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I'm pleased to announce that our paper ZWERM: a Modular Component Network Approach for an Urban Participation Game has been selected to receive a SIGCHI Best of CHI Honorable Mention Award. The paper will be presented during the CHI2014 conference in Toronto, Canada, from April 26 - May 1 2014.
Here is the abstract:
As information technology is increasingly embedded in our cities, opportunities arise to design novel applications that benefit urban communities. We describe the design and evaluation of ZWERM (Dutch for the term 'swarm'), a public game that was specifically designed for augmenting community participation in urban neighborhoods. A network of ten components has been designed, some of which had different interfaces and design approaches: from totem-like Trees for gathering around with RFID cards to playful Sparrows that react on whistle sounds. After implementing the urban game in two city neighborhoods, we investigated the impact of each of these components on their communities. Our insights are useful for the public interaction design of future urban, interactive networks that aim to positively influence community participation and social cohesion.
Laureyssens, T., Coenen, T., Claeys, L., Mechant, P., Criel, J., and Vande Moere, A. ZWERM: a Modular Component Network Approach for an Urban Participation Game. CHI '14: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, ACM Press (2014).
I recently attended a presentation of the Romanian architect Constantin Petcou of the collective platform AAA (Atelier d'Architecture Autogérée, or, Studio for Self-managed Architecture), based in Paris, France. AAA transforms, together with citizens and local actors, abandoned spaces into self-managed and independent places. These spaces become re-appropriated with cultural production and parallel economic activities such as food production – all of which has influence on the social re-activation and the education of citizens. Their projects are well documented on the AAA studio website as well as the R-URBAN project website, so I won't go into details. What mainly struck me in their practice is the long term built-up of the projects – many lasted for several years and shifted and evolved through different phases. Such as the ECObox project in which they initially managed a space, later co-mananged the space together with citizens, until finally there were enough social structures in place that the spaces became auto-managed and AAA could retract and move on to other projects. Their research focus consists not only in building up these projects, but in understanding the social dynamics that take place and thinking through the tactics for the long-term survival of their efforts (such as the mobility of the interventions). One of the research methods they use is mapping and visualisation of data on the project over longer periods of time, which provides new insights on how such projects evolve both socially, financially and spatially. See some of the pictures here of the presentation. One more takeaway I got from Constantin's talk is his description of the role 'key figures' play in urban (improvement) networks. Key figures have rhizome-like capabilities: they not only pick up knowledge, but also have the ability to spread this knowledge through their social network, diversify tactics and auto-manage spaces.
Unrelated to AAA, but also worth a link are these extensive databases of urban interventions and inspiration for collective action:Spontaneous interventionsCollAction
I will do a short presentation at the "Play in the City" (Samen spel maken/ Jouons en ville!) discussion night. It's organised by Platform Kanal to open the call for proposals Kanal Playground.
08/10/2013 - 19:00
Maison des Cultures
rue Mommaerts 4
1080 Brussel
Art and design interventions in public spaces have the potential to bring positive effects to neighborhoods. It's increasingly popular for local governments and socio-cultural organizations to invite artists, designers, architects or hybrid mixes of the former, to bring in their vision and expertise. Streets and urban wastelands are transformed into new creative spaces with new social, playful, functional and aesthetic qualities (*1). When these projects come to life in a participatory way, such as works that use methods like co-design or co-creation, they even have the potential to transfer new visions, skills and knowledge from the production team to the involved inhabitants. These joint efforts often have a positive impact on the social environment, as they bring people together around a shared goal.
Some of these projects proved to be so successful, that it can be envisioned for governments to install such a way of working as a permanent praxis. Budgetary restraints, however, are a limiting factor. But instead of seeing these times of crisis as a reason to procrastinate on urban improvement, we can see it as an opportunity for new ways of thinking and problem solving. It's up to governments to re-invent themselves and take up new roles and responsibilities. Citizens should be activated to take up a part of the responsibility and engage in the spaces they inhabit. Already today, we can find beautiful examples of bottom-up, self-organized and maintained urban improvement (*2).
Many governments don't have a clear strategy on how to respond to these bottom-up endeavors, nor stimulate them. It's not uncommon for power struggles to emerge when inhabitants request permission for their plans. Differences in culture, language, background and agenda can get into the way of working towards a common goal. Many considerations of governments are well motivated, such as the follow up and maintenance of the proposed projects, the quality of execution and safety concerns, to name a few. Most projects need some improvement before they can be placed in a public space environment. Therefore we propose a new type of hypothetical function within local governments. A team of 'Creative Community Coaches' takes up a supportive and educative role to help inhabitants to realize their project with an appropriate level of quality. Moreover, they are actively on the lookout for opportunities for creative improvement and coach the community towards shared goals.
Creative Community Coaches (CCC) are persons with social, creative and educative skills. Armed with knowledge and expertise on tools and methods to support community self-organization, collaborative design and DIY building, they coach inhabitants to self-improve their neighborhoods in a creative way. Since they are embedded in the government, they easily consult with teams of specialists and policy-makers on legal and technical issues. To allow the development of bottom-up initiatives outside the government's main policy, they ideally operate semi-independently.
We envision CCC's as a network of practitioners, who document and share solutions for recurring urban problems: a community of practice as well as an open learning environment for inhabitants, volunteers, interns and unemployed workers. The primary focus of CCC's is not to produce, but to educate: to transfer knowledge necessary for the community to replicate and adapt the works and tackle urban issues increasingly independently. Since CCC's settle in a community for a longer period of time, they understand the issues at hand on a deep level and create strong alliances with other local organizations. This ensures follow up, maintenance, and adaption to new situations. CCC's grow a 'Creative Community Network' (CCN). Globally, best-practices, blueprints of interventions as well as and methodology are shared. Locally, physical materials and tools are shared and recycled. Such a network is cost-efficient, and allows a pragmatic approach when choosing or designing a project.
The concept of CCC aims to foster bottom-up but coached and supported self-organization of urban improvement projects. The coaches act as a supportive 'interface' between the inhabitants and the government. The idea is inspired by practices of participatory art and design projects, while taking into account the possible limitation these projects might have. It attempts to solve urban issues in a systemic way, but recognizes that solutions to problems often need local adaptions. As a concept, it's an opportunity for future research and experiment in a real world context.
*1: For examples, see for instance: Collectif etc, Cascoland, Todo por la praxis, Assemble
*2: For examples, see for instance: El Campo de Cebada, PUM
This article will be published in Dédalo Magazine in October 2013.
It's based on my research in the arts fields as well as conversations I had at the workshop "Dédalo RE-ACT Urban Festival" with students, artists, designers and architects.
The ZWERM Tree became a popular hangout, for some players even a symbol of togetherness. Players passed by the Tree for an occasional 'single check-in' on their way to work or an errand, or met with their team for 'combo check-in'. Team placed posters on the Tree to invite other to come at a particular moment.
The Sparrows are interactive interventions attached to the window panes of residential houses. The inhabitants of these houses, volunteers we call 'Sparrow hosts', at times personally interacted with the objects, evoking playful interactions between the Sparrow host and the passersby. One player described to have experienced an "exciting yet invisible interaction" with a Sparrow host who seems to "enjoy making contact by echo-whistling". So although we designed the Sparrows for public interaction, private interactions proved a powerful amplifier of the social effects. However, one Sparrow host received a written message in her mailbox calling her a cheater, signed with "the ZWERM inspection". In future versions of ZWERM we will carefully consider interactions that mix public and private contexts.
Players of the ZWERM game were asked to create a 'poster' for ZWERM, and display it behind their houses' windows. Here are some of the the results.


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Russ Manning's clean, precise style of comic art has been an inspiration to many artists. Born in 1929, Manning did most of his comics work for Dell and Gold Key and in syndicated comic strips. Starting with Brothers of the Spear, a back-up feature in Tarzan, Manning went on to do Korak, Son of Tarzan, and "graduated" to the Tarzan title with a run of stunning adaptations of Edgar Rice Burroughs' original novels, written by Gaylord Dubois. Manning created Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A. D. for Gold Key in 1963, showing he was as equally adept at science fiction super heroics as he was at jungle tales. In 1969, he took over the Tarzan newspaper strip and started the Star Wars strip in 1978. Manning died in 1981, but will always be remembered not only for his incredible art, but as a mentor to young artists. It in this spirit that the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award—also known as the Manning Award—was created.
The Manning Award has been given out annually at the San Diego Comic-Con since 1982. It is presented to a comics artist who, early in his or her career, shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics.
The first recipient of the award was former Manning assistant Dave Stevens. Other past recipients include Jan Duursema, Steve Rude, Scott McCloud, Art Adams, Eric Shanower, Dan Brereton, Jeff Smith, Gene Ha, Alexander Maleev, Goran Sudzuka, Eric Wight, David Petersen, Cathy Malkasian, Eleanor Davis, Marion Churchland, and Tyler Crook. (For a complete list of Manning Award winners please click here.) [2]
Both Cermak and Martinez are previous nominees.
The nominees were selected by a committee consisting of representatives of the West Coast Comics Club and Comic-Con International. The winner will be chosen by past Manning award winners and Russ Manning assistants. The recipient will be announced during the Eisner Awards ceremony on July 19 at Comic-Con International in San Diego.
[1] https://www.comic-con.org/ccicolorbox/ajax/entity/900/field_collection_item/field_image?width=469&height=600
[2] https://www.comic-con.org/awards/russ-manning
[3] https://www.comic-con.org/toucan/categories/comic-con-international

