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Glossary of climate change acronyms and terms
Assigned amount unit. A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. Each Annex I Party issues AAUs up to the level of its assigned amount, established pursuant to Article 3, paragraphs 7 and 8, of the Kyoto Protocol. Assigned amount units may be exchanged through emissions trading.
Refers to reducing the degree or intensity of greenhouse-gas emissions.
Adaptation Committee. The Adaptation Committee was established by the Conference of the Parties as part of the Cancun Agreements to promote the implementation of enhanced action on adaptation in a coherent manner under the Convention, inter alia, through various functions. More information available here.
An act whereby a State becomes a Party to a treaty already negotiated and signed by other States; has the same legal effect as ratification.
Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.
Adaptation Fund
The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable and are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Fund is to be financed with a share of proceeds from clean development mechanism (CDM) project activities and receive funds from other sources. It is operated by the Adaptation Fund Board. More information available here.
Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. The ADP is a subsidiary body established at COP 17 in Durban in 2011 to develop a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties. The ADP is to complete its work by 2015 in order to adopt this protocol, legal instrument or agreed outcome with legal force at the twenty-first session of the COP and for it to come into effect from 2020. More information here.
Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.
Ad hoc Group on Article 13. A subsidiary body (committee) created by COP-1 to explore how to help governments overcome difficulties experienced in meeting their commitments under the Climate Change Convention (1995-1998).
Ad hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate. A subsidiary body created by COP-1 to conduct the talks that led to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. The AGBM concluded its work on 30 November 1997.
Activities implemented jointly. Activities carried out under the Convention to mitigate climate change through partnerships between an investor from a developed country and a counterpart in a host country under a pilot phase that ended in the year 2000. The purpose was to involve private-sector money in the transfer of technology and know-how. See also JI - Joint Implementation
A modification by the COP to the text of the Convention. If consensus cannot be reached, an amendment must win three-quarters of the votes of all Parties present and casting ballots.
Annex I Parties
The industrialized countries listed in Annex I to the Convention, which committed to returning their greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000 as per Article 4.2 (a) and (b). They have also accepted emissions targets for the period 2008-12 as per Article 3 and Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol. They include the 24 original OECD members, the European Union, and 14 countries with economies in transition. (Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Slovenia joined Annex 1 at COP-3, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia replaced Czechoslovakia.) List of Parties to the Convention can be found here.
Annex II Parties
The countries listed in Annex II to the Convention which have a special obligation to provide financial resources and facilitate technology transfer to developing countries. Annex II Parties include the 24 original OECD members plus the European Union. List of Parties to the Convention can be found here.
Anthropogenic greenhouse emissions
Greenhouse-gas emissions resulting from human activities.
Alliance of Small Island States. An ad hoc coalition of low-lying and island countries. These nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and share common positions on climate change. The 43 members and observers are American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, US Virgin Islands, and Vanuatu.
Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement. The APA was established to prepare for the entry into force of the Paris Agreement and for the convening of the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA). More information here.
Article 4.1
An article of the Convention stipulating general commitments assumed by all Parties, developing or developed.
Article 4.2
An article of the Convention stating the specific commitments of developed-country (Annex I) Parties only -- notably that they would take measures aimed at returning greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
Article 6 Supervisory Committee
A committee providing international oversight of "track-two" joint implementation projects. Joint implementation projects are carried out by sponsoring and recipient developed countries under Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol -- with the recipient likely to be a country with an "economy in transition". Track-two is used if one or both of the countries does not meet requirements for the standard ("track one") joint implementation programme. See track two.
Ad hoc Working Group on further commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol. The AWG-KP was established in 2005 by Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal to consider further commitments of industrialized countries under the Kyoto Protocol for the period beyond 2012. More information here.
Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention. The AWG-LCA was established in Bali in 2007 to conduct negotiations on a strengthened international deal on climate change. More information here.
Bali Action Plan. Included in the Bali Road Map, agreed at the Conference of the Parties in Bali, Indonesia in 2007 (COP13), introduced AWG-LCA.
Bali Road Map
The Bali Road Map was adopted at the 13th Conference of the Parties and the 3rd Meeting of the Parties in December 2007 in Bali. The Road Map is a set of a forward-looking decisions that represent the work that needs to be done under various negotiating "tracks" that is essential to reaching a secure climate future. It includes the Bali Action Plan, which charts the course for a new negotiating process designed to tackle climate change, with the aim of completing this by 2009. It also includes the AWG-KP negotiations, the launch of the Adaptation Fund, the scope and content of the Article 9 review of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as decisions on technology transfer and on reducing emissions from deforestation.
Berlin Mandate
Adopted at COP-1, the mandate that launched negotiations leading to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
Business and industry non-governmental organisations.
Biomass fuels or biofuels
A fuel produced from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants.
These fuels are considered renewable as long as the vegetation producing them is maintained or replanted, such as firewood, alcohol fermented from sugar, and combustible oils extracted from soy beans. Their use in place of fossil fuels cuts greenhouse gas emissions because the plants that are the fuel sources capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Bonn agreements
Informal term for a political deal reached at COP-6 in Bonn, Germany, in 2001, by which governments agreed on the most politically controversial issues under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. The Bonn agreements paved the way for the Marrakech Accords later in the same year.
Bonn fund
A special UNFCCC fund for contributions from the Government of Germany to cover costs of UNFCCC events held in Bonn.
Brazilian proposal
A proposal by the delegation of Brazil made in May 1997 as part of the negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol. It included a formula to set differentiated emission reduction targets for Parties based on the cumulative impact of Parties' historic emissions on the global average surface temperature.
Bunker fuels
A term used to refer to fuels consumed for international marine and air transport.
A body responsible for directing the work of the COP. Its 10 members are delegates elected by each of five regional groups. The Bureau includes the COP President, six Vice Presidents, the Chairs of SBI and SBSTA, and a rapporteur. Each of the Convention's subsidiary bodies also has a Bureau.
Negotiating coalition of countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, Albania, and the Republic of Moldova.
Capacity building
In the context of climate change, the process of developing the technical skills and institutional capability in developing countries and economies in transition to enable them to address effectively the causes and results of climate change.
Carbon market
A popular (but misleading) term for a trading system through which countries may buy or sell units of greenhouse-gas emissions in an effort to meet their national limits on emissions, either under the Kyoto Protocol or under other agreements, such as that among member states of the European Union. The term comes from the fact that carbon dioxide is the predominant greenhouse gas, and other gases are measured in units called "carbon-dioxide equivalents."
Carbon sequestration
The process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir.
Cartagena Dialogue
A collection of around 40 countries working towards an ambitious legally binding agreement under the UNFCCC, and who are committed to becoming or remaining low carbon domestically. Participates include: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, European Union, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, México, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Samoa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, UAE, and the United Kingdom.
Convention on Biological Diversity.
Training methodology for assessing vulnerability to climate change.
Clean Development Mechanism. A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries may finance greenhouse-gas emission reduction or removal projects in developing countries, and receive credits for doing so which they may apply towards meeting mandatory limits on their own emissions.
CDM Help Desk
A support initiative for project participants, developers, coordinating and/or managing entities (CMEs), designated national authorities (DNAs) and designated operational entities (DOEs) to get reliable and timely information from the secretariat on issues regarding their CDM projects. It is only available to stakeholders in Africa, least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing States (SIDS) and countries that had 10 or fewer registered CDM projects as of 31 December 2010, as long as the project is in the process of validation or verification.
CDM Loan Scheme
An interest-free, loan initiative that provides funding to projects for development of PDD, validation, and first verification. It applies to projects located in host countries with less than 10 CDM project activities registered with the UNFCCC (as of 1 January of the year of submission), with a high probability of registration with the UNFCCC and generating at least 7,500 CERs/year for projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and 15,000 CERs/year in non-LDCs. More information here.
Central Group
Formerly CG-11, a negotiating coalition of Central European Annex I Parties, now called the Central Group.
Certified emission reductions (CER)
A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. CERs are issued for emission reductions from CDM project activities. Two special types of CERs called temporary certified emission reduction (tCERs) and long-term certified emission reductions (lCERs) are issued for emission removals from afforestation and reforestation CDM projects.
Central Group 11 (negotiating coalition of Central European Annex I parties).
Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from non-Annex I Parties. A panel established to improve the preparation of national communications from developing countries. National communications are an obligation of Parties to the Climate Change Convention.
Chair (or Chairman, Chairperson, etc.)
National delegates elected by participating governments to lead the deliberations of the Convention's subsidiary bodies. Different chairs may be elected for other informal groups. The Chair is responsible for facilitating progress towards an agreement and serves during the inter-sessional period until the next COP.
Clearing house
A service which facilitates and simplifies transactions among multiple parties.
Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement. All States that are Parties to the Paris Agreement are represented at the CMA, while States that are not Parties participate as observers. The CMA oversees the implementation of the Paris Agreement and takes decisions to promote its effective implementation. More information here.
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Convention's supreme body is the COP, which serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The sessions of the COP and the CMP are held during the same period to reduce costs and improve coordination between the Convention and the Protocol. More information here.
Carbon dioxide.
Coalition for Rainforest Nations
A voluntary grouping of largely developing nations with rainforests which addresses issues surrounding environmental sustainability specific to tropical rainforests. Participation does not necessarily imply that countries adhere to any specific domestic policies or negotiating positions within the international context. At September 2011, the group included Argentina, Bangladesh, Belize, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Uruguay, Uganda, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Countries participate on a voluntarily basis primarily through unified negotiating positions, workshops and collaborative programs.
Committee of the Whole
Often created by a COP to aid in negotiating text. It consists of the same membership as the COP. When the Committee has finished its work, it turns the text over to the COP, which finalizes and then adopts the text during a plenary session.
Compliance Committee
A committee that helps facilitate, promote and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. It has 20 members with representation spread among various regions, small-island developing states, Annex I parties and non-Annex I parties, and functions through a plenary, a bureau, a facilitative branch and an enforcement branch. More information here.
Fulfilment by countries/businesses/individuals of emission reduction and reporting commitments under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
Contact group
An open-ended meeting that may be established by the COP, a subsidiary body or a Committee of the Whole wherein Parties may negotiate before forwarding agreed text to a plenary for formal adoption. Observers generally may attend contact group sessions.
Conference of the Parties. The supreme body of the Convention. It currently meets once a year to review the Convention's progress. The word "conference" is not used here in the sense of "meeting" but rather of "association". The "Conference" meets in sessional periods, for example, the "fourth session of the Conference of the Parties." More information here.
Common Reporting Format. Standardized format for reporting estimates of greenhouse-gas emissions and removals and other relevant information by Annex I Parties.
Conference room papers. A category of in-session documents containing new proposals or outcomes of in-session work. CRPs are for use only during the session concerned.
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
A non-binding political statement made by ministers attending a major meeting (e.g. the Marrakesh Ministerial Declaration of COP-7).
Conversion of forest to non-forest.
Designated National Authority (DNA)
An office, ministry, or other official entity appointed by a Party to the Kyoto Protocol to review and give national approval to projects proposed under the Clean Development Mechanism. More information here.
DNA Help Desk
A support initiative for Designated National Authorities (DNAs) to provide advice, support and assistance with the submission of proposals for standardized baselines, recommendations of microscale renewable energy technologies for automatic additionality, or grid emission factors. It targets DNAs from least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing States (SIDS), African countries, or Parties with less than 10 registered projects as of 31 December 2010. It is possible for project participants and designated operational entities (DOEs) to liaise with a DNA to submit a request on their behalf.
Documents fall into different categories. Official documents are available to everyone and feature the logos of the United Nations and the Climate Change Convention. They carry a reference number, such as FCCC/CP/1998/1. Pre-session documents are available before a meeting, often in all six UN languages. In-session documents are distributed on-site (see CRPs, L docs, Misc. docs, Inf. docs and non-papers). Informal documents are often distributed outside the meeting room by observers.
Drafting group
A smaller group established by the President or a Chair of a Convention body to meet separately and in private to prepare draft text -- text which must still be formally approved later in a plenary session. Observers generally may not attend drafting group meetings.
Countries with Economies in Transition. Central and East European countries and former republics of the Soviet Union in transition from state-controlled to market economies.
Emission reduction unit (ERU)
A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. ERUs are generated for emission reductions or emission removals from joint implementation projects.
Emissions trading
One of the three Kyoto mechanisms, by which an Annex I Party may transfer Kyoto Protocol units to, or acquire units from, another Annex I Party. An Annex I Party must meet specific eligibility requirements to participate in emissions trading.
Entry into force
The point at which an intergovernmental agreement becomes legally binding -- occurring at a pre-stated interval after a pre-stated and required number of ratifications by countries has been achieved. The Climate Change Convention required 50 ratifications to enter into force. It now enters into force for each new Party 90 days after that Party ratifies the Convention.
Environmental Integrity Group
A coalition or negotiating alliance consisting of Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Monaco.
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
European Union (EU)
As a regional economic integration organization, the EU is a Party to both the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. However, it does not have a separate vote from its member states. Because the EU signed the Convention when it was known as the EEC (European Economic Community), the EU retains this name for all formal Convention-related purposes. Members are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism
A 10-member panel elected at COP-7 which supervises the CDM.
Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT)
An expert group established at COP 7 with the objective of enhancing the implementation of Article 4.5 of the Convention, by analyzing and identifying ways to facilitate and advance technology transfer activities under the Convention. The EGTT completed its work in 2010.
Expert review teams
Groups of experts, nominated by Parties, who review national reports submitted by Annex I Parties to the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Fast-start Finance (FSF)
At COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009, developed countries pledged to provide new and additional resources, including forestry and investments, approaching USD 30 billion for the period 2010 - 2012 and with balanced allocation between mitigation and adaptation. This collective commitment has come to be known as "Fast-start Finance". More information here.
Financial Mechanism
To facilitate the provision of climate finance, the Convention established a financial mechanism to provide funds to developing country Parties. The financial mechanism also serves the Kyoto Protocol. The Convention states that the operation of the financial mechanism can be entrusted to one or more existing international entities. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has served as an operating entity of the financial mechanism for many years and at COP 17 in 2011, Parties also decided to designate the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as an operating entity of the financial mechanism. The financial mechanism is accountable to the COP, which decides on its policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for funding.
Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released in 2007.
Friends of the Chair
Delegates called upon by the Chair (who takes into account the need for political balance among various interests) to assist in carrying out specific tasks.
Fugitive fuel emissions
Greenhouse-gas emissions as by-products or waste or loss in the process of fuel production, storage, or transport, such as methane given off during oil and gas drilling and refining, or leakage of natural gas from pipelines.
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
Global Climate Observing System.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The GEF is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities. The Parties to the Convention assigned operation of the financial mechanism to the GEF on an on-going basis, subject to review every four years. The financial mechanism is accountable to the COP. More information here.
Global warming potential (GWP)
An index representing the combined effect of the differing times greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere and their relative effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation.
Global Ocean Observing System.
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
At COP 16 in Cancun in 2010, Governments established a Green Climate Fund as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention under Article 11. The GCF will support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing country Parties. The Fund will be governed by the GCF Board. More information here.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
The atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20). Less prevalent --but very powerful -- greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Group of 77 (G-77) and China
A large negotiating alliance of developing countries that focuses on numerous international topics, including climate change. The G-77 was founded in 1967 under the auspices of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It seeks to harmonize the negotiating positions of its 131 member states.
Group of Mountain Landlocked Developing Countries
Negotiating group formally established in June 2010 by the governments of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikstan, focused issues faced by landlocked mountain developing countries specifically vulnerable to transportation costs and food insecurity, with a view towards expanding the group to include other interested countries.
Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.
Global Terrestrial Observing System.
"Hot air"
Refers to the concern that some governments will be able to meet their targets for greenhouse-gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol with minimal effort and could then flood the market with emissions credits, reducing the incentive for other countries to cut their own domestic emissions.
Independent Assessment Report, the output of an independent assessment of each Annex I Party's International Transaction Log, which in turn is part of the Party's reporting requirements to the UNFCCC. IAR is forwarded to expert review teams for consideration as part of the review of national registries under Article 8 of the Kyoto Protocol. the procedure to produce the IAR is designed to provide independent assessment of each national registry.
International consultation and analysis, a form of review currently being negotiated and designed in the UNFCCC intergovernmental process.
International Civil Aviation Organization.
International Climate Change Partnership - global coalition of companies and trade associations committed to constructive participation in international policy making on climate change.
International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives.
International Energy Agency.
Intergovernmental organization.
International Maritime Organization.
Actions (legislation or regulations, judicial decrees, or other actions) that governments take to translate international accords into domestic law and policy.
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the UNFCCC (1990-1995). A committee created to draft the Convention. The INC met in five sessions between February 1991 and May 1992. After the text of the Convention was adopted in 1992, the INC met six further times to prepare for COP-1. It completed its work in February 1995.
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. More information here
In-depth review (IDR)
A process by which an Annex I Party's implementation of the Convention and/or the Kyoto Protocol is technically assessed by international teams of experts.
INF document
Denotes an Information document. These documents are not translated and are available in the original language of issue.
Informal contact group
A group of delegates instructed by the President or a Chair to meet in private to discuss a specific matter in an effort to consolidate different views, reach a compromise, and produce an agreed proposal, often in the form of a written text.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Programme, the IPCC surveys world-wide scientific and technical literature and publishes assessment reports that are widely recognized as the most credible existing sources of information on climate change. The IPCC also works on methodologies and responds to specific requests from the Convention's subsidiary bodies. The IPCC is independent of the Convention.
