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Join Nick Perfili, Dulles Rail Project Planner, and Christy Wegener, Fairfax Connector's Manager of Operations, Planning and Customer Service with the county's Department of Transportation on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. for a discussion on Silver Line, Phase 1. It's an opportunity to ask questions about the Silver Line as well as Fairfax Connector's proposed bus service plan for when the rail line starts operations.
Nicholas Perfili
Good morning and thank you for joining us to discuss Fairfax Connector's Silver Line, Phase 1 bus service plan and the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. Christy Wegener, manager of Fairfax Connector Planning and Operations, is joining me to take your questions related to the start of Silver Line service.
With that, Christy and I will get started.
C. Hartley
Hello. There has been a lot of back and forth lately about the Silver line buses. I live in McLean and want to voice support for the planned #722 bus. There will not be any parking at the McLean station in Tysons. There is no place to park unless people drive to Falls Church to get a train. How else are people in McLean supposed to access the new Metro Rail?
Christin Wegener
Thank you for the support of proposed Route 722. In the Silver Line Bus Service proposal, a major goal is to provide feeder bus service from the communities within 1-3 miles of a new Metro Station to the Silver Line. Proposed Route 722 has generated several comments and we are evaluating new options to identify the best opportunities to provide feeder bus service.
Tysons Engineer
Will there be an entrance to the Tysons Metro station from the north side of 123 as well (currently the pit on the Lerner Tysons II property). It doesn't seem like there is an escalator associated to the north side, which makes access difficult for the many residents on Westpark Drive.
Nicholas Perfili
Access to the future Tysons Corner Station willbe available from both sides of Route 123. From the north side of Route 123, access will be available in to the station adjacent to the bus bay/bus lane area along Tysons Blvd.
Fairfax, VA
Hi Nick and Christy, for many of us living points miles west or southwest of West Falls Church Metro and transit commuting to jobs in Reston (outside Wiehle Avenue) and Herndon, it will be Rush Minus upon opening of the Silver Line. Instead of an express bus trip up the Dulles Toll Road from West Falls Church Metro, it will be a slower trip backtracking four miles round trip to and from East Falls Church Metro adding wasted time (8-15+ minutes) and expense to the commute. The existing and proposed Fairfax Connector bus alternatives 401, 402, 434, 462, and 463 between the Orange and Silver Line stations are all local stop service I foresee to be even slower than the long rail backtracking. What can you offer to improve this commute?
Christin Wegener
FCDOT staff are still evaluating all cross-county options between Vienna, Centreville, Reston and Herndon for Silver Line Phase 1 bus service changes; however, the final service plan will depend on the demand for service and the availability of resources. The current plan calls for Orange-Silver Line connectivity via Connector routes 462, 463, 401, 402, 434 and Metrobus 15M.
western Fairfax
I see one less noted problem with the Silver Line. Traveling the Dulles Toll Road each day, I bus transit between the Routes 7 and 123 points, where the rail line detours to and from Tysons Corner, in three minutes. I do not see any way the Silver Line detour into Tysons with four stops is going to compete with this short of time. With the Silver Line, now I am looking at an increased transit fare (rail vs. bus) for a slightly longer commute, which is not an improvement. What about a bus going doing the Dulles Toll Road bypassing Tysons, perhaps every 20 minutes during rush hour?
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comment. As we finalize our service plan, we will take this comment into account.
Fairfax, VA
To transfer, say going from Vienna Metro to one of the Tysons Metro stations, will require a transfer at East Falls Church. At current fares to do the transfer, traveling both ways along I66 (the scenic tour) most of the way between West and East Falls Church Metros will add about $4 in peak fare, for which this duplicative travel will add no value. Anything can be done about this wasted fare, which is not found elsewhere in the Metro system with transfers?
Nicholas Perfili
Metrorail fares are calculated based on a composite miles calculation that takes the average of the as-the-crow-flies distance and the track distance traveled between two stations. This provides some benefit to customers who have to travel out of their way on the rail system in order to go only a short distance. This is the case now, for example, for a patron riding between Deanwood and Benning Road stations via Stadium-Armory.
In the case of West Falls Church to McLean, the total trip is 6.67 miles. The "as-the-crow" distance is 1.99 miles. These distances result in 4.33 composite miles between the station pair. The current estimate of the fare for this station pair is $2.50 peak/$2.00 off peak (with SmarTrip). Additional Metrorail fare information is available online at http://planitmetro.com/2012/11/15/how-are-metrorail-fares-calculated/ . Keep in mind fares for the Silver Line are estimated at this point.
Kendall Jamison
So grateful for the buses that take me to West Falls Church. I do not understand why the big Reston parking lot for the 555 (and 505) has a dark path to the RIBS station. Safer, but colder and longer, to wait for the 505 to connect with the RIBS. As you plan for the Silver Line, please think about how to really CONNECT with other transportation units. For instance, how easy is it to get from West Falls Church Metro Station to Kaiser's new urgent care center or any other hospital for that matter? PROMOTE the use of public transportation by advertising HOW TO CONNECT.
Christin Wegener
One of the proposed Silver Line Circulator routes (SLC 4) in Tysons will connect the Spring Hill Metro Station and Westpark Drive, where Kaiser is located. As a part of this service change, the County will be implementing a comprehensive marketing campaign to educate residents on all their mobility options.
There is a small section of raised walkway missing between the Wiehle station and the new development where the old park and ride lot was located. Will there be a direct connection to the station at this location or will there be another way to connect?
Nicholas Perfili
Placement of the pedestrian bridges has been one of the more visible reminders of how close we are to the start of Silver Line service. The missing link you are asking about is planned to be in place by the middle of this month.
Reston commuter dreaming of the Silver Line
1. I am counting on you to help commuters connect with the Silver Line while keeping traffic at the stations from gumming up sweet, but already congested, Reston. How?
2. Please remember when we leave the the Metro we need public transportation connections, not just parking lot connections!!!
3. Will RIBS be able to take passengers to & from the Reston Silver Line Metro Station?
Christin Wegener
We are adjusting approximately 50% of existing Fairfax Connector bus service as a part of the Silver Line Phase 1 bus service changes. A major goal of our service plan is to provide frequent, local service to the new rail stations. We hope that with enhanced feeder bus service to the Wiehle-Reston East Station, residents will look at the bus as a viable transportation option to reach the Silver Line. To answer your second question, as a part of our plan, we will be implementing a circulator bus service in Tysons (SLC 1, 2, 3 and 4) to provide that "last mile" connection for people coming from or going to the Tysons Silver Line stations. Yes, RIBS 1, 2 and 3 are proposed to provide service to the new Wiehle-Reston East Station.
Anonymous User
Proposed Bus Route 722 would travel narrow residential streets and complicate the safety picture for the children of Churchill Road Elementary School. Will you be addressing these concerns by developing an alternative route that does not include Churchill Road?
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comment. Proposed Route 722 has generated several comments both against and in favor of using Churchill Road. Staff are currently looking at options to provide feeder bus service that the community will support.
Are the RIBS 1 and RIBS 3 buses going to serve the Weihle Ave station during non-rush hour periods?
Christin Wegener
Yes - the current proposal calls for RIBS 1, 2 and 3 to provide service to the Wiehle-Reston East Station at all times during the day.
North Tysons Resident
As a resident of North Tysons in the Avalon Crescent community, I am generally happy with what I see for service with the SLC2 line with one suggestion for improvement for residents in the Park Crest, Avalon Crescent, and Avalon Park Crest communities. It would be more desirable for the line to run from International Drive to West Park to Park Run to Tysons Boulevard. The benefits would be improved resident access to this route as well as eliminate several dangerous road crossings (and in the case of Tysons Blvd and Park Run - a dangerous and unsignalized crossing). Potential stops could be located at the corner of West Park just beyond International Drive, Park Run/West Park where the current Metro 23A stops and on Tysons Blvd just beyond the intersection of Park Run for alternate access to Tysons Galleria. While I'd prefer this to be the overall route for both weekdays and weekends, this would be a superior Weekend service pattern as the route will likely service mostly residents at that time.
I am delighted to see this route is designated for 7 day service but would hope for maybe 15-25 minute headways in non-rush hour periods, with times synchronized for reasonable connections to the Silver Line trains at the Tysons Metro. Overall as proposed the SLC2 is an overall improvement to the current 425 weekday only service.
The SLC4 route makes for a nice alternate route with North Tysons service to these neighborhoods particularly for destinations towards Reston, Herndon, and Dulles Airport, but suffers from weekday non-late night service.
I forsee much utilization for myself for the SLC2 route and limited occasional usage of the SLC4 route.
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comments on the proposed SLC 2 and 4 routes. We are still looking at all routing options and will take your comments into consideration. The final plan, which will specify service days, hours and frequencies, will depend on available resources.
I live about 2 miles from the Tysons Corner area in one of the many suburban neighborhoods that does not have any bus access. If I want to take Metro into DC, what options do I and my children have for accessing Metro at Tysons Corner?
Nicholas Perfili
Good morning, Beth. Thank you for your question. Depending on your location you may be able to use a bus, walk, or ride a bike. Kiss and ride lots will be available at the McLean and Spring Hill stations. If you have not already done so, please review the Fairfax Connector and Metrobus service plans related to the start of Silver Line service. Both plans are available at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro/; see the "Transit Planning" section.
The first round of public outreach for Fairfax Connector service concludes Monday, February 11 in Reston. The Metrobus Silver Line service plan was adopted by the WMATA Board of Directors in December 2012.
Reston Resident
I looked at the bus plan for Reston. The connection between Wiehle and Reston Town Center is weak. Why is there no frequent connection between Wiehle and the Town Center? Tysons is getting frequent circulator service, why no frequent service between the end of the Silver Line and Reston Town Center? At least bring the 505 back to the old schedule of every 15 minutes from a few years ago.
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comments. Our Silver Line Bus Service proposal calls for 15-minute service between Reston Town Center and the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, via proposed Route 959.
Maria Mercer
Will there be a bus from The Great Falls (VA) Center to one of the metro stops?
Christin Wegener
Good morning, Maria. We are in the process of evaluating options for providing service to the Great Falls community. The roads and densities in and around the Great Falls area are generally not conducive to transit; however, we will continue to explore options.
I live in Reston and fear the arrival of the Silver line will make my commute WORSE, not better:
(1) Will free parking disappear as expensive, limited parking is provided in the new complex on Wiehle Road that's designed to make the lucky developer lots of money?
(2) I can get a bus to the Metro from my neighborhood now in the morning -- the 554 -- but I can't get home if I work at all late because it stops running now at 7 pm. Will that still be the case? (Ribs 4 is supposedly an alternative but it takes forever and runs from the Reston Town Center -- so I'd have to get there from the Metro even to catch it).
Christin Wegener
Hi Larry. Yes, the future parking garage at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station will be pay to park, as are all other Metrorail Station parking garages. The Herndon-Monroe Park-and-Ride, as well as the Reston South Park-and-Ride, will remain free with feeder bus service provided to the Silver Line. To answer your second question, we are still in the process of finalizing service levels for the proposed bus service changes and have already heard multiple comments regarding extending the hours of service. I will take your comments back to the lead service planner for inclusion in the final service plan.
A. Bransfield
Will there be parking? And more to the point, will there be enough parking near the station? If not, will there be shuttle buses to the station from parking garages, lots etc.
I'm retired, but would like to use the Silver Line to go into D.C. without having to drive to West Fall Church with the hopes of finding a spot in the middle of the morning. "Dream the impossible dream" comes to mind.
Glad it's coming and the sooner, the better!
Nicholas Perfili
Approximately 2,300 parking spaces will be available at Wiehle-Reston East Station, built as part of a mixed-use development being constructed on the site of the former Reston East Park and Ride. In addition, sidewalk and path improvements are being constructed, bike lockers and rack will be availale, and a full complement of bus service is proposed to provide access to all five Phase 1 stations.
One neat feature at Wiehle will be the addition of a secure bike room, similar to a secure bike facility recently opened by Metro at College Park-U of Md. Station on the Green Line. View the Fairfax Connector and Metrobus service plans online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro/, under "Transit Planning," to see proposed bus service.
It would be great to somehow connect the Silver Line to the new Merrifield Mosaic District.
Thanks for you consideration.
Christin Wegener
Good morning. Yes, our proposal calls for routes 401 and 402 to provide service between the Tysons Corner Station and Merrifield at 15-minute headways in the peak period and 20-25 minute headways at all other times. These routes operate seven days a week, providing an excellent connection between Merrifield and the Silver Line.
Reston commuter
Will there be a place to turn the silver trains around at Wiehle without blocking the tracks if other trains are entering the station?
Nicholas Perfili
Silver Line trains will operate between the Wiehle-Reston East and Largo Town Center stations when Phase 1 service begins. For additional information on Metrorail Silver Line planning efforts, please see the Silver Line operating plan on Metro's website at http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/board_of_directors/agenda.cfm?agendaID=2057&committeeID=28&committeeName=Customer Service and Operations Committee.
Laura W
Will there be bus service from the Sunset Hills Park and Ride (12050 Sunset Hills Road) to the Reston East Metro Station when the Silver Line opens?
Christin Wegener
Good morning, Laura. The Sunset Hills Park-and-Ride will close when the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station garage opens. The Sunset Hills Park-and-Ride lot was opened as an interim, temporary parking lot to accommodate passengers who were affected by the closure of the (former) Reston East Park-and-Ride lot.
Dave Webster
What is the present estimate for how much Fairfax County will be required to pay annually to WMATA for Fairfax's portion of capital funding/maintenance needs for Metro?
Nicholas Perfili
Mr. Webster-
