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WASHINGTON (AP) — In March 2007, retired FBI agent Robert Levinson flew to Kish Island, an Iranian resort awash with tourists, smugglers and organized crime figures. Days later, after an arranged meeting with an admitted killer, he checked out of his hotel, slipped into a taxi and vanished. For years, the U.S. has publicly described him as a private citizen who traveled to the tiny Persian Gulf island on private business.
But that was just a cover story. An Associated Press investigation reveals that Levinson was working for the CIA. In an extraordinary breach of the most basic CIA rules, a team of analysts — with no authority to run spy operations — paid Levinson to gather intelligence from some of the world's darkest corners. He vanished while investigating the Iranian government for the U.S.
The CIA was slow to respond to Levinson's disappearance and spent the first several months denying any involvement. When Congress eventually discovered what happened, one of the biggest scandals in recent CIA history erupted.
Behind closed doors, three veteran analysts were forced out of the agency and seven others were disciplined. The CIA paid Levinson's family $2.5 million to pre-empt a revealing lawsuit, and the agency rewrote its rules restricting how analysts can work with outsiders.
But even after the White House, FBI and State Department officials learned of Levinson's CIA ties, the official story remained unchanged.
"He's a private citizen involved in private business in Iran," the State Department said in 2007, shortly after Levinson's disappearance.
"Robert Levinson went missing during a business trip to Kish Island, Iran," the White House said last month.
Details of the unusual disappearance were described in documents obtained or reviewed by the AP, plus interviews over several years with dozens of current and former U.S. and foreign officials close to the search for Levinson. Nearly all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive case.
The AP first confirmed Levinson's CIA ties in 2010 and continued reporting to uncover more details. It agreed three times to delay publishing the story because the U.S. government said it was pursuing promising leads to get him home.
The AP is reporting the story now because, nearly seven years after his disappearance, those efforts have repeatedly come up empty. The government has not received any sign of life in nearly three years. Top U.S. officials, meanwhile, say his captors almost certainly already know about his CIA association.
There has been no hint of Levinson's whereabouts since his family received proof-of-life photos and a video in late 2010 and early 2011. That prompted a hopeful burst of diplomacy between the United States and Iran, but as time dragged on, promising leads dried up and the trail went cold.
Some in the U.S. government believe he is dead. But in the absence of evidence either way, the government holds out hope that he is alive and the FBI says it remains committed to bringing him home.
If Levinson remains alive at age 65, he has been held captive longer than any American, longer than AP journalist Terry Anderson, who was held more than six years in Beirut. Unlike Anderson, Levinson's whereabouts and captors remain a mystery.
Today, Iran and United States tiptoe toward warmer relations and a deal over Iran's nuclear enrichment. But the U.S. has no new leads about Levinson's whereabouts, officials said. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani publicly says he has no information about Levinson's whereabouts.
Meanwhile, the story of how the married father of seven children from Coral Springs, Fla., became part of the CIA's spy war with Iran has been cloaked in secrecy, with no public accounting for the agency's mistakes.
A 28-year veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI, Robert Levinson had a natural ability to cultivate informants. Former colleagues say he was an easy conversationalist who had the patience to draw out people and win their confidence. He'd talk to anyone.
"Bob, in that sense, was fearless," said retired FBI Assistant Director Mark Mershon, who worked with Levinson in Miami in the 1980s. "He wasn't concerned about being turned down or turned away."
As the Soviet Union collapsed, Levinson turned his attention away from Mafia bosses and cocaine cartels and began watching the Russian gangsters who made their homes in Florida. Russian organized crime was a niche then and Levinson made a name as one of the few investigators who understood it.
At a Justice Department organized crime conference in Santa Fe, N.M., in the early 1990s, Levinson listened to a presentation by a CIA analyst named Anne Jablonski and spotted a kindred spirit.
Jablonski was perhaps the government's foremost expert on Russian organized crime. Former colleagues say she had an encyclopedic memory and could, at the mere mention of a crime figure, quickly explain his place in the hierarchy and his method of moving money. When White House officials had questions about Russian organized crime, they often called Jablonski directly.
In the relatively staid world of CIA analysts, Jablonski was also a quirky character, a yoga devotee who made her own cat food, a woman who skipped off to Las Vegas to renew her vows in an Elvis-themed chapel.
After the Santa Fe conference, Levinson left a note for Jablonski at her hotel and the two began exchanging thoughts on organized crime. Jablonski invited Levinson to CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., to speak to her colleagues in the Office of Russian and European Analysis.
By the time Levinson retired from the FBI in 1998, he and Jablonski were close friends. She attended his going-away party in Florida, met his family and harvested his knowledge of organized crime.
In retirement, Levinson worked as a private investigator, traveling the world and gathering information for corporate clients. Jablonski, meanwhile, thrived at the CIA. After the Sept. 11 attacks, former colleagues say, she was assigned to brief Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller about terrorist threats every morning.
In 2005, Jablonski moved to the Office of Transnational Issues, the CIA team that tracks threats across borders. Right away, she arranged for Levinson to speak to the money-laundering experts in the office's Illicit Finance Group.
In a sixth-floor CIA conference room, Levinson explained how to track dirty money. Unlike the analysts in the audience, Levinson came from the field. He generated his own information.
In June 2006, the head of Illicit Finance, Tim Sampson, hired Levinson on a contract with the CIA, former officials said. Like most CIA contracts, it was not a matter of public record. But it also wasn't classified.
At its core, the CIA is made up of two groups: operatives and analysts. Operatives collect intelligence and recruit spies. Analysts receive strands of information and weave them together, making sense of the world for Washington decision-makers.
Their responsibilities don't overlap. Operatives manage spies. Analysts don't.
Levinson was hired to work for a team of analysts. His contract, worth about $85,000, called for him to write reports for the CIA based on his travel and his expertise.
From the onset, however, he was doing something very different. He wasn't writing scholarly dissertations on the intricacies of money laundering. He was gathering intelligence, officials say.
He uncovered sensitive information about Colombian rebels. He dug up dirt on Venezuela's mercurial president. He delivered photos and documents on militant groups. And he met with sources about Iran's nuclear program, according to people who have reviewed the materials.
Levinson's production got noticed. The CIA expected he'd provide one or two items a month from his travels. Some months, former officials said, Levinson would send 20 packages including photos, computer disks and documents — the work of a man with decades of investigative experience.
Levinson's arrangement with the CIA was odd.
The agency instructed him not to mail his packages to headquarters or email documents to government addresses, former officials said. Instead, he was told to ship his packages to Jablonski's home in Virginia. If he needed to follow up, he was instructed to contact Jablonski's personal email account.
Jablonski said the analysts simply wanted to avoid the CIA's lengthy mail screening process. As an employee, Jablonski could just drive the documents through the front gate each morning.
"I didn't think twice about it," she said in an interview.
But the normal way to speed up the process is to open a post office box or send packages by FedEx, officials say. And if Levinson were producing only unclassified analytical documents, there would have been no reason he couldn't email them to the CIA.
The whole arrangement was so peculiar that CIA investigators conducting an internal probe would later conclude it was an effort to keep top CIA officials from figuring out that the analysts were running a spying operation. Jablonski adamantly denies that.
What's more, the Illicit Finance Group didn't follow the typical routine for international travel. Before someone travels abroad for the agency, the top CIA officer in the country normally clears it. That way, if a CIA employee is arrested or creates a diplomatic incident, the agency isn't caught by surprise.
