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Much has been made of the conservative "tea partyers" who look poised to send a posse of new senators to Washington – starting with Joe Miller of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Mike Lee of Utah. Ken Buck of Colorado also has an excellent shot at winning, and Sharron Angle remains competitive against Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.
But the middle isn't hollowing out. In fact, the ranks of Republican Senate centrists could grow as a result of November's midterm election, following on the heels of Republican Scott Brown's improbable election to the Senate from Massachusetts last January.
Exhibit A is Rep. Mike Castle (R) of Delaware, who is expected to win his primary next Tuesday against the "tea party" backed Christine O'Donnell and then win in the general. Congressman Castle is the quintessential moderate, both in ideology and in temperament, and knows how to work across the aisle.
Another moderate congressman who could win election to the Senate is Rep. Mark Kirk (R) of Illinois. He has had problems, to put it mildly, with the accuracy of his résumé, but his Democratic opponent, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, has faced his share of questions related to the collapse of his family bank. So, perhaps suitably, the two are neck and neck in polls. If Congressman Kirk wins, he could emerge as a moderate voice in the Senate.
If former TV wrestling CEO Linda McMahon of Connecticut manages to topple the Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, whose lead has been shrinking, she could also position herself in the center.
In fact, were Ms. McMahon to win, she would be smart to throw some early votes to the Democrats and position herself in the middle, as Brown did in liberal Massachusetts, analysts say. But given that she has never held elective office, it's not clear how she would handle her role.
'A more moderate Senate'
Those three would join the existing, albeit small, band of moderates already in the Senate: Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Brown of Massachusetts. Other Republican senators who qualify at times as moderates are Bob Corker of Tennessee and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
John McCain might have joined this crowd had he not veered to the right to win his Senate primary. Both he and Senator Graham, in addition to Senators Snowe and Collins, all took part in the "Gang of 14," a bipartisan group of senators in 2005 who worked together to keep judicial nominations on track.
In a strong year for Republicans, adding moderates from the Northeast and Midwest makes sense, says former Bush White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, because those are historically where the moderates have come from.
In the 100-seat Senate, "we're at decimated levels now, at 41, so if we're rebuilding, those are the most likely regions," Mr. Fleischer says.
Come January, "it's possible that we could have a more moderate Senate, because of some of the new people, but also because of the general political dynamics that would then be in place," says Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
A repeat of 1994?
The dynamic could look similar to that of the mid-1990s, when the Republicans regained control of Congress halfway through President Clinton's first term.
"Once the Republicans have some visible responsibility for setting policy or at least helping set policy, they would be forced to be more moderate or more centrist," Mr. Jillson says.
Another centrist voice that could join the Senate is outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, a former Republican running as an independent. If he wins, he is likely to caucus with the Democrats. But his whole campaign is premised on getting away from partisanship.
"As an independent, I will take the best ideas of Democrats and Republicans to get things done," he says in his first general election ad, released Tuesday.


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Beef producers know the best beef genetics are most widely available as semen intended for artificial insemination (AI). Yet fewer than 10% of beef producers use the technology each year.
Les Anderson, University of Kentucky Extension beef specialist, says there are several reasons why more producers don't choose to use AI and get the benefits of those top-of-the-line genetics.
In many operations, most cows spend their time ranging in large pastures. Extra labor is needed to gather them repeatedly.
Producers may lack the facilities necessary for easy and safe cattle handling.
If inexperienced with AI, some producers may be intimidated by the perceived complexities of estrus synchronization and AI (ESAI).
Simple Economics
But Anderson says the primary reason for ESAI's limited use is economics. The return on investment hasn't been clearly demonstrated to producers.
Not many producers really understand all the costs associated with producing a pregnant female. This includes bull price, bull-to-cow ratio, bull maintenance and pregnancy rate.
A recent Kansas State University looked at those costs, comparing natural service and different estrus synchronization protocols. In the study, bull price ranged from $1,500 to $3,000, and bull-to-cow ratios used were from 1:15 to 1:50. The study assumed the use of bulls for four seasons, a 10% death loss, a 9% interest rate, and a 94% pregnancy rate. Cost per pregnancy ranged from $15.98 to $90.51, depending mostly on the cost of the bull and the bull-to-cow ratio.
If pregnancy rate was held constant, ESAI's cost per pregnancy exceeded natural service, especially for smaller herds. But if the costs were adjusted for the expected increase in calf weaning weight resulting from ESAI, cost of pregnancy was lower to produce a 500-lb. equivalent weaned calf with ESAI.
If the AI conception rate increased to 60%, then the cost per 500-lb. equivalent calf wasn't different between ESAI and natural service, Anderson says.
There are other factors to consider in comparing costs and returns. The use of ESAI can increase returns by increasing weaning weight (due to both age and genetics), by raising the market price with a more uniform calf crop, and by improving herd productivity with higher quality replacement heifers.
ESAI can also reduce costs because fewer bulls are needed and less labor is required during a more concentrated and predictable calving season.
On the other hand, fewer bulls mean fewer bulls available to sell as culls — a reduction in potential income. And, ESAI will increase costs due to the need for synchronization products, labor, technicians and perhaps facilities.
When all these impacts are compiled, however, the costs of pregnancy aren't significantly different between natural service and most ESAI protocols, Anderson says. Of course, if labor is high, if semen costs are excessive, or if conception rate to AI is low, the cost per pregnancy of ESAI can dramatically increase.
Short-Term Returns
Anderson conducted a study to determine the short-term return on ESAI in which cows were randomly assigned by age and calving date to one of two breeding systems.
Two-thirds of the cows were synchronized using the CO-Synch process for fixed-time insemination. The cows were given gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), followed in seven days with an injection of prostaglandin, and two days later with another GnRH treatment. They were then inseminated. This group was later exposed to natural service for 50 days, with a bull-to-cow ratio of 1:50.
The second group was only exposed to natural service for 60 days, at a bull-to-cow ratio of 1:25.
Labor cost was calculated by recording the amount of time required to bring the cattle to the corral, work the cows and then return them to pasture. Four laborers were used, three trips through the chute, and at a wage of $7/hour.
To determine differences in revenue, the calves were weighed at weaning and the differences in weight available to market were determined at a value of $80/cwt.
The results showed all the benefits going to the ESAI group. Of these, 85% calved in the first 30 days, compared to 62% of the natural service group. The synchronized group also had a 90% calving rate, while the natural group had an 81% calving rate.
The average date of calving was earlier, and the average weaning weight of calves was heavier, in the synchronized group. In fact, the increase in percent calf crop weaned and weaning weight increased the pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed by nearly 110 lbs.
As a result, revenue increased by $99.62 in the synchronized group, on an investment of just $29.88/cow. That's a return on investment of $69.74, a figure that doesn't include the savings associated with reduced bull costs. If those are included, the return on investment rises to $129/cow.
Long-Term Returns
Those numbers are attractive for a short-term investment. But what are the implications for long-term returns?
Anderson designed a trial to examine that question. Two years of data collected from a cow-calf operation showed that use of ESAI increased the percentage of cows that calved, the percent calf crop weaned and the average weaning weight of the steer calves.
In turn, these increases led to a marked improvement in pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed, and those led to increased profitability. The net profit per cow exposed to the bull doubled in the first year, and increased by another $20/cow in the second year. Anderson anticipates productivity and profitability to continue to increase as the AI-sired females enter the breeding herd.
As far as the value of using the best genetics, further evidence comes from the American Angus Association. In its data, carcass value was $206/head greater for calves sired by the top 10% of sires in carcass value compared to the bottom 10%.
So if the calves produced in the above trials were from sires that were only average, but the bulls used for AI were in the top 10%, the profits shown would increase by another $100 to $125/calf.
Of course, such profits would only be realized if the cattle were marketed on a grid. Using alternative marketing systems is an important key to capturing the greatest profit potential of superior genetics.
But, as these results show, even in a commodity market, inclusion of ESAI is profitable for beef cattle operations. The costs of pregnancy are about equal, but both the short- and long-term returns to producers with the use of ESAI are considerable.
This article is written and produced by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) as a service to U.S. beef producers. For more on NAAB, visit www.naab-css.org or call 573/445-4406.

