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While praising Jana Partners for raising several important issues that should be addressed by Agrium Inc.'s management, Scotiabank analyst Ben Isaacson isn't convinced the hedge fund's proposals can unlock the $50 per share of value it claims it can.
JANA founder Barry Rosenstein laid out his firm's arguments on the Canadian fertilizer company at the Value Investing Congress in New York on Oct. 1. Among other suggestions, they included separating Agrium's stable retail distribution business from its volatile, commodity-linked wholesale fertilizer business.
Jana first presented its arguments privately to Agrium's board of directors and management in May. Following several meetings, Jana was unsatisfied with the lack of any substantial response and wrote an open letter to the board. The activist investor is Agrium's largest shareholder at just under 5%.
"Our view is essentially unchanged that Jana has initiated a necessary process that will, over time, enhance shareholder value. In fact, it's already begun," Mr. Isaacson said, noting Agrium is up more than 8% since Jana made its position public.
Agrium on Tuesday said it had met with roughly 80% of its top 50 active shareholders, and a large majority don't support a split.
An official at Jana said this equates to roughly 33% of Agrium's shareholders and is not a representative sample.
"We've spoken to numerous shareholders as well and we're confident that most of them want to see a real discussion of these issues and do not support the status quo," the person said. "More importantly, for a company so confident that shareholders don't want change, Agrium is spending a lot of time and shareholder money trying to head off a real debate."
The Jana official also noted that Agrium's survey of shareholders does not address other suggestions the hedge fund has made, such as improving excess working capital, cutting costs, improving disclosure, and getting people with retail experience on the board.
In a report released on Tuesday, Mr. Isaacson said some of the statements made by Jana in its presentation appear incomplete or incorrectly framed. Jana responded on Wednesday, taking issue with several of the analyst's points.
For instance, by basing Agrium's returns on its TSX listing, Mr. Isaacson said Jana is distorting the company's true relative performance by 2% to 17%, depending on the time horizon. He noted Jana measured the returns of Agrium's peers using their U.S. tickers, including Potash Corp., which is a Canadian company with a TSX listing.
The analyst also pointed out that Jana's Oct. 1 presentation used performance metrics dating back to June 1. While this is the same end-date Agrium used in its June 2012 Investor Day presentation, the analyst noted this time period also happens to be when Agrium shares hit their year-to-date low and ignores the subsequent gain of roughly 25%.
Sources at Jana said the difference between using Agrium's U.S. and Canadian tickers is negligible in the period up to June 1 and that activist campaigns often have an impact on share prices before they become public. In this case, they pointed to Agrium's decision to double the size of its already-announced dividend in early June, as well as an increase in its share buyback program in August.
They believe Agrium has outperformed its peers in the short run as a result of actions the company has taken in response to Jana's involvement.
Another issue Jana has questioned is Agrium's cost management, citing meaningful growth in corporate costs as the company makes acquisitions and investments.
While the increase in Agrium's general and administrative expenses to $162-million from $64-million in 2007 is worth examining, Mr. Issacson is not concerned. He noted Agrium has made the move to IFRS accounting from Canadian GAAP, which produced a one-time expense of $40-million related to its purchase of AWB Ltd., as well as $15-million in other corporate costs.
After adjusting for these costs, Mr. Issacson estimates that corporate general and administrative expenses have risen 14% annually since 2007, compared to Agrium's 23% compound annual growth rate in assets and 32% per-year EBITDA growth.
But the Jana official said Agrium's unallocated corporate cost growth appears excessive compared to CF Industries Holdings Inc., where such costs have remained flat while EBITDA at the segment level has grown at an even higher 45% annual growth rate.


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Fox is bringing "American Idol" to the Super Bowl.
Net is expected to announce Thursday that "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest will serve as the master of ceremonies at the big game in January.
Seacrest will handle pre-game hosting duties as celebs stream in to the game. Super Bowl is set to take place in February at the University of Phoenix stadium in Arizona.
NFL has yet to announce in-game entertainment; last year saw Prince perform at a rainy Dolphin Stadium in Miami.
Tapping of a red-carpet host is a first for a Super Bowl telecast. Nets airing the game have been trying to increase entertainment quotient to bring in non-football fans and increase already massive viewership.
When Fox last aired the Super Bowl three years ago, "Idol" had yet to become the full-fledged phenomenon it is now.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Monthly lease cost for Kia Sportage is contrast starting with one auto rental then onto the next and rely on upon the time of creation. Keep in mind, the fresher auto you get, the better the organization dealing with the auto, the more secure it is for driving.


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We invest in products and services that help people lead healthier lives, building sustainable businesses that bring innovative solutions to healthcare issues.
eMindful is a provider of online, live, interactive and evidence-based mindfulness courses with applications that include stress reduction, smoking cessation and pain management. Its programs are marketed to corporations and healthcare payers/providers seeking demonstrable health improvement of their employees and members.
The Big Know is an education-based content marketing and employee engagement platform that produces high quality online courses taught by trusted experts. The courses are designed to deliver excellent engagement and participation rates and feature life-enriching content.
Wellbeats is a virtual group fitness solution that produces and delivers premium content via proprietary technology to any platform or device. The courses, ranging from yoga to kickboxing, can be pre-booked or launched on-demand, bringing the group fitness experience to gyms, corporate wellness centers, hotels, military bases and senior care centers.
The Global ID Group provides analytic testing, third-party certification, and consulting services to the agriculture and food industries. The company's products are used for the testing of food and agricultural products to detect genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to ensure compliance with national and international government food safety standards.
Avant Healthcare Professionals sources and places foreign trained nurses and physical therapists on contract assignments with U.S. hospitals and care facilities. Avant provides transition training and immigration services for their globally sourced healthcare professionals, addressing a critical shortage in the U.S. market.
Coolibar manufactures and markets comfortable, fashionable apparel, providing the highest level of sun protection that does not wash out. Available online and through specialty stores, Coolibar offers a full product line to men, women and children, designed to enable active, outdoor lifestyles protected from the sun's harmful rays.
Immaculate Baking Company manufactures and markets all-natural and non-GMO refrigerated dough products. Products include ready-to-bake cookies, scones, cinnamon roles, and buttermilk biscuits, and are sold in the refrigerated dough section of natural/specialty food stores and grocery chains nationwide.
Inlet manufactures and markets an FDA approved medical device and laparoscopic procedure for a prolapsed uterus. It also manufactures Trocar, a laparoscopic tool for minimally invasive surgeries.
Halo manufactures and markets safe and healthy sleep products for infants. The SleepSack, a patented wearable blanket, is used by over 1,400 hospitals in the country. Its product line includes the Bassinest, a swivel bedside sleeper, and other products designed to promote safe sleep.


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"More than Honey" has been running in the U.K. since September this year. Below some feedback:
"This is more than a film about honey. This beautiful, tender film should change the way we perceive honeybees forever." Ella Pawlik, Word of Difference
"Powerful, beautiful and tragic, More than Honey demonstrates the global nature of the problem, and in doing so captures everything from the awe inspiring emergence of the queen, to the death of a colony." Ian Sadler, Eureka Entertainment
"…delightful, informative, and suitably contemplative study of the bee world and the bee-population crisis, though in the end it does offer enough dewdrops of hope to fill up a bluebell or two."
Stephanie Zacharek, The Village Voice


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A typical phishing scam is a three step process:
A new phishing technique adds another step to the process. It utilizes the login credentials entered by the victim to connect to the authentic web site and downloads unique identifying victim information such as first and last name. This data is then used to populate portions of the phishing web site. By doing so, the phishing site appears more legitimate; therefore, the victim is more likely to divulge sensitive information.
If you have received a fraud, or similar e-mail, please file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.


