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Mayor Bloomberg announced today announced the appointment of Joseph N. Garba as director of the Mayor's Office of State Legislative Affairs, which means he'll be heading up the lobbying and communications effort on behalf of Hizzoner here in Albany.
Garba is not actually new to either the Bloomberg administration or the state Capitol.
He started working for the mayor in April 2010 and currently serves as a legislative representative in Albany. He has had a hand in negotiating several key items on Bloomberg's Albany agenda in recent years, include raising the charter school cap, creating a new pension tier, expanding taxi service to the outer boroughs, giving the administration control of Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governor's Island and overhauling the juvenile justice system.
Garba will replace Wendy Saunders, who has served as acting director since April 2012 when Bloomberg's previous Albany point man – Micah Lasher – departed to join the education reform advocacy group Students FirstNY.
Saunders will return to her post as assistant vice president of intergovernmental affairs for the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation.
"Joe has been a key part of a team that has delivered for our city time and again," Bloomberg said. "…Joe has been a rising star in Albany, and his talent and passion will help us continue to advance the reforms and State legislation needed to build on the progress we have made in our city. I also want to thank Wendy Saunders for stepping up and leading the office for the last nine months – we didn't miss a beat thanks to her hard work."
Prior to joining the Bloomberg Administration, Garba served as deputy director of Governor's Office of Taxpayer Accountability, which was created by former Gov. David Paterson, to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in state government. He also worked in the Paterson administration as assistant secretary to the governor on state operations and staff secretary.
Garba was actually a holdover from the Spitzer administration, where he was deputy director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and before that, he worked for NYSUT.
Unlike Lasher and his predecessors, Garba is actually a resident of the Capital District (Rensselaer), which will likely assist him in what has traditionally been a difficult job as serving as the upstate face of a man who has not tried to hide his downright disdain for Albany and state government in general.
Bloomberg also has had a rocky relationship with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, part of which is due to the inherent and historic tension between the NYC mayor and the governor of New York. But the fact that Bloomberg and Cuomo are both aggressive and headstrong executives who don't suffer fools gladly and are used to getting their own way hasn't helped the relationship, either.


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The Kosher Nostra and other 19th century street gangs
The Herman's Got an Itchy Elbow Gang. Notorious in the 1850s because one of their members (not the leader), Herman, once had an itchy elbow.
The best thing about the Dead Rabbits (or worst, depending) is that, before a rumble, they'd catch and kill a rabbit and impale it on the end of a stick, carrying it into battle as their standard.
Don't forget the Yancy Street Gang!
19th century street gang names = 21st century band names.
As far as I know, the name "Cosa Nostra" only became public knowledge when Joe Valachi dropped it during Senate hearings in the 1960s (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia).
So "Kosher Nostra" doesn't sound kosher to me.
I didn't know that it was canon that Yancy Street was on the West Side; I'd always read that it was based on Delancey Street, in the Lower East Side, which is where Jack Kirby grew up. I wonder if the 10th Avenue sign was put there to imply that it was in Hell's Kitchen, where Daredevil and (the original version of) Nick Fury grew up?
TFA says the group was "More formally known as the Yiddish Black Hand Gang." Kosher Nostra might have been a joke made by the writer of the Mental Floss post, or a later nickname for the gang.
Rehosted, because the original site eecue.com didn't seem to allow hot/deep linking - though you wouldn't know that if the image were still cached in your browser:
This topic was automatically closed after 5 days. New replies are no longer allowed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jimmy Rankin - Dog Out In The Rain
Dog Out In The Rain(Difficulty: hard)
CHORDS A A7 Bm D D-Dsus2-D-Dsus4-D-Dsus2-D G G----A G---A
Took a stroll down by the ocean But I couldn't find them there So I climbed up where the bluffs are I didn't see them anywhere X2 Chorus: Walkin' in therain. Walkin' in the rain. Walkin' in the [G---A]rain. Walkin' in the rain[D-Dsus2-D-Ds (guitaretab.com)


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1. Often he reached out for the best without knowing why he did it—and sometimes he ran up against the mysterious denials and prohibitions in which life indulges. It is with one of those denials and not with his career as a whole that this story deals.
This quotation, from part II, underscores the ways in which denial informs the story, as the wealthy characters in "Winter Dreams" are forced to confront the fact that the complexities of happiness are difficult, even impossible, to master. Dexter's life, as portrayed in the story, spans his mid-teens to early thirties and is marked by a flurry of business activity but little introspection. His winter dreams of money and comfort are as insubstantial as the snow he skis across as a young man, fantasizing about a life of ease and admiration. But Dexter never pauses to examine what motives and desires actually drive his actions. Because Dexter has not analyzed his instinctive grasping for "the best," the news of Judy's unhappy marriage and compromised beauty affect him all the more profoundly.
In this quotation, Fitzgerald sets up a dichotomy between the personal realm and public arena, where Dexter makes his most profound mark. Although Fitzgerald is attempting to isolate one aspect of Dexter's varied life, he is also suggesting that the story's preoccupation with the rich is merely a ruse, meant to expose the hollow core of a world that is often too obsessed with the material trappings of success. The denial Dexter faces reverberates on many levels, referring not only to Judy's fickle affections but also to the more profound denial of happiness that emotionally cripples Dexter at the end. Finally, the quotation is noteworthy because it shows that Fitzgerald is assuming an analytical stance that his protagonist does not. Fitzgerald attempts to guide the reader to the wisdom and insight that he was hoping to convey. He acknowledges that his story is exactly that—a story—and that it serves as a cautionary tale for readers.
2. "Who are you, anyhow?"
"I'm nobody," he announced. "My career is largely a matter of futures."
This exchange between Judy and Dexter takes place at the end of part III, when the couple is talking on the sun porch. The exchange is seemingly innocuous, but Dexter's answer reveals his essential failing and the personal obstacle he is never able to overcome as he searches for identity and meaning. As an individual, shorn of class distinction or the mark of worldly success, Dexter has a limited grasp of who he is. His winter dreams primarily concern rising above his station in life, ignoring the intangible aspects of happiness and personal development, which flounder in his drive for wealth. Dexter is a "nobody" who turns to the professional world and his own success for self-definition. However, when it comes to establishing his presence as a fully realized individual, Dexter lingers on the edge of himself, as when he hovers in the shadows of a party held at the club where he lives, watching the dancing couples. He is unable to penetrate the heart of not only this world of frivolity but of himself as well.
Happiness with Judy and then Irene eludes Dexter as he looks to these objects of his desire to define him. Judy in particular is a disastrous choice, a female complement to his persona of a lost wanderer unable to firmly root himself in his life. Judy's question reveals her often shallow way of relating to those around her. While the question smacks of abstract concerns of identity, Judy is simply slyly asking Dexter whether he is of adequate financial means. Her follow-up question of "Are you poor?" shows the true nature of her inquiry and reveals the extent to which she is interested only in a man who can provide her with material goods. If her partner is devoid of personal character, a state Dexter dangerously flirts with, she doesn't much care.
Take a Study Break!


