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Unite the Union
Founded | 2007 |
Members | 1,382,126 (2015)[1] |
Head union | Workers Uniting |
Affiliation | TUC, ICTU, AfF, CSEU, Labour (Britain),[2] Labour (Ireland) |
Key people | Len McCluskey (general secretary) |
Office location | 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London |
Country | United Kingdom & Ireland |
Website | www |
Unite the Union, commonly known as Unite, is a British and Irish trade union, formed on 1 May 2007, by the merger of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union. It is the largest trade union in the UK and Ireland. The General Secretary of Unite is Len McCluskey.[3]
On 2 July 2008, Unite signed an agreement to merge with the United Steelworkers to form a new global union entity called Workers Uniting which represents over 3 million members in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, North America and the Caribbean. Unite retains its separate identity in the United Kingdom.
- 1 Executive Council
- 2 Controversy, updates and elections
- 2.1 Membership levels
- 2.2 Criticism of UK government austerity measures
- 2.3 Payment to outgoing leader
- 2.4 Hunger strike
- 2.5 Joint General Secretary election and merger suspension
- 2.6 General Secretary election 2010
- 2.7 General Secretary election 2013
- 2.8 Selection of Labour candidates
- 2.9 Threat to split from Labour and launch a new workers' party
- 2.10 Palestine solidarity
- 2.11 Abortion
- 2.12 General Secretary election 2017
- 3 References
- 4 External links
Executive Council[edit]
As part of the merger process, a Joint Executive Council (formed of the executives of both the predecessor unions) took office on the vesting day. In March 2008, a new Executive Council for the expanded Union was elected, taking office on 1 May 2008 and having a three-year term.The Executive Council was tasked with putting a new Unite rulebook to a postal ballot of members during July 2008. The rule book was accepted by a majority of members and will not be subject to amendment until a Rules Conference is held.
The first reduced unified Unite Executive Council was elected in 2011
The first single General secretary of Unite Len McCluskey was elected in December 2010 on a platform of unification and standing for one term of office only.
The Unite special Rules Conference in 2010 agreed a rule change including a formula for how seats will be allocated on the UNITE Executive Council which takes office in 2011. There are a number of factions within Unite.
- Unite Now, A growing active movement established in 2011 which is "moderate left" It presents itself as an independent movement for lay members, activists and officers. Supported Len McCluskey in his first election but they opposed the calling of an early General secretary election in 2013. Unitenow campaigns for greater transparency in the union and are critical of the unions centralised hierarchical decision making structures. They campaign for greater financial transparency, a move away from the current centralised executive powers with a more independent Executive Council which has set term limits. Not aligned to any political section of the union it has grown in influence within lay activist ranks, officers and key manufacturing sectors of Unite. It is widely accepted that they will challenge the Unite General Secretary election due to be called in 2017.
- United Left, the main left grouping, which includes supporters of the Labour Party, the Socialist Workers Party and Communist party. Supported Len McCluskey in his election.
Controversy, updates and elections[edit]
Membership levels[edit]
A private presentation given by Unite's former joint general secretary Tony Woodley showed that membership of the union had stood at 1.44 million in 2007 but declined by 262,740 between 2007 and 2010.[4] During 2012, despite wider falling trade union membership and the tough economic climate, Unite increased its membership by more than 50,000 members.[5]
Criticism of UK government austerity measures[edit]
In June 2011, Unite publicly criticised the serving coalition government for a number of cuts in public services caused a result of the reduction of public funding, in particular cuts to the National Health Service (NHS). Ron Singer, a retired GP of 30 years and Unite member, claimed that there were "serious concerns" over the future of the NHS.[6] However, the union were heavily criticised and accused of scaremongering over similar comments.[7]
In February 2013, Unite was among other organisations and individuals who gave their support to the People's Assembly in a letter published by The Guardian newspaper.[8] Representing Unite, Len McCluskey also gave a speech at the People's Assembly Conference held at Westminster Central Hall on 22 June 2013, at which many Unite delegates and representatives were in attendance.
Payment to outgoing leader[edit]
Former leader Derek Simpson received a payment of over £500,000 when he left his post in 2010.[9] Due to the controversy this caused within the union, the issue was addressed at Unite's Policy Conference in 2012 and resulted in members voting in favour of new measures designed to limit future payments on departure.[10]
Hunger strike[edit]
There was a 2008 rooftop hunger strike at Unite's Transport House building in Belfast. The participants were formerly shop stewards of the Transport and General Workers Union, now the T&G section of Unite the Union.[11] The dispute is over legal fees and compensation for an unfair dismissal action against the workers' employer, arising from a 2002 strike at Belfast International Airport, and the related actions of a full-time union official employee.[12][13][14]
Joint General Secretary election and merger suspension[edit]
On the 9 October 2008 the executive council of Unite announced that there would be an election for the General Secretary (Amicus section), with a timetable of January/February 2009 for the election, the results being announced in March 2009. This election was for a fixed term until December 2010.
The Executive council also postponed the adoption of the new rule book and integration until May 2009.
This action was taken in light of the potential success of a legal challenge to Simpson's extension of tenure by a "single member" of the union.[15] Jerry Hicks, a former member of the union's Executive and its General Purposes and Finance Committee and unfairly dismissed convenor of Rolls Royce at Bristol, disclosed at the outset that he was the person behind the challenge. He made the same legal challenge that Simpson deployed successfully on his predecessor Ken Jackson.[16][citation needed]
These candidates seeking nomination for the election, with their main union positions at the beginning of March 2009:
- Derek Simpson (incumbent)[17]
- Jerry Hicks (former convenor, Rolls Royce, Bristol)[18]
- Laurence Faircloth (Regional Secretary, South West Region)[19]
- Kevin Coyne (Regional Secretary, North West Region)[20]
- Paul K. Reuter (National Officer)[21]
All candidates received sufficient nominations, but Laurence Faircloth stood down after nominations closed, recommending that his supporters to support Derek Simpson.[22]
Candidate | Votes Cast | Percentage |
Derek Simpson | 60,048 | 37.7% |
Jerry Hicks | 39,307 | 24.7% |
Kevin Coyne | 30,603 | 19.2% |
Paul Reuter | 28,283 | 17.8% |
[spoilt votes] | 1,031 | 0.6% |
A total of 159,272 voting slips were returned, out of a possible 1,096,511 voters, a turnout of 14.5%. Simpson won the election with 37.7% of the total votes cast,[23] and will remain in the post of Joint General Secretary until December 2010.
General Secretary election 2010[edit]
Following Derek Simpson & Tony Woodley's announcements that they were to retire, Len McCluskey announced his intention to seek the position of General Secretary of Unite. He secured 42.4% of the vote with 101,000 votes and was duly elected as General Secretary of Unite for a 5-year term starting January 1, 2011.[3] The other candidates seeking the position were:
- Jerry Hicks: 53,000 votes, 21.8% of the vote.
- Les Bayliss: 47,000 votes, 19.3% of the vote.
- Gail Cartmail: 39,000 votes, 16.4% of the vote.
The overall turnout was 15.8% [24]
General Secretary election 2013[edit]
In late 2012 Len McCluskey unexpectedly called an early General Secretary election saying that "Our current timescale would mean holding an election for GS just before the next General Election which would not be good for either Unite or the Labour Party, and is liable to cause divisions in the union, sufficiently divisive to, at best, threaten, and at worst, shatter the unity that we are creating." [25] On March 4, 2013 it was declared that two candidates had declared themselves to be standing in the election: Len McCluskey, who had won 1089 workplace/branch nominations, and Jerry Hicks, who had won 136 nominations.[26] This was Jerry Hicks' third successive attempt at becoming Unite's General Secretary. On 14 April 2013 it was announced that Len McCluskey had been successfully re-elected as Unite General Secretary, whose term will now expire in 2018. The full election results were:
- Len McCluskey: 144,570 votes, 64.2% of the vote.
- Jerry Hicks: 79,819 votes, 35.5% of the vote.
- 1,412 ballots were found to be invalid.
- Overall turnout was 15.2% [27][28]
Selection of Labour candidates[edit]
This article needs to be updated. (October 2013) |
In 2013, leaked documents alleged that Unite was running a covert campaign to ensure its candidates were selected to represent the Labour Party in the 2015 general election. Steve Hart, the union's political director, stated that Unite was supporting 41 candidates.[29] There was particular controversy over the 2013 Labour Party Falkirk candidate selection. Unite claimed that it had not broken any Labour Party rules or the law with its selection campaign. Ed Miliband, then Leader of the Labour Party, referred the matter for police investigation, however Police Scotland found there was 'insufficient evidence' to launch an investigation.[30] An Information Commissioner's Office investigation took place, as did internal Labour disciplinary proceedings.
Threat to split from Labour and launch a new workers' party[edit]
In April 2014, McCluskey threatened to disaffiliate Unite from Labour and launch a new workers' party if Labour lost the 2015 General Election.[31]
Palestine solidarity[edit]
In July 2014, Unite described Israel as "an apartheid state" and called for "sanctions against Israel for its continued illegal occupation, flouting of international law, and construction of an apartheid regime."[32]
Unite supports Abortion Rights[33] which campaigns "to defend and extend women's rights and access to safe, legal abortion"; among its statements it opposes the criminalisaton of sex-selective abortion.[34]
General Secretary election 2017[edit]
In December 2016, incumbent General Secretary Len McCluskey announced his resignation in order to contest an election for the post, which will be held in April 2017. McCluskey is expected to be challenged by Unite's West Midlands Regional Secretary Gerard Coyne, who accused him of "putting the Labour leadership before the interests of Unite members". Coyne, a member of the Unite Now faction, is widely viewed as a moderate figure within the union, and has a close relationship with the Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson, who is also a West Midlands MP.[citation needed] Ian Allinson later announced that he would stand as a "grass-roots socialist" candidate.[35]
- ^ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/538434/795T_2015.pdf
- ^ "TULO's member unions". Unions Together. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ^ a b "Len McCluskey chosen as new Unite leader". BBC News. 21 November 2010.
- ^ Harding, Eleanor (24 June 2011). "As biggest union is hit by plunging membership, outgoing leader says it must 'stop the rot'". London: Daily Mail.
- ^ http://union-news.co.uk/2013/01/unite-posts-50000-rise-in-members/[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Unite voice 'serious concerns' over the future of NHS care". Smart Assist. 28 June 2011.
- ^ "NHS cuts: TUC is 'scaremongering' over health service cuts". London: The Telegraph. 23 February 2011.
- ^ People's Assembly opening letter http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/05/people-assembly-against-austerity 5 February 2013, The Guardian Newspaper.
- ^ "Union boss Derek Simpson received £500,000 golden goodbye". London: Daily Telegraph. 19 July 2011.
- ^ http://www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/PolicyConf2012Decisions11-6662.pdf
- ^ "Hunger strikers in bad shape". libcom.org. libcom collective of libertarian communists.
- ^ "Belfast airport workers: Union leaders' broken promises". Socialist Party<!. 2001-09-11. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ Gordon McNeill (2008-06-18). "Press release: Sacked airport shop steward rejects union compensation "offer"". Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Belfast Airport Shop Stewards - The Truth and Nothing but the Truth". Transport and General Workers' Union. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-06-25.[dead link]
- ^ "Unite to hold election for Joint General Secretary". Unitetheunion.org. Retrieved 2012-03-31.[dead link]
- ^ "Jerry Hicks For General Secretary". Jerryhicks.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
- ^ http://www.jerry4gs.com/[permanent dead link]
- ^ "www.faircloth4gs.com". www.faircloth4gs.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ "coyne4gs.net". coyne4gs.net. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ^ "Paul Reuter's Blog". Amicusgselection.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ Unity Gazette statement on Laurence Faircloth's withdrawal Archived 26 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Unite Amicus Section - Election of Joint General Secretary Independent Scrutineers report Archived 20 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Unite's union general secretary results".
- ^ http://www.powerinaunion.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Statement-by-the-General-Secretary-to-the-Executive-Council.pdf
- ^ "Two candidates to stand in Unite general secretary election".
- ^ "Len McCluskey re-elected as Unite general secretary".
- ^ "Len McCluskey re-elected as Unite general secretary". BBC News. 14 April 2013.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick (3 July 2013). "Ed Miliband urged to confront Unite over general election candidates". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Police rule out Falkirk vote rigging inquiry". BBC News. 25 July 2013.
- ^ McSmith, Andy (1 April 2014). "Unite union boss Len McCluskey threatens to launch party to rival Labour". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "Statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people".
- ^ "Abortion - A trade union issue" (PDF). Abortion Rights. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
Unite listed as a supporter
- ^ "Statement on sex-selective abortion". Abortion Rights. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.[dead link]
- ^ "Unite: Ian Allinson is third candidate to enter leadership contest". BBC News. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Unite the Union. |
- Official website
- Ian's Unite Site (blog of a UNITE Executive Council member)
- DearUnite.com: Unofficial members' web site
- Catalogue of the Unite archives, held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick


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If you're looking to lose weight then exercise can provide a much needed boost to your metabolism, meaning you keep on burning fat at a higher rate even when you're sedentary. With so many kinds of exercise available you're bound to find something to suit you.
Top 5 Effective Weight Loss Exercises :
1) Swimming
Swimming provides a great all body workout and is one of the best exercises for calorie burning. As water is around 800 times denser than air there's no surprise you'll be getting a massive boost in calorie consumption compared with land based exercise. Plus, swimming is a great way to relax and most leisure centres offer early morning and evening sessions to fit around your lifestyle.
Running is one of the most intense exercises there is, and is great for calorie burning. While it might seem daunting if you've never done it before, there are plenty of programmes around to get the absolute beginner up to speed. It offers great muscle toning for your legs and bottom too, so when the weight is gone you'll have a great figure you can be proud of.
Set goals to motivate you such as training to participate in a charity fun run. If you get your friends involved too you're even more likely to keep it up as you'll have encouragement and support when you need it. You can take my example of effective weight loss.
3) Walking
Walking is great for your cardiovascular fitness and, unlike running, it's low impact, meaning if you have a lot of weight to lose you won't be putting any unnecessary strain on your joints. The great thing about walking is that it's so easy to incorporate into your life. Take the stairs rather than the lift, get off the bus one stop early, walk the kids to school rather than taking the car. These simple steps will help you burn more calories, improve your lower body muscle tone and increase your fitness.
4) Power Plate
Studies have shown that regular exercise with a power plate can help speed up weight loss. In case you're unfamiliar with how a power plate works it's basically a large vibrating platform on which you can perform exercises. It's a great way to boost your circulation, and the vibrations give all your muscles a high speed workout.
Proponents of the power plate claim a 10 minute session will give you the same benefits as 60 minutes of strenuous training. This means you'll get the results you're after in less time, making it ideal to fit around a busy lifestyle.
5) Spinning
If you're after a fun group exercise that burns up to 600 calories in a 40 minute class, then spinning is for you. You don't have to be super fit to reap the benefits, as you control the resistance of your machine and the speed at which you peddle. It's a great way to meet new friends, boost your circulation, and improve muscle strength in your legs.
Finding an exercise you love will not only help speed up your weight loss; you'll reap loads of other benefits such as increased muscle tone, a lower resting pulse, and you'll make some new friends along the way. So what are you waiting for? Get started today.
These are the top 5 exercise ideas for effective weight loss.
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The 318 Soft Point Liner is a flat brush that fits along the eye contour, and creates a precise and even line along the upper and lower lashes. Easy to control, it can be used with powder, liquid or cream products.
* Unless otherwise stated and to the fullest extent permissible by law, Sephora disclaims all warranties, representations and conditions (whether express or implied) as to the veracity, accuracy, completeness, currency or any other aspects of any product claims or descriptions on this website which have been provided by to us by third parties (e.g. the relevant brand owners or customers reviews). Sephora has not independently verified such product claims or descriptions. Customers and users who wish to rely upon such product claims, descriptions or customer reviews should consult directly with such third parties.
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ratings & reviews 34 Reviews
Vanielyn espinosa
Brow Perfect
This zoeva brush is prefect for achieveing a naturally polished brows. Also great for lining the lower lid and lower lash line. Really a must have for beginners! Indeed a great buy!
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Hazel neo
Good brush
I used with eye brow gel. Able to control and draw a nice brow. At times, I do use it to line my lower lash line as well. The price is reasonable and the quality of the brush is great for the price point.
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Kimmy kwong
soft lining
the brush provides a smooth glide over the eye lid although probably need some practice to perfect that wing. soft bristles and does not scratch the eye when used close the waterline. very suitable for days when you want a light liner and great used with cream liners.
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Eden rehling
Love it!
I love how this angled brush is so small. Its very good for filling in your brows and creating a very nice winged eyeliner. I particularly use it to do a smudged, smoky wing. The price is what drew me in! Compared to other brands its very reasonable and has never shed or splayed. Very easy to clean with soap and an altogether reliable brush.
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Kim-marie williams
love this brush
I love this brush! Love love love! I use it with eyeshadow to create a personalised liner colour. You can use it smudge your liner or create a crisp line. Incredible quality for the price. I'm a big fan of Zoeva brushes.
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Jacq a
Makes it quick and easy to put on eyeliner
Perfect brush for smudging pencil liner for a softer look and placing eyeshadow (as eyeliner). It comes in a little plastic zip pouch but i think it is a little superfluous as it doesn't need to be stored there for future use. Nonetheless, this doesn't stop the actual product from being an excellent tool that can create any eyeliner look effortlessly.
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Good for brow, not lash lines
This is supposed to be used to line your lash lines. I have tried it, it didn't work because it is too thick. It is hood for defining your brows with brow powder or promade. Highly recommend. Does stain or shed.
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Good product. I use it to clean up under my brow and it works well for that. I've tried using it for eyeliner but the brush was too thick for me. Maybe this brush can work well for people with larger eyes.
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Best brow brush ever!
The zoeva soft paint liner is my favourite brush to use for my brow pomades and brow powders! This just makes the job a whole lot easier! It retains it's shape and doesn't shed. This brush is such a steal!
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One versatile angled brush!
Omg! This is my first Zoeva single brush and loving this to the moon and back. I've had couple of angle brush for brows before, but this leveled up my brow game completely! Its super soft, but still has tad dense-ness to it that makes brow application works wonder. I'm also using this to line my eyes (with powder as well as gel liner) and it works as perfect as brow application as well! Superb! Don't mind buying another one for separate use as well
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03 October 2011
From The Province:
"I remember talking to the training staff before, it's something you have to earn, make the team first," Hodgson said. "I came in this morning and it was on my helmet.
Congrats to him on getting the new number, and at least it gave us a break from the repetitive stories about Crosby not playing on Thursday night< Prev |


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The France international, whom Pep Guardiola is considering employing as a No. 10 next season, has put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension.
Bayern Munich has confirmed that Franck Ribery has signed a new deal, formally committing himself to the European champions until 2017.
The France international, who has been at the club since 2007, had agreed to a four-year contact extension with the Bavarians at the start of the month and has now signed on the dotted line.
"I'm very happy," Ribery told the club's official website. "I've always said that I feel at home at Bayern.
Soccer Headlines
Ribery officially signs new Bayern Munich deal
Goal.com | Jun 29


