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Drives Allow Consumers to Easily Store Critical Files with the Touch of a Button
CES 2009, South Hall, Booth # 30659, LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2009 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced an innovative new family of SanDisk® USB flash drives, including the world's first backup USB flash drive with simple backup software activation at the touch of a button. The SanDisk Ultra® Backup USB portable flash drive is the first offering of the company's new SanDisk Ultra USB product line. With capacities up to 64 gigabytes1 (GB), the SanDisk Ultra Backup USB flash drive is designed to protect computer users' photos, music, videos, personal and business documents, and other types of digital files, with the simple touch of a button. No software installation is needed. The drive protects onboard digital content with a dual layer of security, including password-protected access control and ultra-secure AES hardware-based encryption.2
The new SanDisk USB product family includes three different product lines:
SanDisk Ultra Backup USB Flash Drive: Back up critical files with the simple touch of a button
With no cables required, or any complicated software to install, the new SanDisk Ultra Backup USB flash drive is a complete backup solution that provides an incredibly easy way to protect digital files. It uses patent-pending backup technology with capacities up to 64GB, large enough to back up average consumer requirements, as well as critical small business files and documents. In addition to one's digital personal life, these products protect critical work files with a dual layer of both password protection and AES hardware encryption. This ensures content stays private and secure (via data scrambling at the flash controller level) when the drives are either physically removed for portability, or stored away for safe keeping.
The explosion in global sales of laptops and mobile devices has exponentially increased the vulnerability of digital files. Computer users can quickly lose precious photos, music, videos and professional work files due to drops, spills, theft, viruses and other incidents. PC Magazine (www.pcmag.com) conducted a research study on annualized notebook failure rates published in July 2008 which found that more than 24 percent of business notebooks need repair each year due to failures.
"Like flossing our teeth or balancing our checkbooks, when it comes to backing up our digital files, even though people know they should do it, they simply don't - and that behavior is putting many consumers' precious digital content at serious risk," said Kent Perry, director of USB product marketing, SanDisk. "We're delivering incredibly simple backup to protect people's most valuable digital content at Main Street prices. With our wide array of capacities and price points, consumers can even choose to store particular file types like digital music or photos on different USB flash drives."
A 2008 Consumer Electronics Association market research report, titled "Amassing Digital Fortunes: A Digital Storage Study," found the average U.S. online adult has nearly 1,800 files stored, and plans to store another 1,060 digital files during the next year. This amounts to approximately 30GB3 of content that needs to be backed up. The study found that digital photos are considered to be the most valuable because of their irreplaceable natures.
SanDisk Cruzer USB Flash Drive: Reliable storage with a new contemporary look
The SanDisk Cruzer has been redesigned with a contemporary look as part of the new SanDisk USB family of flash drives. These portable, reliable drives are designed to share consumers' digital world with ease, with up to 32GB of storage for simple sharing of photos, videos and other files.
The entire new SanDisk USB family introduces an iconic new design language developed by global innovation firm frog design. Signature design elements include juxtaposed L shapes that create a dynamic, yet balanced, composition, a bright red USB connector and a simple cap-less design, which exposes the USB connector for use via a dynamic sliding mechanism. When plugged in to a host device, a glowing, amber-colored LED light alerts users that the drives are ready for reading or writing data.
The new SanDisk USB family will continue to have U3™ Smart technology, developed by SanDisk, which allows applications to run from a SanDisk USB flash drive without having to be installed on a computer.4 PC-users can download a variety of both free and paid software, games and content by visiting www.u3.com, or by accessing the SanDisk USB Program Wizard in the U3 Launchpad. Among other bonus applications available for download is the Veoh™ Web Player for SanDisk, which enables users to watch, download and share Internet video content.
The various product lines of SanDisk USB flash drives will continue to include the sleek and high-performance SanDisk Extreme Contour as its high-end storage solution for maximum security and speed. This showpiece of innovative design sports super-fast data transfer speeds at 25MB/second read and 18MB/second write.5 It also includes superior security with 256-bit AES USB hardware encryption and password-protected access control.
Pricing and Availability
The new SanDisk USB flash drives will first become available in April 2009.6 The SanDisk Cruzer drive will be available in capacities of 4GB-32GB with MSRPs ranging between $24.99 and $99.99. The SanDisk Ultra Backup drive will be available in capacities of 8GB-64GB with MSRPs ranging between $39.99 and $199.99. The SanDisk Extreme Contour USB flash drive is available in major retailers today.
The SanDisk Cruzer drive includes a two-year limited warranty,7 the SanDisk Ultra Backup drive includes a five-year limited warranty, 8 and the SanDisk Extreme Contour includes a lifetime limited warranty.9
For more information, please visit www.sandisk.com/USB.
About SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation, the inventor and world's largest supplier of flash storage cards, is a global leader in flash memory - from research, manufacturing and product design to consumer branding and retail distribution. SanDisk's product portfolio includes flash memory cards for mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders; digital audio/video players; USB flash drives for consumers and the enterprise; embedded memory for mobile devices; and solid state drives for computers. SanDisk (www.sandisk.com/corporate) is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States.
1 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes. Some capacity is not available for data storage.
2 The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is an implementation of the Rijndael block cipher encryption algorithm. The algorithm accepts a block of input data, processes it using a supplied encryption key, and outputs a block of encrypted data. (Decryption works in the reverse, using the same key.) Longer key lengths make the encryption more secure, and various cipher modes can modify the operation of the basic algorithm. The SanDisk Ultra line provides 128-bit AES USB hardware encryption and the SanDisk Extreme line provides 256-bit AES USB hardware encryption.
3 This 30GB capacity is based on calculating the sum of the number of particular types of digital files by an average file size determined by SanDisk. The digital files used in this calculation include personal photos, music, videos, personal and business documents - but the average capacity figure needed for backup does not include commercial TV, videos or movies that could be easily replaced by re-purchasing them.
4 U3 functionality is not supported under Linux or Mac OS (any version), but the device is Mass Storage Class.
5 Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device. 1 megabyte (MB) = 1 million bytes.
6 SanDisk Cruzer (32GB) and SanDisk Ultra Backup (64GB) will be available outside of the U.S. in June 2009.
7 Two-year warranty in regions not recognizing "limited."
8Five-year warranty in regions not recognizing "limited."
9 Thirty-year warranty in Germany and other regions not recognizing "lifetime limited."
SanDisk's web site/home page address: http://www.sandisk.com
SanDisk's product and executive images can be downloaded from http://www.sandisk.com/corporate/mediakit SanDisk, the SanDisk logo, Cruzer, SanDisk Extreme and SanDisk Ultra are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Contour is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. U3 is a trademark of U3, LLC. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective holder(s).
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including expectations for new product introductions, specifications, applications, markets, customer acceptance and customers that are based on our current expectations and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: market demand for our products may grow more slowly than our expectations, our products may not be available at the prices, dates or in the capacities we anticipate, our products may not perform as expected, there may be a slower adoption rate for these products in new markets that we are targeting, and the other risks detailed from time-to-time under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We do not intend to update the information contained in this press release.
|Bryan Pope, Cohn & Wolfe
|(415) 365-8538 office
|(917) 991-7728 cell


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Etan Patz Murder Suspect Pedro Hernandez Indicted
(NEW YORK) -- A New Jersey man has been indicted for the 1979 kidnapping and killing of 6-year-old New York City boy Etan Patz whose disappearance spawned National Missing Children's Day and put photos of missing kids on milk cartons.
Pedro Hernandez, now 51, was in his teens and working as a stock clerk in a convenience store where, he later told police, he lured Patz with the promise of a soda before he choked the boy and threw his body in the trash.
"This indictment is the outcome of a lengthy and deliberative process, involving months of factual investigation and legal analysis," said Erin Duggan, spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance.
"We believe the evidence that Mr. Hernandez killed Etan Patz to be credible and persuasive, and that his statements are not the product of any mental illness. The grand jury has found sufficient evidence to charge the defendant and this is a case that we believe should be presented to a jury at trial," Duggan said.
Harvey Fishbein, the attorney for Hernandez, said his client is a schizophrenic whose statements to police are not reliable.
"The statements alleged by the People are not supported by any evidence whatsoever despite extraordinary investigative efforts by the police back then and now," Fishbein said.
In May, New York City detectives arrested Hernandez and announced at a press conference that Hernandez had implicated himself in the Patz disappearance.
A hunt for forensic evidence was launched to back up those admissions of guilt. Sources tell ABC News little in the way of new evidence has arisen.
As a result, a key factor in any prosecution will be Hernandez's current and historical admissions of guilt, and the fact that he was present in the neighborhood where Patz disappeared May 24, 1979.
Hernandez was not a suspect in the initial investigation, which soon hit a wall. At a certain point the case became virtually dormant and wound up in the hands of the Police Department missing persons unit until an Assistant U.S. Attorney named Stuart GraBois, working for then Manhattan U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani took an interest in 1985 and requested the ability to investigate.
Over the course of a long and wide ranging investigation GraBois traveled as far as Israel and went to lengths that included using a psychic in his quest for the killer of the child. A number of potential suspects were identified and ruled out, and a number of persons in their teens who resembled Patz were investigated in the hope of finding the boy alive, and they were also ruled out.
GraBois, who is known for his tenacity and integrity, eventually hit upon Pedro Ramos, now a convicted sex offender as a result of other crimes against children.
Ramos, according to GraBois, told him that he took a boy back to his apartment on the day of Patz disappearance who closely resembled the youth. He told GraBois that he was almost certain it was Patz. This information and what might amount to a partial confession by Ramos to authorities at the time will almost certainly be used by Hernandez's attorney in an effort to create reasonable doubt in the mind of jurors.
Hernandez is due in court Thursday.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

subset: commoncrawl


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After watching some ants in my garden today, and then looking at this very illuminating demonstration, I got to wondering, about what they would see. Not specifically ants (I understand their eyesight is quite poor), but similarly small, or even smaller creatures.
I guess I'm asking more about the nature of light and how photons are reflected off very small surfaces. Would a very small creature, like say, an ant, with vision, be able to see something as small as a single e. coli bacterium? or a virus? Would their world 'look' the same as ours or does the viewers relative size have a bearing on the quality of their perception?
And additionally beyond the realm of reality, if I could shrink myself down to the size of a bacterium, could I see atoms?


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Mo Riza is an Indonesian photographer who has traveled around the world recording transcendent moments within the mundane activities.
Here in New York City he has focused on everything from where he is standing to boxing to calligraphy to chairs.
(Check out his blog and Flickr profile.)
We were particularly drawn to his pictures of New Yorkers, which show how people compose themselves within the hustle and bustle of city life. Many of these subjects stare right back at him.


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Naomi Wolf vs. Jaclyn Friedman: Feminists Debate the Sexual Allegations Against Julian Assange(Note: You have to sit through 2 minutes of pledge drive before the 10 minute video begins...)
Shorter Naomi Wolf: It's not rape if you don't repeatedly say no, even if you're being threatened and held down.
Shorter Naomi Wolf: It's not rape if he starts putting his cock in you while you're asleep.*
It's much more apparent to me now why Friedman and Valenti named their book Yes Means Yes. If somebody like Wolf who has worked with survivors for so many years can get consent so wrong, I just don't know how we're going to shift cultural norms around rape. Perhaps if Wolf had spent less time during the interview expressing how offended she is, while providing a litany of experience, her "arguments" would be more clear to me...
*of course, if such a scenario is talked about ahead of time, and asked for with an enthusiastic "yes!", that's different.


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Cavite - History Capital of the Philippines
Its name originated from the word kawit, or hook. From the characteristics of the hook, strong and deadly when used to defend oneself, Cavite is known as one of the most historical places in the country and a battleground for independence. Numerous battles were fought here including the Battle of Zapote Bridge, one of the most decisive battles during the Philippine Revolution. It is here where the Thirteen Martyrs were executed for their cooperation with the Katipinan. In Kawit, Cavite, Philippine Independence was declared by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
Aside from history, Cavite is also a venue for fun and relaxation. One of its provinces, Tagaytay City is billed as Philippines' second Summer Capital. It offers cool weather and scenic view of the Taal Lake, a lake within an island within a lake.
1. Population - 2,856,765
(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area - 1,287.6 sq. km
3. Capital - Trece Martires City
4. Language/Dialect - Tagalog, Chabacano, English and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (3)
Municipalities (20)
Because of the rich history, several monuments, shrines, and markers are found all over the province. The most popular are the Tejeros Convention Site in Rosario, Andres Bonifacio House in General Trias, Zapote Bridge in Bacoor, and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit.
Gardens and
Several parts of Cavite are located in high altitude which allows the growth of plants which are not normally seen in tropical countries. Also, the province hosts several garden venues which are ideal for several occasions including weddings, debuts and birthday celebrations.
It is the largest of the five islands guarding the entrance to Manila Bay. The island is one of the most important places during World War II.
Dubbed as the Second Summer Capital of the Philippines, the city has attracted both local and foreign tourist to enjoy its cool weather and the great view of the crater within an island within a lake - Taal Lake.
Tahong and
Tahong Chips of Bacoor, Cavite
Due to its vast shoreline, the residents of Bacoor, Cavite famed itself as one of the best places to buy tahong (Asian green mussel). But since this sea food should be consumed immediately, the tahong chip was created which has become one of the most popular pasalubongs for tourists.
Café Amadeo
/ Amadeo Coffee
Vast land areas in Amadeo serve as coffee plantations and farms. As such, they have developed a distinct brew that is truly unique and a contender against the kapeng barako (brewed coffee) of Batangas.
President Museum
Location: People's Park in the Sky, Brgy. Dapdap West and Dapdap East, Tagaytay City
The museum contains photos and memorabilia of all the presidents of the country; from Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to Pres. Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo.
Museo ng
Location: Tagaytay City Hall
The Museo is situated at the ground floor of the City Hall. It is filled with local Tagaytay artifacts, photos and memorabilia.
Andres Bonifacio
Location: Poblacion, General Trias, Cavite
This house was one of the sanctuaries of Gat Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Revolution and founder of the Katipunan. Although the house has been renovated several styles, caretakers have made sure that the original style was kept.
Trial House
Location: Poblacion 2, Maragondon, Cavite
Initially owned by Teodorico Reyes, the house bore witness to the trial of Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio. They were found guilty of sedition and conspiracy. The trial and verdict, until now, have been questioned by many historians.
Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo Shrine
Location: Kawit, Cavite
Tour Day: Monday - Sunday
Tour Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free (donation accepted)
This is the birthplace of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Currently, it has a museum at the ground floor which contains photos of the house and other memorabilia. Inside are the authentic items the former president and his family used over the years. Behind the mansion lie the remains of the first president of the country who died on February 6, 1964 of coronary thrombosis.
Gen. Baldomero
Aguinaldo Shrine
Location: Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
The museum contains the photos, items, and other memorabilia used by Gen Baldomero Aguinaldo, the former President's first cousin and cabinet member of the Revolutionary Government.
Battle of
Binakayan Monument
Location: Governor's Road, Kawit, Cavite
The monument commemorates the battle held last November 11, 1896 when the Filipino Revolucionarios fought 250 Spanish soldiers in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite for independence. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Filipinos, lead by Gen. Candido Tria Tirona, fought hard and attained victory amidst adversities.
Gen. Candido
Tirona Monument
Location: Poblacion, Kawit, Cavite
Known as the "Hero of Binakayan", Gen. Tirona led the Revolucionarios during the Battle of Binakayan. He died at the battle when he was stabbed with a bayonet to the head.
Siklab ng Digmaan Marker
Location: Brgy. Pinagtipunan, Gen. Trias, Cavite
This is the site of the blood compact executed by members of the Magdiwang Faction. After the blood compact, on August 31, 1896, the Katipuneros attacked the Spanish headquarters in Manggang Bukol (now Pinagtipunan) and Pasong Kalabaw (now Sta. Clara) and won the battle.
Casa Hacienda
of Tejeros / Tejeros Convention Marker
Location: Gen. Trias, Cavite
The Casa Hacienda of Tejeros served as the venue for the Tejeros Convention. It is here where Gen. Aguinaldo was elected President of the newly-established Revolutionary Government on March 22, 1897.
Gen. Trias
Monument and Park
Location: Gov. Ferrer, Gen. Trias, Cavite
Gen. Mariano Closas Trias was the Vice President-elect of the First Revolutionary Government. The monument situated at the town proper commemorates his bravery during the war.
Imus Historical
Location: Imus, Cavite
This commemorative marker can be found near two vintage artillery pieces situated just across the Imus Catholic Church and the Imus Municipal Hall. It pays tribute to the first successful revolution to reclaim independence against the Spanish regime.
Battle of
Alapan Marker and Flag
Location: Bernardina Salud Elementary School, Alapan, Imus
The Battle of Alapan, which occurred on May 28, 1898, is the 'baptism of blood' of the Philippine flag sewn by Doña Marcela Marino de Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Doña Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The Philippine flag was first flown after the victorious battle against the Spaniards that paved the way to the declaration of independence in June 12, 1898
Battle Of
Julian Bridge Marker
Location: Bayang Luma, Imus
At the bridge marker are an 1859 cannon and bullets which functions as silent storytellers of the bloody encounter fought here by the Filipino freedom fighters and the Spanish soldiers in 1899.
Fort San
Location: Sangley Point Naval Base, Cavite City
This is where the Trece Marites were detained during their inquisition. Also, this structure bore witness to the unsuccessful Cavite Mutiny in January 20, 1872.
House of
Gen. Reigo de Dios
Location: Poblacion 2, Maragondon, Cavite
The residence of General Emiliano Riego de Dios and his two brothers, General Mariano Riego de Dios and Colonel Vicente Riego de Dios is considered as one of the oldest houses in the country. The three brave soldiers led several attacks against the Spanish to defend the towns of Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate.
General Artemio
Ricarte Marker
Location: Poblacion, Gen. Trias, Cavite
Born in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, Gen. Ricarte is considered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the "Father of the Philippine Army". With his nickname "El Vibora" (the viper), he led several successful battles in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. He also fought during the Philippine - American War and established the MAKAPILI during the World War II.
41st Division
USAFFE Marker
Location: Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Tagaytay was once filled with vast forest and ridges. It is here where members of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) dropped paratroopers which aided in the liberation of Manila.
11th Airborne
Division Marker
Location: Tagaytay City, Cavite
On February 3, 1945, amidst extensive ground fire from the Japanese forces, the 8th Army of the 11th Airbone Division, lead by Lt. Gen. William Krueger were able to send supplies and paratroopers to secure Tagaytay, which aided the Filipinos and American troops in liberating Manila.
Location: Development Academy of the Philippines Conference Center, Sungay East, Tagaytay City, Cavite
This 1,200 square meter garden reiterates lessons learned during the World War II. It reminds tourists to value freedom, peace and unity.
Location: Bataan Peninsula
This tadpole-shaped island serves as the entrance to Manila Bay. It is also one of the most historical sites during the World War II where the island, with its mighty artillery defended the island of Bataan during the Japanese conquest in 1942.
Mile-Long Barracks
Pacific War Memorial
Eternal Flame o Freedom
Spanish Flagpole
Cine Corregidor
Spanish Lighthouse
Filipino – American Friendship Parks
Middleside Barracks
Aviary and Theme Park
Army Hospital
YMCA and the Youth for Peace Campsite
South Dock
Lorcha Dock
North Dock
Gen. Douglas MacArthur Park
Barrio San Jose
Administration Building
San Jose Chapel
Gen. Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial
Statue of the Filipino Woman
President Manuel Quezon Park
Filipino Heroes Memorial
President Sergio Osmena Park
Japanese Garden of Peace
Kindley Field
Location: Tagaytay City, Cavite
This man-made and natural wonder is situated 60 kilometers from Manila and approximately 8 to 9 kilometers from Silang Crossing. It hosts a splendid golf course, spa center, kart racing track, fine-dining restaurants, and more
Park in the Sky
Location: Brgy. Sungay East, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Entrance Fee: P50.00
Tourists can enjoy horseback riding, rent cottages for picnics, and experience a great view of Taal Lake. Nature-loving visitors may take the Tagaytay Picnic Grove Eco Trail, a challenging trail which offers a scenic view of the Taal Volcano.
Picnic Grove
and Livelihood Complex
Location: Brgy. Sungay East, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Entrance Fee: P50.00
Tourists can enjoy horseback riding, rent cottages for picnics, and experience a great view of Taal Lake. Nature-loving visitors may take the Tagaytay Picnic Grove Eco Trail, a challenging trail which offers a scenic view of the Taal Volcano.
The Flower
Location: Brgy. Guinhawa, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Tour Day: Monday - Friday
Tour Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: P.112.00/ per person (min. 5 person/group)
Founded in 1984, the Flower Farm serves as Manila's orchard which supplies the capital with fresh flowers all year round. Flowers like chrysanthemums, gerberas, carnations, roses, and anthuriums are grown in this fragrant 7-hectare land.
Island Cove
Hotel and Leisure Park
Location: Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
It boasts of 96 hotel rooms, 17 cottages with 34 bedrooms, diverse dining restaurants, sports and recreation facilities, and banquet and function rooms. This island resort has complimentary wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access throughout the area.
Cabag Cave
Location: Poblacion 2, Maragondon, Cavite
The cave is below a valley surrounded by lush greenery. Here, a 50-meter underground river runs inside the cave where tourists can swim in its cool water or go spelunking.
Location: Border of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Magallanes, Cavite
Located near the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) irrigation project, this boulder-cut falls is surrounded by coconut trees, shrubs and other greeneries. Trekking towards the falls is difficult but worth it. Swimming is allowed in its large pool which nearly dwarfs the falls itself.
Balite Falls
Location: Brgy. Halang, Amadeo, Cavite
Found roughly 3 kilometers from Amadeo proper, the locals have erected bamboo huts for tourist who would like to enjoy its pool that have a deep portion for adult swimmer and a shallow part for children.
Ulong Tubig
Location: Barangay Ulong Tubig, Carmona, Cavite
The spring water comes from an adjacent hill in the area. This also serves as source of irrigation for farmers in Carmona. In the morning, trekkers and swimmers will enjoy its clear water.
Mounts Palay-Palay
and Mataas na Gulod National Park
Location: Maragondon -Ternate, Cavite
This National Park has three peaks, Palay-palay, Rico de Loro and Mataas na Gulod. According to BirdLife International, this is considered as an Important Bird Areas (IBA). Hikers will enjoy its challenging trail filled covered in lush greenery.
Pahimis Festival
Place: Amadeo, Cavite
Date: last week of February
Coffee is the major agricultural product of Amadeo. In this feast, locals participate in street dancing, coffee creativity contests, photo contests and more.
Place: Palocpoc, Mendez, Cavite
Date: May 15
The Sinagingan Festival was created in order to promote planting and harnessing of banana, the main product of the barangay. Banana became the major crop of Palocpoc after the production decline of coffee. In this event, locals dress up their homes using banana tree parts. Street dancing and cultural events are also held.
Place: Imus, Naic, Cavite
Date: May 24 - 28
May 28 is celebrated as National Flag Day. The province started to celebrate it as Wagayway Festival in 2008 and dubbed Imus as the Flag capital of the country. Activities include float parade, beauty contest, cultural activities, plays portraying the creation of the flag, its ban during the US occupation, and the re-enactment of the Battle of Alapan, the 'baptism of blood' of the Philippine Flag.
Place: Kawit, Cavite
Date: May 28 - June 12
The end of the Wagayway Festival marks the beginning of the Kalayaan Festival. The event is filed with cultural shows, street dancing, float parade and the re-enactment of the Acta de la Independencia, the Philippine Declaration of Independence at the Aguinaldo Shrine.
Regada (Water
Place: Cavite City
Date: June 24
The feast venerates Nuestra Señora dela Soledad Porta Vaga. In Regada, sprinklers are installed all over the streets of Cavite and the merrymakers receive different kinds of shower.
Place: Kawit, Cavite
Date: December 24
It is a dramatic retelling of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary's search for a place to stay, which will lead to the birth of the Child Jesus in a stable. After the drama, the town is filled with street dancers celebrating the birth of the Emmanuel.
Tagaytay Wedding Ideas
Cool breeze, breathtaking views, lush gardens, and good food – who doesn't want a romantic wedding in Tagaytay? One of the most well-known wedding destinations in the Philippines, Tagaytay is ideal for exchanging vows and relaxing in a peaceful setting with your guests. Read more about Tagaytay Wedding Ideas...
Tagaytay City Wedding 101
When a soon-to-wed couple like you starts to plan for your wedding, aside from your hometown, one city always comes into mind - Tagaytay City, one of the most popular Philippine wedding destinations. Read more about Tagaytay wedding ...
The Magic Of A Tagaytay Wedding
What makes a Tagaytay wedding so appealing? Is it because of the cool climate, the lush gardens, its proximity to Metro Manila, or the romantic ambiance of the city? Perhaps all of these could be the reason why many Filipinos and even foreign soon-to-wed couples have opted to hold their wedding here. Let's look at each one of them. Read more about Tagaytay wedding ...


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Click here to read this story on the OTREC site.
The 2013 Oregon Transportation Summit will take place this fall, on September 16 at Portland State University. The summit brings together transportation professionals to shape the agenda for future research, and this year's plenary speaker addresses new federal legislation which will have a direct affect on that agenda.
Adie Tomer of the Brookings Institution will deliver the remarks at the summit's morning plenary session. The topic is MAP-21, a new act which was passed by Congress in 2012. Short for "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century," the act redistributes the scope and responsibilities of transportation departments at all levels, from municipal to federal.
"What MAP-21 essentially did is, it enhanced the evolution that's available within the federal program," Tomer said. "Because it is an overarching policy, it touches on every actor in the system in a unique way." For example, "MPOs (Metropolitan Planning Organizations) are now tasked with collecting performance measurements ... and state offices are pushed to do a little more planning when it comes to freight."
In general under the new law, "states have more authority to spend federal money in the ways they want than before," Tomer said.
This flexibility at the state level is the answer Tomer would give to those who worry that the new act will cut funding for bikes and walking. Although there is less funding designated for bicycling and pedestrian-oriented spending, there is more freedom for states to choose to allocate money for those areas.
"In a state like Wyoming they might have had some requirements to spend money on non-motorized transportation; that requirement has been removed," Tomer said. "In a state like Oregon, if state authorities want to allow metro areas to have more control and/or if the state itself wants to invest in active transportation, then they can do so."
Tomer will also touch on other aspects of MAP-21, such as a new national freight plan. State DOT secretaries will be required to designate freight corridors and hash out broad economic goals for their own state.
Following Tomer, Oregon State Representative Tobias Read will deliver a prepared response, describing Oregon's place in this policy landscape. Read is the chair of Oregon's Transportation and Economic Development Committee.
The Brookings Institution is an American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Adie Tomer is a Senior Research Associate and Associate Fellow at the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, and a member of the Metropolitan Infrastructure Initiative.
"We're constantly assessing the affectiveness of current policies, how they improve on past policies, and what's the road map for the transportation policy," Tomer said. His work primarily focuses on metropolitan transportation usage patterns, including personal and freight modes, and the intersections between transportation and technological development.


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by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service
Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted Feb. 19 to close Manas Air Base, a key logistics hub for the U.S. military, but a senior Pentagon official said the base closure would not affect operations in Afghanistan.
"[Manas Air Base] is an important base for operations in Afghanistan, but it's not irreplaceable," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters here Feb. 19. "If it's not available to us, we'll find other means."
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev still must sign the bill for the eviction to be official. If he signs the bill, troops will have 180 days to withdraw, based on a previous agreement made by the U.S. and Kyrgyz governments, he said.
Pentagon officials are aware of news reports that Bakiyev intends to close the base, Mr. Whitman said, but the United States hasn't received any official notification or orders to withdraw its military forces. "Our operations there today remain normal," he said.
Defense Department officials are considering what it may be able to offer the Kyrgyz government to continue operations, but will not agree to any price, Mr. Whitman said. Other options in the region are being considered, he said, but he would not give specifics on countries or the status of discussions.
"We remain in close contact with allies in the region," he said.
Russia and Kazakhstan reportedly have given the United States permission to transport nonlethal equipment and supplies by train into Afghanistan. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan also reportedly are being considered.
The United States pays $17.4 million a year to use Manas Air Base, a major logistical and refueling hub supporting international troops in Afghanistan. The United States and Kyrgyzstan signed a "protocol of intentions" in 2006 that allowed the United States to renew the arrangement in one-year increments through July 2011. The air base has been facilitating U.S. troops since 2001, shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.
About 15,000 people and 500 tons of cargo transit through Manas each month. About 1,000 troops, most of them American, but some from France and Spain, are assigned to the base.
President Barack Obama authorized 17,000 more troops this week to reinforce international forces in Afghanistan, and Whitman said there will be no disruption in current or future operations there.
"The announcements we made are going to go forward with no disruption," he said. "If we are no longer permitted to use that base, we will start to transition our activities elsewhere."


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The Tracings, Volume 09, Number 02, Summer 1990
Description: "The Tracings is published twice yearly (effective June 1988) June 1 and December 1. Each issue contains research material with an index, a newsletter and related society information." The genealogical information may include generation charts, family histories, and lists of records (births, deaths, church records, etc.).
Date: July 1990
Creator: Anderson County Genealogical Society
Partner: Anderson County Genealogical Society


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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a growing problem in the northern Pacific Ocean and one that could dramatically alter life on our planet within the next 20 years.
"I remember the first time I felt it; I was paddling out on my surfboard and noticed a mushy, plastic-like substance sliding through my fingers. That's what started my obsession with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,†says charity fundraiser and environmentalist Veronica Grey. "The patch is located between Hawaii and California in the northern Pacific Ocean, where millions of small bits of plastic have gathered in a vortex of ocean currents known as a gyre.â€
"Fifteen years ago The Patch was the size Texas, but now it's the size of the continental United States,†says Grey, who used her iPhone to shoot the documentary, which features renowned scientists, journalists and environmentalists.
Grey paired her professional skills with her personal passion for the ocean, creating the award-winning documentary "Aqua Seafoam Shame,†(www.Pacific-TV.com), which spotlights the mess in the ocean that has garnered precious little media attention, she says.
Plastic in the ocean has far-reaching implications that, if not addressed within 20 years, could change life on this planet, she says. To date, 177 species of sea life are known to ingest plastic; other species feed on those creatures, extending the chain of damage.
"People eat the seafood that eats plastic, and the planet gets its rain from the oceans, which are being polluted at an exponential rate,†she says. "We use significantly more of our planet's surface as a dump than for growing food; this has to change.â€
To begin addressing plastics pollution, Grey encourages people to use alternatives:
- Americans buy 2 million bottles of water every five minutes; ditch disposable plastic bottles and carry reusable, refillable bottles.
- Carry a cost-effective canvas bag instead getting disposable plastic bags at the grocery store. We waste 10 billion plastic bags every week!
- Do not line your trash cans with plastic bags. Use paper bags or nothing.
- Skip the lid on your to-go drinks. The paper cup is normally recyclable but the lid usually isn't.
- Remember that each and every time you flush; it all ends up in the ocean. Be mindful of what you toss in your toilet!


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This real wedding featured on Style Me Pretty shows a classic side of San Francisco that we simply adore. Dream a Little Dream Events' Britt McNany and her beau Blake met in San Francisco and wed in San Francisco. Their theme was timeless, with dramatic details and bold colors. Plus, both the ceremony and reception took place in iconic buildings that were the perfect destination for their big day. We recreated a custom design to suit her romantic soiree along with some equally gorgeous day-of products.
Tables were each named by the various neighborhoods in our city, to guide guests to their seats. We love how the gorgeous deep red bouquets by Nancy Liu Chin match the cards.
A ceremony in St. Ignatius Church was the only place for these two. It's sweeping archways and rich architecture set the tone for the night ahead.
This room is completely breathtaking. The entire Asian Art Museum is filled with historic and contemporary beauty, but to host a reception here is a true dream.
Custom printed place cards were set to match the table decor, with individual meal choices, too.
Congratulations Britt and Blake! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and a wonderful 2013!
Photos by Andrew Weeks Photography


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BALTIMORE – After competing at the America East Championships for each of the past ten seasons, the UMBC men's swimming and diving team enters its first-ever Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) Championship meet this weekend in Knoxville, Tenn. The four-day meet will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the University of Tennessee's Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center and run through Saturday.
The Retrievers will be competing against Davidson, Gardner-Webb, Howard, Incarnate Word, NJIT, and VMI.
UMBC posted a 5-2 record during the dual meet season which included victories over Rider, George Washington, and Old Dominion. In addition, the Black and Gold placed third at the three-day Patriot Invitation at George Mason back in November.
Senior Mohamed Hussein (Cairo, Egypt/Victory College) paced the Retrievers once again this season, capturing a team-best 12 individual dual meet events and earning CCSA Swimmer of the Week honors three times. Hussein, a two-time America East Most Outstanding Swimmer and a 2013 NCAA Championships participant, holds six UMBC individual school records in addition to the UMBC Aquatic Complex pool record for the 200 IM (1:51.07) which he reset this season. The senior currently ranks third in the conference in the 100 back (50.22), and fourth in the 200 back (1:49.46), as well as the 200 IM (1:50.25).
Hussein has received plenty of support as 13 other UMBC athletes have claimed at least one dual meet event win in the pool during the 2013-14 season. Classmate Johan Rohtla (Tallinn, Estonia/Tallinn Secondary Science) won nine events in his final season, all in the backstroke, and was named the top swimmer in the conference twice. He heads to Tennessee with the sixth-best time in the 200-yd. back discipline (1:50.38) and the eight-best time at the 100-yd. distance (51.95).
The Retriever distance swimmers recorded top times this season with freshman Andrew McKissick (Ellicott City, Md./Mount St. Joseph's) leading the league for the 1,000 free (9:34.14). He also ranks fifth in the 1,650 free (16:18.77), just behind junior Rob Breen (Danvers, Mass./St. John's Prep) who posted a top season time of 16:14.56 at the Patriot Invitational and ranks third in the CCSA for the 1,000 (9:40.45).
In the breaststroke, sophomore Leo Endres (Bamberg, Germany/Kaiser Heinrich Gymnasium) figures to be a factor as he enters the weekend in the top-five for both the 100-yd. (57.40) and 200-yd. races (2:07.36). Sophomore Luca Santinelli and senior Patrick Husson (Camp Spring, Md./DeMatha) travel to Tennessee ranked fifth (2:07.54) and sixth (2:08.21) in the 200-yd. event.
Divers Ryan Green (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) and Tim Perkins (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) have each qualified for the NCAA Zones meet to be held next month and each lead the conference on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, respectively. Green, a junior, topped the conference with his 1-meter score of 286.27, with Perkins, a senior, right behind with his top score of 281.02 from the Retrievers' meet with GW in October. Perkins, meanwhile, leads the 3-meter standings (323.62) with Green just back at 317.25. Junior Carson Wong (Hong Kong/Kowloon Technical School) posted the third-best scores in both competitions this season.


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Brides, get ready for more wedding beauty! Our team has been hard at work preparing for the launch of our newest wedding invitation suites and we're thrilled to announce some are now available for order! There's something for every type here - from classic and traditional to flowery and romantic. Each suite is customizable on our website and come with lots of extra options like paper color choices, printed envelopes, calligraphy, and guest address labels. You can be one of the first to personalize these paper pretties, so shop now! (Above, La Vie en Rose)
To shop all wedding invitations, click here. We'll be rolling out many more new designs in the coming weeks so stay tuned for more soon!


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Send us your Big Rapids photos:
College town
Big Rapids is a city in Mecosta County.
It is the county seat.
The community was named for the river rapids
[NOTE: This is not the only community in Michigan named Big Rapids. For links to other places called Big Rapids, MI, see the Duplicate Names box at right.]
The latitude of Big Rapids is 43.698N. The longitude is -85.483W.It is in the Ludington time zone. Elevation is 925 feet.
The estimated population, in 2003, was 10,797.
Sections below provide additional information and links about Big Rapids demographics, travel and tourism, nearby airports, cemeteries, the Mecosta County economy, education, environment, genealogy, government, historic sites, libraries, maps, museums, newspapers and other media, nonprofit groups, real estate, recreation, religion, transportation, and weather in the 49307 ZIP code.
25% of Big Rapids residents report German ancestry, and 12% report Irish. For more info on local ancestry groups, see the Big Rapids ancestry & family history guide.
Post a query on a message board:
Records & databases:
At the time of the 2000 census, the per capita income in Big Rapids was $10,719, compared with $21,587 nationally.
32% of Big Rapids residents age 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.
Dates often change. Check with local tourism officials to be sure.
Median rent in Big Rapids, at the time of the 2000 Census, was $419. Monthly homeowner costs, for people with mortgages, were $728.
Libraries in Big Rapids include Big Rapids Community Library ... View libraries
Mecosta County supported George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election. For more information, see our Big Rapids political report.
The average commute time for Big Rapids workers is 14 minutes, compared with 26 minutes nationwide.
A total of 3 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred in Big Rapids between 2001 and 2003, according to reports gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This is a rate of 2.8 fatal crashes per 10,000 population, which was lower than the national norm.
Hotels in Big Rapids include Country Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Hotel, Quality Inn & Suites, Super 8.
Browse list of Michigan community profiles
More info about Big Rapids:
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Search Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, Certificate programs, Diploma programs, and many others.
Enter your ZIP or Postal code to find schools near you. Your dream major may be just around the corner!


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Although recent summer-like temperatures have signaled the California drought is very much still here, Southern California could see a slight increase in water allocations from Northern California by the end of the month, state and federal water regulators said Wednesday.
A somewhat optimistic Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources, said the flurry of late-winter storms could cause regulators to open the flood gates of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project ever so slightly.
It's possible, after forecasters incorporate the new snowpack data from April 1, the SWP allocation could increase from the current 0 percent, Cowin said, meaning downstream agencies that supply water to Los Angeles and other Southern California cities may benefit during one of the worst droughts in state history.
When asked if that included the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which supplies one-third of all water to the region, he said: "Oh yes. They are our biggest contractor."
Deven Upadhyay, group manager for water resources for MWD, said the agency may expect a 5 percent increase, which would equal 100,000 acre-feet of water, about 10 percent of the amount the agency will pull from reserves this year.
But even if the allocation increases to 5 percent or 10 percent, "that would still be the lowest allocation we've ever seen. So we will be continuing our conservation outreach," Upadhyay said.
Today, state regulators will notify those with water rights on the Feather River of a possible increase, Cowin said. Even if those with water rights north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta are kept at 100 percent, the ripple effect could mean more water sales and transfers from Northern California communities and Central Valley farmers to urban users in Southern California, he said.
Facilitating the newly emerging water market is just one chapter in a voluminous Drought Operations Plan released Wednesday by the DWR, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and federal agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.
The plan outlines possible actions from April through December used to alleviate the drought's effect on the state's economy and ecology. Other measures in the plan include: bolstering water supplies by relaxing the salinity standards in the Delta; keeping enough water in cities to maintain health and safety while providing cool water in Northern California rivers to protect Chinook salmon, steelhead trout and Delta smelt populations and building salinity barriers to keep salt water out of the Delta.
"This is the first time we are able to come up with one plan that will take us seven months out. That is an important milestone," said Charlton H. Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Because of endangered populations of fish and birds, allocations of water through the Delta are restricted. When asked if the plan calls for a relaxation of environmental standards that protect endangered species, Bonham answered: "I would not use the word relaxation. We are trying to find the maximum flexibility using existing laws."
Environmental groups didn't make such a distinction and instead, heavily criticized the plan.
"It calls for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project to violate upstream water temperature requirements, waive water quality standards and violate pumping restrictions in the Delta, all of which are critically important to protect California's fisheries, Delta farmers and communities, and fishing families up and down the coast," said Kate Poole, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The NRDC predicts the plan will hurt the state's salmon fishery and could mean the loss of the winter run Chinook salmon.
Adan Ortega, a state water commissioner and a former vice president of MWD, said it is always good to have state and federal water agencies working together on solutions to the drought.
"What's been missing is the federal government's failure to come up with their fair share of funding for remedies that involve the federal system in California," Ortega answered in an email. "As they say, money talks."
So far, the state and a group of water agencies, including MWD, have proposed the Bay Delta Conservation Plan as a 40-year remedy to the deteriorating environment and system of levees. The project would cost anywhere from $25 billion to $60 billion.
The BDCP includes a new conveyance, a system of twin concrete tunnels to divert water around the Delta and more efficiently move it to Central and Southern California. Money would be used from the agencies and from a future water bond to restore the ecosystem around the twin rivers so fish and other wildlife would thrive.
Local MWD agencies that rely on Colorado River water may be unaffected.
"The northeast corner of my district — La Verne and Claremont — are getting 100 percent State Water Project which is coming from MWD's storage and carryover reserves. We are in OK shape for 2014," said Richard Hansen, general manager of Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Claremont.


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We devise and perform historical music, dance and spectacle for all occasions, specialising in the Elizabethan and Jacobean masque. We can provide anything from a small group of musicians to a stage full of lavishly costumed dancers and actors, and take pride in creating an event which is tailored to your needs.
We also have a wealth of experience in the fields of heritage and education, creating unforgettable performances and workshops based on detailed historical research, and taking 'living history' into schools. We enjoy sharing our passion for history with the public.
Our musicians tour regularly, and have now recorded nine cds, Gallimaufry, Christmas Music in Shakespeare's England, An Excellent Medley, In Peascod Time, From Shore to Shore, To Shorten Winter's Sadness, Shadows, not Substantial Things, Meditations, and Old Christmas Returned. Most of these are available in our shop, where you can also listen to clips.
We are currently crowd-funding to record a CD of music to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in 1620


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ABC has set its Fall 2011 premiere dates, giving viewers extended episodes for shows such as "Grey's Anatomy," "Modern Family," "The Middle," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and the new series, "Last Man Standing."
Below is the schedule. Please check out sneak peek videos of the new series by clicking the "ABC 2011-12 TV Schedule" link to the left.
ABC Fall 2011 Premiere Dates
(Central time zone)
Friday, Sept. 16
9 p.m.: "20/20"
Monday, Sept. 19
7 p.m.: "Dancing with the Stars"
9 p.m.: "Castle"
Tuesday, Sept. 20
8 p.m.: "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"
9 p.m.: "Body of Proof"
Wednesday, Sept. 21
7 p.m. "The Middle" (special one-hour premiere)
8 p.m.: "Modern Family" (special one-hour premiere)
9 p.m.: "Revenge" (series premiere)
Thursday, Sept. 22
7 p.m.: "Charlie's Angels" (series premiere)
8 p.m.: "Grey's Anatomy" (special two-hour premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 25
6 p.m.: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (special two-hour premiere)
8 p.m.: "Desperate Housewives"
9 p.m.: "Pan Am" (series premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 28
7:30 p.m.: "Suburgatory" (series premiere)
8:30 p.m.: "Happy Endings"
Thursday, Sept. 29
9 p.m.: "Private Practice"
Sunday, Oct. 2
6 p.m.: "America's Funniest Home Videos"
Tuesday, Oct. 11
7 p.m.: "Last Man Standing" (special one-hour series premiere)
Tuesday, Oct. 18
7:30 p.m.: "Man Up!" (series premiere)
Friday, Oct. 21
7 p.m.: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (time period premiere)
Sunday, Oct. 23
7 p.m.: "Once Upon a Time" (series premiere)


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Jul 18, 2019
Impact Director Featured
The Impact Director leads the creation and implementation of the site's service and AmeriCorps member development strategies, providing the tools and resources necessary for the Impact Team to deliver high quality service that keeps students in school and on track while also developing AmeriCorps members' leadership and citizenship skills. Job Description The Impact Director leads the creation and implementation of the site's service and AmeriCorps member development strategies, providing the tools and resources necessary for the Impact Team to deliver high quality service that keeps students in school and on track while also developing AmeriCorps members' leadership and citizenship skills. 1. Whole School Whole Child (WSWC) Implementation Implement a multi-year WSWC support plan that is aligned with site goals and individual school improvement plans: § Develop AmeriCorps member (ACM) deployment plans § Coach impact team on how to use lead measures to monitor school progress and support school efforts § Support teams in achieving lead measures on enrollment and dosage § Work with regional impact support team to customize WSWC to best meet individual school's needs and maximize impact § Participate in observation and coaching as part of an observation team with the Impact Manager (IM) § Provide suggestions and ideas to IMs on service delivery based on interactions with school administration, teachers, ACMs § Develop hours plans and performance improvement plans for those CM's need more support to complete graduation requirements 2. School and District Partnerships Oversee the implementation of school engagement strategy: § Coach IMs on how to build school relationships by understanding and meeting teacher and school needs § Support IMs in adapting the model where necessary to meet changing conditions and needs § Partner with IMs to ensure agreements are signed 3. Corps and Staff Development Use performance management process to coach team members to meet individual development and performance goals; support IM in developing and coaching corps: § Coach IMs on foundational competencies and strategies for success § Support and advocate for professional development of direct reports § Support IMs in competency coaching of ACMs § Support Learning and Development calendar of corps, including strategy, analysis, and implementation § Advocate for and invest in own professional development 4. Compliance with Government and Grant Obligations Lead Impact Team in achieving compliance goals Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required Management experience strongly desired Demonstrated ability to translate project goals into a plan and effectively leverage available resources to meet goals and timeline while keeping track of details Excellent communication (oral and written) and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage up, down, and across all levels of the organization Proven success building sustainable partnerships and positive working relationships with others Compensation and Benefits Full time employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits for full time employees include health insurance with Flexible Spending Account, paid vacation, holidays, parental leave, 401K, and more. City Year is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans.
City Year Baton Rouge, LA, USA Full-time


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Old Man Winter clearly cast a bone-chilling spell on December's employment report.
The U.S. economy added a net 74,000 jobs in the last month of 2013, based on preliminary figures. That's the smallest rise in three years and a big stumble from November's outsized 241,000 gain. Economists had projected a much larger 193,000 advance for December. Read full report on lackluster jobs increase.
A midmonth cold snap made the December report weaker, Wall Street economists say. Bad weather may have reduced the reported number of new jobs by 50,000 to 100,000.
One clue is the spike in the number of people who said they could not work because of bad weather. It surged to 273,000 from a longer-term average of 166,000. That's also the highest amount for the month of December since 1977, points out Neil Dutta, head of economics at Macro Renaissance Research.
What's odd is that hardly anybody on Wall Street factored poor weather into their forecasts even though the topic was much discussed. One of the few who made the correct call was Robert DiClemente, chief U.S. economist at Citigroup Global Markets. And he expects January to offer another challenge because of the polar vortex that put half the country in a deep freeze.
MARKETWATCH RADIO: "There is clear weather imprint" on the December jobs report, says Diane Swonk of Mesirow Financial.
Whatever the case, the huge swing between November and December doesn't mean companies suddenly took a Jekyll-and-Hyde approach to hiring . The schizophrenic jobs data more likely reflected the trouble faced by government economists in adjusting for seasonal variations around the holiday season when the weather is poor.
"It's not that actual hiring is volatile," DiClemente said. "It's just our ability to track employment."
That's not to say the December report should be ignored as many investors appear to have done. The details imply the economy is not as strong as suggested by the employment gains in November – a report extolled at the time by bulls on Wall Street and in Washington.
"One can neither put a positive spin on the December employment report nor, if having celebrated the strong reports of recent months, ignore it," said Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial in Alabama. He's inclined to discount the report but also said it "can't help but to bring some doubts into our minds."
A better way to look at job growth in the waning months of 2013 is to check the monthly average in the fourth quarter – 172,000. That's just slightly below the annual average of 182,000.
The upshot: The economy is still expanding at a moderate clip, with the chance for speedier growth later in 2014.
-Jeffry Bartash
Follow Jeffry on Twitter @jbartash
Follow Capitol Report on Twitter @capitolreport


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August 27, 2006 by Lifepainter
We bought this house in Nov 2002. Now in 2006, I have an acquisition of photos that show changes in the yard. Photos below are from 2006. I will need to backtrack to add slideshow photos from previous years.
(link to rockyou photo carousel which no longer exists)
We bought this house in Nov 2002. In Spring 2003, began work in the yard, very modest beginning, mostly adding a few annuals, some containers, cutting back rhodies and some other overgrown mature specimens. For vegetable garden, I used split-bag topsoil, planting seeds directly into the split bags.
In Spring 2004, work in earnest began to shape up the yard, retaining the flavor of the original owners vision. Also did not want to take out, prune, remove plants until we knew what they were – using that axiom to wait a year and see what's what.
In Spring 2005, more work in earnest, serious pruning, removing, and began actually rearranging, creating and starting to claim yard more to our vision, rather than preserving integrity of original owners vision. Learned original owners stopped living in the house, using on occasional weekends, so yard upkeep had lost it's shaping over the years.
In Spring 2006, we are now engaged in claiming the yard as our own. We have been one-income family since May 2003 when I left my career employment. It has put a serious damper on spending so working the yard has been on extremely frugal budget.
Patience and bit by bit, plant by plant, back-breaking labor, we are very gradually getting somewhere towards our yet unrealized vision for the yard and house.


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Does there exist a nontrivial (i.e. other than $\mathbb{C}$) example of a $C^*$-algebra which is also a Hilbert space (in the same norm, of course)?
For $\mathbb{C}^n$ with $n > 1$ the answer is no by uniqueness of norm in $C^*$-algebras, since $\mathbb{C}^n$ is a $C^*$-algebra in the $\ell^\infty$ norm, which is not given by an inner product. What about more generally?


