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Brad Goldpaint
The International Space Station creates a long-exposure streak in this photo of the auroral glow over Crater Lake, captured by Oregon photographer Brad Goldpaint. Click on the image to see the full-length video, or watch the embedded version below. For more of Goldpaint's work, check out the Goldpaint Photography website.
A surprisingly strong geomagnetic storm swept over our planet this weekend, resulting in a surprisingly strong set of videos showing the northern lights (and the southern lights, too).
A couple of the videos pack in some extra goodies. For example, Oregon photographer Brad Goldpaint's video of the aurora over Crater Lake features a long-exposure streak left behind by the International Space Station as it passed overhead on Saturday morning.
"Like the aurora, the ISS was another great surprise during the night," Goldpaint, who offers a treasure trove of night-sky views on his website, told NBC News in an email. "Usually I pay close attention to events like these, but this night completely threw me off with strong aurora levels and the ISS flyover."
Goldpaint told SpaceWeather.com that he drove out to Crater Lake National Park on Friday night primarily to photograph the Milky Way, not thinking that there'd be any fireworks. "I've waited months for the roads to open and spring storms to pass, so I could spend a solitude night with the stars," he explained. But by around 11 p.m., he was picking up on the signs of a great auroral show in the making.
"With adrenaline pumping, I raced to the edge of the caldera, set up a time-lapse sequence, and watched northern lights dance until sunrise," he wrote. "The moon rose around 2 a.m. and blanketed the surrounding landscape with a faint glow, adding depth and texture to the shot."
Scientists aren't exactly sure what caused the upswing in geomagnetic activity. "Current speculation focuses on a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — that is, a shock-like transition zone between high- and low-speed solar wind streams," SpaceWeather.com's Tony Phillips reported.
There's a chance that observers in higher latitudes will see enhanced auroras on Sunday night as well, due to the interaction between a high-speed solar wind stream and Earth's magnetic field. To keep up with the aurora forecast, check in with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center and its automated Ovation prediction page. If you're in the zone, the best time to see the aurora is after midnight. In the meantime, check out these aurora time-lapse videos on Vimeo. For the best viewing experience, turn the settings to full-screen HD:
Brad Goldpaint captures views of the northern lights over Crater Lake, capped off by the International Space Station's long-exposure streak. Watch "Without Warning" from Goldpaint Photography on Vimeo.
Loic Le Guilly documents the southern lights and the glow of the Milky Way in the skies over Tasmania. "I had to use shopping bags to hide the light posts!" LeGuilly writes on his Facebook page. Watch "Aurora Australis, Signal Station, Hobart" from Loic Le Guilly on Vimeo.
Shawn Malone's time-lapse video captures the northern lights amid thunderstorms over Lake Superior. "Clouds cleared out for a second, for which I am thankful," Malone writes. Watch "A Mother of a Light Show" from LakeSuperiorPhoto on Vimeo.
Watch "Aurora 1.6.2013," a time-lapse view of the Tasmanian southern lights from James Stone on Vimeo.
The northern lights shimmer over Lumby in British Columbia. Watch "Mid-Latitude Auroras on May 31, 2013" from Yuichi Takasaka on Vimeo. "The lights behind clouds were amazing!" Takasaka writes.
Get a stunning look at "Northern Lights over Lake Minnewanka" in Alberta's Banff National Park from Dani Lefrancois on Vimeo. "More aurora shots to be posted every day this week!" she promises on Facebook.
More auroral glories:
For still more great time-lapse videos of the May 31-June 1 auroral outburst, check out "Aurora Over Mount Si" from Jim Reitz, and Michael Rector's "Bright Aurora in the Adirondacks."
Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the NBC News Science Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with NBCNews.com's stories about science and space, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered to your email in-box every weekday. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.


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Available ebook formats: epub mobi pdf rtf lrf pdb html
I was born in Africa where I grew up; but I have lived in countries like England, America, Papua New Guinea and Japan. I have now lived in Singapore for 35 years.
When I was teaching in Zambia I wrote a couple of books in simplified English for my students and these were published by Oxford University Press. Since living in Singapore, where I have, among other things, appeared on the TV News for nearly twenty years, I have written 20 books in my Wallace Boys Series - 11 of which were published here in Singapore.
Please visit The Wallace Boys Web Site to find out more about the books, and there is more about me too.

subset: commoncrawl


text: ASUS GeForceR GTX 650 Ti performance graphics Dual fans increase thermal efficiency with 11% better cooling and 14% lower noise emissions DIGI+ VRM with Super Alloy Power delivers precise digital power for superior efficiency, reliability, and performance.GPU Tweak helps you modify clock speeds, voltages, fan performance and more, all via an intuitive interface.NVIDIA® 3D Surround™ technology to expand displays on up to four monitors at once Shop Modal header Advance your gaming graphics with cool performance ASUS Exclusive Innovation Dual Fan Cooling 11% greater airflow. 14% quieter Twin optimized fans carefully selected by engineers drive 11% greater airflow while maintaining 14% quieter performance, combining enhanced cooling with a more pleasant gaming and computing environment. DIGI+VRM with Super Alloy Power Acclaimed DIGI+ VRM has been applied via a power design that uses digital voltage regulators to minimize power noise by 30% and enhance power efficiency by 15%, widen the voltage modulation range, and improve overall stability and longevity by 2.5 times longer than reference. GPU Tweak Real-time intuitive graphics tuning Detailed specs and actual card status with GPU-Z Monitoring widget provides real-time and detailed multi-parameter info Automatically check and update drivers and BIOS versions Gigantic 1GB GDDR5 Memory On-board memory for the best gaming experience & the best resolution Graphics GPU Features Powered by GeForce® GTX 650 Ti GeForce® CUDA Support Unlocks the power of GPU's processor cores to accelerate the most demanding system tasks NVIDIA® PhysX® ready Play games with advanced effects such as blazing explosions and lifelike characters with 10X faster switching between graphics and physics processing, enabling more complex effects to be rendered in real time. NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ Surround Ready Transform hunreds of PC games into stereoscopic 3D and enjoy immersive full HD 3D gaming across three displays at an incredible 5760x1080 resolution. PCIE 3.0 Delivers double the bandwidth per lane of PCIe Gen 2 for faster GPU-CPU communication. Microsoft DirectX 11.1 API (feature level 11_0) Brings new levels of visual realism to gaming on the PC and get top-notch performance I/O Ports Highlight


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Mollie Thomas' memories of childhood sound like those a lot of women might recall.
"I loved to dress up," she said. "I grew up as a dancer."
In some ways, it's a typical American story. When she was little, Mollie Thomas dreamed of becoming a beauty queen.
Local news from across Southern California
"I had a pretty intense collection of tiaras when I was pretty little," she says.
However, Thomas coming out as a lesbian later in life is what makes what she did Sunday night decidedly untypical and historic. The UCLA student joined hairstylist Jenelle Hutcherson of Long Beach as the first two openly gay women to compete for Miss California USA.
"It felt like the corners of cheeks just wouldn't stop vibrating I was so nervous," said Hutcherson.
Hutcherson was most nervous about the evening gown competition and wearing her purple tuxedo, while Thomas says it was the bathing suits and showing her multiple tattoos that gave her goosebumps.
"My first big coming out on stage was in my swimsuit," says Thomas. "I did a lot of prep for that, a lot of working out."
Neither contestant winded up winning the pageant. That honor went to Natalie Pack, 22, a University of California Irvine junior who has already made her mark as a model.
But in truth, Thomas and Hutcherson had different goals.
This was, after all, the same competition where Carrie Prejean made headlines two years ago by speaking out against same-sex marriage. Thomas and Hutcherson wanted to send the opposite message.
"I got up there to make me happy," says Hutcherson. "I got up there to influence these kids that I work with as a mentor, to be themselves, to be who they are and see how the world reacts."
"Being who you are and being true to yourself and being a strong woman rather than being your stereotypical beauty pageant girl," is how Thomas saw her role.
Thomas says she had such a good time, she's planning to compete again next year. And in true Hollywood fashion, she already has an entourage. They call themselves, "Team Mollie."
Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA


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- Easy Tart Crust (click for recipe)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- 4 large firm but ripe Bosc pears, peeled, quartered, cored, each quarter cut lengthwise into 3 slices
- 3 tablespoons chopped husked toasted hazelnuts
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped imported milk chocolate
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate
- 6 tablespoons raw sugar, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt (optional)
Recipe Preparation
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Place large sheet of parchment paper on work surface. Place crust dough atop parchment; roll out dough to 14-inch round. Transfer parchment with dough to large unrimmed baking sheet. Whisk egg and cream in small bowl. Brush center 10 inches of dough with some of egg glaze, leaving 2-inch plain border. Arrange pear slices in concentric circles atop glaze on dough. Sprinkle hazelnuts and both chocolates, then 4 tablespoons raw sugar over pears. Fold dough border over filling to form 11-inch round, pleating loosely and pinching to seal any cracks in dough. Brush crust with egg glaze; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons raw sugar, then with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, if desired.
Bake crostata until crust is deep golden and pears are tender, about 40 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to rack. Run long thin knife under crust to free from parchment. Cool to lukewarm on parchment on sheet. Using large tart pan bottom as aid, transfer crostata to platter. Serve lukewarm or at room temperature.


