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Over the last couple of days I have been pondering my path, and my place in it, as you do at the beginning of any year, be it the winter or summer, as it is here in New Zealand. Despite most cultures having celebrated or marked in some what their new year in or around the middle of winter, when the settlers came to New Zealand they did not transpose their holidays religious or secular to the relevant season, so this means we often celebrate a traditional winter celebration during summer, so obviously the energy is different, but also the same, or has my Hungarian work colleague says same same but different. But I digress.
At this time of the year, is hard not to feel the anticipation that reverberates throughout the most of the world as the New Year approaches, both Europe and Chinese and begins. And for us here in New Zealand it is summer, so the seasonal energy is bright and energetic. Very fortuitous for a new set of lessons that deepen how I understand myself and how I understand my path to show themselves.
These lessons are usually heralded by a series of symbols that have made themselves obvious to me. However these symbols or messages often come in the form of the seemly ordinary, rather than an obviously occult or magical flavour. Which brings me to the topic of this post.
How does someone tell that these everyday happenings or ordinary symbols, omens or signs of note rather than just everyday things?
For me it was a gradual process, of learning to understand and luckily being given the symbol several times with each time being a bit more obvious than others. The first time that I consciously remember this happening, was about 10 or so years ago. I was obviously on my way home from where the bus had dropped me of, and walking over a grassy area, when a black bird jumped into my path and spoke. I heard it twitter then it look me directly in the eye, like it was telling me off for disturbing his worm hunting, and he very well may have been. But I was not really paying attention, it was that time of year when there are a lot of black birds about the place all furiously hunting for insects to feed their demanding young. I remember apologising and then making my way home.
The following morning as I was leaving my house, a blackbird landed near my head on the washing line and once again he spoke. This time I took more notice. How strange I thought this is the second time this strange occurrence has happened. I duly greet him with a friendly good morning, and didn't give it much thought as I made my way to work, until I got to work. I worked on the 5th floor of a building in town, and there waiting for me, on the railing outside the window next to my desk. Black bird was looking at me, he was speaking. It was then that I realised I had to use my other senses in order to here was black bird was saying. The Blackbird was the herald for the next lot of intense learning both magical and mundane, and part of what I learned was that there is for some of us no read delineation between the mundane and magical, after all you are the universe and the universe is you, which is one of my base understanding s of how it all works.
This year the message and messenger has been a different one, as is the way of these things. For a start there have been several messages, and messengers, like a tricky puzzle that I am expected to put together.
This year the symbol was found with in some street art, only it was a word and a word that I wrote myself.
A wall had been painted with chalk paint stating " For 2014 I Wish" and chalk left so that passerbys could draw, write their wishes for 2014. I could feel the potential, the energy that was building up as people broke through their conditioning of ignoring the weird and unusual, to stepped forward write their wishes for 2014. A very powerful piece of urban magic indeed, the energy surrounding the wall was palpable. Without much thought, or room for doubts I allowed the energy to guide me and I picked up a piece of chalk and wrote Love, which is to say, For 2014 I Wish Love. I am a little perplexed by this word, did it mean a romantic love, because truth be told I am not looking for such things, not am I saying I am not looking in the hopes of finding anyway.. I really am a spinster and loving it.. I wonder what this wish for love all about? It will be something for me to ponder as the year progresses.
So how do you tell the difference? Sure that was some wall art that one of the local cafe/shops there had painted, probably to draw in customers, but also to let people be their own artist. What is it about it that makes it a symbol, or a sign? For me it 'feels' different, there is a magic in the air that you can run your fingers through, it can be powerful enough to make you hair stand on end, or subtle like candy floss floating on the wind, but it is there, and there is a sameness to how it feels every time, even though each time it is a different symbol, omen, message and lesson.
It was pointed out by a fellow Witch I was having lunch with on Saturday that often these types of messages can start out subtle, so much so that you often miss the first one, re the Blackbird as I stepped of a bus, but then over a shortish period of time they can become more obvious, especially when you are willfully ignoring them which we have a tendency to do when it the message is about the sorting out of the self. This can cause a large slap if you are not careful, so it is important to pay attention, even when you don't want to. But they if you wanted to obliviously carry on in the world, you would not of become a Witch right?
It is and can be difficult to tell the difference, between what is a an important message and what is a just a black bird going about his everyday business of feeding his chick. And because of this it can sometimes lead to becoming a little bit obsessed and a person can often end up thinking that everything is an good or bad omen, but will at little patents, and some practical thinking, you will get the hang of it. Omens and messages do not show up everyday all the time, as it would be a little overwhelming don't you think, and if you have stepped onto the path of service, what good is a priestess or priest going to be if they are constantly obsessed with finding the omen in everything. like the saying says sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
This being said you can often receive a series of messages, a bit like puzzle pieces. This year I received several symbols and messages over a short period of time, and to help understand what they were about I used drew an oracle card from the druid plant oracle and it was primrose. This card, along with the other messages and symbols was about becoming more active in creating the environment that I want to be in, so it is with that end in mind, that I will be holding discussion afternoons at my house once a month. And the very first topic up for discussion, you guessed it, Omens, signs messages, and symbols.


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U.S. stocks fell, erasing earlier gains, as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (CME:SPU13) failed to hold above its average level from the past 50 days and investors awaited a monthly jobs report and the start of corporate earnings.
DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE:DVA) tumbled 6.3% after the government proposed reducing payments to dialysis-center operators. Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ)slumped 3.2% after posting first-quarter earnings that trailed analysts' estimates. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F)and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF) added at least 2.9% amid optimism over sales. Zynga Inc. (NASDAQ:ZNGA)jumped 5.5% after naming a new chief executive officer.
The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% to 1,612.11 at 3:21 p.m. in New York, after rising as much as 0.6% earlier. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (CBOT:DC) dropped 67.35 points, or 0.5%, to 14,907.61. Trading in S&P 500 stocks was 5.7% below the 30-day average during this time of day.
"The market is trying to find some ability to hold in there," Jason Cooper, who helps oversee $2.5 billion in South Bend, Indiana, at 1st Source Investment Advisors, said in a phone interview. "It's going to take some actual data to come in to at least reassure investors that the economy is doing OK and people are getting jobs. Corporate America is going to be the important one right now. The Fed has pretty much said what they have to say and not rock the boat any more."
Stocks climbed earlier as factory orders topped estimates and the Federal Reserve's William Dudley reiterated that the central bank may prolong bond purchases if needed. The S&P 500 reversed gains after momentarily rising above its 50-day moving average near 1,624. The benchmark gauge also pared gains yesterday after briefly exceeding the technical level.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. cut its growth forecast for second-quarter U.S. gross domestic product by one-tenth to 1.7% after a slower-than-estimated expansion in manufacturing inventories.
Labor Report
Data tomorrow from the ADP Research Institute may indicate American companies increased employment in June. Investors will watch the monthly U.S. labor report later this week for further signs of economic strength. Employers in the U.S. probably created 165,000 jobs in June, almost the same as in the prior month, according to the median forecast of economists in a Bloomberg survey ahead of July 5 figures from the Labor Department. The unemployment rate probably fell to 7.5%, matching April's four-year low.
Alcoa Inc. will unofficially start the second-quarter earnings season after the market close on July 8, as the biggest U.S. aluminum producer becomes the first company in the Dow to report results. Profits from S&P 500 companies probably grew 2.4%, according to analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. That's down from a projected increase of 6.2% at the beginning of the quarter.
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


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BlackBerry 10 users get ready because a big update to the Twitter app for BlackBerry 10 lands today. Whether you're a heavy user, or just a fledgling Twitter fan– the update to Twitter version 10.2 brings new features and a refreshed design to improve the experience. For me personally, I love the new photo save option and the ability to add multiple accounts, so I can balance all of my Twitter personas in one convenient place.
Check out the list of highlighted features below and be sure to swing by BlackBerry World on your BlackBerry 10 device to download the updated app.
The new Twitter for BlackBerry 10 smartphones version 10.2 includes:
- Direct Message – Twitter 10.2 allows you to view, reply and send new Direct Messages right within the app.
- Improved Refresh – Improved refresh always maintains your current location in the timeline.
- Discover – Twitter 10.2 offers a new Discover page that delivers a stream of Tweets, accounts to follow and more. Simply pull to refresh or scroll to see more and discover even more fascinating people to follow. Plus the Activity page provides a view into what the people you are following are doing on Twitter including who they're following and what tweets they're favoriting.
- Photo Save – With Twitter 10.2 you can save pictures being shared on Twitter directly to your BlackBerry.
- Search Improvements – Now you can view your recent and saved searches and with Type Ahead, search suggestions are provided for you as text is entered in the search field.
- Refreshed UI – A wider timeline in all parts of the app provides a fresh new design and makes it easier to browse.
The Twitter experience on BlackBerry 10 keeps getting better and better with each update. Be sure to check it out for yourself and let the team know what you think of the update in the comments below.
The update is available as a free download from the BlackBerry World storefront and may take up to 24 hours to appear.


