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Archive for February, 2015
Maine Sovereign Citizens Merletti, McCarthy Resurface as Part of "LePage Vs Mills" Judicial CaseOn the day that Governor Paul LePage swore Maine's three constitutional officers into office (albeit breaking from modern day tradition with two behind closed doors in his cabinet room and the third publicly in the Hall of Flags), there were a few other people of note outside the governor's office and trying to get a few moments with LePage- to wit, his chums Phil Merletti and Wayne Leach.
You remember… the ones, along with Aroostook Watchman Jack McCarthy that Mike Tipping made famous last year? Here's a timeline to refresh your memory.
Anyhoo… seems that a little birdie told these fellas that they would be well served to submit an amicus brief to the Maine Supreme Court, as part of Governor LePage's going to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to squeal on the oh so very mean Attorney General Janet Mills, who won't let Paul play with all the toys.
He hasn't been so mad since the Legislative Council made him move his TV from behind the stairs!
But back to Merletti and McCarthy, because there is more than a dash of irony in them filing the papers in the first place. As was questioned by Portland Press Herald's Greg Kasich: "Do they recognize the supreme court?"
It is a wonder, to be sure. But see for yourselves!
Here are the entire proceedings, as shared on the State of Maine Judicial Branch "Governor's Request for Opinion of the Justices" page of the case. Click on "Brief of Lise McLain and Dorothy Lafortune", to find where Merletti and McCarthy pop up.
On Friday January 23, 2015, the Governor of the State of Maine, Paul R. LePage, referred two questions to the Supreme Judicial Court related to the legal representation of the Governor and the Executive Branch in litigation. A copy of the letter setting forth the questions is linked to below.
The Justices invite the Governor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and any interested person or entity to submit briefs addressing
- whether the questions propounded present, individually or together, a "solemn occasion[ ]," pursuant to article VI, section 3 of the Maine Constitution; and
- the law regarding either or each of the questions propounded.
Any person or entity wishing to submit a brief to the Court shall do so by filing the brief with the Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, in Portland, at 205 Newbury Street, Room 139, Portland, Maine 04101, at or before noon on Friday, February 6, 2015. Briefs shall not be longer than thirty pages, double spaced. Responsive briefs are not required, but may be filed by any person or entity that filed an initial brief, at or before noon on Friday, February 13, 2015. Responsive briefs shall not be longer than ten pages, double spaced.
To facilitate public and judicial review of all filings, the justices request that an electronic copy of any hard copy brief filed be emailed as a pdf file to email@example.com.
Oral Argument will be held on February 26, 2015, in Portland at 10:00 a.m.
- Letter from the Governor
- Procedural Order
- Briefs (listed in the order received):
- Brief of Lise McLain and Dorothy Lafortune
- Brief of Audrey Spence
- Brief of Peter Brann, Esq.
- Brief of Governor Paul R. LePage
- Brief of Attorney General Janet T. Mills
- Reply brief of Audrey Spence
- Reply brief of Governor Paul R. LePage
- Reply brief of Attorney General Janet T. Mills
- Reply brief of Lise McLain
- Other documents (in order received):
- Motion for leave to participate in the oral argument
- Letter and attachment from Governor's Office
- Letter and attachment from Attorney General's Office
- Order denying motion for leave to participate in oral argument
- Disclosure by the Justices pursuant to Canon 3(E)(3)
of the Maine Code of Judicial Conduct
Now this is where the legal clown car gets a tad crowded- the above "Motion for leave to participate in the oral argument". Merletti and McCarthy asserted today in court that their vast experience as researchers is required by the Court, for the Court to fully understand the case. Needless to say, this motion was summarily denied by the Court.
Indeed, Justice is blind.
(To be updated)Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
(UPDATED) Public Responds to LePage FY 2016-17 Biennial Budget (Day 2): Municipal Revenue Sharing
UPDATED: Here is a clip of Bangor's Ben Sprague providing similar testimony to Appropriations against revenue sharing elimination in 2014.
The 127th Maine Legislature's Appropriation and Financial Affairs standing committee on Wednesday heard more from the public on the second day of scheduled testimony on the FY 2016-17 biennial budget proposal put forth by the LePage administration last month. Governor LePage and his new Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Director, Auburn Mayor Jonathon Labonte, held a public town hall in Westbrook last week to discuss the proposal.Day 2 was focused on how the proposed elimination of municipal revenue sharing, a hot topic in the last legislative session, would adversely affect local budgets and force towns across the state to either cut services or raise property taxes. Many communities have already had to make drastic cuts due to the previous budget's 32% revenue sharing slashes.
The following statements were part of a press release sent out by Maine House and Senate Democrats late Wednesday.
Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, the House chair of the Appropriations Committee: "The state cannot turn its back on local communities. Today we heard about the devastating impact that the elimination of these funds will have on schools, emergency services and property taxpayers, especially seniors trying to get by on fixed incomes and young families. We owe it to our towns and their residents and small businesses to protect these vital funds."
Appropriations Committee member Senator Linda Valentino (D-Saco): "We heard repeatedly from town officials across our state that the cuts to revenue sharing are detrimental and miss the mark. We should be looking for ways to reduce property taxes, not shift additional taxes on to homeowners. It was very disconcerting to hear from rural towns about the dire impact revenue sharing elimination would have on their communities since they have nowhere to turn like taxing non-profits as proposed by Governor LePage. No community should have to choose between underfunding and understaffing our public works or police departments in place of rising property taxes."
Winslow Town Councilor Ken Fletcher, a former lawmaker and LePage's former energy chief, testified that the elimination of revenue sharing would result in the loss of approximately $940,000 – an amount that is greater that the town's public works, police or fire budgets. He expressed concern about the increase in the property tax burden that would result from the loss of revenue sharing and the governor's proposed elimination of the Homestead Exemption for those under 65.
"It is generally accepted that property taxes are the most regressive of the three primary tax methods. Please do not place more of a burden on Maine homeowners by underfunding Revenue Sharing and eliminating the Homestead Exemption," Fletcher said in his testimony.
"Small rural communities like ours don't have plush budgets. We don't have administrators. We have no 'rainy day' funds," Perry First Selectman Karen Raye said in written testimony presented to the committees. "People are angry at their increased property tax bills. This is only going to make the situation worse."
Here are more statements from municipal employees around the state as reported by various Maine media sources:
- Brownville Town Manager Matthew Pineo: "There is no need to keep playing shell games (referencing LePage proposal to let towns tax large nonprofits). I'm in a poor community. We do not have money. I don't have any taxable charities in my town."
Judy East, executive director of the Washington County Council of Governments: 'There's already significant regional collaboration on emergency response, dispatch, solid waste management, and there has been for many years. (If revenue sharing is eliminated) Taxes will go up or services will go down. There is no padding left in rural municipal budgets."
Kathy Littlefield, chairwoman of Waldo (town) Board of Selectman: (Doing away with revenue sharing would be the "final nail in the coffin" for the town of Waldo, which is already grappling with past cuts and rising costs for education, snow removal and other services) "If another partnership, another trust, another promise is broken, there will be no going back. There are just way too many nails."
Republican Bangor City Councilor David S. Nealley: "Since when do you, as Republicans, talk about taking away from the producers and redistributing the income?"
Vincent Frallicciardi, chairman of the Madawaska Board of Selectmen: (Eliminating revenue sharing would result in the loss of $750,000 and be) "detrimental to our survival."
Joseph Slocum, Belfast city manager: "Does anyone in here really think these officials aren't responsive to the concerns of local residents?"
Town of Union employee (name unknown): "Another 10-12 hours of this [hearing] and you'll feel like my public works drivers."
Many thanks to Bangor City Council's Ben Sprague for sharing his testimony.
Sprague via Twitter also provided many quotes from those testifying:
Thursday marks the third day of public hearing, so more to follow.
Public Responds To LePage FY 2016-17 Biennial Budget (Day 1)Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Public Responds to LePage FY 2016-17 Biennial Budget (Day 1)Back in January, Maine Governor Paul LePage and members of his administration presented the FY 2016-2017 biennial budget proposal to the state. Since then, various members of the administration have met with the 127th Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs standing committee (with other committees, as applicable) on multiple occasions, met with the public, and held numerous press conferences to sway not just members of the public but also their own party to support the proposals.
Now, it is the public's turn to speak up. Maine House Democrats shared the following summarized testimony presented to the committee on Tuesday.
- Adam Lee, Lee Auto Malls: "The idea of lowering the tax rate for the wealthiest members of society is misguided…When my taxes are lowered it leaves less to be distributed to the municipalities. I get a tax cut and everyone else in town gets to chip in to pay for it through higher property taxes. Doesn't sound fair? It isn't…. My business depends on a strong middle class. I sell good old fashioned Dodges, GMC trucks, Nissans, and used cars, as well as other brands. A strong middle class is not helped by tax breaks for the rich. Competitive rates, and tax breaks for the middle class is much more useful. A skilled workforce is the one of the single largest factors determining where a business locates. Invest in education, training, our University and community College System."
Veteran and Nurse Richard Bissell of Bangor: "I'm here to oppose these drastic cuts proposed by the Governor for wealthy Mainers and corporations, especially when those cuts come at the expense of the middle class and poor Mainers…Property taxes are an impossible cost for many Mainers, from young couples and families that are in their first home up to seniors try to age in their homes."
Small Business Owner Carson Lynch of Gorham Grind: "This plan would cut taxes for the very wealthy while effectively raising taxes on the lower and middle income Mainers. Not only is this morally wrong, it will hurt Maine small businesses and ship money out of state….My small business runs on very small margins. I'm not a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. A change to Maine's tax code could make or break my business."
Clam Digger Skip Worcester of Hermon: "I'm here today because I am deeply concerned with the Governor's proposed cuts to income and corporate taxes in Maine…Corporations are making record profits in Maine but they are not paying their fair share in taxes – their taxes have been less and less and their profits have been higher and higher, it's the reverse for us middle and lower classes. Our wages have stayed practically the same while the cost of living, heating and eating have gone up."
Among others who spoke to the committee was Davida Ammerman of Madison, whose testimony is below.
- Representative Rotundo, Senator Hamper, Representative Goode, and Senator McCormick, thank you for having me here today to speak with you.
I am here today to ask you to oppose the cuts to corporate and income tax in the Governor's proposed budget. With this proposal, we will see the divisions increase between rural areas that are not so affluent and able to carry the cost, am\nd more affluent ones that will. In a town like Madison where I live, the option to tax non-profits is not a viable source of revenue, forcing the town to increase property taxes to continue being viable.