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Police searching for driver to caused squad to crash
Milwaukee police are searching for a man they said ran a red light and caused a marked vehicle to roll over.
The crash happened around 2 a.m. on Friday near 12th Street and Highland Avenue.
Inspector William Jessup said a police sergeant was traveling north on North 12th Street with lights and sirens on when a car entered the intersection against a red light.
Jessup said the police SUV struck a curb and rolled over.
The sergeant was temporarily trapped inside the vehicle, and was taken to a hospital for treatment of cuts and bruises.
Police said the driver of the car left the scene on foot.
Jessup said that police believe that Calvin Jeans III, 30, was driving the car that ran the red light. He is being sought for questioning.
Anyone with information on the location of Jeans is asked to call Milwaukee Police.


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|The Old Hukkah
This winter I was busy with my fieldwork that gave me an opportunity to visit many villages and meet various people who had observed the reign of independent monarchs of our state. It was indeed a great experience for me to be there with the peasants who in the course of their contribution to the state are yet unknown to the history of Sikkim. I am talking here about those folks who are always in majority and have constantly made compromises for their survival and also have for eternity proven to be a backbone of a state's economy by paying taxes. In lieu of their contribution in the form of tax, rents and free services they were cheated and were treated not better than a slave. Amid to their involvements to the state these peasants are not only ignored by the authorities but are sometimes even disregarded by the enlightened eyes of the historians and researchers. Hence, being a grandson of a peasant, I thought of writing a history of this "out-of-the-way" segment of the erstwhile Sikkimese society.
|It used to be covered while smoking
While doing my survey I met many peasants who carried the most hatred Kalobhari, Jharlangi and worked in the fields of Kazi, Thikadars and Mandals as Bethi Khetala (a free service for three days in the field of Mandals and Kazis during cultivation). Their narration about the injustice they had faced has made me even stronger to write about them. They were just innocent, naive and childlike and due to their worrying nature they were severely exploited by the Kazis and other feudal machineries.
|There used to be a pipe at the end which is now destroyed
|Tax Receipt of Birdhoj Limboo paid on 31 Dec 1922
Apart from my questionnaire, I have discussed with them in some other topics and also got other information about their day to day affaires. Interestingly, few people have shown me some antiques and documents related to their times of yore. The picture of today's post is an old and a broken Hukkah (a untensil made up of brass to smoke tobacco mostly used in Northern India and Nepal) used by a person called Birdhoj Limboo of Namchi Rabitar somewhere in the first decade of 20th century. Later his family got migrate to Chota Singtam in East Sikkim and are at present living there. Presently, this Hukkah is being preserved by one of his grandsons Harka Bahadur Limboo who is now 85. According to him, this Hukkah originally belonged to his great grandpa who brought it from Nepal. It is to be noted here that the use of such items were marked as the symbol of prosperity in the earlier Nepali society. If we have to believe Harka Bahadur, then its year of origin goes back to 1870's or 80's. Now in almost broken condition this Hukkah is still bringing smiles on the face of Harka Bahadur who is keeping it with innermost respect as a souvenir of his ancestors.


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Haven't found anything yet?
"My home is my castle" - Harald Glööckler's non-woven wallpaper 54469 transforms a normal room into a beautiful palace of living. The feathers motiv has a colouration of anthracite and silver, which redefines your room ambiance in an elegant way. In addition, the wallpaper is also highlighted by an impressive gloss-effect, which makes the wallpaper design more glamourous. Moreover, the German brand product convinces with its excellent material characteristics. The designer wallpaper is highly washable, dry strippable and has a good lightfastness.


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- Account record for the sale of 75 slaves from the cargo of the Brig Othello, sold by Captain George Dunbar Sweet for Samuel and William Vernon of [Newport], Rhode Island. Includes names of purchasers. Followed by account record for the Brig Othello to Francis Mairez and David Cooper [of Jamaica] for provisions taken on board between July 18, 1775 and August 22, 1775.
- Inventory of goods consigned to Captain George D. Sweet aboard the Brig Othello, owned by Samuel and William Vernon of Newport, Rhode Island, departing Rhode Island to the Coast of Africa. Includes instructions that read, "To insurance in London, from thence to Affrica [Africa] at and from thence to market with slaves at 8 guineas." On back, "Invoice of slops [?] sent on board," such as frocks, hats, shoes, and rum.


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Since school has started, busy schedules have become even more hectic and time seems to get away from all of us � quickly.
One less thing to worry about is what to fix for dinner on weeknights. If I can find something to prepare and cook in about 45 minutes or less, I will have more time to concentrate on other things outside of the kitchen.
These recipes are quick, easy and packed with flavor.
My recipe for Quick Egg Foo Young is made with ramen noodles and can prepared and on the table faster than calling for take-out.
The recipe for Sloppy Joe�s can be made in half the time it takes for just plain hamburgers, and my Mom�s recipe for Ham and Noodle casserole is perfect comfort food to have on busy weekday night.
Just make sure to put the needed ingredients on your weekly shopping list and you�ll be surprised how fast they are to make, plus all the recipes can be adjusted to your family�s taste.
All of these recipes are kid-friendly and company-worthy.
Take advantage of all the bagged salad and greens that are available in the grocery store to serve with these meals, and for dessert, you can never go wrong with fresh cut fruit.
Give them a try. I think you will want to put them in your keeper box, under �Quick and Easy Meals.�
2 (3-ounce) packages chicken ramen noodle soup mix
6 large eggs
2 cups cooked chicken, finely chopped
� cup green onions
� tsp. salt
� tsp. pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
Cooking spray
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. soy sauce
Cook the noodles according to package directions; drain the noodles, reserving the broth and set aside. Beat eggs in a large bowl until blended. Stir in noodles, chicken, green onions, salt, pepper, garlic and water chestnuts. Coat a large nonstick skillet with the cooking spray and place over medium-high heat until hot. For each patty, carefully pour about � cup of the noodle mixture into the skillet. Cook until the eggs are set and the patties are lightly browned. Remove to a hot ovenproof platter to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining noodle mixture.
For the sauce: Wipe out your skillet and return to the heat. Whisk together oil, flour, and the soy sauce in the skillet; gradually whisk in the reserved broth. Cook, stirring constantly, about 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and mixture has thickened. Serve over patties.
Serves 4 to 6 and can be doubled.
1� pounds lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green or red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 (10-ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. yellow mustard
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted
Cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet stirring until ground beef is browned and crumbly. Drain if needed. Stir in tomato soup, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic powder. Simmer about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often. Serve on toasted buns.
Serves 4 but can be doubled or tripled.
4 ounces medium egg noodles, uncooked
2 cups cooked ham, chopped
1 medium-size red pepper, seeded and chopped
� cup chopped onion
� cup chopped celery
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 (10-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream
� cup (2-ounce) shredded Cheddar cheese
Cook the noodles according to package directions; drain. Cook ham and red pepper, onion, and celery in oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat; stir in soup, sour cream, and the noodles. Spoon the noodle mixture into a lightly greased 1 �-quart baking dish. Cover and bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese, and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Serves 4 but can be doubled and cooked in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.


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Lindenwood University has formed a debate program and has selected Dr. Robert Burns to lead the team. Director of Student Life Sports Tim Canavan made the announcement on Thursday.
Burns has an extensive background in the craft of argumentation. After receiving speaking awards at Woodward Academy and reaching the elimination rounds at the prestigious Florida Blue Key Invitational in high school, he received a rare invitation to the National Debate Tournament (the national championship) as a freshman. Burns went on to coach debate at Wheaton College, before pursuing a doctorate in philosophy overseas at the University of Edinburgh. He recently returned to St. Louis, Mo. with his family to teach at Lindenwood and is excited about the opportunity to develop a world-class debate program.
"Lindenwood is already well-known for its first-class facilities and faculty," he said. "But the university is also highly committed to fostering an environment where exceptional students can distinguish themselves in competition with other well-known academic institutions. There is no better way to demonstrate the excellence of a Lindenwood education than to challenge the best and brightest individuals at traditional debate powerhouses such as Harvard, Northwestern, and Emory…and defeat them. This is what we intend to do."
Canavan said he is confident Dr. Burns will build a successful program.
"I like the passion and energy that Dr. Burns brings to the table," he said. "His expertise in debate is stellar."
The team will begin competition in the fall and plans to travel regionally and nationally in order to qualify for the national debate championship. Recruitment is already underway as Lindenwood seeks high school debaters at every level of experience and is willing to provide grant money to assist with those efforts.
For information about the Lindenwood debate program or to learn more about scholarship opportunities, contact Lauren Nystrom at (636) 949-4942.


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LISTEN: Dancing In the Dark: The Intelligence of Bees (54min)
Bees are remarkable among insects. They can count, remember human faces, and communicate through dance routines performed entirely in the dark. But are they intelligent? Even creative? Bee aficionado Stephen Humphrey, along with a hive of leading bee researchers and scientists, investigates the mental lives of bees.


