text:
Decide for yourself, Did Judge Ryan Get Anti Smoking Ruling Right?
LawReader – The Law Behind the News -Dec. 27, 2007-
¬Ý On Dec. 21st, Senior Judge Steve Ryan voided the entire Jefferson County Smoke Free Ordinance. ¬ÝThis law had previously been judicially reviewed, and only one section was voided.¬Ý The voided provision made an exemption for Churchill Downs.¬Ý That exemption was struck down as being in violation of the 'Äúequal protection'Ä? provisions of the Federal and State constitutions.¬Ý The Court of Appeals reviewed the ruling and upheld the first reviewing court.¬Ý The first court ruling left the balance of the ordinance in force.In that Court of Appeals review, Judge Tom Wine was quoted by Judge Ryan in his decision as stating:
'Äúeven if the exemption (for Churchill Downs) was found to be unconstitutional,'Ä? 'Äúthe severability clause would, essentially, save the ordinance.'Ä?
Nevertheless Judge Ryan ignored the advice from the Court of Appeals and found grounds to void the entire ordinance.¬Ý This article discusses the laws applicable to the type of judicial review with which Judge Ryan was charged.
Judge Ryan begins his decision by crediting a 1940 case dealing with labor law as the basis for his decision:¬Ý ¬Ý 'Äú'Ķpursuant to the tenets of Burrow v. Kapfhammer, 145 SW2d 1067(Ky. 1940) the Smoke Free Law must be stricken in its entirety.'Ä? Judge Ryan Dec. 21, 2007.Burrow v. Kapfhammer states:'Äú¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý9. Statutes. 'Äî Generally, if it is manifestly apparent that a statute would not have been enacted with its unconstitutional provisions deleted, because invalid, entire statute is stricken down by a decision holding that part of statute is invalid, but if court concludes otherwise, only the invalid portion becomes annulled, with remaining portions being untouched by decision, and such rule prevails although statute contains a separable clause stating that if any part of statute is held invalid it is intention of Legislature that remaining portion shall stand.
¬Ý¬Ý10. Statutes. 'Äî When a separable clause is contained in a statute which is attacked as invalid, the clause will be given some force, especially where statute is one dealing with subject of labor.
¬Ý¬Ý11. Statutes. 'Äî The invalidity of Section 17 of the statute relating to employer-employee relations as applied to the operator of a restaurant does not render remainder of statute void, since it cannot be said that Legislature would not have enacted remainder of statute without such section (Acts 1940, c. 105, art. 1, sec. 17).
¬Ý¬Ý15. Statutes. 'Äî If a statute is rendered void because of unauthorized discrimination with respect to exemptions from its operation, statute cannot be applied to either the one discriminated against or to the exempted one.'Ä?
¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý We review this ruling by first noting that the Kentucky legislature adopted legislation two years after the Burrow ruling which sets out statutory construction rules regarding severability of unconstitutional provisions of laws.¬Ý See KRS 446.090 (below) which was adopted in l942. This statute appears to negate the reasoning followed in Burrow.¬Ý We also raise an eyebrow over the use of a 67 year old case which had issues unique to labor law.
We note that the Ky. Compiler of Statutes wrote the legislative history to KRS 446.090 as follows:
"History: Created 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, to obviate the necessity of attaching a severability clause to each Act as it is passed."
While, Judge Ryan noted that the Anti Smoking ordinance contained a severability clause, he gave no weight to that clause.
The Smoke Free Ordinance stated as Section 90.98 as follows:
'ÄúIf any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provision of this chapter are declared to be severable.'Ä?
Ryan'Äôs decision also mentions but ignores an intervening ruling of the Ky. Court of Appeals which upheld the severability clause of this ordinance.¬Ý Judge Ryan disposes of these issues by saying: 'ÄúMetro'Äôs (the Metro Government) arguments are certainly not without merit; however , its emphasis on the validity of the severability clauses completely ignores an established area of case law specifically addressing how Courts are to deal with partially invalid statutes or ordinances, case law which, incidentally, is mentioned nowhere in the Court of Appeals'Äô aforementioned Orders. The Coalition (plaintiffs herein)¬Ý relies heavily on the holding of Burrow v. Kapfhammer (citation given) 'Ķ'Ä?
"metro attempts to question the validity of the Burrow holding, contending it was superseded by the passage of KRS 446.090 in l942 and arguing it has never been cited in Kentucky for the proposition the Coalition attempts to make in the case at bar. "
¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý The language of KRS 446.090 is very clear that the legislative intent on the issue of severability is to be given weight.¬Ý The law states:'ÄúIt shall be considered that it is the intent of the General Assembly, in enacting any statute, that if any part of the statute be held unconstitutional the remaining parts shall remain in force, unless the statute provides otherwise..'Ä?
That clearly means that unless the legislative body writing the law declares that any severance voids the entire act, then only the severed portions are to be voided, and the remaining provisions are to remain in full force and effect.¬Ý The Metro ordinance clearly included a provision that said it was the intent of the Metro Council that any severed provision would not sever or void any other provision of the ordinance.¬Ý The result is that Judge Ryan did not give any weight to the legislative intent spelled out in the actual language of the ordinance regarding severability. Instead he bases his ruling on the 'Äúapparent'Ä? political intent of the various members of the Metro Council.
Judge Ryan stated:
'ÄúThat being the case, the Court turns to the record to determine whether the Metro Council'Äôs passage of the Smoke Free Law was dependent upon Churchill Downs'Äô exemption from its terms, i.e. whether the ordinance would have passed without the exemption to Churchill Downs.'Ä? (emphasis added)
Judge Ryan cites 'Äúthe record'Ä? for his opinion about the political motivation of the Metro Council.¬Ý We suggest that a review of the political motivation of the legislative body is not the type legislative intent permitted to be considered by the reviewing court.
This ruling brings to mind the old advice that 'Äúone should never watch how a law or a sausage are made.'Ä? In this instance Judge Ryan did review how the law was made and even refers to 'Äúthe minutes of the Metro Council meeting held on Oct. 12, 2006'Ä?.
It is a general rule of law in this state (which is clearly codified in KRS 446.090), that one provision of a statute may be unconstitutional and the remaining provisions may be upheld and remain in force.
If that rule of construction had been followed, then the Jefferson Metro Council's anti-smoking ordinance would remain in effect, even though the exemption for Churchill Downs would have remained stricken.
Further, Judge Ryan emphasized that he relied on a determination of what the intent of the Metro Council was.¬Ý He wrote in his decision said:
"'Ķ it is manifestly apparent the Metro Council was so determined to exempt Churchill Downs from the smoking ban that it would not have passed the ordinance without the exemption,"
"Moreover 'Ķ it is apparent that the council would not have enacted the remaining parts without the exemption."
This language suggests that Judge Ryan based his judicial review on a personal evaluation of the political intent of the Council members. Judge Ryan appears to reason, that the ordinance needed the exemption in order to garner enough votes to pass and therefore without the exemption favoring Churchill Downs, that the majority of the Metro Council would not have adopted the ordinance.
He may or may not be correct in this conclusion about the political intent of the Metro Council.¬Ý However, any judicial review should look only to the actual wording of the statute itself except in very rare situations such as 'Äúwhere the law is of doubtful meaning'Ä?. Reviewing Judges usually leave speculation about the motivations of the individual council members to historians and law professors.
¬ÝIt is difficult enough sometimes to make sense out of a piece of legislation in just trying to understand the language used. While there is a place for the use of 'Äúlegislative intent'Ä?, the application of that doctrine has been strictly limited, and even when used applies to interpretation of the wording of the statute and does not concern the political motivations of the lawmakers.¬Ý In l990 the Sup. Ct. limited the use of legislative intent in the interpretation of a statute:
See: Overnite Transportation Co. v. Gaddis, Ky. App., 793 S.W.2d 129, 131 (1990
'ÄúOnly where the language is of doubtful meaning or where an adherence to the letter of it would lead to absurdity can we consider extraneous evidence of legislative intent.'Ä? ¬Ý¬Ý Adding to the courts judicial review role the additional duty or right to explore the political motivations of the legislators would open every piece of legislation to the wildest speculation about the lawmakers intent.¬Ý Our reading of KRS 446.090, suggests that the proper judicial review should focus on whether the 'Äúremaining parts are essentially and inseparably connected with and dependent upon the unconstitutional part'Ķ'Ä?¬Ý That means, the relevant portions of the statute are to be reviewed, and not the political motivations of the council members.
The correct procedure for a judicial review of a statute or ordinance is to ignore the portion that is unconstitutional, and then read the remaining part and see if it makes sense.¬Ý In this case, the unconstitutional part was an exemption from the act.¬Ý Remove the exemption and no violence is done to the logic or reasoning of the original act which prohibits smoking in certain public places.¬Ý Judge Wine in his Court of Appeals decision clearly recognized such a reasoning.
No court has yet ruled that it was an anti-smoking ordinance is itself unconstitutional.¬Ý The portion of the anti-smoking ordinance remaining after the first judge struck down the exemption is clearly not 'Äúdependent upon the unconstitutional part'Ä?.¬Ý Leave out the exemption and the body and meaning of the original act is left entirely intact. There is no violence done to the scheme for interpretation of the remaining portions of the act.
Statutory construction rules have been frequently discussed by the courts.
See: LWD Equipment, Inc. v. Revenue Cabinet, Commonwealth, 136 S.W.3d 472 (Ky. 06/17/2004)¬Ý 'ÄúKRS 446.080 provides in pertinent part:¬Ý (1) All statutes of this state shall be liberally construed with a view to promote their objects and carry out the intent of the legislature,'Ä? ¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý In reading KRS 446.090 we are talking about the law that is to be applied in the interpretation of a statute. This statute was adopted after the Burrow decision. The intent of this legislation was to set out the rules in this state for dealing with the interpretation of statutes.¬Ý Therefore, the reviewing court is supposed to carry out the intent of the legislature and to enforce these rules.Judge Ryan argues in effect that the legislature can be ignored when he suggests the Ct. of Appeals has never specifically overruled Burrow.¬Ý¬Ý Legislative acts virtually never mention the case ruling they eviscerate.¬Ý That does not mean that the legislative act has no force. (Otherwise the Courts could simply ignore any legislative act until they chose to give there judicial permission.)
Judge Ryan argues that the statute supports his theory of the law, but we must respectfully reach an opposite conclusion. The clear language of KRS 446.090 supports the practice upholding the constitutional portions of statutes. Even Burrow, the case he cites,¬Ý acknowledges that in general 'Äúonly the invalid portion becomes annulled, with remaining portions being untouched by decision'Ķ'Ä?.
¬Ý¬Ý Reviewing courts are not permitted to base their decision on the intent of the law makers unless the words of the statute are so doubtful as to their meaning that one must resort to the review of intent to see what they were talking about.¬ÝJudge Ryan uses his interpretation of 'Äúlegislative intent'Ä? as a main basis for finding the entire ordinance unconstitutional.¬Ý He has not demonstrated any unclear or doubtful language in the ordinance which cannot be understand by the plain and simple language of the statute.¬Ý Without these issues being found in a statute, then a judge is limited by¬Ý court rulings in having the standing to then proceed to raise an issue of 'Äúlegislative intent'Ä?.
We have found no rule of law which says that if the language of the statute or ordinance is clear and understandable, that the reviewing court can take another step and consider the legislative intent.
Judge Ryan bases his ruling on the 'Äúintent'Ä? of the Metro Council.¬Ý We suggest that the only intent of the Metro Council he was empowered to consider was their adoption of Section 90.98, where by a majority vote of the Metro Council they adopted a clause which specifically said the law was to be upheld even it a provision of the law was struck down.¬Ý The procedure where he reviewed the minutes and made an evaluation of proposed floor amendments to the ordinance are novel and unprecedented by a reviewing court.
Decide for yourself.¬Ý Did Judge Ryan get it right?¬Ý¬Ý Please e-mail your comments to email@example.com¬Ý¬Ý
Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze has scheduled a hearing before Judge Ryan on Jan. 2nd. to ask him to delay the enforcement of his Dec. 21st. ruling while the matter is appealed.¬Ý¬Ý Meanwhile, the Metro Council is well on its way of simply adopting a new ordinance which has the troubled Churchill Downs exemption stripped out.¬Ý AUTHORITIES:
There is a long history of appellate review of provisions of laws that were held unconstitutional and the remaining parts of the act where upheld.¬Ý See:¬Ý Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (KY, 1998) Finally, we must determine what portions of the statutes in question are severable so that the valid portions may be saved and the invalid portions stricken. "It is a fundamental principle that a statute may be valid in one part and invalid in another part, and if the invalid part is severable from the rest, the part which is valid may be sustained." Burns v. Shepherd, Ky., 264 S.W.2d 685 (1953) (citing State Bd. of Election Commissioners v. Coleman, 235 Ky. 24, 29 S.W.2d 619 (1930)).
Dawson v. Com., Dept. of Transp., Bureau of Highways, 622 S.W.2d 212 (Ky., 1981)
¬Ý¬ÝFor fear that there may be some question as to the validity and enforceability of the remaining portions of the Act after placing the ax to a portion of it, see KRS 446.090.
Kentucky Municipal League v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Labor, Ky., 530 S.W.2d 198 (1975), we said:¬Ý ¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý"It is a well-established rule that portions of a statute which are constitutional may be upheld while other portions are eliminated as unconstitutional. * * *
Also see: Karst-Robbins Coal Co., Inc. v. Arch of Kentucky, Inc., 964 S.W.2d 419 (Ky. App., 1997)¬Ý¬Ý November 14, 1997¬Ý -¬Ý As noted by Arch, the Supreme Court specifically indicated in Akers that it was declaring KRS 381.940 unconstitutional, but not the remaining statutes dealing with the same subject matter. See KRS 381.930, KRS 381.935, and KRS 381.945. Moreover, the court subsequently noted in Ward that Akers had declared only a "portion" of KRS 381.940 to be unconstitutional.Commonwealth v. Plowman, 86 S.W.3d 47 (Ky. 09/26/2002) An unambiguous statute is to be applied without resort to any outside aids. Delta Air Lines. Inc. v. Commonwealth, Revenue Cabinet, Ky., 689 S.W.2d 14 (1985).
Gatewav Construction Co. v. Wailbaum, Ky., 356 S.W.2d 247 (1962). This Court has repeatedly held that statutes must be given a literal interpretation unless they are ambiguous and if the words are not ambiguous, no statutory construction is required.
KRS 446.090 Severability.
It shall be considered that it is the intent of the General Assembly, in enacting any statute, that if any part of the statute be held unconstitutional the remaining parts shall remain in force, unless the statute provides otherwise, or unless the remaining parts are so essentially and inseparably connected with and dependent upon the unconstitutional part that it is apparent that the General Assembly would not have enacted the remaining parts without the unconstitutional part, or unless the remaining parts, standing alone, are incomplete and incapable of being executed in accordance with the intent of the General Assembly.Effective: October 1, 1942
History: Created 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, to obviate the necessity of attaching a severability clause to each Act as it is passed.¬Ý


