme park where they build rides for movies that get sequels? This would certainly be a nice touch to Serenity's cargo bay...

"You are on the Global Frequency."

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Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:58 PM

I think this is it here... http://tinyurl.com/782vc

I looked it up a few days ago, but I wasn't going to post the link until I verified the location... I thought it was farther out than that, but I will confirm it on friday...

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 2:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by angelharp42:
No, no, Nashville sounds pretty good to me... that's where I am! Better still, how's about we park it in one of my hayfields? I've got about 70 acres, c'mon!

This is so SHINY! You are the second Nashville Browncoat I've "met" through this thread. I've wondered where all the Nashville Browncoats have been hiding. What part of Nashville are you in? I'm in Dickson. I work with a Browncoat and we're planning on seeing Serenity together. Would you be interested in joining us?

What's even shinier is that Browncoat named Peter who says he has lots of money and is willing to purchase the Ariel Ambulance. Let's hope it happens!

"And I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an over-abundance of schooling." Mal, Train Job

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 3:00 AM

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by Akin:
There wasn't any name on the fence anywhere that I could find... I'm going back up there friday for more pictures, I'll be checking again...

Welcome to the board Akin! Glad to have you w/ us.

Thanks for finding the Ariel Ambulance. Let us know what you find out about the yard. Maybe if you are able you can get some kind of phone # or something. I would gladly make some calls & do some fact finding.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 3:03 AM

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by GKThursday:
Did anyone notice that it is missing the tail?

I did notice that, yes. I also noticed by blowing up the pics that the glass & wings have been removed and it appears to be gutted.

Doesn't matter though. Surely if we rescue it we can fashion the missing parts for it.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 3:05 AM

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by horseplayer:
Dear Akin

As an idiot with more money than time, I would be very interested in buying it and bringing it back to my home in Las Vegas(not too far).

I would of course, invite interested Firefly fans over from time to time to see it if anyone is interested.

If you could keep me posted on what you find out, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you

Peter

A very generous offer Peter, and I am sure I can safely say I speak for the fanbase when I say that we would all appreciate your offer to rescue this gem.

Keep Flyin'!

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 4:09 AM

CYBERSNARK

Quote:
Originally posted by Barclay:
Isn't there this thing called Universal Studios? A theme park where they build rides for movies that get sequels? This would certainly be a nice touch to Serenity's cargo bay...

Actually, that's a really good idea.

Universal Studios Florida has the Time Train from BttF III outside the Back to the Future ride. Why can't some future Serenity ride not have the ambulance (and maybe the new hover-mule) sitting outside for photo-ops before we reach the "hangar" for our own Serenity trip?

In fact, make it a detail: the "ride" is Mal's latest scheme, but they've had to remove the mule to make room (you passed it on your way in), and there's an ambulance standing by in case of things going not smooth.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 4:21 AM

JADEHAND

Quote:
Originally posted by horseplayer:
Dear Akin

As an idiot with more money than time, I would be very interested in buying it and bringing it back to my home in Las Vegas(not too far).

I would of course, invite interested Firefly fans over from time to time to see it if anyone is interested.

If you could keep me posted on what you find out, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you

Peter

I think if Universal isn't interested for a theme park thing, then fixing her up and taking her to conventions would be a great idea. I'd pay a bit to have my picture taken in that. $5 -$10 prints * millions of fans = you might make that money back.
Wish I had more money than time.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
Visit www.TheInside.org and see Tim Minear's show Weds. 9:00pm EST.....ah FUX nevermind.

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 6:06 AM

After some searching on the Internet, I think this Firefly prop is owned by Doug Scroggins. Check out:

http://www.scrogginsaviation.com/

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 6:42 AM

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by rickyjames:
After some searching on the Internet, I think this Firefly prop is owned by Doug Scroggins. Check out:

http://www.scrogginsaviation.com/

Are you certain that it is their yard? There location is listed as the Mojave Airport & their contact info lists a Las Vegas address.

Akin was this yard near the Mojave airport?