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While the Justice League and Avengers are the big two teams that most comic book readers are aware of, it was Justice League International that really got me into the team concept. While that series did feature a lot of fun stories, it was the teaming of Booster Gold and Blue Beetle that had me coming back for more.
This week, the Comic Casting Couch teams Michael Carter and Ted Kord in the first real superhero buddy movie – The Blue and the Gold!
Buddy movies have been around for a very long time. Most tend to team the old cop with the young rookie, or mix cultures, or even mix locals. The Blue and the Gold goes a step further by teaming a modern day hero with a hero from the future! The buddy film has gone superhero, with a bit of comedy to boot!
Or tale opens with Ted Kord jumping from a strange looking ship he designed at Kord Industries. The wealthy industrialist has become bored with his life of luxury, and constantly seeks adventure. His ship, and the tech suit he's created, give him the means to drop what he's doing to fly off seeking his next adrenaline rush. As Kord plummets to Earth, we hear him scream, "This rocks!"
We then cut to the Metropolis Space Museum in the 25th Century, where we hear Michael John Carter exclaim, "This sucks!". Carter's life has crumbled around him, the once famous quarterback was caught up in a gambling scandal which cost him his fame and fortune, resulting in his current job as the night janitor at the museum. As the only human in the building at night, Carter has the run of the place while he cleans the disgusting toilets and waste cans of the museum. Keeping tabs on the former star is Skeets, one of the security robots at the museum. Skeets has a detailed record of all the artifacts in the museum and a fairly detailed record of historical facts from the last 700 years.
While making his rounds, Carter discovers a picture of Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle, and via Skeets' archive log, discovers Kord lead the life Michael only dreams of. The audience learns that Kord died saving the world, and holds a place of honor among the world's greatest heroes. Skeets makes the off-handed comment that the only way Carter could ever be remembered like Kord is if he traveled back in time where no one had heard of Michael John Carter. This is all the prompting Michael needs as he steals several historical artifacts from the museum before jumping into the Space Museum's prized exhibit – the only surviving time machine. As the time machine vanishes back to the 21st century, we see the picture change to include Michael Carter dressed as Booster Gold, while a figure approaches from the shadows.
Time has passed, we know from the picture the two have met, so viewers are lead right to one of The Blue and The Gold's adventures. Unfortunately, Booster is more concerned about money, while Kord seeks the rush of adventure. While the two are able to perform heroic acts, the lure of making money and the next adrenaline rush, often cause more harm than good (and some funny moments as well)
Booster has been keeping his origins secret, but when Kord discovers Carter's time machine, the allure to travel to the past is too tempting, and when the two make a quick trip to the past and return, they discover things aren't quite the same. No one recognizes them, Kord's fortune is wiped out, as business rivals have decimated his company, and the country has fallen into disarray.
This leads to the introduction of Rip Hunter, time traveler, who has been following Michael Charter since the beginning. He reveals that another time traveler, Per Degaton has been manipulating events in history, and Kord's adventure to the past gave Per Degaton the one moment in time that he needed to shift the balance of power in his favor. Blue Beetle and Booster Gold are going to have to discover what it really means to be heroes, as they set aside their selfish motives to finally become the true heroes the 25th century remembers, and the 21st century needs.
Owen Wilson as Booster Gold (Michael Carter)
Michael Carter was never the sharpest knife in the drawer, and Owen Wilson has a great record of playing just such a character. At the same time he's got the build and look to pull off the spotlight grabbing hero, and provides just enough snark in the process. If anything, Booster Gold is very much like Lightning McQeen from Pixar's Cars movie, and since Wilson voiced the now famous car, he understands Booster Gold's thought process.
Seth Rogen as Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)
While Ted Kord has been portrayed as a perfect specimen of physical fitness, I also liked the pudgier take on the character – someone not so perfect. Seth Rogen is no longer "That Fat Guy From Freaks and Geeks" and after seeing how slim he looks in the upcoming Green Hornet movie, I'm more convinced his comedic acting and ability to pull of some stunt work would make a perfect counter to Wilson's Carter. Rogen may have the second best line in the movie, when things look darkest for the heroes, Blue Beetle screams, "I may die, but it isn't going to be today!" This should reassure the audience that the death mentioned earlier in the film isn't going to happen here.
Michael Palin as Rip Hunter (SPOILER MOMENT AHEAD)
Not much is known about Rip Hunter except what he tells the heroes in the movie. In this movie, he's much older than the way he is portrayed in the comic books, but I think that having one older hero who doesn't have to get into the fisticuffs works to balance the action sequences between Wilson and Rogen.
Hunter's drive is to not only to reset the timeline, but to get Booster and Beetle to step up as heroes. It's not until the final scene of the movie where audiences once again see the scene from the beginning of the film with Carter traveling back for the first time that it all comes together. This time, the shadowy figure is revealed to be Rip Hunter who looks at the changing picture, smiles, and says, "Good job, dad."
As a member of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Michael Palin understands comedy, but his Around the World and Pole to Pole series shows he can look inward and pull forth some serious thought. And really, how awesome would it be to have an older Palin, tripping through time with these heroes, delivering under-his-breath one-liners, having some subtle action moments, and uttering the movie's closing line?
Timothy Dalton as Per Degaton
The evil time traveler Per Degaton doesn't need to be an over the top villain. Instead, Per Degaton needs to be portrayed as a charming businessman, with the power to command an army of thugs and minions who will do his bidding. Timothy Dalton has played the villain many times over the years and seems just right for this role.
Selma Hayek as Beatriz Bonilla DaCosta
This movie is going to need a love interest, a heroine to get into the action, a focus point for our heroes. While the name Fire will never be used in this film, the appearance of Beatriz will be the inside joke for those in the know, while also leaving an opening for a future project. Selma Hayek as Bea… need I say more?
Hancock tried to pull off a funny yet serious comic book hero, and it didn't land quite right. The person helming The Blue and The Gold is going to need to be someone who gets comedy, can direct action, has a love of comics, and has just enough cache to pull it off. Might I suggest Kevin Smith?
I'd be more than happy to pen the first draft…
19 Comments
You lost me right off the bat with Owen Wilson. He's a lousy actor, playing the same damned character no matter what the role calls for. I can't stand him. The current Captain America (and former Johnny Storm), Chris Evans, would make a terrific Booster Gold, I think.
Also, as much as I love Salma, I would substitute Catalina Sandino Moreno as Beatriz (if only to rescue this very talented actress from the Twilight-verse) and add Malin Akerman as Tora/Sigrid, or go off the board and cast Elin Nordegren, which would be guaranteed publicity for the film, right?
I'm down with Kevin Smith as the writer, but he's a lousy director, by his own admission. Jon Favreau is probably too busy with the Iron Franchise and Jason Reitman seems beyond genre filmmaking. I'm sure there's an ideal modern comedy director out there, but nobody leaps out.
MY god man. IT's perfect. I'm saddened it isn't real. Is hollywood checking this site, cause you're givin' em gold! (and blue)
Can I get an "Aw, Hell NAW!" on Owen?
What about Josh Holloway? He's got the looks and bod to be the Celebrity Superhero, plus Sawyer was able to pull of a few one-liners of his own.
I'm dubious on Rogen, but keeping an open mind for him on GH. Why not have tap Patrick Wilson for the original versio of his Nite-Owl character in Watchmen? or how about Paul Rudd?
Rip Hunter – again, I'm not sure of your choice of Palin, but maybe we don't need to skew that old. Maybe we could fit Rogen in this part?
Per Degaton – we need a ginger, end of story. Chris Tallman has already played a time traveler in his "Time Belt" web series. He's a comic and action figure geek, to boot.
Bea – no argument there.
WOW do I _ever_ agree with the Owen Wilson hate. And, like, I've found him amusing before, but NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. NOT for Booster "Time Cop" Gold, no matter WHAT period of his life it might be. I don't have any better suggestions, and honestly I kinda quit reading when I saw Seth Rogen as Ted Kord, because… He just looks too much like a yutz. Ted WAS a yutz, but he was handsome and successful and so forth, just yutzy on the inside. And yeah, Degaton has to be a ginger; my out-of-left-field suggestion is the guy who plays Horatio on CSI: Miami. He looks PerDegatony. I humbly suggest, good sir Stephen, that you leave the casting couch to the young starlets from now on. ;)
Who would voice Skeets?
I love the idea of a Blue/Gold movie but disagree with the Wilson/Rogan choices. Too schulby (sp?) for my taste. I like Brainlock's suggestion of Paul Rudd as Beetle. He's very funny but also is relatively good looking and doesn't play the same guy all the time like Rogan does, so he's a quality actor. For Booster, I might throw out Bradley Cooper. He has the looks (with a blone dye job) and has also done a lot of comedies. If not him, maybe James Franco. I like Owen Wilson, esp. in Wes Anderson's movies, but Booster is supposed to be a pretty boy and Owen is rather fugly.
You haters are judging Owen Wilson not as an actor but as a character in some crappy movies. As an actor he's frkn awesome, go watch a Wes Anderson movie or something like Zoolander. The guys is brilliant just not very adept at picking scripts. Now somebody mentioned Paul Rudd as Blue Beetle. That's the only change I've heard that I would probably make to Stephens choices, I really can't come up with anything better. Good job, now FUND IT!
I _love_ Zoolander. I _loved_ "Life Aquatic". I also enjoyed Mr. Wilson in these movies, so I'm AWARE THAT HE CAN ACT. Stop prejudging my opinion based on a few crappy opinions you've heard in the past. ;) He's just… Not Booster, for me. I'm a huge Booster Gold mark/fan, and if Owen Wilson were cast in the movie I'd just kinda shrug it off. My mileage does, apparently, vary. :)
To show that in a similar regard, I used to hate Owen Wilson, but I've come around to him in some roles. I thought Zoolander was stupid (and Ben Stiller has played the exact same character like 15 times) and I hate everything by Wes Anderson and usually feel that they are pretentious with terrible scripts and plots and I think a lot of people are fans of that stuff simply to say they are fans of it. I felt the same way about U2 and Dave Mathews back when I was in college and I knew people like that. I'm not saying anything about anyone in here, I like things that other people will hate and/or think that I'm following the herd too. But while I'm not a fan of the idea of Owen Wilson/Seth Rogen, I'm open to see anything just to see how it'll turn out. I've been very surprised before by odd people in roles that turned out awesome and I've seen people who should have been good in a role do terribly. (Just so everyone knows, I use my opinions simply to illustrate that point, not to rile anybody up, I like Rick Astley music and I love the Sister Act movies, just to name that I'm a big dork and my tastes aren't intended to be better than anyone elses.)
Nice job, Stephen!
On suggestion…
Skeets: John Hodgeman
Hodgman as Skeets?
I'll support this only if Billy West has laryngitis or had his throat ripped open by a rabid Michael Bay.
I wouldn't mind hearing Brent Spiner as the voice of Data, we all know he can easily create that human/computer sounding voice.
I meant Brent Spiner (Data) as the voice of Skeets.
I agree, Owen Wilson doesn't quite look the part, at least for me. I wouldn't be able to stop seeing "Owen Wilson". I like the Bradley Cooper/Booster Paul Rudd/Ted Kord Billy West/Skeets scenario. I'd buy two tickets for that.


