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Brussels, 28th October 2010
"An industrial policy for the globalisation era" –Elements of the Commission's strategy
The European Commission's flagship initiative on an industrial policy for the globalisation era, part of the Europe 2020 Strategy, highlights the need for industry to play a key role if Europe is to remain a leading economic power. The main policy document "An integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era" is accompanied by a report on the competiveness performance of the Member States, and the European Competitiveness Report 2010. This memo informs on the various elements of this European Commission flagship initiative.
The Economic Recovery in Europe, October 2010
Latest data show that the economic recovery in industry and manufacturing continues, albeit at a slower pace. Also, industrial confidence and the business outlook continue to improve, despite global uncertainty (see Graph 1). Both have been stimulated by positive developments in incoming orders.
Data on manufacturing production for August 2010 show a growth of 8 % over the previous year. The growth trend in manufacturing production has been positive since April 2009. Nevertheless, output is still some 12% below its former peak in early 2008.
It also looks as if sectors affected most negatively in the downfall continue recovering the most rapidly in the present upswing, even if there have been some signs of a deceleration of this upswing in recent months. On the other hand, the outlook for construction is rather uncertain, as its output is still around its low levels with no clearly visible trend for revival. Data and forecasts for tourism are more positive, although the situation still varies across countries.
The extremely dynamic expansion of exports has been moderating recently. The internal demand and private consumption are still rather weak as the unemployment rate stays at a high level.
There are also some substantial differences in the situation among the Member States. Countries that suffered from the bursting of real estate bubbles are coming out of the economic crisis much slower than the countries having suffered from a temporary collapse of manufacturing production only. Moreover, the macroeconomic conditions of the eurozone are still fragile as illustrated by the sovereign debt problem and uncertainty about fiscal consolidation. Also, the unpopular austerity measures proposed might drag on consumer climate and public and private demand. The looming exchange rate uncertainties are working in the same direction.
On the other hand, we find economic sentiments that remain positive despite worrying information on public debts. Also, the labour-market outlook is improving, and the strong growth in Asia continues, which should stimulate the growth of export and output in Europe as well.
Looking further ahead, there is still an unresolved risk that the continued limited availability of finance to firms on favourable terms could slow down the economic recovery. As shown in the recent ECB lending survey, increasing demand for loans has not yet been coupled with more favourable lending conditions or higher availability of funding, although there are some signs that the overall financial situation is now starting to ease.
Graph 1: EU27 manufacturing production index (2005=100)
Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED
Source: Eurostat
International competitiveness of the EU is weakening
The report Member States' competitiveness performance and policies demonstrates that there is room for improvement across the board. Studies on the international competitiveness position of the Member States and their attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment suggest that the international competitiveness of the EU is weakening1.The policy framework at the EU level – Europe 2020 strategy with its flagship actions and Article 173 TFEU on industrial policy – provides a range of means to encourage Member States to step up their efforts.
Average productivity in the EU one third below the US level: The industrial specialisation of the EU Member States shows a continued reliance on medium-skill, medium-technology industries instead of the high-skills, high-technology edge. Average productivity in the EU remains almost one-third below the US level (see Graph 2). Studies on the international competitiveness position of the Member States and their attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment suggest that the international competitiveness of the EU is weakening (for the Member States' competitiveness performance see also MEMO/10/533)
Action at national level to be monitored: A large part of the policy instruments which can improve industrial competitiveness are national, and the success of EU industry critically depends on national action. It is important to keep an overview over national measures to foster industrial competitiveness because the design of EU level measures has to reflect the circumstances and existing national policies.
Main Challenges and Policy Responses
Access to finance: still a bottleneck
In all the Member States, access to finance became more difficult during the financial and economic crisis. In particular SMEs experienced tightening credit conditions. Most governments have therefore introduced or expanded public guarantee schemes or provided direct state aid. In the meantime, the situation has slightly improved, but access to finance remains a critical bottleneck for future growth. Generally, not much progress has been made to reduce late payments. Worryingly, payment times increased in several Member States.
The business environment and SME policies - slow, but steady progress
The large majority of the Member States face notable and identifiable challenges regarding their business environment, especially for SMEs. Efforts to reduce administrative burden, to pursue better regulation and e-government policies, to apply the "think small first" principle and to simplify support schemes should become more systematic and more intense. This is an area where an exchange of best practice among policy makers can make the difference when it provides the real life demonstration that the same objectives can be achieved in less burdensome ways.
In many Member States, increasing competition in the services sector remains a challenge. In a limited number of Member States, problems with infrastructure (mainly road transport, but also energy interconnection and generation) as well as with the efficiency of the public administration constitute important bottlenecks to growth.
The innovation gap is widening
A striking finding is that Member States achieving an innovation performance above the EU average reacted in a positive and proactive way to the crisis by adding new temporary actions encouraging research and innovation to those already existing. This is not generally the case for the countries below the EU average, indicating the possibility of a widening gap. Yet, the need to strengthen the structures of their production basis by increasing the share of technology- and skill-intensive activities is even more compelling in their case.
Access to finance is also an important bottleneck with respect to innovation but is often combined with a lack of complementary skills. Many countries face additional challenges of a more institutional nature such as rethinking their strategy and priorities and simplifying and consolidating their support-delivery mechanism (see Graph 3).
Towards a sustainable industry: still much to do
In most Member States, energy intensity in industry was on a decreasing path before the onset of the crisis. Nevertheless, it remains necessary to decrease further the energy intensity of industry (see Graph 4). The other main challenge in the EU is to increase the share of renewable energy sources and to ensure their successful integration into existing energy systems.
Graph 4: Energy intensity in the industry in kg of oil equivalent per Euro of gross value-added at constant prices (2007)
Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED
Source: Eurostat
Many measures outlined in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans are still awaiting implementation. Measures serving other environmental objectives beyond energy policy are not numerous: There are few explicit strategies supported by concrete action plans, aiming at greening existing industries and encouraging the development of eco-industries; in most cases, actions are isolated or fragmented.
What will the European Commission contribute?
Actions to increase competitiveness have been identified in the Commission Communication "An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era: Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage". While many of these actions are in the Member States competency, the Commission can assist by monitoring progress and helping to organise the exchange of best practice.
3. European Competitiveness Report 2010
This year's edition of the annual European Competitiveness Report presents:
In the boom period 2000-07, some European economies accumulated large imbalances associated to mispriced assets, notably houses. Examining this period, there is no overwhelming evidence that it has harmed competitiveness substantially, its most obvious legacy being a strong reallocation of employment.
The EU remains an attractive location for industry and R&D and innovation
The report analyses and provides recent estimates on how globalisation has led to an increasing adjustment and adaption of EU production structures. When considering a particular high-end EU mobile phone assembled both in the EU and China, it is found that 55% of the value added stays in the EU (See Graph 5). When it is assembled in China and sold in the US, 50% remains in the EU. Why is it so? Because the value comes primarily from design, R&D, branding, marketing and management that are still taking place in the EU.
But what if these functions start being located outside the EU? The study of internationalisation of R&D and innovation shows that while the EU has increased its R&D and innovation activities abroad, it also remains a very attractive location. The EU keeps attracting more than 60% of US total overseas R&D. Foreign R&D and innovation complement home-grown activities in the EU countries and fosters the transfer and diffusion of knowledge and innovation. Foreign and domestic firms innovate differently in the EU, but both contribute to productivity and employment growth.
Key enabling technologies have the potential to spur innovation in Europe
The report confirms that the promotion of creative industries, activities at the crossroads of arts, business and technology, can enhance growth and innovation. Extremely fast growing, creative industries are key inputs for the development of other sectors. Activities such as design or software programming are able to reshape the process and product innovations of EU manufacturing industries.
Multi-purpose and forward looking, key-enabling technologies also have the potential to increase growth and productivity. EU's competitiveness in nanotechnology, micro and nanoelectronics (including semi-conductors), industrial biotechnology, photonics, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing technologies is remarkable, as is the potential world market for their applications. However, factors such as skills, R&D, venture capital, maintaining a manufacturing base and appropriate regulation will be crucial for the future development of key enabling technology applications in Europe.
More information
For the Member States' competitiveness performance see MEMO/10/533
In the Ernst and Young's European attractiveness survey, Western Europe has lost its position as the world's most attractive location for FDI to China during recent years, while the attractiveness of Central and Eastern Europe has also collapsed. In the 2006 survey, as many as 68% of businesses had ranked Western Europe and 52% Central and Eastern Europe among the world's 3 most attractive FDI locations. In 2010, their shares were 38% and 24% respectively. In particular India and Brazil became more attractive over the same period.
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subset: commoncrawl


