text:
Bibby lands North Sea work with Shell
Bibby Offshore, a subsea services provider to the oil and gas industry, has secured a contract with Shell in the North Sea.
The company reported on Monday that the campaign, due to start in the first quarter of 2017, will see Bibby Offshore provide engineering and subsea construction activities in the Gannet G field in the Central North Sea.
Under the agreement, Bibby Offshore will utilize its multipurpose dive support and offshore construction vessel – Bibby Polaris – and its 1000 tonne basket carousel to lay flexible pipe systems in water depths of approximately 95m.
The company has also collaborated with a third party operator who will carry out trenching operations after the initial workscope is complete.
In early 2016, Bibby Offshore provided construction and inspection services for Shell on assets in the Corrib natural gas field in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Howard Woodcock, chief executive of Bibby Offshore said: "This contract will further strengthen our relationship, and highlights Bibby Offshore's ability to consistently and successfully deliver on complex and challenging projects."


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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Final rule.
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of dimethyl ether or methane, oxybis- as an inert ingredient (propellant) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities (RAC) after harvest. The DuPont Company, DuPont Fluoroproducts submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of dimethyl ether.
This regulation is effective May 18, 2005. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before July 18, 2005.
To submit a written objection or hearing request follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit XIV. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number OPP-2005-0109. All documents in the docket are listed in the EDOCKET index at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard copy at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.Start Further Info
Kathryn Boyle, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6304; e-mail address: firstname.lastname@example.com Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information
I. General Information
A. Does this Action apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
- Crop production (NAICS 111)
- Animal production (NAICS 112)
- Food manufacturing (NAICS 311)
- Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS 32532)
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. Other types of Start Printed Page 28437entities not listed in this unit could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Get Electronic Documents and Other Related Information?
In addition to using EDOCKET at (http://www.epa.gov/edocket/), you may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the "Federal Register" listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. A frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 is available at E-CFR Beta Site Two at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.
II. Background and Statutory Findings
In the Federal Register of September 27, 2000 (65 FR 58078) (FRL-6742-4), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of the FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide tolerance petition (6E4785) by the DuPont Company, DuPont Fluoroproducts, Chestnut Run Plaza, P.O. Box 80711, Wilmington, DE, 19880-0711. This notice included a summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner.
The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.1001(c) now redesignated as 40 CFR 180.910 be amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of dimethyl ether (DME), also known as methane, oxybis, (CAS Reg. No. 115-10-6) as an inert ingredient (propellant) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to RAC after harvest. There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of the FFDCA allows EPA to establish an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is "safe." Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the FFDCA defines "safe" to mean that "there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable information." This includes exposure through drinking water and in residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of the FFDCA requires EPA to give special consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to "ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . ."
EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the toxicity of pesticides. Second, EPA examines exposure to the pesticide through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential settings.
III. Inert Ingredient Definition
Inert ingredients are all ingredients that are not active ingredients as defined in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are not limited to, the following types of ingredients (except when they have a pesticidal efficacy of their own): Solvents such as alcohols and hydrocarbons; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty acids; carriers such as clay and diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as carrageenan and modified cellulose; wetting, spreading, and dispersing agents; propellants in aerosol dispensers; microencapsulating agents; and emulsifiers. The term "inert" is not intended to imply nontoxicity; the ingredient may or may not be chemically active. Generally, EPA has exempted inert ingredients from the requirement of a tolerance based on the low toxicity of the individual inert ingredients.
IV. Physical/Chemical Properties
The vapor pressure of DME is 4,450 mm Hg @ 25°C. DME exists as a gas at room temperature, thus allowing it to spread and disperse rapidly. DME is soluble in water (7% by weight). The flash point of DME is -41°C or -42°C with flammable limits in air of 3.4% by volume in air (lower limit) and 18.0% (upper limit). DME is slightly heavier than air with a density of 1.92 grams/Liter @ 1 atmosphere and 25°C.
V. Toxicological Profile
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of the FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the available scientific data and other relevant information in support of this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability, and the relationship of this information to human risk. EPA has also considered available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and children. The nature of the toxic effects identified in DME toxicity studies are discussed in this unit.
A. Review and Evaluation of Five Inhalation Toxicity Studies
The Agency reviewed and evaluated the following five inhalation toxicity studies conducted using DME.
|Study Type (Species)
|Acute Inhalation (rat)
|Doses were 8.4, 12.1, 15.2, 16.9, or 20.5% equivalent to 84,000, 121,000, 152,000, 169,000, or 205,000 part per million (ppm); or 158, 228, 286, 318, or 386 mg/L. LC50 = 309 mg/L (Toxicity Category IV) (95% confidence limits of 268 - 382 mg/L) Whole-body inhalation exposure. Clinical signs during exposure included ataxia, anesthesia, coma, head bobbing, paw waving, and heavy or short jerky respirations.
|2-Week Inhalation (rat)
|Doses were 0, 1, or 5% (v/v) equivalent to 0, 18.8, or 94.1 mg/L NOAEL = Not determined LOAEL = 1% or 18.8 mg/L Whole-body inhalation exposure. LOAEL based on red nasal and ocular discharge, sluggish behavior, salivation, lung noise, wet perineal area, decreased cumulative body weight gains, and decreased thymus and liver weights. Moderate sluggishness occurred briefly at 1% and was very common at 5%.
|13 Week Inhalation (rat and hamster)
|Doses were 1, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, or 20,000 ppm equivalent to 0, 1.9, 9.4, 18.8, or 37.7 mg/L. NOAEL = 37.7 mg/L LOAEL = Not Observed Whole body inhalation exposure in both species. There were no treatment-related effects.
|Start Printed Page 28438
|Chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity (rat)
|Doses were 0, 0.2, 1.0, or 2.5% equivalent to 0, 2,000, 10,000, or 25,000 ppm; or 0, 3.7, 18.6, and 46.4 mg/L NOAEL = 3.7 mg/L LOAEL = 1% or 18.6 mg/L Whole body inhalation exposure. LOAEL based on decreased survival towards the end of the study and liver angictasis in males. The Office of Pesticide Program Cancer Peer Review Committee concluded that DME should be classified as Group D (not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity) since chronic testing was performed in only one species.
|Cardiac sensitization (dog)
|Doses were 10, 20, (16.7), or 30 (33.3%) (v/v) equivalent to 100,000, 200,000, or 300,000 ppm. The dogs received an intravenous injection of epinephrine prior to exposure to the DME and a second (challenge) injection after breathing the test compound for five minutes. NOAEL = 10% LOAEL = 16.7% Capable of sensitizing the mammalian heart to epinephrine (development of a cardiac arrhythmia after a challenge injection of epinephrine).
B. Mutagenicity Study
Dimethyl ether did not induce a genotoxic response in the five S. typhimurium strains tested with or without S9-activation.
C. Developmental Toxicity
There are two inhalation developmental toxicity rat studies, both conducted in 1981. One study was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats at concentrations of 0, 0.125, 0.5, and 2.0% and a second study was conducted in Wistar rats at concentrations of 0, 2.0 and 2.8%.
In the study conducted using Sprague-Dawley rats, at 2.0%, decreased response to tapping on the glass wall of the inhalation chamber was identified by the study authors. This cage-side type evaluation was not well-characterized in the report. The observations in these studies may not have been conducted in a manner consistent with determining a true no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for neurotoxic effect in dams. The NOAEL for maternal toxicity is 0.5%.
The developmental toxicity findings are remarkedly similar across both studies. The fetal observations were referred to by different names in the two laboratories. But, both laboratories were referring to skeletal variations. Combining the results of both studies, there is an unequivocal, statistically significant dose-related response for both fetuses and litters at 0.5, 2.0, and 2.8%. The NOAEL for this finding is 0.125%.
The results of the two studies also indicated delays in ossification. The incidence is statistically significant at 2.0% in the first study and at 2.8% in the second study. Non-statistically significant increases in this finding occur at 0.5% in the first study and at 2.0% in the second study.
Taken together, the results of the two developmental toxicity studies are:
- Developmental NOAEL = 0.125% (v/v) equivalent to 2.4 mg/L or 1,250 ppm.
- Developmental LOAEL = 0.5% (v/v) equivalent to 9 mg/L or 5,000 ppm based on an increased incidence of ribs with extra ossification center.
- Maternal NOAEL = 0.5% (v/v) equivalent to 9 mg/L or 5,000 ppm.
- Maternal LOAEL = 2.0% (v/v) equivalent to 37 mg/L or 20,000 ppm based on decreased responsiveness.
The fact that the developmental NOAEL is less than the maternal NOAEL is a possible indication of increased susceptibility. However, the maternal effects were not always well- characterized.
