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The National Capital and Tarheel Chapters are headed back to the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina on October 25th for our final ///M Club Day driving event of 2014. As always, the Performance Center provides current model ///M cars, instructors, gas, tires, lunch and a first-class facility for a fun-filled day at the track. Just show up ready to drive!
The focus is on improving your driving skills through a combination of driving exercises, classroom instruction and competitive events. No helmets or previous driving school experience is required. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.
This school is a special program designed by the Performance Center staff specifically for the National Capital and Tarheel chapters. It will be similar to previous ///M Club Day events, which have included instruction on proper driving position, vehicle dynamics, car-control skills, weight-transfer, oversteer/understeer and improved vision. The day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions which mix skill exercises and competitive events, including skid pad wet/dry courses, braking and handling practice, autocross and more.
We will be driving current model BMW ///M Cars for this event. Please note that the Performance Center staff continually makes changes to this program, so session contents and the cars available may vary from one school to the next.
Our event hotel is the Greenville Marriott. The special BMW rate includes the breakfast buffet for up to two people plus Internet service. Register at: www.marriott.com/GSPAP and enter BMW as the Corporate code. The Marriott has a great lobby bar for getting together after the driving and dinner events. Remember, no food service is available for breakfast Saturday morning at the Performance Center.
Tentative Schedule:
Friday October 24, 2014
- 5:45 AM - Meet and sign-in at the Manassas Cracker Barrel, just off I-66W
- 6:00 AM - NoVa Convoy leaves for Greer, SC
- 2:45 PM - Visit to the Zentrum and factory tour (if the factory is open for tours.)
- 5:30 PM - Hotel Check-In
- 6:30 PM - Group Dinner @ Barley's in Greenville
Saturday October 25, 2014
- 8:00 AM - Meet @ Performance Center
- 8:15 AM - Drive day begins
- 5:00 PM - Drive day ends
- 6:30 PM - Group Dinner @ Blue Ridge Brewing Company in Greenville
Sunday October 26, 2014
- Drive home as a group or on-your-own.
The Fine Print. Please read carefully!!!
- All drivers must be BMW CCA members or attend with a club member who pays for the event. In other words, the payment for all school attendees must come from a club member. More information is available by contacting the event coordinator.
- NCC and Tarheel chapter members have first acceptance priority, then BMW CCA members from other chapters.
- The NCC and the Tarheel event coordinators accept applicants into this school independently (16 NCC and 16 Tarheel) through the MotorsportReg.com registration site.
- Contact BMW CCA Headquarters to become a member of the NCC and/or Tarheel chapters for priority acceptance.
- Acceptance into this event will be made on or about September 5th, 2014 by the event coordinators.
- Registration on this site does not constitute acceptance into this event. It places you in the queue.
- All drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license.
- The cost of $660.00 includes driving Performance Center cars, tires, gas, instructors and lunch on Saturday at the Performance Center.
- Travel expenses, meals and lodging costs are the responsibility of the attendees and not included in the $660 event registration fee.
- You do not have to own a BMW or M-car to attend this event. (However, be prepared to purchase one when you return home after the event.)
- Factory tours will be available at the discretion and schedule of the factory.
- Completely enclosed shoes are required for the factory tour - No Exceptions!
Directions to NoVa convoy start:
From the Washington, DC, Beltway (I-495)
- Take I-495 to I-66 west.
- Exit at 47B (north 234).
- Turn right at traffic light onto Battleview Parkway to the Cracker Barrel.
From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695)
- Take I-95 south to I-495 west.
- Follow the directions above.
This event offers online registration and payment through MotorsportReg.com.
Register here.


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Bosch LSU-4 5 Wire Wide Band
For Use with MoTeC ECU's and PLM's
Low cost High Accuracy
What is Lambda anyway?
Lambda describes an equivalence value in percentage of the chemically correct air-to-fuel ratio for any type of fuel. If the air fuel ratio measured in the exhaust pipe of an engine is at the chemically correct (stoichiometric) ratio of air-to-fuel, lambda is equal to 1.0. In the case of gasoline, lambda 1.0 is equivalent to 14.7:1 air-to-fuel. Lambdas less than 1.0 indicate the engine is running richer than stoichiometric, while lambdas greater than 1.0 indicate a lean mixture. If we measure a lambda value of 1.06 and we want a lambda value of .95, we simply increase the fuel delivered to the engine (pulse width) by 11 percent. This will place us exactly at .95 lambda. By using the Lambda Was or the Quick Lambda functions a tuner can quickly shape the fuel table to match the engine's exact requirements.
How long will the Lambda Sensor Last?
A Lambda sensor is designed as a consumable item which means like a spark plug, it wears out with use. Typically you may notice the sensor begin to slow down in its response to changes in lambda when it becomes worn out. This normally occurs in about 500 hours on unleaded type fuels but is reduced to 50 hours for lead. Like Spark Plugs, the sensor can be fouled in a matter of minutes with improper air fuel ratios and the sensor can crack if it is over torqued or dropped. For this reason, there is no warranty on Lambda Sensors.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Chuuta Kokonose is an orphan who lives with his aunt. For as long as he can remember, he's had a voice in his head, but other than that he's a normal boy—right until the day when a strange-looking thing follows him home and teleports him to a place filled with more fantastic creatures. It's a space police station, and Rein Brickke, the Chief of Solar System Department, tells him that he's been chosen by the computer as a possible candidate to join the police force. Misuzu Sonokata, a girl from Chuuta's school with an angelic face and ill temper who turns out to be one of Rein Brickke's subordinates, doesn't think him suitable for such a job. Chuuta, who was shocked at first, decides to take the aptitude test after being urged by the voice in his head and to prove Misuzu wrong.


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John 11:35 (the shortest verse in the Bible?) says simply:
Jesus wept.
How should we understand this? Tearful? Sobbing? What was the nature of his weeping?
And what was the reason? Sadness at Lazurus' death? (Unlikely, because He knew about that already.) Sadness at the grief caused to Mary and Martha? Sadness at the lack of faith (if that was the case)? Or something else?


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Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is an eight-day celebration that begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev.
A Jewish holiday, Hanukkah commemorates the miraculous victory of the Jews, led by the Maccabees, over the Greeks and Antiochus Ephipanes. Hanukkah marks the end of religious persecution and oppression. Hanukkah reminds the Jewish people of God's faithfulness to them as well.
Hanukkah also celebrates a second miracle that accompanied that victory. When the Jews first reentered the Temple at Jerusalem, they wanted to rekindle a special menorah known as the Eternal Light. But they found that the Greeks had desecrated the stock of purified oil that was to be used in the menorah. Only one small flask remained -- enough for just one day. It would take the Jews a week to purify more oil, but the Maccabees lit the menorah anyway. Miraculously, that tiny bit of oil burned not just for one day, but for eight ... giving them the time they needed to purify more oil. Hanukkah lights burn for eight days in remembrance of this miracle.
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Please enter your username or email. We'll send you an email with instructions on how to reset your password. If you have forgotten your username, did not receive the email to reset your password or need help, contact our support team.
If you have entered a correct email from our database, we will respond in 24 hours.
You can request a new account by submitting your details to your local sales centre. Upon approval, we will email you a temporary password.
Click on the link below to sign into Kyocera Connect which will take you to Account Services.
Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands – 13 November 2018: With Kyocera Corporation celebrating the 27th anniversary of its Environmental Charter, Kyocera Document Solutions Europe, one of the world's leading document solutions companies, continues to use the Charter as a beacon of inspiration and an essential part of everyday life within the company. Based on the concept of "Coexistence", the landmark policy leads the way in the organisation's efforts to "do the right thing as a human being".
The Environmental Charter was created in October 1991 and has been a fundamental pillar in the company. Despite growth across the globe, sustainability and environmental protection is at the heart of Kyocera's existence. It adheres to the Company Philosophy, as created by founder Dr. Kazuo Inamori, which outlines the desire that Kyocera "contributes to the advancement of society and humankind".