That didn't happen before Levinson's trips, former officials said. He journeyed to Panama, Turkey and Canada and was paid upon his return, people familiar with his travels said. After each trip, he submitted bills and the CIA paid him for the information and reimbursed him for his travel expenses.
Neither the analysts nor the contract officers or managers who reviewed the contract, ever flagged it as a problem that Levinson's travel might become a problem.
It would prove to be a serious problem.
Levinson was assigned a contract officer inside the agency, a young analyst named Brian O'Toole. But Jablonski was always his primary contact. Sometimes, he told her before he left for a trip. Other times, he didn't. The emails between Jablonski and Levinson, some of which the AP has seen or obtained, are circumspect. But they show that Levinson was taking his cues from her.
The more Levinson did for the agency, the more the analysts ran afoul of the CIA's most basic rules.
Before anyone can meet sources, seasoned CIA intelligence officials must review the plan to make sure the source isn't a double agent. That never happened for Levinson.
Levinson's meetings blurred the lines between his work as a private investigator and his work as a government contractor. Inside the CIA, the analysts reasoned that as long as they didn't specifically assign Levinson to meet someone, they were abiding by the rules.
On Feb. 5, 2007, Levinson emailed Jablonski and said he was gathering intelligence on Iranian corruption. He said he was developing an informant with access to the government and could arrange a meeting in Dubai or on an island nearby.
Problem was, Levinson's contract was out of money and, though the CIA was working to authorize more, it had yet to do so.
"I would like to know if I do, in fact, expend my own funds to conduct this meeting, there will be reimbursement sometime in the near future, or, if I should discontinue this, as well as any and all similar projects until renewal time in May," Levinson wrote.
There's no evidence that Jablonski ever responded to that email. And she says she has no recollection of ever receiving it.
A few days later, Levinson joined Jablonski and her husband for dinner at Harry's Tap Room in the Washington suburbs. Levinson was days away from his trip, and though he was eager to get paid for it, Jablonski says the subject never came up in conversation.
The discussion was more light-hearted, she said. She recalls scolding her overweight friend for not eating right, especially while on the road. At one point she recalls chiding him: "If I were your wife, I'd confiscate your passport."
On Feb. 12, Levinson again emailed Jablonski, saying he hadn't heard anything from the contract office. Jablonski urged him not to get the contract team involved.
"Probably best if we keep talk about the additional money among us girls — you, me, Tim and Brian — and not get the contracts folks involved until they've been officially notified through channels," Jablonski said, according to emails read to the AP.
Jablonski signed off: "Be safe."
Levinson said he understood. He said he'd try to make this trip as successful as previous ones. And he promised to "keep a low profile."
"I'll call you upon my return from across the pond," he said.
While Levinson was overseas, the CIA was raving about information Levinson had recent sent about Venezuela and Colombian rebels.
"You hit a home run out of the park with that stuff," she wrote. "We can't, of course, task you on anything, but let's just say it's GREAT material."
Levinson arrived in Dubai on March 3, 2007. Friends and investigators say he was investigating cigarette smuggling and also looking into Russian organized crime there.
On March 8, he boarded a short flight to Kish Island, a tourist destination about 11 miles off Iran's southern coast. Unlike the Dubai trip, this one was solely for the CIA. He was there to meet his source about Iran.
The biggest prize would be gleaning something about Iran's nuclear program, one of the CIA's most important targets.
Levinson's source on Kish was Dawud Salahuddin, an American fugitive wanted for killing a former Iranian diplomat in Maryland in 1980. In interviews with ABC News and the New Yorker, Salahuddin has admitted killing the diplomat
Since fleeing to Iran, Salahuddin had become close to some in the Iranian government, particularly to those seen as reformers and moderates.
To set up the meeting, Levinson worked with a longtime friend, retired NBC investigative reporter Ira Silverman. Silverman had talked at length with Salahuddin and, in a 2002 piece for the New Yorker magazine, portrayed him as a potential intelligence source if the U.S. could coax him out of Iran. The subtitle of the article: "He's an assassin who fled the country. Could he help Washington now?"
"I told them to put off until after the U.S. surge in Iraq was completed," Salahuddin told the National Security News Service, a Washington news site, shortly after Levinson disappeared. "But Silverman and Levinson pushed for the meeting and that's why we met in March."
Silverman's role in helping set up Levinson's meeting with Salahuddin has been previously disclosed. Silverman declined to discuss Levinson's disappearance.
Levinson's flight landed late the morning of March 8, a breezy, cloudy day. He checked into the Hotel Maryam, a few blocks off Kish's eastern beaches. Salahuddin has said he met with Levinson for hours in his hotel room.
The hotel's registry, which Levinson's wife has seen, showed him checking out on March 9, 2007.
Jablonski was in the office when news broke that Levinson had gone missing. She went to the bathroom and threw up.
FBI agents began asking about Levinson's disappearance and the CIA started a formal inquiry into whether anyone at the agency had sent Levinson to Iran or whether he was working for the CIA at the time.
The response from the analytical division was that, yes, Levinson had given a few presentations and had done some analytical work. But his contract was out of money. The agency had no current relationship with Levinson and there was no connection to Iran.
That's what the CIA told the FBI and Congress, according to numerous current and former FBI, CIA and congressional officials.
Jablonski never mentioned to internal investigators the many emails she'd traded with Levinson, officials close to the investigation said. When asked, she said she had no idea he was heading to Iran. She didn't tell managers or that Levinson expected to be reimbursed for the trip he was on, or that he was investigating Iranian corruption.
Jablonski says none of this was a secret; Levinson's contract and work product were available to others at the CIA, she said.
Because the emails were exchanged from her personal account, they were not available to investigators searching the CIA's computers. But had anyone at the CIA or FBI conducted even a cursory examination of Levinson's work product, it would have been immediately clear that Levinson was not acting as a mere analyst.
Had anyone read his invoices, people who have seen or been briefed on them said, investigators would have seen handwritten bills mentioning Iran and its Revolutionary Guard.
That didn't happen.
So the official story became that Levinson was in Iran on private business, either to investigate cigarette smuggling or to work on a book about Russian organized crime, which has a presence on Kish.
At the State Department, officials told the world that Levinson was a private businessman.
"At the time of his disappearance Mr. Levinson was not working for the United States government," the State Department said in a May 2007 message sent to embassies worldwide and signed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Levinson's family feared the government had forsaken him.
The government's version would have remained the official story if not for Levinson's friends. One of them was David McGee, a former Justice Department prosecutor in Florida who had worked with Levinson when he was at the FBI. McGee, now in private practice at the Florida law firm Beggs and Lane, knew that Levinson was working for the CIA. He just couldn't prove it.
As time dragged on, McGee kept digging. Finally, he and his paralegal, Sonya Dobbs, discovered Levinson's emails with Jablonski.
They were astounded. And they finally had the proof they needed to get the government's attention.
Armed with the emails, McGee wrote to the Senate Intelligence Committee in October 2007. The CIA had indeed been involved in Levinson's trip, the letter proved.
The CIA had been caught telling Congress a story that was flatly untrue. The Intelligence Committee was furious. In particular, Levinson's senator, Bill Nelson, D-Fla., took a personal interest in the case. The committee controls the budget of the CIA, and one angry senator there can mean months of headaches for the agency.
CIA managers said their own employees had lied to them. They blamed the analysts for not coming forward sooner. But the evidence had been hiding in plain sight. The CIA didn't conduct a thorough investigation until the Senate got involved. By then, Levinson had been missing for more than eight months. Precious time had been lost.
