text: A city with sleek infrastructure, tall buildings and manmade wonders; Singapore is an urbanite's dream. By day, many of the city state's attractions gleam in the sun but it is at night that they show their sleeker and more sophisticated side. Many of Singapore's most iconic buildings and attractions present a whole new dimension when viewed after the sun sets. This is due mainly to the fact that the government here has invested a lot in putting in accents such as flood lights and laser shows to delight the ten million or so tourists that visit each year.


text:
America's Civil War was fought to preserve the Union almost 150 years ago, but sensitivities still linger between the adversaries. That same condition will probably exist regarding the beef checkoff no matter how the courts decide its constitutionality in the coming months.
So rather than put up with this bickering into infinity, here's my solution. Why not just divide the industry into two camps and let each go their own way? Forget unification. Let's create a more perfect "disunion."
This is how it would work. Checkoff proponents would swear allegiance to a mandatory checkoff. We'll call these guys the "progressives."
The progressives would pledge to pay the checkoff, commit to actually being knowledgeable about it and take an active part in the program. They'd also promise to work through the system if they didn't like decisions made by the producers named to represent them.
Any producer who couldn't commit to these baseline requirements could join the ranks of the non-checkoff payers — the "regressives." These folks wouldn't have to contribute a dime and could rest assured that no one would bother them again about not paying their "fair share."
The progressives would be the most populous group, probably numbering about two-thirds of U.S. beef producers. That's the percentage of U.S. beef producers that annual surveys indicate support the mandatory beef checkoff.
Meanwhile, I suspect the regressives would comprise less than 10% of total U.S. beef producers. I get this figure from the fact that the Livestock Marketing Association couldn't muster the required valid signatures of 10% of U.S. beef producers to call for a referendum on the checkoff last year.
The remaining 20% or so would consist of those steel-crotched folks riding the fence. Under my plan, they'd have to decide to be either a progressive or a regressive. There's no fence sitting in this perfect disunion.
Everyone in this disunion would still be independent. And they'd have the option of entering into any kind of marketing and business agreement they choose. In this exercise, each producer — progressive or regressive — picks his or her own path, but there are no checkoff freeloaders. You get what you pay for.
Progressives would pledge to work in a coordinated production system designed to produce cattle with performance and end-product quality in mind. Their cattle would be individually identified and source verified.
Progressive cattle would be raised with set health and management protocols designed to foster efficiency and optimum performance. They would be sold as individuals on a quality basis for use in both foreign and domestic value-based markets developed by checkoff-funded research and promotion programs.
The progressives' aim would be to collaborate within and among segments to deliver products that meet consumer desires for tenderness, flavor and convenience. All information and profits would be shared throughout the chain.
Meanwhile, the regressives would sell into a commodity market. Since they don't contribute to product promotion and research, the regressives would be prevented from participating in any quality-based markets developed via checkoff dollars. They also wouldn't have rights or access to any of the production, marketing, promotion or research and development breakthroughs generated by the progressives' checkoff expenditures.
Regressives would simply take the price offered by any buyer willing to assume the risk of their undocumented cattle. Producing beef the cheapest is the only criterion for success.
It's likely that the ranks of regressives would dwindle each year as high-cost producers are run out of business. As numbers shrink, the regressives' existence increasingly would be dictated by what they can beg off the government. Eventually, that would disappear, too, as legislators and taxpayers noticed the viable, stand-alone industry and market-place that the progressives had built.
Eventually, regressives would become like harness makers are today. And once they're gone, our perfect disunion would become a perfect union.
Best of all, everyone involved picked their own path and was responsible for their own fate. No freeloading.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Let's meet our newest fish catching game. If you like sea and fish, don't miss this chance to relax. The objective of the game is catching and dropping fish into correct boxes. You'll earn money after you work some and you'll be able to set up some traps to catch them easier. Your time is limited and don't forget to benefit from items that you can buy from the market with your earnt money during the game. When you click "New Game" button you'll see an instructions box. Take a look at there and click "Next" button to take other necessary information about the game. Use your "Mouse" to play. Let's show your fishing ability right now. Asgames.net hopes you have fun.


text:
Evaluating Your Pesticide Risk
The following resources will help you find information to evaluate pesticide health risks. For pesticide poisonings and other health emergencies, call 911 or see Pesticide Emergencies. If you are experiencing adverse health effects or symptoms that you think are a result of a pesticide exposure, but the situation is not an emergency, consult with your health care provider.
On this page:
Reporting an Incident
To find out about the health risks associated with a pesticide exposure, you will need to obtain information about the pesticide product. Read and record the information on the label, including the product's name, active ingredient(s), and U.S. EPA Registration number (required for all registered pesticide products). If the label is not available, but you know the product's name, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or see Registered Product Search.
Go to > top
Pesticide active ingredients differ in their levels of toxicity. They also differ in chemical properties (e.g., half-life or persistence in the environment) that can be important for assessing risks.
Start your search by looking for the active ingredient in the list of resources below. If you cannot find information or have questions, please refer to our Pesticide Contacts information.
Note that inert or other ingredients in pesticide products may be toxic. For more information, also see the information (below) about inert or "other" ingredients.
Fact Sheets
National Pesticide Information Center:
Active Ingredient Fact Sheets
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
Extension Toxicology Network:
Pesticide Information Profiles
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
Toxicological Profiles
National Pesticide Information Center:
Inert or "Other Ingredients
Purdue University Extension Service:
-Pesticide Toxicology: Evaluating Safety and Risk
(PDF: 2.2MB/67 pages)
-Pesticides and Epidemiology: Unraveling Disease Patterns
(PDF: 510KB/33 pages)
Search and Retrieval Systems
National Library of Medicine:
- Toxnet (Toxicology Data Network): Search TOXLINE
- PubMed
- ChemSearch: Information about pesticide active ingredients
- InertFinder
- Pesticide Product Label System: Find a Pesticide Product Label
Go to > top
To evaluate your pesticide health risk, it is important to consider factors that may influence the nature and extent of your pesticide exposure. For example:
- How and where was the application made? Who made the application? Did they follow directions on the product label?
- What was the extent (frequency, duration) of your contact with the pesticide or contaminated surfaces?
- How were you exposed (inhalation, ingestion, dermal or skin)?
- What is the half-life of the pesticide in the environment? In the body?
Many pesticides that are used today are readily removed by the body (urine, feces) in a matter of hours or days. Depending on the pesticide, a test may be available to measure it in your blood, urine, or other biological fluid. These tests may not be available at your health care provider's office; however, your provider may be able to send the samples to a laboratory that can perform the tests. None of these tests, however, can predict whether you will experience any health effects.
Consult with your health care provider to determine if a test is available. Provide your provider with as much information as possible about the pesticide product and your exposure.
Reference ranges for exposures to several chemicals, including pesticides, are reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You may compare your measurements to these ranges, where possible. For more about reference ranges for exposures to contaminants, see the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.
Go to > top
Reporting an Incident
If you believe that a pesticide application was illegal or you have been subject to an illegal pesticide application (i.e., the application was not made according to directions on the product label), report the incident to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6333. The Department will evaluate the information and determine if further investigation and/or disciplinary action is needed. After hours, complaints can be reported to the Minnesota Duty Officer at 800-422-0798 out-state and 651-649-5451 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul seven county metro area. The process for filing a pesticide complaint with MDA can be found here.
Go to > top
Minnesota Department of Health (Risk Assessment)
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Minnesota Poison Control System: Poison Help
National Pesticide Information Center
Go to > top


text:
Edward Yang's fifth picture is a novelistic exploration of the meanings and contradictions of Taiwanese cultural identity. Set in 1960, and based on a true incident weighing heavily on Yang's own youth, the film -- which, in its unedited form, clocks in at just under four hours -- primarily focuses on the life of S'ir, a high school student whose civil servant father was among the millions of Chinese mainlanders who fled to Taipei in the wake...more
90 out of 100 Metascore®
Universal acclaim
Read reviews
All A Brighter Summer Day cast + crew photos
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2018 FANDANGO MOVIES.


text: Dementia Care Training (21)2/21/2018 9:00 AM - 3:00 PMSponsor: Alzheimer's AssociationEvent: Dementia Care TrainingAddress: 1 Monticello BlvdCleveland Heights, OH 44118Contact: Stacey Heffernan 216-342-5598CEU's: YesCost: No Dementia Care Training is a FREE program for both family and professional caregivers who provide care to those with dementia-related diseases. This program provides an overview of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, teaches effective communication techniques, gives ideas on how to engage those with cognitive problems, and provides strategies for managing challenging behavior. Four social work CEUs are available. Please plan to bring a brown bag lunch. Register: 800-272-3900


text:
This New Steve Jobs Trailer Is the Most Significant Event of the Twentieth Century
Mmm, Jobs-y.
Who was the real Steve Jobs? The visionary? The mogul? The terrible boss? The absent father? Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin's Steve Jobs is coming to answer that very question, and as you may expect from the pairing of writer and subject, there is not a lot of humility in the room. Was the invention of the Apple computer a seismic event that changed the course of human history forever? Sure, why not.