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U.S. Silver & Gold Inc. Announces Over-Subscribed Private Placement for $5.77 Million
Aug 15, 2013, 18:12 ET from U.S. Silver & Gold Inc.
TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - U.S. Silver & Gold Inc. (TSX: USA, OTCQX: USGIF) ("U.S. Silver & Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it now has an over-subscribed book in respect of its previously announced non-brokered private placement for proceeds of approximately CDN $5.77 (the "Private Placement").
"This Private Placement was led by a well-respected strategic investor who has confidence in management's ability to continue to manage costs and understands the Company's leverage in a rising silver market." said Darren Blasutti, President of U.S. Silver & Gold. "It will strengthen our balance sheet, which remains a key corporate objective in the current fluctuating silver price environment. I'm also happy to report that the placement was over-subscribed and that several members of the Board and Management are participating."
US Silver & Gold intends to use the proceeds to continue development of the low capital intensity, high potential Caladay Zone and for general administrative and corporate costs.
Closing of the Private Placement is expected to occur on or about August 22, 2013. The Private Placement and related finder's fee are subject to certain conditions, including completion of formal documentation and receipt of regulatory approval, including the approval of the TSX.
About U.S. Silver & Gold Inc.
U.S. Silver & Gold Inc. is a newly formed silver and gold mining company focused on growth from its existing asset base and the execution of targeted accretive acquisitions. It owns and operates the Galena Mine Complex in the heart of the Silver Valley/Coeur d'Alene Mining District, Shoshone County, Idaho. It produces high-grade silver and is the second most prolific silver mine in U.S. history, delivering over 200 million ounces to date. The Caladay Zone is being evaluated for bulk mining development. U.S. Silver & Gold Inc. also owns the Drumlummon Mine Complex in Lewis and Clark County, Montana.
For further information please see SEDAR or www.us-silver.com for the NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report on the Galena Project dated March 22, 2013.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information:
This news release contains "forward‐looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward‐looking information includes, but is not limited to, the Company's expectations intentions, plans, and beliefs with respect to, among other things, the Galena Complex and the Drumlummon Mine. Often, but not always, forward‐looking information can be identified by forward‐looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "goal", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward‐looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of the Company as of the date at which such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. This includes the ability to develop and operate the Galena and Drumlummon properties, risks associated with the mining industry such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations and energy prices), failure of plant, equipment, processes and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, government regulation, actual results of current exploration activities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital expenditures, reclamation activities, social and political developments and other risks of the mining industry. Although U.S. Silver and Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward‐looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. By its nature, forward‐looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, and projections of various future events will not occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward‐looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.
SOURCE U.S. Silver & Gold Inc.


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Alexandra De - posted on 07/27/2011 ( 63 moms have responded )
Hi everyone, just joined, desperatly looking for help!! ( like many of you for my surprise) my 13 yr old daughter has become very distant and critical towards me, I'm a single mum of 2. Last weekend I asked why is she being like this and she confirm that she doesn't like me, is this normal???
- Helpful
- Nice (1)
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- Hugs


text: Enjoy a variety of sightseeing tours and activities in Vancouver and other popular spots in British Columbia. We provide daily excursions from Vancouver including Butchart Gardens tours, scenic airplane flights, sightseeing cruises, and much more. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so you must take one of our most popular city tours. For a truly special experience, try our Victoria Whale Watching Tour from Vancouver to enjoy a scenic ferry ride and a high-speed boat whale watching tour!


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Pick up the phone and talk to a REAL student from Western (and support the Parent Annual Fund)
In the next few weeks a Western student will be calling you to talk about Western and ask for your support of the Parent Annual Fund.
But wait, don't hang up!
Not only can the friendly voice on the other end of the phone fill you in on what it's like to be a Western student, but they'll also tell you that the Parent Annual Fund supports programs and services on campus that help turn your child's hard-earned degree into the reality of a job.
Supporting the Parent Annual Fund enables all Western students to access: academic and career assessment, which supports timely declaration of majors; support for job, internship and graduate school searches; employer outreach and career fairs; debt management and financial literacy; leadership opportunities and services; and parent outreach to keep parents involved and connected through the Parent Connection. These programs and services aren't funded by state dollars.
Gifts to the Parent Annual Fund and gives students the competitive advantage to turn a degree into a job.


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Students in criminal detention over muggings
A group of 15 middle school pupils have been put in criminal detention in Beijing on suspicion of carrying out a series of muggings in early December in the Sanlitun area, a popular commercial district in the capital's downtown area.
Police said the gang operated late at night and targeted multiple victims in the district, which is known for its bars and shopping centers.
All of the suspects study at a nearby middle school, with the youngest aged 13, police said.
Police refused to release detailed information regarding the students as they are minors, but said that with the gang busted, safety has been restored in the area. No school in the area had claimed the students as of Tuesday afternoon.
One of the suspects, surnamed Zhai, said they had spent the money from the robberies in bars and karaoke venues nearby. He said that he was too ashamed to ask his parents for pocket money so he agreed to join the gang.
Police used closed-circuit television footage to track down the gang members, who are accused of threatening their victims with knives and other weapons.
They allegedly worked in small groups, wearing masks and changing outfits frequently to hinder police investigations.
It is not known how many people fell victim to the gang, but a man surnamed Jin was recently interviewed by Beijing Morning Post.
"I was walking along when two teenagers came up to me, said they were hurt and asked me for money," Jin was quoted as saying.
"I tried to ignore them, but they suddenly took out a knife and told me to 'behave' - I was too frightened to fight back."
Jin said the teens took all his cash in addition to taking money from his digital wallet and forcing him to withdraw more cash from an ATM. In total, they stole more than 2,100 yuan ($300) along with his cellphone, he said.
Another victim suffered a nonfatal knife cut for failing to hand over any money, police said.
The gang was busted after police noticed a suspect who resembled one of the robbers from the video footage during a nightly patrol on Dec 9. He later admitted that he was scouting for new victims and led officers to his alleged accomplices, who were subsequently arrested at their homes.
Police said that the tools used in the muggings, such as electric prods, were stored at the suspects' homes, and their parents had failed to notice them.
- Running from hot to cold
- PLA restructures to meet new challenges
- Students in criminal detention over muggings
- Flight delays still a pressing issue
- Domestic airlines set policies for compensating passengers


