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Many small businesses start with one or two computers, a situation that often doesn't require investment in any type of server. As a business grows to a handful of computers and beyond, however, so do its technological needs. Many of these needs can be addressed by the features of Mac OS X Server, which can seem like an immediate choice for small businesses that are Mac-based. With its support for Windows computers as well as its simple licensing model, Mac OS X Server is also well-suited for small businesses that use both Macs and Windows PCs.
However, making the leap from a peer-to-peer network of a few Macs (and possibly PCs) to a server-based environment relying on Mac OS X Server requires an investment of hardware, software, and knowledge. Even if you install the 10-client license version of Mac OX Server on a Mac mini (which for a small office can be plenty powerful), you're looking at an investment of more than $1,100. There's also the time it will take to become proficient in managing your server (or the cost of a consultant to do it for you).
The decision comes down to a serious evaluation of your business needs and what options there are to meet them. One of the advantages of Mac OS X Server is that, out of the box, it offers a very complete package of solutions that can perform for almost any small or medium-sized organization without much further investment. However, if you need only one or two of those solutions and you have a limited budget, you might want to consider some of the other options for specific needs.
File Services
The most common reason for a small business to invest in a server is to share files. Although Mac OS X includes file-sharing capabilities, they are somewhat limited. You cannot create specific share points other than the Shared folder on each computer (and in each user's home folder) or create groups of users to make setting permissions easier. Also, when you have file sharing active across multiple computers in an office, you end up with users needing to log in to each computer using a separate account, and you might have difficulty locating specific files across computers.
There are several solutions for small businesses when it comes to file sharing. One is the basic file sharing included with Mac OS X. This can be extended with a tool called SharePoints to add more server-like capabilities, such as the ability to create custom share points and groups. You could create a defacto server using a single Mac OS X computer, with or without SharePoints (which would centralize where files are stored and reduce the number of accounts each user has to remember).
There is also a number of network attached storage (NAS) devices on the market designed for small businesses. These devices come in many variations, but all of them are basically a hard drive that attaches to your network. They include a basic operating system that enables you to format the hard drive and create share points and user accounts, to assign permissions and to perform other setup tasks (usually using a web-based interface). One downfall of some NAS devices is that they don't offer much control over user access or permission, something you should check for when comparing devices.
While NAS and file sharing under Mac OS X are solutions, they are not perfect. They rarely offer the performance, logging, and advanced security features found in Mac OS X Server. Though they can be a solution for a new or very small company with a limited budget, you might find that you outgrow their effectiveness pretty quickly and that you might not save much money in the long run. As a result, make certain that you consider your company's potential growth over the next one to two years before opting against Mac OS X Server.


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Tenant organizations take many forms and reflect diverse goals. An attorney's role varies with the nature and objectives of the tenant organization. Before you advise a tenant organization, you need to understand its particular needs and how to meet them.
There's a wide range of tenant organizations, each with differing goals and legal needs. Generally, tenant organizations fall into two main groups:
- Ad hoc and short-lived tenant organizations. An example of this type of organization is a handful of tenants in the same building with a landlord who won't provide enough heat, or a larger group of tenants fighting a rent increase with a rent strike and fearing mass eviction. Although the size and complexity of the problems facing these tenant groups may vary, their primary objectives are short-term, i.e., to resolve the immediate problem in their favor, and then disband and resume their normal lives. Class action lawsuits have become a fairly common tool to achieve these tenant objectives.
- Broader, more permanent tenant organizations. Some groups want to form a tenant union to deal with the landlord on behalf of all its members and to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that establishes binding procedures for resolving disputes with the landlord. Other groups consist of tenants from several different buildings who have joined together to deal with neighborhood or citywide problems such as high rents or deteriorating housing.
The attorney's role varies based on the type of tenant organization involved. For example, if the group has only short-term goals, the attorney's responsibilities won't vary significantly from the traditional attorney's role in representing an individual client: to handle litigation, negotiate with the landlord or the landlord's attorney, and try to resolve the underlying dispute in the tenants' favor while protecting the tenancies.
If the group has long-term goals, the attorney should think more carefully about an appropriate role. For example:
- If the group's objectives may be achieved more quickly or easily through political solutions (such as rent control) than legal ones, litigation might help publicize and dramatize issues, even though it might not directly achieve the group's goals.
- If the group isn't well established and needs to develop respected tenant leaders, the attorney probably should advise the leaders privately and present a low profile at group meetings and negotiations. Playing a traditional attorney's role can sometimes do more harm than good to a budding tenant organization.
Many groups come to an attorney without giving sufficient thought to the type of tenant organization that the group wants to be or to the full range of goals that it wants to achieve. It's important that you urge such tenants to convey their thoughts and decisions on these questions so you can devise a strategy that will serve the group's interests.
Many of the issues involved with counseling tenants, including those relating to tenant organizations, are covered in CEB's California Landlord-Tenant Practice, chap 5.
© The Regents of the University of California, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

subset: commoncrawl


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Posts Tagged 'Robert Cialdini'
Verbal diarrhea
There are two practices universally frowned upon in writing:
- Excessively long phrases, paragraphs
- Excessively rare words that nobody knows (apart from the author)
There are exceptions in both cases, of course. It's okay, for example, to have long paragraphs when you're writing a thesis on telomerase (still not recommended). When you're a specialist in a field, it's necessary to use words nobody else knows about. For example, 'panthera tigris tigris' (Bengal tiger) doesn't become 'an orange mammal with orange fur and black stripes found in Bangladesh and India'. That's redundant.
But, when we have a choice, it's often better to keep things short and simple.
One of my teachers used to refer to this as 'verbal diarrhea', which makes perfect sense. It also suited me very well because I had a bad habit of typing in font sizes 10 or below, and cramming everything in one paragraph. Why? Because I thought I could save a piece of paper! (As I make more entries, you'll see I can use VERY roundabout methods to achieve a goal, usually quite mundane… XP )
That's never too wise a decision to make.
Then, there's the problem with using difficult words. When writing, I think many students ask themselves this question at least once: sesquipedalian verbosity or simple English? Apparently, most associate 'outstanding work' with 'the need to utilize rambunctiously complex locution to impress the professor'. According to Robert Cialdini, a professor of social psychology, author of the best-selling books 'Influence' and 'Yes!', this will backfire right back at you.
Here's one of the examples in his book 'Yes!' to demonstrate the point:
'"We're leveraging our assets and establishing strategic alliances to create a robust knowledge center –one with a customer-ruled business structure using market-leading technologies to maximize our human systems."
Huh? This apparently means, "We're consultants."'
– Yes!
pg. 162, Lines 5-10
Robert B. Cialdini
Simon & Schuster Inc., 2008
So, the next time you see someone trying to use uncommon word, remind them of the type of reception it'd get.
Expected: Prideful glee on the author's side
Also expected: 'Huh?' and a frown to readers
Written by imicrothinking
October 7, 2009 at 11:17 am


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93 members42 Comments 3 Likes
Jon Bockman has not received any gifts yet
Hi, I'm Mark, the founder of Tennisopolis, the world's largest and most active tennis network. Please share Tennisopolis with your friends by supporting our Facebook page. Click here for a Guide to Meet Tennis Partners.
Have a look at our introduction page which will help you navigate the massive network which now has over 44,000 members and 650 local tennis groups.
Friend me,
Mark, The Mayor of Tennisopolis
Hi ya, it's Kate. You're in luck...I also love to hit/rally for hours (deep/baseliner) and so does my Men's casual tennis group...I will add you in so just check your email and come out and hit time/schedule permitting. Too bad you missed out today...lots of court action. I have about 30 guys in my group and all regular/solid players. Kate email@example.com
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Look what I found in Jaisalmer fort, amidst all things touristy 🙂
Tag: Jaisalmer
Rajasthan 10: Sonar Quila of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world. It is situated in Jaisalmer city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from where it derives its name. The fort stands proudly amidst the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill, and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, it is also known as the "Golden Fort".
Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide a regular source of water. Even today, you will find that nearly one fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort. If you are a student of cross-cultural merging, the subtle fusion of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles, visible in this fort, will catch your fancy. Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol are a must see.
Conservationists feel that the Jaisalmer Fort requires major interventions by the government authorities to save it from irrevocable damages. Carrying out restoration works in an ancient structure like the Jaisalmer Fort is in itself a challenge, but doing so while addressing the needs of almost 3,000 people who reside inside it and depend upon it for their livelihood poses a complex range of issues.


