text:
Gov. Rick Perry today announced his office will fund up to 12 new veterans counselors to expedite benefits claims for veterans. The Governor's Office funding will allow the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to reduce the number of veterans' claims pending at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional offices in Waco and Houston.
"The backlog of claims at the VA is a national crisis, and it is especially bad in Texas. It is unacceptable that veterans have to wait extraordinary amounts of time to receive their federal benefits," Gov. Perry said. "Just as Washington fails to provide adequate border security and disaster relief for our citizens, the federal government is once again falling short in one of its most important responsibilities, in this case taking care of our Texas military veterans. With our veterans in mind this week, I look forward to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs working with Texas to ensure our veterans can quickly access the help and support that was promised to them."
The governor has directed TVC to create a new Claims Processing Assistance Team (CPAT) to help address the backlog of more than 39,000 pending disability and health benefit claims in Texas. The Waco regional office has over 18,000 pending claims with 35 percent pending for over four months while the Houston regional office has over 20,000 pending claims with 41 percent pending for over four months. CPAT will draw upon TVC's expertise in helping veterans manage claims, and will work closely with the VA in all areas of the claims process to reduce the backlog.
"On behalf of my fellow veterans, I would like to express my appreciation to Gov. Perry for enabling the Texas Veterans Commission to establish this special claims processing assistance team for Houston and Waco," TVC Chair Brigadier General Karen Rankin said. "Nothing is more important than ensuring Texas veterans do not experience delays in receiving much needed medical care and compensation for service connected disabilities."
Claims backlogs delay decisions on veterans' disability compensation and medical care, often causing physical and economic hardship for veterans and their families. For every month these claims are pending, TVC estimates a delay of nearly $37 million in payments to Texas veterans.
"While I am troubled that the federal government has not acted on the matter of expediting veterans' claims, I am delighted that the governor has taken the initiative to assist our veterans in this serious matter," Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock said. "I believe these funds will certainly improve the unacceptable wait times for our disabled veterans to receive their much needed support."
TVC has a successful track record in special initiatives with the VA. In 2008, TVC and the VA participated in a pilot project that significantly reduced delays in claims processing, leading the VA Central Office in Washington, D.C. to instruct regional offices nationwide to adopt TVC's claims processing methods as best practices.
For more information, please visit http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/.
Source: http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/13928/


text:
Hideyoshi Shooooooot!
By Oriental Works, Inc.
Open iTunes to buy and download apps.
Hideyoshi Japan is going to fight with aliens!
Kick balls to defeat coming aliens!
"A ball is your friend! Good luck, your Highness!!"
[How to play]
-Kick a ball that the butler drops. (Tap the screen to shoot a ball)
-Aliens' weakness is their face.
-The player has the 3 types of balls to use. Choose one of them depending on the situation. (Tap the ball icon to change)
-The player will get a Green tea point If Hideyoshi takes a break. (Tap Hideyoshi to take a break)
-Use Green tea points for [power] or [speed].
What's New in Version 1.03
- Fixed Bugs.
- Free
- Category: Games
- Updated: 13 November 2013
- Version: 1.03
- Size: 17.6 MB
- Languages: English, Japanese
- Developer: Oriental Works, Inc.
- © 2011-2013 Amuzenet Inc.
Compatibility: Requires iOS 4.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"Mass Mobs" at Local Catholic Churches
(Cleveland) - Cleveland-area Catholics are trying to help jump start attendance at inner-city churches.
More than 500 Catholics took part in the first-ever "Mass Mob" Sunday at St. Casimir Church.
Mass Mob organizer Stanislav Zadnik says social media is being used to help the region's Catholics discover Masses at the city's historic and ethnic churches.
Another Mass Mob is scheduled April 27 at St. Barbara Church in Cleveland.
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone.Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright 2014 Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)


text:
Dracula Twins
By Legendo Entertainment
Open iTunes to buy and download apps.
Dracula Twins is a 16-bit style platformer with super-snappy controls, starring vampiretwins Drac and Dragana.
The twins' best friend, Franislav, has been mistakenly captured by the wicked Doctor Lifelust, a zombie-loving vampire hunter who wants to create an elixir of life using vampire blood, so that he can live forever. Furthermore, the doctor's undead army have invaded Transylvania and taken control over Castle Moonskull, the Dracula family's age-old residence.
Now it's up to you to save Franislav, thwart Doctor Lifelust and retake the family castle from the doctor's army of undead!
• Console-style gameplay with super-snappy controls.
• Monster-packed levels with lots of traps and undead monsters, accessible via a classic worldmap.
• Horror-comedy baddies and bosses include white-eyed zombies, drooling werewolves, flying jesters and the wicked Doctor Lifelust!
• Swap between 3 playable characters during play: Drac, Dragana or (if you pay ransom or rescue him), Franislav.
What's New in Version 2.1.0
Glad to have this update done and dusted before House of Cards S03 hits the air, not to mention Games of Thrones in April! So, before we disappear into an alternate reality of binge-watching madness, let us fill you in on what this nifty little Dracula Twins update does:
• Adjusted camera position, so now there's more screen-estate and levels have some more room to breathe! Mostly noticeable on iPhone 6 and iPad mini.
• Simplified the virtual controls layout, gone is the solid backplate!
• The music now matches the Dracula Twins Official Game Soundtrack by Shirobon (which, on a side-note, should be available on iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon when you read this).
• Monster triffids now shoot fireballs with slightly slower speed, so our lovely little vampires can hurry along at a safer pace!
Feel free to send us your love to email@example.com, or tweet us @Legendo. That's all folks!
Customer Reviews
Like Sonic and Mario
For some reason this game gives me the feeling of playing a classic Sonic or Mario game, in a good way of course. The music is funky, the graphics cutesy, controls self-explanatory and the first level was an easy and fun way to get to know the game. So far so good.
Enjoyed it
Fun game, looking forward to more levels.
Good platformer
I'm just hoping for more levels.
- $1.99
- Category: Games
- Updated: Feb 17, 2015
- Version: 2.1.0
- Size: 62.9 MB
- Languages: English, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish
- Seller: Legendo Entertainment AB
- © Legendo Entertainment
Compatibility: Requires iOS 7.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Top In-App Purchases
- Permanent: Franislav Unlock$1.99
- Permanent: Skull of Mikhail the Mystic$2.99
- Permanent: Skull of Gregori Goathead$0.99
- Permanent: Skull of Cornelius Clown$1.99


text:
Get A Quote
Believing that her new Yorkshire terrier was going to be a male, Samantha of Mount Joy, Pa., initially planned to name her dog Señor. Once she found out that she had instead brought home a girl, Samantha decided to switch things up a bit and give her a moniker that also references her favorite adult beverage.
"The day she came home, I put her in a large margarita glass and sent out announcements for all my family and friends to meet my new one-pound glass of joy," said Samantha.
Even when Samantha takes Senorita Margarita for a routine checkup at the veterinarian, she finds that people get a kick out her canine's unique name. "Every time we go to the vet, I know it's our turn before her name even gets called because the vet will start laughing as she begins reading her name," said Samantha.
In addition to an unusual moniker, Senorita Margarita also has a very quirky personality, and has recently taken an affinity for playing with Samantha's socks. "The moment I walk into the house with socks and sneakers on she is determined to make me take them off so she can run down the hallway with two socks in her mouth," explained Samantha. "At four-and-a-half pounds, trying to get two adult socks in her mouth is tricky, but once she gets them both in and takes off down the hall, it is hard for her to keep both feet on the ground and most of the time it is like watching a bird flapping its wings to fly: one leg out to the right and one leg out to the left."
Due to Senorita Margarita's diminutive stature, Samantha purchased pet health insurance to safeguard against any unexpected future mishaps. "I wanted to have Senorita Margarita protected and be around as long as possible for everyone to enjoy," said Samantha. "Some people chuckle that she has insurance, but people get insurance for their kids and she is the only spoiled rotten kid in this house."
VPI Policyholder Since 2009
For more information about VPI, click here.
You want to give them the best care you can. That's a good human.SM
Follow VPI
In Canada, please contactPetsecure at www.petsecure.com.
©2013 Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. Terms & Conditions
Insurance Plans are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Companyin California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states.


text:
Canberra Guided Tours is dedicated to extensive tours of the Nation's Capital.
Whether prearranged by our experienced guides, or tailored to suit your wants and needs our service is for you.
When Canberra Guided Tours first began in 1961, Canberra was just starting to grow. It was a country town with a small population and no Lake. Mary and Jack Dando gave visitors a memorable experience to the Nation's Capital. At that time, Civic was known by the Sydney and Melbourne buildings; Duntroon, a country area; Albert Hall, The Canberra Hotel (now The Hyatt); Old Parliament House; ... these were the main points of interest to see.
All were brought together by a bridge, that went over the Molonglo River, now Lake Burley Griffin.
Canberra has grown into a thriving multicultural city and we are happy to show you the changes.
Our team of experienced and professional guides, some multilingual, all with a wealth of knowledge, a love and passion for the city, and full of enthusiasm, will show you the best of Canberra and its surrounds. Museums, Galleries, Wineries, Embassies and award Winning Attractions... your choice.
The guides at Canberra Guided Tours have worked with a whole range of tours and a diverse range of people. Fully trained in all aspects of tour guiding, public relations, and safety first. We guarantee to give you a lasting impression, so let us do the hard work and join us for a memorable visit to Canberra.