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Rice notebook: Rendon receives complete clearance
Third baseman is 'full-go' to play after injury rehab
Published 6:30 am, Tuesday, January 4, 2011
"It's almost time," Rice All-American third baseman Anthony Rendon says, in reference to the start of the 2011 baseball season, during a 53-second promotional video on the school's website.
For Rendon, the "time" came a little earlier than expected.
Rendon, the potential No. 1 pick in this summer's Major League Baseball draft, has been cleared for all baseball-related activities after spending the last five months rehabbing from a serious ankle injury.
"I'm full-go," said Rendon, the reigning national player of the year.
Rendon said doctors gave him the OK during a visit two weeks ago. He's now able to put on cleats, run bases and cut on the ankle in which he suffered a fracture-dislocation July 14 while playing for Team USA in an exhibition. The junior from Lamar High School has been taking swings in the batting cage since early November.
"I think I'm actually right on schedule, or maybe a few weeks ahead or a month," Rendon said. "The doctor said he was very impressed with my work on my rehab. I'm ready to go."
Rendon said he's eager to begin workouts later this month after spending the past two summers recovering from injuries. He tore ligaments in the same ankle during the 2009 NCAA super regional against LSU.
"Two summers in a row doing the same thing," Rendon said. "It wasn't fun this time, but you have to do what you have to do. I'm just ready to get back out there."
Rendon hit .394 with 26 home runs and 85 RBIs last season and was named winner of the Dick Howser Trophy, presented to the top player in collegiate baseball.
Even with the possibility of being a high draft pick, Rendon said his focus is returning the Owls to the College World Series for the first time since 2008, a year before his arrival on South Main.
"We really have a good chance to go back this year," he said. "If everybody plays to their potential, like they should play, like they can play, we're going to go a long way."
The Owls begin the season Feb. 18 against Stanford at Reckling Park.
Rice women's coach Nicky Adams completed her staff Monday with the hiring of former Texas A&M player Allison Martino as an assistant coach.
Martino spent the past season as an assistant at Texas State in San Marcos. She also spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant at A&M.
"One thing I love about Allison is her dedication to the sport, and she will definitely help our program," said Adams, who had the interim tag removed Nov. 15. "She's a tireless worker. Our team will certainly learn a lot from her."
Martino played four years under A&M coach G. Guerrieri, earning All-Big 12 honors her final two seasons.
Martino will work with midfielders, her position in college, and assist in recruiting and game-film breakdown.
John Adams, the Owls' top assistant coach, will work with goalkeepers and the back line.
Women's basketball
Forward Jessica Kuster was named Conference USA freshman of the week for the third straight time and fourth in the last five weeks. Kuster averaged 17.7 points and 14.3 rebounds in three games.
UAB's Jala Harris holds the C-USA record with five freshman of the week honors in a season, set during the 2009-10 season.
The Owls begin C-USA play against Central Florida at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Men's basketball
Forward Arsalan Kazemi shared C-USA player of the week after leading the Owls to non-conference victories over LSU and TCU. Kazemi shared the honor with Tulane guard Kendall Timmons, who will lead the Green Wave into Tudor Fieldhouse for the opening of C-USA play at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
In two games, Kazemi averaged a double-double with 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds.


text:
People in the Gambo area are being warned to watch out for black bears.
There have been sightings in and around the towns of Hare Bay, Indian Bay, Traytown and Glovertown.
Department of Natural Resources conservation officers recently caught one black bear in Traytown, and relocated the animal to a remote area.
Officers are asking people to properly store and dispose of their garbage.
Central Newfoundland has experienced a significant increase in bear activity in the past year.
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text:
My Son John
1952, Drama
Wholesome American husband and wife Dan (Dean Jagger) and Lucille (Helen Hayes) are disgusted when their son, John (Robert Walker), a government worker, begins exhibiting pro-Communist tendencies. Despite his parents' interrogations -- and the intervention of a government worker who tells the couple their son is an undercover spy -- John maintains his innocence, but it soon becomes clear that he is lying. John eventually has a change of heart about his unpatriotic deeds, but it may be too late.


text:
Texas Gov. Rick Perry came out of the gate strong when he jumped into the race to become the Republican nominee for president in 2012. How could he not? He had that great hair, and that supposed good ol' Texas boy charm on his side, not to mention the prayers of all those people who attended The Response in August. He was riding high, jumping to the tops of the polls and apparently leaving folks like Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann in the dust.
And then he opened his mouth and talked. And things started going downhill fast.
Perry's troubles started with the Republican debates. At the first one, on Sept. 7, he was taken to task for calling Social Security "a ponzi scheme" and for his controversial executive order requiring schoolgirls to be vaccinated against HPV. And while the audience applauded when Perry said he doesn't lose sleep over executions in Texas, there were plenty of people who found that statement appalling.
And things got worse at the Sept. 22 debate, from which Perry came away looking "shell shocked," according to the Huffington Post, after other candidates, like nutball Rick Santorum, attacked him for being too lenient on immigration policies.
And now, as Perry prepares for his third debate tonight in New Hampshire, sponsored by Bloomberg News and The Washington Post, some folks — like MSNBC — are calling this "do or die time" for him. This MSNBC report shows that Romney has regained the lead in the polls, holding a precarious three-point lead over Herman Cain in Iowa and a robust 30-point advantage over the other candidates in New Hampshire, the sites of the earliest primaries, according to the most recent NBC News-Marist polls
And where is Perry? In Iowa, he is tied for fourth place with Bachmann, with 10 percent each, behind his fellow Texan, Ron Paul who has 11 percent. And in New Hampshire, where Romney leads with 44 percent and Cain and Paul are tied for second with 13 percent each, Perry scraped in 6 percent for fourth place, barely beating out Jon Huntsman, who had 5 percent.
Poor Rick — he went from the top of the heap to scraping the bottom of the barrel in just a little more than two months. Talk about your monumental flame-out! I guess that means that it takes more than a pretty face and good hair to win the presidency — and the support of rabid right-wingers like the Rev. Robert Jeffress. And I guess that means we'll probably have to keep putting up with Perry here in Texas until at least 2014.


