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Paul, Les
Paul, Les, 1915–2009, American guitarist and inventor, b. Waukesha, Wis., as Lester William Polsfuss (later Polfuss). He began playing country music at 14, later switched to jazz, and started his own trio in 1936. Considered one of the finest jazz guitarists, he remains famous for his amazing versatility. Dissatisfied with the sound of available instruments, Paul invented (1941) a solid-body electric guitar which, marketed (1952) by Gibson, was extremely important in the development of rock music and was played by many of its greatest stars. Several versions of his guitars are still manufactured. Paul also created techniques in his home studio that allowed him to overdub numerous tracks, producing the distinctive sound of Les Paul and Mary Ford (his wife) in such 1950s hits as
How High the Moon.The multitrack recording originated by Paul has since been widely used to make popular recordings. He also invented the eight-track tape recorder, which initiated the modern recording era, and made important innovations in reverb and other areas of studio methodology. Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
See M. Cochran, Les Paul: In His Own Words (2008); R. Lawrence, The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy: 1915–1963 and The Modern Years of the Les Paul Legacy: 1968–2008 (both: 2008).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Music: Popular and Jazz: Biographies


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Cherry Red Corduroy (Child's Bow Tie)
Monochrome Photographic...
Mulberry Red Velvet (Ch...
This bright cherry coloured tie is made from a soft cotton needlecord. It's the perfect classic addition to any formal occasion.
Product Details
Can you make a kids bow tie for me?
Absolutely. We have a range of children's bow ties already available on the website, but if you see a design that isn't available on the website, we should certainly be able to make one for you. Any bow ties that are made specifically for you and aren't for sale on the website will be treated as a custom-made product and will be non-returnable.
Depending on the nature of the fabric or design, some styles may not be available or possible to make as a kids bow tie.
Can I get the kids bow tie as a self-tie?
Unfortunately, we only make kids bow ties available as standard pre-tied.
Can I get a matching handkerchief for a child?
If you'd like to add a children's handkerchief to your order, please contact customer services, who will be happy to advise. Depending on the fabric and design, we may not be able to make it, but please don't hesitate to ask.
Please note, we will only fulfil this request when part of an order and can't make a handkerchief alone. As these items will be made bespoke for you, they will be considered non-returnable.
Can you supply fabric samples ahead of placing my order?
Of course! The beauty of your items being handmade to order is that we have fabric we can send to you ahead of placing your order. You can find the option for fabric samples on each product. If you need help ordering samples, please don't hesitate to ask customer services.
These children's bow ties are only available pre-tied and fixed to maintain their shape. They have an adjustable strap with a hook and eye fastening.
0-2 Years
3-5 Years
6-10 Years

subset: commoncrawl


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2020 Vision to Launch Citywide Equity Task Force This Week
The 2020 Vision, initiated in June as a collaboration between the City of Berkeley, the Berkeley Unified School District and community organizations to close the achievement gap in the schools, will launch an All City Equity Task Force during a three-day retreat at the Berkeley Yacht Club starting Thursday.
Organized by the non-profit Berkeley Alliance, which entered into a one-year $61,800 contract with the city in October to provide services for the 2020 Vision and other partnerships between the school district and UC Berkeley, the private workshop will bring together more than 50 people from the city, Berkeley Unified and several organizations to brainstorm strategies before sharing them with the broader community.
The contract states that the Alliance—which began in 1996 as a result of cooperative efforts between the City of Berkeley and UC Berkeley, with the school district taking part as well—will work with the city to develop and implement programs for the new citywide initiative, which "emphasizes a coordinated school, agency and community approach that leverages and weaves school and community resources in a comprehensive manner and focuses on tangible outcomes for all students."
The district is recommending that the school board approve a $50,000 grant on Wednesday for the Alliance to lead the new city-wide task force.
In August the Berkeley Alliance formed the 2020 Vision Planning Team, comprising 19 members from the city, the school district, United in Action, BayCES, UC Berkeley, Berkeley City College and the Alliance itself to craft an action plan for the 2020 Vision, including putting together the citywide equity taskforce.
No information about the retreat, its participants or agenda is available on the Alliance's website, which lists all meetings related to the 2020 Vision.
Calls to the Alliance's outgoing director Tracey Schear and to its Berkeley office for comment were not returned.
Schear resigned from the Berkeley Alliance late last year after working there for three years, and continues to work on the 2020 Vision as a consultant while the organization's board of directors manages the transition.
The Alliance has begun its search for a new executive director—estimated to earn $85,000-$96,000 annually—and hope to have someone on board by the end of March.
Michael Miller, director of Parents of Children of African Descent and a member of United in Action, said that 80 invitations had been sent out for the retreat, even though there are places for only 50.
"The goal is to come up with some specific strategy and then go to the community and discuss what we have," he said.
"We want to have a deeper conversation about the economics of it and the relationships. There's some push back in the community about who's involved and who's not involved and what it means for students who are already successful. There are some controversial issues and some confusion. We want to clear all that."
Santiago Casal of United in Action, the multi-ethnic community group which first proposed the 2020 Vision to the district, said that plan was to "involve everybody."
"To mobilize the entire community is a big endeavor," he said. "The sheer energy of us coming together and talking is quite exciting. In terms of actually implementing something, it probably won't be until next year, when the class of 2020 will be in 2nd grade."
The Alliance, according to the contract, is also responsible for developing the funding blueprint for the 2020 Vision program, including a targeted strategy to tap private foundation contacts in the Greater Bay Area and nationally and submit at least three citywide grants by the end of the financial year 2008-2009.
At a community meeting at Berkeley Technology Academy last week, Bill Huyett, superintendent of Berkeley Unified, briefed more than 50 parents and community members about the progress made in drafting strategies to eliminate the achievement gap.
Miller acknowledged that there was no silver bullet that would solve the achievement gap in standardized tests, explaining that a student's academic success was possible only with a "total community approach."
Huyett said that it would take the city, the school district and the community at least six more months to come together and start working as a group, adding that once the strategies for the 2020 Vision were finalized, all 16 public schools in Berkeley and their staff—including classified workers—would have to work it into their daily schedule.
Some district educators said that the Berkeley High School redesign plan—which would implement block schedules and advisory periods if approved by the Berkeley Board of Education—would be an important part of turning the Vision 2020 into reality, although some parents continue to question the loss of instructional minutes that would result from it.
One of the strategies outlined in the 2020 Vision update includes developing a more robust and coherent curriculum, instruction, assessment and intervention, and identifying problem areas and alternate structures that would help educators relate to children better.
The superintendent also talked about training Berkeley Unified staff in a way that would help them cope with a diverse student body, including providing them with professional development to improve culturally responsive teaching and initiate a positive behavioral support system, which would increase student engagement and achievement and reduce inequities in discipline.
Other ideas include strengthening early childhood education and hiring and retaining teachers and administrators of color, something the district has been trying to do this past year by sending out teams to scout for talented African American teachers and trying to offer them attractive enough packages to encourage them to work in Berkeley.
Miller said that some of the major concerns from parents included questions about raising performance levels for teachers who were underperforming, having parent liaisons at schools and easier access to information for families who did not have Internet or e-mail at home.
"We can't say we are on target because we don't quite know what our target is," Miller said. "It's shifting depending on our priorities and our economic climate. One of the things folks don't understand is that it's difficult to come up with strategies with a large group of people."
School board member Beatriz Leyva-Cutler echoed his thoughts.
"It's taking a lot more time than anticipated, but it's still going forward," she said. "At this point a lot of parents are concerned about how the 2020 Vision will affect their children. We need to look at data to come up with strategies and the schools have to plan their activities around it."
For more information on Vision 2020 visit: www.berkeleyalliance.org


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Red Sox - Yankees -Russell Martin, waiting until after the Yankees had clinched the East before opening his cake hole:
Anything to get the Red Sox out would be awesome for me. ... I hate the Red Sox. ... I would love to see them lose. ... When you wear the pinstripes, you just kind of learn to be that way, I guess. ... It would be fun to be the spoiler and get 100 wins.
Ellsbury, CFSaturday: Tim Wakefield / A.J. Burnett
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Aviles, 3B
Crawford, LF
Scutaro, SS
Saltalamacchia, C
Reddick, RF
Sunday: John Lackey / Ivan Nova
AL Wild Card
Red Sox 88 68 --- (3 at MFY, 3 at BAL) Rays 86 70 2.0 (3 vs TOR, 3 vs MFY) Angels 85 71 3.0 (3 vs OAK, 3 vs TEX)Game thread.
WC-Runner-up Watch: Blue Jays/Rays at 7 PM and Athletics/Angels at 10 PM.


