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Emerging big data scenarios has caused privacy & security concerns. These recautions can help to keep big data risk at bay.
Big data brings with it new security concerns.
Although our data capacity is growing exponentially, we have imperfect solutions for the many security issues that affect even local, self-contained data.
Hacking technology outstrips defensive technologies, and there are demons that haunt large organizations in the area of security.
Political and structural issues can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of security policies, organizations are open to malicious damage from disgruntled employees, and they are probably even more open to damage caused by satisfied but careless employees.
Big data increases the risk. For one thing, big data breaches will be big breaches. For another, the more information you have, the more likely it is that it includes personal or sensitive information. Sources of information vary greatly, allowing multiple opportunities for infiltration. And finally, distributed computing, which is the only way to process the massive quantity of "big data", opens up additional opportunities for data breaches.
Big data operations gather data from multiple sources, combining in-house stores with data harvested from public sources like blogs, social media, and clickstream data, then store and analyze this data, which can total in the petabytes (1 petabyte = 1024 terabytes or a million gigabytes).
The Cloud
Building big data infrastructure in-house is a major investment of time and money for research, hardware, software, and countless other details, so most organizations will not install their own big data infrastructure. Thus, big data in the cloud and its security should be considered. There are few challenges associated with big data privacy and issues which can be divided into four groups: Infrastructure Security, Data Privacy, Data Management, and Integrity/Reactive Security.
Privacy Challenges and Recommendations
Infrastructure Security
Maintain Security in Distributed Computing Frameworks.
The distributed computing framework, utilizing parallel computation across multiple Workers, creates opportunities for breaches of security. Identifying a malicious or unreliable Worker computer and protecting the data from these unreliable processors is a key to security solutions involving big data.
SOLUTION: There are two techniques for ensuring the trustworthiness of the worker computers:
- Trust establishment, in which Workers are stringently authenticated, and given access properties only by Masters, who are explicitly authorized to do so. After the initial qualification, Worker properties must be checked periodically to ensure they continue to conform to predefined standards.
- Mandatory Access Control (MAC), in which the access of each Worker is constrained to a very limited set of tasks. Typically, in the MAC system, the ability of a user to control the objects it creates is highly restricted. MAC adds labels to all file system objects defining the appropriate access for each object, and all users appropriately defined access.
Best Security Practices for Non-Relational Data Stores.
In finding solutions to big data management, many organizations migrate from a traditional relational database to a NoSQL (Not Only Structured Query Language) database to deal with the unstructured data.
A big gap in NoSQL database architecture is secure. NoSQL solutions were originally built as solution-specific tools to operate within a larger framework, leaving security to the parent system. In addition, the architectural flexibility that made NoSQL a good solution for multi-sourced data also leaves it vulnerable to attack.
SOLUTION: Data integrity should be enforced through an application or middleware layer, and encryption should be used at all times – when data is in transit and at rest. This means that database contents should be encrypted; protecting data at rest, and additional protection for data in transit should be applied using SSL encryption to connect the client and server, ensuring that only trusted computers can access the encrypted data.
It is sensible to monitor logs on a real-time basis to spot anomalies that may indicate an attack. Use data tagging and enforced time stamps to prevent unauthorized activity.
To maintain performance, scalability, and the security of the overall system, NoSQL should be integrated into a framework, which will handle many of the security components for the system.
Data Privacy
Preserve the Privacy in Data Mining and Analytics.
Big data can enable "invasions of privacy, invasive marketing, decreased civil liberties, and increased state and corporate control". The amount of information collected on each individual can be processed to provide a surprisingly complete picture. As a result, organizations that own data are legally responsible for the security and the usage policies they apply to their data.
Attempts to anonymous specific data are not successful in protecting privacy because there is so much available that some data can be used as a correlation for identification purposes.
Users' data are also constantly in transit, being accessed by inside users and outside contractors, government agencies, and business partners sharing data for research.
SOLUTION: Privacy, for legal reasons, must be preserved even at the cost – not only monetary but that of system performance. Developing approaches include "differential privacy", a formal and proven model that comes with a great deal of systems overhead; and an emerging technology known as homomorphic encryption, which allows analytics to work with encrypted data. Older, more standard solutions include encryption of data within the database, access control, and stringent authorization policies. Keeping security patches up to date, another bit of standard wisdom, is important.
An important consideration for implementing privacy policies is that legal requirements vary from country to country, and it is necessary to comply with the policies of the countries where you are active.
Encrypted Data-Centric Security.
There are two distinct approaches to applying security controls to control data visibility: first, controlling access to the system, and secondly, applying encryption to the data itself. The first method, which is easier and less costly to implement, is also less effective, as it provides what it calls a larger "attack surface".
If the system is breached, then the attacker has access to all the data. Deploying encryption on all data on a granular basis helps ensure that even if there is a system breach, the data itself remains protected.
SOLUTION: Identity- and attribute-based encryption can be used to enforce access control on individual objects through cryptography. Identity-based systems can encrypt plain text so that only an entity with a certain identity can decrypt the text. Attribute-based encryption applies the same controls based on attributes rather than identities. A complete homomorphic encryption scheme, as mentioned above, would keep the data encrypted even while it's being worked on.
Another tool to help maintain privacy is the concept of "Group Signatures", which allows individual entities access to their data, but publicly can be identified only as part of a group. Only trusted users would have access to specific identity information.
Granular Access Control.
When implementing big data security, it is important that privacy concerns are respected while still permitting data usage and analytics to continue. This is one of big data's greatest security challenges, as the collection of data is useless without being able to use it; but a data privacy breach has legal and ethical implications, as well as marketplace effects. Granular access control acts on each piece of data, thus ensuring a high level of both security and usability.
There are three problems with effective implementation of granular access control:
- Keeping track of the security/secrecy requirements and policies in a cluster-computing environment;
- Keeping track of user access throughout all components of the ecosystem;
- Proper implementation of security/secrecy requirements with mandatory access control.
Choosing an appropriate level of granularity is its own challenge, and requires knowledge of the data store and analytics systems. Row-level access, because a row typically represents a single record, is often used for data derived from multiple sources. Column-level access, because a column represents a specific field for all records, is often used for sensitive elements, because the identification columns are not necessarily available to users. Cell-level access means a label is applied to every grain of information, and can support a wide range of usages and analytics. However, such a scheme must be rigorously applied in order to be effective, and in data sets this big, the overhead could be prohibitive.
SOLUTION: To cope with the complexity of tracking and implementation in big data environments, where the scale is so extensive, it is recommended to reduce the complexity of granular access controls on the application level. Instead, use the infrastructure to implement as much of the access control as possible, and adopt standards and practices that simplify whatever access controls still exist in the application level. This fits in well with the need to build a framework to support NoSQL security.
Ensure your access scheme assigns an appropriate level of granularity, balancing the size of the data store with the need for security.
Data Management
Secure Storage and Transaction Logging.
In order to deal with petabytes of data, a form of storage called auto-tiering has become a necessity. In auto-tiering, items are assigned a level of storage automatically, based on policies established by the organization. Auto tiering opens a number of vulnerabilities due to unverified storage services and mismatched security policies. Moreover, because data is moved automatically, rarely accessed, but the critical information could end up on a lower tier, which typically has less security attached to it. Finally, auto-tiering maintains transaction logs of its activities, which now also have to be protected in order to protect the data of its logs information.
There are specific vulnerabilities associated with big data storage: Confidentiality and integrity, data provenance, and consistency. The need for availability presents risks as well: stored data needs to be available on demand, which requires the system to have hooks to the data that can be exploited.
It states about two types of attacks, which auto-tiered environments are susceptible to collusion attacks, in which service providers exchange keys and access codes and thus gain access to more than the subset of data assigned to them, and Rollback attacks, in which an outdated dataset is uploaded to replace the latest version.
SOLUTION:Technologies for dealing with some of these issues have become more robust in response to big data demands. Encryption is a crucial part of maintaining confidentiality and integrity of data. Digital signatures using asymmetric encryption, regular audits, and hash chaining can help secure the data. Persistent Authenticated Dictionaries (PADs), which allow queries against older versions of the structure, can assist in identifying Rollback attacks. The secure untrusted data repository (SUNDR) is a network file system designed to store data securely on untrusted servers by checking consistency in the data fork. Collusion attacks can be addressed with varying levels of encryption/decryption policies and digital rights management.
Persistent Authenticated Dictionaries (PADs), which allow queries against older versions of the structure, can assist in identifying Rollback attacks. The secure untrusted data repository (SUNDR) is a network file system designed to store data securely on untrusted servers by checking consistency in the data fork. Collusion attacks can be addressed with varying levels of encryption/decryption policies and digital rights management.
The problem is not an absence of technologies, but the absence of an all-inclusive systemic approach or framework. The result is a patchwork of security policies, rather than a unified structure in which all the parts work together to provide a sufficient level of security.
Granular Audits
As discussed below, the goal of real-time security monitoring is to raise the alert at the first sign of trouble. However, since that doesn't always happen due to the challenges of identifying real threats among a huge number of false alarms, it's important to have frequent, granular audits to identify breaches after the fact. Audit information also helps identify exactly what happened so a similar attack or problem can be avoided in the future. An effective audit depends on four factors:
- Completeness of the information that is required for the audit;
- Timely access to the information;
- Integrity of the information;
- Controlled access to the information, to prevent tampering, thus compromising the integrity.
SOLUTION: Start by enabling logging options for all components to ensure completeness of information. This would include applications at all layers, including operating systems. Deploy a forensic or SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tool to collect, analyze, and process the log information. This should be done outside of the infrastructure used for the data, so it is not subject to the same risks as the data to be audited.
Data Provenance and Verification
Big data is collected from a wide variety of sources, and in enterprise settings that can mean millions of end-user machines. In this environment, the question of how trustworthy the data might be is of paramount importance. As the volume grows, so does the complexity of the provenance. Provenance information is contained in the metadata attached to each data object and provides information about the object's creation.
In big data applications, the provenance metadata includes the provenance for the big data infrastructure itself, which is like having meta-metadata. As development in this area progresses, provenance metadata will become more complex due to large provenance graphs generated from provenance-enabled big data applications. Analytics for graphs of this size and complexity are very resource-intensive in terms of computational overhead.
The major threats to data integrity in big data applications are malfunctioning infrastructure, and attacks on infrastructure from inside or outside the organization. The provenance metadata itself must be protected as well so that audits and other detection methods can be effective in verifying data sources.
SOLUTION: Very granular access control is an important starting point for securing provenance and verification metadata. It is recommended that data-independent persistence should also be satisfied when updating provenance graphs. This means that even if a data object is removed, it might be an ancestor of other data; therefore, its provenance should be retained.
Furthermore, access control should be dynamic and scalable, and should use, lightweight, fast authentication for reducing overhead. Secure channels between infrastructure components should be part of the architecture, and responsive, flexible revocation mechanisms should be included.
Integrity and Reactive Security
Endpoint Input Validation and Filtering
Because of the breadth of data sources, including endpoint collection devices, a major challenge facing big data schemes is whether the data is valid from the point of input. Given the size of the data pool, how can we validate the sources? How can we be sure that a source of input data is not malicious, or simply incorrect? In addition, how can we filter out malicious or unreliable data?
Both data collection devices and programs are susceptible to attack. An infiltrator may spoof multiple IDs and feed fake data to the collection system (ID clone attack, or Sybil attack).
SOLUTION: Solutions must take two approaches: prevention of tampering, and detection and filtering of compromised data. However, it is virtually impossible to build a complex, extensive system that is completely resistant to tampering. Therefore, there is no secure way to ascertain the integrity of your data at the input, but make three recommendations to deal with this situation:
- The big data collection system design must take into account this inherent unreliability and the inevitability of relying on untrusted devices and try to develop the most secure data collection platforms and applications possible.
- The system should be able to identify likely Sybil and ID cloning attacks and be prepared with cost-effective ways to mitigate the attacks.
- Understanding that a determined adversary can infiltrate any existing system with false data, designers must develop detection and filtering algorithms to find and eliminate malicious input.
Real-Time Security Monitoring
Real-time security monitoring is intended to alert the organization at the very first sign of an attack. However, there is an enormous amount of feedback from SIEM systems, whose aim is to provide big-picture feedback of an organization's data security in real time.
Few organizations have the resources to monitor this feedback with the kind of oversight and analysis necessary to identify real attacks from false alarms. Privacy considerations drive the need for high security, but make detection delicate, as privacy laws need to be navigated along with the analytics that will identify attacks.
SOLUTION:Big data analytics itself can be used to identify threats, including differentiating real threats from false positives. Logs can be mined for anomalous connections to the cluster. Improved analytics can help separate out the false positives
Your big data framework needs to include analysis and monitoring tools. If they are not available within the framework, such tools can be placed in a front-end system whose job is primary to provide the analytics necessary to assess the SIEM feedback to identify threats.
Big Data Techniques Used for Security
This last point is one worth taking a second look at, in closing. It is worth noting that an emerging area of security uses big data analytics to detect threats at an early stage, applying pattern analysis to identify anomalies that may indicate a breach or a threat. It indicates that big data analytics is an effective technique with extensible applications.
As in a game of chess, eventually you will use the king to help in his own defense; in just that way big data analytics can be employed to analyze situations, evaluate interactions, and even assist in data modeling realistic and effective solutions to its own dangers.


