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Boo!! Nice site Stu! looking forward to whatever it brings whenever it brings it!!
Welcome to my website. Readers and writers will find regular posts on a number of different topics. Here you'll find biographical information, details of all my books, posts about writing, nature, travel, and some examples of my photographs (with links to a new site I've joined, where copies can be bought at a very reasonable cost to let you feature them online, produce your own prints up to A3 size, or have printed versions supplied).
My blog is regularly updated with news, reviews, writing advice and events. The Blog has sub-menus that allow visitors to look only at 'Reviews', 'Word Choice', 'Progress', and 'Opinions'. I hope this will make your experience entertaining and fruitful.
Other pages hold information on topics related to the enjoyment of books. And the Writers' Resources page contains a table of creative writing contests, regularly updated, and two lists of more than 6,000 first names from all over the world, one for males, one for females, both highlighting non-gender names. These items can be downloaded free for your personal use. There are also links to various sites of interest to writers and readers.
By all means make suggestions using the 'Contact' form.
I welcome feedback on all aspects and topics, so please join in by adding your comments. I'd love to know what you think.
36 Responses to "Welcome"
Steve Allison
I liked your blog,I invite you to my blog:
Wasn't it hard to give up 300K followers? I can't imagine that!
Peace, love & a wonderful 2016 to all,
Sherrie Miranda's historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel "Secrets & Lies in El Salvador" is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
Thanks for the follow, Stuart. I love this website, Mine is due for a makeover but has to wait for my daughter to take things in hand. She' the digital native. Looking forward to your posts!
Congratulations Stuart on your shortlisting in the TO HULL AND BACK short story competition.
Question from Planet Fandom – Do you intend to make An Eztraordinary Ezperience available to be read on your website?
Hi Stuart,
Your new website looks amazing and I'll continue to follow you. My old blog was messed up by Google; it still exists but I can't add any new posts so I made a new one: http://umennre.blogspot.com . My first book in my Christian Speculative Fantasy trilogy is up on Amazon KDP Select. During the first Amazon promotion it rose to both #12 in Science Fiction and Fantasy and Fantasy.
David Ferretti
I do the same, Jane. Then, from time to time, I bite the bullet and have a 'cleansing' day to remove the stuff I haven't consulted for over a year.
Things going well I hope. Don't mention widgets to me, I have no idea how to use them. I get myself in a right pickle trying to work with them LOL
Hi Sherrie.
The flags: go to the bottom right of the picture, click on the link, and it will take you to the site, where you can devise your own widget. Just instal it in the WP Admin section. Pinterest, Reddit and others come from the 'Sharing' tab. You click on the 'connect' button and WordPress does the rest. For About.me and Goodreads, you need to go to their sites and follow the instructions on the Goodreads Author page, click on 'edite profile and then on the tab 'widgets'. Make sure you follow the instructions for the WordPress site as you have to find the right ID number (it explains how on the site). For About me, log in, click on your name in the menu bar, select 'Get more visitors' from the drop down menu and then select the 'WordPress' tab and it tells you what to do.
Goo luck!
And about.me too!
If I am becoming a major pain in the arse, just ignore me! 😉 ❤
Oh yeah, and how do I add Goodreads here too?
P.S. Did you put the review of my book in Goodreads yet?
Stuart, sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you could tell me where to add the link to have the Flags on the WP blog. Also, can you tell me how to add Pinterest and Reddit?
It always seems like I spend hours trying to do something without success, then magically, one day I end up in the right spot.
I hope the interview helps the world check out your books. And am anxiously awaiting the e-books being made into paperbacks.
All the best,
How is it going Stuart? Getting the hang of it all yet? Either way, have a fab weekend. 🙂
Congratulations on your new site. I wish you much success. Thanks for visiting my author site too… much appreciated. 🙂
Hi Stuart. Found your site recently. Enjoying your blog.
I always thought learn the ropes was a nautical term, like so many in our language. Looking forward to reading more on the new website. Madeleine
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and best of luck with yours.
Congratulations on your new site, Stuart. It's clean, highly professional and a joy. But enough about me…


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The Toronto Agile and Software 2015 Conference is only possible because of our sponsors, please take a moment to read through the descriptions of our sponsoring organizations.
Gold Sponsors
Intelliware Development Inc. is proud to sponsor Conference 2015. We look forward to this year's conference which promises to be an excellent event, with a strong line-up of topics and engaging speakers. Intelliware is a custom software, product development and mobile solutions firm headquartered in Toronto, Canada. We are a leading practitioner of Agile software development practices which ensure the delivery of timely, high quality solutions for clients. Intelliware is engaged as a technical partner by a wide range of national and global organizations in sectors that span Financial Services, e-Health, ICT, Retail, Manufacturing and Government. Learn more at http://www.intelliware.com
With offices in Toronto and Montreal, CapitalOne has offered Canadian consumers a range of competitive MasterCard credit cards since 1996, including a suite of rewards cards which are regularly cited by leading rewards experts for the great value they offer consumers. We challenge ourselves to see the world through the eyes of our customers, so we can deliver the innovative credit products and exceptional service they're looking for. Learn more at www.capitalone.ca.
From its humble beginnings as a one-man shop back in 2004, BERTEIG (formerly Berteig Consulting) has always aspired to become an organization that contributes to a community committed to advancing Agile values and principles towards a better working life for people. We are proud to support all the practitioners—our friends—who strive daily to uncover better ways of doing work and translating into reality the values and principles that they believe in and aspire to live by.
For more than 10 years, the BERTEIG team has helped large and small companies with Agile training, coaching and consulting. We work shoulder to shoulder with teams and leaders to help them reach high-performance and exceed the objectives of their organizations. The Real Agility Program is how we have come to describe a systematic approach to transformation at the enterprise level. It is a program that is the culmination of hard work by leaders, managers and staff alongside BERTEIG coaches to attain Real Agility and dramatically speed up time-to-market, cut quality problems completely, and increase innovation. www.berteig.com
Fibernetics is a full service voice and data provider for Canadians looking for a superior service at the fairest price. Dedicated to changing the face of telecom in this country, focusing on client care first ensuring our customers are enjoying the best experience both at work or at home. Our dedicated team of telecommunications and customer service professionals are empowered through our inclusive "I'm in!" culture and core values of innovation, trust, accountability, teamwork and happiness.
Worldline, our residential division, provides Home Phone, Internet and Long Distance Packages supported by our team of Telco Superheroes.
NEWT, our business division, supports thousands of Canadian organizations with their communications needs with its secure, stable, scalable and evolutionary business phone and data services.
Fibernetics Ventures (FVI) provides employees, start-up and early stagecompanies the opportunity to take their businesses to market quickly andefficiently. Leveraging the Fibernetics network, FVI is bringing innovative products and services to the Canadian marketplace and beyond. http://www.fibernetics.ca/
Rally delivers software and services that drive agility. Organizations worldwide use Rally's solutions to navigate evolving market demands, improve performance, and accelerate the pace of innovation to deliver value faster. Rally's enterprise-class SaaS platform transforms the way organizations manage the software development lifecycle by aligning software development with strategic business objectives, facilitating collaboration, and increasing transparency. By applying Agile and Lean approaches, Rally's consulting and training services help companies innovate, lead, adapt, and deliver. Learn more at www.rallydev.com.
Scott Ambler + Associates is the thought leader behind the Disciplined Agile framework and its application. We are an IT management consulting firm that advises organizations to be more effective applying disciplined agile and lean processes within the context of your business. Learn more at www.scottambler.com.
RBC is Canada's largest bank and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization. With offices in more than 40 countries, we serve roughly 16 million clients. We strive to have a positive economic, environmental and social impact and to provide responsible leadership wherever we operate.
Toronto-based, Blended Perspectives is your local Atlassian Expert. As Authorized Partners since 2007, Blended Perspectives provides you with expertise, advice and resources you can rely on. We help you plan and manage your Atlassian Toolchain, saving you hassle in strategy, planning and operations across your Software Delivery Lifecycle (Collaboration, Agile, DevOps and Service Desk), leaving you focused on being productive.
From JIRA, JIRA Agile JIRA Portfolio and Atlassian Service Desk, Confluence and Confluence Questions, plus emerging products and Marketplace plugins, we have the experience and relationships with Atlassian and Add On vendors to get you results. Buying your software via us costs you no more than buying direct but will earn you discounted service hours.
Blended Perspectives offers custom training and coaching, advice and local community. Our local team is dedicated to helping you make the most of your purchases so that they have business impact.
From our JIRA templates for Managing What Matters in JIRA, encompassing areas such as IT Service Management and ITIL-like processes, Confluence Intranet Designs for General Purpose and Software Development Lifecycle Management through to Service Desk implementations for company-wide performance, we deliver.
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets.
Join Scotiabank and belong to a high-performing team with a passion for success.
Scotiabank is recognized as a Best Workplace®, in Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru and Chile by the Great Place to Work® Institute.
Hundreds of inspiring, heartwarming and even heroic career stories take place at Scotiabank every day.
You can experience these now, by visiting www.scotiabank.com/careers
Rangle.io is a modern Lean UX firm delivering high value software and business solutions with industry-leading Agile continuous delivery processes. Our ultimate vision is to create a significant positive social impact by radically improving how software is defined, delivered and used.
Our clients include startups; existing software companies migrating to mobile friendly technology; enterprises looking to transform their technology and development practices; and companies look to scale-up and get to market faster.