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The Central Connecticut softball team ended the USF Under Armour Tournament with a win against Loyola Marymount (6-9) Sunday by a score of 4-0. Junior Tessa Brown led the team in hits with three while scoring one run and senior Nicole Springer belted a two-run homer in the win. The victory improves the Blue Devils' record to 3-2 in their opening weekend.
"Our team performed really well on Sunday to close out the tournament and bring home some momentum going into next week," Head Coach Jeff Franquet said. "Many of the teams we were up against had several games under their belts and I think we competed well in our first outings. I am very proud of our team and we are looking forward to a successful season."
Sophomore Laura Messina took to the circle for the Blue Devils in the win. She faced 26 batters and allowed only four hits. Messina's season record improves to 1-2.
Central put the first run on the board in the top of the third inning. Sophomore Ashley Black hit a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Kenya McVey. A single from Kat Malcolm eventually brought Black across the plate to put Central up, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, Brown singled and was followed by a ground-out and a reached base on error to move her into scoring position. Brown was ultimately brought home on another hit from Black to elevate the lead to 2-0.
The Blue Devils clinched the victory in the top of the fifth with a Springer two-run bomb that brought in Malcolm, notched two RBI for Springer and increasing the Central lead to 4-0.
CCSU totaled 10 hits in the match-up against the Lions.
The Blue Devils return to action on Tuesday, March 5 against Yale for their first home contest of the season. The double header will be played at the CCSU Softball Field with the first pitch set for 3 p.m.


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But do tariffs work? In the case of bedroom furniture, they've clearly helped slow China's export machine. In 2004, before tariffs went into force, China exported $1.2 billion worth of beds and such to the United States. The figure last year was just $691 million.This may be a case where the differential tariff treatment between Chinese and Vietnamese furniture which resulted from the antidumping case induced "trade diversion" - i.e., an efficiency loss because the trade preferences result in imports coming from someplace other than the low cost producer. However, in this example, it could also be the case that comparative advantage shifted to Vietnam as China's labor costs have risen.
Over the same period, however, imports of the same goods from Vietnam — where wages and other costs are even lower than in China — have surged, rising from $151 million to $931 million. The loss of jobs in America, meanwhile, only accelerated.
The only Americans getting more work as a result of the tariffs are Washington lawyers, who have been hired by both U.S. and Chinese companies. Their work includes haggling each year over private "settlement" payments that Chinese manufacturers denounce as a "protection racket."It is clear from the article that workers in the US industry have suffered from a disruptive wave of furniture imports. While it may indeed be the case that the US no longer has a comparative advantage in furniture production, standard comparative static trade theory fails to account for the adjustment costs associated with reallocating resources. That is, trade theory assumes full employment and that workers will be shifted to another sector, ignoring the fact that this process involves losing their jobs in one industry and, usually, a period of unemployment before finding a job in another.
Fearful of having their tariff rates jacked up, many Chinese furniture makers pay cash to their American competitors, who have the right to ask the Commerce Department to review the duties of individual companies. Those who cough up get dropped from the review list.
Although it is also less than perfect, a more appropriate remedy in this case would be the application of "safeguard tariffs" which the President can impose (following the recommendation of the International Trade Commission) in cases where industries are disrupted by import surges. Relative to antidumping tariffs, safeguards have the advantages of being (i) time limited, (ii) at the discretion of the president (who presumably can consider the interest of the nation as a whole, rather than just an affected industry or region), and (iii) not requiring any allegation of "unfair" trade practices on the part of the exporters (which are usually somewhat bogus).


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At what point does greed overtake ambition?
The reason I ask is that, with Saturday's dramatic 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps at another packed Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Colorado Rapids shattered club records in raising the bar to dizzy new heights - and still we want more.
Now, is that being greedy, bearing in mind how far this team has travelled this season, or does it show a burning desire to better oneself?
I'm going to answer my own pondering here and suggest it shows the latter. For me, greed is displayed by those undeserving or those who don't necessarily need what they're chasing. Ambition is expressed by those no less hungry, but who are also worthy of the riches up for grabs.
(Nice gentle start …)
Victory over the Whitecaps lifted the Rapids past the 50 point mark for the first time in franchise history (the previous best had been achieved in 2011 with 49 points), though I do acknowledge regular seasons in years past have contained fewer games.
Full Match Highlights
And, if you want to look at progress made, then look no further than the second half of the 2013 season.
Statistically, the Rapids are the best team in Major League Soccer, along with New York Red Bulls of the Eastern Conference, and that bodes well as we venture toward the playoffs.
Over the first 17 games of the regular season, when injuries to senior players were commonplace and Head Coach Oscar Pareja rarely had players of choice at his disposal, the stuttering Rapids had managed just 20 points by the midway point of the campaign.
In the 16 games since, the rejuvenated Rapids have amassed a staggering 31 points. Only the Red Bulls can match that tally (25 points from the first 17 games, and 31 from the last 16). Of the leading teams in the West, the stats are as follows:
Portland Timbers: 30 from 17; 24 from 16
Real Salt Lake: 30 from 17; 23 from 16
LA Galaxy: 24 from 17; possibly 28 from 16
Seattle Sounders: 24 from 17; 27 from 16
And the entertainment value has sky-rocketed as well. The Rapids found the net just 17 times in the first half of the season. Since the 3-0 mid-point mauling at the Timbers, the Rapids have scored 28 goals in 16 outings.
Saturday's show was another example of how sport drips with drama and makes you shiver with excitement. Kekuta Manneh is an exciting prospect, but goodness knows how he was allowed time and space to turn, before firing home an exquisite shot from 25-yards. Heartening, though, to hear players were frustrated and angered by the error.
The silence which fell across Dick's Sporting Goods Park was a little unnerving. I was in two minds as to whether to quieten down my goal call for fear of being told to 'ssshhhh'.
Up to that point, the game had been a little flat. With so much at stake, the two teams were no doubt fearful of making a costly mistake.
In fairness to the Rapids, they picked up the pace and levelled before the interval with a superbly taken spot kick from Gabriel Torres. I note the bleating from around the league (yes, you San Jose fans), suggesting it should never have been a penalty because 'that's something we see all the time in the penalty area.' Yes, and maybe more referees ought to try and put a stop to the wrestling by pointing to the spot more often. Players would quickly change their ways.
Clint Irwin chipped in with his first assist of the season as rookie Deshorn Brown continued his fine form with number 10 for the year.
Gabriel Torres' Winning Goal
Jordan Harvey seemed to be enjoying himself down the Whitecaps' left-hand side, and deftly drew a foul for Camilo to convert a penalty for the visitors (not sure how he was allowed to make a run, un-tracked, from the left-back position), before Torres capped another memorable night with an unforgettable goal.
These are exciting times for the Rapids, but concerns remain heading toward the playoffs. Teams seem wary of the threat posed by the Rapids' wide boys, and maybe it's just a coincidence that Chris Klute has gone eight games since his last assist - the longest sequence of the season. Certainly on Saturday, both Klute and Marvell Wynne were required to undertake more defensive duties.
But it's through the middle where my eyes were drawn at the weekend. Space and pace is something the Rapids have to guard against going through the center. That is, affording opposing players too much space, as was the case with Manneh at the weekend, and getting beaten for pace – something which is rarely an issue out wide.
That said, Rapids fans have got to be ecstatic with where the side is right now. Dramatic matches, attractive soccer and a squad that has the confidence and belief to go the distance.
Statistically speaking, one of the worst teams in the first half of the season, since when they've been the best. I'll say this (and I've heard similar mutterings from colleagues elsewhere) … nobody will fancy facing the Rapids in the playoffs.


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President-elect Barack Obama does not have a timetable to develop and pass an economic stimulus package, according to one of his aides on the transition team.
Still, Obama wants to get a plan in place as soon as possible given the deteriorating economy, this person said. However, it is important to get the stimulus plan right in order to get the maximum impact from the effort.
Previously, there had been talk of a Jan. 20 deadline for passage of an economic plan. But this is looking increasingly unlikely.
Obama arrives in Washington, D.C., on Sunday and plans to hold meetings all week in order to develop a stimulus bill.
The latest business news.
There have been reports that Obama plans to meet with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on Monday to discuss the timing and scope of the legislation, intended to spur job growth and likely to include big infrastructure investments and tax cuts.
Some media reports have pegged the expected cost of a stimulus plan at between $675 billion and $775 billion.
But Obama aides have been quoted as saying the president-elect will aim to persuade Americans that a nearly $1 trillion government investment is crucial to create jobs, and help repair shattered state coffers.
Earlier in the week, congressional Republicans said they would work with Democrats to craft a stimulus plan but only if GOP ideas are considered.
"We need the right mix of tax relief and other measures to grow the economy," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement Monday.
"Taxpayers are in no mood to have a single dollar wasted, but it's not yet been explained how their tax dollars will be protected ... in a rush to spend their money," McConnell added.
His comments and a simultaneous statement by House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio indicate that Republicans are emerging from their political fox hole with a traditional call for smaller government—even as many in the GOP ranks have joined Democrats in support of government rescues for the ailing financial sector.
Obama is proposing a package of as much as $775 billion over two years, his advisers say, though they think add-ons by lawmakers could raise the price to $850 billion.
His advisers say an $850 billion plan could generate about 3.2 million jobs by the first quarter of 2011.
Some economists favor an even bigger spending stimulus: up to $1.3 trillion.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden said this month that lawmakers will not be allowed to attach earmarks— pet projects —to the legislation.
McConnell and Boehner said the Democrats' ambitious timetable leaves little chance to ensure those goals are met.
Both said there should be hearings on what's in the bill and that the legislation should be posted online for public review for a week before it's brought up for votes in the House and Senate.
-AP and Reuters contributed to this report. For more stories from CNBC, go to cnbc.com.