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BRIEF-HNA Group reports 25 pct stake in Park Hotels & Resorts
* HNA Group Co Ltd reports 25 percent stake in Park Hotels & Resorts Inc as of March 15, 2017 - SEC filing Source: (http://bit.ly/2oevTFJ) Further company coverage:
April 30 An investor in Uber, the fast-growing alternative taxi service, has reached out to a venture capital firm about a potential new funding round that could value the company at $1 billion or more, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters.
Uber's chief executive, Travis Kalanick, said the company was not currently raising money.
Uber allows customers to quickly find rides among for-hire car services, such as limousines, by using an app on their phone. It has proven popular in areas where cabs can be hard to hail, such as its home base of San Francisco, and recently gained approval to operate in New York.
If the company were to raise funds at $1 billion or more, it would join an elite group of start-ups that have commanded 10-figure valuations.
Kalanick said the company "has not raised funds or approached a single investor about raising funds since our Series B round in November 2011. Any reports to the contrary are just completely untrue."
Uber, launched in 2010, has grown rapidly on word of mouth. At the Disrupt NY technology conference on Monday, existing investor Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital called Uber "probably the fastest-growing company that we've ever had," saying Uber was growing faster than eBay - another Benchmark portfolio company - did in its early days.
Technology start-up companies sometimes informally gauge interest in funding without launching a formal fundraising process. The source told Reuters that an Uber investor, whom he declined to identify, had been in touch in early April to gauge interest in the possible new funding.
Uber is considered by many in Silicon Valley to be one of a handful of companies with massive growth potential, and investors have shown a willingness to pay a premium for such firms.
Companies that have won valuations of more than $1 billion recently include SurveyMonkey, recently valued at $1.35 billion; online bulletin board Pinterest, recently valued at $2.5 billion; and payments company Square, recently valued at $3.25 billion.


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Wilfred Woods: Artisan Bakery owners have hit the perfect pitch
Scott and Ruth Parsons were making a good living supplying a big farmers market in Madison, Wis., but the weather there got to them, and Wisconsin's loss became Wenatchee's gain.
They moved here 20 years ago, raising organic stuff and baking bread. Their Artisan Bakery is now in its third location in six years: Two years in Chelan, two years with Mike's Meat Market, and now in the Cusick's center next to McKittrick Street on North Wenatchee Avenue.
Their Italian-style…


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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's The Times newspaper said on Tuesday it would no longer make its mobile app available on a Blackberry because few people used it, in another sign that rival smartphone makers are trumping its technology.
Blackberry's steep revenue decline and mounting losses have forced the technology pioneer to accept a tentative $4.7 billion offer from its largest shareholder to take it private.
The Times and Sunday Times apps will be withdrawn on Blackberry from October 31, while Apple and Android users' access will remain unchanged, the British newspaper said in an email to subscribers.
"While The Times' app on iPhone, iPad and android continues to be very successful, very few people use the app on their Blackberry," a spokeswoman for the News Corp-owned newspaper said.
(Reporting by Lorraine Turner; Additional reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Louise Ireland)


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Announcement: Gyalwang Karmapa to Revive Tsurluk Tsechu Cham Tradition In Bodhgaya
As one of the major events of the upcoming 31st Kagyu Monlam Chenmo prayer gathering, on 10 January 2014 the Gyalwang Karmapa will lead a historic performance of the Guru Chöwang Tse Chu lama dance in Bodhgaya.
The day-long event heralds the revival of the unique Tsurphu tradition of the dance, and will be performed for the first time in India under the Gyalwang Karmapa's direct guidance.
The Gyalwang Karmapa will personally dance during the event, adorned in full costume, while other luminaries to join him on stage include Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Kyabje Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, and numerous other Kagyu lineage tulkus.
And, in another historic first, nuns from five Kagyu nunneries will also take part in the lama dance, allowing female dancers for the first time to perform the female Read the rest of this article


text:
From: Selected Treats,
If you're unhappy with your stomach or are forever feeling self-conscious about your posterior, it's likely that you've tried all manner of diets, regimes and routines in an effort to re-contour your curves. However, if no matter how hard you try, your overall shape won't seem to shift, then your DNA may be to blame.
Researchers at Oxford University and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge have discovered 13 new sets of genes that influence an individual's tendency to store fat around either their abdomen or their hips and thighs. Although the genes affect the build of both men and women, seven were found to have more of an impact on the overall shape of female carriers.
Scientists studied the genetic make up of nearly ¼ million people and are now hopeful that these results may pave the way for the development of drugs that alter fat distribution. Past research has revealed that people who possess an 'apple' shaped body are more at risk of developing Type II diabetes and heart disease than 'pear' shapes, even if their BMI is taken into account. The proposed fat re-distribution drugs could therefore transform high risk apples into pears, reducing the number of people who go on to suffer from both diseases.
Despite the potential for future breakthroughs, medicine has a long way to go before it manages to unlock all the genetic reasons for differences in body shape and mass throughout the population; the 'apple and pear' genes only represent approximately one per cent of the variety in waist-to-hip ratios that have been observed in patients around the globe.
The study shouldn't be seen as an excuse to throw in the towel when it comes to gym visits or automatically feel resigned to your shape either. As Dr Ruth Loos of the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge points out: "While the genetic contribution to obesity is substantial, a large part of obesity susceptibility remains down to our lifestyle."
So the message is 'don't hang up those running shoes just yet'! Remember that regular aerobic exercise also helps to strengthen and improve heart and lung function as well as blasting away wobbly bits, so keep checking the Wahanda fitness deals page for the latest offers.
Alison is a freelance journalist, blogger and life-long Londoner. A subject matter magpie and self-confessed make up junkie, if it's new, a little bit different and promises great things, she'll be onto it in a flash.
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Up your berry intake and lower your blood pressure
Take the plunge and sign up for Swimathon 2011
Saving face: women are budgeting for Botox
Sort out your seasonally stressed skin
Are you tough enough to take on the Soldier Challenge?
Restore your joie de vivre at The Vitality Show 2011
Make a day of your mani at Nailgirls, Islington
All Brits want for Christmas is their two front teeth
For magical Christmas gifts, look no further than Treatwell
Have yourself an Elemis-y Christmas
New Year, new you: 2011 toning-up trends
Plum: the new fragrance by Mary Greenwell
Bliss Christmas Customer Event
Treatwell on wellness: An interview with Anne Biging, Healing Hotels of the World
Give in to a gill-ty pleasure as Aqua Sheko comes to Soho
Posh pooch pampering at Harrods
The (bleached) end of perfect dye jobs?
Pre-Xmas fun with The Beauty Lounge
Bird beauty: Flamingos paint their quills
Celebs turn their backs on Botox
Fab craze or plain crazy? The chipped varnish manicure
Top pampering with lustre and bling
Eastthorpe set to raise brows as it goes HD
Stay slim; make sure your wallet's bulging
Monday's child is... lactose intolerant?
Salvage your skin: how to eliminate stretch marks
It's strictly pilates, darling
Coming soon: sunshine in a tube?
Women prefer to see their cups half full
Stay sharp: let your mind (and body) wander
Exercise, socialise and challenge mental health stigma
Science has spoken: beat stress with massage
Shimmer this winter with silver locks
Think before you ink: time to zap those tatts?
Weird and wonderful wellness mongrels
Injecting trust into the cosmetic industry
Polish those pinkies in aid of breast cancer charities
Tried and tested: the hottest thing in detoxing, Iyashi Dome
A stitch and line reverses time
Forget man flu, is there such thing as fat flu?
Store-hoppers: splash out and treat your feet!
The ins and outs of Olympia Beauty 2010
Five alternative therapies that could help you stay fighting fit
Stealthy secret surgery figures soar
One feline's rehab is coming along swimmingly
Sniffing out some original exercise
Is CO2 the anti-ageing jab for you?
Kayoga™ - hit the beach and strike a pose
Champneys champions Breast Cancer Care
Cupping and meditation: Jessica Simpson's path to tranquility


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Java Draw Created Oct 11, 2012 736 x 1024px Unless noted Copyright 2012 mishee.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
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oh, welcome back Mishee ,we missed ur wonderful works:) hope u will draw more here, i like this one , excellent details 5:)
What a lovely doddle,,, she is breath taking beautiful,,, love the colors and the shading you used,,, great job on her eye and lips,,, love it,, collector for me


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Ideal Standard Alto 1 tap hole basin 600mm White
Product Code: B92600
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Price above includes basin only excludes pedestal & brassware. The Alto collection, designed by the internationally renowned Studio Levien, has many innovative features that you'd expect from a luxury bathroom range - yet at an affordable price. This versatile range of contemporary porcelain and stylish bathroom fittings is suited to domestic or commercial use, whatever the space. Its relatively small scale makes it ideal for small bathrooms, en-suites and cloakrooms. No wonder Alto is the choice of so many designers and architects.
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- KCII Radio - http://kciiradio.com -
House Damaged After Overnight Accident
Posted By News On @ 8:46 am In Today's Local News | Comments Disabled
An overnight car accident on the south side of Washington has damaged a house. According to the Washington County Safety Center, the accident happened about 12:30 this morning.Home owner Kendall Neil who lives at 834 South 9th Avenue tells KCII News that he was awakened by the sound of a crash and the house shaking. He adds police had arrived by the time he was able to get to the main floor of the house.
Neil, who has been living in the home for 43 years, says rubble was scattered throughout the basement and the main floor of the home.
Those responding to the scene were the Washington Police Department, Washington County Ambulance, Washington Fire Department, Washington County Rescue, and Alliant Energy.
The accident is currently under investigation and KCII will bring you more information when it becomes official.
Article printed from KCII Radio: http://kciiradio.com
URL to article: http://kciiradio.com/2012/07/house-damaged-after-overnight-accident/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2005-2013 KCII Radio