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
International Standards Organization.
International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC)
The Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC), under the authority and guidance of the CMP, inter alia, supervises the verification procedure for Joint Implementation projects.
Joint Liaison Group (JLG)
Group of representatives of UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD Secretariats set up to explore common activities to confront problems related to climate change, biodiversity and desertification.
Joint implementation (JI)
A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which a developed country can receive "emissions reduction units" when it helps to finance projects that reduce net greenhouse-gas emissions in another developed country (in practice, the recipient state is likely to be a country with an "economy in transition"). An Annex I Party must meet specific eligibility requirements to participate in joint implementation.
An acronym representing non-EU industrialized countries which occasionally meet to discuss various issues related to climate change. The members are Japan, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Norway, and New Zealand. Iceland, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea may also attend JUSSCANZ meetings.
Joint working group.
Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement standing on its own, and requiring separate ratification by governments, but linked to the UNFCCC. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries. More information here.
Kyoto mechanisms
Three procedures established under the Kyoto Protocol to increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of making greenhouse-gas emissions cuts. They are the Clean Development Mechanism, Emissions Trading and Joint Implementation.
Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF)
A greenhouse gas inventory sector that covers emissions and removals of greenhouse gases resulting from direct human-induced land use, land-use change and forestry activities.
L. docs
In-session documents that contain draft reports and texts for adoption by the COP or its subsidiary bodies. Usually such documents are available in all six UN languages.
That portion of cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions by developed countries -- countries trying to meet mandatory limits under the Kyoto Protocol -- that may reappear in other countries not bound by such limits. For example, multinational corporations may shift factories from developed countries to developing countries to escape restrictions on emissions.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
The world's poorest countries. The criteria currently used by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for designation as an LDC include low income, human resource weakness and economic vulnerability. Currently 48 countries have been designated by the UN General Assembly as LDCs.
Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)
A panel of 13 experts which provides advice to LDCs on the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) -- plans for addressing the urgent and immediate needs of those countries to adapt to climate change.
Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF)
The LDCF is a fund established to support a work programme to assist Least Developed Country Parties to carry out, inter alia, the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). The Global Environment Facility, as the entity that operates the financial mechanism of the Convention, has been entrusted to operate this fund. More information here.
Loss and damage
At COP 16 in Cancun in 2010, Governments established a work programme in order to consider approaches to address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change as part of the Cancun Adaptation Framework. More information here.
Marrakesh Accords
Agreements reached at COP-7 which set various rules for "operating" the more complex provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. Among other things, the accords include details for establishing a greenhouse-gas emissions trading system; implementing and monitoring the Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism; and setting up and operating three funds to support efforts to adapt to climate change.
A formal gathering that occurs during a "session." Each session of the COP, for example, is divided into a number of meetings. A meeting is generally scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
MISC documents
Denotes a Miscellaneous document. These documents are not translated and are issued on plain paper with no United Nations masthead. In the UNFCCC process, submissions by Parties are normally issued as miscellaneous documents. They generally contain views or comments published as received from a delegation without formal editing.
In the context of climate change, a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases. Examples include using fossil fuels more efficiently for industrial processes or electricity generation, switching to solar energy or wind power, improving the insulation of buildings, and expanding forests and other "sinks" to remove greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international agreement adopted in Montreal in 1987.
Measurable, reportable and verifiable. A process/concept that potentially supports greater transparency in the climate change regime.
Nitrous oxide.
National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs)
Documents prepared by least developed countries (LDCs) identifying urgent and immediate needs for adapting to climate change.
National communication
A document submitted in accordance with the Convention (and the Protocol) by which a Party informs other Parties of activities undertaken to address climate change. Most developed countries have now submitted their fifth national communications; most developing countries have completed their first national communication and are in the process of preparing their second.
National delegation
One or more officials empowered to represent and negotiate on behalf of a government.
Nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs)
At COP 16 in Cancun in 2010, Governments decided to set up a registry to record nationally appropriate mitigation actions seeking international support, to facilitate the matching of finance, technology and capacity-building support with these actions, and to recognize other NAMAs. More information here.
According to Article 4 paragraph 2 of the Paris Agreement, each Party shall prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve. Parties shall pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions. More information here.
Not named
Non-Annex I Parties
Refers to countries that have ratified or acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that are not included in Annex I of the Convention. List of Parties to the Convention is available here.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Organizations that are not part of a governmental structure. They include environmental groups, research institutions, business groups, and associations of urban and local governments. Many NGOs attend climate talks as observers. To be accredited to attend meetings under the Convention, NGOs must be non-profit. More information here.
An in-session document issued informally to facilitate negotiations. A non-paper does not have an official document symbol. It may have an identifying number or carry the name of its author.
A state that has not ratified the Convention but attends meetings as an observer. More information here.
"No-regrets options"
Technology for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions whose other benefits (in terms of efficiency or reduced energy costs) are so extensive that the investment is worth it for those reasons alone. For example, combined-cycle gas turbines -- in which the heat from the burning fuel drives steam turbines while the thermal expansion of the exhaust gases drives gas turbines -- may boost the efficiency of electricity generating plants by 70 per cent.
Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Governments not Parties to the Convention which are permitted to attend, but not vote, at meetings of the COP, the CMP and the subsidiary bodies. Observers may include the United Nations and its specialized agencies; other intergovernmental organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency; and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs). More information here.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
A state (or regional economic integration organization such as the European Union) that agrees to be bound by a treaty and for which the treaty has entered into force. More information here.
A formal meeting of the entire COP, CMP or one of the subsidiary bodies. Formal decisions or conclusions may only be taken during plenary sessions.
Policies and measures (PAMs)
A frequently used phrase -- sometimes abbreviated as PAMs -- referring to the steps taken or to be taken by countries to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Some possible policies and measures are listed in the Protocol and could offer opportunities for intergovernmental cooperation.
The official of a member government elected by the Parties to preside over the COP and the CMP. The President is often a senior official or minister from the state or region hosting the Conference. The President may not participate in the negotiations as a representative of the member government during the term of presidency.
An international agreement linked to an existing convention, but as a separate and additional agreement which must be signed and ratified by the Parties to the convention concerned. Protocols typically strengthen a convention by adding new, more detailed commitments.
Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Commitments (QELROs)
Legally binding targets and timetables under the Kyoto Protocol for the limitation or reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by developed countries.
Formal approval, often by a Parliament or other national legislature, of a convention, protocol, or treaty, enabling a country to become a Party. Ratification is a separate process that occurs after a country has signed an agreement. The instrument of ratification must be deposited with a "depositary" (in the case of the Climate Change Convention, the UN Secretary-General) to start the countdown to becoming a Party (in the case of the Convention, the countdown is 90 days).
A formal act of the COP or the CMP which is weaker than a decision or a resolution, and is not binding on Parties to the Convention or the Kyoto Protocol.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.
Replanting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.
REG document
Regular documents have a serial number following the year. They are translated into all six official languages of the United Nations.
Regional groups
Alliances of countries, in most cases sharing the same geographic region, which meet privately to discuss issues and nominate bureau members and other officials for activities under the Convention. The five regional groups are Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), and the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG).
Registries, registry systems
Electronic databases that tracks and records all transactions under the Kyoto Protocol's greenhouse-gas emissions trading system (the "carbon market") and under mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism. "Registry" may also refer to current discussions on a system for inscribing nationally appropriate mitigation actions.
Research and systematic observation
An obligation of Parties to the Climate Change Convention; they are called upon to promote and cooperate in research and systematic observation of the climate system, and called upon to aid developing countries to do so.
An exception or concern noted for the record by a Party in the course of accepting a decision of the COP or the CMP. No reservations are allowed to the Convention itself, or to the Protocol.
A component or components of the climate system where a greenhouse gas or a precursor of a greenhouse gas is stored. Trees are "reservoirs" for carbon dioxide.
Directives that guide the work of the COP or the CMP-- opinions rather than permanent legal acts. Unlike decisions, resolutions do not generally become part of the formal body of legislation enacted by the COP or the CMP.
Review of commitments
Regular scrutiny by Convention Parties of the adequacy of the treaty's Article 4.2 (a) and (b) outlining developed country commitments to limit greenhouse-gas emissions. The first review took place at COP-1 and led to a finding that progress was not "adequate" -- and so to negotiations that led to the Kyoto Protocol, which has more stringent commitments for developed countries.
Rio Conventions
Three environmental conventions, two of which were adopted at the 1992 "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), while the third, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), was adopted in 1994. The issues addressed by the three treaties are related -- in particular, climate change can have adverse effects on desertification and biodiversity -- and through a Joint Liaison Group, the secretariats of the three conventions take steps to coordinate activities to achieve common progress.