D. Conclusions
Using the submitted studies and its typical procedures, the Agency classified DME as acute inhalation toxicity Category IV, which is the Agency's category of lowest acute toxicity. No treatment-related effects were noted in a 13-week inhalation study. In both the 2-week and the chronic inhalation studies the LOAELs were determined to be 1%. In a developmental toxicity study, exposure at levels of 0.5% (v/v) produced developmental effects (skeletal variations) but maternal toxicity, other than decreased responsiveness, was not noted. DME is not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. It produces cardiac sensitization in dogs. For several reasons, the Agency has concerns about the doses at which the studies were conducted. DME's flammablity limits in air are 3.4% by volume (lower limit) and 18.0% (upper limit). Several of the studies were conducted with one or more dose levels greater than the lower limit of flammability.
The Agency's limit concentration for inhalation studies is 2 mg/L, which was greatly exceeded in all studies. The limit concentration is a concept used in animal toxicity testing to establish an upper concentration level beyond which testing is not encouraged: Concentrations higher than the limit concentration represent very unrealistic scenarios. Testing above the limit concentration may not provide the appropriate information on adverse effects which could then support a NOAEL for use in risk assessment. It must be possible to differentiate between toxic effects due to the test substance and toxic effects due to other causes such as stress induced by breathing difficulties.
VI. Aggregate Exposures
In examining aggregate exposure, section 408 of the FFDCA directs EPA to consider available information concerning exposures from the pesticide residue in food and all other non-occupational exposures, including drinking water from groundwater or surfacewater and exposure through pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or buildings (residential and other indoor uses).
EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only in those cases where it can be demonstrated that the risks from aggregate exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably foreseeable circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human health. In order to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to pesticide inert ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the inert in conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert ingredient through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA is able to determine that a finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance may be established.
A. Dietary Exposure
1. Food. DME is a gas at room temperature. Significant levels of residues from such a volatile gas are unlikely to be present in food or feed items.
2. Drinking water exposure. Residues of a volatile gas such as dimethyl ether Start Printed Page 28439are not likely to be present in any significant quantities in surface water. The estimated half-life in a river is 2.1 hours and in a lake 2.7 days. DME is therefore, not expected to be present in drinking water.
B. Other Non-Occupational Exposure
Dimethyl ether is sponsored under the High Production Volume Challenge Program. This is indicative of over 1 million pounds of DME either produced or imported per year.
Dimethyl ether is used as a propellant in various personal care products such as hairsprays, shaving creams, mousses, deodorants, antiperspirants, baby care products, medical/pharmaceutical products and perfumes. Residential uses could also include air fresheners, disinfectants, furniture polishes, adhesives, insulating foams, paints, and insecticides.
In 1990, an article (MRID 45772201) on simulated consumer exposures to DME was published. The report's authors simulated and then measured breathing zone concentrations of DME for typical hair spray exposures, for both domestic and salon conditions. To assure accuracy, repeated measurements were made, thus yielding the range of reported results. Some of the results were expressed as a time-weighted average concentration over 10 minutes (TWA10). TWA10s are calculated by averaging the peak concentration of DME (at initial release) with the lower concentrations that reflect the rapid dispersal of DME throughout the room over the 10 minute time-frame. Table 2 and Table 3 contain domestic simulated exposures to DME. The difference in the measurements is due solely to a closed door (Table 2) and an open door (Table 3). Examination of the data in the tables, indicates that the peak concentration of DME declines substantially from the initial (peak) spray, to the TWA10, to the residual 20-minute concentration whether the door is open or closed.
|Peak concentration hairspray user)
|Mean 1,310 Maximum 1,577 Minimum 1,043
|Peak concentration (nearby child)
|Mean 717 Maximum 762 Minimum 672
|TWA10 (hairspray user)
|Mean 114 Maximum 143 Minimum 82
|TWA10 (nearby child)
|Mean 89 Maximum 97 Minimum 86
|Residual concentration in the breathing zone at 20 minute (hairspray user)
|Mean 62 Maximum 78 Minimum 42
|Residual concentration in the breathing zone at 20 minute (nearby child)
|Mean 56 Maximum 63 Minimum 41
With the door closed there is an order of magnitude reduction from peak concentration to TWA10 concentration, which is then reduced by half to a residual 20 minute concentration.
|Peak concentration (hairspray user)
|Mean 693 Maximum 837 Minimum 549
|Peak concentration (nearby child)
|Mean 530 Maximum 954 Minimum 105
|TWA10 (hairspray user)
|Mean 84 Maximum 107 Minimum 67
|TWA10 (nearby child)
|Mean 68 Maximum 102 Minimum 38
|Start Printed Page 28440
|Residual concentration at 20 minutes (hairspray user)
|Mean 23 Maximum 41 Minimum 8
|Residual concentration at 20 minutes (nearby child)
|Mean 24 Maximum 42 Minimum 7
With an open door, the dispersion of the DME occurs so rapidly, that even the peak concentration (Table 3) is less than the peak concentration in Table 2 (door closed). Having an open door and the resultant more rapid dispersion means that DME concentrations are 25% lower.
There is an additional factor that must also be considered in understanding the DME use pattern in the home. The above estimates considered that the user and the nearby child were perfectly still and did not move for 20 minutes. This is an unlikely possibility. It is more likely that the user and the nearby child would move away from the area where the spray occurred within that 20 minute time-frame.
To examine use as an inert ingredient in pesticide products, the Agency examined a scenario likely to yield a higher exposure: Foggers. Release of DME occurs via activation of the fogger, as the propellant releases and fills the enclosed area. The average amount of DME found in a pesticide fogger product is 67.2 grams (g). If the 67.2 grams is suddenly released into a 136 m3 area, then the concentration in the room equals 67.2 g DME/136m3 = 0.49 g/m3 or 490 mg/m3 at the time of release.
Label directions for foggers indicate that no one is to be present during the application of the pesticide product and for a short period of time afterward. A standardized time-frame for re-entry is 2 hours. The concentration of DME in the room at the end of two hours can be estimated using a decrease of approximately 50% to account for the dispersion of DME from the residence. The 50% rate of decline was based on a study (MRID 45772401) that used a testing chamber with "ceilings" that were 11 ft. high. The average measured concentration of DME in the chamber declined by approximately 50% over a period of two hours. The 245 (50% of 490) mg/m3 used as the starting point in Table 2 is an over-estimate since the testing chambers are usually designed to be airtight. DME would escape from a house much faster through the cracks and crevices around doors and windows.
At the end of two hours, the homeowner re-enters the house, not to stay, but to open doors and windows for venting. Rapid venting occurs immediately as the doors and window are opened. (Labels indicate that venting should occur for at least 30 minutes.) Assuming, (1) that the above 136m3 area could have one door and three windows, depending on the layout, and (2) every 10 minutes the DME concentration drops 10% due to dispersal, 25% for a door and 10% for a window, then a 65% reduction in DME concentration occurs every 10 minutes. Each line in Table 4 represents 10 minutes. Therefore, the initial concentration of 245 mg/m3 (Column 1) reduces to 86 mg/m3 (Column 2). The next 10 minute time-frame (Line 2) begins with 86 mg/m3 in Column 1.
|Starting Concentration of DME (mg/m3)
|Concentration Minutes Later (mg/m3)
|Total Elapsed Time Since Re-entry (minutes)
VII. Cumulative Effects
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of the FFDCA requires that, when considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the Agency consider "available information" concerning the cumulative effects of a particular pesticide's residues and "other substances that have a common mechanism of toxicity."
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to DME. Dimethyl ether does not appear to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that DME has a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see the policy statements released by EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs concerning common mechanism determinations and procedures for cumulating effects from substances found to have a common mechanism on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative/.
VIII. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
Section 408 of the FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply an additional tenfold margin of safety for infants and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity and exposure unless EPA determines that a different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children.
The toxicity database for DME is adequate for the purpose of establishing Start Printed Page 28441this tolerance exemption for use of DME as an inert ingredient (propellant) in a pesticide product. From that toxicity database, the Agency could select a toxicological endpoint to use in the Agency's risk assessment. In selecting an endpoint, EPA matches, as best possible, the time-frames of a potential user's exposure to the time-frames of the toxicity study(ies). Selection of a developmental NOAEL for use in assessing short-term risk appears, at first glance, to be a good match. However, the test animals were confined in the test chambers for 6 hours/day for either 10 or 11 consecutive days, receiving an artificially maintained atmosphere to breathe. The concentrations of DME used in the toxicity studies considered in this final rule are maintained by enclosed test chambers and constant in-flow of DME. Such concentrations cannot be maintained in any building such as greenhouses, apartments, single-family dwellings, or places of business, since any released DME will disperse from the structure via cracks and crevices. Unless, the DME is continually released in that environment, the DME concentration is always decreasing. Therefore, although these studies provide some information concerning potential toxicological hazards of DME, they do not provide useful information for quantitatively assessing the risks from human exposure to DME given the dissimilarity in duration between likely human exposure and the exposure patterns in the studies.
