text:
Are we going to witness an historical housing price correction amid sharpest rise in unemployment and social tension?...and the minimum you should know in order to protect yourself from this downturn from an economic, stock market and political point of view... with a pinch of humor and sarcasm.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Finnish Housing Market Peak Reached
"The stock of housing loans extended to households by MFIs amounted to EUR 63.5 billion at the end of March, with an average interest rate of 5.00%."
"The annual growth rate of the housing loan stock declined to 11.9%, down from 12.2% in February. "
"The annual growth rate of the corporate loan stock has risen clearly in recent months, accelerating to 16.1% in March, compared with 13.5% in February and 11.8% in January. "
According to the Bank of Finland, there is a clear deceleration on the housing loan front but a clear overheating on the business side, a clear sign of the end of a cycle.
Finnish Real Estate Plunging?
Monday, 28 April 2008
48% Rise in Debt and Claim Cases
"The payment problems associated with consumer credit loans and instant loans are increasing at a brisk pace in Finland.
In 2007, Finnish district courts made a record number of decisions relating to cases involving debts and other claims.
The number of such cases was more than 113,000, which was higher than ever before in the past 20 years and more. When comparing with the previous year, the growth is as much as 48 per cent.
Moreover, the figures have doubled over the past ten years.
In some experts' view, the increasing number of problems relating to debt collection is a sign of an upcoming recession.
"It is possible that debt collection becomes more active prior to a recession period, when companies are trying to collect all the money they can before individuals with payment difficulties are driven to insolvency", says Antero Nuotto from the Helsinki District Court. "
You really wonder how and why people are able to accumulated so much debt. Finland is behaving in completely different way compared to continental Europe where a slow down in credit has already been perceived.
You can clearly see it on residential housing, where banks have not put any brake in lending money to people for buying an asset that is clearly inflated. Why do they do that? do they think they are smarter or are they just pushing people into trouble for profiting of the situation later??
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Government : Pretty Bad Privacy
So If people are stupid indeed they will be using the company email service to send corporate secret...
Are the people behind this law stupid (...like a fox)?
Second point, are they, as well, going to monitor emails send through google Gmail, Yahoo mail, hotmail etc...? are they going to ban employees access to those email providers from internet access?
if they really want to protect corporate secret then they will need to :
1-forbid any internet access
2-remove any cd/disk drive
3-remove any USB port
4-disable printers
5-disallow the use of mobile phone or digital camera
6-body check each person when they finnish their work
7-check people social connections, monitor phone calls
Then maybe corporate secret won't go to the "evil" competitor.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Taxi Driver : The Best Indicator?
Usually it's either the barbers that are acting as the "canary in the coal mine" (or parrot in some cases) or the the taxi drivers. For example, back in 2000, my barber was advising me on what to buy in the stock market, she acted as a specialist. Nowdays , she advises on housing...
Today, this role is clearly being taken over by the taxi drivers.
In 2001, prices sharply went up and we add a recession.
In 2008, prices sharply went up and what are we going to have?
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Rear Mirror : Housing and Economy
"The outlook for the Finnish building sector still looks positive, concluded a statement by the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (RT)."
"RT expects the construction industry to grow by four per cent this year, even though there will be a ten per cent reduction in new housing projects."
"However, the reduction in new projects will be reflected in the figures for 2009, when the construction industry growth rate is expected to fall to 1.5 per cent."
The housing growth is something from the past or an image of that rear mirror and if you look carefully you will see reverted growth...that's the forward forecast.
Insider Trading?
The state of Finland has sold all its shares in Finnish telecommunications operator Elisa, the prime minister's office reported on Tuesday.
The Finnish state owned a 0.65 per cent slice of Elisa's share capital, which it sold for 18.1 million euros.
-22.4.2008 at 16:02 Elisa publish the interim report: share was trading down 14% at 13:76 euro
Revenue was negatively affected by 2007 revenue adjustment of mobile segment, approximately EUR 7 million. This was due to correction of 2007 revenue estimate of delayed customer billing.
This information/story, events or physical or virtuel entities represented in this article are purely fictuous any similarities with real entities is purely coincidental especially ones refering to the government- The author as well as any commentators decline any responsabilities described in this document/article.
The ECB Inflation Mandate and the Poor
Here is a clear message to the ECB: Follow your mandate carefully otherwise you might push government to deal with social unrest. Inflation is the first threat to the poor or the fragile one (elderly and the future poor: the unemployed).
Food price (wheat, rice) , petrol, electricity, rent are increasing at an alarming rate while at the same time wages, adjusted to inflation, are NOT following up for the vast majority. (I have to say some earn already a lot and give themselves generous rise on behalf of the citizen : see thin and fat article )
The problem can already be seen in Finland and the U.S. (see this article).
"Increasing numbers of people in the Helsinki region and other areas have been queueing up for free food."
"The need is considerable in the Helsinki region, but in recent times we have been contacted from other parts of the country, where there are reports of a need", Hursti, a private volunteer who distributes food in Helsinki, says.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Nordea Economic Outlook
"The pace of activity in the housing market has also normalised and households have become more cautious."
"The number of unsold new homes has increased and construction companies have cut down their production."
"Residential investment will decrease markedly this year."
"In Finland the rise in prices has been more moderate than, say, in the other Nordic countries, but a calmer period of a few years seems natural after an uptrend lasting several years."
Clearly, if the credit and confidence crisis continue, its impact are beyond any crisis seen in the past 30 years thus making the last recession as shallow one. After all, the last recession was the trigger for housing price acceleration as interest rates were mistakenly pushed too low.
AsuntoKupla 2 : Land Price Overheating
"Prices have reached as high as 15,000 euros for a hectare of land."
Friday, 18 April 2008
Up Up ...the next move?
Recent wage dynamics in conjuncture with elevated and persistent energy and food price pressures have increased the risk of a prolonged period of intolerably high inflation,'' Weber said in a speech today in Frankfurt. ``We will have to continuously monitor closely all incoming data and evaluate whether the current level of interest rates in fact ensures'' price stability.
Weber is the second ECB policy maker this week to suggest that the bank's next step is more likely to be a rate increase than a cut. Surging food and energy prices pushed euro-region inflation to 3.6 percent in March, more than initially estimated and the fastest pace in almost 16 years, the European Union's statistics office said yesterday. "
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Asuntokupla : Finland, Sweden and Denmark
Scandinavian property markets have enjoyed explosive growth over the last decade. Since 1995, property prices have climbed by an average of 12% in Denmark and by nearly 8% (per year) in Finland and Sweden.
Between 1995 and 2007, prices soared by nearly 300% in Denmark and by approximately 150% in Sweden and Finland. This trend coincided with a steady increase in residential investment which accelerated in tandem with the economic upturn that started showing through from 2004 onwards.
As a result, the construction sector's contribution to economic growth in Scandinavia – both directly, in terms of increased demand via residential investment, and indirectly, though higher employment – has been massive, especially since 2004.
Furthermore, it would appear that what will probably prove to be a hard landing for the Scandinavian property market is already underway. Structural indicators are in negative territory, in contrast to the situation in 2000-2002 when the economic slowdown was short lived.
Scandinavian households had substantial recourse to credit in order to buy their own homes. Apart from the downward blip between 2001 and 2002, growth rates in lending to households have exceeded 10% over the last ten years. The trend was underpinned by historically low levels of interest rates in 2003/2005.
Household indebtedness topped the levels recorded before the late 1980s crisis: almost 250% of gross disposable income in Denmark and 150% in Sweden. Borrowing on this scale now looks unsustainable. As a result of monetary tightening – the process took place somewhat late in the day: i.e. in 2005 - interest charges rose (rates on home loans stood at 5% in most Scandinavian countries in January 2008 vs. 3% to 3.50% in 2005).
This not only increased the cost of new loans but also pushed up the cost of honouring existing debts as an extremely high percentage of home loans had been taken out at variable rates: 40% in, Sweden and Denmark and 90% in Finland.
This problem has recently been compounded by the current financial crisis which has led to an increase in bank financing costs and, by the same token, to tougher lending conditions.
A close watch needs to be kept on the indicator that measures growth in home loans. This indicator rose to an all-time high in the first quarter of 2006 but has since been retreating slowly. On a short term view, a more substantial loss of momentum is to be expected.
Residential construction market trends leave no doubt that the housing market has started to run out of steam. Housing starts (compound 12-month figures) fell by 30% and 37% yoy respectively in Q2 and Q3 in Denmark, by 9% in Q2 in Finland and by 34% in Q4 in Sweden.
The end of government measures to support the construction industry in these countries does much to explain the sharp downward swing.
That said, the underlying trend is equally discouraging. The reversal of trend is well underway in Denmark and Finland. The movement is particularly palpable in Denmark where the tide has been turning since the second quarter of 2007: prices tumbled by 5.1% and 8.7% respectively in Q2 and Q3.
Although prices are still rising in Finland, the pace slowed from 7% to 5% yoy between the first and fourth quarters of 2007.
The property market recession in prospect will have significant implications for Scandinavian economies as a whole. Firstly, the percentage of GDP accounted for by residential investment has risen sharply since the mid-1990s, notably in Finland and in Denmark.
This means that the contraction of household residential investment will have a direct negative impact on growth. The signs have already started filtering though: in the second half of 2007, residential investment fell by 1.8% and 1% respectively in Denmark and Finland. From this year onwards, all three countries are likely to be affected.
Secondly, the impact on the job market will be considerable. In Denmark, the percentage of total employment accounted for by the construction sector rose from 4.8% to 5.9% between 1996 and
2006. Moreover, this sector was responsible for almost 20% of job creations over the same period. The trend was similar in Sweden and Finland: the construction sector accounted for more than 15% of job creations between 1996 and 2006).
As Denmark's property market is the most vulnerable, the correction in this country is likely to be the most severe. Finland and, to an even greater extent, Sweden are less at risk but are nonetheless on course for a property market recession.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Second-round Effects Materializing
Wages climbed almost as steeply in private health care and social services (10.5 percent) and financial services (10.3 percent). Even in sectors where growth was moderate, there was still considerable improvement in paycheques. Growth was the slowest in private-sector educational services, where pay was up by 6.2 percent."
Source: Statistic Finland
Monday, 14 April 2008
"Finland's inflation rate rose to 3.9 per cent in March, Statistics Finland reported in a statement on Monday. The inflation rate is increasing fast, as February's year-on-year figure for consumer price change was 3.7 per cent."
"Inflation was pushed up most in the year by risen prices of housing. The rise was due to higher prices of energy, risen housing loan interest rates and real estate prices as well as rent increases. Inflation was also pushed up by increases in the prices of food, automotive fuels, restaurant and café services and retail prices of alcoholic beverages from the year before."
Back in September, when i started this blog,I warned that prices were going out of control. Finnish Economist, politicians and banks didn't really think so when reading them through the news or statements. Those people are clearly behind the curve and were not able to predict the fact that inflation is now threatening the stability of our economy. The first casualties will be hard assets such as housing.
Indeed, high inflation if persistent would mean higher interest rates at some point while salary are pressured lower (something never experienced before).
You didn't have to be a genius to see that letting interest too low has created a period of unusually cheap credit that is now affecting the real economy globally through higher prices in any commodities : food, oil etc... in fact anything (except electronics , cars? maybe not as it's relatively expensive here in Finland)
Unfortunately for Finland, the ECB is targeting Germany, France and Italy inflation. Thus letting Finland on its own and most probably pushing it into a prolonged period of sluggish growth. The impact is going to be felt socially by raising tension toward immigrants, first casualties in a slowdown. It will be followed by loss of competitiveness if second round effect materialize plunging even deeper the slump.
Housing price were adjusted in 2003-2004 with the idea that we will live in a prolonged period of low interest rates. Imminent economist in Finland stamped that theory. Unfortunately it's all wrong. Globalization side effects were not taken into account in setting up this "perfect" scenario. So prices are indeed between 10% to 40% overvalued. And as the readers pointed out in the survey (on the right of the blog), prices could fall by 30% by 2010 which is getting more realistic as time goes.
The Butterfly Effect
The dream is now turning into a nightmare.
Erkki's inflation view : 18 months no more...
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
U.S. Federal Reserve (FOMC) Minutes
"Home prices had declined more steeply than anticipated, and the weakening housing market, combined with a softening in labor markets, appeared to be weighing on consumer sentiment.
Businesses also were seen as becoming more pessimistic and cautious, despite a strong foreign demand for U.S. goods.
Strains in financial markets had increased, portending a possible further tightening in the availability of credit to households and businesses.
Against this backdrop, many participants thought some contraction in economic activity in the first half of 2008 now appeared likely.
The economy was expected to begin to recover in the second half of the year, supported by recent monetary policy easing and fiscal stimulus.
Accommodative monetary policy and a recovery in financial markets along with an abatement of the downdraft in housing activity were expected to help foster a further pickup in economic growth in 2009.
However, considerable uncertainty surrounded this forecast, and some participants expressed concern that falling house prices and stresses in financial markets could lead to a more severe and protracted downturn in activity than currently anticipated."
So all are betting for a better second half although as time and event unfold, this view is downgraded each time. That remind me, the 2001 period when each market participants preaching that next half would be better. Ultimately one got it right 2 years after...
So the risk is massive for a recession and for a bad one in the U.S. The next question is about contagion, how much will it impact the rest of the world and in particular Europe.
Here is what they have to say Europe in their minute :
"In the major advanced foreign economies, the rate of growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) generally declined in the fourth quarter. The source of the slowdown varied substantially across economies. In the euro area and in the United Kingdom, output was restrained by a softening in domestic demand."
That is true for Finland that has seen its GDP fall from 6.2% to 3.4%, almost halving it in a year. Although one has to recognize that this is still a very good one. Would that GDP continue to deteriorate or would it stabilize at around this level? it's all depending on the consumer...
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
U.K. House Prices Fall the Most Since 1992
"U.K. house prices dropped by the most since 1992 in March as a global credit squeeze forced banks to roll back mortgage lending, adding to the case for a Bank of England interest-rate cut this week, a report by HBOS Plc showed."
"The average cost of a home in Britain fell 2.5 percent to 191,556 pounds (240.000 EUR) from February, the U.K.'s biggest mortgage lender said in a statement on the Regulatory News Service today."
As highlighted multiple times throughout this blog, the housing correction will come from the west and like a domino will ultimately reach the east with a time lag. (First the U.S. then U.K , Ireland and Spain etc...)
As the ECB had highlighted many time, Europe trade is higher and more important with U.K. then the U.S. So while the U.S is entering a recession, the ECB was not yet that alarmed but if the U.K does really enter a recession then "Houston, we have a problem"...
Autor Sector Down, Trend Continues...
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Food Stamp, Poverty, Media and Propaganda...
"Food stamps are the symbol of poverty in the US. In the era of the credit crunch, a record 28 million Americans are now relying on them to survive – a sure sign the world's richest country faces economic crisis."
"Dismal projections by the Congressional Budget Office in Washington suggest that in the fiscal year starting in October, 28 million people in the US will be using government food stamps to buy essential groceries, the highest level since the food assistance programme was introduced in the 1960s. "
That's pretty surprising, isn't it? Maybe, you have been watching too much the BBC "smart-propaganda" channel and need urgently different sources of information...
Indeed the internet is not only a great tool for finding information, participating in open discussions but it provides you different way of thinking, allows you to be more critical. Let's just hope that organization such as yahoo or Google don't turn up like BBC (which was probably a model when first born then later was used as a pure political tool (we clearly see that with the way they report any news about Zimbabwe, China etc...))
This article although slightly shocking for some, can be clearly related indirectly to the Housing market. The information you are getting through different channels can be wrong or distorted so you need to be more critical and not absorb blindly any information. That's the point I try to make in this article.
Note: this is not an anti American article, I don't fall in those cliché; I am not. There is good and bad in all nation and categorizing "Black and White" certain communities and countries would be a mistake.
Some Finnish media are clearly promoting discrimination by unfairly targeting the minorities such as Romanians or Somalians. Let's just remind that they represent a very small portion of the total immigrant... This media participate in the process of shaping incorrectly the mindset of the most fragile one as well as distorting the view of the most educated one. There is nothing that can be done about it but I encourage people to have different view and have access to different source of information: "Knowledge is Power"
I'm maybe utopic into believing that one day we will be living in societies when all people are equal and where discrimination will disappear but at least I'm really hoping that history taught us lessons and in time of crisis people come together to solve it instead of being against each other...
Source: Food stamps
Friday, 4 April 2008
Ireland Housing : Good luck!
"The numbers have been awful; even in the last few days we've had manufacturing at a five-year low,'' said Alan McQuaid, chief economist at Bloxham Stockbrokers in Dublin. "Maybe Ahern is leaving at the right time."
"Ahern, 56, announced his resignation at a press conference yesterday, bowing to pressure from lawmakers over investigations into gifts and cash he received in the 1990s. "
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Bank Of Finland preparing for a "Northen Rock"
"Finnish business daily Kauppalehti reported Thursday that the Bank of Finland might have to bail out Icelandic banks should they run into dire straits."
"According to the paper, Nordic central banks agreed four years ago to guarantee the stability of the region's banking system by bailing out banks that operated in at least two Nordic countries."
"The agreement was struck before any of the Icelandic banks operated in Finland. Credit rating agency Fitch recently downgraded Glitnir, Kaupthing and Landsbanki, all with operations in Finland."
Is nothern rocking? well when there are talks about bail out it's not a good sign for the nordic region as it is just a preparation for disturbing turbulences right at the doors... at the moment they are just banging, Erkki & co is still strong enough to hold the doors, but for how long??
So the Finnish tax payers might be have to participate into rescuing greedy, uncompetent icelandic bankers. I have no doubt that those CEO or investors that engineer this investment bubble have now their pocket full of money and have no worries wahtsoever if things collapse as they already backed their position... That's when Socialism come to the rescue of Capitalism : when things goes well the top rich get fattier and when things goes bad the lower income or the bottom 90% have to work hard to rescue the system....
We are witnessing the worst financial crisis that current and old generation has ever seen and yet the Finnish newpapers, web site , thinktank and bankers talk up the "Decoupling theory".
This theory state that although the US might fall into a recession, the rest of the world i.e emerging market, will be strong enough to keep intact the world economical growth.
The architecture of the current
It could be that this financial
Iceland's Economy 'under attack' ?
"The highly-indebted banks have been found it hard to borrow on jittery credit markets over fears that they could default on debt. "
"The ratings agencies have expressed concern that Iceland may have to support the country's banks to avert a possible financial crisis. "
Finnish Bankrupties UP, Not Yet Alarming?
"The increase is not big enough to warrant alarm, according to Pekka Haenninen, an actuary at Statistics Finland, the paper said. The biggest increase was for trading companies, Kauppalehti said."
"Personal bankruptcies increased to 2099 from 1532, according to the newspaper, putting their increase at 37 percent. "
YLE: Discrimination And Censorship...
It's very interesting to see how fast censure can bite...
Today I was reading an article on YLE that was reflecting the impression I had "on the street" about immigration ,employement and unemployment.
Finland is asking for more foreigners to come, some have been here many years, speak finnish and yet can't find job. According to this article (which has been censured in the meantime), it says that the unemployment of foreigners is about 3 time higher then the average .
They took an example of an immigrant whose name sound foreign which has a degree in information technology and still the only work that he had found is in cleaning...
Why I talk about it today, it's not because of what the article is saying, as it's, i think, known to everybody except to the politicians (that do nothing about it) but instead it's about the fact that YLE has removed the article.
Were they under pressure? political pressure...well Censorship bites is even a greater sign of problem...hide the problem and it will become 10 fold worse...
Free press?, you wonder...
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Bank Of Finland 1Q 08: Executive Summary
"Housing investment grew rapidly for several years before declining slightly during the course of 2007.
Indicator data suggests housing investment will remain weak in the first half of 2008.
The forecast for the next few years is for growth in housing investment to be more or less at a standstill, with interest rates and construction costs higher than the average for recent years and a continuing shortage of building land and skilled labour."
Are they kidding? shortage of building land??? Mister Housing Minister, where are the land reform you promised. Let's remind that he was warned about it by the OCDE late 2003.
Now on top of the OCDE, Mr Liikanen is indirectly suggesting that you are a little bit incompetent since you badly handle the building permit process in a country where land is not scarce at all. So Wake up and do you home work....
"If future wage demands and companies' pricing decisions are based on expectations of a continued rapid rise in costs and prices, the level of costs in the domestic economy could gradually rise so high that restoration of the cost-competitivenessof Finnish production will require a long and painful process of adjustment."
a 1990 repeat? a
depression recession needed to allow for reforms and readjustment..after all it create a better administration and economical giants...and reduces the greed
"The contraction of the working-age population from 2010 onwards will begin to permanently compromise the general government balance."
This time won't be like 1990's housing recession for a simple reason at that time the baby boomer were reaching the golden age and were still supporting the housing market.
Now they all retire, so they won't be around to kick in and boost the housing market as it did in 1996. I think most probably we are going to have a situation similar to Japan or Germany (hit early by older population) where house price drift slowly but surely lower and lower, never bottoming out. At least it will repeal the speculators . The housing market will normalize in the next 30 years or so losing 40%-60% of its value (drop mainly due to a 2% inflation and no growth or very little)
"This was because of the increase in interest rates and housing prices. In the immediate years ahead, CPI inflation is forecast to slow more quickly than HICP inflation. This is because of a forecast easing in the pace of housing price rises and an assumed gradual reduction in interest rates from their present level."
So Bank of Finland is predicting
a slump an ease of the housing market, at least now for house buyer time is on your side, you can choose for quality versus crap cheap one...
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Are They Living In The Moon?
"Credit market turmoil poses the most severe crisis for banks in 30 years, surpassing Black Monday in 1987, the Asia currency crisis and the burst of the dot-com bubble, Morgan Stanley and Oliver Wyman said in a joint report."
And still people, media, Finnish Bank, Politicians and co are thinking that the finnish housing market won't be affected... are they living in the Moon (Mo-r-ons)?