subset: commoncrawl


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These soft and cozy baby shoes are sure to keep little feet comfortable and happy. Like the adult TOMS you love, the crib Alpargata and our other baby TOMS make a great gift for new parents. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair to a child in need. One for One®
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Like silent films, old time radio, male grooming and slide shows, the text-based game is a largely dead art form. Like the other examples, it's uniquely enjoyable and was snuffed out by its flashier, less imaginative offspring in the pursuit of realism and technology. (Don't get me wrong, I think GUIs are la mamá de Tarzán and I even crossed the security line at Xerox PARC on a nerd's tour of historic Silicon Valley to drink from the fountain where the Xerox Alto was born back in 1973.) But the quiet pleasures of text games are enjoyable in their own right and with a whole generation almost incapable of communicating through any means except texting, the text game seems ripe for a comeback.
Instead of using graphics, text-based games use prose to tell the story. Players type specific commands to such as "go north" to play. A lot of the fun (and frustration) comes from having to type them precisely. For example, if you type "omg go north lol!!!," the computer will reply, "You used the word north in a way I don't understand." It may be frustrating at first to not punctuate every command with "lol," but once you get the hang of it, you'll find text games can be highly addictive. Besides, frustration puts hair on your chest.


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Countdown Begins to WAG Centennial Celebrations
Today the Winnipeg Art Gallery started its 100-day countdown to the official kick-off of its Centenary on Saturday, September 29. It will be an exciting year of groundbreaking exhibitions and signature events, fit for the 100th Anniversary of Canada's oldest civic art gallery.
Special Centennial exhibitions will feature an extraordinary selection of art including masters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Matisse and Monet; modern giants Picasso and Warhol; new works by Winnipeg's best and brightest visual artists; and pieces from the WAG's contemporary Inuit art collection, the finest in the world. The year will feature a symposium and film festival, special events, gala parties, and more.
"The Winnipeg Art Gallery is the first civic art gallery in Canada to reach its one hundredth year. That's something we can all be proud of," says Executive Director Stephen Borys. "In 1912, the WAG was founded because the people of Winnipeg valued visual art. From two rooms in the Industrial Bureau on Main Street, the WAG has grown to become one of Canada's leading galleries, playing a vital role in enriching, inspiring, and engaging people with the world of art."
The Anniversary launches on Saturday, September 29 with the opening of Winnipeg Now, an exhibition that brings together 13 Winnipeg artists chosen by a national selection committee, whose work represents a variety of disciplines—painting, sculpture, drawing, film, video installation, and storytelling. A free, all-day Birthday Party will add to the day's festivities with gallery tours, art-making workshops, artist demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. When the sun goes down, Nuit Blanche lights up, an all-night contemporary art and entertainment festival.
Borys has also programmed other special Centennial shows, including Creation and Transformation: Defining Moments in Inuit Art (opens January 24, 2013), showcasing the Gallery's world-renowned collection of contemporary Inuit art, and Only in Canada: 100 International Masterworks for the WAG Centennial (opens May 9, 2013) which will see the country's most treasured pieces of art brought to Winnipeg. "From coast-to-coast, 26 galleries across Canada are loaning us their most prized international masterworks to mark this historic year. With works by Rembrandt, Matisse, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Warhol, and major Canadian artists like Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, Bill Reid, and Jean-Paul Riopelle, it's a show unlike anything offered by the WAG before."
To learn more about the WAG's Centennial celebrations, visit wag100.ca, a new website dedicated to the 100th Anniversary, just launched today and made possible through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Later this summer, an interactive timeline will be unveiled on the site, covering all the key WAG events from 1912 to 2012 - and they want you to be part of it. "We want our visitors to share their WAG stories with us, and help us bring our timeline to life," states Borys. "To share your WAG story, go to wag100.ca."
Centennial Committee Co-Chair Lila Goodspeed announced plans for the Anniversary Soirée on December 16, 2012, exactly 100 years after the official opening of the Gallery. The WAG's annual fundraising events will be themed to the Anniversary, including the Centennial Ball on October 20, 2012, and Art & Soul on February 23, 2013. The public can learn more about the Centennial Ball at galleryball.wag.ca, a micro-website also launched today. "More than 100 volunteers have spent the past two years exploring ways to promote the power of art in life throughout the Centennial year," explains Goodspeed. "This exciting series of events and activities will ignite the community's passion for creative engagement."
This will be the biggest year in the WAG's history, with activities for the entire community. For more information or to share your WAG story, go to wag100.ca and click on Timeline. To learn more about the Centennial Ball, visit galleryball.wag.ca. For the latest updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Sponsors for the WAG's Centennial year as of June 21, 2012 are the Department of Canadian Heritage, MTS Allstream, RBC Royal Bank of Canada, Great-West Life Assurance Company, Investors Group Inc., Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Volunteer Associates of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, Ernst & Young, KPMG LLP, Lawton Partners, Loewen, Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd, AON Reed Stenhouse, Cambrian Credit Union, CP Loewen Family Foundation, Manitoba Blue Cross, Hotel Fort Garry, Conviron, Assiniboine Credit Union, Wawanesa Insurance. Media sponsors: Winnipeg Free Press, CTV, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, Canadian Broadcasting Company, HOT 103, 99.9 BOB FM, Visual Lizard, Doowah Design, Esdale Printing, Tourism Winnipeg, and Travel Manitoba.
Winnipeg Art Gallery Centennial Exhibitions
The WAG Century • August 13, 2012-September 2013
This evolving, interactive exhibition charts the WAG's history, from 1912 to the present, through the use of archival materials, videos, photographs, architectural blueprints, and works of art. It looks at the communities and individuals whose contributions helped write the WAG's history and realize the key events that have shaped the Gallery. It also looks to the future, pointing to ways in which the WAG remains a vital place for art for all Manitobans.
Winnipeg Now • September 29-December 31, 2012
Winnipeg is the hottest art making city in Canada and the WAG is about to show you why. Ranging from painting and drawing, film and video installation, sculpture and storytelling, each artist will present a new body of work not previously seen by Winnipeg audiences. The artists all have one thing in common: they have all, at one time or another, called Winnipeg "home." This distinguished, award-winning group of contemporary artists includes KC Adams, Daniel Barrow, Paul Butler, Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, Michael Dudeck, Marcel Dzama, Sarah Anne Johnson, Rodney LaTourelle, Guy Maddin, Kent Monkman, Dominique Rey, and Jennifer Stillwell. Guest-curated by Meeka Walsh and Robert Enright, the participating artists were chosen by a national selection committee. The exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive publication with essays by international critics and interviews with all 13 artists.
Creation & Transformation: Defining Moments in Inuit Art • January 24-April 15, 2013
This exhibition celebrates the WAG's collection of contemporary Inuit art, the finest in the world. Featuring approximately 250 works, the exhibition provides a new historical narrative, beginning with stone carvings in 1949, through the many transformations of scale and media that have taken place since. Culminating with art by today's third generation artists, the exhibition includes works from every region of the Arctic in a variety of media including sculpture, prints, drawings, and textiles. Curated by Darlene Coward Wight, WAG Curator of Inuit Art, and supported by a publication sponsored by Douglas & MacIntyre, Creation & Transformation includes the work of such iconic artists as Abraham Anghik Ruben, Davidialuk Alasua Amittu, and John Tiktak.
Only in Canada: 100 International Masterworks for the WAG Centennial • May 9-August 19, 2013
This groundbreaking exhibition brings together 100 masterworks from galleries across the country. Curated by WAG Executive Director Dr. Stephen Borys the works featured in Only in Canada are some of the most celebrated international artworks in Canadian public collections, spanning centuries, cultures and media. Complemented by a supporting publication, this historic exhibition includes masterworks by Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Henri Matisse, J.M.W. Turner, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, and Andy Warhol. Major Canadian artists such as Cornelius Krieghoff, Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Bill Reid, and Jeff Wall, will also be featured.
- Recent
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Cattle Importation
Guidelines for the Importation of Cattle (ruminants) into the United States (except from Canada and Mexico)
Cattle from countries affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) OR foot-and-mouth disease (FMD, OR rinderpest are not permitted to be imported into the United States (see Country Disease List).
** These are general requirements for importing cattle into the United States. You are advised to contact the National Import and Export Services at 301-851-3300 for the protocol to import cattle from a specific country.
How to Obtain a USDA Import Permit and Reserve Space at a Animal Import Center
You must obtain an import permit from our office. You may call our office and request a fax copy of the import permit application at 301-851-3300 or download a copy from this web site. If a quarantine is required, you must reserve quarantine space at one to the USDA Animal Import Centers (AIC) listed below:
New York AIC
Rock Tavern, New York
Los Angeles AIC
Inglewood, California
The Official Health Certificate must state:
Before leaving the country of origin the following conditions must be met:
Testing Requirements
The animals must be tested twice during the 60 days prior to export with negative results to:
The animals will be tested again for these diseases while in quarantine in the United States. Animals that test positive will be refused entry; animals considered exposed will undergo further evaluation as needed to determine eligibility for entry.
How to Contact Us
For additional information about importing cattle into the United States, please contact us at:
National Import and Export Services
4700 River Road, Unit 39
Riverdale, MD 20737
301-851-3300 Telephone
301-734-4704 Fax