Further, for DME, in the developmental toxicity study, the dose levels used in these inhalation toxicity studies routinely exceeded the limit concentration. It is also noted that dose concentrations in several of the toxicity studies exceed the DME flammable limits and routinely exceed the industrial time-weighted 8-hour day average acceptable exposure limit of 1,000 ppm recommended by DuPont and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Effects appearing above the limit concentration may not indicate the toxicity of the chemical.
Given the extreme testing conditions in these studies and the effects observed, EPA believes it has adequate data to evaluate the safety of DME. Further, when the hazard testing data is evaluated in light of exposure information, EPA has determined that a safety factor analysis is neither appropriate or needed to assess the risk. For the same reasons a tenfold safety factor is unnecessary.
IX. Determination of Safety for U.S. Population, and Infants and Children
The NOAELs or LOAELs in any of the toxicological studies for DME are significantly higher than any concentration that could be reasonably expected in a home environment given the volatility of DME. The confined, artificially-maintained environment and a 6 hour exposure used in the toxicological studies are not readily comparable to the highly dispersive nature of DME and does not consider the massive reductions in concentration that occur in a 20 to 30 minute time-frame as shown in Tables 2, 3, and 4.
DME is widely used in consumer products that are not regulated by EPA. Simulated consumer exposures for domestic hairspray use are presented in Tables 2 and 3. The magnitude of the EPA-regulated exposures expected from use in a pesticide product is not dissimilar to those of other consumer products. However, the possible number of products containing DME are dissimilar, as well as the use patterns. There is a wide-variety of consumer use patterns, including personal care products, which during use are aimed directly at the user, for example hair spray. Types of pesticide products containing DME are the spray can (which during use is not directed at the individual), and foggers (where the individual is directed to not be present). In most cases, the consumer use patterns and the pesticide use patterns are not likely to overlap. One is unlikely to use a consumer product in a house that is being fogged. One is unlikely to spray paint and apply hairspray at the same time. The activities would usually be separated by time and occur in different rooms.
The exposure estimates presented by the Agency are considered to be over-estimates. It is very likely the DME will disperse more rapidly and/or an individual would remove themselves from the location of the peak concentration.
Given the rapid dispersion of DME from a home via cracks around doors and windows, as well as via open doors and windows, and the likelihood of an exposed individual to move away from the peak concentration area, exposures to DME from use in a pesticide product, or any other product such as hair spray, are very small. Based on the available information on these very small exposures, the volatile nature of DME and its rapid dispersion, the use of dose levels in the toxicological studies which are greater than the limit concentration, toxicity studies that do not readily lend themselves to selection of an appropriate dose and endpoint for such a short duration, and effects that are occurring only at levels greater than the limit concentration, EPA finds that exempting DME, also known as methane, oxybis, (CAS Reg. No. 115-10-6) from the requirement of a tolerance will be safe for the general population including infants and children.
X. Other Considerations
A. Endocrine Disruptors
FQPA requires EPA to develop a screening program to determine whether certain substances, including all pesticide chemicals (both inert and active ingredients), "may have an effect in humans that is similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or such other endocrine effect * * *" EPA has been working with interested stakeholders to develop a screening and testing program as well as a priority setting scheme. As the Agency proceeds with implementation of this program, further testing of products containing DME, also known as methane, oxybis, (CAS Reg. No. 115-10-6) for endocrine effects may be required.
B. Analytical Method(s)
An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance without any numerical limitation.
C. Existing Tolerances
There is an existing exemption from tolerance for DME when used as a propellant (40 CFR 180.930) in pesticide formulations applied to animals.
D. International Tolerances
The Agency is not aware of any country requiring a tolerance for DME nor have any CODEX Maximum Residue Levels (MRL's) been established for any food crops at this time.
XI. Conclusion
Therefore, an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance is established for DME, also known as methane, oxybis, (CAS Reg. 115-10-6).
XII. Objections and Hearing Requests
Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those regulations require some modification to Start Printed Page 28442reflect the amendments made to the FFDCA by the FQPA, EPA will continue to use those procedures, with appropriate adjustments, until the necessary modifications can be made. The new section 408(g) of the FFDCA provides essentially the same process for persons to "object" to a regulation for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance issued by EPA under new section 408(d) of the FFDCA, as was provided in the old FFDCA sections 408 and 409 of the FFDCA. However, the period for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 30 days.
A. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?
You must file your objection or request a hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID number OPP-2005-0109 in the subject line on the first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before July 18, 2005.
1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR 178.25). If a hearing is requested, the objections must include a statement of the factual issues(s) on which a hearing is requested, the requestor's contentions on such issues, and a summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27). Information submitted in connection with an objection or hearing request may be claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the information that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice.
Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. You may also deliver your request to the Office of the Hearing Clerk in Suite 350, 1099 14th St., NW., Washington, DC 20005. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (202) 564-6255.
2. Copies for the Docket. In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit XI.A., you should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its inclusion in the official record that is described in ADDRESSES. Mail your copies, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0109, to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. In person or by courier, bring a copy to the location of the PIRIB described in ADDRESSES. You may also send an electronic copy of your request via e-mail to: email@example.com. Please use an ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of electronic objections and hearing requests will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may also submit an electronic copy of your request at many Federal Depository Libraries.
B. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?
A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a genuine and substantial issue of fact; there is a reasonable possibility that available evidence identified by the requestor would, if established resolve one or more of such issues in favor of the requestor, taking into account uncontested claims or facts to the contrary; and resolution of the factual issues(s) in the manner sought by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action requested (40 CFR 178.32).
XIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes an exemption from the tolerance requirement under section 408(d) of the FFDCA in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this rule has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This final rule does not contain any information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4). Nor does it require any special considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994); or OMB review or any Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not involve any technical standards that would require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis of a petition under section 408(d) of the FFDCA, such as the exemption in this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. In addition, the Agency has determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure "meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications." "Policies that have federalism implications" is defined in the Executive order to include regulations that have "substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government." This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions of section 408(n)(4) of the FFDCA. For these same reasons, the Agency has determined that this rule does not have any "tribal implications" as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR Start Printed Page 2844367249, November 6, 2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure "meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications." "Policies that have tribal implications" is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have "substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes." This rule will not have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
XIV. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. This final rule is not a "major rule" as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).Start List of Subjects
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
- Environmental protection
- Administrative practice and procedure
- Agricultural commodities
- Pesticides and pests
- Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
Dated: April 27, 2005.
Betty Shackleford,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:End Amendment Part Start Part
PART 180 —[AMENDED]End Part Start Amendment Part
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part
2. Section 180.910 is amended by adding alphabetically, the following entry.End Amendment Part
|Inert ingredient
|* * * * * *
|Dimethyl ether (methane, oxybis-) (CAS Reg. No. 115-10-06)
|* * * * * *
[FR Doc. 05-9475 Filed 5-17-05; 8:45 am]

