text:
Coloradans faced with 'thugs' opposing recall
2 Democrats in legislature targeted over radical gun law agenda
Colorado voters attempting to recall two state lawmakers who helped pass a rash of draconian gun control laws that were rammed through the legislature now charge that Chicago-style thug tactics are being used to get them to recant their signatures.
"Everyone who signed a recall petition has received multiple phone calls, mailers and face- to-face visits in an attempt to get them to remove their name," said Victor Head, a plumber from Pueblo.
"Our small town is now facing Chicago thug tactics by [those] attempting to prevent us from exercising our rights to hold our elected officials accountable for their votes."
Head is the chief of Pueblo Freedom and Rights and one of three sponsors of a recall petition against Democratic State Sen. Angela Giron for her gun control votes during the recent legislative session. Democrats who control both chambers pushed through a series of gun control measures despite widespread opposition from state residents and law enforcement officials.
The laws include a ban on any magazine that can be modified to hold more than 15 rounds. Since magazines have a removable plate on the bottom to ease in cleaning, the law can be interpreted as a ban on the sale of all magazines in the state. Additionally, the law prohibits the simple act of handing a magazine or firearm to a person to assist with clearing a jam, calling it an illegal transfer.
The laws have been challenged in court by the majority of the state's sheriffs, who call them unconstitutional and unenforceable.
After passage of the laws, residents began a recall movements against four legislators who supported the gun control laws. Voters were able to gather sufficient signatures for recall elections against Senate President John Morse and Giron.
During the signature gathering process, Colorado Recall Watch, a group dedicated to fighting the recall against Morse, placed a robocall to Colorado Springs residents claiming that the effort were being spearheaded by outside groups.
"Wealthy special interest groups have launched efforts to recall dedicated public servants across Colorado," the website says.
Head says the claim that the recall is anything but a grass roots effort is a complete fabrication.
"No one is out-of-state. I'm sitting in my house. … I was born and raised in this town. All of us on the petition grew up in the area, and everyone involved in this process are long-term residents. Of a total of $25,000 in support we have raised, maybe $1,000 has come from out of state."
A review of Pueblo United For Angela, a committee supporting Giron in the recall, reveals the group is getting money from big donors and outside interests.
The Washington, D.C.- based Sixteen Thirty Fund has given $35,000 to help Giron fight the recall while Citizens for Integrity and Mainstream Colorado, both Denver-based organizations, donated $20,000 and $15,000 respectively. Additionally, the American Federation of State, Federal and Municipal Employees union, based in Washington, has contributed $3,500.
The robocall by Colorado Recall Watch suggested that signatures gatherers were criminals and encouraged residents to demand they leave their property if they come to the door. The message even suggested residents call the police on the signature gatherers.
"Criminals, convicted of forgery, fraud and even sexual assault – if they are not already, these workers will be in your neighborhood soon," the alert says.
Despite the tactics, petition gatherers were able to gather enough signatures to have a recall election against Morse and Giron. However, after the signatures were turned into Secretary of State Scott Gessler's office, petition signers found themselves the subject of a series of intimidating tactics attempting to get them to recant their signatures for recalling Giron and Morse.
"People who signed the petition received a phone call from a live person asking them if they wanted to remove their signatures from the petition," Head explained. "This was followed up by two different mailers which contained a postcard that people could send back asking for the removal of their signatures from the petition and then after that they sent people to go door-to-door to visit the people who signed the petition."
Head said the pressure by Giron supporters was approaching harassment.
"I had one woman who told me she had nine missed phone calls from Pueblo United For Angela while another woman said she had four phone calls and two door knocks in a single day," he said. "While they are not technically breaking any laws the constant follow-ups is almost borderline harassment."
Jim Elson, a voter who signed the petition against Giron, told the Pueblo Chieftain he was berated by a caller from Pueblo United For Angela.
"An individual called and asked if I remembered signing a petition pertaining to Senator Angela Giron. Of course I remember signing that petition," Elson said. "He laughed at me and said, 'Well, do you know you signed a petition that contained false and fictitious information?' He then went on to say that I didn't know what I was signing.
"Why do you call me at home and berate me and tell me I'm so misinformed? It was so insulting," Elson continued.
The Coloradoan reported that voters who signed the petition to recall Morse have received similar phone calls.
However, so far it appears that the attempts to get voters to change their minds have not been successful. Andrew Cole, a spokesman for Gessler's office, said that to date no one has come forward requesting his or her name be removed from a recall petition.
Being unsuccessful in preventing enough voters from signing the recall petition and getting them to change their mind, Giron is now claiming the reason she is being targeted for recall is because of racism.
"I know it's partially about me being a Latina and being in this position of authority," Giron said.
Head says the claims of racism are simply par for the course for liberal groups.
"It's just ridiculous, when all else fails they play the race card. Anybody that's ever been here in Pueblo knows this not the case," Head said. "There's lots of Hispanics here, I'm part Hispanic. If anybody would take the time to read the other two names on the petition committee to recall Giron they would see that besides myself, my brother as well as my friend Ernest Mascarenas are all Hispanic."
While Democrats have tried to say recall signature gatherers are criminals, it appears to be a case of projection.
MediaTrackers reported a volunteer for Pueblo United For Angela was arrested while canvassing a neighborhood on a failure-to-appear warrant, which it claims could be related to a domestic violence charge. The volunteer, Elric Franco, was going door to door asking residents who signed the recall to rescind their signatures.
Franco was reportedly talking to a homeowner who had not signed the petition and was mistakenly trying to get him to remove his name. When the homeowner asked Franco why he was on his property, he allegedly said, "It's none of your business, you are not on the list, don't worry about it," before telling the homeowner to go back inside his house.
After feeling threatened, the homeowner called police, but before officers arrived, Franco's campaign coordinator arrived and began taking pictures of neighbors and the homeowner. She allegedly returned later with three men who were described as "thugs" who drove by while filming houses pointed out by the coordinator. They also reportedly took down license plate numbers of vehicles in the neighborhood.
After responding to challenges by Giron and Morse, Gessler's office sent a statement of sufficiency to Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, who under Colorado law must "without delay" set an election date between 30 and 60 days from now, which would place the election in August or September.
On Tuesday, attorneys for Morse and Giron went to court arguing that voters did not realize what they were signing, claiming among other things that the wording was not sufficiently clear because voters were asked if Morse and Giron should be recalled but never told voters an election would have to be held to do so.
"A petition form must inform unsophisticated as well as sophisticated voters who are considering whether or not to sign the petition," Democrat lawyer Mark Grusekin argued in his appeal of Gessler's decision.
Head said he believes the effort to portray Pueblo voters as ignorant and stupid will backfire on Giron.
The legislative debate over the gun control laws drew interesting comments from majority Democrats.
State Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, scolded a witness opposing one of the gun restrictions.
Amanda Collins, 27, of Reno, Nev., told her story of being assaulted and explained that had she been carrying a concealed weapon, the incident might have ended differently.
"I just want to say that, actually statistics are not on your side even if you had a gun," Hudak scolded. "And, chances are that if you would have had a gun, then he would have been able to get that from you and possibly use it against you."
Hudak continued, speaking over the committee witness, "The Colorado Coalition Against Gun Violence says that every one woman who used a handgun in self-defense, 83 here are killed by them."
Finally able to resume her testimony, Collins said, "Senator, you weren't there. I know without a doubt [the outcome would have been different with a gun].
"He already had a weapon," she told the meeting of the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. "He didn't need mine."
A similar attitude was displayed by state Rep. Joe Salazar.
He said that a woman who feels threatened by rape on a college campus doesn't need to be armed, because she can use a call box to get help.
Salazar's statement came in a debate over a proposal to ban citizens possessing a concealed-carry permit from being armed on university campuses.
"It's why we have call boxes," said Salazar, "It's why we have safe zones, it's why we have the whistles. Because you just don't know who you're gonna be shooting at.
"And you don't know if you feel like you're gonna be raped, or if you feel like someone's been following you around, or if you feel like you're in trouble when you may actually not be, that you pop out that gun and you pop … pop a round at somebody."
Perhaps the most surprising statement came from U.S. Rep. Diane DeGette, a Denver Democrat who displayed her perspective on gun magazines.
"I will tell you these are ammunition, they're bullets, so the people who have those now they're going to shoot them; so if you ban them in the future, the number of these high capacity magazines is going to decrease dramatically over time because the bullets will have been shot, and there won't be any more available," she said.
The Denver Post said DeGette didn't appear to understand that a firearm magazine can be reloaded with more bullets.
Additionally, the gun control issue in Colorado has been featured on major media outlets after a majority of the state's sheriffs have said that not only will they not enforce the new laws, but that they are actually suing the state over them.
"We have said these laws are unconstitutional and if we truly believe what we are saying then we need to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak," Weld County Sheriff John Cooke said. "These laws are an infringement on people's Second Amendment rights and we need to represent and stand up for the citizens who voted us into office."
State officials admitted they were doing the bidding of the White House. In February, Vice President Joe Biden flew to the state to strong-arm Democratic lawmakers who were feeling pressure from their constituents to vote against the bills.
"He (Biden) said it would send a strong message to the rest of the country that a Western state had passed gun-control bills," Tony Exhum, a Democratic lawmaker from Colorado Springs, told the Denver Post.
House Majority Leader Mark Ferrandino, an open homosexual who also pursued a "civil unions" agenda this year, admitted the gun-control bills introduced by fellow Democrats had national implications.
"I was shocked that he called. He said he thought the bills could help them on a national level," Ferrandino said.


