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Message from the gov: Don't wait 'til next year.
Gov. Cuomo has told associates he's willing to support a desperately desired pay increase for state lawmakers this year, but won't do so next year as his own planned re-election approaches, The Post has learned.
Such a move by Cuomo could mean the Legislature, which hasn't had a raise since 1999, won't be able to get one until 2017, at the earliest.
"If the Legislature wants a pay raise, it's now or never,'' said a Cuomo administration source.
Administration strategists say the popular governor fears that if he waits beyond this year to approve a pay raise, he could suffer "significant'' political damage when he runs for re-election in 2014, as he now plans.
"The governor is willing to do a pay raise, but if it's going to happen it's got to be this year,'' said the source.
Legislators' pay, traditionally linked to that of the governor, other statewide elected officials and state commissioners, has not been raised since 1999.
Because the state Constitution bars lawmakers from increasing their salaries during their two-year terms in office, a raise this year would take effect Jan. 1, after the elections.
If a pay increase isn't approved this year, a raise couldn't take effect until 2015, at the earliest, the year after the next election for governor.
But with Cuomo unwilling to take the political heat as his bid for re-election approaches, there couldn't be a raise until 2017.
"The governor knows that it's really now or never on the pay raise because if he can't work something out with the Legislature, there's not going to be a pay raise for anybody for a long, long time,'' said an administration insider.
"It's not as if the governor wants to run for re-election with the memory fresh in voters' minds that he approved pay raises for the Legislature.''
Cuomo is believed to be searching for a major Legislature reform that could be achieved in exchange for approving a pay raise — possibly the abolishment of the much-abused, highly lucrative per-diem reimbursement system that gives lawmakers an incentive to remain at the Capitol, doing nothing.
He has publicly complained that the pay for state commissioners is "upside-down,'' with their deputies — whose salary is automatically increased when raises are granted to unionized workers — making $20,000 or more a year than their bosses, whose salaries are set by law.
That has prevented the recruitment of some top-flight talent to state government, according to Cuomo.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) earlier this year endorsed a pay raise for lawmakers, saying, "More and more members are full-time members of the Legislature, and it's significant that their salaries haven't kept pace with inflation for the last 13 years.
"People understand that before there can be a discussion of pay raises, there has to be a change in the performance level of the Legislature,'' Silver continued.
Cuomo, Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) have been making the case that lawmakers, long identified with Albany dysfunction, have, in fact, improved their performance by passing early budgets two years in a row and by avoiding the bitter partisan bickering that had defined state government for years.
Although they publicly insist no effort is under way to raise their salaries, it was learned that "some delicate talks have taken place'' between Cuomo's office and lawmakers" about salary increases.
While many lawmakers, Democratic and Republican, are desperate for a pay raise, they consider even talk of one to be a political "third rail,'' convinced that opponents could use the issue to beat them in November.
As a result, many privately predict a pay raise will be approved after the November balloting.
Lawmakers receive a base salary of $79,500 a year, but more than 150 of the 212 legislators receive extra payments of as much as $44,000 annually.
Cuomo's salary is set at $179,000 a year, but he's returned 5 percent in a belt-tightening gesture.
A Siena College poll being released today is expected to show overwhelming opposition to pay hikes for lawmakers.


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Forest Technician is very similar to another occupation for which we have
a full profile.
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Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
Supervise fire fighters who control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.
County Forest Ranger
Crew Boss
Engine Boss
Fire Apparatus Engineer
Fire Captain
Fire Fighter
Fire Hand Crew Boss
Fire Management Officer
Fire Supervisor
Firefighter Type One (FFT1)
Forest Ranger Technician
Forest Technician
Forestry Technician
Forestry Technician Supervisor
Hotshot Crew Squad Boss
Incident Commander
Single Resource Boss
Smoke Jumper Supervisor
Squad Boss
Strike Team Leader
Supervisory Forestry Technician
Wildland Fire Coordinator

subset: commoncrawl


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Poisonous poinsettias, harmful holly and malicious mistletoe: what's the evidence?
The recent post on whether Christmas is bad for you inspired further questions on the evidence behind holiday season myths. There is a common misconception that poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima for the botanists) are poisonous. Grandparents tell stories to new parents that they must be vigilant to ensure that children don't ingest the plant's leaves.
But what is the evidence?
A study published in 1996 in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine sought to provide an answer. The authors evaluated 849,575 plant exposures reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Poinsettia exposures accounted for 22,793 cases, or nearly 3%, of which nearly all occurred in December and January. Not surprisingly, 94% of poinsettia exposures were in children.
But were they poisonous? No. None were fatal. In fact, only 4% of patients required treatment in a health care facility and fewer than 7% developed toxicity. Most reactions were mild - children that ingested leaves may experience diarrhea and vomiting or have an allergic reaction to the skin.
Poinsettias are not toxic. They don't stalk family homes waiting for the opportune time to poison children with their attractive red leaves. Children that accidentally ingest poinsettia leaves rarely require treatment. In fact, the real concern is that they may be a choking hazard.
Well what are the real hazards around Christmas time? The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website highlights the harms that children need to worry about. An unsuspecting culprit took the top spot: alcohol. Alcohol is a serious hazard in children that can lead to major health problems if ingested by children, even in small quantities. Be wary of leaving empty glasses around the house that could break and be ingested by children.
Similar to alcohol if you are in a cold enough climate, windshield washer fluid and antifreeze are serious hazards. The sweet tasting liquid that looks like Kool-Aid can lead to blindness, seizures, heart-rhythm changes and even death if ingested.
Other quintessential botanical Christmas symbols that are poisonous: holly. A handful of berries from the Illex opaca shrub can produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and drowsiness in children. The toxicity of kiss causing mistletoe is not supported by the evidence with most cases having a similar outcome as with poinsettia exposure. But with all substances, beware of large amounts.
Be on the look out for disc batteries (coin shaped circular ones) that can be a choking hazard if swallowed. If they become stuck in the esophagus or stomach, they can begin to leak their caustic contents and cause severe burns.
Irrespective of the hazard, most children swallow these objects when they are left unattended. When enjoying the holiday season this year, keep an eye on the curious children putting objects in their mouth and dispel the old urban myths that lack evidence. Happy Holidays.
- Peter Gill's blog
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Oregonians who don't already have health insurance from their employer can start to enroll in the state's new insurance exchange Tuesday. Those with pre-existing conditions can't be turned away. And if you make about $46,000 a year or less, or $94,000 for a family of four, you may qualify for a tax credit. There are still a lot of questions about how it's going to work. OBP Morning Edition host Geoff Norcross put some of those questions to health care reporter Kristian Foden-Vencil.
Geoff Norcross: We've heard some cute advertising about Cover Oregon. But what exactly is it?
Kristian Foden-Vencil: Yeah. The best way to think about Cover Oregon is to think about a travel website like Travelocity or Expedia. You want health insurance, but you want to compare prices, benefits, deductibles, co-pays and all the rest. So you go to Cover Oregon, plug in your information and pick the plan that's right for you.
GN: What kind of information?
KFV: Well, the basics: Social Security Number, expected income for next year, family status.
GN: So who gets coverage and who doesn't?
KFV: Well, if you get your insurance through your work, that's likely to stay the same. This insurance is for individuals who aren't covered, or who may already be buying their own insurance now, and people who work for small businesses.
If you make less than 138 percent of the federal poverty limit, you'll be directed to join the Oregon Health Plan. If you make more, you'll get your insurance through one of the dozen or so companies on the exchange -- like Kaiser, LifeWise, Providence -- those kinds of insurers.
GN: So is everything expected to run smoothly?
KFV: No. For the first couple of weeks or so, Cover Oregon wants people to enroll using either an insurance agent or what they're calling a "navigator," that's someone with a group like the Urban League of Portland or the Asian Health and Service Center. There are about 30 organizations in Oregon that have received a grant to help people enroll.
The state is doing it this way because Cover Oregon expects some glitches. So to start with, Cover Oregon will be closed on the weekends and at night so those wrinkles can be ironed out. Then, after a few weeks, you'll be able to sign up for insurance yourself.
GN: Will an agent charge a fee?
KFV: No. Their commissions are built into your premium.
GN: Well, what's to stop people from remaining uninsured and then picking up insurance once they get sick?
KFV: Basically, you can only get insurance during open enrollment. Now, open enrollment lasts for six months this year to try and get everyone signed up. But after that, the window gets smaller. The exception to that is that small businesses. They can enroll anytime.
GN: Well, why's that?
KFV: The idea is that's it's not the business that gets sick and suddenly needs health insurance. So the business can enroll anytime, but the employees have to enroll in the window.
GN: But what happens if I decide to risk it and just not get insurance?
KFV: Well, in 2014 you're subject to a tax penalty. It starts at $95. But over time, it ramps up. By 2016 it's a minimum of almost $700 or up to 2.5 percent of family income.
GN: We've all seen headlines about higher premiums. Is the new insurance going to be more or less expensive?
KFV: In a word: Both. If you're young and healthy, it's likely to be more expensive, mainly because a lot of young people haven't been buying insurance. So if you're younger than about 50, could be more. If you're older, it's likely to be less -- because the pool of people grows bigger and healthier.
GN: Is there anything people should look out for?
KFV: The state is warning people to look out for scammers who may use this to get hold of your personal information. Also, make sure that you sign-up with coveroregon.com and not another private insurer. coveroregon-dot-com is the only place you'll be able to get a federal tax credit if you're eligible.
GN: So when do people actually get insurance?
KFV: Coverage starts January 1st.
This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.