subset: commoncrawl


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Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Plainfield Township is one of the northern tier townships in Northampton County. It is located east of the midpoint in the tier. The township extends from the crest of the Blue Mountain (Kittitanny Ridge) south a distance of about eight miles. The townships width near the mountain is approximately four miles and the width decreases to the south. The township is approximately three miles wide...
Be the first PennLive.com user to add photos or videos of Plainfield Township
Since 1813, Township Of Plainfield has been providing Government - City And Town Managers' Office from Nazareth.


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With the holiday shopping season approaching and the Canadian dollar hovering around par, more and more Canadians like me are going to seek out Canadian-friendly estores — and we're likely to be disappointed.
According to DM News:
- The Canadian consumer spends 47% more than the average consumer
- There are around 13,000 online retailers and catalogers in the US, vs. about 150 in Canada (although I believe there must be more)
- Because there's less competition, Canadian retailers do not have to compete on price, and goods from the US can be significantly cheaper
How Can US Merchants Become Canadian-Friendly?
Canada Post's Border Free software allows US etailers to sell to Canadians directly online in Canadian dollars without the complications of dealing with taxes and import fees by calculating these fees into the price, and eliminating COD taxes. This eliminates the "shock" factor upon checkout (and abandoned carts) when Canucks are presented with the final cost of their purchases. Exchange rates are updated daily. Also, Canadians will not be billed until the goods clear the Canadian border. Retailers already on board include Lane Bryant, Sephora and Ritz Camera.
Canadian consumers can check out Border Free's shopping portal to find participating merchants.
US retailers can find more information on the Canada Post Border Free product here.
As a Canadian, I do use search engines to find Canuck-friendly online stores, and it's slim pickings. Words I use include "free shipping to Canada." If this is a service you offer, do create a unique page on your site and use "Free Shipping to Canada" in the title tag to get that SEO boost. Great examples of those who are doing it right are:
"Free Shipping to Canada – Elk Lighting"
"Free Shipping in US and Canada!" (Pilot Lighting)
"Free Shipping US, Canada – Lingerie & Activewear"
If you're an online retailer with a free shipping to Canada page and you'd like some link love, drop me a line and I'll add you to this list.
It's a great idea to include your product line or business name in the title tag to encourage click through.
Another idea is to post your free shipping to Canada offer to the Red Flag Deals forum which happens to rank highly in Google for the term "free shipping in Canada."
One more tip, if possible, mention on each product page where you ship to. It's a real pain in the wrist to get to the checkout only to find that you're not willing to sell to me. Even when I get on the phone with customer service and request shipping to Canada I get shot down. Perhaps if these etailers knew that Canadians are more likely to spend more money, they'd rethink their shipping policies?
Is anyone selling into the Canadian market currently? Any tips that have worked well for your online store?


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Small Creations
05 March 2017 Barry Semegran 119
The creative process for me can begin either with the matter or the form. At times, the piece of wood will strongly suggest its future form and my creativity is challenged to reveal that essence. At other times, I will have a form in mind of a piece of furniture with the challenge being to find the best pieces of wood to express that form. In either case, I consider the end product successfully complete only when it is purchased and brings joy to its new owner.
Looking East, a wall haiku
This wall hanging is my haiku carved into a cross section of a mesquite limb(the suns energy captured in wood). The gate is made from west coast claro walnut, the suns rays are tiger maple, and the background is brushed copper. 16 inches wide x 11 inches high x 2 inches deep.


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Document Type
low-Reynolds-number swimming, hydrodynamic interactions, active suspensions
We describe the large-scale collective behavior of solutions of polar biofilaments and both stationary and mobile crosslinkers. Both mobile and stationary crosslinkers induce filament alignment promoting either polar or nematic order. In addition, mobile crosslinkers, such as clusters of motor proteins, exchange forces and torques among the filaments and render the homogeneous states unstable via filament bundling. We start from a Smoluchowski equation for rigid filaments in solutions, where pairwise crosslink-mediated interactions among the filaments yield translational and rotational currents. The large-scale properties of the system are described in terms of continuum equations for filament and motor densities, polarization and alignment tensor obtained by coarse-graining the Smoluchovski equation. The possible homogeneous and inhomogeneous states of the systems are obtained as stable solutions of the dynamical equations and are characterized in terms of experimentally accessible parameters. We make contact with work by other authors and show that our model allows for an estimate of the various parameters in the hydrodynamic equations in terms of physical properties of the crosslinkers.
Additional Information
This manuscript is from arXiv.org, for more information see http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0607287
Recommended Citation
Ahmadi, Aphrodite; Marchetti, M. Cristina; and Liverpool, Tanniemola B., "Hydrodynamics of Isotropic and Liquid Crystalline Active Polymer Solutions" (2008). Physics. 57.
harvested from arXiv.org
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.


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Department Of Microbiology
The teaching of Microbiology in the honours graduate level was introduced in the J.K.College,Purulia in the year 2002.Since its inception ,our target is to turn this established department as one of the best department in Sidho Kanho Birsha University, which previously was under University of Burdwan.
Dr. Santanu Chattopadhyay
I have the proud privilege to share my views on Jagannath Kishore College, with whom I have been associated for the last twenty-five years initially as a faculty of Physics, and then as the Principal for the last seven years or so. Founded in 1948, and serving as a premiere institution for higher education in Purulia for over seven decades, this college has followed the motto 'Shraddhavan Lavate Jnanam'( a faithful person achieves knowledge) to its optimum. In Swami Vivekananda's words 'Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man' –.....
Celebration of 200th Birthday Anniversary of Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
25.09.2019 Read More...
Alumni Meet of English Department
22.09.2019 Read More...
Unveiling of the Statue of Swami Vivekananda
15.09.2019 Read More...
Summer Fest-2K19
14/03/2019 Read More...
Viewes Prizes, Awards and Trust Funds.... Click here


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Water temperature at 20ft depth 61.8F - 16.1C (Last updated 4/2/20 @ 4:04pm)
What is the visibility like at The Scuba Ranch?
The Scuba Ranch is a Texas freshwater lake that is completely natural, with no added chemicals to improve clarity. The visiblity will vary depending on where you are in the lake, the depth, and the time of year you are diving. We hear varied reports on visibility from divers every day, please remember it is a subjective measurement. Overall, The Scuba Ranch has very good visibility, better than you will find in most area lakes, which makes it a great place to dive locally! Currently we are getting visibility reports that vary from 15-25 feet plus! Maximizing visibility is (and will always be) a work in progress, but we do have plans in the works that we hope will improve it on a consistent basis! Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates!
What is the current water temp?
Please see the banner at the top of each page for the most recent temperature postings at 20 feet.
Is there wildlife in the water?
YES! Turtles, fish that are quite social, and our newest in the neighborhood is freshwater jellyfish! (no they don't sting, they are harmless...and adorable!
Do you give Scuba lessons/certification?
The Scuba Ranch is not a scuba school. Area scuba schools and instructors bring their students to The Scuba Ranch to complete the open water portion of their certification. There are many great and qualified schools and instructors around! If you would like help finding a scuba school in your area, please check out the "scuba schools" page on this site to find them listed alphabetically by geographic location.
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
Can I rent gear at The Scuba Ranch?
Yes, we have rental gear available! For pricing and info check out the "Rental Gear" page on this site.
Do I need to reserve rental gear?
At this time we do not have a system in place to reserve rental gear, so it is on a first come first serve basis. We haven't run out yet!
Can I get air-fills at The Scuba Ranch?
Yes, you certainly may! Tanks fills are $10, and the air-fill station is open until 5pm on days the park is open.
What if I'm not a scuba diver, can I still come to the lake?
Yes you may, however please know that The Scuba Ranch is first and foremost a scuba diving facility. We also have snorkeling sets, inner tubes, kayaks, and paddleboards available for rental. We ask that non-divers stay in the designated swimming area so as not to impede the learning experience and safety of less experienced divers.
Do I need to bring my own food/ice?
We have pre-packaged food/snacks, bottled drinks, and bagged ice available for purchase. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic, or cookout. We also have a microwave available in the Snack Shack.
Do you have grills available for me to cook out?
Yes, there are a few grills around the park, there is not however one at every picnic table or pavillion, we hope to be getting more of these in the future! You are welcome to bring your own grill with you!
Do I need to make reservations ahead of time?
At this time you do not need to make a reservation for gear, diving, or tent camping. We do, however, recommend reservations for RV space, as we do have limited hook-ups available. Please see the RV reservation page on this site to make your reservation.
Can I reserve one of your pavillions?
We do allow reservation of pavillions for groups of 10 or more, please email email@example.com or call 940-765-DIVE for details on that!
Who/what is "Sisco the Shark"?
Sisco is our park icon! He is a 51 foot metal shark you can get to know from the inside out! He hovers at approximately 22 feet deep in the lake. You can swim through his mouth and out his rear end (we'll let you make your own jokes about that). We like to say that #Siscoeatsdiversforlunch. We also have a land-shark version of Sisco that likes to visit divers when he can and get into all sorts of silly antics. Follow us on Facebook to see Sisco's most recent adventures!
Is this a man made lake?
The Scuba Ranch is a 23 acre private lake. It used to be a rock quarry that was filled in by a naturally occuring aquifer. The lake is not chemically treated, and we have a variety of aquatic wildlife as well as underwater attractions for you to visit during your dive!
Can I bring my own kayak/paddleboard?
No, sorry but we do not allow the use of outside kayaks or paddleboards. Again, remember The Scuba Ranch is first and foremost a scuba diving facility. Our regulatory agencies are very particualr about the use of these vessels and limit what is and is not allowed as well as the number of them allowed on the lake at any given time. If your primary objective is kayaking and you have your own kayak, a public lake is probably a better fit.
Why do I have to pay to be an observer?
The Scuba Ranch is not a public lake, and it is not subsidized as such. We are classified as a recreational/amusement facility, and all of our grounds and lake maintenence/insurance/staffing, etc is funded by park admissions. Again, we are first and foremost a scuba diving facility, but the governing bodies that regulate us do not differentiate between guests who scuba dive and guests who do not scuba dive.
Why do I have to fill out a park waiver if I'm not scuba diving?
See answer to above question.
Are you open year-round?
Last year we opened for the full year on a trial basis and it was somewhat successful! We do have limited hours in the cold months though. Stay tuned for off-season park hours to be posted on this site or our Facebook page as winter gets closer.
Why aren't you open during the week?
Because we just do not have enough attendance to justify the expense of being open. If you need to schedule a mid week dive for a group, we can sometimes accomodate subject to staff availability.
Email: email@example.com or call 940-765-DIVE to schedule a group for a midweek dive.
Do you allow free diving/snorkeling?
Absolutely! Snorkel kits are also available for rental if you need those.
Can I bring my dog to The Scuba Ranch?
LEASHED dogs are welcome at the park. However, we do have the following boundaries:
-Please do not allow your dog to get into the lake
-Please bring a crate to safely house your dog while you are diving (please do NOT leave them in your car, unless you are willing to leave the air conditioner running while you are in the lake)
-Please bring bags to clean up after them! We have lots of people walking around bare-footed or in their flip-flops or scuba booties...stepping in your dog's poop makes your dogs presence less enjoyable for everyone :).
-Service dogs are of course welcomed subject to the above guidlines as well.
Do you have group discounts?
We do not have group discounts per se...but what we do have is a buy 5 entries get one free offer (a 6-pack). We also have a 6-pack offer for air-fills. You can arrange with your group for a 6 pack card for either one if you'd like, but they must be purchased and paid for on one ticket. FYI: these do not have to be used on the same day, so you can purchase a 6 pack card for the price of 5 to use for later admissions or air-fills.
More questions?
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright © 2018 The Scuba Ranch At Clear Springs - All Rights Reserved
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I am a retired Edmonton Transit Operator. Drove for the city for 32yrs. My travelling companion is retired and drove school bus for many years. We love to camp and travel to different places.
Mechanics computers plumbing electrical
Haven't boondocked except once in Walmart.
2011 Class A Coachmen Mirada 30' Motorhome pulling a car dollie with a Ford Escape behind. It has two slides on the driver side.