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Psychological Science
The primary goal of the Department of Psychological Science is to foster in students an understanding and appreciation of the scientific approach to describing and explaining behavior and mental processes. To this end, faculty members strive to provide opportunities for students to challenge generalizations, engage in objective thinking and observation, and employ the research methods necessary to establish a more complete understanding of mind and behavior.
Throughout the Psychological Science program, students are introduced to theoretical explanations and the associated empirical evidence. Additionally, students develop evalutation skills that allows them to critically analyze research methodolgies and their accompanying conclusions.
We expect that the knowledge and skills that students develop will serve them well as they consider their responsibilities to society and their role in the world.


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Welcome to my blog where I intend to explore my genealogical roots: connecting to the past, through research in the present, and sharing the knowledge for the future generations.
My journey began alongside my father, Wilfred West, in 1970 when he received two letters from the USA: one from Dorothy Anne West, a grand-daughter of James West and Sarah Ann Richardson, who had migrated from the English Fens to the United States in 1865, eventually settling in Lake County, Ohio; and the other from Randy Reynoldson, a descendant of Robert Reynoldson and Mary West who had migrated from Wisbech to Canada, before settling in Plum Creek, Nebraska in 1872. My father responded with what he knew – quite a lot as it happened, which is no doubt why his English based family had provided everyone with our address in New Zealand.
The following months were busy as Dad compiled all that he knew, drew huge trees, and corresponded with his new found cousins, sharing the knowledge gained during generations on both sides of the Atlantic, and being distilled together in the Southern Hemisphere. All the while I sat and watched, listened and absorbed, and began my lifetime genealogical journey (and obsession).
When Dad died in 1981 his papers, letters, photographs and charts were passed to me and I have continued to research our family history ever since. The journey has taken me around the world, to England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, the United States of America, and Australia; and through the internet to many other places as well. I have contacted many members of my extended family and to them I owe many debts - for without their knowledge I would not have been able to undertake this research. Their generosity of spirit and hospitality is much appreciated.
I often wonder what my father and his cousins would make of the family research world of today: from their world of writing letters, hand drawing charts and waiting (and waiting) for a reply before the cycle began again, to that we inhabit today - where writing an email often gets an almost instant reply; all our data goes into a research database and it draws the charts; those longed for records can be accessed on the desk in our own home; and we can even attend seminars from other parts of the world in our own lounge (or bed if it is too early in the morning or late at night).
I hope that my periodic blogs will inspire you to continue to do your research and provide you with some entertainment along the way.
I will leave you with a thought for the day: 'To know nothing of what happened before you were born is to remain a child' (Cicero, I Caesar).
© 2011, Maureen R West
All Rights Reserved


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Opinion: How to Lose the Battle Against ObamaCare
WSJ editorial board member Joe Rago on the push to defund ObamaCare, and who would be blamed in the case of a government shutdown. Photo: Associated Press
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... back to Opinion Journal I'm Mary Kissel there's a budget flight remained in the Washington ... and some Republican senators are saying ... they would rather de fund Obamacare in risk shutting down government ... than making a deal with the other side of politics ... here Senator Ted Cruz on Glenn Beck show earlier this week have a listen ... we spend together that when when the body ... but right now at the end ... we don't have enough Republicans then together we had sixty three Treaty did ... for Wall Street Journal Editorial board member Joe rego the Tories me now and show ... is this a serious idea that can really gain traction on Capitol Hill ... well it's it's Deathly a serious idea isn't going to work things the question in the answers likely now ... you know most opponents ... of the Affordable Care Act's or ... support this is an opening gambit ... you know something to get this on the agenda may extract some concessions but ... you know if you listen to ... Ted Cruz and Mike Lee and ... Marco Rubio has joined its effort to sort of ... add salt and set ... it absolved himself and his that I'm legit immigration seconds ... there are really not saying ... you know this this is the isthe cant that ... that they're saying ... this is the last chance we had to stop on Obamacare the ALM that because I wanted some into short-term is the argument here that ... if we don't define the Obamacare now ... people get hooked on the subsidies will be impossible to re form this program ... going for this or any validity to that argument for the war that that's deftly one scenario that could happen in practice you know get people ... hooked up to the intravenous drip of ... time on health care subsidies and Summly ... others not the intruders dependence of the program entitlements create their own constituencies ... and that said I'm not so sure that that's ... the only possibility ... the the other option ... is that this becomes a train wreck in practices Max Baucus put it who wrote the bill ... so I think a there there is still a chance ... to ... repeal ... replace substantially reform this program even even if he comes online next next year ... there were still a letter circulated into unbelief Harry Reid ... five GOP senators declined to sign and this was that the cruise might the efforts of laying out the strategy to put their names upon the screen ... I include some pretty big cancer marker Kelli I AHTSs ... what's the significance of these five saying what we didn't really mean this on the slider for The Wall that there's not a lot of flexibility ... I in in the Lee letter saying ... we will not fund ... we will fund all of the government except for the Affordable Care Act and that's the only thing will do ... and ... so they're they're really backing themselves into a corner and to really and and sister Gina feet up to the proponents of this plan ... you say ... well what happens when present Obama ... and Cindy knows the isthe is definitely a resolution that does not include funding for ... it is his signature Legacy Project ... and they they don't really have an answer so the government shuts down what's likely to happen and unveiled its plan for that if it goes to it that scenario plays out ... I think we know exactly who gets blamed for that it's the Republicans ... so it was what happens the Republicans they fracture ... BP did you know DC retrieve ... the ... somehow cobble together a coalition of of ... reasonable Republicans and Democrats to fund the government ... to not only do ... the proponents of this plan ... have failed in what they're promising that they can do ... of detail so that was scandal feckless so what is a better strategy chose to continue ... I'm trying to get bipartisan support to pick off ... parts of Obamacare that are so bad they need and Democrats don't support is that right when he wanted the that ... that that the best solution here is to go on a time machine back to two thousand twelve and win the election short of that they're only half measures you can do ... I think the lanes certain parts repeal and certain parts taking rifle shots we can have them ... that's a really good the the reality is that all the Republicans can do with one half of one branch of government go the polls next year ... and show voters everything it's blown up so far the tiny now he's ready found out last night that Congress is exempting itself from from from the requirement to join ... the Affordable Care Act ... so I e I think there's there are real opportunities here but but pursuing this ... is essentially flying airplane into the aircraft carrier of of the Affordable Care Act and Kayla let's hope Republicans take your advice Wall Street Journal it oral board member Joe rego ...


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The Top Ranked Memphis/Vancouver Grizzlies of All-Time
|Other Links > Basketball > Basketball Player Rankings by Franchise
The Top Ranked Memphis/Vancouver Grizzlies of All-Time
The ratings on this page comes from AinsworthSports.com's own rating system. The lower the rating the better.
Players had to complete at least one qualifying season to be included in this list.
A qualifying year is any year that a player participated in 75% of his teams games.
Player's ratings are penalized for every year under 6 qualifying years.
If a player played for more than one team in a season, than he is listed with franchise he played for the most that season.
[Home] [Updates] [Sports] [Upcoming/Recent Events] [Polls] [Contact Us] [Links] [Our Facebook Page] [Our Twitter Page]


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So it was my friend's grandsons ante birthday and he wanted a super hero squad cake. You know I have been "dabbling" in the cake decorating for a while and I knew I could pull this off so I offered to make his cake!
It was not really that hard. I use cereal treats for the buildings, and regular white cake with strawberry frosting in-between the layers for the base part of it.
So what do you think? Continue Reading →


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Congratulations goes to CFC Media Lab alumnus James Milward and the team at The Secret Location, as well as Shaw Media and Thunderbird Films as they have been nominated for an International Emmy! They have been nominated for best digital program (fiction) for Endgame Interactive: Facebook Episode. We wish you all the luck in winning the Emmy!
The awards ceremony will take place during MIPTV's Opening night festivities on Sunday, April 1, in Cannes at the Martinez Hotel. There are 12 nominees in 3 categories, Digital Program: Children & Young People; Digital Program: Fiction and Digital Program: Non-Fiction. The full list of Nominees from: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Sweden and the United Kingdom have been posted on the International Emmy Awards site.