Sampson said he was never aware of Levinson's emails with Jablonski or the Iranian trip.
"I didn't even know he was working on Iran," he said. "As far as I knew he was a Latin America, money-laundering and Russian organized crime guy. I would never have directed him to do that."
Finally, the CIA assigned its internal security team to investigate. That inquiry quickly determined that the agency was responsible for Levinson while he was in Iran, according to a former official familiar with the review. That was an important conclusion. It meant that, whatever happened to Levinson overseas, the CIA bore responsibility.
Next, a team of counterintelligence officers began unraveling the case.
The investigation renewed some longtime tensions between the CIA's operatives and analysts. The investigators felt the analysts had been running their own amateur spy operation, with disastrous results. Worse, they said the analysts withheld what they knew, allowing senior managers to testify falsely on Capitol Hill.
That led the Justice Department to investigate possible criminal charges against Jablonski and Sampson. Charges were never pursued, current and former officials said, in part because a criminal case could have revealed the whole story behind Levinson's disappearance. Officially, though, the investigation remains open.
Sampson offered to take a polygraph. Jablonski says she has consistently told the truth. Recently, as the five-year statute of limitations concluded, FBI agents interviewed her again and she told the same story, officials said.
The analysts argued that many people had seen Levinson's contract and his work product. Nobody questioned it until he went missing, they said. The way the analysts saw it, the CIA was looking for scapegoats.
"That she would even by accident put someone in harm's way is laughable," said Margaret Henoch, a former CIA officer and a close friend of Jablonski. "When I worked with Anne, and I worked very closely with her for a very long time, she was always the one who pulled me up short and made me follow procedure."
Jablonski said the CIA's relationship with Levinson was not unusual. But as part of the investigation, the CIA reviewed every analytical contract it had.
Only Levinson was meeting with sources, collecting information, and getting reimbursed for his trips, officials said. Only Levinson was mailing packages of raw information to the home of an analyst.
Despite Jablonski's denials, her emails convinced investigators that she knew Levinson was heading overseas and, with a wink and a nod, made it clear he could expect to be paid.
In May 2008, Jablonski was escorted from the building and put on administrative leave. Sampson was next. At the CIA, when you're shown the door, you leave with nothing. Security officers empty your desk, scrutinize its contents and mail you whatever doesn't belong to the agency.
Both were given the option of resigning or being fired. The next month, they resigned. Their boss was forced into retirement. At least seven others were disciplined, including employees of the contracts office that should have noticed that Levinson's invoices didn't square with his contract.
In secret Senate hearings from late 2007 through early 2008, CIA Deputy Director Stephen Kappes acknowledged that the agency had been involved in Levinson's disappearance and conceded that it hadn't been as forthcoming as it should have been, current and former officials said.
The CIA's top lawyer, John Rizzo, had to explain it all to the White House. Former Bush administration officials recall Rizzo meeting with a stunned Fred Fielding, the White House counsel who asked, since when do CIA analysts get involved in operations?
One of Rizzo's assistants, Joseph Sweeney, a lawyer, flew to Florida to apologize to Levinson's family.
The CIA paid the family about $120,000, the value of the new contract the CIA was preparing for him when he left for Iran. The government also gave the family a $2.5 million annuity, which provides tax-free income, multiple people briefed on the deal said. Neither side wanted a lawsuit that would air the secret details in public.
Jablonski now analyzes risk for companies doing business overseas.
Sampson, the former head of CIA's Illicit Finance group, quickly returned to the government, landing a job at the Department of Homeland Security's intelligence division. O'Toole, the young contracts officer, moved to the Treasury Department. He would not comment.
Inside the CIA, the biggest legacy of the Levinson case might be the strict new rules in place for analysts. Before, analysts were encouraged to build relationships with experts. An analyst could go to dinner with a professor of Middle East affairs or pick up the phone and chat with a foreign affairs expert. The 9/11 Commission encouraged CIA analysts to do even more to solicit outside views.
After the Levinson inquiry, the CIA handed down orders requiring analysts to seek approval for nearly any conversation with outsiders. The rules were intended to prevent another debacle like Levinson's, but former officials say they also chilled efforts to bring outside views into the CIA.
The U.S. always suspected, but could never prove, that Levinson had been picked up by Iranian security forces. What was not immediately clear, however, was whether Iran knew that Levinson was working for the CIA.
Now, nearly than seven years later, investigators believe Iranian authorities must know. Levinson wasn't trained to resist interrogation. U.S. officials could not imagine him withholding information from Iranian interrogators, who have been accused of the worst types of mental and physical abuses.
In an October 2010 interview with the AP, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran at the time, said his country was willing to help find Levinson. But he appeared to suggest he knew or had suspicions that Levinson was working for the U.S. government.
"Of course if it becomes clear what his goal was, or if he was indeed on a mission, then perhaps specific assistance can be given," Ahmadinejad said. "For example, if he had plans to visit with a group or an individual or go to another country, he would be easier to trace in that instance."
As a CIA contractor, Levinson would have been a valuable chip to bargain with on the world stage. So if Iran had captured him, and knew his CIA ties, why the secrecy?
That question became even more confusing in 2009, when three U.S. hikers strayed across border from Iraq into Iran and were arrested. If Iran had captured Levinson, investigators wondered, why would it publicly accuse three hikers of espionage while keeping quiet about an actual CIA contractor?
Occasionally, Iranian defectors would claim to have seen Levinson or to have heard where he was being held, according to his family, former officials and State Department cables published by WikiLeaks.
A French doctor said Levinson was treated at his hospital in Tehran. An Iranian nurse claimed to have attended to him. One defector said he saw Levinson's name scrawled into a prison door frame. Someone sent Levinson's family what appeared to be secret Iranian court documents with his name on them.
But the U.S. could never confirm any of these accounts or corroborate the documents.
Occasionally, the family would hear from someone claiming to be the captor. Once, someone sent an email not only to the family, but also to other addresses that might have been stored on Levinson's phone. But despite efforts to try to start negotiating, the sender went silent.
The State Department continued its calls on Iran to release information about Levinson's whereabouts. Then, in November 2010, Levinson's wife Christine received an email from an unknown address. A file was attached, but it would not open.
Frantic, she sent the email to some computer savvy friends, who opened the file and held the phone to the computer. Christine Levinson immediately recognized her husband's voice.
"My beautiful, my loving, my loyal wife, Christine," he began.
The 54-second video showed Levinson sitting in front of a concrete wall, looking haggard but unharmed. He said he was running dangerously low of diabetes medicine, and he pleaded with the government to bring him home.
"Thirty-three years of service to the United States deserves something," Levinson said. "Please help me."
The video was a startling proof of life and it ignited the first promising round of diplomacy since Levinson's disappearance. U.S. officials met privately with members of the Iranian government to discuss the case. The Iranians still denied any knowledge of Levinson's whereabouts but said they were willing to help, U.S. officials said.
Some details about the video didn't add up, though. The email had been sent from a cyber cafe in Pakistan, officials said, and Pashtun wedding music played faintly in the background. The Pashtun people live primarily in Pakistan and Afghanistan, just across Iran's eastern border.
Further, the video was accompanied by a demand that the U.S. release prisoners. But officials said the United States was not holding anyone matching the names on the list.
In March 2011, after months of trying to negotiate with shadows, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement saying the U.S. had evidence that Levinson was being held "somewhere in southwest Asia." The implication was that Levinson might be in the hands of terrorist group or criminal organization somewhere in Pakistan or Afghanistan, not necessarily in Iran.
