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Hermes Investment Management, the £29.8 billion manager focused on delivering superior, sustainable, risk adjusted returns to its clients – responsibly, has today published the first in a four part series off the back of its second annual Responsible Capitalism survey. In the first paper, Responsible Capitalism and our Society, the results illustrate that while there is a growing awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues amongst institutional investors, this shift is not being reflected within investment decision-making.
The leading survey of over 100 institutional investors into responsible capitalism revealed a watershed moment in how institutional investors are embracing ESG. 78% of those surveyed believed fund managers should price in corporate governance risks as a core part of their investment analysis, alongside financial metrics. However, while investors are displaying a growing awareness that focussing purely on financial gains is not enough, the survey also shows a tendency to behave contrary to this.
Saker Nusseibeh, Chief Executive, Hermes Investment Management, said: "The results are remarkable when you consider fifteen years ago ESG was considered to be 'out-of-the-box' thinking. It is clear that ESG has become mainstream. However, the industry's obsessive focus on measurement leads naturally to more short-term thinking and decisions that often miss the whole point of investment. This is to the detriment of the savers the industry is supposed to be serving."
Growing awareness of ESG undermined by short-termism
The survey shows the level of awareness around the importance of ESG issues is definitely growing. Sixty-seven per cent of respondents consider significant ESG risks with financial implications as sufficient reasons to reject an otherwise attractive investment.
As our 2014 Responsible Capitalism survey found, reporting requirements such as IFRS17, the triennial valuation cycle and modern portfolio theory are driving pension schemes to think in short-term nominal returns, according to 44% of the survey respondents.
The result, Mr. Nusseibeh said, was 'siloisation', where investors see problems in the context of a single duty, such as making sure there is cash flow available when it needs to be paid out, and doing that in the most cost effective way.
The survey also shows that 58% of respondents believe the number of investment opportunities rejected by pension schemes because of ESG risks will increase only slightly over the next five years. Only 37% believe institutions should place a greater emphasis on quality-of-life factors.
Nusseibeh continued: "47% of respondents continue to believe pension funds should focus exclusively on maximising retirement incomes rather than giving greater consideration to whether their current investments will improve or detract from the overall quality of life experienced by beneficiaries when they retire".
Passives are decreasing the ability of investors to effect change
Nusseibeh also pointed to the flow of assets into passive mandates as a headwind for the growing consideration of ESG issues by investment decision makers: "The opportunity for investors to effect change is quickly decreasing. By moving towards index-tracking strategies, investors are giving up their voting rights, and thus, their influence".
This view is backed up by the report with 60% of respondents believe large shareholders are likely to 'become unaware' of the companies they invest in.
Nusseibeh said: "Many investors appear comfortable with this because of their primary objective of beating an inflation target. Risk-centric approaches to ESG and the inevitable decline in engagement born of the shift to passive are both symptoms of the same failing – measuring performance by the wrong benchmark."
Antithesis of responsible capitalism
Despite the growing awareness of ESG issues, Nusseibeh said there is a 'long road to walk before we see real change':
"Financial services needs to address this and given the vital role that asset management plays in allocating the vast sums of savers' money, it has a pivotal role to play in bringing about change in this regard.
"Today's siloed and short-term investment approach is the antithesis of responsible capitalism. Change is necessary, if we are to ensure today's savers and their children will be able to enjoy a fruitful world in the future," Nusseibeh concluded.
Read the paper Responsible Capitalism and Our Society
Press contacts
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Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications firstname.lastname@example.com + 44 (0)20 7680 4698


text:
wire granulator Applications
MX-400 Cable wire Recycling Plant
By Jiangxi Mingxin Metallurgy Equipment Co.,Ltd. based in Shicheng County, CHINA.
Recycling sorting solutions for the fines copper
Copper granulate, recovered by the recycling process of copper wires and cables, has the potential to be a high value resource. However, even after the removal of impurities, polymers and ferrous from the granulate, it can still contain small amounts of lead, brass or aluminum – often up to three percent. TOMRA sorting technology removes the remaining pollutants efficiently and automatically from the copper granulate – with an especially high efficiency of lead removal.
By TOMRA Sorting GmbH. based in Mülheim-Kärlich, GERMANY.
Need help finding the right suppliers? Try XPRT Sourcing. Let the XPRTs do the work for you

subset: commoncrawl


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Man Blamed for Hacking Jennifer Lawrence Denies the Claims
A man named Bryan Hamade has been targeted by Reddit users and security researchers as being the person responsible for leaking a ton of nude photos of Jennifer Lawrence and many other celebrities.
The 27-year-old man accidentally exposed his hard drive and network drive and showed off the leaked picture folder, but he says he is not responsible for this.
"I am not behind this. It was so stupid – I saw a lot of people posting the actual leaks and bitcoin addresses and I've read a lot about bitcoin and how they're are valuable and I thought, oh cool I'll get free bitcoins," Bryan told BuzzFeed in an interview on Monday morning.
"I am just an idiot who tried to pull one over on 4chan and lost big time and stupidly left this identifying information. They took my proof and back traced it – it isn't remotely true. I am not a hacker. I have no idea how the hell someone could hack into all those accounts," he said.
To read the full interview, head on over to BuzzFeed.com now.