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About average_ioe
his 'apologism' is far tastier than the gism you cant seem to stop swallowing.
summer camps needing performance licenses to sing songs is r-e-t-a-r-d-e-d, imho. And one of the shining examples of keeping all eyes on the money and away from the ridiculous.
you should have picked a better anti stance. Seeing as the other forms of licensing are assigned for singular products, it's not too far fetched that when speaking about a general "ASCAP license" it refers to the public performance shakedown.
And the outrage should come from the fact they felt the need to have an ASCAP license in the first place, its a gd summer camp.
aww, i rarely scoop up regulars in my jest. And the next time my dark overlord refers to something as flowery it better be a makeshift grave.
just that the name string becoming an even longer amalgamation, might draw the ire of larger pool. Using my localized example.
Then I enjoyed some fine misinterpretation.
Ah yes, making the angry troll angry, the gentleman commenter's sport. Miming the account in a childish manner and offering decently sourced rebuttals (and disparaging remarks) has certainly been effective.
because a member of the BSA, Dell, was his #1 supporter in 2006 he supported the 3rd failed incarnation of IPPA.
because AT&T was #5, they got his opposition to net neutrality.
Its hard to take money out of context.
and seriously wikipedia...
2006 At&T was in the top 5 donors = against net neutrality
2012 cc media holding is in the top 5 donors = support SOPA
Dont to go far to find these, as always you are heavy on rhetoric and light on supporting facts.
my hypothesis:
AJ doesnt want to respond to me...
so he signs out and questions the merits of joining from the feigned perspective of someone who has yet to join. Using the same vernacular as always in his greeting.
Not realizing that the ability to be an AC and use that title is exactly what he is calling to end. If you didnt know he supported SOPA already...
did you just put a sentence in italics, then misquote it? If you think being completely obtuse will thwart me....you are correct, nothing left to see here.
Do you know exactly which IP Righthaven has and/or is supposed to hand over?
Yes, exactly All of it.
How can Randazza on the one hand argue
The "court" being the same Judge Pro that held that Righthaven didn't own the copyright, right?
Since you seem to be a tad slow and cant decide who is at fault to dare list IP as a Righthaven asset. The judge ordered all assets, and if by chance they have any valid IP that is included. And not just IP related to this case, ALL IP. Its safe to reason that Righthaven went and made (or attempted to) some other deals having learned from their mistakes (which would explain them hiding, sitting on the small pile of IP they have acquired that hasnt been invalidated).
ahem, no.
And because mike engaged your comment, you will continue to masturbate furiously with one hand whilst refreshing the page with the other.
Address the merits of that.
Unlike you, I don't pretend that no such solution exists.
No it's worse, you pretend that there is.
If AJ took the time to read more than the last line and glance at the list of countries then he wouldn't get to post first.
thirteen countries already do DNS filtering
Is what the text was about, "governmental blocking of speech" is what you inferred when you read the list, as you should have. And that you make the link in your head immediately and comment on it is more telling than any propaganda Mike may be putting forth.
im going to give you the benefit of the doubt on this one...
read slower.
Comparing the United States and its enforcement of intellectual property rights on the internet to those countries that practice actual censorship, i.e., governmental blocking of speech because of the message being conveyed, is idiotic.
Exactly, the MPAA shill piece was idiotic.
The above comment is the definition of petulance.
The Original Quote:
"people like you who gleefully abuse a system for profit disgust me."
Mikes response:
"As for the comment, I did not lie. You have said that you are planning a career in copyright litigation and that you support these types of actions that are a clear abuse of the law for profit."
--however the comment does not say "people like you who support the abuse of a system for profit" or "people like who you who are training to abuse a system for profit" - therefore it is technically incorrect - therefore not true.
oh noes!? please anything but reported.
Does trolling a troll really cause it to log out?


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There is no doubt that Crystal Renn has taken the fashion industry by storm. After reinventing her image as a plus-sized model in the summer of 2003 and penning her first book, Hungry, which documented the model's struggle with compulsive exercise and fasting, Renn signed with Ford Models and soon emerged in Italian, American, and French Vogue with her new and fuller figure. As of late, Renn has been flaunting her curves in a fashion campaign for Jean Paul Gaultier, and even landing the front cover of Glamour's June 2010 issue with fashion and sports megastars, Alessandra Ambrosio and Brooklyn Decker.
The December-January issue of Vogue Paris, which is guest-edited by fashion guru, Tom Ford, showcases Renn as a cougar on the prowl, spoofing the uprising of plastic surgery. Decked out in jewel tones and animal prints, Renn mimics the over-the-top trend with long, lacquered acrylics and heavy, dramatic makeup. With dramatic results like these from makeup alone, who needs plastic surgery?


