text:
Smokin' in Scottsdale!
The 8th Annual Goodguys Southwest Nationals
Baptism by fire! That's exactly what it was for me at this year's 8th Annual Goodguys Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, Arizona. No, it wasn't boiling hot--in fact the weather was perfect. This was my first Goodguys show in the 10 years since I dove into the world of "old cars." I have often heard about how spectacular the Goodguys shows are, and I live close to a few, so I'm not quite sure why it's taken so long for me to experience one.
Experience is just what I got with it, too. With a late start, from flying in Saturday morning, I hit the ground running making my way through the thousands of glistening cars and trucks. Not only was I just trying to take in the show in general, but I had to pick the CLASSIC TRUCKS Top Ten awards as well as put together coverage for all of you. Now, at a lesser show this may have been an easier task, but with people migrating from far and wide, and culminating in Arizona to show their stuff, I had my work cut out for me. I armed myself with my trusty Canon, water, Top Ten forms, and put more miles on a pair of Converse shoes than should be allowed.
More than filling the field at WESTWORLD was a plethora of way-cool hot rods, customs, and musclecars that suited just about any taste or style. Of course, there were the heavy-hitters on hand, like Boyd and Foose who were rubbin' shoulders with the fans, as they wandered wide-eyed amongst the vendors all weekend. On the perimeter of the field, in the swap meet area, there were tons of cars, trucks, parts, people, and what have you. When I first walked up to it, I thought I was still in the show, as I was surrounded by a bunch of clean trucks for sale that had caught my eye. If you had enough cash, you could have gone to the swap meet, bought a truck, and spent the rest of the time with it in the show.
Saturday night I was invited to an open house/BBQ at Industrial Chassis in nearby Phoenix. Owner Steve Szymanski showed me around the shop, which was so big I almost cried. They had their hands full of all kinds of projects, not to mention their recent venture in dropping I-beam axles. I soon forgot about the trucks when I saw all the food waiting. It was just what the doctor ordered after a long day of beatin' my feet. I love good hospitality!
Classic Trucks Goodguys Southwest Top Ten


text:
Event Title:
IV Certification Course
Sponsored By:
Event Date/Time:
Start: 10/13/2014 9:00:00 AM
End: 10/14/2014 5:00:00 PM
NPTA Faculty
NPTA Training Institute
13-Oct-14 9:00 AM
Event Deadline:
10/13/2014 09:00
Event Notes:
Course Details
The course requirements include:
- 9 Home Study Modules
- 2 Days Hands-On Training
- 8 Process Technique Validations
>>Complete Learning Objectives
How the Course Works
Participants must complete nine separate modules of home-based learning, comprised of a reading assignment and comprehensive exam. A score of 70% or higher is required for each exam. After completing the home-based study modules, participants attend and complete NPTA's two-day
Sterile Product Training Institute
, located at the
NPTA Training Institute
in Houston, Texas.
Home Study Modules
- Introduction to Sterile Products
- Facilities, Garb & Equipment
- Aseptic Calculations
- Properties of Sterile Products
- Aseptic Technique
- Sterile Product Preparations
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- Chemotherapy
- Quality Control and Assurance
Training & Technique Validations
- Aseptic Hand Washing
- Horizontal Laminar Airflow Hood Care
- Vertical Laminar Airflow Hood Care
- Vial Manipulations
- Ampule Manipulations
- Hazardous Vial Manipulations
- Hazardous Ampule Manipulations
Tuition Fee
$648 Members
$698 Non-Members
Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.
What's Included
Tuition includes: Two day hands-on training institute, lunch/snacks on both training days, use of laboratory equipment and supplies, statement of CE credit and an Official Certificate of Validated Training, upon successful completion.
CPE Credits
40.0 Contact Hours/4.0 CEU
Program Type: Practice
UAN No: 0384-0000-14-001-L-04-T // 0384-0000-14-002-L-04-T
Re-Release Date: 04-16-2014 Expiration Date: 04-16-2015
Event Comments:
Speaker Information:
Contact Name:
Harrell Jones
Contact Phone:
(832) 426-2676
Contact Fax:
(832) 460-3142
Contact Email:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Setting the Mahmud
RSBS Special Correspondent and Dark Horse Republican Candidate, Mr. Johanna Mahmud reports:
Rool: [to the tavern cat ) You are so beautiful! Your eyes! Your whiskers! I have to kiss you!
My behavioral standards have long kept me from attending the Cub's Convention. Sorry. Sometimes you gotta rob a cop, pee on Ronny Woo Woo and knock out Sam Zell! BUT, I still have my SPIES so I know…
Kerry Wood and his pocket missile are back!
I'd like to see how the sausage is made, Mr. Epstein.
Kerry is my iguana Dudley's soul mate of pain. His Madmartigan. And he's back! (We might have to have an intervention about the athletes Dudley idolizes.)
I suspect Wood will probably be gone at the trading deadline to a real contender, but dumb Cubdom is happy for the moment. Yes, Theo let me down a little by letting the children have their hero back. But oh well.
What is this? Contenders might be looking for someone just like him if he can still bring the goods in the 6th, 7th, 8th innings.
I understand that Woody wants to be the next Mr. Cub but why not end your career with a winner? He'll get what he wants when he comes back at the end. It's his choice, I guess.
So… Hello?
–Johanna Mahmud
Follow Johanna on Twitter!