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Full Circle. 3 Dec.
House Keeping
Final Blog Post: If you have any WordPress/technical questions, post them in you final post, so if I can't answer them in class, I can answer them in the comment section of your site when I read them next week.
"Eleven Principles of the Elements"
|Key Term
|For Cohen, dominant model that guides how human relationship to animate and inanimate nonhuman world. Human as exceptional creative, living, active force that exploits and manufactures insensible, inert, matter into things: "We seek an elemental Ecocriticism that discovers in imaginative and critical texts a lush archive for thinking ecology anew. We believe attending to matter and writing against the reduction of world to commodity (resource, energy) is a powerful aid to activism" (4).
|Shakespeare, and his friends and influences, offer modern readers a glimpse of a road not taken. So instead of conceiving of human agency as unidirectional (subjects effect object and are never, int turn, effected because how could they be?), what if, like Empedocles and Margaret Cavendish, we imagine congregational models? So instead of resourcism and all its troubles, culture/nature has shape, is meaningful, and effects change in dense, accidental clusters of of human and nonhuman things across which agency is dispersed. Remember how Lavinia's mangled body and Marcus' response to her shows agency as cooperative, and not unilateral.
|Elemental Ecocriticism
|Transhistorical; congregational alternative to resourcism; offers a counter narrative to crisis; and intimate. Foundational idea, elements are active agents: "Because they are smaller than gods and larger than atoms–not theological or metaphysical, not only the unseen stuff of physics' elegant equations earth, air, fire and water, alone and their promiscuous combinations, function within a humanly knowable scale while extending an irresistible invitation to inhuman relations" (6). Think Lear and the Storm, or the castaways and the tempest.
|"Storied Matter"
|Are the elements really outside forces? What are houses and intimate things made of, not to mention our own bodies? "Material Affinity unites the elemental cosmos and the little universe that is the human [body of state/body of man–consult every Shakespeare play ever], and intimacy rather than an invitation to dominance, an ingress for human knowing of world that would otherwise exceed. Strategic anthropomorphism is allied with the elements, and its goal is to decenter the human from its accustomed universal midpoint" (11).
|Ethics of Care
|Elemental activity (floods, fires, or moss growing on a mailbox) happens b/c the elements chose out of desire for those things to happen: "Elements are finite: bounded and, in their conjoined state, quite mortal. But finitude does not entail compliance, does not mean that do not yearn extension (the force of love) or the breaking of confines in the hope of ardent fragments (strife)" (9). Seems either too childish/whimsical, or crazy, till we check back in with the ideas that open the essay–assemblage, unidirectional agency, or what Aliamo called Trans-Coporeality. If human and nonhuman things are all of a piece across which agency is dispersed then its not so strange to say that moss desires light or water longs to reach past its boundaries. Elements always-already inside.
|So What?
|Instead of asking, "what steps should we take to avoid or prevent disasters…ask where we, as collectives, are going; what assembleges are being made; what futures are yet to be made in the twenty-first century?" (14).
Presenters: Angeline, Shamala, & Hannah P.
- 1. Briefly summarize the topic and/or arguments made by 2 of the presenters and list a few point of overlap.
- 2. Draft one discussion question.
- 3. Locate at least one passage from Titus that was discussed in the presentation. OR locate a passage that you think will help presenters and the audience better understand claims made. Be prepared to cite the passage in discussion.


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I remember back in the 1990s, the folks from SunGard Recovery Services gave me a guided tour of their center city Philadelphia-based disaster recovery center. It was nondescript from the outside, housed within a 1940s-vintage building that was originally built to manufacture tanks. Given that heavy-industry legacy, the building was well suited for disaster management, built with reinforced steel-plated walls and flooring. The site was a sight to behold—rooms full of big-iron mainframes, and even sleeping quarters for the IT people who showed up two long weekends a year to run their DR drills.
That was how it was done in those days not too long ago, of course—backups for any system required a truckload of tapes, and in the event of hurricane, tornado, floods, fires and pestilence, the IT folks would schlep down to the DR center and reload all their apps and data into SunGard's machines from the tapes. SunGard had (and still has) many large insurance companies as its clients for these big iron weekends.
Nowadays, however, we don't exactly have DR centers; we have the cloud to back up and enhance our applications and systems. Which creates an interesting new role for companies such as SunGard, which also is highly diversified into services, hosting and software. I recently heard from Steve Foster, senior manager at SunGard, on some of the shifts he is seeing as his industry shapes and is shaped by the cloud.
Foster says he is seeing interest, in fact, among global insurers for enterprise risk modeling from a cloud-based environment. SunGard provides additional capacity and performance as insurers look to comply with regulatory demands, such as Solvency II, an updated set of regulatory requirements for insurance firms that operate in the European Union, scheduled to come into effect late 2012.
Insurance is an industry that understands the cost of risk, but as far as cloud-based services go, "the benefits outweigh the risks," Foster believes. "First, insurers need the additional capacity in an optimized environment to run operations and comply with upcoming regulations," he explains. Cloud-based services offer numerous advantages over running applications on desktops, he adds.
"Traditionally, actuarial systems are desktop-based, and this places the burden and responsibility for accuracy and transparency of data on individuals," Foster continues. With a hosted or cloud approach, "the effort to be up and running is minimal," he says. "Insurers simply choose how much capacity they require, as in the number of cores they need, and we take care of the rest."
Foster says risk management is only the first of a line of applications and functions that can be delivered via cloud-based services to insurance companies. Other areas include distribution, agent servicing and on-boarding customers, he says.
Joe McKendrick is an author, consultant, blogger and frequent INN contributor specializing in information technology.
Readers are encouraged to respond to Joe using the "Add Your Comments" box below. He can also be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
This blog was exclusively written for Insurance Networking News. It may not be reposted or reused without permission from Insurance Networking News.
The opinions of bloggers on www.insurancenetworking.com do not necessarily reflect those of Insurance Networking News.
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Several St. Bernard Parish churches came together Sept. 26 for a prayer night which included praying over a number of sheriff's deputies for their safety and service in the community.… Continue Reading »»
Read more
Several St. Bernard Parish churches came together Sept. 26 for a prayer night which included praying over a number of sheriff's deputies for their safety and service in the community.… Continue Reading »»
It's obviously a sad and possibly traumatic situation when children are removed from parents who have been arrested or otherwise failed to provide proper care for them. But a St.… Continue Reading »»
Lori Cantrell, owner of Wimpy's bar in Chalmette, had been thinking for some time about wanting to help sheriff's deputies by donating protective vests. "I thought this was a good… Continue Reading »»
Without question, Lacy's Cue in Chalmette had to be the safest place in the New Orleans area the night of May 8 as nearly 90 federal agents, sheriffs, police chiefs… Continue Reading »»
With a goal of fostering closer cooperation between local law enforcement agencies, the FBI, Crimestoppers and the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office will host an area-wide mixer pool tournament for police… Continue Reading »»
The skies were sunny and filled with produce and beads on Sunday, April 13 as the Irish, Italian, Islenos Community Parade rolled through the streets of Chalmette. Children looked more… Continue Reading »»
More than 300 people in 21 teams took part in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in St. Bernard Parish on April 12, raising at least $50,000 to help… Continue Reading »»
When the Irish, Italian and Islenos parade takes off in Chalmette at noon Sunday, the Sheriff's Office Mobile Emergency Operations Center will lead it while a deputy on board posts… Continue Reading »»
Melissa Bruno could hardly have been more excited in the stands as her 12-year-old daughter, Alexis Hernandez of Arabi Elementary, carried the Special Olympics torch – with her older sister… Continue Reading »»
It was St. Bernard Parish's only Carnival parade and the Knights of Nemesis had great weather for entertaining spectators in Chalmette on Saturday, Feb. 22, with Sheriff's Office personnel also… Continue Reading »»


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MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – There is no way Mexico would fund Donald Trump's "terrible" plan to build a wall along its border with the United States if the Republican front-runner wins the U.S. presidential election, the Mexican finance minister said.
Trump, the New York billionaire developer and former reality television star, sparked outrage in Mexico when he vowed to force Latin America's second largest economy to pay for a wall along the southern U.S. border to stem the flow of illegal immigration and drugs.
In a televised interview late on Wednesday, Finance Minister Luis Videgaray categorically rejected the proposal.
"Under no circumstance will Mexico pay for the wall that Mr. Trump is proposing," he said. "Building a wall between Mexico and the United States is a terrible idea. It is an idea based on ignorance and has no foundation in the reality of North American integration."
Read the rest of the story at Reuters.


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Injured Roberts a Test doubt
Welsh centre Jamie Roberts' Test hopes rest on the results of a scan after he was the major casualty in the British and Lions' record tour win over the Waratahs on Saturday.
The Cardiff Blues midfielder failed to complete the game when he limped off 10 minutes from the end of the 47-17 win over the Super Rugby outfit to remain unbeaten on their current tour.
Roberts, who recently qualified as a doctor from Cardiff University, looked crestfallen as he was treated on the sideline by team medics just a week out from the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Head coach Warren Gatland said a scan on Sunday will decide Roberts' fate.
"He's going to get a scan tomorrow [Sunday]," Gatland said.
"The medics thought it might have been a hamstring, but he said he has never pulled a hamstring before.
"He's not kind of sure, so he's got his fingers crossed that it may not be that. So we just have to see what happens tomorrow."
Roberts, who has played 53 internationals for Wales, is rated as the most damaging running midfielder in the northern hemisphere and he faces stiff competition for his Test spot from Brian O'Driscoll and Manu Tuilagi.
He formed a formidable centre partnership with O'Driscoll on the Lions 2009 tour of South Africa and was named the Lions' player of the series after superb performances in the first two Tests against the Springboks.
His injury may open the door for Welsh compatriot Jonathan Davies, who was outstanding in Saturday's win over the Waratahs.