Our elite teams create innovative web and mobile applications while coaching our partners in Agile and Test Driven Development, Continuous Integration, HTML5, AngularJS, React.js, Ionic, PhoneGap, responsive design, mobile-first CSS, Meteor, Node.js, MongoDB, and more.
Explore Our Services: http://rangle.io/services/javascript-continuous-delivery/
Join Us: http://rangle.io/careers/
Receive News: http://go.rangle.io/enews
IBM is proud to be a sponsor of the 2015 Toronto Agile Conference. Join us to learn how applying lean and agile principles across the software delivery lifecycle with DevOps helps organizations achieve seamless continuous delivery, plus improved application portability, operational visibility and developer productivity.At this event IBM is featuring agile and DevOps solutions for collaborative development and continuous release & deployment - everything the developer needs to run standups, plan sprints, track work and receive rapid feedback for continuous improvement. Regardless of complexity, IBM can help you achieve greater speed and frequency for the delivery of mobile, hybrid cloud, web-based and traditional applications.
Silver Sponsors
The journey to Agile software delivery has been an interesting one for Microsoft. Microsoft's popular tooling solutions for DevOps and Application Lifecycle Management, under the Visual Studio product brand, are fully Agile-ready and are in use in a large majority of companies as well as within Microsoft for delivering our own software and service products, including Azure, Office, Windows, XBOX and Visual Studio to name a few. When Microsoft started building our Visual Studio 2012 tooling (we're now on Visual Studio 2015!), we transitioned our team from a Waterfall methodology to Agile. This journey had high and low points, and we have documented it in a story we have published called Scaling Agile Across the Enterprise. We are happy to sponsor the Toronto Agile Community and look forward to many conversations on how we can help you and your teams scale Agile within your organizations as well.
Become part of something bigger than you alone. With over 375,000 members worldwide, Scrum Alliance brings you together with like-minded people who are passionate about Scrum and who are changing the world of work every day.
We are a non-profit membership organization that encourages and supports the widespread adoption and effective practice of Scrum. We provide advocacy, community, and education to support this movement, equip our members, and help them succeed with Scrum in software development and beyond. Learn more at www.ScrumAlliance.org and come sprint with us!
Leanintuit has over a century's worth of experience working in, and coaching organizations and our passion for improving the world of knowledge work has taken us around the globe from Canada and the US to Australia, Germany, Finland and Brazil.
Our coaches hold numerous certifications, not only in the Agile world: (CSM, CSPO, CSP) but also in the traditional project management and professional coaching communities: (PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP, IAC-MCC and others). Having a professional engineer and two MBAs gives us perspectives that span organizational concerns. We also have representation on the Agile Alliance board of directors.
BlueCat delivers software-based DNS, DHCP and IP Address Management (DDI) solutions enabling our customers to build and manage their most complex network infrastructure to meet the rapid change of pace of their business. With offices around the globe, leading enterprises trust BlueCat. Visit us at www.bluecatnetworks.com
Media Sponsor
You asked for an extension. We listened. The program proposal submission deadline has been extended to Friday, August 16, 2013.
We've received some great submissions from local, well-known Agile practitioners covering a variety of relevant and exciting topics. Make sure to submit your submission before the deadline to collect feedback and perfect your presentation.
Click here to submit you session proposal!
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Guide to the Center for Regional History Records
Guide to the Center for Regional History Records 1976/1986Special Collections & University Archives
Detailed List of Contents
Advisory Board, Institute for Community and Public History
American Association for State and Local History
American Studies
Annual Report Guide 1976
Annual Report 1979-1980
Annual Report 1980-1981
Annual Report 1981-1982
Annual Report. SDHRC 1982-1983
Annual Report 1983-1984
Annual Report 1984-1985
Annual Report 1985-1986
Annual Report 1987-1988
Asian American Studies Consortium
Biographies, Congress of History
Business Leader Oral History Project
Bucky Snyder Architectural Archives
Cabrillo Monument Oral History
California Committee for the Promotion of History, General Meeting 1981
California Committee for the Promotion of History, Conference 1982
CCHP Miscellaneous Correspondence
California Mission Studies Association
California State Archives Assessment Project
California State University Historical Archives- Advisory Committee
Californian, The (Revenue Cutter)
Campbell Industries Photo Project 1977
Campus Open House 1976
Center Brochures, Flyers
Center for Latin American Studies 1981-1982
CRHN Aministrative Restructuring 1985-1986
Center for Regional History Community Advisory Council
CRH Letterhead samples, invitations
CRH Monthly Statistics 1985-1986
CRH Monthly Statistics 1986-1987
CRH Move to SS, March 1986
Center for Regional History Policy Statement
CRH Staff Meetings
CRH Volunteers Discontinued
Center Organization Charts
Centro de Investigaciones Historicas UNAM-UABC
College of Arts and Letters, SDSU-correspondence, memos, notes 1976-1978
Congress of History 1978
Congress of History 1979
Congress of History 1980
Copley Internship
Copley Library in La Jolla
Correspondence, On-campus 1982
Correspondence Relating to Collection Development 1975
Correspondence 1975-1976
Correspondence 1976-1977
Correspondence, Off-campus 1978-1979
Correspondence, On-campus 1980
Correspondence, Off-campus 1980
Correspondence, Off-campus 1981
Correspondence, General Operations
Correspondence, Off-campus 1986
Correspondence, On-campus 1986
Correspondence, Off-campus 1987
Correspondence, On-campus 1987
Correspondence, Off-campus 1984
Correspondence, On-campus 1984
Correspondence, Off-campus 1985
Correspondence, On-campus 1985
Correspondence, On-campus 1981
Correspondence, Off-campus 1982
Correspondence, Off-campus 1983
Correspondence, On-campus 1983
Correspondence Outgoing 1978-1980
Developing Curriculum and Programs in Border Studies. NEH Grant Griswold
Directions 2000
Ethnic Heritage Studies Program List of Grantees 1974-1980
"Ethnicity on the Border" grant proposal-Jose Cuellar
Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center
Equipment 1980-1984
Facilities 1980-1985
Faculty Advisory Committee 1977
Fall Reception 1982
Fall Semester Report 1980
Fifteenth Annual Institute of History
Final Report-CRH June 29, 1987
Financial Records
Foundation Account Purchase Orders 1984
Fund Raising Correspondence 1976-1977
Fund Raising 1979-1980
Fund Raising Campaign 1982-1983
Fund Raising 1983-1984
Fund Raising 1984-1985
Fourteenth Annual Institute of History
Grant-in-Aid for Research Documenting the Indochinese Immigrant Experience
Guide to the Archives
A Guide to the Collections of the San Diego History Research Center 1978
Historical Site Board
Institute for Public and Community History (IPCH)
Institute for Public and Community History (IPCH) - Accounts, General Office Financial and Memorandum
Institute for Public and Community History (IPCH) - Office Inventory
Institute for Public and Community History (IPCH) Move
Institute for Public and Community History (IPCH) Report 1987-1988
Internship Program-USD
Jamison Enteprises Recreation Program 1981
Kenney, Louis A.-Correspondence 1970, 1976
Latin American Studies Center-SDHRC Border Project 1977
Library Assistant II Position
Local Records Management Programs-Letters of Inquiry
Mailing List
Management and Preservation of Records in California
Maranhao, Brazil History Research Center
Mexican American National Bank, San Diego-Correspondence, Notes 1977
Military History Museum
Mission San Diego De Alcala
"The Music Man" Musical 1981
National Council on Public History, Conference 1985
Newberry Library
New Depostis-List August 1976-August 1977
News Releases, P.R.
News Releases, Re: Center 1975-1977
News Releases 1980
Old Town Living History Program Correspondence 1980
Oral History
Oral History, San Diego Regional
Organization of SDHRC-Correspondence, Minutes, Memos 1974-1978
Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies-28th Annual Meeting 1982
Personnel 1975-1976
Personnel 1977-1978
Personnel 1978-1979
Personnel 1979-1980
Personnel 1980-1981
Personnel 1981-1982
Personnel 1982-1983
Personnel 1983-1984
Personnel 1984-1985
Personnel 1985-1986
Personnel 1986-1987
Phillips Organization Ltd.
