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Public tours began this week at the Vero Beach Old Ice Age Archeological Site, signaling the beginning of the 2017 dig season. The partnership between the Old Vero Ice Age Sites Committee and FAU Harbor Branch and Department of Anthropology is entering it's fourth year and anticipation is high after discoveries at the end of the 2016 dig season.
Take a look at the video we produced for OVIASC as the team prepared to begin excavation this season. It was a pleasure working with all involved in the dig and I hope you locals out there take a moment to appreciate the work they're doing.
Music Credit: Hope of Men by Bytheway-May | Licensed by The Music Bed


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Joshua Kerbel, MBA
When it comes to connecting with customers and prospects, online video is one of the most cost effective and persuasive mediums out there. Businesses across a wide range of industries are using it to drive revenue and build robust sales funnels. Retailers find that video boost sales conversions, real estate agents employ it to bring in new home buyers and consultants use it to educate prospects on the value of their services.
The range of statistics that support the use of online video marketing are mind boggling, you could spend hours just categorizing them. According to market researcher comScore, 83.5 percent of all U.S. Internet users watched a Web video in January. And these just aren't Hollywood scale full length feature films we are talking about, we are talking about hundreds of thousands of hours of user generated content on video sharing sites like YouTube.
Statistics aside, the main reason video works is that it transcends time and space in order to help form personal relationships. It is a basic human instinct to trust someone who is talking to you face to face, and online video does just that, it lets people see you for who you are. And this trust is the basis of all business relationships. Look at the power that HGTV has in creating stars out of home decorating and renovating professionals.
But having said that, online video is almost an ideal marketing solution for construction professionals for a number reasons
Bridge distances: Imagine having a way of making an initial sales call without getting in your car and driving a few hundred miles in hopes of landing a new project. Properly used, online video show cases your expertise and answers many of the questions your sales prospects would ask you in a face to face meeting
Showcase past work: For a reasonable investment, a professional videographer can create a video portfolio of your completed work. Forget the idea of throwing up some still photos on our website; now you can do neat things like time lapsed videography so prospects can see your project rise from the ground
Walk-throughs: Imagine being able to walk a prospect through one of your existing jobs. Or maybe highlight the process you use to deal with difficult circumstances. Or provide a commentary on your most successful projects
On-camera testimonials: One of the best ways to get a prospect to trust you is to have other people speak on your behalf. While anyone can show a letter of recommendation from a previous client, getting an existing client to talk on your behalf, will blow people away and leave little doubt that you are worth hiring. Late night infomercials use on-camera testimonials for a reason, they work! Now you can leverage this benefit for your own needs.
Educate. If you refuse to compete on price, because your product offering is of a much higher quality than your competitions', then you must invest a lot of effort educating your prospects on why your services are worth the extra money. Leverage the personal connections you can create with online video to explain that the total cost of ownership of your work product is lower than the competition, demonstrate why your product last longer and showcase the attention to detail that makes your company worth the extra money.
If you are in the construction business, chances are you are selling large ticket items that require a substantial amount of trust on the part of the buyer in order to get them to sign on the dotted line. If you are having trouble closing new business deals, online video might be exactly what you need to push buyers into your waiting arms.

subset: commoncrawl


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An autonomous space plane will be added to the fleet of International Space Station cargo delivery vehicles following an announcement of new NASA re-supply contracts.
The Dream Chaser space plane that lands on a runway like an aeroplane and launches with the help of a rocket will join the duo of privately operated space capsules – SpaceX's reusable Dragon and Orbital ATK's disposable Cygnus.
NASA's decision to add a third spacecraft to the portfolio was likely motivated by serious launch accidents that grounded both freighters for several months within the space of a year.
Built by Nevada-based Sierra Nevada Corporation, the space shuttle-inspired concept was previously rejected by NASA to carry astronauts.
"The Dream Chaser Cargo System offers NASA a safe, reliable and affordable solution for ISS cargo delivery, return and disposal, ensuring the effective utilisation and sustainability of the ISS for years to come," said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president of SNC's Space Systems.
With the first flight expected to take place in 2019, Dream Chaser will perform at least six more cargo delivery missions for the American space agency until 2024.
NASA said the space plane, which will be launching from Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, will provide more opportunities for research on animals. Unlike the Dragon capsule, which lands in the ocean and needs to be recovered and taken to land, Dream Chaser would deliver its cargo right to NASA's facilities in Cape Canaveral.
"There are a lot of reasons to use animal studies to look at things like balance and sensory motor effects (of microgravity), and those are going to change so rapidly on return that we need to have the animals back right away," said ISS chief scientist Julie Robinson.
SpaceX and Orbital Sciences have also received new contracts to continue with their services beyond 2019. The three companies will now split $14bn of funding, although terms of individual contracts have not been disclosed.
Boeing and Lockheed-Martin's joined bid was previously rejected.
NASA estimates it will need about four cargo runs per year, but expects to spend 'significantly' less than $14bn overall, according to station program manager Kirk Shireman.
"Price was very, very important in terms of selecting these three companies, but they are so diverse in their capabilities," Shireman said.


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The Tax Office will be closed on Friday, August 17.
Roadside mowing, chip sealing, and other roadwork are underway. Drive slowly in summer work zones for our safety and yours. Stay alert and lookout for our personnel, signs, trucks, bright colored shirts and slow moving equipment at any time.
List of roads scheduled for crack sealing this year. Grading of some dirt roads and catch basin cleaning are also scheduled.
Visit the Lebanon Farmers Market in front of Town Hall from 9:00 AM to noon on Saturday, August 18.
The Registrars' Office will be closed on Thursday, August 23.
The Community Center Pool will be closed for the season after Saturday, August 25.
Regular monthly meeting of the Board of Selectmen
-- No resources available --Upload Minutes/Agendas


text: Debut 7" from this Philadelphia band. This one kind of fits in this sweet spot where I could see a lot of different people getting into it. On the one hand there definitely seems to be a pogo-punk influence at work here, as the songs are built around a very bouncy beat, but it's not quite as straightforwardly 1-2-1-2 as, say, Sad Boys, even if Latex do sound really similar to them in places. It's pretty much all hard and fast, and when you combine hard, fast, and heavy with those super high-pitched lady vox and the occasional blazing guitar lead you get something that reminds me quite a bit of the Comes. High praise, I know, but I dare say Latex live up to it... this is pretty raging!