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a game where "Swing Batta! Swing!" is actually
a real gameplay mechanic! by
Vaughn Smith
25, 2006 - Turnabout
is fair play after all. After 2K Games managed to
snap up the official MLB license, EA was left feeling
a little like 2K and Midway must have felt when they
found out EA had gobbled up the official NFL license.
Not to be deterred, EA's idea people put their collective
imaginations together and came up with a working plan:
create an NCAA baseball game! The finished product
is a great spirtual successor to last years fantastic
MVP Baseball 2005 (one of CCC's
nominees for Top Sports Title of 2005) featuring
some excellent additions and tweaks which should please
MVP fans to no end. While the pro license will be
missed by some, it's not at all a dealbreaker in my
books considering you can play MVP with either college
or pro rules.
you're unfamiliar with college baseball, chances are
you're probably not in college...or Canadian. I resemble
both of those remarks but I know enough to get by
and I am quite familiar with the sport having ran
around a few thousand bases in my lifetime (give or
take a few thousand). Playing MVP the correct way,
fans might be a little confused by the changes to
the core game. First off, college baseball favors
aluminum bats over wood. Secondly, the game is played
with more caution than the pro leagues in terms of
take-out slides and collisions at home plate. Slides
have played a big part in terms how the game is played
- if you're running to a base and the baseman has
the ball and is waiting to tag you, you can slide
into the base in an attempt to touch the base with
your foot before he can tag you. A take-out slide
is far more dangerous because the slider attempts
to "remove" the baseman physically from
his position. Since players are wearing cleats this
move can cause some serious damage to the player on
the receiving end. Home plate collisions are also
a no no in the NCAA, and can result in an out, if
the player running to home could have avoided the
collision. This will result in a dead ball and all
previous runners will have to return to the base they
were past when the infraction occured. The NCAA's
10-run rule is also in effect which means that if
any team manages to achieve ten runs more than the
other team at any time, the game will be called in
their favor. If you'd rather play the game with MLB
pro rules, simply set your options to "summer"
and thy will be done.
to batting and pitching make MVP a must have for accuracy
purists. Batting is now mapped to the R analog stick.
Load your swing by pressing down on the R analog stick,
and then once the ball is on its way, press up to
swing. It might take awhile to get used to the nuance
of this new mechanic but it will make all the difference
in your game once you do. For extra power and distance,
but less contact press and hold L trigger while swinging
for a Power Swing; press and hold R trigger for a
Contact Swing which allows you to make better contact
with the ball, but decreases your distance and power
- great for getting the ball in play after a hit and
run for example. The vantage point for batting has
also been moved back a little giving you a greater
visual advantage when it comes to picking off pitches...and
this is extremely important in NCAA 06.
the pitch is key (not that it wasn't before, mind
you..) as you will be given visual color clues a split
second after the pitch has been thrown which will
clue you in as to what kind of pitch is coming your


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The word janitor comes from the Roman god Janus, who was the keeper of the keys. Historically, cleaners were honored. They were trusted. We want to go back to that. If you work in a building where you know who the janitor is, you are going to create less dirt.
A lesson on respect from Marvin Klein of PortionPac,
Inc. Magazine, June 2010
What is the janitor's name?
July 10, 2010
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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
versión On-line ISSN 2078-5135
versión impresa ISSN 0256-9574
SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. vol.99 no.6 Cape Town jun. 2009
Santa Claus or grandfather clause?
Dear Aunt Ethel,
During the second six months of internship at Groote Schuur Hospital, when we were covering four internal medicine wards divided between two firms, Toby called an informal meeting.
'Look, I'm the only Jewish house officer among the six of us: Christmas means nothing to me. I'll be on duty all day provided that I'm off for the Jewish holidays.'
This was a fair offer, so Toby duly celebrated his religious holidays free from any ward work or calls. The rest of us looked forward to a guaranteed Christmas off duty: festivities looked very promising as nurses and doctors were arranging an all-day party. However, a complication was brewing. Toby had become interested in a nurse who was a gentile and an organiser of the Christmas entertainment. As this involvement progressed he sounded less and less convinced that Christmas meant nothing to him, and discussed mistletoe and mince-pies in longing terms. There was also the matter of who might distract the lovely young lady in question during the festivities if he was slaving away all day on the ward. Eventually he put his cards on the table, choosing a good psychological moment: a seventh intern had been seconded to our wards.
'Look, Christmas now means more to me than I suspect it does to the majority of you. How about splitting the duties that day? Draw names out of a hat. 6 am to 6 am, four-hour shifts between six house-officers, the seventh has the day off.'
This was reasonable: personal conquests were non-existent; we liked Toby; we wanted his romance to succeed. In any case only four hours each, with an outside chance of none at all, seemed hardly a problem. Chutzpah baffles logic. Then the draw took place. Fair and square, Toby pulled the seventh straw, and three of us landed prime time shifts. Mine was from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Christmas was bedlam. After a quick ward round, I acted as Santa Claus to the four wards: only the most confused patient recognised her doctor. A patient with meningitis whom we had regretted resuscitating after he arrested proved not to be brain-dead: just stone-deaf. He roared with laughter at the little elasticised animal which Santa, on a whim, produced. Then I tore off to a farm an hour's drive away to be Father Christmas again, on a blazing-hot day, wearing a mask that denied visual acuity, mounted side-saddle on a recalcitrant horse. I bolted an enormous roast-turkey dinner and screamed back into Cape Town in time for my shift. Things were hotting up on the wards after a peaceful morning. Admission after admission rolled in, preventing any easy departure at 6 pm: more like 8.30. By then the all-day festivities were at an end.
Toby had had a great day and on the ward next morning, he asked how our Christmas had been. I recall a sardonic and laconic: 'Nowell? Ja Fine!'
He did have the decency to marry her.
I have been Father Christmas on many Yuletide occasions since, riding pillion on a motor-bike once, arriving in a speed-boat on another stint. One did not really question why one went beyond the call of duty. Now at last I know the reason for the compulsion: it's inborn, it's genetic
When I e-mailed Kit Vaughan to congratulate him on his biography of Allan Cormack, Imagining the Elephant, he told me about At the Heart of Healing, the recently published history of Groote Schuur Hospital's first 70 years. With a holiday ahead, I bought a copy. Simultaneously my wife got a call from Jenny Still, a journalist and family friend in Cape Town. At a UCT summer-school lecture she'd seen a DVD of Dr Caldwell as Santa Claus at Groote Schuur Hospital.
It was in 1937, so it was not I: and it was New Somerset Hospital, not Groote Schuur: the former was closing as the latter was due to open. My father, as a 'June bride', had walked into history by being on the last resident staff of Somerset and the first of Groote Schuur: but I did not know about any Santa activities.
A night or two later I received a phone call from Howard Phillips, a professor in the Department of Historical Studies at UCT and one of the chief authors of the book. Jenny Still had spoken to him after the lecture. He suspected that Santa Claus was my late father, and if so would I be interested in seeing some film footage? Since the upcoming holiday was in the Cape, I accepted with alacrity and met him a fortnight later in the UCT history building, where he showed me a DVD made from film footage taken by a nursing sister. This documented the transition from New Somerset Hospital to Groote Schuur as 1937 ended and 1938 began.
Although Father Christmas jumped around in a manner not reminiscent of my Dad, the jerky actions matched those of which his grandchildren complain regarding their father. When the unmasking came, there was my father, just as he looked in the photograph I have in my office: of the first resident staff of GSH. Our sons have an inherited white-bearded task ahead of them; and the book is well worth reading.
Yours affectionately
Robert (Doc) Caldwell is a physician living in the mist-belt of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. After a quarter-century of private practice in Pietermaritzburg, he did locums round the world for six years. At the start of 2007 he exchanged jet-setting for prop-hopping, via Red Cross AMS flights, when he took up a principal specialist post for Outreach in the Grey's Hospital Department of Internal Medicine. He writes erratically to his Aunt Ethel.
Corresponding author: R Caldwell (firstname.lastname@example.com)