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Haxnetwork member NOkk3r1 has came up with a very simple solution to fix your YLOD PS3, with minimum disassembly and risks. You can view the full tutorial on how to do this at the link.
I just wish the guide was as little better written because i still dont know exactly what to do... lol
Question though...how often do the 65nm PS3 fats break in comparison to the 90nm? Anyone know?
I cant even read the article.I keep getting redirected to some stupid grocery store survey! stoopid [email protected]#$%$g website spam!
its actually pretty simple, if you know how a ps3 looks on the inside. just screw the washers in, and you might have to make an adjustment for the bottom right washer.
im going to try this when I have time next weekend... my ps2 titles have been collecting dust for 6 long months now. I even (with false hope) put a ps2 title into my slim, and all it said was unsupported software.
Finally, a simple method to get my 60gb working again! I need to play Shadow of the Colossus again, and get back the GTA IV disc stuck inside.
cool but i think i'll stick with the heatgun method. i already have that down and memorized. I've fixed my ps3 multiple times already. Its a launch 40G i believe. Fully equiped, love it. Last time I called Sony to get it permanently they tried to get me to swap mine in for a new PS3 slim. Yeah right!
"Because of washers thickness it adds some pressure and because washers size it produces pressure from larger area"
....what? I really don't understand how this fixes issues.
The only problem I'm having is "Error 8002F281" can't read my HDD. It worked fine but I try to do a FW update and it keeps giving the error.
launch day ps3. freezes sometimes. but still kickin strong.
my 60gb broke a few months ago. but i am pretty happy with my slim. its much much much much more quite.
Aw man, why didn't they have this when my PS3 YLODed last year!!!!?!?!
Fail rate is low anyway for PS3 :)
but when you sell a console into the millions, you're looking at a few thousand people at the least that will appreciate this.
Still it's good to know how to fix it just incase. I've had my fat PS3 for 2 years and i'm praying it won't break just as gt5 and move are coming out lol.
Got mine on release date and still runs fine.
Also everyone I know that has a 360 console got RROD no joke.
yeah so low that mine broke and my friend's broke, YLOD is a major issue, just look at the forum posts on the net
but sony repaired my console free of charge!(it was 2.5 years old)
my two PS2's both work(after 9 years of service)
my PS1 had a problem with its laser, but I fixed that by placing it vertically
Sorry about you and your friend though.
But I honestly don't think any new "first run" electronics should be purchased.
In my case, I bought my PS3 2 years after launch...that's about the time it becomes "safe".
keep disagreeing, and keep taking bubbles, I was once a non-believer too, till my PS3 died while playing super stardust HD.
I knew three guys in real life with a launch PS3, they all got YLOD
the people who are saved from this are casual gamers, or people who live in countries with a cold climate
I'm not a 360 fanboy, just look at my previous posts(and my PSN ID is OCELOT525), I just want to warn you guys
My 1st PS3 broke while playing Fallout 3. Had to pay $162 for a refurb from Sony. My 2nd PS3 (the refurb) broke less than 2 weeks before Uncharted 2 came out. Had been waiting all year for that game, #1 most anticipated title of 2009. Felt like I got robbed. Still bitter about it, haven't bought a new PS3 yet.
Ive had YLOD twice man, fixed both times myself, the 1st time i fixed it it lasted 3 weeks, the second time i fixed it i tried that method where u bend the 2 metal plates (very slightly) its been 5 weeks since it happened last, so so far so good, if it happens again (which it will) ill try that washer idea
Everyone knows that, as everyone know what is the other console with the worst technical failure in the history of gaming.
Your statement is ridiculous Ocelot525. That yours and your friend's PS3 has died is obviously statistically insignificant. It's just funny (and a little sad) that you believe otherwise.
The failure rate is FAR higher than Sony is admitting. Much like Toyota, Sony will hold off on admitting this problem is as big as it is, as long as they can, that way it costs them less, its practically business 101.
On the bright side, if you call them with a broken unit and threaten to make a huge fuss over it, they will fix it for free. Ideally what they want is for you kids to keep doing what your doing, down playing it and keeping it hush hush when your units break, and fortunately for Sony they have some of the most brainwashed blind loyal,and dumb customers around. You guys would cover for Sony if PS3s were killing your moms in the middle of the night. LOL!
still high enough if yours breaks
like I said I knew three people with a launch PS3 in real life, their PS3's all died
let's say the failure rate is 10% of launch PS3's
so 0.1*0.1*0.1=0.0001=0.1% chance
I am just veeeerrrrrryyyy unlucky or the failure rate is much higher than 10% of the launch PS3's
also there are many persons with similar stories as me
and I repeat: i just want to warn you: TAKE BACK-UPS
YLOD happens for a number of reasons .. once i had YLOD but that was because i incorrectly turned off my console during a HOME test/save?? dunno.
Anyway all i did was to bring the boot menu and i reinstalled my firmware ...
Worked fine since then ...( happenned 8 months ago )
All three of my friends and me with near launch PS3's have never had a difficulty whatsoever!
PS3 has 100% reliability by your standards!
I dropped my PS3 upside down from about 2.5 feet (it fell out of my unfortunately un-zippered suitcase) and it still works fine. That was like 2 years ago, and I am not a casual gamer.
They seem to be pretty solid machines, but I'm sure some of them do die. If you think about it there are environmental and user factors that can effect each PS3 too (enough space for cooling, people smoking, dust, etc.). Plus the store you buy it from may have used it has a hockey puck.
working great.have a ps3 for 2 years and going strong! :)
My 1999 PS1 works but doesn't recognize the controller in the port. I bet I could fix it with some tinkering but I have no good games on it.
My 1997 PS1 died on me :(
It just went off and never powered on again.
id take RROD over YLOD or blu-ray drive failure anyday.
if your ps3 dies 366 days after purchase,your coughing up the price of an arcade xbox just to get a repaired replacement.
o sure the ps3 never breaks..its just lies lies lies.
EDIT* look at the stealth disagrees.hilarious.i think the droid angels are watching over this topic to deny any serious comments credibility.sad.
maybe i should have 9 accounts to bubble myself like the sony army on here.
perfect example above me in sir_ken...that man posts the dummest comments ever and still gets agrees and bubbles.he is the special forces of dumb droid comments.launching smash and grabs on any article,turning the situation into anti-xbox.
article* apple makes 5g iphone wants to put a man on jupiter*
sir_ken....xbox sucks...22 agrees and another bubble.
Replace it with the more powerful console "PS3"
We lose? You idiots took how many years to copy our fixes? And don't say because they just started. We all know that is a bunch of bs!
