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As vigils began and last-minute legal filings were processed, Troy Davis, the Georgia death row inmate whose contention of innocence has drawn global attention, prepared for his fourth, and likely final, execution date at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Convicted in 1991 of killing off-duty Savannah, Ga., police officer Mark MacPhail, Mr. Davis failed Tuesday in his last clemency bid in front of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. On Wednesday, the board denied an offer by Davis to take a polygraph test, leaving Davis with dwindling options for a reprieve.
The state's decision to go through with the execution, despite seven of nine witnesses recanting or changing their testimony, has put the credibility of US courts in question, Davis's supporters say. They fear that a US state is about to give a lethal injection to a man who may well be innocent.
"The government is playing a dangerous game here," says Bruce Barket, a Long Island criminal defense attorney who has followed the Davis case closely. "When there's this kind of widespread doubt about an individual's guilt, it's remarkably unwise for the government to pursue an execution."
Mr. Barket contrasts the global outpouring of support for Davis versus the lack of public outrage over the scheduled execution in Texas Wednesday of Lawrence Brewer, who was sent to death row after being convicted of chaining a black man, James Byrd, to the back of a pickup and dragging him to death near Jasper, Texas. Barket says the Texas case was an example of how the justice system should work.
On the other side of the debate, the original prosecutor in the Davis case, Spencer Lawton, says Davis's claims of innocence have been "manufactured" to raise sympathy and put public pressure on the courts. "A police officer was murdered," he told a Georgia TV station. "The consequences that derive from that fact can't be happy."
Indeed, doubts about Davis's guilt have been heard by myriad appeals courts and an unusual Supreme Court-ordered hearing in Georgia last year, all of which have come to the same conclusion: New developments notwithstanding, the verdict stands.
"He's never been able to prove his innocence," says Russell Covey, a law professor at Georgia State University, in Atlanta.
Driving much of the concern around the Davis execution, critics say, is that the imperative to get the verdict right seems to have fallen victim to expediency and false certainty.
"To prioritize the sentiment of, 'enough is enough, we've got to move forward now,' over the risk of executing somebody who did not commit the crime is just a very questionable way of going forward," says James Acker, a criminologist at State University of New York at Albany.
Prosecutors and family members have rejected such claims. "He has had ample time to prove his innocence," Joan MacPhail-Harris, the slain officer's widow, told reporters. "And he is not innocent."
Davis's lawyers filed a last-ditch lawsuit Wednesday that disputes a key piece of ballistics evidence in the case and challenges eyewitness testimony — similar arguments to those which the pardons board rejected Tuesday.
That lawsuit sets the stage for more appeals through the day, potentially up to the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a more plausible relief could come from the executive branch, either from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal or President Obama.
The NAACP said Wednesday it planned to ask Obama to intervene.
Supporters have also begged prison officials at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson to stage a walk out or strike in order to stop the execution.
If the execution goes forward as planned, it's likely to fuel simmering anger especially among liberals and African-American activists who see Davis's looming execution as evidence of racial injustice, given that Davis was black and his victim was white. Critics say police coerced black witnesses to make spurious statements to corroborate detectives' belief that Davis pulled the trigger.
"If you execute someone under these circumstances, you're going to leave people with outrage and anger directed at the government," says Barket, the Long Island attorney. "While we all have to respect the process, the process has to yield results that are seen as just and fair. " Otherwise, he adds, "it borders on tyranny."
Mr. Lawton, the prosecutor in the case, disagreed. "The good news," he said in a television interview, "is we live in a civilized society where questions like this are decided based on fact in open and transparent courts of law, and not on street corners."


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This was published 7 years ago
$US1 trillion coin debt solution gains currency
If you had to flip a coin over whether the US Congress will raise the country's debt ceiling, here's the ultimate one - a freshly minted trillion-dollar platinum coin.
A formal petition has been started asking the White House to create such a coin in order to avoid another high-stakes fiscal battle to raise the debt ceiling.
The Treasury secretary has the authority to mint platinum coins in the denomination of his choosing. Meant for commemorative products, US law grants Treasury permission to "mint and issue platinum bullion coins and proof platinum coins", which would allow the Treasury to get around legal limits on printing money to pay the bills.
Depositing it would technically pay down US debt, buying time before the country reached the limit on it (the "debt ceiling") again.
It's an idea that's been discussed favourably (albeit cautiously) by everyone from Democrat Representative Jerry Nadler to economist Paul Krugman, who calls it a gimmick but says "there's a pretty good case for using whatever gimmicks come to hand".
"Should President Obama be willing to print a $US1 trillion platinum coin if Republicans try to force America into default? Yes, absolutely," Mr Krugman writes in his New York Times blog. "He will, after all, be faced with a choice between two alternatives: one that's silly but benign, the other that's equally silly but both vile and disastrous. The decision should be obvious.
"By minting a $US1 trillion coin, then depositing it at the Fed, the Treasury could acquire enough cash to sidestep the debt ceiling - while doing no economic harm at all," the Nobel prize laureate writes.
However, it's likely the idea would run into stiff opposition from lawmakers who have been trying to reduce the budget deficits. Creating the cash would also completely override the independence of monetary policy, something the Obama administration has been very careful not to do in the past.
VIDEO: Rolling down a fiscal slope
The coin petition is one of many wacky requests to alight on the White House's website. People have petitioned the President to nationalise the Twinkie industry, deport British CNN talk show host Piers Morgan for gun control comments he made on air, and give Vice-President Joe Biden his own TV show.
About 4000 signatures have been collected for the coin petition, which was created two days after lawmakers passed a bill to avert austerity measures of higher taxes and spending cuts.
Shown are the petitioner's first name, first initial of surname, and in most cases, the city. In order to get a formal response from the White House, 25,000 signatures must be collected by early February.
"While this may seem like an unnecessarily extreme measure, it is no more absurd than playing political football with the US - and global - economy at stake," the petition said.
The TV series The Simpsons could take credit for at least some of the inspiration. In an episode in 1998 a $US1 trillion dollar bill from the postwar years went missing. It was Homer Simpson's mission to find it.
The US Treasury began shuffling funds in order to pay government bills after the country hit the $US16.4 trillion legal limit on its debt December 31.
However, the Treasury's accounting maneuvers will last only until around the end of February, giving Congress two months to raise the debt limit before the US defaults on its debt.
Last week's deal forced Republicans to forgo their anti-tax pledges and give in to Democratic demands to raise taxes on the wealthiest.
Now Republicans want to use the debt limit increase to win spending cuts from Democrats as well as major changes to Social Security retirement and Medicare health care programs.
Reuters, with BusinessDay

subset: commoncrawl


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- 78% of those who responded to a poll by Goo Research said that they feel Hokkaido is the easiest place to live in Japan.
- 72% of those who were polled by japan.internet.com said they have never used the warranties attached to their electronic appliances.
- 60% of respondents surveyed by i-share Inc. said that if they had the chance they wouldn't go back and see what their parents were like before they were born.
- 59% of women in a survey by fashion magazine Very said that the only time they have to themselves is after the rest of the family has gone to sleep.
- 21% of women surveyed by Koibita.com said that they became over emotional, when asked about what big mistakes they have made during past dates.
Culture | Japan Pulse
Japan by the numbers (11.16.10)
by Number Cruncher
Contributing Writer


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The Steelcase Universal Cable Management Kit mounts beneath worksurfaces with a hinged design that flips down to provide easy access to cords and cables when needed.


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Nelson Mandela, the 'rainbow nation' and vuvuzelas... South Africa is often painted as a country alive with culture, rich in mineral resources and steeped in history. What tourists don't know is that the 'cradle of mankind' is leading the way in the exploration of the universe – astronomy.
Did you know that Table Mountain is the only geographical landmark on the planet that is represented by its own constellation? The Astronomical Society of South Africa tells us that the first astronomers arrived in the Cape of Good Hope by ship, and navigated by the stars. Since then South African astronomers have identified hundreds of comets, double stars and nebulas.
South Africa's bid to build the biggest telescope on the planet
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be a "revolutionary radio telescope made of thousands of receptors linked together across an area the size of a continent". In South Africa, the telescope will be based in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape, which has dark skies, a dry climate and small population and, importantly, very few radio frequencies such as cell phone signals and broadcast towers. "The total collecting area of all the receptors combined will be approximately one square kilometre, making the SKA the largest and most sensitive radio telescope ever built." The SKA telescope will change what we know about our universe, and answer some important questions:
• How do galaxies evolve and what is dark energy?
• Are we alone in the universe?
• How were the first black holes and stars formed?
• What generates the giant magnetic fields in space?
• Was Einstein right about the theory of relativity?
South Africa hopes to present the answers to these questions to global astronomical community. Currently SA is battling Australia for the rights the host the SKA telescope, which will be announced in 2012. It will attract the top astronomers, scientists and engineers – and will be one of the biggest scientific research facilities in the world.
Star-gazing observatories in South Africa
South Africa has many observatories, which includes the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) which is headquartered in Cape Town and has an observation station in Sutherland in the Karoo, the South African Large Telescope (SALT) also in Sutherland, the Boyden Observatory just outside Bloemfontein which belongs to the University of the Free State, the Hartebeeshoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) outside Krugersdorp and the UNISA Observatory in Pretoria. There are also a number of private and amateur observatories, as well as two planetariums.
Johannesburg Planetarium
The Johannesburg Planetarium which opened in October 1960 was the first of its kind in Africa, and only the second planetarium ever built in the Southern Hemisphere. Beneath the dome is a Zeiss projector that originally belonged to the City Council of Hamburg. Today the planetarium is open to the public on most evenings, hosting shows such as the 'In the Sky Tonight' series, as well as children's star parties and astronomy courses. The Johannesburg Planetarium is situated on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand.
Iziko Planetarium
More modern than the facility in Johannesburg, the Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town has a Minolta Series IV star machine coupled with many projectors, transforming the inside of the auditorium into a dazzling universe of deep sky objects and celestial wonders each evening. The astronomers at the Iziko Planetarium have a special interest in African star lore. This is a good place to stop off and grab a star map of the Southern Hemisphere before heading out to the SALT telescope in Sutherland.
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The National League's long string of futility is finally over, thanks to one swing of the bat.
Atlanta's Brian McCann smacked a three-run double in the seventh inning to give the NL all the offense it needed to capture its first All-Star game win since 1996 with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night in Anaheim.
In a year of dominant pitching, young starters David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays and Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies set the tone and they even got an assist from the tricky shadows that draped Angel Stadium. Nearly the entire field was bathed in odd patterns of sunlight for a twilight first pitch, creating more awkward swings and misses than usual in baseball's annual talent show.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
Marlon Byrd of the Chicago Cubs made a key defensive play in the 9th inning to stop a late American League rally, throwing out Boston's David Ortiz at second base from right field on a force play.
Matt Capps of the Washington Nationals got the win and Jonathan Broxton of the Los Angeles Dodgers recorded the save.
The National League win earns the Senior Circuit's champion home-field advantage in this year's World Series.


