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OCEAN CITY — After years of planning for that perfect retirement — diligently investing your money, drawing up detailed budgets and investing assets wisely — many investors continue to miss one important detail. As much as 85% of your Social Security income could be subject to federal (and possibly state) income taxes.
"That can be a real shock when people collect their first check," says Bill Hunter, a Merrill Lynch director of IRA product management.
How much of your Social Security income is subject to tax depends on a variety of factors, including your marital status and any additional income you earn. But with a little upfront planning, which can include everything from rebalancing your portfolio to structuring certain transactions (like the sale of a home or a business), you don't have to let taxes derail your plans.
Social Security benefit taxes are based on what is commonly referred to as your "provisional income." That includes half your Social Security income for the year, plus your modified adjusted gross income, which includes (among other items) any tax-exempt income. After you cross these income thresholds, a portion of your Social Security benefits will be considered taxable income, explains Marcus U. Jean-Simon, a Merrill Lynch vice president and specialist in personal retirement planning. For example, people in the middle tax brackets — provisional income of at least $32,000, depending on tax-return filing status — could see up to 85% of their benefits get a haircut from the tax man.
Because of these income thresholds, tax planning experts often advise looking for ways to lower your provisional income. "When you plan for retirement," says Vinay Navani, a shareholder with Wilkin & Guttenplan, an accounting and consulting firm in East Brunswick, New Jersey, "you need to think in terms of multiyear projections." For example, if you anticipate a big one-time event such as the sale of a business, you may be better off structuring the sale as an installment sale to be paid off over several years instead of an all-cash transaction This can help lower your overall income and possibly keep you in a lower tax bracket, which would help minimize that tax hit on your SSI benefits.
You may also want to consider a longer-term strategy for drawing out of your qualified retirement accounts. That's because all withdrawals from a traditional IRA typically will be included in your provisional income calculations. Income drawn out of a Roth IRA, however, is not. So you may want to consider withdrawing from the Roth first.
On the other hand, if you're earning income in retirement, you can still contribute to an IRA, and contributions into a traditional IRA may be tax tax-deductible, lowering your provisional income. A word of caution, though, if you are considering converting a traditional IRA to a Roth: Any amount you move will also be counted as income.
Another option is to convert an investment that earns taxable income, such as a taxable bond portfolio, into a tax-deferred account, such as a deferred annuity. You could structure the annuity to begin paying income in a few years, when you expect your provisional income, as well as your overall tax rate, to decline.
Those hoping to work in retirement need to be especially careful if they're planning to claim Social Security benefits early. According to a 2010 study by the Families and Work Institute and the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, three-quarters of workers age 50 and older say they expect to hold some kind of income-generating job after retiring. It's important to consider how that income will affect your benefits.
The Social Security Administration caps how much you are allowed to earn if you start taking your benefits before "full retirement age," which the SSA considers 66 for most baby boomers. In 2011, the annual earned income cap is $14,160, and for every $2 you earn over that limit, the SSA trims $1 off the top of your benefits. So if you earn $20,000 this year, and you haven't yet reached full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced by $2,920 — on top of any income taxes you may have to pay on the remaining benefits.
There is some good news, however: Because the penalty is determined by your individual earned income, if you retire early and your spouse doesn't, and if you file separately, your spouse's earned income will not be factored into any benefit cuts that could apply. However, if you file jointly, your spouse's earnings will be included when calculating your provisional income. Additionally, when you reach your full retirement age, the earned income penalty disappears.
Lastly, do a bit of homework. Worksheets in IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits, available at www.irs.gov, can help you compute your tax liability. Then check with your state to see whether it taxes benefits. You might not be able to avoid taxes, but at least you'll know what to expect and will be able to plan accordingly. As always, your Financial Advisor can work with your tax professional to find the best solutions.
(A Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor. She can be reached at 410-213-8520.)


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HacPDX is Coming
September 19, 2009
That's right – HacPDX is less than a week away so REGISTER if you haven't. Failure to register means you might not have network access or even a chair!
I've planned to work on networking but I'll be happy to work on anything that interests people and makes progress including networking, crypto, kernel modules, hackage-server, even ARM (assuming an expert attends).
I've also heard a number of people mention working on various C Bindings – which is awesome because I suck at marshalling so maybe they can help. Can't wait to see everyone there and hacking away!

subset: commoncrawl


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I lost! I lost!
About a week ago a guy called Chris e-mailed me:
Just wanted to drop you a note saying that Jennifer Government was my favorite book of 2003, and was a finalist for the Campbell Award for best SF novel of the year.
Naturally, I assumed Chris was deranged. Sure, he has excellent taste in literature, but the Campbell Award was presented almost two months ago. If my book had been a finalist for one of the world's leading science-fiction prizes, that'd be the kind of thing I'd have heard about, don't you think? Well, apparently not. I e-mailed my publisher just in case, and it turns out Chris isn't a mentally unstable nutjob with a penchant for fooling people into thinking they've qualified for major awards: Jennifer Government really was a Campbell Award finalist.
Not a winner, alas, which means I'm feeling honored, humbled, and a deep, burning rage toward Jack McDevitt. But still! This is awesome. Now I just need to go apologize to Chris.


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Category Archives: Knowledge
Six Latest Advanced Technology That Can Change Your Life
Six Latest Advanced Technology That Can Change Your Life
Today many large software company looks to improve performance in the competition by creating a variety of the latest advanced technology in 2014. It can be seen almost every part of human life made easy with the use of advanced technologies, ranging from communication tools to household appliances.
A Guest from Ciheras
Who doesn't know Ricky Elson, a scientist who was born in Padang who makes the scientists of Indonesia leer him. How not? He is famous enough for his skill in the electric booster motor. We don't need to doubt his experience because he had ever worked in Japan for 14 years to improve his skill in the electric booster motor.
On Friday, February 20th 2015, Ricky Elson came to Engineering Faculty of Lampung University. He was welcomed well by all Engineering Faculty's community directly,


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You are about to proceed to an off-site link.
Texas Republic Bank has no control over off-site content. Texas Republic Bank makes no representation concerning and is not responsible for the quality, content, nature, or reliability of any hyper-linked site and is providing this hyper-link to you only as a convenience.
The inclusion of any hyper-link does not imply any endorsement, investigation, verification, or monitoring by Texas Republic Bank of any information in a hyper-linked site. In no event shall Texas Republic Bank be responsible for your use of a hyper-linked site.
Click OK to proceed to www.friscotexas.gov


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B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Unofficial DataVolley Statistics * Official Statistics
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 14, 2011) – The U.S. Men's A2 Volleyball Team picked up its second victory at the 2011 Pan American Cup on Tuesday with a 25-14, 25-14, 25-11 victory over Panama at the at the Robert Guertin Centre in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
The U.S. Men's A2 Team (2-0) will play Argentina (2-0) at 3 p.m. PT on Wednesday to determine the winner of Group C. Panama (0-2) will play Bahamas (0-2).
Matches can be viewed online at www.sportscanada.tv/index.php/2011-pan-american-mens-volleyball-cup.
The U.S. Men's A2 Team got very balanced scoring as four players each finished with seven points.
Middle blocker Andy Hein (Carol Stream, Ill.) scored seven points on a match-high seven kills (77.8 kill percent). Starting opposite Will Price (Laytonsville, Md.) scored seven points on four kills (50.0 kill percent) and a match-high three blocks. Substitute opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) added seven points on six kills (60.0 kill percent) and one block. Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) contributed seven points on five kills and two blocks.
Panama was led by Edward Diaz and Domingo Avila who each scored six points.
"We wanted to get better today," U.S. Head Coach Gordon Mayforth (St. Petersburg, Fla.) said. "We feel the tournament is going to get harder each day and the team needs to improve. The players responded and we played a lot of guys, but still had a good result in points. Overall, the USA served and blocked well."
Mayforth said the team is looking forward to its Wednesday match against Argentina.
"The U.S. and Argentina have a great history," he said. "We have played against each other many times. It's going to be a very good match; we know that Argentina has a lot of talent."
On Tuesday, the U.S. Men's A2 Team out-scored Panama on kills 34-21. The United States' hitting efficiency was 0.369 and its kill percentage was 52.31. Panama's hitting efficiency was 0.012 and its kill percentage was 25.3.
The United States out-blocked Panama 9-2 and scored on seven aces while Panama had two.
The U.S. Men's A2 Team finished with 17 digs and 11 errors while Panama was credited with 15 digs and 30 errors.
Among other U.S. scorers, starting outside hitter Jayson Jablonsky (Yorba Linda, Calif.) totaled six points on five kills (62.5 kill percent) and one block. Substitute outside hitter Jeff Menzel (Santa Barbara, Calif.) added six points on six kills (50.0 kill percent).
Starting setter Jonathan Winder (Irvine, Calif.) scored five points on a match-high five aces.
Outside hitter Robert Tarr (Cape Canaveral, Fla.) totaled two points on one kill and one ace. Backup setter Kawika Shoji (Honolulu, Hawaii) scored two points on two blocks. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.) finished with one point on a block.
Winder was credited with 16 assists and no errors while Shoji, who entered the match as a substitute in the second set and started the third before Winder returned, finished with 18 assists and no errors.
Libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) led the team with six digs and two faults on 11 attempts.
Mayforth (St. Petersburg, Fla.) started Jablonsky and Tarr at outside hitter, Smith and Hein at middle blocker, Price at opposite, Winder at setter and Watten at libero.
2011 Pan American Cup
June 13-18 in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
U.S. Men's A2 Team
No. Name (Position, Height, Weight, Hometown, College)
1 Jeff Menzel (OH, 6-6, 210, Santa Barbara, Calif., UC Santa Barbara)
4 Garrett Muagututia (OH, 6-5, 225, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA)
6 Murphy Troy (OH, 6-8, 240, St. Louis, Mo., USC)
7 Jonathan Winder (S, 6-8, 216, Irvine, Calif., Pepperdine)
8 Andy Hein (MB, 6-11, 232, Carol Stream, Ill., Pepperdine)
9 Ryan Meehan (MB, 6-8, 209, Dana Point, Calif., Long Beach State)
11 Kawika Shoji (S, 6-3, 194, Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanford)
12 David Smith (MB, 6-7, 190, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)
16 C Robert Tarr (OH, 6-6, 200, Cape Canaveral, Fla., Long Beach State)
17 Will Price (Opp, 6-5, 207, Laytonsville, Md., Penn State)
18 Jayson Jablonsky (OH, 6-5, 205, Yorba Linda, Calif., UC Irvine)
19 Dustin Watten (L, 6-0, 162, Long Beach, Calif., Long Beach State)
Head Coach: Gordon Mayforth (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
Team Leader: Jon Roberts
Assistant Coach: Sean Byron
Therapist/Trainer: Shawn Patchell
Technical Coordinator: Jacob Schick
Medical Support: Chad Eichten
Schedule (all times PT)
Group A
June 13: Brazil def. Mexico, 25-22, 25-20, 25-15
June 14 at 3 p.m.: Venezuela vs. Mexico
June 15 at noon: Brazil vs. Venezuela
Group B
June 13: Canada def. Puerto Rico, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17
June 14 at 5 p.m.: Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico
June 15 at 5 p.m.: Canada vs. Dominican Republic
Group C
June 13: USA def. Bahamas, 25-14, 25-12, 25-12
June 13: Argentina def. Panama, 25-16, 25-23, 25-21
June 14: Argentina def. Bahamas, 25-20, 25-16, 25-9
June 14: USA def. Panama, 25-14, 25-14, 25-11
June 15 at noon: Panama vs. Bahamas
June 15 at 3 p.m.: USA vs. Argentina
June 16 at 10 a.m.: Classification 5-10
June 16 at noon: Classification 5-10
June 16 at 3 p.m. Quarterfinals
June 16 at 5 p.m. Quarterfinals
June 17 at 8 a.m.: 9th/10th Place
June 17 at 10 a.m.: Classification 5/8
June 17 at noon: Classification 5/8
June 17 at 3 p.m.: Semifinals
June 17 at 5 p.m.: Semifinals
June 18 at 10 a.m.: 7th/8th Place
June 18 at noon: 5th/6th Place
June 18 at 3 p.m.: Bronze Medal
June 18 at 5 p.m.: Gold Medal