text:
We had a laser fire, and I used a dry powder extinguisher. It was the right thing to do, as the thing was flaming.
But the residual powder is a disaster. It is extremely fine, and got all through the laser and the room. It is VERY corrosive. In the laser, it ate slide bearings and exposed electronics. Elsewhere, I got light oxidation of metal surfaces.
So we bought a $100 halon-type extinguisher. One of those things that I wish I had known beforehand!
We still have dry powder - it is wicked quick at stopping a fire. But it is only there for after the halon-style extinguisher is empty.
LaserPro Explorer II 30W
is too small. The best use of Halon is a total flooding, meaning the tank is
the size needed to reach the right Halon/air ratio in the room when the tank
is discharged and doors/windows are closed. It isn't really meant for a 'spot
shot' like CO2 or powder. It'll work, but it sounds like you want a bigger tank.
I don't usually hang around the engraving forum but "ABC fire extinguishers" caught my eye.
First thing I'd like to add is that a fire is nothing to take lightly. They can get out of hand very fast wether you have a extinguisher or not.
I work for a company that makes every type of extinguishing agent available. We're not into the "home" market but provide protection for commercial and industrial applications. That said here's a run down of agents and my opinion of what I'd use.
Fire extinguishing agents don't suck the oxygen out of the air, they displace it or prevent it from reaching the fire, which is how the foam agents work. Foam agents can reak havoc with electrical components. They're used mainly on class B fires.
ABC chemical, also known as Foray, is made from MAP which is corrosive and also a good fertilizer.
PKP or purple k is also corrosive.
Halon would be so hard to obtain that it's not practicle to use.
CO2 will work.
For your lasers I would use FE-36, FM-200, or a product called Sapphire. They are all what's known as "clean agents". They won't harm electronics. I've seen a demonstration of Sapphire where a cell phone was submerged and used to make a call when it was pulled out.
Just remember a 911 call before you start to fight a fire may save your shop or home. And you should kill all electrical power to the equipment or the fire may restart when you think it's safe and your extinguisher is empty.
Confidence: The feeling you experience before you fully understand the situation
I've recently seen something called Halotron extinguishers for sale, is that different than Halon? Is there any legitimate comparison between, for example, a 15# CO2 unit and a 15# Halotron unit?
Look for a rating number on the extinguisher or in the sales literature. The Halotron and CO2 extinguishers are typically rated for class B & C fires. B being liquid fuel fire and C being electrical. There will be a number before the B, and the larger the number, the more fire the extinguisher can handle when used by a person properly trained in using the extinguisher. There will not be a number in front of the C. A C designation merely means that the extinguisher can be safely used and is effective on electrical fires. If you are comparing ABC extinguishers, there will also be a rating number before the A for the extinguishers effectiveness on solid fuel fires. I once had the testing/rating criteria committed to memory, but as the need to know retired - so did the specific fire test sizes. Bottom line - bigger number will put out bigger fire.
Trotec Speedy 100 30W
Corel X5
EngraveLab 9
DataCard SP75+
Duct Tape
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5
I agree with Dan that quick clean-up after dry chemical use is key. I've seen large DC drive panels (400 HP) where we dumped 10 to 15 pounds of dry chem in them to extinguish a fire start back up within hours after a good clean out with compressed air and vac and then replace the components that had let their smoke escape.
Trotec Speedy 100 30W
Corel X5
EngraveLab 9
DataCard SP75+
Duct Tape


text: Analog Addiction writes: "In recent years stealth games seem to have practically vanished into thin air, becoming harder and harder to discover. Some stealth mechanics have managed to sneak into other releases such as action/adventure titles like Assassin's Creed, shooters like Crysis 2, and perhaps most surprisingly RPGs such as Deus Ex Human Revolution. However every once in a while a stealth game in unadulterated form creeps from the shadows and takes us unaware – and that's exactly what XBLA assassination sensation, Mark of the Ninja has done."


text:
Truck Stocks Buoyed by Growth in U.S. Economy: EcoPulseAnna-Louise Jackson and Anthony Feld
Shares of companies that own and operate their truck fleets are outperforming those that act as brokers for trucking services, driven by stronger U.S. freight activity.
Stocks of so-called asset-heavy carriers -- which include Werner Enterprises Inc. and Knight Transportation Inc. -- have until recently been weighed down by an outlook that's "too pessimistic" for rate increases and freight volumes, said Todd Fowler, director and analyst in Cleveland with KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., the investment banking arm of KeyCorp. This means there's a greater potential for a positive surprise from these companies this year compared with the past three, as gains in manufacturing and housing fuel better-than-anticipated earnings growth, he said.
"The freight market right now is relatively balanced from a capacity standpoint," Fowler said. As the economy expands, trucking capacity probably will tighten and asset-based carriers will have "leverage on pricing, so they'd be most likely to benefit."
The for-hire truck-tonnage index, a measure of industry volume, rose 4.6 percent in January from a year ago, the biggest gain on a seasonally-adjusted basis since July 2012, according to data from the American Trucking Associations in Arlington, Virginia.
More Confident
Based on "channel checks" with company contacts and spot rates, "which are a leading indicator for contractual pricing," Fowler said he is more confident now that freight activity will support low single-digit rate increases this year. One such proxy -- an index of truckload revenue per loaded mile excluding fuel surcharges -- rose 1.6 percent in January from a year ago, following a 0.6 percent increase the prior month, according to data from FTR Associates in Bloomington, Indiana.
That could help bolster the Bloomberg U.S. Truckload Trucking Index -- made up of Werner, Swift Transportation Co., Heartland Express Inc. and six other companies -- which has outperformed its so-called asset-light peer index by 13 percentage points since Jan. 14. In the previous three years, the owner-operator companies lagged behind the Bloomberg U.S. Non-Asset Based Trucking Index -- which includes C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. and Landstar System Inc. -- by 37 percentage points.
"This is a great place to be fishing if you're trying to find value in a cyclical industry," said Martin Leclerc, principal, chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Barrack Yard Advisors in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, which oversees $350 million in assets.
Higher Costs
As trucking rebounds along with the U.S. economy, asset-heavy carriers offer investors "more bang for the buck" because their fixed-cost structures provide more earnings leverage compared with companies that lease vehicles to other businesses and have larger variable costs, he said.
Investor preference appears to be changing as the underperformance of the asset-heavy stocks compared with the broader market has "really slowed," according to Jim Stellakis, founder and director of research at Greenwich, Connecticut-based research company Technical Alpha Inc. and also a chartered market technician.
If the recent outperformance were to continue and this group traded above previous highs set in 2012 relative to trucking brokers -- it would be "another good sign" of a broader sentiment shift, he said.
'Guarded Optimism'
The industry also is "getting a tailwind from guarded optimism that something good is happening," said Charles Clowdis, managing director of transportation advisory services at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts. While there haven't been any "big spikes" in trucking recently, an economy that's "inching up" suggests that higher volumes would benefit asset-heavy carriers, he said.
Gross domestic product rose 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter and 3.1 percent in the third. U.S. employers added 236,000 workers to payrolls in February after a revised 119,000 increase in January that was smaller than previously estimated, based on figures from the Labor Department. The unemployment rate, at 7.7 percent, was the lowest since December 2008.
Even so, hiring gains in September through February averaged 186,500 a month, behind the 229,500 average of the comparable period a year earlier, Labor Department figures show. Meanwhile, builders broke ground on 613,000 single-family homes at an annualized rate in January, the most in more than four years, though starts still trail the 2007-2008 average of 826,000, according to Commerce Department data.
Goldilocks Economy
A Goldilocks-like economy that's "not too hot or cold" is more likely to benefit asset-heavy companies, Fowler said. Some contacts at brokerage carriers are having difficulty passing costs along to customers because they can't raise prices quickly, so they're "getting squeezed from a margin perspective."
C.H. Robinson, the largest publicly-traded non-asset trucker in the Bloomberg index, echoed this sentiment, as "net revenue margin compression continues to be the core topic that we're challenged with," Chief Executive Officer John Wiehoff said on a Feb. 5 conference call. January was "off to a slow start," and so "it's very difficult to predict what's going to happen" with the market and margins, he said, adding that March typically is the busiest month of the current quarter on a daily basis.
'More Nimbleness'
Truck owners have "more nimbleness" and provide greater flexibility to customers than brokers can, Clowdis said. If volumes pick-up from "decent" levels, "you need a company that can react," and asset-heavy companies are better able to provider shippers with trucks quickly, he said.
The industry still faces some headwinds, including higher fuel prices, capacity issues caused by a driver shortage and new regulations, Leclerc said.
"These businesses are pretty volatile, more so than most industries, so you have to focus on companies with good balance sheets that have been through the storms."
In addition, the brokerage model tends to be "insulated" from high costs related to equipment, driver wages and maintenance because they don't own the vehicles they lease to their customers, Fowler said.
With trucks accounting for about two-thirds of all freight transportation, this "clearly is a significant industry" for investors to watch, Leclerc said.
Appealing Characteristics
Amid a backdrop that probably will benefit the asset-heavy business, company-specific characteristics make Werner appealing, he said. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company paid a special dividend averaging almost $1.40 a year in the past five years, is about 38 percent insider-owned and its stock is down 7 percent in the last 12 months.
"It meets all of our criteria for investment," he said.
Truck operators also are attractive because they are trading near the low end of historical valuations, said Fowler, who upgraded four companies to buy from hold on Feb. 10. "The risk-reward is positively skewed to owning asset-based companies."
This year may finally be the time when these carriers realize the pricing leverage that didn't fully materialize in 2010, 2011 or 2012, Fowler said.
"We think expectations are more realistic this year," he said. "The entry point is reasonable to own asset-heavy companies in this environment."
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- Stocks Slump as Facebook Hits Tech; Bonds Recover: Markets Wrap