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While brushing my teeth a week before we went to El Salvador, a filling broke off a back tooth. I won't pretend it was the brushing that did it, as it was more likely the JuJuBes candy I had eaten a day or two before. Though I wasn't happy, we had planned on going to a dentist in El Salvador anyway, so at least it was good timing.
The original plan had been to go to a dentist in Carlos's neighborhood, but after all the drama that happened the first day, we decided we would have to find a different dentist somewhere else in San Salvador.
That may seem like an inconvenience but the good thing about El Salvador is that whatever you need, a random stranger will have connections to get it for you. In this case, our favorite taxi driver's son turned out to be a dentist. He was too busy to schedule us in, but he referred us to a colleague of his.
So we went to the office that was recommended by the son of our taxi driver. The office we went to was clean and modern. Of course, clean and modern are very important when choosing a dentist. We knew it would cost a little more than maybe some other offices in El Salvador, but this is one thing you really don't want to get the best deal on, ya sabes.
The receptionist, dental hygienist, and the dentist himself, were all very nice. The first day they only cleaned our teeth and said we should come back another day due to excessive bleeding and the need for the swelling to go down in our gums. This sounded very logical and professional, so although I wanted to get it all done, I was pleased that this guy definitely knew what he was doing. Two days later we would have to return a second time to have my filling repaired, take care of a new small cavity I didn't even know I had – and as it turned out, Carlos had a broken crown which was very close to becoming a root canal which he needed fixed too.
After our first appointment, the dentist actually closed up shop and gave us a ride back to our hotel. How's that for full service?
The second appointment was a little less fun and a little more painful – but nothing out of the ordinary. Towards the end of my time in the dental chair, I was feeling pretty proud of myself.
I went to a dentist appointment in El Salvador! I said to myself. I understood everything and the dentist understood me! I learned new words like "Enjuaguese" for "Rinse" and "Relleno" for "Filling" … I'm so clever! I smiled to myself as the dentist finished brushing some terrible tasting "flúor" (flouride) on my teeth and then started to walk away. My mouth was full of saliva but he hadn't told me "Enjuaguese." I wanted to spit it out! This stuff was nasty, it seemed like a dangerous idea to swallow it and I was ready to drool on myself.
"Doctor!" I managed to get out.
He turned and looked at me expectantly.
"Puedo… puedo…" My mind went blank.
The dentist cocked his head and waited patiently.
I pointed a finger from my mouth to the little sink.
"Puedo…" Argh! What was the word for spit?!
The dentist looked amused and perplexed, as he took off his gloves and smiled at me. Obviously he didn't speak Spanglish.
Carlos sat in a chair in the next room through an open doorway. I called to him for help but by now I was definitely drooling.
"CARLOS!" I gurgled, "How you say spit?"
"Um… Tirar saliva?"
Maybe "tirar saliva" was perfectly fine to use, but my mind translated it literally to "throw saliva" and it seemed too rude and reckless so I rejected it immediately.
"No – that's weird! I want a real verb!"
The dentist looked back forth between us.
"Escupir?" Carlos said.
"YES! Escupir! Doctor, puedo escupir?"
The dentist smiled kindly and said "No" – explaining that I needed to be patient and try to hang in there for a few more minutes. All that panic and drooling on my shirt for nothing. I closed my mouth full of spit until he gave me the okay.
After Carlos's cleaning I went downstairs to wait with the boys in the other waiting room. While I waited, I noticed that several people who seemed to be friends of the receptionist, came in and sat down. I figured they were just waiting for her to get off work so they could go out together but lost interest in figuring it out when Carlos came downstairs.
We went to the counter to pay. For two cleanings, fluoride for both, one filling replaced, one new cavity filled, and one crown replaced, our total was less than $300.
I said something like "Wow! It would have been more than a thousand in the United States" and Carlos gave me 'the look' which means I said something I shouldn't have. "Do you want them to charge us double next time?" he whispered.
So, we paid, called our ride to come pick us up, and went to wait outside the clinic because from what we understood, we were the last appointment of the day and we didn't want to hold up the staff if they wanted to close up and go home.
We waited under the narrow awning as it rained but our ride didn't arrive right away. The receptionist kept opening the door and begging us to come back in and wait comfortably inside. We turned her down twice. The third time, the dentist himself insisted we come back in and "enjoy the movie."
As we followed him back into the clinic, I whispered to Carlos, "Did he say movie?"
Back in the waiting room, the office staff and friends of the receptionist had rearranged the chairs movie theater-style to face a TV in the corner of the room. We obediently sat down and waited as the dentist started the DVD and sat down to watch with us.
The boys kept looking at me but I avoided eye contact precisely because I knew they wanted to laugh and that they would make me laugh. It isn't every day you get to watch a movie in the dentist's office.
The movie was called, "Bosco: La historia de mi secuestro." It seemed to be a documentary about a real life kidnapping that took place – in other words – very serious subject matter – Which is why I was horrified when I realized Carlos and the boys were shaking silently with laughter, trying to hold it in. Carlos literally had a hand clapped over our younger son's mouth to keep him quiet. They weren't laughing at the film, but at the fact that we were watching a movie at the dentist's office. It was all very surreal and I wanted to laugh too. I needed to get out of there, because if Carlos was laughing, I definitely wasn't going to be able to hold it in much longer. Thankfully I saw our ride pull up outside just in time and we excused ourselves.
On our ride back to the hotel I smiled at the irony of the situation. Here I had been lamenting the loss of a day at a dentist's office – disappointed that we would be losing time in which we could have been experiencing something more uniquely Salvadoran. As it turns out, doing the most mundane tasks in El Salvador is always educational and culturally authentic – even going to the dentist.


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Japan held a 1-0 lead from the 16th minute, when Keisuke Honda hit a rocket past Copa Barry, to the 64th minute. In that 64th, minute two headers, off two Serge Aurier crosses, ripped the three points away from Japan and gave Ivory Coast a 2-1 comeback win.
First, and most spectacularly, Wilfried Bony headed in an amazing cross from Aurier. It wasn't quite Robin van Persie, but shit, how could it be? It was still a wonderful goal, perfectly crossed and snapped in past the goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Gervinho headed in another cross from Aurier, from virtually the same spot as the first one. Just like that, Japan's lead, and the game, belonged to the Ivory Coast.
Didier Drogba checked in to match just two minutes before his team got the party started, if you're into that sort of shot-in-the-arm stuff.