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In the last couple of months, we have heard more and more about Reverse Mortgages. This post will help you have a better understanding of this product.
First, who can get a reverse mortgage?
This kind of loan is available for homeowners that are 55 or older.
What is a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage allows you to get up to 55% of your home equity (home equity = value of your home – unpaid balance) meaning that the amount of cash you receive uses the actual equity as a collateral. However, you will have to fully pay any outstanding loans secured by your home when you use this product. As you aren't making monthly payments, the interest on your reverse mortgage accumulates over the years and the equity you hold in your home will decrease. Reverse mortgages are subject to higher interest rates than most other types of mortgages. And the balance of your loan cannot exceed the fair market value of your home, so you cannot owe more than the fair market value.
This type of mortgage helps you borrow a tax-free lump sum, or a loan to set up planned advances that provides you a regular income, or a mix between these two, without losing the ownership of your home (meaning that you still have to pay for property taxes, insurance and other regular maintenance fees). Beyond that, even if your equity decreases as your reverse mortgage increases, keep in mind that real estate values can increase as well. And, even if you owe more than the fair value of your home, you will never pay more than the fair market value of your home at the date of sale.
There are, of course, plenty of other aspects to discuss with your CENTUM mortgage professional. Do not hesitate to call one of our brokers as we are always looking for your best interest®.


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Of Politics, Pundits, Links, and Movies
Nov 9 2012
So much to write about and so little time.
As the world knows, Obama won! I hope he can continue the trend around change and find a way to bring a divided nation together for all of our sakes. Check out Fred Wilson's (A venture capitalist in New York) post on the topic How Do You Take The Vote?. I like the way he outlined the results.
I recently saw a movie called Cloud Atlas that was well done and though provoking. I want to see it again to catch all the references I'm certain I missed. It's based on a book of the same name that was written in 2004 by David Mitchell. It interweaves six stories about people who show up in different life times that move from the South Pacific in the nineteenth century to a post-apocalyptic future. Tom Hanks' character gets better (i.e. fights his demons and trusts his instincts about love). He and Halle Barry make an interesting couple throughout. I know it is a science fiction, but I sometimes feel as if people I meet I've known before or have more close connections with.
Author: Aruni | Filed under: Just For Fun, movie reviews, politics | Tags: Barack Obama, cloud atlas, david mitchell, halle barry, obama, tom hanks | Comments Off on Of Politics, Pundits, Links, and Movies


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Dear Em,
Just received your letter of the 30th and am glad to hear that Nora is getting chummy. I can see where Henry made the mistake of not addressing it properly for if you saw some of the mail that comes to us, which should be sent to the Michigan or New York Troops you would think that some people didn't know who or where they are sending their mail. I was glad to hear that Pa had such a good time but I am sorry that his vacation is over. I got a letter from Norman Renney, and I thank you for making this possible.
Just ended a very busy 24 hours and I am all tierd out. I will send Mary some mail soon. Glad to hear from Lillian through you. Am in good health.
© Copyright 2008 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.


text:
Goodridge Chevrolet Brake Lines
Return to the Car Brake Lines list
As standard kits will come with stainless steel braided hoses with zinc plated fittings. To upgrade to stainless steel fittings, simply select Stainless from the drop down box titled Fittings.
You can choose a coloured cover for the lines. As standard lines will come with a clear coating and are at no extra cost for Clear and Black. Other coloured lines will add £0.00 per line and be treated as a special order. For more information please read about colour coated brake lines.
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text:
Prism Tats Announce New Album 'Mamba'
Due out March 2, Mamba offers a moody but melody-driven strain of psych-inflected post-punk.
Recorded with producer Chris Woodhouse (Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall), Mamba explores themes of self-inflicted isolation, working-class hopelessness, and the emotional damage of technology addiction. "Most of these new songs came from taking in what's going on in the world today, and being afraid of the future we're headed toward," notes Garett van der Spek, the L.A.-based singer/songwriter behind Prism Tats.
Today, Prism Tats shares the video for "Daggers," one of the more menacing tracks featured on Mamba. Directed by Jonny Look (Cass McCombs, Grizzly Bear), "Daggers" delivers its brilliantly twisted humor in grainy home-video form.
Watch the video for "Daggers" here
With its sonic complexity and understated emotional depth, Mamba has a double meaning to its title. "It's the name of a venomous snake, and in my hometown it's a slang term for the biggest or meanest of something," van der Spek points out.
As he explains, the word mamba ultimately embodies the sense of fear and defiance threaded throughout the record and especially evident in its epic title track. "The song is partly about letting go of that fear," says van der Spek. "When I say 'Give me the mamba,' I mean 'Give me the whole experience': the good and the bad and everything else that might exist in between."


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I seem to be stuck in a situation where all I can get out of some designers(through a client so it's a little embarrassing now I've asked more than three times) is some vectored pdfs.
I need to put these graphics on a website, and it'd be nice to preserve the vectorisation by converting them to a vectored png.
I've tried googling around, but the software always seems to produce raster graphics - not really ideal.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.


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As of March 31, we have combined ThyssenKrupp Robins, Inc., Uhde Corporation of America, Polysius Corp. and A-C Equipment Services, Corp., to make up ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions (USA), Inc. Combining the strengths of our successful long-standing plant technology companies will strengthen each business' capabilities and help us better meet our customers' needs in engineering, procurement and construction. Under the name ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions (USA), Inc., our plant engineering business will be much stronger.
Please click here if you would like to stay on the old www.thyssenkrupprobins.com website