Without a fair and balanced budget we will be forcing older people to lose their homes, and rural town are going to have a hard time keeping up with basic services like roads, law enforcement, and schools. Being on fixed income, it is hard to be able to conceive of paying more in sales and property taxes, and for the increase in services that I will need as I age. The Governor's proposal puts revenue at recession era levels, and it doesn't add up so that means we are going to see more cuts at the state level in future years. This creates a huge amount of uncertainty for us aging Mainers- we don't know what we can count on. I don't know that I will be able to keep my house, or if I will be able to pass it on to my children as planned.
On the other end this is going to be very hard and discouraging for young people in Maine as well. Our daughter, a single mom just barely making ends meet, would have to sell her house that she has worked so hard to get if her property taxes go, if the Homestead Exemption is cut for Mainers under 65, and she loses the chance to deduct her mortgage payment. Young kids that are already fighting student loans and low wages will lose their chance to get ahead. So many kids are just getting by already- this is making the American Dream even more unattainable.
If we are going to start taxing non-profits and cutting so many programs in the state budget, how is that going to affect funding homeless shelters and other organizations providing services for people who are just barely getting by and depending on these services for life support?
I hate to see the American Dream being put out of reach for so many of the population.
Thank You.
Quinn Gormley of Portland was kind enough to share her prepared testimony as well:
- My name is Quinn Gormley. I'm currently an undergraduate student at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, but I grew up in Damariscotta, where my father, a bus driver, and my mother, the director of our local library, still live and work today.
For most of my life, my family has proudly belonged to the working class in this state. Growing up, my parents taught me the value of a hard day's work, as my mother pulled sixty or more hour weeks, often with little to no pay, to keep the doors of the library open, and as my dad, who for my entire life has had to balance three different jobs just to help us make ends meet, waking up at 5 in the morning to drive a school bus, and often working late into the evening to get everything done.
During the recession we were lucky. A school always needs bus drivers, and the library is valued by our community, so my parents managed to keep their jobs. Many in our town were not so lucky. And I so, as I read the details of this new budget, I am concerned. I am concerned that this budget is shifting the burden onto Middle Class families and families like my own are not going to be able to afford it.
As a student who is used to examining things critically, when I look at this budget, I see the governor's tax cuts as forced false choices that prioritize income and estate tax cuts for Maine's wealthiest individuals and large corporations at the expense of property tax relief for families like my own.
Every dollar in tax cuts is a dollar that will have to be made up for with spending cuts. It just doesn't make sense to prioritize tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and large corporations and leave the school bus drivers and librarians to fend for their own.
As I navigate college with the hope to stay in Maine once I graduate, this budget does not seem to pave the way for a state with increased job growth, in contrast, states that have pursued this path in recent years have actually seen worse, not better, economic performance than neighboring states. They've had to cut state investments in education, and workforce training. I want to stay, work, and live in Maine but when my state pushes policies that hurt education, job training, and the middle class, I doubt that I can.
This budget is the wrong path for Maine. It benefits a small percentage of Mainer's, and the costs will be passed onto those hard working Mainers who are just trying to make it work. And so, I urge you; please oppose the cuts to corporate and income tax in this proposed budget. Thank you for your attention and all you do.
Democrats on the AFA committee later released their own statements:
- Rep. Peggy Rotundo, the House Chair of the Appropriations Committee: "We haven't been getting the the full story about Governor LePage's budget. I'm deeply concerned that the ratcheting down of state revenues in the out years will mean fewer dollars in the future for workforce development, education, and many of the very things businesses and workers say we need to succeed. We want a tax reform plan that is paid for now and in the future so we don't jeopardize our support for Maine families, our schools, or workforce, or for our local firefighters and police."
Senator Linda Valentino (Saco): "I support tax reform but this budget sidelines Maine families at the expense of the wealthy and big corporations. We heard a lot of concerns from people today about the elimination of the mortgage interest deduction, the Homestead exemption, and the property tax deduction. If these deductions are eliminated, it will jeopardize Maine's economic recovery."
Maine Center for Economic Policy released the following reactions to the budget proposal and information. MECEP economist Joel Johnson's full testimony can be found here. But these portions jump out:
- The combined fiscal impact of these tax cuts in FY 2019 is about $677 million per year, according to Maine Revenue Services. That's a tax cut equal to 19% of General Fund revenue forecast for that year. The sales tax increases in the Governor's budget don't cover the cost of that tax cut, and as a result, the state must cut spending by $266 million in FY 2019. That spending cut will grow into subsequent fiscal years as the corporate income tax cut fully phases in.
Approximately $167 million of the governor's proposed spending cuts will come in the form of the elimination of revenue sharing to towns and cities. Faced with a loss of revenue sharing and struggling to meet obligations to fund K-12 education, state and local governments will have to raise taxes and/or cut spending. That means higher taxes and/or fewer services like snowplowing, public safety, road maintenance, libraries, and parks. The governor's proposal saves an additional $12 million by eliminating the homestead exemption for most Mainers.
The governor's proposal fails to specify the remaining $90 million in state spending cuts it encompasses. In fact, the Governor's budget only specifies a two-year spending plan while proposing tax cuts that span multiple budget periods. The income and estate tax cuts proposed in the Governor's budget, combined with revamped arbitrary limits on state appropriation growth, will prevent the state from reaching the statutorily-mandated goal of funding 55% of the cost of K-12 education in the state any time in the near future. Yet the Governor's budget proposal includes a target of 55% for Fiscal Year 2017 and beyond. That is not a credible, achievable objective given the income and estate tax cuts included in a different section of the same budget proposal.
Other points raised by MECEP for consideration:
- 1. The governor's tax cuts aren't paid for and are fiscally irresponsible. They set Maine up for future fiscal crises, which will lead to deep cuts to education, health care, job training, and other foundational components of a strong, sustainable economy.
- By fiscal year 2019, the governor's plan cuts income, estate, and corporate taxes by $690 million and raises sales and use taxes by $424 million. That leaves a shortfall of $266 million. The governor proposes to make up this shortfall, in part, by eliminating $167 million in state aid to towns for local public services. Legislators will have to make up the remaining balance by additional spending cuts beyond those that have been enacted over recent years.
- The governor's plan locks in recession-era levels of revenue putting state spending as a share of the economy at historic lows. That means state funding for education, health care, and other services will continue to fall behind even as the economy recovers. It also means that Maine will have virtually no capacity to absorb unanticipated future expenses or to maintain critical public investments when the next economic downturn occurs.
- Every dollar in tax cuts is a dollar that legislators will have to make up by either raising other taxes or with cuts in spending for education and other services. At a time when the state is already failing to fulfill its commitments to Maine's students and communities it doesn't make sense to place a higher priority on tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and large corporations. For example, eliminating the estate tax will cost over $37 million by fiscal year 2019 and benefit approximately 150 of the wealthiest estates. This potentially comes at the expense of making progress in funding K-12 education, supporting prescription drug assistance to low-income seniors, maintaining cost-effective health care prevention programs, or providing college scholarships to Maine's future workers.
- Part of the governor's plan includes eliminating the Homestead Exemption for Maine residents under age 65 which is equivalent to raising property taxes between $120 and $160 for hundreds of thousands of Maine families. Additional property tax increases are likely for middle-class Mainers as communities are forced to pick up more of the costs of K-12 education, public safety, and road maintenance as called for in the governor's budget.
- While we don't oppose cutting taxes, we believe it can be done in a way that doesn't force false choices and that distributes the benefits more evenly across all income groups. Because this plan doesn't maximize opportunities to export taxes to out-of-state visitors and part-year residents and places higher priority on tax cuts that deliver the greatest benefits to wealthy individuals and large corporations, it falls short in terms of securing adequate revenue and in improving the overall fairness of Maine's tax system.
- The governor already secured significant income tax cuts in 2011 that are costing the state approximately $170 million a year in lost revenue. Since these cuts took effect, Maine has yet to see any significant improvements in our economy. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, private sector jobs in Maine since the 2011 tax cuts took effect grew by just 3% compared to 7% private sector job growth nationally.
- Evidence shows that Maine shouldn't expect any dramatic improvement in its economy if the governor's tax plan passes. States that have pursued this path in recent years have actually seen worse, not better, economic performance than neighboring states. They've had to cut state investments in education, workforce training, roads and bridges, and other pillars of a strong economy.One state, Kansas, has experienced a downgrade in its credit rating. Both recent experience and significant, credible academic research demonstrate that dramatic income tax cuts are not the path to prosperity.
- Sifting Through The LePage FY 2016/2017 Proposed Budget: DAFS Commissioner Rosen Meets With AFA
- Sifting Through The LePage FY 2016/2017 Proposed Budget: LePage, MDOT Roll Out Over $430 Million In Projects
- Sifting Through the LePage FY 2016/2017 Proposed Budget: DACF Meets With AFA, AG Committees
- Sifting Through The LePage FY 2016/2017 Proposed Budget: DHHS Meets With AFA, HHS.
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2. The governor's tax cuts force false choices and prioritize income and estate tax cuts for Maine's wealthiest individuals and large corporations at the expense of property tax relief for middle-class Mainers.
3. The governor's tax plan is a failed prescription for growing Maine's economy.
Note: As there will be weeks of hearings and work on the budget proposal, this will be part of a series of posts. This week's testimonies will be broken up into daily installments of the highlights.
AG Janet Mills Announces Record $21M Settlement from 19 State S&P Lawsuit
Earlier today Maine Attorney General stood on the steps of the Kennebec County Courthouse to meet with press and announce that a huge chunk of money is coming our way. Via press release:
Attorney General Janet Mills has announced the largest ever one-time settlement in Maine history. The State of Maine filed papers Wednesday with the Superior Court settling the state's complex lawsuit against Standard & Poor's (S&P). The lawsuit, originally filed two years ago in Kennebec Superior Court, alleged that the credit ratings giant engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices in connection with its ratings during the time leading up to the financial crisis of 2008. The settlement was negotiated in conjunction with the federal Department of Justice and 19 states and the District of Columbia. Maine will receive $21.5 million dollars for consumer protection efforts.
The total settlement amount is $1.375 Billion. One half of the amount was paid the United States Department of Justice to settle its case. The other half was divided among the states that sued S&P. S&P is paying the Maine Office of the Attorney General $21,535,714.00, an amount commensurate with the economic harm caused by the company's behavior and an amount which exceeds the profits from its activities, amounting to essentially a disgorgement of S&P's ill-gotten gains. The state's share will be directed toward consumer protection and education efforts.