text:
FOCUS ON: Topdressers
Topdressing helps accomplish several benefits including smoothing, controlling thatch, modifying the surface soil, aiding in renovating and overseeding and protecting the greens in the winter. Greens that are consistently topdressed are more likely to recover from ball mark damage and are easier to repair. Whether you require light, frequent topdressing for routine maintenance or heavy topdressing during aeration, these topdressers provide a solution to fit your needs. If you need more information about the following topdressing equipment, use the circle numbers provided at the end of each product description.
The topdressers from Bannerman are designed and built with engineering standards in mind and are hydraulically controlled and accurately calibrated to ensure uniformity and economy. Each topdresser will spread uniform layers of material from ¼ inch or less and as much as 1 to 2 inches. All are accurately calibrated and range in size from 1.5-cubic-yard capacity to 7.5-cubic-yard capacity. Bannerman topdressers allow you to dispense either wet or dry materials.
Circle (160) on Reply Card ▪ freeproductinfo.net/gm
Dakota Peat & Equipment introduces the redesigned Turf Tender product line, which include fewer parts and are easier to use, adjust and maintain. The new features give you greater material-handling control from the seat, providing safe, fast and easy adjustments during the job. New to the 410, 412 and 414 Turf Tenders is an electric control box with digital readouts to give you precise control over spreader settings. The 410 control box also features a Honda key start and throttle-up switch for engine models. A new rear conveyor converts the 410 topdresser to a material handler and fits every mounted and pull-type 410 model, regardless of year. The 440 and 420 models have a durable power chute that is electrically operated for greater control over material placement and easier material handling.
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Earth & Turf LLC introduces its new MultiSpread Model 320, a 1-cubic yard topdresser with exclusive, wide-spread beater for lawn maintenance professionals, schools, universities, golf courses and athletic fields. The 320 spreads topdressing materials, infield mix and grass clippings. A two-wheel ground drive with 26 × 12.00-12 turf tires ensures easy pulling by 20-hp tractors.
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The JRCO Electric Broadcast Spreader fits commercial riding and walk-behind mowers as well as utility vehicles. Features include a molded hopper base with improved stainless-steel gate controls, fan and vibrating agitator. A large polyethylene hopper holds 120 pounds supported by a stainless-steel frame. An electronic speed control adjusts fan speed for accurate spread widths from 5 to 24 feet. Model 503 has a foot-operated gate for mid-mount zero-turn-radius mowers while model 504 has a push-pull cable for walk-behinds and utility vehicles. Side deflector and hopper screens are available.
Circle (163) on Reply Card ▪ freeproductinfo.net/gm
Designed to increase the multi-functional productivity of its WideSpin 1530 topdresser line, Turfco now offers a Cross-Conveyor attachment that allows the machine to be used for material handling duties. The Cross-Conveyor mounts to either the tow-behind or truck-mount WideSpin 1530, and offers the convenience of a full 180-degrees of rotation behind the machine. The Cross-Conveyor can easily be stowed for transport of the unit. The WideSpin 1530 broadcast topdresser offers Turfco's exclusive WideSpin technology, allowing superintendents to achieve light-or-heavy topdressing performance at various application widths, without external attachments. The WideSpin 1530 can uniformly apply ¼-inch or more of topdressing materials at up to a 15-foot width, and can uniformly apply lighter topdressing at widths up to 30-feet.
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Ty-Crop introduces a new twin spinner for its ProPass 180 topdresser that uses new technology created specifically to expand the versatility of the spinners. A feature of this new spinner is the ability, when topdressing heavy and narrow, to see a clearly defined edge. This allows for easy matching of spread on your next pass. The ProPass 180 tow model also has a new option available — a self-contained hydraulic power pack. This option allows a wide variety of work vehicles to tow the ProPass, since the tow vehicle doesn't need to have auxiliary hydraulics. The power pack is designed to optimize the ProPass' weight distribution.
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text:
Tepoztl?ín, Morelos, M?®xico
Tepoztl?ín, Morelos, M?®xico
Ruben Tenorio.
International Delegate.- BMW Moto Clubes Mexico.
Vicepresident.- BMW Clubes Federaci??n Latino Americana.
Ambassador.- BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.
From the parking lot of the Andrews Valley Motor Inn about 20 minutes away from "The Dragon",
There've been many, but this is one of them:
Summit, Mt. Fairview, Lake Louise, Alberta (you can see the ski area in the background). I had to see a physio after this hike.
Bow Valley, looking east, from the summit. Many of you have ridden this route (Trans Canada Highway east of Lake Louise), no doubt.
Great thread, Dave! (Don't know how I missed it, earlier).
Last edited by Rinty; 11-22-2008 at 01:57 AM.
Top of Cadillac Mountain right here in my little old piece of Heaven...
Portsmouth Island, NC
Nik #140220 - '95 R1100RSL | '88 K75C | '77 R100RS | '06 DL650
Maine Airhead A/M
Helmets don't save lives but loud pipes do?
From the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The mountains in the distance are approx. 75 miles away.
and the Vermillion Cliffs
From today's ride near Dakan Road, off of CO93.
Fall 2008 CO103 enroute up to Echo Lake.
Large Version
Grand Teton National Park
Large Version
Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park
Summit Lake, Mount Evans, CO
Large Version
Garden of the Gods, near Colorado Springs, CO
Larger Version
Monument Valley, AZ
Larger Version
Death Valley
Dead Horse Point, UT
Hell's Canyon, OR
Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain) off the NW African coast.
This is on the SW side, viewing another Canary Island in the far, La Gomera.
// Taurus
On Jumeria beach
Shaba National Reserve, Kenya.
There are so many beautiful places, but I really enjoy the subtle and quiet beauty of Michigan's UP:
And who hasn't marveled at the beauty of a sunrise in the Smokies:


text:
"Waldorf students are encouraged to live with self-assurance, a reverence for life and a sense of service."
— Ernest Boyer
Waldorf schools provide a detailed, richly artistic curriculum that responds to and enhances the child's developmental phases, from early childhood through high school.
Waldorf schools are non-sectarian and non-denominational. They educate all children, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds and seek to bring about recognition and understanding of all the world cultures and religions.
"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who, of themselves, are able to give purpose and direction to their lives"
-Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf Education
Arts and practical skills make their essential contribution, educating not only heart and hand but...the brain as well.
A true educational alternative in the greater South Florida community, Sunrise School of Miami believes that education should nurture children to become individuals, whole in body, intellect and spirit, prepared to meet the challenging road ahead.
Sunrise School of Miami offers a program rich in academics, integrated arts, and engaging specialty subjects combined in a multidisciplinary, inspired curriculum that enable students not simply to learn, but to fully experience and internalize what they learn – providing education from within. Students emerge from Sunrise School of Miami prepared, aware of their own capabilities, enthusiastic, and fully engaged in the world in which they live.
The curriculum is based upon the teachings and insights of Rudolf Steiner and is an age developmental approach focused on developing intellectual abilities, artistic sensibilities and the soci emotional growth of each child – education for the head, heart and hands.
Waldorf education is the fastest growing, non-denominational, independent school system in the world, with almost 1,000 schools worldwide.
We invite you to plan a visit to our school for an upcoming Window into Waldorf tour, community event and for a personal admissions appointment.
14920 SW 67 Avenue
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Phone: 305.274.6562


text:
"Captivating…In Lost to the West Lars Brownworth shows a novelist's eye for character, bringing to life some of the most fascinating — and yet little known — figures of the Byzantine era. But it is as a researcher into the obscurities of palace intrigue, treachery, and battlefield carnage that Lars really shines. With dry humor and a palette of vivid images, he recounts the dizzying game of musical chairs that placed one usurper after another on the Byzantine throne, only to be pitched off in a gaudily macabre way. In the end, one is left agog by the irony that the upshot of this centuries-long scrum was the preservation of nearly all that the Greeks have bequeathed to us."
—Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire
"Rome never fell — it simply moved five hundred miles East — to Byzantium. For over a thousand years the Byzantines commanded one of the most visceral and vivid empires the world has ever known. And yet their achievements are consistently underplayed; written out of history. Lars Brownworth is a rare talent. His contagious passion brings murderous empresses, conniving eunuchs, lost Greek texts and Byzantine treasures of fairy-tale proportions blinking back into the light. Confidently striding through time and across the mountains and plains of the Eastern Mediterranean, Brownworth puts this theocratic superstate slap-bang in the center of mankind's global story; back where it should be. The Byzantines made our world what it is today. Lars Brownworth matches their verve and brio in his seductive and gripping account."
—Bettany Hughes, PBS host and author of Helen of Troy
"This is history as it used to be, history as story-telling. In this fascinating account of the Byzantine empire, Lars Brownworth covers a thousand years of blood-letting, outrageous luxury, bitter religious disputes and vaulting ambition without giving the slightest impression of being rushed or crowded. The page turns unaided."
—Anthony Everitt, bestselling author of Augustus, Cicero and The First Emperor
"A hugely entertaining and often moving portrait of a civilization to which the modern West owes an immense but neglected debt. Read it, and you will never use the word 'Byzantine' as a term of abuse again."
—Thomas Holland, author of Millennium, Persian Fire and Rubicon
"Lost to the West is the sort of history I wish I'd been offered in school — a fast-paced adventure story that covers over a thousand years of political intrigue, brilliant leaders, incompetent squabblers, mayhem, butchery and religious divides, and vividly pictures a bygone era that is still a vital part of our heritage."
—Mark Pendergrast, author of Uncommon Grounds
"The Byzantines are back! Correcting centuries of neglect, Lars Brownworth guides us through a forgotten world and, with clarity and wit, brings it to vibrant life. Filled with a dazzling cast of ruthless Emperors, conniving generals and half-crazed scholars, Lost to the West is both entertaining and enlightening — a great piece of popular history."
—Tony Perrottet, author of Pagan Holiday and The Naked Olympics