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Europe's Copyright Strategy: Have Europeans Send As Much Money As Possible To US Companies
from the that-doesn't-make-much-sense deptJoe Karaganis, from the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), has a fascinating blog post, in which he digs in a bit on the European approach to copyright law and notes that the end result is basically to divert as much money as possible to US interests and away from EU citizens. In typical SSRC fashion, the reasoning is pretty detailed. He looks at the audiovisual industry -- where he notes that Europe imports a hell of a lot more from the US than they export out:
About 56% of those imports ($8.35 billion) come from the US. The EU, in turn, exports about $1.7 billion to the US, resulting in a net negative trade balance of around $6.65 billion. This does not include software licenses, where US companies monopolize larger parts of the European consumer and business markets.From there, he looks at who actually benefits from stricter enforcement, and who benefits from infringement. And it's not hard to see that it's basically the US companies who will get a massive amount of the benefit... and its EU consumers who will lose out under a stricter regime. In the end, the result is pretty clear: stricter IP enforcement in Europe will do little to "protect" European heritage and culture, and will actually serve to take away from it, and push more money to US legacy entertainment companies.
It is important to be clear about the future that the EC is promoting with its IP policies. It is not a defense of European heritage or–primarily--a vision of the French auteur able to bring his or her distinctive vision to a global audience. It's a vision of European production companies as slightly better integrated junior partners in global Hollywood.It's important to recognize all of this, because the rationale being bandied about in Europe for greater copyright protectionism is the belief that it will actually help "protect" local culture. And yet, as Karaganis details in his post, there's little evidence to support this, and most of the evidence seems to support a result that is entirely counter to that. The deal on things like ACTA is so bad for EU interests that Karaganis wonders just what the hell happened to get the EU to be in a position where it appears to be negotiating against its own best interests. Turns out, US lobbyists are pretty good at what they do, and have convinced clueless EU bureaucrats to support their own cultural demise by having them focus on nostalgia and putting up smoke and mirrors when it comes to the actual economics:
It's this junior partnership that should be weighed against the wider sacrifices of privacy and freedom of speech built into so many recent national and EC-level IP enforcement policies, such as the French '3-strikes' plan, which will cut French citizens off of the Internet for the piracy of Hollywood productions. Strong enforcement reinforces status quo positions in the market, but at an escalating public cost as consumer behavior becomes the real focus of enforcement activities. There is nothing in these policies will alter the balance of cultural power or change the direction of payments. That's why I've characterized the EC enforcement plan as: "send money to the US."
How did Europe get here? Tellingly, there was initially little European enthusiasm for a broad trade agreement on IP in the 1980s. By most accounts, lobbying by US tech and pharmaceutical industries made the difference, capitalizing on a wider overestimation of–and nostalgia for–Europe's role as a cultural superpower, when it was the primary beneficiary of stronger international IP laws. More narrowly, the European Commission's IP activism can be traced to the actions of a handful of American CEOs, who convinced their European counterparts of the benefits of a global IP deal in the run-up to the WTO agreement in the 1980s. Those counterparts, in turn, applied pressure on their national governments and, through them, the EC.One way to get out of that mess, is to take the "moral" argument out of the copyright debate, and focus in on what really matters: the economics. This is a trade discussion and morality plays no role. But the EU politicians think that this is a moral issue, while the US negotiators, at the pushing of a few key industries, has convinced the EU to sell out its own economic and cultural best interests, by pretending this is a moral debate.


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GARDEN GROVE – At least one person was hurt in a crash at Westminster Avenue and Kerry Street, authorities said.
The crash was reported after 9 a.m., and investigators with the Garden Grove Police Department were sent to the scene, said Lt. Jeff Nightengale.
Details on the crash were not immediately available, but at least one person was hospitalized, he said.
More information to come.
Contact the writer: email@example.com or 714-704-3788


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Technology – Bridging the gap in higher education
As countries around the world like India, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Brazil, Mexico etc gear up to provide education to 400 million or more students, the public and private education institutions and their physical infrastructure alone will not suffice. Using the network as a platform, and technologies such as Cisco Unified Communication, Cisco WebEx, Cisco Telepresence, Cisco Wi-Fi Mesh networking, higher education institutions can enable themselves to supplement in-class curriculum with online curriculum as well. Professors from other institutions within the country or abroad would give lectures online that the students can view in a classroom via video conferencing or individually at home or at their desks. As the global economic and urbanisation trends shift the focus to the east, universities need to provide training to the students for employment and connect with the employers for job creation. Training goes beyond regular curriculum to include specific vocational training in finance, retail, BPO, software, healthcare etc.
In a connected world, the students across the world use similar technologies such a mobile phones, iPods, computers and the Internet. They have access to same content with the internet having democratised access to information. Leveraging the same network, the institutions could partner with employers to provide the required job skills training while they finish up their high school or college education. This will help employers to identify talent early on to meet their demands and reduce on-the-job training when new entrants come on-board.
Next generation learning environments also provide a collaborative environment for students within a country as well as outside the country to work on projects together despite the distance and learn from each other. Examples could range from collaboration on agricultural research, computer science, management, new business ideas etc.
Cisco does a lot today in the space of Education through global network academies providing networking skills to students even with high school diplomas. Cisco also donates equipment and funds research with select universities and provides financial support to educational institutions and volunteer projects through its corporate social responsibility initiatives. Cisco solution teams are innovating solutions to address the needs of these new cities and communities around the world.
On a Saturday morning in February 2008, executives and leaders from the Cisco's marketing organisation volunteered for a local charity 'Ashwini Charitable Trust' near Cisco's Bangalore campus. The task was to build a library and a computer centre for the underprivileged kids in the area. The relationship between the charity and Cisco's marketing organisation has since grown. The kids in the high school were taught how to use computers, access the internet, collaborate online, and use digital cameras for video and photography. As part of their summer project in June 08, each team of these high school and college kids produced excellent videos that were judged by Cisco's leadership team in Bangalore. Since then these young students are using computers to learn from the new web based content relevant to their curriculum and are very confident young people, aspiring to careers not just in technology but other fields as well.
We, in Cisco solutions marketing organisation, want to enable the dreams and aspirations of these young students and education institutions across the world through our extensive portfolio of products, solutions and services.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