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"As force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is, therefore, on opinion that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and the most military governments as well as to the most free and popular."
-- David Hume
Update 1 | So are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac really profitable? For months now, the GSEs have reported rising current profits, an amazing rebound that has caused the hopes of many members of Congress to likewise elevate. The financial press has been filled with hopeful stories to the effect that the zombie dance queens may actually dig their way out of a several hundred billion dollar hole they created during the subprime crisis.
But now a report released earlier this week by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's Inspector General raises new concerns. Specifically, the IG asks why Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks have been dragging their feet implementing 2012 accounting changes that would accelerate the timing of tens of billions of dollars of unrealized losses on bad loans from the uber toxic 2004-2008 period. The IG report states:
"The advisory bulletin directed the enterprises and the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) to classify any outstanding loan balance in excess of the fair value of the property, less cost to sell, as "Loss" when the loan is no more than 180 days delinquent. The issue was identified by FHF A examination staff during the course of a credit examination of Freddie Mac completed in January 2012. The advisory bulletin's background section provided the following rationale: The purpose of this guidance is to establish a standard and uniform methodology for classifying assets of the Enterprises and the FHLBanks based on the credit quality of the assets. The classification of assets is a critical element in evaluating the risk profile and the adequacy of capital, loan loss reserves, and earnings."
Thus the question: Have the GSEs really set aside proper reserves given that they do not have to charge-off loans that are 180 days or more delinquent until January 2015? Well, sort of – at least based on the bad loans shown on the respective balance sheets. I have asked various officials of that world class regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Administration, this precise question for years now. The answer has always been yes, we are adequately reserved. Here's the official view from FNM:
"The guidance FHFA has issued would change our methodology for charging off loans, but would not materially change our results."
Is this really true? After years, no, really decades of obfuscation and outright mendacity, are the folks at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac really telling us the truth now about their financial condition? Washington is a city of lies, let us remember, with a good part of the population paid to disseminate falsities as part of their job description. But the biggest lie of all was allowing the GSEs to avoid marking their impaired assets down to fair value as commercial banks are required to do. Had this been done, the losses reported by the enterprises would have been far larger.
Let's walk through the accounting first and then draw some conclusions. We'll focus on Fannie Mae (FNM) to make the narrative easier to follow. Let's refer to the form 10-Q filed by Fannie Mae for Q2 2013. And, by the way, the "material" test is with what information investors need to know to make an informed investment decision, not what is material in terms of the company's operations or investor relations objectives.
First we start with Page 96 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. As of June 30, 2013, FNM had about $140 billion in total delinquent loans on its balance sheet, including about $80 billion in the "seriously delinquent" category. Good guess for loss given default on this subset of bad paper is well north of the high 20% rates that FNM is reporting on current disposals and the 40% loss severity rates we hear discussed in polite society. One particular RMBS veteran thinks the severity on the 04-08 vintage is more like 60-70% because so much of the underlying collateral remains under water. The remaining delinquent loans total about $60 billion. FNM has about $50 billion in reserves set aside to cover losses on these bad loans and other assets.
To put these numbers in context, FNM reported $10 billion in income in Q2 2013 before paying more than that amount to the US Treasury in a dividend, leaving the enterprise with a GAAP loss. If you ignore the effect of tax assets, which pushed income up by $40 billion in 1Q 2013, $10 billion per quarter is a reasonable run rate for FNM income. The fact that FNM has not needed to expend loss reserves, which are an off balance sheet item, to clean up its balance sheet is very significant and explains part of the GSE's current profitability.
Unlike a commercial bank which must generally charge off a bad loan (either entirely or at least down to recovery or "fair value") once it goes beyond 90 days past due, the GSEs actually book bad loans at "cost," plus accrued interest. So, for example, when a GSE repurchases a bad loan from an RMBS trust, at par plus accrued interest, the loan is then booked and carried at "cost" until the loan is liquidated.
Once you understand the bizarre accounting for loan and real estate owned (REO) losses used by the GSEs you can see why the effect of the advisory bulletin has some investors a bit concerned. As with Jesse Jones in the 1930s, time is our friend. But now just imagine you are one of those generous souls led by that Wall Street titan and philanthropist John Paulson who are suing the GSEs based on the assumption that they are truly profitable. But I digress.
Footnote one on Page 96 the 10-Q illustrates the idiocy of GSE accounting, defining the "recorded investment" of some $95 billion in non-accrual loans as consisting "of unpaid principal balance, unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments, and accrued interest receivable." Or put another way, of the $140 billion in total delinquent loans at June 30, 2013 -- loans which are carried at 100% of their original value, plus accrued interest -- FNM is essentially pretending that 60% of that amount represents an "investment." Hold that thought.
So if FNM was to immediately implement the new accounting rules put in place in 2012, the question is what losses would be applied to the $140 billion? Looking at the loss severities for FNM loans bandied about by analysts, a haircut of about 40% would seem like a good point of departure. But let's instead go back to the figures as the top of this piece. If we put a 60-70% loss severity on that $80 billion in seriously delinquent loans, we are talking ~ $50 billion right there. Take half that rate – 30-35% loss given default -- on the remaining delinquent loans and we get another ~ $20 billion or $70 billion or so in total charge offs against reserves.
Why the divergence from current FNM loss severities in the estimates? Because, as is axiomatic, the better loans and REO assets with lower losses tend to get sold first. To be conservative, in keeping with the FHFA guidance, a more severe haircut is appropriate. If the loss severities turn out to be lower, then the enterprise can book a recovery to loss reserves, which will positively affect income.
So if we were to implement the guidance from FHFA today, it is pretty clear that the profits of the GSEs would have been largely offset by the allocations needed to replenish the reserves. If we use the income figures from the FNM 10-Q, all of the "profits" from 2012 and the first half of 2013 would disappear, and then some. Reserves of $54 billion would be consumed and another $10-20 billion would need to be immediately allocated from income to cover the balance. Treasury would need to replace this deficit to avoid seeing FNM operating insolvent. Just for giggles, compare this adjustment to the $1.6 billion in charge-offs taken by FNM in Q2 2013 under the current rules.
FNM would then need to retain income to replenish reserves for future losses, but fortunately loss rates on new production are far lower than during the awful 2004-2008 period. Arguably a reserve buffer of $25-30 billion or half of current reserves would be a reasonable starting point for the "new," post crisis FNM. Some may differ with my view on loss severities, but for an investor in FNM, a $60-70 billion unrealized loan loss certainly seems material to me.
But this is not the end of the analysis. In addition to loans, FNM and Freddie Mac have significant amounts of single family and multifamily real estate – 96,000 REO assets in the industry parlance – that was taken over from a debt previously contracted. Losses from foreclosed properties, for example, totaled over $300 million in Q2 2013 under existing rules. FNM currently shows about $10 billion in REO on balance sheet under "acquired property" or an average of about $96,000 per property. On Page 24 of the FNM 10-Q, the enterprise discusses recent experience disposing of REO:
"Sales prices on dispositions of our REO properties improved in the second quarter and first half of 2013 as a result of strong demand compared with the prior year. We received net proceeds from our REO sales equal to 68% of the loans' unpaid principal balance in the second quarter of 2013 compared with 59% in the second quarter of 2012 and 66% in the first half of 2013 compared with 58% in the first half of 2012. The increase in sales prices contributed to a reduction in the single-family initial charge-off severity rate to 24.93% for the second quarter of 2013 from 30.59% for the second quarter of 2012, and to 26.09% for the first half of 2013 from 32.07% for the first half of 2012. The decrease in our charge-off severity rate indicates a lower amount of credit loss at foreclosure and, accordingly, a lower provision for credit losses."
The sales discounts from the unpaid principal balance or "UPB" described above are pretty low compared to what has been going on in the real estate market generally. In many parts of the US, the spread differential between REO and voluntary sales has disappeared, yet the fact remains that there are many home owners in the US that are still underwater. Remembering the high preponderance of 2004-2008 exposure in the FNM book, that 25% loss experience on REO liquidations in 2Q 2013 seems miraculous.
Going back to the loss severities seen in whole loans, the experience with REO sales certainly shows improvement but we must remember that the homes are carried at "cost" as with whole loans. If we take 25-30% discounts to UPB as a point of departure, we probably ought to think of a 40-50% discount on the entire portfolio of REO properties in the FNM portfolio to comply with the FHFA guidance. Call it $4-5 billion on the REO book. Again, this mark may be conservative, but FNM can take any future gains above the new "fair value" marks as recoveries to reduce future reserve contributions and enhance income. The charge-off should be sufficient to ensure that any future adjustment is in favor of FNM and the US Treasury.
Not only does FNM seem to be unprofitable under the new FHFA guidance, but payments made to Treasury might need to be reversed. Tens of billions in capital injections would be required in order to fund the write-down of FNM's bad loans and replenish reserves for future loss, creating yet another twist for both markets and investors to consider. Since under the second preferred stock agreement between Treasury and FNM the US government confiscates the net income of the enterprise, there is nothing left to buffer FNM against future loss.
Ultimately neither the Obama Treasury nor members of Congress want to get into this mess before the 2014 election, but suffice to say that it is incorrect to claim that either FNM or Freddie Mac are profitable. The final twist comes from the big question, IMHO, namely how much further loss will be uncovered if Congress ever summons the courage to wind down the zombie dance queens.
Given the above analysis, a strong case can still be made that FNM and Freddie Mac ought to be moved to receivership and liquidated. This process would extinguish the supposed claims by "investors" like John Paulson and move the assets of the GSEs into private hands as quickly as possible. But that would be the good news. A prompt resolution of both enterprises would generate growth, income and jobs – something nobody in Washington understands. But we ought to ask, perhaps in a future rant, just why the FHFA IG office decided to make a fuss now, no doubt at the instigation of the US Treasury and Obama White House.