text:
TPB: American Vampire Vol. 1
Writer: Scott Snyder, Stephen King
Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Price: $19.99
American Vampire follows the exploits of the first American vampire as he kills his way from the 1920's forward. A former outlaw who stole from European bankers, Skinner Sweet is bitten by the distinctly Old World monsters but rises as something entirely new.
You may know Scott Snyder as the writer of a little book called Batman. You may also know Stephen King as the undisputed king of horror. Rafael Albuquerque who shares co-creator credit here has previously worked on Blue Beetle and is currently on Charle Soule's Letter 44.
In the first arc of this Vertigo series, the A story is Skinner Sweet explaining to a victim of Hollywood vampires how she can get revenge for her untimely death. Lucky for her, Sweet revived her after she was left for dead and being an American vampire comes with immunity to sunlight and increased strength and speed.
The B story is written by King and follows the life of a fiction writer who wrote about Sweet's origins but in his golden years decides to reveal he's only retold a story that he witnessed as a young man.
The interior art walks the line between clean lines and stylized as few books can successfully do.
Sweet's outlaw charisma steals the show whenever he's on panel. His dark humor and cynicism almost excuse his reprehensible behavior. This book recommends itself simply by the fact that the protagonist feels like an old friend by the end of the first arc.
Final rating (out of 5):

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ISEE Prep
Groza ISEE preparation prides itself on results. We know that high performance comes when students are inspired and stress is mitigated. This course addresses the tricks and strategies necessary to attack each question type and also teaches important academic concepts present on the ISEE. We reinforce disciplined work habits and multiple choice test taking skills that will benefit students well beyond the ISEE – our course helps kids with their schoolwork too!. There are three test levels given: Lower (students applying to grades 5-6), Middle (students applying to grades 7-8), and Upper (students applying to grades 9-12). One-on-one courses are customized according to the needs of the student. Homework is recommended. Practice tests and homework are encouraged.
Course options include:
- One-on-one (standard course) – 12 math 12 verbal; 24 sessions total.
- One-on-one (customized course)
- Group Classes


text:
Glass Doctor Cruise Away Sweepstakes & Instant Win Game
Ended: 11/30/2012 23:59 ET(21+)
Glass Doctor is giving away a fabulous cruise for two every month! Plus, play daily for a chance to instantly score iPad, iPod Touch or gift cards!
PRIZESSweepstakes Prizes: (9) GRAND PRIZES (1 per Monthly Entry Period): A certificate from Carnival Cruise Lines that can be used toward a four (4) day cruise for two (2) people (stateroom with ocean view). Certificates exclude Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand cruises.
Instant Win Game Prizes:
(9) FIRST PRIZES (1 per Monthly Entry Period): 16GB iPad®.
(9) SECOND PRIZES (1 per Monthly Entry Period): 8GB iPod Touch®.
(45) THIRD PRIZES (5 per Monthly Entry Period): $25 iTunes® gift card.
(144) FOURTH PRIZES (16 per Monthly Entry Period): $10 Amazon gift card.
NOTESThe Promotion consists of nine (9) monthly entry periods.
Your Comment Here:


text:
Burton Children's Easter Festival
Back for its third year and bigger and better than before this year's Easter Festival is all about big tops, bunting and making memories! Building on record attendance from last year this time around there's even more to see and do.
The festival will take place on the 30th and 31st March including two extra special family film showings, a whole day of street theatre and family activities at 'Play in The Place' and an Easter Egg Trail hosted by Burton's Octagon shopping centre.
On The Big Screen at Burton Market Hall
Kicking off on the Friday night at 6:30pm we will be screening the family favourite The Lego Movie (U) and at 7:00pm on Saturday night we will be showing The Goonies (12A), a nostalgic treat to introduce to the kids! Bring the whole family for a cinema experience with a difference, bring blankets and cushions to snuggle down and grab some popcorn and drinks from the bar.
£5 tickets, £15 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children)
Play in the Place - Saturday 31st March 10:00am - 4:00pm
We are bringing some of the best circus performers to Burton Market Place. Join us as we transform the market place and hall into a fun family festival, all activities are FREE! Expect a whole host of hands on activities and performances that will surprise and delight the whole family, including:
Mimbre – Exploded Circus Workshops
Roll up Roll up! This is your chance to learn some circus tricks and skills from some of the best in the business. Join the amazing, incredible, acrobatic, circus performers from the fabulous Mimbre throughout the day in the Market Hall for a range of circus inspired workshops!
Pangottic – Thingamabob
With an internationally renowned blend of circus, invention and humour, PanGottic brings to life a giant ball slinging, self exploding, piece of handcrafted gadgetry. Be part of the mayhem as our intrepid inventor risks nerve wracking failure to bring you one perfect chain reaction… with some help from his little assistant.
Hubbub Theatre – Village Green Antics
Village Green Antics', combines theatre, dance, circus, clowning and live music. It is a fun-filled show playing with the games and races that traditionally happen on a Village Green, you might just have to join in! Look out for their 'Clown Powered Vehicle' in the Market Place throughout the day!
Plus make and take, archery, bouncy castle and many more surprises during the day.
Easter Egg Trail – Friday 30th March until Wednesday 11th April - FREE
The Easter bunny has hidden all our eggs! Can you help us track them down? Visit our website and use our interactive map to help you locate them or collect a map from the Brewhouse or Customer Service Centre. There'll be an Easter treat at the end for everyone who can help us!
Additional Activities
Giant Easter Egg Display
Visit The Octagon's Giant Easter Egg display on the lower mall during The Easter holidays, decorated with vibrant colours and themes from local schools! You can even vote for your favourite through their website!
Face Painting – Saturday 31st March
Have some eggcelent fun with free Easter themed face painting at The Octagon.
Easter Egg Giveaway – Saturday 31st March
Take part in our Easter egg giveaway where you can get a FREE chocolate egg simply by shopping at The Octagon. Spend £5 on the day and show your receipt to redeem your free egg.
Snapperjax – Tuesday 3rd & Tuesday 10th April
Snapperjax returns to Coopers Square this Easter with two free sessions in which children of all ages can enjoy arts, crafts and fun theatre performances.