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New Construction – Arlington
Shopping for new construction homes online can be difficult. Most sites including ours only show elevation photos unless the home has already been completely built. If you want to take the work out of finding new construction homes and neighborhoods then please feel free to call or write us anytime. We work with the builders to keep a list of all the completed construction. In other words, we'll do all the work for you! Call us: 972-468-7900
Hargrove Realty Group is New Home Construction certified and specializes in working with new home builders. We understand new builder contracts and how to represent the buyer. We can work with any new home builder and already have working relationships with all the alliance partners listed below.
Alliance Partners:
Ashton Woods, Beazer, Bloomfield, Calatlantic, Craig Ranch Texas, Darling, David Weekly, Drees, DR Horton, Gehan, Grand Homes, Highland Homes, K. Hovnanian, Lennar, Mainvue, Megatel, Plantation, Toll Brothers and Windsor.
Click any link below to search new construction by city:
Allen – Arlington – Carrollton – Celina – Coppell – Dallas – Flower Mound – Frisco – Irving – Lewisville
Little Elm – McKinney – Murphy – Plano – Prosper – Richardson – Rockwall – Sachse – The Colony – Wylie
Don't forget to check out our Top 10 Tips for Buying New Construction Page for tips and tricks on purchasing new construction homes.
Copyright 2017 Keller Williams® Realty, Inc. All information on this site is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Opportunity Housing Provider. Each office is independently owned and operated.


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'Tis the season to get holiday gifts for NL clubs
A spirit of generosity pervades this time of year, and most of us have the credit-card statements to prove it.
As the December debt accumulates, let's get swept up in that spirit, take a brief gander at each of MLB's 30 clubs and offer up a holiday gift to assist their efforts in the coming New Year.
A spirit of generosity pervades this time of year, and most of us have the credit-card statements to prove it.
As the December debt accumulates, let's get swept up in that spirit, take a brief gander at each of MLB's 30 clubs and offer up a holiday gift to assist their efforts in the coming New Year.
The National League is first in line. We'll address the American League on Thursday:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Something from the top shelf. No, no, not a bottle of Bombay Sapphire. A top-shelf starting pitcher. The D-backs, burned by their inability to keep pace with the Dodgers last season, are venturing toward a new franchise record for player payroll, and they've already upgraded the middle of their order with Mark Trumbo's booming bat. But they still need a veteran option atop the rotation, and they appear willing to dole out the dollars or prospects (not named Archie Bradley) to land the right one. They don't, however, seem eager to commit long term to Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez or Matt Garza.
Atlanta Braves: Any team with the ability to replace a 17-year-old stadium with a brand-new suburban palace is inherently hard to shop for. So what do you do with people who are hard to shop for? Well, gift cards, of course. Perhaps the MLB Labor Relations Department sells gift cards for arbitration hearings, because the Braves have run into a cluster of costly cases this offseason, most prominently with Craig Kimbrel. Because he's such a special case, Kimbrel's salary could very well climb to a level more than 10 times what he made in 2013 ($625,000).
Chicago Cubs: A firm, unmovable, unalterable start date for the Wrigleyville renovation project, devoid of any further design meetings or rooftop-owner legalese or City Council meetings. Because the sooner the Cubs can get things going on the business end, the sooner we can stop speculating about a Jeff Samardzija trade or prospect timetables and start anticipating a real comeback for the Cubbies.
Cincinnati Reds: They need a new leadoff hitter, now that their old one is officially $130 million richer elsewhere and given that it's an open question as to whether Billy Hamilton has the plate patience to succeed in the role (alas, you can't steal first base). They also need a suitable solution to the Brandon Phillips problem. In a perfect world, the Yankees would have eagerly embraced the $50 million remaining on Phillips' contract. As it stands, we'll make a wish that Phillips and the Reds find proper peace this holiday season, lest a disgruntled second baseman become a profoundly disruptive one.
Colorado Rockies: Some kind of assurance from the baseball gods that Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Justin Morneau and Brett Anderson will be able to stay on the field all season. Because if they can -- and given their respective histories, it's a big "if" -- you actually don't have to squint too hard to see the Rox making noise in the NL West.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Juan Uribe's return on a two-year deal means Hanley Ramirez will remain at short, which means the Dodgers' need for a defensive-minded second-base option is as glaring than ever. With Mark Ellis gone, options such as Alexi Casilla, Elliot Johnson, Robert Andino, Cesar Izturis and Chris Getz remain unsigned. It's unclear whether Cuban import Alexander Guerrero is ready for prime time, and the Dodgers have been particularly tight-lipped about their plans for him.
Miami Marlins: A return to health and normalcy for Giancarlo Stanton, because, with Stanton in the lineup and Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick and Marcell Ozuna on the rise, the Marlins have the makings of, potentially, one of the league's more dynamic outfields. Pair it with an up-and-coming pitching staff centered around Jose Fernandez, and the Fish are not nearly as far off as some might assume.
Milwaukee Brewers: They need a first baseman, obviously, and they'll continue to try to find common ground with the Mets on an Ike Davis trade and continue to hope Hunter Morris blossoms as an in-season option. But in order for the Brewers to take their best step forward in 2014, let's put forth a holiday wish that Ryan Braun finds the guts and the grace to face and address the hard questions and the hard receptions coming his way and still find a way to produce at an elite level.
New York Mets: A shortstop to ensure that Ruben Tejada is not guaranteed 600 at-bats, because that's the most obvious hole glaring on a Mets team that should be considerably improved in 2014. The D-backs have depth at the position, so perhaps there's a trade fit to be had there, if Stephen Drew is as bleak a free-agent possibility as assumed. In the meantime, let's also gift a year's supply of salmon for Curtis Granderson. He seems to love that stuff.
Philadelphia Phillies: A taker for Jonathan Papelbon and the $26 million (or, possibly, $39 million, given that he has an attainable vesting option) remaining on his contract. Certainly, somebody must be in need of such a swell-looker in the 'pen. Who could say no to a face like that?
Pittsburgh Pirates: A phone call from A.J. Burnett, saying he has gotten over the Game 5 snub and is willing to sign on for one season very much below market value, if only to save the Pirates from counting too much on Edinson Volquez making a Francisco Liriano-like return to prominence.
San Diego Padres: A contract extension with Chase Headley that adequately addresses his triumph of 2012 and his train wreck of '13 in a manner that satiates both sides and, most importantly, allows the rest of us to go at least a week without hearing his name in trade rumors. The Padres have, relatively quietly, had a really solid offseason, and establishing an identity centered around Headley would be a nice next step.
San Francisco Giants: They've already signed Tim Hudson and Michael Morse to potential bounce-back deals and re-signed Hunter Pence, Tim Lincecum and Javier Lopez. Really not much left to do here. But the problem facing the Giants is that Pablo Sandoval is one year away from free agency, and I'm guessing he's taken note of some of those colossal contracts doled out this winter. Let's gift the Giants a productive sitdown with the Panda in which an extension is hammered out over a zesty low-calorie chicken dinner.
St. Louis Cardinals: Uh, let's see here. They've upgraded offensively at shortstop. They've improved their depth and balance. They've improved their outfield defense. They've improved their second-base and third-base defense. They've extended their manager. They've got a mountain of pitching depth, as well as one of the most highly touted prospects in all of baseball in Oscar Taveras. They've been to the playoffs 10 times in the past 14 years and the World Series three times in the last seven. Sorry, Cardinals, I'm completely out of ideas for gifts for you. Enjoy the fruitcake.
Washington Nationals: Another club that's had an aggressive and efficient offseason that leaves it with only minor holes. So in lieu of a gift, let's simply offer a wish that Bryce Harper continues to play the game with all the fascinating fervor that makes him great without the physical toll that too often results. We'll throw in new kneepads to enable the cause.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his columns and follow him on Twitter at @Castrovince.


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Steps to Enroll
Thank you for your interest in the Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management degree program.
You may have already begun some of the steps to become an active student, but let us re-cap the process for you.
- Complete and submit a CPCC Admission form at any CPCC campus or online. Indicate your program of interest. For Culinary Arts, use program code A55150; for Hospitality Management, A25110.
- Apply for financial aid.
- Request your High School and Post Secondary Degree transcripts and have them mailed to: Director of Admissions, CPCC, P.O Box 35009, Charlotte NC 28235-5009.
- Take ACCUPLACER tests at the Testing Center (if needed). http://www.cpcc.edu/testing_assessment/placement-testing). The ACCUPLACER tests are waived for individuals with degree transcripts on file in their student records. (See the website for details.)
- Once the ACCUPLACER test are complete, meet with an academic counselor to discuss your test scores. Satisfactory placement test scores are prerequisites for our courses. Placement test scores will affect the length and cost of your program at CPCC.
- All needed developmental studies courses must be completed prior to beginning CUL, HRM prefix courses.
- Sign up and attend an orientation and advising session at www.cpcc.edu/getstarted/curriculum, step. 7.
- Once you are coded into your program, contact a Hospitality Education program chair for scheduling and advisement.
- Registration: EVERY STUDENT, EACH SEMESTER MUST SEE THEIR FACULTY ADVISOR PRIOR TO THEIR REGISTRATION PERIOD, TO HAVE THEIR RECORDS EVALUATED, AND THEIR NEXT SEMESTER'S CLASSES APPROVED ONLINE IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR CULINARY AND HRM CLASSES. (ANY CLASS WITH A CUL, HRM PREFIX)
After completing the preceding steps, call for a face to face meeting:
Chef Rob Marilla, CEC, Culinary Arts - 704.330.6341
Richard Spellman, CHE, CFBE, FMP, MBA, Hospitality Management - 704.330.6669