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When wrenching quotes from context is the game plan
Last fall, Mitt Romney's very first television ad took a line Barack Obama uttered four years ago, wrenched it from context, and tried to mislead the public. After getting caught, the Republican candidate said he didn't care – the deception didn't matter because it's "sauce for the gander."
Incidentally, I still don't know what that means.
What we didn't know at the time was the extent to which this tactic would be important to the Republican's campaign. Indeed, at this point, hyperventilating after taking Obama quotes out of context isn't just part of the Romney campaign strategy, it is the Romney campaign strategy.
When President Obama told business leaders that U.S. policymakers have been "a little bit lazy" when it comes to attracting businesses to American soil, Romney went berserk and said Obama believes Americans are "lazy." When the president said private-sector job growth is "fine" relative to the public sector, Romney took that out of context, too.
And this week, Romney is pretending to be apoplectic about Obama's belief that businesses thrive thanks to public institutions – a concept Romney conceded yesterday he agrees with. In fact, there's a new Romney campaign web video featuring a New Hampshire business owner who's disgusted by the notion that Obama is "demonizing" him for his hard-earned success.
Whether the New Hampshire business owner actually believes this nonsense or he's been lied to by the Romney campaign is unclear.
But if you watch the clip, what's truly amazing is the hack-job editing. Team Romney didn't just take Obama's words out of context, the GOP campaign moved sentences around in order to make the president express an anti-business sentiment he does not believe and never expressed.
Indeed, this one's a doozy.
Greg Sargent was the first to catch the deception this morning, noting this audio of Obama that plays at the beginning of the video:
"If you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own. I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be 'cause I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something. If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."
Of course, when you're watching a video, you can't see ellipses, and in this case, you don't know what the president actually said:
"If you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own. I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something – there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.
"If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business – you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.
"The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together."
And remember, just yesterday, Romney endorsed this exact sentiment. He is, in other words, on the attack over an idea he agrees with.
In the video, Team Romney had to take out the sentences that showed what Obama was saying in order to fool people. Adding insult to injury, a Romney speech is featured at the end of the video, and it's edited to omit the part of his speech in which Romney said Americans "couldn't have" businesses were it not for public institutions – a sentiment that presumably makes the Republican candidate a socialist.
Greg added, "Romney supporters will respond that the parts of the speech that were included in the Web video are objectionable on their own. I don't agree with that, but it's a debatable point. However, there is no question that this edit is highly misleading. It deliberately removes multiple sentences about the broader theme of Obama's speech that preceded the 'you didn't build that' quote in order to deprive it of its actual meaning as Obama plainly intended that. And it creates the false impression of a seamless transition."
Of course, if the Obama quote were really as outrageous as Republicans claim, creative editing wouldn't have been necessary – Romney could have shared the real quote, with the context. That he hasn't reinforces the fact that the president's sentiment wasn't offensive at all. Indeed, when the Romney campaign heard the line, they ignored for five days because they didn't see it as controversial.
In the larger context, Romney has spent the last few days saying he can't release his tax returns because rascally Democrats might take tidbits from the materials out of context, making him look bad. The irony is rich.


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The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of food and agricultural products. The weakening of the euro gave a boost to further export growth.
The Netherlands
- Effect of the Russian import ban seems to remain limited
- Increasing insolvency risk in the dairy subsector
- Mostly stable payment behaviour
In 2013, the food/agriculture sector was one of the few industries in the Netherlands to generate growth in value and a stable level of employment. This year the forecast shows a slightly lower growth path than in 2013 (up 1.5%) so that total exports could amount to around EUR 78 billion. The sector accounts for 18% of Dutch exports and the Netherlands is the world's second largest exporter of food and agricultural products. The recent weakening of the euro gives a boost to further export growth and, on balance, the competitive position of the Dutch economy has improved since 2008.
The effects of the Russian embargo on food is difficult to assess, but seems quite limited. Because of the ban, other non-EU countries will supply products to Russia which in turn will lead to a demand in their home markets for European and Dutch products, also helped by the weaker exchange rate. However, an increase of payment defaults of Dutch food suppliers because of the Russian export ban cannot be ruled out.
In the last couple of months payment delays have been stable, with most cases stemming from disputes between suppliers and buyers. Our payment experience with this sector is comparatively good. Insolvencies in the sector have decreased year-on-year in 2014, although that is from the very high level reached in 2013. We expect the business defaults to level off year-on-year in the first half of 2015.
Domestic food retail sector
Domestic food consumption in 2013 was valued at EUR 57 billion, with more than 50% (EUR 29.3 billion) sold in supermarkets: an increase of 2%. Turnover through supermarket sales is expected to grow 1.5% in 2014 and 1.8% in 2015, due mainly to increasing volumes. However, there is limited scope for increasing prices because of the strong competitiveness of this segment. With a continuing difficult economic situation, consumers are particularly price-conscious, so that discounters like Lidl and Aldi and online food suppliers are increasing their market share. While margins are low in this segment, profitability is still good.
The boundaries between food services (hotels, restaurants, catering and convenience) and food retail are blurring, with more supermarkets offering 'ready to eat' food while department stores establish in-house restaurants.
The performance of the Dutch beverage industry remains positive, although volume growth in key markets such as the US and Asia Pacific has decreased. There is still no growth in Europe because of lower consumption.
Scandals in recent years, such as that of horse meat sold as beef, has damaged consumer confidence, but not enough to change buying patterns. Despite that, meat consumption has diminished in the last three years as a consequence of the economic crisis. As retailers put extra pressure on the already low prices of meat, including sliced meat, margins are low. However, new regulations on Germany's minimum wage will have a positive effect on Dutch slaughterhouses. Payment defaults in the meat sector have fallen in 2014.
It is difficult to estimate the impact of the Russian food ban on this segment. In 2013 EUR 140 million of meat was exported to Russia, accounting for just 1.8% of total exports. The Dutch government recently confirmed that they will support initiatives to improve export to other countries to compensate for the Russian embargo.
The dairy sector is one the largest and most important Dutch agriculture/food subsectors. In 2013 milk production increased 4.2%, to 12.3 million tons, with cheese - by far the most important dairy product - accounting for more than 55% of processed milk. Exports of dairy products rose substantially in 2013, thanks to higher volumes and prices. Export value increased 21% year-on-year, to EUR 6.7 billion. The importance of the dairy market can be seen in the Dutch trade balance, with a trade surplus of EUR 4.1 billion ( 9% of the overall Dutch trade surplus).
Most dairy exports go to the EU (67.2%: mainly to Germany, Belgium and France). The main export destinations outside the EU are Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
The outlook for the dairy sector is difficult to predict, again because of the Russian import ban. Sales prices for dairy products have decreased this year, from an unusually high level seen in 2013. Additionally, the abolition of the EU milk quota in 2015 could lead to oversupply, which would have an even more negative effect on prices and margins. So far payment defaults have been low in this segment, and payment behaviour has been generally good. But the ending of the milk quota will almost certainly increase the risk of more insolvencies next year.
Fruit and vegetables
The value of Dutch imports of fruits and vegetables continued to increase: vegetable imports are worth around EUR 2 billion and fruit imports EUR 4 billion. Over 80% of the imported vegetables and more than 65% of fruit is transit trade, as Dutch trading companies form an important link between growers and producers around the world and buyers in Europe.
Fruits and vegetables account for the largest share of Dutch agricultural exports, amounting to more than EUR 8.7 billion in 2013, and mainly to the UK, Germany and other EU countries. Between January and August this year, fruit and vegetable exports increased 8% year-on-year.
Less than 1% of fruits and 11% of vegetables are exported to non-EU markets. Over the past 25 years the export of tomatoes doubled to 1 billion kilograms. Prices remain low due to structural overcapacity, but at least energy prices were lower in the first half of 2014 (25% of the sales cost in the greenhouse vegetable sector is determined by energy prices). The further downward shift in natural gas and electricity prices, expected in 2015, would help the sector.
Export prospects for potato and onion producers are good, and sales prices are likely to remain slightly above their long-term average in 2014 and 15. Dutch exporters control around 75% of the world market for seed potatoes and long-term prospects are excellent for these high quality products. The fruit sector saw a favourable price trend in 2013 and 2014 and the long-term outlook for fruit and vegetable producers is positive. In particular, sales in niche markets such as organic and snack vegetables (mini tomatoes, mini cucumber and mini sweet peppers) are expected to show healthy growth.
In the first half of this year the export of agricultural products to Russia had already decreased by 10% year-on-year. Even before the embargo, the pricing for greenhouse products was already weak, and now some Dutch growers and producers of greenhouse vegetables are feeling the impact. Although less than 4% of total vegetable exports go to Russia, fruit and tomato growers will miss a large chunk of their export sales. It is estimated that the import ban will cost the agriculture sector more than EUR 300 million in lost business this year.
Nevertheless, in September greenhouse vegetable prices recovered and matched or even exceeded their pre-boycott prices. As a result, the outlook for agricultural exports is less gloomy than expectations immediately after the boycott announcement in early August 2014. The euro declined in early October to its lowest level in two years. This should give a boost to food exports.


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I've decided to write some short answers to the stuff even Catholics don't seem to know the answers to. I hear these questions a lot. So here's the first one:
Why do Catholics have to go to Mass every Sunday? What is the Sunday obligation all about?
It's like this. On the night He was betrayed Jesus took bread and wine during a liturgical meal (a Passover) and said, "This is My Body" and "This is My Blood" and then "Do this in Remembrance of Me."
He didn't finish the meal but went out to the Garden of Olives where He was betrayed and arrested. He was put through trails and torture before taking His cross and completing His Passion – a word that means to pour out – on Calvary, where He was crucified and died.
On the Third Day He rose.
Every Mass is a re-presentation (meaning to make present again but not a re-sacrifice, as that's not possible or warranted) of that once and for all Sacrifice made by Jesus for us and our Salvation. When we go to Mass we are in a way actually there with Him as He offers His Body and Blood and then we can go forward and eat His Body as He commanded in John 6 so we can have Life in us.
Knowing that at each Mass we are drawn into participation with the Passion and can receive Him in His risen self; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity then we are automatically obliged to do so under the First Commandment. We must put God first.
So, those who think doing something else is more important than being with God in such a profound way are making something else more important than God.
That's it in nutshell.


