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One for Desert
December 1, 2012
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Marcia Langton
Forty years after the Gove land rights case, the Yolngu people finally have an economic stake in their country.
Ten years ago, I asked a young Aboriginal man working on a mine site if he enjoyed his job. He was on a team with a roster of 12-hour daily shifts for two weeks on the job, one week off, and his home was about four hours' drive north of the mine. Confronted by a nosy older woman like me, he mumbled his answer: "Yeah."
"Why is that?" I asked. "I'm out of the community for a couple of weeks and I don't have to put up with the fighting." I asked him if he had saved any money. He had bought a house, he said. He was a member of a team that provided mechanical repair and other services to other units in the operation, and some of the team members were young Aboriginal men in training.
I thought about the changes in his life that employment on this project must have wrought. It had given him some financial freedom and freedom from the Sturm und Drang of community life where interpersonal, inter-family and inter-clan conflict sweeps up everybody into a never-ending monsoon of suspicion, accusation, abuse and violence.
Young men, as much as young women, all too often are the victims. His matter-of-fact declaration of his hard won ticket to freedom jolted me out of any sense of complacency about the benefits of jobs at the mine. Others there saw the extraordinary changes in the lives of young people who stepped into this world, and it motivated them to set bold targets for Aboriginal employment.
But the absence of corporate social responsibility in the past and a long history of blatant injustice are part of the story.
In 1973, Nabalco, a Swiss-Australian consortium started mining and processing a 250 million tonne bauxite deposit, one of the world's largest, and established the new town of Gove, later called Nhulunbuy, in the Northern Territory. The mine and town were built on land that belonged to the Gumatj and Rirratjingu clans of north-east Arnhem Land.
Whereas previously the only signs of incursion in this vast Aboriginal homeland was the Methodist mission at Yirrkala and some infrastructure dating from World War II era, now there were 1000 white men building the refinery, port, mine infrastructure, the town and the longest conveyer belt ever in Australian history.
The clan leaders drafted a petition on bark to the Parliament in Canberra pleading that it should not proceed.
After an inquiry - to no avail - the traditional owners decided to litigate. They brought the question of Aboriginal rights to land and the concept of native title before the courts for the first time in Australian history. The plaintiffs ''asserted on behalf of the native clans they represented that those clans and no others had in their several ways occupied the areas from time immemorial as of right''.
They challenged the validity of the Commonwealth government's grant of mining leases over their territory.
In the end, their case, called the Gove land rights case, was unsuccessful. Justice Richard Blackburn found that native title was incapable of recognition at common law.
He upheld the decisions of previous courts that the Crown was the source of all title to land, maintaining the doctrine of terra nullius, and concluded that indigenous interests in land had not survived the acquisition of sovereignty and did not form any part of the law of Australia.
The decision was a tragedy, just as much a tragedy as the destruction of landscapes and sacred sites that followed, because it denigrated Yolngu laws and traditions.
The bauxite mine and its voracious culture poisoned relations between the Aboriginal people and each successive company that has owned it. The Yolngu people were marginalised in their own country. Their children became debilitated by alcohol, drugs, unemployment, and a new phenomenon, poverty. The elders rued the injustice and the impacts, especially the psychological impacts, with a growing sense of frustration and alienation, as each company that owned the mine refused to negotiate with them.
This changed five years ago when Rio Tinto acquired the Canadian company Alcan. The Rio Tinto Alcan agreement was signed last year. The Yolngu at last have an agreement governing the operation giving them an economic stake in the region. It encompasses outstanding long-term financial terms and opportunities to tap into the regional economy. The downturn in bauxite prices globally has engendered caution among the parties and a sense of urgency. No opportunity can be lost in this precarious situation.
Yet, only a handful of Yolngu people have ever worked at the mine. This refusal is attributable to the grief and anger of the elders whose world changed with a sharp shock, an emotive burden passed down the generations along with all the cultural wealth they have to offer.
The clan leaders have been developing an economic strategy for some years, assisted by legal firms committed to Aboriginal people. They are transforming their traditional economy, culture and ceremonial life with the leverage that strong land rights has provided.
They are reinstating the work ethic that underpinned their resilient society and building a diversified regional economy to free their members from the drudgery of poverty and indignity of welfare dependence.
The Yolngu have also turned to the resource industry as a springboard for business development.
This year, Gumatj executives signed an agreement with the goal of establishing a geothermal project on Gumatj land to provide a much-needed source of energy for local industry.
Galarrwuy Yunupingu, whose presence throughout this history has been decisive, is like many of our generation: old school in his attitudes and habits. He has borne the mantle of conferred leadership with dignity and perseverance, taking his responsibilities seriously and working diligently. He has rejected the protectionist, welfarist path in Aboriginal policy and demanded a sensible approach to economic development, and parity in education and employment.
The solution he devised to the sense of alienation and the discrimination that excluded two generations of Yolngu from employment at the mine was to establish Yolngu enterprises to create jobs. There are now 40 men and women employed in clan projects who would not otherwise be in work.
One involves harvesting the timber removed from the mine site and other areas and mobile sawmills are in operation producing timber for construction of houses, buildings and fine hand-crafted furniture.
It has been met with fierce opposition from environmental campaign groups - a slap in the face for the Yolngu who have run the most successful biodiversity and environmental conservation program for more than a quarter of a century. The Gumatj projects are an example of diversification and coexistence: custom and cultural traditions of kinship are accommodated in their workplaces, with cousins working together and teams harmonised by having men and women in the correct customary relationships. They enter the Gumatj workforce without sacrificing their cultural selves. The obligation to attend ceremonies is no longer an excuse not to work, and the leaders, although not always heeded, demand a full workday. During ceremonies, they start early in the morning, work until 3pm and arrive at the ceremony at 4pm when the yirdaki, or didgeridoo announces it is starting.
The success of this model lies in the affirmation by leaders of their commitment to land, culture and ceremony, a work ethic, and economic drive; all these values coexist and strengthen the group.
But this renewal has come after a 40 years of disappointment, anger and frustration.
Galarrwuy and his fellow clan leaders have finally seized control of their destiny with a powerful vision of the future.
Some might call this self-determination, but I have witnessed these leaders grow in intellectual understanding of their predicament, in their determination to solve problems, and to be their own agents, to join with committed people offering their expertise, and develop new institutions and cultural innovations.
This is the third in a series of edited extracts of the 2012 ABC Boyer Lectures to be delivered by Professor Marcia Langton, who holds the Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne. It will be broadcast on ABC Radio National on Sunday at 5.30pm and will be available online at abc.net.au/radionational/boyerlectures.
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The Arc Jacksonville On Campus Transition at UNF (OCT) is committed to the inclusion and integration of students with intellectual disabilities within the university and the community. Our focus is transitioning students into adulthood by providing opportunities for students to experientially learn how to become independent, engaged, well-adjusted, and contributing members of society. The program provides comprehensive services to give students a well-rounded college experience and to meet students' unique needs and desires. The program offers students the opportunity to self-direct and collaboratively create a Program of Study, a unique and customized plan for achievement, which focuses upon developing the following areas: academic enhancement, career development, university life, health/personal growth, and independent living/community life. Students are encouraged and empowered to act as self-advocates and to further enhance their self-determination through the implementation of their Program of Study.
The OCT views and respects their students as adults. Students are not limited by focusing on their "mental age." We firmly believe that if you treat an adult like an adult, they will behave like an adult. The opposite also remains true: if you treat an adult like a child, then they will behave as such. Students:
Our staff:

subset: commoncrawl


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Hello chaps ,
I have found myself in the mood for some Gnine-ing about and felt the urge to build something new, below is progress of a card sketch-model for a new locomotive, which will be put to work on the Demaine & Son layout…and another project I have been slowly planning in the background too.
I have used the underframe from the Gnine-a-mite, which I decided I wasn't happy with. I stripped away the bonnet to keep for a generator wagon, and scrapped what remained. The underframe is built for use with a Bachmann Plymouth chassis, which I have finally re-aquired after frying my old one a week or so before MOMING last year! If it were not for the help of Mr Bennett that day I'd have been scuppered! This chassis is my preferred choice for shunting, in my experience it out-performs the little KATO, but then it is double the price…
Back to the loco, I drew the original bonnet shape in illustrator, as I wanted something a bit different – I'm debating whether this locomotive will be battery or I/C powered – I guess we'll see as it develops. The whole model seen here is built with scrap card, some of it is laminated to add strength, and it is a tough little beast even now.
Here, sat next to a Sidelines Tiny, the little engine's size is revealed to be in good proportion and consistent with the other Gnine items I have which is a bonus! First try too! That was enough for one evening, course work was calling.
The next evening after walking the dog and a brief run, I had taken some time to think about what I wanted to try next, so I sat at my desk and bit the metaphorical bullet.
I have always wanted a cabbed loco, and although the scale/gauge combination makes it a bit of a challenge to maintain a locomotives dignity by adding a cab, my previous attempts have usually resulted in something resembling a caricature of an engine rather than a genuine little workhorse for my industrial little line. I think this time, adding width to the cab body has helped, and I have actually made it too tall if you notice, Eddie is sat in there with plenty of headroom, so I will be amending this in the final version of the model. Below is another comparison shot with the Tiny to show how everything scales up.
I have another figure in mind to take place in the cab, so I may need to shave a few mm off the bonnet to allow room in the cab for his larger back-side! I need to see what the cab looks like fully enclosed as I would prefer this, so I'll update as work progresses.