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This has been one of our best investments ever. This electric heater. Not only does it look like real fire, it puts out a lot of heat especially after we set it on ceramic tiles. It is Rusty's favorite place when it is cold. He likes to sit there and watch TV for the two minutes he's awake because as soon as he sits down there by the heat, he's out. It does feel pretty good! It is in the kitchen.
Then in the living room we have electric logs that give off heat as well.
I enjoy them both. Makes it warm and cozy!

subset: commoncrawl


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Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about children. They are tiny little Tasmanian devils destroying everything that gets in the path of their sticky, germ-infested fingers. They are the neediest things on the planet, always insisting that they are "hungry" or "need to go to the bathroom." They do not bring a single thing to the table unless you are really in the need for the latest infectious disease.
Moreover, though, children are dangerous. Sure, they look small and weak, incapable of causing any damage. In reality, though, they are always pulling dare-devil stunts that put themselves, and the adults around them, in danger.
That is why I was saddened when I heard the story of Elizabeth Lloyd, a woman from Manchester Township,New Jersey. It was late summer 2010 when Lloyd and her family went to the ballpark to enjoy a nice baseball game. I would assume that she had eaten quite a few peanuts and her share of Cracker Jacks.
That is when tragedy, quite literally, struck.
As Lloyd watched the baseball game, a ball flew into the stands. It struck Lloyd in her face, causing multiple fractures. Now, all of this time later, Lloyd is finally seeking justice.
She has sued the 11-year-old who caused her pain.
Matthew Migliaccio, now 13, was allegedly trying to throw the ball back to the pitcher that was warming up in the bullpen. Of course everyone knows 11-year-olds have no control over their throws. They have no control over anything. They are only 11.
Then Migliaccio heinously threw the ball over the pitcher's head, into the stands. Perhaps he was jealous of the Cracker Jack's that Lloyd had been eating. Maybe he was frustrated at being reduced to bullpen catcher for a Little League team. Whatever the cause, Migliaccio did the unthinkable.
For far too long now, we have allowed these children to do whatever they want just because they are kids and kids are "inexperienced." In fact, even Matthew's own father has pulled this defense out:
"It's absurd to expect every 11-year-old to throw the ball on target. Everyone knows you've got to watch out."
I guess it would be absurd to expect an 11-year-old to throw on target. Almost as absurd as expecting an 11-year-old to throw a ball at all. I mean, why would a parent allow their child to hold such a deadly weapon in his hand? No one really believes kids want to be throwing a stupid baseball around. They would much rather be sneaking cookies out of the cabinet and watching "Adventure Time" on Cartoon Network.
Like Lloyd's lawsuit states, this was no accident. This was simply assault and battery. Moreover, it was assault and battery of the worst kind. It was a child forced to assault and batter an innocent woman all because his parents insisted he stop sitting around and get some fresh air.
Now their selfishness has destroyed the Lloyd household. Lloyd's husband has also filed suit, claiming that he has lost the "services, society and consortium of his wife" as a result of her injuries. No man should be without the services of his wife. Why, who will do all of the mopping for him now that she has had her face broken by a baseball?
No one. Poor Mr. Lloyd will be forced to live in a filthy home, filled with dirt and grime all because of this selfish act. Poor, poor Mr. Lloyd. Sure, he will try his best with a mop, but his college major was finance, not housework. There is no way he can succeed.
I think any judge in the land would agree that Migliaccio needs to be made an example of. I do not think the $500,000 that Lloyd is asking for is enough, in fact. That sum could easily be made up with 14,285 weeks of a paper route. No, we need something much more severe.
Life in prison.
With youths like Migliaccio wandering our streets, it is only a matter of time until all of us are having baseballs intentionally thrown at our face. Walking down the street will be like a game of dodgeball, only with baseballs replacing the rubber ones.
We should round-up all of those like Migliaccio while we still can. Let out the drug dealers to make room for them. It is not like they ever tried to throw a hard ball at somebody's face.
With our streets finally free of the riff-raff of ball chucking children, we can go about our business in peace. The streets will finally be safe for our kids to, once again, play.
Not that they are interested. That is why we all own Nintendo Wiis.
Related Articles
- N.J. Woman Sues Little League Catcher (mandatory.com)
- Woman Hit In The Face With Ball Sues 13-Year Old Catcher (huffingtonpost.com)
- NJ woman hit by ball sues Little Leaguer (nbcsports.msnbc.com)
- Woman Hit With Baseball Sues Little League Player (nytimes.com)
- New Jersey woman hit with baseball sues Little League player (givemeliberty01.wordpress.com)
- Little League Player Lawsuit: 11-Year-Old Matthew Migliaccio Sued For $150,000 For Hitting Spectator Elizabeth Lloyd With Baseball (ibtimes.com)