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Greensboro Library, NCHome Menu
Baby Storytime at Chavis
- Date: 09/05/2017 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
- Location: Vance H. Chavis Branch
900 S. Benbow Rd
Greensboro, North Carolina 27406
- Cost
Join us for simple stories, songs, and cuddle time with babies. This storytime is geared towards babies from birth to 18 months and their parents or caregivers. Older siblings are also welcome.Return to previous page >>


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NEW YORK - Whether performing on a Broadway stage, singing in a movie musical, or hosting the Oscars, Hugh Jackman approaches them all with equal intensity. Yet, when he dons Adamantium bone claws in "Wolverine," the 44-year old actor admits that something magical happens.
"It may be the strongest of all the roles I've played," Jackman says of the "X-Men" antihero.
When the Australian actor sat down with the Associated Press before Friday's opening of "Wolverine," he honored the icon comic book character with appropriately trimmed facial hair showing off Logan's signature muttonchops. And why not? It's the role that launched his career in the first "X-Men" film. He's already played the character six times already, and is currently shooting a seventh installment due in 2014.
"There's four or five roles that end up being the foundation of your entire career. There's no doubt to me that this (Wolverine) is one of them."
As a fan of the comic book series, Jackman says this one was important for him.
"I wanted to make (this movie) for 13 years when I first read that samurai story," the actor said. "I just think seeing this character in that world, juxtaposed with Japan in every way, I thought it was perfect and to see him battle with his powers, which really gives him an almost immortality."
While there's immortality to Logan, the operative word for the man who plays him is versatility. Jackman seems every bit as comfortable in an action film as he does in a Broadway musical. It's an adaptability he attributes to a bygone era.
"I'm more of kind of a throwback kind of actor. This is how all actors had to make a living 40, 50 years ago," Jackman explained. "When Clint Eastwood was under (studio) contract ... he would do musicals, he would do cowboy drama.
Jackman credits his training back home for preparing him for a wide range of roles. But he also acknowledges the core intent had more to do with survival.
"The nature of acting in Australia is you need to be up for everything. If you want to make a living, if you want to pay the rent, you've got to be able to do everything. There's only 10 movies made a year so that's natural to me," he said.
Part of Jackman's fascination with the Logan character lies in the duality between the human and the animal. The actor says the key is to balance the chaotic and controlled emotions within him.
"On one level you can say I'm playing a guy with weird hair and claws coming out of his hands, but actually he's incredibly human and a great sort of anti-hero and tragic figure," Jackman said. "That's why he's eternally fascinating to me and that's why I keep coming back."
Last year, Jackman starred in the film adaptation of "Les Miserables" as the iconic Jean Valjean, picking up a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for his effort. In between, he's been working on the original Broadway musical, "Houdini," when he puts on the cape as the legendary illusionist. That show hits Broadway in the spring of 2014.
"I've never originated in a musical before, so I'm thrilled," the Tony-winning actor said with a smile.
The talk of his stage and screen work makes his face light up, because as he puts it: "I've been blessed with opportunities that I could never have imagined."
And he acknowledges that the necessary "grounding" for his career to thrive comes from a strong family bond. It's something he felt was missing early on.
"I didn't grow up with a particularly stable family life and trying to create that ... is a priority for me and for my wife," Jackman said of Deborra-Lee Furness, his spouse of 17 years.
"Your family is there forever. At the end of the day when you're on your deathbed, your family is sticking by you. You're not going to be filled with DVDs of movies that you've done," he said. "So that's the most important thing."


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Global Business and Civil Society Leaders to Issue Urgent Call for Leadership on Effective Climate Deal
New York, United States of America
Historic UN Leadership Forum on Climate Change seeks to build political momentum, express growing business support for fair and effective climate agreement
(New York, 22 September 2009) – Meeting with Heads of State and Government from more than 50 nations, nearly 200 leaders of global business and civil society organizations are gathering at the United Nations today to convey their support for a balanced, fair and effective global climate agreement.
The UN Leadership Forum on Climate Change, organized by the UN Global Compact in collaboration with a broad group of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes1, marks the first time that the United Nations brings chief executives together with Government leaders to build political momentum for a climate agreement, to be negotiated in December at the critical UN Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen.
Speakers at the lunch event, held in conjunction with the high-level UN Summit on Climate Change, include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, former US Vice President Al Gore, and a wide range of leaders representing the business and investment communities, and civil society.
As a working meeting, the Forum will feature a number of interactive discussions on critical issues closely related to the climate challenge, including water and food security, energy solutions, financing, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, and sustainable enterprises and decent work. Business leaders are expected to announce a series of new commitments, initiatives and partnerships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, spread innovative solutions and address associated risks, from poverty to public health.
The Forum is taking place amid significant recent shifts in business perceptions of the urgency and benefits of early climate action. While many remain reluctant to support comprehensive action, with some actively lobbying against ambitious climate agreements, a fast-growing number of business leaders is now engaging actively as advocates, solution providers and pro-climate investors.
On the advocacy side, the Copenhagen Communiqué, a statement by The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change calls on world leaders to agree on "an ambitious, robust and equitable global deal on climate change". The statement is now supported by over 500 global executives. Similarly, 181 investment institutions collectively representing USD 13 trillion in global assets have supported the 2009 Investor Statement on the Urgent Need for a Global Agreement on Climate Change issued by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change and its partners.
The World Economic Forum has released a summary of recommendations of its Low-Carbon Prosperity Task Force, a business-led multi-stakeholder collaboration that formulates the economic and policy conditions needed to "incentivize investments and bring the low-carbon economy into being".
In May, global business leaders attending the World Business Summit for Climate Change hosted by the Copenhagen Climate Council, issued the Copenhagen Call, a set of concrete actions business believes are required to forge an effective new global climate treaty.
The UN Leadership Forum will also give recognition to several sectoral and national initiatives, such as the Open Letter to Brazil on Climate Change issued by Ethos Institute of Business and Social Responsibility and other civil society organizations.
Beyond advocacy, a number of collaborative frameworks have been gaining traction to expedite climate action at the corporate level. These include the Global Compact's Caring for Climate platform, the rapidly growing Carbon Disclosure Project, and the important work done by the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.
Several new reports to be launched at the Leadership Forum will present the perspectives and expectations of leading CEOs and project how market sustainability is closely linked to Governments' ability to seal a deal in Copenhagen.
Reflective of the rise in advocacy for comprehensive climate action, Forum participants will issue a joint declaration calling for "a new level of leadership" and articulating a strong business case for the negotiation of a climate framework. The declaration further stresses the critical importance of an agreement to unleash far-reaching investments, drive innovation, boost global cooperation and secure the long-term sustainability of the global marketplace.
"Business has a critical role to play in building political momentum for a fair and effective climate agreement in Copenhagen," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "I hope the UN Leadership Forum on Climate Change will send a strong message to governments. By taking action today, we can help usher in a new era of sustainable global green growth for all."
- Read Declaration by Business, Investors and Civil Society to Governments
- View Agenda
- View List of Participants
1The UN Leadership Forum on Climate Change is organized by the UN Global Compact, in collaboration with FAO, IFC, IFAD, ILO, UNICEF, DESA, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, OCHA, UNISDR and WFP.


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Apple has already announced that they'll be unveiling iCloud next week. But what is iCloud, exactly?
It sounds like iCloud will be a way of having your music collection mirrored on Apple's servers, allowing you to listen to your tunes when away from home without having to upload them anywhere or store them on your mobile device. In order to make this possible, Apple got all four of the major labels on board.
Essentially, Apple will have a huge database of pretty much all songs on its servers. If it authenticates you as owning one of the songs, it'll let you stream it free of charge. At first, it'll only work with songs you've purchased through iTunes, but it may expand to all songs you have on your computer eventually.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
It's supposedly going to be free at first, with a $25 yearly fee being a possibility later on. What do you think, is this something you'd be interested in?
Via PC Mag


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"Maria and Rick's Wedding Teaser Las Vegas Style"
Maria and Rick came to us just weeks before their wedding and asked if we could shoot it. Thankfully for both them and us, we didn't have the date booked yet. Due to a venue mishap in Las Vegas, Maria and Rick had to change not only the venue but also the date of their wedding which consequently threw off some of the vendors as they had previous weddings already booked on the new date. In the end it all worked out and Maria and Rick had a drop dead gorgeous wedding.
The Big Picture
I can't always show the internet crowd all the amazing footage that we edit here at Rustic Red Studio. I try my hardest to cater to the couple's first and sometimes that means that some of my amazing shots don't make the cut, because they just don't make sense in the edit. So in the case of this very short teaser, I can't possible show hardly any of the beautiful footage because it really doesn't make sense in the scope of this edit which is why I included a few pictures here in the blog. Needless to say, this was a really fun wedding and I look forward to showing Maria and Rick the final product.
Make sure and leave a comment below or in the facebook section to the top right.
Also subscribe to our blog to keep up to date with what's going on! RSS or Email
P.S. Make sure to check out Studio ATG from Las Vegas and their amazing photo skills of this wedding!