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It's hard to make skintight spandex and padding look good. Especially in live-action, but even in four-color comics, it can look just silly or weird. Last week, we surveyed the worst superhero costumes. But what's the best superhero costume of all time?
Please include a picture, comic-book cover or movie clip for your chosen costume. And please mention the name of the character, where he/she appears, and why the costume is so great. Thanks!
Top image: Captain America's World War II uniform is the perfect blend of military uniform and colorful superhero garb, which retains the "star-spangled banner" theme but looks like something you would actually wear into battle.


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ARLINGTON (AP) – After a grinding stretch when the Texas Rangers lost nine of their last 13 games, and the AL West crown in the process, manager Ron Washington gave his players the day off Thursday.
They get a chance to start fresh Friday.
One chance — or the season will be over for the two-time defending American League champions long before another World Series.
"I don't feel any different," Washington said. "Other than the fact we have an opportunity to get back in the playoffs if we win a ball game."
Still, the team that twice came within a strike of winning last year's World Series, never expected to be in this kind of postseason situation.
Instead of winning another division title, after being in first place for a majors-high 178 days this season, Texas hosts a winner-take-all AL wild-card ga,e Friday night against Baltimore and former manager Buck Showalter.
Yu Darvish makes his MLB postseason debut for the Rangers against the only AL team the right-hander from Japan didn't face this season. Lefty Joe Saunders, a late-season acquisition by the Orioles, has never won at Rangers Ballpark.
The winner goes on to play the New York Yankees, another of Showalter's former employers, in the AL division series and will host the first two games.
Baltimore is in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Showalter, hired by the Orioles midway through the 2010 season, dismissed any notion that it means more to him getting to face Texas, where he managed for four years and then was replaced by Washington after the 2006 season.
"For our players and organization to get an opportunity, it's rewarding. We're trying to do everything possible to get back to Baltimore," Showalter said. "Personally, I thanked the players for letting me come along for the ride. "
Just a week ago, Texas had a four-game division lead with six to play after splitting a four-game series at home against Oakland. The Rangers lost five of those last six games, including a three-game sweep this week against the A's, who clinched the division title on the last day of the regular season with a 12-5 victory.
The Rangers had a 5-1 lead in the season finale before Oakland's big comeback, including center fielder Josh Hamilton missing a popup for a two-base error with two outs that allowed two runs to score and broke a 5-all tie.
The 4-9 span is their worst such slide of the season. The only other time they were swept in a three-game series was the first week of July at the Chicago White Sox.
"Just like any of our fans or anyone involved with our organization, there was a level of disappointment at first. A chance to win the division, and we couldn't put it away," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Then you take a step back and realize there are 20 teams that would kill to be where we are right now and would trade places with us in a heartbeat. … We've got one of our best pitchers on the mound at home."
While Darvish (16-9) is a rookie in the majors, the 26-year-old starter had plenty of postseason experience before the Rangers committed more than $107 million last winter to acquire Japan's top pitcher. He was 8-2 with a 1.38 ERA and five complete games in 11 postseason starts for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2006-11.
"He's an expensive one," Showalter said. "He's impressive. They gotten a return on everything they've invested. He's pretty special."
The Orioles acquired Saunders (9-13 overall, including 3-3 in seven starts for Baltimore) on Aug. 26 from Arizona. The lefty has previous playoff experience for the Los Angeles Angels.
But Saunders is 3-7 with a 6.48 ERA in 11 career starts against Texas, including 0-6 with a 9.38 ERA in six previous starts at Rangers Ballpark.
"You can make numbers any way you want to," Showalter said. "If you're looking for pitchers with good numbers against the Texas Rangers, they're hard to find."
It has been more than two years since Saunders pitched in Texas, and he allowed only one run in seven innings then. Now the Virginia native who grew up an Orioles fan is starting their biggest game of the season.
"It's a huge opportunity. It's been a blessing since I got traded over here, it's been an amazing experience," he said. "It'd be really nice to get a win for the club and get a playoff game back home. That's what this organization is asking me to do."
Texas won five of the seven games in the regular season and scored at least 10 runs three times. That includes the May 8 game in Baltimore when Hamilton, the free-agent-to-be slugger, became the 16th player in major league history with four homers in a game.
Hamilton (43) and Adrian Beltre (36), the standout defensive third baseman limited to being the designated hitter against Oakland because of a strained left shoulder, have the most homers by a pair of big league teammates this season.
The Orioles have a pair of 30-homer hitters in Adam Jones (32) and Chris Davis (33), who is among seven former Rangers playing for Baltimore.
Davis was traded to the O's with right-hander Tommy Hunter in July 2011 for Koji Uehara, the righty reliever who retired 25 consecutive batters for Texas before giving up a single in his last outing.
"The big thing for us was coming in August and playing these guys and kind of dealing with the emotions of being back, being on the other side of things," Davis said. "Right now we're definitely excited to be in the postseason, and we really don't care who our opponent is. … We're just glad to be in this situation."
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Dodgers recall Tim Federowicz; option Justin Sellers
The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled catcher Tim Federowicz from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned infielder Justin Sellers to Triple-A Albuquerque. Federowicz was recently named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the period of April 29-May 5, batting .571 with three doubles, a triple, three homers and six RBI in that span, and overall was hitting .531 with seven homers and 20 RBI in 13 games with the Isotopes. Federowicz enters his third stint of the season with Los Angeles after making the Opening Day roster and has appeared in three Major League games this season, going 0-for-5 with a walk.
Sellers was batting .191 with one home run, one double and two RBI in 26 games this year for the Dodgers.
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Top attractions in Budapest
Skip the Line: Széchenyi Spa Full Day Package
Budapest Daytime Sightseeing Cruise
Budapest Parliament 45-Minute Guided Tour
Budapest: Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer
Budapest: 3-Hour Grand City Tour and Castle Walk
Budapest 75-Minute Scenic Pizza & Unlimited Beer Cruise
Full-Day Szentendre Cruise from Budapest
Alternative Budapest Walking Tours
Budapest: St Stephen's Basilica Tour with Tower Access
Budapest: 3-Hour Live Guided Sightseeing Tour
Budapest: Rudas Spa Wellness and Dining Experience
Top sights in Budapest
Top 10 things to do in Budapest
Coveted by both the East and the West for millenia, Budapest's rich blend of culture, art, and architecture will leave you thoroughly charmed. Here are 10 of best things to do in the united cities of Buda and Pest!
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
With indoor and outdoor pools served by two different thermal springs, the Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest's City Park forms the largest medicinal bath in Europe.
Hungarian Parliament Building
Not to be outdone by its Neo-Gothic façade, the interior of Hungary's parliament boasts stunning frescoes, statues, and stained glass mosaics, as well as the Holy Crown of Hungary!
Chain Bridge
Considered a wonder of the modern world upon its completion in 1849, Chain Bridge was the first to span the city's Danube river, eventually uniting Buda and Pest as one city.
Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út)
Flanked by Neo-Renaissance mansions, Andrássy Avenue, the city's main shopping district, is a World Heritage Site lined with cafés, restaurants, museums, and theaters, as well as luxury boutiques.
Hungarian State Opera House
Perhaps the most impressive landmark on Andrássy Avenue is the Hungarian State Opera. Inside it's equally divine, and the world-class performances aren't bad either!
Matthias Church
A turbulent history has seen the Matthias Church undergo several incarnations, yet with its magestic dimensions and ornate style, it remains a star of Buda's Castle District.
Fisherman's Bastion
Named for the guild of fishermen that once defended Buda's Medieval riverbank, Fisherman's Bastion's dramatic views have made it one of Budapest's most visited attractions.
Buda Castle
The Buda Castle complex dates back to 1265 and housed the Kings of Hungary right up until 1918. Budapest's largest and most famous sight cannot be missed. Literally!
St. Stephen's Basilica
Named in honor of Hungary's first king, St. Stephen's Basilica's outstanding beauty stands in stark contrast to the right hand of St. Stephen kept among its relics!
House of Terror
The House of Terror is not simply a museum but a memorial to the victims of the fascist and communist regimes analyzed within its exhibits.
Planning Your Budapest Visit
When to go?
Budapest attracts a lot of visitors at the height of summer. However, with its sights spread all over the place, the city absorbs large influxes of tourists better than most. Still, the best time to visit is probably early or late summer when the weather's not too hot to enjoy the thermal baths!
How many days?
Even just seeing the sights could fill a long weekend in the city quite effortlessly. If you want to experience Budapest's best baths, museums, and nightlife then start thinking about at least a week!
How to get around?
Budapest is served by an extensive public transportation network. The Millennium Underground is the second oldest underground railway in the world (after London's Metropolitan Line)! Tickets must be bought before boarding, and are available at metro stops and newsstands. But be warned: a standard single ticket doesn't allow you to change between lines, so ask about special tickets if your journey requires them.
Good to know
- Language
- Hungarian
- Currency
- Hungarian forint (HUF)
- Time Zone
- Country Code
- +36
- Best time to visit
- Spring & Fall
Things to Do in Budapest
Top Attractions in Budapest
Cities in Hungary
Other Sightseeing Options in Budapest
Want to discover all there is to do in Budapest? Click here for a full list.
What people are saying about Budapest
Really wonderful and relaxing time - loved the experience!
We were in two minds whether to visit Gellert Spa or Széchenyi Spa. We decided to do the Széchenyi Spa and were not disappointed. We chose to visit later in the afternoon to do an evening visit and glad we did. Evening session is less busy and an alround better experience at night (especially for the romantics). We took our own towels and slippers (bath hats not necessary unless swimming in main pool). There are lots of thermal pools in doors with variating tempatures, so lots of choices, together with sauna and steam rooms. However, our favourites were the outdoor pools of which there were 2. One with hot jet steams and the other with bubbles and a really fun river. I would suspect on a busy day this could be like people soup but just pick your time early or later in the evening and you shouldn't be disappointed. Building itself is beautiful and kept very clean. We hired a cabin for each of us, but to be honest if you are a couple you could share one.
Great evening cruise and excellent view of the Hungarian Parliament
I booked this activity on the day - I was happy with the price paid, the welcome drink I got was tasty, and we got an amazing view of the Hungarian Parliament as the boat went up and back down the Danube river. I would recommend arriving fairly early so you can grab a seat outside at the front or the back of the boat. Having said that, even though we arrived probably 5 minutes before the boat was due to depart and all the outside seats were taken by that point, but we were still able to stand at outside at the rear of the boat (leaning against the railings) and got excellent views anyway! Would do again.
Interesting but multiple languages was an issue
I enjoyed seeing Budapest and the main guide was knowledgeable but this was booked as an English tour and he had to repeat everything in Spanish which became quite confusing and annoying (for both sets of audiences) as you missed things that were already in the rear view. The English guide at the city itself was difficult to understand. It would be good to include in the tour description how long is the ride, whether you stop for food and how long you are actually in the city.
Impressive tour away from the common hotspots
This tour was our highlight of our journey. We were shown many local alternative shops and places for "real" Hungarian food. The guide, a young English/Hungarian local, was friendly at all times. We we given great background knowledge and found out more about the stunning streetart in Budapest. We can highly recommend this tour for everyone who wants to see the "true" Budapest and not only the new and trendy tourist places. An amazing tour with a dedicated, pleasant guide.
Don't be put off by the word bike, it is an amazing tour.
Our tour guide was amazing and interactive. Bikes are definitely the best way to see the town. I recommend doing the tour in the morning so you can go back to places of interest. The bikes were well suited to the terrain and the group size limit was perfect. Dont be put off by traffic as the roads are fairly wide and for the majority you are on bike tracks or quiet streets. There is only one hill but the bikes are well equipped with gears to make it doable.


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Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod
(571) 272-8400 or
Washington, D.C. - In Fiscal Year 2006, the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) set new agency records in goals related to quality, production, electronic filing, telework, electronic processing and hiring.
"The USPTO has spent the last four years concentrating on meeting or exceeding objective measures, as required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (The Results Act), continuing to make system-wide process improvements, and using related metrics and measures for gauging progress," noted Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas. "I am proud that fiscal year 2006 was a record-breaking year for the USPTO. These records reflect the hard work and sound decisions of more than 8,000 USPTO employees. Over the past four years, we have focused internally-shining a bright light on our organization, raising the bar on our metrics and measures, and making system-wide improvements. We are now seeing the results of those efforts."
Quality and Production - High quality and timely examination of applications advances science and technology and creates the certainty innovators need in capital driven markets.
Patents: Patent examiners completed 332,000 patent applications in 2006, the largest number ever, while achieving the lowest patent allowance error rate-3.5 percent-in over 20 years. At 54 percent, the patent allowance rate was also the lowest on record. Patent allowance rate is the percentage of applications reviewed by examiners that are approved.
Trademarks: The agency also processed a record number of trademark applications in 2006. USPTO trademark examining attorneys took final action on 378,111 trademark applications, a 36 percent increase over the previous year, and achieved a record low final action error rate, with mistakes found in only 3.6 percent of the trademark applications reviewed in FY 2006.
Hiring and Training - Hiring top-notch scientists, engineers, and lawyers-and properly training them in patent and trademark law -are the foundation of a strong intellectual property system.
Patents: The USPTO received in excess of 440,000 patent applications in 2006, a record number. To help meet the demand, the agency hired a record 1,218 patent examiners, exceeding its goal by more than 200 people. To support this dramatic hiring increase, the USPTO replaced its one-on-one training model with a university approach for new hires. This allowed the agency to deliver comprehensive training to new examiners, while more experienced examiners and supervisors focused on quality examination. The agency will continue to hire over 1,000 patent examiners each year for the next five years. Even so, the volume of applications will continue to outpace the agency's capacity to examine them. USPTO continues to look for ways, beyond hiring, to reduce the backlog, while maintaining examination quality.
Trademarks: In 2006, the USPTO received 354,775 trademark applications, a 9.7 percent increase over the previous year. To keep pace and reduce backlogs, the agency hired a record 87 new trademark examining attorneys, bringing the total to 413-the most in agency history.
Electronic Filing and Processing - User-friendly patent and trademark processing systems are key to quality examination.
Patents: The USPTO implemented the Electronic Filing System-Web (EFS-Web), a user-friendly, Internet-based patent application and document submission solution. This system dramatically increased the electronic filing of patent applications from 1.5 percent per month to 33 percent per month.
Trademarks: Since 1998, the USPTO has seen a steady increase in the number of trademark applications filed electronically. In 2006, a record high 94 percent of all trademark applications were filed electronically, compared with 88 percent last year.
Telework - Giving employees the opportunity to do their jobs at alternative work sites is family friendly, raises morale, helps the agency attract and retain high quality staff, and reduces commuter traffic.
Patents: The first 500 patent examiners began working from home four days a week, using a hoteling program to book office space the one day a week they are in the office. The agency expects that an additional 500 examiners will be added to those already working from home each year for at least the next five years.
Trademarks: The work-at-home program for trademark examining attorneys is nearly 10 years old and is well known throughout government. Two hundred and twenty trademark examining attorneys (85 percent of those eligible) participate in the program. It is considered a model program and over the years has received numerous awards, including in 2006 the "Telework Program with Maximum Impact on Government Award" from the Telework Exchange.
International Relations and Enforcement -- Protecting U.S. intellectual property around the globe is an important element of U.S. economic security.
As part of the Bush administration's Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP), the USPTO worked with other U.S. Government agencies to fight piracy and counterfeiting around the world and continued a communications campaign to educate small businesses about protecting their intellectual property. The USPTO conducted more than 200 intellectual property rights training and outreach activities in over 100 countries. In addition, USPTO placed intellectual property experts in Brazil, China, Egypt, India, and Thailand to advocate improved IP protection for American businesses and to coordinate training to help stop piracy and counterfeiting abroad.
Full results of the agency's progress can be found in USPTO's FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/annual/2006/2006annualreport.pdf.


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Toms River Homeless Support Volunteers Win National Award
What started as a one-man mission to help Ocean County's homelessness victims rebuild their lives has grown into a nonprofit organization reaching throughout New Jersey and beyond - and the 85-year-old founder has gotten new energy for his mission with a $5,000 award.
Clark Paradise's volunteer group, the Toms River-based Your Grandmother's Cupboard, is the 2012 recipient of Home Instead Senior Care's Salute To Senior Service award. The Omaha-based network chose Clark's mission from more than 1,500 organizations around the country.
Home Instead representatives delivered the symbolic oversized check to Clark and his wife of 62 years, Jean, during Senior Night on June 5 at First Energy Park in Lakewood. The Lakewood Blueclaws took an active role in the presentation as well.
Clark's journey into volunteer service is all the more remarkable for its timing. He revved up the energy he needed to establish Your Grandmother's Cupboard at age 75 - a time when most of us would be winding down.
He says he was living in the Midwest, running a lackluster business and at loose ends with life. Then he found himself engaged in a pointed and stunning discussion.
"I went down by Lake Superior," he recalls. "I had a long talk. I said 'Lord, what do you want me to do?' He said, 'Help.' And I said, 'Could you be more specific?' But that was it."
Clark's path led to Ocean County, where he became familiar with Minister Steven Brigham and started collecting items to help people in what became Lakewood's Tent City.
"One Friday afternoon," he continues, "He tapped me on the shoulder. He said, 'Do something about the people in the motels.' I didn't know there were people in the motels. It turns out there's three or four hundred that the County puts in the motels." Here's where some miracles begin to occur.
"We had an old van. But I figured we're going to have to have a trailer if we're going to haul stuff to the motels. So I went to Hecht Brothers and found a nice trailer for $2,400. I came back Saturday and said, 'We don't have $2,400 to buy a trailer."
"On Monday, I got a check out of the blue from a man in California I'd never even met. I'd talked on the phone and did him a favor. He said, 'Here's $1,200. Do something good in your area.'" One of his sons, says Clark, stepped up with the remainder.
Another benefactor, says Clark, was the owner of the Roslyn Plaza, who donated the space for the burgeoning effort. Since then, it's expanded to branches in Phillipsburg and Wayne.
The program is simple. People who clean out their closets, attics, basements and garages bring items to the building. Clark's 30 or so volunteers sort it all for genders, ages, and uses, and they drive the donations to a route of spots in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Clark says that the cash award will give them just enough money to cover gasoline expenses for a year. He credits all his progress and benefactors to that starting discussion by Lake Superior, and to the Supreme Being that guides his every step.
At the presentation, Clark was accompanied by his wife Jean, and they called it an extra reason to celebrate - the other being their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Your Grandmother's Cupboard in Toms River is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 'til 4. Find out all about the growing mission at http://www.yourgrandmotherscupboard.org.
Home Instead Senior Care also began as a husband-and-wife mission, from an office in Omaha in 1994 to a network reaching throughout America and 17 nations around the world. Find out more about its mission to provide non-medical home care and companionship to the elderly at http://www.homeinstead.com.


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How do AIG and CNA get away with telling so many lies and paying for so little ?
They get help from those put in place to "ensure that workers' compensation benefits are provided promptly and properly"
The Department of Labor's Jacksonville Florida District Office Director Charles D Lee, formerly of Liberty Mutual, gave his seal of approval to CNA's lies by refusing to find them in default of an order that he signed himself. It took seven years to get this order.
If Mr. Lee does not remember signing this order over two years ago he should. While he signed the order for medical and indemnity probably without reading it, slapped a form cover letter to it, he did not bother to determine the amount of back indemnity and interest owed which allowed CNA to not pay on time and escape the 20% per day penalty. So few penalties apply and so little enforcement of those that do.
It took many telephone calls and finally assistance from Michael Niss, the Director, Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Office of Workers' Compensation Programs at the time, to encourage him to do his job. He was not going to do it just because an injured contractor had not received his check and was trying to find out why.
The failure on the District Director's part to find CNA in 18 a Default occurred despite having in his possession legitimate proof, letters from Doctors stating that they had never been approved and had in fact been denied payment.
Proof of CNA lies to the new Claims Examiner, who comes to us from KBR with a KBR attitude, are ignored by everyone in the DoL from herself, Charles D Lee, Kristina Hall, to Eric Richardson, Miranda Chui, to the DOL IG.
CNA never produced a receipt for paying back years of Medical Care that they were responsible for and refused to provide but Charles D Lee determined that they did so based on their attorney saying that they did.
CNA paid for a small fraction of the past medical care, finally, 16 months after the order was signed. While this is clearly a 16 month default during which time the claimant has this debt hanging over his head despite having an Order in place, CNA is not held responsible. A receipt has never been produced. Charles D Lee takes them at their word while their lies are in his hands.
No dollar value is applied to the damages caused by a refusal to provide medical care for years on end and so there is no penalty or recovery.
We talk with contractors everyday who have orders in place for medical that never receive it.
The lengthy efforts your attorney must go through to try, not necessarily succeed, to secure the medical care is considered to be "Janitorial" work by CNA that they should not have to pay for.
Why not continue with the Deadly Paper Games when it saves you so much money and the very people that are supposed to be looking out for the claimant condone these criminal actions?
No dollar value is applied to the temporary injuries which become permanent at the hands of CNA.
The hands of CNA, their claims examiners, and their attorneys are so gently stroked by the Departments of Labor's Jacksonville District Office.
The Blood is on all of their hands.


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Hey GANG, don't forget to visit us at our new home at http://GeekyAntics.net (Fred posted to the wrong site accidentally LOL.. it happens)!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), the 2014 live action reboot, is finally here. I say this because we've been seeing coverage on the movie's development for over a year and it all seemed to be bad news for the franchise. That's significant for many of us that were kids when the comic launched in 1984 and eventually transcended every major medium over the course of the fifteen years that followed. In short, you couldn't get away from these "heroes in the half shell" in the late 80s/early 90s if you were tuned into pop culture in the least. TMNT is a bare-bones, predictable plot where a vapid lead reporter stumbles into one troubled situation after another while immature childlike creatures try to protect her with pointless explosions and IQ-free action sequences. Don't think I'm being negative; that's exactly what the Ninja Turtles have been all along, and this film nailed it.
It's the strangest dichotomy from start to finish. On one hand you're watching a familiar plot as April attempts to break a story on the nefarious foot clan that has plagued New York City. On the other hand you're introduced to a new aesthetic for the Turtles that takes some getting used to. As you progress through the film's 100 minute jaunt everything will begin to bleed together and suddenly you don't question a Shredder that looks like the Predator. Despite these visual setbacks, TMNT still remains quite self-aware and has no problem digging deep into the vaults and featuring characters like Vernon Fenwick (Vern) or using the line "tonight, I dine on turtle soup." There was even a line where Vern asks April if the Turtles may be aliens and she mentions how dumb that concept would be – which those that followed the film's development will note was the original idea for this reboot. I even have to commend the frantic camera work of Lula Carvalho that seems to borrow from some of my favorite parts of the cartoon show, in some cases matching the shots exactly, because I never would have imagined it be allowed in a major film.
While Michael Bay did produce this film, his touch is barely present in the grand scheme of things and probably is the last name you should be interested in. I wasn't thrilled with writing duo Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec (of Alias fame among others) penning the script, but a third involvement of Evan Daughtery (Snow White and the Huntsman, Divergent) did assist in grounding the plot and giving it a justifiable ending. Director Jonathan Liebesman's Battle Los Angeles and Wrath of the Titans work clearly came in handy for some of the crazier action sequences – there's an excellent snowy mountainside sequence. Many criticized Megan Fox for being the hot chick without much talent, and while I sadly must admit her acting leaves something to be desired, I would argue she fills the shoes of April O'Neil appropriately in every way except for her visual similarity to the character in comics and cartoons. As usual William Fichtner is underutilized as Eric Sacks, who has a large role in the script but always falls short of any true character development. I'm sure many would argue that the Turtles themselves should be mentioned, but I neither knew much about the actors nor could recognize them enough in the film to consider it notable.
If you grew up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles you probably were introduced by a frantic cartoon whose ability to withstand the test of time is debatable. When the live action film released it was clearly forced to use drama and one-liners to conceal the fact that big guys in rubber suits cannot emulate their cartoon counterparts. This new film is finally able to keep up with what the cartoon started, which may be great for kids and fans of the original, but dwindles to nothing more than Hollywood summer blockbuster spectacle to most others. That doesn't mean there isn't a place for it, but if you're hoping to see some sort of gritty new well-written world where the Ninja Turtles are handled like Nolan's Dark Knight saga, look elsewhere. Still, I can't help but feel that perhaps this license just isn't suited for something so high brow, it's just big dumb fun.
Final Score: 3 out of 5
The reviewer paid to see this film and was provided with no press passes or other promotional material.


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Summer is about warm weather, good times and vacations. Proper planning and saving is key to enjoying your vacation without going into debt. Developing a short term savings plan for your annual summer vacation is smart financial planning. Here are some tips that can help you save money on your next trip.
Air travel
Pick your travel times wisely. Popular wisdom holds that Tuesday and Wednesday are the least expensive days to travel, but this isn't necessarily the case in all markets or at all times of the year. If possible, search for airfares within two or three days of your ideal departure date, and consider off-peak flight times.
Search for flights at more than one airport. If you're willing to depart from any airport near you or arrive at any airport relatively close to your destination, you'll have a better chance of snagging a lower-cost flight.
Sign up for fare alerts. Online travel agencies, travel websites, or the airlines themselves can notify you when airfare hits a low price point or drops by a certain percentage.
Compare baggage charges. Don't settle on a fare before seeing how much extra you'll pay to check your luggage.
Save on parking. At many airports you have the option of parking in an economy lot. At larger airports, you may be able to save even more by parking offsite at private lots. Some hotels offer packages that allow you to spend the night before your flight and leave your vehicle there until you return.
Check hotel websites. Many list their rate calendars on their reservations page so you can see for yourself when rooms are available (and at what price).
Look for freebies. For example, does the hotel offer complimentary transportation to the airport, restaurants, or local attractions? Does the rate include breakfast (having a meal included can save you a bundle, especially on longer trips or family vacations).
Share amenities. Love the amenities at a luxury resort but not the price tag? Book a room at a lower-priced hotel that allows you to use the facilities of a higher-priced sister property.
Watch out for taxes. Though you can't avoid them, lodging taxes vary by location and are based on the room rate, so you can save money on taxes by booking a lower rate or, in some cases, by choosing a different location (a property outside the city, for example).
Compare extra person charges. Will your kids stay for free? Hotel chains often allow up to two adults and two children age 17 and younger to stay in one room for the same rate, but policies vary, and smaller properties may require you to pay more or book extra rooms.
Rental cars
Look for coupon codes or discounts. These are available through many sources, such as your road and travel plan, your insurance company, and your credit card issuer.
Choose the vehicle class that offers the best value. Smaller cars are often less expensive, but not always. Rates vary widely, so check out all rental companies before settling on one. And although you can't count on getting one, it never hurts to ask for a free upgrade at the rental counter.
Pay attention to fuel costs. If you're going to be driving long distances, make sure the rental vehicle has good fuel economy. And decide whether you want to pay for a full tank of gas up front, with the option of returning the vehicle on empty. The per-gallon price is usually posted at the rental counter and may be more or less than what you'll pay if you fill it up yourself off-property.
Consider insurance before you get to the rental counter. Avoid buying duplicate coverage by checking with your insurer to see how your auto policy covers you in a rental vehicle. Some credit card companies also offer some insurance protection for rentals.
Compare extra driver fees. You may pay a surcharge if you add an extra driver, and fees and terms vary by company and location.
The above material was prepared by Forefield.
Gerber Kawasaki Inc.
2716 Ocean PArk Blvd #2020
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-399-6397 www.gerberkawasaki.com


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Artificial Intelligence is a set of tools that are driving forward key parts of the futurist agenda, sometimes at a rapid clip. The last few years have seen a slew of surprising advances: the IBM supercomputer Watson, which beat two champions of Jeopardy!; self-driving cars that have logged over 300,000 accident-free miles and are officially legal in three states; and statistical learning techniques are conducting pattern recognition on complex data sets from consumer interests to trillions of images. In this post, I'll bring you up to speed on what is happening in AI today, and talk about potential future applications. Any brief overview of AI will be necessarily incomplete, but I'll be describing a few of the most exciting items.
The key applications of Artificial Intelligence are in any area that involves more data than humans can handle on our own, but which involves decisions simple enough that an AI can get somewhere with it. Big data, lots of little rote operations that add up to something useful. An example is image recognition; by doing rigorous, repetitive, low-level calculations on image features, we now have services like Google Goggles, where you take an image of something, say a landmark, and Google tries to recognize what it is. Services like these are the first stirrings of Augmented Reality (AR).
It's easy to see how this kind of image recognition can be applied to repetitive tasks in biological research. One such difficult task is in brain mapping, an area that underlies dozens of transhumanist goals. The leader in this area is Sebastian Seung at MIT, who develops software to automatically determine the shape of neurons and locate synapses. Seung developed a fundamentally new kind of computer vision for automating work towards building connectomes, which detail the connections between all neurons. These are a key step to building computers that simulate the human brain.
As an example of how difficult it is to build a connectome without AI, consider the case of the flatworm, C. elegans, the only completed connectome to date. Although electron microscopy was used to exhaustively map the brain of this flatworm in the 1970s and 80s, it took more than a decade of work to piece this data into a full map of the flatworm's brain. This is despite that brain containing just 7000 connections between 300 neurons. By comparison, the human brain contains 100 trillion connections between 100 billion neurons. Without sophisticated AI, mapping it will be hopeless.
There's another closely related area that depends on AI to make progress; cognitive prostheses. These are brain implants that can perform the role of a part of the brain that has been damaged. Imagine a prosthesis that restores crucial memories to Alzheimer's patients. The feasibility of a prosthesis of the hippocampus, part of the brain responsible for memory, was proven recently by Theodore Berger at the University of Southern California. A rat with its hippocampus chemically disabled was able to form new memories with the aid of an implant.
The way these implants are built is by carefully recording the neural signals of the brain and making a device that mimics the way they work. The device itself uses an artificial neural network, which Berger calls a High-density Hippocampal Neuron Network Processor. Painstaking observation of the brain region in question is needed to build a model detailed enough to stand in for the original. Without neural network techniques (a subcategory of AI) and abundant computing power, this approach would never work.
Bringing the overview back to more everyday tech, consider all the AI that will be required to make the vision of Augmented Reality mature. AR, as exemplified by Google Glass, uses computer glasses to overlay graphics on the real world. For the tech to work, it needs to quickly analyze what the viewer is seeing and generate graphics that provide useful information. To be useful, the glasses have to be able to identify complex objects from any direction, under any lighting conditions, no matter the weather. To be useful to a driver, for instance, the glasses would need to identify roads and landmarks faster and more effectively than is enabled by any current technology. AR is not there yet, but probably will be within the next ten years. All of this falls into the category of advances in computer vision, part of AI.
Finally, let's consider some of the recent advances in building AI scientists. In 2009, "Adam" became the first robot to discover new scientific knowledge, having to do with the genetics of yeast. The robot, which consists of a small room filled with experimental equipment connected to a computer, came up with its' own hypothesis and tested it. Though the context and the experiment were simple, this milestone points to a new world of robotic possibilities. This is where the intersection between AI and other transhumanist areas, such as life extension research, could become profound.
Many experiments in life science and biochemistry require a great deal of trial and error. Certain experiments are already automated with robotics, but what about computers that formulate and test their own hypotheses? Making this feasible would require the computer to understand a great deal of common sense knowledge, as well as specialized knowledge about the subject area. Consider a robot scientist like Adam with the object-level knowledge of the Jeopardy!-winning Watson supercomputer. This could be built today in theory, but it will probably be a few years before anything like it is built in practice. Once it is, it's difficult to say what the scientific returns could be, but they could be substantial. We'll just have to build it and find out.
That concludes this brief overview. There are many other interesting trends in AI, but machine vision, cognitive prostheses, and robotic scientists are among the most interesting, and relevant to futurist goals.
I would like to thank Michael Anissimov, a fellow transhumanist and author of the Accelerating Future blog, for contributing this piece.


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I just ran across this and thought it was not only entertaining, but has to do with green building and recycling! The GAP is taking old jeans and turning them into denim insulation (ultratouch) for those in need in our communities. From the 6th to the 20th bring in your used, worn, ripped jeans and turn them in for 30% off some new jeans. I don't know if they have to be GAP branded jeans (update: It looks like they don't, see store for details) you turn in or just any jeans, but I think it is pretty neat.
Note: If you have a GAP credit card they will give you an additional 5% off


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|Article Index
|UNRIC Library Newsletter - December 2010
|New information material
|New titles
|All Pages
New Websites within the UN System
64th Annual DPI/NGO Conference "Sustainable Societies; Responsive Citizens" - 3 - 5 September 2011, Bonn, Germany
English: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/documents/64IS1.pdf and
German: http://archive.unric.org/de/component/content/article/26368
DPA Multi-Year Appeal 2011-2013
The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) held a donor meeting on 16 November in New York to launch its Multi-Year Appeal for 2011-13. The meeting was attended by more than 50 delegations, many of whom took the floor to register support for DPA's leading efforts in preventive diplomacy and mediation, as well as electoral assistance. This new Appeal, requesting US$17.9 million for its first year, emphasizes the importance of voluntary funding for allowing DPA to respond rapidly and flexibly to opportunities for preventive action in the field. It constitutes DPA's first multi-year appeal and also the first to be aligned to the Strategic Framework presented to the General Assembly.
Les Nations Unies aujourd'hui
La publication Les Nations Unies aujourd'hui, auparavant intitulée l'ABC des Nations Unies, reflète les multiples façettes de l'Organisation et montre comment elle intéragit avec la vie des gens dans le monde entier. C'est une introduction générale au rôle et aux fonctions de l'ONU et de ses institutions spécialisées.
UNCSD 2012 (Rio+20) - new website launched
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Division for Sustainable Development has launched a new website for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012 (Rio+20). DESA is using a Content Management System with interactive features. This dynamic site provides new opportunities for sharing information and interacting with users. Among the news features are a newsletter, video, calendar, blog, news feeds, RSS, polls, surveys and more.
50th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (14 December 2010)
English: http://www.un.org/en/events/decolonization50/
French: http://www.un.org/fr/events/decolonization50/
Spanish: http://www.un.org/es/events/decolonization50/
On 29 June 2010, recognizing the crucial role of the Declaration to the expansion of the United Nations membership, the UN General Assembly decided to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of resolution 1514 (1960), which contains the landmark document. The commemoration on 14 December 2010 will invite a renewed commitment to decolonization and emphasize that all Member States must ensure that all Non-Self-Governing Territories could exercise the right to self-determination and remove the scourge of colonialism.
Security Council Concept Paper for the Security Council High-level Event on Iraq
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2010/621
The President of the Security Council for the month of December, United States, has transmitted a concept paper for the Security Council high-level event on Iraq taking place on 15 December 2010 (S/2010/621).
United Nations Peacekeeping Operations – Background Note: 31 October 2010
(DPI/1634/Rev.114, November 2010)
English: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/bnote.htm
French: http://www.un.org/fr/peacekeeping/bnote.htm
United Nations Political and Peacebuilding Missions - Background Note: 31 October 2010
(DPI/2166/Rev.89, November 2010)
English: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/documents//ppbm.pdf
French: http://www.un.org/french/peace/peace/pdf/ppbmf.pdf
The Children Left Behind: A league table of inequality in child well-being in the world's rich countries (UNICEF)
Report & Video: http://www.unicef.org/media/media_57131.html
The report has found that children in many wealthy European nations and the United States suffer greater inequality than children in numerous industrialized nations.
High Mountain Glaciers and Climate Change: Challenges to Human Livelihoods and Adaptation (UNEP)
Full Report, Interactive E-book, Maps, Graphics, Flyer, Posters: http://www.grida.no/publications/high-mountain-glaciers/
Climate change is causing signifcant mass loss of glaciers in high mountains worldwide. Although glacier systems show a great amount of inherent complexity and variation, there are clear overall trends indicating global glacier recession, which is likely to accelerate in coming decades. Large gaps remain in our understanding and ability to model accurately the key processes and cause-effect relationships driving glacier response to climate change. In addition, a lot of data on glacier mass changes are not available to the public due to national interests concerning water supply.
The Least Development Countries Report 2010: Towards a new international development architecture for LDCs (UNCTAD)
Report in English, Summary in English, French & Spanish: http://www.unctad.org/Templates/WebFlyer.asp?intItemID=5737〈=1
Current international support measures for the least developed countries (LDCs) have failed to accelerate their growth and development and significant changes are needed to ensure better support structures for the poorer States, according to this UNCTAD report. The Least Developed Countries Report 2010, released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), analyses development in the LDCs over the last decade, addressing the issue of how the international community can best support the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries.
Results of Informal Surveys on Progress in Country Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources (FAO)
A growing number of countries are taking steps to catalogue, conserve and better manage the genetic diversity of livestock in order to help safeguard the resilience of the world's food production systems, says this informal FAO survey. FAO cautioned, however, that much more needs to be done to better manage animal genetic resources.
Revolution: From Food Aid to Food Assistance (WFP)
The World Food Programme (WFP) publication Revolution: From Food Aid to Food Assistance - Innovations in Overcoming Hunger documents a compilation of state-of-the-art food assistance innovations by WFP. It lays out both new tools and traditional responses that provide life-saving relief, improve nutrition, enhance human capital and strengthen food markets, while supporting country-led food security strategies.
Rural Poverty Report 2011 (IFAD)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.ifad.org/poverty/index.htm
The overall rate of extreme poverty in rural areas of developing countries – people living on less than US$1.25 a day – has dropped from 48 per cent to 34 per cent. Dramatic gains in East Asia, particularly China, account for much of the decline.
The State of African Cities 2010: Governance, Inequalities and Urban Land Markets (UN-Habitat)
English & French: http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=9141&catid=7&typeid=46&subMenuId=0
This new report - released by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) - warns that Africa's urban population is set to triple in the next 40 years, putting massive pressure on governments and infrastructure across the continent. It urges careful urban planning from governments to meet the needs of the poor.
UNAIDS Report on the Global Aids Epidemic 2010
Global efforts to halt and even reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS are showing welcome results, with the number of people newly infected declining and AIDS-related deaths falling, according to the latest report from the United Nations agency leading the fight against the disease. This report, produced by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), contains basic HIV data from 182 countries and includes country-by-country scorecards. It shows that an estimated 2.6 million people became newly infected with HIV, nearly 20 per cent fewer than the 3.1 million people infected in 1999. In 2009, 1.8 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses, nearly one-fifth lower than the 2.1 million people who died in 2004.
Waste and Climate Change: Global trends and strategy framework (UNEP)
The waste management sector is contributing 3-5 per cent of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting emissions from the global waste sector, including the potent greenhouse gas methane, could play a part in combating climate change.
World Social Security Report 2010/11 (ILO)
Report in English, Summary in English, French & Spanish: http://www.ilo.org/global/publications/ilo-bookstore/order-online/books/WCMS_142209/lang--en/index.htm
This is the first in a new series of biennial reports - published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) - that aim to map social security coverage globally, to presenting various methods and approaches for assessing coverage, and to identifying gaps in coverage. Backed by much comparative statistical data, this first report takes a comprehensive look at how countries are investing in social security, how they are financing it, and how effective their approaches are. The report examines the ways selected international organizations (the EU, OECD and ADB) monitor social protection and the correlation of social security coverage and the ILO Decent Work Indicators. The report's final section features a typology of national approaches to social security, with a focus on countries' responses to the economic crisis of 2008 -- and the lessons to be learned, especially concerning the short- and long-term management of pension schemes.
World Youth Report 2010
The 2010 World Youth Report focus on youth and climate change, and is intended to highlight the important role young people play in addressing climate change, and to offer suggestions on how young people might be more effectively integrated as individuals and collective agents of change within the realm of climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Report is designated to assist youth and youth organizations in educating themselves and to become more actively involved in combating the threat of climate change.
Harmful Traditional Practices and Implementation of the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women in Afghanistan (UNAMA/OHCHR)
Widespread harmful traditional practices – child marriage, giving away girls for dispute resolution, forced isolation in the home, exchange marriage and "honour" killings – cause suffering, humiliation and marginalization for millions of Afghan women and girls.
Model Law against Smuggling of Migrants (UNODC)
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new publication on Model Law against the Smuggling of Migrants. The report was prepared in response to a request by the General Assembly to promote and assist the efforts of Member States to become party to and implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto. It was developed in particular to assist States in implementing the provisions contained in the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the Convention.
UNHCR 60th Anniversary
English: http://www.unhcr.org/4d063d736.html
French: http://www.unhcr.fr/4d064f56c.html
The UN refugee agency was founded on December 14, 1950, to help the forcibly displaced after World War Two. It has since assisted tens of millions.
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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If you want to send an email to me personally, send it to ickybana5[at]hotmail[dot]com.
!!!!!Please read my FAQ before emailing me with questions. There's a good chance that you will find the answer to your question there and that will save me a lot of time and stress. Thank you.
A note on my ability to respond to you: I get a lot of email. I like my replies to be meaningful and not just something like "Hey thanks, [insert name here]," so responding to all of you is difficult. It does not help that I have hardcore, legit, currently-unmedicated ADHD. What I'm trying to say is that I don't always reply to everything. I try. I promise I really, really try. But I can't email all of you back and also write blog posts. Please don't be hurt if I don't reply to you. It isn't you. It's me. I fail at responsibility.
You have a much better chance of getting a response if you ask some sort of question (but don't just go making up random questions for the sole purpose of getting me to respond to you because that is mean). The truth is that I am bad at responding to praise even though I enjoy getting it a great deal. I never know how to reply when I receive an email that is just a wall of adoration with no other topics thrown in. I enjoy those emails more than you can ever know and I have even created a special folder for them so I can go back and read them when I'm feeling down, but, outside of just saying "thank you," it is hard to converse with someone about how much they love me. Just know that your praise doesn't go unappreciated. Sometimes it's the only thing that gets me through a bad day.
A note on unsolicited post ideas: From time to time, I will ask my readers (via Twitter or Facebook) to suggest topics that they'd like to read about, but please refrain from sending me unsolicited post ideas. I've rarely had this work out well for me. I appreciate that you are trying to help me, but unsolicited post ideas can be a bad thing for several reasons. For example, if you send me an idea I've already come up with on my own, I'm going to feel all awkward posting about my own idea, like you're going to be all "Hey! That was my idea! You stole it without crediting me!" I'd rather not have to deal with this. If I use an idea from one of my readers, I'd rather have it be something that was suggested to me in a public forum, by my request. If you send me an unsolicited idea, you are agree to release me from responsibility for anything having to do with that idea. You cannot accuse me of stealing or hurting your feelings for not using the idea. You cannot email me and bug me about linking to your blog because I mentioned something vaguely similar to the idea you sent me. Do you see where I'm going with this? It's probably best to just not send me ideas until I ask for them.
A note on permissions: If you want to use my illustrations, you may do so provided that I am prominently credited (read: NOT some tiny little byline at the bottom of a complete repost). Please email me for permission before doing a complete repost of my material, even if you are going to credit me for it. Complete reposts are really a gray area for me. If you just want to use a drawing I did as your Facebook profile picture, no need to ask. Go ahead.
P.S. Yes, I wrote a post about grammar. No, I don't want to be reprimanded about why I should say "his or her" instead of "their" because speaking like that is way too formal for a humor blog. There is grammar and there is artistic voice. I try to strike a balance between the two.


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Legal issues continue to be a growing area of church affairs, necessitating familiarity with and resources for proper risk management.
Always remember that the farther away activities of a church venture from traditional worship and Bible study, the more the likelihood of potential legal ramifications. Churches are being sued for such activities as selling chicken dinners, sponsoring athletic events, and many other activities. As the number of ministry opportunities increases, so does the possibility that someone will try to find a legal angle from which to attack the church.
Necessity of Frequent Contact with a Lawyer - Some of the best advice that can be given to a pastor is to acquaint himself with and form an ongoing relationship with a local, reputable attorney. This relationship is important because the pastor can avail himself of the lawyer's expertise, before making a mistake with legal ramifications. It is always better to think preventatively rather than retroactively, and major decisions should not be made regarding the church or its business, without first contacting a lawyer.
In the state overseer field, developing a close relationship with a good local attorney is important because it provides for continuity in dealings between the lawyer and the church, and it provides him with ability to be familiar with our procedures, for posterity. In particular, a good local attorney who has been representing the state office for years can serve as a valuable counselor to any successors in office at our state offices.
Keep a good lawyer close by, and call him before you make big decisions.
Iif you would like to contact someone in our Legal Services Department please Click Here.
Helpful Information
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MUM Hannah Clinkard has thanked staff at Wallingford Community Hospital for their support following a £350,000 refurbishment of the hospital's birthing centre.
On February 5, at 8.05pm, Jack Arthur Lee became the first baby to be born at the Wallingford Birthing Centre since its official re-opening on January 29, following the completion of the revamp.
Jack weighed 8lb 4oz and Miss Clinkard, 27, from Benson, said: "As this was my first baby I really didn't know how I would feel or what to expect.
"The whole birthing experience at Wallingford was just amazing. From the one-to-one care and support from my midwife, to the fantastic rooms and surroundings, everything was just fantastic."
"I was quite apprehensive about breastfeeding my baby so I stayed for two days and the staff were very supportive – I wanted to stay even longer. I would definitely recommend this centre for other mums," she added.
Wallingford Birthing Centre at the hospital in Reading Road re-opened after the refurbishment which included two new birthing pools, an additional birthing room, ensuite facilities in two of the birthing rooms and ensuite facility in the postnatal ward. There is also a refurbished family room.
The birthing centre, run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, is one of more than 100 across the country to benefit from a grant from the Department of Health's Improving Birthing Environments Capital Fund from 2012.
Self-employed gardener Miss Clinkard lives with Jack and her partner Simon Lee, 34, a carpenter.
In June last year, Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page attended the official opening of Wallingford Baby Cafe.
She had recently moved to the area with husband James Thornton and their four-month-old daughter Eva.
The baby cafe was established in 2012 at Ridgeway Community Church to support mums in the area.


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1/10 oz Random Year Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin
Austrian Philharmonic Coins have gained recent recognition as being the first gold coins issued in the new Euro currency. The Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coin is minted at the Austrian Mint in Vienna, who have been producing quality coins for collectors, investors and trade for over 800 years. First released in 1989, it was the first 24 karat legal tender bullion produced in Europe. It's purity and content is guaranteed by the Central Bank of Austria. The coin has long been popular in Europe, but is gaining greater appeal in North America. According to the records of the World Gold Council, it was the best selling gold bullion coin in both 1992 and 1995.
This is an internationally recognizable coin, and is easily liquidated at gold market value. The coin is appropriately named after the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It features on one side the organ from Vienna's Golden Concert Hall, home to the Vienna Philharmonic. The reverse side elegantly pictures a selection of musical instruments.
|Austrian Mint
|Lightly Used
|Musical Instruments
|Organ from Vienna Golden Concert Hall


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Not sure how to get started in the study abroad process? Attend a First Steps Workshop to learn what it means to study abroad, how to select a program, components of an application, and how study abroad can advance your academic, professional, and personal goals. Topics covered in the presentation include:
You will have the opportunity to ask questions of our student staff, called Program Assistants, who have been through the study abroad process. Whether you're deciding if study abroad is for you, assesing program options, or have started an application, we welcome all students to learn more about what study abroad has to offer and how to get started!


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Market Tours: Traditional Irish Ingredients at the Butcher's Fancy in Yonkers
Visit the quiet, orderly stretch of McLean Avenue in Yonkers and you might notice something different about the way people here talk. You might ask for directions, and, upon receiving the reply, think to yourself, "What is that accent?" And then you realize: it's a soft Irish brogue, and everyone in the area—except you—has it.
That's because this part of Yonkers, located just over the border from the north Bronx, has been home to a burgeoning Irish immigrant population since the 1980s. Immigrants settled near pockets of their countrymen who had been here even longer, and starting opening businesses that replicated the feel of their beloved pubs, shops and restaurants back home.
That's where Oliver Charles comes in. He came to the area from Leitrim, Ireland in 1976 and opened his small butcher shop and specialty store, the Butcher's Fancy, in 2000. Before Charles took over, the space housed a traditional Italian butcher for over 70 years.
Needless to say, Charles changed up the offerings a bit, swapping out mortadella and mozzarella for homemade Irish sausages, boiling bacon, and imported Irish cheeses. He filled the refrigerator and freezer with Irish must-haves such as root vegetables—and even frozen French fries flown in from the mother country. And he lined the store's shelves with familiar snack foods, teas and crackers.
"85 percent of my customers are Irish," Charles told me. "They're happy that they can get the foods that they remember from home." But more and more, Italian and West Indian neighbors in are coming in to try the house-cured bacon, homemade sausage rolls and daily specials like corned beef and cabbage. "The best part about owning this place is that I control what's sold," Charles said. "We do our best to sell only the finest products."
Take a tour in the slideshow »
The Butcher's Fancy
961 McLean Avenue, Yonkers NY 10704 (map) 914-237-8260
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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The designer shares an inspiration image by Helmut Newton
The set at Jason Wu was like the opening scene of a noir romance. Massive black and white tiles met a full length tilted mirror at the end of the runway, forever reflecting into what looked like endless space. The illusion transformed the St. John Centre Warehouse of the West Side Highway into a fantasy vanity powder room, the perfect place for a woman to wander around in her slip, setting her hair and her makeup before going out. Whatever mysteries are conjured up behind closed doors though were on display in leather and lace. To the lilting piano of Moonlight Sonata, Wu's lingerie-esque camisole minis, leather harnesses and lace covered bustiers added to the effect, a slightly restrained undressing that let a little sex into Wu's traditionally formal designs. Perhaps this luxurious lavatory motif was inspired by Wu's recent collaborator and show sponsor Brizo, a high end bath fixture company that featured a similarly noir motif in a press release at the show. Whatever the influence, the tiles were gleaming and the women walked them endlessly, mirrored like ghosts on a marble floor.
Dazed Digital: The environment was amazing: the set, the music, everything. Can you tell us what you were thinking?
Jason Wu: Well, you know I always love a bit of a set. I was like, what if we just transform this industrial space into a beautiful mansion with this mansion-like floor? That was sort of the study of contrast that I wanted throughout the collection, and the set will really set the tone. You see the exposed work of the building but you have this perfectly polished floor. The mirrors are about this multifaceted woman that I wanted to portray this season. It was all about the works of Helmut Newton and Lillian Bassman, two very different photographers, and what I found in common with Lillian's somewhat dreamlike photos and Helmut's sexy provocative photos was that appreciation and confrontation of the feminine form. I really wanted to do that with this collection, I felt it was really important to push myself as a young designer, and to continually push myself every collection. I wanted to show a little sex, a little naughtiness.