subset: commoncrawl


text: BethP 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2013 Wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate your help with my kiln issues! I've called Euclid, as many suggested doing-not only on my original thread but on others. I spoke to a guy named Jay and he was great! Was able to help me figure out what kiln model I had, as there is no metal plate/description anywhere on the kiln. He also knew which elements I needed and I got a discount for ordering all 4(hey, every penny helps!). I will be a forever loyal lurker here from now on! At this point I've only been throwing for about a year and a half so I won't have much to contribute at this point but will sure look for an opportunity to return the favor! Thanks again!!! Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - November 16, 2012 --A Pennsylvania man will stand trial in the brutal slaying of his girlfriend after the man's mother testified he called her in the middle of the brutal attack and heard the victim begging for help.
Jonathan Schaffer was bound over Thursday for trial in the September killing of his live-in girlfriend, Lauren Wolstenholme, at their Allentown home. An autopsy found Wolstenholme had more than 40 knife wounds.
Schaffer's mother testified her son calmly told her he'd killed Wolstenholme. But Donna Schaffer said she heard Wolstenholme calling for help and asked her son if the woman was still alive.
The Morning Call of Allentown (http://bit.ly/RYeddI ) reports Donna Schaffer said her son went silent for a few seconds, then told her Wolstenholme wasn't alive anymore.
Police say Jonathan Schaffer told them Wolstenholme had attacked him with a knife.


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============== Anti-Porn 188.8.131.52 ==============
Multilingual contents filtering - Anti-Porn supports real-time filtering or blocking porn websites, which is writed in English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, German, Franch, Spanish, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese. AI to restrict games - Anti-Porn can determine which program is a game by itself. The parents needn't to add any game to a blacklist. Hide completely - You could not find Anti-Porn whether in the explorer or in the task manager. Everyone could not close or remove Anti-Porn without password. Скачать Anti-Porn 188.8.131.52 - 3.5мб


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An antibiotic sensitivity (or susceptibility) test is done
to help choose the antibiotic that will be most effective against the specific
types of bacteria or fungus infecting an individual person.
types of bacteria or fungus are resistant to certain antibiotics because of
differences in their genetic material (genes). Infections caused by resistant
bacteria or fungi are not cured by treatment with those antibiotics.
Drug-resistant bacteria or fungi usually develop because the entire
course of antibiotic treatment was not completed. Stopping drug treatment early
kills only the bacteria or fungi that are sensitive to the drugs, allowing the
resistant bacteria or fungi to multiply and cause an infection.
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I am giving a presentation at my local Family History Interest Group tonight on Volunteering to help Index the 1940 Census tonight. Thought I should get my list of "Who To Search For" when the 1940 Census is made available.
My file, at the moment, has 8,315 people in the file. A Custom Report with everyone (All Individuals) would take 374 pages. Not doing that. So, how to generate a more useful list.
Go to the Publish Workspace, and select the Person Collection.
Select Custom Report.
Remember that you do not have to wait for the report to complete before you start making changes to the report.
The information that I want to see is the Name, Birth, Marriage, and Death information for each person, and that I want the Preferred Only Facts. So, select the Items to Include ICON (Right Hand Panel, Left ICON). That will bring up the Items to Include Screen.
The Name sort Order will work for now.
Now to reduce who to show in the report. For this first draft of the Report, I am only going to list Who was Born AFTER 1900. (this can be adjusted later). The thought is that by the age of 40, the person might own, or be part of a House Hold.
In the Right Panel, Selected Individuals button is selected.
Will Select Filter IN >, in the Center Panel, Select the Birth Fact, Date, and Is AFTER, 1900. This will move everyone who was born AFTER 1900 from the Left Window to the Right Window.
That got the list down to 542.
Next would be to remove (< Filter OUT) anyone who had died BEFORE 1940. Selecting < Filter OUT, select Death, Date, is BEFORE 1940.
That didn't do too much. So, the next would be to Remove (< Filter OUT) those born AFTER 1940.
Again, Selecting < Filter OUT, Select Birth Date is AFTER 1940.
That's more like it. The result was 246 People, on 16 Pages. Entered the Title of the Report Who to look for in 1940 Census and Saved the Report (Right most ICON in the Right Panel) so that I can bring that report up again.
Copyright © 2012 by H R Worthington


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If you type in Greek, what font do you like to use?
I had been using Palatino Linotype, but lately I have become fond of Gentium plus for when I type in Greek. I like the rho to have a straight, vertical tail, and I like the large diacritics. The letters look elegant, as if written with a fountain pen.


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This year's hurricane season — which officially comes to a close Friday — has proved to be one of the most active on record, with Hurricane Isaac and super storm Sandy wreaking havoc on two coastlines, although both storms, technically, did not meet the definition of "major" hurricanes.
"This year proved that it's wrong to think that only major hurricanes can ruin lives and impact local economies," said Laura Furgione, acting director of the National Weather Service.
This season ranks third among the most active since record-keeping began in 1851 with 19 named storms, 10 of them hurricanes — although only one, Michael, was strong enough to be considered a "major" hurricane — and it never made landfall. Sandy was a Category 2, Isaac a Category 1.
PHOTOS: 2012 hurricane devastation
On Thursday, forecasters at the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University issued a report noting they had "significantly under-predicted named storms and named storm days, while we over-predicted more intense hurricane activity for the entire Atlantic basin."


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Construction Industry Evening of Excellence - 2/26/09
Pittsburgh's constantly changing cityscape went untouched for an evening as the area's best contractors and developers took a night off to celebrate their achievements at the Construction Industry Evening of Excellence. The event was held by the Master Builders Association in the Heinz Field East Club Lounge, and more than 600 guests enjoyed a strolling buffet and drinks. The region's top companies were honored with awards for the best in design, craftsmanship, and overall projects greater and less than $5 million. As the region transforms, the excellence shown in these categories becomes increasingly important, and the honors bestowed upon these companies were the highlight of the evening. Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh also benefited from the evening through the donation of additional proceeds raised. Photos by Megan WylieRead More


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Member Spotlight
Please let us know if you have done something news worthy. We want to share your story. Email your story to email@example.com
Performing professionally as Dennis Blacksmith (my name Kowal translated into English) since I was eleven, I've been dedicated to the field of magic steadily for all my years. I put myself through college performing up to four shows a day on weekends and saved enough money to buy a Victorian House on the National Register for Historic Places when I got married. Until his death, my father and I attended all the magic conventions and two International Brotherhood of Magician's ( I.B.M.) Ring meetings a month; learning first hand from lectures by Ali Bongo, Slydini, and Anverdi.
My father and I founded I.B.M. Ring 200 which had as a member a young David Copperfield as well as the inventor of "The Fastest Trick in the World", Al Delage. My father raised doves and sold them to magicians (our doves are featured in the Copperfield Slide Show about his history and growing up magically) and my father encouraged me in my art.
I perform around the world when not running my successful architectural practice or doing motivational speaking. I am past Vice President of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians and won the "Most Outstanding Junior Magician of the Eastern Coast" Award from M.A.E.S. when I was fourteen. My creative shows have been featured in the center court of shopping malls as well as famous New York City Theatres and were custom designed and built: "Star Spangled Magic", Punch & Judy, "Storybook Magic", Alakazam Magic Show, "Professor Gizmo's magical Journey", The Cat in the Hat Magic Show, "The Magic Circus" and "Out of my Mind". I am a popular speaker on inventing and designing magic effects and have lectured in the US and Europe. My favorite invention was converting a dollar store dancing flower into a kazoo-controlled hindu rope and rising card effect. My favorite show was in Norway when I realized the same props I had used since I was eleven had accompanied me and propelled me all the way to this performance in a new country on a world stage. My favorite effect is my own torn and restored signed card and story which has brought both amazement and tears to my audience.
But all of this was merely preparation. At a FCM conference where I hosted the Heritage Night performance, I was asked by a Christian Ministry in attendance to accompany them to Cuba. Of the 700 magicians attending that conference that week, I wondered why they only asked me. It seemed that there were much better choices from professionals who were extremely talented. My friend Peter was incredibly funny and much better. My friend Toby had big illusions with sound, lights and smoke. My friend Mark had perfect timing and wonderful routining.
But I have been traveling with Caring Partners International around the world ever since and I finally realized "why me?". It was exactly because I wasn't those that I so esteemed. I go to places that sometimes need two sequential translators because the dialect is so remote. Peter's jokes which are a play on words simply would not work. I've traveled three hours up to a base of an active volcano to perform to a shoeless village. There was no power for Toby's lighting or music. I've had to stand on the top of a Range Rover to perform and be seen when surrounded by a thousand curious students in South Africa, Mark's timing would be all off. God called me because I had learned to be adaptable; performing at all those outdoor corporate picnics, using simple effects with large and colorful impact to compete with the distractions of a carnival, and relying on the clown within me to ham it up without words when necessary. God didn't need an award-winning magician like I had previously assumed, just somebody who was adaptable and truly enjoyed people. The magic became a tool to love others. People weren't an "audience" to make me look good, I was there to meet their needs. So when something didn't work, we laughed it off together. When it was so humid in Thailand that the simplest clothing would soak, I performed a stage show barefoot to at least feel the cool tiles. And when I fumbled reading a tract in Spanish, I let the children correct my pronunciation and they became the important helper (a tactic that I continued to use…I never could pronounce that tract correctly without them!)
Don't get me wrong. I don't promote incompetence in performance. My equipment and my performances are well rehearsed and designed to meet anyone's standards. In fact, I keep inventing new effects like my Magical Dental Show which presents the Gospel and teaches oral hygiene. But after the show, I can be found holding the hands of patients who are having teeth removed without Novocain. My wife, Susan, serves along my side both in performances and by running the pharmacy. There is no greater joy than working with a spouse in ministry. Remember that shoeless village? Susan somehow managed to find a pick-up truck full of new shoes and bought the lot and shoed every child in that village. We also funded their first "head start program" (breakfast with pre-school) and today the school has grown to multiple classes, uniforms and yes, "shoes"! I'll never forget my sweet and generous wife sitting in the sun and making balloon animals for an endless line of children when I, in horror, watched her use an indelible Sharpie marker to start putting a big "X" on their hands (in a country with no soap and water!). It turns out, even the sweetest person has limits as she realized the kids were taking the balloons to a stash in their huts and getting in line over and over again.
The Order of Merlin Excalibur award marks fifty continuous years of dedication to the art of magic through membership in the I.B.M. I thank God for giving me a talent to serve Him which has had such enormous impact and benefit to my own life.
Dennis Kowal Blacksmith
Fellowship of Christian Magicians is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.


