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Most people manage to leave behind many of their bad habits along with their adolescence. But if you keep smoking, spend too much time on the couch, drive badly or pay your bills late well into adulthood, many types of insurance could get more costly.
Continue Reading Below
Insurance companies base their decision to insure you and how much they charge on factors that vary according to the type of policy. For example, while home and car insurance underwriters typically take your credit history into consideration, others, such as life insurers, rarely do. Health issues have a greater impact on life insurance rates.
The good news is that your past behavior isn't likely to affect your current insurance rates unless you continue them into your adult life. The bad news is that the compromising habits you still indulge can sometimes mean hefty hikes in payments.
Smoking and insurance rates
One expensive habit many people start in their teen years is smoking.
While smoking rates among teens dropped over the past decade, the steep rate of decline from 1997 to 2003 has slowed considerably, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 30 percent of high school boys and 18 percent of high school girls in 2011 used some form of tobacco. More than 8 percent of middle school males and nearly 6 percent of middle school females did so in 2011.
Quitting smoking is a good idea at any age, but the sooner, the better, when it comes to insurance rates.
"Smoking absolutely raises your life insurance premiums," says Maureen Leydon, vice president and chief underwriter for MetLife in Boston. "Depending on your overall risk profile, your rates could more than double. If you have other health risks in addition to smoking, your rates could go up even more." (See: "How much insurance your cigarette money could buy.")
Jeff Reinig, head of personal lines products for the central zone of Farmers Insurance in Los Angeles, says that his company offers a discount for nonsmokers on their home insurance.
"Not smoking is looked at as indicating better behavior, so we give a small discount of less than 5 percent to nonsmokers," says Reinig. "We used to have a nonsmoking discount on auto insurance, too, but we don't offer that anymore because not only do fewer people smoke, but studies have shown that other distractions are deemed more likely to cause an accident than smoking."
Bad driving fuels auto and life insurance surcharges
If you have driving tickets and are accident-prone, your life insurance premiums could increase along with your auto insurance costs. Reinig says that your car insurance rates can go up by 10 percent to 100 percent depending upon the kinds of citation you get and their frequency. He says serious citations, such as drunken driving, increase your rate by a greater amount. (See: "Ticket? Uh-oh! How common infractions impact car insurance rates.")
If you have an accident, the most important factor impacting your auto insurance rate will be which driver was at fault.
"If the accident was not your fault, you may not have to pay a higher rate at all or possibly a nominal rate increase up to 20 percent," says Reinig. "The severity of the accident won't impact your rate, but if you are at fault your premiums could go up anywhere from 10 to 100 percent. The more recent your accident is, the more expensive your rate will be, especially if you have had more than one accident."
Leydon says moving violations or accidents can increase your life insurance premiums because anything that can impact your longevity is factored in to determine your rate.
"The amount of the increase depends on the number of violations or accidents, the severity and how recent they are," she says. "A DUI will typically increase your life insurance premium for term life insurance at $2.50 or $3.50 per $1,000 of coverage."
Budget blunders: credit history and insurance
The impact of a bad credit history or even bankruptcy is less clear cut, but it can influence your premiums on your auto, home and life insurance policies. (See: "Credit scores and insurance: If you don't succeed, try again.")
Life insurance premiums won't necessarily rise, but you could be turned down for a policy if the insurance company feels you cannot make the payments, Leydon says.
Reinig says that bad credit has less of an impact on auto insurance rates than having multiple accidents.
"In theory, your credit history is a proxy for your behavior," he says. "If your credit is bad, an insurance company thinks you are more likely to make a claim."
The amount of additional premium you could pay for auto insurance or home insurance varies widely according to the severity of your credit problems along with other factors that influence your rate.
Unhealthy eating and poor exercise habits affect insurance
It also pays to stay in shape.
"We look at your height and weight as well as other factors, but our definition of overweight may be different from a medical diagnosis. We also look at the potential for other risk factors that come with being overweight such as cardiovascular issues and Type II diabetes," says Leydon. (See: "Take care or pay a higher share of health insurance costs.")
She says, on a $500,000 20-year term life insurance policy, a 45-year-old with no health issues would pay $654 annually. The rate increases in increments for someone who is overweight. Depending on how much he or she weighs, the rate jumps to $769, $989 or $1,359, or more than double the premium for the same policy.
Insurance policy lapses may cost you
Reinig says late payments and lapsed policies will affect both your auto insurance and your home insurance.
"On your auto insurance, if you are more than 30 days late your premiums could go up 25 to 50 percent," he says. "If your policy lapses and you are driving uninsured, that's considered a big risk and your premiums could go even higher."
For home insurance policies, the length of the lapse in coverage due to late payments will impact the increase in your rate.
"Generally, the longer the lapse, the more likely your policy will be considered new business, so your policy would require new underwriting," says Reinig. "You would lose any discounts for continued insurance coverage or for a lack of claims, so you risk your insurance premiums going up by as much as 20 percent."
Life insurance policies have a built-in grace period, says Leydon, so typically you can reinstate your policy by paying your back premiums.
"Depending on how long the insurance has lapsed, you may be asked some health questions just to make sure nothing has changed," she says. "Your premiums won't go up if your policy is reinstated."
The original article can be found at Insurance.com:Oh, grow up! How youthful indiscretions impact your insurance rates


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Radeo – SuicideGirl of the Day
Meet Radeo, a 22-year-old single SuicideGirl from Ohio who loves making couch forts and is sad when her remote-control boat doesn't work.
Name: Radeo
Age: 22
Location: Ohio
Not into: Weak hand shakes
Makes me happy: Couch forts, surprises, superstitions and fortune cookies
Makes me sad: When my remote control boat doesn't work
Five things I can't live without: Computer, sweet tea, ice cream, phone, and a little TLC — I'm easy to please
Vices: I only listen to love songs.
Favorite bands:
- Alton Ellis
- Elvis Costello
- Mastretta
- Otis Redding
- Slim Whitman
- Roy Orbison
- The Everly Brothers
Favorite films:
- Creature From the Black Lagoon
- Forbidden Planet
- We are the Damned
- Lost in Space
- Pandorum
- Vixen
- 2001 Space Odyssey
- Barbarella
Favorite books:
- The Average American Male
- Haunted
- Revolution on Canvas
- Snuff
Favorite TV show:
- 6 Feet Under
Favorite artists:
- Isabel Samaras
- Barbara Kruger
- Tara Mcphersen
- Helen Garber
- Cherry Vega
- Alissa Brunelli
- Ellen Von Unwerth
- Chris Theibert
SuicideGirls is a community that celebrates alternative beauty and alternative culture from all over the world. Since 2001, tens of thousands of models have submitted millions of photos to their website hoping to become SuicideGirls.

subset: commoncrawl


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Filter By:
- Show More Sizes
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Specialized's S-Works Evade GC Skinsuit is the kit you need when it all comes down to the line. High-tech VaporRize fabric breathes and moves with you, providing an elite, race-day fit and incredible aerodynamic benefits. Cuffless construction and a re-designed arm and shoulder area ensure that the Evade GC Skinsuit slices cleanly through the air. Additional features, such as three welded rear pockets, a full-length zipper, and a supportive S-Works Body Geometry chamois, provide the comfort and performance required to excel.
Specialized's S-Works Evade TT Skinsuit is the kit you need when you're racing the clock. High-tech VaporRize fabric breathes and moves with you, providing an elite, race-day fit and incredible aerodynamic benefits. Cuffless construction and seamless, dimpled sleeves and shoulders ensure that the Evade TT Skinsuit cuts cleanly through the air. Additional features, such as UV 50 sun protection, a partial-length zipper, and a supportive S-Works Body Geometry chamois, provide the comfort and performance required to excel.
With eight different sizes, the Evade GC Skinsuit offers a level of fit that's akin to a custom skinsuit, which equates to an elimination of bunching and its associated drag. The unique seamless shoulder construction is patent-pending, and it features a Dimplex aerodynamic fabric composition. The result? This skinsuit is fast. It's an astounding 96 seconds faster over 40 kilometers than Specialized's standard SL Pro jersey and bib shorts. To meet the needs of modern day riders and racers, the GC version also includes three integrated pockets on the back, as well as a full-front zipper for added versatility and comfort. - VaporRize moisture transfer knit fabrics are lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying, while a combination of stretch, woven, and aero fabrics ensure that you're putting out your top performance. - Cold Fabric technology reduces surface temperatures on dark colors without sacrificing style. - Three welded, low-profile rear pockets provide ample storage without impeding on airflow over the back. - Patent-pending upper torso/arm construction is seamless for impeccable aerodynamics. - Cuffless welded sleeve opening construction ensures optimal comfort and enhanced aerodynamics. - Pit-stop-enabling design allows for easy nature breaks. - Full-length front zipper allows you to adjust ventilation levels on-the-fly. - S-Works Body Geometry chamois represents a revolutionary design for comfort under the hardest of efforts in the saddle. - Deflect UV 50+ protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. - Race Fit provides a next-to-skin feel that enhances the aerodynamic purpose of the suit. - Tall sizing offered with additional body length for taller riders.
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Meet Alma
Alma is confident, warm and unpretentious – with an eclectic look that teams retro best with contemporary flair.
Set in the vibrant heart of the University of Calgary campus, Hotel Alma treats guests to gracious service, friendly rates, and a host of accommodating spaces.
Hotel Alma's name derived from the words Alma mater: a school, college, or university which one has attended or from which one has graduated.
Alma features 96 rooms and suites, and conference facilities for up to 125 – all conveniently close to campus activities and amenities, and just 10 minutes away from downtown Calgary.


