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By Dave Ramaswamy
AAM: Please give an overview of your company? Operating History? How/when did you decide to enter the grain storage business?
Blumberg: Several generations ago my father's side of the family immigrated to America. They settled in Dothan, Alabama, the "peanut capital" of the United States. That's when our family got into farming, growing cotton and pecans. Our family later dispersed across the U.S. but kept that farming backbone to some extent. In South Florida, we grew mangoes, tomatoes and other crops. From that history, we knew that storage and control over supply chains, from farm to retail, were the key to ensuring agricultural profitability.
A couple of generations later, my grandfather, David Blumberg, became a developer in the city of Miami, where he was responsible for some of the largest residential and commercial real estate projects outside downtown. My father, Philip Blumberg, after graduating from Harvard Business School, started a construction company, Southern Projects, the origination of what was to become Blumberg Capital Partners. Starting in the early 1990s, as the youngest investment manager in institutional real-estate, he was able to raise money from family foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors. This he invested in Class-A commercial office space.
Through an approach that was both conservative and disciplined, he was able to build the leading investment fund in that sector. It delivered average annual returns of 18 percent through the '90s and 2000s. One method he used for tracking and forecasting pricing was through analyzing the inflation component of the commodities that served as construction materials. A building is nothing but a bundle of commodities, an assembly of copper, nickel, glass, steel and concrete. So his company had a team that tracked those underlying commodity prices.
In 2006 my father saw a cliff on the real estate horizon and started divesting his real estate assets. The company returned 22 percent to its investors in 2007 – the highest-performing fund of its kind that year. The company was sitting on some sizable cash reserves at the end of the process. Looking to diversify the business, my father decided to focus on commodities. He decided to set up a fund, not focused on virtual assets, but to invest in actual brick-and-mortar projects.
For the commodities fund, the company looked at investments across the globe – wind farms in west Texas, rare earth deposits in Greenland, solar fields in India, etc. On a trip to India in 2010, to check on a solar field investment, our team traveled into a thriving agricultural area. It was the end of a bumper harvest season, and people were packing wheat into small warehouses called "godowns." Due to a big harvest, and lack of fixed storage capacity, the wheat spilled over onto the area outside the godowns. The nightly rains had then started in earnest and would wash this wheat away onto the streets. The next morning cows and other animals were feasting on this rotting wheat. That year India lost a large part of its wheat crop to post-harvest losses, while hunger persisted across the country.
My father decided that food security was an area where someone needed to step in and play a role. Our company did research into post-harvest losses in grains, into agricultural value chains and into different emerging markets across the globe. And what became clear was that while India has problems with post-harvest losses, it is in a much better position relative to countries in Africa and some countries in Southeast Asia and South America.
So it was the trip to India in 2010 that made clear to us the opportunity in grain storage. My father found that it was an opportunity to use our expertise in real estate in combination with the latest technology from the United States. The company set up an R&D center in Ames, Iowa, a scientific hub in U.S. agriculture. And we started working with Iowa State University to develop our products and systems. We formed a team to come up with an offering for emerging markets to solve the issue of post-harvest losses.
The key was to develop a storage system that was simple to maintain and that also utilized the highest levels of technology. This included things like aeration fans, dehumidification systems and inventory management systems. The storage system would have built-in security with keypad entry and security cameras that could be monitored with an iPad. It could even be equipped with sonar guns, which blast sound waves at a person's inner ear, and that would force any intruder to leave the warehouse.
Even though the name of the company is Blumberg Grain, we also knew that the issue of post-harvest losses affected the perishables (fruits/vegetables) area. So our Applied Engineering team developed systems that not only use refrigeration technology but also build in a controlled atmosphere capability. In the storage room, this displaces oxygen with nitrogen, unlike other systems that use lethal carbon dioxide. It's the technologies we use in the warehouses that make us a market leader in food security.
AAM: Could you give us an overview about your range of storage systems?
Blumberg: We have our Grain Vault, which is a warehouse that can accommodate 1500 metric tons of grain, in a 600-square-meter facility, which we can put up in three days. We target this at smaller trading operations, farmers etc. It can also serve as the foundation for a larger network of disparate warehouses.
We also have huge systems that can accommodate 60,000 metric tons of grain or more. These compete with silos and surpass them on many levels. They have inflow/outflow rates of 200 metric tons per hour using pits, screening systems and drying systems. We use a new technology, designed with experts in the plastics industry, where we can fill 1.5-metric-ton FIBC jumbo bags. We've put them through a process where we vacuum seal them, and by doing that we extract the oxygen from the environment. This also allows for natural fumigation of the crop in the package. We don't have to apply any hazardous chemicals, and because we are able to bring the oxygen levels in that bag to almost zero, grain can stay preserved for decades. This is game-changing technology.
We have the Blumberg Arctic Vaults which are refrigerated storage warehouses. Take a mango, for example. If you're able to use controlled atmosphere technology with a mango, you can extend the shelf life of the mango to six months.
The Blumberg Grain warehouse is only one part of the equation. In order to maximize gains for our clients, Blumberg Grain offers a proprietary network management system that helps form the backbone of a country or company's food supply and crop management program.
AAM: American companies perceive Nigeria as a difficult place to do business. Would you tell us about your work there?
Blumberg: Right now, there are many agriculture initiatives in Nigeria under the leadership of Minister [Dr. Akinwumi] Adesina. At the Nigerian Economic Summit in 2013, the focus of the summit was agribusiness in Nigeria. I spoke there about the issue of post-harvest losses. At the end of my talk, the farmers in the audience stood up and said, "We need Blumberg Grain Warehouses." Minister Adesina, whom we had been in discussions with previously, spoke at the conference the following day and said he was going to buy 800 Blumberg Grain units, one for each district across Nigeria. Fast forward, and Nigeria is now receiving a large order of Blumberg Grain systems, for development across many states. The systems are mostly cold storage. In fact, the split is 75 percent versus 25 percent between cold storage and grain storage. Some of them are controlled atmosphere, and it's the first time that this technology is going to be used in Nigeria. The minister is excited about this project. Our products catapult Nigeria into the 21st century when it comes to agricultural value chains, particularly in the crop storage space.
AAM: What is your business model? Who pays for the warehousing system, the government or private sector? What is the investment required for a standalone system? What is the payback period?
Blumberg: Blumberg Grain provides food security systems to both private- and public-sector clients. The main model by which customers use our technology is on a rental/leasing basis. In Nigeria our products are used in this way. Nine different states are receiving our technology. They're going up now, but the government is renting them out to the private sector at subsidized rates. This is because the private sector has a problem with accessing financing, accessing land, accessing civil works etc. to get these storage facilities up. So the government is putting them up for the private sector to rent later.
What our storage system does in a country like Nigeria or many of the countries where we work is that it enables the farmer or trader to (1) cut down on the post-harvest losses that they suffer (in essence, doubling their true output); and (2) realize a sales price difference between the harvest season and that lean season that could be 400 or 500 percent higher. It puts a lot more money into the farmer's or trader's pocket.
As a result, the payback period on our technology is quite short. This is especially true, if you're able to take advantage of this market timing arbitrage opportunity. In many instances, with our systems customers can recover their investment within one year.
AAM: Do your systems run on a variety of power inputs? Grid power is not always available or reliable, with voltage fluctuations, in these markets.