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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
Spaces for use by the physically challenged are identified in selected lots by Physically Challenged Parking signs. Spaces are designated in lots A, B, C, E, G, H, I, J, O, P, PAY1, PAY2, PAY3, S, T, U, Fourth Street (campus side), Sixth Street (campus side) and on the East Service Road (Wild Rose Ave).
Vehicles must display a state issued physically challenged authorization or a Temporary University permit when using these spaces.
Any physically challenged permit that is hanger type must be displayed from the rear view mirror.
Enforcement of these spaces is 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Motor vehicles parked in areas designated for the physically challenged without proper plates or permits may be cited and towed at the owner's expense. A physically challenged parking permit is only valid in physically challenged spaces or in the meters, provided the meter is 30 minutes or greater, without paying the meter fee.
State temporary physically challenged parking permits can be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/disabled/index.htm .
To apply for a UWRF temporary physically challenged permit:
Physically Challenged permits are not valid in regular parking spaces within employee or student lots.
Physically challenged overnight parking November 1 through April 1 is not allowed on frontage roads. East Residence Halls should utilize designated spaces in T and O lots November 1 through April 1.


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The Chinese action star known for his kung fu skills discussed his diagnosis during the taping of a talent show he's judging in China.
In Tuesday's taping, the 50-year-old Li appeared to have a fuller face and heavier frame.
He said his weight has fluctuated but he's taking it all in stride. Li joked about his weight and said, "I'm fat. I don't have the time to lose it. It's a fact!"
He explained that exercise is not advised with the medication he's taking. An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, causes changes in a person's metabolism and heart rate, among other symptoms, but is generally treatable with medications.
Li was diagnosed in 2010. He kept his condition under control with medication, but it came back with a vengeance recently.
He said that he's tackling his illness head-on. "I'm just a regular guy, I'm not Huang Feihong, I'm not Huo Yuanjia (kung fu heroes he portrays on film), I'm not a hero. I'm just like you."
Li turned to acting and began showing off his kung fu skills on big screens in the 1980s. He admitted that at times he was unsure if he would be able to carry on with work, but he's determined. "I'm in pain, but I'm not suffering. I'm happy."
Source: Shanghai Daily


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U.S. health officials have identified Chamberlain Farm Produce Inc. of Owensville, Ind., as one possible source of cantaloupes tied to an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning that now has sickened 178 people in 21 states. Two people have died.
Federal Food and Drug Administration officials warned late Wednesday that consumers should not eat melons from the previously unidentified farm.
FDA officials were under pressure from food safety advocates to release the name of the grower that now has voluntarily recalled the rest of this year's cantaloupe crop because of detection of a strain of salmonella Typhimurium.
The two deaths occurred in Kentucky. Sixty-two people have been hospitalized nationwide after eating salmonella-tainted fruit, officials said.
FDA officials added that the investigation into the outbreak is continuing and that other possible sources could be identified.
The cantaloupe in question was shipped to seven states – Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin – though further shipment was likely.
Related story:


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By Darryl James
Last week, I discussed a powerful dirty Black secret: Many Black women are a huge problem for Black America.
One of the reasons is that they are the strongest perpetrators of feminism in this nation. We saw in the 2008 election a powerful rejection of Hillary Clinton by older white men and younger white women who know she represents feminism. They know what the propaganda has done to American relationships and the roles of men and women. Yet, Black women act out the feminist propaganda on a regular basis, while many of them claim that they are not feminists.
According to Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister, "Propaganda works best when those being manipulated are confident that they are acting out of their own free will."
And of course it's propaganda. Otherwise, we would have to believe that Black women simply woke up and decided to become "independent," and to proclaim loudly and prolifically that they "don't need men."
If it smells bad, it's usually rotten.
But it's not just Black women. Black people in general view every aspect of life from a deficit model, which begins with the assumption that something is wrong.
Both Black men and Black women have been inculcated with some of the most horrible propaganda about Black people, particularly about Black men. And they pass it around faster and more prolifically than any venomous racist ever could.
The dirty Black secret is that when it comes to propaganda, the enemy is Black.
Any given comedian would have the world believe that whites are perfect and, based on their punch lines, that Black people are everything that is wrong with the world.
This explains why we hear the "more Black men in prison than college" myth, and a host of other lies which paint the Black man in a horrible light.
According to the U.S. Census, there were around 17,945,068 Black males in the nation. Around 6.3 percent are in college and 4.7 percent are in prison.
My friend and colleague Janks Morton has updated the anti-Black Myth machine with a new book called "Black People Don't Read: The Definitive Guide to Dismantling Stereotypes and Negative Statistical claims about Black Americans," in which he illustrates that "The remaining 89 percent of Black men have already graduated from college, already served a prison sentence, have a life trajectory that does not involve college or prison, or are too young for either to apply."
Morton agrees with me that Blacks have to stop talking about how poorly we are doing as a people for two reasons: First, because when we speak negatively, it affects our self-esteem and accordingly, our ability to succeed and Second, because many of the things we say simply are not the truth.
The dirty Black secret is that Black people—not white males or white women—perpetuate the myth that Black men are somehow a "dying breed." Yet, in "Black People Don't Read," Morton illustrates that "according to the U.S. Census, since 1970 there are 3.9 million less White Males and 2.5 million more Black Males, age 15 to 25, in the U.S. population."
And Black women do not escape the negative hype.
Any given moron will spout teen pregnancy as some epidemic causing Black women to drop out faster than flies. But if the moron did some real research, he would realize that, according to the Center for Disease Control, Black Teenage Pregnancy rates have been reduced by 56.42% from 1991-2009.
And while Black college enrollment could always be higher, Black men are not dropping out of high school and simply failing to garner a diploma. There is no 50% dropout rate. Again, according to the US Census, 83.43% of Black men over the age of 18 have a high school diploma, but when stats are negatively manipulated, we find that Black men who switch schools before graduating (from another school), or who miss a semester but finishes, or who test out before their class are not included because the focus of the negative statement is on Black men who graduate from 12th grade with their 9th grade class.
The dropout rate for Black males is 9.5%. Slap yourself.
Black men and Black women have been inculcated with some of the most horrible propaganda about Black people, particularly about Black men. And they pass it around faster and more prolifically than any venomous racist ever could.
Any give comedian would have the world believe that whites are perfect and, based on their punch lines, that Black people are everything that is wrong with the world.
Another dirty Black secret is that many of the institutions that were originally designed to help Blacks uplift themselves are in fact, the cause of Black misery in many cases.
Next Week: Dirty Black Secrets, Part 3—Alphabet Soup
Darryl James is an award-winning author of the powerful new anthology "Notes From The Edge." James' stage play, "Love In A Day," opened in Los Angeles in 2011 and will become a feature film in 2012. View previous installments of this column at http://www.bridgecolumn.proboards36.com. Reach James at email@example.com.