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1. Re: Cannot start essbase955124 Aug 2, 2013 1:16 PM (in response to 923301)
Check the ARBOR path in your Environment Variable , also check with your Windows/Unix admin if the APS server is working fine !
3. Re: Cannot start essbaseJohnGoodwin Aug 2, 2013 1:44 PM (in response to 923301)
Which version of Essbase is it, by the sounds it is running on windows so usually you would start a windows service, also you normally would check the logs if there is a problem.
4. Re: Cannot start essbase955124 Aug 2, 2013 1:45 PM (in response to JohnGoodwin)
Check for Essbase Opmn service , if it is not started you will get this type of error !! You just need to Activate OPMN
5. Re: Cannot start essbase923301 Aug 2, 2013 1:56 PM (in response to 955124)
John, when i look at the services, the OPMN is started, but on the taskmanager, i do not see any essbase.exe or anything like that. any suggestion?
6. Re: Cannot start essbase955124 Aug 2, 2013 2:13 PM (in response to 923301)
There is a windows command to check OPMN status , task manager doesnt give you sufficient Information . So go to the server and check the Status , if Inactive make it active.
7. Re: Cannot start essbase923301 Aug 2, 2013 2:47 PM (in response to 955124)
could you tell me how to run and what the window command is.
the essbase.exe pops up in the taskmgr and then disappear.
8. Re: Cannot start essbaseJohnGoodwin Aug 2, 2013 2:58 PM (in response to 923301)
If you start the OPMN service and the essbase.exe process starts and then stops you will need to check the logs, check the Essbase.log and the OPMN logs
9. Re: Cannot start essbase923301 Aug 2, 2013 3:19 PM (in response to JohnGoodwin)
Thanks John, I am checking to see if there is anything I can find. But you know what, the EPM log is like an ocean. You never find what you looking for. Or way too tough to find.
10. Re: Cannot start essbase923301 Aug 2, 2013 3:22 PM (in response to 923301)
This is the kind of log:
Seems like it starts and then stops by itself
Status: Stopped
Operation: request (success)
ErrFile: D:\oracle\Middleware\user_projects\epmsystem2\diagnostics\logs\OPMN\opmn\console~Essbase1~EssbaseAgent~AGENT~1.log
[2013-05-23T13:01:32][opmn][TRACE:1][666][OPMN][code:pm-process]Process Stopped: Essbase1~EssbaseAgent~AGENT~1 (977144919:10968)
[2013-05-23T13:49:45][opmn][NOTIFICATION:1][90][OPMN][code:ons-internal]ONS server initiated
[2013-05-23T13:49:45][opmn][NOTIFICATION:1][522][OPMN][code:pm-internal]PM state directory exists: D:\oracle\Middleware\user_projects\epmsystem2\config\OPMN\opmn\states
[2013-05-23T13:49:45][opmn][NOTIFICATION:1][675][OPMN][code:pm-internal]OPMN server ready. Request handling enabled.
[2013-05-23T13:49:45][opmn][TRACE:1][667][OPMN][code:pm-requests]Request 2 Started. Command: /start
[2013-05-23T13:49:45][opmn][TRACE:1][662][OPMN][code:pm-process]Starting Process: Essbase1~EssbaseAgent~AGENT~1 (977144920:0)
[2013-05-23T13:49:57][opmn][TRACE:1][665][OPMN][code:pm-process]Process Alive: Essbase1~EssbaseAgent~AGENT~1 (977144920:10020)
[2013-05-23T13:49:57][opmn][TRACE:1][668][OPMN][code:pm-requests]Request 2 Completed. Command: /start
[2013-06-03T10:02:00][opmn][NOTIFICATION:1][676][OPMN][code:pm-internal]OPMN server stopped. Request handling disabled.
[2013-06-03T10:02:00][opmn][TRACE:1][667][OPMN][code:pm-requests]Request 3 Started. Command: /shutdown
[2013-06-03T10:02:00][opmn][TRACE:1][663][OPMN][code:pm-process]Stopping Process: Essbase1~EssbaseAgent~AGENT~1 (977144920:10020)
[2013-06-03T10:02:23][opmn][TRACE:1][668][OPMN][code:pm-requests]Request 3 Completed. Command: /shutdown
[2013-06-03T10:02:23][opmn][TRACE:1][][OPMN][code:pm-requests]Http 3
Status: Stopped
Operation: request (success)
ErrFile: D:\oracle\Middleware\user_projects\epmsystem2\diagnostics\logs\OPMN\opmn\console~Essbase1~EssbaseAgent~AGENT~1.log
11. Re: Cannot start essbase923301 Aug 2, 2013 3:25 PM (in response to 923301)
13/08/02 10:50:16 Start process
EPMCSS-00001: Failed to initialize EPM Shared Services security instance. Component SYSTEM9/FOUNDATION_SERVICES_PRODUCT/SHARED_SERVICES_PRODUCT is null in EPM System Registry. Verify EPM System Registry configuration.
at com.hyperion.css.registry.RegistryManager.initRegistry(RegistryManager.java:109)
at com.hyperion.css.registry.RegistryManager.<init>(RegistryManager.java:94)
at com.hyperion.css.registry.RegistryManager.getInstance(RegistryManager.java:131)
at com.hyperion.css.CSSSystemFactory.getCSSMode(CSSSystemFactory.java:102)
at com.hyperion.css.CSSSystemFactory.getCSSSystem(CSSSystemFactory.java:71)
at com.hyperion.css.CSSSystem.initCSSSystem(CSSSystem.java:319)
at com.hyperion.css.CSSSystem.getInstance(CSSSystem.java:273)
Warning: Invalid or Obsolete Configuration Setting - essbase.cfg(37): "InstanceName Essbase1"
DefaultLogLocation is set to FALSE. Using [ARBORPATH] to set log location.
ODL log location is [D:\oracle\Middleware\user_projects\epmsystem2\diagnostics\logs\essbase\essbase_0].
65535 Essbase user 65535 Planning user system
Essbase - Release 11.1.2 (ESB184.108.40.206.0B347)
Copyright (c) 1991, 2011, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates.Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. This software and related documentation are provided under a license agreement containing restrictions on use and disclosure and are protected by intellectual property laws. Except as expressly permitted in your license agreement or allowed by law, you may not use, copy, reproduce, translate, broadcast, modify, license, transmit, distribute, exhibit, perform, publish or display any part, in any form, or by any means. Reverse engineering, disassembly,or decompilation of this software, unless required by law for interoperability, is prohibited.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and is not warranted to be error-free. If you find any errors, please report them to us in writing.
If this software or related documentation is delivered to the U.S. Government or anyone licensing it on behalf of the U.S. Government, the following notice is applicable:
U.S. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS: Programs, software, databases, and related documentation and technical data delivered to U.S. Government customers are \"commercial computer software\" or \"commercial technical data\" pursuant to the applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation and agency-specific supplemental regulations.As such, the use, duplication, disclosure, modification, and adaptation shall be subject to the restrictions and license terms set forth in the applicable Government contract, and, to the extent applicable by the terms of the Government contract, the additional rights set forth in FAR 52.227-19, Commercial Computer Software License(December 2007). Oracle USA, Inc., 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065.
This software is developed for general use in a variety of information management applications. It is not developed or intended for use in any inherently dangerous applications, including applications which may create a risk of personal injury.If you use this software in dangerous applications, then you shall be responsible to take all appropriate fail-safe, backup, redundancy and other measures to ensure the safe use of this software. Oracle Corporation and its affiliates disclaim any liability for any damages caused by use of this software in dangerous applications.
This software and documentation may provide access to or information on content, products and services from third parties. Oracle Corporation and its affiliates are not responsible for and expressly disclaim all warranties of any kind with respect to third party content, products and services.Oracle Corporation and its affiliates will not be responsible for any loss, costs, or damages incurred due to your access to or use of third party content, products or services.
Fatal Error: An error occurred while initializaing Essbase. See the Essbase log file for more information
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:16 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Info(1051283)
Retrieving License Information Please Wait...
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:16 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Info(1051286)
License information retrieved.
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:23 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Error(1051223)
Single Sign On function call [css_init] failed with error [CSS Error: CSS method invocation error: getInstance: Failed to get CSSSystem instance, please check SharedServices_Security_Client.log for more information]
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:23 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Info(1051198)
Single Sign-On Initialization Failed !
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:23 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Info(1051232)
Using English_UnitedStates.Latin1@Binary as the Essbase Locale
Exception in thread "main"
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:23 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Error(1051683)
Attempt to retrieve connection information from the registry failed. Please check reg.properties file and try again.
[Fri Aug 02 10:50:23 2013]Local/ESSBASE0///5732/Error(1051686)
Attempt to find an Agent instance corresponding to ARBORPATH [D:/HYPERION/ESSBASE] failed.
12. Re: Cannot start essbaseCelvin Kattookaran Aug 2, 2013 4:13 PM (in response to 923301)
Check whether all information is correct in reg.properties file (<epmdrive>:\Oracle\Middleware\user_projects\epmsystem1\config\foundation\126.96.36.199)
Is it showing an IP address?
13. Re: Cannot start essbase923301 Aug 2, 2013 4:22 PM (in response to Celvin Kattookaran)
#Mon Feb 04 17:39:36 EST 2013
Looks fine
14. Re: Cannot start essbaseCelvin Kattookaran Aug 2, 2013 4:38 PM (in response to 923301)
Did something change? Is that your personal installation? Can you connect to registry using Toad/SQL developer?


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I'm asked from time to time for references on statistics. I'm going to start posting up some links and references in a Page (see right frame). Here's one that I noticed which is both an excellent introduction to R and to statistics. John Verzani, Using R for Introductory Statistics The nice thing about R packages is that you can results almost instantaneously and get a feel for what's going on. Then you've got some motivation for the theoretical aspects. Unfortunately, things are usually taught the other wat around. R texts have a style that I really like – with the text often being a running comentary on the programming, with actual program lines being shown in the text.
Another package that I noticed and looks nice: Grant Farnsworth, Econometrics in R, Econometrics has been far more attentive to autocorrelation issues than paleoclimate, but the data issues have a lot in common.