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WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday said it was giving eight federal agencies more time to weigh in on the Keystone XL pipeline, a move almost certain to delay a final decision on the controversial project until after the Nov. 4 midterm elections.
That timeline spares President Barack Obama from making a politically difficult decision that would either anger environmentalists or jeopardize some Senate Democrats seeking reelection in red states.
But Friday's move alienated stakeholders on all sides of the issue, including oil industry allies who accused the White House of playing politics and environmentalists who want Obama to swiftly reject the project they say would exacerbate climate change.
Obama administration officials insisted that prudence — not politics — were at play.
In scrapping a mid-May deadline for the agencies' comments, the State Department cited "the uncertainty" created by a Nebraska court ruling that ultimately could prompt changes to the pipeline's existing path. A final ruling by the state's Supreme Court could be almost a year away.
Analysts: Keystone XL delays won't stop Canadian crude exports
That route is central to the agencies' feedback and an environmental study of the project completed earlier this year, stressed a State Department official speaking to reporters on background.
"If there are changes to the route, it could have implications for the environmental, socioeconomic, cultural and other impacts that agencies are seeking to evaluate," the official said. "We are prudently recognizing that the facts that agencies need to assess and analyze could change, and rather than preemptively asking agencies to give us all those comments now, we're trying to get a better understanding of what that route might be."
The State Department said it also would use the extra time to continue reviewing about 2.5 million comments filed by the public earlier this year.
The $5.4 billion pipeline would link Canada's oil sands to the crude hub in Cushing, Okla., which provides easy access to Gulf Coast refineries. The environmental consequences of developing the heavy crude have been fiercely debated.
'Shameful' move
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, called the delay "shameful."
"With tens of thousands of American jobs on the line and our allies in Eastern Europe looking for energy leadership from America, it's clear there is little this administration isn't willing to sacrifice for politics," Boehner said in a statement.
'Dangerous commitment': Former US president joins opposition to Keystone XL
And Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, in a tough reelection contest in Louisiana, said the decision "amounts to nothing short of an indefinite delay of the Keystone pipeline" that is "irresponsible, unnecessary and unacceptable."
"By making it clear that they will not move the process forward until there is a resolution in a lawsuit in Nebraska, the administration is sending a signal that the small minority who oppose the pipeline can tie up the process in court forever," Landrieu added.
Calls for action
Although the State Department's decision is a victory for some Nebraska landowners who have battled TransCanada's plans for installing the pipeline in the state, it rattled some environmentalists pressing the Obama administration to make a swift and decisive ruling against Keystone XL.
Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, and a major leader in the movement against Keystone XL, dryly noted the politics at stake and the timing of the announcement, falling late on the Friday before Easter.
"It's as if our leaders simply don't understand that climate change is happening in real time — that it would require strong, fast action to do anything about it," McKibben said. "While we're at it, the State Department should also request that physics delay heat-trapping operations for a while, and that the El Nino scheduled for later this spring be pushed back to after the midterms."
Pew: Americans support Keystone, oppose hydraulic fracturing
The administration's move may accelerate efforts in Congress to push legislation forcing the administration to make a final decision on Keystone XL. A similar tactic backfired in 2012, when the Obama administration ultimately ruled against the project and forced TransCanada to reapply with a new pipeline route.
The company first applied for a permit to build the border-crossing pipeline five years ago.
TransCanada Corp. CEO Russ Girling called the delay "inexplicable."
"Our view remains that the current 90-day national interest determination process that is now underway should not be impacted by the Nebraska lower court ruling since the approved reroute remains valid during appeal," Girling said in a statement.
Also on FuelFix:
Keystone foes make drastic last-ditch effort


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The Editor's Back Fence
View Competitive Sitting Here, Now!
Did you miss the Sitting Olympics on Sunday? Do not despair, help is at hand. We have been given the exclusive—well, original—opportunity to present for your viewing pleasure the brilliant film that opened the event, a fitting competitor to Danny Boyle's extravaganza created to kick off the London Olympics.
We present this in the hope that tired shoppers, mothers at their wits ends, clueless tourists and others will not be "kicked off" their temporary resting places in Berkeley's commercial districts by Measure S, which would ban sitting down downtown. (Can you believe it?)
Drumroll please!
The Definitive History of the Misunderstood Sport of Competitive Sitting