text:
Kaju Rolls Recipes
View All | View Summaries
Kaju Pista Rolls (Indian Cashew and Pistachio Sweets)
04.24.09 by Jackie
Kaju pista rolls are Indian sweets that are very similar to marzipan. It's almost like edible Play-Doh. Kaju and pista respectfully means cashew nuts and pistachio in Hindi. I guess there is a similarity with French, we called cashews, noix de cajou. I'm just thinking out loud.
Anyways, these cylinderical shaped mithai (Hindi for sweets) look very playful and are absolutely delicious. I find many Indian desserts too sweet for my palate, but these treats are just perfect. I can never eat just one, and if you make this recipe, you won't be able to either.
Full Recipe...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Lewis & Clark literary scholars' publication makes top fiction list for 2010
December 21, 2010
Undergraduate Campus
Three Days Before the Shooting: The Unfinished Second Novel by Ralph Ellison, which was co-edited by Morgan S. Odell Professor of Humanities John Callahan and Adam Bradley '96, has been named to NPR's list of The Year's Best Outsider Fiction.
At his death in 1994, Ralph Ellison left behind roughly two thousand pages of his unfinished second novel, which he had spent nearly four decades writing. Intended to follow his masterpiece, Invisible Man, this new novel gathers together in one volume, for the first time, the various parts of Ellison's planned opus.
In order to bring Three Days Before the Shooting… to life, Callahan, the literary executor for Ellison's estate, enlisted the help of his former student Adam Bradley. Together, Callahan and Bradley sorted through Ellison's collected notes, files, and manuscript pages.
Published by Random House, the novel was released in January 2010. Learn more about the national media attention the publication received.


text:
The vanilla cheesecake originally came from a recipe that my Grandma clipped from the Toronto Star and asked me to make for her, which I happily did. I chose to add raspberry puree on top because it looked prettier that way. I took the recipe home with me so that I could post it here and I'm convinced that I tucked it into a cookbook or magazine for safekeeping but who knows where it is now?
I decided to go ahead and post this cheesecake anyways because at least I know it was good, unlike most of the things that have been coming out of my kitchen lately. I recently made a carrot ginger muffin that I had such high hopes and it probably would have been great if I had of followed the recipe. But no, it was one of those days where I started baking without checking ingredients first and soon realized that I was out of some of the essential ones.
Instead of going to the horrendously overpriced corner store across the street, (appropriately named 3 Star Variety) I made some substitutions which were not in the muffin's best interest. Maybe these muffins would have been better if I had someone to crack the eggs for me. They would have also been better if they contained the required 2 eggs at all. Ugh. Hot on the heels of the bad muffins, (which I'm still eating because I can't bring myself to throw them out) was what can only be described as a bad frozen mandarin concoction, (I refuse to call that mess ice cream). FAIL.
Better luck next time.


text:
Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
On the Big Island of Hawaii, lava from volcanoes forms new rock. Physical and chemical processes contribute to the weathering of rock into sediment and soil. View Video
The opening of the Atlantic Ocean between two tectonic plates at a spreading ridge separated the two continents. View Video
Spreading ridge volcanoes form in the deep sea where two plates are moving apart. View Video
Subduction zones are where rock slides under less-dense rock. Magma, enriched with highly pressurized steam and CO2, rises to the surface under subduction boundaries, making volcanoes. View Video
The Appalachian Mountains are compared to the much higher, but younger, Himalayas. View Video
Soil composition is important in determining its qualities such as flow rate, which can be demonstrated by pouring water through containers. View Video
Scientists Chuck Blay and Dave Sherrod compare Hawaiian volcanoes to Mt. Saint Helens. View Video
The formation of two types of fossils are shown and discussed: an imprint in a rock and minerals replacing the shells of dead organisms. View Video
The gases that make up our atmosphere were released during volcanic eruptions in both the past and present. View Video
Scientists describe how mantle rock melts into magma and how the more buoyant, liquid magma floats toward the Earth's surface. View Video
Sediment on a beach contributes to the vast continental shelf offshore over time, but this does not explain where the sediment came from. View Video


text: Welcome to "The Art of Canvas Prints & Wraps," originally a supplement to Studio Photography magazine, now a destination on imaginginfo.com. Noticing a recent trend in the popularity of canvas gallery wraps and prints, we decided to put together a primer, if you will, on canvas printing. Whether you've jumped into offering your customers these high-profit pieces of art or are timidly assessing whether to do so, this supplement is for you. Think of it as "everything you ever wanted to know about canvas printing and gallery wraps but were too afraid to ask." We've gathered articles on such topics as marketing gallery wraps to your customers, display suggestions and uses, educating your customers on how to care for their canvas works of art, creatively printing and framing canvas prints, and more.


text:
Save the mopping, vacuuming, or other deep cleaning for the weekend (or every third weekend if you're like me). It's time to do a weeknight speed clean.
Here's how to make your home feel cleaner in just 30 minutes, which will open up more family time on the weekend.
Make your home cleaner in just 30 minutes with these weeknight speed cleaning tips (recommended 2-3 times a week)
30-Minute Weeknight Speed Cleaning
Kid Clutter (1 minute):
- Start by supplying your kids with a bucket, basket, or other receptacle and give them 5 minutes to pick up as many toys outside their room(s) as possible (small rewards are helpful here). Toys can be organized and put away in their right spots on the weekend. (1 minute to get them started)
Laundry (3 minutes):
- Grab enough laundry to get one significant load, preferably items you tend to run out of before the week's end, be that favorite jeans (darks) or socks and underwear (lights), etc. (1 minute)
- Start your load. Getting a few loads of laundry done during the week will make all the difference for your family time on the weekend. And just getting that load started is key. (1 minute)
- Set a timer. A large load in our washing machine takes about 45 minutes; your washer's cycle might be shorter/longer. (30 seconds)
Kitchen (7 minutes):
- Clear out your sink by handwashing or loading your dishwasher. (4 minutes)
- Wipe down all the surfaces, including your stove top (2 minutes).
- Either do a quick sweep OR use a moist cloth (and a little soap or surface cleaner, if you like) to wipe up any obvious spills on the floor. (1 minute)
Main Bathroom (3 minutes):
- Wipe down all surfaces with a moist cloth (and a little soap or surface cleaner, if you like). Start with the sink and faucet and move onto the counters, tub edge, back of toilet, and obvious floor scuffs or smudges. Finish by wiping down the toilet seat and inside rim. (3 minutes)
Master Bedroom (4 minutes):
Your bed was probably made earlier if you're a bedmaker and skip it if you're not. You're just going to get right back in, right?
- Hang up or fold any clothing items and put them away. (2 minutes)
- Clear off dresser surfaces and tidy bedside tables. (2 minutes)
Family Space (5 minutes):
- Arrange the couch pillows in a neat row and fold throw blankets. (1 minute)
- Clear off table surfaces and tidy your stacks of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, video games, and toys that can stay out. (2 minutes)
- Tackle obvious crumbs with a handheld vacuum. (2 minutes)
- Use this 15-minute break for whatever you like until the load of laundry is ready to be moved to the dryer: Start dinner, check your child's homework progress, make a refreshing drink, check your email, put your potty-training toddler on the toilet, read the mail, pay a bill, smooch your spouse, whatever you like!
Laundry continued (1.5 minutes):
- Switch your load of laundry to the dryer. (1 minute)
- Set a timer again so you don't forget the clothes in the dryer. A large load in our machine takes about 1 hour; your dryer's cycle might be shorter/longer. (30 seconds)
[1 Hour Break]
- Again, use this hour for whatever you need until the load of laundry is ready to be removed from the dryer.
Laundry continued (5.5 minutes):
- Remove your laundry from the dryer. (30 seconds)
- Fold or hang up all laundry and put it away (5 minutes)
Do you speed clean and sneak in a little laundry on busy weeknights? What speed chores are on your must-do list during the week?
Related posts:
4 Ways to Cuddle in Bed Longer
An Unexpected Guest Is on Her Way. What Do You Clean First?
Do You Procrastinate Cleaning or Use Cleaning to Procrastinate?


text:
Skate Spots:
1. Any good street spot.
2. Brother's Skatepark, Mammoth Lakes, California.
3. Gardnerville, Nevada.
4. Anywhere with Li'l B.
5. Whistler and Squamish Park, B.C., Canada
Shred Spots:
1. Anywhere with my friends.
2. Mammoth.
3. Helsinki.
4. Tahoe.
5. Keystone.
1. Pizza.
2. Pretzels.
3. Sushi.
4. Thai.
5. Indian.
Video Parts:
1. Jerry Hsu, Bag Of Suck.
2. Andrew Reynolds, Then End and Baker 3.
3. PJ Ladd, Horrible Wonderful Life.
4. Peter Line, anything.
5. Jeremy Jones, anything.
1. Crail.
2. Switch Indy.
3. Method.
4. Crooked Cop.
5. Slob.
Ways To Kill Time At The Airport:
1. Red Carpet Club.
2. Read.
3. Internet.
4. Eat pizza.
5. iPod.
Tricks You've Seen This Season:
1. Wall to wall, wallrides.
2. Hardway everything.
3. Lauri's new jump trick he hasn't named it.
4. Travis Rice's backflip naked for the Channel 2 news at the Mtn. Lab.
5. Presses through some legit kinks.
People To Go On Trips With:
1. Lauri Heiskari, for sure.
2. Cole Barash.
3. The whole Forum crew.
4. Pierre Wikberg and the whole DC crew.
5. The Grenerds! That should actually be around number two.
Moments On The Forum Bus Tour:
1. Cole shitting in a bag inside the bus within the first ten minutes of the tour.
2. Stevie Bell and some girl in a bunk bed all tangled up. I'll let your imagination do the rest.
3. Buying 50 packs of cigarettes and having them be gone within about three stops.
4. (Travis) Kennedy being Kennedy.
5. Skating Winnipeg Park street plazaà�'³so sick.
Rumors You've Heard About Yourself:
1. Some crazy rail combo, some gap, then a 180, and then a press. I don't know, just ridiculous.
2. Dating some girls.
3. Breaking up with some girls.
4. Quitting certain sponsors.
5. Smoking weed.
1. Bob Dylan.
2. Belle and Sebastian.
3. Elliott Smith.
4. Bright Eyes.
5. Morrissey.
Things To Waste Money On:
1. Bar tabs, holy shit. So much pissed away, literally.
2. Jeans.
3. Eating out three meals a day for the past six years.
4. Myriam.
5. Plane tickets.
Numbers Dialed On Your Phone:
1. Steve Astephen.
2. Kevin Keller and Brian Knox.
3. Myriam.
4. Steve Ruff.
People To Get Loose With:
1. Lauri Heiskari.
2. Iikka Backstrom.
3. Grenerds!
4. Forum crew.
5. DC Crew.
6. Pierre Wikberg.
Places To Live:
1. San Clemente, California.
2. Whistler B.C., Canada.
3. Mammoth Lakes, California.
4. Hawai'i.
5. Anywhere good for skating.
Things To Do In Mammoth:
1. Snowboard.
2. Skate.
3. Rent movies.
4. Go to Danbo's house.
5. Go to Loony Bean.
Sketchy Situations:
1. Any trip to Mexico.
2. Any time you party with Grenade.
3. Sketchy-D.
4. Blacked out drunk in other countries.
5. Forum tour.
Reasons To Be A Pro Snowboarder:
1. Traveling.
2. Parties.
3. Girls.
4. Friends.
5. Fun.
Reasons To Not Be A Pro Snowboarder:
1. Injuries.
2. Short lived.
3. Knee surgeries.
4. Travel ten months a year.
5. Not too much time for yourself.
Reasons To Not Be A Night Janitor In South Lake Tahoe:
1. Shit.
2. Shit.
3. Shit.
4. Puke.
5. Shit. Nighttime janitor was the best time ever! For real!