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Boehner's big bet: Obama will cave
House Speaker John Boehner has dug in.
If the let-the-cuts-happen approach on the sequester seems risky — especially with President Barack Obama blaming Republicans for everything from kids not getting vaccines to long lines at the airport — the alternative for Boehner is worse.
Story Continued Below
Jump-start negotiations with Obama, and he would be slammed for engaging in out-of-sight, secret talks with a president his party doesn't trust. Raise taxes, and Boehner's courting trouble in his conference and endangering his speakership. Both are simply nonstarters.
( Also on POLITICO: Graham: Sequester 'going to happen')
Unlike previous fiscal fights, House Republicans feel like they are in a good political position on this one.
They passed a bill last Congress that replaced the sequester cuts, and are considering another bill in the coming weeks that would do the same. They are standing firm against more tax increases — all poll-tested positions.
Leading Republicans are betting — perhaps badly — that the $85 billion in sequester cuts set to take effect on Friday won't tank markets and the public won't immediately feel the impact.
( Also on POLITICO: House Republican leadership on sequestration: 'False choice')
And, for once, the GOP is buffeted by its unpopularity: House Republicans kept their majority with mid-teen approval ratings after two years of political warfare. They aren't spooked that their numbers will move any lower.
So Boehner's posture is a calculated risk. The speaker hopes Obama will be seen as constantly campaigning, exaggerating the sequester's impact — and that eventually the president will be forced back to the bargaining table when the Republicans prove they won't budge. It's a message Boehner will take to the "CBS Evening News" on Tuesday, when he is interviewed by Scott Pelley.
( Also on POLITICO: Boehner: Obama using troops as 'props')
"The president says we have to have another tax increase in order to avoid the sequester," Boehner said during a six-minute press availability Monday. "Well, Mr. President, you got your tax increase. It's time to cut spending here in Washington."
Of course, it's easy to see the flip side of Boehner's strategy. In Democrats' view, he has little room to maneuver: no revenue, only spending cuts.
Also, the position Boehner has staked out sets up a scenario in which the House will be wooed to accept a potential bipartisan Senate compromise.
But for now, Boehner's thinking, as described by those close to him and involved in Republican strategy, is multifaceted and represents not only external political calculations but sensitivity to the internal politics of his tax-obsessed conference.
The speaker agreed to a tax hike just a few months ago — days later, 12 of his Republican colleagues voted against his reelection as speaker. Sure, aides realize that they will get pressured privately by a handful of Republicans to accept tax increases to head off the sequester, but such pleas won't move Boehner. Starting off this new session of Congress by hiking taxes again would be akin to political suicide for the Ohio Republican.
Still, Republicans expect they'll find a way out. Top aides and lawmakers say that, if they have their way, the across-the-board slashes will eventually be replaced with other cuts, but that might not happen until late spring or summer. Republicans are aiming for an eventual package that will include a hefty dose of spending cuts and reforms like a change to calculating government benefits called chained CPI and closing a few tax loopholes.


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Explore Our Hotel
Choose Holiday Inn Express Changshu in dynamic Zhongjiang Plaza, next to Changshu Exhibition Hall and the New Stadium.
You're well-located at Holiday Inn Express Changshu, just an hour's drive from Hongqiao International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown Changshu. Our smart hotel is located on the upper floors of a high-rise building set in landscaped gardens and floor-to-ceiling windows in our chic 11th-floor Lobby offer views across the city. Stay connected with complimentary wireless Internet in your bright Guest room and fuel up for the day at the complimentary breakfast buffet.
You can host an event for up to 100 people in one of Holiday Inn Express Changshu's 3 air-conditioned meeting rooms, and access our self-service Business Centre round the clock. Changshu's central business district and the New and High-tech Industrial Park are both a 10-minute taxi ride away.
Explore vibrant Chinese plant life on a stroll through Yushan Hill Park, just 4km from the hotel, or catch a ride on our complimentary shuttle bus to visit downtown for a taste of Changshu nightlife. High-energy basketball matches take place at Changshu New Stadium, next to the hotel.
Friendly Front Desk staff at Holiday Inn Express Changshu are always ready to help, whether you need to book a taxi or find the best Yangcheng Lake hairy crab in town.
- Black-out Shades
- Pillow Menu
- Rollaway Bed/Cot Available
- Crib Available
- In-room Safe
- Separate Hanging Closet
- In-Room Heating and A/C Controls
- Extra Bedding Available
- Sofa Bed/Sleeper Couch
Bathroom/Personal Care
- Private Bathroom
- Bathroom Amenities Available
- Hair Dryer
- Bathtub
- Separate/Walk-in Shower
- Separate Vanity Area
In-Room Features
- Tea Maker
- Flat-screen TV
- iPod Docking Station with Clock Radio
- Work Desk with Lamp
- Desk-level Electrical Outlet
- Cable/Satellite
- Sound System
- Direct-dial Phone
- Phone with Voicemail
- Windows Open by Guest
Added Value
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Separate Living Room
- Oversized Bath Towels
- Bathrobe
- Slippers
- Complimentary Coffee/Tea Supplies
- Complimentary Bottled Water
- Full Breakfast Included
- Breakfast Buffet Included
- Kids Eat Free
Hotel Restaurants
Start your day with a filling complimentary breakfast in Holiday Inn Express Changshu's sunny Great Room, which overlooks our landscaped gardens. Bring in your own snacks to share with friends, or relax on colourful sofas with the morning newspaper.
Location: The Second Floor
Serves: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
Hours of Operation: : 12:00 PM-12:00 PM
Business Services
- 3 Meeting Room(s) Available
- Printer
- Copier
- Scanner
- Office supplies available
Internet Access
- Free High-Speed Internet in all Rooms
- Wireless Internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
Entertainment & Recreation
Housekeeping & Laundry
- Daily Housekeeping
- On-site Guest Self-Laundry Facilities
Added Value
- Wake Up Calls
- Foreign Currency Exchange
- Ice Machine
Hotel Details
No.2 Kai Yuan Avenue
Changshu, 215500
Mainland China
Check In: 2:00 PM
Check Out: 12:00 PM
Check-in Age: 16
Parking + -
- Complimentary Self Parking Available
Shuttle + -
- By bus, 5km radius covered.
Accessibility + -
- Public Entrance
- Guest Rooms
- Elevators
- Public Restrooms
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Closed Caption TVs
- Telephone with TDD
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Guest Rooms
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Public Spaces
Provided by Hotel
Pet Policy + -
- Pet Walking Area On-site
- Pet Deposit per Stay: 0 CNY
- Pet Fee per Night: 0 CNY
- Pets are not allowed. Help to keep guests rest .
Facility + -
- Number of Floors: 8
- Total Number of Rooms: 224
- Number of Suites: 11
- Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 58
- Number of Accessible Rooms: 2
- Connecting Rooms Available
Languages + -
Languages Spoken by Staff
- Chinese
- English
- Swedish
Credit Cards + -
- American Express
- Visa
- MasterCard
- China Union Pay


text:
Start the mortgage process now with Towne Mortgage.
Be the first to know when properties in this area and price range hit the market.
Answer some questions to find a loan originator who can help.
Howard Hanna Mortgage has loan options tailored to you.
This will affect your home loan options.
Our Veterans Administration (VA) loans are available at competitive rates for those who have served.
It's okay to estimate. Our Mortgage Loan Originators can help you find and compare home loan rates.
Most loans require at least 3% down.
This helps determine the amount you qualify for.
Your information is protected by TLS encryption.


text:
I like bear compound bows , I shoot a gameover but looking at getting an assault or carnage in the next few months . I don't like a lot of the newer models , they may fast but most of them are ugly designs , lol .
....... oops , sorry didn't notice that this was about recurves and I cant delete it . I don't have enough confidence to use a recurve , I have a hard enough time shooting something with a compound .


text: Print | Our Company > Worldwide Operations > Europe, Middle East and Africa Europe, Middle East and Africa PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™ At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. Media Contact Ken Armistead (U.K.) +44 1924-354848 firstname.lastname@example.com Facts about PPG Governance Board of Directors Management Team The PPG Way Worldwide Operations Asia Pacific Europe, Middle East and Africa Latin America North America (U.S. & Canada) PPG Together Global Code of Ethics Community Engagement Company History Government Affairs PPG Quality Policy


text:
Hi all,
I use Linuxsampler as a DSSI-Plugin with Rosegarden as follows:
- Start Jackd
- Start Rosegarden
- Setup Rosegarden-tracks with synthesizer plugin "LinuxSampler"
- Start Fantasia
Then I see for each Rosegarden-track with LinuxSampler a Channel in Fantasia. A "MIDI DEVICE 0 (Plugin)" and an "AUDIO DEVICE 0 (Plugin)" is automatically defined. So far so good. But there are 2 problems:
- I cannot choose another engine as GIG. Trying to use SF2 results in "Assigning SF2 engine to channel 0: There is no port1"
- How can I find out and control which Rosegarden track is connected to which engine?


text:
When using a laptop, an encrypted HD/SSD can be an important security measure. However, laptops are prone to accidents (fluid spills, dropping on the floor, etc) that may mandate some or all of the components to be replaced.
Are there hard disk encryption schemes that tie the encryption key to other hardware than the HD?
Meaning the drive would be unreadable when it's plugged into a machine other than the (destroyed) original one. Just to avoid them when using a laptop ;-)


text:
After racy emails between the Wall Street Journal's Money & Investing reporter Gina Chon and Brett McGurk, President Obama's nominee for ambassador to Iraq, became public last week, Chon has resigned.
Chon and McGurk have been the subject of media and public scrutiny ever since a series of racy emails the two sent in 2008, when Chon was a Baghdad correspondent for the WSJ and McGurk was a senior advisor for then-President Bush, were published online. The two are now married, but at the time of their exchange McGurk was a source for Chon and was still married to his former wife, according to media reports.
The Journal released the following statement, from Talking Biz News:
Wall Street Journal reporter Gina Chon agreed to resign this afternoon after acknowledging that while based in Iraq she violated the Dow Jones Code of Conduct by sharing certain unpublished news articles with Brett McGurk, then a member of the U.S. National Security Council in Iraq.
In 2008 Ms. Chon entered into a personal relationship with Mr. McGurk, which she failed to disclose to her editor. At this time the Journal has found no evidence that her coverage was tainted by her relationship with Mr. McGurk.
Ms. Chon joined the Journal in 2005 in Detroit, followed by an assignment as Iraq correspondent in Baghdad from 2007 to 2009. She also reported for the Journal from Haiti in 2010 in the aftermath of the earthquake and has served as a M&A reporter for Money & Investing in New York since April 2010.
See how it all unfolded: A WSJ Money & Investing Reporter Exchanged Racy Emails With Obama's Nominee For Ambassador To Iraq