Cost estimates related to Fairfax County's portion of the capital funding and maintenance needs are availble at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro/outreach.htm, see slides 13-19.
Laura W
Will the 2300 Commuter Parking Spaces at Reston East Metro Station be available the day the Silver Line opens?
Christin Wegener
Yes. The garage is projected to be substantially complete by August 2013.
With the HOT lanes now open and the Rosslyn tunnel about to get even more crowded due to the silver line, has there been any discussion to making the Pentagon Express bus travel both ways to help those on the Blue Line get to Reston?
Christin Wegener
Our current proposal calls for the elimination of routes 595 and 597; however, we have heard from the riders that they want to maintain this service and we are in the process of evaluating all options. I will take your comment back to our lead service planner regarding reverse-commute service on these routes.
Corey Scott
Has there been any thought to the county suggesting to MWAA that some of the costs for the Silver Line be recouped though surcharges at the airport? This may be a way to help offset increases to toll rates on the toll road. We just got hit with a toll rate increase in January and there are many more to come!
Nicholas Perfili
Thanks for asking, Corey. The county made an official request to the MWAA Board of Directors regarding this very issue, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pdf/dullesmetro/letter_to_mwaa_phase_2.pdf. During the March 2012 public outreach on Phase 2 cost, financing, and layout, a number of participants expressed concern about toll rates on the Dulles Toll Road.
Will there be any effort to increase north/south bus routes (specifically along Fairfax County Parkway), to bring riders from south of the Silver Line up to the new stations both in phase I and phase II?
Christin Wegener
We are in the process of evaluating all options to provide cross-county service between Vienna, Centreville, Reston and Herndon. The final service plan will depend on demand and available resources.
J Zoller
Dear Fairfax Connector,
The current 980 bus runs every 6 minutes. The plan according to the website is to run the 980 bus to Reston East every 12 minutes when the silver line opens. I expect most/all of the current Herndon/Monroe Park and Ride passengers to continue, which means we'll end up waiting twice as long for buses with insufficient capacity. During rush hours, buses need to move more often. We already have standing passengers on the buses during rush.
Looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
J Zoller
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comments. Our proposal does call for a reduction in Route 980 service to every 12 minutes; however, our proposal also calls for an extension of routes 924, 926, 927 and 929 from the Herndon-Monroe Park-and-Ride to the Wiehle-Reston East Station. Commuters parking at Herndon-Monroe will have multiple route options, besides routes 980, to get to the Silver Line.
What are your plans to extend services for Blue Line riders who will be facing further cut backs once Silver Line is running through the Rosslyn Tunnel?
Nicholas Perfili
Hi Jackie. Metro's recent "Momentum" effort begins the discussion on addressing rail capacity in the region's core area, including the introduction of ideas to mitigate rail congestion in the core. View Metro's Momentum website at http://wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5418 for more information.
Depending on where you travel, Fairfax Connector routes 394 and 395 may provide an alternate travel option between Saratoga, Springfield, Gambrill Road and the Pentagon. Information on these routes is available at www.fairfaxconnector.com.
This is more a suggestion than question. I think there may be a way to come up with an option to satisfy both the groups for and agains the 722 line. I at first was completely opposed to this bus but then realized there will be no way to drive to the Silver Line and park. What if there were only five or six cycles of the bus? This way we won't have a bus creating more traffic but for those who need to get to the metro they can align their schedules to the few times the bus runs. Just an idea.
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comments. The current proposal calls for 30-minute headways on Route 722 in the AM and PM peak periods, which means approximately 6-7 trips in the AM and 6-7 trips in the PM.
How much parking will be available at Wiehle when it opens? Will there be enough parking to accommodate the demand?
Nicholas Perfili
Tex- the park and ride at Wiehle will have approximately 2,300 parking spaces. In addition, park and ride lots are available at Reston South (Reston Pkwy and Fox Mill Rd) and Herndon-Monroe. Fairfax Connector buses will provide connections to Wiehle from these locations.
Jane Baniewicz
What will be the parking options in Reston near Wiehle Ave? Will there be any free parking options as there are now for the Fairfax Connector? What will the parking structure fees be? What will happen to the existing commuter lots in Reston off Sunset Hills along the trail and near the a town Center?
Christin Wegener
Good morning, Jane. The Herndon-Monroe Park-and-Ride lot, in addition to the Reston South Park-and-Ride, will remain free with feeder bus service to the Silver Line. The Sunset Hills Park-and-Ride Lot will close when the Silver Line opens.
Larry B
If Reston garage is a pay lot how much will it cost? Why would someone pay for parking at that lot and not use the free lot along Sunset Hills or other free lots in the areas? Will the Connector provide the same level of service to the free lots as it does for the pay parking at Wiehle?
Nicholas Perfili
Hi Larry. The parking rate at the Wiehle-Reston East Park and Ride will be comparable to rates charged at existing Metrorail stations in Fairfax County. At present, parking at Huntington, Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street, Vienna, and West Falls Church is $4.75 per day. Parking at Herndon-Monroe will continue to be free. Visit www.fairfaxconnector.com to view the proposed bus service to and from each Silver Line, Phase 1 station.
How might the 927, 980 and 427 buses be affected by the new silver line? I saw a map concerning the 927 (Herndon), but can't determine which stops may be "deleted."
Christin Wegener
Our detailed service proposal is available online at www.fairfaxconnector.com. The plans for Route 927 are to extend the route to the Wiehle Reston-East Metro Station, and for Route 980 to be cut back to the Wiehle Reston-East Metro Station. Route 427 is proposed for elimination, with service provided by the Silver Line and the proposed Silver Line Circulator (SLC) routes.
Is there a better date for the opening of the Silver Line metro service other than "late 2013"?
Nicholas Perfili
Steve, at present passenger service is planned to begin in late December 2013. At this time an exact date is not yet available. The Metropolitan Washington Aiports Authority (MWAA), constructing the Silver Line, will turn the project over to Metro. Metro will then complete a period of testing before commencing Silver Line service. For more information on Metro's plans, please see links included in my posts above or contact Metro at www.wmata.com, "Contact Us."
Tysons Engineer
I live in Tysons and want to voice my opinion that the SLC2 and SLC3 should be looked at to be more accessible to portions of Westpark and Park Run. And at a minimum there should be atleast one bus in Tysons that runs the same duration as the rail itself to provide the last mile service to us 17,000 residents who live here and now pay higher taxes.
Thank you,
Christin Wegener
Thank you for your comments. We have already heard some suggestions for route and span of service options for the SLC routes. After the first round of public outreach concludes (February 28, 2013), staff will look at all comments and suggestions as we develop the final service plan. We will present the final plan in early April during our second public outreach period.
Dulles traveler
Right now when I get stuck in the WMATA system they run buses between stations. Does the Connector plan on doing that once the rail line is open or will you just depend on the existing service? Will WMATA be the ones providing this bus service during disruptions?
Nicholas Perfili
WMATA and Fairfax County Department of Transportation staff are working on mutual aid agreement to address disruptions to Metrorail service should a bus bridge or shuttle operation be necessary in the Dulles Corridor.
Bus Rider
I have looked at your proposed plans and notice a number of your responses are evaluate look into etc...when will we know for sure what the new routes will look like not only for the connector but all the bus providers in the region?
Christin Wegener
We are collecting comments on our proposal until February 28, 2013. During the month of March, staff will consider all comments received and make adjustments to the plan. In late March, the service plan will be updated online and available for review. We will begin our second round of public meetings in early April. The plan will go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in May or early June for approval.
Bob Bruhns
Why is our Rt 28 station, with its 8-car train capacity and half-length canopy over its platform, estimated to cost 2.4 times as much as the Fairfield, Connecicut Metrorail station (completed in December 2011), with its 12-car train capacity and full length canopies over both of its platforms?
Nicholas Perfili
Mr. Bruhns,
Phase 2 cost estimates remian the same from when we did our public outreach back in March 2012. Mark Canale's presentation on this matter, among other Phase 2 issues, is available online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro/.
Metro Man
Are you coordinating the bus schedules with the train arrival and depature times?
Christin Wegener
The trains are planned to run every 6-minutes in the peak, which is frequent enough to not have to time transfers. However, when train headways decrease during the off-peak period, we will do our best to coordinate train departures and arrivals with our buses. This is especially important for the early morning and late evening bus trips.
Comment: I have read the comments and would also like to see the 554 extended beyond the current times, at least for another hour. I would also like to see weekend service.
Question: Does the silver line continue towards DC after it reaches the East Falls Church station, or will commuters have to switch to another line? I've never seemed to find any information on that. If it's the latter, will that station accomodate the resulting foot traffic on the platform?
Nicholas Perfili
Thanks for asking, HM. This is a common question lately. Silver Line, Phase 1 service will operate between Wiehle-Reston East Station and Largo Town Center Station. If you are traveling between Wiehle and Metro Center, for example, you will have a one seat ride on the Silver Line.
Reston Anne
Hello. I currently park at Sunset Hills Park and Ride and take the 555 bus to West Falls Church Metro. What will be my alternative when the 555 is discontinued? Will there be bus service from the Sunset Hills Park and Ride to the Reston East Metro? Thank you.
Christin Wegener
Hello. When the Silver Line opens, Route 555 will be discontinued and the Sunset Hills Park-and-Ride Lot will close. The plan calls for frequent bus service between Reston Town Center and the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station via proposed Route 959. In addition, staff is proposing 15-minute feeder bus service from the neighborhoods to the Silver Line. For details on the plan, please visit: www.fairfaxconnector.com.
Anonymous User
Just letting you know that I will start driving to DC if the 5A metrobus is eliminated and bus service from Herndon-Monroe is re-routed to Reston from its current location of West Falls Church. My commute would go from two stops (5a) or about 12 (980 to Orange Line) to over 20!
Nicholas Perfili
Metrobus Route 5A will continue to operate betweeen L'Enfant Plaza and Dulles Airport via Rosslyn and Herndon-Monroe when Phase 1 opens. Visit Metro's website, www.wmata.com, for more information on the 5A. In addition, I posted a link in a prior response which will lead you to the approved Metrobus Silver Line service plan.
Christin Wegener
Thank you for taking the time to submit your comments and questions regarding Silver Line, Phase 1 and the associated bus service changes. We encourage you to visit our web pages (www.fairfaxconnector.com and www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/dullesmetro) for further information.
We received a tremendous amount of questions during this chat and were not able to answer all - we encourage everyone to submit their questions regarding the Silver Line Bus Service plan to email@example.com. In addition, we have four public meetings remaining in our first round of public outreach. Tonight's meeting is at Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church, beginning at 6:30 P.M. Hope to see you there!
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(Phoenix, Ariz. — August 18, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced an agreement with Sonoran Attorney General Abel Murrieta Gutiérrez to combat border crime through improved information sharing and investigative partnerships between Arizona and Sonora law enforcement. Goddard traveled to Hermosillo on August 15 to sign the historic agreement, which takes the form of a memorandum of understanding between the two states.
"We have achieved an unprecedented level of cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement in the past year," Goddard said. "By sharing information and technical expertise as well as partnering in criminal investigations, we are strategically fighting back against the smugglers operating along our border. Together, we are committed to wiping out these violent, criminal syndicates."
Goddard signed a similar agreement with Baja California Attorney General Rommel Moreno Manjarrez in Seattle on July 29. Earlier this month, Goddard finished a one-year term as Chair of the Conference of Western Attorneys General.
A copy of the Arizona – Sonora and Arizona – Baja California agreements are available on the Attorney General's Web site, www.azag.gov . For more information, please contact Anne Hilby at (602) 542-8019.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
karine necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web codificada y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 4 diseños de 3 diseñadores freelance.
Need 2 CSS stylesheets (regular and print) and a modfied version of the attached HTML template for new website.
This new website, http://www.higheredexperts.com, is targeted to web and marketing professionals working in universities and colleges based in the US and Canada.
Desired Color Scheme:
white background, orange & blue (see logo)
Desired Style:
Professional, fresh, Web2ish and clean.
Accepted File Formats:
CSS, (X)HTML, GIF, JPEG, PSD (only if necessary for PSD)
This new website, http://www.higheredexperts.com, is targeted to web and marketing professionals working in universities and colleges based in the US and Canada.
The main goal of this website is to provide professional development and training to this target audience mainly via fee-based webinars. The website will also offer free news, resources and memberships to a very simple social networking community for people working in adminstrative positions in higher education.
The logo and the icon were chosen in a design contest launched last week on Sitepoint:
It should be the base for the visual identity of the new website. The template design has to incorporate the logo, the icon and their colors. Background should be white.
The whole design should look professional but fresh.
3-column design (fixed or fluid width -- whatever looks best)
Navigation scheme has to be list-based (see HTML template example for ids to use: http://www.higheredexperts.com/hee_template.html )
top navigation:
Join HEE Network
search box
3-level left navigation (will be generated dynamically, include the following to give me an idea of the look) :
- list
- bios
login box with username and password fields
Upcoming webinar list
Breadcrumbs navigation above the main content area
Print and Email-this page link and icon at the bottom or the top of the main content area.
Footer with credits and contact info (email, phone, address)
Original styling required for:
H1, H2, H3, H4 tags
active, hover, visited links
image borders
regular content lists
navigation lists
CSS-based layout - no tables
Print-CSS stylesheet should only include logo, page content and footer (no navigation, no print/email link)
Should look good in Firefox, IE 6, IE 7 on PC's and Macs
Feel free to send me a PM with any questions.
Everything created should be original and publishable without infringing on someone else's copyrights.