Photographs of SDHRC and University Archives circa 1980
Policy and Guidelines 1976, 1977, 1979
Presidio Publication 1982
Public Relations
Raber, Mary-CHR Volunteer
Raup Wagner, Henry, Catalogue Correspondence
Reception Guest List Book 1978-1982
Robins; Mary Louise CRH Volunteer Discontinued
SCA Council 1981
San Diego City Schools 1980-1981
San Diego City Schools 1981-1982
San Diego City Schools 1982-1983
San Diego City Schools-"Doing History" 1981-1982
San Diego City Schools-"Research and Writing San Diego's History" 1981
San Diego Ecology Center
San Diego's Fishing Industry- Oral History Project
SDHC Acknowledgements to Charter Members 1975-1976
SDHC Charter Members and Contributors 1975
San Diego History Center-Early Plans, Prospectus
SDHC Non-Participants 1975-1976
SDHRC Budget 1976-1979
SDHRC Community Associates and Advisors 1975-1976
SDHRC Faculty Advisory Committee
SDHRC Fund Raising Brochure 1981/1982
SDHRC Fund Raising Campaign 1981-1982
SDHRC Re:Gildred Foundation 1975-1976
SDHRC Grant Project Precis-San Diego Business History, San Diego Metropolitan Religious History Project 1977
SDHRC Mini case statement July 1983
SDHRC Monthly Reports 1984-1985
SDHRC Newsletters 1976-1981, 1984-1985
SDHRC NEH San Diego ethnic records grant application
SDHRC Off-campus storage
SDHRC Procedures Manual 1977
SDHRC Reception 1979
SDHRC Reception Photographs 1979
SDHRC/SDSU Archives Archivist Position
SDHRC Space Utilization
"The San Diego History Research Center" Speech Delivered at the California Library Association, Palomar Chapter December 14, 1976
"The San Diego History Research Center" Speech Delivery at SDSU-UCSD History Faculty Joint Dinner December 2, 1976
SDHRC Travel Expense Records 1976
San Diego Media and IPCH
SDSU College of Extended Studies. "San Diego's Living History" NEH Grant Information
SDSU, History Department. Oral Research Project 1973-1974
SDSU History Department-"Report on SDHRC" 1976
SDSU Library-Correspondence 1977
SDSU/UABC Commission
San Diego Urban History
San Diego Urban History
Ray Smith-NEH Vietnamese Refugees: A Study in Immigration History
Society of American Archivists Self-Study
Society of California Archivists
Society of California Archivists Council Meeting 1980
Society of California Archivists Education Committee
Solicitations: Records and Materials 1975-1976
South Coastal Information Center-All
Spanish San Diego: San Diego City Schools Project 1980-1981
Special Collections Love Library
Spring 1985 Reception-Cancelled
State Lands Commission
Status (monthly) Reports 1977-1980
Student Assistants-Book Keeping
Student Assistant Book Keeping pre 1985
Summary Reports 1979-1980
Temporary Employees
Thirteenth Annual Institute of History April 1981
Travel Expense Claims-Colston
Twelfth Annual Institute of History April 1980
T.I. Corporation 1976-1977
Topical Building Blocks
UCLA Institute of Archaeology, The Rock Art Archive-CCHPP
University Fund Raising Campaign April to Mid-May 1983
Vietnamese Oral History Workshop Fall 1980
Walkabout International
Williams, Harold- CRH Volunteer
Winter 1983 Open House
YWCA Grant Proposal
Mailing Lists, A-Z
Charter Life Members
Center for Regional History Plaque


text:
Grundfos' range of sewage pumps has been carefully designed to cover virtually every conceivable type of wastewater. Fibres, swarf, organic particles and solids are all efficiently handled by our pumps or pump systems that can be either dry or wet installed. The range comprises solutions for:
- Sewage
- Drainage
- Effluent
- Wastewater distribution
The pumps are available in different variants in cast iron and stainless steel. Which material is more suitable depends on the nature of the wastewater – and on the environment in which the pump is operating. In applications where swarf or similar metal bits are commonly found, the pump can be fitted with a grinder.
Grundfos' utility experts live and breathe utilities and are always on hand if you wish to benefit from their extensive know-how about sewage pumps and sewage pump systems. Or any other utility application.
Important notes
- Grundfos provides ATEX-approved motors and pumps for explosive environments.


text:
Phew! What a year. We're in the home stretch of 2010, and that means it's (sorta last minute) shopping time. So we've got you covered. Below is our freshly updated best of the best in gadgets—with new champions!
For the full list of Gizmodo favorites, head over to the complete Best Gadgets of 2010
• The Windows Phone 7-packing Samsung Focus smartphone
• The Nexus S smartphone
• Sony's VAIO Z notebook
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 graphics card
• The Asus Rampage Extreme III motherboard
• Amazon Kindle 3
• Our roundup of super bang for your buck DSLR lenses
• Vizio's XVT3SV series TVs
• Sony's NetBox media extender
• Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones
• Sonos home audio streaming system
• T-Mobile G2
• ATI HD 5970 chipset
• Kindle DX
• Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS


text:
Why you should have a Heavy Breakfast, Moderate Lunch and Light Dinner
It is a globally accepted fact that whenever you wish to maintain good health, you must eat only healthy food. Eating healthy food does not necessarily mean that you need be on a fixed diet plan. Although, healthy eating simply means taking the right kind of food, in right portion and at the right time.To get positive results, things need to be done in balance. Hence, to be more precise,one should have A Heavy Breakfast,…Read More


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The purpose of the Subdivision Ordinance is to control the division of land within the unincorporated areas of St. Louis County. St. Louis County has had subdivision regulations since 1927. Legal parcels of land (usually found on plats recorded in the Recorder of Deeds office), can be subdivided.
Plats are to be submitted to the St. Louis County Department of Planning, (314-615-5186), Fifth Floor, of the Administration Building, County Government Center, 41 South Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri, 63105. For street right-of-way and related storm drainage construction requirements, the developer/owner should contact the Department of Highways and Traffic (314-615-8563), and for sanitary and storm sewer construction requirements the developer/owner should contact Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) (314-768-6272).
Where do I start if I want to subdivide?
Sketch Plan
The first step a lot owner can take when contemplating the subdivision of land is to submit a Sketch Plan. The developer/owner should submit four (4) copies of a sketch plan to the Department of Planning. Sketch Plans don't require a surveyor/engineers seal, and no fees are required. Submit a Sketch Plan if you are unfamiliar with the subdivision process, because it is an inexpensive way to obtain valuable feedback about your lot.
Preliminary Plat
The developer/owner may skip the Sketch plan and submit five (5) copies of the Preliminary Plat to the Department of Planning together with the Review Fees and approval of the subdivision name from the Recorder of Deeds (314-615-7184). An approved Site Development Plan, (SDP), suffices as a Preliminary Plat. The developer/owner may want to review the Preliminary Plat Information Sheet prior to submission of a plat to expedite the approval process. The Department of Planning coordinates and distributes comments and/or copies of approved Preliminary Plat to the developer's representative, County Departments, and appropriate Agencies involved.
Display Plat
After the Preliminary Plat/SDP is approved, the developer/owner may submit two (2) copies of the Display/Unit Plat to the Department of planning together with the appropriate Review Fees. The Display House Plat is reviewed by the Department of Planning for compliance with the approved Preliminary Plat/SDP, see Display Plat Information Sheet for more information. If approved, the developer/owner submits the original for the Director of Planning's signature, and then it is release for recording by the developer/owner.
Improvement Plans
All required improvements such as; grading, roads, sewers, retaining wall etc, are shown on the Preliminary Plat/SDP. Prior to recording a Record Plat and construction of these improvements, the developer/owner must submit two (2) copies of Improvement Plans to the Departments of Highways, reference the "Design Criteria for the Preparation of Improvement Plans" manual for additional plan submittal criteria. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) reviewed the plan (provided by the Department of Planning) for detention requirements, adequacy of downstream storm sewer system or natural discharge point, provision of on-site storm and sanitary sewers and the adequacy of the downstream sanitary sewer system. After all review comments have been addressed, the developer/owner submits nine (9) copies of Improvement Plans to the Department of Highways and Traffic for final approval and distribution. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District collects sewer escrows at this stage of the process.
Deposit/Escrow Procedures Required for Improvements
St. Louis County requires developer/owners to provide a guarantee for the installation of subdivision improvements (1005.080). Before a subdivision plat can be approved, the developer/owner is required to guarantee the completion of proposed improvements and create a maintenance account for new public streets, related storm sewers, and other improvements as required. This is achieved by execution of a deposit agreement for up to three (3) years to allow the developer/owner to complete public improvements. The developer/owner may choose to use cash or an irrevocable letter of credit.
The Department of Planning uses Current Unit Costs to determine required subdivision improvements, based on plans approved by the Department of Highways and Traffic. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) administers a separate process to guarantee the installation of sanitary sewers and those storm sewers not in the public right of way. However, the Department of Planning requires written confirmation from MSD that the developer/owner has complied with MSD's guidelines. Developer/owner may submit an American UE contract and layout plan that complies with the St. Louis County Subdivision Ordinance instead of providing a deposit for streetlights. Provisions for water mains are also included in the County's estimate, based on submitted bids confirmed by the Missouri American Water Company or a licensed plumbing contractor. For more information see the Deposit Agreement Submission Procedures and the Inspection and Release Procedures.
Record Plat
The final stage in the subdivision process is the Record Plat, and the developer/owner should submit six (6) copies of a proposed Record Plat and required fees. Please consult the Record Plat Information Sheet for additional requirements. If improvements are not installed prior to submission of the Record Plat, then a Deposit Agreement, backed by cash or Letter of Credit, covering the cost of installing improvements shown on the Improvement Plans is required. Trust Indentures are required when a subdivision contains common elements. The trust indentures are submitted by an attorney and reviewed by the County Counselor's Office. The Department submits the Record Plat, Deposit Agreement, and Trust Indentures to the County Council for review and approval. After the County Council approval, the developer/owner must submit an original copy of the Record Plat for signature by the Director of Planning, and then it is released for recording by the developer/owner.
Lot Split Plat
In addition to the normal subdivision process, a single lot can be divided into two lots using the Lot Split Procedure. This procedure can only be used when there are no variances or required improvements. Normally, the Lot Split Procedures is used in commercial subdivisions because they have fewer requirements. The developer/owner must submit six (6) copies of the plat and required fees to the Department of Planning. The Lot Split Plat will be reviewed by Department of Planning for compliance with the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. After the Department of Planning approval, the original Lot Split Plat is signed by the Director of Planning and released for recording.