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Essay - Individualism and America: The News from L.A.
In my parting note to readers as editor of this magazine ["Note from a Worldwatcher," January/February 2005], I wrote that my wife Sharon and I were moving from the East Coast to southern California, where we planned to build a house. Putting to work an abundance of ideas accumulated through my years at Worldwatch, I envisioned erecting a structure of native stone and recycled wood, harnessing solar and wind energy, and flanked by shade trees for natural cooling and of course an organic vegetable garden.
Now, more than two years after buying a piece of land and drawing up our plans, we still do not have a building permit. Our efforts to get one have been an education in one of the most fundamental of human struggles: the tug-of-war between the very individualistic desires of people building their own families and homes, and the powerfully conforming forces we create as we build institutions.
That struggle has always been one of the central themes of American political life. Liberals want stronger regulation of air and water quality; conservative business owners want the Environmental Protection Agency to get off their backs. On the other hand, conservatives want tougher regulation of what you inhale (unless it's just polluted air), or what you do for sex, while liberals want the government to get out of our homes and bedrooms. The tension cuts both ways.
Individualism can go to pathological extremes (National Rifle Association members attending town council meetings with guns on their hips) and so can institutional co-option (young Americans following orders to invade and shoot up a country they know virtually nothing about, for reasons their leaders no longer seem to remember). In a polarized country in a polarized world, it's hard to keep one's balance.
In my efforts to get a building permit, this tug-of-war has given me the psychological equivalent of a badly separated shoulder. Pulling in one direction, there's a great urge to get to work with my own hands-a very individualistic desire that may nonetheless trace all the way back to when one of my Homo habilis ancestors first picked up a rock and stared at it briefly. With precious little frontal lobe under his sloped forehead, he'd have experienced no dawning epiphany at that point-but the long journey to "what I can do" would have begun.
On the other hand, there's the County of Los Angeles, which issues building permits and enforces encyclopedic building codes of a sort that never existed for the first 10,000 years after Homo sapiens, the species that introduced civilization, shifted from nomadic hunting and gathering to the building of permanent dwellings.
The county will not let me place so much as a single stick of wood on my land until I have submitted elaborate civil-engineering, structural-engineering, architectural, and code-compliance plans to the Regional Planning Department, Environmental Health Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department, Building and Safety Division, Grading Division, Geotechnic Division, Soils Division, Fuel Modification Program (brush-clearing), and Recycling and Reuse Program-and until I have had the plans officially approved and stamped. Each department and division has a different set of requirements, takes months to review the submittal, and then demands revisions and takes months more to review it again.
One of the most demanding of these agencies is the Fire Department. When I first approached that department at the county building nearest to our lot, I asked the official at the counter-a man I'll call Napoleon Burns-for a list of all his department's requirements for someone building a house. Over the ensuing year and a half, I have repeatedly had to go back to show Burns the changes I've made in response to his demands, and almost every time he offhandedly mentions a new requirement he has never told me about before. A few weeks ago he mentioned to me that before I could get a permit for the grading contractor to excavate the building site for our foundation, the Fire Department would have to inspect the contractor's bulldozer to make sure the bulldozer won't accidentally start a fire.
I asked him how to go about getting that inspection, and he handed me a blank form. "Take this to your local fire station," he said, "and they will go to your grading contractor and do the inspection. Then you can take the signed form to the grading department." I didn't protest that there appeared to be a small "Catch-22" here: you can't get a grading contractor, and thus be able to tell the fire station whose bulldozer to inspect, until you have a grading permit, and now I was hearing that you can't get a grading permit until you have a contractor. It was kind of like that line from the Eagles song "Hotel California"-You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
Next day, as instructed, I made the 45-minute drive to the fire station in the little mountain town where our property is. The station, barely big enough to enclose one small fire truck, was closed and locked. No one was there. I came back a couple of hours later; still closed. I drove home, called Napoleon Burns, and told him what I'd found.
"Oh, that's just a branch station," he laughed. "You need to go to the station in Granite Hill" (a made-up name, as I still have to deal with these guys). This time, before making the trip, I called the station. I told the captain I needed to get a grading equipment inspection, and asked if I could stop by tomorrow.
"You need a what?" he asked.
"I'm building a house near Granite Hill, and Napoleon Burns said I have to get a grading equipment inspection done by you," I replied.
"I've never heard of such an inspection," said the captain. "I wouldn't have any idea what to inspect."
I called Burns back. He told me, "That's why we give you the form to take to the local station. The people at the station don't know what it is, but when you hand it to them, they'll know." This didn't make any sense to me, but in California they say you're supposed to go with the flow. So, the next day, I drove to Granite Hill. This station was much bigger, but it was-yes-closed and locked. No one was there. Maybe they were at a fire.
This time I decided to call the Fire Department headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. After the usual 20-minute wild-goose chase on the telephone I was transferred to a man who told me with a hint of impatience, "No, no, that form doesn't go to the local fire station, it goes to your local fire inspector. The station has nothing to do with it." He gave me the name and phone number of the local inspector for our town.
I called the inspector, whom I'll call Michio Wicke, and told him I needed to have a bulldozer inspected, so I could give the grading department the requisite signed form. He laughed. "That form is a joke," he said. "All the grading equipment these days has spark arresters, and it doesn't need to be inspected!" He paused, then suggested, "Give me the address of your building site and I'll fill out a form for you and leave it for you to pick up." With great relief, I thanked him and asked him where he would leave it.
"Right here at the county building," he said. "You know, at the counter where Napoleon Burns works. I'll leave it on his desk for you."
Back at the county building, I met Burns at the counter and told him I'd come to pick up my grading equipment inspection form. As if I were a newcomer he'd never seen before, he stepped over to a file cabinet, pulled out a blank form, and handed it to me. I said, "No, Michio Wicke said he'd leave one for me that is signed."
He looked around vaguely. "I don't see it," he said.
"Michio said he'd leave it in a manila envelope with my name on it, in a wooden tray on your desk," I said. I stared pointedly at Burns's desk, which was completely bare except for a wooden tray with a single manila envelope in it. He looked at it and hesitated a moment, then picked it up.
He handed it to me without speaking. His face was as blank as that of my imagined Homo habilis staring at a rock. Later it occurred to me that this might well have been the face of any browbeaten bureaucrat in any of the endless successions of human institutions that have been launched with great inspiration and then gradually ossified into barely breathing hulks-the Catholic Church, the Soviet bureaucracy of the late Cold War, the U.S. government in the Age of Inconvenient Truths. As I prepare to build my house, I am still inspired by the "California Dreaming" of the years when I was young, and by the environmental movement that taught me how miraculously a great shade tree can provide free cooling in a hot climate. But I'm also under the shadow of the Los Angeles County government, which has decreed that there should be no large trees next to my house because trees can burn.
Increasingly, the institutions of government and industry assume that we, the people, are incapable of taking care of ourselves. And increasingly we can't, because there's a vicious cycle at work: if we're not permitted to do things we're especially able or qualified to do, we too often give up learning how-and if we don't know how, we can forget about being permitted.
Consider, for example, the great debate about health care costs. It's rarely suggested that a huge portion of those costs-I'd guess 90 percent-could be eliminated if everyone took responsibility for the life-saving actions that could be taken virtually for free, using knowledge that is widely available. For example, we could stop eating foods containing hydrogenated fats. (In fact, we could have done this about 40 years ago; the knowledge that now has fast-food chains promising to replace the oil in their fries has been around that long.) Imagine how many billions of dollars would disappear from the costs of treating heart disease and obesity.
The trouble is, our tax codes and insurance companies don't provide serious incentives not to smoke, get fat, or abandon all serious physical and mental exercise after age 20. Our schools don't teach the most basic life-saving facts-such as the difference between bulking up muscles and building cardiovascular fitness. We assume the doctor or the coach is the expert on whom we must depend-we live in the age of experts (turn on your TV and see all the fitness coaches, financial gurus, celebrity chefs, home-improvement experts). The message we get is that we can't trust ourselves to get fit, manage our own money, cook an egg, or repair a hole in the wall without expert help. We are no longer the self-reliant, "can-do" people we were once so proud to be.
The point is, whether it's building your own house or taking care of your own health-or educating your kids or preparing for global warming, or any of the other functions now largely ceded to institutions and putative leaders-we have no system in place for enabling those who have the qualifications and desire to take on greater responsibility to actually do so. Even when we find ourselves in emergencies where we could offer skills that our communities urgently need, we're not always free to do so.
I'm afraid we can't survive, as a country or even perhaps as a species, if we continue to have our leaders and policymakers chosen by people who have not learned how to make reasoned choices. I know a man whose entire inventory of beliefs (he doesn't really have thoughts) has been acquired by listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio. This man doesn't read newspapers. I don't think he has read a book in 40 years. He isn't a bad man, by a long shot; he's friendly and caring. But he believes global warming is just another natural climatic cycle and would be outrageously too costly to act on. He believes that abortions are evil because they take away life, which is inherently good, and that capital punishment is a good idea because the convicts on death row deserve it. He believes that we are all sinners (maybe he's right about this one), and that Jesus will save us. My problem with him is not that he's a conservative (sometimes I'm quite conservative myself-about the immorality of piling up huge debt, for example, or about the inappropriateness of some aspects of government regulation-see above); my problem with him is that if he just believes what he's told, and doesn't think for himself or even learn how to think, he poses a danger to society. Should this man's vote be allowed to cancel out Al Gore's vote?
I know, I know. As soon as I even suggest the idea of somehow requiring citizens to qualify to vote on critical issues at a time when the future of the Earth is in the balance, I risk being branded as an anti-democratic "elitist" who is against everything America stands for. But to anyone who takes that view, I have to ask: Why is it that we don't mind having people qualify to be a doctor, or the pilot of a commercial airplane, or a professor of biology? The quick answer is that all those jobs require taking responsibility for making decisions that are often matters of life and death. But how much life and death-not just for years to come, but for a hundred generations-will be affected by what our elected officials know and do about rising sea levels, mass extinctions, the vilification of science, and other subjects Rush Limbaugh doesn't care to discuss?
Of course, you might argue that helping to choose someone to do a job is not the same thing as actually being able to do it. Okay, let's compare apples with apples. If every adult with a pulse is qualified to help choose the next president, then surely every adult is qualified to help make personnel choices of far lesser consequence, such as who gets to be a doctor. Why not really embrace democracy, and pick our brain surgeons by popular vote? Of course, surgeons are selected by others, but only by others who have already established strong credentials in the field-senior physicians, or medical school professors.
What I'm working my way around to, I think, is the notion that if leaders were selected by people who have relevant qualifications to determine what makes good leaders, those leaders would in turn have far greater appreciation for the benefits that accrue when the people they are leading have valuable personal strengths. Institutions led by competent people will be less likely to waste human capital by allowing capable and motivated individuals to be marginalized. Competence builds competence, and the vicious cycle is reversed.
A lot of us have been frustrated by our struggles with bureaucracy, but in the end I really can't blame the bureaucrats. People working for institutions pretty much do what they've been trained to do, and if our educational system teaches authoritarianism, that's what we'll get. Instead of government "Of the people, by the people," we'll get government kicking sand in our faces. Or if our educational system teaches us to have dualistic views of everything from left/right politics to good/evil morality, then we'll also tend to believe there's a deep divide between individual and communitarian interests, when in truth those interests are two sides of the same coin. After all, communities are made up entirely of individuals (we've been distracted from this reality by a perverse U.S. law that gives corporations "personhood"), and individuals in turn are entirely dependent on communities.
I have no idea-yet-how a system for qualifying citizens to vote, or to help shape public policy in areas where they have real education and interest, could realistically be set up. But on the road from here to there, what we need our educators to teach is that the healthiest, most effective institutions in a troubled world will be those which best recognize and respond to the diversity of individual human strengths, and which give the people who can demonstrate those strengths as much freedom to deploy them as they can bear.
Ed Ayres is editor emeritus of World Watch.