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The fatality figure has risen by 9.7% compared to 2016
The fatality figure has risen by 9.7% compared to 2016
Budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs, allocated to preventing and extinguishing fires, police and civil protection, traffic and security, and the cost of running the 112 emergency call service.
Responsible for overseeing functions related to public safety, traffic, emergencies and civil protection, preventing fires and rescue operations, public spectacles and recreational activities.
Documents specifying the future scenario and the measures needed to achieve this in the areas of safety, attending to the victims of gender and domestic violence, and road safety.
Information concerning safety, the fire brigade, civil protection, traffic, training and public spectacles.
112 is the only emergency phone number in Catalonia and throughout Europe. It provides an immediate response 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is free.
The Mossos d'Esquadra are Catalonia's police force. Their aim is to work for the community, offering a quality service based on proximity to the public, responsibility, professionalism and efficiency.
Information about what to do in cases of gender and domestic violence.
Real-time information about areas at risk from earth tremors, fire, snow, nuclear accidents, plane crashes, landslides, etc.
Planning tool that establishes the functioning and organisation of human and material resources to improve the response to emergencies or serious hazards.
Center of creation and knowledge transfer of security system in Catalonia.


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The fleece jacket is a navy colour. I have to play with the camera settings bit more to get the colour right. There's no lining in this jacket so it was quick to make up.
By the way, the pockets are sewn on after you've finished the jacket so the pockets will always sit in the righ position for your hands.
|This is 'as good as it gets' at 6am in the morning
I followed the instructions and Kwik Sew instructions are really clear and simple to follow. If your zipper is bigger that the pattern suggests, use it because it will bring the hood up closer to your face and keep you warmer in the cold. See the second picture from the top.
I can only blame moi.
Next up
I wasn't able to post much, or reply to comments or sew while I was on holidays in the States but my next few posts will show the sewing aspect of this trip.
I've already mentioned the food :)
Thank you all for reading the interviews I did post while I was on holidays. I thought this might give you something different to read for a change.
Thanks Mari, Laura and Lena for preparing your responses. I have enjoyed working with you.


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Domestic House Cleaners – Home Cleaning Helensvale
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Brisbane areas we service for all your Bond Cleaning, Exit Cleaning, End of Lease or Move in Cleaning Services.


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|Draft Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 2002
Ms Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent, North): On a point of order, Mr. McWilliam. This may be a case in which whatever context the hon. Gentleman is raising the issue, he is at liberty to do so, but he should distinguish between whether he is talking about someone in a professional capacity or a personal capacity.
The Chairman: The hon. Gentleman is not out of order, although he is not in line with the best traditions of the House.
Mr. Howarth: Thank you, Mr. McWilliam.
Column Number: 11
The quote appeared in a national newspaper—not one that I read frequently, but a copy of the article fell into my hands. The QC in question said:
The comment from Ewen MacAskill, diplomatic editor of The Guardian, is:
We should know whether the speech made by Ms Cherie Booth QC represents Government policy. What is the Government's policy? We are perfectly entitled to ask that question.
Issues arising out of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 and the UK's ratification of the Rome treaty are coming home to roost. How does the Minister view the UK's position vis-a-vis that of the United States?
The issue of women on the front line touches on disciplinary issues only tangentially. I warmly welcome the Secretary of State's decision to refuse to allow women to operate on the front line in several units. We may have a greater opportunity to explore the matter in Westminster Hall on Thursday. Some of the arguments that he advanced in arriving at his decision seem to be undermined by the ruling of the European Court of Justice in October 1999 that there is a duty to assess periodically the activities involved in order to decide whether, in the light of social developments, the derogation from the general scheme of the directive may be maintained. There is no blanket exclusion of the armed forces from the European Community treaty.
It may not be appropriate for the Minister to do more than make a passing reference to the matter. The forces have welcomed the decision, as do we. However, will he comment on the implications of the 1999 ruling that there is a duty continually to keep the derogation under observation? Who determines whether social conditions have changed? Is it us, or the European Court of Justice?
We support the renewal of the principal Acts through the order. However, several issues are of concern and I hope that the Minister of State will address some of them.
5.4 pm
Mr. Ingram: I welcome the welcome of the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) for the draft continuation order. He set out a range of issues; I can respond to some in detail but he will recognise that it will be difficult to respond to others given the minutiae and detail involved. I shall do my best not to stray off the subject, and I know that you will, as ever, ensure that I keep rigidly to order, Mr. McWilliam.
The hon. Gentleman is correct to say that we must get things right and take the necessary time. We are doing exactly that. We are making careful judgments
Column Number: 12and assessments and taking account of the concept of the single service ethos, which , as we have always said, underpins everything that we seek to do, even given the increasing interrelationship among the single services to work in a tri-service way. We have succeeded in doing that, and I am encouraged that those who deliver the services for us increasingly recognise that changes have proved to be for the better, although they might have been initially reluctant to accept that. Doubts did exist. It is right that we recognise sensitivities—legal and others—when considering the service discipline Acts.
The hon. Gentleman also mentioned what he called the obsession of the European Court of Human Rights to get involved in military affairs. The court may become involved only when matters are referred to it. It does not interfere unless it is ruling on matters of legality that are brought to its attention. It is interesting that the hon. Gentleman and the Conservative party argue that members of the armed forces should have a lesser protection than other citizens while simultaneously saying that members of the armed forces do more than other citizens. We must take those issues into consideration at all times.
Society changes and it is sometimes difficult to assess it when that happens. We are not social engineers in terms of the armed forces, but we must respond to changes in society. One question that we have to examine is that of unentitled partners, who are people in unmarried relationships. Those people form one of the expanding groups in society, and the services are not immune to that.
We must examine all the social changes that take place. We must also consider what all our citizens want. We seek at all times to encourage them to support the armed services and hope that they will encourage members of their families to join the armed services—or join themselves. Does the hon. Gentleman think if people felt that they would be treated more punitively and be less protected by justice, that that would cause a drag on recruitment and retention, or would it be a bonus?
We must consider those matters as we go forward. I was not Minister when judgments were made about including the armed forces in the human rights legislation and about the way in which that was implemented, but thoughts on the issues that we are discussing were considered then.
Mr. Howarth: I understand that. When I said that British Governments responded to rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, I wanted to make it clear that not only the Labour Government, but the last Conservative Government were in that position.
The Minister asked whether I thought that we should have lower protection for our service men. I tried to make the point that the military should be different. There is a difference of emphasis between us. If systems of discipline in our armed forces are to operate efficiently, it might be necessary for the military to be different and for the protection to be different from that that applies in civilian courts.
Column Number: 13
Mr. Ingram: Yes, the services are different—and that which applies is different. However, my point—which I hope the hon. Gentleman takes as a moot point—is that we must ensure that they are not so different that such issues cause a drag on recruitment and retention because people find that they are out of phase with normal life. We have to address such matters if we are going to succeed in encouraging people to do what many of our citizens are never asked to do, which is make the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation or of other people. We must always be aware of social trends. To ignore them because of anti-European prejudice would be a flawed basis upon which to look after the interests of those who serve in our armed forces.
The hon. Gentleman raised issues about the increasing civilianisation of the processes that we are discussing. However, Army and RAF judge advocates have been civilians for many years, in advance of the current procedures, and they wear judicial uniform rather than military uniform. He might think that the wearing of weapons such as swords and the display of other paraphernalia that relate to the military presence has a particular effect on people, but that effect might well be detrimental. Perhaps that is why a change took place many years ago—well in advance of the current debate.
The hon. Gentleman also made the point that court martial members are drawn from a different chain of command than that of the accused. That change took place in 1996, in advance of the Labour Government entering office—his research has not been sufficiently detailed. He should ask those of his colleagues who considered the matter why they did that. I suspect that the reason goes back to my earlier point about the need to ensure that those who serve in the armed forces are not so different from the rest of society.
Exemption from the European convention on human rights is not easy to deliver, and it was never advocated by the Opposition when they were in government. They have alighted on the matter now, but they did not do so when they had the opportunity to pursue it—as is the case with so many things. They implemented that in the way in which they usually implemented things—they said one thing, and acted differently.
Mr. Howarth: The Minister has made a fair point. The only response that I can give is that we have now seen a succession of decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. Perhaps it was sensible in the early days to give it the benefit of the doubt, although I take the view that we should have exempted our forces from the outset. That did not happen under the last Conservative Government, but the current Conservative Opposition have made it clear that we now feel that it should happen. There have been so many cases that have led us to feel that way. How many more such cases must there be before the Minister feels the same way as us?
Mr. Ingram: The hon. Gentleman has not said how many such cases there have been—he merely says ''so many''. I do not have the figures in front of me, but I will write to him and other Committee members with detailed figures, so that we can see whether there are
Column Number: 14''so many'', or just the impact of one. The percentage of cases is small: we set a target of 5 per cent. of cases being subject to appeal, not to the European court, but within our own processes. In fact, it is much lower than that.
The hon. Gentleman also mentioned the Morris case and asked for some clarification. The Strasbourg court approved in principle the concept of military courts. It did not argue against military courts—perhaps he should read its judgment in detail. The court's observations related to two points of detail of our court martial systems. One of them has been corrected: we suspended the relevant proceedings in the Army and the Air Force and we corrected that element—and he is right to say that the backlog is now being dealt with. The other element impinges on matters that are currently being considered by the Appellate Committee in the other place, about which I do not wish to go into detail. He is right to say that we were looking at the matter in advance of that hearing. It is only right that we give consideration to how to deal with that other element of possible non-compliance.
The Courts-Martial Appeal Court has always consisted solely of senior civilian judges. There has been an ethos of civilian presence in the courts for a considerable time and in many ways. The hon. Gentleman referred to the International Criminal Court, but that does not affect discipline matters. I well understand why he raised it, but our service law and obligations under international law already require us to meet high standards, and that is clearly part of the ethos.
As for what could be termed ''politically motivated prosecutions'', no state may join the ICC convention unless it accepts the court's jurisdiction. Each court remains primarily responsibility for dealing with allegations. The hon. Gentleman also said that the United States of America has a particular point of view. So do other countries. I do not know whether he is saying that the USA should dictate our actions in respect of our international obligations. The nature of our international relationship is that we hold to what we believe to be best judgment in our assessment at the time.
It is not unusual for us to have a different point of view from the United States or other countries. They take a particular approach. We have analysed our situation and have reached a well-rehearsed, well-argued conclusion. We can base effective judgment only on that which happens. We believe that we have got it right and that we have assessed the matter properly in terms of our international obligations.
The USA and other countries hold a different view, as can individual QCs. They have the right to express a point of view and I am sure that the person who has been quoted will have expressed it from a legal perspective, not in relation to whom she is married—a matter on which the hon. Gentleman unfortunately tried to draw. It was a low form of attack on someone who cannot answer back in this place, irrespective of to whom she is married.
Column Number: 15
As I said to the hon. Gentleman when he raised the matter yesterday in Defence questions, if I criticised his wife or the wife of any other hon. Member—certainly any Opposition Member—he would be anxious. You, Mr. McWilliam, have expressed your view on such matters. While it is in order to discuss them, it sets a much lower standard for the conduct of debate.
|©Parliamentary copyright 2002
|Prepared 18 June 2002