text:
- Remove this product from my favorite's list.
- Add this product to my list of favorites.
The White Heart pin - Symbol for Nursing (5 pins pack)
The white heart is the universal symbol for nursing. It is meant to characterize the caring, knowledge and humanity that infuse the work and spirit of nursing. The white heart is also a unifying symbol for nurses globally.
All proceeds from the sales of the White Heart pin will go to the ICN's Florence Nightingale International Foundation in support of the Girl Child Education Fund.


text:
High Tech Hook To Keep Kids In School
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Dr. Robert Briggs, Professor, SDSU College of Business Administration
The new school year is fast approaching. For some students, there's excitement about entering a new grade, meeting new kids, learning new things. But for others, school is just a waste of time. It's those so-called "high-risk learners" one SDSU professor is determined to engage with a collaborative way of teaching and learning. He's developed new software to get both teachers and students involved in projects together.
Want more KPBS news?
Find us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletters.
To view PDF documents, Download Acrobat Reader.


text:
Q--Our house has a well-known brand of thermal windows with two layers of glass, but we get condensation on the inside glass to the extent that water has to be wiped from the sills during the fall and winter. Our house is well insulated and has aluminum siding. What`s happening?
A--I suspect you are suffering from tight-house syndrome, a condition that has developed in the last six or seven years as some homeowners took more and more steps to reduce heat loss by insulating and tightening every crevice in their homes. A lot of heat is being saved, but humidity also builds up, and condensation on such relatively cold surfaces as thermal or insulated windows is not uncommon in cold weather.


text:
Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said he wouldn't rule out bringing back former defensive tackle Josh Brent once he completes his jail sentence.
Brent is currently serving 180 days in jail as part of his conviction for a drunk-driving accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown in December 2012.
Brent was given 10 years probation in January, but the judge tacked on the jail sentence. He is scheduled to be released right before the Cowboys begin training camp July 22.
"We'll certainly look at that," Jones said Tuesday at the team's annual golf tournament. "The league will have a big say in when he can come back. We'll certainly evaluate that situation when it comes, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out."
Brent announced his retirement last summer and would have to file papers with the league to return. He would also be subject to further punishment by the NFL under the league's personal conduct policy.
Jones said the Cowboys have already had talks with the NFL regarding Brent's status.
"Obviously, they're looking at it, and we'll kind of see how it goes," Jones said. "Obviously, he sat out a year. The bigger thing is that Josh has to see where his priorities are. A lot of things have to be determined there.
"Obviously, Josh has paid a price. That's a tragic, tragic accident. Right now, he's doing what he needs to be doing. We'll evaluate things as they move forward."
Clean workout
The NFL has no-billed the Cowboys following an investigation into their organized team activities after last week's season-ending knee injury to linebacker Sean Lee.
The NFL and the Players Association decided the Cowboys didn't commit a practice violation during the non-contact workouts.
However, the league did offer some pointers to reinforce how the OTA workouts should be handled.
"They have evaluated a couple of our practice sessions and given us some pointers, but I don't think we've done anything [wrong]," Stephen Jones said. "Jason [Garrett] has always done a good job of playing by the rules, and I think obviously they looked at that and say that we were.
"But at the same time, I think we all have to take notes and get better."
Jones wouldn't say what those pointers were, but it's clear that the league doesn't want players on the ground.
It's in the collective bargaining agreement that there will be no contact in OTAs or minicamp. Players are not in pads for a reason and teams are subject to fines and lost practice days for any violations.
"More than anything, it's just remembering that they are OTAs and there's a standard that they recommend," Jones said. "We're all on the same page to keep these guys healthy."
Jones officially acknowledged that Lee suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on the first day of OTA practices May 27. But video revealed that his leg buckled before he was engaged by guard Zack Martin on the play.
The Cowboys have slowed down the pace of practice this week after last week's injury. But it remains an ongoing process because there is a fine line between competing hard and practicing without contact.
"We don't want the contact," Garrett said. "We try to motivate players who love to play, and sometimes you get an atmosphere where some guys are overzealous.
"We have to constantly go back and tell them what we want."


text:
I'm teaching two classes for Albemarle County adult education. The first one is called "Getting Started with Facebook" and it deals with Facebook basics. It will cover how to create, use and manage a personal Facebook page. I will also cover privacy settings, the Facebook timeline, social media etiquette and security. Thursday February 27, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Room 113, Albemarle High School. The course # is 4052 and the fee is $19. This is a "hands on" course, so students must bring their own fully charged laptop. Please call (434) 975-9450 with questions.
Why a Facebook Page Isn't Enough for Your Business
Why do you have a website? For self-expression? To make money? To share information about your organization, business, or some other subject that's important?
I run into people all the time who tell me that they don't need to invest in a website, because after all, Facebook is free, and it serves the same purpose. That's true, but there are some points to consider before making it the only means of representing your company on the internet:
You don't own your Facebook page — You are at the mercy of Facebook's whims when it comes to what you can and can't do with your site. Facebook currently governs what you can say, and what pictures and apps you can have on your site, and to some extent, where you're allowed to put them. Facebook policies and technical specifications change frequently and staying ahead of the learning curve can cost time and money.
Facebook reaches a limited audience — You customers will only know about your page if they're on Facebook.
It can be challenging to keep information current — If someone wants to refer to information you made a post you made last year, they may have a hard time finding it. There are many times when I've gotten frustrated with FB pages that make me hunt around for information that I need (when and where a musical act will be appearing, for example). More often than not, I've gotten tired of looking and just found something else (on a website with a calendar of events and/or searchable posts) to do with my time (and money).
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) issues — You want people to be able to find your site when they look on Google, bing, or some other search engine. Studies show that most people will stop looking at listings before the 3rd page, so where your site comes up can be important.
You can make money on your own site — While you may make money on sales from people who see your page on Facebook and decide to do business with you, the big difference is that you can set up an e-commerce section on your website and make money from products that you sell or from ads that you run for other companies' services. You don't have any control over the sponsored ads that show up as visitors are viewing your Facebook page.
While the two aren't mutually exclusive, customers still prefer websites.