Blumberg: Good point. When designing our systems, we told our R&D team that they should plan for poor infrastructure as well as harsh climates. The Applied Engineering division designed our units so that a 600-square-meter facility (with 1500 metric tons of storage) can pack up into just one 40-foot cargo container. Our engineers designed our units for fast installation – as little as three days. They designed them for flexible use. Our units are modular when it comes to adding capacity and are upgradable when it comes to adding our technology options.
Speaking to your point about energy – it was clear that the units would have to be able to handle different kinds of energy supply. So we offer solar power, wind power, etc. as a supplementary power source for these systems. Our Grain Vault can run completely on solar power.
AAM: Is it solar PV? How exactly does it work? How do you handle power failure and redundancy?
Blumberg: That's correct, Solar PV on top of the warehouse roof. You can get quite a bit of power out of those panels. What we've done is leverage technologies on the inside of our warehouse that are energy-efficient. The only issue is the cold storage component for which the power needs are quite high. Our cold storage could run on 100 percent solar power, but it then becomes inefficient from an economic perspective.
For our refrigerated storage, what we suggest to our clients is to locate these close to the existing grid. If that isn't possible, we need to have generators in place to run the system. Even if we're on the grid, we have the option to hook into different independent power solutions.
Our video on the technology describes this flexibility and some other features of our systems: http://www.blumberggrain.com/video/
AAM: What is the secret of your success in these demanding markets?
Blumberg: That is because of two things: first, the success that we have realized in the market vis-à-vis the application of our product; and second, for some reason, there haven't been companies that emerged to play a role in this storage space in these emerging markets.
When you look at these developing countries, our competition is, for the most part, local concrete contractors. These contractors put up a concrete warehouse that has only a tangential application to food security. The warehouse offers no specialized ancillary options or specialized components. They don't provide the safety and security needed to keep the crop preserved in-condition. So you continue to see high post-harvest loss rates.
We designed our warehouses with coatings and primers that reflect about 65 percent of the sun's heat. We have seals that create foam closures between each panel. This means you don't have leakage and you don't have water coming into the facility. We've designed our warehouse to be basic nuts-and-bolts assembly, so any skilled labor can put it up fast. So there are no problematic issues with construction, and we can be sure the facility works as intended.
In agriculture, the harvest season dictates the timeline for construction projects. If you miss the harvest season deadline, you lose that year's benefit. It is critical to be fast and timely. We hold the record in the industry for the ability to get 600 square meters of covered storage up, in three days.
AAM: If a private party approaches you interested to buy, what are the different options – and what are your price points?
Blumberg: Our systems are customizable. Though we have different product lines, they are all systems that come out tailor-made for the customer. We like to work them through a process where we identify what their needs are, and we come up with the solutions that meet them. When it comes to the private sector, the solutions are the same as what we would do for the public sector. I talked about our Grain Vault and Arctic Vault. We also offer our Self-Contained Bulk System that competes with silos. This system beats silos on cost, quality, natural fumigation, safety etc.
Every silo project that I've seen in Sub-Saharan Africa has failed because silos are difficult to maintain. Also, suppliers of silos are coming not from Africa, but from Asia, Turkey, North America and Brazil. For example, to fix a panel that breaks is difficult. You have to first evacuate the silo when you do maintenance, and then it takes too long to get spare parts to the site.
We designed our systems to be easy to manage and maintain. All our systems come with our export and repair kit. With our shipment you get a full kit of spare parts, to enable easy swap-out of a broken panel, or cracked gear – as the case may be. Because our structures are horizontal, it is easy to do that maintenance.
We designed our systems to be cost-effective – that's the key variable that people use to compare in Egypt, Nigeria, D.R.C., etc. Cost is a bottom-line factor when making procurement decisions.
As an example, we can compare our Self-Contained Bulk System to a silo system that is 15,000 metric tons in capacity. The silo system with turnkey installation will set you back about $235 to $240 per ton. Compared to that, our system will cost you about $200 per ton. We include costs for the site prep (because foundations are a factor that we have to consider). So you see an almost 20 percent price difference between our systems and systems available in vertical silo form.
AAM: How did you target countries like Nigeria, D.R.C, Egypt? Could you speak about the sociopolitical implications of your work?
Blumberg: Blumberg Grain works across the globe. We're in South America. We're in the Middle East. We're in Southeast Asia. And as you pointed out, we're active in Africa. The common thread across the countries we target is a huge incidence of post-harvest losses. That is the main reason we are there, and the governments there have set an agenda for tackling food, water, and energy shortfalls.
Ministers and government officials now realize that the fastest way to increase farm productivity is to reduce post-harvest losses. In comparison, putting more acreage under plough requires considerably more expenditure and time commitments. They discuss the topic of food security among themselves, and the Blumberg name comes up. That's how it happened in Nigeria and the D.R.C.
Policymakers now understand that losing large amounts of food grains is not just bad economics. The resulting food inflation could be a social tinderbox, resulting in riots – or a political tinderbox, resulting in the overthrow of a government.
The children of farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa see their parents lose almost half of their produce. They also see traders/middlemen take advantage by offering rock bottom prices at the peak of harvest. Farmers don't have two dimes to rub together. And the children say, "We're not going to do this. We'll get out of farming, go to the city, where there's more opportunity." But in the city they face terrible living conditions. With few employment options, they sometimes have to turn to the underground economy to scrape a living. There's also violence. You see what is going on with the Boko Haram [abducting children]. A hungry belly is vulnerable to extremist influence and propaganda.
In Egypt, Mubarak's overthrow was set in motion the day he decided to raise bread prices. He was running out of reserves to import wheat. Egypt is the world's No. 1 wheat importer. I am visiting Egypt now to put in place systems to stabilize wheat prices, and replace the shounas (open-air cages) in Egypt. 400 of the shounas store most of the harvested wheat – and see about 30 percent losses, based on conservative estimates.
The product that flows in to the Egyptian Ministry of Supply is "out of condition" for the most part. So they lose billions of dollars a year on this wastage. The Ministry of Supply plans to upgrade shouna facilities into a modern Blumberg Grain infrastructure. That's one of the projects we are working on right now.
Through our work in food storage, we would like to prevent unnecessary rural-to-urban migration. This in turn maintains social harmony and encourages political stability. The countries where we work can then have a stable environment for economic growth and development.
AAM: American companies typically think that doing business with African governments is a nightmare, e.g., the possible need for hush payments and kickbacks to win contracts, and officials making promises they can't keep. What has been the difference between that perception and your reality?
Blumberg: As an American company, we don't play those games. And in the past, we've had to abandon projects when such talk has come up.
One of our primary conduits into these countries has been the U.S. government. Our embassies and commercial officers help with introductions into the private sector. When they introduce us to counter-parties, they know that we abide by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). So we get to build on relationships that are available through them while using the shield that they provide. We also go straight to the agriculture or trade minister, or the heads of state, who are progressive in their thinking.
AAM: What is your near-term company outlook, in the next one to three years? Are you considering opportunities beyond storage?
Blumberg: Blumberg Grain wants to solidify our position in Africa as leaders in food security. Meanwhile Blumberg Capital Partners, our holding company, wants to make other investments in these countries, in sectors like real estate, steel, etc.
We are looking to set up Blumberg Grain Food Security Fabrication facilities all across the globe. We plan to produce Blumberg Grain's steel warehouses and components in the countries that matter most to us. This is a huge investment for the countries we're in discussions with. We are close to finalizing our selection process in in West Africa.
KPMG has done studies on our Food Security Fabrication facilities. They would provide employment to 1000 people, produce 1200 units every year, and increase trade and industry. The estimated economic impact would be over $1 billion in the first year of operation, and reaching $10 billion over five years. So these projects are something governments are fighting over.