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As sports writers have repeatedly stressed since his untimely death at age 67 from liver cancer, it's impossible to think of heavyweight fighter Joe Frazier without linking him with Muhammad Ali.
The two fought three times -- bruising fights, with Ali (deservedly) winning two of them. But all were memorable. They were a contrast in styles -- Ali always moving, in-out-sideways, jabbing, mocking, occasionally mixing it. Frazier ever on the attack, plodding, orthodox, tough. Both heavy hitters when required.
Ali, is recognized by many (probably most) as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. More about that in a moment. But for the Ali fights, I doubt if Frazier would be remembered as he is now. A fine fighter, a champion by beating Ali once, but not that memorable. Being decked five times by George Foreman diminishes his status.
Boxing fans love to argue, debate, discuss who they think is the greatest of all heavyweights, and who they think, pound-for-pound, is the greatest boxer of all time.
I'm no exception. My interest in boxing goes back to WWII navy days when I was ordered into the ring for the entertainment of other sailors. I did okay until I met a real boxer and then was humiliated.
On leaving the navy I decided to learn a bit about the trade, and at the University of B.C. became light-heavyweight champion, won in the Golden Gloves, and developed a lasting respect for professional fighters.
After the war I met Jimmy McLarnin, who held the world welterweight title twice, until beaten by Barney Ross (1935). A an even greater credential was interviewing Jack Dempsey at his New York restaurant, and interviewing Joe Louis in 1955 when he was in Ottawa refereeing wrestling bouts.
For what it's worth, I'm one who thinks Louis in his prime was arguably the greatest of all heavyweights. He fought for some 20 years, and defended his title 25 times (a record that will never be matched). He fought every contender in the golden age of boxing winning 21 on his title matches by knockouts. Unmatched for power, hand speed, ring strategy, heart.
He retired undefeated in 1949 (after KO-ing Joe Walcott in the 11th round), then came out of retirement when the IRS claimed he owed $500,000 back taxes. By then Louis' reflexes were gone and he lost to Ezzard Charles and Rocky Marciano, who was loath to fight the legendary champion.
Forget the last few years of Louis' fights when he was older, slower, going through the motions. Go to YouTube.com and see Joe Louis in his prime, and you'll not see a more lethal, controlled fighter. An orthodox, accurate and deadly puncher. Louis was always more dangerous in return bouts. Witness Max Schmeling.
That said, it's possible Ali at his peak might have beaten Louis, simply by staying away from him -- as Britain's Tommy Farr did, and Billy Conn, in his first Louis fight. But as Louis liked to say of Conn in the second bout: "He can run, but he can't hide."
It may seem a contradiction, but the one who would probably have beaten Ali was Rocky Marciano -- the Brockton Blockbuster who never lost a fight and retired undefeated as world heavyweight champion -- 49 fights, 43 won by knockouts.
Rocky, regretfully, KO'd Louis at the end of Joe's career. Had it been the Louis of the 1940s, the result would likely have been different.
The unknown in such speculation is Gene Tunney, who twice beat Jack Dempsey but is often dismissed as a clever boxer more than as a mix-it fighter. This is unfair. Undefeated as world champion, Tunney was smart enough (he had a life-long friendship with playwright George Bernard Shaw and actually read books) to be whatever was necessary to win fights. His record of 48 knockouts in 86 fights is testimony to his fighting skills.
As far as Canadian heavyweights are concerned, there's little argument that George Chuvalo is in a class by himself. The likes of Lennox Lewis (potentially as great as any) and the late Earl Walls and, Sam Langford, way-back-when, were special. But no fighter anywhere, anytime, was tougher than Chuvalo. He was never knocked down.
Three qualities are essential for greatness in a heavyweight: He must be able to take a punch; he has to be a hard-hitter; and a bit of boxing finesse is icing on the cake.
Chuvalo had the first two, but was weak in the boxing department -- perhaps, if it's true as often claimed, that he never fought a preliminary bout, only main events because he was so good. Seasoning in fighting preliminaries on the way up might have enhanced his boxing skills. But, my goodness, as a fighter he was one for the ages!
As for the best fighter, pound-for-pound, most people who know boxing give the nod to Sugar Ray Robinson who, but for an excessively hot night when the heat cost him the fight against light-heavyweight champion Joey Maxim, would have held the welterweight, middle and light-heavyweight titles in succession.
Maybe Roberto Duran, Oscar de la Hoya and others deserve mention as great pound-for-pound fighters, but are they in the class of Robinson, Harry Greb (the only man to ever beat Tunney) and Stanley Ketchel?
As memorable as any fights were the three Tony Zale-Rocky Graziano middleweight title defences of 60 years ago. Look them up on YouTube.com. What's memorable is that as savage as these fights were (none of which went the distance -- the favourite losing each one), Zale and Graziano developed a bond, a respect and friendship, that endured ever-after.
Fighters are a bit like opposing soldiers in a war. They both share an experience denied others, and this can build comradeship, respect, even affection. An exception to this mutual respect may be Joe Frazier's lasting resentment (understandable) of Ali's trash-talking about him as an Uncle Tom and no-goodnik. Frazier was an up-front guy who didn't go in for poor-mouthing.
Boxing is in decline these days -- giving way to "ultimate fighting" which is even more primitive and barbaric (to some). And boxing is the only sport where quality is diminished from the past -- primarily because in the old days, boxing was the only sport in which African-Americans could participate on an equal footing.
Today, every sport is open to those with talent and skill. As a consequence, boxing has suffered a decline.
Others may argue, but that's just the way it is.


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Witness: Terrorists had Pakistan ISI handlers
CHICAGO The federal government's star witness at a terrorism trial tied to the deadly 2008 attacks in Mumbai revealed more potentially damaging details on Tuesday, alleging close cooperation between a Pakistani militant group and the country's top intelligence agency and telling jurors that he frequently exchanged emails and met with members of both groups a month before the attacks.
David Coleman Headley returned to the witnesses stand for a second day in the terrorism trial of a Chicago businessman accused of collaborating in the three-day siege of India's largest city, formerly known as Bombay alleging how he was recruited by a member of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency, known as ISI, to take part in the Mumbai plot and providing a rare glimpse into what he claims were the inner workings of the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Headley told jurors Tuesday that he met with both his handlers from Lashkar and ISI in Pakistan in October 2008 one month before the Mumbai rampage that killed more than 160 people including six Americans and his Lashkar contact, Sajid Mir, said militants had unsuccessfully tried to do the attack in September but crashed their boat leaving Pakistan. They also talked for the first time about a separate plot to attack a Danish newspaper that in 2005 had printed cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, he said.Witness: Pakistan's spies helped terrorist group
Video: Does Pakistan deserve U.S. aid?
Why Pakistan won't dump the Islamists
"I suggested we only focus on the cartoonist and the editor," Headley testified of a later meeting with Mir. "He said, "`All Danes are responsible for this."'
As the government's first and main witness in the trial of his longtime friend Tahawwur Rana, Headley's testimony outlining links between the ISI and Lashkar could inflame tensions between Pakistan and India and place even more pressure on the already frayed U.S. and Pakistani relations.
It also could add to the questions about Pakistan's commitment to catch terrorists and the ISI's connections to Pakistan-based terror groups, especially after Osama bin Laden was found hiding out earlier this month in a military garrison town outside of Islamabad.
Headley pleaded guilty to laying the groundwork for the Mumbai attacks that killed more than 160 people including six Americans, and he agreed to testify against Rana to avoid the death penalty, making him one of the most valuable U.S. government counterterrorism witnesses.
"Headley's testimony is a nail in the coffin of U.S.-Pakistani strategic cooperation," said Bruce Riedel, a former White House adviser on Middle Eastern and South Asian issues. "Until now his commentary has gotten very little attention outside India, now it will finally get the attention it deserves here."
The Pakistani government has denied the ISI orchestrated the Mumbai attacks, and a senior ISI official said Tuesday that the agency has no links to the terrorists behind the rampage. When asked about the testimony being heard in Chicago, the official said "it is nothing." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because his agency doesn't allow its operatives to be named in the media.
On Tuesday, Headley testified that details of planning for the attacks were known by an ISI officer known only by the alias "Major Iqbal" and Mir. Iqbal said a list would be provided to Headley of possible targets and later he would receive it from Mir. The three men met together in Pakistan in October 2008 where Mir told Headley about the failed attempt on Mumbai. The meetings continued.
"In a few weeks if everything went well, they were going to launch a second attempt," Headley testified.
Prosecutors showed emails between the three men some of them forwarded to Rana detailing points on the Mumbai attacks and the aftermath. They wrote in code from ever-changing email addresses including some that came from transliterated Urdu words into English and others from seemingly innocuous phrases like the email handle "Get Me Some Books," that Mir used at one time.
When the attacks happened, Headley, who was born Daood Gilani, testified that he got a text message from Mir asking him to turn on the television.
"I was pleased," he told jurors, but later he started to worry. "I was concerned if our plan had been leaked out."
At this time, Headley said, he was also in more frequent contact with Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, whom prosecutors identified as retired Pakistani military with links to Major Iqbal. Syed was referred to as "Pasha."
Rana, who attended medical school in Pakistan, was only brought up periodically throughout testimony, with Headley saying that he debriefed all his plans with Rana. He said they discussed the Mumbai attacks afterward and what they considered a successful mission against Indians.
"Dr. Rana said, `They deserved it,"' Headley said.
Rana, a Canadian citizen who has lived in Chicago for years, is accused of giving Headley cover during his time in Mumbai by allowing him to set up a branch of his Chicago-based immigration services business. His name is the seventh one on the federal indictment, and the only defendant in custody. Among the six others charged in absentia are Mir, Iqbal and Pasha.
Rana, who has pleaded not guilty, is also accused of helping arrange travel and other help for Headley, who planned the separate attack that never happened on the Danish newspaper. Defense attorneys have told jurors their client was taken advantage of by his friend and did not know what was in store. But prosecutors have said Rana was not duped and knew of the plans, both in Mumbai and Denmark.
Defense attorneys were expected scrutinize Headley's credibility as a witness, saying he has been motivated to change his story and that he was working for the U.S. government even as he said he was working for Lashkar and ISI.