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Obituary: Tim Powers celebration of life slated for Saturday in Silverthorne
Timothy Allen Powers, 34, of Dillon, passed away on Feb. 19. Tim was born in Beech Grove, Ind. He graduated from Brownsburg High School in 1997 and attended Westwood College of Aviation Technology in Denver. Tim loved the outdoors and settled in Summit County in 2007. He shared his passion and talents with several organizations within the community, including the High Country Snowmobile Club and the Tenderfoot Track Club. He had many gifts including music, art, woodworking and electronics. He was self-employed as an auto mechanic. Tim is survived by Carolanne Basile Powers, wife; two children, Austin Thomas and Kayleigh Victoria; his mother, Barbara Moomaw of Greenwood, Ind.; and two brothers, Gregory and Joshua. A celebration of life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Silverthorne on Saturday at 2 p.m. A potluck meal will follow. Please bring a casserole, side dish or dessert.
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Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere
Share your pictures, videos, and stories from your visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on our social media. We might even feature you in one of our promotions!
Monday, Nov 11 2013
Watch 3D animation of a prototype of Warren Sapp's Hall of Fame ring.


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Kelsey Grammer Gossip
Kelsey Grammer gossip, latest news, photos, and video.
Vile Part 2
Yesterday I asked you to think about how much cash money you'd demand in exchange for lying underneath Kelsey Grammer. I was really graphic about it. Because you have to imagine in order to appreciate Kayte Walsh's life choice. What she's sacrificing. Full Story
What is it about certain middle-aged men and their lack of awareness? The common assumption is that women fear loneliness more than men. Kelsey Grammer is making a really good case for equality in that category. And it's probably more than loneliness too. It's a loneliness-ego combination. Full Story
From the book of Jesse James
Only the Brange can get away with this kind of PDA. And even if we disagree on everything, I think we can all agree that Kelsey Grammer is not Brad Pitt. But here he is the other day in New York, strolling down the street like it's a photo shoot, with his brand new 29 year old fiancée Kayte White, like puppy love looks good on a 55 year old embroiled in a public bitter divorce battle. Full Story


