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Text of Speech Presented by Governor Edward M. Gramlich
January 18, 2002
At the Housing Bureau for Seniors Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Predatory Lending
Thank you for inviting me to participate in today's conference. These gatherings serve as important information-sharing opportunities to further our understanding of important issues. In my remarks today, I would like to address an issue that has been of critical concern to housing advocates across the country--predatory lending.
Over the past decade, there have been significant efforts to promote increased access to credit for homeownership by various government agencies, the mortgage industry, and community groups. Great progress has been made, as evidenced by new highs in homeownership rates for nearly all racial and income groups. Many factors have contributed to this success. In particular, advances in technology, increased competition, deregulation, and low interest rates have served as important catalysts in improving access to credit, particularly for lower-income and minority populations and communities. The result has been an expansion of the home mortgage market to a much broader socioeconomic range of borrowers.
Studies of urban metropolitan data submitted under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) have shown that lower-income and minority consumers, groups that traditionally have had difficulty in getting mortgage credit, have been taking out housing loans at record levels in recent years. Specifically, the number of conventional home-purchase mortgage loans to lower-income borrowers nearly doubled between 1993 and 2000, whereas the number of loans to upper-income borrowers rose 66 percent. Also over the same period, the number of conventional mortgage loans increased 122 percent to African-American borrowers and 147 percent to Hispanic borrowers, compared with an increase of 35 percent to white borrowers.
Much of this increased lending can be attributed to the development of the subprime mortgage market. Again using HMDA data, the number of subprime home equity loans has grown from 66,000 in 1993 to 658,000 in 2000, a tenfold increase. Over this same period, the number of subprime loans to purchase homes increased nineteenfold, from 16,000 to more than 306,000. This rapid growth has given access to consumers who were not previously served by credit markets, either because they had difficulty in meeting the underwriting criteria of prime lenders or for other reasons.
However, the rise in the use of credit by lower-income homeowners has not come without cost. It has been accompanied by increasing reports of abusive, unethical, and in some cases illegal, lending practices. These reports raise questions about the numbers just presented, and more broadly, jeopardize the twin American dreams of owning a home and building wealth. These reports tell of lenders who extend credit to borrowers unable to repay the debt (so-called asset-based lending); repeatedly refinance, or "flip," loans for the purpose of collecting fees; incorporate credit terms and products that are of questionable value to the borrower but significantly increase the cost of credit; and in some cases resort to outright fraud. These reports also tell of victims losing hard-earned equity in their homes and sometimes even losing their homes to foreclosure. Of particular interest to you today is that lenders often target elderly homeowners, who tend to have the highest levels of equity in their homes. Other groups that have disproportionately been prey for unscrupulous creditors are women, minorities, and lower-income households. The activities, referred to collectively as predatory lending, are a scourge on the mortgage industry.
Understanding Predatory Lending
In understanding the problem, it is particularly important to distinguish predatory lending from generally beneficial subprime lending. Predatory lending refers to activities and practices just cited--asset-based lending, loan flipping, packing of unnecessary fees and insurance, fraudulent or deceptive practices. Subprime lending, on the other hand, refers to entirely appropriate and legal lending to borrowers who do not qualify for prime rates, those rates reserved for borrowers with virtually blemish-free credit histories. Premiums for extending credit to these borrowers compensate lenders for the increased risk that they incur and range several percentage points over rates charged on prime loans. Although some have argued that these premiums are excessive, market forces should eliminate inappropriate spreads over time.
Some predatory lending involves outright fraud and deception, practices that are already illegal. But some predatory lending is more subtle, involving the misuse of conventions that most of the time can improve credit market efficiency. For example, the flexibility in loan rates that allows them to rise above former usury law ceilings is generally desirable in that it permits relatively risky borrowers to be matched with appropriate lenders. But sometimes the payments implicit in very high interest rates can spell financial ruin for borrowers. As another example, the ability to refinance mortgages allows borrowers to take advantage of lower mortgage rates, but sometimes easy refinancing invites loan flipping, which generates high loan fees and unnecessary credit costs. And again, credit life insurance is often desirable, but sometimes the insurance is unnecessary, and at times borrowers pay hefty up-front premiums as their loans are flipped.
Responses to Concerns
The disturbing accounts of borrowers becoming financially crippled by unaffordable mortgage arrangements have generated a demand for action. In turn, these demands have provoked heated debates about particular policy responses because of the complexity of mortgage lending and concerns that unduly onerous legal and regulatory barriers could diminish the availability of credit in the subprime market.