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Kenwood KW-V51BT
The KW-V51BT is a 7" Touch Screen Monitor Bluetooth/DVD/USB Multimedia Receiver system. Using optional cables, the diverse system can display most apps from connected MHL compatible Android smart phones, iPhone 5 devices, and up to 20 apps for iPhone 4 and 4s devices ranging from Navigation, to Driving, to Music Streaming Services. Compatible iPhone 4 and 4s apps can be controlled as well. The receiver is also SiriusXM Ready, iHeartRadio compatible, Pandora Compatible, and has Built-In Bluetooth Wireless Technology.
7-inch WVGA Monitor
Touch Panel
Customizable GUI
MOS-FET 50W x 4
Bluetooth Wireless Technology Built-In including HD Voice (HPF 1.6)*1


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Category Archives: Myrtle Beach Real Estate For Sale
How to Choose the Right Listing Agent
Most listing agents are truthful and will help you set the correct price, sell the house professionally, review the prospective buyers and skillfully negotiate and close the deal. However, as with any other profession, there are some rotten apples out there. That's why you should know how to choose the right listing agent for your Myrtle Beach real estate for sale. A good listing agent has extensive experience in the business with recent sales and can do everything they can to strike a balance between optimism and realism. You will be expected to pay a significant amount of money for the agent's services, so you owe it to yourself to find the right listing agent. Here are tips to help you pick the right agent:
1. Do Your Homework
First of all, you need to conduct some research and learn what qualifications a good listing agent should have. There are a number of certifications and organizations you need to watch for on an agent's CV. These include Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), which shows that the agent has undertaken and completed courses pertaining buyer representation and will therefore, aim to safeguard your best interests while negotiating the sales price, mortgage loans and any other aspects of selling and buying a home. Any honors awarded to the realtor are an added advantage. Of course, your listing agent should have a valid license and must have completed the necessary training before going into business.
2. Watch Out For Subtle Red Flags
There are a number of bad signs everyone needs to watch out for when choosing a listing agent. Certain red flag warnings mean an agent may not be a good choice.
- If you are selling your house and the agent immediately states the highest price, that's a warning sign. If they set a price that is too high, it could take much longer to find a buyer and a professional realtor would never do this.
- A part-time agent is certainly not a good choice. This is because they are likely to be less experienced and less committed to their work.
- If the realtor does not usually sell the kind of home you are selling, look elsewhere. You need to work with someone who can take care of your individual needs.
- Do not choose anyone who does not typically sell to people who buy property in your price category. Since they are usually paid on commission, some agents are more likely to concentrate on wealthier buyers. If the agent normally deals with high-rise buildings and you are selling a modest home, you may want to look for another agent who deals with the specific kind of home you are selling.
3. Contact a Few Agents for an Interview and Ask Tough Questions
Before picking an agent, conduct a number of interviews with prospective agents. Ask some tough questions to get a good idea of whether a certain agent is reliable. You should make sure the agent is familiar with your community. However, the agent with the highest number of signs in your area may not necessarily be the best choice. A potential agent should give you good advice about the condition of the home and the sales price. Do they want you to sell your home quickly or are they asking you to put a sign in front of your home to alert buyers? You need to prepare a set of questions before your start interviewing any prospective agents.
4. Find out Who They Are Working For
You stand to benefit greatly if you ask potential realtors whose interests they will protect during the sales process. You want to hire someone who will safeguard your interests only – and not someone who will suggest dual agency just to increase their commission.
5. Ask For the Right Contract
It is advisable to request for a 90-day contract with your agent. In case your agent turns out to be good, you can always renew the contract. Otherwise, you can look elsewhere without wasting your time with a dubious agent. Find out if the agent is willing to offer a short-term contract before signing any agreement.
How to Purchase a Home and Not Go Crazy
Purchasing a home is an exciting process but can be stressful, too. When purchasing a house, there is certainly a lot to enjoy and look forward to, but there are also some tasks involved that could leave you frustrated. Here, we've compiled some practical tips on how to take stress out of the home buying process:
1. Know What You Want
A real estate agent is not a mind reader, and therefore, you need to know exactly what you want. Otherwise, you are going to waste too much time looking at homes that do not suit your specific needs. If you have a detailed account of what you want in an ideal home, then it will be easy to identify such a house as there are so many options available when it comes to Myrtle Beach real estate for sale. Prioritize your needs and determine which amenities or features you can forgo. Let's say, you are looking for a house with a remodeled kitchen, a master bathroom, four bedrooms, a stunning balcony and a swimming. While you may not find a home with all these specifications at your desired places, that doesn't necessarily mean you can't find a home with most of these things on your list. Pick the most important features before you start looking at Myrtle Beach real estate for sale.
2. Stay Organized
To get approved for a mortgage loan, you will be required to share every aspect of your personal finances. You will need to organize your documents first. These include forms that reflect your assets, taxable income, rent payments, and other important financial statements. Before you start your house hunting venture, get your documents organized and stay as organized as possible throughout the process.
3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Loan
Financing a home is often stressful. You may feel that getting approved for a home loan doesn't have to be complicated, but after checking your financial situation and credit report, a credit provider may change their mind. It is always best to get pre-approved for a loan before you start bidding on homes. If you were impressed by a house only to discover later that you are ineligible for a mortgage loan, it could be really disappointing. You can save yourself a great deal of stress and heartache by taking control of your financial situation. In addition, some agents and sellers decide to work only with prospective homebuyers who have been preapproved for a mortgage loan.
4. Set a Budget
The costs of purchasing a home can amount to a significant sum especially if you are not ready, as there are a range of costs other than the property's asking price. Therefore, note down all the expected costs to avoid frustrations. These include solicitor and surveyor fees, along with amounts for applying for a mortgage loan. Collectively, these can result in a staggering sum, and bear in mind that you will most likely need to spend some money on the home before moving in.
5. Work with a Knowledgeable Agent
Find a professional real estate agent to work with. Home buying is a huge financial commitment that involves a lot of emotions. It is important to get a realtor who is highly experienced and a good overall fit for your personality. Go online and read agent reviews to see what their past clients are saying about their experiences regarding realtor knowledge, expertise, responsiveness and more.
Purchasing a house should be an exciting time for you. If you prepare well, stay organized and work with a real estate agent who is ready to take care of your interests, then you can take stress out of the home buying process.
How to Get Yourself Ready for Homeownership
Homeownership is a big decision, and a home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make in your life. If you are planning to buy a home or invest in real estate for the first time, it is important to get yourself ready for homeownership. Here are the steps that you should take to help you become a homeowner without a hitch.
1. Do Enough Research
Be sure to do your research before you start looking at Myrtle Beach real estate for sale. Come up with a list of specific features that you would like to have in your home and determine the most important ones to you.
2. Get Your Credit Report in Order
When looking to make a huge investment like buying a new home, it is important to obtain copies of your annual credit report and get a credit score. Evaluate your credit report, ensuring that all the information is accurate and check your credit score. Keep in mind that your credit score will affect the rate of interest you are most likely to receive. If your credit score is poor, you should consider repairing your credit before buying a home.
3. Determine the Amount of Money to Spend On Your Home Purchase
If you are happy with your credit report and credit score, determine how much money you want to spend on your home purchase. To do this, it is important to take a realistic look at your finances, determining the amount of money you are ready to pay as down payment, and the amount you can afford to pay on a monthly basis. Once that information is ready, you should determine which type of home you can realistically buy. Remember that there are some other costs involved in home ownership (including maintenance and property management) that you will have to consider.
