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Life in Singapore
Religion in Singapore is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices due to its diverse ethnic mix of peoples originating from various countries. Most major religious denominations are present in Singapore, with the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore recognising 10 major religions in the city state. A 2014 analysis by the Pew Research Center found Singapore to be the world's most religiously diverse nation.[2]
The most followed religion is Buddhism, with 33.1%[1] of the resident population declaring themselves as adherents at the most recent census (2015).
The government of Singapore is officially tolerant of different religions and encourages religious harmony, however banning Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church.[3][4] Some religions, especially those practised by Chinese ethnic groups, have merged their places of worship with other religions such as Hinduism and Islam. A prominent example is that of Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple (situated in the eastern coastal line) wherein three religions, namely Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are co-located.
Younger Singaporeans tend to combine traditional philosophies with religious beliefs introduced when the British colonised Singapore. One prominent example is South Bridge Street, which was a major road through the old Chinatown, where it houses the Sri Mariamman Temple (a south Indian Hindu temple that was declared a national historical site in the 1980s), as well as the Masjid Jamae Mosque that served Chulia Muslims from India's Coromandel Coast.
In schools, children are taught in social studies lessons about the Maria Hertogh riots and the 1964 Race Riots, as a reminder of the consequences of inter-religious conflict. Mixed-race classes, interaction between students of different races and the celebration of religious festivals also help inculcate religious tolerance and understanding from a young age.
Another religious landmark in Singapore is the Armenian Church of Gregory the Illuminator, the oldest church in Singapore, which was completed in 1836. It was also the first building in Singapore to have an electricity supply, when electric fans and lights were installed. Today, the church no longer holds Armenian services, as the last Armenian priest retired in the 1930s. Nonetheless, the church and its grounds have been carefully preserved and various Orthodox Church services are still held in it occasionally and Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria service on the first weekend of every month.
The Singapore census includes detailed data on religion and ethnicity, and is taken on a ten or five-year basis. Figures for religion for the past three decades are:[5][6][1][7]
% 1980
% 1990
% 2000
% 2010
% 2015
|Protestantism and other non-Catholic
|Not religious
|Taoism and folk religion
|Other religions
The above figures refer to the resident population only, and do not include the non-resident population (Singapore authorities do not release figures for the non-resident population which accounted for 18.33% of Singapore's population in 2005).
Most Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their respective religions. The variety of religions is a direct reflection of the diversity of races living there. The Chinese are predominantly followers of Buddhism and Taoism with some irreligious exceptions. Malays are mostly Muslims, and Indians are mostly Hindus, but with significant numbers of Muslims and Sikhs from the Indian ethnic groups.
Religion is still an integral part of cosmopolitan Singapore. Many of its significant buildings are religious, be it temples, churches, or mosques. An understanding of these buildings do play a part in contributing to appreciation of their art.
Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist-inherited doctrines and deities, together with ancestral worship, are combined in various ways in the Chinese folk religions and Chinese folk religious sects.
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2018)
There are Buddhist monasteries and centres from the three major traditions of Buddhism in Singapore: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Most Buddhists in Singapore are Chinese and are of the Mahayana tradition. 33.3% of the population of Singapore is Buddhist, although known missionaries can hail from China, Tibet, perhaps Taiwan), Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Japan[].
Christian churches of most denominations are present in Singapore. They were established with the arrival of various missionaries after the coming of Sir Stamford Raffles. Together with Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism, Christianity is considered one of the four main religions today. Christianity in Singapore is not tied to a particular ethnic or racial group, although most Christians are Chinese or Eurasian.
In 1985, Mother Teresa spoke at a stadium describing her experiences in Kolkata. On 20 November 1986, Pope John Paul II visited Singapore.
Population of resident ethnic group registed as Christianity 2015.[8]
|Ethnic Group
|Population of Resident Ethnic Group registered as Christianity
|Percentage Resident Ethnic Group registered as Christianity
|Percentage of Resident Population
|Total Resident Population of Ethnic Group
|20.90 %
According to the 2010 census, around 15% of the resident population in Singapore registered themselves as Muslims. Most mosques in Singapore cater to Sunni Muslims due to the vast majority of Singaporean Muslims adhering to the Sunni Shafi'i or Hanafi school of thought, although there are mosques that cater to the needs of the Shia community as well. There are approximately 200 Ahmadi.[9] Singapore also contains the world's oldest Muslim women's organization in the world: Young Women Muslim Association of Singapore.
Whilst a majority of Muslims in Singapore are traditionally ethnic Malays, there is also a significant growing number of Muslims from other ethnic groups; in particular, there is a sizeable number of Muslims amongst ethnic Indians that statistically include Tamil Muslims and ethnic Pakistanis in Singapore as well. For this reason, a number of mosques (mostly Tamil-speaking) specifically cater to the needs of the Indian Muslim community. Additionally, under the direction of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), English is increasingly being used as the language of administration, religious instruction and sermons for Friday prayers[10] in mosques across Singapore to cater to Muslims who may not necessarily be Malay-speaking.[11]
The ethnic breakdown of Muslims according to the 2010 Singapore Census of Population are as follows:[12]
|Ethnic Group
|Population of Resident Ethnic Group registered as Muslims
|Percentage Resident Ethnic Group registered as Muslims
|Percentage of Resident Population
|Total Resident Population of Ethnic Group
K. M. Fozdar (1898-1958) and Shirin Fozdar (1905-1992), were the first to introduce the Bahá'í Faith to Singapore when they settled here in 1950. Shirin Fozdar was well known throughout Singapore and Asia for her work in the cause of women's emancipation. Her arrival in Singapore had been preceded by an article in The Straits Times on 15 September 1950 under the heading "A Woman with a Message". Through the efforts of Dr and Mrs Fozdar, by 1952 there were enough Bahá'ís in Singapore to form the first Local Spiritual Assembly. The community has since grown to over 2000 members and today there are five Local Spiritual Assemblies in Singapore.
They oversee a wide range of activities including the education of children, devotional services, study classes, discussion groups, social functions, observance of holy days, marriages and funeral services. Bahá'í marriage is recognised under the laws of Singapore and the solemniser is appointed by the Registrar of Marriages. The Bahá'ís have been provided with a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang since 1957 and the nine Bahá'í Holy Days have been gazetted since 1972. Members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Singapore, incorporated 28 July 1952. The five Local Spiritual Assemblies come under the jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Singapore, the national governing council which was established in 1972.
The national governing council also appoints the executive members of the various offices which plan and carry out social service projects and collaborate with government and non-government organisations. The Bahá'í teachings stress the importance of obedience to civil government and laws. While Bahá'ís may accept non-partisan government appointments, they do not engage in partisan political activity. The members firmly uphold the injunction of Bahá'u'lláh, that 'they must behave towards the government with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness'.[]
The first Sikhs to settle in Singapore came in 1849. As of 2011, there are 10,744 Sikhs in Singapore.[5]
Followers of the Taoism (the Way) adhere to the teachings of the ancient Chinese religious philosophy of Laozi, the founder of Taoism, also known as the Pure Celestial Worthy of the Way. Besides codified Taoism which in Taiwan is mostly represented by the Zhengyi order, "Taoism" in Singapore also comprehends a wide variety of Chinese folk religions.[1]
Feng shui, literally translated as "wind and water", originated from the school of yin and yang and is deeply rooted in ancestral worshiping that seeks to harmonise the pnuemas between the living (yang) and the dead (yin). Ancestral worship is a common practice of the Chinese and the Qingming Festival during the second full moon is observed by the majority. This reflects that Chinese tradition remains extant in modern Singapore. They pray in tribute to their bereaved ancestors, where their spirits are honoured with offerings including food, beverages, joss paper, incense sticks, and even paper houses, which are intrinsic practices for Taoists.
Although Taoist temples and shrines are abundant in Singapore, the official number of followers has dwindled drastically over the years from 22.4% to 8.5% between the years 1990 to 2000. This, however, may be accounted for by the unclear delineation between Taoism and Buddhism in popular perception. For example, the difference between the two religions can be negligible enough that when a Chinese says that they "offer incense sticks" it is usually assumed that they are Buddhist even though they may not actually be Buddhist. The 2010 and 2015 censuses have shown that Taoist identity has risen again to represent about 11% of Singapore's population.
The majority of Singapore's present Hindus are descendants of Indians who migrated soon after the founding of Singapore in 1819. The early temples are still the central points of rituals and festivals, which are held throughout the year.
There is also a sizeable population of 4,500 Zoroastrians living in Singapore. In 1985, non-Parsi members can join a community but have no voting rights. Unlike India and Iran, the Parsi community is growing faster due to the significant toleration of their religion as in India.
The first Jews to settle in Singapore came from India in 1819. As of 2008, there are about 1000 Jews in Singapore.[13] Their religious activities centre around two synagogues, the Maghain Aboth Synagogue and the Chesed-El Synagogue.
There were over 1,500 Jewish inhabitants in 1939. Many were interned by the Japanese during World War II, and a number subsequently emigrated to Australia, England, the United States, and Israel. As a result, the community numbered approximately 450 in 1968. In 2005, the number reached 300. Because of a large Ashkenazi immigration rate to Singapore in recent years, the population is now between 800 and 1000 and comprises mostly foreign Ashkenazi Jews.
The Jain community celebrated a presence of 100 years in Singapore marking the occasion by rededicating the "Stanak" and consecrating the idol of Mahavira. This brings together the two main sects of Jains - Svetambara and Digambara. The Singapore Jain Religious Society actively engages in keeping traditions and practices alive by transmitting Jain principles to the next generation. It also has a strong history of community involvement. The community has no temple, but the Singapore Jain Religious Society has a building at 18 Jalan Yasin.
As of 2006, there were 1,000 Jains in Singapore.[14]
As of 2015, 18.4% of Singaporeans had no religious affiliation. Non-religious Singaporeans are found in various ethnic groups and all walks of life in the diverse, multicultural city state. The Singapore non-religious community itself is very diverse, with many calling themselves atheists, agnostics, free thinkers, humanists, secularist, theists or sceptics. In addition, there some people who decline religious labels but still practice traditional rituals like ancestor worship. The number of non-religious people in Singapore has risen gradually over the decades. Census reports show that those who said they have no religion rose from 13.0% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2010. In recent years, social gatherings of non-religious people are getting popular in Singapore.[15] The Singapore Humanism Meetup is a major network of 400 over secular Humanists, freethinkers, atheists, and agnostics. In October 2010, the Humanist Society (Singapore) became the first humanist group to be gazetted as a society.[16]
The constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, other laws and policies restricted this right in some circumstances.[3] Publications and public discussions of religious issues are generally censored, along with negative or inflammatory portrayals of religion. The Government does not tolerate speech or actions that it deems could adversely affect racial or religious harmony.
In 1972 the Singapore government de-registered and banned the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Singapore on the grounds that its members refuse to perform military service (which is obligatory for all male citizens), salute the flag, or swear oaths of allegiance to the state.[17][18] Singapore has banned all written materials published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, both publishing arms of the Jehovah's Witnesses. A person who possesses a prohibited publication can be fined up to $1500 (Singapore Dollars $2,000) and jailed up to 12 months for a first conviction.[3]
Since 1982, the Unification Church has also been banned in Singapore, as they were deemed to be a potential cult and thus disruptive to public welfare.
In 2011, Wikileaks published diplomatic cables which attributed controversial comments regarding Islam to Lee Kuan Yew, the Minister Mentor of Singapore's government. Wikileaks quoted Lee as having described Islam as a "venomous religion". Lee later denied making the comments.[19]
The incident followed Lee's controversial book release Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going. In the book, Lee claimed that Singaporean Muslims faced difficulties in integrating because of their religion, and urged them to "be less strict on Islamic observances"[20] - an assertion that is seemingly contrary to statistics and studies on the levels of social acceptance, tolerance and interracial marriages practised by Singaporean Muslims.[21]
The speakers for broadcasting the Islamic call to prayer were turned inwards to broadcast towards the interior of the mosques as part of a noise abatement campaign in 1974.[22]