Blumberg Capital Partners is on track to expand investments across the agricultural value chain as well. They're analyzing investments in different countries across the globe. We're looking at $250 million investment opportunities that touch the entire value chain.
Beyond storage, investments in high-yield, high-efficiency farming will be the next step. Investments in logistics infrastructure will follow, going downstream. Then we'll look at processing facilities, packaging facilities.
For example, in Nigeria they're importing plastics. They're bringing plastic bags from Lagos in the south all the way up to Kano in the North – about 500 miles – and it might as well be "transporting air." That packaging can happen close to the final destination, and for significant cost savings. There is lot of opportunity like that, and there's a strong emphasis within our company to look at agriculture in these emerging markets.
AAM: Some say that vested interests – like speculators, traders, local politicians – allow food wastage. So they can keep farmers at their mercy and/or be a source of patronage. How do you respond to that?
Blumberg: I don't see anyone opposing improved storage. Even the players who control the grain trade still benefit if they can keep their product "in condition" for a longer period of time. As technology providers, we provide solutions to anyone willing to work with us. We also organize the financing to capture that value.
Many of the governments we work with are offering this technology as a rental to the private sector. This way a trader or logistics player can get access to more capacity. The local communities benefit because more crop volume is able to reach the market and more money stays in the community. The farmer can sell more crops and increase her income.
Our storage systems lay the groundwork for establishing commodities exchanges. The first step to develop a grain commodities exchange in a country is to have warehouse infrastructure on the ground. This is one way to move toward a market-oriented system where ALL participants stand to benefit. In the interim, stakeholders can still use and monetize our storage systems in their interests.
AAM: Finally, any lessons for American businesses considering working in Africa?
Blumberg: First, for market entry, I would suggest using the resources of the U.S. government. One can leverage U.S. government officials for market data and meeting facilitation. This can happen through the commercial offices of the embassy, the Trade Department, or other on-the-ground resources. Additionally, the U.S. government assists the private sector in financing activities abroad. Organizations like the EXIM bank, OPIC, and USAID-DCA provide low cost debt in countries, where financial markets are not that developed.
Second, I would tell American business not to be afraid of the Chinese competition. To a large degree American businesses are wary of facing off against Chinese businesses. Some American companies think Chinese companies, either state-owned or private, have a stranglehold over business in Africa. The truth is that governments in Africa are looking for American companies to step in and play a role in their economies. Customers and officials all over Africa recognize U.S. products as having superior technology, and we compete on that basis. Leveraging that strength of innovation and quality can overcome any issue arising from Chinese influence.
Third, there is a need to be realistic about timelines when viewing investment cycles. It's not a novel revelation, but the speed of doing business in Africa is quite slow. So American companies need to internalize thorough preparation and focus on the long-term, as part of their business development strategy. Of course, there will be ups and downs in realizing any corporate goal in Africa. But if there is patience in the ethos of the company and a desire to look forward, there are enormous opportunities waiting to be engaged.Keywords: Africa, Agribusiness, agriculture, Blumberg, Blumberg Grain, David Blumberg, grain storage, harvest, loss


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Strong winds passing through Tuesday caused power outages at North Oldham Middle and High Schools, causing the schools to close Wednesday. Middle school principal Robb Smith said the schools had power back Thursday and were back to normal. He said Harmony Elementary, on the same campus with the two other schools, was unaffected.
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Kickstarter Project: CaptCase, A Sleek & Slim Leather Case for iPhone
Posted on February 25, 2013 by eli courey
CaptCase is one of the slimmest and most functional iPhone cases I've seen so far. This leather case does what many other cases don't, it not only protects the sides and back of the iPhone, but also keeps the screen clean and safe. There's even a pocket on the back of the case that lets you hold cash, credit cards, driver's license, etc. And one of the nicest features of CaptCase is the magnetic flap that brings the case together.
At the time of this post, CaptCase has already raised $10,305 of their $14,500 on Kickstarter. With 26 more days to go, it looks like they are off to a great start. The Kickstarter project ends on March 23.
Check out the video below to see CaptCase in action:
Comments (1,456)
wrong video lol


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Nothing is ever as it seems in North Korea
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A day after signing a landmark deal on nuclear weapons, is Pyongyang really having second thoughts?
Kim Jong-il, leader of the world's most reclusive regime, may look like an oddball but he is nobody's fool. He has again shown as much by calling the bluff of United States President George Bush on nuclear proliferation. Mr Bush, who once dubbed North Korea's leader a "pygmy" and his nation one of the original members of the "axis of evil", has been compelled to wind back the rhetoric and the threats. The outcome of the latest round of six-party talks aimed at defusing North Korea's push to develop nuclear weapons ended with a commitment from Pyongyang to stop in exchange for foreign aid and energy concessions. This cools the prospect of confrontation on the Korean peninsula. It brings relations between the US and the pariah state back close to the point they had reached during the Clinton presidency.
By the time Bill Clinton's Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, visited North Korea and met Mr Kim in October 2000, relations between the US and North Korea had warmed considerably. Diplomatic ties with some Western nations, including Australia, had resumed, and there were growing links between North and South Korea. Mr Bush, however, discounted these efforts as appeasement. Instead, as he embarked on the war on terrorism, he nominated North Korea, with Iran and Iraq, as integral players that needed to be brought to heel. In North Korea's case, Mr Bush considered the threat of American force would be enough. As the war in Iraq became bogged down, North Korea informed the US that it had nuclear weapons. The US and it allies halted oil supplies. North Korea responded by withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expelling International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. A two-year stand-off ensued, during which time talks between North Korea, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US achieved little, that is, until this week.
China - with no interest in continuing instability in the region - brokered a deal under which Pyongyang is now promising to abandon nuclear weapons, return to the non-proliferation treaty and allow inspectors back in. In exchange, the US has declared it has no appetite for attacking North Korea or even in maintaining a nuclear presence on the Korean peninsula. In addition, the North is to receive energy assistance. The possibility of acquiring light-water nuclear reactors, less easily converted to weapons production, was also raised.
The positive diplomacy is welcome: there were always flaws in Mr Bush's hardline approach. Meanwhile, Pyongyang receives desperately needed aid and a domestic propaganda bonus. But where North Korea is concerned, things are seldom as they seem. Yesterday its foreign ministry cast doubt over the deal by insisting that light-water reactors be delivered before any nuclear arms are surrendered. This development, which brought a rebuke from China, is a clear sign that the diplomacy is not yet ended. Sadly, the long march to peace and prosperity for oppressed and starved ordinary North Koreans is far from over. In the meantime, the international community faces the challenge of ensuring that Pyongyang embraces the bargain and abides by the agreement.


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* S&P 500 coming off two-day rally, near record close
* Oracle falls after results, but KB Home rallies
* Investors don't expect curveballs in Fed statement
* Indexes: Dow up 0.1 pct, S&P 500 flat, Nasdaq up 0.2 pct (Updates to open)
By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK, March 19 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on Wednesday as investors paused following a sharp two-day rally and looked ahead to comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.
The S&P 500 was within striking distance of all-time highs, though an Oracle Corp selloff weighed on tech shares, and economic bellwether FedEx Corp sounded a sour note in its outlook. Geopolitical concerns related to Ukraine also remained in view.
Oracle was the S&P's biggest percentage loser, down 2.9 percent to $37.70 a day after it reported revenue below estimates, dashing hopes for a sustained turnaround. FedEx posted results below expectations and gave a weak full-year profit forecast, but the package shipper said it had been significantly hurt by winter storms, and the stock rose 0.7 percent to $139.64.