Several states and cities have enacted laws restricting or prohibiting the use of certain credit provisions commonly associated with predatory lending, such as prepayment penalties and financing of up-front fees and credit insurance premiums. Such laws typically define high-cost mortgage loans in terms of thresholds for pricing and fees. Further, some local governments have adopted ordinances declaring a moratorium on business relationships with financial institutions that originate loans with rates and terms that their rules define as "predatory" or "high cost."
The major purchasers of mortgage loans in the secondary market, an important source of housing liquidity, have also gotten into the act. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have defined specific questionable credit-related activities and business practices and have not purchased loans containing those characteristics.
Regarding the federal level, the Congress in 1994 passed the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) to help curb predatory lending. The basic approach of HOEPA is to shine a spotlight on the high-cost segment of the subprime mortgage loan market. HOEPA defines high cost in terms of threshold levels for interest rate, points, and fees. For these high-cost loans, HOEPA bans some practices--balloon payments in the first five years, prepayment penalties generally after five years, and a pattern and practice of asset-based lending. In addition, for HOEPA-covered loans, creditors must provide a short disclosure to borrowers three days before the loan is closed. Loans under HOEPA are also subject to the normal three-day rescission period that pertains to other home equity loans. This gives HOEPA borrowers as long as six days to change their minds about possibly unwise mortgage contracts. HOEPA is not a usury law--high-cost loans can still be made--but borrowers' protections are significantly greater for HOEPA loans than for other subprime mortgage loans.
HOEPA also brings the Federal Reserve into the fray. First, the law requires the Fed to hold periodic public hearings on mortgage lending practices, with an emphasis on lower-income groups. We held such hearings in 1997 and again in 2000. Second, the law gives the Fed authority to tighten some of the HOEPA provisions. After careful consideration of the material from our 1997 and 2000 hearings, and a large number of comment letters and e-mail responses from interested parties, we announced some changes on December 12, 2001.
The New HOEPA Amendments:
Our new HOEPA amendments can be grouped into four areas:
- Extending the scope of HOEPA's protections
- Restricting certain acts or practices
- Strengthening HOEPA's prohibition on asset-based lending
- Enhancing HOEPA disclosures received by consumers before closing.
In increasing the scope of HOEPA's protections, the Board adjusted the two triggers that define high-cost loans--the annual percentage rate (APR) and the points and fees test. Currently, a mortgage loan is subject to the provisions of HOEPA when the APR exceeds the rate on a Treasury bond of comparable maturity by more than 10 percentage points. In our recent rulemaking, the Board exercised its legal authority to lower this threshold to 8 percentage points for first-lien HOEPA loans.
When considering the adjustment of the APR trigger, the Board balanced the risk of diminishing credit availability against the need to protect consumers. In fact, there is not a great deal of evidence that changes in the HOEPA threshold would affect subprime credit availability--since the passage of HOEPA in 1994, the number and value of HOEPA loans have increased just as rapidly as the number and value of non-HOEPA subprime loans. Given this important fact, we felt that lowering the APR trigger to expand HOEPA's protections to more loans could be defended. But we did try to differentiate between first-lien and second-lien mortgages, adjusting the trigger for the former but not the latter.
In choosing to adopt this two-tiered approach, the Board was heavily influenced by new survey data from a trade association for nondepository-institution lenders. The survey showed that when including changes made in the points and fees test discussed below, a reduction of the APR trigger for first-lien loans from 10 to 8 percentage points is likely to result in 38 percent of these loans falling under the HOEPA protections, more than triple the rate of 12 percent that is now estimated to be covered. For second-lien loans, whose rates are usually higher than first-lien mortgages, dropping the trigger rate from 10 to 8 points, also within our legal authority, would have increased the coverage share from 61 percent to 81 percent, again including changes made in the points and fees test. Such coverage would be well beyond what might be considered the high-cost segment of the subprime market. These data, coupled with evidence indicating that the most serious lending abuses involve refinancing of first-lien mortgage loans, led the Board to lower the APR trigger to 8 percent for first-lien mortgages only, leaving coverage rates at 38 percent and 61 percent respectively.