text:
Retro Pico - Loop
Credits & Info
- Uploaded
- Mar 29, 2007 | 2:58 PM EDT
- File Info
- Loop
- 49 sec
- Score
- 4.25 / 5.00
Related Content
Heard in 7 Entries!
View all submissions featuring this audio file.
Licensing Terms
Please contact me if you would like to use this in a project. We can discuss the details.
- Score:
- Rated 4.25 / 5 stars
- Plays & Downloads:
- 31,089 Plays | 1,349 Downloads
- Share Links:
- Genres:
- Electronic - Dance
- None
Author Comments
Rated 4 / 5 stars
Good workin eh
Hoppy melody, thumping techno drums, whats not to like unless you dont like it.
Good owrk. No critisizms.
:) thanks again
Rated 4 / 5 stars
Tell me what the heck is this march mac? Seems big since lots of ppl are posting pico loops all of which are actually quite good. Yours is another good one, but the competition looks tough. I'm a bit happy that this isn't the slow classicals that your good at. I like the perky songs more. Whoever rocky is yah good job to you too. Since just a loop I can't give you a 10 and I guess I can't complain that it is repetitive. Has the usual let's repeat 4 times in a row than shift. Everyone loves the number 4! Maybe add in the odd 3 repeats to spark something up. Not too many special effects are used which I personally like, but I think whoever is judging this march whatever thingy probably would like some crazy fx sounds. So 5/5 voting and 8/10 review. Good luck with the competition.
Rated 5 / 5 stars
okay I'lll let you know
haha yours are tons better than mine... I didn't make it good enough i think... but you definatively did, and yours I believe will do great in the contest, loved the note sequences in the song, loved the whole song really, great work!
thanks man
urs isnt nearly as bad as u make it sound lol


text:
Aaha Kalyanam Theatrical Trailer Tamil Nani
Enter Missing Singer names as Comma Separated value. You can add as many number of singer name in the given field
Aaha Kalyanam is a 2014 Tamil Film stars
Vaani Kapoor
, directed by A.Gokul Krishna & music by Dharan .
Aaha Kalyanam Release Date is 21-02-2014
To access special sections for Spicyonion.com user, request you to Signin / Signup using this form. If you are an existing user, pls. login with your credentials or if you a new user, Pls. register.
© 2017 Spicyonion.com. All Rights Reserved


text:
- By David Bellow
Call your Congressmen and Senators immediately and demand that the recent budget cuts do not affect the security of America's borders. The Federal Government wastes billions of dollars on things they should not even be involved in, but securing our country's borders is one of the jobs that the federal government is actually supposed to do!
Obama has always pushed massive cuts in the military as part of any budget cuts he will accept in fiscal deals. Obama seems to be getting what he wants, and it will leave America's borders vulnerable to attacks and other infiltrations.
Air Force's Air Defense Radar Systems along U.S./Mexico Border will SHUTDOWN on March 15th, 2013
On January 17th, 2013, Exelis Systems Corporation sent out an email (see email below) to all of its employees informing them that on March 15th, 2013 all TARS Air Defense Mission Operations will permanently cease. These TARS Air Defense sites were under the control of the United States Air Force. On January 15th, 2013, the Air Force informed Exelis (the defense contractor running the TARS sites) that the TARS sites will be shut down. Exelis tried to then negotiate with the Department of Homeland Security to see if they would take over the vital project, but it seems as though those negotiations have failed. What does this mean?
This means the southern border of the United States of America will be more vulnerable to attack from low flying aircrafts, low altitude missiles, and other infiltrations such as smuggling.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one Exelis employee had this to say about the announced closure of the TARS sites:
Related articles
- CENTCOM Chief Mattis forced out … Meanwhile the Air Defense System on the US / Mexico border to be permanently shut down March 15 , 2013…….Strange we have money to keep Mali safe from Al Qaeda but no money to protect US citizens from the known dange (fredw-catharsisours.blogspot.com)
- Obama Closing Air Defense System on U.S./Mexico Border (genomega1.wordpress.com)
- Over the line: Fighting corruption on our border (cbsnews.com)
- Obama Closing Air Defense System on U.S./Mexico Border (TheMadJewess.com)


text:
BWW Interviews: Fabrice Herrault, Dance Historian/Film-Maker
Interview: Fabrice Herrault, Dance Historian/Film-maker
Q. What was the inspiration or push that first put you in dance class?
A. The inspiration came from a doctor's request to my mother, as I was a thin and delicate boy. He thought ballet would strengthen me.
Q. What are the origins of your dance training?
A. Paris Opera Ballet School under Claude Bessy and Conservatoire National de Musique de Paris with teachers from Paris Opera Ballet.
Q. Tell us about your professional dancing experience.
A. Early in my career I was very hungry for experiences and made many moves so that I could fill out my dancing and my life as a young man.
I performed with the Hamburg Ballet, Monte Carlo Ballet, and Les Ballets de Marseille Roland Petit, Twyla Tharp and Dancers and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Q. You are a respected ballet teacher. How and when did this talent of yours show itself?
A. A major injury led me to explore teaching. I was given the opportunity to teach at Steps on Broadway. My instruction was very well received, and it was the beginning of my teaching career.
Q. Would you speak about your approach to teaching?
A. My approach with regard to teaching classical ballet is rooted in my training from the influential Paris Opera Ballet.
Q. You have been developing a reputation as a dance historian, via your films. Please tell us about your journey from ballet dancer to teacher to film-maker.
A. As a lifelong photographer, film seems to be a natural extension for me. I have always been passionate about cinema worldwide.


text:
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Report: Qualcomm Lays Off Hundreds
A report this morning says that San Diego-based Qualcomm has laid off hundreds of employees, as part of an across-the-baord shakeup. The report--from GigaOm--cited a number of sources in reporting the moves, and said the move also included executive level changes to the organization. Qualcomm has not issued any statement on layoffs or job changes at the company, and we have been unable to independently confirm the layoffs.


text:
'In with the new – out with old!' is a common phrase as the new year approaches. At O'Rourke Hospitality Marketing we believe this is especially true for hotel website design and the traditional ways of marketing.
We believe it is time to reinvent the standard hotel website, and we will begin with a quick comparison of a typical hotel website today, and our ideas of how a website should be for 2010.
A Typical Hotel Website Today:
• designed to promote hotel with emphasis on beautiful photos
• difficult to navigate, too many options, user gets lost
• static, no fresh content supplied
• designed from a template
• no links to social media sites such as Twitter or Facebook
• no blog
• no video
• no division between types of travelers (i.e. leisure, business)
• no calls-to-action
• no incentive for user to supply e-mail
• no reason for user to visit your site again
• no personal profiling
• no personal communication with guest
• no reviews
• not optimized for the search engines
• no analytics in place
A Modern Hotel Website for 2010
• designed for the user with emphasis on supplying the information they need
• easy to navigate with no clutter
• dynamic with continually updated content
• created on a content management system that allows hotel to edit content themselves
• links to Twitter and Facebook (or place Twitter stream directly on site)
• a blog to supply useful content to users and help SEO efforts
• videos of hotel and city – videos should be authentic and not glitzy ads
• information should be organized by type of traveler and answer specific questions
• calls-to-action should lead user through the sales funnel
• offer an incentive for users to supply their e-mail (i.e. a downloadable city guide)
• give users a reason to re-visit your site (i.e. ski conditions if your hotel is in the mountains)
• maintain a database of your clients and learn their preferences. This allows for more targeted email campaigns, and a better guest experience at your hotel
• communicate with your guest before, during, and after their stay through email or Twitter
• request reviews from your guests and post them on your website
• make sure your website is optimized for the search engines
• install analytics which will allow you to track user behavior
Your website is at the center of all your internet marketing strategies, and it must be well-designed to provide the guest a positive user experience. If it is ineffective, then all your internet marketing efforts will be in vain. You could be losing guests because of a difficult navigation or reservations page. In today's market, digital media is growing rapidly and you must grow with it.
We recently attended the Inbound Marketing Summit in Boston created by Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs. Chris is also the co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, 'Trust Agents,' with Julien Smith. He is a social media guru and his blog is in the top 10 of the Advertising Age Power150. Chris travels a lot and he sees great opportunities for the hotel industry in social media and online marketing.
Tom O'Rourke founder/CEO of O'Rourke Hospitality Marketing wanted to share Brogan's insight with the Hospitality Industry in the second part of this video interview. Tom asked Brogan his view on the current hotel website design and navigation structure.
"Don't make me hate!" was Chris Brogan's first response to Tom's question about his view was on the current hotel website design. He supports our opinion that hotel websites are utterly backwards of what the guests really want. Chris elaborates:
It's basically these beautiful majestic pictures. No matter how horrible your hotel is, it's the best possible picture of your venue. It's great to have pictures, it's nice to see the layout of the rooms, but take it backwards from the buyer's experience, because ultimately I'm the buyer.
I have a really strange set of questions when I'm traveling as a dad, or when I'm traveling as a business guy. As a dad I want to know; What's the biggest room? Can I get a suite? Can I have door-to-door? Basics.
If I'm a business traveler I want to know what the desk is like. What chair do I have? Are there 5 plugs for my stuff? Do you give me free Wi-Fi or should I worry about bringing my card? How late is your business center open?
So what I'm saying when I say all this is that site design now needs to be a bit more dynamic, and it needs to route me through because right now there's these crazy navigation trees that cascade like rain and have 500 possible ways to go somewhere.
This is not how we buy anything. We don't buy groceries that way, we don't buy anything like this – but for some reason hotels think if I offer you 147 things to click on, you might click one.
Tom agrees with Chris that hotel websites should go in a new direction, and he takes it a step further by suggesting that they incorporate social media and interactivity within their website to stay with the guest before, during, and after their stay. Tom believes it would be a different approach for the hotel business, but that it would be giving the guest what the guest really wants.
Chris agrees with Tom and adds some of his ideas:
I concur. Would you like to make seven figures on a business I just don't have time to start? Here's my idea, concierge service – it's not that person at that desk. That's part of it, but I would like to have someone I could pay an extra $29 dollars a day to keep all of my things in alignment, and tell me the local 'Staples' is here, the 'Target' is here, do you need me to run out and get you pens and markers? It's here. I'd pay $29 dollars a day just to know that person was there.
There are so many things we could do. I'm in Manhattan – I'm on 4th Avenue, I have no idea where I need to eat, and if they ping me right back on Twitter, because I'm a guest, that's all I have to do, is maintain a little guest registry – they don't even have to work hard – I can message them, and they can message me back.
There are so many opportunities for hotels to do so much more with these new tools that don't cost much to launch. They cost time, and they cost a little consideration, and to not do it the way you've already been doing it.
So as we approach 2010, it's time to evaluate your hotel website and internet marketing efforts. Take a look at your current hotel website from a user perspective. Is it easy to navigate or does it confuse the user with too many options? Does it provide the user with the information he or she wants, or does it just show beautiful images? Does it address the needs of individual travelers i.e. business vs. leisure or does it just group all information together? Do you have links to your Twitter and Facebook account on your site? As Chris says there are so many opportunities for hotels in this space – and we believe 2010 is a great time to start employing these exciting new strategies. Stay tuned to our blog for part II of Innovative Website Ideas for 2010.
You can see the first part of the video interview with Chris Brogan on our blog, Hotels That Listen in Social Media Generate Business.
Below is a list of some of Chris Brogan's blog posts related to the hotel industry.
Ideas for Hotels and Hospitality
Should Hotels have Social Networks?
Café Shaped Business – The Roger Smith Hotel
Social Media Starter Moves for Tourism
Workflow – Social Media for Marketers
A Hotel Built For Media Makers
We are interested in hearing your thoughts on revolutionizing the standard hotel website. Do you agree with what Tom and Chris suggest? Are you planning to make any changes to your hotel website or internet marketing strategy in 2010? Please comment below.Go Back