text:
Musician's Friend
Open in the Musician's Friend app
The ESP LTD line of electric guitars offers a dizzying array of quality axes in a huge variety of body styles and options, from humbucking Pauls to vintage-style super-Strats and wicked metal monsters, all from one of the premier guitar companies on the planet. The ESP Company began in 1975, when Japanese businessman Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo, dedicated to supplying quality replacement parts for guitars, and soon began crafting guitars under the ESP and Navigator brand names for the Japanese market. In the early 1980s, ESP began importing replacement parts to the US and building custom instruments for artists like Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones and Bruce Kulick of KISS. By the mid-80s, ESP was providing the necks, bodies and other parts for Kramer Guitars, Schecter Guitar Research, and other brands, and began releasing guitars in the US under its own name. When shred-master George Lynch discovered ESP guitars while on tour in Japan, he commissioned his now-famous custom ESP Kamikaze axe, which became the company's first signature model, and helped establish its reputation in the US for quality guitars that were fast-playing and sounded ferocious, but could deliver clean, shimmering tones as well.ESP guitars continued to grow in popularity, and in the mid-90s ESP established the LTD brand, to provide more affordable, production-made versions of their hand-crafted Japanese guitars to a wider market. These LTD axes, produced in factories in Korea and Indonesia, have today become legendary for their build quality, exceptional tone, and the wide variety of guitar styles and signature axes available. For instance, the super-Strat style LTD M-Series features a number of models, including the M-10, a super-affordable basswood-bodied guitar with bolt-on neck and dual humbuckers; and the M-300, a neck-through, 24-fret beauty with mahogany body and flame maple top, loaded with twin EMG humbuckers and Floyd Rose whammy, with other models differing in factors like body tonewood, fingerboard material, and an HSS humbucker/dual single-coil pickup configuration. The MH Series offers a similar range of models in the super-Strat style, but with carved maple tops. Looking for a Les Paul-type guitar, but with more edge? Check out the LTD EC series, including the EC-100QM, an affordable yet gorgeous stunner with quilted maple top and 24 extra-jumbo frets, or the Deluxe EC-1000, with a set mahogany neck, flame maple top and either a pair of EMG active humbuckers or Seymour Duncan passive JB/59 pickups, depending on finish. Other styles include the Viper, with an offset SG-type body, the V-Series, with a body style that looks like a nuclear-powered Flying V, the EX-Series, featuring a super-extreme Explorer body style on steroids, and the sinisterly pointed X-body AX-series. Add to these some killer signature axes by the most fearsome guitarists around, like the LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte and Truckster models, and the LTD SC-608B Stephen Carpenter Baritone, and you've got a world of high-quality guitars available for your weapon of choice, whether you want sparkling clean tone to deliver graceful melodies, or you need a vicious, finely-honed axe to inflict some serious metal mayhem! Check out the incredible range of ESP LTD guitars today!
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text:
Let's Not Shut the Door on Our Neighbors
Stop the massive militarization of our southern border
Mari Castellanos | 7/31/2013, 10:35 a.m.
"Seal the Border!" is a mantra often repeated by those concerned by unlawful immigration. They are willing to spend some $47 billion in addition to what we have already spent in what seem to be pretty substantial barriers across our southern border.
This massive militarization of the border includes: 20,000 additional border patrol agents for a total of 41,000 agents; 700 additional miles of triple walls; 85 fixed watch towers; 488 remote video surveillance systems; 232 mobile surveillance systems; 4,425 ground sensors; 820 thermal and night vision goggles; 6 radar systems; 17 UH-1N helicopters; 8 AS-350 light enforcement helicopters; 15 Blackhawk helicopters; 30 marine vessels and 18 drones.
This new wall will all be built by outside contractors overseen by the Army Corp of Engineers. No cost estimate for this wall is readily available, but it is suggested that it may be around $25 billion.
What used to be a region of shared climate and bi-national cultures and commerce has become a no one's corridor and a completely isolated, alien environment. While trade with our southern neighbors has soared, the opportunity to walk across to each other's neighborhoods has been practically eliminated.
Those who clamor for more border security have probably not been there recently. Americans cannot just walk across like we used to for a good plate of enchiladas. Border crossings are limited to certain areas and take several hours now.
The construction of endless miles of fencing keeps people from neighbors, relatives and friends, and animals from necessary wildlife corridors. Mexico is not only our close neighbor but also our second biggest trade partner next to Canada. We share not only the rivers in our border but a growing number of our citizens who are entirely bilingual and bicultural. This is a great asset in a global economy.
The southern border of the United States is frequently presented as a turbulent, violent and dangerous area. In fact two border cities, El Paso, Texas and San Diego, Calif. were respectively the first and second safest cities in the U. S. in 2012.
The seven million people who live in the border -- Americans, Mexicans and Native Americans alike -- are being sacrificed for the sake of an illusion of safety to be found in building yet another wall. Also being sacrificed are the other dwellers of the border: the many animals that migrate freely from one nation to another to find food and to breed, including endangered species like mountain lions, ocelots and jaguarondis.
Human dwellers of the borderlands can be negatively impacted by the wall also. A few years ago, the border wall in Nogales caused severe flooding that buried downtown homes and businesses underneath six feet of water, drowning two people and costing millions of dollars in damages.
Let's not shut the door on our neighbors' faces. Our southern border is sufficiently secure. We need those enormous financial resources for more important needs like education and healthcare.
Mari Castellanos is a policy advocate for domestic issues in Justice Ministries for the United Church of Christ.


text:
Oceanic Institute, an affiliate of Hawai'i Pacific University, is a not-for-profit research and development organization dedicated to marine aquaculture, biotechnology, and coastal resource management.
Our mission is to develop and transfer economically responsible technologies to increase aquatic food production while promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources. OI works with community, industry, government and academic partners, and non-governmental organizations to benefit the state, the nation, and the world.
© Hawaii Pacific University Oceanic Institute