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Walk-in COVID-19 testing is not available at any Denver Health location.
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With more than 2,000 views and counting, our call for storylines and illustrations for a superhero comic based in Los Angeles has become Unframed's second-most popular post of all time. The contest (for those who have not read the post) is in conjunction with our upcoming exhibition, Heroes and Villains: The Battle for Good in India's Comics. Along with tons of views and links, the post has also drawn a number of questions, such as:
What format should I follow?
Please submit a word file or PDF for synopsis of storyline, which should be no more than one page (about 250 words). Use JPEG images with dimensions up to 800 x 1000 pixels. Individual JPEG files should be no larger than 1mb. Please keep your entries between 3 and 5 images total. Submissions will be accepted in any stage of the process—including storyboards, individual character explorations, or comic book pages—as long as a narrative description is included.
Who can participate in the contest?
Our call for comics is global, and is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.
What will I win?
Each entry will be reviewed, with the best comics being featured on the Unframed blog.
Can I submit work that has been previously published?
We will only accept previously unpublished work.
What are the specifications for the storyline?
We seek original storylines for a superhero comic set in Los Angeles. Other than that, the sky's the limit!
Details after the jump . . .
Terms of Use
LACMA invites interested parties to submit photographs of drawings and creative writings (each, an 'Entry') in conjunction with our exhibition titled Heroes and Villains: The Battle for Good in India's Comics. The selected Entries will be published or displayed in one or more of the following:
• Presentation in a digital exhibition available via lacma.org
• Posting on lacma.org and/or on LACMA's blog, Unframed (https://lacma.wordpress.com/)
For digital photographs, please provide only the original camera image with adjustments limited to cropping, levels, curves, and brightness/contrast.
LACMA retains sole discretion over the selection of, and the decision not to select, any particular Entry for publication or display.
LACMA will not consider any Entry that it determines in its sole discretion is obscene or contains objectionable content of any kind.
By submitting an Entry for consideration, you warrant and represent that:
• Your Entry is your own original work and you alone own copyright to your Entry. No other party has any right, title, claim or interest in your Entry and publication or display of your Entry does not violate or infringe another person's rights.
If LACMA determines in its sole discretion that any of the above warranties or representations has been breached, LACMA reserves the right to reject the Entry and to remove or delete the Entry from any publication or other display.
All Entries will become the property of LACMA. LACMA will have no obligation to return the digital media of your Entry to you.
While you will retain your copyright, if any, in your Entry, by submitting an Entry, you are granting to LACMA the following rights: a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive royalty-free license, without further review or participation from you, (a) to copy, publish, distribute, perform and display your Entry, in whole or in part, in a LACMA exhibition, and/or on a LACMA website, (b) to make copies and duplicate CDs and/or DVDs of your Entry, (c) to reproduce images of your Entry, in whole or in part, and (d) to use your name as the creator of your Entry, throughout the world, in all media now known or hereafter invented (including without limitation photography, film, digital, audio and/or videotape, on radio, film, television, and on LACMA's website and other web-based media, such as streaming and podcasting), for any and all purposes in accordance with LACMA's mission (including without limitation exhibition catalogs and marketing campaigns, educational programs, posters, merchandise, and promotional purposes, such as press releases, advertisements, announcements, brochures, and other publications) and for preservation and archival purposes.


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Another One of These Cloud Computing Rants and You've Got Yourself a Stand-Up Routine, Larry
The passing of a year hasn't much changed Oracle (ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison's opinion of cloud computing. Remarking on the industry's sudden fascination with the concept at Oracle OpenWorld last September, Ellison reduced it to a thin sheen of windshield condensation.
"The interesting thing about cloud computing is that we've redefined cloud computing to include everything that we already do," Ellison said. "I can't think of anything that isn't cloud computing with all of these announcements….These people who are writing this crap are out there. They are insane. I mean it is the stupidest. Is it 'Oh, I am going to access data on a server on the Internet.' That is cloud computing?…Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it? It's complete gibberish. It's insane. When is this idiocy going to stop?"
In conversation with former Sun (JAVA) CEO Ed Zander at a Churchill Club event a little over a year later, Ellison expanded on those remarks, suggesting that if the cloud is anything, it's a cloud of BS.
Cloud's water vapor….Cloud computing is not only the future of computing, it is the present and the entire past of computing.
…Salesforce.com has been around for a decade. And so has NetSuite…and people are saying, "Well, that's cloud computing." Google is cloud computing. Everyone is cloud computing….Everything is in the cloud now….It's this nonsense.
…But it's not water vapor. All it is is a computer attached to a network. What are you talking about? I mean, what do you think Google runs on?…Water vapor? It's databases and operating systems and memory and microprocessors and the Internet!
…And the VCs, I love the VCs. [They ask their start-ups] "Oh…is that cloud?" [And the start-ups go] "Oh! Oh! Microsoft Word! Change 'Internet' to 'cloud'! Mass change. Give it back to these nitwits on Sand Hill Road."
…What do you mean by "cloud computing"?…All the cloud is is computers on a network.
Our industry is so bizarre. They just change a term and they think they've invented technology….You can't just come up with a [slogan] like "Let's call that 'cloud." [But] it sure beats innovation."
Below, the full video. Ellison's rant begins around the 45:54 mark.


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As many of you know, I'm an actor in a local improv comedy troupe, Face2Face Improv. We do short game-based comedy sketches, based on suggestions made by the audience. Tell us who you want us to be, and we'll act it out for you! If you ever saw the old ABC television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" it's like that, only better, since the suggestions are coming from you!
I have a limited number of free tickets for shows this month, and I want to give away them all! The tickets are for our weekly Tuesday night shows at Sam & Greg's Pizza and Gelato Shop on the courthouse square in downtown Huntsville. Showtime each week is at 7:30, and the shows last about 40 minutes and are appropriate for all ages.
If you'd like to see me perform, I'll be hosting the show on June 12 and performing in the show on June 19. (There's a small chance I may be in the June 26 show, but I don't know that right now. If I'm not, you can still go to that one, and it will still be hilarious.)
If you'd be interested in a free ticket, contact me!
Filed under: Editorial, Entertainment, Improv | Tagged: Comedy, Face2Face Improv, Huntsville Alabama, Improvisational theatre, Sketch comedy | 2 Comments »