text:
|Shogren, Randal
|Lawton Jr, John
|Wang, Linfu
Submitted to: American Society for Plasticulture Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary:
Technical Abstract: During the past several years, biodegradable polyester and polyamide resins have become commercially available and have been processed into thin films with good mechanical properties. These have potential as biodegradable mulch films but are currently rather expensive ($2-5/lb) compared to polyethylene ($0.60/lb). In order to reduce the cost, we have been investigating the preparation of laminates of polyesters onto inexpensive starch-based films using coextrusion techniques. Water resistance and adhesion of the polyester coating onto the starch depended on the type of polyester used and processing conditions. Alternatively, paper substrates coated with polyesters based on soybean oil have also been studied. Data on biodegradation rates in soil will be presented.


text:
for me shooting is just like pitching in baseball.you see pros when they are so good ,, they always hit the mark.... then you see the same guy, not be able to get one accross the plate....for me shooting is the same.... i have days when my grouping is 90%...then along will come a day when im glad
the back stop in my house is 6ft wide and 8 high:oops:
now ive quit drinking, so its not that ... but its sure hard to figure.
im not gonna be able to tell the mugger to come back tommorrow,, cause im off my game. most of my practice is for muggers ,so in reality hes probably gonna be a lot closer than my 25 ft practice distance...still an off day can sure cause an attitude adjustment.


text: The latest adventure from top producers Wadjet Eye, Shardlight [official site], is out today. When I played the first half or so earlier this year I was pretty taken with what was on offer. Does the post-apocalyptic tale of oligarchies, underground rebellions and deadly plagues manage to maintain momentum? Here's wot I think:


text:
Whether it is your mobile phone or computer, it is quite natural that you would like to have the best of appearances as far as the screens are concerned. Hence it makes perfect sense to choose the right screensavers. However, this might look easier than what it exactly is. This is because of the various options that are available. The sheer variety and choices available could often overwhelm many. Hence here are a few tips that could be taken into account when choosing wallpapers for mobile phones or computers.
Pay Importance To Resolution
While there could be endless options available, when it comes to choosing the right wallpaper it is important to pay attention to resolution. This is what sets wallpapers apart from the others. Even the best of wallpapers will not be able to create the desired impact if the resolution is not correct. They are available in different screen resolutions and you should choose the one that fits your mobile phone or computers. It would not be possible to straight jacket the resolution and come out with ready-made figures. There are far too many combinations and permutations available making it difficult to have a stringent rule on the wall paper resolutions.
Pick And Choose Right Wallpapers
Unlike choosing synedrex pills where only one options is available, when it comes to wallpapers for mobile phones there are literally endless choices available. Hence the onus lies on the customers to go through the right due diligence process and then come out with the right wallpapers. There are scores of websites and spending quality time would most certainly help in identifying the best and most resolution-efficient wallpapers. Another important point is to have a number of wallpapers which one could keep shuffling. This will avoid boredom and monotony from creeping in. Finally some of the most fascinating and attractive wallpapers are available free online.


text:
Supporting Public/Private Ventures in its organizational and financial repositioning, taking programs to scale and refining benchmarking work
This grant supports Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) in accomplishing three objectives: First, the grant will provide unrestricted core-support funding to enable P/PV to reposition itself organizationally and financially, so that it can align its work to implement the strategic framework it developed in March 2011. Second, the grant will support activities to inform policy-makers, service providers and funders on critical issues related to growing promising and effective programs/practices, most commonly referred to as scaling. Third, the grant will support the planning phase for a project--building on P/PV's current Benchmarking Project--to establish common benchmarks of practice and outcomes for two new fields of work that target vulnerable populations (the selection to be finalized during the planning phase). Deliverables will include webinars, presentations and papers based on the scaling work, and an implementation plan for the benchmarking work.
Grant Details
Amount Awarded $1,827,559.00
Awarded on: 7/28/2011
Time frame: 8/15/2011 - 8/14/2013
Grant Number: 69080
Public/Private Ventures
2000 Market Street, Suite 550
Philadelphia, 19103-3202
Wendy S. McClanahan
Project Director
Nadya K. Shmavonian
Project Director


text:
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East, MI
Select your stay dates to check availability at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East, MI
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East, MI
About the Hotel
Property Location
With a stay at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East, MI in Grand Rapids, you'll be convenient to Leonardo da Vinci's Horse and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. This hotel is within close proximity of Cornerstone University and Aquinas College.
Make yourself at home in one of the 154 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access is available. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary weekday newspapers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, an arcade/game room, and a fireplace in the lobby.
A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is included.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-out. This hotel has 3 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Number of meeting rooms - 3
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Fitness facilities
- Number of floors - 5
- Free breakfast
- Total number of rooms - 154
- Elevator/lift
- Laundry facilities
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Fireplace in lobby
- Express check-out
- Library
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Spa tub
- 24-hour business center
- Indoor pool
- Arcade/game room
- 24-hour front desk
- Free self parking
- Conference space
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Smoke-free property
Room Facilities
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Shower/tub combination
- Flat-panel TV
- Private bathroom
- Free weekday newspaper
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free local calls
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free toiletries
- Desk
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Iron/ironing board
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Hotel Policy
Know Before You Go
- Up to 4 children 18 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
- The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
- Alcohol is not served at this property.
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.00 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.Show all hotel policy Show less hotel policy


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The Woodburn School Board will vote on a resolution to place a bond on the May Primary Election ballot at its regular meeting on Thursday.
The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Woodburn High School lectorium, 1785 N. Front St. The public is invited to attend and comment on the proposal.
Safe and well-maintained schools are important to student achievement, said Superintendent Chuck Ransom in a press release. Our current bond is expiring, and this would continue funding for facility repairs and school safety improvements at a lower tax rate.
While the state provides revenue for student instruction, voter-approved bonds are the only source of funding a school district has for major repairs and renovations to its schools. Repairs and renovations reduce the need for new school buildings, which can cost more.
Some district schools require new roofs to stop leaks. Others have heating systems that are more than 20 years old, are no longer energy efficient and cost more to operate. If approved, the bond would pay for these types of major repairs and renovate buildings to provide additional classroom space. In the last 10 years, the student population in Woodburn schools has grown by 30 percent, but no new classrooms have been added.
A portion of the bond also would be for safety improvements at each of the four elementary, two middle and five small high schools. Bond funding would update security systems and technology to make schools safer, including school entrances, building and classroom locks and emergency reporting systems. The committee identified these as priority projects after community concerns grew in the wake of school shootings across the nation.
A group of 45 community leaders, elected officials, parents, teachers and administrators identified projects at each school for consideration by the Woodburn School Board. Board members will consider a resolution for a 20-year bond that is designed to continue funding for schools at a lower estimated property tax rate. If approved by the school board, the bond will be on Primary Election ballots for school district voters.