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Guitar/Chord Reference< Guitar
Open ChordsEdit
Open chords tend to sound "richer" than corresponding barre chords due to the fact that open strings resonate freely without any hindrance. An open chord is any chord that has one or more strings sounded without being fretted. Guitarists tend to use this name to refer to the chords that contain open strings that are played in the first position (first four frets).
Open Major ChordsEdit
Open Minor ChordsEdit
Barre ChordsEdit
Open Seventh ChordsEdit
Chords in C majorEdit
Note that the chords in the key of C major consists of 3 major chords, 3 minor chords and 1 diminished chord. This holds true for all major keys.


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Please note: Large images are scaled to fit on screen. For full image view, click the direct link below.
English Description: Sing Karaoke
Simplified Chinese: 唱卡拉OK
Pinyin Romanization: chàng kǎlā OKView: S M L
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Direct Link: http://capl.washjeff.edu/4/l/1451.jpg


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Why Apple Ruling Won't Push Down E-Book Prices
Prices of many best-selling e-books had already come down before Wednesday's ruling against Apple. Jeffrey Trachtenberg explains why on the News Hub.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... this morning Apple got slammed for ... price fixing of ... e books markets so will that mean lower prices all even ... well let's ask Wall Street home publishing reported to extract above ... was a federal judge Thanksgiving as the pink salmon ... so with ... that with the price already coming down ... the stall to get there is only one defended his trial it was Apple ... that's because all the publishers whose in charge ... including us is the ... publisher of the public on for some buyout company musical that's correct in fact Harper Council the first day ... of the the the fuss they said to have held up ok we did it ... and and cyclists other financially devastated it he said ... the deaths of ok have a very good one thanks for the clarification that ... so this market is mostly competitors ... I guess that it's ... ok and and you've been saying that the something of a warm pricing on ... all mine ... write ... to us by so to go back to where it all began with which was started with Amazon in two thousandseven which the camel and ... I think we all remember that we look to the Kindle Amazon said Haiti by bestselling book for nine ninety nine when these two books which are selling for twenty twenty five dollars in the Amazon was offering incredible discounts ... in that nine ninety nine prices would kick started digitally you reading today ... which is probably twenty percent of all the book sold and it looked like a subtle books of the marker right now ... so ... we became accustomed to getting really cheap discounted titles ... that opened up up ... and an opportunity for Apple to compensate me with the neighbor kid with two different pricing model we you control the press ... and that's what happened ... so you've you've you've ... new site but said today Imus on Boston level pricing additional copy of Neil Diamond's new Noble the ocean in a line ... of twelve eighteen ... Michael Dell's eighty cents Apple was something if it was many many global pricing it at fifteen fifty nine and the agency price up by Moro ... and for the Papa Cullens ... fifteen ninety nine so I mean it's it's it's all over the place is not and that's with the Justice Department what they wanted to see discounting so is part of the settlement ... publishers to settle with the Justice Department had to agree to allow retailers to discount their e books for for two years ... okay so I made a map and ... that I'm one of the big problem says the boom when you have a physical copy of a four ... BBB model cost them extra one as an amount ... and the new comedy price the VIX recall people s ma'am at ... the cost of manufacture ... where is this no cost to manufacture ... a copy ... when you have an e book by prison or the toy fixed costs ... seven costs to fix but there are there additional costs yet gap the ... gap to minors sci fi book is being still is ... the real advantage I think in digital publishing is you don't get books back ... that seek huge expense and in physical book publishing ... unique rink twenty thousand hardcover books I have to try rock amount of people have to put them on the shelf and if they don't sell them ... off in fifteen sixty percent of what he she it ... doesn't sell then something has to take them off the shelf may have to put them in a box may have to put in a trap than enough go back to the publisher ... to publisher sends it to a third party to actually sell it said very time consuming costly process eleven teaching ... oh and that's and that's a good as it is that these offences you say prices on gonna come back to the already packed basically because because when you settle with the Justice Department ... party the settlement said ... you will allow to stand ... up ... to Jeff ... what about supplement with with Apple does that mean if I poured some thing ... from from Apple ... and you know at some point in the last few years I mean it's a money back as I pointed to signs ... of ... a hidden shame write what on it yet here's the funny thing down the road will have to see how much money Apple has to pay in terms of pay only what the panel in a bid ... that people get that he may have to spend the night and books Sony and publishers may benefit from ... Honeywell's riddle ... well ... we will publish a so so that's good but never much was applied to general practice of The will Street dolls ... more on the commission dot com


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After a few of my recent posts have inspired some, let's just call it "passionate" debate [same sex marriage & gun violence] I figured I should play it a little safe with this one. I will say that while a vast majority of the comments and interaction have been pretty civil, I have received private messages that have been slightly disturbing. It does sadden me that it seems as if society can no longer see that moving towards the improvement of the common good requires us to be able to see to the other side of even the most contentious of debates, without dismissing one another as the worst of enemies. There is a future post in here somewhere, but suffice it to say that I will always choose to assume the best of all people, not foolishly, but with a hope that we can be community even when we disagree. In short, I will not allow for trolls and purveyors of destructive rhetoric, from any side, to guide our theological and political discourse. We must all press on . . .
With that said, after reading some recent comments, personal emails commanding me to do things that I am fairly confident are not anatomically possible and even offending people with me newbie photography advice, I joked with my family that sometimes it seems as if no matter what I post, someone out there will get pissed off to the point of starting a note, "Dear Fascist . . ." unless . . .
Me, "I think my next post will be on cotton candy . . . everyone loves cotton candy!"
My daughter, "Better watch out dad, the dentists will get after you."
Foiled again!
But wait a minute, puppies and butterflies, that's the ticket! Certainly we can gather 'round the metaphorical campfire, join hands and rock us some kum bah yah* around puppies and butterflies . . . can't we 😉
Here are two pics from a couple of recent photography dalliances . . .
First the butterfly . . . taken on a recent visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Plantation in Charlottesville, VA. [more pics]
. . . and how cute is this? A dachshund, jack russell mix dressed up for SF Pride? [more pics]
So there you have it, a few images upon which I hope we can find common ground this day. Have a great week!
*As much Kum Bah Yah is an easy target, it's meaning, "Come by here" calling for God to be present in all that we do, in struggle and in celebration, guides my life, understanding and hope for humanity and the world.


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The Pearlman Comprehensive Cancer Center provides patients needing cancer treatments in our area cancer care close to home. Our affiliated oncologists and staff are committed to providing the timely, efficient and effective cancer care you and your family wish to receive.
As the first cancer center in our region to offer patients a Survivorship Program to guide them through their journey after cancer treatment has been completed, you can be assured our team always has the patient's care in mind before, during and after treatment.
We offer some of the latest in cancer-fighting treatment options which include:
Our medical staff has grown and includes a radiation oncologist and four medical oncologists. Meet our cancer experts >
Survivorship is the next big challenge in oncology that requires significant programmatic changes by cancer centers everywhere. The three main objectives are to address a full range of physical and psychosocial needs as patients transition to the post-treatment period, improve communication between oncologists and primary care providers, and comply with the 2012 Program Standards of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Whether you see 50 or 5000 cancer patients a year, your cancer center needs to develop these services.
The Pearlman Cancer Center is proud to announce the Pearlman Survivorship Kit is now available for cancer centers to purchase online at www.pearlmansurvivorshipkit.com. The Pearlman Survivorship Kit has recently been included in the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Resource Repository.
Pearlman Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). CoC encompasses the best minds in cancer care utilizing expertise from the entire oncology community to set the highest standards of care for CoC-accredited cancer programs.
Pearlman Cancer Center is accredited in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety.
Women's Choice Award named Pearlman Cancer Center one of America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Care in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.