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Competitions 2012: (UK) The Tallis Scholars Premier Winning Compositions From the NCEM Composers Award 2012 (18 may 2012) (RE-POSTED)
Winners of the NCEM 2012 Composers Award
The NCEM Composers Award 2012, presented in partnership with BBC Radio 3 and The Tallis Scholars, has been won by Alex Woolf (16) in the under 18 years category and by Benjamin Rowarth (20) in the 19 to 25 years category.
Lux Aeterna by Alex Woolf and Where is Thy God? by Benjamin Rowarth will be premièred by The Tallis Scholars in Durham Cathedral as part of its Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on Saturday 2 June 2012. This concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show on Sunday 1 July 2012.
Young composers, resident in the UK, were invited to write a new piece of between three to four minutes' duration specifically with The Tallis Scholars in mind, taking as their starting point the In Nomine theme from John Taverner's Missa Gloria Tibi Trinitas. Seven finalists were selected and invited to the National Centre for Early Music in York on Thursday 17 May, when their entries were work-shopped by The Ebor Singers and Christopher Fox, Composer and Professor in Music, Brunel University, London.
At 7.30pm on the same day, The Ebor Singers, directed by Paul Gameson, performed each of the pieces at a public concert. The concert was given in front of a panel of judges comprising Chris Wines, Senior Music Producer, BBC Radio 3; Peter Phillips, Director of The Tallis Scholars and Delma Tomlin, Director of the National Centre for Early Music.
Delma Tomlin said: "We have been absolutely thrilled, with not only the standard of entries, but the range and diversity of ideas around the given theme. It has been truly inspiring to see our youngest entrant so far, 12 year old Aidan Tulloch, compete on the same platform as composers twice his age and to witness the obvious enthusiasm amongst all finalists to work together to learn and enjoy their time at the NCEM. The winners' pieces will sound spectacular in Durham Cathedral and have very obviously been written for The Tallis Scholars' unique sound."
Peter Phillips Director of The Tallis Scholars added: ""With The Tallis Scholars I have created an instrument which has a very distinctive sound. I can't think of anything more useful than to put this highly trained instrument at the disposal of these inspiring young composers and am hugely appreciative that they have written so well for us. I find it thrilling to perform works by a 16 year old and a 20 year old and really hope this Award will encourage them to develop their styles and write for many different kinds of ensembles."
Chris Wines, Senior Music Producer, BBC Radio 3 commented: "As the home of classical music, BBC Radio 3 is proud to partner again with such an inventive Award. The NCEM Composers Award and Radio 3 share the genuine desire to bring together classical music, talent and youth, with the award offering a crucial platform for young composers to create and express themselves through early music. This year's entries attracted a fantastically rich and broad range of imaginative entries and two very deserving winners. We look forward to sharing their music with our many listeners."
All compositions from the seven finalists were recorded by music technology students from the Department of Electronics at the University of York and will be available to hear on the NCEM website shortly at: http://ww.ncem.co.uk/composersaward2012
Tickets for the concert in Durham Cathedral on Saturday 2 June 2012 are available from the Gala Theatre Box Office, Durham. T: 0191 332 4041 and http://ww.galadurham.co.uk.
Winners Biographies
18-and-under category
Alex Woolf b.1995 Lux Aeterna
Alex Woolf (16) lives in Cambridge, and is a composer with the National Youth Orchestra and also an Aldeburgh Young Musician. He studies with Jeffery Wilson, and also receives tuition from Anna Meredith, Larry Goves and Charlotte Bray. In the last year his music has been performed at venues such as the Southbank Centre, The Sage Gateshead and the Britten Studio, as well as in Holland. In June this year his Fanfare will be premiered by Sir Antonio Pappano and the Royal Opera House Orchestra, and will be heard as an alternative to the interval bell at each opera/ballet of the 2012/13 season. His choral work Phoenix was recorded in Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge last year, and his music will feature at this year's Snape Proms, when the Aldeburgh World Orchestra premieres a new piece to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, conducted by Sir Mark Elder.
19–25 category
Benjamin Rowarth b.1992 Where is thy God?
Benjamin Rowarth (20) began his musical life as a chorister at Hexham Abbey, where he later went on to sing bass and became organ scholar in 2009. Currently a second-year music student at Durham University, he sings with a number of choirs both in and outside Durham. He took up the post of Interim Director of Music in University College in 2011, and is currently the assistant director of Durham Polyphony and the director of Renaissance, a small choir that he founded in 2011. As a composer, he specialises in choral music and has premiered many of his recent works with Renaissance this year. He has twice been commissioned to compose music for theatre, and his soundtracks to Dr Faustus and The Bacchae were both performed in Durham in 2011. After winning the prize for the best documentary soundtrack at Leeds 24-hour Film Festival last year, he is currently working on two commissions for two short films under the direction of David Anthony-Thomas, one of which will be premiered at the Cannes and Paris Film Festivals later in 2012.
Finalists in the 2012 NCEM Composers Award
18-and-under categorySamuel Pembery b.1996 Ascension
Samuel Pembery (16) has played the saxophone since the age of 9, achieving Grade VIII at the age of 14. He joined the Junior Music Course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2010 to specialise in jazz, and from September 2011 he also took up lessons in composition, having had one of his own compositions used in a school summer production that year. He will be attending Chetham's School of Music in September 2012, to continue his music studies.
Aidan Tulloch b.1999 Bear the Bone Boat: St. Cuthbert's Final Journey
Aidan Tulloch (12) is in Year 7 at Thirsk School, where he is a member of the school choir, string ensemble and string quartet. He has played the violin for four years and is currently preparing for his Grade VIII exam. He has played Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in A minor as a soloist at The Sage in Gateshead, and enjoyed violin masterclasses with Tasmin Little and Bradley Creswick. He is also preparing for Grade IV piano. As well as loving early music, he is influenced by traditional fiddle music and he frequently goes busking in the hope of raising money to buy a harpsichord. Like his favourite composers, Byrd, Victoria and MacMillan, he enjoys composing music for use during the Mass. Outside music, his interests include nature conservation and supporting Durham County Cricket Club.
19–25 category category
Mark McCombs b.1989 Rex Iudaeorum
Mark McCombs (22) developed a love for choral music as a member of SFX Boys' Choir, Liverpool and later as a Choral Scholar at St Matthew's, Sheffield, where he has recently been appointed Organ Scholar. In 2011 he gained his BMus from the University of Sheffield, majoring in the study and performance of sixteenth-century English music, and has now begun a MPhil/PhD degree programme in choral and vocal composition. Since 2010 he has been conductor and student associate composer of the University's Chamber Choir, who continue to premiere a number of his compositions. Recent projects and commissions have also been performed by trombonist John Kenny; The Steel City Singers; The Sonnen Quartet; the Choir of St Matthew's, Sheffield; the Choir of St John's Chapel, Southsea; and soprano Debra Finch. He has been musical director of the University of Sheffield Performing Arts Society and the Sheffield Hallam University Drama Society, and has also been involved in the PowerPlus Composition Scheme at a variety of Sheffield schools.
Samuel Parsons b.1990 Out of the Heights
Samuel Parsons (21) is currently in his second year studying music at Hertford College, Oxford. His performance background spans classical guitar recitals, jazz performances from big band to small ensembles, and busking on the streets of his home town, Bath. He has accompanied singers with his own lute transcriptions, sings as a bass in Hertford College Chapel Choir and occasionally performs in smaller vocal ensembles around Oxford. As a composer and arranger, he won an award for best arrangement in the Oxford heat of Voice Festival UK for his version of Damien Rice's The Blower's Daughter for a female a cappella group. His other works include a string quartet, a song-cycle for mezzo-soprano, and several more choral works. At present he studies composition with Phillip Cooke, and cites Whitacre, Metheny, Pärt and Takemitsu as specific musical influences. Alongside his own work, he reviews concerts and recordings for the student newspaper Cherwell, and also teaches guitar and theory privately.
Lydia Jane Pugh b.1986 Á la Perchoine
Lydia Jane Pugh (25) was born and raised in Guernsey. Having completed her degree in music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and her Masters in composition at Leeds College of Music, she now works as a freelance composer, performer and private music teacher. Her preference for setting and creating texts, and telling heart-felt stories, has made her very popular with choirs and choral societies, resulting in several commissions. Her music has been performed at several events and festivals in the Channel Islands, and also at the Praga Cantat Choral Music Festival in Prague.
More articles in category Competitions 2012
- (US) Parkening International Guitar Competition Names 2012 Winners (by Admin on Jun 08, 2012)
- (BE) Musica Impulse Centre for Music: International Young Artist's Presentation (IYAP) SELECTED PROMISING ENSEMBLES 2012 (by Admin on May 22, 2012)
- (US) Fifteen Competitors Selected for 2012 Parkening International Guitar Competition (by Admin on Mar 24, 2012)
- (FR) International Voice Competition at Froville (19-23 sep 2012) (Application Deadline: 22 jun 2012) (by Admin on Mar 23, 2012)
- (BE) Musica.be: LAST CALL! International Young Artist's Presentation 22-26 August 2012 (Application Deadline: 01 apr 2012) (by Admin on Mar 13, 2012)


