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About Stanwood Choose Another Location
Contact us today to protect your home from rat, rodents, ants & other pests
Click title for further information
| Rodents – Rats/Mice
Termite Protection
Nuisance Wildlife
| Ant Control
| Spider Control
Other Insects, etc.
Dead Rat Removal/Odor Control
Cascade Pest Control/Exterminators – Cascade has been providing insect & rodent control & protection since 1979. Cascade is local & family-owned. The Cascade team is dedicated to provide safe & effective pest management solutions and great customer care. Cascade has earned a reputation for respecting the natural environment and your health and safety. Cascade provides Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Rodents – Rats & Mice. Cascade Pest Control specializes in rodent control, extermination, removal & elimination. Here in the northwest rodent problems are predominantly the Norway Rat (a.k.a. the brown Rat, sewer Rat & wharf Rat); the Roof Rat (a.k.a the black rat or ship rat); House Mouse; and wild mice, such as the Deer mouse and the Field or Meadow mouse. In most cases by the time we are called there is already an established rat or mouse infestation. Both rats and mice spread disease, however, the deer mouse is a common carrier of hantavirus. Rat/rodent damage occurs to insulation (in attics & crawlspaces), they gnaw on wires causing shorts and even fires, and they contaminate areas they traverse and nest. Rats & mice take advantage of home construction seeking shelter, nesting material (usually home insulation), and food (leftover dog & cat food, spilt bird seed and more.) Cascade Pest Control provides rat/mice/rodent inspections & assessments, rat/rodent abatement, rodent exclusion (rat- and mouse-proofing or blocking), rodent protection and damage repair. Most rodent damage results in compressed, disrupted or contaminated insulation. Cascade can also help with the "dirty job" of removing dead rats, rodents or other animal carcasses and smell/odor control. Cascade is also available for rat/rodent abatement—a process of rodent population containment when large structures are cleared for a new construction project.
Ant Control. In the greater Puget Sound Region we encounter a number of ant pests, some of which are extremely persistent and annoying, and others cause damage to wood timbers. The most prevalent ants are odorous house ants (insidious tiny black ants), carpenter ants (moderate to large black ants that nest in and damage wood structures), pavement ants, thatching ants (often build stack of fir/pine needles or dried grass), and moisture ants (nest in very wet or decaying wood). There are also other ant species that have been brought into the area which cause some nasty problems (pharaoh ants and other species).
Cascade provides ant pest control (a.k.a. ant extermination, ant removal, ant elimination, ant fumigation, ant eradication). Ant control measures vary widely depending on the species—some primarily rely on special baiting techniques and other, such as carpenter ants, may require injecting wall voids.
Spider Control. Spiders are creepy, cause messy & unsightly webs, and some can inflict harmful bites. Although most all spiders carry some form of venom, few can penetrate human skin to cause any harm. One local species is particularly poisonous, the hobo spider which is also known as the "aggressive house spider" can cause lesions and other symptoms. Black widow spiders are plentiful in eastern Washington but rare in the Puget sound region. Brown recluse spiders—also famous for poisonous bites—are not found in the northwest. It should be noted, however, that it is possible for these spiders to be carried when moving (furniture & other items) from another part of the country. Much of our spider problems result from webs that obscure windows and other locations, how they creep through a home, and some smaller bites.
Termites. We have the largest species of termite in the United States here in the northwest. Fortunately, the Dampwood termite only nests in very wet or decaying wood and seldom damages homes. However, we do have the famously destructive termite—the subterranean termite—in various locations throughout the region. These locations are more or less dependent on local soil types. Localities where subterranean termites are most prevalent are West Seattle, areas near Issaquah, various parts of south King county and further south (Pierce & Thurston counties). Other areas occasionally encounter them.
Cascade provides termite control measures (a.k.a. termite treatments, extermination, removal, fumigation & protection.)
Wasps & Bees. Wasps are threatening in their aggressive behavior and the very painful stings they inflict. These stings can be particularly threatening to anyone with compromised health issues or who are allergic to the stings. The most troublesome wasps locally are yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets (actually a variety of yellow jacket). They can nest in wall voids, beneath porches, in ground nests, or nests that hang from roof eaves or tree and bush branches. Yellow jackets are aggressive and nests build up to large numbers—up to 4 or 5 thousand. When nesting above a ceiling or behind a wall they can scratch their way through sheetrock causing a sudden intrusion of many wasps within a home's living space.
There are also a few a-social wasps which, while menacing-looking, are usually not a problem unless nesting close to a doorway or other place people frequent.
Bees are not normally considered a pest and are valuable pollinators (as are other insects, including butterflies and certain wasps, flies, & beetles.) However, occasionally bees will nest where they cannot be avoided and cannot be moved causing a health-threat, both directly by stings and because some people are highly allergic. Fortunately, this is fairly rare.
Cascade provides wasp, yellow jacket & hornet control (a.k.a. wasp/bee/yellow jacket extermination, elimination, eradication, fumigation & removal.) When treating a wasp nest it is normally important to leave it in place so all foraging wasps will return to the nest and die. Your Cascade technician can watch for early signs of wasp nest building and/or provide effective control and protection.
Other pests. Here is a partial list of the many other pest issues that we face here in the Puget Sound region:
Bed bugs.
Fabric pests—Carpet beetles and clothes moths.
Food pests ("pantry pests")—carpet beetles, Indian meal moth, 'drug store' beetles.
Nuisance insects—cockroaches, flies, silverfish, cluster flies, overwintering lady-beetles.
Occasional pests—millipedes, centipedes, sow & pill bugs, earwigs.
Wood boring beetles.
Click here to access the Cascade pest library
Nuisance Wildlife. Occasionally, wildlife animals such as squirrels, raccoons, opossums, birds or other animals nest in and make a mess of our attics, crawlspaces or other locations. These animals are best not killed, but trapped or pushed out. Cascade provides nuisance animal exclusion meaning that they blocked from further entry. Cascade also provides remedial work to clean up filth and contamination, odor problems, and damage—particularly to insulation—that is caused by these creatures.
Exclusion. Closing gaps, cracks and holes that allow rodents and other pest into attics, crawlspaces, wall voids and more is referred to as rodent/rat/mouse exclusion or pest exclusion. It is also called rodent/rat-proofing or pest-proofing or pest "build-out" or pest-blocking.
Homes and other structures are often built with gaps that allow pest entry. Also, wooden siding and some roofing materials are soft enough for rats to gnaw their way in.
Cascade has specialized pest control technicians who have a variety of ways to keep rodents from entering structures, whether tunneling or gnawing their way in. Also, insect pests can be blocked or excluded by sealing small cracks & crevices. This greatly slows down pest infestations and helps with control.
Dead Rodent/Animal Removal & Odor Control. Unfortunately, rodents and other animals die in attics, wall voids or crawlspaces and create a horrible odor/smell as well as a biohazard. We encounter dead mice; rats; other rodents such as squirrels, raccoons, opossum and birds. It's mess and a dirty job but your Cascade technician has the equipment to remove the dead animal and its proper disposal. Removing the carcass alone drastically reduces the odor, however, other measures may be called for, both for odor reduction and sanitation (decontamination).
Contact us today to protect your home from rat, rodents, ants & other pests : 1(888) 989-8979.
The City of Stanwood – Information and History
Stanwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,231 at the 2010 census. ~Wikipedia
Stanwood was first settled in 1866 by Robert Fulton. Stanwood's Post Office was established as Centerville in 1870, and the name was changed to Stanwood in 1877 by D.O. Pearson after his wife's maiden name. Stanwood was officially incorporated on October 19, 1903 and grew at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River one mile west of the 1891 Seattle-Montana Great Northern Railway tracks. East Stanwood (along the railroad tracks) was platted in 1906 and incorporated in 1922. The two towns consolidated in 1960.
Historic buildings
Two buildings in Stanwood are on the National Register of Historic Places: the D.O. Pearson House (now part of the Stanwood Area History Museum) and the Stanwood IOOF Public Hall (now Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center).
Cascade provides pest control in Stanwood for rats and mice, ants, spiders, yellow jackets, bees and many other pests. Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment!


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On 10 October 2012, the IUCN Explanatory Guide to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity was launched. At the 11th meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties, the final English version of the Guide was presented by the IUCN Environmental Law Centre and the IUCN Global Policy Unit. This Guide will facilitate a clear understanding of the text of the Nagoya Protocol on ABS and the resulting obligations for the Parties to the Protocol.
The electronic version is available for download here. Hard copies can be requested from email@example.com. Translations into Spanish and French will follow at the beginning of next year. Furthermore, the launch provided an opportunity to update the audience on ABS activities and experiences undertaken through the Regional-GEF Capacity Building Project for Latin America and the Caribbean, executed by IUCN and its Regional Offices in South America and Meso America and implemented by UNEP-ROLAC in 8 countries in the region [more information].
This IUCN Explanatory Guide to the Nagoya Protocol is the result of a joint initiative by the IUCN Environmental Law Centre and the IUCN Global Policy Unit with regard to access and benefit-sharing. It is the latest Guide in the prestigious series of Explanatory Guides developed by the IUCN Environmental Law Centre which seeks to address a critical need within international law of conservation and sustainable development – to provide neutral expert analysis of the text of critical international documents (the series includes Explanatory Guides on the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture).
The main goal of this Explanatory Guide is to facilitate the understanding of the legal obligations of the Parties under the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Furthermore, it will provide practical guidance for ABS implementation at the national level. The Guide is currently only available in English. Translations into Spanish and French will be available in the first quarter of 2013.

subset: commoncrawl


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Ebola Briton's family praises care
The family of British Ebola victim William Pooley has thanked doctors fighting to save his life for the "excellent care" he is being given.
In their first words since the 29-year-old volunteer nurse was flown back to the UK last night for emergency treatment, his family paid tribute to those who orchestrated his speedy return.
And they also urged Britons to consider the thousands in West Africa afflicted by the virus, but dying in their droves because they lack adequate medical care.
Media gather outside the Royal Free Hospital, where a British volunteer nurse who contracted Ebola is being treated
They said: "We would like to express our thanks to all involved in bringing our son back to the UK.
"We have been astounded by the speed and way which the various international and UK government agencies have worked together to get Will home.
"Will is receiving excellent care at the Royal Free Hospital and we could not ask for him to be in a better place.
"We would like to thank all our family and friends for their best wishes and ask everyone to remember those in other parts of the world suffering with Ebola who do not have access to the same healthcare facilities as Will."
Mr Pooley, who comes from the small village of Eyke in Suffolk, contracted the potentially deadly virus while in Sierra Leone, where he had been volunteering at the Ebola centre in Kenema.
He was airlifted by a specially equipped C17 RAF jet back to Britain last night, and is being treated in a specialist isolation ward at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London.
Doctors clad in protective plastic clothing and wearing gloves and masks are caring for the nurse in the strictly monitored ward.
There is no known cure for Ebola, which is transmitted through sweat, blood and saliva. The World Health Organisation says that more than 2,500 people have been killed by the latest outbreak in West Africa, where the fatality rate stands at 90% if it goes untreated.
The round-the-clock care Mr Pooley is receiving will radically improve his chances, but experts said his treatment could take weeks, if not longer, and there is no guarantee he will survive.
And it is not yet known if he will be given the experimental drug ZMapp - dubbed by some as the "cure" after two aid US workers were successfully treated for Ebola after taking it. But manufacturers of the drug have said their stocks have been exhausted because of the high demand.
Mr Pooley, who has been praised by colleagues as "particularly brave", had originally travelled to the country to volunteer at a hospice in the capital Freetown treating HIV and cancer patients.
But he risked his life to move to the Kenema Government Hospital when he heard about the pressing need for medics after other healthcare workers died from Ebola.
Oliver Johnson, a friend of Mr Pooley's who worked with him in Sierra Leone, said he was an "extraordinary guy" who knew the risks involved but was prepared to take them for the sake of the patients.
Dr Johnson, programme director of King's College London's Sierra Leone partnership, said: "He and I spoke about the risk together and I think he absolutely understood that there were risks involved.
"He also knew, though, that he was well trained and there were good precautions in place, so it was a measured risk. But where he was in Kenema a number of staff had become sick.
"He was a hugely professional nurse and a hugely dedicated one, so he understood those (risks) but was prepared to take them for the sake of the patients and colleagues he had there."
Dr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "Will's a pretty extraordinary guy. Even for those of us working with Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, he stood out as being particularly brave and really from the beginning he was determined to help in any way he could, not just help patients but I think he had enormous loyalty towards the other staff at Kenema."
Dr Robert Garry, an American colleague at the hospital, said Mr Pooley received his test results in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Paying tribute to his sick workmate, he said: "It's a very honourable thing. He saw the need. He read about our nurses who were unfortunately dying there and took it on himself to come over and volunteer and learned how to be as safe as he could.
"But when you work hard like that, when you put in so many hours, you're going to make a mistake and unfortunately that seems to have happened in this case."
Ebola is highly infectious, but health chiefs have insisted the risk to the British public "remains very low".
The hospital room Mr Pooley is being treated in has been kitted out in the latest in high-tech equipment designed to ensure the killer virus does not spread.
It has a special filter system which blows in purified air and waste is separated and carefully disposed of.
Professor John Watson, deputy chief medical officer, insisted that "the overall risk to the public in the UK remains very low".
He said: "We have robust, well-developed and well-tested NHS systems for managing unusual infectious diseases when they arise, supported by a wide range of experts.
"UK hospitals have a proven record of dealing with imported infectious diseases and this patient will be isolated and will receive the best care possible."
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "William Pooley demonstrated incredible bravery and commitment in volunteering to provide nursing care in Sierra Leone for those with Ebola, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
"The dedication of frontline health care workers like William is essential for containing the spread of this virus.
"The risks they face are considerable but they are doing the best they can for their patients."
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zihileyeed wrote:Dear Gilligan,
What do we need to do in order to win a medals?
Thank you
To win a medal, join one of the available games for this event (There's a link to waiting games in the first post of the thread). Keep in mind you can only join a maximum of two games, and they must be on different maps (1 game on NYC, 1 on England). If you win either game, you get 1 medal. Maximum of 1 medal per person... even if you win 2 games.
That's all there is to it


text: New York Times Magazine writer Andrew Hacker writes about the growing problems caused by the "bigness" of corporate America. He says that large corporations are beginning to have so much power that they can damage the society without having to account for the consequences, as "corporate wealth buys corporate wishes." Some of the ways that they effect society are through their advertisements, their control of the labor market and education.


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The Best Free Web Monitoring App
- View who's tracking you - Here!
- Thousands of users have installed Safe Monitor
- The results may SHOCK you.
- Speed up your PC by blocking cookies.
Clicking this download button starts the installation of Safe Monitor which is a free application. To learn more, visit our about page.


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I am a homeschool mother. My 10th grade son and I are working through Excelibility in Latin Grammar and also the Legamus Caesar reader. Prior to this he worked through Henle Latin 1 and 2. I went through Henle 1 and 2 with his older brothers and so I am a little rustier. I am realizing that he cannot do this on his own, so I am going to join him. I am joining this list so that I can get help when we are stuck. We are also trying to change our pronunciation from the church Latin to classical pronunciation. I wish we had started with the classical. I'm also trying to determine how to best teach my 8th/6th/4th graders. I'm not sure I want to take them only through Henle and am thinking about supplementing somehow with Cambridge Book 1.
Thanks for reading this.


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The Tyler Leather Jacket
390,00 €
- Our must-have for every wardrobe!
- Classic biker jacket made of 100% soft lambskin leather
- Silver zips and metal elements
- Soft, grey jersey lining for excellent wearing comfort
- Slim fit
Outer material
- 100% leather
- 85% cotton
- 15% viscose
- Slim fit jacket
- Length: 54 cm
- Model is 5'10" tall and is wearing an UK size 8
- Do not wash
- Do not bleach
- Do not iron
- Do not dry clean
- Do not tumble dry
Shipping costs
Within Germany we will take care of the costs for careful packaging and reliable delivery of goods.
See details about shipping costs abroad
Delivery period
In general, you will receive your order within 1-3 business days.
You may return the goods without giving reasons within 2 weeks by returning the goods.View returns details


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Greenhouse gases go underground
Carbon dioxide, produced by burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal, is the major culprit in climate change, trapping heat and warming the planet. Now the federal government wants to remove it from the atmosphere by burying it all over the West, starting at the Teapot Dome oil field in Wyoming.
The Department of Energy plans to permanently store carbon dioxide underground in natural reservoirs such as depleted oil and gas fields. Canada and Norway have already begun testing such storage, and experiments at the Teapot Dome site could begin by 2005. Engineers will inject liquified carbon dioxide gas from an Exxon/Mobil natural gas plant into the old oil reservoir and cap it off, then monitor for leakage. If testing proves successful, the government hopes that private industry will spring up around the country to "sequester" carbon dioxide captured from power plant emissions.
Paradoxically, fossil fuel companies stand to make the most from the scheme. The oil industry already uses carbon dioxide injection to boost output from declining fields; the extra oil squeezed out would make it profitable to keep the carbon dioxide underground permanently.
But environmentalists are pragmatic about the process. "We'd rather use our old oil fields to dispose of carbon dioxide and get more oil out, than get oil from another country that's not disposing of carbon dioxide," says David Doniger, climate policy director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, noting that even with increased energy efficiency and renewable energy, the country is still going to use significant fossil fuel. John Nielsen, energy project director of Western Resource Advocates, says, "Given the growing evidence of global warming and its huge economic, environmental and social risks, we need to look at any and all options to address it."


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Younkie the Movie-Junkie Review: Broken City
on 2013-01-17 11:50
Movie Review: Broken City -
Allen Hughes, one half of the directing brothers who did the stylized Jack The Ripper film "From Hell" and street life drama "Menace 2 Society", goes solo for "Broken City" but if his name didn't appear during the credits, you would never know this was his. Lacking suspense, style, and surprise, the project falls flat long before it breaks.
Mark Wahlberg plays NYC Detective Billy Taggert, relieved of duty after the community goes into an uproar over an "in cold blood" shooting of a "supposed" rapist. Seven years later he's a private eye who gets back into the good graces of Mayor Nick Hostetler (Russell Crowe) by agreeing to investigate the extra-marital affairs of his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Hostetler has just sold off a low income housing project to relieve the city's debts and is in a heated election with Jack Valliant (Barry Pepper), who, yes, is just as good as his last name indicates.
First time screenwriter Brian Tucker starts promisingly enough by focusing on an economic structure that favors the rich but any provocation ends there. Soon Tucker goes the conventional route with a murder, a politician having a gay affair (which for some reason is brought up and then discarded), and a police cover-up and Taggert must wade through this mess to lead us back to the person we knew was pulling all the strings to begin with. Not only that but the film veers off and feels longer by going into things that wind up having no baring on the plot, like Taggert's drinking problem and jealousy over an actress girlfriend. Hughes manages to do nothing with this material, even his one car chase looks muddled and rushed-through.
It comes down to the two stars to add any life. Wahlberg can play a hardened cop role like this in his sleep while Crowe shows he's way more fun when he can verbally joust with the best of them rather than warble through a musical like "Les Miserables". Meanwhile Catherine Zeta-Jones for some reason sounds like she's channeling one of those 1940's dames and doing a much better job of it than Emma Stone did last week in "Gangster Squad".
But "Broken City" strands them in a forgettable, conventional, and basically thrill-less experience from a director who's turned in just the opposite in the past.


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Maxell launches leather DVD
Not for vegetarian storage fans
All sorts of things are already bound in leather, including sofas and chairs, books and, even, the Blackberry Bold. But Maxell has taken things one-step further by unveiling a range of leather DVDs.
Maxell's DVD's have a leather-like top coating
It's claimed the discs are the world's first DVDs to feature a leather top coating, which allows punters the opportunity to record data onto one of five colours of leather disc, including "Ivory White," "Rich Black" and "Crimson Red".
Those with a liking for 100 per cent real leather could be disappointed though, because the discs are described as "leather-like," which suggests that the covering is synthetic.
Nonetheless, Maxell's created both DVD-R and DVD-RW leather bound disc collections. Both will come in packs of 10 disks.
The leather discs will be available from 25 October, but a UK specific release date or price hasn't been given yet.


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Hartsville, S.C. - In only his first season as head coach, Paul Leese has established a formidable reputation as the leader of the Coker College men's soccer team. Inheriting a team that finished the 2008 season 7-12-1 and 9th in conference, Leese delivered the first winning season in over 20 years along with the first ever Conference Carolinas Championship in Coker men's soccer history.
"It was a great achievement!" said Leese. "I was very pleased with how all the players responded to my expectations as a new coach. We set our standards high and were able to succeed due to the hard work that every player gave from the first day of pre-season until the last kick of the conference championship."
Many more records were broken in Leese's inaugural season, including best start in program history (7-0); highest Regional ranking (#3 in Southeast); first ever National ranking (#21 in Nation); most wins in a season (12); first ever Conference Tournament win (2-1 over nationally ranked #13 Anderson University); and first ever conference semifinal win (1-0 over nationally ranked #1 Lees McRae). Leese was then able to cap off the season with Coker's first ever conference championship; defeating Belmont Abbey at home in a thrilling 6-5 shootout win.
A major part of Coker's success is derived from Leese's soccer philosophy. "Soccer is truly a team sport that relies on the actions and decisions of the players during the game," explains Leese. "As coach, I cannot call timeouts or dictate intricate plays – I can only teach players how to read the game and make their own decisions. All our work is done on the training pitch – the game is where the boys now have the freedom to express themselves."
Leese's players agree. "This is the strongest team I have been a part of here at Coker," said senior captain Mike Crook. "Coach values every player's opinion and helped us focus on our team goals this season. It was exciting to watch how we improved and grew together with each game."
Leese has always impressed those who have worked with him. As Assistant Coach at Coastal Carolina University from 2006-09, Leese was in charge of all phases of the men's soccer program. Coastal Carolina Head Coach and Region III ODP Director Shaun Docking recruited Leese as both a player and coach. "Paul was a leader as a player and the transition to becoming a coach has been a very natural one," says Docking. "He understands the demands of student-athlete's in college and does a tremendous job of developing not only good soccer players but also mature young men."
Prior to Coastal Carolina Leese served as an assistant coach at Furman University where he coached U.S. National Team member and Fulham F.C. player Clint Dempsey, along with current MLS players Jon Leathers of the Kansas City Wizards and Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Coach Leese and the Cobras will now prepare to defend their Conference Carolinas title. Leese has some big shoes to fill in the process, with the loss of eight seniors; including All-Conference and All-Tournament selection Marc Mergena, All-Tournament selection Ben Beetch and Tournament MVP AJ Sweeney.


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IUCN celebrates the birth of the son of Leo the Snow Leopard, himself a rescued orphan from Pakistan in 2005. The cub was born on March 6 at the Bronx Zoo in New York.
In a remarkable story of conservation collaboration between Pakistan and the United States, young Leo, whose mother and siblings were killed, was rescued from the Nalter Valley and taken care of by the Wildlife Department, WWF and IUCN. It was clear that the cub could not be returned to the wild, and with the support of IUCN and the Government of Pakistan, a plan was devised to send him to the Bronx Zoo. Run by IUCN Member the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Bronx Zoo has over 100 years of experience in Snow Leopard care.
"This is great news. It shows the strength of this unique partnership for wildlife conservation across two continents - an orphaned Himalayan Snow Leopard cub ending up breeding in captivity in the U.S. It is also evidence of the breadth and diversity of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan," said Malik Amin Khan, IUCN Vice President and Pakistan's former Minister of State for Environment.
Yet serious threats to the Snow Leopard remain in its range states including Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and areas of central Asia up to Mongolia and Russia. The Snow Leopard population is believed to have declined by at least 20% over the past 16 years due to habitat and prey loss and poaching. The Snow Leopard is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.
"One of the reasons IUCN helped push hard to get Leo to the Bronx Zoo was because there was simply no adequate facility within Pakistan. A world-class wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility is still urgently needed in the country," said Aban Marker Kabraji, IUCN Asia Regional Director.
The fragile high-altitude grasslands and snow covered peaks that provide habitat for Snow Leopards are suffering from overstocking with livestock which has led to a decline in the wild prey base and increased human-wildlife conflict as Snow Leopards must prey on livestock for their survival.
Local action is needed to address these kinds of issues. In one innovative effort to address retributive killings, Shafat Hussain, a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Cat Specialist Group, devised a community-based insurance fund for those who have lost their livestock to predators. The project, which started in Balitstan, Pakistan, has been replicated in Nepal, China and India, with conservation success.
"We commend the excellent Snow Leopard conservation work of the Wildlife Conservation Society and our other member organizations, as well as our own Species Survival Commission," said Scott Perkin, Head of the IUCN Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Asia. "However, if we are to stabilize the population of this extraordinary species, more concerted action needs to be taken in the areas where they live. This means local level action that addresses the needs of both people and wildlife."
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Jane Lawton
Head, Asia Communications, IUCN Asia Regional Office
Tel: +66 (0) 2 662 4029 Ext. 142
Mobile: +66 (0) 81 831 9006
Sameer Singh
Communications Officer, IUCN Asia Regional Office
Tel: +66 (0) 2 662 4029
Mobile: +66 (0) 81 850 3400
Related links:


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3:00 pm
The Electric Company "Fromage Here to Eternity" Lisa is chosen to write a story on Skeleckian cheese-making for the school paper, but Annie is determined to scoop her. D
3:30 pm
WordGirl "Whammer Anniversary/Rat Trap" WHAMMER ANNIVERSARY - Mr. and Mrs. Bots ford leave Becky to babysit TJ so they can celebrate their anniversary at a local ice cream parlor. When the Whammed can't get the sundae he orders he starts whamming. Becky has to find a way to save her parents, babysit TJ, and keep her secret identity intact. D
4:00 pm
Wild Kratts "Creature Power Challenge" After getting caught in the middle of a tussle between a grumpy rhino and an outraged elephant, Martin and Chris decide to have a contest to decide what's stronger - elephant or rhino powers. D
4:30 pm
Cyberchase "Problem Solving In Shangri-La" The kids treat math problems like a challenging game when they are taken prisoner by a Zen Master.G
5:00 pm
Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman "The Ruffmeal Needs More Roughage" In order to be a huge success, all Ruff's new "Ruff Meal" needs is a good jingle and about 50 pounds less packaging. He deploys Talia, Isaac, and Liza to work with a chef to come up with a healthier, more sustainable lunch. He then sends Bethany to meet with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops to master "Stars and Stripes Forever" for his jingle. D
5:30 pm
Nightly Business Report Tonight on Nightly Business Report - from wall street to main street, everyone is talking about Apple. NBR will tell you why this one company matters so much. And Ford's Chief Financial Officer Robert Shanks outlines his strategy to keep the automaker running on all cylinders. D
5:56 pm
NewsHour Promo NULL
6:00 pm
PBS NewsHour NULL
7:00 pm
Nature "Jungle Eagle" The world's most powerful birds of prey, the top predators of the South American rainforest, Harpy Eagles are seldom seen. Filmmaker Fergus Beeley and his camera team locate a nest 130 feet above the jungle floor and risk attack by the adult female to install a nest cam for close-up views of the Harpy family. They follow the chick for a year as he grows to adulthood.G
8:00 pm
NOVA "Australia's First 4 Billion Years: Monsters" Host Richard Smith comes face-to-face with the previously unknown reptilian rulers of prehistoric Australia as this episode resurrects the giants that stalked the land and discovers that some of them were among the largest ever to have walked the Earth. Part 3 of 4G
9:00 pm
Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time Actor Peter Coyote serves as narrator and lends his talent as the voice of the famed father of conservationism, Aldo Leopold. This film explores Leopold's life in the early part of the 20th century and the many ways his land ethic idea continues to be applied all over the world today.G
10:00 pm
Battlefield Medicine The survival rate in Afghanistan is the highest in the history of combat, but many veterans live with dreadful injuries. Michael Mosley explores what medicine and technology can do to help rebuild their shattered lives. He reveals examples of mind-controlled prosthetics, growing spare body parts and face transplants, which are helping wounded troops and civilians overcome life-changing injuries. Part 2 of 2G
11:00 pm
Charlie Rose NULL


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From guides to cooks, helpers are needed for popular event
COUNCIL GROVE — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) Council Grove Annual Spring Turkey Hunt for youth hunters is one of the most popular events of its kind in the state. However, it's become a victim of its own success. While the annual event enhances opportunities for beginning turkey hunters, it's gotten bigger with time, and volunteers are needed to host the event.
"We are trying to enhance coordination efforts by asking potential volunteers to assist so that we may improve our ability to plan and ensure that we have enough volunteers to meet participant demand," says event coordinator Brent Konen, area manager for Council Grove and El Dorado wildlife areas and Chase State Fishing Lake. "Past participants have truly appreciated our efforts to provide these opportunities, and we'd hate to turn anyone away because we lack volunteers."
This year's youth hunt has been planned during the youth season on Saturday, April 2. Levels of volunteer assistance needed are wide-ranging, from guides responsible for escorting participants into the field and assisting with the hunt, to assistants responsible for helping with tasks during shotgun firing and meal preparation.
Guides should have property access plans in mind before the event. Consider access plans that account for inclement road and field conditions and the needs of young participants. A few ATVs will be available to assist with transportation but will not be available to all parties. Because some past participants have requested that family or friends accompany them on the hunt, volunteer guides should consider hunting locations that provide concealment for hunting parties of two to four. Pop-up blinds will be available.
This years' event will provide participating hunters (age 11 through 16) with an opportunity to become involved not only in the hunt but also its preparation. The event will begin on Friday, April 1, at 4:30 p.m. at Council Grove Reservoir. A brief informational meeting and a meet-and-greet session for all volunteers and participants will be followed by a complimentary meal. After the meal, participants may pattern shotguns, then accompany guides to hunt locations to scout for the following morning's hunt. At 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, the group will meet for breakfast, and the hunts will conclude at 11:30 a.m., when participants will enjoy a free lunch.
"I would ask anyone who can to please consider assisting in any way," Konen asks. "Volunteers will be provided with a complete event agenda in late March."
For more information, phone Konen at 620-767-5900.


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Write a program that computes the difference between two time
The times are read into the program as integers of at most 6 digits (without leading zeros): hhmmss, where hh stands for hour, mm minutes and ss seconds. The difference should be displayed in the same format (called "military format").
The difference can be both positive and negative. It doesn't matter in which direction it's negative, as long as it's consistent. That is, you can subtract the second time from the first time or the second time from the first.
For the purposes of this assignment you can assume that the inputs are correct (that is, you are not going to have more than 59seconds or more than 59 minutes).
Ex (the blue text indicates user input):
Enter first time: 230000 Enter second time: 210001 Time difference: 15959 Enter first time: 123245 Enter second time: 112955 Time difference: 10250 Enter first time: 23245 Enter second time: 32815 Time difference: -5530 Enter first time: 245 Enter second time: 235 Time difference: 10Notes and Hints:
Good luck!


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One of my calling cards as a writer and human being is that through all these years my stock has soared here in Chicago, I have remained a man who sleeps on nothing but a mattress placed directly on the floor. Otherwise known as a "floor mattress."
I never saw any reason to upgrade. The bedding industry has us suckered on the need for a box spring. Box springs are bullshit. They add nothing to the sleeping experience, and I refused to give in and buy a bed when I had this perfectly fine mattress that served all my sleeping, sexual, and 4 a.m. Subway sandwich-eating needs. To be honest, I could probably go on sleeping on it for another decade, but my buddy Joe just bought a new bed and, knowing about my situation, called me up to see if I wanted his. Sadly and with much regret, I said that I did.
You have to understand: the upgrade here is monumental. It's like going from driving a Kia Koup to a Rolls Royce Wraith. It's like upgrading your point guard from Isaiah Thomas (the Sacramento Kings version) to Chris Paul. It's like going from Campbell's soup to some really excellent-type soup. I mean, this bed is from Ikea. C'mon.
Joe, who bought this bed when he was single, is a cool guy who buys nice things that make him seem like an adult. I am a not-cool guy, whose only furniture comes from the uncle who was looking to clear out his basement in 2007. Putting the bed together in my room, Joe explained everything.
"This is your headboard right here. You ever had a headboard before? Of course not. This is what the girls are gonna hold on to when Smashville does his job, you sick puppy. God, I can't even imagine what's going to go on in this bed now. Maybe we should put a tarp under it."
[I should note that Joe's nickname for me is "Smashville." I like this much better than the ones some of my other friends use, which include, and I'm not making this up, "Mr. Sprinkles." The origins of both names could be explained, but that's like a whole other essay.]
However, in the excitement of my awesome new Ikea bed that makes me feel like George Clooney or maybe Marlon Brando before he got fat, I should note that I am extremely sad to part with my floor mattress. In fact, I can't quite bring myself to take it to the alley for disposal, so it's still leaning up against the wall of our living room where I pet it forlornly every time I walk by. As I say goodbye, here then are some of my favorite memories of my floor mattress over the years:
2007: Rent a U-haul truck with my friend Phil to pick up mattress from my Uncle Andy's in Cincinnati. Also get a sick coffee table, which I still have.
2007: Move to Chicago with my friend James. He drives my mattress in the back of his Chevy S10 pickup truck. Install in room.
2008: Girl gets her period on my floor mattress.
2008: Flu incapacitates me, spend three straight days not leaving mattress once. Bonding.
2009: Come home from trip to discover my roommates' threw a party and someone must have hooked up on it because the pillows are amiss.
2010: Floor mattress has star-making debut in "Publish This Book." Gets addicted to coke.
2010: Leave Chicago for extended many-months book tour and abandon floor mattress in back corner of decrepit house (since torn down). Come to terms that I'll never see it again.
2010: Move back to Chicago, discover that current occupants of house failed to dispose of floor mattress, and are willing to let me have it back. First night sleeping on it again play "Back In Your Arms" by Bruce Springsteen.
2011: Different girl gets her period on my floor mattress.
2012: Barack Obama wins re-election, "Call Me Maybe" becomes song of the summer (nothing floor mattress-related happens).
2013: Joe calls to make his life-changing offer. Install new super-sex dream bed. So far have spent all successive nights maximizing its capabilities by reading a book about Nazis and eating two (2) fruit leathers.


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MADRID – Trash collectors in Seville have voted to end a strike that lasted 11 days and left the sidewalks of the popular tourist destination reeking with piles of garbage.
Street cleaners accepted a deal negotiated by their union with the cleaning company Thursday.
City authorities estimate there are some 7,000 tons of rubbish-filled bags lying around the ancient city.
A minimum level of services required by law has meant some 20 percent of the city's trash has been collected since the strike began.
Seville is the capital of the southern region of Andalusia. It is best known for its flamenco music and monuments including the city cathedral, the Alcazar fortress and the Golden Tower.


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The Standard Capacity Yellow Toner Cartridge from Dell™ is designed to work with the Dell Laser Printer H625/H825/S2825. It produces high resolution printouts with impressively sharp images and text. This cartridge features a capacity of up to 1,200 pages. The cartridge also supports Dell's Toner Management System for low toner detection and easy online ordering. This product has been tested and validated on Dell systems. It is supported by Dell Technical Support when used with a Dell system.
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Sophisticult rejoices: Tarantino is back!
Since the election of President Obama, a lot of people have seemingly been ready to declare racism dead and announce that we now live in a "post-racial" America. Despite the fact that we now have an African-American President, there's a pretty alarming rise in public displays of racism in America today. In fact, just this weekend I witnessed two pretty alarming outbursts directed at minorities while out and about. It was disgusting and pretty shocking to witness something like that, yet alone during the Holiday season.
When director Samuel Fuller was wrapping up filming on "White Dog" in 1982, Paramount Pictures became concerned that the film could offend black audiences and sent two consultants to review the film. One of the consultants considered the film inflammatory and offensive and two weeks before the end of filming Fuller was given a list of changes to be made to the movie. In the end, Paramount chose not to give the film an American theatrical release. It wouldn't receive an official release until 2008, when the Criterion Collection released a special edition DVD of the film. Insulted by the experience, Fuller, one of the most acclaimed genre directors of the 20th century, moved to France and never made another American film.
On October 6th, the animated hit on Comedy Central is returning for another hilarious season of demons, vampires, zombies & other assorted freaks to poke fun immigration policies and paranoia.
If you're familiar with the show from last season, you'll recognize all the Department of Integration characters: Mark - the idealistic social worker; Randal - his roommate who turned himself into a zombie for the sole reason of impressing a girl, and Mark's demon succubus boss & girlfriend, Callie (My fiance mentions she & I have have uncanny similarities. I'm sure he means my wit, otherwise I'll tear his arms off.). The cast also includes Leonard Powers- an old, drunk & timid wizard; Twayne - a intimidating demonic bureaucrat (aren't they all? HAR HAR HAR!), and Lt Grimes, a law enforcement official who hates non humans.


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KMG Krav Maga Global
P.O. Box 3711
609200 Kadima
(+972) 9 8910863
Krav Maga Global (KMG) was founded in 2010, and has since then been in the forefront of Krav Maga development and educational programs. KMG has more than 60 affiliated countries and over 1.500 instructors globally. Any and all contents on this webpage is protected by copyright law and all infringements will be prosecuted.


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Watch The ::God Is Imaginary Videos On YouTube ::
Ok. This is going to be a walk in the park... Since u skeptics always like to answer theists by asking more questions, I shall do the same on this thread. All these questions are from me. Imagine if I had access to all the good questions, made over the years by all the intelligent theists out there... lolz... u get the point... Let's begin shall we?... 1º Why are monkeys still here?
2º Why is the universe so complex?
3º Why women?
4º Why the necessity for food?
5º Why is there right from wrong/good from evil?
6º Why emotions & consciousness/why didn't we remain like the animals(unable to choose right from wrong)?
7º Why ability to reproduce?
8º Why is there only one habitable planet?
9º Why does sex feel so good?
10º Why are the opposite sexes attracted to each other?
11º Why do we have dominion over the animals?
12º How do you explain Polonium 218?
13º Why life/why didn't we remain atoms or rocks or whatever...?
14º Why has macro-evilution never been observed in human history?
15º Why is the oldest tree only 4000 years old(coinciding with the flood)?
16º Where are all the transitional fossils from the millions & billions & gazillions of animals & humans that were supposedly evolving over millions & billions & gazillions of years?
17º Why can no example be given for a single genetic mutation or an evolutionary process which can be seen to increase the beneficial information in the genome?
18º Can someone document just one 100% verifiable transitionary fossil that proves that one species actually changed into another completely different species?
19º What about the population problem with evilution?
20º How did new biochemical pathways(which involve multiple enzymes working together in sequence) originate?
21º How do you explain the Fibonacci sequence/the number "e" & the number Pi?
22º Why do all humans, at least once in their life, wonder about a supreme being?
&... BAM! Poor little skeptics... I am so very sorry for this. I didn't want to create this thread, lest I should embarass you. But hey! u should have thought about that beforehand. Ever heard the saying : "be careful what u wish for?" haha (REMOVED VIDEO)PS : I, & only I, will decide on the validity of each person's answer. I wasn't going to create this thread but since someone clearly wanted to be embarassed, I shall create this same thread on the other 2 forums. I have a feeling this thread will remain at the top of the list for a looong time... I'll understand, if from now on, all the heathens of this forum hate me. Have a good one skeptics


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Personal Statements, Resumes, and Letters of Recommendation / Re: Please review personal statement and recommendation letter« on: April 09, 2012, 10:49:54 PM »
With all due respect, (sarcastic of course), posting a personal law school admission essay on a public website is not a wise decision- esp on the day before the majority of respectable law school applications are due. You are clearly seeking advice from the wrong place. Your chosen audience is your competition for admission and future success. Rather than rely on instant and uninformed validation/critque from those in a similar place as you- trust your judgement.


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The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean –
contact: samkean.com/contact
Stanczyk is a BIG reader, definitely a bibliophile. My background is a computer scientist which means I am both a mathematician and computer specialist, with a school of engineering training. I have had a life-long affinity for science as well as mathematics (of which I view computers as just a branch thereof). However, in the spirit of this era's memes, specifically, the STEM meme – we separate S.T.E.M. into constituent parts as: Science, Technology (computers no?), Engineering and Mathematics. I had always thought of STEM as just Science & Mathematics (Ummm S&M ??) with Engineering being the School within which these topics were taught and Engineering being the rigorous discipline that is applied to various fields (Chemical Engineer, Construction Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Computer Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, etc.) and technology just an ubiquitous part. So Stanczyk considers himself a STEM knowledge worker.
Computers (Technology) often borrow concepts from other disciplines. For example, there are a whole set of "genetic" algorithms: cross-over, insertion, deletion, duplication, mutation, etc. Obviously, all branches of mathematics are represented in a wide swath of computer programs. So I have always viewed that a computer scientist would be a better professional by being well read and being able to borrow concepts from other fields to be able to bring to bear the broadest toolset to solve the great variety of challenges that a software developer is often faced with.
So now I come to this blog's topic for today … a new book I read, The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean.
As a genealogist, I am fascinated by the thought of using genetics/DNA as another tool – however I do have some reservations (another blog post, another time). So when I saw this Kean book (published July 2012) I was intrigued. Perhaps you already know Sam Kean from his prior book, The Disappearing Spoon.
When I read a book or even before I decide to read a book, I examine a book's "DNA" (cover, table of contents, author, etc.) to form an opinion of whether I want to invest myself in the effort. A quick scan of the book yields … the book's organization: Introduction, Chapters (16), Epilogue, Acknowledgement, End Notes, Selected Bibliography, Index, spanning 401 pages including the index. Do not skip past the title page so quickly here. Part of the charm was the page after the title and before the table contents. It prodded my curiosity (see for yourself, I won't ruin the surprise in this blog post, but I will email the author). Examining these parts, I linked this book in my mind to Lewis Carroll, Douglas Hofstadter and especially Stephen Jay Gould (a favorite science author of mine). So all-in-all, I decided to invest myself.
What is The Violinist's Thumb About?
It is right there on the first page of the Introduction (which is actually page 3 – where is page 1 and 2 ??). The book is about DNA. Do not let that dissuade you. There is an interesting narrative about science and scientists and the history of DNA thought/understanding and how that understanding evolved. The book is not bogged down in science jargon and your eyes will not gloss over with a baffling "scientific paper and statistical data" send-up. If you have read Stephen Jay Gould, then that is the tone and style of Sam Kean's writing and it is comfortable for the non-scientist (like Stanczyk) and engaging with interesting stories and anecdotes while presenting the topic and the teaching/learning is subtle – this is not a text book nor scientific abstract, just an enjoyable read on a science topic that you may have an interest in or a curiosity about.
Let me state up front, that my literary criticisms are slight and should not dissuade you from reading this book nor does it invalidate any of the author's points.
[1] '*' -> look in Notes & Errata for that chapter;
It would be much better if Kean had numbered each '*' note as 1,2,3 …
[2] Page 216 referring to chimps & gorillas as "monkeys" instead of apes
[3] Chapter 14 is not about its title at all; No answer, nary any mention of the 3Billion and does not answer the title's question
[4] 25,947 genes was lowest guess, but the actual number was not given. Was this the actual, exact number of genes?
Chap. 14, page 312.
[5] DNA debases???? I say no. The proper analogy is DNA is a historian/scribe. However, DNA history is not flattering.
[6] It took me really until Chapter 12 to understand the book title (was a reference to Paganini and his thumb)
Things I Learned
- Radiation can be used to create mutations on demand
- Lack of Variety in Human Genes (compared to the great apes)
- 1815 Tambora Eruption caused 1816 year with no summer
- Toba super-volcano Eruption 70,000 years BCE exacerbated that Ice Age, possibly causing a dire near-extinction event of humans (that did not affect the apes as much because the apes were further inland, away from Toba).
- Zipf distributions in languages – DNA as a human language or Musical language
- The greater the language diversity, the greater the DNA diversity. That is language diversity and DNA diversity go hand-in-hand (i.e. 1:1 correspondence). Click languages 100 sounds, English 40+ sounds, Hawaiian around a dozen
- mtDNA – mutation rate: once every 3,500 years
- Mitochondrial Eve lived 170K years ago (see Wells book for a differing estimate)
- At the DNA level, humans are 99.9 identical. So humans have less variability than the great apes.
- Contrary to the Book of Mormon's theological tenets, Native Americans were NOT descended from a Jewish tribe.
Things I Liked
- Chapter 4 – The Musical Score of DNA – DNA as a language, music (music as DNA), distribution of amino acids
- Chapter 4 – Palindromes, in particular, the palindrome square (from Pompeii)
- Chapter 14 – The Human Genome Project – Science Race and Craig Venter's impact
- Epilogue – Craig Venter mapping his own genome
Things That Made Me Laugh
- Craig Venter's surprising chimp DNA (Chapter 14, page 313)
- Chapter 8, pages 173-174 – The "gay bomb"
- Lewis Carroll's Mock Turtle appearance in Chapter 4
- Bolsheviks & Humanzees (Stalin was a very naughty boy)
Things I Was Horrified By
- Chapter 3 and nijyuu hibakusha (Tsutomu Yamaguchi)
- Chapter 7 and Machiavelli Microbe – Toxo (Toxoplasma gondii)
- 8% of human genome is not human at all. It is virus DNA !
- Human DNA suggests widespread cannibalism in all Haplotypes –
although maybe that is explained by an early occurence in Africa >100,000 years ago before the diaspora/migration of modern humans[2014: I corrected this when I thought the canabilism referred to must have happened after Haplotype diversity for this to be STILL true]
- Chapter 12 and Paganini's Thumb – ah the raison d'etre
I decided to go back and re-read Deep Ancestry by Spencer Wells in parallel with this book. I wanted to consider Haplotypes and the historical migrations as it impacted and documented the human DNA's evolution. I wish Sam Kean had included something on this – not a criticism, just a wish. I wanted a book about the human genome, its DNA and how it evolved. For me I wanted to form in my mind the DNA that is genealogy related and what that DNA implies. Kean's book definitely gives the reader a flavor for the Human Genome Project (HGP).
Therefore, I needed to supplement Kean's book with Deep Ancestry by Spencer Wells to answer my question about the parallel to Mitochondrial Eve (i.e. Y-Chromosome Adam ??). It turns out that Y-Chromosome Adam dates back to 60K years ago. Now I had to explain why Eve's DNA goes back 40,000-110,000 more years than Adam's DNA. So I needed the following factoids from Deep Ancestry :
- The Human genome contains about 30,000 genes
- 2.9-3.0 Billion base-pairs (nucleotides) make up the human genome
- An average gene is 47.5K nucleotides in length (paired up in an helix) giving 95K on average in each gene. [derived by CME-S]
- Chromosomes vary in length from about 47M to 247M nucleotides
- There are 46 chromosomes. [derived, Ergo each Chromosome has on average nearly 62M nucleotides.]
- The Y chromosome (male sex indicator) does not recombine and is passed down intact (identical). [How often does mutation affect Y chromosome?]
- mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA, female lineage) has 16,569 nucleotides
- mtDNA has 37 genes (<448 nucleotides/gene)
- mtDNA is circular, while nuclear DNA (DNA from the cell nucleus) is linear
- mtDNA (DNA from the cytoplasm) is purely a copy of maternal mtDNA
- In nature only bacterial DNA is circular
- Mitochondrial Eve dates back to about 100K years ago
- Y-Chromosome Adam dates back to 60K years ago
- Modern humans date back to 200K years ago.
Actually I was dissatisfied by the rough figure of 30,000 genes in the human genome. Kean's book had left me hanging with the winning pool guess of 25,947 genes (the lowest guess). But the actual number was not given. So I had to go to Wikipedia, and on the Chromosome article I found the breakdown of the genes by chromosome and then I understood. Women have 31,731 genes and men have 30,339 genes (since the Y-chromosome of men is nearly 1400 less genes than a woman's X-chromosome).
Stanczyk is an avid wrestler of numbers. Even though I am highly numerate, the numbers are at once boggling and also breathtaking to consider. How would I tackle the computer storage requirements of this science and the parallel processing requirements of analyzing the data. How do we go further with this data? How do you manage this data? How do you detect data errors and correct them?
Stanczyk also loved trying to construct a theory on the huge gap in years between Mitochondrial Eve and Y-Chromosome Adam. Modern humans date back to 200K years ago. Both male and female DNA has gone extinct and whole branches of modern humans' family tree are gone. Modern humans left Africa about 100K years ago. So Y-Chromosome Adam (only 60K years ago) only dates back to the time after the human diaspora/migration began and Haplotype diversity had already begun. Since male DNA does not go back as far as the female DNA it must be something in men's DNA or men's nature that causes their more frequent DNA extinction. My theory is that warfare in tandem with consequences from wars (pestilence, violence, disruption of living standards, etc.) and any global natural disasters that preceded the wars or followed the wars to cause a "bottle-necking" of the human population to near extinction levels. Possibly this bottle-necking occurred a number of times over the 200,000 year history of the modern human species (before and after the human diaspora/migration out of Africa. The fact that female DNA goes further back may be explained, if they were taken as slaves/property to the victors of these wars, while the males (including male children) were eliminated thus extinguishing their male DNA Haplotypes. This demonstrates that some human DNA has been lost, since neither male nor female DNA goes back the full 200K years of modern humanity's arrival. Ergo, some of the original ADAM/EVE DNA is now lost. We have become less diverse. This shows in comparing the diversity of HUMANS to the Great Apes (chimps/gorillas). Apparently, the DNA or behavior of the great apes is less warlike or by their lifestyle was less prone to extinction events in the past. None the less, the loss of diversity does not mean that humans are more likely to become extinct than the great apes. Indeed, our numbers and adaptability to more diverse habitats actually mean that now it is more likely that the great apes will become extinct before humans even though human DNA is less diverse, relatively speaking. The probability of humans out-surviving apes was not always so at various times over the last 200K years and could still change again.
Read the Kean book. If you only have time for two chapters, then read chapter 4 and chapter 14. If you have a bit more time, also read chapter 7 too. Read the whole book. You do not need to read it sequentially, just jump in where your interest takes you. I did find reading the Introduction and the first two chapters provided me with a good starting point to jump around from. They gave me a sense of what was the author's narrative that he was developing.
I would also recommend a quick read of Deep Ancestry by Spencer Wells in parallel with (or before/after) reading The Violinist's Thumb by Sean Kean.
On a lark, I also read Douglas Hofstadter's book, Metamagical Themas. Metamagical Themas is a set of material derived from the 2.5 years that Douglas Hofstadter wrote for Scientific American (overlapping with and following after Martin Gardner (whose column Mathematical Games was anagrammed to create Hofstadter's Metamagical Themas). In the book, Metamagical Themas, is a Chapter 27, written originally in March 1982, asking the question, is the genetic code arbitrary (entitled, "The Genetic Code: Arbitrary?"). I found this material also extremely helpful in rounding out my knowledge of DNA. So I recommend you read all three sources:
- The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean
- Deep Ancestry by Spencer Wells
- Metamagical Themas Chapter 27 (or March 1982 Scientific American) by Douglas Hofstadter
These should whet your appetite for more and instill in you a gnawing sense of more interesting questions that still need answers. All three sources are readable by the lay-science person or any person with an interest in science or science history.
So where did I, Stanczyk, get left at? I had read these books to learn more about evolution and science vs. religion boundaries. What I was left at is some kind of cross between those topics and a crossover with computational biology and DNA/Human Genome. Four broad topics viewed through my lenses of computers and genealogy. What an interesting Gordian Knot to unravel !


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City of La Quinta June 2011 Events
Story Time at La Quinta Museum
Wednesday, June 1
10 am
La Quinta Museum
Special story time for children ages 3 - 5. A related craft will follow the story. For more information call (760) 777-7170.
Moonlight Movie
Friday, June 3 - The Karate Kid
Old Town La Quinta event lawn
Movie begins at dusk.
Bring your blankets, low-back sand chairs and the whole family for fun and a movie under the stars. Admission is free. Come early and have dinner at one of your favorite La Quinta restaurants before the show - or order your food to go and enjoy your meal with the movie! The movie will be shown at Old Town La Quinta on the event lawn.
Summer Aquatic Program
La Quinta Pool at Fritz Burns Park
La Quinta Pool offers various aquatic programs throughout the summer. Presented by Family YMCA of the Desert in partnership with the City of La Quinta. For registration or more information, call (760) 341-9622.
Regular Pool Hours:
Monday - Friday:
*9:00 am - 12:30 pm - Swim Lessons Only
*12:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Closed for Lunch
*2:00 pm - 4:30 pm - Recreational and Open Swim
*4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Evening Swim Lessons and Adult Lap / Swim/Water Aerobics
10:00am - 1:00pm Recreational and Open Swim
10:30am - 12:30pm Weekend Swim Lessons
Closed for all activity
Junior Paleontologists Summer Program
Ages 7-9
Wednesday, June 15, 22, and 29
1 pm
La Quinta Museum
A special educational program for children ages 7-9. For more information please call the La Quinta Museum at (760)777-7170.
Walking Equals Long Life (W.E.L.L.)
Sunday, June 19 (3rd Sunday)
7 am
La Quinta Civic Center Campus
The City of La Quinta and W.E.L.L. invite you to walk in a group setting at the beautiful Civic Center Campus. The group is open to everyone to come out and enjoy exercising and socializing while improving their health. The City's mission is to encourage everyone, regardless of fitness level, to get out, exercise and have fun. For more information call (760) 777-7090.
Family Fun Night
Friday, June 24
6 - 7 pm
$5.00/Family of Four; $2.00/each additional person
La Quinta Pool at Fritz Burns Park
San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants
Saturday, July 16
Game time TBA
Please call for updated information
Join us as we take you on the ultimate baseball experience with all-you-can-eat seats in the Right Field Reserved Section. Eat all the hot dogs, veggie dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and sodas you want.
On the Lap Story Time
Tuesdays (June 7, 14, 21, & 28)
10 am
La Quinta Library
Story time for babies and young toddlers who are just beginning to learn about listening to stories and songs. Their parent or caretaker, who will provide warm comfortable laps, accompanies little ones. For more information call (760) 564-4767.
Preschool Story Time
Tuesdays (June 7, 14, 21, & 28)
11 am
La Quinta Library
This program is for children ages 3 and up who can sit independently, listen to stories and follow the Story time leader. It is an excellent way to prepare for kindergarten with an educational program that is a lot of FUN! For more information call (760) 564-4767.
Baby Play & Sign
Saturday, June 18 (3rd Saturday)
10:30 am
La Quinta Library
A program that gives parents and their babies a chance to meet, play, and communicate using simple easy to learn signs.
The Whodunnit? Mystery Book Club
Wednesday, June 15 (3rd Wednesday)
10:30 am
La Quinta Library
Mystery lovers gather to discuss a month's titles. Books are available in advance at the library Reference Desk.
Family Life Series
Wednesday, June 22 (4th Wednesday)
5:30 pm
La Quinta Library
Learn about educational resources to share with family and friends.
Reading Rewards
Monday-Sunday, June 17 - August 26
All Day
La Quinta Library
A program that rewards independent reading with books and prizes. Children from three to teen can earn points by reading or listening to the books they have checked out at the library. Points are then spent on prizes available at the library.
Thursday @Three
Thursdays, June 23 - July 28
3 pm
La Quinta Library
This popular program returns with a variety of performers which will appeal to the whole family.
Jurassic Encounter Exhibit
Tuesday - Saturday, Runs through July 31, 2011
10 am - 4 pm
La Quinta Museum
Experience the Jurassic era with breath taking dioramas featuring animatronic dinosaurs! See both Stegosaurus and Allosaurus move and roar in completely realistic scenes. Other exhibits include Pteranodon,Triceratops, and Utahraptor in fully landscaped displays. Come face to face with the most fearsome dinosaur of the Jurassic age with our life sizeTyrannosaurus Rex skull! Compare your feet to Tyrannosaurus Rex and Iguanodon! Little aspiring paleontologists can excavate dinosaur bones in our outdoor dig station and make crayon rubbings of fossils to take home.
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For best printing results turn on "Print background colors and images" in your browser settings.
The photos and videos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.
The Buick Rendezvous was introduced in the 2002 model year.
Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Dummy movement wasn't well controlled. There was far too much upward movement of the steering wheel and at the same time the driver's seat pitched forward toward the wheel. During rebound, the dummy's head did not come close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.
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text:
Cameron Diaz: Hanging with Alex Rodriguez's Kids!
Cameron Diaz carries boyfriend Alex Rodriguez's daughter, Ella, on Monday (December 20) in Mexico.
The 38-year-old actress also hung out on the patio of her hotel room with A-Rod, 35, his older daughter Natasha, and some pals.
At one point, Cam spent time sunbathing in a yellow bikini.
The day before, Cameron and Alex soaked up the sun with his daughters.
10+ pictures inside of Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez, and his two girls in Mexico…


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Roseland Ballroom To Close Their Doors
A spokesperson for the venue told NME in an interview: "The owners of 239 West 52nd Street have operated the Roseland Ballroom for over three decades. Managing Roseland has been a labor of love, which is why the owners have deferred major changes for all these years. Though final plans for the property will not be made until next year, redevelopment of the property is the likely outcome. Roseland will cease operations at the end of April 2014."
Legendary bands like The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nirvana are among the acts that have played at the Roseland Ballroom. It is sad to see these classic music venues disappearing. In 2006 CBGB, another Manhattan staple, closed down, marking the end of an era that had helped spawn the careers of bands like The Ramones and Blondie. more on this story
Gibson.com is an official news provider for antiMusic.com.


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Cost of New Minnesota Top Income Tax Rate? It Depends.
ST. PAUL (AP) - A narrow band of Minnesotans will pay a higher income tax under the new state budget. How much more? That depends.
Officials say the average cost of the new tax for 54,400 filers is just shy of $7,200. But that figure can be misleading because the super-rich will pay dramatically more than those barely touched by the new rate.
The median tab for those affected is $1,904, according to a Minnesota Department of Revenue analysis. That means half of the people will pay more than that and half will pay less.
The 9.85 percent rate applies to taxable income above $250,000 for married filers and $150,000 for singles. It takes effect for this tax year.
The new top tax rate will put Minnesota's upper bracket in the nation's top five.


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Mercedes Carrera was one hot Latina any man would go gaga for. She was thicker than gumballs and curvier than a coke bottle. Our man on the scene, Seth, had somehow made a deal with Mercedes where she was letting him crash at her house. He kept telling us how fine she was, so we had to go by to check it out for ourselves. We first saw her in her home office and were blown away by her hotness. This Latin lady was stacked. Seth had given her a sexy outfit to wear and was all about trying to get her to go further since the crew was now there to record the action. This black outfit was see-through and barely covered Mercedes' insane figure.
See MORE Hot Latina Porn Stars like Mercedes in XXX Pics and Videos NOW for Just $1 on 8th Street Latinas
As she walked around, we were mesmerized by her booty. She shook that ass and those big juicy Latina tits and had us dying to see more. By then, Mercedes was so heated up, she let Seth have a go at it. He shoved his face between her ass cheeks and went to town tonguing down that pussy and asshole. Mercedes loved that and couldn't get enough. She returned the favor giving him an amazing blow job with those thick dick-sucking lips. Seth went ham on that pussy and pounded it deep and hard, as Mercedes orgasmed. When he couldn't take anymore of that HOT pussy, he blasted his cum load all over her pretty face.


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Princess Cruises Superstore Benefit #3
In your corner. We're your zealous advocate with the cruise lines.
Please hold on a moment
while we sniff out...
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Mario Testino (2)
Despite the similarities between Kate Middleton and Princess Diana's pale silk blouses in their official engagement portraits, when it comes to fashion, these two princesses are cut from a different cloth. Whereas Princess Diana wore an oyster pink crepe silk chiffon blouse with a ruffled collar designed by Elizabeth Emanuel (who went on to design her wedding gown), Kate chose a more modest vintage-inspired silk blouse from London high street chain Whistles—likely pulled from her own chic closet. Retailing for 95 pounds (about $151) when she originally bought it from the line's fall/winter 2008 collection, Whistles will reissue a limited-edition "Kate" blouse in time for the April 29 royal wedding, "due to a surge in customer interest," says the company's CEO Jane Shepherdson. "These are the type of clothes Kate feels comfortable in. She didn't stray too far from her personal style at all," says stylist Nikki Pennie, who has worked with Kate in the past, even introducing her to Daniella Issa Helayel, designer of that now iconic blue dress. "It's obviously a conscious effort to represent British brands and ones that are affordable too," says Pennie.
In the more formal portrait, Middleton chose Links of London jewelry and the "Nannette" dress by 39-year-old British label Reiss, pictured below, and also worn by celebs like Heidi Klum and Nicole Kidman. Purchased from the fall 2009 collection, then selling for 159 pounds (about $253), Kate's dress is reportedly now selling on eBay for twice that price. Like Whistles, Reiss will reissue a similar dress for $325 on Jan. 11 at reissonline.com/us. "Kate has been a customer of Reiss for some time now," says founder David Reiss. "Having the eyes of the world upon her and subsequently her pick from national and international designers alike, we were delighted that Kate chose to show her support for British brand Reiss." By picking two labels that don't offer bridal collections, Kate seems uninterested in fueling speculation about who will design her wedding gown. "Kate has really thought of everything here," says Pennie. "She didn't do this big photo shoot with Testino and make it all glamour and glitz, with heaps of expensive items. It's just simply her. And that's the whole thing—it shows that is she is not changing for anyone." –Suzanne Zuckerman; reporting by Monique Jessen and Simon Perry


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How to Use the Images Illustration 1
Illustration 1
Questions for Illustration 3
1. Examine this sketch closely. It shows the 31st Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized in the summer of 1861. A regiment in the Civil War usually consisted of about 400 men. How many men in the illustration are working on the fortifications? What does this tell you about their importance?
2. Notice the logs lying on the ground on the left side of the illustration. Whenever possible, parapets were built around logs, rocks, or large pieces of lumber. Why do you think this would have been done?
3. Notice the zigzag section of the parapet on the left. Based on Reading 3, why do you think it was built that way?
4. Corinth was the 31st Ohio's first major engagement. In his books, Mahan taught that field fortifications were most appropriate for "green," or inexperienced, troops. Why do you think he thought that?
* The photo on this screen has a resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi), and therefore will print poorly. You can obtain a larger version of Illustration 3, but be aware that the file will take as much as 56 seconds to load with a 28.8K modem.


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42 U.S.C. 3535(d), 3537a, 3545.
The provisions of this subpart A are authorized under section 102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 101-235, approved December 15, 1989) (42 U.S.C. 3537a) (hereinafter, Section 102). Both the provisions of Section 102 and this subpart A apply for the purposes of Section 102. Section 102 contains a number of provisions designed to ensure greater accountability and integrity in the way in which the Department makes assistance available under certain of its programs.
(1) Assistance which is provided directly by HUD to any person or entity, but not to subrecipients. It includes assistance for the acquisition, rehabilitation, operation conversion, modernization, renovation, or demolition of any property containing five or more dwelling units that is to be used primarily
(2) Assistance to residential rental property receiving a tax credit under Federal, State or local law.
(3) For purposes of this definition, assistance includes assistance resulting from annual adjustments in Section 8 rents under Section 8(c)(2)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, unless the initial assistance was made available before April 15, 1991, and no other assistance subject to this subpart A was made available on or after that date.
(2) Residential rental property receiving a tax credit under Federal, State, or local law.
HUD will publish a Notice in the
(a) Assistance subject to Section 102(a); and
(b) Assistance that is provided through grants or cooperative agreements on a discretionary (non-formula, non-demand) basis, but that is not provided on the basis of a competition.
(i) The total amount of assistance received during the Federal fiscal year during which the application was submitted;
(ii) The total amount of assistance requested for the fiscal year in which any pending application, including the
(iii) For the fiscal year described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the total amount of assistance from the Department or any other entity that is likely to be made available on a formula basis or in the form of program income as defined in 2 CFR 200.80.
(2) In the case of assistance that will be provided pursuant to contract over a period of time (such as project-based assistance under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937), all amounts that are to be provided over the term of the contract, irrespective of when they are to be received.
(1) Other governmental assistance that is or is expected to be made available, based upon a reasonable assessment of the circumstances, with respect to the project or activities for which the assistance is sought;
(2) The name and pecuniary interest of any interested party; and
(3) A report of the expected sources and uses of funds for the project or activity which is the subject of the application, including governmental and non-governmental sources of funds and private capital resulting from tax benefits.
(c) In the case of mortgage insurance under 24 CFR subtitle B, chapter II, the mortgagor is responsible for making the disclosures required under Section 102(b) and this section, and the mortgagee is responsible for furnishing the mortgagor's disclosures to the Department.
(a) During the period in which an application for assistance covered under Section 102(b) is pending, or in which such assistance is being provided, the applicant must report to the Department, or to the State or unit of general local government, as appropriate:
(1) Any information referred to in Section 102(b) that the applicant should have disclosed with respect to the application, but did not disclose;
(2) Any information referred to in Section 102(b) that initially arose after the time for making disclosures under that subsection, including the name and pecuniary interest of any person who did not have a pecuniary interest in the project or activity that exceeded the threshold in Section 102(b) at the time of the application, but that subsequently exceeded the threshold.
(b) With regard to changes in information that was disclosed under Sections 102(b) or 102(c):
(1) For programs administered by the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development:
(i) Any change in other government assistance covered by Section 102(b) that exceeds the amount of all assistance that was previously disclosed by the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of the assistance;
(ii) Any change in the expected sources or uses of funds that exceed the amount of all previously disclosed sources or uses by the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of previously disclosed sources;
(2) For all other programs:
(i) Any change in other government assistance under Section 102(b)(1) that exceeds the amount of assistance that was previously disclosed;
(ii) Any change in the pecuniary interest of any person under Section 102(b)(2) that exceeds the amount of all previously disclosed interests by the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of such interest;
(iii) For all projects receiving a tax credit under Federal, Sate or local law, any change in the expected sources or uses of funds that were previously disclosed;
(iv) For all other projects:
(A) Any change in the expected source of funds from a single source that exceeds the lesser of the amount previously disclosed for that source of funds by $250,000 or 10 percent of the funds previously disclosed for that source;
(B) Any change in the expected sources of funds from all sources previously disclosed that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of the amounts previously disclosed from all sources of funds;
(C) Any change in a single expected use of funds that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of the previously disclosed use;
(D) Any change in the use of all funds that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 10 percent of the previously disclosed uses for all funds.
(a) In making the certification for assistance subject to Section 102(d), the Secretary will consider the aggregate amount of assistance from the Department and from other sources that is necessary to ensure the feasibility of the assisted activity. The Secretary will take into account all factors relevant to feasibility, which may include, but are not limited to, past rates of returns for owners, sponsors, and investors; the long-term needs of the project and its tenants; and the usual and customary fees charged in carrying out the assisted activity.
(b) If the Department determines that the aggregate of assistance within the jurisdiction of the Department to a housing project from the Department and from other governmental sources exceeds the amount that the Secretary determines is necessary to make the assisted activity feasible, the Department will consider all options available to enable it to make the required certification, including reductions in the amount of Section 8 subsidies. The Department also may impose a dollar-for-dollar, or equivalent, reduction in the amount of HUD assistance to offset the amount of other government assistance. In grant programs, this could result in a reduction of any grant amounts not yet drawn down. The Department may make these adjustments immediately, or in conjunction with servicing actions anticipated to occur in the near future (
(c) If an applicant does not meet the $200,000 disclosure requirement in § 4.7(b), an applicant must certify whether there is, or is expected to be made, available with respect to the housing project any other governmental assistance. The Department may also require any applicant subject to this subpart A to submit such a certification in conjunction with the Department's processing of any subsequent servicing action on that project. If there is other government assistance for purposes of the two preceding sentences, the applicant must submit such information as the Department deems necessary to make the certification and subsequent adjustments under Section 102(d).
(d) The certification under Section 102(d) shall be retained in the official file for the housing project.
The provisions of this subpart B are authorized under section 103 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 101-235, approved December 15, 1989) (42 U.S.C. 3537a) (hereinafter, Section 103). Both the provisions of Section 103 and this subpart B apply for the purposes of Section 103. Section 103 proscribes direct or indirect communication of certain information during the selection process by HUD employees to persons within or outside of the Department who are not authorized to receive that information. The purpose of the proscription is to preclude giving an unfair advantage to applicants who would receive information not available to other applicants or to the public. Section 103 also authorizes the Department to impose a civil money penalty on a HUD employee who knowingly discloses protected information, if such a violation of Section 103 is material, and authorizes the Department to
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 103, an employee is permitted to disclose information during the selection process with respect to:
(1) The requirements of a HUD program or programs, including unpublished policy statements and the provision of technical assistance concerning program requirements, provided that the requirements or statements are disclosed on a uniform basis to any applicant or potential applicant. For purposes of this part, the term "technical assistance" includes such activities as explaining and responding to questions about program regulations, defining terms in an application package, and providing other forms of technical guidance that may be described in a NOFA. The term "technical assistance" also includes identification of those parts of an application that need substantive improvement, but this term does not include advising the applicant how to make those improvements.
(2) The dates by which particular decisions in the selection process will be made;
(3) Any information which has been published in the
(4) Any information which has been made public through means other than the
(5) An official audit, inquiry or investigation, if the disclosure is made to an auditor or investigator authorized by the HUD Inspector General to conduct the audit or investigation;
(6) Legal activities, including litigation, if the disclosure is made to an attorney who is representing or is otherwise responsible to the Department in connection with the activities; or
(7) Procedures that are required to be performed to process an application, e.g., environmental or budget reviews, and technical assistance from experts in fields who are regularly employed by other government agencies, provided that the agency with which the expert is employed or associated is not an applicant for HUD assistance during the pending funding cycle.
(b) An authorized employee, during the selection process, may contact an applicant for the purpose of:
(1) Communication of the applicant's failure to qualify, after a preliminary review for eligibility and completeness with respect to his or her application, and the reasons for the failure to qualify, or the fact of the applicant's failure to be determined to be technically acceptable after a full review; or
(2) Clarification of the terms of the applicant's application. A clarification, for the purpose of this paragraph (b), may include a request for additional information consistent with regulatory requirements.
(c) Prohibition of advance disclosure of funding decisions. During the selection process an employee shall not knowingly disclose any covered selection information regarding the selection process to any person other than an employee authorized to receive that information.
(1) The following disclosures of information are, at any time during the selection process, a violation of Section 103:
(i) Information regarding any applicant's relative standing;
(ii) The amount of assistance requested by any applicant;
(iii) Any information contained in an application;
(2) The following disclosures of information, before the deadline for the submission of applications, shall be a violation of Section 103:
(i) The identity of any applicant; and
(ii) The number of applicants.
Whenever any employee knowingly and materially violates the prohibition in Section 103, the Department may impose a civil money penalty on the employee in accordance with the provisions of 24 CFR part 30.
(1) Contact the HUD Ethics Law Division to provide information about the alleged violation; or
(2) Contact the HUD Office of Inspector General to request an inquiry or investigation into the matter.
(2) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve a personnel action is prohibited from threatening, taking, failing to take, recommending, or approving any personnel action as reprisal against another employee for providing information to investigating officials.
The Office of Inspector General shall review every alleged violation of Section 103. If after a review the Office of Inspector General determines that further investigation is not warranted, it shall notify the Ethics Law Division of that determination. If, after a review, the Office of Inspector General determines that additional investigation is warranted, it shall conduct the investigation and upon completion issue a report of the investigation to the Ethics Law Division as to each alleged violation.
After receipt of the Inspector General's report, the Ethics Law Division shall review the facts and circumstances of the alleged violations. In addition, the Ethics Law Division may:
(a) Return the report to the Inspector General with a request for further investigation;
(b) Discuss the violation with the employee alleged to have committed the violation; or
(c) Interview any other person, including employees who it believes will be helpful in furnishing information relevant to the inquiry.
(a) After review of the Inspector General's report, the Ethics Law Division shall determine whether or not there is sufficient information providing a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 or this subpart B has occurred.
(b) If the Ethics Law Division determines that there is no reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 or this subpart B has occurred, it shall close the matter and send its determination to the Office of Inspector General.
(c) If the Ethics Law Division determines that there is sufficient information to provide a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 or this subpart B has occurred, it shall:
(1) Send its determination to the Office of Inspector General; and
(2) Refer the matter to the appropriate official for review as to whether to impose a civil money penalty in accordance with 24 CFR part 30; provided, however, that the Ethics Law Division shall not make a civil money penalty recommendation unless it finds the violation to have been knowing and material. The decision to impose a civil money penalty in a particular matter may be made only upon referral from the Ethics Law Division.
(d) In determining whether a violation is material, the Ethics Law Division shall consider the following factors, as applicable:
(1) The content of the disclosure and its significance to the person to whom the disclosure was made;
(2) The time during the selection process when the disclosure was made;
(3) The person to whom the disclosure was made;
(4) The dollar amount of assistance requested by the person to whom the disclosure was made;
(5) The dollar amount of assistance available for a given competition or program;
(6) The benefit, if any, received or expected by the employee, the employee's relatives or friends, or any other person with whom the employee is affiliated;
(7) The potential injury to the Department.
(e) If the Ethics Law Division determines that there is sufficient information to provide a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 or this subpart B has occurred, it may, in addition to referring the matter under 24 CFR part 30, refer the matter to an appropriate HUD official for consideration of any other available disciplinary action. Any referral authorized by this paragraph (e) shall be reported to the Inspector General and
(a) If the Department receives or obtains information providing a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of Section 103 has occurred, the Department may impose a sanction, as determined to be appropriate, upon an applicant for or a recipient of assistance who has received covered selection information.
(b) In determining whether a sanction is appropriate and if so which sanction or sanctions should be sought, the Secretary shall give consideration to the applicant's conduct with respect to the violation. In so doing, the Secretary shall consider the factors listed at § 4.36(d), as well as any history of prior violations in any HUD program, the benefits received or expected, deterrence of future violations and the extent of any complicity in the violation.
(c) The Secretary may impose a sanction authorized by this section whether or not the Ethics Law Division refers a case under 24 CFR part 30, and whether or not a civil money penalty is imposed.