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HMO Licensing
If you are a landlord and you own a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you may need a HMO licence. A HMO is a building or a part of a building (such as a flat) that is occupied by more than two persons living as more than one household.
Not all HMOs need to be licensed – see frequently asked questions below.
To apply for a new HMO Licence, or to renew an existing HMO Licence, please complete our application form and the relevant 'How much do I pay?' table, attached below. A full list of FAQs, as well as helpful leaflets and links, can also be found further down this page.
Applications to renew an existing HMO licence should be submitted two months before the existing licence expires.
To protect tenants in HMOs from poor conditions, the government regulates:
- the quality of the accommodation
- that you or your representatives are suitable to manage a HMO
- that you do not have too many people living in your HMO
- that HMOs considered high-risk are monitored.
The HMO licensing team deals with all aspects of HMO licensing such as:
- helping you through the application process
- assisting with any events after your licence is issued, for example if you wish to vary the terms and conditions of the licence to increase the permitted number of tenants, or to change the people names on the original application
- helping you to renew your licence when the old one is due to expire.
You can find full details about licensing, relicensing and fees, as well as a wealth of helpful advice below. For further information, visit the central government HMO licensing page.
You can also apply online at the Business Link website.
Our licensing fees were updated in April 2013, see the attachment below.
View a list of all HMO licences granted by Birmingham City Council, including those applied for or under appeal.
Please get in touch if you have any queries - HMO Licensing Team, 0121 303 4009.
Please note, that if you are changing the use of a property into a house in multiple occupation you are strongly advised to consult the planning department before applying for a HMO licence. If planning permission is unlikely to be approved, a HMO licence will have no bearing on the matter, should the planning department consider it necessary to pursue formal action. More information can be obtained by visiting www.birmingham.gov.uk/planning.
In partnership with EUGO - find out more.
Birmingham City Council is consulting on proposals to extend the licensing of privately rented homes, including Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). To find out more and give your views, please read the Cabinet Member report attached below and visit www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/place/initial-consultation-hmo-licensing.
- Required Information
If you are a landlord, or thinking of becoming a landlord and need to get a HMO licence, you will need complete a licence application form with which you must provide:
- the appropriate licence fee (see FAQs below for more details)
- a floor plan of the property indicating room sizes, location of the bathroom, toilet and kitchen facilities plus the position of any smoke alarms, emergency lighting units and fire doors
- a valid, current gas safety certificate for the HMO which must be renewed annually (if the property has a gas supply). This is an absolute essential if the property has a gas supply and any licence application received that does not include a current gas safety certificate will not be regarded as being valid. Continued failure to provide an appropriate gas safety certificate within 14 days of a reasonable request to do so may result either in legal proceedings for failure to make a valid licence application or refusal to grant a licence. Furthermore the case may be referred to the Health and Safety Executive for any action considered necessary under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
- A valid electrical test certificate to prove the safety of the electrical installation. If you do not currently have an electrical test certificate, you will be asked to supply one within a specified period of time as a condition of the licence
- A portable appliance test certificate with respect to any electrical equipment you supply as part of the tenancy. If you do not currently have a portable appliance test certificate, you will be asked to supply one within a specified period of time as a condition of the licence
- A declaration that all supplied upholstered furniture complies to the 1993 amendments to The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 which extends the scope of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (CPA). To comply with the regulations, your furniture must:
- carry a manufacturer's label which must be permanent and non-detachable
- have fire resistant filling material
- pass the 'match resistance test' as prescribed
- pass the 'cigarette test' as prescribed.
The following items of furniture would be covered by the above:
- armchairs, three-piece suites, sofas, sofa beds, futons and other convertible furniture
- beds, bed bases and headboards, mattresses, divans and pillows
- nursery furniture
- garden furniture which could be used indoors
- loose, stretch and fitted covers for furniture, scatter cushions, seat pads and pillows.
A Guide to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations can be found at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website.
- Details of what fire precautions currently exist in the property. This would include the location of any existing fire doors and smoke alarms. If your property does not comply with required standards you will be required to install additional fire safety measures as necessary within a specified period of time as a condition of the licence
- A written statement for each occupier of the terms on which they occupy the property, for example, a tenancy agreement.
- Terms and Conditions
In some circumstances, we may also apply licence conditions that:
- restrict the use or occupation of parts of the HMO
- require you to take steps to deal with anti social behaviour arising from either the occupants or visitors if there are any reported problems
- require you to improve the condition of the property and its contents, such as furniture, bathroom , toilet and kitchen facilities
- require you to carry out works to make the house suitable for occupation by the intended maximum number of persons or households within a specified timeframe
- require the licence holder or manager to attend an approved training course.
- Service Standards
We aim to process valid applications up to the point of making a decision whether or not to grant a licence within eight weeks of receipt. The length of the application process will depend on a number of things, including whether we need to inspect the property to confirm it is suitable for licensing.
For more information see the 'Service Standards - HMO Licensing' booklet attached below.
- Contacts
Private Rented Services
PO Box 16589
Telephone: 0121 303 4009
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
- What is a HMO?
Under the changes in the Housing Act 2004, if you let a property which is one of the following types, it is a House in Multiple Occupation:
- an entire house or flat which is let to 3 or more tenants who form 2 or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
- a house which has been converted entirely into bedsits or other non-self-contained accommodation and which is let to 3 or more tenants who form 2 or more households and who share kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities.
- a converted house which contains 1 or more flats which are not wholly self contained (ie. the flat does not contain within it a kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and which is occupied by 3 or more tenants who form 2 or more households.
- a building which is converted entirely into self-contained flats if the conversion did not meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations and more than one-third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies.
In order to be a HMO the property must be used as the tenants only or main residence and it should be used solely or mainly to house tenants. Properties let to students and migrant workers will be treated as their only or main residence and the same will apply to properties which are used as domestic refuges.
- Do I need a HMO licence?
Under the national mandatory licensing scheme a HMO must be licensed if it has:
- Three or more storeys, and
- Five or more tenants in two or more households, and
- Shared facilities such as kitchen, bathroom and toilet.
The council has discretionary powers to widen the remit of licensing to include smaller HMO's if we feel enough of them in an area are badly managed.
- How do I apply for an HMO Licence?
You can apply for an HMO Licence by downloading the Birmingham application form below, and returning it together with the required documentation.
You can also request a printed application form from us by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com, or calling 0121 303 4009.
Alternatively you can complete the Government's online application form on the Business Link website
- What is a household?
- A single person living alone (without partners / relatives – three friends sharing would be considered as three households)
- Couples – married, unmarried or in same-sex relationships
- Relatives living together, including parents, grandparents, children and step-children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins. Half-relatives and foster parents/children are treated as full relatives
- Any domestic staff are also included in the household if they are living rent-free in accommodation provided by the person who they are working for.
- How long is the licence valid for?
The licence can be granted for up to five years.
In some cases the licence may not be granted for the full five years. For example if there are any concerns over the management of the property, or if there has been a history of problems of anti social behaviour associated with the property.
Also, if you fail to make a timely application for a licence then the period of time that the property has been operating as a licensable HMO without a licence may be deducted from the maximum five year period. This is to ensure equity with those landlords who have made timely applications.
- How long will the application process take?
We aim to process effective applications, up to the point of making a decision whether or not to grant a licence, within eight weeks of receipt. The length of the application process will depend on a number of things, including whether we need to inspect the property to confirm it is suitable for licensing.
Read the HMO Licensing Service Standards, attached below, for further information.
- Will tacit approval apply?
In the event of your licence application not being processed within the stated eight week period, then tacit approval is not automatically given.
In the interest of public safety, each licence application must be given full consideration by Birmingham City Council before it can be approved. If you have not heard from us within eight weeks of your application, please contact the HMO Licensing Team (see contacts above).
You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes Service or Businesslink.
- I need a HMO licence. Is there a time limit for my application?
There is no prescribed time limit in law, however you should be aware that it is an offence punishable by a fine of up to £20,000 for a person having control or managing a licensable HMO to do so without a licence, without reasonable excuse.
The council's policy on this is that the person responsible will be given adequate opportunity to apply for a licence before legal proceedings are instigated.
In cases where it is found that there has been gross neglect of proper management standards resulting in the health and safety of the occupiers being put at serious risk, consideration may be given to instigating legal proceedings for failure to obtain a licence forthwith without having given any prior opportunities to apply.
If you are a landlord who is considering letting a property as a HMO, it is advisable to contact the HMO Licensing Team before any tenants move in.
If your property is already occupied as a licensable HMO and you do not currently have a licence for it, then again you are advised to contact the HMO Licensing Team without delay.
- Who holds the property licence?
Either the landlord or someone they nominate, such as a manager or agent can hold the licence, provided that person is in agreement. The licence must be held by most appropriate "fit and proper" person. In determining whether a licence holder is "fit and proper", we will consider:
- Any previous convictions relating to violence, sexual offences, drugs and fraud.
- Whether the proposed licence holder has broken any laws relating to housing or landlord and tenant issues.
- Whether the person has been found guilty of unlawful discrimination.
- Whether the person has previously managed HMOs that have broken any approved code of practice.
It is advisable for the landlord or manager to be a member of a professionally recognised body, such as the Association of Midland Landlords, National Federation of Residential Landlords, or Residential Landlords Association.
- What standards are applicable to houses in multiple occupation?
Amenities and room sizes
In order to assess the suitability of a HMO for occupation by a particular number of persons or households, the council has produced a guidance document which sets out minimum required room sizes as well as minimum provision of toilet, bathroom and kitchen facilities depending on the type of property in question. It also contains standards relating to the provision of adequate heating and information about management regulations.
The document can be read in full by opening "Standards for HMOs", attached below.
Fire precautions
National guidance on fire safety in residential accommodation was formally launched by the government on 23 July 2008. The guidance applies nationally and covers certain existing residential accommodation including single family dwellings, shared houses, bedsits and flats. It is not aimed at new housing built to modern building regulations. The guidance adopts a risk-based approach to fire safety that will satisfy both the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It includes guidance to landlords on how to carry out a fire risk assessment. The guidance is equally relevant to landlords, managing agents, local councils and fire and rescue authorities. The guidance applies to both the private and social housing sectors. Hard copies of the guidance are available to purchase for £20 a copy with free postage and packing.
The national guidance has been adopted and further developed by Homestamp, which is a consortium of local authorities, West Midlands Fire Service and other organisations concerned with standards in the private rented housing sector in the Midlands region.
To download a free copy of the Homestamp guidance entitled " A Guide to Fire and Security Protection in Multi-Occupied Residential Premises" please visit the Homestamp website www.homestamp.com. where you can also find out more about the partner organisations and other work of the consortium.
The Homestamp website can be accessed by clicking on the external links below.
- What are the roles of Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) with respect to fire safety in HMOs?
Both the city council and WMFS have responsibility for ensuring satisfactory fire protection standards in residential properties. In particular the city council must consult with WMFS to agree a suitable fire protection scheme for every HMO licence that is granted.
In order to clarify the respective roles of both authorities and to minimise duplication, a Joint Working Protocol has been produced which sets out the circumstances in which either authority will take the leading enforcement role.
The document can be read in full by opening the "Joint Working Protocol", attached below.
- What is the enforcement policy of Birmingham City Council?
Birmingham City Council's Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy relates predominantly to the Housing Act 2004 but also covers other housing legislation relating to the private rented sector. It sets out the circumstances whereby enforcement action, such as the service of a statutory notice or the prosecution of an individual, may be taken. It also sets out how the council will enforce the various stages and procedures involved in the licensing of HMOs.
The document, which is in five parts, can be read in full on our Private Housing Enforcement Policy page.
- What if I own more than one property?
A separate licence is needed for each property.
- What happens if I need a licence but don't register for one?
Failure to apply for a licence is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £20,000.
- Will there be on-site inspections?
The council does not have to inspect the property before granting a licence but in some cases an inspection could be necessary. The licensing team will prioritise properties for inspection under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, based on the potential hazards that your property poses. We will send you more information on this when your licence(s) has been issued. For information about this process read "Reducing the Risks", produced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
- Can the council refuse to issue me with a licence?
Yes, if we decide you are not a fit and proper person or the property does not meet the conditions set out above, and there is no reasonable prospect of appointing an alternative licence holder or bringing the property up to standard within an acceptable time period.
In this situation, the council has a duty to issue an Interim Management Order (IMO). This allows it to step in and manage the property, including collecting the rent. This order can last for a year, until suitable permanent arrangements can be made. If the IMO expires and there is no likelihood of a positive change in the circumstances, then the council can issue a Final Management Order. This removes the property from the control of the owner for a period of up to five years and can be renewed.
- What will happen if my licence application is refused?
Where there is little or no prospect of the property being brought up to a licensable standard, or where the owner fails to provide a fit and proper person to manage the property, we have a duty to issue an interim management order (IMO). This allows the Local Housing Authority to step in and manage the property, including collecting the rent. This order can last up to a year, until suitable, permanent arrangements can be made.
If the IMO expires and there is no likelihood of a positive change in the circumstances, we can issue a final management order. This removes the property from your control for up to five years and we can renew it if necessary.
- Can I appeal if my licence application has been refused?
You may appeal if the council decides to refuse your licence, grant a licence with additional conditions, revoke your licence, vary your licence or refuse to vary your licence. You must appeal to the Residential Property Tribunal, normally within 28 days.
- What counts as a self contained unit of accommodation?
A unit is one which has inside it a kitchen / cooking area, bathroom and toilet for exclusive use of the household living there. If any of these facilities are outside the unit, it isn't self contained.
- Why has HMO licensing been introduced?
To raise standards for tenants in the private rented property sector, and ensure that landlords are managing HMOs to the required standards.
Landlords can benefit from having support from the council to manage their properties more effectively. It also reduces unfair competition from landlords who undercut their rents but offer poor quality accommodation. Having a licence can also help if disputes with tenants arise, because it confirms the quality of the accommodation.
- What are the advantages of licensing?
Benefits to landlords include:
- Support from the HMO licensing team to manage your properties more effectively
- You can guarantee tenants a certain standard of accommodation
- Reputable landlords will no longer have to face unfair competition from those who undercut rents and offer poor quality accommodation
Some landlords have also said that having a licence could help when disputes arise as it will confirm the quality of their accommodation.
- Why is the government only targeting HMOs for licensing?
There are some common problems associated with HMOs, including poor fire safety standards, overcrowding, inadequate facilities and poor or unscrupulous management. Mandatory licensing is designed to tackle these problems.
- What different types of licensing are there?
The Housing Act 2004 introduced three types of licensing for the private rented sector:
- Mandatory HMO licensing
- Additional HMO licensing
- Selective licensing of all private rented property in a neighbourhood (under certain conditions)
The information on these pages refers specifically to mandatory HMO licensing. You can find out more about the other types of licensing at www.communities.gov.uk/housing
- How do I work out how many storeys there are?
When you count the number of storeys in a building you need to include:
- basements and attics if:
they are occupied
have been converted for occupation
are in use by residents.
- any storeys which are occupied by you and your family if you are a resident landlord
- all the storeys in residential occupation, even if they are self-contained
- any business premises or storage space on the ground floor or any upper floor (you don't need to count basements used for business or storage unless the basement is the only or main entrance to the HMO from the street).
- What criteria must I meet in order to be granted a licence?
To grant you a licence, we must be satisfied that:
- The proposed licence holder and any manager of the property is a fit and proper person
- The proposed licence holder is the most appropriate person to hold the licence
- Proper management standards are being applied at the property
- The HMO is reasonably suitable, or can be made suitable, for occupation by the number of tenants allowed under the licence with at least the minimum prescribed standards of amenities and facilities. These include the number, type and quality of shared bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities.
The licensing application form contains questions which will enable the licensing team to decide whether or not the landlord and the property meet the criteria and can be given a licence.
- Have there been any changes in what counts as a licensable house in multiple occupation (HMO) since the Housing Act 2004 first came in to force in April 2006?
The legal definition of what counts as a licensable HMO has not changed. Any house that is three or more storeys in height and occupied by five or more persons living as more than one household who share at least one standard amenity and pay rent must be licensed.
Further details can be found in the "Licensing Guide for Landlords", attached below, or www.homestamp.com.
- What happens to my existing licence on the date it expires?
The licence will automatically cease to have effect and will be removed from the public register of HMO licences.
- Will I have to apply for a new licence?
If you intend to continue letting the property as a licensable HMO when the current licence expires, then you will have to apply for a new licence.
- When should I apply?
You should apply for a new licence at least two months before the current licence expires. This should then allow enough time to enable a new licence to be processed and approved so that it will come in to operation from the date of the expiry of the current licence onwards.
This is why we are writing to all existing licence holders four months prior to the expiry date of their current licence asking them to confirm whether they are still responsible for the property and whether they intend to continue operating the property in question as a licensable HMO.
Once you have confirmed that you are still responsible for the property and intend to continue letting it as a licensable HMO, we will write to you again with more exact timescales.
- Why do I need to apply for a new licence?
Although we already hold information about your property from your first licence application, we need to know about any changes in circumstances that may have occurred over the past five years or so. You will also need to provide updated information about your status as a fit and proper person to act as the licence holder.
- Will I have to pay another licence fee? If so, how much will it cost?
Yes - local housing authorities are able to recover the full costs incurred in administering the licence scheme and therefore a further licence fee will be charged.
The processing of a new licence application is very similar to that involved with an initial application. All of the stages required by the legislation under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 must still be followed and a detailed assessment of your application must be carried out before a new licence can be granted.
We do however recognise the financial constraints faced by landlords and have tried to reflect this in the licence fee.
Details of the revised licence fees are attached below in 'HMO Licensing - How much do I have to pay? - licence renewal'.
- How long will the new licence last for?
In most cases the new licence will last for a further five years.
Licences may however be granted for shorter periods where there are any concerns over the management arrangements or where there have been avoidable delays in making an effective licence application.
- Will I have to provide another property plan?
If the property plan you provided with your initial licence application is still accurate then it should not be necessary to provide a further plan in most cases. We will contact you if there are any problems with the existing plan.
- Will I have to provide updated safety certificates?
Yes. Any safety certificate that is out of date must be renewed before a new licence can be granted. This applies to:
- Gas safety certificates (if the property has a gas supply)
- Inspection certificates for the electrical installation
- Test certificates for the fire alarm system
- Test certificates for the emergency lighting system (if fitted)
- Portable electrical appliance test certificate (PAT Test) if electrical equipment is supplied as part of the tenancy.
You will also need to provide an updated declaration that all upholstered furniture you provide as part of the tenancy is fully compliant with fire safety regulations.
- Will my property have to be inspected again?
If your property fully complies with the City Council's adopted standards at the date of granting the new licence and there are no unresolved health and safety issues carrying over from the initial licence, then it should not be necessary to carry out a further inspection.
We will however carry out a risk assessment for each new licence to decide whether an inspection is required, and if so, how soon this would be. We will then inform you of the outcome as necessary.
An inspection may however be carried out at any time in connection with any enquiries received from the occupiers or neighbours.
- Will the licence conditions be the same as before?
The licence conditions specified in Schedule 1 of your existing licence concerning the proper management and maintenance of the premises will be generally similar on the new licence.
Any specific works or actions specified in Schedule 2 of your existing licence should have been completed by the time the new licence is granted and therefore in most cases it should not be necessary to include these conditions again.
- What will happen if all the conditions of the existing licence have not yet been complied with?
If all of the conditions have not been complied with then this is an offence for which you could be fined up to a maximum of £5000 per breach of licence condition.
For example it may have been specified that additional amenities should have been installed to make the house suitable for occupation by a certain number of persons. If this work has not been completed then evidence could be gathered with a view to instigating legal proceedings.
You are therefore urged to look through the schedule of licence conditions to ensure that any works required are completed.
Bearing in mind that the City Council is unlikely to be able to prosecute all such cases of non-compliance, then it is proposed that an alternative sanction would be to reduce the operative period of the new licence.
- What are the penalties for failing to obtain a new licence?
The penalties for operating a licensable HMO without a licence once the current licence expires are the same as those for failing to obtain a licence in the first place:
- Failure to obtain a licence – a fine of up to £20,000
- Permitting an excessive number of occupants – a fine of up to £20,000
- Rent repayment orders
- Interim Management Orders
- Inability to issue notice to quit to existing shorthold assured tenancies.
- I've increased the number of bedrooms in the property. Is the existing licence still valid?
You will need to apply for a change to the licence, known as a variation. The alterations you have made may mean that additional facilities are required.
- The managing agents details have changed. What do I need to do?
If the managing agent is the licence holder, the licence will need to be revoked, and the new managing agent will have to apply for a licence in their own right.
If they were identified as the manager, the licence will need to be changed to show the new manager. You will be charged 10% of the original fee for the variation.
If the managing agent is not the licence holder or manager, you need to write to us, and we will update our records. You will not be charged for this.
- What if I sell my property?
If you are the licence holder, then the existing licence will be revoked by the Council. The new owner will have to apply for a licence in their own right if it is to continue as a House in Multiple Occupation.
If you are not the licence holder, then the licence holder may apply for a change to the existing licence, known as a variation. They will be charged 10% of the original fee for the variation. This is particularly important if you were identified as the manager of the property, but will not continue to act as the manager.
- I want to convert my property back into a family home. What happens to the licence?
You may either:
- request, in writing, that the licence be revoked
- allow the licence to run until it expires, then notify the Council that it's no longer required.
- The original licence holder has transferred ownership of the property into my name - what happens to the existing licence?
If you are to be the licence holder, then the existing licence will need to be revoked by the Council. You will then have to apply for a licence in your own right if the property is to continue as a House in Multiple Occupation.
If you are not to be the licence holder, then the licence holder may apply for a variation to the existing licence. This is particularly important if you are to be the manager of the property.
- Can I receive all the licence documents electronically by email, rather than by post?
Yes – we would encourage you to indicate your acceptance on the new application form allowing the service of documents electronically.
- Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
- National Approved Letting Scheme
- Department for Communities and Local Government
- Residential Landlords Association
- National Landlords Association
- Gas Safety Advice - Health and Safety Executive
- Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme
- Trustmark – Helps you find reliable, trustworthy tradesmen
- Health and Housing Rating System
- Housing Act 2004
- Home Stamp
- Homestamp fire and security protection standards
- Gas Safe Register
- Public Register of HMO Licences
- Private Housing: Landlord Advice
- Landlords – tackling antisocial behaviour
- Let to Birmingham
- Private Housing Enforcement Policy
- Energy Efficiency Advice and Assessment
- Private Housing: Tenant Advice
- Report an Empty Property
- Housing Benefit - New Claim
- Building consultancy
- Planning Applications


