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Well Lynlee had a very restless night. Around 6am this morning I was moving her in the bed and realized she felt warm. I took her temp and she was at 100.2. I knew she was sick. I went a head and took a quick shower, and got ready. I rechecked her temp again and it was 101.2. I knew it was time to call transplant. We only call on a temp after 101.0 So I called they said to give the Tylenol and bring her in for labs.. The only problem was I didn't have any Tylenol. Ryan went out to see if he could find some and I put a cold wash cloth on her head. When I got her up to go to the hospital the fever was gone by itself and she threw up over and over.
After getting labs and more vomiting we knew she had her first stomach virus.. UGH! I felt so sorry for her. And to make matters worse we had a 3 hour car ride ahead of us.
It still amazed me she went from this picture to be so sick in a matter of hours..
She's actually feeling 100% better tonight. She is eating now, back to playing, and bossing everyone around.. The only down side was her labs were crazy high. We are hoping it was from the virus, it happened last night, and her prograf came back crazy high too.. With all of them being out of range we get to go back to Pittsburgh Thursday morning for more labs..
I'm really thinking they will be better.. Wishful thinking maybe. We know if they aren't trending down a biopsy will be down to see if it is rejection..
So no fun pictures of the zoo this time, but we will be making just a fun trip with no needles soon!
I did learn to always have Tyenol too.. and a hair dryer :)
Saturday we did take some family time and went to do a little cookout and some fishing..
Her first casting lesson
Lynlee and her Vava
Till next time. This mommas ready for bed!


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subset: commoncrawl


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This hand lettered Bible verse card features 1 Peter 5:7 Cast All Your Anxiety so you can be reminded of of the strength you have in God. It makes a perfect encouragement gift for a friend.
PAPER: Printed on archival paper using archival fade resistant inks
SIZING: Folded Card Measures 10.5cm x 14.8 cm (4 inches x 5.8 inches) / A6 UK Size
CARD DETAILS: Each card comes with a white envelope. The inside is left blank for your own message.
PACKAGING: Packaged in clear sleeve
ARTWORK NOTE: Each card has a texture added to create a vintage look. (See close up, detail image)
All Images and Content are copyrighted by Laurent Collective.
Artwork is individually printed and each print can be slightly different, but know that our quality standards are very high. We do our best to show the true colors of the artwork, but please allow some variation as monitors can display colors differently.


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Golden Arrow 2
1 Player Games Fun Games Mouse Skill Games Timing Game Games
Show up your bow skills in this exciting archery game. You must have a high score towards the end of the game,and you must take into consideration the wind. Good luck and have fun!
Play Golden Arrow 2 Full Screen
Golden Arrow 2 Game Controls
Mouse - Aim and shoot.


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A widely shared NY Times story that ran this week was published in response to CNN's Being13, which highlighted how young teens are impacted by social media. Called "Seven Ways Parents Can Help 13-Year-Olds Start Their Social Media Lives Right," the article included advice from Marion Underwood, dean of graduate studies in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas and a co-author of the Being 13 report.
Among her suggestions, Dr. Underwood encouraged parents to have their kids start with Instagram instead of Facebook. Calling the photo-sharing site a benign, simpler service, she said most users abide by the site's unwritten etiquette.
But do others agree with her assessment? Not so much. Rachel Simmons, author, educator and co-founder of Girls Leadership says that Instagram's simple/sleek design can be deceiving. In an article for Time magazine, Simmons says, "Look more closely, and you find the Rosetta Stone of girl angst: a way for tweens and teens to find out what their peers really think of them (Was that comment about my dress a joke or did she mean it?), who likes you (Why wasn't I included in that picture?), even how many people like them (if you post and get too few likes, you might feel "Instashame," as one young woman calls it)."
Jocelyn Brewer, a psychologist and creator of Digital Nutrition, a framework for developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with your technological world, says that trying to figure out which platform offers the best entry point into the world of social media is futile at best: "Attempting to categorise social media sites into good or bad or better and worse is simplistic and ignores the nuances of digital youth cultures and how the sites can get used by different groups for different purposes. If the intention of someone is to be mean/nasty/rude etc, the platform they choose is irrelevant to that intention."


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Comprehensive Business Management Software
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The Inspection Support Network (ISN) is THE world leader in connecting, streamlining and automating all aspects of running any inspection business or organization. For more than a decade, ISN has created software-based tools and solutions for residential, insurance and commercial property inspections. The ISN team has worked tirelessly in that time to generate an exceptional product and form a matchless service network that genuinely makes a difference for the inspection community and ISN customers.
ISN takes pride in its approach to really getting to know its customers over the years – who they are, what they do, why they do it, and most importantly, what's not working for them. It's also what inspired ISN to develop its one-of-a-kind conference for the inspection industry, Inspection Fuel.
If you're ready to shift your inspection business into a higher gear, then you're ready to try ISN. With FREE setup and FREE for 60 days, you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain for your inspection business.
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Welcome to the Delaware Valley Friends School BLOG
Thanks for stopping by to see what's happening!
A Message from the Head of School re Violence in Charlottesville, Va.
Friends, we share this letter from our Head of School, Kirk Smothers, in response to the violence in Charlottesville, VA.
August 17, 2017
Dear Friends,
At this point in the summer, I normally write a letter announcing new faculty and giving a preview of the school year to come. That letter will go out soon, but today I write as a leader of the Delaware Valley Friends School community and a citizen of our nation out of concern after the tragic and …
Supreme Court ruling a win for special-ed students
By Kirk Smothers
Last Wednesday was a great day for special-education students in the United States. Our frequently divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Endrew F. v Douglas County School District that public schools are required to provide free and appropriate educational placements, which lead to more than de minimis (meaning trivial or minimal) student progress.
Instead, the court advised that the "educational…
Paoli, Pennsylvania - Tuesday, December 7, 2016
DVFS Head of School Kirk Smothers and Clerk of the Board of Trustees Curt Grogan announced that the school is expanding to include a lower school program with the addition of grades 3 and 4 to its program. With its creation of a lower school program, DVFS becomes the only Friends school in the Philadelphia area dedicated solely to the education of students who learn differently from ……
Head of School Kirk Smothers Featured in Suburban Life Magazine
Delaware Valley Friends School Head of School Kirk Smothers was interviewed and featured in the September 2015 issue of Suburban Life Chester/Delaware Counties.
Read the article "A World of Opportunity" about how our new Head of School plans to build on the legacy of Delaware Valley Friends School as a place where students with learning differences thrive.
Choose groups to clone to:


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The Hepatology research team is based at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. We deliver research across the Hepatology department. Our aim is to demonstrate how engagement in clinical research leads to improvement in health outcomes and management of patients care and quality of life.
We are a growing team with 3 research active consultants, 2 specialist research nurses and a clinical trials assistant. As a speciality, we work very closely with all the Medical team, Specialist nurses, ward and other health professionals to promote, recruit and deliver the Research Studies.
As a research team;
We support a national portfolio of high quality research studies relating to the care of patients within the Hepatology service
Embed research into the day to day care and provision of healthcare
Encourage the development of new and innovative treatments
Are committed to ensuring our patient population are aware of the research opportunities to take part in research relevant to them, should they wish to do so
We are currently running studies investigation Hepatitis C (HCV), Auto-Immune Hepatitis (AIH), Hepatic Encephalopathy, PBC, PSC and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
If you would like to find out more or enquire about participation in our research please contact our Hepatology Specialist Research Nurses on 02392 286000 ext. 5470


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As the winter here in the West Chester area starts to make itself at home, you may be dreading those snowstorms. Not only do they mean terrible roads and more shoveling, but they can also wreak havoc on your home. Are you doing enough to protect your home from ice dams?
Ice Dams: What Are They?
The icicles that form at the edge of your roof during the winter are ice dams. They can cause severe damage to your home's roof, attic, siding and gutters. While ice dams can be painstakingly removed, it's more effective to implement ice dam prevention measures. By taking preventative action, you'll have peace of mind for the long-term.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
In the winter as heat escapes from your attic, it can melt the snow piled up on your roof. The melted water then runs off towards the edge where it's met with a colder surface and then refreezes. This constant cycle causes dams of ice to form which generally include icicles.
How to Stop Ice Dam Formation
Ice dams actually indicate a larger problem in your home. Taking the necessary steps to prevent them will not only help with ice dams, but it will solve many comfort issues and help you save on your energy bills. The key to ice dam prevention includes:
Air Sealing: The stack effect occurs when warm air rises and leaves through the attic and roof. This, in turn, pulls in cold air from the outside through the lower part of your home. The way to prevent the stack effect from having such a profound impact is with air sealing.
Air sealing can help prevent ice dams, but it also stops your heating system from working too hard, keeps you more comfortable and reduces your monthly energy bills. Sealing the cracks and gaps in your home's envelope reduces the amount of air that is able to escape through your attic which prevents the melting of snow, stopping the initial cause of ice dams.
Insulation: Insulation prevents heat transfer, making your home warmer during the winter and cooler in the summer. By increasing your home's insulation, particularly in the attic, and pairing it with air sealing, you'll experience the best results. You'll keep heat inside your home during the winter allowing you to save energy and reduce your bills, stay comfortable and reduce the cycle of melting and refreezing that causes ice dams to form.
Prevent Ice Dams with Help from Green Stone Energy
Green Stone Energy can help protect your home from ice dams this winter with weatherization. Our expert team won't only prevent ice dams, but we'll also keep you comfortable and cozy while reducing your energy bills.


