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WASHINGTON — When you're raking in tens of billions of dollars in profits by helping credit-elite borrowers buy homes, couldn't you lighten up on fees a little for everyday folks who'd also like to buy?
That's a question increasingly being posed to government-controlled home mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and their federal regulators.
Though most buyers are unaware of the practice, Fannie and Freddie — by far the largest sources of mortgage money in the country — continue to charge punitive, recession-era fees that can add thousands of dollars to consumers' financing costs. This is despite the fact that the companies are enjoying record profits, low delinquency rates and rising home values, plus are protecting themselves from most losses with insurance policies paid for by consumers.
Critics say that by making conventional mortgages more expensive, these fees are partially responsible for declines in home purchases in recent months, especially among moderate-income, first-time and minority buyers. The add-on fees can raise interest rates for some borrowers from the mid-4% range to more than 5%. Since Fannie and Freddie operate under federal conservatorship and send their profits to the government, the fees amount to a federal surtax on home buyers.
Last year, the two companies had combined pre-tax income of $64 billion. By contrast, the entire private mortgage industry — big banks, small banks, mortgage companies, brokers, servicers and others — had $19 billion in pre-tax income, according to new data compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Assn.
Fannie and Freddie got into deep financial trouble acquiring and backing poorly underwritten loans during the boom years. But under regulatory supervision since 2008, they have improved their performances, primarily by severely tightening their credit standards.
As part of that effort, they created a series of fees known as "loan level pricing adjustments" designed to charge borrowers more if they have certain perceived risks. The fees generally are added to the base interest rate paid by borrowers.
Small down payments, for example, get hit with higher add-on fees than large down payments. Applicants with low credit scores are assessed much higher fees than those with pristine records. Buyers of condominium units who make down payments of less than 25% get charged a hefty extra fee no matter what their scores.
Fannie and Freddie also charge lenders fees to guarantee mortgage bonds — again ladled onto borrowers' bills — and those have doubled since 2011.
But critics such as Mike Zimmerman, senior vice president of MGIC, a major private mortgage insurance company that does business with Fannie and Freddie, calls the companies' add-ons "arbitrary" and excessive in view of current market conditions.
For some borrowers, he says, the fees can increase the monthly cost of a 5% down payment loan on a $220,000 house up to 7%, and lead to thousands of dollars of extra expenses. But since Fannie and Freddie are already insured against most losses on low-down-payment loans by private insurance policies, he argues, these add-ons are unnecessary, covering risks that are already covered.
Fannie and Freddie could save consumers a lot of money, say industry experts, by reducing or getting rid of the add-ons and deepening their mortgage insurance coverage. Zimmerman estimates that borrowers could see reduced interest rates of between one-quarter of a percentage point to nearly nine-tenths of a percentage point if the companies moved in this direction.
A spokesperson for the two corporations' regulator — the Federal Housing Finance Agency — declined to comment on the issue of add-on fees. The agency has a new director, former Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), who has made virtually no public statements since he took over effective control of Fannie and Freddie in January. He is said to be studying options regarding key policy issues but is not ready to announce changes, if any.
David Stevens, chief executive of the Mortgage Bankers Assn., says the companies' excessive fees are thwarting home purchases. "We're seeing significant declines in purchase applications because we have priced out a lot of Americans," especially in the under-$417,000 segment dominated by Fannie and Freddie.
"It's a wonderful thing to be a duopoly," said Stevens in an interview, but the two companies' total fees are out of line with their real risks and are hurting homeownership.
Could all this change and borrowers get a break? It's up to Watt and, at least for the time being, he is mum.
Distributed by Washington Post Writers Group.


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Currensy (feat. Killa Kyleon) - 4 Hours & 20 Minutes
Jet life to the next life...
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Emerald Home Furnishing Llc Sydney Linen Siderails
finish: Belgian Caf� Linen
material: Other
Emerald Home Furnishing Llc Sydney Linen Siderails
The Sydney linen storage bed is beauty and function for any bedroom. It's beautiful Belgian Linen colored fabric is richly padded and beautifully upholstered. Special features include matching button tufts on the headboard special luggage stitching on the low profile footboard. Large, useful storage drawers effortlessly pull out of the bed for needed storage without adding space. Bed comes with a supported solid wood slat roll ready to take a mattress only. You can even use a new memory foam mattress with an optional ventilated deck.
- The tastefully simple design make Sydney a true classic
- Amply padded throughout
- Two large useful storage drawers in foot
- Full extension ball bearing glides on drawers
- Bed includes solid wood slats and supports
- Requires a mattress only
- Accented with tufted buttons on the head and luggage stitching on the foot
- Dark Espresso finish on feet
Write Your Own Review


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Jacks Win MVFC Opener Over #22 Indiana State
TERRE HAUTE, IN -- South Dakota State bottled up the Indiana State running game while its own running back, Zach Zenner, rushed for 237 yards and a touchdown as the Jackrabbits knocked off the 22nd-ranked Sycamores 24-10 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
SDSU improved to 3-1 overall. Indiana State dropped to 2-2 on the season.
The Jackrabbits scored on their opening drive, marching 69 yards on 15 plays before a 37-yard field goal by Justin Syrovatka.
Neither team could generate much offense until the closing minutes of the first half, starting with a 57-yard touchdown run by Zenner with 2:47 to play that made the score 10-0. SDSU got the ball back late in the half, but a short punt set the Sycamores up at the Jackrabbit 34-yard line in the closing seconds.
Indiana State drove to the SDSU 9-yard line before settling for a 25-yard field goal by Tanner Fritschle on the final play of the first half to trim the margin to 10-3.
The Jackrabbits took advantage of two Indiana State penalties to convert three times on third down to extend the lead to two touchdowns late in the third quarter. Austin Sumner capped the nine-play, 70-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Seth Daughters.
The Sycamores came back with their lone touchdown of the game, extending the drive with a fake punt. Walter Payton Award candidate Shakir Bell scored from two yards out with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter to make the score 17-10.
However, Bell was held in check the entire day, gaining only 54 yards on 18 carries. His longest run of the day was five yards.
With the game in the balance, Zenner tipped the scales back in the Jackrabbits' favor with his second long run of the day - an 87-yard burst on third-and-2 that put the ball at the Indiana State 3-yard line. Two plays later, Cam Jones carried the ball in from two yards out to cap the scoring.
The Jackrabbit defense stopped Indiana State at the 2-yard line late in the game to complete an eight-sack afternoon. Linebacker Ross Shafrath led Jackrabbit tacklers with 11 stops, followed by 10 tackles and an interception by T.J. Lally. Marshall Peugh and David Hettiger were each credited with two sacks.
Zenner's 237 yards came on 29 carries - an average of 8.2 yards per carry. Backup Reggie Gandy added 58 yards on 10 carries as SDSU held a 297-23 advantage in net rushing yards.
The Jackrabbits struggled in the passing game as Sumner completed only 6-of-19 attempts for 51 yards. Daughters caught two passes for 28 yards, while Aaron Rollin returned to the lineup with a pair of catches for 17 yards.
For Indiana State, Mike Perish completed 27-of-46 passes for 219 yards. Demory Lawshe led all receivers with nine catches for 62 yards, with Michael Mardis adding five catches for 59 yards.
Aaron Archie led Indiana State with 11 tackles.
The Jackrabbits return home next Saturday to face Missouri State in the 46th Annual Beef Bowl. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.
* SDSU leads the all-time series, 3-2, ending a two-game winning streak by Indiana State.
* The Jackrabbits improved to 22-11 in MVFC games since joining the league in 2008.
* SDSU knocked off a ranked opponent for the first time since winning at Southern Illinois in 2010.
* The Jackrabbits are 12-26 against ranked opponents since moving the Football Championship Subdivision ranks in 2004.
* SDSU has won six consecutive games against FCS opponents dating back to last season, including four MVFC games.
* Zenner ended the day with 895 yards for the season - an average of 223.8 yards per game.
* Shafrath has led the Jackrabbits in tackles in all four games this season and posted double figures in five of the last six games.
* SDSU has allowed a combined 66 net yards rushing over the last three games.
* Attendance was 5,291
Courtesy: South Dakota State University