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After hiking around the well-preserved Mayan ruins at Dzibilchaltun, just 30 minutes north of Merida, I was hot and sweaty, so plunging into the cool, crystalline water of the nearby cenote was a delight. It was much more than a swimming pool — it was an oasis. Floating through the lily pads, I understood why the ancient Mayans worshipped these sublime places (limestone sinkholes, grottoes, caverns and cave systems).
The underground freshwater river systems of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula flow throughout the Mayan heritage states of Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo and others. Massive cave systems were formed when highly porous coral limestone dissolved during the Ice Age, and today the peninsula is dotted with an estimated 30,000 cenotes.
Cenotes come in many different forms. Some are dry, while others are filled with cool, turquoise water. Many are located alongside important archeological sites, and a number of them are considered sacred for honoring Chaac, the Maya rain god. Cenotes also range in size, from small crevices in rock formations to giant openings spanning more than 300 feet across. Some are covered with stalactites and stalagmites.
In most areas of the peninsula, the cenotes are the only source of fresh water. Many animals make their homes in and around them, including endemic species such as blind cave fish and blind crayfish.
En RouteThe Route of the Cenotes runs east to west from Merida to Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun. The cenotes are promoted as an ecotourism attraction, and many tour operators in the region offer cenote tours. Visitors can snorkel, dive, swim or wade through them. Some cenotes contain fossils of prehistoric animals in their walls, while others are home to many species of tiny fish that will delight snorkelers and swimmers. Most cenotes are found inside Maya jungle areas, with enormous trees and other lush vegetation that is home to tropical birds. Some are privately owned, while others are run by local Maya communities that may charge a small admission fee, although the tour operator may include that in the package. It is advised to travel with a tour operator, such as AllTournative, since many cenotes are difficult to locate, are on private land or are only accessible by all-terrain vehicles.
Top Cenote SitesCenotes are extraordinary in any case, but there are a few particularly amazing sites that visitors should make a point of seeing.
Run by local Maya women, Yokdzonot Cenote and Ecological Garden is a relaxing getaway. It offers azure water, clean facilities and a charming restaurant with shady palapas on site, as well as an eco-friendly water waste system.
Cuzama consists of three spectacular cenotes located near the village, and they can be reached by hiring a local guide. The guide carries equipment to the site via a horse-drawn cart running over an abandoned narrow-gauge railroad.
Another option is Bolonchoojol, a deep hole that is accessible by a ladder made of welded old railroad ties. The ladder leads to a well-lit cavern with crystalline water and huge stalactites and stalagmites.
Eco-Arquological Park Ik-kil is home to the 85-foot deep Sagrado Cenote Azul (Sacred Blue Cenote). It is about 20 minutes from Chichen Itza, and only 30 minutes from Merida. Surrounded by exotic plants and trees, it is also the habitat for hundreds of wild birds and is ideal for swimmers.
Zaci, situated just a few hundred yards away from the gorgeous colonial city of Valladolid, is traversed by a walking path that passes under a curtain of dramatic stalactites. Southeast of Valladolid lies Dzitnup, with brilliant turquoise waters intersected by shafts of sunlight from above.
Cenotes are freshwater pools that are a popular attraction for visitors in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. // (c) Cancun CVB
Cenotes are fed by underground rivers that run throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. // (c) Cancun CVB
Many cenotes are filled with lily pads and fish. // (c) Cancun CVB
Underground cenotes may have stalactites and stalagmites in addition to crystal-clear water. // (c) Irene Middleman Thomas
Cenotes can be found at the bottom of deep holes in the ground or in caverns, such as Luum. // (c) Cancun CVB


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"You are what you eat," sighed my mother, eyeing dubiously as I lovingly dismantled my favorite after school snack, Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, purchased with my paper route earnings. These words echoed in my mind when, during recent attendance at a meditation retreat, lunch and dinner on the same day comprised heavily spiced and salted ethnic cuisine. Following dinner, in contrast to previous nights, the meditation hall was filled with rustling, sighs, and the clamor of ups and downs to use the restroom. That night, I dreamt of ferocious sharks and forest fires. These observations are consistent with Ayurveda's prediction that rajasic foods heighten irritability and restlessness.
Ayurvedic principles can support you in beginning to notice how foods and behaviors differentially affect your energy and unique constitution, a process that initially entails a learning curve. Yet Ayurveda does not represent absolute truth; as a cultural system, it is fallible like any other.
Ayurveda originated in the sociocultural and historical context of India, evolving over thousands of years from empirical observations of how various factors, including diet, affected mental and physical health. As a humoral system of medicine, Ayurveda stands alongside a multitude of folk and indigenous medical systems spanning the continents. Aside from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda is probably the best-known and codified whole system of medicine known to the west.
These systems share in common broad beliefs in the moral and medicinal values of food; where they diverge is in the specific expression of these properties. For instance, a food designated "hot" in one cultural context can be deemed "cold" by another, sometimes even within the same village. One scholar notes, "[Humoral medicine] is a marvelously flexible instrument that can be manipulated to give almost any desired result…the point is not that the system is perfectly consistent, but that it always provides an explanation that is deemed acceptable."
An Ayurvedic practitioner once told me that the beauty of Ayurveda resides in this flexibility, and shared the tale of a man with cancer who went to India and visited five Ayurvedic doctors. Each provided a different treatment, and yet each was equally effective. Western science states that if a system is non-falsifiable—that is, if you cannot debunk its tenets, similar to creationism, astrology, or Freudianism—it is without merit. Yet millions who ascribe to these beliefs and experience healing would stringently disagree.
At its best, Ayurveda is a portal to intuitive eating, a flexible, instinctual relationship to food that transcends beliefs and systems, drawing directly on embodied experience. But when we bring the same mindset to Ayurveda as we have to Western diets and other systems, privileging its tenets over our body's intelligence, we outsource our dietary agency, neglecting the wisdom of our body and heart-mind.
The resulting rigidity around food can then circumscribe our experience, compounding the cultural tyranny of mind over body and potentially worsening dietary choices. Neglecting to adapt Ayurveda's guidelines or recognize its limitations short-changes the rich evolution this system has undergone across millennia, and the plethora of diverse food-related beliefs and practices spanning the globe.
In Part 2 we will explore ways in which Ayurvedic guidelines and yoga practice can promote intuitive eating.
Disclosure: YogaBasics.com participates in several affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. When you click on external links, we may receive a small commission, which helps us keep the lights on.


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Freshman Shayna Price (right) was named CWPA Defensive Player of the Week Tuesday (photo courtesy Kevin Burns).
BRIDGEPORT, Pa. – Harvard women's water polo freshman Shayna Price was named Collegiate Water Polo Association Southern Division Defensive Player of the Week Tuesday for helping lead the Crimson to a 2-0 Saturday with wins against visiting Connecticut College and Marist.
Price contributed three goals, four assists and five steals on the day. In the doubleheader opener against Connecticut College, Price's four steals in the game led all Harvard players, as the Crimson totaled 20 takeaways in the contest. The rookie tied for the team lead in goals with three. 11 different Harvard players found the back of the net in the 19-2 win over the Camels. Price also assisted on two goals, accounting for five of the Crimson's 19 scores.
Against Marist in the nightcap, Price assisted on two goals and had another steal to bring her two-game total to five, in Harvard's 13-12 double overtime victory over the Red Foxes. With the three-goal, four-assist, five-steal day, Price now totals 31 scores, 15 helpers and 36 takeaways on the season.
Harvard heads to Lewisburg, Pa., to take on Princeton and host Bucknell in two Collegiate Water Polo Association games Saturday. Action starts at 10 a.m. inside the Bison's Kinney Natatorium.