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Porsche Boxster
- Year: 2002 (02)
- Date Of Registration: 21/05/2002
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Body: Convertible
- Mileage: 46,061 Miles
- Transmission: Manual
- Engine Size: 3.2L
- Colour:
- Previous Owners: 3
Adjust and apply for finance
P & J Woolley Limited t/a 911 Sport are a credit broker and not a lender. We are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA No: 668912 Finance is Subject to status. Other offers may be available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. Registered in England & Wales: 5319452. Registered Office Address: Achurch Close, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, LN9 6JS, Data Protection No: ZA120757
Vehicle Description
911 Sport are excited to offer, possibly the best example of a 2002 986 Boxster on today's current market. This 46,000 mile vehicle has only had three previous owners and is complete with outstanding service history. It has recently undergone a major service including brand new brakes and air conditioning radiators. Presented in Artic Silver with a Metrapole Blue Hood and matching Leather Interior. OPTIONS - • Casette Radio • Porsche Stability Management (PSM) • Top Tinted Windscreen • Air Conditioning • CD Preparation • Bose High End Sound System • Wind Deflector Pack • 18" Boxster S Alloys • Becker SatNav • Rear Park Sensors • Parrot Phone Kit STANDARD EQUIPMENT - • Electric Heated Exterior Mirrors • Illuminated Make Up Mirror • 3-Spoke Airbag Steering Wheel • Radio Preparation • Theft Control • Alarm Siren • Mechanical Seat Height Adjustment • Wind Deflector • Electric Windows • Power Steering COMPLETE WITH - • 2 Keys • 12 Months MOT • Leather Service Wallet & Manuals • Comprehensive HPI Report • Factory Specification Sheet • 911 Sport Warranty
Cost and Efficiency
Urban 18.1 mpg
Extra Urban 36.2 mpg
Combined 26.4 mpg
Engine and Performance
0 - 62mph 6s
Top Speed 162mph
Max Power 248bhp
Max Torque 225lb-ft
Weights and Measures
Dimensions (mm)kght. mmWidth mmLength mm
- Max Gross Weight
- Towing Weight (Braked)
- Towing Weight (Unbraked)
- Seats 2
Safety (NCAP)
- Adult
- Child
- Pedestrian
- Safety Assist
- Overall
Note: These figures show the typical specification for this vehicle, actual figures may vary.


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About 22 years ago, we spent "Old Year's Day" in St. Thomas. It was the year before I became pregnant and my husband had surprised me with the trip. We went on a side trip that day to Mountaintop, the highest point on the island, and there, it was explained to us that while we celebrate "New Year's Day", on St. Thomas, they celebrate "Old Year's Day" and use it as a day to reflect on the past year.
I have two sets of lentil beads, fresh from my torch/kiln this last day of 2007. The first, I call "Mirror Islands" because of the mirrored finish on these beads. The reactions I am getting from regular old Morette and Vetrofond and a little bit of silver is just knocking my sox off! This is my favorite of the two:
The second set is called "Craters of the Moon". It is probably lighter than it appears in the photo and Tina was totally enamored of this one.
I have had a number of requests for this type of bead and will be offering them unstrung or strung as the buyer wishes...
I can't wait to see what 2008 holds. My fascination with these organic beads seems to only get stronger. It's kind of amazing since when I started working with glass, I wasn't really attracted to them and wanted to only work with bright patterns and crisp lines and dots... I'm sure the tide will turn again though.


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Company matches amount from the employee campaign: 42,000 euros in total for the children's home / Donation handed over to the Deputy Managing Director of the Maltese Diocesan in Mainz
"I am very pleased to see so many SCHOTT employees respond to the joint appeal from our corporate management and works council and donate to those who are suffering in Japan," Ungeheuer noted. "Considering the great generosity we've been seeing, it was our pleasure to double this amount on behalf of SCHOTT. We are now quite optimistic that we'll be able to help alleviate the suffering for the children and youth who live in the Fuji no Sono home."
"It makes me very proud to see how our people at SCHOTT are showing solidarity with the victims of the disaster and living up to their responsibility to others," Heinrich added.
Anja Remmert, Deputy Managing Director of the Maltese Diocesan in Mainz, accepted the donation check on behalf of the children's home and expressed her deep appreciation. "On behalf of the head of our home, Sister Caelina, and all the children, I would like to express my thanks to the employees of SCHOTT and to the company itself for this generous donation. They were deeply moved when I first shared the news of this donation."
The Fuji no Sono home for children that was founded in the small town of Ichinoseki in 1963 is home to children and young people of between two and 18 years of age. The home is located in the Japanese prefecture of Iwate in the north of the main island of Honshu. The German Sister Caelina Mauer, a Franciscan nun from Heede in Emsland, runs the home and takes care of around 60 children and young people together with her team. The home for children was damaged so severely by the earthquake on March 11 that the building must be completely rebuilt.
SCHOTT has been present in Japan since 1966. Today, approximately 550 employees work for SCHOTT at four sites inside the country. In addition to its sales office in Tokyo, SCHOTT also has manufacturing sites for lighting and imaging products in Saitama City (SCHOTT Moritex) and electronic packaging in Minakuchi, near Osaka. On October 1, 2010, SCHOTT and the Osaka-based Japanese company Naigai announced that they would be forming a joint venture on manufacturing pharmaceutical packaging.
During the earthquake and tsunami disaster, none of the employees of SCHOTT or their families were harmed. A crisis management team from Mainz and Japan started working already on March 11, directly after the first severe earthquake had hit and the tsunami had taken place. The safety of its employees and their families was always the top priority. SCHOTT's buildings and facilities in Tokyo and Saitama City experienced only marginal damages.
Following the horrible natural disaster and the reactor catastrophe it caused in Fukushima, SCHOTT temporarily closed its production facility in Saitama City and its sales office in Tokyo and switched over to emergency operations mode for safety reasons. Two weeks after the earthquake, SCHOTT had resumed its normal work once again in Japan and managed to make up for the production losses that had resulted rather quickly.
SCHOTT is an international technology group with more than 125 years of experience in the areas of special glass, specialty materials and state-of-the-art technologies. In fact, SCHOTT ranks number one in the world with many of its products. The company's core markets are the household appliance, solar power, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, automotive and architecture industries. By supplying high-quality products and intelligent solutions, SCHOTT strives to contribute to the success of its customers and become an important part of people's lives. With manufacturing facilities and sales offices in more than 40 countries, SCHOTT Group works in close proximity to its customers. Its workforce of around 17,500 employees generated total revenue of approx. 2.9 billion euros for the 2009/2010 fiscal year. SCHOTT's technological and economic expertise is closely tied to its social and environmental responsibility and the company strongly supports the principles of sustainability. SCHOTT AG is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.
SCHOTT in Japan:
SCHOTT has approx. 550 employees in Japan:
- 35 people work for the SCHOTT sales office in Tokyo. SCHOTT opened it as its first sales office in Asia back in 1966.
- 200 employees work in manufacturing in Minakuchi. Among other things, SCHOTT manufactures hermetic housings for electronic chips and thermal fuses for electronic devices for its Electronic Packaging division here. SCHOTT has been active in this area in Japan since 2000.
- 320 people work for SCHOTT Moritex, whose headquarters is based in Tokyo and production facilities are in Saitama City. SCHOTT became the first German company to acquire a majority share in a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by purchasing 70.8% of the shares in Moritex by way of a friendly acquisition offer made in 2008. The two firms have been working together to extend their positions as global leaders on certain types of imaging and lighting solutions since June 2007.
- On October 1, 2010, SCHOTT and Naigai founded a joint venture on manufacturing pharmaceutical packaging. The new joint venture based here manufactures for the most part high-quality vials for the Japanese pharmaceutical industry out of "Fiolax" special glass tubing from SCHOTT. SCHOTT currently has 10 employees at this site.
SCHOTT has maintained a direct presence in Japan since 1966 and currently has three manufacturing sites and a sales office here.


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Take a Closer Look the Ultra-Luxe Hermès Apple Watch
At its "Gather Round" WWDC 2018 event yesterday, Apple unveiled its latest collaboration with French luxury label Hermès. The duo is set to release four versions of the new Apple Watch Series 4.
The "double tour" comes in four colorways and is designed to wrap around your wrist twice, turning your watch into a hybrid timepiece/bracelet, while the "single tour" comes in a more classic one-strap design. Both models arrive in a range of sizes and feature a color-changing watch face that reflects the strap's colorway.
For those looking for something more understated, the release also includes a "single tour rallye" model which draws on the world of automobile racing and a deployment buckle version of the "single tour," available in fauve Barenia leather and ébène Barenia leather.
The Apple Watch Hermès Series 4 includes all the new features of the Apple Series 4, including a dual core 64-bit S4 chip (2x faster than previous models), an improved digital crown with haptic feedback and a 50 percent louder speaker. The Series 4 watch also includes health features, like fall detection and the ability to run an ECG test using an electric heart sensor.
Prices range from $1,249 to $1,499. The Apple Watch Hermès Series 4 will be available to pre-order on September 14, at Apple's and Hermès' online stores.
Browse images of the collaboration above, then watch our breakdown of the new iPhones below.
In related news, here's everything announced at Apple's special event.