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I know. I was just blathering away about summer and the heat, and now look. I've gone and cranked my oven up for a couple of hours (!!) and made, what is known in the rest of the world as, a winter dish. Something cooked and enjoyed when it is cold out and you need some extra warmth indoors and something hearty to stick to your ribs…not something you make when the sun is blazing like mad and you feel like a roast yourself.
As fate would have it however, I live on an archipelago with no winter, and as such have never been trained in the art of "winter eating" vs "summer eating" (nor in "spring eating" or in the much longed for "autumn eating"). No. It was just plain "eating" for me. Anything at anytime. And though it could be argued that I might have waited for our much milder months at the end of the year, I can be illogical at times when my appetites are involved.
But aside from those minor personality flaws, there was another reason that brought this beef stew into being. Our local wagyu man. The charming fellow from whom I've been buying locally raised wagyu beef (read more here for more information). Since it is more affordable than imported wagyu, we are able to enjoy pretty great steaks (though of course not as awesome as real Kobe beef) without upsetting our budget too much. We usually get the chuck tender steak cut (from the shoulder) – it is cheaper than the more popular rib eye, but because of the wagyu's signature marbling, still tender, fatty (in a very good way!), and delicious (if you don't overcook it! We like our steaks medium rare). The last time we were at the market, charming wagyu man told us that he had some chuck tender in cubes, which some customers requested for soups or stews. It took us all of two seconds to snap them up.
Beef Stew
- Olive oil
- 2 red onions, chopped
- 4-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot (about 250-260 grams), peeled and diced
- 500 grams beef chuck tender cubes (I used locally grow wagyu beef and it made all the difference)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon pimenton de la vera (Spanish smoked paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bundle farcelettes (a Spanish version of bouquet garni)
- 1 400-gram can whole tomatoes
- about 1/3 of a 750 ml bottle of red wine (I used a cabernet sauvignon)
- dash of cayenne pepper
- 2 small potatoes (about 220-230 grams total), peeled and diced
- 1/3 cup pitted green olives
– Heat a few lugs of olive oil in a heavy based pot (oven-proof with lid) or Dutch oven. Add in onions, garlic, and carrots and sauté until onions soften.
– While the onions/garlic/carrots are cooking, toss your beef with the flour, 1/4 teaspoon pimenton, ½ teaspoon salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
– Add floured beef to the pan, pushing onions/garlic/carrots to one side. Brown beef on all sides. By now there should be some yummy brown bits on the bottom of your pan – deglaze with a few glugs of your wine, scraping those bits up.
– Add the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of pimenton, and the farcelettes and stir. Add enough red wine to come up almost to the top of the meat but not covering it. Add freshly cracked black pepper, a dash of cayenne (the amount will depend on your heat tolerance) and stir once more to get everything mixed. Bring to a boil. You can bash up some of the tomatoes with the back of your spoon.
– Once it boils take the stew off the stove top, cover with lid, and stick in a 170C oven for 1 hour.
– After 1 hour, remove pot from oven and add potatoes and olives. Give this a stir, cover, and return to the oven for another hour, or until meat is tender. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed (you may need to add more salt).
– The sauce should be rich and thick and coating the meat. If it isn't, just cook it further on the stove top again until it reaches a consistency you like.
It goes without saying; only use a wine that you would also drink. If you don't like the way it tastes in the glass then it won't do your dish any favors either. Then drink the rest of your bottle with your meal…or while cooking it, I won't tell 😉 As with all stews and braises, be patient and you will be rewarded. These dishes cannot be rushed. If the meat isn't tender after two hours, then just give it a gentle stir, cover, and return the pot to the oven until it is. If you don't have farcelettes, any bouquet garni will do.
The local wagyu fared excellently in this dish! So soft and melty with the added unctuousness only a good marbling of fat can give. C and I were won over, absolutely and unequivocally, ignoring the sweat on our brows and the incongruity of the moment…digging deep into this bowl of cold weather food on a warm summer night.***Please excuse the quality of my photo…it was already dark and I had to rely on the lightbulb in the room instead of the natural light I prefer. It really does taste so much better than it looks — like most beef stews 🙂
SOME NEWS: 80 Breakfasts is mentioned in the Femalenetwork.com Blogs We Love! The Femalenetwork.com is a website under the esteemed Summit Media publishing group…a huge local publishing house that is responsible for titles like Town & Country, Martha Stewart Weddings, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Yummy magazine just to name a few. I'm thrilled to be mentioned!


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MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury College football coach Bob Ritter was named NESCAC coach of the year, and senior quarterback McCallum Foote earned NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight season.
Seven other Panthers also earned postseason honors when the NESCAC all-league teams were announced. Joining Foote on the first-team were senior offensive lineman Jack Allard, senior tight end William Sadik-Khan and sophomore receiver Matthew Minno.


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National Science leader to head scientific research at UH Hilo
UH Hilo Home > News and Events > UH Hilo Press Releases
Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Contact: Alyson Kakugawa-Leong, (808) 974-7642
For Immediate Release
University of Hawaii at Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng recently announced the appointment of Dr. Michael P. Crosby as interim vice chancellor for research, effective January 8, 2008.
Funded by the National Science Board, Crosby's initial appointment is for one year, with an option to renew for an additional year. During this period, Crosby will be on a leave of absence from his current position as executive director of the National Science Board, which sets policies for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and serves as an independent advisory body to the President and Congress on science and engineering research and education.
Crosby will be responsible for strengthening science and engineering research at UH Hilo, developing the University in such areas as its research capacity, competitiveness, and management capabilities. He will foster excellence in research, strong linkages to undergraduate education and the incorporation of Hawai'i Island's natural environment and cultural diversity into UH Hilo's research endeavors.
The appointment was suggested following the National Science Board's June 2007 visit to UH Hilo, where Board Chair Dr. Steven C. Beering praised UH Hilo for "weaving Native Hawaiian and broader Pacific Island culture and perspectives into science and engineering research and education in Hawai'i."
"We can benefit and learn from the Hawai`i model for pro-actively broadening participation of under-represented minorities in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," Beering said.
Crosby earned an MS in biology with honors from Old Dominion University and a PhD in marine estuarine-environmental sciences from the University of Maryland. He brings over 30 years of diverse research and leadership experience to his new position.
"Dr. Crosby is well known among his colleagues throughout the research community, who hold him in very high regard" said Chancellor Rose Tseng. "We are fortunate that the National Science Board allowed him to take a leave of absence to come to UH Hilo. Having someone of his stature will be a tremendous asset as we seek to expand our research infrastructure and attract more funding, which are critical to maintaining high quality in scientific research."
Prior to becoming executive director of the National Science Board in 2003, Crosby held several positions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ranging from chief scientist for sanctuaries and reserves to senior advisor for international science policy. Crosby also served as senior science advisor for marine and coastal ecosystems at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and held several science positions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Cancer Institute, in addition to faculty positions at several universities.
An A list researcher, he has been awarded research grants from a wide variety of organizations, including the NSF, Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, Department of Defense and USAID. During the past 15 years, Crosby has led national and international multi-disciplinary research programs and developed national policy for the country's science programs.
Crosby serves as a reviewer and panelist for numerous scientific journals, advisory committees and national and international science panels. He has authored more than 40 articles for major marine science journals and edited several books and manuals dealing with marine protected life and coral reefs.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping fulfill Chancellor Tseng's vision of enhancing existing programs within UH Hilo, while developing and implementing new programs and partnerships that can form the basis of locally, regionally and globally relevant research initiatives," Crosby said. "I see tremendous potential for the University as a nexus institution, where future generations of scientists and a scientifically literate citizenry can be educated and launch their careers."
Disclaimer: The University of Hawaii at Hilo is not responsible for the contents, links and/or materials presented in any web site listed above that are not of the "hilo.hawaii.edu" or ".uhh.hawaii.edu" domains. All comments, complaints and grievances should be filed with the author, host and/or owner of said site.


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Police: Hotel valet stole Reggie Wayne's Bentley, said he was 'cousin by marriage'
Indianapolis police say a hotel valet stole Reggie Wayne's white 2007 Bentley on Saturday night and went for a joyride.
Instead of returning the car on time and forcing
Ferris Bueller Wayne to go back to Cameron's dad's house to try to reverse the mileage, the valet was arrested by police after he was found stopped in the middle of the street with "glassy eyes and slurred speech."
It was later discovered that a hotel security guard says he saw a person matching the description of valet Gunner Belcher, 21, leave with the Bentley around 9:45 p.m.
A police report says the joyrider told police he was a "cousin by marriage" to Wayne, presumably because that sounded more plausible than "I got lost trying to find a parking spot for his car."
Fox59 reports police booked Belcher on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, failure to wear a seat belt and failure to carry registration.
No one at the hotel realized Wayne's car was missing until the wide receiver showed up Sunday morning trying to retrieve it. It was only then that the connection between the 2 a.m. arrest and the hotel valet was made. Police eventually returned the car to Wayne.
If Wayne was fazed, he didn't show it. He caught six balls for 64 yards and a touchdown in Indy's 27-23 win over the Tennessee Titans. Then he sang "Twist and Shout" at a parade.


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Medical News
Antibody That Helps Protect Women Against Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Not Present in HIV-Positive Women, Study Says
June 1, 2007
An antibody to pregnancy-associated malaria that is present in some women who have been pregnant more than once is not present in HIV-positive women, according to a study published in the May issue of PLoS Medicine, ANI/newKerala.com reports. Women who are pregnant for the first time are at greatest risk pregnancy-associated malaria, a condition that occurs when red blood cells infected with malaria parasites are concentrated in the placenta, according to ANI/newKerala.com. Women who have been pregnant more than once are more resistant to the condition, ANI/newKerala.com reports.
The study is available online.
Back to other news for June 2007
This article was provided by Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. It is a part of the publication Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report. Visit the Kaiser Family Foundation's website to find out more about their activities, publications and services.