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IBFD Library and Information Centre
Holds the largest collection of international tax publications in the world, covering almost every country.Visit the portal
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On our portal you will find practical information and our Library Web Catalogue, which offers a search functionality that allows for easy browsing through a vast amount of cross-border tax information.
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IBFD's Library and Information Centre is widely regarded as the world's leading resource facility in the field of international and comparative taxation. Read all about our history and origins in our brochure.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Discus on Walter Edgar's Journal
LYRASIS recently announced a collaboration with the South Carolina State Library and Discus, South Carolina's Virtual Library, to provide a customized online collection of current resources for job seekers in the state.
On January 12th, the Discus (Digital Information for South Carolina Users) program migrated to the new PowerSearch interface for its Thomson Gale databases.
Many South Carolina State Library programs, resources, and services are supported in whole or in part by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Copyright © South Carolina State Library. All rights reserved.


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Exhibition organiser/event manager
The roles of exhibition organisers/event managers vary, but the work encompasses identifying potential business, researching, writing, planning and running all aspects of exhibitions on behalf of a client or own organisation. They work on public events, trade and industry exhibitions, product launches, company events and private events such as weddings. As well as planning an event/exhibition in advance, they will usually be present during the event to deal with any issues as they arise.
Work activities
- Planning exhibition hall layouts and activities programme such as workshops, seminars and demonstrations
- Researching suitable venues and ensuring all necessary equipment is available
- Selling stand/exhibition space to potential exhibitors
- Seeking and securing sponsorship
- Designing anything from online registration forms to floral arrangements
- Arranging insurance cover and ensuring legal, health and safety requirements are adhered to
- Coordinating caterers, stand designers and equipment hire
- Organising car parking facilities, security, first aid and catering
- Promoting the event and organising the production of tickets, posters, catalogues and sales brochures
- Supervising the dismantling and removal of stands.
Work conditions
Travel: during the working day and absence from home overnight is occasional.
Working hours: these are mainly Monday-to-Friday office hours, but additional unsocial hours can include evenings and weekends.
Location: opportunities exist mainly in towns or cities throughout the country.
Opportunities for self-employment: commonly possible as many work freelance.
Typical employers
Large companies; exhibition organisers; exhibition centres.
Career development
Entry to and progression within the business is competitive. Progression is usually by taking increased responsibility for events within the same organisation, or by moving to larger organisations.
Salaries will vary depending on the employer. In a sector essentially based on sales, bonuses are a large part of an event professional's salary.
Open to non graduates and graduates of all disciplines.
Other relevant degree subjects
Business-related studies
Public relations
Postgraduate study
While not a prerequisite for entry, graduates with the appropriate postgraduate qualifications are likely to compete favourably.
Training is usually on-the-job, but external courses are also available.
Tips for applications
Decide whether it is conferences or exhibitions in which your interest lies, as they are two totally different disciplines. Pre-entry experience is recommended. Many entrants have experience in sales, marketing, PR and advertising etc. Build up any experience which could develop and demonstrate the required skills, eg assisting at college open days and employment fairs.
Skills and qualities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills, organisational ability and time management
- Ability to multitask
- Attention to detail and ability to work effectively under pressure
- Customer focus is vital
- Negotiation skills
- Willingness to work unsociable hours
- Imagination and creativity
- Ability to cope with pressure and tight deadlines.


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Hiya darlings!!!
I cannot EVEN TELL YOU how excited I am to just SIT DOWN and blog!! I have had a VERY busy few days …. and if you follow my social media you will probably know why… but it is because…
I STARTED A YOUTUBE CHANNEL GUYS!!!! Oh my goodness… I cannot believe I have actually written that.. it was always one of my goals to set up my own channel.. and I finally DID IT!! Yay!! I am SO proud that I finally took the plunge.. and cannot wait to see how my channel progresses! I will still be blogging (of course!!)…. but I LOVE that I now have both a blog and a YouTube channel… I feel like you can just get to know someone on a much more personal level through videos!
SO….I would LOVE if you subscribe to my channel lovelies… the link is HERE … I would also love to know what you think.. and if you have ANY video requests.. make sure to let me know!
Everyone has been so supportive and it is times like this that I honestly love the blogging community so much… you all really are some of the sweetest, kindest, most supportive bunch of ANGELS ever! LOVE YOU ALL LOADS GUYS!!!
ANYWAY… lets get on with this post.. it has been on the cards for the LONGEST time.. so I am VERY excited to blog about it! It is a beauty one (YAY!).. well… specifically a make-up brand LOVE post!! And that brand is… Seventeen!!!
Now darlings… I was actually lucky enough to receive these items for reviewing purposes*.. HOWEVER.. I was the biggest fan of Seventeen products WAY before…I am talking an obsession with their blushes (I LOVE the shade First Flush.. oooh!) AND their Make Your Mark eyeliner! What I LOVE about Seventeen products is that they are SO affordable… yet the quality really is FAB! I think this is definitely my fave type of beauty find.. something that doesn't make your poor purse cry, and just DOES THE JOB exactly how you want it to!
So angels… you will actually see that I talk about two of the products in my latest video… so you KNOW how much I have been loving them guys!! Should we have a look at these babies in more detail?
OK… first things first… the PACKAGING. I LOVE how classic it is… black and white is my FAVE COMBO (as you already know, hehe)…. and it also feels VERY good quality too!
Long Lash Mascara* – £6.99♥
This mascara… oh my gosh guys.. it is a little angel. Now… on first opening it… I noticed the brush was quite small (oh dear)… so I was a little unsure of how well it would work. I have not had the best experience with little brushes guys (boo!). BUT, I was SO surprised by how well this mascara worked! It does such an amazing job at lengthening your lashes and also curling them! The only problem I have with it is sometimes I do get those black marks on my eyelids.. but this is fixed with a quick swipe of a q-tip! I am SO in love with how quickly it lengthens my lashes.. and also its staying power! I normally apply one coat, which is enough for me… but I do apply two if I want VERY DRAMATIC lashes… AND I have not had any problems with clumping!! YAY! It is SO easy to remove too… as we all know how some mascaras can be SO stubborn to take off (I DO NOT LIKE THIS AT ALL!). So basically lovelies.. if you want long lashes ALL DAY LONG… give this mascara a go!
Define and Conquer Contour Kit* – £5.99♥
Now… I am not the only one who has been VERY impressed with this contour kit.. SO many beauty bloggers have used AND loved this! I never used to contour before this.. so was SO excited to give this a go. It is a lovely, warm toned, matte shade… and is a fab product for newbie contour-ers (i.e. ME!). I definitely recommend if for those who are just getting into contouring.. it is affordable and is SO easy to use! Now… I was a little unsure of how to use the lighter shade… as it is described as a "highlighter"… however I found that it wasn't as shimmery as I wanted. HOWEVER… I watched Emma's video (LINK HERE) who used it as a setting powder for her under eye concealer… WHICH I CANNOT WAIT TO TRY YAY! I have also tried it as an all over setting powder and it works FAB for this!! This is a MUST for beauty lovers.. I LOVE that it comes with a MASSIVE mirror.. this instantly makes me love any product 100% more!
All Out Pout Lip Shades* – £7.99♥
I am absolutely IN LOVE with these lip palettes! Now.. I will be completely honest with you guys… I have never really been drawn to lip products in "palette" form… but I LOVE this Seventeen one. It gives you the chance to try SO many different lip colours… and I personally think it would be FAB to hold around in your makeup bag.. as it means you have 6 different colours to try on your lips… so they can be AMAZING for day-to-night makeup looks! I LOVE that they come with a little brush.. it makes application SO easy and quick! The only unfortunate thing is they are NOT as long lasting as my trusty matte lipsticks (which of course you can expect).. HOWEVER… I tried them over some lipsticks and they really add a lovely sheen and colour to them!! The pinks will DEFINITELY be perfect for Spring time!! Yay!
So lovelies.. they were my thoughts on some Seventeen products.. I would honestly recommend ALL of them to you.. especially the Contour Kit and Mascara. If you haven't already, make sure to check out Seventeen products (available in Boots!).. and do let me know if you try anything! ALSO… Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on at the moment on Seventeen.. so make sure to make the most of it (I know I WILL BE HEHE!).
OK LOVES.. guess what time it is? CATCH UPS.. woop!.. I hope you have your cuppa's ready!♥
As mentioned earlier.. I have started a YouTube channel..YAY!!! My plan at the moment is to upload a video once a week, and write up two blog posts a week, instead of three! I will see how this goes for me! ALSO.. do let me know if there are any video recommendations you have.. I would LOVE to know! Even though I have only uploaded one video.. I am already LOVING it so MUCH! In fact I spent a few hours on Bank Holiday Monday filming my next video (YAY!).. so make sure to subscribe so you catch it!
ALSO..It is back to work for me (boo!)… I had SUCH a well deserved week off… but it will be nice to have a routine back again (OK.. maybe I am just trying to ease the pain of going back to work ha!). BUT.. the clocks have gone forward so this means we have lighter evenings guys YES! ALSO… we have MORE bank holidays coming up in around 5 weeks! OH..AND I am on official holiday countdown too woop! Only 16 weeks to go (haha!).
I also cannot WAIT to purchase a few essential items for Spring time.. both beauty AND fashion! Any recommendations that you guys have.. I would LOVE to know! So.. this week will be a VERY busy one for me.. getting back into work mode, and then spending my evenings editing my video AND catching up on blogs! I am VERY excited though!!
So angels.. that is me done for this post… I have a fashion one for you next WOOP! I feel like it has been a while since my last fashion post! Have a FABULOUS WEEK lovelies.. and I will see you all in my next post!


