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It is my final day in Las Vegas. Mrs. Quickie and I stayed through tonight for two big reasons: We didn't want to be flying during the Florida game, and I wanted the chance to bet on college football -- on a full-slate Saturday -- for the first time.
I dipped my toe in the water on Thursday night -- successfully. But I have been touting Cincy for years -- let alone this season -- and I just KNEW that -2.5 was an opportunity.
In looking over today's schedule, I am feeling a lot less confident. I had every intention of putting my weekly picks on the line -- money behind mouth for once -- but it is not easy.
There is one game I feel strongly about (for myself... not for other folks -- for you all, it's for entertainment purposes only: Texas over Oklahoma (by more than the game's 3-point line). Probably USC (-10) over Notre Dame, given my constant anti-ND yammering. After that?
*Iowa at Wisconsin? Yikes -- so iffy, and I've gone back and forth between "classic trap!" for Iowa and "classic gag in obvious trap situation!" for Wisco.
*GA Tech over VA Tech? It's my Upset Special, sure... right up until I saw the Commenter who said to note my own Transitive property there. (Don't have to worry about the points there -- GA Tech is getting them.)
One thing I am sure of: I will NOT be betting on Florida in any way. It's a no-win proposition: If I pick them to win by more than 25 and they don't, will I find myself disappointed by a win? If I pick them to win by less than 25, will I find myself rooting against a rout?
And, so today, a very special edition of the weekly college football picks -- with and without the spread applied. (Still not sure which ones I'll actually bet on. Biggest prospects in bold. Will update on that.)
1 Florida over Arkansas
2 Alabama over 22 South Carolina
(But by more than 17 or 18? SC's D good enough to keep it closer?)
3 Texas over 20 Oklahoma
(But by more than 3 points? That's my bet.)
19 Georgia Tech over 4 Virginia Tech -- Upset Special
(GA Tech is getting 3-4 points. Gotta do it.)
6 USC over @ 25 Notre Dame
(But by more than 10? Back up your anti-Weis bias with cash, Dan!)
7 Ohio State over @ Purdue
(But by 2 TDs? At Purdue? Hmm...)
9 Miami over @ Central Florida
11 Iowa over @ Wisconsin -- Say...
(Hmm: Books have Wisco by 2 or 3)
12 TCU over Colorado St
14 Penn St over Minnesota
(But by more than 17? Hmmm...)
15 Nebraska over Texas Tech
16 Oklahoma St over Mizzou
17 Kansas over @ Colorado
18 BYU over @ San Diego St
23 Houston over @ Tulane
24 Utah over @ UNLV
More Games of Note
Michigan St over Northwestern
(But by 14? I kinda have to take the Cats, don't I?)
Clemson over Wake Forest
(But by 7 or more? Hmmm....)
Georgia over @ Vanderbilt
Cal over @ UCLA
Maryland over Virginia -- Not touching with 10-foot pole
More from this morning:
*One more reason the Yankees paid for Sabathia.
*Pedro! What a great effort, wasted.
*Sounds like Midnight Madness was as crazy as expected at Kentucky.
Sorry for the brevity on non-CFB stuff. I'm getting an early jump on what should be a fun day.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
1 comment:
- Johnny b said...
PSU won't win by 17 in the weather that State College is having
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Kitch Studios
Sanderson Sisters Broom Co Tea Towel
Regular price
This is a white dishtowel. 100% machine washable cotton. Towel measures approximately 28" x 29" (unfolded). Print measures approximately 8" high. Print is in black and is centered in the front middle panel of the towel, meant to be displayed when folded, as pictured. Comes folded flat with tag & hanger.
Please note: These are 100% natural cotton products & there may sometimes be random strings that run through the towel fabric, these are not defects, but part of the charm of flour sacks!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Cole & Van Note, a leading consumer rights law firm, announces today its investigation of Inline Plastics Corp. on behalf of its consumers/clients, arising out the company's recent data breach. According to the company, the private information of a massive number of people may have been stolen in the hacking of its information network. It is currently unknown how many people have had their information used for criminal purposes.
In the event that you have received a notification regarding the concerning data breach or have engaged in any form of transaction with Inline Plastics Corp., it is imperative to recognize the gravity of the situation. Your personal information could potentially be compromised, placing it within the reach of cybercriminals. Given this scenario, it is of utmost importance that you address this matter with a sense of urgency.
The genesis of every situation often originates with a single individual displaying the courage to initiate contact. The significance of a single action cannot be underestimated. In this case, taking the step to acknowledge the breach and its potential impact is the crucial first stride towards safeguarding your information and minimizing the risks associated with unauthorized access.
The notice you have received is not merely a routine communication but a call to action. The breach's implications underscore the need for your immediate attention. Cybercriminals are opportunistic and swift to exploit vulnerabilities; therefore, a swift response on your part is pivotal in curbing any potential misuse of your personal data.
Confronting such challenges necessitates collective vigilance and individual responsibility. By acknowledging the breach and its potential consequences, you contribute to a collective effort to mitigate risks and prevent further compromise. Every individual who takes heed and responds to the notification plays a significant role in safeguarding both personal data and the wider community from the detrimental effects of cybercrime.
Visit the DATA BREACH CENTER we host for helpful tips to prevent future breaches. Ransomware, Malware, Phishing and Denial of Service remain the most prevalent forms of this crime, but bad actors are discovering new methods and technologies every day to steal your information.
Don't wait to get a letter regarding a data breach to check if your information is vulnerable. You probably won't get one. But, if you have already been hacked (and almost all people have been), heavy damages and penalties are available to you. We stand ready to recover them for you, while helping you find ways of protecting your identity against further harm. Let us know if you or someone you know has received notice via mail or email of a financial or healthcare data breach, or phishing emails. We'll take it from there.
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Cole & Van Note has successfully handled consumer and employee rights matters since 1992. The firm has recovered compensation for millions of individuals and stands ready to help you get paid for your losses. Contacting us is always free of charge, always confidential and may be your best resource for keeping your information/identity protected and for submitting a claim for financial compensation in the event your data was breached. If your information was accessed, you are probably entitled to substantial compensation. Don't pass up that opportunity.
A few minutes now may mean the difference between winning and losing your case! Getting paid for your involvement with this cyber-security breach is a lot easier than you may think. Our job is to demystify the legal process for you and design a plan of action to get you paid ASAP. We'll review your claim, provide you a legal opinion and develop a step-by-step plan for the best outcome.
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text:
The Federal Reserve today released transcripts of its meetings in 2008, back when the financial crisis was unfolding. The documents show Fed policymakers struggling to understand and respond to failing Wall Street banks and a global financial system in turmoil. NPR's John Ydstie has been reading through the transcripts and joins us now. Hey there, John.
JOHN YDSTIE, BYLINE: Hi, Audie.
CORNISH: So we've had these minutes, at least - right? - from most of these meetings, for years. What do we learn from the transcripts?
YDSTIE: Well, what we get is the actual dialogue and debate, the back and forth between Fed Chairman Bernanke and the other policymakers. So, you know, we get a much more human picture of what was going on.
CORNISH: So what was the tone, I mean, given what these policymakers were facing? Were they frantic, calm, somewhere in the middle?
YDSTIE: Well, you know, you'd expect some pretty dramatic moments. But the rhetoric is really quite restrained, not hair-on-fire kind of stuff. Mostly what you get is policymakers struggling to understand the full scope of the threat, and what to do about it. Now, as early as the Jan. 9th meeting, Chairman Bernanke does talk about the threat of something more than a garden-variety recession. But for much of the year, policymakers don't seem as aware as they should be about what they're facing. Now, of course, we get to criticize them with the help of 20/20 hindsight.
CORNISH: Now there are a mountain of transcripts, but you've got a few of them - right? - from a dozen different meetings. Is there one that really stands out?
YDSTIE: Well, that would be the Sept. 16th meeting, which occurred just a couple days after the Wall Street bank Lehman Bros. failed. And remember, neither the Fed nor the Treasury stepped in to rescue Lehman. Bernanke had concluded that the Fed didn't have the authority to do it. So at that September meeting, board members were discussing the implications of the failure.
Tom Hoenig, the - then the Kansas City Fed chairman, says: I think what we did with Lehman was the right thing because the market was beginning to play the Treasury and the Fed. But Eric Rosengren, president of the Boston Fed, says: I think it's too early to know. We took a calculated bet. If we have a run on money market funds, that may not look nearly so good. And a couple days later, there was a run on money market funds, and the economy began to really tank. So now, a lot of people think that allowing Lehman to go down was the biggest mistake that the Fed made.
CORNISH: Do you get the feeling from this transcript that there was a real sense of urgency in that meeting?
YDSTIE: Well, you know, it's kind of a mixture. There's actually a bit of joking around, maybe to break the tension in the room. It is clear that the policymakers know there's a huge crisis in the financial markets. After all, Tim Geithner, who was then president of the New York Fed, isn't at the meeting because he's in New York, finalizing the government takeover of AIG, the giant insurance firm. But it's also clear they're still trying to understand the full dangers to the broader economy.
Janet Yellen, the current Fed chair who was then president of the San Francisco Fed, says she is decidedly more pessimistic about the economic outlook. And then she points out that discretionary spending is softening. For example, she says, East Bay plastic surgeons and dentists note that patients are deferring elective procedures. Of course, it got a lot worse than that.
CORNISH: Now, where does Chairman Bernanke come down in that discussion of economic implications and what to do?
YDSTIE: Well, at that September meeting, Bernanke says: I think our policy is looking pretty good. They'd already cut interest rates earlier in the year, so the Fed officials decide to leave their benchmark interest rate at 2 percent. Now just three months later, in December, Bernanke's tone is much more sober. He says: We are at a historic juncture, both the U.S. economy and the Federal Reserve. It's not a moderate recession, and it's not a normal financial downturn.
At that meeting, the Fed cuts its rate to essentially, zero.
CORNISH: NPR's economics correspondent John Ydstie. John, thank you.
YDSTIE: You're welcome, Audie.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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< Piro >
"...out of hiding"
Tuesday - March 27, 2007
[Piro] - 13:45:00 - [link here]
Before i start, i want to give a heads up to MT fans in the Michigan area that Sarah and i will be appearing this weekend at Wizzywig's big 'Wizzyfest' on Saturday, March 31st. at the Wizzywig store in Downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sarah and i will be at the store around 1pm to sign stuff for folks looking for scribbles. Also appearing at Wizzyfest will be Rikki and Tavisha from Studio Tavicat (the creators of ShutterBox), Caroline Curtis from 9th Elsewhere and Jerry Koudelik of Secret of Mana Theater. Great folks that i am looking forward to seeing again, it should be fun :) There is also a big cosplay event, so feel free to dress up.
Also coming up soon, Sarah and I will be at Sakuracon in Seattle, Washington on April 6-8. Sarah and I are looking forward to being with the Sakuracon folks to celebrate their 10th anniversary. I'm not sure of our schedule yet, but i'll post it as soon as i have more info.
Ok, now on to a long overdue rant.
It kind of feels like i've been in hiding for the past few months. I haven't really, of course, but my usual inattention to ranting and blogging, as well as all this in-between chapter time for Megatokyo has made it feel like i've been a recluse hiding in the mountains trying to find the meaning to life or something. Actually, it's been a bit like that for the past few months. No, I haven't been searching for the meaning of life or any of that crap (i do that in the comic), but i have been trying to rebuild the way i do things, and that's not a task that is taken on lightly.
As you may have noticed from the few rants i've done this year, not everything has gone according to plan (cough cough). My inability to plan ahead has this tendency to bite me on the ass and not let go for lengthy periods of time. One big change that i've been working on is trying to figure out how such a now-minded person like myself can plan and execute bigger things in an organized, productive, and timely fashion.
Organization and me don't mix very well. Over the years, i have spent more time, money and energy on organizational tools than you can imagine. Nothing has ever really worked for me, mostly because after pouring a ton of time into setting up an organizational system, i have this tendency to forget to apply it. ^^;; What good are to do lists if you never look at them?
I guess i'm not alone with this problem, because there seems to be a never ending array of new organizational tools and processes. The good news for me is that some of the stuff i've been trying lately, mostly browser based organizational tools, have been working out pretty well. I'll blog more about my experiences with these apps in a later rant.
One thing that i am tired of is the huge chunk of time i have to devote to processing pages for the books. It is rediculous to have to take 3 weeks off to go back and re-process two chapters worth of comics. The solution is a fairly simple one - process the comics for the book as I do them.
The nice thing about finishing a book right before you start the next one is that you can really re-think how you work so that you don't have any 'legacy' comics to deal with when the next book comes around. Before, when i would work on a comic, my main focus was to get the web version done and think about the print version at some other time. Now, i'm thinking of the print version AND the web version as i do them. Basically, I'm working on the next book WHILE i'm creating them. What a bizarre concept. :P
I've also been addressing my rather tripped up approach to comic production. My approach to comic writing, drawing and finishing has never been very well quantified. I take a very free wheeling, artistic approach to creating, letting things go where they will and not taking my deadlines as seriously as i should. My goal is to change this.
It's pretty simple, really. I want to be able to produce comics on a reliable schedule, post them at 1AM, three times per week. I want to streamline my production and make it something i can plan around. I want to do this so that i can start planning and working on other projects. I feel like i have a lot of potential that is being wasted by my disorganized approach to working. I want to earn the right to call myself a "professional" comic artist. That's my goal for this year.
Yes, i know, technically i AM a professional. I produce comics for a living and have a lot of readers who are amazingly forgiving about my quirky way of working. While what i do might categorize me as a 'pro', but the way i personally feel that the way i work is that it is not very "professional" at all, and i want to change that. It's a personal goal, and one that i have been struggling with ever since starting Megatokyo, and it's a goal that honestly I have had a lot of trouble achieving. I've had a lot of failures and setbacks, but i'm going to keep at it because it is important to me.
I'll let you know how it's going over the next few months. If it goes well, reading Megatokyo will be a more pleasant and reliable experience, and i'll feel a hell of a lot better about the whole thing.
Hope you have been enjoying the Omake. I know it's been rather long, but it will be done wednesday. These things are experiments and forays into the characters, explorations that have as much to do with writing Megatokyo as creating something entertaining between chapters. I was going to start MT chapter 9 on Friday, but i forgot that we still need a Seraphim Check. I think that's ok, we can start fresh on Monday and dive into the next chapter.
Now to see what i can do about getting this last Omake done so I can at least post it before the morning :) Wish me luck.