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Personally we just want Intel and nVidia to make love chipsets not war but the impending legal battle between the two has seen an interesting side effect today...
Speaking with Digitimes nVidia president Jen-Hsun Huang has revealed the GPU giant will break ties with Intel when it comes to designing the company's next generation ION platform (pictured), unsurprisingly christened ION 2.
Instead nVidia has confirmed it will be switching allegancies to, no not AMD, but VIA and its hugely promising if low profile Nano CPU. According to Huang ION 2 is already in development and will appear before the end of 2009. Of course the exciting aspect to all this is ION provides decent graphical oomph to netbook/budget desktop chipsets adding support for things like Full HD 1080p playback - a key factor in establishing these units in a media-centric environment.
As for the Intel lawsuit itself, Huang was very matter of fact:
"The disagreement is over the fact that they don't believe we have the right to design chipsets for CPUs with integrated memory controllers, which we do," he explained. "Nvidia entered into an agreement in 2004 in order to bring platform innovations to Intel CPU based systems, and in return, Intel took a license to our rich portfolio of 3D, GPU, and other computing patents."
Sounds like one for the lawyers to get rich over to us, just hurry up and get ION/ION 2 into a Dell Mini 10 guys...
Update: It seems Digitimes has rather jumped the gun and nVidia has been in contact with us to give the following statement:
"NVIDIA's goal is to give the consumer choice to pair an ION GPU with their preferred CPU. In this vein, ION will support multiple CPUs including Intel Atom and VIA Nano."
This would be the ideal scenario for many, so let's hope all this legal bickering can be sorted out amicably soon.


text: I seldom view this site. I'm very uncomfortable with personal info and photos viewed without my first approving it. It is very hard when I can not manage or choose those photos of myself first which should always be my right. I also don't like anyone messing around with my personal info or my immediate families photos and info. In the future, all parties please respect my right to examine all info and photos being generated before you feel the right to post this. A simple email with that should first be sent to me by all rights. I don't think that is asking too much.


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Quilting since 2015? Well, Jen, I'd have to say that you are a natural. I absolutely love your quilt!
Quilting since 2015? Well, Jen, I'd have to say that you are a natural. I absolutely love your quilt!
Love the pattern and pretty fabrics. You have many talents.
Dear Carolyn, I'd like to make a pillow top star. 14″ approximate size. Do you sell your amazing fractured star pattern? I need this star pattern, if you're selling. Or might you have the time to make it for me this summer?! (I need it as a gift in mid-August which reduces feasibility, I understand.) Marilyn, Pennsylvania
I adore this quilt! The block design is great! I will watch for the tutorial! I can see this design in a bunch of different pinks. Raindrops on Roses.
Oh Louise – I love the design you settled on, and what fun colors! And the quilting! I can't believe you did THREE spirals in a short timeframe – really wonderful result tho!
Our decorator fabric will make an excellent addition to any home with its character and style.
they are awesome !!


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Tidal Power for Maine!
Congratulations to the state of Maine which just signed the first-ever government contract for renewable tidal power in the US! With power scheduled to be added to the grid as soon as October 2012, the terms of Maine's contract call for electric utilities to negotiate for 20 years of power from the tides. According to Renewable Energy Magazine:
"Today is a major milestone in the 80-year effort to commercially harness the vast power of the tides. For longer than most of us have been alive, it has been a dream deferred. Now that dream will finally be realized," said Maine Senate President Kevin Raye, who represents all of Washington County and eastern areas of Hancock and Penobscot Counties, and who was a Senate member of the Ocean Energy Task Force.
Categories: clean energy


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6/27/09: We expect [Rondo] to play by the rules and be a leader as a point guard. We need him to be more of a leader, Ainge said. There were just a couple situations where he was late this year, I dont know if he was sitting in his car, but showed up late and the rest of the team was there. We have team rules and you have to be on time. He was fined for being late, he said he was stuck in traffic, and its just unacceptable.
told you all since 2010 he was a toolbag.....
|Sponsored Links
The name is Amendola....
...Danny Amendola
KG, Pierce, and Bass
Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan, Butler, Odom, Hollins, and Trey Thompkins
It matches salary wise. If LAC gives up Odom and Jordan in the same deal, that really hurts their big man depth because they're only getting one big back in KG. Moving Bass frees salary up for us and gives them some of the depth they'd be missing. Hollins and Thompkins are scrubs so they're not much to lose.
Last edited by hugepatsfan; 02-03-2013 at 05:51 PM.
NE Patriots Forum HOF (Class of 2011)
I doubt KG waives his clause for the Clips. He wasn't acting very pleasant toward them today, if that's any indication. I don't want any part of Caron Butler or Lamar Odom.
"Stats are for losers. The final score is for winners." - Bill Belichick
Send out Bradley/Bledsoe to Utah for one of their bigs. Tough to decide who to keep with Rondo. I think Bledsoe has more upside but Bradley seems to have great chemistry with Rondo
If you're trading Rondo, there's no reason to go for Jordan. Bradley/Bledsoe backcourt with Jordan as the C is a disastrous offense.
Last edited by Sportfan; 02-03-2013 at 06:30 PM.
|Sponsored Links
why cant we move AB and jeff green for someone decent would be great. ( al jefferson?)
Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixSI 14m More
SI: Statistics suggest Joel Embiid will fully recover from foot surgery. But it could be 9-12 months before he plays http://bit.ly/1qwZuIB
PP seemed unmovable before tonight. If he can keep dropping in 3s this may actually happen
That would be a nice trade. I have one question though. Why do you want to trade Rondo so bad? He's a superstar and one hell of a player.
no no no
Originally Posted by Kobe Bryant
Bledsoe is a great insurance plan and may light a fire under Rondo's arse.
It's a win/win
|Sponsored Links


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Nebraska 63, Southern Cal 51
Associated Press | Last updated December 03, 2012
Ray Gallegos scored 20 points and made a career-high six 3-pointers to lead Nebraska to a 63-51 victory over Southern California on Monday night. The Cornhuskers (6-1), off to their best start since 2008-09, led by as many as 20 points in the most lopsided game in the four-game series with the Trojans. The Huskers, who came into the game shooting just 29.8 percent on 3s, made a season-high 11 of 17. Dylan Talley, who made three 3s, finished with 14 points. J.T. Terrell scored 14 points, Byron Wesley had 12 and Jio Fontan 11 for the Trojans (3-4). Nebraska had beaten USC each of the past three years by a total of eight points, and it looked like it would be another close game early. Then Gallegos went on a tear, scoring all 11 of his first-half points in a row to give the Huskers a 33-25 lead.
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Reset My Password
This will send a password reset to your email address on file. A reminder that your email address on your account must be valid and working to receive the reset request.
Just the regular OEM tow hooks, nothing fancy. Was surprised not to see them in the recovery section.


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Abel (disambiguation)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|Look up abel or Abel in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Abel was a son of Adam and Eve in the Bible. According to the Bible, he was the first person to die, murdered by his brother Cain.
Abel may also refer to:
- Abel (given name)
- Abel (surname)
- Abel, King of Denmark (1218–1252)
- Abel, Lord of Langeland (1252–1279), Lord of Langeland and third son of King Abel of Denmark
- Abel of Tacla Haimonot, monk and saint of the Coptic Orthodox Church
- Carl Friedrich Abel (1723–1787), a German composer of the classical era
- Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1829), a Norwegian mathematician; namesake for the Abel Prize
- Saint Abel (fl. 744–747) of Reims
- Saint Abel (Syrian), patron saint of the blind and the lame
- Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known by his stage name The Weeknd, Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer
Fictional characters[edit]
- Abel (DC Comics), comic story character
- Abel, character in the video game Street Fighter IV
- Abel, character in the Battle Arena Toshinden fighting video game series
- Abel, protagonist in W.H. Hudson's novel Green Mansions
- Abel, Mabel's brother and Buffy's husband in the 1976–2000 comic strip Motley's Crew
- Abel, son of Jax and Wendy in the TV series "Sons of Anarchy"
- Abel (crater), on the Moon
- Mount Abel (British Columbia), Canada
- Mount Abel, former name of Cerro Noroeste, California
- Abel Lake (New Zealand)
- Abel Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Abel Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Abel, Alabama, a place in Cleburne County, Alabama
- Abil, a village in central Syria
- Abel Iturralde, municipality in Brazil
- Abel Figueiredo, province in Bolivia
- Abel Nunatak, a nunatak in Antarctica
- Abel Bay
- Abel Creek
- Abel Santamaria Airport, Cuban airport
Science and technology[edit]
- Abel (hominid), the name given to the only specimen of Australopithecus bahrelghazali
- Abel Prize, international prize in mathematics
- Advanced Boolean Expression Language, hardware description language for developing programmable logic devices
- Abel (film) (1986), Dutch film by Alex van Warmerdam
- Abel, Inc., Japan-based Dreamcast video game developer and publisher, founded in 1997
- Abel (band), an American rock band from Poughkeepsie, New York
- Saving Abel, an American rock music group from Corinth, Mississippi
- Abel, Premios Gardel winning album by Abel Pintos 2014
- Abel (EP), EP by Japanese rock band Unsraw
- Abel, single by The National from Alligator
Other uses[edit]
- Tropical Storm Abel, from the 1996 Pacific typhoon season
See also[edit]
- Abelson, a surname
- Abell (disambiguation)
- Abele (disambiguation)
- Abels (disambiguation)
- Abelian (disambiguation)
- Able (disambiguation)
- Cain and Abel (disambiguation)
- Saint Abel (disambiguation)
- All pages beginning with "Abel"
|This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Abel.
If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.