text:
We're committed to your 100% satisfaction. Each item is hand checked by a member of us before it goes out the door to ensure you get the best! While we make every effort to ensure your goods arrive in perfect condition, sometimes things could happen. If you discover a fault with the item(s) you have received, please take pictures of the defect and CONTACT US right away. We will work with you to guarantee your satisfaction.
If you want to exchange your order, please contact us.
We also promise:
Even when there is nothing wrong with the product, you can return it within 30 days after ordering, but you must afford the return shipping fee. You can also
- exchange it if you don't like the product,
- receive a coupon for your next order,
- have the product cost refunded (if you choose free shipping, we will ask you to pay the shipping fee we have shipped to you).
Please contact us if one of these reasons should apply to you.
Should you wish to return your item(s), please kindly email us with the reason of return, within 30 days from receiving your order (according to the delivery date on the tracking record).
Refunds via the payment method you used when placed the order
The refund will return to the account used to make the purchase. This will appear as credit in your account which you can use to make a new purchase, or request to withdraw to your bank account.
Refunds via Credit Card
When a refund is organized for a credit card, it will return to the same card used to purchase.
How long will the refund take?
The amount of time it takes for a refund to return depends solely on the bank or card issuer. Some banks/card issuers finalize refunds within a couple of business days, while others may wait until the end of the statement month to display and process refunds. If the refund seems to be taking more than one week, you can also contact your bank or card issuer to ask about their usual timeframes.


text:
"Every part of all this soil is sacred to my people. Every hillside, every valley…has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished."
Chief Si'ahl, Duwamish Tribe
One of the many blessings of my youth was growing up in a large Italian American family. In particular the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren of the immigrants Angelo Corbo and Clementina Petrone were like one large family. That was never more evident than at Christmas. Even as the number of generations expanded and the size of the family greatly enlarged uncles, aunts, and cousins bought or made presents for nephews, nieces, and cousins as they would for their own parents, siblings, or children. Such generosity. Such love.
Faith was another critical dimension of family life growing up. I was blessed that my great grandparents lived into my early twenties. My great grandmother Julie (b. Angiolina) dutifully and fervently prayed the rosary every day and fully expected my sister and me to join her if we were visiting. Her daughter Rose still regards one of her greatest accomplishments was getting her daughter into Catholic school despite economic hardships. And Rose's daughter – my mother – is very active in our local parish harnessing the time, talent, and treasure of parishioners to serve underprivileged youth. Growing up – the rhythm of the home was harmonized to the rhythms of the liturgical seasons of the Church and the activities in our parish.
This extended multi-generational commitment to family, faith, and the community may be unremarkable to the many of you who grew up as "ghetto" or cultural Catholics. However as I discovered in my own genealogical quest that the source of faith and values that propelled my family forward into the future was rooted very deep in the past and very powerful.
I love to Kayak. Two years ago my son and I went on a 60 mile expedition in the northern Adirondacks. One of the hardest parts of the trek was kayaking against the current of the Raquette River. What was earlier almost imperceptible, almost effortless, the further upstream we went the harder we had to paddle. Moreover as we paddled upstream the ambient noise changed from silence to what was a distant roar that kept growing louder and louder and closer and closer as we pressed on for many miles. It was when we turned the final corner and came face to face with the deafening roar and power of Raquette Falls that we saw and understood what was the source and the power behind that current. When we turned the boats around we barely had to paddle. Even as the roar of the falls faded away the current pushed us forward for many miles.
Similarly my own genealogical journey was just like the trek in the Adirondacks. The further back in time I went the harder it got. However the further back in time I went the echoes of a simple, profound, and deep faith grew louder and louder. And when I turned the corner and came face to face with the genealogical equivalent of my own Raquette Falls in the Cilento region of Southern Italy I finally understood the source and the power of the faith that has pushed us forward – even though that source is now almost imperceptible in time. In the Cilento every hillside and every valley had been hallowed by an awe-inspiring event in days long vanished – some 355 years ago. Over the next 3 postings I will take you back in time and space to the land of my ancestors and the wellspring of faith and the discovery I made there. And in the recounting of this journey I hope to be able to provide you insight in your own genealogical research and faith.


text:
[Page 300]
[Page 301]
In the Years of the German Extermination of the Jews
The Polish Preparation for the War
Already in the first months of 1939 we started to feel that something evil was awaiting us. We knew what Hitlerism signified for the Jewish people. We felt a dark cloud descending upon us
The Polish state was preparing for war. In Ciechanow, committees were formed to protect its residents during air raids. The population was taught how to extinguish fires when the enemy bombs the shtetl. Commanders were appointed for every courtyard. Every courtyard was ordered to have a reserve of sand and water to extinguish the fire. The windows had to be pasted with strips of paper.
Jews stock up on food. The situation is tense. People stop thinking about a livelihood. Stores are abandoned. One thing is on everyone's mind: What will happen to us Jews when war will start. The terrible suspense sweeps before our eyes; everyone runs to hear news on the radio.
Every day new politicians arose, predicting when war would start and what its nature would be. There was only one thing that we did not foresee -- that in our century there would be found, in cultured Germany, beasts in the form of human beings who would be insatiable in their thirst for Jewish blood
On August 25 the conscription order was issued. Men up to the age of 40 must enlist in the army. One day before the outbreak of war a commission went from house to house in Ciechanow to check if proper preparations had been made to extinguish fires. The commission also informed everyone that the following day -- Friday -- there will be a general drill: our planes will fly and drop incendiary bombs throughout the city and the population must be ready to put out the fires. Everyone prepared for the General Drill. Some Jews were given white armbands and were appointed as commanders.
That sorrowful Friday, September 1, 1939 arrived. In the morning the German planes appeared and shot down with machine ammunition. Everyone went out to see, and Poles declared that there's no reason to fear. "They are ours. Soon, though, we found out the bitter truth that war had started.
[Page 302]
In the afternoon several planes were already spotted and bombs started to fall on our shtetl. That same Friday Mlawa was also bombed and nearly half the city was burnt. People started to run in all directions.
Shabbat morning refugees started to arrive from Mlawa, some in wagons and some on foot. Many remained on the road. We sent wagons to bring them to Ciechanow. We tried to greet the Mlawa Jews and housed them temporarily. It didn't last long though. A few hours later we Ciechanowers also became refugees.
The wealthier ones were the first to run away in wagons. The representatives of the Polish government who were supposed to protect us also ran away. The panic in the shtetl was great and no one knew where to run. From hour to hour the shooting became closer. In every house everything was packed in readiness to leave, but the question remained -- where to?
The mood was very oppressive. From somewhere a rumor spread that when the Germans conquer a city they gather all those men who are capable of fighting, and they are shot. My family forced me to run away. Not having any other choice, I started off on foot in the direction of Warsaw.
On the main road leading to Warsaw I saw in front of me the whole misery of war. The roads were full of people: Jews, Christians, young and old, everyone running. The German planes fly quite low and shoot at the civilian population. People fell the way stalks of wheat fall in a field beneath the scythe. The roads wee covered with thousands of shot bodies.
Monday, September 4, the Germans captured Ciechanow. The following Jews perished when the shtetl was captured: Yenkl Renboim was shot. Shimon Garfinkl, a bookseller, was returning from davening when a bullet shot him; Pesakh Lipsky's son was shot right at home.
[Page 303]
We soon found out about the khurban that the Germans brought upon Jews in other places: Mlawa was half-burnt; from Proshnitz all Jews were sent out. From Poltusk also the Jews were sent out and half were shot on the way.
Two days after the capture of Ciechanow the German military called all the Jews to the shul. A German officer spoke to the Jews to voluntarily leave Ciechanow. He promised them assistance if they would leave, and assured that it would be better for us if we leave.
A brief consultation took place amongst the most prominent Jews of the shtetl and the word was not to leave. One of the assembled called out: We were born here and here we will get lost. The German representative replied: If you choose to remain here, know that you have no rights. You will have to carry out all commands that we issue, and you come under the Nuremberg Laws.
The crowd dispersed and the cruel life under German rule started. Everyone had great fear. The German acts of vandalism started. They spread the Sefer Torahs out on the sidewalks; the shul and Bais Hamedresh in which generations of Jews had sent their prayers to the Almighty the Germans converted into a factory for the repair of automobiles, and the seizure of Jews for forced labor started.
[Page 304]
The work wouldn't have been so hard, but in addition to the work they beat us, and they sought the most difficult work with which to torture the Jews.
Every morning the Germans ran amongst the Jewish houses and grabbed Jews for forced labor. People started to hide. In every house a hideout was made in the loft. Woe to those Jews who were dragged out of their hiding places. They were beaten and tortured without pity.
At the same time we lived in great fear because we heard that all the Jews of the surrounding shtetlech had been sent away: Nashelsek Drabnin, Ratszeans, Zuramin, Ripin, Shierptz. The expelled Jews were sent in the direction of Warsaw. They weren't allowed to take any of their belongings. Every day we were ready to become wanderers, but the expulsion was spared for us for the time being.
Jewish refugees who had been expelled, and had
[Page 305]
run away on the road. We took those Jews into our crowded homes.
The Germans started to take over in our shtetl. A mayor and many police came and they established order. First they established a Judenrat with Ben-Tzion Ehrlikh at its head. Every resident had to register both with the Judenrat and with the German police, and everyone received a card with the mark: Yude. They stopped seizing people for forced labor.
A command was given that every Jew from the age of 15 on must present himself each morning in the marketplace for work. It was woe to anyone who didn't appear. The Germans already had prepared lists of the Jews who were then in the shtetl. From the marketplace groups of Jews were sent off to labor.
JewishGen, Inc. makes no representations regarding the accuracy of
the translation. The reader may wish to refer to the original material
for verification.
JewishGen is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in the original work and cannot rewrite or edit the text to correct inaccuracies and/or omissions.
Our mission is to produce a translation of the original work and we cannot verify the accuracy of statements or alter facts cited.
Ciechanow, Poland Yizkor Book Project JewishGen Home Page
Copyright © 1999-2019 by JewishGen, Inc.
Updated 2 July 2003 by LA


text:
I'll have some shorter pieces and a gallery with some of our professionally-shot photos coming, but in the meantime, here's my account of day two. If you enjoyed day one, this one is much crazier, and includes: a wet t-shirt contest, extreme nipple trauma, oil wrestling, a drug overdose, a Vanilla Ice performance, another overdose, a girl with no pants, and other events too surreal to explain succinctly.
Day Two: Heart of Dankness
We sleep six deep in our rented RV, including one in the passenger seat, and when we wake up it is HOT. The RV's jacked in to an electricity hook up and the air conditioning has been running all night, but when we wake up it's iced over and blowing 70-degree air. The smell in here is practically visible, the humidity thick enough to make snowmen. I step outside and it's even worse. There's no escape. It's like we're all stuck inside a sweat sock together. I don't know how people live like this. It's 10 am and I already hate everyone.
We meet our camp neighbor, Mike, a big dude from Indiana with a limp mohawk. He tells us about past Gatherings, deciding to come to this one at the last minute, and the journey from junk yard to junk yard trying to find a new… fuel pump? something, I can't remember – for his pick-up, an early 90s Ford F-250 with giant dual exhaust coming out behind the bed and up past the roof like batman horns. He has a bumper sticker on the back that says "Juggalo Dad," and a hatchet man on the front license plate. The hood has paint missing in a perfect, lived-in-jeans kind of way that actually makes it look more badass. It's probably the manliest truck I've ever seen.
Mike's truck would've fit right in with the cowboys at my high school who wouldn't let me park my '82 Cutlass Supreme in their corner of the lot, but he's way nicer. We sheepishly explain what we're doing here, and Mike laughs in a ball-busting kind of way. From this point on, he'll yell "SHUT THAT F*CKIN' CAMERA OFF" every time he sees us as a joke. It makes me wonder about all the people flipping us off and cursing us out the day before, and whether it was legitimate animosity or just a running joke. I'm about fifty-fifty on it. This does seem like a very flipping-off-the-camera-because-it's-cool kind of place.
All the while, the sound of exploding firecrackers is near constant, and if I fail to mention them,it's only because we've gradually become inured to the sound of a black cat going off every sixty seconds or so.
I attempt to feed seven people bacon and eggs on one burner with three plates, splattering grease all over the RV, setting off the smoke alarm three times, and feeling very Lord of the Flies. KILL THE PIG. MAKE IT SMOKE. FAM-UH-LEE.
After breakfast, we head down past the carnival stuff, over the drug bridge, and back towards the main stage. Everything looks even grimier in the daylight. On the way there, a group of people sitting in chairs underneath a tree yells at us to stop. Living in big cities for the last six years, my normal reaction to being yelled at by strangers is to go full tunnel vision and feign deafness until I'm out of their sphere of influence. But Lieb stops to talk and it seems safe so I stop too. We are here to mingle, after all. Turns out, the guy just wants us to offer a sacrifice to his tree. Okay, sure.
People from all over have been pinning trinkets and doodads to it, the guy explains, this sacrifice tree. "Use anything you have. Just a sacrifice. To pay our respect to this tree that's here giving us all life right now, you know?" the guy says earnestly. We nod.
"There's even a $100 bill in there," the guy says, and sure enough, there is, sticking out of the bark.
Lieb pins a condom he had in his wallet to the tree. I don't have much in my wallet, but I eventually settle on a BART card. Later I realize that I probably should've just stuck five dollars in the tree, since the BART card probably had ten bucks on it and I'll actually be taking BART from the airport a few days from now. I kind of suck at money.
As we're walking away, the tree guy yells to his group about breakfast, and we watch as he takes the $100 bill off the tree to go pay for it. This all happened in the space of about five minutes. It seems too perfect to be true.
I wonder aloud about buying a "stoner bowl," a carnival food concoction of cheese, fried potatoes, and gyro meat, served in a bowl and slathered in gravy. Overhearing me, a juggalette walking by says, "Yo, try the chicken sticks, the chicken sticks are dank."
We lazily wander our way through the campground with no real destination in mind – the proper state of mind for a place this humid, I imagine. Behind a stand of blue porta-potties, we come upon a skinny guy with a scraggly beard and buck teeth passed out flat on his back like a corpse, mouth open, toes pointed toward the sky. His hands are laid flat against his sides, his right gripping a three-fourths drunk two liter of red Faygo, his left a big plastic handle of off-brand whiskey with about a shot left in it. The mouths of both point up to the sky at a forty-five-degree angle like baby birds. He looks dead, and I have to lean in close before I can see that his chest is still moving. I want to take a picture, but feel like I'd be breaking some unspoken rule about letting sleepy ninjas lie.
Again, it seems like something I would've made up, not something that would realy happen, and I actually stop and look around us, searching for clues that this is all some elaborate piece of performance art, a Juggalo Truman Show staged for our benefit. I find no indication of that.
Next we pass a dunk tank next to a Chevy pick-up that's selling used tires out of the bed. For $5, you get 15 baseballs (15!) to try to knock Skinny Larry, a guy in clown make up and a tie-dyed shirt, into the dunk tank. That's two things you should know about Juggalos, they're constantly creating their own markets – for used tires, pipes, drugs, shirts, food, etc – and everything is ridiculously cheap. Our documentary director, Mike, an ex-pitcher who was throwing 94 in his days in the Cleveland Indians farm system, is an obvious choice to try the dunk tank, so we pay the guy in the sleeveless t-shirt manning the booth 10 dollars. Mike starts throwing. He hits the red target to Skinny Larry's right at least three times, hard, and nothing happens.
"Yeah, that one's f*cked up," sleeveless shirt guy says, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Mike starts aiming at the target on Skinny Larry's left.
All the while, Skinny Larry's heckling us in a meth head rasp that's a dead voice ringer for Sirius Radio's Scott Ferrall. "Show me what you got, Beanpole!" he shouts at Mike. Skinny Larry makes a raghead joke about the bandanna I'm wearing on my head, but I don't catch all of it. I think he's missing his front teeth. Mike grazes the target on Skinny Larry's left a couple times, but without the kind of direct hits he was getting on the right. He's just throwing and throwing. I don't know how many balls we have left, and no one seems to be counting. Finally, Sleeveless Shirt just walks up and punches the left target with his hand, dropping Skinny Larry into a waist deep tub. We walk away as Skinny Larry hoists himself back up onto the chair, muttering to himself and smoking a cigarette, suddenly looking melancholy. Hey, it's a living.
The documentary guys walk off to shoot scenery while Laremy and I hang in front of the Freakshow stage awaiting the wet t-shirt contest. Between yesterday's rain and the general environment of breezeless, stagnant humidity, everything is a giant mud pit, including the area in front of the stage. There are about 25 dudes milling about, and though we're there at the show's stated start time, the show is showing no signs of starting. I've begun chain smoking Newports, either out of Stockholm Syndrome or a desperate need to have something to do with my hands. A guy near the stage is selling Bud Lights and water out of a backpack. I buy three Bud Lights for five dollars. I think I paid eleven dollars for one at my last Giants game.
The emcee of the wet t-shirt contest is a forty-something, heavy-set Everlast type with a backwards baseball hat, basketball shorts, and a big gut. "We got four contestants, we need 30!" he exhorts the crowd in a plea that seems absurdly optimistic. "I see Juggalettes walking around out there, get 'em up here!" he croaks in the froggy Ferall voice that seems so prevalent here.
"Yo, we already talked to 'em!" a guy shouts back. Most people here treat the person on stage like they're talking directly to them.
I give out cigarettes while we wait, and we end up talking to a couple early twenties-ish Juggalos from Dallas, a big guy in a wifebeater and his smaller friend, a slightly-built guy with ear plugs and shaggy bangs laying diagonally across his face. I offer them beers, but they're straight edge, both in recovery. Lieb, a former heroin addict in recovery himself, gets to talking to them about about the program. "So is being a Juggalo your higher power?" he asks, still wearing his yarmulke.
"No, man, God's my higher power," the big one says, respectfully.
They talk about the dumb shit they've done while high, how being around "the family" like this is their new high, and being able to make better decisions now. "These are the kind of decisions you make when you're high," the big one says, pointing to his pockmarked arm, which is dimpled with either cigarette burns, or abscess scars from shooting up (he seems young for the latter). Then there's tattoos. The smaller guy shows us his new Twiztid ink on his shin. "Almost all of these I got when I was sober," he says. Lieb shows off the Far Side tattoo on his inner arm: "I was not sober when I got this."
Not having tats here definitely marks you as an outsider. I'd estimate probably 30 to 40 percent of the total crowd has Hatchet Men tats, specifically. Both Dallas guys are wearing Hatchet dogtags around their necks, which almost everyone here has.
The guys from Dallas start listing off old friends not in recovery who've died recently, seven in the last year, the big guy tells us, including someone named Skinny Pete, and another friend who passed the day they left for the Gathering. The distance between SNL's "RIP, Ass Dan" running joke on SNL's Gathering of the Juggalos sketch and reality is so small you'd need a special microscope to see it. RIP signs are everywhere, including a guy dragging around a big white flag that just says "RIP Uncle Ken."