U.S. intelligence officials working the case still believed Iran was behind Levinson's disappearance, but they hoped Clinton's statement would offer a plausible alternative story if Iran wanted to release him without acknowledging it ever held him.
U.S. negotiators didn't care what the story was, as long as it ended with Levinson coming home.
The following month, the family received another email, this time from a new address, one that tracked back to Afghanistan. Photos were attached. Levinson looked far worse. His hair and beard were long and white. He wore an orange Guantanamo Bay-style jumpsuit. A chain around his neck held a sign in front of his face. Each picture bore a different message.
"Why you can not help me," was one.
Though the photos were disturbing, the U.S. government and Levinson's family saw them as a hopeful sign that whoever was holding Levinson was interested in making a deal. Then, a surprising thing happened.
Nobody is sure why the contact stopped. Some believe that, if Iran held him, all the government wanted was for the United States to tell the world that Levinson might not be in Iran after all. Others believe Levinson died.
Iran executes hundreds of prisoners each year, human rights groups say. Many others disappear and are presumed dead. With Levinson's history of diabetes and high blood pressure, it was also possible he died under questioning.
The discussions with Iran ended. A task force of CIA, FBI and State Department officials studied the case anew. Analysts considered alternative theories. Maybe Levinson was captured by Russian organized crime figures, smugglers or terrorists? They investigated connections between Russian and Iranian oil interests.
But each time, they came back to Iran.
For example, during one meeting between the U.S. and Iran, the Iranians said they were searching for Levinson and were conducting raids in Baluchistan, a mountainous region that includes parts of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, U.S. officials said. But the U.S. ultimately concluded that there were no raids, and officials determined that the episode was a ruse by the Iranians to learn how U.S. intelligence agencies work.
Then, U.S. operatives in Afghanistan traced the hostage photos to a cellphone used to transmit them, officials said. They even tracked down the owner, but concluded he had nothing to do with sending them.
Such abrupt dead ends were indicative of a professional intelligence operation, the U.S. concluded. Whoever sent the photos and videos had made no mistakes. Mobsters and terrorists are seldom so careful.
Iran denies any knowledge of Levinson's whereabouts and says it's doing all it can.
This past June, Iran elected Hassan Rouhani as president. He has struck a more moderate tone than his predecessor, sparking hope for warmer relations between Iran and the West. But Rouhani's statements on Levinson were consistent with Ahmadinejad's.
"He is an American who has disappeared," Rouhani told CNN in September. "We have no news of him. We do not know where he is."
Back home in Florida, Christine Levinson works to keep her husband's name in the news and pushes the Obama administration to do more. Last year, the FBI offered a reward of $1 million for information leading to the return of her husband. But the money hasn't worked.
In their big, tight-knit family, Bob Levinson has missed many birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and grandchildren.
Levinson was always the breadwinner, the politically savvy investigator who understood national security. Now it is his wife who has traveled to Iran seeking information on her husband, who has meetings on Capitol Hill or with White House officials. They are kind and reassuring.
But nothing changes.
Others held in Iran have returned home. Not her husband.
"There isn't any pressure on Iran to resolve this," she said in January, frustrated with what she said was a lack of attention by Washington. "It's been much too long."
By MATT APUZZO and ADAM GOLDMAN
— Dec. 12, 2013 9:26 PM EST
Find this story at 12 December 2013
P News | © 2013 Associated Press
Missing American in Iran was on unapproved mission
December 23, 2013


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
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Latex mattresses are a great option for those who want a natural, eco friendly mattress that provides excellent support, as well as great contouring. Latex is derived from the sap of rubber tree and provides a resilient, slightly responsive feeling without the hugging effect that memory foam offers. People who are allergic or want to reduce their risk of future allergies often choose latex.
Look for a mattress with either Dunlop or Talalay latex. Both have the same benefits, but Talalay latex is a more consistent material.
Polyurethane foam is another common type of mattress material and can come in a range of densities. Look for a mattress with CertiPUR US certification, which indicates that the foam is free of formaldehyde, heavy metals and ozone depleters. If you are considering polyfoam mattresses, look for a hybrid model with individually wrapped coils. This will improve motion isolation. This is an excellent choice for those who sleep with a companion or move around a lot in their sleep.
Choosing a mattress
It's important to find a mattress that provides you with a good night's rest. The mattress that you choose should be comfortable and support your neck and back. A mattress should be durable enough to last at least 10 years. You can also look for a mattress that offers good motion isolation so you won't be disturbed when your partner moves or gets up.
You should consider your sleeping position as well as the size of your mattress and the materials used in it. You should also look into any complaints or issues with the mattress you are considering.
When shopping for a new mattress online, be sure to check out the return policy. Also, find out if the company charges any shipping or handling fees. You should also make sure that the mattress was made in the United States, and does not contain fiberglass, which is a synthetic flame retardant linked to health issues.
Buying a Mattress
Mattresses are a big investment, and picking the right one can be tricky. There are many things to consider: the size of the room and bed you will be using, your budget, your medical conditions and allergies, your sleeping partner, the material used, and the size and shape of the mattress.
It's important to compare prices and read reviews when shopping for a new mattress. However, be sure to take reviews with a grain of salt and understand the context in which they were written.
It's best to test mattresses before purchasing them, as sleep comfort is subjective. Some brands offer sleep trials and hassle-free return policies, but be sure to check the fine print to ensure that they are clear about the conditions of the trial and any fees associated with returning a mattress. Make sure that the mattress you purchase meets flammability requirements. Lastly, make sure the company you're purchasing from provides reliable shipping and delivery services that will set up your mattress for you and haul away your old one.


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From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.
And I'm Robert Siegel.
The U.S. and Europe imposed new sanctions on Russian leaders today in response to Russia's takeover of Crimea. The Russians responded with their own sanctions. The country's foreign minister accused Kiev of organizing attacks on Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. And in Crimea itself, there were more incidents of pro-Russian forces taking over Ukrainian territory, while members of the pro-Kiev Tatar minority, along with thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and their families in the peninsula, are still caught in a legal limbo.
We'll hear more about the Tatar is in the moment. But first, we're joined by Eleanor Beardsley in Kiev. Eleanor, both the U.S. and Europe toughened sanctions on Russia today. Tell us about that.
ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: That's right. President Obama announced that the U.S. is levying a new round of sanctions on a bigger hit list of individuals in Russia. And these include government and business leaders who are close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, some for many years, and a bank. So, some of these people are the richest men in Russia. The list also includes a lot of people from St. Petersburg, that's Putin's home town.
So these are local business leaders who've, you know, profited the most from their long relationship with Vladimir Putin. And one of those influential St. Petersburg Russians is a man named Yuri Kovalchuk. He's a very close friend to Putin and his known as Putin's banker. He's also one of the owners of Rossiya Bank, which was also targeted, its assets frozen today. The U.S. says it has about $10 billion in assets and handles the business of these rich Russians. So these are the new people and the bank on the list. And top Obama aides call them cronies and a crony bank.
SIEGEL: So those are the new U.S. sanctions. What about the Europeans, what did they do?
BEARDSLEY: Pretty much the same thing, they imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on more people in Putin's inner circle. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel actually went farther today. She warned that the measures could go beyond targeting specific individuals. It would be much higher level economic sanctions and even an arms embargo if Russia did not pull back. And that's big because the EU is Russia's biggest trading partner, so that would hurt. And the EU canceled today what was seen for the Russians as an important EU-Russia summit in June.