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Wood Pellet Exports from N. America to Europe Up Over 70%
Global Timber and Wood Products Market
- a news brief from Wood Resources International LLC
Wood pellet exports from North America to Europe were up over 70% in the 3Q/12 year-over-year, reports the North American Wood Fiber Review
Rapid expansion of wood pellet production in both the US South and British Columbia has dramatically increased pellet exports from North America to Europe the past year, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. In the 3Q/12, total shipments were up 70 percent year-over-year to 860,000 tons. The growth is expected to continue with numerous plans for adding capacity, particularly in the US South.
Seattle, USA. Pellet exports from the two primary pellet-producing regions on the North American continent, the US South and British Columbia, continued to increase in the 3Q/12 and reached a new record of 860,000 tons. Shipments in the 3Q/12 were over 70 percent higher than the same quarter in 2011, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review (www.woodprices.com), which compiles and publishes pellet trade based on customs data and surveys of pellet exporters each quarter. Pellet exports from the US South have skyrocketed the past two years with a quadrupling to 485,000 tons from the 3Q/10 to 3Q/12 to the 485,000 tons. Canadian exports have also gone up the past few years, but at a slower pace. Beyond the trade statistics tracking the rise of pellet export volumes, another spate of export pellet plant announcements – detailed in the NAWFR – emphasized the quickly growing trade relations that are being established between European power utilities and US pellet producers. The most striking announcement came in mid-December when Drax, a United Kingdom power company, stated its intention to build two 450,000 tons pellet plants, one in the state of Louisiana and one in Mississippi. Most other exportoriented pellet plants, while invested in by European utilities, are separate US-based entities, with supply agreements and MOU's defining the business relationship. The three major European pellet import countries remain the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium, while Italy, Denmark and Sweden are notably involved in pellet imports from North America, but on a much smaller scale. Denmark's Dong Energy utility, however, announced its intentions to switch to woody biomass at three of its coal plants, an action likely to add demand from the US Southeast.
Announced US South pellet export plants increased sharply in the 2nd half of 2012. Export pellet facilities, which are under construction, conversion or redesigned will add an additional 1.7 million tons of capacity during 2013, as reported in the NAWFR. In addition to these plants that are already under construction, five additional plants have been announced, and if they are actually built on the disclosed sites, they would bring another 2.3 million tons of capacity into play by the end of 2014.
The North American Wood Fiber Review has tracked
wood fiber markets in the US and Canada for over 20 years
and it is the only publication that includes prices for
sawlogs, pulpwood, wood chips and biomass in North America.
The 36-page quarterly report includes wood market updates
for 15 regions on the continent in addition to the latest
export statistics for sawlogs, wood pellets and wood


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Edith Adams was a Vancouver Sun institution for three quarters of a century, an institution because she never really existed in the flesh. Edith was our apocryphal homemaker.
The invention of an editor in 1924, Edith was given life by generations of reporters and editors who doled out sage advice, homemaking tips and — most of all — recipes.
If you are lucky you might have your grandmother's recipe book, full of hand-written recipes, ingredient substitution notes and newspaper clippings of recipes. If you were unlucky, probably your sister has it (like she'll ever use it).
My Granny's recipe book is a yellowed tome of index cards and clippings, including dozens of recipes sent in by readers to Edith Adams. You stood to win a dollar if your recipe was selected. Family legend has it that several of Granny's recipes made the cut over the years.
As a special Christmas gift to our readers, the Sun's Web Elves have constructed a repository website for all 75 years of Edith's advice and recipes at edithadams.com, the equivalent of 50 of Granny's notebooks.
You can search through more than 1,200 recipes, tested once, twice and sometimes three times by the Sun kitchen staff. Each recipe is presented as a digital scan taken from the original recipe cards held in our archives for decades.
Additional recipes — we still have boxes of them to go through — will be released for holidays from St. Valentine's Day and Easter to Thanksgiving, throughout the year. Truly a gift that will keep on giving.
Some of these recipes will undoubtedly make you a hero at home. The Dough-puffs recipe — what we would call doughnut holes — is a straightforward concoction of milk, flour, vanilla and sugar, fried in hot fat, probably lard. Mrs. Ormond Graham of Enderby won the daily dollar prize for her recipe on March 10, 1950, from Edith Adams of Edith Adams Cottage, Homemakers Service of The Vancouver Sun. That, according to the aged clipping found under "Doughnuts."
That elaborately named Edith Adams Cottage apparatus consisted at the time of a separate door in the Sun building on the edge of Gastown that led to a cooking demonstration room. You can read the very colourful history of Edith Adams on the new website, written by a former Edith, Sun restaurant critic Mia Stainsby.
Sprinkled in among the classics, such as Snicker Doodle Cupcakes and Yule Log, are some more anachronistic offerings. Marrow Peach Conserve is a jam made from peaches, apples, sugar and grated marrow. Vegetable marrow was a squash that people grew in their Victory Gardens during the war and for years after, because it was hugely productive and times were lean.
Marrow Peach Conserve (Mrs. Jeanne Pinkess, Aug. 15, 1950) was probably a massive upgrade over lard on your morning toast, but it feels a bit dated for the modern palate. Ditto for the Mashed Vegetable Marrow "Honey" (Mrs. N.C. Stevenson, Sept. 20, 1944) that served as a dessert or tart filling. Plus, where in the world would you get a vegetable marrow?
Edithadams.com offers a variety of ways to search for new family favourites. The most powerful tools can be found in the form of pull-down menus in the bar down the right hand side of every page. The Edith's Archives menu allows you to choose to see stories and recipes from a list of months starting with December, 1920, right up to December, 1982. The Recipe Card Categories menu allows you to choose recipes listed under cookbook style categories such as Quick Breads, Jams, Toppings, Coffee Cakes and even Pressure Cooker recipes.
Selected features on cookery, manners and food trends from Edith's long run at The Sun sparkle with sound advice: For instance, don't take unaware visitors to a sushi bar without explaining that the fish will be raw. The list of 50 gift ideas published in 1956 reads like a hipster's Christmas wish list. (A monogrammed handkerchief and cufflinks would go great with my zoot suit. You can skip the "enormous ashtray.")
About 100 one-line homemaker tips that were once used to fill small holes on the Life pages of The Sun are in continuous rotation on the page in the Edithadamsfood Twitter feed. Edith may be old, but she has always embraced new technologies, as her take on The Marvellous Microwave clearly demonstrates.