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Looking for a MG garage for your car service in Grays? No need to ring around or hang on the phone – find and book it online quickly and easily with BookMyGarage.
Simply enter your registration number and postcode, choose a MG garage in Grays and make your booking. You won't pay a penny until the work is complete.
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"Work carried out @ time booked."
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"Reduced price MOT's, but they do not tell you they take the cars off-site to get them done, so not practical to wait for this to be completed as it cane be 3 hours plus before the car is ready for pick-up. MOT booking cancelled when I arrived and discovered this."
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If you're looking for a garage in Grays for your service, you can choose from 5 on BookMyGarage. We know how important it is to find a local garage you can trust and the star ratings from other MG owners in Grays will help you to choose the best one for you.
MG is an archetypally British car marque, still manufactured at the historic Longbridge car plant in Birmingham. The history of MG stretches back to its registration in 1924, and the company went on to produce a range of iconic two seater sports cars. The MG Owners Club claims to be the World's largest single marque car club, an indication of the passion MG owners have for their vehicles.
In terms of models, some of the best loved vintage cars still seen on British roads are from the MG stable. These include the distinctive MG Midget with its 'frog eye' headlights, clean lines and nimble handling, perfect for the UK's twisty single carriageway country lanes. The Midget was manufactured between 1961 - 1979, and MG continues to evolve and produce good looking cars. The current range includes the MG3, a practical and fun supermini, and the MG6, a contemporary fastback.
About the MG6
The MG6 was the first new MG model to be designed and assembled at the Austin Rover's Longridge plant after a significant hiatus. A good looking car with great handling and a sporty feel, it has the distinction of a part electric and part hydraulic steering system, and does 0 - 62mph in 8.9 seconds. However, for a modern car the fuel economy leaves a little to be desired, and its rivals score higher for safety too.
Common Problems with MG
In 2015's Driver Power survey the MG brand scored 4th place for overall satisfaction with owners, beaten only by Skoda, Jaguar and Lexus. The marque's history and the fact that MGs are still designed and built on British shores (albeit at a drastically scaled down plant which is now owned by Chinese giant Shanghai Automotive), is no doubt part of the reason they command such enviable brand loyalty from buyers. There's still a whole lot of love for MG, and in the main they're known as reliable cars with no major common problems reported.
Sourcing MG parts isn't generally a problem, although with any of the classic or vintage models, you're looking at a variety of ongoing repairs and upkeep. All the more reason to use Book My Garage to find a trusted and local mechanic to take care of all those mechanical niggles and ongoing part replacements.
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The Sun Outshines the Rest in the Field of TechnologyAhhh....love is in the air. What could be more befitting of a Valentine's day filled with steamy e-cards, torrid instant messaging sessions, and last minute Amazon.com deliveries than an announcement confessing our obsessions for the best loved technology of the year? This year's field of candidates is particularly appealing, as they represent some of the hottest developments in what many consider to be the most exciting year in tech since the dotcom boom. In this article, I'll discuss the delectable traits of each candidate, keeping you in suspense until the end where I'll introduce the winner and offer some thoughts regarding why it ultimately won the heart of Developer.com readers everywhere.
The Runners-Up
Librarians do it. Foodies do it. Product manager Mark Jen says Google fired him for doing it. Of course computer guys do it (and we do it better, but only because we've been doing it the longest). No, I'm not talking about the the Macarena. I'm talking about blogging, the form of online publishing where everyone's their own DIY media empire.
It would be easy to say that 2004 was significant for blogging because it marked the year in which the publishing model was proven to be more than a fad, however this stage has long since passed. For starters, the mainstream press seems to have completed the transition from denigration to emulation, with the term "blogosphere" presently referenced almost as often as "disenfranchised" or "quagmire" have been in the recent past. Although there's still a reporter or two out there who simply still don't get it, it's fair to say that the pros have started to acknowledge the benefit of giving the unwashed masses a platform to air their own views. Regardless, beware to those who think the impact is minimal. Just ask Dan Rather.
2004 also saw the continued success of blog-based media companies such as Gawker Media and Weblogs, Inc., with both growing considerably in terms of managed blog properties. Popular blog-focused software companies such as Movable Type and Blogger.com both rolled out new versions of their products. And in what is perhaps the most fascinating development of 2004 regarding this topic, audio-based blogs started to really gather steam, with bloggers recording their thoughts in a format quite reminiscent of a typical talk radio show. Two particularly compelling examples of audio blogs include former MTV VJ-turned-tech entrepreneur Adam Curry and G'day World.
Given the tremendous buzz generated by blogging throughout 2004, it's not difficult to understand why it made this year's list. If you haven't started blogging, what are you waiting for? A number of free services and open source offerings are available to help you get started. A few of the more popular are listed here:
- Blogger: http://www.blogger.com/
- TypePad: http://www.typepad.com/
- Movable Type: http://www.movabletype.com/
- Serendipity: http://www.s9y.org/
Remember the bad old days of software development? Those bygone times when you used one tool for Web design, another for database schema management, and still another for coding? Wait a second, what do you mean you're still developing like this? Drop everything and check out Eclipse, the hottest development environment out there today.
The project was spearheaded by IBM back in 2001 when it announced the donation of an estimated $40 million in source code to a newly-formed organization dubbed the Eclipse project. Consisting of over 150 prominent open source companies, the project goal was, as it remains today, to build a single platform capable of integrating otherwise disparate development tools coming from a wide number of suppliers.
Although most tend to think of Eclipse as an IDE ideal for building applications using their preferred programming language, it's actually much more than that. More accurately, Eclipse is a universal platform which serves as a basis for building IDEs—or anything else you desire; debuggers, games, data modelers, you name it. This base platform is extended by creating plugins written in Java, allowing developers to take advantage of the rich array of features offered by this mature language. This development strategy has proved an unabashed success, with thousands of plugins being made available for download by developers all over the world. Consider this list of just a few interesting and eclectic plugins:
- Python IDE: http://pydev.sourceforge.net/
- PHP IDE: http://www.phpeclipse.de/
- Hibernate Synchronizer: http://hibernatesynch.sourceforge.net
- CSS Editor: http://csseditor.sourceforge.net/
- Eclipse Instant Messenger: http://eimp.sourceforge.net/
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Even if your start-up is just scraping along, you can always dream about flipping it for a fortune. It happens.
In February, Apple bought the Australian discovery start-up Chomp for $US50 million. In June, Microsoft bought the social enterprise start-up Yammer for a dazzling $US1.2 billion. And on October 25, Yahoo snapped up the New York City-based smartphone app maker Stamped for a secret sum.
Here, two start-up experts tell how to raise your chances of getting bought out and joining the ranks of Chomp, Yammer and Stamped.
1. Build a dream product
To be in with a shout of having your start-up snapped up, first you need to devise a great product that people love and will happily talk about, says serial start-up founder Mark Harbottle, who has built web successes including Flippa, 99designs and SitePoint.
Examples of great products include the file hosting service Dropbox and the photo-sharing program Instagram, says Harbottle. Both grew through word of mouth, becoming valued in the billions because they were powerfully appealing, he says.
"I think it's really hard to create products that people love out of thin air. You've got to try solving a problem people already have – give them a simple elegant solution and deliver unbelievable value."
Then, he says, you are onto a winner, if the market is big enough and your numbers look good.
2. Prove you have traction
"Show numbers heading north," Harbottle says.
Your start-up does not necessarily need to show revenue growth, but you should demonstrate "traction" – booming demand for your offering.
Prove that more people are using your product month-on-month. Prove that the number keeps increasing, remembering that you will win a much higher valuation if you dominate your market.
So, be number one. "No prizes for second," Harbottle says.
3. Build your business with a buyer in mind
Too many entrepreneurs start out without an endgame. Plan your exit from the beginning, says business coach Alex Pirouz.
Actually phone the firm you want to buy you out, he says. Ask what it wants in a start-up. Then, when you pitch, success is more likely, he says.
4. Remove risk from your business
Ensure that your budding business boasts rock-solid structure. For instance, assess whether you have the systems in place to track all the financials and sales, Pirouz says.
The more you systemise and "de-risk" your start-up, the higher the price it can fetch.
5. Seek professional help
Yes, you can read 100,000 books on how to exit. But you will do better to hire a specialist advisor, says Pirouz.
Armed with wisdom anchored in "day-in-day-out" experience, a specialist will know the lawyers who need to be brought onboard and all the pitfalls and challenges – the tricky dynamics that could affect your start-up's value.
Find a specialist by running a search on "exit professionals", "corporate advisors" or "business brokers".
6. Pick the best
Beware specialists who have far less deal-broking experience than they make out, Pirouz says. Investigate their record. Check whether they are in the right price bracket for sales.
If you want $50 million, any buy-out specialist you hire should have sunk deals of that order before. Tell prospective hires you are shopping around.
"I would ring four or five at a minimum and conduct meetings with them – and I would even let them know that I'm actually speaking to four other people," Pirouz says.
"I do want to sell," he adds, "but I want to make sure I can sell it to the person who's able to get me the most amount without fluffing up the numbers just to get my business."
The person you pick should have a clear grasp of your start-up's worth and a network of potential investors ready in the wings, Pirouz says.
7. Prove you have a future
Finally, you should be in a position to make a persuasive case to investors that your start-up has "legs" – the strength to sustain momentum. You need to show that you can keep bringing in clients and cash indefinitely.
Your carefully compiled statistics about growth and revenue should boost your argument that you are a good long-term bet.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.