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10 Decorating Ideas Double Island Kitchen Amazing Design
Discover some clever, interesting yet simple kitchen design for small house. Your Double Island Kitchen can feel a lot bigger with these design tricks.
We've gathered all our best Double Island Kitchen in one place – from country casual to sleek and modern. If you're considering a kitchen remodel, you won't want to miss this collection of tips and advice from trusted renovation experts. Find the best Double Island Kitchen design, ideas & inspiration to match your style. Browse through images of kitchen islands & cabinets to create your perfect home.
You've got a small kitchen, we've got 45 ideas to make it better – including tips, pictures, and storage solutions. We've gathered the best Double Island Kitchen design ideas to help you add storage. Simple kitchen design images with the best small size inspiration. it will help you maximize the small space you have in the room for middle class families.When the emphasis of a Double Island Kitchen remodel is handsome practicality, the room can work hard for years without looking out of sync with the times.


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I'm linking up my Crafting Spaces post to:
Since moving into our home in April (and losing my guest room/craft area!)
I now have my crafting armoire in my Master Bedroom.
I also store all of my extra craft supplies and my inventory of handmade & store-bought gifts in my
Master closet so everything is centrally located.
My crafting armoire is on the wall next to our slider so I can see/hear the sights and sounds
of the pool & backyard while I'm creating :')
Here's a few photos:
My Craft Armoire!
More crowded than I'd like, but I'm happy that it all has a home!
Love my OTT-LITE!
The black tower on the right is actually a SIZZIX organizer that I use for my paper pads & paint chips.
Love this organizer-caddy thingy!
Bins of paper scraps that are leftover from other projects…
One of my ribbon organizers – I believe it's called a "Ribbon Ring" but I can't remember…
This beauty is great for taking supplies from place to place!
And here's where I hide all of my totes and my Cricut – nicely hidden by my curtains :')
Here's a few of my "dream" crafting spaces:
Here is what to do:
If you want to link up a Crafting Spaces post, simply click on the title of your post at your own blog,
copy the link that is in the address bar, paste it in the link space below
(following the instructions as needed).
Then in the body of your post on your blog, link back to this party
so your friends and readers can find the party too!
When you're all done linking up, click to visit as many links as you can!!
Have fun!
Thumbnails: This is a Blog Hop! 21 entries so far… you're next!
This linky list is now closed.


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I want you to meet Joe Fresh, whose budget-friendly, sublimely well-edited collection is positioned to knock your socks off. The Canadian brand, which opened pop-up shops over the summer and earlier this month, is unveiling a Flatiron store at 110 Fifth Ave in New York City on November 3. I scoped out the fashion show in Toronto last week and found exactly what I want for Spring 2012. P.S. Everything is priced under $160.
Toronto is only a short hour flight away, so I tossed a few things in an overnight wheelie and was on my way. Here's my last-Minute packing formula:
1. Pick a Color Family: Layering and mixing is easy when you're working with like tones. Plus monochrome is chic. Add interest with texture. (I did ochre wool, caramel python and metallic gold leather)
2. Choose Packable Fabrics: Wool and cotton do pretty well, but don't underestimate a man-made fabric's ability to withstand wrinkles. Hello, rayon!
3. Pack Big Impact Accessories: Jewelry takes up no space. Shoes make the occasion. And seriously, what can't a scarf do?
A hop, skip, Porter flight (complete with flight attendants wearing cute uniforms like on Pan Am!), and a ferry later I was queuing up for the show. Given the incessant rain of late, I was really looking forward to experiencing the "color is mood elevating" belief the Joe Fresh brand stands behind.
And elevate it did. Clean lines, sporty fabrics, and that fearless, happiness-inducing color ticked all the right boxes.
I spied the coolest, most lady-like rounded shoulder neoprene jacket, great color-blocking on pleated skirts and contrast collars, neon leather football pants, and sweet printed envelope clutches and matching heeled loafers.
Creative Director Joseph Mimran was inspired by 60's pop and a certain Mykonos-meets-Acapulco vibe which made for a totally modern, covetable collection.
By the time I wrestled my way backstage, though, the pit crew had already boxed and carted everything away save for a bin of glorious day-glo shoes and a few signature bottles of orange Vitamin Water. This put a wrench in my photo journaling plans so I scurried off to the after-party instead.
The following day, with my 24 hours in Toronto nearly up, I squeezed in a visit to the gorgeous industrial showroom for a look at mood boards and model line ups (Kate King!) and a chat with Joe, whose last name is not Fresh but Mimran, as we learned above. The line started in a grocery store. Get it?
More Ways to Get Glamour:
Get the latest fashion updates via Twitter on @glamour_fashion
Check out our chic Tumblr!
Read Glamour magazine on your iPad—print subscribers, it's now part of your subscription plan!
Like freebies? Enter the latest Glamour sweepstakes!
Sign up for our fashion and beauty newsletters to get easy style tips (it'll make your inbox 10x sexier, we promise).
And, did you know you can read glamour.com on your smart phone?! It's the ultimate boredom buster.


text: Andrew M.A. Cater wrote: > On Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 12:07:36PM -0500, Mark Hahn wrote: >>> 1-Regarding OS, is "Fedora Core 64bit" a good option for AMD Athlon 64 X2 >>> 4200+? >> sure. distros are just desktop decoration, and anything recent will >> perform equally well. you do probably want 64b, but that's not rare. >> > Think carefully about what it is you are looking to do. Fedora is > relatively "bleeding edge" and has a very short lifetime - typically a > year or 18 months of support. If you are looking to build a large I agree with what Andrew says. I would give some very serious consideration to SuSE Linux - which has a reputation for better support for 64-bit processors and the latest SATA/SAS controllers. There is the free professional version or SLES. On the Redhat side, give consideration to Redhat Enterprise. Or one of the Redhat-alike recompiles. I'm hinting at Scientific Linux here. Yes, SL 4 may not have the very latest leading edge kernel, but it does have a long suport lifetime.


text: I think you really shouldn't talk openly about this empowerment you got Paul, for your own sake. Also your experience is quite limited when it comes to Dzogchen.invisiblediamond wrote:The ripa tsal wang has a particular feature these others do not. And the Kagyu blessing has a particular taste of energy the Rigpa tsal wang does not.


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CORSICANA - A mother fatally shot her husband and three sons in their North Texas home before killing herself with a single shot to the head, the county sheriff announced Tuesday.
Investigators were still trying to determine why 33-year-old Guadalupe Ronquillo-Ovalle killed her family late Thursday or early Friday in Rice, 40 miles southeast of Dallas.
Navarro County Sheriff Elmer Tanner said the bodies of Ronquillo-Ovalle; her husband, Israel Alvarez, 33; and their sons, ages 4, 8 and 10, were discovered Sunday by Alvarez's father.
Alvarez and his sons had all been shot in the upper torso. Tanner said there was no indication that Alvarez fired any shots.
The killings came less than two weeks after Alvarez was charged with family violence. Tanner said investigators could not determine much from his Sept. 11 arrest for a misdemeanor family violence charge, "other than that was an isolated incident involving family violence."
"We can only assume that there were problems in the household," Tanner said at a news conference.
Maria Franco, a family friend, said the couple came to her home on Sept. 16, asking for advice about keeping their relationship together. The couple talked about "normal problems" they were having, she said.
"I didn't hear anything dangerous," Franco said.
According to a sheriff's office report released Monday, Ronquillo-Ovalle went to her children's elementary school on Sept. 11 to call 911 because Alvarez took away her cellphone and removed the battery. She told a deputy that she was on the phone talking to her sister when Alvarez entered the room and pushed her.
He pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge, paid a $367 fine and was released after spending two days in jail, records show.
No divorce filings or requests for a restraining order were filed, and Ronquillo-Ovalle did not ask for a protective order, according to records.
In an audio recording released Tuesday of a 911 call made by Alvarez's father after he found the bodies, Manuel Alvarez said he thought the deaths were due to suicide from natural gas being left on in the home. He had to use a ladder to enter the home through a second-story balcony.
Franco said the couple's 10-year-old son was best friends with one of her sons. She had to tell her son that his friend was now in heaven.
"I don't want to think about it," Franco said. "It breaks my heart."


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Police: Shoplifting suspect dies trying to speed away from SC store on Christmas Eve
AIKEN, S.C. – Authorities say a woman speeding away from a store in South Carolina after being accused of shoplifting on Christmas Eve was killed in a head-on crash.
Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton says 31-year-old Lucinda Randolph died shortly after the wreck around noon Tuesday.
Aiken police say Randolph got away from a store security officer at a Walmart and sped away on state Highway 19. Police say officers tried to pull her over, but she kept driving and hit a car head on.
A child was with Randolph, and authorities did not release the child's condition, or whether anyone else was seriously injured in the crash.
Troopers are investigating the wreck, and an autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday.