Other - Boundary Adjustment and Condominium Platting
In addition, the Subdivision Ordinance also regulates the movement of existing property lines and the consolidation of lots via the
Boundary Adjustment Plat review process, also see the Boundary Adjustment Information Sheet. Also, the Department of Planning reviews Condominium Plats. There are no ordinance sections addressing Condominium requirements, but the Condo Information Sheet provides insight into the plat submission requirements. The Developer/owner should submit two copies of the Boundary or Condominium Plat and required fees to the Department of Planning for review.


text:
Dear Texans,
I first want to thank you, Bob McNair, for bringing playoff football back to Houston. I know it's been long overdue, what with the team playing it's first game in 2002. But you did it, finally. And it is good. Oh we had our ups and downs, good seasons, bad seasons, seasons of much hope and expectation, and at last, a much sought after playoff season. I knew we'd get there eventually, and while I might've complained and whined a bit when we didn't get there sooner, it was well worth the wait. I see what you've done. While others may think you've taken too long, I see the mastery in the plan. Oh I know, you could've gone out and spent wildly and brought us playoff football sooner, but that would've been a flash in the pan. Instead you smartly built this team from the ground up. You gave your GM and coaching staff the tools, the money and the time needed to build something that will last longer than just a season or two. You've entrusted the football minds in your employ to build something that will withstand a free agency period or two. So I thank you, Bob, for spending hundreds of millions of your own personal funds to bring us NFL football again.
Secondly, I'd like to thank you, Rick Smith, for staying the course. I know you've been criticized and scrutinized throughout the entire process. Folks were calling for your head over the handling of Dunta Robinson, they wanted your job for bringing in some of the other free agents you've brought in. But you're a wise man, and you stuck to your guns and did what you thought was best for the team. That was never more evident than last summer when you brought in Johnathan Jospeh and Danieal Manning in what would've been a single contract had you gone after Nnamdi. Your draft selections have been above par, with a single exception or two. Oh there are folks that have questioned your draft choices, but I think Cushing, JJ Watt, Connor Barwin, Brooks Reed, Ben Tate, and many others is a testament to your ability. And the signing of Arian Foster? Genius. So thank you Rick, for not caving to the pressures of fandom and doing what you knew you needed to do.
I also want to thank Gary Kubiak. Man you've run me hot at times. But I'll be the first to admit, you obviously know what you're doing more so than I would. Yeah you've hired some nimwits to coach the defense, you're obviously challenge challenged, but your scheme is brilliant and your knowledge of the game is unquestionable. What you've done with a plethora of back-up QB's is hands down a feat in and upon itself. Oh there's been some clock management issues, some questionable play calling, and that darned menu you hide behind, but like the other two above, you've stayed the course and it has payed off. You've stuck with players longer than many of us thought you should. Still do, and probably still will, but I know there's a method to your madness and I have to just choose to either support and trust you or find another team to root for. And that just isn't an option. So thank you for rewarding my waning patience with a playoff team. Making the playoffs was a magical thing considering the odds handed to you over the course of the season what with two injured QB's, your star receiver out half the season, your star RB sitting out the first few games. But man you pulled it off, and in a big way. You not only got to the post season, you came out smelling like a rose after the franchise's first playoff win. Most folks would've been ok with just getting there. But nope, not Gary. You got us a win in our first ever playoff game and that's an accomplishment nobody can take from you. So thank you Gary, for coaching our team into the final 8. We are really looking forward to next season.
I especially want to thank you, Wade Phillips, and the rest of the coaching staff. What you have done this season is remarkable. To take the near worst defense in the NFL to a top 5 defense is pure mastery. Many questioned your decision to switch the defense up again, moving Mario and Barwin, moving Quin to safety and keeping Kareem at corner, but man you showed us. I watched amazed week after week as this defense grew and grew and became more and more tenacious and fierce. I relished every sack, every turnover, as you took a porous secondary and turned them around completely. I worried about the middle of the defensive line without a monstrous tackle to fill the gap. But you definitely showed the NFL world that you still belong. The thought of you cutting out after one season is a painful one, there's no doubt we want you back here at home next year. Thank you Wade for whatever it is that you did to this defense to fire them up and make them a force to be reckoned with.
To the players, the stars and the subs, I give a hearty salute. Andre, for your perseverance and dedication, and your awesomeness, Arian for your determination and class, the offensive line for your strength and longevity, the receiving corps and tight ends for taking the tough hits and picking up the tough yards. On the defensive side, man where do I begin. I'd like to buy each and every one of you a beverage. Led by the tenacity of you Mr. Cushing, it's your whistle to whistle ferocity that has many others on this team playing lights out. Connor, man are you a tough SOB. After seeing your foot mangled the way it was I never thought I'd see you play at the level you did this season. Hat's off to you brother. And DeMeco, tearing your Achilles was nothing to shake a stick at either. And then to play with that cumbersome brace all season. Amazing. To Mario, Brooks Reed, JJ Watt, Antonio, Cody, and the secondary, thank you. I've been begging for a top 10 defense for years. As a defensive minded fan, I love nothing more than a tenacious defense that gets after the QB and disrupts the game. The way you guys played this season proves that a strong defense can win games. You guys played with heart and determination we have yet to see at such high levels before this season. And with the youth of the group, I'm so excited to see what you guys can do in the seasons to come. So a hearty thank you to all the Texans players. Most of you aren't from Houston, but your loyalty and dedication and sacrifices are appreciated by your new home-town fans.
To the fans, I always want you to know that you are appreciated. You may not be on the payroll, in fact, every one of you support this team at your own personal expense. But without you filling the stands game after game, in the good times and the bad, the players couldn't possibly get pumped up enough to play at the level they have this season. Like me, you've all waited long enough, and it was time for our rewards. We've bought tickets, parking passes, hot dogs and merchandise, we've gone to the events and player signings, we've whooped and hollered till we were hoarse in support of this team. If the the coaches are the brains, and the players the body, you, me, the fans, are truly the heart and soul. So thank you Texans fans for your undying loyalty and support.
And lastly, I want to thank the readers that have supported this blog. From the die hards that read every entry, to the occasional readers, to the ones that never comment or post unless it's to steer me straight when I've made a mistake. All of you are appreciated more than I probably could express. This blog is just me and JLR and BigRon and a few other's writings if not for your feedback and commentary. You breathe life into this blog and make it a discussion more than just a place for me to talk. If not for you, I'd feel like I was talking to cyberspace, so thank you for validating what I do here by coming back week after week. I've made some awesome friends thanks to this blog, and I always welcome more.
This Texans season has been a thrill from the first game to the last. I cannot be more proud of our team and what they did this season. To overcome the injuries and the odds they faced was nothing short of amazing to me. I am still fired up and I can't wait until next season. As any blogger of a any sports team would tell you, the off-season is brutal. That's the time where I struggle week to week to write about interesting topics to keep you, the readers, coming back for more. Without any news, or games, or activities going on, it can get downright boring around here. With that said, I welcome all suggestions and input, and of course, I always welcome anyone to give their writing skills a go. So please email me at firstname.lastname@example.com if you have a suggestion, or a topic, or if you'd like to guest blog anytime.
I'll be hosting our final chat of the 2011-2012 season this Wednesday at 11am. After that I'll probably have it once a month until the draft, then once a month until training camp. So please, join us for our final live chat of the season!!
~ Crimedog


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FOCUS ON: Walk-behind Aerators
Grass, just like people, can get overstressed sometimes. While we can take a vacation to unwind, your turf needs to unplug to reverse stress. Manufacturers of walk-behind aerators have just what stressed turf needs, and have made using their equipment easier in an effort to help your stress level too. New designs offer powerful penetration and maneuverability in tight spaces, yet protect turf from damage. If you need more information, use the circle numbers provided at the end of each product description.
Billy Goat's EZair Aerator has a low center of gravity and is easy to control on slopes. It delivers consistent results because all tines penetrate evenly. Rear casters provide maneuverability and, combined with the front differential, allow the aerator to turn on a dime. The EZair features an independent throttle for controlling ground speed and a convenient handlebar-mounted lever for raising and lowering the tines. The aerator also comes with a 5.5-hp Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine.
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The 742 Lawn Aerator from BlueBird International offers a synchronized clutching system that is available with a Honda engine. The engine allows for smooth starts, while the 742's rugged design provides low maintenance and outstanding durability for profitable operation. The patented free-wheeling outer tine system provides unparalleled maneuverability and minimal turf damage around corners and in tight areas. Removable side wheels allow for easy transport and operation through narrow openings.
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The model TA-25D Split-Drive aerator from Classen increases productivity and minimizes operator fatigue. With two user-friendly controls on the main handle, the operator can steer and aerate around corners, trees and shrubs without raising tines. Because all the tines propel the aerator, it offers deeper penetration. The TA-25D comes standard with a 4.0-hp Honda engine, a removable weight bar, a front poly drum and a protective chain guard.
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Husqvarna's AR25 aerator combines power and maneuverability with its free-wheel design, strategically engineered weight distribution and removable weights. The AR25 features an aerating width of 25.5 inches and uses a 4.0-hp Honda engine. Two detachable 36-pound weights allow for stable operation where ground conditions require, such as on slopes. With a patented free-wheel design and a 65-cm, 7-tine-wide cutting deck, the aerator allows users to continue aerating without losing speed on tight corners while minimizing turf damage.