text:
Doosan and France's ADF pool strengths on biomass project
Doosan Power Systems and French industrial maintenance specialist Groupe ADF have officially entered an 18-month partnership following the recent award of the major biomass conversion and turbine upgrade project at E.ON's coal-fired power plant in France.
Doosan Power Systems was awarded the biomass conversion and turbine upgrade project for E.ON's coal-fired Provence power plant in Gardanne – Meyreuil (13), France in May. The project will help to create France's largest biomass-fired power plant to date as part of the E.ON Group's "cleaner, higher performance energy" strategy.
The new biomass unit, generating electricity from the combustion of wood – including forest chips, green residues and recovered wood – will be converted from the existing coal-fired Provence 4 unit. It will provide 150 MW of power with base production of more than 7500 hours per year until 2034, which corresponds to the annual electrical consumption (except for heating) of 440,000 households.
This investment will reduce the CO2 balance by 600,000 tons per year. It will also extend the life of the Provence power plant for a further 20 years while helping structure and develop the region's wood-energy industry. Work will begin this summer with the first firing in the autumn of 2014 and startup of operations in early 2015.
Doosan Power Systems will be responsible for converting the existing Provence facility to biomass, in particular by converting the 20-year-old coal-fired CFB (circulating fluidized bed) boiler and renovating the steam turbine. The project will be led by the Germany-based CFB specialist, Doosan Lentjes who supplied the original CFB technology and key components for the plant in 1992. At the same time, the company's turbine specialist, Doosan Škoda Power, will replace the inner steam path of the existing steam turbine to match the new output and enhance plant efficiency.
Life-time extension works will be undertaken by Doosan Babcock on the remaining equipment so that the plant is well placed to deliver reliable performance for a further 20 years.
Under a recently signed contract agreement, Doosan will provide the technology and project leadership while ADF, as principal subcontractor to Doosan, will be responsible for the assembly of all new equipment at the site.
The partnership follows more than 12 months' successful collaboration during the Gardanne FEED (Front End Engineering & Design) study and bid preparation phases, and will provide a valuable boost to the local economy through the creation of employment opportunities.
ADF is a specialist in the maintenance of power generation sites across France and Benelux.
Conversion works began this summer with scheduled first firing in autumn 2014 and start-up operations commencing early 2015. To meet this schedule, the project will employ an average of 200 people over 18 months.
Doosan and ADF cemented their strong working relationships during the FEED study and bid preparations for Gardanne, where their complementary set of skills were boosted by a common approach to environmental and safety standards, as well as a shared commitment to customer satisfaction.
Jinwon Mok, CEO, Doosan Power Systems said: "This major contract win for E.ON's Provence project is further confirmation of Doosan's capability to undertake major plant conversion and construction projects, drawing on technical expertise and project management skills across our turbine, boiler and after-build service businesses.
It is also a valuable reference for Doosan in the biomass sector, following on from our 2012 contract wins for the conversion of the Ironbridge power plant in the UK and the Atikokan Generation Station in Ontario, Canada.
"Biomass plants produce electricity through the combustion of various organic materials (green wastes, chips, recovered wood). The new Provence 4 biomass unit will consume some 850,000 tonnes of biomass per year. This will contribute to the creation of indirect local employment by upstream structuring and development of the regional "wood-energy" industry. Within ten years after the commissioning of the new unit, all the biomass will be sourced locally.


text:
It was a rumored place, a hidden place. Parents would tell their children that, in the darkness, the wicked sons and daughters were spirited away to this place. In flight school, the star guides did their best to quell speculation. "It's a myth," they said. "A nowhere place."
They were right, of course. It is a myth. A nowhere place. But that doesn't mean it isn't real.
The Crosslands. It would be a great meeting place - but you can never be sure you'll ever go home.
The idea with the Crosslands is that there's a kind of fold in the universe, and it's only a light slip away from anywhere. Maybe gravity holds it in place, or maybe it's somehow the transdimensional center of the universe. Either way, though, you find strange things there. Like dragons. And alien humanoids who carry these glowing weapons that look an awful lot like light sabers.
The funny thing about the Crosslands is that it is inextricably linked to the Earth. More than that, though, you can actually feel the place, if you know how to look. Writers, artists, movie makers - they often see things from the Crosslands without even realizing it. Gremlins, vampires, zombies - these creatures haunt the emotional psyche of the human race through emotional crossover. As intelligent beings, we humans pick up on the essence of these things, and they contaminate our dreams and our literature. It's possible that, in the past, some of these creatures contaminated more than just our dreams, that they actually crossed over into our reality from time to time. But no one really knows.
Our connection to the Crosslands is tenuous. Maybe it has always been there, or maybe it is simply in the process of passing by. Dragons might be descended from dinosaurs, or they might be tag-alongs from yet another universe altogether. But here is what we do know: there are a lot of human beings in the Crosslands. They've built their own civilization, one that rests on the foundation of stone fortresses and the powerful energies of magic. If they fear anything, it is that another race will arrive to take their place, just as they took the place of the race before them.
The Crosslands. It's a violent place. An energetic place. A place you can never leave, though you'll never want to stay.


text:
How to Remove the Rear Main Seal in a Chevy S10by Gus Stephens
The rear main oil seal in a 2.2 liter Chevrolet S10 can be replaced without removing the engine oil pan or the crankshaft. However, removal of significant components external to the engine, most notably the transmission, is required. Once you've performed these heavy-duty tasks, replacing the seal itself is a straightforward procedure. Symptoms of a leaky rear main oil seal include noticeable seepage of oil from the rear portion of the engine. In vehicles with a manual transmission, clutch slippage or "chattering" may also result if leaking oil contaminates the facings of the clutch disk.
Removing The Old Seal
Remove the transmission. On vehicles with a manual transmission, remove the clutch pressure plate and clutch disk. For automatic transmissions, remove the torque converter. Remove the flywheel (manual transmission) or the drive plate (automatic transmission.)
Carefully pry the rear oil seal out its bore in the exposed end of the engine block using the seal removal tool or a large screwdriver. The seal fits snugly around the crankshaft; take care not to scratch or nick the polished surface of the crankshaft. If the crankshaft is scratched, the entire crankshaft must be replaced or new leaks will develop.
Clean the bore in the engine block which accommodates the seal. Carefully clean the surface of the crankshaft where the lip of the new seal will make contact.
Install The New Seal
Coat the lip and the outer shell of the new seal with clean engine oil.
Guide the new seal over the end of the crankshaft and press into the engine block bore using the GM seal press tool. If this tool is unavailable press the seal in place by gently tapping around its outer edge with the small block of wood and a hammer until the seal is fully inserted. Make sure it's square in the engine block bore and the outer edge of the seal is flush.
Reinstall the flywheel or drive plate. For manual transmissions, align the clutch disk with the clutch pressure plate and install on the flywheel; for automatics, bolt the torque converter in place on the drive plate. Reinstall the transmission.
- Clutch disks have a limited life span. Since you've got the transmission out to replace the rear main seal anyway, do yourself a favor and take this opportunity to replace the clutch disk at the same time.


text:
- SmartGuard® Process. Our proprietary SmartGuard® manufacturing process treats wood strands to the core with four layers of protection to resist fungal decay and termites, so your shed will provide long-term strength and durability in a variety of weather conditions.
- SilverTech® Radiant Barrier. SilverTech is a finish-grade radiant barrier that reduces the amount of radiant energy through the shed roof, so your shed or workshop stays cooler. The reflective surface also brightens the interior for better visibility and resists flaking and peeling.
- SmartFinish® Overlay. SmartFinish is a beautiful yet durable overlay that gives walls and floors a uniform, professional-grade finish. With no knots or voids, it's a welcome alternative to traditional plywood.
Welcome to the LP Shed Blog
by Parry Grimm, January 7, 2016
Welcome to the new LP Shed blog! With the launch of our blog, we hope to become your source of inspiration for the world of outdoor building structures. Here we'll also explore industry developments, home improvements and many more ideas that will help you maximize your outdoor living experience. Quality You Can See Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) has been delivering innovative building products for over 40 years. All LP products combine strength, technology and durability to create building solutions that perform and are built to stand the test of time. LP Shed is your source for engineered wood products specifically made for outdoor building structures. LP shed products include a level of quality that you can see. Take a look at some of the innovations that can make your storage building or other structure a cut above the rest.


text:
4 Simple Exercises To Get Rid Of Your Double Chin
The easy sports you're going to see beneath will strengthen up the loosened skin beneath your chin.
Your face will transform, and you may sooner or later get the wanted outcomes.
Let's start:
1. The Kiss
Even as status, tilt your head back and appearance in the direction of the ceiling.
Pucker your lips and "kiss the ceiling."
Keep the kiss for five seconds.
Loosen up your lips and return your head to a impartial function.
Repeat this 15 instances.
2. Stick it Out
Even as going through forward, open your mouth wide.
Stick your tongue out slowly over a 5 count number, till it is as some distance out as feasible.
Return the tongue on your mouth over any other five count.
Repeat this 10 times.
3. Jaw Jut
Tilt your head lower back and look towards the ceiling.
Push your lower jaw forward to sense a stretch below the chin.
Keep the jaw jut for a ten matter.
Loosen up your jaw and go back your head to a neutral function.
Repeat this 10 times.
4. Neck Roll
While standing, drop your chin forward in your chest.
Slowly rotate your head to the proper.
Keep your head for a 5 count number.
Slowly rotate your head back off so that your chin is to your chest.
Maintain to rotate your head to the left.
Keep your head for a five count number.
Repeat this for 30 seconds.