text:
Shaun de Rooy
University of Saskatchewan
Faculty Sponsor: Susan Shantz
Artist StatementConstruction materials and methods are fundamental to my exploration of manufactured spaces. Does the generic quality of the built environment create equally bland people? In Zambia last year, I watched craftsmen pound bricks using basic tools and local termite soil. I couldnt help but wonder what Western bricks (and buildings) would look like if we used only what we could find in our immediate surroundings. Would we find adequate material? And if not, what would that say about the state of our environment?
Website Design & Development by Cybermill Interactive


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Callaway Golf unveils X-Hot and X-Hot Pro irons
Callaway Golf set out to deliver measurable distance gains with its two new, aggressive iron sets, the X Hot and X Hot Pro.
"The X Hot Irons have been meticulously engineered – both in terms of physical characteristics and club configuration – to increase ball speed and promote overall distance optimization," said Callaway's Senior Vice President, Research and Development Alan Hocknell. "And in doing so, I think we have raised the bar and created the standard in distance for the irons category."
In both of the new sets of irons, Callaway incorporated a Deep Undercut Cavity Design and its powerful Speed Frame Face Technology to strike a balance of high ball speed and great feel. The deep undercut design allowed Callaway to precisely position the Center of Gravity and move the hottest – and most compliant – part of the face lower, where more golfers make contact with the ball.
And for the first time, Callaway has incorporated Speed Frame Face Technology from such drivers as the RAZR Fit and RAZR X into the X Hot Irons. Doing so optimizes stiffness across the face – essentially creating a larger sweet spot – for more efficient energy transfer. This produces more ball speed and consistent distance, even on off-center contact, and saves weight that can be redistributed to the perimeter of the clubhead for more stability.
Rounding out the X Hot Irons is Feel Management Technology, a dual material medallion that fine-tunes sound by promoting a crisp, dynamic feel at higher ball speeds. The stock shaft offering is a True Temper Speed Step 85 Lightweight Steel Shaft.
The X Hot Pro Irons feature Callaway's 20-degree Close Spaced V Grooves, which are typically reserved for forged irons. They're included in the X Hot Pro Irons to offer up to 1000 rpm more backspin out of the rough (in comparison to their predecessor). These are Callaway's most precise grooves, improving performance in an iron for better players.
The new irons will be available at retail on Jan. 25, 2013. The X Hot set will carry a new product introduction price of $699 with steel shafts and $899 with graphite shafts, while the X Hot Pro clubs will have a new product introduction price of $799 with steel shafts and $999 with graphite shafts.
For more information, visit www.callawaygolf.com