Portions of her prepared statement:
"Holding S&P accountable for these practices tells Wall Street we will not tolerate acts that deceive investors and devastate our economy," said Attorney General Mills. "As Attorney General I will continue to work to promote transparency and protect the integrity of our financial system. This settlement shows that banks did not act alone and that the Attorneys General of the states and of the United States together will pursue any entity that violates the public trust and stacks the deck against consumers and homeowners."
Per Assistant Attorney General Linda Conti, Maine's Consumer Protection Division Chief, the states are dividing the windfall pretty much equally, with a few exceptions receiving a slightly larger portion. More from the Justice Department:
- In its agreed statement of facts, S&P admits that its decisions on its rating models were affected by business concerns, and that, with an eye to business concerns, S&P maintained and continued to issue positive ratings on securities despite a growing awareness of quality problems with those securities. S&P acknowledges that:
- S&P promised investors at all relevant times that its ratings must be independent and objective and must not be affected by any existing or potential business relationship;
- S&P executives have admitted, despite its representations, that decisions about the testing and rollout of updates to S&P's model for rating CDOs were made, at least in part, based on the effect that any update would have on S&P's business relationship with issuers;
- Relevant people within S&P knew in 2007 many loans in RMBS transactions S&P were rating were delinquent and that losses were probable;
- S&P representatives continued to issue and confirm positive ratings without adjustments to reflect the negative rating actions that it expected would come.
There is ongoing similar multi-state litigation against Moody's as well, but that is still in its preliminary stage. As such, Mills and her office were unwilling to discuss details pertaining to that case.
As for distribution of the $21M, Mills said that she intended to speak with legislative leadership and the governor's office with recommendations for usage of the funds.Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
(UPDATED) Maine Governor Paul LePage: "Illegal Immigrants" Bringing Hepatitis C, TB & HIV to Maine
(Updated below with the governor's address in three video clips and text as prepared. Here is a Storify link to various reports, photos and reactions to the address on Twitter.)
A portion of last night's State of the State address.
"We have limited resources and we have to stretch them as far as we can go. And one of the elements that has a burden in the last couple years has been those who have receiving funds, but they are here illegally.Now, am I compassionate about illegal aliens? Yes, I am. I would prefer that they do it the right way, but it's very expensive, 'cause I've gone through that. We brought a young man here and we did it the right way and paid the bill.But this is the problem with some of the illegals that are here today. When a refugee comes here from a foreign country, they get a medical assessment and we know their health. But when they come here illegally, they don't get medical assessments.And one thing that we don't want to see is the uptick of hepatitis C, HIV and tuberculosis.But it is here. We are dealing with it. And it is very costly.So if nothing else, they should be getting a medical assessment when they get here.And I believe that my responsibility as your governor is number one to Maine residents first and everyone else second."
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
The governor's speech as prepared.Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Maine Women's Day Held At The State House (VIDEO, PIX)
Members of the Coalition for Maine Women and the Maine Choice Coalition gathered at the State House to outline legislative priorities on January 20th (MORE PHOTOS HERE), as well as conduct a volunteer workshop on reproductive justice and breakout sessions on lobbying legislators, building communication skills and more.
Speakers included:
Oamishri Amarasingham (ALCU of Maine)
Claire Berkowitz, Maine Children's Alliance
Julia Colpitts, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
Ruth Lockhart, Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center
Helen Regan, Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights
- Oamshri Amarasingham, public policy counsel, ACLU of Maine: "Women constitute the fastest growing population of incarcerated people, and the number of women in Maine's prisons has increased six-fold since 2002. Yet while the number of women in our criminal justice system has skyrocketed, our ability to provide them with appropriate conditions has failed to keep up. Ending the shackling of pregnant women will protect the health of women and their pregnancies."
- Women are 51% of the population, but are underrepresented at every level of government where policy decisions that affect our lives are made.
- On the first day of the new Congressional session, the majority party chose to fight for restrictions on abortion services as its top priority. And once again we need to fight bad bills in the Maine legislature that would restrict access to abortion.
- Last year we helped defeat a dangerous bill that would have allowed people to use their religious beliefs to break laws meant to protect us all. It's back.
- Nearly 70,000 Maine people still can't access the health care they need because obstructive politicians chose ideology over good health and economic common sense. But there's still time for Maine to act.
- Too many politicians and people in the media use stereotypes and anecdotes to talk about policies that affect women and children living in poverty rather than looking at the real people struggling to get by.
- In Maine, more than 6 in 10 minimum wage workers are women and they need a raise.
- More than 80% of low-wage workers can't earn a single paid sick day – most are women who have frequent public contact in jobs such as food service, child care, elder care, and retail.
- Only 12% of the American workforce has access to paid leave.
- While the data overwhelmingly demonstrates the importance of early childhood programs, more than 11,000 Maine kids do not have access to Head Start due to underfunding.
- Too many women and children still can't live their lives free from violence.
- Sexual assaults happen every day, and too often our culture blames the victims rather than the perpetrators.
- Maine is the only state in New England that doesn't have a policy against shackling pregnant inmates.
- Maine women only earn 79 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts.
Claire Berkowitz, executive director, Maine Children's Alliance: "Child development experts have demonstrated that the most critical development of a child's brain happens within the first five years of life. We know that our support of strong early childhood programming will not only bolster our state's economic recovery, but provide economic security for future generations as well. Inadequate or inaccessible child care means that parents cannot obtain or maintain gainful employment, leaving them vulnerable to falling into poverty. Despite the research on its benefits to families and communities, the early childhood programming that would support Maine's children continues to go underfunded. Today, we are calling on our elected leaders to make early childhood programming a priority this session. The future of our state depends on it."
Julia Colpitts, executive director, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence: "Economic reality – having no money or no housing – keeps many victims of violence from leaving their abuser, and can force them to return. Having a job is a first step to independence and safety. A victim's employment is vital to building economic security and creating safety for them and for their children. Victims who want to work, to create new and sustainable lives don't want to lose their job or be dependent on social welfare resources. This legislation will help them be successful on that economic path to safety by retaining their right to work through the crisis of violence."
Ruth Lockhart, executive director, Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center: "Women are vital to our society and economy, and when women thrive, Maine thrives. For those reasons we will oppose wrong-headed bills that take us backwards. As we have for decades, we will oppose any effort to undermine a woman's autonomy over her own reproduction. Once again this year we will oppose any attempt to abridge our civil rights, including granting exemption from state laws based on religious objection. And we will oppose efforts that demonize people who need our help."
Helen Regan, Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights: "Why hasn't Maine taken advantage of an indirect, but proven way to support women in their search for job training and employment? Expansion of access to family planning services to women whose health care does not currently cover contraception will give them the tools they need to avoid unintended pregnancies known to be a huge setback for those seeking to support themselves and their families. Let's take action that helps women help themselves."
More from the Maine Women's Lobby:
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections Deliver over 85k Signatures to State House
85,185 signatures were collected and delivered by over 200 Maine Citizens for Clean Elections volunteers to Maine Department of the Secretary of State's office on January 21 after a rally held in the State House's Hall of Flags. The signatures, gathered since the November election, should be enough to place a ballot measure before Maine voters for establishing new campaign donor disclosure requirements and replacing the "matching funds" provision for publicly-financed candidates.
MCCE's Andrew Bossie, BJ McCollister, Ann Luther, former State Senator Ed Youngblood (R-Brewer) and former Rumford GOP state representative candidate Jolene Lovejoy spoke to those assembled.
- Andrew Bossie: "We are here to celebrate a remarkable and important citizen-led effort to shine the light on dark money, keep politicians accountable and restore Maine's Clean Election law. "This is an effort of, by and for Maine people. We're here today because we want a government that works for everyday voters, not one bought and paid for by wealthy special interests. We're here today because when our democracy is threatened, we the people, will fight to keep it strong."
Former Senator Ed Youngblood (R-Brewer): "The Clean Election Initiative is all about making sure that Maine people have the opportunity to step up, run for office, and serve their constituents without relying on big-money special interests. So much about politics is about divisions, but in this Clean Election endeavor, we are Mainers first. Republicans like me worked alongside Democrats, Greens, and unenrolled voters to collect these signatures. That is a reflection of the widespread concern about the skyrocketing cost of elections and the growing role of big money."
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Stephanie Tkach
Using the University's alumni connections, Stephanie Tkach '13, a business major who specialized in marketing, was able to find a career in her field right after graduation.
Tkach works at Interbrand, the world's largest brand consultancy, and has nearly 40 offices worldwide. Some of their clients include McDonalds, AT&T, Baskin Robbins, and 3M Post-It. She is working in the program management department as a program coordinator out of the New York City office. Her clients include General Electric and the Xerox Corporation.
Tkach got to know Tom Watson '57, who helped her network and learn about business strategies and branding. Watson cofounded Omnicom Group, Inc., a strategic holding company.
Watson brings in executive speakers on campus for workshops that students can attend, and Tkach used them as an opportunity to network.
She ended up talking to him on a more personal level, and was able to work with local Doylestown start-up companies, where she assisted them by providing a branding perspective. The experience taught her more about strategies and the design of businesses.
Tkach said Watson pushed her to revise and send off her resume to businesses, and by January of her senior year she started the interview process for Interbrand.
"Networking at [DelVal] ended up being great because everyone knows you and you get a lot of encouragement," said Tkach.
Besides networking, Tkach took advantage of opportunities to get involved on campus. Through the DelVal business club, she met people who were readily available for the students, and always willing to help her on her journey to find a job where she could apply her experience.
"The more contacts you can make, the more people you have for advice, and the better prepared you will be," said Tkach.