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NYPD Steps Up Security Ahead Of 9/11 Anniversary As Feds Warn Of Small Plane Terror Threats
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the federal government is warning of a new potential terror threat.
The FBI and Homeland Security have issued a nationwide alert about al-Qaeda threats to small airplanes. The bulletin says terrorists have considered renting private planes and loading them with explosives.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says there is no specific or credible terrorist threat, but the NYPD has stepped up security as a precaution.
"We're concerned about it," he said. "We of course are concerned particularly because bin Laden spoke about it twice in the notes that were recovered."
Kelly has said that the city will be on heightened alert for the 9/11 anniversary.
Security in lower Manhattan has also been a concern, especially around the September 11 Memorial and Museum.
The lower Manhattan force will eventually rise to 670 — larger than any of the 76 precincts in the five boroughs and entire departments across the country.
Intelligence officials say the biggest threat to US security may be the "lone wolf" terrorist, someone with a single weapon able to carry out wide-scale massacres.
One example is the accused Fort Hood shooter, charged with using two pistols to kill 12 people in a 2009 rampage.
What to you think about the new warning? Sound off below in our comments section...
for more features.


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DDG provided full civil engineering and landscape architectural services for the development of numerous gas stations and convenience stores for RaceTrac across the Gulf Coast. Services provided include landscape design, site planning, on-site drainage, water, sewer system design, and construction observations. DDG also prepared a drainage analysis as required by the local jurisdictions and LA DOTD. DDG assisted in obtaining all necessary entitlements including permitting.
Completed RaceTract Projects in LA:
Greater Baton Rouge Area (EBR, WBR, Ascension, Livingston, Tangipahoa)
Greater New Orleans (St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Charles)
Greater Lafayette Area (Lafayette, Broussard, Opelousas)
Lake Charles (RaceWay)


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Heidi Klum on the Downside of Dating a Man 17 Years Younger
This post was written by Jennifer Ferrise and originally appeared on InStyle.com.
Heidi Klum is one of those rare, near-mythical humans who still looks exactly the way she did two decades ago, flapping her angel wings up and down the Victoria's Secret runway. But even supermodels grow up. And following her 45th birthday earlier this summer, Heidi has adopted a decidedly refreshing perspective on aging.
"I don't really think about getting older that much — I mean, know it's happening to me, it's happening to all of us," she says. "But it's not like I wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and say, 'Oh my God, oh my God.' Lately, I'm being reminded more about my age by people other than myself."
Heidi, of course, is referencing the onslaught of media attention she's received since she started dating 28-year-old Tokio Hotel guitarist Tom Kaulitz, who is, yes, 17 years her junior. The couple made their red carpet debut in May at the Cannes Film Festival's amfAR Gala and have since documented their lazy Sundays and aww-inducing couple moments on Instagram.
More from SwimLife
A post shared by Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) on May 17, 2018 at 11:06am PDT
"My boyfriend is many years younger than me, and lots of people are questioning that and asking about it," she says. "That's really the only time when age seems to be shoved in my faceand I have to give an answer for it. I don't really think about it that much otherwise. You have to just live a happy life without worrying too much about what people think because worrying is only going to give you more wrinkles."
Tabloid fodder is something that Heidi has learned to brush off over the years. But that doesn't mean she likes being the subject of it. Just as often, though, the headlines make her laugh. "Sometimes they'll compare a photo of me from 10 years ago, right after I had a baby, with a photo of me right now, and say, 'Oh, she was curvier then, or her boobs were so much bigger.' Yeah, they were so much bigger because I was breastfeeding! And I probably really needed to pump right then. You just have to come to terms with it."
Good thing Heidi has a lot else to focus on. The model-turned-mogul and mom of four balances her business pursuits, as the creative director of Heidi Klum Swim and Heidi Klum Intimates, with her hosting and judging gigs on America's Got Talent and Project Runway. Earlier this month, she also nabbed her ninth Emmy nod for Outstanding Host of a Reality Show Competition for her work on Project Runway (she took home the prize back in 2013), tying the record for the most nominations ever in the category.
Of course, she still models too. And when we caught up with her in Miami, she was celebrating her latest cover of Ocean Drive, where she's posing in — what else? — her very own Heidi Klum-designed bikini.
Below, Heidi gets candid about what she's like as a boss, the secret to the perfect selfie, and the most memorable swimsuit she's ever worn.
Congrats on your Emmy noms! This is the 14th consecutive nomination for Project Runway—is it still exciting when you get that call?
Of course! I mean, can you imagine how unexciting it would be after so many years of getting an Emmy nod to all of a sudden not be a part of it? We literally hold our breath when they put out the nominations. And then when we heard, Tim [Gunn] and I were fist-bumping each other left, right, and center. Same with Zac [Posen]. This season was the first time that we had models of all sizes on the show, so we're proud of that. I'm hopeful we'll win!
You're in Miami for Swim Week. What inspired your latest swim collection?
I don't like telling one story with my collections because that's kind of boring. Women are just looking for what works for them, and so I like to offer a lot of options. We have bikinis and one-pieces with cool leaf prints, sexy cutouts, fun stripes, and great cover-ups and dresses too. I look at hundreds of prints because they can do wonders on a body. I always want my swimwear to work for many body types because we aren't all the same size.
A lot of women get frustrated when they're swimsuit shopping. Any pro tips?
When I order clothes, I buy two sizes, sometimes three. That way when it arrives and you try it on, it won't be too small. That's always like, womp, womp. Then you can try them all on at home, in front of your own mirror. That's always key.
What's the most memorable bikini you've ever worn?
Definitely the one I wore when I was on the cover of Sports Illustrated.But itwas a one-piece, not a bikini. I didn't love it at that time because I always loved string bikinis or being topless and just hiding my breasts with coconuts or a leaf or something to make it more interesting. But they put me in this one-piece and that made it on the cover, so obviously I was like, "Wow!" I still have that bathing suit too. It's in storage with all of my Halloween costumes and special pieces I've worn on the red carpet.
You've become the queen of the beach selfie … and the naked selfie. Pretty much all selfies! What's the secret to taking a good one?
Oh, I don't know [laughs]. I'm coming from the world of modeling and I've always had a little bit of an art director inside of me. I love taking cool, fun photos. I literally just figured out how to do the self timer on my phone. Before, I was always like, "My arm is not long enough!" Now it's a game changer because you don't need to hold it yourself and you can figure out how you want to lay and how to get your legs in there, and all that stuff.
What about the lighting? Are you pretty particular?
Well, light is absolutely important. Sometimes when I shoot with professional photographers and they have side lighting, I'm like, "Why are you doing that? I'm 45 years old. We're not trying to get artsy right now. Please give me some good light from the front." It's the same when fans come up for a selfie and the sun is on one side, I always tell them, "Let's turn this around." You always have to find your light. Pictures look the best when they're lit from the front or the back.
What's one thing that's always in your beach bag?
I love to play music on the beach, so I always have a little Beats Pill. If I'm with my kids, we'll play be upbeat music, like Cascade. They love Drake too. If I'm by myself, it would be a little more like Marvin Gaye.
You've transitioned into the business world seamlessly with your swim and lingerie lines. How would you describe yourself as a boss?
Even though I'm the face and the creator of these things, you can't do anything by yourself. I have a great team around me that I've been working with for many years. I don't really let the boss in me hang out. I don't yell at people. I'm not speaking down to people. I'm appreciative of all the people around me who helped me get to the place where I am and continue to stay here.
What did you learn from your time on Project Runway that has made you a better designer?
A lot. But I learned a lot from being a model too. Many, many years ago I used to be a fit model—the one that was not hired for the actual job, but tried on all of the stuff while it was being made. So now, when my samples are being fit, and someone says, "This or that can't be fixed." I'm like, "Oh, I know this can be done because I've seen it done before." I did not hatch out of my egg today. That's when being the boss comes into play [laughs]. I just say it all in the nicest way possible.
Have you ever asked Tim Gunn's opinion on your designs?
No. I love him, but he has a very different style aesthetic than I have. Sometimes he doesn't love what I'm wearing because I'm a little bit more experimental with my choices. Sometimes I push the envelope a little bit more than others would or he would. Ultimately my designs come from my head and from my heart, though. I want to give women something cool. Not everyone wants to wear basics with a little twist. It's fashion!
See some of Heidi's hottest moments with SI Swimsuit:
Body Painting by Joanne Gair
Body Painting by Joanne Gair
Body Painting by Joanne Gair


