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CNN Special Report: The Life of Miley
Aired January 19, 2014 - 18:00 ET
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What started out innocently with teddy bears became anything but at the VMA Awards in September. A performance that had tongues wagging -- BILLY RAY CYRUS, MILEY'S FATHER: It became that moment of a singer- songwriter, entertainer finding that special moment -- CHER, SINGER: I thought it was sloppy, and I didn't think it was professional enough for her. I think she's got to go back to the drawing board. TURNER: -- about a woman who most of America knew as wholesome Hannah. A Disney character living a double life. If her recent appearances have made anything clear. It's that Miley isn't Montana anymore. MILEY CYRUS, SINGER: I can give you an update on what she's been up to. She was murdered. TURNER: Now "The Life of Miley." It was 1994, the first time the world met little Miley Cyrus, just two years old on a country music interview show. She was already a show stopper. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do your eyes, Miley? Do your eyes. Very talented child. TURNER: Perhaps a sign of things to come. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is very dangerous. You're teaching her to flirt at a very early age. You're going to be in big trouble when she's about what 12, 13. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You could almost see that little twinkle in her eye. You know, that little like I'm going to do something with myself. TURNER: Shirley Halperin is the music editor of the "Hollywood Reporter." She's followed Miley's career from the beginning. (on camera): Even, you know, when she is being mischievous, there's this little look in her eye. I see and it's kind of like "OK, Miley, what are you doing next kind of thing?" HALPERIN: Whenever the camera was on, she was on. You could see that from a very early age. I always got the sense she was calculated but like in a good way. TURNER (voice-over): Calculated and destined for big things. Not entirely surprising for a little girl who he was originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus. BILLY RAY CYRUS: I have given her that name before she was born because I felt it was her Destiny to bring hope to the world. I do think that this is her purpose, her path. You know, I think she's a natural born singer/songwriter/entertainer. TURNER: And it didn't hurt that her father was a hit maker. HALPERIN: The fact he had one big hit with "Achy Breaky Heart," puts him in a level where he had access to musicians and producers and record company people that she probably would not have met were it not for her father. TURNER: What could be better than having a famous father? Having a music legend like Dolly Parton for a godmother. In fact, later in her life Miley recorded her own version of Parton's classic "Jolene." HALPERIN: I think looking to Dolly, looking to the sort of eccentric showmanship of a Dolly Parton really helped find her own style. TURNER: She was just a toddler back in 1993 when she was on the stage with many of music's biggest names. BILLY RAY CYRUS: We're doing a tribute to Elvis Presley at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee and she broke away from the nanny, waddled out on the stage during the finale which was a blue's version of "Amazing Grace." She came out on stage with some of the biggest stars in the world. She just kind of became one with every singer and everybody was holding her. She had her hands up. She was singing. The last guy to hold her at the end of the song was Tony Bennett. Tony Bennett came as the song ended and he said "You got a special little girl here." TURNER: Yes despite being surrounded by fame, Miley had a normal childhood. Raised a southern Baptist. Home was the small town of Thompson Station, Tennessee on a 500-acre farm. BILLY RAY CYRUS: I love being outside. We build big fires up on top of the hill and sat out and look at the stars and roast marshmallows and weiners. I was good with those types of things with my kids. I wasn't good at setting them down and saying let's do your algebra now. TURNER: But he was good at watching out for his little girl even as a toddler had her eyes on bigger things. Producer Steve Peterman. STEVE PETERMAN, PRODUCER: They were doing a video thing of him down at the farm and Miley was out there and she was two and a half maybe. They were at a barn on the property. Miley was standing up on some landing and Billy said "Be careful, honey." And she put her hands on her hips and said "I'm not afraid of anything." And that's two and a half. TURNER: Fearless and bold. Two traits that continue to define her as she grew up, went to school and became a cheerleader. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She went to a private evangelical school, a Christian school for a year. TURNER: "Rolling Stones" editor Josh Eells had rare access to Miley. EELLS: She was asked to leave after a year. She had a couple different versions of why. I'm not sure which one is really the one. In one version she told the class all about what French kissing and in another version her teacher was I guess an older woman who got around on a little motorized scooter and Miley stole it at one point and was cruising around the classroom on her teacher's scooter. Whatever the case was it was not the perfect fit. TURNER: What was a great fit for Miley? (MUSIC PLAYING) TURNER: Music. RENEE GRANT WILLIAMS, MILEY'S VOICE TEACHER: Miley was a good student. She worked hard and she didn't fight your advice. TURNER: Renee Grant Williams was Miley's voice teacher when she was 12. WILLIAMS: She had an ingenious way of getting what she wanted by being charming and lovely and enthusiastic and willing to take the burden of work on as well. TURNER: And by 2001, what Miley wanted became crystal here in 2001 when the family left Tennessee for Toronto where Billy Ray was filming the TV show "Doc." BILLY RAY CYRUS: Miley, she kept saying "Daddy, can I write something in for me." So they wrote her in one episode. And from the time she did that episode she said "Can they write me in next week? Can they write me in next week?" A few weeks after that she went to see "Mamma Mia" in Toronto. And I'll never forget it. It was that combination of acting and the performance on stage of the singers and she said "That's what I want to do." (MUSIC PLAYING) BILLY RAY CYRUS: I'm going to be a great actress and a singer- songwriter. This is what I'm going to do. TURNER: And Miley went for it. MILEY CYRUS: I'm Miley Cyrus, and I'm auditioning for the role of Zoey in "Hannah Montana." TURNER: In 2003, against her father's wishes, she auditioned for the role of a lifetime. HALPERIN: I think you can see the sort of long-range plan when you look at her "Hannah Montana" audition. You could see that she knew what she was doing. She knew what the role required and she knew that the world would be a stepping stone to other things. TURNER: But producers weren't so sure. When we come back Miley's battle to become Hannah Montana. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) MILEY CYRUS: I'm Miley Cyrus. I'm with CED and I audition for the role of Zoey in Hannah Montana. And yes, it's your red sweater... TURNER: In 2003, 11-year-old Miley hoped this audition would be her ticket to Hollywood. PETERMAN: The truth of the matter is she was the least likely person to get this job. TURNER: Producer Steve Peterman was part of the "Hannah Montana" casting team. PETERMAN: She was an 11 that looked nine. Way too small. Way too young. TURNER: Miley dead set on becoming a star wouldn't give up. MILEY CYRUS: Hey, I'm Miley Cyrus and I'm 12 years old. It's so good for you. It was like, you know, like I get vegetables. PETERMAN: And she read for us and she read for us over and over again. She would do some lines fabulously, wonderfully and she would miss other lines by a mile. MILEY CYRUS: Oh, my gosh. I know. I'm an idiot. PETERMAN: But I couldn't take my eyes off her. PETERMAN: Two years later producers still weren't convinced. They gave Miley one last shot. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) script and now that this is your final audition for this project? MILEY CYRUS: Only my three best friends. PETERMAN: And it ultimately came down to Miley and one other girl. With Miley there was something about her that was so alive and so fearless and all of us finally agreed to take the chance. TURNER: At 13, Miley Cyrus became Hannah Montana. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're so gross. TURNER: And was living her dream. (MUSIC PLAYING) TURNER: Miley was the perfect fit for the plotline, a schoolgirl with a secret double life as a teen pop star. Lily, you learn 18 seconds. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's your best friend. Sooner or later you're going to have to tell her you're Hannah Montana. BILLY RAY CYRUS: I think that's one of the things that really connected about Hannah Montana was the realism that well, wait a minute, this is art imitating life, imitating art. TURNER: Miley auditioned her own dad for the part of her TV dad. BILLY RAY CYRUS: Good job. Baby, get ready, get set. Don't go. One of the episodes called "Ready, set, don't go." I wrote that song as Miley left for California. All Daddy ever wants his little girl grow up. The series was picked up. I knew her life and our lives as a family was going to change. TURNER: The show and Miley were a smash. Hannah Montana became one of Disney's highest rated TV series and Miley shot up to teen idol status. HALPERIN: I think you could see the sort of long range plan when you look at her Hannah Montana audition. You could see that she knew exactly what she was doing. She knew the world would be a stepping stone to other things. Merchandise, TV, music. She was really the first star to embrace all of these things. TURNER: In 2007, she released "Hannah Montana two, meet Miley Cyrus." The soundtrack to her TV series and debuted under her real name. Her second album "Break Out" with hit "17" went platinum. In 2008, a hint that Miley was feeling the pressure of being one of the biggest teen stars on the planet. MILEY CYRUS: It's like the media is kind of like a mother. You know, it's like, you know, trying to let their young go or whatever and let them grow up. I feel like they are kind of having a hard time with that. TURNER: Miley's next conquest a film career. She landed a part in "High School Musical Two." And then the voice of Penny in the animated movie "Bolt." "PENNY": Bolt is lost. He could be anywhere by now. TURNER: In 2009, Miley brought her TV character to life on the big screen in "Hannah Montana, the Movie." HANNAH MONTANA: Like Vida (ph) says, it's all about the publicity. HALPERIN: (INAUDIBLE) 31 million in its opening weekend. It really just cemented her as more than a singer, more than an actress. She was an all-around performer. TURNER: She was white hot, but Disney's billion dollar baby would soon get her first taste of controversy. It all started with a provocative "Vanity Fair" photo shoot. Fifteen-year-old Miley barely dressed. No longer the girl next door. Then Miley shocked fans when she spiced up her performance at the 2009 performance by poll dancing to her hit "Party in the USA." The video went viral and parents postal. (on camera): Her fans and their parents were like, "Whoa, this isn't Hannah Montana that we know." PETERMAN: We couldn't do much about that. It's that fearlessness and that sense of spontaneity, that sense of what she's doing to do now? And it means that she's going to at times make mistakes. TURNER (voice-over): But Miley was unfazed. MILEY CYRUS: I think the media always tries to kind of overdo it. It's really no one else's business how my parents raise me or how I'm being raised. TURNER: Yet even her parents were concerned when a video surfaced of Miley taking a bong hit. MILEY CYRUS: OK. I'm about to lose it now. BILLY RAY CYRUS: I was alarmed for my daughter's safety. TURNER: Miley down played the video saying it wasn't pot she was smoking and apologized for the "Vanity Fair" spread but her image was changing. Her 2010 album and single said it all. (MUSIC PLAYING) TURNER (on camera): Just look at the album title, "Can't be Tamed." I mean, she put it out there. HALPERIN: I feel like we saw it play out in front of our very eyes. This person breaking loose of the Disney character. TURNER (voice-over): In 2011, the split became official when Miley quit the show that made her a global phenomenon. "Hannah Montana" was no more. Coming up - (on camera): You were down there and I said you know what, back the up. It's almost a brand new Miley. (voice-over): A brand new Miley and a brand new controversy. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) MILEY CYRUS: I'm going to jump out of a (INAUDIBLE) plane. (INAUDIBLE) "Rolling Stone." TURNER: Two years after "Hannah Montana" ended - 20-year-old Miley Cyrus is on the edge. She's skydiving with Josh Eells of "Rolling Stone" magazine. Extreme, unafraid and ready for reinvention. This is the new Miley Cyrus. MILEY CYRUS: What a landing. EELLS: We were both kind of terrified, I think. It was a situation where neither of us really wanted to back down. I think she just likes doing, she's kind of like pushing the envelope right now. HALPERIN: It's a very difficult thing to do and few can pull it off. When you make that break, it has to be a break. You can't leave one foot in the pre-teen, tween world. TURNER: Miley moved out of her parent's house and in with boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth. Quit acting to focus on a bold new pop album and started distancing herself from her wholesome "Hannah Montana" image. EELLS: She got a new label and new management. She felt like she needed a change because not that they were going to hold her back, but just that they might be sort of scared at the way she was going to go. TURNER: And Miley was going to go for big risks. With her first single, "We can't stop," she released a video full of sex, drugs and in her words -- shaking it like we're at a strip club. DEREK GLASSBERG, EDITOR AT LARGE, "HARPER'S BAZAAR": That was the first glimpse into the post Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus. And we saw a shock of white, shaved hair, rolling around in a bed, playing with plush toys. TURNER: Derek Glassberg interviewed Miley for "Harper's Bazaar." GLASSBERG: She knew it was her make or break moment with the record label. And I think she told the record label, "Look, if you give me this one chance to do it my vision and it goes belly up and it's a bust, I'll do whatever you want." TURNER: She risked it all and it worked. Breaking records, going viral on Vivo and reaching over 10 million views within 24 hours of its release. (MUSIC PLAYING) TURNER: Now, Miley could do exactly what she wanted to and what she wanted was a memorable performance at the MTV video music awards, where millions of Americans would get their first look at the new Miley. EELLS: She was a little nervous because this was a big roll out of, you know, this is who I'm going to be now. TURNER: On stage with Robin Thicke, Miley stripped down to nothing but nude underwear, grinding with a giant foam finger and she twerked. HALPERIN: It worked the way into history, it must be said. And I was sitting right next to Lady Gaga's mom, (INAUDIBLE), and then I remember turning around just to see what those around me were doing and everyone had the same expression on their face, which was like, "Are you seeing what I'm seeing"? TURNER: It was hot, but was it a mess? Her critics thought so. Even Brook Shields, her mother on "Hannah Montana," told the "Today" show - BROOKE SHIELDS, ACTRESS: I feel like it's a bit desperate. I mean I just sort of want to know who's advising her and why it's necessary. TURNER:: Then, there were the more than 150 FCC complaints. EELLS: Some were pretty humorous. Someone said it was like watching a brothel. Other people complain about child pornography, which she's 20 years old. TURNER: Miley's reaction - EELLS: She laughed the whole thing off. It didn't seem to faze her. She knew it was going to get a reaction. That's part of why she did it, but everyone is talking about her. TURNER: And Miley was quick to point that out, tweeting "My VMA performance had 306,000 tweets per minute. That's more than the blackout or Super Bowl." And she said exactly what she thought in her MTV documentary, "The Movement." MILEY CYRUS: It's a strategic, hot mess. Right now, I'm in a point in my career where I can be exactly who I want to be, just go for what you want to do. TURNER: The controversy only fueled her confidence. In her next video, Miley was sometimes naked while riding a wrecking ball and licking a sledgehammer. And this time, she wanted to show something different. Her vulnerability. EELLS: Two-thirds of the way through the song when the bridge hits and you really, you see her shed a tear. TURNER: A tear over a tortured romance. Rumored to be about her fiance, Liam Hemsworth. EELLS: I think she wants to show the more sensitive side of her and not just the party girl side, too. TURNER: Soon after its release, "Wrecking Ball" became the number one song in the country. Miley and Liam announced they were breaking up for good. And "SNL" invited her to host the show. MILEY CYRUS: Who are you? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you mean? I'm old you. TURNER: On everyone's mind, what would the wild child do next? ANNOUNCER: Miley Cyrus! TURNER: But surprisingly, Miley was pretty tame. There was no nudity. No twerking. And no apologies for the VMA. MILEY CYRUS: If I owe anybody an apology, it's the people who make the bottom half of the shirts. TURNER: The mild mannered performance kept the focus on the music. HALPERIN: She's showing, you know, the different sides of Miley Cyrus, the performer and the one thing you can't deny, even going back to "Hannah Montana," she has a really good voice. She knows how to sing and "Wrecking Ball" just puts it out there. (MUSIC PLAYING) TURNER (on camera): I'm going to list some words that some people have used to describe her. Disaster. HALPERIN: Definitely not. Very calculated and very self-aware. TURNER: Gifted. HALPERIN: Yes. Definitely gifted. Has talent. Fearless. Very fearless. TURNER: And finally, genius. HALPERIN: I don't know about that. Let's not go crazy. EELLS: The new Miley is in control. I think she's really smart and knows what she wants to do with her career next. TURNER (voice-over): And what she does next, she told MTV, will be unforgettable. MILEY CYRUS: Every time I do anything, I want the remember this is what separates me from everybody else. I do get so overwhelmed when I'm going to perform because everything has to be perfect. Everything has to be so huge. Everything we do has to be a moment.