@Wrathman Have a bubble! I'm sure mine will be gone soon also. Droids just hate the facts.
Persistantthug i have disagree i still have launch dreamcast,ps2,xbox original,gamcube, and original fat ps3 that works fine my first ever pc i ever used still works the only console to ever fail on me is xbox 360 and that was on first week it was out.
Aaaawww look at everyone protecting their consoles and doing damage controle...
Critizing other console to make theirs look pretty (even look open zone)...
Chill guys noone is dissing your precoius consoles...
Is your name supposed to be a joke or something?
Me on the other hand I still have my Day 1 bought launch 60gb (Now upgraded to 500 gb had an extra hard drive layin around so thought "what the hell")fat ps3 with all the features and it still runs fine. It was a good 600$ investment. The fact of the matter is that people need to stop comparing the Ylod to the RROD. The rrod is extremely more frequent than the YLOD. Not to say that the YLOD isn't real but 360 fans need to stop trying to compare cause their mad the 360 has shameful hardware issues.
Sony makes good systems I still have my ps2 and ps1 and they sit in a glass case safe from harm along with my xbox,nintendo 64,Dreamcast,sega genesis and many others of my older consoles.
Few of my friends have had YLOD now. Hoping it doesn't happen to me.
EDIT:If your fan starts getting louder, is that a sign?
No. A fan getting louder is something that happens with every piece of electronics that has fans (PCs for instance), and simply means that the ball bearings in the fan are getting older and have a bit more friction. As long as the fan spins (and this means as long as there's noise) there's no problem.
If you're worried about heating, you can always get one of those cheap additional fan units, that work wonders (and should always be used with HD consoles anyway).
I might have to invest in one, it's a bit more noticable nowadays, not as much as my 360 but still loud.
but its working fine. I did get YLOD once in my launch console and had to get a new unit, here's hoping it doesn't happen again, been normal for 2 years now.
Sweet. My old broken fat PS3 has been sitting here for a couple months and now I can finally fix it.
If your fan starts getting louder, is that a sign? Yes it is.
Yay for misinformation. Louder fans are a matter of ball bearings, and have absolutely nothing to do with YLOD, which is basically just a mechanical problem originated in a completely different position of the console.
well actually the fans increase in speed when the console gets hotter too so it could be an overheating issue as well. it's likely there's just a lot of dust in the console. try vacuuming it out like it says in the manuel
I got YLOD. Fixed it but it only worked for a little while. Wasn't worth my time trying to fix it again so I bought a SLIM. I feel for any PS3 owner or 360 owner who got RROD. Having your console breaks sucks. Having to buy a second one sucks even more. I was excited to bring the slim home but I was also a little pissed about it.
I love how quiet the SLIM is though. My original 60GB got really loud.
Well sh!t, it didnt fix mine. :(
I looked into Gilksy's method but I decided against it. I'll try the washer technique. If no dice I'll go ahead and buy a slim. Don't think I'll look into the refurbs though. I just don't wanna lose my original 60 gb. I love the thing much more so than any of the other PS 3 systems.
no coz my ps3 is good for now, yeah do the washers first and decide later if its all good.
Actually my question was directed to Smokedout. But I'm glad to hear yours is still running strong. It's a sad day when it stops working. Hope you don't have to feel the pain I feel each and every day. :)
my ps3 is fairly quiet for me. but for my uncle he says he's gets loud most of the time. it should mean that the louder it is, the harder the fan is working meaning its overheating. its best to keep your ps3's back open air. my warranty ends this november, ill do that gilksy guide in youtube when the time comes if necessary. slim is nice but doesnt look solid.
question:if the ps3's problem is overheating, why add more heat to it by using a heatgun? and explain how it fixes the ps3's motherboard. also, why does it overheat in the first place? because its being used regularly?
Hey.. We use the heatgun because what happens is that the GPU/CPU gets overheated and the solder gets detached from the motherboard. When you use the heatgun, it melts the solders and attach it to it again. Obviously this will work only temporarily because the PS3 will overheat again. By using the washer , it puts more pressure on it. Why the GPU overheats, is because the old PS3 models uses a 95nm chip which takes loads of power and heat. The new slims now are using a 45nm.And uses only about 80watts compared to 200W or so with the old one. So most likely not it wont overheat. The fan for the old PS3 doesn't do it, because it gets way too hot. And voila YLOD....i fixed mine twice already im so sick of it so I bought the slim:) haha:)
I've had a friend who's PS3 YLOD'd. But that's because he put the PS3 standing on it's FANS (he broke the HDD bay when trying to replace it... He's got the HDD in there like a NES cartridge.) But it lasted a YEAR doing that, so I'm quite impressed.
I did the gliksy method. I bought the paste for $10, and the screwdriver for $6, and borrowed a heat gun. 5 hours later, after not following a guide on opening the PS3, it works.
But I can see how this works. I don't know about if it'll be successful though. But a very cheap fix! The heat-gun is the most expensive part in repairing PS3's for a single-fix.
is fine got the launch model works fime 3 years 2mnths dont have any problems as of yet still
My Original Launch 60gig PS3 YLODed I am happy to announce that I will be purchasing a GOW3 bundle PS3 Slim on Saturday, this happened about 2 months ago. I cannot wait luckily my brothers Launch 60 gig is going strong so it has been keeping me company
No luck of course. I attempted the washer fix but to no avail. I figured this would be my last recourse before I purchase another PS3. If anyone else gives this a shot I wish you luck. It's not difficult to do and the disassembly is simple enough. If your confused on breaking it down Gilksy's YouTube videos give a comprehensive step by step.
I just fixed my ylod ps3 60gb 3days ago and my friends one on sunday but not like this took everything out used a heat gun then added new paste bang job done am not giving sony £120 for a fixed ylod that they fixed and not a new one
true about PS3 being low on failing, but it happened to my 60 GB model, it's like you can't avoid it.
Lucky for the guys that still has a 60Gb model kicking, but my is fixed though, but how long will it work?
I hate the idea, when I put in my harddrive I will lose my saves and all that.
Yeah it's pretty much inevitable on the old models...
Mine gave up last week, a day before I got GOWIII! Good thing I borrowed it earlier and had a chance to finish it.
If you are that worried about your saves. Then you can do one of two things. Either back them up on a usb drive (but you can't copy the protected ones, usually rpgs) or buy a slim and use the data transfer to backup everything. It only takes a few hours to copy everything and when done the slim looks and acts just like your old fatty. Every piece of program and save games, themes also is exactly the same!