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The 'Find the Golden Elephant' competition will give the public an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes and have fun in the process and that's what it's all about.
(PRWEB UK) 25 July 2014
Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa in Hampshire will launch an exciting competition on 24th July to mark SenSpa's 10th Birthday celebrations.
The 'Find the Golden Elephant' competition will take place across 10 days finishing on 2nd August - the official Birthday of SenSpa.
A golden elephant will be hidden in locations across the SenSpa website and moved to a different page every day. Clues of its whereabouts will be revealed on the SenSpa Facebook and Twitter accounts to guide participants to the correct page.
Once found, participants will need to click on the elephant, which will take them to an entry page on the website, where contact details will be submitted for a chance to win.
Prizes will be awarded daily to a selected winner who finds the elephant. These include: 5 star treatments, SenSpa products, a first class spa experience and more.
As well as the 10 day competition, SenSpa will be celebrating its Birthday on Saturday 2nd August in the spa itself, accompanied with champagne and a specially designed Birthday cake for the occasion.
Situated in the village of Brockenhurst in the New Forest, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa is a stunning country manor hotel and authentic spa.
Back in 2004 the hotel invested £6 million in the complete reinvention and rebranding of the then 'Carat Club' leisure club. The build involved installing world class spa facilities, the first ozone treated swimming pool in the UK, as well as recruiting top eastern and western therapists to join the team.
The Hampshire spa has won several respected awards during the past ten years including 'Best Spa in The South 2012 and 2013' (Good Spa Guide Awards), 'Therapist of the Year' (Professional Beauty Awards 2014) and 'Best UK Hotel Spa' (European Health & Spa Awards).
Spa Director, Lina Lotto is very proud of SenSpa's success and looking forward to the Birthday celebrations, "Looking back over the past ten years and our achievements is phenomenal.
"SenSpa has deservedly positioned itself on the map for our world class facilities, award winning therapist and signature treatments.
"We're very excited for our tenth Birthday and the celebrations we have planned. The most important word in all this is 'fun' or 'Sanook' in Thai. The 'Find the Golden Elephant' competition will give the public an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes and have fun in the process and that's what it's all about!"
It's not all about SenSpa's Birthday though. The spa has launched another campaign called 'Tell us your Birthday' to celebrate its guests' Birthdays too.
By submitting details through the form on the SenSpa Facebook page, guests will receive a special gift from SenSpa during their own birthday month.
These celebrations and more will be taking place throughout the year to mark the occasion on 2nd August and SenSpa would like to invite everybody to join in!
For more information please visit: http://www.senspa.co.uk or call 01590 623551.


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As of 2015, call the Adult Protective Services agency that serves the area in which the senior citizen resides to report elder abuse, or call 911 if the senior citizen is in immediate danger, as the Administration on Aging advises. Find contact information for local agencies through the Eldercare locator or through the National Center on Elder Abuse page for state resources.Continue Reading
If the suspected abuse is happening in an assisted living facility or nursing home, contact the long-term care ombudsman, as the Administration on Aging explains. Be prepared to provide the protective services agency or emergency responder information about the senior citizen, such as the individual's name, address and information about the nature of the abuse. The agency or emergency services worker might also ask about the senior citizen's medical conditions, state of mind and family information.
Adult Protective Services is usually the first responder in cases of elder abuse allegations, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. The agency investigates allegations of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation. If the agency finds a reason for concern, it develops a case plan and notifies other authorities when necessary. Whether or not the agency finds evidence of abuse or neglect, the agency provides supportive services for senior citizens and other vulnerable adults.Learn more about Crime


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Foamix Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company, committed to addressing unmet needs of patients by bringing innovative solutions to the field of dermatology. The company is in late-stage clinical development of two lead products based on the company's first-in-class topical Minocycline Foam: FMX101, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne, and FMX102, for the treatment of impetigo. Having completed Phase II clinical trials of these product candidates, the company expects ... More >>
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Glee to Release All-Madonna CDMatt Richenthal at . Comments
As if Justin Timberlake guest starring on a season two episode of Glee wasn't cool enough...
On April 20, the Fox hit will release Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna. This album has just gone on pre-sale, as we're about a month away from the much-hyped all Madonna episode of the series.
Check out the track list now:
- Express Yourself
- Borderline/Open Your Heart
- Vogue
- Like A Virgin
- 4 Minutes
- What It Feels Like For A Girl
- Like A Prayer
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.


text: A plug-in electric vehicle can be used to power a house during a winter storm, but if you're more worried about the heat of, say, Death Valley, then maybe you'll want a Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell along. That's the message of a new video from Daimler and starring Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) and Joshua Jackson (Fringe) that promotes the company's hydrogen-powered car. The gist? You can drink the tailpipe emissions.


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Compliance with the law is a fundamental expectation of the UK Forestry Standard and land managers should be aware that a number of regulations affect forests and their management.
Information on some of the key regulations land managers should consider when planning operations in woodland is provided on these web pages. This advice may not be comprehensive and land managers are advised to check the legislation before starting work.
Natural England are responsible for many of the regulations that protect the natural environment, including the management and licensing of wildlife. More information on their regulatory work can be found on their web site.
European Protected Species (EPS)
Several of the species covered by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 are found in woodland. These regulations therefore have implications for how woodlands are managed and forestry operations carried out.
For more information on EPS and the steps land managers should take to safeguard them please see our EPS web page.
Protection for designated sites
Work within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) may require Natural England's consent under Part II of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). To streamline the process of obtaining Natural England's consent for forestry operations within SSSIs, we can issue Natural England's consent if the applicant submits a Supplementary Notice of Operations with their felling or EWGS application to us. For more information on this process please see our SSSI web page.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Wild birds and certain woodland animals and plants are protected under Part I of this Act. It essentially requires that the risks tree work and work in woodland pose to wildlife are carefully assessed. And that the work is planned to ensure the animals listed in the Act's schedules are not intentionally harmed or killed and that their nests or dwellings are not damaged or destroyed.
- All wild birds and their nests are protected – though the nests of only some birds are protected when not in use.
- Wild animals that are protected and which may be found in woodland include:
- Bats and their roosts – these are European Protected Species.
- Purple emperor butterfly.
- Pearl-boarded fritillary.
- White letter hairstreak.
- Black hairstreak.
- Duke of Burgundy.
- Red squirrels and their drays.
Wild plants listed in schedule 8 of this Act are protected and must not be intentionally uprooted or destroyed during forest operations. Woodland plants protected in the Act include bluebell and Juniper.
The Protection of Badgers Act 1992
This Act restricts the killing, injuring or taking of badgers or interference with their setts. It is often possible to achieve this by following good practice when planning and undertaking forestry operations. In rare occasions where there is doubt over whether damage or disturbance to badgers would occur or where it is clear that damage or disturbance would be unavoidable a license from Natural England may be required.