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- Home
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Our students are engaged in a wide range of academic pursuits that include degree programs in 160 undergraduate and graduate fields delivered by 6 different colleges.
Visit the Office of Academic Affairs & Research >>
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- Research
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- About A-State
Marking its first hundred years, Arkansas State University continues to expand in exciting ways.
Dr. D. Michael McDaniel
Professor of Communication Disorders
- Ph.D., Memphis State University, 1987, Audiology
- M.A., Memphis State University, 1972, Audiology
- B.S.E., Arkansas State University, 1970, Speech Pathology
Professional Credentials
- Certificate of Clinical Competence-Audiology (CCC-A)
Teaching Specialties
- Audiology
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Research
Research Interests
- Hearing and Auditory Processing
- Speech Intelligibility
- Accent Reduction
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Arkansas Audiology Association
Following graduation from Arkansas State University, Mike worked as a public school speech therapist in Missouri for one year before entering the master's program in audiology at Memphis State University. Upon completion of the master's degree, he became the audiologist for the Western Arkansas Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In 1979 he was accepted into the doctoral program in audiology at Memphis State University. While pursuing the Ph.D. Mike was Director of audiology for the Shea Clinic in Memphis, and Associate Professor in the Department of Otorhynolaryngology at the University of Tennessee medical School, also in Memphis, Director of Audiology at the Mid South hearing and Balance Center, and Director of Audiology for the William Robert Stewart ENT clinic in Columbia, Tennessee. Mike joined the faculty at Arkansas State University in the spring of 1989.
Contact Information
Building: Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences
Room: 211G
Alternative Contact
Julie Farmer


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Nick's Chipotle Grilled Shrimp with Black Bean Salsa
|(Dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Rhodes 7/3/26 – 3/21/12)
(Updated March 2012: When I started my blog in 2005, one of the first people who shared a recipe with me was Nick Rhodes, the father of my good friend Mary. Nick passed away suddenly this week at the age of 85. Nick was still active and very involved in life, and he will be greatly missed.)
When my friend Mary told me her Dad was going to send me a recipe for the blog, I was sure it would be good. After all, Nick was a great cook; I had tasted his Pastitsio at Christmas, and it was fabulous. When Nick sent me this recipe for Chipotle Grilled Shrimp with Black Bean Salsa, I couldn't wait to try it, and I wasn't disappointed. Nick told me he originally tasted this at the El Dorado Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and after a few tries at home he came up with this recipe.
Now the recipe has been on the blog for years, and it's been overdue for a better photo than the ones I took with my first point-and-shoot camera. Through the years, I've made two changes in how I make this compared to the recipe Nick gave me: I use ground Chipotle powder instead of a chipotle chile, and leave out the white beans in the salsa. Those changes are noted in the recipe (along with Nick's version, so if someone has the recipe bookmarked they can tell what the original recipe was.)
Nick's Chipotle Grilled Shrimp with Black Bean Salsa
(Makes 4 servings with some salsa left over)
16-20 medium raw shrimp, shells removed and deveined (enough shrimp for 4 people, I used 31-40 size shrimp)
1/4 tsp. ground chipotle chile powder (Nick used 1 canned Chipotle pepper, seeds removed and diced small)
1 clove garlic, minced (1/2 tsp. minced garlic)
hot pepper flakes to taste
2 T lemon juice
2 T olive oil
dash cayenne pepper (optional – I leave it out)
salt/pepper to taste
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed well
(Nick also used 1 can white beans. I leave out the white beans but use the same amount of other ingredients.)
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped in 1/4 inch dice (2/3 cup diced tomato)
1/2 cup white onion, chopped in 1/4 inch dice
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped in 1/4 inch dice
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped in 1/4 inch dice
(You can also use 1/2 cup same color peppers)
1 clove garlic, minced (1/2 tsp. minced garlic)
1 can Mexican tomatillos, drained and chopped in 1/4 inch dice
(I used three small fresh tomatillos, can also use green tomatoes)
1/4 tsp. ground Chipotle chile powder (Nick used 1 canned Chipotle pepper, seeds removed and diced small)
chopped cilantro with stems, to taste
(I used the whole bunch, but I love cilantro)
1/4 tsp. hot pepper flakes
3 T olive oil
3 T red wine vinegar
salt/pepper to taste
Drain black beans into a colander and rinse until no more foam appears. Let beans drain while you chop other ingredients. (I blot them dry with a paper towel if they seem very wet.)
Chop tomatoes, onions, peppers, and tomatillos, aiming for same size cut. Put into bowl and add other ingredients and stir a few times to combine. Chill 1 hour before serving. Serve salsa with Chipotle grilled shrimp.
South Beach Suggestions:
Everything in this dish is perfect for any phase of the South Beach Diet, or any other low-glycemic eating plan. Serve with something like Spicy Mexican Slaw with Lime and Cilantro for phase one. For phase two or three, you could switch the coleslaw for Roasted Butternut Squash with Lime and Rosemary.
More Grilled Shrimp to Try:
Soy-Grilled Shrimp and Asian Vegetables from Kalyn's Kitchen
Moroccan Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers from Steamy Kitchen
Marinated Grilled Shrimp from Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Grilled Shrimp and Asparagus on Polenta from Iron Stef
Shrimp and Mango Kebabs from Cooking with Amy