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The John Deere 800 walk-behind Aercore aerator delivers high productivity with a heavy-duty frame, tine rams and adjustable operating speeds. Designed for the golf course market, the Aercore 800 features four aerating speeds, a 4-cycle overhead valve, Kohler Command 18-hp engine with electric solenoid start and a dual element air filter for years of reliable service. The aerator also has a 31.5-inch coring swath, up to 3.5-inch coring depth and fiberglass-reinforced belts for quiet operation and simpler maintenance.
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Rock Solid's Plugr Turf Aerator's hole-punching power is generated by a cam shaft and engine, driving tines deep into the soil with no add-on weights or water drums. Lightweight with a wide, stable wheel base, the Plugr can make 90-degree turns, maneuver along curves and backup under overhanging trees. Tines disengage with a hand lever to skip over sprinkler heads and sidewalks without slowing down. The engine options include a 6.5-hp Briggs & Stratton Intek OHV engine or a 5.5-hp Honda OHV engine.
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The Split-Drum Aerator from Lesco is designed for use around corners and easier turning. The aerator is propelled by the tines for mechanically positive operation and there is no need to raise the tines out of the ground. The heat-treated, close, ¾-inch tines provide optimum core extraction and the unit is powered by a 4-hp overhead valve Honda engine. The water-fillable poly drum offers opportunity for additional weight. The left and right tine assemblies operate independently for easy turning.
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The Ryan Lawnaire V Plus is built for large aeration jobs and added stability on slopes. The 26.5-inch width covers more than 40,400 sq. feet per hour. Features include comfortable rubber grips, handle-mounted throttle and a choice of engines. Dual weights help increase ground pressure by more than 25 percent and are spring-loaded for easy removal. With the added weights and water-filled drum, aeration tines can penetrate soil down to a depth of 2.75 inches.
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Toro introduces the ProCore 648 walking aerator for golf course greens and tees. Rear wheels within the coring path of the machine eliminates running over the freshly aerated turf. The ProCore 648 has a 48-inch-wide aeration swath and aerates to a depth of 4 inches to relieve compaction, improve root growth and enhance overall turf health. The patented three-wheel series/parallel traction drive, combined with the high torque, low-speed wheel motors, prevents slippage for reliable traction, easy transport and even hole spacing.
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Turfco's TurnAer 26 Diff-drive aerator can aerate an entire lawn without stopping for turns. This unit allows operators to aerate like they mow by turning with the tines in the ground. Fingertip brake control allows for aeration around trees or other objects. The TurnAer 26 has a 2.75-inch coring depth and has a 4-hp Honda engine. It also has a folding, multi-height handle and sealed, self-aligning bearings.
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The Zoning Board of Adjustment will allow a Key resident to build an addition on the side of his house, even though it violates the town's daylight plane ordinance.
But the only reason the zoning board made the decision at its Thursday, May 14 regular meeting was because the addition being constructed will be built next to a neighbor with a double lot, which will not adversely impact the home next door.
To receive approval for the extension, D. Reese Pierce, the owner of the home at 801 Penfield St., asked the zoning board for an 11-degree waiver of the town's daylight-plane ordinance. The waiver will allow
Pierce to build a 979-square-foot addition to the right side of his home.
The home, which has 3,940 square feet of total space under roof, will increase to 4,919 square feet of space under roof once the addition is built. Pierce is building the addition to make room for parents that will be moving in with him and his wife.
But because the home was built in 1994, years before the town's daylight-plane ordinance was adopted, the waiver needed to be requested.
The town was one of the first communities in the area to establish daylight plane requirements, which act as setback requirements as a house is constructed. As a house goes up, the setbacks increase at an angle to prevent 40-foot solid walls at the setback line. The ordinance was created to preserve light and air circulation between neighboring properties and encourages creative architectural design. The ordinance also helps blend larger, new, elevated homes with smaller, older homes in the area.
While new zoning board member Gaele Barthold suggested that Pierce could reduce the angle waiver from 11 degrees to nine degrees to set the addition further back from his neighbor's property, Pierce explained that his contractor discouraged the reduction.
"Not lining up the addition with the existing walls and roof would weaken the home's resistance to hurricanes," Pierce said.
Because the town's planning board found there was not sufficient evidence to make an opinion on the application, the zoning board approved the request by a 4-0 vote.
The board came to its decision after the findings revealed the addition had little adverse impact to the neighbors, and the application had two letters from neighbors who had no problem with the addition.
"If his neighbors don't have a problem with it, I don't either," said zoning board member George Pasini.
Contact Kurt Schultheis at www.yourobserver.com.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment will allow a Key resident to build an addition on the side of his house, even though it violates the town's daylight plane ordinance.


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As he did during last month's hearings on the Benghazi attacks, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) once again brought up the possibility of an Obama administration cover-up of the role played by the CIA in providing weapons to opposition forces in Syria.
During an interview Sunday night on WABC Radio's "Aaron Klein Investigative Radio," Paul said, "There has been a lot made of the political cover up of President Obama's administration saying this (Benghazi attack) had something to do with a homemade film from some guy in Los Angeles. But in reality the question is, or the secondary quotation is, why would they do a cover up? What are they covering up?"
Continuing in that vein, Paul added:
And I have a feeling that it had something to do with the CIA annex. You know, a week before the ambassador was killed in Libya, a ship left Libya and docked in Turkey and it actually interviewed the captain of that ship who said there were arms on board and that he actually witnessed the rebels taking the arms and disputing over who got what. That there were grenade launchers; that there were significant arms being transferred.
Now that doesn't say the CIA was involved, but that begs the question (what) was the CIA annex there. The Libyan government is said not to have known that they were there. And is that the reason for the cover up? So there are a lot of unanswered questions.
Paul, in fact, tried to get answers to these questions from then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the Senate's investigation of the Benghazi raid that left four people dead, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.
Addressing Secretary Clinton, Paul asked directly, "Is the U. S. involved with any procuring of weapons, transfer of weapons, buying, selling, anyhow transferring weapons to Turkey out of Libya?"
Clinton demurred, claiming that she'd never heard about that allegation.
Undaunted, Paul continued, "It's been in news reports that ships have been leaving from Libya and that may have weapons, and what I'd like to know is the annex that was close by, were they involved with procuring, buying, selling, obtaining weapons, and were any of these weapons being transferred to other countries, any countries, Turkey included?"
Always the savvy politician, Clinton responded, "Well, Senator, you'll have to direct that question to the agency that ran the annex. I will see what information is available."
"You're saying you don't know?" asked Paul.
"I do not know," Clinton said. "I don't have any information on that."
All Clinton's dodge and parry seems like old news now in light of her successor's announcement that the United States was confident that the weapons being sent to Syria from its Middle Eastern neighbors would not "fall into the wrong hands."
Speaking to reporters from Doha, Qatar, Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday, "We did discuss the question of the ability to try to guarantee (that the weapons) are going to the right people and to the moderate Syrian opposition coalition."
Despite his assurances, Kerry did admit that keeping arms from reaching "extremist parties" in Syria would be impossible.
At an earlier press conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Kerry admitted, "There is no guarantee that one weapon or another might not at some point in time fall into the wrong hands."
By all appearances, a similar supposedly U.S.-backed and managed gun running scheme resulted in arming the wrong people in Libya.
As reported by the New York Times last December, the Obama administration "secretly gave its blessing to arms shipments to Libyan rebels from Qatar last year, but American officials later grew alarmed as evidence grew that Qatar was turning some of the weapons over to Islamic militants, according to United States officials and foreign diplomats."
The story claims that the firearms and funds from Qatar "strengthened militant groups in Libya, allowing them to become a destabilizing force since the fall of the Qaddafi government."
Regardless of that track record, the U.S. is accelerating its plan to add arms to the aid pipeline running from Washington to Damascus.
On February 28, a New York Times story reported that "The United States is also providing $60 million to help the political wing of the Syrian anti-Assad coalition improve the delivery of basic services like sanitation and education in areas it has already wrested from the government's control." Last September, former Secretary Clinton pledged $45 million in aid to the Syrian opposition.
Additionally, the New York Times piece revealed that sometime last year, the CIA opened a Syrian rebel training camp in Jordan.
The unnamed State Department official interviewed for the New York Times story refused to divulge any additional details on the activities carried on at the CIA's rebel boot camp, but he assured the paper that CIA "had not given weapons or ammunition to the rebels."
In light of such substantial financial, logistical, and intelligence support (not to mention the arms that will soon be shipped), it is crucial that Americans understand who's receiving millions of their tax dollars.
A Reuters article from last August detailing a secret order signed by President Obama providing support to Syrian rebel forces opposing the regime of Bashar al-Assad reported that "Recent news reports from the region have suggested that the influence and numbers of Islamist militants, some of them connected to al Qaeda or its affiliates, have been growing among Assad's opponents."
Later, The New American covered the same story, writing that "Western governments, brutal Sunni-Arab dictatorships, an assortment of terror groups including al-Qaeda, and other powerful interests have all been backing the uprising since long before violence even broke out last year."
In a story covering the violence of the Syrian uprising, the BBC added credibility to the accusations:
The al-Qaeda-styled group in Syria is Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham (the Front for the Protection of the Syrian People).