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Find the perfect hotel in Everett using our hotel guide provided below. Find cheap and/or discounted hotel rates in or near Everett, MA for your personal leisure or group travel. We list the best Everett, Massachusetts hotel and motel rooms. Browse the Everett area hotels to find the perfect lodging! Please use the provided map of the Everett hotels.
The Everett center point is about 2 miles north of Bunker Hill Monument and 2 miles north of USS Constitution Museum.
How should we direct your call?


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A relationship like ours is a tricky balance of a constant desire to be the very best, embedded in the competitors that we naturally are, and at the same time wanting success for the people you care about and who you know deserve it. I'd like to say that we've gone back and forth with our successes in the long jump pit over the years, but that really wouldn't be accurate. She has made every U.S. team since 2003, and I obviously have not. In terms of success, she has me beaten by a mile. This random girl I first saw back in 2000, who's name I had never heard of and who's accomplishments up to that point had been pretty much non-existent, has become the most accomplished long jumper of the last six years. As a competitor and training partner I see what she's done and I am inspired and perhaps even slightly envious in a non-resentful way, but as her friend I have always proud. Her career has been one of consistency and resilience and I know that she has earned every ounce of success that has come her way.
Today Grace left me to head back to the states and begin the next phase of her life, one that does not seem to include jumping in sand anymore. For slightly selfish reasons, this makes me extremely sad. Before she left though, she spent the last couple of weeks being my friend by being my training partner. This happened to be the first time in six years Grace did not make the team and the most unfortunate part was that she totally should have. But being the kind of friend she is, after her last meet was over and her career had effectively been put to rest, she stayed in Europe and laced up her shoes every day to do my workouts and support me. If that is not a true friend, I don't know what is. In fact, if there was a way for me to sum up her character, that story alone would say enough.
Grace, this blog is for you because you know by now that I am far better at blogging then I am saying things face to face. The fact that I am still competing is because of you and your forcefulness and I owe you for that alone. Thank you for everything…for the things you did knowingly and for all the things you did that you never realized had an impact. As an athlete you know me probably as good as anyone and you have always made sure that I continued to believe in myself and my abilities. I will miss your words advice, your opinions on everything regardless if its asked for, your ridiculously heavy breathing when we aren't even working out, and your unparalleled ability to get people to do things your way. Thank you for being a great training partner (even when you wouldn't run 120's with me), a great listener and advice giver, a great shopping buddy who can always convince me to buy, a perfect person to try my sarcastic humor on, and if I haven't mentioned this already, a truly amazing friend. Our friendship goes far beyond the runway and I know that we will continue to bond in the years to come. I will miss you out on the track every day but I know there is a 5k or half marathon that is calling your name!


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International Friendly: Brazil 1 Serbia 0
Having not been tested by Panama in midweek, Brazil were at full-strength for the clash against Ljubinko Drulovic's side.
They were restrained for large spells, however, and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be aware improvement is required despite Fred's well-taken winner.
The only goal of the game came after 58 minutes when the Fluminense forward brought down a long ball on his chest under pressure from Branislav Ivanovic and Dusan Basta.
Despite stumbling, he kept his nerve to finish past Vladimir Stojkovic and Serbia were unable to respond.
Brazil's victory may do little to fill an expectant nation with great confidence. However, with Neymar getting almost 80 minutes of action on his road to full fitness and Fred scoring his first in Brazil colours since the Confederations Cup, there are reasons for the hosts to be optimistic.
After a lively opening from both sides, Aleksandar Kolarov threatened first when he struck an effort wide of Julio Cesar's left-hand post after nine minutes.
Neymar then almost benefited from a block that fortuitously landed in his path - only for Ivanovic to produce a well-timed last-ditch tackle.
A combination of tenacious and robust defending helped keep Brazil's forwards well shackled, although Fred was next to threaten - his dipping strike veering off target 24 minutes in.
David Luiz was forced into a hurried clearance following Kolarov's fierce delivery before Aleksandar Mitrovic wasted the best chance of the half, heading wide with the goal at his mercy.
Luiz and Thiago Silva, who will team up at Paris Saint-Germain from next season, then got mixed up close to half-time, but an offside flag rescued Brazil as Lazar Markovic converted.
Scolari swapped Oscar for Willian at the break, presumably in an effort to shake things up, but Brazil still looked somewhat out of sorts.
Indeed, Dusan Tadic perhaps could have opened the scoring for Serbia had he gambled on reaching a cross lofted into the hosts' box.
Fred subsequently ensured first blood went to Brazil - cleverly chesting Thiago's delivery to take Ivanovic out of the game before prodding home the opener.
Neymar, lively but far from his dangerous best, then flashed an effort over the crossbar as his side sought to make the scoreline more emphatic.
There were to be no more goals, although Serbia's Milos Jojic and Brazil forward Jo hit the woodwork in the closing stages.
Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 12 and will be hopeful of a more fluent display.


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Recent reporting and comments about global warming do not include information on the increase in the ocean's sea level, or what properties in Laguna Beach have been threatened or damaged by the rising sea level.
In February 2007, the City Council adopted unanimously the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. From it and former Vice President Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth," the major concern was "sea-level rises that interact with coastal storms to erode beaches, inundate land and damage structures."
The Academy Award-winning documentary claimed sea levels would rise more than 20 feet by the year 2100. It's been seven years since the Climate Protection Agreement was endorsed at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Chicago in 2005. What has been the rise in the ocean's sea level since then?
I would think that tracking the sea-level rise and the cost of coastal structure damage would be key metrics.
Gene Felder
Laguna Beach
'Lonesome' musical is perfection
"Lonesome Traveler" is a musical hit in every sense of the word. Run, don't walk, to get your tickets to this Laguna Playhouse performance! It is uplifting, inspirational, charming and perfect in every way.
The singing is pure and simple in its perfection. The instrumental accompaniment — with guitars, mandolins, string bass and even a washboard — adds to the quality and set the mood of heartwarming musical nostalgia. The acting is superb.
The storyline, conceived by director James O'Neil, follows the development chronologically of the songs of Will Rogers, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and others.
"So Long, It's Been Good to Know You," Goodnight, Irene," "Tom Dooley," "We Shall Overcome," are interspersed with 35 other popular songs of the times. Justin Flagg and Jennifer Warren lead the superb cast. Don't miss it!
My thanks to Playhouse Executive Director Karen Wood and Artistic Director Ann Wareham for bringing this wonderful show to Laguna Beach.
Carol Reynolds
Laguna Beach


text: On 06/13/2012 06:40 AM, Bernd Schubert wrote: > What about an easy to setup cluster file system such as FhGFS? Great suggestion. I'm all for a generally useful parallel file systems instead of torrent solution with a very narrow use case. > As one of > its developers I'm a bit biased of course, but then I'm also familiar I think this list is exactly the place where a developer should jump in and suggest/explain their solutions as it related to use in HPC clusters. > with Lustre, an I think FhGFS is far more easiy to setup. We also do not > have the problem to run clients and servers on the same node and so of > our customers make heavy use of that and use their compute nodes as > storage servers. That should a provide the same or better throughput as > your torrent system. I found the wiki, the "view flyer", FAQ, and related. I had a few questions, I found this link http://www.fhgfs.com/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=FAQ#ha_support but was not sure of the details. What happens when a metadata server dies? What happens when a storage server dies? If either above is data loss/failure/unreadable files is there a description of how to improve against this with drbd+heartbeat or equivalent? Sounds like source is not available, and only binaries for CentOS? Looks like it does need a kernel module, does that mean only old 2.6.X CentOS kernels are supported? Does it work with mainline ofed on qlogic and mellanox hardware? From a sysadmin point of view I'm also interested in: * Do blocks auto balance across storage nodes? * Is managing disk space, inodes (or equiv) and related capacity planning complex? Or does df report useful/obvious numbers? * Can storage nodes be added/removed easily by migrating on/off of hardware? * Is FhGFS handle 100% of the distributed file system responsibilities or does it layer on top of xfs/ext4 or related? (like ceph) * With large files does performance scale reasonably with storage servers? * With small files does performance scale reasonably with metadata servers? BTW, if anyone is current on any other parallel file system I'd (and I suspect others on list) would find it very valuable. I run a hadoop cluster, but I suspect there are others on list that could provide better answer than I. My lustre knowledge is second hand and dated.