4. Arrange Your Financial Information
The next step is to organize your financial records to help you get your mortgage loan approved in full and on time. Most mortgage lenders will want to check your previous year tax returns, the latest statements and other relevant financial details. Keep all these details readily available, probably in a home purchase folder, to ensure they are readily available when the time comes.
5. Find a Good Mortgage Lender
Before you search for your dream home, you need to look for a good mortgage lender. Ask friends, family and colleagues for their recommendations. If you have enough time, find out which mortgage companies offer the best rates. Remember some mortgage companies provide special incentives for first-time home buyers. Once you find the best company for your needs, ask for preapproval before you make the offer to purchase a home. This will help you have confidence that you will get the house you desire once your offer is accepted.
6. Get professional assistance
When looking at Myrtle Beach Real Estate for Sale, it is important to seek professional help from a qualified realtor. Unlike a listing agency, which acts as a seller's representative, the duty of a realtor is to work for you. In most cases, buyer's representatives are paid out of the seller's commission so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose!
Is Your Home Ready to Sell?
Selling a home fast and for the best possible price is the goal of anyone looking to sell their house. To achieve that goal, you need much more than luck alone. It requires proper planning and some effort to realize that dream. There is stiff competition in the Myrtle Beach real estate market so you need to be clear and ready to get noticed. Here are some important points to help you get your home ready to sell quickly and for the best price possible:
1. Disassociate Yourself from the House
First of all, it is important to detach yourself from the home, which will soon no longer be your property. You need to depersonalize all possessions that can be associated with you. Set your mind free and accept the fact that that home will no longer be yours. Imagine handing over the house keys and other important details to the new owners. It is important for the prospective buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in that home instead of thinking about your new situation whenever they see your possessions.
2. De-Clutter
People gather a significant amount of junk. If you no longer use it, consider donating it or even throwing it away. Get rid of all old books from the house and pack up those knickknacks. Clear off everything and arrange essential items in a small box. Consider these tasks as a starting point of the parking you will ultimately need to do. By de-cluttering your house, you make it more organized and more spacious, creating the impression that that house is in good condition.
3. Set the Mood with Proper Lighting
Replace those white light bulbs with soft, flattering wattage that provokes a comfortable, yet inviting feel while hiding any small blemishes. Select bulbs that produce red and yellow tones.
4. Rearrange the Furniture
Those precious things should not be left on the display because they give a personal feel to the room and you may find yourself in an awkward situation when you try to explain to prospective buyers that they are not for sale. Buyers will always want to look around and might open cabinets and other areas. Consider the message you would be conveying if things start falling out. You'll want to ensure that everything is properly organized, because this shows that you take proper care of the home.
5. Do Some Repairs Where Necessary
It is important to do a thorough inspection of the house to assess the necessary repair work, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen. This is a crucial step because there are some buyers who are choosy regarding the proper maintenance of such places. Make sure there is nothing like leaky faucets or clogged sinks.
6. Make the Home Sparkle
Next, put your house in pristine condition. Clear cobwebs, clean the windows, polish the mirrors and wipe out any dirt on surfaces as necessary. You may also want to ask your realtor to help you create a list of home improvements that will entice potential buyers. Everything should be done properly before the first showing. It is advisable to show your house once all the improvements have been properly done and completed.
7. Scrutinize
Imagine you are a potential buyer or investor and start scrutinizing the house from the front door. Check whether the house looks and feels warm and inviting. Repeat this process from the entrance of each room. Reorganize furniture if necessary.
8. Determine the Asking Price
Last but not least, check the pricing of Myrtle Beach Real Estate for Sale. Ask your real estate agent for full details on similar properties, which have been sold in your community in recent times. Then price your property, accordingly. No matter the reason, prospective buyers will ignore any homes that seem to be overpriced. Avoid setting a very high price at first and then reducing it later. If you want a quick sale for top dollar, make your house sparkle with curb appeal, and set the right price!
In this age of increasing competition in the real estate market, it is important to prepare your home and present it in the most desirable manner if you want to sell it quickly and for a good price. If you want to learn more about getting your home ready for sale, consider tips, strategies and guidelines on Myrtle Beach Real Estate for Sale. Following the right steps will help you sell your house successfully and for a good price.
Mortgage Companies Friend or Foe
Candy Making the decision to purchase real estate is an exciting time, but it is often stressful as well, as it is most likely the most significant and expensive investment you'll ever make. It is, therefore, important to do your homework and to seek professional advice so you can make informed decisions.
Finding a loan can be an overwhelming process because of the many options available to you. Therefore, it is important to do your homework to find the best deal for you. However, if you are still in doubt, it is advisable to work with a mortgage broker.
Borrowers sometimes consider mortgage brokers to be their friends, searching everywhere for the right mortgage loan at a temptingly low rate. However, many brokers tend to disagree. They are fighting any efforts by the authorities to impose fiduciary duties on them in order to make their customer's needs a priority just like other professionals.
So what are the pros of enlisting a mortgage broker?
Firstly, Using a mortgage broker can save you time, effort and money as they can do they hard work for you. For instance, they will do research for you, compare different rates and companies and even negotiate the mortgage on your behalf, allowing you to secure the right loan for your needs and circumstances.
Secondly, they are specialists in their field and are most likely to get you the best deal possible. They enjoy regular contact with various lenders, many of whom you might not know about.
Thirdly, your broker can find a lenient broker to give you a loan even if you were denied one before. Different lenders have varying credit policies so a reputable broker will be keen to take advantage of this fact.
Are there any cons?
With pros, there are usually cons, and mortgage brokers are no exception. To start with, it is important to bear in mind that they do not enjoy access to all lenders. Therefore, you need to find out yourself that the loan they are recommending is appropriate and competitive.
Secondly, many brokers will not work with credit providers who are reluctant to pay commissions. This means that you may be missing out on a good deal. Also, some brokers may choose a loan for you simply because they enjoy working with a certain lender that pays a higher commission.
How to Find the Best Mortgage Rates and Companies to Work With
To protect yourself, a great way is to shop for loans from a number of credit providers and then find out if the broker can get you a better deal. When looking for mortgage companies, be sure to ask some tough questions first. Make sure that the broker will put your interests first.
Secondly, find out if the broker is registered with a reputable industry organization. Be aware if they don't belong to any professional association as this may mean they are dubious.
Find out the number of lenders they deal with. It is highly recommended to choose a broker with a variety of credit providers so you don't miss out on some great deals.
Find out what fees they charge their customers. Make sure there are no hidden fees and that you know beforehand and in writing what charges you are going to incur.
Talk to family, friends and colleagues. Check whether they have worked with a certain mortgage company in the past. Find out what their experience was like and if their overall expectations were met.
Buying a home is a huge decision, so it is important do enough research. A mortgage company can save you time, stress and money and can find you the best deal for you, but you need to do your homework and find out if you are getting a good deal. Once you find your dream loan, it's high time to invest in Myrtle Beach Real Estate for Sale. Whether you want to buy your first home, refinance, relocate to a new place, or invest in real estate, Myrtle Beach has homes in every price category and everything to offer for potential home buyers.