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The Crimson looks for its seventh Beanpot title (photo courtesy Gil Talbot).
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The No. 6 Harvard men's fencing team looks to continue its dominance over its Beantown rivals Wednesday, Feb. 12 as the Crimson makes the short trek to MIT for the fencing Beanpot. Fencing is set to commence at 5:30 p.m.
Follow Harvard Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected with all the breaking news from around Cambridge and to get inside access to your favorite Crimson programs.
The combination of a 4-1 record and a Princeton win over top-ranked Columbia, Harvard earned a share of the 2014 Ivy League title Sunday, Feb. 9 at Brown's Olney-Margolies Athletic Center. The back-to-back title marks the eighth overall for Harvard and third in four years.
Related Link: IVY CHAMPS! No. 6 Men's Fencing Earns Share of Ivy Title
Beanpot Breakdown
The Battle of Beantown on the fencing strip began in 2008. Every year since the inception, Harvard has swept the field to hold all six Beanpot titles.
All-Ivy Honors
Five Harvard fencers garnered All-Ancient Eight status with their performances at the Ivy League Round-Robins Feb. 8-9. Jerry Chang, Alexander Ryjik and Michael Woo earned spots on the first team while Duncan O'Brien and Alexander Eldeib received second team nods.
Rank and File
In the initial CollegeFencing360 Coaches Poll, the Crimson men ranked fifth, but has since slipped to sixth in the Feb. 6 poll.
Related Link: NCAA Fencing Poll
Since Harvard men's fencing began in 1902, the Crimson has seen 62 opponents on the strip. The Crimson has not a match to 35 of its all-time competitors to hold unbeaten records against 56. 5 percent of its all-time foes.
North American Cups
Over the course of three months, 14 Harvard fencers took the strip at USA Fencing's North American Cups to compete against athletes from across the United States and Canada attempting to qualify for both the 2014 Senior and Junior World Championships. The Crimson notched three podium finishes. Jerry Chang and Nina van Loon grabbed gold in the Junior brackets for their respective weapons, while Adrienne Jarocki took home silver in the Division I women's sabre.
Related Links: Ten Harvard Fencers Compete at USA Fencing North American Cup, Chang Captures Gold | Five Fencers Compete at December North American Cup | USA Fencing's January North American Cup Features 11 Crimson Fencers
Bronze Bouts
Foil fencers Jerry Chang and Michael Woo have made a statement on the international strips for team USA this year as the sophomores have captured Junior World Cup Medals. Chang brought back bronze from the Eden Cup Saturday, Nov. 30, while Woo won bronze at the Udine Junior World Cup Sunday, Jan. 5.
Related Links: Chang Brings Back Bronze from Eden Cup | Three Men's Fencers Take Strip at Udine Junior World Cup, Woo Wins Bronze
Red, White and Bronze
Jerry Chang and Brian Kaneshige finished 75th and 86th, respectively, to help the world's top ranked United States men's foil team earn its seventh straight podium finish with a bronze medal performance at the Paris World Cup, the first senior international event of the season, Jan. 18-20.
Related Link: Chang, Kaneshige Help USA Win Bronze at Paris Foil World Cup
Trust in Brand
Peter Brand enters his 15th season at the helm of the Crimson. Under his guidance, Harvard captured its first NCAA team championship in 2006, won a combined four Intercollegiate Fencing Association three-weapon titles, two IFA six-weapon championships and a combined eight Ivy League titles – three by the women and five by the men. He also has coached 37 All-Americans in his time behind Harvard's bench. Brand sports a 160-61 overall record on the men's side and a 43-38 mark against Ivy League foes.
About No. 6 Harvard
Coming off its eight Ivy League title, Harvard brings a 9-6 record into the Beanpot. The Crimson's performance has been propelled by its foil squad. Michael Woo and Jerry Chang lead the way for the foil fencers with 23-7 and 29-17 marks, respectively. Alexander Ryjik and Duncan O'Brien pace Harvard's sabre fencers while Alexander Eldeib leads the way on the strip for the Crimson's epeeist.
About Brandeis
The Judges enter the Beanpot following a perfect showing at the Duke Invitational Feb. 8, which include a 15-12 victory over No. 10 Duke. Junior Noah Berman and senior Julian Cardillo have propelled Brandeis' foil squad which paces the team's 19-6 effort. Sophomore Ari Feingirsch and junior Adam Mandel lead the epee and sabre fencers, respectively.
All-Time Versus the Judges
Harvard looks for its 12th straight win over Brandeis on Wednesday. The Massachusetts opponents have competed against one another 57 times with the Crimson boasting a 46-11 edge over the Judges.
About Boston College
After three tournaments and 15 opponents, the Eagles sit 3-12. Boston College has received a solid performance from its sabre team thus far this season with senior Deven Midgley leading the way. In the foil, sophomores Hanmin Lee and Peter Wetzel have made an impact. Senior epeeist Marcus Chan has provided a strong showing on the strip for the Eagles this season.
All-Time Versus the Eagles
Harvard has clashed with its local rival Boston College 14 times since 1993 and has not dropped a single match against the Eagles.
About MIT
The Engineers bring a 15-10 record into the Beanpot after a 1-4 performance at the Duke Invitational Feb. 8. An upperclassman/underclassman duo pace each of MIT's weapons. The sabre squad is led by freshman Benjamin Lin and senior Ehsna Izadmehr. Senior Joey Rafidi and rookie Sam Judd pace the epeeist while junior David Wyrobnik and sophomore Scott Robinson have dominated in the foil.
All-Time Versus the Engineers
Wednesday's dual marks the 115th meeting between the Cambridge foes since 1903. Currently on a seven-match win streak, the Crimson owns the series, 94-18-1.
Coming Up
Harvard returns to action Sunday, March 9, at the NCAA Regionals hosted by Wellesley College. The Crimson will look to earn bids to the NCAA Championships later in the month, March 19-23 at Ohio State.


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KATRINA: Complaints put FEMA trailer contracts on hold
A batch of lucrative federal travel trailer contracts along the Gulf Coast has been put on hold, and other contracts could be in jeopardy, after three companies that lost a rebidding process lodged formal protests with the Government Accountability Office, according to federal attorneys handling the complaints.
The trio of protests, which the GAO must resolve within 100 calendar days, were filed in April, and since then turmoil has continued to engulf FEMA's contracting processes in the post-Katrina landscape. On Thursday, a House committee in Washington delved into federal contracting and spending, while in recent weeks new questions have surfaced about whether some of the companies that won in the rebidding comply with FEMA's explicit guidelines.
Overarching Thursday's hearing and the intricacies of rebidding $3.6 billion in contracts for maintaining and disposing of thousands of travel trailers is the mounting anger among Louisiana and Mississippi companies that believe they have been excluded from the reconstruction work. Although President Bush and FEMA insist they are trying to funnel more jobs and money to companies long based in the storm-tossed zones, the winning contract announcements trickling out of FEMA reflect a preponderance of out-of-state companies.
"Whatever FEMA does, they don't do it to help local people," said Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, who attended Thursday's hearing and has questioned Bush administration officials about the rebidding process. "I don't want to be too critical, but I keep hearing these words from the president and I don't see the follow-up on the ground. We're not helping our people, and the government is not doing its job."
The most recent job at hand involves the Federal Emergency Management Agency trying to break up four massive temporary housing contracts handed out as Katrina spent its fury on the Gulf Coast. The agency planned to divide the maintenance and disposal of tens of thousands of manufactured homes and trailers into 36 contracts of as much as $100 million each. Of that total, 16 contracts were to be awarded in Louisiana -- eight to small businesses and eight to minority or disadvantaged businesses -- with preference given to local companies. The remaining 20 contracts were to be split among Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.
Controversy has dogged the rebidding. The latest twist came Thursday when GAO attorneys said they were told by FEMA officials that work has been halted on the five contracts awarded to minority contractors in Mississippi. Federal regulations require suspension of work when a bid protest is made. However, the company making the Mississippi 8A complaint, Integrated Management Services, said it is unsure the work-suspension rule is being followed.
Questionable qualifications
In addition, new questions emerged about some of the other winning companies, some of which the losing bidders said do not comply with explicit guidelines FEMA laid down during pre-bid conferences in New Orleans and elsewhere last year. In general, the questions concern the qualifications that companies were required to meet, as well as some of the winning bids themselves, which the losing companies regard as suspiciously low.
FEMA, which so far has refused to make public the specifics of the winning bids, did not reply to questions about its actions. In total, there are three separate complaints that have been lodged by losing companies: two in Mississippi, concerning both the small-business and 8A minority business portions of the work, and one in Louisiana regarding the eight contracts that were to go to small businesses.
An attorney representing Madison Services Inc., the Mississippi company protesting the small-business awards in that state, was unavailable, while the Washington lawyer representing Phoenix Engineering LLC, which is formally protesting the small-business awards in Louisiana, could not be reached for comment.
But John D. Calhoun, Integrated's CEO, said his client's complaint about the process is clear.
"We're supposed to be talking about the best value for the government, and that's what we were told was the main criteria when the bid solicitations were made," he said. "But when you're talking about accounting firms getting contracts, and contracts going to companies that have no experience in this kind of work, then you don't have that."
While FEMA maintained its silence Thursday, it did respond recently to questions submitted in mid-April about the rebidding process. On April 25, spokesman James McIntyre e-mailed some brief remarks about what companies were qualified to land the work, and about how FEMA decided whether a company was local or not. Under the Stafford Act, which guides FEMA's actions, preference is supposed to be given whenever possible to local companies, and the travel trailer bid specifications that FEMA issued last year note that out-of-state bids would be subject to a 30 percent markup during evaluations.
McIntyre's responses indicate some of the winning firms should have been ineligible. He acknowledged a company must be listed in the Central Contractor Registration when it lands a contract. But as of Thursday, neither Smith Research Corporation nor DC Recovery Services -- two Louisiana companies announced as minority-owned, or 8A, contract winners -- were included in the CCR. DC Recovery Services is not listed in the Louisiana Secretary of State's corporation database and does not have a phone listing at the address used by FEMA.
Similarly, a company that won a small-business contract, ARS Inc., also is not listed in the CCR, and the state's corporation database lists it as an entity formed on April 21, just three days before FEMA announced its award.
Same company?
Another FEMA pre-bid requirement stated that a company had to be incorporated before Katrina hit to be considered local.
But there's an exception: Companies can earn local status if they "regularly performed work in the state prior to the disaster," McIntyre said.
In the case of ARS, a company called American Radiation Services shows the same address as ARS on both the CCR and with the Secretary of State's office. The company's president, Danny Coleman, did not return phone calls. A Baton Rouge attorney listed as the agent for ARS said the FEMA contract actually was with American Radiation Services. When asked why ARS was formed on April 21, and why FEMA lists "ARS" and not American Radiation Services as the winner, the attorney referred the questions to Coleman.
Those sort of odd details are one of the aspects of the process that bother other small businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi.
"The only purpose I can see to some of this would be to confuse the issue, to create more blind alleys, and eventually get it to a point where no one knew exactly what was going on," said Kenny Edmonds, owner of River Parish RVs in La Place, which FEMA said lost out because of price.
Edmonds and some other potential vendors expressed frustration about an apparent lack of interest from their congressional delegates. A Mississippi company, White Haul Transport, which filed complaints about the small-business classification of some of the successful bidders, is hoping for some support from its congressional delegation. To that end, White Haul owner Tim White routinely sends Mississippi's federal office holders copies of the documents related to his company's protests, but he has yet to hear a peep from them, he said.
Senators noticing
Yet indications surfaced Thursday that the pace of congressional involvement was quickening. Part of that was attributable to a letter White faxed last week to Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., the ranking Democrats on small business and FEMA committees, respectively.
"To date, awards are being announced to out-of-state firms, companies with questionable political ties, large companies, . . . companies with absolutely no previous related experience in the manufactured homes or travel trailer business, and companies established after Hurricane Katrina," White wrote April 27.
"Bidders in Louisiana and Mississippi are filing challenges with FEMA over these awards, but the challenges have been to little or no avail," he said.
In particular, White singled out PRI/DJI, a joint venture of which the second part, Del-Jen Industries, is a subsidiary of Fluor Corp., one of the four behemoths that landed one of the original $500 million deals after Katrina.
Initially, FEMA indicated in a letter to River Parish RVs owner Edmonds that PRI/DJI had won a small-business contract. After White filed a complaint, FEMA announced it had awarded PRI/DJI not one, but two contracts of as much as $100 million each as an 8A company.
"We previously sent a letter to our Mississippi (Congress members), however we have heard nothing from them," White concluded. "We now turn to you for any help that you may be able to provide us. Would you give your attention to this out-of-control situation before these contracts are finalized?"
On Thursday, a Lieberman spokeswoman said the senator is "aware and troubled by these types of complaints, which he has heard about from other contractors." He plans to "seek additional information from FEMA in an effort to ensure that bidding for Gulf Coast reconstruction contracts is fair, open and by the book."
Edmonds said he has sensed a dilution of concern from Louisiana's federal representatives, particularly Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and David Vitter, R-La. In April, Edmonds faxed Louisiana's federal elected officials a copy of the letter FEMA sent him, informing him River Parish RVs had been eliminated because of price and stating that five of the eight winning Louisiana small businesses were from out of state. Edmonds said only Melancon responded, faxing Edmonds a copy of a letter he sent to Donald Powell, President Bush's appointed hurricane czar, asking about the process.
"I have previously sent a letter of same concern to the White House and would like to bring to your attention my concern about companies coming into Louisiana getting contracts, while companies that are based and native to Louisiana are not," Melancon wrote April 19.
On Tuesday, a Landrieu staffer said the senator is seeking a briefing with FEMA officials about contracting and has co-sponsored a resolution, attached to the hurricane relief and war spending bills currently under congressional debate, that would require all single-source FEMA contracts over $500,000 to be reviewed by an outside agency. But no date has been set for the briefing, and the review clause has yet to pass muster and be inserted in the bill.
"What I feel has happened -- and it's just that, a feeling, I could be wrong -- is that for some reason everything has just clammed up here," Edmonds said. "I can't say the politicians aren't working on something, maybe they are, but when I call, none of them seem to have any idea what I'm talking about."
- 185 Corruption