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Participatory assessment of the South African abalone resource and its impact on predicted population trajectories
Charles T.T. Edwards; Éva E. Plagányi
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
ABSTRACT]]> Illegal harvesting is a cause for concern in many of the world's fisheries. Over the last decade, the abalone resource in South Africa has come under severe fishing pressure, largely because of increased and unmitigated levels of poaching. The unquantified illegal exploitation of this resource is a major impediment to management, because understanding of abalone population dynamics is affected. Incorrect assessments of population abundance could lead to inadequate attempts by management to stem the decline. Here, population trends along the west coast of South Africa are investigated. A simple discrete-time logistic model was used to estimate parameters within a maximum likelihood statistical framework by fitting to available catch rate data. To address the problem of unknown levels of illegal catch, interview data were collected on non-commercial catch trends and the model was structured to allow this catch to be estimated during the fitting process. The results show that such a participatory approach to stock assessment can lead to an improved understanding of resource dynamics, illustrating the benefit this approach may have for management.
Several abalone stocks worldwide have shown or continue to show severe declines as a result of either environmental factors or overfishing.1,2 The demand for abalone is partly attributable to its reputed aphrodisiac qualities (China) and traditional useage as a high-status product for important ceremonial events (Japan).3 The resultant high commercial value has rendered abalone a prime target for illegal fishing. This is a major concern similarly facing other high-value resources in the world's oceans including, for example, the long-lived and slow growing Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides).4 Indeed, the international fisheries management community has recently accorded high priority to curbing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities that are contributing to the decline of fish stocks.5,6 To quantify the full impact of a fishery on both the target stock itself and the ecosystem, it is essential to have an estimate of total extractions, despite the considerable technical difficulties associated with determining IUU catches.7
The South African abalone, Haliotis midae, is harvested in the Western Cape from Cape Agulhas to St Helena Bay, sustaining one of the oldest commercial abalone fisheries in the world. Abalone populations are managed separately within seven distinct zones (referred to as Zones AG). Historically, the south coast (Zones AD) typically yielded 8090% of the annual total allowable catch (TAC),8 although this proportion has fallen in recent years. The fishery peaked in 1965 with catches of 2.7 thousand tonnes and continued to produce consistent yields until the early 1990s. However, the resource has since come under severe fishing pressure. Due to consequential population declines, the fishery has now reached the point of commercial collapse in some areas. The recreational fishery was closed indefinitely in 2003 and the TAC dropped to 125 tonnes for the 2006/07 season, with three zones (A, C and D) closed to commercial fishing.
Although ecosystem changes have contributed to the decline of abalone populations in zones C and D,9,10 the current situation is primarily the result of rampant levels of poaching. H. midae is restricted to shallow beds of kelp (Ecklonia maxima) that are easily accessible from the shore. When combined with its high commercial value, this makes abalone particularly vulnerable to illegal exploitation by both traditional fishers unable to obtain formal access to the fishery, and criminal elements.11,12
Management measures are informed by quantitative modelling of the abalone resource. In zones AD, population dynamics are evaluated and predictions made using an age-structured production model13 that uses catch per unit effort (CPUE) as an index of population abundance, alongside fishery-independent survey data and a range of other data sources. Here we focus on zones E and G, which cover the stretch of coast from Cape Point to St Helena Bay. Because of their lower commercial yield and the absence of lengthfrequency information in this region, the data available for these zones are insufficient to apply an age-structured model, so that a simple logistic model of population growth is currently used in the annual stock assessment.14 Annual catches are an important component of these models and the accuracy of model predictions is impeded by a lack of reliable information concerning the levels of illegal catch. Indeed, model fits to the available catch rate data for zones E and G, undertaken during a recent stock assessment, were extremely poor.14
In this investigation we supplemented the data available for modelling of resource dynamics by conducting stakeholder interviews. This participatory process provided additional information that was incorporated into the model. Focusing on zones E and G we illustrate how a participatory approach can affect model predictions of biomass dynamics, with implications for attempts to achieve the management goal of sustainable resource use.
]]> Methods
The current stock assessments of abalone in zones E and G (referred to here as the Reference model) are based on a logistic model of population dynamics.14 In this investigation the Reference model is compared to a new model (referred to as the Participatory model), which incorporates information obtained from stakeholder interviews, to assess the benefits of this approach to the understanding of resource dynamics.
Reference model
Information on catch and effort from zones E and G was obtained from Marine and Coastal Management (MCM), a branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism that is responsible for management of South Africa's marine resources. Commerical catch is recorded at landing sites along the coast and Recreational catch estimated by an annual telephonic survey of recreational divers. Following discussions within the Abalone Scientific Working Group convened by MCM, the illegal catch is broadly assumed to be 10% of the Commercial plus Recreational catches since 1980, increasing to 20% for Zone G since 1997.15 Minor modifications were made for recent years following consultation by MCM with representatives from the abalone fishing industry (A. Mackenzie, pers. comm.). The CPUE is calculated using the Commercial catch only, as this is by far the most reliable record, and has been standardized using general linear modelling (GLM) techniques16 to ensure that it more closely represents trends in population abundance. The data available for each zone are listed in Tables 2 and 3. The TACs for each year, first introduced in 1987, are also shown.
Participatory model
The Participatory model also uses the Commercial catch and CPUE data described in Tables 2 and 3. These data have been supplemented by stakeholder interviews, which were conducted to obtain information on the levels of poaching taking place and trends in magnitude over time. The South African Abalone Industry Association, Table Mountain National Park and MCM Compliance personnel participated in this exercise.]]> Stakeholders were unsure of the magnitude of poaching, but were confident of the changes in poaching intensity, particularly in Zone E. In this zone, poaching was considered by interviewees to have increased gradually since the first landings were recorded. It then rapidly escalated to high levels in the mid-1990s, when the market value of abalone improved, peaking between 1998 and 2000. Much of this poaching was thought to have occurred under the guise of recreational fishing. Levels consequently began to drop around 2000, when permit regulations became more restrictive (due to shortening of the season) and again in 2003, when the recreational fishery was closed. Poaching activity was further reduced by improved enforcement levels (facilitated by cooperation with local rights holders) and establishment of the Cape Pensinsula marine protected area in 2004. Poaching is currently thought to be low.
Poaching trends in Zone G were considered to be similar to Zone E, but with a lag of approximately one year. In contrast to Zone E, however, poaching is thought to have remained high with only slight decreases in recent years.
Population dynamics models
Reference model
The Reference model is a discrete-time Schaefer model17 of population dynamics:
where n is the model year, representing a season of fishing from October in year n 1 to September in year n, with {n = 1977, 1978,..., 2007}; Bn is the population biomass in year n, assuming B1977 = K; r is the intrinsic growth rate; K is the carrying capacity; Cn is the annual commerical catch in year n; Rn is the annual recreational catch in year n; Pn is the annual illegal catch in year n; q is the catchability coefficient; and, In is an index of population size, in this case the GLM-standardized CPUE measured in kilograms per minute dived.
Observation error [Equation (2)] is assumed to have a log-normal distribution with ε ~ N (0, σ2). Process error is assumed to be negligible [i.e. no error term in Equation (1)].
The negative log-likelihood of the observed Commercial CPUE values is then given by:]]>
with the maximum likelihood value of q provided by the closed form:
where s is the number of years for which CPUE data are available.
Participatory model
The Participatory model is identical in all respects to the Reference model, except that instead of inputting the Illegal and Recreational catches, their combined value (termed collectively as the 'Non-Commercial' catch) is estimated. The model is therefore represented as:
where n is the estimated 'Non-Commercial' catch for year n.
The model is fitted to CPUE data by maximum likelihood as described by Equations (3) and (4).
The justfification for this approach is twofold. First, the Recreational catch is by far the dominant catch series (Figs 1a and 2a), and fits when Recreational catch was input were poor (see Reference model fits Figs 3a and 4a), suggesting that it may be inaccurate. Inclusion of the Recreational catch series in the model would therefore likely disrupt any attempts to estimate illegal catches separately. The unreliability of the Recreational catch record was also asserted by the stakeholders interviewed. However, there was also perceived to be an association between recreational and illegal fishing, particularly in Zone E. The Recreational and Illegal catch data used by the Reference model were therefore excluded and instead their combined value was estimated.]]>
The Non-Commercial catch was assumed to follow the trends for each zone described during stakeholder interviews. Specifically, it was described by four parameters, each equal to the Non-Commercial catch over a specified period (Table 1). The Non-Commercial catch trend was completed by interpolating between these time periods to create the estimated vector of Non-Commercial catches, .
Parameter estimation
All parameters, namely {K, r, σ, q} for the Reference model and {K, r, σ, q,} for the Participatory model, were estimated within a maximum likelihood framework using AD-Model Builder v6.02 (Otter Research Ltd). Convergence was checked in each case. Confidence intervals were obtained from the likelihood profiles for each parameter. Likelihood theory states that for a given parameter θ and its maximum likelihood estimate follows a χ2 distribution with one degree of freedom. This allows confidence intervals to be approximated numerically by finding θ, so that Λ equals the required (95%) quantile of the χ2 distribution.]]> In order to compare the Reference model (Equation 1) currently used in the stock assessment with the Participatory model (Equation 5) presented here, model goodness of fit was measured using the Akaike Information Criterion.18 This is calculated as AIC = 2lnL + 2p where p is the number of parameters estimated (four for the Reference model and a maximum of eight for the Participatory model). The model with the lowest AIC is considered to be the best representation of the data.
To compare the implications of model predictions for management of the abalone resource, both the biomass B and replacement yield RY for 2008 are reported. The replacement yield for year n for the Reference model is given by:
and represents the maximum sustainable commercial catch for that year. For the Participatory model, n is used instead of Rn and Pn in Equation (6).
Biomass projections
Biomass projections are presented for each zone up to 2020 assuming an unchanged TAC. Current TAC values are listed in Tables 2 and 3. Estimated Non-Commerical catches were assumed to be unchanged during the projection period (i.e. equal to 2007).
The results of each model fit are given in Tables 4 and 5. For both zones it was found that the Participatory model provided a better explanation of the data (as indicated by the AIC), giving markedly different biomass predictions in comparison with the Reference model (Figs 3b and 4b).
Zone E
For the Reference model, initial estimates of r were unrealistically small, and it was necessary to fix r during estimation of K and σ. Values of r = 0.1 and r = 0.2 were chosen on the grounds of previous work,19 although it was found that r = 0.1 gave a superior model fit (as indicated by the AIC). The results assuming r = 0.1 are therefore presented. When fitting the Participatory model, examination of the profile likelihoods for 1977:1980 and 2003:2007 revealed there to be very little information for estimation of their values (i.e. changes in 1977:1980 and 2003:2007 had little impact on the likelihood). 1977:1980 and 2003:2007 were therefore fixed at 0.0 and 1.4 tonnes, respectively, the latter being the illegal catch currently agreed upon by the Abalone Scientific Working Group (Table 2).
Fit of the Reference model was poor (Fig. 3a), and the Participatory model gave a markedly improved AIC (Table 4), providing a better representation of the CPUE series in recent years (Fig. 3a). It is notable that estimates of K and B2008 are substantially smaller for the Participatory model, consistent with estimated catches, which are much smaller than those assumed by the Reference model (Fig. 1). It is also noticeable that the biomass trend predicted by the Participatory model is less optimistic about the resource and its potential for recovery (Fig. 3b), with the estimated replacement yield for 2008 only about a quarter of that predicted by the Reference model.]]>
Zone G
Analysis of the data from Zone G followed a similar rationale as Zone E. For the Reference model, r was fixed at r = 0.1. For the Participatory model, values of 1977:1980 and 2007 were also fixed at 0.0 and 8.0 tonnes, respectively, the latter value again reflecting the currently agreed upon illegal catch for Zone G (Table 3).
Poor fit of the Reference model is most noticeable for recent years (Fig. 4a) and the Participatory model produced an improved representation of the data (Table 5), although the small difference in AIC values suggests this improvement to be slight. The total biomass in Zone G is likely to be overestimated by the Reference model, being about 50% greater than that given by the better-fitting Participatory model. The Participatory model also suggests that the resource in Zone G is recovering, giving a higher replacement yield (Table 5) and more optimistic biomass projections (Fig. 4b).
Modelling of population dynamics is an invaluable tool for resource management. However, its usefulness is dependent on the quality of the data. For the South African abalone, data on IUU catches are particularly poor despite the high levels of illegal fishing impacting the resource.3,2023 Here we have shown that a participatory approach to stock assessment, which aims to address such unavoidable data deficiencies, can lead to an improved understanding of resource dynamics. Focus was restricted to a limited subsection of the South African abalone population, noting that there is even more intensive poaching in some of the other zones, and sophisticated methods for quantifying this have had to be developed.23
The combined Recreational and Illegal catch was estimated by fitting a logistic model to Commercial CPUE data. Co-estimating Non-Commercial catch alongside other model parameters allowed the model a high degree of flexibility to explore the parameter space within the bounds stipulated for this Non-Commercial catch trend. It was established a priori (through the stakeholder interviews) that these trends were likely to provide a reasonable reflection of actual catches. The improved model fits resulting from this approach can therefore be justified as largely consistent with available information.
It is notable that biomass predictions from the Participatory model fits are markedly different to those from the Reference models. For both zones the total biomass estimated by the Participatory model is much less than that given by the Reference model. Furthermore, predictions regarding resource recovery are model dependent. The improved Participatory model fit for Zone E provides strong evidence for a downward resource trajectory, suggesting that the harvesting of abalone populations in this zone is above the sustainable level. This contrasts with the more optimistic outlook given by the Reference model. For Zone G the converse is true. Although evidence in this case is much weaker, improved fits for the Participatory model suggest that the resource may be recovering, whereas the Reference model indicates a flat future trajectory.
This implementation of a Participatory model to assess status of the South African abalone resource revealed it to be a fruitful complement to the standard modelling approach. It also had the additional benefit of furthering stakeholder inclusion in the management process, with potential benefits for compliance.12 Co-management practices (in which stakeholders are closely involved in management of the resource) have been upheld as solutions to reducing the overexploitation of many Latin American benthic shellfish stocks,2426 where traditional top-down management has failed. This is consistent with an increasing recognition that the most successful fisheries management strategies are those that award long-term property rights,27 a principle embodied by the individually transferable quota (ITQ) and territorial user rights in fisheries (TURF) management systems.2729 These systems are intended to confer a sense of ownership to the fishers and therefore provide an incentive toward sustainability.]]> In response to escalating poaching, the South African government allocated long-term (10-year) commercial fishing rights in 2003 and announced a new policy to underpin the allocation process.30 Although this policy was intended as a TURF system, in which fishers are allocated rights to exploit their own locally fished areas, its efficacy was undermined by the granting of access rights to members of spatially (and socially) disjoint communities (M. Hauck, pers. comm.). This negated the principles of ownership and exclusivity intended to foster compliance within each TURF. Despite broadening of access to fishing among previously disadvantaged communities under the Marine Living Resources Act (1998),31 and creation in 2001 of a limited commercial sector for small-scale operations (which in 2004 had 29% of the total TAC allocation32), many traditional fishers have failed to gain access to fishing rights.12,31,33 Furthermore, TAC cuts mean that the economic viability of existing quotas is in decline. The incentive to poach illegally has thus remained high,12 with drastic consequences for the long-term commercial viability of the fishery.
Contributions to this project were made by S. Russell, M. Cameron, A. Cimma, M. Anthony, M. Slamdien, G. Christian (South African Abalone Industry Association S.R., G.C., F.L., A.C., M.A. and M.S. are also members of the Cape Town Abalone Rights Holders Association), R. Adams (Table Mountain National Park) and J. de Wit (Marine and Coastal Management Compliance Inspectorate). The collection of interview data was facilitated by S. Russell, M. Hauck (Environmental Evaluation Unit, University of Cape Town) and A. MacKenzie (Marine and Coastal Management). Comments and criticisms by D. Butterworth (Marine Resource Assessment and Management Group, University of Cape Town) and M. Hauck are gratefully acknowledged. Financial and logistical support was provided by Marine and Coastal Management with additional funding from the National Research Foundation, South Africa.
1. Tegner M.J. (1993). Southern California abalones: can stocks be rebuilt using marine harvest refugia? Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 50, 20102018. [ Links ]
2. Shepherd S.A.,Tegner M.J. and del Próo A.G. (Eds) (1992). Abalone of the World: Biology, fisheries and culture. Fishing News Books, Oxford. [ Links ]
3. Hauck M. (1999). Regulating marine resources in South Africa: a case study of abalone poaching. Acta Juridica 1999, 211228. [ Links ]
4. Agnew D.J. (2000). The illegal and unregulated fishery for toothfish in the Southern Ocean, and the CCAMLR catch documentation scheme. Marine Policy 24, 361374. [ Links ]
5. Gallic B.L. and Cox A. (2006). An economic analysis of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: key drivers and possible solutions. Marine Policy 30(6), 689695. [ Links ]
6. Sumaila U.R., Alder J. and Keith H. (2006). Global scope and economics of illegal fishing. Marine Policy 30(6), 696703. [ Links ]
7. Ainsworth C.H. and Pitcher T.J. (2005). Estimating illegal, unreported and unregulated catch in British Columbia's marine fisheries. Fish. Res. 75(13), 4055. [ Links ]
8. Tarr R.J.Q. (1993). Stock assessment and aspects of the biology of the South African abalone Haliotis midae. Ph.D. thesis, University of Cape Town, South Africa. [ Links ]
9. Mayfield S. and Branch G.M. (2000). Interrelations among rock lobsters, sea urchins and juvenile abalone: implications for community management. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 57, 21752185. [ Links ]
10. Tarr R.J.Q., Williams P.V.G. and MacKenzie A.J. (1997). Abalone, sea urchins and rock lobster: a possible ecological shift that may affect traditional fisheries. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 17, 319323. [ Links ]
11. van Sittert L., Branch G., Hauck M. and Sowman M. (2006). Benchmarking the first decade of post-apartheid fisheries reform in South Africa. Marine Policy 30, 96110. [ Links ]
12. Hauck M. and Kroese M. (2006). Fisheries compliance in South Africa: a decade of challenges and reform 19942004. Marine Policy 30, 7483. [ Links ]
13. Plagányi É.E., Butterworth D.S. and Brandão A. (2001). Toward assessing the South African abalone Haliotis midae stock using an age-structured production model. J. Shellfish Res. 20(2), 813827. [ Links ]
14. Edwards C.T.T. and Plagányi É.E. (2007). Schaefer model predictions of abalone dynamics in Zones E and G based on commercial CPUE data from 1980 to 2007. Working Group Document WB/AB/07/Aug/25, Marine and Coastal Management, Cape Town. [ Links ]
15. Plagányi É.E. and MacKenzie A. (2006). Further revisions to catch data for abalone in Zones E and G. Working Group Document WG/AB/06/Jul/13, Marine and Coastal Management, Cape Town. [ Links ]
16. Edwards C.T.T., Plagányi É.E., Brandão A. and Butterworth D.S. (2007). Standardisation of the commercial CPUE series for abalone in Zones E and G from 1980 to 2007 using a mixed effects model. Working Group Document WG/AB/07/Aug/24, Marine and Coastal Management, Cape Town. [ Links ]
17. Schaefer M.B. (1954). Some aspects of the dynamics of populations important to the management of commercial marine fisheries. Bulletin 1: 2756, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. [ Links ]
18. Akaike H. (1973). Information theory and extension of the maximum likelihood principle. In Second International Symposium on Information Theory, eds B.N. Petrov and F. Csaki, pp. 267281. Academiai Kiado, Budapest. [ Links ]
19. Plagányi É.E. and Butterworth D.S. (2005). A simple model of abalone dynamics in Zones E and G. Working Group Document WB/AB/05/Aug/14, Marine and Coastal Management, Cape Town. [ Links ]
20. Dichmont C.M., Butterworth D.S. and Cochrane K.L. (2000). Towards adaptive approaches to management of the South African abalone Haliotis midae fishery. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 22, 3342. [ Links ]
21. Hauck M. and Sweijd N. (1999). A case study of abalone poaching in South Africa and its impact on fisheries management. ICES J. Mar. Sci. 56, 10241032. [ Links ]
22. Plagányi É.E. and Butterworth D.S. (2008). Does classic stock assessment have a role in a failed case of reconciliation of fisheries with conservation? In Proceedings of the Fourth World Fisheries Congress: Reconciling Fisheries with Conservation, Vancouver, Canada. [ Links ]
23. Plagányi É.E. (2004). Walking the bridge from single- to multi-species approaches in southern African fisheries management. Ph.D. thesis, University of Cape Town, South Africa. [ Links ]
24. Castilla J.C. and Defeo O. (2001). Latin American benthic shellfisheries: emphasis on co-management and experimental practices. Rev. Fish Biol. Fish. 11, 130. [ Links ]
25. Castilla J.C., Manríquez P., Alvarado J., Rosson A., Pino C., Espoz C., Soto R., Oliva D. and Defeo O. (1998). The artisanal caletas as unit of production and basis for community-based management of benthic invertebrates in Chile. Canadian Special Publications in Fisheries and Aquatic Science 125, 407413. [ Links ]
26. Parma A.M., Orensanz J.M., Elias I. and Jerez G. (2003). Diving for shellfish and data: incentives for the participation of fishers in the monitoring and management of artisanal fisheries around southern South America. In Towards Sustainability of Data-Limited Multi-Sector Fisheries, eds S.J. Newman, D.J. Gaughan, G. Jackson, M.C. Mackie, B. Molony, J.S. John and P. Kailoa. Fisheries Occasional Publications, Department of Fisheries, Perth, Western Australia. [ Links ]
27. Stephenson R.L. and Lane D.E. (1995). Fisheries management science: a plea for conceptual change. Can. J. Fish. Aquatic Sci. 52, 20512056. [ Links ]
28. Christy F.T. (1996). The death rattle of open access and the advent of property rights regimes in fisheries. Mar. Resour. Econ. 11, 287304. [ Links ]
29. Caddy J.F. (1999). Fisheries management in the twenty-first century: will new paradigms apply? Rev. Fish Biol. Fish. 9, 143. [ Links ]
30. DEAT (2003). Policy for the allocation of commercial fishing rights in the abalone fishery. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria. [ Links ]
31. Isaacs M. (2006). Small-scale fisheries reform: expectations, hopes and dreams of 'a better life for all'. Marine Policy 30, 5159. [ Links ]
32. DEAT (2004). Transformation in the South African Fishing Industry TAC Controlled Fisheries. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria. [ Links ]
33. Sowman M. (2006). Subsistence and small-scale fisheries in South Africa: a ten-year review. Marine Policy 30, 6073. [ Links ]
Author for correspondence. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com]]>