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B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Communications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: email@example.com
@USA_Volleyball - USAV Facebook
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 18, 2012) – All the news about U.S. men's volleyball players in the U.S. and around the world.
U.S. outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.), a 2012 Olympian, was named the Most Valuable Player of the match as his Polish league team Asseco Resovia Rzeszów defeated ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle, 27-25, 18-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-11. Lotman played as a substitute in the first and third sets and started the fourth and fifth, finishing with 14 points on 10 attacks (62.5 kill percent, .625 hitting efficiency) and four blocks. He was also credited with 15 receptions, 60 percent positive.
U.S. middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.), a 2012 Olympian, and Jastrzębski Węgiel defeated Lotos Trefl Gdańsk, 24-26, 26-24, 25-14, 25-16. Holmes scored seven points on two kills and a match-high five blocks.
The FIVB Executive Committee approved the appointment of Japan and Egypt into the 2013 edition of the World League at its meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday.
This decision follows the ratification of the Sports Events Council's proposal to expand the World League to 18 teams (three pools of six teams) for the first time in its history during its meeting earlier this month.
Egypt, who last participated in 2010, and Japan, who finished 15th in 2012, will join Pool C which consists of Canada (WR18), Korea (WR22), Finland (WR31) and the Netherlands (WR41).
2013 World League pools:
Pool A: Brazil (WR1), Poland (WR4), USA (WR5), Bulgaria (WR8), Argentina (WR9) and France (WR16)
Pool B: Russia (WR2), Italy (WR3), Cuba (WR6), Serbia (WR7), Germany (WR10), Iran (WR14)
Pool C: Canada (WR18), Korea (WR22), Finland (WR31), the Netherlands (WR41), Egypt (WR13), Japan (WR19).
Eight teams will qualify for the World League Finals featuring the top three teams from Pools A and B, plus the winner of Pool C and the host country.
The top three world ranked teams in each pool will play three matches at home and two away with the bottom three world ranked teams playing twice at home and three times away.
The 2013 World League Intercontinental Round will run from May 31 to July 13 before the Final Round on July 16-21. The Final Round venue has yet to be confirmed.
U.S. outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.), a 2004, '08 and '12 Olympian, led his Turkish league team Halkbank Ankara past U.S. opposite Brook Billings (Santa Barbara, Calif.), a 2004 Olympian, and Istanbul BBSK, 21-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 15-13 on Dec. 16. Priddy led his team with 19 points on 13 attacks, five blocks and one ace. He was also credited with 17 receptions, 65 percent positive. Billings led all scorers with 23 points on 21 kills and two blocks.
U.S. setter Kevin Hansen (Newport Beach, Calif.), a 2008 Olympian, helped Arkas Izmir Spor to a 19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 18-25, 16-14 win over Galatasaray Erkek on Dec. 9. Hansen scored two points on one kill and one block. He also set his team to a 46.0 kill percent and a .331 hitting efficiency. Arkas Spor is leading the league with a 10-0 record. Istanbul BBSK is in third at 7-3 and Halkbank is fifth at 6-4.
U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.), a 2012 Olympian, scored 19 points on Dec. 16 as his Russian Super League team Zenit Kazan took down league-leading Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, 15-25, 25-20, 25-22, 19-25, 15-12. Anderson scored on 18 attacks (64.3 kill percent, .607 hitting efficiency) and one ace. He was credited with 26 receptions, 35 percent positive. Kazan is in second place in the league with a 10-1 record. Novosibirsk remains in first place with a worse record (9-2) but more points (28 as compared with Kazan's 25).
U.S. middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.), a 2012 Olympian, and his French league team Tours, are now 11-0 after defeating Nantes Reze, 25-12, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23 on Dec. 15. Smith scored on six attacks (60.0 kill percent, .600 hitting efficiency) and four blocks.
AS Cannes, the French league team of U.S. outside hitter Robert Tarr (Cape Canaveral, Fla.) and middle blocker Matt Rawson (Los Angeles) defeated Sete, 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 25-22 on Dec. 15. Tarr scored 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks. He was also credited with 12 receptions, 92 percent positive. Rawson added nine points on four attacks (66.7 kill percent, .500 hitting efficiency), two blocks and three aces.
U.S. opposite Carson Clark (Santa Barbara, Calif.) led all scorers with 25 points as his French team Montpellier defeated Chaumont, 23-25, 25-14, 17-25, 25-17, 30-28. Clark scored on 20 attacks (52.6 kill percent, .474 hitting efficiency), four blocks and one ace.
U.S. middle blocker Andy Hein (Carol Stream, Ill.) and his French team Toulouse fell to Avignon, 25-23, 25-21, 29-31, 25-15 on Dec. 15. Hein scored 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.
In France's B league, AS Orange Nassau, including U.S. libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) and outside hitters Damien Scott (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Eric Vance (Camarillo, Calif.) defeated Calais, 25-17, 25-17, 25-21 on Dec. 15. Vance finished with 11 points on 10 attacks (52.6 kill percent, .545 hitting efficiency) and one block. Scott added seven points on five kills and two blocks. Watten was credited with 14 receptions that were 100 percent positive.
U.S. setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania), a 2004 and '12 Olympian, and his Argentina league team Drean Bolívar went 2-0 over the past week. On Dec. 15, Bolívar defeated UNTREF Voley, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21. Suxho scored five points on two attacks, two blocks and one ace. He also set the team to a 51.4 kill percent and a .444 hitting efficiency. On Dec. 17, Bolívar beat Boca Río Uruguay Seguros, 26-24, 25-20, 25-19. Suxho scored five points on five attacks and set his team to a 60.8 kill percent and a .557 hitting efficiency.
U.S. opposite Evan Patak (Pleasanton, Calif.) and his Puerto Rico league team Plataneros de Corozal have advanced to the playoff semifinals following a 25-19, 25-23, 25-21 victory on Dec. 17 over Changos de Naranjito. Patak led his team in scoring with 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks and one ace. Corozal will begin the semifinals on Wednesday (Dec. 19) against Capitanes de Arecibo.
U.S. opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.), a 2008 Olympian and Patriotas de Lares are done for the season. They finished with a 25-22, 28-26, 25-16 loss to Mets de Guaynabo on Dec. 13. McKienzie led his team with 14 points on 14 kills. Guaynabo will play Indios de Mayagüez in the other semifinal. U.S. player Jeff Ptak (Hamburg, N.Y.) plays for Mayagüez.
To view photos from Puerto Rico league matches, click here.
The Berlin Recycling Volleys, including U.S. outside hitter Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.), a 2008 Olympian, and setter Kawika Shoji (Honolulu, Hawaii), defeated Generali Haching, 21-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12 on Dec. 16. Touzinsky started the first two sets and played as a substitute, scoring one point on one kill. He was credited with nine receptions, 78 percent positive. Shoji started the first three sets and scored one point on one attack. He also helped set the team to a 51.9 kill percent and a .407 hitting efficiency. The Recycling Volleys are leading the German league.
In Italy's Serie A league, U.S. middle blocker Max Holt (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Copra Elior Piacenza defeated Marmi Lanza Verona, 25-21, 25-18, 26-24 on Dec. 16. Holt scored eight points on six kills (60.0 kill percent, .600 hitting efficiency), one block and one ace.
U.S. opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) led his team with 18 points as his team Andreoli Latina fell to Casa Modena, 25-22, 20-25, 26-24, 25-18 on Dec. 16. Troy started all four sets and scored on 16 attacks, one block and one ace.
U.S. outside hitter Jeff Menzel (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte fell to U.S. setter Riley McKibbin (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Altotevere San Giustino, 25-20, 25-19, 25-19 on Dec. 16. Menzel played as a substitute and scored one point. McKibbin started all three sets and scored four points on two kills, one block and one ace. He also set the team to a 63.0 kill percent and a .562 hitting efficiency.
At the end of the first half of the season, Piacenza is in third place at 7-4. Latina is in seventh place at 6-5. San Giustino is ninth at 3-8 and Castellana Grotte is 10th at 3-8.
In Italy's Serie B league, U.S. outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.) and Sieco Service Ortona fell to Globo Banca Popolare Del Frusinate Sora, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22 on Dec. 16. Muagututia scored eight points on eight attacks. He was also credited with 24 receptions, 54 percent positive.
Max Holt and Italy's Copra Elior Piacenza defeated visiting Estonia's Selver Tallinn for a second time in the round of 16, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22 on Dec. 13. Piacenza will play Bulgaria's CVC Gabrovo in the next round in January.


text: Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums :: View topic - I think that friend is great Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in I think that friend is great Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> English Schools View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message xingyun206Joined: 06 Feb 2005Posts: 23 Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:06 pm Post subject: I think that friend is great I come from Beijing in China.I am major in computer in university. I hope that I know many good friends.My email is [email protected] or [email protected] Back to top sunshine_101Joined: 05 Feb 2005Posts: 39Location: somewhere in China Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:42 am Post subject: hey welcome,by the way what is your hobby?Do u like traveling? _________________Sunshine loves Beauty of nature Back to top xingyun206Joined: 06 Feb 2005Posts: 23 Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 5:49 am Post subject: I like travel but I haven't money.How about you. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> English Schools All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Student Forums----------------ComputersCurrent NewsCultureEnglish SchoolsFamilyFilm and CinemaFoodHealth and FitnessHelp CenterHobbiesHolidaysLearning EnglishLiteratureMaking FriendsMusicOpinionsPetsScienceSportsThe Strange and MysteriousTOEFL and Other English ExamsTravel You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group