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Equipment that should be on a food truck includes commercial refrigeration, a commercial range and oven, and fryers. A good work area where food is prepared is also helpful, and if cooking aboard the food truck, hand and three compartment sinks are necessary in order to meet health department regulations.Continue Reading
Smaller equipment pieces, such as cookware, are also important in a food truck. The menu items should determine the type of cookware necessary. Kitchen utensils should also be part of food truck equipment. Knives, tongs, spatulas and cutting boards are important for food preparation. All items and components on a food truck must meet the commercial health code requirements in the area the truck is serving food according to state and local regulations.
Prior to purchasing the equipment, food truck owners should check with local municipality to see if detailed drawings or blueprints need to be reviewed and approved by the health department and fire inspector. Some cities and counties must review the blueprints that include electrical wiring schematics, pluming, fire suppression equipment installation drawings and electrical installation plans. The municipality may also want to see a list of all building materials to be used in the completion of the food truck project.Learn more about Managing a Business


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What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. It is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behavior involving the misuse of influence by an individual or group towards one or more persons. It can happen anywhere: at school, at the mall, between neighbors, at sporting events and online.
Conflict or fights between equals and single incidents do not constitute bullying.
Bullying can involve humiliation, domination, intimidation, victimization and all forms of harassment including that based on sex, race, disability, homosexuality or transgender. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved including bystanders. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
Bullying Behavior
Bullying behavior can be:
- Verbal (name calling, teasing, abuse, putdowns, sarcasm, insults, threats)
- Physical (hitting, punching, kicking, scratching, tripping, spitting)
- Social (ignoring, excluding, ostracizing, alienating, making inappropriate gestures)
- Psychological (spreading rumours, dirty looks, hiding or damaging possessions, malicious SMS and email messages, inappropriate use of camera phones)
Bullying behavior is not:
- Children not getting along well
- A situation of mutual conflict
- Single episodes of nastiness or random acts of aggression or intimidation
School-Based Programming and Interventions
As adults it is vitally important to help children understand the difference between bullying and conflict. Each of our elementary schools implements guidance curricula that addresses conflict resolution and responding to bullying. The Second Step Prevention Program® and Brainwise® are used as guidance lessons to build character and utilize prevention skills. Children who learn how to problem-solve, mediate and regulate are better equipped to handle conflict.
At the secondary level there are a variety of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) strategies at the universal, targeted and intensive tiers to include the implementation of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program that addresses bullying behaviors. Behaviors that are traditionally considered bullying among school-aged youth often require new attention and strategies in adolescents and young adults students. Many of these behaviors are considered crimes under state and federal law and may trigger serious consequences after the age of 18.


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Beautiful Penang Island Eat Play Trip
Penang Island a popular tourist spot in Malaysia most of all famous for its street food like assam laksa and cha kuey tiao.
First stop at Armenian Street where many of the famous street art located. Many boutique hotels with reasonable pricing a popular spot for the tourist.
Lonely lady sitting on bench.
Tourist information centre located at Armenian Street.
Bayview Hotel Georgetown. You can see the 360 revolving restaurant a great place to see the night scenery of Penang.
Best assam laksa at the Ayer Hitam market. A must for food lover.
Teluk Kumbar where fishman going for their daily catch still a common sight.
Teluk Kumbar jetty.
Morning view of Komtar from Bayview Hotel Georgetown.
Beautiful morning with blue sky.
Typical Malaysian style street food that utilise the back lane. Space not wasted.
Toh Soon cafe famous for its hainanese coffee and toast bread.
Traditional coffee shop with bright colour uniform.
Charcoal will bring out the flavour from your coffee bean and also toasted bread.
The pedestrian overhead bridge located near Komtar Penang.
Inside Komtar Shopping Mall with beautiful dome.
Walking around Komtar.
Good weather and clear blue sky. A good day for walking and photography.
Heavy traffic a common sight for Penang Island.
Komtar Penang. The tallest building in Penang.
Optimus Prime standing tall at Esplanade Penang.
Star cruise passing by.
Clear water and fishes swimming a good sign for water quality.
The famous art work but only managed a drive by shot since running out of time and lot's of people queuing up for photo session.
Best cendol in town located opposite the Hong Leong Bank in Lorong Macalister.
Photo before taste.
Gurney Paragon Mall. Where the old and new meet. Very innovative design and preservation of the heritage building.
View up to the clouds.
Straits Quay Mall where you can view the multi million yacht of the rich and famous.
View from Eastern & Orient Penang.
You can see the swimming pool of E&O from here.
Penang night scenery from top of Bayview Hotel roof top club. A great place to hangout and watch the beautiful scenery.
You can see the Penang bridge from here.


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Demo 2003
- Artist: Echo Beach
- Genre: Jazz
- Release Date: 5/27/2003
This CD includes 'Cal's Pals' by Blair Helsing 'Delicate Creature' by Blair Helsing 'Place to Be' by Nick Drake 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim Echo Beach has performed throughout the Western U.S. since 1991. Live, we play jazz standards by Mingus, Miles, Shorter, Oliver Nelson, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, and more. The group's sound travels the distance between the Latin jazz period of Cal Tjader to the guitar-led sound of Wes Montgomery in various settings, to more modern shadings from funk, pop and our original compositions (one original, 'Delicate Creature' received a 'Radio Quality' award in the Billboard Songwriting Contest). Upcoming Live Shows in 2009: -------------------------------------------- . Cato's Ale House in Oakland on March 4 . Park Chalet in San Francisco on March 7 . Cafe Royale in San Francisco on March 8 . Cato's again on March 18 . Golden Gate Club in The Presidio San Francisco on March 28 More gig details are on our websites -- echobeachband.com and myspace.com/echobeachband. The Band: John LoGiudici - electric and nylon-string guitar Blair Helsing - vibraphone, marimbas, electronics, percussion Justin Hellman - electric and acoustic bass Brian 'El Bacalao' Andres - drumset, percussion The performers on this CD are Blair, Rob Harris, John and Steve Pompeo. Please visit us at echobeachband.com. We're working now on new material -- watch for news of our forthcoming CD in 2009. See you out at a concert! Enjoy our CD! - The Echo Beach Band last updated 2/28/09.
|Demo 2003
|Echo Beach
|CD Baby
|Release Date:
|Product Type:
|Item #:
|This product is a special order


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Our Products
- Conveyor Rollers
- Wagon Cart
- Chain Wheel
- Gear Wheel
- Locking assembly
- Couplings
- Gear Rack
- Belt Pulley
- Worm and Worm Gear
- Conveyor chain
- Hardware
Spur Rack Export to Czech
Spur Rack Export to Czech
We are a coupling manufacturer and supplier from china.We supply coupling for all over the world and product surface shall be smooth and free from sand holes, blow holes, distortion or any other defects. As the same time we can OEM Spur Rack. Rack assembled by pressing a polyurethane sleeve into hubs on both sides.We have the professional technical staff to help you install,shakedown test and all after-sale service.
- *Brand Name:EPMM SPUR RACK
- *Material:Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, Tool steel Stainless steel
- *Specification:According to customers requirements
- *Certification:ISO9001


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According to Digital World Tokyo, the first iPhone-related mugging has taken place. The unfortunate victim, Taro Tanaka of Kunitachi, Tokyo was attacked by three or more idiots who thought that his chrome cigarette case was the God Phone.
I'm calling spoof on this one, firstly because if these guys knew enough about the iPhone to steal one, they'd know that there is no GSM in Japan. Second, the tone of the piece is a little sarcastic. This is the reported quote from Tanaka:
If they're that desperate they could have had my iRiver player instead - I really want a smoke now. Besides, my real phone has 3.6Mbps HSDPA; an IC-chip that works as a train ticket, bus ticket, e-cash, e-credit and can open doors; a 5-megapixel camera with optical zoom and auto-focus; real songs as ringtones; a dictionary; face recognition; a barcode reader and ringtones that make my girlfriend's tits bigger. Oh, and not only did it cost me nothing, I'm not stuck with a two-year contract either.
Not too believable, although we will certainly be seeing some iViolence soon enough. Probably by 7pm Friday.
First iPhone muggings reported - and it hasn't even launched yet … [Digital World Tokyo]


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Use NCQA's Feedback Form to report a broken link, or content error.
The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is one of the most widely used sets of health care performance measure in the United States. The term "HEDIS" originated in the late 1980s as the product of a group of forward-thinking employers and quality experts, and was entrusted to NCQA in the early 1990s. The NCQA measurement development process has expanded the size and scope of HEDIS to include measures for physicians, PPOs and other organizations.
Wellness and Health Promotion (WHP)
WHP is a broad-based accreditation program for organizations that offer comprehensive wellness and health promotion services.
Disease Management (DM) Technical Specifications
NCQA's specifications address standardized performance measures that cover dimensions of care for people with asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure and ischemic vascular disease (IVD), as well as tobacco use, influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination.
*HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Learn More
HEDIS Users Group (HUG)
HUG membership packages offer you access to the most up-to-date information on HEDIS specifications so you can begin planning for the future.
HEDIS and ICD-10
To accommodate the switch from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10, NCQA created a plan to identify a valid and appropriate set of ICD-10 codes for each HEDIS measure.
Interactive Review Tool (IRT)
Learn more about the IRT Web-based Survey Platform.
Send Us Feedback


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Chocolate Fudge Shake
- 2 c Cold 2% lowfat milk
- 1 pk (4-serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Fudge Flavor Sugar-Free Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
- 2 c Crushed ice
1. Pour milk into blender container.
2. Add remaining ingredients; cover.
3. Blend at high speed 15 seconds or until smooth. (Mixture will thicken as it stands.
4. Thin with additional milk, if desired.) Makes 4 cups or 4 servings.