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Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. and its International Trade
Feb 25, 2013, 03:23 ET
NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:
Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. and its International Trade
This 2013 publication of Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing Industry report is the comprehensive market research guide for the industry. It contains the latest information on the industry's key financial data, competitive landscape, cost and pricing, and trends during the current environment, including the output and shipment changes over the past months.
At 171 pages with over 150 charts and tables, the report covers topics such as current macroeconomic trends, granular product data, global trade, channel mix, government demand, and labor structure. It uses over a decade of historical data to forecast industry trends through 2017 on the domestic market, global market and overseas growth opportunities. This current report contains shipment data, inventory levels, international trade volume, and industry specific price indices available through January 2013. Industry analysts and Fortune 500 customers rely on this quarterly report to make accurate forecasts and planning in today's uncertain economy.
In this report, you will find industry data on the following major categories:
Executive Summary
· Quick Industry Statistics: 2-page overview for the CEO on the run
· Supply & Demand with Capacity Utilization
· 2013-2017 Forecast
Industry Income Statement
· All relevant financial data including: Revenue, Cost of Materials, Labor Costs, Gross Profit, SG&A, Net Income, etc.
· 4-year Financials Comparison and Trends
Industry Balance Sheet
· Traditional key elements of Assets, Liabilities, and Equity
· Inventory fabrication stages
· Calculated balance sheet ratios
Capital Expenditure
· Plant additions and expansions
· Computer and IT investments
· Machinery and Equipment for production and material handling
Industry Cost Analysis
· Upstream Industries and the cost allocations towards producer, wholesale, retail, and freight
· Materials and their percentage share of total material costs
Industry Pricing Analysis
· Producer Pricing Indices at industry, wholesale, and retail levels for comparison and trend forecasting
· Pricing Distribution among Downstream Industries differentiated at producer, wholesale, retail, and freight categories
Industry Foreign Trade
· Detailed Import/Export Data by commodities and by countries
· Mode of Shipment and insurance and freight costs
Industry Structure
· Labor and Compensation Structure: productivity indices, hourly wages, production hours, output index, HR structure
· Establishments: Trends, Employee Statistics, State by State numbers
· Valued added statistics: industry GDP contribution
Competitive Landscape
· Industry Concentration: HHI, number of companies, size distributions, market shares
· Major Players: company profiles and market size ranges
Definition & Classification
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing ammunition (except small arms). Examples of products made by these establishments are bombs, depth charges, rockets (except guided missiles), grenades, mines, and torpedoes. This 6-digit NAICS industry (332993) is under the hierarchy of All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Industry (33299), Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Industry Group (3329), Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Subsector (332), and the Manufacturing Sector (31-33). Its SIC equivalent code is: 3483 - Ammunition, Except for Small Arms.
Revenue, Profitability & Foreign Trade Preview
The industry's revenue for the year 2012 is currently projected at $xx,xxx,xxx,xxx. The industry's revenue for the year 2011 was reported at $2.5 billion USD, with an estimated gross profit of 45.42%. The industry used a projected 30 percent of its full production capacity in 2011. The industry could have increased its total shipment value to $8.4 billion USD under full production capacity. This industry did not have direct foreign trade statistics. The report nevertheless depicted relevant foreign trade data from a higher level NAICS industry or industry group.
Report Summary
This industry report contains 171 pages of in-depth market research with over 150 charts and tables. Presented are current and forecasted U.S. industry sales and shipment data, and its global trade statistics. For financial analysis, the report presents industry level income statements, balance sheets, and capital expenditure figures. In the cost analysis section, 45 upstream industries are analyzed to offer insight into the supply chain cost structure. For the channel and pricing structure, 7 downstream industries are analyzed. The competitive landscape section provides the number of companies and their respective revenue share, the market concentration, and a list of major players. Furthermore, products within the industry are listed with their respective market sizes and import and export data. The appendices contain relevant resources to additional trade statistics, U.S. State statistics, and industry trade associations.
Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, manufacturers, international top consulting firms, major retailers and wholesalers, professional trade associations, financial corporations, universities, governmental entities, start-ups and individuals. We are committed to providing the highest level of quality to all our clients and assure your satisfaction in the report delivering as promised.
- Preface
- Introduction
- Definition
- Related Industries
- Comparison to U.S. Manufacturing Sector
- Scope
- History
- Executive Summary
- Quick Statistics
- Supply, Demand & Capacity Utilization
- 2012 Preview
- Shipments & Inventory
- 2013-2017 Forecast
- Shipments
- Spending Per Capita
- Spending Per Household
- Industry Income Statement
- Revenue (Value of Shipments, Net Sales)
- Compensation (Payroll & Fringe Benefits)
- Salaries
- Wages
- Fringe Benefits
- Compensation Distribution
- Cost of Materials
- Materials Cost Excluding Fuel & Energy
- Electricity Cost
- Fuel Costs
- Materials Consumption Breakdown
- Gross Profit
- Other Costs
- Administrative, Sales and Marketing Expenses
- Current and Deferred Taxes
- Net Income
- Income (or Loss) From Operations (EBIT)
- Other Non-Operating Income
- Income (or Loss) Before Income Taxes (NIBT)
- Income (or Loss) After Income Taxes
- Earnings before Interest, Depreciation & Taxes (EBIDT)
- Industry Balance Sheet
- Assets
- Cash and Government Securities
- Accounts Receivable
- Inventories
- Inventories Stage of Fabrication Ratios
- Total Current Assets
- Current Assets Distribution Chart
- Property and Other Non-Current Assets
- Liabilities
- Current Liabilities
- Total Liabilities
- Equity
- Stockholders' Equity
- Profit on Stockholders' Equity before Income Tax
- Profit on Total Assets before Income Tax
- Total Current Assets to Total Current Liabilities
- Total Cash & Government Securities to Total Current Liabilities
- Capital Expenditures
- Building & Structure
- Machine and Equipment Expenditures (including Automobile & Computers)
- Computers
- Automobile & Highway
- Other Machine & Equipment
- Product Market Sizes
- Cost Analysis
- Upstream Industries
- Pricing Analysis
- Producer Price Indices
- Industry-Level Producer Price Indices
- Manufacturing Sector PPI
- Producer Price Index - Wholesale Sector
- Producer Price Index - Retail Sector
- Consumer Price Index - All Items
- Consumer Price Index - Durable Goods
- Consumer Price Index - Non-Durable Goods
- Consumer Price Index - Electricity
- Consumer Price Index - Gasoline
- Pricing Distribution
- Downstream Industries
- Industry Foreign Trade
- Import
- Import Process
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule
- Top Import Commodities Analysis
- Ranking - Countries US Imported From
- Top 5 Countries US Imported From
- Top 25 Countries US Imported From
- Importing Insurance and Freight Cost Index by Country
- Import Total Value from 2002 to 2014
- Import Total Quantity from 2002 to 2014
- Import Export Total Value Comparison from 2002 to 2014
- Import Export Total Quantity Comparison from 2002 to 2014
- Import Price Indices from 2002 to 2014
- Comparison of Import & Export Price Indices from 2002 to 2014
- Export
- Domestic Exports
- Foreign Exports (Re-exports)
- Export Statistics Summary
- Top Export Commodities Analysis
- Ranking - Countries US Exported To
- Top 5 Countries US Exported To
- Top 25 Countries US Exported To
- Export Total Value from 2002 to 2014
- Export Total Quantity from 2002 to 2014
- Export Price Indices from 2002 to 2014
- Industry Structure
- Labor and Compensation
- Trend
- Production Workers
- Production Workers to Total Employees Ratio
- Hourly Wages
- Production Hours Trend
- Contribution (Revenue) per Production Worker
- Annual Wage per Production Worker
- Production Worker Contribution (Revenue) Ratio
- Revenue to Number of Workers
- Labor Productivity (output per hour)
- Labor Input Index (total labor hours)
- Output Index
- Unit Labor Cost Index
- Labor Compensation Index
- Output per Worker Index
- All Worker Index
- Human Resources - Occupations
- Establishments
- Trend
- Average Number of Employees per Establishment
- Contribution (Revenue) per Establishment
- Establishment Sizes by Number of Employees
- Establishments by U.S. States
- Value-Added
- Sustainability
- Competitive Landscape
- Industry Concentration
- Industry Aggregate
- Major Players
- Appendix A - Additional Foreign Trade Statistics
- Trading Countries' Rank
- Top 5 US Trading Countries and Other
- Top 25 US Trading Countries
- Appendix B - Industry U.S. States' Statistics
- Production Workers Ratio
- Average Hourly Wage
- Average Annual Salary
- Cost of Materials Ratio
- Capital Expenditure Ratio
- Industry Shipment Ratios
- Electricity Consumption and Environmental Impact
- Fuel Consumption and Environmental Impact
- Appendix C - Additional Links
- Trade Associations
- Trade Publications
- Trade Shows
- Industry Standards
- Legislation, Regulation, Tax and Environmental Related Issues
- Industry Specific Regulatory Agencies
- Non-Industry Specific Regulatory Agencies
- Appendix D - Industry's 4-Year Financial Statement
- Appendix E - Report Methodology
- Data Sourcing
- Data Collection & Integration
- Data Analysis
- Data Presentation
- Human Factors
- Legal
To order this report:
: Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. and its International Trade
Contact Clare: firstname.lastname@example.com
Intl:+1 339 368 6001
SOURCE Reportlinker


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The 41-year-old, who guided Barcelona to 13 trophies during his four-year stint at Camp Nou, will take over from Jupp Heynckes when he retires at the Bundesliga club at the end of the season.
The appointment will come as a blow for both Manchester City and Chelsea, who were heavily interested in hiring Guardiola this summer, while the Premier League has lost another intriguing addition for the time being.
|Bundesliga stock rises as Bayern claim a prize football asset


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Preservation Awards
Requirements and Nomination of Preservation Awards
The Victorian Society in America's Board of Directors has established the annual Preservation Awards Program to honor projects of outstanding merit in the preservation or restoration of significant buildings or artifacts that contribute to the material culture of the Victorian era.
In addition to the prestige of the Society's respected award, winners receive an illuminated certificate presented at a dinner during the Society's annual meeting. The Society also publicizes its awards through this web site.
The Board's Preservation Committee, responsible for administering the program, has promulgated the following requirements:
Project criteria
The preservation or restoration of structures or artifacts important nationally, regionally or locally is eligible for an award. Not-for-profit organizations whose mission is preservation or restoration in any of these categories are also eligible. Individual private residences not open to the public are ineligible for preservation awards.
A project must:
represent a significant contribution to material culture during the period 1837 to 1917, inclusive, and must be of work constructed or created during that period.
be outstanding nationally, regionally, or in its professional field. If a structure or site, it should be listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places individually or as a contributing structure within an historic district.
have been completed not more than two years prior to submission of the nomination.
encompass the completed restoration of a property or artifact; however, exceptions may be made depending on the magnitude and nature of the project. Discussion with the Chair of the Preservation Committee is recommended prior to submission of a nomination (see name and contact information below).
Nominations must be:
submitted by an individual VSA national member or a Chapter in good standing. If a project is within the jurisdiction of a VSA chapter, it must receive the endorsement of that chapter.
postmarked no later than February 15 and mailed to the Chair of the Preservation Committee (see name and address below).
Nomination documents must include:
a completed nomination form.
A narrative of no more than five pages that:
Relates pertinent information about the history, dates, creator, etc. of the property, artifact, or organization, including its importance on a local, state, and/or national level; and
Describes the preservation and/or restoration work accomplished, including methodology of procedure; problems encountered and solved; adaptive reuse (if any); systems upgraded; decisions concerning period of significance, historic re-creations, historic furnishings, or replication of missing elements; and names of significant professionals and craftsmen involved in the project. Public access to or benefit from the property, if any, should also be described.
Sufficient color photographs to illustrate the work that has been done on the project, including, as appropriate, views of the exterior, interior, outbuildings, landscape; before-and-after photographs are strongly recommended, if available. Digital images of exterior and interior views transmitted on disc or by e-mail suitable for display on the VSA website.
Letters of endorsement are welcome, though not required, from qualified individuals or officials attesting to the importance or professional quality of the work on the project.
Nomination documents, including photographs, must be submitted in both hardcopy and digital format. Digital may be transmitted either by email or CD.
The Preservation Committee will review the nominations and transmit its recommendations to the Society's Board of Directors, which shall make its decisions normally at its winter board meeting.
The Society's board may make more than one preservation award in any year and may characterize awards in accordance with their importance, such as award, commendation, honorable mention, etc.
Awards will be presented at the next annual meeting of the Society. If a representative of the recipient is unable to attend the meeting, alternative arrangements will be made.
Go to: Nomination Form
The Preservation Committee will be pleased to answer any questions regarding the requirements, documentation, or procedures for the Preservation Awards Program.
Charles J. Robertson
Chair, Preservation Committee
1516 T Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-3910
Telephone: 202-265-6669