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Editor's Summary
Taxonomies have expanded from browsing aids to the foundation for automatic classification. Early auto-classification methods grouped documents having similar collections of words, but current software can provide far greater accuracy. Text-mining tools can spot recognizable entities as potential taxonomy terms or top-level categories. Developing a taxonomy further to coordinate with auto-classification software requires appreciation of how the software works, whether it uses an approach based on lexical analysis, rules for word co-occurrence or machine learning with predictive analysis. The taxonomy model is typically hierarchical with term specificity dictated by the end user's need for detail. Synonyms and variants are redirected to the term for classification. The classification tool must be configured to be consistent with the typical document format and style of the collection. Testing the classification scheme, critical to reveal inaccuracies and omissions, is an iterative process expanding from a stable test set to validation on a large corpus before final implementation.
index language construction
automatic classification
computer software applications
Bulletin, December 2012/January 2013
Special Section
Building a Taxonomy for Auto-classification
by Wendi Pohs
Welcome to the second decade of online taxonomy construction and maintenance!
In the early days of online taxonomies, our focus was primarily on navigation. We were using online taxonomies to improve the browsing experience on websites, and occasionally, when good metadata was available, we used taxonomies to improve search. But weve come a long way since then, and our focus has changed. We now build taxonomies to support auto-classification systems.
The early efforts are exemplified by the categories you see on e-commerce websites like eBay or Amazon; these sites include high-level, general-to-specific categories that allow users to drill down, or navigate, to exactly the product they need.
When we started creating online taxonomies, auto-classification was in its infancy, and the software was not really reliable yet. There was a huge disconnect between the high-level structure of a navigational taxonomy and the data requirements of auto-classification software.
More often than not, early auto-classification software seemed to be overly ambitious. Many early attempts involved clustering techniques that were used to collect documents that included similar bags of words. The most unique words often occurred at the very specific detail level, so the clusters tended not to make sense on their own. They required a suitably descriptive, higher-level label.
But technology has evolved, and we are in a different situation today. With the advent of sophisticated content analytics techniques, entity extraction is increasingly reliable, and we now routinely use proper noun entities, as well as noun phrases, to enhance our classification schemes.
Taxonomy building has also changed as a result of these advances in entity and phrase extraction techniques. When we build taxonomies now, we still work to create descriptive high-level categories, but we also work to accurately associate the lower-level entities with the higher-level categories weve created. We provide an overview of this taxonomy building process here, although each step in the process really deserves an article in its own right.
Entities and Text Mining
Entities are phrases that identify people, places and things that are easily recognized by content analytics software. Entities are often recognized by specific patterns in text. Place names are good examples of entities, but entities can also be based on lists of terms that already exist, such as programming languages (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Screenshot from the OpenCalais entity viewer, which shows a set of entities highlighted within text
Entities often supply the best evidence for identifying higher-level taxonomy tags, and text-mining tools are now very adept at identifying entities in content. Youll likely use text-mining tools at varying points in your taxonomy development cycle.
For example, you might want to use a text miner to identify product names in your content. In this case, your highest-level taxonomy category would be Product, and you would likely also have a metadata tag, possibly called MyCompanysProducts, that is associated with your content. The values for the MyCompanysProducts tag are drawn from the terms in the Product taxonomy. You might also include second level categories that describe product types.
If your taxonomy supports a high-tech site, your secondary tags could be Software Products, or Open Source Software, followed by specific product names, like Lucene. You probably wouldnt include the high-level terms as actual values in your metadata tags, since they are too general, but you would include them in your taxonomy so that you can identify what kind of thing the entity is.
Most text-mining tools provide information about how many of each type of entity they find. If, for example, you run a subset of your content through a text-mining tool and see many specific Product names identified, you can assume that Product will be a good high-level descriptive category.
Text miners can often identify phrases, and these phrases are useful during the early taxonomy design. If you see many phrases that describe specific activities around a subject area, for example, programming, software engineering, coding or software testing in your content, then Software Development is a good candidate value for a Subject or Topic tag. Youll also use these phrases later, as synonyms, so the auto-classification tools pick up term variants in your content.
A Basic Methodology
No matter which tool you use, you should follow this basic methodology when building your taxonomy.
- Understand the auto-classification technique that your tool uses.
- Create a taxonomy model.
- Test your classification.
Your final step describes the way your classification will be used, and this step comes down to cases. If you use your classified content to drive a faceted search user interface (UI), for example, youd add an additional step to test your classification in the context of the new UI.
Understanding Auto-categorization Techniques
Understanding how the various auto-classification products work is key to building an effective taxonomy for categorization. Most focus on one technique, with secondary support for the others, and the best products provide a hybrid approach.
Auto-classification products rely on a good classification model. The model includes the high-level categories, or tags, that will be associated with content and also defines the evidence, or rules, that determine when these tags will be applied. The tools for collecting and analyzing the evidence differentiate the products.
You can often judge the strength of any vendors approach by looking at the richness of its taxonomy management offering. Look at the tools that are provided to help you create your classification and also at the tools that are provided to help you test your taxonomy. Thee tools are essential, but they vary widely by vendor, and robust test tools often indicate a more robust product.
The tools vary in terms of the amount of maintenance required to create an accurate classification. All of the techniques require a good amount of up-front design work and ongoing testing and maintenance. No auto-classification tool is perfect, but software classification is always more consistent than human categorizers.
Linguistic/Lexical Tools. Tools that concentrate primarily on a lexical approach will have the richest taxonomy management functionality. Lexical tools let you gather and rank representative words and phrases that are associated with the concepts to be classified; these tools allow you to identify the keywords and phrases the way they occur within the text.
You rely heavily on identifying synonyms and term variants when you use the lexical tools, since you want to identify the various ways that important concepts appear in your content. Often you dont want to identify only exact phrases, but also words that appear in the same sentence. Products often provide settings that help.
Figure 2. Smartlogics Ontology Manager allows you to specify whether you want its auto-classifier to look for exact phrases or phrase variants in text.
Lexical tools require a great deal of initial up-front analysis and a very iterative development and testing cycle. You will add terms, synonyms and new rules as you notice different occurrences of the important phrases in your content.
Rules-based Tools. Rules-based tools provide a rich syntax that you use to control the way the evidence in the taxonomy will be used to add tags to text. As with lexical tools, explicit rules can be used to indicate that you want words to appear in the same sentence, rather than only as a phrase.
But rules are often used to identify words and phrases that should not be used as evidence. Rules-based systems also allow you to compare more than one lexical construct to provide an additional level of control over the classification. They can be used to tell the difference between, or disambiguate, similar terms or entities that appear in your taxonomy.
For example, there is a Will Smith who plays American football for the New Orleans Saints, and there is also Will Smith, the actor. If the entity Will Smith appears in a sentence, the evidence would indicate that the content could be categorized as either Entertainment or Sports. But if the title Men in Black also appears in the same sentence, the sentence is more likely talking about Will Smith the actor and should be classified as Entertainment. Rules allow you to compare the entities and make the appropriate tagging determination.
Right now, there is no common syntax for developing rules; the syntax varies from tool to tool. Rules syntax ranges from the kind of Boolean syntax that is usually associated with search engines to the more complex syntax more commonly used in programming languages. Because of this lack of consistency, the people who create and maintain these rules will have a more specialized skill set and will require more training.
Machine Learning and Predictive Analysis Techniques. Machine learning and predictive analysis techniques are interesting because they often initially appear to be less manual-labor-intensive than the other approaches. Although many of these systems claim that they are not using taxonomies on the back end, they are still identifying and classifying phrases and entities.
These tools take advantage of the same content analysis and text-mining techniques that taxonomists use to enrich classification schemes, but their models are more complex than a traditional taxonomy structure. And these systems rely on iteration to continuously validate the models they use. Again, you may not create a traditional hierarchical taxonomy to support machine-learning systems, but you will create taxonomies that these systems can use for reference. You might also select representative document sets to train these systems.
Maintenance of machine learning systems always involves repeated training, especially when you add new content. You will also help revise the larger machine-learning model as you learn more about your content.
Create a Taxonomy Model
Designing a model for auto-classification is similar to but not exactly the same as designing a taxonomy for manual indexing or navigation. Like more traditional taxonomy construction, both top-down and bottom-up analysis is required, and knowledge of the content to be classified is key.
Typically, you figure out how you want to organize your taxonomy, and then you build it out. You do this task by deciding on the general categories first and then adding more specific terms within each category later. Your model can be hierarchical, and, as we said above, you typically associate the highest-level terms with the actual metadata tag names.
Youll want to figure out the level of specificity of the terms to include in your tags. Do you want to tag major mentions only, or do you need to include every occurrence of a Product name? Again, there might be many terms in your taxonomy that are used as evidence and not as actual values that appear in your metadata tags.
Figure 3. A Product hierarchy, including the general Software Development and Open Source Software terms and the very specific Lucene product name.
Youll often import terms from existing sources or use an existing taxonomy as a basis for your model for auto-classification. But while taxonomies that are used for manual indexing or for navigation can usually accommodate poly-hierarchy, your auto-classification taxonomy model should avoid it. Using the same term as evidence for two separate categories will lower the accuracy in each.
Figure 4. Software Development as a term in a taxonomy that will be used for auto-classification. Note that the traditional Use For relationship type is used to indicate term variants that the auto-classifier will use to find evidence in text.
Test Your Classification
Testing your classification is the most important step in the process. Language is imprecise, no matter what subject area your taxonomy covers, and you will be surprised (and often amused) by some of the mistakes an automatic tool can make. You will want to use the test tool to look for inaccurate tags, but you will also want to look for tag omissions.
Collect a Document Set. Its useful to collect a set of documents that you use over and over as you test. If you use the same document set for each test, you can easily track the impact of any changes you make. Since you eventually add content to this set, you can re-test and see how your classification performs as your content changes.
Configure Your Auto-classification Tool. Your configuration will depend on the tool you use, and it will usually require some support from your IT department, but you will want to have a basic knowledge of the default rules it will use to do its job. If your tool is basing its classification decisions on words that occur within sentence boundaries, for example, youll want to be sure that your content includes sentence boundaries that the tool will understand.
Figure 5. Using Smartlogics Classification Server Test UI to see which terms from your taxonomy will be tagged in text. You can see that the term Lucene, a term that exists in the taxonomy, was important enough to be tagged, based on the classifications servers configuration.
Iteration is key to the testing process, since minor changes in your taxonomy often have major impacts on your classification. No taxonomy is ever really complete, but you will want to understand when your classification is ready to be put into production.
So again, welcome to the brave new world of taxonomy development for auto-classification. While this new methodology has a bit more in common with software development than it does with traditional library science, the outcome is much more satisfying, and you will put your information management skills to good, practical use.
Wendi Pohs is a principal at InfoClear Consulting (www.infoclearonline.com/). She can be reached at wpohs<at>infoclearonline.com.
Articles in this Issue
Taxonomies in Practice Introduction
Evaluating Classification Schema and Classification Decisions
Case Study: Developing the PLOS Thesaurus
Building User Experiences: Synchronizing User Experience Design and the Supporting Metadata and Taxonomy Infrastructure
Indexing Electronic Medical Records Using a Taxonomy
Building a Taxonomy for Auto-classification
Building Controlled Vocabularies for Metadata Harmonization
President's Page: Diane Sonnenwald
President's Page: Andrew Dillon
IA: On What Assumptions Do You Base Your Thinking? Contextual Challenges and Strategic Possibilities
RDAP: Digital Curation Postdoctoral Fellowship - The Hybrid Role of Data Curator