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 4-6, 2012. The first UN Conference on Sustainable Development was the "Earth Summit", held in 1992, and it spawned the three "Rio Conventions"-- the UNFCCC, the UNCCD, and the UNCBD.
Removal unit (RMU)
A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent. RMUs are generated in Annex I Parties by LULUCF activities that absorb carbon dioxide.
Roster of experts
Experts nominated by Parties to the Climate Change Convention to aid the Secretariat in work related to review of national reports of Annex I Parties, preparation of reports on adaptation technology, the transfer of technology to developing countries, and the development of know-how on mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Rules of procedure
The parliamentary rules that govern the procedures of the COP, the CMP and the subsidiary bodies, covering such matters as decision-making and participation. The COP has not yet formally adopted rules of procedure, but all except one (on voting) are currently being "applied." As such, they are commonly referred to as the "draft rules of procedure being applied".
Sulphur hexafluoride.
Second Assessment Report (SAR)
An extensive review of worldwide research on climate change compiled by the IPCC and published in 1995. Some 2,000 scientists and experts participated. The report is also known as Climate Change 1995. The SAR concluded that "the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global climate." It also said "no-regrets options" and other cost-effective strategies exist for combating climate change.
The office staffed by international civil servants responsible for "servicing" the UNFCCC Convention and ensuring its smooth operation. The secretariat makes arrangements for meetings, compiles and prepares reports, and coordinates with other relevant international bodies. The Climate Change Secretariat, which is based in Bonn, Germany, is institutionally linked to the United Nations. More information here.
Small island developing States.
The signing by a head of state or government, a foreign minister, or other designated official indicating a country's agreement with an adopted international text, such as a Convention or Protocol, and signalling the country's intention of becoming a Party to the agreement.
Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Forests and other vegetation are considered sinks because they remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)
The SCCF was established to finance projects relating to adaptation; technology transfer and capacity building; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; and economic diversification. This fund should complement other funding mechanisms for the implementation of the Convention. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), as the entity that operates the financial mechanism of the Convention, has been entrusted to operate this fund. More information here.
"Spill-over effects" (also referred to as "rebound effects" or "take-back effects")
Reverberations in developing countries caused by actions taken by developed countries to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. For example, emissions reductions in developed countries could lower demand for oil and thus international oil prices, leading to more use of oil and greater emissions in developing nations, partially off-setting the original cuts. Current estimates are that full-scale implementation of the Kyoto Protocol may cause 5 to 20 per cent of emissions reductions in industrialized countries to "leak" into developing countries.
Subsidiary body
A committee that assists the Conference of the Parties. Two permanent subsidiary bodies are created by the Convention: the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). Two major temporary bodies that exist currently are the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP), established at COP 11 in Montreal, and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA), established at COP 13 in Bali. Additional subsidiary bodies may be established as needed.
Square brackets
Typographical symbols [ -- ] placed around text under negotiation to indicate that the language enclosed is being discussed but has not yet been agreed upon.
Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)
The SBI makes recommendations on policy and implementation issues to the COP and, if requested, to other bodies. More information here.
Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)
The SBSTA serves as a link between information and assessments provided by expert sources (such as the IPCC) and the COP, which focuses on setting policy. More information here.
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Technology transfer
A broad set of processes covering the flows of know-how, experience and equipment for mitigating and adapting to climate change among different stakeholders
Third Assessment Report (TAR)
The third extensive review of global scientific research on climate change, published by the IPCC in 2001. Among other things, the report stated that "The Earth's climate system has demonstrably changed on both global and regional scales since the pre-industrial era, with some of these changes attributable to human activities. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities." The TAR also focused on the regional effects of climate change.
Track-two JI
One of two approaches for verifying emission reductions or removals under joint implementation, whereby each JI project is subject to verification procedures established under the supervision of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee. Track two procedures require that each project is reviewed by an accredited independent entity.
Trust funds
Funds earmarked for specific programmes within the UN system.
Technology Transfer Information Clearing House.
Trade related non-governmental organisations.
Umbrella group
A loose coalition of non-European Union developed countries formed following the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. Although there is no formal membership list, the group usually includes Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States.
United Nations.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
United Nations Development Programme.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
United Nations Environment Programme.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Uniform report format
A standard format through which Parties submit information on activities implemented jointly under the Convention.
Voluntary commitments
A draft article considered during the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol that would have permitted developing countries to voluntarily adhere to legally binding emissions targets. The proposed language was dropped in the final phase of the negotiations. The issue remains important for some delegations and continues to be discussed, currently in the context of the Bali Action Plan, in terms of what constitutes "voluntary".
The degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity.
World Climate Conference.
Western European and Others Group (United Nations regional group).
World Health Organization.
World Meteorological Organization.
World Summit on Sustainable Development.
World Trade Organization.
Youth non-governmental organisation


text:
Selecting your vehicle's make, model, and year allows us to display only parts and items specific to your car's model and year.
Part# S240481
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Sale Price: $2,505.99
Part Type: (R) = Authentic reproduction of the original GM product
Years: 1966
Sold As: KIT
2018 Skylark Catalog Page: 13
Certain items which exceed standard size are exempt from free shipping promotions. These items are noted in your cart at checkout.
Any package that measures over 48" in length, and/or 30" in width or height, is subject to an additional handling surcharge of $15.95 per package. Unusually shaped packages such as cylinders or drums are also subject to this charge, as are unusual exterior packaging materials such as plastic or cloth.
Our Stage III kit gives you everything necessary for a quality interior restoration at a bargain discount. This all-inclusive kit contains the following:
(1) Molded carpet
(1) Under carpet soundproofing (insulation)
(2) Door sill plates
(8) Sill plate screws
(1) Complete set of seat upholstery
(2) Headrest covers ('68-72)
(2) Door panels (left and right)
(2) Rear side door panels (left and right)
(1) Door panel installation kit
(2) Front armrest pads ('68-72)
(2) Front armrest bases ('68-72)
(1) Armrest screws kit ('68-72)
(2) Rear armrest covers
(2) Door lock knob kit (includes knobs and ferrules)
(1) Door panel/rear side panel water shields (set)
(2) Interior pillar moldings ('68-69)
(2) Door jamb windlace
(2) Door jamb end caps ('64-67)
(2) Door jamb plastic louvers ('69-72)
(1) Underdash insulation kit
(2) Kick panel insulation kit ('64-67)
(1) Interior firewall insulation pad (kit)
(1) Convertible top (3-year guarantee)
(1) Rear window (glass may be substituted for plastic, on '68-72 only)
(1) Convertible well liner
(1) Convertible top boot
(1) Convertible top tightening pads
(1) Convertible top boot clips ('64-67)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
My cookbook launch on November 11, 2013
Photo by Päivi Palts.
My third cookbook came out in early November (there will be a blog post about the book!), and last Monday there was a small launch party at the Rahva Raamat bookstore in Tallinn. My dear friend Ximena Maier (you'll surely know her food blog Lobstersquad) did the illustrations for the book again. It's as striking as the first one, don't you agree?
They certainly stand out on the bookshelves!
Back to the book launch party. Here's me and my lovely agent, Reelika Rahu, flipping through the pages of the book:
Photo by Andres Haabu
Me welcoming the people and talking briefly about the book. Take note that my stockings are matching the colour of my newest cookbook :)
Photo by Andres Haabu
Photo by Päivi Palts
Photo by Päivi Palts
This lovely lady, Maret, is a good friend of my mother-in-law. She's also a great fan of Nami-Nami recipes and loved the previous book (or so I'm told). The beetroot phali recipe in the Georgian chapter has caught her attention. Or is it the egg and walnut salad?
Photo by Päivi Palts
Time to sign the books! I was impressed how many people turned up and was signing the books for well over an hour!
Photo by Andres Haabu
Photo by Päivi Palts.
Photo by Päivi Palts.
Photo by Päivi Palts
Photo by Päivi Palts
Photo by Päivi Palts
One of the Nami-Nami fans, my friend Eva Pettinen of the Flexus Pilates Studio:
Photo by Päivi Palts
I don't know who this little sweet girl was, but she had a lovely name and she told me that she always uses Nami-Nami to look for recipe inspiration :)
It was a cookbook, so obviously there was food at the launch party :)
Photo by Päivi Palts.
The purple dip is beetroot borani (recipe in the Persian chapter; also available here on the blog). On the front you'll see cheese and herb filled filo "cigars" (recipe in the Lebanese chapter). There's a bowl in the middle, filled with black pudding profiteroles (a recipe in my Christmas cookbook). Not pictured is a big plate with two different types of cookies from the Swedish chapter:
Photo by Päivi Palts.