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WASHINGTON - One of the quickest ways to destroy a relationship is by fighting over money. And the battles can get particularly ugly and hurtful when they are among family members.
As part of a new feature, I'm inviting you to send me your stories about a monetary dilemma in your family. Who do you think is right in your family's financial fight? Let me help you figure it out.
To that end, here's a predicament one reader wanted me to help her with. The family background: She's one of three daughters of divorced parents. Two sisters are married and employed, but don't have children. A third sister, who works part time, is divorced with a teenage son.
The financial background: As it stands now, their 82-year-old mother's assets will be divided equally among the three daughters.
Since the one sister's divorce, she has been living at her mother's condo without significantly contributing financially to the household. For a time, the sister's teenage son also lived there. Neither parent of the teenager has saved for the young man's college expenses. 'Basically, both are banking on my parents to pay for their son's education,' the reader wrote.
The conflict: Recently, the mother moved to an assisted living facility. 'Meanwhile, my sister continues to live in my mother's condo. She has begun, for the first time in nine years, to pay the utilities and other bills. Otherwise, she and my nephew lived there for all those years with my mother paying for everything.' Perhaps the sister isn't factoring in the care her sibling gave to their mother in exchange for living there.
The sister who corresponded with me is upset that her sibling is pressing their mother, who has cancer, to put something in her will to pay for her grandson's college education. 'My nephew is a nice kid, but he is not much of a student and I have doubts he'd make it through a four-year college. My mother's assets are fine, and she can afford to give him money for college. But I personally feel it would be a waste of time and that he might want to try working a bit and do a little maturing.'
The dilemma: The correspondent sister wants to know if she's wrong to feel that it is the parents' responsibility to pay for their son's schooling. Shouldn't her sister use her own inheritance instead of seeking a separate award for the son, she asked.
The grandmother wants to do something for her grandson and has talked about establishing a trust for him. 'She doesn't understand that someone other than my sister needs to be the trustee in charge of the funds. My mother is one who always helps the underdog, and in this situation I feel like she is rewarding my sister for being needy and irresponsible.'
The bottom line: This is a common problem in many families. Aging parents are taking care of one or more of their not-so-responsible grown children. One or more family members are concerned that the parent or parents are being bamboozled.
In this case, I would assist the ailing mother in finding a good estate attorney. The attorney can help her determine the best way to will her money, including leaving some in a trust to her only grandchild to go to college. That's a kind thing for her to do. If there is a concern that either he or his mother will waste the money, the grandmother can set up the trust and designate a responsible person - perhaps someone not in the family -- to oversee the distribution of money from her estate to the young man.
Before seeing the attorney, do some research on the difference between a trust and a will. Nolo.com has a good explanation of the pros and cons of each. Search for 'living trust v. will.'
Who is right in this type of financial fight?
I believe parents should, as best they can afford, pay for their child's college education. Indeed, the sister could do it with her share of the mother's estate. So yes, it's quite audacious for the sister to push her ailing mother to pay.
It's reasonable to be concerned that an irresponsible adult child is taking advantage of the generosity of an aging parent. And yes, it's fair to voice your concerns and even take steps to protect her assets so she won't go broke. But in the end, it's the mother's money to do with what she wants.
If you're mired in a money dispute with family members, send your story to email@example.com. In the subject line, put 'Who is right in my family financial fight?' You can remain anonymous so you won't have to fight about putting your business in the street.
Readers can write to Michelle Singletary c/o The Washington Post, 1150 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071. Her email address is firstname.lastname@example.com. Comments and questions are welcome, but due to the volume of mail, personal responses may not be possible. Please also note comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.


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|Consultant Jon Taffer
The trouble is, Gordon Ramsey. The volatile, foul-mouthed celebrity chef relies too much on screams, insults, put-downs and manufactured drama to push his show along. Luckily, there is an alternative: "Restaurant Impossible," hosted by a pumped-up Brit named Robert Irvine.
While he is forceful with the owners and staff of the failing restaurants, he is rarely demeaning to them, and never foul mouthed. He's much more entertaining, his show more realistic -- except for the cliche of made-up pressure concerning deadlines -- and you don't feel as if you need a shower when you're finished watching an episode.
Now, along comes Jon Taffer with "Bar Rescue." The show, which has just been picked up by Spike TV for a 10-episode second season, started off well for a cable show and has steadily gained audience. Last Sunday, against televised NFL competition, it drew 1.3 million viewers, nearly doubling the July 17 premiere viewership of 742,000.
"Bar Rescue" is a bit of a misnomer. What Taffer, a noted New York hospitality industry guru, deals with is full-service eating-and-drinking establishments. And, his shows deal with the food as well as the drinks, along with service, decor and marketing. His on-camera persona is alternately gruff, encouraging, teaching and, ultimately, decisive. Another altogether satisfactory alternative to Ramsay.
To Dowd's Guide to American Wine Trails
To Dowd's Spirits Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.
To Dowd's Brews Notebook latest entry.
Back to Dowd's Guides home page.


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* Euro comes off 2-month low vs dollar, soft against Aussie
* U.S. election results could impact "fiscal cliff" talks
* Greek parliament to vote on austerity reforms
NEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar slipped against
most major currencies on Tuesday as investors bet the greenback
recently had risen too far and too fast given the outlook for
the U.S. economy and problems in Europe, though trading was
subdued ahead of the results of the U.S. presidential election.
The euro hit a two-month low against the dollar before
recovering to trade higher ahead of parliamentary vote in Greece
on the country's austerity reforms needed to secure
international aid.
In the U.S. election, opinion polls showed President Barack
Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney in a dead heat,
although Obama has a slight advantage in several swing states.
With the Republicans seen retaining control of the U.S.
House of Representatives, a victory for Obama would be seen as
raising the risk of policy paralysis over the "fiscal cliff."
If Congress cannot agree new arrangements, about $600
billion in government spending cuts and higher taxes will kick
in early next year, all of which could hurt U.S. economic
growth. Ironically, these worries have boosted the dollar, which
is seen as a safe haven, in recent days.
"For FX in the near term the key driver is the fiscal cliff;
however, in the medium term it is the ability to craft a
credible fiscal plan, the growth outlook and who is likely to
lead the Fed in January 2014," said Camilla Sutton, chief
currency strategist at Scotia Capital in Toronto.
Romney has said that he would not reappoint Ben Bernanke as
chairman of the Federal Reserve if he wins, though it is also
not clear if Bernanke would go for a third term when his current
tenure ends in January 2013.
The euro rose 0.2 percent to $1.2816 after an early drop to
$1.2761 on Reuters data, its lowest in two months. That
was well below its Sept. 17 high of $1.3169 struck after the
European Central Bank pledged to buy government bonds of
struggling euro zone countries that requested help.
Immediate support is seen around $1.2736, the 38.2 percent
retracement of the euro's July to September rally. Some $3.9
billion in euros had changed hands in the global trading day by
midafternoon in New York.
Greek workers begin a 48-hour strike on Tuesday to protest
against a new round of austerity cuts that unions say will
devastate the poor and drive a failing economy to collapse.
Athens needs parliamentary approval for the package, which
includes slashing pensions by as much as a quarter for some and
scrapping holiday bonuses, to ensure the European Union and
International Monetary Fund release more than 31 billion euros
($40 billion) of aid.
"We are seeing investors getting disillusioned about the
euro zone, the positive factor from the ECB's plan to buy bonds
is fading, and that is fundamentally weighing on the euro," said
Neil Mellor, currency strategist at Bank of New York Mellon in
"There isn't much progress on when Spain will seek a
bailout, and now we have the Greek vote. Suffice it to say if
the vote fails, the euro will drop and the dollar will rally,
but even if the vote passes, any rally in the euro will be
Traders said investors were adding to short positions
against the euro and looking to sell at higher levels after weak
euro zone manufacturing data bore grim tidings for the fourth
quarter and German industrial orders slumped in September.
The dollar was up 0.1 percent at 80.35 yen but below
a six-month high of 80.67 yen hit on Friday.
The Australian dollar climbed to a six-week high
after Australia's central bank decided against a rate cut and
kept its benchmark rate at 3.25 percent, citing higher inflation
and an improved global background, although it left the door
open to more stimulus if needed.
Nick Bennenbroek, head of currency strategy at Wells Fargo
in New York, said the more favorable trend for foreign
currencies may not last too long because politicians will soon
begin budget negotiations after the election.
"Past experience suggests those budget talks will be
challenging and that markets may be entering a more uncertain
phase - an environment that would be negative for equities but
positive for the U.S. dollar and yen."