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204 Comments
Harry is proud of his imperfections! He's not ashamed to show off his bare chest — no matter how many nipples he has. Do YOU think he's sexy?
Harry Styles loves to show off his muscles more than any other member of One Direction, and he definitely has no shortage of confidence!
"I've got four nipples," he admitted in Star magazine's April 30 issue. "I must have been a twin, but the other one went away and left its nipples behind."
He's hilarious! And the fact that he embraces his flaws makes him even sexier.
What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Is Harry Styles the hottest member of One Direction?
— Kaydi Poirier
More Harry Styles
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Don't Split The Farm Bill
Montana Farmers Union on Tuesday released this statement regarding reports that the U.S. House is considering separating the 'Farm Bill' into bills with separate votes on farm policy and nutrition policy.
The National Farmers Union board, of which MFU President Alan Merrill belongs, voted unanimously to support keeping nutrition policy and farm policy in a single farm bill.
"There are strong reasons for rural and urban America to work together to support agriculture and good nutrition policy to benefit our entire country," said MFU President Alan Merrill. "Years ago when farm and nutrition policy were combined in a bipartisan agreement, it was understood that broad support was needed from both rural and urban constituencies to assure sound policy. That situation has not changed ... Both the agricultural community and families across the country in need of a food safety net, deserve no less."
In a separate release, NFU President Roger Johnson said, "Splitting farm programs and nutrition assistance into two separate bills is a disservice to farmers, ranchers, rural residents and consumers."


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by Jody Kessler
After a couple of down years for the Penn Charter baseball team, 2012 has been a great success.
While 4-3 in the InterAc league, the team is 20-5 overall after a win Saturday, May 5, versus Pottsgrove.
The resurgence comes in coach Jon Cross's first season on the job. Saturday saw a nice mix of good pitching, and playing small ball offensively. Sophomore T. J. Pagan started on the mound for the Quakers, and went two innings, giving up one run. J
unior Ted Foley then came in, going four innings and also giving up only one run. Jared Massaro finished the job off, working a scoreless seventh to cap the 6-2 win.
Tucker Colton hit a two run double in the first inning and Jordan DellaValle had three sacrifice flies to power the offense.
After Pagan gave up a run in the top of the first, PC came back with the two in the bottom of the inning.
With one out Demetrius Jennings and DellaValle hit back-to-back singles. Then after Massaro flew out to right field, Colton crushed a Jeff Adams offering over the left fielder's head. By the time it landed, Jennings and DellaValle were well on their way to scoring.
After Pagan got the Falcons 1-2-3 with two strikeouts in the second, the Quakers struck for two more.
Seniors Gian Regni and John Charlton led off the inning with back to back singles. Nick Lamb then sacrificed them over. Lead-off hitter Steven Cohen was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and then Jennings drew a walk to force in a run.
Then DellaValle came up with the first of his three sacrifices, all line shots right at the center fielder. Foley took over from there, allowing only one hit in four innings for the win. The Quakers picked up insurance runs in the fourth and sixth innings, each time by DellaValle scoring Cohen with sac flies.
"That's definitely a new one," DellaValle said. "I said to the guys when I came to the bench that's got to be a school record."
Coach Cross was pleased with his team's effort.
"We were able to manufacture some runs, played some good baseball, put down some bunts," he said. "Our pitchers did enough to keep us in the game. We were going to go with Pagan for a couple innings, Foley in the middle. Massaro been closings a lot of games for us, I thought it worked well.
"The season's going great," he continued. "I would like to do a little better in the league, but to have 20 wins now with a lot more games to go… We've been playing good team ball. A lot of guys have contributed, it's a testament to a strong senior class and to some talented young kids."


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Entomologists are skilled at explaining insect pest outbreaks — during and at the end of the growing season. In hindsight, the causes of last year's insect problems make sense.
Although many interrelated factors impact the severity of upcoming "pest years" — such as pest survival during the winter, the abundance and quality of nearby crops and weed hosts during the spring and early summer months, and the development of the cotton crop — weather appears to tie these factors together.
And with weather predictions on a farm or countywide basis often unreliable just a few days in advance, forecasting weather patterns that might impact insect levels weeks or months in advance are virtually worthless, especially in the Southeast.
Additionally, all of our major insect pests — thrips, bollworms, stink bugs, cotton aphids, spider mites, and others — undergo several generations on other hosts before moving into cotton, making early predictions even less reliable.
Despite the above disclaimer, let's take a stab at what we might expect in 2006.
(1.) Thrips levels are often higher and more damaging in the Carolinas and Virginia than elsewhere in the Cotton Belt. This is in part due to our slower seedling grow off conditions and high ratio of surrounding weed and small grains crops.
Even with last year's generally moderate thrips levels, unprotected April 27 planted cotton lost over 300 pounds of lint per acre compared to the better treatments in replicated tests. Unfortunately this situation is more the rule than the exception in this area.
Behind the seed treatments Gaucho Grande and Cruiser, plan on a foliar spray targeted at the first true leaf stage — unless cotton is planted after about May 20.
With Temik at the 5 pound rate per acre, a foliar spray can often be avoided with adequate soil moisture.
(2.) Plant bugs are often kind to producers during the pre-bloom period (we have averaged approximately 3-8 percent treated acreage for plant bugs over the past 6 years), but they can be a scattered headache in post-bloom Bt cotton lines, particularly in our far-eastern counties.
Both 2003 and 2004 witnessed moderate to high plant bug levels during the early boll set period in many areas.
Weekly square retention counts should define most potential problem fields up to about a week or two beyond bloom initiation. Plus, they're easy to do. The crushing or cutting of quarter-sized bolls is probably best correlated with treatment need in the post bloom period for both plant bugs and stink bugs, though monitoring 'dirty blooms', visual observations for adult/nymph plant bug ratios, and sweepings are also helpful.
(3.) Stink bug damage in 2004, in both conventional and on Bollgard cotton, was far and away our earliest and highest on record (I go 30 years at NCSU). Stink bugs were also no picnic in 2005 in many areas of the state.
With our ever-higher adoption of Bt cotton — more than 90 percent in 2005 — we can probably count on the bug complex to continue to account for most of our late season boll damage.
The harder to control brown stink bugs also appear to have been more common in recent years. No matter what 2006 has in store, we need to be paying much more attention to the bug complex in our Bt cotton.
Additionally, as Bollgard II varieties become more widely planted in 2006 and beyond, our expected lack of treatment for caterpillars in all but a few circumstances will likely result in an even greater potential buildups of bug pests. Adequate sample sizes, lots of interior boll examinations, and green vs. brown adult stink bug ratios are a must in Bt cotton fields, especially during weeks 3 to 6 of the bloom period.
Fortunately, the 3 or so applications typically sprayed on conventional cotton usually keeps stink bug and plant damage to bolls low, although this was not always the case in 2004 and 2005.
On the plus side, it appears that, on average, a single stink bug damaged boll only accounts for about one third as much yield loss as a bollworm damaged boll in North Carolina. Unfortunately, cotton fields with final year-end boll damage of 20 to 30 percent were fairly common the past two years. That's a pretty big hit.
Pyrethroids are a best choice if green stink bugs predominate. If browns make up a significant part of the stink bug mix, consider Bidrin — with or without a pyrethroid in the tank.
(4.) Bollworm moth levels have seesawed up and down for the past 7 years here until 2003, when both 2002 and 2003 were rough bollworm years; 2004 showed only moderate bollworm levels, and in 2005 the flight was both very late and exceptionally light.
Although bollworm damage to Bollgard cotton fields has averaged less than 1 percent during the 1996 to 2005 period, replicated tests show that a foliar application for stink bugs with either Orthene or Bidrin just prior to or during the initial 10 days or so of the moth flight can increase boll damage by bollworms by approximately 3-fold, with proportional losses in yields. This will not likely be the case with Bollgard II cotton.
Widestrike lines typically provide intermediate bollworm control between Bollgard and Bollgard II varieties.
(5.) Other caterpillars, such as fall and beet armyworms, European corn borers, and loopers continue to cause only minimal damage, even in conventional varieties, although fall armyworm damage to bolls was moderate in some eastern North Carolina counties in 2004 and was also found in scattered cotton fields in 2005.
Unlike their Bollgard predecessor, Bollgard II and Widestrike varieties show high resistance to both armyworm species and loopers.
Upcoming weather patterns during the upcoming crop year will essentially determine the timing and intensity of our potential 2006 insect outbreaks. As a general rule of thumb, North Carolina's cotton producers fair worse with both insects and yields during droughty years.
As of this late March writing, we have a moisture deficit of over 6 inches throughout much of our cotton production region. Although meteorologists have difficulty in predicting weather patterns more than about a week in advance, on the plus side, sound insect and plant monitoring and well-timed sprays where needed play a major role in making the best of what nature has in store for us in 2006.