text:
The Grundfos HS horizontal splitcase pump is an unstoppable workhorse that delivers high efficiency performance and low life-cycle costs.
The highly reliable hydraulic design combined with the service-friendly layout of the splitcase housing assures maximum benefits for the user.
Use the tabs above to find out more about our offerings or to contact Grundfos for further information.
Pumps do not operate in isolation, and the key to maximum efficiency is optimising the whole system and not just the pumps.
Grundfos iSOLUTIONS is a holistic systems approach where intelligent technology adapts accurately to the current demand, thereby delivering optimal performance, total energy efficiency, and ultimate reliability.
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text: Klanadack Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Yeh, I'm back... I hope there's no mistakes in this one... Name: Enax Species: Vortixx Alignment: Neutral Occupation: Mercenary/bounty hunter Description: Enax lacks the bulk and muscle of most other Mercenaries, but has height and cunning to make up for it.He wears black armor with blue highlights, as well as odd chains that look suspiciously like ammo belts. Personality: Enax, like most other Vortixx, is cunning, but he seems to lack his kind's tendency to betray others. He enjoys combat and always likes to bring out the fury in his opponents to break their concentration. He dislikes having to put up with others, and usually works alone as a result. Bio: Nobody seems to know exactly when Enax landed on the island, and he isn't exactly a storyteller, so it's unlikely that anyone will find out for some time. The one thing he has let slip was that he was looking for a mask. What mask, exactly, and why, he didn't say. Abilities: Enax doesn't seem to have any abilities other than being fairly acrobatic, and can be hard to hit. He also seems to know exactly where to hit someone to do the most damage and cause the most pain. Weapons: Enax carries a Clockwork Scythe, with one end firing paralyzing blasts, and the other functioning the same as a regular scythe. Weaknesses: Enax is not physically strong, and has a hard time hitting targets with a ranged weapon, due to being nearsighted.(unless said weapon has a scope) Edited December 7, 2013 by PyroLizard Prime Chuck Norik is no match for Bruce Lhikan! If you use correct grammar in your posts (or try hard to), place this in your signature. Join Myst's campaign for correct grammar usage on BZPower! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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All You Need To Pass Your Extra Class Exam!
Use this book to study for your Extra Class (Element 4) license exam. Every page presents information you will need to pass the exam and become an effective operator. For study purposes, information is presented in small sections:
Online Review and Practice Exams As you complete each chapter of this book, use ARRL�s online Exam Review for Ham Radio to help prepare you for exam day. This web-based service uses the question pool to construct chapter-by-chapter reviews. Once you�ve finished this book, use the online service to take practice exams with the same number and variety of questions that you�ll encounter on exam day. You won�t have any surprises on exam day!


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Archive for Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Food Q&A: Opening winter squash doesn't have to be difficult
October 24, 2012
Q: Now that the winter squash season is here, what's the trick to peeling butternut and spaghetti squashes? They're so hard, I don't know how to use them.
A: After hiding all that flavor and those nutrients inside them, nature certainly didn't make hard-shell squashes easy to open. You could keep one of those pumpkin-carving kits around. The saw-tooth blade can help open a squash.
But an easier way to tackle hard but smooth-skinned winter squashes is to start with the microwave. Use a metal skewer, a strong fork or the tip of a small paring knife to poke several holes through the skin. Then put the squash in the microwave for about 3 minutes.
That will soften the skin a little, so it will be easier to cut it in half for roasting, or to use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin and dice the squash.
For spaghetti squash, instead of peeling it, cut it in half, scrape out the seeds and either bake or steam the halves until it is soft enough to use a fork to release the long strands.
— Email questions about food and cooking to email@example.com
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is making changes in his life.
Two days after being hospitalized because he didn't feel right, Mularkey says he plans to eat healthier, hydrate better and get more rest.
Mularkey says he received ``a clean bill of health'' after Monday's tests at a nearby hospital, but the scare was enough to prompt some adjustments.
It was the first day of work Mularkey has missed in 30 years as a player and coach.
He adds, ``I am feeling definitely better. It's another good example to take a little better care. When your body's telling you something to get checked out, get checked out. ... I am feeling better and going full speed ahead.''
The Jaguars (2-11) play at Miami on Sunday.
Online:http://pro32.ap.org/poll andhttp://twitter.com/AP-NFL


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Sariva Hemidesmus indica-Radix
The Sariva plant is common throughout India and Sri Lanka. It is a thin and creeping plant which spreads extensively underground referring to its other name anantamool 'the eternal root', due to its ability to spread prolifically and to survive periods of high climatic stress. This plant has a distinctive, fragrant vanilla-smell and has a high concentration of essential oils.
Sariva has been used in traditional Ayurveda for thousands of years. It is also revered as a magical and spiritual herb which influences the dream world and deep meditative practices.
Its creeping tendencies come into full effect in Active Oil.


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World Sustainable Energy Days 2013
27 February-1 March 2013 in Wels, Austria
In the last years the World Sustainable Energy Days in Upper Austria, attracted about 10,000 experts and decision-makers from around 100 countries. 2013 the World Sustainable Energy Days will take place from 27 February-1 March, presenting latest technology trends, outstanding examples and European strategies in 5 separate conferences:
- European Pellet Conference: The world's largest annual conference on pellets presenting technology and policy trends, markets, innovation, sustainability, finance, business models; including for the first time the "Pellet Networking Platform" & the "Pellet News Worldwide".
- European Nearly Zero Energy Buildings Conference: A conference to discuss how to achieve "near zero energy buildings" (NZEB) in new construction & renovation: technologies, policies, financial instruments, definitions & national action plans, best practice examples, cost optimality of energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings.
- Conference WSEDnext!: A conference presenting the work and achievements of young researchers in the fields of biomass and energy efficiency; including for the first time the R & D Networking Platform.
- Energy Efficiency Watch Conference: A conference giving an update on the implementation of energy efficiency policies in the European Union.
- Conference "LED - innovative lighting solutions": A conference dedicated to presenting the latest developments in LED lighting and how they can be applied to contribute to energy efficiency as well as good living and working conditions.
Other focal points:
- Poster Presentation on successful projects concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy sources
- Trade Show "Energiesparmesse" with 1,600 exhibitors and around 100,000 visitors expected
- Technical site-visits: "Wood pellets and wood chips" (26 February) and "Nearly zero energy buildings" (1 March)
Detailed information on the conference as well as registration, programme, hotel reservation etc. can be found on the conference website: http://www.wsed.at
Conference Languages (simultaneous translation): English, German, Spanish, Russian
Related downloads
- Conference programme (in English and German) [pdf, 1,133.8 kb]


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Five Colour Feathers Small Temporary Tattoo
Transform your entire look... in an instant!
We are proud to bring you our latest range of temporary small tattoos with this swallows tattoo.
Tattoo Size: 50mm x 100mm
Contents: 1 tattoo as show in the pictureHow long do they last?
Your temporary eye tattoo can last for 2-3 days depending on how well you take care of it. To care for your temporary tattoo avoid any soap, sunscreen, lotions or oils near or on your tattoo. These types of oil based substances will begin to degrade the adhesive.
Are temporary tattoo's safe for the skin?
Absolutely! Our tattoos are non-toxic and safe for anyone to wear. Do not apply to sensitive skin, near eyes, or if you are allergic to adhesives.
How do I apply my Tattoo?
You will be amazed by how quick and easy it is to apply your eye tattoo with the help of a little water. For best application, ask a friend to help position your mini tattoo so your skin does not twist or stretch. You want to make sure your skin is clean, dry and free of any oils or the temporary tattoo will not adhere. Cut out the tattoo as close to the edge as possible (this is important later when you need to line it up) and remove the clear sheet. Place the tattoo face down on your skin and hold a wet cloth against it for about 30 seconds. Peel the paper aside then pat gently with the wet cloth. Tada! Be sure not to twist or stretch skin until the tattoo has had time to set (at least 10 minutes). Temporary tattoos look best after they have had an hour or two to set into the skin.
Will my tattoo cause tan lines?
Yes! But we think that they look pretty cool!
How do I remove it?
To remove your tattoo simply soak your skin in baby oil, olive oil or coconut oil for one minute then gently scrub off. Repeat as necessary. Apply lotion to moisturize and soothe the skin area.