The filo rolls and the Swedish cookies were baked by my dear friend and a talented baker, American-born Heidi Park. Heidi also did the catering for my first cookbook launch party back in December 2010. I'm so lucky to have met her and call her my friend:
Photo by Kristjan.
Ok, back to food. Marinated aubergine/eggplant slices, a recipe in the Italian chapter:
Photo by Päivi Palts.
A special thanks goes to Põltsamaa Felix, who provided the drinks - juice for the kids and their beautiful dessert wine Põltsamaa Kuldne 2005 for the grown-ups (again, they provided the drinks for the previous launch party as well). Here's my sweet daughter Nora (4 y 9 m) enjoying a glass of Põltsamaa's pear nectar (pirninektar) while chitchatting to her friend Taavi:
Photo by Päivi Palts.
There was also the wonderful bottled mineral water from Georgia, Borjomi, which, of course, is the perfect drink to go with the recipes in the Georgian chapter:
Photo by Borjomi Estonia
And last, but not least, there was some wine, courtesy of Pernod Ricard Estonia. We drank Tamada Mukuzani from Georgia, and San Simone Perlae Naonis Millsesimato Prosecco DOC from Italy:
Photo by Reet Zimmer
A huge thank you to everybody who made it and a huge thank you to everybody who helped to organise the launch party.
17 comments:
Palju õnne uue raamatu puhul!
Loodan et seda saab ka USAs.
- 3:59 pm, November 19, 2013
- Margaret@Kitchen Frau said...
Congratulations on your new cookbook, Pille! It looks beautiful I am a Canadian follower of your blog for over 2 years now and always love reading your posts. Your recipes are so unique and DELICIOUS! Keep up the great work!
- 5:41 pm, November 19, 2013
total indulgence! wish i was there…
- 6:17 pm, November 19, 2013
- Jael said...
Congratulations on your new cookbook Pille:)
- 6:55 pm, November 19, 2013
- Pille said...
Hugo - vaevalt, et seda eestikeelset raamatut USAs müüakse, aga kirjastus kindlasti saadab ka Eestis väljaspoole ;)
Margaret - thank you for "coming out" - it's always wonderful to "meet" a reader. And thank you for your kind words!
Roxy - I would have loved to have you here!!
Jael - thank you! No chapter on Israeli food this time, but it's definitely on the cards! (Did you notice the number "1" on the cover? ;))
- 7:02 pm, November 19, 2013
- Claudia Moser said...
Congratulations, I do hope you will soon have an English version! So happy for you
- 9:33 pm, November 19, 2013
- tanita♥davis said...
Looks like another hit on your hands! I do love those coordinating colors as well.
Congratulations - all joy and success to you.
- 10:43 pm, November 19, 2013
- Peter M said...
Thank you for your kind words and allow me to extend congratulations for your third book. Bravo!
- 11:57 pm, November 19, 2013
- Steve Millican said...
I'll have wait for either the English or Swedish version. Steve
- 1:03 am, November 20, 2013
- Amy said...
Hearty congratulations Pille. Wish your book be translated to all languages in the world – everyone deserves to read it! When do you have an English version?
- 7:09 am, November 20, 2013
- Pille said...
Claudia & Amy & Steve - thank you! I don't think the publishers are thinking of translating it, though it is a pretty good recipe collection imho ;)
Tanita - I was thrilled to realise just before rushing out to the book launch party that I've got a pair of suitable stockings :D
Peter - thank you! There is a lovely Greek chapter in the book as well, with all my Greek favourites ;)
- 8:38 am, November 20, 2013
- Indian food recipe said...
Congrats!Please update about English
version of specific one.
- 8:46 am, November 20, 2013
- T. Carter said...
Congratulations, Pille!
- 8:52 pm, November 20, 2013
- Stacy Deason said...
Congratulations on your new cookbook, Pille. The photographs are just amazing...
- 11:17 am, November 21, 2013
- Stacy Deason said...
Congratulations on your new cookbook, Pille. The photographs are just amazing...
- 11:29 am, November 21, 2013
- Thanaa' Ra'ifah Maroun said...
Congratz for your book.Very interesting post,thanks sharing this post and food guides.
- 7:26 am, November 29, 2013
- shelly said...
- 6:18 am, December 16, 2013


text:
It was one heck of a summer for 46-year-old Kristy Lugert.
The Alameda, Calif., resident bought a 32-foot sailing catamaran (her first large boat), which flipped in 15-foot seas on its delivery voyage. When they thought they were going to die, Lugert and her boyfriend declared themselves married. A week after a Coast Guard helicopter plucked them from the overturned cat in a rescue basket, they were legally married but divorced a short time later. Her saga came to an end when she helped her brother tow the boat home after he salvaged it."Wow, it's been so crazy," says Lugert, who bought the 1999 PDQ 32 with her father, Jerry Lugert, in mid-June in Sidney, British Columbia. "There's been so much drama from the very beginning."
It all began when Lugert, who has primarily sailed catamarans in the Gulf of Mexico, fired the delivery captain and sailed the boat - along with her boyfriend, Steve McCarthy, 42, and Greg McCuen, 40 - on the last leg of the passage, from Crescent City, Calif., around Cape Mendocino to Alameda.
The boat capsized July 3 about 20 miles off Fort Bragg, Calif., in heavy seas and 45-knot winds. The crew had been sailing for about 24 hours before the incident. "We got hit by a rogue wave, and it was a lot steeper and a lot deeper than anything else we had been dealing with," Lugert says. "It hit on the port side ... and the boat went up on its side and turtled immediately."
All three sailors - along with Lugert's border collie, Jakey - were in the cockpit when the cat went over. McCarthy was at the helm. "The wave hit us like a train, basically T-boning us," he says. "The wind came underneath the boat and finished the role."
McCarthy, Lugert, McCuen and the dog were trapped under the boat in the space created by the cockpit. McCarthy activated the EPIRB - a GPS-enabled model rented from BoatU.S. - and McCuen, the strongest swimmer, swam to the surface with the beacon, where he tied it to one of the 9.9-hp Yamaha outboards. All three were wearing life jackets, but Lugert and McCarthy had to remove theirs so they could swim beneath the boat and out of the cockpit. McCuen was able to keep his PFD on. Lugert swam out after McCuen, and then McCarthy followed.Read more at http://www.soundingsonline.com/news/dispatches/592-sept-23-2010/265962-summer-of-their-discontent
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Just write in your pet's name, address, & phone number, snap on the see-through cover, and your animal is protected and identified. Attaches to any collar. Imported. Read More
Reflector ID TagJust write in your pet's name, address, and phone number, snap on the see-through cover, and your animal is protected and identified.
Attaches easily to any collar.
Not recommended for small animals.
Made in China.
- Brand: Jeffers
- Type: Safety
- Country of Origin: China
Reviews (6)
"Very Cheaply Made"
I got excited that this could be an addition to my dog's collars but found that it fell apart within minutes of being "shook" - come on, dogs shake! - and that the writing area can ONLY use a liquid ball-point or fine-point sharpie. Regular pens, beware! It also does not really reflect as I had hoped it would. For $1, it is a nice ID tag though.
"Adequate "
I use these to id my Nigerian dwarf kids, the size is perfect for their Id number and name. The reflector does fall off but isn't necessary for my use. A little model glue keeps the clear cover in place. The ring doesn't stand up to the rough rubbing of the yearlings, but for the kids is sufficient.
These are junk. I bought three and all of them fell apart within a week.
"good value for the $1"
I learned to anticipate that the clear cover (goes over what you write on it) and the red reflector will pop off eventually, so I just fortify both with a few drops of Super Glue when I assemble the tag. Excellent value for the money!
"Not good"
I have bought these four times and the first day reflector breaks off the first day. I super glue them back on but that is a lot of effort.
"Good for the price"
I bought these for my dogs because I move a lot and so it's not worth paying $6 or $7 for a tag that will be outdated in 6 months. These are a good alternative in that they're cheap and can be replaced easily when I move. However, the reflective portion falls of pretty easily, so it's just a tag and not a reflective tag. The ink stays put as far as I've found, but I did use a permanent marker instead of just a pen.
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text:
2 Week Specials, Medicine in Nepal by Kristian Tomson
In summer of 2012 I undertook an eye opening journey halfway across the world, to the breath-taking country of Nepal. There is a vast difference between the rainy UK and the stifling heat of an abnormally hot Nepali summer. This difference was amplified by my lack of travel experience - I have rarely left the UK at all, so I felt this once in a life time chance could not be missed.
First Impressions of Nepal
After hours of flight, eventually a slight buzz filled the plane and we all knew we had arrived over Nepal at last. I looked up from my inflight movie to look out the window and see the stunning scenery below – it was breath-taking. With hills, paddy fields and huts everywhere, it was nothing like I expected. The approach into Kathmandu was just stunning and surreal.