subset: commoncrawl


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Observations On The Eve of the Summer of Our Discontent (Conclusion)
: Written by DCrockett17 : 04-27-2006 : 21 Comments
Well, let?s wrap this up by looking at the other component of a strategic plan for the Knicks. (If you didn?t catch Part I and Part II go check them out.) I suggested in Part II that by publicly backing Larry Brown the Knicks have made a de facto commitment to rebuild via the functional model. In this approach all the players, even superstar players, have well-delimited roles. Brown has been quite explicit about this, publicly stating his desire for players who can perform the following functions: * Three guards that can bring the ball up against the press (presumably …continue reading


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EP In A Day
With the constant demand for fresh content from music listeners, bands are pressed with time and financial challenges to keep pace. Our solution is a fast, professional and affordable recording option that allows you to quickly capture new material and deliver it to your fans. We have recorded many of today's biggest independent acts using this style of recording and you can hear the results in the player below. All of these bands recorded and mixed an EPs worth of material in just a few short hours. Give us a call to learn how your band can do the same @212-260-0905 or email us at a firstname.lastname@example.com
[mp3-jplayer tracks="FEED:/kexpaudio/showcase" list="y"]


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Who We Are
In 1980, after graduating college with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film, I entered the media market and quickly discovered I would most likely starve to death if I continued this career path; so, I turned my attention to something I had been doing since 1974, and which helped put me through college…retail. I had no idea where it would lead, only that it came naturally and I could make a living.
Since then, I've ventured down virtually every possible path in both the retail and wholesale worlds. Starting in the store, I learned first-hand how to run a retail business from the ground up. I eventually migrated into merchandising, working as a buyer and product developer; developing the skills sets necessary to analyze, forecast, source and develop products across multiple categories. This lead me to exploring the supply side, and I moved onto running a startup business, developing sales and marketing plans; while also leveraging my experience in merchandising to help design, forecast and produce the products we sold. I moved back into retail during the onset of outlet stores, developing skills in site selection, lease management, and executive operations. Since then, I've worked with large companies and smaller ones, startups, corporations, and individual owners; developing an ability to quickly observe, understand, and apply practical solutions to improve performance.
Now I partner with other professionals with complimentary skills and experiences, and share knowledge across both channels with large businesses and smaller ones; helping to identify opportunities for improvements in sales, operations, and profitability.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple – help retailers and wholesalers identify their strengths and weaknesses; then create a plan and a path to never let any weakness get in the way of a strength.