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All Films.All Above Board.NOW INCLUDES TV SHOWS & TV LISTINGS
Haunting psychological drama about a grieving widow's search for closure after the tragic death of her husband and son. The life of Ana (Minnie Driver) changes forever when fate causes her to meet Saul (Jeremy Brenner). A chronic gambler in trouble with local loan-sharks who threaten his life unless he makes good on his debts, Saul tries to get funds by attempting robbery and through his actions is responsible for the deaths of Ana's husband and young son. As the years pass, Ana is haunted by her loss, unable to reach closure. With Saul now on death row and shortly to be executed, Ana decides to travel across country to meet the man who has devastated her life, hoping to finally lay her ghosts to rest.


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Walker Creek Trail is a 4.1 mile loop trail located near Barnardsville, North Carolina that features a river and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, horses, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
horseback riding
mountain biking
Directions from Burnsville, NC: Travel east on 19E for .5 mile and turn right on SR 197 (south). Stay on this road through Pensacola and Cane River Gap to Barnardsville, about 25 miles. The road is paved then changes to gravel and then pavement again. Turn left at the intersection of SR 197 and SR 2173 (Dillingham Road) and follow this road, which becomes gravel and Forest Service Road 74. Follow it for .4 mile to a road on the right. This road has a bulletin board visible from Forest Road 74. Follow this road for .6 mile to a pull-off on the right. The trail is about 50 feet up the road on the left. Do not drive beyond the pull-off, it is private property.
Trail is well worn but POORLY marked. (So minus 1 star) Was difficult to find the trail head and not a lot of eye candy. (Minus another star) over all a decent hike. I would not rate it a hard hike for anyone who is in decent health as it was accomplished by two 5 yr olds without any issues. However, there are some steady inclines to accomplish. I plan to do this trail again when the leaves have fallen to see if the views improve.
I gave this hike a one star because the trail isn't marked. We ended up going 2 miles off course and even with gps on, we still couldn't find the loop. When you come to Big Ivy at the end of Walker Creek, there is no sign pointing you in a direction. We ended up getting on Big Ivy Road, turning right, following that awhile and hooked up on stair creek trail for the decent down. On the decent down, there were a couple of trails off Stair Creek, but again they weren't marked and it's anyone's guess where those go.
As far as difficulty and technicality, the trail definitely had
some good climbs up without switchbacks. The decent down on Stair Creek was straight down, no switchbacks and rocky, so it was technical. Also, this is a horse trail as well, so there's plenty of manure on the trail. There wasn't a good view or waterfall to make this trail worth the trouble. Pass this one up and continue on to Brevard.
Definitely not a walk in the park. Very secluded saw only two people. Loved the sound of the falls while hiking.
Good hike.. Up hill for half down for the other.
Very nice trail through Big Ivy. It wasn't terribly difficult, but it definitely got our hearts pumping. The untouched snow along the ridgetops was quite beautiful.
Had a great time on this trail. It has some pretty steep climbs but overall a great hike and dog friendly. If you wear barefoot shoes be warned that this trail is very rocky.


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Friday, November 11, 2016
The ThinkSwiss scholarship program, managed by the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, DC, is now accepting applications. The program is specifically designed for students enrolled at US and Canadian universities and offers monthly stipend of approximately $1,100 for a research internship at a Swiss university or public research institution for two to three months under the supervision of a host professor. Application deadline is January 31, 2017.
For more information, click here.


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July 30, 2014, Contact: Press Office (518) 474-4015
DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Revenue Growing Slowly
New York City Drives Majority of Growth
Local sales tax collections in New York state grew by $177 million, or 2.4 percent, for the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Nineteen counties experienced an increase of more than 4 percent during this period.
"While sales tax revenues continue to increase across the state, the growth is the weakest since the end of the Great Recession," said DiNapoli. "Sales tax collections in New York City are thriving but several regions are experiencing only modest gains or even declines. Clearly our state's economy remains in a recovery mode and local government officials will need to be mindful of the volatility of sales tax revenue as they monitor their budgets during the second half of the year."
DiNapoli's analysis found that year-over-year growth in sales tax collections was 1.2 percent in the first quarter of 2014. Growth in the second quarter of the year was slightly stronger at 3.5 percent.
The gains were driven primarily by New York City with collections growing by 4.8 percent, or $152 million. This accounted for nearly 90 percent of local sales tax growth in the state during the first half of 2014.
By comparison, Long Island's sales tax collections fell 3.8 percent, or $45 million, during the first two quarters of the year compared to 2013. However, most of the decreases are likely the result of spending patterns returning to normal after an increase in collections in 2013 that were fueled by continued cleanup and rebuilding efforts following Superstorm Sandy.
Upstate sales tax collections, meanwhile, were nearly flat in many regions. The capital district (3.5 percent) and mid-Hudson Valley (2.4 percent) outpaced western New York (1.7 percent), central New York (1.5 percent) and the Finger Lakes (0.9 percent) during the first half of the year.
Due to a number of tax rate increases, growth in sales tax revenue for the North Country (7.6 percent) topped all regions of the state, including New York City.
At the county level, St. Lawrence County (31 percent), Hamilton County (24.4 percent) and Lewis County (15.6 percent) experienced the most growth. Other counties that fared well include: Essex County (9.3 percent); Dutchess County (7 percent); Franklin County (6.4 percent) and Rockland County (6.4 percent).
Nassau County (-8.3 percent), Ulster County (-5.7 percent) and Broome County (-5.6 percent) all experienced notable declines in sales tax revenue.
For a copy of the report, visit: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/research/snapshot/localsalestaxcollections0714.pdf
For a county-by-county breakdown of sales tax collections, visit:
For access to state and local government spending and more than 50,000 state contracts, visit http://www.openbooknewyork.com/. The easy-to-use website was created by Comptroller DiNapoli to promote openness in government and provide taxpayers with better access to the financial workings of government.
NYC Phone: (212) 383-1388 Fax: (212) 681-7677
Internet: www.osc.state.ny.us
E-Mail: email@example.com
Follow us on Twitter: @NYSComptroller
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nyscomptroller


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Introduction to the Downstream Petroleum Industry
This two-day course has been designed for downstream (refining, transportation, and marketing) sector employees, suppliers, government regulators, industrial petroleum buyers, or others interested in gaining a broad understanding of the refining, supply, and marketing of petroleum products. The course provides a North American perspective on this industry describing its infrastructure, processes, logistics, regulatory aspects, and future challenges.
A complete set of course materials and lunches are included.
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Jason Parent has over 10 years of industry experience in the downstream petroleum industry. In his consulting role, he has been involved in numerous projects in both Canada and the United States, working with major integrated oil companies as well as several regional refiners and marketers. His business background has been supplemented with a degree in Business Administration. Prior expertise includes performance metrics benchmarking, market segmentation studies, marketing strategy implementation, product price economics and analysis, and regulatory analysis.
To avoid potential course disruptions caused by the attendance of unconfirmed registrants, the training venue address will ONLY be provided to registrants upon receipt of payment (via an email confirmation note).
Calgary Regency Hotel (Click Here to View)
A corporate rate is available by calling 1.800.468.4044. Ask for the "RPS/PEICE" rate of $159.00 plus taxes. The rate is subject to availability, blackout dates apply to city wide conferences and the Calgary Stampede. The Hotel is within walking distance to the training venue.#
610 4th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
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Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre (Click Here to View)
A discounted rate is available by calling 1-800-726-3626. Ask for the "RPS/PEICE" rate of $184.00 plus taxes. The rate is subject to availability, blackout dates apply to city wide conferences and the Calgary Stampede. The LRT is steps from the hotel entrance and is free to use in the downtown core.
888 7th Ave SW
Calgary, AB
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VSA Florida, Lake County along with the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County hosts their annual "A Day in the Park", paralleling activities provided by the amazing county-wide use of the VSA Start with the Arts Program. Partnering with Lake County Schools, this program provides an outdoor setting for students and teachers of VPK and Pre-K Exceptional Education to participate in 20 art stops, music and dance activities; 738 students with and without disabilities and 20 teachers and volunteers attend. This affiliate also hosts a spring and fall "Start with the Arts" Curriculum Training Seminar.
Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, 1300 Citizens Blvd., Suite 200, Leesburg, FL
Lescha Buchbinder - email@example.com