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California (CNN) - CNN's Freedom Project went undercover with the Human Trafficking Task Force in Orange County, California, as officers worked to break up a suspected Asia sex trafficking ring.
Police say the suspects moved women from China to the U.S. and enslaved them in residential brothels to work as sex slaves. The women were given little food and clothing, according to police.
Life as a sex slave is a nightmare, a woman who asked to be identified as "Soo" told CNN's Thelma Gutierrez. Soo knows what the victims were going through. She came to the United States with dreams of a better life, but wound up a sex slave in a massage parlor.
Soo, who is now free, said: "We are humans. We are not animals."
CCP devils did this.
You are an idiot, plain and simple.
This support of the CPP brought to you by the CCP...
The authors of this column would like to apologize for the comments on this column. Those responsible have been sacked. Those responsible for doing the sacking have also been sacked.
CCP is evil in some respects, but i dont see any causality between human trafficking and dictatorship etc. . and btw, the girl being interview speaks korean.
Inflammatory statement from a failed person.
Sorry, but I don't think the Community College of Philadelphia is all that bad....
What did Crowd Control Productions, the makers of EVE Online ever do to you and how are they in any way shape or form related to this story?
Hmmmm.... even in this China is the "net exporter" in the US-China trade. Come on Americans, here is your opportunity to score over the Chinese!!!
Ajay, you chose an Indian name, suppose you are related to ShovelinSnow. There are more than one and a half million eunuchs in India. From your jaded tone, you sound like you are one of them.
See ShovelinSnow around.
He is the Indian troll who has been shoveling tons of racially inciting statement onto CNN, and inciting hatred between the West and East.
He wrote 30,000 racist slurs, using avatars including ShovelinSnow, ShadowSnow, MyMinions,proud Indian from Bangalore, etc.
Your an idiot with your comment about scoreing over the Chinese. China is a great place to work and visit. For you to say something that undermines the importantance of U.S. China relations really shows your lack of intellegence. First of all WE will never get back at the Chinese because they are an important nation that we are tied to economically, so if they go down WE will go down. They are our biggest bank lender so think about that next time you get your pay check. If you wanted to get back at the Chinese the best thing you could do is make products that are worth a crap and create viable jobs that stay in the U.S and tell your government to stop exporting jobs and hiring corrupt politicans to run this country,....but we all know that will never happen, because the majority of every one in Washington is on the GREED train express inflating our currency and still exercising wasteful spending habits. United States is still the best country to live in my personal opinion however we need to police our own before we start taking jabs at other nations.
Kumi, you are a paid CCP mouthpiece. Simple as that.
And this is your opportunity to show that you are a loser^East^Indian! Congratulations! You have totally succeeded!
That's right Mother – Phuckers. Don't be hating Fool. We taking over the world!!!
You are so disgusting and sick! Shame on you.
I am an American, married and living in the Philippines. This is the kind of thing that happens here and in countries like the Philippines. But to see this going on in my home country of the US makes me sick to my stomach and angry as he**. I truly hope the people responsible for this are jailed for many, many years and that the women receive any needed counseling and give help in settling in the US if that is what they want to do. What a terrible thing to be going on in my beautiful America!
That's why the begging lines (for visa) are full everywhere.
In countries such as Albania lottery winners get American visas.
Me ruv u Amelikan rong time
vely vely loooong time
that must be what your cousin said to you, you dumb ignorant redneck inbred.
Totally disgusting.
More government regulations getting in the way of "small business" creating more jobs.
This is not news. Asians are a soulless mass of people who have no morals. They exist and die without ever contributing anything but thievery and cheap electronics.
you are an idiot. please spare us your ignorance and stop posting such stupid commnts.
What a kind and caring message. you must be a white devoted christian.. I could confused you with mother Theresa..
Yes, there are a lot of chipmunks this year. Not sure excatly why, but they tend to go through boom bust cycles, as to many small mammals. Perhaps the deep layer of snow was good insulation to allow more to survive the winter, perhaps abundant fall food allowed for good caches for the winter. There might be a corresponding bumper crop of some raptors.
You're a prejudiced ignorant fool. I'm from the Midwest, white, Euro descent, and lived In Orange County for 10 years. For the most part, the Asians there (UC-irvine area) had much better morals and family values than the rest of the 'White' masses who were born and raised there.
ummmm...... what?
say no more, nudge nudge
Can you give us your views on the middle east?
Ding you're funny
Hey moron watch your mouth, when you say Asians you generalizing the whole Asian country it's saying all whites or all blacks..just watch your mouth idiot.
Why are you all feeding the ignorant troll?
Cack sucking right wing mo fo!!!
Bravo Sir! You just earned 100000 troll points! Well played Sir.
And for the trollees...man this is the internet. Wise up fer Chrissake!
WRONG! they contribute hot, tight, wet sideways slits for our [men] enjoyment. Nothing more.
"We are humans. We are not animals." Not to a slaver, you're just like a poker chip, a soda can, something to be used and thrown away. The clients bear as much guilt for the practice as the meat salesmen.
kill them now
I love how they will run a story on a few Chinese grown women who are held against their will to do what they probably already did for money in China anyway, and yet they flat out ignore the abundant domestic human trafficking that is being done on a daily basis by Child "Protective" Services all over the USA. Where are the real reporters with a backbone that will report on DOMESTIC terrorism, and not on this type of bs.
Because unlike you, they actually know the world has to be happy for one country to be happy. Why don't you open your door and walk outside once in awhile. How about taking a walk around this planet a little. Oh, but you're probably too stupid to read a map to do that. In U.S. a lot of the best doctors are Asian and all these white folks are going to end thanking them for saving their lives, but here they are trashing their Asian ancestors and family. What a bunch of trash. No wonder this country is going downhill so fast.
And where exactly have you heard of human trafficking being committed by child protective services? That seems like it would be big news, but I haven't heard a thing about it, not even on Fox, which makes up stuff like that all the time. citation please.
Well I for one am glad there was a happy ending to all this
internetz win!
Omg I about spit my lunch out!
See ShovelinSnow around.
He is the Indian troll who has been shoveling tons of racially inciting statement onto CNN, and inciting hatred between the West and East.
He wrote 30,000 racist slurs, using avatars including ShovelinSnow, ShadowSnow, MyMinions,proud Indian from Bangalore, etc.
you left out CalObserver
some thing tells me you had your children taken away by Child "Protective" Services.
Anybody whose name consists of only consonants has no soul. Plain and simple.
Strange commment because when I read it I thought it must have come out of your bowells( where your brain is).
Humans... vile, disgusting creatures. They should all be destroyed.
Your Dirty Greasy shall be burned in HELL!!! BooYA!
Your dirty greasy Grand Ma' shall be burned in Hell!!!! Boo YA!!!
And they're blocking UN Security Council action to help Syrian women & children!
People are like ants to them! If they don't care for their own people, why should they care for Syrians? Or Americans?
I never have dug on Asian chicks. Yuck. But thats just me.
That's because No ASIANS are digging your smelly fat furry ASS! Your're a human repellent! Ask your mama!!
and you're phucking gay!!!!
Posted on Dammit. I have long been convinced, for reonsas unknown to me, that Rumours' came out in 1975, the year that I was born. Kind of disappointed to realize I was wrong about that.Oh, well, I've still got Born to Run.'Love your discussion of the album, totally agreed. There are some great singles ( Dreams is pretty close to a perfect song for me), but put together it's greater than the sum of its parts.I love your music writing, I hope to see more of these!
Every single one of those arrested were repukes, even the Chinese.
Orange county is a hot bed of conservetive Republicans, if they aren't running the brothel they are frequenting them.
Leave it to a stupid liberal to turn a sad story on the human condition into a political chess piece...
Either this stuff is more reported or on the increase. Now it's reported through eastern Europe, the Philippines now the US.
But most of the reports are completely unsubstantiated. Anyone can claim anything to support their own agenda. Proving it is another matter.
madmarvelgirl Posted on I totally agree about Jean. They were only sirtatng to get at the potential of that character when she died. Both times. (Both times she stayed dead; not talking about other times).I can't think that I've ever drifted away from a story immediately following a character death, but I know that lineups definitely have an affect on my interest in following stories. I say I'm an X-men' fan, but there are a lot of classic' stories I haven't bothered with because they don't have Scott or Jean in them.
Sum Ting Wong here............
It must be your butt ugly face!!
I wan money back,she no there.PWOMISE ME MUCH BOOM BOOM,NOW GONE...WAD A WHIP OFF.NO MORE NUMMER 1
Mouse, Not every asian speaks like your phucked up Reetarded mama!
Guess we brudders den,duhhhhhhhhh
I am disgusted at all the racist remarks about Asians or any race to that matter.. or even remarks on how they are soulest people with no morals...
I am a white Canadian married to a Filipina. I have travelled to the Philippines many times. ASIA Like Canada and the US yes we have our problems. but they are great people with good morals and a kind heart.
Slavery is a world wide problem. The fact is most slaves are sent to Developped Countries, the USA being the biggest one of all.. The Answer is Clear... Who is needing more morals?
And encouraging big company's such a Wal-Mart... Low prices.. riiight.. how do we get such cheap product.. From cheap Slavery labour.. Dollar stores are just as bad..
More shout outs...who called the mounties?
Shizz getting ready to get real now...the Mounties are here! Hide yer moose...hide yer beavers...they be arrestin everyone up in here!
Vote Obama/Biden 2012
You voted for Palin didn't you. Hahahahahahahahaha
These traffickers should all be put to death.
Kumi is right.
All those found guilty should be castrated at once.
I like Steve's idea.
yup I like Steve's idea too... Vote Steve for President 😉
Sadly, humans have been using other humans as slaves since the dawn of time.
I can only recommend CNN stop wasting internet space with these mindless, irrelevant comments they allow following a story. What a waste of time, nothing to contribute but garbage....I'm out of here.
Good riddance!!!
I want to cream-pie your brown eye. After that, will you drip it into one of your gf's mouths and tell me "Oh what a lovely tea-party we are having..."
I think this is horrifying but they were sold into slavery for money. .... This happens a lot. I hope the psychopaths are arrested. We do not even protect our own children. There has been loads of stories in the news of kids dying because Child "Protective Services", FAILED to actually protect children! Fact!
Was the secret service involved or were they to old for them?
The responsibility for this tragic episode falls squarely at the feet of the immigration enthusiasts who ignore rationality.
I don't see why anyone is surprised by this. They are simply supplying all the millions of American Rice Kings with their underaged Chinese nookie. Eventurally, Asian P-orn is not enough. Where there is a market, there will be a supplier. Not all the Rice Chaser perverts can afford to go to the Philippines or Thailand to get their fix.
This is how ridiculous it's gotten. We have the lowest number of police to residents in my county but still have a task force for a "crime" which should be way down on their priority list. No way to get a cop if you/re burglarized. No way to get a cop to an accident unless someone's killed. Violence and theft exploding but plenty of resources to equip and train a swat team just to bust h oo kers.
If everything wasnt against the law this stuff would never happen. Thd few legal brothels get thousands of women that apply. Lots of men dont want marrage slavery! Liberal cnn will not post this, take down soon or a bible thumper will flag
The responsibity for this tragedy falls squarely at the feet of the immigration enthusiasts who ignore rational, controlled, and sustainable policies.
This story first broke like 4 days ago, why is it a headline only now?
This is so messed up
And yet another reason to ban pronography (misspelling deliberate for obvious reasons). If lust were not amplified by the production and spread of pron, perhaps there would be less of this.
Remember, Ted Bundy said that he got his start on this kind of thing by "reading" Playboy.
Go back to church and play with some snakes. Moron.
Death penalty for the traffickers and extensive public humiliation including photos for the johns. Social media as a public service to expose and humiliate johns taking advantage of unwilling women.
Yet another Chineese import where we're not getting the right tarriff in place.
Even animals do not deserve to be treated this way – no living creature does.
The last part of your message is what I have said many times. Charity begains at home. Look out for the home folks then try to help others. Lets get our own people back to work and then help others.
This would be a good way to get rid of those Palin women once and for all.
Ohh the naughty things I would do to Sarah and her round bubble-butt. Heck, maybe Todd would help double-stuff her. That would atleast shut 2 of her bleeding gash-holes up for a while...
can i torture the pimps. 24-48 hours should do it. the feed the sharks with them.
I feel bad for the people who will now no longer be able to benefit from these women. Usually Chinese women are absolutely dynamite in bed, and really do enjoy the opportunity at a better life that comes from the "secs" trade. Best I've ever had was Chinese.
he he, you probably couldn't afford any other
Do I want the happy ending? Ok? Do you?
Its really scary to read these comments. I can't believe how violent these thoughts are about women who are VICTIMS. How about thinking of how discusting and vile the "johns" and trafickers and other criminals involved in this activity are? Are only criminals and racists posting comments on cnn?
I would like to choke you with your panties while slowly sinking hilt deep into your brown round eye....
The woman who asked to be identified as "Soo" in the TV news was speaking in Korean rather than in Chinese!!! Why???
Those 'girls' are not human. They are just playtoys invented for man's pleasure by the Lord Jesus Christ!
And you actually believe that don't you. GOPtard. Hahahahahahahaha
Its amazing to see stories like this. Especially when some commentators seem to take the side of the bad guys and use their own political agenda to justify their position.
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subset: commoncrawl