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Library Director
Cindy Fesemyer
Assistant Director and Youth Services Director
Jenni Frencham
Your Friendly Neighborhood Library Staff
How do you like our awesome holiday sweaters??
Your library staff is rockin' the 2015 holiday fashion scene.
Back Row - left to right: Erin Weirough, Amy Halzel, Susan Watters, Katrina Dombrowsky (former youth Services Director), Heather Kohlwey
Front Row- left to right: Cindy Fesemyer, Sue Mathwich, Alanna Sneath, Ilene Smith


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A halo of irresistible indulgence. You won't believe how soft! Eight scrumptious colors to choose from. The gauge is a suggested gauge only. Works beautifully with large or small needles.
Cascade Eco Highland Duo Yarn and Cascade Luminosa Yarn are both similar yarns: hand wash, heavy worsted/aran (16-18 sts/4 in), 4.5 sts / inch, and on size 8 US needles.
What about yarn that have the same look and feel? Find more yarn with a hairy texture, sheds, and is machine dyed.
You may enjoy taking a look at the Blue Sky Fibers Legwarmers, Blue Sky Fibers Brushed Suri & Alpaca Silk Hat, Blue Sky Fibers Brushed Suri/Alpaca Silk Silk & Suri Scarf, and Blue Sky Fibers Brushed Suri Tunic kits all using Blue Sky Fibers Brushed Suri Yarn.
Hopefully our suggested project ideas for Blue Sky Fibers Brushed Suri Yarn can help you come up with your next exciting new project idea!
We provide endless possibilities for you including yarn, knitting gifts, needles, kits, sale yarn, free knitting patterns, and more!Jimmy Beans Wool is Your Local Yarn Store... Online!