text:
The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission is one of nine commissions in Wisconsin established to coordinate planning and development among area municipalities. The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission develops and promotes regional plans, provides objective information and professional planning services, and focuses local attention on issues of regional importance.
The Regional Planning Commission carries out land use planning and areawide water quality management planning for the greater Madison region. State statutes charge it with the duty of preparing and adopting a master plan for the physical development of the region. The Department of Natural Resources contracts with the Commission to maintain a continuing areawide water quality management planning process to manage, protect, and enhance the water resources of the region.
History and Mission
The Regional Planning Commission was created on May 2, 2007, by Executive Order of Wisconsin Governor James Doyle, pursuant to Wisconsin's regional planning statute (§ 66.0309). The Executive Order identified the need for regional planning in the greater Madison region:
"Local units of government need to work together to meet challenges that transcend municipal boundaries and effectively protect the natural resources and beauty of the capital area, as well as promote economic growth and sound land development practices."
The Governor's order was issued in response to adopted resolutions from local units of government in Dane County representing over 87% of the population and equalized property valuation. The resolutions identified the need to "pool scarce resources to create a public agency which can act as a resource for community development efforts of local units of government in the capital area of Wisconsin." Local governments petitioned the Governor to create the Regional Planning Commission as "the agency capable of developing effective areawide water quality plans for Dane County. . . [which] define areas that should be protected from development . . . and can be developed with measures to protect, restore or minimize degradation of water quality."
The planning region includes Dane County and the cities, towns, and villages with incorporated areas in Dane County.
Mission Statement
Services and Functions
The Regional Planning Commission prepares and updates regional land use and water quality plans for the greater Madison region (within Dane County). It assists local units of government with planning services, data and analysis, and education and outreach.
Annual Report, Work Program & Budget
Annual Report: The Regional Planning Commission produces annual reports to share information about its activities with local units of governmental and people within the region.
Work Program and Budget: The Regional Planning Commission annually adopts a Work Program that describes the work activities to be conducted by agency staff, the anticipated hours spent on each activity, and the expected results. The Work Program informs the agency's budget. The Regional Planning Commission adopted the 2020 work program and budget at its November 14, 2019 meeting.
CARPC 2020 Work Program and Long-Term Work Planning / CARPC 2020 Budget (as amended on 11/14/2019)
CARPC 2019 Work Program and Long-Term Work Planning / CARPC 2019 Budget
Previous editions of these documents may be found in the Archives section of this website.
Title VI
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259), no person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex, disability, age, gender, sexual preference, marital status, physical appearance, national origin, cultural differences, developmental disability, ancestry, arrest or conviction record, or membership in the National Guard, State Defense Force, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity. CARPC's Title VI policy