text:
Members of the media who wish to reach students, faculty, staff, or a spokesperson of the College, please email Media Relations or call 802-440-4399.
Bennington College
Office of Communications
One College Drive
Bennington, VT 05201-6003
In early March, I wrote a letter expressing our confidence in Bennington's capacity to come through the current economic crisis and that the national environment was likely to get worse before it gets better. While we remain confident in our future, increased pressure on scholarship assistance, on fundraising from both individuals and foundations and on revenue from investments has led us to make some significant adjustments in next year's operating budget to assure the long-term future of the College.
In its June meeting the Board of Trustees voted to institute a faculty/staff salary freeze for this coming year. In addition to the savings from the salary freeze (equivalent to1% of the budget) we have reduced the overall operating expenses for next year by 4%.
We also have made the very painful and difficult decision to close the College's Early Childhood Center at the end of August. We have been proud to provide this important resource and service for our community for decades. Unfortunately, despite aggressive efforts to control expenditures and to find other sources of revenue the Center has run a substantial deficit over the years. Under the current circumstances we simply cannot responsibly continue to sustain the Center.
Much as I regret the need to take these measures, I can assure you of the fundamental health of the College. We continue to see record numbers of applicants, and will welcome a record 210 entering students to Bennington this fall; as well as a set an historic high for overall enrollment at the College with more than 650 undergraduates. We have avoided making cuts that would jeopardize future growth.
We believe these actions, while difficult, are sound and necessary. While the pressures are very real indeed, Bennington has weathered worse storms and we will weather this one.
Elizabeth Coleman