The success of this approach is proved by Kyocera Document Solutions Europe's recent attainment of the ISO 14001:2015 certification which demonstrates an environmental approach in all of the organisation's operations. In particular, the organisation's ECOSYS range is a reputable multi-award-winning leader in the industry with Kyocera Document Solutions continually innovating its product range to drive further sustainability, even after 25 years of becoming a pioneering product within the market as the first to focus on sustainability.
Promoting environmental responsibility among customers is also an aim of its ongoing initiatives, as Kyocera strongly believes that a sustainable approach does not end at the moment of consumption. To this end, the company's Toner Take Back Service recycles over 600,000 kilograms of used toners each year, building upon the company's investment in producing simplified toner cartridges which require fewer components and consume less energy in production.
"At Kyocera, ensuring that all of our activities are sustainable and environmentally friendly is a real commitment, as well as an essential business practice," explains Takuya Marubayashi, President of Kyocera Document Solutions Europe.
"Sustainability is not just a mere buzz word for Kyocera, it is a way of living. All of our employees embrace that approach and, from our experience, so do our partners, dealers and customers. It is part of what sets us apart as an organisation and as a family".
As a group, Kyocera constantly looks to do more to help all of their subsidiaries to become more sustainable. In fact, by 2020, the Kyocera Corporation aims to utilise their solar power generation systems to generate a carbon benefit which is three times greater than the carbon footprint for global operations. Since 2013, this figure has already reached the ability to break even.
After 27 years, Kyocera's Environmental Charter is more important than ever as the company faces new challenges and inspiring new opportunities. Dr. Kazuo Inamori is a firm believer in "the limitless potential of mankind" and through Kyocera's operations, the organisation can begin to show that business success and sustainability can go perfectly hand in hand.
Kyocera Document Solutions, headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a leading manufacturer of document imaging solutions and document management systems, including colour and monochrome multifunctional products as well as printers and wide format devices. Kyocera's products are renowned for their unique long-life imaging components that provide greater reliability and less waste - resulting in a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over the life of the product. The Kyocera Document Solutions portfolio does not stop at hardware. A full suite of business applications and consultative services allow customers to optimise and manage their document workflow, unleashing the full potential of their hardware investment.
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. is a core company of Kyocera Corporation, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of advanced ceramics and associated products, including telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages and electronic components. During the year ended March 31 2018, Kyocera Corporation's net sales totalled 1.42 trillion yen (approx. EUR 11.9 billion).


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Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you're a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts
Smart Bottoms Small Mesh Bag - Nurture
Made of 100% polyester, the Small Mesh bag is perfect for organization, storage, or toting things where mold or mildew is a concern!Great for:
- breast pump parts
- sports equipment
- toys on the go
- organizing luggage and bags for trips
- Snacks
- dance class
May be machine washed on hot, machine dried on low
12" x 8"
Related products
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A portrait of a pretty girl (a Catholic Christian), photographed in August 2013, portrait 4.
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text:
Referral Line: 484-628-HELP
Reading Hospital: 484-628-8000
Toll Free: 1-866-988-4377
Reading Health System Menu
Request an Appointment
Health Library
Tibial torsion is an inward twisting of the shinbones. These bones are located between the knee and the ankle. Tibial torsion causes a child's feet to turn inward. The child may look pigeon-toed (intoeing). It is typically seen among toddlers.
Tibial torsion can happen because of the position of the baby in the uterus. It also tends to run in families. Typically, a child's walking style looks like that of their parents.
The symptoms of tibial torsion may include:
Inward-facing toes, or pigeon-toed (intoeing) appearance
Bowed legs
The bowed leg stance actually helps the child stay balanced as they stand. Balance isn't as steady when the child tries to stand and walk with the feet close together or with the feet turned out. They may trip and fall.
Your child's healthcare provider can diagnose tibial torsion with a physical exam. During the exam, they may ask about your child's birth and health history and if other family members have the condition. Your child probably won't need X-rays.
Treatment will depend on your child's symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.
This condition often gets better with time. As the child grows, walking will become more normal, usually between ages 5 and 8. If the case is severe, treatment may help straighten the shinbones. Treatment may include:
Orthotic shoes or shoe inserts
Casting or leg braces
Tibial torsion is an inward twisting of the shinbones.
This condition causes a child to have inward-facing toes and bowed legs.
It may be caused by the position of the baby in the uterus.
A physical exam can diagnose tibial torsion.
Treatment is often not needed unless the case is severe. The condition usually improves as the child grows.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child's healthcare provider:
Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
Ask if your child's condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your child's healthcare provider after office hours, and on weekends and holidays. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.


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Examiner - GCSE - German (New Specification) |
Reference:Ex/GCSE/Ger(NS) A GCSE German (2024 Specification) Examiner marks candidates' responses in accordance with the pre-defined mark scheme, whilst adhering to conditions of recognition and examination procedures. Most subjects will be marked onscreen using ePEN, which can be done from home. A few subjects are still marked in the traditional method, using paper scripts sent through the post. A high level of subject knowledge is necessary in order to apply the mark scheme. Each examiner will receive an agreed allocation of scripts. Responsibilities · To mark accurately and consistently to ensure overall standards are maintained · To submit samples to your Team Leader at designated times · To ensure milestones for marking are adhered to · To ensure all administration is completed as specified Experience/qualifications needed · You will have one academic year's worth of teaching experience: · a. within the last 8 years · b. within the relevant qualification subject · c. since qualifying as a teacher · You will have a degree or equivalent · You will be a qualified teacher Competencies required · You will have the ability to work well under pressure · You will have the ability to meet deadlines · You will have a high level of subject knowledge in order to apply the mark scheme Additional information · The marking period is between May - July. · The training required to mark as an examiner will take place between May and June. About Pearson We value the power of inclusive culture and embed diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Pearson promotes a company culture where differences are embraced as strengths, opportunities are equal and accessible, consideration and respect are the norm. Through our talent, we believe that diversity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant company. People are at the centre of our company. We are committed to a sustainable environment and workplace ecosystem where talent can learn, grow, and thrive. We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses. Application OptionsTo take advantage of this opportunity complete our online application If you have any further queries, or you need any additional support with your application, please contact the Associate Helpdesk team via the Pearson Support Portal. Additional Information |


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This is partly related to: Using the word "problem" in titles – however this one here is an actual feature-request.
Problem, Sir?
I am trying to edit a question that contains a specific error message, namely:
there is a problem with the Office database
Error messages are the first thing people search for on the internet, therefore I feel it is absolutely necessary to have the error message in the title of the respective question. It used to have it, and I didn't want to change much on the title apart from adding quotes.
However, I get …
… and frankly, this does not make sense. I have made almost 3000 edits on Super User now, and I don't believe I can't be trusted to add whatever I deem necessary to the title. From my experience, titles don't get much editin' love anyway, and it shouldn't be made harder to edit them.
Even more so, this "feature" makes it impossible to ever revise an old post without breaking it. "Problem" can occur in almost every error message there is. Would you rather have a post with the title …
Error in Outlook
… than …
"There was a problem with the connection" error in Outlook
Which one is more meaningful? Of course, this is just an example, and the question I linked to shows other issues like "problems" in the domain of mathematics.
And while I'm sure there are several posts where "problem" really does not make sense in the title, I think there are far more serious title issues that need fixing (which however can't be fixed by a simple blocking filter).
Feature Request
I therefore suggest that users with enough privileges should be able to edits posts freely, regardless of the current restrictions in place.
Given that "problem" in titles is mainly abused by new users, "enough privileges" could mean:
- full edit privileges (2k),
- review privileges (5k) (in case the above is not enough)
- a certain number of edits approved, such as being awarded the
strunk & white


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Energy Management And ISO 50001
ISO 50001 is one of the more frequently misunderstood standards in the ISO family. Because it addresses energy management, there is some overlap between ISO 50001 and ISO 14001, which adds to the confusion. However, while both standards deal broadly with sustainability, each has distinct benefits. Organizations that achieve compliance with ISO 50001 will be well-positioned to run a leaner, more forward-thinking operation, one that meets current and future regulatory challenges with a minimal amount of hassle and expense.
In the following article, we cover the basics of this increasingly important management standard and look at how two organizations have used it to their benefit.