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Instablocks — these are handy for times when you have to create multiple landing pages, but do not wish to change the fashion of the page. Rather than recreating your complete webpage, it will save your components for you to be reused. You'll have access to cubes produced by Instapage or you may make your own.
Heatmaps — this is a really trendy analytics attribute that provides you insight into how users are interacting with your webpage. It tracks mouse movement, clicks, how much visitors scroll, and in which they spend the most time on the webpage. Note: heatmaps are only available with the Optimizer program
A/B testing — In case you want to examine unique components of your page, you can split test using Instapage. Just duplicate your main copy and make another copy with any changes to the text, images, CTAs, etc.. When you print your page, some will see the controller variant and others will see the variation. Info about how each performs will be stored on your Instapage analytics section.
Analytics And Reporting
Obviously, no top marketing software is complete without a committed analytics section.
Instapage is no exclusion, and this is actually one of its greatest Selling points.
The neat thing about Instapage Is It Permits You to install Conversion goals directly in the editor, and then track progress over time.
In the Editor, you'll find sections called Conversion Goals and Analytics at the right-hand menu.
From the Conversion Goals segment, you can set Certain goals to monitor in Your own analytics.
In the Analytics section, you can add Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Tag manager, etc..
Then, when you assess our Analytics department after you webpage is pushed Live, you'll find details about your webpage's conversion rate based on the targets you set.
That is also where you'll find information regarding the performance of Your split evaluations, and you may also tweak the traffic split between both test variations here.
You will also find a section that gathers information on the leads each Page has collected.
Obviously, Instapage isn't without its defects, and it falls a bit short Of its competitors in these regions:
The big one: price. Instapage is significantly more expensive than many of its rivals
Advanced features only available with more expensive plans
may have more information, such as high performing pages
Here's a rundown of Instapage's most remarkable features:
Pixel Perfect editor, and a drag-and-drop editor that's extremely Simple and intuitive to use
Mobile-responsive pages
Easy integration
Access to heatmaps
Collaboration features for teams
Excellent customer service and help features
Now for the part you've all been waiting for: the cost.
Instapage comes with three pricing tiers.
The first, the Core plan, starts at $69.99/month and includes most fundamental Features such as the mobile-responsive builder and Instablocks.
The next level, Optimizer, starts at $99/month and provides you access to Unlimited A/B testing, heatmaps, and conversion target tracking.
And finally, the Team & Agency plan begins at $179/month and Includes 15 private sub-accounts and branded guide notifications.
Instapage does include a free 14-day trial, so you can test the waters To see whether it's the match for you.
Generally, most will benefit in the Optimizer plan.
While you can get away with the basic Core plan for simply designing and Publishing (awesome) landing pages, the Optimizer gives you access to helpful tools such as heatmaps and A/B testing, which may help your overall conversion rate in the future.
All in all, Instapage is a great option for those who need to put Together quick, landing pages that are professional.
It provides high-quality pages in a simple-to-use format, making ideal For novices and more experienced webpage designers alike.
And though its extra features will cost more, they definitely add to the experience. The usage of A/B testing and heatmaps can help direct your production and strategy, and conversion target tracking will inform you if you're on track.
Bottom line: If your goal is better landing pages, you can not go wrong with Instapage. Best Website Splash Pages
Click here to sign up to Instapage.