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:24 AM

Akin said in a follow-up post to his original story that he turned onto Hwy 58 at Mojave and the boneyard was on the north side of the highway right after he left Mojave. Check Mapquest.com; it shows the Mojave airport at the intersections of Hwy 58 and Hwy 14.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=internal&addtohistory
=&latitude=Du9U3Tj1k%2fE%3d&longitude=OCEGNV%2bxGE5NBjo%2bDz%2fOLg%3d%3d&name=Mojave%20Airport&country=US&address=1434%20Flight%20Line&city=Mojave&state=CA&zipcode=93501&phone=661%2d824%2d2433&spurl=0&searchtype=search&q=Airports&cat=Airports&qc=Airports

Five miles out of Mojave, Hwy 58 in that area is the north boundary of Edwards Air Force Base. If Doug Scroggins isn't the custodian of that junkyard, he's virtually sure to know who is. There can't be THAT many people who do movie prep work for aircraft sets and props around Mojave...

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:28 AM

JADEHAND

I don't know much about that area, being east coast and all. However Akin posted this above:

I think this is it here... http://tinyurl.com/782vc

If you pull back there is a landing strip NW of the site. I can't say if it's a USAF base or just an Airport.

Edit: Scrolled over with the arrows and it's an Airport not a USAF base. (commercial airliners).

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
Visit www.TheInside.org and see Tim Minear's show Weds. 9:00pm EST.....ah FUX nevermind.

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:37 AM

That landing strip the the NW in your picture is indeed the Mojave municipal airport. Google Earth shows the coordinates of the boneyard as 35 deg 02 min 21 sec latitude and 118 deg 07 min 49 sec longitude. It also shows that the boneyard is connected to the Mojave Airport via a number of dirt roads, further reinforcing the probable connection with Scroggins, who operates out of Mojave Airport. If you use the Google Earth software, you can actually zoom in even closer than the photo in your link and see the individual airframes!!!

Google Earth is fantastic, try it out:

http://earth.google.com/

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 8:30 AM

Below is an email I sent to doug@scrogginsaviation.com ; I'll keep you posted if I get a reply...

Hi -

Do you know anything about a Soviet helicopter airframe (MI-24 Hind?)
that was painted white with fake medical insignia for an episode of
the sci-fi TV show Firefly a few years back? This prop has been
sighted in a boneyard near the Mojave Airport and a group of fans are
trying to find the owner. Some digging on the internet suggests your
company may have provided it. Know anything about this, or who we
might contact next? If you are the owner, what's a ballpark price if
you want to sell it?

Thanks,

Ricky J. Roberson

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 8:44 AM

CALLMESERENITY

RickyJames, you are a mind reader! I was reading along thinking "Why don't I email this guy and ASK him if he has the ambulance?" and you went and did it.

Oh, can't wait to hear the response.

I didn't mention it before, but if there's going to be a "Save the Ambulance" fund, I will definitely pitch in.

"Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us." ~Jerry Garcia

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 9:28 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

You got my checks, that's for sure. I'd make it a roadtrip with at least four friends to just go out and have a photo-op next to it.

Our scars remind us/That the past is real

I'm awake/But my world is half asleep.

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 9:50 AM

Interesting article on Doug Scroggins:

http://starbulletin.com/2005/06/14/features/story1.html

The article says he provided the airplane used on the TV show "Lost" and that he's got a storage yard in Mojave...

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 11:35 AM

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 11:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rickyjames:
Below is an email I sent to doug@scrogginsaviation.com ; I'll keep you posted if I get a reply...

Hi -

Do you know anything about a Soviet helicopter airframe (MI-24 Hind?)
that was painted white with fake medical insignia for an episode of
the sci-fi TV show Firefly a few years back? This prop has been
sighted in a boneyard near the Mojave Airport and a group of fans are
trying to find the owner. Some digging on the internet suggests your
company may have provided it. Know anything about this, or who we
might contact next? If you are the owner, what's a ballpark price if
you want to sell it?

Thanks,

Ricky J. Roberson

It actually is not a Hind, it’s made of fiberglass over plywood… I was inside it a couple of hours ago… more pics will be up on my LJ soon at http://www.livejournal.com/users/akin/.

I also made contact with some folks at the Mojave Airport, they didn’t know off hand who owns it, but they’ll get back to me when they find the guy’s name…

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 11:38 AM