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LMC to Break Ground on Lexington Medical Park – Congaree in Cayce, SC
Lexington Medical Center will host a groundbreaking ceremony for Lexington Medical Park – Congaree, a new medical office complex located in Otarre Pointe, across the street from the SCANA corporate campus on the 12th Street Extension in Cayce. Lexington Medical Park – Congaree will be the latest neighbor in the area, a growing corridor of economic potential and business development that includes SCANA, Amazon.com, Nephron Pharmaceuticals and the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park.
Lexington Medical Center will break ground on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
The two-story, 70,000 square foot facility will offer services for company and employee needs. There will be a Lexington Family Practice office, where patients can see a doctor, then return to work. As needed, there will be X-Ray and lab capabilities as well as other programs. Importantly, employees of the companies surrounding the new facility will be able to go there for pre-employment physicals.
"Lexington Medical Center looks forward to the completion of the new facility as it will allow us to build upon the partnerships we already have with local businesses and their employees," said Mike Biediger, President & CEO of Lexington Medical Center.
Lexington Medical Park – Congaree is expected to employ 64 full-time employees. The project also plans to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, employing advanced technology to conserve resources.
SCANA, with its headquarters recently re-located to the area, is working with the hospital to maintain as much of the natural land around the new clinic as possible, from preserving trees to minimizing asphalt. Lexington Medical Center is dedicated to preserving the rich historical and cultural significance of the Congaree area.
This expansion marks an exciting endeavor for Lexington Medical Center, as the 12th Street Extension near Interstate 77 is quickly developing into an important commercial corridor. The area is conveniently situated near industrial markets throughout the Southeast. The area is also equipped with important infrastructure including the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, sewer and water systems, electrical and natural gas lines and a rail line.
Lexington Medical Center currently operates an occupational health facility in West Columbia, serving more than 300 businesses. The West Columbia location will move to Lexington Medical Park – Congaree.
The architecture firm of Perkins + Will designed the building. Hood Construction will build it. Landscape architects from Sustainable Design Consultants, Inc. will provide landscaping.