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With WooSidebars, it's possible to change the widgets that display in a sidebar (widgetized area) according to a context (for example, a specific page, a specific blog post, certain categories or the search results screen). Setting up a custom widget area to display across multiple conditions is as easy as a few clicks.
Looking for a helping hand? View plugin documentation.
Looking to contribute code to this plugin? Fork the repository over at GitHub. Please also read the CONTRIBUTING.md file, bundled within this plugin.
Minimum Requirements
- WordPress 3.3 or greater
- PHP version 5.2.4 or greater
- MySQL version 5.0 or greater
Automatic installation
Automatic installation is the easiest option as WordPress handles the file transfers itself and you don't even need to leave your web browser. To do an automatic install of WooSidebars, log in to your WordPress admin panel, navigate to the Plugins menu and click Add New.
In the search field type "WooSidebars" and click Search Plugins. Once you've found our widget areas plugin you can view details about it such as the point release, rating and description. Most importantly of course, you can install it by simply clicking Install Now. After clicking that link you will be asked if you're sure you want to install the plugin. Click yes and WordPress will automatically complete the installation.
Manual installation
The manual installation method involves downloading WooSidebars and uploading it to your webserver via your favourite FTP application.
- Download the plugin file to your computer and unzip it
- Using an FTP program, or your hosting control panel, upload the unzipped plugin folder to your WordPress installation's wp-content/plugins/ directory.
- Activate the plugin from the Plugins menu within the WordPress admin.
Where to go after installation
Once WooSidebars has been installed and activated, please visit the "Appearance -> Widget Areas" screen to begin adding custom widget areas.
Automatic updates should work a charm; as always though, ensure you backup your site just in case.
For further documentation on using WooSidebars, please view the WooSidebars Documentation.
Yes; WooSidebars will work with any theme that supports dynamic widget areas.
Looking to contribute code to this plugin? Fork the repository over at GitHub.
(submit pull requests to the "develop" branch)
Contributors & Developers
"WooSidebars" is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors"WooSidebars" has been translated into 14 locales. Thank you to the translators for their contributions.
Translate "WooSidebars" into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
- 2018-06-18
- Fixes a fatal error, by removing the no longer relevant contextual help.
- 2018-06-08
- Bug fix and maintenance release. Enables "pages and their children" as a widget area condition.
- 2015-09-22
- Ensures condition headings are present before attempting to output in the conditions meta box.
- 2015-04-22
- Security Fix for remove_query_arg vulnerability
- 2015-02-17
- Fixes an error notice on the homepage, caused by the tag check logic.
- 2015-02-17
- WordPress 3.8 compatibility.
- Adds "posts tagged with" condition.
- 2013-08-13
- Bug fix to ensure multiple conditions save correctly.
- 2013-08-12
- Introduces woosidebars_upper_limit filter, used on all database queries, to control scaling.
- Fixes several PHP notices for "undefined index".
- Fixes "single" condition, where a small section of logic was missing for determining if the condition applied to the current screen being loaded.
- Optimises admin-side JavaScript and CSS.
- 2013-03-08
- Changes capability for displaying the menu to "edit_theme_options" in line with the "Widgets" menu capability.
- 2013-01-09
- Updated admin JavaScript for WordPress 3.5+ compatibility. Moved "Advanced" tab outside of the tabs list.
- Fixed bug with the "Template Hierarchy -> Pages" condition that wasn't applying.
- When WordPress SEO is active, dequeue unused stylesheets on the "Widget Areas" "add" and "edit" screens.
- Renamed files according to standards naming convention.
- Added scope to methods and properties where missing.
- Routine hardening and maintenance update. Fixed notice message in WooCommerce integration.
- Fix notice displayed on WooCommerce product pages from the WooSidebars integration.
- Initial WooCommerce integration.
- First release. Woo!