text:
Episode Four: "New Tricks"
"Mr. Guidano, how nice to see you again. I thought we were supposed to meet tonight. I told your man that Frank was getting nervous, so I didn't want our meeting before tomorrow to get back to him."
"Calm down, Tommy, no one will come in the way of the business we have going. No one. Understand?"
Tommy had dealt with men such as this since he was just a child. The secret to getting what you want from them is to seem as in control as they, while not contradicting them. It is much like walking a tightrope.
"Besides, this plan to get Joey out of the way so I could take over the family has been going off like a masterpiece. I don't want no one to know I'm here either, but I have other business tonight. I could have been boss years ago, but that old man hated me for that business between me and Frank. Thirty years and nothing changed. I made a lot of green for the family. But that old bastard wouldn't go along. He always fought my taking over," Anthony abruptly stopped his confession, realizing he was showing too much of what drove him, inspired him, scared him. "He ain't fighting anymore, though, huh?"
Laughter erupted, not all contrived.
"I appreciate the visit, Anthony, but I thought your people and I had worked out all the deals. I got rid of Joey out here, without it looking the least bit connected to you or anyone else. It was a clean job. Now I get Frank's part of the team."
"Whoa, whoa, there stallion, no need getting all fired up, I just have a proposition here for you. I've heard Chief Montoya was helping you on your little side deal. Yea, I know you set up those guys. You want the rest of the team. We talked about getting you Frank's piece but no one ever told me the rest of what you had planned, about acquiring almost all of the team," Anthony said with eyes as calm and cold as 100-year-old ice. "Understandable, but you must understand I was handling you with kid gloves. But if this is business, it is business, I want one other thing, if what I have given you protection from means you get the whole team."
"Surely. I mean you killed Joey. I will protect your secret for a favor."
Tommy knew he was dealing with men of suspicious morals and rules of ethics, but was unready for this development.
"And the favor is?"
"I want Montoya."
"I thought you had him."
"No, I want something on him. Yea, I work with him now, but he forces a cut like he is a partner. He lets us work, but for a fee and madonna, what a fee. This guy, I need something on him. Our business is too dangerous. I don't want to shine a spotlight on it or it doesn't really matter if he is out of the way. We would then no longer be a secret. Can't you get some local people to crack down on him? Do-gooders, you know?"
"Anthony, I don't know, I've been working with the Chief for years. He makes many things possible. What if the guy who takes his place is the second coming of Elliot Ness? Let's just keep the deal going."
"Look, Tommy, when I asked you this as a favor that was merely to be a gentleman. To show I have manners. But really this is an order, capsice?"
"Well, think about it and after the meeting with Frank tomorrow, we'll talk again."
Anthony hugged Tommy good-bye and he left with his two men out the door.
Tommy - now alone - sat for what seemed like a intense minute but must have been more, then was jolted back from his thoughts of worry.
"Sir, Billy Spikes is here and he wants to see you."
"What the hell, send him in."
Billy snapped the door open, obviously pissed.
"So is that how you're going to play this, Tommy? I mean two weeks ago we were righteous and now we are shit? What the hell does it matter anyway? I lived here in this god damned place and now I'm ruined in this town. Everywhere I go, my kids go, Tommy, we will hear "Doper." How the hell could you do this to me man, I mean, Columbus? That ain't no town."
Billy was on a roll and Tommy just let him vent until both men melted into the big couch flabbergasted and completely frustrated. Tommy had seen it many times. Getting traded by people you like is a lot like a woman telling you, "We can't see each other anymore, but it's not because of anything you've done, it's because of me." It's a damn hollow feeling. With all the money and fame, many men can never get over the idea of being bartered and traded for like property or an animal. If taken in the wrong perspective it can be most damaging to anyone's psyche.
"Billy, you know that I feel what happened wasn't anyone's fault, but we just needed to go in a different direction. We needed to change some faces. You were the biggest star this team has had and we never even made it to the big dance. Come on. Columbus ain't so bad anyway. Those people are huge sports fans and there is not much there except the team. You will be the show. Those people up there will only know they are getting Billy Spikes, superstar. They won't care about this bull. They'll blame it on us, the organization, the town. This is a fresh start for us all."
"But damn, Tommy."
"I know, Billy. But sometimes, life simply refuses to carry out the designs of we meager men."
By early the next morning the team's minority owners had called in their yes votes. They had agreed to Tommy's terms and by the end of the day Tommy knew he would not only be in sole control of the team, but also very rich.
By tomorrow the news would be everywhere. He hoped no one would see through his deceptions.
The price had been high. He surely would be losing Frank — a lifelong friend — but he definitely would be gaining security and prestige. Besides, business is not just business as the old saying goes.
Business is personal, or else you get crushed.
The meeting with Tony was set for 6 p.m. at Frank's house so that gave the new owner a few hours of the day to think of a way to serve up Montoya to Guidano. Tommy went to the gym since getting into a "workout zone" was how he inspired some of his best thinking.
Strapped into a rowing machine and pulling his heart out, Tommy had a vision, or one rather appeared before him. Lt. Barrick sauntered in, looking frustrated as usual. Tommy congratulated himself on the foresight to open the gym to prestigious members of the community — and of course season ticket holders.
Next Page ->


text:
New this week from Shiraleah!
Each phone wallet comes with a pebble grain, gold hardware, a detachable cross-body chainn, a push-lock closure, two credit card slots, one bill slot, an ID window, and an elastic strap to hold the phone in place. The best part is, the wallet has a touch screen window, so you can type through the cover to interact with your phone.
Our Olivia phone wallets sell for just $27.95 each.
Visit the Gilded Lily on Wenatchee Avenue to see these and our other smartphone wallets, purses and accessories!


text:
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Stay ahead of developments in federal and state health care law, regulation and transactions with timely, expert news and analysis.
By James Swann
Government health-care anti-fraud contractors may increasingly operate under fewer programs as the Trump administration looks to rein in government spending and streamline the fight against fraud.
Much of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' work on program integrity has been delegated to contractors, and some have had "pretty unspectacular results," bolstering the cause of consolidation, Ellyn Sternfield, a health-care attorney with Mintz Levin in Washington, told Bloomberg BNA.
Contractor consolidation could benefit hospitals and providers by eliminating redundant programs and providing more uniform policy guidance for the remaining contractors.
A first step toward consolidation began with last August's award of seven contracts under the Unified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC), which replaces four existing contractor programs. AdvanceMed, owned by NCI Information Systems Inc. and based in Reston, Va., was one of the seven vendors to win a UPIC contract and was also awarded the program's first task order, for $76.8 million.
UPICs are intended to replace Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs), Program Safety Contractors (PSCs), the Medicare-Medicaid data match program (Medi-Medi) and Medicaid Integrity Contractors (MICs).
"For example, when it came to the MIC contractors, there were questions about their data sources," Sternfield said. Many MIC auditors didn't seem to understand that the individual states set Medicaid billing requirements, not the CMS, and that state requirements change regularly, Sternfield said.
"MIC audit findings often didn't hold up because of data irregularities or the fact that contractors were attempting to apply inapplicable rules to a particular provider's Medicaid billings," Sternfield said.
The Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General reviewed the MIC program in 2012 and found that only 25 of 125 MIC audits resulted in overpayment findings, Sternfield said.
"The idea of UPIC consolidation was to improve the efficiency of program integrity work, and part of the consolidation plan was the creation of a unified case management system so that the contractors weren't duplicating work or stepping on each other's cases," Sternfield said.
The new UPICs were awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts, which are used when a government agency can't determine the precise amount of supplies or services that will be needed during a contract period.
The seven vendors that won contracts can bid on the five jurisdiction task orders under the overall contract (AdvanceMed won the Midwest task order). The task orders cover the Midwest, West, Southwest, Southeast and Northeast.
AdvanceMed's task order will include fraud lead screening, investigation, medical reviews and collaborating with the CMS and state and local government and law enforcement. Fraud lead screening involves reviewing and following up any leads on potential health-care fraud.
The Midwest jurisdiction covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Bids for the Southeast and Southwest jurisdictions are currently being solicited, Ashley Stessman, a senior marketing communications specialist with StrategicHealthSolutions LLC, told Bloomberg BNA. Stessman said she didn't know when the northeastern and western task orders would be awarded.
Omaha, Neb.-based StrategicHealthSolutions was one of the seven vendors awarded an overall UPIC contract in August 2016.
Despite the efficiency goals of consolidation, it's hard to say whether it can really cut costs, Judith Waltz, a health-care attorney with Foley & Lardner in New York, told Bloomberg BNA. "CMS put the brakes on some contractor consolidations previously because it said it was worried about reducing competition in the Medicare Administrative Contractor market," Waltz said.
Theoretically, Waltz said, some contractors could win contracts in multiple jurisdictions, meaning there would be unofficial semi-consolidation since they'd presumably be using the same systems and even the same personnel.
"I think the approach definitely could sweep up the RACs at the federal level," Waltz said, noting that any consolidation would only apply to Medicare recovery audit contractors. Medicaid RACs are unique to each state and wouldn't be affected by a federal contractor consolidation, Waltz said.
Waltz said the CMS posts future contracting availability on the federal contracting database, along with the scope of work required, and said contracts can't be consolidated or abandoned quickly.
The move to UPICs didn't include RACs, which are distinguished from other contractors by their contingency fee payment model, Sternfield said.
Sternfield said she hoped HHS Secretary Tom Price or the new CMS administrator would address program integrity in conjunction with program policy and not in isolation.
"For example, if there's going to be a further loosening of rules on Medicaid coverage to give states more flexibility in designing their individual Medicaid programs, isn't the MIC program obsolete?" Sternfield said.
Sternfield also said the continuing litigation over the Medicare appeals backlog may make dissolving or consolidating RACs impossible. RAC appeals are the main cause of the huge administrative appeal backlog at the CMS, which is the subject of a court order, Sternfield said.
"And given that many of these programs, including the RACs, are the subject of legislative mandates, will the administration and Congress support the necessary legislation to cut them out?" Sternfield said.
Support for contractor consolidation is divided within the provider community, Waltz said. On the one hand, consolidation could bring about a more unified approach to contractor policies. Currently, contractors operate under their own guidance, and some are more comprehensive than others, Waltz said.
"On the other hand, every time there's a contractor change, there's at least some disruption in operations that results in delays or worse if the files aren't transitioned appropriately," Waltz said.
Medicare contractors have changed frequently over the past decade, Waltz said, which has led to some confusion over local coverage determinations and other policies, as well as lost files.
To contact the reporter on this story: James Swann in Washington at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kendra Casey Plank at email@example.com
Copyright © 2017 The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All Bloomberg BNA treatises are available on standing order, which ensures you will always receive the most current edition of the book or supplement of the title you have ordered from Bloomberg BNA's book division. As soon as a new supplement or edition is published (usually annually) for a title you've previously purchased and requested to be placed on standing order, we'll ship it to you to review for 30 days without any obligation. During this period, you can either (a) honor the invoice and receive a 5% discount (in addition to any other discounts you may qualify for) off the then-current price of the update, plus shipping and handling or (b) return the book(s), in which case, your invoice will be cancelled upon receipt of the book(s). Call us for a prepaid UPS label for your return. It's as simple and easy as that. Most importantly, standing orders mean you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you're relying on. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.960.1220 or by sending an email to email@example.com.
Put me on standing order at a 5% discount off list price of all future updates, in addition to any other discounts I may quality for. (Returnable within 30 days.)
Notify me when updates are available (No standing order will be created).
This Bloomberg BNA report is available on standing order, which ensures you will all receive the latest edition. This report is updated annually and we will send you the latest edition once it has been published. By signing up for standing order you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you need. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.372.1033, option 5, or by sending us an email to email@example.com.
Put me on standing order
Notify me when new releases are available (no standing order will be created)