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New sections in the Productivity Pane
Insert Section
You can now insert shapes directly from the sections in the Tools Pane.
You will find here the shapes used most often by our users.
Outline Section
You can change the outline of your shapes by using these buttons.
- The first one will change the outline weight
- The second one will change the outline style
- The third will change the direction of the arrows
The default values of these buttons can be change in Settings > Productivity
Items Count in the Library
When you are looking for something inside your library, you will have now have a count of items found using this keyword. This feature will allow you to have a better idea of the number of items related to this keyword.
That's it for this month!
Any other ideas? We would love to hear them at slideproof.com/idea.
If you want to stay up to date with all the improvements check out our changelog.


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Japan minister quits over disaster gaffe
Japan's embattled Premier Naoto Kan took another blow as his disaster reconstruction minister quit, having caused a furore with scathing remarks to leaders of tsunami-hit regions.
on Tuesday Ryu Matsumoto, 60, left the post he assumed only a week earlier after he caused an outcry by giving a rough dressing-down before television cameras to a regional leader because he showed up to a meeting a few minutes late.
Matsumoto also sought to bully attending journalists into keeping the incident quiet, but instead saw his terse comments aired on TV and turn into a YouTube sensation with a hailstorm of calls for him to resign.
The latest foot-in-mouth scandal to claim the scalp of a Japanese politician piled more pressure onto Kan, Japan's fifth premier in as many years, who is already under intense pressure to resign just over a year into his post.
In a stand-off with the conservative opposition and members of his own centre-left party, Kan has promised to step down soon, but only once several bills on disaster recovery and renewable energy are passed.
His enemies, in turn, have threatened to block key bills unless he goes.
The political bickering threatens to paralyse Japan's government as the country struggles to recover from its worst post-war disaster, the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that sparked the ongoing Fukushima nuclear crisis.
Kan, whose approval rating plunged below 20 per cent in one recent poll, in a minor cabinet reshuffle last week gave Matsumoto, then the environment minister, the new portfolio of disaster reconstruction minister.
But Matsumoto's tenure was short-lived, even by the standards of Japan's volatile politics, and on Tuesday he became the fourth minister under Kan to leave the cabinet, either in protest or because of a scandal.
Matsumoto sparked uproar at the weekend when he met the governors of two tsunami-hit prefectures, where vast areas remain devastated wastelands and tens of thousands of people are still homeless and desperate.
When the governor of worst-hit Miyagi prefecture, Yoshihiro Murai, appeared a few minutes late for a meeting, Matsumoto refused to shake his hand.
"You came in late," Matsumoto said tersely. "When a guest comes, you have to be here first before you call your guest into the room," he told the 50-year-old governor.
"The Self-Defence Force does that because they understand the young must honour their elders. Do you understand? Work hard," he said before rolling cameras, then telling journalists to keep his remarks off the record.
In a separate meeting with Iwate governor Takuya Tasso, Matsumoto warned bluntly that the government "will help areas that offer ideas, but will not help those without ideas. I want you to work with that kind of resolve".
When the exchanges were publicised - with the clips drawing tens of thousands of hits on YouTube and other video-sharing websites - offended citizens, the media and politicians voiced anger at the minister's tone.
In Matsumoto's farewell speech, his eyes misty and his voice choked, he conceded that "my words were short and rough and hurt the feelings of people suffering from disaster damage. I apologise".
It was another bad day for Kan, who has been widely attacked over the slow pace of reconstruction from the quake, the construction of temporary homes for victims, and bringing the nuclear crisis under control.
"Japanese politics is going through a meltdown," said Tetsuro Kato, a political scientist at Tokyo's Waseda University.
"It is the prime minister himself who should have left by now. This latest incident is a big political mistake that happened while the government is already in a terminal condition."
Meanwhile, Japanese families who had to flee their homes because of the Fukushima nuclear disaster will receive additional compensation of up to $A3,454 per person, the embattled utility said.
The money, following earlier payments of $A11,484 per household, is meant to compensate the radiation refugees for their "mental suffering", Industry Minister Banri Kaieda said, according to the Kyodo News agency.
The company will give the new payments to 160,000 people who have fled from a 30km radius around the plant, including a 20km legal no-go zone, and from other radiation hotspots further afield.


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|Avengers >> View Post
Subj: OT - Have you done one of these for Janet Van Dyne?
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 at 05:18:45 pm EST (Viewed 355 times)
Reply Subj: RATE GILGAMESH -as an Avenger- from 1 to 10
Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 at 06:19:31 am EST (Viewed 582 times)
I'd be interested to know how people feel about her in general. But I didn't want to take it upon myself to start one of these "RATE" threads as I know they're a feature of the board.
Posted with Google Chrome 63.0.3239.132 on Windows 10
|Alvaro's Comicboards powered by On Topic™ © 2003-2018 Powermad Software