text: As an integrator I often find myself on the path of least resistance when specifying kit. With certain vendors I am forced to do a lot trudging around to get the solution I need or there is a myriad of partner scheme rubbish to wade through to get to the man who knows the kit and can give me the answer and price I need quickly enough for the return date. I mean its all the same $417 served with different shovels right? :) On Sat, Sep 6, 2008 at 4:26 PM, Tom Pierce <thpierce at gmail.com> wrote: > > > On Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 2:23 PM, Vincent Diepeveen <diep at xs4all.nl> wrote: >> >> AFAIK only rich government departments do business with companies such as >> DELL. > > > I buy DELL servers for a cluster at a commercial chemical company. They are > a good price for standard systems. They also have a great Linux support > organization in Austin Texas. Good equipment and high quality support for > issues that arise over time. It is a cost effective solution, and Dell > clusters keep popping up at US Universities as well. > > Tom > _______________________________________________ > Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf at beowulf.org > To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit > http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf > >


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2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups Marshmallow Fluff
1. For the Cakes: Adjust two oven racks to the upper-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
2. With an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture and the but-termilk alternately in two batches.
3. Using a 1/3 cup measure, scoop six mounds of batter onto each baking sheet, spacing the mounds about 3" apart. ( Do not try to bake all the cakes on one sheet – the batter needs room to spread) Bake until the cakes spring back when pressed, 15 to 18 minutes. Rotate the sheets and switch racks half way through baking. Cool the cakes completely on the baking sheets, about 1 hour.
4. For the Filling: With an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the butter and confec-tioners' sugar together until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and salt. Beat in the Fluff until incorpo-rated. Refrigerate the filling until slightly firm, about 30 minutes. (The filling can be refriger-ated for up to 2 days.)
5. Dollop 1/3 cup of the filling in the center of the flat side of six on the cakes. Top with the flat side of the remaining six cakes and gently press until the filling spreads to the edge of the cakes. Serve. Can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Serves 6
Pinwheel Napkins are made with Summer Fun by Deb Strain 19301-16 and 19302 12.
Recipe provided by Patricia Roberts, employee of United Notions / Moda Fabrics.


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The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, with its flashing lights and dance music, attracts a big TV audience every year as millions tune in to gawk at leggy models strutting down the runway in lingerie.
But this year, the show—which was shot Thursday in New York and will air nationally in December—may take on even more importance. Analysts say the TV spectacle will play a critical role in rekindling consumers' desire to spend on lingerie, which was hit hard during last year's recession.
Enjoy a peek behind-the-scenes and the runway.
(See the Victoria's Secret 2010 Show here)
Posted Nov 2009 by Oliver Quillia


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Celebrate your Wichita State Shockers fandom with this 2-pack of Jester ponytail scrunchies! Whether you're going to the game or just adding to your Wichita State Shockers-spirited attire, this scrunchie set will be perfect for you. The Wichita State Shockers graphics on each one will let you highlight your team pride anywhere you go.
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Original Wayfarer Color Mix sunglasses provide unique color combinations applied to the unmatchable Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses. Crafted in 1952, the distinct Wayfarer shape is combined with colors that make a statement, so youre sure to be noticed. Express your individualistic style with Original Wayfarer Color Mix sunglasses in a range of colors that create a fun and unique look.
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Miss Piggy is finally getting the attention and recognition she desperately sought.
On Tuesday, the glamorous, fame-seeking pig secured her place in history when she and some of puppeteer Jim Henson's other creations were donated to the Smithsonian Institution.
Twenty-one of Henson's puppets from "Sesame Street," "The Muppet Show" and other projects - including Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Fozzie Bear and the Swedish Chef - will join Miss Piggy's longtime squeeze, Kermit the Frog, in the Jim Henson Collection at the Museum of American History on Washington's National Mall.
Tuesday's induction ceremony took place on what would have been Muppet creator Henson's 77th birthday.
Puppeteer Henson, the creative mind behind the long-running children's shows "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," died in 1990. His wife and collaborator Jane Henson died in April.
"I'm so happy to have my father's work be part of the cultural heritage of this country," said Cheryl Henson, one of the couple's children and president of the Jim Henson Foundation. "When you look at these different characters, you can hear their voices. They are like living beings."
Miss Piggy will be on view within the museum's "American Stories" exhibition starting in March. Several other Muppets and "Sesame Street" characters from the collection will be part of a broader puppetry display beginning in November.
"The Muppets are very much a touchstone to my childhood," said museum director John Gray, who called "The Muppet Show," a comedy and variety show that ran from 1976 to 1981, "the best example of American vaudeville."
Karen Falk, archivist with The Henson Corporation, highlighted the importance of Rowlf, a scruffy brown dog character created for a dog food commercial in the early 1960s who later joined "The Muppet Show" as a pianist.
"Kermit was Jim's alter ego, but Rowlf was Jim's alter ego without the ambition. He was Jim on the weekend, Jim in a hammock," Falk said in an interview.
Reporting by Ros Krasny; Editing by Patricia Reaney and Stacey Joyce


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Singer's Drummer in Critical Condition
(CNN) — A drummer for country music star Kellie Pickler was seriously injured in a pileup crash on Interstate 65 in Kentucky, officials said.
Gregg Lohman, 36, was airlifted from the crash site Saturday with head and neck injuries, Master Trooper Norman Chaffins of Kentucky State Police told CNN affiliate WAVE. Lohman was in critical but stable condition Sunday at a Louisville hospital.
Pickler confirmed the crash on her Facebook page Sunday:
"Yesterday, my drummer Gregg Lohman was in a horrific car accident and is currently in ICU," the "Red High Heels" singer wrote.
"Gregg is not just my drummer, he is family. I believe in miracles and the power of prayer, so it would mean the world to me, my band, and Gregg's family if you would please keep him in your prayers. Thank y'all so much."
Lohman had slowed down for an earlier, fiery crash on the interstate when another driver failed to notice the slowed traffic and crashed into the back of Lohman's truck, police told WAVE. Lohman's truck then hit another vehicle, which rear-ended yet another.
Six people from the same family were killed in the initial, fiery crash, WAVE said.
Two others were injured in the pileup crash involving Lohman, but both were treated and released.
Lohman, who has also performed with Lady Antebellum and SHeDAISY, is also a percussion instructor at Tennessee State University.


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The "Missing Middle" and the Growth of Social Enterprises
Every fall at Social Capital Markets (SOCAP), the who's who of impact investing and social enterprise convene in San Francisco to network and share stories about topics like market-based solutions to poverty, social stock exchanges, and just how much capital is waiting to be deployed to solve the world's toughest problems. It's inspiring to be sure, especially the growth in the number and diversity of participation. It's no longer the sole domain of Ashoka, Skoll, and Schwab who have paved the way for so many others. Today, mainstream Banks from Europe to Asia, fund managers, and wealth advisors are sending a signal that doing good and doing well is a more enlightened form of capitalism.
But behind all the feel-good energy and promises that impact investing will be a $50 billion industry by 2020, there are gaps in the story line and challenges that we must confront as a community. First, there is no clear definition of an impact investor. The industry brings together those who are primarily driven by a financial bottom line (finance first) with those who are seeking to optimize a social return without making a loss (impact first), and finally grant makers who are aiming to improve the efficiency of philanthropic capital (largely foundations). Their world views are different, their expected returns are different, and how they use the same vocabulary (e.g. impact, viability, and sustainability) varies widely.