Like other al-Qaeda affiliated groups, al-Nusra's statements and videos are usually issued by its own media group, al-Manara al-Baida (the White Minaret) in Syria.
Al-Nusra has claimed responsibility for several attacks against the Syrian army, security and shabiha (state-sponsored thugs) since it announced its formation early this year.
Finally, under a headline reading "Al-Qaida turns tide for rebels in battle for eastern Syria," the Guardian (U.K.) reported:
They try to hide their presence. "Some people are worried about carrying the [black] flags," said Abu Khuder. "They fear America will come and fight us. So we fight in secret. Why give Bashar and the west a pretext?" But their existence is common knowledge in Mohassen. Even passers-by joke with the men about car bombs and IEDs [improvised explosive devices].
According to Abu Khuder, his men are working closely with the military council that commands the Free Syrian Army brigades in the region. "We meet almost every day," he said. "We have clear instructions from our [al-Qaida] leadership that if the FSA need our help we should give it. We help them with IEDs and car bombs. Our main talent is in the bombing operations." Abu Khuder's men had a lot of experience in bomb-making from Iraq and elsewhere, he added.
Given the presence of al-Qaeda in Syrian opposition leadership and the still-unanswered questions regarding the CIA's role in funneling weapons to the murderous militants that attacked the Benghazi consulate, Senator Paul deserves praise for his effort to keep the heat on the Obama administration.
Photo of rebel fighter in Syria: AP Images


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- Home >
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- Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
Our Board of Directors represents our shareholders' interest of optimizing long-term financial return. To ensure that we remain a leader in the automotive aftermarket, the Board monitors the effectiveness of our management policies and decisions and the execution of corporate strategies.
Membership Criteria The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing with the full Board, on an annual basis, the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Directors in the context of the current make-up of the Board. This assessment includes issues of judgment, diversity, age and professional background and experience.
Selection and Orientation of New Directors The Nominating and Governance Committee considers, interviews, screens and recommends, with direct input from the full Board and management, potential new Directors for the Board to consider as nominees for election by our shareholders. New Directors are exposed to a complete orientation process that includes the distribution of background material about Pep Boys, meetings with members of senior management and visits to Pep Boys Store Support Center and retail locations.
Number of Members The Board shall consist of between four and twelve members.
Independent Directors An independent Director is one that is independent from management and is free from any relationship with Pep Boys that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere in the exercise of independent judgment as a Director. When forming such opinion, the Board considers, among other factors, the guidelines for independent Directors promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The independence of the outside Directors is reviewed annually by the full Board.
In accordance with NYSE guidelines, our Board consists of a majority of independent Directors. All Committees of the Board currently consist entirely of independent Directors.
Former Chief Executive Officer's Board Membership The Board believes that this is a matter to be decided in each individual instance. It is assumed that when a Chairman or Chief Executive Officer resigns from that position, he/she should submit his/her resignation from the Board at the same time. Whether the individual continues to serve on the Board is a matter for discussion at that time with the new Chairman or Chief Executive Officer and the Board.
Directors Who Change Their Present Job Responsibility When a Director's principal occupation or business association changes substantially from the position he or she held when originally invited to join the Board, the Director shall notify the Nominating Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee will review whether the occupation change of the Director is consistent with the specific rationale for originally selecting that individual as a Director and the guidelines for board membership and if any action needs to be taken as a result thereof.
Outside Directors are encouraged to limit the number of other boards (excluding non-profit) on which they serve, taking into account potential board attendance, participation and effectiveness on these boards. Outside Directors should advise the Lead Independent Director and Chief Executive Officer in advance of accepting an invitation to serve on another board.
Chief Executive Officer's Service on the Board of Directors of Another Entity. The Chief Executive Officer's service on the Board of Directors of another entity is subject to approval by the full Board of Directors of Pep Boys and shall be limited to one public Board and one non-profit Board.
Term Limits The Board does not believe it should establish term limits. While term limits could help ensure that there are fresh ideas and viewpoints available to the Board, they hold the disadvantage of losing the contribution of Directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, increasing insight into Pep Boys and its operations and, therefore, provide an increasing contribution to the Board as a whole.
As an alternative to term limits, the Lead Independent Director and Chief Executive Officer formally review each Director's continuation on the Board every five years. This will also allow each Director the opportunity to confirm his/her desire to continue as a member of the Board.
Retirement Age The Board has established a current retirement age of 72.
Chairman of the Board The Board is free to make this selection in any way that seems best for Pep Boys at that point in time.
Lead Independent Director If the Chairman of the Board is an independent Director, then the Chairman of the Board shall also serve as the Lead Independent Director. Otherwise, the independent directors will appoint a Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director chairs executive sessions of the independent Directors.
Committee Chairs The full Board appoints the Chairman of each Committee of the Board.
Meeting Procedures
Selection of Agenda Items for Board Meetings The Chairman of the Board establishes the agenda for each Board meeting. At the beginning of each year, he issues a schedule of foreseeable agenda subjects to be discussed during the ensuing year. Each Director is free to suggest items to be included on the agenda.
Board Materials Distributed in Advance Information that is important to the Board's understanding of a matter to be discussed or acted upon is distributed to the Board in advance of the discussion or proposed action.
Committee Matters
Number, Structure and Independence of Committees The Board shall always have standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees, each of which shall be composed entirely of independent Directors. Each such standing Committee acts pursuant to a written charter. From time to time, the Board may form a new special committee or disband a current special Committee depending upon the circumstances.
Audit Committee The Audit Committee reviews Pep Boys' consolidated financial statements and makes recommendations to the full Board on matters concerning the audits of Pep Boys' books and records. In accordance with NYSE guidelines, each member of the Audit Committee must be financially literate and at least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise.
Compensation Committee The Compensation Committee oversees Pep Boys executive compensation practices including - base salaries, bonuses, incentive compensation plans (stock options) and pension plans. The Compensation Committee recommends the compensation for all of Pep Boys' officers including the Chief Executive Officer.
Nominating and Governance Committee The Nominating and Governance Committee makes recommendations to the full Board concerning the qualifications and selection of candidates for election to the Board, is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of the Board's and each Director's performance and oversees Pep Boys' corporate governance activities.
Assignment and Rotation of Committee Members The full Board is responsible, upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Board and with consideration of the desires of individual Board members, for the assignment of Board members to various committees. The Board considers rotating Committee members periodically at about a five year interval, but has not mandated such a rotation as policy.
Frequency and Length of Committee Meetings Each Committee Chairman, in consultation with committee members, determines the frequency and length of the Committee meetings.
Committee Agenda Each Committee Chairman, in consultation with the other Committee members and management, develops the Committee's agenda. At the beginning of each year, each Committee Chairman issues a schedule of foreseeable agenda subjects to be discussed for the ensuing year.
Executive Sessions of Independent Directors The independent Directors meet in executive session several times each year. Executive sessions are chaired by the Lead Independent Director.
Compensation and Performance
Board Compensation Director fees, which include an annual fee, fees for Committee participation and formulaic equity grants, are the only compensation paid by Pep Boys to its outside Directors. Board compensation is reviewed annually by the Chief Executive Officer and the Nominating and Governance Committee in relation to the Directors' duties and the compensation provided by similarly situated companies.
Assessing the Board's Performance The Nominating and Governance Committee reports annually to the full Board regarding an assessment of the Board's and each Director's individual performance. This assessment addresses the Board's contribution as a whole and specifically reviews areas in which the Board and/or management believes a better contribution could be made. The assessment's purpose is to increase Board effectiveness, not to target individual Board members.
Assessing the Chief Executive Officers Performance The independent Directors evaluate the Chief Executive Officer annually with the Lead Independent Director responsible for reviewing such evaluation with the Chief Executive Officer. The evaluation is based on objective criteria including performance of the business, accomplishment of long-term strategic objectives, development of the management team, etc. The evaluation is used by the Human Resources Committee in the course of its deliberations when considering the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer.
Succession Planning The Chief Executive Officer reports annually to the Board on succession planning for the senior management team. On a continuing basis, the Chief Executive Officer maintains a recommendation for a successor should he be unexpectedly be unable to perform his duties.
Board Relationship to Senior Management
Board Access to Management Directors have complete access to Pep Boys' management. From time to time, members of management attend Board meetings to provide additional insight into the items being discussed and/or to expose those managers with future senior management potential to the Board.
Board's Interaction with Outsiders The Board believes that management speaks for Pep Boys. Individual Board members may, from time to time at the request of management, meet or otherwise communicate with various constituencies that are involved with Pep Boys. If comments from the Board are appropriate, in most circumstances, they come from the Chairman.
This Code of Conduct was last modified on June 17, 2010.


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President-elect Barack Obama will meet with Congressional leaders on Monday during his first full day back in Washington, D.C. in an attempt to assuage rising concerns among Republicans and some Democrats that his economic stimulus plan is too costly and too rushed.
Obama will first sit down with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) to discuss the scope and timing of a plan that could cost up to $775 billion, a Democratic source said Thursday.
Obama, Pelosi and Reid are then expected to meet with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.) and House minority leader Republican John Boehner (R.-Ohio), the source said.
McConnell has been an increasingly vocal critic of Obama's plans for an economic stimulus package. He and Boehner called this week for giving lawmakers at least a week to review the legislation when it is completed and for holding committee hearings on the proposal before it goes to the floor for a vote.