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Customers Rate Cloud 9 Living:
Channel your adventurous spirit as you climb, leap, and zip your way through the treetops of Shelby Farms Park!
Channel your adventurous spirit as you climb, leap, and zip your way through the treetops of Shelby Farms Park!
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Explore your local park in a totally new way! Located in Shelby Farms Park, this zip line adventure course was voted one of the "10 Best Zip Line Courses in the USA" by USA Today.
Before your adventure begins, you will start your day with a 30-minute safety briefing and training session. Your experienced instructors will teach you how to safely swing through the trees using harnesses, pulleys and carabiners. Before you know it, your instructors will set you and your group free to fly through the treetops at your own pace. Don't worry, instructors are very attentive and are patrolling the course to assist you and keep you safe.
Over the course of the next 2-3 hours, you will traverse the 5 unique sections of this treetop course with each section getting you higher and higher above the park. Wave to family and friends below as they watch you master the numerous rope ladders, tarzan swings, and and other obstacles. With 36 crossings, including 5 zip lines, this is truly an adrenaline filled adventure.
As you make your way through the course, you will experience Shelby Farms Park from a whole new perspective, enjoying aerial views of the trails and surrounding forests as you zip from one tree to another. With a course over 3,000 feet in length, you will have plenty of time to soak in the views!
After completing the course, you are encouraged to stick around and explore the trails and activities at Shelby Farms Park. By participating in this Ultimate Zip Line Adventure Course, you will have done your part to help preserve this local gem because a portion of every ticket sale goes toward park preservation and stewardship services.
Ditch the city sounds and escape to the beautiful Shelby Farms Park for this Ultimate Zip Line Adventure Course!
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Essential Information
**Please note: Children between the age of 10-15 may qualify for special pricing. Please contact Cloud 9 Living to inquire about pricing options.
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Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, cancellations are allowed up to 7 days prior to the experience. With less than 7 days notice, you may reschedule your booking or receive a gift voucher to reschedule at a later date. Failure to appear on your booked date without prior notification will result in the loss of the value of your experience.
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For this experience, our partners are taking extra measures to help prevent any potential spread of COVID-19. These measures include limiting session sizes to no more than nine people, providing face coverings for all staff, and spacing guests out during briefing. Our partners will also require that guests wear a face covering mask and full finger gloves. These can be brought from home or purchased from our partners once you arrive. They will be implementing additional cleaning and disinfecting procedures to make sure equipment is fully sanitized. Furthermore, staff will be asked to stay home if they are feeling sick.
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Yes, water is available on the course. You may also bring your own bottle so long as it can be secured to your harness.
As this is a physical activity, you are encouraged to stay hydrated. Please be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your experience.
No! You are free to move through the course at your own pace. Please keep in mind, however, that there will be other participants out there. You are encouraged to let them "pass" if they are moving more quickly than you'd like to.
Smaller items, such as keys and cell phones, can be kept in the experience provider's welcome cabin. You are encouraged to leave larger items and/or valuables at home or safely in your cars.
There are bathrooms on site which are available for changing before or after you complete the course.
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Shelby Farms Park - Memphis, TN
Pick the perfect experience gift or buy an egift card and let your recipient choose their own adventure.
After checking out, you can easily print or email your Experience Voucher. While delivery is instant, the memories will last a lifetime.
Your recipient can book their experience at their convenience either online or by calling us. And if they'd prefer to do another one, they can easily exchange it.
Our trusted vendors and passionate team will ensure that your recipient will be treated to the experience of a lifetime—making memories that will last for years to come.
Our experienced team takes the risk out of gift-giving with handpicked experiences that are guaranteed to delight. We only work with top-rated experience providers and offer flexible policies to make giving a great gift a no-brainer—no matter who you're shopping for.Learn More »
We offer 30-day returns or your recipient can easily exchange their gift for anything else in our marketplace, anytime—free of charge.
Our vouchers never expire, so your recipient can redeem them at their convenience.
No markups, no added fees. You'll pay the same price as buying directly from our experience providers, but with the flexibility of easy returns and exchanges.


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Sportsnet's Jamie Campbell reports in his "blog" that an executive from the Orioles believes that Erik Bedard will make a run for the border when his current contract is up. In 2010. While we would love to see this happen, we find it pretty hard to get excited about a rumour that (a) is only supposed to happen three years from now (what could change in three years), and (b) was probably based on smalltalk from an exec who knew that Cambpell, like Bedard, is from Canada. Kind of a change of pace from the normal, "You're from Canada? Do you know ...[insert name here]."
One thing that has always bothered us as Jays fans is the dearth of actual insider info about the team. The blame is probably evenly shared by the secretive management of the Jays in conjunction with the Toronto baseball press. Let's just say that if the Jays played in Boston or New York, we'd know why John Gibbons keeps benching Alex Rios.


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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A new government report says Kansas farmers are harvesting corn, seeding wheat and preparing for fall harvest.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that winter wheat planting in Kansas is 13 percent complete, about even with the 15 percent average for this time of year.
The agency also reported that 16 percent of the Kansas corn crop has now been harvested. That is well behind the 62 percent that had been cut by the same time last year.
Corn condition is rated as 29 percent poor to very poor, 32 percent reported fair, 31 percent good and 8 percent excellent.
Just 1 percent of the sorghum and soybean crops have been harvested so far.


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Home > News & Events > Wayland Press Release Archives > 2007 News Releases > February 2007 > Artistic Couple to Display Works in Various Media
Artistic Couple to Display Works in Various Media
PLAINVIEW – Lubbock couple Norvell and Cecily Maples will exhibit their unique artistic talents in a multimedia display at the Abraham Art Gallery at Wayland Baptist University, Feb. 20 through March 9.
Titled "Clay and Canvas: Works by Cecily and Norvell Maples," the show will feature pottery and ceramics work by Cecily Maples and airbrushed pieces on canvas by her husband, Norvell.
Born in Japan to Foreign Service parents, Cecily Maples spent her childhood in various foreign posts, but carried that early oriental influence into her work. She said her choice to work in clay was influenced by the Japanese love for finely crafted pottery and her mother's role as an avid collector of folk crafts. Her pottery makes use of several types of clay and includes functional stoneware and porcelain items as well as sculptures. Her functional pieces are food and dishwasher safe and microwave and oven tolerant, and she will have some pieces for sale during the show.
Besides traditional pottery pieces, Mrs. Maples also creates jewelry using high fire porcelain and glass beads. Her work finds its forms in the visual resources of the natural world. Cecily earned her Master of Fine Arts from Claremont Graduate School in California and serves often as a juror for various art shows. She participates frequently in the Llano Estacado Wine and Clay Festival Gallery in Lubbock.
Norvell Maples attended Texas Tech and is working toward a degree in Computer Aided Drafting at South Plains College. He has experience as an animation specialist and illustrator, where he designed and animated 3D models for presentations and wrote story boards for animated presentations. He also designed cartoons and technical illustrations for corporate projects.
His preferred art medium is airbrush, and he has created a number of pieces using acrylic airbrushed on canvas. The technique was pioneered by commercial artists but has come to be used in fine arts applications as well. According to Maples, the size of the nozzle on the air sprayer determines how fine the lines or color washes appear, and airbrush paintings typically have a soft, glowing quality. Several of such pieces will be on display in the exhibit.
The Maples own and operate The ARTary, a teaching and production pottery studio in Lubbock. The facility offers classes in the evenings in the areas of handbuilding and wheel-throwing in clay, and has a gallery of their works.
A reception for the artists is scheduled for Sunday, March 4 from 2-4 p.m. in the gallery and atrium. The public is invited to attend.
The exhibit may be viewed in the gallery, located in the lower level of the Mabee Learning Resources Center, during regular hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 2-5 p.m. For more information, call the gallery at 291-3710.