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Ihre Suche ergab keine Treffer.
Beachten Sie die folgenden Tipps, um das Gesuchte zu finden:
Measuring marketing success and how it affects the bottom line can be a daunting task for even the veteran marketer. With Oracle Eloqua, marketers have an easy to use, flexible and powerful reporting package available at their fingertips to accurately track and measure business impact.
Oracle's dashboard and reporting backed by the power of Oracle Business Intelligence provide both high-level and detailed insights to guide marketers in critical decisions in real-time.
Oracle Eloqua has designed dynamic, intuitive analytics and reporting capabilities benefiting users with more flexibility and power.
Explore the research, stories, tools and more to help you understand the power of moving to and using Oracle Marketing Cloud products in organizations of any size.


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CRESTVIEW � Okaloosa County Economic Development Council Executive Director Nathan Sparks says the county seat is "a strong partner� for business development.
CRESTVIEW � Okaloosa County Economic Development Council Executive Director Nathan Sparks says the county seat is "a strong partner� for business development.
Sparks says the city already has what he calls "the four P's of economic development."
�People: Sparks praises area school STEM and CHOICE programs for preparing students for technical jobs.
"Those are the types of things that resonate" with businesses seeking to relocate, he says. "Fifteen years ago, it was all about incentives. Now, more and more, it's the people."
�Product: Infrastructure, including "shovel-ready" sites, buildings that can support technological businesses and multiple transportation modes are available in Crestview, Sparks says.
"We do have product, and certainly I would like to see us have more product," he says. "You have an opportunity to capitalize on those assets."
�Partnerships: Cooperation from business and civic leaders is strong in Crestview.
"I find partners at every turn and assistance at every turn," Sparks says.
�Political will, which goes hand in hand with partnerships, Sparks says, praising the alignment of area politicians who share business leaders' vision for economic development.
"If you don't have your politicians and community leaders bought into your vision, you're not going to be successful," Sparks says.
Local assets
Sounding a familiar refrain, Sparks, speaking Sept. 11 to the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Government Issues committee, said Okaloosa County needs to expand its economic base beyond the "two legs of the stool" represented by the military and the hospitality industry.
He enumerated several Crestview assets that set the town and surrounding area apart from other communities, including its "picturesque downtown" that can attract entrepreneurs.
Other attributes include expansive land assets, the city's ready access to all modes of transportation, a business-friendly community, trained workforce and good quality of life.
Additionally, the Florida A&M University pharmacy school and the possibility of a Florida International University physician assistant program coming to town offer "the basis for a great medical sciences cluster here."
Finally, Sparks said, the EDC seeks ways to tap into another valuable local resource.
"We have hundreds of fully, technically trained personnel exiting our military community every year," he said. "It is truly an asset that we do not fully harness."
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.


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For those of you who are curious about this topic, here's my personal experience...
For those of you who are curious about this topic, here's my personal experience...
As promised the recipe is here! Tested and approved in a family lunch...
Barritas energéticas 100 % naturais, ideais para trincar entre refeições...
Usa o código EUNATURAL15 e tem 15 % de desconto em todos os produtos da EU Nutrition!
Visita a just GRANOLA Shop: granolas artesanais, bio e vegan!
Just Natural Please colabora com: Alimenta - Associação Portuguesa de Alergias e Intolerâncias Alimentares
Leave your email below to receive the Newsletter! Free!
Hi! I'm Joana! Welcome to Just Natural Please.
In this little piece of me you can find healthy vegan recipes that are made with whole plants. Most of my recipes are free of gluten, dairy, refined oils and other processed ingredients. I also write about health, nutrition, DIY and exercise, mainly running, which is another passion of mine. Read more about me here.
I hope you like it and that you feel inspired to be healthier and happier!
be whole
be healthy
be Just Natural
February 2018
Buy me an ingredient for the next recipe! Thanks!


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An impressive team of coins.
Join our year of royal celebration.
Including a much-loved bear.
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Coins to treasure for years to come.
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Friday, July 23, 2010
And The Winner of the Anniversary Vote Is...
Posted by Jara at 10:05 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Labels: winner of anniversary hotel vote
Friday, July 16, 2010
Upcoming Anniversary VOTE!
*Belmont Hotel
*The Ashton
*Hotel Palomar
So...what's YOUR vote???
Posted by Jara at 4:52 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Kaden's Leggo Swim Party - 7 years old!
Posted by Jara at 7:50 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Kaden's 7th birthday party
Friday, July 9, 2010
7 Years
Posted by Jara at 4:50 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Kaden's birthday 2010
Colossians 1:9-12 (New International Version)
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
and Jeremiah 29:11 (from memory)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope!
Posted by Jara at 7:55 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Labels: life verses
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Zebra Cupcakes!!!
Posted by Jara at 5:37 PM 3 comments Links to this post
Labels: zebra cupcakes July 8 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Party in the USA! Happy Fourth of July!!!!
We had a super fun day! Oh, and a little side note: I went to cycle class Sat morning and my cycle instructor had all patriotic-ish music for us to cycle to like "Party in the USA" (hence the title of this post), we even cooled down to "Proud to Be An American"! It was so cute cause he has a foreign accent - not sure where he's from...and there was a little asian guy in the class with us who sang the words as he cycled too - I almost got a little misty-eyed! I am truly thankful to live in this great country - thanks to all of you who serve to make all these freedoms possible - and may GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Posted by Jara at 11:27 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: July 4th 2010
A Visit from the Tooth Fairy!
Besides...I'm wondering...what IS the going rate for teeth these days??? What does YOUR tooth fairy leave for your kids? Any comments would be appreciated, we want to make sure OUR tooth fairy isn't ripping us off:)
Posted by Jara at 11:20 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Crazy Dinner!!!
Got my batteries....so... had to show this one! My sister Jayna and her family live in Colorado so we beg her every summer to let us have the kids a for a few weeks of mischief! We like to fill the two to three weeks we have with them with lots of fun and exciting activities. I'm not sure who's idea this was... but one night we had a "Crazy Dinner" where we all dressed up crazy and ate out of crazy things like huge pots, serving utensils as silverware, and drank out of funny containers like measuring cups, etc. It was super fun and we laughed and laughed!!! We also prayed a little that no one could see into mom's almost all glass house;)! From L-R back row: Mom, Madison, Kai, Makenna, Jae, Me; front row: Kinsley, Kaden hidden behind her, and Colton
Trust me...it's NEVER a dull moment in my family:) And...I wouldn't have it any other way!
Posted by Jara at 10:57 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I need batteries...
Isn't that sad, first of all that I need batteries for my camera, do cameras that take batteries still even exist?
And then the fact I haven't been to the store in 2 months - and that I actually even drove to CVS yesterday to avoid having to go to the store...
and that I saw batteries there...and Kaden kept saying,"Mom, get these, we need batteries". And I said, "Nah, I'll wait to get them when we go to the store".
Don't laugh, it's really, really sad!
Hope to post again soon - there's so many good posts in my head, be back shortly, going to the store to get batteries:)
Posted by Jara at 10:32 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: out of batteries


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These backgrounds are based on original pachinko machine artwork and can be used on almost all pachinko machines as a background replacement. These backgrounds are printed on heavy duty vinyl with adhesive backing. This background was based on a 1960's Sanyo pachinko machines artwork. The backgrounds are 17 1/4″ x 22″and are reproduced on3M Graphic Film with v3 Adhesive. This is covered with a3M glossy over laminate that is a2-mil film that can enhance gloss and provide additional ultraviolet and physical protection for selected digitally-imaged graphic constructions.They also come with apressure-sensitiveDura-Larproduct in a 5-mil, medium-weight, clear film with permanent adhesive backingfor extra protection to prevent long term wear.
Due to the cost of printing, backgrounds are not kept in stock. Printing takes about a week to have done.


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Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning numbers, prize payouts and other information posted on the Pennsylvania Lottery's website. The official winning numbers are those selected in the respective drawings and recorded under the observation of an independent accounting firm. In the event of a discrepancy, the official drawing results shall prevail.
"The trademark 'Cash For Life' and 'Cash 4 Life', reg. nos. 3099613, 4254557, and 4748172 are owned by and used with the permission of the Multi-State Lottery Association."


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Professor - Department of Urban and Regional Planning
email@example.com - Hayes Hall 126 - (716) 829-5880
Professor - Department of Urban and Regional Planning
email@example.com - Hayes Hall 126 - (716) 829-5880
Dr. Sternberg's current work is on the ethics of complex decision making to avert disasters, whether from terrorism or natural or technological hazards.
His earlier research has examined complex resources whose allocation requires public planning because they are not effectively allocated by pure markets. He pursued this topic through successive studies of resource types, including technological research endowments, cultural and heritage resources, urban physical form and infrastructure systems, and (the opposite of such resources) geophysical and technological hazards. Some of the results may be seen in the publications listed below. His most recent interest is the study of new radical ideologies affecting perceptions of public affairs.
B.A. (social sciences), Empire State College
M.S. (development sociology and Southeast Asian studies), Cornell University
Ph.D. (city and regional planning), Cornell University
Dr. Sternberg teaches graduate planning studios, which have taken on topics ranging from heritage development to wind-energy planning. His undergraduate course, Land Use and Development, is a general introduction to roles of planners in shaping the built environment. At various times, he has also taught economic development, planning theory, and the graduate final projects class.
Dr. Sternberg served as the founding president and is still member of the board of Protect New York, an academic group focused on research and education to safeguard metro New York, and other large urban areas, from disaster and terrorism. He served for five years as a member of the editorial board at State University of New York Press.