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Concerns are mounting about peak oil, and there continues to be much debate over when the peak will be reached, whether a plateau can be sustained or whether the onset of decline would occur quickly, whether we will hit peak demand before we hit peak supply, etc.
There is convincing evidence that conventional oil production has already peaked, since we have been stuck at around 74 mbpd for over half a decade (despite the incentive of record high prices).
There also seems to be growing consensus that global liquids production (currently around 86 mbpd) is likely to peak within the next decade and almost certainly at less than 95 mbpd.
(Mainstream opinion a few years ago predicted no peak before 2030, with output at 130 mbpd.)
However, there are increasing warnings about an "oil supply crunch" within the next few years, not because of geological constraints, but because of under-investment.
These warnings began just over two years ago, yet the mainstream media have rarely mentioned them, so the public remains largely unaware.
Listed below is a chronology of some of these warnings, with URL links to the original sources.
One of the first warnings came from the chief economist of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol in the summer of 2007 and then reiterated in Nov. 2007, cited here:
In May 2008 the Wall Street Journal ran an article entitled, Energy Watchdog Warns of Oil Supply Crunch:
This was followed by a study from Chatham House, a highly regarded think-tank in the UK. In August 2008, it published a paper entitled The Coming Oil Supply Crunch in which author Paul Stevens predicted a shortage within the next 5-10 years. His 40-page study (which includes a May 09 reaffirmation of his 08 prediction) is available here:
On Nov. 15, 2008 the International Energy Agency released its annual World Energy Outlook, which was something of a bombshell. The IEA, which had been quite dismissive of peak oil, suddenly warned, "What is needed is nothing short of an energy revolution… the era of cheap oil is over… time is running out…."
It further warned, "Some 30 mb/d of new capacity is needed by 2015. There remains a real risk that under-investment will cause an oil-supply crunch in that timeframe" (WEO, Executive Summary, p. 7).
The Executive Summary of the 2008 WEO is available here:
The release of the 2008 WEO was quickly followed by George Monbiot's recorded interview with Mr. Birol and this article in The Guardian (Dec. 08):
In August 2009 the IEA's chiel economist again mentioned the likelihood of an oil supply crunch, this time indicating that it could occur any time after 2010:
In October 2009 Global Witness in the UK released its Heads in the Sand study which addressed government inaction on peak oil. This study also warns of a potential 7 mbpd gap between supply and demand by 2015 (p. 7 & 36):
In Dec 2009 the CEO of Petrobras made a presentation in which he predicted an oil supply crunch for 2012 and 2013 (see figure 6 here):
In Feb. 2010 the UK Industry Task Force on Peak Oil & Energy Security (ITPOES) released its second report. ITPOES analyst Chris Skrebowski predicts a loss of spare capacity and a price spike "as early as 2012/2013 and certainly no later than 2014/2015" (p. 15).
On Feb. 18, 2010, the US Joint Forces Command issued its Joint Operating Environment (JOE) which warned that " By 2012, surplus oil production capacity could entirely disappear, and as early as 2015, the shortfall in output could reach nearly 10 MBD" (p. 29). A review of the 2010 JOE (with link to the original) is available here: http://www.energybulletin.net/node/52029
In March 2010 the Financial Times mentioned a crunch "in the middle of this decade" and blamed it on uncertainties caused by biofuels policies:
Also in March we had the chief scientist for the UK quoted as saying, "We're talking supply not meeting demand in 2014-2015":
In April 2010 the Guardian (UK) cited the US JOE report and raised an interesting question: why are warnings over near-term oil supply (in the 2012- 2015 time-frame) being issued by the US Department of Defense, while the civilian Department of Energy has issued no such warning?
As the above information indicates, these warnings are numerous, consistent in their time-frame, and from highly credible sources.


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The building that houses the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum for energy use, lighting, water and material use. The award is the highest level of certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.
C-MORE Hale became the first research laboratory building in Hawaiʻi—and only the eighth construction project in the state—to receive the highest level of LEED certification. Group 70 International served as lead design firm.
Green design and construction features
LEED certification of C-MORE Hale was based on green design and construction features that positively impact the project and the broader community. These attributes include
- Incorporation of ultra low-flow toilets, automated faucets and waterless urinals to reduce use of potable water by 48 percent
- Diversion of 25,000 gallons of water from city storm drains through the implementation of an underground storm water chamber detention system
- Establishment of a 2,400-square-foot green roof to help to reduce storm water runoff, lower building temperature, remove carbon dioxide and provide an attractive eco-habitat for insects and birds.
- Reduction of irrigation demand by 65 percent through landscape design that includes dry stream beds with river rocks, drought-tolerant and native plants and drip irrigation
- Utilization of solar hot water heat recovery, contributing to reduction of the building's energy consumption by 52.2 percent
- Use of smart controls on primary lighting to shut off lights when rooms are unoccupied and adjust light levels according to the amount of daylight detected.
What happens at C-MORE?
- "C-MORE plumbs the depths of the microbial ocean"
January 3rd, 2011 in Mālamalama magazine
- "C-MORE Hale supports microbe research"
October 27th, 2010 in Mālamalama magazine
Congratulations to everyone that made this LEED award happen for the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, but especially congratulations to the person who first came up with the idea and pushed it forward. A magnificent achievement.
Another way to look at the question of going green is to ask yourself, "What it will cost you NOT to build green?" Is a zero to five percent premium yielding lower energy and maintenance costs over time worth it? Property owners electing to save a little bit of money now by ignoring available green options could be throwing away money for years to come, as well as decreasing the marketability and value of their property for future buyers.
That's a good point. So the question then becomes how can this option be more affordable and/or equitable? Is there financing available to make a heavy upfront investment in property improvements? Does the conventional C&C codes allow for this as well? There are probably many property owners who do not simply elect not to do LEED type improvements but who just don't have the funds… How equitable is LEED? From what I have read since property values increase gentrification could (and often does) take place…
Comments are closed.


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(Fairfield, CT) – The Sacred Heart Men's Soccer team won its home opener, beating Columbia 1-0 behind a late second half goal by Jamal Vinson (Teaneck, NJ). The freshman registered his first career goal on a header off a throw in by Evan Kennedy (Newtown, CT) in the 77th minute.
The Pioneers nearly took an early lead in the second minute, but Ronaldo Viera (Farmington, MA) hit the near-side post coming down the left wing on the break. The skies opened after that and both teams trudged through a scoreless first half in the pouring rain.
With two minutes to go in the first half, Marcello Castro (Panana, Brazil) made a brilliant defensive play to keep the game scoreless. With SHU goalkeeper Tucker Hackett (Madison, CT) committing forward towards the top of the box on a 50/50 ball against Columbia's on-charging forward Olamide Omidele, Castro raced from midfield to get near the goal line and head away Omidele's header over Hackett and targeted for the vacated goal.
Hackett made his best save of the game in the 66th minute, cutting down the angle to make a sliding save on Omidele, who once again burst into the box for another opportunity denied. Hackett also stopped a header from in tight by Brendan O'Hearn in the 75th minute. Two minutes later, the Pioneers went up for good on Kennedy's goal.
Sacred Heart improves to 2-0 on the year and is next in action Wednesday night at Campus Field when the Pioneers host Holy Cross at 7:00 pm.


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Product 7/7
Product Description
Fine herbs deserve fine storage. Beauty, style and function converge in these hand blown works of art to make the ultimate stash jar. The artists at Molino continue to dazzle us with the quality and beauty of these astounding creations. Slight variations in color and dimension lend a unique nature to each hand blown piece.
Molino glass is second to none in quality, function or beauty


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Olivier Martinez: Tuesday Morning Doctor's Visit!
Olivier Martinez smiles while heading to a doctor's appointment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Tuesday morning (November 27) in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The 46-year-old actor received medical attention for the second day in a row following his fight with his fiancee Halle Berry's ex Gabriel Aubry on Thanksgiving day.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Olivier Martinez
In case you missed them, check out the photos of Gabriel's bloody and bruised face that were included in the restraining order he filed against Olivier.
20+ pictures inside of Olivier Martinez heading to the doctor…


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a canadian on the wall who continues to spout retarded propaganda even though he's been told numerous times that no one cares. refuses to go to a political board, where he would be torn to shreds.if you encounter him, do not respond to his taunts! you'll only be feeding the troll!!!!!
omg! its the Canadian Statistic Propaganda Machine back on the wall again! has he no life? LETS ALL IGNORE HIM!!!!
by da trick biatch February 08, 2006
buy the domain for your diy vlog


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Nicki Minaj Explains Why She Left Twitter
Chalk it up to the voice insider her head! That's why Nicki Minaj 86ed her Twitter account earlier this week. Minaj, who had impressively amassed 11 million followers, shut down her Twitter feed reportedly due to anger over legally leaked music.
She spoke about the Twitter moratorium on 'The Graham Norton Show' while in England this week, hinting that she may be making a grand return to the 140-character social networking site, as PopCrush predicted.
According to Rap-Up, Minaj said, "A voice in my head told me to delete my Twitter and that's what I did." She continued, "I had 11 million followers and I hope they will wait for me." Something tells us they will, Nicki. She mused about a potential return to tweeting, saying, "I don't know yet, I'm thinking about it. I miss my Barbz, please bear with me."
Why don't all the Barbz start a campaign to make "Get Nicki Minaj to Return to Twitter" a trending topic?
In a separate interview, she spoke about how Simon Cowell contacted her regarding the open 'X Factor' judging spots, one of which may go to her last summer tourmate Britney Spears. Minaj, who is gearing up to launch a perfume, said, "Well, I don't think we can talk about that" in a British accent. She then said, "We both decided together that it wouldn't work out. I think it was the best decision."
Minaj, wearing a green bobbed wig, extreme black winged eyeliner, and black bra top with gold grommets, also dished about her outrageous style and wigs, saying, "I have my glam squad and I have people that are going shopping and get me the best things in all the land. Then I sift through stuff. Usually it's pretty quick. I find something that catches my eye."
She also shared that all of her wigs are stored on mannequin heads and the heads have names.
There's Ashley, Barbara, Carla, Davina, to name a few.
Oh Nicki, why are you so darn cute?
Watch Nicki Minaj Talk 'X Factor' + Glam Squad