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Tuesday, June 18, 2019
ה'תלמיד חכם' שלא הרכין את ראשו - גם כששרפו את ספרו
84 comments :
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 18, 2019 at 11:37 PM
The Torah tells us of the crimes of the tzaddikim, eg Shlomo, Shimshon etc. There is no secret Torah, there is Hakhel, it's a communal , true Torah, that doesn't lie.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 19, 2019 at 12:19 AM
"His crime was that he revealed this version to the masses"ReplyDelete
It is not Purim every day. Masks are for Purim, but we need to have Yashrus and exactitude. RNK ztl had these middos, and that is why he was set upon by a pack of hungry wolves.
The interview is very InterestingReplyDelete
the stories very enlightening too bad the book is unavailable.
- IsraelReaderJune 19, 2019 at 8:24 PM
בחודש אדר תשס"ג פורסם ברבים נידוי שהטילו הרב ליפקוביץ ובית דינו על הרב קמנצקי, בנימוק שהוא "מבזה תלמידי חכמים".ReplyDelete
שולחן ערוך יורה דעה שלד, סעיף ג
מנודה שמת, בית דין שולחין ומניחין אבן על ארונו, ואין קורעין עליו, ולא חולצין, ולא מספידין
as Rav Sternbuch noted at the time - it has no halachic validityReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 19, 2019 at 9:36 PM
What halacha did Rav Sternbuch base his psak on?ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 19, 2019 at 9:42 PM
Please show us a source in the Shulchan Aruch, that we question the motives of the one declaring the Niddui.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 19, 2019 at 9:57 PM
Rambam does say that a rav or dayan who receives a bribe, is invalid, and must withdraw. He also says that a davar is also a bribe, eg if somebody is helped in one matter or other, it is a bribe. So halacha does question the motives of dayanim.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 19, 2019 at 10:24 PM
The halachos of Niddui are concentrated in Shulchan Aruch YD 334ReplyDelete
so you don't have to search too far.
Niddui doesn't require a beis din, so "Hilchos Dayanim" are not germane to the discussion.
I never mentioned Rav Elyashev. The Niddui was declared by Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, a great person in his own right.
- IsraelReaderJune 19, 2019 at 10:49 PM
And this link is relevant to the discussion because...?ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 1:32 AM
the basis of the phoney niddui was "מבזה תלמידי חכמים".ReplyDelete
Yet, in a parallel discussion, someone is mocking Avraham Avinu, by comparing him chas v'shalom to a menuval, and you say, oh it was all based on lack of information.
RNK's book was not "מבזה תלמידי חכמים". it was just giving factual accounts of Hachamim when they were youngsters. Perhaps it was busting the mythology of Hareidism, which is that Gedolim are perfect beings, like yashke, never made a mistake. This mythology is central to the business and parnasso of the Hareidi interests, hence the Nidui was based on monetary interests - and is thus null and void.
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 1:41 AM
Interview with Rav Nosson ztl
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 1:56 AM
Your comment is an example of "מבזה תלמידי חכמים".ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:07 AM
Rav Nosson lectures on the Making of a BanReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:30 AM
listen to his lecture, on his version of events-ReplyDelete
The original signatories didn't speak English and hadn't read the book. Rav Strenbuch, who grew up in England, and did read it , twice, said there was nothing wrong with the book.
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 2:34 AM
R' Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz didn't need to read the book personally, nor did he need Rabbi Sternbuch's agreement to declare a Niddui.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:36 AM
ok, so on what basis did he declare the ban, not having read the book?ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 2:41 AM
The fact is that RMYL declared RNK in Niddui, and it's not our business on what basis. The bottom line is, that a Niddui was issued, and AFIK was not rescinded before RMYL passed away.ReplyDelete
שולחן ערוך יורה דעה שלד, סעיף ג
מנודה שמת, בית דין שולחין ומניחין אבן על ארונו, ואין קורעין עליו, ולא חולצין, ולא מספידין
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:47 AM
all halacha is our business, whether it is pleasant or not.ReplyDelete
As far as I understand, the original letter was by Rav Elyashiv, and RNK did finally meet with him and comply to some editing.
Even if not rescinded, not everyone has to comply with that niddui, and it may have been on the book and not the person, as far as Rav Elyashiv was concerned.
If i don't follow RMYL, I am not concerned with the validity of his niddui, especially if there are other gedolim who did not recognize it.
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 2:50 AM
Yes, all halacha is our business.ReplyDelete
I guess that you haven't read the Shulchan Aruch yet.
A Niddui can be issued by one person, and he doesn't need a Beis Din or a consensus of his peers.
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:52 AM
so any niddui , whomever gives it , obligates everyone to accept it?ReplyDelete
what if everyone puts everyone else in nidui?
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 2:57 AM
LOL. You're proving again that you're not adverse to shooting off your mouth about things that you're clueless about. If you would have read the Siman in Shulchan Aruch, you wouldn't have made this comment.ReplyDelete
Yes I also agreeReplyDelete
today we dont have Bais DinReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:04 AM
What does that mean, and what relevance does it have to the rest of the paragraph that אין קורעין עליו, ולא חולצין, ולא מספידין?ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 3:04 AM
that's a miracle!ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:06 AM
What is false, and why?ReplyDelete
Do you know how to write full sentences?
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 3:23 AM
I'm presuming Rav Shternbuch knows a lot more halacha than I do, and he did not accept this niddui - as he blessed RNK publicly in Shul and told him to write many more books. Perhaps there are commentaries and other halachic principles which do not obligate Rav Shternbuch shlita, or Rav Aharon Lichtenstein ztl to keep to that particular niddui. An interesting spectrum. Rav Elyashiv did not put RNK in personal niddui, only the book.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:36 AM
Your argumentation is not actual argumentation, it is the fallacy of authority.ReplyDelete
I doubt it was a real niduioReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:10 PM
I went through that Siman last night -ReplyDelete
I did not see where it deals with a) a Niddui which is based on an error
b) if everyone puts everyone in niddui.
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 2:13 PM
In halacha, we have to know the basis of any ruling. Going back to Avodah zara, and the sadducees - and of course Horayot. If there is an error or irreularity on a decision, then it is up for review.ReplyDelete
Furthermore, niddui is not, as far as I can see, anything d'oraita. So there is plenty of room for safek. Remember, even doraita Safek mamzer is not assur d'oraita.
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:00 PM
I remember RMYL's words quite clearly.ReplyDelete
Maybe You're too young to remember the story?
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:02 PM
When I see someone resorting to insults to make their point, then I know they've lost the argument.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:18 PM
There is no safek about the facts.ReplyDelete
RNK admitted as much in his "Walla" interview:
שנים חלפו מאז יצא ספרך והוחרם. האם כיום אתה עדיין חש פגוע?
"בהחלט כן. אני עדיין מרגיש פגוע. לא מזמן נפטר מי שקרוא בכל העיתונים 'צדיק הדור' ו'גאון הדור', הרב מיכל יהודה לפקוביץ, ראש ישיבת פונוביז' לצעירים, שפגע בי וקרא להחרים אותי במכתב שכתב. כשהוא נפטר, הרגשתי שאני עדיין כועס עליו, ובוודאי שאני כועס - גם על אלה שעדיין חיים מבין מחרימיי".
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 3:24 PM
If you could present an argument that is well constructed, it is a million times more powerful than your standard "shoiteh" response.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Educate yourself.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 3:26 PM
He would need to read it or have a verified translation. However, it seems you are right. It is open season for niddui, anyone can do it.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 4:16 PM
I would also add that it is very well to cite the SA as end of story - but I don't think halacha is like that. There were important sources before and after the SA, which a current posek would consider. I have no expertise in halacha - but it didn't stop with the SA.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 20, 2019 at 4:25 PM
From the linked interview:ReplyDelete
Nine years have passed since the publishing and banning of your book. Are you still a little hurt?
"Absolutely. I still feel hurt. Someone died, who everyone called the 'Tzadik HaDor' and 'Gaon HaDor,' Rav Michal Yehuda Lefkowitz, Rosh Yeshivat Ponevitch L'Tzeirim, who hurt me and called for me to be banned in letters that he wrote. Since he died, I have continued to feel anger towards him, and I certainly am still angry with those still living who issues bans against me."
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 4:53 PM
that's rightReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 4:56 PM
"Niddui doesn't require a beis din, so "Hilchos Dayanim" are not germane to the discussion."ReplyDelete
Bribes are assur d'oraita - so ifther eis a personal or financial motive behind a niddui,presumably it would also affect it. However, trying to understand what niddui actually is? Excommunication, is it only a social stricture, or takkana? Or is it a curse?
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 20, 2019 at 6:37 PM
Nothing to do with bizayon. For example, one young gadol had Russian books, and had other disagreements. Now, where is the bizayon? He wasn't yet a gadol b'yisrael. Achieving gadlus doesn't take away ones youthful historyy. And vice versa.ReplyDelete
On What Halacha? He just read the book!ReplyDelete
Motives? --'Mistakes' that is the correct wordingReplyDelete
Shock treatmentReplyDelete
if you cant win on the meritsThenReplyDelete
try to win thru process
Like you are now doing!
I was present 30 years ago when Reb Dovid Soloveitchik Lambasted Rav Shackh for saying over untrue statements in the name of his father the Griz when he came to visit and literally chased him out of his houseReplyDelete
Maybe rav shach is now in nidui?
- IsraelReaderJune 21, 2019 at 2:43 AM
I've looked for it on line, and haven't been able to locate it. It could be that I have someplace in my files, but I don't have access to it now. From what I remember, he put him (not the book) in Niddui, and also said that people are likely to forget this fact, so he asks that from time to time people should make a reminder that the person is in Niddui.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 21, 2019 at 2:46 AM
My arguments stand on their merits, while you have yet to present a cognizant point.ReplyDelete
Remember, insults don't count as an intelligent argument.
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 12:33 PM
Indeed, the Holy Rambam was ostracized and banned by many opponents, some even desecrated his grave, and burned his books. Didn't stop anyone learning Halacha from him.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 1:23 PM
The official hareidim history is that the Griz chose Rav Shach and the steipler to go over all his halachic decisions with. Just before he was niftar.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 1:44 PM
Phantom niddui? LolReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 21, 2019 at 2:22 PM
Totally irrelevant to the discussion, which is the aspect R' Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz in the story.ReplyDelete
The page is devoted to the book, and was presumably written from the Kamenetzky perspective, which I don't blame them for. However of conspicuous absence is any mention of RMYL, whose involvement in the story was carefully airbrushed out.
We know that RMYL was involved, as RNK himself noted in the interview with him:
I understand that RNK was still sore about it, but he never tells us the why & what which was driving R' Michel Yehuda.
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 3:03 PM
I'm only joking, stealing your terminology, haha.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 3:11 PM
Depends on how you define political. There is no bizayon of Torah, but it weakens the Christ-like image of Gedolim. The gra opposed chassidism, in part because of the Christ like image of the leaders. Ironic that the mitnagdim have now adopted this business model.ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Typical maamar on the subjectReplyDelete
Sees the concept of rebbe as being close to idolatry
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 4:55 PM
I've heard it 100 times. I've no time to educate you about your phantom nidduis, where are your sour sources? On your phantom hard drive?ReplyDelete
please send a copy of the banReplyDelete
all it says is that he wanted to ban him
The joke is on you.ReplyDelete
In the interview with him, RNK himself noted RMYL's call for a Niddui.
I understand that RNK was still sore about it, but he never tells us the why & what which was driving R' Michel Yehuda.
You're the one who mentioned "political motivation".ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 6:19 PM
It's not irrelevant. The first letter was written by Rav elyashiv, and then he gathered more signatories. There's a distinction between calling for action, and taking the said action. We want to see evidence of the actual niddui.ReplyDelete
Your comment should be directed to Berel, who claimed that this was all politically motivated.ReplyDelete
I've studied the Gra, his history, and and his teachings for several decades, and have never seen any mention of such a reason for his opposition to Chassidism.
The idea of the importance of having a rebbe is not idolatrous, and is mentioned in the Mishnah (Avos 1:6).ReplyDelete
Te article you cited is a poor source of the debate, and does not provide references. I have no desire to serve as your tutor for things you have have half-baked information about.
What is the "Christ-like image of Gedolim" that you refer to?
What proof do you have that it existed in the time of the Gra, and that the Gra opposed it?
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 6:19 PM
Christ/ Pope -divine/infallibleReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 21, 2019 at 6:35 PM
You're mischaracterizing the Gra's stance.ReplyDelete
Except for the Lubavitcher, who claimed that a rebbe is divine ["Essence and Being of God enclothed in a body"], nobody else dared to make such a radical suggestion.
See comment by Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller:
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 6:55 PM
Maybe you are rightReplyDelete
Maybe ben Chaim is right:
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 21, 2019 at 7:30 PM
When I said Christ in the context of hareidi leaders, the book and the ban, I meant "perfect", the false notion of perfection that xtians hold. Rnk book on gedolim smashes this myth. So the opposition are holding on to this myth.ReplyDelete
I pointed to the irony of the claim of the misnagdim to be following the Gra, when in fact they have adopted a hassidic view of the rebbe for their own gedolim. That is why nosson K calling one teenage gadol a "sore loser" when losing a chess game is such a sin. The idea that gedolim are not human is sheker.
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 23, 2019 at 12:54 AM
See here also, where he quotes the Aruch Hashulchan, that exclusion from a minyan must be stipulated in the niddui for it to be effective, thus if it s not part of the niddui, the subject is not excluded from a minyanReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 23, 2019 at 1:05 AM
Due to his passing, the point is moot. But regardless, I don't recall ever mentioning about whether or not he was to be excluded from a minyan...ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 23, 2019 at 1:59 AM
Is Shabbes over in USA, or are you in the UK?ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 23, 2019 at 2:01 AM
it is not moot, I am bringing that article to show that there are various opinions outside of the SA. This article was discussing other cases, but there are also various restrictions to the niddui, how it was (if at all written), etc.ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 23, 2019 at 2:36 PM
No, and no, and I didn't G-d forbid desecrate Shabbos!ReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 23, 2019 at 5:06 PM
I didn't suggest otherwise. Israel?ReplyDelete
- IsraelReaderJune 23, 2019 at 8:10 PM
Are you from Edgware or Finchley?
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 23, 2019 at 9:04 PM
The latterReplyDelete
- Kalonymus AnonymusJune 23, 2019 at 9:27 PM
Next time you are in town let me know, can meet in Kehilas Kodesh Golders Green, or even Daniels bakery.ReplyDelete