text:
Those who think that English food cannot suit Thai people's flavor may have to erase that thought from their memories. Honestly, I am a real English food lover for a long time. I am particularly fond of traditional English food in the pub (A pub in Britain is different from a pub in Thailand. A pub or public house in Britain is a meeting place for the community. Several pubs allow children accompanied by their parents to dine together.)
In addition, England is currently overwhelmed with new restaurants operated by young-blood English chefs or foreign chefs who migrated into the country since they were young.
Let's start with the one-starred Michelin restaurant recently opened in spring 2013. It is located at the center of Birmingham in West Midlands, 2 .30 hours away from London.
The restaurant is called Adam's, named after the name of the chef and owner of the restaurant, Adam Stokes, who became a shining star of Birmingham. After 6 months of opening the restaurant, it was successfully accredited one Michelin star. It is the fourth restaurant in Birmingham awarded such an honor star. It is not easy to be awarded the star because food must be delectable, services must be perfectly served and the restaurant must be elegantly decorated.
Adam's is a very tiny contemporary fine dining restaurant with only 25 seats. Therefore, reservation should be made prior to visiting the restaurant. The restaurant is ornately and contemporarily decorated with 3D paintings making the corridor looks deeper and comfortable to walk in.
The food here looks wonderful and exciting because Chef Adam incredibly combines several ingredients to create different flavors and texture with varied dimensions going along each other well. It seems like he is conducting a symphony orchestra.
The "Tasting 9" course menu consists of 9 courses including small Brown Shrimp poured over by béarnaise. I must say that it is amazingly delectable and full-flavored. The followed dish which really fantasized me is called Sweetbreads. It is not bread but a thymus gland or the pancreas of a sheep. Crispy fried with appealing scent and poured with white onion sauce accompanied with bright white milled pearl barley, it was the most delectable dish that satisfied my appetite.
Next is Monkfish which looks quite weird. Its head is large with full teeth in its mouth. Its tail has such delicious taste like lobsters and is served with braised and tender Ox Cheek.
Wood Pigeon is another wonderful dish served with beetroot which suits Thai people. It is not too salty and can beat Hong Kong Pigeon well followed by Scallops, Roasted Cauliflower and Smokes Onion.
Next was a soft pink lamb without stink. Served with vegetable sauce, it was so flavorsome and not greasy. All dishes are served with a variety of sauces that well suits Thai people's appetite.
It's the time for desserts. Next dish was peach cream sprinkled with crispy flour. It is soft Dark Chocolate with Earl Grey Sponge and Malted Barley. Followed by blackberry and apple fruits which not only fresh but also crispy, soft and creamy fruits were served in one bite.
I have tried several Michelin Star restaurants but Adam's is one of the best restaurants I love. It is worth making a way through Birmingham. You will realize how delectable flavors and texture the food is at this restaurant.
21A Bennett's Hill, Birmingham, West Midlands B2 5QP
Tel: +44 121 643 3745
It is well-recognized among Thai people that Chinese food in England is luscious. I normally select Chinese food in very Chinese restaurants. Like when we go abroad, we will visit the restaurants owned by Thai people, not by the other Asian nations. (I once visited the restaurant operated by people other than Thais where omelet was not similar to Thai recipe at all.)
Everything has exception. Apart from roasted duck at Four Seasons in Queensway where Thai people visiting London must drop by, I highly recommend you to try dumpling at the one starred-Michelin restaurant named Hakkasan.
Hakkasan is a modern Cantonese restaurant which has such outstanding uniqueness and contemporarily decorated by dark gold and black tone where Fine dining which similar to classy European restaurants is provided for customers. The food is modern and recognized as an evolution of Chinese food. Importantly, the food is delicious and unique.
The first branch, Hakkasan Hanway Place, was opened in 2001 and accredited Michelin star for 12 years. There is another branch at Mayfair in London and another 12 branches across the world.
Lunch on that day was fully served with impressively elegant, luscious and modern dumpling menu. I started with Seafood Dumpling Consomme fully stuffed with crab. It was two times larger than my mouth and the soup was sweet and odoriferous.
Followed by Scallop Shumai and XO Scallop Dumpling, it is cooked from glutinous rice flour stuffed with spicy scallop XO sauce. Another delicious dish was Steamed Crab Meat Siew Long Bun stuffed with crabs and hot soup. Using a spoon to taste the soup first, I took time enjoying its appetite little by little. In addition, Har Gau fully stuffed with shrimps and crunchy Three-Style Mushroom Cheung Fun poured with special soy sauce were served.
Fried stuff was great. There were Crispy smoked duck and Pumpkin Puff. It is cooked from glutinous rice flour stuffed with smoked duck and formed into a small size of pumpkin making it so lovely to taste. Crispy Duck Roll that tasted like Peking duck, Fried Taro Pear with Chicken accompanied with pear-shaped sesame and crispy-outside-and-creamy-inside Sticky Rice Roll were followed.
The most exciting thing in Hakkasan is that Cantonese style desserts are not available but Western-style desserts. The best dessert that can beat French is crunchy Chocolate Cherry Bar and fresh Cherry Pate De Fruit with Cherry Sorbet. It arouses my craving while I am writing this article and I want to visit the restaurant again.
There are plenty of menu items at Hakkasan. You can visit the website www.hakkasan.com for more information. Don't forget to dress up in Smart Casual when visiting the restaurant.
Hakkasan Hanway Place
Hakkasan Hanway Place
8 Hanway Place London W1T 1HD
+44 (0) 207 927 7000
Reservations firstname.lastname@example.com
There is a large traditional Chinese restaurant in Marylebone fully packed with round tables evoking a feeling of Hong Kong restaurant. It is a popular restaurant among English and Asian people. Specially, it is the selected place for Thais who live there to welcome their guests from Thailand.
Menu items served on the table include crispy Soft Shell Crab with Fresh Salad put on top of each other and nearly overflowing the plate. Then it was followed by my favorite dish Fresh Lobster with Ginger & Scallion and gummy Sauteed Monk Fish Fillet that tasted like lobsters fried with Chinese Broccoli.
In addition, palatable Sweet & Sour King Prawn, Crispy Squid with Chilli filled with scented Garlic & Peppercorn Salt and a big plate of Seafood Fried Rice in Lotus Leaf Wrap were served.
5 Glentworth Street, London NW1 5PG
Tel: +44 20 7486 3515
What's more, I proudly present our over-ten-year favorite restaurant regularly visited by M.R. Thanadsri for his lunch. The restaurant is quite far away so those who want to visit there must have vehicles (60 km. away from London). It is located at a small village called Sonning on Thames near Reading.
It is a luxury restaurant and inn opened over 200 years ago. In the past, it was a Coaching Inn where French Horn travellers could rest in. The restaurant is situated near the Thames River where it is just as narrow as Bangkok Noi Canal. Those who come with girlfriends may take this special chance to propose marriage. I ensure that they will not hesitate to accept your proposals because the atmosphere is really romantic to do so.
Arriving at there, we were escorted by a smart staff to a living room. We ordered some stuff to build up our appetites. In front of a fireplace stood four roasted ducks sucked on steel poles, slowly rotated. We suddenly realized that the four ducks on the steel pole slowly rotating around themselves were our wonderful dish that is called Spit Roasted Duck on French Fire.
After taking time drinking, we moved to the glassed dining room with Thames River view (It is better to call Thames Canal) and garden view. Lunch time was normally full with customers. All of them dressed up in well-cut suits.
All food at French Horn is so great. You can select any of them to suit your flavor. Most importantly, what I never miss for every trip to England is Half a Spit Roasted Duck served with an Apple Sauce, Dry Sage seasoning and a Rich Duck Sauce accompanied with baked potatoes, mushrooms and vegetables. Another recommended dish for meat lovers is Aberdeen Angus Sirloin Steak. It came in a thick piece with layers of fat around its edge that you will ask for more. After visiting this restaurant, you may boast for your whole life that you once have tried the most delicious food on the British Islands.
The French Horn, Sonning on Thames,
Berkshire, RG4 6TN
Tel: +44 (0) 118 969 2204
There are several delectable food in England that I have not had mentioned about. These are afternoon tea, fish & chips, which is a symbol of England, tender roasted beef and Sunday Roast. You are more than welcome to visit and hunt for amazing food. I believe that you will love English food.


text:
Long-lasting and low maintenance, LED-based light sources are an excellent solution for all lighting applications. For optimal performance, these solutions require reliable drivers matching the long lifetime of the LEDs. The Philips Advance Xitanium LED Outdoor Driver portfolio offers a range of products specially designed to operate LED solutions in outdoor applications. These drivers are designed for hard-wired integration into outdoor luminaires for the most rugged applications. They operate to specification under wide temperature and electrical ranges to ensure reliability.
For Ordering Information, see the datasheets under the Downloads.


text:
Media Blogging Templates
We have a collection of 48 designs in this area!
These media blogging templates deal with all sorts of media such as movies, radio, music, television, Internet, cable, telephone, and other networking tools. If you are a media company, provide media related services, or you're even just someone with a large collection of movies you like to write about, there's a few media blogging templates here that can work for you.
Our blogging templates are pre-made templates for popular blogging software. Our media blogging templates will give your blog a professional, high quality look that will impress your visitors. These unique beautiful designs are simple to customize and will allow your media blogging website to stand apart from everyone else. If you already have a blogging website you may consider switching to one of our attractive themes we offer without losing any of the blogging content you have created.


text:
Retro Fonts : the real thing
One of my serious on-going complaints in the graphic arts industry is the use of the term "retro" -- fewer and fewer designers actually know what it means. We're seeing literally hundreds of tutorials titled retro-this or retro-that. So, listen up young designers: here's the quintessential reference on the use of 'retro' fonts. In fact, it's called RETROFONTS! September 29, 2011


text:
THAI welcomes you with a lively soul from "The Land of Smiles". We offer more than any of the typical economy class airlines, with our spacious exclusive cabin, impeccable service and award-winning cuisine.
Since the early years, our priority has always been the satisfaction of our passengers, therefore, we never stop developing and upgrading our services to assure that we meet all your needs and maintain our reputation as being among the best in the business. We continue to provide a world-renowned service with innovation to ensure your journey is as smooth as silk.
Seat Features
As you embark on your journey, sit back, relax and enjoy the extensive "Media Library" with a vast selection of movies and a wealth of selected songs at your fingertips on your very own personal in-seat touch screen monitor.
We also offer wider seats with more than generous legroom that you cannot find amongst other worldwide airlines. So to provide a more relaxed journey and leaving you feeling refreshed.
We invite you to hop on board Thailand's flagship carrier and experience the warmth and hospitality of "The Land of Smiles".
THAI Sky Connect
Catch up on the world of business and surf social media. For your convenience, THAI Sky Connect in-flight Wi-Fi service is offered on Airbus A330-200(33H) and 380-800 flights. The internet is accessible on your laptop, tablet or smart phone. Service fees are payable by either credit card or debit card.


text:
lannym34 needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 21 designs submitted by 9 freelance designers.
Redesign this web site to improve conversion. Vemma-Verve.com Ranked #2 in google for Verve Energy Drink
Want someone to re-design the site and so it converts better.
Verve is a healthy alternative to red bull, monster and rock star. It HAS A 100% EMPTY CAN MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
Goto http://www.vemma-verve.com for content
Verve Energy Drink
Want a new web design that will get people to try Verve Risk Free. Customers can send back the empty cans for a full refund. Customers will also get 2 free websites that they can refer to their friends and make money on, so they can get paid to drink energy drinks. It is $65 for a case of Verve (24 cans)
I want to keep the videos on the site, everything below the Entrepreneur magazine article is there for content.
Free Bonuses that customers get when they buy:
Road Map to Success $20 value
Dr. Edwards Secrets to Mangosteen and Minerals $10 Value
Minimum of 2 hours Personal Coaching and mentorship by Entrepreneurs Lanny and Deena Morton $1000 value
You can get some verve graphics by going to vemma.com, clicking MEMBER LOGIN
user name is vervecontest password is password
click downloads link on the right side navigation
Scroll down to see verve images and banner ads link to see pre-existing banners.
Will pay an extra $50 if you can code it
let me know in the remarks section if you can
- Conversion is the key, it's all about results
- Communicate clearly that buying is risk free
- 100% empty can money back guarantee
- Bonuses spelled out clearly
- Item 1...


text:
McCombs Home ·
Departments ·
Finance ·
Centers of Excellence & Programs
The AIM Investment Center (AIM) is a nexus for integrating financial research, investment education and practice at the University. It brings together financial support, information resources and intellectual capital to support teachers, students, those who further knowledge in the field through research, and people seeking to enhance the practice of investment management.
The Financial Trading & Technology Center (FTTC), part of the AIM Investment Center is a hub for finance programs for MBAs and undergraduates. It's a laboratory for the creation of innovative teaching techniques applied to all levels of education. FTTC supports academic activities like classroom instruction, videoconferences, special presentation/events, data-feed workshops, and simulation trading games.
The Energy Management and Innovation Center (EMIC) offers a variety of initiatives designed to reach out to business leaders and policy makers who are interested in more effectively managing energy resources, successfully commercializing innovative technologies, and shaping future energy policy. EMIC draws on expertise from across the University of Texas to offer a multidisciplinary approach to educate future business and policy leaders, creating a new generation of problem solvers. The Energy Management and Innovation Center has established a core of energy-specific business curriculum that will guide the education of business and policy leaders in the decades ahead. Approximately 80 MBA students and 100 undergraduate students participate in energy-specific courses, workshops, practicums and/or projects each year.
The Center for Energy Finance Education & Research (CEFER) is the focal point for the creation of the leading academic program in energy finance and financial risk management. It encourages curriculum development in corporate finance and financial risk management applied to energy and financial commodities and supports faculty development and research in the Department of Finance.
The Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Center for Private Equity Finance (HMTF) supports curriculum development in private equity specialization at the McCombs School MBA program. The center fosters faculty and student research and scholarship on issues related to private equity finance, capital markets, corporate finance, investments, real estate, and other more.
The Texas Real Estate Center advances curriculum development in real estate at the University. It encourages faculty research and development within the department. The Center is a model for the creation of a nationally recognized real estate program.
The Corporate Finance Fellows Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity available to BBA and MBA students looking to gain hands-on experience with applying finance tools and methods to corporate finance problems. Students work with major corporations in a team setting to help solve real-world projects with industry experts. Following a semester of classroom-based project work, students complete a summer internship with the corporate sponsor for their group.
Page last updated: 11/27/2017
By phone: (512) 471-5921
2110 Speedway
Austin, TX 78705
Rowling Hall
300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Austin, TX 78712
McCombs School of Business,
The University of Texas at Austin |
Contact Us


text:
Top Hickory Hills Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers - Illinois
Ready and willing to fight for you. Trust our experience for asbestos injury cases. Contact us today for a Free consultation.
Commitment You Can Trust The law firm of George & Farinas, LLP, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, provides exceptional and committed legal representation to clients. Our focus includes wrongful death, workplace hazard, toxic torts, workplace injury, workplace toxins, asbestos diseases including asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, Mesothelioma and other serious personal injury cases. With decades...
Get help now. Proven Mesothelioma & Asbestos firm that comes to you. Over $5 billion recovered for families nationwide.
Leaders In Mesothelioma Litigation | Helping Families Nationwide To Recover From Dangerous Product Injuries At Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, we are one of the nation's leading mesothelioma law firms. From our office in Alton, Illinois, we represent clients nationwide who suffer with injuries and diseases caused by asbestos and other dangerous products. We are known widely for our work in mesothelioma...
We are a National Asbestos Law Firm with a deep commitment to our clients. Record-setting verdicts and settlements.
Few law firms have the necessary knowledge and expertise to successfully handle asbestos exposure and mesothelioma claims. Based in New York, New York, Levy Konigsberg LLP is a pioneer in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation. For over 30 years, we have dedicated our skills, experience and resources to victims of asbestos exposure and their loved ones. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed...
Injured? No office visit necessary. Call Now.
For more than 30 years, Klest Injury Law Firm has fought for the injured, seeking maximum compensation for victims of negligence. Our record of success includes numerous million-dollar jury awards and settlements. Attorney Joseph Klest has won a national reputation for his trial advocacy skills and ability to win challenging and high-profile personal injury cases. Mr. Klest is dedicated to helping...
Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers Serving Hickory Hills, IL (Nationwide)
Client-focused mesothelioma attorneys who have helped asbestos victims for 40 years. Put a reputable firm on your side.
Experience. Innovation. Determination. At Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, these are the qualities that set our firm apart. Our attorneys have a reputation for providing skilled, tenacious legal representation. We use a combination of innovative and tried-and-true legal strategies to protect our clients rights and interests. From our office in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, we...
Gori Julian & Associates, P.C.
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers Serving Hickory Hills, IL (Nationwide)
We help Mesolthelioma victims nationwide and we will come to you. OVER $1 BILLION RECOVERED for our clients!
Free Consultation
Boutique law firm with 20 years of asbestos litigation experience. We offer personal attention and resources to each client.
Free Consultation
Combining hard work, preparation & strategic thinking, we've obtained nearly a billion dollars for our clients.
Free Consultation
Choosing the right Mesothelioma law firm is a personal decision. Sokolove Law is the nation's most trusted Mesothelioma law firm
Free Consultation
Mark L. Karno & Associates, L.L.C.
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers Serving Hickory Hills, IL (Chicago)
Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers Serving Hickory Hills, IL (Naperville)


text:
Battle Rap Goes Wrong: Guy Mentions School Death & Crowd Erupts! "You Better Run Buddy"
fast forward to 2 min: 28 second mark
Posted by http://www.facebook.com/thataintordinarybruh
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Tomorrow, I am returning to beautiful Colorado. And this time, I'm taking my sweetie pie with me!
Somehow we knew this vacation (just the two of us!) would be much needed. And that, my friend, would be an understatement. A few weeks ago, we returned from some relaxing days in Florida and since then, I feel we have barely seen each other. Our days usually progress as so: a quick kiss good-bye in the morning, work, gym, dinner, dishes, more work (MBA application work for Mike, wedding planning for me), go to sleep too late, get up and start it all over again. Minimal cuddling time. Dislike.
On top of our hectic schedules, we are both looking to the next year with a lot of excitement and anticipation, but also with some anxiety about things that are out of our control, you know, things like where we will be living in a year. Mike and I are both planners: totally type-a, completely detail-oriented. I find myself repeating, "It's okay, it will all work out," a lot - both to myself and out loud.
It is okay. It will all work out. There are moments when I feel frustrated and overwhelmed and want to cry. Moments when I just cannot look at another wedding blog. Moments when I just can't figure out another "What if?" scenario if we do actually pack our bags for another city. But there are significantly more moments that bring tears to my eyes because I just feel so incredibly blessed. Blessed to have my family, friends, co-workers. Beyond blessed to be able to marry the man who makes me the happiest girl in the world.
So off we go! Time to relax! Time to rock climb, hike, breathe fresh air, and drink too much beer! Cheers to that!


text:
Content courtesy ofThe 17' (5.18 m) Super Sport is the largest boat in the builder's 3-boat Super Sport Series which starts at 11' (3.35 m). The 170 is a blend of Boston Whaler's classic styling brought up-to-date for the 21st Century with a more sea-kindly bottom and a sweet, subtle curve to her sheer. The 170 Super Sport's uncomplicated deck layout and 6'10" (2.08 m) beam provides a spacious bow and roomy cockpit. Although rated for 40-hp to 90-hp, she is equipped with a standard 60-hp (44.13 Kw) Mercury EFI engine.
Key Features
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.
The 170 Super Sport from Boston Whaler is an uncomplicated, simple boat that can be used for most anything in protected water. She can be fished from, yet can have enough power to delight skiers and wakeboarders if equipped with the correct options. She is also a functional, light "utility" boat, ideal for knocking around the harbor or bay. She has an affordable price point and is easy to trailer. She is the right size for youngsters to handle by themselves and learn the basics of boating and watersports.
Boston Whaler is a brand with generations of avid brand enthusiasts. They will cite the attention to quality components and durability of the builder's various models. Their rigs are known to last and hold their value over time. And, of course, all the Boston Whaler boats provide level floatation no matter what their size. It is the company that convinced the USCG many years ago to make level flotation mandatory for all powered boats 20' (6.09 m) and below built in the U.S. or built for the U.S. market.
Basic Equipment
In spite of her simplicity, the 170 Super Sport is surprisingly adaptable. The basic boat package is complete with a 60-hp (44.13 Kw) Mercury BigFoot 4-stroke engine, tachometer and a galvanized trailer with a swing tongue but no brakes. She has a standard stainless steel steering wheel, three 8" (.20 cm) stainless steel cleats, welded stainless steel side rails and stainless steel cup holders. Her other standard features include:
Versatile options are available for towing enhancement: a ski tow (available only with the optional 90-hp outboard. (66.9 Kw) engine); a tow arch with stainless steel prop (also compatible only with the 90-hp engine); the optional tow arch has an available suntop.
A standard large, side seat/console cooler with an optional padded top doubling as a footrest for the passenger port seating is removable to provide a level walkway forward to the bow.
Optional bucket sport seats with cushions swivels to the spotter position for watersports.
Optional fishing amenities including a carry-on livewell, a pedestal fishing seat and rail-mounted rod holder and a stern poling platform with rod holders.
Colored Hull.
Three optional colors are available: Desert Tan, Glacier Green, and Light Blue.
Boat Inspection
Boarding the 170 Super Sport at the stern, passengers will step into the cockpit via port and starboard transom boarding steps. Her transom height is 20'' (.51 cm). A swim ladder is standard. The 170's draft is only 9'' (.23 cm), enabling anglers to move into skinny waters. Moving forward to the console, her freeboard is 24.5'' (.62 cm).
The design of the fixed bench seat provides no option other than to step over it to move forward from the aft section. At the helm, we find a console equipped with the standard stainless steel steering wheel, a tachometer, side-mounted Mercury control, a safety switch, 12V power receptacle and drink holder. A recess holds a small standard waterproof Pelican case which is ideal for a wallet and cell phone. A control for the optional stereo radio is also located at the helm. Across to the port side, there is a side storage compartment with a mesh retaining net.
The boat comes standard with a conventional thwart. Seat options to place on the bench are many. In addition to the standard bench, the 170 may be outfitted with a simple bench pad, two sport bucket seats (the passenger seat swivels to face aft), or a bench seat with backrest. In addition, a helm seat with a hinged backrest is also available.The standard cooler compartment may be covered with an optional pad, and it serves as a footrest for the passenger console seat. It is also removable to permit movement to the bow without stepping over the cooler.
The Bow.
Forward, the bow feels very roomy in spite of the 170's 6' 10" (20.8 m) beam. There is adequate cockpit depth forward of the console, however, due to her relatively low gunwale height at the bow platform, for safety reasons the optional stainless steel bow rail is a recommend feature if this is to be a family fun boat. Stainless steel handrails port and starboard are standard.There is a standard bow locker storage compartment with hinged fiberglass cover and overboard drain. For comfort, an optional padded bow seat is available.
The 170 Super Sport has, of course, a cockpit drain plug and the basic rig is easy to clean and maintain because she is so uncomplicated. There is ample leg room for passengers enjoying cruising or watersports, and the bow platform as well as the spacious cockpit aft of the bench seating provides casting space for anglers.
Construction Details
The 170 Super Sport is built with Boston Whaler's rigid construction and dependable handling, attributes this manufacturer is known for. And, Boston Whaler has long guaranteed their products' flotation capabilities, trademarking the term, "The Unsinkable Legend".
Foam Filled.
Boston Whaler has a unique foam-cored construction process; when the deck and hull sections are joined, expandable foam is injected into the entire length of the hull, not only to bolster floatation, but to add strength and serve as a bonding component as well. BoatTEST.com has made a video showing this process that we recommend viewing. https://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?SubID=2400&ID=2812
Of course, the USCG requires level flotation when swamped, for powered boats 20' (6.09 m) in length and smaller.
Engine Description and Options
We have not tested this boat so can make no comment on performance. The base package for the 170 Super Sport includes the 60-hp Mercury 4-stroke EFI engine. The manufacturer says that with this engine, two passengers and minimal gear on board, the 170 will plane in 4.8 seconds. Her speed from idle to 30 mph (48.3 kph) was measured at 14.0 seconds, according to the builder.
90-hp Option.
The optional 90-hp Mercury 4-stroke EFI outboard is a must, depending on certain optional ski tow accessories selected for the 170 Super Sport. According to the builder, with the 90-hp Mercury, test results take her to plane faster, measured at 4.0 seconds. Her speed from idle to 30 mph with the 90 is quicker, measured at 9.7 seconds.
The 170 Super Sport base package with 60-hp. Mercury engine factory installed with tachometer, and basic galvanized trailer is priced at $22,306 MSRP.This relatively low base price for a dependable 17' (5.18 m) sport runabout is possible due to the simple, no frills equipment on the 170.
Pricing of Major Options
Accessories for the 170 Super Sport are focused primarily on watersport options, however, the optional windshield is priced at $249 MSRP. A black suntop with boot is listed as priced at $1,145. The suntop is incompatible with the optional tow arch.The optional stainless steel bow rail, also incompatible with the tow arch, is priced at $937. The 19 gal. (71.9 L) topside fuel tank option is $422. The poling platform (not compatible with the optional ski tow or tow arch) is priced at $1,567.Buyers may choose from 3 hull side gelcoat colors instead of the standard red graphics and striping at a cost of $941.As for popular available sport accessories, the tow arch comes with a stainless steel performance prop and is priced at $2,446 MSRP. It is available only with the 90-hp Mercury engine and incompatible with the ski tow, or bow rail. An attaching tow arch wakeboard rack is also an option. A black suntop is available for the tow arch, priced at $850. A special bow rail designed to fit with the tow arch is listed at $781. The alternative stern ski tow negates the poling platform option, and is priced at $801.
First, the 170 Super Sport is affordably priced. When we factor in Boston Whaler's earned reputation for quality, the 170 is a strong, value-priced option for boaters seeking an open utility boat in her class. Loyal Boston Whaler fans will testify that they consider their boat an investment, holding value extremely well over time. While all builders say their boats hold value better than the competition, this size Boston Whaler really does.
Then, there is her compact footprint. With an LOA of 17' (5.18 m), and the compact trailer with swing-away tongue, the 170 Super Sport is easy to store and will park in most residential garages. Her weight with the larger engine and trailer is roughly 2,400 lbs. (1,091 kg), putting her comfortably within range of most tow vehicles in the mid-size SUV/light pick-up class, and even some mid-sized crossover vehicles.
Minimal Maintenance.
On board, her austere, Spartan approach means there are fewer snaps, clips, straps and gadgets to go wrong or require attention. The simple styling of transom, helm, cockpit, bow and available upholstery makes the 170 Super Sport easy to clean and maintain. Too much time readying the boat for a day on the water means less time on the water enjoying the boat.
Exterior Features
Pricing Range: $23,951.00Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.