text:
"Real life is ordinary," Chan Marshall sings halfway through her ninth album – and she makes it sound like hard-won wisdom, because you can hear in Marshall's voice how fiercely she had to fight just to make it to real life. Marshall produced Sun herself, in the wake of what seems like one brutal breakup. She doesn't try to repeat the retro Memphis R&B of her 2006 indie hit The Greatest, or the late-night spider-guitar shambles of her classic 1990s albums. Instead, she goes for gospel-via-disco uplift, layering her trancelike vocal chants over synth beats full of eerie beauty. It's like she's trying to give Joni Mitchell's Blue the pop glimmer of Madonna's Like a Prayer.
"Manhattan" broods over vanished relationships ("All the friends that we used to know/Ain't coming back"), with Marshall's smoky purr floating over an ominous piano loop. "Nothing But Time" comes on like a sequel to David Bowie's "Heroes," banging away for 11 minutes with two chords and help from guest guru Iggy Pop. Marshall has always been one of the most emotionally intense songwriters around, but with Sun she has made her riskiest, most vital album, not to mention one of her greatest. Who would have guessed this indie basket case would toughen up into such a soulful adult?


text:
Operating across Canada with offices in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, Markel Canada was formed in 2009 following the acquisition of Elliott Special Risks, a specialist insurance firm established in 1966. Built on a reputation of underwriting excellence and product knowledge, it partners with brokers to provide effective solutions for unique commercial liability needs.
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Markel's trade credit team can tailor policies for specific credit risks,
markets, and contingencies. The emphasis is on specialized and flexible
solutions with a strong focus on risk management and good corporate
Allsport's expertise with Markel's depth and capacity, creates a winning proposition for our brokers and policy holders.
The amalgamation will be completed in December 2017. Stay tuned for our Fitness, Sports, Leisure and Recreation portfolio upgrades and offerings.
Built on a reputation of underwriting excellence and product knowledge, Markel partners with brokers to provide effective solutions for unique commercial liability needs.
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text:
Thursday September 19, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Add to Calendar
COST IS JUST $10 per person and includes admission, food samples and non-alcoholic beverages (cash bar available)
Enjoy great food and meet new friends at Taste of Pooler and the Westside Thursday, September 19, 5PM-7:30PM at Embassy Suites, 145 West Mulberry Blvd. (behind Home Depot, near I-95 exit 104). Your $10 admission ticket enables you to enjoy free food samples and non-alcoholic drinks as well as a chance to win door prizes (no refunds). A cash bar is also available. Music provided by Shockwave Entertainment.
This is a catered event for members and guests and features food from:
Book Café Dairy Queen Dickey's BBQ 145 Mulberry-Embassy Suites
Fatz Guerrero Mexican Restaurant Great American Grill - Hilton Garden Inn
LongHorn SteakHouse Los Bravos Grill & Cantina
Miss Sophie's/Savannah Bell Catered Affairs Olive Garden
Pie Society Sisters of the New South Snazzy's Sweet Nothings Desserts
Raffle tickets will be on sale for chances to win a 2014 Mazda 3 Automobile from Fairway Lincoln Mazda.
Click below for more information or to register.


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text:
Theatre group is back with its fourth production – oh and a boa constrictor
Sparkle Productions & Sylvia Goff Centre return to the Playhouse with their fourth production this month.
After the success of Cinderella last year they now bring a magical family pantomime of Aladdin in aid of Sir Tom Finney High School.
Aladdin promises to bring adventure, romance, beautiful costumes, a talented cast and energetic dance routines to Preston Playhouse, on Market Street West– a definite New Year treat.
Susan Morrison, of Sparkle Productions, says: "We are a Chorley based amateur dramatics group and we'll be performing the pantomime Aladdin at the Playhouse theater in Preston along with Sylvia Goff Centre danceschool.
The events, on January 23, 24 and 25, is in aid of Sir Tom Finney High School which is a school for young people with disabilities.
"Aladdin will be our fourth production so far and hopefully our best, we also have a real boa constrictor snake for a few minutes in one scene as well held by Abanazar."
The shows start at 7.15pm.
Tickets are £9 each or a family ticket is £34 (2+2 or 3+1) and are available from Preston tourist information centre, or buy over the phone on: 01772 253731 and from www.wegottickets.com
Find the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sparkleproductionspantomimes.
For more information see:


text:
Doing one's taxes is an annual chore akin to going to the dentist. Even when we expect our tax return to bring a refund, we all dread the end of April when our taxes are due. The increasingly complex financial situations we find ourselves involved in make each year's return seem more painstaking than the last.
Many personal finance experts recommend reducing your tax deductions at the source, so that less tax is taken off your paycheck every two weeks, allowing you to put the money to use immediately. By doing this, you might not get a refund check when filing your taxes. But you also won't be lending your money to the federal government at 0% interest for a good portion of the year.
However, for those who aren't good at saving money, and are like so many who wait for their refund in the spring, it's important that you have a plan to use the money in a sensible manner. It's too easy to just spend it on fancy electronics or European vacations.
With that in mind, we've come up with five options for your refund check that will ensure your future financial well-being.
1. Pay Down Debt
Although there are various kinds of debt, the most important to eliminate before you do anything else is your high-interest credit card debt. The typical bank credit card charges around 20% for unpaid balances. When you don't pay your balance in full, you're using the power of compound interest against you. The interest charges are tacked on to the balance, so the next month's interest charges are even greater - despite the fact you didn't make any additional purchases. In investing terms, if you have $10,000 in credit card debt and pay annual interest of $2,000, you'll need an annual return of 20% just to break even. Given the S&P/TSX Index historically has averaged an annual total return of 6.8%, it's much wiser to pay down your debt before doing anything else.
2. Fund Your Emergency Savings
Once you've paid off all your high-interest debt, you'll want to create an emergency savings account that covers any unexpected life situations that may crop up, such as losing your job or an extended illness. Experts suggest that an emergency fund should have between three and six months' salary stashed away to cover essential expenses including rent or mortgage payments, groceries, utilities and insurance. Putting aside this money for a rainy day ensures you don't have to borrow from your line of credit, or worse still, your high-interest credit card. Either open a high-interest savings account to hold your emergency funds, or even better, create a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) to save your money tax free.
3. Save for Retirement
Now that you've managed to eliminate all your debt except your mortgage, it's time to put something away for your retirement. Whether you're 25 or 55, it's always a good idea to be putting something away for those years when you're no longer working. Canadians have two basic investment vehicles to save for retirement; an RRSP or TFSA – and both have their own disadvantages.
- The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) allows you to make contributions tax-deductible up to a certain limit, which reduces the amount of tax paid and grows tax-free until withdrawn at retirement. Any funds withdrawn from an RRSP are treated as regular income and taxed at the corresponding tax rate. It's a smart way to defer taxes while saving for retirement.
- A relatively recent addition to the retirement savings effort by the federal government is the TFSA, introduced in 2009. The TFSA allows Canadians to save additional funds for retirement. Unlike the RRSP, which allows tax-deductible contributions, the TFSA uses after-tax dollars (no tax deductibility) to build savings. While the annual limits allowed are generally lower than the RRSP, the funds grow tax-free inside the TFSA, just like the RRSP. Even more importantly, when withdrawn no taxes are payable, unlike the RRSP. It's an important piece of anyone's savings.
4. Invest in Real Estate
For Canadians who've yet to buy their own home, the federal government has a very helpful program that works hand-in-hand with the RRSP. It's called the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), and it allows an individual taxpayer to withdraw funds (up to a certain dollar limit) from the RRSP for the purchase of a home. The home must be considered a first-time home purchase, and the withdrawals must be repaid to your RRSP within 15 years. While some repay the funds using equal installments over those 15 years, it's perfectly acceptable to repay all of the funds borrowed at any time prior to the end of the 15-year limit.
For those of you who own a home already, the faster you can repay your mortgage, the sooner you'll be debt-free and moving toward financial independence.
5. Start a College Savings Fund
The other major financial commitment for most Canadians is paying for their children's post-secondary education. Whether heading to a university or community college, education is an expensive proposition. The federal government provides an education savings plan called the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), which allows parents to contribute a maximum amount per beneficiary over a lifetime. The federal government kicks in additional grant money over the lifetime of the beneficiary. While the contributions to the RESP aren't tax deductible, the assets held within the plan grow tax-free until they are withdrawn to pay for the child's education. Because the withdrawals are taxed in the hands of the student, there are little or no taxes paid.
The Bottom Line
While none of these options is as interesting as living the high life, they go a long way to ensuring you and your family are financially independent throughout your lives.
More From Investopedia