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Vacation Overview
There's nothing quite like immersing yourself in the culture, language and way of life of a country but sometimes it's difficult to know where to begin. The Spanish Spree is the perfect blend of culture and party, both of which Spain has in abundance. See the Royal Palace in Madrid, the Alhambra in Granada and the Rock of Gibraltar, then cap off a fantastic holiday by enjoying traditional Flamenco dancing in Seville and living la vida loca in Barcelona for two nights before returning to Madrid.
Vacation Itinerary
Vacation Day 1 - Arrive Madrid
Check-in to the hotel and head straight out into Madrid to get a feel for the city's high energy life style. Moving to a whole lot of different beats, Madrid is packed with diverse barrios (neighbourhoods), lively plazas and a healthy nightlife. Later, meet up with the other 18-35 travellers and your Tour Manager over dinner. Hotel (D)
Vacation Day 2 - Madrid
This morning, get inspired as your Tour Manager opens up Madrid's monumental heart with a look at its bustling centre, complete with the Gran Via, the Plaza de Espana and Puerta del Sol. Then, step into the largest palace in Europe with our Local Guide and experience a slice of the royal lifestyle as our expert shows you through the Royal Palace's lavish rooms. If there's a state function happening, we'll head to the world-famous Prado Museum instead. In your free time, snack on the local favourite, churros (Spain's version of the doughnut) or grab a chilled cerveza (beer) and put your feet up. Otherwise there's time to explore more of Madrid's arty side and to visit its world class galleries, like the Reina Sofia National Art Museum. There's also a chance to explore the Valley of the Fallen where our Local Guide will tell you the story about the bloody Spanish Civil War and give you the background on heroic battles. This city never sleeps, so get some pointers on the city's hot spots, head to a little wine bar or check out some traditional salsa.
Vacation Day 3 - Madrid to Bilbao
Head North to Bilbao, the Basque country's busiest city. Stop by the pretty cliff-top town of Segovia, with its grand mansions and many squares. See the jaw-droppingly beautiful Roman Aqueduct, made up of 166 granite arches. This bridge is an impressive feat of ancient engineering. Onwards to Bilbao. An up-and-coming cultural hub, Bilbao is the down-to-earth home of one of the world's most famous and iconic museums, the Museo Guggenheim. Use your free time to check out its amazing collection of 20th century art and keep a camera handy for the extraordinary architecture of the museum itself. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 4 - Bilbao to Pamplona
Start the day off with free time in the resort town of San Sebastian. With one of the world's most stunning urban beaches, a gorgeous Art Nouveau shopping district, loads of restaurants and the best pinxtos (bite-sized snacks on toothpicks) in Spain, you've got many ways to spend your time here. Later, pull into Pamplona, home of the world famous Festival de San Fermin. Explore the well-preserved old town and its incredible Gothic cathedral before immersing yourself in some traditional Basque culture. Taste regional specialties like barbecued lamb, fresh trout and red peppers and soak in the atmosphere of this historic town. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 5 - Pamplona to Barcelona
Chill out on the coach, plug in your headphones and watch the world go by. Heading to the coast, our next stop is the Baroque city of Zaragoza, set on the banks of the Rio Ebro. Check out the town's fantastic cathedral, with its colourfully tiled cupolas and towers. For lunch, you could grab a table in the casco (old town), order a traditional Spanish tortilla and take in the unique, historic architecture and atmosphere. Next up is Barcelona. A sizzling, festive capital any night of the week, Barcelona is all about action. First stop: Montjuic. The hilltop has full-blown vistas of the city and it's where we stop to check out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. In Spain, fiesta time starts late, so later settle in at one of Barcelona's many outdoor squares to enjoy a glass of sangria, before a fun night out exploring the city's nightlife with your new friends. Hotel (B)(D)
Vacation Day 6 - Barcelona
Today there's free time to discover more of Barcelona's creative core. Pick up some quirky buys in the side streets or hit the big label shops on Plaça de Catalunya. Take in all of Barcelona's buzzing street life on the tree-lined La Rambla – a boulevard packed with street performers, artists, shops and stalls. Give an optional bike tour a go and get off the beaten track and onto Barcelona's side streets with our Local Guide. Other ideas for your afternoon off include hanging out in the colourful gardens of Parc Güell or kicking back with the locals on the beach and taking a swim in the Mediterranean sea. For lunch, there's plenty of delicious local seafood to try as well as Spain's signature dish, paella. Finish off an unforgettable time in this hot city and get into the local flavours with tonight's optional flamenco dance show and dinner, including sangria. Afterwards, get the low down on Barcelona's hottest spots and maybe hit the pumping clubs of Port Olympico by the water. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 7 - Barcelona to Valencia
Cruise down to the Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast) and its capital, Valencia, home to the Holy Grail. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 8 - Valencia to Granada
Continue west as we make our way to the once Moorish City of Granada Hotel (B)(D)
Vacation Day 9 - Granada
Start the day with an optional excursion through the old Muslim quarter of Albaicin. Walk past historic mansions with walled gardens and find cute little tea and cake shops on the cobbled streets. Our Local Guide will show the group through La Cartuja Monastery and the Capilla Real where you'll see the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella – heads of the fallen Spanish empire. Next up: the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site of Alhambra. We've got a specialist Alhambra guide who will bring the magic of this former home of the sultans to life. Take a walk through the complex of fortifications, sumptuous palaces and gardens. Tonight, learn why Granada's got such a reputation for amazing food. Try their fresh seafood, eat some more tapas (perfect for trying a bit of everything) and for dessert, the specialty Arab pastries are just right! Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 10 - Granada to Seville
Pass the port cities of Marbella and Malaga. We stop in the unusual and quirky territory of Gibraltar, with its interesting mix of British culture, Spanish influence and some North African wildlife! Make sure you check out Gibraltar's world-famous monkeys and learn about the legends surrounding how they got here all the way from Morocco. On a clear day, you'll get views across the strait to the continent of Africa. Back on the road, unwind on the coach before our final stop in Seville. Hotel (B)(D)
Vacation Day 11 - Seville
With a run down on Seville's background, your Tour Manager will show you the flamboyant Plaza d'Espana, the world's 3rd largest cathedral, the Giralda, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Alcazar, still used by the Royal Family. In your free time, you could visit Christopher Columbus' tomb, or Perhaps join us for a visit to the Plaza de Toros before indulging in some of the local tapas. For something different, head to El Jueves street market and pick out some bargains. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 12 - Seville to Cordoba
We keep travelling into the heart of rural Andalusia, through to Cordoba. It's soaked in history and serves up an old-world atmosphere, with little patios, time-worn lanes and flower-filled balconies. Your Tour Manager kick starts your experience of the city by taking the group to the Mezquita (Mosque of the Caliphs). This famous site combines Islamic and Roman Catholic structures in a stunning series of buildings, complete with an orange tree garden and courtyards. Then there's free time to wander around Cordoba's historic centre and to take in its famously beautiful streets, like the Calle de Flores (Street of Flowers). Otherwise, learn about Spain's checkered past with a visit to the 13th century Alcazar fortress, the former hub of the Spanish Inquisition. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 13 - Cordoba to Madrid
Hit the road and travel to the hill-top town of Toledo. With its mix of mosques, churches and medieval buildings, this gorgeous town is known as the "Imperial City" and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see Toledo's enormous Gothic cathedral, El Greco's house and the site of sieges, revolutions and treason: the Alcazar fortress. Then it's back in to the Spanish capital. Make your last night on tour one to remember and head out with the group for an optional traditional Spanish tapas dinner (a feast of plate-sized nibbles) in the heart of the city, right on the famous Plaza Mayor. Hotel (B)
Vacation Day 14 - Depart Madrid
Your tour ends after breakfast and it's time to say farewell to your new friends. Hotel (B)
Vacation Prices
Starts Madrid / Ends Madrid
|Start Date
|End Date
|22 Oct 2018
|04 Nov 2018
|19 Nov 2018
|02 Dec 2018
|26 Dec 2018
|08 Jan 2019
|02 Jan 2019
|15 Jan 2019
|18 Mar 2019
|31 Mar 2019
*Prices are not guaranteed until time of booking
All of this & more, included as standard on your trip.
- 13 nights twin or triple-share hotel accommodation
- Modern, air-conditioned coach
- Flight from Barcelona to Ibiza
- Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges
- Ferry crossing
- An experienced & professional Trip Manager & Driver team
- Sightseeing tours of all major cities plus orientations in all other destinations
- 13 continental breakfasts
- 4 three-course dinners
- 7 World Heritage Sites visited
- See the Gran Via, the Puerta del Sol & Plaza de Espana
- Guided tour of Royal Palace in Madrid
- Dinner featuring local tapas dishes in a scenic Barcelona restaurant
- See Gaudi's Sagrada Família & the 1992 Olympic Games complex
- Walk the Gothic Quarter & La Rambla district
- See the medieval cathedral & bell tower in Valencia
- Alhambra entry & guided tour
- Scenic drive past Marbella and Malaga
- See the Cathedral, Alcazar & Plaza de Espana in Seville
- Entry into the Mosque of the Caliphs in Cordoba
- See the Alcazar fortress and Gothic cathedral in Toledo
A $200 Non-Refundable Deposit is Required to Book.
You are booking a shared room