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According to Time.com, this was posted March 24, 1930.
The inhabitants of Earth learned last week that there is another planet, beside the eight they knew about, revolving around the Sun as the earth does.
Clyde W. Tombaugh, 24, an assistant at the observatory, saw a strange blotch of light on a new plate. He hastily took the photograph to Vesto Melvin Slipher, director of the observatory. Dr. Slipher joyfully notified his younger brother, Earl Carl Slipher, and the rest of the staff, including Carl Otto Lampland. They were quite excited.
Astronomy may not be static but history is. Those scientists can be found today just as the census enumerator recorded them 10 days after the article appeared in Time.


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Lets try to get things going again with a new photo contest... post an image of the holidays. We'll take entries until 1/05/2011. Post your photo in the gallery and then link it here. See rules in the sticky thread.
Every 2 weeks we will be starting a contest which will be open to all photography section members with no exceptions. The contests will run for the length specified in the description post and end on the last day of that contest with judging immediately afterwards. Only one submission may be made...
post them here.
amphoto picks the topic! post it up.
forgot to add, this will close the last day of the month!
please vote! we have 11 entries this time!
vote for the winner, they will pick contest 7.
put them here.
The topic is textures!
vote for contest 4, winner picks the topic of contest 6.
stoneylonesome pick the topic!
vote here!
post em here
contest 4, lrp12196 pick the topic!
amphoto, pic the topic! post it here and let the contest begin!
vote away!
one entry per person, put them in this thread.
vote for contest #1, voting will end Friday, March 20th.
the theme for this one will be logos, interpenetrate it how ever you like.
the winner of this contest will pick the topic for contest #4.
post your entry here!
i think we may have tried this before but it didnt go far. now that are community is growing maybe we need to try something like this again so im snagging an idea from another forum im on.
since winter is coming to an end, and i have barley used my camera, im sure others are in the same boat, i...
topic: Black and White
ok, here is the deal. take a black and white photo between now and the 15th. on the 16th i will set up a poll and every one can vote on the image they want to win. voiting will close on the 21st, the winner will chose the topic for the contest that will start the first...
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text:
NOAO > Newsletter > September 2004 > PDF
The NOAO Newsletter is available in PDF format for reading or downloading. If you wish to read PDF files online you must have a PDF reader program such as Adobe Acrobat Reader installed as a helper application or browser plugin. You may need to upgrade to the most recent version if you have trouble viewing these files.
The newsletter is available as a single PDF file or with separate files for each major section. The full version now includes an index page with clickable links. Embedded web links are now clickable as well.
NOAO > Newsletter > September 2004 > PDF


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text: A hero from Ancient Greece, Hercules, who tries to tame the great Cretan Bull. The evil goddes Hera frightens the bull, which goes wild and ruins the roads and buildings. You help Hercules to save the day. As you move forward, you also get a chance to build Wonders and solve incredible Puzzles.


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All right, people, prepare to be dazzled. A Fox News affiliate in Denver has confirmed, confirmed!, that there's a UFO in the area. That's right. A news channel has gone out on a limb and has authenticated that there's something flying around up there that they can't identify. Thanks, Fox News!
Anywhoosle, a man who's chosen to remain anonymous (therefore validating all assumptions that he's a Steve Buscemi lookalike who's convinced that the government is out to get him) caught the inexplicable UFO on camera and folks have some pret-ty awesome theories about it.
First of all, a former commercial pilot says he has no idea what it is. He explains, "It's not an airplane, it's not a helicopter, it's not birds ... it's the definition of an unidentified flying object."
Thanks, Einstein.
The UFO launches and lands in the Denver area a couple of times a week around lunchtime, and naturally, civilians and UFO buffs alike are very interested in what the heck is going on.
The FAA and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), on the other hand, say they have no idea what people are talking about -- both organizations released statements saying they haven't noticed anything unusual in the sky about the Mile High city.
I'm not sure what to make of it. If it's not a bird, not a plane, not an insect, then who knows, maybe it is aliens, or a new government drone, or a Canadian spy plane ... or maybe it's angel poop.
Whatever it is, as Fox has so staunchly confirmed, it's most certainly unidentified.
Check it out -- what do you make of this video? Thoughts on what it could be?
Photo via kdvr.com


text:
Latest News
0 Jarvis - Rough Trade East In-Store
Jarvis will be at Rough Trade East on Monday, 5th December at 7pm. He'll be using Power Point to present his new book, Mother, Brother, Lover and will stay on to sign copies.
You will need a wristband to attend the event which you can receive by ordering a copy of the book. There are a limited number of wristbands available – first come, first served.
If you'd like to attend, you can order the book from Rough Trade here. Or you can buy it in person at the shop:
Rough Trade East
Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London E1 6QL


text:
Thomas, Panthers beat Luongo, Canucks in shootoutby Kevin Woodley
VANCOUVER -- When Florida Panthers coach Peter Horachek informed his players during the team's morning skate Tuesday that the franchise had never won a game at Rogers Arena, goaltender Tim Thomas quickly piped up.
"I have," Thomas said, setting off laughter.
Thomas, who won the Stanley Cup the last time he played in Vancouver, in the 2011 Cup Final, made sure he's no longer the only Florida player who can make that claim.
Thomas made 27 saves through the end of overtime, and stopped all three shots in the shootout, lifting the Panthers to a 3-2 victory against the Canucks on Tuesday night.
Jonathan Huberdeau scored the only goal in the shootout.
It was Florida's first win in Vancouver since 1994, and the franchise's first-ever victory at Rogers Arena.
"That's exactly what we said after the game: Now we've all won here," Thomas said.
The 39-year-old goalie forced Mike Santorelli wide, stuffed Alexandre Burrows and angled Chris Higgins' shot off the post in the shootout.
But Thomas quickly deferred questions about his own success in Vancouver, pointing instead to the Panthers' first consecutive wins of the season and three victories in their past four games, including against the Colorado Avalanche and Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks.
"I don't think having it be here is a factor," Thomas said. "It's more that we'd won two of three coming into this, we'd been putting some good efforts together, playing some quality teams, getting some points and just to be able to keep it going to make it three in four and win back-to-back games for the first time this year was huge. So, it's not so much about being here as that was a result we needed."
The outcome was in question after Jannik Hansen put Vancouver ahead by a 2-1 score 2:45 in the third period -- the only time the Canucks have scored more than one goal in their past five games. But Shawn Matthias tied it six minutes later, and the Panthers carried the play late, failing to convert an overtime power play before Huberdeau won it in the shootout.
After Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo sprawled out with the right pad to rob Huberdeau on the overtime power play, the Florida center got the goalie sliding to his left before tucking the puck just inside that same post in the shootout.
"I'm trying to do different things every time, and it worked out tonight," Huberdeau said. "I was hoping I was going to score (in overtime), but he laid out his legs and it was a big save, but we found a way to win in the shootout. It was important to get two points for us."
It should have also been an important two points for the Canucks, who have lost five straight (0-3-2). But it was the Panthers who controlled the play early, with one apparent goal already waved off because of a quick whistle before Brad Boyes opened the scoring on a power play 3:43 into the game.
"It was easily our worst game of the year. We didn't deserve a point," Canucks coach John Tortorella said. "It's lack of respect, and we have no business to show a lack of respect to any hockey team. In the situation we're in going into tonight's game, I just don't know what we're thinking as far as how we started the game. If it isn't for (Luongo), we're down [3-0 or 4-0] in that first period, we get squat for points. So, I can't explain it."
Luongo finished with 34 saves, and kept it close with a shorthanded breakaway save off Marcel Goc midway through the first period, allowing Chris Higgins to tie the game 3:26 into the second.
Hansen finally broke Vancouver through the one-goal barrier after a bad pass from Florida forward Tomas Fleishmann from behind his own goal went straight to Hansen in the high slot. Playing his second game after missing 10 with a shoulder injury, Hansen fired a wrist shot past Thomas at 2:45 of the third.
Matthias tied the game from the high slot nearly six minutes later, one-timing a nice cross-ice pass from Bjugstad past Luongo's glove.
"They're never easy," Luongo said. "As soon as you start thinking that, it's game over for us. Especially given we lost four in a row, I don't understand why we would think it would be easy."
That should go double against Thomas, who held the Canucks to eight goals in the Cup Final and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff most valuable player in 2011. After being slowed by a couple early injuries, Thomas is showing signs of his old form, buoying the Panthers' confidence.
"He's won a Stanley Cup before, he's won a Vezina (Trophy), and that's why," Horachek said. "He's confident. He's got a smile on his face when he is doing it, and he gives our guys confidence."
Even -- or maybe especially -- in Vancouver.


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Summer seems to have gotten away with us slightly. I still owe you a Morocco post, Roxie has now skipped off on her own vacation, and I have not done nearly enough cooking with all of the beautiful summer produce.
This cake was my first attempt, post-Morocco, to rectify that. It is quick, it is delicious, and it is extremely versatile. Throw in whatever berry you want, switch out the lemon… I think a lime/raspberry combination would also be delicious. I had way fewer raspberries than called for and it still worked out fine, just more lemony than raspberry-y. Basically, this is a great cake to make the most out of summer fruit without too much effort.
Lemon Raspberry Yogurt Cake (Adapted, as always, from Smitten Kitchen)
Equipment: Mixing bowls, whisk, zester/grater, loaf tin or other cake pan (adjust baking time if using different sized pan)
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 cup regular sugar plus 1 tbsp caster/superfine sugar, if you have it
3 extra-large eggs
Zest of 2 lemons
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen and thawed
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Method: Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a standard loaf tin, then line with greaseproof paper and grease and flour the paper.
Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup of the sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and oil. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Toss the berries with the remaining tablespoon of flour, and carefully fold into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about fifty minutes, checking that a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Towards the end of the cooking time, make a glaze. If using granulated sugar, cook together the lemon juice and 1 tbsp of sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear. If using caster/superfine sugar, you can get away without cooking it if you're lazy like me. (You can also get away with this if using granulated, and will have a nice crunchy glaze.)
When the cake is done, remove and allow to cool for ten minutes in the pan before flipping out onto a cooling rack. Pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake while it is still warm, with something underneath to catch the drippings. Little holes made with a toothpick in the cake help to draw the syrup in better. Cool and serve!