"A trillion-dollar spending bill would be the largest spending bill in the history of our country at a time when our national debt is already the largest in history," McConnell said in a statement this week. "As a result, it will require tough scrutiny and oversight."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told the Wall Street Journal this week that "significant work remains to be done" on the economic stimulus package.
"We need to do this right and make wise investments, plus members and the public need time to review it," Hoyer said in the interview published on Wednesday. "So the timing very well may slip."
Obama has made a near-trillion dollar economic stimulus package his incoming administration's top priority. His economic team has been crafting a plan that lawmakers have not seen, even as they've been told to expect to begin considering a stimulus package almost immediately after the new Congress convenes on Tuesday.
Pelosi has said she hopes to have an economic recovery bill on Obama's desk awaiting his signature when he takes office on January 20. But a spokesman for Reid recently indicated that Senate Democrats are going to need time to gain Republican support to approve the legislation. And the timing on a bill is more likely to be mid-February.
Obama has pledged to craft an economic stimulus package that will save or create 3 million jobs over the next two years.
The package is expected to contain funding for states, with a focus on infrastructure projects, and tax cuts. It is also likely to include an effort to expand food stamp and unemployment benefits, and Obama's economic team is looking at ways to help families keep their health insurance coverage when the breadwinner is out of work.
The infrastructure spending breaks into several categories. Beyond roads and bridges, spending is expected to fund energy conservation projects, improving the electric grid, as well as some military construction.
Obama has also said he would like to see more investments in health information technology as well as broadband for schools.
In an email sent to House Democrats this week, Pelosi said lawmakers will move rapidly on a stimulus package after Congress reconvenes on January 6.
"The opening days of the Congress will be intense," Pelosi wrote.
On Wednesday, five economists, ranging from Martin Feldstein on the right to Robert Reich on the left, will testify at a House Steering & Policy Committee hearing on the economic stimulus package.
The other economists Pelosi said will testify before the committee include Mark Zandi, who was a chief economist of Moody's Economy.com and an adviser the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.), Norm Augustine and Maria T. Zuber.
In her "Dear Colleagues" email, Pelosi promised the House will take up a stimulus bill before Obama is sworn in. She also said House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) "has been working closely with the Senate," as well as the Obama team, on the economic stimulus plan.
Obey is quoted in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal saying he hoped for an earlier time table on a stimulus bill, but that Obama's economic team is still working out the details of the package.
A large economic stimulus package is been expected to have an easier time passing in the House, where Democrats hold a large majority. But Obama needs to bring Senate Republicans to his side, as they have enough members to filibuster his effort.
Obama's meetings next week are among his first moves in what is expected to be a strong push in January for economic recovery legislation. The sit-downs come almost immediately after his family relocates to D.C. on Sunday and after a 12-day holiday vacation in Hawaii.
Obama aides have said his team plans take their pitch for a stimulus package to voters at events around the country after he takes office.
David Rogers contributed to this report.


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Service Awards Given on May 14Published: May 1, 2009
The annual Service Awards reception for long-term employees will be hosted by President F. King Alexander on Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m. at The Pointe.
Staff employees who were hired in 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998 and meet the eligibility requirements will be honored.
Service to the university is calculated as of Dec. 31, 2008, and is defined as full-time, part-time temporary or permanent, continuous appointments. Hourly/intermittent appointments are not included in the calculations.
Employment at CSULB prior to a break in service is not included in the calculations without an employee's request. Service from other CSU campuses is not included.
Service Award program calculations are separate and distinct from those of the Office of Payroll and Benefit Services and CalPERS. Invitations will be sent to the awardees via campus mail in early April. For more information, call Berta Hanson in Benefits and Staff Human Resources at 562/985-8798.


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Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. —Romans 1:26
You thought that you were outwitting God. You thought that here He is trying to reach you, while you just say, "I'll show Him. I'll just enjoy living in sin."
What Paul is saying here is that God has already begun to punish you. It is a judgment of God that you remain in sin. When you think that you're getting away with it, that's the worst thing of all that can happen. The worst sign of God's judgment is that you're able to sin and get away with it.
Nor does God give us a bold sign, telling us, "Here's what I am going to do." He just gives up. He doesn't push us; He doesn't hammer us. In effect, Paul is saying this: Is it sin that you want? Sin you will get. That's the first way God punishes sin.
The second way is by exposure at the final judgment. Say you decide to live in sin; you're thinking, at first, that something's going to happen as a kind of warning from God, like thunder and lightening, but when it doesn't come you think, I don't feel a thing; I'm able to go on and do this. When a person does what is not right, he may say, "I don't feel any different; I feel fine." But how does God punish—by exposure at the final judgment. God "will give to each person according to what he has done" (Rom. 2:6).
A third way is that God's Son, Jesus, took our punishment on the cross. Eternally speaking, there are two ways whereby God punishes sin: the fires of hell and the blood of Jesus. He who knew no sin was made sin.
Let this be what lingers in your mind. It's not a question of whether your sin will be punished; it is the question of how. May God grant you to see why the Bible talks about "fleeing from the wrath to come." (See Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7.)
Excerpted from The God of the Bible (Authentic Media, 2002).
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No charges will be filed Sunday against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the lone surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, NBC News reported.
Law enforcement sources had said earlier they were putting the final touches on charges against Tsarnaev and would announce them Sunday. However, Justice Department officials said late Sunday, that there would be no announcement on charges until perhaps Monday, according to NBC News.
Investigators planned to question Tsarnaev but he remained in "serious condition," the FBI said in a statement released Sunday, and apparently in no shape for interrogation after being pulled bloody and wounded from a tarp-covered boat in a Watertown, Mass. backyard. The capture came at the end of a tense Friday that began with his 26-year-old brother, Tamerlan, dying in a gun battle with police.
U.S. & World
There were also reports the injuries the suspect sustained in the firefight that lead to his capture may be preventing him from speaking to investigators, according to NBC News.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev suffered a wound to his throat that has left him unable to talk, a senior law enforcement official confirmed Sunday.
This has delayed efforts by the special high value detainee interrogation team to talk to him without advising him of his Miranda rights, the source said.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said Sunday investigators may never be able to orally question Tsarnaev. "And we don't know if we'll ever be able to question the individual," Menino said without further explanation.
Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick said Sunday on "Meet the Press" that surveillance video from the bombing shows Dzhokhar Tsarnaev dropping his backpack and calmly walking away from it before the bomb inside exploded. "It's pretty clear about his involvement and pretty chilling, frankly," Patrick said.
He added that investigators were also looking into Tsarnaev's behavior after he returned to the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth after the Monday bombings.
"There is evidence of some frankly kind of normal student behavior in those ensuing days, which when you consider the enormity of what he was responsible for certainly raises a lot of questions in my mind and as I say more to the point in the minds of law enforcement as well," Patrick said. "Those are the kinds of leads that still have to be pursued and run to ground."
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union and a federal public defender raised concerns about investigators' plan to question 19-year-old Tsarnaev without reading him his Miranda rights.
U.S. officials said an elite interrogation team would question the Massachusetts college student without reading him his Miranda rights, something that is allowed on a limited basis when the public may be in immediate danger, such as instances in which bombs are planted and ready to go off.
For full coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings investigation, visit NBCNews.
ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said the legal exception applies only when there is a continued threat to public safety and is "not an open-ended exception" to the Miranda rule, which guarantees the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
The federal public defender's office in Massachusetts said it has agreed to represent Tsarnaev once he is charged. Miriam Conrad, public defender for Massachusetts, said he should have a lawyer appointed as soon as possible because there are "serious issues regarding possible interrogation."
The most serious charge available to federal prosecutors would be the use of a weapon of mass destruction to kill people, which carries a possible death sentence. Massachusetts does not have the death penalty. The twin bombings killed three people and wounded more than 180.
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President Barack Obama said there are many unanswered questions about the bombing, including whether the Tsarnaev brothers — ethnic Chechens from southern Russia who had been in the U.S. for about a decade and lived in the Boston area — had help from others. The president urged people not to rush judgment about their motivations.
Gov. Deval Patrick said Saturday Tsarnaev was at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where 11 victims of the bombing were still being treated.
"I, and I think all of the law enforcement officials, are hoping for a host of reasons the suspect survives," the governor said after a ceremony at Fenway Park to honor the victims and survivors of the attack. "We have a million questions, and those questions need to be answered."
The all-day manhunt Friday brought the Boston area to a near standstill and put people on edge across the metropolitan area.
The break came around nightfall when a homeowner in Watertown saw blood on his boat, pulled back the tarp and saw a bloody Tsarnaev hiding inside, police said. After an exchange of gunfire, he was seized and taken away in an ambulance.
Raucous celebrations erupted in and around Boston, with chants of "USA! USA!" Residents flooded the streets in relief four days after the two pressure-cooker bombs packed with nails and other shrapnel went off.
Michael Spellman said he bought tickets to Saturday's Red Sox game at Fenway Park to help send a message to the bombers.
"They're not going to stop us from doing things we love to do," he said, sitting a few rows behind home plate. "We're not going to live in fear."
During the long night of violence leading up to the capture, the Tsarnaev brothers killed an MIT police officer, severely wounded another lawman and took part in a furious shootout and car chase in which they hurled explosives at police from a large homemade arsenal, authorities said.
Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau said one of the explosives was the same type used during the Boston Marathon attack, and authorities later recovered a pressure cooker lid that had embedded in a car down the street. He said the suspects also tossed two grenades before Tamerlan ran out of ammunition and police tackled him.