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AAA of IDAHO
Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
Fax: 208.334.8563
April 10, 2009
House approves GARVEE bill, rejects gas tax hike
Members of the Idaho House this morning (April 10) approved issuing an additional $82 million in GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds to continue projects on six major Idaho corridors. By a 10-vote margin (39-29), the House approved sending SB 1186 to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for signing. Approval this morning followed about two hours of debate and came almost exactly one day after House members rejected a proposed two-cent increase in the state's motor vehicle fuel tax.
Gov. Otter responds to House vote on gas tax increase
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter issued the following statement in reaction to [Thursday's] 32-37 vote against a proposal to raise Idaho's fuel tax by 2 cents per gallon. "First let me thank the 32 House members who showed today that they understand the issue and the stakes. I appreciate their patience, leadership, and commitment to doing the right thing. That being said, I am very disappointed by the outcome of today's vote...
2009 Project Development Conference
Conference focuses on latest design, construction strategies
ITD and the transportation community gathered to celebrate exemplary design and construction projects Tuesday night at the mid-point of the bi-annual Project Development Conference in Boise. The two-day conference included five formal "plenary" presentations Tuesday and more than 30 breakout sessions Wednesday, organized into four concurrent tracks: planning/traffic, design/traffic, environmental and materials.
Excellence in Transportation Awards
Rep. Simpson outlines special funding requests
This week, I will submit a list of Idaho-based projects to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration in Fiscal Year 2010. I am keenly aware that these project, or earmark, requests are seen by some as an example of wasteful federal spending and I understand fully that too many federal projects are indeed wasteful.
Highway safety
Patrols target aggressive driving
Tailgating, changing lanes without warning, speeding, running yellow lights, or ignoring traffic signs or signals makes you an aggressive driver and ITD wants you to know that law enforcement patrols will be watching for you. ITD is partnering with law enforcement agencies across Idaho to make highways safer by funding increased aggressive driving enforcement patrols through April 19.
In Memoriam
John 'Jack' Combo, retired Transportation Board member
John "Jack" Xavier Combo passed away April 3 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, from an ongoing battle with cancer. Jack was born July 3, 1922, in Butte, Montana, to James Emmett and Mary Edmunda Fleming Combo. A family visitation took place Tuesday, April 7, at Wood Funeral Home, followed by a rosary. A celebration of Catholic Mass followed Wednesday, April 8, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls Youth Hockey or a favorite charity.
Keep looking ahead during tough times
Americans know Abraham Lincoln as the emancipator of slaves, the man who held the nation together in its darkest days. But few know the Lincoln who battled suicidal thoughts and at times called himself "The loneliest man in the world."
Submit your News/Views to Share
Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.
Views to share
Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers.
Governor Otter:
Department heads in best position to make salary decisions
As Governor, I have been drawing on my experience at the state and federal levels but most importantly in the private sector to bring greater efficiency and accountability to our state government – to run it more like a business. That means providing our customers – Idaho citizens – with services and programs within their financial means and consistent with our Constitution, laws and the proper role of government.
ITD Board
Former board member Jack Combo passes away
ITD joins family members of Jack Combo in mourning his passing early this morning (Friday, April 3). The long-time transportation board member, public servant, civic leader and friend lost a hard-fought battle with cancer at home in Idaho Falls. Mr. Combo retired from the transportation board early in 2008 and received a festive farewell during a March 2008 ceremony at Headquarters. An advocate of ITD employees and their continuing education, he served on the board 18 years (six terms), from 1990 to 2008.
ITD extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Combo's family. Information about formal services will be provided when it becomes available. Please see the 2008 Transporter for more about Jack's many contributions to the department and state of Idaho.
Retirement gives McClure chance to reflect on 'satisfying' tenure
Monte McClure was in a familiar environment last week, returning to the Idaho Transportation Department's Headquarters to complete employee exit papers. But the access badge hanging from his shirt pocket was different than he was accustomed to… It was a visitor's badge checked out from the security desk.
McClure formally ended more than 13 years as a member of the Idaho Transportation Board last month.
Jerry Whitehead named new board member
Idaho native Jerry Whitehead joined the Idaho Transportation Board in March as the representative for District 3. He replaces Monte McClure who finished his second full term on the board earlier this year. Whitehead established a trailer manufacturing business in Boise four decades ago and continues to serve as President and owner of Western Trailers. He has been a member of the Idaho Motor Carrier Advisory Committee.
Organ donors
Headquarters ceremony launches organ donor month
Veronica Calton-Hughes joined ITD Director Pam Lowe, Alex McDonald from the Intermountain Donor Services organization in Salt Lake City and two other speakers for a brief organ donor awareness ceremony. Following formal presentations and a bagpipes rendition of "Irish Eyes are Smiling," participants raised an organ donor flag on the ITD flagpole. It will remain on display throughout April, organ donor month.
Scenic Byways
New ITD guidebook will help organizations plan requests
Interest in designating new Idaho Scenic Byways or expanding existing byways led to creation and publication this week of a comprehensive program guide that will organizations plan their efforts. The Idaho Byways 2009 Program Guide complements the award-winning Idaho Scenic Byways brochure and Web site that opens the state's highway vistas for the world to experience.
Commuters share the road, not the vehicle
A survey of commuting practices conducted last summer reveals that more than three-fourths of ITD's district employees made the trip to and from work by themselves. The survey began in June and concluded in September; the final results were discussed this week at a meeting of ITD's Green House Gas Reduction Team. The 2008 survey indicated employees in districts 1 and 3 were the least likely to share the commute; 80.5 percent of the District 1 workers drove alone, and 80 percent of those in District 3 had no passengers


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Your employer is responsible for providing medical treatment through an insurance carrier which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
The rate, amount, and the duration of compensation for all disability benefits are detailed in the workers' compensation law.
For assistance, call 1-800-342-1741 or e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
There are two types of temporary disability benefits that you may be entitled to during your recovery, to make up for some of your lost wages:
You can receive up to a total of 104 weeks of temporary disability benefits.
When your doctor states you are at Maximum Medical Improvement, your condition is not expected to improve significantly, and the doctor will have you evaluated for possible permanent work restrictions and an impairment rating.
If after reaching Maximum Medical Improvement your injuries are so severe, as defined by law, that you are left permanently unable to work, you may receive permanent total disability benefits.
For assistance in estimating PT benefits, please contact the Bureau of Monitoring and Audit at 850-413-1608.
If a work-related death occurs within one year of the date of accident or five years of continuous disability, the following benefits may be due and payable up to a maximum total of $150,000:
For assistance, call 1-800-342-1741 or e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Inquiry Question
By studying The Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March: Shaking the Conscience of the Nation students learn how people in the small town of Selma, Alabama, and national civil rights organizations worked together to end the unconstitutional denial of voting rights to African Americans in the South. Those interested in learning more will find that the Internet offers a variety of interesting materials.
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
"We Shall Overcome" National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
Historic Places of America's Diverse Culture
National Historic Landmarks Program
Library of Congress
Photographs, drawings, and written materials in the Historic American Buildings Survey Collection record the architecture and early history of the Alabama State Capitol.
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum: Civil Rights
Moments in Alabama History
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Justice Talking and Justice Learning
Making Sense of Oral History


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The Lord of the Rings is the holy grail of epic fantasy, both in print and on the big screen. When I heard Peter Jackson (originally Guillermo del Toro) was bringing us The Hobbit as a prequel, I was naturally excited. I grew less excited when I heard it was being made into two films, and even less excited again when I heard it was being stretched into a trilogy.
With the exception of greed, the decision didn't make much sense. The Hobbit is a tiny book compared to any one of the three volumes of Rings, and yet they were going to make three movies out of it? Despite assurances that they were going to expand Middle Earth and add in a bunch of details from Tolkien's other writings and appendices and so forth, it didn't strike me as a recipe for success.
As it turned out, the first film of the new trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey justified both my excitement and my scepticism. On the one hand, the film did bring back some of the best memories from Rings and reminded me why it will likely never be topped as the best fantasy franchise of all time. On the other, at a whopping 2 hours and 49 minutes, it was unnecessarily bloated, occasionally tedious and sometimes, dare I saw, even boring.
Jackson replacing del Toro meant that we were likely to get a continuation of the Middle Earth established in Rings as opposed to a fresh interpretation of Tolkien's universe. This was the correct assumption, as An Unexpected Journey looked and felt exactly like the world we were still immersed in when Return of the King departed our cinema screens nearly a decade ago.
For those unfamiliar with the story, The Hobbit centers around a young Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman — the old one was played by Ian Holm in Rings, who also has a cameo to kick things off here), who travels with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and 13 dwarves (led by Thorin Oakenshield — Richard Armitage) to recapture a treasure-filled dwarf kingdom guarded by the dragon Smaug. It happens years before Frodo's adventures and first introduces us to the powerful ring that would become the centerpiece of the books.
Apart from a whole host of familiar faces (I won't spoil who they all are for those who like surprises), An Unexpected Journey is full of nostalgia. You can tell Jackson is trying very hard to recapture the magic of Rings, and as a result there's also a strong sense of deja vu. Everything from the sets to the costumes to the plot progression feels eerily similar (if you want an explanation with minor spoilers see below after the rating).
But The Hobbit is not The Lord of the Rings and it shouldn't have tried to be. For starters, the difference in length means An Unexpected Journey should never have been 2 hours and 49 minutes, which might have been perfect for fanboys who spray their shorts over the extended DVD cuts but not for casual fans and regular audiences.
In fact, the whole film felt like an extended DVD cut. I think the running time would have been OK if there were only two films rather than three, but there's no reason why An Unexpected Journey had to be nearly three hours long, especially not when it traverses so little of a story that takes up only 275 pages in a paperback.
The result is a really long and uneventful introduction and significant chunks where uninteresting conversation dominates the action. It's not that the first couple of hours of An Unexpected Journey is bad — it's just not that good when compared to the high standards set by Rings.
That said, the final hour of the movie is brilliant and as exciting as the Mines of Moria from Fellowship of the Ring, the battle of Helm's Deep from The Two Towers and the siege at Minas Tirith from The Return of the King. I don't want to reveal too much except to say I wished the rest of the movie was just like it.
Martin Freeman, whom Jackson said was the only choice all along, is pretty good as the young Bilbo, while Ian McKellen doesn't miss a step as a slightly younger and seemingly less mature Gandalf. Richard Armitage is solid as dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield, but he's no Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, though to be fair no one could have been that freaking awesome. The rest of the dwarves are generally quite forgettable, and I still haven't figured out why only two or three of them look fairly normal while the rest are plastered with prosthesis and look like absolute freaks.
The special effects are of course seamless, though without having seen the original trilogy again I don't think they are too different to the effects from 10 years ago. A change this time is the decision to create all the orcs and goblins using CGI as opposed to real actors with makeup, but they are all done so well that the difference is negligible.
I was one of those people that made a conscious choice to watch the film in 2D and at 24 frames per second, as opposed to the 3D at 48 frames per second that was on offer. I'm well and truly over 3D now, and I was not curious about 48 frames at all after hearing all the negative comments, from the nausea to how everything look too fast and real and how the props looked fake because of it. Besides, if you really want The Hobbit to be a continuation of The Lord of the Rings wouldn't you want to experience it the same way?
On the whole, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a mixed bag. It contains flashes of brilliance and a final hour that rivals the best of The Lord of the Rings, but at the same time there's also too much unnecessary fluff at the beginning to prevent it from ultimately living up to the hype. As the first entry to a new trilogy, however, I think it holds promise and should hopefully open the door to two sensational sequels.
3.75 stars out of 5
(Minor spoilers) PS: The Hobbit follows the trajectory of The Fellowship of the Ring very closely. It starts off in the Shire as a gentle but reluctant hobbit is dragged onto an adventure after a visit from Gandalf. He is pursued by dangerous enemies throughout his journey, runs into trolls and goes through an underground mine before finishing up in the woods with an epic battle. It's exactly the same!