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This question already has an answer here:
- How does "Reputation" work? 1 answer
I was watching the top users and see the honorable Jon Skeet profile with his
136k+ 558k+ reputation. This man has a lot of quality posts and I respect him a lot. He deserves the reputation he has. Like a lot of other people here.
But how do you get over 200 reps/days?
Taking a sample of Jon Skeet's profile, we can read over a course of 54 days, he manages to rep 13,076 points.
Now, if we do the maths on that:
13076 ÷ 54 = 242 reputation points/day.
How can someone have 242 reps/day when the limit is 200?
(This question was originally floated by Daok)
This question has led to a humorous Chuck-Norris-Facts style question.


text:
Please enter a maximum of 5 recipients. Use ; to separate more than one email address.
Under the plan, Neste Oil will sell five tankers and three tugs to companies owned by Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency and the Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company.
Finland-based Neste Oil plans to sell all of its own
shipping vessels and outsource the ship management
functions currently covering them, the company said on
Around 320 ship management personnel would
transfer to a new employer, according to Neste Oil
Meanwhile, Neste Shipping's chartering functions would be
retained and integrated with Neste Oil's organization. Going
forward, Neste Oil intends to source its marine transportation
through contractual arrangements.
"Neste Oil's shipping needs have changed in recent
years," said Neste Oil CEO Matti Lievonen. "The proportion
of the group's cargoes carried by Neste Shipping ships flying
the Finnish flag has steadily declined. Because of its high
costs level, Neste Shipping has been unable to compete
profitably on the international shipping market.
"Ensuring the long-term continuity of the business in its
present form would also call for significant investments," he
added. "As a result, we are now planning to exit the shipping
business and reinforce our focus on developing our core cleaner
traffic solutions."
As part of the restructuring, Neste Oil plans to
sell five tankers (Mastera, Futura, Neste, Kiisla, and
Suula) and three tugs (Ukko, Ahti, and Esko) to companies owned
by Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency and the Ilmarinen
Mutual Pension Insurance Company. These will be sold at the
current market value. Neste Oil will lease the vessels back
under long-term contracts and they will continue to sail under
the Finnish flag.
"I am glad that we have been able to find an arrangement
that will keep the key vessels needed by Neste Oil in Finnish
ownership and in use by us," said Lievonen. "These
vessels, together with vessels chartered from other shipowners,
will meet our current shipping needs and ensure that we are
able to continue to provide our customers with a high level of
service. The arrangement will continue to ensure
Finland's security of supply in the area of marine-based oil
In addition, Neste Oil said it plans to sell three of its
other tankers -- Tempera, Purha, and Jurmo -- at a later stage,
together with its 50% ownership of another three tankers --
Stena Poseidon, Palva, and Stena Arctica -- which are owned
together with the Stena Group of Sweden.
As part of the restructuring, Neste will
transfer its ship management functions covering the
crewing and maintenance of its vessels to a
commercial ship management company that would take over the
operations of the vessels that would remain in Neste Oil usage
following the restructuring. Neste Shipping's ship management
functions currently employ around 300 people at sea and 20
people on shore.
In connection with the outsourcing, Neste is beginning
statutory employer-employee negotiations covering all the land-
and sea-based personnel. The plan is to transfer these
personnel to a new employer. The planned sale of the Tempera,
Purha, and Jurmo at a later stage could impact personnel in the
event that the new employer is unable to offer substitutive
positions to those concerned.
Financial impact
If the plans are implemented as intended, no
significant capital gains or losses are expected. However, the
arrangement is expected to free up 60 million of capital
from Neste Oil's balance sheet and improve the companys
results by 10 million annually during the coming
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Engineers and designers are highly skilled individuals. Forcing them to enter design changes using tables, forms and spreadsheets is unproductive and uneconomical, and it increases the likelihood of human error—this is the way that most instrumentation software systems currently work. For too long, software vendors have denied engineers and designers the simple practicality of a graphical visual engineering interface with "drag and drop" capability and inbuilt intelligence, ensuring changes are automatically replicated into all the associated data and databases.
Is 2016 the peak for US gasoline demand?
Too soon to tell
July 2016