Landing amongst the surrounding hills, was an out of this world experience, one which was very welcome after the long flight. The weather was abnormally hot that year, and after stepping off the plane, the heat hit me. The surroundings were very different and the grass was definitely greener, a lovely rich fertile green.
Leaving the airport I was greeted by sensory overload, a crowd full of people charging to carry your bags, the hustling and bustling of people and honking of horns which appear to be a very good method of inter-vehicle communication for the Nepali people. The drive from the airport to the Hotel Excelsior was quite short but very eye opening.
The Accommodation
On this 2 Week Special project we were very lucky to have three fabulous hotels to stay in during the whole adventure, but I also had 22 great people in my group, which became like a family. Amongst us we had a wealth of different personalities but all being kind and empathetic - well we were medical volunteers after all! It was our 2 Week Special family which truly made the time in Nepal magical.
For the main bulk of the two weeks we stayed at the Hotel Global in Bharatpur, in the Chitwan region. This hotel is one of the best ones out there, the rooms were comfortable and the pool was brilliant, a wonderful way to cool off after the long days on placement. The food was excellent in most cases except when we received western style food which was on occasion a bit odd tasting.
The Medical Placements
There is a reason behind most things and my time in Nepal was no exception, I had the chance to gain work experience, which will help in my application for medicine at university. There was a range of medical placements that everybody took part in. These included the Chitwan Medical College teaching hospital (CMC), the cancer hospital, the eye hospital and the family planning clinic.
The CMC was split into two days with the first being radiology for me. This was where I was allowed to watch a CT scan and an x-ray as well as watching the team behind the scenes developing the x-rays, which was fascinating. The staff were very friendly and welcoming too. After lunch I was offered the opportunity to visit the A&E department which I couldn't turn down since I have a great interest in this field of medicine. The Nepali A&E is very different to an English one, with the Nepali A&E being less busy and very open plan but still full of hard working professionals, who were happy to help teach me and my team mates.
Our second day at the CMC was only a half day and we were in surgery which was very interesting and such a privilege to be allowed to observe the surgeons doing their magic. Unfortunately my team of three missed out on a C-section by about five minutes which was disappointing but we were able to watch a laparoscopic procedure which was gripping and very exciting.
The cancer hospital offered a huge learning experience in which my group observed radiotherapy, and the preparation of chemotherapy drugs, as well as being lucky enough to see the paediatric ward there which definitely pulled on the heart strings, yet the children showed true resilience. I can say for me it was a truly life changing day.
We weren't at the eye hospital for very long, only observing for half a day, however it was thoroughly enjoyable and allowed me to meet new interns or those who had just graduated as doctors who were learning from senior doctors. Everyone there was very friendly and happy to teach me about ophthalmics.
Leisure Activities
It wasn't all work and no play. In the two weeks we had a very special weekend trip indeed in which we visited the jungle village of Sauraha. It was a magical little village, and our hotel there was awesome. My room was probably the best with a massive en-suite bathroom and a balcony overlooking a rice field.
The weekend itinerary included a hike to watch the sunset over the mountains, an elephant safari through the jungle and a river canoe boat journey. This was followed by a jungle hike to a view tower in the heart of the jungle and a visit to the elephant orphanage and nursery. We were also fortunate enough to see a traditional dance show of the region.
On our last full day after travelling back to Kathmandu we had a culture rich day of travelling around temples. We visited two temples, the monkey temple, which was by far my favourite as I was eager to see some monkeys up close. Although, it was at the Hindu cremation temple where I got a bit too close to a monkey for my liking! After seeing the temples the rest of the day was for shopping and ended with a wonderful traditional Nepali meal.
Leaving Nepal
I was looking forward to going home by the end of the two weeks. However, I had caught the travelling bug and wished to stay for more adventure throughout the wonder which is Nepal. There was so much to see and do yet we had so little time to do it. When arriving home I was glad to see my family and friends but I miss the sight of mountains in the background which Nepal had blessed me with everywhere we went.
I miss Nepal and won't miss an opportunity to return. Adventure calls and I will answer and I highly recommend you do too. There is a whole different world out there, experience it, love it, live it. That's what I plan to do anyway.
Kristian Tomson
+44 (0) 1273 007230


text:
I've heard this many times. It just can't be done, they say. Porting an application, a "real" application to a new and unfamiliar platform takes at least 3 to 6 months, numerous developers, designers, lots of QA testing, diligent software engineering practices, et cetera. This makes a lot of sense, right? It's been the conventional wisdom for as long as I can remember. How, then, have developers been porting their applications to BlackBerry 10 so quickly? Let's take a look.
It's true that learning a new platform can take months. Luckily, those standard rules of learning time don't apply in certain cases – and that often happens to be true for BlackBerry 10. I'll explain what I mean later.
First, let me share with you some data from our Port-a-thons. In our "Got Game Port-a-thon", we had over 4,000 gaming apps ported by developers to BlackBerry 10 from other platforms in 36 hours. A few weeks later, we ran another port-a-thon and had 15,000 apps ported. Only a week later, an additional 19,000 apps were ported in the 36 hour window (recap of port-a-thons here). So, you might be thinking, "How could this happen if it takes 3-6 months to learn a new platform?" The reason is simple: Developers don't have to learn a new set of skills to get their app running on BlackBerry 10. We received games and apps written in all four of the runtimes BlackBerry 10 supports: Native C and C++, HTML5, Adobe AIR, and Android Java. Here's why it was so easy in each of these cases:
Native C and C++ Apps
Our native platform is Posix-compliant C and C++, and supports a lot of libraries and gaming engines leveraged by game developers including Unity3D, Marmalade, Appcelerator, Shiva3D, NME, OpenGL ES, OpenAL, Cocos2D-X, Box2D, Skia, Lua, and so on. (Learn more about all the native library support options here.) For many developers, the majority of time spent porting their app to BlackBerry 10 was just setting up their tooling and getting their signing keys.
Now, if your app is full of custom, platform-specific APIs or if your app uses a lot of device specific UI, then of course it will take you longer than a day to port your app. But learning Cascades, the UI framework for native development on BlackBerry 10, doesn't take very long – especially if you're familiar with Qt and QML. What we're finding is that most mobile developers today are designing their apps with portability in mind at the outset. They're separating out platform specific stuff from the common stuff. Or, they're leveraging a framework like Marmalade that does a lot of this platform abstraction work for them under their APIs. What's left is pretty easy to port because you have a solid, standards-compliant platform like BlackBerry 10 on which to develop. Things just work.
Android Apps
One misconception I hear a lot is that the BlackBerry Android runtime is an "emulator". This isn't the case. Our Android runtime is a pure port of the open source Dalvik VM directly onto QNX. Other mobile vendors ported the same code to Linux, whereas we went straight to QNX – a real-time embedded OS about 1% the size of standard Linux and highly efficient. We don't touch the byte codes or modify the programs in any way – all we do is re-package them into a different archive format that helps us maintain security for your protection. Either your app runs or it doesn't. If it doesn't, our tools will tell you why immediately and you can decide if it's something you can work around. You can even check out your app using our online tool.
We don't support apps that use proprietary Google APIs, and we don't support native extensions. Also, for security reasons, BlackBerry 10 does not allow Android Java apps to run in the Enterprise partition; they may only run in the Personal partition (learn more about BlackBerry Balance). Visit our Android developer site for more info about the limitations of Android apps on BlackBerry. "Porting" Android apps to BlackBerry 10 is trivial. I regularly do this in less than 60 seconds per app – no lie. It literally takes me longer to copy someone's apk from a USB drive than it does to port it.
HTML5 Apps
BlackBerry 10 has maintained one of the highest HTML5 conformance scores in the industry for many months (see http://html5test.com/). BlackBerry 10 is not only first in the mobile rankings – it outscores all desktop browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, and it also outscores iPhone, iPad, Android, Firefox Mobile, Opera, etc. So, if you have a web app with all that silly Java or Objective-C wrapper business that Android and iOS make you put in there, you just have to strip that out all that nonsense and re-package for BlackBerry. Web apps on BlackBerry are first-class citizens on our platform; they have sensor APIs, payment capabilities and access to device camera, and they don't need or require an Internet connection to run.
BlackBerry 10 also supports things like WebGL and WebSockets –functionality not found in many other mobile platforms. Check out all the API support for augmenting HTML5 on BlackBerry here. We also support the leading web frameworks like jQuery, Sencha, dojo, and of course Apache Cordova. For the same reasons that native C and C++ apps "port" very quickly to BlackBerry 10, so do HTML5 apps. The standards support is there. The frameworks are there.
Adobe AIR Apps
AIR is AIR; they just work. You can learn more about how to get your Adobe AIR apps on BlackBerry 10 here.