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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Card details
Receive 50,000 bonus points - a $500 value - after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase
No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire
Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center
Get up to $200 in combined airline incidental and airport expedited screening statement credits + valuable travel insurance protections
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Low $95 annual fee
Rates, fees & offers
Annual fee
Rewards rate
Bonus offer
Receive 50,000 bonus points – a $500 value – after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Intro APR
Ongoing APR
APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable APR
Penalty APR: up to 29.99% APR
Balance transfer fee
Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
Recommended credit score
Not sure which card is best for you?
NerdWallet review
By Ellen Cannon
Rating details
Editor's overall rating
Pros and cons
Sign-up bonus
Earn more points on travel and dining
Premium travel protections
Higher rewards rates for Bank of America and Merrill customers
Annual fee
Highest rewards rate limited to certain customers
Frequent travelers looking for flexibility in credit card rewards ought to take a look at the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card — especially if they're already Bank of America® customers with significant balances in their accounts. For a relatively modest annual fee, cardholders can earn a great sign-up bonus, good reward rates and points that have the same value regardless of how you redeem them.
For more information, and a calculator to estimate the annual rewards you'd earn with this card, see our full editorial review.


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Stay up-to-date with the latest NESC, Lake Region Teacher Center and North Dakota happenings with the NESC Newsletters!
Author: ashleigh-blikre
NESC's Event Registration Website
The NESC's event registration system, escWorks, is used widely by the ND Regional Education Associations. When you first go to escWorks, you will be asked to create an account in order to register for NESC professional learning events. This account will keep track of all NESC events you have registered for. You will still have […]


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Selenite Circle Charging Pad
Time to charge up! This Selenite Charging Pad will not only clear and charge up your other crystals, it's great way to display your jewelry too!
The disc-like shaped crystal measures out to approx ~5.75" diameter x .75" thickness and WEIGHS 1 pound 8 oz!
Place your disc anywhere and it will help to clear and purify the aura and environment.
Metaphysical properties:
- symbolizes peace, purity, love, and higher consciousness
- used for good luck and protection
- provides for clarity of the mind // helps expands self-awareness
Want to learn more about Selenite? Check out our Intro to Wellness blog about it here!
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A Labradorite heart is incredibly powerful. If you have ever held a piece of labradorite, there is no mistaking the strong energy that this stone offers. Labradorite is the gemstone of...


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10 Things To Expect When Your Partner Brings You Home For The Holidays
When my now-husband brought me home for the holidays for the first time, I was terrified. Not in a funny-but-true, cutesy way, but in a really scary, sweaty palms and pits to match kinda way. I'd spent a decent amount of time with his parents prior to that visit, but had never spoken more than a few words to his extended family. I honestly had no idea what to expect when your partner brings you home for the holidays so, if I'm being totally honest here, I wasn't thrilled. Like, at all.
Perhaps the worst part of the whole "meeting your partner's extended family members for the first time" ordeal is that, for the most part, there's really no way to avoid the whole situation. You feel completely powerless because, sooner or later, you kind of have to go home with your partner for the holidays at some point, right? That is, if you want to feel like you've really "made it" as a couple. Apparently nothing says commitment like asking your partner to come to the bathroom with you, so you don't have to walk through the room full of relatives alone.
Thankfully, there's a good part, too. After this initial visit, things will finally get less scary. You'll have had your "coming out" of sorts, and now these people won't wonder who you are the next time they see you. (Which will now be on every major holiday, so congratulations). Once you've popped your December holiday cherry, there's kind of no going back, so prepare yourself for sweaty palms and stomach butterflies that actually somehow hurt aren't the only things to expect when your partner brings you home for the holidays. Prepare yourself, dear reader.
You'll Automatically Follow Them Around
It sounds pathetic, but it's really all too true. The alternative to following your partner around is sitting awkwardly while you're either ignored by all of his relatives, or questioned non-stop. Yeah, neither of those sound great, so to the bathroom you go.
You'll Hear About Your Partner's Ex
Chances are, you weren't the first person your partner has ever brought home. You may be the best girlfriend or boyfriend they've brought home, but there have been others before you. Chances are, your partner's family may very well slip up and hit you with that unintentional sting.
You'll Explain How You And Your Partner Met A Million Times Over
Hey, at least people are talking to you, right? But with a large family gathering, you'll likely be retelling your story over and over, until it's basically scripted for you.
You'll Pretend Like You Love The Food You're Eating
My husband's family is mostly full of Slovenians and Austrians who always bring dishes native to their countries. These dishes include pastries and schnitzel and sausage, otherwise known as food items I will never, ever, complain about eating.
However, not everyone is as lucky, and make no mistake: you'll be expected to clear your plate of whatever has been served to you. Those are just good manners, my friend. So, even if you aren't sure about that weird gelatinous dish, just eat it and smile.
You'll Be Ignored
Until now, your partner has probably come to these family gatherings alone, free to mill about and flit from cousin to sibling and back again. There's a certain camaraderie that you just aren't in on yet, and unless you expect your partner to just not talk to anyone, you'll spend a few moments by yourself.
You'll Stand Around Awkwardly
Once again, you probably don't know anyone and vice versa. Your partner may be talking to some cousins about who the hell even knows, leaving you to stand with them without having much to contribute to the overall conversation just yet. Or, you know, the assembly line to get food, where everyone is already awkward enough as the people in front scoop food onto their plates, feeling several pairs of eyes on them. Fun, right?
You'll Watch Other People Open Gifts
So awkward. You probably don't even want a gift, but the awkwardness is felt by all when you have to sit and watch your partner and other family members unwrap gifts in front of you, as you watch on.
You Won't Know What To Do During Group Photos
First, you have to figure out if you're even included in these group shots. If you are, consider your inclusion a very good sign. But then, you have to figure out just where you fit in the photo. Are you front and center with your partner? Or placed on the outside, just in case things don't work out and you can be cut from the photo later on? Decisions, decisions.
You'll See All Your Partner's Baby Photos
Finally, something to really look forward to! Get ready for all of those naked baby butts and chubby cheeks. Plus, maybe some insight to what your future kids will look like and if it's time to dip out now.
When my husband and I first started dating, he was still living at home. You'd better believe that we did it in his twin bed on the regular. Looking back, I don't know how we managed, especially with all of the squeaky springs the thing has and the careful maneuvering we had to perfect. However, let me just say that it is totally possible and maybe it'll bring you even closer? You know, because of the literal closeness happening.