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udon noodle salad
by katefantastic
I made this salad a while back for a family 4th of july gathering. The recipe is from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home, but apparently my family only has an older Moosewood cookbook, so I found the recipe at A Delicious Distraction.
I am still in a totally experimental, mildly frustrated phase when it comes to food photography (& to be real, photography in general). Food is one of my favorite things about this dang planet, & it feels so bizarre to not be able to capture & share that. I'll take photos of beautiful, mouthwatering food &, in the absence of textures & smells & all of the wonderful, it looks blah blah blah.
That said, I could look at a good mise en place photo 4EVAH. Partially, probably, because mise en place completely changed my life (having everything in place before I start dumping things in a pot solves the problem of things burning on the stove while I'm frantically crying & chopping onions because the recipe told me I would have enough time but I'm too slow at chopping because I'm crying!) & also because they usually just look really darn good to me.
So, I am working on my compulsive dish limiting tendencies, & allowing myself to sometimes use extra dishes just so I can get a cute mise en place going on.
The salad, for the record, was as delicious the mise en place & as quickly gone.


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pink flowers
Do you know of any monkey grass that has pink flowers that constantly bloom and have a seed pod if flower stem is left on?
Offhand, no. However, Arabicus mondo grass (mondo grass and moley grass often confused) forms pink blossoms during summer but it has black foliage. With a little digging, I did manage to find a liriope variety called 'Samantha' that has green foliage with pink flower spikes.
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If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.


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LifeAssist works in partnership with our clients with a shared objective – to make individuals and organisations more effective by enhancing the Employee Value Proposition (EVP), promoting employee engagement and mitigating risks associated with health and lifestyle.
To achieve a return on investment, it is essential to align our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with the business imperative for wellness. Best results are achieved when there is executive advocacy and partnership with Human Resources, Organisational Development, Talent Management and Learning and Development/Training.
The LifeAssist EAP has the potential to complement Onsite Clinics, Occupational Health & Safety, the Medical Aid Scheme and the Retirement and Disability Fund.
The LifeAssist EAP encompasses a 360 degree approach:
- Establishing a foundation and policy framework that supports the programme design, implementation, measurement, monitoring and evaluation, through consultation and in partnership with the client.
- Employee Assistance: Counselling and advice for employees and their families on a wide range of issues pertaining to work-life and personal-life.
- Reasons are diverse and include adjustment challenges; dealing with anxiety, depression and stress; interpersonal relationships; work performance; abuse: substance, physical, mental, emotional; trauma; health and wellness, HIV & Aids, financial counselling and legal advice. Crises management, incorporating trauma defusing and counselling.
- Employee Wellness: Intervention at this level is proactive and includes training, executive health coaching, wellness assessments, HIV & Aids interventions, wellness events, health promotion campaigns and online wellness for information, advice and interactive tools.
- Organisational assistance with the focus on the human factor as key influencers of organisational effectiveness. Emphasis is on leadership development, absenteeism management and governance in respect of mitigating health risks.


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"In a no-deal scenario, the potential damage to the UK economy could be offset by the positive impact of lower GBP on exporters' earnings."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has chosen a more aggressive negotiation technique than predecessor Theresa May, flagging the UK's readiness to exit the European Union without a transition deal (current deadline is 31 October) if the withdrawal agreement that May reached with Brussels is not improved to match his demands. Furthermore, Johnson has curtailed parliamentary time to reinforce his 'no deal' threat and muffle opposition.
Our base case is still an extension of the 31 October deadline, but the 'no deal' risk remains high. While undoubtedly negative for growth, the cost of 'no deal' is probably not as dire as the International Monetary Fund's bleak forecast of 3.5% less GDP growth over the next two years.
Some temporary trading arrangements are likely to be found. In addition, policy levers are likely to be activated in full, both on the monetary and fiscal side.
We think that Boris Johnson's rise marks a 'regime shift' away from the austerity policies of recent years, including during Theresa May's time as prime minister. Brexit aside, we see a broad change in mentality within the Tory party (and beyond), which means that the purse strings could be loosened in the coming years, Brexit deal or not (but the shift could be accelerated by a no-deal Brexit).
Regarding a potential US-UK free trade deal, we do not think that the US will be the UK's 'saviour' in the case of a no-deal Brexit, even though Boris Johnson enjoys a good relationship with President Trump and the latter has mentioned the possibility of a fast bilateral trade deal.
Should we have a 'no deal' Brexit, we believe sterling could go as low as GBP1.10 per US dollar. However, in such a scenario, emergency measures to 'smooth' the UK's exit could support sterling after its initial decline. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, we would expect a significant easing of policy by the BoE, with a rate cut of 50 bps The 10-year gilt yield could drop to 0.2%.
The impact of a 'no deal' Brexit on equities could be muted as 2019 earnings expectations are already meagre across all developed equity markets. In a no-deal scenario, the potential damage to the UK economy could be offset by the positive impact of lower GBP on exporters' earnings. Any initial slide in UK equities in reaction to a no-deal exit could quickly be reversed by a vigorous policy response by policymakers.
All in all, a no-deal Brexit is a distinct possibility on the 31 October, even though, for now, this is still not our main scenario, which assumes that resistance in parliament will produce a different outcome (the shutting of parliament until mid-October narrows the options of 'Hard Brexit' opponents, but does not eliminate them).


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You may already be familiar with cold coffee in its various forms. Whether you are a lover of iced lattes, a cold drip connoisseur or just an extremely busy person who never gets around to drinking their cup of coffee before it goes stone-cold.
Cold brewed coffee, when done correctly and with the right intention, can be something really special. But don't worry – you won't need a laboratory kit to get started.
Cold Brew Methods
There are two tried and tested methods for preparing cold-brewed coffee. These are cold drip and cold brew.
Cold drip coffee is made by slowly dripping iced water through coarsely ground coffee. Cold-drip set ups are commonly seen on display in cafes; tall, swirly looking glass installations that can be quite mesmerising. Most people wouldn't look at this kind of set up and feel prepared to replicate it at home.
Cold brew coffee is the more practical of the two methods. It is similar to cold drip in that it is brewed without the use of heat and for a longer time, however the ground coffee is fully immersed in the cold water, and can typically be done in any vessel of your choosing. Some people use recycled glass jars or their standard coffee plunger.
Why you should try it
It's hot in Australia. Sometimes we don't always want a hot milky coffee – but we don't want to go without our daily brew. This is where cold brew steps in, and for café owners it can be an excellent way to increase profits during the quieter months! Also, cold brew stores really well, you can get two weeks if it is kept in sealed glass vessels (make sure you sanitise these first).
How to do it
This depends on the quantity of cold brew coffee you would like to make and how you would like to enjoy the end product.
If you are a café owner and would like to start selling cold brew in your shop, we recommend the Toddy system for making larger batches of cold-brew.
For home users, we recommend the Cold Bruer for exceptional results, or you could try and go full DIY with one of the many tutorials available online (we don't guarantee their efficacy but it could be fun!).
The entire process is rather simple, really. Use filtered water and coarsely ground (freshly roasted) coffee. If you plan on drinking your cold brew black, begin with a ratio of 80g coffee to 1L of water. We are using a higher dose here, as cold water is not a good solvent for extraction, so we need to use more coffee to get more flavour.
If you plan on drinking your cold brew mixed with milk, you'll want to make a stronger concentrate: try 120g coffee to 1L of water. This is so that the flavours are not masked by the milk.
Place the coffee in your device, making sure your filter is in place. If you are using the Cold Bruer device, the ground coffee goes in the lower half of the top chamber, and an AeroPress filter is placed on top of the bed of grounds. For a detailed brewing guide on this check out this link.
If you are using a full-immersion brewer, such as the Toddy system or your French Press, the coffee simply goes in with the cold water to brew. Make sure all of the coffee is wet by pouring the water in evenly. You can give a gentle stir if you like, but too much agitation will make your final result bitter.
Steep for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight. The brewing process is so long because cold water takes a longer time to extract the flavours from the coffee than hot water does. Think of it like trying to dissolve sugar in hot water vs. cold water.
The good news is you will wake up to delicious, juicy, full-flavoured cold brewed coffee with all of the nuanced origin characteristics intact.
One more thing…
I don't want to take you down a rabbit hole, but there is something called "Japanese style iced filter". This is basically a manual pour-over brew, but instead of drinking it hot, it is poured onto ice. The ice melts and dilutes the brew, so less hot water is used to begin with. This is a really nice way to make a single batch of iced, filter roasted coffee. James Hoffman does a really good tutorial on this. If you decide to go this route, be sure to check out our pour-over devices.
Image by the fabulous people from the Ley St Cafe in South Perth. Check them out!