What Is Energy Management?
Energy management involves controlling consumption, increasing operational efficiency and lowering an organization's overall environmental impact. An energy management system comprises the set of processes, metrics and individual responsibilities that help fulfill these goals.
Public and private organizations in every sector have successfully developed and implemented energy management policies. Formal management systems should be global in scope, and based on recognized best practices that cover all aspects of power consumption and monitoring.
What Is ISO 50001?
ISO 50001 is the International Organization for Standardization's energy management standard. It was published in 2011 with participation from all member countries, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy, World Energy Council (WEC) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Like all ISO standards, it stresses repeatable, scalable processes, and continuous improvement based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.
ISO 50001 was designed to apply to organizations of any size, in any industry. Commercial, industrial and government operations around the world use it to:
Monitor, document and report energy consumption
Set and achieve targets for usage reduction
Assess, design and procure equipment, systems and processes that positively impact energy use
Continually review and improve energy management plans
Identify and manage external risk factors
Develop protocols for responding to emergencies
Ultimately, ISO 50001 builds more sustainable organizations from the ground up, engaging executive-level participation and codifying energy management as a key business goal.
How Is ISO 50001 Different From ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 differ primarily in scope. ISO 14001 provides a broad framework for understanding an organization's environmental impact. ISO 50001, on the other hand, specifically addresses energy consumption and defines concrete sustainability goals. Whereas ISO 14001 emphasizes qualitative processes, ISO 50001 is more numbers-driven.
ISO 50001 can be thought of as either a standalone system or as a complement to ISO 14001. There is no requirement that businesses must be compliant with ISO 14001 before pursuing ISO 50001. However, the standards do share some common elements. A thorough gap analysis is a critical first step for implementing an ISO 50001 energy management system.
Why Is Energy Management Important?
Whether or not you are currently ISO 14001 registered, there are multiple reasons for making energy management a priority. Businesses with an ISO 50001-compliant energy management system:
Save money. Energy use is a major overhead expense, particularly for large or multisite businesses. Any improvements you make in overall efficiency contribute to your bottom line and profitability. Also, reducing your reliance on fossil fuels provides insulation from fluctuations in the price of oil and gas, helping you budget with greater accuracy and confidence.
Simplify regulatory compliance. U.K.-based organizations can avoid costly, time-consuming ESOS assessments by becoming ISO 50001 certified. In general, the improved situational awareness ISO 50001 offers makes any form of energy auditing simpler and more accurate, thus positioning your organization to move into new markets and meet new benchmarks with ease.
Streamline their operations. A more sustainable operation should be more streamlined, too. Wasteful systems and processes are prone to error and failure. Running a leaner business reduces those risks and helps improve your overall productivity. In a well-designed system, the additional reporting requirements of ISO 50001 will be easy to administer, saving you time and money in the long run.
Improve their corporate image. Consumers want to do business with forward-thinking companies. ISO 50001 is a valuable marketing tool that demonstrates sustainability is an important priority for your organization. Because of its international scope, it's also useful for growing your business and expanding into new territory where your existing brand may not be as strong.
Ultimately, ISO 50001 certification is an investment that delivers both tangible returns in the form of decreased energy consumption, as well as the broader benefits of improving overall sustainability.
ISO 50001 In Action: Two Case Studies
Costa Coffee: In 2011, Costa Coffee — the largest coffee chain in the U.K. — became the first NQA client in the food industry to achieve ISO 50001 certification. A need to reduce costs and expand production without moving to a larger site was the primary motivator for this decision. Prior to certification, the company's bean roasting facility required significant amounts of power to meet its production goals. As a result, energy management became the key to achieving growth.
The certification process began with a detailed energy audit, which looked at every piece of equipment and its role in the manufacturing process. From there, the company was able to implement efficiencies that reduced its overall energy consumption by 16 percent. The results were so successful that Costa's parent company, Whitbread, now plans to implement ISO 50001 certification in all its subsidiaries.
The Royal Mint: As one of the world's largest coin producers, The Royal Mint consumes massive amounts of energy every year. In 2011 alone, electric bills for the organization's main facilities totaled £3.7 million. Having already achieved ISO 14001 registration, The Royal Mint was in search of management standards that would focus specifically on keeping these costs down in the future.
By making energy conservation a key goal and improving communication between senior staff, the Mint was able to reduce its energy use by 6 percent in 2011 and establish formal targets for improvement in future years. On a cultural level, the certification process was highly effective at engaging employees around energy management. Regular reviews now give team members an opportunity to make suggestions for further improvements, while highlighting and rewarding those who go out of their way to be sustainability leaders.
Getting Started With ISO 50001 Certification
Keep browsing the NQA website and blog to learn more about ISO 50001 certification. Alternately, contact a representative for details about the role we can play in the process.


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Steve Bentley is a high net-worth individual living in Los Angeles, CA. He has been making a good living for years running the family business that he inherited from his parents. Although, Steve considers himself to be a savvy investor, putting his earnings away in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and the like, he feels that he needs to diversify his portfolio a little bit more. When the market went south in 2008, Steve's returns on his investments did as well. After researching alternative investments, he has decided to get his feet wet in real estate. He knows a couple of people in the business and is aware of the potential returns of a successful development. He identified a parcel of vacant land near his home that he believes would be ideal to build a multi-family project on. Without really looking at any other properties or running any detailed financial projections on the development, he acquires the property.
Once the property acquisition is complete, Steve hires an Architect to design his vision. You see, Steve is under the impression that all he needs to complete this undertaking is an Architect and a General Contractor. The Architect is quick to alert him that there is much more needed for a project of this magnitude. Not only will he need his Architectural Services to design this 42-unit stick-frame condo structure over podium parking, but he will also need a Planning Consultant to get the project entitled through the governmental authorities; a Structural Engineer to design and engineer the structure; a Civil Engineer to design all of the site utilities and earthwork since his parking has to run subterranean; a Geotechnical Engineer to perform tests on the soil which the building foundation will sit; an MEP Engineer to design and engineer the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; an Interior Designer to design the finishes of the residential units and common areas so they are saleable; a Landscape Architect to design the outdoor hardscape and landscape; an Acoustical Consultant to make sure the sound transmissions coming into the condominiums are code compliant; a Waterproofing/Roofing Consultant to make sure the building design does not allow any water infiltration that could potentially lead to future lawsuits; an Elevator Consultant to design the elevator system; a Building Insurance Inspection Consultant because the insurance provider requires them for condominium work; and since this project is in a neighborhood that is trying to lobby for lower density, he even needs a Political / Community Outreach Consultant to deal with opposition of the local Not in My Backyard ("NIMBY") contingent.
Steve knows that he is not certified to do any of this work on his own and does not want to get sued for a construction defect in 10 years. As such he decides to hire all of these entities but doesn't know how he can possibly manage all of them. Steve has no experience in construction, let alone design and engineering. Additionally, he has blown through his budget for soft costs, which were essentially busted to begin with. As such, he decides to try and manage all of them on his own. Several months into hiring all of the consultants, as well as a General Contractor, things start to fall apart. The consultants are not producing their deliverables by the deadlines promised, the drawings reflect conflicting information, and Steve cannot even manage to get an appointment to submit the drawings into plan check with the city. The contractor forgot to submit his insurance certificate before mobilizing onsite and one of their workers was injured when performing structural excavation, city inspectors have already written several correction notices due to unsafe conditions, the contractor's hard costs are getting carried away, not to mention they are submitting numerous change orders because there were so many holes in Steve's contract with them. Everything is a huge mess and Steve needs help fast. It is now apparent that he needs an outside consultant to rectify these issues and manage the project on his behalf. In hindsight, he should have brought someone on board, possibly even before he submitted his offer on the property.
Introducing the Owner's Rep
Herein lies the need for the Owner's Representative in the real estate / construction industry. The Owner's Representative, also referred to as the Owner's Rep, OR, or simply Project Manager, is sometimes an overlooked asset that can be included in any project undertaking. The Owner's Rep bridges the gap between ownership and all other entities involved with the project. They control the design and construction process, making sure that every decision is made in the Owner's best interest. A true Owner's Rep is well versed in development as well, managing the entire development process and not just design and construction. More often than not, an Owner's Rep has a background in development themselves, so they know what it takes to pull off a successful development project and maximize their client's Internal Rate of Return ("IRR"). In turn, the Owner's Rep can use their ownership experiences to solve problems and offer creative solutions that directly affect the bottom line.