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Trustees receive update on Energy Efficient Buildings Hub construction
Trustees receive update on Energy Efficient Buildings Hub construction
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Work on a $39 million building project at The Navy Yard complex in Philadelphia will be completed by this fall, according to an update given to the Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning today (Jan. 16).
Ford Stryker, associate vice president for the Office of Physical Plant, said the project involves the renovation of a 38,000-square-foot structure into the Center for Building Energy Science and Engineering (CBESE), previously referred to in plans as "Building 661," and the construction of a 25,200-square-foot facility called the Center for Building Energy Education and Innovation (CBEEI), previously referred to as "Building 7R." Both buildings will be Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified. The trustees approved the project at the January 2013 meeting.
The buildings will house The Navy Yard's Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) Hub, a collective of researchers from academia, the private sector and national laboratories focused on saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and positioning the U.S. at the forefront of the energy-efficient building industry. The buildings will facilitate public education and outreach, and function as the EEB Hub headquarters.
"Penn State researchers were awarded grants totaling up to $159 million from several sources, primarily the Department of Energy and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to develop ways to make commercial and multifamily residential buildings more energy efficient," Stryker said.
Penn State leads the EEB Hub, the Department of Energy Mid-Atlantic Clean Energy Applications Center and other research and education programs at The Navy Yard. Martha Krebs was appointed senior scientist in Penn State's College of Engineering and principal investigator and director of the EEB Hub, effective Dec. 1.
The 1,200-acre Navy Yard is home to 10,000 employees and 130 companies in a mix of historic buildings and new LEED-certified structures. In 1995, the military ceased nearly all U.S. Navy activities at the facility, which had been a site for Naval activity going back to the late 18th century.
Once the former Navy Yard recreation center, the CBESE has been unused since the base closed. Renovations include the main entrance and lobby. Conference rooms, offices and support spaces will be housed in the east portion of the building. The large sky-lit atrium will be used as an exhibition and event space, with bleacher-style stairs providing seating for lectures and demonstrations. Interior glass walls will provide views of the lighting, building controls and building information modeling labs. The second floor will house a 120-seat symposium space and an Immersive Construction (Icon) Laboratory.
The building's more than 70-year-old roof and its pre-cast panel system were in poor condition and removed. This was not in the original plans and caused a five-week delay, according to Stryker. Completion of the CBESE is set for the summer.
The CBEEI will include research laboratories and technology demonstration spaces, as well as offices and state-of-the-art teaching facilities.
Unanticipated costs, such as the roof replacement, forced a scaling back of that project, Stryker said.
The three first-floor classrooms will be shell space, left unfinished for future use with only an exterior building shell. The plan originally called for only one classroom to be shell space. On the second floor, all four classrooms will be shell space; originally only two were to be shell spaces.
The foundation is complete, underground utility work is finished and drilling is done for the structure's 44 geothermal wells. The project is expected to be finished in the fall.
The two projects are located across the street from each other at 12th Street and Kitty Hawk Avenue. Funding for the $39 million project comes from the state as well as grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Economic Development Administration.


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Fraud Waste and Abuse False Claims Act Policy
Abri Health Care Services (SCC) is committed to effective and efficient operations, reliable financial reporting and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. It is the policy of SCC to inform physicians, employees, and contractors of SCC of (i) the Federal False Claims Act; (ii) whistleblower protections in the Federal False Claims Act; (iv) the roles of such laws in preventing and deterring fraud, waste, abuse; and (v) internal processes at SCC for the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse. This policy is intended to effect compliance of SCC with the requirement under Section 6032 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Pub. Law. 190-171, Feb. 8, 2006); the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of the Human Resource Code Chapters 32 and 36, effective September 1, 2005; and Louisiana's Medicaid anti-fraud laws found in Louisiana Revised Statute §14.70.1 and its implementing regulations (the latter, collectively, the Louisiana Anti-Fraud Laws").
All Medicare First Tier, Downstream, and Related Entities (FDR's) of SCC are required to complete and maintain proof of completion of the class "Medicare Parts C & D General Compliance Training" on the CMS Medicare Learning Network at:
Abri Health Care Services Mission Statement
Abri Health Care Services is building an organization where each team member is valued, respected and given an opportunity for personal and professional growth. We are committed to the resident and communities we serve to promote better and healthier lives. We strive to be an industry leader with uncompromising standards measured by defined clinical outcomes, customer service programs and financial sustainability.
Program Goals
- Maintain zero tolerance of fraud.
- Prevent, detect, and respond to unacceptable legal risk and its financial implications.
- Route non-compliance issues to appropriate areas.
- SCC employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents are expected to abide by a high standard of ethical behavior at all times and to obey the laws and rules that apply to SCC operations and their particular duties and that are listed below.
- It is the duty of employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents to report any transaction or conduct that they think may be a violation of federal, state, or local law or a violation of any SCC policy.
Code of Conduct Policy
To ensure the highest ethical standards and quality of care, and compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, Abri Health Care Services holds itself and others accountable to certain expectations and responsibilities. Abri Health Care Services communicates these expectations and responsibilities by continuing education, policies and procedures, and otherwise to team members, contractors, companies, agencies and all others that provide care to Senior Care Center residents on behalf of Abri Health Care Services(collectively "Team Members"). Abri Health Care Services further ensures the suitability of Team Members and applicants by screenings and reference checks. By doing so, Abri Health Care Services ensures that Team Members are eligible for their positions, and that they will successfully meet the highest ethical standards, provide the highest quality of care, and comply with all applicable state and federal laws.
To further meet the goals under this policy, Abri Health Care Services:
- submits only claims for payment that accurately reflect rendered services,
- uses accurate billing codes,
- markets in a manner that is honest, informative and non-deceptive,
- maintains the highest level of confidentiality,
- refrains from generating referrals to itself,
- trains Team Members annually on HIPAA and their corresponding obligations,
- encrypts resident confidential information on all laptops and portable storage devices,
- ensures that all resident records are handled, stored and transported in a strictly confidential manner and in accordance with all applicable laws,
- trains Team Members annually on recognizing and not engaging in conflicts of interest,
- requires Team Members to report concerns and suspected violations of this policy and potential wrongdoing,
- posts "May We Help You with Your Concerns" posters in a public location in all facilities,
- posts two "Hotline" telephone numbers [telephone numbers] to report or address suspected policy violations,
- maintains, administers, audits and enforces Operational Policies and Procedures, an Internal Audit Program, a Compliance and Business Integrity Policy, and a Fraud, Waste and Abuse – False Claims Policy,
- maintains a Corporate Compliance Officer and Corporate Compliance Committee for oversight purposes, and
- prohibits Team Members from accepting payments, bribes, rebates and/or gifts induce or reward referrals of items or services that are reimbursed by a federal health care program thereby limiting financial incentives in accordance with the Anti-kickback Statute set forth by the Social Security Act.
Additionally, all employees, physicians, physician's extenders, contractors and their agents must continually and without exception meet and follow the Mission Statement as set forth in this handbook. Team Members must also:
- be honest, courteous, accurate and professional in all of their daily interactions with residents, families and fellow team members,
- treat others as you expect to be treated, with dignity and respect,
- follow all policies and procedures,
- obey local, state, and federal laws,
- follow the chain of command when addressing problems,
- follow the provisions of the Team Members Handbook,
- refuse all gifts, tips, or compensation from residents, families and vendors,
- refuse any remuneration for any referrals to or from outside vendors or sources, and report any offer to your supervisor or the Corporate Compliance Officer,
- refrain from submitting false claims for services not performed in accordance with the False Claims Act,
- refrain from engaging in any activity which is fraudulent or in violation of any laws relating to providing care or receiving reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid or other reimbursement programs,
- refrain from dishonest or fraudulent billing or documentation practices,
- report any suspected illegal activity or violations of Senior Care Center policies and procedures to your supervisor or the Corporate Compliance Officer,
- refrain from the abuse or neglect of, and/or a crimes against residents, and immediately report through appropriate channels any knowledge or suspicion of a crime or abuse or neglect of a resident,
- honor residents' rights to confidentiality and privacy,
- comply with all HIPAA requirements,
- electronically protect all resident data and report any breach of data immediately
- immediately notify the Corporate Compliance Officer of any claim that a Team Member suspects does not adhere to the False Claims Act, and
- visit the Fraud, Waste and Abuse – False Claims Act Policy posted at www.seniorcarecentersltc.com,
Notwithstanding this non-exhaustive list, Team Members should also represent and meet the spirit and intentions of this policy, ensure the highest ethical standards, provide the highest quality of care, and comply with all applicable state and federal laws.
Corporate Compliance Program
The purpose of this program is to ensure that the facility complies with all federal, state, local laws, regulations, and standards of care. Any vendor or employee of a facility who believes that someone has violated one or more of these laws, regulations, or standards of care should contact his or her supervisor or other management within the facility. Those who do not feel comfortable with contacting someone through the regular chain of command should contact the Corporate Compliance Officer, Kelly Morrison at 214-252-7600. There will be no retaliation against any vendor or employee for making a report. The reporting of such events is everyone's responsibility and is an important part of your job.
- SCC will not take any adverse action or retribution against any employee/agent due to the good faith reporting of a suspected violation or irregularity.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents are expected to obey the law and report any suspected violations of the following:
- Federal, state, and local laws and government regulations
- Applicable SCC policies and procedures
- Applicable SCC rules and regulations
- Compliance Program
- Code of Conduct Policy
- All clinical professional services will be documented in the medical record, and such documentation will comply with applicable payer regulations.
- All clinical professional services will be coded to accurately reflect the documentation in the medical record.
- All claims shall be submitted in compliance with applicable payer regulations or requirements.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not knowingly and willfully solicit, receive, offer, or pay any remuneration directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, in exchange for Medicare and/or Medicaid referrals.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not knowingly and willfully:
- Falsify, conceal or cover up a material fact,
- Make any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation, or
- Make or use false writing or document known to contain false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement in information submitted to the government.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not conceal or fail to disclose knowledge of an event affecting an initial or continued right to any benefit or payment with intent to secure such benefit or payment fraudulently.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not knowingly present or cause to be presented false or fraudulent claims, including situations where the service was not provided as claimed, the service was provided during a period in which the provider was excluded from participating in Federal healthcare programs, and/or the service was provided due to false or misleading information on coverage in order to influence a decision regarding when to discharge a person from inpatient hospital services.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not knowingly make or present a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim to a Federal agency.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not use the U. S. Postal Service or electronic submission processes as part of a scheme to defraud the government or to obtain money by false or fraudulent pretenses.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not embezzle, steal, or otherwise convert to the benefit of another person or intentionally misapply money, funds, securities, premiums, credits, property, or other assets of a health care benefit program.
- Employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents will not willfully prevent, obstruct, mislead, delay, or attempt to prevent, obstruct, mislead, or delay the communication of information or records relating to violation of a Federal health care offense to a criminal investigator. (The Administrator and Corporate Compliance Officer should be notified immediately of such an investigation).
False Claims Act
- The False Claims Act prohibits the submission of knowingly false or fraudulent claims to the United States.
- The law is not limited to claims submitted with fraudulent or actual knowledge of their falsity, but includes:
- Deliberate ignorance
- Reckless disregard of truth or falsity
- Gross negligence
The False Claims Act was established under sections 3729 through 3733 of Title 31, Chapter 37, Sub-chapter III of the United States Code. This act prohibits the submission of "knowing" false claims and statements to obtain federal funds. This act excludes tax fraud. An example would be a health care provider billing Medicare or Medicaid for services that were not provided or were unnecessary. Title 31, Chapter 38, Subchapter III of the United States Code establishes administrative remedies for any false claims or statements. In addition, the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act was established under Chapter 36, Subchapter A of the Human Resources Code. This code seeks to address and punish those individuals and entities, participating in the Medicaid program, found to have defrauded the State Medicaid program through unlawful acts, such as filing a claim under the Medicaid program for services not rendered. This code also establishes sanction and remedies for the findings of fraud. Both of the above codes provide provisions for "Whistleblower" protection and the assurance of non-retaliation against an employee/vendor who reports any type of false claims and statements. The Louisiana Anti-Fraud Laws seek to address and punish those individuals and entities, participating in the Medicaid program, found to have defrauded the State Medicaid program through unlawful acts, such as filing a claim under the Medicaid program for services not rendered. All Abri Health Care Services entities are in compliance with the False Claims Act and these Texas and Louisiana anti-fraud laws and maintain written policies and procedures at each site for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.
False Claims Act Liability
- The False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §3729, provides for liability for triple damages and a penalty from $5,500 to $11,000 per claim plus triple damages for anyone who knowingly submits or causes the submission of a false or fraudulent claim to the United States.
- Liability for certain acts – any person who:
- Knowingly presents, or causes to be presented to an officer or employee of the United States Government or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval;
- Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid or approved by the Government; conspires to defraud the Government by getting a false or fraudulent claim allowed or paid;
- Has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the Government and, intending to defraud the Government or willfully to conceal the property, delivers, or causes to be delivered, less property than the amount for which the person receives a certificate or receipt;
- Authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the Government and, intending to defraud the Government, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true;
- Knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the Government, or a member of the Armed Forces, who lawfully may not sell or pledge the property; or
- Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government.
Qui Tam Provision of False Claims Act
- Qui tam is a provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act that allows private citizens to file a lawsuit in the name of the U. S. Government charging fraud by government contractors and others who receive or use government funds, and share in any money recovered.
- If the Government joins, and successfully prosecutes the case, and the person who filed the suit was not involved in the wrongdoing, that person can receive between 15 and 25 percent depending on the extent of that person's contribution to the case.
- If the Government does not join and the person who filed the suit successfully prosecutes the case, that person will receive between 25 and 30 percent of the proceeds.
Federal Anti-Kickback Statute
- Prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving anything of value to induce or reward referrals or generate Federal health care program business. Intent must be proven.
- Penalties – Criminal fines up to $25,000 per violation and up to a 5 year prison term per violation. Civil monetary penalties and program exclusion. Civil liability of $50,000 CMP per violation and up to three times the amount of the kickback.
- Exception – Safe Harbors that might apply.
The Stark Law
- Prohibits a physician from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients for designated health services to an entity with which the physician (or immediate family member) has a financial relationship (unless an exception applies). No intent standard required for required refund. Intent must be proven for CMP.
- Prohibits the designated health services entity from submitting claims to Medicare and Medicaid for those services resulting from a prohibited referral.
- Must refund overpayment. Civil penalties potential $15,000 CMP for each service and up to three times the amount claimed.
Federal Health Care Program Exclusion
- The Office of Inspector General has exclusion authority as follows;
- Conviction of program-related crimes. Minimum period: 5 years.
- Misdemeanor conviction relating to health care fraud. Minimum period: 3 years.
- Conviction relating to obstruction of an investigation. Minimum period: 3 years.
How to Report Compliance Issues
- Notify a supervisor or manager first.
- Contact the Corporate Compliance Officer at email@example.com or 214-252-7600.
Should employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents feel that SCC has not taken appropriate action to address a potential violation, they can also lodge a complaint concerning waste, fraud, and abuse directly to the Federal Government to the Health and Human Service's Office of Inspector General.
Employee/Vendor Responsibility
- It is the policy that SCC will not take any adverse action or retribution against any employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents of the facility due to the good faith reporting of suspected violation or irregularity.
- SCC encourages employees, physicians, physician extenders, contractors, and agents to report any suspected violations of law to the Corporate Compliance Officer and to ask questions if they are unsure of regulation.
Whistleblower Protection under False Claims Act
A whistleblower as defined by this policy is an individual or an employee who reports an activity that he/she considers to be illegal or dishonest to one or more of the parties specified in this policy. The whistleblower is not responsible for investigating the activity or for determining fault or corrective measures; appropriate management officials are charged with these responsibilities.
Examples of illegal or dishonest activities are violations of federal, state or local laws; billing for services not performed or for goods not delivered; and other fraudulent financial reporting.
If an individual or an employee has knowledge of or a concern of illegal or dishonest fraudulent activity, they are to contact his/her immediate supervisor or the Corporate Compliance Officer. The employee must exercise sound judgment to avoid baseless allegations. Intentionally filing a false report of wrongdoing will be subject to discipline up to and including termination.
Whistleblower protections are provided in two important areas — confidentiality and against retaliation. Insofar as possible, the confidentiality of the whistleblower will be maintained. However, identity may have to be disclosed to conduct a thorough investigation, to comply with the law and to provide accused individuals their legal rights of defense. The Facility will not retaliate against a whistleblower. This includes, but is not limited to, protection from retaliation in the form of an adverse employment action such as termination, compensation decreases, or poor work assignments and threats of physical harm. Any whistleblower who believes he/she is being retaliated against must contact the Corporate Compliance Officer immediately. The right of a whistleblower for protection against retaliation does not include immunity for any personal wrongdoing that is alleged and investigated.
All reports of illegal and dishonest activities will be promptly submitted to the Corporate Compliance Officer, Kelly Morrison, at (214) 252-7600 or firstname.lastname@example.com who is responsible for investigating and coordinating corrective action.


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There is no president of the Internet. But there is a queen. That only-somewhat-exaggerated sobriquet belongs to Mary Meeker, the 53-year-old financial analyst turned venture capitalist. Back in 1995, Meeker—then an analyst at Morgan Stanley—foresaw how a wave of unprecedented innovation was going to change lives and create enormous wealth. She summarized her views in a landmark report that instantly secured her reputation as the Nostradamus of technology.
As a financial analyst, Meeker helped Morgan Stanley snare major IPOs—Netscape, Priceline, and Google—and recommended bonanzas like Amazon, AOL, Intuit, and Dell. After the first Internet boom went bust, some of her fellow analysts drew penalties and fines for cynically touting stocks they privately disdained. But Meeker remained unscathed, in part because she always believed in what she was selling. Even after the crash, she kept that faith, insisting on the value of some tech stocks when stung investors had lost heart. Those who followed her advice—to stick with Amazon, for instance—profited handsomely.
Now everybody listens. Since the mid-2000s, her annual info-packed presentation on the state of the Internet has become a tech industry event in its own right. Meeker has nailed the most important dynamics of the tech and investment climate, from the spread of mobile computing to the rise of China. She gave her most recent address—99 slides in about 19 minutes—at last May's All Things Digital conference. In it, she focused on the idea that nearly every conceivable human activity was in the process of being transformed—connectivity (mobile phones), cash registers (Square), manufacturing (3-D printers), window shopping (decor site One Kings Lane), and even education (Codecademy). Her Majesty dubbed this trend "the reimagination of everything."
Meeker reimagined her own life in 2011, when after two decades on Wall Street she became a venture capitalist, moving to the leafy Sand Hill Road headquarters of estimable VC firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to head its billion-dollar Digital Growth Fund. She has made bets on high-profile startups like Square, Spotify, and Twitter as well as under-the-radar plays like Lending Club, DocuSign, and Waze. She met with wired at KPCB's headquarters, pulling up a decade's worth of her trademark reports on her omnipresent iPad to back up her points.
Wired: Every year you put together a report on Internet trends. Do trends emerge as you do the research, or do you collect a bunch of figures to confirm what you already think is going on?
Mary Meeker: It's a combination. For instance, last winter I was walking around Kleiner and peeked into one of these glass-walled conference rooms. There were a handful of engineers talking to one of our venture capitalists, and I saw the word beauty in their presentation. I'd never seen a couple of engineers in flannel shirts—guys—with the word beauty on a PowerPoint slide. Just never seen it before. Later I was walking around the building and saw another slide that had beautification on it. Same thing, same day. I went, "Wow, that's unusual." So as the marriage of design and technology kept popping up, it became clear to me there was a bigger theme here.
Wired: The reports aren't just for investors, though—these Internet trends say something about broader technological and cultural shifts.
Meeker: I agree. And here's another thing that we noticed this year: People wanted to try the apps I mentioned in the presentation.
Wired: You gushed about the traffic app Waze so much it was almost like you were a commercial spokesperson.
Meeker: We are investors. I love the app. It just hit 20 million users. I've used it in New York state and Michigan and Colorado and Turkey. It's like having a videogame in your hand.
Wired: Do you ever invest based on your personal affection for a particular product?
Meeker: I've made my best personal investments when I've been a user of the product. Like Apple. The epiphany for me came when I purchased my fifth iPod and I hadn't unwrapped my fourth. It was still in the plastic case.
Wired: What was your biggest success from that strategy?
Meeker: Personally? Amazon. Intuit. eBay.
Wired: Did you get hooked on eBay?
Meeker: Yes. A captivating moment was when I realized that people, including myself, were not saying, "I just bought an item on eBay." They were saying, "I just won an item on eBay." It was the thrill of the hunt. I bought a car on eBay.
Wired: What kind of car?
Meeker: Nissan Xterra, pre-owned.
Wired: Is that hands-on philosophy built into the investment strategy here at KP?
Meeker: Yes. In the Digital Growth Fund, we have a rule: For every company that we invest in, someone here is assigned to get to know and use the product intimately and well. But that can't be the person who leads the investment—or even the person who happens to be most passionate about the product. For instance, we have an investment in Zynga, but we didn't want Bing Gordon [a Kleiner VC who is legendary in the gaming world] to be the Zynga guy. Instead, Bing was assigned to get to know Codecademy. Every six months or so, Bing will spend 15 minutes updating us on Codecademy from an independent perspective. Then, if there's something there that can be helpful, we send the report to the company.
Meeker's Great Hits (and One Miss)
For almost as long as there has been a consumer Internet, Mary Meeker has ruled over it, routinely picking some of the industry's most successful stocks. And despite weathering a few big misses—and a securities investigation—she's been better than anyone else at identifying trends and predicting how the Web would develop. Below, a selection of her most important calls.—Elise Craig
Two years after joining Morgan Stanley as an analyst, Meeker joins forces with Kleiner Perkins' John Doerr to underwrite Intuit's IPO. By October 1995, Intuit's market value is up 330 percent.
A New York Times article persuades Meeker to set up a meeting with Jim Clark and Marc Andreessen; a year later, Morgan Stanley leads Netscape's IPO, an event that heralds the dawn of the Internet Age.
Meeker cowrites her first report on the state of the Internet, proclaiming email the net's "killer application" and predicting that "browsing through information services" will be the next breakthrough.
Meeker advises Time Warner on its merger with AOL and the next year calls the behemoth "our best money- making idea." By the summer of 2002, the stock price dropped 80 percent.
Meeker's search-engine analysis and relationship with Google cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page help Morgan Stanley land a lead underwriter position in the Internet company's $1.7 billion IPO.
Meeker's Mobile Internet Report, published in December 2009, claims "more users may connect to the Internet via mobile devices than desktop PCs within five years." A year later, smartphones outsell PCs for the first time.
Meeker joins VC powerhouse Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. She helps broker investments in Twitter, Groupon, Spotify, Jawbone, and others and joins Square's board.
Click the arrows to move through the timeline.
Wired: During the boom of the late 1990s, you became known as one of the biggest boosters of tech stocks, throwing coal on the fire. How do you view that period now?
Meeker: The coal observation is yours. I disagree with that. Investment cycles have consistent patterns. At first nobody believes. Then people start to believe. Then there's an inflection point—and a lot of people believe. Then you'll have a boom, and then you'll have a bust. If you go back and read through our stuff, we wrote it again and again: We believed there would be a handful of companies that would create a huge amount of wealth. In a typical year, there are generally two technology companies that go public and become 10-baggers, which means they deliver a 10-times return on investment. We were trying to find those two companies. And when you look at our aggregate returns, we did pretty well.
Wired: Are any of your bubble-era bets painful to look back on?
Meeker: @Home did not do well. Homestore was a huge disappointment. It's one thing to be wrong about the valuation and the timing. It's another thing to be wrong about the business model, and in the case of Homestore and @Home we just got the business model wrong.
"It's one thing to be wrong about the valuation. It's another to be wrong about the business model."
Wired: Are we in another bubble?
Meeker: I don't feel like we have a bubble in the public markets, but I do feel like there are certainly big pockets of excessive value in the private markets. Public market valuations are lower than private market valuations, and that shouldn't be the case. There will be a lot of companies that don't live up to their valuations.
Wired: Why leave Morgan Stanley and Wall Street to become a venture capitalist?
Meeker: I always wanted to invest. The Kleiner team had been talking to me for a decade about joining, and I thought that if I didn't do it now I never would. It seemed like I had a lot of relevant experience to apply to a new cycle, a new group of growing companies. I'd seen the movie before in the 1980s, the 1990s, and the 2000s.
Wired: And what have you learned so far?
Meeker: Venture capitalists work harder than I thought they did.
Wired: How do you decide whether to invest in a company?
Meeker: It's pretty basic. Is there a huge market opportunity? Is there a great management team? A great product or service? In that sense, it's not much different than it was for me at Morgan Stanley. We probably passed on a thousand IPOs, and what determined that was not just the material numbers but the entrepreneur. It's a little bit like being a talent scout.
Wired: How do you discern who's talented?
Meeker: John Doerr says you have to separate the missionaries from the mercenaries. In the good ones, there's an unbelievable product passion. Daniel Ek at Spotify is a great example. If you ask him a question, he's got an answer, he's already thought it through. When he doesn't know something, he figures out how to find out.
Wired: Last year you did a report called USA Inc., analyzing the United States as if it were a corporation. You concluded that America was losing its edge and predicted a bleak financial outlook unless we change course. How did that come about?
Meeker: In October 2007 I was living in New York, and it became clear that this mortgage thing might be a bigger problem than we knew. In that year's Internet trends report, we included a slide that said something like "There's a mortgage issue. Pay attention to it." And then the next year, when we were in the darkest moments of a financial crisis, I felt I had a responsibility to talk about it. Joe or Jane Internet entrepreneur, you may not think that you need to care about unemployment levels or GDP growth, but you actually do, because it will impact your business. The theme of that presentation was "Hope for one bad year, plan for five."
After that, I asked Liang Wu, an associate on our digital team, how long it would take to put together a 10-year income statement for the United States of America, just like we do for Google. He said it would take three to four hours. So he did it, I looked at it, and I said, "Oh my gosh. People need to think about this."
Wired: One of the points you make several times is the scope of government entitlements like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—which you show accounted for 57 percent of federal expenses in 2010.
Meeker: Yeah. And that's embarrassing. I've paid a lot of taxes, and it was only when I looked at that income statement that I understood where my taxes go. And if I could, I would allocate my taxes differently. I'd continue to allocate them for the security of our country, first and foremost. I want to make sure we have a vibrant ecosystem for our future growth, and that includes jobs and education. And for Americans who need help taking care of themselves, let's allocate funds as effectively and efficiently as possible, and do whatever we can to help them help themselves.
Wired: Is Silicon Valley out of touch with the rest of the country?
Meeker: It depends. There are a lot of immigrants in Silicon Valley—from other countries and other parts of the United States. The kid from Syracuse who works at an Internet startup in San Francisco gets what's going on in America. The kid whose upper-middle-class father was laid off from a financial services company in 2008 gets it.
Wired: You're one of those immigrants yourself.
Meeker: I grew up in a small town in northeastern Indiana. I had an all-American childhood. And I grew up as an optimist. My dad was in his fifties when I was born. He volunteered to go to World War II when he was in his forties. The first time he left the country was on a ship out of San Francisco going to Japan—he saw the world and brought back a lot of optimism. He was a successful lawyer and businessman in the steel industry. So I was fortunate to grow up with the steel industry in the United States during a great growth time. I grew up believing that one person could make a difference. In Indiana, you saw that with basketball. The small town could beat the big town, like in the movie Hoosiers. That is one of the things that attracts me to entrepreneurs.
"A lot of college grads don't feel entitled. They feel they need to make their own way."
Wired: Life is good for entrepreneurs, but what has Silicon Valley done for the rest of the country?
Meeker: I think people's lives are better because they have access to all this information at a very low cost. Entertainment is cheaper, it's easy to get help, it's easier to stay out of trouble. I believe that technology has made what has been a very difficult time less bad.
And there's a second part. Silicon Valley is different than it has been in the past. Compare the Oracle team in the 1980s—very sales-driven—with the Facebook management team, for whom changing the world is more important than selling ads. There's a different ethos and a different mindset, A lot of really talented recent college grads have been humbled. They've seen stuff happen to their parents or their older brother or their family in a difficult economic time. They don't feel entitled, and they feel that they need to make their own way. These kids are creating some unbelievable stuff.
Wired: You see that in people coming in here for funding?
Meeker: Yes. Consider this quote from Mark Zuckerberg in the S-1 letter. [She pulls it up on her iPad.] "We hope to rewire the way people spread and consume information." Now, that is the most arrogant thing I have ever heard. But he's got more than 900 million users and he may be right. We may look back on that in five years and think that he wasn't ambitious enough.
But the most powerful mission statement to me was Google's—"to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." We were involved in that IPO, and I had to ask myself: "Are we in?" We could have said no. But I remember thinking, "Oh my God, they may be able to do this."
Wired: That was a rocky IPO, with two very unusual founders demanding an unusual process.
Meeker: Yeah, they're quirky. There's a stubbornness that was frustrating and a lack of willingness to be persuaded. There's a common thread of stubbornness among the great entrepreneurs. But they have an ability to listen. I thought Microsoft would give them a run for their money and their margins would go down after a couple of years. That never happened.
Wired: You are a woman in a field where prominent women are in the minority. What's your view on the increasingly vocal complaints about this underrepresentation?
Meeker: No one forced me to focus on technology. I just did it because I had a passion for it. When I started, there weren't a lot of women role models. It was Carol Bartz, Judy Estrin. I think there's been a lot of progress since then, and I think that if women have a passion and really want to succeed, they can. On a relative basis, the male-female ratio is certainly skewed to men, but on an absolute basis, there are a lot of very successful women in technology.
Wired: Kleiner Perkins now faces a very public sexual discrimination case. Are you concerned about the reputation of the firm?
Meeker: It's a lawsuit. I can't talk about it.
Wired: Several times during this interview, you've looked up material on your iPad. When are you not with your iPad?
Meeker: Rarely. When I'm playing golf.
Wired: One final question. How do you feel about being called the Queen of the Net?
Meeker: Better the queen than the grandmother! Every once in a while I try to pull rank. I'll be in the pantry, and three people are waiting for the cappuccino machine, and I'll say, "Excuse me, it's the Queen of the Net—can I step in front of the line?" There are worse things to be called.
Senior writer Steven Levy (steven_levy @wired.com) wrote about Jack Dorsey in issue 20.08.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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Today in court, Hunter Singleton accepted a plea deal offered by the prosecutor. The spurious charges of possession of a controlled substance had been previously dropped. Today, the prosecutor also dropped the Felony charge of wearing a mask. In exchange, Hunter took an Alford Plea (basically not saying you are guilty but recognizing that there is evidence against you) to a misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct charge. He was given 90 days, with 87 suspended. He had already served 2 days after his arrest, and will serve 1 more day on Friday.
Hunter has over 200 dollars in court fees, and needs help to pay these. Hopefully there will be an upcoming fundraiser, but in the mean time, if you just want to donate a few dollars towards his costs it would be greatly appreciated. Please get in touch if you want to donate money, or if you have an idea or venue or band for a fundraising event! firstname.lastname@example.com or 2005 Barton Avenue
It is excellent news and a great relief to many of Richmond's activists, anarchists, and Occupiers that Eric Scott and Hunter Singleton have faired relatively well regarding their charges with resulted from a November 9th Occupy Richmond March. The use of felony charges seems to be a scare tactic by the Richmond Police Department. Participants in the march were using bandannas soaked in vinegar to protect from potential tear gas being used by the RPD (they have a tendency to use tear gas in crowd situations on a fairly regular basis). The felony charge of wearing a mask is a terrible law, and certainly one for anyone participating in political actions to keep in mind. Hopefully one day Virginia will be free of this repressive statute.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: activist, anarchist, anarchist black cross, hunter singleton, monroe park, occupy richmond, richmond police, rpd, va mask law | Comments Off on Result of Hunter's Court Today, Donations Towards Court Fees Requested


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When you need to re-balance and rejuvenate your body in between daily routines, Lada Spa is the perfect answer for a time and resource saving relaxation. A therapeutic health massage well suited to urban lifestyle, Lada Spa provides professional massage to restore and enhance natural beauty from the inside Tune your body, mind and spirit. Let yourself go get pampered and freshened. Indulge yourself in the relaxation and simplicity of Lada Spa. Experience the true pleasure of cozy stylish ambience, clean and hygienic environment; unique tasteful decoration.
What a lovely surprise this boutique hotel turned out to be. Instead of the main door leading onto the street, you enter through a small and inviting courtyard with fish pools and attractive plants and trees. The service was of the highest quality from the reception to the dining area, with extremely polite and friendly staff. The hotel room massages were to die for......try out the various types, you won't regret it.Great choice (Brisbane , Fulfillingdreams) - Tripadvisor.com
Stayed August 2015, traveled with family
Great stay (China , Au Y) - Agoda.com
staff are extremely friendly and they will respond to your request swiftly. little defects but on the whole it was acceptable. great location and within walking distance to the night markets
Great Location !! (United Kingdom , Solo Traveller) - Expedia.com
Recommend this hotel if you're not too picky. Pros: Short walking distance to the town and markets.The size of our twin room was good and with a balcony (but facing to a garage) air con was cool enough for us. hot water was available but not stable. Cons: A peanut and a pea aside our bed were found, not sure if they cleaned the room. A grasshopper was staying our room but it's ok. toilet was leaking but didn't bother us.
Fantastic (Australia , Finplus) - Tripadvisor.com
The La Da Kiri Boutique had been recommended to us by friends and we were not disappointed. There is so much good about this hotel starting with the location - just five minutes walk from Pub Street but there is more than just this. The rooms are clean, the beds are really good by Asian standards in that they are not too hard, the rooftop bar is a great place to watch the sunset and the pool is fantastic. We did have a problem with the air conditioning but this was fixed within about 3 hours of us raising it with management.
Pleasant stay (Hong Kong Region, China , Grace S) - Tripadvisor.com
We stayed 2 nights in this small and newly built boutique hotel.
Room was clean and spacious.
I Breakfast was moderate yet good enough.
Staffs were helpful and friendly.
The place is on a bustling street leads to pub street. Only less than 10mns walk.
Could be one of the best choices in town.
Keep up good work guys!
Stayed August 2015, traveled as a couple
"Amazing Place to Stay!!" (Phnom Penh, Cambodia , Sokhalita) - Tripadvisor.com
I was stayed there 3 nights with friends, We get a pick up service from the airport, friendly staff welcome us... We are really love the room near the swimming pool.
Great location 2 minutes walk to the Night market and 5 minutes walk to Pub Street.
Everything is very good. Everything is around the hotel!!
Room Tip:Every room is Perfect!!!
Stayed August 2015, traveled with friends
Solid choice, good location (35-49 man from Rome, Italy , vincentinparis) - Tripadvisor.com
Friendly and helpful staff, ready with advice and a supply of tuktuks for trips around town or for tours of the temples. The free two-way airport shuttle was a welcome touch. Though I didn't really need it, I was given a rundown of options on check-in, including fair rates for drivers to Angkor Wat. Breakfasts were simple but really tasty (we had noodles, fried rice and omelettes three days running, all cooked to order, not off a steam table).