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Patchwork cubed light grey cowhide rugs with acid silver border
A stunning Cowhide that's not only eye-catching but practical and natural. Our modern hides can be used as a rug, wall-hanging or throw-over.
The hides are sourced in Northern France then transported to Spain to be cleaned, dyed and hand-stitched.
French hides differ from South American and Indian hides, they're better quality, and all animals are slaughtered according to the normative of the EEC. French cow skins are also thicker and softer.
Choose from a full range of popular size, we can also make bespoke sizes and shapes to order.
Skin height - 8 mm Approx
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Colour - Light Grey & Silver
Content – 100% Cowhide
Style – Skin
Construction – Natural Hide
Origin - France
|Grey / Silver


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It is available in more than 90 brilliant matte colors for a wide choice in sensitive graphic reproduction or fine art painting techniques. Its characteristics include covering power, opacity, and high tinting strength with fine flowing texture.
Color Swatches created using full strength/50/50 and were applied on cold press Bristol board (2 ply) material.
complex silicate of sodium and aluminum with sulfur
Na8-10Al6Si6O24S2-4 or Na6-8Al6Si6O24S2-4
Ultramarine is the standard warm blue, a brilliant blue pigment that has the most purple and least green in its undertone. It has a moderate to high tinting strength and a beautiful transparency. Synthetic Ultramarine is not as vivid a blue as natural Ultramarine. Ultramarine dries slowly in oil and tends to produce clean, though granular, washes in watercolor. French Ultramarine mixes well with Alizarin colors in oil and watercolor form to create a range of purples and violets. It can dull when mixed with white in acrylic form, but mixes well with other colors. The shade varies based on manufacturer. Considered a great color for glazes, it is not suitable for frescoing.
Ultramarine has excellent permanence, although synthetic Ultramarine is not as permanent as natural Ultramarine. It may discolor if exposed to acid because of its sulfuric content.
Ultramarine has no significant hazards.
The name for this pigment comes from the Middle Latin ultra, meaning beyond, and mare, meaning sea, because it was imported from Asia to Europe by sea. It is a prominent component of lapis lazuli and was used on Asian temples starting in the 6th century. It was one of the most expensive pigments in 16th century Europe, worth twice its weight in gold, and so was used sparingly and when commissions were larger. Ultramarine is currently imitated by a process invented in France in 1826 by Jean Baptiste Guimet, making blue affordable to artists and extending the range of colors on their palettes.
Artificial Ultramarine, French Blue, French Ultramarine, Gmelin's Blue, Guimet's Blue, Permanent Blue, Royal Blue, Synthetic Ultramarine. New Blue describes particular shades of Ultramarine. Armenian Blue and Lazuline Blue are names for genuine Lapiz Ultramarine. Sky Blue is a pale tone of Ultramarine.
charred animal bone
carbon + calcium phosphate
C + Ca3(PO4)2 or C × CaPO4
Ivory Black is a cool, semi-transparent blue-black with a slight brownish undertone and average tinting strength. It mixes well with any color, and creates a range of dull greens when mixed with yellow. It has good properties for use in oil, can be slow to dry in oil form, and should never be used in underpainting or frescoing. Ivory Black is denser than Lamp Black.
Ivory Black is very lightfast and has good permanence, though it is considered the least permanent of the major black pigments.
Ivory Black has no significant hazards.
Ivory Black is a carbon based black first named as Elephantium, and described in the 4th century BCE as produced by heating ivory scraps in clay pots to reduce the ivory or bone to charcoal. The deviation in names is because the more expensive varieties of this pigment were made by burning ivory, and the less expensive ones by burning animal bone. In the 19th century, the name Ivory Black was finally permitted to be applied to Carbon Black pigments made from bone. True Ivory Black is rare in modern times due to the protection of ivory, and the synthetic variety produced today was discovered in 1929. Bone Black is produced as an industrial pigment.
Animal Black, Blue Black, Bone Black. Paris Black is an inferior grade of Ivory Black. Incorrectly labeled as Frankfort Black.
titanium dioxide
Titanium White is the most brilliant of the white pigments. It is considered an all purpose oil color useful in all techniques and the best all around white. Its masstone is neither warm nor cool, placing it somewhere between Lead White and Zinc White. It is less prone to cracking and yellowing than Lead White, but it still yellows easily. Titanium White dries slowly in oil form, more slowly than Lead White but more quickly than Zinc White. It is opaque in oil and acrylic forms and semi-opaque in watercolor form. This pigment has good chemical stability, and its tinting strength is superior to both Lead White and Zinc White.
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Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, however mineral deposits that are economical to mine are less common. Titanium dioxide was first discovered in 1821, although it could not be mass produced until 1919. Widespread use of the pigment began in the 1940s. Since that time, it has become the most commonly used white pigment. The name comes from the Latin word Titan, the name for the elder brother of Kronos and ancestor of the Titans, and from the Greek word tito, meaning day or sun.
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Riding the R80G/S, through Baja
In late March, I rode with two friends Luis and Tom, in Baja. We covered over 1,200 miles while in Baja, much of it on very bad or non exsistent roads. I had so much fun I want to go again, maybe next winter. Life is good.Read More