text:
2009 Goodguys Southwest Nationals - Fun In The Scottsdale SunWritten by on April 1, 2010 Goodguys 12th Annual Southwest Nationals
Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were headed to the Goodguys show in Del Mar, California, to kick off the show season, and now as I write this there's two weeks until Christmas and I've just attended the last Goodguys show of the year, the Southwest Nationals, in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you've never been to the Phoenix area in November, you're missing out! Not only is the weather absolutely perfect, but the Southwest Nationals is a great show. Despite all the car show coverage clichés about fun, sun, hot, cool, etc, the conditions in Scottsdale are ideal for over 2,000 '72-and-earlier vehicles to come show their stuff on the grass at West World.
While I have and continue to attend many shows across the country, we don't usually have the chance to drive something fun to any of them, but I finally had my '72 Chevy C-10 road ready after a couple of years of occasionally working on it between hibernation spells. I had driven the truck around town a bunch, but had never taken it out of Southern California and certainly never out of state-yet.
As of now, I had done most everything on the truck except body and paintwork and felt pretty confident in its roadworthiness once a couple of tuning bugs were worked out. So I headed down to Oceanside, California to Turnkey Engine Supply to have them look at my junkyard LS engine install that I used their harness with. After a short time on the chassis dyno, Kory had the engine running like a sewing machine, and we replaced the stock junkyard fuel pressure regulator that was sucking fuel into the intake and obviously making it not run right. With that sorted out, I was on my way to the Phoenix area-wished I had replaced the broken eight-track player first!
For more info on past and future Goodguys events, log onto www.good-guys.com and we'll see you next season!
More Photos From This Article View Slideshow
After an uneventful, but nice drive along the southern most highway in the Southwest, the 8, I found myself in Scottsdale and got a good night's rest before heading out Wednesday for the shop crawl/cruise around the Phoenix area.There was a long list of shops that the Over The Hill Gang Phoenix chapter car club put together. I made it to a few of them like Industrial Chassis, Arizona Street Rods, and American Built Customs, before attending to some cooling issues with the C-10.One of the first things most people saw starting Thursday morning at the West World grounds where the show was held was Kirk Johnson's now famous Roseville Rod & Custom built '68 F-100 that was just awarded Goodguys 2009 Truck of the Year-Late. Of course, we thought it was a great pick and remember you saw the truck here in CLASSIC TRUCKS first!The Goodguys Truck of the Year-Early went to Betsy Rose of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and her cool blue Ford-powered '35 Ford.One of the sharpest trucks at the show this year happened to be one that has been around for a few years, but you'd never know by looking at it! This amazing gold pearl '56 F-100 belongs to Richard Walpole and has a 600-inch Ford crate motor that was reworked to put out 754 hp! If you never heard the simple and clean truck run, you'd have no idea. Inside the cab is a full leather interior.On the other end of the cost spectrum is Erin Gimblin's '57 Chevy. Her truck is homebuilt and wears a not quite flat mix of blue PPG paint that is durable and easy to keep looking good. The truck sits on a full S-10 frame with a 350 and Turbo 400 under the shaved hood. The wide whites, chrome rims, and Shannon cones give the 'bagged pickup a super cool look.Turning back the clock, we have Jim Malone's gorgeous red '40 Ford. The little pickup is Jim's calling card for his shop in New Mexico call Wild West Street Rods and features a modified original frame, stock sheetmetal, front disc brakes, a leather interior, and a 327/350 combo backed up by a Ford 9-inch. Stay tuned for a full feature!We've been bumping into Joe Luken and his '55 Ford all over SoCal for a few months now and we're pleasantly surprised to cross paths in Arizona. His '55 Was built in memory of his nephew and finished as a very clean driver with some Harley-Davidson influence. Of course, the color screams HD, but the truck also has Harley headlights worked into its grille. Joe kept a Ford in his Ford by building a smooth running 351 Windsor. We've got a feature coming on this one too.
Sharp eyed readers will remember Mike Carpenter's rare '55 first series Chevy from the cover of our May 2009 issue. Of course we already liked his truck enough to put it in the magazine, so we thought it'd be rude not to give Mike a Finest Five award too! The '55 was actually built by Wild West Street Rods owner Jim Malone who will also be sporting a CLASSIC TRUCKS jacket for his '40 Ford.The blue on this '46 Chevy was stopping people all weekend long. The color, a little chrome, polished wheels, and a white interior made Steve Werden's truck a sight to behold.James Mabbutt didn't have to go too far from his home in Phoenix to get to the show, but we'd bet he looks for excuses to drive his clean '72 C-10 as much as possible.It is still hard to resist lowered '67-72 C-10s! They are good-looking trucks right from the factory, especially when they have dress up options like this Custom Deluxe-equipped C-10 owned by Derek Brechner from Scottsdale.Most people get a kick out of seeing work trucks from days gone by and this lineup of old Studebakers and an International was something you don't see every day.Another truck we've seen a lot of this last year is this rare '45 Ford truck from Colorado Springs, Colorado. The barely postwar Ford sports a subtle two-tone green paintjob and a cruiser-friendly 350/700R-4 combo under the stock hood.I ran into my old friend and F-100 Supernationals founder Pat Ford, who now works for Dennis Carpenter, and he told me I had to check out this small-scale handmade '56 Ford in the Lincoln Electric booth. The tiny truck took over two years to build, and you can actually drive it!We try not to shoot trucks with their hoods open for show coverage because it ruins the lines of a gorgeous truck, but Jim Goebel's '56 Ford was just a nice example of a classic truck. From the bigs and littles on steel wheels with beauty rings and hubcaps, to the chrome running boards, simple paint color, and a little pinstriping, the F-100 was a good reality check.
Jim and Jackie Councilman from Desert Hills, Arizona were having a blast cruising their '49 Chevy Suburban around the Southwest. Their bedless truck had some rare accessories on it like the fender trim and over riders.Another nice example of a clean prewar truck is George Phillips maroon '40 Ford. He drove the 383-powered and Gear Vendors-equipped Ford all the way from Los Gatos, California, to enjoy a weekend of perfect weather in Scottsdale.With a name like Tootes Weaver how could you not have fun driving this matte green '56 Ford? As it turns out, Tootes is an upholsterer in Mesa, Arizona, and this is his shop truck-cool.There were a few sharp "off-brand" trucks at the show, which is always refreshing like this '50 Studebaker truck from Riverside, California. With the Goodguys Homebuilt Heaven paper in the window, we used our high-tuned powers of deductive reasoning and figured that the trucks owner, Alan Tudor, also built it.We also won't usually include vehicles that don't have filled out window stickers in event coverage, but this Econoline pickup was too cool to leave out! The little truck was slammed on Cragars with a slick black paintjob and a diamond tuck interior-sweet!Speaking of slammed, Jeremy Robinson's '54 Chevy was just that! The shaved, smoothed, and primered driver is a good looking work in progress.And speaking of works in progress, how could we ignore Randy Busha's '72 Ford F-250 crewcab? The rare truck still boogies with a 360 and C-6 drivetrain, but sits a bit better than the factory intended, I often wished my bumpside had a couple more doors.Joe McCarthy has a blast driving around Arizona in his Chevy-powered '49 Studebaker. The flamed and lowered truck is no frills and all fun.