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Joe was born and raised in Juneau, AK, where environmental stewardship and conservation are a daily part of life. During his final year of high school, he participated in an experimental curriculum called the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy. Through ACE, Joe helped to establish several internship programs with local, private and governmental engineering firms. It was his interest in green energy technology and his passion for cars and motorcycles that led him to pursue an education in automotive design. He enrolled at the Vehicle Design Institute, which is a part of the Plastics Engineering Department at Western Washington University. Joe learned about the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering at Boise State partly because of its extraordinary value. He saw the potential to have greater access to world-class professors at a much more affordable cost. Boise State's beautiful campus also has the feel of a small town community with big city amenities and immediate access to nature. For these reasons, Joe transferred to Boise State to complete his bachelor of science. He was encouraged to continue his studies and he graduated in 2016 with a master of science.
The Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering provided Joe the opportunity to pursue his interest in lightweight structural materials and materials for low-carbon energy production. He was able to collaborate with researchers throughout the region and all across the United States while conducting research in the Advanced Materials Group with Dr. Darryl Butt and Dr. Brian Jaques. These excellent hands-on experiences prepared Joe for a great career
What is Joe Up to Now?
After graduating in 2016, Joe was offered a position as a materials engineer at NanoAI, LLC, a Chicago-area technology company that designs and develops high-performance aluminum alloys. He is currently leading research to design and develop aluminum alloy compositions specifically tailored for additive manufacturing (3D-Printing.) Joe is involved in every stage of the process from basic scientific research to product development and marketing. The Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering prepared Joe for this excellent career opportunity by offering experience on a broad range of state of the art equipment for materials processing. Computational materials science is embedded in the curriculum, which allowed Joe to gain well-rounded experience in materials modeling and theory. A significant added value was having relevant and collaborative research projects with other universities, national labs, government agencies, and industry partners. The opportunity to interact with local business and community leaders, and to work with members of the global scientific community allowed Joe to broaden his network. Boise State also offers complimentary courses in business, policy, and education that provided Joe a well-rounded approach to solving research challenges.
How can YOU Succeed in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering?
Any prospective student should check out what the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering has to offer. Joe says the Program is like a tightly-knit family. "Whatever you're passionate about, academically or otherwise, you will find someone in the department who shares that passion," said Joe. He added that, "whatever it is that makes you unique, the program is supportive and collaborative. It is clear to me that Boise State and the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering encourage diversity. They understand that diversity is necessary for a holistic approach to education and is essential to finding scientific and engineering solutions for the issues that effect Idaho and society as a whole."
Alumni – Keep in Touch!
We are seeking contact with all MSMSE alumni. Complete this quick questionnaire and we will email you a draft write-up for your review and approval before posting. Send photos to Dena Ross, MSMSE program and marketing manager email@example.com. Stay in touch and let us know where you are now.


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Earthquake Screen Shaking Makes Game Unplayable
Discussion in 'UO Enhanced Client Discussion' started by JC the Builder, Oct 12, 2009.


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Enjoy Proverbs heard through the voices of servants, worshipers, pastors, and Bible teachers whose ministries and actions have blessed the Spanish-speaking church of the Lord. Experience the beauty, drama, tenderness, and transforming power of the Scripture in a way that you have never heard before. This historic audio production includes the voices of more than fifty of our most esteemed and well-known Hispanic Christian leaders.


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Spiral Model - A New Approach Towards Software Development
Nilesh Parekh
Sep 29, 2018
The spiral model was designed in order to overcome the disadvantages of the waterfall model. We shall learn more about this software development model.
The waterfall model is one of the oldest and simplest models designed and followed for the process of software development. But it has some disadvantages, as mentioned here:
There is no fair division of phases in the life cycle.
This model doesn't allow one to go back a step if an error that has occurred in a previous phase is detected.
Not all the errors/problems related to a phase are resolved during the same phase and instead, the problems related to one phase are carried over, and are needed to be resolved in the next phase, which increases the time duration for the completion of the next phase.
Many times the clients aren't sure of their requirements initially and tend to suggest changes in the design at a later point of the development. Incorporating such changes in this model is a complicated task.
The client isn't able to view a project until the final stage and is therefore not in a position to verify if the product being developed is in accordance with his/her requirement.The risk factor is the most important part, which affects the success rate of the software developed by following this model.
In order to overcome the cons of the waterfall model, it was necessary to develop a new software development model, which could help in ensuring the success of a software project.
One such model was developed which incorporated the common methodologies followed in the waterfall model, while also eliminating every possible risk factors from it. This model is referred to as the "Spiral Model" or "Boehm's Model".
There are four phases in this model which are: Planning, Evaluation, Risk Analysis and Engineering. These four phases are iteratively followed one after another in order to eliminate all the problems, which were faced in the waterfall model.
Iterating the phases helps in understating the problems associated with a phase and dealing with those problems when the same phase is repeated next time, by planning and developing strategies to be followed while iterating. The phases are:
In this phase, the objectives, alternatives and constraints of the project are determined and documented. The objectives and other specifications are fixed in order to decide which strategies/approaches to follow during the project life cycle.
Risk Analysis
This phase is the most important part of spiral model. In this phase, all possible (and available) alternatives, which can help in developing a cost-effective project are analyzed and strategies are decided so as to use them.
This phase has been added specially in order to identify and resolve all the possible risks in the project development. If risks indicate any kind of uncertainty in requirements, prototyping may be used to proceed with the available data and find out a possible solution in order to deal with the potential changes in the requirements.
In this phase, the actual development of the project is carried out. The output of this phase is passed through all the phases iteratively in order to obtain improvements in the same.
Customer Evaluation
In this phase, developed product is passed on to the customer in order to receive customer's comments and suggestions which can help in identifying and resolving potential problems/errors in the software developed. This phase is very much similar to the 'testing' phase.
The process progresses spirally and an iterative path followed. Thus progressively a more complete software is built as one goes on iterating through all four phases.
The first iteration in this model is considered to be most important, as in it, almost all possible risk factors, constraints, requirements are identified and in the next iterations, all known strategies are used to bring up a complete software system. The radical dimensions indicate evolution of the product towards a complete system.
However, the spiral model, like any other development model also suffers from a few drawbacks. As it is developed to overcome the disadvantages of the waterfall model, to follow the spiral model, highly skilled people in the area of planning, risk analysis and mitigation, development, customer relation, etc., are required.
This, along with the fact that the process needs to be iterated more than once, demands more time, making this an expensive model to implement.
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The Waterfall Model Explained
Waterfall Vs. Agile Model
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Ezekiel 26-28 New International Version (NIV)
A Prophecy Against Tyre
26 In the eleventh month of the twelfth[a] year, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me: 2 "Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gate to the nations is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper,' 3 therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves. 4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and pull down her towers; I will scrape away her rubble and make her a bare rock. 5 Out in the sea she will become a place to spread fishnets, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. She will become plunder for the nations, 6 and her settlements on the mainland will be ravaged by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
7 "For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar[b] king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army. 8 He will ravage your settlements on the mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works against you, build a ramp up to your walls and raise his shields against you. 9 He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and demolish your towers with his weapons. 10 His horses will be so many that they will cover you with dust. Your walls will tremble at the noise of the warhorses, wagons and chariots when he enters your gates as men enter a city whose walls have been broken through. 11 The hooves of his horses will trample all your streets; he will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars will fall to the ground. 12 They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber and rubble into the sea. 13 I will put an end to your noisy songs, and the music of your harps will be heard no more. 14 I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread fishnets. You will never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.
15 "This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands tremble at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan and the slaughter takes place in you? 16 Then all the princes of the coast will step down from their thrones and lay aside their robes and take off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled at you. 17 Then they will take up a lament concerning you and say to you:
"'How you are destroyed, city of renown,
19 "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you, 20 then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place[c] in the land of the living. 21 I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord."
A Lament Over Tyre
27 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 "Son of man, take up a lament concerning Tyre. 3 Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"'You say, Tyre,
10 "'Men of Persia, Lydia and Put
12 "'Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin and lead for your merchandise.
13 "'Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded human beings and articles of bronze for your wares.
14 "'Men of Beth Togarmah exchanged chariot horses, cavalry horses and mules for your merchandise.
15 "'The men of Rhodes[f] traded with you, and many coastlands were your customers; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony.
16 "'Aram[g] did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies for your merchandise.
17 "'Judah and Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith and confections,[h] honey, olive oil and balm for your wares.
18 "'Damascus did business with you because of your many products and great wealth of goods. They offered wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar 19 and casks of wine from Izal in exchange for your wares: wrought iron, cassia and calamus.
20 "'Dedan traded in saddle blankets with you.
21 "'Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers; they did business with you in lambs, rams and goats.
22 "'The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold.
23 "'Harran, Kanneh and Eden and merchants of Sheba, Ashur and Kilmad traded with you. 24 In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted.
25 "'The ships of Tarshish serve
A Prophecy Against the King of Tyre
28 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"'In the pride of your heart
6 "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"'Because you think you are wise,
I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"
11 The word of the Lord came to me: 12 "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"'You were the seal of perfection,
A Prophecy Against Sidon
20 The word of the Lord came to me: 21 "Son of man, set your face against Sidon; prophesy against her 22 and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"'I am against you, Sidon,
24 "'No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.
25 "'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.'"
Cross references:
New International Version (NIV)
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I have had this dress for quite some time and I enjoy wearing it, but I am not so sure that it does much for me. It is quite a bit of contradictions for me actually. I really like that it is short. I like that it has a deep V-neck. I also like that it has stretchy fabric right at the skinniest point of my waist. And on hot days, like this day was, I really like how light and flowy it is.
So then... what is it that I don't like about it? Well it is kind of what I personally call a sack dress. Now, I know that there are officially items that are truly sack dresses, and I don't know if this dress officially fits into that category, but it is what I personally reference this dress as. Why? Well it is sort of a large rectangle of fabric, and that is about it.
Okay, so it is pretty cool that a simple, no structure, rectangle of a dress can help give me the illusion of some curves. I do like that aspect, but from certain angles, it looks super blocky!
Oh and another thing that I do not think works very well for me is the size of the fabric that goes over my shoulders. At first I thought that with it being a wider piece of fabric that it would help hide the size of my arms, but I think that with the larger size of fabric that it actually makes my arms look bigger than other items I wear.
Hmm..... yet again, with another piece of clothing, do I actually like it or not? Life's ponderables. Interesting.
What about you? What do you think? Am I just over thinking things like I often do? I mean, come on, that is some impressive cleavage that this dress allows me to show off a bit. Maybe I should just focus on that. It shows some boobage, and a bit of tasteful boobage is never a bad thing, huh?
Love you!
Enjoy boobs.
Cause they are fun!
Well, maybe just to me,
Seriously, I still can't believe that I can create this look with no actual boobs.
Okay, enough!
(One more thing - I just googled sack dresses, and this dress is clearly not that, so I need to rethink how I reference this dress!)