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|Like wrapping your arm
around a barrel
One of the key things you need to do at the beginning of your freestyle stroke (that is when your fingers enter the water up front) is to make sure that you actually catch as much water as possible. Imagine wrapping your arm around a barrel which is laying on its side. You need to reach over the barrel keeping your elbow up high in order for your arm to bent and grab the barrel. This is called getting your initial catch for your stroke. The picture below sort of illustrates what I mean, but in this guy's case, he is only half way and if he were doing our exercise, he'd continue to move his fingers down the barrel until his chest would touch it and his elbow would be nicely bent. Then he'd push the barrel behind him, so it rolls off. In other words, he anchors his hand right in front of the barrel and then move his body over the barrel (if he were in t e water).
So, now you understand what you need to do. To help you with this, there exists a special paddle called the TechPaddle and also the Antipaddle. These inventions for swimming enthusiasts are quite nice for beginners and also more advanced swimmers to learn how to actually catch water and not drop their elbow. Most beginner and many experienced swimmers drop their elbow which means their elbow is leading the way under the water when executing their freestyle stroke. Instead, try keeping the elbow at the surface and have your palm lead the way towards the back. The TechPaddle and the Antipaddle helps you with this quite nicely. Below you will see a great explanation of the way this should be done and how the TechPaddle helps you. Don't get scared by the title Early Vertical Forearm (EVF). In laymen terms it just means do not drop the elbow and catch water in your early stroke.
If you end up buying or you are already using the TechPaddle or the Antipaddle, please do let us know how that worked out for you.
Get more tips to improve your swimming by joining our growing Swimator Facebook community or following us on Twitter @360swim.