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I'm looking to get rid of my VHS collection. I would prefer if they were all bought in a bundle.
Located in London, open to all offers. I just want rid of them before I'm forced to dump them.
Note: The DVDs in the picture are not included as they've already been sold.
Forum Rules


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On September 4, 2007 — five years ago Tuesday — Auralia's Colors, the first book in my four-volume fantasy series called The Auralia Thread, was born.It was quite a reason for rejoicing at Overstreet headquarters, as I'd dreamed of sharing my stories with the world since I was a small child, and I'd been "in labor" on this particular story for over a decade.It was a life-changing experience in many ways. As people have discovered the books, read them, and responded, I've been blessed with … [Read more...]
Archives for August 31, 2012
Have You Ever Attended a Birthday Party… for a Book?
August 31, 2012 by


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Unimpressed: New Finals = Hot Mess11:00 AM | January 24, 2013
Final grades went up on Pinnacle last night. How did the new system work out for everybody? Not so great? Well, you're hardly alone. This past Tuesday, freshman and sophomore English students spent approximately 45 minutes waiting. Time ticked by and these unfortunate students were left without their final. Somehow, someway, every single test got copied wrong, pretty muchRead more
On Birth Control, Rush, and Double Standards9:31 AM | April 2, 2012
"It's a double edged sword isn't it? If you say you haven't, you're a prude. If you say you have, you're a slut." –The Breakfast Club Girls in high school are under incredible pressure to fit into the very small box of society's accepted norms. The difference between being "easy" and "cool" is too smallRead more
Facebook Timeline is Forced Upon Us10:30 AM | February 6, 2012
High school students act brave, but if anything can put us cowering in corner in a matter of seconds, it's the past. It's the idea that thousands of people will be able to see what our lives once consisted of. One website now carries the story of our lives, and what once was a hiddenRead more
Finals, Finally10:25 AM | January 13, 2012
Finals. The next week of my life will be consumed with studying for tests and then studying for finals and then studying some more. And the reason for this? I didn't study for 10 minutes over 16 of the 17 days of winter break. In fact, I don't know a single person who did anything other hang out,Read more
Picking Colors is Hard9:47 AM | October 20, 2011
It's been a long night of homework, and I still have some more notes to study over. I've been doing pretty well, so I tell myself: it's okay, log on to Facebook for five minutes, what's the harm? Of course, there is the little voice in my head screaming and pleading me not to doRead more
Cut the Neon Lights9:57 AM | September 14, 2011
The themes for dances are always a controversial subject. Homecoming is the biggest dance at Niles West every year, and so the pressure is on the Homecoming Committee to come up with a theme that will satisfy everybody without being too general. The students in charge of homecoming have this overwhelming fear that if they pickRead more
Taking Things a Bit Too Slow9:36 AM | September 8, 2011
Niles West has never been known for its timeliness, but this year has gotten off to a particularly rough start. Between the torn down tiles on the staircases and the South Lobby construction, getting around school has been a little more difficult than usual. Not to mention the issues with ILP, and the fact that nobody had their schedules untilRead more


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Browsing Department of Education by Title
Now showing items 58-77 of 110
Mateamtikkundervisning for fagleg sterke elevar på ungdomstrinnet. Elevar sine meiningar om metodeval og arbeidsmåtar i matematikkundervisninga (The University of Bergen, 2014-05-10)The topic of this task is the teaching of mathematics for technically strong pupils in secondary schools. The approach to the problem is as follows. "How do the pupils who score high in mathematics in secondary schools ...Master thesis
Matematikk på eit anna språk. Matematikkopplæring for minoritetsspråklege elevar på ungdomssteget (The University of Bergen, 2013-11-15)The topic of this master thesis is Mathematics education for minority language students. In a time with increasing migration, many new students come to school with an different mother tongue than Norwegian. Based on Education ...Master thesis
Matematikkundervisning i en andrespråkskontekst- bevissthet og dilemma. En kvalitativ undersøkelse av en lærers scaffolding i et komprimert grunnskoleløp for minoritetsspråklige voksne (The University of Bergen, 2016-11-14)This master thesis investigates a teacher's support in a time condensed basic educational programme for adults who are about to learn Norwegian as a second or other language. The research question is: What characterize a ...Master thesis
Mellom smilefjes og karakterer : en kvalitativ studie om vurdering i skolen (The University of Bergen, 2011-05-16)The project "Mellom smilefjes og karakterer" is about assessment. Its focus is formative assessment in grades five through seven. A goal is to gain insight into how teachers find that their written assessments enhance ...Master thesis
Metacognition and reading: Comparing three forms of metacognition in normally developing readers and readers with dyslexia (Wiley, 2015-08)Metacognition refers to 'cognition about cognition' and includes metacognitive knowledge, strategies and experiences (Efklides, 2008; Flavell, 1979). Research on reading has shown that better readers demonstrate more ...Journal article
Multimedia discrepancies - plenary lectures as perceived by students (Universitetsforlaget, 2015)Artikkelen ynskjer å skildre studentar i høgare utdanning sine haldningar til og oppfatningar av førelesing, og særskilt bruk av multimodale presentasjonsprogram (t.d. PowerPoint) og tradisjonell tavleundervising. Det vart ...Journal article
The Multimedia Expanse: Students' perceived learning outcome from, and attitudes toward, multimodal and traditional lectures (The University of Bergen, 2013-05-15)The purpose of this study was to examine students' attitudes toward multimodal presentations (AtMP) and traditional lectures (AtTL). A literature review of current research on this topic suggests that students generally ...Master thesis
Møte med yrkesfagleg utdanning i den norske vidaregåande skulen (NordYrk, 2012)Artikkelen byggjer på ein kvalitativ studie av seks elevar sitt møte med vidaregåande skule, yrkesfaglege utdanningsprogram. Studien undersøkjer elevane sine perspektiv og refleksjonar kring overgangen mellom skuleslaga ...Journal article
Narrating the relationship between leadership and learning outcomes: A study of public narratives in the Norwegian educational sector (The University of Bergen, 2015-06-04)In the last couple of decades improving student achievements has gained increased focus amongst policymakers. The increased focus on school leadership when discussing quality in schools has been especially evident in ...Doctoral thesis
NAV: Kampen om kompetanseforståelsen - En diskursanalyse av kompetanseforståelsen i NAV (The University of Bergen, 2011-11-17)This master thesis explores what discourses that are drawn upon in the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisations (NAV) understanding of competence. To answer this question, I interviewed seven managers of NAV about what ...Master thesis
Når hun blir mor og han blir far. En kvalitativ studie av overgangen til foreldreskapet og utformingen av foreldrerollene (The University of Bergen, 2015-06-23)Becoming parents involve not only conceiving and giving birth to a child; it also involves becoming and being a parent. The study Når hun blir mor og han blir far" (English: «When she becomes a mother and he becomes a ...Master thesis
Norsk fordjuping- eit utopisk tilvalsfag? Ein kvalitativ studie av tilvalsfaget norsk fordjuping (The University of Bergen, 2014-11-16)When the National Curriculum for Knowledge Promotion was made public in 2006, a greater focus on the core curriculum in school was promoted. Practical Projects, a central part of the curriculum of 1997, was taken out. With ...Master thesis
Nyansatt leder i Apotek1 - En kvalitativ studie av opplæringsperioden til nyansatte ledere (The University of Bergen, 2013-05-14)This thesis aims to discover what characterises the training period of newly employed managers and how it affects their socialization process in the company. Pervasive findings of the research shows that the first meeting ...Master thesis
Opplæring av nyutdannede sykepleiere - leder sin rolle (The University of Bergen, 2011-01-28)The object of this thesis has been to gain insight into how Nurse Managers themselves describe training of newly educated nurses in somatic hospitals. The thesis focuses in particular on what kind of knowledge managers ...Master thesis
Partnerskap i lærerutdanning, sett fra et økologisk perspektiv (The University of Bergen, 2014-11-21)Traditional teacher education has been criticized for fragmentation due to the gap between the theoretical and practical parts of the programs (NOKUT, 2006; OECD, 2005). In order to counteract this criticism, partnerships ...Doctoral thesis
"Personalledelse i skjæringspunktet mellom profesjonell ledelse og ledelse i nære relasjoner". En kvalitativ studie om hvordan pedagogiske ledere opplever rollen som personalledere i barnehagen (The University of Bergen, 2013-11-14)There is limited research in kindergarten for pedagogical leaders work as personnel leaders. The Norwegian government strives for quality in kindergarten, and the government also claims that quality depends on the human ...Master thesis
Polske foreldre i norsk skole: en kvalitativ studie av hjem-skolesamarbeid (The University of Bergen, 2013-11-15)As a result of the EU expansion in 2004, a number of Polish labour-immigrants have migrated to Norway. Poles currently make up the largest group of immigrants in the country. In this thesis I have focused on collaboration ...Master thesis
Praksisfellesskap innvandrerungdom erfarer i møte med videregående skole (Örebro universitet, 2013)This article examines how immigrant youths from non-western countries experience everyday life in an upper secondary school in Norway. The youngsters have key information about how they personally experience school. ...Journal article
Praksisnær undervisning i legemiddelregning i arbeidet med å redusere testangst og styrke selvoppfattelse hos sykepleierstudenter (Septentrio Academic Publishing, 2014)Norwegian nursing students must pass a drug calculation test with a flawless performance if they are to qualify as nurses. This requirement is found to increase students' test anxiety and mathematical low self-conceptual ...Journal article
Preparing university educators for hot moments: theater for educational development about difference, power, and privilege (Routledge, 2013-09-11)A 'hot moment' is an emotion-laden moment of conflict or tension that threatens to derail teaching and learning. In this study, an educational development workshop used interactive theater depicting a hot moment to prepare ...Journal article


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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
The NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms features 8,118 terms related to cancer and medicine.
- adrenocortical cancer
- listen (uh-DREE-noh-KOR-tih-kul KAN-ser)
A rare cancer that forms in the outer layer of tissue of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney that makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline to control heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions). Also called adrenocortical carcinoma and cancer of the adrenal cortex.