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Williams Sonoma Smart Tools Bluetooth® Speaker
- Premier Deal
- Premier Deal
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn $25 in reward dollars4 for every $500 spent on your Williams Sonoma Credit Card. Learn More
- Summary
We designed and developed our Williams Sonoma Smart Tools collection to make it easy for you to watch cooking videos, search for recipes, listen to music and even video chat while you cook and entertain. Sized to fit securely under our Williams Sonoma Smart Tools Kitchen Stand (sold separately), this speaker features Bluetooth® technology that wirelessly delivers exceptional sound quality from any Bluetooth®-enabled device, a line-in port for connecting iPods and other portable music players, and two USB ports for charging devices. It can also be used as a speakerphone for your Bluetooth®-enabled phone.
- Designed and developed by Williams Sonoma.
- Crystal-clear sound quality in the kitchen – or anywhere in your home.
- Wirelessly connects using Bluetooth® technology.
- Built-in rechargeable battery makes the speaker portable and provides up to seven hours of play time.
- Two USB ports recharge your devices – never run out of power during your favorite cooking video or in the middle of a conversation.
- Speakerphone capability.
- Nonslip silicone base for stability.
- Premium finish is easy to wipe clean.
We recommend that all current iOS users upgrade to the 6.1 release to experience the best performance from their Williams Sonoma Bluetooth Speaker.
- Dimensions & More Info
- Uses a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (included).
- 4 3/4" diam., 2" high; 12.5 oz.
- Designed in USA; made in China.
- Use & Care
- Connects wirelessly with any iPad®, iPhone®, iPod Touch®, or other Bluetooth-enabled device.
- Includes auxiliary cord for direct audio.
- To clean, unplug the speaker from the power supply. Wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately with a dry cloth.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Rated 1 out of 5 by Guster from Not Recommended First, I cook with a variety of Williams Sonoma products and traditionally have always had excellent experience. In this particular case I believe this speaker is a "bad apple" in the Williams Sonoma brand. The concept of a kitchen bluetooth speaker is wonderful and I still use the coordinating stand to this product. My issues: unreliable connectivity and the speaker completely died. The connectivity issues were just annoying but now I can not even get the product to turn on. A speaker like this should not quite working in a years time frame. I really only used the speaker once every other week, so with the infrequency of use this product should last longer.Date published: 2017-01-08Rated 5 out of 5 by SonomaMA from I had two, then my friend stole one I love this speaker...I bought two (one red and silver) and I use it everyday! My friend got hooked on it when I brought one over for a cocktail party and now he'll never let me have it back. With the Bluetooth connectivity issue, the problem is once you hook to another Bluetooth device, it won't hook back up immediately. All you have to do is delete the Bluetooth connection and reconnect (a 15 second process). Such a great little speakerDate published: 2016-11-30Rated 5 out of 5 by CHEFLEWIS from Portable Tunes I bought this for my daughter who loves to cook, she said she uses it everyday to listen to her music with her IPAD stand, which makes it absolutely a 'must' for the kitchen!Date published: 2016-01-13Rated 5 out of 5 by TheHeartofCooking from Perfect kitchen gadget I purchased this set as a Christmas gift for myself last year. I love it and use it nearly everyday. I have not had any of the problems previous commenters made. I'm considering buying it for other members of my family.Date published: 2015-11-17Rated 2 out of 5 by brooklynB from Stopped working pretty quickly LOVED this product until it stopped working. I never tried to use the bluetooth, I always had my Ipad plugged in, but then it stopped working. I bet it shorted since it was on the kitchen counter where there is always a little bit of water. I still use it for the height, but it is essentially a brick. I would love to be able to replace it.Date published: 2015-11-13Rated 1 out of 5 by idontknow from It went back Would not stay connected. Kept cutting out. Love the concept but just did not work. So disappointed.Date published: 2015-09-29Rated 5 out of 5 by justjoan from Awesome speaker I was surprised by the negative comments by other customers, I absolutely LOVE it. I had been looking at this for a while and purchased it in white. Clear sound and easy to set up. The sale price was a added bonus. I will be getting a second one for my room.Date published: 2015-06-25Rated 5 out of 5 by gbarb from Great space-saving speaker for kitchen I hesitated buying this (as part of the whole kit with the iPad stand and screen protector) because of some of the reviews here. I finally decided to try it anyway, and I think it's great. No problems and perfect with the iPad stand on top that's made for it.Date published: 2015-05-02


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I have been testing out connman, the alternative connection manager. While testing connman, I had to remove my network manager. I did an
apt-get purge network-manager*
Now, when I reinstalled the network manager and all its dependencies, including network-manager-gnome, I cannot see it on the panel however, the internet is connected through ethernet. I can access the internet on the browser and also connect vpnc through the cli. but the GUI does not recognize it. Any idea how to get the GUI recognize the eth0?
Adding screenshot for better understanding.


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Recently, articles were created on two South Korean voice actors (Eom Sang Hyeon and Jeong Mi Sook), with the subjects' family names preceding their given names in the titles, as is traditional in both South Korea and North Korea, as well as other East Asian cultures including China and Japan.
This got me to thinking that the "Naming of articles" section of HPW:POLICY currently doesn't include a clause specifying how to handle the titling of articles about subjects from cultures where family name typically precedes given name.
With in-universe subjects, it strikes me as logical to retain the ordering used in canon (i.e., Keiko Takahashi, not Takahashi Keiko), but with real-world subjects, there's more than one titling convention that could be adopted:
- Western ordering (given name, family name) applied universally. Hence the South Korean voice actor articles would be moved to Sang-hyeon Eom and Mi-sook Jeong.
- Family-name-first ordering for Korean subjects, but Western ordering for Japanese subjects, as is done on Wikipedia (compare Hayao Miyazaki to Kim Hyo-yeon). The exception, of course, would be subjects of Korean descent living in Western countries, who use Western name ordering.
Thoughts? ★ Starstuff (Owl me!) 01:38, August 14, 2012 (UTC)