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Inside Americas gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. Feb. 8, 2002John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport Newshttp://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htmVol. 41, No. 3 Page 8 Childcare Development Center cuts ribbon for new playground. Pages 3-6 40th anniversary of Americans in orbit. Page 2 Recognizing Our People honors employees.(See SYSTEM, Page 7)Page 7 New signs count down to ELV launches.(See SERVICE, Page 7) 40th Anniversary Americans in orbitNew planning, service center opensHaz Gas System set for STS-109 February 20, 1962, the first American in orbit got his start aboard a Mercury vehicle launched from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. John Glenn Jr. was tasked with the feat of being the first, and performed it admirably. Three other Mercury astronaut heros Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra Jr. and Gordon Cooper followed, pushing the orbital envelope with ever more daring missions. Spaceport News is spotlighting those astronauts and anniversary events with a special section, pages 3-6. Live coverage of a commemorative banquet Feb. 24 at KSC will be shown on NASA Select TV. Coverage is tentatively set to begin at 6:30 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Jan. 25 at the new Cape Canaveral Spaceport Planning and Customer Service Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The new center is a joint partnership between NASA, the Air Force and the State of Florida, and offers a complete one-stop shop for new launch and program customers needs. Customer Service was moved to the Cape because Spaceport managers needed to be where both the launches and customers are, said Rick Blucker, director of the office. The joint partnership helps streamline the process and reduceThis facility provides an excellent one-stop shop for customers. Bringing everything together under one roof is a concept that has proven to be very successful for our customers.ROY BRIDGES KENNEDY SPACE CENTER DIRECTORthe bureaucracy that prospective launch and program customers encounter. There is nothing like this facility in the country. It is unique in that no other state has this kind of a relationship in place, said Ed Gormel, executive director of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Management Office.NASA, USA, Dynacs team on safety upgrade The prime and back-up Hazardous Gas Detection Systems on the mobile launcher platforms (MLP) are being replaced with a more automated and reliable system for detecting dangerous hydrogen and oxygen leaks on and around the Space Shuttle. Because such leaks could contribute to a deadly fire or explosion on the pad, the system is considered a critical piece of ground support equipment. The new Hazardous Gas Detection System (HGDS) on MLP-2 has been certified and will go solo for the first time during the launch of STS-109, currently scheduled for Feb. 28. The new HGDS was successfully used in tandem with the heritage systems during four previous launches. This new system, which makes use of improved technologies and custom-written software, is expected to provide many benefits, including greatly reducing the chance of a false reading. Such a reading can lead to a costly launch scrub. A burp in the old systems pump caused a false reading and abort during the final seconds of the first launch attempt for STS-93, the Chandra X-ray T elescope mission, on July 20, 1999, said J. Edelmann, NASA project manager. The old system was a marvel for its time, but it was 20-something years old and prone to break down. It was difficult for the average user to operate and had to be frequently tuned, Edelmann said. The new system doesnt have those problems and uses a different kind of pump that doesnt occasionally produce false readings. The new system was built primarily with easilyA Dynacs team installs and tests the latest version of HGDS software on mobile launcher platform 3. From left are David Floyd, Tim Griffin and Charles Curley.
SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 8, 2002 Page 2 Catch an Environmentalist Awards Recognizing Our People Effective Program Implementation and Management Ruth Ann Strunk-SGS Irene LaTurno-SGS David Koval-SGS Doug Johnson-GHG Henry Healey-SGS Ray Coffman-USA Doug Thom-Boeing Kevin Riley-SGS Donna Rafferty-NASA Chris Iannello-NASA John Wortham-USA Environmental Initiative David Bethard-USA Loren Olson-USA Richard Rennie-HM2 Chuck Floyd-SGS Edward Coyle-CHS Energy Savings Perfomance Contracts Mark Monaghan-USA Tim Tychan-USA Mike Laub-USA Don Shrum-USA Dennis Amos-USA Bill Warren-USA Robert Mann-USA Thomas Cook-USA Lenny Corack-USA Scott DeWitt-USA Natural Resources/ Habitat Conservation Mario Mota-DYN Becky Smith-DYN Eric Stolen-DYN Doug Scheidt-DYN Russ Lowers-DYN Vickie Larson-DYN Melissa Hensley-DYN Hazardous Waste Catherine HouleEmployees of the Month Excellence in Technology Transfer AwardFEW offering scholarshipsThe Space Coast Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW) is awarding scholarships for high school and/or college students who are currently attending college or enrolling for Fall 2002. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered. Applications should be received by March 15. For additional information or an application, please contact Jane Eitel at (321) 867-8340; Christy Vanasse, (321) 867-4886; or Karin Biega, (321) 867-6382. FEW is sponsoring a one-time special scholarship for the 2002 National Training Program to be held at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando July 23 -26. The scholarship will consist of free hotel room for three nights and registration fees for the training program. The scholarship is open to all NASA and contractor personnel. Please contact Jane Eitel at (321) 867-8340.February Employees of the Month are (seated, from left) John Brand, ISS/Payloads Processing; Darcy Miller, Shuttle Processing; Julie Shally, Spaceport Engineering and Technology; (standing) Dennis Armstrong, External Relations and Business Development; William Haase, Spaceport Services; and Carol Davis, Chief Financial Office. Not shown are Greg Katnik, Shuttle Integration; and Julie Schneringer, ELV and Payload Carriers Programs. Kennedy Space Center team members attended the presentation of the South East Federal Laboratory Consortiums 2001 Excellence in Technology Transfer Award at the Sheraton World Resort in Orlando Jan. 15. The winning KSC invention was the Process and Equipment for Nitrogen Oxide Waste Conversion to Fertilizer. Pictured (from left) are Dr. David Bartine, chief technologist, NASA; Kenneth Payne, deputy director, Spaceport Engineering and Technology, NASA; William Larson, chief, Systems and Process Engineering Branch; NASA; Kelly McGuire, regional coordinator, Southeast Federal Laboratory Consortium; Melanie Chan, research and development liaison, NASA; Dr. Dale Lueck, senior chemist, NASA (inventor); Paul Gamble, project lead, Dynacs (inventor); Edward Linsenmeyer, Southeast Federal Laboratory Consortium. Not pictured: Dr. Clyde Parrish, senior chemist, NASA (inventor); and Andrew Kelly, systems engineer, NASA (inventor).
SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Feb. 8, 2002Spaceport NewsJohn F. Kennedy Space CenterVol. 41, No. 3 Feb. 8, 2002 40th AnniversaryAMERICANS IN ORBIT Remembering Our HeritageEvent set to honor space heros, teamworkMercury astronauts pushed the envelope, proved manned spaceflight possible(See GLENN, Page 4) First in orbitGlenn recalls Mercury, Shuttle missionsTake a journey through the beginning of the space program as Kennedy Space Center commemorates the 40th anniversary of Americans in orbital spaceflight on Feb. 24 at the KSC Visitor Complex. On Feb. 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft, John Glenn Jr. became the first American to orbit the Earth. The Mercury-Atlas 6 mission lasted nearly five hours. During the famous flight, Glenn not only paved the way for upcoming space pioneers, but also set the stage for his own future. While serving as a U.S. Senator for the state of Ohio (1974-1999), he returned to space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on Oct. 29, 1998. Shuttle Mission STS-95 launched 36 years after his first mission and marked 218 hours in space for Glenn. (See EVENT, Page 6) When John Glenn Jr. made his historic orbital flight around Earth aboard Friendship 7, Feb. 20, 1962, little did he know that 36 years later hed make his return to space aboard the Space Shuttle, at the age of 77. Glenns involvement in the U.S. space program began when he was selected as one of the seven Mercury astronauts in 1958. Looking back to that time, Glenn reflected, It was a team effort. We were a team of seven and were all working together on the beginnings of our space program. My experience as a Marine fighter pilot in W orld War II and the Korean War and a test pilot after that were factors that I believed helped in my selection, said Glenn. During this time the United States was in a cold war with the USSR, and Communist leader Nikita Kruschev was in power. The Russians had sent a surveillance satellite and a man to orbit theEarth and gloated over their achievements. The pressure was now on the United States to keep up and even By Linda Herridge By Jennifer WolfingerJohn Glenn aboard Friendship 7. Astronaut Walter Schirra Jr.s orbital mission aboard Sigma 7 launched Oct. 5, 1962. Astronaut Scott Carpenter is pictured at the Mercury Control Center at Cape Canaveral. He became the second man to orbit the Earth when his mission flew aboard Aurora 7 on May 24, 1962. Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper, surrounded by five technicians, is assisted into the Faith 7 capsule about two and a half hours before his launch May 15, 1963.Special section
Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 8, 2002 GLENN ...(Continued from Page 3)surpass these accomplishments. Thus was born the Space race. We were limited in what we could do in manned space flight at that time because of our technical achievements, as odd as that sounds, said Glenn. The Atlas rocket was very powerful but it could only launch 4,000 pounds. So we had to design a vehicle with that in mind. The seven Mercury astronauts had active roles in the development of the vehicle that carried them into sub-orbital and orbital flights. Glenns expertise in cockpit layout and control functioning helped in the design and system specifications of the nineby seven-foot capsule, Friendship 7. Following Alan Shepards and Gus Grissoms sub-orbital flights, the U.S. manned space program entered the next phase launching a man into orbit around the Earth. Glenns launch atop an Atlas rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 14 was heralded as a cornerstone on which other successful orbital space flights were based. It proved we could send a man into space and bring him back safely. After Glenns single Mercury flight, he continued to make public appearances for NASA, the Boy Scouts and other public service organizations. He served on the board of directors and was vice president for corporate development for Royal Crown Cola, the third leading cola maker at the time. His interests turned to public service and the political arena. Actually my interest in politics had always been there, Glenn commented. My high school civics teacher made it come alive for me. He decided to run for office and won the U.S. Senate race in his home state of Ohio in 1974. He was re-elected for three subsequent terms, retiring in 1998. During his tenure, Senator Glenn served on various committees, including the Special Committee on Aging, which ultimately led to his return to space. Glenn worked diligently in the Senate to push for NASAs scientific missions. This work led him to find research that showed the effects of aging on the elderly were similar to those of space flight on astronauts. Glenn proposed a scientific mission dedicated to the study of the effects of space flight on the elderly to NASA and in 1998 he was assigned to Mission STS-95. When asked recently about the differences in the Mission STS-95 flight aboard Discovery as compared to his Friendship 7 flight, Glenn said, It was different in many ways from my first flight. I was one of seven astronauts aboard and I was able to leave my seat and participate in the experiments and mission objectives. My first flight was purely to see if we could do it send a man into orbit and bring him back safely. Continuing his interest in space exploration, the former astronaut will serve as co-chair of this years international Space Day, May 2. Whatever the future holds in store for Senator Glenn, history still records that he was the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth, the first to eat food in space, and, for the time, the oldest astronaut ever to fly in space. As a U.S. Senator, John Glenn worked diligently to push for NASAs scientific missions.STS-95 Payload Specialist John Glenn gestures during a media briefing at the Kennedy Space Center Press Site Auditorium. Glenn and the other STS-95 crew members held the briefing after the completion of their mission.
Page 5 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 8, 2002 Senior astronaut proved himself adaptableScience experiments showed Glenn still had the right stuffJohn Glenns successful return to space during STS-95 when he was 77 years old after having first orbited the Earth when he was 40 was a confidence builder for our nations aging population. It also produced scientific evidence that the healthy senior citizen responded similarly to a short-duration spaceflight as astronauts half his age. Because Glenn is the only astronaut of such advanced age to have flown in space, researchers say his experience has opened the door to further questions about aging and the effects of spaceflight. Some researchers thought Glenn might be less adaptive to the stresses of spaceflight because of his age, but he responded in very much the same way as his younger crewmates, said Dr. John Charles of Johnson Space Flight Center. Dr. Charles helped to organize the biomedical experiments on STS-95. Ten of those biomedical experiments were performed using Glenn as a subject before, during and after his flight. Data was also collected from some of his crewmates. The experiments were designed to study how spaceflight affected Glenns balance, body temperature, heart rate, muscle strength, mental awareness and immune response as compared to the younger astronauts. Glenns results paralleled his crewmates, except for his immune response. Glenn experienced a slightly greater suppression of his immune system. As people age, even if they are healthy and active, their immune system tends to become somewhat more vulnerable, so his response to the stress of spaceflight makes sense, Dr. Charles said. All astronauts see some immune system suppression. His was just a bit more, meaning that he was a bit more vulnerable to infection and other illnesses for a few days after he returned. Dr. Charles cautions that Glenns experience isnt scientific proof of how the average senior would respond to spaceflight. Glenn was only a sample of one, and he is much more active and healthy than many people. Glenn very much agrees that other seniors should travel to space. Since I am the first to do this, we need to send others to increase the database of information. We should send men and women, Glenn said. The biomedical tests for STS-95 Glenn volunteered for were much more complicated than those he participated in during his first spaceflight aboard Friendship 7,Since I am the first to do this (flying in space at an advanced age), we need to send others to increase the database of information. We should send men and women.JOHN GLENN ASTRONAUTMission Specialist Scott Parazynski prepares to withdraw a blood sample from the arm of John Glenn during Mission STS-95. John Glenn pictured in his official Shuttle astronaut portrait for STS-95.By Kathy Hagood Glenn said. For that flight, Glenn was tested to see whether his vision and balance would be affected, which they werent. Doctors wondered if it would be possible to eat in space. Glenn ate applesauce from a squeeze tube with no problem. During the Mercury program we were doing certain things just to see if we could go into space. Now the focus is very different, Glenn said. Its very much researchbased, and Im happy to have been part of it.
Feb. 8, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 6Although Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth, everyone involved with the Mercury flights contributed to the space program we know today. Alan Shepard Jr., the first man in space, and Gus Grissom made suborbital flights in 1961. After Glenn flew, Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra Jr. and Gordon Cooper followed. I think we should look at the event not just as a celebration ofEVENT ...(Continued from Page 3)my Mercury flight but as a celebration of the entire Mercury team, Glenn said. W e all worked together, we were a team. Each flight built on the previous one. Honoring all those that made the historic flights possible is the focus of the occasion. Glenn, Carpenter, Schirra and Cooper, along with others that contributed to the program, will take part in the various events. Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell will host the grand opening of the new Rocket Garden. The Mercury astronauts will also participate. This event, included as part of regular V isitor Complex admission, will feature the Mercury-Atlas, the rocket that Glenn, Carpenter, Schirra and Cooper rode into space. Also as part of regular admission Gordon Cooper, Guenter W endt and Bill Dana will make appearances at the Astronaut Encounter Stage. Cooper and famed pad leader Wendt will sign their newly published books. Dana will sign copies of his CD. Dana is famous for his character Jos Jimnez and became known as the eighth Mercury astronaut. Visit www.KennedySpaceCenter. com or call (321) 449-4400, for transportation information and to purchase tickets ($75) for An Evening with the Mercury Astronauts hosted by Lovell. During the event, Glenn, Carpenter, Schirra and Cooper will share their memories about their flights. TV journalist W alter Cronkite and Dana will also make appearances. Corporate tables of ten are available through the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Call Linn Burnaw at (321) 269-6100, ext. 6176.Glenns Mercury, Shuttle missions compared Friendship 7 vs. DiscoveryBy Anita Barrett Most voyagers and pioneers of the first millennium were able to repeat their adventures. Think of Christopher Columbus, Fernando Magellan and Henry Hudson. After John Glenn Jr.s first flight into space Feb. 20, 1962, this pioneer did not get his chance to return to space until 36 years after his maiden trip. And what a difference. The second time found Glenn not as solo commander but as a payload specialist, one of seven in the crew. The vehicle he traveled in was 20 times as big, went one and a half times higher, and landed on terra firma rather than the ocean. The trip also lasted about 50 times longer. And instead of the voyage being the experiment, Glenn helped conduct experiments on aging during the trip. The MA6 mission, Friendship 7, was a milestone in the early steps of the space program. The mission objectives were to place a man into Earth orbit, observe his reactions to the space environment and safely return him to earth to a point where he could be readily found. The flight plan during the first orbit was to maintain optimum spacecraft attitude for radar tracking and communication checks. The mission included a number of firsts. It was the first American-manned orbital space flight, and the first time frogmen were dropped into water during recovery to attach flotation devices and assist in recovery. Glenns second space voyage, STS-95, also had a number of firsts, even as the 92nd Shuttle mission. John Glenn was the first Mercury astronaut to fly in a Shuttle; it was the first flight for the Space Shuttle Main Engine-Block II, an improved version of earlier engines; and it was the first Shuttle launch which a U.S. President attended. The primary objectives of the STS-95 mission included a variety of science and medical experiments in the pressurized SPACEHAB module. Biomedical research involved tests on Payload Specialist John Glenn and several other members of the crew.Discovery Friendship 7Type of vehicle: Mercury capsule/Atlas 6 rocket Size: 9by 7-foot capsule Height of orbit: 162 statute miles No. of orbits: 3 Miles traveled: 75,679 Time in space: 4 hours, 55 minutes Launch site: Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral Landing site: Atlantic Ocean, 800 miles SE of Bermuda Type of vehicle: Space Shuttle Size: 184-foot long orbiter Height of orbit: 340-349 statute miles No. of orbits: 135 Miles traveled: 3.6 million Time in space: 8 days, 212 hours, 44 minutes Launch site: Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center Landing site: Shuttle Landing Facility, KSC
SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 8, 2002SERVICE ...(Continued from Page 1)Page 7SYSTEM ...(Continued from Page 1)Each customer is assigned a Spaceport manager to offer guidance through requirements and associated agencies, public safety issues, real estate agreements and environmental concerns. The manager supports the customer from the start of the launch or program to the finish, eliminating the need to deal with multiple government offices. Roy Bridges, Kennedy Space Center director; Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit, 45th Space Wing Commander; and Gormel were present for the ribbon cutting. During the ceremony, Bridges described the new center: This facility provides an excellent one-stop shop for customers. Bringing everything together under one roof is a concept that has proven to be very successful for our customers. He added, Its important for our national security and our national economy. General Pettit voiced his support: This is a time of great satisfaction to watch this grow from a concept to a smooth-running facility for any customer interested in operating, launching, or submitting a proposal at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. replaced off-the-shelf parts, which will reduce maintenance costs. The new HGDS was designed and certified by a joint team of NASA, United Space Alliance, and Dynacs Inc. personnel. Dynacs is Kennedy Space Centers Engineering and Development contractor. The Dynacs team fabricated, assembled and tested the new systems, which were then integrated into Shuttle Processing by the USA team members. The USA and NASA integrated data systems team integrated the new system and its sophisticated data stream into the Launch Processing System (LPS). The LPS provides data to the entire launch team and personnel at other NASA centers who also use the data. NASA and USAs Hazardous Gas engineering group worked with Dynacs to help create a system that best met the Shuttle Programs requirements. We are pleased with the systems performance and have high confidence in the new systems, said Ken Kroll, USA lead for the project. These systems will be easier to maintain, validate and operate. Of course there will be a new learning curve associated with new hardware. Teamwork was crucial to the success of the project, said Dr. Tim Griffin, Dynacs project lead. Its difficult, if not impossible to design a good system without working directly with the users and getting their input, Dr. Griffin said. We were able to work as a team to create an efficient, economical system. The HGDS, able to detect a variety of gases, is also used to detect leaks during prelaunch tests using helium to identify hydrogen and oxygen leaks in the main propulsion systems. Several hours before launch, cryogenic fuel (liquid hydrogen) and oxidizer (liquid oxygen) are loaded in the External Tank (ET) to be used by the Shuttle main engines during launch. The HGDS is used throughout the countdown, but its mainly used during and after ET cryo-loading to identify and quantify leaks. The old system operated with a separate backup system, but the new system is designed with redundant components, consolidating the equipment space required from five electronic racks to three. Both systems use a mass spectrometer to identify and quantify leaks, but the new system has a 50 percent faster update rate for gas concentration readings. The speed will facilitate the launch teams ability to analyze leaks in the dynamic environment of launch operations, Edelmann said. Two other new HGDSs for the other MLPs are in various stages of installation and verification. The entire team worked very hard on this project, and to get this system ready to support the launch of STS-109, Edelmann said. I couldnt be more proud of their tremendous efforts.ELV CountdownBill Haskell, Dynacs lead electrical technician, terminates wires in the Hazardous Gas Detection System in preparation for delivery to USA. Kennedy Space Center employees and other passersby driving on Center on State Road 3 and the NASA Causeway now will be able to learn how many days left until the next Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) launch. A NASA, Boeing and SGS team worked to develop and install the signs to increase interest in and awareness of ELV launches. The signs are available for multiple use by NASA, commercial, and Air Force missions. HESSI is the first mission to use the sign.
Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 8, 2002 John F. Kennedy Space Center Managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce Buckingham Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Hagood Editorial support provided by InDyne Inc. Writers Group. NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov USGPO: 733-133/60001Spaceport News Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations and Business Development in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before publication to the Media Services Branch, XAE-1. E-mail submissions can be sent to email@example.com training seminar setChildcare center playground dedicatedThe Space Coast Chapter of Federally Employed Women Inc. (FEW) will present their 23rd annual one-day training seminar, at 9 a.m., March 6 and March 7. The seminar is titled Prelude to 2002 Magic and Space Dreams in Progress and will be held at the Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach. Nancy Lewis, the keynote speaker, is a leading motivational/ inspirational speaker, trainer, and consultant. Registration and a continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. and workshops begin at 10:15 a.m. Continental breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of the seminar, which is $70. Registration must be completed by Feb. 27. For further information, contact Becky Fasulo. Call (321) 8674436, fax 867-8599, e-mail Rebecca email@example.com, Noelle Bee, administrator of the Child Development Center, cuts the ribbon for the centers upgraded playground while (from left) Maria Wilson, NASA Exchange operations manager; Connie Phillips, infant lead; and Krista Shaffer, Exchange facilities manager, look on. The children are Joey DeLaPascua (left) and Jacob Ream. In the photograph at left, Christopher Harter (left) and Morgan Carter play on the new equipment.The Child Development Centers (CDC) newly renovated playground at Kennedy Space Center was officially open with a ribbon cutting Jan. 18. The KSC-CDC Parents Getting Involved group coordinated a number of activities for the celebration, including ponies, a magic show, and special treats for the children. This just shows that through teamwork and dedication much can be accomplished, said Maria Wilson, NASA Exchange operations manager. We are proud to be a part of this team and look forward to many future successes. The NASA Exchange Council sponsors the CDC. The center was established in 1990 and taken over by the Exchange Council in 1996. The center serves children ages six weeks through five years of age, providing educational activities that actively engage children in the learning process. The new playground was planned to facilitate the childrens education, said Noelle Bee, CDC administrator. It is broken up into three components that correspond with the ages of the children who use the equipment. The playground includes infant, toddler and preschool play areas. The new playground is a prime example of the developmentally appropriate activities provided for the children, Bee said. In addition to the new equipment, the Exchange added one hundred square feet of grass area that will serve as picnic space, creative expression areas and enough room for a game of good old fashioned kick ball. The equipment will help the childrens lar ge muscles develop and encourages socialization among children and teachers, Bee said. At the same time, the surfacing helps alleviate serious injuries by providing cushion. Continuing improvements at the center are made possible by support from the parents of the children at the center, the teachers, NASA Exchange employees and the NASA Exchange Council. These enthusiastic individuals create the warm and loving environment that helps mold the leaders of tomorrow, Wilson said. These things are evident in the aesthetic look of the center, the work of the children displayed throughout the building and the many upgrades the teachers make on a daily basis. The Child Development Center serves children ages six weeks through five years of age, providing educational activities that actively engage children in the learning process.