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We are going to purchase a third party-server software (with a web front end) that is going to connect to SharePoint using its public API and I was wondering how many additional SharePoint device CAL we will need to purchase.
When directly accessing the SharePoint web application, we obviously need to purchase one device CAL per device.
But what if the SharePoint access is not directly made via a device, but indirectly via this third-party software ? I mean: depending on the architecture of this software, it may establish one SP connection per device, or only use one SP connection that would be "shared" by many devices.
What do you think ?


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Eric Day has been writing high-performance, multi-threaded servers for most of his career at Concentric, including complete HTTP/SSL, DNS, and IMAP implementations. He has also designed and implemented custom storage and database systems, from the protocol up through the application front-end. Most of his work has been done in clustered and distributed environments. When not hacking on code, he can be found running, biking, or enjoying a good vegan meal.
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Turning A Profit
Show me the money! That now famous pronouncement from the Tom Cruise movie "Jerry McGuire" about a struggling sports agent sounds great on the big screen. We all wish someone would just show us the money, but in reality it just isn't that simple. While you won't match what major sports figures earn in one year, making money in the green industry is possible. It just takes a lot of planning and consideration — everything from setting fair prices and operating efficiently to minimizing costs.
Setting fair prices sounds like a seemingly simple task. But, in fact, it can be very complex, and often something is easily overlooked.
"One of most important factors in setting your rates is knowing how much it really costs to operate your business," says Chip Smith, owner of Smith Grounds Management in Charlotte, N.C. "This includes wages, equipment and materials costs, employee benefits, office supplies, rent, fuel and so on."
Once you have the true cost of being in business, it will be easier to begin setting rates. First, begin to determine the hours it will take to complete the job. Assume you're pricing a maintenance contract. In this case, you'd measure the acreage to be mowed and determine what type of equipment will be required — riding, walk-behind, wide-area or zero-turn or handheld equipment. You will also need to establish the number of obstacles to be mowed around and trimmed, the linear footage of curbs and sidewalks that need to be edged, blowing time, the number of parking lots, etc., to figure the bid estimate.
Smith recommends noting whether the client uses irrigation to help establish how often you'll need to provide maintenance. "If a client does not use irrigation, then I may only need to mow once every two weeks in July, and that will impact my contract bid."
To further refine pricing strategy, Jason Creech, owner, Creech Landscape & Construction in Atlanta, Ga., uses industry standards that outline how much time it takes a particular mower to handle different types of turf.
While industry standards are helpful, they can't always account for the many variables, such as weather impact on growth and operator capabilities, so Smith also relies on his 15 years of experience for estimating routine maintenance tasks. "If I know my crew can prune a shrub in about four minutes and we have 30 shrubs on a property, then I know it's going to take me about two hours to get that portion of the job completed."
After determining operational costs, it'll pay to know the local market and the customer base. How much do your competitors charge for similar services? Does your bid typically fall way below or far higher? What are the customers' expectations for their property? Do they have a high-profile commercial property that demands professional appearance or a smaller property that only needs minimum maintenance? How much is the customer willing to pay?
"Typically, we aren't the highest- or lowest-priced contractors," notes Creech. "But no matter the customer, we always provide quality work. As a result, we have long-term customers who are willing to pay for our services because they feel they receive more value per dollar."
Though it's one of the trickiest parts of having a profitable business, smart pricing that accounts for as many of the variables as possible will certainly get you headed in the right direction. But there are other less complex ways of ensuring profits. Operating efficiently will also improve the bottom line.
With fair prices and efficient business operations, you can increase your profit margin. Accurately estimating crew sizes and then organizing them to work smoothly will have a significant impact.
Today, smaller, three- to four-man crews are becoming standard practice. But larger operations may have crews with up to eight people.
"Determining crew size is mostly based on the type of work you're doing, how much work there is to do and how many properties you need to do in one day," says Creech.
Creech, who has 16 crews (half are commercial and half are residential), has divided the crews into specialized teams that handle maintenance, enhancement and installation. "We typically send three-man crews to our high-end residential properties. This allows them to provide the necessary detail work required by that customer segment."
No matter the size of the crew, careful planning will further improve operating efficiencies. For Smith, this means having processes in place and accounting for the details on a daily basis. "We have three sets of keys for our equipment — one for the operator, one for the mechanic and a spare. Sounds simple, but if there's only one key and it's lost, then that equipment is not running and we're not making money."
Because Smith's crews have a set number of hours to complete each job, he also created processes to help get the crews out to the properties as smoothly as possible, and they leave headquarters with all the equipment needed for the day. "Making sure all the equipment is accounted for and ready to leave saves time and hassle and, ultimately, money."
To help keep business running smoothly, Creech closely evaluates drive time between jobs and places emphasis on location and routing. Every minute counts.
"We try to concentrate our routes as much as possible," adds Creech. "Keeping our 'windshield' time to a minimum allows us to keep on schedule and finish the day's work in the allotted time."
Not only are timesaving techniques important to efficiency, but also critical to the bottom line is equipment cost minimization.
"The more efficient you are with your equipment, the more money you can make," says Brian McAnally, division manager lawn care/quality control landscape maintenance for Clarence David's in Chicago.
"Operator fatigue, unsafe practices and the like decrease productivity, so we try to minimize those incidents through smart and safe equipment use," McAnally adds. "That means using the largest equipment feasible for the area and, whenever possible, using hydraulic, ride-on or stand-on machines."
Additionally, contractors should consider using equipment that is versatile enough to handle numerous tasks. For instance, compact tractors, used primarily for installation projects, can also handle mowing tasks. Some front mowers can accommodate attachments such as blades and snow blowers and can be used to earn money year-round.
Everyone knows that in the height of the mowing season, downtime is debilitating to the profit line. Therefore, properly maintaining all equipment can not only keep you up and running when it's most important, but also will save money in the long term. "Our crews perform daily maintenance on their equipment. As a result, we can catch potential problems early and also extend the life of the machine," Smith says. "When we do have equipment problems, we have two in-house mechanics and a large stock of parts to help minimize the time machines are out of commission."
But it's not just maintaining equipment that reduces operating costs — protecting your investment also helps. For instance, Smith noted that he color-codes and assigns equipment to crews. "Not only does it help monitor usage for maintenance needs, but it also helps us keep track of equipment whereabouts."
"We've started storing our equipment in enclosed box trucks," Creech adds. "It reduces the possibility of theft and protects our machines from the elements."
Having a good rate structure, operating efficiently and keeping costs in control — all of these elements add up to one thing and one thing only — good business sense.
"You have to be a business person first," Creech says. "Keep the big picture in mind, find people you trust to work with and provide them as much training as possible — then you'll have a profitable business."
Catherine Blackwell works with Epley Associates, a public relations agency representing the John Deere Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division.
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Any legal or private person willing to support us financially can transfer money into our account: Biedriba Apvieniba HIV.LV, Registration No. 40008102142, IBAN LV55HABA0551013367373, Swedbank AS, HABALV22. This money will be used to support our current projects.
Welcome to our homepage of the Association HIV.LV!
On 8 May of 2006 the Association HIV.LV has been entered into the State Register of Associations and Foundations. Association HIV.LV was established by several non-governmental organisations and a couple private persons.
Our mission is:To improve the quality of life and to provide advocacy for HIV positive people in all aspects of life, involving both HIV + community and society at large.Our vision is:A productive life for HIV+ population, a good quality of living, an access to adequate treatment in line with the highest available standards, and supportive public attitude. The Association shall only deal with the situation monitoring and education. The activities of the Association are financed by the state.Our goals are:• To improve the quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS by actively engaging them in shaping public policy on HIV/AIDS, along with state and local governmental institutions;• To increase the effectiveness of cooperation with international organizations and global networks;• To secure interests and rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, while safeguarding them against discrimination and promoting their social inclusion;• To promote access to treatments of Hepatitis C and/or other diseases for HIV+ segment of population as well as to protect its interests.To achieve above mentioned goals we have set following tasks:• To bring into the Association's work the non-governmental organisations working in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other related areas and their support groups, involve HIV+ activists as well as other interested individuals;• To raise necessary funds in order to support the Association's member organizations and their buildout;• To develop and implement training programs for HIV/AIDS activists; organize educational seminars;• To develop and implement training programs to aid fellow NGOs and their activists specializing in other diseases as well as share with them the advocacy know-hows;• To establish the support and self-help group activities for people living with HIV/AIDS in Latvia, and encourage people living with HIV/AIDS to build organisations of self-governance in the country;• To develop and implement various projects and raise necessary funds to secure the Association's work;• To develop and implement advocacy plans and middle term advocacy strategy for people living with HIV/AIDS;• To create a public oversight on the treatment and its access for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C co-infection;• To enact proposals for national programs, action plans and carry out independent monitoring of their implementation;• To enact legislative initiatives;• To represent the interests of participating organizations in the advisory councils, cross-sectoral committees, working groups set up by governmental institutions;• To provide and maintain the exchange of information on the latest updates in legislation, treatment, funding opportunities, statistics, and case studies;• To give continuous assistance to coordinated work on prevention and control of HIV and related infections, as well as aid in preparing various project applications.