text:
Product information
Product features
- Weight: 420 g
- Gender: Women
- Type of coat: Raincoat
- Fabric lining: 100% Polyester
- Clothing Technology: Ceplex Active
- Water column (mm): 10000
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- Sleeve closure: Velcro
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- Detachable hood: No
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- Waterproof: Yes
- 2-layer fabric
- front zip with double flap
- 2 front zip pockets
- hood that can be rolled up with separate collar
Washing waterproof garments
Always review the jacket labels before washing for specific washing instructions. We recommend that you wash your waterproof jacket with a technical detergent on a regular basis. This prevents damage to the waterproof layer. Rise it out well so that there are no soap residues. Never use fabric softener.
Impregnating waterproof garments
When you impregnate your jacket, it is a good idea to put it in the dryer after washing it. This reactivates the water repellent layer on the outside. After several washes, the outside of your garment will absorb moisture. The jacket will become heavy and feel cold and clammy. When that happens, it is time to impregnate the jacket. Use a product made for the washing machine or choose a spray.
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text:
Gov. Christie's move to secure solar's future was a pragmatic one. Don't expect him to 'campaign to promote renewables across the country,' says advocate.
A law in New Jersey requiring more use of solar power was approved with virtually no opposition—which speaks to the growing importance of solar to the state's economy, according to industry experts.
Late last month, Gov. Chris Christie, a popular Republican party figure, signed into law a bill that aims to break the state's boom-bust solar cycle by tweaking its broken incentives program. The move could double its 800 megawatts of solar capacity by 2014.
Christie's signing of S-1925 comes as Congressional Republicans and conservative groups ramp up opposition and ad campaigns attacking Pres. Obama's support for clean energy—especially for solar, in the wake of the bankruptcy of Solyndra, a recipient of federal loan guarantees. The governor's move was heralded by some as a sign of him breaking with his party on clean energy policy.
But solar energy advocates say Christie hardly had a choice, because the economics of the state's solar industry have become too compelling to turn away from.
"He [understands] the practical benefits of having good policies in the state," said Carrie Hitt, vice president for state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association, in an interview. "But he's not going to campaign to promote renewables across the country."
The program, the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) system, took the state's solar installations from close to zero in 2005, to nearly 16,000 today. Hundreds of solar companies flocked to New Jersey turning it into the second-largest solar market behind California. The industry supports about 10,000 local jobs, according to industry estimates, and attracted $1.2 billion in investments in 2011 alone.
But last year, when utilities began to meet the program's quotas for solar energy, demand stifled and explosive growth leveled off. To rev it up, the new law increases the amount of solar power that utilities must purchase, among other adjustments.
As a result, construction activity in the sector could increase 30 percent in the next two years creating about 3,000 jobs, according to the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group.
Andrew Krulewitz, a solar analyst at GTM Research, said it would have reflected poorly on Christie to "let the bottom fall out" of the solar market. "He didn't want to see all these new jobs leave the state."
At a press conference following the bill signing, Christie said that building the solar economy is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. "It's an issue that the people of our state demand we work on together," he said.
"I think it's important for conservatives to hear the message from a credible source like Gov. Christie that solar energy is not liberal—in fact, it's not conservative either. It just makes sense from an economic development standpoint," said Jim DiPeso, policy director for ConservAmerica, a conservative policy group. Last year, approximately 100,300 Americans worked in the U.S. solar industry, says The Solar Foundation, a nonprofit group.
The solar bill was in the works for six months and received five "no" votes, all from Republicans. Policymakers wrangled mainly over how to limit the program's costs to ratepayers—and how to prevent another boom and bust.
The program will work essentially the same as before: For every megawatt-hour of electricity that solar owners generate, they'll earn a SREC (pronounced es-reck) certificate that they can sell on an exchange market. New Jersey's utilities will be obligated to buy a certain amount of SRECs each year to meet the state's solar electricity quotas.
In 2014, utilities will be required to source about 2.2 percent of their power from solar—up from 1 percent today—and 4.2 percent by 2028.
The regulatory certainty will help jumpstart solar projects very soon, said Krulewitz of GTM Research. Solar companies "may begin developing and installing again later this year, or into early 2013," he said. The state has 600 megawatts of capacity in the pipeline.
Cap and Trade Vetoed, Christie Not Alone
Just three days after signing the solar bill, Christie vetoed legislation to reinstate New Jersey in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a nine-state cap-and-trade program. The governor withdrew the state from the pact in late 2011.
"RGGI did nothing more than impose a tax on electricity to be borne by New Jersey's overburdened taxpayers and ratepayers," Christie said in his July 26 veto address. Conservative Republicans have vehemently opposed cap and trade.
According to an independent analysis of RGGI from last year, New Jersey raked in more than $113 million from RGGI's quarterly auctions between 2008 and 2011. The proceeds helped to spur $150 million in economic activity and create nearly 1,800 jobs in the state.
Larry Hajna, a spokesperson for the governor's office, told InsideClimate News that economic growth from RGGI was minimal compared to its costs.
"This administration has been focused on practical solutions that will drive growth," he said. "Key to this is development of solar and wind power."
Hajna noted that the governor was able to back the solar bill because it cut the cost of the program to utilities, and thus to ratepayers, by setting a price ceiling on SRECs. At one point last year, a single SREC cost utilities $685—more than four times what it costs today. Hanja said ending price volatility could save consumers $1 billion on their utility bills over the next 15 years, compared to a program without a price cap.
Christie's not the only prominent GOP state leader embracing solar while toeing the party line on cap and trade and other government clean economy programs.
In her three years in office, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has kept in place tax breaks and other state subsidies meant to nurture the state's booming solar sector that boasts nearly 1,000 companies. Last year, she launched a solar energy task force comprised of local solar executives, industry advocates and city officials to develop strategies to expand solar development in Arizona.
At the same time, Brewer withdrew her state from the Western Climate Initiative's cap and trade program. In January this year, she pulled Arizona from California's Advanced Clean Car program, which would have required the state to put thousands of electric cars and other zero-emissions vehicles on its roads.
Hitt of the Solar Energy Industries Association said there is tension in the states over clean energy policy. Both Brewer and Christie "get the positive benefits [of solar] and have taken deliberate steps to find a good balance—given what's going on in their party and in their states," she said.


text:
Palm is to build its own handheld operating system, combining a Linux foundation with the regular Palm OS look and feel. Work is clearly progressing: devices equipped with the new OS are due later this year, the company's CEO, Ed Colligan, said this week.
If all this sounds familiar, it's because it's the approach PalmSource, the Palm OS development company later acquired by Japan's Access, adopted earlier this decade. It decided to base future incarnations of the Palm OS - versions 6.0 and onward - on a Linux core surmounted by the famliar Palm user interface.
After 2005's Access acquisition, the OS was shifted further in the direction of Linux, with the operating system now known as the Access Linux Platform.
Clearly, that's not been what Palm itself wants, and having last year licensed the source code for Palm OS 5.4 - aka Garnet - from Access for $44m, the company now appears to be doing what PalmSource originally planned to do.
The motivation, we suspect, is as much about control as technology, with Palm choosing - effectively - to replicate work already done by PalmSource and later, Access, but presumably with enough of its own code in there to provide the differentiation it so desperately needs in an increasingly Windows Mobile-dominated world, on the one hand, and flash kit like the iPhone on the other.
Plenty of companies can make good smart-phone hardware - HTC, for example - limiting Palm's bid to stand out founded on its handsets' on-board software and the brand. And the two are closely connected: Palm's brand may have been built on the back of its PDA roots, but that's much less of a sell in these phone-centric times. The build the brand, then, it needs to promote software innovations, and that can only be done if it controls its own product.