text:
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Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. Additional pictures are appreciated of the area and facility to help others identify if this is the kind of place they want to stay. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit
Notify the waymark owner of any changes in the status of the facility to ensure the waymark description is kept current. This may include changes in rates, area attractions, renovations, additions to facilities, increased lodging restrictions, etc.
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text:
My wife used to make fun of my fondness for fantasy sports -- until the day that changed her mind.
Before I had a kid, I played in every type of league you can imagine. I even played in a NASCAR league, despite the fact that I am neither a fan of nor knowledgeable about NASCAR. Many of these leagues were just for fun, but some had money involved -- not a ton, maybe $20 or $25 for each league.
In March 2000, my wife and I moved to the San Francisco Bay area. We didn't know anyone there, so I decided to see if I could find a local fantasy baseball league to join, just to meet people. After perusing websites and message boards, I found one. It had a $50 buy-in, the largest I'd ever paid, but I did it.
Fast forward to late summer, and I was in the title chase. My team was clicking. My moves kept working. All was well. So I went to my wife.
'I think I've got a chance to win this thing,' I said.
'How much would you win?' she asked.
'Like $600.'
That changed everything. This wasn't fiddling around over a few bucks. This was real money. And living in a pricey place like San Francisco, we looked for every chance to save or generate cash.
As the season drew to a close, we watched games, scoured box scores and endured more stress than either of us would probably care to admit. But in the end, it worked out. I took home a little more than $600. I brought home the bragging rights and the cash, and my fondness for fantasy sports was rarely questioned again.
It can be similar with investing. One who obsesses over the market and all the minutiae that come with it can appear to be wasting her time -- especially if she always gets returns that are only equal to or less than what the market returns as a whole.
But when you get a big win, things change. You get more confident. You think about how to get another big win. And then, inevitably, you lose. After all, in life and in sports, you can't win them all.
I've never had another big win like that, and I probably never will. My fantasy obsession has waned in the wake of the birth of my son. But those experiences can carry over into other aspects of life -- including investing.
Let me explain.
Here are six indispensable truths about investing that I learned from playing fantasy sports.
1. Micromanaging Will Kill You.
Every fantasy sports owner has faced this: Your superstar quarterback or slugger is off his game, and you're not sure what to do. Do you bench them, trade them or even cut them? It can be agonizing, but usually you're best served by just waiting out their slump. For example, last year, slugger Albert Pujols -- arguably the best player in baseball -- was wretched in his first month with his new team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He barely hit over .200 for the month. But, as great players do, he turned it around -- ending the season with a .285 average, 30 homers and more than 100 RBI.
Same goes for a stock. If the company's fundamentals are good and you're still confident that you've found yourself a great company for the long term, hold on tight. Chances are that the dip or the slump will work itself out over time -- and you'll be glad you stuck around.
There's Coke (NYSE:KO), for example. In March 2009, as the world wrestled with the global economic crisis, the stock price fell below $20. By late 2010, it had shot back up to $32 and eventually topped $40 in late 2012.
2. Your Biases Can Cloud Your Judgment.
I'm a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Sure, I love my Longhorns, and I'm even a football season ticket holder. But if I always kept Texas-ex Colt McCoy as the starting QB on my fantasy football team, I'd be a fool. There are just so many other better choices.
It's the same with investing. You may have fallen in love with this one stock because of a hot tip or a family connection, or maybe because you just love the store. However, if the company falls on hard times -- losing a ton of money, eliminating their dividends, cutting employees -- you have to be willing to let go.
Take Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). You may love the new iPhone you got during the holidays, but that doesn't mean you should run out and buy its stock.
Be ruthless. After all, it's just business -- it's not personal.
3. The Devil Is In The Details.
Fantasy leagues are won and lost in the late rounds of the draft. They're won by folks who crunch the numbers and follow the news to see which players have won or lost starting jobs, have suffered nagging injuries and have lost a few miles off their fastball. All that time looking at data can help a fantasy league player uncover hidden gems.
[InvestingAnswers Feature: Find Bargain Stocks Like Buffett With These 4 Value Ratios]
Successful investing is similar. Investors who are willing to pore over earnings reports, calculate P/E ratios and dig deeper than anyone else are the ones most likely to find the stock that other folks say 'came out of nowhere.' That's when big successes are possible.
4. People Matter.
Both sports and investing, when you get right down to it, are about people.
Some star running backs can't make it through a season without getting hurt. Some baseball players always start slowly and finish strong; others do the opposite. An athlete who is in the last year of his contract -- and thus is looking to impress other teams in hopes of getting a big contract next year -- may end up having the year of his life. Meanwhile, a player who just signed his big contract may struggle. The fantasy league player who recognizes these facts is much less likely to be blindsided by a bad choice.
When it comes to investing, it's crucial to know as much as you can about the company's top players -- that is, their management team. It's Warren Buffett's biggest factor as he decides whether to invest. Make it yours, too. The more you know about the folks running the show at Company A, the more informed your decisions. And while we all don't have the access Buffett does, we can read a wealth of information about key executives in annual reports, newspapers and trade publications.
Don't believe it's that important? Imagine Berkshire-Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-A) without Buffett or Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) without Jeff Bezos. How would that change your perception of the company?
5. Your Gut Will Guide You.
There will be companies that everyone but you likes. Don't buy them. There are players about whom you think, 'I just don't like them this year.' Don't draft them.
You won't always be right, but whether it's fantasy sports, investing or life in general, trusting your gut is usually the way to go.
6. Sometimes You Just Get Clobbered.
The team tanks. The stock bombs. It happens -- even when you kill yourself doing homework and then follow your gut.
Gird yourself for it. Accept it. Move on.
The Investing Answer: Jump in and have fun -- but watch your costs. A fantasy league that charges you excessive entry fees or transaction fees can leave you in the red even if your team does really well.
Similarly, choosing a stock, broker or mutual fund with outrageous fees can eat up all your profits in a hurry. Read the fine print before you act. Know exactly what you'll be paying for.
After all, the last thing you want to do is set yourself up to lose before the game even begins.


text:
His aim is to win the nation's elusive gold medal. And Lee Chong Wei has his heart set on being on the podium at the Wembley Arena come August 5, singing the Negaraku, the Malaysian national anthem on the top of his voice.
That is his dream, his childhood ambition, winning the gold medal means more than anything else in the world.
It almost became undone, a freak injury to his ankle almost put paid to his appearance at the London Olympic Games. But he has preserved and despite many writing off his chances, Chong Wei prefers to look at the brightside of life.
"Maybe the injury is a blessing in disguise for it has somewhat eased the pressure. Many are skeptical about my chances at the Olympics. And frankly it does not bother me one bit as I know what it takes to win the elusive gold medal for Malaysia. I intend to put every ounce of effort in order to bag the gold, that is my vow to the fans," said Chong Wei at a media luncheon he hosted at Stadium Juara.
"I am slowly regaining my fitness and form. Though the phobia factor is still at the back of my head, I hope to utilise the next one month to overcome this. More importantly my form is coming back and in terms of preparation lets say that I am at almost 70% of what I am when I am normal. Let us hope that I will continue to progress in rehabilitation and put up a display that will make the nation proud."
Chong Wei said that London will be his last attempt to win honours at the Olympics and has ruled himself out of making another attempt, should he fail, in Brazil in 2016.
"At times we cannot win everything. Not all are fortunate to win major events. For example Peter Gade has yet to win the Olympics, Taufik Hidayat has never won the All England. Only Lin Dan has achieved everything. As for me I will take another shot at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Thomas Cup and the Asian Games before calling it quits," conceded Chong Wei.
The world number one also made an impassionate plea to the members of the Malaysian media present at the function which was also attended by BAM Secretary Ng Chin Chai, BAM General Manager Kenny Ng, coaches Tey Seu Bock, Rashid Sidek, Jeremy Gan, Tan Kim Her and Pang Cheh Chiang as well as NSI's Col (R) Wong Ah Jit.
"My idea of hosting this lunch is to meet the media and also to thank them for all your support towards badminton. Let us all work together to ensure that Malaysian badminton delivers the desired results at London. We as players and officials cannot do it alone and need the support of the media. You all have been wonderful all these years and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the positive reports and hope you continue to support Malaysian badminton," said Chong Wei in paying tribute to the Malaysian media.