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Monday evening I walked up to Powell's City of Books. I scoured the knitting section for over an hour and saw a lot of out-of-print options. (I took only one book on color knitting techniques.) Then I went up to the Music section and saw several shelves of music songbooks. I called Dollar at home and started going through them, "Aerosmith... The Beatles... The Carpenters... John Denver..." so he could stop me on the ones he actually wanted (Alice in Chains and Slayer). I headed down to the graphic novel section but it was too huge and I had been there for hours. I might head back again some evening this week to check out some of the other 3,445 sections I missed.
Tuesday evening we went to Huber's immediately after work for a Spanish Coffee. I've never had one before but the presentation at this place was mind blowing. The menu for this item says "Bacardi 151, Bols Triple Sec, Kahlua, and coffee. Topped with fresh whipped cream and nutmeg. Flamed Tableside."
Flamed wah-?
I captured it on video. [Huber's is Portland's oldest restaurant and the owners strove to retain the original architecture and design... Which means the acoustics are terrible by today's standards. Once the place gets filled, the noise from everyone talking was nearly deafening. So, MIND YOUR SPEAKERS AND TURN THE VOLUME DOWN. Thank you.]
It was amazing. He can only made two drinks at a time, so I got to watch him do it twice for the four of us. I don't know what kind of training one has to go through to be qualified to do this but he didn't spill a drop. No wonder these drinks are $10 each.


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RJBARAN needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 89 designs submitted by 35 freelance designers.
Excentric Networks
Excentric Networks is a leading IT Consulting firm located in beautiful (and cold) Chicago.
Small to Medium size business.
We like the color BLUE. I like the abbreviation of XN but need to have Excentric Networks in the logo. Not a deal breaker if XN isnt used somehow in the logo.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Valentine's Day 2012: Top Things To Do in Asia
Valentine's Day might be a western concoction, but people across Asia are certainly not adverse to getting romantic and sentimental on the date. While the majority of celebrations of this nature do take place on or around February 14, there are other events celebrating the same idea at other times of year. From underwater weddings to the exchange of chocolate dipped sticks, here are some romantic events happening in Asia to celebrate love.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Singapore
Having valentine day dinner in Singapore, seems to be some people's concern. Other concerns are ideas of what to write in a valentine's day card, great valentines day ideas for her, valentine's day special, good restaurants to celebrate valentine's day, suggestions to go or do on valentine's day, ideas on what to get a guy on valentine's day, restaurants serving candle light dinner in Singapore, best place to celebrate valentines day, cheap romantic ideas for valentine's day. Valentine's day ideas in Singapore can be an endless list.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Thailand
In Thailand Trang Underwater Weddings welcomes couples every year to exchange their vows under the sea from February 10-12. Prices are about 25,000 baht (US$800) per couple and 34 couples have taken the plunge, literally, this year to do the deed. Underwater weddings started in Trang in 1996. It's also the location of the Largest Underwater Wedding Ceremony – awarded by the Guinness World Records in 2000. In Thailand marriage vows are literally a leap of faith as couples have their ceremony in mid air in these popular ceremonies in Thab Lan National Park, Prachinburi province on February 13-14. Couples swing out from the cliffs to say their "I do" in what is to become the start of a life long adventure. If you missed out on a good smooch last year you could head to Pattaya for this competition running 12-14 February. Couples here aim to break the 46-hour long Guiness World Record. The winners get 200,000 Baht.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Taiwan
Valentine's Day is celebrated in Taiwan on February 14, but there is also a special Valentine's Day on July 7 of the lunar calendar, based on an ancient Chinese folktale (**). Both dates are equally as important. Many men purchase expensive bouquets of roses and other flowers for their sweethearts on these days. According to Taiwan tradition, the color and number of the roses holds much significance. For example, one red rose means "an only love," eleven roses means "a favorite," ninety-nine roses means "forever," and one hundred eight roses means "marry me."
Valentine's Day 2012 in Korea
The traditional gift of candy takes place in Korea on February 14, but only from females to males. There is another special day for males to give gifts to females and this is celebrated on March 14. Very similar to the custom in Japan, March 14 in Korea is known as "White Day." On "White Day," many young men confess their love for the first time to their sweethearts. For those young people who have no particular romantic partners, the Koreans have set aside yet another date…April 14, also known as "Black Day." On that date, such individuals get together and partake of Jajang noodles, which are black in color, hence the name of the day.
Valentine's Day 2012 in China
China calls Valentine's Day Qi Qiao Jie. Daughters who are not married pray for a perfect husband. As a romantic day in the year, people exchange chocolate, gifts and sweets.
Valentine's Day 2012 in India
India is somewhat new in celebrating this holiday. Some people are resistant to Valentine's Day, as it is a western tradition. Yet others are embracing this as a day to celebrate their love for each other with the exchange of stuffed animals, flowers, cards, candies and jewelry, which is considered the ideal gift for an Indian woman. Wedding proposals are common on this day.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Hongkong
In Hong Kong's financial district couples can have a fast food catered wedding at McDonalds. According to Reuters, The 'McWeddings' are decorated with pink balloons, and a wedding cake made of McDonald's apple pies piled one on top of another. This new service was just started January 2011 and 2 weddings have already been booked. About 70 other couples are considering this venue. For $1,282 they can get golden arches invitations, wedding gifts, decorations with Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar and other acoutrements. You can rent a wedding gown for an additional $165.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Bangladesh
Couples attended different kind of programs to celebrate Valentine's Day. Especially on the Dhaka University (DU) campus where they were able to express their feelings of love to the opposite sex in an atmosphere of fun, frolic and festivities. The young folks celebrate the Valentines Day across the country, but the day does not have much scope for privacy, as it will witness mainly the youthful, sprightly exuberance centering the most precious feeling of youth … 'romance'. Adding to the elegance of presenting one's loved one with a rose are the greetings cards brought out by the famous outlets Archies and Hallmark who are selling cards and gifts items on discount. To mark the day, on the other hand many hotels, cafes and restaurants have offered different types of attractive gifts & dishes for couples.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Australia
The gold miners in Australia who were blushing with new found wealth from the Ballarat mines were willing to pay a princely sum for making elaborate valentines. The merchants in Australia would generally send orders of a thousand pounds at a time to make the Valentines Day grander. The most profligate of valentines were made of a satin cushion and ornately designed with flowers, colored shells, ribbons etc. All this work was kept in a neatly adorned box.
Valentine's Day 2012 in New Zealand
A very popular way of celebrating Valentine's Day in New Zealand is by arranging picnics and romantic outings with one's partner. There are a number of exquisite and beautiful locales for this purpose, like the unique Haulashore Islands or the picturesque hills and vineyards that dot the country. Advance bookings of resorts and holiday cottages, offering scenic views, are made and people indulge in moments of luxury and fine living. Special Valentine packages are also available during this time and people make plans in advance, to grab the best options. On Valentine's Day, get-togethers and home parties are widely arranged throughout New Zealand. Friends and family members come together to spend some quality time. Every house can be seen bedecked and adorned with beautiful decor, garlands of flowers, red roses, ornamented lovebirds and lovely posters of cupid. Sumptuous meals are prepared, games are played and there is a general environment of merriment and gaiety. As a part of the Valentine celebration, special Helium balloons are also exchanged and the kids have a blast playing with them. There is something very appealing and alluring about the entire festival of Valentine's Day in New Zealand. Such is the environment here that people of all moods and mindset are automatically drawn to observe it. The unique history and cultural background of the country makes the celebration even more interesting. The festival unifies the entire nation as a single element, as the sole purpose of observing the festival is honoring the exquisite human emotion called love. so, do try to make it your valentine destination this year!
Valentine's Day 2012 in Duabi/UAE
In Dubai, which has traditionally permitted celebration of Valentine's Day, the tourism authority has banned the sale of alcohol.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Israel
In Israel, the day of love is known as Av-Tu B'Av, and is celebrated in the latter part of August. Going back to biblical times, girls dressed in white dresses and they would dance in the vineyards where the boys would meet them. Today, Av-Tu B'Av is a popular day to propose marriage and bestow gifts of love to each other.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Japan
Valentine's Day is only celebrated by women in Japan. Japanese women give men a token gift as an expression of their love on Feb 14. On Mar 14, Called White Day, men return the gift to their partner. This tradition has only been recently started in 1978 by Japan's National Confection Industry. White chocolate is commonly given, since the day is known as White Day. Although chocolate is the most common gift, cookies, white lingerie, and jewelry are popular gifts also.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Philippines
Mass weddings on Valentine's Day have become increasingly popular in the Philippines and 2012 is not likely to disappoint. In Palawan city last year 150 couples got married in the rain and planted mangrove trees to a themed event called "Love affairs with Nature".
Valentine's Day 2012 in Uzbekistan
Well, this is Authorities in Uzbekistan are, apparently, unwilling to give love a chance, with news reports claiming that concerts and other events for Valentine's Day have been cancelled in the country. Last year, the 'Turkiston' newspaper described Valentine's Day as the work of "forces with evil goals bent on putting an end to national values".
Valentine's Day 2012 in Pakistan
Many in Pakistan are concerned at the increasing popularity of Valentine's Day among young affluent teenagers and students. Conservatives see the celebration as an immoral Western idea, which should not allowed to be penetrate Pakistani culture. However young Pakistanis argue that there is nothing wrong with celebrating love, and no threat to the country's Islamic culture from such a celebration. Some extremist groups threaten violence against those who celebrate Valentine's Day and it is unclear if the street vendors were arrested or carted off for their own protection.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Malaysia
In Malaysia, officials have warned Muslims against celebrating. The warning follows plans announced last week by several Malaysian states to crack down on "immoral acts" during Valentine's Day as part of a campaign to encourage a sin-free lifestyle. The head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, which oversees the country's Islamic policies, told state media, "In reality, as well as historically, the celebration of Valentine's Day is synonymous with vice activities."
Valentine's Day 2012 in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia have banned the celebration of Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day 2012 in Iran
Iran also banned the celebration. Iranian officials say they will take action against those who ignore the ban.