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Programs & Courses
Courses and workshops can be taken stand-alone or together in order to complete a program.
Certificate of Participation
One to three courses, which provide graduates with a level of skills, knowledge, and attitudes.
Certificate of Completion
Two to four courses, which allow graduates to learn a limited range of activities for employment or recreational purposes.
Certificate of Achievement
Five to ten courses meant to train graduates to perform a defined range of activities within a prescribed range of functions.
Digital badges are earned by completing Humber courses, workshops, seminars and more.


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Juniper Springs is located at Juniper Springs Wilderness and Recreation Area on the Southeastern part of the Ocala National Forest off of SR 40. It offers a full range of outdoor activities.
The springhead area offers swimming, a pleasant picnic area and a great nature trail that runs along the spring creek run. One of the highlights of this place has got to be the canoe run on Juniper Creek, Juniper Springs' crystal clear spring run. It is 7 miles long and it takes an average of 4 hours to complete the course. Because the course runs through a National Wilderness area, you are guaranteed to see wildlife.
We had visited the park once before last Spring and we had a blast! We did the canoe run and walked the nature trail.
Last week my sister and her husband were visiting his folks in Kissimmee, FL. The whole family drove up from Kissimmee to Juniper Springs last Friday to do the canoe run with us. We invited another friend of ours along as she has never been on the canoe run before.
NOTE: You cannot bring any food/drink in a disposable container on the canoe run (I believe it is an effort to minimize trash in the pristine wilderness area). So, put your food/drinks in a reusable container.
The canoe rental/loading process is a little lengthy. First, you check in at the gift shop. Then you walk over to the canoe rental area to load your canoe on to a cart. After that you wheel your canoe down a path to the take out point and drop it off. Now, walk back to the check in and collect your oars, life jackets and whistle and walk back to your canoe. Before you lift you canoe into the spring, there is a cooler check to make sure that you don't have anything disposable. Finally, off you go!
The canoe run has a lot of challenging turns with many low hanging trees that you have to duck under. Some branches are so low, you have to lay back completely. Since we recently has a couple storms come our way, the water level is higher than normal thus creating "rapids" in a few sections . One fork of the path had a fallen tree completely blocking the entire length of the creek. We had to get out and lift the canoes over. There are a couple places along the run where you can take a break and stretch your legs. We decided to take a lunch break at once such spot. Jonathan had pulled the canoe half way up the bank. He got out. As our friend got off the canoe, it rocked and SPLASH!!! I was under the water! I was so certain, we would not flip that I put on Canon PowerShot SD770 in my shirt pocket! So, no more still pictures after this moment. I reverted to using the waterproof video camera.
Sometime after this episode, we converged at a point. We hear my sister making funny noises and I turned around with the video camera in hand to catch her & her husband flipping their canoe over. The look on her face and the events proceeding that were priceless! I feel so bad for them but it was so funny! No one was hurt, thank goodness! (You'll have to wait for Jonathan to edit the video.)
The wildlife scenery is incredible. We saw lots of turtles sunning themselves with their legs spread out, a couple of alligators sunning on the bank and otters swimming around. My sister and her husband saw a snake hanging from a branch. We saw one otter playing in the "rapids", its heading was bobbing up and down with the waves. There was a variety of birds including blue and tricolor heron. It is a wonderful thing to see animals in their natural habitats.
It took us (3 canoes) about 5 hours to get through. Last time when it was just Jonathan and I , it took us under 4 hours.
We got picked up at Juniper Wayside, located about 4.3 miles north of SR 40, on SR 19.
The events of the day was certainly memorable:
- Park entrance: $5 per person
- Canoe rental: $35
- Dinner at Lena's Seafood: $44
- Camera damage: $145
- Whole experience: PRICELESS
Yes, my handy dandy Canon PowerShot SD770 IS is toast! Every time I tried to power it on, I get "Lens error, restart camera" and the camera lens will not retract. I am saddened by my loss but I am already researching a water proof one for my next purchase.


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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
The NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms features 8,466 terms related to cancer and medicine.
We offer a widget that you can add to your website to let users look up cancer-related terms. Get NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms Widget.
- romidepsin
- listen (ROH-mih-DEP-sin)
A drug used to
treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell
lymphoma that have already been treated with other
anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment
of other types of cancer.
Romidepsin blocks certain
enzymes, which may help kill cancer cells. It is a type of
depsipeptide and a type of histone deacetylase
inhibitor. Also called FR901228 and Istodax.


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Lovers Lane are honoured to be hosting the Dumfries Daytime Auditions for ITV's The Voice 2018
Taking place on April 27th 2017, beginning at 1.30pm, and will be held in Studio 1.
Auditions are open to anyone over 16 and are on a first come, first served basis.
Please check the official flyer and click on the logos for further information about what you'll need on the day. Good luck from all at Lovers Lane Studios!
Please note: No parking will be available. Please use town parking.
28 - 32 Rae Street
Tel: 07889 842 049
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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When Samantha, who is deaf, joined the BBC Eastenders production team, some staff took part in deaf awareness and basic British Sign Language (BSL) training. But it recently became apparent that communication barriers meant Samantha felt excluded from conversations, both work-related and social, preventing her from being an inclusive team member. We were asked to provide Deaf Awareness Training to break down these barriers.
Finding solutions through training
During the training, staff were encouraged to think about communication barriers people with hearing loss encounter, as well as about potential solutions and ways to avoid excluding their deaf colleague. Through practical exercises and group work, it was shown how difficult it can be to communicate using only visual methods such as lipreading.
Hearing staff learned best practice and how to improve their confidence when approaching and communicating with their deaf co-worker. Other issues covered on the course included:
- information about different types of deafness
- etiquette
- explanation of equality and disability legislation
- communication tips when speaking to someone who is deaf or has a hearing loss
- products, equipment and technology available to support people who are deaf or have hearing loss
- the opportunity to ask questions.
A positive impact
Staff found it especially useful to receive their training from a deaf person, who was able to provide personal examples of the issues people with hearing loss face every day – and suggest simple and effective solutions to overcome these.
Carolyn Weinstein, Company Manager, BBC EastEnders, said: "The trainer was excellent and he gave us some valuable advice and examples and really got the message across."
Asked if the training had changed staff attitudes to deaf people, Carolyn responded: "It encouraged people to include their deaf colleague in conversations and to think about how to communicate with her and understand the isolation a deaf person can experience. I can now see people being friendlier, more inclusive and deaf aware. Samantha feels the training has had a positive effect and she's much happier as a consequence."
To ensure the team remains proactive in promoting accessibility and compliant with equality legislation, all new staff in the department will be taught about deaf awareness.
Want to know how we can help your business?
We have years of experience in award in accreditations, assessments for businesses and providing tailored training to organisations of all sizes.
Telephone: 0333 240 5658
Textphone: 0333 014 4530
Email: email@example.com


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2nd, 100 back, 2015 NCAAs
2nd, 200 back, 2015 NCAAs
1st, 100 back, 2015 ACC championships
American Record Holder, 100 SCM backstroke
2014 National Team member
Courtney Bartholomew was a key player in the up-and-coming women's swimming program at the University of Virginia.
In her final season alone, the Michigan-bred backstroker helped propel her team to the Atlantic Coast Conference team title, where she won both the 100 and 200, and a seventh-place team finish at the NCAA championship, where she finished second in both events.
She was also a member of USA Swimming's National Team and represented the United States at the 2015 Duel in the Pool, where she clocked a 55.92 to set an American record in the 100 short-course-meters back. She also led off Team USA's world-record effort in the 4×100 medley relay.
But in an unusual move, she decided to call it a career after the NCAA championships in March, three months short of the Olympic Trials. She says she made the decision on the podium weeks earlier at the ACC meet.
"I realized, as I stood there, that I had accomplished almost every goal I had set for swimming and was happy with how my career had gone," Bartholomew explained in a Swimming World essay. "I realized I would only be swimming to make others happy, not myself."
And while she may have signed her retirement papers, it doesn't mean she's done with the sport.
"I just want to give back to the swimming community. I love teaching people about the sport because it can contribute to so many areas of life. Swimming can lead to a fantastic education, fantastic values and good relationships."
To that end, Bartholomew has taught lessons to kids and ran UVA's Cavalier Swim Camp. And now she's part of the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour Presented by SwimOutlet.com and in a position to bring her expertise to young swimmers all over the country.
"I like being able to pick out little aspects of technique and help someone improve their stroke," she says. "To me, there's nothing more exciting than watching kids get best times."