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Now showing items 1-3 of 3
Comparison of long-term postoperative sequelae in patients with tetralogy of Fallot versus isolated pulmonic stenosis.
(Am J Cardiol, 2014-07-15)
Patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) after complete repair and pulmonic stenosis (PS) after surgical valvotomy often develop significant pulmonic regurgitation (PR) that eventually requires valve replacement. Although ...
PINOT NOIR: pulmonic insufficiency improvement with nitric oxide inhalational response.
(J Cardiovasc Magn Reson, 2013-09-04)
BACKGROUND: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair and pulmonary valvotomy for pulmonary stenosis (PS) lead to progressive pulmonary insufficiency (PI), right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction. This study assessed whether ...
Lateral caval flap repair of adult sinus venosus atrial septal defect: A natural novel approach.
(J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2012-10)


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This beautiful card comes from Mirna in Croatia and came with a birthday card for me. She tells me that she found this beautiful card in a flea market and was surprised to find it unwritten. It is totally gorgeous, with vintage cards like this, I always wonder who the first person to buy it was and when! Love it!
Osijek Post Office
This lovely card comes from my friend Mirna in Croatia. She tells me it shows the Osijek post office which was built in 1912 and is still used for the same purpose today! She says she's read it's the second biggest building in Croatia but that she's not sure that it's true! Regardless, she says it is enormous. Really interesting to learn about! Great card!
A Winter Bird
I've been a little absent from my blog lately since Guernsey Post has been fantastically sporadic. Who knew that our apartment complex being given individual mail slots in our doors and the removal of the large mailbox outside would cause such chaos? Oh well… It seems things are slowly getting back to normal! This wonderful card comes from Mirna in Croatia and shows an illustration entitled "Winter Bird" although we both can admit to thinking of the dove carrying olive branches and 'peace' springing to mind. Either way, it's a very cute card and I love it. The bird looks so cheerful!
A Croatian Christmas
This lovely card comes from penpal Mirna in Croatia where she tells me December 5th was the first snow of the year (Jealous! Haven't had any here yet!) she wishes me a merry Christmas and happy new year. She's also included two awesome stamps – one for the 2013 new year release and one of the Neanderthal museum in Krapina which I did not know existed but sounds very cool! Love this card!
I'm actually in England until the New Year so may not be uploading any more cards onto here for a while, so would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, thank you all for following my blog and an even bigger thanks to those who have sent out the cards in the first place. It's been a great year, but here's hoping 2013 will be even better!
A Card For A Good Cause
This card from my Croatian penpal Mirna is really great since it is actually in support of a massive charity effort run by Kozmo pharmacies. By buying one postcard, 1 square metre of land will have landmines removed from it. Mirna tells me that despite the war ending nearly 20 years ago, over 700 square kilometres of the country are still full of mines so this effort is extremely important. What an amazing card, and for such a great cause.
Another From Adi
Kindly, and to my surprise, another card arrived today from Croatian Adi, this time showing a vintage picture of his town Rovinj. He says he chose it since I like history and that his town historically was an island but in the 18th century this piazza was created to connect it with the shore in the place of an old wooden bridge. Amazing!
A Beautiful Croatian Card
This stunning card comes from Adi in Croatia. He tells me this picture shows modern Rovinj and centrally you can see St. Euphemia's church. He says Saint Euphemia is also considered the protector of the town. He also includes a great quote by Seneka – 'Non quia difficilia sunt non audemus, sed quia non audemus difficilia sunt' (It's not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult). Really great card and the picture is SO beautiful!
Dubrovnik From The Air
This really lovely image of Dubrovnik comes from Croatian penpal Mirna who has also included a lovely special-edition Olympic stamp for me! Croatia actually got their best ever medal score this year! Mirna tells me that the city of Dubrovnik is the number one tourist destination in the country and is especially popular with celebs and cruisers – can't say I blame them, it looks beautiful! She also points out you can see the main street (Stradun) from the air. Gorgeous card, with a really summery feel!
A Card From My Legica
This really beautiful card comes from penpal Mirna in Croatia. It came as part of a parcel in which she also sent some 'lega-lega' coasters. On the card she explains that lega is an expression used only in Osijek (her town) meaning 'friend' (with legica being the feminine form) and lega-lega is a local brand-name so the coasters are totally unique to her town. What an amazing gift! It was such an awesome surprise! She also tells me this postcard is a reprint of a 1910 postcard of Osijek, showing the old part of the town, built in the 17th-18th century. Really beautiful and a great surprise!
This beautiful card comes from Mirna, my Croatian penpal (originally from postcrossing!). It shows her hometown of Osijek which she tells me all about on the back. It is the 4th largest city in the country and she says there's lots of archaeology to be found there since it was built over the Roman settlement of Mursa. It sounds like a lovely place to live from what she describes and she tells me how she cycles everywhere. Gorgeous card!


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Colonel Titus Williams, born Long Island, 22 November, 1790, son of Captain Jonathan Williams, of the British Army. Received Ensign's Commission in the 2nd Regiment Norfolk Militia. Volunteered on 27 June 1812, the day of the war's outbreak, appointed Lieut., in Left Flank Company. Commanded a detachment of Norfolk men at Detroit. Became Captain and Adjutant of the 2nd Regiment Norfolk Militia at Detroit some time later. Was afterwards captured by Americans on Niagara River, sentenced to be executed, but was liberated in May, 1814. Immediately appointed Adjutant of the 4th Regiments Norfolk Militia and was at Lundy's Lane. Then placed in command of the 103rd Regulars at Dover and Ryerse.
After the war was appointed Major and then Colonel and retired many years after. He was 86 years of age in 1877. Lord Elgin sent him the following letter:
"I have much pleasure in availing myself of the opportunity of expressing to Colonel Titus Williams the high sense I entertain of his services and he is hereby permitted to retire retaining his rank."
Lieutenant Titus Williams of the 2nd Norfolk, a son of the veteran Captain Jonathan Williams of Woodhouse, has been mentioned as one of those who was of Brock's forces at Detroit in 1812. He accompanied Hull's army, after they became prisoners of war, from Detroit to Fort George. He subsequently served with distinction on the Grand River and Niagara frontier and surprised and took as prisoners thirty Americans under Captain King between Fort Erie and Chippewa, but on June 17th 1813, when endeavouring to secure some buried arms and ammunitions at Sugar Loaf Hill, he with nine privates fell into the hands of the enemy. He suffered many vicissitudes while a prisoner on the other side of the line. He is said to have resented the treatment of himself and other prisoners by seizing an axe and chopping down a Liberty pole, which did not increase his chances of liberty, which nevertheless he subsequently regained, though not before he and other prisoners had been threatened with death to the hands of the American in reprisal for an alleged grievance of theirs against the British. Williams subsequently served as adjutant at Turkey Point and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In the book, Soldiers of the King, Upper Canadian Militia 1812-15, Wm. Gray records on page 283 that Titus Williams, 2nd Norfolk, Lieutenant was taken prisoner by the enemy on May 25, 1813 and removed to the US and was returned July 9, 1814.
Captain Williams was liberated on May 18, 1814 and arrived home on July 5. He was appointed Adjutant of the 4th Regiment Norfolk Militia and remained with them until after the Battle of Lundy's Lane. He was next promoted to a commanding position in the forces of the regular stationed at Norfolk. When his regiment was ordered home he was offered a position of Col. which he declined. During the remaining months of the war he held a position with the Norfolk militia as a Major and afterward became Col until incapacitated by the infirmities of old age."
In the Canadian Veterans of the War of 1812 edited by Eric Jonasson, Wheatfield Press Winnipeg, Manitoba 1981, Titus Williams age 84 Pt Rowan Norfolk Lieutenant Norfolk $20.
In 1875 the Canadian Parliament voted to distribute the sum of $50,000 in $20 increments to all Canadian militia veterans from the War of 1812 who were still alive and residing in Canada.
Col Titus Williams was married twice and settled on Lot 18 on the Walsingham lake shore. He had 16 children.
The Men of Norfolk — for the 175th Anniversary of the Burning of Dover Mills
The Talbot Regime, Chapter XII
Veteran SummaryTitus Williams
Colonel, 2nd Regiment Norfolk Militia
Place of Birth
Long Island, ON, British North America
Place of Death
Walsingham Township, Norfolk County, ON, CAN
Died on: 06 MAY 1879
Reason: Old Age
Location of Grave
Newkirk Cemetery, 4137 Lakeshore Road, St. Williams
St. Williams, ON, CAN
Latitude: 42.663191N Longitude: -80.429348