But while handcuffing him, officers had to dive out of the way as Dzhokhar drove the carjacked Mercedes at them, Deveau said. The SUV dragged Tamerlan's body down the block, he said. Police initially tracked the escaped suspect by a blood trail he left behind a house after abandoning the Mercedes, negotiating his surrender hours later in the boat.
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said Sunday that investigators believe the Tsarnaev brothers were likely planning other attacks. Davis told CBS' "Face the Nation" that authorities found an arsenal of homemade explosives after a gun battle between police and the suspects.
Chechnya, where the Tsarnaev family has roots, has been the scene of two wars between Russian forces and separatists since 1994. That spawned an Islamic insurgency that has carried out deadly bombings in Russia and the region, although not in the West.
Investigators have not offered a motive for the Boston attack. But in interviews with officials and those who knew the Tsarnaevs, a picture has emerged of the older one as someone embittered toward the U.S., increasingly vehement in his Muslim faith and influential over his younger brother.
The Russian FSB intelligence service told the FBI in 2011 about information that Tamerlan Tsarnaev was a follower of radical Islam, two law enforcement officials said Saturday.
According to an FBI news release, a foreign government said that Tamerlan Tsarnaev appeared to be strong believer and that he had changed drastically since 2010 as he prepared to leave the U.S. for travel to the Russian region to join unspecified underground groups.
The FBI did not name the foreign government, but the two officials said it was Russia. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the matter publicly.
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The FBI said that in response, it interviewed Tamerlan Tsarnaev and relatives, and did not find any domestic or foreign terrorism activity. The bureau said it looked into such things as his telephone and online activity, his travels and his associations with others.
The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Mike Rogers said on "Meet the Press" on Sunday that Tamerlan Tsarnaev may have traveled under an alias to Russia in 2012.
That trip, according to Rogers, may have been when Tamerlan Tsarnaev "got that final radicalization to push him to commit acts of violence and where he may have received training."
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said on Sunday that he has not seen evidence to link the bombings to any militant or terrorist group and would not speculate on whether or not Dzhokhar Tsarnaev could be sent to Guantanamo Bay.
"We just don't have the facts, and until we get the facts, then it will be the responsibility of law enforcement, DOJ, and other institutions to make some determination as to how that individual should be treated, detained, charged, and all that goes with it," Hagel said. "But right now we just don't know enough about it."
An uncle of the Tsarnaev brothers said he had a falling-out with Tamerlan over the man's increased commitment to Islam.
Ruslan Tsarni of Montgomery Village, Md., said Tamerlan told him in a 2009 phone conversation that he had chosen "God's business" over work or school. Tsarni said he then contacted a family friend who told him Tsarnaev had been influenced by a recent convert to Islam.
Tsarni said his relationship with his nephew basically ended after that call.
As for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, "he's been absolutely wasted by his older brother. I mean, he used him. He used him for whatever he's done," Tsarni said.
Albrecht Ammon, a downstairs-apartment neighbor of Tamerlan Tsarnaev in Cambridge, said in an interview that the older brother had strong political views about the U.S. Ammon quoted Tsarnaev as saying that the U.S. uses the Bible as "an excuse for invading other countries."
Tamerlan Tsarnaev studied accounting as a part-time student at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston for three semesters from 2006 to 2008, the school said. He was married with a young daughter. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was a student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
As of Sunday, 52 victims of the bombing remained hospitalized, three in critical condition.
A wake for 29-year-old bombing victim Krystle Campbell was held Sunday at a funeral home in Medford, Mass. A private funeral is scheduled for Monday.
At Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Cardinal Sean O'Malley spoke about the city's pain but urged tolerance toward those who come from the same religious or ethnic background as the suspects.
"Our task is to keep this spirit of community alive going forward," he said. "We must be people of reconciliation, not revenge. The crimes of two young men must not be the justification for prejudice against Muslims or against immigrants."
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


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A new trailer for G.I. Joe: Retaliation has gone online. I remain impressed by what we've seen thus far and I'm hoping director Jon Chu has crafted a really fun action movie. Bringing Dwayne Johnson into the franchise was a very, very good call as his infectious charm and all around bad ass-ness is put to good use in the Joe universe. This new trailer is short, but it's got a bit of new footage and another fun adage from Johnson. Counting the first theatrical trailer and the Super Bowl spot, this makes the third trailer we've seen from the film in the past month or so. With four months to go until its release, I sure hope they don't spoil the whole movie in subsequent spots.
Hit the jump to watch the new trailer. The film also stars Channing Tatum, Adrianne Palicki, D.J. Cotrona, and Bruce Willis. G.I. Joe: Retaliation opens June 29th.
Trailer via EW.


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Analytics, supported by digital technology, are the bedrock that helps enable you to make better, quicker and more informed decisions that are aligned to your business strategy. Human capital analytics deliver critical insights about your people, their preferences, what makes them more effective and their contribution toward the success of the business. This is an opportunity for HR to develop innovative solutions, built on technology and analytics, across all HR process areas to help you answer questions like: Across all functional areas of HR, what is our headcount and what skills do we have by geography/ business unit? What skills are in demand, where do we have skill gaps and what are good options to close those gaps? How can we optimize our total rewards to improve talent engagement and retention?
Next generation business intelligence tools enable automated real time reporting with both descriptive and predictive analytics, delivered through cloud platforms. The costs to deliver analytics is significantly lower than what was feasible in the past. This is an important competitive advantage for leading businesses globally and has changed the role that HR has in developing and delivering the business strategy.
Data and integration "will be king"
The use of data to produce business-relevant insights that lead to action, has been recognized as the new step change for HR.
Increasing interest of senior management
Up-to-date information about employees and related external factors can be used to make business decisions and mobilize talent if strategies change.
"War for talent"
Recruiting, developing and retaining talent is more important than ever. There is a need to understand your workforce more in depth. Data analytics can provide detailed people insights and help organizations to build a strong workforce to deliver competitively differentiating capabilities.
Predictive analytics
Analytics could make HR a strategic business partner by moving from historical analysis to predictive analysis. Forecasting what's likely to happen, what are potential risks to the business from a talent perspective, and what talent decisions will likely mitigate these risks, can help improve business performance.
Key Steps in Building an Analytics-Driven HR Organization
First, conduct a strategy assessment and identify areas that would benefit most from HR reporting and analytics. Understanding the link between talent decisions and business outcomes is key to build a business case for HR Analytics.
Once the assessment exercise is complete, the outcome is usually a set of use cases that are prioritized based on importance to the business and complexity of deployment. This leads to a roadmap with a defined set of actions for near-, mid- and long-term consideration:
Data Requirements – Determine the type of traditional and non-traditional data sets required, and the best methods to source, integrate and store such information with minimal manual effort.
Technology Requirements for Reporting and Analytics – Select the preferred analytics technology options available based on your specific requirements.
Operating Model for HR Analytics – There are different ways of organizing analytics teams. To make analytics a real and integral part of your business decisions requires a robust and well defined operating model.
A critical step in building a business case for analytics is a targeted proof of concept exercise to demonstrate how HR analytics can deliver value to the business, how HR can adopt analytics at scale, and the potential ROI on that investment.
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MANCHESTER – Joanne Lucille Bourgeois, 43, of Bedford, died Dec. 13, 2005, at Elliot Hospital, after a brief illness. She was born Jan. 24, 1962, in Mancheser to Maurice and Irene (Auger) Bourgeois. She attended local schools and graduated from Manchester West High School in 1981. Mrs. Bourgeois was employed by the U.S. Postal Department for nearly 20 years. She was stationed in Tennessee and Portsmouth before being transferred to the Manchester Post Office several years ago. She was a happy, loving person and enjoyed all kinds of sports. She was an avid animal lover. Mrs. Bourgeois was predeceased by her only brother, David Bourgeois, who died in 1996. Family members include her parents of Bedford; two sisters, Diane Vincent of Meredith and Debra Ruo of Weare; he paternal grandmother, Yvonne Dumont-Bourgeois of Bedford; a niece and a nephew. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 360 Route 101, Bedford, NH 03110. Bykowski and Young Funeral Home in Manchester handled the arrangements.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
OBIT: JOANNE Lucille BOURGEOIS (1962-2005)
Our condolences to our cousins...
Posted by Murmurd at 2:05 PM No comments:
Labels: Franco-Americans, Obituary
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Sorry if this is a silly question. I was wondering, under what axioms of set theory is it true that if $\alpha$,$\beta$ are cardinals, and $2^\alpha=2^\beta$, then $\alpha=\beta$? Do people use these conditions to prove interesting results?
This question is prompted from a recent perusing of Johnson's "Topics in the Theory of Group Presentations", where in the first few pages he "proves" free groups of different rank are non-isomorphic: the number of mappings from a free group of rank $\omega$ to the group $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ is $2^\omega$, which would be invariant under isomorphism; and then he assumes the topic of my question: $2^\alpha=2^\beta$ implies $\alpha=\beta$.
But I remember reading something a few years ago about a student of R.L. Moore (I only remember his last names was Jones) "proving" the Moore Space conjecture, and using that $\alpha > \beta$ implied $2^\alpha > 2^\beta$, but that this was incorrect.
Anyway, I realized I don't know anything about when this is true or false, so I thought I'd ask.