text:
Jacksonville Jaguars: Should Jags Give Maurice Jones-Drew a New Contract?May 17, 2012
As the Jacksonville Jaguars usher into a new era, they must do so without the face of the franchise, Maurice Jones-Drew.
He elected to skip the voluntary OTAs to work out near his home in California. His absence is also being attributed to his desire for a new contract.
MJD led the league in rushing with 1,606 yards and single-handedly kept the Jags' offense afloat.
The Jaguars had the worst passing attack in the NFL in 2011, but were in many close games. This was due, in large part, to Jones-Drew's ability to put the team on his shoulders and carry a struggling offense.
He faced eight and nine-man fronts all year, with opposing defenses not fearing the pass at all, and was still able to pound his way to the rushing title.
MJD will be looking at the contracts recently handed out to Arian Foster, Chris Johnson and DeAngelo Williams, along with the upcoming deals for Matt Forte, Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy.
All of which will be more than Jones-Drew's current contract.
For a team struggling to find stars and fill seats, Maurice Jones-Drew is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So, it seems like a no-brainer to appease your most notable player, not to mention the NFL rushing leader and your workhorse.
But is it the right move for the Jaguars?
The average shelf life for an NFL running back is rather short compared to other positions and when the decline in production starts, it's usually quick and drastic.
Jones-Drew led the league in carries in 2011 and has averaged 313 carries over the past three seasons. So, there is a considerable amount of wear on his tires. And it has proven extremely difficult for running backs to shoulder that much of the load in one season and duplicate it in the next.
He lacks the ideal body size to withstand the punishment that NFL running backs endure, and even though he has been fairly durable, he has had prior knee surgery.
Size, injury, wear and age are all factors that should be weighed heavily before making this decision.
The Jags could extend Jones-Drew for a few more years, making him one of the highest paid running backs. This would take him into his early thirties and they just have to hope he doesn't hit the running back wall.
Or, they could let MJD play out the final two years on his contract and let him walk. This would not be the popular option, but it would buy the team time to find his replacement and keep a top-tier runner for fairly cheap for a couple more seasons.
The NFL has become a passing league and there is much less emphasis on the running game now than ever before.
It becomes a risky proposition to pay excessively for a position that is being devalued.
So for a small-market team like the Jaguars, the unpopular decision may be the best one for the future of the franchise.
This is not a slight against Maurice Jones-Drew and his ability, but more of an indictment of what NFL offenses have become.
It is better to part with a player a year early, than a year too late.


text:
- Product Description
Turn any of our thermal Circulators into a stirred water bath with our 10Ltr stainless steel container and lid. Made from high quality stainless steel and with a custom cut lid to ensure the best heat retention our stainless steel containers and lids offer a robust solution. The lid is easy to place over the tank and can be removed quickly and easily during a busy service. The lid will provide insulation when cooking sous vide to ensure water is not lost through evaporation. Simply order the container and select the lid you require by the thermal circulator brand you have. This units dimensions without the circulator are 200mm(h) x 240mm(w) x 300mm(d).
The SousVideTools team has applied its great expertise to bring you this fantastic range of sous vide and vacuum packing equipment. The range offers the perfect combination of high technology, innovative design and great practicality. The SousVideTools range of products is now recognised globally as a brand that stands for precision, reliability and innovation.
- Additional Information
Additional Information
Delivery 24 Hours Delivery Model SVT-SS10L Dimensions (D x W x H) 200mm(h) x 240mm(w) x 300mm(d) Power Supply No Finish Stainless Steel Brand Sousvidetools.com Warranty 2 Years Parts & Labour


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- Description
Quick Overview
Ruby's Organics Loose Eyeshadow is a golden hued mineral eyeshadow. Made using organic and natural minerals that provide safer and more protective coverage giving life to your skin with its luminous tint. This Loose Eyeshadow can also be used for highlighting.
- Adds a luminious tint to your makeup
- Made using organic and natural minerals
- Does not contain Parabens, Alcohol, Petroleum, Chemical Preservatives or Heavy Metals
- Not tested on animals
Additional Information: Ruby's Organics is dedicated to redefining the way women use makeup. Their products are made using only natural and organically sourced ingredients to develop an entire range of makeup staples, the products are infused with bio-active ingredients that will nourish and care for your skin.
Explore more from our Eye Shadow collection here.
How to use product
Dip your brush into the loose powder, dust off excess and apply over eyelids.
Tip : You can double it up as a highlighter for your cheeks or lips when blended subtly.
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By Matty
I was looking for a setting powder to use in the morning when I do my makeup for work. I have pretty oily skin and even with matte foundations, I get oily throughout the day and need to powder every 2-3 hours.
Posted on 5/29/2017
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Cathy Ann Sisk
December 7, 1949-December 8, 1949
Contributed on 4/13/09 by maxparnell
Email This Contributor
Record #: 178575
On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 4/13/09 • Approved: 4/13/09 • Last Updated: 8/24/12 • R178575-G0-S3


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GTA 3 error
Started by gtaplayer01, Jun 20 2012 01:46 PM
3 replies to this topic
Posted 20 June 2012 - 01:46 PM
HI friends i think u all are aware of this PROBLEM known as LOADING PROBLEM HOW TO REPAIR IT PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME AND U WILL GET
Posted 20 June 2012 - 03:18 PM
There are many possible reasons for a loading error. You need to supply more details. Is the game original or do you have any mods installed? Has the game worked before, when did it stop working?
Posted 25 December 2012 - 04:19 PM Edited by crazyadams, 25 December 2012 - 04:21 PM.
i have the same problem when trying to load a game, it will not load up all the way just last night i was playing online on gta3 and when i went to another server it would not load all the way and game me an unhandled exception error. its really frustrating. i do not have any mods installed on it, i do not know how to. i cant even play my single player because the same thing happens
Posted 31 December 2012 - 02:35 PM
I need more information like what OS do you use, what are your PC specs?
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Now if you want to start a new business these days you sure have a few good examples on how your website should look like. Here is a roundup with our favorite small biz web designs. Have fun! Mail Chimp We Make Email Marketing Easy & Fun For Over 80,000 Users Coda Text editor +…Continue Reading "10 Inspiring Small Business Websites That Set New Webdesign Standards"
Tag: small business
small business