text:
240. You are using the word "imply".
(Mr Rowley) I am making the assumption we employed
241. Yes. Who would have authorised payment?
Would you not need to know somebody was being taken on the books?
(Mr Rowley) Yes.
242. In that case, were you told she was being
(Mr Rowley) I really do not have a clear memory of
Suzanne Hilliard. Whatever the arrangements were, I accept responsibility
for them because obviously I would have been responsible, but
I am not clear.
243. As a good employer, would Labour Party
Scotland give contracts of employment to its staff?
(Mr Rowley) Yes.
244. So would there not be a contract of employment
on record?
(Mr Rowley) Yes, if you have worked for the Labour
245. If you worked for the Labour Party, you
would be on the records and there would be a contract?
(Mr Rowley) Yes. She certainly worked for the Labour
246. You cannot say for certain whether there
is or not. It is not for you to prove whether there is or is not,
but you are not sure whether one exists or not?
(Mr Rowley) No. It has never been put to me before
that there was not a contract. My assumption has always been that
Suzanne worked for us and was paid by us. I really am grey on
this area because I really do not remember any detail of Suzanne's
employment other than
247. You do not remember her being put up as
one of the names for a bonus or anything like that? Would bonuses
have come to you?
(Mr Rowley) No, I did not deal with the bonus system,
the office manager would.
248. Another point of clarification because
I missed the name, it is probably in the records somewhere but
you indicated that when John Reid contacted you he said he was
being advised by a QC. Can you tell me who that QC is? It was
not Mr Goudie?
(Mr Rowley) No. What happened was that Lesley Quinn
contacted me and asked me if I would be prepared to speak to John
Reid's lawyers about this. This is before because I did try and
delay as long as possible going for an interview with the Commissioner
because I was unhappy about this whole situation. I was contacted
and asked would I go for an interview with this lawyer representing
John Reid. I did say to Lesley, "Well, you know my story,
you know what I am saying, I am telling the truth here, I am not
sure how I can be helpful given what John has said", because
we had obviously had discussions before then. She contacted me
again and said, "He would like to see you anyway." So
I went to the offices and I think it was "Reid something,
solicitors in Glasgow", and I was interviewed by a solicitor,
I think, called Paul Reid, who told me he was acting on behalf
of Neil Davison, QC, who was acting on behalf of John Reid. Neil
Davison, QC, has now I think been appointed as Attorney General
in Scotland or Solicitor General in Scotland, but at that point
he had not been and he was a QC. He was acting on his behalf.
I then was interviewed by Paul Reid, the lawyer, in his offices,
I went to his offices, did the interview, told him exactly the
same as I have told you. I was then contactedI was working
in Scottish Parliament as I was working for some Scottish MSPs,
political workby phone one day by Paul Reid who said that
Neil Davison wanted to be sure about certain things I had said
and he took me through some questions again. It was some of the
questions you were asking in terms of, "Could I be sure that
I did not work in the evening" and this type of thing, and
I said to him, "Look, I have been through all this, I have
given you my view", and he said, "Yes, but I was asked
to phone." So those were the two discussions, one was a face-to-face
meeting and one was a phone conversation with Paul Reid who was
the solicitor, as I say.
249. In view of the fact that you were advised
that you could conceivably be entering into a situation where
there could be criminal charges, did you yourself at any stage
take legal advice?
(Mr Rowley) I spoke to my lawyer and advised him that
this was happening. It was months ago now. I had already given
evidence at that point and I advised him of the evidence I had
given, advised him of the whole situation and said if I needed
him obviously I would get in touch. So I have spoken to him but
I do not think he was able to give me that much advice in terms
of this issue. He would not have had any experience of Parliament.
I certainly mentioned it to my colleague.
250. Coming to the threats, clearly if you feel
you are being threatened it is difficult to keep it to yourself
and you intimated you did notand I am not criticising,
we would all want to discuss that with someone or other, a friend
or family. Did you discuss it at all? Did you raise it at all
in Millbank?
(Mr Rowley) No. No, I have not. The last discussion
I had with Millbank was on the day I left. Margaret McDonnagh
phoned methe day after the Scottish press had a lot of
stuff and it had run on the televisionand asked me to go
for lunch. She then phoned me a few days later and said that the
European elections were causing difficulties and could she cancel
lunch and she would be back in touch. I think those were the last
dealings I had other than filling in my application form to be
on the panel of Labour members. Other than going for the seat,
I have had no direct contact with Millbank.
251. So did you seek advice within the Party
or was it just amongst friends?
(Mr Rowley) I did not seek advice, I spoke to just
friends about it and told them about it and we discussed it. I
have worked for the Party at very senior level and I do know how
the Party works and I would not have gone to Millbank for advice
on this specific issue, I would have to say.
252. You surprise me! The final point is this
matter of custom and practice. Clearly the impression we get and
that you have set out is that in a way you felt what you were
doing was wrong but everyone was doing it so it really did not
matter all that much. Is that the essence of what you were saying
when you said "custom and practice"?
(Mr Rowley) Not really. I do not think it was so much
that at the time, as I tried to answer the question from Mr Foster
earlier, it was not that I was knowingly saying, "I am doing
something wrong here, but to hell with it, I am going to do it
because we need staff", I really did not give it a lot of
thought. I was told it was something which had happened previously
in Scotland and I assumed, and my view to this day is, it was
something much wider than that. Had I sat down and thought, "This
is clearly a breach of the rules, this is going to land us in
trouble", perhaps I might have acted differently. I really
did not give it that much thought.
253. Now that your mind has become more focussed,
are you able to say that you have knowledge that justifies you
thinking it was custom and practice and perhaps in all parties?
(Mr Rowley) I think that the article which appeared
that sparked this thing, if you like, was people, I think Labour
MPs, pointing out the Conservatives were doing this. I think it
is something which probably has existed elsewhere in other parties.
What I do not want to do and what I avoided doing even when I
gave evidence on this, was, I did not want to start to say, "I
know with that person and that person this happened previously
within the Scottish Labour Party." That would be, I think,
pretty vicious and damaging to the party unnecessarily if I had
gone down that road. Therefore I did not want to go there, I just
wanted to say, "This was something which went on". It
was something I picked up and it was something I ran with without
a lot of thought, and perhaps I am guilty of that more than anything
else, not having given it a thought. But I do accept responsibility
because I was the person who ultimately was in charge of decisions
on personnel in Scotland.
254. Finally, you do not think it is at all
possible from your recollection of events, that what was being
said to you was, "Look, A will be carrying on working for
an MP so has half a salary, you can have them for the rest of
the time, you can use them as full-time if you like, if you pay
them half a salary, between them they will have a full salary",
which would be different from subsidising the time with the Party?
You do not think that was the arrangement which was being entered
(Mr Rowley) No. I am absolutely clear on what the
arrangements were. As I said earlier, I am absolutely clear that
when this story was leaked in the first place that was the time
that we should have acknowledged it and I do not think we would
have been in this position today.
Mr Williams: Thank you very much. Thank
you, Chairman.
255. When the agreement was made with John Maxton
and John Reid, how many people were present?
(Mr Rowley) In terms of when it was agreed, Chris
Winslow was coming from (inaudible) and spoke to John Maxton directly.
It was Annmarie Whyte, the office manager, who spoke to me and
so her and I would be present in terms of that arrangement. I
cannot remember all the details but I remember phoning Chris at
his house because I remember Annmarie chased me up and said, "Have
you phoned Chris?" So I remember phoning Chris and I remember
Chris coming in and I remember being very impressed by him. In
terms of the John Reid situation, John Reid was very, very supportive
of me when I first became General Secretary in Scotland. After
strategy meetings or whateverhe and I both smokewe
would go and have a coffee or whatever and he was very supportive.
I have had quite a lot of discussions with John Reid. That is
again why I would not have carried out any vendetta or I would
not have briefed the story, because I had no reason, I actually
owed the man quite a lot because he was very supportive of me
in the early days. So the discussions between him and I would
have been between him and I, there would not have been other people
present. Personally I relied very heavily in terms of the office
on Annmarie Whyte, she managed the office, it was her who put
the budgets together, she managed the budgets, we had budget heads,
we had each head of service or whatever and they were running
with their own budgets, and I simply oversaw the whole thing and
when they overspent I got involved. So Annmarie would be the other
person I would have talked to this about.
256. Incidentally, when there was a discussion
earlier about whom you thought was the source of the story for
Dean Nelson, I do not think that is relevant to our inquiry. It
is absolutely fascinating to read about it but I do not think
we need pursue you on that at all. When the arrangements were
made, Kevin Reid was already working for John Reid, was he not?
(Mr Rowley) I do not know. I do not think so. To be
honest, I do not know.
257. Do you know whether he was working for
John Reid before then?
(Mr Rowley) No. My understanding was he had completed,
or almost completed, university. I am almost certain in the early
days when he first started in Keir Hardie House that Kevin had
an exam or two to sit, and then graduated while he was with us.
Again Kevin Reid was a very bright, able person and was greatly
appreciated in the role he played.
258. Chris Winslow, was he working for John
Maxton before the arrangement, or was he brought in?
(Mr Rowley) Not that I am aware of, but I do not know.
259. When Kevin Reid's employment moved to full-time,
was that a full-time appointment by the Scottish Labour Party
or by the Labour Party in London?
(Mr Rowley) Ultimately by the Labour Party in London.
The Scottish Labour Party would take people on but the Personnel
Department, the Personnel Service, was based in London and I would
not have been able to take on any member of staff without first
getting clearance from Personnel, London. Ultimately, although
you worked for the Scottish Labour Party, it was


text:
Author- Arthur C. Clarke
The citizens of the solar system send a ship to investigate before the enigmatic craft, called Rama, disappears. The astronauts given the task of exploring the hollow cylindrical ship are able to decipher some, but definitely not all, of the extraterrestrial vehicle's puzzles. From the ubiquitous trilateral symmetry of its structures to its cylindrical sea and machine-island, Rama's secrets are strange evidence of an advanced civilization. But who, and where, are the Ramans, and what do they want with humans? Perhaps the answer lies with the busily working biots, or the sealed-off buildings, or the inaccessible "southern" half of the enormous cylinder. Rama's unsolved mysteries are tantalizing indeed.
I was recommended this a friend so I delved into it without much of a first impression. Soon enough however it occurred to me that this was not like any science fiction book I have ever read. Most of the passages of this book are dedicated to describing the most amazing and indeed the first alien spaceship humanity had every encountered, Rama.
While reading this book I realise that there is a real reason why Clarke was considered one of the big three of science fiction writing. This book unlike its more modern counterparts is more concerned with world building rather than characterisation and heroism of its protagonists. The book dedicates chapter after chapter to exploring the mind-bending structure of Rama with brief interludes to explore the emotions of the exploring crew and the politics involved in dealing with a possible alien existence.
Clark did an amazing job in creating Rama. The world of Rama while amazingly detailed was hard to comprehend, the planes of which the unseen Raman's built defied the basic rule that governed most humans today, Gravity. Clarke defies all expectation in creating a world that is as vivid as it is incomprehensible however the building of the world was eased by the sheer amount of real science supporting this book which makes everything all the more real.
There are no real heroes or enemies in this book or at least in the conventional way. The biomechanical creatures that appear in this book is essentially harmless and the Raman's who build this amazing world are never seen and the only obviously danger other than falling is the nuclear missile launched by humanity itself which as it happened could be defeated by a simple wire cutter.
I didn't think I would enjoy a book where nothing really happens but enjoy it I did. I give it 4 out of 5 cupcakes.
Product Detail
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing
Language: English
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
While on the subject of science fiction I would like to wish Happy Birthday to the late Douglas Adams, he was an amazing writer who was taken before his time.