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Careers for Women needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 145 designs submitted by 39 freelance designers.
Careers for Women & Men is an executive search firm specializing in Executive Sales and other related categories: Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations. We are looking for a new logo that is distinctive, clean, and professional. We would like to emphasize the "Careers for Women" as primary and the "& Men" as secondary in the logo.
Careers for Women (and Men)
We have not been consistent in the presentation of our
company name. We were founded as Careers for Women but later added, in some
applications, "& Men," to reflect the fact that 40% of our placements are
men. That being said, our primary focus and, we believe, an important point of
differentiation is our focus on Women. We would like our new logo to reflect
that: Women are primary; Men are integral but secondary.
The firm was founded 35 years ago with the attention-getting
premise that "The born salesman isn't a man, she's a WOMAN." Today, we not only
place women (as well as men), we advance their careers, providing coaching,
advice and counsel. All the services to the women (and men) who come to us are
Who we are:
Practical, business-savvy, expert, supportive, dedicated
Our style:
Personal, nurturing, comfortable/accessible, genuine, enthusiastic, discerning
What we do: Coach,
mentor, teach, guide
Quotes from our
candidates and clients:
"Careers for Women & Men is different; it doesn't feel
like a regular head-hunting company. They advise you and find what really fits,
providing career counseling and getting involved. They're not just trying to place you
anywhere. They'll help you find best fit and set you down right path."
"Careers for Women & Men pays a lot of attention to
candidates and clients- maintaining good relations and staying in touch. The
firm is personable, attentive—and clearly has the best interest of everyone in
mind and helps everyone."
Details of Logo Design:
-Color: 2/C (for cost reasons), must be able to replicate in
black and white. Most communications are
online, with a few key printed pieces.
-Name: Careers for Women & Men, with a hierarchy of
communications: "Careers for Women" primary; "& Men" is secondary (possibly
on a different line, diminished in size, etc.)
-Key applications: website, signage, and stationery
(business card and letterhead, used for communications and direct mailings.) Note:
Prefer to see application to stationery,
particularly business card as it is a primary, and the smallest, communication
-NOTE: Prefer "&" symbol to written "and," however open
to either if treated as a graphical component
- Look & Feel:
-Distinctive, different feel from others
-Professional and personal
-Warm, accessible
-Gender neutral—not stereotypically masculine or feminine
-Clean, simple
Tone & Content:
-Direct, clear
-Professional and expert
- -Fancy script
-A logo that only works in color
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
The first of two public comment sessions recently opened on changes proposed for the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) will build upon a 2009 revision. The proposed changes, put together by USGBC's technical advisory committees, include three new credit categories and a variety of reworked and new credits and prerequisites. They touch each of the rating system's sections, including building design and construction, operations and maintenance, and LEED for homes. The draft revision also includes a "pilot credit library" for the first time, or a collection of credits that are being tested for possible inclusion in the final version of the revision, due out in 2012.
One of the biggest changes is a new performance credit category, addressing what has been one of the more controversial issues surrounding LEED. In 2009, when LEED was last revised, it required mandatory disclosure of energy use but did not include it in a separate section. In the revision's performance section, a newly constructed building can gain credit by installing an advanced energy metering system and committing to share energy usage data with USGBC for at least five years from the date of occupancy. Putting these types of credits in their own category highlights their importance, says Brendan Owens, VP of LEED technical development at USGBC. LEED would collect and report this data anonymously through its Building Performance Partnership.
Another significant change is the addition of an "integrated process" category. An integrated approach means that rather than having an architect give drawings to an engineer who then passes the plan to a contractor. The LEED update outlines a specific set of requirements for the process by which a building is built, requiring a certain number of team meetings and stakeholder input events.
The third new section in LEED, called "location and transportation," contains credits that had previously been elsewhere but puts new emphasis on the fact that location plays a role in determining a building's efficiency.