text:
Ralph Salinger
He was born in the United Kingdom, grew up in New Zealand. Now lives in Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin, Israel. He has researched his family history and discovered that Salinger's lived in VILKAVISKIS from around 1805 till 1941. Ralph can be contacted at :
Wayne N. Frankel, Ph.D
is a Professor at The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine). Dr. Frankel's ancestors lived in Vilkaviskis for many generations prior to the emigration of his great-grandfather to New York in 1902. As a result of this genealogy/history project he was very pleased to connect for the first time with other Frankel of Vilkaviskis origin, including Yossi Ankorion and Yossi Sperling."
Mr. Antanas Zilinskas
Director of the Vilkaviskis Regional Museum, without his help and support we would have not got so far.Antanas can be contacted at
Please go to the site of the Vilkaviskis Regional Museum
Mr. Algis Vaskevicius,
Algis has a deep interest in the subject and his superb knowledge of English has been a wonderful source of support.
Algis can be contacted at
Mr. Algirdas S Bagušinskas, who was the Mayor of Vilkaviskis when I began this project.
Mr. Algirdas S Bagušinskas
Mr.Algimantas Greimas
The Honorable Mr.Algimantas Greimas Mayor of Vilkaviskis so may thanks to him and his staff for his willingness to listen to our every request.
A small town in Southern Lithuania
Where the Jewish Community is no more
Yossi Ankorion
Yossi has his roots in Vilkaviskis and he has been the driving force behind the projects to create plaques that mark the Jewish sites in Vilkaviskis
Yossi Sperling
Yossi has roots in Vilkaviskis and is behind several projects to remember Jewish Vilkaviskis
Viktorija Riazanceva
Viktorija has been of incredible support and assistance in almost everything I have attempted to do in Vilkaviskis
Tali Aronberg
Tali too has her roots in Vilkaviskis and has done much to assist with our Righteous Gentile projects.
The People behind this project
Miriam Cohen- Gil
Miriam is the daughter of Dvora Dolev
who gave us the inspirational map of Jewish Vilkaviskis. Miriam has been the driving force behind the transaltion of this map.
Dania Salinger
My youngest daughter who has given me invalauable advice about layout and design
Digging for Roots


text:
If I recall, one reason why pizza will be in Mt Juliet is because of the Tenn v Vanderbilt game which starts at 6:30p.
Many of us are staying at Microtel. Google maps tells me that getting from Microtel to Mt Juliet is easy peasy, just hop on I-40.
Which goes right through the middle of the city. Vanderbilt seems to be between I40 and the other road that this out-of-towner would consider, I440.
So, Nashville and Vanderbilt football experts... uh... what would be the best route to get from A to B without sitting in lines of traffic w/ drunk football fans?
Unfortunate Miles
I would not expect there to be a traffic problem on the interstate.
I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.
Poor baby
Since I will be one of those attending the Vandy-Tenn game (payment to family for free room & board), I will do my best to snarl traffic to the pizza joint as I will not be able to attend and am quite bitter about this.
So when you are sitting ther dreaming of your pizza but smelling exhaust fumes from the car in front of you, please think of me.
"He conquers who endures" - Persius "Every workout should have a purpose. Every purpose should link back to achieving a training objective." - Spaniel
I would not expect there to be a traffic problem on the interstate.
Serious answer? Cool.
Where I have lived, highways leading to football stadiums are scary monsters on game days. Go Nashville!
Vandy is far enough off the highway that the congestion usually is on the secondary roads.
A Saucy Wench
Serious answer? Cool.
Where I have lived, highways leading to football stadiums are scary monsters on game days. Go Nashville!
Seattle highways are a problem? NEVAH
I have become Death, the destroyer of electronic gadgets
"When I got too tired to run anymore I just pretended I wasnt tired and kept running anyway" - dd, age 7
Hoodoo Guru
Your alternate is to take I 440 west, although 440 actually does pick up some stadium traffic. Plus, Vandy's stadium only seats approx 38,000 so it's not like the crowds you get at a real university.
The tangents are moot.
Seattle highways are a problem? NEVAH
Also Dallas
(to a lesser extent, Lubbock and College Station. But, yeah. That's to be expected. Ain't nothing else going on; ain't many roads)
"run" "2" "eat"
actually, dallas, vanderbilt IS a real university. those professional sports training facilities are "real" universities.
i find the sunshine beckons me to open up the gate and dream and dream ~~robbie williams
Lazy idiot
actually, dallas, vanderbilt IS a real university. those professional sports training facilities are "real" universities.
Hay know, eye gott a fein educashun at my "reel" yoonu... yuni... college.
Tick tock
At least your state's UT has that Rocky Top song, which is a fine song.
My state's UT has The Eyes of Texas. Otherwise known as "I've Been Workin on the RAAAAAILroad."
Could be worse, one of my schools (A&M) is the evil archenemy. But apparently an enemy with a huge inferiority complex because our fight song's (excuse me, "war hymn's") lyrics are basically "that other school sucks."
Good bye to texas university
So long to the orange and the white
Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies
They are the boys who show the real old fight
"the eyes of Texas are upon you"
That is the song they sing so well
Sounds Like Hell!
So good bye to texas university
We're gonna beat you all to…
Then there's a whole chant about sawing off the longhorn's horns. SHORT. WHOOP. A.
Sorry for the tangent. But it's my thread.
with vanderbilt, it's all a matter of chance. the game stays the same... maybe the GAME is the PROBLEM. what a bunch of wacktard losers. who would ever go to there? gah!
"don't blame us, coach, the fates were against us!"
"those weren't fates, my boys, those were football players."
dynamite! dynamite!
when vandy starts to fight!
down the field with blood to yield!
if need be save the shield!
if vict'ry's won when battle's done,
vandy's name will rise in fame!
win or lose, the fates will choose,
but vandy's game will stay the same!
well, now. that's ironic.


text:
Avenue81 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de otro y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 31 diseños de 11 diseñadores freelance.
Project Mojave
I curse a lot.
Project Mojave (PM) is a monthly membership website aimed at (and marketed to) 20 to 35-year-olds seeking an alternative to corporate life. Project Mojave started in February 2009 and officially launched in May to a list of roughly 800 people (approximately 200 members joined from that list). Project Mojave's tagline is "Create a 'Freedom Business' in 3 Months;" this tagline is also our unique selling proposition (USP). (I define a "Freedom Business" as a business that has no accounts receivable, requires little capital investment, has an automated sales process, and has a high probability of success in a short period of time).
I'm proud of the fact that for every month someone is a member of Project Mojave, we pay for a month of schooling for one freed slave in Africa (including books, teachers, room and board). In one of our banner ads we say "You get Freedom Education, THEY Get Freedom Education."
I'm also excited about the first annual Project Mojave conference (called "Burning Cube," which will be a 3-day camping trip held in Joshua Tree National Park (located in the Mojave Desert). The conference is a kind of "Burning Man for the Lifestyle Design Community." During the first night of the conference we're going to ceremoniously burn a wooden cubicle, cheer, and talk about our dreams.
Smart, educated, 20 to 35-year-olds seeking an alternative to corporate life. They want to be rebellious AND respected.
We have a logo that you can download here:
And: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/138951/m…nalcmyk.ai
THIS LOGO NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED TO SAY "The Freedom Business Plan" **instead** of "Project Mojave" . . . also, the slogan needs to say "Create a Freedom Business in 3.8 Months" ("Freedom Business"& "3.8 months" should be emphasized).
The header should be 140 pixels tall. The yellow at the end of the gradient should be a richer (more intense) shade of yellow.
Feel free to play around with a texturized background, maybe like this: http://screencast.com/t/Qib6o0YNKzaR Change the image as well.
The header needs to have a "stamp." You can look at this to get a rough idea, but change it to match your ideas: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-ph…antee.php: We wan the stamp straight, not angled "Project Mojave" should be in the middle and then the word "Reality" to be on the top (in the outer circle) and "Edition" to be on the bottom (in the outer circle).
The header should be 1260 pixels wide and look good if it's centered on a webpage.
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT: While you're welcome to use textures or gradients, etc. (we want you to use them), the leftmost and right most part of the header should fade to a solid web-friendly color. SEE COMMENT, BELOW, FOR FULL EXPLANATION!


text:
WORCESTER � Police nabbed a 21-year-old Leicester man early Saturday morning after eight buildings were hit with graffiti, the latest in a series of such vandalism to hit the city in recent weeks.
Authorities have been investigating the spray-painting of symbols and signatures � called tagging � on properties throughout Worcester.
Police received reports about 2:30 Saturday morning that commercial buildings had been tagged in the Tatnuck Square area.
A short time later, an officer saw two men spray-painting graffiti on a nearby building at 360 Park Ave.
The officer was able to catch one of the men, but the other fled the area. An extensive search came up empty.
The color and the words being painted on the Park Avenue property matched the color and words on the buildings in Tatnuck Square, according to police.
The apprehended man, Danny Nguyen, 21, of 7 North Court, Leicester, was charged with trespassing, willful and malicious destruction of property and carrying a dangerous weapon, a knife. Police said he was carrying a butterfly knife.
Detectives are investigating whether the two men are responsible for other tagging in the city. They are trying to identify the second man.
Mr. Nguyen was also charged with vandalizing and tagging property back in June.
At 4 p.m. June 12, a police officer was patrolling the area around Illinois and Gates streets when he saw a man (later identified as Mr. Nguyen) exit his vehicle, run toward a concrete wall and start to draw on the property with blue colored markings. The wall is part of the bridge at the end of Gates Street by Walpole Street. Mr. Nguyen was also in possession of evidence linking him to the crime.
Robert L. Moylan Jr., commissioner of public works and parks, said Friday, before the overnight arrest, that several spots in the city had been hit with tags.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact them by sending an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD, or sending an anonymous Web-based message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.
Contact Linda Bock via email at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @LindaBockTG


text:
Archive - 2009
December 30th
Worst 10 NBA Draft Picks of the Decade
December 29th
Top 10 NBA Draft Picks of the Decade
As the final hours of 2009 come upon us, NBADraft.net has taken to listing off the best picks of the past decade. The list is based on the value a player provided at his given pick spot in the draft. For instance, an All-Star picked 15th is more common than a starter picked 50th.
Tomorrow, we'll have the 10 worst picks of the decade. For now, enjoy:
1. Michael Redd - 43rd pick in the 2000 draft by Milwaukee
Suns Complete Trade with Minnesota
December 28th
Fantasy Daily: Waiver Wire
Indiana basketball freshman Maurice Creek out for the season
Pendergraph just crazy enough for Blazers
December 27th
Deja Vu: T-Mac Receiving Same Treatment as Tim Hardaway Once Did From Adelman
NCAA Power 16 Rankings
By Josh Cochran and Joel Steiner
NCAA Power 16: December 28th
The Christmas presents are unwrapped and New Year's is fast approaching, so it's a good time for us to reflect on college basketball's non-conference season. Kansas, Texas and Kentucky were ranked in the top 5 of our first Power 16 and they have lived up to expectations.


text:
Few days ago, I read that Bollywood director, Shekhar Kapur, will cast
Shekhar Kapur, who has got fame with
Kristen Stewart, who has got popularity in Twilight, will feel great boost not only that she is going to be a prestigious international project but also she get an opportunity to work with talented director like Kapur. It will be a great learning experience for her.
I am waiting to see if Shekhar Kapur's project will see the light of the day.
Related article:


text:
People post all sorts of status update messages to friends on Facebook, many of which they never intend to make public.
But Storify, a social media curation tool, occasionally brings them to light. According to AGBeat, it can surface all updates, no matter a person's Facebook privacy settings.* It also pulls in the person's photo, name and time stamp along with their Facebook status message.
Julie Pippert, Founder and Director of Artful Media Group, discovered the Storify workaround. She accidentally pulled a message from a friend using Storify. It upset her friend, who thought her privacy settings were set to the max.
"I felt so terrible about what happened that I started digging and checking," Pippert told AGBeat. "And I figured out that although anything can be copied, screen captured or otherwise shared, anyone who installs the Storify app can do it with one click, even if it is marked or otherwise set to be private."
Storify also sort of makes private tweets accessible, although not embeddable through its service. If a Storify user wants to view and use a private tweet, the message will pop up on Twitter, but the screen will darken. The message is still readable but it's tough to pull and share.
Storify says AG's report isn't really true. It only shows messages the person would be able to see themselves on the social networks.* So because Pippert was friends with the person who had strict privacy settings, she was able to see her status update on Storify and pull it. But a total stranger wouldn't be able to find it on Storify.
Still, it's easy to see why Pippert didn't realize her friend had a private account. There was no notification on Storify telling her otherwise. Storify made it really easy to pull the message and share it with a wider audience, despite the privacy settings the friend made on Facebook itself.
Right now, there isn't a way to stop yourself from occasionally showing up in Storify searches, other than to stop sharing completely.
For more on the privacy flaw, head over to AGBeat.
*Update: Storify has addressed the privacy concerns in a blog post. Its co-founder writes:
"To clarify, we want to reassure you that Storify does not make anything public that hasn't been collected by a user and published in a story. Also, Storify users do NOT have access to content on the web that they couldn't otherwise see themselves.
"...By using our bookmarklet or Chrome browser plugin, you can indeed collect text, photos and video from all around the web, including what is visible to you on Facebook. That media may not have been intended for a wider audience, but it's up to you if you want to publish it more widely. This is something you could do using Storify, but also by copy and pasting the text or simply taking a screenshot.
"We believe strongly in freedom of expression and democratization of media in the Internet age. Anyone can now easily and cheaply publish to the web and reach a global audience. That also means each of us with this power must consider how we use it.
"On the other side, we also all must realize that everything we post that is viewable by someone else can be easily shared more widely. So you should always think about what you post -- especially on Facebook when using your real name."


text:
Emerald Outback Trails, Beech Mountain, NC
The Beech Mountain Bike Club has announced a collaborative trail workday on Sunday, July 11th. Over the past 6 months many area residents have banded together to create what will soon be the Beech Mountain Adventure Trail Park, a comprehensive public trail park totaling 20+ miles of trail for hiking, biking, running, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing use.
The first phase of the project is the "Emerald Outback" micro-park/trail network. This area consists of 7 to 8 miles of single track, double track, and fire/gravel road trail. The entire Emerald Outback trail is nestled above 5,000ft. in elevation and has varying terrain and geographic features that make the trail system truly unique to the area. The trail system has been designed by bikers, hikers and trail runners in order to better meet the recreational demands of such outdoor enthusiasts. The best part is this is a public project, so the trails are open for your enjoyment. Beech Mountain citizens, Town employees, Beech Mountain Club employees, Banner Elk and Boone residents, and visitors to the area have all played a hand in the creation of this amazing trail network.
On Sunday, July 11th, 2010 the Beech Mountain Bike Club will host a collaborative trail day of massive scale in order to escalate phase one of the project to its true opening before the XTERRA – Beech Mountain – 10K trail race event is held on Sunday, July 18th 2010. The group will be erecting the official trail head at the Beech Mountain Town Hall/Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center, placing directional and informational trail signage on all trails, and doing final trail clean-up before the XTERRA trail race takes place. The BMBC is requesting your help on this momentous day in order to make these trails more accessible, discernable, and clean for your recreational enjoyment.
The trail workday will begin at the Beech Mountain Town Hall at 8:30 AM on Sunday, July 11th. Although some trail equipment will be provided, it is recommended that you bring along metal rakes, loppers, shears, gloves, weed-eaters, chainsaws, and leaf blowers of your own if you have them available. Also be sure to pack water and snacks. The group will set out on foot to groom every inch of the Emerald Outback trail system while placing brand new directional markers throughout the network. As this is a public project, help from the public is needed in order to better the trails for your enjoyment. Please encourage anyone you know interested in trail building, biking, hiking, etc to come lend a hand in kicking off the next big thing on Beech Mountain! Your help is greatly needed and greatly appreciated!
For more information regarding the Beech Mountain Adventure Trail Park, the trail workday scheduled for Sunday, July 11th, 2010, or general information about hiking and biking on Beech Mountain, please call 828.387.3003. You can also follow trail development, get group ride and workday updates, view park photos and maps, etc at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=129374807082146&ref=ts


text:
sponsored by
business lobby says concerned China antitrust probes unfair
Send a link to a friend
[September 02, 2014]
By Michael Martina
BEIJING (Reuters) - Foreign companies are
increasingly concerned they are being targeted by Chinese regulators, a
U.S. business lobby said on Tuesday, as a Chinese antitrust agency
defended probes into firms such as U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm Inc <QCOM.O>.
The American Chamber of Commerce in China is the latest business
lobby to air its grievances over a series of investigations
scrutinizing at least 30 foreign firms, as China seeks to enforce a
2008 anti-monopoly law.
There are growing perceptions that multinational firms are under
"selective and subjective enforcement" using "legal and extra-legal
approaches", the Chamber said in a report.
A survey of 164 members showed 49 percent of respondents felt
foreign companies were being singled out in recent pricing and
anti-corruption campaigns, compared to 40 percent in a late 2013
survey of 365 members. Twenty-five percent said they were uncertain,
or did not know, and 26 percent said no.
Chamber Vice Chairman Lester Ross told reporters the major expansion
of enforcement was welcome in principle, but regulators were using
"extra-legal" means to conduct investigations.
"They have taken what are, in many instances, vague or unspecified
provisions in the law and moved to enforce them, and sought to
enforce those means through processes that do not respect the notion
of due process or fairness," Ross said.
Sixty percent of respondents in the survey also reported they felt
foreign business was becoming less welcome in China.
In an April letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury
Secretary Jacob Lew, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urged Washington
to get tough with Beijing on its use of anti-competition rules,
which it said had been seized by China to advance industrial
policies that nurture domestic companies.
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China in August expressed
its concern over the antitrust investigations, saying China was
using strong-arm tactics and appeared to be unfairly targeting
foreign firms.
Xu Kunlin, director general of price supervision and the
anti-monopoly bureau at the National Development Reform Commission
(NDRC), reiterated that local and foreign companies were being
treated equally by the agency.
"Such accusations are groundless and baseless," Xu told the official
China Daily newspaper.
"Some of the NDRC monopoly investigations involve overseas
multinationals, but that does not mean that we are targeting them,"
Xu said in an interview with the paper.
"Some business operators in China have failed to adjust their
practices in accordance with the anti-monopoly law," he added.
"Others have a clear understanding of the laws, but they take the
chance that they may escape punishment."
[to top of second column]
Xu said the NDRC, one of China's three antitrust regulators, was
also handling cases involving state-owned firms and Chinese private
sector companies.
The automotive industry has been in focus for the last two or three
years, Xu said. Last month, the NDRC slapped a record fine of $201
million on 12 Japanese automakers it said had engaged in price
The NDRC is investigating Qualcomm's local subsidiary after it said
in February that the company was suspected of overcharging and
abusing its market position in wireless communication standards,
accusations that could lead to record fines of more than $1 billion.
Another antitrust regulator, the State Administration for Industry
and Commerce, said on Monday it had given Microsoft Corp <MSFT.O> 20
days to reply to queries on the compatibility of its Windows
operating system and Office software suite amid its probe into the
world's largest software company.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang responded to a question
on the chamber's paper at a regular press briefing, saying he hoped
foreign companies "will abide by Chinese law".
"Anti-monopoly is to protect consumers' rights and to create a more
open, fair and impartial market environment," Qin said. "It is
transparent and just."
(Reporting by Michael Martina and Brenda Goh and Sui-Lee Wee;
Editing by Kazunori Takada, Clarence Fernandez and Simon
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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text:
Alaska NFA Gun Trust – FREE
Alaska NFA Gun Trust
- Makes Silencer Purchases Quicker & Easier
- Newly Updated to comply with ATF changes (Obama Exec. Order 41-F)
- Trust allows sharing Ownership of silencers with others
- We have done over 15,000 Gun Trust Silencer Transfers & Counting!
This is a Alaska NFA Gun Trust. This Gun Trust is 20 plus pages and allows you to add unlimited co-trustees to also use your silencers or other NFA items. We offer this Gun Trust FREE if you purchase a silencer from Silencer Central. We also help ensure you completed the gun trust correctly so ATF does not reject. We have completed over 15,000 silencer to gun trust transfers and counting!