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No matter where you are, losing your job is never a good thing, but there's no question that some places have better unemployment benefits than others.
There are countries that will pay you up to 90 percent of your previous salary. Beyond the actual unemployment check, there are other benefits, such as generous severance-pay requirements, a large windows of time for how long you can collect unemployment benefits and compensation for housing, medical and child-care costs.
In Denmark, for example, you can collect unemployment benefits for up to four years. (In the U.S., there are no legal requirements but most companies pay you one week's salary for every year worked.)
Austerity measures there and elsewhere have had little impact on unemployment benefits, said David Grubb of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The recession also had little impact, he said, except for the U.S., where the duration of unemployment benefits was extended.
The U.S., in fact, did not make the list. It ranks as "average" in the unemployment department, with the average collection being 53 percent of prior wages. Where the U.S. loses out to other countries is that it doesn't offer assistance with living expenses except for food stamps.
The housing component cannot be underestimated, Grubb said. Most of Europe has a housing allowance, so "not a lot of people wind up homeless," he said. "In Japan, you might – and in the U.S., you almost definitely would," he said.
Other countries that didn't make the list may seem like they have good benefits, like Canada and Japan, but the requirements to qualify for benefits are nearly impossible.
In Japan, for example, you have to show that you have virtually nothing left in the bank and there are regular home inspections of the unemployed to make sure you don't have a flat-screen TV or expensive car.
The UK didn't make the list because the average benefit is only 45 percent of your prior wages, but the big perk is they pay 100 percent of your housing costs.
So what countries did make the list? Click here to check out the Best Places to be Unemployed*.
By Cindy Perman & Paul ToscanoPosted 3 Dec 2010
* Based on the average percent of prior wages paid to the unemployed


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The Silver Man- Pike Place Market- Seattle
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From the why-hasn't-anyone-thought-of-this-before department, Reuters ran a story last week about an American ex-pat entrepreneur in Casablanca who's opened a new cafe…named Rick's, after the gin joint in one of my favorite films, Casablanca.
I don't know whether I'll be in Morocco any time soon, but somewhat closer to home, anyway, is the Cocktail Film Fest in New Orleans, the weekend of March 21-22. Hosted by Cheryl Charming, the festival features three films, Casablanca, The Seven Year Itch, and Guys and Dolls, along with themed cocktails and meals. But alas, even that's too far for me.
I had no such excuse on Monday, when Tales held a media reception at Manhattan's Flatiron Lounge, just blocks from my office. Julie Reiner's always graceful staff brought around several New York-themed drinks, including the Slope, the Southside Fizz, and the New York Sour. The Slope was a particular favorite of mine. Named for Park Slope (my first landing strip when I arrived in NYC in 2002), it's a derivative of the Brooklyn cocktail. Jen and I couldn't stay long, unfortunately, but we both thank Ann Tuennerman for the invitation.
I've made my hotel reservations for Tales of the Cocktail. Have you?
The Slope
- 2 ounces Rittenhouse Rye (preferably bonded)
- 3/4 ounce Punt Y Mes
- 1/4 ounce Bols Apricot liqueur
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: cherries
Technique: Stir and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Add garnish.


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To be perfectly honest, Barca and Pocomail's scripting is way too complicated for most 'normal humans' and either needs to be simplified and not "c" programmer like or a decent manual and examples provided by the team.
I've moved away from both products; both paid for many times; because I frankly don't have enough examples anywhere to work with the scripts (and no time to work with so few examples) and that is what I need to cope with my email load and particular requirements.
The few times that I have asked for help, I have been forwarded to massively outdated and sparsely populated pages that are of very little use.
I think that the scripting facility is the singly most powerful and underutilised feature of these products and needs to be PROPERLY documented and MANY examples provided for it because it would fix so many people's wants and needs.
Just my 2 (frustrated) cent's worth.


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LANXESS Rubber Day Japan Sachi Murakami | added on Nov 05, 2011 | Japan It will be a one-day, invitation-only conference addressing the synthetic rubber industry in Japan. The theme will be "Innovation for the Greener Mobility".
|celebrating chemistry, conferences, networking, educational materials, seminars, sustainable and green chemistry
|professional chemists, teachers, research scientists, universities, industrial chemists, decision makers


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Californians had a bad year at the pump in 2012, averaging a record $4.028 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to AAA.
That shattered the previous record, set in 2011, by 21.3 cents a gallon. The jump was so big that it surprised even people who review fuel prices on a daily basis.
"I can remember when the California average for the year in 2008 was $3.525 and we thought we would never see it go that high again," said Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California.
She noted that $4.028 "over a full year is a lot of money out of our pockets that we can't spend on other things."
California's gas prices in 2012 also helped kick the national average for a gallon of regular up to a record $3.603, which broke the previous record, set in 2011, of $3.510, AAA said.
The increase in California fuel prices in recent years is startling. In 2008, the year oil prices shot above $147 a barrel, the state averaged a then-record $3.525 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to AAA.
The California average fell to $2.687 a gallon in 2009, then climbed back above the $3 threshold to $3.100 in 2010. In 2011, the state's average for the year jumped to $3.815 a gallon.
Since 2009, the average price that Californians pay for a gallon of regular gasoline has jumped nearly 50%.
California has some fuel factors that are unique. It's an isolated market that does not have access to cheap crude flowing from the oil boom in states such as North Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma.
Its only regular source of domestic crude from outside the state is Alaska's dwindling North Slope oil fields. That means California has to import more and more foreign oil, which is substantially more expensive than U.S. crude.
California's clean-air rules also mandate a special formula of gasoline that is more expensive to make and is produced by few refineries outside the state.
Analysts have cited many reasons for the 2012 prices, including one of the worst years ever for refinery outages in California. A fire in August, for example, knocked out part of Chevron's Richmond facility, one of the state's biggest refineries.
In October, a power failure at an Exxon Mobil refinery helped send California's average price up to a record $4.671 for a gallon of regular.
But a lot of people aren't buying those explanations. Consumer groups and California's U.S. senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, have called on the state attorney general and the Justice Department to investigate California's volatile fuel prices.
California refineries were also exporting fuel in 2012, and an analysis by Oregon-based McCullough Research indicated that some of them may have misled the public about the amount of fuel they were producing.


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CBSE AIPMT 2012 Results Published – Find Result Now – cbseresults.nic.in – June 2, 2012
June 2, 2012: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be announcing AIPMT 2012 results for AIPMT final exam 2012, which is expected to be announced late on Saturday evening, June 2, 2012. So, all the medical aspirants who sat for the prestigious All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Examination, AIPMT 2012 will have to wait a little longer for the results as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has delayed the announcement in this regard.
AIPMT 2012 results
Click below to GET AIPMT 2012 results FINAL
AIPMT 2012 Exam results
After premium medical entrance examinations of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and Armed Force Medical College (AFMC), CBSE-AIPMT is believed to be the next resort for the medical enthusiasts in the country.
The CBSE conducts the medical entrance tests for entry to various medical colleges in two phases. The Preliminary examination for AIPMT 2012 was held on April 1st while the mains exam was conducted on May 13, 2012.
This year 2,57,960 students have appeared for the preliminary AIPMT 2012 preliminary test, 30788 students have been qualified for main examination.


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Linebacker Dan Morgan has decided to retire, according to a press release from the Saints on Monday afternoon. Morgan, who signed with the Saints March 11 as a free agent, played in the NFL for seven seasons, all with the Carolina Panthers.
Morgan missed the final 13 games of 2007 with a partial tear of an Achilles tendon, and had battled through other injuries in recent seasons.
"When we signed Dan, he was committed to making a fresh start, and he was making every effort to rehabilitate the leg injury that he suffered last year," Coach Sean Payton said in the team's statement. "But it wasn't responding as well as he had hoped it would. We wish him well in his continued recovery, and he will be remembered for the excellent player he was during his career."