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Joffrey Lupul's career took a dramatic reversal in 2006 and the worst part is that he had no way of knowing it was in the works or that it would cause a damaging chain of events.
The Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks were Western Conference finalists a few years after their shocking appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, which was pushed by a goaltending feast from Jean-Sebastian Giguere.
A big role was played by Lupul in their 2006 postseason, as the sophomore scored nine goals, four of which arrived in one game against the Colorado Avalanche. In the words of Ian Laperriere, then a forward for Colorado, Lupul was "making a name for himself."
Anaheim was a well-built club and despite losing out to the Edmonton Oilers in five games, their postseason mettle was growing and another run for the Cup was on the horizon—just not for Lupul. (more…)


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Derek Jeter is sure making waves in the New York City real estate market lately. The Post reports that the Yankees slugger was recently spotted scoping out Bob Vila's Madison Square Park penthouse, which the This Old House host put on the market in May for $5.7 million.
The third baseman's prospective new digs is located at 15 East 26th Street and includes two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a private roof terrace. The slugger must be quite enamored with the penthouse because he allegedly visited (sans girlfriend Minka Kelly) the unit twice in recent days.
Jeter is already shacking up in a $15,000 per month two bedroom unit in the Trump World Tower, while he is looking for a buyer for his ritzy penthouse in the same East Side building. The penthouse, which has been on the market for $20 million since September 2010, features panoramic views of the city, sixteen feet floor-to-ceiling windows, and four bedrooms.
Click here to take a look inside the Madison Square Park penthouse.
To tour Derek Jeter's current digs in the Trump World Tower, click here.


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Photo of the Topkapi Palace by Kuzeytac used under a Creative Commons license.
David Fromkin, A Peace to End All Peace (Holt Paperbacks, 2001).
Writing about Turkey in Salon's Literary Guide to the World, Michelle Goldberg says:
If you want to understand how the multiethnic Ottoman Empire gave way to the fierce nationalisms of the modern Middle East, there's no better book . . . . Fromkin tells the story of how, after World War I, the European victors carved up the Ottoman Empire into the countries that exist today. His sprawling history portrays the prewar ferment among the modernizing young Turks, the exploits of Mustapha Kemal — now known as Ataturk — the army officer and revered founder of modern Turkey, the adventures of Lawrence of Arabia and the intrigues of various kingmaking Western Orientalists.
I've categorized the book for several other countries as well based on what others have said. (If you think I've erred, please say so in the comments.)
Here is Fromkin's bio at Boston University. Here are reviews and posts from J.R. Moehringer (The New York Times), John C. Campbell (Foreign Affairs), Garret Wilson, Anoop Sarkar, Dana Tucker, Eric Brahm, Zakaria Ajmal, R J Keefe, Sean Lavelle, David Baer, and The Harrisburger. Maryanne Stroud Gabbani doesn't have a lot to say about the book, but her blog looks quite interesting.


text: This is the voting thread. No posting EXCEPT suggesting a theme for next week or saying which piece you voted for and why. [Voting Rules You can not vote for yourself. You can not vote for 2 pieces. #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 4 #3 Votes: 5 #4 Votes: 0 Winner will be placed in winners thread that I will start when voting is over. Voting ends Friday April 1st... Unlucky 8O Anyway good luck all!


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This Oblong Silver Cake Drum is ideal for presenting your celebration cakes.
This 16" x 14" Oblong Silver Cake Drum Board is ideal for presenting your cakes upon. Strong enough to support any type of cake, from a heavy fruit cake to a lighter sponge cake.
As a general rule, for a sponge choose a drum 2" larger than the cake, and for a fruit cake, 3" larger.
16" (L) x 14" (W) x 12mm (D)


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Girl Power
This is designed for the Erin Condren or similar sized planners,
but with any of my layouts, they can be tweaked to fit any planner.
(See my FAQ's for tips on this)
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If you love anything you've downloaded, please share with your friends on social media
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Anything can be made beautiful with pink spray paint and a little glitter :)
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Please know that every dollar is appreciated and brings me such joy to know you appreciate my work.


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February 21 Board Brief
Please click this link to watch Superintendent Dr. Fred Brent's video message.
Community-Based Accountability System (CBAS)
Last night, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to charge GISD leadership to develop a community-based accountability system. This system would reflect the values of our community; would be driven by the district's vision, mission, and beliefs; aligned to the strategic plan; and would communicate progress toward attainment of the Learner Profile. A community-based accountability system would provide a higher level of accountability for GISD than the state system.
Wagner Middle School Transition Plan
Wagner Middle School is on its way to completion, but due to heavy rains, the opening of the school will be delayed.
- Sixth and seventh grade students zoned to attend Wagner Middle School will begin the 2017-18 school year at the Williams Elementary School campus. Williams Elementary was already slated to be empty with Williams students and staff planning to move to the new Purl Elementary beginning in the fall of 2017.
- Wagner students will have all of the same instructional and extracurricular programs available at the other GISD middle schools, including football, volleyball, and cheerleading.
- The Wagner facility is scheduled to be completed by mid-to late October with the expectation that students will be moved into the new building following the Thanksgiving holidays; however, the athletic facilities are expected to be ready for use in August.
To view a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Wagner Middle School, visit the Wagner Middle School website.
District of Innovation
The Board unanimously approved the plan that officially designates Georgetown ISD as a District of Innovation. The process to become a District of Innovation (DOI) began in May when the Board adopted a resolution to explore the designation. A committee made up of teachers, parents, and community members evaluated the eligible exemptions and designed a plan that is aligned to the district's strategic plan and supports teaching and learning in GISD. The committee was given full authority to craft a DOI plan through open discourse, consensus building, and voting for collective approval. The plan was posted in January and the District Performance Council held a public meeting and approved the plan February 8.
"As a teacher and a parent in Georgetown, I am very excited that GISD is going to be a District of Innovation," said Ashley Gaylor, a 5th grade teacher at Cooper Elementary. "The plan allows us the flexibility to really follow our district's beliefs and empowers us to create innovative, personalized learning for our students. I enjoyed the challenging process of developing the DOI plan. The discussion and debate among teachers, administrators and community stakeholders allowed different views and voices to be heard and drive the creation of the final plan. Being a part of a district that truly wants what is best for students and community is inspiring."
Board President Scott Stribling said, "I'm so proud of the way our community and district leaders collaborated to explore DOI and what it might mean for our students. Georgetown ISD is again proving to be a very dynamic and forward thinking district that makes it continually more attractive to families and area leaders."
The GISD District of Innovation Plan will go into effect during the 2017-18 school year.
2017-18 Calendar
The Board approved the new 2017-2018 calendar that will allow for a start date of Aug. 17 and end on May 31. The school calendar has allowed for a shorter school day, benefiting GISD students. View the calendar for the upcoming school year.
Three New Hires
Dr. Malinda Golden was named the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning; Lannon Heflin will serve as the district's Chief of Technology and Innovation; and Denisse Baldwin will be the principal of the new Purl Elementary School.
New Attendance Zones
The Board approved new attendance zones to optimize capacity at our current campuses and accommodate future growth in the district. Descriptions of the zones affecting elementary and middle schools, Google Earth maps, and Grandfathering Forms are posted at http://www.georgetownisd.org/Page/16824.


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Archive for March 6th, 2009
How Piratpartiet.se is linked on the Internet – a graph w IssueCrawler
The trial is going on in Sweden against The Pirate Bay. It might be interesting to see how the official party wing – Piratpartiet – and its www site is connected on the net.
Graph 1: How pirate party www sites were connected in April, 2007.
Original 1200px img dl here (1,2mb png)
I made this SNA graph about piratpartiet.se in April, 2007 with IssueCrawler, a very recommendable and free SNA tool on the net invented by Govcom.org and its director dr Richard Rogers. I cover IC issues later more, but the basic idea of this tools is, that it crawls voluntarily made www links between the www sites. So this (human-made) www linking indicates, that people who make links, somehow appreciate the sites to they are linking. This means that you can make at least slight expectations which kind of people or movement is making these links.
The graph shows at least that Piratpartiet.se is much more networked than to piracy issues only. There are heavy connections to issues like wikis, copyrights, open source etc. and that indicates that people in the party are more keen about the overall issues than just swapping commercial files for free.
The Piratpartiet.se graph is a part of my article Pirates in politics – internet piracy as individualised politics (2008). It was published with deeper analysis about the Swedish piracy movement itself in Net working / Networking: Citizen Initiated Internet Politics (Tapio Häyhtiö and Jarmo Rinne eds., Tampere University Press 2008). Introduction about the anthology in facebook.
The anthology Net working / Networking itself is some kind of quite interesting update to the net activism issues nowadays handled previously in the dawn of hactivism in another anthology: McCaughey, Martha & Ayers, Michael D. (eds.) (2003). Cyberactivism. Online Activism in Theory and Practice. Routledge, New York.