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Just before Christmas we mentioned this incident when it first came out (see link here) and since then have been reading various articles from bloggers, Africa fashion related and ethical fashion related and many opinions and thoughts have arisen. We wanted to wait a little longer to hear the verdict on this point. We have had information from Textile Exchange cotton farming specialists, writers and specialists on fairtrade issues, a cotton organisation in Africa on this topic, and have even viewed a letter from the specific cotton organisation in Burkina Faso to the Bloomberg reporters stating their thoughts on the matter saying:
(I include just a snippet of this letter)
It goes on to say further into the letter the impact this type of allegation ccan have – how wide and far it reaches and whom…
This letter was written as a formal denial to these allegations.
Now Fairtrade |International have put their findings out on a report issued yesterday. See below as it was written with links for your viewing.
03 January 2012
In accordance with its internal Child Protection Policy and Procedures, Fairtrade International followed up on the allegations made in the Bloomberg article, "Victoria's Secret Revealed in Child Picking Burkina Faso Cotton," published on 15 December 2011. We have found substantial contradictions in the facts presented in the article based on the information we have obtained from our field assessment.
Fairtrade International takes any allegations on the violation of human rights of the child very seriously. Following Cam Simpson's allegations, we travelled with leading officials of UNPCB to the village of Benvar in Burkina Faso. We met the Fairtrade cotton producers and impacted children and families identified in the Bloomberg article. The aim of our trip was to conduct an assessment, develop a remediation process for impacted children, and provide support to UNPCB to further develop their actions plans to eliminate child labour and implement child protection measures.
Fairtrade conducted child safe interviews with the people identified in the article as children (persons below the age of 18). We can report that at the time of our interviews the "girl" and her family identified in the article were secure and safe. However, the information they gave us regarding the facts reported and the methods the journalist used concerns us greatly.
Most significantly, according to our information, the "girl" who featured prominently in the article is not 13 years old as reported. We have seen her birth certificate and corroborated her age with school records. She cannot accurately be described as a child as defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (i.e., under 18 years old).
In addition, she is not involved in cotton growing and therefore is not participating in Fairtrade certified cotton production. Instead she works on a family-owned vegetable farm, growing locally consumed products for which there are no Fairtrade Standards nor Fairtrade certified producers in this region.
Furthermore, the "girl" and her family members report that she "was woken up early one morning and asked to pose in the cotton field" by the journalist, "who introduced himself as working for an orphanage project and needed to select three children to be part of this program."
Given these inaccuracies, Fairtrade refutes the information about the "girl" and her family as presented in the Bloomberg article and accordingly questions the credibility of the report.
We also question the methods used by the journalist to obtain the reported information. Fairtrade International strongly recommends that media adopt child protection methods and a rights-based approach to relate with those they identify as persons under the age of 18. Identifying a young person by their first and last names, through images, or where they live, and providing alleged first-hand testimonies from them on issues of grave human rights concern may put them at extreme risk. All effort is needed to ensure that journalists and others who come into contact with children and young people follow protection guidelines as indicated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Additionally, we recommend that journalists follow the Guidelines for Journalist and Media Professionals developed by the Intentional Federation of Journalist.
On one point we do agree: More work is needed to ensure that children in the cotton producing communities of Burkina Faso and elsewhere enjoy their rights to protection and increased well being. As part of our ongoing work in this area, and in agreement with UNPCB, Fairtrade International has prioritised further training on child labour and child protection for its members which will begin in early 2012.
Child labour is a global problem. No person or product certification system can provide a 100% guarantee that a product is free of child labour. What Fairtrade guarantees is that if we find breaches to our child labour requirements, we take immediate action to protect children. We work to prevent farms that use child labour from entering the Fairtrade system, and support them and their communities to tackle the problem. Fairtrade has chosen to work in products and regions with known risk of child labour because this is where our work is most needed.
Fairtrade believes that child labour can only be effectively addressed in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including government, private sector, NGOs, trade unions, producers, their communities and children themselves. We continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure increased well being of children and young people living in and around Fairtrade communities.
Read Fairtrade's response to Bloomberg's article of 23 December, 2011.
For further information please contact Anita Sheth, Senior Advisor Social Compliance and Development (Informal Sectors) at firstname.lastname@example.com and Caroline Hickson, Director of Brand and Communication at email@example.com
Fairtrade International (FLO) / News / Latest News / Single View.
Do feel free to continue to share your views, your opinions and most of all your experience. Do you work with cotton farmers in Africa? Have you been to an African cotton farm? What is your understanding of fairtrade and child labour issues? Do let us know your thoughts.
Feature photo – Africa Focus, image – source: University of Wisconsin-Madison


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A Prague Municipal Court has ruled that a shop owner must pay a 5,000 crown fine for posting the picture of a man who stole one of his electric bikes on Facebook. The picture was shared by hundreds of users thanks to which the police apprehended the thief in record time. However the shop owner was served a fine by the Institute for Protection of Private Data on the grounds that only the police had the right to see the footage from his security camera. Although the Prague Municipal Court originally ruled against the fine, the case went to the Supreme Administrative Court which requested another hearing.
Two months after the Brexit vote the Czech Embassy in London reports a heightened interest from British nationals with Czech roots in acquiring Czech citizenship. According to the news site aktualne.cz. the embassy is getting dozens of calls a day with requests for information regarding travel to the Czech Republic after Brexit and the possibility of having dual citizenship. Over 100 requests for Czech citizenship have been filed in the past two months alone. Aktualne.cz says embassies of other EU member states in Britain are getting similar requests.
Former Czech national football captain and Arsenal midfield star Tomáš Rosický has announced his return to Sparta Prague. Rosický's contract with Arsenal terminated at the end of last season, fuelling speculation about his next move. Rosický last played in the Czech league for Sparta before quitting the club fifteen years ago for a high-profile transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Prague Zoo has signed an agreement with Beijing Zoo on the loan of a Golden Snub-nosed monkey. The breed, indigenous to Central and Southwest China, cannot presently be found outside of Asia. Prague Zoo will thus be the first European zoo to acquire a specimen. The agreement also pertains to the loan of Giant Pandas for which Prague Zoo is currently building a special pavilion.
A large fire broke out at one of the Czech Republic's biggest coal-fired power stations in Chvaletice, East Bohemia in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The blaze occurred in part of the power station that feeds coal into its boilers. Firefighters from 13 stations fought the blaze. The power station was disconnected from the network and will remain out of operation for several weeks at least. The damage has been estimated at 50 million crowns.
The Czech intelligence services are investigating an imam formerly active in Prague who apparently tried to radicalize the Czech Muslim community, the news site idnes reported. Imam Samer Shehadeh reportedly tried to dissuade members of the Muslim community from attending a Christian mass in a show of solidarity with people of a different faith by warning them that it would amount to a betrayal of Islam. Recordings of him preaching also indicate that he was more radical than the community assumed. According to Romana Červenková of the Czech Muslim community Shehadeh was a self-proclaimed imam without official accreditation and the community quickly distanced itself from him. Shehadeh then reportedly spent a brief time preaching in Bratislava from where he was forced out as well.
The Czech Republic is currently hosting the Ample Strike 2016 military exercise involving 1,500 soldiers from 17 NATO member and partner countries. The three week air-land integration exercise will take place in six operating areas across the Czech Republic as well as involving air bases in Germany, Hungary and Britain. Its aim is to harmonize cooperation between air controllers, aircraft crews and ground forces commanders. For the first time this year the exercise will also involve active reserve troops.
Two passenger trains collided near the town of Chvalkov in southern Bohemia on Tuesday morning injuring nine people, including three children. According to a police spokeswoman none of the injuries were serious and all patients were treated in Pelhřimov Hospital. The cause of the accident, involving local trains on short routes, is being investigated, preliminary findings suggest human error was to blame. Neither of the trains was derailed during the accident. The preliminary damage estimate is around 800,000 crowns.
A Czech Airlines flight from Prague to Dusseldorf was forced to make an emergency landing in Frankfurt on Tuesday morning after the pilot reported a technical problem. According to a ČSA spokesman the plane landed safely and the company arranged for an alternative flight to Dusseldorf for the 55 passengers on board. The plane is now being inspected by technicians in Frankfurt.
Eight refugees who had been in Greece arrived in the Czech Republic last week under a European Union quota system for redistributing refugees. The group were subjected to security checks before being accepted. A total of 12 refugees have now been accepted in the Czech Republic under the EU scheme, which Prague had opposed. The Czech Republic is due to take in just under 2,700 people by the end of next year.


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HenryVIIII wrote:Also is the Mountain Creek Campsite usually busy on Australia Day? I'm assuming it would be.
HenryVIIII wrote:I usually carry a PLB on all overnight hikes in case of injury, is there anywhere in Mt Beauty you can hire one? If not, I assume the mountain will be crowded enough that help will be there if needed?
paidal_chalne_vala wrote:It will be Hot this coming long weekend. Be sure to start early each day and be at your campsite by 12 noon.
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The #000 Picaba Natural Kolinsky Brush is that smallest in the Picaba series. It has a very fine tip perfect for intricate tasks, such as staining. The brush diameter is 0.5 mm and the length is 6 mm.
Perfectly Constructed to fit the needs of any technician.
Introducing a quality line of eight brushes designed to meet the specific porcelain handling needs expressed by laboratories and technicians. Picaba Kolinsky Brushes are created from the finest raw materials using innovative construction to satisfy the requirements of even the most demanding ceramist.
Handcrafted with purpose.
Each brush goes through an average of ten to twelve manual operations to achieve utmost excellence. In the final step of production, each Picaba brush receives an exclusive curing treatment to ensure long-lasting shape and to increase its spring and recovery.
The finest materials make a quality brush.
Our brushes are made using the finest grade Kolinsky sable hairs, offering an incredible capacity for moisture retention that allows for optimal control of porcelain powders. The tufts of our brushes are resilient, delivering a long lasting sharp tip with the desirable amount of tension and strength.
Connection is key.
Splitting and shedding are eliminated with our unique triple-crimp method, perfectly interlocking the nickel-plated brass ferrule to its comfortable, lightweight wooden handle. In addition, our brushes' durability is extended with our exclusive curing process.
- Natural hairs have the desirable amount of tension for picking up large amounts of porcelain
- Pure Kolinsky hairs are never blended with lesser grades of hair
- Extremely sharp tip that is easy to form and will not fray
- Optimal moisturizing of porcelain powders
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- Well constructed for excellent durability, with no splitting or shedding