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Boston suspects' relatives want proof of their involvement in blasts
An aunt of the Boston bombing suspects said on Friday the older brother recently became a devout Muslim who prayed five times a day, and she doesn't believe the brothers could have been involved in Monday's attack. The stories of 2 brothers suspected in Boston blasts | Suspect 'true angel' for father | Entire country behind the people of Boston: Obamaworld Updated: Apr 20, 2013 04:05 IST
A man who identified himself as the father of two brothers suspected of carrying out the Boston Marathon bombings said on Friday he believed his sons had been framed and pleaded with police to spare his younger son who was still on the run.
"Somebody clearly framed them. I don't know who exactly framed them, but they did. They framed them. And they were so cowardly that they shot the boy dead," he said, clasping his head in despair.
"I'm scared for my boy - that they will shoot him dead too," said the thin man in a black-and-blue sweater. "They should arrest him, bring him in, alive. And the judicial system should investigate everything, who's right and who's guilty."
An aunt of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects said on Friday the older brother recently became a devout Muslim who prayed five times a day, and she doesn't believe the brothers could have been involved in Monday's attack.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev had married and had a 3-year-old daughter in the US, Maret Tsarnaeva told reporters in Toronto.
"He has a wife in Boston and from a Christian family, so you can't tie it to religion," she said.
But she said the 26-year-old Tamerlan "seemingly did not find himself yet in America, because it's not easy."
Tamerlan was killed Thursday night during a shootout with police, and a huge manhunt was under way in the Boston area for his 19-year-old brother, Dzhokhar.
Tsarnaeva said she wants proof they are involved in the deadly bombing.
"We're talking about three dead people, 100-something injured, and I do not believe, I just do not believe our boys would do that ... I don't know them in the way that they could be capable of this," Tsarnaeva said.
She said her brother Anzor Tsarnaev had high expecations for his sons, especially Tamerlan.
She said her brother was desperate when he found out Tamerlan dropped out of his university. She said he always demanded more of his children and said Tamerlan was his favorite.
Tamerlan wasn't a devout practicing Muslim, "but just recently, maybe two years ago, he started praying five times a day," she said.
Tsarnaeva called both boys smart and athletic.
"Within the family, everything was perfect," she said.
Manhunt in Boston
Black Hawk helicopters and heavily armed police descended on a Boston suburb on Friday in a massive search for an ethnic Chechen suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings, hours after his brother was killed by police in a late-night shootout.
The normally traffic-clogged streets of Boston were empty as the city went into virtual lockdown after a bloody night of shooting and explosions. Public transport was suspended, air space restricted and famous universities, including Harvard and MIT, closed after police ordered residents to remain at home.
Officials identified the hunted man as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, and the dead suspect as his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, who was killed Thursday night in the working class suburb of Watertown.
Details emerged on Friday about the brothers, including their origins in the predominantly Muslim regions of Russia's Caucasus, which have experienced two decades of violence since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The fugitive described himself on a social network as a minority from a region that includes Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia.
A man who said he was their uncle said the brothers came to the United States in the early 2000s and settled in the Cambridge, Massachusetts, area.
"I say what I think what's behind it - being losers," Ruslan Tsarni told reporters in suburban Washington. "Not being able to settle themselves and thereby hating everyone who did."
Tsarni said he had not spoken to the brothers since 2009. He said Monday's bombings on the finish line of the world-famous Boston Marathon that killed three people and injured 176 "put a shame on our family. It put a shame on the entire Chechen ethnicity."
The bombing, described by President Barack Obama as "an act of terrorism," was the worst such attack on U.S. soil since the plane hijackings of Sept. 11, 2001.
The FBI said the twin blasts were caused by bombs in pressure cookers and carried in backpacks that were left near the marathon finish line as thousands of spectators gathered.
Authorities cordoned off a section of the suburb of Watertown and told residents not to leave their homes or answer the door as officers in combat gear scoured a 20-block area for the missing man, who was described as armed and dangerous.
The manhunt has covered 60-70% of the search area, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Timothy Alben said Friday afternoon. "We are progressing through this neighborhood, going door-to-door, street-to-street," he said.
Two Black Hawk helicopters circled the area. Amtrak said it was suspending train service between Boston and New York indefinitely and the Boston Red Sox postponed Friday night's baseball game at historic Fenway Park.
The events elicited a response from Moscow condemning terrorism and from the Russian-installed leader of Chechnya, who criticized police in Boston for killing an ethnic Chechen and blamed the violence on his upbringing in the United States.
"They grew up and studied in the United States and their attitudes and beliefs were formed there," Ramzan Kadyrov said in comments posted online. "Any attempt to make a connection between Chechnya and the Tsarnaevs is in vain."
Internet Posting
The brothers had been in the United States for several years and were believed to be legal immigrants, according to US government sources. Neither had been known as a potential security threat, a law enforcement official said on Friday.
A Russian language social networking site bearing Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's name paid tribute to Islamic websites and to those calling for Chechen independence. The author identified himself as a 2011 graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, a public school in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He said he went to primary school in Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan, a province in Russia that borders on Chechnya, and listed his languages as English, Russian and Chechen.
His "World view" was listed as "Islam" and his "Personal priority" as "career and money."
He posted links to videos of fighters in Syria's civil war and to Islamic web pages with titles such as "Salamworld, my religion is Islam" and "There is no God but Allah, let that ring out in our hearts."
(Video Courtesy: CNN)
He also had links to pages calling for independence for Chechnya, a region of Russia that lost its bid for independence after two wars in the 1990s.
Video posted on NJ.com showed a woman, Alina Tsarnaeva, who described herself as a sister of the suspects.
"I'm not OK, just like anyone else is not OK," she told reporters from behind the closed door of an apartment in West New York, New Jersey.
She said the older brother "was a great person. He was a kind and loving man. To piss life away, just like he pissed others' life away ... "
She said of the younger brother, "He's a child."
House-to-house search in Watertown, the lockdown cleared the streets for police, who raced from one site to the next. The events stunned the former mill town, which has a large Russian-speaking community.
During the night, a university police officer was killed, a transit police officer was wounded, and the suspects carjacked a vehicle before leading police on a chase that led to Tamerlan Tsarnaev being shot dead.
"During the exchange of the gunfire, we believe that one of the suspects was struck and ultimately taken into custody," Alben said.
The suspect died of multiple injuries including gunshot wounds and trauma, said Dr. Richard Wolfe, chief of emergency medicine at
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The older brother was seen wearing a dark cap and sunglasses in surveillance images released by the FBI on Thursday. The younger Tsarnaev was shown wearing a white cap in the pictures, taken shortly before Monday's explosions.
"We believe this to be a terrorist," said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. "We believe this to be a man who has come here to kill people. We need to get him in custody."
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
First Published: Apr 19, 2013 14:05 IST


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Throughout my travels as an Under Secretary, I have been constantly reminded of the magnetism of English language learning.
From Ethiopia to Istanbul, from Lahore to Tokyo, the young people I have met who study English have been eager to demonstrate their skills. High school students in Ukraine sang songs to me in English. College students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, asked me to read their English essays. In the Dominican Republic, young people proudly showed their handiness at playing "Trace Effects," our online English-learning videogame. And in these upturned faces, I also saw growing self-belief and excitement about new possibilities ahead.
There's even more to English language training than helping foreigners develop linguistic skills, build confidence, and open new futures. It works as a multiplier effect, with direct benefits for Americans at home. By supporting the efforts of young people abroad to access new information and participate in the global economy, we empower generations of global partners with great potential. They are more likely to pursue peace, trade, and business links than destructive conflict. They are also more likely to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and moderation, and have favorable views of the United States.
Why not, therefore, expand our efforts to teach English? With more than five billion mobile phone users around the world, we recognize an opportunity to engage more English learners through that device sitting regularly in their hands. We also know that our more than 800 American Spaces receive more than 16 million visits per year, offering strategic forums to reach out to critical audiences everywhere.
This month, we are working with public-private partners to launch two exciting initiatives to support English language learning.
One is the American English Digital Initiative, a three-month pilot project that will introduce aspiring students around the world to language software provided by Rosetta Stone, Inc., and Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur Language Learning. Visitors to our American Spaces in Benin, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Georgia, India, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam, will have full access to the software program. And they will have the opportunity to learn English on-site, at home, or through a mobile device.
Another initiative is the American English (AE) Mobile App, which will allow learners to practice English at home or "on the go," to expand their academic and professional potential. Developed with support from English Education Alliance (E2A) partners, biNu and Worldreader, it consolidates all the State Department's existing, mobile English language learning content. That includes e-books, audio books, music, quizzes, and the "Trace Word Soup" vocabulary game.
We have already seen high use of the app in countries such as Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ghana, South Africa, and Egypt. And the "Trace Word Soup" game, which has been available on AE since October 2012, has been played more than 3.5 million times by more than 1.1 million unique users.
With so many people around the world hungering for English language training, we have a great opportunity to build bridges of understanding for people everywhere -- and to hear more often the proud sound of people speaking English for the first time.
About the Author: Tara D. Sonenshine serves as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.