The rule also amends the formula for the points and fees test to include the amount paid for optional single-premium credit insurance (SPCI), a fee previously not included in the test. The premium often represents a significant addition to the cost of the transaction to the borrower and is often not well understood by the borrower. When the premium is financed in connection with a subprime mortgage loan, as is typically the case, it can represent a significant addition to the loan balance and thus to the size of the lien on the borrower's home. In many cases the cost to the borrower continues well after the time when the insurance itself has lapsed. But our rule covers only the single-premium product--borrowers can still get credit insurance on a pay-as-you-go basis without coming under the HOEPA points and fees test.
SPCI has become one of the primary subjects of anecdotes about predatory lending. In making the change, the Board is not outlawing SPCI, but it is making it virtually impossible for lenders to offer the product and not have the loan fall under the HOEPA protections. Since making HOEPA loans allegedly carries a stigma, and since selling HOEPA loans in the secondary market is difficult, the change is likely to induce subprime lenders to drop the product and switch to pay-as-you-go insurance. In the past year, the largest subprime lender and two other large lenders have already announced their intention to do so.
In an effort to remedy some of the specific business practices characteristic of predatory lending, the rule also contains provisions to reduce loan flipping and asset-based lending. With respect to loan flipping--frequent high-fee refinancings, of questionable value to the borrower--the amendments generally provide that for one year after making a HOEPA loan, the original creditor is prohibited from refinancing that loan unless doing so is clearly in the borrower's interest. As for asset-based lending, the rule strengthens the prohibition by forcing creditors to verify and document consumers' repayment ability.
These HOEPA changes represent an important regulatory action to address unscrupulous and abusive credit practices. As with the legislative and financial remedies discussed earlier, this response is designed to curtail abusive mortgage lending practices without hampering the growth of the legitimate subprime market.
Consumer Education
Throughout our process of collecting opinions on how to address predatory lending, one strategy that has been unanimously embraced is consumer financial education. Educated borrowers who understand their rights under lending contracts and who know how to exercise those rights put up the best defense against predatory lenders. As the knowledge base of consumers grows, the market for credit-at-any-cost diminishes. Significant efforts have been made to equip consumers with the knowledge required to make them aware of their credit options. Indeed, this strategy has served as a galvanizing force and has resulted in important collaborations among government agencies, the mortgage industry, the secondary market, and consumer advocacy groups.
Educational campaigns by these groups have been designed not only to increase awareness of the perils of predatory lending but also to provide consumers with information on how to evaluate and manage their finances. For example, in collaboration with financial institutions and national and local community advocates, Freddie Mac has complemented its anti-predatory-lending campaign with a curriculum that promotes consumers' understanding of building and maintaining better credit. The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, a publicly funded entity that is known for its community training and homebuyer counseling programs, has embarked on a national education project for low-income homeowners. The American Bankers Association has formed a working group to educate bankers and local communities about predatory lending.
We in the Federal Reserve System have also launched projects designed to promote community and consumer education and financial literacy. Board staff members have been active in an interagency task force convened to identify strategies for combating predatory lending. Our Community Affairs and Public Information offices have recently embarked on a national initiative to highlight the importance of financial literacy and heighten the visibility of economic education programs.
Our twelve Reserve Banks have published articles devoted to predatory lending in their Community Affairs newsletters. In the aggregate, these newsletters reach tens of thousands of community development and housing organizations nationwide. The Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Cleveland have sponsored seminars for community leaders and lenders focusing on the differences between legitimate subprime lending and predatory lending. The Chicago Fed has formed a task force of area advocacy groups, lenders, and real estate industry representatives to help develop recommendations for combating predatory lending. The Dallas Fed has published "Building Wealth," a manual designed to help individuals and families develop a plan for building personal wealth.
These are a few examples of ways in which the Federal Reserve is trying to improve financial literacy in all segments of the population. The educational challenge is difficult, but these initiatives and other collaborative education efforts can greatly improve financial market efficiency. In the long run, they provide the best defense against predatory lending.
Source: Federal Reserve Board
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or email@example.com.


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Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, May 31, 2013, 12:00 AM
Town Square
City should act to save Rose Market
Original post made on Jun 29, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, May 31, 2013, 12:00 AM
a resident of another community
on Jun 29, 2013 at 3:00 pm
This is an excellent argument for restraint on the part of the city council. I hope this issue doesn't slip in under the radar during the summer. It's a terrible proposal. The city can do better. It has so many development increases underway, like removing Harv's Car Wash and the Jiffy Lube and replacing with high density housing. This one is the absolute worst thing being proposed.
a resident of Blossom Valley
on Jul 12, 2013 at 6:57 pm
I will fight this proposal. Both Rose market and Peets contribute positively to the character of the city. There are much better places to build high-density housing, for example along El Camino where so many businesses are shutting down.