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The True Deceivers have been developing their own blend of rootsy folk rock/Americana since their formation in 2003. Former Blazing Homesteads Nick Bliss (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals), Dee Coley (bass) and the late and sadly missed Mark Mitchell (fiddle) were joined by former Plenty frontman Graham Firth (vocals, guitar) and Jamie Legg (drums) and have since become favourites on Surrey music scene and regulars at festivals including Guilfest, Weyfest, Haslemere and Bearded Theory. Chris "Spud" Edwards joined the band on fiddle at the start of 2013Since 2012 the True Deceivers have reverted to their full electric line-up, which they had temporarily swapped for a more stripped-down acoustic sound following Mark's untimely death in 2009. 2012 also saw the long-awaited release of the band's second album, Hell or High Water, which built on the critically-acclaimed song writing and vocal harmonies of their 2007 debut Lies We Have Told.
The latest album Hell Or High Water was released on 1 September 2012. To listen to a preview of all tracks from the album go to our MySpace site (www.myspace.com/truedeceivers). And you can buy it here.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE BAND: email@example.com Tel: Graham on 07917-162040


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The folks at AWS have listened to users. Many users of S3, the Simple Storage Service, have been serving up web assets directly from S3 as if it were a CDN. This works reasonably well in that S3 is scalable and can sustain high request rates. But it also has its limitations, and lack of geographic replication is one of them in the context of CDN use. So offering a true solution to getting web content rapidly to browsers across the world is most welcome.
CloudFront is a content distribution service that caches S3 content at 14 locations on three continents based on the access patterns to the individual S3 objects. As far as I can tell, it's a service that is quite distinct from S3, except that it currently uses S3 as the origin server (that is, the original objects to be cached must reside on S3). To use CloudFront you create what is called a distribution for an S3 bucket and it returns you a DNS name you then use to refer to the cached version of that bucket. For example, let me create a distribution for a test bucket I have lying around:
And now let's look at the result:
As you can see, CloudFront returned the domain dc5eg4un365fp.cloudfront.net to access the bucket content. To make URLs a bit prettier to look at, I specified a CNAME of blog-demo.rightscale.com. and I could now go into my DNS service and create that CNAME so I could refer to the cached content using this nicer domain name. The info also shows that CloudFront is in the process of setting up the distribution, which in this case took a couple of minutes at most. The RightScale dashboard provides access to all the CloudFront functions and shows the status of all your distributions. You can also give distributions nicknames and write down some notes to jog your memory later on.
As a user of CloudFront you don't really have control over the caching - you just put links to CloudFront in your pages and it does the rest. When a browser tries to access an object, it gets directed to the "best" location through the DNS lookup process. The CloudFront server it hits either returns the content from cache, or if it's not there, it requests it from S3 and adds it to its cache. Eventually infrequently accessed content is evicted from the cache.
There are number of restrictions on CloudFront. First of all, the origin server has to be S3. Second, all the objects must be publicly accessible from S3, which makes sense although in some scenarios it would be convenient if this were not required. Third, CloudFront supports only HTTP, not HTTPS, which is an issue for SSL sites because including non-SSL images brings up annoying browser warning pop-ups. Lastly, CloudFront doesn't provide the type of detailed usage reports that other CDNs offer.
CloudFront pricing is confusing at first. The key to understanding the pricing is to think of CloudFront as a service that is completely separate from S3. Imagine it were running on your own servers that you placed in 14 data centers around the world and you were computing what it'd cost you. When a CloudFront server first gets a request for an object it has to retrieve it from S3, which incurs the normal S3 per-request and bandwidth charges. And then there are the per-request and bandwidth charges for the CloudFront server itself every time it serves an object up to a browser. I'll leave the details to the Amazon docs, but if you keep in mind that they're separate services it'll make sense.
I can't comment much on the performance of CloudFront as I'm lacking the infrastructure (and time) to test the service. Early reports indicate that download times with CloudFront are lower than directly from S3 and show less jitter. I'm sure there will be a hot debate about whether Amazon has enough sites around the world and whether the routing from users to CloudFront is as good as it needs to be.
All summed up, this is a service a lot of S3 users have been asking for and Amazon now delivers. It's also a service that is difficult for cloud users to implement on their own. We really need an organization like Amazon to solve the umpteen logistical nightmares it takes to deploy infrastructure around the world. Of course every time Amazon brings out a new service there are always more features we'd love to have, and I'm sure many will be forthcoming. In the meantime, I'm off figuring out where we'll use CloudFront ourselves.


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B201-33755 7th avenue, Mission $299,900
Beds 2
Baths 2.0
Ft2 1268
Emerge Realty Corp., Greenwood Estates and Mortgage Corp., dba. Greenwood Mortgage as well as Design 2 Sell are independently owned and operated companies. Services provided by one company do not require or mandate the services of any sister company. In no way do any of the companies or their employees endorse the use of any of the other companies associated to it. Should any of these companies receive a fee or remuneration for services rendered on your behalf, you are advised to seek independent legal advice to address any conflict that may arise.


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Refuge Hosts Holiday Lighthouse: Dec 28
Refuge Hosts Holiday Lighthouse: Nov. 23 and Dec 28
Cindy Leiner, of the Cedar Key Woman's Club, presents a $500 check to the Cedar Key School FFA.
Pictured from left are: Nathaniel Brinkman, Taryn Epperson, Kit Riley, Cindy Leiner from the CKWC, Michael Shewey, Amanda Robinson, Denny Voyles, Terra Dunn, Emilie LaVoie and MacKenzie Kirkbride.
Month of November
The Cedar Key Woman's Club is once again offering a Fall Market on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cedar Key Woman's Club on State Rpad 24.
Recently, Cedar Key Arts Center members met with Sarah Thompson, from UF Coastal Change, in an effort to document, through art, change in coastal areas of the Gulf.
Cedar Key attorney Pierce Kelley is back with his 10th novel and like his last, Roxy Blues, this one has a lesson – only this time it's a history lesson.
Copyright © 2019
The Cedar Key Beacon is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Cedar Key Florida, and the surrounding area.


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Ahmad was an extraordinarily influential figure in Afghan politics, especially in the volatile Southern region. Among other duties, he served as the chairman of Kandahar's provincial council. While the position is technically not extremely powerful, news reports said Ahmad wielded far more authority than even the province's governor.
Ahmad also controlled a massive business empire that included several private-security firms with paramilitary wings, hotels, car dealerships and real-estate interests. How his death will affect the legitimate commercial enterprises he was involved with remains unclear.
But there was also a more shadowy side to the notoriously corrupt powerbroker. The New York Times reported in 2009 that he was on the payroll of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which course, has a long and sordid history of involvement in drug trafficking — from South American cocaine in the 1980s to Southeast Asian heroin during the Vietnam war.
And Ahmad, like his alleged paymasters at the CIA, has also been implicated in the international drug trade. For example, a 2009 U.S. embassy cable released by WikiLeaks stated that much of the real ruling of Kandahar "takes place out of public sight, where Ahmed Wali Karzai operates, parallel to formal government structures, through a network of political clans that use state institutions to protect and enable licit and illicit enterprises."
For years, Ahmad has allegedly been serving as a kingpin in the multi-billion dollar heroin business that has flourishing in Afghanistan since the Western invasion — a charge he denied after it was reported by the New York Times and other publications. The U.K. Telegraph suggested the drug smuggling operations he established in the region would not likely be "fractured" by his murder.
The assassination will have effects on the public consciousness, however. Top officials in Afghanistan, as well as their Western backers, are reportedly panicking over how to ensure security for their own people following the most recent high-profile slaying — one of many supposedly carried out by Taliban fighters in recent years.
Analysts also said the assassination was likely to further underscore the fact that the Afghan regime and its NATO supporters could never provide real security for the nation. If the West and its regime in Afghanistan are unable to protect their own top officials, experts say the local population is unlikely to believe their leaders could offer them security either.
That was clear at Ahmad's funeral, where security forces were ubiquitous even as chaos raged all around. News reports said helicopters were circling overhead as armed agents formed a perimeter around the area. But still, multiple explosions were heard all around the graveyard. A governor of another province narrowly escaped an explosion while driving away from the funeral. And some of his bodyguards were reportedly at least injured in the blast.
Amid the turmoil, Afghan President Hamid Karzai spoke at the burial and mourned the loss of his brother, saying he had been "martyred." He also urged the Taliban to end the violence.
"My message for [the Taliban] is that my countryman, my brother, stop killing your own people," President Karzai said at the burial on Wednesday. "It's easy to kill and everyone can do it, but the real man is the one who can save people's lives."
According to the Taliban's claim of responsibility, Karzai's killer was a "sleeper agent." The alleged assassin was killed by other bodyguards immediately after shooting Karzai in the head and chest.
Analysts say it is possible that the Taliban could be claiming to be behind the attack for "propaganda" purposes, but for now the truth remains unclear. It is known, however, that the Taliban have made several other attempts on Ahmad's life.
In the U.S., officials were quick to condemn Karzai's murder while acknowledging uncertainty about the identity of the perpetrators. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the Obama administration would work with Afghan authorities to determine exactly who was responsible.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement after speaking with President Karzai over the phone. "For too long, the people of Afghanistan have suffered under the threat of violence, intolerance, and extremism," she said, condemning the killing. "We join President Karzai in his prayer for peace and stability in Afghanistan and remain committed to supporting the government and people of Afghanistan in their struggle for peace."
It was unclear if the assassination would have any immediate effects on the NATO occupation. The Obama administration has been desperately attempting to negotiate an agreement with the Taliban that could eventually see it restored to power.
But the Taliban, former U.S. allies for the most part, have so far balked at negotiations. "We are winning, why should we negotiate?" wondered a high-ranking Taliban official late last year.
Photo: The late Ahmad Wali Karzai, brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaking during a meeting with elders in Kandahar province south of Kabul, Afghanistan: AP Images


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Seed Drill Available for Rent
Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District's seed drill is available for rent through the district. Reserve your dates for spring planting! The drill can be picked up on the reserved date at David Snelson's farm in Leicester.The price for seeding is $10 per acre with a $50 minimum charge and a maximum two day rental. This allows everyone to gets a chance to use the drill within the seeding window.
If you would like to rent the drill just call the District office to schedule a date we can discuss what you are planting, the optimum window to plant it in, and what days are available during that time. We will work with you and do what we can to make sure everyone gets their crop planted at the appropriate time.
To reserve the drill call the District office and talk with Anthony Dowdle at 250-4785.