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- 1 of 1 Photos | View More Photos
Jousef Adhami knew what Kewal Singh did not: That Hudson-based Dairy Mart Convenience Stores Inc. was looking to sell some of its stores.
Dairy Mart issued a release Thursday that read, because of failure of older stores to meet internal profitability criteria, it would attempt to sell 246 of its 601 stores sometime this year.
"We do not know which stores (will be sold)," Dairy Mart spokesperson Betty Yopko said Friday. "We don't know when that will be determined, it could be this fall."
To Adhami, Dairy Mart's problems have been a blessing. He recently purchased the Orrville Dairy Mart franchise knowing it was going to be closed sooner rather than later.
"I found out from a sales representative at Dairy Mart," Adhami said. "So we did a deal. It was at a very good time (for me)."
Equally fortuitous, Adhami changed the name of the business to Daily Mart when he opened last month. He thinks the possible sale of Dairy Mart stores around Northeast Ohio won't hurt him as a result of the switch.
"I don't think it will (hurt)," he said, "Not a thing. I talked to some people about the (Dairy Mart) name after buying and they told me it's better not to have it."
Adhami -- who said the name change derived from his having a daily special at the store, not because of its similarity to Dairy Mart -- said he saw Thursday's announcement coming.
"They want to continue the big businesses, the ones with gas stations ... and restaurants," he said. "Thank goodness, I'll have the gas tanks in and pumps going in two weeks. And in about 10 days I'll have the lottery."
While Adhami felt like he had hit the lottery, the news of possible store sales stunned Singh, who owns the DM franchise off West Liberty Street in Wooster.
"I don't know about this," he said Friday afternoon. "How many are closing? All of them?"
Told 246 were the company's target figure, Singh was relatively unfazed.
"I don't think stores around here are going to close," he said. "There has been too much shrinkage (of profits): Stealing (in store), shoplifting. But it is not going to close me.
"I can change the name and stay in business."
On that point, both Singh and Adhami agreed.


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The Power of Independent Thinking
Volume 15, Issue 28: July 9, 2013
1) Free Tickets Available to Attend Taping of John Stossels Show at FreedomFest
We are delighted to announce that John Stossels producers at Fox Business Network are offering free tickets to attend the July 11th taping of his popular television show at 7:30 P.M.! FreedomFest will take place at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, July 10-13.
This special show will feature an interview with Independent Institute Senior Fellow Benjamin W. Powell. The topic: currency debasement and price controls in Ancient Rome and in modern America.
In addition, be sure to catch these important panels featuring Independent Institute fellows:
FreedomFest is not to be missed. Attending this special taping of Ben Powell on Stossel will make an excellent program even more memorable. And please visit the Independent Institute at Exhibit Booth #105!
Please invite all your friends, relatives and colleagues to attend. All they have to do to receive free tickets is email email@example.com with the subject line, FREEDOMFEST SHOW TICKETS, and list the names of anyone who wishes to come. Please also arrive early (before 7 pm) to get good seats in the Celebrity Ballroom. And, parking is free at Planet Hollywood.
Register today to attend FreedomFest, the worlds largest gathering of free minds
2013 FreedomFest Program Schedule
2) Timberland Mandates Would Cut U.S. Job Growth
Economic competition in a free market encourages improvements in quality and reductions in price. Conversely, barriers to competition hamper innovation and keep prices from falling. This is one reason why consumers of forest productsbuilders, in particularshould be leery of new efforts by some environmentalists and government regulators to favor only one of the three private organizations that currently certify timberland management that meets specific sustainability standards. By promoting the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) above the other groupsincluding potentially mandating its standards throughout the private sectorregulators may end up retarding innovation in sustainable forestry.
But theres another cause for concern about favoring or mandating the FSCs standards: massive job losses. A study released by EconoSTATS concludes that an FSC monopoly would cost 31,000 jobs in Oregon and another 10,000 in Arkansas, including those of foresters and tree farmers, but also millworkers, truckers, contractors, and suppliers, writes Independent Institute Senior Fellow William F. Shughart II.
One reason for the potential job losses, Shughart explains, is that the FSC maintains less stringent standards for timberlands overseas than for those in the United States. Therefore a public policy granting a monopoly to the FSC label would be equivalent to favoring foreign timber over U.S. timber, Shughart continues. American building markets would be closed to American timber unless landowners here bore the cost of complying with standards that the rest of the world would not necessarily have to satisfy.
The Costs of Overregulating Forest Management, by William F. Shughart II (Real Clear Policy, 6/28/13)
Taxing Choice: The Predatory Politics of Fiscal Discrimination, edited by William F. Shughart II
3) Should the White House Broker Mideast Peace Talks?
Having traveled to the Middle East five times since he replaced Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State in February, John Kerry seems determined to renew peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians before the United Nations debates the topic this coming September. But trying to bring the two parties to the bargaining table isnt cheap: The White House seems to have offered Israel stronger security guarantees if it will resume peace talks.
According to Independent Institute Senior Fellow Ivan Eland, trying to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians is a waste of time that fails to serve genuine U.S. interests. One reason is that a lasting peace seems highly improbable, given the attitudes of the current leadership on both sides of the divide. But a more fundamental reason is that the strategic argument for U.S. involvement is extremely weak regardless of the attitudes of the Israeli and Palestinian leadership. For example, brokering a peace agreement does not enhance U.S. energy security because Persian Gulf oil is not a unique resource with strategic significance; the cheapest way to get adequate oil supplies is for U.S. consumers to acquire it in the marketplace. Eland explains this point thoroughly in No War for Oil: U.S. Dependence and the Middle East.
Two other pillars of U.S. policy regarding the Middle East also rest on shaky foundations: Washingtons subsidies for Israel dont enhance U.S securitythey weaken it. Also, the notion that U.S. involvement in the region can hasten the spread of liberal democracy is a pipedreamas illustrated most recently in Cairo. Writes Eland: The lesson from this messy process [of U.S. interventionism] is not that the United States should intervene and remain until liberal democracies take hold in developing nations, but that the process is so chaotic that the United States should stay out of these nations, especially in the Middle East.
U.S. Obsession with the Importance of the Mideast and Solving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, by Ivan Eland (7/5/13)
No War for Oil: U.S. Dependency and the Middle East, by Ivan Eland
4) Be Brave and Champion a Free Society
F. A. Hayek gave lovers of liberty a critical piece of advice: to help bring about a free society, one must captivate the intellectuals by putting forth a grand vision for society. Focus on ideals. Dont get bogged down in public-policy minutia. Think big. And never compromise your principles for political gain: any gains will be short-lived, and youll have lost an opportunity to promote valid principles.
Hayek spelled out this advice in The Intellectuals and Socialism, a brilliant essay first published in the University of Chicago Law Review in 1949. Independent Institute Senior Fellow Lawrence J. McQuillan, the new director of the Center on Entrepreneurial Innovation, reminds us of the importance of Hayeks sage counsel in a recent piece commemorating Independence Day.
Liberty lovers must offer grand reconstructions and abstractions that will appeal to the imagination and ingenuity of intellectuals, McQuillan writes. They must provide a clear picture of future society at which they are aiming without overstatement or extravagance, but which inspires the imagination of intellectuals.
The Courage to Be Utopian, by Lawrence J. McQuillan (Mises Daily, 7/2/13)
The Challenge of Liberty: Classical Liberalism Today, edited by Robert Higgs and Carl P. Close
5) New Blog Posts
From The Beacon:
How John Locke Should Have Saved The Lone Ranger
Sam Staley (7/8/13)
Neither Snow nor Rain nor Dark of Night Will Prevent the Post Office from Spying on You
Mary Theroux (7/8/13)
Jim Crow and the Progressives
Carl Close (7/8/13)
Small Business Owners and Obamacare
John C. Goodman (7/3/13)
Questions About Obamas Delay of Healthcare Mandate
Randall Holcombe (7/3/13)
From MyGovCost News & Blog:
K. Lloyd Billingsley (7/8/13)
Crazy Wasteful Spending!
Craig Eyermann (7/5/13)
MediTrade.con: Ruling Class Profiteering Perk
K. Lloyd Billingsley (7/3/13)
The Actual Effects of Taking Away 2% of the Punch Bowl
Craig Eyermann (7/2/13)
The Making of the Sausage with the Senate Immigration Bill
Cherylyn LeBon (7/1/13)
You can find the Independent Institutes Spanish-language website here and blog here.
6) Selected News Alerts
Senior Fellow John Goodman discusses Priceless on The Larry Kudlow Radio Show