text:
Monday, August 31, 2009
Four technologies offering best investment profile in 2009
Over at Computer Economics, we've released our new study, Technology Trends and IT Management Best Practices 2009/2010. It's based on our annual survey, which also produces our IT spending and staffing benchmarks.
For the first time this year, we not only analyzed each technology in isolation but also in comparison with each other, looking at adoption vs. current investment levels as well as risk versus reward (cost versus payback). In doing this we found four technologies that stand out as having the strongest investment characteristics: server virtualization, storage virtualization, unified communications, and cloud computing.
You can read a summary of these findings on our website.
You can also download the first nine pages of the full report, free.
The full report also analyzes adoption trends for 10 selected IT management best practices.by Frank Scavo, 8/31/2009 01:44:00 PM | permalink | e-mail this!
Read/post comments! (0)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Optimizing ERP support staffing in smaller companies
I had an interesting analyst request today. An IT manager for a midsize company recently purchased our Computer Economics ERP Support Staffing Ratios report and wonders how the ratios would apply to a smaller business.
He writes:We purchased the study "ERP Support Staffing Ratios". It was very helpful. Question - We are implementing an new ERP system, and bringing it up a little at a time. We are trying to get a benchmark for the minimum ERP IT support staff that would be required; regardless of the size of the user base.Smaller firms are at a disadvantage
Alternatively stated, if a company implemented a comprehensive ERP system, but only had 50-100 users, there is probably a minimum core staff the would be required to support it.
If you could take a look at the information underlying the study and try to shed some light on this for us, it would be very helpful. For example, what seems to be the typical (median) staffing ratio for the smaller user population groups?
I responded that the report itself gives the answer, as the number of users per support staff member in small companies (under 200 users) is less than half of the number for organizations with 200 to 500 users. (Actually when you go to over 500 users, the number almost doubles again). In other words, there are tremendous economies of scale in ERP support staffing. In small companies, you need twice the number of support staff per 100 users as you do in midsize companies. (Buy the full report if you want the actual stats.)
Now, having said that, I would say, based on my experience, that when you get into the smaller companies, it all depends on what system you are implementing. I have seen or heard of MS Axapta or QAD sites of 50-100 users that are effectively managed by one full time IT person. But you rarely see that with Oracle or SAP, for example. Our report shows that Tier I systems simply have a bigger footprint, requiring more ERP support staff.
Think outside the FTE box
At the same time, smaller organizations should be thinking about outsourcing much of their ERP support. They simply do not have the scale to have a full-time apps programmer, plus a fulltime DBA, and a full-time help desk person. And these roles are not really suitable for a single person. A better approach would be to go ahead and staff the help desk but contract out the DBA work and apps work (e.g. applying patches or upgrades). Many small companies are too reliant on one or two IT staff members, and when they leave or become disgruntled it can be a real problem. If you get the right contractors, this also provides for better coverage and may actually provide for longer continuity of support personnel than relying on full-time employees.
The full report on ERP Support Staffing Ratios is on our website. A free executive summary is also available.
Related posts
ERP support costs: the offshore modelby Frank Scavo, 8/26/2009 06:24:00 PM | permalink | e-mail this!
Read/post comments! (2)
Monday, August 10, 2009
2009 IT spending and staffing benchmarks
Over at Computer Economics, we've released our new IT Spending and Staffing Benchmarks 2009/2010 study, in this, its 20th year of publication.
The current economic recession has had significant impact on typical IT budget and headcount ratios. Our new study, based on our 2009 survey provides updated metrics for planning and benchmarking IT spending and staffing levels.
Some of the key findings:
The annual study is based on an in-depth survey of more than 200 IT executives who provide detailed breakdowns of their budgets, staffing, and technology adoption plans for the 2009-2010 period. The survey sample includes a roughly equal number of small, medium, and large enterprises. The respondents are stratified according to 12 industry sectors to provide a representative sample of IT organizations across all industries.
- Sectors showing the sharpest decline in median IT operational spending include discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, and retail. Median IT budgets are down 5.5%, 2.5%, and 1%, respectively in those sectors.
- Certain sectors, however, are continuing to show positive growth in their 2009/2010 IT operational budgets. These sectors include banking and finance at 4.9%, healthcare providers at 4.7%, professional and technical service firms at 4.0%, and utilities and energy at 1.3%.
- 46% of all IT organizations plan to reduce headcount this year, compared to 27% that are increasing headcount. Another 27% of IT organizations report their staffing levels will remain the same as last year.
- However, some sectors are showing continuing growth in IT staffing. For example, nearly 63% of survey respondents in the healthcare provider sector reported they were increasing IT staff this year.
A free executive summary is available on the Computer Economics website.by Frank Scavo, 8/10/2009 01:32:00 PM | permalink | e-mail this!
Read/post comments! (0)
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
FDA still enforcing regulations for validation of enterprise software
IT organizations in the medical device industry take note. A business associate calls my attention to a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter to a medical device firm for "failure to validate computer software for its intended use" under 21 CFR § 820.70(i). The systems in question are based on packaged enterprise software. The letter is reminder that when such systems are implemented in regulated industries, it is incumbent on the user organization to ensure that such use is validated.
This is all in the public record, so I have no problem providing the specifics.
The letter, dated May 29, 2009, is addressed to UltraRad Corporation, a provider of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). PACS are regulated by FDA as medical devices, because they are "intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or is intended to affect the structure or function of the body." As a medical device, UtraRad's products must comply with the Quality System Regulation (21 CFR Part 820) or QSR for short.
The Violation
FDA's warning letter, based on an inspection carried out in February and March of this year, points to a number of violations of the QSR. From the perspective of enterprise software, however, the most interesting citation is the one concerning software validation:4. Failure to validate computer software for its intended use according to an established protocol when computers or automated data processing systems are used as part of production or the quality system as required by 21 CFR § 820.70(i). This was a repeat violation from a previous FDA-483 that was issued to your firm. For example:Implications for ITA) Your firm uses off-the-shelf software (HEAT Help Desk) to manage customer support service calls and to maintain customer site configuration information; however, your firm failed to adequately validate this software in order to ensure that it will perform as intended in its chosen application. Specifically. your firm's validation did not ensure that the details screen was functioning properly as intended. The details screen is used to capture complaint details and complaint follow-up information which would include corrective and preventative actions performed by your firm when service calls are determined to be CAPA issues.
B) Off-the-shelf software (Microsoft SharePoint) is being used by your firm to manage your quality system documents for document control and approval. However, your firm has failed to adequately validate this software to ensure that it meets your needs and intended uses. Specifically. at the time of this inspection there were two different versions of your CAPA & Customer Complaint procedure, SOP-200-104; however, no revision history was provided on the SharePoint document history. Your firm has failed to validate the SharePoint software to meet your needs for maintaining document control and versioning.
Note that the two software packages--HEAT and Sharepoint--are widely implemented across various industries. HEAT, from Front Range Solutions, is a commonly-used system for help desk support. Sharepoint, of course, is Microsoft's collaboration and content management server. Neither of these systems are specific to the medical device industry. As such, IT professionals--especially those without a background in regulatory affairs--may not recognize the risk they incur when implementing these systems in a regulated environment. In fact, the software vendors themselves may be unfamiliar with the compliance needs of their customers in regulated industries.
One common misunderstanding is that the customer's responsibility for compliance can be met by the vendor somehow "validating" its software. Vendor claims notwithstanding, vendors cannot sell you "compliant software" or "FDA validated software." Terms like this in vendor marketing literature should be a red flag that the vendor does not have a clue.
Technically, it is not the software itself that is validated, it is the software in its intended use that should be validated. One customer may be using the software in a way that is altogether inappropriate in a regulated environment, while another customer may be using the software in a way that fits its intended use. Although a software vendor can support its customers' compliance--by providing evidence of software quality, for example--ultimately it is the responsibility of the user of the system to ensure that the system itself, and how it is implemented and used, are appropriate. UltraRad, according to the FDA warning letter, failed to do so.
FDA warning letters citing failure to validate commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) are not an everyday occurrence. This one, which so clearly cites this violation is a good reminder of the responsibility of regulated organizations that implement such systems.
For more guidance on this subject, see Validation of Software for Regulated Processes (TIR-36) from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). I served on the AAMI committee that wrote this report in 2007, and it provides a good overview and recommendations to industry on an approach to comply with FDA regulations for these types of systems.
Related posts
Turning software validation into a meaningful exercise
A quality systems view of 21 CFR Part 11
Oracle unveils new electronic signature functionality for FDA regulated manufacturers
FDA finalizes guidance for 21 CFR Part 11
FDA drops the other shoe on Part 11
FDA signals change in approach to Part 11
Possible solution for FDA electronic record audit trail compliance
Business success is more than regulatory compliance
Buzzword alert: "Part 11 compliance"by Frank Scavo, 8/05/2009 03:44:00 PM | permalink | e-mail this!
Read/post comments! (4)


text:
Livermore is a suburban city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Like its neighbor Pleasanton, it lies over the East Bay foothills in the Tri-Valley region, but just west of the Altamont Pass, which separates the Tri-Valley region from from the vast San Joaquin Valley.
Livermore has at least one claim to fame: it is home to the longest burning incandescent light bulb in the world. A light bulb that was installed at a local firehouse over 100 years ago is still burning today. For more information, see the [2].
It is also home to two national laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory. For more information, visit the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory [3] or Sandia National Laboratory [4] websites.
Get in[edit]
By Car[edit]
Interstate 580 is the city's main highway. Livermore is just a short drive from the center of the Bay Area.
By Bart[edit]
The nearest BART station is in Dublin/Pleasanton (you will need to take WHEELS bus to get there). Visit the BART [5] website for train details.
By Train[edit]
There is also a train station for the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) train in Livermore. The train takes you to Fremont and San Jose, or to Stockton.
By Air[edit]
Livermore has a general aviation airport
Get around[edit]
Wheels is the local bus service that will take you to Pleasanton and Dublin.
See[edit][add listing]
The Livermore Valley, which contains many wineries including the famous Wente Vineyards [6], is considered "wine country", and produces some of California's best wines. Visit the Livermore Valley Wine Growers [7] for more information. Altamont Raceway, where the infamous Altamont concert took place, is also located in the city.
Do[edit][add listing]
Altamont Raceway, where the infamous Altamont concert took place, is also located in the city.
Lake Del Valle: This park is ideal for picnicking, horseback riding, boating, fishing and swimming. Lake Del Valle is in Central Alameda County, about five miles south of the City of Livermore in the Arroya del Valle. The park is on Del Valle Road, just a few miles south of Interstate 580 in Livermore.
The Livermore Valley Opera [8] stages fall and spring productions of famous operas each year.
The California Independent Film Festival [9] is held annually at venues across Livermore.
Boomers [10] is a theme park with go-carts, miniature golf and arcades.
Eat[edit][add listing]
Donut Wheel is one of the few places in town open 24 hours. On the corner of First and L Streets, this Livermore staple marks the west entrance to the main downtown area. 2017 First Street, (925) 447-8190.
Drink[edit][add listing]
Panama Bay Coffee Co. has the best coffee in town. 2115 First Street, (925) 245-1700.
Sleep[edit][add listing]
Get out[edit]


text:
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array. (1 Chronicles 16:29 )
Liturgical prayer brings together our community in each of these times and binds us together in our joys and sorrows. Click here to find more information about becoming involved in our communal prayer.
Each week there are seven campus masses that choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists share their gifts with the Marquette community. Click here to learn more about music ministry at Marquette.
Want to get away? Come visit the places we are called to pray, worship, and reflect. If you would like to reserve a chapel for your group or organization, click here.


text:
Arizona Wildcats 2019 Wall Calendar
Price: 0.00 $17.99
This official 2019 Arizona Wildcats 12 x 12 Team Wall Calendar vividly displays full color Game Action Photos of past school greats! It features a Bonus Page with Team Record Holder Information and Team History along with Player Bio, Team Trivia Question, and also important NCAA Historical dates on each month. Any college sports fan would be proud to display a detailed historical calendar such as this one. (September 2018 thru December 2019).
**Ships Direct From Manufacturer in 1-2 days**
Currently there are no reviews for this product. Share your opinion with others, be the first to write a review.
Sale Item