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|Michael Holst
Professor of Mathematics and Physics
UC San Diego
Symposium Honors Herbert Keller
SIAM News, Vol. 28 (December 1995), No. 10, p. 3.
By Michael Holst, Ph.D.
A symposium in honor of Herbert B. Keller, a professor of applied mathematics at California Institute of Technology and director of the Caltech branch of the Center for Research on Parallel Computation, was held at Caltech's Beckman Institute, June 19--20, 1995. Participants gathered to celebrate Keller's 70th birthday and to recognize his numerous contributions to applied mathematics. Among these are many inovative techniques for solving two-point boundary-value problems, arc-length continuation and other methods for bifurcation problems, as well as the classic numerical analysis textbook he co-authored with Eugene Isaacson. Approximately 60 mathematicians, many of them colleagues and former students of Keller's, presented technical talks (including 12 invited presentations) and exchanged ideas on a wide range of topics. The conference was supported by the Department of Energy, the Center for Research on Parallel Computation, and Caltech's Division of Engineering and Applied Science. Following a continental breakfast, conference organizer Eric Van de Velde, a colleague of Keller's at Caltech since 1986, opened the first day's technical sessions. The first session was chaired by Eugene Isaacson (Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University) who introduced the first speaker, Joseph Keller of Stanford University), the guest of honor's brother. Keller discussed the construction of exact nonreflecting boundary conditions for the numerical solution of infinite domain problems in which finite computational domains are introduced and presented some numerical evidence illustrating their effectiveness. Eusebius Doedel (Concordia University) then presented a study of heteroclinic cycles in Josephson junctions, noting at many points the various ways in which Herbert Keller's work had influenced much of his own work and the work of others in the field.
The second morning session was chaired by Dan Meiron (Caltech), who recalled his encounters with Keller as a postdoc at Caltech. Meiron introduced Phillip Saffman, who gave an overview of some recent work by Caltech applied mathematicians on bifurcation phenomena in water waves, stressing that much of the work would not have been possible without Keller's contributions. Roland Glowinski (Universities of Houston and Paris) discussed the simulation and control of the molecular docking problem arising in drug design and also made some remarks about the control problem for incompressible Navier--Stokes flows.
After lunch at the Athenaeum, the Caltech faculty club, technical sessions resumed. Dale Pullin (Caltech), chair of the first afternoon session, introduced Gene Golub (Stanford), who presented some elegant new techniques for computing the traces and determinants of extremely large matrices, both of which have important applications in chemistry and physics. Thomas Hagstrom (University of New Mexico) then described some techniques based on local approximations of integral operators for the numerical solution of certain classes of partial differential equations.
Leading off the second afternoon session, chaired by Rita Meyer-Spasche (Max Planck Institute), was James Keener (University of Utah), who spoke on the electrical behavior of the heart just before and during a heart attack. Heinz-Otto Kreiss (University of California at Los Angeles) concluded the day's technical sessions by discussing various techniques for solving difficult differential equations with multiple time scales.
Close to 90 of Keller's friends and colleagues attended the elegant banquet at the Athenaeum in the evening. After dinner, guests were treated to a show entitled "Broadway: The Keller Years." Eric Van de Velde, who shares an interest in Broadway musicals with Herb, had arranged for a local singing troupe to present a selection of Broadway music from 1925 to 1995, including "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" (Oklahoma!), "All I Ask of You" (Phantom of the Opera), and "Cabaret" (Cabaret). The music concluded with a festive finale, "Be Our Guest" (Beauty and the Beast), during which confetti and streamers were strewn around liberally. Following the show, Joe Keller made a speech that included several quite humorous stories about his brother Herb.
The following morning, Warren Ferguson (Southern Methodist University) chaired the first session. The first speaker was William Langford (University of Guelph), who reviewed generalizations of the Hopf bifurcation theorem and presented some new results on mode interactions and resonances. Peter Lax (Courant Institute) then presented some numerical methods for two- and three-dimensional flow problems based on the idea of positivity as a generalization of total variation diminishing (TVD) approaches for one-dimensional problems. After a coffee break, the chair of the second morning session, Victor Pereyra (Weidlinger Associates) introduced Donald Estep (Georgia Institute of Technology), who gave a stimulating talk on the use of adaptive error control for the numerical solution difficult problems. As an illustration of these techniques, he considered numerical evolution of the Lorenz system, long thought to be numerically intractable due to its sensitivity to initial data. Andrew White (Los Alamos National Laboratory) concluded the meeting with a lecture that combined a discussion of some interesting work on crisis forecasting and management with general comments on the direction of research and funding in the mathematical sciences. The latter subject generated quite a bit of reaction from the audience, which spilled out into the Beckman Institute courtyard as the meeting began to break up. Overall, the meeting was both enjoyable and informative. Happy birthday, Herb; we wish you many more!
Dr. Michael Holst is a von Karman Instructor of Applied Mathematics at the California Institute of Technology.


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Alma Rosa Winery is looking for your best "green" recipe
Rules for the recipe contest are:
- Each variety of wine that Alma Rosa produces constitutes a category (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Vin Gris and Pinot Noir)
- One winner per category
- You can enter as many recipes for each category as you like
- Prepare a dish that pairs with any one of Alma Rosa's wines. Recipes should utilize sustainable products; including sustainable/organic produce, humanely-treated meats, and sustainably-caught or farmed seafood.
- Identify the purveyor of the ingredients you use, or the name of your local grocer or supplier(s) that supports sustainable, organic foods; and please note ingredients grown within a 100 mile radius of your home which will be given extra attention.
- Note into which category you are entering your recipe.
- Contest begins November 1st and will end January 31st
Recipes will be judged on taste and their compatibility with the selected wine, and the use and origins of the sustainable/organic ingredients.
Winning recipes will be posted on their website, and winners from each category and their guest will share a lunch together with Thekla and Richard.
Recipe entries can be sent by mail, fax (805-688-9001), oremail or even dropped off in person if you are visiting the tasting room.
Labels: Alma Rosa, contests, Recipes, Santa Barbara, Wine