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These internship-like programs are gaining popularity for women re-entering the workforce. Learn what they're all about.
With more than eight years of experience in project management, business analysis and quality assurance, Richa Chaturvedi decided to trade her work as a scrum master for dedicating her days to raising her children. But, after a three-year break from corporate life, she was ready to find her way back in. Richa connected with Women Back to Work, an organization that's objective is to match "returners" with companies actively recruiting talent through "returnships." She was accepted into the Farmers Insurance returnship program and subsequently accepted a full-time offer at the company.
Returnships help women return to the workforce after an extended break. Oftentimes they're coming back to work after being a caregiver for aging family members or children, just like Richa. These programs are structured like internships, hence the name, and allow women to re-enter the workforce in a supportive environment. This way they can explore their interests and learn about what's changed in their absence.
Returnships are not a new concept, as Goldman Sachs trademarked the term in 2008. These programs are gaining the attention they deserve as the post-pandemic global workforce is reimagined.
While returnships are for anyone who has been away from work for any reason and any extended period of time, some companies use these programs to increase diversity. This is because women are more likely to step away to become a caregiver during their career. They give companies access to untapped areas of the talent market that may otherwise be hard to achieve. Often, soft skills are keenly honed during time away from corporate life as caregiving requires multitasking, organization, leadership, decision-making, time management skills and empathy.
There's good reason for the concerted effort to increase gender diversity. But the so-called "broken rung," in which women are underrepresented in entry-level management positions, is still apparent – and on-the-job training may be able to make the connection. These programs go beyond entry-level positions. For example, Boeing's Return Flight Program offers a range of opportunities that include highly-skilled technical and engineering positions.
Each company has its own application requirements and program structures. It may be called a returning professional internship, career relaunch program, return-to-work program or career re-entry program. Typical program duration can range from a few weeks to a few months. And many provide the opportunity of a full-time offer upon completion of the program.
Companies that offer return-to-work programs show they value women who have experience and strong skill sets, even if they have gaps on their resumes. So, they typically offer flexible working arrangements that benefit women's careers as well. It's a good bet that these companies will be supportive as you embark on a new career journey.
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on women's careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, every one of the 140,000 jobs lost in December 2020 were jobs held by women. While returnships may not be able to solve what's been labeled the "she-cession" single-handedly, they offer a beacon of hope for women finding workforce reentry challenging in this labor market.
There is a growing roster of companies offering relaunch programs and companies widening eligibility requirements – and opportunities. Reported by Fortune, applications for IBM's Tech Re-Entry Program in January and February 2021 increased 167% from a year earlier, before the pandemic. The tech giant conventionally limited its program to people out of work for at least two years but has opened the application process to those who left as recently as a year ago.
In addition to returnships, which can be competitive, there are other routes to getting back to the boardroom. Consider these ways to restart your career:
Whether it's only been a modest time out of the workforce or several years since you lived the corporate life, returnships provide a smooth reentry blueprint worth exploring. Consider which companies in your desired industry offer these types of opportunities. This is the chance to start fresh. With learning as the objective, returnships should inspire you and act as a guide to launching the next chapter of your career.
Sources: npr.org; fortune.com; boeing.com; womenbacktowork.org; mckinsey.com; trademarks.justia.com
Raymond James is not affiliated with any other entity listed herein.


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Thank you for choosing a Triumph motorcycle. Your motorcycle is the product of our use of proven engineering and commitment to exhaustive testing, superior reliability, safety and performance. All in pursuit of the same thing you seek – the perfect ride.
You can maintain maximum protection under warranty by ensuring your motorcycle is serviced in accordance with the recommendations of the scheduled maintenance chart in the owner's handbook. The appropriate service record is stamped by your authorised Triumph dealer, so make sure that whenever service, repair or warranty work is undertaken the motorcycle service handbook must be made available to your Triumph Dealer.
All new Triumph motorcycles registered on or after 01.12.92 are covered by a 24 month unlimited mileage warranty, commencing from the date of first registration or the date of sale if the motorcycle remains unregistered.
Within the warranty period, TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES LIMITED warrants the new Triumph motorcycle to be free from any defect in materials used in the manufacture, and/or workmanship at the time of its manufacture.
Triumph Motorcycles has taken great care in the selection of materials, plating and painting techniques so as to provide its customers with a quality cosmetic appearance allied to durability. However, motorcycles are often used in hostile environmental conditions and in these circumstances it is essential that the motorcycle is washed, dried and lost lubricity replaced to prevent discolouration particularly of plated and unplated metallic surfaces. Your dealer can provide further information and advice if required. Ultimately the appearance of your machine will very much depend on the care it receives.


text: Our Wooden Letters are made from premium solid walnut and oak. Ranging in size from 1/2" to 5". Available in English and Greek along with numbers and punctuation. Prefinished with a clear natural oil enhancing the beauty of the wood. Our Single Wooden Letters are made from walnut and range in thickness from 1/8" to 1/4". Our Double Wooden Letters are a combination of a Walnut Letter glued on to an oak background, giving the letter a unique contrast in color that will last a life time. If you prefer to paint, the prefinish allows for a smooth coat of paint to be applied without blotching areas which are common in unfinished soft woods. All Alphabet Wooden Letters have a beveled edge which enhances the raised letter effect. Great for creating beautiful wall or door signs, name plates for your desk, wall plates or door plates.


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Working For and On the Weekend
Oi. As Jacquelyn can attest, work has been pretty brutal the last little while. Sure, we got to hobnob with B-list Canadian stars recently, but besides that, it's been a Quarter Pounder of Crap with a side order of Fucker Fries and topped off with a McSuck Shake.
All in all, it's been a dish made by an evil man in red - and we've been choking on for some time.
In the midst of this, I passed my one-year with the company and was promoted to Account Supervisor, because I am just so gosh-darned super at working on the weekend and holding peoples' purses.
There is, however, a light. We just hired another Account Supervisor (starting next week) who can hopefully lighten the load enough for Jacquelyn and I to sneak off for secret mid-afternoon meetings at the bar and/or Holt Renfrew make-up counters.
In the meantime, I've been putting my spare change to good use:


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Easily grown as a houseplant in St. Louis because, among other things, it tolerates a wide range of temperatures, does not require a humid atmosphere, may be grown in low light, will tolerate less than regular watering and is easily maintained. Best grown with a well-drained, peaty potting mixture. Best sited in bright indirect light, but tolerates full shade. Avoid direct sun. Water regularly from spring to fall, but reduce watering in winter as plant rests. Regular temperatures in summer and minimum 50F in winter.
Aspidistra elatior, commonly called cast iron plant for its ability to survive significant cultural abuse, is native to China and Japan. It is an easily-maintained, stemless, evergreen foliage plant that typically grows to 3' tall. Arching, lanceolate, glossy dark green leaves (to 24" long and 4" wide) rise up directly from its fleshy rootstock on long stems. Insignificant creamy-purple flowers may appear at soil level in spring, but usually do not form on houseplants. Leaves benefit from occasional washing.Genus name comes from the Greek word aspidion meaning a shield.Specific epithet means taller.'Variegata' has green leaves variegated with white striping.
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for mites and scale. Overwatering may cause root rot. Direct sun will bleach leaves. For more information see: Problems Common to Many Indoor Plants
Rugged houseplant for shady areas of the home.
Thank You!
The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers.
Info for
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Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110(314) 577-5100 hours and admission
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Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017(636) 530-0076 hours and admission
Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy. 100 & I-44 Gray Summit, MO 63039(636) 451-3512 hours and admission


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The aroma of salt air, salt spray on my skin, an old fish shack on Cape Cod. Sunshine bouncing on the waters of the North Shore. The silence of a marsh, broken only by the occasional call of a bird. Late-day sunlight casting on a cottage on the coast of Maine, and summer beach roses fragrantly, delicately blossoming in defiance of rugged cliffs.
These are a few of my favorite things.
The crisp blue of a clear summer sky, the brilliance of light, are elements that have drawn me outdoors since childhood. I thrive on watching an early morning sunrise over the ocean at Coast Guard Beach, and completing the day's cycle at sunset, as the sun dips kaleidoscopically into Cape Cod Bay. Some huge power beyond us is continually evident.
I attempt to put my love of the outdoors into tangible, visceral form through paint, oil specifically. I adore the buttery feel and spreading qualities of oil paint, particularly on wood panel. The smoothness of application of paint on board allows me to express and translate, as spontaneously and directly as possible, the essence of a place.
Whether a painting is done en plein air and reaches for the overall mood and atmosphere of a location, or is a larger somewhat more studied studio work that strives to convey an interpretation of a brief slice of a moment in an ever-changing atmosphere and light conditions, my objective is to portray a timely yet timeless quality of that place. That is, in the 21st century, with my small history of beliefs and experiences, I attempt for a brief moment to connect to the vast play of light and shadow that flows across our enormous expanse of universe, and humbled, say in paint, the spirit, the spirituality, of place.
I paint expressively and passionately, vigorously and muscularly, applying paint in large gestures relative to the paint surface, with a palette knife only, blending minimally to keep the freshness of the impression of that one moment. There is tremendous joy in the entire process for me. I hope you enjoy the result. Thank you for looking.