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Haute holiday decor anyone? With the changing of the seasons we look for the colors of fall and spring to spruce up or update our wardrobe and interiors, so too are the changing fashions that will adorn homes this holiday season. Whether your trimming the tree, considering the layout of a holiday dinner table, or pinning garland to the mantel or stairwell consider using some of the tips from the pros to freshen up your seasons scheme.
So what are the trends for the 2011 holiday season? Think nature, plaids, and metallics. According to the website The Trend Curve,the international authority on color and design trends in home furnishings, "Taupe, Pewter metallic and Gray, accented with Beige and Black" is the color palette to pull inspiration from this season.
The Trend Curve also specified incorporating decorations that had an "… urban sensibility [and ] ongoing deer motifs and a dramatic increase in plaids." Several sites I visited discussed using the Victorian traditions of stringing popcorn and adding dried fruit to wreaths, garlands and trees.
People magazine's holiday 2011 issue was chocked full of festive decor concepts. Bronson van Wyck, a New York based environmental and event production designer, demonstrated how to execute a table setting using a plaid table runner, whitedishes, antler accents, and birch candles. Van Wyck advised to keep a neutral palette on the table to showcase the food.
Yifat Oren illustrated this in the issue using snake skin trays, glass bottles silver accents mixed with white and metallic linens and for that natural element a wooden cutting board. HGTV's Sabrina Soto says mercury glass ornaments are huge this year creating sparkle when lights shine in their metallic surface. For you DIYers consider giving old ornaments new life by spray painting your baubles, wreaths, and candle sticks.
To break it down:
Tree/ Wreaths and Garlands – Look for bird, deer or other animal ornaments and silver and gold hued trimmings. Also string popcorn and dried fruit to bring nature in.
Centerpieces– Instead of floral arrangements place deer, snowmen or natural candles.