"Investors have to ask, with the market at record highs, are they willing to shake off subpar earnings in the face of potential geopolitical events unfolding? So far they're unfazed and relatively calm going into the Fed, but it won't take much to create some concern," said Michael O'Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The Fed is not expected to deviate from its path when it announces its policy decision in a statement at 2:00 p.m. (1800 GMT), but market participants will be attuned the subsequent news conference from Janet Yellen, her first as chair, for any clue on the speed of future stimulus cuts, as well as how soon interest rates might be raised.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 16.82 points, or 0.10 percent, at 16,353.01. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 0.68 points, or 0.04 percent, at 1,872.93. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 7.43 points, or 0.17 percent, at 4,325.88.
Equities have rallied this week, boosted by easing geopolitical concerns, though trading volumes have been light. The S&P 500 has risen 1.7 percent over the past two days, the best back-to-back performance for the benchmark index since early February, putting it just 0.3 percent away from a record closing high reached earlier this month.
Ukraine's acting defense minister said the country's forces would not withdraw from Crimea after the region voted to join Russia in a disputed referendum. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a treaty to make it part of Russia, and while no violence was reported as pro-Russian forces took control of part of a Ukraine naval base, investors are concerned that tensions in the region could escalate.
In earnings news, KB Home rose 8.9 percent to $19.25 after swinging to a first-quarter profit, helped by higher prices, while Adobe Systems late Tuesday gave a second-quarter revenue outlook that was ahead of forecasts, but the stock fell 1.5 percent to $67.53.
JPMorgan Chase & Co said it would sell its physical commodities business to Swiss trade house Mercuria for $3.5 billion. Shares were unchanged on the day.
(Editing by Bernadette Baum and Nick Zieminski)


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How gorgeous is this photo shoot of Tina Yi in the January 2013 issue of Vogue China! Can anyone point me in the general direction of a rainbow flower field, please?
Err, bicycle taxidermy. Need I say more?
Never before have I wanted a dress so badly in my life! Skeleton print and glow-in-the-dark? Yes yes yes! I am so sad that this has sold out. I will be anxiously refreshing the page until it's back in stock!
Barnaby thought these were a bit creepy – but I fell in love with each and every one of these painted buildings! (He's probably just worried that I'd do it to our future house… which I totally would!) Which one is your favourite?
I swear it is impossible to feel glum when you're wearing heart print! I wore this dress a couple of days ago when I was going to a big meeting. I was super nervous!
Not that it'll happen anytime soon, but I am severely lusting over a classic quilted Chanel designer handbag – like this one from Cruise Fashion. I wish!
These Hello Sunshine flats are some of the sweetest shoes I've ever seen! Luckily, they just so happen to be on their way to my mailbox..! ; )
Carey Mulligan's spread for Harper's Bazaar is seriously gorgeous! I love Carey. She seems like such a sweet person!
A speaker picnic blanket sounds like the best thing in the world. Now, if only New Zealand wasn't going into winter! Oh well, even more reason to be excited for spring, I suppose!


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Hiland Riverfront
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The upcoming residential projects in Kolkata offer a refreshing blend of urban high rise to a rural backdrop promising affordable rates at townships that will uplift your way of living.
Hiland offers a home for everyone, whether it is a 2 BHK flat, a 3 BHK flat or even a plush Villa with its sprawling lawns and sky gazing balconies. Matched with a well defined community space and clubbing facilities, Hiland is raising the bar for residential projects in Kolkata.
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Crepe Gold Chain Shift Dress Black
Was $34.00
Now $14.00 (60% off)
This super sassy black wrap shift dress is a smokin' addition to your party collection. The flattering crepe material, slinky double straps and six loop side gold chain detail will give you a flawlessly styled outfit. Team with strappy sandals and gold clutch for added hotness.
Hidden side zip
Approx length 74cm/29" (Based on a UK size 8 sample)
95% Polyester 5% Elastane
Lucie wears a UK size 8 and her height is 5'9"
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A friend in deed
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The PalmOne Tungsten T5.
They are a great way to take a lot of information with you without the bulk of a laptop. PDAs used to be good for just holding your address book and calendar, but they're now much more powerful and feature-rich than simple electronic organisers.
There are generally two types of handhelds on the market: those running the Palm operating system (generally referred to as "Palms") and those that use Windows Mobile (collectively known as "Pocket PCs").
The main difference between the two is that Palms use a proprietary file system while Pocket PCs use the same architecture of the desktop version of Windows.
Palm handhelds may need the the odd file conversion but there isn't a lot of practical difference between the two. They can both view and edit Microsoft Office files, synchronise data with Outlook and log on to your email and the internet (as long as the hardware supports it). Both platforms also have thousands of third-party programs available (freeware, shareware and full commercial) that can be installed.
Transferring information to a PDA from computer (using the supplied USB cable or cradle and software) is the main way to get new files and programs on it, but it's far from the only option. Most models have an infrared port, which can be used to "beam" files between handhelds and also other devices that have infrared capabilities, such as mobile phones and laptops.
Some of the more expensive devices also have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (sometimes both). The former is used to connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth-enabled devices, in addition to phones and notebook computers. This also includes keyboards, headsets, GPS receivers and other handhelds. When connecting via Bluetooth to a mobile phone, you can use the phone's GPRS capabilities to surf the internet and download email, as most PDAs with Bluetooth also have a built-in web browser and email client.
Handhelds with integrated Wi-Fi can connect to a wireless network and access the internet using the full speed of an 802.11b connection. But these devices aren't just about portable productivity. They're also fully capable mobile entertainment units.
As handheld processors become increasingly powerful (with the fastest chip currently clocked at 624MHz), their multimedia capabilities have also improved significantly. In addition to playing music files, such as MP3 and WMA, handhelds double as video playback machines, with some models offering a smooth 30 frames per second.
Handhelds haven't quite reached the point of incorporating hard drives, so at most you'd be looking at just over 200MB of user-accessible flash memory (and sometimes quite less than that). However, all of the current models have at least one memory-card slot (most commonly Secure Digital) and with 512MB SD cards now available for less than $100, it doesn't cost too much to add more storage.
Four contenders
HP iPAQ hx4700
Rating: * * * *
Price: $1199
Website: www.hp.com.au
The hx4700 looks more like a miniature tablet PC than a handheld, which is appropriate given how powerful it is. The large four-inch screen is spectacular, displaying brilliant, well-saturated colours at 480 x 640 resolution. Build quality is also excellent, however, we're still not sold on the fiddly touchpad. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combined with a beefy 1800mAh replaceable battery makes this iPAQ a top buy.
PalmOne Tungsten T5
Rating: * * * * ½
Price: $749
Website: www.palmone.com/au
A standout feature for this model is its non-volatile memory, so files are retained even after the batteries die. The drive mode is another innovation and allows access to the 160MB memory partition from any connected computer, much like a USB storage key. Strangely, the bundled Documents to Go program provides better support for Office documents than the Windows Mobile software does.
HP iPAQ rx3715
Rating: * * * ½
Price: $799
Website: www.hp.com.au
This model is more consumer-oriented, with an integrated 1.2-megapixel camera. Image quality doesn't match a dedicated camera, but it's functional. The bundled iPAQ Mobile Media application lets you stream and copy movies, pictures and music from a desktop computer using a wireless network.