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We Are Thankful to You/
Thank you everyone.
Articles and information about the Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) and their work at Michigan's Highland State Recreation Area to repurpose and restore the historic structures of Edsel and Eleanor Ford's former Haven Hill estate.
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Recognize family and friends with a commemorative brick at Haven Hill in Highland State Recreation Area engraved with your sentiments and placed permanently around the Conversation Ring at Edsel and Eleanor Fords' historic Gate House.
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Home show to educate, give sneak peek at local vendors
The Spring Home and Outdoor Show will be taking place Friday, April 19, through Sunday, April 21, at Ford Arena in Beaumont. The event will provide exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services, and to meet face to face with homeowners, reaching those who are eager to learn and ready to buy. Consumers who attend the show will discover new products and trends across all categories of home improvement.
Friday, the event will be 3-8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wristbands are $5 per person and cover all three days, and ages 17 and under will receive free admission, according to Chris Street from S&S productions, the company producing the show.
"You can come out and see everything you need for your home without going around to all the different places," Street said. "The vendors are in one place. You'll have flooring, windows, doors, palapas (outdoor shading areas), generators, golf carts, boats, granite and more."
Street said that, as a special treat on Saturday, 2-5 p.m., Troy "T-roy" Broussard and Harlan "Bigfoot" Hatcher, two stars from the History Channel series "Swamp People," would be at Ford Arena at the Neches Federal Credit Union booth.
"We're excited about having a booth set up where the fellows from the show will be there signing autographs," said Jason Duplant, vice president for marketing for Neches Federal Credit Union. "We've also got a few surprises — some things we're giving away. We are a sponsor of the home show because we can be an asset and resource to members' shopping and home buying needs. We provide home equity loans and mortgages to our members and have loan officers on site that can help our members navigate the home shopping experience. We also have a 'Neches FCU Debit Card with Rewards' that earns our members points for every transaction. These points can be used to redeem merchandise, gift cards, airfare and travel, etc."
Orange County Building Material Inc. and Summer's Abbey Flooring will also have displays at the show.
"We're looking forward to having a nice event," said Jerry Lightfoot, vice president at Orange County Building Material Inc., which has five locations in Southeast Texas. "All of our sales staff from all of our stores will be involved in the show. We'll be there talking to folks that are looking to do projects in the future and displaying lots of different products that we offer. If you are building a play set for your kids in your yard, we supply all that. If you want to build a new deck at your home, we supply all that. If you want to repaint your home, we take care of that. If you want to build your home yourself, there would be very few things that we wouldn't supply to you. If you're building something, you really ought to be looking at somebody who helps you a little bit to give you a better understanding of your project."
Lightfoot said that representatives from Milwaukee Tool and Grip Rite Building Tools and Supplies would be at the Orange County Building Material booth to demonstrate their companies' products.
Summer's Abbey Flooring Center & Mattress Gallery is also excited to take part in the show, said Summer Burch, director of marketing of the flooring company.
"We are the exclusive flooring company (at the show)," Burch said. "We have a 20- by 60-foot booth and it's going to have everything you can think of — carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate, granite. We'll have some flooring actually installed down on the floor, and then we have some different display boards with tile up on the walls. We'll be having some giveaways that you can sign up for. You get a lot of information for building a new house or remodeling or even if you are just planning something in the next year or so and (want) some design ideas."
For more information about the show, call (409) 718-0205.


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Can Openers
How we tested
Ezra J. Warner patented the first U.S. can opener in Connecticut in 1858, made from a bayonet and a sickle lashed together. At the time, most cans were about 3/16 inch thick and were typically opened with a hammer and chisel. Luckily for our equipment testers, technology has improved.
Our past winners have been discontinued or redesigned, so we took a fresh look. In our last testing, we looked at safety openers and traditional models. The former cuts into the side of the can, leaving dull "safe" edges; the latter cuts into the top of the can, leaving jagged edges. We didn't prefer one style to the other, so we again included both in our lineup of seven openers, priced from roughly $15 to $30. Our goal: to find one that attached and detached easily, was comfortable to operate, and dealt safely and easily with the severed lid.
We enlisted testers—large and small, lefty and righty—to open hundreds of cans: squat cans of tuna fish, small cans of tomato paste, medium cans of chickpeas, and large cans of whole tomatoes. We evaluated each model during every step. First, attaching: All the traditional openers attached the same way—their two straight arms opened and clamped the gears onto the can. Having grown up with this style, our testers found these openers intuitive.
As for the safety openers, there were two different designs. The first housed the circular blades that clamp onto the can underneath the head; the second housed them on the side. The openers with blades underneath were harder to attach because the blades are hidden, so it often took multiple attempts to correctly align the openers. The side-style openers solved this problem—the blades were visible for easy alignment, and a thin metal railing propped the opener at the correct height.
Next, smoothness and ease of operation, or how easy it was to drive the openers around the cans. If the handles were too thin or round, they cramped our hands. We preferred straight, oval handles. We also liked textured handles or those coated in a tacky rubber for traction; one opener made of slick plastic felt like a slippery fish.
The rotating handle that you turn to move the opener around the can is called the driving handle. The best were longer for better leverage and easier turning, with ergonomic grooves that securely braced our thumbs.
Finally, we evaluated detaching, safety, and lid disposal. We docked safety points from the one traditional opener that didn't have a lid disposal device. The others all did: Two had small pincers, two had magnets, and two used their blades to pull off the lid. The pincers were finicky. The magnets were inconsistent; one was too weak and the second too strong. Testers preferred the two whose blades and gears automatically clamped onto the lid and removed it when it was completely severed—safe, clean, and simple.
We asked a lot of our lineup, and almost all the contenders failed. But one tester summed up our thoughts on the sole successful model, asking: "Can you be in love with a can opener?" We think so. Our winner is a safety-style opener. It was easy to attach and operate, tidily and safely disposed of lids, and is dishwasher-safe. Compared with a sickle and bayonet, this opener practically is magic.


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Long-time observers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not be surprised to learn that the Palestinian Authority uses intimidation, manipulation and distortion to influence the way Palestinians are covered by the mainstream international media.
Nevertheless, it is instructive to read a recent article by Israeli Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh in order to get a feel for exactly why reports from the region are so skewed and biased.
In the article, which deals with grossly erroneous coverage of purported Palestinian Authority improvements in governance, Abu Toameh relates that a foreign reporter was recently told she would be "putting her life at risk" if she conducted an investigative report into a case of possible corruption.
Read the full article here
What Abu Toameh describes is hardly an isolated instance of corruption, by both the Palestinian Authority and the foreign journalists.
His particular report does, however, once again call into question the viability of an independence Palestinian state. Abu Toameh writes that the PA was trying to put on a show for the media because of its tarnished image as a governing force. But the reality is that the PA is as incapable of running a free, safe and productive society today as it was 10 years ago.
On a broader scale, Abu Toameh's report provides further evidence that mainstream media reports out of the region simply cannot be trusted, or at best must be taken "with a grain of salt." If the media is willing to report lies regarding the Palestinian Authority, certainly they are willing to report lies or distortions about Israel if doing so will sell more newspapers.
And the notion that the journalists were simply fooled by the Palestinians doesn't wash. If that truly were the case, then all those reporters are so incompetent and incapable of properly perceiving reality that they have no business acting as the eyes and ears of Western society at large.
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So it's almost over! Today we go to NYC to dance on The View tomorrow. I had such a great time on Dancing with the Stars and I thank everyone for voting for us. It means a lot.
It's going to be weird not to dance, but I want to keep up my physical fitness. I feel like I've gotten a great start on a new healthy life and I want to stay active. This has always been an issue for me because I am just not used to moving, but now that I am already in motion, it's going to be easier to stay in motion. I learned so much through this journey and I am so glad that I got the opportunity. And it isn't like I am going to get any time off to relax, as I am going right back out on tour this week! What I want first of all though is a pedicure. My feet are so hard and calloused – they are straight up Fred Flintstone. I could start a car with them. Yababdabba doo!


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Anyone looking for a game while most of the world is at work? Looking for a game between 10-5 on weekdays. Brooklyn or Manhattan is fine. I'm probably a 3.5 these days. Email firstname.lastname@example.com if you're interested, thanks!
Views: 197
Replies to This Discussion
Looking for the same. What courts do you prefer? And what is a 3.5? I'd say my level is "getting there", I can volly real well, but have some weak points in my game I am working to improve...including serve :/ (hence the playing)
Hey Todd, I'm usually free during weekdays 3.5. Let me know where you like to play
Hi Todd,
I'm interested in meeting up for some tennis. I'm most likely a 3.5-4.0 player. I'm available these days on weekdays.
I am interested in playing some tennis.
McCarren park between 10-5 on weekdays nad weekends is fine.
I played a lot in Poland.
email: email@example.com
Just found you on the site. I am also looking to play during the day on weekdays. I am a member of the NYSC in cobble hill and can get you in as a guest. The court fee come to $30 per person. am probably a 3.0. let me know if you are interested. thanks
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Dr. Robin Klay of the Hope College economics faculty has been chosen to receive a Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) Faculty/Staff Community Service-Learning Award.
The award recognizes outstanding community service and service-learning by faculty and staff at the colleges and universities that are members of MCC. Recipients are honored for engaging or influencing students to be involved in community service or service-learning through modeling, influence or instruction. Each of MCC's member institutions has the opportunity to nominate one recipient annually for the award, which is the highest that MCC bestows on faculty and staff in the state of Michigan.
Klay is a professor of economics at Hope, where she has taught since 1979. She was recognized for her role in establishing the college's "Hope Blooms" off-campus study program in Mexico, an internship-based experience that emphasizes service and cultural immersion and reflects her longstanding commitment to helping others.
Through "Hope Blooms," students spend eight weeks in Puerto Escondido on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. The students learn about the community's needs and how to help meet them by serving as interns in local civil and mission organizations, and learn more about Mexican life and culture by living with host families. Related components of the program include a preparatory course in which students enroll during the spring semester prior to participation and a seminar course during the off-campus experience itself.
The program will run for its third year this year. It grew out of a spring break service program connected with Habitat for Humanity that Klay had led in 2004 and 2005.
Klay's work in establishing and coordinating the "Hope Blooms" program reflects her ongoing emphasis on service. Among other activities, she helped start an "English as a Second Language" program at Fourth Reformed Church, working with Hope students and others. In 1991, she received the "Washington State Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service" for introducing and integrating an "Each Can Helps" donation program to help meet the needs of food banks in Yakima County, a response to a need that she observed while visiting her parents in the community. She also spent three years teaching and doing research in Cameroon.
Her primary research emphasis is on the connections between Christian faith and practice and economic theory and policy. Her publications include the books "Economics in Christian Perspective: Theory, Policy and Life Choices" (2007), which she co-authored with Hope colleague Dr. Victor Claar, and "Counting the Cost: The Economics of Christian Stewardship" (1986), as well as articles published in journals such as "The Christian Century," "Perspectives," "Faith and Economics," and "Markets and Morality." She is also interested in issues involving international trade and economic development.
Klay earned her bachelor's degree from Whitman College and her doctorate from Princeton University.
Michigan Campus Compact is a coalition of college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education. The compact promotes the education and commitment of Michigan college students to be civically engaged citizens, through creating and expanding academic, co-curricular and campus-wide opportunities for community service, service-learning and civic engagement. Some 41 Michigan colleges and universities are members of MCC.