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I have enjoyed this course very much. It was easy for me to fit into a busy lifestyle. My thanks to the instructor for "infecting me with Genealosis"! This course has helped me in my quest to learn more about my family and it's history! Will be looking for follow up classes.
I have learned a lot, both about genealogy and about my family, in the weeks we have been in this course. I have a long way to go, but the journey is the part I love. While it is great to document that these are MY ancestors, once I know that, I want to know so much more about them, and this class has shown me ways to find that information.
I really enjoyed taking this course. I learned a lot about researching my family that I didn't know. Through this course, I discovered ways to research that I hadn't even thought about before or that I hadn't heard of. Thanks for a job well done!!
I really liked this course. Website info is outstanding. I have been working on my family genealogy since 1971. I wish I had this course back then--and that there was an Internet then!
I thought the information and supplementary material was very informative. What a rush of adrenalin when I found my first ancestor with your guidance. All my ancestors have passed away without my knowing to ask any questions of their heritage so my task is quite difficult. I work full time now and have made sure to copy everything so the material will be available to me as I have more time to work on our genealogy. Thanks for all your guidance, and I look forward to taking additional internet courses.
The content and benefits of taking this course exceeded my expectations. I wanted a refresher course with a very great emphasis in online research information and sites to use as I am very weak in the online research area. This course did that, and more. I'm very pleased with this course.
This course has really hooked me on the task of finding my ancestors. I now have a much clearer idea of how to go about this job, particularly with regard to using the Internet.
I am new to Genealogy and feel this "Basic" course is more than enough to get me started and keep me going for years. Genealogy Basics is a must for beginners and old timers will delight at the abundance of new ways to approach "brick walls". I loved Bob's discussion areas which were full of extra resources and research tips. I cannot imagine starting genealogy without this course. I highly recommend Genealogy Basics, take the course you will not regret your choice.
I enjoyed this course tremendously! The lessons were well-developed and interesting, and the activities and resources were amazing! I am thrilled with all that I learned along with the extensive resources shared throughout the course. I have already recommended this course to several people. Thank you so much for getting me on the right track to researching my ancestors. I truly appreciate all that has been offered here!
I found this course very informative and done in an interesting and fun way. Not only were the lessons very informative, the discussions and assignments really brought it home. The examples showed how to work it and then I continued on looking for my ancestors. The crossword puzzles were a fun way to learn things and the quizzes being interactive were very good. The information was not spoon-fed but helped start my brain in a "Detective mode" which will help searching for information. This has shown me many areas and ways to find information and I'm really excited to be re-starting my search for my ancestors. Thanks very much!
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Greetings everyone!
Although I frequently get letters thanking me for making Kongming's Archives such an accessible site, there are still many things which could be done to improve it. More to the point, Kongming's Archives contains some old sections and old code which needs a rework quite badly.
Here's the catch:
Feedback from others is vital to identifying usability problems.
I've got my own experience and my own observations, but I'm still me. Someone might be frustrated with a part of Kongming's Archives which I think is fine and if I don't hear from them it would never be improved. Or I might know an area which could be improved but I might think of other areas as a higher priority.
Please share your suggestions?


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Filter results
Dermatitis (red, inflamed, sore skin or a rash) in dogs
Has your dog got red, inflamed, angry looking skin? Or do they have a rash? We often call these symptoms 'dermatitis'.
First aid for insect stings
Insect stings are common in pets, especially in dogs. Stings are not a major problem for most pets, but some pets (just like humans) will develop an allergic reaction.
Flystrike in rabbits
Fly strike happens when a fly lays its eggs on a rabbit's fur which hatch into maggots and burrow under the skin to feed on flesh.
Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) in dogs
Hot spots can appear anywhere on the body and usually look red, angry and wet.
Itchy skin in cats
Scratching is normal for cats, but sometimes they can seem a bit itchier than normal and may need to see a vet.


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Facebook has come a long way since its humble beginnings almost eleven years ago. From being just a wall of posts, it has morphed into a powerful aggregator with a wide variety of content. The trouble is that somewhere beneath all the content that you've created over the years, there are all your past indiscretions waiting to be discovered. Did you go on a liking spree when Pages were introduced and Facebook invited you to become a fan of your favourite personalities and brands? Did you post silly nonsensical content when you were in your early teens? Chances are all of that history is still available online for anyone to discover. If you want to break free from your silly, old Facebook days, here are a couple of steps that should help.
Limit Old Posts
Head over to Facebook Settings and select the Privacy tab. Under the subheading "Who Can See My Stuff?" you'll have the option to "Limit the Audience for Old Posts". This option will change the visibility setting of all posts that are either "Public" or "Friends of Friends" to only "Friends". Be warned though, this action is non-reversible. The only way to undo this will be to go through your previous posts and change their settings one by one.
Unlike Pages
Over the years your tastes have probably evolved. However, chances are that the pages that you became Fan of five years back are still a part of your profile. PageUnliker is a nifty website that fetches all Pages that you have liked, and gives you the option of unliking them. Save yourself the embarrassment and get rid of the things a younger you might have liked. You'll also be tidying up your feed as posts from the pages that you unlike will no longer show up.


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A Legendary Name. A Humble Beginning.
In 1845, John Moses Brunswick, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was steadily building a solid reputation as a builder of fine carriages. It was a good living; a solid career path for an ambitious young man in the mid-19th century.
Then, somewhat suddenly, everything changed. When Brunswick first laid eyes on a finely crafted billiard table, he knew he had found his calling.
As a gifted artisan with a passion for woodworking, the young man was captivated by the table's intricacy, detail, fine workmanship, and beauty. He saw more than a table; he saw an opportunity to build something with unlimited potential and lasting beauty.
"If it is wood, we can build it — and we can build it better than anyone else," Brunswick declared.
True to his word, Brunswick completed his first billiard table soon after. By 1850, Brunswick tables were becoming known around the world as masterpieces of original craftsmanship and design. Within 10 years, he had built an impeccable reputation for fine quality, playability, and beauty � and laid the foundation of what would become the largest billiard company in the world.
The Legend Lives On. The world has changed tremendously since then, but the Brunswick commitment to exceptional quality remains. John Moses Brunswick's creative vision continues to thrive at Brunswick Billiards in Bristol, Wisconsin, where we've been connecting generations through superior craftsmanship and innovation since 1845.
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Almond beer mixed rye bread with linseed
Before I put my bread here, I have to present my excuses. I am not sure if I have to put the recipe here in the forum or maybe in the recipe section? Anyway, I'll just put it here first. I am now in the beta testing phase of my automatic bread calculator which gives me the nice task of "having" to bake (and try) many different breads. Ah, live can be hard, isn't it? So let me share some with you guys and don't be shy with your suggestions, ideas, critics and maybe you like to try and bake it as well? Anyhow, here is how it goes:
- Rye Flour 138 g
- Water 138 g
- Rye Flour starter 13.8 g
I am using the simple Dettmold method to make my sourdough. It's pretty simple. Mix everything together to smooth dough without any clumps inside and let it rest in a covered bowl at 24-28°C for 14 – 20 hours. After your sourdough is ready, don't forget to take some starter away and keep it in the fridge for your next bread.
Nut piece
- Crushed almonds 40 g
- Rum 4 Tbsp
Let the nuts soak in the rum for 4 – 16.
Swollen piece
- Linseed40 g
- Water 40 g
- Salt 12.2 g
Immerse everything in the lukewarm water, cover it up and let them swell for 12 to 14 hours at room temperature.
Main dough
- Rye Sourdough flour 289 g
- Nut piece 80 g
- Swollen piece 92 g
- Rye Flour 321 g
- Wheat Flour 153 g
- Beer 300 g
- Dried yeast 2.2 g
Idea dough resting temperature 28 - 29°C
I now let the dough rest for 30 minutes and stretch and fold every ten minutes. After this, I form the bread and let it rest for an hour. I then put the bread in the oven at 250 degrees Celsius, add a cup of water to create enough steam. Then I bake the bread for 15 minutes. I then turn down the heat to 190, let the steam off and finish baking the bread for another 30 minutes. Then I switch off the oven; let the bread stay another five minutes inside. Then I take it out, cover it up and let it cool slowly. Anyhow, as it's a mixed rye bread, I will let it rest till the next day before enjoying it, can't wait to tomorrow, the bread looks and smell amazing.
I did calculate the bread to a Dough Yield of 170 so the bread will be easy to form freely and so that I would not have to use the form in order to bake it. So, what you think of the bread? I think the result is all right?