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2017 Top Plant: Data-driven pioneers
The Rockwell Automation plant in Twinsburg, Ohio combines its in-house technology, the power of Lean manufacturing and a relentless attention to training and waste reduction.
Extraordinary manufacturing companies are more than just a collection of production cells, robotic placement machines, manual assembly lines or visual inspection equipment—they are people who empower a data-driven culture. People and technology have come together to make the Rockwell Automation plant in Twinsburg, Ohio the 2017 Plant Engineering Top Plant recipient.
The Twinsburg manufacturing plant has been in operation since 1979. Its close proximity to the Mayfield Heights, Ohio location of Rockwell Automation and R&D efforts there make it easy to provide quick-turn prototypes and pilots to support the company's new-product development engine. The Twinsburg plant manufactures products, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electronic operator interfaces, input/output (I/O) devices, and a variety of distributed, on-machine products.
The combination of metrics and culture is what makes the Rockwell Automation plant in Twinsburg a Top Plant. "The complexity of our products plus the speed of our manufacturing processes, combined with world class quality levels, make us a very high performing plant within Rockwell Automation and within the industry," said German Mendez, plant manager at the Twinsburg facility.
People make the difference
"I think the people are significant. We have a really strong workforce across all of our plants. We develop our people. The people are committed. And to me, people make the difference," said Eric Crump, manufacturing operations director for Rockwell Automation. "Team leaders help to continue to ensure that we're doing the right things, following the standards, making sure we're continuing to produce a high-quality product at the correct cycle time."
Cross-training is important at the Twinsburg plant. "We encourage employees to get a breadth of experience for different jobs," said Lyman Tschanz, vice president of manufacturing, Operations & Engineering Services, Rockwell Automation. It's a dialogue of trying to create a culture where those cross-trained employees are valued. Another internal system we have is called BRAVO, which is our internal employee recognition system. A supervisor, a coworker, or a manager can award an employee points. When you focus on and reinforce good behavior, you get more of it.
Making automation products in Ohio
In North America, Rockwell Automation uses a distributor model. Distributors and/or direct customers place orders through internal Rockwell Automation distribution centers which, in turn, drive stock replenishment orders from facilities like Twinsburg to maintain target stocking positions and to support targeted service levels, according to Andrew Ceschini, production and inventory control manager at the Twinsburg plant.
The manufacturing execution system (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system operate together to manage product flow through the plant as well as many other functions. "We have a very tight integration between Factory Talk Production Center (MES) and SAP (ERP)," said Brian McCaffrey, project manager at Twinsburg. Real-time data is readily accessible through the MES for work order management, quality information, downtimes, and efficiency. For any product that was built in our plant over the last five years, I can tell you what lines the product was built on, who was staffing the lines at the time, what anomalies were encountered, and what downtimes were experienced."
The two main processes in Twinsburg are electronic assembly and final assembly. Electronic assembly is where bare printed circuit boards are populated with components, visually inspected, tested, and put to sub-stock. Final assembly is where these printed circuit board assemblies are pulled from stock, assembled into finished product, tested, and packaged for shipment to customers.
"In electronic assembly, we use a variety of high speed surface mount placement machines, solder reflow ovens, wave solder, selective solder, in-circuit-test machines, and routers, which cut the individual modules out of the panels." McCaffrey said. "In final assembly, we use integrated torque tools, custom-made functional test equipment, and a variety of specialty assembly fixtures and equipment."
Managing operations
According to McCaffrey, the Twinsburg plant has experienced consistent productivity improvements. "These productivity gains have helped to fund future growth programs for the company," he said. "An example of this productivity is in our electronic assembly area. Using roughly the same amount of equipment and manufacturing associates, we have significantly improved the quantity of components placed. For all of our production lines, efficiency is measured by comparing the output multiplied by the expected constraint time, then this is divided by the actual time spent working. This is automatically calculated using our MES."
Mendez said that his plant has made significant improvements and is growing. "We are growing. We are seeing a significant increase in volume and efficiencies," he said. "But one of the things that we are struggling with is finding local talent to continue that growth. There are opportunities that we are pursuing with the city and state to talk to high schools and universities to attract people to make a career in manufacturing."
The Twinsburg facility uses a combination of visual and systematic Kanban for point-of-use material. "We are using Kanban via our ERP to keep point of use type materials within the cell," Ceschini said. When we have planned systematic usage for point-of-use material, our ERP is used to systematically drive replenishment with automated pick generation. We continually leverage Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to maintain and improve the process."
Data collection through the MES has enabled the Twinsburg plant—and Rockwell Automation as a whole—to identify operations that are not running as efficiently as possible. "The operations and engineering teams look at data hourly to help improve processes from an efficiency and quality standpoint," said John Halley, manufacturing project engineer at the Twinsburg facility. "This has been the biggest change. Having contextualized access to the wealth of data available to us allows all stakeholders to make meaningful decisions on changes. Conflicts revolving around people having separate sets of data no longer exist. Simply put, if the MES and our Connected Enterprise did not record it, it didn't happen."
"The 'Connected Enterprise' is the Rockwell Automation term for the overall umbrella of systems that securely connect people, processes and technologies," McCaffrey said. If you were to reference it to other companies, you could look at it as Industrie 4.0 or smart manufacturing."
Rockwell Automation in Twinsburg has plant-wide, daily 20-minute start up meetings where supervisors share the activities and main events occurring during the day or week. Topics include safety, quality, service, and cost. "Normally, a startup meeting with all our employees will start with safety because you can have great numbers, but if your employees are at risk, then everything is meaningless," Mendez said. "Then we will talk about quality, performance from the previous shift or day, efficiency, labor utilization, service, and the priorities for the day."
Focusing on Lean
"At the company level, Rockwell Automation chose some years ago to create a standard manufacturing assessment and performance foundation that we call Rockwell Production System (RPS)," Tschanz said. "It is based to some extent on the Toyota Production System (TPS). It's a foundation of standard operating principles, operating techniques, employee engagement techniques, visual flow, 5S, and organization and cleanliness.
"There are a number of areas inside of that, and one of our standards is to implement a yearly goal to improve our performance in RPS in the areas that matter most," he added. "Part of RPS is the general principle of Lean, meaning waste elimination, one-piece flow, and visual factory. We score ourselves on a zero to five score, zero obviously being the worst and five being best in class. The Twinsburg plant has been doing that for eight years now under RPS and practicing Lean."
For Tschanz—and for Rockwell Automation and the Twinsburg plant—as one of the Lean principles, it's visual; you can see the waste. "You can see the status of production," Tschanz said. "And that has gone through a number of evolutions at our Twinsburg plant. At the very beginning (several years ago), it was white boards where people would track the status of production, status of throughput, and causes for downtime on a white board out on the plant floor. That then transitioned to what's called "Andon systems," where you can visually get lights and alerts that would go to key employees. It went from someone writing on a board to an electronic notification, and now to, today, we're on our Connected Enterprise and MES. And we have an incredible amount of data tracking our performance, throughput, quality, scrap, productivity. And that data is the basis that we use to continue to drive Lean improvements, help reduce waste, improve throughput, and improve the OEE of our circuit board machines in Twinsburg."
Tschanz refers to the MES as an enabler. "One of the things we encourage with our employees is workforce flexibility," he said. "We like to see them move between product lines, move between cells, and get a breadth of experience. It's good for them, it's good for us, and it gives us flexibility. It makes their lives and jobs interesting—the employees have embraced it. The MES has a certification process that tracks how our employees are trained, and if an employee tries to login to a work center or an operation where he or she has not been trained, that person will be blocked from doing the work. The machine won't start. The employee can't do anything. It's foolproof. If you haven't been trained, you will not be allowed to do this work. You can't print the production order. You can't even start the machine."
Another example of the way Lean is embedded into what Rockwell Automation does, according to Tschanz, "Say we're running one of our circuit board lines, and our normal scrap rate on that line is 1%, and at 9 a.m., the scrap rate hits 4%. For whatever reason, the scrap rate is up that particular day. When it gets to 4%, the line is stopped, employees can no longer continue production, they have to get together, and it requires management oversight to intervene. That's built into the system. The system will stop you from running anomalous products for an extended period of time, if you choose to do that."
According to Halley, the journey toward Lean at the Twinsburg facility has been long but rewarding. "As with any company who has been around as long as Rockwell Automation, upending certain notions of how things can be accomplished is tough," he said. "Challenging the status quo is always tough but it is necessary to stay competitive in a global marketplace. Since the launch of the Connected Enterprise here, change has really accelerated. The Twinsburg plant alone has experienced major reconfigurations of its floor space and processes at least four times within the past five years. Constant change and improvement has been accepted as the norm and not the exception."
Waste reduction is a big part of Lean. "And a big part of waste reduction here in Twinsburg is the principle of 'genchi genbutsu,' which translates from Japanese into 'go and see,'" said Halley. "Instilling that principle with our engineers allows them to validate if waste is actually taking place. By going to the 'gemba' or the 'real place' of where the work happens, opportunities start to present themselves, either through direct observation or via conversations with floor personnel."
Let's not forget Kaizen, the Japanese word for continuous improvement. "One Kaizen was around finding a way to avoid having to send a heat sink sub-assembly to a third-party company," Halley said. "By using operator experience, line balancing, and process flow mapping, we were able to identify a way to have the current operation absorb this increased workload without affecting output. This resulted in a $25,000 yearly savings. Another Kaizen was around reconfiguring how our post-surface-mount-technology (SMT) processes schedule work. By level loading the work and implementing tools for the operators to understand how jobs should flow, this improved our level of aged work orders to an all-time low."
Embracing technology
The Twinsburg plant relies heavily on its MES and ERP systems to run not only its Lean-based manufacturing operations, but every aspect of the business. "This facility is a Top Plant in how we've embraced technology, and raising technology to make ourselves more efficient," said McCaffrey. "If you think about Northeast Ohio relative to a lot of parts of the world, it's a high labor market.
"And we've leveraged the power of the Connected Enterprise to make ourselves more efficient," he added. "We have lots of data that engineers in other companies really have to dig for and go through multiple sources. We have it all on standard reports. I think back to when I started with the company. Some of the data that I can pull up in just a few seconds used to take me days to get. We have a lot of data that's readily available."
McCaffrey describes the ERP system as being very structured. "And our software is able to integrate with it, and we are able to take advantage of that," he said. "Above each of our production lines, we have a display analogous to a scoreboard at a sporting event. Based on the colors on the scoreboard, you know how you are doing. But you can look deeper there and see efficiency by the hour, quality results, downtimes, and time between units—we have all that on a single view. What gets measured gets done because you have that above a line and people who work on the line see that. And they know to keep things moving on the line to keep the display green. Making it highly visual really helps to encourage operators to keep the lines moving."
According to McCaffrey, "On these lines, we also have automated visual inspection equipment." He explained, "In the back half of electronic assembly, we have automated lines with test equipment and depanelization equipment. In final assembly, we have automated test equipment that is used to inspect our finished catalog items."
The integrated MES and ERP allow real-time information access. "In addition to on-demand reports, we also have dashboards that are displayed for each of our major production lines on the shop floor," McCaffrey said. "At a glance, we can see efficiency and output both for the hour and for the shift. We can see any downtimes that have been experienced. We also can see the next six jobs in queue. From a quality perspective, we can see the top five irregularities that we have had over the past 90 days for the current part type, as well as the top five irregularities on the current work order. We also have what we call the 'heartbeat chart,' where we can compare actual time between units versus the constraint time for the build."
Maintaining uptime
The maintenance department also relies heavily on technology. "Preventive maintenance is the key element of our maintenance strategy," said Carl "Sam" Reed, manufacturing technician supervisor at the Twinsburg facility. "Limited times that the lines are not scheduled to run must be met with vigorous maintenance to be sure the line runs until the next pause." According to Reed, the plant has invested in advanced machine training for its component placement machines. "With more than 25 placement machines, we have not required field service support in more than three years."
The Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) that the Twinsburg plant uses is a collaborative effort with the MES. Maintenance workload—both reactive and preventive—can be managed from a single dashboard. Spare parts inventory is embedded in the CMMS. The system will enable maintenance to be displayed inside the Connected Enterprise.
Looking ahead
"We are competing in a global world," said Mendez. "It is imperative for us to be as efficient as possible. We can't afford to do rework or scrap materials. We have a lot of subject matter specialists in this location. We are very close to our development center. It is very easy for us to provide prototypes and pilots in a very quick and rapid manner.
"Being in the same time zone, speaking the same language, and being so close to our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee puts us in a very competitive spot," he added. "It's a very good place to be. With that, I can tell you it's a never-ending story. We need to continue improving. We need to continue being efficient so nobody catches us in the coming years. We want to be the pioneers."
Jack Smith is Content Manager of Control Engineering at CFE Media.