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Julianna likes working on small sewing projects: especially pillows, mini-quilts, and all things home decor. She also loves sewing skirts, dresses, and toys for her daughter.
Like most of us, Julianna had a hard time choosing her favorite Moda designer. She loves Urban Chiks, Oliver and S, Sweetwater, and Aneela Hoey. Her all time favorite Moda fabric line is Summer in the City by Urban Chicks. But City Weekend by Oliver and S is a very close second. Julianna can't wait for new lines to be released, especially Little Apples by Aneela Hoey and Hometown by Sweetwater.
Julianna's favorite Moda pre-cuts are layer cakes. She often uses charm packs and jelly rolls as well. Julianna likes to incorporate bella solids and crossweaves into her projects for a fresh look.


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200 x 140 cm, Oil on canvas
Mitkov Gallery is pleased to present the paintings in the MORNING category. All works are brimming with the immense vigour the morning hours bring us.
The subjects are realistic, ranging from a distant harbour to a beautiful ballerina reading a book by the window offering a view of London's Big Ben. The morning is what gives us hope a good day lies ahead. It is the new beginning, the positivity-filled time of day and the end of a crazy night.
Pavel Mitkov embraces the theme and renders it through his own colour sense. What matters the most for the artist is that you, the viewers, are touched by those morning sunrays that will make you happier. The paintings are mesmerizing, with a touch of a child's innocence, which is so hard to find in today's life.
Now that we are entering the Age of Aquarius, the morning is what best reflects people's wishes for a better life!
The most fascinating period is from 2012 on. Mitkov highlights two particular dates in it: 21.12.2012, supposedly the end of the world, and 10.02.2013, the beginning of the Age of Aquarius and the Chinese New Year. According to the artist, that was the time when the mankind chose its future 2000-year cycle and the good prevailed. Always positive, always filled with a lot of energy, Mitkov turned his latest period into a life mission. It is not about just composing paintings but rather about creating and putting enormous love into canvases. The painter believes a painting can make a real difference in a man's life.


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Forum: Work at Home Scams
We have all seen these ads. Who are the good, bad, and ugly? Should you work from home or is it a scam?


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Farthest Explosion Gives Glimpse of Ancient Star main content.
by AMNH on
On April 23, 2009, NASA's Swift satellite captured a glimpse of the most distant astronomical object ever seen—the fading afterglow of a massive stellar explosion called a gamma-ray burst. Astronomers calculated that the light from this burst took 13 billion years to reach Earth. This means the star exploded 13 billion years ago, just 630 million years after the Big Bang.
Astronomers hoped that this event would offer the first observational evidence of an elusive class of stars called Population III. These are the Universe's earliest stars, which contain a mixture of hydrogen, helium, and a bit of lithium created in the Big Bang. As Population III stars exploded and died, they combined these lighter elements into heavier ones that seeded subsequent generations of stars, including our own Sun, a Population I star. "Population III stars are very likely to look quite different from stars that we are used to," says University of Leicester astronomer Nial Tanvir, whose team closely studied the April 23 gamma-ray burst. "They also likely undergo rather different evolutionary histories. One would be rather surprised if any gamma-ray bursts they produced didn't also look different."


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North Carolina State Wolfpack Foosball Table
Game cabinet is laser engraved with the graphics of your choice. The playfield is regulation size and is competition ready with built in trim. Ground, plated, and polished high Tensile Steel rods come with octagonal, sure grip handles and non-binding bumpers. Players are made of automotive grade ABS material, are counter balanced, and are attached with spiral pins, all ensuring better ball control. Game comes with grit tumbled, ground urethane ball that provides for more durability and enhance ball control. Finish your man cave with this furniture quality game table and enjoy for years to come. Image is artist's representation and image finish may vary from actual production based on screen settings, etc.
Shown with light Chardonnay, dark Navajo, or darker English Tudor finish options.
Shown with light Chardonnay, dark Navajo, or darker English Tudor finish options.
Specifications below:
- Length: 56
- Width: 50
- Height: 38
- Weight (lbs.): 240
- Coin Operated?: Free Play Only
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text: On Fri, Aug 31, 2007 at 01:28:43PM -0400, Mark Hahn wrote: > >track down -- that it's not precisely correct to think of Gentoo as a > >distribution. Rather, it's a set of tools and a software index which > >provide the opportunity to create one's own distribution. The article > > I'm being pedantic, I know, but I would disagree. whether you build, > configure, assemble it yourself does not really make it your distro. > the distro, to me, is defined by the set of overall config choices - > does it use sysv-type init scripts, does it use /etc/defaults or sysconfig? I agree that the difference between /etc/defaults, /etc/sysconfig, and /etc/conf.d matters almost not at all to me, so long as I can remember where I need to look on a particular system. It's all got to go someplace... > what major version of glibc/etc does it use? On my laptop, I'm using glibc-2.5, because that's the default for this release of Gentoo. If I wanted to change that, I have the option of going back as far as 2.2.5, or forward up to 2.6.1. Or, I could install multiple versions side-by-side, if some package required a different version but I didn't feel like rebuilding the whole system. I've also used Gentoo on embedded systems that replaced glibc with ulibc. Would running multiple versions of glibc be painless? I don't know, I'm not eager to try it where something as fundamental as glibc is concerned, but at least the possibility is accounted for. I can say first-hand that running multiple releases of Sun's JDK or Berkeley DB is a well-supported proposition; so much so that at first I didn't realize I was doing it. Package dependencies were just taken care of at install time. > so centos isn't really > a distro, just a version or RHEL. similarly, taking a RH-ish install > and recompiling everything from SRPM doesn't really change the status > either... I'm not specifically interested in the question of what is or is not a "distribution"; rather, that language is useful to the extent that it describes how Gentoo is qualitatively different from most other efforts to simplify the process of creating a usable system. If Gentoo just forced the user to do the equivalent of building from SRPMs, that wouldn't be much of a distinction, and I'd still be using Red Hat for everything. For me, the most important difference is not that Gentoo makes it possible to replace large hunks of the system -- it's always possible, even on "proprietary" Unix, if you know what you're doing -- but that they do as much as they can to make it easy. Yes, Gentoo does foist some choices onto the user. They reinvented the SysV init structure, for example. But the "meta-ness" refers to the fact that Gentoo is less a specific collection of packages and more a defined strategy for automating system builds. > >to (potentially very many) similar systems. For some large networks, > >the advantages that Gentoo allows in terms of control and system usage > > I'm curious to hear the advantages. I assume, for instance, that most > installation will run customized kernels, rather than the distro one, > but wouldn't normally recompile basic tools like 'ls' (but over time > might well have their own gcc, openssh, etc) Maybe I shouldn't have used that word "advantage", since fine control over the system isn't what all users need, and a lot of people aren't ever going to care about departing from (say) their distributor's choice of gcc version. But Gentoo's approach means that if you do want to replace gcc, rebuilding the whole system to account for a changed ABI is an automated process instead of a manual one. If you want to use gcc-3 for some things and gcc-4 for others, that's possible too, without sacrificing package management. More often, I'll find that some package needs a particular build-time option in an upstream dependency. Red Hat accounts for that by building everything "Christmas tree"-style, with support for every DBMS and graphics library switched on in every package where they matter. On Gentoo, it's possible to take that approach, but it's also easy to be more minimalistic. If I realize later that I should have had some compile-time option switched on, I can change one file under /etc (with the option of making the change global to the system, or specific to a particular package and any of its dependencies), and then tell Portage to rebuild whatever needs rebuilding while I go get coffee. Since it's come up: while I was initially drawn to Gentoo partially because of claims of boosted performance due to optimized builds, I never got around to investigating the claims, and my subjective experience has been that, if Gentoo builds a faster box than Red Hat (or Mandriva), the differences aren't especially noticeable. Disk I/O is disk I/O... What keeps me on Gentoo is a packaging structure that provides more flexibility than I've seen anywhere else, and which wouldn't be possible if the distributors didn't assume that the user had the option of building everything from scratch. -j


text:
Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Van Persie revels in Gunners treble
Robin van Persie thought he would never score a hat-trick for Arsenal - but insists teamwork will be the key to the Gunners' chances of success this season as they prepare for Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Ipswich.
The in-form Dutchman made it six goals from his last three appearances after netting a treble against Barclays Premier League strugglers Wigan at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
"It means a lot because I've been here a long time," Van Persie said. "I had come so close, so many times I had scored two goals and then I hit the bar or the post. I was starting to think: 'why can I not score a hat-trick?"
He added: "Last week it happened again against West Ham, I scored two goals and then hit the post, so I started to sort of accept it a little bit. The moment when you accept it, that's when you score one."
Van Persie, though, insists it is all about what Arsenal can achieve as a collective unit rather than any individual glory.
"It's not just me who scored. It's like a team effort," the Dutchman said.
"You have the one with the assist, the one before the assist and the one who scores, in between you have the guy who's making the run for me.
"We all love to play with each other and we all enjoy our football.
"Of course there is pressure, because you want to win the title and you want to achieve things together, but on the football side of it we are enjoying ourselves."