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In November I had the chance to play a small set for the Pearls for Pearls series at Altes Wettbüro, Dresden, Germany hosted by hnns (H1M2) and Dirty Gotter (a.k.a. Götterkreis). I played a nice selection of 21st-Century-Beat-Music and slow and bass-heavy sounds. Enjoy! Pearls for pearls – 001 – bob ferris (13.11.2012) by Alteswettbuero […]
Posts Tagged '21st-Century-Beat-Music'
Bo Ferri live at Altes Wettbüro for Pearls for PearlsPosted: 11th December 2012 by zazi in 21st-Century-Beat-Music, Bass Music, elbklang
Tags: 21st-Century-Beat-Music, Altes Wettbüro, bass-heavy, Bo Ferri, dj-mix, Pearls-for-Pearls, Slow


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Q. I am a new sponsor and was excited to write my sponsored child, but I was a little disappointed when I received her letter. It sounded very impersonal and did not answer some of the questions I had asked her in my own letter. How do I even know she wrote it and not someone else?
A. Many cultural expectations that we place upon letters vary from country to country. In some cases, this may be the first letter a sponsored child has been asked to write. Your friend may not have grown up with thank-you cards or any form of written correspondence.
Letter writing can be an especially difficult concept for children who come from a strong oral tradition. In Kenya, for instance, CFCA staffers say sponsored children sometimes view letter writing as some sort of exam.
The English language can also create a barrier, and other children may not know how to express themselves in writing. Therefore, they may not realize that an answer is expected when a letter contains a question.
Related link: Kenyan oral tradition affects letter writing
Another reason your sponsored child may not have answered your questions is that it can take about eight to 10 weeks for her to receive your letter.
Your letter's journey encounters many obstacles like translation time, unreliable mail systems and delivery to remote areas before it reaches your friend.
The same time frame also holds true when you receive a letter from her. (You can learn more about the journey of a letter here.)
As a result of this extended time frame, your letters may cross in the mail. Questions in one letter may remain unanswered until subsequent letters are received.
We encourage you to keep sending letters to your sponsored child, and also to consider sending a photo of you and your family. A picture may help your friend to write to someone they haven't met before.
Letters from sponsors are often a prized possession for sponsored friends and their families. It is sometimes the only mail they receive.


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ESA is always thinking ahead to the next generation of space missions, testing new technology far in advance to make concepts a reality.
One area being tackled by ESA's Future Missions Preparation Office is the high-speed delivery of planetary penetrators to sample and analyse the surface and immediate subsurface of a planet or moon.
Planetary penetrators are mini spacecraft that contain a suite of instruments, but they land at high speed – tens to hundreds of kilometres per hour – compared with the conventional 'soft-landers' that have previously been used in planetary or lunar exploration. One benefit over landers and rovers is that penetrators provide access to the subsurface without the need for additional drilling or digging.
To test how well the penetrators and their precious instrument cargo would withstand slamming into the surface of a planet at high-speed, a team of scientists and engineers used a rocket test facility in Wales, UK, to propel their model penetrators into either sand or ice.
By using these two very different materials, the team will learn more about how penetrators might respond if they were used on a mission to Mars or an icy satellite like Jupiter's moon Europa, for example.
The 20 kg penetrators were powered by 12 solid-propellant boosters to reach an impact speed of 341 m/s – just under the speed of sound.
The movie presented here shows the spectacular impact into 10 tonnes of ice, in slow motion since the entire test only lasted 1.5 seconds.
The sudden deceleration of the penetrator as it struck the ice reached 24 000 g. For comparison, astronauts typically experience 3–4g when they are launched from Earth into space.
The ice immediately shattered, before crumbling into crushed ice grains. Afterwards, the penetrator was retrieved intact, albeit scuffed from the encounter and slightly dented where it struck the roof of the enclosure.
Testing in the coming weeks will reveal exactly how the penetrator's internal structure survived the impact. The next main phase of development will focus on the battery and communications systems that would also be needed to survive the extremely high forces.
Even though penetrators are not part of any mission currently being planned by ESA, it is important to test the feasibility of new technologies in order to provide a wider range of mission opportunities in the years to come.
Source: ESA