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Due to a high volume of orders, our couriers may be slightly delayed. We're doing everything possible to get all orders out as quickly as possible
The Nivea Urban Skin Detox face cream will give your face exactly the care it deserves every day.
How to use:
Apply to clean skin and massage in using circular movements. Apply to the face, neck and chest.


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Saturday Is The Day!
We are EXCITED to see everyone this coming Saturday at the Ranch! Be prepared for a fun filled day! We will spend time split between the dairy barn and the house so dress appropriately based on the weather. Food and drinks will be provided so just bring yourself! We can't wait to share with everyone the art of cheese and sourdough bread making and we are eager to show you all the effort and hard work that goes into making all of the products. If there are any last minute questions don't hesitate to give us a call at the number listed above.
We'll see you at 7am for the morning milking on Saturday!
~Emma for Diamond S Delights
Dori Noyes
2/7/2017 12:20:07 pm
To all those who helped and to Kris Robertson I had a great day. Saw some old friends that I hadn't seen for some time. I got a wealth of information and plan to make some of my own products in the future. Thanks again for the fun day!
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March 2020


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Typhoon Swimming Pool Slide
This full-sized addition to our rotomolded slide line (heliX, TurboTwister and Cyclone) stands 7'4″ tall to the top of the handrails and is available in sandstone and gray granite. Enclosed ladder and molded handrail design for maximum safety. Our unique GrandRapids water delivery system offers lots of rushing water for a fun ride. This slide can be added to swimming pool kits sold by Pool Warehouse!
Typhoon Swimming Pool Slide Features:
- Offers all the fun of its big brother, the Turbotwister, yet in a smaller package for more limited deck space
- Sturdy rotomolded construction for strength and durability
- Enclosed ladder and molded handrail design for maximum safety
- Designed for quick and easy assembly
- Children under 48″ tall must be supervised at all times
- For Inground Pools Only
- 20 gpm max water delivery system can be plumbed through the pool's return line or connected to a garden hose
- Simple deck mounted installation using eight 8-1/2 Inch diameter stainless steel anchor studs with hardware
- The ladder is inclined 20 deg off vertical with eight (8) enclosed steps for ease of climbing
- Can be used on inground pools that have a vinyl swimming pool liner.
Have Questions
If you have questions about the Typhoon Swimming Pool Slide please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-515-1747 or send us an email, [email protected]
At Pool Warehouse, We Know Swimming Inground Pool Kits!


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Pulsar Black Dial WatchJune 15, 2010
This is a beautifully elegant watch. I don't know why but it makes me think of a black panther…maybe I need to reassess my chilldhood or something.
The simplicity is in the 2 colours and its symmetry.
Ion plated stainless steel case, date and water resistant to 50 metres.
This Pulsar Black Dial Watch is £80 reduced from £100 and delivery is £4.
Debenhams – the website of the high street department store with plenty of watches for you to gawk at.


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SJCS graduates possess a strong sense of identity and belonging. Well prepared to challenge themselves academically, our alumni assume leadership roles in their communities and interact fully and positively in a diverse world.
Approximately 50% go to public schools (about half enter advanced learning programs), 50% go to selective private schools including Jewish day schools. Alumni have attended these middle schools, among others:


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fixest (0.1.1)
Fast Fixed-Effects Estimations.
Fast and user-friendly estimation of econometric models with multiple fixed-effects. Includes ordinary least squares (OLS), generalized linear models (GLM) and the negative binomial. The core of the package is based on optimized parallel C++ code, scaling especially well for large data sets. The method to obtain the fixed-effects coefficients is based on Berge (2018) . Further provides tools to export and view the results of several estimations with intuitive design to cluster the standard-errors.
Laurent Berge
Author(s): Laurent Berge [aut, cre]
License: GPL-3
Uses: Formula, MASS, nlme, numDeriv, Rcpp, data.table, knitr
Reverse suggests: fplot, insight, performance
Released 7 months ago.


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One of things I love about a this time of the year when Stampin' Up is launching new catalog is always the 5 fun new colors we get introduce to our color line up.
Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover & Blueberry Bushel
This year with our color refresh, and adding so many new colors to our line up I didn't want to over look these 5 new beautiful in colors.
Today I create 5 cards highlighting each one of these new in colors.
{Brand New In Colors For 2018}
Out of all the new In Colors my favorite is the Lovely Lipstick, the that Call Me Clover sure is growing on me. I think it will be a perfect Green to use during Christmas.
I also can't help but loving saying "Pineapple Punch"
You can pick up any of the supplies I used in today's project in my online store HERE, or by clicking on the photos below.
Use this month Host Code: RUBXFBZT and when your order is $50.00 or more you will get my customer appreciation gift which includes an online exclusive card class this month.
Make sure you pick these colors this month! You will love diving in and using them on your projects.
Let me know in the comments below which color is your favorite!


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Disrupt the traditional science of remote sensing
Join us for the final webinar in the series, and we will introduce you to the latest concepts in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the creation of geospatial information from imagery. Esri Integrates all leading AI frameworks into GIS. Create labeled training datasets from existing data. Integrating frameworks like CNTK and Tensor Flow for deep learning. Learn best practices for applying AI tools to common government missions:
- dynamic land cover
- transfer learning for object detection
- automated feature extraction


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Marvel's Iron Fist
Date Added: 17th March 2017
Expiry Date: Unknown [click here to add an expiry date]
Want to keep forever? Try looking for 'Marvel's Iron Fist' on Amazon (paid link)
17/03/2017: 1 Season (2017)
07/09/2018: 2 Seasons (2018)
Danny Rand resurfaces 15 years after being presumed dead. Now, with the power of the Iron Fist, he seeks to reclaim his past and fulfill his destiny.
Certificate: Suitable for adults only.
Year: 2018
Duration: 2 Seasons
Available Seasons: Season 1 (13 Ep), Season 2 (10 Ep)
Audio: English - Audio Description, English [Original], European Spanish, French, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese
Subtitles: Arabic, English, French, Polish, Traditional Chinese
Cast: Finn Jones, Jessica Henwick, David Wenham, Jessica Stroup, Tom Pelphrey, Sacha Dhawan
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This title is available on Netflix UK