As one can see from the litany of tasks mentioned earlier in Steve's case, there are a myriad of moving parts to a development project, many of which may be a daunting undertaking for most small property owners to handle on their own. If the Owner chooses, the Owner's Rep can manage every aspect of the project, ranging from approvals to lease-up, something that individual Contractors or Consultants don't have experience handling either. Hiring an Owner's Rep is crucial and will allow the Owner to focus their time and resources on more important issues.
A very experienced Owner's Rep can even be brought on before the acquisition of the property, to help the Owner with things like property selection, acquisition analysis, economic studies and due diligence. They may also provide financial support, assisting in the identification of various forms of traditional and non-traditional financing sources and then help evaluate and analyze each of the options. The compilation of feasibility reports may also be necessary for decision making and reporting to various partners such as equity, banks, and appraisers, which include market research, detailed financial analysis, entitlement summaries, and justification for "go/no go" decisions. The Owner's Rep may also put together and update the project pro forma and even lead the project through the typically complex entitlement process, providing coordination with the city officials, land-use attorneys, and Architects involved.
When it comes time to start the design process, the Owner's Rep will assist in selecting the design team, typically at a minimum consisting of all of the players mentioned in Steve's project above. They may create and issue a formal Request for Proposal ("RFP") to go out to several different firms, or they may rely on past relationships to select a firm that best suits the particular project. Once the project team is formed, the Owner's Rep can lead the effective collaboration towards a common goal. Again, the Owner's Rep is typically involved in every aspect of the process and spearheads the flow of information among Architects, Designers, Engineers, Planners, Consultants, Contractors, Vendors, Property Managers, Sales Staff, Lenders, Governmental Authorities and of course, the client. Due to the number of players involved in the process, the Owner's Rep should have a commanding influence to lead this synchronized effort to crystallize the design concept so that it can be built in the field. This point in the project is the ideal time to start exploring/visiting the value engineering possibilities. Value engineering is a technique in which the value of a system's outputs is optimized by crafting a mix of performance and costs. In most cases this practice identifies and removes unnecessary expenditures, thereby reducing the cost. The Owner's Rep should work with the consultants to remove these unnecessary costs and put the money in places where it should be spent.
This may also be an opportune time to perform a LEED analysis if the client wishes to go in that direction. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council ("USGBC"), provides a suite of standards for the environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings and neighborhoods. Several Owner's Representation firms have LEED Accredited Professionals ("LEED AP") on staff, which have the capability of analyzing a design and driving it to LEED certification.
The Owner's Rep may prepare and maintain a Master Cost Report if the client so chooses, which includes the hard and other related development costs, such as acquisition, design & engineering, permits & fees, legal, FF&E & OS&E, administrative, sales, and marketing costs. This budget should include allowances for any anticipated cost exposures.
Prior to construction, the Owner's Rep can interact with the proper authorities who have jurisdiction to secure the necessary project approvals and permits. Having the design team do this alone may prolong the process as they do not exhibit the same urgency due to their lack of ownership in the project. Many times an Owner's Rep is needed to facilitate this coordination effort in a timely manner. They will also orchestrate all of the contractor bidding and trade buyouts. Whether the plan is to use a General Contractor, several prime Contractors, many direct Subcontractors, or any combination thereof, formal RFP's should be issued and sent to at least three different contractors for each trade to ensure sufficient coverage through competitive bidding. All returned bids should then be thoroughly vetted and a comprehensive bid comparison presented to the client prior to awarding any contract. After this "apples-to-apples" bid comparison has been compiled for a particular trade, negotiations will commence to establish a complete scope of work that is cost effective.
Many times, in order to save costs, materials and equipment may be bought directly through a purchase order to the client. Similar to the trade work above, pricing should be obtained from at least three vendors to ensure sufficient coverage through competition.
The Owner's Rep should prepare and maintain a Master Construction Schedule which incorporates all construction activities, procurement, material lead times, submittal lead times, approvals, permits, inspections, tenant relations, logistics, sales, marketing and turnover to the end-user. Weekly meetings should typically be held with the General Contractor and Subcontractors to review three-week or six-week look-ahead schedules.
The Owner's Rep should also maintain a working history set of all project documents in the field, including drawings, specifications, requests for information ("RFI's"), submittals, sketches ("SK's") and all relevant tracking logs. Every RFI response needs to be posted onto the drawings to ensure not only proper quality control in the field, but also a complete set of as-built drawings that can be turned over to the client at the end of the job. Additionally, the Owner's Rep should review and provide insight to every submittal, RFI and SK that comes through to make sure everything is warranted and properly clarified. In addition to document control, the Owner's Rep should also provide quality control in the field. In most cases a Superintendent should be part of the OR's staff, walking the job every day, from start to finish. This supervision is key to having a successful project that is built per plan and spec. It is also imperative to have a Superintendent to manage the field labor so that manpower stays at a consistent and productive level.
The Owner's Rep should make sure that each contract carries a complete scope of work in order to minimize the amount of change order requests coming in from the contractors. When they do arise, a thorough review and negotiation will take place to determine the validity of the request prior to approval.
The OR's superintendent should work with the Contractors as they prepare and go through the many inspections required by the authorities having jurisdiction during the construction process with the end goal being to receive final building certifications.
Accounting/Cost Control
As invoices, or monthly applications for payment, come in from the Contractors, the Owner's Rep should review prior to recommending payment to client. It is beneficial to work with each of the Contractor's in preparing their schedule of values during contract negotiations to maintain a proper breakdown and format that is consistent and comprehensive for the client during billing. During these billing periods, the OR should also request and gather all conditional and unconditional waiver and release of lien forms from all Contractors, Subcontractors, and Sub-Subcontractors for progress payments and final payments. If payments are made correctly, this will protect the client from having mechanic's liens recorded on their property.
Every month, as part of the Master Cost Report, a complete cash flow analysis and draw schedule should be updated and presented to the client, projecting costs on a month-to-month basis so that the client has a clear and realistic schedule of anticipated expenditures and bank draws. This service can range from general oversight and direction as to timing the cash with request, and move all the way to full control of the project's cash management in a fiduciary position.
Project Close-Out
As construction nears completion, the Owner's Rep should provide a punchlist of all completed work. A punchlist document will be generated listing those items of work which have been observed as incomplete or requiring correction. The contractor then finishes the items on this list before Final Completion may be declared and final payments authorized. Also, near the end of the project, the OR will gather and compile books of all applicable product manufacturer and workmanship warranties, along with all applicable operations & maintenance ("O&M") manuals for the end-user. In residential construction, these can be put together to be turned over to the individual homeowner, the homeowner's association and/or the property management firm.
For a residential project, one must be cognizant of the Department of Real Estate ("DRE") requirements. The Owner's Rep should be involved with all DRE Filings, creating an itemized checklist of all relevant requirements and then tracking each of these items to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks as a project approaches its various tract map and condo permitting processes.
Some Owner's Representation firms may have the staff and experience to aid the client with sales, marketing, and/or lease-up, either directly or indirectly by providing oversight. They can help identify a competent and appropriate sales team and establish sales and marketing strategies to be used for the project. Particular importance should be placed upon helping the client devise a sales and marketing campaign which helps the project differentiate itself from the competition and attract the right type of customer to the sales team.
If there is a "for-lease" component to the project, an Owner's Rep may be able to source and procure various potential tenants for a client, as well as negotiate the terms of their lease. A savvy Owner's Rep can provide a detailed lease analysis, abstracting and reporting in-place or proposed lease documents, making sure to identify the major deal points and lease clauses which impact the financial results and flexibility of the project.
In broad terms, the Owner's Representative will be the direct representative of the client, spearheading all aspects of the job and recognizing and solving conflicts. When complex issues arise, they will explore all options available, distill the information, and provide the client with a concise set of options, clearly defined, along with a recommended course of action.