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Heroin Epidemic: A heartbreaking look at the innocent victims
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) - The opioid epidemic has reached uncharted territory in Western North Carolina. Not only are the victims getting younger, some haven't even been born yet.
RELATED | How big is the heroin crisis in WNC?
Mission Health said close to 400 babies were born to addicted mothers in 2016.
It's such a dramatic increase, even hospital officials are alarmed by it.
"We've seen the number of babies born exposed increase every year," Vice President and Medical Director of Mission Children's Hospital Dr. Susan Mims said.
Dr. Mims said in 2016, they saw a 100 percent increase in babies born into drug addictions from the year before.
"This past year, we hit almost 400, and that is nearly 10 percent of the babies born at Mission Hospital that are testing positive for some substance," she said.
Dr. Mims said for most babies, it's an opioid or a combination of different drugs, and it leaves newborns entering life immediately facing a painful withdrawal that could last months.
"In some cases, when they have symptoms, we need to treat them with medicines until they fully get there that withdrawal period," she explained.
Mission Health said it's not only an emotional and physical process but a costly one, as well, with few resources available.
"Access to behavioral health services has been a real challenge in this community and in this region, and that impacts our ability to care for the baby and set the mom and the baby up for long-term success," Dr. Mims said.
She added that the hospital is now training staff members on how to deal with this issue, and are looking at every way to bring more help to those impacted.
Other agencies are just as alarmed by the data and are trying to help.
The Department of Health and Human Services said they do everything they can to protect the baby and the bond with the mother.
"That's a tragic situation, and what we want to do is keep the baby safe. Always first and foremost, keep the baby safe, but not break that bond between the mother and the baby while the mother gets the help that she needs," Jim Holland, with Buncombe County DHHS, said.
Holland said often times the child goes to a relative or the state while the mother overcomes her addiction. But, he said even moms wanting to get clean often have a hard time getting the help they need.
"There's not enough always for someone to go right away into treatment," Holland explained.
He said their department has one year to work out a reunification plan, but he added that bringing a healthy mom and healthy baby back together is a huge challenge.
"The reality is there is so much problem and so little solution, so little resources," Holland said.
Mission Health has a hotline set up for expectant mothers struggling with an addiction: 1-800-532-6302.


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Moderator: Dungeon Masters
Dashiell wrote:How about a low-ish level get together at 1900 GMT this Sunday (February 19)? I'm thinking levels 1-15, and we can meet at the Port Hole in Ferrell.
Tulip wrote:Bumping Dashiell's call to gather (hehehehe):
Lowbie event in Ferrell (the Willy Wonka Factory of Avlis*!)
Who: Levels 1-15
When: 19:00GMT/14:00EST, today, Sunday 19 February (3 hours from this posting)
Where: Meet at the Port Hole in Ferrell
What: Quick meet and greet, then wherever the leader wants to go.
(I recommend that we go to Kitanya Sewers or the Salt Caves. They're both well-designed and many of us know them).
* To quote a legendary player's description of Ferrell: "Ferrell is like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory....all beautiful scenery and little people...then you enter any cave and its like that boat ride from hell."
Return to The Avlis Project: General Discussion
Registered users: No registered users


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A California bill that sought to end killer whale shows at SeaWorld in San Diego and phase out their captivity was put on hold Tuesday, dousing an escalating fight between animal activists and a major tourist attraction.
The bill's author, Democrat Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, agreed during the first committee hearing for AB2140 to revisit his proposal after further study.
As a result, the bill is dead for this year and the soonest lawmakers could vote on the proposal would be mid-2015 following additional hearings.
"It's unfortunate that much of the conversation has been fueled ... by fear and invective and misinformation," Bloom said. "It's clear that many committee members are simply unprepared to make a decision on the bill."
Bloom was inspired by the 2013 documentary "Blackfish" in which filmmakers argue that captivity and mistreatment of orcas make the animals aggressive and has led to attacks on trainers.
Public outrage over the movie drove 1.2 million people to sign a petition supporting the bill that was delivered to the Assembly Monday by three elementary school students who successfully stopped an overnight school field trip to SeaWorld.
Dozens of animal rights activists packed the hearing room on Tuesday to support the bill, with more who were unable to get seats waiting outside.
SeaWorld dismisses their contention that orcas are too intelligent and too large for captivity and says the arguments are based on emotion and distortions from the movie.
The stance of the marine park was supported by business and tourist groups.
SeaWorld San Diego houses 10 killer whales, Under the bill, the animals would be moved into a larger sea pen and could not be bred.
Lobbyist Scott Wetch told lawmakers the bill would likely result in SeaWorld sending its orcas to parks outside the state.