Carrier Devices i-mate PDA2k
Rating: * * * *
Price: $1400
Website: www.imate.com
For always-on connectivity, this can't be beaten. In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it doubles as a GSM/GPRS phone, and can automatically switch between wireless internet connections based on what's available. The nifty slideout keyboard has a real James Bond appeal.
The verdict
The Tungsten T5 doesn't skimp on features despite its keen price, so it's highly recommended. Power users will appreciate the iPAQ hx4700's raw processing grunt and high-capacity battery, while the PDA2k is a great (albeit expensive) solution for the mobile professional.
A PDA's battery life is important. For heavy usage, a device with a replaceable battery is a good idea, or one with a battery that has at least a 1500mAh rating.
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text: Announcing another session of Care and Feeding of your Makerbot! As with previous weeks, if a number of new, interested folks show up by 6pm, I'll give an introduction to using the Makerbot Cupcakes and try to get folks printing. It's an all-ages, all-inclusive take-away suppertime thing, we will setup prints to watch and discuss grand plans for future build days (more bots!), a RepRap public house hosted at Noisebridge, or just focus on making geegaws and refrigerator magnets. Come join the group starting at 5 and going until 9pm or a bit later. More info on this session and upcoming sessions: https://www.noisebridge .net/wiki/Reprap_class *I'll be working on the functional designs portion, unless newcomers are interested in the basics. Noisebridge: 2169 Mission Street ( https://www.noisebridge .net/wiki/Getting_Here ) Wednesday August 31, 2011. 5PM to 9PM -Ronald Miloh Alexander -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://www.noisebridge.net/pipermail/fab/attachments/20110831/7cf2fa71/attachment.html>


text:
New Jersey's own Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna (10-0, 6 KOs) will be stepping into the ring again on March 8 at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the undercard of the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights-televised night of boxing, promoted by Sampson Boxing and featuring Victor Cayo (31-3 22 KOs) vs. Emmanuel Taylor (16-1 11 KOs) in the main event.
"It is an honor to be fighting in front of Teddy Atlas, Joe Tessitore, and the ESPN crew. It motivates me to look even better," said LaManna.
LaManna will be facing Joshua Snyder of Berlin, Maryland, (9-8-1, 3 KOs). "Everyone is telling me this is going to be a hard fight, but I am training hard to put on a good performance."
With a new strength-and-conditioning coach, the tutelage of Bernard Hopkins, and having spent five weeks as the chief sparring partner for Demetrius Hopkins, LaManna said he feels confident and stronger going into this fight, which will take place at 160 lbs, six pounds higher than his usual fighting weight of 154.
"I walk around at 165, so not having to sweat down those last pounds the week of the fight is nice."
LaManna says he plans to impress when he steps in the ring on March 8. "This is the fight where I am going to prove to the haters, as well as the fans, that I have what it takes… Jaws will be dropped. One thing that I have in this fight that I can't say I've had in any other is pure confidence… when I got the call from Sampson that I was on the card, I was excited. And when I found out I was fighting Josh Snyder, I was even more excited."
Thomas would like to thank Sampson Boxing, Matt Howard of Resorts Casino, and Josh Snyder for the opportunity to make a statement.
Cayo vs. Taylor, along with a televised co-featured 10-round heavyweight bout between Magomed Abdusalamov (16-0, 16 KOs) and Victor Bisbal (21-1, 15 KOs), will be televised live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at 10 pm ET. The telecast can also be seen on ESPN Deportes and online at WatchESPN.com. It will also be available on smart phones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.
Headlining the undercard will be Virgin Islands-based "The Hawk Flock", the sons and nephew of former world champion Julian "The Hawk" Jackson, each of whom is an up-and-coming contender in the respective divisions.
WBC Super Welterweight Youth World Champion John "Dah Rock" Jackson (14-1, 13 KOs), super middleweight contender Julius "The Chef" Jackson (14-0, 10 KOs) and junior middleweight contender Samuel "Rock City Cobra" Rogers (12-0, 7 KOs) will each make appearances.
Also scheduled to appear in separate bouts are local favorites such as Brooklyn lightweight Scott "Bang Bang" Burrell (6-1, 5 KOs) and a special showcase featuring the son of former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, undefeated super middleweight Isiah Seldon (6-0, 3 KOs).
The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing. The main event is presented in association with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing.
Tickets start at $40 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Resorts Casino Hotel box office on fight night.
The Resorts Casino Hotel is located at 1133 Boardwalk in Atlantic City. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the first bout is at 7:00. All bouts are subject to change. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com or resortsac.com.


text:
RELIEVED, happy and I'm so proud to have a President in office that so many people respect. I think it's important that the president of the United States should represent the majority of the citizens and I feel that Obama does. I feel that he truly CARES and does his best to make decisions ba<x>sed on what is the RIGHT thing to do and also will help the most people. More people are middle class, disabled, or poor than Rich and sadly those have not been represented by most Presidents in the past. Obama knows what it's like to be raised by a single mom. He knows how it feels to not have health insurance (as his mother didn't & she ended up dying) He knows the struggles of the majority of Americans and I feel he represents US which makes me have HOPE :)
Obama: someone who wants to build, NOT tear down.
Obama won't lead us into ruin- that what the republicans want u to think- stop drinking their koolaid
I appreciate so much what you say. We needed a president that's relatable. And those that are relatable, are more compassionate and selfless. Obama's vision and mission for this nation is mandatory. This country needs to rebuild itself from the ground up. Alot of what Obama said he'd do, he did. The fall of America wasn't his problem in the first place, and I think he did exceptionally well in the last 4 years, and he'll do even better these next 4 years. It's time that America overcome. And I believe that Obama is what we need. I am most grateful for a president that has me in mind, even though he doesn't know me personally. I've had a hard time in the pass few years and last night, for the first time in a long time, when Obama was projected, I felt hopeful again. People like Romney can't identify with poverty and struggle and hardship, so it's almost impossible for him to understand. You've got to go through it to understand it. What would he do and those who think like him do, if they were to lose everything they have tomorrow. All the luxury and riches? The rich vs the poor is so extreme. While the rich has the money to buy lavish homes, servants to cook and clean for them, beautiful cars and time to travel when and where they please, people like me can't afford a place to stay of my own, can't afford a bus ride sometimes, don't have proper health coverage or none at all, have to cook and clean my own house, like most people. Sometimes I have eat the samething for three days, because that's what I can afford to buy. Wearing the same shoes and clothers in the pass five years. Am not lazy, am in school with my eyes narrow on my future. I often wonder what it would be like to live a lifestyle like Romney. Am frustrated and overwhelmed, but persevering more than you can imagine. I am grateful despite.
hate the rich versus the poor concept...being poor the only thing I see is poor versus poor...its the reason the poor dont get richer, because poor people are the majority and do everything they can in spite of the rich...
also when it comes to koolaide drinking...democrats drink alot more than the republicans...I mean seriously do some research for once...
wish people would stop voting democrat or republican just because it is their party...
Obama is a good speaker, and when it comes to politics he made the right choice going for the minorities like myself...
However I did my research...all the way back to before presidency...
shocker...he flip flops more than Romney does...
the good news is this will be his last four years...
maybe the republicans will get a better choice.
The democrats will need a new guy...
I am hopeful the next election will be better.