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Monday, September 05, 2011
Mums Matter!
This is aimed at bringing the issue of women's rights back on the agenda (as it has slipped off many politicians radars!) We have 1 week before pollies are back in Canberra. By then we want 20,000 supporters sending emails sent to pollies across the country. It is super easy only takes 2 mins. Please pass on far and wide.
We know different women make different decisions but the vast majority support each others' ability to make them.
APMA is also asking for pledges of $20 to fund our campaign continuing. We don't need to all travel to Canberra this time we want to make it cheap, easy but still effective. Here's the link http://mumsmatter.good.do/mums-matter/
Thankyou for passing this message on.
2 comments:
- Emma said...
Hi Joy,
I wanted to pass on this response to the APMA campaign from a New Zealand friend of mine who recently gave birth, it highlights a very big difference between our two nations:
"Hi there,
We have such an excellent midwife service here - govt funded - would be so great for you to have that kind of care. We have monthly midwife checkups with the midwife we choose, and I didn't see anyone except her in my hospital birth (in a birthing pool - drug free except some post-birth gas for the stitches) - no Doctors at all!! It was really private and gentle and great."
- 8:35 pm
- Carolyn Hastie said...
Thanks for bringing this important campaign to our attention Joy. Mums certainly do matter! The time is right for this campaign. Social neuroscience is demonstrating very clearly that the baby's relationship with her/his mother is the foundation for all other relationships in life. Women need to feel safe and secure during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period to birth and parent well. This campaign is one of the most vital social movements, as the rights of women to manage their childbearing experience are signififcantly under threat. Along with the erosion of women's rights to autonomy and informed choice comes depression and a disabling culture. All power to you and the campaign.
- 11:35 pm


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All Central African Republic passport holders visiting Vietnam on leisure trip regardless of length of their stay in the country. The very first option to obtain a valid tourist Vietnam visa for the Central African Republic citizens is applying a Vietnam Visa on Arrival which has been preferred by a lot of travelers around the world for its convenience, simplicity, fast processing and time saving.
The Central African Republic passport holders are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of 5 international airports in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City with this option.
Or, they can apply visa at Vietnam Embassy by themselves at the country nearest to them.
There are two applying options for those who have the Central African Republic passport to enter Vietnam:
Vietnam Visa On Arrival is effective for citizens who are living far away from the Vietnamese Embassies and do not want to lose the issues (passport, money or documents) by postal mail.
Visa Administrative Institution: Vietnam Immigration Department
Processing time: 1 - 2 working days. In emergent case, you can get visa in 30 minutes.
Required Documents: No documents needed
How to apply: fill the form online at here Apply visa, wait for a confirmation Letter in a few minutes details when you will get the Vietnam Visa Approval Letter. Print your approval letter and take it with your trip. Besides, prepare also your passport + 2 photos + stamping fees Visa fees get visa stamp at Vietnamese airport.
If the Central African Republic passport holders want to apply visa at Vietnam Embassy, they should to know that:
Visa administrative Institution: Vietnam Embassy
Processing time: depends on you how fast you need. But for sure, you should make a call to Vietnam Embassy for details.
Required Documents: passport, money and 1 new envelope with stamp on it and your exact home address in order to avoid losing issues.
How to apply: please take a look at contact information of Vietnam Embassy below


text: PART TIME WORK FROM HOME - Looking for a few good people with excellent phone skills working part time from home. NO PROS, no previous experience needed, training provided. Must have home phone and live in the surrounding Orlando area. Homemakers & retirees a plus. Call now 407-297-8079, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. M-F, for immediate interview. WEB OS20381


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The LOVE sand sculpture is complete and on display. Go check it out this weekend at Virginia Beach's Neptune Festival. Wonder how it was built? Check out this video – 24 hours of sandcastle building compressed into two minutes!
Virginia is for Lovers is about love – pure and simple. For those who have traveled Virginia seeking LOVE artworks for photo opportunities, here's a new artwork and perhaps our most unique yet.
On Monday, September 24, master sand sculptors will bring LOVE to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in the form of a giant wave crashing and leaving the word LOVE behind. See the LOVE sand sculpture in progress from the Virginia Beach Boardwalk between 7th and 8th Streets and in its completed form for the duration of the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend (September 28-30) through October 7.
Beginning September 28, visitors can get close to the 5′ x 14′ sculpture with a $3 admission ticket to Neptune's Kingdom of Sand (children 12 and under are free). Pose for a photo and then share it to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #LOVEVA, or post it on the Virginia is for Lovers Facebook page.
The highlight of the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend is the signature, world-renowned North American Sandsculpting Championship, where more than 275 artisans showcase their talents along 35 blocks of the Boardwalk. It's the largest event of its kind. Additionally, visitors will enjoy a variety of live music, a Grand Parade, Saturday night fireworks display over the Atlantic, volleyball tournament, surfing classic, Atlantic Sailing Regatta, and 8K and 5K runs. The entire weekend is a memorable family fun experience, one that truly puts LOVE at the heart of a Virginia vacation.
The Neptune Festival LOVE artwork is part of a statewide effort which began with the Virginia is for Lovers oversized LOVE artwork. The artwork has made stops at Virginia Welcome Centers, attractions and localities throughout Virginia. It has become a favorite photo opportunity for visitors as well as local residents wherever it has gone. Photos taken by visitors from across the country can be seen at Virginia.org/LOVE.
LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Virginia is for Lovers.
Request you free Virginia Travel Guide.


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- 2 Tblsp. butter or margarine
- 2 cups thinly sliced celery
- 1½ cups sliced green onion
- 1½ pounds hot dogs*
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1½ cups milk
- 2 tsp. rubbed sage
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 2 - 8½ oz. packages corn bread/muffin mix Aldi brand is great
- 2 cups 8oz., shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- Grease a 3 qt. baking dish (9X13). Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large skillet, saute celery in butter for 5 min.
- Add onion, saute for 5 min. Place in a large bowl; set aside.
- Cut hot dogs lengthwise in half, and then cut into thirds.
- Add hot dogs to skillet and saute for 5 min. or until lightly browned; or brown them on the grill, yum!
- Add hot dog chunks to vegetables. Set aside 1 cup of this mix.
- In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sage and pepper.
- Add hot dog mixture.
- Stir in corn bread mix and 1½ cups of cheese.
- Pour evenly into baking dish.
- Top with reserved hot dog mixture and remaining cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 min. or until golden brown and tooth pick comes out clean.
- Don't over cook or it gets dry.
- Serve with sides of sweet pickle relish, ketchup, and mustard.
Terri's Notes
* Jo says that Hebrew National or Vienna Beef are best, but turkey and veggie dogs work too.
Share this Recipe


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UK gov to control the causes of crime
Surveillance society as panacea
Ten years since the Prime Minister suggested that social inequality would have to be addressed in order to prevent crime, he is expected to propose a technology-led programme of rehabilitation, intervention and control to tackle the causes of crime.
The leaked proposals were published in The Independent following another leak that pre-announced a Commons inquiry into the surveillance society. They call for the "greater use" of surveillance technology, but acknowledged the need for "stronger safeguards" to reassure public concern over a "Big Brother" state.
The "underlying causes" of crime would be tackled through "preventative interventions", as outlined in the government's social policy before now. They would also be tackled by rehabilitating offenders.
The plan was intended to address "social exclusion, dysfunctional families, drugs and alcohol abuse," according to proposals outlined in a report approved by the Cabinet 10 days ago, but as yet unpublished.
They would include more summary powers such as on-the-spot fines and would reflect a "personalised approach" that targeted the "offender not the offence".
The proposals also suggest reducing the number of prison places by using more community sentences, rehabilitation of jailed convicts, separate courts, hybrid prisons and greater use of non-custodial sentences for the mentally ill.
No2ID, the campaign against identity cards and the database state, declared a national ID day today, which they said would be marked by protests across the country. ®