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Even when treated with the utmost care and attention, all motorcycles will eventually need repair. This is where having a motorcycle lift comes in handy, especially for the enthusiast and "do it yourself" types. Whether performing an overhaul or just fitting new motorcycle accessories onto your prized motorcycle, a motorcycle lift jack is a wise addition to your suite of motorcycle tools. Although some routine maintenance can be done with your motorcycle leaning its side stand, any serious work usually requires the bike to be lifted up.
Even dirt bikes that come with a center stand can be more conveniently serviced when using a good motorcycle lift jack. When servicing large bikes, a motorcycle lift jack is an absolute must. With all the options out there, just how do you choose the right motorcycle lift for you?
When it comes to finding the right motorcycle lift jack for you and your motorcycle, Harbor Freight offers select choices that can meet your needs. Our 1500 Lb. Capacity ATV/Motorcycle Lift (Item #2792) is an all-around good choice. Made from steel, this lift comes with an extra-long handle and 4 built-in positioning hooks for strapping your ride down with tie-downs (not included). It locks at four different heights ranging from 4.5 to 16 inches, providing you a wide degree of access to your ATV or motorcycle. It even includes a foot pump to keep your hands free to help position and stabilize your ATV or bike. With a maximum capacity of 1500 pounds, this lift is ideal for a wide range of applications, and at under $100, this motorcycle lift won't break the bank either.
For those looking for a motorcycle lift that is easier to transport, check out the Lightweight Aluminum Motorcycle Lift ( Item #94715). This model weighs a mere 46 pounds, but has the same 1500 pound maximum lift capacity of its heavier cousin. Its extra-wide base offers a stable foundation. It even includes rubber grip pads which will help protect your beloved motorcycle's frame.
For some motorcycle enthusiasts, ground clearance is more important than maximum capacity or lift weight. This is where the High Position Motorcycle Lift (Item #99887) comes into play. This motorcycle lift weighs a hefty 140 pounds, but for a good reason: it can lift your bike anywhere from 2.6 to 30 inches off the ground! You can easily work on your bike both safely and conveniently with such ample clearance. Although it supports a maximum capacity of 1100 pounds, it more than makes up for the lower capacity in convenience. For those that hate laying down on the ground to service their bikes, this is the right choice for you. With such a high clearance, you can even sit in a chair to perform a simple oil change. With its placement wheels, included safety pin, and tie-down straps, this is one of our most popular motorcycle lift jacks.
As with servicing any vehicle, safety is a priority not to be taken lightly. All of these jacks are hydraulically operated and are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of purchase. Regardless of which model you choose, rest assured that you will have no regrets when it comes to making a motorcycle lift your next tool purchase. You may even have to purchase two to keep your riding buddies from "borrowing" yours permanently!


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Germs are everywhere and, because we can't see them, it makes it that much easier to catch a cold or the flu. Due to such a hard-hitting flu season this year, it's even more important to take precautions to help you and your loved ones stay healthy. With a few simple steps, you can protect yourself in a matter of minutes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates flu season during the fall and winter months, with the peak varying in occurrence anywhere from November to March. Many states in the U.S. have already reached peaks and flu cases continue to grow, hitting some areas particularly hard. The CDC further reports that nearly 200,000 people are hospitalized due to the flu each year, and about 36,000 people die from it.
To help you guard yourself and your family, Dr. Anthony "Jay" Avenido, chair of the Allied Health department at Brown Mackie College – Cincinnati offers advice on how to steer clear of this invisible menace.
"The environment is filled with germs," says Avenido. "They live on telephones, keyboards, door handles, and gas pumps." Germs transfer easily, even without direct contact with an infected person. Whenever an infected person handles something, germs transfer to the surface. Once there, the germs can live up to several days. "One person can literally transmit germs to hundreds. As we routinely encounter germs, they find ways into our bodies," he says.
"We transmit germs in our normal daily contact with people and objects," says Avenido. "Germs get into our bodies a number of different ways. They enter through the eyes, nose and mouth. The airway passage serves as a major point of entry for germs. We breathe them in. Even small cuts and scrapes are an open door for germs."
Each time a person coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets containing germs are expelled from the body. An uncovered sneeze can spread droplets several feet away from the source, putting everyone in the general vicinity at risk. With a little knowledge, you can minimize the spreading of your own germs, and help protect yourself against the germs of others.
Protective measures
Sneeze the right way:
"It is important to take precautions against germs," Avenido advises. "I don't recommend covering a cough or sneeze with your hand. This may limit the number of germs moving through the air; however, you will now carry them on your hand. You will inevitably touch something and leave germs behind for others. That's why kids get sick a lot. They touch everything." Avenido recommends creating a barrier between yourself and others when a sneeze is imminent. You can do this by sneezing into your elbow. The same rule applies for coughing.
Wash hands correctly:
Proper hand washing is another good defense against germs. "This is not the time for perfunctory hand washing. Water without soap is not effective," Avenido says. "The ingredients of the soap help to break down the bacterium. A thorough hand washing includes warm water and soap. Scrub hands, front and back, and in between the fingers for 20 seconds That's long enough to sing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' twice." Avenido says while washing, use pressure to create friction, which gets the substance of the soap into bacteria. "If you sneeze or cough into your hand, wash ASAP," he says."If washing isn't convenient, use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol."
In today's world, it isn't practical to stay home from school or work for the duration of a cold. However, it is important to be aware of how sick you are. "Know your symptoms. If you have a fever of 100 degrees or more, you may want to just stay home, especially if you're experiencing discharge from the nose, or coughing and sneezing frequently," says Avenido.


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Bluffton, in 15 years, should be the key municipality in the Lowcountry, town officials said Friday in a strategic planning session.
Town Councilman Ted Huffman said Bluffton will be the "nexus" of the region in 2027.
"Bluffton will be the economic engine of this region," predicted Councilman Mike Raymond.
"If we don't do it, nobody else is going to do it. Beaufort is not going to do it. Hilton Head is not going to do it. Hardeeville has a chance, but they're probably not going to do it," he said. "But we're the ones to do it."
Raymond called for economic development beyond tourism, saying Bluffton should not become "the queen of festivals."
The vision of the town as a base for technology businesses is already under way with the new Don Ryan Center for Innovation, said Mayor Lisa Sulka.
"It's a public-private partnership. People talk about it all the time, but nobody does it," Sulka said. "It took a leap of faith, but we made it. It's what we have to do to get things done in this economy."
The technology innovation business model "will be duplicated across the region," the mayor said.
"In 2027 you'll see businesses coming to us instead of us reaching out to businesses," Sulka said.
"The vision is there and the infrastructure is in place," said Marc Orlando, the town's growth management director.
"We just need some help from the economy," Huffman added.
"You've very well positioned to capture economic development. It may take some investment or some risk to make happen," said consultant Lyle Sumac, who led the town's annual meeting to set goals and objectives.
Sumac told council members and town staff that the economy is improving, but not fast.
"I'm seeing a slow recovery, with 'slow' being the operative word," he said. Municipalities will continue to "do more with less."
Sumac predicted higher bids from fewer bidders for government services; private businesses hiring public employees; and requests for public-private partnerships.
Financially, "if towns are going to grow they must be self-sufficient," Sumac said. "Grants are going away. Outside funding sources are going away."