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Bill Bock Joins Tasktop's Board of Directors
Bill Bock Joins Tasktop's Board of Directors
Seasoned Business Technology Leader Adds Depth and Wealth of Experience to Firm Enabling DevOps and Agile Transformations
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2017– Tasktop, the leader in Value Stream Integration, today announced that Bill Bock has joined its board of directors.
Bock brings to Tasktop's board more than 40 years of experience spanning finance, operations and sales. He currently serves on the board of directors at Silicon Labs and a number of other private technology companies.
Bock previously served in a variety of management roles at Silicon Labs, including CFO and president, among others. Prior to Silicon Labs, he participated in the venture capital industry, principally as a partner with CenterPoint Ventures. Earlier, Bock held senior executive positions with three venture-backed companies, Dazel Corporation, Tivoli Systems and Convex Computer Corporation. He began his career with Texas Instruments.
In addition, Bock is an operating advisor at Elsewhere Partners, a growth-stage venture capital firm that launched today. Click here for more details.
According to Neelan Choksi, president and chief operating officer, Tasktop, "I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Bill to Tasktop's board. As an independent voice, his experience as an operator, investor and advisor will be invaluable to our company. I've been impressed with his steady hand and calming influence on Tasktop's executive team and practical approach to solving problems. Bill is a consummate professional who is respected by our investors and the technology community alike."
About Tasktop
Over one million users employ Tasktop's Value Stream Integration technology to transform software development and delivery. Tasktop not only unifies the software development and delivery team, but also provides unprecedented visibility into the business critical processes of software delivery. Tasktop customers are the global leaders in financial services, insurance, government and manufacturing, and include 43 of the Fortune 100, 11 of the top banks in the world, six of the top six health plans and four of the top ten US insurance companies. Partners, including CA, Micro Focus and IBM, rely on our independent, vendor-neutral role to connect their customers' software delivery disciplines via OEM distributions of our products. For more information about Tasktop, please visit: http://tasktop.com
Twitter: @tasktop
Blog: http://blog.tasktop.com/
Media Contact:
Joyce Bartlett
+1 781-771-3112


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Automotive Internet marketing
Grow Your Automotive Business w/ Internet Marketing
Automotive Internet marketing is used to drive Inbound Traffic to your website.
One thing you need to keep in mind when you have an internet-based service is that the consumers you are aiming to reach are also on the internet and you will have to understand a little about online marketing in order to take advantage of that market. Yes, offline marketing can cause new visitors to your website, however not nearly as effective as online marketing.
New Jersey Automotive Search Engine marketing is still growing as individuals discover how to attract clients to part with not only their loan but also personal and financial details, based on something they continue reading the internet. Regardless of how useful the product or service you are offering might be to them, if you do not communicate that effectiveness efficiently, they will strike the close icon and be gone.
NJ Automotive Internet marketing is more than just an ad on the internet. It is more than a high ranking on search engines. It is a mix of factors that will bring genuine traffic to your website on a regular basis. Just turning up on an online search engine does not immediately translate into traffic and increased sales. You have to have your name on the search engines for relevant searches.


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Hanoi Countryside Cycling Half Day Tour
Duration: 1 day Transportation: bike
Route: hanoi
Languages: English Tiếng Việt (View map)
Option 1: From 7 AM to 12h30 AM
- Included lunch in the local family or special Noodle + special coffee in the Old Quarter.
Option 2: From 9 AM to 14h PM
- Included lunch in the local family or special Noodle + special coffee in the Old Quarter..
Option 3: From 14h00 PM to 18h00PM
- Included dinner with special Noodle + special coffee in the Old Quarter or Hanoi local foods at our local family in the Old Quarter.
Soft adventure tour taking you for a ride pass along the French Quarter, the historical Eiffel Bridge and through typical Vietnamese villages on the outskirts of Hanoi. Escaping the noise and busy-nest of the city, we will bike about 30km. A fun-filled activity suitable for any age or group size.
Tour Price & Availability:
At 9.00, our guide welcome you and start biking out of Hanoi, we get on Eiffel bridge, was built in 1902 by the French architect Gustave Eiffel. Before Vietnam's independence in 1954, it was called Doumer Bridge, named after Paul Doumer. Proudly spanning the red river for one hundred years and having withstood several attacks in times of war. Eiffel bridge has been a witness of the bravery of Vietnamese people and deserves to be a symbol of Hanoi in the present era of peace and integration.We will truly enjoy cycling along Eiffel bridge and looking down at the activities of the locals under the bridge.
Biking around 8km to enjoy countryside and reaching the Duong river, is a brand of ''Song Hong= Red River",we have a good chance to take some nice photos as well as know about rice farming and rural life in Vietnam, understand about a real meaning "Ha Noi= Hanoi", the city is surrounded by the red river.
Around 10.00, getting on the new bridge to cross Duong river, it will take around 10 minutes and we can know that it's best way (shortcut) to go for the local as well as business people doing everyday, keep biking 4 km more to reach "Co Loa= Ancient Citadel", it dates back to ancient Vietnam and boasts impressive towers, relics and ruins. It is steeped in myth and legend, making it an important landmark in northern Vietnam. The site consists of two outer walls protecting the castle inside.
It is home to a number of ancient relics which have been unearthed by excavations throughout the years. Important artifacts include Dong Son style pottery and a large drum full of bronze items. These objects are extremely rare and therefore attract people from all over Asia.
Today, the castle is fiercely protected by Vietnamese archeological groups. It is open to tourists and should be explored if you are in the area. Despite being a historically important and architecturally beautiful building, it is still not visited by many tourists, which means that you will have the freedom to explore it in virtual privacy. The grounds are almost as impressive as the castle itself, with landscaped gardens surrounded by the ancient walls. It is not hard to picture it when it would have been in its full glory.
On the way back, visit and biking through the Old village to see some very Old houses and green rice field, Papaya garden.
Around 12.00 having lunch with local food or special Hanoi Noodle ( Pho ), then biking the road back to your hotel and end your trip around 14.30.
*Standard class included: Tour guide, New gear bikes, helmet, entrance fees, mineral water,Sugar cane juice, Coconut water, lunch.
*Superior class included: Tour guide,New gear bikes, helmet, entrance fees, mineral water,Sugar cane juice, Coconut water, lunch, 45 minutes for foot or body massage
- In case: You do not want to do cycling, We have Motorbike or Backseat of Motorbike tour (Surcharge 10 USD/person)
Extra customized activities : TRAIL RIDING AT HANOI PONY CLUB
*Excluded: personal expenses, tips for any good services (your appreciation ).
Our Normal Bikes : Suitable height : From 1m50 to 1m75.
Our X-Size Bikes: Suitable height : From 1m75 to 2m10.
What you should bring: Sunscream, Sun shirts , Sunglass, Camera.
Guest Review
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The guest reviews are submitted by our customers after their stay at Hanoi Countryside Cycling Half Day Tour