text: Wineries are energy- and water-intensive businesses that can greatly benefit from conservation strategies. Uncorking the available savings can help boost your bottom line and help your winery attain a greener and more environmentally responsible image. These actions can be particularly cost-effective in regions and applications where utility incentives are available to help reduce up-front costs. Although electricity is the main energy use in wineries, other energy sources are used as well, including fossil fuels such as natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, and diesel fuel—all of which are used for heating boilers or fuel-fired engines. Although the exact process and equipment used can vary widely, roughly half the electricity consumed goes to refrigeration at various stages of the wine-making process, including fermentation cooling, cold stabilization, and cold storage. After refrigeration, key energy-using areas to target are equipment such as pumps, fans, and drives, as well as packaging and bottling processes. Natural gas is also widely used for water heating. In 2013, the engineering consulting firm Berkeley Applied Science and Engineering (BASE) Inc. published Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Wineries for Retrofit and New Construction Projects (PDF), which recognizes the major end uses of electricity as refrigeration, process equipment, and lighting (Figure 1). The report also suggests worthwhile equipment efficiency upgrades. Average energy use data Figure 1: Total electricity end uses in US wineries Large wineries use electricity for refrigeration and HVAC, with refrigeration taking the lion's share. They use natural gas for hot water to provide process heating and for cleaning purposes. Consumption figures for gas fuels vary depending on the amount of hot water or steam required for process heating; we could not find a credible source that specified gas data. Top technology uses Refrigeration Water Heating Lighting Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) prepared a report in 2005 for the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program, Best Winery Guidebook: Benchmarking And Energy and Water Savings Tool for the Wine Industry (BEST). Though this report is not recent, its recommendations are based on comprehensive analysis and it remains a good source to consult when upgrading older equipment. To begin harvesting energy savings, the first step is to perform an audit of your energy and water use. This generally entails taking a look at existing equipment and measuring actual consumption to verify that your systems are working as intended or to identify areas for improvement. Audits typically result in a list of straightforward and cost-effective measures that can conserve resources and improve system performance; they can also provide baseline data used in assessing the effectiveness of larger or longer-term improvements. Your utility can help you learn more about performing an audit, and it may even offer an audit service free of charge. Quick fixes this section There are many systems that offer substantial energy-saving potential in wineries, including refrigeration and cooling systems, compressed air systems, lighting, and packaging systems; there are even savings to be gained in tasting rooms and gift shops. As a result, wineries can benefit greatly from a variety of strategies that are easy to implement and that are either free or cost very little. Turning things off Turning things off seems simple, but remember that for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) you save by turning things off, you save $120 on your utility bill, assuming an average electricity cost of $0.12/kWh. Lights. Turn off lights when they are not in use. Occupancy sensors and timers can help, but a less expensive alternative is simply to develop standard protocols for shutting lights off during closed hours—particularly in tasting rooms and gift shops. Electronic displays. Many stores or tour areas have electronic displays that are left on even after open hours. Consider shutting off the displays during closed hours, either manually or with simple timers. Turning things down Some equipment cannot be turned off entirely, but turning it down to minimum levels where possible can save energy. HVAC temperature setbacks. During closed hours, turn temperature settings down in warming seasons and up in cooling seasons. Smart thermostats can help automate this process. Peripheral and back rooms. Make sure that HVAC settings in stockrooms, offices, and other peripheral rooms are at minimum settings. Refrigeration and cooling Because refrigeration and cooling generally use the most electricity in wineries, they are often a great starting point for making energy-efficiency improvements. Tank insulation. Making sure that the storage tanks used for fermenting and aging wine are well-insulated is an easy and effective way to reduce energy consumption. Multiple types of insulation are available, including spray-on (for large applications), foil-covered bubble wrap, and rigid foam. According to BEST, adding insulation to tanks should generally reduce refrigeration energy use by about 25 percent, though exact savings will vary depending on the specific tank and insulation used. Install floating head pressure on glycol chillers. Glycol is the standard refrigerant for industrial facilities because it absorbs heat efficiently. BEST states that allowing glycol chiller head pressure to "float" based on outdoor wet-bulb temperatures can reduce the power consumption of the refrigeration compressors by 5 to 20 percent. Raise the temperature and pressure setpoints. Tartrates—small crystals that form when tartaric acid mixes with potassium in the wine at low temperatures—are tasteless and odorless, but they're considered unsightly. They are frequently removed using a process called cold stabilization, which requires wine to be chilled to between 25° and 36° Fahrenheit (F) and then reheated. This process is only necessary when the wine can't easily be maintained at the optimal 59°F due to cold outdoor temperatures. Also, refrigeration systems will run at higher efficiencies when operated at higher suction-pressure setpoints. Raising glycol temperature will raise the associated suction pressure; this change can result in a savings of 2 to 3 percent of refrigeration compressor energy for each degree increase in suction temperature. Nighttime air cooling. Bringing in low-temperature outside air during the night to provide cooling can reduce electricity consumption and lower peak power use during the day. This is particularly effective in spaces where outside-air circulation was not previously required, such as warehouses, offices, and cold-stabilization areas. According to BEST, savings can easily add up to about 20 percent of overall cooling energy. Air infiltration through doors. By employing air sealing and ensuring that doors between refrigerated and nonrefrigerated areas are properly closed whenever possible, BEST estimates you can save as much as 15 percent of your total refrigeration energy consumption. Properly sequence compressors. Compressors operate most efficiently at full load. In a refrigeration system that employs multiple compressors, the most efficient operation entails sequencing compressors based on their loads and respective efficiencies and ensuring that only one compressor at a time operates at part load. Packaging and bottling Conveyors are widely used in bottling and palletizing; in many facilities, they run even when not fully loaded. Only running conveyors when they're necessary can reduce energy consumption and demand while also conserving lubricants and water. Automation controls can make conveyer management easier, though it can be done manually as well. Compressed air Although compressed air is often viewed as an essentially free resource, BEST estimates these systems typically account for nearly 10 percent of overall electricity consumption in wineries, and they're often poorly designed or maintained. Optimizing compressed air systems can lead to significant savings. Match your supply to your load. Generate compressed air only at the pressure required—halving pressure can result in energy savings of more than 50 percent, according to BEST. Additionally, sequence your machines to ensure that when the demand is at less than full capacity, some compressors are entirely shut off, rather than having several operating inefficiently at part load. Check for leaks. Air leaks in a compressed air system are a major source of energy loss—they can as much as double the cost of compressed air. Because leaks also result in lower pressure at the point of use, they can cause operators to set pressure levels higher than would otherwise be necessary. Leak detectors can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000 to install, but they will often pay for themselves the first time they're used on a system that hasn't been maintained (Table 1). Table 1: Leak detector savings The US Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office measured the energy savings, dollar savings, and simple payback periods of finding and repairing compressed air system leaks in four industrial facilities. Lighting In many wineries, lighting accounts for 8 to 20 percent of electricity consumption. Improving the efficiency of your lighting systems can be a straightforward and inexpensive way to save energy. Employ daylighting. Daylight can improve the ambience of an office and reduce the need for electric lighting. Dimming ballasts and daylighting controls can be used to reduce the amount of electric light needed when daylight is present. Install occupancy sensors. Areas that are not consistently occupied—such as storage rooms, restrooms, back offices, and walk-in refrigerators—are ideal places for occupancy sensors. BEST estimates that lighting these low-usage areas only when they're in use can save between 30 and 75 percent of the lighting energy consumption in those areas; occupancy sensor installations typically yield simple payback periods of one to three years. Cleaning and maintenance Making sure that your HVAC system is regularly cleaned and serviced can help prevent costly heating and cooling bills. Check the economizer. Many air-conditioning systems use a dampered vent called an economizer that draws in cool outside air when it is available to reduce the need for mechanically cooled air. If not regularly checked, the linkage on the damper can seize up or break. An economizer that is stuck in the fully open position can add as much as 50 percent to a building's annual energy bill by allowing hot air in during the air-conditioning season and cold air in during the heating season. Have a licensed technician check, clean, and lubricate your economizer about once a year, and repair it if necessary. If the economizer is still operating, have the technician clean and lubricate the linkage and calibrate the controls. Check air-conditioning temperatures. With a thermometer, check the temperature of the return air going to your air conditioner and then check the temperature of the air coming out of the register that is nearest the air-conditioning unit. If the temperature difference is less than 14°F or more than 22°F, have a licensed technician inspect your air-conditioning unit. Change the filters. Filters should be changed periodically—every one to six months. More-frequent changes may be required when the economizer is in use, because outdoor air is usually dirtier than indoor air. Check the