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This addon enables the awesome dfGallery slideshow viewer on Pixelpost sites. It depends on the MediaRSS addon which you'll have to install FIRST. Demo HERE.
Displays the images like a slideshow,shows images to you one by one automatically. You can customize the image delay time. default is 3 seconds. You can play or stop the slideshow at any time...
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text: Hi Peter, There is thousands of people working in those companies that produce those machines, like ASML here does do. ASML arguably has the best machines of the planet and that can get proven by the fact that they can deliver to more and more companies world wide. I happen to know several who work or worked at ASML, and they all share 1 thing. Even if i talk to them, what ASML is doing is covered in total secrecy. If i'd say there is a total information stop on *how* they get things done, that is still an understatement. It is far easier to get military informations, and i am not joking here, than information about the new upcoming ASML machines, not to mention how they want to solve problems there. Software is however a very important component of those machines. It has a lot of embedded processors. Really a lot. Where it is relative easy to figure out information on new upcoming processors and hardware to support that, the hardware to produce them is such custom tailored hardware, size of the machines is simply limited by the maximum size of an object that a jumbo can carry to give one example, and the users using those machines aren't greedy to give out information with respect to those machines either. Maybe they can produce bigger machines when the A380 gets more popular. So all replies you're gonna get with respect to this is gonna be written by guys who do not work at those companies themselves. Vincent On Sep 29, 2008, at 10:08 PM, Peter St. John wrote: > In catching up on email from a week at the beach (got to meet RGB > for the first time since we were undergrads) and Slashdot had this > item http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/09/19/0126232 > regarding IBM's 22nm process. The explanation (maybe a week old) is > that IBM usss mathematics to compensate for a lithographic process > limited naturally to much less accuracy, say 44 or 34. Slashdot > complains that "computational scaling" is not a good enough > explanation and they want to know more, which got me thinking. > > I recall the Hubble flaw; IIRC, the flaw in the mirror could > (partly) be compensated by mathematical analysis, as if the > information content were there, but distorted, so they just had to, > um, re-tort. I imagine something similar, in reverse, possible with > lithography. > > Imagine building a process at say 44 nm, then measuring it's output > at 22nm precision. I'm considering the 22nm scale measurement as a > distortion. Then compute the inverse; apply the inverse to your > design; and feed the distored, or as it were encoded, design to the > input of the process; it's (measured, not built) effect could be to > produce a correct feature at 22nm. > > Does that make physics sense? it does rather taste like cheating. > > Peter > _______________________________________________ > Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf at beowulf.org > To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit > http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf


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Niall Young sent us this clip about the Australian Governments consideration of a decriminalization of cannabis, that is surprisingly similiar to that proposed by Canada's Justice Minister Martin Cauchon.
2nd Annual Drug War Vigil Film Festival
by the Drug War Vigil Memorial Group (14 Mar, 2003) Entries must be registered by March 14, 2003
The Drug War Vigil Memorial Group
The Drug War Vigil Memorial Group is a social justice think tank that was founded in the fall of 2000. We are five medical cannabis users, dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. We as a group collectively recognize that the militarization of this medical issue and the criminalization of the chronically sick, terminally ill and chemically dependent has resulted in the needless loss of human life, and that this is the true crime.
We create and promote social justice journalism and the 2002 Cannabis Culture Toker's Bowl Drug War Vigil Film Festival was one such example. We are proud to announce the 2nd Annual Drug War Vigil Film Festival to be hosted again in May 2003. Our group is honored to be affiliated with this world-class event and thank Marc Emery for his extraordinary activism in action in support of this event.
Send us your films of 30 mins or less on any topic related to cannabis, drugs and the drug war. Submitted only in plain old VHS tape or Hi-8 or digital 8.
The films will be screened and judged by participants at the Cannabis Culture Toker's Bowl May 1-4 2003, in Vancouver, BC.
The film chosen for first place will receive a Grand Prize of $2000 US. Cash prizes totalling $2700 US. will be awarded for the top four runner-up films. Runners-up shown on pot-tv.net will receive honorariums of up to $250.00
You must register your film for entry by March 14 to be eligible. We will need to receive the finished film by April 14, 2003.
Send your entry in to:
D.W.V. c/o BCMP Bookshop
307 W Hastings
Vancouver, B.C.


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Issues surrounding bullying have taken a front seat in public discourse during the past few years, and the growing awareness has generally been regarded as a positive development.
But in recent months questions have been increasingly raised about the appropriateness and effectiveness of some anti-bullying efforts, and a few observers have even begun to wonder whether some programs do more harm than good.
The suicides of two students in different states last month, for instance, spawned just such a backlash. Both boys were allegedly bullied and killed themselves shortly after they viewed anti-bullying films at school. Some parents questioned whether the videos had the unintended effect of influencing fragile students to harm themselves.
Meanwhile, some California school districts have been sharply criticized for their aggressive monitoring of students' online activities. Glendale Unified School District, for example, hired an outside firm to track students' social media postings in an effort to discover potentially dangerous behavior such as bullying, a controversial move seen by some as infringing on free-speech rights and inviting unfair overreactions.
Here in Newport-Mesa, the school board last month put the brakes on a plan to implement a text-in tip line for students to report concerns over bullying, drugs and other issues. The district's lawyers are studying the proposal, which will be reconsidered at a future board meeting.
Taken together, these developments underscore the point that bullying is a complex, deeply rooted problem that is intrinsically difficult to solve.
At least schools and other institutions have been awakened to the need to better address the toxic effects of bullying, and that's a good thing. Most are now struggling to create environments in which the humane treatment of others is encouraged, inappropriate behavior is dealt with quickly and assertively, and young people feel free to speak up when they feel threatened.
But attempts to find the right mix of punishment vs. reward, openness vs. privacy, and aggressive intervention vs. sensitivity to individual rights can be fraught with slippery issues. Every step that is taken to squelch undesired behavior might also carry the risk of unhappy repercussions.
"How far do we go?" is the rhetorical question posed by Jane Garland, NMUSD's director of outreach and advocacy programs.
Garland, who oversees disciplinary policies, is accustomed to tackling such thorny questions. She came up with the idea for a text-in tip line after an e-mail-based tip line generated virtually no response.
Kids like to text, she figured, so that's how they might feel more comfortable communicating their concerns to her. It's also a means of getting information immediately, so that steps can be taken to diffuse situations before they spiral out of control.
"I think we should do anything we can to get kids to talk to us," she said.
"Anything that people can report to us will help us do our jobs better."
Garland is sensitive to some of the concerns that have been raised about anti-bullying campaigns. When it comes to showing videos or using other outsourced products, careful scrutiny must be given to the information and the message conveyed, she said.
Most important, she stressed, is the need to give students a meaningful context to absorb and understand the material. It's no good to simply show a film, she said; it should be part of a comprehensive program that includes effective follow-up and discussion to ensure that kids are taking away positive and helpful messages, and that they are made fully aware of ways they can find help.
Garland does not believe, however, that educators have the right to monitor all of students' online activities outside the school setting. That is the province of parents, she said, although schools can be strong advocates for teaching children responsible and appropriate uses of electronic media.
Bullying can ruin young lives. And while it's certainly possible that some of the anti-bullying efforts we've seen of late have been misguided or, worse, harmful, it's important that we don't use any missteps as an excuse to downplay the damage that bullying wreaks on children.
And it's not just kids that get hurt. Bullying often continues throughout college and adult lives, and it's only now that we're finally beginning to recognize and understand the extent of such behavior and its consequences.
Just last week, for instance, the Miami Dolphins football organization suspended a player who allegedly harassed and bullied a teammate.
One could argue — and many have — that professional sports is a rough-and-tumble arena that requires thick skins to endure the hazing and locker-room taunts that are an inextricable part of that environment. Indeed, the team initially appeared reluctant to act on the charges of racist threats made by the player in question, dismissing the allegations as "speculation," before later issuing the suspension.
But that kind of denial and excuse-making needs to stop, and the fact that some light is now being shed into the insular, brutal world of football is a positive step.
Yes, it's possible to overreact, and great care needs to be taken to find the most effective and proactive means of discouraging bullying. But the greater danger lies in putting bullying back into the dark closet where it festered unnoticed by too many for too long.
PATRICE APODACA is a former Newport-Mesa public school parent and former Los Angeles Times staff writer. She lives in Newport Beach.