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Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, we accept Canadian currency. Also for your convenience, we accept personal checks, Visa, Master Card, and Discover (minimum charge $10.00)
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Please give us a minimum of three hours to process your parcel prior to pick up to avoid unnecessary waiting and frustration.
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Suite Holders are allowed two names per suite and one email address for notifications. One-Timers can easily use the service by having their package shipped to their name at our address and track the shipment based on the information supplied by the shipper.
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Washington (CNN) – House Republicans unveiled a sweeping spending bill Friday evening that slashes hundreds of programs and agencies across the government – from education, to the environment to cops on the beat – setting up a showdown with Senate Democrats.
"The legislation includes the largest reduction in discretionary spending in the history of our nation – over five times larger than any other discretionary cut package ever considered by the House," said House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-KY, in a statement.
Read the full list of proposed cuts here.
Facing rebellion from conservatives – especially newly elected freshmen – House GOP leaders added $26 billion spending cuts from their planned proposal in order to fulfill a campaign promise to cut $100 billion in spending this year
The total spending cuts add up to $60 billion when compared to spending levels now funding the government. But it meets the GOP pledge to cut $100 billion in federal spending compared to what President Obama proposed for government programs for this fiscal year, which was never enacted.
Based on the President's budget for this year, $81 billion would be cut from non-security programs, and $19 billion from security related programs, all compared with the president's budget proposal for 2011.
"These cuts go far and wide, and will affect every community in the nation. These were hard decisions, and I know many people will not be happy with everything we've proposed in this package. That's understandable and not unexpected, but I believe these reductions are necessary to show that we are serious about returning our nation to a sustainable financial path," said Rogers.
The Republican legislation calls for over 100 federal programs to be outright eliminated, including scholarships, family planning, school counseling, Teach for America, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AmeriCorps, and the COPS hiring program.
The Department of Agriculture's budget would see a 22% reduction compared with current spending levels: $88 million in cuts for Food Safety and Inspection; a $747 million cut in nutrition programs for women and children; a $241 million cut at the FDA.
Rep. Norm Dicks, D-WA, issued a statement saying these cuts will result in "furloughing the federal inspectors in slaughter and processing plants" because they would have to shut down for six to nine weeks.
The Labor Health and Human Services Budget would also face a 22% spending decrease: $1.3 billion in cuts for job training grants; a $1.1 billion cut to the Head Start education program; and $305 million in community service block grants.
The Department of Interior's Budget is slashed by 14%. The biggest cuts here are aimed at the EPA – $3 billion – on everything from research on global warming, to vehicle fuel standards certification – amounting to 30% of its budget.
The Transportation and Housing Budgets would lose 24% of overall funding: $2.5 billion cut to high speed rail; over $650 million at the FAA, and well over $1 billion for public housing.
The measure also cuts $122 million from the White House budget, and prohibits funding for the so-called Health Care Czar and Climate Change Czar.
House Republicans will bring the spending bill that includes these cuts to the House floor for a vote next week.
The current spending bill keeping the government running expires on March 4th.
Many Republicans, especially freshmen in the House elected on slashing government spending, say they know many of these cuts will be tough to swallow, but call it imperative to getting the country's fiscal house in order.
"If we don't do something our kids and our grandkids are screwed," freshmen Rep. Joe Walsh, R-IL, told CNN
"This is a moral issue acknowledging that there may be some very worthy programs that are going to get hurt, but we all have to suck it up," he said.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called the Republican plan "irresponsible," saying it "threatens jobs and economic growth, hampers our global competitiveness and harms the people hurting most: working families and the middle class."
Many Republicans said they still hoped to try to cut more as the House debates the spending measure this coming week.
Democrats warn that deep spending cuts in the House will make it harder to negotiate with the Senate, led by Democrats.
"We are willing to meet the Republicans in the middle on cutting spending but they keep lurching to the right," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY.
So, as usual. Where are the cuts to the bloated military budget?
So let's see, the GOP wants to gut the FDA and EPA which provide protections for almost all Americans so that the richest 2% of Americans can retain special tax breaks on their income over $250,000 a year and some of the top polluting companies and less responsible food producers can be more profitable. Who votes for these guys?
60 billion in cuts – out of a budget of close to 5 trillion dollars. That is a 1% budget cut. These politicians are not and never will be serious about fiscal responsibility. They just want to do a political song and dance to try to woe voters while maintaining their same old pork projects.
Time to move.
"...there may be some very worthy programs that are going to get hurt, but we all have to suck it up." Republicans didn't make the top 1% of earners "suck it up" and give up their tax cut. Apparently it would be harmful to our economy to have then forgo their Hummer. Instead, we're cutting food for women and children, education and safety. And Republican think they're the moral party?! Let's see what happens to the economy when we lay off teachers, policemen and kick the poor onto the streets. Maybe the poor and middle-classes would finally rise up.
The Republican should raise the taxes for the rich to avoid cutting spending. I think it will be a better idea. I am sure the Senile Tea Partier will agree and endorse it in a heart beat/
Repuclican' reckless, irresponsible and shortsighted areas for cutting spending; unsurprisingly a bow to big business and the rich. Where were their budget sensibilities when it came to extending tax cuts for the rich last December, adding another 200 billion to the deficit for 2% of the US population.
Scum. Villainy. Republicans. Thank goodness we have a Democrat controlled Senate to shut down their wickedness.
Well there goes america might as well drop the word united from the title
Fat cats are all over the congress again. Cutting the programs that are helping normal people day to day and yet they don't touch defense and tax cuts to the rich and estate tax. Cut their own salaries, multiple offices, their health care etc.
Yeah why don't you cut my disability check some more since we didn't get a cost of living increase in two years. We r slowly going from the middle class to the poor. Bunch of bastards
When are democrats going to realize they have no right to spend my money on willy nilly programs to win votes of their supporters. How dare they...
G o p is not for ME. Obama 2012! ! !
Yes, this looks like a GOP/TP plan. Very future orientated! Keep the people in despair and dump and times will be great for the GOP! Well my dear friends, you voted these people into the house. All for the rich, nothing for the middle class and poor. Well, enjoy!
The Pentagon and the military is our country's worst financial enemy. This is where fraud, waste and abuse has spiraled out of control. THIS IS THE "MEAT" OF OUR DEFICIT and it's a crying shame that there's no one with "guts" enough to bring this to an end.
Way to cut the food for women and children, they really need to suck it up. Socialists and their hunger, what do they know?
Out of everything else in this article, this quote is what defines ludicrous: "'If we don't do something our kids and our grandkids are screwed,' freshmen Rep. Joe Walsh, R-IL, told CNN." Because while he claims that he's looking out for future generations, what the Republican party is doing is trying to damage TODAY'S generation! The human element has been lost. They want to get the "fiscal" house in order, but what about caring for the people LIVING in this country's fiscal house? The cuts will literally be taking food out of the mouths of our children NOW.
And you thought the republican's didn't sound like the communist? Cutting children nutrition programs so that they would grow up poor and weak and will take lower pay for lame jobs? This is a classic pro big business policy by the Republicans. Anything that can drag americans down and make them cheap and exploitable by big business is good for them. Cut the food inspectors so that they can substitute your cereal with cement. That's as tea party as it gets.
This will be hard for this country for a while but it is time that the govt. reign in the irresponsible and rambunctious spending that Obama and his laughing stock administration has gotten away with. Obama could care less the damage that he is doing to this great country and our children's futures with his recklessness. Cant wait for 2012.
We spend almost $ 700 billion a year on Defense, or roughly about half our annual deficit. Considering all the no-bid defense contracts handed out during the Bush Administration alone, there is significant waste that can be cut from our defense budget. Until the Republicans stop looking at the Defense budget as a 'sacred cow', they are NOT serious about reducing spending.
The government just keeps cutting little pieces from everywhere until there is nothing. It seems like the people we have elected to see to our needs dont really case at all. With the way our government is going it would not shock me if we end up whe was Egypt is now.
Since Richard Nixon announced the War on Drugs, the United States has spent over 2.5 TRILLION dollars. You'd think they might look there for some savings before they axed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Isn't it nice that we, the middle class American family, has to be subjected to all these cuts, because of the previous budget that has been building in the past couple of years? Isn't it nice knowing that lots of these cuts wouldn't have to happened if we would just tax the rich? Isn't it nice knowing we got here in the first place by the government spending more than they were making? Isn't it nice that our jobs here are suffering because we shipped them overseas to help the richest 1% of Americans here to get richer?
so we give tax cuts to the wealthy that is increasing our federal deficit, but to make up for it, we cut federal funding to programs that help the poor become educated and not hungry? does this make any sense to nebody? why did rep make it into office this go round again?
Is there a test Repugnants need to pass to prove they are self-serving, biacaignorant, uncaring idiots? There has to be one, I can't believe these scum are even of the same species as me. I have plan to cut the federal, abort all Repugnants before they can crawl out and infect the rest of us with their vileness. Then after a few generations we can get back to having a great caring country where people don't begrudge helping others when they're down. Repugnants don't care anyone except themselves. They're on a frightening path to destroying America, turning us into a third rate backwater. Please don't follow into their fascist bad old country.
Oh, great. Slash money for food safety and get rid of inspectors, when there has been a huge shortage of inspectors for years. So we are going to risk even more meat recalls and salmonella on our eggs. Yeah, get rid of scholarships and school counseling – maybe next year you can get rid of schools altogether, except for the wealthy. Naturally, food programs for women and children have to go. No more job training or Head Start. Who needs them? Keep all the status quo for the wealthy big shots, though. Make their tax cuts permanent and screw everyone else.