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Everyone hears something about chromatic aberration but are there any other types? What causes them?
There are numerous kinds of optical abberations that you may encounter with a lens. Chromatic Aberration is only one of them. Some are more drastic, others are more subtle.
Lens Flare
Probably the most commonly known aberration is lens flare. Flare occurs when non-incident light enters the lens and reflects off of the various lens elements and/or diaphragm. The effect, when strong enough, can create bright spots and streaks, and may also have a detrimental effect on contrast where it occurs. Flare is usually caused by a bright near off-scene light source, such as the sun, or a bright light illuminating your scene.
You can mitigate or eliminate flare by using a lens hood. For telephoto lenses, a round hood will block all non-incident light. For wider lenses, a petal-shaped hood is best, as it takes into account the wide form factor of the sensor. Multi-coated lens elements help to reduce undesirable reflections, and when used for front and back lens elements, but particularly when used on all internal lens elements, can greatly reduce flaring. Filters, being an additional glass element with their own imperfections, will likely increase the chance of flaring.
Similar to flare, ghosting is the result of light bouncing off your sensor, reflecting off of the back lens element or elements, and returning to the sensor. Ghosting usually creates a soft, off-centered replica of your main image. It can look somewhat like what a person with astigmatism sees, a slightly blurred or streaked off-set copy of the scene.
Higher quality lenses use milti-coated lens elements to reduce reflection as much as possible, and they can limit the cases where ghosting is possible. It is impossible to completely eliminate reflection, however, and in the right scenarios, ghosting is always possible to a degree.
Another type of aberrant lens behavior is distortion. It comes in two varieties: pincushion and barrel. In most zoom lenses, distortion occurs at the focal length extremes. Cheaper lenses often have more of a problem with distortion than higher quality lenses, however pretty much all lenses have some degree of distortion (including primes.) Many lenses have such a low degree of distortion that it is not a factor, and others are clearly noticable. Distortion may not be much of a problem if you are not photographing subjects that make the effects of distortion apparent, like brick walls or buildings.
In addition to pincushion and barrel distortion, many lenses will create distortion in perspective. Particularly with wide-angle lenses, distortions in perspective can be seen when using very wide focal lengths.
Certain types of lenses, often called TS or Tilt-Shift lenses, tend to generate very little barrel or pincushion distortion. Such lenses offer two additional controls over the normal focus and zoom: tilt and shift. Using these additional controls, a photographer can straiten out perspective distortion to one degree or another, and restore a proper degree of strait perspective to your images.
Spherical Aberration
Spherical aberration is another type of optical aberration that may occur in camera lenses. It results from the difference in refraction at the edges of a lens compared to the center, resulting in improper convergence of light rather than convergence into a focal point. Spherical aberration generally results in softer focus, rather than clear and sharp focus.
Spherical aberration may be corrected in a couple of ways. A combination of spherical convex and concave lenses may be used to correct the convergence of light. Modern high-end professional lenses often include an aspherical lens element. Aspherical lens elements cause less refraction at the edges and more in the center, resulting in proper convergence over a given focal length.
Some lenses, such as soft-focus portrait lenses, intentionally leave a certain amount of spherical aberration in place to produce more pleasing shots. In these cases, spherical aberration is a desirable effect, one which you may explicitly look for in a lens.
Related to spherical aberration, comatic aberration is a refractive problem that occurs in off-axis point light sources. Due to the difference in refraction near the edges of a spherical lens element, off-axis point sources may appear stretched and "haloed" at the focal plane. Coma is generally a combination of both spherical aberration of a point light source and chromatic aberration to produce an effect that looks like a comet.
Coma is generally controlled by using lenses of the appropriate curvature to minimize edge distortion. In camera lenses, a combination of lens elements is generally required to minimize such optical aberrations. Comatic aberration is a problem that largely affects those who do night photography or astrophotography, as point light sources are most common on these scenarios.
A final type of distortion is also possible, and prevalent on all cameras. Diffraction is an effect of light, given its waveform nature. When waves encounter an edge or opening, then have the tendency to bend around it. The diaphragm in a camera allows one to control the aperture, or the opening through which light passes on its way to the sensor. The aperture gives us control over how much light reaches the sensor...but as a result, it can also cause diffractive blurring via an effect called the airy disc.
At sufficiently wide apertures, diffraction is low enough that it does not cause any problems. However, all sensors have a diffraction limit, beyond which the effects of diffraction will begin to affect image quality. For most sensors, this is around f/8 to f/11. The larger the photosites and the more effective the microlensing around each photosite on a sensor, the higher the limiting aperture. When the aperture is stopped sufficiently far below the diffraction limit, the airy disc effect will allow light to bleed past the intended sensor pixel (photosite) and affect others. Apertures below f/22 or so will generally start causing enough loss in sharpness to counter the gains by having a tighter aperture.
While the diffraction of light is caused by the diaphragm in a lens, it should be noted that the resulting effect is dependent on the sensor in the camera. Large full-frame sensors in high-end DSLR camera bodies will exhibit problems due to diffraction less than the smaller sensors in entry-level DSLR camera bodies, which in turn will exhibit problems significantly less than the tiny, pixel-dense sensors in most point and shoot cameras.
I'm trying to write down a more photographer oriented answer. So the different lens-related issues are:
Not really in the same category, but also very important aspect of lenses is resolution, or actually we usually care about resolution loss towards the edges due to various other aberrations such as coma, astigmatism, field curvature, etc. You can usually make things better when you stop down and you should try, because you can't correct it in post-processing.
One should keep in mind that there is no such thing as perfect lens and every lens has some degree of aberrations due to the compromises made during optical design.
Strictly 'optical' (ie wavefront) aberations are:
But the ones that are mostly likely to affect your photographs are:
Chromatic aberation - different colors are focused to different positions in the image, this gives rainbows around bright objects, especially on the sky.
Flare/ghosting - light is scattered inside the lens, either from the glass or the metal body. This creates the row of colored circles going toward the sun that you sometimes see in movies and reduces the contrast of the image.


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AUSTIN (February 21, 2013)--A new federal report says Texas public school students outscored the country in science and math, but says the state fell behind on literacy, even after excluding the scores of students learning English as a second language.
The Mega-States report released on Thursday by the National Center for Education Statistics examined the five most populous states, Texas, New York, Illinois, Florida and California.
Among them, Texas spends the least money per student.
Michael L. Williams, commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, said the gains in math and science would put the state on a path to meet growing job needs.
But on the reading tests, Texas eighth-graders made no progress, while the national score increased.
Williams said the state "will continue working to aim higher and accomplish more."


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text:
Double Pilaster
$35 Final Sale
$28 Member
In the 18th and 19th centuries, meticulously crafted ornaments like ours lent gracious detail to grand homes and public buildings. We transformed these found architectural elements into wall art with beautifully cast detail and a genteel vintage finish.
Show Details +
- 7¾"W x 2½"D x 16¾"H
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.


text:
Go behind the scenes with exclusive mobile access to Texas A&M football players and coaches with the new social content hub AggieFBLife.com – the first web and mobile responsive digital platform for a collegiate football program.
Texas A&M has partnered with Houston-based FusionSports to bring the social content hub for Aggie Football to life, delivering lifestyle-driven content and campaigns from inside the program. The site contains exclusive original content crafted for mobile consumption (30sec-1min) along with micro blogs, videos and images featuring Texas A&M players and coaches – including music playlists from the team's daily practices.
AggieFBLife.com aggregates branded content that is sharable from social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Vine into one interface. Texas A&M Football is positioning itself at the leading edge of mobile technology, as researchers with Strategy Analytics suggest that wireless data consumption will increase by 300 percent by 2017, with 42 percent of this growth being attributed to video streaming.
"Today's young people, particularly those in college football, live on their mobile devices," said Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin, who personally has more than 41,000 Twitter followers with his @CoachSumlin account. "With AggieFBLife, we are able to give an insider's view of our football program and show what it's like to be a football player at Texas A&M through videos, blogs and imagery."
In addition to social media content, the site includes overviews on the Texas A&M Football program and the University, as well as features on the latest adidas apparel worn by the Aggies.
FusionSports has worked with some of the top names in sports and lifestyle, including Ray Lewis, Hines Ward, Kenny "The Jet" Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson. The company works with professional athletes and sport brands to craft engaging brand experiences across web, mobile and social channels.
"As a former collegiate football player, it has been exciting to work with such a progressive coach in Kevin Sumlin, as well as with the entire football staff," said Sean Richards of FusionSports. "Texas A&M really gets what captures the attention of today's athletes, and with the AggieFBLife network, we're able to provide inside access to a major college football program like never before."


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Recently, I've been backing up a lot of my data, and I noticed that I can save files as
.gz or
.tar.gz, or
.7z and
.tar.7z, etcetera. What are the differences between the normal one and the
.tar.* variant? Which one of them is adviced when making backups?
Recently, I've been backing up a lot of my data, and I noticed that I can save files as
If you come from a Windows background, you may be familiar with the zip and rar formats. These are archives of multiple files compressed together.
In Unix and Unix-like systems (like Ubuntu), archiving and compression are separate.
So to get a compressed archive, you combine the two, first use
It depends on what you are looking for... Compression or archiving?
When I talk about archiving, I mean preserving permissions, directory structure, etc...
Compression may ignore most of that and just get your files in a smaller packages.
To preserve file permissions, use tar:
The p flag will save file permissions. Use the z flag for gzip compression or the j flag for bzip compression.
If you want to have a tar file you can "update" package the tar using the P flag:
Then to update, replace 'c' with 'u' and when unpacking, you can use 'k' to preserve files that already exist.
The P flag saves files with full paths, so - /home/username vs home/username (notice the leading forward slash).
7z compression offers greater compression, but does not preserve file ownership, permissions, etc. Rzip is another compression utility that offers comparable compression with 7z as well.
I guess a backup.tar.7z file is just a tar file (with permissions) compressed by a 7z file, though I wouldn't be surprised if little compression occurred because 7z may not be able to dump the file metadata. It's 7z's ability to exclude the file metadata that it can offer great compression (amongst other things of course).
Compression depends entirely on data type as well. Some files don't compress well because they may already be compressed with some other means (ie, .mp3, .jpg, .tiff/with lzma, .rpm, etc).
gzip or bzip2 doesn't know about
tar(archiver) - just archive file structure. gzip,bzip2(compressor) - just compress input.
I think this strategy came from 'do one thing well' unix philosophy. Tar works well? Leave it is. Need more compression ratio than gzip? Here is bzip2 or 7zip.
its different styles of compression , tar by itself is simply archived(little to no compression). tar.gz is a tar archive but the contents are compressed by gzip(moderate compression) hence the .gz and tar.7z is compressed using 7zip (usually super high compression)
when backing up I would recommend tar.7z as it has the highest compression rate saving you space but uses an extra program (7zip). .tar.gz will be larger files and do the same job, you could also use bzip (.tar.bz/bz2) although i'm not sure if that would suit you better as I use gzip or 7zip
typically, *.tar files are just tar files created by tar program, *.gz programs are created by gzip, *.tar.gz (sometime also *.tgz) are gziped tar files, and *.7z are created by 7zip.
However, in Linux/Unix, one can name a file pretty much anyway he wants, so it is completely at the discretion of the creator of the files.
Tar (Tape Archiver) has traditionally been used as a container in Unix/Linux to package files for movement. It packages the file structure and maintains file attributes, but it doesn't compress the files.
Compression programs compress the file to make it smaller, but they may not handle multiple files, and/or they may not handle the file attributes neccesssary for Linux. Since tar already exists and is well-supported, there's no reason for archiving programs to duplicate this functionality, which is platform-specific (re, different for Windows and Linux). Also, different compression programs may perform differently on different types of files, so having a choice of more than one is desirable.