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29 Touristy Spots in America That Are Actually Good
Serious eaters share one thing in common: we all deal with tourist-trapaphobia when traveling. This condition is characterized by a mistrust of overly hyped, predictable restaurant suggestions, a skepticism of any eating establishment in which overly fanny-packed crowds gather, and a natural inclination to uncover the hidden gems instead.
So, we've done much of the risky work here for you, and we're happy to report that some guidebook go-tos are worth braving the lines, the tourists, and even the fanny packs. Here are some tried and true tourist destinations that are actually worth your time. How about you—what tourist spots have pleasantly surprised you?
Check them all out in the slideshow >>
Hot Doug's (Chicago) »
Shake Shack (NYC) »
Leon's or Kopp's Frozen Custard (Milwaukee) »
Peter Luger (NYC) »
Cafe du Monde (New Orleans) »
Neptune Oyster Bar (Boston) »
Tartine (San Francisco) »
Puka Dog (Hawaii) »
Al's #1 Italian Beef (Chicago) »
Langer's Deli (Los Angeles) »
Graeter's (Cincinnati) »
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack (Nashville) »
In-N-Out »
Pike Place Market (Seattle) »
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque (Kansas City, MO) »
Primanti's (Pittsburgh) »
Layfayette Coney Island (Detroit) »
Katz's Delicatessen (NYC) »
Kruez's Market (Lockhart, TX) »
Pink's Hot Dogs (Los Angeles) »
Ferry Plaza (San Francisco) »
Zingerman's Delicatessen (Ann Arbor) »
Frank Pepe Pizzeria (New Haven) »
Tomasita's (Santa Fe) »
Clam Box (Ipswich, MA) »
Drago's (New Orleans) »
Pamela's (Pittsburgh) »
Ben's Chili Bowl (Washington D.C.) »
Ted Drewes (St. Louis) »
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Stamford man charged in bar stabbing
STAMFORD -- A man was arrested Thursday for his role in an assault at a Bedford Street bar last weekend that left one man with several stab wounds, police said.
Tyshawn Lamar "Braz" Malachi, 22, of 100 Highview Ave., Stamford, is charged with first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault.
He was held on $1 million bond for arraignment at state Superior Court in Stamford Friday afternoon, where he was assigned a public defender and had his case transferred to the court's Part A docket, where the area's most serious cases are handled.
Just before 1 a.m. on June 29, a bouncer at Bradford's Grill and Tavern at 83 Bedford St. reported seeing three men attacking another man.
While two attackers punched and beat the victim, a third stabbed him in the back with a small knife, police said.
By the time a bouncer was able to help the 22-year-old victim, he had been stabbed six times in the back and once in the neck, according to Malachi's arrest warrant affidavit.
The man, who also was the victim in a Stamford shooting nearly 18 months ago, told police he has previously had trouble with two of the attackers.
A surveillance tape from Bradford's obtained by police shows a man walking up to the victim and asking, "What's your (expletive) problem?"
Moments later, the man was grabbed by an unidentified tall man with braids and Malachi, who began wildly pummelling him with rapid punches, police said.
A third man then began stabbing the victim in the back and neck, according to the affidavit.
The victim said he felt six to seven sharp pains in his back, but he really didn't know what was happening as he was being beaten by Malachi and the unidentified man wearing the braids.
The victim's friend then tried to break up the fight and was stabbed in the head; for a moment, the knife became lodged in his head, the affidavit said.
The tape showed the three men being led out of the club by bouncers.
The victim's friend said he felt something hit him in the head when he was trying to break up the fight, but he thought it was a bottle, police said.
More arrests are expected in the case, police said. Malachi is to return to court July 18.


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The Annual Security Report is prepared by the Department of Public Safety in cooperation with Residence Life, Student Life and the judicial affairs staff, along with information provided by the Orange Police Department. To comply with the federal requirements, the Department of Public Safety collects crime statistics from local police departments, by providing the address of housing or off-campus property either owned or controlled by the university or public property immediately adjacent to campus.
All local police agencies, where university property is located, provide automated statistics for the property at and around the property requested. The full text of this report can be obtained at the Department of Public Safety located at 418 N. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866 or by calling (714) 997-6763.
All campus security authorities have an obligation to forward, to Public Safety, information on offenses reported to them for inclusion in the report.
Campus security authorities include not only Public Safety but also employees in the health center, staff members of Residence Life, athletic coaches, student activity coordinators and faculty advisors.
Special Crime Alerts: When circumstances warrant, crime alert flyers are distributed throughout the campus and posted on the department web site in a timely manner.
Crime Log & Media: Summaries of campus crime incidents are published in the Panther campus newspaper. The Public Safety department also works in partnership with the Panther to publish information related to crime and campus safety issues.


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Copyright As Censorship: Author Removes Blog Post After Being Threatened For Quoting 4 Sentences
from the fair-use deptIt's amazing how frequently we see stories of copyright being used as censorship -- even in cases where the copyright claims are obviously bogus. Being on the receiving end of a threat is no fun, and it's not surprising that many people choose to cave in, rather than fight. Back in early 2011, author Patti O'Shea wrote a blog post on her personal blog about a "Human Factors Training" exercise she did for work. She talks about one of the exercises, in which the attendees were given a scenario and then had to prioritize:
You're on a plane that crashed in the Sonora desert. The pilot and copilot are dead, but you and your classmates are unharmed. Your plane was 70 miles off the course that was filed prior to take off and you crashed 50 miles southwest of a mining camp. You have 15 items with which to survive. Rank them from most important to least important.She then lists out the items:
The items were: a flashlight with four batteries, big jack knife, aeronautical chart of the area, big plastic raincoat, magnetic compass, compresses and bandages, 45 caliber gun with bullets, red and white parachute, bottle of salt tablets, 1 liter of water per person, book titled "Edible Desert Animals", pair of sunglasses per person, 1 liter bottle of alcohol (96%), light summer coat per person, makeup mirror.I've actually done this very exercise a few times in the past (I think even in junior high or high school). It's incredibly common and I've seen slight variations on it for years. You can see a very similar version on the Google Lunar X Prize site, for example. But there are others as well. The idea is hardly a unique one.
O'Shea quoted those few lines, and then detailed what her group chose (with some explanations for why or where they agreed/disagreed) and then briefly discussed how they compared to "experts" and how well her group did against everyone else (they had the best score, compared to the experts). All in all, the blog post was 12 paragraphs, only one of which quoted the scenario in question. Of course, if you go to that blog page now, you get a very different story:
This blog was removed because Human Synergistics International (the company who holds the rights to the training material that was used in the class I talked about here) sent a take-down notice claiming my quoting of four sentences violated their copyright.You see, Human Synergistics International sent her a legal takedown, nearly two years after the blog post went up:
I believe their take-down notice to be without merit. As an author, I respect copyright and I believe the quote was covered by the Fair Use Doctrine.
However, despite this, I've removed the post. It's not worth the time or energy arguing about a blog article that was nearly two years old when the notice was received.
It has come to our attention that you are displaying some text from the Desert Survival Situation™ on your website at: http://www.pattioshea.com/blog/2011/01/26/were-doomed/ without prior permission. The Desert Survival Situation is copyrighted by Human Synergistics International, which has the exclusive right to reproduce, copy, edit, translate and otherwise exercise ownership over the material. Please be advised that we have no agreement that gives you or your organization permission to reproduce this exercise in any format. Therefore, this action constitutes a direct violation of our copyright.Yeah, let's not even get into the fact that they felt the need to put the ™ after "Desert Survival Situation." Either way, it's difficult to see how O'Shea's use is not fair use. Human Synergistics might not like it, but its claims of what its "exclusive rights" are, without recognizing exceptions like fair use is a classic case of overstating their rights, also known as copyfraud.
Yes, the company wants to try to require people to hire them if it wants to use this exercise, but they're still the ones with the "experts' responses" and who (supposedly) understand how to run the experiment in a useful team-building manner. Revealing the basic scenario doesn't do any harm to them at all. In fact, one could argue that having people who have gone through the exercise talk about it, as O'Shea did, helps make other people more interested in hiring the company to run that training exercise. But, really, who wants to hire a company that runs around issuing copyright legal threats to people who went through their program and were excited enough about it to talk about it publicly?
Either way, below is the image of what O'Shea's blog post used to look like. Even though she's confident that her use qualified as fair use, it's just not worth fighting about. And that, of course, is the real shame in all of this, and how copyright is used to censor perfectly reasonable expression -- merely by the threat of legal action.
Filed Under: copyright, desert survival scenario, fair use, patti o'shea
Companies: human synergistics international


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A yellow weather warning for rain in the north west has been issued by weather experts just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.
The recent fine spell will break through the weekend as showers and thunderstorms move across the country on Saturday, say the Met Office.
Forecasters predict that after a warm and sunny evening and a muggy night in the north west, "heavy thundery showers" will arrive on Saturday morning maximum temperatures are still expected to reach 23°C.
The warning is in place from 1pm until 11pm on Saturday and experts are warning there is a potential of "localised flooding, hail and frequent lightning."
Sunday is expected to be fresher though mostly dry with sunny spells and Monday will bring sunny spells and a few showers on Monday.
Dry and sunny weather will arrive on Tuesday just in time for most people's return to work.
Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "During Saturday, showers and thunderstorms will spread from the south west with potential for a few intense downpours.
"This will be followed by cooler conditions on Sunday and Monday, although still with some fine weather in places."
With the warm weather, many people will be visiting the coast this weekend. The RNLI have launched their Respect the Water campaign, reminding people to stay safe near the water.
Ross Macleod, RNLI Coastal Safety Manager advises: "For those who are planning to go into the water, the best way to stay safe is to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards.
"If you see someone else in danger in the water, fight your instinct to go in and try to rescue them yourself – instead call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."
Looking further ahead the pattern of weather looks changeable into next week with some rain at times, whilst temperatures remain close to the average for the time of year.


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Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" button was cool back in the day, but lately it hasn't served much purpose; Google Instant has made it pretty much irrelevant. Now Google's spicing the old trick up a bit with new adjectives.
If you hop over to Google right now, and hover your cursor over the "I'm Feeling Lucky" bar, you'll see it spin to a new adjective like "stellar" or "hungry." When you click it then, it'll take you to some random goodness about that particular thing, like pictures of a nebula, or a list of nearby restaurants.
It's not like this is suddenly going to make the ancient button the premier way to search, but it's a neat little gimmick, one that's worth checking out. Hop on over and give it a spin. [Google+ via Engadget]


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Unconditional 12 Month Warranty
The Pro-1 boom head is fully articulated, so regardless of what height the boom is set at, there will be no excess tension on the boom arms or the mast. It also ensures that if the boom head is not level with the clew, the boom will not pull at the leech or foot of the sail.
These carbon booms come into their own in choppy or overpowered conditions - their stiffness resists arm bending, and prevents the rig from distorting and causing you problems!
All prices are inclusive of VAT. Copyright © K-Bay Limited. All rights reserved. Company No. 4648557. VAT No. 807605925.