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Categories: Law Practice Skills
Instructor(s) Erez-Navot, Donna
The Mediation Clinic provides law students with an opportunity to develop both conceptual knowledge and behavioral competency in mediation. Clinic participants will be trained to be mediators during the fall semester in a 5 credit class. During the spring semester, students will mediate more independently to service difficult and diverse cases including landlord tenant and small claims cases.
The Clinic has four components: 1) Students must be available to participate in two full days of mediation training in the beginning of the semester. 2) Students will be required to devote 5 hours per week for mediation sessions and debriefing in addition to a 3) weekly seminar and 4) weekly meetings with Clinical Supervisor where they will discuss the mediation sessions and to prepare for mediations.


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By Caitlin Kelly
Have you seen this post on Reddit?
It's not new, but it's a must-read for anyone applying for a job:
Today I finished interviewing my third new hire this month, two of
which are women. They both are getting paid substantially less than the
man I hired earlier this month, and to be honest I am getting tired of
that. I don't set the wages, I just handle negotiations (HR has to
approve every offer I make).
Our process, despite the pay gap, is identical for men and women. We
start with phone interviews, and move into a personal and technical
interview. Once a candidate passes both of those, we start salary
negotiations. This is where the women seem to come in last.
The reason they don't keep up, from where I sit, is simple. Often, a
woman will enter the salary negotiation phase and I'll tell them a
number will be sent to them in a couple days. Usually we start around
$45k for an entry level position. 50% to 60% of the women I interview
simply take this offer. It's insane, I already know I can get
authorization for more if you simply refuse. Inversely, almost 90% of
the men I interview immediately ask for more upon getting the offer.
Asking for what you want and need is, for many people — women, especially — a terrifying, overwhelming challenge.
So they don't.
They wimp out, then walk around, sometimes for years, pissed off at themselves for not being bolder, for not really putting their desire on the line, whether for better pay or a raise or a personal matter that really needs resolving.
Maybe you really want more respect or attention or more time alone in silence. Or for your husband to stop throwing his wet towels on the bed or your kids to not throw a fit when you expect them to empty the dishwasher or clean up their rooms.
What's the worst that can happen if you ask?
A tantrum
A fight over how "demanding" and unreasonable you are
You lose that gig/client/job offer
They're rude or nasty to you
Then, what's your fallback?
I know this, having grown up in a family where negotiation was rarely an option. You learn, quickly, not to ask because asking for what you want, (which, within limits, is healthy), because you know it's going to cause conflict.
And everyone wants to avoid conflict, so some people just end up caving and resenting and sighing and feeling crappy.
The best choice I ever made — from 2007 to 2009 when I really needed some steady income — was to work retail part-time, selling clothing at a local mall; here's the book I wrote about it.
The money was low, $11/hr, with no commission, but it taught me the most useful skill — how to ask for what I want, simply and clearly and without endless foot-shuffling or hand-wringing,
In retail, in business, it's called closing the deal. It is scary! I still dread that moment of self-assertion, but I do it more often and more quickly now — and my business is doing better as a result. I did it yesterday, dreading (worst case) the client in question was deeply unhappy with my work and would never use me again.
(Helloooooo….that's called catastrophizing. Turned out much better than that. Whew.)
But I had to ask. And I had to conquer, still, my discomfort with it.
I want every woman who works for income to read this fantastic book, "Women Don't Ask", which intelligently addresses why we don't, (usually for fear of pissing people off.)
Women, especially, can get really nasty with other women who ask — because some are themselves terrified of asking, then resent us for having the cojones to do it, which may also force them to ask someone they're scared to push on our behalf.
Do you ask for what you want, in work and in your personal life?
Do you get it?
Related articles
- How Women's Low Expectations Perpetuate The Gender Pay Gap (forbes.com)
- How can women lower the wage gap? (salon.com)
- How to get a pay rise (telegraph.co.uk)
- How to: Negotiate a job offer (reed.co.uk)
- Male-Female Pay Gap Hasn't Moved Much in Years (blogs.wsj.com)
- Women are Partly Responsible for the Gender Wage Gap (business2community.com)


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IE8 Security Part IX - Anti-Malware protection with IE8's SmartScreen Filter
Over the last year, we've published two posts about how the IE8 SmartScreen® filter helps to prevent phishing and malware attacks. In this post, I'd like to share some real-world data on the protection provided to IE8 pre-release users by the anti-malware feature. We've invested heavily in this feature, and we've seen significant results.
Here are some key statistics:
- We have delivered over 10 million malware blocks in the past six months
- That's a block for one out of 40 users, every week
- We've seen (and blocked) one in every 200 downloads as malicious
These are BIG numbers – each malicious download blocked helps prevent compromise of that user's computer.
Here's how it works: SmartScreen's malware protection focuses on identifying and blocking sites on the web that are distributing malicious software. As a reputation-based feature, SmartScreen can block new threats from existing malicious sites, even if those threats are not yet blocked by traditional anti-virus or anti-malware signatures. In this way, the SmartScreen filter complements traditional anti-virus products by providing additional dimensions for both identification and protection. For comprehensive protection from malware, we highly recommend that users also install traditional anti-virus products and keep them up to date.
SmartScreen delivers blocks both in the navigation experience and in the file download experience depending on the situation. This level of control allows us to block entirely malicious sites, portions of sites or just a single malicious download on an otherwise clean site (for instance, a social networking or file-sharing site). Similar to our anti-phishing efforts, we source the malware data based on a combination of Microsoft internal and 3rd party data to deliver the most relevant, comprehensive protection. We're committed to making the browsing experience safer and have a team of people constantly researching and improving protection.
Not all malware protection is created equal-- just because a browser has anti-malware features doesn't mean it protects users from the most relevant threats. A study comparing leading browsers on their ability to block malware attack sites that attempt to fool the user with social-engineering was recently released by NSS Labs. As you can see from the chart below, IE8 is detecting two to four times more attacks than the other browsers. Note that IE7 does not have anti-malware URL filtering; the IE7 blocks below are due to malware sites that are also phishing sites blocked by IE7's Phishing Filter.
We're committed to continuing to deliver the most relevant protection to our users. With the investments we've made in hardening the IE platform, the user is usually the weakest link. Prevalent malware is packaged and delivered in such misleading ways that users understandably have a hard time recognizing when they are at risk. That's where SmartScreen steps in.
|Here's some common examples of what users think they are downloading:
Here's the types of files users are actually trying to download:
There are screenshots of several malicious sites in the safer online experience paper we recently published.
How you can help
Please report sites that you think may be malicious by using the built in reporting mechanism in IE8. Click on the new Safety menu | SmartScreen Filter | Report Unsafe Website. Reports of malicious sites will be verified by Microsoft and added to the SmartScreen filter database.
Comprehensive Protection
With the demonstrated efficacy of IE8's SmartScreen filter, we know that internet crime will evolve. That's why it's so important for us to invest in comprehensive protection to address emerging threats. Key on our list are attacks against web applications, which represent increasingly valuable targets as users' information is moved online.
- IE8 is the only browser to block XSS attacks "out-of-the-box."
- IE8 introduced the first "out-of-the-box" mechanism to allow sites to prevent ClickJacking attacks.
- IE8 introduces new functions which allow sites to build more-secure mashups (toStaticHTML(), XDomainRequest) and supports new standards-based mechanisms (Native JSON support, postMessage()).
- Safer default settings (DEP/NX, per-site AX) mean that users are better-protected than ever before. Group Policy controls (for ActiveX management, enforced SmartScreen blocking, etc) allow IT administrators to reduce the number of trust decisions users face when using IE8.
We're committed to protecting our users from the attacks of today and the attacks of the future. Please stay tuned to the IEBlog for further posts on IE8 Security improvements and results.
Eric Lawrence
Program Manager