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Microid , the publishers of the Syberia has released new images and a video called "Kate Walker's New Journey" for the game.
Syberia is one of the popular adventure game and if you are a fan of it , then you might be expecting Syberia 3 which is slated to be released on December 1 , 2016 for various gaming consoles like PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , PC and Mac.
The video provides an overview of the Syberia game as well as the new visuals etc.


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love, change and refugees
This morning I stood looking out my window, the blue sky hidden behind low, gray clouds.
My eyes rest on a church steeple not two blocks away from my window, a cross crowning the top that points toward the heavens.... A symbolic reminder to keep my gaze fixed on the things above. The things to come. The joy that is set before us who know our Shepherd.
The hot air of rooftop chimneys meets with the cold and turns into a white vapor. I watch as a small flock of pigeons circle the cross-crowned steeple. And a song begins to emerge out of my living room speakers: "...even so come, Lord Jesus, come."
My mind wanders to those planes. Planes full of hearts racing with the adrenaline that comes when long-awaited joy is about to culminate. The faces glued to the windows as rubber meets asphalt. Lives on the cusp of reunion, reinvention, relief.
Yet lives that are desperate, perhaps unknowingly, for a reunion filled with joy that will never fade. Reinvention that will be perfect and holy. Relief that is secure, unbreakable, permanent.
But wait....
Our country, our culture values national security more. And when we, the United States, stand for national security, in much the same way we as individuals should replace the word "national" with "personal." Because we, as individuals, have created a culture that strives for personal security first.
America first. Me first.
We are angry with our president. Rightly so. But are we, the people, so different? More specifically, am I?
When Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself," and "love your enemies," does that provoke me as much as when the president says no to refugees?
I might argue. I might say that I would never reject someone because they're Muslim (or fill in the blank). But what about my enemy? What about the person who has wronged me? And for some of us, that could just be the person who unfollowed us on Instagram.
And while I believe it right to actively seek justice where justice is lacking, shouldn't it start with me? Isn't justice loving my neighbor? My enemy?
I think Gandhi had a lot of wisdom, and something he said once has really struck me even though I've heard it hundreds of times: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
But being the change means going against the cultural norm. It means saying no to things that the majority approve. It means saying yes to things that might ostracize me from my "groups" (my west coast group, white group, lower middle class group, even Christian group).
I have spent my life, most often with the (sub)conscious worldview of me first, and my best interest.
So if I want to see things change, than my self-serving "me first" worldview needs to become "me first... to change" for the sake of my neighbor and my enemy. For their best interests. So they might see Jesus.
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:14-21
".... By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35


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Have We Got Something For You!
Margaret (LOG #87) doesn't even know how much we've got! Just be sure to scroll all the way through this post because there's a lot to share!
The MYM / LOG Spiritwear store is open for one week only: now through Sunday, December 4, 2016. You can place an online order and pay with credit or debit card and I'll get your order to you before Christmas. Hoodies, crewnecks, sweatpants, tshirts and even zip-ups. Check it out soon and place your order by 12/4/16 to insure Christmas delivery.
JOY: LOGging Into Christmas is the new LOG Christmas CD recorded during the Christmas In July event last summer. Twenty seven singers and instrumentalists sharing the joy of our Christmas faith. The CD is free to everyone who makes a donation to MYM during the months of November and December ($20.00 suggested donation). Joy to the world (and you)!
You can now sign up to serve on a LOG team next season. If you have a need for a particular weekend or team meeting time, please sign up now. Coleaders will be announced shortly.
Mark Your Calendar:
Sunday, December 4 – Vertical Worship Night – 7pm
Saturday, December 10 – Cookie Baking for Bashor Home – 9:30am
Saturday, December 17 – Christmas at Bashor Home – 7am
Sunday, December 18 – Christmas Caroling Night – 6:00pm (earlier time)
(all events to be held at Firehouse Campus of Clay Church except Saturday, December 17th party at Bashor Home in Goshen)
- Posted in: Uncategorized


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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
Winner, 1968 Newbery Award
Quick Summary
Two siblings run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and solve an art-related mystery.
Favorite Quote
Rich people have only penny wishes.
About the Author
E. L. Konigsburg was both an author and illustrator of children's books. Her book, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth won a Newbery Honor the same year that From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the Newbery Medal. She is the only author to have had two books honored the same year. She won a second Newbery Award for The View from Saturday almost thirty years after her first award.
My Project
For my project, I started with a miniature map of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I added a gold edge with metallic paint to give a sense of the old-time elegance of the museum.
In the center I created a little ivory folder out of card stock and inserted a tiny photo of an angel statue, a letter by Michelangelo (aged with ink), and a map of Italy (painted with blues and greens). The front of the folder has the label "Bologna, Italy" in a typewriter font. The date is stamped on a piece of brass, echoing the little brass plaques often found in museums.
Final Thoughts
I may have accidentally stumbled upon how to have the best possible rereading experience of a children's book as an adult. I remember enjoying this book as a kid, but cannot recall almost any specifics about it (except picking up the coins in the fountain!). So it was almost like reading a totally new-to-me book, but with the assurance that I would be happy at the end.
I'm astonished that this book from 1967 is still so popular. My local library has ten copies (!) and every single one was checked out! That's the first time that has happened in my entire year of reading Newbery titles. The local used book store did not carry a copy, so I ended up buying one at Barnes and Noble. I liked how the bookstore had an entire bookcase devoted to Newbery winners. This made it super easy to find the book. (One of the features of this award is that the books include a broad range of reading levels, so they'd normally be scattered around a bookstore.)
The other fun aspect of buying the book is that the bottom of my receipt included four recommended titles: Wrinkle in Time, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and When You Reach Me. Two of those books I'd read earlier as part of my Newbery project and had enjoyed them both.
Your Turn
If you read this book, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments.