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Because you're a member of the American Psychiatric Association you now have access to exclusive members only discounts at ODP Business Solutions.
Save up to 75% on ODP Business Solutions Best Value List of preferred products!
Thousands of products discounted off the odpbusiness.com regular prices!
Order online | Pick up in 1 hour!*
Free delivery on qualifying orders of $30 or more!**
*Orders must be placed 1 hour before store closing time. **Free Delivery: Minimum purchase required after discounts and before taxes. Orders outside our local delivery area and most furniture, oversized, bulk items, cases of bottled water and other beverages and special order items do not qualify. Non-qualifying orders incur a delivery charge (minimum charge of $4.95). Many orders can be delivered next business day (between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM) if placed online or via phone by 3:00 PM or via fax by 1:00 PM, local time (in most locations).
*In order to receive your association discount, account registration must be completed through the above shop online link.
For general customer serviceneeds call 1-800-650-1222.Para asistencia en Español, llame 1-800-573-4624.
For assistance with a billing or tax-exempt account, contact [email protected].
Shop online and pay by credit card
Text APASPC to 833.344.0228 to receive exclusive limited-time offers.
For assistance with a billing or tax-exempt account, contact [email protected] or call (571) 283-1819.
1. What is the discount / how can members use it? Members are eligible for savings of up to 75% on our Best Value List of preferred products. The Best Value List can be found online on your association's officediscounts.org/apa page. Members can either order online or shop in any Office Depot – OfficeMax location Shop Online Members can shop online at the cobranded site, which has all of the discounts embedded. Officediscounts.org/apa Once registered, member can order via business.officedepot.com or simply download the "Office Depot for Business" mobile app and place your order right from your smart phone. Shop Mobile ONCE YOU'VE CREATED YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT, members can now access their discount through the "Office Depot for Business" mobile app. Please note, it may take up to 24 hours to be able to access this card in your account. Download the app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. Shop In Store Members can use the discount in stores by showing the SPC # on their Store Purchasing Card. This applies all discounts (which vary) at the register at time of sale and is reflected on the receipt. Members will receive the member discounted price or store price whichever is lower. If members do not have a Store Purchasing Card, they can 1) print one online by going to their organization's officediscounts.org/apa website and have it laminated for free in-stores, 2) download the Office Depot for Business app to access their account and download a digital version of the card, or 3) request via the American Psychiatric Association to have a digital version of the Store Purchasing Card sent via text message to their phone and save it as an image or an icon on their home screen. Message and data rates apply; see the association site, officediscounts.org/apa, for details. Please note; the Store Purchasing Card is for in store use only. To receive discounts for online orders, member must register through the association site. 2. Is my Store Purchasing Card active? How do I activate my card? Yes, your SPC card is already active and can be used in any Office Depot or OfficeMax store. Please note, this is not a credit card. You can pay for your purchase with cash, credit card and may forms of contactless payment options. If your business needs account billing, simply reach out to the Account Manger listed at the bottom of the association site,officediscounts.org/apa . 3. How does the Store Purchasing Card work? What is the number on the card? a. The Store Purchasing Card, or SPC card, can be used in store only, and the number on the card automatically links your organization's discounted pricing on purchases you make in any Office Depot or OfficeMax store. Simply hand the card to the Office Depot OfficeMax associate and the discount will be taken off at the register. All directions for applying the member discount are listed for the cashier on the back of the Store Purchasing Card. 4. Why am I getting the Store Purchasing Card in the mail? a. The card is being mailed to you because your organization has negotiated special exclusive discounted pricing for members. The organization has given your association permission to send this card so that members can have easy access to the savings. 5. Do I need to enter my account number to shop online? a. No, you do not need to enter your account number to shop online. Simply create an account through officediscounts.org/apa and your discount program will be captured and saved in your profile. You never need to enter an account number or any coupon code to receive your discounts. Prices displayed already reflect your discounted member price. 6. How do I stop getting emails / why am I getting them? a. You can just click on the "unsubscribe" on the bottom of the email and the emails will stop coming. b. You are receiving the email because you registered online for an account. 7. How do I get these discounts for my business? If you would like to register your business for an online account, simply reach out to the Account Manger listed at the bottom of your officediscounts.org/apa website. Discounts will be automatically applied to purchases made online. Your business may also access these discounts when shopping in our stores by using the Store Purchasing Card made available to you upon registration. If you would like to set up a business billing account, simply call your Office Depot Business Account Manager, as listed on the bottom of your officediscounts.org/apa website or register online via that same website. 8. I am an existing Office Depot customer registered with an online account, how do I apply these discounts? In order to take advantage of your association/group's discounts, you must either 1) register with a new login and password at your association/group's website, officediscounts.org/apa ; or 2) reach out to the Account Manger listed at the bottom of your officediscounts.org/apa website to have the member benefit discounts attached. 9. Can I bundle discounts together, i.e. from this Store Purchasing Card with coupons or in-store specials? While discounts cannot be combined unless explicitly stated, your Store Purchasing Card represents a permanently discounted program and will ensure you always get the lowest price available at Office Depot. If a coupon or in-store promotion represents a lower price at time of purchase, you will receive that lower price. You'll see the different prices with the lowest option selected because it'll be printed right on your sales receipt. We often run promotions and specials for online users. Those coupons will state they are for business.officedepot.com only. 10. Will my SPC card work anywhere in the United States? Yes, your SPC card will work anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. 11. For general customer service needs or for further direction, call 1-800-650-1222. (Para asistencia en Español, llame 1-800-573-4624.) Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8am to 8pm ET. Online chat functionality is available daily from 8am to 11pm ET. (Please note that chat support is only available in English at this time.) For off-hours support, please email the Account Manger listed at the bottom of your officediscounts.org/apa website. They will get back to you as soon as possible. 12. Is my Store Purchasing Card available in my Office Depot Business app? When signing up and registering for an SPC, users can access their SPC card within 24 hours from right in the Office Depot for Business app. Download this app from the iTunes or Google Play stores.
Members can now save more with these offers!
Save up to 50% on Lenovo products!
Lenovo offers discounts on its entire line of reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Members save up to 50% off the everyday public web price of Lenovo laptops, tablets, desktops, all-in-ones, workstations, servers, and accessories. Members also receive:
For more information and easy ordering: Call 1-800-426-7235 Ext. 9605 (M-F 9am-9pm EST, Sat 9am-6pm EST) Be sure to check the website often – special offers change frequently.
You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/


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Yumbox Tapas XL - leakproof Bento lunchbox - 5 sections - Capri Pink / Jungle Pastel tray
€ 36,95
Removable, interchangeable tray, easy to clean
1 larger section, 3 small sections plus a dip/treat
Easy to open catch
Leakproof silicone lid (for yoghurt and dips, not water)
BPA, PVC en Phtalaten free
Product description
Beautiful pink Yumbox Tapas lunch box with Jungle Pastel tray. Pack your healthy and varied snacks in your Yumbox Tapas XL lunch box with 5 compartments. The handy layout makes it easy to make your own selection of healthy portions. The possibilities are endless. Add nuts, crackers, fruit, vegetables, yogurt or even a dip. The Yumbox is leak-free due to the silicone seal between the compartments. The sections are therefore closed properly.
The Yumbox Tapas XL is our largest lunch box and is ideal for adults or big eaters. It can easily fit sandwiches in the large compartment. In the other sections you can take fruit, vegetables or salad with you. The round compartment is ideal for nuts or a sauce.
Unique with the Tapas size is that the trays are interchangeable. So you can buy an extra tray so you can choose between 4 or 5 sections.
1 large compartments and 3 small compartments, plus a round compartment for small snacks or (dip) sauces. Total content: 4.2 cups.
- Leakproof (for yogurt, apple sauce, dips etc, not water)
- Inner compartment is removable
- Food-safe materials only: ABS plastic box, inner compartment: Tritan. Lid: food-safe silicone.
- BPA, PVC and Phthalates free
- Compact and light weight: 0.625 kg
- Dimensions: 24 x 17.5 x 4.5 cm
The removable inner compartment is dishwasher safe. To extend the life of the silicone seal, we recommend washing the lunch box by hand.
Complementary products
make your set complete


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GuitarTuna is the most popular tuning app in the world!
The ultimate tuner for guitar, bass, ukulele and all popular string instruments. GuitarTuna has been downloaded over 100 million times and is used by beginners and experts!
Why is it the world's most popular tuner ever built?
• Simple and easy to use. Works with both electric and acoustic guitars and string instruments using the built-in microphone. No cables needed.
• Perfect for complete beginners. Recommended by guitar teachers.
• Simple and intuitive. Clear visual feedback with signal history.
Award winning audio technology:
• Built on the world's most advanced audio recognition algorithm – the same technology powering Yousician
• Professional accuracy for advanced players
• Auto mode tuner (for super fast tuning, hands-free, string by string) and a chromatic tuner!
Advanced tools for all musicians:
• Metronome: set at any tempo, change the beat manually or by tapping at the desired speed
• 6 Ultimate Chord Learning Games: learn, practice and master chords, and develop the ability to recognize them by ear
• Chord library: find any chord diagram easily and hear how it should sound
• Learn Guitar Songs: 4 songs with guitar notation (tabs) to play along and test your skills
• Alternative tuning sets
• Chromatic tuner
Works with:
• Electric and acoustic guitars
• Bass
• Mandolin
• Ukulele
• Viola
• Violin
• Cello
• Fiddle
• Balalaika
• Banjo
• Many other string instruments
Over 100 tunings available, including:
• Standard
• Drop-D
• Other drop tunings
• Open tunings
• Half step down
• 7-string tunings including drop-A
• 12-string
Additional features:
• Works in noisy areas, with background noise cancellation technology
• Designed by guitarists for guitarists and developed by the world's leading audio engineers
• Improve your skills in chords, riffs, tabs, and ear training, and increase your picking speed, just like you would with guitar lessons or classes
• make the app look like your instrument by choosing different headstock visuals
Please be careful:
If it is your first time tuning the guitar or instrument, please be careful. We recommend watching a YouTube tutorial or asking a guitar player how it's done. Beginners risk snapping strings with improper tuning techniques.
Send us feedback:
Got ideas to make GuitarTuna even better? Send your ideas and suggestions to: [email protected]
Download our other free music learning app:
Yousician – the best way to learn, practice and master the guitar, piano and ukulele
*** Ranked the #1 Education app in 119 countries ****
*** Selected twice as Editor's choice in 2015 ***
*** Over 25 million users ***
Learn more about Yousician on Youtube and Facebook
• https://youtu.be/lBUFGFy17Z0
• https://www.facebook.com/yousician