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New Catalog & New Products plus TONS of inspirations!
Paper Wishes® & Hot Off The Press have landed in sunny California! It's that time of the year where all the crafts' manufacturers are showing their latest products at the Craft & Hobby Association Winter in sunny California.
With the release of the NEW 2013 Winter Catalog we've included 413 NEW items! Sooo much to show and tell 🙂
Here are some highlights of products from Hot Off The Press! A little something for everyone!
Let's begin with the Paper Collections!
We've introduced 4 new designs to freshen up your paper crafting including: Happy Days Double Sided, White Truffle, Penelope and Painted Flowers.
Along with each paper pack – we've designed beautifully coordinated products including Die Cuts, Papier Tole, Stamps and Dazzles™ plus soo much more!
White Truffle & Painted Flowers Die-Cuts!
We hope you'll love them as much as we do. They coordinate with existing lines: White Truffle and Painted Flowers
New Papier Tole, adds all those final touches to all your cardmaking or scrapbook layouts. They're so much fun to assemble, requires no cutting – just simply punch and attach!
Showing: White Truffle 3-D Papier Tole, Painted Flowers 3-D Papier Tole, Happy Days 3-D Papier Tole, Stitched with Love 3-D Papier Tole (Foil) and Painted Flowers 3-D Papier Tole (Foil)
How can we forget our lovely Paper Wishes® aficionados stampers, we have a lovely range that coordinates perfectly with papers, die-cuts, papier tole and the list goes on and on!
Do you Dream in Dazzles™? If you haven't…you might just do so now! As we've added sooo many new Dazzles™ goodies! New Dazzles™ ranging from the Cross Stitch, Borders, Mix 'Ems and Scrapbooking Dazzles™, we are sure you'll find something you just can't live without!
Artful Cards Kit
We haven't forgotten how much you love the Artful Cards Kit! We've added two new kits, Lemonade Stand and Red Velvet.
Color Me™! Toppers & New 12×12 Papers!
Another favorite is the Color Me™ Card Toppers, 3 brand new designs: Gold Hearts Cards Toppers, Gold Ferns Toppers and Gold Roses Card Toppers.
NEW 12X12 Color Me™ range which is a must have in your craft stash: Chocolate Paper Pack, Hexagon Quilt, Chevrons, Floral, Pretty Tiles, Stripe and tag & borders.
Do you love templates ? 4 new templates to add to your collection including: Teresa's Iris Folding Template #1, Bodacious Blooms Template and the Design Tool Kits #3 and #4! Templates are so handy to have by your side when crafting!
NEW DVD by Teresa Welch, learn how to assemble fabulous cards with step by steps instructions. Featuring nearly 7 hours of videos plus 100 Moveable parts Cards!
New Products! Including 6×6 papers, plus NEW Cutting Dies!!
New Rosemary & Thyme 6×6 papers pack, perfect for quick rectangular or square cards, also for making tags or shaped motives using our templates.
Another New to Paper Wishes® comes NEW Cutting Dies! We've started off with 3 New Dies including:
Bodacious Blooms, Pair of Swirls and Woven Lattice! Intricately detailed dies and work with most die cutting machines!
We've added a New Personal Shopper kit – Premier Cutting dies! – Click here for complete information 🙂
WOW! Love all the new products designs, colors and all of the above! Tell us what you love and just simply can't live without.
A special thanks to Fabrizio Martellucci! Make sure you catch Fabrizio Martellucci, on his blogs, PaperMood, featuring products from Hot Off The Press!
Thanks for reading my little blog 🙂
~ Cristina
Like this post? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here to stay up-to-date on Paper Wishes news, promotions, and all things creative!


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TORONTO - Wannabe beauty queen Jenna Talackova failed in her bid to become Miss Universe Canada's first transgendered victor Saturday, but her supporters say she's already achieved much more than a crown.
"She's a winner to me. That's my baby sister, she didn't let anybody down," said brother Jack Perry, one of more than a dozen family members who cheered the leggy blond throughout the show.
"She's standing up for a lot of people and she deserves everything that she wants. I'm proud of her."
Talackova avoided media after the three-hour gala, slipping away from the downtown theatre to leave the spotlight to 26-year-old Sahar Biniaz, a fellow Vancouverite who claimed the title and advances to the international Miss Universe competition in December.
But Talackova did not leave empty-handed. She was one of four contestants named Miss Congeniality.
Her lawyer Gloria Allred said Talackova also triumphed in a broader fight for equality.
"She won an 'herstoric' civil rights victory and that I think is frankly more important than anything, any victory she would win, even representing Miss Canada," said Allred, who flew in from Los Angeles to support her client.
Talackova appeared confident and animated onstage, throwing flirtatious glances over her shoulder as she strutted in front of the judges in a silky red dress with a plunging back. Later, the 23-year-old showed off her feminine curves in a white bikini and a tight-fitting white evening gown.
At 6-1, Talackova towered over several other contenders and was often easy to spot in the crowd of 62 hopefuls, even though she was often placed towards the back.
Her appearance onstage often elicited loud hoots from supporters, but the cheers barely drowned out muted boos when she was awarded Miss Congeniality.
In the end, audience member Andrew Smith said the right contestant won: "A lady."
"I'm happy a lady won. Most definitely," Smith said immediately after the show. "If a fake lady won it wouldn't have been right."
"But hopefully the (issue) gets talked (about) a little more, that people take it more seriously because right now it's not looked at as something that's serious. It's a lady pageant and women are supposed to be in it."
Pageant judge Justin Ryan applauded Talackova's performance but their decision considered many factors.
"There were lots of interesting qualities to lots of the girls and we had to think: 'Who could win this contest but could also go on to win Miss Universe?'" said Ryan, a celebrity designer known for co-hosting HGTV's "Home Heist" with Colin McAllister.
"And we collectively agreed that Sahar had that extra X factor if you like, that little bit of je ne sais quoi and we're thrilled that she won."
Talackova was initially barred from competing because she was born male but pageant owner Donald Trump over-ruled the decision and allowed her to compete.
She was born Walter Talackova and underwent a sex change operation four years ago.
Her journey attracted extensive media coverage during the run-up to Saturday night's final, catching the attention of 22-year-old Laura Fox who cheered for Talackova along with two friends.
"This is a pretty big moment, for Canada and for Jenna so we thought we'd come and support (her)," said Fox.
Her friend Sarah Moteelall agreed.
"Gender needs to be put into question, why not on the beauty scene where it's so defined, right?" said the 23-year-old.
"Beauty is not gender-based and it shouldn't be. She went through a lot to get up there and she's the first one and it boggles my mind that people even question gender anymore."
Calgary's Adwoa Yamoah was named first runner-up, Ottawa's Majd Soudi was second runner-up, Katie Starke of Uxbridge, Ont., was third runner-up and Toronto's Kesiah Papasin was fourth runner-up.
Also on HuffPost


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Mexico's massive wind play
Mexico, the world's 14th biggest economy, is building a new engine for its energy future, one focussed on wind power.
On an arid plain where sudden gusts of wind can rip roofs off buildings and knock over tractor trailers, Mexico is building a new engine for its energy future.
Surrounded by towering turbines in every direction, the town of La Ventosa – which means 'the windy place' in Spanish – is at the heart of a wind power boom in the country.
Mexico, the world's 14th biggest economy, still punches well below its weight in terms of wind energy, ranking 24th on the planet in installed capacity last year, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
But the market is growing fast. By the end of this year, the national wind energy association expects Mexico to jump to number 20 on the list, which is dominated by wealthy European nations, the United States, China and India.
"We're talking about the largest growth in wind power projects anywhere in the world," President Felipe Calderon said recently near La Ventosa at the opening of Latin America's largest wind park owned by Spanish company Acciona SA, a long row of turbines whirring behind him.
Producing just 3 megawatts of wind power in 2005, Mexico now has nearly 400 times that, and will have 2 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2012, says the Mexican Wind Energy Association, or AMEE.
Though it only accounts for a fraction of the 2011 global total of nearly 240 GW, by the beginning of next year, Mexico's installed wind power potential should equal almost 4 per cent of the country's own energy needs.
The planned build-up will make Mexico's wind industry the fastest growing in the Group of 20 economic powers this year, said Steve Sawyer, secretary general of the Brussels-based GWEC. He also said Mexico's net addition to installed capacity in 2012 could be the fifth highest of any country.
Most of the increase will come from giant wind farms along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the narrowest point between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Eighteen of Mexico's 27 wind plants now operate around La Ventosa.
Acciona says its $600 million project alone will be enough to power 700,000 Mexican homes, generating 306 MW of energy with 204 turbines. That investment will be followed later this year by an even bigger wind farm owned by the Macquarie Group's Mexico hedge fund, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corp and PGGM, a leading Dutch pension fund.
By turning to wind, Mexico aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels that now power some 80 per cent of electricity.
"It has the potential to transform how Mexico gets and uses energy," said V. John White, director of California's Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies.
AMEE President Leopoldo Rodriguez expects Mexico's total wind power supply to hit 4 GW by 2015, and go as high as 12 GW in 2020 – enough to cover about 15 per cent of future energy needs. The United States, by comparison, aims to generate 20 per cent of its electricity with wind by 2030.
All told, the government estimates Mexico's total wind power potential at 71 GW – a figure well beyond the 51 GW of installed energy capacity in Latin America's No. 2 economy last year.
Natural wind tunnel
The difference in temperature between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean in the southern state of Oaxaca creates one of the planet's strongest wind tunnels as gusts tear through gaps in the Sierra Madre mountains.
"When the wind blows hard here, buses fall over and entire trees are uprooted," said La Ventosa shopkeeper Miriam Luis.
At the other end of the country, Mexico will begin its first-ever wind power exports next year to San Diego, California from a giant farm in the Baja California peninsula.
The government is giving incentives to companies to use wind energy and Cemex, one of the world's largest cement makers, bread maker Grupo Bimbo, the Mexican arm of Wal-Mart, and mining company Penoles are among the corporations signing up.
The Federal Electricity Commission, or CFC, offers companies a discount on electricity prices if they sign long-term power contracts with wind farms. As a result, the CFC is able to seek international financing at attractive rates to improve transmission infrastructure and promote the boom.
Some firms take advantage of government tax breaks to build the farms themselves and others simply buy the energy from wind plants already being built, mainly by Spanish developers.
Under the government's scheme, companies get credit for feeding the national grid with extra electricity they don't use, leading to savings up to 10 per cent on their electricity bills.
Investors can also make good money from wind projects in emerging markets such as Mexico, said Rupesh Madlani, head of clean technology research at Barclays Capital.
Rates of return in Mexico are "comfortably over 10 per cent" compared with 8 per cent for western Europe, and 10 per cent for many developing nations, Madlani said.
Calderon, a conservative, has won praise for his environmental policies but he cannot seek a second term at a presidential election in July so it will be up to his successor to advance his green plans in the world's no. 7 oil producer.
In a sign of continuity, Congress recently passed a climate change law mandating that more than a third of Mexico's energy will come from renewable sources in 15 years. The law would lead to a 12 per cent drop in absolute emissions from 2005 levels by 2020, according to a research note by HSBC.
Renewable energy, including hydropower and solar, generates more than a fifth of Mexico's electricity. The government also plans to build new dams and install more solar panels.
But the towering wind parks, and the foreign developers behind them, are not entirely welcome in Oaxaca.
Activists complain that locals only see a small share of benefits from projects that have cluttered the isthmus with hulking turbines. Indigenous groups in Oaxaca say that small farmers have been duped into leasing their land below market rates to make way for the rapid expansion.
The turbines, some 26-stories high, have dramatically changed southern Mexico's picturesque mountains and coastline.
Hundreds of acres of corn, bean and sorghum fields have been rented out to wind companies for existing farms or ones under construction.
Some residents complain they were not properly informed beforehand about the scale of the development and now either want more money from the big companies or want them gone.
"For us, the wind isn't just a resource, it's part of our life from nature that shouldn't be sold," said activist Bettina Cruz, a native Zapotec speaker. She was briefly arrested this year for organizing noisy protests to block the wind farms.
In most lease agreements, companies pay for the 'right to wind' and allow farmers access to their land even if it falls within the park's boundaries.
Opponents say they are often arbitrarily fenced out of their land in violation of the agreements and that irrigation canals and fields have been destroyed during construction.
The projects mostly create temporary jobs, not permanent employment, meaning the impact on long-term economic development is limited in Oaxaca, one of Mexico's poorest states.
The companies counter that the lease agreements are fair and can provide an extra source of income to poor farmers.
Under 'right to wind' leases, landowners on Acciona's wind park receive some 14,000 pesos ($1,000) a year – nearly half an average annual salary in the area – per 2.5 acres (1 hectare), said Amado Marin, head of a local farmers' cooperative. They can get even more if their plot is host to a turbine or a road.
With every new turbine, though, subsistence farming practices that date back centuries are slowly disappearing.
"Farmers are not planting anymore. You don't see the typical local fruit as much. The corn that used to be planted everywhere, is gone," said Javier Valvivieso, a highway worker in La Ventosa. "Instead, it's the wind business."
This article was originally published by Reuters. Reproduced with permission.