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Oklahoma No. 1 in preseason coaches' poll
Oklahoma is the preseason No. 1 in the USA Today coaches'
The Sooners received 42 of 59 first-place votes to easily
Article continues below ...
outpoint No. 2 Alabama, which received 13 first-place votes.
Oregon, which lost last season's BCS championship game, is third
and LSU is fourth.
The Ducks and Tigers will open the season against each other at
Cowboys Stadium on Sept. 3 in Arlington, Texas. They each received
two first-place votes in the coaches' poll.
Florida State is fifth, followed by Stanford, Boise State,
Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Wisconsin.
Defending national champion Auburn starts the season ranked 19th
in the coaches' poll.
After a tumultuous offseason, Ohio State is ranked 16th. Notre
Dame is No. 18.


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NEW Oxford United chairman Darryl Eales has a simple solution for any supporters sceptical of his intentions – just ask him.
The prospect of a private equity expert from Birmingham suddenly becoming interested in the club raised suspicion in some quarters.
But after acquiring a significant stake in the club, described as between 30 and 50 per cent, he was keen to make assurances and spoke frankly about what motivated the move.
Eales said he wants to be part of United's long-term plan, which means putting money in, rather than taking it out.
"You read some blogs talking about 'is he going to take money out of the club?'," he said.
"I'm thinking 'if I wanted to make sensible investments you wouldn't choose football'.
"I would say to supporters, 'come and speak to me'.
"If you want to know my views on something, come and ask me because I'm new to all this, but I think people who have worked for me will say what you see is what you get.
"I don't have agendas, politics I really dislike and I'm completely open."
He added: "I don't regard football as a business, but it's got to make sense economically.
"I'm not looking to make money out of this, but I'm not looking to lose money either.
"If we started earning a profit as a business – and clearly it's loss-making at the moment – I'm very happy for 100 per cent of that to be reinvested in the club.
"You can be the judge of this, but I don't think I've got a big ego, so I'm not doing this for a big ego trip.
"I'm doing this to test myself in a different arena – in the sport I love."
Top of the 53-year-old's 'to do' list is make funds available to help Michael Appleton, who has replaced Gary Waddock as head coach, strengthen the squad.
Discussions have already taken place with incoming chief executive Mark Ashton, but it will not be a spending spree.
He said: "I've said to Mark, within sensible bounds, tell me what you need from a playing perspective and I'll flex it.
"That's not millions – I might say 'you've got an extra £250,000 to spend'."
Patient progress is the aim of the game for the new chairman, who briefly considered getting involved with Birmingham City 18 months ago before deciding against investing in the club he supports.
Eales is confident United have what it takes to move up the football pyramid, but stopped short of setting a deadline.
He said: "Realistically, to me this should be a sustainable Championship club.
"That's what we've talked about, but what I think is foolhardy is to say we're going to do that within three or five years.
"That's just your inspiration, and all our efforts will be on trying to achieve that."
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- Disappointed rivals now backing United for the future
- Chief exec Ashton's priority is improving United's squad
Lenagan says the chairman role was tough but rewarding
Latest United news:
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text: This modern acoustic business music combines a happy and joyful vibe with innovative, fun, and successful tones. The ukulele and acoustic guitar strum a bright rhythm while the bells and pizzicato strings play a lively melody that shines with positive energy. Whether for ads, business, commercial, corporate, television, or more; this music is sure to be a great choice.


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Scaun 6030
Made of anodized aluminum folding dual ascent
- Made of anodized aluminum anti-stain
- Steps 80 mm deep. with anti-slip surface
- Finishing of special anti-scratch
- Aluminium shelf mm. 180 x 330
- Spacer bars, automatic galvanized steel
- Strengthen lower stiffening base
- PVC feet with slip-resistant surface
- Packed in transparent plastic
A functional tool that allows you to conveniently access to higher levels. Suitable for home, office, shop and small warehouses. It can be quickly folded and stored in a small space.