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First Aid and Wound Care
First aid equipment and supplies are essential to even the most basic of safety and health management plans. Potential workplace risks can range from electrical hazards to chemical exposures to fires and on. You can't predict when an accident will occur, but you can be prepared when one does. All warehouses and facilities must have easy access to quality first aid supplies. From bandages to gauze to ointment, be sure to stock up on all the wound care safety items. Personalize your first aid kit to your type of business. With the right first aid equipment, you can react quickly and efficiently to accidents in both low-risk and high-risk workplace environments.
Please select a Category


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This fish soup is another favourite for the winter months, try and get the flathead or whaterver fish your using as fresh as possible. Also be extra careful in removing all the bones from the flesh.
Feeds 4 people
1 large flathead (you can use other fish but this is my favourite)
1/2 celery stick diced
2 small carrots diced
3 potatoes cut into mouth size pieces
2 onions chopped into medium to large pieces
3/4 of a cup of rice
2 tablespoons oil
Place fish into a large pot of boiling water, boil for approximately 20 mins or until meat begins to fall off.
Strain fish broth and place back in the pot.
Add celery, carrots, potatoes, oil and onions into broth.
You will need to remove the meat from the flathead, this is a delicate process and you must be careful to remove all the bones, it's fairly easy with flathead as there a few small bones.
Once meat has been removed add to the pot with the other ingredients.
Boil the soup for about 15 minutes and add the rice, boil for another 25 minutes or until the carrots begin to get soft. Add salt and pepper to taste and your done. Leave to cool for about 15 minutes and serve.
If you've tried this recipe please come back and comment, I'd love to get your feedback with any suggestions you may have on improving the dish or how your recipe turned out. Either way drop me a line. Looking forward to your comments.


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I fixed it! Now you can fix yours too!
(kidding of course. yours is cute, but it's more fun to pretend it isn't)
Fri Mar 17, 2017 3:43 pm
Re: REKT: Art Thread
Have a question? Send me a PM! || People talking in IRC over the past two hours:


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Keep A Breast Features Their Snow Show Breast Cancer Exhibition
In August, the ladies from the Keep A Breast Foundation traveled to Seattle to hold their Snow Show Breast Cancer Exhibition at the Greenwood Collective. The exhibition featured the torso casts of professional female skiers and snowboarders—such as Elena Hight, Spencer O'Brien, and Kjersti Buass—which were adorned by local Seattle artists MayNerd, Augie Pagan, Sly Cooley and John Osgood. They were auctioned to raise money for the Keep A Breast prevention and awareness programs. Keep A Breast also had their Traveling Education booth set up to educate and spread awareness about breast cancer as well as different means of prevention. Be sure to keep an eye out this winter for The Snow Show; it's a good time and great educational experience that you won't want to miss!


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MIDDLEBURY — The first-ever contract signed between Porter Medical Center (PMC) and its nurses will, among other things, grant salary increases of 2 percent during each of the three years of the pact.
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SALISBURY — The Salisbury Development Review Board is trying to solve an issue with a local dairy farmer and the housing he provides for his farm workers.
Randy Quesnel owns a dairy farm on Creek Road in West Salisbury and employs a number of farm workers who live on the property. The problem is, Salisbury Zoning Administrator Jon Filion has issued at least two notices of violation to Quesnel for housing the farm workers in inadequate quarters that violate local and state statute.
MIDDLEBURY — Magazine sales promotion company RetailVision will close its doors in Middlebury's industrial park at the end of October, a move that will eliminate around 25 local jobs.
"We did announce last week to our employees in Vermont that we will be shutting down that office by end of October," Stephanie Justice, chief administrative officer of RetailVision's Florida-based corporate owner, Source Interlink Companies (SIM), said in an Aug. 9 e-mail response to the Addison Independent.
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Contrast Mug
Helen Levi has worked with clay since she was a kid and has always found it to be an art with a great release as well as a unique utility. Her background is in photography and she still pursues this along with her ceramic work, which gives her pieces a great sense of balance and perspective. Helen was raised between her main residence in the East Village in NYC and her family's country home in upstate NY where she was able to experience utmost isolation. Her works are an expression of the extreme polarities that she was influenced by with this contrast in settings.
This mug is an exclusive collaboration between Helen, Half Hitch Goods, and our friends at Revielle Coffee Co. in San Francisco. Made of white porcelain and dipped in a white and black glaze the mug is organic in shape, contrasty, clean and generous in size. The handle fits about two fingers and is comfortable to hold.
Hand thrown, we love how each cup varies in size and shape with some beautiful glaze overlapping and some rustic gaps in glazes on the middle. Dishwasher and microwave safe, for use with hot or cold liquids, we have designed the all around best mug.
*Each cup is approximately 3.5" tall, diameter 3.5"
Check out our exclusive photos of Helen Levi's studio on our Journal


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Here are the rest of the shots I am going to process from the trip... its a mix of a little of everything...
I just am starting this thread so that Trish, Johnny, and I can post up blurbs and pictures along our vacation... hope everyone enjoys the sights!
After what could have been a bad stormy night we woke up to a really nice morning and beautiful sunrise...
I wanted to inform everyone in the Northeast about an excellent opportunity to learn.
Illuminations Workshop by TriCoast Photography www.tricoastphoto.com
August 20-21, 2007
Biddeford, Maine
This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone in the Northeast to learn and...
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Parent Directory | Revision Log
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Bump everyone to java-config 2.2.
Convert to eclass-manpages.
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Add dependencies on >=dev-java/java-config-2.1
Updating java-virtuals to use code block instead of subshell
Updating java-virtuals as per dberkholz's suggestions, thank you dberkholz
Adding java-virtuals-2.eclass and updating java-utils-2.eclass to add support for java virtuals.
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U.S. News
Virginia: Teen AIDS Charity Ready to Fight City
June 6, 2013
Adapted from:
Several weeks after the Virginia Beach, Va., mayor commended Teen AIDS Peer Corps in a Youth AIDS Prevention Day proclamation as a leader in promoting testing and educating Hampton Roads teens, city officials now are concerned about the local nonprofit's testing methods and are reconsidering their decision to use this group.
An April Mount Trashmore fundraiser, which attracted 1,000 people, included an HIV testing event hosted by Teen AIDS Peer Corps. Virginia Beach supported the event but questioned the group's decision to read out test results publicly. Dr. John Chittick, the group's founder, explained that his group was attempting to end the stigma and shame that surround AIDS and testing. He told the gathering that his group would return in May to provide more testing. At the next testing session, park security staff was also present. Chittick revealed to WAVY.com that Teen AIDS Peer Corps was informed that they could not film or publicly test youth. A city attorney declined to speak with WAVY.com until after they met with Chittick on June 5.
Chittick said that the city had e-mailed questions to him. WAVY.com requested that he provide answers. WAVY first commented on the question of how Chittick's group gets children to take part in public testing and results announcement. WAVY.com shared that in their observation of the group, WAVY saw volunteers asking peers if they wanted to learn more about HIV/AIDS; only those who agreed were provided information and asked if they would like to be tested. Chittick answered no to the question asking if Teen AIDS Peer Corps obtained parental consent for testing, saying, "The United States government says anybody 17 or older can buy a test without any permission from anybody." Chittick answered no to the question about Teen AIDS Peer Corps attempting to contact a child's parents if he or she tested positive. When asked how his group handled an adverse reaction to a positive HIV test, he replied that Teen AIDS Peer Corps took the teen to a hospital or clinic, if the teen wished. He added, "In two cases that we had positive results, the teens did not want us to take them."
WAVY.com (Hampton Roads, Va.)
06.05.2013; Stephanie Harris
This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.
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Baby Scuderia Ferrari Drift Cat 7 sneakers
Dedicated to the Scuderia Ferrari fans of tomorrow, the Drift Cat 7 baby sneakers offer a new interpretation of a classic design.
The new Drift Cat 7 baby shoes are distinguished by a technical fabric upper, guaranteeing greater comfort, and the Puma logo on the toe. They offer a reinterpretation of the simple yet timeless design of the classic Drift Cat model for Spring/Summer 2018. Complete with a practical Velcro fastener, these baby sports shoes are made in the iconic Scuderia Ferrari colors and are perfect as an original gift idea for fans who have just become parents.
- Synthetic upper with Velcro fastener
- Removable sockliner
- Sole in non-marking rubber
- Composition: 100% Cowhide
We offer both Standard and Express shipping: choose the service that best meets your needs at checkout.
We provide an easy return service: just ship your items back to us with a shipping service of your choice within 30 days of delivery.