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MRPL donated an ambulance to kaveri memorial charitable trust CSR
Posted Date : 13-02-20
Categories : CSR
Categories : CSR
New Delhi: MOIL with the support of MECL, together received around 7000 masks from Gram Tarang, Centurion, Odisha for use of the employees and also for distribution to the locals.
Joining the collective effort of every citizen of India to contain spread of the COVID-19 and as an outreach to
Posted Date : 06-04-20
New Delhi: MUGMA Area started distributing grocery items among poor, needy and unemployed people identified by the panchayat Mukhiyas in consultation with BDO of Egarkund Block. On 05.04.2020, distribution was done by the Management of Mugma Area, JCC members and Mukhia of Gopalpura, Egarkund Nor
Posted Date : 06-04-20
Bilaspur: Distribution of Grocery bags of food items at door steps. Employees of Kusmunda Exploration camp, RI-V, extends helping hand at the time of Lockdown by distributing grocery bags consists of daily essential Rations like Rice, Potatoes, Dal, Salt packets, Chana, masalas and Soaps to the p
Posted Date : 06-04-20
Kanpur: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO ) has extended the support to around 250 migrant workers engaged in construction work at ALIMCO, H.Q in Kanpur by distributing quality food to these migrant labourers stucked due to lockdown in the city.
'Social distancing' wa
Posted Date : 06-04-20
Talcher: To keep its neighborhood and Township safe from the perils of novel Corona virus, NTPC Talcher Kaniha management is taking pro-active several measures. In addition to enforcing social distancing by markings and sanitisation of roads, the Station is also distributing masks to its employee
Posted Date : 06-04-20
Kolkata: Coal India is distributing 12,000 packets of free ration to the underprivileged and needy in different parts of Kolkata during the lockdown period due to the COVID 19 outbreak. The distribution is being done by Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON in association with Kolkata Police. Each ratio
Posted Date : 06-04-20
New Delhi: CMPDI (HQ) under CSR has distributed free masks and 850Liter of Sanitizer to Contractual workers of CMPDI and needy people of nearby areas of CMPDI(HQ) on 04.04.2020 to break the chain of COVID-19 Infection.
Shri K.K.Mishar, D(T/ES); Shri R.N.Jha, D(T/RD&T); Shri S.K.Gomasta, D(T/C
Posted Date : 04-04-20
Kolkata: In support of the Nation's fight against COVID-19, GRSE contributed an amount of Rs.1 crore to the PM CARES Fund . In addition, the Company has handed over 4000 masks and 1500 lifebuoy soaps to the Chairman, Borough XV for distribution among the underprivileged population of Metiabru
Posted Date : 04-04-20
Rajahmundry: To do its bit towards fighting the COVID19 situation, GAIL's Rajahmundry office has contributed 1000 bedsheets to the Sub-Collector for its distribution. Alongside, buttermilk, water and biscuits were also distributed to traffic police personnel, who are working on the forefront.
Posted Date : 03-04-20
New Delhi: CMPDI break the chain of COVID-19 infection, CMPDI on 01.04.2020 has distributed more than 1250 masks across CMPDI as a precautionary measure to fight the pandemic COVID-19.
Posted Date : 02-04-20
Kuzhikkad : Health check and COVID19 awareness programme for contract & guest labour under various Project contracts of the Refinery at the labour camps today (02 April 2020) in Kuzhikkad and Puliampally near Kochi Refinery.
Earlier this week, the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) a
Posted Date : 02-04-20
Mumbai: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has launched a number of CSR initiatives to support the country's fight against the Corona virus. MDL has distributed 200 bags of rations to the needy people of Mumbai, so that they need not go out for these essentials. MDL has reached the slums of
Posted Date : 01-04-20
New Delhi: The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in India and the across the world is a matter of great concern for the entire human race. While the entire nation is fighting against the spread of this fatal Corona virus by staying at home, maintaining social distancing, ONGC and its energy soldiers
Posted Date : 31-03-20
Kolkata: In the wake of the COVID19 outbreak, CIL has decided to distribute 3500 free food packets everyday starting today till the end of lock-down, to the underprivileged, homeless, migrant laborers & poor in Kolkata. The food is hygienically cooked and packed by ISKCON Kolkata and distributed
Posted Date : 30-03-20
New Delhi: NHPC's Teesta-V Power Station located at Balutar, East Sikkim provided Face Masks, Hand Sanitizers, Hand Wash Liquid and Soaps to local people of Raley, Ralap, Singbel, Selabong, Samadong, Sokpey and other areas from 25th to 27th March 2020 under CSR & SD FY 2019-20 to fight against
Posted Date : 30-03-20
Dhanbad: Under the able leadership of Sri P.M Prasad, CMD BCCL, active guidance of Sri Rakesh Kumar, Director (T)/OP BCCL and prompt initiative of Sri A.K Singh, G.M(S&R), Safety Dept BCCL continues to serve mankind in these difficult times.
On 30.03.2020, ration packets and essential items
Posted Date : 30-03-20
New Delhi: Face Masks distribution to break the chain of Corona Virus infections. CMPDI (RI-Asansol) under CSR initiative distributed Face masks to the people as a precautionary and preventive measure to break the chain of Corona Virus Infection and there by stopping the spread of COVID-19. Furth
Posted Date : 30-03-20
New Delhi: Due to Government lockdown in view of the outbreak of pandemic Corona Virus COVID-19, several workers belong to various states like Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat etc.
REC decided to help these workers & other poor people residing in the vicinity by providing food & sanitizer/
Posted Date : 30-03-20
New Delhi: All employees of BEML has come forward to contribute a day's salary to PM Relief Fund towards COVID-19. Moreover, the Directors of the company will contribute 21 days salary towards the same purpose.
Shri Deepak Kumar Hota, CMD, BEML, said,"We have also taken all preventive measu
Posted Date : 30-03-20
Sambalpur. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) today enhanced the package for Rehabilitation & (R&R) beneficiaries opting for annuity in-lieu-of-job from Rs 12,000 to Rs 21,000 per month.
In year 2013, the company had introduced a scheme of Rs 12,000 per month as annuity in-lieu-of-job
Posted Date : 30-03-20


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While model blending has become more common in recent years, there is still ongoing debate on its efficacy and, where it is used, how it should be done.
As RMS prepares to launch RMS(one), with its ability to run non-RMS models and blend results, the discussion around multi-modeling and blending "best practice" is even more relevant.
- If there are multiple accepted models or versions of the same model, how valid is it to blend different points of view?
- How can the results of such blending be used appropriately, and for what business purposes?
In two upcoming posts, my colleague Meghan Purdy will be exploring and discussing these issues. But before we can discuss best practices for blending, we need to take a step back: any model must be validated before it is used (either on its own or blended with other models) for business decisions. Users might assume that blending more models will always reduce model error, but that is not the case.
As noted by the 2011 report, Industry Good Practice for Catastrophe Modeling, "If the models represent risk poorly, then the use of multiple models can compound this risk or lead to a lesser understanding of uncertainty."
The fundamental starting point to model selection, including answering the question of whether to blend or not, is model validation: models must clear several hurdles before meriting consideration.
- The first hurdle is that the model must be appropriate for the book of business, and for the company's resources and materiality of risk. This initial validation is done to determine each model's appropriateness for the business, and is a process that should preferably be owned by in-house experts. If outsourced to third parties, companies must still demonstrate active ownership and understanding of the process.
- The second hurdle involves validating against claims data and assessing how well the model can represent each line of business. Some models may require adjustments (to the model, or model output as a proxy) to, for example, match claims experience for a specific line, or reflect validated alternative research or scientific expertise.
- Finally, the expert user might then look at how much data was used to build the models, and the methodology and expertise used in the development of the model, in order to discern which might provide the most appropriate view of risk for that company to use.
Among the three major modeling companies' models, it would not be surprising if some validate better than others.
After nearly 25 years of probabilistic catastrophe modeling, it remains the case that all models are not equal; very different results and output can arise from differences in:
- Historical data records (different lengths, different sources)
- Input data, for example the resolution of land use-land cover data, or elevation data
- Amounts and resolution of claims data for calibration
- Assumptions and modeling methodologies
- The use of proprietary research to address unique catastrophe modeling issues and parameters
For themselves and their regulator or rating agency, risk carriers must ensure that the individuals conducting this validation and selection work have the sufficient qualifications, knowledge, and expertise. Increasing scientific knowledge and expertise within the insurance industry is part of the solution, and reflects the industry's increasing sophistication and resilience toward managing unexpected events—for example, in the face of record losses in 2011, a large proportion of which was outside the realm of catastrophe models.
There is no one-size-fits all "best" solution. But there is a best practice. Before blending models, companies must take a scientifically driven approach to assessing the available models' validity and appropriateness for use, before deciding if blending could be right for them.


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The Village of Arlington Heights recently learned that it successfully received a $358,000 grant to assist paying for a rain garden and permeable pavers on village property northwest of the village complex that is home to village hall, police headquarters and a fire station. The grant was requested as part of the remedy for flooding concerns with construction of the new larger downtown police station that is being built between the existing village hall and fire station at 200 East Sigwalt Street. The intergovernmental agreement was approved and formalized by the village board Monday, June 18, 2108, which confirmed the grant award from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago stormwater management agency.
IMAGE CREDIT: Legat Architects and McClaren, Wilson, & Lawrie Inc.
Possible flooding caused by the large municipal complex with very little open, permeable space on top of the location of former Meyer's Pond — where the campus is now located — was a concern in the planning stages of the construction project. The municipal campus with the three large buildings will include only a small underground stormwater detention vault (rated for a 100-year event) associated with the narrow rear north parking lot, which extends from north of the police station to north of the existing parking garage. In rainfall greater than a 100-year event, overflow is expected to run along the driveway between the new police station and Fire Station 1. A $150,000 emergency power generator and mechanical equipment vault was also planned for installation below grade in a hole because there is not enough space at ground level on the compact campus. There was concern whether the underground mechanical and electrical equipment would be subject to possible flood damage from heavy rains. It is unknown if that vault was actually built underground. The funding from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) had been contemplated, considering the need to handle stormwater deflected by the planned 70,500-square-foot police station.
The Rain Garden and permeable pavers are being designed and installed to have the capacity to manage up to 90,807 gallons of stormwater in the event of heavy rainfall.
The rain garden and permeable pavers will consist of about 25 percent of the total cost for the green, flooding prevention upgrades. The rain garden/pavers area will be built and maintained by the Village of Arlington Heights. The village has already spent $127,685 on the engineering and design of the rain garden/pavers project, and could spend another $1.8 million on construction, according to the agreement with the MWRDGC.
The rain garden will be installed near the existing park and brick gazebo at the northwest corner of the municipal complex, and the southeast corner of Arlington Heights Road and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. The Rain Garden will consist of native plants meant to naturally filter storm runoff and attenuate water flow before the rain water is released to a storm sewer.
The permeable pavement will be installed instead of impermeable asphalt on the police station's rear parking lot, which will cover the underground stormwater detention vault; and the main access driveway between village hall and the police station, which is directly to the east of village hall.
It's likely construction of the rain garden and pavers won't take place until after move-in, according to Charles Witherington-Perkins, the village's director of planning and community development. The village is due to receive half the $358,000 grant amount when rain garden/pavers construction is at the halfway point, and the remaining half when the project is completed, under terms of the agreement. The entire police station project encompassing the construction of the $27.9 million police station is being funded through a $35 million bond issue with 2.93% interest approved in January 2016. The funds will cover architectural expenses, construction costs, and engineering expenses, new furniture, equipment, build-out and rental for a temporary police station, and demolition of the former police station building. Officials report that the police station project is still expected to stay within the $27.9 million guaranteed maximum price for the entire police station project set by the village board July, 2017, and the new police station is on target to open Fall 2018.
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