text:
Open All Year
Reserve: 800-562-3428
Reserve: 800-562-3428
Info: 865-448-2241
Info: 865-448-2241
8533 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN 37882Get Directions
RV Sites, Tent Sites
Check-in: 12:00 pm, Check-out: 11:00 am
Check-in: 3:00 pm, Check-out: 11:00 am
For a complete list of fire safety rules, please click on the link: http://koa.uberflip.com/i/816744-fire-rules-reference-card
Spring has sprung! Don't miss out on one of the prettiest times of year. We have riverfront cabins and sites just for you. 800-562-3428
"We strive to provide a clean, family-friendly campground where our guests want to return, year after year," says Mark. "We're humbled that our best and most far-reaching advertising is word-of-mouth referrals and our returning guests."
Before becoming campground managers, Mark worked as a geologist and Samantha worked in accounting. Now, when they get time off, Mark enjoys running and playing the clawhammer banjo. Samantha sings with her church praise team and "spends time away from Mark when he's playing his banjo!"
Samantha and Mark look forward to meeting you and helping you create your next vacation memory!


text:
Joe Sparrow : {Terelinck}
Hello, I'm Joe Sparrow.
I write, talk & work in the liminal bit between music and technology.
I also work with emerging artists, edit magazines, and try to make happy accidents.
A few more things about me:
Latest post: Selected posts from MONTAG Issue 1
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Jul 9, 2014
When we first looked at Ascendo DataVault, it was hard to knock it. As a mobile digital password safe, it mostly had the pieces to be a relevant tool for the professional on the go. As our individual online profiles grow, we need good, unique passwords to maintain safety and security for each footprint. DataVault not only helps to secure and mobilize these passwords, it helps generate them.
Thankfully, Ascendo doesn't just sit back and rest on its laurels; its recent update to DataVault brings in some pretty cool features.
The basics are still there: optional desktop companion, password generation, the ability to auto-destruct after multiple wrong log-ins, AES encryption, SD card, cloud, WebDav server and local wi-fi backup/sync functionality and more. Version 5.1.16 brings in a refreshed look, with a cleaner menu interface. Most prominently, though, the app now offers additional premium features from within the app.
The first listed new feature is advanced AES 256-bit encryption. It also has a bunch of new icons (200 of them), which help with more accurate labeling, and it allows for linking and backup via Dropbox. It also has better tablet support and bug fixes. The new features more or less create a more vibrant app, and greatly increase usability.
In practice, I did like the updated app; it feels snappier, syncs flawlessly, and retains the basic security functions it is known for. The password generator is one of my favorites, allowing one to randomly select a password based on criteria like length, letter case, numbers, punctuation marks and estimated strength.
I would still love a smoother, more organic sync procedure; tighter cloud syncing (like what is available for iOS) would be definitely welcome. Still, the app keeps on getting better, and is a great mobile tool.
These premium offerings can be unlocked via in-app purchase for $4.99. DataVault itself is available on the Play Store for $9.99.


text:
What should I look for with business liability insurance?
A good liability insurer should pay towards your legal costs for defending any claim made against you, insure you for compensation claims made against you, and offer you both public and employers' liability insurance as a package, if you need bothMaxine Frances, journalist
Is your business protected with employers' liability cover?
If an employee is injured or they contract a disease as a result of, or in the course of their employment, they are entitled to claim compensation from the business if it can be proven that the employer was at fault. Employers' liability covers the cost of the compensation along with any legal fees you might incur if you had to defend the case against youGocompare.com
What does public liability insurance cover?
Public liability insurance protects you from claims against your business by members of the public. For example, if you damage a client's property, if a customer has an accident on your premises, or if you provide any advice or service for a feeMaxine Frances, journalist
How much does liability insurance cost?
Most liability cover is based on an annual fee, how much you pay will depend on the size and nature of your business and how many employees you have. It will make a difference if you are a sole trader, partnership or limited company. Your premium may change if you make more claims or if the nature of your industry changesMaxine Frances, journalist
How long does liability insurance offer protection for?
Check your terms and conditions, but some insurers will cover you for incidents before and after the start and end date of your policy. This is important if you're working in an industry where results tend to be measured in the long rather than the short termMaxine Frances, journalist
Does your car insurance cover your business usage?
If workers use their own cars while on company business, no matter how infrequently, we would urge them to check their policy to make sure they are properly insured. Employers should talk to workers about the necessity of having the correct level of cover before they undertake any business journeys in a private carScott Kelly, car insurance expert
Find cheap business insurance quotes now
We've teamed up with Simply Business[1] to find business insurance policies that are as diverse and specialist as your company, big or small.
Get informed
- Looking for public liability insurance for your business?
- Read more guides and tips in the Business insurance briefcase
Pin down a policy today, and give yourself more time to get down to business.
What's business insurance?
Business insurance includes cover that protects you and your company from financial damages andbuilding or contents losses, relevant to your field or specialism.
Broadly speaking, the most popular business insurance policies include public liability, professional indemnity and employers' liability, with good reason:
Public liability insurance
Hell hath no fury like a scorned member of the public, especially when it comes to claims.
Public liability insurance protects you if you damage their property, if they have an accident on your premises, or if you provide any advice or service (that doesn't pan out) for a fee.
Professional indemnity insurance
If one of your customers sues you because you've damaged their property, or they claim you haven't fulfilled your duties, professional indemnity insurance to the rescue to cover your legal fees.
Employers' liability
It'll cover the cost of the compensation plus legal fees if an employee sues you if they're injured, or they contract a disease at work.
But different policies will include all sorts of other cover, and you can make your policy suit the nuances of your business - fancy, eh?
You can read all about more specialist business insurance in our guides and tips filed away in the Business insurance briefcase.
Company insurance comparison
Business notes
- Employers' liability insurance is compulsory for businesses that have one or more employees
- Glass and shutters insurance can cover replacement following accidental or malicious damage
To compare business insurance for your company, you'll need details about your business and the level of cover you want. That includes public or product liability insurance, professional indemnity cover, buildings insurance, revenue protection or business interruption cover, protection for your business and office equipment and stock.
Start your business insurance quote
Have to hand info about claims made by your firm in the last five years, or any pending.
Depending on the sort of cover you choose, you may also be asked for some more detailed info about your company and its work.
You'll then either be presented with your quotes online, or - if your circumstances don't allow for an instant quote - your details will be passed on to an insurance specialist to look at.
Need to know more about business insurance?
Simply Business has insurance specialists on hand in the UK to chat through any questions you have, so don't be nervous - give them a call if you're unsure.
But, we've also got heaps of guides, tips and factoids stowed away in our Business insurance briefcase to help you with any quandaries - we're straightforward, so you won't find buzzwords or marketing jargon here.
The guides help you with your first steps, such as sensible levels of cover, business contents insurance, business buildings insurance, differences if you're a landlord or a tenant, options for working from home, and insurance for your business assets and equipment.
We unpick the technical cover, too. Watch out for guides to liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance and employers' liability insurance.
Plus, check out info about goods in transit cover, business travel insurance, business interruption cover, commercial legal insurance, fidelity guarantees, and insurance cover for tools, data processing, engineering, credit, loss of cash, and glass and shutters.