Come to Rose Market Monday night at 6:30 and we can fight this together!!
a resident of another community
on Jul 13, 2013 at 6:00 pm
One of the reasons all these business are vacating El Camino at this point is that their rents are being raised astronomically. In this case, Rose Market has a long term lease which should provide them some protection. However, this development effort is an end run around honoring Rose Market's lease rate. I certainly agree, some sanity is needed in this city.
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Jul 14, 2013 at 11:33 am
I posted this comment in the "Protest of Castro Street development" thread, but I think it is relevant for this thread as well.
Link to thread:
Web Link
There is so much WRONG with this development proposal as it stands currently that it's hard to list everything.
1) The developers propose to replace nearly 26,000SF of retail space with just 6,000SF or retail space...bad for the merchants, bad for the residents of Mountain View. Rose Market alone is 4,000 SF, not including the outdoor seating space.
2) THREE middle school children were stuck by cars this past school year in close proximity to Graham Middle School, the increased traffic and congestion that would be present with the addition of 200 apartments will only make it more dangerous for all pedestrians in the area.
3) The traffic congestion at the corner of Castro Street and El Camino Real is already BAD. It routinely takes me 2-3 light cycles to make the left turn from Northbound El Camino on to Castro Street, heading towards Graham middle School -- between say the hours of 7AM and 8PM.
4) This is a FOUR story PLUS rooftop deck development proposal that will back up (within 20 yards) of single family homes and small two story apartment units. It will TOWER over the small quiet neighborhood streets of Park, Sonia and Harpster, resulting in a loss of privacy, increased noise, congested streets and a generally diminished quality of life in the neighborhood compared to what it is presently.
I am not opposed to re-development per se, but it needs to be SMART re-development that should enhance the neighborhood, not destroy it. And, as this development proposal currently stands, it will destroy this neighborhood...it's merchants, it's residents and pedestrians alike.
City Council needs to take a breath here and LISTEN to the residents...the same people who elect them to serve.
Please, if you can, come to the community meeting @6:30 Monday evening in front of Rose Market to learn more and voice your opinion on this matter!

subset: commoncrawl


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Love that stainless ball shot!!! awesome... what is the lens?... 1:1 camera?...
Cannot stop laughing at #10!!! Seems like the "Stikine river" hit him pretty hard!!!
Anyhow!!!... lets go see if we can't find some dirty windows!!!
Be well... Ara & Spirit
I took this a few years ago at a dealership promo.
Mike & Robin Fifer http://www.n-scale-model-trains.com/ 2002 R1150RT Current
1995 K75S Sold
1996 R1100RT sold
I've got a few coming that I took last weekend at the same location as this one below, just haven't had a chance to convert all my files yet since I've been shooting mostly RAW as of late, plus working on converting my photos over to my new gallery
which can be viewed HERE
You just can't beat Paul's Alaska Peak reflection photo as the epitomal scenic shot. The one element that sets it apart is the perfectly positioned small conifer in the foreground. I'm assuming that was intentional!
Wish I was up there with you guys instead of down here in the sweltering Georgia heat wave.
Paul Glaves - "Big Bend", Texas U.S.A
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." - Bertrand Russell
Gail Hatch
SheRidesABeemer's Blog
I just upgraded from my D70 to the D300 (wow...), and picked up the 18-200 VR lens at the same time. Honestly, it's not the best lens I've ever used, but it is certainly light and versatile. VR is useful, but I sometimes wish I could open the aperture just a little more for greater depth of field, and it does creep when straight up or down (not an issue if I simply hold the lens, but may be a problem if using a tripod and/or shooting remotely).
Do you have any useful tips?
Here's a "reflection" shot that I was working on. More of a rough-draft than anything: the lighting is poor, they are too close to the corner of the wall, their earrings don't match, etc... I would like to pursue this further as it could make a nice addition to our framed family photos.