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some shocking Obamacares facts.
1. There will be non-profit insurers offering health care plans in the exchanges on top of traditional private insurers (regulated STRONGLY by the health care law). The public option never really disappeared. It was just replaced with non-profit language that will turn into non-profit options just as strong as the proposed public option. Besides, many states are integrating public options into their exchanges.
2. Medicaid will be significantly expanded to 15 million poor uninsured americans in 2014. People in deep poverty will have significantly better lives. Everyone at less than 133% of the poverty level will be covered under medicaid. Native Americans will be insured for the first time in their lives and will enjoy modernized health care. The Indian Health Care Act is reauthorized and strengthened by this medicaid expansion.
3. Medicare's trust fund will be extended 12 years. Seniors have free preventive care and check ups. Lots of money have been saved through waste trimming and fraud recollecting.
4. Small business tax credits will have their amounts magnified for small businesses in 2014. When juxtaposed with the strongly regulated exchanges, coverage will be very affordable for small businesses.
5. For everyone up to 400% of the poverty level (millions and millions of americans are under this category), huge tax credits will be available to help them afford coverage. Those who already have insurance qualify too, not just the uninsured. This is a HUGE middle class tax cut. Financial situations will improve drastically for Americans because of the fact that kathleen sebelius has been issuing robust regulations on insurance companies such as a robust 80-85% medical loss ratio.
http://www.dailykos.com/… (explains the huge tax credits)
6. Preventive care will be free in all insurance plans eventually as all plans lose their grandfathered status.
7. Single Payer is coming to America because of obamacare. Kathleen sebelius gave a huge grant to Vermont to build single payer in the state. The vermont delegation was so happy. Vermont is using the affordable care act money to build single payer. No affordable care act, no single payer for vermont and for the country.
8. Community Health centers will be invested on and will significantly impact health care for the better.
9. The rich people start paying their fair share as promised by Obama in 2013. Payroll taxes on people earning incomes of 250,000 dollars go up. It was a key element in the payment mechanism of the bill. The Bush tax cuts for the rich will expire at the end of this year too. 🙂