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Elias U.
I questioned the quality of the products Mr. Coupons try to bestow upon me. Boy was that a mistake. Tom had a original Rubik's cube from the 70's, which was the year they were invented. I'm a big puzzle guy so this was must-cop. Reasonable prices, you just cannot beat it!
Christine H.
I took pictures & measurements and Tommy advertised. Tommy sold the items & transferred the payment. No contact! It's that easy! If you're looking to downsize and clean out, I highly recommend!!
David W.
Tom got our furniture sold quickly and for a great price – will definitely use his services again!


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Cloud County, formerly Shirley County, is on the west side of the sixth Principal Meridian in the second tier of counties from the north. It is bounded on the north by Republic, on the east by Washington and Clay, on the south by Ottawa, and on the west by Mitchell and Jewell counties. The northern third of the county lies in the Republican Valley, and its southwest townships are in the valley of the Solomon, making it agriculturally, one of the finest in the State. The elevated, rolling and quite broken country between the Republican and Solomon rivers at first was considered useless, but a large portion of it is now under cultivation, yet it is better suited for grazing purposes. Source: Cutler's History of the State of Kansas
County Seat: Concordia
Date organized:1866
County History:
Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Cloud County
Historic Landmarks, State, National:
- Jamestown State Wildlife Management Area
- Brown Opera House (Brown Grand Theater), Concordia, Kansas
- Nazareth Convent and Academy, Concordia, Kansas.
- Brownstone Manor, in Concordia, Kansas
- Union Pacific Railroad Depot in Concordia, Kansas.
- County Line "Bowstring" Bridge
- Manna House of Prayer
- Charles Van DeMark home built in 1884 in Clyde, Kansas.
- P.O.W Camp Concordia
County Historical Society:
Cloud County Historical Society
Websites about the county:
- Napoleon Bonaparte Brown
- Cloud County Government
- City of Concordia, Kansas
- City of Clyde, Kansas
- City of Glasco, Kansas
- City of Miltonvale, Kansas


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Welp, there it is.
Apparently, if you're a Conservative and you talk about being censored, or censorship in general, YouTube will censor you.
Sounds legit.
YouTube Just Censored A Video Criticizing Censorship https://t.co/EVSWuMO0Qp
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) August 7, 2018
From The Federalist:
YouTube just censored another one of Prager University's educational videos, and this time YouTube went after one criticizing censorship.
Prager University also goes by Prager U. The video in question features Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberly Strassel, who explains common tactics leftists use to shut down free speech from conservatives, including intimidation, harassment, and blackmail.
So a video talking about how the Left censors the Right has been censored.
By YouTube.
This might actually open up some sort of third dimension, just sayin'.
The irony censoring censorship……………………BWHAHAH
— Joginder Singh Foley (@JSinghF) August 7, 2018
You get censored, and you get censored … EVERYBODY'S GETTING CENSORED!
FFS YouTube, really?!
— tracey ferguson3 (@tferg3) August 7, 2018
Don't look at us man, we just work here.
— Cult of Personality (@thecultband) August 7, 2018
Right? If we don't laugh we'll never stop crying.
Get this: I do a Prager U video on the left shutting down the right, and Youtube censors it. #CENSORED. https://t.co/1fXrZqaRuZ
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) October 27, 2016
Alrighty then.
Whatever YouTube, you be you.
'Schiff for brains'! Kimberley Strassel DROPS Adam Schiff for blaming CA wildfires on climate change and TRUMP
Punching LEFT! Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez goes after OLD Democrats on 'Pod Save America' and OMG LOL
'Blocked to SAVE Democracy!' Brian Stelter blocking @RedSteeze is the FUNNIEST Twitter-thread you'll read today
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What Color Is Harris County, Anyway?
You've heard it before; "Keep Harris County Red". Or, "Turn Harris County Red." Some others out there want to "Turn Harris County Blue". What does all of that even mean??
Well, unless you're completely new to politics, you have probably already figured out that the colors that are being referred to are the colors of each party, red for Republican and blue for Democrat. What about the 'keep' and the 'turn' part, though? Glad you asked.
Lots of people that live here in Harris County know that our county is a battleground for control between the two major parties. To those that say that they want to turn Harris County red, I say--it is! The county is solidly under Republican leadership; County Judge Ed Emmett and three out of four of the county commissioners are Republican! Republicans also hold more judicial benches than Democrats do. So, YES, Harris County IS a Republican county.
So I'm obviously in the 'Keep' camp. We've got to keep Harris County a Republican County and the only way we can do that is to challenge ourselves as activists and precinct chairs to get out and meet the voters face to face. Block walking, phone banking and mailers, when they're afforded, can be great tools to help turn out Republican voters. (More on that later)
Now the Democrats are obviously those who want to turn Harris County 'blue'. We won't get much into the ideological differences between the two parties, but unlike most major cities and bigger counties, Harris County remains red while the City of Houston is most solidly blue. Which brings me to the point of this whole article.
I'm a doer, and if there's anything that I can physically DO to make a change for the good, I usually try to do it. In following the blue print of wanting to 'do' something, we as Republicans have a real, tangible opportunity to DO something! What's that? To begin to turn the tide at City Hall!
Remember that Democrat stronghold that the City of Houston has on it? Raise your hand if you would like to be part of loosening that stronghold! (You should have both of your hands raised at this point.) Then join me and others to help elect a Republican to the city council seat in District K. The late Larry Greene held this seat and there is a special election being held on May 5th to finish out his term.
There are two Republican candidates along with a crowded field of seven Democrat candidates vying for this seat. Gerry Vander-Lyn is one of two Republican precinct chairs running for this position and I'm supporting her candidacy. I'm also leading the block walking efforts for her campaign, and I'd love for you to join me on one or ALL of the block walks we'll be doing up until election day.
Click the link found here to RSVP for the block walk that's happening this Saturday. We could sure use your help! For those of you who dismiss the idea of being able to make a real, substantive difference, then may I say that 'can't never did anything'. Also, please don't come to me after the election and whine about how the party didn't do anything to get involved in local elections, because, remember:
It's often been said that, "As Harris County goes, so goes Texas, so goes the nation" What do you want your county, your city and your state to look like?