SIEGEL: So how is Russia reacting to the news out of both Brussels and Washington?
BEARDSLEY: Well, Russia has slapped its own travel ban on nine U.S. lawmakers. You know, it said that the West's sanctions were a double-edged sword. And it said it would boomerang. And, you know, one of the people on this list is Senator John McCain from Arizona. Now, he's no big fan of Russia and I doubt he was planning to go there anytime soon.
But more seriously, what Russia did today is their lower house of parliament, the Duma, ratified the treaty that would take Crimea into the Russian Federation. Now it just has to be signed by Putin, rubberstamped by the upper house and it's going to be a done deal for them.
SIEGEL: And what's actually happening today in Ukraine and Crimea?
BEARDSLEY: Right, I mean as if all that weren't enough, on the ground it's moving very fast. There were reports this morning that pro-Russia forces actually stormed two or maybe three Ukrainian warships in the Port of Sevastopol. This remains to be confirmed.
This morning, the Deputy Defense Minister spoke to the press and he said the families of the Ukrainian troops in Crimea were being taken out. But he seemed unclear when any sort of troops, Ukrainian troops would be leaving. Ukrainians say that their soldiers are under siege in Crimea. They want to make the whole peninsula a demilitarized zone. They've asked for the U.N. to intercede.
Speaking of the U.N., the head of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is in Moscow today meeting with Russian authorities. He's going to be in Kiev tomorrow. He's looking for a solution. He's trying to calm tensions. But tomorrow, as well, Ukraine's new prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, plans to sign a political agreement with EU leaders. This is showing that Ukraine's new interim government there's no turning back, they want to go towards Europe and they're making it clear.
SIEGEL: That's NPR's Eleanor Beardsley in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Eleanor, thank you.
BEARDSLEY: Good to be with you, Robert. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It is also used to treat anthrax infection after inhalational exposure. Levofloxacin is also used to treat and prevent plague (including pneumonic and septicemic plague).
Levofloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of levofloxacin in children. However, because of this medicine's toxicity, it should be used with caution, after other alternatives have been considered or found ineffective. Levofloxacin may be used in children 6 months of age and older to prevent anthrax infection after possible exposure, and to treat plague infection.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of levofloxacin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related tendon disorders (including tendon rupture) and kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving levofloxacin.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Levofloxacin oral liquid should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Measure your dose with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
You may take levofloxacin tablets with meals or on an empty stomach.
This medicine is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help prevent some unwanted effects of levofloxacin.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take one dose a day, try to take it at the same time each day.
If you need to take this medicine for anthrax infection or plague, your doctor will want you to begin taking it as soon as possible after you are exposed to anthrax or bacteria causing the plague.
If you are taking didanosine buffered tablets for oral suspension or the pediatric powder for oral suspension, sucralfate, or antacids, multivitamins, or other products containing aluminum, magnesium, iron, or zinc, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after using levofloxacin. These medicines may keep levofloxacin from working properly.
Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Levofloxacin may rarely cause inflammation (tendinitis) or tearing of a tendon (the cord that attaches muscles to the bones). This can occur while you are taking the medicine or after you finish using it. The risk of having tendon problems may be increased if you are over 60 years of age, are using steroid medicines (eg, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), have severe kidney problems, have a history of tendon problems (eg, rheumatoid arthritis), or have received an organ (eg, heart, kidney, or lung) transplant. Check with your doctor right away if you get sudden pain or swelling in a tendon after exercise (eg, in the ankle, back of the knee or leg, shoulder, elbow, or wrist), bruise more easily after an injury, or are unable to bear weight or move the affected area. Refrain from exercise until your doctor says otherwise.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, lightheadedness or fainting, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you or your child take this medicine.
Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without warning. However, possible warning signs include: black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, bloody or cloudy urine, chills, decreased urination, diarrhea, fever, joint or muscle pain, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, severe stomach pain, skin rash, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual weight gain, or yellow skin or eyes. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.
Levofloxacin may lower the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
Levofloxacin may cause serious liver problems, including hepatitis. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start having nausea or vomiting, dark urine, light-colored stools, stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin while using this medicine.
Levofloxacin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start having numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. These may be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
If you have low blood potassium or an abnormally slow heartbeat, levofloxacin may increase your risk of having a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or fainting spells. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: convulsions (seizures), feeling anxious, confused, or depressed, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, severe headache, trouble sleeping, or unusual thoughts or behaviors.
This medicine may increase your risk for aortic aneurysm (bulge in the wall of the largest artery). Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden chest, stomach, or back pain, trouble breathing, cough, or hoarseness.
If you are a diabetic patient using insulin or diabetes medicine by mouth: Levofloxacin may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in some patients. Symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people may feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, check with your doctor right away.
Some people who take levofloxacin may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause severe sunburn or skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration. When you begin using this medicine:
If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.
Levofloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: July 01, 2024
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/levofloxacin-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20064518


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Routing Number | 123206011 |
Date of Revision | 060514 |
Bank | COLUMBIA STATE BANK |
Address | 5210 74TH STREET WEST SUITE B |
City | LAKEWOOD |
State | WA |
Phone | (253) 471-5075 |
The downside of international transfers with your bank
When you send or receive an international wire with your bank, you might lose money on a bad exchange rate and pay hidden fees as a result. That's because the banks still use an old system to exchange money. We recommend you use Wise, which is usually much cheaper. With their smart technology:
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About ACH US Routing Number
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Routing Numbers are part of an electronic payment system which allows users to make payments or collect funds through the ACH network. Currently there are more than 18,000 unique Routing Numbers in our database.
The tool is provided for informational purposes only. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate data, users must acknowledge that this website accepts no liability whatsoever with respect to its accuracy. Only your bank can confirm the correct bank account information. If you are making an important payment, which is time critical, we recommend to contact your bank first.


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The latest Firefox removes the Add-on bar and now places an Add-on's button in the main toolbar.
- Learn how to customize their display or how to restore the Add-on Bar if you wish. See, What happened to the Add-on Bar?
The Add-on Bar is a toolbar that holds all of your add-on shortcuts, giving you quick and easy access to their features. This article shows you how to use and customize the Add-on Bar.
Table of Contents
What does the Add-on Bar do?
The Add-on Bar sits at the bottom of the Firefox window and gives add-ons a place to put shortcuts and other widgets.
How do I show or hide the Add-on Bar?
If you don't have any add-ons that use the Add-on Bar, it won't be shown by default but you can easily show or hide it whenever you want.
- To show or hide the Add-on Bar, right-clickcontrol-click on an empty section of the Tab Strip and check or uncheck it in the pop-up menu.
- If the Add-on Bar is open already, you can close it by clicking on the close icon on the bar itself.
- You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + /Command + /.
How do I customize the Add-on Bar?
You can customize the Add-on Bar the same way you customize any of the other Firefox toolbars:
- Right-clickControl-click on an empty section of the Tab Strip, select and the Customize Toolbar window will open.
- Drag and drop the items you want into the Add-on Bar.
- To add an item, drag it from the Customize Toolbar window onto the Add-on Bar where you want it to appear.
- To remove an item from the Add-on bar, just drag it to the Customize Toolbar window.
- To rearrange items, drag them into the order you want them to appear.
- When you are finished making changes, click to close the Customize Toolbar window and save your selections.
How can I rock my Firefox?
One of the best things about Firefox is that you can completely customize it to fit how you work. Rock Your Firefox is a great place to learn about add-ons and you can search through thousands of add-ons over at addons.mozilla.org. To learn more about add-ons, see Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox.
Try it out: If you're not already using add-ons, download a few that look interesting and try them out for a while. If your not happy with them, Disable or remove Add-ons will show you how to get rid of them.
What happened to the Status Bar?
Although the Add-on Bar looks similar to the old status bar, it doesn't have any of its features. The status bar at the bottom of the Firefox window has changed in Firefox 4 and some of its features have been moved to other places. See What happened to the Status Bar? for more details.


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Job Information
Advantage Solutions Part Time Retail Sales Merchandiser in Huachuca City, Arizona
Part Time Retail Sales Merchandiser
We are searching for a self-motivated Retail Sales Merchandiser. This position services and sells to retail accounts within an assigned territory, ensuring Client standards are met and sales volumes are increased. The ideal candidate is independent, ambitious, and driven to succeed. They possess strong sales skills and the confidence to influence key decision makers at the store level.This role works with one of our industry-leading clients in the Consumer Package Good's (CPG) industry with brands in categories such as Grocery, Personal Care, and Frozen Food.
Take this opportunity to join North America's leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people and earning competitive pay! Apply today!
What We Offer:
Paid Training and ongoing career development.
Mileage reimbursement.
What You'll Do:
Flex your organizational skills to build relationships with store personnel, create impactful action plans, and support a positive brand image.
Ensure sales are flawlessly executed on time and against client's growth initiatives.
Meet and exceed sales goals by increasing in-store visibility of client products and promotions.
Ensure products are always available by maintaining merchandising and display standards.
Implement innovativemarketing strategies that drive product positioning and awareness.
High school diploma, GED, or 1-2 years of retail sales or merchandising experience.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills as this position requires daily discussions with customers at all personnel levels.
Demonstrated ability to multi-task, elevated sense of urgency, and attention to detail.
Adaptability to changing demands and client goals.
Strength working independently, but also as a member of the larger company team.
Job Will Remain Open Until Filled
The Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.
Position Summary
The Retail Sales Merchandiser (RSM) is responsible for servicing and selling to retail accounts within an assigned territory to ensure Client standards are met and volume is increased.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Sales and Merchandising
Maintain Client objectives by ensuring secondary placements of product(s) are fully stocked, correctly signed, properly faced, and set to schematics
Shelf Standards and Conditions: authorization of items to meet Client shelf schematic standards
Meet Client and Company objectives by maintaining full distribution on existing SKUs.
Take direction regarding tagging, rotating, and placing POS materials for products on shelf
Prepare for and respond to audits
Manage time and prioritize for store call coverage
Complete accurate and timely paperwork and reports, recaps, itineraries, timesheets, expense reports, etc.
May provide feedback for Client audit objectives
Customer Relations
Communicate effectively both internally with management and externally with all customers
Build rapport with Clients and Customers
Field questions and proactively develop action plans to resolve issues
Additional Responsibilities
Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management
Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance
Adheres to all Company Policies & Procedures and Safety Regulations
Adheres to local, state and federal laws
Performs the job safely utilizing proper equipment and safety techniques
Additional responsibilities as assigned by supervisor related to the position/department
Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct Reports
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports
Indirect Reports
This position does not have guidance or mentoring responsibilities for indirect reports
Travel and/or Driving Requirements
Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job
Travel up to 20%
Must maintain current and valid driver's license and valid proof of current insurance.
Minimum Qualifications
The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job
Education Level: (Required): High School Diploma or GED or equivalent experience
Field of Study/Area of Experience: Basic knowledge of retail merchandising and/or selling
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Aggressive self-starter with a strong bias for action and results orientation
High sense of urgency; strong drive and passion to win
Keen attention to detail
Excellent customer service, interpersonal and communication skills; position requires daily discussions with customers at all personnel levels.
Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks
Ability to work independently, but also successful team building skills
Demonstrate good judgment and show respect for others
Works cooperatively with others toward common group objectives, demonstrates respect for the ideas and contributions of other team members, cultivates positive relationships with other associates, and provides assistance and support to others
Ability to communicate with email and basic internet skills
Adaptability to changing demands, priorities, circumstances and directions
Demonstrate commitment to meet or exceed customers' expectations
Environmental & Physical Requirements
Field / Administrative Requirements
Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use products or cook food as appropriate for the demonstration, and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections). Also required to travel and drive. The use of proper safety practices when handling the products and/or cooking is essential.
Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one's supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).
Important Information
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.
The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Job Locations US-AZ-Huachuca City | US-AZ-Sierra Vista
Primary Posting Location : City Huachuca City
Primary Posting Location : State/Province AZ
Postal Code 85616
Primary Posting Location : Country US
Requisition ID 2024-432428
Position Type Part Time
Minimum USD $16.50/Hr.
Maximum USD $18.00/Hr.


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Get the Best Price on Auto Transport Quotes & Services
Since 1979, A Advantage Logistics, Inc. has given corporations, car manufacturers, and individuals, quality auto transport service. Thousands of people choose us for their car shipping needs every year and save hundreds of dollars!
- Quality Auto Transport Since 1979
- A+ Rated Insurance Coverage
- Discount Car Shipping Rates
- Fleet of 25 Ultramodern Company Owned Vehicle Carriers
- Door-to-Door Service Available
- Realtime Satellite Tracking
- Offices in Most Major Cities
- Immediate Pickup Available *
- Soft Sided Trailers for Added Protection *
- Licensed Broker and Motor Carrier
- Guaranteed Delivery Time for Car Transport Services Available *
Why Get Your FREE Car Shipping Quotes from CarMoves.com?
You can get auto shipping quotes directly from car shipping companies, or you can opt to use a car shipping broker, like CarMoves.com – who can save you a great deal of money on your car shipping rates. The auto transport prices are much lower at CarMoves.com because many companies are competing for your business.
You can receive up to 7 shipping quotes and compare their pricing and services side-by-side in minutes. A Advantage Logistics has more than 30 years experience shipping cars, so we're very knowledgeable about the industry and work with the best car shipping carriers in the US and around the world. If you are planning to ship a car, see how much you can save by getting your auto transport quotes from CarMoves.com!
Door to Door Car Shipping at A Advantage Logistics, Inc.
With our fleet of modern car carriers, we set the industry standard for car shipping efficiency and unparalleled service. Our auto transport trucks are equipped with satellite tracking, and are fully insured to protect the value of your investment. With terminals in most major cities, we offer the convenience of local drop-off and delivery of your vehicle. Personalized service, convenience, confidence, and value are just a few reasons our customers entrust their vehicles to us for car shipping year after year.
Using Auto Transport Services When Buying Online
In previous years, the auto transport industry was something that was primarily used by car dealers and large companies to move their stock around the country. However, with the growth of the Internet, consumers are no longer restricted to browsing for and purchasing cars locally, which has lead to a boom in the demand for car transport services when people buy cars from other states, most frequently using online services.
Perhaps one of the best things about the growth in interstate transport is that it has led to a reduction in the cost of moving cars between locations. Because auto transport companies now have a continual demand, they are able to move cars in bulk from place to place, which translates into a lower cost for the consumer.
The number of cars on the road has also contributed to this growth. These days, many more people own cars than did in the past, and, if they are relocating or are purchasing a new vehicle from a far off destination, using the services of an auto transport company is the most efficient form of moving cars. Like all industries, services between different companies can vary immensely, so it's a good idea to do some research at the onset to ensure that you are getting the best service and car shipping rates.
A good auto transport company will be more than happy to answer your queries and give evidence of the premium quality car moving service that they provide. If you're buying and shipping a car overseas, you can find the best international car shipping companies here at CarMoves.com as well.
Finding the Right Auto Transport Company For You
Auto transport companies offer very useful services when you decide that it's time to move your vehicle. In fact, most businesses will move your vehicle using state-of-the-art car carriers, which provide a strong, frequent and reliable service to your destination.
Of course, it's likely that, if you have never had to use an auto transport service, you might not know where to begin. Many car carriers advertise in the local paper and telephone directories, though the most common place today is on websites. However, these advertisements don't ensure that you will receive the best service. One way to find the right auto transport company for you is to call them to inquire about the services they offer.
When you talk to different auto transport companies, it's important that you ask them for a quote to deliver the vehicle to your chosen destination. Keep in mind, not all auto shipping quotes are the same. You may find that some businesses, which seem to offer the cheapest service, don't include many of the features and options that are desirable for safe and reliable car transport.
By talking to different companies, you will get a good idea of the service you can expect when dealing with them, which will aid immensely when making your decision to move a car. Auto transport isn't expensive and can take much of the hassle out of a relocation, so do inquire about how car transporters can help you with your move.
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Be sure to ask your car shipping company about the specifics of shipping your car so there are no surprises down the road. Once your car shipping questions have been answered and you've chosen your transporter, you need to make sure your car is ready for the move. Take an accurate assessment of your vehicle's current condition. Document any existing damages, and clean out your car. When the transport driver picks up your automobile he will be writing a "bill of lading." This will be his visual assessment on the physical condition of your car. Make sure that you review this before signing, and, if there are any discrepancies, you discuss and note your differences so that they are acknowledged at the time of loading your vehicle.
Both the driver and your signature are required on this "bill of lading." This is the formal documentation used by the auto transporter and the insurance company as acknowledgment of the condition of your automobile. This formality provides protection to both the auto transporter and you if a problem arises during transit. If you have any concerns at the time the auto transporter arrives to pick-up your vehicle, make sure to clear the air before you release your car. You should, by this time, have a clear understanding of the car shipping process.
Offering a Smooth Car Transport Experience
A Advantage Logistics takes all the worry out of shipping your car. As an experienced automobile transporter for more than 30 years, we pride ourselves on offering our customers the smoothest transport experience from start to finish. At A Advantage Logistics, Inc., our goal is to eliminate your stress and save you time and, more importantly, a lot of money! At CarMoves.com, we believe that, in order to keep our business running, customer service must be the number one priority. We've been satisfying owners of family cars, exotic cars, vintage cars and classics cars for three decades, and pride ourselves on on-time, hassle-free vehicle transport. We believe in treating every car as if it were our own, and ensuring we exceed your expectations with the best auto transport services.
To learn more about the auto shipping, please visit our auto transport guide, where you will find helpful videos, auto transport reviews and many other valuable resources to ensure your move goes smoothly!


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Life insurance: It's not exactly the kind of topic that comes up during family dinner. No one really wants to talk about the death of a loved one. But when it comes to securing your family's financial security, it's a conversation that needs to happen.
The fact is, there are many things about life insurance that people don't know.
Find out what people had to say about the cost of life insurance and their reasons for (or against!) buying coverage in the new national survey from Erie Insurance.
Life Insurance: It's More Affordable Than Most People Think
When asked why they don't have life insurance, almost four in 10 (38%) said it would be too expensive. However, survey results show most people probably overestimate the cost.
For example: With Erie Family Life, a 20-year, $250,000 term policy would cost roughly $200/year for a healthy 30-year-old man and $185 for a healthy 30-year-old woman.
When asked to estimate the cost, more than half of respondents (56%) said that policy would cost $300/year or more, including 10% thinking it would be $500/year. A full 11% more than doubled the actual cost, estimating the cost at more than $500/year.
The good news? Life insurance is probably more affordable than you think. Estimate your coverage with our life insurance calculator, or talk to a local ERIE agent who can provide you with a customized quote based on your specific circumstances (and budget).
Top reasons and motivations for having life insurance
So why do people buy life insurance, anyway? It's not for you – it's for those you leave behind.
The survey asked life insurance policyholders to list their top one or two reasons for buying this coverage.
The top answers were:
- To have money to leave as an inheritance for loved ones: 37%
- So my loved ones would have money to pay for my funeral expenses: 37%
- So my spouse and/or children would have enough money to maintain our current standard of living without my income: 32%
- So my loved ones could pay my debts: 17%
- So my spouse and/or children could keep our current home: 10%
See more surprising facts and statistics about life insurance in the infographic of survey results.
More coverage questions? Check out these related blog stories:
- I Have Life Insurance Through Work. Is that Enough?
- Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which Do You Need?
- Buying Life Insurance for the First Time? Then Read These 8 Tips
Can you get a life insurance policy during COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health event in many of our lifetimes.
Have you ever wondered how someone diagnosed with the virus would be affected when it comes to purchasing life insurance?
When asked, 10% of respondents said they believe people who have had COVID-19 cannot get life insurance. Four in 10 people (41%) said they don't know how the virus could affect someone's eligibility to buy a life policy.
The truth: Some insurance companies have developed specific screening questions during the quoting process, related to COVID-19.
Generally, a person who had tested positive but had been asymptomatic may see no impact on their ability to get life insurance. However, a person who had tested positive and been hospitalized may see an impact. For eligibility questions, talk to a local professional such as your local ERIE agent.
Life insurance and health conditions
When you're looking to buy life insurance, how does your overall health come into play?
Survey says: The majority of people know that certain health conditions affect the price of a life insurance policy, but there is some uncertainty. When asked if high blood pressure can impact the price of your policy, 65% of people accurately said that insurance companies consider that when determining a rate. Others (20%) weren't sure, while 15% incorrectly assumed high blood pressure doesn't affect your rate.
Many people were also unsure about how a history of cancer might affect someone's ability to get life insurance. Almost one in five (19%) think a person who has had cancer cannot get life insurance, while 37% don't know whether they could or not.
In fact, cancer, along with other past serious conditions like a heart attack or stroke, often will not automatically disqualify a person from getting life insurance. Erie Insurance considers the type and severity of the illness, the time that has elapsed since the diagnosis, and current medications or treatment regimen when determining if a person is eligible for a life insurance policy.
Who are the most common life insurance beneficiaries?
According to our survey, most people name their spouse (59%) or child/children (38%) as their life insurance policy beneficiaries. However, some people want to take care of their furry friends who are left behind. Surprisingly, 10% listed their dog as their beneficiary, while 4% listed their cat!
Generally speaking, a person cannot literally name a pet as a life insurance beneficiary. This is because, legally speaking, pets are considered property and are unable to sign off on legal documents.
Learn more in our related blog story: How to Choose a Life Insurance Beneficiary.
Affordable and flexible life insurance coverage
"Just as with any type of insurance, what's right for your neighbor may not be right for you," said Lou Colaizzo, senior vice president, Erie Family Life. "Your agent can help you determine the best life insurance policy for you and your family based on your individual circumstances and needs."
Erie Family Life offers the right coverage and flexible options, helping you build a policy now and adapt it later. Find an ERIE agent near you and start the conversation.
Methodology: This survey was conducted online by Falls on behalf of Erie Insurance, from July 10 through July 15, 2020, among 650 U.S. residents ages 19 and older. Falls established the sampling quotas, designed the questionnaire, tabulated the survey responses, and managed the overall project. Falls used Dynata (Plano, TX) to administer the survey via the internet, including mobile devices, to Dynata's captive U.S. panels who met the age, gender, income, and regional demographic criteria.
**ERIE® life insurance products and services are provided by Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home office: Erie, Pennsylvania). Erie Family Life Insurance Company is not licensed to operate in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure information. Life insurance products are not available in New York. The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this article are in effect as of September 9, 2020, and may be changed at any time. Rates for a particular product will be determined by underwriting at the time of application.
A better insurance experience starts with ERIE.
Haven't heard of us? Erie Insurance started with humble beginnings in 1925 with a mission to emphasize customer service above all else. Though we've grown to reach the Fortune 500 list, we still haven't lost the human touch.
Contact B&M Insurance Group today to experience the ERIE difference for yourself.


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Pongal to me always meant this sweet Milk pongal we got from the temple in the month of December-January.In fact,we used to call this the Pongal month since daily we got this one and a Jaggery version of the pongal as prasadam.I remember the moment the bells started ringing for Arathi/Pooja,we used to rush to the temple to get this,those were the good ol' days!!
I have never tried making this at home since every year,somehow amma made sure I got my share through a friend/family visiting.But this year no such luck and whenever I heard amma talk about this,I wanted to have my share too.It was then that she told me that it is a very easy recipe and I can try making it on my own and post it on my blog too.There..she knows how to deal with me,ha!
Milk Pongal
Raw rice - 3/4 cup
Split moong dal - 1/4 cup
Milk - 1/2 cup
Water - 1 1/2 cups +2 tbsps
Sugar - 1 cup
Banana[Nendrapazham] - 1/2 cup,chopped
Ghee -2-3 tsp
Elachi/Cardamom - 1,crushed
Saffron - few strands [optional]
In a thick bottomed sauce pan,add the washed rice and moong dal and cook together along with the milk and water for 5-7 minutes.
The rice and dal should be just cooked enough,not overcooked or mushy.
Now add the sugar and the chopped banana.
The mixture would turn liquidy,so keep stirring till it starts drying up.
Keep adding little ghee as you stir it and when it dries up completely[should not stick to your hands when touched],remove and pour into a greased steel plate.
Add the crushed cardamom and saffron[if using] on top and let it cool
Slice and serve.
On another note,I am reading Rujuta Diwekar's new book Women and the weight loss Tamasha and absolutely loving it.I have always been a trying-to-lose-weight kind of a person.At any given point,I am either on a diet or boasting about my new found thin-ness.After reading the book,I can't blame any of my health conditions for the weight gain as she busts every myth associated with women and weight loss.If you are trying to lose weight,or be a fit and healthy person,then this book is for you.
I am giving away this book to one lucky reader[shipping only within India].All you need to do is comment here-you can also elaborate on why you are trying to lose weight or any health tips you have or even simple-just wish me luck on my mission to lose weight.Yes,that simple.
Giveaway sponsored by Divya.


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You are here
Sports Safety for Big Kids
Sports Safety for Big Kids
This is the age when organized and recreational sports can become a big part of a child's life. To help your child get the most out of sports follow these tips and guidelines.
Top Safety Tips
- Before playing organized sports, make sure your child receives a pre-participation physical exam, or PPE, performed by a doctor, or a nurse practitioner or qualified clinician under the supervision of a physician. Whomever performs the exam, the same practices should be followed including the need for a medical history.
- Encourage children to drink water before, during and after athletic activities or play.
- Adults should be present at all times to ensure a safe playing environment and the enforcement of safety rules. This is particularly important for younger kids.
- An off-season is important. It is recommended that kids get 10 consecutive weeks of rest from any one sport every year.
- Make sure your coach is trained in first aid and CPR, and understands how to prevent, recognize and/or respond to concussions and overuse injuries.


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A historically significant but now-crumbling fifth century Byzantine monastery in Istanbul is finally slated for restoration. But for Turkey's dwindling Greek community, the bad news is that the government wants to turn the Stoudios monastery into a mosque.
It's just one of several such conversions of historically Christian sites that the government is considering. And there's even talk that the Hagia Sophia, the most famous Byzantine structure in modern Istanbul, will be reconverted into a mosque.
In the working-class, religiously mixed neighborhood of Samatya, ancient stone walls rise amid rundown apartments and shops. On one door is a sign that reads "Museum closed to visitors." A guard opens the door to reveal badly neglected, weed-grown ruins.
A quick glimpse inside reveals nothing that's recognizable as a former Byzantine church. In its day, however, the Stoudios monastery was a pre-eminent Christian site — which is why the Greek community is dismayed to hear that the government plans to restore it as a mosque.
The monastery walls were erected in the fifth century, just a couple of centuries after the Emperor Constantine rebuilt the ancient Greek city of Byzantium as Constantinople, the eastern capital of the Roman Empire.
The Stoudios monks were known for their religious poetry and their calligraphy, turning out gorgeous illuminated manuscripts, some of which survive today.
The monastery housed the Church of St. John the Baptist. But sackings by the Crusaders and then the Turks left the monastery, which also served as a mosque for a period of time, in ruins. Subsequent restorations were undone by two fires and an earthquake. In the 20th century, both the monastery and the Hagia Sophia were turned into museums.
Adnan Ertem, head of Turkey's General Directorate of Foundations, told state TV that the Cabinet revoked the monastery's status as a museum last year, clearing the way for restoring what Ertem sees first and foremost as a mosque — which it had been for a period of time as well.
"The place is devastated — the dome has fallen in, it will need a lot of work," Ertem said, adding that the site has historical importance for Turks as a mosque. Then he noted that, "Yes, it has an importance for Christians as well."
Defending Greek Culture In Turkey
Mihail Vasiliadis is accustomed to hearing Turks dismiss symbols of Greek civilization in Turkey. He single-handedly runs Apoyeu Matini, the Greek-language paper that serves what's left of Turkey's Greek population, which Vasiliadis says is probably fewer than 2,000 people these days.
"I'm sorry to see the monastery come to public attention for this reason, because it's a very important place, both religiously and culturally," he says. "We were waiting for so long to hear that Stoudios might be restored, and now this."
Vasiliadis doesn't think the government, with roots in political Islam, is intent on reviving ill will toward religious minorities, something ethnic Greeks have bitter experience with.
Outbreaks of anti-Greek violence such as the Constantinople massacre of 1821 or the pogrom of 1955 resonate painfully in this community. But Vasiliadis says the move to convert churches into mosques — already underway in the cities of Trabzon and Iznik — is just another example of short-term political thinking.
"So many cultural artifacts have been abandoned, and when they do restore things, they ignore Byzantine culture and focus on the last 500 years, the period of Muslim control," Vasiliadis says. "The abandoned places reflect the many cultures of Anatolia, but all this government cares about is consolidating the Muslim-led nation-state."
It will take years for the restoration project to be completed.
In the meantime, recent remarks by a senior government minister have rekindled talk that even the Hagia Sophia itself may be reconverted into a mosque.
The minister said the Hagia Sophia — which like Stoudios was first a church, then a mosque and now a museum — "looks sad" to him, and he hopes it will be happy again soon.
Vasiliadis' response? He smiles and says maybe it's sad because it wants to be an Orthodox basilica again. But he knows that the best the Greek community can hope for is to keep it as a museum, and that's far from certain.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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