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angelma3 needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 79 designs submitted by 17 freelance designers.
This project is for the creation of our new website and a slight re-work to our logo. We've chosen a color scheme that is close to what we want and have a wireframe in place to guide your design.
This contest is for the design on the homepage of the website. Delivery must be in a well orgaized and layered PSD. Thank you.
Neighborhood Massage
Neighborhood Massage
"Your local partner in feeling great"
Neighborhood Massage and Wellness focuses on clinical massage therapy for posture correction, pain relief and stress reduction.
We are looking to have a designer create a homepage and re-work our logo a bit. A wireframe for the website and all the pages of the site has been created and can be seen here:
The design should be pretty straight forward. See our color choices in the "What I want" section of this description.
- As a reference for the colors we like for the site, see: http://www.colourlovers.com/palette…/unnatural & http://www.colourlovers.com/palette…f_Damascus
- For the Unnatural color scheme, the mint and light aqua colors are right, but the orange, violet and yellows are a bit off. However, those are all the colors we want and the combination of the tones is close, but not quite right. So we want mint, aqua, light orange, soft yellow and deep violet to all go together in my scheme. The main colors should be the green, blue and violet with orange and yellow highlights, but we're not going to restrict anyone's creativity. We just like how those colors all go together and they speak to us of the feel we're looking for with the company.
- With the logo, you can use one of the following illustrations, or create your own: http://www.istockphoto.com/file_clo…?id=703591
- Basically, we are looking to you to find a balance that works, so get creative!
- This is a neighborhood massage clinic where I get to know my clients personally. I also retail wellness products, so the images should reflect community, wellness, etc.
- I want it to look professional, upbeat and clean but with the bold colors.
- Don't follow the style of the wireframe boxes. These are meant to show the location and size of the elements on the page. We want you to come up with your own style for these. Some thing elegant or soothing.
- images of pools and resorts. This is a small massage studio.


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To Build a Better Butter
A smooth and creamy butter-like confection, Thomas Bartlett's Minor Tweaks consumer letters are a source of reassuring delight, whether spread over a lightly toasted keyboard in the morning, as a dipping dollop during mid-afternoon snack or melted over a bowl of popped corn for a Hellraiser marathon for the whole family.
Dear I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!:
First of all, let me say how much I enjoy I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!. It satisfies my buttery needs. What more can you ask?
It's so good that I've often thought of starting my own knock-off brand called "I Can't Believe It's Not I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!" But then I realized I know nothing about how to manufacture, distribute, or market such a product. Oh well.
all the best,
ICBINB's reply here.
Some day we will rope Thomas into writing something for us. Some. Day.
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.


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But cognitive dissonance sets in when the initiative is juxtaposed with AMSA's numerous promotions of non-evidence based and implausible alternative medicine modalities. Page 4 of their handbook on Integrative, Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Providers of Primary Care claims, for example, that "Homeopathy is very cost effective over the long term". The entire chapter on homeopathy in another AMSA alternative medicine publication, Between Heaven and Earth, is uncritical (pp. 34-36). The chapter on Therapeutic Touch explains the technique on the basis of chakras (p. 43):
Blockages of these chakras result in depletion of energy in the physical, emotional or mental dimensions associated with each. For example, a blockage of the root chakra can result in dysfunction in the physical energy layer, causing fatigue or ailments of the lower back, hips, legs and perineum.
It goes on.
What's up with AMSA anyway? They'll shun drug company support because they "don't want to be bought", demonstrate in front of a drug company's headquarters by dumping thousands of advertising pens there, yet accept support from the American Holistic Medicine Association which promotes stuff like this.


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Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone: 269-471-6003
The Division of Architecture, in collaboration with its alumni, has created a building missions organization entitled Architecture Missions Group (AMG). For over a decade the Division of Architecture has been involved with many off-campus community service mission projects, most notably CERENID, a center for at-risk street children in Bolivia. Over the years, the requests for assistance in building missions that the Division of Architecture has received are far greater than its capacity to respond. It is because of this ever growing need, along with the Division's focus and sense of mission that has helped students and faculty work together, grow professionally, socially, and spiritually, that the idea of a structured building missions group has been pursued.
Under the Architecture Missions Group program, the Andrews University Division of Architecture will function as a clearing house for mission projects, with one faculty member serving as director. Architecture alumni and other interested professionals will be responsible for a given project, and an architecture student or students will be assigned to work with them in the design of the project. They will then team up with other members of the AMG to organize a trip or multiple trips, and ultimately build the project.
The AMG will function in the manner of Maranatha Volunteers International--a non-profit Christian organization that organizes and implements urgently-needed building projects around the world--but will take projects that Maranatha does not accept. These are typically projects that are too small, too complex, or too unique, because the stock plans that Maranatha uses are not appropriate for the context. The demand for this type of assistance is difficult to assess accurately, but all indications are that it is enormous.
Currently plans are underway to assist with the following needs.
Bolivia: Since 1995 the CEntro de REcuperacion para NInos en riesgo de Drogas (CERENID Center for the Rehabilitation of Children at Risk of Drugs) has been in development. Each summer a group of architecture students and faculty spend two weeks in Bolivia working to construct the various buildings on the CERENID campus.
Liberia: After many years of civil unrest, this country offers little sanctuary for its citizens. Plans are underway to send an evaluation team consisting of an A.U. Architecture alum and a current architecture student to inventory the current conditions and develop a master plan for assistance.
Mexico: Because of its vicinity, Mexico represents an easily accessible mission opportunity. Currently AMG has established a relationship with both the North East Mexican Conference and the Mexican Baja California Conference. Projects currently scheduled are:
Acuna, SDA Church - Plans are being developed, church slated to be constructed October 15-30, 2006.
Monterrey, Monte Crystal SDA Church Expansion - Plans are being developed, church addition slated to be constructed Christmas 2006.
Monterrey, Vincente Suarez School (San Nicholas) Elem. School - Construction of three additional classrooms slated for Christmas 2006.
Philippines: AMG is working with Adventist World Aviation to facilitate the development of an airbase on Palawan. This summer, AMG hopes to send an evaluation team consisting of an Andrews architecture professor and alum, to develop a master plan for infrastructure and building needs.
AMG currently operates on a volunteer basis. All monies earmarked for construction projects are used only for the purchasing of materials for the construction projects. Participants are responsible to cover the costs of transportation, food and lodging. This cost is often mitigated by local assistance.
Volunteers fulfill many roles from manual construction labor to meal preparations and evangelistic outreach. Those interested in volunteering, whether they are skilled in the building trades or not, are urged to consider participating in AMG upcoming projects. Anyone wishing to participate individually or as a family in an upcoming project may contact the Division of Architecture at 269-471-6003 and speak with Denise Collard, or write to her at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Donations may be made to Architecture Missions Group via:
* Check made out to Andrews University Div. of Arch. (AMG).
* Credit card by calling the A.U. Development Department at 269-471-3124 ask for Mary Nell Rosenboom.