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Panderer Throwdown!
There is a case study being written right now about the absurdity of government. Basically, both parties are trying to outdo each other politically in order to pass a bit of pandering that they actually agree on: freezing at rock‐bottom levels interest rates on subsidized federal student loans.
Republicans, at least, are taking some political risk by trying to pay for the lost revenue a freeze would create by digging into a fund that sure seems pretty slushy, but which nonetheless opens them to the accusation that they don't care about Americans' health. It's a small risk — at the very least, what they're doing likely plays well to their base — but a risk nonetheless.
The Democrats, for their part, are driving home their theme that the rich don't pay "their fair share" by proposing that taxes be raised on "S corporations," a legal designation few Americans likely know anything about. Of course, that makes it easier to say such corporations are really just rich people (apparently, these corporations really are people) who, well, don't pay their fair share.
The really crazy part, though, is that all this political bickering is occurring ultimately to do something that will do no short‐term good but real long‐term harm.
In the short term, a rate freeze will help no student. The rate will only apply to people taking out subsidized loans next year, and probably only save the average recipient about $7 per month over the life of the loan. And those savings won't start for at least a year‐and‐a‐half for most students (next year's college seniors, who also get a six‐month repayment grace period after graduation, will be the first). So let's not hear about this being necessary given the current economy.
The far bigger problem, however, is the long term effect of cheap federal aid. Both overwhelming evidence and logic make it clear that the main effects of federal aid are rampant tuition inflation and millions of people taking on debt for schooling they either cannot handle or aren't all that motivated to complete. In other words, huge, self‐defeating waste.
If members of either party were to take the time to look at the evidence and make policy based on it, we wouldn't be debating how to pay for a rate freeze at all. We'd be seeing both sides rush legislation to the floor to phase out federal student aid and help return college prices — and consumption — to much more rational levels. But that's just not how pandering works.


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[Entertainment: Dance]
Some of the most vital and athletic ballet dancers are those trained in Russia. The Moscow Classical Ballet started off as the "Young Ballet," USSR State Choreographic Company.
This ballet troupe was established by the USSR Ministry of Culture and toured the Soviet Union as well as various countries performing classical ballet in its traditional form throughout the world.
The holder of 15 gold medals in international competition and the winners of 3 prizes at the Paris Academy of Dance, the Moscow Classical Ballet earned the distinction of being one of the few Russian ballet companies still supported by the Russian government. Recently the troupe was granted the title "Academic Theatre," a prestigious titled granted to only a few top Russian ballet companies by the Russian government.
Presently on tour in Brazil, the Moscow Classical Ballet is due to appear in the United States at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, on Sunday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, under the directorship of Eva Bornstein, is a little known rare jewel nestled on the campus of Lehman College, wherein theatre goers can see outstanding entertainers and performances for less than what they would pay at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and other Manhattan performance venues. In fact, for the Sunday, November 29, 6:00 p.m., Moscow Classical Ballet Nutcracker performance, of children can get tickets for $10.00 wherein they can sit anywhere within the theatre. This is the best bargain in town for parents seeking to introduce their children 12 years of age and under, to culture and ballet. The Nutcracker ballet is very kid friendly and is a beautiful ballet for the entire family.
I had the opportunity to speak with the producer of the Moscow Classical Ballet, Robert Friedman, president of Robert Friedman Presents, a company that has worked with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Prague Madrigal Antiqua, The Black Light Theatre of Praque and other musical ensembles, theatre and dance companies. He co-produced the long-running romantic comedy "Talley's Foley", as well as Caryl Churchill's comedy "Cloud Nine," Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues," A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," and Garath Armstrong's "Shylock."
Bringing international troupes to the United States can occasionally be difficult. "The American government is not very conducive to foreign exchange. The IRS is now charging 30% off the top of any foreign artists' fee. A thirty percent fee is pretty onerous because it does not reflect at all the profit, since ballet troupes performing in the United States are lucky to break even. With the dollar being so weak, foreign artists performing in the United States are already getting paid almost half the fee they would earn in their own country. Now people are reluctant to even come to America to perform which is very sad," remarked Friedman. "Nancy Pelosi helped get the Moscow Classical Ballet into the country. If it weren't for her, the tour may not have even happened. She was able to help us cut through the bureaucracy. Bringing the costumes and sets into the country is also another problem. However, to see the audience reaction makes it all worthwhile," chuckled the producer who seems to love the business he is in.
"Ballet requires a lot of strength and endurance. It's a young person's profession. Generally the troupe members start around 18 years old. Women can stay in the profession into their 40s but the men usually retire in their 30s, although, Mikhail Baryshnikov danced up until his 50s. All the lifting and leaps and bounds take their toll on the body," stated the classical producer.
The Nutcracker is generally seen around the Christmas holidays in America. "The Nutcracker Suite is the tale of a young girl who gets a nutcracker from her uncle as a gift. The nutcracker is a prince. The young girl has a dream about the nutcracker and falls in love with the prince in the beautiful land of sugar plums," said Friedman.
"The Nutcracker is one of the best ballets to take a child to. It has the rat king, mouse, gun powder, soldiers, swans, and is just beautiful. This ballet has caught on all over the world. These Moscow Classical Ballet dancers are beautiful young strong dancers with a great deal of vitality since the Russian training is the best in the world. The dancers attend dance class everyday because dance is a very demanding profession. It's a profession you must love," remarked Mr. Friedman of the troupe of 40 dancers.
The Moscow Classical Ballet will appear in New Jersey and then at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, New York. I encourage parents to take their children to this delightful performance of the Nutcracker since children 12 and under, can see it for $10.00. For adults ticket prices run $35.00, $30.00, and $25.00.
Tickets can be purchased on line at www.LehmanCenter.org or by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 (Mon. through Fri. 10am-5pm; Tues 10am-7pm and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert). Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. Parking is free.
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We need your advertising support to produce strong journalism, especially during periods of economic instability, so please contact firstname.lastname@example.com for advertising rates and long term packages.
All content is copyright Black Star News © 2011. All rights reserved.


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Listen right in your browser or your own player: 64k mp3 | 128k mp3 | 320k mp3
CBN History Part II: WCBN 650 AM
The popularity of the Network grew rapidly. The voice of the Network began to define itself as the station became a major outlet for student interests. Programming was aimed toward the student body, since it was the only group of people who could hear it. According to aMichigan Daily Freshman Issue from 1960, WCBN-AM did regular broadcasts of Michigan football, basketball, and hockey games; band, glee club, and orchestra concerts; and various other campus events. In addition, all of WUOM's programming was available for WCBN to broadcast.
The carrier current broadcasting system was brought into other University buildings, including women's dormitories and the President's residence. As the years progressed, carrier current loops were installed into private residences, including the Inter-Cooperative Council's building on North Campus.
Although the Network had been formally created as a single entity, its studios remained scattered across campus until 1957. With the erection of the new Student Activities Building on central campus came a suite of studios and offices for CBN. Centralization simplified both management and engineering,
With growth came greater financial need, and the Network began to take advertising from both local and national businesses. Revenue went back into equipment purchases and other station expenses.
A conscience change was made to WCBN's programming by its Program Director in 1969. It was stated that the programming of the station would reflect the needs and wants of its audience, instead of those of the air staff. This was a big step in the evolution of the Network, as this is a directive that is followed by today's programming staff.
Throughout the latter half of the 1960's, many CBN members felt that the goals of the station would be better executed if WCBN broadcast on FM, in addition to carrier current AM. During 1969 and 1970, a great deal of research was carried out to determine if this would be possible (and it was). On November 30, 1970, WCBN put forth a proposal to the Office of Student Services Policy Board asking for support and funding.
In February of 1971, the Board of Regents approved the proposal for a 10-watt WCBN-FM, and construction began.