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Five Lancaster County schools have earned recognition as recipients of the Palmetto and Silver awards for academic excellence.
The quality quintet includes the Discovery Charter School of Lancaster, which won the Gold Award for general performance.
The Silver award winners for general performance are McDonald Green Elementary and A.R. Rucker Middle schools, along with Indian Land Elementary and Middle schools.
McDonald Green Elementary also garnered a second Silver Award for its success in closing the achievement gap.
The first Indian Land Community Clean-up Week set for April 2-9 is a hands-on opportunity to teach children (and folks of all ages) civic responsibility. Indian Land's scenic byways have become increasingly littered by uncovered garbage trucks, windblown trash from construction sites, loading docks, unsecured recyclables and illegal dumping.
I find it interesting that Representative "Mick" Mulvaney decided to take advantage of the health care available to congressional members.
This plan is heavily subsidized with broad choices, generous provisions and low premiums.
This is available at lower rates because it has about 8 million policyholders nationwide.
This situation reflects the unfairness and uncaring attitude that has been demonstrated by many politicians, most of whom are members of the Republican Party.
In a recent letter to shareholders, Warren Buffet, Berkshire Hathaway chairman, said he has some money to spend on new assets for his company. He reported he has $38 billion in cash to invest.
"Our elephant gun has been reloaded and my trigger finger is itchy," Buffet said.
What can the man mean by making such a volatile statement that could incite serious criminal activity?
Sarah Palin made a similar comment about targeting Congressional districts and she was unmercifully attacked by the liberal media.
The Council on Aging Heath Springs Lunch Bunch, home-delivered seniors, Heath Springs community shut-in seniors, Mount Calvary Outreach seniors in Kershaw and Kershaw community shut-in seniors would like to express our utmost appreciation to the Hillside High School Class of 1970 for the wonderful shoe box gifts for Christmas.
Words cannot adequately express our sincere appreciation to the class of 1970 for the love you have shown us.
Please be assured that the boxes contained useful items that will carry us well into the new year.
Charles Ussery is vice president of the Heath Springs Veterans Monument Committee
Veterans Remembered is written in support of the veterans monument being built for all veterans of Lancaster County in hopes that it will stimulate readers to remember those veterans who touched their lives and provide support to the Veterans Monument Project.
The Republican primary election for Senate District 16 is over. The voters have spoken – loudly and clearly – that Greg Gregory is the best person for this office. Greg will represent us competently and energetically as he has done in the past. The citizens of Lancaster County should be very grateful that he chose to return to politics.
Congratulations, Greg.
In recent weeks, the debate on the county's dog ordinances has come back into the spotlight. I have read several criticisms of the current ordinances and as one of the members of the committee who helped write these, I wished to address my views on this very important topic.
Copyright © 2017
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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Off the long run: NFL promises another corker
Relevant offers
Off the long run
I love the NFL for many reasons but the biggest is because of the competitive balance in the league.
On average, 5-6 teams every year make the playoffs who didn't the previous season. The first two weeks of the season are always the time of big surprises and upsets.
Average teams who start well are over hyped and panic sets in for good teams who start poorly. I therefore wanted to have a look at the most intriguing teams so far, breaking down whether they will continue on the path they seem to be setting or whether it's just a mirage.
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 2-0
Many (including myself) expected that the 49ers would take a step back this year, after their breakout 13-3 season, last year. They sure proved that notion wrong after beating fellow playoff favourites Green Bay and Detroit in a convincing fashion over the last two weeks.
Their defence is stifling and creates ample turnovers, while the run game is dominating oppositions right now. Even though their quarterback Alex Smith is not a dynamic player he doesn't turn over the ball, which is key. The only way teams are going to beat them is getting ahead of them and forcing them to throw.
Outlook: They are the best team in the NFL and an early contender to be the the NFC champions.
Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 2-0
Despite turning the ball over nine times in their first two games the Eagles have somehow won both. You can only run on luck for so long though.
Head Coach Andy Reid is known for assembling talented teams who are madly inconsistent. He is also a very stubborn coach when it comes to play calling, to the detriment of the team.
The best example of this is that he continually allows quarterback Mike Vick to throw and expose his brittle body to hits when he has one of the best running backs in the NFL in LeSean McCoy, who can dominate a match.
This week's game away against the red-hot Cardinals will be another hard one for the Eagles, especially with the mounting injuries among their Offensive line.
Outlook: There is no way Vick can stay healthy for the full season considering the frequency with which he is being hit. When he misses games the Eagles are really going to struggle to compete and I see them missing the playoffs, especially being in the competitive NFC East division.
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 2-0
No team was more hyped to have a successful season than the Falcons after the pre-season games. After relying on a conservative run game over the past four years, they have decided to become a passing team and the results have been promising.
Having beaten the hapless Chiefs, away, they beat a good Broncos team at home. Quarterback Matt Ryan is looking great, passing to perhaps the best wide receiver duo in Roddy White and Julio Jones. The defence also looks solid.
Another challenge awaits them this week as they travel to face the 2-0 Chargers.
This will be a good litmus test for both teams to see whether they are legit playoff prospects this year. I think the Falcons are a better team though and I expect them to come away with the win.
Outlook: With their rivals The Saints struggling, the Falcons should be considered favourites to win the NFC South. The defence needs to be more consistent but the signs are good.
New Orleans Saints
Record: 0-2
The Saints had the worst off season possible with the 'Bounty Gate' scandal which resulted in their head coach and offensive coordinator being banned for one year and 8 games respectively.
This has really showed early, with them losing both games and looking nothing like the team that won the Super Bowl only three season ago.
The defence is the main issue as they can't stop the pass or the run right now, conceding a combined 75 points in both games. With Drew Brees commanding the offence they will stay competitive but he can't do it all himself.
Outlook: The Saints will improve and will be competitive but I think the loss of head coach Sean Payton has been underestimated and this team is going to struggle to make the playoffs. Their defence is just not good enough to stop anybody.
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 2-0
The biggest surprise of the season so far. Nobody expected the Cardinals to win their two opening games, they are now 9-2 since last season, thanks to their elite defence and special team's play.
The win against the Patriots was even more remarkable because the Cardinals offence was atrocious. Not enough media coverage is being given to just how bad the offence is, especially their offensive line and quarterback.
The Cardinals gained a measly seven first downs in total, as opposed to the Patriots 17, for instance. Their defence will have to contain the opposition to less then 20 points if this team has any chance of winning.
Outlook: The defence keeps them competitive but this team can't score and in a quarterback dominated league, that just doesn't cut it. I can't see them making the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 0-2
The complete opposite to the Cardinals are the Chiefs, who are the most disappointing team so far. A sneaky pick to win the AFC West, they have been blown out in both their games by a combined 34 points.
They were supposed to have a Top 5 defence as well as an elite rushing attack - both have been extremely disappointing.
To be honest, the writing was on the wall for another bad season when they hired defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to the full head coaching role. Crennel was previously fired as the Browns head coach. The defence can't continue to allow the opposition to score early as the offence is not designed to come from behind.
Outlook: There is too much talent on this team for it to not compete and I see them bouncing back. If they don't improve soon though I don't think Crennel is going to last very long.
New England Patriots
Record: 1-1
Last week's result vs the Cardinals was the first opening day loss at home since 2001, when a little known reserve quarterback called Tom Brady took over after an injury to Drew Bledsoe. The rest is history.
The Patriots had an off day, where they were simply out coached and the players executed poorly. The funny thing is that it's not there defence, perhaps the worst in the league last year, that is the problem as they improved markedly.
The offensive line, a strength last year, has suffered from retirements and injuries and is not giving Brady enough time in the pocket to find open receivers.
The most concerning thing however, is the offensive play calling from coordinator Josh McDaniels.
The running game has been a strength of the team this season but he is stubbornly calling a lot of passing plays.
This along with his refusal to utilise Wes Welker, an All Pro receiver last year, makes you wonder whether he is the right man for the job.
Outlook: The coaches need to realise that with the offensive line playing so poorly that they need to run the ball more to relieve the pressure on Brady.
The defence is seriously improved from last year so they don't have to rely on their offence to win games. This team is still one of the best in the NFL, they just have to play to the new strengths, not the previous year's ones.
San Diego Chargers
Record: 2-0
Over the past decade the Chargers have been hyped to go far every season but have traditionally struggled early on and then at tail end of the season a flurry of wins allows them to squeak into the playoffs.
So it's with irony that this year, when there is less hype, they start with two emphatic wins.
The defence looks strong and their quarterback Philip Rivers isn't turning the ball over like he did last year.
To me this is a mirage. The two teams they played, the Raiders and Titans, look likely to be two of the worst teams this year. We should get a better indication of how good this team really is when they play the Falcons this week and I this certainly won't be easy for them
Outlook: I think there start is a fool's gold and they will undoubtedly face stronger opposition. When they do their weaknesses at offensive line and running back will be exposed big time. I still think the Denver Broncos are the better team in the division.
What NFL teams do you think are showing or not showing their true colours so far?
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painting over wallpapered drywall.
i recently bought a 1999 manufactured home.the whole inside was painted white.the walls had some kind of wallpaper on entire house.i see no peeling anywhere.i would like to fill all seems and put knockdown texture on entire house.can anybody tell me if its ok to shoot and mud walls just the way it is?thanks...
Although I haven't done a lot of research on the panels, I have done quite a bit of work on those homes.
The vinyl paper on the walls doesn't typically fall into the same category as wall paper over drywall. You don't have to worry about priming with a sovent based product. You don't have to worry about bubbling, unless the paper has been torn, which yours isn't.
I don't recommend filling the joints with mud, as they aren't stable in the current condition. I haven't tried it, but caulking them first MAY help, but it's a lot of work and there are no guarantees. They are attached with staples, also unstable, so don't worry about filling them. I've done that and the staples just pop through again. Filling obvious, or deep holes with putty will help the appearance, but trying to get them to disappear won't work.
If you really want to make the seams disappear, drywall over the whole project.
One job I did was panelled with wood. I filled the joints and used the blank wallpaper with the texture on it already. It's fairly inexpensive, paintable and almost indistiguishable from the sprayed texture. This may also be an option for you and will be easier since there are less joints to fill. The concern is that mud will crack, and that doesn't matter if it wallpapered. I would recommend this method for you.
There are two types of textured paper, one is thicker than the other. My customer went with the thin, but I really wish they would have gone with the thicker. The thin is really inexpensive and the thick is not very expensive.
Good luck.
Thanks Joewho Appreciate The Info..
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A growing list of employers have reduced their matching contributions to workers' 401(k) accounts as they struggle to preserve cash in the recession. But here's how bad it's become: Even AARP has suspended its 401k match for the rest of 2009.
When the nation's most prominent defender of retirement security stops matching employee contributions, you know there's trouble in River City.
One-third of U.S. employers have reduced or eliminated their matching contributions to retirement accounts since the start of 2008, according to Spectrem Group, a retirement benefits consulting firm. Another 29 percent plan to do so this year, Spectrem reports.
Experts hesitate to predict whether the trend is temporary or marks a permanent change in employer behavior. But let's not lose perspective. Even if your employer reduces or eliminates matching contributions, it's important to have a plan for retirement saving--and stick to it, to the extent possible.
At the same time, a reduction or loss of employer matching contribution should prompt some reevaluation of your plan. Here are some key points to consider if you find yourself matchless:
- Stay positive. Don't take your employer's decision to cut back as a signal that you should, too. "People do take signals from their employers on things like this," says Steve Vernon, a financial planner and founder of Rest of Life Communications. "Your employer's decision to preserve cash has nothing to do with your retirement saving strategy."
And whatever else you do, don't use the reduction as an excuse to cash out. That's a bad habit employed by far too many retirement savers; for example, 45 percent of employees cash out their 401(k) plans when they leave a job, according to Hewitt Associates, the benefits consulting firm. Under the law, withdrawals prior to the eligibility age (59 ½) means you'll forfeit 20 percent or more of your account value in federal taxes and another 10 percent in early withdrawal penalties.
- Can you still hit your target? Mutual fund giant T. Rowe Price advises retirement savers to try to put away 15 percent of their total income each year. If your employer's match amounted to 3 percent of that total, examine whether you're in a position to make up the difference--inside your 401(k) or using other retirement savings vehicles.
"Your employer's reason for cutting back is financial," says Stuart Ritter, a financial planner in T. Rowe Price's Financial Planning Services Group. " But you will still need to save the same amount to maintain your lifestyle in retirement."
- Traditional or Roth IRA? If your employer's match has been reduced--rather than eliminated--it makes sense to continue contributing to the level of your match. Or, if you're married, make sure your spouse is contributing enough to get the full employer match, suggests Scott Holsopple, president of Smart401k, a web-based retirement plan investment advisor.
Beyond that, consider using a Roth IRA to hit the rest of your annual target. Unlike a traditional IRA, you can't contribute pre-tax dollars to a Roth. Instead, you pay the taxes upfront in return for much greater flexibility in withdrawals in retirement. There are income eligibility limits but most U.S. households qualify under the current rules.
Some employers offer Roth 401(k) accounts, and that's a good option, Ritter says. "It's simpler to use and there are no limits on income eligibility." T. Rowe Price's analysis suggests most investors under age 50 will have more income in retirement by shifting unmatched retirement dollars to a Roth.
- Auto-escalate. If you are sticking with an unmatched 401(k) but economic hardship makes it impossible to make up the entire difference right away, check to see if your employer offers an automatic contribution escalation, which lets you increase our contributions in pre-set increments of 1 to 2 percentage points annually.
- Keep paying attention. The economic crisis has served as a wakeup call for millions of Americans who haven't paid much attention to planning their retirement. "The level of individuals' involvement and engagement with retirement planning is really rising," says Catherine Miller, vice president of 401(k) education at Charles Schwab. Even if your employer is cutting the match, a growing number are offering advice, services and tools to help you make informed decisions.
Hewitt Associates, the employee benefits consulting firm, reports that 38 percent of companies were offering online, third party investment advisory services to employees in 2008 and another 43 percent planned to add them in 2009. And 20 percent now offer managed accounts, which allow employees to delegate the overall management of their accounts to an outside professional.
(c) 2009 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICE
Response if your employer stops contributing to your 401(k)
A growing list of employers have reduced their matching contributions to workers' 401(k) accounts as they struggle to preserve cash in the recession. But here's how bad it's become: Even AARP has suspended its 401k match for the rest of 2009.