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Answered By: Library Staff Last Updated: Feb 28, 2019 Views: 45
Answered By: Library Staff
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2019 Views: 45
SIT alumni have access to the following library services: The Library Catalog including print books and DVDs, Database searches including Articles and Journals, E-books, and Digital Collections, Mango Languages, Films on Demand, and Interlibrary Loan ILL. Please refer to the Library Website for access and Libguides for all of our services.
If you need assistance with accessing your library barcode or any other assistance please email the library at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Published February 13, 2018
Many authors consider an advanced degree from time to time. Some even pull the trigger. What can an MFA do for you, and do you need it? We seek answers from four current grad students: former guests Anna Yeatts and Stephanie Vance, our excellent VP-mate Matt Hughes, and our very own George Galuschak. They offer insights into the genre fiction programs at Seton Hill University and Western Colorado State University. School's in session!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download


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Would you make the cut ?
How it works:
Answer a few questions - all multiple choice with no wrong answers. The questions will ask you about your educational background, as well as how you approach challenges and solve problems.
You will not need to provide your name, as this isn't an application for employment.
Based on your answers, the firm will suggest a short list of Goldman Sachs divisions that may suit your skills and interests.
Take the Goldman Sachs Career Quiz by pressing here
Have something to tell us about this article?


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FC: ARTIMIS FOWL | eric b
1: artimis fowl | artimis is 15 years old. he is a genius he has also discovered fairy's living under the earths surface
2: artimis's mom gets a very rare sickness and the doctors cant cure it.
3: artamis uses a high tech cell phone to reach the fairys and ask them for help.
4: when they they there artamis's fairy friends holly and folly discover that his mom has a fairy disease and they need to go back in time to get an extinct lemur.
5: they got a demon warlock to take them back in time to before the lemur became extinct
6: when they get back in time artamis is captured by his past self and put in a trunk
7: After they escaped they tryed to get the lemur back from the past form of himself....
8: the past artamis was selling the lemur to a guy that wanted to kill it.
9: Happy father's day dad! We all love you so much! | artamis stole the lemur and returned to the present.
10: artamis got the lemur to his mom but it didnt work.. to find out what happened you will have to read the book yourself.....
11: end...
12: This pic represents ho smart artamis is. | these are a pair of fairy wings. they are part of a fairy suit. | His mom was sick. | this was the fairy phone he used to call the lep | this is the lemur who's brain fluid could cure his mom.
13: this is the demon warlock that sent them back in time. | this is the trunk they get stuck in, | this represents how the people wanted to kill the lemur.


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In my own, haphazard , way, I am focusing on my pile o' debt by getting rid of the smallest bill, paying them off and then taking the money I would have spent on that bill, and applying it to the next smallest bill. It's a sound principle in theory.
I used to have a little shareware program called Debt Blaster to help me calculate what payments I needed to make, and how much. Somewhere along the way, after three different computers, I have lost the program. I don't want to download and purchase it again. That seems foolish. Then again, I bought Supertramp's Breakfast in America on 8-track, cassette and now CD, so who am I kidding?
Yesterday, I discovered a freeware debt calculator called Debtonator. After I downloaded it, and clicked install, it went away. Twenty minutes later the install process started. By the time it finished it was time to go to work, so I haven't had a chance to play with it yet. Once I do, I'll post a review.


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Transition Perth - Perth ON
Community Resources - Green & Eco-Friendly Resources
Listing Contact: Online: Website
Perth ON
In response to the Transition Town movement founded in the U.K in 2005 and its rapid growth worldwide, Transition Perth was started in 2009 by a few keen and energetic residents. Eager to build community resilience to help address potential economic and environmental challenges, interest and membership in the Transition Perth initiative has continued to grow as a result. Based on the Transition Town model, and inspired by permaculture philosophy, Transition Perth hosts a variety of community events.


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Social Programme
All delegates must book for the social events they wish to attend, including the Corporate Members' Evening, the drinks reception on Tuesday 20 May and the Conference Banquet.
Monday 19 May 2008
Corporate Members' Evening
Located in the centre of Birmingham, just a five-minute walk from the ICC, Mechu is going through a £1 million refurbishment in summer 2007. Delegates can enjoy corporate-sponsored hospitality and entertainment in this excellent venue.
Tuesday 20 May 2008
No need to rush back to the hotel! There will be an extended reception in the Exhibition Hall immediately after the last session until 1900. Food and drink will be available, providing a great opportunity to peruse the Exhibition in a relaxed atmosphere and connect with colleagues in industry.
The rest of the evening is free for delegates to explore the city, and if you are still in the mood to party, come back to the Focus Fringe, which returns to its roots this year, from 2200 onwards. A live band will play in a superb venue, and anyone with an instrument or a voice is welcome to join in - or just come along and watch the fun!
There will also be a raffle, the proceeds of which will go to Acorns Children's Hospice.
Wednesday 21 May 2008
Conference Banquet
The 2008 Banquet will be held at the fantastic Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon. Coaches will transport delegates to the Centre, where pre-dinner drinks will be served amongst the world's largest collection of historic and contemporary British cars. This will be followed by dinner with wine and entertainment until late.
|© Meeting Makers | Low Graphics Version | Sitemap


text: Who Speaks for Islam? by The British Academy published on 2016-03-31T15:35:20Z Dr Dalia Mogahed Wednesday 24 March 2010, 6.00–7.00pm The Royal Society, 6–9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG Years after 9/11, are we any closer to understanding what makes a radical? Dalia Mogahed Gallup's largest study of Muslim populations worldwide challenges conventional wisdom and the inevitability of a global conflict as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue. Despite widespread media coverage of global terrorism from America and Europe to the Middle East and Asia, little is known about what majorities of the world's Muslims really think and feel. What do Muslims say about violence and terrorist attacks? What do they say about democracy, women, and relations with the West? What are their values, goals, and religious beliefs? Dr Dalia Mogahed delivers a special lecture on responses to terrorism and extremism. This lecture is linked to an international symposium on Islamic Studies in Europe, taking place at the British Academy, in conjunction with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), on 23–24 March 2010. About the speaker Dr Dalia Mogahed is Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies in Washington DC and coauthor of the book Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think (2008). She leads the collection and analysis of Gallup's survey of worldwide Muslim opinion, and directs the MuslimWest Facts Initiative, in collaboration with the Coexist Foundation, which disseminates the findings of the Gallup World Poll to key opinion leaders in the Muslim World and the West. The lecture was introduced and chaired by Henry Hogger CMG, Chairman of the Council for British Research in the Levant and a former British ambassador to Syria, who specialises in Middle East affairs. Genre Religion & Spirituality


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Are you interested in planning campaigns, services, equity and entertainment initiatives in 2015/16? Join a TRUSU Committee!
TRUSU Committees meet bi-weekly over the summer semester so that the Students' Union can hit the ground running in September. These groups plan all of the activities that take place over the 2015/2016 year.
Submit a TRUSU Committee Application Form
To get involved submit an application for the committee of your choice online! Click the buttons below for descriptions of each committee and an application form!
[button color="blue" url="http://trusu.ca//governance/committees/campaigns-committee/"]Campaigns Committee[/button] [button color="blue" url="http://trusu.ca//governance/committees/entertainment-committee/"]Entertainment Committee[/button]
[button color="blue" url="http://trusu.ca//governance/committees/equity-committee/"]Equity Committee[/button] [button color="blue" url="http://trusu.ca//governance/committees/services-committee/"]Services Committee[/button]


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Riddles & Answers
Answer: This one is fairly easy – 324 is the answer.
Discuss this Riddle in the comments below.
I think what the author meant to say was "36 times the sum of the three digits equals this number" because as stated, this is impossible. The current statement means:
[x=digit 1, y=digit 2, z=digit 3]
The number –> #=100x+10y+z
The sum of the digits equals 36 times the number–> x+y+z=36#
Which would mean that 36(100x+10y+z)=x+y+z
The above equation is only true if x, y, and z are all equal to 0, making the "number" 000 which does not fulfill the rest of the riddle.
However the corrected statement, "36 times the sum of the three digits equals this number" would mean:
Which can in fact be fulfilled by the digits 3, 2, and 4 and also agree with the rest of the riddle.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
©2009-2013 All Rights Reserved.