text:
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Foundations for Integrative Musculoskeletal Medicine: An East-West Approach (9781556435409)
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Binding: Hardcover
This book, an authoritative text on musculoskeletal and physical medicine that integrates Eastern and Western approaches, covers every aspect of musculoskeletal medicine, starting with an in depth introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles as they relate to the subject. Author Alon Marcus surveys the science of pain from both modern biomedical and TCM perspectives, examines the foundations of integrative musculoskeletal medicine, explores biomedical and osteopathic clinical assessment, and outlines treatment options such as acupuncture, blood-letting, and meridian therapy. Other chapters analyze herbal medicine, integrative electrotherapeutics, manual therapy, and much more.
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text:
I have a field with multiple words in it. I want to separate the words onto different lines rather than have them separated by spaces.
So for example "Not Great", I want to put "Not" on 1st line and "Great" on 2nd line, like so:
There could be words with "/" character in between i.e. "Great / Good" where I want to put everything after 1st word in 2nd line and everything after "/" in 3rd line i.e.
Basically, whenever there is space, I want split that string into multiple lines. How do I do that in SSRS?


text: Visitors to Summit Gallery, 3393 Main St., in Weirton, Monday discuss some of the new art pieces on display as part of the gallery's latest exhibit. Artwork by the late Mitchell Sagan; Joan Heddle of Chester; Sandra Beitsinger of Coraopolis, Pa.; and Sue Tate of Weirton; will remain on display until October. Summit Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is operated in cooperation between the Hancock County Arts Council and the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Additional photos from be viewed online at cu.weirtondailytimes.com. -- Craig Howell


text:
STEUBENVILLE - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said 16 individuals refused to cooperate with his office over the past several months as it investigated the Steubenville rape case.
Now, he's calling on Jefferson County officials to convene a grand jury in April so his office can determine if any additional charges need to be filed in the case.
DeWine held a press conference Sunday in the Jefferson County Justice Center shortly after Judge Thomas Lipps handed down guilty verdicts against Trent Mays and Ma'Lik Richmond. DeWine said the rape case investigation cannot be considered complete without assembling a grand jury, which is expected to meet April 15.
Article Photos
Ma'lik Richmond hugs his mother Daphne Birden, after being found delinquent on rape charges Sunday in Steubenville. Richmond and Trent?Mays were accused of raping a 16-year-old West Virginia girl in August 2012.
"This community needs assurance that no stone has been left unturned in the search for the truth," DeWine said.
In investigating the rape, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents interviewed 27 partygoers, as well as Steubenville City Schools Superintendent Michael McVey, Steubenville High School Principal Shawn Crosier and numerous Big Red football coaches. There were 16 individuals, however, mostly juveniles, who refused to cooperate.
He said prosecutors from his office will present evidence and call numerous witnesses during the assembly, which he anticipates to last several days. Grand jury proceedings are not open to the public.
One of the potential charges that may come out of the grand jury session is failure to report a felony. DeWine clarified that in order to charge someone with failing to report such a crime, it must first be proved that a crime was committed, which was done Sunday when Lipps found Mays and Richmond guilty.
He noted that under Ohio law, teachers and team coaches are obligated to report any crimes they have knowledge of to law enforcement. DeWine would not say if Big Red head football coach Reno Saccoccia is expected to testify or if he may face charges. Text messages introduced at the trial suggested the head coach was aware of the rape allegation early on.
DeWine commended the handling of the rape case by the Steubenville Police Department, as well as the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the county prosecutor's office.
Also during the press conference, Assistant Attorney General Marianne Hemmeter criticized the involvement of the group claiming to be part of Anonymous, saying it had a chilling effect on witnesses and the victim.


text:
..:♫Handdrawn Contest # 4! - 04-23-2008, 08:42 AM
We expect you will abide by these following rules if you decide to enter a hand-drawn contest. Failure to do so may result in an automatic disqualification and the entry[s] found violating along with any others you have entered will not be eligible for voting and you will not have any chance to place until the next contest.
..1: No frankendolling! That means taking part[s] of a doll or more, and putting them on your own "doll", much like the movie and book Frankenstein. Please don't do this even with your own work.
..2: No recoloring anything that was not made by you and entering it. This basically categorizes as "theft art." even if you have the original creator's okay, just don't do it.
..3: No doll-makers are allowed to be used in your entry. Not in part or whole, this means you cannot "make" a doll in a doll-maker and place it up here for voting. It is not considered a "hand-drawn" by you and should not be found anywhere in the "Hand-drawn Dolls" area, much less this contest thread.
..4: Unless you get an okay by a current contest running, we ask you make a new doll for each theme. Contests are to give ideas to dollers and allow them to compete with others to see who's idea was stronger and who brought it across in the best way. So please don't use old dolls, even if they have a similar theme used as the one currently running in the contest.
..5: Please do NOT steal any bit of work, whether from a doll here or somewhere else. This goes along with no frankendolling. That means, if a contest holds a certain theme and you see a doll somewhere else that looks similar to what you would expect from the theme, please don't take that idea even if you tweak it a little. If you are inspired by it, that's agreeable. But please note that you were and don't base your entry heavily off of it. Remember, we want to be original.
..6: Please include base credit and any other credit necessary for each entry.
..7: You are allowed to enter a maximum of two dolls per contest, unless otherwise stated by the current contest holder.
..8: Please make sure your entry has the current theme! If the theme is based off of flowers, please do not submit an underwater entry!
..9: Please follow other rules the current contest holder may provide.
..10: Be original and have fun!
..11: If you host a contest and someone wins it, you can enter their contest although you may not place first in it.
We expect you to abide by these rules. If you cannot do so, please don't enter in the first place. We want this to be a fun thing and don't need any contestants to disobey the rules. It matters not who you are, whether you are the friend or sibling of an important person around here, we all have to follow these simple rules.
In the contests, the contest holder will set the theme and deadline. Those who wish to enter must create a "doll" with such theme before the deadline and post it in this thread. The contest holder will make awards and judge each doll based on effort, how well it portrays the theme, and quality. This means no judge will choose place just because it is their friend. They must decide these with each entry. If it looks sloppy and rushed compared to another entry, then it may loose points. Although, that sloppy entry may show what the contest holder had in mind for the contest better than the others. And the one with the most effort may not always have the best quality. Keeping these in mind, the judge must place what he or she thinks deserves. It has nothing to do with relations, and you cannot ask where to be placed or suggest. That decision is entirely up to the contest judge. Whoever places first gets to run the next contest, and the others get an award with their name and place on it.
Awards we recommend♫:
Closest to Theme
Best [hair, shading, etc...]
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WHEELING - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey sent President Barack Obama a letter urging him to consider the Mountain State's concerns about federal overreach as Obama seeks to replace outgoing Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson.
"We have grave concerns about the direction of the EPA, and we have provided a letter to the president outlining those concerns," Morrisey said. "We hope that we can work with the Obama administration to protect West Virginia's sovereign and legal interests and protect jobs in our state."
In his letter, Morrisey asks Obama to carefully consider the track record of his next EPA administrator, and to take into account the interests of "all Americans, including the people within West Virginia."
"Moreover, I urge you not to select a person who would aggressively engage in a war against coal and extractive industries, as recent reports suggest is your intent," Morrisey wrote. "We both surely can agree that the resources currently being spent to unsuccessfully defend the EPA's overreach can be better spent elsewhere."
Morrisey's letter tells Obama there is a bipartisan effort among West Virginia's leaders to defend the state's energy industry against "regulatory encroachment" in court, but that this sentiment wasn't shared by his predecessor, former Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
"My predecessor passed on opportunities to participate in litigation to protect West Virginia's energy interests, but I intend to be much more aggressive in defending West Virginia against EPA overreach," Morrisey states, vowing to review each lawsuit against the EPA brought by state attorneys general across the nation to determine which ones West Virginia should join.
Morrisey on Monday also announced his "Comprehensive Ethics Plan" for changing policies and procedures in his office, and he added he will suggest to state lawmakers they implement these same ideas for all West Virginia government offices.
Among his proposals, Morrisey will ask the following from state lawmakers:
The establishment of a "substantive, competitive" bidding process for outside counsel appointments;
A resolution for a constitutional amendment to limit the attorney general to two consecutive terms in office; and
A prohibition on public advertising by an elected official during an election year, including a ban on the purchase of "trinkets" - small promotional items such as pens and magnets" - that bear the name or likeness of the elected official.
McGraw often came under fire for his use of outside attorneys to do work for his office, and for putting his name or photo on promotional items from the office.
"We meant what we said when we said we would run this office in an ethical manner," he said. "I think we have gone further than any state official has to dismantle incumbent self-protection tools. ... People were very unhappy about the abuse of taxpayer dollars, and we wanted to put an end to it."
The West Virginia Attorney General's Office, when fully staffed, has about 100 attorneys, according to Morrisey. He noted he is presently hiring attorneys to fill jobs vacated following McGraw's defeat in the November general election.
Morrisey said he has yet to hire any outside attorneys for the office during his first month in office, and he noted he probably won't unless there is a specific need for attorneys who specialize in a particular type of case law.
"We're clearly emphasizing the use of internal counsel," he said. "In the instances where some complex specialization is required, we will consider relying on outside legal experts. But our policy is going to be, 'Let's use internal counsel first.'"
Morrisey hopes state legislators will be receptive to his suggestions.
"I have talked to members about their ideas, and I think a number of people are interested in pursuing them," he said. "They shouldn't be controversial. We're just trying to save taxpayer money when we have a budget shortfall."