Hopefully, the question about whether you can "port" an app in a very short amount of time to BlackBerry 10 should be clear now. Through BlackBerry 10's adherence to industry standards – and by developers' common practice of architecting for cross platform deployment – mobile apps are, and have been, easily ported to BlackBerry 10. For more information, check out our new developer site: http://developer.blackberry.com


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Imagine a standard Old Dark House/Inheritance Reading set-up, in a decrepit mansion that may be haunted by a spirit hell-bent on familial revenge. Imagine that the list of inheritors is composed of a short oversexed blonde in thrall to the spirit's lust-inducing powers on one hand, and a Hawt School Marm with her zoot suit-wearing lipstick-lesbian lover on the other. Now imagine a brother-and-sister ghostbusting team just happens to arrive hours before the will is read, and that the spirit's sexy powers awaken the woman's incestuous lust in hopes of preventing her from revealing the truth. Imagine the housekeeping staff is made up entirely of a lesbian witch coven, all stern unsmiling servants by day and Laugh-In Go-Go Dancers of Satan by night. Finally, imagine the evil spirit in question is not just a spirit, but a Lesbian Vampire Queen whom the head housekeeper wants to resurrect so she can get some 500-year-old lovin'.
Now--imagine that such a movie ACTUALLY EXISTS, was directed by the man responsible for Deep Throat 2 and Inside Little Oral Annie, and boasts an all-German cast who deliver their English lines entirely through phonetics!
I swear--sometimes a guy just hits the Trash Movie JACKPOT.
Vampire Ecstasy (aka The Devil's Plaything) hits the ground running and never slows down. We open with with a naked woman chained to a stake under the main titles--always a good start--and then quickly switch to a witchy ceremony with the aforementioned coven, all in diaphanous gowns and metal circlet headresses. As pseudo-Arabic music plays in the background, the witches drop their diaphanes to reveal Leia Slave-Girl Bikinis and Goldie Hawn-body paint, circa 1969. It's all so beautiful, the lesbo-fondling just before the director's credit really isn't necessary--but I'm still glad it's there.
Helga (Swedish porn starlet Marie Forså) is just disembarking. Passenger fashions and other clues let us know we're in the present day, which makes Helga's lack of suspicion at the Renaissance Faire coach and driver sent to pick her up all the more endearing.
Turns out Helga is one of the last two living descendants of the owners of the castle on the moors, and has come to hear the reading of her late aunt's will. As the coach bears her further and further from civilization--or at least the train station--she seems to go back in time as well; once she arrives at the castle and is met by three weird sisters in black sack dresses and schoolmarm buns, she might as well be in medieval Bohemia.
Not long after that the OTHER cousin arrives at the castle (on foot, strangely): dark-haired and shy-looking Monika (the aptly named Ulrike Butz) accompanied by her lesbian lover, who we know is a lesbian because of her 1940s Gangster-style pin-stripe suit and fedora. The two are welcomed--though such is hardly the right word--by head housekeeper Wanda Krock (the amazing Nadia Henkowa), one of the sternest, most menacing Teutonic housekeepers it's ever been my pleasure to meet. Refusing to let the hot girlfriends sleep in the same room, Frau Krock isolates them and instructs them to wait until their late aunt's will can reveal who will be the mistress of the manor.
Julia (Anke Syring) and Peter (Nico Wolf) stranded and in need of shelter. As luck would have it, Julia is studying the local folklore and superstitions of the area for a book she's writing, and just HAPPENS to know that the original owner of the castle, Baroness Dania, was a vampire and a witch burned at the stake many centuries ago. Oh, and also that Dania cursed the descendants of her killers from her pyre (like you do), promising to be resurrected through their bloodline to wreak her evil vengeance on their souls.
Now, having deftly maneuvered all his pieces into place, Director Joe Sarno decides to celebrate a job well-done in the traditional way: with a NAKED SATANIC GO-GO DANCE OUTTA NOWHERE!
I just have to stop here for a moment and sing the geeky praises of Nadia Henkowa as the inestimable Frau Krock. I've seen a lot of Sexy Germanic Ice Queens in my time, but Frau Krock is really in a class by herself for sternness, authoritarian snappishness, and general icy menace. Simply put, Frau Krock is AWESOME. She's a woman who would just as soon snap your neck as say hello, and you can sense it in every twitch of her well-developed sneering muscles.
Not only that, but when it comes to the Devil's Go-Go Party, she's got a bod that won't quit and she's not at all afraid to use it. In the celebratory coven dance Frau Krock takes a leading role, as groovy and watery in the joints as any Laugh-In dancer ever was--except she does it with the same stern, icy poker face, as if this were not a dance of joy, but merely a necessary task to be accomplished with maximum mirthless efficiency. The juxtaposition of that face and that pumping paint-covered naked bod is startling, and affecting in a deep emotional way IYKWIMAITYD.
It doesn't take long for the coven's black magic to have its effect on the overnight guests--and since this coven specializes in black magic of the SEXY variety, it yields supernaturally Sexy Results. Helga and Peter are both plagued with ultra-realistic fuck-dreams, leading Helga to to sleepwalk, both in her diaphanous nightgown and out of it. (Zang.) Meanwhile Peter merely gasps and writhes on his bed while Julia watches over him, obviously more affected by the sight than mere sisterly affection will allow. Overcome with the sexy, Julia starts feeling herself up and playing pet-the-kitty while watching her brother's happy dream. Whether this is the coven's spell at work or Julia's own filthiness at play is left for the audience to judge. Still, worried that something wicked just might make her come, Julia adorns herself and her brother with crosses made of garlic, just to be safe.
Suffering from an uncontrollable case of all-consuming horniness, Helga goes to Frau Krock and begs her to "make the throbbing stop!" This is all part of Krock's eeevil plan, of course, as she explains to the panting Eurobabe:
"Some spells make you seethe with unfulfilled desires--make your juices flow, hot and burning...your fingers want in, the flames of Hell set your nipples afire and open your womb to the will of her priestesses!"I wonder if they offer correspondence courses?
Krock promises Helga she'll take the Sexy away if the girl will rob Peter of his garlic cross, since Pete has taken a fancy to Helga, and furthermore he and Julia are descendants of the knight who turned the Baroness over to the Inquisition all those years ago; hence Krock wants Peter to mate with the Baroness's true descendant Monika in order to complete her promised resurrection and revenge. Of course the monkey wrench in all this is Julia, who plays the incestuous, brother-humping Van Helsing to Frau Krock's awesome Germanic Renfield. Are you with me so far?
From here on out it's just one sexy horror after another. Pushed on by forces in her crotch she can no longer control, Helga seduces Monika's lesbian lover in a hay loft before delivering her to the coven in the basement, where the girl is hypnotized and made to squat over a gigantic conical candle while another coven member has sex with a hogtied muscleman on the altar. All this under Frau Krock's stern, emotionless eye, naturally. Later Helga succeeds in taking Peter's garlic away, Monika is possessed by the spirit of Baroness Dania and has a long sex scene with Peter while Helga humps a waist-high candle in the background, and Frau Krock offers Julia all the Luscious Pete that she can eat if she'll join the coven and stop being such a square already.
Oh, and some of the candles in the coven room are shaped like penises--though not the ones being used as happy-funtime-playtoys, oddly.
Vampire Ecstasy is 100% out-of-control sexy vampire goodness from start to finish, with enough devil-worship, deviance, and go-go dancing to fill three such films. The principals are all attractive and frequently naked--Forså in particular does well as the out-of-control innocent Helga--and the bit players in the coven are at least as sexy as any of the stars. And as if the crazy plotting were not enough, the thick German or Scandinavian accents from everyone involved adds another level of madcap unreality--seriously, I'd be shocked if anybody onscreen actually understood a syllable of English; more than once I had to turn the subtitles on just to translate what's meant to be my mother tongue.
Sarno's background in porn is more than apparent here, and while even the uncut version Vampire Ecstasy (accept no subtitutes!) is definitely softcore, it's the kind of softcore that stops *just* short of the line. Lesbianism, incest, bondage, blood--there's something here for just about every pervy taste this side of Slave of the Cannibal God. (And in the name of God and the ASPCA, please stay on *this* side of Slave of the Cannibal God!) However, Sarno's artistic aspirations are in evidence as well, as the director gets many truly beautiful shots and shows off an occasional flair for interesting composition, particularly in the vampire seduction and garlic-cross standoff scenes.
But the real revelation here is Frau Krock, one of my new favorite villainesses of all time. Nadia Henkowa just OWNS the movie; the screen is barely big enough to contain her. Her evil exchanges with her victims and her devilish tempting of Julia are standouts, as are her amazing dance numbers. Stern-beyond-sternness, dominating, and strangely sexy, Henkowa adds a full half-thumb through sheer force of personality.