text: "This splendidly perceptive history is also an exercise in nostalgia for an era when Americans debated a war before the president launched one rather than afterward. A University of South Florida emeritus history professor, Doenecke (Storm on the Horizon: The Challenge to American Intervention, 19391941) writes that Americans greeted Germany's 1914 invasion of Belgium with horrified fascination, but with little sense of foreboding. Most citizens and President Woodrow Wilson favored the Allies, but wanted to remain neutral. Doenecke recounts how this feeling gradually changed over two and a half years in response to Germany's self-defeating actions, the foremost being the new submarine warfare, which, raising fears for the safety of passenger ships, was viewed by many as no less ghastly than terrorism is today. Doenecke paints intriguing portraits of leading figures, many now obscure, including Franklin Delano and Theodore Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan, plus the rich stew of newspapers, magazines, organizations, diplomats, and propagandists who fought (occasionally literally) over this issue."Publishers Weekly (starred review)


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According to Facebook's own researchers, that's the most effective way to engage with fans on the site.
"The topicality of page posts impacts all types of engagement," says Elisabeth Diana, corporate communications manager at Facebook. "Speaking in the voice of the brand, talking directly about your product or service, or a topic related to the brand, is the best way to engage with fans of your page."
That seems to run counter to at least some notions of the best practices for brands on Facebook. For instance, an InformationWeek article from December warns, "Be sure to avoid over-focusing on your brand; fans know who you are already."
A recent Facebook study of hundreds of posts among more than 20 brands found that fans tend not to respond to posts that aren't about the brand.
Key findings
For the study, Facebook's research team divided brand posts into three buckets: posts strictly about products and services, posts related to the brand but not about specific products, and those completely unrelated to the brand.
You can find examples of all three at TGI Friday's Facebook page. A poll about the chain's new pretzels fits into bucket one, a question about a late night out fits in bucket two (Friday's brand evokes the weekend after all), and a joke about the Mayan end of the world goes into bucket three.
That last example from Friday's actually got a good many "likes," but it's the exception, Diana says.
"The bottom-line result is that posts related to the brand and the posts related to a product or service are the ones that are significant predictors of actions," she says. "The third, unrelated, is not a significantly predictive page post."
That means a post on your Facebook page that isn't about your brand is the only type of post that doesn't correlate with engagement.
What they mean
Diana says there's still plenty of research to be done on how brands should behave on Facebook to get the highest possible engagement.
"This is just the beginning of the research we're starting to do," she says.
Next, Facebook will probably look at how post frequency affects fan reaction.
"It may not be the nature of the message that people are sick of hearing," Diana says. "It may be it's too often."
As for the findings so far, Christine Campbell of Resolute Digital says they fit with her experience on Facebook. Most people are there to hang out with friends, she says. If they follow brands, they're probably looking for deals.
"It makes perfect sense that Levi's posts mentioning Levi's—new styles, discounts, etc.—would have a better engagement statistics than some obscure post only peripherally relating to Levi's," Campbell posits.
Shel Holtz of Holtz Communication + Technology points out that people "like" brands on Facebook because they're interested in the brand, not because they want to chat about their local sports team with them (unless the brand is related to that team). However, that doesn't mean brands shouldn't post about other topics.
"Being conversational makes the page more approachable," he says, "but it's mostly brand information that brand fans want."
Campbell says Facebook's research will probably affect how brands present themselves on Facebook, and that most brands don't really know what they're doing there anyway.
"It is important for brands to remember that especially now, as the online user is adapting and becoming both more aware and tolerant of brand presence in personal social online worlds," she says.
Other findings
A few other items in Facebook's research fit a little more snugly in the conventional wisdom.
The data show that people are most likely to share posts that include photos, photo albums or videos, Diana says. "The times I've actively wanted to share this with other people, it's always been a video," she adds.
To get "likes," ask for them.
"If you say, 'Like this if…' you're going to get likes," Diana offers. Those posts don't get shared or commented on very often, though.
If it's comments you want, ask a question. But Diana warns those posts are less likely to net likes or shares.
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"In 2015, weakness in both the coal markets and a lack of current demand for intermodal equipment will level deliveries to 60,500 cars," EPA said. "Beginning in 2016, annual railcar assemblies will expand very moderately from 60,300 units to 62,500 cars and platforms in 2019."
For the longer term, EPA said that stronger economic activities should provide support for certain railcar assemblies, while an improvement in the financial environment, high gasoline prices, and strong government backing stimulate greater demand for ethanol and DDG cars. Replacement pressures and technological advances as well as legislative measures will also play a role in promoting the demand for a variety of railcars.
Construction activities are expected to continue to advance, "which should support movements of aggregates and structural steel products," EPA said. "Continued expansion in demand for crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, and food and beverages will prop up haulings of a variety of liquid products and the demand for tank cars. Growing worldwide nutritional needs and expanding exports will pressure the current grain service cars as we proceed through the longer term, while long neglected segments such as equipment to haul waste, aggregates, and limestone show signs of revival and should add to the railcar delivery mix in the years to come. However, the most dynamic element in the long-term railcar environment will be tank cars to transport ever-increasing volumes of oil and petroleum products."