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Take the Red Pill and find out if your phone is vulnerable to Carrier IQ!
If your phone carrier had the ability to record everything you did on your phone would you want to know about it?
Carrier IQ is a piece of software that has been pre-installed on many Android, iOS and Blackberry devices by the major mobile phone companies without your consent. It is a potential serious threat to your privacy and security.
Take the Red Pill. Then take action!
This app will conduct over 35 non-invasive tests to detect whether the notorious CarrierIQ spyware is installed on your phone. It checks all know vectors for CIQ including system drivers, installed services, and debug logs.
CIQ Red Pill organizes all of the collected evidence into test categories and shows you exactly what tests were run, which ones passed and what parts of CarrierIQ are where in your system.
This app is advertising supported(*) but requires very few permissions to operate:
READ_LOGS - needed to scan debug log for CIQ
COARSE_LOCATION - these are used in support of ad delivery but may be bypassed by turning off network connections before running the app.
* 25%+ of any advertising revenue will be donated to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Tags: carrier iq red pill
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I was delighted to find "my" railway station had only been moved, not torn down. It's restored as a museum, near the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence now! |
This is what it looked like when I was a kid...a bit over a half block from my house... |
The station agent lived next door to me...he taught me Morse Code when I was just a kid. This is his desk in the station... |
Yep, we ALL had phones like this once upon a time... |
And for a complete change of pace, we ran by Costco and I sketched in the parking lot with my vintage Sheaffer calligraphy pen. That was fun, too...


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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 19th Mar 2010 13:00 UTC, submitted by Jim Lynch
"With chip makers continuing to increase the number of cores they include on each new generation of their processors, perhaps it's time to rethink the basic architecture of today's operating systems, suggested Dave Probert, a kernel architect within the Windows core operating systems division at Microsoft."
Thread beginning with comment 414400
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
The programs, or runtimes as Probert called them, themselves would take on many of the duties of resource management. The OS could assign an application a CPU and some memory, and the program itself, using metadata generated by the compiler, would best know how to use these resources
Ummm....this sounds exactly like the kind of resource management that's been used in Mainframe programming for decades. Some high-end business applications would grab chunks of memory and CPU from the OS and then dole it out internally. I may be wrong, but I believe this is what CICS does since the OS was just too slow to keep up with the transaction volume.
Edited 2010-03-20 02:53 UTC


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Colorado student free expression law
In addition to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, states can provide additional free speech protection their own citizens by enacting state laws or regulations. The Colorado Student Free Expression Law is such a provision and provides student journalists attending Colorado public schools with added protection against administrative censorship.
Section 22-1-120 — Rights of free expression for public school students:
(1) The general assembly declares that students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press, and no expression contained in a student publication, whether or not such publication is school-sponsored, shall be subject to prior restraint except for the types of expression described in subsection (3) of this section. This section shall not prevent the advisor from encouraging expression which is consistent with high standards of English and journalism.
(2) If a publication written substantially by students is made generally available throughout a public school, it shall be a public forum for students of such school.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to authorize the publication or distribution by students of the following:
(a) Expression which is obscene;
(b) Expression which is libelous, slanderous, or defamatory under state law;
(c) Expression which is false as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern; or
(d) Expression which creates a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts, the violation of lawful school regulations, or the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or which violates the rights of others to privacy or that threatens violence to property or persons.
(4) The board of education of each school district shall adopt a written publications code, which shall be consistent with the terms of this section and shall include reasonable provisions for the time, place, and manner of conducting free expression within the school district's jurisdiction. Said publications code shall be distributed, posted, or otherwise made available to all students and teachers at the beginning of the 1991-92 school year and at the beginning of each school year thereafter.
(a) Student editors of school sponsored student publications shall be responsible for determining the news, opinion, and advertising content of their publications subject to the limitations of this section. It shall be the responsibility of the publications advisor of school-sponsored student publications within each school to supervise the production of such publications and to teach and encourage free and responsible expression and professional standards for English and journalism.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "publications advisor" means a person whose duties include the supervision of school-sponsored student publications.
(6) If participation in a school-sponsored publication is part of a school class or activity for which grades or school credits are given, the provisions of this section shall not be interpreted to interfere with the authority of the publications advisor for such school-sponsored publications to establish or limit writing assignments for the students working with the publication and to otherwise direct and control the learning experience that the publication is intended to provide.
(7) No expression made by students in the exercise of freedom of speech or freedom of the press shall be deemed to be an expression of school policy, and no school district or employee, or parent, or legal guardian, or official of such school district shall be held liable in any civil or criminal action for any expression made or published by students.
(8) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the promulgation or enforcement of lawful school regulations designed to control gangs. For this purpose of this section, the definition of "gang" shall be the definition found in section 19-1-103 (52), C.R.S.


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Keeping up with Cincinnati craft beers and local breweries, homebrewing, and the occasional beer review. Drink. Local. Beer. Part of the #CincyBeerBloggers team.
by Mike Stuart · November 9, 2013
Mike Stuart
Craft beer enthusiast and hombrew dabbler. Part-time writer, sometimes funny.
There are no upcoming events at this time.


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Pure culinary Argan oil:
The gourmet delight
Culinary Argan oil is also used to cook one of Morocco's famous dishes: The Tajine (or Tagine).
Be social & share the love!
As we've seen before, the rare organic Argan oil is highly valued because of its wide array of documented health properties as well as its cosmetic and beauty benefits and uses.
Besides its medicinal and cosmetic benefits, pure culinary Argan oil can be used as a well-balanced dietary supplement and for creating incredibly delicious meals that provide the body's essential nutritional needs promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Anyone who's already tasted the organic culinary Argan oil surely remembers its light smell, the fine nutty taste and rich flavor. The variety of pure culinary Argan oil uses in authentic Moroccan recipes goes from simple bread dipping with peppermint tea for the breakfast to the use in several main dishes, i.e. stirred into couscous and used in Tagines.
It is also used as a salad-dressing without forgetting the famous Yummy! sweet Amlou — the Moroccan thick brown almond dip with a kind of peanut butter consistency.
Amlou is used locally as a bread dip. It is made by simply grinding roasted almonds and mixing these with pure culinary Argan oil plus some honey. The "magic" lies in the ingredients' proportions, though.
In the gourmet cuisine, the precious culinary Argan oil has gained a vital place for people desiring to maintain a healthy balanced diet thanks to its rich and unique natural composition. Yet, it has only been within the last decade that it became known outside of Morocco.
Beyond that, due to the high and on-going demand, the culinary Argan oil is now considered by many chefs worldwide as a luxury high-end exotic ingredient. It is used most as a dressing to a variety of crudités and amuse-bouches, to enhance these with the delicate nutty taste adding yet another layer of herbal touch and smell.
Genuine culinary Argan oil is very suitable to be used for balanced dietary purposes because of its direct, instant and positive impact on the vital functions of our body as well as our immune system.
These are some recipes that culinary Argan oil flavors:
- Tagine
- Couscous
- Salads
- Meat & Chicken Skewers
- Amlou
The delicate nutty taste of pure culinary Argan oil in addition to its high beneficial dietary values, were among the major factors that contributed to its worldwide success.


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Watch the Fisher School Video
National Green Week Raffle Winners
Congratulations to the GEF members who won eco-friendly prizes for signing up before Feb. 1! Click here to view the winners and their prizes!
Evers Park Elementary
Denton, TX
We had Master Gardener's stations teaching the students about what plants need to survive, leaves, weeds, native plants, and carnivorous plants. We also had Master Naturalist's stations teaching students about conservation, animals, birds of prey, soil and wildflowers. Some stations had make and takes and some just awed the students!!


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Smart meter opt-out fee much lower in U.S.: MLA
BC Hydro's planned fee of $35 a month for people who continue to refuse wireless smart meters is "outrageous" and isn't justified based on what other jurisdictions charge, according to B.C.'s lone Green Party MLA.
Andrew Weaver (Oak Bay-Gordon Head) said the proposed charge for manual meter readings is as high a many people's entire power bills.
"People perceive it as price gouging," he said, adding the fees should accurately reflect Hydro costs and not generate extra profit."
Weaver pointed to some U.S. states that have similar opt-out programs from smart meters but charge much less.
California charges $10 a month after a $75 up-front fee, while low-income customers pay $5 a month after a $10 initial fee.
Maine charges $12 a month for analog meter readings, after a $40 initial charge.
BC Hydro's fees still require approval by the B.C. Utilities Commission.
Weaver said he's urging the regulators to reject the $35 fee here based on the disparity with charges elsewhere.
Holdouts here can also opt to take a smart meter with the transmitter disabled for a $100 one-time fee followed by $20 each month.
Maine's radio-disabled smart meter option costs $20 up front then $10.50 a month.
Weaver said he doesn't oppose wireless smart meters but added Hydro must provide a reasonable opt-out.
He said BC Hydro's price would be more logical if it were charged not monthly but on each actual meter reading every few months.


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Jacob Wolff
Height: | 5-10 |
Year: | Freshman |
Hometown: | Santa Cruz, CA |
High School: | Pacific Collegiate HS |
Previous College: | Cowell |
Position: | Fly/Free/IM |
Major: | Bio-engineering |
High School: Jacob graduated from Pacific Collegiate HS in 2013. While in HS he was awarded Student of the Year and AP WOrld History (2011). He was also on the Cross Country team.
Personal: He is the son of Thomas and Aileen Wolff. He has two siblings, Maureen and Leah. During his free time he enjoys sudoku, reading, and PC gaming.


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On any day, our 310-guest flagship, Wind Surf, draws admiring glances as she glides majestically into port with her tall sails billowing. And her beauty is far more than skin deep.
Starting with all new finishes and furnishings in suites and staterooms, Wind Surf renovation now brings you some of the most beautiful public spaces at sea.
During their cruise, guests will find the perfect setting for 'making an entrance' in the beautiful new reception area – and, appropriately, that's only the beginning.
When you return to your stateroom, the luxury gets personal. Windstar's signature bowls of flowers and fresh fruit will still be waiting for you, along with rich tufted headboards, soft seascape colors, beautiful new upholstery, and fine count Egyptian cotton linens welcome you to an oasis of relaxing indulgence.
Everything about Wind Surf speaks of welcome. Come aboard and see it for yourself.
CAPACITY: 310 Guests
STATEROOMS: 122 deluxe ocean view staterooms
SUITES: 31 deluxe ocean view suites
BRIDGE DECK SUITES: 2 deluxe ocean view bridge suites
DECKS: 6 decks
CREW: 201 international staff
SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamas
LENGTH: 535 feet (162 meters) at waterline; 617 feet (187meters) including bowsprit
DRAFT: 16.5 feet (5 meters)
TONNAGE: 14,745 gross registered tons (grt)
BEAM: 66 feet (20 meters)
SAILS: 7 triangular, self-furling, computer-operated sails with 26,881 square feet (or 2,600 square meters) of Dacron surface area
MASTS: 5 at 221 feet (67.5 meters)
ENGINES: 4 diesel electric generating sets, 2 electrical propulsion motor
SPEED: 10 to 12 knots with engines only; up to 15 knots wind and engine assisted
We'll send you the latest deals to your email.
Click here to view our current special offers.


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- Our studio
- Our history
COOKFOX co-founders Rick Cook and Bob Fox have built a team of passionate, talented professionals who are pursuing a transformative vision: beautiful design shaped by a strong connection to place, the highest standards of sustainability, and a commitment to excellence enriched by the collaborative process. We designed our open studio environment to be a healthy, productive, creative workplace where together we can meet the urgent challenge of crafting beautiful, sustainable architecture.
The principles of collaboration and integrated design set the tone for every project at COOKFOX. We engage clients, developers, contractors, engineers, and public stakeholders early on, bringing diverse perspectives into the design process. Throughout every project and in our own workplace, we view open communication and continuous learning as essential investments. We believe inspiration can come from anywhere at any time, so our studio and design process leave room for unexpected insights and spontaneous connections to happen. This enables our architects and designers to engage in the focused, yet inherently playful pursuit of intellectual curiosity that often leads to the most innovative and effective solutions.
As part of our proactive effort to shift the mindset of those who shape our world, Rick Cook and Bob Fox joined Bill Browning and Chris Garvin to found Terrapin Bright Green, an environmental consulting firm, to make a global difference beyond architecture through green development, policy, and research. Advancing strategies for whole-systems thinking and collaborative methodology, Terrapin works in collaboration with non-profit, government, and private entities to reconnect people with nature and fundamentally improve health, productivity, and overall economic and environmental performance.
Founded in 2003 by Rick Cook and Bob Fox, COOKFOX (formerly Cook + Fox) is devoted to designing beautiful, environmentally responsible, high-performance buildings. We are the first architectural firm to have designed three LEED Platinum projects in New York City: the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park, the world's first LEED Platinum commercial skyscraper; a full-floor tenancy in the Empire State Building for Skanska Construction; and our own office in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, the first LEED Platinum project in New York State.
This experience is applied to current projects seeking to achieve standards "beyond LEED," including a facility for the Riverside Clay Tennis Association designed to fulfill the Living Building Challenge. COOKFOX is also the only architecture firm selected to advise Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability, which is tasked with setting New York City's green agenda for the next twenty years.
While we are proud of our LEED achievements, the true mission of COOKFOX is to further a vision of integrated design in which the disciplines of architecture and engineering merge to yield the greatest possible human and environmental performance. This dedication to the pursuit of exceptional sustainable design has been a central concern of Rick Cook and Bob Fox at every step of their professional lives.
Prior to co-founding COOKFOX, Bob Fox was a founding partner of Fox & Fowle Architects. Under his guidance, that firm rose to a prominent position of national leadership in sustainable high-rise building and urban design. Among the 30 major projects he completed in New York is the influential 4 Times Square - Condé Nast Headquarters, which set new standards for energy efficient high-rise buildings. Beginning in 1999, Bob Fox led the team that created the original Commercial and Residential Environmental Guidelines for the 92-acre Battery Park City Authority in Lower Manhattan. The Guidelines, which were later updated by COOKFOX, have resulted in the creation of 5 million square feet of LEED Gold and Platinum buildings, and are the first of their kind to be created for an entire urban neighborhood. Incorporating guidelines for energy efficiency, water, site, landscape, and materials, the Battery Park City guidelines influenced the development of LEED and set a standard for green buildings throughout New York City.
Rick Cook is most well known for innovative design at the highest standard of environmental responsibility. For 14 years, he led the firm Richard Cook & Associates, cultivating a broad portfolio ranging from master planning to various commercial and residential projects, with special expertise working in historic Landmark districts.
Under Rick's guidance, Richard Cook & Associates earned a number of awards for its projects, including a Charter Award from the Congress for New Urbanism for the Chelsea Grande and an AIA-NY Honor Award for Housing Design and AIA-National Multifamily Housing Award for the development of Historic Front Street at the South Street Seaport. At COOKFOX, Rick's work includes the world's first LEED Platinum commercial skyscraper, One Bryant Park, the first LEED Gold Broadway theater, the Stephen Sondheim Theater, and the LEED Platinum Live Work Home in Syracuse, New York.
Three years after co-founding COOKFOX, Rick Cook and Bob Fox joined Bill Browning and Chris Garvin to found Terrapin Bright Green. Terrapin is an environmental consulting firm and think tank for the built environment that focuses on advancing sustainable design through green development, policy, and research. The firm works in collaboration with non-profit, government, and private entities to achieve development goals in the most economically, socially, and environmentally responsible manner possible.
The work of COOKFOX is also shaped by the dedicated leadership of its Associate Partners. Since 1994, Dan Brammer has served as a senior designer, leading the conceptual design and development for a wide variety of projects, including the award winning Chelsea Grande, the Caroline, and two LEED Platinum interior projects - our office at 641 Avenue of the Americas, and Skanska USA's office in the Empire State Building. Associate Partner Peter Aaron provides over 30 years' experience to the firm. Since joining the firm in 2004, Peter has been in charge of several of our sustainable residential and office buildings, including the Lucida and the Hegeman. Prior to joining the firm, Peter was an Associate Partner with I.M. Pei & Partners. His significant expertise, along with Dan Brammer's experience, have helped shape the direction of a body of work that merges concern for environmental stewardship with an engagement in the highest quality of architectural design.
The work of COOKFOX has been showcased at the National Building Museum, in the New Yorker and the Wall Street Journal, and in feature programs on PBS, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic. The partners and other members of the firm have also spoken at the UN, the Economist Intelligent Infrastructure Conference, and have been interviewed on National Public Radio, among other notable venues.
- Partner
I had the opportunity to once again work with my professional mentor and best friend. It was the simplest decision imaginable. There is some special quality about our working relationship that helps us make each other better. When the fit is right, the combination is above and beyond the individual strengths of both. This business is always personal. When I was a child, I was told, "If you find work that you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life." I love what I do. I am blessed with a profession that gives me the ability to do meaningful work, which has the potential to impact the world and make it a better place. EDUCATION
- Robert F. Fox Jr.
- Partner Emeritus
Rick Cook is a master architect. I could not have a better partner. From One Bryant Park and through the work that we continue to do, it is an incredible opportunity for me and Rick to take everything we have learned, to take our total dedication and use all of our knowledge and talent in a combined way. And it's fun! On a scale of 1 to 10, our friendship is 11 and our partnership is 1. That's our operating principle. EDUCATION
- Peter Aaron
- Consulting Partner
I grew up in New York City in a West End Avenue pre-war apartment, and the architecture and atmosphere of that neighborhood has been a strong influence in my personal direction. My design mettle was forged working with I.M. Pei, where I learned about immersion in design, attention to detail and quality of construction. My first exposure to sustainability was "Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth" by Buckminster Fuller. Now, at COOKFOX, there is an exciting convergence of my concerns for stewardship of our planet and engagement in architectural work. EDUCATION
- Arno Adkins
- Senior Associate
I grew up in what was then the fastest growing city in the U.S.: Las Vegas. Construction sites were everywhere-houses, schools, grocery stores, churches, and countless massive resort casinos with waterfalls, pirates and white tigers. Looking back, it serves as an example of the most irresponsible type of growth imaginable. I now have the opportunity to work each day with a group of people that have learned similar lessons through different paths, working together to make smarter and more environmentally sustainable choices at COOKFOX. EDUCATION
- Luca Baraldo
- Senior Associate
From my father, I inherited a passion for craftsmanship and for the qualities of different materials. From my mother, I learned of the seduction of textures and the importance of every stitch. I grew up in Verona and have lived in Venice, Lille, Paris, Milan and New York, discovering a little bit more about myself and my love for architecture along the way. Now at COOKFOX, I have learned to hone my craft across all scales of design, pursuing my passion for interiors and fine-tuning our projects. EDUCATION
- Sylvie Blondeau
- Associate
I grew up in Versailles, France, where every corner of the city and the palace is a lesson in careful symmetry, variation in scale, material craftsmanship and integration of natural processes in a meticulously designed environment. I studied engineering and architecture, and have always been interested in the relationship between nature and man-made artifacts. Now in NYC with COOKFOX, I thoroughly enjoy integrating design concepts at every scale, from the space layouts down to the door knob, in a quest to create beautiful, environmentally responsive interiors, fully integrated into the studio's architectural creations. EDUCATION
- Scott Booth
- Associate
I've always been interested in how things are pieced together. Growing up, I had a habit of disassembling my toys, just to see which part was making the music or exactly how Jack knew when to pop out of his box. From my early experiences of deconstructing objects, I learned to understand how to best put things together. This explorative childhood paved the way to my career in architecture. Now my talents are used to create and construct; toys everywhere can breathe a little easier. EDUCATION
- Bethany Borel
- Associate
Before the age of 10, I had more stamps in my passport than Lisa Frank collectibles in my sticker book. A childhood spent navigating Tokyo's overstimulating, dense urban environment was a daily whirlwind of texture and color that began to spark my design senses. The perfection of Zen rock gardens was replaced by endless corn fields during summers spent on my grandfather's rural Iowa farm, where I was taught the importance of slowing down to focus on the world around. These two seemingly different worlds shared one common thread: the utmost respect for and commitment to our natural environment. This past decade in New York City has allowed me to explore many scales of design, honing my interest in a fluid conversation between architecture and interiors while remaining attuned to our environmental responsibility. EDUCATION
- Daniel Brammer
- Partner
When I was 10 years old I would sleep-walk, find a pencil or crayon and draw on the walls. After discouraging reviews from my parents, this habit disappeared. For more than 18 years here at COOKFOX I have been allowed to draw on pretty much whatever I want, for a variety of projects. EDUCATION
- Pam Campbell
- Partner
In London, I learned about the many varied shades of Purple. In Stuttgart, I was taught to use exact shades of Dunkelgelb and Himmelblau. In New York, I have learned the importance of making buildings Green. Unfortunately, I still mostly wear Black. EDUCATION
- Simone De Conno
- Associate
Back in Italy my father owned a construction company and taught me the passion and art of building. I spent summers in the field learning how things work together and sometimes how they don't. I studied architecture in Florence and I have been fortunate to broaden my horizons by continuing my education in the US. Here in New York City I found a team of talented professionals inspired by biophilia and committed to sustainable design. I now feel blessed to be part of the team and to contribute to shaping a better future for our children. COOKFOX has elevated my knowledge and passion for sustainable building. EDUCATION
- Scott Corey
- Associate
Some might say that growing up in New Jersey sets one at a disadvantage. I think it led me to a lifelong love of cities and urban spaces that I continue to explore personally and professionally. Some days it means staring at New York City in Google Earth for hours while I design the next mapping project, and other days it means hiking the full length of Broadway for a new perspective of Manhattan. Both are fine by me. EDUCATION
- Zach Craun
- Associate
The summer before I left for college, I helped my parents build their new house. The first few weeks, my hands were raw and blistered, but by the end of the summer they were calloused. It was one of the hardest jobs I ever had, but also one of the most rewarding. I learned the basics of design and construction, as well as accountability, dedication, and teamwork. At COOKFOX, I continue to collaborate with individuals who share these values in our mission to create architecture that emphasizes context, craft and environmental responsibility. EDUCATION
- Emilio DiPonio
- Partner and CFO
I was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, as the son of immigrants. My father was a laborer in deep rock excavations for decades. I gained an appreciation for the hard work and monumental effort that goes into building the New York skyline. I am deeply honored to work with the passionate, mission-focused colleagues I have found here at COOKFOX. EDUCATION
- Katharine Ives
- Associate
I grew up outside of Boston in a house with many angles, surrounded by gardens and trees. In retrospect, my spending countless childhood hours imagining that house upside down and inside out had a large influence on my path toward architecture. In school I had the opportunity to travel to Europe and Japan, which broadened my perspective on the different approaches to, and definitions of sustainability. In graduate school I also developed a strong interest in the technology that can facilitate collaborative design. Now at COOKFOX, I feel very fortunate to come to work every day to a group of people dedicated to designing for a sustainable future. EDUCATION
- Darin Gregory Reynolds
- Partner
I am an architect. I design buildings. I must understand the materials of building - wood, steel, brick, concrete - and the systems of building - structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing. I must understand the building process as well as the social and environmental impacts a building may have upon its site, surroundings and inhabitants. I work as part of a team: Architecture is the product of many hands. I do not design and build buildings; we design and build buildings. COOKFOX shares my belief that teamwork is integral to the process of Architecture, and I am proud that my hands are working with the many others here, to create strong, passionate and informed Architecture. EDUCATION
- Mark Rusitzky
- Partner
While I was in architecture school, I spent a summer building a traditional smoke sauna in Finland. We spent the first 6 weeks taking apart an existing log structure piece by piece to use the wood and other materials for the new building. Though the country is covered with forests, all of the resources are treated with importance. The words Green or Sustainable were never mentioned (in English or Finnish); it was simply part of the culture. After I graduated, I have been fortunate to work on several projects that have carried on these principles. EDUCATION
- Nadia Samuelson
- Associate
I think of myself as a space carver. I have always enjoyed exploring buildings and finding their hidden & unexpectedly special spaces. I love a good sketch with a delicate hand & the smell of fresh print in an inspiring photo or design book. I love the heft of a drawing set that documents the vision & dedication of a project. And I live for the satisfaction I feel when I finally experience a space that I helped to mold and make. At COOKFOX I get to indulge in all of this in an environment where it's encouraged and celebrated. EDUCATION
- Brandon Specketer
- Partner
Growing up in Oklahoma, I developed a deep connection to the land and the expansive horizon that was always in front of me. In school, this commitment to the natural environment around us was reinforced, but the ideas of sustainable or green design were never mentioned: it was simply understood to be an integral part of what defines good design. After moving to New York, the horizon line I grew up with dramatically rotated to vertical. I still spend most of my time looking up in awe; however, I've also been fortunate enough to work with friends here at COOKFOX who are just as connected to the green spaces and rivers of this island as they are to the design of the built environment surrounding us. EDUCATION
- Luciana Spinola
- Associate
I was born and raised in Rio, surrounded by the views, sounds, and smells of beautiful beaches and tropical forest, and by fine papers, inks, letrasets and square sets. Art I learned at home with my father and Architecture with my master and mentor Sergio Bernardes. At COOKFOX I am also surrounded by nature, my main source of inspiration for designing buildings that are complementary to the urban and human natures. EDUCATION
- Susie Teal
- Senior Associate
As a runner, I cover a lot of ground here in New York. I am constantly inspired by the architecture I see while running through the streets. And as a native Midwesterner, I appreciate the opportunity this gives me to experience the seasons and discover nature throughout the city. I am lucky to work in a studio that is equally as dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of both the built and natural environments. EDUCATION
- Arzan Sam Wadia
- Associate
As a child in Bombay, I would accompany my dad to construction sites. Seeing the transformation from a dusty beat up site to a beautiful space was exhilarating and inspired me to become an architect. Relentless curiosity is in my nature and practicing architecture has opened up a whole new world of exploration. As I grew up, I tinkered with motorcycles, not realizing that I was honing problem solving skills that would eventually unlock future opportunities. Technology, especially computers and the way they shape our lives, has always piqued my interest. COOKFOX allows me to do both: work on the greenest skyscraper in the world and solve technological problems that help shape the firm's direction. But riding my motorcycle to work every day awakens my senses like nothing else. EDUCATION
- Vincent Linarello
- Associate
I was born, raised and educated in New York City where I have worked for over 25 years. I enjoy my recent work primarily on affordable and supportive housing in my home town, helping to resolve the most pressing housing issues in NYC. At COOKFOX, I find support in my belief for socially responsible, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable design. EDUCATION
- Patrick Curry
- Associate
I am fortunate to have parents who value travel. My mother's job with an airline allowed for trips to interesting places where at a young age I experienced different cultures and was awestruck by architecture so different from the vernacular back home. Simply put, I learned to look up. I found meaning and ultimately professional interest in what I saw. Here at COOKFOX I'm honored to be among a community of dedicated and passionate fellow looker uppers-in all the marvelous ways we, literally and metaphorically, look up! EDUCATION
- Miha Brezavšček
- Associate
Since I moved to New York City, I have been fascinated by the way the city is formed through the diversity of people, buildings, and neighborhoods. At COOKFOX, we try to bring the same energy to design by drawing from our diverse perspectives and influences of art, engineering and nature, to form architecture. I'm happy to be part of the visualization team which is uniquely integrated with the studio's design process. Through models and renderings ideas are thrown back and forth and designs are constantly evolving. I enjoy this iterative and collaborative process not just because it produces better work - it's also fun. EDUCATION
- Adam Beaulieu
- Associate
My path to becoming an architect in New York was set in motion during a 10th grade field trip to the Guggenheim Museum - I was awed by the play of light and movement through space. The predictable sprawl of my suburban Massachusetts environs would never look the same and it was with great eagerness that I set out for architecture school and then began working as an architect. Along the way, I've spent some time working for a general contractor, setting aside my initial apprehension about being in the field fulltime for a chance to lead a diverse team and witness every part of a building, however modest, come together. For my path to eventually lead to COOKFOX, where my colleagues and collaborators are committed to both the poetry and the piece-by-piece of building is deeply satisfying. EDUCATION


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GamesRadar - These guys and gals are ready for the big leagues
Sully definitely deserves a Game, if not a game they should at least do a Story DLC about him.
I agree with Bruci and Falco but Toad?! HAHA yeah right he's (or they're) just punching bags.
Sully and frog for sure. Also Auron from final fantasy 10 deserved his own game instead of Yuna.


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The eighth grade girls' basketball A-team had three games at home in one week, they beat Tipton, lost to Regina and ended the run with a victory against West Branch.
West Liberty was missing starter Sihisla Puentes due to an elbow injury, but thanks to help from the bench, it didn't slow the team down during its game against Tipton.
In the first half, West Liberty took a 28-4 lead with the help from its full-court press, several forced turnovers, and a 1-3-1 defense. In the second half, the Comets were able to get several players into the game, leading to a Comet victory 45-6.
The eighth grade girls' basketball B-team started its game slowly in the first half, including several turnovers, but still only trailed 8-10 at the half. In the second half, the Comets found spark in the offense scoring 8 points in the third quarter taking the lead 16-11. In the fourth quarter, Tipton with a short bench put several starters in from the first game and was able to score 18 points, giving the second team Comets their first loss of the season 21-29, going to 4-1 on the season.
The second game of the week came against an undefeated Regina. This was by far, the most physical up-tempo game of the season for the Comets.
In the first half, it was a strong defensive battle. The Comets out-rebounded Regina, getting several second-chance points, taking the lead 15-9. In the second half, the Comets held command on both sides of the ball. The fourth quarter was a struggle for the Comets.
With 1:15 to play in the game, the Comets led by 6, but several late team fouls and a late 3-pointer by Regina guard Mary Crompton, pulled Regina within 3 points with 16 seconds to play.
A missed free throw with 8 seconds to play and a turnover gave the ball to Regina with 2 seconds left. Mary Crompton of Regina caught the ball inbounds and made a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Regina gained momentum in the overtime going up by 4 with 8 seconds to go.
Tatum Koenig was able to make a late three, bringing the Comets within one. Without acknowledgement of a timeout, the time expired, handing the Comets their first loss of the season 31-32.
"The girls worked incredibly hard," said Coach Morris. "This was the game they really wanted to take. They know that they need to keep working hard and get prepared for the remaining games, but they will most certainly be ready to play them in the last game of the year."
With Regina having a short bench, the Comets' B-team had to play some Regina starters from the A-game for only one half. It was tough for the Comets, struggling offensively. The score at the quarter was 6-10; Regina had the lead. In the second quarter, the Comets were unable to convert offensively, handing the B-team their second straight loss 8-18, putting the Comets at 4-2 on the season.
The team finished its three game home skid versus West Branch. In the first half, West Liberty took a commanding 26-7 lead. The Comets, in the second, went deep into the bench and worked their man to man defense. They took a 46-17 victory, going to 6-1 on the season.
The B-team played only one half due to West Branch's short bench. It was a low scoring game, but with help to a second quarter press and late free throws by Josie Jimenez, the Comets were able to score 7 points and take the victory 8-7, giving the second team Comets a 5-2 record on the season.
8th grade girls continue success
Wednesday, December 4, 2013More Sports


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The fact that the blog is languishing has prompted me to do my bit, after a period away from broadband, at the Brighton Festival (more posts later mebbee)
Anyhow, you may have heard about the graffiti-fest at London's Leake Street, with a grungy railway arch transformed by Banksy and frenz. The crowds early on were huge, but it's settled down now, and will be there for another 5 months.
Given the recent interest in the King, I thought you might like this take on him.
If there's any interest in the Leake Street thing, I'll happily post some more of the pieces…
Postscript: I've added my shot of the wonderful image of a Council graffiti removal worker finally dealing with a graffito that's been around a while…as mentioned in CB's post


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World's first WoW mouse
With roughly one month to go until the latest edition of World of Warcraft is published, one manufacturer's jumped on the opportunity to flog the game's panting punters the world's first WoW-branded mouse.
The World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse has 16m illumination options...
The World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse can macro up to 160 characters and boasts 15 programmable buttons, so you'll have to grow a few more fingers to make full use of them all.
...and 15 buttons
The angular, metallic design makes the mouse look more like an armadillo. But you won't notice that, because you'll be too busy deciding which of the 16m illumination choices you like best. After that, there are three intensity and pulsation levels to pick from.
Really dedicated fans might like to know that Blizzard, WoW's publisher, even had a hand in the peripheral's design.
The World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse can be pre-ordered online now for $90 (£52/€66).


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I want to master the art.
With less words,
How to occupy your heart?
I thought for many nights,
Under cloudless sky conniving with the stars.
It's all about creating magic in words!
You do breathe love Saru, maybe your heart also beats love in every blood cell..
Else no one can come with such a piece!
You're a man of few words,
But, I'm little loquacious.
Fearing my utterance of useless words,
Project me as flirtatious.
These lines really made me think, I said to myself "Isn't this the same case with you? This lady has expressed that feeling so beautifully!"
wow saru its magical ......... love its depth , love your wording .......fall in love with your poem ....... super ..... less word ... touch my heart .
Breathing your love,
I want to master the art.
With less words,...... awasome .
your love poem always spread smile on face and a dhuk-dhuk moments........ <3 <3 <3 <3
wow.. :) just amazing.. U r very very talented.. Love is such a wonderful feeling.. Nd d poem is even more wonderful...
we r readin ur blog 4 d first tym.. Nd we are so so impressed by you..
Keep writing.. Will definitely visit for more.. :) wow.. :) just amazing.. U r very very talented.. Love is such a wonderful feeling.. Nd d poem is even more wonderful...
we r readin ur blog 4 d first tym.. Nd we are so so impressed by you..
Keep writing.. Will definitely visit for more.. :)
I'll say love you,
Every time I breathe!
Just waow .. No words.
My Blog: Life is Just a Life
Wah Wha saaru jee kya baat hai :) :) Loved every lines of this poem. The way it started was awesome.
"Breathing your love,
I want to master the art.
With less words,
How to occupy your heart?"
Sooooper :)
And this is my fav. line :)
"Even the striking of clock sounds like guitar."
Just loved it :)
@Anand- Thank you Anand, this poem is inspired by Kareena Kapoor's character in Jab We Met.:)
@Nasnin Nasser- Thank you dear for such a nice comment.
@India's no.1 blog- Thank you and believe me I'm in love with this comment!!!
@Rahul- Thanks Sir...
@डॉ॰ मोनिका शर्मा- Thank you Monica.
@Binu Thomas- A guy can tell that better, thank you :)
@kalpak n.- How Sweet:) :) :)
@Ashwini- I think all girls can relate to it. Thanks dear for liking it.
@Venkateswaran Ramachandran- Thanks RV...
@Hemant- Thank you so much Hemant!!!
@Arti- Thanks for such a lovely comment...
@deepbaazigar- Thanks.
@Spicy Sweet- Thanks dear, you write so beautifully, even this comment reflects your magic...Love it!!!
@Niya- Thanks :)
@Upasana- Thanks Upsana:) :) :)
@Red Handed- Thank you so much!
@A grain of sand- Thank you!
@sawan- Thanks:)
@Rohit Sareen- Thanks Rohit both for the comment and picture:)
@Harsha- I always look forward to your comment, thanks dear:)
@shashi purwar- Thanks Shashi, your comment made my day:) <3 <3 <3
@--- Bagya --- - Thanks Dear!
@infallibleinfectiousidiots- Thanks Dear for such a wonderful comment and welcome here...:)
@Kunal- Because I have lovely people like you around me...BTW thanks to FB:)
@Shesha Chaturvedi- Thank you :)
@Kitty- Thank you!
@Ankur- Thanks Ankur...
@Neeraj Dwivedi- Thanks Neeraj!
@Thousif Raza- You always capture the essence of the poem so nicely, thanks from the bottom of my heart!
@Being_AC- Thank you Sir!
@Manali- I'm crossing my fingers for that, thank you:)
@Angel- Thank you Angel.
@Deepthi- Thanks Deepthi for such a generous comment!
@Rosette Princess- Thank you so much dear:)
@vaisakhi- Thanks a ton dear!
@Blasphemous Aesthete- Thanks Anshul for such a lovely comment:)
@Chintan- I'm glad you liked it...
@ANULAL- Love is a powerful force...:)Thanks...
@Neha- :) :) :)
@SHANOJ K- Thanks!
@Sunil Padiyar- Thank you Sunil for admiring it so nicely...
@Satish Mutatkar- Thanks Sir!
@Sourabh K Rao- Thank you:)
@shveta- Thanks!
@thephoenixarts- Thank you!
@Sameera- Thanks dear...
@⁂ܓVållῐ ⁂ܓ☺- Thank you:)
@umashankar- Your comment made my day. Thanks...:)
@jayendrasharan- Even I think so...
@Little Heart- Thanks and your new picture is really very nice...
@Jayanth- Thanks Jayanth...
@the mind behind the mindless lampoons- Thanks Ravi :)
@tarunima- Thanks :)
@zephyr- I agree with you:) Thanks:)
@Intex 4 Person Mariner Inflatable Boat Set Review- Thanks Dear and welcome here...
@Team G Square- Thank you:)
@~*Lady Fiona*~- Thank you so much, I was wondering how you would react to this poem. I'm glad you liked it!
@Neeraj Kumar- Thanks Neeraj for such nice compliment:)
@loangyan- Thanks!
@Spiderdama- Thanks dear and you too enjoy the weekend:)
@Charu- Don't be sorry Charu, that's more important. And, thanks for your comment!
@alice alfred- Thanks dear, it happens with me as well...
@Prabhavathi- Thank you!
@Kalyan- Thanks...
@sowmya- Thanks Sowmya:)
@matheikal- That's very funny, I hope you have seen 'Jab We Met'...It's inspired from Kareena's character in that movie...
@Kiran @ KiranTarun.com- Hi Kiran, weekend was good, went to Harvard and MIT. I guess, everyone is a chatterbox...:)
@MyKitchen Flavors-BonAppetit!.- Thanks Christy...:) Your presence grace my blog...
@KP- Thanks KP :)
@Shaifali- Thanks dear...
@Ankitha- :) Thank you!!!
@Swati- Thanks Swati:)
@sajeevkmenon- Thank you so much...
@Mr.Jovita- :) Thanks...
@magiceye- Thank you Deepak Sir...:)
@Arpitha Holla- Thanks Dear!
@swati- Thank a lot Swati...
@Megha Sarin- Thanks a on dear...:) :) :)
@Upasana- I'm truly honored!!! Thanks:)
Hi Saru, I have featured this poem of yours in this week's 'A Sneak From The Past'. You can check it out here: http://vinithadileep.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/a-sneak-from-the-past-5/
I pity girls who live in the fake world. Look at me, I am so realistic, even my dreams have a reality check. With 34 waistline and two lef...