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FIFO(redirected from FIFO queuing)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia.
See: First in, first out
First In, First Out
In accounting, a technique for valuing inventory by treating inventory acquired first as if it were sold first. The sale of inventory is recorded against the purchase price of the oldest inventory, even if the physical goods are not the same. In times of high inflation, the first-in, first out technique increases a business' inflation risk. For this reason, most American firms have used the last-in, first-out technique in their accounting since the 1970s.
See first-in, first-out.
FIFOsee STOCK VALUATION.
First In, First Out (FIFO)
An accounting method for determining the cost of inventories. Under this method, the first items purchased are treated as being the first items sold. Ending inventory is valued using the cost of later purchases, or the lower of cost or market.


text: DescriptionWhether you're looking to binge-watch your favorite shows or game online, the Linksys EA6900 Smart WiFi Dual-Band Router lets you do so at blazing speeds. Dual wireless bands deliver a stronger connection at a wider range than a single band, and beamforming technology focuses your WiFi signal directly to your devices, resulting in a more efficient network with a wider range that puts less strain on your devices' batteries. The router's four gigabit ethernet ports make it easy to share data at speeds 10x faster than Fast Ethernet. Plus, you can monitor and manage your network remotely via the Linksys Smart WiFi App.


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Category: Something Ghoulish
The Ramblings of Grae Himself
Films, Music, TV, Graphics, Etc.
... observations from over a half century of geekiness.
Personal thoughts, reviews, etc, on a multitude of horror-related topics past present and future! Also, serialised fiction in the horror, fantasy and science fiction genres by myself.
A book blog by three best friends.
Representing LGBTQ Writers since 2012
Dickinson writes about Denise Frohman? Oscar Wilde watches Queer Eye? Ma Rainey chats with RuPaul? Stephen Gordon tries out Tinder?
LGBTQ+ Online Platform discussing Sexuality and Gender
LGBT Community Organisation
An Information Hub for LGBT Business Owners and Professionals
A resource to help everyone understand issues that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
A curated/researched collection of information of LGBTQ content in digital games from 1980s-present
Queering up your shelf, one rec at a time!
Yesterday you said tomorrow.
Queer books and pop culture nonsense
A collection of my favorite gay movies.


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The grim factory towns of the Ural Mountains, such as the outpost of Kurgan along the Trans-Siberian Railroad, are among the only places left in Russia where Prime Minister Vladimir Putin could still count on the people's firm support. The air tastes metallic here from the belching smokestacks, and most of the workers are massed in crumbling apartment blocks left over from the Soviet Union. But life is predictable, the average wage is enough to get by and the locals are grateful to Putin for that.
So his bid to win a third term as president—which he won on March 4—focused on places like Kurgan, which he visited on Feb. 13 to tour a provincial school. It was a safe place for a campaign stop, far away from Russia's biggest cities, where the vibrant middle class has begun to protest by the tens of thousands to call for an end to Putin's 12-year rule. Outside of School No. 7 in Kurgan, he was greeted by a crowd of supporters who waited for four hours in the freezing cold to have a glimpse of the man they call "our leader," or sometimes even, "the czar." Such towns are still home to the vast majority of the Russian population, and they were likely the ones who handed Putin a mandate to rule for six more years. The middle class will then need to wait to see much political change.
Simon Shuster is TIME's Moscow reporter. Follow him on Twitter @shustry.
Yuri Kozyrev is a contract photographer for TIME and was just named the 2011 Photographer of the Year in the Pictures of the Year International competition.


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Hello lovely ladies,
I hope you don't mind me crashing here, but I'm doing a project for school and I would love your opinions. If you're not interested, please feel free to pass on by.
I am currently a student midwife and I have been on the fertility roller coaster for over 15 years now. It's one of the ironies in life, what I am super passionate about (pregnancy and birth) I haven't been able to do yet myself. But I love helping women through the amazing transformation into motherhood. I am working with a counsellor at an infertility clinic and a midwife who specializes in caring for women who have become pregnant after ART's. We are creating a workshop series to work with women who have gotten pregnant on their options in early pregnancy, what to expect that may be different than other people who get pregnant the old fashioned way, and how to help them get to a point where they may be able to enjoy the pregnancy instead of being in constant fear. Not sure if that last one is possible, but we're going to try.
My question for you ladies who have been there and have had babies, is what, if anything, would you like to have known when you first got pregnant that would have helped you in your pregnancy journey? It could be anything from specifics about being pregnant or warnings of the emtional roller coaster, or things that came up that you weren't expecting.
I would love any and all input. Please feel free to reply here, or send me a private message. Thank you in advance!


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Saturday, December 31, 2011
last day of the year
2011 is ending! I plan on starting my resolutions and yearly conclusions at Chinese New Year (to give me some extra time) but today, I feel I must...
answer my reader mail!!
I know many authors discourage snail mail and would rather answer e-mail, but I am the opposite. I prefer the handwritten letter. I feel that if a child went through the bother to sit down and handwrite me a letter, they really want to hear from me. I try to respond back to each one, as I truly do value them. Not that long ago, a plethora of reader mail was a problem I could only dream of.
However, it is extremely time consuming and I've been letting the letters pile up since the summer. I also know some authors use a kind of form letter but I've been reluctant to adopt that. But that leaves me with what I am doing now, spending the entire last day of the year writing belated replies.
How do you handle your reader mail?
Posted by Grace Lin at 2:10 PM
2 comments:
- Christina Farley said...
There is something about a handwritten letter. Really is a dying art.
- Meghan McCarthy said...
I love the handwritten letter! Of course, I'm really bad with replying. I feel so guilty! I applaud you for doing it Grace!
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Survey of Consumer Finances Series
Investigator(s): Economic Behavior Program, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan
Surveys of Consumer Finances were conducted annually from 1946 through 1971. The survey was again administered in 1977, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995, and 1998, and is expected to be updated on a triennial basis. The major focus of these surveys is the collection of statistics on the distribution of consumer income, assets, debt, and major transactions. Interviewing is conducted in January-August of each year with questions covering (1) ownership of assets and financial balances, (2) source, purpose, and amount of debt, including installment debt, and (3) wage earners, and amount and source of current income, as well as previous year's income. Also explored are respondents' attitudes toward their personal financial situations and toward general economic conditions and prices, and respondents' expectations for the coming year. Information is sought on current and planned expenditures for housing, automobiles, and major durables. Personal characteristics reported include age and education of head of household, household composition, and occupation. Samples for the surveys are made up of a national cross-section of dwelling units representing the total population of the United States. In the early years the interviewing unit was the spending unit, but in 1964 it was changed to the family unit. Several financial innovations were instituted through the years, including the introduction of new financial instruments such as money market funds and the deregulation of financial markets. To assess the effects of these changes on the financial positions and behaviors of households, seven governmental agencies joined together to sponsor the 1983 Survey of Consumer Finances. For a discussion of the data, see the Federal Reserve Board, "Reports on the Surveys of Consumer Finances," FEDERAL RESERVE BULLETIN, and publications of the principal investigators. General reports of the data from the Surveys of Consumer Finances appear in these publications.


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Sushi rice or vinegar-ed rice in English, 寿司飯 (read as sushi-meshi) or 舎利/シャリ (read as Shari) in Japanese, whatever you call it, they are all referring to the same thing - the basic ingredient for all kind of sushi. The taste of sushi-meshi is vary among sushi chefs in term of sweetness and sourness. Hence, feel free to adjust the amount of the sugar and vinegar, or the vinegar dressing, according to your taste.
In this post, I have also included "recipe" for hand-vinegar at the end of the post. Do remember to prepare one before starting getting your hands-on the roll. For preparing sushi rice, please spend few minutes take note of the following important points:
- It is mentioned in Japanese Home Cooks that rice for cooking sushi rice should be soaked before cooking. In addition to it, as the kitchen gadgets getting more advance, if an IH pressure rice cooker is used and normal rice cooking function is selected, rice can be cooked without soaking in advance.
- If using premixed sushi vinegar (寿司醋) [Sushi vinegar and rice vinegar are two different things], it can be used straight away from the bottle without adding sugar or salt unless sweeter or saltier sushi-meshi is preferred.
- If using a wooden mixing bowl or barrel (known as hangiri/handai in Japanese),
wet the bowl/barrel with water then pat-dry using a clean kitchen towel. This is
to prevent the wooden bowl/barrel from absorbing sushi vinegar when
preparing sushi rice.
3 rice cups uncooked short-grain rice / Japanese rice
70 ml rice vinegar / 白米醋
3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
- Rinse rice until water is clear, put rice into rice cooker pot and fill with water up to mark "3". Soak rice for at least 2 hours then cook as usual.
- For the seasoning, combine all seasoning ingredients in a bowl and stir till sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Transfer cooked rice into a wooden or non-metal bowl, add in seasoning gradually while the rice still hot and mix well. After mixing fan a little to cool the rice down rapidly to the body temperature (I used "room temperature" for the recipe to be publish in Malaysia) then cover it with a clean damp towel. Sushi rice is ready.
For shaping the sushi, hand-vinegar (手醋 or te-zu in Japanese) is used to prevent sushi rice from sticking on the hands. Dip fingers in the hand-vinegar, shake gently to remove excess solution then rub each palm with fingers.
In a bowl, mix together 1 part of rice vinegar with 2 parts of water. Ready to use.
Stay-tuned for sushi recipes or click the label "sushi" for existing sushi recipes on the blog.