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Unfortunately, Access the Arts was NOT funded by the Rhode Island Department of Education but we are continuing to create arts-in-education programs as funding is developed.
If you have any questions please feel free to email us at firstname.lastname@example.com
children, we all learn the basic verbal skills of
reading, writing, speaking and listening. But just
as important are the non verbal ways we send messages
to each other: dance, music, and the visual arts. For
these enrich our lives and make us more fully human.
VSA arts has helped demonstrate that the arts are
a tool for learning. Programs in the dramatic arts
have led many children, whether disabled or not, to
be better readers. Through music, many have learned
to count. Dance can teach physical coordination. The
visual arts can improve fine motor skills. All children
should be encouraged to tap their imagination through
the arts."
Ernest L. Boyer
President, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement
of Teaching
Through Access the Arts, VSA arts RI seeks to:
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Amount of Awards
Awards of $500 to $2,500 will be made. Proposals must
fall within this range. The total cost of a project
may exceed $2,500, but the budget must identify the
source(s) of any additional funding. All grant money
awarded from the Access the Arts program must be expended by June 22nd of the following academic
All Rhode Island schools, public or private, serving
K-12 students with disabilities are eligible. Proposals
may be submitted by a classroom teacher, a school principal,
a school district superintendent, or an agency director.
Each applicant/ site may submit only one (1) proposal
per site per granting cycle.
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Focus of Projects
Areas of focus may include:
are most meaningful and beneficial when they are standards based and relate
the arts experiences to the individualized
cognitive, social, emotional, physical needs and
interests of the students.
A student
with speech problems or limited language development,
for example, may be able to convey thoughts
and feelings through painting or drawing. Verbal communication
may improve through creative writing or vocal play
using puppets of the child's own creation.
Arts activities may be extremely effective in teaching
and practicing social interaction through cooperation,
collaboration, and learning to respond to another's
artistic work.
Sensory experiences can help students to identify,
differentiate, and communicate qualities such as texture,
color, shape, sound, rhythm, temperature, smell, etc.
Arts involvement also practices creative problem-solving, "stretching" to
find alternatives to what previously appeared to be
unsolvable problems.
The artistic process, with its emphasis on creativity,
experimentation, and active participation, is as valuable
as the outcome or "product" of the arts project.
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VSA arts Rhode Island will provide grant applicants
with a roster of artists. These artists have been
selected for the roster according to the merit of
their work,
and according to their ability to communicate the
creative process to student's diverse learning styles.
An applicant may interview artists from the roster
as well as non-roster artists for their project. If a non roster artist is preferred, the applicant
is required to forward background information
on the artist's expertise to VSA arts Rhode Island with the
grant application. We encourage teachers and site
coordinators to take an active role in the interviewing
and selection
of the artist.
Artists may be compensated at a daily or an hourly
rate. The standard rate for a residency day is $150,
which covers all off site planning and preparation,
travel and a minimum of three hours of student contact.
If it is impossible or inappropriate for an artist
to have three hours of on-site student contact per
day, the artist may be hired at an hourly rate.
If an artist is to be compensated at an hourly rate,
this rate cannot exceed $50 per hour or $150 per
day with VSA arts RI grant monies.
All contracts, fees and schedules of payment are
to be agreed upon by the artist and the grant recipient
and timely payments to the artists are the responsibility
of the grant recipient.
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RI General Assembly
VSA arts RI wants to let your local elected officials know about grants awarded in their districts. For this information contact your local Board of Canvassers or RI Secretary of State via the web at www.rilin.state.ri.us
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Orientation Meetings
An orientation workshop will be held prior to each
application deadline. All applicants are invited
to attend this workshop for assistance in the design
arts programming and in the completion of an application
for funding. First time applicants are particularly
urged to attend.
A second orientation meeting is mandatory for Access
The Arts grant recipients. At least one coordinator
from each site which is awarded a grant MUST attend
this second orientation meeting. The time and date
of this meeting will be announced when grants are
awarded. The required second orientation is to
familiarize grant
recipients with the roles and responsibilities
of a site coordinator as well as all necessary
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Training and Evaluation
VSA arts Rhode Island strongly encourages applicants
to schedule a minimum of one hour of specific
planning/training with the artist before the project
activities commence and an additional hour for
evaluation after
the completion of the project.
Teacher(s) and artist(s)
should use the planning time to discuss the project,
its concept or theme, and
what they individually hope to accomplish. The teacher(s) will be able to share information about the students and what access accommodations may be required for optimal student participation. Artist(s)
will be able to demonstrate for the teacher(s) the
art skills and
activities that he/she will teach. The teacher(s)
and artist(s) should explore the particular Fine Arts GSE and ways in which the
art project
can be used to enhance or integrate the core curriculum.
At the final evaluation session the artist(s) and teacher(s)
can discuss the aspects of the project which they
found to be the most or the least effective. The artist(s)
will also be able to review or reinforce skills which
the teacher(s) has/have learned from the planning session
and throughout the course of the project.
At the close of any project we hope that teachers will
have gained job embedded professional development in new arts skills which they will continue
utilize and incorporate into their teaching practices.
VSA arts RI believes the arts are basic and essential, not peripheral,
in the education of all children.
VSA arts Rhode Island requires that you publicize
our Access The Arts grant, should you receive one,
in all print or broadcast announcements, interviews,
feature articles, advertisements and on any art installations
or materials created with this grant money.
VSA arts Rhode Island will provide copies of specific
logo and credit requirements for publicity upon notification
of a grant award. When crediting VSA arts Rhode
Island always use the full name. You may abbreviate
the state name Rhode Island to its initials RI and
use VSA arts RI, but do not use the abbreviation "VSARI".
VSA arts RI is working to raise public awareness
of the need for quality arts programming for individuals
with disabilities, and toward that end your cooperation
is invaluable.
Final Report
A final report from the site will be due no later than 30 days, after the completion of the project. If reports are not submitted on time, future funding may be jeopardized.
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Review Process
Each application is
reviewed by the VSA arts Rhode Island staff for
eligibility and completeness.
or problems relating to eligibility or application
completeness will be referred back to the applicant.
Applications will be
reviewed by a VSA arts Rhode Island advisory panel
of artists
and educators.
panel advises the Executive Director of
VSA arts Rhode Island on the distribution
Funding is allocated on the basis of overall
merit of program design, according to
the following criteria:
Artistic Quality
Artistic Quality
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Other Considerations
For more information and deadline
dates contact:
VSA arts Rhode Island
500 Prospect Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
L. Chartier, Executive & Artistic Director
725-0247 (phone/tty)
firstname.lastname@example.com (email)
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"Working to
create a society where people with disabilities can
learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts."
VSA arts Rhode Island | 500 Prospect Street | Pawtucket, Rhode
Island 02860
Voice & TTY: 401.725.0247 | Fax: 401.725.0397


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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If Tennessee safety Eric Berry is gone when the Browns pick at No. 7, they might not have to settle for second best.
At least one noted draft expert ranks Texas' Earl Thomas, who visited the Browns earlier this month, as the best safety in this draft.
"I've probably watched 300-400 snaps apiece and in my opinion, Earl Thomas is the most instinctive free safety I've seen on tape in five or six years," said NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. "He's a playmaker, he's got loose hips, and he's got the best range of any centerfielder I've seen coming out of college football in a long time."
Mayock should know. He played safety for Boston College and the New York Giants in the early 1980s after being drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round in 1981.
"When I watch tape of these kids, I want to see how quickly they react to what their read is, and that's what I believe separates Earl Thomas," said Mayock. "He can go sideline to sideline in zone and make plays, he can cover the No. 2 or No. 3 [receiver]. In the NFL these days, anytime a free safety can drop down and cover like a corner, it's a huge plus. Eric Berry can do most of those things, but I don't think he has the instincts [that Thomas has]."
Thomas' collegiate position coach, Duane Akina, who coached 2006 first-round safety Michael Huff and 2007 first-rounder Michael Griffin at Texas, couldn't agree more.
"I'm not surprised Mike would say that because he's played and watched a lot of tape," said Akina. "We tried to recruit Berry here and he's an outstanding player. But I don't think there's another safety that's been asked to do everything we asked of Earl -- the one-on-one situations, the zone situations, playing in the middle of the field.
"Plus, you can look at the number of interceptions [eight in 2009] and fumbles caused [five in two seasons], and the fact that he'll return punts next year and play special teams."
Akina said he's talked with some of the Browns scouts and coaches about Thomas (5-10, 208) "and they seem very positive about Earl. Cleveland would be a great fit for him because of their system and Eric Mangini's background as a secondary coach."
He said the No. 1 thing that comes to mind about Thomas is his passion.
"Earl has taken his great, natural, athletic ability and worked so hard at his craft -- not just weightlifting and drills, but studying tape."
Thomas started only two years at Texas and is coming out as a sophomore largely because Hurricane Rita destroyed his family's home in Orange, Texas in 2005 and he wants to buy them a new one.
"But Earl is ready for the next level," said Akina.
Knowing teams might want him as a corner -- he ran a 4.38 at his pro day -- Akina practiced him there in the week leading up to the BCS title game against Alabama to get it on tape.
"Earl is one of the really unique guys that could line up and play corner in the NFL," he said. "He can also play nickel and both safeties. I'm not sure there's many athletes that have that kind of flexibility."
Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said it might be a stretch for Thomas or Berry to line up at corner "but they both have cover skills. Somebody may try it and if he doesn't work out, you know he can play safety."
At the NFL Combine, Thomas said he's comfortable at corner, safety and nickel, and that he's blitzed a lot from the nickel. "I'm just ready to play," he said.
He was humbled by comparisons to Baltimore's Ed Reed. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be in the Hall of Fame and that's a great comparison," he said. "I think I have a long way to go, but thank you for the accolades."
Thomas also fits the Browns' profile of high character players. His grandfather, Earl Sr., was a pastor, and Thomas used to lead the church in song as a child. He also plays the organ for his church and is skilled at the piano, saxophone and drums. Unfortunately, he heads into the draft with a heavy heart, because Earl Sr. is on life support and Thomas is at his bedside.
"You won't meet a finer young man than Earl," said Akina. "I promise you, the Browns won't be disappointed if they draft him. He's the same whether he's practicing in the 110-degree heat in front of no one or playing in the national championship game in front of millions on television. I know he'll be an excellent pro."