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At MyMediTravel, we're making medical easy. You can search, compare, discuss, and book your medical all in one place. We open the door to the best medical providers worldwide, saving you time and energy along the way, and it's all for FREE, no hidden fees, and no price markups guaranteed. So what are you waiting for?
Brazil is South America's largest country and has a population of over 209 million people and is famous for its football (soccer) and carnival traditions. Steeped in natural beauty, with the Iguacu Falls and Amazon Rainforest and famed for its 98-foot tall statue of Christ the Redeemer. Brazil offers more than 60 JCI-accredited facilities and is one of the leading destinations in the world for cosmetic surgery, with General Surgery procedures being especially popular. Doctors are often Western-trained and speak English on top of Portuguese and Spanish. Local accreditations include the Consortium of Brazilian Accreditation and the Brazilian Hospital Medical Quality Organization (ONA). Popular locations within Brazil include the capital Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Curitiba.
As a large country, the weather in Brazil varies from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. A large part of the country lies in the topics. Brazil is a year-round destination because it has a steady average annual temperature. The temperature rarely drops below 20 °C.
Winter in Brazil starts in May and ends in September. The weather remains tropical in the north with an average temperature ranging between 20 °C to 30 °C. In Rio de Janeiro, the temperature varies between 14 °C to 25 °C. However, the evenings usually feel a lot colder. There are a lot of rainy days in Rio during this season. The weather in São Paulo is colder than Rio.
The temperature in Rio rise between November and March, with the highest temperature of around 40 °C but with a thermal sensation of around 50 °C. The Rain rarely lasts long during these months. In the north of Brazil, the rainy season starts in December. March and May see the heaviest rainfall. It's hot and humid with frequent rain throughout the year in the Amazon.
The most popular international airports are Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (popularly known as Galeão International Airport) and São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport. Both airports serve domestic and international flights to many cities around the globe. The airports mainly serve major airlines but there are budget airlines such as Norwegian Air UK. Tourists can take taxis, bus, train, or car rental from both airports to the city centers.
Brazil is really big, so there will be a lot of long-distance travel to get around the country. The easiest and fastest way to get from one city to another is by domestic flights. The only downside is that the tickets are very expensive. LATAM and GOL Airlines offer multi-trip tickets or air pass. The most economical option is to buy an air pass if you plan to visit a number of different cities.
Buses are popular in Brazil, servicing most areas of the country. The bus system is excellent and provides a comfortable and economical way of travel. Be aware that the distance can be really tiring and overwhelming; some trips can take over 40 hours. The buses are operated by hundreds of different private companies, but the price is standardized. The fare varies from 75 BRL to 240 BRL. There are luxurious buses too.
A good way to get around major cities like São Paulo and Rio is to use Brazil Metro (subway). The fares are around 3.50 BRL to 3.80 BRL. You can purchase rechargeable travel cards. The metro does not operate at night. Be sure to watch your belongings at all times when traveling on the metro.
Taxis run on a metered system, but if you travel a bit further out of town, you need to negotiate the price with the driver. It is best to phone for a taxi or pick one up at a taxi station and make sure to get into a licensed taxi. Ferries and other water travel are important in many parts of Brazil.
Citizens of 72 countries and regions can enter and stay in Brazil for up to 90 days. An identity document is accepted instead of a passport in some cases. Other nationalities (including China and India) need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country. It is advisable to check to the nearest Embassy of Brazil for more information regarding the visa.
e-Visa is available and valid for two years for stays up to 90 days per year.
Search by Region, Location or Project


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The Effect of Consciousness-Raising Tasks on Iranian Elementary EFL Learners' Syntax Acquisition
This study was carried out to examine the effect of consciousness-raising tasks on the syntax acquisition of Iranian elementary EFL learners. To this end, a Cambridge Key English Test (KET) was administered to 85 elementary level learners at a Language Institute in Tehran, Iran. From among these learners, 60 homogeneous subjects were selected and divided into control group and experimental group. Before starting the treatment, a pretest was administered to both groups and t-test results showed no significant difference in their information about the grammatical structures under study. Then, the control group learned these structures traditionally whereas the experimental group worked on a sequence of consciousness-raising tasks. At the end, all subjects in both groups were post tested to check the progress they made after receiving the treatment. The results of the analysis of data showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group on the posttest.
Full Text:PDF
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v4i2.1852
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Snap: MyKonos coming soon
Looks like a Greek-American restaurant named MyKonos Caf© is opening up in the former Old Grounds Caf© space near Cici's Pizza. We contacted Great Eastern Management to find out more, but have not heard back from them. Be sure to check the Hook's food blog for updates.
More Snaps
3 comments
Get the gyro at Blue Grass Grill, it is much better. It's interesting to finally eat a really good gyro. And I've been around the gyro, let me tell you boys. Both coasts, and the Greek Fest in Richmond. So do not ignore my advice. Get a good gyro. Finally. No I do not work there or know anybody who does. I give this advice for you.
Mykonos Cafe is being opened by the owner of the White Spot and will serve a Greek/American menu.
Hope they deliver! Haven't had a gyro delivered since I moved out of College Inn's delivery zone after college. (Still have the phone number committed to memory umpteen years later.)


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Academic Rigor
Dorm Life
Food and Dining
Bang for the buck
Clubs and Activities
Campus Safety
Canisius has great programs for the majors and minors that they offer. The science programs are very demanding, but will prepare you for medical, dental, and vet schools.
To find more tips for prospective students, what to do for fun and whether this school is great for a particular type of student read the 46 reviews for Canisius College
Curious about something that isn't answered here? Feel free to ask Canisius College a question
Canisius provides so many opportunities for its students. The professors do everything they can to help you succeed. This school opens so many roads and I have really enjoyed my time here.Read More
after visiting the campus a few times and receiving my acceptance letter i was very excited to know that i had a great opportunity in becoming a griffin and joining the canisius community. coming from a smaller high school and having my religion being a substantial part of my being, i thought canisius would be a great fit for me and would be the best choice out of my other options for college.Read More
Canisius has a very wide variety of programs here at the college. The staff here is outstanding and very caring. The small class to profesor ratio gives you a better experience. The facilities at Canisius are improving and the new Science Center is a work of art. Coming to Buffalo may not seem all that and may seem scary because the surroundings, but here at Canisius it is a tight knit community and everyone knows eachother and helps you out.Read More
Admission process was super easy! Great financial aid for out of state students. easy and understandable process for selection of classes for freshman, AP scores accepted were a bonus!Read More
Canisius is a Jesuit school with small class sizes. It was great being able to know my professors personally and have one-on-one time. The athletic department was also great and very supportive of it's student-athletes.Read More
Canisius has a great community feel and professors that are interested in their student's success. There are a lot of opportunities for jobs after college, clubs and organizations to get involved in and make new friends. Canisius was a welcoming environment for me when I transferred here and I am happy with my decision to attend this college.Read More
Comfortable setting and rigorous academics. Biology program is challenging but extremely rewarding. I especially enjoy being a teaching assistant.Read More
Canisius is great, small class size, amazing people and a very helpful staff. The size of the school is an advantage to me, because you'll get a lot of one on one time with professors.Read More
I love going to Canisius! It's a great school to make lifelong friends and build connections with your professors. Canisius is highly known for it's academics and programs.Read More
On a scale of 1-10, I would rate my college a 6.5. Out of class, I would like my teachers, but the courses are rigorous, and very difficult. The food is also not up to my standard AT ALL.Read More


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Your jnAccount: Log In or Register | New to Jellyneo? Click here!
Stamp Album Listing
Stamp collecting is a popular, and expensive, activity to do on Neopets. There are many album pages of stamps to collect, and there are always new ones coming out. There are even some other collectibles, such as coins and charms.
For all you avid collectors, we have a Stamp Checklist so you can find out exactly which stamps you are missing!
Remember! Once you place a stamp into your album, you cannot take it out again.
Mystery Island
The stamps above will cost approximately 280,361,720 NP or more.
(There are 4 unknown prices.)
(view individual prices in the Item Database below)
You can receive an avatar by completing the page above:
Help us improve!
Did you find what you were looking for on this page?
This article was written by: Dave


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andante vienna
Sale price
Regular price
April 23rd (6:30 PM) tuesday is cooking day!
Sale price
Regular price
Spending a few days in Vienna? Interested in learning more about Viennese Cuisine? Want to meet the locals? Here is the perfect opportunity! Join us on a culinary journey through Austria! Meet our passionate staff and spend a few most memorable hours at our culinary atelier at Hetzgasse 39 in Vienna!
Cooking class: EUR 77.- / person
The price includes a cooking class, all the necessary ingredients, a self-cooked three-course menue (including the recipes) and a welcome drink. Credit cards (MASTERCARD // VISA) accepted.