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This year, Voiceless was delighted to support Anonymous, an animal protection organisation spearheading the campaign against live export in importing nation Israel. Voiceless's managing director and co-founder, Ondine Sherman, spoke with Anonymous about the live export industry from the perspective of an importing nation and the challenges they face.
Could you please sum up the history and major features of the live export/import market in Israel?
Live export from Australia to Israel started in 2000, as part of liberalisation process in the government's economic policy to open the Israeli market to free trade. In 2013, Israel imported 88,580 calves and 50,642 sheep from Australia. There is also live export from Europe, but on a smaller scale.
The animals that arrive at Eilat port are loaded onto trucks and transferred to quarantines, and then to farms in Israel and the Palestinian authority. They are fattened in closed facilities and their meat is labelled the same as to that of Israeli animals.
What is the public perception of live exports in Israel?
Throughout the years, there has been sharp criticism of live export by the media and the general public following undercover investigations by Anonymous activists that revealed horrible violence towards the animals. However, most Israelis don't know much about live export. When they hear about it, they are usually surprised to find out that animals are transferred all the way from Australia just to be slaughtered here.
In the last two years the public awareness has increased, following an investigation that was broadcast on national TV, reports of animals that died in shipments that broke down on the way from Australia, and protests against the government's decision to eliminate import taxes on live calves.
Anonymous have been involved in several major investigations exposing cruelty at abattoirs such as Bakar Tnuva in northern Israel, in particular several cases of extreme cruelty against Australian exported animals. These cases resulted in outcries in Australia, did these revelations have a significant impact here in Israel?
The Bakar Tnuva investigation was broadcast on Israel's leading TV network, and reached almost every house in Israel as the media continued to cover it intensely weeks and months later. It was reported that sales from Bakar Tnuva decreased while news reports followed developments in the investigation of the case.
On top of the legal proceedings that we initiated, two class action lawsuits were filed by consumers who were shocked by the abuse. Ironically, in its statement to court, Tnuva admitted to abusive conditions in any slaughter, regardless of its compliance with the regulations: "There is no reason to assume the claimed damage of 'profound shock, anger, repugnance and sadness' would not have been caused to consumers even if what had been documented and broadcast had been the usual, violent procedure in accordance with the regulations concerning the animals at the time of their slaughter, the legality of which is not in dispute".
Since the investigation, we have seen enormous rise in public interest in vegetarianism and veganism. In a way, this campaign marked a turning point in public awareness to animal rights in Israel.
Have there been any changes in public perception of live export in Israel, and indeed wider animal farming and slaughter practices in recent years?
Undercover investigations have raised awareness of the suffering of animals in factory farms. A recent survey reveals that 5% of the population is vegan, and another 8% vegetarian – which means over 1 million people in Israel have stopped eating animals. 13% are considering going vegan or vegetarian, 10% have a relative who turned vegan during the last year, and 14% have a friend who made has the transition. 23% are eating less meat, and 18% are eating less dairy. In a different survey, 55% declared they try to avoid purchasing products in which animals were harmed in the production process.
In Australia, live export has bipartisan support. Is the trade a divisive issue in Israel amongst political parties?
We work with members of the Knesset [Israeli parliament] from all political parties to strengthen the protection of animals, but there has yet to be a discussion on live export in the current Knesset.
What would you say was a pivotal moment for Anonymous and the animal protection movement in Israel over recent times?
Anonymous' greatest achievement is undoubtedly banning the force feeding of geese and ducks. Israel used to be the world's fourth largest producer of foie gras, and the ban saved 800,000 animals a year from horrible torture. In order to complete the mission, these days we are promoting a ban on the sale of foie gras.
Anonymous is a registered charity promoting animal rights in Israel. The organisation's successful campaigns include: Stopping the force-feeding of geese and ducks (over 800,000 annually), stopping the water deprivation and isolation of veal calves, banning the dehorning of cows without anaesthetics, stopping vivisection in schools and more. Anonymous have enlisted tens of thousands to various campaigns, developed a lecture program which about 40,000 people attend annually, and succeeded in bringing animal issues to the mass media in Israel every week.
To learn more about Anonymous and their work, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook.


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Appropriation Art
In the visual arts, to appropriate means to adopt, borrow, recycle or sample aspects (or the entire form) of man-made visual culture. Strategies include "re-vision, re-evaluation, variation, version, interpretation, imitation, proximation, supplement, increment, improvisation, prequel… pastiche, paraphrase, parody, forgery, homage, mimicry, travesty, shan-zhai, echo, allusion, intertextuality and karaoke." The term appropriation refers to the use of borrowed elements in the creation of a new work (as in 'the artist uses appropriation') or refers to the new work itself (as in 'this is a piece of appropriation art'). Art practices involve the 'appropriation' of ideas, symbols, artefacts, image, sound, objects, forms or styles from other cultures, from art history, from popular culture or other aspects of man made visual or non visual culture. Inherent in the process of appropriation is the fact that the new work recontextualizes whatever it borrows to create the new work. In most cases the original 'thing' remains accessible as the original, without change.
Anthropologists have studied the process of appropriation, or cultural borrowing (which includes art and urbanism), as part of cultural change and contact between different cultures.
The terms of appropriation and variation on a theme are sometimes used interchangeably.


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Top 15 List of Farm Smells
Image by supergiball
As I sat on the picnic bench in front of the Sundae Time in Troy savoring the small waffle cone of raspberry swirl, another familiar smell caught my attention. I lifted my head and sucked in the aroma and for a moment felt the heart-tug of my childhood memories. Oh, the sweet smell of cows!
My husband and I spent the next ten minutes swapping "the best of" in farm smells. For those of you who grew up on a farm, this will be a walk down memory lane. For all others, you can wonder, is she really serious! Here are my Top 15 Favorite Farm Smells, not necessarily all good, but all distinctively memorable:
House smells
1. Homemade everything – homemade bread baking; hot, bubbling apple, cherry, blackberry, huckleberry pies made from fruit picked on the farm or on the local mountain; smell of the brine in the hand-cranked ice cream maker filled with milk straight from the cow; fried deer steak and pancakes topped with boiled brown-sugar syrup; the first-blast good smells when you open home-canned jars of home-grown peaches, beets, pears, tomatoes, apples, pickles, and cherries; baking powder biscuits straight from the oven, dripping with lots of butter and homemade wild strawberry jam. Oh, yeah…
2. Bacon, sausage, home fries, and eggs frying on the stove every morning for breakfast – a hearty fare for hard-working men going to the fields and to the barn; I still love that smell on the two or three times a year when we leave the cereal in the cupboard!
3. Porter's Salve -a traveling salesman showed up on the farm every now and then peddling the green and white tins with salve claiming to benefit bruises, rough skin, insect bites, sunburn and local irritations; recommended for man or beast. Blindfold me and wave 100 concoctions under my nose, and I'll pick the Porter's salve out. The smell is that memorable!
4. The dank, wet, musty smell of most farmhouse cellars – no poured concrete or cinder blocks, just field stone walls and earth floors; perfect spot for storing canned goods and produce from the garden, but no place to linger.
Barn Smells
5. Corn silage – tightly packed into a silo, the chopped corn ferments to such perfection that my husband and I agree that this one tops the list for good farm smells. Oh, to take just one strong whiff up a silo again someday…
6. Cow feed with molasses – I doubt there's a farm kid alive or dead who hasn't taken a taste of this sweet-smelling mixture at least once!
7. Milk powder mixed with water for calves being weaned from their mothers – easy to smell as you bent close to the pail to get the calf to drink by sucking on your fingers.
8. Whitewash, a mixture of lime and chalk – sprayed on the walls, floor, and ceiling of the main barn floor to sanitize surfaces, drive out spiders, and brighten things up; the white wash momentarily masked all the other ordinary barn smells.
9. Fly spray – overpowering, eye-watering stench for a few minutes after spraying all the cows while in their stanchions in the barn.
10. Fresh cream collecting on top of the strainer over the milk can in the milk house.
11. The granary – sweet smell of oats, sometimes dusty, sometimes musty; as kids we played in the oat bins!
Outside Smells
12. New mown hay – this still takes my breath away when I drive through the country; roll your window down next time you pass a field and take it all in.
13. Singed chicken feathers – burning the fine feathers off after plucking the main ones. Yuck!
14. Creosote added to corn before planting to discourage birds, animals, and worms from eating the kernels.
15. Manure – no, you can't ignore this basic olfactory delight of family farm life, and I openly proclaim to the world that horse and cow shit on a small farm smells good! Sorry, but no one on the farm called it manure!
Gone are all the dairy farms that lined the roads for miles on either side of my father's land. Barns sit empty, many with caved-in roofs and missing boards. Former pastures grow wild again with weeds and brush, with no Holsteins, Jerseys or Guernseys to graze them tidy. My generation, the sons and daughters of farmers, found other ways to make a living, most not requiring the 24/7 commitment of the family farm.
The Troy Fair opens in July, with folks from the few remaining local farms gathering with their animals and produce to compete for prizes, bragging rights, and a week of camaraderie. I'll spend a few moments walking through the cow barns, breathing in those smells that still possess the power to take me back home again. Oh, the sweet smells of childhood!
On a more serious note, today's huge factory farms conjure up other adjectives – pungent, putrid, unbearable, foul, and appalling. I'm a meat-lover, and have no qualms about raising animals for consumption, but I admit to a wave of conscience about the conditions that factory-farm animals endure in order for me to enjoy my steak sandwich, lemon chicken, or sliced ham. Also in question is the right of these farms to impose their nauseating smells and real or potential water pollution on neighboring properties. Sounds like this topic may show up in a future post…