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You are hereFavorite Links
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stars of asia
Gifts and treasures from the orient...
Konichiwa, welcome to Kupuku! A Japanese design gift store with the cutest handmade products online. Life wasn't meant to be boring! Enjoy your shopping with us ^_^
Oriental Store is an online shop where you can buy Asian accessories, jewellery, bracelets, necklaces, handicrafts and tablewares.
Antwerp Mabuhay Lodgings
Beautiful and cozy Bed & Breakfast and furnished Studios in Antwerp city.
Sri Thai Restaurant
Experience the aunthentic and scrumptious Thai Food at Sri Thai Restaurant.
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We work with our customers, using a Feasibility Analysis Review, to determine their readiness for franchising. We help our clients take an honest look at where their business is today.
Some of the relevant benchmarks we examine in determining a clients' readiness to franchise include:
- Products and Services: Is there sufficient consumer demand for the company's products and services, and is that demand established or based on a trend that will keep the company's customer offering in demand for the foreseeable future?
- Differentiation: Does the consumer offering have competitive advantages or points of differentiation that make it attractive to consumers and prospective franchisees?
- Management: Does the business have a track record of success? Is management experienced and ethical with a history of financial and personal accomplishments?
- Commitment: Does the management have the necessary long-term commitment necessary for franchising?
- Systemization: Is the business based upon a set of refined and unified operating processes that have been tested and proven in actual operating locations?
- Skill Transfer: Can franchisees, their management, and their staff be taught to operate the business in a reasonable period of time to meet brand standards?
- Support: Can the revenue stream generated by the franchise system give the franchisor the resources necessary to provide the support required?
- Expansion: Is there an adequate pool of franchisees with the willingness and financial capability to become franchisees?
- Real Estate: Can the system's real estate requirements be adapted to various market requirements? Is the cost of developing a franchisee's location acceptable to prospective franchisees and bankable?
- Regulatory Requirements: Are there any significant regulatory barriers or personnel licensing requirements that would prohibit or limit the development of franchises?
- Economics: Will the franchise offering be affordable for the prospective franchisees? Does the franchisor have the necessary financial capability to establish, expand, and support the franchise system? Will the business, after fees, be profitable and will it meet the return on investment required by the franchisee and franchisor?
Our franchise consulting services
Success in franchising requires a winning recipe; experience, planning, market understanding and the development of executable tools to create a franchise system that can achieve long-term sustainable business growth for both franchisors and franchisees.
Clients rely on us to develop recommendations and propose tactical solutions based on the uniqueness of their brands and the culture of their organizations.
We successfully assist our clients in navigating the complexities of modern franchising in designing and developing their new franchise systems. We provide:
- Design and Development of a Franchise System for New Franchisors
- Customer Profile Analysis and Optimum Site Selection Plan
- Area Representation and Franchisee Suitability Analysis
- Development of Franchise System Growth Strategies and Franchise Sales Support
- Development of Operations Manuals and Training Programs for Franchisees
- Development of Support Manuals and Staff Training for Franchisors
- Development of a Franchise Contract
- Development of Management Assistance Program to Franchisors and Implementation Support to Improve System Performance
Please click here to contact us for a free, no-commitment discussion.


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Below is a list of our latest new arrivals.
Welcome to the RESULT downloads collection. Here you will find brochures, flyers. Result has been featured in downloadable product images and wallpapers
> Flyers
> Videos
A overview of our new products!
A short video showcasing our UK distribution centre.
Result showreel 2017
Behind the scenes on a Spiro photo shoot, vlog by one of our models Jamie Roche.
A short video showing the journey one of our packing boxes takes at out Beccles distribution centre.
A short video showing one of our R232M Bodywarmer being printed at an exhibition.


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Our company
Point Research is an independent research company. We offer a full range of social and market research services.
We specialise in research and evaluation, capacity building and support and communications for change.
We work in partnership with our clients to develop responsive and innovative research designed to provide in-depth, accessible results.
Our research team has a high degree of experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods on both small and large scale projects.


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Add Your Own Photos
Lilly Pulitzer Party Patchwork Quilt
Earn $25 back in rewards* for every $250 spent with your Pottery Barn Credit Card.Learn More
- Overview
Summer dreams start with this Lilly Pulitzer Party Patchwork Quilt in fun tropical-inspired prints. Sky blues, botanical greens and pops of orchid pink mix with lots of texture to bring Lilly's iconic style their room. Imagined exclusively for Pottery Barn Kids by Lilly Pulitzer, the iconic brand that started with a juice stand and a shift dress in Palm Beach and has been making people smile ever since with its vibrant hand-painted prints.
- Quilt is expertly stitched by hand.
- Quilt is filled with 270-gram weight cotton batting.
- Quilt and shams reverse to solid blue.
- Quilted shams have center tie closures.
- Quilt and Shams are made of 100% cotton percale. A cotton weave is a tightly woven weave, which gives the fabric a soft finish while providing durability and ultra breathability.
- Percale weave is a tightly woven weave, which gives the fabric a soft matte finish while providing durability and wears well over time.
- Reverse side is made of cotton voile.
- Bedding is yarn-dyed – fibers are treated individually with environmentally safe dyes before weaving to offer vibrant, lasting colors.
- Pottery Barn Kids exclusive.
- Quilt, shams and pillow inserts are sold separately.
- Machine wash.
- Imported.
- Personalization is available, up to 9 characters, for an additional cost.
- Personalization is available on the shams only.
- Dimensions & Care
- Twin: 68" wide x 86" long
- Full/Queen: 86" square
- Standard: 26" wide x 20" high
- Euro: 26" square
- Large capacity washer recommended.
- Machine wash cold water; gentle cycle.
- Use only non-chlorine bleach, if needed.
- Tumble dry on low heat; remove promptly.
- Warm iron as needed.
- Shipping & Returns
Standard UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3-5 business days.
- Available within the contiguous 48 states
- An extra charge of $26 per address.
- Order by 6pm PT Monday through Friday, you'll receive your order the next business day
- Orders placed on Friday after 6pm PT through Sunday will arrive on Tuesday.
- Monogrammed items take additional days for delivery. A delivery estimate will be quoted on your Payment & Review page.
Select oversized items have an additional delivery and processing surcharge; this charge is listed below the item price.
View our complete Shipping and Delivery.
Eligible items can be returned for a refund of the merchandise value within 30 days of receiving an order or 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery items. An original receipt or gift receipt is required.
- Stores - You can return most non-furniture items to your local Pottery Barn Kids store for free.
- By Phone - For non-custom furniture and other oversized items, call Customer Service at 1-800-993-4923
- By UPS - print a return label from our Returns Policy page and bring to a UPS location.
Delivery fees are non-refundable and prior purchases are not eligible for a price adjustment.
- Monogrammed/Personalized items
- Made to Order items, including custom rugs and furniture
- Mattresses
- Gift cards
- Final sale items (with prices ending in $.X7 or $.X9)
- Items damaged through normal wear and tear
For assistance please contact Customer Service at 1.888.922.4119, 7 days a week, 5:00 am - 9:00 pm (PST). We cannot accept returns on final-sale items ending in .99, monogrammed items or items damaged through normal wear and tear. Made-to-Order furniture or rugs are not eligible for returns. Delivery fees are non-refundable.
View our complete Returns Policy.
- Our Safety and Quality Commitment
Our Commitment
At Pottery Barn Kids, we have a firm commitment to safety and quality. We take great pride in our timeless designs, premium materials and expert craftsmanship.
Designed In-house
Nearly all of our products are imagined and designed in our San Francisco studios. Our artists hand-create prototypes for everything from furniture to bedding to lighting. From there, we work with talented craftsmen and fabric industry leaders to build long-lasting products designed to last your family for years to come.
Free Interior Design Services
Need design help? We offer free, no-strings-attached Interior Design Services. Get advice and inspiration from our specialists in-store, over the phone or by email. Designers will even make in-home visits, where they can take measurements, discuss color options and give tips on any room.
Nursery Bedding Safety Standards
- Bumper ties should always be secured tightly and positioned outside of the crib. When your child is able to pull up to a standing position, crib bumpers should be removed.
- Do not place decorative pillows in the crib while your baby is sleeping.
- View all of our nursery bedding safety tips.
Select Size:
Standard Sham
- Personalization
Euro Sham
- Personalization
You May Also Need
Lilly Pulitzer Organic Mermaid Cove Sheet Set
Sheeting Set
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- Organic
Extra Pillowcase
Lilly Pulitzer Party Patchwork Toddler Quilt
Toddler Quilt
- Personalization