Yes...because the republicans shutting down congress because of health Care really helps drive home that point you made about democrats "drinking more koolaid". It seems koolaid has become the official drink of all American parties. Obama "flip flops" because he is limited in his abilities as president, both by a republican congress that throws hissy fits and quits going to work (but won't quit getting paid of course), every time he enacts legislature that benefits all people and not just republicans. He also faced a rude awakening, as does every nation's leaders, about the reality of being a leader. Every politician goes in promising to make changes in their party's favour...and every politician ends up not being able to do it. It's insanely easy to criticize the position from a point of never having to deal with all the responsibility and more...but it's a totally different ballgame once you're in that seat. Until a government lets go of the extremist mentality of us against them, and learns to work together to form secular decisions for all, not just themselves, you will always see leaders making promises they can never fill.
You are obviously pleased that your governmental handouts will continue but to those of us who struggle to keep our 300 or so employees still working in our business his election will just complicate the lives for all of us.
Increased taxes and regulations will stifle our growth and increased taxes will eliminate any profit and any reason to continue manufacturing here.
I can forsee cutting back at least half of my work force within the near future.. Business is predicated on profit and not government handouts. I can easily produce elsewhere overseas but hestitate to do so, but your vote and the Obama adminstration with its antics and regulators may force me to do so. So stay happy and sit home with the government largesse at your disposal. You are after all entitled.
In passing may I metion that the majority of Americans did not reelect this clown anly half . This was not an overwhelming mandate.
You have put my thoughts into words, as have many of those who have responded to your answer to this question -- with support that is.
If you dont like it,lump it.
As if it matters. Two sides of the same bankster controlled coin.
Yup. That's why I don't think it matters much.
Upset. I do not feel informed people voted. They voted for the wrong reasons. Did we vote in a president who is going to help all of America or a choice few? Obama had 4 years and look at where we are.
Exactly my old friend.
Yeah, it's terrible. Moody's business said that we'll have 12 million new jobs over the next four years, no matter what. Well have health care for everyone. Like everyone else in the world, well teach evolution.
Yup. That's sad. That's why grateful auto workers voted for the guy who bailed them out, and East Coasters are happy that we still have FEMA.
@mbuch ur awesome :-) u can not go by the last four years look wtf fell in his lap the dumba$$ republicans mess not 1 person would have or could have been able to bring it back to its original state in 4 years so for u to base ur oppinion soley on the last 4 yrs u r miss informed n no where near intelligent enough for u to comprehend that bill clinton 1 of the usa's top presidents backed up obama so wut does that tell u
Now please would you like to expand on WRONG REASONS, quite the opposite the electorate voted for all the RIGHT REASONS.
yes because bailing out corrupt business owners is the right way to go...lets give money to everyone who gives themselves a raise! YAY!!!
Health care we and the government cannot afford...
You people REALLY need to actually take a gander at the bill...I did. stop bringing it up like it is a good thing, while we need medicare reform, it is not the right way to go.
We still would have had FEMA under Romney...he just wanted to let people who actually had money to run it (privitize it)...unlike oour government, who only has borrowed money...(The debt ceiling qaudrupled during Obama's first four years...)
we are a lot better off than in 2008.
like FEMA is only for the east coast.
I'm lovin' it
do you really have any idea the unholy heap of the tragic greed & misuse of powers he was left to try digging us out of? No one could have ever been prepared for levles of deceit 4 yrs could barely scratch the surface to try and fix. Mitt would have truly been the end of all but 1% of us. God Bless You & all Life everywhere
President Obama is smart he is allowing the economy to grow at a slower rate which will stop the recession to bubble burst way it has been in this country for as long as we existed.
It is working........... I wish it could be faster because it has affected me drastically but I would rather see a fix of that vicious cycle that has always caused a backlash of recessions or depressions
I just have to stop and laugh how's it looking well into this **** storm he caused. Yeah bullshit smart my *** he caused more problems and didn't really fix anything.
is McDonald's your new president?
I am joyful for you all in America, I admire Barrack Obama so much. I just believe in him as a man, a leader, and I believe his heart is very much in the right place.He is massively respected over here. It's not easy to pull a country out of recession but he is on the road to doing it. Also living in England where everyone has been entitled to healthcare since the 1940's I was never so pleased to see that America was now seeing that it's wrong that anyone should be denied health care because they were poor or in need. It could happen to anyone. I am happy for you all, he won't let you down.
Thank you for saying this....it's nice to get a perspective from a different county.
Agree with you. I just hope the other side will work with him.Obama is a true gentleman and he knew only too well the dirty tricks the Republicans had up their sleeves. At any given opportunity they did everything to make him look bad. So at the end of the day with all their little games and lies the truth has really surfaced. Well done President Obama.
you should see my nipples
NO thanks
Well i can't say i wasn't warned ;o)
:) Dear EP staff. huge thumbs up for the "happening now" feature in QnA.. TheOne
Thank you! for not voting Mitt Romney.... He was an accident waiting to happen, the corrupt idiot!
You are most sincerely welcomed, and thank YOU!
As opposed to the deliberate destroyer who
works for Goldman-Sachs who is already
in there. Neither of them are worth sh*t.
I know but obama is the lesser of 2 evils
Yeah no he wasn't and isn't
I do agree with you. I do not think anyone was worthy of votes. But I come from a different point of view.
Then there's the Corrupt dumbass in office right now who has done nothing but destroy the us and make things worse. Raised debt, worse off economy, the list goes on. Come on you wanna call mit corrupt look at all the **** Obama pulled. Beyond that from the look of his priorities he support dictators more then he supports this country and it's people.
I am extremely depressed by this. This man is trying to take over my life and that of all Americans. He wants people so dependent on government that they will do anything it tells them to do. Obamacare is going to put people out of business, which means people are out of work, which means more people on government dole. I truly believe, by re-elected Obama, it is the end of the United States of America. We ask ourselves every 4 years, "Are we better off than we were 4 years ago?" Most people I know say they are not. This was a bad election. People need to take responsibility for themselves, Obama does not want that.
I re-elected him joyfully
You re-elected a failure, a lier, and an idiot.
we haven't started any wars lately. that's a good thing.
I feel really great Obama needs a second chance to work on what he didnt complete
In his own words "If I don't turn this economy around in four years I will not seek reelection. Not only do we have an incompetent, boob who has never run as much as a lemonade stand, we have a bald face lier in the White House.
AWESOME!!! I'm so happy...I've got renewed faith in my fellow Americans. GObama!!!!

ooOOOoo...I don't want to be considered a member of the dumber masses...that makes me completely change my mind. j/k
Apparently you're a member of the dumb masses. Do you know the names of your congressman and Senator? Who's your Attorney General? There should be a civics test that has to be passed before allowing someone to vote.
What does that have to do with anything? Knowing the name of your Congressman and Senator? Who the Attorney General is? I think it's more important to reflect on the core values are of these people than just to know their names, and the last time I checked, a major poll estimated that only 30-40% of Americans could pass their own citizenship test. We have our system for a reason, right wrong or indifferent, but you tear people down because they have a different political opinion than yourself? I may not fully agree with Obama, but Mitt Romney didn't have the American people in mind, he had his wealthy friends and business partners in mind much like Bush did, Romney failed because he was another copy of Bush. Romney wanted to spend an extra $2 trillion over the next 10 years on the military, that's $800 billion a year as opposed to our whopping $600 billion a year. China is the next highest spender of $100 billion and they have the largest army in the world. Romney wasn't thinking economically, and I would much trust a president who went through economic struggles and understands the life as a lower class American, than a silver spoon fed politician, but before you start calling people dumb, maybe you should look at your own view, because to me they come off as closed-minded and offensive, who are you to say someone or a group is unintelligent?