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Sales Have Ended
Sales Have Ended
Growing your volunteer team
This workshop cover the following topics;
How to recruit new volunteers.
Developing and retaining existing volunteers.
Training and funding available to support volunteers.
We will be looking at case studies, discussing ideas from fellow clubs and providing you with information from the RYA and your County Sports Partnership.
This workshop is ideal for club committee members and training centre principals. Please book your free place(s) early to avoid disappointment, places are limited. You are invited to register up to 4 persons per club. Refreshments will be provided.
The workshop will be hosted by your Regional Development Officer Gareth Brookes. If you have any questions about this workshop please do not hesitate to email him on firstname.lastname@example.com


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Almost every single home basketball game I've been to this season for the Carthage boys team, I've seen the same things.
Almost every single home basketball game I've been to this season for the Carthage boys team, I've seen the same things.
Senior Desmond Buerge usually scores at least 20 points. The Tigers usually blow out their opponent. Carthage's height and talent usually proves too much for the other team to overcome.
And the stands are usually mostly empty, the student section usually silent.
What's the deal?
I would have thought a team that is currently 14-2 and 8-0 at home would have better support from the home crowd, and the students would be more excited, but that hasn't been the case.
The most glaring example came Monday night, when Carthage hosted Carl Junction. The Bulldogs don't have an impressive overall record, but they do have some electric players who are sure to play at the next level. The Tigers won 76-57.
What was disappointing was the contrast between student sections.
Carl Junction's students were standing the entire game, and constantly engaged in chanting and cheers. But across the court, in the other corner of the gymnasium at Carthage High School, the Carthage student section sat quietly.
In the interest of full disclosure, I went to Carl Junction High School and graduated in 2006. We had good basketball teams when I was there, the student section was always actively involved, and I was usually at the games.
I could care less, however, about promoting my old school and its fan base. This column isn't about saying Carl Junction has better fans, and when it comes to football, the Bulldogs have far fewer show up to home games than here in Carthage.
My point is this: why is there so much apathy in Carthage toward a basketball team that is having a great season with great players? Why do students show so little interest in coming to the games and doing anything more than sitting and texting?
In all honesty, this is the smallest and quietest student section I've seen at a high school this size. When I started working here and saw the gymnasium for the first time, I couldn't wait for basketball season to begin because I knew it would be an electric atmosphere, and I've heard it was that way in the past, even last season.
The Tigers have already beaten the biggest high school in the area twice, and are clearly among the elite of basketball teams in Southwest Missouri.
A district championship is clearly within reach, and this team looks poised to make a run in the playoffs.
And yet visiting Carl Junction, which came to town Monday night with a 5-6 overall record, brought at least as many students as showed up for Carthage, and the Bulldog fans were 10 times as vocal and supportive.
Quite frankly, it's embarrassing that Carthage players should ever feel like they're playing a road game, or even a neutral-site game, on their own home court. The only indication Monday night the Tigers were at home was the giant orange Tiger at center court and the legion of empty blue seats.
The season is already more than halfway over. The boys have three home games remaining, and the girls have four.
It would be a nice gesture if Carthage students showed their teams they care, and rewarded the Tigers for winning with a few cheers now and then, maybe some yelling, and perhaps even getting out of their seats a few times. Not to go to the concessions stand, but to show a little school pride.
You only get to be in high school once, and some of my fondest memories at Carl Junction were going to the basketball games and standing in the student section.
Of course, I also remember Webb City knocking us out in the district championship, but that's another story.


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The One Direction fan who left Harry Styles winded after hurling a shoe at him during a concert in Scotland has apologised to the pop idol, insisting she's "really embarrassed" by the incident.
The boyband was performing at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow on Tuesday (26Feb13) when Styles picked up a piece of footwear that had been thrown onto the stage.
As he held it up, another over-enthusiastic devotee hurled her shoe at the singer - inadvertently smacking him in his crotch and causing him to fall to the floor as bandmate Liam Payne quipped, "Well, he has just been assaulted!"
One Direction fan Jade Anderson has now come forward and owned up to the mishap, admitting she feels horrible for hurting the pop hunk.
She tells Scotland's Daily Record newspaper, "I just wanted him to touch something belonging to me. I didn't mean to hit him where I hit him, I'm really embarrassed."


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As we prepare to close out 2013 and jump into 2014, we're saying good-bye to yet another banner year at Western Governors University.
What made it such a big year for the online university? We're glad we asked—last week, in fact, we asked WGU's Facebook fans, Google+ circles, and Twitter followers what they thought was the biggest WGU-related news of 2013. Here are the top 13 vote-getters:
13. Summer Commencement and Winter Commencement Celebrate Graduating Classes of More than 4,000 Each
» Average score: 3.15 out of 5
12. WGU Nursing Programs Turn 5, Celebrate More than 6,600 Students since 2008
» Average score: 3.21 out of 5
11. Study Suggests Improved Earning Potential for WGU Graduates
» Average score: 3.38 out of 5
10. USDLA Recognizes WGU for Excellence in Distance Learning
» Average score: 3.46 out of 5
9. WGU Makes Fast Company's 2013 Ranking of World's 50 Most Innovative Companies
» Average score: 3.73 out of 5
7. Two-way tie:
- New State-Based WGUs Launched in Missouri and Tennessee
- Students Give WGU High Marks in National Survey of Student Engagement
» Average score: 3.79 out of 5
6. WGU Applauds Introduction of Legislation that Would Establish a Competency-Based Education Demonstration Program
» Average score: 4.07 out of 5
5. Enrollment Tops 40,000
» Average score: 4.23 out of 5
2. Three-way tie:
- President Obama Recognizes Online Western Governors University for Innovation and Affordability
- Sixth Straight Year with No Tuition Increase
- WGU Graduates Get High Ratings from Employers
» Average score: 4.33 out of 5
And the #1 top story of the year was…
1. WGU Celebrates its 20,000th Graduate
» Average score: 4.36 out of 5
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A large Halloween Graveyard scene static cling window border. Easy to apply and reuseable. Reverse printed in white for application to the inside of the window to be seen from the outside.
1000m x 295mm
NB The shop window photo above shows this item along with the set of 25 Bats which are available separately