To reiterate, the Owner's Representative is a critical team member to any successful real estate development project. As noted earlier in Steve Bentley's case, poor decisions can easily be made by property owners simply because they do not fully understand the issues at hand and have experience with the processes. Sound advice to any property owner or prospective property owner looking into any type of development venture is to consider including an Owner's Rep on the project team. More times than not, the client will discover that the time, money and hardship saved by having an Owner's Representative involved will more than pay for the OR's fee.


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Časopis Prihoda
Kalya Exports, Nashik, India
Kalya Group is a company active in various fields in India, such as agriculture, food processing, infrastructure and logistics. As a flagship company of Kalya Group, Kalya Exports is mainly engaged in the production, processing and export of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our daughter company, Prihoda India Private Limited, delivered fabric diffusers for their grape processing plant in Nashik. With a combination of microperforation and perforation at 135° and 225°, we were able to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the whole packing area, which is important for the quality of the grapes, while simultaneously keeping the air velocities at a level comfortable for workers.
Diameter: C635, C914, H1.050
Length of diffusers: 273 m
Material: PMI BL, PMI YE, PMI GR


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If you're looking to set up a really cool site, then LAWANDTRADEMARK.COM might be just what you're looking for. LAWANDTRADEMARK.COM can even be linked to a name you already own, allowing you to promote yourself by telling people what you do. Make it easy for people to find you and recognise your talent. Consider grabbing LAWANDTRADEMARK.COM today. Put yourself first for a change. It feels good.
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During last months I went deep into studying Roman Architecture; following a long time passion for archeology and for everything hiding under the ground from past times. 6 months ago I discovered the "Massive Open Online Courses" and decided to sign for "Roman Architecture by prof. Diana E.E.Kleiner" at Yale.
The MOOC platform it's not like watching a video tutorial, like thousands on the web. It adds the social key factor of learning. It means there are real people, forums, groups exchanging lecture notes, meetups, assignments and expectations. In a global multilingual community formed by students of different ages and every wealth. It's a dream.
The lectures were well done and very interesting, following the entire Roman Imperial history and architecture across the colonies between Spain and Lebanon, Britain and Algiers.
The table here contains all the lecture notes, some extras and personal adds. Entitled to the Augustan "Res Gestae" and printed on a single giant sheet.
Thanks to Diana E.E.Kleiner and the forum community at Coursera.


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Common Core — the new set of national education standards in math and English language arts — will take effect in most states next year. This move toward a single set of standards has been embraced by a bipartisan crowd of politicians and educators largely because of what the Common Core standards are replacing: a mess.
In years past, the education landscape was a discord of state standards. A fourth grader in Arkansas could have appeared proficient in reading by his state's standards — but, by the standards of another state, say Massachusetts, not even close.
"For far too long, our school systems actually lied to children and to families and to communities," says Education Secretary Arne Duncan at a recent speech in Washington. And what made those lies possible, according to Duncan, was the one thing most of these state standards had in common: They were low.
For example, in 2009, 90 percent of fourth graders in Tennessee met their state's proficiency standard for reading. But students also take the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a federal test that evaluates student reading. The NAEP found that just 28 percent of Tennessee fourth graders read proficiently. That's a massive difference.
"You can't explain that kind of a difference," says former governor of Tennessee Philip Bredesen, "by anything other than the standards we were measuring them against were just vastly softer and vastly easier." Bredesen says his state's standards had been low for years.
And Tennessee wasn't alone, says Kathleen Porter-Magee, who studies education policy at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which has long graded state benchmarks.
"Often more than half of the states earned D's and F's — almost failing grades from our experts," Porter-Magee says.
It gets worse. Between 2005 and 2007, some 15 states actually lowered their proficiency standards in reading or math, according to a report from the Education Department. Why? Under the No Child Left Behind law, passed by Congress in 2001, states were held accountable for failing schools. But the law had a fundamental flaw.
"It mandated that students at all schools be proficient," says Mark Schneider, vice president of the American Institutes for Research. But it "allowed states to set their proficiency standards."
Once a top official at the Education Department, Schneider commissioned that big report that showed states gaming the No Child Left Behind system by dropping their standards.
"We suspected that states had set their proficiency standards relatively low against NAEP," Schneider says. "But I don't think anybody anticipated exactly how low they were. It really was shocking."
Now, under the more rigorous Common Core standards, it will be harder for states to hide their failing schools. But what has Common Core watchers nervous is not that states will cheat but that the first round of student scores in 2015 will be honest, and bad — so bad they shock parents and strike fear into politicians.
Former Tennessee Gov. Philip Bredesen began the tough work of raising his state's standards before the Common Core, and he has this advice:
"The scores are gonna look like they're falling, and they're not," Bredesen says. "They're just being tested more honestly, and we've got to stay the course."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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All about Hajj
HAJJ – Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Mecca |
1. Introduction | |
Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj was made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijra. The Holy Prophet sent off 300 Muslims under the leadership of Hazrat Abubakr Siddique (may Allah be pleased with him) to Mecca so that they could perform Hajj. That was the year when it was banned for the Mushrikeen (those who associate partners with Allah) to enter Ka'ba. It was also made unlawful to perform Tawaaf (circling of Ka'ba) with naked body. |
2. Significance & Philosophy of hajj | |
Every nation and society has a center of unity where they get together to worship God. They see prosperity and culture as relics of unity. People of the society get to know each other and understand each other's difficulties. They form a unified front to remove these difficulties and achieve their goals. Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And to every people We appointed rites of sacrifice, that they might mention the name of Allah…" (22:34) With this idea, Hajj has been made a pinnacle of worship in order that Muslims who gather to perform Hajj can praise their Lord and Master, be thankful for His blessings, and humbly pray to Him for the removal of their difficulties. Muslims living in various parts of the world get to know each other, lay the foundation of social culture, give advice to each other, and provide opportunity for collective struggle. |
An adult Muslim of a sane mind, an able body and having means to bear the expenses must perform this act of worship once in his/her lifetime. There should be peace on the way to Mecca and there should be no hindrance or restriction in traveling to Mecca. Hajj is not obligatory for children, the sick, and those who are unable to bear the expenses for Hajj. | |
4. What are the Timings of Hajj (Pilgrimage) | |
There are specific months for performing the Hajj and are called "Months of Pilgrimage." These three Islamic months are Shawwal, Ze-Qa'd and Dul-Hajj. During these three "Months of Hajj", one prepares for the pilgrimage, attains good morals, and completes other physical conditions for the pilgrimage. All the essential duties of the pilgrimage have to be completed between 8th and the 13th day of Dul-Hajj. Additional tawaaf (circling around the Ka'ba), however, may be performed until the end of the month of Dul-Hajj. |
5. Pillars of Hajj | |
There are three basic pillars for performing Hajj: 1.To enter into state of "Ihram" and have the intention to perform the pilgrimage. 2.To stay at the field of "Arafat" on the ninth of Dul-Hajj If someone cannot go to the field of Arafat even for a short time then his/her pilgrimage will not be complete. He/she has to perform the pilgrimage again the following year. 3.Additional circling of the "Ka'ba" that is done after the stay at the field of "Arafat" and performed from the tenth to the end of the month. |
A. Departure From Home | |
A Muslim must be mindful of his/her duties towards family and fellow human beings. A Muslim who intends to perform Hajj must make sure, before departing for Hajj that his family is provided for during the period he is away for the Hajj. He should pay up his debt and seek forgiveness from fellow human being whom he might have caused harm in the past. He should be diligent in observing Salat (five daily prayers) and Sawm (fasting) in the month of Ramadhan as well as carrying out other religious obligations. He must shun all arrogance and exhibit a character of modesty and humbleness. He must not use unlawfully acquired money or unlawful means to perform Hajj. He should seek sincere repentance from Allah of all his past sins. In short, one should depart for Hajj just like one would wish to depart from this world. One should spend some money in charity as well. A woman is not allowed to perform Hajj alone and must be accompanied by an adult Muslim Mahram (father, husband, son or brother etc.) One should say two Rakat Nafl (supererogatory) prayer before leaving home for Hajj. |
B. Ihram at Miqat | |
When one reaches "Miqat" (any one of the appointed places in Mecca where pilgrims make a vow of pilgrimage) one must perform ablution or take a bath, use perfume, and put on two clean, unstitched, preferably white, pieces of cloth. This pair of clothing is called Ihram. One sheet should be wrapped around the lower part of the body and the other sheet around the upper body; the head should not be covered. Women can perform pilgrimage in the cloths they are wearing. Under normal circumstances a woman's face should not be covered unless she comes face to face with a stranger and she has to conceal herself. During the five days of Hajj, all Muslims engaged in this worship must remain in this same simple dress. As soon as a pilgrim puts on Ihram and declares his intention to perform Hajj, he/she enters into the state of Ihram and his/her Hajj begins. | |
C. Talbiyah | |
After putting on the Ihram, men and women offer two Raka'ts of Nafl (supererogatory) prayer followed by recitation of their "intention" and saying the following words: "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik; La Shareeka-laka Labbaik; Innalhamda wan-na'mata-laka wal-mulka Lashreeka-laka" Translation: "Here I am, O Allah! Here I am in Thy August presence; there is no associate with Thee, here am I; surely all praise is Thine and all favors are Thine and the kingdom is Thine, there is no associate with Thee." These words are recited in Arabic and called "Talbiyah". These words are an essential part of the state of Ihram and Ihram will not complete without reciting these words. After saying Talbiyah pilgrim is ready to fulfill his obligation of Hajj and is required to fulfill all the conditions laid down for Hajj. While one is in the state of Ihram it is strictly forbidden to engage in foul talk, sexual conduct, arguments, or enter into a war. Allah says in the Holy Quran: " …so whoever determines to perform the Pilgrimage in these months, should remember that there is to be no foul talk, nor any transgression, nor any quarreling during Pilgrimage. …" (2:198) |
D. Entering Masjid-el-Haram | |
After reaching Mecca, one should head straight to Ka'aba that is situated in bounds of Masjid-el-Haram and perform Tawaaf. It is said that when one has his/her first glance at Ka'aba, whatever prayers one makes is granted. | |
E. Istlam (Kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad) | |
The act of kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone) is called Istlam. While kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad, ones hands should be on the wall of the Ka'ba in the same position as when one performs a Sajdah (prostration) during a prayer. If it is not possible to kiss the Hajr-e-Aswad, it is permissible just touch it with a hand and if that is not possible the just point to the Hajr-e-Aswad and blow a kiss to it. | |
F. Tawaaf (Circling of ka'ba) | |
After performing Istlam (kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad) as described above, a pilgrim should perform Tawaaf of Ka'ba. Tawaaf is performed by going around Ka'ba seven times keeping the Ka'ba on left hand side (counter clock-wise). Istlam should be performed during each circle. It is also permitted to perform Istlam of Rukun-e-Yemeni (Pillar of Yemen). The seventh circle ends at the Hajr-e-Aswad. | |
G. Nawafal at Muqam-e-Ibrahim | |
After completing the Tawaaf, the pilgrim should move to the Muqam-e-Ibrahim (Place of Ibrahim. At this place one should offer two Rakats of prayer while facing Ka'ba. | |
H. Sa'ee (Running between Safa' and Marwah) | |
Allah the Exalted has said the Holy Quran: "Surely, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the Signs of Allah. It is, therefore, no sin for him who is on pilgrimage to the House, or performs Umra, to go round the two. And whoso does good beyond what is obligatory, surely then, Allah is Appreciating, All-Knowing." (2:159) After praying two Rakats of prayer at Muqam-e-Ibrahim, the pilgrim then moves to "Safa". At this place, he should face towards Ka'ba and recite Durood, Takbir and Talbiyah. The he should walk briskly towards Marwah and recite the same at Marwah. This counts as one circuit. Now one should move to Safa' and repeat the prayers. One should complete seven circuits between Safa' and Marwah. These circuits are called Sa'ee. After performing the circuits between Safa' and Marwah, one is free to move about and go to a resting place. |
I. Arriving at Mina | |
On 8th day of Dul-Hajj the pilgrims reach at Mina early in the morning after performing Tawaaf-Qudoom. A pilgrim offers Duhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha' prayers at Mina and camp there for the night. | |
J. Arriving at Arafat | |
On 9th day of Dul-Hajj, after offering Fajr prayer, a pilgrim should move to Arafat. Stay at Arafat is called Waqoof and is the most important part of Hajj. Without this, Hajj cannot be considered complete. If someone misses Waqoof, he should perform Hajj the following year. One listens to the sermon at the plane of Arafat and offers combined Zuhr and Asr prayers. One should stay at Arafat till sunset (Maghrib). | |
K. Arriving at Muzdalifah | |
One leaves Arafat after sunset and reaches Muzdalifah in the evening of 9th Dul-Hajj. Combined Maghrib and Isha' prayers are offered at Muzdalifah. The pilgrims spend the night at Muzdalifah. | |
L. Departure from Muzdalifah | |
On the 10th day of Dul-Hajj the pilgrims offer their Fajr prayer as early in the morning as possible. After the Fajr prayer a pilgrim leaves Muzdalifah and arrive at Mina. On the way to Mina one should pick up seventy small stones. As soon as he reaches Mina, he should cast seven stones at Jumrah-tul-Aqba. This act of throwing stones is called Rami. With the throwing of the first stone the requirement to repeatedly recite Talbiyah is lifted. If the pilgrim intends to sacrifice an animal then he should do that after casting stones ad Jumrah-tul-Aqba. After offering the sacrifices a male pilgrim should have his head shaven and female pilgrims are required to cut a small part of her hair. Femle pilgrims are not permitted to have their heads shaven. After the hair cut one can remove the Ihram and may now wear regular cloths. | |
M. Return to Mecca after sacrifice and hair cut. Perform Taawaf-e-Afaza | |
After the removal of Ihram the pilgrim is required to return to Mecca to perform another circuit of the Ka'ba. This particular circuit is called Tawaaf-e-Afaza (additional circuit) and is an essential part of the pilgrimage. After this circuit a pilgrim is permitted to return to normal life and all those lawful things that were forbidden are now allowed again. | |
N. Return to Mina after Tawaf-e-Afaza | |
After this additional circuit, the pilgrim should return to Mina and stay there for three days. During the stay at Mina on 11th, 12th and 13th day of Dul-Hajj the pilgrim cast seven stones on each of the Jumrah in the following order: Jumrah-tul-Oola, Jamrah-tul-Wusta, and Juramh-tul-Aqba. It is permitted not to cast stones on the third day. | |
O. Return to Ka'ba and Farewell | |
On the 12th or the 13th day of Dul-Hajj, the pilgrim returns to the Ka'ba and perform a final circuit. This circuit is called Tawaf-al-Sadr or Tawaf-al-Wida (parting or farewell circuit). After this last circuit, the pilgrim should drink water from Zumzum, kiss the threshold of the door of the Ka'ba, and pray to Allah for forgiveness. He should leave the Ka'ba walking backwards, looking at it the last time, and saying farewell. | |
7. Prohibitions During the Pilgrimage | |
It is forbidden to have a hair cut during Hajj or to wear sewn clothes. Pilgrims should offer Fidya (redemption) if he has to wear sewn clothes or have to shave his head due to illness or lice. |
Hunting is forbidden during the pilgrimage days. If the pilgrim hunts during these days then he has to offer the sacrifice of one animal. If he has hunted deer then a lamb should be sacrificed and of ostrich is hunted then camel should be sacrificed. If one cannot offer a sacrifice the he should feed six poor people and if that is not possible the he should fast for three days. Allah says in the Holy Quran: |
"O ye who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of pilgrimage. And whoso amongst you kills it intentionally, its compensation is a quadruped like unto that which he has killed, as determined by two just men from among you, the dame to be brought as an offering to the Ka'ba; or as an expiation he shall have to feed a number of poor persons, or fast an equivalent number of days, so that he may taste the penalty of his deed. As for the past, Allah forgives it; but whoso reverts to it, Allah will punish him for his offense. And Allah is Mighty, Lord of retribution. |
The game of the sea and the eating thereof have been made lawful for you as a provision for you and the travelers, but forbidden to you is the game of land as long as you are in a state of pilgrimage. And fear Allah to Whom you shall be gathered. | |
Allah has made the Ka'ba the inviolable House as a mean of support and uplift of mankind, as also the Sacred Month and the offerings and the animals with collars. That is so that you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and that Allah knows all things well. | |
Know that Allah is sever in punishment and that Allah is also Most Forgiving, Merciful." (5:95-98) | |
If the pilgrim has sexual intercourse with his/her spouse before the first Tawaaf the Hajj will become invalid or unlawful. He/she should continue to perform all the duties of the pilgrimage but he/she has to perform pilgrimage again the next year. Moreover he/she has to sacrifice a camel at Mina to atone the violation. | |
8. Ahsari | |
If some difficulty arises after entering the state of Ihram for the Hajj or Umra (i.e., illness, resistance by enemy to prevent from reaching Mecca) then the sacrifice of an animal should be offered and the Ihram removed. We read in the Holy Quran: " … but if you are kept back, then make whatever offering is easily available; and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination … " (2:197). | |
9. Umra | |
To simply circuit the Ka'ba and perform the seven circuits between Safa and Marwah is called Umra. There is no fixed time for Umra and it can be performed at any time during the year except between the 9th and the 13th of Dul-Hajj (these days are only reserved for the full pilgrimage or Hajj). Entering into the state of Ihram and removal of Ihram is carried out in the same manner as for the full pilgrimage. | |
10. Types Of Hajj: | |
There are three types of Hajj: | |
a. Hajj Mufrad: | |
All conditions of the Hajj Mufrad are same as described above. One enters into the state of Ihram for Hajj only and no Umra is performed before Hajj. | |
b. Hajj Tamattu : | |
This is Hajj when Umra is performed before the Hajj. The pilgrim removes Ihram for Umra on the 8th of Dul Hajj and re-enters into the state of Ihram again for Hajj. | |
c. Hajj Qiran: | |
In this Hajj, the pilgrim enters into the state of Ihram for both Umra and the Hajj at one time. |
11. Places of Hajj inside Mecca | |
A. Ka'aba: | |
The focus of the pilgrimage is Ka'ba which was rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) some 4000 years ago. Today, Ka'ba stands in the middle of a large courtyard of Masjid-el-Haram or the sacred Mosque. The courtyard of Masjid-el-Haram contains, besides Ka'ba, the Muqam-e-Ibrahim (place of Ibrahim) and the fountain of Zumzum. |
Ka'ba is the first house ever that was built for the worship of One and Only God, Allah. It is also called "Bait-Ullah" (House of Allah), "Bait-ul-Ateeq" (the Oldest House), and Baitul Ma'amoor (Inhabited House). |
Muslims, all over the world, face towards Ka'ba to offer their prayers. This house and the places around it have several signs that have been manifested by Allah. Every inch of this land testifies to the fact that Allah never destroys those who offer sacrifices. To commemorate Allah's signs and to enhance their faith that Allah truly fulfils His promise, Muslims have been ordered to pay homage to the Ka'ba and these other Signs of Allah. Allah the Exalted, says in the Holy Quran: |
"Surely, the first House founded for mankind is that at Becca (the valley of Mecca), abounding in blessings and a guidance for all peoples. In it are manifest signs; it is the place of Abraham; and whoso enters it, enters peace" (3:96-97) |
Hadrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) laid a foundation stone for a community in a deserted place by the order of All-Mighty Allah. The he settled his wife, Hajira, and his son, Ishmael, at this place. There was no water at this place and it was not a part of any thoroughfare. The ultimate goal of this unparalleled sacrifice was that his place should serve as a center of universal guidance; that from the progeny of Hadrat Ishmael living in this area would come the greatest prophet whose advent marked the sole cause for the creation of this universe and who would be a mercy for all mankind. The teaching that he brought down would be for the entire world and for all times. In spite of having no sign of any provisions at this place, Hadrat Ibrahim's (peace be upon him) expectations were superceded. Allah made provisions for water at that place. Slowly the place became populated and was called Becca or Mecca. This was the place where Hadrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) found lost signs of the first House of Allah that was built for His worship and re-built this house with the help of his son. He fervently prayed to Allah to make this house the "Place for Humanity". | |
B. Hajr-e-Aswad (The Black Stone) | |
There is a black stone in the north-eastern corner of the Ka'ba. This stone is called Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone). This stone was probably part of a meteoroid that fell near Mecca on a mountain called Abu Qubais. At the time of construction of Ka'ba, Hadrat Ibrahim brought it down and placed in the corner of the Ka'ba as a great sign and a monument. Anyone who performs pilgrimage is expected to kiss this memorial stone. This stone is part of Allah's mark and is a sign of Him being the Supreme Being. One loves things that belong to one's beloved. The same philosophy exists behind kissing the stone. This stone has no power and it provides neither benefit nor harm to anyone. |
C. Hateem | |
A short distance away from Ka'ba towards North there is an open space.The place has small walls around it but there is no ceiling.There is a tradition of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that suggests that this place was left without a roof because not enough wood was available to cover the entire building.A pilgrim should keep this place inside the Tawaaf but it is not right to face towards this place when offering prayers. | |
D. Multazam | |
The southern part of the wall between the door of the Ka'ba and the black stone is called Multazam. At the completion of the pilgrimage the pilgrims embrace this part of the wall. This is one way of saying good-bye and a way of expression of extreme love for the House of Allah. | |
E. Rukun-e-Yemeni | |
The north-western corner of the Ka'ba faces towards Yemen and this is why it is called Rukun-e-Yemeni (Yemen's Pillar). It is not appropriate to touch or kiss this part during making a circuit of the Holy Ka'ba. |
There is a circle of white stone around the Ka'ba. This is the place where the circuit of the Holy Ka'ba is performed during the pilgrimage. The circuit of the Holy Ka'ba is an integral part of the worship offered seven times during Hajj. |
G. Muqam-e-Ibrahim (Place of Ibrahim) | |
There is a small round-shaped building in front of the door of the Ka'ba and the Multazam. This building has a stone that was used by Hadrat Ibrahim to stand on to complete the walls of the Ka'ba. This is called Muqam-Ibrahim (Place of Ibrahim). After completing the seventh circuit during the pilgrimage, two Raka't of prayer are offered. One gets more blessings if these Raka'ts are offered at the Place of Ibrahim. |
A small well is present on the left side of the Place of Ibrahim and to the east of the Ka'ba. This well appeared as a sign when the child Ishmael rubbed his heels on the ground due to his thirst. One drinks water from this well facing the Ka'ba to get blessings. |
Around the Ka'ba is a mosque that has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Pilgrims offer prayers in this mosque by making circular rows and face towards the Ka'ba. |
Two small hills in Mecca were located in the north of Masjid-el-Haram. Now these hills have been flattened. Hadrat Hajirah ran seven times between these two hills in search of food and water. Pilgrims are ordained to follow her footsteps and go to these hills seven times. |
12. Places Outside of Mecca | |
There is an open ground three miles to the east of Mecca called Mina. There are three stone pillars in this ground that are called Jumrat representing Satan. These stones are called Jumrah-tul-Oola, Jumrah-tul-Wusta, and Jumrah-tul-Aqbah. During the last day of Hajj, the 10th Dul-Hajj and three Tashriq days, pilgrims are required to cast stones at these Jumrah. This act of casting stones at Jumrah is called Ramy al-jimar (throwing small stones). Thousands of animals are sacrificed on this ground to commemorate the great sacrifice of Hadrat Ibrahim and Hadrat Ishmael. |
B. Arafat | |
On the 9th day of Dul Hajj pilgrims gather in a great ground that is located about 9 miles to the southeast Mecca. This ground is called Arafat. Pilgrims stay at this place from the time of Duhr prayer until Maghrib. Jabalu-Rahmat is a small hill that also stands on this ground. A pilgrim is required to stay at this ground for his/her pilgrimage to be acceptable. | |
C. Muzdalifah | |
This ground is located roughly three miles from Arafat towards Mina. A small hill Mash'ar-al-Haraam is present in this field. Pilgrims spend the night of 9ht Dul Hajj in this field on their way back from Arafat. They offer Maghrib and Isha prayers combined and then Fajr prayer on the morning of the 10th day of Dul Hajj at this place. Pilgrims are commanded to remember Allah after the Fajr prayer near the mountains of Mash'ar-ul-Haraam. | |
D. Muwaqiat | |