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Majnu Movie ReviewOct 12, 2016 08:06 AM
After the cute love entertainer 'Uyyala Jampala',director Virinchi Varma has taken a break and prepared the story of 'Majnu'. Starring Nani in the lead, the film introduces cuties Anu Emmanuel and Priya Shri as the female leads. This movie, produced by Gemini Kiran, has hit the theaters today (23rd September). Read on to find out how the film is.
After breaking up with Kiran (Anu Emmanuel), a dejected Aditya (Nani) moves to Hyderabad. He falls in love with Suma (Priya) and when she asks about his girlfriends, Aditya tells his love story with Kiran and how a misunderstanding lead to breakup. But little does he know that Suma and Kiran are relatives and what happens when he comes to know about it wil be interesting. The film has interesting moments and watch the film to know whom Aditya wins finally.
Needless to say, Nani's performance is superb. He is brilliant in comedy and sentiment as well. Anu Emmanuel makes a good debut with this movie and this big eyed beauty is a treat to watch in some scenes. Priya Shri also does a fine job. Vennela Kishore's comedy is very good.
Technical aspects
Gopi Sunder's music and background score are good. Gnanasekhar's cinematography is brilliant and the visuals are very good. The screenplay is entertaining, though the story is not fresh. Dialogues are good.
Plus Points
Nani and Anu Emmanuel
Vennela Kishore's comedy
Minus Points
Routine Story
'Majnu' is a triangular love story with good entertainment. Nani's performance is excellent in this movie and Anu Emmanuel is also good. Vennela Kishore's comedy is hilarious and in tandem with Nani, he tickles the audiences' funny bone. Director Virinchi Varma has taken a routine story, but the entertainment and beautiful moments here and there makes the film a fun ride.
Majnu is a decent rom com. Watch it.
Telugureporter.com Rating 3.25/5


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Drexel's Dragon
Well, here it is, the critter keeping several people up for a few nights this week:
This is a fossil crocodile Thoracosaurus neocesariensis . I helped Ken Lacovara and Jason Poole his team of preparators from the prep lab- the one I used to work at at The Academy Of Natural Sciences- set up the display this week. All this week. You can read all about the thing by clicking on the 'Drexel Dragon' title above.
Here is Dr. Ken at the press release. If you watched the news tonight or tuned into KYW in Philly you heard about our "croco-stimpy".
I printed the signs and backdrops- something that resulted in a freak-out on my end. I had to be talked down late Tuesday night though, when it looked like I was losing the Sherry vs technology battle. It came out OK I think. Wednesday I helped set up the display, and while we where up late, it was fun hanging out with Ken, Jason and Ken's students.
Anyway, if your here to read about knitting I've only knitted like 4 rows this week. Oh well, it's all for science!


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Manager, Business II
: Coca-Cola
: March 30, 2017
Reference ID
: 00067546
Job ID:
As a key member of the management team, the Manager must ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures while using analytical skills to be a resource to the Distribution Center Management Team and Area Sales Functional Teams. The Business Manager will provide administrative, financial support services and analysis for the operational and sales teams. They will also ensure accurate and timely internal administration and adherence to proper accounting and reporting procedures. This position supports facilities with volume between 6-15 million cases and/or manages 2-3 facilities - Management Role Responsibilities: Supervise administrative staff for the Distribution Center - Internal Control Responsibilities: Monitor the internal control environment compliance, identify gaps to Functional management teams and MU Finance Manager, and assist in remediation - Administrative Responsibilities: includes payroll, new hire paperwork, cell phone administration and coordinate all general administrative activities for PSS and Sales teams - Financial Responsibilities: Responsible for monitoring and collaborating with management in the analysis of monthly financial reports. Monitor and control operating expenses with potential savings opportunities. Assist in Accounts Receivable efforts including Sales Center Charge Backs, AR write offs, NSF Checks and support the mail check process for customer refunds; Monitor Presettlement and Cashiering activities to ensure timeliness and accuracy, Process A/P invoices in company preferred method. Assist in annual operating budget for the Distribution center and sales.
EDUCATION Required - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent business experience Preferred - Bachelor's Degree EXPERIENCE Required - Five plus years office experience with similar responsibilities - Finance or management background - Proficient PC skills - Skilled in Microsoft Office Preferred - Proven people leadership skills Coca-Cola Refreshments is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
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text: So, I noticed the other night that my Nexus One had the same connectors as one of my older phones... The MicroUSB connector... Now, coming from the G1 and MyTouch, I have a TON of things that connect to the MiniUSB, so am disappointed that they will no longer work for my Nexus One. THEN! I remembered I had an old Motorola Windows Mobile Q9h a while back and still had a couple USB Cables and Car Charger. Well, after some looking around, USB chargers and cables are pretty standard. It didn't seem that either Motorola or HTC changed anything with the MicroUSB so I decided to give it a shot... USB cable from my Motorola works great! Charges and also lets me transfer data. The car adapter works as well. No issues at all. So, if you have some old stuff lying around, might save you a few bucks to make sure it fits and works.


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Podnapisi :: Danny the Dog (Unleashed)
DOWNLOAD Podnapisi za film Danny the Dog (Unleashed) v jeziku angleščina. Datoteka velikosti 23.592 bitov v zip obliki.
Jezik: Angleščina
Št. downloadov: 1
Objavil: faca5
Datum: 26.06.2008
Predpogled podnapisov
Danny the Dog.cd1.txt
{4027}{4057}Atta boy!
{4114}{4185}Borrow money from me,|you're expected to pay it back.
{4191}{4231}You pay it back, the collar stays on.
{4235}{4280}You don't pay it back,|the collar comes off.
{4286}{4319}It's a simple set of rules.
{4340}{4464}Give us your arm! Hold still! Shut up!
{4555}{4633}Behave! It's nice! We'll be back.|Come on, Danny boy.
{4750}{4788}I had a dream last night.
{4794}{4865}I was sitting under those umbrellas...
{4870}{4910}...that they make out of palm leaves,|you know?
{4916}{5013}And these beautiful|golden skinned girls dressed in...
{5019}{5144}...just, like, little grass skirts,|the skin that they was born in.
{5156}{5216}And they came over,|one after the other...
{5257}{5320}...and they brought me|a drink in a coconut.
{5325}{5416}And as they served me the drink,|they brushed their tits across my face.
{5420}{5443}Cor, bloody hell...
{5448}{5511}Hey, boss, I think|Georgie's getting a chubby.
Danny the Dog.cd2.txt
{16}{90}...and well, that's what families do.
{113}{152}They stick together.
{157}{197}Or at least this one does.
{241}{315}So what do you say?
{586}{729}2, 3, 4, 5... This is your pay.
{777}{849}Fifty-fifty. Partners. You and me.
{938}{973}What do I do with it?
{1004}{1045}Anything you want.
{1560}{1599}Fuck's sake, man!
{1688}{1759}Alright, Danny, look at you!|You look great, man!
{1763}{1852}Look at... You smell divine, pal, I tell ya!
{1855}{1887}I don't know what you're wearing.
{1902}{1949}Well, fancy bumping into you, eh.
{1955}{2008}Boss sends me out.|Get some mangos and papayas...
{2013}{2177}...and look what I find instead.|A lemon. Whoa, whoa, whoa!
{2182}{2266}Your uncle Bart has been|sick with worry, mate.
{2271}{2334}Yeah! His little pet all lost in the world.
{2338}{2379}It's all he keeps|on talking about, honestly.
{2383}{2416}"Where's my Little Danny?"
{2419}{2439}He's dead.
{2451}{2482}Who told you that?|I saw.
Sorodni podnapisi
|Št. downloadov
|Datum ▼
|Danny the Dog (2004)
|Danny The Dog (2005)