text:
Controlling a Species: Humans Being Humane
by Amy Lignor
Humane. There is a reason why this word and human are basically spelled the same. What needs to happen, however, is for them to mean the same. There are societies out there that talk about just that. From clubs to groups to volunteer organizations that protect all varieties of our animal friends, "humane" is one act that they wish would be considered in any and all situations.
One species that can overrun various areas of this country very quickly are deer. Deer hunting is certainly legal and allowed, but when it comes to "killing programs" that have been created expressly for the purpose of reducing deer populations by utilizing only weapons, controversy abounds. This controversy doesn't just come up when talking about how difficult and unsafe it is to "kill" deer in urban and suburban areas; the fact is, killing deer does not actually result in any long-term population reduction whatsoever. Hence, why wildlife fertility control was thought up by a stellar human mind, and has become a way to easily and safely stop the killing.
In Billings, Montana, the Science and Conservation Center can be found. This Center's mission is to control deer and various wildlife populations that have grown, or could grow, out of control by means of fertility vaccines. The Center is the world's only dedicated facility for the development of wildlife contraceptives and methods for its application. They not only distribute the vaccine where needed, but the Center is also the repository for all records and data required by the Food and Drug Administration.
Wildlife contraception is not new, yet to many it remains a mystery. Questions come up every day about different species and settings and how the fertility drug would or could even work.
There is, to this day, a great deal of misunderstanding about this subject – arguments made that by following this path instead of killing a species outright will negatively affect the economy. Again, a belief that is simply untrue.
Called PZP, this vaccine can be used to control fertility in adult female deer and other mammals. Unlike other fertility control vaccines that have been created and tried out, causing unacceptable and undesirable behavior changes in a species, PZP goes no farther than preventing fertilization from occurring. Being a natural protein, it is completely safe to the animal and can be delivered by hand or – so as not to disturb the species – remotely inserted using a dart gun.
With just one treatment, the PZP vaccine can now prevent deer from having fawns for up to three years, reducing the time needed to dart the animals and the cost needed for treating the deer.
Since the 1990s, several successful PZP immunocontraception research projects on deer have been done. Primary goals of these projects were to judge how effective PZP was in deer and whether or not more than 200 of them could be darted each year. Both goals were achieved quite easily. But the most important piece of data discovered was that just PZP alone could stabilize and reduce a deer population over time. Thus, taking away the need for killing.
During the time certain organizations have utilized PZP, the number of deer collisions/car accidents have dramatically decreased. The deer have become healthier and growth rates remain low, even with the fact that urbanization has resulted in more deer migration. Over a five-year period, the deer population decreased by nearly 60 percent when it came to the Fripp Island project. And with fewer deer, fewer tragedies have occurred.
In the end, people must educate themselves on the PZP vaccine before adding to the arguments. If they do, they will see that this has most definitely become a proven way to save human lives without having to wipe any other species off the map.
Source: Baret News


text:
LINDEN, N.J., April 11 (UPI) -- Police in New Jersey said someone stole a shipping container filled with $100,000 worth of hamburger patties.
Linden Police Capt. James Sarnicki said the refrigerated container was on a trailer and was taken from BMG Logistics in Linden at 10:33 p.m. Monday, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Thursday.
Sarnicki said grainy security camera footage shows a tractor pulling the trailer, which bore California license plate number 4HR1817, from the lot.
The container was shipped from Kansas City, Mo., and was bound for Hilton hotels in the Netherlands, police said.


text:
My father just went on Medicare. Should he buy Medigap insurance? Which policy is best? — Joe, Houston.
If your dad isn't insured by a former employer, he should buy supplement insurance, or Medigap, which pays for some costs not covered by Medicare.
And, says Bonnie Burns, a policy specialist with California Health Advocates, he should sign up within six months of enrolling in Medicare, when he can't be rejected for health reasons (some states let you qualify later on for a similar six-month window if your employer plan is canceled).
Since switching policies later may involve a physical, your dad's best plan is one that suits him over time, not just one that meets his needs cheaply now.
All policies must match one of Medicare's 10 standardized plans — from basic coinsurance to coverage of skilled nursing. Learn more at Medicare.gov.


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jimjom wrote:Went to the B n Dz restaurant, had the Chicago Burger, which includes everything on the traditional Chicago hot dog with some variations -- pickles instead of celery, melted cheese, and no poppy seed. Was surprised that it is so far out there, basically a block from the Washington County line, but worth it since I live sort of close. Will go back. My wife ordered a veggie burger which was probably the only palatable veggie burger I've ever tasted.
I hope they get a liquor license soon or are able to become successful enough to move into a bigger space/area occupied by a former restaurant. The Damons on Rt 50 comes to mind or one of the vacant properties along 88 across from the Wal Mart by the Mitsubishi dealer.
It's not advertised well, but it is BYOB. I was talking to the owner one day, and he was looking at opening up places in Southpointe and Wexford. Not sure what ever happened with that.


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Ubisoft Boss Declares F2P Is Because Of 95% Piracy Rates
Rock, Paper, Shotgun is read by over 92% of the Earth's population, and our most frequent readers are in the top 15% most attractive people on Earth! Yes, we all love statistics we don't provide any evidence for. There's so much fun to be had. Ubisoft have also been revelling in that fun, by telling GI.biz that they experience "93-95% piracy" rates. Which is odd, what with all their boasting that their always-awful DRM has been so darned effective at combating piracy. How incredibly confusing! Anyway, this, says bossman Yves Guillemot, is why they're heading down the path of F2P games.
Here's the logic: Only 5-7% of people ever fork out cash for the F2P models that are out there. And that just happens to match the piracy rates seemingly plucked out of the air. You may immediately say, "Er, if it's the same, why bother doing something different?" But Guillemot explains that with the F2P model, that 5-7% who pay will keep on paying, over and over, making more money for the F2Ping company in the long run. Thus making the F2P model more financially effective.
But the problem is deeper than just believing that piracy rates are 95%. (Because of course you just can't measure that. You can count torrents and compare it to sales, etc, but it's still a guess.) Let's just say that piracy rates are 95%, because I've no more evidence to say they aren't than they likely have to say they are. The issue is determining what it's 95% of.
There is no hard evidence to show that piracy affects sales. If Ubisoft has some, then they should share it. There is evidence to show that pirated copies almost never translate to lost sales (and as much anecdotal evidence to show that piracy encourages sales as there is to show it discourages them), and we absolutely cannot take the music and film industry's laughable route of declaring every pirated copy as lost revenue. That's plain deceitful, and of no help to anyone. So instead you could, if you were actually interested in business and not in scaremongering, say "We sold X hundred thousand copies of game Y". Or indeed Z hundred copies. And then you could stop saying anything else, since that's the only useful data you actually have.
Because really what matters is how many you sell, or – in F2P land – how much money you persuade people to give you.
The 95% figure is based on two numbers (one of them guesswork) happening to match up: F2P rates, and alleged piracy rates. It's a comparison that is completely meaningless, as the two have little in common. When I buy a game, as much as the vile EULAs and licenses we are required to agree to may say otherwise, I do on some vague level have (if not own) a copy. When I play an online game, I am only ever visiting that game's house, and the moment they switch it off (and they will) all my investment is gone forever. And one of them IS FREE. It says so right in the business model. I'm allowed to play it for free. And in doing so, by Ubisoft's logic, means I am being compared with a pirate. That is so damned distasteful.
Conflating F2P numbers with piracy "numbers" is a handy way to excuse going down the path of the far cheaper development for F2P gaming, where sticking it in a browser, or cutting it down for a downloadable client, means players have their expectations severely cut down. A path that can, if you strike lucky, find your product catching a very large audience of people willing to constantly fork out small increments in order to be able to keep playing. Most don't succeed, but one big hit can be enough. They're cheaper to develop, they also have the potential of having players just keep on paying, and people don't expect them to be nearly as good as full price boxed games – and hey, they're free, right? So why would anyone complain?
Of course it's absolutely fine for Ubi to head off in the F2P direction. It makes business sense for people to leap and grab cash before the fad is over, and the next new thing comes along. You may not like the business model, you may even think the way pay-to-play's insidious increments work is distasteful. But if you're a publisher, it's a revenue stream you'll want to tap into. But Ubi, please don't make ridiculous excuses. Honestly, I find it bewildering that the entirety of Ubi's board of directors hasn't decreed that Guillemot is never allowed to say the word "piracy" again as long as he lives. Their reputation amongst PC gamers is so utterly terrible right now, despite releasing a ton of great games on the machine. It would just be amazing to see the company, for once, celebrating their PC customers, rather than berating them. Because they have customers. Paying customers. Maybe instead of pointing out that whatever their imagined piracy rates are, they could acknowledge they also have people who pay a huge chunk of cash for their games, and just maybe act like they're grateful. Just maybe.