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Based on an acclaimed novel, adapted by Oscar-winning screenwriter, solid cast, strong use of music, whole plot broadcast in the trailer so the risk-averse masses are reassured that everything works out alright in the end before walking into the theater… Check, check, check, check, and check. Director Lasse Hallström has been honing his Oscar-ready craft for years and has, perhaps, become a little too slick for his own good. (To my mind, he peaked with his debut, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, while film geeks would likely cite the Criterion-approved My Life as a Dog, made in his native Sweden.)
And yet… as a trailer, at least, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen works, but even so, I'm kind of surprised this is being pushed out in March, 2012, then, rather than this month — basically a no-confidence vote from the studio as far as awards go, as the Academy voters have a notoriously short memory.
Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas star.


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Combined data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and infrared observations with the Palomar 200-inch telescope have uncovered evidence that a gamma-ray burst, one of nature's most catastrophic explosions, occurred in our Galaxy a few thousand years ago. The supernova remnant, W49B, may also be the first remnant of a gamma-ray burst discovered in the Milky Way.From NASA:Smoking gun found for gamma-ray burst in Milky Way
Combined data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and infrared observations with the Palomar 200-inch telescope have uncovered evidence that a gamma-ray burst, one of nature's most catastrophic explosions, occurred in our Galaxy a few thousand years ago. The supernova remnant, W49B, may also be the first remnant of a gamma-ray burst discovered in the Milky Way.
W49B is a barrel-shaped nebula located about 35,000 light years from Earth. The new data reveal bright infrared rings, like hoops around a barrel, and intense X-radiation from iron and nickel along the axis of the barrel.
"These results provide intriguing evidence that an extremely massive star exploded in two powerful, oppositely directed jets that were rich in iron," said Jonathan Keohane of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at a press conference at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Denver. "This makes W49B a prime candidate for being the remnant of a gamma ray burst involving a black hole collapsar."
"The nearest known gamma-ray burst to Earth is several million light years away ? most are billions of light years distant ? so the detection of the remnant of one in our galaxy would be a major breakthrough," said William Reach, one of Keohane's collaborators from the California Institute of Technology.
According to the collapsar theory, gamma-ray bursts are produced when a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel and the star's core collapses to form a black hole surrounded by a disk of extremely hot, rapidly rotating, magnetized gas. Much of this gas is pulled into the black hole, but some is flung away in oppositely directed jets of gas traveling at near the speed of light.
An observer aligned with one these jets would see a gamma-ray burst, a blinding flash in which the concentrated power equals that of ten quadrillion Suns for a minute or so. The view perpendicular to the jets is a less astonishing, although nonetheless spectacular supernova explosion. For W49B, the jet is tilted out of the plane of the sky by about 20 degrees.
Four rings about 25 light years in diameter can be identified in the infrared image. These rings, which are due to warm gas, were presumably flung out by the rapid rotation of the massive star a few hundred thousand years before the star exploded. The rings were pushed outward by a hot wind from the star a few thousand years before it exploded.
Chandra's image and spectral data show that the jets of multimillion-degree-Celsius gas extending along the axis of the barrel are rich in iron and nickel ions, consistent with their being ejected from the center of the star. This distinguishes the explosion from a conventional type II supernova in which most of the Fe and Ni goes into making the neutron star, and the outer part of the star is what is flung out. In contrast, in the collapsar model of gamma ray bursts iron and nickel from the center is ejected along the jet.
At the ends of the barrel, the X-ray emission flares out to make a hot cap. The X-ray cap is surrounded by a flattened cloud of hydrogen molecules detected in the infrared. These features indicate that the shock wave produced by the explosion has encountered a large, dense cloud of gas and dust.
The scenario that emerges is one in which a massive star formed from a dense cloud of dust, shone brightly for a few million years while spinning off rings of gas and pushing them away, forming a nearly empty cavity around the star. The star then underwent a collapsar-type supernova explosion that resulted in a gamma-ray burst.
The observations of W49B may help to resolve a problem that has bedeviled the collapsar model for gamma-ray bursts. On the one hand, the model is based on the collapse of a massive star, which is normally formed from a dense cloud. On the other hand, observations of the afterglow of many gamma-ray bursts indicate that the explosion occurred in a low-density gas. Based on the W49B data, the resolution proposed by Keohane and colleagues is that the star had carved out an extensive low-density cavity in which the explosion subsequently occurred.
"This star appears to have exploded inside a bubble it had created," said Keohane. "In a sense, it dug its own grave."
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program for the Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Northrop Grumman of Redondo Beach, Calif., formerly TRW, Inc., was the prime development contractor for the observatory. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls science and flight operations from the Chandra X-ray Center in Cambridge, Mass.
Additional information and images are available at:


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[Paul] a.k.a. [VoidFraction] put up the source and documentation for his sculptures made with laser cut polygons.
For computing his triangles, [Paul] developed LcAgl, an algorithm that transforms a 3D model into the AutoCAD file needed to cut a whole bunch of triangles and connectors. This file was shot over to a laser cutter and after a confusing assembly, [Paul] can make just about any low polygon count model he wants.
For his sculptures, [Paul] uses Coroplast, a type of corrugated plastic commonly used in political campaign signs. Coroplast is lightweight and flexible, a bonus when [Paul] is fitting his triangles together. The connecting tabs are made from acrylic – a very rigid material, so the triangles are held tightly in place.
Since the models in most 3D games are just a bunch of polygons anyway, this technique reminds us of the first 3D console games. [Paul]'s rhino looks like it walked off the set of a low polygon game like Virtua Fighter or Jumping Flash!.


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Sweeten up your morning with this recipe for Orange Crescent Swirls. Orange glaze drizzled over crescent roll dough then baked to perfection is exactly what your tastebuds are craving.
For more breakfast recipes, go to Culinary.net.
Orange Crescent Swirls
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with 1/2-inch-high sides with cooking spray. In 1-quart saucepan, mix brown sugar, butter, orange peel and juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly; set aside.
- Remove dough from each can in 1 long roll; do not unroll. Cut each roll into 12 slices; arrange slices, cut side down, in pan. Spoon brown sugar mixture evenly over slices.
- Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Source: Culinary.net
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury.


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Alpharetta, GA 30009-3228
Združene države
Talus ERP
Our team provides personalized service for each customer, offering strategic solutions tailored to your specific business needs. We can help your business with:
- Business Analysis: Our team has vast experience in requirements gathering, gap analysis, and solution engineering.
- Implementation: Our experts will manage and deploy the Odoo ERP solution for your business including migration from your current ERP system and training of your users.
- Customization: We know that every click matters. Our Odoo experts will customize your Odoo solution to suit your specific needs to keep your processes efficient.
- Development: Every business is unique. If a solution doesn't exist, we will develop it for you.
- Support and Maintenance: Our highly experienced team is committed to superior customer service throughout your implementation and beyond. You'll often head us say "if you're working at 2:00 am then we're working at 2:00 am." We are available when you need us and happy to help whenever the need may arise.
Who is Talus ERP?
Talus ERP is a consulting practice comprised of solution experts with over sixty years of combined experience in the fields of manufacturing, production, distribution, wholesale, service, sales, finance, accounting, government, construction, healthcare, and process improvement. Having served as Controllers, Directors of IT, Financial Analyst, Project Managers, and business owners we've been in your shoes. We know what it's like to need a real partner, someone equally committed to the success of a project, someone who will take your call when you're working on a Saturday. We are committed to serving as that kind of partner for our clients.
Our experienced team has worked with numerous applications including Microsoft Dynamics, Acumatica, MAS 90, Salesforce and QuickBooks. We believe Odoo is a modern solution that enables users to focus on operations instead of accounting, while still collecting all the data required to produce robust financial reporting and analysis.
Contact Our Team:
With offices in Atlanta, Georgia (GA) and Dallas, Texas (TX) the team at Talus ERP is ready to serve you.
Find Talus ERP online at www.taluserp.com
Email Talus ERP: firstname.lastname@example.com
Call Talus ERP: +1 (470) 524-0911
Adaptive Energy is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of solid oxide fuel cells for backup and portable power applications. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and originating from technology commercialized out of the University of Michigan, the company was founded in 1999 and is dedicated to developing solutions that keep you powered when you need it the most, even in the harshest conditions.
We are people driven by passion. Passion for perfection. For superior quality. For unflinching performance. For the finest finish possible. We wake up dreaming of hinges and corners, nooks and crevices, drawer channels and doors. And we only rest once they have been through the Tiara test.
Tiara has been building world class kitchen products dedicatedly and successfully for nearly a decade now.