text:
Unsettling results of tests on tar balls discovered by beach combers on Marsh Island and at Chenier au Tigre confirm the balls are from the BP Deepwater Horizon source, says Mark Shirley, an LSU Ag Center agent based in Abbeville. The state departments of Wildlife & Fisheries and Health & Hospitals closed the area off Vermilion Parish for a second time on Wednesday as a precaution. Waters off Marsh Island and Chenier au Tigre to the west on mainland Vermilion Parish were originally closed last week, then re-opened for nearly a week.
Tar Balls from BP Oil Spill wash ashore in Vermillion Parish
Oil Spill Causes Air Quality and Environmental Concerns
It has now been more than a month since the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig, but the effects are just beginning to be felt by people along the Gulf Coast. In addition, to the contamination caused by oil beginning to touch land, there is also a great deal of concern about the potential for air pollution and the release of various petroleum-related chemicals.
Chinese Drywall Cases May Affect Thousands of Homeowners
The combination of a thriving real estate market and a series of major hurricanes has led to another catastrophe. The use of Chinese drywall by construction companies and homeowners now appears to have caused products liability damages reaching far into the millions of dollars.
Legislation seeks to outlaw drop-slide cribs
NEW YORK CITY - Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is trying to make cribs safer for infants. On Sunday, she outlined a new legislative initiative to ban the manufacture and sale of "drop-side cribs."
CPSC Recalls Target Product; Woven Trunk Can Injure Young Kids
Yesterday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of woven storage trunks sold by Target Corporation. The trunks pose a strangulation hazard to young children. Two children have been injured, one with crippling brain damage. The CPSC recall includes 350,000 woven storage trunks. They say the trunk's lid can drop suddenly when it is released, posing a strangulation hazard for small children opening or reaching into the trunks.
Unprecedented Levels of Toxic Oil Dispersant in Gulf Cause Worry
The EPA told BP late yesterday that they had 24 hours to choose an alternate chemical dispersant that is less-toxic than the one they are currently applying by the hundreds-of-thousands of gallons in the Gulf of Mexico to try to break up the crude oil that is rising to the surface and spreading. BP has been trying to stop the growing oil slick since the April 20 explosion of their oil rig, the Deepwater Horizon. The explosion killed 11 oil rig workers and ruptured pipes a mile-deep below the surface of the Gulf, from which oil has been spewing at an estimated rate of 200,000 gallons per day ever since.
Watersports safety requires USCG Approved Vests - your life may depend on it
Summertime is here. Boating is a popular pastime. Many enjoy waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, jetskiing and other water related activities. To safely enjoy these activities - it is imperative to wear an approved United States Coast Guard Vest. Choosing a vest that is not USCG approved might be fatal.
Lawsuit seeks to halt drilling at an even deeper BP site
Children's Deaths Prompt Recall of Toy Dart Gun Sets Sold Exclusively at Family Dollar Stores
WASHINGTON -- The asphyxiation deaths of two boys prompted the government Monday to announce the recall of 1.8 million toy dart gun sets.
CBS 60 Minutes details events surrounding Transocean's Deepwater Horizon's catastrophe
The gusher unleashed in the Gulf of Mexico continues to spew crude oil. There are no reliable estimates of how much oil is pouring into the gulf. But it comes to many millions of gallons since the catastrophic blowout. Eleven men were killed in the explosions that sank one of the most sophisticated drilling rigs in the world, the "Deepwater Horizon." This week Congress continues its investigation, but Capitol Hill has not heard from the man "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley met: Mike Williams, one of the last crewmembers to escape the inferno. He says the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon had been building for weeks in a series of mishaps. The night of the disaster, he was in his workshop when he heard the rig's engines suddenly run wild. That was the moment that explosive gas was shooting across the decks, being sucked into the engines that powered the rig's generators.
Oil spill may approach Southwest Louisiana early next week
Dr. Jeff Masters, a noted meteorologist, stated that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has pushed steadily westward along the Louisiana coast, and is expected to reach central Louisiana near Atchafalaya Bay by Thursday, according to the latest trajectory forecasts from NOAA. Winds over the Gulf of Mexico this week will blow from the southeast at 15 - 20 knots, threatening to bring oil to large portions of the Louisiana coast. The Mississippi and Alabama coasts will also be at risk, but the risk to the Florida Panhandle is lower. It appears quite unlikely that oil will get into the Loop Current anytime over the next two weeks, and spread to the Florida Keys and beyond. However, the strong southeast winds are expected to shift more easterly late this week, and drive a westward-moving ocean surface current with a speed of 1 - 2 mph along the west coast of Louisiana late this week. This current may be capable of transporting oil all the way to the Louisiana/Texas border by Monday. However, the concentrations of oil in the water will be much less than what is present close to the blowout, and it is unclear what the potential danger is for the western Louisiana and eastern Texas coasts. The greatest danger is to the Eastern Louisiana coast.
Chemical Assoc. Escalates Attack on Tulane Law Clinic
Deepwater Horizon Owner Transocean Seeks Liability Limit


text:
"Based on a history many of us know little of in the UK: the sending of 'mail-order brides' from Japan to the USA in the interwar years to marry Japanese men settled on the Pacific coast. Forgotten voices, tenderly told stories and oblique perspectives of young innocent strangers utterly lost in a foreign land. After Pearl Harbour, the Japanese communities are forced to move inland due to US evacuation policies. It's a wonderful poetic novel told in extraordinary style, beautiful, simple and complex. If you love this, also read When the Emperor Was Divine by the same author."
Book 0237
Donated by Judith Staines
The Buddha in the Attic
Julie Otsuka
Have you read this book? Add your comment


text:
Subscribe to this blog
Follow by Email
Search This Blog
- Get link
- Other Apps
I'm picking Patch, who has only one eye! Long shot, for sure.ReplyDelete
Hope the rains stay away from the Derby.
Today is the first day here with no rain. Still flooded.
Happy Friday.
Always like your Friday Randoms.ReplyDelete
Thank you Dear <3ReplyDelete
Love the cookbook link!.. thanks for sharing...ReplyDelete
The flowers are beautiful. I'm sure glad it is time for flowers too. : )ReplyDelete
Always dreaming! I like that name, must be a great horse :)ReplyDelete
Have a lovely weekend, take care...
Looking forward to the Derby, been down a few times, # 13 for me, a long shot from IowaReplyDelete
And those purple blooms are lovely and in my favorite color too. Lots of rain here in NH this weekend, so most likely won't get out to see any blooms myself.ReplyDelete
Always DreamingReplyDelete
Hence . . . strange name but it caught my eye . . .ReplyDelete
Let's see what she does . . .
I bet it will be . . . Classic Empire though . . .
My favorite name of the horses is Practical Joke. Cute. Enjoy your flowers this weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)ReplyDelete
Love, love, love the purple flowers, such a dreamy capture!!ReplyDelete
Beautiful flower shot!ReplyDelete
Such pretty flowers. I had forgotten about the Derby, now I will watch some of it. A few hats and the running of it.ReplyDelete
A fantastic shot, Michelle.ReplyDelete
What a pretty scene! Are those fresh raindrops on the petals? We have flowers in bloom here...but, we desperately need rain.ReplyDelete
Flowers and colors... yippee! Some of those tweets.... selfies? Oh brother! I love these posts and the barn from last Sunday. I love old barns. Thanks for your comment on my blog too.ReplyDelete
I would probably pick Sonneteer just because they've deemed him hopeless, everyone needs a bit of positive encouragement now and then ☺ I have a passion for cook books Michelle, love to look at them but usually make up my own recipes 😊 happy new week to you 😊ReplyDelete
Lovely photo, MIchelle. I hope you picked the right horse and made some money!ReplyDelete
Hi Michelle, Thank you for another fine Friday Random. Love that flower photo! Many thanks for the exceptionally kind words on my blog. Coming from a teacher makes it special! Wishing you a fine week ahead!ReplyDelete
I am going to have to check the Appalachian cookbook...ReplyDelete
Such a beautiful flower!!ReplyDelete
Now that! is one spectacular photo!ReplyDelete


text:
Debt Management Companies
Debt management companies (DMCs) are agencies which usually charge a fee to help people in debt. They usually only help people with non-priority debts. If you are paying a fee to a DMC this leaves a lot less money from your available income to pay your creditors.
You should think carefully before using a DMC as they typically charge fairly high fees and you may have better options open to you. Speak to a GAIN adviser to find out more about this.
For free advice click here to search our database of advice centres across Glasgow or call the GAIN Helpline on 0808 801 1011 Mon- Fri 10am-8pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. Calls are free from land-lines and most mobile numbers.
GAIN: Giving peace of mind to the people of Glasgow!


text:
Pricing Management #123337
- Competitive
- Singapur, Singapore
- Festanstellung, Vollzeit
- Credit Suisse Asia
- 23 Feb 19
Pricing Management #123337
We Offer
We are currently seeking an extraordinary individual to play a meaningful role in driving the strategic pricing management for Credit Suisse PB APAC.
The role offers:
- An exciting opportunity for you to be part of the PB APAC Product and Solutions COO team; encompassing strong team spirit, diverse profiles and specific business expertise that guarantees an exciting working environment
- Opportunity to work on critical projects initiated by top management with a focus on driving pricing and revenue targets
- Ideal combination of managing revenue, risk and strategy topics across a wide array of product classes that will accelerate product, project and risk expertise
- Exposure to regional topics across APAC booking locations as well as with other business divisions
- Close interaction with management and a platform for building up a network within the Private Bank; an ideal forum to further progress your career
- Driving strategic pricing management by scoping, developing, managing, delivering and monitoring a pipeline of initiatives covering various revenue, margin and risk topics in APAC
- Taking ownership of various pricing policies, processes and tools to ensure effective pricing governance and be an enabler of pricing infrastructure capable of supporting strategic pricing implementation
- Monitor and drive implementation of audit recommendations
- Provide day to day pricing management and SME advisory on business and operational topics
- Generate periodic MIS deliverables with content tailored for the appropriate audience
You Offer
- You are a high performing contributor to the Product and Solutions COO team.
- You have strong background of change management with a global financial services firm or leading consulting firm preferably with product experience; awareness of Private Banking pricing practices and the relevant regulatory knowledge is a plus.
- You are highly organized; with strong project management abilities including simultaneously handling and delivering multiple projects
- You possess excellent analytical skills, strong thought leadership, story-lining capabilities, results driven way of working and ability to get things done.
- You are able to conduct rigorous financial analysis and produce high quality and insightful content; experience in developing price simulation or client segmentation models will be a plus.
- You are strategic in approach and possess relationship building and interpersonal skills.
- You have extraordinary Excel and PowerPoint capabilities.


text:
WP Junior High Track Invite results
On Monday, May 2, Wauneta-Palisade hosted their annual Junior High Track Meet at Hitchcock County's new track in Trenton. The Broncos swept the meet titles, winning the girls side by 24 points and the boys side by 22. The Broncos brought home tons of ribbons in multiple events. The complete list of results is available here (girls) and here (boys). Way to go, Broncos!


text:
I just finished my official 5-year reunion weekend at Georgetown University and it was an absolute blast. I think my friends and I are going to need a couple of days to catch up on sleep and fully recover. While I was originally accepted to Georgetown as a part of the class of 2008, I deferred a year after my accident so I became a part of the class of 2009. That didn't last too long because I decided to take an extra semester for my undergraduate studies so I finally graduated as a member of the class of 2010. I have definitely joined reunion festivities for the classes of 2008 and 2009 (and will continue to do so), but I will never forget that 2010 was my official graduation year. I may also need to join the reunion festivities in 2017 since that will be the 5-year anniversary of by graduation with my masters degree from Georgetown school of continuing studies, where I studied sports industry management in.
Our class had a great turnout and I was excited that so many friends decided to travel from all across the country to celebrate this milestone for our class (with a special shoutout to the group that took the redeye from California on Thursday night). The weekend was also an opportunity to see some family friends from classes that we're celebrating their 10, 25 and 40 year reunions.
Our class festivities started on Friday night with a party at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue. We celebrated this night with the class of 1965, who was commemorating their 50th reunion and whose generosity underwrote our reunion costs so our weekend was free. There was a nice toast at the party by Georgetown President John J. DeGioia and the class of 2010 and 1965 reunion chairs. After this party ended, a group of our friends decided to have our own after party at a bar in Georgetown call Chinese Disco. On Saturday, I attended a discussion with President DeGioia and a couple hundred alumni in historic Gaston Hall where there were presentations made about various facets of Georgetown and how bright the future is. I then met friends to enjoy the beautiful weather outside down at the Georgetown waterfront. On Saturday night, our class had it's party on the patio outside of the McDonough School of Business building right on campus. Once the party ended, I had no gas left in the tank and needed to end the weekend on a high note.
Thank you to Georgetown for providing us a great celebratory weekend and I'm looking forward to my official 10 year reunion….although I think I'll be sneaking into a few other reunions in the interim. HOYA SAXA!!


text:
Meth Epidemic
Your state
Families / children
About us
Latest news
Latest news
Latest news: 8-10-2009
Arrests mount to 65 in drug investigation
Phelps County, MO - Two area people were among the 27 arrested Aug. 7 in connection with a long-term narcotics investigation.
Law enforcement agencies working jointly on the 18-month investigation previously arrested 38 other individuals July 27 on drug-related charges.
Leilani A. Fuentes, 44, of Waynesville, was arrested on a Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance; and Nicholas J. Light, 20, of Richland, was arrested on a Phelps County warrant for distribute, deliver, manufacture, produce, or possess a controlled substance.
Full story, Waynesville Daily Guide
Homeless man alerts police to meth lab
Cathedral City, CA - A transient who was dumpster-diving Sunday near Cathedral City's City Hall found discarded meth lab gear and chemicals in boxes next to the trash container, and police today called out trained specialists to clean up the hazardous materials.
The unidentified transient found the boxed-up methamphetamine lab remnants about 7:45 a.m. today next to a dumpster in the 68700 block of Perez Road, a quarter-mile north of state Route 111, according to police Sgt. Scott Sharpe.
Full story, The Desert Sun
Police arrest man who made meth in storage unit
Galesburg, IL - A Galesburg man is in trouble with the law after authorities discovered a suspected methamphetamine lab in a storage locker.
Galesburg Police reports indicate officers were called to a storage unit in the 1800 block of Windish Drive in the Hawthorne Center area around 6:15pm Sunday, when the storage company's owner found a man passed out in the shed.
Full story, The Register-Mail
News archives
Website Designed


text:
03 93384399
Great customer service, communication regular throughout the process & everyone I dealt with were professional & friendly. Would highly recommend.
—Ellayne Haralambidis
Great job. Everyone involved were excellent to deal with. Would recommend.
—Justin McKeown
Service was sensational. Thanks Ray and Deborah. Would recommend to family and friends. Very helpful, friendly & honest team.
—Sophie Spencer
I would like to thank Total Collision Repairs for managing my recent claim in an efficient manner. I would recommend Total Collision Repairs to all my friends and family as they take control of the whole claim process and ensure the customer is kept in the loop.
—Maria Tsangarides
Cannot speak highly enough of the service I received from Deb and Ray. They dealt with the Insurance Assessor and kept me well informed, Courtesy Car was provided, CAR was ready for collection in just over a week, workmanship without fault - would highly recommend.
—Gale McKay
Total Collision Repairs have a strong customer focused attitude. The stresses of a vehicle accident were made easier by their supportive and honest feedback. We received regular updates on the repair progress. I would recommend Total Collision Repairs as a place to have a vehicle repaired as they take no shortcuts, using genuine manufacturers components and first class workmanship.
—Corey Moore


text:
ARA terminals managers and experts from the industry shared their experience in how to successfully expand a storage business and what to look for when building a new terminal.
The following key topics were discussed in details at the webinar:
– Oil terminals business development strategies
– The most effective traders and terminals cooperation strategies
– Long-term infrastructure investors opportunities
The recordings of the webinar will help you to understand key drivers of the business terminal management and learn more about the current trends in the storage industry.
To watch PJK's contribution to this seminar, click here.
PJK International is also consulted for (medium and long term) supply and demand forecasting, tradeflow forecasting, oil tanker vessel tracking and its view on price trends on NWE oil markets.


text:
Integrating HIV Outpatient Clinics into State Hospitals in Vietnam
- Published Date: September 2015
- Download File Format: PDF
- Download File Size: 415.64 KB
Context: HIV treatment services in Viet Nam are mainly provided at outpatient clinics (OPC). Donors have funded most of the OPCs (74.6%). A study conducted by the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) reviewing the HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment system in Viet Nam in 2012 stated that the current system of OPCs played a very important role, has demonstrated its effectiveness, and has contributed to the success of the HIV program in Viet Nam. The OPCs are co-located either in district health centers or in hospital settings, however they are not well integrated into the public health system, both in terms of service provision and management of health professionals.
Approach & Results: The investigation was conducted in three provinces representing three regions of Viet Nam: An Giang, Nghe An, and Dien Bien provinces. The study used qualitative methods. In-depth interviews were conducted with various key informants representing management, including Provincial Department of Health (DoH) and Provincial HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Center personnel. Focus group discussions were held with personnel at state health facilities (directors, heads of departments, and medical staff of provincial hospitals, district hospitals, and district health centers), and with OPCs at both district and provincial levels (heads of departments and medical staff, and HIV patients).
Conclusions: The integration of the OPCs into state facilities is necessary in light of the limited resources available to maintain the operation of these facilities. However, all three options for OPC integration have several similar challenges, including: (i) difficulty in the organizational structure of departments and infrastructure for providing services to HIV patients; (ii) financial difficulty in balancing revenue and expenditure when providing services to HIV patients, especially at the hospitals; (iii) difficulty in ensuring adequate human resources in the field of HIV, which is a consequence of the limitations of recruitment policies, especially polices for using long-standing OPC staff; (iv) lack of regulations and mechanisms on coordination, integration, and implementation of health care activities for HIV patients among facilities at different levels, and between the preventive and curative sectors; and (v) barriers related to discrimination against people living with HIV in state health facilities.


text:
Migos has had there fair share of hits already in their young careers, but their latest hit 'Bad and Boujee' featuring Lil Uzi Vert is on the way to being their most successful!
Catch Up: Russ Diemon ~ Learn more & Watch his music video for 'What They Want'
by Rakki
Russ (Russ Diemon) is one artist that you need to catch up on. His music blends RnB and rap together, with the perfect mellow beats to complement. His growing fan base, now stretching throughout the World, Russ is definitely someone to watch out for! Visit his store here by clicking this link and watch his video for 'What They Want' below:
Click here to listen to his music on Soundcloud. Watch the music video for 'Too Many' below:
Jerreau's 'Never How You Plan' was released on April 8th, by The Greater Than Club. Recently ranked one of the Top 40 albums of the year by Complex, "when it comes to summer jams, you can't do much better than Jerreau's Never How You Plan."
Watch his video for "Really Got It", produced by Jay Swifa, below:
Ohio native Cal Scruby debut album "House In The Hills" is out now! This is a solid EP from Cincinnati born - Ohio State University graduate, who has teamed up the talented Chris Brown in 'Ain't Shit Change'. Watch the music video below:
Bryson Tiller's "T R A P S O U L" is one of the best albums released this year! Watch his music video for his hit single "Don't"
Bryson Tiller hails from Louisville, and this young artist has quickly made a name for himself in music. His debut album 'T R A P S O U L' is a damn near masterpiece. The 13-track album (14 technically, the intro is less than 2 mins), blends perfectly together. Each track is worth a listen!
Watch his music video for Bryson Tiller's hit single "Don't" below:
Watch Travis Scott's new music video for 'Piss On Your Grave' feat. Kanye West
Watch Travis Scott and Kanye West for the music video for 'Piss On Your Grave'. This song is right before 'Antidote' on Scott's album 'Rodeo' and it blends beautifully into 'Antidote' - purchase "Rodeo" on iTunes now!
Check out the video below:
Watch Ty Dolla $ign music videos for 'Solid' feat. Babyface and 'When I See Ya' feat. Fetty Wap - Purchase 'Free TC' today!
Ty Dolla $ign highly anticipated album 'Free TC' - in dedication of his brother who is currently incarcerated, will be dropping November 13th! He teamed up with the legend Babyface and picked up a guitar for 'Solid' - you can also watch the music video for 'When I See Ya' featuring Fetty Wap below:
Lil Dicky 'Professional Rapper' out now! Watch his music video for 'Save Dat Money' feat. Fetty Wap and Rich Homie Quan
January 2017


text:
Women's low top trainers from Diadora. A rebirth of the iconic 'B.Elite', the 'B.Elite I' trainers retain all the features of the classic design to remain authentic to the original. Crafted from pearlized leather with perforated detailing, the sneakers feature a rounded toe, lace-up fastening and branded tongue. A padded collar provides comfort and support at the ankle, while contrasting Diadora logos to both sides finish the sports shoe with a stamp of authenticity.
Set upon a durable rubber sole. Further branding to the heel and outsole.
Upper: Leather. Sole: Rubber.


text:
Page - Blog Single Column Left Sidebar
Arts & Media Case Studies
The client runs an online customizable gift shop, that handles their online orders and sales to maximize the revenue opportunities.
Client is an IT services & solution provider company in Australia. Client works with a focus in providing RIGHT business solutions to customers via ethical, cost-effective & result oriented methodologies.
Client is a entrepreneur involved in Outsourcing Mobile apps (iOS and Android) development as per his client's requirement.
The client is a media venture company creating online video channels and destinations through proprietary technology, original content and curated content by having partnership with others.
Client is having a restaurant in Peru country; their aim was to create a best online photo contest application that has to be used worldwide.
Client is a community developer keen in promoting talents of artists by forming a hub for independent artists. Its one of Australia's fastest growing community. Here all the artist whether actor, musician or stage player no problem everyone can join and promote their talents. To say more, it hold talents across different fields such as Actor, Comedian, Dancer, Designer, Technicians, Fine artist, Game Developers, Model, Musician, Performer, Photographer and Writer.


text:
Since users reported that seeing saved addresses and getting directions on Google Maps was broken in Opera I had to do some digging. Actually a lot of digging. Eventually, I ended up here:
xO.Tia=function(a){if(!a||a==window||!a.hasOwnProperty||xO.uSa(a))return xO.Type.NATIVE;if(xO.jTa(a))return xO.Type.PROTO;if(a.constructor===Function)return xO.Type.FUNCTION;if(a.constructor===Array)return xO.Type.ARRAY;if(a.constructor===Object)return xO.Type.OBJECT;return xO.Type.NATIVE};
..which in its unwrapped and scrambled glory is a method to figure out what sort of object "a" is. The bit we didn't handle like Maps expected was:
if(a.constructor===Object)return xO.Type.OBJECT;
If you pass a DOM node to this function that if clause is true and it will conclude that it is of type "Object". Further along there was some logic detecting that this node was an Object and thus not able to have event listeners.
So, no event listener is added and nothing at all happens when clicking the triangle to view your search history:
In Firefox, a node's constructor property points to the corresponding DOM2 HTML interface. To explain that in real English, the DOM 2 HTML specification says that for each element in HTML (BODY, A, DIV, P and so on) there should be a JavaScript object named window.HTML+name of element+Element (HTMLBodyElement, HTMLAnchorElement, HTMLDivElement, HTMLParagraphElement and so on).
What's the point of that? These are "prototypes" of the DOM. Through JavaScript's prototype inheritance feature you can add properties and methods to for example HTMLDivElement.prototype and all DIVs in your document will appear to have those properties and methods. For example
HTMLDivElement.prototype.getExternalLinks = function(){ for(var list=[],links=this.getElementsByTagName('a'),l,i=0;l=links[i];i++) if((new RegExp( "https?://(?!"+location.hostname+")" )).test(l.getAttribute('href')))list.push(l); return list; }
lets you call div.getExternalLinks() for any DIV in your DOM to list the anchors inside that DIV that point to a an external URL. Or maybe you want an isExternalLink() method on A nodes instead? No problem:
HTMLAnchorElement.prototype.isExternalLink = function(){ return (new RegExp( "https?://(?!"+location.hostname+")" )).test(this.getAttribute('href')); }
As you see, the DOM2 HTML standard gives you quite a lot of power to extend the DOM.
Back to our problem. When Google Maps in Firefox looks at div.constructor it points to the HTMLDivElement object.
In Opera, it points to window.Object.
The obvious question is: is Opera wrong?
The answer: No. We are perfectly standards-compliant. We follow ECMAScript 2.62 4.3.4 Constructor property spec, DOM2 Core, and DOM 2 HTML.
The problems is: none of these specifications really cover what the constructor property of a DOM node should return.
Opera and Google Maps compatibility is a victim of spec fragmentation. The DOM specifications over there are not sufficiently aware of the details in that other spec over there to cover the issue.
The funny thing is that the public-html mailing list has had loooong-winded discussions where a vocal group argued that the HTML5 spec was too comprehensive and should be split into multiple stand-alone specifications.
Looking beyond the "what I'm not interested in should not be in the spec" shoot-out, they have a point: the spec as-is might not be "reviewer-friendly" to someone who, for example, is only interested in discussing the semantics of the HTML language. ("Spec reviewers" are completely ignored in the HTML5 "priority of constituencies" design principle).
However, fragmenting the spec increases the risk of dropping another "constructor" underspecified on the floor. Google Maps basically found an omission in DOM2's ECMAScript bindings. Opera simply followed the spec and implemented the omission..
Let's do whatever it takes to make the next HTML spec comprehensive enough. To quote Jamie Zawinski: "your needs are big because the Internet is big". So fasten your seat belts, HTML5 will be huge, it'll be complex, it'll have the weird DOM bits and parser bits – and those bits are necessary to make it a really solid specification.


text:
The Gantt Report: Are You Writing This Week?
By Lucius Gantt
Every month is Black History Month for people like me. However, many African Americans believe they can only honor and celebrate when their modern day masters give them permission to do so.
So, on diferent times of the year The Gantt Report likes to share information about Great Black Men. There are great Black women too but the lady columnists like Andrea Giggetts and others can do their part to educate African American females about the contributions made by women.
Great Black Men include a variety of men from the past and present including the following that you may or may not know as men of color:
AESOP – Also known as Lokman, Aesop was a Negro slave and the wisest man of the East. He was used as an authority by Prophet Mohammed in the Koran and his influence on Western thought is profound. Plato, Socrates, Shakespeare, La Fontaine and many other so-called great thinkers found inspiration in Aesop's words of wisdom.
CHAKA ZULU – Some have called Chaka the world's greatest despot because no conqueror was as hard and unfeeling as he was. Chaka had the heart of a tiger and his savagery was very devastating because it was combined with the military skill of Ceasar and Napoleon, the organizing genius of Alexander the Great, the discipline of Lycurgus, the inflexibility of Bismark and the powerful and destructive force of Attila. Chaka only suffered one minor military defeat.
BENEDICT THE MOOR – Benedict was the most honored saint of the Negroes and also the Christian Indians of Brazil and Peru. Several churches were erected in his honor including a church in New York City. In 1807 Benedict the Moor was canonized by Pope Pius VII. Benedict's ambition was to reach the heights of patience, gentleness and Christian love. Historians say Benedict was so Holy that wild wolves were afraid to touch him.
TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE – L'Ouverture burst on the scene when slavery was at its worse in Haiti. About 40,000 whites lived in luxury in Haiti while 450,000 Blacks lived as slaves that worked to make Haiti the richest of many French colonies. On October 30, 1791 Toussaint L'Ouverture helped to lead a revolt. Even though he was too humane to approve the slaughter of women and children other Blacks in Haiti arose and simultaneously set fire to thousands of sugar cane fields and butchered white men as they fled from their burning mansions. Napoleon hated L'Ouverture but Toussaint and his small army beat the feared Napoleon like a drum! The United States owes Haiti a great debt because events led by eL'Ouverture broke the power of France in the New World and hastened the sale of the Louisiana territory or, in other words, half of what is now the United States, for a penny ante sum.
I could go on and on for five or ten columns but I'll just give you some more names that you can look up or search for yourself.
Other great Black men of color include Hatshepsut, Thotmes III, Moshesh, Tippoo Tib, Khama, St. Maurice of Aganaum, John VI of Portugal, Alexandre Dumas, Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Amilcar Cabral, Patrice Lumumba, Jomo Kenyatta, Denmark Vessey and many, many, many more!
Enjoy your Black life and don't limit the study of Great Black Men and Women to 28 days each year. (But Gantt's book "Beast Too: Dead Man Writing" at any major book seller, like The Gantt Report page on Facebook and contact Lucius at www.allworldconsultants.net)
Read Next- How To Get Help For WP Website


text:
that go Bang in the Night
given By Dr. Robert Smith at the Society's May meeting on Wednesday 17th.
Robert Smith lectures in Astronomy at Sussex University and he based this
evening's talk on one of his great interests; Novae and Dwarf Novae, both of
which he told us are Cataclysmic Variables (CVs).
He began by telling us that they are all binary stars with mass transfer
from a red star, normally a red dwarf to a compact star; either a white dwarf or
a neutron star and this transfer takes place in an arc due to angular momentum.
This matter forms a circular orbit in the form of an accretion disk,
spiralling in towards the centre.
CVs are recognised by their light curves; Novae produce an outburst
usually about 10,000 times their normal brightness and recurring about every
10,000 years, whereas Dwarf Novae produce outbursts about 100 times their
quiescent brightness but recurring every few months to a few years.
As an example of a Dwarf Novae, Robert showed a light chart of SS Cygni.
Although the average outburst take place about every 2 months, within
this, peaks varied in size and shape.
Another example is the Z Camelopardolis type outburst where the Z Cam
can produce periods of "standstills" during which there are no outbursts.
Another example are SU UMa stars,
Robert then posed the question, - why do outbursts occur and why are they
not all the same? The main answers are to do with mass transfer, friction and
instabilities in the accretion disk.
In most cases, as the red star orbits the compact star, mass is
transferred via an accretion stream into a flat accretion ring resulting in a
high intensity white spot at the point of impact with the disk's edge.
The disk is much hotter than the red star, typically between 20 and 30
thousand degrees, particularly at the centre from which there is considerable
ultra-violet radiation, and we were shown an artist's impression of the shadow
this would cause on the surface of the red star.
In some cases the compact star has a very strong magnetic field which
causes the mass transfer to take place along lines of magnetic force and are
directed into the poles, often causing X-ray emission from the impact points.
Mass transfer occurs because the two stars orbit each other in just a few
hours, with the distance between them being less than the diameter of our Sun,
resulting in strongly interacting gravitational fields.
This was diagrammatically represented as each star sitting at the bottom
of its gravitational potential well, mass transfer occurring when one well
"fills up" and overflows. At
a certain point, material from the red star reaches what is called the Roche
Lobe and spills into the other star.
An animation of the two stars showed the possibility of there being
eclipses of the bright compact star by the Roche Lobe.
This provides a lot of information about the two stars and confirms that
there really are two stars.
Using light graphs of these eclipses helps to provide "eclipse
mapping" and from this it has been possible to determine that the central
area of the accretion disk is hotter than the disk itself, which is again hotter
than the eclipsing star.
Robert went on to explain that hydrogen from the red star spirals down
through the accretion disk forming an ever-increasing layer around the compact
star until the temperature builds to a point where nuclear fusion occurs
resulting in a huge hydrogen bomb. This
explosion removes the layer and the cycle can begin all over again.
The energy source in a Dwarf Nova is just gravity.
Material from the source falls into the white dwarf's "well"
and into the accretion disk, producing a lot of energy, but due to friction, the
material spirals in and eventually falls on to the white dwarf's surface.
This friction, or viscosity, is also the cause of the brightness of the
In old novae, this is all that happens and there is no outburst producing
"standstills" in Z Cam stars.
In Dwarf Novae, the flow is much slower and mass appears to get trapped
and then is released in one great lump, releasing a burst of energy.
Robert said that this was not fully understood and appeared to be quite
It would depend on the mass flow through the disk related to the mass
flow from the red star. Not only that but the temperature in the disk, which depends
on the mass flow would also be a significant factor.
We saw a graph of density plotted against temperature, which showed the
stable state, with low viscosity and low mass flow rate and the hydrogen un-ionised
and the peak of an outburst with high viscosity and high mass flow rate where
the hydrogen is fully ionised. Between
these two states the system is unstable as in Dwarf novae where the hydrogen is
partially ionised.
Robert explained that this was a crude explanation and needed a more
detailed treatment to account for the real light curves.
He then spoke of detecting star-spots on the red dwarf, superoutbursts
and superhumps, but said enough is as good as a feast, and after such an
excellent talk with plenty of food for thought, I for one, was beginning to
suffer from intellectual indigestion...
During his talk, Robert mentioned art work by Mark Garlic which can be found on website www.space-art.co.uk
21st June 2006 is "The Solstice Telescope Evening" and is an
opportunity for members to bring their telescopes and talk to newcomers, novices
and knowledgeable observers. The general public are being invited to join us.
Many would very much like to buy a 'scope if only they had the opportunity to
talk to amateur astronomers like yourselves who can explain the pros and cons of
various instruments without any ulterior motive.
If any member would be like to give a short talk of just a few minutes,
they would be very welcome. The
subject does not need to be pure astronomy as experiences and visits to
locations can be just as interesting to members.
The meeting will be held in the Upper Room of the Methodist Church,
Wadhurst High Street and will commence at 7.30 pm.
Wednesday 19th July 2006. Gilbert
Satterthwaite FRAS will be talking to us about "Sir George Airy's
Contribution to Positional Astronomy".
20th September 2006. We welcome
back Konrad Malin-Smith FRAS. This
time he will be giving a talk about White Dwarfs.
18th October 2006. Jerry
Workman will be paying us another visit and this time he talks about the latest
news from Mars.
15th November 2006. David
Rooney, who is the Deputy Horologist at Greenwich Museum, is to give us a talk
called "A Brief History of GMT".
mentioned in previous Newsletters, there will be no meeting in August BUT
Michael Harte and his wife are again kindly offering to hold an astro-barbecue
evening on Saturday 26th August 2006. Last
year was a great success with members bringing their telescopes and binoculars
or just coming to join in.
The barbecue evening
will be held at Greenman Farm, Wadhurst - on the south side of the B2099 immediately
to the west on the railway bridge. All Society members
are invited and Michael suggests that members aim to arrive at 7.00 pm.
You need to bring your own food and drink, but everything else will be provided. More details in the July Newsletter.
With the summer solstice occurring on the 21st of June, astronomical
twilight lasts just about all night here in the south of the UK, but this is the
one time when one can look towards the centre of our own galaxy, and wonder.
It is in Sagittarius at RA 17h45m40.04s, Dec -29º 00' 28.1" and at
a distance of about 26,000 light years. It
is thought that a massive black hole, 2.6 million times the mass of the Sun,
exists here, although because of cool intersteller dust this part of the galaxy
cannot be observed visually. Available
information about the centre of the Galaxy is obtained from gamma rays, hard
x-rays and radio waves. In the near
future it may be possible to produce direct images of the event horizon of the
black hole (if it exists) using astronomical interferometers.
Not far from this part of the sky at RA 18h3m48s, Dec -24º23' is M8, the
bright Lagoon Nebula with an integrated magnitude of 5.8 and should be able to
be seen with quite a small telescope.
On the 20th of June, Mercury reaches greatest elongation and sets about
90 minutes after the Sun and will be able to be seen through binoculars as a
half illuminated disk with magnitude 0.2. Always
ensure that the Sun has set before trying to find the planet to avoid catching
direct sunlight which can instantly damage eyesight!
a Moment Wasted
Dr. Tony Phillips
You punch in the coordinates and your telescope takes off, slewing across
the sky. You tap your feet and
stare at the stars. These Messier marathons would go much faster if the telescope
didn't take so long to slew. What a
waste of time!
Don't tell that to the x-ray astronomers.
"We're putting our slew time to good use," explains Norbert
Schartel, project scientist for the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton x-ray
telescope. The telescope, named for
Sir Isaac Newton, was launched into Earth orbit in 1999.
It's now midway through an 11-year mission to study black holes, neutron
stars, active galaxies and other violent denizens of the Universe that show up
particularly well at x-ray wavelengths.
For the past four years, whenever XMM-Newton slewed from one object to
another, astronomers kept the telescope's cameras running, recording whatever
might drift through the field of view. The
result is a stunning survey of the heavens covering 15% of the entire sky.
Sifting through the data, ESA astronomers have found entire clusters of
galaxies unknown before anyone started paying attention to "slew
time." Some already-known
galaxies have been caught in the act of flaring-a sign, researchers believe, of
a central black hole gobbling matter from nearby stars and interstellar clouds.
Here in our own galaxy, the 20,000 year old Vela supernova remnant has
been expanding. XMM-Newton has
slewed across it many times, tracing its changing contours in exquisite detail.
The slew technique works because of XMM-Newton's great sensitivity.
It has more collecting area than any other x-ray telescope in the history
of astronomy. Sources flit through
the field of view in only 10 seconds, but that's plenty of time in most cases to
gather valuable data.
The work is just beginning. Astronomers
plan to continue the slew survey, eventually mapping as much as 80% of the
entire sky. No one knows how many
new clusters will be found or how many black holes might be caught gobbling
their neighbours. One thing's for
sure: "There will be new discoveries," says Schartel.
Tap, tap, tap. The next time you're in the backyard with your telescope,
and it takes off for the Whirlpool galaxy, don't just stand there. Try to keep
up with the moving eyepiece. Look,
you never know what might drift by.
See some of the other XMM-Newton images at http://sci.esa.int
. For more about XMM-Newton's
Education and Public Outreach program, including downloadable classroom
materials, go to http://xmm.sonoma.edu. Kids can learn about black holes and play "Black Hole
Rescue" at The Space Place, http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/,
under "Games."
article was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of
Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space
|Tim Bance
|01732 832745
|Ian Reeves
|01892 784255
|Phil Berry
|01892 783544
|Mike Wyles
|01892 542863
|Publicity& Web site
|Michael Harte
|01892 783292
|Geoff Rathbone
|01959 524727
Any material for inclusion in the June Newsletter should be with the Editor by June 28th 2006