text:
Written By Dr Al Hartmann And Presented By Charles Leaver Ziften CEO
After suffering a huge data breach at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), agencies were commissioned by Tony Scott, Federal Chief Information Officer, to take immediate and specific actions over the next four weeks to further improve the security of their data and systems. For this big organization it was a bold action, however the lessons learned from software development proved that acting fast or sprinting can make a lot of headway when approaching a problem in a small period of time. For big organizations this can be particularly real and the OMB is definitely big.
There were 8 concepts that were focussed on. We have actually broken these down and offered insight on how each principle could be more effective in the timeframe to assist the government make considerable inroads in only a month. As you would expect we are taking a look at things from the endpoint, and by checking out the eight principles you will discover how endpoint visibility would have been crucial to a successful sprint.
1. Securing data: Better secure data at rest and in transit.
This is a good start, and appropriately priority number one, but we would certainly encourage OMB to add the endpoint here. Many data security services forget the endpoint, however it is where data can be most vulnerable whether at rest or in transit. The team needs to inspect to see if they have the ability to examine endpoint software and hardware setup, including the presence of any data security and system defense agents, not forgetting Microsoft BitLocker setup checking. And that is just the start; compliance checking of mandated agents need not be forgotten and it must be carried out continuously, permitting the audit reporting of percentage coverage for each agent.
2. Improving situational awareness: Enhance indication and warning.
Situational awareness is similar to visibility; can you see exactly what is in fact taking place and where and why? And of course this needs to remain in real time. While the sprint is taking place it should be validated that identity and tracking of logged-in users,, user focus activities, user presence indicators, active processes, network contacts with process-level attribution, system stress levels, notable log events and a myriad of other activity indicators throughout many thousands of endpoints hosting huge oceans of procedures is possible. THIS is situational awareness for both warning and indication.
3. Increasing cyber security proficiency: Ensure a robust capability to hire and keep cyber security workers.
This is an obstacle for any security program. Discovering excellent skill is difficult and keeping it much more so. When you want to attract this type of skillset then convince them by offering the most recent tools for cyber war. Make certain that they have a system that offers complete visibility of exactly what is taking place at the endpoint and the entire environment. As part of the sprint the OMB must analyse the tools that are in place and check whether each tool changes the security group from the hunted to the hunter. If not then replace that tool.
4. Boost awareness: Improve overall threat awareness by all users.
Risk awareness begins with efficient threat scoring, and thankfully this is something that can be attained dynamically all the way to the endpoint and help with the education of every user. The education of users is a challenge that is never ever finished, as proven by the high success of social engineering attacks. But when security groups have endpoint threat scoring they have concrete items to show to users to show where and how they are vulnerable. This real life situational awareness (see # 2) enhances user understanding, along with providing the security team with exact details on say, understood software application vulnerabilities, cases of compromised credentials and insider enemies, in addition to constantly keeping track of system, user, and application activity and network points of contact, in order to apply security analytics to highlight elevated threats causing security staff triage.
5. Standardizing and automating processes: Reduce time required to handle configurations and patch vulnerabilities.
More protection ought to be demanded from security solutions, and that they are instantly deployable without tiresome preparation, infrastructure standup or substantial staff training. Did the solutions in place take longer than a couple of days to carry out and require another full-time employee (FTE) or even 1/2 a FTE? If so you need to reassess those services due to the fact that they are probably hard to use (see # 3) and aren't doing the job that you require so you will have to enhance the existing tools. Likewise, search for endpoint services that not only report software application and hardware setups and active services and processes, however applies the National Vulnerability Database to report on actual running exposed vulnerabilities and then associates an overall vulnerability rating for each endpoint to help with patching prioritization by over worked support staff.
6. Controlling, containing and recuperating from events: Contain malware expansion, privilege escalation, and lateral motion. Quickly determine and solve events and incidents.
The fast recognition and response to problems is the main objective in the new world of cyber security. Throughout their 1 Month sprint, OMB needs to evaluate their solutions and make sure to discover technologies that can not only monitor the endpoint, however track every process that runs and all of its network contacts consisting of user login efforts, to facilitate tracking of destructive software proliferation and lateral network movement. The data derived from endpoint command and control (C2) accesses associated with significant data breaches shows that about half of jeopardized endpoints do not host recognizable malware, heightening the importance of login and contact activity. Appropriate endpoint security will monitor OMB data for long term analysis, considering that lots of indicators of compromise appear just after the event, and even long afterwards, while relentless hackers might silently lurk or remain dormant for extended periods of time. Attack code that can be sandbox detonated and determined within minutes is not a sign of sophisticated attackers. This ability to keep clues and connect the dots across both spatial and temporal dimensions is necessary to full identification and total non-recidivist resolution.
7. Reinforcing systems lifecycle security: Increase intrinsic security of platforms by purchasing more secure systems and retiring traditional systems in a timely way.
This is a credible objective to have, and a massive challenge at a large organization such as OMB. This is another place where the right endpoint visibility can instantly determine and report endpoint software and hardware configurations, operating system SKUs and patch levels, system stress levels, endpoint incidents (such as application crashes or hangs, service failures, or system crashes), and other indications of endpoints outlasting their useful or safe service lives. Now you have a full stock list that you can prioritize for retirement and replacement.
8. Minimizing attack surfaces: Decrease the complexity and quantity of things defenders have to protect.
If numbers 1 through 7 are completed, and the endpoint is thought about effectively, this will be a huge step in reducing the attack threat. However, in addition, endpoint security can also actually offer a visual of the real attack surface. Think about the ability to quantify attack surface area, based upon a variety of distinct binary images exposed throughout the whole endpoint population. For instance, our 'Ziften Pareto analysis' of binary image prevalence statistics produces a typical "ski slope" distribution, with a long slim distribution tail indicating vast numbers of very unusual binary images (present on less than 0.1% of total endpoints). Ziften determines attack surface area bloat elements, consisting of application sprawl and version expansion (which likewise worsens vulnerability lifecycle management). Data from lots of client deployments exposes outright bloat factors of 5-10X, compared to a firmly managed and disciplined endpoint population. Such lax endpoint management and bloated attack surface areas produces a target-rich attackers' paradise.
The OMB sprint is a great reminder to all of us that good things can be achieved rapidly, however that it takes vision, not to mention visibility. Visibility, to the endpoint, will be a critical piece for OMB to consider as part of their 30-day sprint.


text:
Complete Lifecycle Solutions
Novastar Hosts HP 3D Printer Demo Center Open House
September 6th, 2018 12pm-4pm
You've heard a lot about 3D Printing becoming a viable mainstream manufacturing technology. Come see HP's Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printer firsthand at the only HP 3D Demo Center in Michigan September 6th, 2018, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. HP's MJF technology is intended for prototyping and finished part manufacturing.
Registration is required.
More News
A Legacy of Service
From the beginning NovaStar's goal has been to provide quality technology solutions throughout the entire IT lifecycle. Our legacy of service carries through to our instrument calibration services. We focus on employing quality people, offering best-in-class products, competitive pricing and exceeding our customer's expectations for customer service.Contact Us


text:
The POWERbreathe K-Series is the 3rd generation of POWERbreathe Inspiratory Muscle Training (breathing training) products and the world's first portable precision electronic inspiratory muscle training and monitoring system. The POWERbreathe K-Series is rechargeable and supplied with a recharging and display stand.
The POWERbreathe K-Series uses the basic principles of resistance training - just as you might use weights to strengthen your arm muscles, breathing in through POWERbreathe against the electronically controlled, rapid-response valve creates a resistance to inhalation, thereby increasing inspiratory muscle strength and endurance.
The POWERbreathe K-Series training resistance is specifically designed to match the dynamic changes in breathing muscle strength throughout your breath and can automatically adapt to increases in your inspiratory muscle strength at the beginning of each training session. Training measurement results are displayed on screen, allowing you to monitor training progress and to optimise your training technique.
The POWERbreathe training regime of 30 breaths twice a day, takes only a few minutes a day and when used correctly you should start to feel the benefits within just a few weeks.
POWERbreathe is drug-free and natural with no side effects or drug interactions.
FEATURES - Follow the links for more information
POWERbreathe K-Series Features Table
About POWERbreathe K-Series
- Auto-optimising IMT technology - automatically adapts to your training requirements
- Advanced variable load training – optimised to match the strength profile of your inspiratory muscles
- Rapid response valve mechanism used to load inspiratory muscles
- Breathing Modes: Training Mode, Single Breath-Test.
- Simple LCD menu system for navigating through different settings and to view training results
- Results Display:
- Latest session load (cm/H2O)
- Inspiratory muscle strength improvement (%)
- Previous session load (cm/H2O)
- Graphical load history (last 38 sessions)
- Lung Volume (Litres)
- Training guidance system, including breathing pacing coach
- Scientifically proven, pressure threshold training technique
- Rechargeable
- Detachable valve assembly for easy cleaning
- Ergonomic mouthpiece design, suitable for adult & paediatric use
- Ergonomic grip design
USE AND CARE - Full instructions in the User Manual provided
Quick Start:
1. Charge the unit.
2. Power on.
3. Select Start from the menu then select Train.
4. Put the nose-clip on.
5. Breathe – until you hear the beep. Repeat for 30 breaths.
6. View Results
Your POWERbreathe will be exposed to saliva during use. We recommend that a few times a week you remove the valve head and soak it in warm water for about 10 minutes (see POWERbreathe Manual for full details), but once a week soak the valve head in a mild sterilising solution instead of water, using these POWERbreathe Cleansing Tablets - only 1 tablet is required each time.
- POWERbreathe K2 Inspiratory Muscle Trainer
- Recharging & display stand
- Instructional DVD (approx: 35-mins)
- Soft-touch nose-clip
- Storage pouch
- 4 cleansing tablets
- User Manual
If you have any doubts about the suitability of POWERbreathe, or you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor.
- Inspiratory muscle training (breathing muscle training), such as training with POWERbreathe, is not recommended for patients with a history of spontaneous pneumothorax (a collapsed lung that was not due to traumatic injury e.g. broken rib), as it may lead to a recurrence of the condition. Following a traumatic pneumothorax and/or broken rib, POWERbreathe should not be used prior to full recovery.
- Inspiratory muscle training is not suitable for asthma patients who have low symptom perception and who suffer from frequent sever exacerbations. Inspiratory muscle training is not suitable for anyone who has recently experienced a perforated eardrum. Anyone who is under the age of 16 should only use POWERbreathe with supervision from an adult.
POWERbreathe K-Series Features Table
POWERbreathe K2 is ideal for:
- People experiencing breathing difficulties resulting from a medical condition, sedentary lifestyle or old age
- Sports professionals, including coaches, therapists, athletes, recreational fitness and sports enthusiasts
- Uniformed services – army, navy, air force, police, fire service
- Performers, including singers, actors, musicians, public speakers and teachers


text:
Category Archives: Green Issues
The Next 50
Next Thursday, the New York City Zoning Resolution turns 50 years old. As zoning nerds the world over take a minute to acknowledge this milestone, we must not forget to turn our attention to the next 50 years and start considering specific actions that will encourage the progress of this great city and preserve its competitive advantage. It is time to think big…literally.
While planning (and zoning, for that matter) doesn't happen in a vacuum, as we look at the next 50 years, architects of the City's planning and zoning policies should take three words into consideration – no, not location location location. Urban planning technocrats, elected officials, neighborhood groups, and all other stakeholders should be guided by the following three words: Continue reading
What Changes Behavior?
If we can agree that the goal is to get people to use less energy, less water, less oil; to get people to invest in greener buildings, greener technologies, greener transportation; then the question is – how do we do it? How do we get to a state where people and companies are making more environmentally conscious choices? Ultimately, we must answer the question – What changes behavior?
Last month, I spent two weeks in Israel. With its geographic location coupled with the space it inhabits politically, Israel has severe environmental and resource challenges – much more so than the United States. With water scarce and the cost expensive, Israel has had to address these (and many other environmental issues) for decades.
When it comes to water, Israel gives a quota for "normal usage" to its residents. Residents are charged a standard rate for the first 30 cubic meters (for a family of 4 every 2 months). Above that limit, residents are charged a much higher rate, in addition to an over-usage penalty.
When it comes to gas, your eyes may be rolling lately at the price of gas in the US, but Israelis can pay as much as three times the price we do. As a result, their cars are much smaller (SUV's are a rarity) and public transit is robust and well-used.
As for energy usage, Israel has embraced solar technologies for more than 30 years. Just take a look at the rooftops in Tel Aviv. Nearly every one has a solar panel connected to the building's water heater.
These are just a few examples of how Israel is addressing some of its sustainability challenges. Now some might say that Israel, because of its geography and lack of resources, was forced to encourage its citizens to act more sustainably. And that's exactly the point. Sometimes we need a push in the right direction in order to achieve meaningful results. Continue reading
Step Aside Philadelphia, Jersey City: The waterfront is now NYC's Sixth Borough
Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn formally announced the release of the New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, Vision 2020. The new plan is very ambitious in its scope, envisioning the waterfront as an integral part of the city, or the "Sixth Borough," as Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden describes it.
As we discussed in October, New York City's Vision 2020 plan is indeed comprehensive. The 192-page plan offers a wide range of strategies the City could employ to take better advantage of its waterfront, for both recreational and economic purposes. It proposes new waterfront open spaces, as well as improvements to the waterways themselves and related infrastructure, such as dredging to accommodate more container ships and upgrades to the city's sewer system. In addition, the plan aims to address environmental concerns by making recommendations aimed at protecting wetlands, improving water quality, and addressing sea level rise and other climate change concerns.
Covering the entire report in one post would be ambitious, so ZONE instead plans to do a series of updates on the topic. In the next few weeks, we'll be looking at several of these issues in depth and exploring their potential effect on local land use and other issues relevant to you, our readers.
Until then, you can read more about the plan, or download a copy of the entire 192 page document, here.
GGBP: Time to Pay Attention
Recently, Howard Peskoe (of Counsel here at Herrick, Feinstein) and I were invited to speak to the New York chapter of the International Facilities Managers Association on the City's Greener, Greater Buildings Plan and its impact on IFMA's members.
IFMA asked us to speak because a major component of the GGBP (the benchmarking law) is about to become effective on May 1, 2011.
We have addressed the GGBP in ZONE previously, but now seems the perfect time to revisit its four laws.
Urban Agriculture – Ready for its Close-Up?
Earlier this year, I had the privilege if sitting on a panel which analyzed a fascinating and innovative proposed urban agriculture development project in the Bronx. The event was very interesting and demonstrated the many benefits of urban agriculture, as well as the growing level of support for the concept.
The panel – put together by the Sustainability Practice Network – looked at one of the responses to an EDC RFP asking for development ideas for a vacant block in the Bathgate section of the Bronx. Continue reading
A Clear Message on Sustainable Housing?
Earlier today, the Municipal Arts Society, as part of their Summit for New York City, held a conference on Sustainable Housing.
The panelists each had a few minutes to share their experiences. Continue reading
The Comprehensive Waterfront Plan – Coming Soon to a Shoreline Near You
The Department of City Planning is currently in the process of updating the City's Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, which was originally published in 1992. Local law requires that this update, which City Planning has entitled "Vision 2020," be completed by the end of the year. The Waterfront Plan is not to be confused with City Planning's update to its waterfront zoning, which occurred last year and focused primarily on the design of the open spaces required when a private waterfront property is developed. Continue reading
Greening of the Codes Continues
Yesterday afternoon, the New York City Council passed 5 new pieces of legislation, all of which originally were recommendations of the Green Codes Taskforce (which we previously blogged about here). Continue reading
Zoning, Sustainability, & City Policy
Earlier this summer, we at Herrick Feinstein hosted a seminar – Zoning, Sustainability, & City Policy. The seminar had a panel of green building and New York City policy experts; focus was on the Green Codes Task Force recommendations, the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, and the current trends in New York City sustainability policy.
I interviewed each of the three panelists and a very lively and informative seminar unfolded. Below are three clips from the evening. If you would like to view the seminar in its entirety, it can be found here.


text:
Museum Passes
We now offer online pass reservations! A Library card with a Grafton zip code, and a valid email address, are required to reserve online.
Grafton residents may browse our museum passes and make a reservation from home. A valid Library card is required. As you view each pass, you will see details on that pass, including the cost of admission, the museum's hours and phone number. Clicking on the name of the museum brings you to the museum's website for even more information.
While non-residents cannot make advance reservations, same-day passes may be available for our out-of-town members. The Library is participating in some pass sharing with other Blackstone Valley libraries; check out the complete list of offerings. Additionally, many museums offer a free Friday in the summer; visit the Highland Street Foundation for details.
Select the museum and for the date that you would like to use the pass. You will need your Library card to complete your reservation. An email address is required for confirmation and reminder purposes. Then, come into the Library to pick up the pass and enjoy your visit! Please note that Library Hours are Mon-Thu 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and Fri/Sat 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.; if you make a reservation on a Sunday to go to a museum that same day, no one is available to loan the pass to you, as the Library is not open.
If your plans change and you are unable to keep your reservation, please call the Library at 508-839-4649 x1101 to cancel, so we can make the pass available to someone else.
Thanks to the Friends of the Library for providing the passes and the reservation software. In 2013, the Friends spent $3,645 for 15 museum memberships!
Museum Pass Policy and Procedures
- Grafton Residents and Town of Grafton Employees age 18 years or older may use the Museum Passes available at the Grafton Public Library.
- A valid Library Card in good standing (up-to-date, non-expired card with no overdue or lost items and less than $10 in fines) is required to check out passes.
- A valid email address is required for online reservations.
- Passes are limited to one pass per individual or family per day. During School Vacation Week, passes are limited to one pass per individual or family per week.
- Passes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations may be made up to two months in advance.
- If for some reason the pass reserved in your name will not be used, please cancel your reservation by calling 508-839-4649 x1101 as soon as possible.
- Passes are to be picked up at the Main Library and may be picked up the afternoon or evening prior to the use date. Same day passes are not available on Sundays or holidays, as the Library will be closed.
- Circulating passes must be returned to the Main Library. They may be returned in the Book Drop Box, in the envelopes provided, before 10:00 a.m. on the date due.
- There is a $5 per day overdue fine for passes returned late.
- The replacement cost for a lost pass is the responsibility of the individual who borrowed the pass. The replacement cost is set by the museums.
- Some of the passes are coupons which are turned in to the museum. Some of the passes are circulating passes and must be returned. Some of the passes are date specific and some are day specific. There is only one pass per museum available per day.
- The number of people covered by the pass differs from one museum to another.
- Most of the Grafton Library museum passes are discount passes; some are free admission. The cost per person with the passes is different for each museum.
- The staff of the Grafton Library and the Friends of the Grafton Libraries hope you enjoy your visits to these museums. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please speak to a Library staff member.


text:
Emoia campbelli
|Scope: Global
Language: English
|Scientific Name:
|Emoia campbelli Brown & Gibbons, 1986
Common Name(s):
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Endangered B1ab(iii) ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
|Fisher, R., Hamilton, A. & Allison, A.
|Cox, N.A. & Bowles, P.
Listed as Endangered because its total extent of occurrence is presumed to be less than 5,000 km2, it is thought likely to occur in fewer than five locations (only a single location is currently known), and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat.
|Range Description:
|This species is only known to occur at high elevations on Viti Levu, Fiji, in primary rainforest. It has only been verified from the type locality, Monsasavu on the Rairaimatuku Plateau (Brown and Gibbons 1986, Zug 1991). There is a need to better understand the distribution of this species, as species boundaries between this and the similar Emoia concolor are unclear (R. Fisher pers. comm. 2013); the existence of atypical "E. concolor" on Kadavu (R. Fisher pers. comm. 2013) may indicate that this or a very similar related species occurs on other islands in the archipelago. It is assumed to be found at elevations of around 700 to 1,000 m asl. While this lizard's extent of occurrence is unclear, and it occurs on the largest of the Fijian islands, its association with high-elevation forest suggests a somewhat restricted distribution, here estimated to exceed 100 but to be below 5,000 km2.
|Countries occurrence:
|Additional data:
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|There is no information on the population status of this species, which is only known from the type series and field observations reported in the original description (Brown and Gibbons 1986) and has not been recorded since the 1980s (R. Fisher pers. comm. 2013). However, large trees are being logged on the Rairaimatuku Plateau and forest habitat was also lost in the flooding of the Monasavu Dam. As this species appears to be associated with canopy epiphytes, it is therefore likely that the population is declining.
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
|This is an arboreal species, and has been recorded only from the upper canopy of cloud forest (Brown and Gibbons 1986). It is known from large forest trees where it shelters in epiphytic ant plants; based on the limited data available this appears to be a strict association (Brown and Gibbons 1986). This species is oviparous.
|Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat:
|Use and Trade:
|There is no trade in this species.
|Major Threat(s):
|This species is threatened by the continued loss of large forest trees on the Rairaimatuku Plateau. Habitat was also lost during the construction of a dam.
|Conservation Actions:
|Protection of Sovi Basin and other high elevation areas of Viti Levu would benefit this species if it is confirmed at these sites. Surveys need to be conducted to better understand species limits and determine the distribution of this taxon, and to clarify its natural history.
|Fisher, R., Hamilton, A. & Allison, A. 2013. Emoia campbelli. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T196600A2464706. . Downloaded on 17 August 2018.
|To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
|If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided


text:
Welcome Back!admin / 0 Comments /
Today we welcome back Jane Kellett from parental leave. Jane was recently named as one of 8 recommend parental lawyers in Doyles' Guide. We are pleased to have her back! Jane will be in the office on Tuesdays, ...Read More
Changes at Howe Jenkinadmin / 0 Comments /
We wish to advise you of some upcoming changes to our firm. Sophie Duncan will be leaving our firm on 12 May 2017 to move overseas. We thank her for her contribution over the years and wish her well for her new adventure. We ...Read More
Doyle's Guide – Leading SA Family & Divorce Lawyers 2016admin / 0 Comments /
Howe Jenkin has been recognised in the latest Doyle's Guide listing as one of the leading firms in the area of family law, matrimonial and custody matters in South Australia for 2016. Both Greg Howe and David ...Read More
Howe Jenkin is growingadmin / 0 Comments /
As you may be aware, our Senior Associate Jane Kellett is expecting her first child later this year. We advise that Jane will be taking parental leave commencing in the last week of September. We are pleased to advise ...Read More
Daffodil Day 2016admin / 0 Comments /
Howe Jenkin proudly supported the Cancer Council's Daffodil Day this year by filling our office with Daffodils. https://www.facebook.com/HoweJenkin/posts/545074119029858Read More
Legal Secretaries Day 2016admin / 0 Comments /
Read More
Howe Jenkin welcomes a new member to our teamadmin / 0 Comments /
In February, we will welcome a new member to the Howe Jenkin team! Sarah Spijker will join our administrative staff from the 1st of February. Sarah will provide support to our two Legal Secretaries, Nicole and Jacqui. ...Read More
Doyle's Guide – Leading Divorce & Family Lawyers – Adelaide, 2015admin / 0 Comments /
Howe Jenkin has been recognised in the latest Doyle's Guide listing as one of the leading firms in the area of Divorce and Family Law in South Australia for 2015. Both Greg Howe and David Jenkin have been individually ...Read More
New administration team memberadmin / 0 Comments /
This week we welcome a new member to the administration team at Howe Jenkin. Rebekah Clayfield has recently joined Howe Jenkin as our receptionist. Rebekah will be the first point of contact both on the phone and in ...Read More
Failure to replace judges leaves victims at riskadmin / 0 Comments /
An article recently appeared in "The Australian" in relation to delays that the Family Law system has been experiencing. This article written by Rick O'Brien, the Chair of the Family Law Section of the Law ...Read More


text:
Right now, I'm looking out the window at one of the loveliest, certainly one of the sunniest days of the year so far, and editing pictures from one of the coldest of last year. Just after Christmas my family, me and my camera spent a few days in London and despite it being bitterly cold, we had a beautifully atmospheric walk in Regent's Park. (Ignore the fact my dad is coatless – he's northern – honestly, it was freezing!)
Here's a few of my favourite shots from Regent's Park:
As for the rest of our trip, we were really lucky with the weather and despite the cold we had gorgeous blue skies.


text:
Not indicating causes 'millions of crashes per year'
Failing to indicate causes 'millions of crashes per year', according to a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) report.
The US-based study shows that the effects of failing to indicate could be worse than 'distracted driving' - using a mobile phone behind the wheel.
The study watched 12,000 vehicles as they turned or changed lanes, and noted the rate of those who used their indicators. It showed that a staggering 48% of drivers didn't bother indicating when changing lanes, and 25% didn't when turning.
Scaled up, it means that US drivers fail to indicate 750 billion times per year, with "each incident of neglect [elevating] the risk of a multi-vehicle crash," according to the SAE.
The study says that "the collective result of turn signal neglect is as many as two million crashes per year" - more than twice the number of crashes that the US Department of Transport attributes to distracted driving.
The SAE, therefore, recommends that all cars adopt so-called Smart Turn Signal technology, which it describes thus:
The feature is similar to a seat belt reminder – if you habitually neglect the use of your turn signal when you execute turns, you will eventually get a friendly reminder display.
For drivers who use turn signals nearly every time, no display will ever appear, so it is never a nuisance for most drivers. Drivers who neglect their turn signals will quickly improve their habits and therefore reduce their overall risk of involvement in a crash as well as reducing the risk of getting a traffic citation.
Smart Turn Signal technology uses the same sensors as the Stability Control System, which is standard on all new cars, which the SAE says makes it cost effective.
And it's not a bad idea, although some might suggest that improved driver training would be a more effective and responsible way of increasing indicator use.
"The turn signal is one of the very original automotive crash prevention devices and this simple driver to driver communication device remains extremely effective, but only when it is accurately displayed as required by law", said Richard Ponziani, who wrote the SAE report.


text:
We all know how scary it can be taking that first step. Whether it's applying for a new job, going back to school or going to the gym when you haven't been in a long time (or ever!). For me, it was getting back into an exercise routine. A few weeks before Christmas I got bronchitis. To this day (I act like it was SO long ago), I sometimes wheeze a bit. Also, my lower back has been killing me lately (thanks crushed disk). Because of those things, I've found an excuse to not workout. Guess what? Those aren't excuses, even though I was telling myself it was ok that I wasn't working out. You know what is going to help my back? Stronger abs from EXERCISING. You know what is going to help my wheezing? No, really, do you? It's annoying. But actually my inhaler helped, so I guess THAT is what is going to help my wheezing. See? No excuses.
I know a few updates ago I posted about my 10 pound weight loss. I worked out a tad, but most of that weight came off with diet. But I know FULL WELL that it can't all come off that way. It will be too hard. Plus… I want to be strong. And fit. Not just a skinnier version of what I am now. And that's where butt kicking exercise comes in.
I'm the type of person that does better when working out with others, too. Some people are perfectly happy working out at home by themselves. And that's great! But I need extra motivation around me. I like it coming from a trainer as well as peers around me. I like knowing that we are in the same boat, hating every second of that workout but feeling so accomplished at the end of it. So the other week my friend Kelly sent me a deal she found online. It was for a 4 week boot camp. It was $20 and I didn't have to write up my own workout. I just had to show up and let someone else kick my butt. I was SO IN. $20 is a steal! And knowing I'd have the support of her and our other friend, Josie, was awesome. So we bought it. But as the days got closer to our start date, I started feeling anxious. I don't normally feel like that, but I was really worried. What if I couldn't keep up? What if I can't breath because of the bronchitis? What if my back decides to give out on me? All these things were running through my mind. But I had the support of my 2 friends. I knew that they would be right there with me, helping me along if I needed it.
So we showed up that night at the park, not having any idea what to expect. And you know what? It wasn't that bad! I survived! We all survived! My back was fine and so were my lungs. Half of the group were newcomers as well, so a lot of us were in the same boat.
It made me realize that no matter how scared you are, taking that first step is so important. I guess I always knew that. But it took getting there to make me realize it. And I'm lucky to have friends there for support.
So if you're in the same boat that I was in, don't be scared. You'll survive and you will be so happy that you did take that first step. And having support is key! It's so important. Support is what got me to that boot camp, and it's what will keep me going.


text:
Having a mentor can be great. Here are some tips to start off on the right foot.
- Have realistic expectation
- Realize that a single mentor relationship is not designed to satisfy all your career and professional needs.
- Stay focused on the agreed goals and respect your mentor's limited time.
- Be prepared to ask for specific advice on your skill set, ideas, plans and goals.
- The more specific you are, the easier it will be for your mentor to respond.
- Be curious
- Have an open mind to allow yourself to explore careers and industries with your mentor.
- Don't get discouraged
- The early stages of a mentoring relationship can feel awkward. Starting any relationship takes time and patience. Remember, you are developing competencies that are essential in professional networking and relationships.
- Be considerate
- Be prompt for all meetings whether by Skype/FaceTime, phone or other means. If you need to reschedule, give plenty of advance notice. Meet your mentor's expectations for communication tone and style.
- Be appropriate in your requests of your mentor
- Your mentor is not responsible for finding you a job or internship. While they may end up helping with your search process, this is not their primary function.
- Keep the content of discussions within the mentoring relationship confidential
- Discuss communications confidentiality with your mentor - both personal and professional - and their expectations of you.
- Express appreciation
- Let your mentor know when he or she has helped you, and express appreciation for this guidance. Take the time to send a brief handwritten note of thanks to your mentor at the conclusion of the mentorship. Stay in touch afterwards with occasional updates and sharing your successes.
Introductory E-mail
What to include
- Who you are and what you hope to grain from a mentoring relationship
- Thanking them for agreeing to be your mentor
- A couple of sentences about your background, such as your year in school, major, jobs or activities--keep in mind that they have already viewed your profile
- Asking for the best time and way to talk (phone, Skype, Google Hangouts, or another means)
Dear _____:
My name is ______, and I received your name from the Virginia Alumni Mentoring Program. Thank you for accepting me as your mentee. A roommate of mine participated in the program, and she recommended that I sign up because her mentor helped her explore career goals. I am a third year majoring in psychology. Outside of classes I volunteer with the Adopt-a-Grandparent program through Madison House. I am also very involved in undergraduate research in the psychology lab on Grounds, primarily helping with behavioral testing models. I signed up for the program because I am interested in learning about the rewards and challenges of working in a non-profit organization, and how I can best prepare to work in that environment while at U.Va. The Virginia Alumni Mentoring staff suggested that the first step is for us to talk over the phone or via Skype and to establish goals for the semester. I look forward to hearing from you to arrange a time to talk.
Thank you again for agreeing to be my mentor.


text:
Saenger Theatre Confirmed Acts Revealed During Gala
Some performers slated to play the Saenger Theatre include Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang, Southern Soul Assembly (featuring Marc Broussard, Anders Osborne, JJ Grey & Luther Dickinson), Charlie Brown Christmas, and The Machine (Tribute to Pink Floyd). More acts will be announced in the near future.
Tickets On Sale Friday (11/8) at 10am CST
On November 7th, Huka Entertainment and SMG hosted a special Grand Re-Opening Party of the historic Saenger Theatre, that included a red ribbon cutting ceremony, announcements of upcoming acts and a free concert from Wet Willie (with Jimmy Hall) and the local singer-songwriters spotlight of Port City Rising II.
Port City Rising featured two sets of four locally  singer-songwriters backed by the Mulligan Brothers band with Dale Drinkard sitting in. The first round of singers was Eric Erdman, Ross Newell,
Television stations WPMI, FOX 10 and WKRG were in attendance as well as AL.com's Lawrence Specker. 92ZEW was the only radio station to get the scoop. The ZEW was live all afternoon from 3-6pm.
Following the ribbon cutting, thank you's etc., Huka announced the following confirmed shows to come to the Saenger Theatre:
12/21/13 – Charlie Brown Christmas
1/18/14 – The Machine: A Tribute to Pink Floyd
2/18/14 – Buddy Guy & Jonny Lang
4/1/14 – Southern Soul Assembly (featuring Marc Broussard, Anders Osborne, JJ Grey & Luther Dickinson)
More shows will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets are available now at www.ticketmaster.com and www.saengertheatremobile.com, by phone at 251-208-7906 and at the Saenger Box Office.
HUKA Entertainment co-founder and CEO A.J. Niland says "HUKA Entertainment was founded in Mobile, and it's a privilege to be involved again with a venue that is a deep part of our roots. We're looking forward to working with SMG in creating new history for the Saenger Theatre – a place that plays a special role in both the city's identity and ours.â€
HUKA Entertainment will be the first in-house promoter for the historic venue in over two years. Built in 1927, Mobile's Saenger Theatre was hailed as "Alabama's Greatest Showplace.†In 1999, the city of Mobile purchased the theatre, and through community donations, invested six million dollars into restoring the venue to its original splendor.
The Saenger Theatre Box Office is located at 401 Civic Center Drive, Mobile, AL and is open Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm. For more information on upcoming shows, including ticket prices, visit: www.saengertheatremobile.com
New Orleans, LA-based HUKA Entertainment is a privately held full-service production, talent-buying and promotion company that specializes in festivals, concerts and events of all sizes. Known for groundbreaking innovation at festivals throughout North America, HUKA Entertainment produced the Concerts for the Coast series featuring Jimmy Buffett, Bon Jovi and Brad Paisley; is the co-founder, producer, talent-buyer and promoter of the award-winning Rock The Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival (Ft. Lauderdale, FL); is the co-founder, producer, talent buyer and promoter of Pemberton Music Festival (Pemberton, BC); and the co-producer and co-promoter of BUKU Music + Art Project (New Orleans, LA) and is the co-founder, producer, talent buyer and co-promoter of the award-winning Hangout Music Festival (Gulf Shores, AL). HUKA Entertainment also books talent for and/or promotes a variety of concerts and events throughout the Southeastern United States. www.hukaentertainment.com
anders osborneBuddy Guycharlie brown christmashukaJJ Greyjonny langLIVE MUSICLuther DickinsonMarc BroussardPink FloydSaenger Theatresmgsouthern soul assemblythe machine


text:
posted by Admin, last updated on January 20th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
It was almost the end of the first day of the game and by now Ali and Mahek had quit too! However, the rest went on with strong desire to win till the end. They all looked fatigued, except Gautam, who wasn't talking much during the task. But just then Rahul was called in to collect a task related letter, which he was asked to read in front of everybody.*Lol* Rahul being called in place of Bigg Boss's favourite KT because she was inside the cage!
Struggle of the task turned into a sudden silence as the letter brought in the twist in the game. There was another option offered to the challengers who were still in the task that any one contestant leaving the task within half an hour could take a privilage in exchange to directly nominate a contender during next nominations.
Now, this was unexpected and put all of them in a fix! Karishma and Dimpy immediately decided to quit, but by the time Rahul finished rading the letter, Karishma declared she would quit and told about this to Upen, him being the conductor of the task. But just then, Dimpy got a little upset and said that she gave her name before Karishma, and Upen did partiality which was just not correct. Another heated argument broke between the two.
Do you think Upen could actually have been partial? Who is more likely to surpass the torture?
Catch all the spice tonight at 9 pm!
You Might Also Like