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Welcome to Heads Up Sit and Go
Posted by in Uncategorized on April 21, 2011
Our goal is to provide a complete guide to beating heads up tournaments in a simple format. These games are easier to quantify than almost any other poker game, and we have included starting hand charts, push/fold charts, information on adjusting to different types of players, and lots of useful information for handling different blind levels. Our goal is to provide a complete guide to beating heads up tournaments in a simple format.
We recommend that you read through each blind level first, paying close attention and rereading any portions that don't seem to make sense or require a significant change from your current playing style. Once you have a good feel for how heads up matches are played, you can click on the tab for the number of big blinds in the effective stack* and use the charts and simple advice in that tab while you play. Once you have a clear understanding of everything on this site you'll want to check out our Resources page for links to more advanced strategy training.
We love Heads Up Poker!!
*Effective Stack in a heads up sit and go is the shorter of the two stacks. Click on the tab that is the appropriate range for the shorter stack.


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New York City's health department released a report Monday showing that diabetes-related deaths in the five boroughs reached a record high of 5,695 in 2011.
The findings come roughly three months after Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration suffered a setback to its efforts to ban the sale of sugary sodas bigger than 16 ounces in movie theaters and restaurants.
The mayor's administration argued that the restrictions would help reduce obesity and other health issues, but the proposal faced a fierce blowback from restaurant owners and exhibitors who accused Bloomberg of operating a "nanny state" and jeopardizing their businesses.
Also read: NYC Appeals Soda Ban Ruling
A day before the regulations were scheduled to go into effect, State Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling ruled that the rules were invalid and said that the New York City Board of Health could not enforce them.
The department has appealed the ruling. A spokesman for the department did not immediately respond to questions about the status of the appeal.
The report argues that while the overall death rate in the city has declined in recent years, diabetes-related deaths are increasing. Since 1990, the proportion of all New York City deaths related to diabetes nearly doubled, from 6 percent to 10.8 percent in 2011.
"Diabetes is a condition that too many people live with and die from," Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said in a statement. "It is linked to our epidemic of obesity, and like obesity, it can be prevented."
The department said it plans to release a new 30-second radio ad educating New York residents about ways to reduce their risk of developing diabetes. Among the suggestions is to cut back on sugary drinks.
The radio spot will air through the month of June.


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NEW YORK (AP) Carmelo Anthony scored 22 of his 30 points in the first quarter, and the New York Knicks held on after he departed with a sprained left ankle to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 116-107 on Thursday night in coach Mike D'Antoni's return to Madison Square Garden.
Firing in 3-pointers and moving the ball to open shooters, things they often struggled to do under D'Antoni, the Knicks won for the eighth time in nine games and improved to 9-0 at home for the first time since the 1992-93 season.
Meanwhile, things are starting as poorly for D'Antoni in Los Angeles as they ended in New York. The Lakers, still without Steve Nash and Pau Gasol, were never really in the game while losing their fourth straight and falling to 9-14.
Raymond Felton scored 19 points, and Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith added 18 apiece for the Knicks.
Kobe Bryant had 31 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. Metta World Peace finished with 23 points and Dwight Howard had 20.
ATLANTA (AP) - Devin Harris scored 20 points, Josh Smith added 18 and the surging Atlanta Hawks handed Charlotte its 10th straight defeat.
The Hawks are 12-3 since losing three of their first five games this season. Atlanta has won two straight and five of six.
Gerald Henderson had 17 points and Ramon Sessions 16 for the Bobcats.
Lou Williams had eight of his nine assists in the first half for Atlanta. Williams, who finished with 13 points, matched his career high in assists, and Ivan Johnson added a season-high 16 points.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Rookie guard Damian Lillard had a career-high 29 points and Portland handed San Antonio its second consecutive loss.
The Spurs, who have dropped only six games this season, trailed by as many as 12 in the second half but Manu Ginobili's layup cut the deficit to 89-85. J.J. Hickson answered for the Blazers with a running hook that made it 91-85 with 2:36 left.
Danny Green hit a 3-pointer to pull the Spurs closer again, but Portland clung to the lead and Nicolas Batum - who has been bothered by a sore back - made a 3 that gave Portland a 96-90 advantage with 1:08 left. Batum hit two free throws with 8 seconds to go for the final margin.
It was Lillard's 13th game this season with 20 or more points. LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points for the Blazers and Hickson finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Tony Parker had 21 points for the Spurs, who were coming off a 99-96 loss at Utah on Wednesday night that snapped a five-game winning streak.


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The price charged for a web page all depends wher you live and how big the
company is that is designing the site.
I'm a freelance web designer. for the UK.
for example, where I live, the average price for a plain HTML and graphics
site is about £100-175 per page. Any sort of scripting or database developemnt,
ASP etc. is usualy charged according to the databes or what ever. (relevant
to size)
However in London or the states, you can expect to pay at least £200+ for
a plain HTML and graphics page.
As a freelance desdigner, you basicly charge according to your experience.
If you have lots of good URL's or are highly skilled at ASP, DHTML, Perl,
CGI etc, you can charge as much as you feel neccessary, if you are a beginner,
you wont get any work if you are over charging.
hope that helps..
<email@example.com> wrote:
>My first freelance design opportunity was for a local
>carrer opps site and i charged by the page initially and then
>for different formats that where in the page like asp/java/ and such by
>hours it took me to develop them, but after i wazs done before i uploaded
>i got a quote from an isp that offered
>site building and as much as i charged it was not even close to what they
>would have charged...so i called back and asked how they went about charging
>and all they would tell me is there designer makes an hourly wage plus bonus.
>thats all i know man(^:


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Chicken Soup with Herbed Matzoh Balls
Ann Stratton
A timesaving tip: Make the broth and matzoh balls up to 3 weeks in advance and freeze separately. A filling first course that's still a light choice.
Cal/Serv: 105
Yields: 1
Total Time: 2 hours 45 mins
For the Chicken Broth
2 lb. chicken wings
2 medium celery stalks
3 medium carrots
1 small onion
1/4 tsp. whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
3 can chicken broth
For the Matzoh Balls:
1 c. unsalted matzoh meal
1/2 c. plain seltzer water
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. finely chopped fresh dill
1/4 c. finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 c. Eggs, lightly beaten
For the Soup:
1/4 c. minced fresh chives
1/4 c. chopped fresh dill
Fresh dill and chives for garnish
- Prepare chicken broth: In 6-quart Dutch oven or saucepot, combine broth ingredients and 4 cups water; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; skim foam from edge of Dutch oven. Partially cover and simmer 45 minutes.
- Strain broth into large bowl, pressing down on chicken and vegetables to extract as much broth as possible; discard chicken and vegetable pieces. Cover and refrigerate broth overnight or until cold enough to remove fat from surface. Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 weeks. Makes about 9 cups broth.
- Meanwhile, prepare matzoh balls: In large bowl, with fork, stir matzoh ball ingredients just until evenly mixed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.
- In 8-quart saucepot, heat 2 quarts water to boiling over high heat.
- While waiting for water to boil, with damp hands, shape matzoh-meal mixture into forty-eight 1-inch balls and place in 15 1/2-inch by 10 1/2-inch jelly-roll pan. (Matzoh-ball mixture is very wet; you will need to moisten hands often while shaping mixture into balls.)
- With damp hands, drop matzoh balls, one by one, into boiling water in saucepot; heat just to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 45 to 55 minutes, until matzoh balls are tender and cooked through.
- With strainer or slotted spoon, remove matzoh balls to paper towels to drain, then transfer to clean jelly-roll pan; use immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Or, place matzoh balls (so they don't touch) on jelly-roll pan; cover and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer balls to freezer-weight self-sealing plastic bag or plastic container and freeze up to 3 weeks.
- To serve, remove and discard any fat from chilled chicken broth. In 4-quart saucepan, heat chicken broth to boiling over high heat. Add matzoh balls; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes (10 minutes if frozen) or until matzoh balls are heated through. Stir in minced chives and dill. Garnish with herbs if you like.
Tips & Techniques
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
More From Food & Drinks


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Simple roast lamb with garlic herb butter rub
1 bone-in lam leg piece, 3-4 pounds
salt and pepper
1 T oil
a big handful of parsley, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 T butter, softened
2 t thyme
2 t paprika
salt and pepper
Let the meat sit at room temperature for an hour or so. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle lamb all over with salt and pepper, then heat a cast iron pan with the oil until the oil shimmers. Sear the meat on all sides until nice and brown. Mix together the parsley, garlic, butter, thyme, paprika and salt and pepper. Put the meat in the oven and cook 30 minutes, then take the meat out of the oven and smear with the herb butter. Turn the heat down to 350, then cook another 20-40 minutes, until a thermometer stuck in the thickest part of the meat registers 130 for medium rare. Let rest, covered with foil, until the sauce is made.
Pom and red wine reduction sauce
3/4 c red wine
1/3 c pomegranite juice
pan juice from the lamb
1 T horseradish mustard (or your favorite mustard)
salt and pepper
Drain the fat out of the pan you cooked the lamb in. Return it back to the heat with the juice and add wine and juice. Cook on medium high until reduced by at least half. Stir in the mustard, taste for salt and pepper, and cook another minute or two. Serve with the lamb.