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Lakes of Ounianga World Heritage Site, Chad
The Lakes of Ounianga World Heritage Site consists of eighteen ecologically, geologically and hydrologically interconnected lakes within the Sahara Desert in the Ennedi region, West Ennedi department of Chad. The site consists of three distinct but contiguous parts, namely the four lakes of Ounianga Kebir, the fourteen lakes of Ounianga Serir, and the land surrounding the lakes. The main lakes of Ounianga Kebir and Ounianga Serir are approximately 40 km apart.
The Lakes of Ounianga are located in a basin situated some 50 to 80 m below a sandstone plateau. They are fed by fossil groundwater that flows from the foot of the sandstone cliff, compensating extremely high evaporation losses. The largest lake in Ounianga Serir, Lake Teli, covers a surface of 436 ha but is less than 10 m deep. It has a unique hydrological system, functioning as a giant evaporation pump which creates an underground water flow that feeds the other lakes of Ounianga Serir. Evaporation is markedly reduced in the other lakes of Ounianga Serir, which are mostly covered by floating reeds. This, in combination with the hydrological system of Ounianga Serir, is responsible for the formation of the largest freshwater lake ecosystem in a hyper arid area. On the other hand, the lakes of Ounianga Kebir, the largest of which is Lake Yoan with an area of 358 ha and a depth of 27 m, are hyper saline.
The protected areas system of Chad focuses on fauna and flora conservation, and contains the following categories: strict nature reserve, national park, wildlife reserve, game reserve, wildlife ranch, faunal management zone, zoological garden, and forest. None of these categories apply to the Lakes of Ounianga, which need protection rather for their hydrological operating system and aesthetic. The Lakes of Ounianga are protected through their designation as a "natural site" since 2010, and all activities that could threaten the integrity of the site, including mining, are prohibited. This designation is similar to IUCN Category III for protected areas.
View images of the World Heritage site
Size and location
The World Heritage Site covers a total surface area of 62,808 ha and is located in the western part of the Ennedi region, in the northeast of Chad, approximately 970 km from the capital of N'Djamena.
Flora and Fauna
The Ennedi area in general, and the Northern part of Erdi in particular, has not had a recent inventory of natural resources. Only a few mammals and birds have been identified, amongst which fox, hyena, jackal, fennec fox, cape hare and gazelle. The Ounianga region is home to waterfowl, such as Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris, VU) and Cape Teal (Anas capensis), as well as passerine species. At Ounianga Serir, the freshwater lakes shelter several fish species, amphibians and invertebrates, but at Ounianga Kebir, the hyper saline lakes only support algae, microorganisms, and some also contain spirulina (Spirulina platensis), a cyanobacteria capable of fixing nitrogen through photosynthesis.
Although the populations of Ounianga Kebir and Ounianga Serir are small (about 9,000 and about 1,000 respectively), human impacts on the site are visible in a lack of waste management, and wastewater discharge is affecting the water quality of lakes Yoan and Teli, which are close to the two villages. However, environmental impact is limited.
Current levels of human activity such as subsistence fishing, therapeutic baths and salt extraction do not seem to threaten the site. Water extraction from the lakes for use by local communities is very limited and thus does not seem to result in a lowering of the groundwater level, but this needs to be carefully monitored. Any development project that requires a significant use of water resources will require a detailed environmental impact evaluation. In relation to the potential over-exploitation of water resources, the main threat is linked to potential development of intensive agriculture in the area. However, the Government of Chad has addressed this by a recently adopted Decree which aims to maintain traditional agricultural practices in the World Heritage Site instead of intensive agriculture.
Although relatively far from the border, Ounianga Kebir is a customs post where trucks must be unloaded for inspection and then reloaded. These operations take several days and the drivers and their passengers used to stay close to the lake. Nowadays, they are provided with bungalows further from the lake. Truck trafic to and from Libya is growing slowly in Ounianga Kebir, but it is likely that the environmental impact of this trafic has greatly diminished since 2006 when bungalows equipped with toilets were built in the town. Truck passengers arriving in Ounianga Kebir must stay in these bungalows. This strategy also seems to have reduced considerably the impact of tourists and passengers on Lake Yoan and its surroundings.
Development of tourism in the region is moderate. Two tour operators based in N'Djaména organize tours of Ounianga. Annually, 200 to 600 tourists visit the site in small groups. Tourists stay in mobile camps organized by tour operators. They leave all their waste at specially designated points within the site or take them back to N'Djaména. To maintain the site's integrity, in agreement with administrative and traditional authorities, it has been decided that any future touristic facility or hotel must blend in with the local architectural features such as height, color, materials, shape of buildings, etc. Moreover, these facilities must meet eco-touristic and environmental principles and uses. A recently adopted Decree establishes the need to develop Environmental Impact Assessments for any new project, and will be a valuable tool to limit any environmental and social impacts associated with new proposed developments.


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Filling a Gap
Fund: Amplifier Ventures
Posted by bmancinelli on 2007-08-15
The Amplifier Fund is doing a good job of filling in the information gap to the earliest stage investors and has taken a position to help educate CEO's and founders that are seeking angel and pre series A funding for the first time. The classes they offer and the blogs they maintain are designed to educate and familiarize individuals with the venture community and the venture funding process. Our experience has been very good and we have received good value from the feedback we have received in our interactions with Amplifier.PRIVATE: Members Only (146 Characters)


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A photo of a little girl standing in awe in front of former First Lady Michelle Obama's official portrait is melting collective hearts across the Internet.
On Thursday, Ben Hines shared a photo of the girl staring up at Obama's painting in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.
"Donna Hines and I made a pilgrimage today and we were delighted to wait in line behind this fellow art lover & hopeful patriot," the post said.
According to Buzzfeed, Hines was in D.C. visiting his mom and went to the museum. He told Buzzfeed the unidentified girl was excited and full of energy. As her mom tried to get her to turn around to face her for a picture, he said the girl would not cooperate and just wanted to stare at the painting.
"It was so touching and uplifting for me to see this beautiful child looking at a beautiful portrait of a powerful woman," Ben told BuzzFeed News. "I was so delighted to have been in the right place at the right time."
It struck a chord with folks online, many of whom pointed to it being another example of how representation matters.


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- All works on paper are packaged carefully in a cellophane bag, a rigid document mailer and shipped with tracking.
- Flat rate shipping for all works on paper: $15 in Australia, $30 International.
- All A4 and A3 works on paper are shipped flat. A2 and Larger sizes will be rolled in tissue and shipped in a large tube.
- All works are signed by the artist on the back and are shipped with an authentication sticker that may be applied to the back of the frame once framed.


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EWG's 8th Annual Earth DinnerMay 2nd, 2017
Danny Meyer, show more of Danny Meyer photos or correct name Stephanie Haughey show more of Stephanie Haughey photos or correct name
Perfect for printing with no watermark up to 8x12. If you need something larger, we can usually do a custom print.
Perfect for screen and social, but not great to print. There is a small watermark in the lower right corner (you can crop it out).
For a commercial or editorial license, please email email@example.com.


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text: Communications provides additional resources for a variety of activities within the Barnard community and when working with external audiences. Explore this section if you need more information about using logos, photos and videos, or if you are a faculty member who is about to interview with the media. We provide regular updates, but if you can't find what you're looking for, please feel free to email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or connect with the appropriate member of our team.


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I often get many questions during this time of year about planting and growing fruit trees in the home garden. Growing fruit trees in the home garden can be an enjoyable, relaxing and rewarding experience. However, it does take careful planning and hard work to achieve success.
Apples, figs, nectarines, peaches, pears, and plums can be grown in our area with success. Contact your local office of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and ask about a publication on the fruit in which you are interested in growing. You can also look online at www.caes.uga.edu/publications and search for the publication of your interest.
If you are considering planting fruit trees, it is important to consider site selection. Fruit trees should be planted in a fertile, well-drained soil. It is important to consider fertility and soil pH when planting fruit trees. The soil pH for fruit trees should be between 6.0 and 6.5. Take a soil sample to determine your soils fertility needs and pH. Do not place fertilizer in the planting hole or fertilize immediately after planting - fertilizers in direct contact with young roots can burn and cause damage. Other factors to consider include variety selection, good drainage and full sun.
Fruit trees are best planted during late fall or winter if they are purchased bare root. If plants are purchased in a container, they can be planted any time of the year as long as you take care to add needed water when rainfall does not occur, but I recommend planting during the winter months for the best success of establishment. Whether trees are purchased bare root or containerized, be sure to dig the planting hole at least two to three times the width of the root system. Prune any damaged roots on bare root plants and disturb the root ball of container grown plants before planting to prevent root circling.
Weeds and grasses that grow in the immediate area around fruit trees compete for both moisture and nutrients. One of the best methods of weed control is mulch. Place mulch in a ring 2 to 4 inches deep around the tree out to the drip line. Make sure to keep mulch several inches away from the trunk. Avoid using hoes or string trimmers around trees. Hoeing can damage the root system, while string trimmers can cause damage to the trunk.
Without proper management, insects and diseases can seriously damage fruit trees and reduce production. Both inorganic and organic control products are available on the market and most garden centers stock a variety of products. When using any of these products, be sure to always read and follow label directions.
Proper sanitation can reduce insect and disease problems. It is important to remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood, fruit and leaves from around fruit trees. If these materials are left, they can provide overwintering sites for insects and diseases.
Apples, nectarines, peaches, and pears should be thinned approximately 4 weeks after bloom. Remaining fruit should be 4 to 6 inches apart.
Fruit trees need proper training and pruning to improve their production. Pruning should be done during the winter months. Dormant or winter pruning consists of removing upright branches and any dead, diseased or damaged wood.
Hopefully, your planning and hard work this year will provide a bountiful harvest of fruit in upcoming years.
Bill Tyson is the coordinator for Effingham County Cooperative Extension of the University of Georgia. Email him at firstname.lastname@example.com or call the Extension office at 754-8040.