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David H. Richter is the author of 'Falling into Theory: Conflicting Views on Reading Literature, 2nd Edition', published 1999 under ISBN 9780312201562 and ISBN 0312201567.[read more]
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With our dedicated customer support team, you can rest easy knowing that we're doing everything we can to save you time, money, and stress.


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EI1 encompasses and advances the primary concerns shared by all Education-based organizations and allied groups, the stabilization and advancement of the practice known as Education, while facilitating a common platform for cooperation and advocacy between them.
EI1 will do its utmost to urge those charged with Education's oversight to understand that their responsibility is not only to approve educational advances, but to also provide the support and resources necessary to implement them and all required programs on a sustainable basis.
We will offer assistance to the Education community and the public to better inform decision makers in the support of Education and to counter actions that are considered to be contrary to the best interests of advancing Education in America.
EI1's Education Alliance community relations effort will be devoted to promoting and enhancing public/private partnerships and bringing about a greater understanding of Education and its cultural and economic impact on communities.
EI1's Parent Alliance Initiative will search out, develop, promote and assist the facilitation and the implementation of programs and legislation that improve, or have application to supporting the education and inclusion of parents in the educational process.
For it is through proactive participation that Educators not only advance the educational process and the profession, but can also change the narrative. It is through participation that we remind those who question the Education community and its abilities, that we are their partners, with the same goals and vision for our common constituency – our children.
At EI1 our primary goal – our commitment – is to advance the process of teaching and learning and, as Educators, to maintain our place at the table.


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Shortly after Irina Shayk and Bradley Cooper announced that they were expecting a baby, the model stepped out in Los Angeles wearing some very suspicious bling on her ring finger. While rumors swirl that the couple is actually engaged and that this is likely her engagement ring, it just has to be said that this jewelry looks really familiar. Like really, really familiar.
Irina's emerald rock looks like it could be based off of Kate Middleton's famous sapphire accessory. Both pieces feature a large, colorful, oval center stone surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds on a narrow band.
The only difference between the two rings (other than the fact that they take up residence on different people's hands) is the color of the statement gems. Kate's is blue and Irina's is green.
While the Duchess of Cambridge is probably very used to regular Joes copying her unique ring, it's pretty odd to see a celebrity sporting such a similar style. But the real question is, who is the bigger fan of Kate's bling: Irina, or Bradley?
Get non-boring fashion and beauty news directly in your feed. Follow Facebook.com/CosmoBeauty.


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PTC Therapeutics Receives Formal Dispute Resolution Request Decision from the FDA's Office of New Drugs
Based on these interactions, PTC currently intends to maintain patients in the
PTC is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel medicines using our expertise in RNA biology. PTC's internally discovered pipeline addresses multiple therapeutic areas, including rare disorders and oncology. PTC has discovered all of its compounds currently under development using its proprietary technologies. Since its founding 20 years ago, PTC's mission has focused on developing treatments to fundamentally change the lives of patients living with rare genetic disorders. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in
For More Information:
+ 1 (908) 912-9327
+1 (908) 912-9167
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future expectations, plans and prospects for PTC; the timing of and likelihood of success of its regulatory path forward, including as it relates to 1) any clinical trials and non-clinical studies to generate data on dystrophin production in ataluren, 2) a re-submission of an NDA for ataluren to the
PTC's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements it makes as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, including PTC's ability to resolve the matters set forth in the Complete Response letter it received from the
The forward-looking statements contained herein represent PTC's views only as of the date of this press release and PTC does not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in plans, prospects, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this press release except as required by law.
View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ptc-therapeutics-receives-formal-dispute-resolution-request-decision-from-the-fdas-office-of-new-drugs-300601000.html
News Provided by Acquire Media


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Tweeting during class? Try tweeting during commencement
Long gone are the days when college professors kindly asked students to turn off their cellphones and give their undivided attention during class. Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube have all tapped into higher education, providing an online environment where students and professors can engage in conversations and informational linking to interesting websites, videos and news stories. As members of the class of 2012 don their caps and gowns during this year's graduation ceremonies across the nation, the social networking world will be there to capture every moment with hashtags, likes and mentions.
Keeping everyone connected
Not all friends and relatives can make it to your graduation ceremony. Instead of recapping one of the most important moments of your life weeks later with a photo slideshow, social networking communities let you catalogue events as they transpire, including those embarrassing moments when you trip and fall before getting your diploma (believe me – it happens).
Tom Testa, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations at a Boston-based school, told Metro News that internet programs such as Twitter and Facebook are opening up a dialogue between students, faculty and their loved ones during commencement ceremonies.
"We share things, whether photos or musings going on," Testa told the news source. "Given that everyone is online and everything is on peoples' handhelds, it's another way for people to connect. It's a better way to give it that personal touch."
Photos, videos and shout-outs
Numerous colleges and universities encouraged their graduates to keep their smartphones on-hand during commencement speeches and ceremonies while taking photos with friends and posting them on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. With a hashtag, every special moment was catalogued on university websites. Like an instant photo album or yearbook, schools' Twitter pages became a place where graduates could sift through hundreds of photos to find their closest friends, connecting online when they couldn't connect in person.
"[We] have to look at where technology is going and direct how it is going to help us tell stories," George Comeau, director of digital and interactive communications at another Boston-based university, told the news source. "You used to tell people to leave their phones at home because basically, your participation was passive. What has changed, in a great way … is that the audience is now integrated as part of an event like this."