cabinet panels. On a quarterly basis (or after filters are changed), make sure the panels to your packaged rooftop air-conditioning unit are fully attached, with all screws in place and all gaskets intact so that no air leaks out of the cabinet. Chilled air leaking out can cost $100 per rooftop unit per year in wasted energy. Clean the condenser coils. Check the condenser coils quarterly for either man-made or natural debris that can collect in them. At the beginning and end of the cooling season, thoroughly wash the coils. Check the airflow. Hold your hand up to the registers to ensure that there is adequate airflow. If there is little airflow, or dirt and dust are found in the register, have a technician inspect your unit and ductwork. Longer-term solutions this section Longer-term energy-saving solutions should also be considered. Although the conservation measures covered in this section require more extensive implementation and larger monetary expenditures, they represent good investments. Most will not only save money, but will also enhance the winemaking environment and the comfort of your buildings. Ask your local utility representative for more information about initiating such projects.Refrigeration and Cooling Upgrade chillers. Installing high-efficiency chillers with variable-frequency drives (VFDs)—also called adjustable-speed drives—will reduce both electricity and maintenance costs by roughly 20 percent. The Danfoss Turbocor is one such chiller; its models are much more efficient at partial load than 300-ton or smaller screw, centrifugal, or reciprocating chillers. Other benefits of the Turbocor include lower maintenance costs and noise levels, plus a small, modular build. When it comes to centrifugal compressors, another option is to install a VFD. Properly used, they can be an inexpensive alternative to upgrading. Install a desuperheater on the glycol chiller compressor's exhaust. A desuperheater is a secondary heat exchanger that's installed between the evaporative condenser and the refrigeration compressor. This technology can simultaneously heat the boiler makeup water and reduce the amount of heat that is being wasted by the condensers. Installing a heat exchanger can result in 10 to 20 percent savings in natural gas costs. Use flotation for white juice settling. Flotation can be an alternative technique to using refrigeration to settle the solid byproducts of white wine to the bottom of the tank. This technique uses compressed air or nitrogen gas to saturate the grape juice or must. The gas bubbles stick to the solid particles and float up to the top, forming a cap of foam that can then be easily removed. Use electrodialysis instead of cold stabilization. BEST mentions that a process called electrodialysis, which uses membranes in conjunction with an electric current, can reduce energy consumption by nearly 90 percent compared to cold stabilization because the need for freezing and reheating is effectively eliminated. Because membrane replacement can potentially be costly, check with a manufacturer first to ensure that this measure will be economical for your particular winery. Install destratification fans. Destratification ceiling fans can help to maintain a consistent air temperature throughout a cellar or warehouse, resulting in lower cooling requirements. Create cave storage. Storing barrels of wine in caves rather than in above-ground buildings can be an effective way to save energy while ensuring that temperatures and humidity levels remain at ideal levels on a continual basis. Payback periods vary, but digging new caves to correspond to increases in capacity can be particularly cost-effective. Motors Motors are widely used in fan and pumping applications and are a good target for efficiency improvements. According to BEST, pumping systems in particular can account for 10 to 25 percent of electricity consumption in wineries, and simple changes can lead to significant energy savings. Install variable-frequency drives. VFDs match motor output torque to real-time load. BEST estimates that energy savings from adding an VFD can be as high as 45 percent, depending on the application and motor duty cycle. VFDs can also improve power factor, potentially resulting in fewer utility surcharges. BASE Inc. recommends VFDs as good fits for existing screw compressors, condenser fans, glycol circulation pumps, and air-handling fans; in these applications, simple payback periods can range from one to six years. Use multiple pumps. In many cases, using multiple smaller pumps can be a cost-effective and efficient way to handle varying loads, because they can be run closer to full capacity rather than at a less-efficient part load. This measure can save anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of energy used for pumping. Downsize your motors. Motors are often more powerful than necessary, resulting in needlessly high energy consumption and peak power draw. If possible, consider replacing oversized motors with smaller units to better match the needed load. Upgrade to high-efficiency motors. When considering whether to repair or replace aging motors, keep in mind that new, more-efficient units can save significant amounts of energy and are usually subject to short simple payback periods. Packaging and bottling Packaging comprises everything from bottle-filling to palletizing and can be a major source of energy consumption in wineries. Although there's very little hard research available for packaging processes that's specific to wineries, we did find that heat recovery is a verifiable option to save energy in your packaging processes. To help ensure that labels stick, wine bottles are often heated to about 50°F. Adding a heat-recovery system that utilizes refrigerator waste heat can help drastically reduce the energy used for this purpose while also reducing water consumption and maintenance costs. Lighting Upgrade to LED lighting. LEDs offer several advantages over conventional light sources, including high efficiency, long life, and superior control. These characteristics, along with falling prices, have made LEDs a viable solution for a growing number of applications, including exit signs, task lighting, recessed downlighting, and ambient lighting. You can upgrade to LEDs just about anywhere—there are LED options that are appropriate for warehouses and processing and others that are perfect for gift shops and tasting rooms. When used in the right applications, replacing standard fluorescent troffers—the rectangular fixtures that fit into a dropped-ceiling—with LED troffers can offer significant benefits in the areas of energy savings, operational productivity, and maintenance. Though fluorescent troffers are the most common type of lighting fixture found in US commercial facilities—accounting for 50 percent of existing luminaires—the best LED products outperform their fluorescent equivalents, though at a higher installed cost. Replacement options include installing LED troffers, using LED retrofit kits, or swapping fluorescent tubes for tubular LED products. When buying LED-based products, ask for performance data from the manufacturer or distributor. It's also important to check that their reported performance metrics conform to standard test procedures and are verified by accredited third-party laboratories. When comparing LEDs to other options, you should account for cost savings in both energy and maintenance and make sure that the LED solution will provide both the quantity and quality of light that you need for each application to maintain safe, comfortable, and productive working environments. The DesignLights Consortium's Qualified Products List serves as a great resource for keeping up with LED technologies. Replace fluorescent lamps. If your facility uses T12 fluorescent lamps, relamping with modern T8 lamps and electronic ballasts can reduce your lighting energy consumption by 35 percent or more. Adding specular reflectors and new lenses can increase these savings and yield short simple payback periods. Humidification Consider high-pressure humidifiers. Humidification is required in barrel storage rooms to keep wooden barrels at their best, and energy-efficient ultrasonic or high-pressure humidifiers can work well in these areas. According to BASE Inc.,high-pressure mechanical humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers are great for facilities that require simultaneous humidifying and cooling, but not when heating and humidifying is necessary. Hot water systems Use high-efficiency boilers. BASE Inc. says that installing high-efficiency boilers could result in up to 6 percent savings of natural gas in hot water energy consumption, with simple payback periods estimated at one to three years. Preheat boilers with recovered heat. Refrigeration waste heat can be used to preheat boiler water, which also helps cool the refrigerant and saves on both natural gas used for the boiler and condenser fans for the refrigerant. BASE Inc. estimates a savings of 6 to 20 percent on natural gas with simple payback periods ranging from three to six years. Wastewater systems Wastewater can pose environmental hazards and, depending on state pollution laws, may require quite a bit of energy to treat. Automatic dissolved oxygen control. Aeration involves adding air—in the form of dissolved oxygen—into wastewater to fuel the microorganisms that help degrade any contaminants. Many facilities use manual controls for this process. Instead, automatic dissolved oxygen controls can be installed to proactively monitor the oxygen level in wastewater and shut off once the threshold is achieved. According to BASE Inc.'s Wastewater Energy Program Case Study (PDF) of the LangeTwins Winery, "automated oxygen controls can reduce the aerator energy consumption by approximately 50 percent during the non-crush season." Recover biogas. After fermentation and aging, lees (leftover yeast) and marc (grape remains) can produce biogas that can be recovered and burned, either to provide heating or to generate onsite electricity. According to an article in Waste and Biomass Valorization, Energy Recovery and Treatment of Winery Wastes by a Compact Anaerobic Digester, a 40-cubic-meter compact anaerobic digester is optimal for a winery that processes 1,000 tons of grapes per season. Simple payback periods for adding an anaerobic digester can range from six to seven years. See our biogas recovery topic for more information. Content last reviewed: 01/16/2018


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Kelly Osbourne
Television personality Kelly Osbourne visits THE TALK and shares details on her recent engagement to Matthew Mosshart, Tuesday, July 30, 2013 on the CBS Television Network. Sheryl Underwood, from left, Sara Gilbert, Kelly Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler and Julie Chen, shown. Photo: Lisette M. Azar/CBS ©2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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Welcome to the Hammond Lab. The Hammond research group at the MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research focuses on the self-assembly of polymeric nanomaterials, with a major emphasis on the use of electrostatics and other complementary interactions to generate multifunctional materials with highly controlled architecture. The uniting theme of the lab - the understanding and use of secondary interactions to guide materials assembly at surfaces and in solution.
We currently have an opening for a postdoctoral associate - please see the "Open Positions" page for more details.