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From my own personal experience, using the excuse that I simply 'have to no time to write' is one of my strongest writing blocks. For most of us, it's a way of self-reassurance- (you could be a best selling writer, if you didn't have to do the washing up, play basketball three nights a week and try and keep on top of your homework).
News flash. This is not a legitimate reason for not writing. We only have to look at probably the most sensational rags to riches stories in the writing world of our very own J.K. Rowling to see that a novel can flourish in even the most hostile environments- whether it be lack of money, social support or even paper (although she strongly denies writing on napkins!)
Another quite remarkable example is Scott Turow, an attorney in America who wrote his first published novel 'Presumed' as he rode the 7.39 a.m. Chicago and North Western train, his desire to write simply to strong to ignore.
So when you think about it, do you really lack time to write your dream novel? Or is it our old friend procrastination that's stopping you?
Here are some tips for busting the block:
1. Get a piece of paper and a pen, and write down these three sentences, and finish them so that they apply to you.
I am not writing right now because…
The reason I can't overcome this is….
A good thing coming from not writing is…
2. Time management. I can't stress this enough. Accounting for the hours of the day is essential if you want to be as productive as possible, and still have enough time left over to relax. Drawing up a table for study, leisure, chores, socialising and writing (most importantly, of course..) will help you allocate enough of your energy for each task, and is a good way of decreasing stress so that you are not either running around like a headless chicken at ten o'clock at night searching for your history essay or ripping up your writing in a blind rage due to lack of sleep.
3.Routine. Getting into a habit of writing for the same length of time, at the same time of day is highly beneficial as you will be mentally and physically prepared to write.
4.Relax! Forcing yourself to write can be destructive too. Try to remember every time that you get disheartened why you started to write, and gradually the words will flow. And remember, if you write from the heart and try your hardest, it shines through.
So why aren't you writing right now??


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Scholastic Media and Briarpatch Join Forces for WordGirl at Toy Fair 2009
NEW YORK — February 11, 2009 — Toy Fair 2009 will mark another milestone for a character that puts the "super" in "superlative." Scholastic Media (www.scholastic.com) unveils Briarpatch as a new licensee that will release board games, card games, travel games and puzzles based on the critically acclaimed animated series, WordGirl® (www.pbskids.org/wordgirl) beginning in 2010. Scholastic Media's agreement with Briarpatch (www.briarpatch.com) builds upon a highly successful and longstanding 15-year relationship between the two companies, which includes the bestselling I SPY program.
The WordGirl toy line from Briarpatch will be introduced to the marketplace in January 2010 through various distribution channels including mass market, specialty stores and toy stores. The product line will join the new line of Scholastic WordGirl books that will launch in February 2009 with four books and then four more books to follow in the fall. There will also be a new line of Halloween costumes available this Fall.
"WordGirl is smart, funny and truly one of the most distinctive new kids shows around," said Leslye Schaefer, Senior Vice President Marketing and Consumer Products for Scholastic Media. "Our merchandising program will leverage the clever and hilarious characters and storylines from the series. We're starting with a targeted campaign roll-out, but anticipate a wider range of products in 2010 and beyond."
WordGirl has received numerous awards and accolades since its debut in September 2007, including a 2008 Daytime Emmy® for "Best Writing in Animation", the 2008 Television Critics Association Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming," a 2008 Parent's Choice Award in the "Parent's Choice Recommended" category, and a 2008 Pulcinella Award Official Selection as part of the International Showcase at the "Cartoons On The Bay" festival in Salerno, Italy. WordGirl was also most recently selected as a winner of the Learning Magazine 2009 Teachers' Choice Award for the Family.
The show's website (www.pbskidsgo.org/wordgirl) also was named a 2008 Finalist for the Prix Jeunesse International Interactivity Prize, designated a 2008 Parents' Choice Recommended award winner and won a GOLD AWARD in the 2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Children's Products competition. The site, which receives over 1 million hits each month, extends the show's vocabulary-building with new videos and games, as well as updated installments of "Power Words" and "Freeze Frame" featuring vocabulary words from the new episodes.
WordGirl chronicles the madcap adventures of Becky Botsford, a mild-mannered fifth grader who, at the call of duty, transforms into WordGirl – caped crusader and definition dynamo! When there is trouble in The City, this super heroine-in-disguise uses vocabulary to defeat outlaws bent on "word" domination. With the help of her faithful monkey sidekick, Captain Huggy Face, WordGirl spends each episode defeating a quirky cast of villains – from Dr. Two-Brains to The Butcher – with her power punches and dictionary strength. The show is designed to enrich children's vocabulary, instill a love of language and foster better reading comprehension.
WordGirl airs five days a week on PBS KIDS GO! (check local listings for times). More information is available online atwww.pbskidsgo.org/wordgirl and pbs.org/pressroom.
Brian Reinert / Ashley Gillen
email@example.com / email@example.com
About Scholastic Media Scholastic Media, the entertainment and media division of Scholastic, is a leading producer of quality, family-oriented content across multiple platforms, including feature films, television programming, videos, interactive and audio products, and websites, and is a major developer and marketer of children's brands worldwide.
About Scholastic Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and children's media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and the Company's Internet Site, www.scholastic.com.
About Briarpatch Briarpatch's mission is to create games with integrity that enhance children's social and emotional development through play. The company has pioneered the development of games, card games and puzzles based upon literary licenses, and their success with trend driven and evergreen properties has made them an industry leader. Briarpatch has received numerous awards for product excellence and has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as "one of the fastest growing private companies in America."


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On Sunday it's my 24th birthday. I'm kind of looking forward to it but I feel so weird getting older. In my mind I still feel so young.
Last night I had a little gathering like I always do. It's a little girly affair. So I will post photos and such afterwards.
I thought to make a small wish list. I absolutely don't expect it but it's nice to make lists. It's not really that small =p This first one is for my stationery obsession.
These are the dvd's and cd's that I'm wanting at the moment. From left to right, Prince Caspian soundtrack, Twilight saga boxed set of books, Alias boxset, Transformers score soundtrack, Star Wars 1-3 box set, Star Wars 4-6 box set.
This set is some loves from Etsy. Some of the items are sold out. What a shame =(
I will post about my little party and my actual birthday in my next post. EEpp! It's on the 1st of Feb.


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This appropriation funded 283 projects totaling 21,953 acres. The two largest types of enhancement were 112 woody removal projects totaling 10,160 acres and 134 prescribed burns totaling 10,082 acres. Additionally, we seeded 30 sites totaling 1386 acres, put in infrastructure for conservation grazing of 236 acres on 3 sites, conducted 3 oak savanna enhancements totaling 42 acres, and treated 47 acres of invasive species on 2 sites.
2012 Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour
2012 3-D Concert Series
Acquire 2.5 acres for Trout Brook Regional Trail
Acquire 0.5 acre parcel for Southwest Regional Trail
Southwest Regional Trail, acquire 0. 35 acres, connect the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail and Southwest Regional Trail
The AgBMP Loan Program provides needed funding for local implementation of clean water practices at an extremely low cost, is unique in its structure and is not duplicated by any other source of funding.The AgBMP loan program provides 3% loans through local lenders to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses.
Artist Initiative


