text:
A. Deadlines & Processing of Papers
Motions, orders to show cause, long form orders, and disclosure orders in matrimonial cases are processed through the regular back offices of the court. As to orders of protection, see the next Section. Net Worth Statements are filed in the General Clerk's Office (Room 119). Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and proposed judgments in matrimonial matters, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QUADROS) are filed in the Matrimonial Support Office (Room 311).
Uniform Rule 202.16 provides procedures applicable to these cases, including a requirement for the provision of detailed items of financial disclosure that must be furnished and filed with the court at least ten days prior to the preliminary conference.
Documents can be e-filed on a consensual basis.
B. Orders of Protection
Orders of protection are critical. See http://www.nycourts.gov/faq/orderofprotection.shtml. The court will do all that it can to ensure that, when a Justice issues such an order, it is transmitted immediately to the police liaison for service, if police service is required, and in any case to the Police Department at One Police Plaza for informational purposes. In addition, information must be transmitted to the family protection registry (the Domestic Violence System), a database containing orders of protection issued by various courts and related information.
Standard forms of orders of protection, both temporary and permanent, and registry information forms are available on the Unified Court System's web site at the following address:
For further information, contact the staff of Room 311.
C. Alternative Dispute ResolutionA court-annexed program of alternative dispute resolution is available in matrimonial cases, the Matrimonial Neutral Evaluation Program.
A. Commencement of an Action
To start an Uncontested Divorce one can use the court's Uncontested Divorce Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Program to create court papers and personalized instructions. A summons and complaint or summons with notice, must be filed with the County Clerk (Room 141B). Compliance with Rule 130-1.1 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator is required. In order properly to file, the plaintiff must fill out an index number purchase form; purchase an index number (cost $ 210); fill the index number in on the summons and the complaint or the summons with notice and add the date the index number was purchased. Plaintiff will file one set of the summons and complaint or summons with notice with the Clerk. One set of these papers will be served on the defendant and the original papers will later be filed with the Matrimonial Support Office (Room 311).
The plaintiff must cause the summons and complaint or summons with notice to be served within 120 days of the date the summons and complaint were filed in the County Clerk's Office. Failure to serve the defendant on time can result in dismissal upon motion. See CPLR 306-b.
If the defendant defaults, a default judgment of divorce may be obtained. The defendant must appear or answer within 20 days of being served (30 days if service is made outside the state).
The vast majority of the judgments of divorce granted in New York County are uncontested. That is, either the other spouse consents to the divorce or defaults and does not contest the lawsuit. If the defendant signs a Defendant's Affidavit of Consent providing for immediate placement on the calendar or waiving all applicable time periods, the plaintiff may proceed to place the case on the calendar for action by the court immediately after service of the summons and complaint. If such a consent has not been signed, then the plaintiff must wait 40 days after the date of such service.
B. Pursuing a Judgment
In order to obtain an uncontested divorce, the plaintiff must present the following, properly notarized when required, to the Matrimonial Support Office (Room 311):
1) Request for Judicial Intervention: Previously none was required, but one is required now (Uniform Rule 202.6 (b)), although there is no fee payable and the case will not be assigned to an IAS Justice.
2) Note of Issue: An original and two copies with proof of index number purchase.
3) Summons and Verified Complaint, or Summons with Notice, with Proof of Service or Defendant's Waiver : A verified complaint must be filed in all cases, even those commenced by summons with notice.
4) Affidavit of Regularity: By plaintiff. States that defendant has consented to placement on the calendar, or shows the manner of service and claims a default after the proper time has elapsed, relying on the third-party affidavit of service.
5) Affidavit as to Military Status: This document, which states that the defendant is not in the military service, is unnecessary in cases where the defendant has signed a consent to the divorce.
6) Plaintiff's Affidavit: This must establish all the elements of the plaintiff's case to justify the relief requested.
7) Affidavit of Child's Residence: Required when there are children under the age of 18, but advisable in all cases. This information can be included in Item 5.
8) Child Support Worksheet: Necessary when there is a child of the marriage under 21.
9) Sworn Statement as to Barriers to Remarriage (With Proof of Service): Necessary only when the marriage had been performed in a religious ceremony or one conducted by the Ethical Culture Society. When the ground for divorce is DRL § 170(5) or (6) (separation decree or separation agreement), the defendant has made a general appearance (signed the Affidavit of Defendant or appeared by an attorney) and the marriage was performed in a religious ceremony, then both parties must execute the Removal of Barriers Affidavit or one party must execute and serve the Affidavit and waive reciprocal performance by the other.
10) Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law: A proposed decision submitted to the court for its consideration and possible execution.
11) Proposed Judgment: A proposed form of the document that formally ends the marriage and resolves all issues between the parties.
12) Postcard: A stamped, self-addressed postcard containing the title of the action and the calendar and index numbers; used to notify the plaintiff of the status of the case.
13) Part 130 Certification
14) Certificate of Dissolution: Certificate reflecting dissolution.
15) UCS - 111 (Divorce and Child Support Summary Form): Form required only if there is child support involved (children under 21).
16) Notice of Entry
17) New York State Case Registry Filing Form: Only if there are children under 21.
18) Proof of Service of Automatic Orders - DRL 236
19) Proof of Awareness of Health Coverage - DRL 255
These forms can be found on the Unified Court System's web site at:
The Clerk of the Matrimonial Support Office reviews these papers for form. If the papers are found satisfactory, the filer can place the case on the court's calendar. The applicant brings the papers to the Cashier in the County Clerk's Office for purchase of a calendar number (cost $ 125).
The papers will then be presented by the Clerk in the Matrimonial Support Office to a Justice or a Court Attorney-Referee for consideration. Cases proceed in calendar number order and are assigned in strict rotation to the next open Justice or Referee.
In some cases, a hearing may be required depending upon the circumstances revealed in the papers submitted. On occasion, the court may find that a divorce cannot be granted under the law of this State and may dismiss the action. Should the court find instances of fraud, such as apparently fraudulent signatures, further action will be taken, which may include referral of the matter to the New York County District Attorney. Signed judgments are sent to the County Clerk's Office to be entered in the minutes and placed in the permanent file in the Record Room. The defective cases are retained in Room 311. The self-addressed postcard (see above) is sent to the attorney or filer advising that the papers have been signed or are defective.
When defective papers are corrected (and a new postcard is submitted for notification purposes), the papers are resubmitted to the Judge or Court Attorney-Referee who had previously been assigned the case.
Every 30-60 days, a "Mark Off Calendar" is created. Cases that have been found defective, are more than six months old and have had no activity in the last thirty days are placed on the calendar to be marked off by a Referee. An attorney or filer may restore a marked off case within one year by compliance with a procedure sheet supplied by the Matrimonial Office. After one year, the matter is deemed to have been dismissed. CPLR § 3404.


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With no Phil Mickelson and probably no Tiger Woods and never an appearance by Rory McIlroy, the Northern Trust Open has an opening for its next revered Riviera star.
Maybe it's Kevin Stadler.
Stadler, a USC graduate, just won his first PGA Tour event at the Waste Management Phoenix Open last weekend.
The 33-year-old son of Craig Stadler, another USC alum, has already committed to play in the Northern Trust Open from Feb. 13-16. Throughout his career, Riviera has been his friend.
Stadler finished tied for 10th in 2010, and of the six times he's played Riviera, he has missed the cut just once, in his first start there in 2005. Of the five times he's made the cut, his worst finish was a tie for 42nd in 2013. He has two top-15 finishes.
Sunday's victory was his first in 239 career PGA Tour starts.
"Sure, yeah, it's pretty amazing," Stadler said of winning. "As you said, it's 295 million tournaments, however many. It's been a long time. It's been a long time since I won anything. I think it was '05 or '06. It's pretty special."
Stadler won the Johnnie Walker Classic on the European Tour in 2006, but eight years later, he has another victory.
In 2010, Stadler shot a first-round 65 and was tied for second at Riviera, putting himself in contention from the start. The following day, he turned 30 and posted a 71. Still, he finished in the top 10.
Last year, UCLA alum John Merrick, a Long Beach native, tamed Riviera by winning his first PGA Tour event. Perhaps these two players — with local ties — will rule at Riviera.
"It is great to have a Trojan champion come out to the Northern Trust Open and challenge our Bruin defending champion," said Mike Bone, general manager of the Northern Trust Open. "The golf fan and overall sports fan of Los Angeles should have a great time choosing sides and cheering."
Stadler, who grew up in Colorado, is a Denver Broncos fan and he must hope that his solid start to the season doesn't unravel like the Broncos did in a 43-8 Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
After Bubba Watson bogeyed the final hole and Stadler avoided a playoff, he got to catch some of the game, but the Broncos' blowout loss surely couldn't tarnish his victorious Sunday.
Kevin Stadler now gets to play the Masters, which his father won in 1982. They'll be the first father-son duo to play the Masters in the same year. Stadler has played the course once, when he was at USC.
"It was a cold, rainy, wet, miserable day, but it was still one of the coolest days I've ever had," Stadler recalled.
Riviera has been known to host many cold, wet, cool days, too.
On Sunday, Kevin Stadler began to pad his resume with his first PGA Tour victory. Now that he has confidence to go with that winning groove, perhaps he'll play well again at Riviera.
email@example.com @jillpainter on Twitter

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mr. Fidèle Sarassoro, UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, visited Brussels recently to attend a number of EU meetings. We took the opportunity to ask him how he evaluates the humanitarian situation in the country and about the challenges that face humanitarian actors working in the field
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


text:
Now that Ben Bernanke's testimony has concluded, there's better bounce action. But it hasn't been very impressive given the intensity of yesterday's selling. Markets that come down that fast and hard usually rebound strongly for at least a little while, but the bounce buyers have been hesitant.
The good news is that the market really needed the correction of the past week to get better trading setups. I'm not confident that this pullback is over, but I'm working on a shopping list and I will be looking for buys.
When you look for buys in this type of environment, leave plenty of room to add more and be sure to have an exit plan in case a stock doesn't develop how you hope. You will pay a very heavy price if you just keep averaging down within a downtrend. Make sure you have a plan to cut losses if things don't work.
I'm looking to add to positions in LinkedIn (LNKD) and Netflix (NFLX) and a couple of small-caps on my shopping list are Goldfield (GV) and Security National Financial (SNFCA).
It looks like the buyers are gaining momentum and if the early highs are taken out it should draw in more folks who don't want to miss a bounce.


text:
Don't do it guys.
I've had an awful day – Herein follows a little rant.
I don't mind viagra spammers or phram or casino spammers. I can filter them out. I have a little math thing that blocks them its useful and sometimes its even mildly amusing.
Self promo spammers, I don't like them. Especially the kind who think Im some kind of thick fucking idiot who doesn't recognise a link drop at 600 paces. I am not thick!
If you have built something that you like, then great I'm really pleased for you.
Please though, before you comment on one of my posts, please please please make sure that your comment is at the very least germane to the topic. Where it isn't then please, just don't bother, I will not post it, i will not promote you. Its fuckin rude, don't do it.
I'm really not interested in posts that just self promote. Sure, i get that you are proud of what you've done and think its the best thing since sliced bread, but trust me, real gems are rare. They don't pop up all over the shop, kick arse cool takes hard work and effort. Don't think that a mere recreation of what's already been done is going to cut it and make me, or anybody else for that matter, think wow, a same ol same ol tool that offers nothing, how cool – it aint gonna happen.
It's just not good etiquette. Don't waste your time ever, not ever please. Cos, here is what I'm going to do. I'm going to place a link to this very post at the end of each blog post, you know the part; where the comments section begins.
If anyone doesn't take the time to read it and subsequently has the temerity to link drop and discuss their 3rd rate I've seen it all before offers nothing, absolutely nothing at all to the mix type tool or url, then be advised that I might (note the might word here, I do have better things to do too), just might blog about you. I'll provide your email address, no link or reference to your site or moody tool/url and basically lambast your arse to kingdom come.
Thanks, sincerely
p.s If I think you are just after a link evident by anchor text and you happen to be a 1st time commenter who isn't saying very much then I'll remove the link to your URL. Don't be offended mind, if you stick around enough and contribute a little I might decide that you are a nice so and so and allow subsequent links to stand. IOW, don't blatantly game me 🙂


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Immediately following GM CEO Rick Wagoner's departure comes the news that France's biggest carmaker, PSA Peugeot Citroën, has sacked its own chief executive. Welcome to the club Christian Streiff.
After a three-month stint in 2006 as CEO of airplane manufacturer Airbus, Streiff was appointed CEO of the PSA Group in November 2006. Thierry Peugeot, the chairman of PSA's supervisory board, stated the following:
Given the extraordinary difficulties currently faced by the automotive industry, the supervisory board decided unanimously that a change in the senior leadership position was necessary.
Streiff's replacement will be Philippe Carin, the CEO of steelmaker Corus.
The Carpocalypse has hit France's rigid industry—where 10% of the workforce is employed by carmakers—particularly hard: PSA has lost $453 million in the year 2008 and is planning to cut 11,000 jobs this year.
Both PSA and rival Renault will be given an emergency loan of $4 billion by the French state.
Photo Credit: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images, ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images
Source: BBC


text:
Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran said at a news conference that 18-year-old Gil Collar took the drug during a music festival Saturday before assaulting two people in vehicles and attempting to bite a woman's arm.
Authorities said Collar then went to the campus police headquarters, where he was shot by university police officer Trevis Austin. Austin is on leave while investigators review the shooting.
Video taken by a surveillance camera showed Collar nude and covered in sweat as he pursued the retreating officer more than 50 feet outside the building, Cochran said. Collar got within 5 feet of Austin and the officer fired once, striking the student in the chest, Cochran said.
Cochran said Austin came out of police headquarters with his gun drawn after he heard Collar - a 5-foot-7, 135-pound former high school wrestler - banging on a door. While campus police typically carry pepper spray and a baton, Cochran said Austin was armed only with a gun during the confrontation.
The sheriff said it was unclear whether the officer could have avoided shooting even if he had a non-lethal weapon to subdue the student.
"Had the officer had a Taser or some other less lethal instrument I don't know if that officer would have had an opportunity to shoulder his pistol and to use something else because the events were evolving so rapidly and he was approaching so close," said Cochran.
Cochran said he had "serious concerns" about the killing of an unarmed student when he first heard what had happened, but he better understood the officer's decision to open fire after watching the videotape of the shooting.
"It's very powerful," said Cochran.
Investigators are trying to determine who provided Collar with LSD and could charge that person with murder, Cochran said. Cochran said the information about Collar's drug use came from people who were with him at the concert.
The New York-based American Council on Drug Education said LSD, also known as acid, can cause acute anxiety, panic, paranoia, psychotic behavior and an inability to recognize danger. Effects can last for hours, according to the group's website.
Cochran said authorities will allow Collar's family and media representatives to view the recording later, but it will not be released publicly.
Collar graduated earlier this year from Wetumpka High School, where a vigil planned in remembrance of the longtime prep wrestler will be held Tuesday night.
Associated Press writer Jay Reeves in Birmingham contributed to this report.


text:
Jay Z released a statement yesterday (November 15) saying that he is set to move forward with his Barneys partnership as he awaits the findings of investigations launched regarding racial profiling by the company.
"In the past several weeks two separate investigations were launched as a result of the wrongful detention of Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips," Jay Z said in the statement posted on lifeandtimes.com. "My team has been privy to the status of the Barneys third party consultant investigation. In continuing our research, we also contacted the New York State Attorney General's office for the status of their investigation into both Barneys and Macy's. Those findings are not yet available."
"While I await the findings of the Attorney General's Office, I have agreed to move forward with the launch of BNY SCC collection under the condition that I have a leadership role and seat on a council specifically convened to deal with the issue of racial profiling," Jay continued in the statement. "I am in a unique position to use my voice to affect change to this disturbing issue. The easy position would have been to walk away and leave policy making to others hoping that someone addresses the problem. I will not leave the outcome to others. I will take this into my own hands with full power to recommend, review and revise policies and guidelines moving forward. I am choosing to take this head on."
In September, Jay Z announced a partnership with Barneys titled "A New York Holiday."
In October, the New York Daily News reported two separate incidents in which Barneys allegedly committed discrimination against two African American customers Jay Z named in his recent statement, Trayon Christian, 19, and Kayla Phillips, 21. Both alleged victims said they were questioned by New York Police Department officials as suspects of credit card fraud.
Also in October, Brooklyn, New York resident Derick Bowers launched a petition asking Jay Z to cut ties with Barneys as a result of the racial profiling allegations.
Shortly after the petition was launched, Jay Z spoke on the matter with a statement.
"I move and speak based on facts and not emotion," Jay Z said. "I haven't made any comments because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys. Why am I being demonized, denounced and thrown on the cover of a newspaper for not speaking immediately? The negligent, erroneous reports and attacks on my character, intentions, and the spirit of this collaboration have forced me into a statement I didn't want to make without the full facts. Making a decision prematurely to pull out of this project, wouldn't hurt Barneys or Shawn Carter, but all the people that stand a chance at higher education. I have been working with my team ever since the situation was brought to my attention to get to the bottom of these incidents and at the same time find a solution that doesn't harm all those that stand to benefit from this collaboration."
Jay Z's The Shawn Carter Foundation Slated To Receive 100 Percent Of All Sales From Barneys Partnership
In this week's statement, Jay Z also said that The Shawn Carter Foundation is set to receive 100 percent of all sales from the Barneys partnership.
Previously, it was announced that Jay Z's foundation would receive 25 percent of sales.
"It will now receive the additional 75% of Barneys' sales, totalling 100% of all sales from BNY SCC," Jay Z said in his most recent statement. "Along with 100% of sales from the collaboration, the Foundation will receive an additional 10% of all retail sales from Barneys New York stores nationwide and Barneys.com on November 20th."


text: THE SETTING: BIG SUR Feeling with CARMEL LOCATION. Majestically situated on Point Lobos Ridge, this stunning home offers the most incredible whitewater and ocean views of Carmel and Pebble Beach imaginable. The home is positioned to take advantage of the natural wonders of the central coast and is guaranteed to leave you breathless. Experience the warm microclimate 15 degrees warmer than foggy Carmel, for you are perched high above the fog. Sunrises and Sunsets are 360 degrees and Carmel Village lights up the night below as the fog threads its way through the Valley. Thousands of acres of California State Parks open space surround the property, with oceanfront hiking in Point Lobos State Park at the entrance to the road leading to the estate. Vast open space precludes distraction, creating an abundance of stars and planet viewing. THE HOME: Situated on nearly 9 acres, your privacy is insured. With 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and 4,350 square feet of newly constructed living space this comfortably elegant home is unparalleled in quality and design. The fireplace well as the reclaimed 100 year-old building materials that surround you will warm your soul. The unique layout provides privacy of three master suites, on two separate levels, each with vast ocean views, so that you and your guests will enjoy privacy when desired, and a number of gathering places when time to enjoy the company of family and friends. Vast patios provide seamless indoor and outdoor living, especially when you open all 25 doors to the native grass meadow and slate patios. The Chef appointed kitchen offers a Wolf cook top and oven, Fisher Paykel double dishwasher drawers, several subzero refrigeration systems, and beautiful cookware and tableware. We will do all possible to make this a memorable experience that will endure a lifetime.


text:
If you've finished George R.R. Martin's epic novel A Storm of Swords from his A Song of Ice and Fire series, you might need the help of this useful public service announcement.
WARNING: If you haven't read A Storm of Swords DO NOT WATCH THIS! It contains super-big spoilers. And if you have only watched the TV series and don't want to be spoiled, do not watch this video either! Spoilers ahead.


text:
What Does Tomorrow Bring for Brandon Morrow?
By R.J. Anderson //
Almost every aspect of Brandon Morrow's career has resembled a roller coaster ride. So is there any surprise that Morrow's 2010 season is replicating that model?
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners as the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft ahead of hometown hero Tim Lincecum, Morrow failed to live up to expectations in the great northwest. Struggles with command and health restrictions that kept him in the bullpen for most of his Mariner career marked his downfall. Over the off-season he was dealt to the Blue Jays for reliever Brandon League.
The Jays placed Morrow in the rotation, hoping to squeeze the most value possible out of the right-hander. He's since made five starts, yielding a 5.46 ERA. Morrow has allowed 17 earned runs, but seven came in one start and 12 came in the first two starts. In his last three starts he's posted the following line: 19 IP, 25 SO, 10 BB, and a 2.37 ERA.
As always. Morrow features an explosive fastball at
upwards of 96 miles per hour. That velocity, combined with his draft
status, helped Morrow secure an annual position on numerous breakthrough
lists in the past two seasons. The hype makes hot stretches like the
one Morrow is now in difficult to evaluate without bias.
There is reason
to believe this is just a hot stretch, though, and not the new
Morrow has shown short stretches of success in the past, without following through. In September 2008, Morrow made a pair of starts against the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He pitched quite well, striking out a batter per inning and posting a 2.13 ERA. In July 2009 Morrow made four starts in which he struck out 21 and walked nine.
The only change in Morrow's per nine ratios this season is his strikeout rate and a slight deflation in his home run rate – although he's allowing the same number of home runs per fly balls hit. That increase in strikeout rate just screams unsustainable. Morrow's swinging strike rate is up one whiff per 100 pitches – from 10% to 11% — and the only change in pitch approach is the strong implementation of a curveball. It's interesting to see that Morrow is throwing his curve the most on 0-1, 0-2, and 1-2 counts per data from FanGraphs, suggesting the key to his success has been an increase in strikes looking, rather than of the swinging variety.
Reality and history suggest Morrow simply will not continue to strike out more than a batter per inning. Consider that Morrow has only faced two American League East opponents this season (Baltimore and Tampa Bay) and those starts combined to see him walk 11. Also note that he's yet to face the Red Sox or Yankees.
There's a chance Morrow can post a sub-4 ERA, but don't bet on it. If you can sell high, do it.
For more on Brandon Morrow, check out Bloomberg Sports Fantasy Tools.
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Somerset, traditional Damask floral pattern. This Fitted Tablecloths has a lovely drape, super classy giving an upscale touch of elegance to any setting. Ideal for shows or dining. We now offer the option of two invisible slits in the pleated corners so the panel can be lifted for storage at trade shows or four invisible slits for comfortable dining. Yes, this is the well-known Damask fabric. We proudly manufacture our fitted tablecloths in the United States. Option for the traditionally pleated corners or the new, stylish non-pleated version. Also, option for 3 sided or 4 sided with invisible slits for easy access for storage under the table or for dining. No clips or pins required, all one piece. Wrinkle and stain resistant fabric. 6 Colors to select from. Production time is only 24 hours.
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text:
source: jeffsmallwood
Service shouldn't just be one month of your family's year. Make it a lifestyle. Here are few tips to help you "keep your serve on" all year long.
- Put it on your calendar. Whether it's an established ministry you'll be helping or a something informal you'll do as a family, put it on your calendar—weekly, monthly, or whatever you can do.
- Tap into your family's interests. Your family will keep doing what they enjoy doing. Make what you're doing a family decision.
- Get involved in ongoing missions education. Southern Baptist missions education resources are designed to help your family become missions-minded believers. Servanthood is a big part of that. Visit www.namb.net/missioned or www.wmu.com for more information.
- Debrief each service experience. Being intentional about discussing what your family did will help keep everyone on the same page. Sometimes children and adults see the same project very differently.
Tobin Perry serves as the online editor for On Mission magazine at the North American Mission Board in Alpharetta, Ga.


text:
Sports have many fans that attend arenas and field to enjoy the game. However, it is not until sports were seriously covered in the media that it grew to new heights and soared to greater horizons. The role & importance of the media may have been unprecedented but not less important.
Stories about sports make up a large part of today's news coverage. In particular, information and news about star players are what drive headlines, and celebrity athletes can play a significant role in strategic communication efforts. In the past, audiences relied on traditional media outlets to acquire this news. Now, social media essentially opens a window into these athletes' lives – exposing both the bad and the good stories that might have previously been overlooked.
"For the media, social media makes it easier in a way because athletes can self report and can get whatever messages they want out to the public, without relying on us," Just said. "Journalists no longer need to break news as much because athletes break it themselves on Twitter. For example, high school athletes who are 'addicted' to Twitter will announce which school they are committing to through this platform."
Sourced from: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/research/outpost/blog/social-media-sports.php
The role of media has become even more important with the start of social media. The media includes any form of promotion of sport, such as;
- TV and Radio – Show (or commentate on) matches and competitions. There are also highlights; documentaries and quiz shows about sports!
- Cable and Satellite TV – These show events on a pay-per-view basis
- Ceefax and Teletext – Have up-to-date information about events in the world of sport
- Internet – All teams and major athletes have their own websites where you can find all kinds of information about the team/athlete/matches
- Newspapers and Magazines – Print predictions and results, as well as articles about athletes and clubs
- Books and Films – Biographies are big business for ex sports players
Sourced from: http://www.teachpe.com/gcse_society/media.php
Sports coverage has moved from TV, radio, cable, and satellite TV to newer horizons such as teletext and social media. The following are the positive and negative effects of the media coverage on sports;
Positive Effects
The media coverage of sport has good effects:
- Money – Media companies pay for the rights to show a sporting event. Also, sports shown on the TV generate more sponsorship
- Education – People learn the rules of the sport from watching it on TV
- Role models – Seeing good sports people on TV and in newspapers makes them a role model for people to look up to
- Inspiration – Media brings sport to people who may not normally get to experience it otherwise. This can encourage people to get involved
- Coaching aid – Watching professionals on the TV can help you see how a technique should be performed which could help your performance
Negative Effects
The media can also have a negative effect on sport:
- Bias – Only the really popular sports get much attention on the TV and in newspapers etc. This doesn't help encourage people into the less popular sports
- Lack of Attendance – For matches that are shown on TV, ticket sales often drop
- Overload – There is a lot of sport on TV nowadays, some say too much!
- Attention – Sport stars often complain of too much attention being paid to their private lives
- Demands – The media can put pressure on the organizers of sporting competitions to make the viewing experience better for TV audiences. For example, in a previous Olympics, the marathon was run at a time, which suited TV companies, even though it was at the hottest time of day!
Sourced from: http://www.teachpe.com/gcse_society/media.php


text:
September 23, 2010
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
- {openx:49}
After a six-month test, Italy's government will drop the use of full-body scanners for security checks in airports, judging them slow and ineffective, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported Thursday.
The scanners in the airports of Rome, Venice and the southern city of Palermo are no longer in use, and Milan's airport is likely to stop using the machines in the near future.
"We didn't get good results from body scanners during testing, it takes a long time to examine a person, more than with a manual inspection," said Vito Riggio, the president of Italy's aviation authority.
Know what's important: Having a Healthy Food Supply is Essential
Officials also believe measures taken to address privacy concerns over the use of the scanners have dampened the machines' effectiveness at locating arms and explosives, Corriere della Sera reported.
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States Seek to Boost K-12 Aid as Revenue Recovers
Gradual funding rise seen, though past cuts still sting
Buoyed by gradual increases in tax revenues, many states are looking to devote more money to schools in the coming year, after having held the line or made significant reductions during the Great Recession and its aftermath.
Yet even accounting for those proposed increases in spending, budget analysts and local officials predict that states and districts will be coping for years to come with the effects of deep cuts they've made to K-12 personnel, programs, and services.
The proposed bumps in education spending, which have been offered by Democratic and Republican governors alike, vary in size, though in many cases they are relatively modest. In fact, in some states, skeptics have argued that the increases amount to less than they seem, make too much of the new funding conditional, or will do too little to help districts that have suffered through years of cuts.
Even so, many say the budgets reflect a turnabout from the dire fiscal outlook school officials have faced in the past few years.
Over recent months, governors in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and other states have proposed K-12 spending increases, drawing mixed responses from educators—some of them grateful for new money, others critical that the money does not make up for past losses.
Education consumes a substantial portion of state budgets—typically at least one-third of general-fund spending—along with Medicaid, the state/federal health-care program for the poor, noted Scott D. Pattison, the executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers, in Washington. Policymakers typically are loath to cut education during tough times, he said, but they tend to move relatively quickly to restore it when the economic picture brightens—more so than for other parts of the budget. That shift appears to be playing out in many states now.
"It fits the pattern," Mr. Pattison said. "The two big kahunas are Medicaid and education. ... K-12 tends to be a favored area, and it always gets treated better than other parts of the budget."
Plugging Gaps
State tax revenues across the country have risen for seven straight quarters, according to the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, a research center at the University at Albany. At the same time, the strength of the recovery has varied by region. Some states, like Florida and Nevada, set back by declines in housing value and other factors, have been slower to rebound than others.
The recession officially lasted from late 2007 to mid-2009, though its shadow has lingered long after that. Rising revenues, however, have given states financial leeway that they lacked a few years ago. Overall state general-fund spending is expected to rise by 2.9 percent in fiscal 2012—which affects the current school year—according to NASBO and the National Governors Association. That contrasts sharply with fiscal 2009 and 2010, when state general-fund spending fell by 3.8 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively.
In Michigan, revenues are projected to rise by $630 million over the coming year. Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed increasing school aid by $113 million, to about $11 billion for fiscal 2013, according to his administration's estimates, after approving cuts the year before. The Republican has tied a portion of the new aid—about $200 million—to districts improving academic performance and financial efficiency.
The governor's budget director, John Nixon, said the proposal is meant to reward schools at the same time it requires more from them.
"Education is a big priority of ours," he said, "but we know we need to make some other reforms to move kids along."
Some have questioned how much new money will actually flow to schools from the governor's plan. The former director of the legislature's nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency, Mitch Bean, argues that proposed funding for schools will actually decline slightly, because the governor is not accounting for decreases in one-time funding, as well as supplemental spending yet to be approved by the legislature. Mr. Nixon counters that one-time spending should not be built into the base, when the obligation to taxpayers was that "we're only going to spend it one time."
In Florida, Republican Gov. Rick Scott has called for increasing state spending on schools by $1 billion next year, through a plan that would boost per-student funding by about 2 percent, to $6,372. That increase, being debated in the GOP-controlled legislature, would mark a reversal from last year, when the governor and lawmakers approved a spending plan that made substantial cuts to education.
Mr. Scott, elected two years ago on promises to limit government spending, told state lawmakers last month that public frustration over last year's K-12 cuts had shaped his thinking.
"I heard one thing very clearly, over and over," he said. "Floridians truly believe that support for education is the most significant thing we can do to ensure both short-term job growth and long-term economic prosperity for the state."
Candace Lankford, past president of the Florida School Boards Association, said the governor's proposal would do little to help districts that have absorbed deep reductions in personnel, services, and programs in recent years.
"We're grateful for no further cuts," Ms. Lankford said. "I think the governor realizes he's taken these cuts about as far as they can go."
Long Road Back
A number of analysts caution that states and school districts have a long way to go before they recover. Districts rely heavily on local property taxes, which were drained by the collapse of the housing market. Those losses, in turn, have made districts more reliant on state aid. In addition, states are coping with the loss of federal stimulus funding, the vast majority of which was supposed to have been spent by last fall. A separate pool of federal money, the Education Jobs Fund, must be obligated by this September.
State tax revenues grew by about 8 percent in the 12 months leading up to June 2011, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington organization that advocates for low- and middle-income Americans. Even if revenues continue to rise at that pace—unlikely, given historical growth rates—it would take states seven years to reach the point that they would have otherwise reached, had that money flow not been sapped by the recession, the center estimates.
Michigan is not the only state where governors have put conditions on districts receiving funding. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has proposed requiring districts to approve new teacher-evaluation systems in order to receive 4 percent increases in state aid included in his budget, which funds K-12 at about $20 billion. Those models will have to comply with state regulations agreed to by state and teachers' unions officials last week.
In some states, policymakers are fighting over K-12's share of the budget. In Alabama, Gov. Robert Bentley's proposal to shift $230 million from school funding to other parts of the budget has angered lawmakers. The Republican governor counters that his plan will protect programs in reading, math and science, prekindergarten, and other areas, without requiring a tax hike, which he says will hurt his state's economy.
Losses of state funding have sapped school districts like Perry County's, located about an hour south of Birmingham. The majority of the rural system's students hail from poor backgrounds. Other than a local catfish-processing plant and farming-related industries, the 1,800-student district generates little local property-tax revenue, making it reliant on dwindling state aid, said Superintendent John H. Heard III.
The Perry County schools have been forced lay off numerous teachers, cut central-office staff; reduce bus routes, and close the system's only alternative school. If cuts continue, class sizes will swell and teachers will struggle to help students at all academic levels, Mr. Heard predicted.
"It will make it difficult for teachers to do anything other than baby-sit," the school official said. State cuts, he added, amount to "more than bleeding, it's a hemorrhage."
Vol. 31, Issue 21, Pages 1, 26Published in Print: February 22, 2012, as States Seek to Increase K-12 Aid
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Stocks have been on a run for quite a while now. Is the market about to turn over? Does history contain any lessons for us? In this post, we'll look at the past 13 years of Dow history and reveal what one prominent money manager believes is lurking around the corner. Of course, no one can say exactly how long of a corner it may be. Let's begin by retracing the steps of the Dow from January 2000 until the present.
The Dow: An Overview
At the height of the tech bubble, the Dow Jones Industrial Average peaked at 11,723 on Jan. 14, 2000. Then the bubble burst and the Dow began a 32-month descent. It wouldn't reach this mark again until Oct. 3, 2006, six years later. After the Dow bottomed on Oct. 9, 2002, five months later in March 2003, animal spirits took hold and propelled the Dow to another record high of 14,164 on October 9, 2007.
Then came the housing market collapse and the near ruin of our entire financial system. From there, it only took 17 months for the Dow to bottom this time, reaching 6,547 on March 9, 2009, a level not seen since April 1997. Since its bottom, the Dow has been on a 55-month run, with intermittent corrections and high volatility at times. The worst correction occurred in mid-2011.
Anyone who understands stocks realizes there will be bullish and bearish periods. However, investors who began in January 2000 had nothing to show for their patience 11 years later. Moreover, for those who sat and watched their profits melt away during the recent bear markets, patience may be a bit hard to come by. Will there be a third bear? Probably. But when will it occur and how bad will it be? That's impossible to say. The following table illustrates the most recent bull and bear markets since 2000, how long they lasted and the Dow's return in each period.
The 53.8% decline after the sub-prime crisis took 517 days. Last Friday was day 1,684 of one of the strongest bull markets in recent history. Are we near the end of this bull run? If you ask well-known manager Rob Arnott, we are. In fact, according to unnamed sources within PIMCO, Mr. Arnott is short U.S. stocks in his PIMCO All Asset All Authority fund (PAUIX).
As I also understand it, he isn't concerned about missing the last leg of a bull market. In fact, he would much rather exit early rather than late. I would tend to agree. What if he is correct this time? Are there some measures we should be taking to protect our clients? I believe there are.
I have been saying for some time that investors should be careful with the market at these levels. In fact, this bull run is almost 50% higher than the 2003-2007 period. Hence, if we are nearing the top, we should be protecting our clients' assets. I continue to buy stock ETFs on the dips and add trailing stop orders. TSOs are an excellent way to place a safety net beneath a position. The salient question is what percentage I should use on my stops. I'm in the midst of analyzing this. I am also changing my stock allocations from mutual funds to ETFs with a mix of passive and active.
One thing's sure, it's nice to be able to sleep at night knowing my clients are protected. How about yours?
Thanks for reading and have a great week!


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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Chris Wondolowski scored three goals and added an assist to help the San Jose Earthquakes clinch the Western Conference title with a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
Marvin Chavez added his second goal of the season 95 seconds into the game for San Jose (19-6-7). The Earthquakes hold a six-point lead over idle Sporting Kansas City for the Supporters' Shield.
San Jose tied a club with 64 points in a season.
Andre Akpan scored on a penlty kick in the 90th minute for the Rapids.
Colorado (9-19-4) has won only twice in its last 16 games, going 2-11-3 in that span. The Rapids will miss the playoffs for first time since 2009.
Colorado played without midfielder Jaime Castrillon and forward Conor Casey. Both had sore knees.
The game time temperature was 32 degrees, but it didn't cool down San Jose's hot start.
Sam Cronin's cross was deflected out to Chavez. Chavez got the ball under control and sent a blast into the upper left corner of the net.
Alan Gordon set up the second goal with a pass in front of the goal. Wondolowski spun and sent a low shot past Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Wondolowski made it 3-0 in the 51st minute. The favorite to win the league's MVP award picked off a clearing pass in front and sent the ball back into an empty net.
Pickens left in the 75th minute. Wondolowski got behind Colorado's defense and easily beat backup goalkeeper Steward Ceus in the 83rd minute.


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Luke 7:36-8:3; 1 Kings 21:1-21; 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15; Galatians 2:15-21
The woman with the alabaster jar appears in all four gospels. She is unnamed in the three synoptics, but the writer of John's Gospel says she is Mary the sister of Lazarus and Martha. Doctoral theses have explored every aspect of the four different stories told about her in the New Testament. Best-selling novels and feminist theological treatises have been written about her. Who was she really? Was she "Mary, the one from Magdala, from whom seven demons had taken their leave," as Luke puts it? Was she one of the rich women who may have supported Jesus and his followers on their itinerant ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem? Was she married to Jesus? Was she his lover?
Luke's version of her story is usually read for Proper 6 of Year C (Revised Common Lectionary), shortly after Pentecost. In those readings, the woman with the alabaster jar is associated with the notorious Queen Jezebel, and David's affair with Bathsheba. Why the Elves who constructed the Revised Common Lectionary suggested those three stories be considered together is a question that likely cannot be answered without deconstructing dogma, tradition, patriarchy, misogyny, legend, and archetype.
Meanwhile, at least three levels of spiritual struggle are found in the combination of readings.
On one level is human ego gratification. In the story from 1 Kings, Ahab's Queen, Jezebel, organizes a campaign to kill Naboth, who owns a vineyard coveted by Ahab. Ahab thus is in violation of three of the Ten Commandments: you shall not covet your neighbor's house and goods; you shall not bear false witness against another; and you shall not kill. The reading from 2 Samuel brings us in at the end of King David's arranged murder of Uriah so that he can take Uriah's wife Bathsheba for himself. Covetousness and murder are the order of the day.
A second level of spiritual struggle is the confrontation with blatant injustice. The prophet Nathan seems to speak on behalf of God for both Old Testament stories. When David is rightly outraged by Nathan's parable, Nathan declares "You are the man!" But if we read on in the Elijah saga and complete Ahab's story, we find that both Nathan and Elijah essentially "forgive" their respective Kings because they repent of their sin. Nevertheless, the prophets exact payment from future generations because these are not just petty trespasses, but cosmic breaches of sovereign trust.
At a third level of spiritual struggle, distributive justice-compassion squares off against retributive justice. In the portion chosen from Galatians, Paul says that "no one will be justified (made righteous or just) by doing the works of the law." In his later letter to the Romans Paul goes so far as to say that "the strength of sin is the law." The phrase seems incomprehensible so long as "sin" means petty trespass such as using the law – the authority of the King – to accomplish selfish ends, and feed bully egos. But the stories of Kings Ahab and David are not only about such petty trespass. Their abuses of power break trust with the people, forming a trilogy of sin: David and Ahab betray their own integrity, confound the laws of the land, and break the laws of God.
In the suggested reading from Galatians, Paul is reminding them that if they accept the risen Christ as their Lord, they must reject the imperial rule of law, whether it is Jewish or Roman. Otherwise, Paul says, "Christ died for nothing." Well then, the Galatians apparently argued, if we reject the law, but still sin – perhaps as Ahab and David did –"is Christ then a servant of sin?" Don't be ridiculous, Paul says. If I reconstruct the unjust retributive imperial system after dismantling it, then I am indeed a transgressor because I have betrayed the Christ who reconciled me with God's justice-compassion. We are justified not by adherence to law, but by acknowledging the death of Jesus as an invitation to participate in restoring God's justice-compassion to the world. When we accept that invitation, we are made just because we become coworkers with God in that great work of justice-compassion, not co-workers with unjust imperial rule.
There is a difference between the short-term forgiveness extended to Ahab and David with the retribution exacted by God from future generations, and the free gift of grace (cosmic forgiveness) defined by Paul, won by the death of Jesus and extended to all who accept the invitation to the great work of justice-compassion. "I do not nullify the grace of God," Paul says, "For if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."
In Luke's hands, the story of the woman with the costly alabaster jar of ointment looks like a story about hospitality, and seems to become a story about earning salvation based on the level of forgiveness received. But it may also be an attempt to convey the idea of grace. Luke has Jesus say that "her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence (therefore) she has shown great love." Luke is saying that when one is forgiven, then one is able to love extravagantly (grace)? Luke seems to contradict Paul's insight that grace is the free gift from God. Instead of being made just (justified) by trust (faith) in the death and resurrection of Jesus, Luke seems to put a value on how much "grace" one receives from the forgiveness of sins. "The one to whom little is forgiven loves little" (NRSV). The translation and the point become clearer in the Scholar's translation: "But the one who is forgiven little, shows little love."
Because the story has become saddled with sexual sin, the deeper meaning of the free gift of grace (charis) is lost. Luke's setting is one where a woman who is a known "sinner" crashes an exclusively male dinner party (symposium). The Magdalene (if that is who Luke thought she was) is the penitent prostitute. She is so guilty, so remorseful, that she sheds enough tears to wash the feet of one of the guests. (One has to wonder why this basic hospitality was not extended to Jesus by Simon in the first place, but Luke was writing a novel, not a news report.) Then the woman lets her hair down in public (clearly a breach of social propriety) and dries Jesus's feet with it. The drama is award-winning, and has proven over the centuries to be completely distracting. If we lift the story out of that personal human relationship fraught with profligate sexuality and into present-day international relations, we may discover a better explanation of the woman's action than the one Luke's Jesus uses.
In 1804 the country of Haiti delivered itself from slavery to the French monarchy. The French government decided that the people of Haiti had stolen themselves from their French owners, and therefore must pay restitution. The yearly reparation extracted from the Haitian government is still in effect. The result has been 206 years of grinding poverty, corruption, and crime. Here is the full force of imperial, retributive justice under the law. If the government of France were to forgive this debt, Haiti would be free to enter the community of nations as a valuable participant instead of an international pariah.
As Luke's Jesus asked, which debtor would love the master more? The one who was forgiven much or the one who was forgiven little (or not at all)?
Was Mary Magdalene the woman with the alabaster jar? Does Luke mean that Mary Magdalene loved the most because, as he reports later, "seven demons had gone out" from her? Is Paul's argument about the free gift of grace already so totally misunderstood by Luke that he reduces Jesus' power from cosmic Christ to faith-healer? Or is Luke – like all the patriarchs – struggling with the wild feminine – untamable, trouble-making – the lawless one – in Jungian terms, the dark anima?
Luke allows a grudging acceptance of the women with Jesus. All but the one who crashes the dinner party are named, which means they were powerful and well-known. But at the same time, Luke dismisses them as "some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna." He also mentions "many others, who provided for them out of their resources." He does not name them however. Had they also been "cured," or was Luke obliged to mention them because they had the money?
The ultimate demonstration of sin in the suggested collection of readings is Jezebel's perversion of the law in Ahab's name. Ah yes, Jezebel. The Wicked Witch of the West Bank. She's a Pagan, a Priestess of Baal, and the personification of Evil in the Old Testament. Her demise is apocalyptic – she predicts her own death by wild dogs, which is confirmed in the sentence against Ahab, and proclaimed by Elijah. Curiously, this last part is never included in the lectionary (1 Kings 21:21b-29).
Jezebel is a mythical character, but nevertheless is a powerful female presence – otherwise, she never would have been named. In the battle between the Hebrew God and Baal, Jezebel is a major force. She is also the anima – the dark feminine – for Ahab, and perhaps for God as well. When Ahab can't bring himself to really act on his selfish desires, he projects it onto his wife, who acts for him. Have we heard this before? Didn't Adam do the same with Eve? What is it with these patriarchs?
Acting outside the law is not the same as perverting the law, as Paul makes clear, and Jezebel's fate illustrates. If sin (injustice) is indeed a product of the law, then the wild feminine outside the law must be the pure spirit of justice-compassion: grace, free gift (charis), the woman with her alabaster jar of precious essential oil.


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You won't see many birth certificates like this one, at least not in my family. The father and mother of the newborn child have occupations listed as "prince" and "princess."
Click on the image above to view a larger version.
The birth has been officially registered in the City of Westminster.
Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne, behind Prince George who turns two on July 22. Prince Harry has been pushed back into fifth place, while Prince Andrew — the Queen's second son and the new child's great uncle — is now sixth in line.


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Project Expected to Create Over 300 Jobs and Produce Clean Geothermal Power
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today announced the offer of a conditional commitment to provide a partial guarantee for a $350 million loan for a geothermal power generation project. The project, sponsored by Ormat Nevada, Inc., is expected to produce a total of 121 megawatts (MW) of clean, baseload power from three geothermal power facilities and will increase geothermal power production in Nevada by nearly 25 percent. The facilities are Jersey Valley in Pershing County, McGinness Hills in Lander County and Tuscarora in Elko County. The company estimates the project will create approximately 330 construction jobs and nearly 65 permanent jobs.
"Geothermal power offers consistent electricity production 24 hours a day," said Secretary Chu. "This project will help our nation maintain its position as the world's leader in installed geothermal capacity, while creating hundreds of jobs in Nevada."
"This announcement is yet another sign that Nevada is becoming a global leader in clean energy jobs," Senator Reid said. "The completion of these geothermal plants would be a significant achievement in Nevada's development of its renewable energy potential and will ensure that our state continues to leverage its geothermal resources for sustainable economic growth that puts Nevadans back to work."
The geothermal facilities feature Ormat Energy Converter (OEC) modules, which are in use around the world. OEC's employ a binary organic Rankine cycle, with hot water drawn from wells deep below the Earth's surface. The water's thermal energy is used to heat a secondary fluid that is vaporized and then forced through a turbine to generate electricity. The OEC modules typically consist of pre-engineered units that include an integrated vaporizer, preheater, turbine-generator set, condenser and feed pump, all of which work together to convert the geothermal energy to electric power.
Unlike coal-fired and natural gas-fired power generation plants, geothermal plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions. The Ormat project is expected to avoid nearly 580,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of over 110,000 vehicles. The project is also expected to produce over one million megawatt hours of power annually, enough to power nearly 88,000 homes. The project's total output is expected to be sold to Nevada Power Company under a long-term power purchase agreement. Lender-applicant, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) submitted the application under the Financial Institution Partnership Program (FIPP).
The Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office administers three separate programs: the Title XVII Section 1703 and Section 1705 loan guarantee programs, and the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. The loan guarantee programs support the deployment of renewable energy systems using commercial technologies, along with innovative technologies that avoid, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions, while ATVM supports the development of advanced vehicle technologies. Under all three programs, DOE has issued loans, loan guarantees or offered conditional commitments for loan guarantees totaling over $30 billion to support 30 clean energy projects across the U.S. The program's 15 generation projects produce over 26 million megawatt-hours annually, enough to power over two million homes. To date, the program has committed over $450 million in loan guarantees to geothermal power projects. DOE has also committed financing to support numerous other projects, such as four of the world's largest solar projects, the world's largest wind farm and the nation's first new nuclear power plant in three decades.


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A judge has officially ended more than a decade of federal oversight of the Los Angeles Police Department that was triggered by a corruption scandal involving abusive officers.
In two short sentences, U.S. District Judge Gary Allen Feess dismissed the final remnants of a consent decree on Wednesday, releasing the department from a transition agreement put in place in 2009 to ensure reforms that had been made were kept in place.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa cheered the formal end to agreement at an afternoon news conference with Police Chief Charlie Beck. Villaraigosa said the department, which was once "an example of how not to police a city, is now a national model."
Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said the union was pleased the department was free of the federal monitoring.
"Now we can begin looking for efficiencies in LAPD processes while at the same time maintaining the transparency the public deserves," he said. The union represents nearly 10,000 LAPD personnel.
The city was forced into the consent decree in 2001 under the threat of a federal lawsuit. The U.S. government alleged a pattern of civil rights violations committed by police officers that went back decades.
The abuses came to light after the so-called Rampart scandal in which officers in an elite anti-gang unit were found to have beaten and framed suspected gang members.
The decree mandated more than 100 reforms and the appointment of an outside monitor.
It ended in July 2009 and a transition agreement was approved to ensure the reforms continued.
"This isn't a matter of what goes on a piece of paper; this was about changing a culture," said Mark Rosenbaum, chief counsel for the ACLU of Southern California. "The purpose was to make sure they were cemented in."
Reforms included improving training, a better system for monitoring officer performance, increased oversight of the anti-gang unit, and a ban on racial profiling.
During the transition agreement, the civilian Los Angeles Police Commission was responsible for oversight of the reforms.
If Justice Department lawyers were unhappy, the agreement allowed them to take the department back to federal court.
Rosenbaum, who represented community groups in the case, said there were still questions about the department's treatment of homeless people and whether it was doing racial profiling. He said data on who is stopped, questioned or arrested isn't made public.
But Rosenbaum acknowledged that much had changed for the better.
"Twenty years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago, no one could have imagined this police department would have been under control and treat the most vulnerable communities with respect," Rosenbaum said. "And by and large, it has occurred."


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Can you believe I am still working on that one section of the fence? I had stopped working on the house to concentrate on the fence. And yet it is still not done.
A while back, I had finished the post extensions. It was done with hand tools. You can see it installed. Definitely not as good as I had hoped, but it's the best I can do with what I have. Oh, and I did have to buy a bunch of tools for working this project, but I tried not to spend too much money, hence the hand tools.
Also, I had to replace one of the poles. Both my fence and the neighbor's was fastened to that pole. Anyhow, it took a day but I got it done.
I have most of the rails up and have started installing the pickets. I have discovered that the pickets are not "square," resulting in gaps between them. It's been like a puzzle figuring which two boards adjacent to each other would result in the smallest gap. With about 1/3 of the pickets up, I am now trying another route. I will shave off (hence shape the picket) the pickets where needed to give me less gap. So basically, the pickets will be shaped to fit the one next to it. I have also discovered that the pickets I have put up have shrunken. I know I had put them up right next to each other, but the ones I've put up weeks ago now have no points in which they touch. So undoubtedly, they have shrunken. The wood filler which I had put in the holes and sanded down are now bulging out, since the wood around it has shrunken. If imperfections are "character," this fence has plenty of character.


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Friday, September 25, 2020
Gaza rolls out the red carpet for third consecutive year
The Palestine Monitor
- May 22, 2017
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"It seemed impossible until the very last minute," Abed Hussein, one of the festival organizers recalls about the opening ceremony on May 12 at the Gaza seaport. A tailor had made the screen, sawing together pieces of white fabric to make it 14 meters high and 10 meters wide. "We are thinking of applying to the Guinness world records," Abed Hussein said laughing. But it was far from being the only concern.
Importing cables into the Gaza Strip is forbidden by the Israeli authorities as they are considered "dual-use" material, meaning something that may be used for civilian as well as military purposes by the Islamist movement Hamas, which Israel, alongside the EU and the US, considers a terrorist organization. But the festival needed those cables to set up two electric generators far from the sound system, which itself required heavy equipment since the first screening was on the port and the noise from the waves had to be covered.
"We called every single person we knew to ask them if they had cables for audio and video," Abed recalls. "In the end, electricians did a great job at arranging all the cables and we were able to make it happen."
As the 100-meter long red carpet was rolled out at the port, Abed Hussein suddenly realized that the banners designed to stand on both sides needed to be fixed with more metal strings as the wind was getting stronger. "Same thing: there's no metal string in the Strip, we actually had to take some out things that are already do-it-yourself kind of arrangements."
"Until the last minute, we were not sure we had all the good paperwork and permits, or if the screen was not going to fall," Montaser al Sabea, another organizer, said.
Despite the hurdles, thousands of people showed up at the opening night, for the screening of Ghost Hunting, a film by Palestinian director Raed Andoni about Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. It won the award for best documentary at the Berlin Film Festival.
The movies themselves could not easily reach the Strip. Most of them were uploaded to a digital cloud, with all sorts of digital security measures for them not to be stolen. It was the easiest solution as it is very difficult to send mail or packages to the Gaza Strip. "It may take more than 3 months, and you never know in which condition it will arrive," says Abed.
For the small team of a about a dozen heading the festival, all the efforts were worth to revive cinema culture in the Gaza Strip.
"Our past looks better than our future," Montaser al Sabea explains, "so we want to revive it, that's also the motto of the festival 'We Want To Return'". Cinema halls were demolished in the eighties amid tensions, the beginning of the first intifada, and a growing influence of Islamic movements. But before, Palestinian cinema and theaters did exist and it was very common for Palestinians in Gaza to go there. "My parents went right after they got engaged, to celebrate," remembers Saud Aburamadan, the Red Carpet film festival's spokesperson.
Most of the young people who attended the screenings never actually experienced a screening in a real movie theater. Falasteen, a young woman, explained she connected in a deeper way with the documentary she saw on screen, because she felt "caught by the set up" of dim lights and such a large screen. "I forgot about all the people in the room, and I was experiencing the movie as never before," she said.
Photo by Omar El Qattaa
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Evie turned two this year. I was hoping to knit a poncho for her birthday and, while searching for yarns, I came across a knitted child's Pinwheel Sweater* in the window of Natural Stitches and instantly fell in love with it. It seemed like the perfect little sweater for our transition from winter to spring. I was looking for a washable, lightweight yarn for the project and settled on Berrocco Vintage. I have never been a fan of Berroco yarn, but that is probably because all the freebies and giveaways I've gotten over the years seem to contain some kind of novelty yarn from Berroco. Vintage is a blend of acrylic and wool with a little nylon giving it a nice, soft, and light feel in a yarn that is washable. Each skein is 100 grams with many great colors to choose from.
I had nearly 100 grams of yarn leftover from the sweater and decided to knit a scarf for the scarf stash. I had always wanted to try illusion knitting and already had a pattern in my Ravelry favorites, so I thought I'd give it a try. Illusion knitting is much easier than I would have expected. Two alternate yarn rows are knit in either raised, purl stitches or recessed, knit stitches, or a combination of knit and purls in the same row, so that, when looked at from an angle, the purls stand out and your pattern appears. How appropriate, then, that Alice Bell designed a disappearing cat pattern and named it Wonderland Socks. For the scarf, the cat pattern was a bit difficult to see and make out. Perhaps because I was using a heavier yarn and the pattern traveled a farther distance. The cat and it's curly tail only filled about 1/3 of the scarf, so I decided to make this one for my niece Sara and do her name in the illusion knitting. I think the thick letters are much better for the scarf and I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see her name hidden in the scarf.
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It was a rough season by all accounts for Ravens nose guard Terrence Cody.
The massive former second-round draft pick was controlled or knocked off the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis, getting shoved back into the linebackers.
One season after starting every game and recording a career-high 34 tackles, Cody dipped to three starts and missed one game with an elbow injury. He finished the season with 25 tackles, no sacks, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries, deflecting one pass.
Cody had just two tackles during the playoffs, where he seemed to do a better job of keeping blockers off of retiring middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who led the NFL with 51 tackles during the postseason.
The former Alabama All-American graded out for the season with a minus-6.5, according to Pro Football Focus, which gave Cody the lowest grade among the Ravens' defensive linemen.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome didn't hesitate when asked recently at a season-review news conference to identify team needs.
"We talked about it -- the middle of the defense," Newsome said. "We think we have to get better at defensive tackle."
Cody's low grade was closely followed by nose guard Ma'ake Kemoeatu, who started 13 games and was only slightly more productive than his younger colleague with 29 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Kemoeatu received a grade of minus-5.7.
Kemoeatu, 34, is a pending unrestricted free agent. Cody is entering the final year of a four-year, $3.064 million rookie contract and is due a $630,000 base salary this year.
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"The most disappointing player on that team is Terrence Cody," former Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles scout Daniel Jeremiah, an NFL Network analyst, told the Baltimore Sun said of Cody during the season. "He's not very good. He's getting blown off the line of scrimmage. He can't rush the passer, so you know that's not a strength. And getting blown off the ball 6 or 7 yards, he's not having a whole lot of value. There are four other interior guys I'd rather put out there."


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The Hope College campus during the final week in July has provided several of the backdrops for the shooting of an independent film, "Return to the Hiding Place."
The film tells the story of Dutch students who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II. The title is a reference to the home of the ten Boom family who sheltered Jews from the Nazis during the war. Corrie ten Boom, who wrote the book "The Hiding Place," is a character in the film, which stars John Rhys-Davies (whose scenes weren't in Holland) and is scheduled for completion in 2011. The film is directed by Peter Spencer, who also wrote the screenplay inspired by his friendship in later years with one of the Dutch students.
The Hope campus, Holland community and several other locations in western Michigan are providing ideal backdrops for the shooting, which is also taking place in the Netherlands, Texas and Manistee. Filming on campus has included the Pine Grove with the chapel, Graves Hall and Voorhees Hall among the locations. Community sites have included CentennialPark, WindmillIsland and the FeltMansion in LaketownTownship southwest of town.
Holland and Hope were chosen due to the involvement of 1997 Hope graduate Matt Tailford, who is president of Manistee-based 10 West Studios, which is co-producing the film. From his student days he remembered the community and campus as well-suited to standing in for Dutch locations.
"Knowing what Hope and Holland offered from a Dutch architectural standpoint, it was really my starting point," he said. "It was a great opportunity to bring Hope into the mix."
In addition to featuring campus locations, the film will include members of the Hope community, with students and recent graduates among those who answered the call for extras.
For chemistry major and pre-medical student Rebekah Taylor, a junior from Zeeland who had been working on campus, the film provided a once-in-a-lifetime way to wrap up the summer.
"I had finished working this summer at Upward Bound as an office assistant," she said. "It seemed like something interesting to do."
Jackie Richards of Worthington, Ohio, and 2010 graduate Alex Martin of Fort Wayne, Ind., both signed on as a way of gaining career-related experience. Both have been working with Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) and are hoping to pursue careers in theatre.
"This has been my first experience working with a film," Martin said. "I've learned a lot,"
"It's incredibly beneficial for our careers to have these experiences and opportunities," he said.
Richards, who had worked as an extra before, noted that she has enjoyed seeing how many people are involved in creating a film and also the process itself, with multiple takes behind getting each moment just right. "We'll do the same thing, only it'll be from a different angle throughout," she said.
She's appreciated the work as a complement to her time with HSRT, which itself brings gathers theatre professionals from around the world and provides a living learning experience for the students who work with the program. "It's a really great group that gets together - very talented," she said.
Grateful for the college's accommodation as host, Tailford has valued the chance for students to get involved.
"It was my hope that it could be that kind of reciprocal relationship," he said.
"We definitely want to present those kinds of opportunities," Tailford said. "To be able to come back and offer students that kind of thing is pretty cool."
The film has a Facebook page that includes a plot summary and photographs
See Photos


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ESA's potential future mission, LISA, will detect and observe gravitational waves that are emitted during the most powerful events in the universe. LISA will detect gravitational radiation from astronomical sources, observing galaxies far back in time and testing the fundamental theories of gravitation.
For more in-depth scientific and technical details of our Space Science Programme and missions, follow this link.
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is a cooperative mission with NASA, designed to detect 'ripples' in space-time.
As predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity, the ripples are created during events in which very massive objects undergo strong acceleration. Examples of such events are massive black holes swallowing neutron stars or the collision of two massive black holes. Such ripples are called gravitational waves and LISA will be the first mission to detect them from space.
LISA's three spacecraft will form an equilateral triangle with an arm's length of about 5 million km. Each spacecraft houses two free-floating cubes made of a gold-platinum alloy inside the spacecraft, shielded from adverse effects of being in interplanetary space. The distance between the cubes in different spacecraft is monitored using highly accurate laser-based techniques. In this manner, it is possible to detect minute changes caused by passing gravitational waves.
Gravitational waves are an integral part of Einstein's theory of general relativity. When a massive body is accelerated in the proper manner, it radiates gravitational waves.
The difficulty is that, even for very massive bodies, such as black holes or neutron stars, gravitational waves are very weak and their effects are small. To detect gravitational waves, increasing the size of the detectors and going to a very quiet place is key. This is why scientists need LISA – a space-based detector, 5 million km in size.
What's special?
Physicists have come to two fundamental conclusions about gravitational waves:
- The most predictable and most powerful sources of gravitational waves mostly emit their radiation at very low frequencies, below 10 miliHertz, or less than one oscillation every 100 seconds
- The presence of Earth's gravitational field and noise. both man-made and natural makes it difficult to observe the low frequency signals caused by gravitational waves. This makes detectors in space necessary, far away from Earth's gravitational disturbance and the noise on ground
One of the most certain sources of gravitational waves in our galaxy are binary stars, pairs of stars held together by their mutual gravitational pull. LISA's observations of these systems will be very interesting both for fundamental physics and for astrophysics.
Its design is such that it can measure the amplitude, direction, and polarisation of gravitational waves simultaneously. Comparing measurements with theory will be a very powerful test of general relatvity. With the help of polarisation measurements, the inclination of the orbit of the binary system can be determined – a crucial factor missing from many optical observations of these systems, necessary to infer the mass of stars in the binary pair.
There are thousands of binary systems whose individual components can be detected in this manner, including some already identified from optical and X-ray observations. Candidate sources include X-ray binaries, neutron-star binaries, black-hole binaries, and helium cataclysmic variables.
The most powerful sources of gravitational waves are the mergers of super-massive black holes in distant galaxies. When such events occur, their signal is about 10 million times stronger than the expected level of noise in a space-based detector. Observation of signals involving massive black holes will test general relativity and particularly black-hole theory to unprecedented accuracy. It will provide astronomers with information that cannot be obtained in another way.
Massive blackholes were proposed in theory to explain the presence and behaviour of powerful quasars and active galactic nuclei, although there were no direct observations. Nowadays, the observational evidence is compelling.
Data collected by the ESA/NASA Hubble Space Telescope shows that the galaxy M87 contains a central black hole, about 3000 million times more massive than the Sun. Andromeda, or M31, is also believed to contain a black hole of 30 million solar masses. Many more observations of black holes in nearby galaxies have been made and so astronomers expect a lot of signals for LISA to detect them.
However, to detect signals of passing gravitational waves, all other sources of noise must be eliminated or damped down to an acceptable level. The spacecraft must be able to compensate for constant low-level buffeting by the solar wind and correct for minute orbital changes introduced by solar radiation pressure. This is one of the most challenging technical aspects.
Each of the three LISA spacecraft will carry two telescopes with associated lasers and optical systems. Pointing in directions separated by 60 degrees, the telescopes in each spacecraft will communicate with the other two spacecraft, located at the other two corners of an equilateral triangle. The task of aiming laser beams from one small spacecraft to another across 5 million kilometres of space is quite complex.
Additionally LISA has to deal with other forces that will alter the separation of the spacecrafts – for example, solar radiation pressure. The spacecraft must sense the extraneous forces and counteract them with highly sensitive electric thrusters.
Central to each optical system, is a cube of side length 4cm, made of gold-platinum alloy. This 'test mass' will float freely in the weightless conditions of space. Acting as a reflector for the laser beams, the cube will provide the reference for measuring the distance between spacecraft.
According to the current concept, the three identical LISA spacecraft will be launched together on a single Atlas V launcher. They will then independently reach their final orbits around the Sun using their propulsion modules that will be jettisoned prior to starting the scientific operations. The three spacecraft will be located at the vertices of a triangle, with an arm's length of 5 million kilometres. The orbits will be similar to that of the Earth, but will trail our planet by approximately 50 million kilometres.
It will take one year for the three spacecraft to reach their final position and to start the actual mission. The LISA triangle will face the Sun, at an angle of 60 degrees to the plane of Earth's orbit, revolving with Earth around the Sun.
These heliocentric orbits for the three spacecraft were chosen so that the triangular formation is maintained throughout the year, with the triangle appearing to rotate about the centre of the formation once per year. The relative movement of the three spacecraft will help to detect the direction of each source and to reveal the nature of the gravitational waves.
The distance between the spacecraft determines the frequency range in which LISA can make observations; it has been carefully chosen to allow observation of most of the interesting sources of gravitational radiation, namely massive black holes and binary stars.
Early designs for laser-interferometer gravitational-wave detectors in space were first suggested in 1976. Three drag-free spacecraft were to be placed in space 'as far apart as practical' and their relative motion determined by a laser interferometer. This concept was worked out in greater detail and tentatively named Laser Antenna for Gravitational-radiation Observation in Space (LAGOS).
In May 1993, LISA was proposed by a team of United States and European scientists as a joint ESA/ NASA mission. It was chosen by ESA instead for an Assessment Study as a possible ESA-only mission. The ESA-led study indicated that LISA was too expensive for a single agency to develop it.
A six-spacecraft version of LISA was suggested in October 1993, as a candidate for a Cornerstone mission under ESA's former Horizon 2000 Plus programme. The mission was not approved due to high expected costs and size.
To reduce mission costs, the science team studied an alternative configuration using only three spacecraft. Each spacecraft would replace a pair of spacecraft at the vertices of a triangle, with two instruments in each spacecraft.
The three spacecraft would maintain all scientific capabilities of the six-spacecraft mission and would include redundancy such that no single failure would compromise the mission. In the case of the failure of one instrument, the mission would degrade into a two-arm interferometer, rather than the preferred three-arm mission, but would still provide much of the expected science return.
LISA is a collaborative ESA-NASA project.
An initial agreement between ESA and NASA on roles and responsibilities for the Mission Formulation phase was finalized in August 2004. Under this plan, NASA will provide the three spacecraft, the launch vehicle, operations, the use of the Deep Space Network and elements of the payload. ESA will provide the complete payload and the three propulsion modules. The current agreement will be updated at a later stage to formalize ESA and NASA roles and responsibilities for the implementation phase.


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Most celebrities, if not already in LA, are en route to LA. Especially this weekend. LA is where some work will be done -- at the parties, on the carpets -- for those who are nominated for Oscars and those not nominated for Oscars. This is where you hint at something over a cocktail, express interest in a part by the pool, anything that sets you up for the Next. So that maybe you can be included in 2014 or 2015 when the envelopes are opened.
Here's Katie Holmes at JFK today for a flight. No idea where she's going. But Suri isn't with her, so visiting family in Ohio seems unlikely. And, given that it is Oscar weekend, and that she certainly has some ground to gain re: her career, especially after the Broadway play went down, it wouldn't be totally offside to assume she's making her way to Hollywood to hit the Oscar circuit for the first time since leaving Tom Cruise. If I were advising her, this is what I would recommend. Put on a great dress -- not one that you designed -- and RSVP to only the most exclusive events, like Vanity Fair on Sunday night and a few of the studio bashes. Maybe not Universal. Universal is banking on Tom. But they're not the only game in town. This is the time make moves.