Muwaqiat is the plural of Miqat. This is the place where pilgrims enter into the state of Ihram. It is forbidden to go any further from this place without entering the state of Ihram. Ihram is not only wearing specific clothing but it is also a sincere intention to perform the pilgrimage. There are several placed to enter into the state of Ihram that are marked as Miqat depending upon the route taken towards Mecca. Following are the well-known places where the Pilgrims enter into the state of Ihram. |
a. Mecca | |
Pilgrims who live in and around Mecca enter into the state of Ihram in their homes. People can enter into the state of Ihram before leaving their homes. It is not absolutely necessary for "local" pilgrims to enter into the state of Ihram at the Mawaqit, however, it is forbidden to proceed any further from these place without being in the state of Ihram for the people coming from other locations. |
b. Dul-Hulaifah: | |
Five miles from Madina towards Mecca is a small village. Pilgrims arriving from Madina and from its surrounding areas are required to replace their usual clothes with Ihram at this place |
c. Juhfah | |
This place located about forty miles to the south of Mecca. Pilgrims arriving from Egypt, Syria and Southern Africa are required to enter into the state of Ihram at this place. |
d. Zaat-ul-Irq | |
Located about thirty miles from Mecca, the pilgrims coming from Iraq and by land from the eastern side enter into the state of Ihram at this place. |
e. Qarn-al-Manazil | |
Located about 40 miles to the east of Mecca, the Pilgrims arriving from Yemen and by sea enter into the state of Ihram at this place. |
f. Taneem | |
This place is near Mecca and acts as Miqat for people living in Mecca. If someone is living in Mecca and wants to perform Umra then he should go to this place, enter into the state of Ihram and then return to Mecca so that the condition of traveling for the pilgrims is also fulfilled. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: "Part of the worship of Hajj and Umra is to travel in the way of Allah and to go out of the city." |
E. Haram | |
Mecca and its surrounding areas are called Haram. Haram has different boundaries. These boundaries extend to three miles on one side, seven on the other and nine miles towards Jedda. Within these boundaries of Haram it is forbidden to hunt, bother any animal, or to cut grass or trees. One is permitted to kill dangerous animals like snakes, scorpions, rats or animals with rabies (dogs, etc.) | |


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Hillary Clinton emerged from political hibernation Tuesday by declaring herself "part of the resistance" to Donald Trump's presidency — and spreading blame for why it is not her sitting in the Oval Office.
Making a rare public appearance, Clinton attributed her surprise loss in the 2016 election to interference by Russian hackers and the actions of FBI Director James B. Comey in the campaign's homestretch.
"If the election had been on October 27, I would be your president," Clinton told moderator Christiane Amanpour, the CNN anchor, at a Women for Women International event in New York.
Clinton stated broadly that she takes "absolute personal responsibility" for her failure to win the White House. Yet the Democratic nominee declined to fault her strategy or message, nor did she acknowledge her own weaknesses as a campaigner or the struggles by her and her advisers to at first comprehend and then respond to the angry mood of broad swaths of the electorate.
Instead, Clinton attributed her defeat to a range of external forces, including saying she was a victim of misogyny and of "false equivalency" in the news media.
Clinton said she was confident that she was on track to winning the election until two things reversed her momentum: the release of campaign chairman John Podesta's emails, which were allegedly stolen by Russian hackers, and Comey's Oct. 28 letter to Congress that he had reopened the bureau's investigation into her use of a private email server.
"I was on the way to winning until the combination of Jim Comey's letter on October 28 and Russian WikiLeaks raised doubts in the minds of people who were inclined to vote for me but got scared off — and the evidence for that intervening event is, I think, compelling [and] persuasive," Clinton said.
On Nov. 6, two days before the election, Comey wrote again to Congress saying that the FBI had found no new evidence to change its conclusion that Clinton should not face criminal charges.
Clinton talked about "the unprecedented interference, including from a foreign power whose leader is not a member of my fan club" — referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom she tangled as secretary of state.
When Amanpour asked whether she thought misogyny contributed to her loss as the first female presidential nominee, Clinton said, "Yes, I do think it played a role." She added that sexism "is very much a part of the landscape politically and socially and economically."
Amanpour tried to draw out self-reflection from Clinton.
"He had one message, your opponent, and it was a successful message: 'Make America great again,' " Amanpour said of Trump. "Where was your message? Do you take any personal responsibility?"
"I take absolute personal responsibility," Clinton said. "I was the candidate. I was the person who was on the ballot."
But then Clinton went on to blame Comey and the Russian hack of Podesta's emails for her loss. "There was a lot of funny business going on," she said.
Clinton added that she would detail her mistakes in her forthcoming book. "You'll read my confession and my request for absolution," she said with a touch of sarcasm.
Robert Shrum, a Democratic strategist who advised two losing presidential nominees, Al Gore and John F. Kerry, said Clinton is not applying enough weight to her own failures, especially her economic message, in analyzing her loss.
"I have a measure of real sympathy, but it is also true that you can't just blame the things that happened to you," Shrum said. "Part of credibility here begins with saying, 'These were things that happened to me that really hurt and could've cost me the election, but there were decisions I wish I made differently as well.' "
Losing a close presidential race can be devastating, and even traumatic, for a politician who long aspired to the office. After his 2000 defeat, Gore grew a beard and gained weight. Following his 2012 drubbing, Republican Mitt Romney was spotted pumping his own gas, with his hair preternaturally flopping over his forehead.
"When a presidential candidate loses, they usually fall into a deep funk," said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University. "They're overtaken by a sense of personal mistakes that they made, but also trying to blame great external forces that robbed them of the prize."
By her own acknowledgment, the experience has been no different for Clinton. Day after day, photos popped up on social media of her walking her dogs in the woods near her home in Chappaqua, N.Y. Clinton said Tuesday that she has been keeping busy writing a memoir, due out this fall. She described the process as "cathartic" yet "excruciating."
"It's a painful process reliving the campaign, as you might guess," she said.
Now, six months after the election, Clinton is stepping back into the public arena. She wants to be heard and to stay relevant, even as her Democratic Party is turning the page on the Clinton era and looks for new figures to lead it out of the political wilderness.
"I'm back to being an activist citizen — and part of the resistance," Clinton said.
Some Democrats would prefer to lead the resistance themselves.
"She continues to be an important voice, but we're focused on new battles now," said Rep. Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.). "I don't think it's productive to re-litigate that race. I get up every morning and I've got to live with Donald Trump as president."
But Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.), one of a handful of Democrats who endorsed Clinton's primary opponent, Bernie Sanders, said that being freed from life as a candidate might change the way voters hear Clinton.
"Maybe she can speak a little more openly now," Ellison said. "I think it's a good idea for her to do a book tour, to plug into the energy that's out there."
In a 35-minute question-and-answer session with Amanpour, Clinton reprised familiar themes and lines from her campaign. She talked about supporting the aspirations of women and girls, and also weighed in on North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
"This is one of those wicked problems," she said. "There has to be a regional effort to basically incentivize the North Korean regime to understand that it will pay a much bigger price regionally, primarily from China, if it pursues this reckless policy of nuclear weapons development."
Clinton ribbed Trump a few times in the interview, leaving no doubt that she disapproves of his policies as well as his personal conduct. She suggested that Trump should tweet more about her than about foreign affairs, saying, "I'm happy being the diversion."
"He should worry less about the election and my winning the popular vote than doing some other things that would be important for the country," Clinton said.
To that point, she was quick to fact-check Trump's regular commentary about his "historic" election, in which he won the electoral college but lost the popular vote.
"Remember," Clinton said, "I did win more than 3 million votes [more] than my opponent."


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