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I, like many computer programmers, love to listen to music while I work. I have always believed that music helps me stay focused and motivated, and improves my performance on many types of tasks, espescially "busywork". However my company's CEO disagrees with me, and believes that music is a distraction and leads to reduced productivity. Have any studies been done on whether listening to music while performing a task improves or hinders one's ability to perform that task? Is there a consensus in the cognitive science community regarding this?
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It basically depends on how the particular musical performance is perceived by the listener. Cognitive process of listening seems to be comprise several layers, which follows a bottom-up direction.
First step is to decode relevant signal(s), among a complex package of sound. This is where the irrelevant noise is eliminated. Can music be eliminated in this level? Highly unlikely, but still possible. I do not know of a particular experiment but when the music is being played in a far destination, or with a low volume, or if the participant is highly concentrated to the task; then it may be eliminated in this step. But the key point in this step is that the term "noise" refers to aperiodic background sounds. Therefore, my first impression is that music, being periodical, must decrease the task performance. Cutler and Clifton (1999) gives an overview on the entire listening process. Second step is the grouping of different sound sources. There is also modelling studies that aims to explain this phenomenon (Bregman, 1990). Steps in listening continues further, but those steps are beyond the scope of this question.
But there are other studies also. Ylias and Heaven (2003) showed that the background noise negatively effects reading comprehension. So far so good. Cassidy and MacDonald (2007) showed that task performance on silence is greater than in low arousal music, and that is greater than noise, and that is even greater than high arousal music conditions. This is interesting, because it now introduces the affective state of the listener into the equation, which makes it a lot difficult to handle. Another result is that the effect of the noise here is comparable to the effect of background music. But we have to note that the details of the noise in this experiment is not given in detail, only commented as "the everyday noise". It would be more conclusive if we just know whether it is the background sound of a television (periodic) or a traffic noise (aperiodic).
Combining these references, I cannot easily conclude that music is taken as a "noise". It seems that music reduces the task performance, by negatively effecting a later step in the listening process.
Ending note: There are several semiformal-informal studies on the web also. They study directly the "work/office performance", therefore I must say that they lack a little bit of a controlled environment. In such environments we can even confidently say that music improves our performance in particular situations. But what we miss is that office environments comprise several unhandled parameters that makes it hard for scientific experimental setup (i.e. listening music may improve the performance if your office mates chit chat next to you).
Ending note 2: I was interested in this topic a time ago. So I welcome more recent references or comments.
Cutler, A., & Clifton, C. (1999). Comprehending spoken language: A blueprint of the listener. The neurocognition of language, 123-166.
As mentioned in a recent study by Thompson et al. (2012), there are two perspectives which account for the effects of background music on reading comprehension specifically (but as I argue later, these seem generalizable): the Cognitive-Capacity hypothesis and the Arousal-Mood hypothesis.
Drawing from multitasking literature, one would expect that depending on the cognitive requirements of the task you are performing, it might be possible that certain music is either appropriate or not. The ACT-R architecture (Anderson. J. R., 2007) assumes "the human cognitive architecture consists of a set of largely independent modules associated with different brain regions". E.g. vision, audition, manual control and speech. Although all modules can operate in parallel, each module can only serve one task at a time. Some music (e.g. vocal) may cause more capacity interference when tasks compete for limited resources.
Thompson et al. (2012) investigate specifically the effect of tempo and intensity of background music on a reading comprehension task, but provide a nice review of earlier studies. Check out the full paper (PDF). Their findings indicate ...
Although reporting on an overall null effect, an older meta-analysis by Kämpfe et al. (2010) had a conflicting conclusion:
As proposed by Kämpfe et al. (2010), and indicated by the results of Thompson et al., such interference effects are dependent on the structural characteristics of the music.
Overall it seems not all music has been shown to be detrimental as background music, but fast and loud music is more likely to disrupt ongoing tasks. To my knowledge no more detailed studies have been done which incorporate both type of tasks and different types of music. The question also arises to which degree these studies capture longitudinal effects in a real world environment with more complex tasks.
Thompson, W. F., Schellenberg, E. G., & Letnic, A. K. (2012). Fast and loud background music disrupts reading comprehension. Psychology of Music, 40(6), 700-708.
I realise this is anecdotal, but the answer to this does vary between people. My wife likes to have nothing to listen to while studying or concentrating. I like to have the TV on normally, or Chill Radio, whereas by youngest son has metal music on - not what most people would consider conducive the thought of any sort.
I understand that my wife finds that music or sounds are distracting - she needs to put effort into focussing. I, OTOH, find that the sounds help my focus, but eliminating other distractions - becasue I am in control of the sounds, they are not distracting. Youngest son enjoys the music, so for him it is just pleasant background to studying. Incidentally, my wife and I differ on having a tickign clock in the bedrooom too - she cannot stand it, whereas I fid it soothing and calming, and helps me get to sleep.
I am sure that I have seem studies that back up these sorts of differences, and that they are about differences in the way we think and process information. Cannot find anythig ATM though.
Some of the information contained in this post requires additional references. Please edit to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted.