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Welcome to the Intentional Communities Desk
Welcome to the Commune Where 100 Adults Raise 17 Kids
It's 8:30 a.m. on a Wednesday and one of the calmest school mornings I've ever witnessed: Anya, 6, is practicing the piano with impressive focus. She's wearing a pink-and-lavender flowered dress and what appears to be an ever-present sparkly black scarf tied around her head (shaved during a recent lice breakout, though she did get her ears pierced out of the bargain). She pecks out a one-fingered version of "Do-Re-Mi" as mom Summer putters around in the adjacent kitchen and calls out instructions — "C! D! E!" — whenever she hears her get stuck.
Welcome to our new website
It doesn't matter who you are, this site has something for you. If you are just plain curious, a whole new world awaits you. If you are a student looking for information about the types of communal living, in Israel and around the world, you will find it here - or details on how to find it. If you are a member of a commune or an intentional community, the vast variety of styles of communal living around the world will give you both inspiration and encouragement.
The common denominators of the communities I visited
The impressions of MICHAEL LIVNI, a member of Kibbutz Lotan, garnered in the summer of 2001 from three conferences: the International Communities Studies Association, the International Community Meeting and the Global Eco-village Network (GEN). Copied from CALL No. 19.
The first common denominator - the experiential dimension for myself. I did not anticipate that I would have such a really good time at all these meetings. I can't recall ever having met so many fascinating people and ever having made so many friends all in one short month.
Most of those present, like myself, had made a very conscious decision to live in a co-operative framework, Their openly stated motive for doing so was that such a framework makes it possible to allocate energy for Tikkun Olam (world-mending). There was a true feeling of togetherness between all of us from all over the world, aged mostly 30-50.
The general atmosphere was such that I felt compelled to teach the Israeli hit-song of 20 years ago "Ani Ve-Ata Neshane et Ha-Olam" (You and I Will Change the World). And so I did, with the help of Sol from Kibbutz Tzora.
Another common denominator was the pleasant, non-aggressive and yet quite determined leadership of the women. Behind that feminine softness - steel-like determination. In most communities this feminine leadership has an ideological rationale behind it - either implied or overtly stated - which has developed beyond the "ad hoc" American approach.
A new kibbutz movement, revisited
An article by JAMES GRANT-ROSENHEAD, a member of Kibbutz Mishol, describing the new communities in Israel that are co-operating to create a new Kibbutz Movement. First written in 2003, and then updated in 2012, here is the all new 2015 version..
A New Kibbutz Movement, Revisited
By James Grant-Rosenhead, February 2015 / Shvat 5775
Every now and again I am surprised to see that the article 'A New Kibbutz Movement', which I wrote way back in 2003, is still online and getting hits. I wrote then about the possibility of the 'Ma'agal HaKvutzot' (Circle of Groups) uniting various new 'kvutzot shitufiot' (cooperative groups) such as urban kibbutzim and 'Tnuot Bogrim' (adult graduates movements) under it's umbrella as some kind of new kibbutz movement.
Looking back now, not only has that article been completely out of date for years, but it was also from the outset overly simplistic regarding the potential of Ma'agal HaKvutzot as a unifying movement. The reality is that whilst that particular umbrella for inter-group contact has indeed grown and developed to become some kind of new kibbutz movement, it is just one small network amongst six new kibbutz movements, all of which are growing in parallel. Furthermore, these six new kibbutz movements exist within a wider context of some eight thousand members of intentional, activist communities from fourteen national movements and networks which together have formed 'M.A.K.O.M.' – the Hebrew acronym for the Israeli Council of Communities for Social Action.
Then and Now (1957-2011)
Exiting the RAMC, in British Army, I was sent to Jerusalem for a year's study at the 'Machon,' the Institute for Youth Leaders from Abroad in 1954-55. All the 72 students, from some 10 different countries, contracted to finish the year and then do 2 years Movement Work in the various Zionist Youth Movements around the world. Ours was HaBonim.
We studied hard for six months. Hebrew every day. Jewish History. Geography. The Arab/Israel Conflict. Zionist History. Community Organisation. Scout craft and Camping. And Handicrafts. After six months study we all moved to kibbutzim, all over the country, and spent our time working half days, picking oranges and studying Hebrew in the afternoons. We all came back for the Final Month in Jerusalem, speaking Hebrew fairly fluently.
The girl sitting next to me in class was to become my wife. When we got back to The UK we got married and worked in The Movement for two years, in London and Dublin. We made 'Aliyah' and got back to Kibbutz Amiad in 1957. My wife was seven months pregnant with our first of three sons, Yonatan.


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stratola needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 54 designs submitted by 25 freelance designers.
A logo for "Tell Me Something Good"
Emphasis on the word "Good"
Will be used on mugs, shirts etc... Needs to stand out. For a motivational style site/book.
Needs to be uplifting
- Item 1...
Clip art is not advised
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text: Hide ALL IP Crack 2015 v.10 Lifetime Activation DownloadHide ALL IP Crack 2015 Lifetime Download Hide ALL IP Crack 2015 is best application for browsing internet and games anonymously. It prevent the hacker attempts and provides secure browsing experience. It changes overall internet experience. It provides very secure and encrypted browsing experience. There is very fast and working IP solutions. It …Read More »


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In Reply to: My giddy aunt posted by Vatr on December 26, 2009 at 16:52:
: : : : : I'd always believed 'my giddy aunt' to be a 'minced oath' - 'my God Almighty'. Does anyone agree, or am I wrong about this?
: : : : Here's what I've found.
: : : : "Giddy", indicating "impulsive" or "scatterbrained", is apparently derived from Old English "gydig", which meant "mad, frenzied, possessed by God".
: : : My search engine produced an endless supply of citations for "Oh my giddy aunt," which when explained is always described as expressing surprise, with its origin as Dr. Briggs has explained it, and dating (in print) from the last decade of the 19th century.
: : : What surprises me is that it seems to be in such common use, although until today I had never but once seen or heard it. That once was either in a work by P.G. Wodehouse, or in a dream that I read it in a work by Wodehouse. Ergo, I conclude that it is a Britishism, somewhat alien on the North American continent.
: : American author of mabacre children's stories Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) modified the phrase and slipped it into The Reptile Room when he had the Beaudelaire Orphans' Uncle Monty sign a letter "Your Giddy Uncle". The phrase must visit America often enough for me to have recognized it in modified form, but then I'm also a fan of Wodehouse, Python, et al. and may have picked it up from PBS.
: Quick dip, "sainted aunt" produced results that mentioned Wodehouse and earlier use. "Sainted", god-damned's "G.D.", "giddy". Just suggesting a possible connection...
[The Aunts in Wodehouse may or may not be sainted, but god-damned few of them are giddy. - B.]


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WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- A group of African-American pastors called Tuesday for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's impeachment for favoring gay marriage laws.
"The attorney general of the United States should be impeached over his repeated lawlessness in attempting to impose same-sex marriage throughout the nation," the Rev. Bill Owens, president and founder of the Coalition of African American Pastors, said in a release posted on the organization's website.
"It's one thing to make a political argument that gay marriage should be the law, but it's quite another to take actions that ignore federal law, Supreme Court rulings and the constitutions of dozens of states that have specifically rejected the redefinition of marriage which the administration is trying to impose."
The group said it is starting a grassroots effort to collect 1 million signatures on an impeachment petition.
"As much as President Obama and Attorney General Holder would like it to be otherwise, we live in a democracy -- with government of, by and for the people -- not a monarchy ruled by a king issuing decrees from on high," Owens said. "The citizens of several states who have voted overwhelmingly to preserve marriage have had their votes voided and thrown out by radical federal judges; and the Obama administration -- in particular the Justice Department -- has been shamefully complicit in this attack on the rights of those voters."
The impeachment effort came as Holder said state attorneys general have no obligation to defend laws they believe are unconstitutional.
The comments by Holder, who was to address the National Association of Attorneys General Tuesday, were made in the wake of decisions by six state attorneys general to refuse to defend bans on same-sex marriage, the New York Times reported Monday.
Holder said such decisions were "appropriate" for an attorney general to make.
He equated campaigns for equal rights for gays to the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, calling gay rights one of the "defining civil rights challenges of our time."
"If I were attorney general in Kansas in 1953, I would not have defended a Kansas statute that put in place separate-but-equal facilities," Holder added, referring to the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling by the Supreme Court that struck down segregated schools.
Holder's remarks drew an immediate rebuke from Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen of Wisconsin, where four same-sex couples have sued to overturn the state's ban on gay marriage.
"We are the ultimate defenders of our state constitutions," said Van Hollen, a Republican. "There is no one else in position to defend the state Constitution if it comes under attack."
State attorneys general in Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Virginia have chosen not to defend bans on same-sex marriage. Attorneys general in California and Illinois declined to defend bans that were ultimately overturned.


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Forms Jobs
The City of Winston-Salem Information Services Department has identified a business need to study and adopt the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) methodology. Information Services provides both direct and indirect information technology support to city departments. The successful business of our technology department depends on consistently providing high levels of service and earning customer's trust with our data and service needs.
City of Winston-Salem IT Governance Components [pdf/10kb/3p]
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) "Best Practices" is used to determine areas for improvement and standardization.
This ITIL adaptation effort will result in achievements of:
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