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Land Rover Range Rover Velar | 3.0 D275 R-Dynamic S 5dr Auto
Land Rover Range Rover Velar Overview
I would like all maintenance and service costs included
Initial Rental (Personal)
£5,268.13 inc VAT
Initial Rental (Business)
£4,390.11 ex VAT
Contract Length
48 Months
Processing fee
£199.99 ex VAT
Standard Options
- Acoustic laminated windscreen
- Electric windows with one touch open/close and anti trap
- Heated rear window with timer
- Heated windscreen heated windscreen washer jets
- Rain sensor windscreen wipers
- Rear wash/wipe
- 350mm front brakes
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Cornering brake control
- DSC - Dynamic Stability Control
- Electronic brake force distribution
- Electronic parking brake
- Electronic traction control
- Emergency brake assist
- Hill descent control
- Hill launch assist
- Low traction launch
- Roll stability control
- Unpainted brake calipers
- Carpet mats
- Coil suspension system
- Passive suspension
- Terrain Response with dynamic program
- Android Auto
- Apple car play
- Bluetooth connectivity
- InControl remote
- Land Rover InControl apps
- Voice control system
- 180 degree rear view camera with active wash system
- Cruise control speed limiter
- Front and rear parking aid
- Lane keep assist
- Speed proportional electronic power assisted steering (EPAS)
- Traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter
- Powered tailgate/boot lid
- Analogue dials with central TFT display
- Brake pad wear indicator warning light
- Driver condition monitor
- InControl Touch navigation pro
- Pro services and wifi hotspot
- Service indicator
- Trip computer
- Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
- Gloss black door mirrors
- Power fold, auto-dimming, heated door mirrors with approach lights
- Shadow aluminium trim finisher
- Standard IP end caps
- Digital Audio Broadcast radio-DAB
- Meridian sound system with 380W and 11 speakers
- Steering wheel mounted controls
- Black roof rails
- Body coloured bumpers
- Body coloured roof
- Boot protection plate
- D275 badge
- Flush deployable exterior door handles
- Metal front tread plates with R Dynamic branding
- Metal load space scuff plates
- S badge
- Solid paint
- Standard roof
- Tailgate/boot lid spoiler
- Velar and R-dynamic badge
- Automatic headlamp levelling
- Automatic headlights
- Follow me home headlights
- Headlamp power wash
- Premium LED Headlights with signature DRL, auto high beam assist and headlamp powerwash and animated directional indicators
- Rear fog lights
- Air quality sensor
- Two zone climate control
- Adjustable front armrest
- Bright metal pedals
- Ebony headlining
- Leather steering wheel with Atlas bezel
- Loadspace cover
- Lockable glovebox
- Manually adjustable steering column
- Perforated grained leather/Suede cloth upholstery
- Satin chrome gearshift paddles
- Standard interior
- Interior lighting
- Power socket pack 1 - Velar
- R-Dynamic exterior pack - Velar
- 3x3 point rear seatbelts
- Curtain airbags
- Door side intrusion beams
- Driver airbag
- Emergency braking
- Front and rear seatbelt reminder
- Passenger airbag
- Power operated child locks
- Rear airbags
- Side airbags
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- 14 way electric adj heated front seats with lumbar support driver memory
- 40:20:40 split folding rear seats
- Isofix system on outer rear seats
- Passive front headrests
- Rear centre headrest
- Global lock and unlock switch on driver door
- Immobiliser
- Intrusion sensor
- Keyless entry
- Lock only switch on front passenger door
- Perimetric alarm
- Remote central locking
- Trailer stability assist
- 8 speed automatic transmission
- Open differential with torque vectoring by braking
- Single speed transfer box
- Driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirror
- All season tyres
- 19" 5 Spoke alloy wheels with satin dark grey finish - Style 5046
- Reduction section steel spare wheel
Technical Options
- Noise Level dB(A): 73
- Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
- Bore: 84
- Catalytic Convertor: True
- Compression Ratio: 16.1:1
- Cylinder Layout: V6
- Cylinders: 6
- Engine Codes: AJ200
- Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
- Fuel Type: COMMON RAIL
- Gears: 8 SPEED
- Number of Valves: 24
- Stroke: 90
- Valve gear: DOHC
- EC: True
- EC Combined: 44.1
- WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 7.6
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 9.5
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Max: 10.5
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Min: 7.1
- WLTP - MPG - High: 7.8
- WLTP - MPG - High - Max: 6.2
- WLTP - MPG - High - Min: 6.9
- WLTP - MPG - Low: 8
- WLTP - MPG - Low - Max: 8.5
- WLTP - MPG - Low - Min: 7.4
- WLTP - MPG - Medium: 8.1
- Any aspect of the vehicles safety cause concern?: Data Not Available
- Based On ID: N
- Coin Description: D275
- Coin Series: R-Dynamic S
- Ghost model for valuation purposes: 112000
- NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 72
- NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 5
- NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 275
- NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 3.0
- NCAP Safety Assist %: M1
- Service Interval Frequency - Months: 93
- Service Interval Mileage: 84
- Special Edition: Data Not Available
- Special Order: Data Not Available
- This vehicle is classed as a car for VED purposes: 12
- Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: 74
- Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 85
- 0 to 60: Data Not Available
- 0 to 62: 7
- Engine Power KW: 202
- Engine Power RPM: 3500
- Engine Torque LBS.FT: 461
- Engine Torque MKG: 63.7
- Engine Torque NM: 625
- Engine Torque RPM: 1500
- PS: True
- Top Speed: 135
- Alloys?: True
- Space Saver?: True
- Tyre Size Front: 255/55 R19
- Tyre Size Rear: 255/55 R19
- Tyre Size Spare: SPACE SAVER
- Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE STYLE 5046
- Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY
- Height: 1685
- Height (including roof rails): N
- Length: 4804
- Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.6
- Wheelbase: 2874
- Width (excluding mirrors): 1930
- Width (including mirrors): 2145
- Boot Capacity Saloons: 632
- Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 66
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 2610
- Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 1795
- Max. Roof Load: 79
- Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2500
- Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
- Minimum Kerbweight: 2029
- No. of Seats: 5
- Payload: 581
Land Rover Range Rover Velar VIBRANT VELAR (75/100)
The Range Rover line-up always needed a credible mid-sized contender. With this Velar model, it now has one. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer.
Ten Second Review
If you're about to sign up for a Porsche Macan or a top Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC mid-sized luxury SUV, Land Rover's Range Rover brand hasn't traditionally had much to offer you as an alternative. But that's now changed. The Range Rover Velar is a mid-luxury sporting luxury SUV that you're going to have to take very seriously indeed.
The very first luxury SUV was a Range Rover, a pioneering 4x4 first launched back in 1970. Prior to that car's original introduction, a fleet of 26 pre-production models were used by development engineers and these ran under the 'Velar' name, Land Rover keen to hide the revolutionary vehicle's real identity, the word derived from the Latin 'velaris', meaning to veil or cover. Today, almost half a century later, the Velar name has returned to the Range Rover line-up, used to badged the brand's fourth model, a mid-sized contender that plugs the previous gap between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. The Solihull brand knows that premium German rivals have set a high standard in this market segment, so has spared no effort in building in advanced technology, compelling design and absolute attention to detail.
Driving Experience
The Velar is built on the same IQ platform that underpins the extraordinarily successful Jaguar F-PACE. On top of that sits a light, stiff, aluminium-intensive body and this, together with double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension, should provide the perfect basis for the agile handling, excellent ride comfort and impressive refinement this car will need if it's to take on tough segment rivals like Porsche's Macan and BMW's X6. Under the bonnet, buyers get the brand's usual four cylinder Ingenium 2.0-litre diesel units, with a choice of 180 and 240PS outputs. There's also a four cylinder 2.5-litre Ingenium petrol engine offering either 250 or 300PS. You'll need one of the V6 models though, if you want to try Range Rover's sophisticated four-corner air suspension set-up. There's a 3.0-litre diesel with 275 or 300PS, the latter unit featuring 700Nm of torque. All the powerplants on offer are matched to smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive with so-called 'Intelligent Driveline Dynamics'. It's clear from the Velar's market positioning that it'll be used off road even less than other Range Rover models, but it still offers class-leading ground clearance of up to 251mm (213mm with coil springs), class-leading wading depth of up to 650mm (600mm with coil springs) and Land Rover's unmatched suite of traction technologies including optional 'Terrain Response 2' and 'All Terrain Progress Control' systems.
Design and Build
The Velar is instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, the floating roof and clamshell bonnet providing clear references to its lineage and visually reinforcing the class-leading all-terrain capability for which all the brand's models are renowned. The large wheels - up to 22-inches in diameter - help to define the smart silhouette while a the short front overhang and super-slim full-LED headlights play their part in minimising visual weight. Hi-tech Matrix-Laser LED headlights are optional. A long 2,874mm wheelbase enhances the car's visual length and this contributes to the creation of a much more spacious cabin than can be offered by this model's cheaper, smaller Evoque stablemate. There's a much bigger 558-litre boot too and the versatility of a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench. Mirroring the taut, uncluttered exterior design, the Velar's precision-crafted interior matches the high standards set by premium German SUV rivals. You sit in what the brand calls a 'Sports-Command' position on front seats that balance performance-oriented design and support with opulent comfort, and offer up to 20-way adjustment and heating, cooling and massage functions. In the centre of the dash sit the two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens of a 'Touch Pro Duo' infotainment system that's overseen by two multi-function rotary controllers. Nearby, the rotary transmission controller rises silently from the centre console on start-up. In front of the driver, the instrument binnacle houses twin-analogue dials with a 5-inch TFT display between them, or, as standard from SE specification and above, a 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display.
Market and Model
The Velar is aimed at the upper end of the mid-sized luxury SUV market. In other words, it targets the £50,000 price bracket where upper-spec versions of cars like Audi's Q5 and Mercedes' GLC attempt to do battle with desirable sporting contenders like Porsche's Macan and BMW's X6. Prices start at around £45,000 and range up to just over £50,000 with base trim. Trim-wise, the Velar and Velar R-Dynamic model range includes Standard, 'S', 'SE', 'R-Dynamic' and 'HSE' variants. A key showroom selling point will be the 'Touch Pro Duo' centre-dash infotainment system, the full version of which is standard providing you avoid entry-level trim and is designed to keep you fully connected, its 'Micro SIM 4G' connectivity enabling a host of features, functions and location-based services that should make every journey easier, more enjoyable and more relaxing. For example, there's an online search system that helps you find difficult destinations, and the system can also tell you if you have enough fuel to complete the journey you're on. As you'd expect, the options list is littered with high-end options. The gesture-controlled power tailgate, for example, makes loading bulky or heavy objects into the luggage compartment easier and more convenient. Another innovative feature designed to make life easier is Land Rover's 'Activity Key' - a waterproof, shockproof wristband with integrated transponder - which allows customers to enjoy sports and outdoor pursuits such as running, cycling or kayaking without having to carry the standard key fob.
Cost of Ownership
Since the introduction of its 'Ingenium' engine technology, Land Rover's smaller products have been amongst the class-leaders in the SUV sector when it comes to efficiency. Predictably, the Velar continues that formline. The base 180PS 2.0-litre diesel engine manages a very creditable 52.5mpg on the combined cycle and 142g/km of CO2, not bad considering the weight of the car and its standard 4WD system. The twin-turbo 240PS version of this unit manages 48.7mpg and 154g/km of CO2. Even the 300PS 3.0-litre V6 diesel manages 44.1mpg and 167g/km. Diesel though, is getting a bad press these days and Land Rover is aware that in future, it needs to offer a stronger line-up of affordable petrol units. Like the 2.0-litre Ingenium units featured here. The 250PS version of this powerplant manages 37.2mpg on the combined cycle and 173g/km of CO2. Of course, you can't expect anything like that level of efficiency from the top 3.0 V6 380PS supercharged petrol unit. Here, 30.1mpg is possible on the combined cycle, along with 214g/km of CO2. Helping these figures is this Velar's 'Lightweight Aluminium Architecture'-inspired body. And the efficient eight-speed ZF automatic transmission which features what the brand calls 'an integral pendulum damper'. This device dramatically reduces the booming and vibration typically experienced when running in high gears at low engine speeds, and therefore contributes to Velar's low fuel consumption.
The Velar clearly owes much more to its smaller Evoque stablemate than it does to larger Range Rover models. Which is fine, because that makes it the kind of efficient, wieldy tool that will really make the numbers for this Solihull brand. It's sufficiently capable off road to uphold the company's heritage but in reality, the emphasis here has been on tarmac-orientated dynamics. Can this really be a Land Rover product able to give a Porsche Macan a run for its money? Don't bet against it. The Velar though, is arguably a more complete product than an SUV like that - and it can certainly claim to offer a more sophisticated interior and a cleverer range of options. In short, it's a very tempting contender indeed. Expect it to contribute massively to the brand's bottom line.
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text:
Wendell Pierce has joined Ray Donovan as a recurring guest star, Showtime announced Wednesday.
The actor, who's best known for playing Bunk on The Wire, will play Mr. Keith, a down-on-his-luck parole officer who gets a payoff from professional fixer Ray (Liev Schreiber).
Hank Azaria, Sherilyn Fenn and Vinessa Shaw will also guest-star on Ray Donovan's 12-episode second season, which returns this summer.
In addition to The Wire, Pierce recently appeared on The Michael J. Fox Show andTreme.
Check out his Watchlist below.
(Full Disclosure: TVGuide.com is owned by CBS, one of The CW's parent companies.)