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NSF Stimulus Funding will Support ARRV Construction
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the stimulus bill, includes $400 million for the NSF Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account. From this amount, NSF plans to direct more than $100 million to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) to support construction of the Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV), which was approved as a MREFC project in 2007. The final amount of the award is still to be determined.
The ARRV will be a 77 m (254 foot) ice-capable vessel designed to support a variety of research objectives in high latitudes. The ARRV, which will be owned by NSF and operated by UAF on behalf of the ocean sciences community through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), will be the first vessel in the U.S. academic research fleet able to break ice up to 0.75 m (2.5 feet) thick. The ARRV will also be able to:
- accommodate up to 26 researchers, including those with disabilities, in addition to a crew of up to 20,
- allow collection of sediment samples from the sea floor,
- host remotely operated vehicles (ROV),
- use a suite of flexible winches to lower and raise sampling equipment through the water column, and
- communicate in real time with classrooms and other outside entities worldwide.
The university released a request for proposals for the vessel's construction in mid-March 2009 with proposals due 30 April 2009. After evaluation of the proposals, final award of a shipyard contract is expected in fall 2009, with science operations beginning in 2013.
At the UAF Seward Marine Center, where the ARRV will be headquartered, the university plans to add a new all-weather dock and additional support facilities; UAF will need to obtain funding for these improvements from a non-federal source.
Planning for the new vessel began more than 30 years ago; it was developed as a replacement for the R/V Alpha Helix, a 133-foot research vessel that was built in 1966, retired after 40 years of service, and sold in 2007 to a private firm for use as a charter research vessel.
The design for the ARRV has been in development since 2000 and has evolved through concept design, preliminary design, and an initial contract design that was completed in 2004 by The Glosten Associates, a group of marine architects in Seattle. In August 2007, UAF entered into a cooperative agreement with NSF to proceed with a project refresh of the 2004 contract design and development of the project documentation needed to support construction. A Final Design Review took place at NSF in October 2008, and in March 2009 the National Science Board authorized the NSF Director, at his discretion, to make awards to UAF for the construction of the ARRV. As of the end of April 2009, UAF had received $18 million through the cooperative agreement.
For more information, see the ARRV website, or contact Dan Oliver (fndko [at] uaf.edu) or Terry Whitledge (terry [at] ims.uaf.edu).


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Court Rules Fired Fiance Can Claim Retaliation
Court Rules Fired Fiance Can Claim Retaliation
The U.S. Supreme Court has expanded protections for employees who file discrimination claims under federal law. By a unanimous vote, the court ruled that not only are workers themselves protected from retaliation when they file such claims, so too are their family members and close relations, such as a fiance.
Eric Thompson and Miriam Regalado met and became engaged while working at North American Stainless steel in Kentucky. She was a female supervisor — a rarity in the company — and she says she was never accepted by her boss. She eventually filed a sex discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, contending that she was not receiving the same raises as her male counterparts. Three weeks after the company was notified of the charge, Regalado's fiance was fired from his job as a metallurgical engineer.
The fiance sued, claiming he had been illegally fired to punish Regalado and to discourage others from making discrimination claims. Now married, Thompson and Regalado said they had had to move to Arkansas to find employment.
"This was sending a message," Regalado said. "They're saying to other employees, 'Don't you dare do what she did. Otherwise, we'll take care of you like we did with her.' "
Her fiance's suit was thrown out by the lower courts, which ruled that federal law only permits the victim of discrimination to claim illegal retaliation. But on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed.
The Court's Decision
Writing for the unanimous court, Justice Antonin Scalia said that firing a fiance clearly could constitute illegal retaliation. "We think it obvious," he said, "that a reasonable worker might be dissuaded" from filing a discrimination claim "if she knew that her fiance would be fired."
"If the facts here are as alleged," wrote Scalia, then Thompson is "not an accidental victim of retaliation — not collateral damage. ... To the contrary, injuring him was the employer's intended means of harming Regalado." In those circumstances, Scalia added, "Thompson is well within the zone of interests sought to be protected by the federal anti-discrimination law."
The case now returns to the lower courts, where it will either be tried before a jury or settled out of court.
Both business interests and civil rights groups have been concerned about the case and its implications. Civil rights lawyers were worried that if they lost, retaliation against family members would mushroom and become a new intimidation tactic by employers.
Business interests were worried that a ruling for the fiance would open the floodgates of retaliation litigation. The Chamber of Commerce filed a brief saying that the number of retaliation claims filed with the EEOC has tripled over the past 17 years.
Indeed, retaliation claims are growing. In 2010, they accounted for more than one-third of all discrimination claims filed with the EEOC. But only a tiny minority involved individuals who were not themselves the original victims of discrimination.
In Monday's ruling, the court said there are limits to who can claim illegal retaliation.
"We expect that firing a close family member will almost always meet the test," the court said. And "inflicting a milder reprisal on a mere acquaintance will almost never do so."
But beyond that, the justices said, they were "reluctant to generalize" because "the significance of any given act of retaliation will often depend upon the circumstances."
The Justices And The State Of The Union
All but one of the justices were on the bench Monday morning for the release of opinions. Justice Samuel Alito is in Hawaii attending a legal conference. Which of the remaining eight will show up for Tuesday's State of the Union address is a subject of much speculation.
Chief Justice John Roberts last year indicated his displeasure at having to sit stone-faced amid the partisan whooping and hollering at the State of the Union. And most observers had anticipated that he would not attend. But the Tucson shootings and the attempt to tone down the rhetoric may make attendance more appealing.
Then there is Scalia's appearance before the Tea Party Caucus on Monday night. Scalia, who has appeared before groups both liberal and conservative, agreed to give the Tea Partiers a closed-door briefing on the Constitution. It is unknown whether he will attend the State of the Union address.
Correction Jan. 27, 2011
A previous headline on this story inaccurately said the Supreme Court ruled that North American Stainless had retaliated against an employee whose fiancee filed a discrimination claim. The court actually ruled that the former employee has standing to sue the company for retaliation.


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Venezuela's crude oil production has been on a downward trend for two decades, but it has experienced significant decreases over the past two years. Crude oil production in Venezuela decreased from 2.3 million barrels per day (b/d) in January 2016 to 1.6 million b/d in January 2018. A combination of relatively low global crude oil prices and the mismanagement of Venezuela's oil industry has led to these accelerated declines in production.
Several factors indicate that Venezuela's crude oil production will likely continue to decline. The number of active rigs has fallen from near 70 in the first quarter of 2016 to an average of 43 in the last quarter of 2017. Recent reports indicate that missed payments to oil service companies, a lack of working upgraders, a lack of knowledgeable managers and workers, and declines in oil industry capital expenditures have also contributed to production declines.
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Pioneering technology expert tells ADIPEC Energy Dialogue up to 80 per cent of plant shutdowns could be mitigated through combination of advanced electrification, automation and digitalisation technologies
Greater use of renewables in power management processes offers oil and gas companies opportunities to create efficiencies, sustainability and affordability when modernising equipment, or planning new CAPEX projects
Abu Dhabi, UAE – XX August 2020 – Leveraging the synergies created by the convergence of electrification, automation and digitalisation, can create significant cost savings for oil and gas companies when making both operational and capital investment decisions, according to Dr Peter Terwiesch, President of Industrial Automation at ABB, a Swiss-Swedish multinational company, operating mainly in robotics, power, heavy electrical equipment, and automation technology areas.
Participating in the latest ADIPEC Energy Dialogue, Dr Terwiesch said up to 80 per cent of energy industry plant shutdowns, caused by human error, or rotating machinery or power outages, could be mitigated through a combination of electrification, automation and digitalisation.
"Savings are clearly possible not only on the operation side but also, using the same synergies between dimensions, you can bring down the cost schedule and risk of capital investment, especially in a time when making projects work economically is harder," explained Dr Terwiesch.
A pioneering technology leader, who works closely with utility, industry, transportation and infrastructure customers, Dr Terwiesch said despite the increasing investment by oil and gas companies in renewables and the growing use of renewables to generate electricity, both for individual and industrial uses, hydrocarbons will continue to have an important role in creating energy, in the short to medium term.
"If you look at the energy density constraints, clearly electricity is gaining share but electricity is not the source of energy; it is a conduit of energy. The energy has to come from somewhere and that can be hydrocarbons, or nuclear, or renewables." he said.
Nevertheless, he added, the greater use of renewables to generate electricity offers oil and gas companies the option of integrating a higher share of renewables into power management processes to create efficiencies, sustainability and affordability when modernising equipment, or planning new CAPEX projects.
The ADIPEC Energy Dialogue is a series of online thought leadership events created by dmg events, organisers of the annual Abu Dhabi International Exhibition and Conference. Featuring key stakeholders and decision-makers in the oil and gas industry, the dialogues focus on how the industry is evolving and transforming in response to the rapidly changing energy market.
With this year's in person ADIPEC exhibition and conference postponed to November 2021, the ADIPEC Energy Dialogue, along with insightful webinars, podcasts and on line panels continue to connect the oil and gas industry, with the challenges and opportunities shaping energy markets in the run up to, and following, a planned three-day live stream virtual ADIPEC conference taking place from November 9-11.
An industry first of its kind, the online conference will bring together energy leaders, ministers and global oil and gas CEOs to assess the collective measures the industry needs to put in place to fast-track recovery, post COVID-19.
To watch the full ADIPEC Energy Dialogue series go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZzUd32n3_s&t=6s
Forecast Highlights
Utility-scale battery storage systems are increasingly being installed in the United States. In 2010, the United States had seven operational battery storage systems, which accounted for 59 megawatts (MW) of power capacity (the maximum amount of power output a battery can provide in any instant) and 21 megawatthours (MWh) of energy capacity (the total amount of energy that can be stored or discharged by a battery). By the end of 2018, the United States had 125 operational battery storage systems, providing a total of 869 MW of installed power capacity and 1,236 MWh of energy capacity.
Battery storage systems store electricity produced by generators or pulled directly from the electrical grid, and they redistribute the power later as needed. These systems have a wide variety of applications, including integrating renewables into the grid, peak shaving, frequency regulation, and providing backup power.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory and Annual Electric Generator Report
Most utility-scale battery storage capacity is installed in regions covered by independent system operators (ISOs) or regional transmission organizations (RTOs). Historically, most battery systems are in the PJM Interconnection (PJM), which manages the power grid in 13 eastern and Midwestern states as well as the District of Columbia, and in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). Together, PJM and CAISO accounted for 55% of the total battery storage power capacity built between 2010 and 2018. However, in 2018, more than 58% (130 MW) of new storage power capacity additions, representing 69% (337 MWh) of energy capacity additions, were installed in states outside of those areas.
In 2018, many regions outside of CAISO and PJM began adding greater amounts of battery storage capacity to their power grids, including Alaska and Hawaii, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Many of the additions were the result of procurement requirements, financial incentives, and long-term planning mechanisms that promote the use of energy storage in the respective states. Alaska and Hawaii, which have isolated power grids, are expanding battery storage capacity to increase grid reliability and reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report
Note: The cost range represents cost data elements from the 25th to 75th percentiles for each year of reported cost data.
Average costs per unit of energy capacity decreased 61% between 2015 and 2017, dropping from $2,153 per kilowatthour (kWh) to $834 per kWh. The large decrease in cost makes battery storage more economical, helping accelerate capacity growth. Affordable battery storage also plays an important role in the continued integration of storage with intermittent renewable electricity sources such as wind and solar.
Additional information on these topics is available in the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) recently updated Battery Storage in the United States: An Update on Market Trends. This report explores trends in battery storage capacity additions and describes the current state of the market, including information on applications, cost, market and policy drivers, and future project developments.