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There are six principal types of hearing aids. They are all made up of the same component parts but offer different styles and methods of amplifying hearing.
Digital hearing aids come in a wide range of types, styles, shapes, sizes and colours. Regardless of their design, all hearing aids require the same basic assembly of components - microphone/s, chips, receivers and a battery to supply power. How these components are placed within the hearing aids is determined by the model.
Hearing aid design continues to evolve with manufacturers providing an extensive range to suit every taste and requirement.
Before considering the colour and style of the hearing aid, we must first need to identify the type of hearing aids that will be right for you. Read on for our detailed guide to hearing aid types with feedback from our hearing aid customers.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are often abbreviated to BTE or occasionally OTE (on-the-ear). They are one of the most popular types of hearing aids. As the name suggests, behind-the-ear devices are designed with most of the electronic components enclosed in a casing which sits behind the ear, with a tubing of some kind allowing the processed sound to pass from the housing, over the ear and down into the ear canal itself.
On the casing, there may be some controls that can be accessed by the wearer – usually a volume and/or programme button. Remote devices can also control some BTEs. Wireless connectivity is currently very popular, with hearing aids able to link via a transmitter or even directly to TVs, mobiles, and external microphones, offering even greater assistance to the wearer for those specific listening situations.
Advances in electronics and component design have allowed many manufacturers to produce extremely small and light BTE products, meaning that the part which needs to be placed behind someone's ear is not more than an inch in length.
The tubings that direct sound from the electronic components into the ear can also vary in design.
A traditional BTE fitting is considered to be that of an earmould. An impression of the empty parts of the outer ear and ear canal is taken using a quick-drying (usually) silicone impression material. The impression is sent to a lab, which creates the customised earmould. A hole (bore) is then drilled through the earmould roughly following the path of the ear canal. The output (usually referred to as the 'hook') of the BTE is inserted into the bore via a short piece of flexible tubing.
In the past decade, the so-called thin-tubing fitting has increased in popularity.
In the past decade, the so-called thin-tubing fitting has increased in popularity.
Earmoulds, which can be made of hard or soft materials, are usually clear or pinkish in colour, but wearers can select brightly coloured or decorative earmoulds. Some designs are meant to make the earmoulds less visible, and some are meant to make them more noticeable.
In the past decade, the so-called thin-tubing fitting has increased in popularity. Thin-tubing fitting usually refers to 'open-fit' BTEs. Substantial improvements in hearing aid technology and design have enabled hearing aid users to move away from earmould fittings and consider open-fittings instead, of the customized ear mould.
'Thin tubings' are very thin (2mm diameter or so) tubings that direct the sound from the casing into the ear canal. Instead of the tubing ending in the bore of the earmould, they are pre-shaped to bend into the ear canal and a soft silicon dome is attached to the end of the thin tubing to improve wearing comfort and retain the tubing in the ear canal. Domes vary in size and most manufacturers have a range of options for consumers.
The first digital, truly open-fitting product was called the ReSound Air, which was launched in 2003 by the Danish GN ReSound hearing aid manufacturer. Since then, all the other big-name hearing aid manufacturers, (Siemens, Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, Widex) have launched a number of generations of their own thin-tubing products.
Hearing Direct also sell the HD 210 Digital Hearing Aid a thin-tubing hearing aid.
The Hearing Direct thin tubing options vary in size, as well as the type of sound-processing features available within the chip.
One of the major reasons for different sized BTEs is that different sized hearing aid batteries are used, as well as bigger or smaller amplifier units for more or less amplification. Smaller batteries (e.g. size 10) will need to be replaced much more frequently than bigger batteries (e.g. size 13).
One of the most frequently reported advantages of open-fitting products is improved wearing comfort compared to earmould fittings. 'Open fitting' implies that something is open – the thin tubing diameter and smaller dome on the end allows for natural air flow in and out of the ear canal, something which was much more difficult to achieve with earmoulds. An associated benefit of having the ear canal open is that users report that their own voice sounds more natural when they speak and that chewing and drinking sounds are not over-amplified.
+ Discreet Design
+ Comfortable
+ Instant Fitting
- Some BTEs not suitable for severe hearing loss
- Perceived often as more 'visible'
- Larger models may interfere with glasses
Thin tubing BTEs can be fitted instantly, allowing for a trial of amplification to be done immediately following a hearing test. A disadvantage of open fitting BTEs is that very severe hearing losses usually cannot be accommodated, as the risk of feedback or whistling from the hearing aids increases substantially as the degree of hearing loss increases. However, BTEs with ear mould fittings are considered to offer the most powerful amplification options for people with severe or profound hearing loss; and even these powerful products are now produced in considerably smaller designs than a decade ago.
Shop Hearing Directs range of Behind the Ear Hearing Aids.
Another common type of hearing aid. RIC or RIE (receiver in the ear) hearing aids are sometimes considered a sub-type of the behind-the-ear category of products. However, more and more RIC devices appear every year from manufacturers, such that RIC is now considered a category on its own.
The reason why RIC hearing aids can be considered a sub-design within BTEs is that they look very similar; they have a casing containing components and user controls which sits behind the ear and then a 'tubing' coming down over the top of the ear, ending in the ear canal. The major difference, however, is that this tubing actually encloses a wire, which connects to the receiver (loudspeaker) component of the hearing aid, which effectively now sits within the ear canal and not in the casing behind the ear.
The end of the receiver tubing usually fits into a soft silicon dome of some sort, which makes the fitting more comfortable within the delicate skin of the ear canal.
"feedback is kept to a minimum when the RIC is being used"
"feedback is kept to a minimum when the RIC is being used"
As with thin-tubings, the domes come in a variety of sizes and are often used as a way to further ensure feedback is kept to a minimum when the RIC is being used. The domes also serve as additional protection against wax and moisture ingress.
Having an electronic component in the ear canal does increase the risk of it being affected by wax build-ups or skin debris or moisture present in some ear canals. In most RIC designs, the receivers also have a wax guard built into them, which can be changed as part of the general care and maintenance required for the hearing aid. Some RIC wearers only change their wax guards every few months; others may need to change them much more frequently.
Because one of the major electronic components is not in the casing behind the ear, space is saved, allowing RICs to be made in surprisingly small designs, particularly if the battery size is also a size 10 (the smallest possible hearing aid battery).
+Small Design
+ Choice of amplification
+ Low feedback
- Risk of wax build-up
- Cost of replacement receiver
The fact that the receiver component lies in the ear canal means that the distance between it and the hearing aid microphone is increased, certainly compared to the distance between these components in a traditional BTE. The risk of feedback is decreased by this physical design element, one of the commonly reported advantages of RICs.
While the receiver is included in the hearing aid warranty, after this period is over, if the receiver requires repairs, it is costly to replace and will be considerably more than replacing the thin tubing of a BTE.
For a specific example of a RIC see the HD430 RIC.
Smaller devices are becoming more and more popular. Despite the increase in the availability of small RIC and thin-tubing BTE products, many people still prefer the idea of in the canal hearing aids. For most people without hearing aid experience, ITC (in-the-canal) or ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids are still thought to offer a more cosmetic fit and many people ask for these initially when investigating hearing aids for the first time.
Most manufacturers distinguish between the ITC and ITEs, usually on the basis of size. ITC models are generally manufactured smaller than ITEs (the 'ear' part of the description referring to the product filling some of the actual concha or bowl part of the outer ear, rather than just the canal and entrance to the canal sections). ITEs may also be further categorized as 'full-shell' or 'half-shell,' which describes how much of the concha section will be filled.
As its name suggests, ITC hearing aid types which fit into the ear canal, all the components sit within a casing, usually known as a shell.
"this shell is moulded for an individual ear"
"this shell is moulded for an individual ear"
Most commonly, this shell is moulded for an individual ear, after that person has had an ear impression taken. Some products are also available in a 'one-size-fits-all' shell, which is modelled for the average adult ear canal.
If a comfortable fit is achieved, many people find ITC products easy to wear, and easy to put in and take out.
However, even if the fit is physically comfortable within the canal, many people, particularly those with more mild/moderate high-frequency losses do report feeling rather 'blocked up' with something now in their ear. This is referred to as 'occlusion. ' Some people will acclimatize to this sensation very quickly; others may struggle to get used to it at all. Occlusion can be minimized by drilling a hole through the shell, known as a 'vent.' This can rise to an increase in feedback so we recommend you take advice before drilling a hole!
+ Easy to put in/take out
+ Cosmetic Design
+ Good with spectacles
- High maintenance
- 'Blocked up' sensation
Care and maintenance of ITCs is more involved than with BTEs, and similar to what is required for a RIC device. The most important thing is to keep the instrument free from wax build-up and as dry as possible – something which can be difficult, as all the components are now worn inside the canal. All ITCs will be manufactured with some form of wax guard in place, which will need to be inspected daily (or whenever the ITC is put in the ear) for any wax build-up. Most wax guards can be replaced by the wearer, some people replace as frequently as once a week, others once every few months.
An advantage of ITC fittings over those of RIC and BTEs comes to the fore when people complain about having to wear spectacles as well as hearing aids. While most people do get used to wearing a BTE/RIE with their glasses, it can be troublesome for some and an ITC device does not, of course, interfere with the arms of ones glasses at all.
Shop our range of In Ear Hearing Aids.
Completely in the canal hearing aid types or CICs, refer to those in-the-canal products which are specifically manufactured to sit deep within the ear canal. A well-manufactured CIC may really be invisible, even when the ear containing the CIC is viewed side-on.
This type of hearing aid can be referred to as an invisible hearing aid. Not surprisingly, the components used for CIC products are the smallest available – which does mean that battery life and available amplification is limited. User controls are also limited, at most a programme button only (although some can still be controlled via remote control).
+ Small size
+ Almost invisible
+ Individual fitting
- Battery life
- Amplification level
- User controls
For most CICs, the quality of the ear impression taken for the shell is critical and some manufacturers insist on providing further training to those hearing health professionals who wish to be able to order their CIC products.
The same advantages and disadvantages apply to CICs as for ITCs as discussed above.
Shop our range of invisible hearing aids.
Body-worn hearing aids are devices where the electronic components are situated in a little box-shaped container, which is not worn on or in the ear, but on the body.
"the amplified sound is delivered to the ear via a cord"
"the amplified sound is delivered to the ear via a cord"
The box is usually clipped to a pocket or belt or worn around the neck and the amplified sound is delivered to the ear via a cord and earphone. The microphone is situated on the box, so wearers must be aware that if they wish to have any sound amplified, the microphone on the box must be able to pick up that sound.
Body-worn hearing aids were very popular a couple of decades back, as they were, at the time, the only way to provide a lot of power for more severe hearing losses. As technology in smaller BTEs improved, the need for body worn products decreased sharply. However, new body-worn hearing aids are still produced by some hearing aid manufacturers (including the likes of Panasonic).
+ Battery life/cost
+ Powerful amplification
+ User controls
- Size
- Visibility
The super-power amplification provided is still required by some hearing-impaired individuals. Additionally, new markets have opened up within developing countries – where body worn hearing aids are used for less severe hearing losses purely because the batteries powering the devices are AA or AAA types; which are much more accessible and cheaper than the specific hearing aid battery options. Some body-worn products have also been produced to run on solar power.
Spectacle hearing aids, or 'hearing aid glasses', refer to designs where a hearing aid is built into or attached to the arms or frame of a pair of spectacles. As many people have a vision as well as hearing impairments, it surely makes sense to combine the two?
"fittings using spectacle hearing aids are difficult to achieve"
"fittings using spectacle hearing aids are difficult to achieve"
However, successful fittings using spectacle hearing aids are difficult to achieve and it is quite telling that many of the world's major hearing aid manufacturers no longer, or have never, produced a product within this category.
Spectacle devices are often recommended for those individuals with 'conductive hearing loss.' This is where the inner ear is functioning well, but the outer and/or middle ear parts are affected, such that the transmission of sound through to the inner ear is obstructed to a large extent. The hearing instrument part of the glasses is designed to sit right on or very close to the mastoid bone of the skull, within protects the inner ear. The amplified sound coming out of the transmitter will then stimulate the inner ear via vibrations of the bone.
+ Recommended for conductive hearing loss
+ Can offer a disguised hearing solution
- Difficult to fit
- Removing glasses removes the hearing ability
More common sensorineural hearing losses can be accommodated by spectacle hearing aids which deliver the amplified sound to the ear via a tube or earmould. These types of fittings are not popular; as one's choice of glasses frames and hearing aid is severely restricted and when the glasses are removed, the hearing aid needs to be taken out as well.
At Hearing Direct, we have a great selection of hearing aid types. We have a no quibble, 30-day, money back guarantee to give you the comfort of finding the right hearing aid. ITE (In the Ear) to BTE (Behind The Ear) aids.
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text: Register interest Please complete the form below to register your interest. Course Details Course Certificate in New Zealand Wine Micro-Credential Timeframe * When would you be interested in completing the course? This month Next month Within 3 months Within 6 months timeframe Background Any additional requirements or comments? background Private course I would be interested in running it onsite as a private course Newsletter Subscribe Enter Your Details First name * first name Last name * last name Email * email Organisation name organisation name Security check


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State Police and meteorologists are urging commuters to brace for a slippery drive tonight, thanks to snow flurries and black ice.
State Police and meteorologists are urging commuters to brace for a slippery drive tonight, thanks to snow flurries and black ice.
"We recommend in times of inclement weather to please be patient. Allow enough time to get to your destination planning for traffic tie-ups due to crashes or other incidents caused by inclement weather," said State Police spokesman, Trooper Todd Nolan. "Make sure you leave proper distance between you and the vehicles around you. The ability to stop can be diminished in snow and rain with vehicles including SUVs with four-wheel or all-wheel drive."
The National Weather Service in Taunton reports that snow has already moved into Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.
"There are flurries already in Norwood and they could be seen in Greater Boston anytime now," meteorologist Alan Dunham told the Herald.
"It will be light flurries and the snow will be steady this afternoon. Boston will see about as much as a inch or less, while outside the city will see about an inch.
"In southeast portions of the state, including Bristol and Plymouth counties back into Rhode Island may see up to two inches," said Dunham.
High temps will be in the mid to upper 30s, and in the low 40s down in the Cape.
Temps will stay in the mid 30s around the evening commute.
Around and after midnight, the National Weather Service warned, temperatures are expected to drop, and rain or sleet could change over to snow showers, producing areas of black ice. Motorists planning to travel later tonight and early tomorrow should allow extra time.
Lows tonight in Boston will be in the 30s, and 20s away from the city.