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A Visit with Agatha and Erin of Ovenly: Sweet, Salty Pastries & Bar Snacks
Who: Agatha Kulaga and Erin Patinkin
What: Founders and owners of Ovenly
Where: Brooklyn, New York
If you live in New York and frequent one of Joe the Art of Coffee's nine locations around the city for your morning brew and breakfast, chances are you've tasted Ovenly's pastries. Or, if you've ever enjoyed a beer at the Brooklyn Brewery, you've probably snacked on one of their ridiculously delicious sweet/salty bar snacks. A chance encounter at a food-focused book club led these two former hobby bakers to start a food business together in the Fall of 2010. Fast forward two years and Ovenly now has a staff of 14, a brand new retail location in Greenpoint, and a growing number of big-time fans and clients...
...from Stumptown and Joe to Coolhaus, the Brooklyn Brewery, and a few wineries on the West Coast. But that's just what happens when word gets around that these ladies have a food lover's solution to dry coffeehouse pastries and bland bar peanuts.
Ovenly's relatively quick success may not be a surprise to anyone who's tasted their goods (the spicy bacon caramel corn, for example, which is a bestseller, or the salted chocolate chip cookie, recently named by Eater as one of New York's 10 Best New Baked Goods) but it's still a remarkable fact given the company's humble beginnings.
After meeting at a book club (to which Agatha brought homemade pistachio cardamom cupcakes, which are now a part of Ovenly's sweets line), the ladies decided to meet and talk about starting a food business together. The initial conversations were all pie-in-the-sky brainstorming. "We'd go to each other's houses and cook, bake, drink, and talk about business ideas. We had so many different iterations of what we wanted to do," says Erin. Ideas ranged from starting a dessert night series (too trendy) to homemade pop tarts (too labor-intensive) before settling on bar snacks. Soon a friend of Agatha's asked them to provide the bar snacks for a new bar she was opening. But, the bar was also going to be a coffeehouse in the morning, so could they do breakfast pastries, too? Oh, and could some of them be gluten-free? "We did not know what we were doing," Erin says. But the bar opened in July, and Ovenly (still unincorporated) was born.
The Café and Kitchen
Agatha and Erin moved Ovenly into its new retail location (which sits less than a block away from the water's edge in Greenpoint, Brooklyn) in May of this year. The front of the space is a café where customers can walk in and buy any one of Ovenly's signature pastries and a cup of Stumptown coffee. If they want to stay, they can have a seat at one of the café tables by the wall of windows, and people watch for an hour or two. Behind the cafe, in the back of the space, is Ovenly's industrial kitchen—a large, long room befitting the size of their business now, but a far cry from where they started.
Two months after they officially started providing snacks and pastries to clients (all of which they were making in their own apartment kitchens and delivering on foot!) they moved into a caterer's kitchen, and later on to a kitchen in Red Hook, which was functional... though barely. Despite delivering to about 30 different clients by that time, the kitchen they were working out of "had no A/C, no ventilation, no windows, [and last summer[ the thermometer read 128 degrees," says Agatha. Their "saving grace" was that they were on the same block as Stumptown Roasters, who kept them going with unlimited cups of coffee. "I [actually] don't know if it was our saving grace, but it was the only thing that brought us joy in Red Hook," Erin says.
While they were slaving away at 16-hour days in the Red Hook kitchen, they said they frequently got emails from fans wanting to come and visit the space. So they knew they always wanted to be more than just a wholesale company. They wanted to have a "face" in the form of a retail space in the front as a way to engage with their community and their fans.
Thankfully, they didn't have to stay in that Red Hook kitchen forever, and this new space—which they did most of the work on themselves—affords them (finally!) the opportunity to work on the business, since they have now have a cafe manager, a head baker, and a full-on baking team to handle the production. Now Agatha and Erin get to spend their days mostly focused on "the fun stuff," i.e. the research and development side of things. When they're not developing new recipes (which, Erin says, "usually starts with a cocktail") and offering taste test samples to customers, they're working on establishing more partnerships with other food brands and building their retail customer base.
The Secret Sauce
What makes Ovenly's pastries and bar snacks so unique? Like all good things, it's about balance—specifically, the balance between sweet and salty. The black caraway shortbread (Erin's favorite) is made with dark chocolate and smoked sea salt. "It's really buttery, and not very sweet. The texture is perfect," Erin says. The Brooklyn Blackout Cake (Agatha's favorite) is made with their very own homemade salted dark chocolate pudding and the Brooklyn Brewery's dark chocolate stout. "Dudes love it," Agatha says. They also know what they do well... and what they won't do. "We don't do yeasted pastries. No croissants, no donuts, no biscotti."
And the bar snacks? What could be better with a cold beer than Old Salties, peanuts roasted in bacon fat and tossed with Worcestershire sauce and spices? Well, maybe the Spicy Bacon Caramel Corn, an addictive mix of organic popcorn, smoky bacon from pasture raised hogs, all covered with Brooklyn Brewery's Pennant Ale caramel.
The key is understanding your clientele. As Erin, says, "If you look at our two lines—coffee pastries and bar snacks—those are two areas where the offerings are pretty limited [unless you're at an actual bakery]. Most of the coffeeshops don't have in-house bakers; they buy from other wholesalers. We're getting the clients we're getting because people want high quality pastries to match their small-batch roasted coffee. Our price points might be higher, but we all understand that we're bringing artisanal skills back into a product. It's a craft product."
And word-of-mouth is key: "We've just been lucky," Erin says. "I think our product speaks for itself, but I [also] think we've been pretty fortunate. People who like food seek out food, and we've been lucky to have an almost entirely word-of-mouth business."
The Business Plan
Unlike a lot of other small food businesses, Agatha and Erin didn't go the food and flea market route. Their only model from the beginning, as Erin says, was "Who's doing a really good job? Let's partner with them." That's how they ended up partnering with Joe, Stumptown, the Brooklyn Brewery, and Coolhaus. "When we first started, we turned down a lot of business because we had to be picky because it was only just us. So we kind of went with, well, who's going to be not just someone who can provide us with a lot of sales, but a good partner who will help us grow," Erin says. And those partnerships continue to be a key part of their business strategy: "We want to continue to partner with small roasters that are growing," says Agatha, "that have some sort of important place in the community, that are offering good quality coffee to people."
Their ideal partnership? Virgin America! "We really want to get our snacks on an airline," Agatha says.
Agatha and Erin's Expert Advice to New Food Businesses
Given their success, I had to ask: what advice would they give to young food entrepreneurs just starting out?
Erin: We come from pretty modest upbringings. Something that I have learned about business is that it takes money to make money. Not every food company is going to have the fortunate luck to have an investor [which we have now], but if you have an idea that you believe in, that you think will work, and you have the confidence, I think it's okay to look to friends and family and people you know and say, 'hey, I have this really great idea,' and raise the money for it! That was a really hard part of our relationship. Someone offered us money, and it was 'should we take it,' because we were like, 'oh, we have to give up a percentage of the company.' But in the end there's no way we could have done what we've done without having an investor. It just never would have been possible unless you come from money or you have money, and we did not.
Agatha: The other key is to not just take money from anyone. It's more about people who are smart, who can actually help you grow.
5 Quick Questions for Ovenly (Answered by Agatha)
1. Favorite online resources for your kitchen?
Cook's Thesaurus is a great online resource for ingredient descriptions, substitutions, pairings, and pictures if you have no idea what something looks like. Go to Fishs Eddy to find anything and everything for your tabletop. Love their jadeite cake plates! And Zingerman's is an incredible small business that is perfect for specialty items and food gifts.
2. The one thing you can't live without?
I can't live without my chisel, which I use for everything from chopping dark chocolate to breaking up brittle and caramel corn.
3. If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?
Neil Young. He has been my favorite musical company in the kitchen since I can remember. I'd like him to serenade me while baking.
4. What's in your Google reader?
I admittedly can't keep up with Google Reader anymore, but here are a few:
• Eater
• Hant Tula
• Chocolate and Zucchini
• T Magazine
• Curd Nerds
• Wilder Quarterly
5. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
I would buy a farm and some fancy bottles of wine.
→ Visit Ovenly Online and Buy Select Snacks at Birchbox, OpenSky, and Samplr
Thanks, Agatha and Erin!
Related: A Visit To Kumquat Cupcakery: Deliciously Sweet & Salty Mini Cupcakes in Brooklyn
(All images by Cambria Bold, except snack bag photos and the three thumbnail photos in the first gallery image, which are courtesy of Ovenly)


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Back in March, I wrote a blog about how some potential employers were asking job candidates for their social media passwords in order to screen their accounts.
On May 9, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Representative Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and a number of cosponsors filed the Password Protection Act of 2012 (PPA) in the Senate and House. The bill is meant to prevent employers from strong-arming employees and job applicants into sharing information from their personal social networking accounts.
Who and what is covered
The PPA is sweeping in scope. According to the ACLU web site, "It doesn't just apply to just Facebook or social networks, but rather to any situation when an employer coerces an employee into providing access to information held on any computer that isn't owned or controlled by the employer." Even if the employee is looking at a social network on his work computer, his employer still can't force that employee to disclose a password, because "that would allow the employer to access another computer (that of the social network)." This protection extends to Gmail accounts, photo sharing sites, and an employee's own smartphone.
Who and what is not covered
The ALCU believes the Act doesn't offer protection to enough people. Some of the exceptions include:
- It does not cover students (but the Social Networking Online Protection Act (SNOPA) recently filed by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) covers both employers and students).
- It allows states to exempt government employees or employees who work with children under the age of 13.
- It allows the executive branch to exempt whole classes of workers if they come into contact with classified information, including soldiers.
Full Bio
Toni Bowers is the former Managing Editor of TechRepublic and is the award-winning blogger of the Career Management blog. She has edited newsletters, books, and web sites pertaining to software, IT career, and IT management issues.


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The block construction of Etherna allows for very easy content creation. Some things just cannot be made easier.
Vinyl Banners
We routinely partner with event and meeting planners, non-profits and corporations to provide stunnng banners and graphics. Read More
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Ready to creep up on some old memories? This Tavern was the center of alot of Roleplay and good times back in the days of old. Come once more friends and let us relive the memories and make some more
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Every homeowner has to deal with different types of maintenance jobs in their home. At times, the paint on the fence might be chipping, while at others the windows may need to be caulked. Sometimes, a shelf may have to be replaced or there might be a loose floorboard that has to be nailed in. Almost all these things are unavoidable and if you are faced with any of them, you will have to tackle them quickly. While carpentry, painting and some small other repair jobs may be more of DIY weekend projects, not all plumbing jobs are like that.
There are certain plumbing jobs like Blocked Drain Repair in Elizabeth Bay which are best left to the experts. It's not a job that a novice can handle. Not only does it require skill and expertise, but chances are you will also need some specialised tools to tackle the job. The one way to ensure that the job gets done right is to opt for the experts at Cheap Blocked Drains. We are a very reputed company in this space and have handled a large number of plumbing jobs for customers across the region.
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