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74 Simcoe St S, Oshawa, ON L1H 4G6
Toll Free: 888-246-5996 Local: 905-579-9569Email Us
- 74 Simcoe St S, Oshawa, ON L1H 4G6
Any Occasion Flowers in Oshawa
Flowers from Classic Flowers in Oshawa will make anyone happy on their birthday, anniversary, graduation, new baby or any occasion. Whether you want to send a fresh flower bouquet of gerbera daisies or roses, you know you'll be sending the best bouquet. Send a mixed bouquet of thank you flowers or beautiful anniversary flowers. You'll find the best right here! Ask us about same day delivery to Oshawa and the surrounding area.
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Fort Lauderdale, FL- Thursday, June 11, 2009 - Cubellis, an international architectural, interior design and engineering firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale, is pleased to announce that the firm has been selected by the City of Dania Beach, to provide Design/Build services for a new library, required to be in full conformance with the high velocity hurricane zone regulations for the region, and will be positioned to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Dania Beach is a city in Broward County, Florida, and is part of the South Florida metropolitan area, which is home to approximately 5,463,857 people. A city steeped in history, Dania Beach was the first official city/municipality to be incorporated into Broward County dating back to the 1880s, and is now the location of one of the largest jai alai frontons in the United States, and is home to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum,
Situated on a historical site adjacent to the existing City Hall Building located at 100 West Dania Beach Boulevard, the intention of the new project is to design a 10,000 square foot library that provides sufficient offices and space for traditional and electronic library services. Cubellis fulfilled the requirements of proposers for the project, having exhibited considerable relevant experience with previous successful sustainable projects and sensitive historical sites.
"This new project is directly in line with the vision statement for Dania Beach: Established in History, Preparing for Tomorrow," said Merrill Romanik, AIA, IIDA, NCARB, Principal, Architecture / Interior Design in the Fort Lauderdale office. "The teams at Cubellis are committed to maintaining the unique small-town quality of living for all of its residents and guests. By drawing on our expertise in this area, we look forward to creating a library facility that is sensitive to the history of the city, maintaining the beauty of the neighborhoods, and sustainable for the benefit of the diverse community it will serve."
"We're delighted to be involved in finally bringing a permanent library to Dania Beach," said Dwight Stephenson, CEO, D. Stephenson Construction. "It's been a long time coming."
The estimated completion date for this project is May, 2010.
About D.Stephenson Construction
D. Stephenson Construction is a Ft. Lauderdale-based construction firm founded in 1992 by Dwight and Dinah Stephenson. The company employs over 50 professionals in construction and administrative roles, and provides Construction Management, General Contracting and Design-Build services to public and private sector clients in South Florida. D. Stephenson Construction's valued clients include educational, municipal, aviation, healthcare, libraries, and parks and recreation agencies.
About Cubellis
Cubellis is an integrated, multidisciplinary design firm offering architectural, interior design, and engineering services to a diverse base of national and international clients. The firm's practice area expertise includes retail & mixed-use, workplace solutions, residential, academic, hospitality, and government/municipal. Cubellis is a team of over 300 professionals, with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Boston, MA; Rocky Hill, CT; Englewood Cliffs; NJ Philadelphia and Wayne, PA; Tysons Corner, VA; Chicago, IL; Orange County, CA; Baltimore, MD; Dallas, TX; New York, NY; and Dubai, UAE. For more information, please visit: www.cubellis.com or www.cubellisblog.com
Contact: Meghan Welborn
Public Relations Manager
Phone: (617) 603-2146 x0
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Regional Bishops Issue Joint Statement on Migration
Cooperation among governments in region, economic development key factors
U.S. should afford legal protection to foreign workers
WASHINGTON—Participants at the Catholic bishops' Regional Consultation on Migration in Washington, June 2-4 issued a joint statement calling for protection, hospitality, service and justice to immigrants throughout the hemisphere.
The bishops called attention to several issues that should be addressed on a regional level, such as the promotion of sustainable economic development in the hemisphere, violence and drug smuggling, human trafficking, protection of migrants, refugees and other vulnerable population, and special assistance to Haiti.
They also called upon the Congress of the United States and the Obama Administration to affirm the country's tradition as a nation of immigrants and "reform U.S. immigration law to allow migrants who work hard in the U.S. economy to enjoy the benefits of legal protection."
"This reform would preclude the need to impose criminal penalties on persons not lawfully admitted," said the bishops. "It also would end deportations of family members and the breakup of families."
The meeting congregated Catholic bishops and staff of Catholic agencies working with migrants in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Also present were Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People and representatives from the Latin American Council of Bishops' Conferences (CELAM).
Full text of statement follows.
Statement of the Participants in the Regional Consultation on Migration
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Washington, D.C.
June 4, 2010
As Catholic bishops of the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Canada gathered at our regional consultation meeting in Washington, D.C., June 2-4, 2010, joined at our meeting by religious and lay persons working with migrants, we reaffirm our commitment to vulnerable persons who migrate in search of protection or for a better life for themselves and their families. We acknowledge and appreciate the presence at our meeting of His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People and representative of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
We offer several reflections on the current situation regarding migration in this hemisphere, consistent with our long-held view that persons on the move should be protected from harm while in transit and welcomed with hospitality, service, and justice. This view is consistent with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who calls upon all to "welcome the stranger" and who declared "for whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me." (Mt. 25: 35, 40).
We stand in solidarity with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who in his recent address to the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People, called upon the nations of the world to establish policies and plans which give migrants and refugees "opportunities to obtain legal status, promoting the fair rights to family reunification, asylum and refugee status, compensating for necessary restrictive measures and opposing the appalling trafficking of human beings." We echo the Holy Father's call to international organizations, international bodies, and nation-states to "resolve the crucial questions of security and development to the benefit of all." The lack of security and development are the very factors that contribute to the need for people to migrate.
It is a reality that in this hemisphere the human dignity of persons on the move continues to be violated by governmental and nongovernmental actors alike in source, transit, and receiving nations. Migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers are mistreated and exploited both by government officials and law enforcement officials, as well as smugglers and other criminal elements as they flee poverty, natural disaster, violence, or persecution. The explosion of human trafficking in this hemisphere is a scourge which continues to grow, victimizing men, women, and children.
At the same time, there are many in the Church and other people of goodwill who work hard to protect the rights of persons on the move and who work to change laws to ensure the protection of basic human rights. We stand with them as together we try to educate others about the harsh realities of migration and the need to demonstrate compassion and justice to those less fortunate.
We also acknowledge and support the right of our governments to ensure the integrity of their borders and the common good of their citizenry. We strongly believe, however, that these goals can be achieved and the rule of law preserved without violating human rights. Governments can and must collaborate effectively to achieve regional development and stability.
With these perspectives in mind, we call attention to specific issues which should be addressed on a regional basis, with cooperation from all governments of this hemisphere:
The Promotion of Sustainable Economic Development in this Hemisphere. The factors which compel people to migrate in search of work are primarily, but not solely, economic. Families in poorer countries struggle to meet their most basic needs and living-wage jobs remain scarce. Root economic causes of migration must be addressed so that migrants can remain in their home countries and support their families. The impact of current and proposed trade agreements and agricultural policy in the region must be reviewed in terms of the displacement of small farmers and workers, and subsequent migration.
For example, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), touted initially as the key to economic development in the region, has failed to reach those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder. International institutions, such as international lending institutions, have not adequately addressed the needs of the poor in the region.
The goals of the millennium have not been fully realized, and now climate change is adding another element to the migration phenomenon. These economic tools must be used in a way that increases the ability of the poor to escape poverty and not be forced to migrate to other countries.
The Economic Drivers of Violence. Economic insecurity and deprivation add to a number of social issues that together provide fertile breeding grounds for violence. The lack of economic opportunity as well as the lack of a sense of social meaning, especially among younger adults, fuels the resort to underground and illicit activities in many of the countries of the hemisphere. The increasing power of drug smuggling networks must be combated, both by law enforcement efforts but also by eradicating the market for these illicit substances, particularly in the United States.
The Protection of Migrants, Refugees, and Other Vulnerable People in Transit. Persons on the move in this hemisphere are subject to exploitation, abuse, and prolonged detention in all countries. Laws must be examined and reformed in each country to establish mechanisms to ensure safe passage, protection, and due process for migrants and their families, while ensuring that violent criminals are constrained.
The Scourge of Human Trafficking. While progress has been made in raising awareness of human trafficking in this hemisphere, much more must be achieved to eradicate this scourge. Governments and nongovernmental actors must work together to address the economic and social factors that make people vulnerable to trafficking. They must root out trafficking networks, and provide rescue and services to victims. Special attention must be paid to children, who are the most vulnerable victims.
Assistance for Haiti. We call upon all governments of this hemisphere to provide special care to the people of Haiti as they attempt to rebuild their country after the January earthquake. We urge all nations to continue with their generosity and support, but also to apply and amend their migration laws to accommodate, to the greatest extent possible, Haitians and their families who can no longer remain in Haiti.
As an immigrant nation, the United States and the American people, including Catholics, have traditionally welcomed newcomers and helped to integrate them into the country. We call upon the Congress of the United States and the Obama Administration to affirm this honored tradition and reform U.S. immigration law to allow migrants who work hard in the U.S. economy to enjoy the benefits of legal protection.
This reform would preclude the need to impose criminal penalties on persons not lawfully admitted. It also would end deportations of family members and the breakup of families. In all countries of the region we continue to welcome and protect migrants and call upon our governments to make their immigration laws more humane.
As pastors, we have an obligation to defend the rights of all persons, particularly the most vulnerable members of the human community. We call upon all members of the Catholic community in our nations to stand in solidarity with persons on the move and to work for their just and humane treatment.
May we be worthy of the admonition of our Lord and Savior, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me…." (Mt. 25: 34-35).
Delivered in Washington, D.C., on 4 June, the year of our Lord, 2010
Most Reverend Rutilio del Riego
Auxiliary Bishop of San Bernardino
Chairman, Subcommittee for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and People on the Move
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Most Reverend Pedro Pablo Elizondo
Bishop of Chetumal
Member, Commission for the Pastoral Care of Persons on the Move
Mexican Bishops' Conference
Most Reverend François Gayot, S.M.M.
Archbishop Emeritus of Cap-Haïtien, Haïti
Most Reverend Pedro Hernández
Bishop of Darién, Panamá
Most Reverend Bernardo Hombach
Bishop Emeritus of Granada, Nicaragua
Chairman of Human Mobility, Bishops' Conference of Nicaragua
Most Reverend Fracois Lapierre
Bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe
Episcopal Conference of Canada
Most Reverend John Manz
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
Most Reverend Thomas Maurus Muldoon
Bishop of Juticalpa
Chairman of Social Services and Caritas
Episcopal Conference of Honduras
Most Reverend Francisco Ozoria
Bishop of San Pedro de Macorَís
President of the Commission on Persons on the Move
Episcopal Conference of the Dominican Republic
Most Reverend Alvaro L. Ramazzini Imeri
Bishop of San Marcos, Guatemala
Most Reverend Ricardo Ramirez
Bishop of Las Cruces
Most Reverend Rafael Romo
Archbishop of Tijuana
Chairman, Pastoral Care of Persons on the Move
Episcopal Conference of Mexico
Most Reverend Angel San Casimiro
Bishop of Alajuela
Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica
Most Reverend Anthony Taylor
Bishop of Little Rock
Most Reverend Raúl Vera
Bishop of Saltillo, Mexico
Most Reverend John C. Wester
Bishop of Salt Lake City
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration
Keywords: migration, immigration reform, regional consultation on migration, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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Jay Leno Starts Tonight! Will You Watch Sarah Palin, Adam Lambert, and Meredith Vieira This Week?
Tonight's the night: Jay is back at the helm of the Tonight Show. Are you going to watch?
It's back to work for Jay Leno! Tonight he's hosting the Tonight Show for the first time since May 29, 2009, and it marks his return to late-night TV after Conan O'Brien was forced off the show in January. Will it be back to business-as-usual at NBC? Tune in at 11:35 pm to find out!
Special guests tonight are Jamie Foxx, Olympian Lindsey Vonn, and singer-songwriter Brad Paisley.
The rest of the week is loaded with ratings-grabbing celebs: Tuesday Mar. 2 is Sarah Palin, Shaun White and Adam Lambert. Wednesday Mar. 3 is our favorite fist-pumpers from the Jersey Shore plus Avril Lavigne, and Thurs. Mar. 4 features Matthew McConaughey and Brett Favre. Leno finishes off the week with Morgan Freeman and Meredith Vieira.
While we are interested in what Jay is going to say tonight, we are REALLY looking forward to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:35 am — our fave heartthrob vampire Robert Pattinson is on tonight!
Are you going to watch Jay's return to late night, or are you still on Team Conan?
Read more about Jay Leno:
- Hollywood Is Team Conan! And So Is HollywoodLife.com!!
- NBC's Shocking Decision! Reports Say Jay Leno Pushes Out Conan O'Brien & Takes Back 'The Tonight Show!'
- Leno VS Conan — It's A Late Night War Of Words! Who Do You Think Is Winning?
- Conan Throws Down the Gauntlet: If You Move Me to 12:05, I'm Outta Here!
- Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon — You Made Great Comedy Last Night Out of NBC's Errors!