NEEDED the bonus. For audacity, frenetic pacing, blood-sex-magic and wall-to-wall MADNESS, Vampire Ecstasy easily grabs the coveted 3+ thumb rating. Stuff your boxers with garlic and see this one NOW.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Vampire Ecstasy (1974): or, Don't Knock the Krock
Posted by The Vicar of VHS at 8:00 AM
Labels: '70s, 3+ Thumbs, Cursed from the Pyre, Incest, Old Dark House, Possession, Sexploitation, Vampires (Lesbian), Witchcraft
7 comments:
- Tenebrous Kate said...
Oh my god the ZOOT SUIT!!!! If I'm really good during this lifetime, I get to spend eternity with her and Rosalba Neri in her fez-and-suit-getup from "Castle of Fu Manchu." I better start behaving myself now so I can ensure my afterlife is filled with vampire ecstasy. Your kickass review makes this movie sound AMAZING, Vicar! My mind reels in the best possible manner.
- January 28, 2009 at 8:45 AM
- Samuel Wilson said...
I remember seeing stills from this item in books on erotic and/or horror cinema, under yet another title if I recall right, and jumping for it when it came out on VHS. Inevitably it didn't live up to my fantastic expectations, but it's quite a piece of work just the same. Sarno must have quite a rep now, given how Retro-Seduction promotes him as the king of ambitious softcore, but he does his bit to earn it. Anyone who reads blogs like ours should find something to enjoy in this film.
- January 28, 2009 at 10:59 AM
- The Duke of DVD said...
*wipes a tear from his eye* You had me at "lesbian witch coven", dearest Vicar. I cannot overstate how much I need to watch this movie. Congrats on a beautiful review. As always, you somehow make movies about lesbian vampires and/or witches sound interesting, which is a tough thing to do naturally.
I want this movie in me.
- January 30, 2009 at 1:00 PM
- Pierre Fournier said...
OMG, here's a coincidence of epic proportions: Vampire Ecstasy is playing on cable RIGHT THIS MOMENT, on the Drive-In Classics movie network, in Canada.
Proof: http://www.driveinclassics.ca/listings.asp?date=1-30-2009
- January 31, 2009 at 12:32 AM
- The Duke of DVD said...
Thanks to the Vicar, I was able to watch this movie last night. It was everything I had hoped for, and more. I was very impressed by the amount of tit-rubbing that went on. I mean, everyone loves a good breast massage, but this movie takes the art to new heights.
Most impressive. I give it my full endorsement.
- February 2, 2009 at 9:18 AM
- Michael said...
Thanks for the tip, dear V. I hail here from your response to my comment on "Nude for Satan", where you referred me to this apparent gem. A quick check on the IMDb yields 76 Plot Keywords, including "Breast Suckling, Masturbation with Candle, Lesbian Orgy, Explicit Nudity, Incestuous Desire, Sexual Perversion..." Do I need to go on? I mean I'm barely halfway down the list. And seriously, can anyone make a meaningful film that's not about lesbian vampires? I haven't seen it yet, but I'm already considering myself deeply indebted.
- April 20, 2009 at 10:22 PM
- Aliasha said...
Vampires is not at all like in the movies or books. Sure, I understand. You are young; you have the whole world open to you. You can be anything that you choose if you apply yourself and try hard to work toward that goal. But being a vampire is not what it seems like. It's a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It's not what you are that counts, but how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity? contact the vampires creed today via email, firstname.lastname@example.com
- October 4, 2014 at 12:43 PM


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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made regulatory changes to its Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) program, including higher surety bond guarantee limits that will help construction and service sector firms secure larger contracts for work in areas impacted by disasters.
The changes are related to the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008, which increases the eligible amount for contracts or orders related to a major disaster area.
The changes, which were originally published as part of a Proposed Rule in The Federal Register in April 2010, are now final and include:
• For a non-federal contract or order up to $5 million, a bond guarantee may be issued if the products will be manufactured or the services performed in the disaster area.
• For a federal contract or order up to $5 million, the performance site can be outside the disaster area if the contract or order will directly assist the disaster recovery efforts.
• For a federal contract or order, the amount of the guarantee can be as much as $10 million at the request of the head of an agency that is involved in reconstruction efforts.
"SBA is committed to mobilizing resources as quickly as possible following disasters to help begin economic recovery for communities, businesses and families," SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. "These changes to the Surety Bond Program will have a two-fold impact. Helping small businesses compete for and win contracting opportunities gives them the chance to grow and create jobs, while at the same time jump-starting economic activity and rebuilding efforts following a disaster when communities and regions need it most."
The increased amounts would apply during the 12 months following the disaster declaration, unless SBA provides for an extension related to a particular disaster.
In addition to the disaster related changes, other changes clarify SBA's position that it does not cover any costs related to insurance or indemnification requirements that may be contained in the bonded contract. It specifically excludes from the losses covered by SBA any costs that arise from the principal's failure to secure and maintain insurance that result from any claims or judgments that exceed the amount of insurance coverage, and that arise from an agreement by the principal to indemnify the contractor or any other persons.
Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) program regulations also have been amended to allow SBA to guarantee bid and performance bonds for timber sale contracts. Under these contracts, the small business pays the project owner an agreed amount to harvest the lumber or other forest products, such as biomass. A bond is often required to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions associated with forest management, including the protection of natural resources, erosion control, and road maintenance. This change applies to contracts administered by the U.S. Forest Service and other public and private entities.
SBA partners with the surety industry to help small businesses that would otherwise be unable to obtain bonding in the traditional commercial marketplace. Under the partnership, SBA provides a guarantee to the participating surety company of between 70 and 90 percent of the bond amount. Through its Surety Bond Guarantee program, SBA also helps owners by guaranteeing bid, payment and performance bonds to protect the project owner against financial loss if a contractor defaults or fails to perform.
SBA assistance in locating a participating surety company or agent, and completing application forms, is available online. For more information on SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee program, including Surety Office contacts, go online to http://www.sba.gov/osg/, or call 1-800-U-ASK-SBA.


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Sunday | 9:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.
Join your host as they bring out the chilled out side of the Impact. On the Afterglow, you'll hear artists like STS9, Amon Tobin, Bonobo, and many more as they perform tunes that set a relaxed mood. Sit back and unwind before the busy week ahead.


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In the days when "satellite TV" meant having a dish the size of a bisected Volkswagen in your backyard and access to NASA-level array-control technology, Stanley Putterman (the inimitable Gerrit Graham, "Bud the CHUD" and The Phantom of the Paradise's Beef himself ) installs a "Do-It-Yourself 100" dish in the hopes of opening a new world of entertainment possibilities. This meets with the approval of his wife Raquel (Mary Woronov of Eating Raoul, Silent Night Bloody Night, and Chopping Mall), daughter Suzy (Diane Franklin, of the superlatively MAD Amityville II: the Possession) and son Sherman (Chad Allen, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman). Even military-minded Grandpa (Bert Remsen) is down, excited about the possibilities for monitoring enemy troop movements.
However, when a sanitation worker from Planet Pluton accidently beams a dangerous piece of garbage--a slavering, amorphous mutant called a "Hungry Monster"-- into the Puttermans' new dish, what started out as a nice night in front of the tube becomes a fight for survival and the future of the human race. As the monster crawls out of the boob tube to munch on its new hosts, the Puttermans' "swinging" guests, and Suzy's punkish boyfriend O.D. (Jon "I'm a Wolfman and I've Got Nards" Gries), Sherman makes desperate calls for help, first to the police and then to late-night horror hostess Medusa (Jennifer Richards). Meanwhile, O.D. and Suzy try to train the beast, which goes well until the Pluton Sanitation Department shows up to try and correct its error. Then things get a little messy...
Produced by Charles Band and directed by Full Moon Pictures-mainstay Ted Nicolaou, TerrorVision (1986) is an energetic, broad parody of everything 80s that, like many a fine cheese, has only grown more delicious as it ages. Viewers of a certain age will recognize a lot of the period piece details, from Raquel's Jazzercize obsession to Suzy's Cyndi Lauper fashions to Medusa's Elvira-esque show and costumery. Graham is hilarious as always (what an underrated performer this guy is), and Gries steals the show in a role that prefigures Bill and Ted by three years. The effects are goopy, practical, and disgusting, and the monster design is gross but strangely adorable. (In a standout scene, the monster uses its mimicking ability to morph several appendages into a slime-covered orgy involving the Puttermans, their guests, and even Grandpa! Must-see.) The music by Richard Band is as good as you'd expect.
TerrorVision is nothing but OTT fun from one end to the other. Even those born in the era of dinner plate-sized satellite dishes should find this blast from the past enjoyable. 2.5 thumbs.
|"Don't wait up! I've heard these Noam Chomsky lectures sometimes go long."
Bonus: The awesomely 80s TerrorVision Theme song!