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There are so many recycled items popping up and recycled baby stuff like cardboard baby high chairs and eco-friendly cribs are certainly a step in the right direction. But it's important that in the rush to buy and use more products that are earth friendly we often overlook the less flashy, everyday stuff that we can recycle.
To be sure, it's always wise to do your research on what items are worth the time it takes to recycle them. Some things, in today's environment are just not cost effective no matter how dedicated we are to keeping piles of trash out of our landfills and reducing our footprint.
If you read my last post, you know that large families are under attack. I thought that I would start compiling a list of stuff to recycle associated with raising children so that parents with more than a few babies can do their part to be green and be more environmentally friendly. Some of the baby products on the list are pretty obvious but keep reading because there may be a few items that you haven't thought of recycling.
For instance, have you thought about recycling or do you use:
recycled baby clothes
- recycled baby shower invitations, announcements and thank you cards
- recycled baby diaper bags
- cribs and nursery furniture
- baby food jars
- cloth baby diapers
It might take a little more effort to load your baby's bed and dresser up and deliver it to the Goodwill Store or anywhere new parents with few resources go to find free baby stuff rather than taking it to the dump. And it might take a few minutes more to rip those frayed cloth diapers into cleaning cloths than it would have to just toss them in the garbage. But when you think of using or passing forward recycled baby stuff as giving our kids the gift of a cleaner less cluttered world, it seems to make the time pass quicker and the work to be lighter.


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A shark attack on a chart
Jan 05, 2011
Happy New Year!
Starting 2011 with shark attacks courtesy of Julien D.
It seems like the good chart did not survive a shark attack if one were to judge from what's left of it.
It's a distorted pie chart with some kind of 3D hemispherical add-on, or it's a cross-sectional chart with the top of a sphere lopped off.
Charts of the USA Today variety do not usually feature here but this one has the aspiration to inform readers -- the chart appears on a web page that purports to correct some myths about shark attacks.
The biggest casualty of the shark attack is the ordering of the data labels. It is a brain teaser as to what criterion was used to order the pie slices: it's not the total number of accidents, nor the number of deaths, nor the death rate, nor alphabetical.
It's also unclear why the data labels were made vertical. The palette of colors is, however, typical of pie charts.
Since a death rate is usually defined as deaths / total accidents, not the other way round, even the numerical data labels is harder to read than necessary.
There are two primary questions this chart is intended to address: the prevalence of different types of shark attacks, and the death rate of each type of attack (as a proportion of reported accidents).
We try a scatter plot showing these two metrics, adding notes to point out where the interesting data is.


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Manufacturer Increases Order Accuracy, Efficiency with Item-Level RFID
Defense Contractor Reduces Quality Control Manpower by 50 Percent
Warmkraft, based in Taylorsville, Mississippi, manufactures specialty finish garments for the U.S. military. The company serves as a general contractor and subcontractor for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
The Story
The Challenge
Each year, Warmkraft ships millions of uniforms to its government customers. Per DoD requirements, all apparel suppliers must tag garments at the item level, with all tags maintaining 100 percent readability at over 10 feet.
Additionally, for its own quality standards, the company needs to track every item that leaves its warehouse accurately, and ensure that the right number and type of garments reach the right customers.
"We have a number of subcontractors where we run units that are identical in every way except for the contract and prime contract holder," said Ron Lack, general manager at Warmkraft. "That created many problems with us trying to separate each customer's units and account for those throughout the production process. We didn't have a good procedure to do that."
The Solution
Warmkraft implemented an RFID solution from SimplyRFID. The SimplyRFID NOX for DoD asset tracking system and the NOXVault portable scanners allow the company to monitor every item as it moves through the supply chain.
When implementing the solution, Warmkraft turned to SimplyRFID to recommend printers to meet the company's high-volume needs.
"We really needed to find a solution that was going to work for that kind of volume, to actually make sure that everything that goes in that box is correct, all the labels that come out that go on the printers are correct," said Carl Brown, president, SimplyRFID.
To meet the company's needs for high performance and efficiency, Warmkraft chose Zebra's R110Xi4™ RFID printer/encoder for creating clothing tags and case labels. With RFID inlays spaced closer together than other printers, the R110Xi4 provides a lower cost per label, fewer media-roll changes and faster throughput.
With the Zebra printers, the manufacturer prints tags for every single garment. On one side, the tag is human readable with a barcode, while the back holds the RFID chip.
Once Warmkraft employees tag items, they are packaged into cartons and sent through ahigh-speed production conveyer. The conveyer reads each individual tag in that carton, checking for the right item, the correct contract number, and the number of items in the box. The process and technology provide quality control that orders are accurate.
With boxes complete, Warmkraft employees place a tag on the outside. If a scan of the box indicates it was not packaged correctly, they use a Zebra 105SL™ label printer to add a regular label that says, "Exception," and correct it later.
"We're able to go back and correct that rerun and then basically give a 100 percent error free on that carton," Lack said.
With carton tags, those packages then move to the pallet wrap machine, where scanning again builds in quality control that the right cartons and items match order specifications.
"The computer reads all the carton labels and tells us what's on there and tells us if there's an error or not," said Bonnie Sacher, shipping manager, Warmkraft. "We apply that to the pallet and wrap it and then it's ready to ship when we get the rest of them wrapped."
All that information goes into the NOX system for Warmkraft's records. Additionally, it's uploaded to government customers so they have full knowledge of shipped orders. As soon as they receive the shipment, the customer also reads the RFID data and puts the order into its database for payment.
What every manufacturer has found so far is that, when they do it with item-level shipping, their counts are correct, their quantities are faster, they don't have to worry about mispacks, misships, and the last thing is that they get paid faster
With the SimplyRFID solution and Zebra printers, Warmkraft brings efficiency and accuracy to its entire supply chain process. The company meets government requirements and ensures that customers receive exactly what they ordered. In fact, item-level shipping has been shown to reduce error rates from approximately 5 percent to .2 percent.
"What every manufacturer has found so far is that, when they do it with item-level shipping, their counts are correct, their quantities are faster, they don't have to worry about mispacks, misships, and the last thing is that they get paid faster," Brown said.
Warmkraft receives payment faster because government customers scan tags on arrival, updating their systems about the order and triggering the customer to pay.
For their part, Zebra printers have proven to stand up to Warmkraft's demanding, high-volume environment. "We have run quite literally millions and millions of tags. We like Zebra's because they're very simple and rugged. It has been excellent all the way through – superior accuracy."
The resulting speed and accuracy enhance customer relations and drive a better bottom line for Warmkraft.
"We do see benefits financially from this," Lack said. "Before, we had numerous inspection points and quality control people in that area. Now we've probably been able to reduce that by 50 percent on the labor savings on those particular audits. It's a very efficient system."


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Tampa Bay Rays Baseball - Rays vs. Yankees, 7:10 p.m.
Sep. 24, 2019
After winning 90 games last season, first time since 2013, the Tampa Bay Rays are predicted to be a force in the American League in 2019! Come watch them take the field in downtown St. Pete at Tropicana Field, recently revamped with a First Base Food Hall where fans can get a taste of local bars & restaurants. And after, enjoy the neighboring Edge District, which is lined with local and authentic breweries, shops and restaurants.
Event Details Event Dates Related
Sep. 24, 2019
Event CategoryFeatured Sports Event Sports & Recreation
Event GroupsRays Baseball
Tuesday, September 24, 2019


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Internet freedom activist Aaron Swartz was "killed by the government," his father told mourners Tuesday during his son's funeral at a synagogue in north suburban Highland Park.
Swartz, who help create Reddit and RSS, the technology behind blogs, podcasts and other web-based subscription services, was found dead Friday in his New York apartment. He was facing federal charges that alleged he illegally gained access to millions of articles from a Massachusetts Institute of Technology computer archive.
Robert Swartz said his son was "hounded by the government, and MIT refused him."
U.S. & World
"He was killed by the government, and MIT betrayed all of its basic principles," he said.
Outside the service, clinical psychologist Dr. Jeanne Beckmman echoed those sentiments.
"The major cause of this man's death was because of bullying by federal prosecutors," she said.
Swartz, 26, was facing charges that carried a maximum penalty of decades in prison. His trial was scheduled to begin in April.
Many of the nearly 350 mourners on hand at the service remarked of the young man's desire to improve the world around him.
"He's somebody that just wanted to make the world better, and he did it in two ways: first, he wrote a lot of software that he made publicly available for everybody to use, that's very important. And also, he believed that scientific publications should be freely available to everybody," said DePaul University computer science professor Massimo DiPierro.
U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz had no comment about Robert Swartz's remarks, Ortiz spokeswoman Christina DiIorio-Sterling said.
Swartz's family also lashed out against prosecutors Saturday, saying the death was "the product of a criminal justice system rife with intimidation and prosecutorial overreach."
Swartz's case highlighted society's uncertain, evolving view of how to treat people who break into computer systems and share data not to enrich themselves, but to make it available to others.
Tim Berners-Lee, who developed the World Wide Web, and Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, director of the Safra Center for Ethics where Swartz was once a fellow, both spoke at the funeral.
"We felt the indictment was nonsense and that he would be acquitted," Berners-Lee said after the service.
Lawyer Reportedly Told Prosecutor Swartz was Suicidal
Andrew Good, a Boston attorney who represented Swartz in the case last year, said he told federal prosecutors in Massachusetts that Swartz was a suicide risk.
"Their response was, put him in jail, he'll be safe there," Good said.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz declined comment.
"We would like to respect the family's privacy," said Christina DiIorio-Sterling. "We don't think it's appropriate to discuss the case at this time."