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By Rick Morris
For the most part, we keep our fantasy content on our fantasy website and fantasy blog and keep this site for content on all subjects. It allows our readers to find specific content more easily that way. However, it has come to our attention that because our new fantasy sports newsletter is published on the older Blogger platform that our readers may be limited in their ability to subscribe to it. There does not appear to be a way to have content on the FantasyDrafthelp.com blog forwarded to an aggregate news reader -- however, we know that we have that ability here. So we will link to that newsletter each week right here when it is published. This week's newsletter is completely given over to unveiling our Top 72 Overall for 2009 Fantasy Baseball. Here is this week's newsletter.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume II, Issue VII
Posted by Rick Morris at 9:59 PM
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What: Do you know your Oolong from your Rooibos? Or are you an Earl Grey kind of person? Find your favorite tea among the hundreds that will be served at this weekend's Third Annual International Tea Festival. Not only will there be tea to sip, but you'll be able to taste food made from tea as an ingredient. Try tea with chocolate or tea with cheese—it complements a wide variety of foods. Here's your chance to try a selection of the world's best tea in L.A. and take some home to keep you warm on cool winter nights.
When: Saturday, September 28 and Sunday September 29 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Where: Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., Downtown.
How: Tickets are just $15 each for general admission. Special tastings and a class on how to taste tea properly are available at an additional cost.


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Election Watch: NBC Nightly News With Graphics--Er, I mean, Brian Williams
I tuned into NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams just a few minutes ago, and guess what? The special guest of the evening in not Tom Brokaw. Instead, it's whirly colors, neon maps, giant logos, and the distracting breezy- flagpole-meets- waterfall backdrop that is "Decision 2006" in Rockefeller Plaza in New York.
We open with a Brady Bunchesque grouping of squares in which sit our analysts for the evening. The team includes includes Campbell Brown, Chip Reid, Tim Russert, Tom Brokaw and David Gregory–and I was half expecting them to start looking up and down at one another and smiling.
The broadcast was a really comprehensive and well-organized , and Williams led it expertly with his usual confidence, competence and charm (sidenote: can a girl swoon sometimes over Brian Williams? His inexplicable carrot-hue aside) but Williams was the least of my worries when it came to this years anchors. Too bad I kept being distracted from what was being said by an enormous NBC logo that was dwarfing their All-Star lineup. At one point, Campbell Brown was edged out of the picture to make room for a virtual graph. My eyes!
But it's 7 p.m.–so let's see who calls what when what starts rolling in….
By Caroline Palmer


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From the Dean and Executive Director
R. Karl Rethemeyer, PhD
Rockefeller College
"The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany is proud to be among the top schools of public affairs in the country. We prepare students to contribute to public service in a myriad of ways—as citizens, as professionals and as future educators. The Professional Development Program advances this mission by providing award-winning continuing professional education to the public service. Its capacity to offer high quality training for the public workforces has been one of its most outstanding features."
Eugene J. Monaco
Executive Director and Public Service Professor
"The Professional Development Program has established a national reputation for excellence in the field of continuing professional education. I'm extremely proud of the numerous kudos and awards that this outstanding program has earned. Our ongoing pursuit of excellence in providing high quality, state-of-the-art education and training programs for employees of public and voluntary agencies continues to be exciting and challenging. During the past year, we offered over 3500 instructional events in areas such as early childhood education, child welfare, public administration, and computer training enrolling over 68,000 trainees. Central to our mission is to improve the skills and knowledge of the public workforce and we work at achieving this daily."


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From Jai Mahishmati to Jai Maharashtra: Shiv Sena invokes Baahubali to push for firm action on Belgaum issue
The Shiv Sena have taken up the Baahubali jibe to push the Maharashtra government to take a firm stand in the Belgaum issue.
The alleged atrocities on the Marathi-speaking population of Belagavi, erstwhile Belgaum, district of Karnataka (bordering Maharashtra), has always been close to the hearts of the Shiv Sena leaders.
They have expressed the 'need' of merging the district with Maharashtra ever since the state was formed and have never concealed their feelings it. The Shiv Sena also do not waste a single opportunity to blow things out of proportion.
Like many other political parties, the Sena is using movie dialogues to drive their point home. And the hit of the season is Baahubali.
The Karnataka government's gag order on the 'Jai Maharashtra' slogan in Belagavi City Corporation, where a majority of the members including the mayor, are Marathi speakers, has once again prompted the Shiv Sena to jump in. They are demanding the Maharashtra government take strong action in the case.
Reel to real
During the special GST session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray dared Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to show his 'Baahubali' strength to the Karnataka government and get the gag order revoked.
Thackeray also said that if nothing was done about this, the Shiv Sena would handle it in their style.
But that was not the only instance when Baahubali was brought up in the session. During the GST debate Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jayant Patil referred to senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse's gesture of welcoming the Kisan Sangharsh Yatra, which was taken out by the Congress and the NCP, and called Khadse the Baahubali of BJP.
Patil also asked – 'Why Katappa killed Baahubali?'
Responding to the jibe, Fadnavis took the matter in a lighter vein when during the speech he got a slip with a question – 'Who killed Baahubali?'.
"This must have been sent by Jayant Patil, I am ready to take him to watch the movie so that he comes to know who killed Baahubali," Fadnavis said.
While the entire House enjoyed this light confrontation, Shiv Sena leader seems to have taken it seriously. In the editorial of party mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray dared Fadnavis to show some strength to Karnataka, instead of flexing muscles at opposition leaders in the Assembly.
"These days, politicians in Maharashtra have suddenly become quiet interested in Baahubali and Katappa. CM Fadnavis too is very enthusiastic to take his political opponents to watch the movie. He can happily take the opposition leaders to the movie. We request the CM with folded hands, before that, to show the trailer at least to the Karnataka government for the assault on Marathi pride at Belgaum," the editorial says.
"If the CM of Maharashtra is proud to be Marathi, he must immediately go to Belgaum to console the Marathi brothers there."
The Karnataka government is unleashing atrocities on Marathi-speaking people of Belgaum and Marathi politicians are surrendering to it, the editorial rued.
"The Government of Maharashtra should intervene and stop the suppression of Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka," it added.
Fadnavis may consult a legal advisor and will write a letter to his counterpart in Karnataka.
"Mere strong words would not end the atrocities. CM Fanavis needs to take some action. Chandrakant Patil, who has been given the responsibility of the border issue and the problems faced by Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka, should now immediately go to Belgaum and meet the people, console them," the editorial says.
Comparing this to a terrorist act, the editorial has appealed to all ministers to go to Belagavi and shout 'Jai Maharashtra'.
"This will not affect their posts as MLAs. Instead, people of the state will appreciate their courage. But no national party will open its mouth on the issue. Because it is about the border and these parties have to save their face on a national level. If the national parties will not come out openly on the issue, who will solve it and how will it get solved?" the editorial asks.


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Visitor parking
- Council »
- Contact us »
- Visitor parking
Here's a map of parking at our Hamilton office site. You can click on the map below to open up a larger copy.
There is also plenty of parking in the surrounding streets in Hamilton East. Note that some general public parking spaces have time limits, particularly in the Grey Street shopping precinct.