text:
***EDIT: 10:48 a.m.***
She extended voting until 1 p.m. today....GO VOTE!! I am one of the frontrunners....how exciting!! :-)
Alright. I am asking, no.....begging for your help here.
Remember this picture and this contest that I mentioned about a week ago?
Well, the voting for it has begun, and I have several votes, but there is one lady who has more than me! I have never won a contest like this before, so....
Please, if you love me (and you know that you do) take literally two minutes to go to this post at My Semblance of Sanity and leave a comment that says, "I vote for Devin!!"
I will be forever grateful. Thank you.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Shameless Begging
***EDIT: 10:48 a.m.***
5 comments:
- Paul Fuller said...
Dang! I didn't read this until this morning!! Arghh... Well, I would've voted for you! :)
- March 28, 2008 at 8:51 AM
- Julie said...
I already voted for you....good luck!
- March 28, 2008 at 9:31 AM
- jillybean said...
Two things I've been meaning to say...
First, I am very jealous of you with the no morning sickness thing. it's really not fair. I'll be 13 weeks on Monday and this morning already I've thrown up 3 times. grrrr!!!!
Second, I love this year's Easter picture. You look really "sparkly". Can't think of another word for it. You are just beaming! Really nice picture.
- March 28, 2008 at 9:33 AM
- Anonymous said...
I voted for you! It really was the cutest!
- March 28, 2008 at 11:16 AM
- Kara said...
I missed this post, sorry Carter got shots yesterday and has been a miserable mess since! I would have voted for you!
- March 28, 2008 at 3:29 PM


text: The Caribbean, eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa - Penn State Abington's flourishing population of international and immigrant students call theses regions of the world and and many others home. This year, they created the International Cultural Alliance to help them through the academic, social, and emotional adjustments to life at Abington. Ana Marta


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Guillermo del Toro has stepped down from the director's chair of "The Hobbit," he announced to fan site TheOneRing.net on Sunday.
"In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming 'The Hobbit,' I am faced with the hardest decision of my life," he told the site. "After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien's Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures… The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Behind The Lens: Hollywood's Directors
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The long-gestating project, slated to be split into two films, has been fraught with issues — ranging from a lawsuit from author J.R.R. Tolkien's estate to the financial troubles of MGM Studios, which is sharing production with New Line.
According to executive producer Peter Jackson, who directed the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and is co-writing the "Hobbit" scripts, del Toro will continue to assist with the writing process over the next few months.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Fan Candy: Superheroes, Sci-Fi & Beyond!
"We feel very sad to see Guillermo leave 'The Hobbit,' but he has kept us fully in the loop and we understand how the protracted development time on these two films, due to reasons beyond anyone's control – has compromised his commitment to other long term projects," Jackson told the site. "The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn't feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years."
Del Toro proved his fantasy chops on such films as "Pan's Labyrinth" and the "Hellboy" series prior to being brought in to helm "The Hobbit."
In March, Sir Ian McKellen, who played the wizard Gandalf in the Jackson-directed "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, wrote on his Web site that filming would begin this summer, though a New Line spokesperson announced at the time that no date had been set.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Summer Movies 2010
The two films, set prior to the events of "Lord of the Rings," are currently scheduled for December 2012 and December 2013.
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Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
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