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The name of this organization is the NCGenWeb Project (NCGenWeb).
Section 1. AFFLIATIONS
The NCGenWeb is affiliated with The USGenWeb Project and subject to its bylaws and standing procedures.
The NCGenWeb is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to gathering and presenting North Carolina genealogical and historical information for free, online access by researchers. This is accomplished by maintaining a general state website, individual websites for each of North Carolina's counties, and various "Special Project" and/or town websites.
Section 1 MEMBERSHIP.
Any individual who supports the goals set forth in the Preamble of our Charter and participates within this corporation and maintains a county website, town website, Special Project and/or is declared an Honorary Member by the Board.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING.
The membership year shall begin on the first day of July of each year. The Annual Business meeting shall be held within 30 days of that date.
Section 3 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.
The NCGenWeb is an equal opportunity organization and will not tolerate discrimination in any form on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.
Section 4 PRIVILEGES.
If all conditions of membership are met, then members have the privilege of holding office when duly elected and voting in all elections, polls and ballots. Each member shall be eligible to hold an office after six (6) months of membership in good standing and with a 2/3 vote of approval by the NCGenWeb Board or one year of membership in good standing.
Section 5 HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
The General Membership or the Board may confer, with approval of two-thirds of members of the project voting, an Honorary Life Membership upon those people that have made significant contributions to the field of online genealogy.
Section 6. HONORARY MEMBERS.
Honorary Members may participate fully in all activities of NCGenWeb; however, they do not have the right to vote if they do not maintain an official NCGenWeb website.
Section 7. HONORARY MEMBERS SERVICE.
Honorary Members may serve as Board Advisors. They do not have the right to vote on Board matters.
Section 8. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP.
If a member fails to comply with the minimum requirements as set by the Procedures and/or Guidelines for the NCGenWeb, the Regional Coordinator, Assistant State Coordinator and/or State Coordinator will bring the matter before the board. Notification of removal of such (or said) member shall require a two-thirds vote by the board.
Section 9. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE FOR MEMBERS.
The Board shall provide a Grievance Procedure for members, which shall be published in the NCGenWeb Procedures and Guidelines.
Section 1. EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Board shall conduct the regular business of the organization. The Board shall meet quarterly, and more often if needed. The Board meetings may be held by electronic means or by phone conference, at the discretion of the Board. A quorum for conducting the business of the Board shall be not less than five members of the Board. The Board will consist of the State Coordinator, Assistant State Coordinators (2), and Regional Coordinators (4). Each member of the Board shall have one vote.
NCGenWeb Executive Board Members
State Coordinator
Asst. State Coordinators (2)
Chief Technical Coordinator
Coastal Region Coordinator
Mountain Region Coordinator
Eastern Piedmont Region Coordinator
Western Piedmont Region Coordinator
Section 2. DUTIES
The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of The NCGenWeb.
a. State Coordinator. The State Coordinator shall be responsible for the organization's internet presence, and shall oversee the day-to-day operations. The term of office for the State Coordinator position shall be two years with no limit of terms except those due to the nomination/election
b. Assistant State Coordinators. The Assistant State Coordinators shall be elected in a general election by a majority of members voting. The Assistant State Coordinators shall assist the State Coordinator with official business in every way that is reasonable and proper. Assistant State Coordinators may be asked to function as the State Coordinator in the absence of the elected State Coordinator. The Assistant State Coordinators will have one vote on the Board. The term of office for the Assistant State Coordinators position shall be two years with no limit of terms except those due to the nomination/election process. The Assistant State Coordinators may seek a higher NCGenWeb Board position at this time.
c. Chief Technical Coordinator. The State Coordinator may appoint the Chief Technical Coordinator. The Chief Technical Coordinator shall be skilled in computer matters. The Chief Technical Coordinator shall advise the State Coordinators and the Board on technical matters. There shall be no term limit to the position of Chief Technical Coordinator.
d. Regional Coordinator. The Regional Coordinators shall assist the State Coordinator and Assistant State Coordinators in reviewing applications for counties in their region. They shall also maintain any adoptable counties in their region and perform bi-annual (6 months) reviews on the sites to make sure they are meeting the minimum basic requirements and guidelines per NCGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects. The term of office for the Regional Coordinators position shall be two years with no limit of terms except those due to the nomination/election process. The Regional Coordinator may seek a higher NCGenWeb Board position at this time or if there are no other nominees, the out-going Regional Coordinator can volunteer to continue for a third term.
Section 4 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF OFFICERS.
a. Resignation. Any Board member may resign effective upon giving written notice to another Board member or the Board as a whole. The Board, with a 2/3 vote, shall appoint replacements from the general membership to fill unexpired term of under twelve months. A special election will be held if the term left to fill is twelve months or longer.
b. Removal by petition. Any elected officer may be removed from office if cause exists for such removal. Cause for removal includes, but is not limited to gross, willful, and continued neglect of the duties of office, ethics violations, or conduct characterized by a lack of fairness and good faith that could be injurious to the project, its members, or representatives. A petition signed by 10% of the voter-qualified members must be presented to at least one of the regional CC Representatives. (See The USGenWeb Standard Rules, Sec. II))
c. Removal by the Board. Any elected officer may be removed from office:
Step #1. By online notification to the named Board member along with the reason of removal with 72 hours for rebuttal.
Step #2. Notification to the general membership.
Step #3. A 2/3 vote of the Board if cause exists for such removal.
i. Behavior which can be shown to be detrimental, abusive or disruptive to the mission of the project.
ii. Shall include, but not limited to, abandonment of duties, non-response to emails or other forms of communication and/or non-compliance to Project guidelines
Section 1. APPOINTED OFFICES
The Board may appoint a Secretary, Treasurer and/or Parliamentarian from amongst the Board members and/or the membership to serve in these positions. These positions will not have a vote on the Executive Board.
a. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the organization, and shall be custodian of the books and records belonging to the organization, and shall handle all correspondence (except membership correspondence) for the organization. The Secretary shall, with the State Coordinator, sign all contracts for this organization. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to provide all members with an annual calendar of meeting dates and locations.
b. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving, depositing and disbursing the funds of the Project using a checking account approved by the Board. The Board shall designate an alternate who will be authorized to sign checks in the Treasurer's absence. The Treasurer shall submit monthly financial statements to the Board and a report for the membership at regular monthly meetings. The Treasurer shall make all treasury records available to the Audit Committee and maintain the Project membership lists. The Executive Board may require that the treasurer be bonded.
c. Parliamentarian. The State Coordinator may appoint a Parliamentarian, with the advice and 2/3 vote of the Board.
Section 2. STANDING COMMITTEES
The Board may form Standing Committees as needed. The State Coordinator shall, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, select all committee chairpersons. The members of a committee or other working unit shall be selected from the general membership by that chairperson.
Section 1. GENERAL ELECTIONS
a. General elections shall be held each year with the positions to be voted on alternating after the first year (2010) election. Voting shall allow a maximum of one vote per county, but there shall be no more than one vote per person, regardless of the positions and responsibilities the person shall have.
i. 30 June 2010
State Coordinator – 2 years
Asst. State Coordinator #1 – 1 year
Asst. State Coordinator #2 – 2 years
Coastal Coordinator – 1 year
Eastern Piedmont Coordinator – 2 years
Mountain Coordinator – 1 year
Western Coordinator – 2 years
ii. The next election (2011) will be for the positions of Assistant State Coordinator #1, Coastal Coordinator, and Mountain Coordinator. These will be the full two year position.
iii. Thereafter, the elections will alternate each year to positions and terms will be for two years.
iv. Regional Coordinators will be elected by the CCs in their region. County Coordinators will vote for the Regional Coordinator in every region of which they have a county or town website.
Even years:
State Coordinator
Asst. State Coordinator #2
Eastern Piedmont Coordinator
Western Piedmont Coordinator
Odd years:
Asst. State Coordinator
Coastal Coordinator
Mountain Coordinator
b. Elections may be conducted by electronic means, e-mail, or online poll.
c. Election polls shall be open for at least two weeks (fourteen consecutive days), ending on the last day of June.
d. The nominations and election shall be by secret ballot with three (3) non-members of the NCGenWeb maintaining the vote count. The electioneers may be chosen from the USGenWeb, by using the USGenWeb Election Committee or by using electronic means.
Section 2. VOTING MEMBERS
a. A list of eligible voters shall be made public for the duration of the election. All members must have been a member of the NCGenWeb thirty days prior to the election. Once the polls are open, no voters may be added to the voting list.
b. All members in good standing may make nominations, nominate themselves, be nominated for office, run for office, and vote in all NCGenWeb Project, Inc. general elections. Voting shall allow a maximum of one vote per county, but there shall be no more than one vote per person, regardless of the positions and responsibilities the person shall have.
Section 3. NOMINATIONS
a. A nominating period of at least five consecutive days (covering one weekend) shall precede the election and shall be open to members in good standing.
b. There may be a grace period of up to three consecutive days between the closing of the nominations and the opening of the polls.
Section 1. MEETINGS.
General Meetings shall be open to all members. The members shall be informed of the meeting dates.
a. At least one General Membership Meeting shall be held annually, and will include the annual Business Meeting. The meeting will be announced fourteen days in advance. The Meeting will be held electronically through emails or if available by a chat room that is approved by the Board.
b. An annual financial report shall be made available at the Business Meetings. At this meeting the Treasurer shall submit a full report of the activities of the Board and the financial status of the organization.
Section 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The State Coordinator or Board may declare "Executive Session" as defined by Sturgis Parliamentary Procedure, and apply that Executive Session to any meeting. The Executive Session shall be held by phone conference with 2/3 of the Board Members participating.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
The State Coordinator or the Board may call a Special Meeting, at their discretion. Special Meetings shall not replace the Annual Business Meeting. The Board shall be notified of all Special Meetings at least two weeks in advance if possible.
Section 4. MEETINGS.
At the discretion of the Board or the State Coordinator, any meeting may be held online (internet). All online voting must be done with e-mail, the e-mails archived, and the results posted on the NCGenWeb Project, Inc. web site.
Section 5. QUORUM.
A quorum at all board meetings will be 2/3 of the board.
Section 1. CHARTER.
Our Charter (Preamble and Articles) is the statement of our principles, mission and the foundation of this corporation.
Section 2. BYLAWS. The Bylaws shall be the working rules of the organization.
Section 3. PROJECT GUIDELINES.
The Board, with a vote by the membership, shall establish guidelines for the Coordinators of County and Special Project web pages. These guidelines shall state the minimum web page standards required by NCGenWeb Project, Inc. and shall establish procedures for the removal of any member that does not meet the established standards, and these guidelines will be posted on NCGenWeb Project, Inc. web site.
Section 4. REVISIONS & AMENDMENTS.
Amendments to these Bylaws shall be proposed by the Board or by petition of any five members to the Board. Approval shall be by two-thirds vote of the members voting. Members shall be notified by regular e-mail, thirty (30) days in advance, of any proposed vote to change the Charter or Bylaws. The proposed amendments shall be posted thirty days prior to the vote. The vote will be taken via e-mail and the result shall be posted on the NCGenWeb Project, Inc., website.
Section 1. METHOD OF DISSOLUTION. Members shall be notified by regular mail at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting of the intent to vote on the dissolution of the organization (NCGenWeb, Inc.). Dissolution of this organization shall be by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 2. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS. Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes, to be determined by the NCGenWeb Board, within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code, or corresponding section of any future tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Section 1. ACTIVITIES.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activity not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law; or (b), by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
ADOPTED: April 16, 2010
LAST UPDATED: September 27, 2014


text:
IOWA CITY, IA -- The University of Iowa (UI) officially opened its new $70 million Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on Monday. The 150,000-square-foot center features a 20,000-square-foot fitness area across three floors of the multi-level facility.
School officials hope the new rec center will serve as a recruitment tool as well as a social meeting spot for students. The University of Iowa Admissions Office even created a video tour of the rec center.
"I think it's going to be a facility that will affect this campus in a sense that it will be a gathering point for students, with not only great recreational, but also social facilities," Harry Ostrander, UI director of recreational services, said in a statement. "I think it will be a great recruitment tool for students to come to the University of Iowa."
The rec center features a wellness services area, a 52 1/2-foot-high climbing wall, a 1/9-mile jogging track, three activity rooms, three multipurpose courts, a café, lounge area and locker rooms. Staff members from the UI Wellness, Health Iowa and Recreational Services department will provide fitness assessments and nutrition counseling in the wellness area. Massage therapy also will be available.
In addition, the facility includes an aquatics center with a 50-meter competitive swimming pool, a separate diving well and a leisure pool with amenities including zero-depth entry, a small lazy river, bubble benches, a spa, a rock bouldering wall and an 11-foot video board.


text:
Papoose Freestyle On Shady 45 Radio W/ Statik Selektah [User Submitted]
Shot and Edited by Justin Fleischer @jFlei for CAN.DID Media @candotdid
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
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text:
The Family Feud games features all of the favorite elements of the show as played on television, with two families playing against each other in a contest to name the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people.
The game is rendered with a dynamic redesign of familiar aspects such as the scoreboard, face offs, strikes, stealing and fast money rounds. The Family Feud game also incorporates connected gaming elements to make it easy and entertaining for friends and family to play and interact together.
This game has not yet been confirmed for this platform. Check back here for official info.
Also known as: Family Feud
Release Region: United States
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Ubisoft
Also available on: PlayStation 3, iPhone, Nintendo DS, Wii
Family Feud: 2010 Edition at IGN
Family Feud: 2010 Edition at GameSpy
Family Feud: 2010 Edition at GameStats