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Director/Writer: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, Harry Dean Stanton, Olga Kurylenko, Linda Bright Clay
Plot: Martin (Farrell) is an alcoholic screenwriter whose latest idea for film called "Seven Psychopaths" is lacking inspiration. His friend Billy (Rockwell) tries to lend a hand but instead gets him involved in a kidnapping, murder and the company of psychopaths. Suddenly Marty's story starts gaining some frighteningly real inspiration...
Martin McDonagh's knack for dialogue has served him well with retaining an audience. It is clear that since In Bruges, he has become a man people desperately want to work with. Cut to Seven Psychopaths four years after In Bruges and that notion has been substantiated with an all-star cast including Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell and Colin Farrell. Along with a spectacular cast, McDonagh has moved over to the seemingly glamorous turf of Hollywood, California. His success is well-earned and with his second directorial feature McDonagh looks to become the new celebrated screenwriter.
Brimming with ideas, Seven Psychopaths is not your average popcorn movie. Instead, McDonagh crafts a wildly irreverent black-comedy that proves to be a successful pastiche of the Coen brothers, Quentin Tarantino and Charlie Kaufman's style. There is originality within his script and whilst some may find his muses scattered knowingly throughout the film, McDonagh highlights his own uniqueness. Inane chit-chat of a Seinfeldian sort is nothing new but the brazen way in which McDonagh uses it is. For instance, Rockwell's Billy constantly speaks of trivial and clandestine affairs as if secrecy is a fabled idea – regularly mentioning his illegal activity or maniacal alter-ego as if no one would worry. The same strange openness is also reflect in the criminal activity with characters sporting guns in public or discussing murders with total disregard for discretion.
In Bruges handled refinement in the same way, by throwing it out the window. It makes the films wildly fun and memorable. We are privy to an alternate way of life where people say and do what they feel. The most appealing characters are the ones who flaunt their frankness (such as Rockwell, who outshines everybody in this film) and the opposing conventional ones (like Farrell) who are of less interest. McDonagh tries not to sour the film with too much normality, even though it understandably needs to stay grounded from time to time, and gladly adds a torrent of violence and chaos to keep the momentum running.
The narrative is relatively linear but interruptions in the story are superfluous at points. The presentation of the seven psychopaths is not always etched into the story neatly, leading to moments of messy punctuation. This issue is partly a result of the self-reflexive arc that some may find too smart for its own good. McDonagh wryly makes you aware of the issues in the screenplay but this can be a dangerous artistic move. Trying to laugh off the inconsistencies does not negate them completely. Nevertheless, it is a film attempting to bring some ingenuity to the art form and that should be embraced.
Watching Seven Psychopaths is a hugely fun experience that boasts hilarious set-pieces and dialogue, along with an astounding ensemble of actors giving it their all to a project that is clearly exciting and entertaining them as much as it is the audience. McDonagh packs the film full of energy and moments of uproarious comedy, giving you incentive to watch it again and again. Problems do occur in the film such as ideas that may have looked good on the page but barely work in practice, and an ironic tone that sometimes appears aloof. Despite this though, McDonagh's remarkable drive to pull it off makes it a greatly commendable and magnetic film.
By Piers McCarthy. Also posted on LiveForFilms


text: Matthew Boote December 12, 2013 USIP's Science, Technology & Peacebuilding Roundup Matthew Boote December 12, 2013 Center of Innovation: Science, Technology and Peacebuilding Weekly News Roundup, December 5 - 11, 2013 Table of Contents APA Supports N-Energy Use for Peaceful Purposes (The Nation, 12/11/13)Nobel Peace Winner Urges Holdouts to Join Chemical Weapons Pact (Bloomberg, 12/10/13)Phone Apps Help Government, Others Counter Violence Against Women (NextGov, 12/10/13)China Hackers 'Target EU Foreign Ministries' (BBC, 12/10/13)"Take Back the Tech" Campaign: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (Global Voices, 12/7/13)Iran Presses Ahead With Uranium Enrichment Technology (Reuters, 12/7/13)Why Should a Girl in Nigeria Learn to Code? (Huffington Post, 12/6/13)As Engineers, We Must Consider the Ethical Implications of Our Work (Guardian, 12/5/13)The UN launches its Own Spy Drone Program (Wired, 12/5/13)**Click here to subscribe to USIP's Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding News Roundup, which includes a special section on Internet and social media.** APA Supports N-Energy Use for Peaceful PurposesAt its closing day, Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) in its Sixth Plenary Conference on Tuesday affirmed the inalienable right of every country to acquire, develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards. "We affirm the inalienable right of every country to acquire, develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards, including access to civil nuclear technology without discrimination," says the Islamabad Declaration issued at the end of the APA Conference.See the full article (The Nation, Imran Mukhtar, 12/11/13)[Return to top] Nobel Peace Winner Urges Holdouts to Join Chemical Weapons PactThe head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons demanded that the six nations, including Israel, that have yet to adopt the convention banning the use of the arms to join without delay or conditions. "There has long been no reasonable defense for not doing so -– all the more now in the wake of the robust international reaction to recent use of chemical weapons," Ahmet Uzumcu, OPCW director general, said today in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in Oslo. "It's my fervent hope that this award will spur on efforts to make the Chemical Weapons Convention a truly universal norm."See the full article (Bloomberg, Mikael Holter, 12/10/13)Click to read "Syria Gamers at USIP Jockey for 'Best Possible Peace'" an Olive Branch Post.[Return to top] Phone Apps Help Government, Others Counter Violence Against WomenSmart and mobile phones have helped authorities solve crimes from beatings that occurred during the London riots to the Boston Marathon bombing. A panel of experts gathered on Monday said the devices can also help reduce and combat rapes and other gender-based violence. Smartphone apps and text messaging services proliferated in India following a sharp rise in reported gang rapes, including the brutal 2012 rape and murder of a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi, according to panelists at the Wilson Center event on gender-based violence and innovative technologies.See the full article (NextGov, Joseph Marks, 12/10/13)[Return to top] China Hackers 'Target EU Foreign Ministries'Chinese hackers spied on the computers of five European foreign ministries over the summer, according to research from US security company FireEye. The hackers sent emails with malware-ridden attachments purporting to detail a possible US intervention in Syria. The company has not revealed which ministries were targeted but said the malware samples were meant for individuals involved in the G20 talks.See the full article (BBC, Jake Wakefield, 12/10/13)[Return to top] "Take Back the Tech" Campaign: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender ViolenceFrom 25th November to 10th December, 2013, the group "Take Back the Tech" invites you to the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women campaign, and to take action each of those days in order to end gender violence. "Take Back the Tech" was created in 2006 as a part of the women's rights program Association for Progressive Communications or (APC), a group of women from different parts of the world who "advocate for online collaboration in order to achieve social change and empower women through the use of information and communication technologies."See the full article (Global Voices, 12/7/13)[Return to top] Iran Presses Ahead With Uranium Enrichment TechnologyIran is moving ahead with testing more efficient uranium enrichment technology, a spokesman for its atomic energy agency said on Saturday, in news that may concern world powers who last month agreed a deal to curb Tehran's atomic activities. Although the development does not appear to contravene the interim agreement struck between world powers and Iran last month, it may concern the West nonetheless, as the material can also provide the fissile core of a nuclear bomb if enriched to a high degree.See the full article (Reuters, 12/7/13)[Return to top] Why Should a Girl in Nigeria Learn to Code?Teenage girls are some of the most active users of mobile phones. But they don't see themselves as inventors of technology. Technovation Challenge is the largest global technology entrepreneurship program for girls. Participants work with professional mentors to research, design, build, and launch mobile apps that solve real problems in their communities over the course of 3 months. Technovation was created to inspire girls be the next generation of innovators and problem solvers using technology. Over the past four years Technovation has introduced 1,374 girls worldwide to programming and entrepreneurship.See the full article (Huffington Post, Tara Chkloviski, 12/6/13)Click to read "Mandela's Legacy: Timing, Spoilers, and Responsibility for Peace" an Olive Branch Post by Princeton N. Lyman.[Return to top] As Engineers, We Must Consider the Ethical Implications of Our WorkTechnology as a means of social progress is arguably the common good that engineers pursue. We are focused on the technical and managerial sides of technology – how to design algorithms; how to build machines – but not so much on the context of its deployment or its unintended consequences. We are not very interested in the politics and social dynamics. Engineers who see themselves as builders of the shelter and infrastructure for human needs also use their expertise in order to destroy and kill more efficiently.See the full article (Guardian, Abbas El-Zein, 12/5/13)[Return to top] The UN Launches its Own Spy Drone ProgramThe United Nations has turned to spy drones for the first time in its history in an effort to increase pressure in militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking both a major technological advancement in the organisation's peacekeeping arsenal as well as a shift in how it views the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.The first two drones were launched on Tuesday from the eastern city of Goma and officials expect another drone to be deployed by the end of the month with more to be delivered in the spring.See the full article (Wired, Allen McDuffee, 12/5/13)[Return to top] Click here to subscribe to USIP's Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding News Roundup, which includes a special section on Internet and social media. 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Fri 28 Aug 2015
Share your resources
Posted by PJ under indians, quote of the day, sharing, the planet, the world
No Comments
Random quote of the day:
"The survival of the world depends upon our sharing what we have and working together. If we do not, the whole world will die. First the planet, and next the people."
—Frank Fools Crow, Ceremonial Chief of the Teton Sioux, quoted in Fools Crow by Thomas E. Mails
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this random quote of the day do not necessarily reflect the views of the poster, her immediate family, Siegfried and Roy, Leonard Maltin, or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They do, however, sometimes reflect the views of the Cottingley Fairies.


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This practice is not new. Benefits under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance program have been paid in this manner for years. I have a 1998 FEGLI brochure that includes the following information:
Your beneficiary (ies) or other survivors will receive a check for death benefits if the payment is less than $7,500. For payments of $7,500 or more, the Office of the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance will open a money market account automatically in the name of the payee(s) and will mail a checkbook to the payee(s). The payee(s) may close the account immediately, or write checks for any amount from $250 up to the entire balance in the account at any time. There is no charge for checks, and the account balance earns interest from the day it is opened.
According to the current FEGLI Handbook the threshold for automatic cash payments is now $5,000.
The Office of Personnel Management's FEGLI website says each account set up to deliver benefits under the program functions "like a regular money market account with a checkbook, [and] earns interest from the day it is opened." The words "checkbook" and "money market" could lead participants to believe their money is held in a bank account. There's no explanation that the money is not actually in a bank and the checks cannot be used at retail outlets, but must be cashed by a financial institution.
Better Investments
I can remember hearing about this practice when it began. The reason given for using this approach was to make it easier for grieving family members or other beneficiaries to decide what to do with the money they would receive. The money would stay safe and invested until a decision could be reached about appropriate use of the proceeds. My friend, Anne, was widowed in 2002 and received the benefits of her late husband's FEGLI policy in the form of a checkbook. She took one of the checks and wrote it for the entire amount of the insurance, then wisely invested the proceeds with a financial planner's help. Anne quickly determined she could get a better rate of return by investing the money, rather than leaving it in a money market account. Such accounts currently deliver about a 1 percent to 2 percent return.
Now, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says his office is looking into the use of retained-asset accounts. This issue was brought to my attention by a reader, who said: "We were not thrilled to hear this story today regarding the challenges of collecting on life insurance policies, and it appears that this bad news of misleading information also applies to our federal employees' life insurance plans. Seems this deserves and needs your expert touch and interfacing with officials at OPM to get this fixed."
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but the best I can do is draw attention to the issue by writing about it. I would suggest contacting your elected officials if you are concerned about this practice. And if any officials happen to be reading, I polled my retirement seminar participants during the past week to see whether they would prefer to receive insurance payments in a lump-sum payment or via a checkbook. I think most actually would rather have a third choice -- a suitcase full of $100 dollar bills -- but overwhelmingly, they said they preferred the lump-sum option.
Tammy Flanagan is the senior benefits director for the National Institute of Transition Planning Inc., which conducts federal retirement planning workshops and seminars. She has spent 25 years helping federal employees take charge of their retirement by understanding their benefits.
For more retirement planning help, tune in to "For Your Benefit," presented by the National Institute of Transition Planning Inc. live on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. ET on federalnewsradio.com or on WFED AM 1500 in the Washington metro area.