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Welcome to the Courtyard Tarrytown Greenburgh hotel, located 13 miles from the White Plains Airport (HPN) and 1 mile from Metro North Tarrytown train station.
Your visit will make you part of the special history our hotel enjoys in New York's Hudson Valley landscape. Feel the warmth from the minute you enter our hotel just 13 miles from Westchester County Airport, one mile from the Metro North Tarrytown Train Station and 24 miles from New York City.
Welcome Pedestals
Our Courtyard Tarrytown hotel associates are available 24 hours a day for reservations, guest registration and helpful travel information. Our state-of-the-art lobby features a unique arrival experience that is sure to delight even the most traveled road warrior.
Outdoor Terrace
Take advantage of the exceptional Hudson Valley weather with a stop on our outdoor patio, where comfortable seating affords a view of perfectly manicured grounds and lush foliage. Sip an evening cocktail from The Bistro while soaking up the charm.
Double/Double Guest Room
Two double beds offer efficient accommodations with a touch of style. Sleep comfortably on plush bedding, crisp linens and extra fluffy pillows during your stay in our Tarrytown hotel near Sleepy Hollow, New York.
Queen/Queen Guest Room
Choose two queen-size beds if your goal is total relaxation in your guest room, which also features amenities including a mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, flat-panel TV and a plug-in panel so you can charge your electronic devices.
King Guest Room
A separate sitting area in the king guest rooms at our hotel near Greenburgh, NY makes an ideal spot to relax or entertain. You'll also find a spacious desk, oversized bathroom loaded with fluffy towels and upscale bath products.
Guest Bathroom Vanity
Our guest bathrooms featuring granite countertops and cotton, fluffy towels will even make your shampoo feel at home when staying at our hotel in Tarrytown, NY.
King Suite Bedroom
Comfort lives in the bedroom of your King Suite, which offers the convenience you crave in your home away from home. We have a select number of king suites available with free Wi-Fi.
Suite Living Area
Suites at our Tarrytown, NY hotel offer plenty of room to spread out, with separate areas for sleeping, working and relaxing, all decorated in warm jewel tones that will make you proud to entertain friends and family.
Suite Kitchen
Suite kitchenettes offer everything you need to prepare your morning cup of coffee or get your nightly popcorn fix, with a coffee maker, microwave and mini-refrigerator.
The Market
Visit The Market, open 24 hours a day for sundries, snacks, soft drinks and quick meals to go located in the lobby of our Tarrytown, NY hotel.
Business Center
If you have work to do, head for our business center. Computers, printers and free high-speed Internet access make staying connected easy. Check your email, print your boarding passes or surf the web in the quiet and efficient work space at our Tarrytown hotel.
Boarding Pass Station
The business center at our Courtyard Tarrytown hotel allows you to quickly print boarding passes when flying out of the White Plains, LaGuardia or Newark airports or just sit to engage in more elaborate computer-based tasks. You can also fax, copy and scan documents.
Media Pods
For a little privacy, utilize our comfortable media pods, where you can plug in laptops and cell phones and enjoy free high-speed Internet access to work or relax in style. A personal TV with a remote also is included.
Our signature GoBoard, an interactive, touch screen informational display panel, located in our lobby, allows you to access driving directions, view local weather, find a local restaurant, and catch up on all the latest news.
Communal Table
Meet up with friends or make new ones at the communal table in The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect.® The comfortable seating arrangement is just one of many where you can sip a cup of Starbucks coffee, connect to free Wi-Fi or simple unwind anytime.
Bistro Bar
There's no need to venture far from the hotel when hunger pangs hit. Dining at The Bistro in our Tarrytown hotel means you'll have a healthy and hearty selection of breakfast and dinner items to choose from. Our restaurant also serves Starbucks® coffee and evening cocktails.
Bistro Dining Area
Be comfortable and productive in our open and inviting space. Our restaurant area offers a variety of places to read, work, relax and dine. With an array of seating and furniture configurations, you can find a quiet corner to unwind, meet with friends over a glass of wine, or plug-in and work with free wireless high-speed Internet access.
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We offer a selection of drip coffee and specialty coffee beverages.
Bistro Breakfast Sandwich
Start your day with our Bistro Breakfast Sandwich made with cage free eggs, applewood-smoked bacon, aged white cheddar, arugula & avocado on a brioche roll.
Skillet Meatballs
Enjoy a bowl of skillet meatballs Pomodoro sauce, ricotta and parmesan, with artisan toast.
Green Goddess Chicken BLT
Enjoy a hearty green goddess chicken BLT with applewood-smoked bacon, avocado, and green goddess ranch, stacked between toasted artisan bread, paired with French fries or arugula salad.
Black Cherry Old Fashioned
Enjoy our 1806 style old fashioned "No Muddled Fruit" crafted with bourbon, demerara syrup, nished with cherry bitters and a Bordeaux cherry.
Indoor Pool
The indoor pool at our Tarrytown hotel is an entertaining spot for an invigorating swim or a leisurely soak after a day of exploring the Hudson Valley.
Fitness Center
Cardio machines and free weights in our fitness center offer the chance to burn a little excess energy or maintain your exercise goals while on the road. Walk, run or cycle your way to better health at our Tarrytown hotel.
West Point Military Academy
Located less than 30 minutes from the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point our hotel is ideal for parents, prospective students, and visitors of the USMA.
Tarrytown Steeple
While visiting our hotel in the village of Tarrytown, in the Town of Greenburgh, New York, make sure you stop and take all the beautiful local sites and hidden corners to be found in Westchester County.
Meeting Room
With 1,300 square feet of flexible meeting space in Tarrytown, NY, we can find seating for your next professional or social event. Let our team help you plan meetings, receptions, seminars and socials that will impress your guests for years to come.


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Vintage photos of:
March 1936. "Resettlement Administration official investigating the case of nine living in field on U.S. Route 70 between Camden and Bruceton, Tennessee, near the Tennessee River." View full size. Photograph by Carl Mydans.
I remember this photo from when it was first posted. I wonder what's up with those mischievous grins the older boys and mom seem to have? You'd think they wouldn't have much to smile about, but I guess even in the worst situations you can't stay sad the whole time.
It was the boy, not a girl
Actually there were seven children, not six.
A little girl behind the mother, between mother and father.
This photo showed up in Ken Burns' "The War" on the second night. Oddly enough, it was used during a segment describing the influx of rural people into Mobile due to the demands of the ship building industry.
[I noticed that too. Plus two other non-war-related pics that I will try to post tonight. - Dave]
They all seem to be enjoying confounding the fellow with the clipboard.
My bet is those women owned one pair of shoes, and they weren't tennis shoes. Women wore heeled shoes back then.
When you're pregnant your feet swell up. And heels sink in the mud.
I agree this is one of the best of all of the series, look at all of the comments!! You can see how much of our history people don't know or understand, some refuse to believe it was real? Having 6 kids back then was normal and families stayed together for better or worse. Times were hard and they did not have the options we do now.
These are my favorites of all the Shorpy pics. What a story they tell. Hopefully the Resettlement Administration was able to help them out. This is a monument to human tenacity.
I doubt having that many children changed their situation much, it was common to still have large rural families at the time.
When you combine a high infant mortality rate and no social security net of any sort, having six, seven, eight children (in the hopes that a least a couple would live to adulthood and support his/her parents) was a practical way to guarantee that you didn't starve to death in your old age. Also, don't assume that birth control was available or affordable. Even information about birth control was deemed obscene and therefore illegal. It wasn't until 1936 (the year this photo was taken!) that the Supreme Court ruled the federal government couldn't interfere with a doctor providing birth control devices to patients. History. Learn some.
Whoa. Is she pregnant?
Interesting that only the three sons (on the left) and the father get to wear shoes.
I love how the oldest girl is literally in the middle of the other kids. And I suppose having six children didn't in any way contribute to their economic condition (the Depression too, of course).
Several of the children could easily be alive somewhere right now! I'm dying to know!


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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge joined the Royal family this afternoon for a lunch hosted by the Queen for monarchs from 26 countries at Windsor Palace.
Those in attendance included Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Albert and his wife Charlene and Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Missned.
Catherine opted for a pretty pink Emilia Wickstead coat dress with a pleated skirt from the Fall 2012 collection.
A brooch accented her dress which she paired with champagne-coloured satin pumps.
Credit: Getty


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Research, HFT Strategy Design and Hedge Fund Advisory. Our top management has decades
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provide you with a robust global delivery platform outsourcing your financial research
work. Our offshore delivery model is complimented with nearshore solutions to help
in integration of teams. Finserve partners with local institutions for in-house
skill development. We cater individuals with same care and concern that servesinstitutional


text:
I want to get to the core of the day, the emotions, the feelings, the environment and the mood.
I have a constant fascination with people. How they interact with each other and what they are truly like in the real sense of the word.
When shooting weddings, it's all about the couple, family, friends and being welcomed into a world that I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to.
To me, wedding photography is a way to bring people back to a particular moment and feeling in time. It's about representing your wedding as honestly as possible and capturing as many moments and interactions as I can for you. I want to bring you back into these moments and scenes to make you feel like you did in that moment and for those that weren't there, to be taken this journey with you.
I want to get to the core of the day, the emotions, the feelings, the environment and the mood.
Let me represent who you are, what's important to you through imagery that you will look upon for years to come. Let me be a witness. Let me tell your story.


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While no banker likes exams, the ones by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are arguably the most fraught.
Nearly five years after the agency opened its doors, many companies view CFPB exams as akin to litigation, which can result in higher chance of an enforcement action, according to some former examiners.
That's something that needs to change, they said, while also pointing out other ways in which banks could perform better during their next assessment.
"Cooperation will help you ace an exam," said Molly Calkins, a lawyer at Akerman and a former CFPB examiner. "You and your company may feel that the examiner is your enemy, but that's not an effective attitude. Instead, you might think of the examiner as the good cop who is allowing you to do things the easy way rather than the hard way – with an enforcement action being the hard way."
To be sure, the CFPB may have set the tone for the adversarial nature of exams when it initially sent enforcement attorneys to take part as a routine practice. After the industry strongly objected, the CFPB finally halted the practice in late 2013.
"That highlighted the bureau's recognition that exams are not inherently adversarial, and now the bureau encourages examiners to approach exams neutrally," Calkins said.
Here are suggestions from Calkins and other former examiners on what bankers should do during an exam to ensure a good score.
Give examiners the documents they want
It sounds simple, but many former examiners said institutions will act as if they are in litigation, treating requests for materials as if it were a court case. That type of attitude is counterproductive, said Calkins, who minced no words in explaining the CFPB's authority.
"The CFPB's right to documents is not just broad, it is unfettered," she said. "You must produce what the CFPB asks for. Refusing to produce requested information will have negative consequences that will taint the entire exam, and it will increase the odds of a low compliance rating."
Further, failing to provide any requested information without a solid basis for protecting it "wears away at a company's credibility and supervisory profile," she said.
"When the CFPB asks for information, hand it over, even if it is potentially damaging," Calkins said. "If violations are found, your company will be in a better negotiating position as to what the bureau will do about the violations if your company has been forthcoming."
Make it easy for examiners to access documents through a data portal
The CFPB does not want to deal with paper files. Instead, institutions should ensure there is a data access point that is limited to exam materials.
Similarly, banks should not deluge the portal with too much information, but make sure it is relevant to what the examiner is seeking.
"Don't give the examiners everything plus the kitchen sink," said Nicole Anderson, director of the financial services regulatory practice at PwC and a former examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. "To be cooperative, give them what they ask for and have another set of eyes to ensure the materials going to them are complete and accurate."
Self-police potential violations
The CFPB has made it clear that to minimize the risk of an enforcement action, a bank should attempt to find any potential violations on its own. If it does find them, it should report them to the CFPB and remediate any harm quickly. The best banks will cooperate with the bureau "above and beyond" what is required.
Designate an exam representative from the bank
Former examiners said banks should create an exam management team and designate one person to act as a quarterback to track examiner requests and set a timetable for responses. That person can also report on the status of the exam to executives and business partners.
If there are too many people involved from the bank, it can be difficult to keep track of what the institution still needs to turn over or for examiners to know whom they should speak with for more information.
Give examiners a separate space to work
Many examiners are tired and travel-weary when they arrive at a bank, often coming from another exam. Former examiners recommended giving them a private area where the can access documents, discuss findings, issue requests and complete their work.
"I've spent my time in basements set up at card tables. It happens and it's not fun," Anderson said. "It would be nice to get examiners a real chair and a real phone that they can use."
Use examiners as a resource
Regulators see a lot of different institutions of varying sizes, complexities and geographies. Institutions should ask examiners what they are seeing at other companies in order to be better prepared for the next exam.
When challenging a finding, be professional
Former examiners suggested that banks should challenge an examiner's finding if they feel it's in error, but be sure to do so in a way that's respectful.
"Examiners are people. They sometimes make mistakes, sometimes they get it wrong," Anderson said. "If they got it wrong, part of the dialogue is to have the discussion with a level head. Have a well-reasoned rationale for why you disagree with any finding. "
Above all, banks should not reflexively treat examiners as the enemy.
"Do not be adversarial," Anderson said.


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|Message view
|« Date » · « Thread »
|« Date » · « Thread »
|Dirkjan Ochtman <dirk...@ochtman.nl>
|Re: Incremental backups
|Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:39:14 GMT
On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 13:35, afters <firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote: > Could you elaborate a bit? this sounds like a full backup to me? (please post your reply below the text you're replying to, to facilitate linear reading) No, replication only propagates document revisions that are new in the source database. You can see in Futon how a database maintains an "Update Seq", which is an identifier for the full contents of the database at the time. By only transmitting only the updates after a seq the target database already has, replication is fairly efficient. Cheers, Dirkjan
|View raw message


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'Extreme' Entrepreneurs Hit the Silk
As if to prove their reputations as risk-takers, two dozen entrepreneurs are planning to jump out of a plane above Florida this weekend in a bid to raise money to combat global poverty.
"Jump for Opportunity" is being sponsored by Opportunity International, a nonprofit fundraising group that seeks to ease chronic poverty by providing loans, insurance and training to small businesses in the developing world, among other initiatives.
This weekend's jumpers include many of the group's Young Ambassadors for Opportunity, a network of young volunteers with chapters in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and other major cities across the country.
The group's youth-wing is currently raising funds to build a full-service bank for the working poor in Tanzania, where many of its members have traveled.
Perhaps not surprisingly, other jumpers are part of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, a part business conference and part pep rally led by young business owners.
The jump is scheduled to take place this Saturday morning at the Skydive Space Center in Titusville, Fla.


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Omorovicza Budapest Complexion Perfector BB SPF 20
Omorovicza Budapest Complexion Perfector BB SPF 20 caught my attention on Sephora today. I've never heard of Omorovicza Budapest but it appears a newly launched brand on Sephora.
This one is pricey though…like WAY out of my range!
Take a look!
Omorovicza Budapest Complexion Perfector BB SPF 20 promises to be a rich BB Cream that acts as a foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen, concealer, and anti-aging cream all in one.
This is the first time a BB Cream that launched in the US has defined like this. Most of the BB Creams we've seen so far don't make too many unrealistic claims (nor would they keep them if they did considering most act as a tinted moisturizer).
Although a little weak in the SPF area it seems quite interesting but I'm probably not willing to shell out $125 for a bottle.
Available now at Sephora.com
Whatcha think?


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The Flight From the Enchanter, Iris Murdoch, The Viking Press, 1956, 316 pp
I don't personally know anyone who has read Iris Murdoch's novels. This is her second novel and only the second one I have read. I find her books so far, to be refreshingly unique. In this one she explores the hold a strong personality can have over other people, denying them the freedom to live by their own determinism.
Only gradually does the reader realize which character in the story is the enchanter and by then you are so invested in several of his victims' lives, that you fear for them and thus are happy for each one's efforts at flight. As in her first novel, Under the Net, the characters are beyond the ordinary with quirks and bizarre behaviors, though many are portrayed with a dark humor. She pits the laughable characters against the admirable ones, so it is the tensions between characters rather than the somewhat thin plot that moves the story and compels the reader.
The novel takes place in 1950s London amidst literary people, early feminists, government bureaucrats and immigrants, but the moral theme of how much power any individual should concede to another over one's life is universal. I found the book moving and enjoyable.
(The Flight From the Enchanter is out of print, as far as I can tell. Once again, libraries and used book sellers are your best source.)


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A study released by the National Council of Senior Citizens on for-profit hospital chains accuses them of forfeiting the quality of care in favor of making money.
The for-profit facilities also are running some nonprofit facilities out of business, according to the report.
Entitled ``For-Profit Hospital Care: Who Profits? Who Cares?`` the study, released last week, looks at the rapid growth of for-profit chains in the United States.


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WEST PHILADELPHIA - April 25, 2013 --Police say the windows on two houses and several cars were shattered during a shooting spree in West Philadelphia early Wednesday morning.
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. along the 4300 block of Reno Street.
Numerous shell casings were found on the street and two bullets went into the two houses, officials say.
There were no injuries reported and police are investigating.


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By SSK
Taxes are never a popular thing, anywhere in the world. And there is hardly any country that does not have some form of tax. Malaysia's 6% goods and services tax (GST), which came into effect recently on 1st April to replace the sales and services tax (SST) of 16%, has, understandably, attracted a lot of controversy and protest because no one likes to pay taxes.
Some are saying that if Barisan Nasional were replaced with Pakatan Rakyat then Malaysia would be able to abolish taxes. This is not true and is a fallacy because no country that changes its government abolishes its taxes once the government is changed. The new government also needs these taxes to be able to run the country.
Malaysia's GST is not an additional tax but a replacement to the old taxes. And this means now more people would pay taxes and what you pay depends on how much you spend. So the more money you have and the more money you spend the more taxes you pay.
About 160 countries have this form of tax so Malaysia is not the only one nor is it the first to implement it, whether it is called GST or VAT. Can all these countries be wrong?
In Singapore and Thailand you pay 7%. In New Zealand it is 15% and 10% in Australia. In Canada it is 5% and in all these countries it attracted a lot of controversy and debate as well.
In the EU countries it ranges from 15% to 27% and in countries like Indonesia it is 10%, Japan 8%, Mexico 16%, Philippines 12%, China 17%, Israel 18%, Morocco 20%, Pakistan 17%, and so on.
Hence at 6% Malaysia is probably amongst the lowest in the world.
Just as is true of most Asian countries, in Malaysia the wage earner pays tax while the rich have all sorts of ways to avoid or evade tax. Only about 1.7 million of the 11 million registered workers are registered taxpayers. Furthermore, foreign workers who do not pay tax send home billions every month.
Now even the rich would have to pay tax and the richer you are the more you pay because the rich would spend more, plus those who have thus far had a free ride now need to contribute to the tax coffers.


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Quietman wrote:We need a PSN Username thread I think...
Here we go chaps, throw your names out.
PS3 owners feel free to list your names too. In fact, when you give your name put in brackets (PS3/PS4) depending on what you own just for convenience.
The List
Forum Name - PSN Tag
Mantis - El_Mantis_ (PS3/Vita)
Quietman - MrVampyr (PS3/PS4)
Srcr. Maligree - SrcrMaligree (PS3)
second_base - Geraint09 (PS3)
eVoL - MrEibmoz (PS3/PS4/Vita)
Papa Lazarou - PLazarou (PS3/Vita)
Paul - CorrendousHunt (PS4)
AnimalMother - MIngWang12 (PS3)


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This is a Special Order item. These are new to Whelen and may require an extra lead time.
The newly designed, low-profile Inner Edge FST Series better utilizes vehicle contours, providing higher visibility and a custom fit. Whelen's all-new patent-pending 100% silicone internal optics increase clarity and have the power to punch through tints. The Inner Edge Series is available with SOLO™, DUO™, or TRIO™ technology.


text:
Print Design:
- Advertisements
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- And More!
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Don't see something you need? Ask! The items listed are just a sampling of what I can do to help you solve your design problem.
Anita did all the graphic design of the DiscoverU printed catalog (among other printed collaterals) she was incredibly prompt, professional, and easy to work with. We never once missed a deadline and 99% of the time our publication was at the press ahead of schedule. Communication was always fast & easy. I would highly recommend Anita Elder for any graphic design work.
Top qualities: Personable, Good Value, On Time – Erin Brandon
read more testimonials


text:
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories (AFP) - A spokesman for Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, warned on Thursday of renewed fighting with Israel if talks in Cairo to extend a 72-truce in Gaza collapsed.
"We appeal to the Palestinian delegation to not accept a ceasefire, unless it satisfies the demands of our people," a spokesman using the nom-de-guerre Abu Obeida said in a televised address, adding that Hamas fighters were "ready to return to battle."
The three-day truce ending four weeks of bloodshed between Israel and Hamas, in which 1,886 Palestinians and 67 people on the Israeli side were killed, is due to end at 5am GMT Friday (1pm Singapore time).
The sides have so far failed to negotiate an agreement to extend the truce, with the Palestinians accusing Israel of "procrastinating".
Abu Obeida said the main demand of Hamas was the opening of a sea port for the blockaded enclave.
"We will not agree to stop the battle without a real end to the (Israeli) aggression and a real lifting of the siege," he said.
"If there is an agreement, it will be possible to extend the truce, but if there is not, we will ask the delegation to withdraw from the talks."
Speaking from Cairo, senior Hamas political official and delegation member Ezzat al-Rishq, said: "The resistance in Gaza and the delegation in Cairo are in one trench."


text: (The following statement was released by the rating agency) BARCELONA/PARIS/LONDON, September 15 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed the City of Pamplona's Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB+' with Positive Outlook. Fitch has also affirmed the Short-Term Foreign Currency IDR at 'F2'. The affirmation reflects Pamplona's strong operating performance in 2016 plus moderate and reduced direct debt. The affirmation also reflects the city's strong economy. The Positive Outlook reflects that of the Spanish sovereign (BBB+). KEY RATING DRIVERS Strong Economy Pamplona is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Navarre and the city represents a high 31% of the region's population. Pamplona's economy is wealthy and the city functions as an important administrative, political and economic centre in Navarre. Pamplona is also a major service centre in the region with its high-quality private health clinics and university centres contributing to the dynamism of the local economy. Pamplona's economy also benefits from being a hub for the automobile industry due to Volkswagen's Landaben plant being located in the city. The plant has 4,500 employees and expected increasing sales of the new "Polo" model could raise this number by 200 in 2017, with also an indirect impact on the local labour market. Its strong economy is demonstrated by a regional GDP per capita that was 24.4% above the Spanish average in 2016 and a higher-than-average regional employment rate of 53.3% in 2Q17 (48.7% in Spain). After large losses during 2008-2013, the labour market is recovering, with job creation in the region expanding 9.4% between 4Q13 and 2Q17. Improved Budgetary Performance Pamplona's steady and sound operating revenue is largely driven by significant and predictable current transfers from Navarre (44% of operating revenue in the 2017 draft budget), in part due to the city's special status as the capital of Navarre. Many of the services provided in Pamplona are effectively delivered via the inter-municipal structure (MCP) with satisfactory financial accounts. Pamplona approved the 2017 budget with majority support. Fitch expects Pamplona's operating margin will remain strong at 13%-15% for 2017-2018 (14.1% at end-2016). Operating revenue is expected to grow 2%-3% due to a 1.3% yoy increase in current transfers from the government of Navarre, in line with expected inflation in the region. Moreover, Pamplona initiated a partial valuation of the real estate stock in the municipality, which should lead to a projected property tax collection increase of 1% yoy in 2017. Operating expenditure is expected to grow by a slower 1%-2% in 2017, largely on social spending and staff costs (50% of operating spending in the 2017 draft budget). Reduced Direct Debt Direct debt declined in 2016 to 44% of current revenue or EUR86.1 million from EUR93.9 million in 2015 (50%) as the city used its budget surplus to repay debt. Fitch expects such debt repayment to continue in 2017 and 2018, taking direct debt lower to 30%-44% of current revenue. Pressure on debt servicing is fairly moderate, particularly with EUR26.3 million debt maturing over the next three years, or 31% of outstanding direct debt at end-2016. Pamplona's liquidity is stable and ample, as available cash represented 63% of the city's outstanding direct debt at end-2016, meaning that no short-term credit lines were necessary. RATING SENSITIVITIES Pamplona's IDRs are constrained by the sovereign IDRs and are therefore sensitive to changes in the latter. 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Monday, November 13, 2006
a defense of Al Gore, and initial '08 thoughts by Trippi http://mydd.com/story/2006/11/12/181412/88
FWIW the conventional wisdom is that Gore will run in 08 despite his denials. Especially since Warner (the centrist) and Feingold (the progressive) have opted out. Joe Trippi has a piece in the WaPo about the frontrunners (written prior to Feingold's statement). Heres the items of particular interest to me:
Front-runner: Hillary Rodham Clinton
She has it all -- the ability to raise the money; a political team that's among the best, if not the best, in the party; a strong base of support; and an uncanny ability to avoid political mistakes. And I don't care what anyone says -- her husband is one of two rock stars in the Democratic Party and a huge asset.
Ironically, the problem with Clinton's candidacy arises from her strength. Front-runners have something to lose, so they almost always run cautious, safe campaigns. This almost cost John Kerry the nomination in 2004, and could cost the senator from New York the nomination in 2008. Her strength also creates the certainty that a campaign of bold new ideas will emerge to oppose her. She is so strong within the party that, with so many contemplating a run against her, the only viable option for a serious challenger is to put forth innovative ideas in hopes of breaking out of the pack. And there are plenty in the Democratic Party who are capable of doing that.
The Oxygen Taker: Al Gore
Talk about setting a progressive agenda with bold new ideas. The man is doing it and he doesn't even have a job. In a party that tends to treat its past nominees like lepers, Gore has done an amazing job of reemerging as an important thought leader on issues such as the Iraq war and global warming. If he throws his hat into the ring, he will immediately suck all the oxygen out of the room for most of the other candidates. The media won't be able to stop doing the Hillary vs. Al 800-pound-gorillas-go-at-it stories. Everyone but Obama will be reduced to begging for attention. But entering the race means he suddenly would have something to lose. Could candidate Gore stop himself from playing it safe?
The Champion of 2006: John Edwards
Hands down the guy who improved his position the most this year. Edwards leads the field in early polls in Iowa, which is more important than ever, because the 2008 nominating process is more front-loaded than in prior years. The former North Carolina senator has a bevy of ideas, and is the only Southerner, important to a party that has elected only two presidents in the past 30 years -- both from the South. All of which earns him a down arrow -- because once you take the lead in Iowa, the entire field tries to destroy you. Good luck.
I don't really consider Obama, Richardson, or Bayh to be viable. Biden is interesting. Kerry is out - I'll vote for the Republican or not vote at all. Clark and Vilsack are more veepish as far as I am concerned - they really have to distinguish themselves. And Clark carries Clinton baggage, so if he does declare and Hillary is running as assumed, there might be issues there.
I am astonished about the lack of attention a potential Gore 2008 run is getting. Hello, the guy one a national election the last time he ran but was SHAFTED! In essence, he is the only person capable of derailing the Hillary Express. He was right on the war (she wasn't), and would have no problem fund raising or with name recognition. Plus he has won widespread acclaim recently for being a visionary and leader regarding the environment.
Obama 2008 - I want my country back
About Nation-Building
Nation-Building was founded by Aziz Poonawalla in August 2002 under the name Dean Nation. Dean Nation was the very first weblog devoted to a presidential candidate, Howard Dean, and became the vanguard of the Dean netroot phenomenon, raising over $40,000 for the Dean campaign, pioneering the use of Meetup, and enjoying the attention of the campaign itself, with Joe Trippi a regular reader (and sometime commentor). Howard Dean himself even left a comment once. Dean Nation was a group weblog effort and counts among its alumni many of the progressive blogsphere's leading talent including Jerome Armstrong, Matthew Yglesias, and Ezra Klein. After the election in 2004, the blog refocused onto the theme of "purple politics", formally changing its name to Nation-Building in June 2006. The primary focus of the blog is on articulating purple-state policy at home and pragmatic liberal interventionism abroad.


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NEW YORK-- H.J. Kalikow & Co., LLC along with Cushman & Wakefield announced today two major lease agreements with Morgan Stanley and Convene at 101 Park Avenue, located between 40thand 41stStreets.
Morgan Stanley, one of the leading investment bank and wealth management firms in the world, has signed a long-term lease renewal for 39,000 square feet in the 49-story building. The company is a longstanding tenant in the building and will continue to occupy space on the 23rdand 24thfloors.
Convene, a New York based operator of conference center facilities serving 64% of New York's Fortune 500 companies, has signed a new lease at 101 Park Avenue. The company will occupy 20,000 square feet on the ground floor fronting Park Avenue and 41stStreet.
"101 Park Avenue has always been and continues to be a property where our tenants are able to provide their employees and clients the best environment possible for conducting business," said Peter Kalikow, developer and owner of 101 Park Avenue. "I am very proud of the fact that 101 Park Avenue has such a prestigious roster of tenants who recognize value and stay for a long time. In fact, over 60% of the tenants at the property are original tenants. Other tenants, including Morgan Lewis, Booz & Co., Kelley Drye & Warren, and Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, have been at 101 Park from its very inception. That is a strong testament to the quality and services provided at 101 Park Avenue."
A Cushman & Wakefield team led by John Cefaly, Executive Vice Chairman, Gus Field, Vice Chairman, Clark Finney, Senior Director, and David McBride, Senior Director, serve as exclusive leasing agent and represented ownership, Kalikow Properties, in the transactions. Michael Laginestra, Stuart Eisenkraft and Michael Geoghegan of CB Richard Ellis represented Morgan Stanley and Rocco Laginestra, Michael Whellen and Jared Freede of CB Richard Ellis represented Convene.
101 Park Avenue is a Class-A building located in Midtown Manhattan's Grand Central neighborhood. The office building is conveniently located near Grand Central Terminal and major subway lines. More than 60 percent of tenants that leased space in the building since its inception are still doing business at the prestigious 101 Park Avenue address.
Cushman & Wakefield is the world's largest privately‐held commercial real estate services firm. The company advises and represents clients on all aspects of property occupancy and investment, and has established a preeminent position in the world's major markets, as evidenced by its frequent involvement in many of the most significant property leases, sales and assignments. Founded in 1917, it has 253 offices in 60 countries and nearly 15,000 employees. It offers a complete range of services for all property types, including leasing, sales and acquisitions, equity, debt and structured finance, corporate finance and investment banking, corporate services, property management, facilities management, project management, consulting and appraisal. The firm has more than $3.7 billion in assets under management globally. A recognized leader in local and global real estate research, the firm publishes its market information and studies online at www.cushmanwakefield.com/knowledge.


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Cape Town - Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu believes the Boks picked precisely the right team to take on Fiji in their second Word Cup clash.Click to BUY the new Drifta Mobile USB DecoderClick to BUY the Rugby World Cup 2011 Game for XboxThe Fijians are renowned for their running capabilities and thrive in a loose and unstructured environment. Therefore, it is vital that the Boks stick to their more structured game plan. And Treu believes Bok coach Peter de Villiers made the right selections for the game plan they need to employ against the islanders."I think the Springbok team picked for this game is spot on. We don't want the game to be played beyond the outside centre, because between our forward pack and a physical inside centre like Frans Steyn, the Fijians won't be able to do what they want," Treu told Die Burger newspaper."They even struggled against Namibia in the tight phases. They enjoy space and are capable of scoring tries within two phases."If we put them under pressure in the tight phases and in the first channel in the backline, their attacking structures will disintegrate. Once the Fijians get frustrated, their discipline lets them down and that's why Morné Steyn's boot could play such a big role in the match."He also reiterated that the Boks' strong points could be utilised to exploit the Fijian weaknesses. They are poor at scrum time, lineouts, kickoffs and under the high ball - all areas where the Boks excelled in against the Welsh. "That's where we could determine the tempo of the game and make it much slower than what they would like."De Villiers has come under fire in some quarters for not giving dangerous attackers like Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh a chance. But Treu believes it was the right decision not to start with them against Fiji."Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh will provide the X-factor against more structured teams. You shouldn't try and beat a team with the same kind of game that it employs. Therefore, against Fiji, you pick a guy like Frans Steyn to dominate them physically," said Treu. Teams:South Africa:15 Pat Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie Du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Danie Rossouw 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthro SteenkampSubstitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis 17 Tendai Mtawarira 18 Johann Muller 19 Willem Alberts 20 Fancois Hougaard 21 Ruan Pienaar 22 Juan de JonghFiji:15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gaby Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Waisea Sedre Luveniyali, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afuSubstitutes: 16 Telemaitoga Dautu Tuapati, 17 Waisea Nailago, 18 Netani Edward Talei, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Vitori Tomu Buatava, 21 Nicky Little, 22 Gaby Lovobalavu
I would've picked Juan de Jongh ahead of Francois Steyn. There is nothing wrong with his defensive capabillities. Then I would've have left Steyn at fullback. Lambie is going to struggle against a big Fijian running at him. Go the underdog! Go Fiji!
Lambie's defense is rock solid. I aint worried.
Don't you have a sheep to see to?
Vusi, not many sheeps in suburban South Africa. In your township maybe.
haha - what a looser - sour grapes with a chip on ITS shoulder
No Bruce, there aren't any Aussies in my township.
Mr Bee Hind, was your comment directed at me? In other words if you support the underdog then you are a loser? Sour about what exactly?
I do agree with what his name... We are spot on...but hold... aren't what his name the 7's a side coach??? Damn what about the 8 players???
Hey Bruce, why are you pretending to be an Ocker when you're not, your past posts are a dead set give away that you're not and any ANZAC that reads your responses would know. I wont tell you what gives it away but it sticks out like dogs balls to us antipodeans, not getting enough attention at home?
Anyway, As a general indicator regarding the score against Fiji.....7 weeks ago the All Black B team beat Fiji 60-14 (46 point diff) so hopefully for the Boks sake the Boks should win comfortably. Regardless of the score it should be a gem of a game and what style/tactics are used by both teams.
Ruck, who was I before? This should be good.
@Bruce, surely a real Aussie would not say sheeps? Is English not suppose to be your first language? Or are you just stupid?
Spelling error numbnut, you've never made one before?
"you've never made one before?" is a statement, not a question Bruce. Are you stating that I have never made a spelling error before, or are you asking me if I have? If it is the latter it should read: have you never made one before?
@Bruce, I'd rather talk rugger......by the way, what city/town in OZ are you from?
Vuzi, it's a question. Newcastle, outside of Sydney.
Outside Sydney? You mean about 300 km's north of Sydney? yeah right
About 150km halfcast. What's your point? It might feel like 300km in your car.
And the bloke dissapeared into thin air.
he had better things to do than argue with an idiot....
TrueSaffa, I made a comment about team selection, without insulting anyone. Then your friend started with his crap. He ignorently guessed as to where I come from and when I corrected him, he dissapeared. It's got nothing to do with arguing with an idiot. Mind you, this is where I get out.
Hey bruce go take a dump
Juan would have struggled on defence against these guys, and Lambie proved he is a good tackler when he played New Zealand, so you will see this weekend.
Dundee - go your mama!!
Some of your guys' parents must be mighty proud.
The crims to loose to Ireland.... go the underdog
Ag Bruce, you clearly dont know how hard Patric Lambie can tackle.
He is one of the best defenders in SA. Maybe you should start watching some rugby.
Frans Steyn is perfect for centre against Fiji.
Where do you come from? Flippet!
Bruce cannot spell,nor string together too many coherent English sentences. Bruce also has a rather limited rugby knowledge as well. The Fijian's are big however nowhere nearly as physical as say a Samoan and should the game plan be stuck to and work there will be no fijians running at the fullback although he is a solid defender and the only channel we should really worry about is flyhalf. Go and Brush up on your rugby before you trash talk you numbnut. Plus sheep are not in TOWNSHIPS as you so eloquently put but in rural south african and on farms. You're clearly a tosser expat who now thinks he is an Aussie however you are still the lowlife scum from Parys who's uncle where's yellow crocs with black PT pants?
in 1872 the Aussies invented the condom, using the sheeps bladder. However in 1873, the English somewhat refined the idea by taking the bladder out of the sheep.
You are so right but again SA rugby and their agenda´s. De Jongh even performed better than Jean during super rugby.
Haha, Bruce is a big aussie douchebag...
who's socks are you smoking anyway having just watched the game fiji gave a good account of themselves though the bokke had control of the game for just about the whole game
This is what we've come to: celebrating team selections for Fiji. We should be playing our B-team against them, with our A-team humming along nicely.
Well done SARU. Well done ANC.
I agree slg. Just like the Allblacks played their B team against Tonga and Australia played their B team against Italy.........moron.
Wake up dude - if you haven't noticed all the smaller rugby nations have got better. Gone are the days of a free lunch...
How much lower do you guys want to go. We pretty much lost against Wales and managed to scramble a win at home against the NZ B-team.
U obviosuly know nothing about Rugby..
Besides the inclusion of Smit and Spies, this must be pretty close to the best team available. The inclusion of Spies is a mystery; if you are playing a tight, defensive game plan then Alberts is a much strong defender and much more effective in the tight phases. Bismarck would also thrive in a match like this, but I guess with Matfield out, there aren't too many likely captains left if Smit didn't start.
Fourie du Preez is also far from his best. Should have played Francios Hougaard at scrum half.
Agreed Lionel, or on the wing. He's playing some good rugby right now
I think Spies is starting before Alberts due to his athleticism, Alberts is slower but might be used to grind out a try in the end. First catching the Fijians is the goal, landing a good tackle is secondary it seems.
Paul Treu is a superb, world championship - winning sevens coach.
He knows what he is talking about when it comes to running rugby and motivating athletes.
Mr Rob Jones, your stupid comment about his race is not welcome.
Over NZ yes !
Good to see a coloured player supporting Div wonder why. Can I see a reward for him at the end of the rainbow?
Butt Fred
How many chanpionships has he won in 7s? How many has Gordon Tetchens from New Zealand won (slam dunk) Why are all your coaches over there coloured now cant white people coach anymore?
What has colour got do do with anything? Why you guys got so many islanders and Maoris in your side, cant your white sheepshaggers, play rugby anymore? See, think before you speak and mind your own business.
It's Tietjens. Shows how much you know!
Vusi, unfortunately it has everything to do with the way SARU is run. This is one of the main reasons our rugby is not the force it once was, and we've given the advantage over to NZ.
Wow, I never knew Superman was a racist, but coming from Krypton, where everyone is green, I suppose colour is an issue.
Hey NZ Prick...Go count your sheep...Watch your team choke like they always do...Funny how we have won 2 world cups...And you guys have just one...Paul Treu is a legend in sevens coaching...Remember we have also won the sevens world champs so get a life sheep dick...
Hey flippen idiot! SARU has always been about colour, right from the days they excluded black and coloured players. Have you met Paul Treu? I have, and the man knows his rugby. Easy to be superman when you probably can't even play the game. junkhead!
Spot on.. play to our strengths not theirs!
Best 14 man team chosen for the game!
Paul Treu for next Bok coach!
He certainly got the make of one! He is not a "puppet" and runs his own impressive show in 7's. We should get him into Super Rugby a.s.a.p.!!
lucid points all, Treu is a world class 7s coach and seems like a thoroughly decent bloke,he has had to deal with these islanders often....sure the nature of the game is different,but the gameplay theory is the same,we have to keep this game tight....get too fancy,and they CAN beat us.
Wise words from a wise man
@ Bruce..Do you watch rugby on the radio by chance ? Im a proud Stormer but in no ways would I risk de Jongh's defensive capabilities against Fiji, he is an impact player at best when the Fijans tire. hes simply too small..FSteyn offers some beef insuring the Fijans will think twice about running his channel. Lambies defens is more than capable..How can you worry about Lambies defense and physicality before de Jonghs ? Turn on your tv mate !
Jee the insults are flying around in this forum. I have accidentally stumbled upon it and fascinated by the personal attacks. I'm a 55 year old woman with quite a decent rugby knowledge if I might say so myself. I agree with Paul Treu - that we have chosen the best possible team for the Fiji-match. Unfortunately many of our dangerous match winning players like Fourie du Preez, Brian Habana, Morne Steyn, Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers are either out of form or struggle with niggling injuries. If these problems are not ironed out soon, SA will have a very difficult time to progress to the second round even though they had won the difficult match against Wales. Samoa can become a vital match. I am very uneasy - their pool is very unpredictable - Fiji & Samoa can upset if things go wrong. Fingers crossed! Players need to get match fit quickly and get back form!!
Absolutely KB, thats why defense is of utmost importance against Fiji or any islanders. The Bok attacking game is not quite up to scratch to say the least and the Fijians will run at us I assure you.
leave the points to the kickers or Alberts, Bis and Houghie in the last twenty.
(I would love to say that the Boks should focus more on attack but there isnt enough time to pull an attacking plan out the hat, atleast Im honest hey ?)
Dundee, I trust you are in Aus, because the likes of you dont get tolerated in SA.
Lance, agree wholeheartedly, should keep it tight, structured - execute the game plan, which I assume, having watched the last against the All Blacks in PE and Wales, is a ten-man kicking game, well. When kicking the ball has to go out, not into a waiting Fijian's hands, when lifted into an up and under, follow up, put the receiver under pressure, defense lines well organized and communicate with each other to go up simultaneously not leaving gaps, more over dominate the scrums, line outs, rucks and malls and slow the game so that the Fijians have to adjust to our game not the other way round. If we are going to allow them to get turnover ball and counterattack from loose play, it will be difficult to defend. They like to run, have good ball skills, flair and can attack from anywhere. They are lightning fast and some of our players seem to have lost speed and agility. They have nothing to loose and might have renewed confidence and belief after having watched our game against Wales. The key is possession. ball retention, excellent defense and off course good decisions.Our back line disappointing - don't create space for fellow players ,support play while on attack is so non-existent, can't outdo the opponent, not running straight enough, no anticipation or vision. These character traits make exceptional rugby players. Danie Gerber had it. All teams will be feeling confident against us, unfortunately. You are definitely honest! Hope they prove me wrong!
Big mistake having Bismarck du Plessis on the bench instead of John Smit.
Maybe..I think they are saving Bismarck for the later stages. There is enough quality around Smit to see us through for now. Imagine Bis getting injured now and we face Aus/Nz later with Smit ?
franna plays all his rugby at 12 for metro with the odd exceptions. de jongh is not a 12. his running style and side stepping will be more suited to a wide channel. on 12 in defense there is a lot of traffic so in defense he will be having some issues. he is barly 90kg that is a lot to give away on defense to some of there runners. 30 kg mismatch ???. he should be at 13 but good luck tryiing to get that jumper away from one of the best 13's in the game namely jacques fourie.
lambie is a great defender and offers a lot on defense and attack. well rounded for his age and has that BMT that one needs. the changes that div made at positive ones.
i cant quite understand why people keep on harping on about our forward packs. we have one of the best packs in the game. its at the back where morne turnstile steyn needs to step up this game. aimless kicking is a major problem against a team that loves to counter attack. franna 12 and lambie 15 are great choices. de jongh is not up to standard yet. and if anyone thinks de jongh is a better option than franna steyn please do yourself a favour do your homework first.
in regards to paul treu he has a great rugby mind but his CV looks way to thin to compete as a international 15 side coach. he needs to filtered into the super 15 comp. from there he can advance. heyneke meyer or brendon ventor should be the next coach. the only guys that has a decent track record. we need a major hospital job after this world cup
Go bokke we know you will break Fijians hearts.
Lekkkeeeer BokkkEEEEEE!!!! Ek LAAAAAAAFFFF Stamkarretjie rugby, ek hoop hulle moer die rook uit die Fijiaanse voorspelers uit!!!
Hou maar julle wye hardloop rugby, niemand het nog 'n antwoord gekry vir goeie taktiese skopwerk en klipharde voorspelers nie!! En ek hou van Steyn en Fourie in die middelveld, dis dalk die wen kombinasie vir die toernooi!! Bring de Jong, Bissie, Alberts en Hougaard op vir een mallemoerse impak nadat die ou ballies die ander span sag gemaak het...
Bok van krag tot krag!
Do you really think that "Div" picked the team, don't be so gullible! Dick Muir has forgotten more about Rugby than Div will ever know.


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The News-Herald (http://www.news-herald.com)
Saturday, May 6, 2017
The importance of grants should never be taken for granted.
Often, grants — sums of money awarded through various programs or by organizations for specific purposes — can help a community or other local government offices and entities do things that they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford easily or at all.
If you're looking for a prime example, consider Mentor-on-the-Lake, where a consultant provided by a Lake County Plan4Health grant created a detailed design plan for upgrading McMinn, Overlook Beach and City Hall parks.
The county's Plan4Health program received a $187,000 grant from the American Planning Association to combat two determinants of chronic disease: lack of physical activity and lack of access to nutritious foods, said David J. Radachy, Lake County planning and community development director.
The grant was dispersed to 13 communities.
"The community and the consultant worked together on a healthy community action plan that either designed or redesigned a park, reviewed how safe a community was for pedestrians and bicyclists, looked at the feasibility of adding bike trails or bike lanes, or adding a Complete Streets Policy to a community," Radachy said.
In Mentor-on-the-Lake, the parks improvement plan conceived by CT Consultants' Kris Hopkins analyzed demographic data to help identify current trends in population and households in the city. These findings helped in making informed decisions about the types of improvements and amenities that would best serve the needs of likely park visitors.
For example, the plan looked at age characteristics of the neighborhoods surrounding each park. Research showed that fewer than 20 percent of the residents in the vicinity of Overlook Beach Park and City Hall Park are children, compared with the neighborhood surrounding McMinn Park, where nearly 25 percent of the population is under 18. In addition, the neighborhood around City Hall Park has the highest percentage of residents who are 65 or older – over 21.2 percent — which is higher than the overall percentage for the city and county, the study stated.
Based on such findings, the plan proposed an array of improvements to the three parks:
• City Hall — A 1-mile asphalt walking path, pickleball courts, refurbishing tennis courts and ball fields, playground expansion, additional seating, consolidating and screening Service Department facilities.
• McMinn — Basketball court, asphalt walk, expanded playground, refurbished baseball fields, restroom facilities.
• Overlook Beach — Shore erosion control, expanded parking lot, court area (refurbished basketball or sand volleyball), asphalt walk, boardwalk, gravel walk, expanded playground, fitness stations.
It's interesting to note that a separate grant also will help the city to implement its first project from the plan.
City Council on April 25 approved accepting a Lake County Community Development Block Grant to design and install the asphalt walking path around the perimeter of City Hall Park, 5860 Andrews Road. Total cost is estimated at $65,100.
"All design/build expenses will be covered by the CDBG grant," Mayor David Eva said.
By using these grants, the city is finding ways to improve its parks at a time when its own recreation funding has diminished. Declining revenues in Mentor-on-the-Lake has led to budget cuts — including the Labor Day parade, the recreation director position and a recreation reimbursement program with Mentor.
Upgrading parks in Mentor-on-the-Lake will give city residents more recreational opportunities closer to home.
"We are always looking at ways to bring people out to our facilities," Eva said. "I appreciate the offer from Dave and the Lake County Planning and Community Development team. This was an offer we couldn't pass up."
Since the total cost of all improvements at the parks could top $2 million, Mentor-on-the-Lake wisely is keeping an eye open for future funding sources, which could include, you guessed it — more grants.
"We will continue to research grants for all of the Plan4Health proposals," Eva said. "With that in mind, it's hard to say what we can implement in the near future. Some parts we may be able to have our Service Department work on. Anything we do in the city, the major theme is always trying to do more with less."
With its desire to secure and/or accept grants for recreational needs, Mentor-on-the-Lake certainly has demonstrated its resourcefulness and commitment to stretching tax dollars as far as possible. We believe that this is a smart philosophy in providing city services and commend Mentor-on-the-Lake leaders for taking this approach.


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CNET News Video
Fun road-tripping apps for a smooth rideIf your summer travel plans include fueling up the family car, packing up the kids, and hitting the open road, you don't want to leave home without your smartphone loaded with a few handy apps. In this Tech Minute, CNET's Kara Tsuboi reports on fun --...
Can. A few cheap Smartphone apps can go a long way on the open road of the sites -- useful basics like a weather app and one for finding cheap gas -- the local public radio station. There -- they'll make your vacation more fun. By the perfect campsite before nightfall with a -- 99 camp finder app. After you plug your location the Apple search through its database of 161000. Campgrounds and RV parks to make local suggestions. -- -- -- on -- in the backseat entertainment 99 cents for a bingo app is money well spent. We like -- shipping -- US for its varying degrees of difficulty and different categories of objects to search for. Text of cards or -- signs. And finally one -- my inner parts of a road trip is trying out the local flavor for 299 classic American -- -- we'll connect at all local dive in the area. Get directions hours of operation and even reviews for more than 1000 greasy -- locations coast to coast. Happy travels and service -- -- cars to boy cnet.com for CBS news yeah.


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I think I've mentioned before that I like owls… I've already covered Owl Magnets so now it's time to features some owl shirts.
So many gorgeous designs… and I do need some new t-shirts!
Click a model above to visit the zazzle page for a larger image and to see all the different styles and colors available for the owl shirts.


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Vibrant Shrubs
Most Vibrant Shrubs
If you are looking to improve upon the design elements of your hard, look no further than these most vibrant shrubs. Shrubs are an excellent option available to you in enhancing the look and general feel of the yard, all while boasting outstanding options for color and smell. Bushes can stand out quickly and efficiently, accenting the rest of your hard without costing an arm and a leg to install. This is what makes these shrugs some of the best options out there.
The Forsythia shrubs is a kind of a flower that is part of the olive family. There are 11 different species of these flowers, all of which are native to Asia, although one of the variations does pop up around Europe. While these bulbs are not native to the United States, it is still possible to plant these different shrubs. The flower shrubs are perfect as they grow anywhere from three feet to almost 10 feet in height. As long as they are correctly monitors, groomed and weeded, it is possible to keep these plants under control regarding growth and size, and these shrubs make excellent options for added color, as the burst of bright yellows and oranges are excellent inclusions with your home yard.
Watermelon Red Crepe Myrtle
The watermelon red crepe myrtle shrubs receive the name due to the bright, vibrant red flowers that bloom from the top of the bushes. Plus, the green that thrives around the red makes the plant look like a watermelon regarding color. The shrubs can grow to become rather large, often larger than that of a bush, occasionally reaching 10 feet in height, but this only happens if it is left to grow uncontrolled. Each stalk has its flowers and green leaves that build around it, and it makes a very nice inclusion in your yard, especially if you are looking for a warm color of red that can go ad color to your garden and yard throughout the year, and not just during certain times.
Natchez Crepe Myrtle
The Natchez crepe myrtle is similar to that of the watermelon red crepe myrtle, although it is shorter (usually) and the color is a vibrant off-white and green. The height of the myrtle sits around three and four feet, although it can grow to about 10 feet if again it is left to raise uncontrolled. On top of this, the shrubs are going to provide an excellent addition to a brighter garden, and even right next to the watermelon myrtle. The colors of white and golden yellow, orange give you a unique look, all without having to spend a reasonable amount of time shaping and pruning away at the garden and shrubs.
Shrubs are an excellent way to add a burst of color to the yard, without having to go with flowers, which require more work, or bushes, which you need to cut throughout the year continually. Instead, these three shrub options only need to be shaped every year or so, and the flowers the shrubs provide are enough to rival anything else you'd spend far more time on. Due to this, you can have an excellent display of color, all of which can vary, depending on the color you are looking for.


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Design Resources
Safety Standards are designed to ensure safety of products, activities and processes, and to assure users and consumers that a particular device is safe as designed and manufactured. Safety and regulatory agencies worldwide, (UL (United States), CSA (Canada), TUV (Germany), JET (Japan) and many others), are mainly concerned with shock hazard, fire hazard and EMI/RFI when evaluating transformers and power supplies.
Product certification to international safety standards is a critical step to successfully market and sell products worldwide. Safety Agency Approval marking of components and complete stand-alone power supply units are the passport to the world.
POWERTRONIX Toroidal Transformers and Power Supplies are Safety Approved and self-certified for UL, CSA and CE markings.
Powertronix has Safety Certificates from both North American and International Safety Standards, such as:
- UL60601/ AAMI ES60601-1 – Medical and Dental Equipment
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- IEC 60601 – IEC medical standard worldwide. China, Japan etc.
- UL60950 – Information Technology Equipment
- UL61010 Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use
- UL506 - General Purpose Transformers File #
- UL508C - Standard for Power Conversion Equipment
- UL1411 – Audio, Radio and television appliances
- UL6500 Standard for Audio/Video and Musical Instrument Apparatus for Household
- UL60065 Standard for Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus
- ISO 9001 : 2015 Quality Management System
All Powertronix products are manufacture with RoHS compliant materials.
Download the Powertronix ISO Cert.