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Fish Hoop Rose Gold Handmade Earrings
Fish Hoop Rose Gold Handmade Earrings
Trendy and minimalist. Add these as a staple of your daily look.
copper rose gold plated
thin & lightweight
made of wire
2.5 inches in length & 0.5 inch in width
Return Policy
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery at 100% the purchase price (excludes any shipping fees incurred). No returns accepted for "clearance bin" items or swimsuits. Buyer is 100% responsible for the return shipping costs. Refunds will only be issued after the item(s) have been received in the same condition in which they were shipped. We reserve the right to reject any returns that do not meet these conditions. Eligible refunds will then be issued within 5 business days.
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Bob Marshall Wilderness
One of the most completely preserved mountain ecosystems in the world, the kind of wilderness most people can only imagine: rugged peaks, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, grassy meadows embellished with shimmering streams, a towering coniferous forest, and big river valleys.
Glacier National Park
Come and experience Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Explore Glacier National Park and discover what awaits you.
Waterton Lakes National Park
A place like no other, the uniqueness of Waterton Park is a blend of unusual geology, mild climate, rare wild flowers, and an abundance of wildlife. It is a scene which has remained unchanged for centuries. Come enjoy nature at its best...year round.
What's New at the Airport
Agendas and MinutesFind the agendas and minutes to the Great Falls Airport Authority Board Meetings.
VideoWatch recordings of the Great Falls Airport Authority Board Meetings.


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Snack Trends 2013: Health and Indulgence Square Off
The endless variety of savory, salty, cheesy and sweet flavors coating snack foods yields a texture and taste combination to suit just about any consumer's discriminating palate.
Snacks have come to occupy a premier place in the American diet that carries nearly as much weight as any of the "three squares" we allegedly structure our diets around. In many instances, "snacks" really should be thought of more as "substitute meals." But there's a schizophrenic effect to snacks — they fall on either side of healthy fill-ins and indulgent munch.
According to research group Global Industry Analysts Inc., world snack food sales will top a third of a trillion dollars by 2015. "The main factors fueling the market are income levels and consumer perceptions and demographics," reports the group's analysts. "The market is highly fragmented and intensely competitive, with an abundance of industry players in all categories from small to large."
Looking at the two sides of the snack coin, health and indulgence, means different ingredient needs are called into play. Cheese, bacon and spice are the thrust for savory snacks on the indulgence side, and chocolate is the perennial force for sweet snacks. Healthy snacks cast a wider ingredient net when it comes to their constituents.
One of the biggest ingredient trends in snacks, and an ingredient that covers both of the bases outlined above, is nuts. When used in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet, this high energy food can supply more than just taste. Nuts contain the essential linoleic and linolenic fatty acids, dietary fiber, phytochemicals, vitamin E, and are an excellent source of protein and important minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc.
Almonds are one of the most popular tree nuts in America and are sold in about 40 different forms. According to the Almond Board of California, the positive perception of almonds continues to grow among consumers, with this nut outperforming all other nuts by receiving high marks for attributes such as "healthiest," "crunch appeal" and taste. The board also noted that with all of the dietary research that has been done to date and the promotion of the health benefits of almonds, the general perception of consumers and health professionals now is a very positive one.
Source: Blue Diamond Growers
Even as new and innovative uses for almonds appear on the horizon, the global demand for almonds continues to increase by 10 percent annually. "Besides the traditional use of chopped, diced and sliced almonds in cereals, granolas and bars, almonds have also been introduced as core ingredients in popular snack foods," says Jeff Smith, director for Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, Calif.
Two examples of such snacks using nuts as a base ingredient delivering taste and crunchy texture are Nut-Thins and Nut Chips. They are baked snacks and have several marketing advantages, such as zero grams saturated fat, no trans fats and being gluten-free. Nut Chips also contain whole grains from brown rice flour. Other nut-derived ingredients such as hazelnut meal and pecan meal have been incorporated successfully into two other Nut-Thins snack products.
"We've seen good demand domestically for almonds in snack bars, fiber bars as well as mixed nuts and granola mixes," says Lori Coburn, director of Hughson Nut Inc., Hughson, Calif. "A specialty ingredient recently developed and generating increasing interest from the food industry is almond bran. Almond bran is 100 percent almond skin, and so is gluten-free. Because many healthful benefits of almonds are in substances found in the outer skin, almond bran was created to provide a product with these healthful benefits, and without the calories of fat."
According to Coburn, almond bran provides almond flavor and nutrition in a concentrated form as a rich source of dietary fiber, almond sterols and essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. "In fact, the total antioxidant capacity of almond bran is more than 13 times greater than that of almonds alone," declares Coburn. "Almond bran also contains nearly four times the levels of dietary fiber and has a high concentration of phytosterols — for example, 20 times the amount of stigmasterol," adds Robert Miltner, Nut-rition's vice president. "Almond bran is also a highly effective prebiotic, supporting the growth of probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract."
Salt of the Earth
Although the need for lowered sodium in the diets of healthy people is controversial, consumer demand, continued pressure from the self-appointed watchdogs and increased market pressure continue to keep sodium reduction pressure on the food industry. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation's 2012 Food & Health Survey, 57 percent of Americans actively compare sodium in foods and choose the item with the lowest amount.
"We have completed some consumer research over a year ago regarding their perceptions of sea salt," says Jackie Van Norden, product line manager of food processing for Cargill Inc., Minneapolis. "It was noted that 48 percent of consumers believe sea salt has less sodium than 'regular' salt and 53 percent believe that it has more taste intensity than 'regular' salt. We have seen the trend of adding sea salt to confection items for the past several years. This goes beyond dark chocolate and includes milk chocolate, caramel and baked items as well."
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