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The pension system for most city workers has nearly $700 million in unfunded liabilities, according to an audit released Wednesday.
In contrast, the smaller system for elected officials — who contribute to their pensions — is in strong financial shape, another audit shows.
City auditor Robert L. McCarty presented the documents to the city's spending panel, the Board of Estimates, along with annual financial reports that provided details about the fiscal health of the two systems. The police and fire pension system is separate and was not covered by the reports.
The pension system for municipal employees, who do not currently contribute to their retirements, faces $681 million in unfunded liabilities, the audit says. It underscores the change in the system's funding over the last decade. Fully funded in 2003, the system has weakened each year and is now only 67 percent funded.
An actuary, Cheiron Inc., recommended the city increase its contribution by 7.5 percent to shore up the system — from $88 million for fiscal year 2013 to $95 million next fiscal year.
By contrast, the pension system for elected officials — who contribute 5 percent of their salaries — is funded to cover 109 percent of liabilities and has an excess of $1.5 million in assets, the reports show.
City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young, who chairs the Board of Estimates, said officials are aware of the need to take action. At the same time, he said, he's concerned about promises made to city workers.
"People come to work. They're promised a pension. They're promised certain things," Young said. "We're going to look at it and see what tweaks we can make."
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has consistently pointed to pension payments as a major driver of the city's long-term financial woes. She has proposed requiring more city employees to contribute some of their salaries to their pensions, while moving to a 401(k)-style retirement plan for new civilian hires.
Under the administration's proposal, the city would start requiring civilian employees to contribute 5 percent of their salaries to their pensions. The city would phase in the contribution increases, starting at 1 percent in the coming fiscal year. New employees would be given 401(k)-style plans instead of traditional pensions. The changes to city pensions would save $5 million in the coming fiscal year, city officials said.
According to the city's budget, taxpayers will contribute $192 million to public employees' pensions next fiscal year. Andrew Kleine, the city's budget director, has called the growth of pension costs "relentless."
Young said it makes sense for employees to contribute to their pensions, but he's worried about low-level employees with meager wages. "Police and fire make a contribution. We make a contribution," he said, referring to elected officials. "As you know, most of the city workers are on the lower end of the payroll scale. People are hurting."
The pensions for municipal employees are in similar straits as those for police and fire department employees, who will contribute 10 percent of their salaries to their retirements this year. In 2003, 96 percent of the public safety pensions were funded, with $81 million in unfunded liabilities on the books. Now, however, the public safety pension system has $712 million in unfunded liabilities, and the percentage of fully funded pensions has dropped to 77 percent.
In 2010, Rawlings-Blake moved to overhaul the pension system for police and fire employees, delaying retirement for many and increasing their contributions to the pension system. A federal judge struck down one aspect of that overhaul last year but said the rest of the law could stand.
The mayor has also proposed a new "hybrid" retirement system for new employees of the police and fire departments.
Meanwhile, City Councilman William H. Cole IV has suggested switching the pension system for elected officials to a 401(k)-style system.
City pension systems
Municipal employees: 67 percent funded, $681 million in unfunded liabilities.
Public safety employees: 77 percent funded, $712 million in unfunded liabilities.
Elected officials: 109 percent funded, $1.5 million in excess assets.
Latest Baltimore City
Source: City of Baltimore reports


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Reserva Natural de Hacienda La Esperanza
Formerly one of the largest sugar plantations on the island, holding 152 slaves at its peak, the Reserva Natural de Hacienda La Esperanza contains over eight square kilometres of unsullied grassy plains, karst forest, wetlands and coastline, as well as a Taíno ceremonial site and the original hacienda building in the centre.
The plantation was established by the Spanish Fernández family in the 1830s, but it's been owned by the Conservation Trust since 1975. The main entrance is at the end of PR-616, off PR-685 and inland from Playa Mar Chiquita. From here a bone-jarring dirt track leads 6km through the reserve, before ending at a small beach zone, the most accessible area for visitors. You'll pass several places to pull off along the way, but be warned that on weekends it can get jam-packed, making it hard to find a space (despite the 175 vehicle limit). The two principal beaches are rocky coves, making natural pools ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with a thick bank of trees and tropical bush right up to the water providing plenty of shady cover.
Enlightening guided tours ($8; 1.5hr) of the renovated sugar mill and actual hacienda are available in English (t 787/722-5882), if you reserve in advance. The tour gets you a closer look at these fine colonial buildings dating from the 1860s, with outhouses containing a rare beam steam engine constructed in New York State (at the West Point Foundry) in 1861, and sobering reminders of the hundreds of slaves that once worked here.
The north coast
The north coast and karst country
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