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Fall Gay Getaways
Summer is officially in our rear view mirror and the holiday season not quite yet in reach. If that leaves you with pangs of boredom, why not take a quick trip? Weary of the hustle and bustle of your big city? Venture out to your nearby wine country. Are you bored with seeing all the same bars and faces in your small town? Then try an action-packed weekend in a new-to-you metropolis. We've compiled a range of places to cut loose, become one with nature, and everything else in between to break the autumn homebound blues. And if we've missed any of your favorite refuges, leave them in the comments below.
Vancouver, Canada
Just a hop, skip, and a jump across the U.S.-Canada border, Vancouver is an easy drive from Seattle, but in some ways, it feels like a world away. Vancouver is one of those cities that just immediately feels like a vacation. A walkable city with equal parts dining, shopping, parks, lakes, jogging and hiking trails (and so on), Vancouver boasts a vibrant gay scene. But you can spend a week in Vancouver (or nearby Victoria, which looks like a European city at a third the distance) without immersing yourself in gay culture and have an equally enriching experience.
Asheville, N.C.
Amid the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers art deco architecture to rival South Beach's, a thriving music and gallery scene, gourmet dining, and a plethora of gay nightlife options—among them Scandals, a multifloor nightclub in a former YWCA building, making for a new twist on the old anthem. You can also visit author Thomas Wolfe's boyhood home and his grave (he did go home again), the Vanderbilt family's breathtaking Biltmore estate, and gorgeous Chimney Rock State Park, where an equally gorgeous, buckskin-clad Daniel Day-Lewis cavorted for the cameras in The Last of the Mohicans.
Quebec City, Canada
Ooh-la-la! With its cobblestone streets, old city walls, and the majestic Le Chateau Fontenac hotel looming above the town, visiting Quebec City feels like you're on a romantic French holiday without leaving North America. The gay-friendly city, located three hours from Montreal, is rich in Old World atmosphere, and the numerous gay bars along Rue St.-Jean are filled with welcoming, English-speaking locals.
Northampton, Mass.
OK, the liberal studies graduates already know this one. Northampton is the quintessential New England college town, in the middle of the five-college area of Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This area is great for loading up on antiques and, of course, staring off at the vibrant fall foliage. And like any true New England college town, it has plenty of art house movie theaters, cavernous used book and record stores, and a bevy of great restaurants, and hiking is never too far away.
Galveston Island, Texas
Gay Houstonians are heading down to Galveston Island in droves, and it's not just for well-loved gay club 3rd Coast Downtown. On top of a beach area popular with gay visitors and locals (East Beach), Galveston Island provides plenty of shopping, gay B&Bs, and enough oysters to shuck all afternoon. While you're there, pay homage to Robert's Lafitte, the oldest gay bar on Galveston Island.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
No passport? No hay problema. Puerto Rico, despite a few issues with its gay residents, has been one of the most welcoming islands in the Caribbean for gay travelers (take that, Jamaica). While Old San Juan can have a bit of a tourist feel, doing a little digging can land you in hot clubs like Krash and the city's new cultural district, Santurce. If you're feeling at one with nature, head to the Caribbean National Forest, a.k.a. El Yunque, for 28,000 miles of hiking trails. Just watch out for those hurricanes.
As many considered it the regional theater capital of the United States, anyone looking for an excuse to enjoy the arts but not keen on paying New York prices should check out Minneapolis. The Guthrie Theater boasts numerous productions en route to New York, and the view from the Target Lounge is out of this world. The Chambers Hotel might as well be considered an art museum — every corridor is filled with painting or sculpture that will stop you in your tracks. And when you're done walking around some of the most beautiful lakefront property in the world, stop by any number of gay bars scattered throughout downtown.
Mexico City
It's a stark reminder of just how behind the U.S. is vis-à-vis the world on gay rights: In March a marriage equality law went into effect in Mexico City — one upheld by the nation's supreme court, which also ruled that marriages performed in the capital must be recognized nationwide. Indeed, Mexico City's gay scene, most notably in the Zona Rosa, is as vibrant as it is unapologetic: Chances are you'll count more gay couples holding hands than on a similar jaunt through the Castro. The nearby St. Regis provides an ideal home base for excursions through the city, from clubbing at Lipstick to touring the famed residence of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
Santa Fe, N.M.
A bustling arts and literary town that has grown to become one of the Southwest's most frequented tourism destinations, Santa Fe has a little bit of everything for everyone. If the arts are your thing, the Santa Fe Opera is one of the finest in the country, while the region has been home to some of country's most respected writers, painters, and other creative types (Cormac McCarthy, Georgia O'Keeffe, and D.H. Lawrence are just a few of the people who honed their craft in Santa Fe). Spas are also in abundance in this region. For the upscale traveler, the La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and El Dorado have all the luxuries you could possibly want. The Encantado Hotel offers a more traditional taste of Santa Fe. And while there are nightlife options, many of the gay hotspots in Santa Fe are geared toward those in search of a romantic getaway. The Rouge Cat is a gay-owned and -operated bar and club, while the historic El Farol offers Spanish tapas and live music.
Sonoma, Calif.
There's something magical about Sonoma. For people who grew up in a big city and never got to experience the best of small-town life, Sonoma fills the gap. The town square has one of everything: coffee shop, bar, candle shop, clothing store, movie theater, drugstore, Italian restaurant — the list goes on. More than 75 vineyards are less than a 20-minute drive away. Check out SonomaValley.com for more on tours, dining, accommodations, and vineyards. To get a real feel for the town, stay at the historic Sonoma Hotel. The street-view rooms overlook the hustle and bustle of the town square, particularly magical during the holiday season.
San Juan Islands, Wash.
If you're feeling outdoorsy, you can go kayaking in Puget Sound, bicycling around Lopez Island, orca whale–watching, or hiking through San Juan Island National Historical Park. Or you can relax at a B&B and stroll through the town at Friday Harbor. Maybe have some ice cream. Go shopping at one of the used bookstores or one of the little boutiques along Spring Street. And you'll probably have to take a ferry. Who doesn't like ferries?
Pasadena, Calif.
Weekend getaways don't necessarily need to involve plane trips or multiple tanks of gas. For Los Angelenos looking for a quick escape, Pasadena offers an oasis above the smog, terrific shopping and dining, beautiful craftsman and old Spanish-style architecture, and nature galore just a quick drive or light-rail trip away. The Huntington Library and Gardens boasts some of the most lush landscaping in L.A. and is home to an extensive Isherwood collection. For those who like a good bargain, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is world-renowned. And for those looking for a gay bar, Pasadena has that too. The Boulevard is a staple among locals and offers a truly stellar karaoke night.
Portland, Ore.
The architecture (let's call the homes Modern Victorian), the food (hello-o-o, Voodoo Doughnuts' Captain My Captain), the weather (a reason to dust off your wellies), the hiking (you'll be navigating by mountain in no time), and the relaxed vibe make Portland a great place to spend a weekend. This town is great for picking up an unknown microbrew, buying some handmade marionberry jam at the Saturday Market, getting lost in Powell's Books, taking a boat ride on the Willamette River, or strolling around the Pearl District or Burnside in your skinny jeans. Feel free to bring Fido — whether you have a pug or a German shepherd, pooches rule the city of Portland.
Burlington, Vt.
Vermont's largest city with just 38,000 residents, Burlington has amenities comparable to those of many a metropolis. You can sample cuisines of many cultures, soak up art in galleries and museums, and mingle with hip University of Vermont students and likewise cool townies in a variety of cafés and clubs. And since Vermont is one of the few states where you can legally marry your same-sex love, you might want to propose during a romantic cruise on lovely Lake Champlain and then honeymoon in the nearby Green Mountains, where you can hike, ski, or just huddle by the fire at any number of cozy inns.
Bloomington, Ind.
This progressive university town can claim the nation's fifth-largest per capita population of same-sex couples and the oldest student-sponsored drag competition, plus the Kinsey Institute, which offers free tours year-round and this autumn hosts the art exhibit "Nature & Nurture," dealing with all aspects of human reproduction, including the development of gender identity. Bloomington's numerous funky cafés, wealth of cultural and entertainment offerings (David Sedaris and local resident John Mellencamp are among those scheduled to appear at Indiana University in October), and inclusive vibe make it a great place to enjoy fall colors in the Midwest, no matter where you fall on the Kinsey scale.
The Outer Banks, N.C.
It's like a marriage between the character of coastal towns of New England with the charm and flavor of the South. The Outer Banks is a great place for anyone to go, but the minds behind The Gay OBX are attempting to play up the campy fun of this seaside town. The height of the travel season is clearly during the warmer months when beaches are filled with people, but that just may be the allure of hitting a beach town in October — no crowds on Coquina Beach, which acts as "Gay Beach" each Sunday from May to September.
Palm Beach, Fla.
Think of South Florida, and, naturally Miami and Fort Lauderdale spring to mind. But a more sophisticated destination lies a little bit north in Palm Beach, a pristine, quiet, and glamorous enclave. A getaway for years for the East Coast's elite, Palm Beach is a 16-mile barrier island that is eminently bikeable. While (the mostly straight) nightlife is restricted to the island's hotel bars (where some cabaret shows can be found), the real draw of Palm Beach is the phenomenal dining, Rodeo Drive-esque shopping, and those beaches. Devoid of noisy crowds and litter, the sands of Palm Beach feel like a mattress, and the warm water just may be therapeutic. Two great Palm Beach hotels include The Colony and the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton.
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Located less than 10 miles from the Phoenix International Airport, Scottsdale is the perfect getaway for anyone in search of a relaxing weekend at the spa or resort. There's plenty to do in Scottsdale, but the best thing to do is a whole lot of lounging. The W Scottsdale boasts a full spa and one of the most beautiful pool areas in Arizona. At the Xona Resort, indulge in golf, spa treatments, and food from one of three five-star restaurants. For bar outings, Phoenix is just a short drive away, and come October, sports fans can enjoy Gay Bowl X, a weekend of football from gay teams around the country. Visit GayBowlX.com for more information.


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Suppose someone has a $20,000 balance on a credit card or HELOC and settles for $10,000 - the IRS considers it cancellation of debt income and you are required to pay taxes on your $10,000 gain. Would there be a Chiyuv of Maaser on this gain?
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I'd think it might be analogous to "performing kiddushin with a loan [that has already been given]" - i.e., where Reuven, who has previously lent money to Rochel, tells her that he'd like to use that money for kiddushin. The halachah is that this is not effective, because he hasn't given her anything now; the money is already considered to belong to her from the moment she borrowed it (Shulchan Aruch, Even Ha-Ezer 28:7, from Kiddushin 6b and Rashi there ד"ה אינה מקודשת). Since the borrower wasn't obligated to give maaser when he first took out the loan (as far as I know, money one borrows is not subject to maaser), then effectively there's no time when it would be considered income.
The Gemara there (and Shulchan Aruch, ibid. 28:10) does draw a distinction between the actual loan and the "benefit of having it cancelled"; in the latter case the kiddushin would indeed be effective (see Beis Shmuel 28:28, who says that everyone would agree to this). If I'm understanding Rashi (ד"ה לא צריכא) correctly, this "benefit" equals the amount that you'd have to pay someone to arrange the deferral or cancellation of the loan. So I guess you could argue that in the case you're asking about, if one made the arrangements himself and didn't have to pay a credit-repair firm to do so, then he might indeed be obligated in maaser for that amount - but not for the full sum that the creditor has written off.