The load of crap you just spilled to support a man who supports dictators more then the us people is suprising. Mitt was a good man, Bush was a good man you all blow smoke just because you didn't like their views and then you snap at us when we do something similar I think we call that hypocritical.
I'm so glad. Romney's an idiot
Care to explain this?
Dude have u even WATCHED his debates?! Romney is dumber than BUSH! He's a terrible liar. Ex:"I saw my father march with Martin Luther King." (Romney's campaign later admitted that they didn't march on the same day, or in the same city)
"I purchased a gun when I was a young man. I've been a hunter pretty much all my life." (Romney's campaign later said he'd been hunting twice, once when he was 15, and once in 2006 at a Republican fundraiser
"When you have a fire in an aircraft, there's no place to go, exactly, there's no -- and you can't find any oxygen from outside the aircraft to get in the aircraft, because the windows don't open. I don't know why they don't do that. It's a real problem." –Mitt Romney, suggesting it would be a good idea to crack a window at 35,000 feet, Beverly Hills fundraiser, Sept. 22, 2012
He's a total dumbfuck
Okay...have you watched Obama in the debates? or worse his VP choice?
not a valid argument...
Romney is however a business man...something we need in a recession.
Obama has repeated the exact mistakes made prior to him being in office...talk about stupid.
Yes we deff need a womanizer. We don't need another clinton
I don't believe it is wise to call either politician an idiot, they are obviously educated people, but to me Obama had the better economic system. I can't agree with Romney and his extended tax cuts and extra military spending when we are trying to pull out of a war that has skyrocketed us into debt. Romney was a much better at debating, but Romney's economic plan did not sit well with me, racking up more IOU's is not a good indication of a better financial plan, you need to raise taxes and cut spending, as much as I hate my taxes being raised, Bush's 10 year tax cut didn't help us much either with our economic plan, it's time to pay back our dues, that's just being financially responsible.
what economic system are you talking about Obama did nothing for the economy except worsen it
Totally disheartened. Obama is the most of the two evils. I just wish for once we'd get a real choice between two honest and forthcoming candidates.
Unfortunately we live in a political world where two major parties raise a candidate and help give financial backing to support their campaigning, they only want people who fit their agenda, unless we can do away with Democratic and Republican principals, it is always going to go more left or more right. I think more people are caught up trying to defend why their party is better than actually objectively looking at the whole entire picture. If we could come together as a more cohesive party than two distinct ones that battle for 'king of the hill' we would have a much stronger unity.
I feel like the country is full of imbeciles who like watching their money get sucked from their groping hands.
Another four years of " I told you so " and not in a good way.
Record unemployment.asstounding deficit. masses on food stamps. education system behind much of the world.leader elected by dividing and creating class warfare.Divides us all into subgroups with different interests.dead ambassador and middle east in turmoil.but hey the guy has a nice smile so let's reelect him . It's just a job. who cares?
Obama is a good speaker, and when it comes to politics he made the right choice going for the minorities like myself... However I did my research...all the way back to before presidency... shocker...he flip flops more than Romney does... the good news is this will be his last four years... maybe the republicans will get a better choice. The democrats will need a new guy... I am hopeful the next election will be better.
If there still is an America then.
I'm glad that people came out and voted. It is nice to know that there won't be any disruption to the person that the US calls as its leader. Our country has been fragmented enough over the past few decades. It really is past time to pull things together and move forward.
The only forward we are going to see is us, shoved over a cliff. We are a nation divided. The great hope Obama has been the most divisive force to America. The gap is too large. America is nearly split in two quite even pieces. And because of the damage of his first term, it's no wonder that conservatives and liberals cannot hold a civil conversation or share political ideas. I'm not sure if things will ever be great here again.
THANK GOD the bullshite is over for another 4years
I'm relieved and excited about the next four years!
Related Questions
miraedocommunistPortugal 18-21, M 23 Answers 9 Nov 8, 2012 in Politics
If you could go back in time and change the results of the 2012 US presidential election, would you?
Why is it that in every presidential election, I feel the candidates are competing over who is more bigoted?As if the American people will vote for them based on that?
notmyfaultyourenotoriginal 18-21, F 7 Answers 0 Jan 4, 2016 in Community
not the primaries, just the actual election.Louisboy18 18-21, M 10 Answers 0 Mar 4, 2016 in Community
Why don't we just boycott the presidential election! Trump can boycott presidential debates so we should be able to.lolilover8 18-21, M 12 Answers 1 Oct 21, 2015 in Politics
If you don't, then don't complainTHEBIGM 46-50, M 12 Answers 2 Jan 15, 2010
Personally I am overjoyed to see the NDP do so well. Unfortunately the Conservatives got their majority by benefiting from a vote split on the left which bugs me. I hope Layton...PicturesOfABetterLife 36-40, M 8 Answers 1 May 3, 2011
aurora1989 46-50 8 Answers 2 Oct 13, 2011


text:
"#opengov divide is between free and open, IMHO. @Google=free, @Fastcase=open (for example). Public.Resource.org=both #lawgov".There were a few more tweets amongst the group, where I asked if this meant that PACER was in the "open" category the same way that "Fastcase=open" (or if you're in Texas, "Casemaker=Open")? Don Cruse didn't think so and added:
"Nope. PACER tries to restrict reuse and redistribution of data, putting it in a form that's hard to access."The whole Open/Free access to government information, especially the laws, regulations and court decisions that we have to abide by, made me think of the old saying of "you can have it fast, cheap or good… now pick two." Only with the type of information we're talking about here, there may be more than three things we need, yet we may only be able to still pick two of those things in what we end up with.
I guess the Holy Grail of pushing the type of government information that those of us in the legal industry would like to see, has the following characteristics:
- Complete
- Open Access
- Online Content
- Authoritative
- Free
Now… pick which two you want.


text:
Togo: Yellow fever vaccination campaign protects 1.3 million people
In response to cases of yellow fever in northern Togo, WHO and the Ministry of Health carried out a mass vaccination campaign in February 2007. During the campaign, 1.3 million people were vaccinated.
This was the first of many vaccination campaigns supported by the newly-established Yellow Fever Initiative.
This photo story shows how the campaign, which was implemented along with several partner agencies in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, was planned and successfully carried out.
Photo story
Togo: Yellow fever vaccination campaign protects 1.3 million people
A vaccination campaign carried out in February 2007 resulted in the successful immunization of 1.3 million people in northern Togo.


text:
The man accused of murdering a local realtor and aspiring actress has been charged.
Vernon Baker, 41, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 58-year-old Mary Beth San Juan.
San Juan's body was found wrapped in carpet in the driveway of her Punahou Street home on July 23.
Baker was arrested Saturday afternoon at Ala Moana Center.
Vernon's bail has been set at $200,000.
He is expected to make his initial appearance in court on Tuesday.
Related stories:
- Tourists shared a room with Makiki murder suspect at Waikiki hostel
- Police arrest suspect in Makiki murder case
- Map of evidence collected by HPD in Punahou Street murder
- New piece of evidence discovered in Makiki murder investigation
- Cause of death released for local realtor, actress
- Surveillance video shows suspect used murder victim's ATM card
- Family, friends shocked after woman found dead outside Makiki home


text:
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text:
British Open Winner 2014: Rory McIlroy's Dominant Win Is Biggest of His CareerJuly 21, 2014
Rory McIlroy has won major championships two other times, but his win at the 2014 Open Championship was his biggest.