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Want to get into some holiday fun and spirit with some holiday WordPress joy? The Bitwire Holiday Marathon is all day, December 20th from 6am-6pm Pacific time, and will include tons of great entertainment, discussions, games, giveaways, and lots of holiday spirit.
I will be appearing at 8AM PST to babble WordPress nonsense and fun. The host is Dave Moyer of WordCast and Dave Moyer, which promises to be a very good time. We'll be giving away two of my books, Blogging Tips, What Bloggers Won't Tell You About Blogging, to callers, so come join us now.
To listen, visit the The Bitwire Holiday Marathon for your options, including a call in phone number. They also have a Twitter account so you can chat during the show at @holidaymarathon.
Come join us to talk some WordPress, blogging, and a lot of silliness. We'll be talking about the 500,000 WordPress 2.7 Downloads, WordPress 2.7, and snow on WordPress.com.
Site Search Tags: bitwire, holiday marathon, bitwire holiday marathon, events, dave moyer, wordcast, podcast, live event, lorelle, holiday, interview
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Copyright Lorelle VanFossen, the author of Blogging Tips, What Bloggers Won't Tell You About Blogging.


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Kristen Stewart Turns 23 — Happy Birthday: 23 Best Pics
From surviving a cheating scandal to releasing the final 'Twilight' saga installment, 22 has been quite a year for Kristen! Happy Birthday Kristen!
Kristen Stewart has definitely had a year of ups and downs. Although some parts were difficult for her, she's come out of it a stronger woman and ready to take on 23! She's back with Robert Pattinson and their relationship seems better than ever! Let's take a look back at Kristen's most memorable moments from the past year!
Kristen Stewart's New Movie Roles In 'On The Road' & 'SWATH'
Although she's most well-known for her role in Twilight, Kristen made it clear this year that she's more than just a vampire sweetheart. The actress proved she has a broad range by taking on roles very different from her Twilight character. In On The Road, Kristen plays a passionate and sexually adventurous young woman in the adaptation of Jack Kerouac's novel. In contrast, Kristen took on a much more action-oriented, warrior role as Snow White in Snow White & The Huntsman. This year, Kristen took on a wide variety of projects that proved her acting abilities aren't limited!
Kristen's Affair With 'SWATH' Director, Rupert Sanders
This was definitely the lowest point of Kristen's year. On July 24, photos were released of Kristen in the arms of SWATH director Rupert Sanders. Kristen was immediately at the center of a major cheating scandal involving her boyfriend Rob, and Rupert's wife and family. After Kristen's affair was revealed, Rob immediately moved out of the house the couple shared together. Kristen made a public apology pleading to Rob, "I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry." In the following months, Kristen was under constant media attention, and was continuously slammed for her actions.
Kristen Reconciles with Rob After Cheating Scandal
Initially, Rob refused to speak to Kristen, but he slowly began to forgive her. By the time the pair began promoting Breaking Dawn Part 2, it seemed as if nothing had ever happened. The couple's relationship has only gotten stronger since the affair. When Rob left for filming in Australia in February, the couple decided to take a "trial separation" in order to preserve their relationship. Now, Rob is back in LA and the couple can't seem to get enough of each other! Although the couple isn't quite ready to move back in together, their relationship seems to be in a great place.
Kristen Says Goodbye To The 'Twilight' Saga
This past year was bittersweet for Kristen because she had to say goodbye to the Twilight saga with the release of the final installment, Breaking Dawn Part 2. Over the past six years, the Twilight films have been a major part of Kristen's life. It was a huge project that helped Kristen grow as an actress, and introduced her to the love of her life, Rob. During a press conference, while promoting BD2, Kristen admitted that it was bittersweet that the experience was ending.
"I'm definitely not excited for it to be over. But, now that the whole story is told and everything is done and we don't have those big moments weighing on us [and now] that Bella can finally have everything that she wants, I can't wait for everyone to feel that as well," Kristen explained.
Kristen has had quite a big year, but we're sure 23 will be her best year yet!
HollywoodLifers, join us in wishing Kristen a very Happy 23rd Birthday!
WATCH: Kristen Stewart's Birthday With Robert Pattinson
— Jenny Pickard


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Aquastats"Aquastats Automatically Regulate Supply Or Loop Water Temperature To Provide Outdoor Reset.
Aquastats (Aquatrol Outdoor Temperature Compensators) are solidly manufactured for long lasting durability and dependability. A wide selection of multi-function and single function controller models are available to control boiler temperature, or floating control mixing or injection valves, or circulator for injection mixing. Selected features include automatic reset curve calculation, selectable Warm Weather Shut Down, push-to-test button and troubleshooting LED indicators. Choose various Well Assemblies and Mounting Clamps for 1/2 and 3/4 inch piping. White-Rodgers™ Fast Response Direct Immersion Control and Surface Mount Hydronic Temperature Control also available.
close ➡


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Introducing 901 Very Good Cocktails
901 delicious cocktail recipes from the past and present, organized in a fun, user-friendly way. I have written, designed, and shot all of the photography for what I feel is a uniquely helpful cocktail recipe book. I've come up with many fun, creative lists with which to organize a large number of cocktails and help you find what you're in the mood to drink. It's a comprehensive snapshot of the cocktail's great history as well as what's happening right now in the cocktail world, which is currently experiencing a great renaissance. It's full of great classic drinks from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as current and cutting edge libations from some of the best bars and restaurants around the country and even around the world. I've taste-tested and star-rated all 901 recipes myself--filtering out any undesirables--and made them available to you at home in a practical guide, cutting your travel expenses by 100%!


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Blue Jays sluggers headline All-Star ballot
TORONTO -- Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion will once again headline a list of candidates from the Blue Jays that are expected to receive strong consideration for the American League All-Star team.
Bautista has been voted into the game during each of the past three seasons. The four-time All-Star set a record for the most votes through the fan balloting process in 2011, and he will be a strong contender again this year following his hot start to the season.
Encarnacion was a surprise omission from the AL team in 2012, but he made his All-Star debut last year. He has yet to be voted into the game as a starter, and he will need some help from the fans if he's going to overtake Boston's David Ortiz at the designated-hitter position.
The Blue Jays will begin their in-stadium voting on May 9, which is a Friday night home game against the Angels. Voting will remain open at the stadium until June 11, and it's just one of several ways that fans can have their voices heard for the Midsummer Classic.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 14.
The 2014 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.
And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
In addition to Bautista and Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera also are expected to receive some consideration. Reyes was an afterthought during last year's voting process because of a severely sprained ankle that cost him 66 games of the season. He's already spent some time on the disabled list this year, but he's once again healthy and playing without limitations.
Cabrera has been one of the hottest hitters in the Major Leagues during April. He has successfully bounced back after having a tumor removed from his spine last September, and he's showing no ill effects from his previously serious condition.
Canadian Brett Lawrie is also on the ballot at third base, as well as catcher Dioner Navarro, outfielders Colby Rasmus and Adam Lind and second baseman Ryan Goins. Last year, the Blue Jays sent Bautista, Encarnacion, Steve Delabar and Brett Cecil to the All-Star Game in New York.


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Zug, Switzerland – 4 September 2015 – Further to the announcement made by Coca‑Cola HBC AG ("Company") on 24 June 2015 of a share repurchase programme, the Company announces in conformity with Listing Rule 12.4.6R that on 3 September 2015, it purchased 100,000 of its ordinary shares of 6.70 CHF each at an average price of 1,326.45 pence per share (minimum price of 1,317.00 pence and maximum price of 1,334.00 pence).
The repurchased ordinary shares will be cancelled upon receiving approval from the Company's shareholders and subsequent implementation of a capital decrease. Until such approval is obtained, the repurchased ordinary shares will be held in treasury.
As at 4 September 2015, Coca‑Cola HBC's issued share capital consisted of 367,861,789 ordinary shares, of which 1,114,925 ordinary shares are held by Coca‑Cola HBC AG (including the repurchased shares) and 3,430,135 ordinary shares are held by its subsidiary, Coca‑Cola HBC Services MEPE, in treasury. Since announcing the share repurchase programme on 24 June 2015, the Company has purchased 1,100,000 of its ordinary shares.
|Coca‑Cola HBC Group
Maria Livaniou
Head of shareowner services
About Coca‑Cola HBC
Coca‑Cola HBC is a leading bottler of the brands of The Coca‑Cola Company in terms of volume with sales of more than 2 billion unit cases. It has a broad geographic footprint with operations in 28 countries serving a population of approximately 590 million people. Coca‑Cola HBC offers a diverse range of non-alcoholic ready to drink beverages in the sparkling, juice, water, sport, energy, tea and coffee categories. Coca‑Cola HBC is committed to promoting sustainable development in order to create value for its business and for society. This includes providing products that meet the beverage needs of consumers, fostering an open and inclusive work environment, conducting its business in ways that protect and preserve the environment and contribute to the socio-economic development of the local communities.
Coca‑Cola HBC has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: CCH) and its shares are listed on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX: EEE). Coca‑Cola HBC is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indexes. For more information, please visit http://www.coca-colahellenic.com.