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Anthony Okoth
Country Director – PATH
Mr. Anthony Okoth, is currently the Kenyan Country Director of PATH Kenya and previously was the Chief Executive Officer of Population Services Kenya, where he served as the Chief of Party on the USAID-funded Health Communications and Marketing Program.
He has over 23 years of experience in public health programming and medical sales for HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, Reproductive Health, Malaria and Nutrition from Commercial and Non-profit sectors across the continent with direct engagement with Key donors such as the Gates Foundation, DIFD and USAID.
Antony holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Daystar University – Nairobi – Kenya, a Post Graduate Course in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Pharmacy, BSc in Biological Sciences and a certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit management from the Harvard Business School.
He has the privilege of sitting on several governance boards where he is the co-founder member of the Kenya Health Leader's Forum, that brings together 13 leading organizations which contributes over $180 million annually to the health sector in Kenya through several bilateral agreements.
Anthony plays a lead role in driving the Public Private Partnership (PPP) agenda in Kenya through the Kenya Health Federation (KHF) where he chairs the PPP Committee which hold regular engagements with the private sector, Civil Society and Government to address equity and common market failures.


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I really don't drink a lot but when I find something new and different I really enjoy it.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching the movie Northwest Passage with Spencer Tracy and, even though I've seen it a number of time, I finally realized that the drink he mixed up in the tavern was a Hot Buttered Rum. I've never had one and so decided to try it.
Essentially, the recipe is:
2 oz dark rum – I use Myers and it's okay to err on the side of more rum
1 pat of butter
1 tablespoon of brown sugar (I used dark)
1 tablespoon of regular sugar
1 teaspoon of apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon (whichever you prefer)
Hot water (to taste)
Basically you put all of the ingredients except the water into a mug and stir them up then add hot water to the desired level
That's it!
It is warming, comforting and tastes incredible, perfect for this time of the year. And this is coming from someone who thinks cocktail means you add a few drops of water to the Scotch, a couple of ice cubes to Bourbon, or an olive in the Martini!
If you try it, let me know what you think.


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Hey ho, it's another Minimate review. They kind of come in clusters, I guess. Of course, where yesterday's focus figure came from way back at the beginning, today's is a more recent addition to the line. So, without further ado, here's Black Widow and Dark Avengers Iron Man!
This pair is part of Series 2 of the Walgreens-exclusive Marvel Minimates. As with all the Walgreens 'mates, these two are animated series-based, specifically Avengers Assemble.
Black Widow is one of the main members of the team in Avengers Assemble, so her appearance here isn't a huge shock, especially since they've been steadily working through the animated incarnation of the team. The figure is a little under 2 1/2 inches tall and she has 14 points of articulation. Widow is based on her second costume from the show, which is a bit more distinct when compared to the same basic Widow we've gotten a few times, so definitely a good choice. Her only add-on piece is her hair, which she shares with the previously reviewed Gamora 'mate. It's a nice enough piece, and I guess it matches well enough with her animated design. The rest of her design is rendered via paint work, which is pretty solid. As I've noted a few times before, the animated designs really do translate pretty well to the 'mate form, and Widow definitely fits that trend. The colors are nice, bright, and bold, and all of the line work is nice and crisp. The figure is packed with a pair of batons and a clear display stand.
The second season of Avengers Assemble introduced frequent Marvel fixture the Squadron Supreme, who are the Marvel equivalent of the Justice League. They took advantage of the Squadron's alternate universe to also introduce the Dark Avengers, evil counterparts to the main heroes. DST decided to take advantage of these new designs to offer some slightly more unique designs for the characters we've all seen so many times before. The first one was Iron Man, whose design swaps out the red portions of his armor for black, because everyone knows black = evil, I guess. Construction-wise, he's got add-ons for his helmet, gloves, and belt, as well as special upper arm pieces. Everything is reused, which is generally okay. The Mark 42 arms still aren't among my favorites, mostly due to serious limitations they place on the shoulder movement. Aside from that, though, he does a decent enough job of capturing the look of the armor on the show. The paintwork on this guy is passable, but nowhere near as nice as some of the others in this subset. He's rather drab, being a dark blue and a rather cold yellow. Ultimately, he ends up looking like a slightly blander version of the Marvel Now Iron Man from a few years ago. Under the helmet, there's a Tony Stark face, which is a bit angrier than the usual Tony. The flesh tone on the face is kind of thin, so he ends up looking rather bluish. Also, the figure's paint just seems rather sloppy in general. The figure is packed with a flight stand and a clear display stand.
These two were given to me by my Super Awesome Girlfriend, who bought them from a Walgreens during a trip back home over the summer. Apparently, she likes to buy things for me when she's stressed. Widow's a pretty solid 'mate. Dark Avengers Iron Man is…well he doesn't feel like the most inspired choice. Of all the Dark Avengers designs, his is really one of the less interesting, and to top it off, his paint work is noticeably lower in quality than others in the series. Overall, I think Widow's enough to save the pack, but it would have been nice if her pack mate had been more exciting.


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Retirement Planning
Most financial institutions recommend that you start planning for your retirement as soon as you enter the workforce, ideally in your twenties. There are a variety of ways to invest money to prepare for retirement. The earlier you start, the more money you will have available when you retire.
How It Works
When you retire, Social Security benefits are guaranteed to be paid to you on a monthly basis for the rest of your life. For most people, the small amount they will receive each month from Social Security is hardly enough to meet the innumerable, yet essential monthly expenses. It may only be a mere fraction of the amount of money you made while working, depending on the amount paid into the system and the length of time Social Security tax was paid.
People who retire have to drastically alter their lifestyles in order to make ends meet, or they may even have to continue working in some capacity to be able to pay their bills. Retirement planning involves making investments earlier in your life to save money to help fund your retirement and prevent you from having to rely on your regular savings and Social Security benefits alone. It can involve annuities, IRAs, a 401k and other methods of investment for retirement.
You will have complete peace of mind in knowing that you will not have to struggle to survive once you retire. If you start when you are young, say in your twenties, and make wise investments, you could retire quite wealthy and need not worry about how to stretch your Social Security benefits.
Careful retirement planning also offers income tax benefits. The money you defer into certain accounts, like a Roth IRA or Roth 401k, goes directly into the account without being taxed. If you withdraw the money properly, you can avoid taxes at that time too.
If you want help with retirement planning, then factor in the cost of a financial planner or lawyer to help you strategically invest your money. You may even want to hire a broker in some cases. If you plan on contributing to the standard Roth IRA and 401k, the cost is only the amount that you invest in these plans.
It's never too early to start retirement planning-the earlier, the better. Even if you are well past your twenties and thirties, retirement planning even at this point can help make your retirement years easier.
There are a lot of ways in which you can plan and save for your life after retirement. Your employer will offer a 401k, but brokerages, insurance companies and financial institutions offer other plans like annuities and IRAs.


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Prepping 101: Emergency Preparedness on the TrailWise Blog Team
Every hiker, no matter their experience, will tell you that the most important thing while out on the trail is safety. It is vital to prepare beforehand in case the unfortunate event of an accident occurs.
Incidents on the trail vary greatly depending on the terrain, so it is very important you first do your research on the area you will be hiking.
Emergency Kit Basics
When it comes to the basics one of the most important elements is ease of […]


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If you're not happy with the standard of hygiene in a restaurant, shop or any other food outlet, if you find that food isn't fit to eat or if you are unhappy with a food label you should make a complaint to the Food Saftey Authority of Ireland


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About this Product
- Large-port 10-ft drain hose / 10-ft universal connector kit
10' drain hose
For tall tub dishwashers
- Easy installation for dishwasher within 10-ft of drain / water access
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The Access Network airdrop has concluded. This page exists for historical purposes only.
What is the Access Network airdrop?
According to the developers, "The ACX Network is a self-sustaining token economy that empowers participants to define financial access for themselves. Participants are incentivized to create long-term value for one another by democratically controlling the distribution of the Network's Incentive Pool. These interactions are enabled by a modular suite of smart contracts that self-amend and distribute funds throughout the ecosystem according to the will of the network." You will receive a share of 65.7 million tokens for free when participating in this airdrop. Assuming 100,000 people participate, you could earn approximately 657 ACX tokens.
What is the Access Network airdrop worth?
The maximum supply of Access Network is a modest 6 billion (6,000,000,000) tokens. Assuming they reach a market cap of $50,000,000 USD, the 657 tokens that you will get for free from the airdrop would be worth $5.50. If this project attains a market cap of $1,000,000,000 USD, the 657 tokens that you will get for free from the airdrop would be worth $110.
How can you participate in the Access Network airdrop?
- Click here to reach the Access Network website.
- Enter your full name.
- Enter your email address.
- Join their Telegram channel.
- Enter your Telegram username.
- Enter your Ethereum address.
- Claim your share of the ACX airdrop pool!
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