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Latest Additions & Updates
Order the 2011 ISIS Morgan Calendar
Road & Track article on the latest Isis +8+
2008 Isis Imports Calendar Images
New Custom Morgan Greeting Cards <<< Custom made cards designed just for you
Driver Review of the Isis 8 by John H. Sheally II
sMOGGING <<< sMOG This Sightings
Roger Burtenshaw
Morgan Cars Photos by Model
The Flat Rad Page <<< Now features over 30 Flat Rad Morgan photos
The Trike Page (3-wheel max. allowed beyond this point-trike devotees are also encouraged to visit the JHS II pages)
Morgan Plus 8 Page II Photos by Jim Murray
Visitors to Isis witness the making of
a 400 bhp Plus 8
• Morgan Aero 8 •
MOGWEST/AERO 8 (Photos from the 2002 event in Cambria, California)
Aero8 at the 2003 L.A. Auto Show
Aero8 at the 2004 N.Y. Auto Show
Road & Track article - Morgan Aero8
Richard Gilbert Morgan Aero 8 Gallery
Morgan Gallery Exhibits
Isis Imports Calendar Photos
The Isis 2002 Calendar Images (featuring photos by Bob Dunsmore & Patrick Brinton)
2003 Isis Imports Calendar Images
Isis Imports 2004 Morgan Calendar Images
Isis 2005 Calendar Images (International assortment of Morgan car pictures, all by Morgan owners)
Isis Imports 2006 Calendar Images
Isis Imports 2007 Calendar Images
John H. Sheally II Collection
John H. Sheally Gallery 2 << Part 2 of a collection provided by JHS II
George Dow Collection
On the Road 2 <<< Join George Dow on his continental road trip, starring his Morgan Plus 8
On the Road 3 <<< More photos from George Dow's European road trip
On the Road in Europe with George Dow
Richard Gilbert Collection
Richard Gilbert Morgan Aero 8 Gallery
Morgan Car Art & Graphics
Original Morgan Greeting Cards
Michel Coumes Morgan Artwork << This link takes you to the artist's web site
Photo Page XII (includes photos of the British Car Magazine photo shoot)
Photo Page XIII
Photo Page XIV
Photo Page XXII
Photo Page XXIII
Photo Page XXIV
Page XXV
Morgan Makeover A DHC finds a new owner
and a new look
Niagara Weekend -MSCC of Canada
Niagara Weekend 2
Autumn Mog XXIII
MOG Events Photo Album (A selection of Morgan moments, from various events of 2002)
Monterey Historics 2003 <<< Photos by Gerry Willburn
TexMog 2003
Morgans at Sears Point
Montecito Exotic Car Show
MogWest 2003
MOG 33 - Part 3
Mallory Park (Must see page for trike fans)
MOG 33 - Part 2
Events of 2004
Mog Midwest 2004 <<< Over 75 photos from this event courtesy of Tom Van Zuiden
Events of 2005
Morgans Over America IV<<<Photos from the cross-country tour group's send off BBQ in Northern California
Events of 2006
Events of 2007
Carmel by the Sea Concours 2007
A sMOG This Viewer Visits (slide show depicting my guest's day in Bodega)
Other Sections
Other sites from the creator of sMOG This include:
Morgan Sports Car Club of Northern California
North Bay British Car Club
Brenda Reed -S.F. Based Jazz, Blues and R&B Singer
(Brenda also appears in the 2004 Isis Calendar images)


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Warwickshire Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident on Kenilworth Road in Leamington Spa at around 3pm on Wednesday (February 25).
The victim, a woman in her 20s, was approached by a man who grabbed her before running in the direction of Trinity Street.
Police have released an image of man they are keen to speak to in connection with the incident.
The man seen in the picture was described as a white man, around 5"9-6" tall, aged around 18-25, of skinny build with mousey coloured hair.
At the time of the incident he was wearing glasses, a grey and black hooded top, black jogging bottoms and trainers.
No further action has been taken against a 49-year-old man who was previously arrested in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact DC 1599 Jenny Baker in Leamington CIS on 684018 quoting incident number 226 of 25th February.


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France's Scargill
In October 1995, French public-sector workers responded to Alain Juppé's proposed reform of the welfare state with mass strikes; in December, the transportation workers joined them, paralyzing the French economy until Mr. Juppé's proposals were withdrawn.
The leader of the railway strike, Bernard Thibault, thus became something of a hero to French unions and communists. [The Communists are staunch supporters of generous pension packages, especially for state employees.] In 1999, Mr. Thibault became head of the CGT [Confederation Generale du Travail, roughly the French AFL], presumably on the strength of his earlier victory.
Now it is Mr. Thibault who is the most outspoken opponent of Nicolas Sarkozy's proposed pension reforms. The parallels with Arthur Scargill, British labour's hero after his National Union of Miners soundly defeated Edward Heath's government, seem clear.
Mr. Sarkozy's challenge is less intimidating than that faced by Margaret Thatcher in the government's 1979 rematch against NUM, but subtler. The wreckage of the British economy in the 1970's had destroyed Mr. Scargill's moral authority, but Mrs. Thatcher still had a difficult tactical problem to face. France today is comparatively healthy, and Mr. Sarkozy's task is to maintain popular support.
If the French people feel that Mr. Sarkozy's proposals are reasonable, they will blame the discomfort and inconvenience they are about to experience on the unions. But if the French government overplays its hand, it will lose credibility with every cancelled train until these reforms, like those of 1995, are discarded.


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Advantages To Using A Columbarium For The Remains Of Deceased Loved Ones
Cremation services are becoming an increasingly popular end of life choice. In fact, more than one million Americans choose to be cremated instead of buried each year, approximately 42 percent of all people who die annually. Although a direct cremation makes planning a funeral much less expensive and involved, family and friends still have to decide what to do with the cremated remains.
Many family members and friends choose to scatter the ashes in a place that was a favorite of the deceased, such as the ocean, a garden or a favorite park. Others choose to use a portion of the remains to make a lasting piece of cremation jewelry. Still others have the remains buried in a cemetery plot or placed in a family crypt. Another, lesser known option is to have the remains placed in a columbarium.
What is a columbarium?
A columbarium is a grid-like structure that contains multiple vaults designed to house cremated remains. A columbarium may be located within a building or outside as a freestanding structure. Some columbaria are located within churches or on church grounds; others are located in buildings constructed especially to house a columbarium. Many cemeteries and crematoria include columbaria.
Benefits to using a columbarium
There are many advantages to choosing a columbarium other other final options. Just a few of these include:
1. A columbarium is less expensive than many other options. A vault in a columbarium is generally much less expensive than a cemetery plot, since it takes up much less real estate than the typical grave site.
2. A columbarium can be easily visited by friends and family. When you have your relative's remains in your home or have them made into a piece of cremation jewelry, it's difficult for other family members or friends to pay their respects to the deceased. Most columbaria are open to the public.
3. A columbarium can often accommodate multiple remains. Many vaults in a columbarium are large enough to accommodate the remains of more than one person, usually two or three. That means a husband and wife can be interred in the same vault, making this an even more affordable after-life choice.
While choosing a columbarium as a final resting place isn't the right choice for everyone, these vaults are generally less expensive than traditional cemetery plots, are kinder to the environment since they use less land and can be easily visited by all of your family and friends.


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Weekly Kundalini Yoga Classes
MONDAY AM | 9:30am – 10:45am
Yoga Source Plantation
6601 N.W. 14th St. Suite 11
Plantation, FL 33313
For info call: (754) 200-8255
MONDAY PM | 7:30pm – 9:00pm
1100 E Hallandale Beach Blvd 33009
For info call: (954) 456-6945
Tune into the Infinite Tuesdays
Mediation & Sound Healing Gongs at Omechaye Noon to 1 pm
Take a break from your work or busy day ~refresh -~restore~ renew ~ a NEW kind of lunch break !
Nourishment for the mind body soul no need to change clothes come as you are sit ~ breath ~ meditate ~ sound heal and back to your routine refreshed and plugged into to calm for the rest of the day.
Each gathering students will practice a pranayama (breath work), chant mantra meditations, and relax into the sacred sound healing of the Gongs. These ancient sounds bathe your chakras & nervous system with healing light infusing you with a sense of peace and well- being. You align with your own individual frequency, remove the mind blocks and increase your potential to create positive change in all aspects of your life.
Please contact me with any questions you may have
You can register on line Omechaye.com or just drop in !
TUESDAY | 12.00noon – 1:00pm
1100 E Hallandale Beach Blvd 33009
For info call: (954) 456-6945
WEDNESDAY | 6:15am – 7:15am
Holywood Beach
1301 S Ocean Dr. On A1A Azalea Terrace
For info call: (954) 445-6775


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Computational models of air pollution
Ultrafine particle exposure can lead to negative health effects on the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and on cognitive function. Potential exposures to ultrafine particles are measured as particle number concentrations (PNCs). Researchers often use computational models to measure PNCs near roads and highways.
A team of researchers recently published a study in Environmental Science & Technology on their findings that computer-based models of air pollution do not agree in all scenarios. Team members included Associate Professor John Durant and alumni Allison Patton and Chad Milando. The research team set out to evaluate the ability of dispersion and regression models to predict PNC in Somerville and Boston's Chinatown, near highways. They found differences among models in areas with complex roadway geometries and wind patterns. In Chinatown in particular, PNC trends differed among models; researchers theorized that this was due to the effects of nonhighway particle sources and of street canyons.
This month, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences featured the paper as one of its intramural papers of the month in Environmental Factor.