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Congress has many duties, including collecting taxes, paying the country's debt and providing for the safety of its citizens. Congress is also responsible for making laws.Continue Reading
The Constitution of the United States outlines the responsibilities and duties of Congress. Article I offers an overview of Congressional power, while Section 8 provides details about each duty.
Section 8 includes a total of 14 paragraphs of information about all the duties, including:
Congress also has an interest in science and the arts. It is the govermental body tasked with promoting both and with ensuring protections for authors and inventors.
With concern to war, Congress is responsible for making the declaration when deemed necessary and for financially supporting such efforts. It is through Congress that the top administrators for the Armed Forces of the United States are appointed. The body is responsible for defining and punishing piracy and crimes committed at sea.
Additionally, Congress deals with cession and commerce issues within the country's borders. The commerce power of Congress has been a point of contention several times throughout the nation's history.
While the duties of Congress are many and varied, they are often narrowed for descriptive purposes. For example, on citizenship tests, Congress is defined as the body responsible for law-making.Learn more about US Government


text: Meet C Joy, an actress, theater professor, "birth-mother" of GraceTheMovie.US and grateful 2012 alum of Hazelden in Naples, Florida. Inspired by a spiritual experience, C Joy created a film about recovery that, in its making and distribution, has become a vehicle for her own ongoing transformation. Spoiler alert: Hope wins. Q. Your professional background is in theater. What inspired you to produce a feature film? A. I have a Master of Fine Arts in acting, and I love creating characters and bringing them to life. The seed of making a recovery film was planted many years ago when I experienced the healing of my family. I surrendered on October 7, 2007, and picked up my first white chip. I was so excited to be sober that I wanted to make a movie to save the world from alcoholism! Unfortunately, I could not stay sober without doing the Twelve Step work with a sponsor to endure the emotional, financial and spiritual challenges of film-making. My binge drinking sabotaged most of my film career. On November 25, 2010, I was sober and present for the passing of my father, and, exactly seven days later, I held my mother's hand when she took her last breath. I experienced God's grace in a way that would change my life forever. Several months later, I was told from my spiritual adviser that I would reach the masses with a message of hope. I knew what I had to do: Use my gifts and make this film! But first I needed to get well. My willingness to ask for help and get honest began on February 26, 2012, with treatment at Hazelden in Naples. Grace. was released on February 26, 2015. Now that's a grace thing! Q. What are some of the key concepts about addiction and recovery explored in the film? A. The truth is that alcoholism isn't about alcohol consumption; it's about self-deception, self-hatred, shame and never feeling that you're good enough. The truth is that there is a spiritual solution for this disease. The truth is that we are never alone if we trust God, clean house, and help others. Q. Is there a particular character in the movie you identify with most? A. There are parts of me in many characters: the walk of shame in the newcomer, the chronic relapser, the codependent enabler, and the caregiving sponsor. I actually play the role of Jessie, a colorful, tragic character who gets to the painful truth about addiction when she tells Gracie: "It hurts being like us. I've never felt comfortable in my own skin, so I drank—to be sexy. Did cocaine, to be thin. Tortured myself with plastic surgery to look young and beautiful and for what? I manufactured a woman I don't even like." Q. What are you most grateful for in the making and distribution of the film? A. A group I call "Women of Grace." I'm extremely grateful to my filmmaker/producer Sylvia Caminer for her integrity, professionalism and guidance through all the challenges of post production, distribution and educational outreach. I am thankful to the stars of the film: Annika Marks for her award-winning and powerful performance as Gracie, and Sharon Lawrence (Sonia), who carried the message of hope on and off the set by encouraging me to never give up on my dream. I hold close to my heart all my recovering sisters who reach out way beyond "the rooms" to help us newcomers. Q. Who did you make this film for? A. Most of all, I wanted to inspire young people by making sobriety attractive and fun. I also wanted to reach out to newcomers who might feel lost or intimidated by this strange new life of meetings and sponsors and slogans. Then, after listening to questions and comments from audience members following festival screenings, I realized the movie truly does have mass appeal and relevance because everybody is affected by addiction—the person with the disease, family members and friends, the entire community. The movie makes the subject of addiction approachable. It really gets people talking and opening up. Q. Is that why you created a facilitator's guide to the movie—to get these conversations going? A. Yes. Producer Sylvia Caminer and I recognized a huge opportunity to educate people about addiction and recovery by leading the conversation to the Twelve Step solution. Our team of experts (guide written by Philip Dvorak) created a six-module facilitator guide using brief clips from the movie to introduce discussions about key concepts in addiction and recovery: denial, surrender, sober support and relapse. I wanted to reach the person who feels all alone and hopeless—who desperately wants to live a different life but hasn't a clue where to start. Q. If there were one piece of advice you could give to someone still struggling, what would it be? Never give up. Ask for help. Take action and walk into an AA meeting because millions of people have recovered from this family disease and are willing to help you build a new life worth living! Finding a way A preview of GraceTheMovie.US Gracie is all too familiar with waking up hung over, but this time her day starts with a mouthful of sand on a Florida beach, half-dressed and 1,100 miles from home—with no idea how she landed there. And this time her father isn't going to clean up Gracie's mess. When she's arrested for public drunkenness, Gracie is given a choice: six months in jail or 90 meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous in 90 days. Follow Gracie's painstaking transformation from her initial "leave-me-alone-I'm-not-hurting-anyone-but-myself" mind-set, to her first, awkward AA meetings and an ill-advised romantic relationship, to the tragic loss of a friend from her circle of support, to a life-changing revelation about her childhood. With depth, charm and compassion, Grace. carefully unfolds the story of a young woman inching her way toward redemption.


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Dean Crabtree named Distinguished Woman in Higher Ed by ACE
Dr. Robbin Crabtree, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, received the 2013 Distinguished Administrative Woman in Higher Education Award presented Friday, March 22 by the Connecticut American Council on Education (ACE) Women's Network.
The award is designed to recognize and honor those Connecticut women who have distinguished themselves by providing outstanding leadership to women in their institutions, in their profession, and in society-at-large.
Dr. Crabtree, a Fairfield, Conn. resident, received the award at the organization's 2013 spring conference at the University of Hartford.
"I am very pleased and proud the committee singled out Dean Robbin Crabtree," said the Rev. Paul Fitzgerald, S.J., the University's senior vice president for academic affairs. "Robbin's service to Fairfield University's Jesuit mission is exemplary in so many ways. She demonstrates on a daily basis her deep understanding of, and commitment to, Jesuit ideals of intellectual rigor, integrative ways of thinking, knowing and creating, and a willing spirit of civic engagement and social responsibility in the education of all our students for the sake of human dignity and social justice. She does all this with passion, with joy and with a generosity of spirit that is truly infectious."
Dean since 2008, Dr. Crabtree has shown a commitment to diversity and the mentoring of women in many ways. Of the 30 faculty members she has hired, 50 percent are women and a third are members of historically under-represented groups or international scholars. She has appointed and mentored at least 10 first-time women department chairs, many in departments that have never had a female chair.
"My generation of faculty often were not mentored very well, but we need to do better for the next generation," said Dr. Crabtree. "As a former department chair, I know how important it is to have guidance about professional development, and support for balancing the many responsibilities and demands facing chairs, particularly when we are motivated to change our departments for the better and make lasting contributions to the university.
"As dean, I want to create the conditions in which faculty can thrive, so that they are able to succeed in their research and create meaningful engagements for our students in and beyond the classroom. It's a 'pay it forward' kind of process; the better folks are mentored, the better mentors they also will be for their students and their colleagues. I also learn so much in the process. Mentoring is a two-way street, so I really see it as 'co-mentoring'."
Prior to being appointed dean, Dr. Crabtree was professor of communication and the founding director of Fairfield's Office of Service Learning. She came to the University in 2001 from New Mexico State University, where she was an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies. She was chair of the Department of Communication at Fairfield from 2001 to 2007.
Dr. Crabtree was named Teacher of the Year in 2007 by Fairfield's chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society. She has published more than 40 scholarly articles and chapters and presented papers at academic conferences across the country and in several international contexts.


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N at 0 mph
As of
August 16, 2:15 AM
Students »
Parents »
New Families »
Community »
Property Services and Transportation is responsible for providing preventive and corrective maintenance to Moorhead Area Public Schools' buildings, grounds, mechanical and electrical equipment. Property Services and Transportation also provides project management for capital outlay and minor improvement projects, and manages the monitoring of environmental hazards in the district buildings.
Transportation services are provided with district-owned vehicles and contracted services for the safe and efficient transportation of students to and from school. Moorhead Area Public Schools provides regular school day transportation, to and from, to students who reside within the school district boundaries and live one mile or more from their assigned building or to eligible students who must cross or use an area identified as being an extraordinary traffic hazard to and from school.
Students' bus route information is generally mailed the week before school starts. Route information can also be found in PowerSchool.


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TAMPA — Right-hander David Phelps is one of the most observant Yankees. He is thrilled with what he has seen out of Derek Jeter in pre-camp workouts.
"Derek looks amazing, from what I've seen," Phelps said Wednesday at the Yankees minor league complex. "That's awesome. You look in the past and this team is usually only as strong as he is. He's definitely our backbone. It's going to be nice having him back there behind us every game, that's for sure."
Jeter has been moving well in workouts, and Wednesday had another strong day, taking 32 swings in batting practice and driving the ball to right-center. He also fielded 19 ground balls on the grass and another 26 in the dirt, moving well laterally.
"You can tell he's determined to go out there and do well," Phelps said of Jeter's mindset after so much pain and frustration following ankle and leg injuries. "If you had to place a bet on it, you know he is going to go out there and have a good year. That's just the guy he is. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play again.
"He's having a lot of fun right now, it's good to see. He's got his foundation under him again. He's been the backbone of this organization for so long, and he is the only one of the Core Four left going. He means a lot to this organization. We do a lot better when he is in our lineup."