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DOGS OF W*A*R The Real Mans Role Playing Game! Using the rules first seen in the fantastic Barbarians of Lemuria, this great new role playing game gives you the covert adventure and gung-ho thrills of mens action adventure novels of the 70s and 80s. Dogs of W*A*R allows you to create an experienced character ready to play in minutes and straightforward rules that dont get in the way of role playing. DOGS OF W*A*R - All action all danger all guts!
Now available in PDF from RPGNow.


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What do you think Betty Freidan–or Betty Draper for that matter–might say to the idea that, come 2010, women everywhere would be finding their purpose right in their own backyards? Tending to the chicken coops in their own backyards, that is?
Don't think that would fly?
Peggy Orenstein offers an interesting take on the Extreme-Homemaking-as-Feminism trend in a piece entitled "The Femivore's Dilemma" in this week's New York Times magazine, and while I can get behind the sentiment (I'm a card-carrying Pollanite; I've seen Food, Inc.; I buy my organic, grass-fed beef from a friend of mine every Saturday at the farmers market and can rant for hours about the environmental degradation wrought by the food industrial complex, and don't even get me started on the antibiotics…), there's just something about the phenomenon that ruffles my feathers.
Here's a bit from Orenstein's piece:
All of these gals–these chicks with chicks–are stay-at-home moms, highly educated women who left the work force to care for kith and kin. I don't think that's a coincidence: the omnivore's dilemma has provided an unexpected out from the feminist predicament, a way for women to embrace homemaking without becoming Betty Draper. 'Prior to this, I felt like my choices were either to break the glass ceiling or to accept the gilded cage,' says Shannon Hayes, a grass-fed livestock farmer in upstate New York and author of 'Radical Homemakers,' a manifesto for 'tomato-canning femininsts'.
I mean, on the one hand, it's earth-mamma cool. Back to nature. Slow. Sustainable. Simple. Hormone-Free. It's badass in it's way, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to accept a brunch invitation from any mother hen who's literally escorted the eggs from the backyard to the table, never mind who brought home the bacon. Plus–full disclosure–I have several friends who raise their own birds. I dig it. (And, you know, brunch? I'm free.)
But is it really feminism?
Hayes pointed out that the original 'problem that had no name' was as much spiritual as economic: a malaise that overtook middle-class housewives trapped in a life of schlepping and shopping. A generation and many lawsuits later, some women found meaning and power through paid employment. Others merely found a new source of alienation. What to do? The wages of housewifery had not changed–an increased risk of depression, a niggling purposelessness, economic dependence on your husband–only now, bearing them was considered a 'choice': if you felt stuck, it was your own fault…
Enter the chicken coop.
Femivorism is grounded in the very principles of self-sufficiency, autonomy and personal fulfillment that drove women into the work force in the first place.
It's such a romantic idea. Living off the land! Chopping the wood for the fires that will heat your home and bathwater! Hunting, foraging, toiling and tilling… you know, working. But how empowering is it really? For an answer, read what former New York City-living, former women's mag editor Jessie Knadler has to say about her new life–which involves involves all of that… and axe-wielding, produce-canning, jerky-drying, and water-hauling–in the post she published in response to Orenstein's piece, on her blog "Rurally Screwed." (Um, awesome, that.)
The irony is that while there's no question I'm more resourceful and frugal and self-sufficient in my new life, I actually feel like less of a feminist than ever… Instead of feeling proud of myself for all my physical accomplishments, I sometimes find myself wishing that Jake would do more manual labor for me. You know, because he's a dude and I'm not. I sometimes find myself wanting to hole up in the house and assuage my guilt for not helping him dig a trench to China by baking him cookies, or making him a nice casserole, or some such. Suddenly, dusting the end tables doesn't seem so bad. Betty Friedan would probably roll over in her grave.
Yowch. I'd say anything that makes dusting the end tables look good qualifies as a pretty serious Con. But what really bothers me about the whole thing is this: is the Extreme Homemaker yet another ideal to which we must aspire, like the cupcake- and Kleenex-brandishing Office Mom? Another iconic self? A perfectionist response to the dilemma of having too many choices and feeling a little insecure about the one we've chosen? It kind of reminds me of this quote, from Sandra Tsing Loh in the Cautionary Matrons piece I wrote about awhile back:
In our 20s, the world was totally our oyster. All those fights had been fought. We weren't going to be '50s housewives, we were in college, we could pick and choose from a menu of careers… We were smart women who had a lot of options and made intelligent choices… We were the proteges of old-guard feminists… We were sold more of a mission plan and now you guys… Well, sadly, it all seems like kind of a mess. There is no mission. Even stay-at-home moms feel unsuccessful unless they're canning their own marmalade and selling it on the Internet.
As Orenstein notes, even Hayes acknowledges that such an existence, taken to extremes, can be isolating and crazy-making:
Hayes found that without a larger purpose–activism, teaching, creating a business or otherwise moving outside the home–women's enthusiasm for the domestic arts eventually flagged… 'There can be loss of self-esteem, loss of soul, and an inability to return to the world to get your bearings. You can start to wonder, What's this all for?' It was an unnervingly familiar litany: if a woman is not careful, it seems, chicken wire can coop her up as surely as any gilded cage.


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Piers Morgan invited radio host Alex Jones, one of the creators of the White House petition to deport the Brit, onto his CNN show to debate gun control Monday night. But before a debate could get started, Jones blew up, delivering a ballistic pro-gun rant that included references to the gang rape cases in India, Hitler and bizarre conspiracy theories involving the government and Prozac.
Get the scoop on winter TV's must-see new showsJones began by declaring that Americans' right to bear arms is one of the only things stopping "the megabanks that control the planet" from "[having] their world tyranny." As Morgan attempted to interject and ask questions, Jones began listing dictatorial world leaders whom he claims took away guns, including Hitler, Stalin and Castro. The radio host continued to get himself worked up before releasing the following aggressive tirade on Morgan:"I'm here to tell you, 1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms! Doesn't matter how many lemmings you get out there on the street, begging for 'em to have their guns taken. We will not relinquish them. Do you understand?! That's why you're going to fail, and the establishment knows, no matter how much propaganda, the republic will rise again!"
Returning Winter Shows: Where we left offBut while Jones seemed very adamant about protecting the Second Amendment, he did his best to deny Morgan his First Amendment rights, barely letting the CNN host get more than a few words in. Morgan did his best to keep the debate on track, but Jones proved hard to derail from his rant. After declaring Morgan "a hatchet man of the New World order," Jones requested that the pair duke it out in the boxing ring.Following the challenge, the CNN host finally began some semblance of dialogue with Jones. Upon conceding that Europe has much fewer firearm homicides — 35 in the U.K. in 2012 compared to 11,000 in the United States — Jones didn't give the statistics much weight, calling Britain a "police state" where "hoards of people" burn down houses and beat "old women's brains out every day."Unfortunately for Jones, his barrage of arguments hasn't seemed to sway the White House into supporting his petition, which has gained more than 100,000 signatures calling for Morgan's deportation over his stance for tighter gun control in the U.S. The White House addressed the request to deport Morgan in a statement obtained by Politio saying, "It is worth remembering that the freedom of expression is a bedrock principle in our democracy."Watch Morgan's intense showdown with Jones below.