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Suzuki unveils the maximum 350-horsepower DF350A outboard
Posted on 9th June 2017
Introduction of new technologies including the contra-rotating propellers
Suzuki Motor Corporation has unveiled the DF350A flagship outboard, which has realised horsepower of 350HP, the maximum output in Suzuki's lineup of outboards.
For the first time on Suzuki outboards, DF350A adopts the contra-rotating propellers called the Suzuki Dual Prop System. In this system, two propellers efficiently transmit forward thrust, enhancing acceleration and directional stability. In addition to high compression ratio, the newly-developed 4-stroke V6-cylinder engine is equipped with features such as the Direct Intake System to realise superb output performance and high fuel efficiency.
At the unveiling event held in Miami, US on 9 June, Toshihiro Suzuki, President, Suzuki Motor Corporation said "Outboards play important role in Suzuki's business, and DF350A is a model that clearly illustrates our brand slogan The Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard."
DF350A will be produced at the Toyokawa Plant in Japan, and launched in the US from July. Subsequently, they will be launched globally including Japan and Europe.
Main features of DF350A
Newly-developed maximum 350-horsepower engine
- Compact, 4,390cm3 4-stroke V6 cylinder engine. High compression ratio of 12.0 is adopted for the first time on Suzuki outboards, improving combustion efficiency to realise horsepower of DF350A, the maximum output in Suzuki's lineup of outboards.
- Suzuki's unique Direct Intake System, which efficiently takes in outside air into the engine, and Suzuki Dual Louver System are adopted. Plus, dual injectors per cylinder and optimal combustion chamber shape increase charging efficiency and combustion efficiency to realise superb output performance.
Contra-rotating propellers, Suzuki Dual Prop System
- Contra-rotating propellers, Suzuki Dual Prop System is adopted for the first time on Suzuki outboards. The system efficiently converts engine output into forward thrust by combining two contra-rotating propellers. Plus, the smaller gear case decreases underwater resistance to realise high running performance and directional stability.
Innovative styling
- Sporty, aggressive, and innovative styling. Quality design that is suitable for the flagship model which resembles Suzuki's next-generation outboards.


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SPRINGFIELD — House Speaker Michael Madigan played a little role reversal Thursday, proposing to cut in half the state income tax on corporations, a move that could further frame this year's elections along economic lines as Democrats try to stave off Republican efforts to win the governor's office and lessen their grip on the General Assembly.
The call for a tax cut comes from the same powerful Southwest Side Democrat who only three years ago pushed through a major income-tax increase on individuals and companies and only last month decried that some companies "don't pay their fair share" in an attack on tax incentives requested by a few big corporations. Business groups gave it a mixed review, with some noting that most small businesses don't pay the corporate income tax but instead the personal rate that wouldn't be impacted by the plan.
Madigan's move may be an attempt to undermine a Republican campaign theme that he and the Democrats who rule state government have enabled the deterioration of Illinois' slow-to-recover economy and continued high unemployment, particularly through that 2011 tax hike.
"For many years, we have listened to employers about the best manner to improve the business climate. We have tackled worker compensation reform, reduced the estate tax and created an independent tax tribunal," Madigan said in a statement. "Cutting the corporate income tax rate is another step I am asking the legislature to consider."
But Republicans who are looking to unseat Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn this fall said that while the proposal is favorable to some traditionally GOP-allied business interests, it underscored that it is Madigan and not the governor who is really in charge. The tax cut idea was floated in the wake of Quinn's State of the State address in which the governor proclaimed that Illinois is "making a comeback" but offered only small-bore proposals on how government can help bolster the state's economy and reduce its 8.6 percent jobless rate — third highest in the nation.
"Speaker Madigan's proposal coming one day after the governor's State of the State address shows how even Madigan saw how little substance and vision there were in the governor's remarks," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, a Republican candidate for governor who backed Madigan's plan. "It's also clear that Madigan is running the show and setting the agenda."
Quinn appeared a bit blindsided by the speaker's proposal. At a Chicago event, the governor said he "didn't talk to the speaker about anything on that subject" but added that "people are free to bring up anything they want" as part of negotiations over the state budget.
Madigan's plan would drop the rate to 3.5 percent on business profits and backdate it to Jan. 1, a move that would cost the state about $1.5 billion in revenue over the course of a year. While the revenue loss could exacerbate the stability of Illinois government finances, it also tests the long-touted Republican theory that the Illinois economy will flourish and tax revenues will rise if the state's taxes could be lowered.
Even if Madigan's proposal doesn't pass, the current corporate income tax rate of 7 percent is scheduled to drop to 5.25 percent in January 2015. The rate had been 4.8 percent prior to the Democratic-enacted tax increase in 2011.
Magnifying the financial impact of Madigan's proposal is the already scheduled reduction in state income taxes in January 2015. Those reductions were expected to cost the state treasury about $5 billion over a full budget year. Quinn has declined to say whether the tax rates should be extended as part of an effort to deal with the state's financial problems. While Madigan's plan would not affect the personal income tax rate, it would drop corporate taxes below what had already been scheduled.
A second tax on Illinois businesses, known as the personal property replacement tax, would stay at 2.5 percent, meaning the total rate effectively would be 6 percent. But Madigan maintained the newly proposed overall rate would put Illinois in line with or below surrounding states.
The business tax-cut proposal comes at a time when Democrats have been gearing up to consider a Quinn-backed plan to boost the state's $8.25 an hour minimum wage to $10 — something businesses and many Republicans have sharply opposed.
Several Democrats also have sponsored a proposed state constitutional amendment to move Illinois from a flat income tax to one which levies a higher percentage on higher earnings, though it's unknown if such a plan has the votes in the legislature to make it to the November ballot.
Last month, Madigan rejected a package of state-backed incentives for big businesses, including Decatur-based Archer Daniels Midland, which threatened to move its main office out of state without them. In the end, ADM agreed to move its global headquarters to Chicago, but the relocation was downsized.
At the time, Madigan said there needed to be a deeper examination of what needs to be done to level the playing field for Illinois as it competes with other states. Madigan's latest proposal is expected to emerge as a central part of that discussion, but Republicans suggested Democrats led by the speaker and Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, are just looking for political cover. Cullerton provided no hints, issuing a statement saying only that the Madigan plan is under review.
Business leaders welcomed the move by Madigan, but they also wanted to see the details.
"It is still early in the legislative session, and we're evaluating all proposals. We are certainly interested in reforms that would make our state more competitive for job growth and investment," said Lisa Miller, a spokeswoman for Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc. Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman has criticized state tax and business policies that he said were making it harder for the company to remain in Illinois.
Madigan's proposal would affect only firms that pay the state's corporate income tax and state Revenue Department statistics show that only one third of corporations pay the levy. Some firms use other methods that pass profits through partnerships which are then taxed at the lower individual rate.
Madigan's plan also would affect few small businesses, which traditionally drive employment growth, since many file as partnerships using the individual income-tax rate.
Rep. David Harris of Arlington Heights, the GOP's ranking member of the House Revenue Committee, contended Madigan was posturing because he provided only "half a loaf. He's got to tell the people of the state of Illinois what kind of services are going to be reduced when you take away that kind of revenue."
"I absolutely believe that lower taxes will make Illinois competitive and spur the economy," Harris said. "But it's not going to happen in one year."
Details were less important to the Republican candidates for governor.
"This is more proof that the Pat Quinn tax hikes were a horrible mistake," said Bruce Rauner, a wealthy businessman from Winnetka. "But this is only a baby step towards correcting the failures of the last four years. We need to start by getting rid of the entire Quinn tax hike and work to lower both corporate and personal taxes, putting more money back into the pockets of all Illinoisans."
Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who is running for governor, said he was glad to see Madigan wants to reduce the corporate tax because "putting Illinoisans back to work must be a top priority — as is improving our business climate."
Similarly, Sen. Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican who narrowly lost to Quinn in 2010, said he was "glad to hear the speaker talking about a tax cut rather than a tax increase. I believe his effort to create a better jobs climate in Illinois would be even better served if he included a cut in the personal income tax rate, which would benefit small businesses as well as Illinois families."
The plan drew immediate support from the Illinois Manufacturers' Association.
"This is a significant step forward," said the group's vice president Mark Denzler, who added Madigan recognized the importance of helping business in Illinois.
Denzler said he believes cutting the corporate tax rate will result in other tax revenue in the state going up. He said it will help make Illinois competitive with other states that are wooing business, such as Florida and Texas.
But a key small-business group delivered more tepid praise.
"Unfortunately about 75% of small businesses, the true job creators, pay the personal income tax and not the corporate income tax," said Kim Clarke Maisch, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business. "So while this is good for one-fourth of the businesses in Illinois, it does nothing to reduce the tax burden of the vast majority of small business owners in Illinois."
Tribune reporters Michelle Manchir, Maura Zurick and Hal Dardick contributed.