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Siem Reap, located in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the world-famous Angkor temple complex, which includes the magnificent Angkor Wat. The province also contains a vibrant capital city boasting many luxury hotels, beautifully-aged colonial buildings, a buzzing Pub Street, silk farms, markets, and much more.
The city of Siem Reap, also the capital of the province, is a 'must-visit' destination for all visitors to Cambodia. This is where the glorious 12th Century Angkor Wat temple, the largest religious building in the world, is located. Situated on the northern bank of the Tonle Sap Great Lake, this mesmerizing eighth wonder of the world can be easily accessed by plane, land, and boat.
The ruins of Angkor, located in thick jungle, are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are over one thousand temples ranging in scale from nondescript piles of rubble scattered through rice fields to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat--the best-preserved temple.
Apart from the legacy of the vast Angkor temple complex, Siem Reap has a lot more to offer to tourists, from the spectacular floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake to the heritage site of the Kulen Mountain, to the recently discovered Koh Ker ruins.
In town, there are a bevy of ethnic craft shops, galleries, cafes, eateries and top-notch restaurants serving every type of cuisine. The famous 'Pub Street' and the night markets of Siem Reap are now renowned tour destinations in their own rights. Additionally, silk farms, rice-paddy countryside, fishing villages and a very rich bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake make Siem Reap one of the most captivating places in the world.
The province of Siem Reap is conveniently situated 314 km northwest of Phnom Penh, along National Road No 6. It can be reached all year round by National Road No 6 from Phnom Penh, Poipèt Border Checkpoint from Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham Province and Kampong Thom Province, and by National Road No 5 and 6 from Kampong Chhnang province, Pursat province and Battambang province.
How to reach Siem Reap
Siem Reap is accessible by direct flights from many major cities in the region including Bangkok, Danang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Paksé, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kunming, Taipei, etc. From the capital of Phnom Penh, Angkor Air operates several direct flights per day to and from Siem Reap.
There are also speedboats operating along the Tonlé Sap from Phnom Penh and Battambang Province.


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WALNUT HOLLOW-Basswood Canvas. These wood canvas' are sanded smooth to remove the grain to prevent interference with your artistic techniques. Each piece is made of kiln-dried wood and its main advantage over the typical canvas is this will not stretch or warp with your painting, drawing, decoupage, stain, varnish or any other artist's medium. Ideal for fine art, encaustic art collage, woodburning, wood carving, stamping, cover with paper, fabric, paint, alcohol inks, the list is virtually endless.
This canvas is also reversible: Use with or without a frame, add glass and make it into a shadow box, make a clock, memorabilia center and much more. 8" x 8" Canvas board is 1/8in thick and frames are 1-1/2x5/8in. Made in USA


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Missing RHEL Sub-Packages
When a RHEL source package is built, it often creates more than one binary package. These extra packages are generally called sub-packages.
Sometimes RHEL sub-packages that are built are not published. Sometimes packages are built for all arches, but only published on one or two arches. We call these two types "missing built sub-packages".
Sometimes when a RHEL source package is built, it does not create all the sub-packages that it potentially could. We call these types "missing un-built sub-packages".
EPEL cannot have a package with the same name as a source or binary package published in RHEL. To solve the problem of missing built and un-built sub-packages, the following policy and procedures have been setup.
Shared Guidelines
You MUST name your source package <package>-epel
You MUST NOT conflict with any RHEL packages or files
Missing Built Sub-Packages
Short Term
Create an EPEL package that only has the missing packages, or missing arches.
Be prepared to maintain this package as long as it is needed.
It is recommended that you add the epel-packagers-sig group as a co-maintainer.
A package review is not required, but it is a good idea to have someone look at the updated spec file.
If you need help building this, ask for help. We have some examples.
It qualifies for an exception to the package review process so you can request the repo with.
fedpkg request-repo --exception <package>-epel
Once the repo is created, you must retire the rawhide branch to make it clear that this is an EPEL-only package and shouldn't be branched for future Fedora releases.
fedpkg retire 'EPEL-only package'
When/If the missing package(s) are added to RHEL CRB, retire your -epel package following the EPEL retirement policy.
Long Term
Request the package be added to the appropriate RHEL CRB repository.
To initiate this process, please file an issue in https://issues.redhat.com and request it be added to RHEL. Report the bug against the RHEL project, assign it to the proper CentOS Stream versions and add the source package name in the Component field. More details on this can be found in the CentOS wiki.
Be sure to say that it is impacting an EPEL build, and which package it is impacting.
Please add <sub-package> to CRB in RHEL9 I am building <my package> in EPEL9. <my package> requires <sub-package> to build in EPEL9. (Optional) <my package> is important because these other packages depend on it: <other packages> (Optional) <my package> is important because <my company> uses it for <reason>
In the past, the default answer for a request like this was "no". But in mid-2021 the RHEL policy changed to allow the RHEL package maintainer to make the decision. There are still packages where the answer might be "no", but many maintainers are choosing to add the sub-packages to the RHEL CRB repo.
Missing Un-Built Sub-Packages
You can create packages that supply missing sub-packages that were not built in RHEL but are built in Fedora.
In the past these were named <package>-extra, but these are now named <package>-epel to avoid confusion.
Want to help? Learn how to contribute to Fedora Docs ›


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Peacock Giclee Canvas Print Modern Animal Art from Original Oil Painting by Willson Lau
$300.00 – $430.00
Giclee on Canvas
by Willson Lau
Title: Peacock
Edition Size: Open
Medium: Epson UltraGiclée™ on Epson Premium Canvas
Printing process completed by the artist through a certified Epson UltraGiclée™ Workshop. This UltraGiclée™ giclee canvas is then hand signed by the artist. It will be shipped *UNSTRETCHED (This canvas print will be shipped UNSTRETCHED and rolled in a tube )
Comes with original Certificate of Authenticity.
*The watermarks "Willson art © palettex.com" and " © Willson Lau " are NOT on the Giclee print itself. They are added onto the pictures to try to lessen unauthorized use of my pictures. Please see my Policies page and scroll down for: "Why Watermarks -An Explanation; A Couple of Statements".
==Giclée & UltraGiclée==
Giclée (French for "to spray") is a printing process where millions of ink droplets are sprayed onto archival art paper or canvas. With the great degree of detail and smooth transitions of color gradients, giclée prints appear much more realistic than other reproduction prints. Because there is no visible dot screen pattern the resulting image has all of the subtle tonalities of the original art. The giclee printing process provides maximum color accuracy and exceptional resolution. The quality of the giclee print rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries.
UltraGiclée is a trademark of Epson. Epson coined "UltraGiclée" in 2005 to designate prints created on Epson Stylus Pro printers using selected Epson professional media and Epson UltraChrome inks. They offer artists and art buyers outstanding color reproduction and archivability.
Epson Premium Canvas Satin is an Epson UltraGiclee™ Approved Product and when it is printed, handled, and displayed under the terms and conditions of the Program, is guaranteed to resist fading for at least 80 years.
Additional information
Weight | N/A |
Size | 20 x 30 inches, 24 x 36 inches |


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Afghan War Fatigue Hits New High, Matching Levels Last Seen in Iraq
Public criticisms of the war in Afghanistan have reached new highs in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, with two-thirds of Americans saying the war hasn't been worth fighting and half saying it's failed to contribute to the country's long-term security.
Nonetheless, with the bulk of U.S. combat troops set to leave by the end of 2014, the poll finds that most Americans would rather have some remain in place for training and counter-insurgency purposes than to remove all U.S. forces.
See PDF with full results and charts here.
Overall, considering the costs versus the benefits to the United States, 67 percent now say the war in Afghanistan has not been worth fighting, a new high (albeit by a single percentage point) in 21 ABC/Post polls to ask the question since early 2007. For the first time that numerically exceeds the most who said the same about the war in Iraq, 66 percent in April 2007.
Just 43 percent say the war has contributed to the long-term security of the country, down by 8 points since March, to the fewest in five polls since mid-2010. It's the first time more people have said the war has not contributed to U.S. security than say it has.
Additionally, just 17 percent say the war has contributed "a great deal" to long-term security. Both these, again, are numerically lower than the lowest ratings for the effect of the Iraq war.
The poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, finds that the intensity of negative views of the war in Afghanistan has increased considerably. Nearly half now feel "strongly" that the war has not been worth it, more than three times the number who strongly feel it's been worthwhile - numerically the largest gap between the two in ABC/Post polls since early 2009.
Despite these negative impressions, most Americans don't want U.S. forces to leave Afghanistan entirely: 53 percent say they'd rather remove most troops but keep some in place there to train Afghan soldiers and for counterinsurgency, versus 43 percent who would prefer to see all U.S. troops withdrawn in the year ahead. The Obama administration was reported earlier this month to be keeping both options on the table.
Attitudes on withdrawal are closely related to views of the war's impact. Among people who think it's been worth fighting or has contributed to long-term U.S. security, roughly seven in 10 want to keep some troops in place. Among those who see the war more negatively, support for a continued role drops to just more than four in 10.
GROUPS - After nearly 12 years of fighting, dissatisfaction with the war in Afghanistan is broadly based, with majorities across demographic groups saying it hasn't been worth the costs, including, for example, 51 and 57 percent of Republicans and conservatives, respectively. That jumps to 77 percent among liberals, 74 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of independents.
Republicans are the only remaining group in which a clear majority, 55 percent, thinks the war has made the country more secure. Conservatives are essentially divided on the question, while majorities of Democrats, independents and liberals say the war has not aided U.S. security.
While most Americans opt for keeping some troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014, rather than a complete pullout, that question produces about an even split in some groups, including Democrats, independents, liberals and nonwhites.
METHODOLOGY - This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone July 18-21, 2013, in English and Spanish, among a random national sample of 1,002 adults, including landline and cell-phone-only respondents. Results have a margin of sampling error of 3.5 points, including design effect.
The survey was produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates of New York, N.Y., with sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York, N.Y.