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Beach Villas in San Pedro North
Belize Beach Villas San Pedro North Ambergris Caye Resort Lodgings Accommodations
Contact: Howard M. Greenwald
Bedrooms: 48
Address: San Pedro North - Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America
Telephone: 1.800.887.2054,
Activities/Attractions: San Pedro is the main city on Ambergris Caye, located 35 miles north of Belize City. Imagine a sleepy little Caribbean fishing village with sandy streets, gently swaying palm trees and brilliant blue waters, where time passes relatively unnoticed. This would be San Pedro, and even though most of the fishermen have adopted the tourism industry for their livelihood, the ambiance remains the same. You can enjoy:
"The staff at Belizean Shores took an interest in what we had been doing (mission work) and were careful to tell us that we should relax and rest. We felt completely cared for and very blessed by our few days at the resort."
"... it was super awesome!! The staff there was absolutely first rate, as well as their affiliates (e.g., fishing, snorkeling, etc. excursions). I would recommend the resort to anyone. We are already planning our trip back."
"Fabulous staff. This was our first visit to Belize and will certainly not be our last."
"It was a wonderful accommodation. We enjoyed it so much that we extended our stay an extra two nights."
"My sister and I were booked into another resort, to the south of San Pedro, by an agent. But we fled north. Belizean Shores was truly a delight the people, the rooms, and, of course, that magnificent pool. It is a beautiful spot ..."
"It was one of the most fabulous stays and vacations that we have ever had. The accommodations were superb. Thanks so much."
General Information: Belize Beach Villas at Belizean Shores is on a great, white sandy beach with protected swimming in Ambergris Caye. It offers a destination restaurant with a killer view, serving three meals a day; a glamorous swimming pool with submerged lounges, a lap area, Jacuzzi and pool bar; bikes and kayaks; a very attentive staff to arrange excursions of every kind; a private dock w/recreation center, for guest pickups by tour guides; and satellite TV.
For accommodations, there are upper and lower units, all fully furnished, all air conditioned, all with full-sized bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchens and terraces facing the sea. Does your family need more than one unit? No problem: the upper and lower units can be connected. We offer:
Payment Accepted: Visa, MasterCard.
Rates: (Prices quoted in US Dollars)
From $110/night/double
"We absolutely loved Belizean Shores. The food was delicious and reasonable. Everyone was very helpful in booking excursions when we wanted them and in staying out of our way when we wanted a quiet day."
"We had a wonderful time. The suite was clean and roomy, with great landscaping and a beautiful view of the sea. My children both became certified divers in a course arranged and booked by the resort. I would not hesitate to recommend this resort to others."
"The pool was fabulous and the snorkeling trips awesome. We had considered many resorts, and were very glad we chose Belizean Shores."
"The staff, service and hospitality were wonderful. I have recommended Belizean Shores to several others."


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Snopow Rugged Mobile Phones - Rugged Mobile Phones
Cellphones have become an essential tool in our social life and are much more important in our work life. Today's companies rely on communications to provide the clientele with the best service and modern consumers expect instant techniques to their queries. Email is as important as voice now and achieving access to the internet at all times is imperative for many individuals.
gracemccarthy312 Journal
gracemccarthy312 Personal Journal


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Merrill Wagner's geometric wall reliefs made of salvaged steel and linen—inspired by the negative spaces in leftover metal scraps—evoke forms found in nature. From the patterns that result from cooling hot sheets of steel with water to sealing existing irregularities with paint, Wagner both encourages and preserves the effects of the elements. Noted for her dedication to conveying the romanticism of the great American landscape, Wagner creates dynamism between contrasting colors and geometric abstraction and creates a balance between man versus nature, sculpture versus painting.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Wagner moved to New York in the late 1950s after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College. In the early 1960s, she worked in geometric abstraction using canvases, hard edges and bright contrasting colors. In the late 1960s, inspired by Eva Hesse, she started to experiment with different materials. She explored textures, patterns and the ways different media would sit on top of or repel one another. This experimentation would prove to be an ongoing fascination.
By the 1980s, Wagner was painting on stone, steel and slate, focusing on the surface of the material, the geometric patterns inherent within it, and ordering the painting around its individual marks, blemishes and colors. For Wagner, these enormous paintings represented those things within the landscape that cannot be changed—the ocean, the desert, or the night sky. As Roger Boyce noted in an Art in America review, "The material gravity and anonymous esthetic of the industrially manufactured [materials] stand in for the assertive indifference and receptive sublimity of nature."
Wagner's long-term projects are more akin to scientific experiments than works of art. Her "paintings" are sometimes no more than a series of squares of similar hues from different paint manufacturers on a cedar fence. Her purpose is to study the effects of the elements on the paint itself. The squares are photographed at regular intervals in an effort to allow the viewer to experience the passage of time. The painted sections disappear, reappear, gather texture, and eventually become shadows of their former selves. Critic and curator Lilly Wei has noted that works of this type "give plein air painting literal meaning." Placing the work directly into the landscape and leaving it there, Wei says, "is ultimately a gallant and quixotic gesture, the willful act of an artist who wants to make her mark on nature while soliciting nature's active participation."
Merrill Wagner has been a member of American Abstract Artists since 1976 and served as its president from 1982 to 1985. Her work is in the Bellevue Arts Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington; the Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Chase Manhattan Bank and Goldman Sachs, New York; and the Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington.


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The guidance note is a building block in the development of UNDP's Access to Information 'tool kit' of which the Access to Information Practice Note [MS Word format] and the Practical Guidance Note on Civic Education [PDF format] are cornerstones.
From the Executive Summary
"In the last decade, governments around the world have become increasingly more open. By 2003, over 50 countries had comprehensive laws to facilitate access to official information and more are enacting such legislation. Governments increasingly recognize the importance of access to information for enhancing democratic engagement, building confidence in government institutions and strengthening their credibility and effectiveness. However, in many States, including democracies, people are still routinely denied access to information that should be in the public domain. Only 30 of the countries in which UNDP is present have laws requiring the disclosure of government records.
This Practical Guidance Note aims to:
- Heighten awareness and knowledge within UNDP country offices (COs) on right to information generally and right to information legislation specifically;
- Assist COs by providing practical information and guidance for right to information legislation programming;
- Signpost additional resources, sources of expertise and further reading.
Chapter one explains what is a right to information and why it is important, particularly the contribution right to information legislation can make to creating a more open and democratic society, challenging corruption and enhancing transparency and poverty reduction (achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Information can empower poor communities to battle the circumstances in which they find themselves and help balance the unequal power dynamic that exists between people marginalised through poverty and their governments. This transparent approach to working also helps poor communities to be visible on the political map so that their interests can be advanced.
UNDP can play an important role in promoting right to information in a number of ways including levering its relationships with host governments; acting as a catalyst for change by supporting different right to information initiatives; identifying opportunities for constructive intervention in the debates and discussions that are likely to be taking place; using its own global expertise and experience of working on democratic governance issues; and meeting the commitments set out in its own Information and Disclosure Policy (IDP).
Chapter two focuses on promoting the right to information in different contexts. While demand for right to information legislation may be fuelled from different concerns or contexts (i.e. political transition, corruption concerns, environmental concerns, external pressures for economic reform) the role of civil society organizations, including the media in articulating that demand and contributing to its realisation in actual legislation is all important. UNDP can support campaigns for a right to information by raising awareness on the importance of right to information legislation; supporting activities that feed local civil society initiatives into wider debate; and providing space for dialogue between civil society organisations (CSOs) and public officials.
Chapter three explores the content of right to information legislation particularly the legal guarantees provided in it and the scope of the legislation. These aspects significantly influence the extent to which the legislation can contribute to creating an open and democratic society, challenging corruption and reducing poverty. The legislation must meet minimum international standards which are described in this guidance note among these include the principle of maximum disclosure, limited exceptions for withholding information and the establishment of effective and efficient appeals mechanisms.
Chapter four focuses on implementation considerations - right to information legislation will be completely ineffectual without measures and mechanisms focused on implementation. Building public awareness on the right to information, promoting an informed civil service on the implications of the legislation through specific capacity development activities, encouraging cultural change within the civil service built on the premise that official information belongs to the people, developing an efficient and well organized information management system and establishing an effective regulatory machinery including the courts and an information commission or ombudsman are key in this regard.
The final section of the paper, chapter five, signposts additional resources and further reading."
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Related Summaries:
Email from Elizabeth McCall (UNDP) to The Communication Initiative on August 4 2004.