In 2015, from February 1st to December 31st, Association will provide harm reduction services (HIV prevention services for drug users and their liaisons) in the administrative territory of Kekava county. There will also be the traditional, (already the 8th) summer training camp for activists, professionals and employees of HIV prevention programs. Routine advocacy to increase access of treatment for hepatitis C and HIV will be ongoing: Latvian and Baltic Patient Community Advisory Board's (abbreviated - BaltCAB) founding meeting will take place on March 20th-21st, in Riga. At this meeting, the patient community activists, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, and decision-makers in the healthcare sector will discuss the format of future cooperation nationally and will address the issues pertinent to a more effective treatment access. Also, the community of HIV and/or hepatitis C patients and the pharmaceutical industry ought to agree on the efficiency of a further cooperation model as well as its content.
In 2014, our society published two new brochures in Latvian: "HIV, pregnancy and women's health" and "Changing HIV treatment and drug resistance" (both funded by the European AIDS Treatment Group). An informal initiative group of drug users "The Doors" began carrying out its second project "Off-road with Methadone", funded by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, to probe the attitudes about the substitution therapy with methadone for drug users and customers of opiate pharmacotherapy treatment. The society has held the 7th traditional summer camp for activists, professionals and employees of HIV prevention programs. There has been an ongoing advocacy to expand an access to treatment of hepatitis C and HIV; the society has trained three activists. The 3rd autumn advocacy training (paid for by society AGIHAS) has been completed. There were two major public campaigns: "Walk for Health", with pickets at the Ministry of Health and at the Cabinet of Ministers, and the "National Meat Grinder Grinds the Patients", during the World Hepatitis Day at the Ministry of Finance and the Saeima (the Parliament). In September, Latvia was visited by the European Centre for Disease Control expert group that focused on matters related to hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and Association HIV.LV expressed its position. Throughout the year, the society continued its work on devising "the Action Plan for Restricting the Spread of HIV Infection, Sexual Transmission of Infections, Hepatitis B and C, in 2014-2016"; unfortunately, the plan had not yet been reviewed by the government. Work has begun on creating the Latvian and Baltic Patient Community Advisory Board; it is expected that the Advisory Board will be an effective tool in mobilizing patients with common aim to expand the availability of treatment and its access for HIV and hepatitis C. The founding meeting will be held in March 2015, in Riga.
In 2013, the patient advocacy project "Access to drugs – a right, not a privilege" was completed by developing recommendations, which were aligned with all participating institutions and majority of which were put into effect through the year. The advocacy initiatives included two public events – "Run for health" nearby the Cabinet of Ministers building and "Let's give LVL 1,000,000 to the Ministry of Health and scissors to the pharmaceutical companies" nearby the Ministry of Health. We have completed the research on the accessibility of the HIV infection, HIV/TB co-infection and HIV/HCV co-infection treatment. Based on this research, the following report has been published: "The assessment of the treatment infrastructure and accessibility in the Republic of Latvia." We organised the 6th – now annual – summer camp for activists, specialists and workers of HIV prophylaxis programmes for the management of the burnout syndrome. We have already received the funding for the 7th summer camp in 2014. The informal group of initiatives for drug users "Doors" delivered the project "With our own eyes", which assessed the quality of the harm reduction and methadone programmes. The methodology and grant application support was provided by Association HIV.LV, while the project was funded by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network. A report has been developed as result of this project. We also ran the 2nd autumn training session in advocacy for activists from non-governmental organisations. Information on all projects can be viewed in the "Projects" section of this website. You can also subscribe to a weekly e-newsletter and/or follow us on Twitter.
In 2012, Association HIV.LV started the patient advocacy project "Access to drugs – a right, not a privilege." The goal of this project is to improve the access to life-saving HIV and HCV treatments. This was the second project funded by the Open Society Foundations. We also organised two public events near the Ministry of Health with an aim to advocate the interests of the patients with chronic infectious diseases: "HCV treatment costs more than a life each month" and "Pay as you live". These events achieved a broad media coverage and raised the public profile of Association HIV.LV. This project also included two reports, both of which were presented to the Ministry of Health and the relevant subsidiaries. We ran the 1st autumn training session in advocacy for young activists and received funding for organising the follow-up training session in the autumn of 2013. We also completed the second Nordic Council of Ministers project in the area of AIDS and mental health "Improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS." As part of this project, we developed a training programme for social workers, ran 4 training sessions for social work specialists and activists and participated in experience exchange activities with akin organisations in Finland (Turku and Helsinki). At the end of 2012, we started a new patient advocacy project for the International Treatment Access Coalition. We had planned to research the access to the treatment of the HIV/TB and HIV/HCV co-infections and draft the report "The assessment of the treatment infrastructure and accessibility in the Republic of Latvia."
We published two booklets for patients – "Side effects of antiretroviral therapy: Effective management" in Latvian (funded by the European AIDS Treatment Group) and a bilingual booklet on peer support during HIV and HCV treatment in Latvian and Russian. We continued the educational work with prisoners; it was funded by the Embassy of the United States in Latvia. We also organised the customary events for the management of the burnout syndrome.
We signed a long-term partnership agreement with the project office of Anand Grover, the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
Information on all projects can be viewed in the "Projects" section of this website. You can also subscribe to a weekly e-newsletter and/or follow us on Twitter.
In 2011, Association HIV.LV implemented the project "HCV: Hesitation is dangerous." As part of this project, prisoners were tested for HIV and HCV antibodies, while female sex workers were tested for HCV antibodies. If HCV had been diagnosed, the project participants were asked to complete a survey. We also interviewed several HCV experts. This project included the development of a review on the treatment of HCV in Latvia, which was published in Latvian, Russian and English.
We created a strategic plan for the advocacy of the HIV, HCV infected and HIV/HCV co-infected patients in 2012. A new bilingual booklet "HCV: A booklet for those getting tested for HCV antibodies" was issued in Latvian and Russian. We completed the first project in the area of AIDS and mental health "Improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS." As part of this project, we ran 5 training sessions for social work specialists and activists, researched services available to the HIV patients in Latvia and participated in experience exchange activities. Association HIV.LV also organised the customary events for the management of the burnout syndrome and completed the advocacy project assessing the accessibility of the HIV infection treatment. For the first time ever, Association HIV.LV was able to provide minimal financial support to its member-organisations.
We improved our website, set up a weekly e-newsletter and a Twitter account.
On 4 March 2011, the Society Integration Foundation of Latvia awarded Association HIV.LV a prize for promoting tolerance and solidarity, along with a gratuity of LVL 500.
Our representative works in following Cross-Sector committees at Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia:
•Coordination Committee of elimination of HIV infection, tuberculosis and sexual transmitted disease spread (since 2008),
•Health Coordination Committee (since 2010).
In 2010, Association HIV.LV implemented 13 projects. Association continued educational activities in Latvian prisons and supplemented prisoners with tests for HIV, Hepatitis C and tuberculosis, as well started advocacy project for HIV treatment availability. The association conducted 3 researches, which resulted in creating following reports: "Missing the Target: Access to treatment for people living with HIV in Latvia ", "National report from a study on mental health and HIV/AIDS", case study about treating TB/HIV co-infected patients in Latvia. Association HIV.LV designed report "Rights for access restricted. Alternative UNGASS Report". Following brochures have been issued in Latvian: "Recommendations for patients with HIV and Hepatitis C: testing, treatment and support" and "I have been prescribed efavirenzs … recommendations to patients". Association HIV.LV carried out activities to prevent burnout syndrome and organized several training sessions. The association takes part in international project concerning AIDS and mental health "Developing HIV/AIDS and mental health programs in new EU countries – MAIDS". Association HIV.LV continued actively to defend the rights of HIV/AIDS infected people. During the winter time Association HIV.LV organizes the environment social campaign in Riga city "How Understanding Would YOU Be, If You Found Out, That a Person with AIDS Lives in Your Staircase?" This campaign also was organized in several other cities. We were working on improving our homepage and introduced some new functions, e.g. arranged news and forum message archiving, our readers can apply for weekly news and new photos from several events were added.
In 2009, Association HIV.LV implemented 10 projects. Association continued activities, which were started in the previous year, and organized activities for prevention of burnout syndrome. The Association implemented several projects: work in prison was supplemented with individual peer-to-peer consultations, volunteers were advised and tested for HIV, informative training was organized about HIV/AIDS for prison personnel and brochure in Latvian was issued called "An introduction to antiretroviral combination therapy". Training for NGO workers and social workers was organized throughout Latvia and activities carried out concerning HIV treatment availability. First time the summit of the "Baltic Positive Network" took place in Latvia.
In 2008, Association HIV.LV implemented 5 projects concerning HIV/AIDS: educational lectures in prisons, correspondence with HIV-positive prisoners about maintaining level of life standard, organized various trainings for NGO workers and local authorities, set up support group activities and provided society with the latest information on the Association HIV.LV web-page, as well as organized activities for prevention of burnout syndrome. The Association actively cooperated with authorities and created strategic its plan.
Association has a mailing list http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/hivapvienibalv. All who are interested can join by sending a request from groups site in Yahoo! At the moment (17.02.2015) mailing list has 25 addresses. The primary language of the mailing list is Latvian.
HIV Statistics in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
Statement of the European Union and its Member States on World AIDS Day, 2011 see here>>>
Advocacy - is a series of activities targeted at decision makers and politicians with the aim to promote specific political issues. The process of advocacy is considered completed when the decision is taken and specific actions are carried out accordingly. In general advocacy is a process of continual response to the situation, attitudes, policies and legislation through influence upon decision makers and authorities, as well as structures and systems of different levels in order to improve the situation of people affected by a specific problem.
Partnership Agreement between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia, the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania on Joint Procurements of Medicinal Products and Medical Devices and Lending of Medicinal Products and Medical Devices Procurable Centrally. Read the Agreement here http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=248008