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Browse by Month
Climate Change & Global Warming
- Department:May 30, 2014
In response to recent decades' warming, forests in the eastern United States have been "inhaling" more carbon dioxide through photosynthesis than they've "exhaled" through respiration.
- Department:May 22, 2014
CarbonTracker is a tool for modelling sources and sinks of carbon dioxide. Users can download the code, carbon dioxide data, and the tool's carbon flux estimates to conduct their own analyses or to help improve the system.
- Department:May 13, 2014
Jeanine Jones, Interstate Resources Manager for the California Department of Water Resources, talks about the state's ongoing drought conditions and planning for California's water future.
- Department:May 8, 2014
Ocean water acidified by increasing carbon dioxide is corroding calcium carbonate minerals—an essential ingredient for shell- and skeleton-building that creatures like this tiny snail rely upon.


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Check stock and price


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It's past 6pm, but the security guard who comes out to meet this reporter has beads of sweat rolling down his sideburns.
"There's nobody here but me, building work has been stopped," he says, informatively. "There's nothing to see."
Behind him loom the Cuatro Torres - the four towers. They are behemoths nearly 250 meters tall that watch over the north entrance into Madrid, on the Castellana boulevard. Between them and the security guard's sauna-like cabin, there is a colossal hole in the ground. These 33,000 square meters of empty land are destined to one day hold the International Convention Center - if you look closely, you can dimly guess at its concrete foundations. "Madrid's new architectural icon" is how then-mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón defined it when he laid the first stone in 2008.
This was one of the first projects to be dropped. A year and a half later, the mayor announced he was slashing 600 million euros earmarked for construction out of the city budget. The convention center and the Vallehermoso stadium, among other buildings, would have to wait for better times. In some cases, the crisis was to blame; in others, it was a lack of understanding with government agencies; yet other projects simply fell into oblivion.
The mayor described the Center as "Madrid's new architectural icon"
Over the years, Madrid has successfully completed major works that have transformed the cityscape, albeit at the cost of running up huge debts: bringing the M-30 beltway underground, the regeneration of the Manzanares river area (Madrid Río), the refurbishment of Serrano street, turning Arenal, Ópera, Callao and Fuencarral into pedestrian areas...
But there were other plans that fell along the way. There is a version of Madrid that never was, and perhaps never will be.
"We took the liberty of making important changes in the city. The most radical ones, the ones that transformed its physiognomy, we managed to do right before the crisis," says Beatriz Lobón, general coordinator of the Madrid City Planning Office.
In fact, the city continues to make plans, even if these are now long-term: refurbishing the run-down Plaza de España, opening new connections between the city center and the river... Priority is given to projects that improve the city's image for tourists, says Lobón. Everything else, or in other words, projects that are neither basic nor essential to Madrid's image, will have to wait. "There is no money," repeats Lobón.
We made the most radical changes to the city right before the crisis"
As for the International Convention Center, "it was a very ambitious project," says Emilio Tuñón, one of its architects, speaking in the past tense. Tuñón, together with Matilde Peralta and the recently deceased Luis Mansilla, won the city's competition for ideas in 2007.
"We tried to finish off the area surrounding the Four Towers, which are over 200 meters tall, so we could not work the same way we would in a city center. This called for a bigger scale," he adds. Their spectacular round building would have been 120 meters tall and would have held three auditoriums (one seating up to 6,000), with a parking lot for 5,000 vehicles. It would have cost 300 million euros to build.
Asked if they were disappointed at the fact the project has been put on hold, Tuñón replies that "with this economic situation, perhaps what Madrid needs are other types of facilities, more social ones. Sometimes it is good to stop and take stock. Time is also a building material."
The city does not know how long the convention center project will remain on hold. "Let's see if we can bring the costs down," says Lobón. The political party Unión Progreso y Democracia took city officials to task last June for having already spent 99 million euros on "a hole" that provides no service to Madrileños.
El Coliseo de las Tres Culturas was to be a "living emblem of the 21st century city"
Instead of an enormous pit in the ground, what is left of the grand-sounding Coliseo de las Tres Culturas (the Coliseum of the Three Cultures) is a massive fenced lot with the odd little tree sticking out of the ground in the residential neighborhood of Canillas, in the Hortaleza district. The city reclassified two plots and in 2002 ceded them for 50 years to José Luis Moreno, the theater impresario who is best known to Spaniards as a TV host and ventriloquist. Moreno was planning to build a great art center with three theaters, an art museum, a music conservatory and a school of dramatic arts, among other things.
"A living, charismatic emblem of the 21st century city, making its image identifiable on all five continents," extols the center's website, which is still up.
"It lacked financing and the city got the land back," sums up Lobón. The contract was definitively ended a year ago, although a few unsettled debts were left along the way, and the case is in the hands of the local tax agency.
"This neighborhood needs things like this," said a local pharmacist, standing in front of the lot last Thursday. "I talked to Moreno a few years ago and he was all excited about building the theaters."
All that's left now is a huge fenced lot with the odd tree sticking out of the ground
But the city was never that enthusiastic about it. "Not even the residents agreed to the project," says Lobón. Now the lot awaits Madrid officials to decide its future use.
"A few years ago they called us from Madrid City Hall. They wanted to recover the kiosk, but we told them that the original could not be moved, that they could come study it and make a replica of it," recalls Urbano González, coordinator of the mayor's office at O Porriño. This Galician town was the home of Antonio Palacios, the man who created the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the Palacio de Correos on Cibeles Square and the famous kiosk on Red de San Luis - where Fuencarral street ends and Montera street begins - which housed the elevator for the Gran Vía metro station between 1919 and 1970. The construction, made with granite, iron and glass, was taken apart then, and when O Porriño asked for it back, was sent there stone by stone. These days, part of it (without the marquee) adorns a local park.
Press clippings reveal that there was already talk of rebuilding the kiosk in the late 1990s. In 2008, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón included a replica in the presentation of his plans to make Fuencarral street off limits to cars.
"Now, a new generation of Madrileños will be able to enjoy a symbol that will have the role of marking the entrance into this pedestrian axis, to which will now be added a new stretch of Fuencarral street," he said.
Instead of a stadium, a private firm is building a sports center on site
"That's all forgotten. The heritage committee does not accept reproductions of old works," says Lobón.
In the back of Gran Vía, there is a square that does not look like one. Los Mostenses market, an uninspired exposed brick building that takes up nearly all the space between Plaza de España and San Bernardo street, needs a facelift. The city has always admitted it. The draft project presented by the architect studio Espegel Fisac included razing the entire construction and replacing it with a glass building containing a library, swimming pool and observation deck, while freeing up most of the square. The cost would have been 30 million euros.
Lobón says this is not even a project per se, and once again it will be money that decides the future of the square. For now, the small business owners who have stalls inside the market are negotiating with the city's department of economic affairs to see if it can at least be reformed on the inside.
The 46-year history of the Vallehermoso stadium was turned to rubble in 2008. The venue was demolished because reconstruction was imminent: the stadium was set to be reborn as a more modern facility with greater seating capacity. But it was knocked out of the budget in 2010. Instead, a private company is now building a sports center on the site with a swimming pool, a gym and padel tennis courts. But there will be no new stadium. "That is no longer an option," admits a source in city government.
I'm more concerned about sidewalks not getting fixed," says one architect
The city planning project that has perhaps generated the most headlines in recent years is the plan to remodel the Prado-Recoletos axis. Ruiz-Gallardón declared part of the thoroughfare a Cultural Interest Site in 1998 in order to have the last word on any reform work. The problem is, he was regional premier of Madrid then. When he was elected mayor, that decision came back to haunt him. The Paseo del Prado, as the Socialist Party recently decried, is in bad shape: the pavement is bumpy, the gardens are looking unkempt, and there is too much road traffic.
Ricardo Aroca, an architect and former dean of the Madrid Architects Association, expands on this issue. "The city can survive without these projects. I am more concerned about a more elemental, simple thing, which is the first sign of decadence in a city: for sidewalks not to get fixed and potholes not filled. And this lack of maintenance is becoming visible," he says.
Aroca believes there was a bubble in this sector as well. "Without this inflation of easy money, certain projects would never have been undertaken. There is hypertrophy."
Tuñón has a similar opinion. "There was a time when things were built too fast. Now things are done with a lot more restraint and rationality," he says.
The project by Álvaro Siza dates back to 2002, and it is 60-percent completed - everything save the Cultural Interest Site area, which is the museum area where thousands of tourists are to be found at all times. The government of regional premier Esperanza Aguirre was supposed to have written up an environmental impact report in April of last year. But the deadline has come and gone, and silence is equivalent to a denial. But city officials are still waiting.
"The administration has the obligation to reply, and we will not relent," says Lobón, while admitting that there is no hurry to start work on this project, either, because, of course, "there is no money."