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After weeks of speculation, Virginia Tech's worst season in 20 years has officially prompted Coach Frank Beamer to implement the most drastic changes his program has seen since then.
Beamer announced an overhaul to his offensive coaching staff Friday afternoon, hiring former Auburn offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and offensive line coach Jeff Grimes to serve the same roles at Virginia Tech and adding former Stanford assistant Aaron Moorehead as the program's new wide receivers coach.
Former offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who has been in that position for 11 seasons, will remain as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Beamer has parted ways with former quarterbacks coach and play-caller Mike O'Cain, offensive line coach Curt Newsome and wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman.
Newsome is expected to accept a similar position at James Madison and Sherman was announced as Purdue's wide receivers coach Friday.
These sorts of sweeping changes are relatively new territory for Beamer, who has long taken pride in the coaching stability within his program. Back in 1993, with Virginia Tech coming off a 2-8-1 season, Beamer hired new coordinators on both sides of the ball. In 2006, he watched four assistants leave the program.
Two years ago, Beamer added his son, Shane, and former Virginia Tech linebacker Cornell Brown to the coaching staff and re-assigned former assistant coaches Jim Cavanaugh and Billy Hite to administrative roles within the program.
Though Virginia Tech fans had complained for years about Stinespring's offense, Beamer continued to back his longtime assistant, citing the team's string of 10-win seasons. But it appears the combination of a down year on the field and the regression of quarterback Logan Thomas were enough to convince him a new direction was needed on offense.
The Hokies finished No. 83 in the country yards per game (386.7) and scoring (25.1 points) this season. They did set multiple school records the previous two years.
Beamer did not comment on why he decided changes were needed in a school news release, but will hold a news conference to formally introduce the new coaches on Jan. 25. It's clear, though, that Beamer preferred to continue running a pro-style offense, something Loeffler, 38, has been around most of his career.
But Loeffler comes to Virginia Tech after a disastrous season as the offensive coordinator at Auburn. The Tigers were ranked No. 112 in the nation in scoring offense and No. 115 in total offense. He did, however, have a successful one-year stint calling plays at Temple in 2011, when the Owls finished seventh in the country in rushing yards.
Loeffler is best known as a quarterback guru, having tutored future NFL signal-callers Tom Brady, John Navarre, Chad Henne and Tim Tebow as an assistant coach at Michigan and Florida. His biggest task will be restoring the confidence of Thomas, who announced Tuesday he would be returning for his senior season after throwing 16 interceptions and completing just 51.3 percent of his passes in 2012.
Grimes, 44, came with Loeffler to Blacksburg on Monday for an interview after four seasons at Auburn. He helped the Tigers set school records in rushing yards and points in two-straight seasons, culminating in the program's BCS national championship in 2010.
Moorehead, 32, becomes the youngest member of Virginia Tech's staff. A former NFL wide receiver, he was likely recommended to Beamer by Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
Hamilton was one of Beamer's top targets as he searched for a new offensive coordinator following Virginia Tech's ugly 13-10 Russell Athletic Bowl win over Rutgers last month, according to two athletic department officials familiar with the coaching search. But Hamilton, a former Howard quarterback, is reportedly set to become the next offensive coordinator of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.


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Hot water pipes (closed system) vibrate very loudly.
How do I stop my hot water pipes from vibrating?
My secondary heat is a closed system hot water tank (separate from consumable hot water heater). It has a regular tank, gas heated, pressure regulator, expansion tank, flow control and electric circulator in the basement which lead to 2nd floor pipes in base board registers, with an air bleeder valve on the in pipe, and one on the return pipe.
Very simple set up (about 40 years old) but it just started vibrating very loudly when the pump comes on. The vibration appears from the circulator pump back up the pipes and back to the tank, that is to say, I don't hear it in the cold water pipes in to the tank.
I tried oiling the pump, but really it sounds very smooth. Plenty of heat. I can't anchor the pipes anymore than they are. I checked the air bled valves but only a little air came out. The pressure on the tank meter was about 8 this morning (I released some water as a troubleshooting attempt and now it reads 4 -5 but started to climb to around 7 before I stopped heating again). I don't know what it was about a week ago though.
No water leakage and the expansion tank is about 5 years old. It is the smaller version, attached to the tank, and does not get hot.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
I would think about getting a water hammer arrestor. I wonder if the expansion tank has the correct preset air pressure on the air side of the diaphragm. Where was this tank pressure gauge located?
Question about arrestor
Thanks for replying.
Excuse my ignorance but I don't think this system has any quick-closing valves, like those on the hot water heater system for the house - does that matter? Actually I don't think there are any valves at all (except the shut off valve on the cold inlet pipe.
The water gauge is a dual gauge located on top of the tank itself for altitude and water pressure. It is set for thirty feet and about 6-8 psi at the moment.
I removed the cap on the expansion tank (it was dry) and was going to measure psi with a tire gauge, but I don't know what it should normally read - right now I have the system off and will check it when the temp comes down on the water.
This just happened after a very long time, would I need a certain type of arrestor?
If it only happens when the pump operates then it has to do with the pump not water psi or hammer. Is this a 3 piece pump with a spring coupling that joins the motor to the bearing assembly? Post a pic if you can.
4 Attachment(s)
ok thanks. Here's my artwork. I can feel a slight vibration nearer the pump, but it sounds like a rocket engine by the time it is transferred up stairs :eek:
edit: as I look at the pictures I note the corrosion on the flow regulator leading from the tank in the second picture, lower left (as posted). I'm going to drain the tank a bit and dissemble that puppy. Could it be a corroded flow valve is straining the pump? No idea.
I would guess that it is the spring coupling in the pump slightly out of alignment due to sagging motor mounts. At the ends of the motor part of the pump there are rubber rings. Eventially they will sag and cause the shaft of the motor not to line up / or be perfectly leval with the pump shaft. This can cause the spring coupling to make noise and eventually break and when that happens you will really here it. I would change out the ring set and coupling.
And or minor cavitation from being slightly low on water for a 2 story house.
Yep I did not think of that. Especilly since the pump is on the return with the diaphram tank on the supply all the head is on the suction side it would definetly be in the negitave.
2 story aprox 15 to 20 ft height at the most. Say 6-8psi + 4 extra No more than 10-12 psi will be needed.
Ok thanks everyone for responding and info and thanks JohnH1 for the Service Manual and Guide link.
We've got some work ahead of us which will take us awhile and this thread may close so I'm going to say now THANKS!
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