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Discussion in 'Items For Sale or Trade' started by dkrolickm, Sep 1, 2008.
All Are Gone...
PM coming
pm sent
pm sent
dibs on alternators rumble and sunstreaker
classics rodimus,atrotrain and starscream
pm'd you
p'md twice two different messages
pm'd about some classics and animated...
Pm'd about some minicons.
Just wanted to let you know I sent payment last night. I tried PM'ing but I'm not sure if it worked as my comp had a hick-up when I went to send the PM.
Whats your paypal account? i was waiting for a pm back to send the funds.
Interested in 2 pack Optimus Prime : $8.00 please pm w/pics.
payment sent. thanks!
Pm sent. thanks!
dkrolickm, updates please!
Pm sent
Separate names with a comma.


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According to research by Beverage-Digest, the U.S. carbonated soft-drinks (CSDs) market saw volumes fall by 3% in 2013. Performance follows similar declines of 1.2% and 1% in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Energy drinks were the outlier within the CSD category, posting volume growth of 5% in 2013.
In particular, Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) delivered superior 2013 volume growth at 7.7%. This compares with growth rates of 6.4% and -1% for its privately-held peers Red Bull and Rockstar, respectively. Monster Beverage increased its 2013 revenue and operating income by 9% and 4% year over year, respectively. Recent trends were even more promising. Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 18% compared with the corresponding quarter a year ago.
Limited private-label competition and tangible benefits
There are two key reasons for Monster Beverage's strong growth.
Firstly, Monster Beverage is relatively unaffected by private-label competition unlike other food and beverage categories. As a comparison, the mainstream lunch-meat category has a private-label penetration rate of approximately 17%. Although the CSD industry in general (excluding energy drinks) has suffered as a result of the health and wellness trend, private-label soft drinks have had limited success in taking market share from the branded soft-drinks company, with U.S. CSD market share capped at about 5%.
For example, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has an unparalleled track record of market share stability that will put its competitors to shame. For a period close to three decades between 1986 and 2013, Coca-Cola's market share has stayed at approximately 40% and above.
In the case of Monster Beverage, its U.S. CSD market share has increased steadily from 1.2% in 2011 to 1.4% in 2012 and then 1.6% in 2013. Private-label beverages haven't posed serious threats to either CSDs as a whole or the energy-drinks market.
Most beverages help consumers quench their thirst and provide some form of intangible benefits such as refreshment and enjoyment. This is in stark contrast to functional drinks, which provide their customers tangible benefits in areas such as energy, health and wellness, and weight management.
Energy drinks offered by Monster Beverage offer the extra caffeine and energy boost that some people badly need. For example, if a person is thirsty, he has a range of options available such as water, soft drinks, and fruit juices. But if he were to stay up to either study for examinations or work overtime, there are far fewer substitutes for energy drinks.
Pricing power
Monster Beverage has tremendous pricing power, as evidenced by the price premium that its products command and its consistent profitability.
Based on the results of a 2011 survey by New Nutrition Business, energy drinks like those offered by Monster Beverage are about four times more expensive than regular Coca-Cola-branded soft drinks on a price-per-liter basis. The fact that energy drinks have grown significantly faster than the CSD industry at large suggests that premium pricing hasn't deterred consumers or promoted them to trade-down to lower-priced alternatives.
With respect to its financial track record, Monster Beverage has achieved a stable and consistent gross margin in a narrow 51%-53% range over the past nine years.
Another food and beverages company with such strong pricing power is Hershey (NYSE:HSY), the maker of the top U.S. chocolate brand -- Hershey's Kisses chocolate candy, as per a 2012 Harris Interactive poll. Since 2007, Hershey's gross margin has been on an upward trajectory, rising from 33% in 2007 to 46% in 2013. This was helped by price increases in 2008 and 2011.
More importantly, Hershey's top line has increased in every year over this period, suggesting that its customers are loyal to its brand and won't switch to other brands because of price increases.
Foolish final thoughts
While the U.S. CSD industry as a whole has been disappointing, Monster Beverage has been a standout success in comparison to its soft-drinks peers. Monster Beverage's product positioning as functional drinks offering tangible benefits and its strong pricing power are key factors in its financial outperformance. Monster Beverage has 35% market share of the convenience-store channel. But its market share of the entire CSD segment is small at 1.6%, suggesting room for further growth.
Mark Lin has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Coca-Cola and Monster Beverage. The Motley Fool owns shares of Coca-Cola and Monster Beverage and has the following options: long January 2016 $37 calls on Coca-Cola and short January 2016 $37 puts on Coca-Cola. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Last week I announced a new Challenge Blog from Monica's Creative Madness. The theme for this first challenge is a twisted easel card using our cameos to design all or some of our designs. I knew I could make the card base with my machine after I watched the tutorial and I did, I also used my machine to cut the cardstock layers, color the main image then print and cut it and the designer paper too (my brother's creation) the Love sentiment is from card cafe alphabet set from Lettering Delights. The cardstock I used is from Archiver's because I love the weight of their paper, especially for cards that have a lot of layering and 3D details. The Colors for the challenge were, turquoise, pink and red.
Anyways, here is my entry:
Don't forget to submit your entries at Monica's Creative Madness place, to enter a chance to win stamps from Scrappy Moms Stamps.
Good luck!


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Benzara Fantastic Metal Table Clock 4 assorted
$29.21 $45.56 ( 36% off )
- Product Measures (inches): 6x3x9 each
- Made out of metal
- In shades of multicolor
Get this absolute charming set of 4 metal table clocks for your abode. Made of quality metal this set of table clock ensures its durability and is easy to maintain. The set of table clocks looks appealing and gives your interiors a lax touch. Each of the table clocks is in circular design in different shades of black, blue,white and beige. Each one of it has sturdy legs providing proper support. The design at the top of these clocks gives a vintage appeal to it. This set of clocks will add beauty to the space while grabbing attention of many guests and visitors. You can use each one of the clocks for different rooms of your living space. This 4 set of metal table clock can be gifted to your near and dear ones too. So, hurry up and get it soon for your dwelling.


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Hi, we're Colliers | Idaho
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Making a difference in Boise
Colliers in Idaho has been locally owned and operated since 2001. The business is owned entirely by members of our Treasure Valley offices. We are the only large-full service brokerage firm in the state that offers global research and analysis, innovative marketing strategies and support from more than 15,000 skilled professionals around the world. Locally, Colliers | Idaho has offices in Boise, Nampa, Pocatello, and Twin Falls.
Our unique culture and structure encourages our people to think differently, to share innovative ideas and to create effective solutions that accelerate our clients' success.
Colliers Idaho is always looking for quality, experience real estate sales professionals. Send inquiries to firstname.lastname@example.com.
We are excited to announce that we ranked #3 in the medium companies category as one of the Best Places to Work in Idaho 2018!
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Giving back is an essential part of who we are. We donate our time, talents and resources to causes that are meaningful to our employees, their families, our clients and communities. We're also deeply committed to socially and environmentally responsible business practices—the kind that keep our communities healthy while supporting the long-term success of business.
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1972 – White-Leasure founded as a specialist in commercial sales and leasing in the Treasure Valley
1977 – White-Leasure becomes White-Leasure-Clark, a leader in commercial real estate services
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1995 –Consolidated Property and White-Leasure-Clark combine to form Paragon Commercial Group, one of the largest providers of full service commercial real estate services in Idaho
1997 – Paragon Commercial Group becomes Colliers Mcaullay Nicolls International
2001 – Colliers Mcaullay Nicolls International becomes Colliers International under private local ownership, located in Downtown Boise
2007 – Colliers International establishes a permanent Nampa office to better serve Canyon County
2012 – Recognized as Idaho's premier commercial real estate brokerage firm, Colliers International continues to provide clients with world-class commercial real estate and asset management services throughout Idaho
2017 – Recognized as #3 Best Places to Work in Idaho in the medium size company category
2018 – Colliers International grows their brokerage services by 25%, opening an office in Pocatello and Twin Falls
Annual commercial real estate outlook conference
Since 2003, Colliers has held an annual real estate conference focusing on market trends and forecasts. We invite clients to join our panel and guest speakers to gain insight into the local real estate market and examine what the future holds with industry experts.
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Do meetings cost you money or make you money? Whether it is an annual strategy, operating, or budget review, your most talented people consume many hours in these important group meetings. If these meetings are unproductive, they will cost your organization more than you realize. By facilitating your meetings, Robertson Lowstuter can help you:
We are committed to making your meetings significantly more productive and profitable. You gain an independent voice that is more focused on the group outcome and not on specific individuals or their agendas.
Want R│L to make a profitable difference in your meetings? Contact us.