The 25-year-old led wire-to-wire as he outlasted a strong challenge from Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler. Here's a look at the final leaderboard.
As good as McIlroy was during the tournament, he wasn't smart enough to know that he shouldn't mention the fact that he's a Manchester United fan in front of a huge crowd in Liverpool.
Well, nobody is perfect.
The performance was impressive and congratulations came from all over the sports world for McIlroy.
By simply posting three names and numbers, the PGA Tour puts into perspective where McIlroy's win places him in the game's history.
On the strength of a few epic collapses and a demeanor that makes him an easy target for critics, McIlroy had earned the label of a choker in his young career. Despite being favored or seen as a favorite in recent majors, McIlroy had struggled to deliver with such high expectations.
This time around, he never faltered. After his first-round six-under 66, skeptics waited for the other shoe to drop. We'd seen McIlroy come out like gangbusters in 2012 with a three-under 67, only to come back with a five-over 75 on Friday.
Instead of falling back into his pattern of second-round futility, McIlroy showed maturity and poise in maintaining his near record-setting pace. He held fast as Fowler and Garcia kept the tournament from becoming a total rout.
In the process, McIlroy took all of the attention from Tiger Woods. As Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders points out, the tournament looked like a real passing of the torch:
While Woods stumbled to an embarrassing six-over par finish, McIlroy put on the type of performance we once saw from Woods on a regular basis.
Could it be that we've finally seen the last of the old Tiger and that the game is now McIlroy's to dominate?
That's probably a bit too premature, but there's no question how important the win was for McIlroy and how disappointing Woods' play was.
Tiger was optimistic, but because he is so competitive, you know the last four days hurt. Is McIlroy what Tiger used to be? Tiger doesn't think so. Per Ian O'Connor of ESPN.com, Woods sees McIlroy more like Phil Mickelson.
Woods said: "When he gets it going, he gets it going. When it gets going bad, it gets going real bad."
Obviously, McIlroy had it going this time around.
He also came through with his first win since his very publicized breakup with former fiancee and tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki. Perhaps now McIlroy has finally moved on to the next level in his career. Apparently, McIlroy saw fit to making some changes in his personal life.
Questions abound as to how those changes would affect his play. If this performance is any indication, everything seems to be pointed in the right direction. Though McIlroy has won big before, this one just felt different.
And that's because it was.


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Employee Assistance & Social Support (Diploma/Certificate)
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Course Overview
The Diploma in Employee Assistance and Social Support is a two-year, blended learning training programme for staff working or intending to work in Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). The programme provides knowledge and basic training in the skills necessary to fulfil the role of an EAP practitioner. The programme is broadly based in recognition of the very different functions and responsibilities allocated to the EAP support role in different types of enterprise and organisations.
On successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe and explain the origins of Employee Assistance and differing national approaches to EAP policies, legislation and practice in the European Union.
- Demonstrate in their work an ability to use a wide range of interpersonal skills appropriate to the needs of their clients.
- Demonstrate the ability to respond with appropriate skills to a wide range of frequently occurring workplace problems.
- Describe and advise on different ways of providing EAP services in a workplace.
The Certificate (Year 1) course focuses on the basic knowledge and skills for the practice of employee assistance. In the Diploma year (Year 2), the focus is on workplace problems that are encountered particularly frequently. Processes and procedures for managing and coping with these problems are explained and the interpersonal skills needed at the various stages of these procedures identified and practised.
Applications and Selections
Applications are closed for 2017
All applicants, whose first language is not English, or who have not been educated through the medium of English language during their two most recent years of study, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language: IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL (IBT): 92. Please see this webpage for further information: http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/
Early application is advised as offers will be made on a rolling basis.
A limited number of applications may be accepted after the official application closing date, subject to the availability of places.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Students may take year 1 of this programme as a stand-alone course for which a Certificate in Employee Assistance and Social Support will be awarded. At the end of year 2, a Diploma in Employee Assistance and Social Support will be awarded.
On completion of year 2 students who wish to can progress into year 3 of the Degree in Training and Education programme.
Participants are required to attend two, 2-day and four, 1-day workshops each year guided by tutors from NUI Galway. Workshop locations are selected to be geographically accessible to the majority of students. Attendance at workshops is a key programme requirement. A full set of self-instructional learning material is provided at the start of each module.
Assessment is by means of a written assignment for each module plus an end of year project.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Additional Requirements
Certificate: 1 year, part-time
Diploma: 2 years, part-time
Next start date
September 2017
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
Closing Date
25-August 2017
Next start date
September 2017
NFQ level
Certificate/Diploma - Level 7
Mode of study
Blended learning.
ECTS weighting
90 ECTS (45 ECTS per each academic year)
Certificate in Employee Assistance and Supported Employment.
Diploma in Employee Assistance and Supported Employment.
PAC code
Course Outline
Students attend 1-day and 2-day workshops throughout the academic year. This usually amounts to 8 days per year.
|Modules - YEAR 1
|Employee Assistance: Origins, Principles and Organisation
|1 day
|Individual Help in the Employee Assistance Process
|2 days
|Work-based Project
|1 day
|Negotiations and Negotiation Skills
|1 day
|The Legal and Policy Framework of EAP
|2 days
|Problem Management and Creativity
|1 day
|Modules - YEAR 2
|Introduction to Research in the Social Sciences
|1 day
|Responding to Substance Misuse in the Workplace
|2 days
|Work-based Project
|1 days
|Employee Assistance - Bullying and Harassment
|1 day
|Depression and Common Mental Disorders
|2 days
|Psychological Trauma
|1 day
Note: Modules of equivalent status may be offered on each year of the programme.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Who's Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
A fees scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment. Students must be registered as unemployed and in receipt of one of the following:
- Job-seekers Benefit
- Job-seekers Allowance
- One-parent family allowance
- Disability allowance
- Community Employment Scheme
- Carer's Allowance
- Signing for social insurance contribution credits
Please download the 2017_18 Fees Scholarship Form for more information.
Find out More
Course Co-ordinator
Adult Training and Education Studies
Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development
NUI Galway, Nuns' Island
Tel: 091 494059/4055
Email: email@example.com / firstname.lastname@example.com
What Our Students Say
Kevin McDonald | Past Student
Excellent course and well presented, great support from NUIG at all times. It was a pleasure to return to Adult Education.
Niall O'Connor | Past Student
I think NUI Galway have got the balance just right with the Employee Assistance and Social Support Diploma course. There is a great mix between academic and practical learning. The lecturers are excellent, drawing from a life time of practical experience. The journals are of a high quality allowing students to prepare for each 2-day workshop. The workshops are very relaxed which allows the students to draw on their experience of dealing with real EAP for the benefit of all in the class.
Dennis Farrell | Past Student
I am thrilled with what I have achieved on this course as it stands to me in my present employment as Personnel Support Service Non Commissioned Officer, in the Irish Defence Forces. This appointment entails dealing with serving and retired soldiers and their family's with social and domestic problems, and much more. I am actually thinking on the lines of a degree. If someone had told me that two years ago I wouldn't have believed it.
ATES Undergraduate Courses Brochure PDF (300 KB)
ATES Postgraduate Courses Brochure PDF (300 KB)
ATES Short Courses Brochure PDF (300 KB)
Adult Learning Prospectus PDF (3.4 MB)
Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2018 PDF (7.2 MB)
Postgraduate Research Prospectus 2018 PDF (4.6 MB)
Diploma Series Brochure PDF (1.6 MB)
Short Courses Series 2017 PDF (1.4 MB)