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Monterey Pop Festival Booklet Signed by Jimi Hendrix Sells For $6,500
A souvenir booklet from the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival signed by Jimi Hendrix has fetched $6,500 on eBay. The groovy artifact also includes autographs from three members of the Mamas and Papas.
The seller says his father was at the festival showcasing his work as a Santa Cruz-based artist when a friend collected Hendrix's signature. The legendary guitarist wrote: "Be kool + be groovy and dig the sounds." Hendrix famously set his guitar on fire during his performance at the festival, creating one of rock's most iconic images.
Forty-three years after Hendrix's death, new music is still being released. Up next: A CD collecting previously unreleased performances from the Miami Pop Festival in 1968 will be released on Nov. 5, the same day the documentary 'Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin' will premiere on PBS and be released on home video.


text: Ombre Edge Hijab - Brown £4.99 Sorry, this product is currently out of stock ♥ Lightweight maxi two tone ombre hijab. Material - 100% viscose. Approximate size - 80cm x 180cm. Washing instructions - hand wash in cool water, wash separate, do not soak. Please note that actual product colour may vary due to individual monitor settings. Delivery Info | Returns Info


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I am so glad I gave the Classroom Friendly pencil sharpener a try. The above 2 electric ones broke after about 16 months of use. My kids never used it and it still broke! I had to re-sharpen most of the pencils because the lead would break immediately after I sharpened it. I thought they just didn't make pencils like they used to anymore. It wasn't until after using the Classroom Friendly pencil sharpener that I realized it wasn't the pencil after all; it was the pencil sharpener! I sharpened a pack of 24 pencils within 5 minutes (really depends on how quickly you can wind, though). Here are a couple of pictures:
|Notice how sharp it gets.
|I sharpened the pack of 24 pencils and didn't have to empty it . In fact, there's still room!
These pencil sharpeners are selling for about $25 and they sell out fast. You can grab yours by clicking on the picture below:


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(Originally published on CafeMagazine.com on June 21, 2010 as part of their World Cup coverage.)
In a world divided by borders and intolerance, there are rare moments to be savored which bring people together, and inspire an outpouring of love and unity. Often times it's a natural disaster like an earthquake, such as the one that shook Haiti earlier this year. Other times we're brought together by a political event, the death of someone loved around the world, or by a religious celebration – but sometimes we are unified by an amazing triumph, such as Mexico's historic 2-0 win over France.
When East Germany erected a wall, then-President John F. Kennedy stood on the steps of the Rathaus Schöneberg in 1963 and, declaring his support for a free and united Germany, said "Ich bin ein Berliner" – or in English: "I am a Berliner." In the shadow of the 9/11 attacks against the United States in 2001, as the entire world stood in disbelief and grief, many countries declared in solidarity, "On this day, we are all Americans."
And on June 17, 2010, as "El Chicharito" Hernández scored the first goal and led "El Tri" to victory, it felt as if, for a brief moment as we shared in their pride and glory, that on this day, we were all Mexicans. In the words of the English singer Morrissey, "I wish I was born Mexican, but it's too late for that now."
From Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, to El Ángel de la Independencia in Mexico City, fans cried tears of joy and sang "Cielito Lindo." Mexican-Americans, Latinos of all nationalities, (and believe it or not, a few gringos too), couldn't help but be swept up in the moment, and maybe – just maybe – we shed a tear or two as well as we watched the triumphant band of brothers, their jerseys stuck to their bodies with sweat, embrace each other as the song, "One Day" by Matisyahu echoed over the pitch.
"…All my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more
they'll be no more wars
and our children will play
one day…"
-One Day by Matisyahu


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Move over rental bikes -- you've got four-wheel competition.
Move over rental bikes -- you've got four-wheel competition.
As Columbus begins to implement a bike-sharing program downtown this summer, an international car-sharing company also is trying to establish an office in the capital city.
Car2go North America is seeking neighborhood support for a plan that would put 200 or so two-seaters in the city center and surrounding urban areas.
"Columbus definitely is an interesting city for car2go," said Katie Stafford, spokeswoman for the company's North American office, based in Austin, Texas.
"We think it would be a great match," she said.
Basically, the company would carve out a service area in the city's urban core for the "smart" cars.
Customers, who join the company for $35, have access to the cars with a personal ID card. The plan is to have all cars within a five-minute walk in the service area.
Stafford said it's unclear when the program would begin in Columbus.
Car2go officials will negotiate with the city on parking-meter charges used by the cars and the purchase of residential parking permits.
Car2go vehicles rent for 38 cents per minute, although there are hourly and daily rates. Stafford said 98 percent of rentals are for one-way trips.
A Columbus office would be established and staffed with up to 10 people, who would be responsible for maintenance, cleaning and refueling cars, Stafford said.
The initiative has found some early support in German Village.
In a letter to Erin Miller, the city's environmental steward, the German Village Society's long-range planning committee said it welcomed "modern innovations and novel ideas while still maintaining a specific focus on historic preservation through protecting our neighborhood's streetscape and unique aesthetics."
"We feel that car2go's mission is line with our vision of an eco-friendly future and could be helpful for both residents and visitors from other cities traveling to Columbus," Matt Eschelbrenner, the committee's chairman, wrote to the city.
Germany-based automotive manufacturer Daimler founded car2go four years ago in Stuttgart and opened its North American branch three years ago in Austin.
The program is located in several major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., Miami, San Diego and Portland, Ore.
Stafford said owning a car in a big city can be a hassle and cost-prohibitive. The car2go program is an advantage for those traveling a short distance with a quick, inexpensive ride.
Columbus is about to launch a bike-sharing program in downtown and surrounding communities.
The effort, to be in place by July, will put 30 kiosks and 300 bicycles on the streets of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Short North, German Village and the Brewery District.


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Jasmine - posted on 11/08/2010 ( 191 moms have responded )
I am wanting to pump and formula feed my twins when they come, i dont know anything about it. Could you please tell me how you went about it and anything else that could help, im so confused about it and i really want to do it, i just dont see how it can work. I also have a 14 month old to take care of.
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