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Vintage Glass Buttons. White. 12mm
Simple white glass vintage buttons
Due to their age, some may have scratches or marks - but all part of their charm.
12mm diameter. Two holes, glass.
Priced per button.
Please note: that while we endeavour to provide the most accurate information we can about our vintage products, due to the nature of discovering vintage treasures, we can not guarantee the details provided. We recommend you treat all vintage purchases with care.
Orders over $180 will ship free to New Zealand and Australia
We aim to ship your order within one working day of payment being received. NZ deliveries are normally delivered within a day or two of leaving the store; Australian deliveries are sent via NZ Post + Australia Post tracked service for a 6-12 day delivery delivery service; other international deliveries are sent via tracked courier services for timely delivery.
At times there may be circumstances beyond our control which will delay shipping.
For full details, please refer to our shipping page.
Fabric > This is cut to become a bespoke product, we are unable to offer a refund if you change your mind. We encourage you to order a sample first if colour, texture and weight is important for your project.
Yarn + Other Goods > If you are not delighted with your purchase, we will happily refund, exchange or offer a store credit on full priced yarn and other goods within 30 days of purchase and in their original As New condition.
Sale Items > No returns or exchanges on any sale items. Note, some items may be on sale because of a known fault - this will be noted on the product listing.
Damaged Items + Faults > We will gladly take returns on any item that is faulty or damaged, please refer to our returns page for full information.


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Cactus Abstraction #4
This picture is part of my Abstract by Nature series. I seek out and photograph very simple natural shapes - in this case, one single desert cactus - and combine multiple images to create organic and evocative shapes and colors. I'm always concerned about the balance between traditional photography and computer manipulation; this series comes as close to an ideal balance as any I've ever done.


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Short interview by James Surowiecki of Nassim
Short interview by James Surowiecki of Nassim Taleb about his new book, The Black Swan. "History is dominated not by the predictable but by the highly improbable — disruptive, unforeseeable events that Taleb calls Black Swans. The effects of wars, market crashes, and radical technological innovations are magnified precisely because they confound our expectations of the universe as an orderly place." Malcolm Gladwell wrote an article on Taleb for the New Yorker in 2002, which Taleb said "put too much emphasis on the far less interesting, more limited — and rather boring — applications of my ideas to finance/economic, & less on the dynamics of historical events/philosophy of history, artistic success, and general uncertainty in society". See also an interview in New Scientist, a NY Times op-ed, and a long piece on the Edge site about the black swan idea.


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We have seen some truly inspiring gameplay videos from the Battlefield Hardline closed beta since it was launched, and it's amazing to see the creative ways PlayStation 4 players have been using SHAREfactory, the new rich video editor app for PlayStation 4, to share them with the world.
Below you'll find two great examples of thrilling videos from the all-out cops and criminals warfare that is Battlefield Hardline – all edited and shared using SHAREfactory.
BlackTrinity knows how to be a nimble Professional, capitalizing his sniping-on-the-go tactics.
Oscarseymour79 pulls together a montage of worthy Battlefield Hardline moments complete with a road kill, heavy fire fight and deadly RPG hits.
Exclusive Battlefield Hardline SHAREfactory Theme
To show off your participation in the Battlefield Hardline beta, just jump into SHAREfactory to create and share your best gaming moments. In Battlefield Hardline, you can set up a zipline from the top of a building to the ground, and hop on a bike to escape. Or, if you're riding shotgun as a cop, you can lean out the window to take out suspects in a getaway van before they make off with the loot. The beauty of the game is creating your own moments to show off to the world.
As a bonus, there is a new, exclusive Battlefield Hardline theme available in the app today! With this theme you can personalize your creations with official Battlefield Hardline videos, stickers and transitions.
How to Use SHAREfactory
Using SHAREfactory to create and share your best gaming videos is easy. Watch an easy how-to with Sid Shuman from PlayStation Blog or follow these simple steps to let us, and the world, be blessed with your creations!
- Creating Videos From SHAREfactory
After you have created your video project in SHAREfactory, press the OPTIONS button and select "RENDER MOVIE". This will create the video and add it to your Capture Gallery. - Uploading to Facebook
Once the video is created, you will be prompted to push the SHARE button if you want to immediately post to Facebook. If you decide to post later, you can always find the video in your Capture Gallery. (Please note: if you want to share this video with people outside of your friends list, on the upload screen change your "Facebook Audience" setting to "Public".) - Copying Your Video to USB and to YouTube
Find your video in the Capture Gallery and press the OPTIONS button. Select "Copy to USB Storage Device". Once the video is on your USB device, you can use your PC to upload the video to YouTube.
For more Battlefield Hardline info, visit http://battlefield.com/hardline


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At last! I can fill you in on Monday's fantastic solar press conference at the capitol!
Public Citizen, Environment Texas and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club hosted a statewide round of press conferences this week to roll out our solar report, Texas Solar Roadmap — which of course can be downloaded at www.cleanenergyfortexas.org. Our report highlights how a robust solar program would help put Texans back to work, reduce peak energy prices, curb climate change, improve air quality, and position the state as a world leader for solar production. The full report is a pretty good read, but if you're short on time I suggest the condensed version, Wildcatting the Sun.
Our press conference in Austin was particularly exciting because we were in such great company. Senators Troy Fraser, Leticia Van de Putte, Kirk Watson, Rodney Ellis, and Representatives Mark Strama and Rafael Anchia all appeared and championed the solar bills they have introduced thus far.
Rafael Anchia's HB 278 and Florence Shapiro's SB 427 would require the state's electric utilities to support the development of 2000 megawatts of solar and other on-site renewable technologies by offering direct incentives to consumers and businesses.
This is right in line with Public Citizen's distributed solar goal, outlined in both Wildcatting the Sun and Texas Solar Roadmap . According to our report , such a standard could lead to installations on as many as 500,000 roofs in Texas by 2020 at a cost of about 98 cents per month per Texan (Polls have shown that 81% of Texas voters are willing to pay up to a dollar a month to encourage solar power. What about you?). This investment would create an estimated 22,000 jobs and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide emissions by 29 million tons, the equivalent of taking 4.3 million cars off the road for a year.
Anchia stressed that this should be Texas' solar session because it would answer two of our major challenges: air quality, and global warming.
Senator Fraser was the first legislator to speak, proclaiming that this would be Texas' solar session. Chairman of the Business and Commerce Committee, Fraser is well positioned to be an effective solar champion. As such, Fraser was particularly proud to forecast a sunny session for solar power. He joked that there are so many solar bills being filed this session, they are going to have to lay them all out at once and have a "solar day" where they can pick out the best bills and key components of each (this is the second time I've heard him say this though, so he may be serious. If so, you better bet I'll be there with bells on!)
Fraser also said that he found the idea enumerated in Kirk Watson's bills — that Texas was very successful in promoting wind power but missed out on manufacturing opportunities — particularly in need of our attention.
Fraser's big solar bill is SB 545, which
would create a five-year program for distributed solar generation incentives offered through the state's transmission and distribution utilities. The incentive program would be funded by a nominal monthly fee on residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Check out his press release from last week, when that bill was filed, for more information. Or if you're feeling really geeky, read the bill. Watson has also filed SB 546, relating to the state goal for energy efficiency. This bill sets stepped goals for how much of the state's growth in energy efficiency will be met by efficiency, culminating in a goal of getting 50% load growth through efficiency by 2015.
Senator Van de Putte was then called up to champion CPS Energy's new distributed energy commitment and her own solar in schools bill, SB 598. This would set up a pilot loan program to retrofit public schools with PV panels and other efficiency measures. Solar on schools is a pretty smart idea, because during summer months when the lights are off and their electricity use dips way down, they could make a lot of money pumping of energy back into the grid.
Senator Watson, a member of the Business and C0mmerce Committee and my Very Own senator, has three solar bills introduced so far. (more…)