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Too Dumb to Fail
And other news from the technological frontier.
Latest Human Nature columns: 1) The pseudo-feminist show trial of Larry Summers. 2) Life arrives on a moon of Saturn. 3) The creature genetic engineers fear most. 4) The creepy solution to the stem-cell debate.
Virginia may execute a killer because he's no longer retarded. Years ago, he scored 59 on an I.Q. test, qualifying as too retarded to be constitutionally executed. (The cutoff in Virginia is 70.) He recently took another I.Q. test and scored 76. His lawyer blames the improvement on the inmate's participation in litigating his appeals--"a forced march towards increased mental stimulation," according to the psychologist who tested him. Law-and-order spin: Low test scores are a joke. Anybody smart enough to plan a crime like this one is competent to be executed. Civil rights spin: I.Q. increases with age, so the state can retest an inmate for years until he scores too high. Cynical spin: The test nails exactly the wrong people, because anybody too dumb to figure out how to score below 70 when his life is at stake really is too retarded to be executed.
Cops are being investigated for using or selling steroids in nine states. They reportedly use the drugs to get strong enough to handle or intimidate suspects. Problem: Steroids can fuel rage and aggression. Two cops convicted of unwarranted shootings have blamed the drugs. Debate: 1) If steroids are criminal, only criminals will have steroids. 2) If steroids are legal, more cops will be criminals. ... 8:30 a.m. PT
Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005
A NASA study indicates greenhouse gases could revive Mars. Using ingredients already on the planet, astronauts could start a greenhouse effect and turn Mars into "a living and breathing world that could support future human colonies." Caveat: It "could take centuries or millenniums." Implication: It might be easier to make a nearby planet habitable than to reach a habitable planet far away.
A judge ruled that you can sue for the "wrongful death" of an embryo. The plaintiffs sued a fertility clinic for accidentally throwing out embryos it froze and stored for them. The judge cited 1) Illinois' Wrongful Death Act, which says "the state of gestation or development of a human being" doesn't disqualify a claim, and 2) another Illinois law that says an "unborn child is a human being from the time of conception and is, therefore, a legal person." A different judge previously tossed the case without explanation. Pro-choice spin: This ruling for embryonic personhood will be overturned because it defies other legal precedents. Pro-life spin: Other legal precedents will be overturned because they defy embryonic personhood. Political spin: Never mind abortion—the ruling will be axed because it defies stem-cell research. ... 6:00 p.m. PT
Friday, Feb. 4, 2005
The Food and Drug Administration may approve an electronic implant for depression. The implant, which was made to treat epilepsy, sends pulses to the brain. One expert calls it "a pacemaker for the brain." Similar implants already treat chronic pain. Patients would have to try drugs and other therapies before getting it. Implication: We're increasingly treating the mind as part of the body.
Cops are fingerprinting speeders in Phoenix, Ariz. Sheriff's deputies are asking for a thumbprint when they ticket a driver. Critics say drivers don't know they can refuse. Sheriff's spin: We're doing it to protect the innocent. Cynics' translation: They're doing it to catch the guilty. Implication: Government is finding new ways to collect evidence from ordinary people. ... 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005
Cell phones make young people drive as badly as old people. A simulator study indicates drivers 18 to 25 years old who use cell phones, even hands-free, react as slowly and overlook things as badly as drivers 65 to 74 years old who don't use cell phones. Implications: 1) Don't talk on the phone while driving. 2) If phone use by young drivers is dangerous enough to ban, why do we let old folks drive at all?
An ex-priest accused of child rape rested his entire defense on a recovered-memory debunker. Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus testified that "many people who have false memories have a lot of confidence and have a lot of detail about their memories." The accuser says he remembered three years ago that the priest abused him as a child. A psychiatrist previously testified for the prosecution that recovered memories are true. Critique: Loftus has shown the ability to implant false memories only in a lab. Reply: Speaking of bad memory, have you forgotten the McMartin case? Implication: We're using psychological generalizations to decide the truth of individual accusations.
The average consumer of a pay-per-view porn movie watches for just seven minutes.Implication: Don't ask. ... 1:30 p.m. PT
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005
Medicare will cover Viagra and other drugs for sexual dysfunction. Critique: Just when you thought government couldn't get dumber, here comes the boner subsidy. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, will file legislation to ban Medicare coverage of "lifestyle drugs." King tells NYT, "We are promoting abstinence for young people with raging hormones, and yet we are going to ask them to pay taxes for sex-enhancing drugs for seniors?" Defense: Medicare is just following precedent: Insurers already cover "quality-of-life" drugs for pain or indigestion, and the Department of Veterans Affairs covers Viagra for 150,000 men. Rebuttal: My God, it's worse than we thought. Implication: The distinction between necessary and elective medicine is breaking down.
Pro-lifers are using sonograms to dissuade women from abortions. One group plans to spend $4 million this year to put ultrasound machines in pregnancy counseling centers. Pro-life spin: Giving women information is pro-choice. Pro-choice spin: Then why don't these centers offer information about contraception or abortion options? Implication: The abortion war is shifting from politics to advertising.
Adult marrow cells might replace embryonic stem cells. Tufts University researchers say the marrow cells can become various kinds of specialized cells. They don't know whether the cells can become all types, as embryonic stem cells can. Upbeat spin: Science can now bypass the moral debate. Skeptical spin: Let's keep investigating embryonic cells in case this bulletin turns out to be a false alarm, as others have.
China is reversing its one-child policy. The old problem was unsustainable population growth. The new problem is an aging population, declining fertility rates, and as many as 40 million men doomed to bachelorhood because sex-selective abortions have led to only five girls for every six boys. New policies: 1) Criminalization of sex-selective abortions. 2) Free school tuition for some girls from poor families. 3) Pensions for some old folks if they just have daughters (so couples won't feel obliged to keep trying till they have a son). 4) Possibly a "two-child policy to prevent a looming baby bust." Implication: Central planning distributes population as brilliantly as it distributes food.Critique: Central planners never learn to stop planning; they just change the plan.
Sports doping cops have detected a new "undetectable" steroid. They found the drug, DMT, through a tip, not through urine tests, which it was designed to foil. They're trying to devise a urine test for it. Scientists' conclusions: 1) Doping technology is evolving rapidly. 2) The complexity of DMT suggests sophisticated chemists are involved. Implication: Dope chemists are joining hackers and terrorists as the price of knowledge diffusion.
Birds are smarter than we thought. We thought they were stupid because they don't have our brain structure. It turns out they're just different. Implication: We aren't as smart as we thought. Factoids: 1) Crows reshape natural objects to make tools. 2) Crows put nuts in front of traffic to get us to crack them. 3) Nutcrackers can recover thousands of seeds they hid six months earlier. 4) Magpies learn "object permanence" (i.e., just because you conceal something doesn't mean it's gone) faster than any other animal. 5) Pigeons try to fake out other birds about the location of food. 6) Parrots create language and pass along learned knowledge. Related: Al Sharpton is boycotting KFC.
Hard liquor and beer are good for old women. In a study, those who drank up to half an ounce of booze a day scored as well on a mental skill test as did nondrinkers who were 18 months younger. Likely reason: Alcohol improves blood flow and lowers the risk of small strokes. Caveat: Women who drank more than half an ounce scored as poorly as nondrinkers, so watch it. ... 11:30 a.m. PT
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005
People aren't fully rational until age 25. A study indicates the dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex, which weighs risks, consequences, and long-term goals, keeps changing past age 21. Implication: Young adults may not deserve the freedom or responsibility of older adults.Applications: 1) Virginia's state Senate has passed a ban on cell phone use by drivers under 18; the sponsor cites brain research as a basis. 2) The Supreme Court is considering whether brain research should limit use of capital punishmenton teenagers. Meanwhile, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will direct California's juvenile prison system to focus on therapy and "positive reinforcement rather than punitive disciplinary methods." 3) The cortex forms earlier in women—should they get rights and responsibilities before men do? 4) Should we rethink marriageor military enlistment by people under age 25?
Companies are firing or refusing to hire smokers. The reason? Not passive smoke, but health insurance costs. Tactics include "nonsmokers only" in job ads, no-smoking agreements in applications, and all kinds of tests (breathalyzer, polygraph, urine). Critiques: 1) Tobacco is legal. 2) Smoking outside work is your own business. 3) Fat workers may cost employers more than smokers do. Reply: Don't joke—Alabama may ask obese public employees to pay higher insurance rates. Implication: Money now defines the limits of tolerance.
A new magazine is devoted to cosmetic surgery.NewBeauty promises "the latest advances in plastic surgery, dermatology and cosmetic dentistry," plus "profiles of leading plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and cosmetic dentists." The editorial director promises "the ultimate guide to breast enhancement" and "everything you need to know about lasers and injectables." Critique: Great, more self-hatred of the natural human form. Defense: Your lips say no, but your eyes say yes.
Congress is moving to restrict cold medicine because an ingredient can be used to make methamphetamine. Ten Democratic and seven Republican senators have signed on to S. 103, the Combat Meth Act. Summary by sponsor Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.): "The most effective thing we can do to make meth harder to manufacture is to put cold medicine behind the counter at pharmacies and require purchasers to sign for it and show photo ID." Implication: The line between licit and illicit drugs is blurring.
President Bush says gay couples are inferior parents. He says, "Studies have shown that the ideal is where a child is raised in a married family with a man and a woman." NYT replies that studies show "no significant developmental differences" when kids are raised by gay couples. (Righty critique: The samples are too small to prove anything.) Caveat: In a British study, six of 30 kids raised by lesbian parents had a gay relationship by their 20s. (Lefty critique: The sample is too small to prove anything.) Implication: While defending Florida's antigay adoption policy, Bush is conceding that science, not religion, is the judge of parental fitness.
Fidgeting fights obesity. A study indicates thin people fidget enough to burn 350 more calories a day than fat people do, for an annual difference of 30 to 40 pounds. The good news, according to the researchers: You can control your weight by fidgeting. The bad news: You can't control your fidgeting—it's based on "genetically determined levels of brain chemicals." Critique: The researchers infer that if your weight doesn't determine your level of fidgeting, your genes control it. But there's a third option: Get off your duff.
We can turn stem cells into motor neurons. Scientists have derived cells that communicate from the brain to the spinal cord. Implication: We could eventually treat ALS, a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's disease.
An antidepressant gave a woman a two-hour orgasm. According to NYT, "While shopping, she said, she spontaneously had an orgasm that had lasted on and off for nearly two hours." Prescribing doctor's response: Uh oh—what went wrong? Woman's response: Wrong? Implication: I'll have what she's having.


text: Been trying to scrub isos for forever. Everytime I try to scrub a game iso, no matter what it is (Zelda,Paper Mario, Brawl, etc.) the scrubbed iso turns out the exact same size as the original. Yes I have a key.bin in the same directory. I've tried this with Wiiscrubber 1.0 all the way to 1.31 and it's still the same. Help anyone? I'm using Vista, if that matters. Screenshots: