text:
Serviços Personalizados
Links relacionados
- Citado por Google
- Similares em Google
PER: Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad
versão On-line ISSN 1727-3781
PER vol.11 no.2 Potchefstroom Jan. 2008
Good Governance
S de la Harpe; C Rijken; R Roos
Guest Editors Prof Stephen de la Harpe (North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa), Dr Conny Rijken (Tilburg University, The Netherlands) and Mrs Rolien Roos (North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa).
1 Introduction
This issue of the Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal (PELJ) is entirely dedicated to the concept of good governance. It is the outcome of the first Summer/Winter school on Good Governance which was held at North-West University, Potchefstroom (SA) in January 2006 and at Tilburg University, Tilburg (NL) in January 2007. This Summer/Winter school has now become a yearly event with a bi-annual theme. Academic staff from both universities collaborate in teaching this course. Students from the two universities who participate in the Summer/Winter school have the unique possibility to deepen their knowledge on a particular subject while enjoying a cross-cultural learning environment. The subject of good governance was not selected by chance but was chosen because of its impact in many fields and the many ways in which the concept is used. It was time for a deeper insight into this multiple role of the concept of good governance. The contributions to this journal are the analytical outcome of the research done in preparation for the lectures given during the Summer/Winter school. As the contributions directly apply the good governance concept to various specific fields of expertise, this introduction will be used to give a short reflection on the concept as such.
2 The concept of 'good governance' at a glance
The concept of good governance' is broadly applied to international organisations, national governments and even private non-state actors as well. The content of the concept of good governance largely depends on the aims for which it is used; financial institutions tend to focus more on economic reforms, whereas for the more political organisations the content of the concept finds its angle in human rights law.1 Within the development community a division is made between the more technical/economic interpretation of good governance and the more political/social interpretation of good governance; capacity, effectiveness and efficiency are seen as elements of the former and human rights, democracy, responsiveness and accountability elements of the latter. The question here is how these two approaches relate?
The concept of good governance was originally invented as an answer to the lack of sustainable economic growth in some areas of the world and therefore originally had a strong economic and technical aspect. It was introduced by development organisations when it was discovered that financial aid was able to balance macro-economic relations in the first instance but that it was more difficult to reach sustainable growth. It was discovered that other conditions had to be present before such growth could be established. The debate on good governance started in reaction to the inefficient and corrupt administrative structures of developing countries eligible for financial loans. Because of the weak governmental structures in these countries structural adjustment programmes of the World Bank and IMF had failed.2 The World Bank report of 1989 reflected on why structural adjustment programmes had failed to create economic growth. The authors considered the economic crisis in Africa as a crisis of governance' - governance meaning "the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country's economic and social resources for development". This became apparent in the following practices:
officials serving their own interests without being held accountable;
reliance on personal networks for survival rather than on holding the state accountable;
personalised politics and patronage;
illegitimate leadership;
excessive control of information and of associations.
Consequently these financial institutions introduced good governance requirements as borrowing conditions. For this purpose, the concept of good governance had to be shaped in an economic fashion. The institutions further developed their comments into criteria and conditions for sustainable growth. They adopted them in the form of four principal components of governance namely: Public Sector Management, Legal Framework for Development, Accountability, and Transparency and Information.3 Meanwhile, over the same period, the concept of good governance was used as a condition for investment in countries in transition to a new democratic and independent state.
Within the European Union the economic interpretation was also important. In this regard Hancher and others have identified the following principles of good market governance: transparency, accountability, proportionality, consistency, predictability, flexible powers, clear legal mandate, independence and respect for competition law and policy.4
Those who favour a more social approach to good governance state that good governance involves ideas and values about how a state should act towards individuals. In their view human rights are seen as a way to set minimum standards on how a state should govern. According to them, good governance should primarily be defined by human rights standards and only secondarily by economic and managerial criteria. This view is not new, since the early nineties already saw the term of good governance being used in relation to human rights. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) applies the concept of good governance in accordance with its aim which means in the sphere of post-conflict institution-building with a strong emphasis on democratic governance with full respect for civil and political rights.5
However, World Bank policy has made clear that the approaches to economic and to social good governance are not two entirely different worlds but two points of view that supplement each other. Despite the economic aims of the World Bank, it did not hesitate to also demand accountability, the rule of law, transparency, anticorruption and respect for human rights from the borrowing states as evident from its reports. In doing so they integrated both approaches and upgraded these aspects to become the core principles of good governance.6 In this sense these principles of good governance reflect important aspects of human rights law which are and must also be applied by non-state actors.
Wouters and Ryngaert distinguish three prongs of good governance in which the developments mentioned above are reflected:
1. Good governance as the organisation of collective action through institutions defining means, aims and rules.
2. Good governance with the aim of establishing a legal order in which societal development can thrive, with a focus on human rights, the rule of law and the trias politica.
3. Introduction of corporate governance based on the idea that also citizens and large corporations govern because their decisions may affect stakeholders and the society.
Looking at these three prongs it is clear that the significance of the concept of good governance has grown and that its impact has increased and broadened to other fields.
3 Definitions
The concept of good governance serves as a basket term from which you can pick and choose at will. There seem to be as many definitions of good governance as there are users of the concept. Much of the confusion about the concept stems from its usage on different levels: it is used by donors for practical purposes, it is used by academics as an analytical concept and it is used by others as a normative ideal. Yet substantively, there is a considerable overlap. To give an exhaustive overview of the many definitions of the concept here will not necessarily contribute to the understanding of the concept. However, below some descriptions of the concept at UN level will be given which seem to cover the various aspects of the concept. Furthermore, these are definitions adopted on the international level and therefore broadly applied. The UN, through the United Nations Commission for Global Governance has defined governance as:
the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflicting or diverse interests may be accommodated and co-operative action may be taken. It includes formal institutions and regimes empowered to enforce compliance, as well as informal arrangements that people and institutions either have agreed to or perceive to be in their interests.7
According to the Secretary General of the UN good governance means:
creating well-functioning and accountable institutions - political, juridical and administrative - that citizens regard as legitimate, through which they participate in decisions that affect their lives, and by which they are empowered. Good governance also entails a respect for human rights and the rule of law generally.8
From these definitions the core principles of good governance can be extracted namely, accountability, participation, legitimacy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. Within the EU the Commission has identified five principles of good governance namely: openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence.9 A considerable overlap with the principles identified in the definition of the SG of the UN is visible. There is at least agreement about the following core principles of good governance: transparency, accountability, participation, the rule of law, effectiveness, efficiency, proportionality, consistency and coherence. Although many definitions and interpretations of good governance exist they seem to represent the following common idea:
Good governance refers to the realization of the fundamental values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and social justice by all governmental or non-governmental authorities whose legal acts or activities affect the position of citizens in the process of the formulation, the creation and the implementation of binding and non-binding legal norms.10
4 Operationalisation of the concept of good governance
According to these core principles of good governance, the application of the concept, as well as the definition used by several organisations it seems that at least the principles of transparency, accountability and participation must be upheld before one can speak of good governance. In an attempt to give content to these principles and to get a grasp of what good governance entails for states and governments, the state obligations following from these three principles will be outlined below.11
4.1 Transparency
The principle of transparency makes the following demands of the legislator: comprehensive and clear legislation, access to documents concerning the legislative process, clear legal mandate of national administrative authorities, clear division of responsibilities. For the administrations it includes the right of every person to have access to his or her file, while respecting the legitimate interests of confidentiality and of professional and business secrecy. It furthermore requires that decisions be clear and well reasoned, and that they be public. The openness of documents also applies to policy documents, annual reports, work programs, et cetera.
4.2 Participation
With regard to the principle of participation a broad range of measures need to be taken before this is achieved, including, representative democracy, the right to vote and to be elected, but also deliberation with civil society and stakeholders in the establishment of laws and regulations. As regards the administration it prescribes the right of every person to be heard before any individual measure which would adversely affect him or her is taken, and, for instance, transparent stakeholder consultations in administrative rule-making procedures.
4.3 Accountability
Another important and rather new principle in the realm of good governance is the principle of accountability which includes at the least democratic control of the administration (for example attribute supervisory powers to a minister) and the right to effective legal protection. For non-state actors it includes stakeholder accountability by explaining policy-decisions, evaluating the impact of new rules and decisions and accounting for the results.
As follows from the above, when operationalising the concept of good governance many of the obligations are in fact formulated as rights for the individuals. The content of good governance seems to find its basis in human rights law. Therefore, hereafter the relationship between good governance and human rights will be touched upon briefly in order to clarify the interaction between the two.
5 Good governance and human rights
The concept of human rights embodies the idea that there are fundamental principles to which the law must adhere. In this way, there is a parallel to be drawn between the role of human rights and the ancient ideas of natural law and natural justice.12
Human rights are nowadays based on the idea that rights belong to the individuals, that some rights are inalienable and that you posses these rights because you are a human being. However, they have also developed far beyond rights of a private individual to non-interference by a public authority to also include positive obligations for the state in order to act in compliance with human rights. In the years following the adoption of the most important human rights conventions namely the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights these rights have become more and more important. Although initially addressed to states, they now also apply in horizontal relationships and are a source of inspiration for non-state actors who to a certain extent have to take into account applicable human rights obligations. As we have seen above, the concept of good governance has developed along comparable lines.
The concepts of good governance and human rights can be described as supplementary and in no way oppose one another.13 As we have seen when operationalising the principles, the overlaps can be easily identified and it seems that these two have more similarities than generally thought, although the aims for which good governance principles are used are more diverse.
Most human rights problems today are not problems of recognition of rights, but have more to do with the difficulty of implementation of rights. Good governance can help states to respect these particular human rights obligations and can in this way be seen as a potentially enabling framework for promoting human rights. It creates an environment that is more commensurate to the implementation of human rights. Rather than considering human rights as a legal corrective to good governance policies the relationship between human rights and good governance may be seen as one affording mutual benefits, in which governance measures strengthen the protection and fulfilment of human rights, because principles of good governance provide a more practical tool for the application of human rights law.
Good governance consists of recommendations while human rights are rights. This means that good governance principles are formulated less pressingly and can be used in a more flexible way.
In view of the above, the different functions in the relationship between human rights and good governance are:
Good governance as a prerequisite/condition for aid and assistance.
Good governance as guidance for the execution of Human Rights. Through the principles of good governance the human rights can be made concrete.
Good governance as a preventive mechanism for the violation of human rights. If principles of good governance are met, violations of human rights occur less easily.
6 Content of this issue
The different functions and applications of the concept of good governance are reflected in the contributions to this issue of the PELJ and the special relationship with human rights law becomes visible. Before we can fully understand the impact of the principles of good governance on the national level a more fundamental knowledge on the constitutional foundations of a country is required. For South Africa and the Netherlands this is provided in the article of Van der Schyf. In his piece, the two systems are compared and the differences are discussed and explained. In the contribution of Van Genugten on UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, the initial function of good governance principles, which is good governance as a prerequisite for aid, is revitalised. Good governance in this context can be considered a precondition for sustainable peace. The article of Jägers and Denkers on the WTO and HR and the role of good governance principles, discusses how good governance principles are a guiding tool for the WTO to meet expectations and obligations which find their basis in human rights. In the words of Jägers and Denkers:
Given the role of principles of good governance in the realisation of human rights, good governance also plays an important role in realising this aim of sustainable development.14
Roos and De la Harpe apply the principles of good governance, with specific reference to accountability, to public procurement in their discussion of the Constitutional Court's decision in Steenkamp NO v Provincial Tender Board, Eastern Cape.15 The provision of adequate remedies in public procurement is put under the spotlight where the court had to consider whether an initially successful tenderer could lodge a delictual claim for damages to compensate for expenses incurred after conclusion of a contract, which was subsequently rendered void on an application for review of the tender award. In her contribution Du Plessis critically assesses, with reference to some international developments, the role that public participation is expected to play in state governments' fulfilment of citizens' environmental rights. She also puts forward some ideas on the relation between public participation, the fulfilment of environmental rights and environmental governance. In conclusion and to bring good governance closer to home (that is, Potchefstroom), Kotze and De la Harpe, in their discussion of using 'Good and Cooperative Governance to Improve Environmental Governance of South African World Heritage Sites', elaborates on the unique problems of governance in the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site. They provide some thoughts on how to address the challenges of environmental governance, through the principles of good governance, in order to ensure the proper and sustainable governance of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.
With this first elaboration on the concept of good governance we hope to have provided the necessary background understanding to place the different contributions in this issue in a broader perspective. Once the reader has read the contributions he or she will realise the important role good governance plays in modern society.
CGG Our Global Neighbourhood
Commission for Global Governance Our Global Neighbourhood (Oxford University Press Oxford 1995) [ Links ]
European Commission European Governance. A White Paper
European Commission European Governance. A White Paper COM(2001) 428 final (25 July) (Commission of the European Commission Brussels 2001) [ Links ]
Hancher et al 2004 Tijdschrift voor Economie en Management
Hancher L et al "Principles of Good Market Governance" 2004 (2) Tijdschrift voor Economie en Management 339-374 [ Links ]
Kjoer and Kinnerup Human Rights
Kjoer M and Kinnerup K "How Does Good Governance Relate to Human Rights?" in Sano H and Alfredsson G (eds) Human Rights and Good Governance (Martinus Nijhof Publishers The Hague 2002) [ Links ]
Lavrijssen-Heijmans "What is Good Governance?"
Lavrijssen-Heijmans S "What is Good Governance? The role of Good Governance Principles in bringing Europe closer to the Citizens" (Unpublished presentation given during the summer course on Good Governance in Potchefstroom South Africa) [ Links ]
Van Bijsterveld Empty Throne 248
Van Bijsterveld S The Empty Throne. Democracy and the Rule of Law in Transition (Lemma Utrecht 2002) [ Links ]
World Bank Development and Human Rights
World Bank Development and Human Rights. The Role of the World Bank (World Bank Washington DC 1998) [ Links ]
World Bank Governance and Development
World Bank Governance and Development (World Bank Washington DC 1992) [ Links ]
World Bank Governance
World Bank Governance: The World Bank's Experience (World Bank Washington DC 1994) [ Links ]
World Bank Sub-Saharan Africa
World Bank Sub-Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth. A Long-Term Perspective Study (World Bank Washington DC 1989) [ Links ]
Wouters and Ryngaert Good Governance 69-70
Wouters J and Ryngaert C "Good Governance: Lessons from International Organizations" in Curtin D and Wessel R (eds) Good Governance and the European Union (Intersentia Antwerpen 2004) [ Links ]
Register of court cases
Steenkamp NO v Provincial Tender Board, Eastern Cape 2007 3 SA 121 (CC)
Register of conventions and international documents
Annual Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization UN Doc A/53/1
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1976
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1976
Register of Internet resources
Jägers and Denkers 2008 PELJ http://www.puk.ac.za/
Jägers J and Denkers N "The World Trade Organisation and Human Rights: The Role of Principles of Good Governance" 2008 (2) Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal 1-36 Found on internet http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/regte/per/issues.html Current issue [ Links ]
List of abbreviations
CGG Commission for Global Governance
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
OSCE Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
par paragraph(s)
PELJ Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal
1 Wouters and Ryngaert Good Governance 69-70.
2 World Bank Sub-Saharan Africa.
3 Kjoer and Kinnerup Human Rights 1-18.
4 Hancher et al 2004 Tijdschrift voor Economie en Management 342 ff.
5 Wouters and Ryngaert supra n 1 at 76.
6 World Bank Governance and Development, World Bank Governance, World Bank Development and Human Rights.
7 CGG Our Global Neighbourhood 2.
8 UN Doc A/53/1 par 114.
9 European Commission European Governance. A White Paper at 10.
10 Lavrijssen-Heijmans "What is Good Governance?".
11 This explication is based on a presentation of Lavrijssen-Heijmans ibid.
12 Van Bijsterveld Empty Throne 248.
13 Kjoer and Kinnerup supra n 3 at 1-18.
14 Jägers and Denkers 2008 PELJ http://www.puk.ac.za/ 4.
15 Steenkamp v Provincial Tender Board, Eastern Cape 2007(3) SA 121 (CC).


text:
Isac Martin Photography
Views from Camano Island bridge.
Golden Skies in La Connor
Port of Tacoma, WA
Cama Beach Camanno Island at Sunset
Kayak Point
Camano Island early morning
Camano Island
Mount Rainier showing from Conway, WA
Mount Pilchuck showing from Conway
Mount Baker showing from Camano Island
Glow before sunrise in Camano Island
Serene Sunset in Conway
Cotton candy skies in Conway
Sunsets in Conway, WA
The Glow before the sunrise. Haller Park Bridge
Everett Marina
Old Office building on the Everett Waterfront
Leaving on a jet plane
Camano Island Sunsets during low tide
Sunsets in the Backyard
Sunset in Camano Island (Maple Grove)
Perfect evening for a stroll on the beach
Sunset at Maple Grove Boat Launch
Sunsets on the beach in Camano Island
Sunset at the Everett Marina
Colorful sky at the Everett Marina
Sunsets in the Yard
Kayak Point State Park
Lonely Tree in Smokey Point
Sunrise in Smokey Point

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I never knew they made the awd without the turbo. The tires would have been an awesome site to see hahahahha. That thing probably got around so damn good.nts007 wrote:Talon awd non turbo. Had a set of bfg all terrains on it. U can see them in one of the pics beside car. 195/75-14. Last set in North America in that size in the warehouse at the time. And they went on a car lol
I can attest, those drivetrains can handle some serious abuse. Like repeated wot clutch dumps with the turbo/awd model. They sure would make quite a racket, but they launched like no other hahahah.


text:
Moderators: Three Stars, dagny, pfim, netwolf
redwill wrote:I shudder to think what EPP or Geezer were doing before I was conceived.
tifosi77 wrote:(my addy was email@example.com)
blackjack68 wrote:Probably some pron site.
Gabe wrote:back in 91-ish, We got a 386 Packard Bell with a 2800 baud modem from JCPenney. With it, we got a free 100 minutes of Prodigy service. I logged into the JCPenney catalog and it was boring. :)
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests


text:
Welcome to the Top Trumps Universe. The Universe is a fun, safe environment where kids can play games and discover random facts about the world around them. We want parents to have peace of mind about their children playing in the Top Trumps Universe, so here are some frequently asked questions by parents. If you have any questions that are not answered here, head over to our contact page and send us an email or letter.
What is the Top Trumps Universe?
The Top Trumps Universe is made up of 3 worlds that relate to all of the Top Trumps packs. The World of Wonder is about nature and the world around us, The World of Champions centres on the world of sports, and The World of Stars and Heroes has some of our favourite faces and characters from TV and entertainment. The World of Wonder is free to play now. The World of Champions will launch on 1 May and The World of Stars and Heroes will launch on 21 May.
What happens in each World?
Within each world, children are free to move their character around to access different challenges, quizzes, mini-games and play Top Trumps online. Each game and challenge earns stars. The aim is to earn all 17 stars in each world. Top Trumps games are worth 7 stars and have 7 levels to complete (1 star per level completed). Mini-games are worth 3 stars, with varying degrees of difficulty to earn each star. Challenges are easy wins that earn 1 star. Fact cards can also be collected and give clues to the challenge quiz and nuggets of information about the world.
What happens when all stars are collected?
Well done! When a world is complete, your child can download a pdf certificate to say they have completed the world.
Does it cost anything?
The universe is totally free to play. Children can access the worlds of Top Trumps, where they will find mini-games, Top Trumps games and fun facts to interact with and play until their heart is content without you having to worry about subscription fees or costs.
How does my child sign up?
Registration is simple. Your child chooses a character and a name for that character. We advise that real names are not chosen, as the name chosen will appear on leaderboards for all to see. Once the character is chosen, we ask for a password, age and email address. If your child is under the age of 13, we request that they ask your permission to enter your email address for all correspondence. Do remember to check your spam when looking for this email.
What will Top Trumps Universe email me about?
Top Trumps Universe requires an email address for you to verify the account – this helps to keep the site secure and safe – we want real people to sign up, not robots! We will occasionally contact you with important updates in the world, such as new worlds being added, new games or exciting new competitions We will not pass your data on to any 3rd party.
Is there any interaction between children in the Top Trumps Universe?
No, the character does not come into contact with any other registrants of the site. Your child is free to roam the universe and explore all by themselves, earning the stars to keep as personal achievements.
How is data protected on the site?
All data that we collect during sign up is sent to us by a secure encrypted transfer. It is held within a secure database and we will only contact you with messages related to the game, or information about Top Trumps competitions and new pack releases.
How can I keep my child safe online?
All children should feel safe and secure when they are online. We feel that the Top Trumps Universe is a great environment for kids to play in, but if you have any doubts, why not register an account and try it for yourself?
Who can I contact if I have a problem?
You can email or write us a letter to Top Trumps HQ. Head over to our contact page for the details!


text:
It doesn't seem to be a day goes by without hearing Microsoft's name mentioned in the tech media. Half of the time it isn't even related to technological innovation, but about trying to squeeze out the competition.
For instance, Microsoft has kicked up rather a stink with their latest move in the PC games market. With Windows 10 they are introducing the Universal Windows Platform, or UWP for short. Now at its heart UWP sounds good, because it means games developers can create software that runs on Windows 10 PCs, tablets and smartphones. They don't need to write separate games for each one.
However, it comes at a price and that is giving Microsoft control of the entire distribution process in a locked down environment. Games developers will no longer be able to deal directly with customers and will instead be forced to deal with Microsoft and Microsoft alone. Microsoft of course will take a cut of any profits.
This is in complete contrast to the way things have always been done, whereby developers have creative and commercial freedom to create anything they want and distribute it however they like.
You can read a more in depth assessment of the situation by Epic Games' co-founder Tim Sweeny here: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/04/microsoft-monopolise-pc-games-development-epic-games-gears-of-war
So how did we get into this mess in the first place? Could it possibly be that we are seeing yet another reason why a monopoly of any sort is a bad idea? Microsoft have approximately 90% of the PC market with different versions of Windows. That is a monopoly, but it is also a market that is slowly dwindling in favour of mobile technology. Yes there will always be a need for desktop and laptop PCs, but companies need to be focused on ways to maximise their profits in the long run. Sadly for the consumer and the developer, that is not always going to be a good thing.
Companies like Valve have taken a different approach and embraced Linux, which being Open Source is free from the constraints imposed by any one business. Previously when Microsoft put the cat amongst the pigeons with developers, Valve were openly critical and released Steam for Linux and their very own SteamOS. Back in January this year it was reported that there were now 1,800 titles available on Steam for Linux. As of this morning, there are now an impressive 1,933 games for Linux available on Steam. That suggests a vibrant and growing market for Linux gaming to me.
Given Microsoft's unwelcome move in the gaming world, Valve's commitment to Linux couldn't come at a better time could it?
So will 2016 finally be the fabled year of the Linux desktop? I doubt that very much as it has a long way to go to catch up to Windows, but gamers and game developers alike may well be looking elsewhere for their fix and follow Valve's lead if Microsoft carry through with their plans.
Alan Stainer


text:
Pull up the perfect barstool
- 4.9 out of 5 stars with 7 reviews$139.99Save 15% in cart with code FALL15Not in stores
- 4 out of 5 stars with 1 reviews$139.99Save 15% in cart with code FALL15
limited stockNot in stores
- 5 out of 5 stars with 1 reviews$349.99Save 15% in cart with code FALL15
limited stockNot in stores
Kosas Home : Bar & Counter Stools
The breakfast bar has taken over kitchen design. Bar stools or counter stools are needed for the breakfast bar, but also work well at high-top tables now common in informal dining rooms, game rooms, rec rooms, man caves, she sheds, garages or on patios or decks. Keep these factors in mind for your home. Bar stool height is one of the most important things to keep in mind when selecting bar stools. 24-inch bar stools, 26-inch bar stools, 29-inch bar stools and 30-inch bar stools are common sizes. You'll find those and others at Target.com. What style is a good fit for you and your fam? Choose what makes you happy from our rustic bar stools, industrial bar stools, modern bar stools and other styles we offer. What color fits your decor? We have black bar stools, white bar stools, blue bar stools and barstools in many other stylish colors. Consider durability when you choose the material you want it to be made of. Whatever choice you make—wood bar stools, metal bar stools, wicker bar stools—we've got them. In addition to how durable your bar stools will be, consider how functional they will be. Do you want them to swivel or have the ability to adjust in height? Don't forget to decide what type of back you want on your bar stool. backless bar stools, low back bar stools, swivel bar stools, adjustable bar stools and saddle bar stools are all something to consider for any bar stools purchase. Some of our collection comes in a set of 2 bar stools for convenience and value. Be sure to check out our Threshold bar stools for exclusive Target style. And at Target.com you get 2-day free shipping on eligible items with orders of $35 or more.


text:
PANAMA CITY � Bay County is looking at another bleak budget season, as preliminary projections show the county losing $4 million in fiscal year 2014, but that�s better than the $6 million annual loss it�s seen in recent years.
PANAMA CITY � Bay County is looking at another bleak budget season, as preliminary projections show the county losing $4 million in fiscal year 2014, but that�s better than the $6 million annual loss it�s seen in recent years.
The county has been dipping into its cash reserves to cover the budget shortfalls as well as paring back expenses, cutting nearly 100 positions in recent years.
�Now, unfortunately, at the end of FY �13 we will be at the bottom of the barrel,� said Ashley Stukey, budget officer, during the County Commission�s budget workshop Tuesday.
Stukey told the commission increasing millage rates is an option. He said raising the rates by .4 or .5 mills would wipe out the $4 million loss and the county would break even.
�It doesn�t put cash in the bank, but it would eradicate the �cash burn,� � he said.
One mill is equal to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of property value.
Stukey said cutting expenses, finding additional cash reserves or some combination are the commission�s only tools to solve its budget problems.
Stukey also mentioned the $8 million the county recently received from BP, which has not been budgeted for in FY 2014. It could cover the shortfall for another year, if not two.
Raise millage rates?
But the big question staring commissioners in the face is whether they will raise millage rates for FY 2014. All oppose the idea, but Chairman George Gainer and Commissioner Mike Thomas represent two opposite ends of that narrow spectrum.
Gainer is adamantly against raising millage rates and won�t even consider it as an option. Thomas, however, doesn�t like the idea but says residents may prefer higher millage to fewer services.
�I don�t believe in (raising millage rates). I said I wouldn�t do it, and I�m not,� Gainer said after the workshop.
Gainer said the county should continue cutting expenses or use cash reserves, like the BP money, to cover the shortfall.
�We�re not in the business to make money. � We have reserves for times like this. I really believe we�re going to outrun this economic thing,� he said, in an interview. �I think you�re going to see the (property) values come back. I think you�re going to see values go up enough that we won�t have to raise millage.�
Thomas also wants to look at cutting first, but he is ready to discuss millage increases. In an interview, he said sooner or later the money has to be replaced, and he�s concerned cutting jobs and services might affect roads and other necessities.
�You reach a point where if services are diminished people may not mind raising the millage a little bit. We�ve cut two mills out since I�ve been elected,� he said.
Thomas added: �Sooner or later people have to decide: �Do I want the services or not?� �
Thomas said he hears from his constituents and will know if they prefer millages increased or services cut.
�People talk to you about their taxes,� he said.
Other commissioners
In an interview, Commissioner Bill Dozier said he�s not in favor of raising millage rates, but wouldn�t write off the idea. He also said it�s too early to make any decisions right now.
�I want to wait until we get some more solid numbers,� he said.
Dozier said the information was �very preliminary� and the commission would get more exact projections in June.
In an interview, Commissioner Mike Nelson said he wasn�t willing to consider raising millage rates now because it�s not needed. He said the local economy has not come back yet and he doesn�t want to add to locals� tax burden.
�I honestly don�t think we need a millage rate increase,� he said.
Nelson said the county should look to cuts first, and didn�t want to use BP money to cover the shortfall, though he said it is an idea.
�It�s just not anything that I�m too interested in right now,� he said.
In an interview, Commissioner Guy Tunnell said the county has �quite a dilemma.�
�We�ve cut, I think, pretty much to the bare bones, and yet demand is still pretty steady for services,� he said.
Tunnell said he wasn�t in favor of raising taxes, but the commissioners� backs are against the wall. He said he didn�t know what would happen, so he wouldn�t dismiss raising millage rates, but said it should be a �last resort.�
�I don�t know where we go from here. We�ve got some tough, tough decisions to make,� he said.
Millage history
During the workshop, Stukey began by showing the recent decline in the county�s taxable property values, which has hurt its ad valorem proceeds.
The current fiscal year�s ad valorem proceeds are at about the same level ($50 million) as they were in FY 2005. Though the taxable property values are much higher ($13.8 million), the millage rate is significantly lower (3.65 mills).
In FY 2005, property values were $8.9 million, but the millage rate was 5.662 mills, according to Stukey�s presentation.
Following 2005, taxable property values soared, due to the housing boom, peaking at $18.8 million in FY 2008. The county subsequently cut the millage rate. By FY 2009, it was at 3.65 mills, just as the housing bubble burst.
Ad valorem taxes, however, are only one source of funding for the county�s budget, which is $232 million for FY2013.
Another blow came in 2008 when voters amended the state constitution doubling homestead exemption for most homeowners, from $25,000 to $50,000.
But there is a little good news. The county�s taxable property values as of last week were up nearly 1 percent, at $13.9 million, Stukey said.
�To give you an idea of where we�ve come from, last year at this time we were already probably at negative 3 percent,� he said.


text:
FBoP | Our Policies | Upcoming Events | How To Purchase a Firearm Online | Site Map | Contact us | 1-800-542-5243
Home > Shop Online > Range Equipment > Eye Protection > Dragon Fire - Black / Tigers Eye Lens
EDGE Tactical Eyewear Dragon Fire - Black / Tigers Eye LensSKU: XDF610
Manufacturer: EDGE Tactical Eyewear Eye Protection
|Retail Price:
|Our Price:
|You Save:
Manufacturer's Description
Meets uniform requirements for all military branches, Police, SWAT, and Tactical. 3X Anti-Scratch Coating. Vapor Shield Anti-Fog Coating. Tiger�s Eye Lens is an excellent high-contrast lens for overcast days. Featuring Blue Filter properties, greatly reducing eye strain and fatigue while increasing depth perception. Engineered to be the ultimate shooting lens.
Please note: Although we try our best to ensure correct product information on our website, we are not responsible for any mistakes or incorrect information. We welcome you to call us with any questions you may have prior to placing your order.


text:
When former WWE wrestling star Chris "The Masterpiece" Masters learned his mother was stuck inside her burning Los Angeles home with an apparently deranged man he went into "hero mode" to rescue her, he told ABCNews.com today.
The 6-foot-4, 265 pound wrestling star "bear-hugged" a 10-foot ficus tree standing in the way of the window to his mom's room and wrenched it out of the way so he and police could break the window and pull his mom to safety.
"It's not really a tree that's meant to come down but basically I gave it a bear hug and got the tree down," Masters, 30, told ABCNews.com. "I told the police officers, 'Break the windows. Break the windows. My mom is in this room and we've got to get her out.'"
Masters, whose real name is Chris Mordetzky, called 911 around 6 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a phone call from a neighbor about suspicious activity at the Los Angeles apartment that his mother, Diane Mordetzky, 57, shares with his uncle, Leo Taliaferro.
The suspect, whom his mother knew, had barricaded Mordetzky inside her bedroom and barricaded himself behind the apartment's front door with furniture and a deadbolt.
Taliaferro and Masters, who now wrestles internationally after a 10-year career with the WWE, tried to talk down the neighbor through the front door.
"He started going into this weird thing that he's her son and she's my mom now," Masters recalled. "Once I heard that he was talking that madness I knew he had a problem. I was scared."
When police arrived they surrounded the apartment and the suspect, whom Masters knows only as a man named Daniel, threatened to start a fire and blow up the apartment. Shortly after, smoke began seeping out from under the door.
"I'm like screw this," Masters said. "I move into action, probably because it was my mom in the house and I thought, 'Every second that goes by, why are we just waiting here?'"
"If you saw what I saw coming out the front door, it was crazy," he said. "The police officers were kind of hesitant and it was like I started quarterbacking the whole thing. I went into hero mode."
Masters pulled down the tree's branches while police smashed open the two windows into his mother's bedroom. He and an officer then pulled his mother to safety.
"If it wasn't for my son I would be dead," said Mordetzky, who escaped the fire with no injuries and is staying with her son in Culver City, Calif.
Masters, who says he's "never loved my mom anymore than the moment when she popped out of that window," suffered cuts to his arms, but says what he did is nothing.
"You're not really reasonable, especially when it comes to your mom," he said. "It was probably the longest hour of my life. The main thing is I got my mom out safe."
Police arrested the suspect, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department. Three police officers were also injured in the incident, the spokesperson said. One was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation, while the other two were treated and released for unspecified injuries.
Masters says the suspect was on the verge of being evicted and was facing a restraining order from his wife.
"I think he was a guy who had reached rock bottom," Masters said.


text:
And furthermore ...
Creativity is natural to the human condition
Let's just say that. Out loud. Yep, right now.
You may not be quite ready yet to claim "I am creative." There is no sense in forcing yourself to say something that you don't believe. Yet.
Creativity is something you need to foster. You just really need to be brave. You are probably already being creative but not giving yourself credit.
Creativity is just like a muscle: use it and build it up.
Creativity has really nothing to do with talent. I'm not sure what the heck "talent" is. I think it may be desire. Here is a piece of an email I received from a new facebook friend:
"I have absolutely no experience in art. When I was about 8 or so I begged to go to an art day camp and it was disastrous. The teacher told me I'd never be an artist because I couldn't "get" perspective, ... etc. I was 8! I've always been easily discouraged and painfully sensitive to criticism ... . I'm 59 years old now and finally jumping in. I've always felt as if I've been deprived of something very special--like I got all the desire to be creative, but none of the talent. But, now I do have a lot of confidence. I know that I can do it as long as I take things slowly and stop each day before I get frustrated."
Thank you Xylia for sharing this with me.
Xylia's words spoke so triumphantly to me. How about you? My life path was not strewn with roses, I had to win back my innate creativity. This is why I blog and teach. To support your own quest to reclaim your creativity.
Take a handful of fabric or paper scraps, a glue stick or double stick tape and your journal.
Play and arrange and then, here's the scary part: stick 'em down.
That's it. Go on! What are you waiting for? Stand up, walk away from the computer. If you
are at work, take 5 and scoot around, look for paper scraps, paperclip them together and get
them glued down when you get home. Skedaddle!
Your input, as always is welcome! Got an idea, leave a comment.


text:
Location: S.D. 473 (Terry Peak Road), upper 1 mile, between U.S. 14A and Terry Peak
Improvement Type: Relocation
Public Meetings
Wharf Resources (USA), Inc. was granted a Large Scale Mine Permit on Friday, November 18, 2011. This permit will allow Wharf Resources to expand their mining operations to the south of their current operation to obtain gold-bearing ore. This expansion will likely extend their mining operations for another 7 years. The expansion will require the relocation of the upper 1 mile of SD473 – otherwise known as the Terry Peak Road – between US14A and Terry Peak.
Several public meetings have been held outlining the mining permitting process and each meeting has made mention of the highway relocation. However, the most recent public meeting held at the Golden Hills Resort in Lead on Tuesday, December 20 provided details of the highway relocation, such as vertical and horizontal alignment, typical sections, structures, traffic impacts, right-of-way issues, and construction schedule.
The $4-5 million project is entirely funded by Wharf Resources (USA), Inc. and work is scheduled to begin in 2013. All design criteria and construction procedures and materials will be in accordance with South Dakota Department of Transportation road design standards and standard specifications. The Department of Transportation will also have construction oversight on the project.
Questions may be directed to Ken Nelson at Wharf Resources at 605-584-4177.
Public Information Meeting - 12/20/2011


text:
Generate Surveys on how your customers really feel about your company's workflows.
Export TrekMarker workflows into SurveyMonkey surveys, and quickly gather empathy data from your customers.
Here's how!
Create & send surveys with the world's leading online survey software
Collect survey responses from our global consumer panel
Get in-the-moment feedback across all digital channels
Win more business with Customer Powered Data
Build a stronger workforce with Employee Powered Data
Validate business strategy with Market Powered Data


text:
- Font:
- +
- -
WASHINGTON — Seniors enrolled in Medicare can expect to see a $2 increase in their monthly payment for prescription drug coverage next year.
Medicare officials announced late Thursday that the average monthly premium for the government's drug plan will be $30 next year, up from $28 this year.
Officials made the projection based on bids from private insurers that get the premiums along with a federal subsidy to administer the benefit. Companies that offer the so-called Medicare Part D plans include Humana, WellPoint and UnitedHealth.
Full details of the benefits and premiums for Medicare drug coverage will be announced in September.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Wild Wreckdom
On the remote island of St. Kawkapuey lives the mysterious Cacapillar.
Often mistaken by tourists as monkey droppings, these sweet-smelling carnivorous insects are most often found in local baseball fields:
...and outdoor cooking grills:
A highly adaptable creature, the Cacapillar has learned to subsist on the island's most readily available diet: stale Funyuns and leftover Whiskey:
[Fun Fact: The population of St. Kawkapuey has the world's highest concentration of Karoake bars per person, and once declared a national "Hangover Day" to celebrate the season finale of Dancing With the Stars.]
Though outsiders find the cacapillar off-putting, locals consider it good luck to find one in their home. They also celebrate the warmer summer months, when the island's cacapillars encase themselves in shimmering golden cocoons:
...and then emerge, transformed, as the island's national mascot:
The Majestic All-Seeing Flutterturd
Which can grow to weigh as much as a whopping 25 pounds:
After cavorting in traffic and laying siege to local liqueur stores, the Flutterturds eventually complete their life cycles by dive-bombing into area vegetable gardens en masse:
There they provide excellent fertilizer, though locals admit the smell of whiskey can take several months to dissipate.
Thanks to Laura N., Michelle V., Chris W., Anony M., Holly L., Kimberly S., Kiana R., & Caprice A. for that giant piece of... information.


text:
Why can't I access Web-Based Email?
You may not be able to access the application because your security settings are set to High. To access the application, you can either change the security level to Medium, or add the application's URL to your Trusted Sites list.
To Add Workspace Webmail to Your Trusted Sites
- In Internet Explorer, from the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
- Click Security.
- Click Trusted Sites.
- In the Security level for this zone box, check your security level. You may need to do one of the following:
- If it is set to High, use the slider to change it to a Medium or lower security level.
- If it is set to Custom, click Default Level, and then use the slider to change it to a Medium or lower security level.
- Click the Sites button.
- Clear the Require server verification check box.
- In the Add this website to the zone field, type http://email.secureserver.net.
- Click OK.
- On the Internet Options window, click OK.
Note: Mozilla Firefox® does not specifically offer a trusted sites setting. However, you can set allowed sites for the limited purpose of installing cookies and add-ons. From the Tools menu, select Options, and then select the Security tab.


text:
Business listing not found.
Be sure to check out the pet businesses near you!
Be sure to check out the dog parks near you!
This Virtually indestructible ID Tag features an enamelled yellow crown in the middle of it. Available in 3 sizes including small, for cats and small dogs.
Pet podcast #13 focuses on an interview with Doug Simpson of Tenderfoot Training. In the interview we talk about problems and solutions for dealing with dogs that jump on their owners and guests that come to the door. Doug's training …
Copyright © 2000-2019 Pets.ca. All Rights Reserved. | Copyright & Legal Statement | Privacy Policy & Security


text:
You know those little ad words that google oh so sweetly places at the top of your email browser? Well, recently one of those intrigued us, because it was for a type of baked good we'd never heard of before: the navy bean pie. Now, upon first thought the idea of a navy bean pie isn't necessarily attractive, but then again, when you really think about it, does "sweet potato pie" or "zucchini cake" really sound delicious at first? So, we decided to give these bean pies a try.
OK, so what are they? According to Wikipedia, a bean pie is a "sweet custard pie whose filling consists of mashed beans—usually navy beans—sugar, butter, milk, and spices." But beyond that, where do these pies come from? While the bean pies are associated with soul food cuisine, a very interesting wrinkle is that they are also associated with the Nation of Islam movement: its leader, Elijah Muhammad, encouraged their consumption in lieu of richer foods associated with African American cuisine, and the followers of his community commonly sell bean pies as part of their fund-raising efforts. And as trybeanpie.com says,
"The Navy Bean Pie is a nearly century old recipe that originated in the Holy
City of Mecca.
The Bean Pie was introduced in America around 1930 in the community known as Black Bottom Detroit, the Black community. It was originally formulated as a healthy alternative for sweet potato pie."
OK, and so now that you're educated, how did they taste?
First we tried the "Original" bean pie. The texture was on par with that of a pumpkin pie, slightly custardy and not overly sweet; surprisingly, the beans did not lend any grittiness to the chewing process--had we not known that these were bean pies, we might not have known what they were (but of course, that would not have stopped us from continuing to eat it). We ate ours plain, but bet it would attain a few degrees of additional deliciousness if paired with vanilla ice cream or a thick layer of whipped cream.


text:
Global Wireless Access Points Market 2018 : Industry Size, Key Trends, Demand
The recent report of Intense Research on the "Wireless Access Points Market Research 2018" has the complete assessment of the latest trends of the global Wireless Access Points market. The report focuses on the manufacturing challenges that are being faced and provides the solutions and the strategies that have been implemented to overcome the problems. Deep researches and analysis were done during the preparation of the report.
The information and the data that was collected was checked and validated by the industry experts. The clients will find this report very helpful in understanding the Wireless Access Points market in depth. The prime objective of this report is to help the user understand the Wireless Access Points market in terms of its definition, segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the challenges that the market is facing.
Get Sample of Report: www.intenseresearch.com/report/112472#request-sample
The report then estimates 2018-2023 market development trends of Wireless Access Points industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Wireless Access Points Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2013-2023 global Wireless Access Points industry covering all important parameters.
The Wireless Access Points market revenue generation is also included in the report. The various segments from which major sales of the market is obtained is included within the report along with the regional segmentation. The regional segmentation helps the market players to understand where to make investments and where there will support from both the consumers and government.
Manufacturing Technology of Wireless Access Points
- Development of Wireless Access Points Manufacturing Technology
- Analysis of Wireless Access Points Manufacturing Technology
- Trends of Wireless Access Points Manufacturing Technology
Access Complete Report: www.intenseresearch.com/report/112472
Key Reasons to Purchase
- To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global Wireless Access Points market and its commercial landscape.
- Assess the Wireless Access Points production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk.
- To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Wireless Access Points market and its impact in the global market.
- Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations.
- To understand the future outlook and prospects for Wireless Access Points market.
If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want, contact our sales Team @ email@example.com
Points Covered in The Report:
- The points that are discussed within the report are the major market players that are involved in the Wireless Access Points market.
- The complete profile of the companies is mentioned.
- The production, sales, future strategies, and the technological developments that they are making are also included within the report.
- The growth factors of the Wireless Access Points market is discussed in detail wherein the different end users of the market are explained in detail.
- The application areas of the Wireless Access Points market are also discussed thus giving a broad idea about the market to the clients.
- The report contains the SWOT analysis of the market. Finally, the report contains the conclusion part where the opinions of the industrial experts are included.
Contact Us:
Joel John
3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,
United States
Tel: +1-386-310-3803
GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714
USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Web: www.intenseresearch.com/


text:
Lars Arrives - Face First
by Melissa
I used to think that if I ever had a baby, I would do it the safest way possible, which I thought would be a Cesarean. I worked with doctors and several OB/GYN physicians who said that was the safest way to deliver. However, several of my close girlfriends had difficult deliveries where they were induced, given Pitocin, endured difficult labors (because of the drugs) for between 14 – 36 hours and then were told they had to have Cesareans to deliver their children. When these strong women, who I have great respect for, talked about their negative experiences during and after their Cesareans, I listened. After I did more research I became wary of surgery and typical medical interventions that are prevalent during modern American hospital deliveries. I learned of the risks of Cesareans and the benefits (for mother and child) of a vaginal birth.
When Sean and I found out we were pregnant, we decided to try for a homebirth. We really wanted to avoid the hospital and I wanted to avoid the fate of my friends who were induced, had difficult labors, and then ultimately had to have Cesareans.
I loved being pregnant. I felt great and didn't have any morning sickness. The more we worked with Maria and took the homebirth classes with Jane Austin, the more excited and determined we were to have our baby at home.
When I got pregnant, I cut processed sugars out of my diet to avoid gaining unnecessary weight and to help save room for nutritious calories for the baby. Nevertheless, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. When I was diagnosed, I was devastated. It can lead to Type II diabetes for the mother, diabetes for the child and other health concerns. Moreover, gestational diabetes, if not controlled, can cause excessive birth weights and preterm labor. Some people with gestational diabetes are able to control their blood sugars with diet and exercise. If they can't, they have to take insulin. If I had to take insulin, Maria said it would not be safe to have the baby at home.
When I went to UCSF to get prescriptions for a blood monitor and find out about managing the gestational diabetes, they said that patients with gestational diabetes under their care are induced at 36 weeks to avoid complications from diabetes. (They also said they recommended induction at 37 weeks for "older" mothers [which I am because I am over 35].) They said I had a 50% chance of being able to manage the diabetes with exercise and diet alone. I was really concerned the diabetes would end up causing me to lose the chance to have a home birth and that I would end up being induced (and then maybe having to have a Cesarean) which I was trying to avoid. Maria was optimistic, encouraging us to be vigilant and overcome gestational diabetes through diet and exercise.
With lots of hard work on my diet (eating the right foods at the right time and monitoring my blood sugars 4 times a day) and lots of exercise (often 2 times a day), we were able to keep the diabetes under control. Sean helped by making sure we cooked the right foods and took me out every night for our evening walk, up and down the hills in our neighborhood, even when I felt like I was too tired. In a weird way, the gestational diabetes was a blessing. I always made time for the gym, a swim, and did Pilates 3 – 4 times a week. Even when I was busy at work, I took time out for a snack. The end result is that I ended up losing weight and was in great shape during the entire pregnancy.
Our due date was June 24. Maria asked if we wanted to take castor oil to celebrate our due date. Sean was ready and wanted me to take the oil. I didn't feel ready or that it was time. I wanted our son to be born when he was ready. I wanted to wait until I was closer to two weeks past due to try castor oil.
When that day passed, we started taking even more hilly walks, eating spicy foods, acupuncture and all of the other things we could do to get things started for labor.
When I was a week late, Maria had me go in to UCSF for a non-stress test. I went in on a Saturday, June 2 at 3pm for the test. They told me it would take about a half an hour. After almost three hours hooked up the machines, Judith Bishop, the midwife at UCSF came in and told me that not only did we fail the non-stress test, but that our son's heart rate had two significant dips during the monitoring. They wanted me to check into the hospital to be induced that evening because of the heart dips. I called Maria who agreed. She said that if the baby's heart rate was dipping when I was sitting calmly being monitored, it could be worse during the stress of labor. She said it would not be safe to go forward with a homebirth and agreed I should check into the hospital to be induced.
They told me to go home and get what I needed and come back to the hospital in a couple of hours. My cervix was ripe, but not dilated. They said they would put Cervadil on my cervix which would likely cause my cervix to open to 2 cm over 12 hours. Then, depending on how I was doing and how the baby's heart rate was doing, I might be able to go home and walk to induce labor or they would use Pitocin. There was also a chance the Cervadil would cause me to go into labor.
We were not ready to go to the hospital. We were absolutely prepared to have the baby at home. We had set up the birth tub, ordered the supplies, put a waterproof sheet on the bed, prepared candles and essential oils for labor, had snacks for us and the midwives, etc. . . . I had the house filled with flowers to enjoy when we welcomed our son into the world. We had no idea what to take, what to wear, or who would feed our cats. All we knew is we needed to leave for the hospital in an hour.
When we got to the hospital, they insisted on putting in an IV per protocol in case they needed to administer medications later. The nurse blew-out the veins in my arms twice. They called an anesthesiologist who blew-out two more. They ended up putting the IV in on the top of my hand which prevented me from flexing my wrist. Judith, the UCSF midwife, put in the Cervadil around 10 pm and told me she would see me in the morning. She said I might feel some heavy cramping as the Cervadil started to work. She said it was important that we got as much sleep as possible since I would probably go into labor the next day and we would need the energy. We called Maria who said she would check in with us in the morning.
It was hard to sleep, they had a monitor strapped around my belly, the IV was uncomfortable and the sound of the equipment was loud. They kept coming into the room to adjust the monitor. At about 1 a.m. they came in and told me they needed to give me fluids through the IV because the baby's heart rate kept having periods where it dropped. A little later they came in again and had me put an oxygen mask around my mouth to attempt to keep the baby's heart rate up. Needless to say it was impossible to get any rest with all of the equipment attached to me and dealing with the fact we were in the hospital instead of at home.
Around 2:30 or 3 in the morning, I started to feel pain similar to period cramps and I needed to go to the bathroom. However, I had to have them come help me move the monitor and IV drip onto a rolling rack so I could walk to the bathroom. By 4:30, I was parked on the toilet, the fluids from the IV made me urinate and I kept having to release my bowels. I started feeling very strong pains, like a really strong period. I thought I was being a wimp . . . how did I think I could have a baby at home when I couldn't even handle the pain of my cervix being dilated 2 cm? I didn't want to wake up Sean since we both needed rest for the next day.
I kept having to go to the bathroom. A nurse came to re-adjust the monitor on my belly and I asked her if the wetness on my pants could be my water that broke. (I didn't know because I was going to the bathroom so much.) She looked at me funny, said she didn't know, and left. (I later found out it was a crazy night on the hall . . . they delivered 8 babies between midnight and 8 am that night.)
By about 5:30 I woke up Sean. When he asked what he could do, I said nothing because I thought was just having strong urges to go to the bathroom. I didn't think I was having contractions because there wasn't a real break or change in the pain. There was nothing to time because there wasn't a surge – it was steady pain and cramping. All I wanted to do was get on my hands and knees to practice the breathing we learned in Jane's class. I couldn't get to the bed to get on my hands and knees because by the time I would get there (dragging the pole with all of the cords for the monitor for the baby and the IV), I would have to go to the bathroom. I wasn't comfortable on the floor of the hospital (which we dragged a sheet onto) because of the IV in my hand made it painful to flex my wrist, the floor was hard and it felt so foreign.
Sean kept saying we needed to call Maria but I didn't want to call her until I went into labor. At that point I was in extreme pain and couldn't think straight . . . I also couldn't get off the toilet. Thankfully Sean went ahead and called Maria and asked her to come. He also went and found a nurse. It was about 8 am and the day shift nurse came in. She asked me if I wanted her to have the UCSF midwife come in and check me. I told her no because I thought it would be pointless since I was probably only 2 cm dilated. She recommended I take a bath to get more comfortable. When I got in the bath, I couldn't stop pushing, I realized my desperate urges to go to the bathroom had turned into urges to push the baby out. I was concerned because I knew that we shouldn't start pushing until I was 10 cm dilated. Writhing in pain, I jumped out of the tub and I asked the nurse to call the midwife.
Judith (the UCSF midwife) came in and checked my cervix at about 8:15. She looked concerned . . . she said I was fully dilated (10 cm) but that she was feeling body parts that she could not identify. She said she needed do an ultrasound and call the lead doctor. At that point I was in incredible pain – and I finally understood why I was feeling so much pain – my baby had fully transitioned and it was happening so quickly. The urge to push was constant and intense. I couldn't sit still for them to put the ultrasound wand on me. When Dr. Cheng came in and said she wanted to check my cervix, I said no. I was in so much pain and having someone's hand inside of me made it worse. I couldn't stop screaming the contractions were so strong and there was only a few seconds in between them. They had me inhale nitrous gas so she could conduct the exam. I couldn't feel the nitrous.
Dr. Cheng said that the baby was coming out face first (instead of leading with the top of his head). She said she didn't think the baby could come out vaginally. She said we could try but she thought they would need to perform a Cesarean and that they needed to transfer me to the operating room. The contractions were coming so strong and so fast I couldn't do anything but agree. They had Sean put on a white paper cover over his clothes, shoes, head and face and they wheeled me on the bed, while I was screaming like an animal, into the OR. Sean said Maria was on her way. I was in pain and so frustrated because I thought I was going to have to deal with the recovery from a vaginal birth and a Cesarean (what I was trying to avoid from the start.) As they were wheeling me into the OR, the doctor told Sean they would probably have to do a Cesarean.
They transferred me to a narrow stainless steel table in the OR on my back. It was so different from the soft carpet and warm tub I had planned for labor. It felt like the contractions were non-stop and very violent. I was trying not to push because they wanted me to wait and it was impossible not to. They put in an epidural which slowed down the contractions and Maria arrived. She came right up to me and whispered in my ear "you can do this, when you get a contraction, push!"
Dr. Cheng and Judith had never delivered a face presentation baby vaginally and were not sure it would be possible. Face presentations are very rare – according to Ina May Gaskin's book they occur once approximately every 500 births. When Maria came in, she said the baby's lips were exposed outside my vagina. They were planning on somehow pulling him back through the birth canal to get him out by Cesarean. Maria had one of the nurses she knew reach in and feel where the baby's nose was. (If the nose was on the side of my lips towards the upper part of my vagina, a Cesarean would be necessary to get the baby out.) The nurse said his nose was on the side of my lips near my anus. Maria got a big smile on her face and then told Dr. Cheng and Judith the baby could come out vaginally. She encouraged them saying "Melissa can totally do this . . . I have delivered three other face presentation babies vaginally . . . it is totally possible and Melissa is really strong." It was amazing to observe Maria convincing these other medical professionals to let me try to deliver him vaginally. She reminded me of a naughty school girl getting other kids to hop a fence during recess. Dr. Cheng agreed to let me try to deliver him vaginally.
Here is a picture of his lips sticking outside my vagina.
I pushed through approximately seven strong contractions. Maria and Sean were on one side of me and Judith was on the other. There so many people in OR but I focused on Maria and Sean. It is strange but I really felt the calm strength of being sandwiched between two midwives (Maria and Judith). Dr. Cheng kept urging me to push hard to get him out because his heart rate kept dipping and his face was obviously distressed (as evidenced by the picture of his face coming out below.) I made it through looking into Sean and Maria's eyes – they both kept telling me I could do it. After pushing through about seven contractions and with the help of an episiotomy our son, Lars, was born at 9:15 a.m.
Here are the amazing pictures of Lars coming out.
He came out and I heard his body slip onto the table. He had an APGAR of 3, he wasn't breathing because of swelling in his neck (his face and neck endured the entire trauma a baby's head usually takes when it traveled through the birth canal). The physicians quickly took him out of the OR to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Within 5 minutes he had an APGAR of 7. He was breathing but his face was still very swollen. After a few hours most of the swelling had gone down. It was almost completely gone by the next day.
We were able to come home after four days. Maria came to see us in the hospital and provided follow up care at home. It was great to experience some of the home birth practice when Maria would come to weigh Lars and check in with us.
Another good thing was that Lars only weighed 6 pounds and 5 ounces, hardly a large baby. All of our hard work controlling the gestational diabetes paid off.
Even though Lars' birth didn't happen as planned, I am so grateful for the care and emotional support Maria provided our family before, during, and after Lars' birth. For me – Maria saved the day. I was able to avoid what I feared most about the birth process – that I would have to recover from the pain of a vaginal birth and that of a Cesarean.


text:
Braves Selling Low on Hanson and Jurrjens: Moneyball Ain't Alive in Atlanta People
Monday December 3rd, 2012
Jonathan Hacohen ( Lead Baseball Columnist): Follow @jhacohen
I was thinking back this week to one of my fave articles from this past year. Being an admirer of the Oakland A's methods of building a ball team and the "Moneyball Movement", this past July I published a Billy Beane article – focusing on the modern Moneyball movement. Back in 2011, many critics were quick to jump on Beane and the A's, mocking the A's GM and the release of the movie Moneyball. Panned as a historical piece, Beane was viewed as a dinosaur. His methods outdated. The rest of the baseball world had caught on to his sly ways and overtook him. I refused to buy into it and was unwilling to write-off Beane. But nobody, not even the A's GM himself saw was to come in 2012. We know how the season went down- the A's slipped in as the AL West champs and make a good run in the playoffs. Nobody was laughing anymore and Beane went from hack back to genius overnight. While in my last article I focused on Beane's construction of a young and talented lineup, most analysts view Beane's success in terms of being able to flip pitchers at their peak. Billy Beane is a master of this art and it has led to much success in Oakland. Compare this now to Atlanta, which has essentially lost Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens for almost nothing. Not the Billy Beane way of doing business- and now the Braves will be paying the price.
Just flip on the MLB reports TJ Tracker and get ready to be alarmed. It is amazing the amount of pitchers from this part year that went to Tommy John surgery alone. Pitching is one of the most unstable and uncertain variables that you have in the game of baseball. While we all know this, including baseball GM's, there remains an unwillingness for the most part to lessen the risks by teams. For whatever reason (mainly the notion that you MUST have top starters to succeed), teams simply hang onto their pitchers too long. They grant free agent pitchers too many years and dollars, only to cry about it later. Check back with me in 3-4 years and let's talk the Zack Greinke deal. The team that will give him the 7-year $150+ million deal will live in regret for many years. Trust me. Those resources could be allocated to more certain hitting and a greater quantity of pitchers in the system. If you invest in fewer arms, you increase the chance of an implosion. Atlanta has certainly found that out the hard way. If Billy Beane was the General Manger of the Braves, Hanson and Jurrjens would have been long gone. Now, the team has a middle reliever in Jordan Walden and nothing else for the former top two starters in their rotation. How did they let this happen?
Two young pitchers. Two Scott Boras clients. Tommy Hanson is 26 years of age. At 6'6″ and 220 lbs he is a big boy. Look at the amazing seasons he put up in his first three years in Atlanta. The numbers don't lie. He was good for an ERA of 3.50 or below and a WHIP around 1.170. Good strikeouts numbers- the potential was there for an ace. Under team control until 2016, the sky was the limit. So how do the Braves trade a budding ace for a failed closer? Simple- injury concerns. Hanson's ERA blew up this past season to 4.48 and whip to 1.454. The whispers wouldn't quiet down- something ain't right with him. To trade damaged goods in baseball means that you get back a project in return. Once the Angels closer, Jordan Walden is now seen as the possible 7th inning guy in a deep Braves bullpen.
Jair Jurrjens was once upon stolen by the Braves from the Tigers in a trade that landed the Braves their #2 starter. The native of Curacao was another pitcher that had the whole world ahead of him not that long ago. He had 14 wins for the Braves in 2009 with a 2.60 ERA and 2.96 ERA last season. At his peak he was a 1.250 or so WHIP pitcher- that maybe walked a few too many batters, but had tons of potential. Rumors swirled during the last offseason that the Braves would look to trade him and capitalize on his value. But for whatever reason, Jurrjens stayed in Atlanta. The result was a trip to the minors and a non-tender by the Braves this week. Jurrjens is now a free agent and the Braves get nothing back in return. Gonzalez had a Cy Young caliber season for the Nats this past year and would have helped the A's as well. But being a pitcher, you never know when he may become wild or injured. Right Ricky Romero? Tim Lincecum? Chris Carpenter?
Managing a pitching staff is like playing the stock market. You can't get too greedy. It is better to sell a stock when it is high, even if it can still grow- rather than wait and watch it plummet. It is always better to sell a little soon rather too late. Why? Because when it's too late…it's too late. Imagine the packages that the Braves could have received for Hanson and Jurrjens a year ago. Toronto is in the same boat with Ricky Romero. Cincinnati paid a king's ransom for Mat Latos, while the Nationals surrendered many nice pieces for Gio Gonzalez. Trevor Cahill was another trade last offseason that helped his former team in a hurry. That team was the Oakland A's.
Once upon a time (last year), Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens were equal to 2-3 good young starting pitchers, a third baseman, a young catcher and maybe 1-2 more prospects. The Braves could have filled many holes in their rosters and deepened their farm system. Waiting too long has brought in no returns. The Braves rolled the dice and lost. They held onto their lottery ticket, thinking that better numbers would come up the following year. With the fragility of pitching in baseball, you will rarely know year-to-year what you will get. For every Justin Verlander, there are 1000's of Todd Van Poppels. Can't miss prospects that somehow end up fizzling out. Billy Beane may like his players, but he doesn't fall in love with them to the point that he will hold onto them no matter what. If the right is paid, anyone is tradeable. The moneyball system includes the notion that you buy low and sell high. Build a strong roster portfolio at the best possible price. Tommy Hanson may end up becoming an ace for the Angels, or another lifelong DL candidate. Jair Jurrjens may turn into Jack Morris…or Dontrelle Willis. We have no idea. But we do know that the shine is off these pitchers and their value has been eroded to almost nothing. How the Braves could waste two of their biggest assets is beyond me. The time has come in Atlanta to start thinking about better roster management. Having Scott Boras as their agent meant that Hanson and Jurrjens would be expensive one day if they fulfilled their potentials. The problem is that the Braves waited too long to find out if their pitchers would become aces. Now they are just another set of jokers in the game of baseball poker.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com ***
A Big Thank You for preparing today's featured article goes out to Jonathan Hacohen (The Founder & Lead Baseball Columnist for The MLB Reports): You can follow Jonathan on Twitter Follow @jhacohen You can also check out all of Jonathan's archived articles right here.
Please e-mail us at: email@example.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Like us on Facebook here
Posted on December 3, 2012, in MLB Teams: Articles and Analysis and tagged Atlanta Braves, baseball, billy beane, dontrelle willis, gio gonzalez, jair jurrjens, jordan walden, los angeles angels, mat latos, mlb, oakland a's, ricky romery, tommy hanson, trade, trevor cahill. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.


text:
Come in and learn the Olympic Styles of wrestling. This practice is open to anyone with a USA Wrestling card (if you wrestled with our club in the fall or winter you have a card) between the ages of 6-14. Bring a partner and gain some valuable experience and mat time in preparation for the local Freestyle and Greco competitions coming up.
Practice, Competition, and Event Schedule
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: May 30SVWC HS Freestyle Practice
Later Event: May 31SVWC Olympic Styles Youth Club


text:
Overview | Guidelines | Information Correction Requests and Appeals | Contact
|You are here: Guidelines > Information Quality > Integrity
Integrity refers to the security or protection of information from unauthorized access or revision. Integrity ensures that the information is not compromised through corruption or falsification.
The Department strives to protect the information it collects, uses, and disseminates to the public from unauthorized disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction. Statutory and administrative guidelines to protect the integrity of Department information include the following:
- Privacy Act;
- Freedom of Information Act;
- OMB Circulars A-123, A-127, and A-130;
- Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects;
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act;
- Computer Security Act of 1987;
- Government Information Security Reform Act; and
- National Education Statistics Act, as amended by the USA Patriot Act.
Under the Privacy Act, the Department safeguards personally identifiable information that it gathers and maintains about individuals in a system of records. The Department is also highly protective of administrative records and sample survey data that include personally identifiable information, especially survey data that are collected under pledges of confidentiality.
Under the Computer Security Act of 1987, the Department of Education has identified all federal computer systems that contain sensitive information and has implemented security plans to protect these systems, so as to protect sensitive information against loss, misuse, disclosure or modification. In this context, sensitive information includes data covered under the Privacy Act and information that could affect the conduct of federal programs.
|Table of Contents


text:
?"ANALOG LIVING" featuring HoneyLove @ Crash Space – 12/1/11 in Culver City, CA
"Analog Living is a series of lectures and workshops focusing on self-sufficiency and the do-it-yourself spirit. Topics will include off-the-grid living, urban homesteading, sustainability, and cultivating an alternative mindset toward consumerism and our way of life.
Our new series ANALOG LIVING kicks off with Rob & Chelsea McFarland, co-founders of HoneyLove.org – a local non-profit conservation organization with a mission to protect the honeybees and inspire and educate new urban beekeepers. Hear the latest buzz on the honeybee situation and how to get involved."


text:
Dallas News Homes / SEARCH: 917 Lost Woods Way Mc Kinney, TX 75071
- 4 beds
- 3 baths
- $533,990 price
- 1673389 mls id
- Square Feet: 3,243 sqft
- Neighborhood: Trinity Falls: 70ft. lots
Listing Description
Situated on the banks of the Trinity River in McKinney, Trinity Falls includes more than 1,700 acres of beautifully landscaped boulevards, neighborhood parks, miles of trails, generous amenities and over 450 acres of open space.. Exceptional amenities, a family-friendly lifestyle, and a convenient locationit's everything you want in a community.
You and Trinity Falls - a natural fit!
- Bhi Subdivision Community Style MasterPlanned
- Builder Website
- NewHomeSource Listing
- NewHomeSource Subdivision Website
- New Construction Yes
Subdivision: Trinity Falls: 70ft. lots
917 Lost Woods Way Mc Kinney, TX
Dallas News Real Estate Powered by Placester


text:
Teak Outdoor Patio Seating Set - 7 pc.
- $ 1,349 00 1349.00
- Shipping
- Free shipping for Plus
- Enter ZIP Code for shipping options
- Estimated arrival
About this item
Set includes:
- Coffee table
- Side table
- Loveseat
- 2 oversized chairs
- 2 ottomans
Naturally weather-resistant 100% plantation grown teak hardwood seating set is beautifully crafted with exquisite workmanship and clean lines that will offer years of quality use with only minimum care. This teak hardwood is harvested from government controlled plantations in Indonesia. Teak wood is naturally weather-resistant. The teak is smoothly sanded and left naturally unstained and unfinished. You may choose to oil the wood for a warm wood look as shown or allow it to weather naturally to a beautiful gray patina.
Outdoor spun polyester cushions with UV protection in soft white make this set resilient for outdoor or indoor use. The loveseat, 2 oversized chairs with ottomans, coffee table and side table can be reconfigured as your needs change. Group the two chairs with ottomans and the side table together for a cozy chat set, and the loveseat with coffee table placed nearby or in its own separate area.
- 100% Teak hardwood, naturally weather-resistant
- Keep teak oiled for a warm wood look or allow it to weather to a beautiful gray patina
- Harvested from government controlled plantations
- Quality mortise and tenon construction throughout
- Weather-resistant spun-polyester cushions with UV protection for long life
- Tighten all bolts before first use
Assembled Country
Assembled Size
Component Country


text:
Related Resource
Hydrology, Ecology, and Fishes of the Klamath River Basin (November 2007)Report in Brief
The Klamath River basin, which spans parts of southern Oregon and northern California, has been the focus of a prominent conflict over competing uses for water. Management actions to protect threatened and endangered fish species in the basin have left less water available for irrigation in dry years and heightened tensions among farmers and other stakeholders including commercial fishermen, Native Americans, conservationists, hunters, anglers, and hydropower producers. This National Research Council report assesses two recent studies that evaluate various aspects of flows in the Klamath basin: (1) the Instream Flow Phase II study (IFS), conducted by Utah State University, and (2) the Natural Flow of the Upper Klamath Basin study (NFS), conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). The report concludes that both studies offer important new information but do not provide enough information for detailed management of flows in the Klamath River, and it offers many suggestions for improving the studies. The report recommends that a comprehensive analysis of the many individual studies of the Klamath river basin be conducted so that a big picture perspective of the entire basin and research and management needs can emerge.


text:
Open-ended intergovernmental expert meetings to enhance international cooperation under the UNCAC
In its resolution 4/2, entitled "Convening of open-ended intergovernmental expert meetings to enhance international cooperation", adopted at its fourth session which was held in Marrakech, Morocco, from 24 to 28 October 2011, the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption decided to convene open-ended intergovernmental expert meetings on international cooperation to advise and assist it with respect to extradition and mutual legal assistance, and to convene one such meeting during its fifth session and, prior to that, within existing resources, at least one intersessional meeting.
In the same resolution, the Conference also decided that the expert meetings shall perform the following functions: (a) assist it in developing cumulative knowledge in the area of international cooperation; (b) assist it in encouraging cooperation among relevant existing bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives and contribute to the implementation of the related provisions of the Convention under the guidance of the Conference; (c) facilitate the exchange of experiences among States by identifying challenges and disseminating information on good practices to be followed in order to strengthen capacities at the national level; (d) build confidence and encourage cooperation between requesting and requested States by bringing together relevant competent authorities, anti-corruption bodies and practitioners involved in mutual legal assistance and extradition; and (e) assist the Conference in identifying the capacity-building needs of States.
The Conference further called upon States parties and signatory States to designate a central authority and, as appropriate, local authorities and other governmental experts, to participate in the expert meetings.
- First open-ended intergovernmental expert meeting (Vienna, 22-23 October 2012)
- Second open-ended intergovernmental expert meeting (Panama City, 25-26 November 2013)
- Third open-ended intergovernmental expert meeting (Vienna, 9-10 October 2014)
- Fourth open-ended intergovernmental expert meeting (St. Petersburg, 2-3 November 2015)
Fifth open-ended intergovernmental expert meeting (Vienna, 17-18 November 2016)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: For reasons of economy, documentation for the session will be printed in limited quantities. Delegates are therefore requested to bring their own copies to the session.