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What the press made of the agonising EFL Cup defeat
The Chronicle
Crewe Alex went down fighting at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, bowing out of the EFL Cup 4-3 after extra-time.
The Railwaymen lost a 2-0 lead – deservedly established through Billy Bingham and Chris Dagnall – to trail 3-2 but then forced the extra 30 minutes with a last-minute leveller of their own through Dagnall.
Shane Duffy's winner broke their hearts in the end, but Crewe earned plenty of praise for their efforts against the Championship side at Ewood Park.
The Sentinel
CREWE won plenty of plaudits and praise but were unfortunate to see their EFL Cup adventure end at Blackburn Rovers last night.
Just like their opening round game, they forced extra-time with an injury time goal, but the story against Championship side Rovers couldn't have been much different to their round win at Sheffield United.
They dominated for much of the game, building up a deserved 2-0 lead, but one they almost let slip in normal time when Craig Conway scored an 89th minute goal to put the hosts 3-2 up.
But Crewe showed their resilience, with Chris Dagnall deservedly forcing extra-time with a low left-footed shot as the two teams were all square at 3-3 at full-time.
However, they weren't to find another goal in extra-time, with Owen Coyle's men booking their spot in the third round after Shane Duffy's goal seven minutes in to extra-time proved to be the winner.
That was despite a spirited extra-time display from Steve Davis' men who gave their all, but it was praise in defeat as their unbeaten start to the season ended at five games.
Lancashire Telegraph
SHANE Duffy went from zero to hero as he scored an extra-time winner to send Rovers into the third round of the EFL Cup on a night of drama at a deserted Ewood Park.
The second-round clash attracted a crowd of just 3,448 supporters which made it the lowest attendance at the ground for a league, FA Cup or League Cup match since September 1986.
But those who did attend were treated to a thrilling if mistake-laden contest.
An upset was on the cards when the League Two Railwaymen raced into a two-goal lead through Billy Bingham and Chris Dagnall.
But their Championship opponents fought back and, after Hope Akpan reduced the deficit with his first goal of the campaign, teenager Scott Wharton scored his first for the club, before Craig Conway made it two goals in as many games to turn the tie on its head.
The Railwaymen were not finished yet, though, and Dagnall's second goal took it to extra-time.
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Boar's Head Peppered Salame
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servings per container
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I read too much news, and not enough books. Is it just that? Is that the source of the writer's block?
+ + +
I don't know if there are any well-established "reasons" why it's so terribly difficult to sit down and dash off blog posts these days.
It seems to be multifactorial, but not --- not --- because of a lack of time. I am pretty sure I get as much time sitting down, not attending to anything in particular, as I ever have. Maybe I should do another time study just to be sure. But what it feels like to me is that I passed some threshold where, when I get a chance to sit down, all I want to do is take something in.
I won't say that it's entirely passive. I have thoughts. I have reactions. But... I don't desire to share them, at least not enough to do the work.
+ + +
What's going on here? It could be a good sign, or it could be a bad one.
Is it humility? Have I decided that the world doesn't need my fresh takes on the latest thing that has come over the transom? Well, it would be nice to think so, and (perhaps for that reason) I'll say it might be part of it.
This is true: The last few years of revelations in civic and organizational politics have demolished a number of my assumptions. Along with that, a very real awareness of how easy it is to be very wrong and (this is the tricky bit) nevertheless to think I am correct, or at least that I have a useful or interesting point of view that I ought to share. I've done a lot more listening and reading, withholding judgment. And the kinds of things I have been drawn to are less often the breathless takes and the analyses leading to a point, the kind of things that invite refutation and alignment. More often they are personal recountings. This happened to me, and this is how it affected me. I have lost my taste for criticizing and analyzing these things. Or at least, for putting them out into the world.
So much of the hot takes out there are worthless pap. I am not employed to produce them honestly, so what do I gain from adding to the endless stream? Don't I have something more productive to do?
And the answer is nearly always yes.
I think this is true: I don't want to write things anymore, even by accident, that aren't centering people as persons. I used to think that all that was necessary was to step back and be perfectly reasonable, or at least as reasonable as possible, because right reason is never opposed to personalism.
That's not wrong! But:
(1) I'm not always right; and
(2) right reason may omit truth about persons, without ever making false statements; and
(3) this omission is a kind of error that makes false pictures.
I don't intend to be wrong. I don't intend to omit significant truths from my analysis. But I'm less interested in centering my intent. I'm more interested in the effects of my words. And I've become less tolerant of error, more perfectionist. To put it bluntly, I don't want to hurt people. (Not don't want to hurt people's feelings. Don't want to hurt people. There's a difference.)
+ + +
That's the scrap that might be a bit of humility, borne of realizing how easy it is to be wrong about things.
There's a scrap that's pride too: I have a strong aversion to being wrong these days.
One of the ways I figure things out is by writing them down, and often I've done this on the blog. It's led to some lively conversations over the years, with back-and-forth between me and some of my favorite commentators, a number of which have become real friends. I used to do this relatively freely and with an understanding that I might write something that turned out to be woefully boneheaded, but I was willing to do it because I wanted to put things out there to be tested for boneheadedness.
I mean, I can still figure things out by writing them privately, sending emails to myself or (still my favorite) clearing out space in a coffeeshop and putting pen to paper for hours in a journal, then later going back and assembling it into some sort of logical order. It still works pretty well. But it lacks quality control: it lacks the sounding board of putting it out there where smart people who disagree with me, and care enough to explain why, might find it.
Here is the easy, non-humility-based reason that I might say out loud in order to sound good:
Well, it's not fear of the smart and caring people that's made me unwilling to hit the 'publish' button. It's all those other people.
Do I want to go viral? Nope.
Would it be okay if I went viral and suffered because I put out thoughts that were really true and really needed defending? Ye-es....
But am I actually sure that what I write will in fact be true enough, beautiful enough, or useful enough that it would be worth it?
Actually... no.
There is, however, a strong possibility that I simply don't want to be wrong, and it no longer seems worth it (especially given that, truly, people jump on wrongness rather quickly these days) to throw out things that might be wrong on purpose, just so I could possibly make them better.
+ + +
One of the frustrations I have about leaving the academy in my very early stages, as much as I don't miss the stress and the politics, is that I am no longer in touch with serious work, critical work, slow work. Mark will remind me that academic science, being made by human beings, throws up a great deal of weeds and tangles, in the form of literally bad (not just disappointing) results and even more damaging, in the form of perverse incentives. These make the good fruit hard to come by.
But that's nothing compared to the selection of articles that appear in the newspaper or come across one's social media feed. I'm just completely tired of that being so often the way that information (or at least words) about research comes into my view. I used to kind of like digging into those various news articles, tracking down the references, and finding out if they were really bunk or if there is anything to them, but I've lost my taste for even that. It feels like a waste of time: that it's better not to look at all.
A better source for feeding my interest in news about what's going on in the research world has been to follow individual researchers on Twitter. It's a narrower feed; but it's a better-quality, curated one. And---interestingly enough---it rarely makes me want to pound out reactions. Instead, because I'm aware that I don't have special expertise and am following them because I am legitimately interested in what they are writing, I... listen and learn? And sometimes ask questions.
+ + +
There's a real downside to this discrimination, and I shouldn't have been surprised to find that it's plaguing me, because it's part of a very old theme in my life.
Issuing instant reactions to the latest passing Moment, as intellectually frustrating as it might be, now has social utility.
I have real friends (intelligent ones! fun ones! people whose takes I am interested in!) who have real conversations, online, sparked by news items diverted from the stream and shared in their own little tributaries. If I disentangle myself from the stream, I miss out on those conversations. The conversations are not always very deep, although they can be (it's a sampling frequency issue). If I decide that the nuggets are too few and far between to make it worth dipping into the rushing stream of takes, then (for good or bad) I miss out on the nuggets.
And (this is crucial) even if the nuggets are not worth the effort... I would also be saying that the relationships are not worth the effort.
(here's the part that all this yammering has brought me to, which I literally did not realize until this very moment as a result of putting out all the verbiage above)
Hot takes are the small talk of intellectuals on social media.
+ + +
I do not like regular small talk in real life.
I was embarrassingly old and educated before I came to an intellectual understanding of the purpose it serves and realized that I needed to make use of it as a tool.
It's where you start, for reasons of common humanity (maybe not ALL of humanity, but of a large enough majority that it's essentially everyone you run into in most organizations and societies).
Without it, you often cannot get at the deeper stuff, even if it seems like you should be able to.
+ + +
Do I need to come to a new understanding of the Hot Take?
Maybe. Maybe I do.


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CXCW Highlights: The Irish Showcase 2014
I cannot think of a better way to observe St. Patrick's Day then cutting myself a slice of soda bread, making a large cup of tea, putting my feet up, and settling in with the CXCW's second annual Irish Showcase.
You can find the whole thing here; below are a few videos to give you a taste of the excellence to be had:
First, the incomparable Tony Fitz, producer and front of house manager for Homebeat, who organized the first seven videos in the showcase, with The Murder, the first track from his upcoming record. Joining him are Gráinne Hunt and members of Red Sail.
Tony Fitz | The Murder (CXCW 2014)
Watch this video on YouTube
I don't know if there's a CXCW record for "Most Dogs Per Video" but if not, Carriages may have set one, with four, count them, FOUR happily wagging tails in this video for Pale Face which they wrote special for CXCW:
Carriages | Pale Face (CXCW 2014)
Watch this video on YouTube
Rónán … Continue reading