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Viewing articles tagged 'backup'
If you do not wish to enter your cPanel or Amazon S3 login info on the backupcp portal you can...Can I backup all my users using BackupCP?
If you have a reseller WHM access you can backup all the users in your account using BackupCP.How can I configure Dropbox as my backup destination?
Please refer the follow link for tutorial on adding dropbox as backup destination in...How can I configure Google Drive as my backup destination?
To upload backup file to GoogleDrive we need to create a Google (Drive) Service Account. 1) You...How do I get the URL to download my backup file from Amazon S3?
To generate Web URL for a particular file(s) - Select the file(s) for which you want to generate...How frequently can I backup my accounts with BackupCP?
You can backup each account daily (with upto 30 retention), weekly and monthly. You can select...How to setup BackupCP from "Configure On Portal"?
This help video explains you How to setup BackupCP from "Configure On...Where will be my backups stored?
You can store the backups at your own AWS S3 account or any FTP account. You can select different...
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Our application process requires that you complete our online form. You must have an active email address so we can easily communicate with you. If you do not have email, you may set up a Gmail account. When you have established an email account, return to our website to view and apply for job opportunities.
For external applications only:
External applicant means you are NOT currently employed by ISD 279 Osseo Area Schools in a regular position.
Please note: If you hold a teaching or administrative license from another state, or you are a graduate from another state, you will need to obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Education. For detailed information, visit MDE.
Opportunities with other employers
- School bus drivers are needed! Contact First Student to apply. Please note that bus drivers are employed by a private bus company, not the school district.
ISD 279 employees:
For internal job postings, please visit My279.
For any questions, please contact Human Resources at 763-391-7007.


text: Book – Personal finance Editor and syndicated "Funny Money" Detroit News columnist O'Connor moved to Detroit with his family shortly before the Great Recession of 2007. As his personal financial situation declines, he is looking for ways to save more, invest more and spend less. He makes a mission to cut his family's expenditures by $1,000 a month over the course of ten weeks, and record their progress in a series of newspaper columns. He sets up ten categories to target for savings, such as transportation, groceries, entertainment and groceries. Devoting a chapter to each category, he discusses ways to free up cash, make ends meet and "pinch pennies so hard that Lincoln gets a headache." I liked his approach, although I found his humor a bit monotonous. I didn't find many new specific ideas, but was intrigued by the idea of setting a specific family budget challenge and methodically working through categories to explore possible savings.


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Burrs are classic puzzles that use straight notches peices (often called sticks) that fit together on an X-Y-Z axis.
A common burr is the 2x2x2 Burr (six pieces), but there are many sizes and degrees of complexity, of which we are pleased to offer a few.
Burr Puzzles
20 Items
20 Items


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Captaincy, Goaltending Among Sharks 5 Questionsby Staff Writer / San Jose Sharks
After a painful offseason in the wake of their stunning first-round meltdown against the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the San Jose Sharks will try to regroup for 2014-15.
The Sharks, still in search of their first Stanley Cup championship, are no strangers to postseason disappointment. But they've never collapsed the way they did against the Kings last spring, when they dropped four straight after taking a 3-0 series lead. It was a historic loss which sent shockwaves throughout the organization.
Here are five key questions the Sharks face this season:
1. Who will be the captain? -- Joe Thornton's four-year reign as captain is all but officially over, as is Patrick Marleau's lengthy run as an alternate. The Sharks will enter training camp without a captain or any alternates, and coach Todd McLellan said he'll fill those jobs based on performance and merit. According to McLellan, Thornton wasn't "stripped" of his captaincy and could regain the role, but it appears much more likely that the Sharks will turn to younger players to fill the leadership positions.
Forward Joe Pavelski, coming off a career season, appears to be prime candidate to wear the "C." He led the team in goals (41) and points (79) and ranked second in assists (38). He's a no-nonsense, highly respected player with an off-the-charts hockey IQ.
Center Logan Couture and defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic are two other likely candidates.
"We've got a lot of players that are just coming into the prime of their career, have a lot of experience," general manager Doug Wilson said. "They're ready to step up both on and off the ice involvement with this team. They're looking forward to it. They have to be willing to step up and do it. It just makes us a better team if they all do."
2. Will there be a new No. 1 goaltender? -- Antti Niemi has owned the starting job for the past four seasons, but he faces a huge challenge from backup Alex Stalock, who posted better numbers than Niemi in 2013-14. Stalock went 12-5-2 with a 1.87 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. Niemi was 39-17-7 with a 2.39 GAA and a .913 save percentage.
Niemi led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 2010, but Stalock made a strong impression last season and was rewarded with a two-year contract, keeping him off the free-agent market. Niemi is in the final year of his contract.
"Alex has come up through our system, battled through adversity. We know what he's made of. He wants to compete for the net," Wilson said. "Antti Niemi has won a Cup and has been a very good goalie in this League. That's very healthy competition."
3. Can Logan Couture bounce back after an injury-plagued season? -- Couture's hopes of having a breakout season and making the Canadian team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics were derailed by a hand injury that required surgery in early January. He scored 23 goals in 65 games, two more goals than he had in the 48-game lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
Wilson expects Couture to get back on track.
"The right type of people respond the right way and I think Logan will come back and have a tremendous year," Wilson said.
4. Will Tomas Hertl build on his promising rookie season? -- Hertl had six goals in his first three NHL games. He scored four times against the New York Rangers, capping his highlight-reel night by scoring on a between-the-legs shot. He had 17 goals and 11 assists in 39 games before sustaining an injury to his right knee on Dec. 19 during a collision with Kings forward Dustin Brown. Hertl had surgery to repair two ligaments and didn't return until two games remained in the regular season.
"I expect him to take off right from where he left off," Wilson said. "He's a talented player, great hockey sense, loves to play the game. He's a very important part of this team."
5. How will the Sharks respond after their stunning first-round loss? -- The Sharks were humiliated after losing four straight games to the Kings. Most likely, they'll use that meltdown as motivation.
"The way we ended was disappointing to say the least, but it's something that we're going to have to look into the mirror, each one of us, and look to each other and all start pushing in the same direction," defenseman Jason Demers said.
"I think we still have that team that can go all the way."
Author: Eric Gilmore | NHL.com Correspondent


text:
Charging Li-Cells
The charging process of Li-ion batteries is very similar to that of lead-acid systems: the Chargers are current and voltage limited. Particular attention should be paid to the end-off-charge-voltage. Under no circumstances it may exceeded the limit given by the manufacturer. An exceedance can cause excessive heat or even fire.
Complicating factor is that different types of Li-batteries with different end-of-charge-voltages are common in the market. The main types are: lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide and lithium iron phosphate cells. They differ in energy density and current-carrying capacity as well!
Characteristics of Li-Cells <--back


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Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2015 750ml
Joel Gott Zinfandel California 750ml
California Wine, Napa Valley
About Joel Gott Winery
Napa scion Joel Gott was born to make wine. His grandfather was winemaker and president of Inglenook in the 1960s and 1970s while his father, Cary Gott, is the founder of Montevina and continues to consult for wineries such as D.R. Stephens.
In addition to Joel's uncanny blending ability, he has privileged access to many of the best and as yet undiscovered fruit sources in the Napa Valley. Joel Gott wines are therefore remarkable values, offering gobs of classic California fruit, good structure and excellent balance.
Of course, Joel is also the proud proprietor of Taylor's Refresher, Napa Valley's red hot retro-chic "hamburger joint" on Highway 29, and most recently, in San Francisco as well. Robert Parker once proclaimed a meal at Taylor's one of the finest meals of the year in the Wine Advocate!Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is a mix of diverse vineyard sites throughout California; a combination of fruit that produces an elegant, structured and delicious profile a wine that we enjoy drinking. - WineryJoel Gott Chardonnay Monterey 2007
The Monterey appellation is one of the most diverse and climatically cool grape growing regions in California. The fog and cooling air from Monterey Bay slow maturity and allow the grapes to develop classic varietal characteristics, and a natural balance between sugar and acidity by harvest time. This environment has produced a Chardonnay that has flavors of citrus, pear and jasmine with bright acid structure. To preserve these characteristics and retain the purity of the fruit we crafted this wine using stainless steel tanks for fermentation and aging, and prevented malolactic fermentation. This is simply a clean, crisp, delicious Chardonnay unfettered by toasty oak or buttery lactic acid flavors.Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc California 2008
The careful selection of grapes from vineyards in Monterey, Napa and Lake Counties yields an excellent Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has great complexity and structure which balances the fruit and acidity. Joel Gott sourced the fruit from the cool, coastal vineyards of Monterey which allow the grapes to mature slowly and develop intense citrus flavors with crisp minerality. Combined with richer, more complex grapes from the sun-drenched Napa Valley, the blend evolves into a more structured, balanced wine. Grapes from Lake County enhance the wine's acidity and heighten its tropical flavors. Together, these locales produce a wine with aromas of guava, watermelon, Meyer lemon and a long, juicy finish. Aging this well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel preserves the intense fruit aromas and flavors without the cloaking presence of malolactic fermentation. The screw cap enclosure and the UV safe green glass package ensure that our wine maintains freshness throughout its life.Joel Gott Zinfandel California 2007
Our Zinfandel vineyards are in the top growing regions in California: Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and Amador. This wine reflects the soil and environment of each distinct location. The vineyards in Lodi and Amador are old head-trained vines, which are dry-farmed and produce deeply concentrated fruit. This fruit combined with the depth of Napa Valley fruit and the spiciness from cool Sonoma County, creates a blend that truly shows California Zinfandel at its finest. Dark ruby red color with supple, mouth filling tannins that offer lively acid structure and an elegant balance. Classic currant, plum and sweet oak aromas lead to ripe berries, cherry, and spicy flavors with a long, sweet and juicy finish.Joel Gott Zinfandel Dillian Ranch 2006
Our 2006 Dillian Ranch Zinfandel offers yet another fine small production Zinfandel from the Sierra foothills. After 13 years, it remains just as unique, balanced and elegant as our first vintage. Tom Dillian has been growing high-quality grapes in Amador County for over 35 years. He is a fifth generation farmer specializing in Zinfandel. All of the fruit for this wine comes from his 20-acre farm in Plymouth, CA. Mineral-rich red soils and a relatively longer growing season make this wine unique in its depth and give it a natural balance. The old-headtrained vines produce a Zinfandel with aromas of black cherry, root beer and mint. The Dillian Ranch Zinfandel remains a tradition at Joel Gott Wines. Back in 1996, Joel bought five tons of Zinfandel from Tom, a family friend, and the rest is history. Even with all the recent vineyard and winery innovations, Tom continues to dry farm his predominantly old-vine ranch and hand-harvest all the fruit. We barrel age the wine in neutral American and French oak for 15 months.