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Topic of the Moment – weights and measures
If you've found yourself having put on a little "holiday weight" after a bit too much festive indulgence, you're not alone – the block of platinum used to define the kilogram is also getting heavier.
The International Prototype Kilogram (IPK) is kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris, and the metallic cylinder has been used to define the kilogram since 1889. Previously the unit had been defined as the mass of a litre of water.
Forty replicas of the IPK were made and distributed throughout the world, and now each varies in mass by a few micrograms. The increase is thought to be due to having accumulated impurities on the surface, and may be reversible by "washing" the block with ozone and UV light.
Since the kilogram is defined as being the mass of the IPK, then if that block gets heavier the kilogram simply becomes a larger mass unit than it previously was. But the problem with this is that the kilogram is one of the seven "base units" of the SI system, from which other units are derived.
For example the unit of force, the Newton, is defined as that required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one metre per second squared. In turn the unit of work or energy, the Joule, is a force of one Newton exerted over a distance of one metre.
The kilogram getting heavier therefore creates a domino effect in which many other units of measurement also change – and the instruments used to measure them have to be recalibrated.
The kilogram is unique in that it's the only one of the base units currently defined via a physical thing rather than from a natural phenomenon – it's the joker in the deck used to build this particular house of cards.
For example the metre, once defined as a proportion of the distance from the north pole to the equator, is now the distance travelled by light in one 299,792,458th of a second. And the second, once considered to a division of a 24-hour day, is "the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium 133 atom".
It's a goal of the science of metrology to similarly define the kilogram in terms of natural physical constants. One proposal is to define it by fixing the value of Planck's constant, which can be expressed in units that include the kilogram.
Others include defining it as a certain number of atoms of Carbon-12, or to employ a Watt balance – a type of scale that uses electrical current and voltage to measure the weight of a test mass very precisely.
Until then we can console ourselves with the fact that, despite what the post-Christmas thickening around the middle might suggest, if the kilogram is getting heavier then – at least relatively – we are actually getting lighter.