"Total railcar orders rebounded in the fourth quarter primarily due to a surge in hi-cube covered hopper demand" EPA noted. "A significant number of petrochemical plants in the Gulf, other parts of Texas, and the East Coast (New Jersey) are starting up. Furthermore, we have been informed that more equipment will be needed as we proceed through 2014 and into 2015.
"Most other car types recorded various degrees of increases in fourth quarter orders, with the notable exceptions of coal cars, which continue to be dampened by Environmental Protection Agency regulations and a slowing in export markets, and intermodal equipment.
"Aside from coal cars, we are impressed by the broadening of demand for rolling stock. Tank car orders, which comprised 80.6% of total orders in the first quarter, 46.8% of orders in the second quarter, and 40.4% in the third quarter, only accounted for 33.1% of the orders in last year's closing quarter. While it is true that a very substantial amount of hi-cube equipment could have shifted the balance, as noted above, fourth-quarter orders were received for a vast array of car types. We still believe that oil service tank cars will lead the parade in future orders. To be sure, recent [crude by rail] rail mishaps . . . are turning attention to tighten legislation to protect the population from severe future mishaps.
"Currently, there is a drive for tougher standards for oil rail shipments, including better testing of potentially explosive ultra light shale crude and the development of improved rail tank car standards. Tank cars produced before 2011 have been cited dangerously prone to puncture. Whether these developments result in major retrofitting projects or future purchases of new equipment remains to be seen. However, the fact of the matter remains that we have little alternative but rail to transport the bulk of our oil. And, our oil needs will continue to expand at a healthy clip.
"With regard to other car types, we continue to be concerned about the underwhelming growth of the economy as manufacturers, oil and gas producers, and coal companies struggle with the increasing number of government regulations dampening our economic potential. Hopefully, our economy can eventually embark on a stronger path of growth, which will improve railroad traffic, revenue, and investments, leading to continued healthy growth in railcar demand.
We have recently noted an estimated 3.2% increase in our fourth-quarter GDP, a smaller advance than the third quarter. From this point on, we look for continued growth in demand for boxcars and grain cars, along with a pickup in demand for small-cube covered hoppers and mill gondolas, and continued rapid expansion in tank car demand.
Even with an anticipated rebound in coal hauling this year, we remain relatively negative on the outlook for coal cars, primarily because we have heard that customers prefer to rebuild rather than purchase new equipment in the currently dismal coal environment. We now expect assemblies of GT gondolas and hoppers to amount to 1,750 units this year and 2,750 cars (primarily replacements) in 2015. Longer term, assemblies of GT gondolas and hoppers will expand very modestly to 5,500 units in 2019.
In spite of declines in agricultural products and coal, the Class I's reported good revenues and profits in 2013. The railroads also continue to mention investments in track, facilities, and equipment. The solid income base of the railroads should serve to support railcar demand in the years to come. Also, they are indicating strong capital spending plans for 2014 as they prepare for continued growth in oil, chemical, light vehicle, and intermodal movements. And, the investments will be well founded as we witness future growth in these categories.
We continue to remain leery on the future course of auto sales through the next two years. Until the economy is on more solid footing, employment advances at a more significant pace, and consumer income growth increases, we expect quarterly auto sales to remain relatively flat at high levels during 2014 and 2015. After a 7.5% advance in motor vehicle sales to 15.62 million units in 2013, we expect more modest growth to 15.80 million vehicles in 2014 and 16.38 million units in 2015. Led by strong production gains in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, motor vehicle carloadings advanced 16.5% in 2012. However, motor vehicle movements moderated to a 5.1% gain last year. This year, we expect a marked slowing in motor vehicle retail sales and North American production to result in a 2.6% increase in motor vehicle haulings, followed by a 2.3%advance in 2015. From 2016 through 2019, motor vehicle carloadings are expected to advance approximately 2.0% per year. We look for only moderate quarterly advances in factory output through 2014 and into 2015.
"Consumer spending will be sluggish, the job markets are weak, confidence has dropped, and consumers are looking to improve their balance sheets, rather than purchase more products. The export markets have slowed considerably over the past year and we expect further weakening in 2014, before there is some bounce back in global economic activities in 2015. And, the steel markets are reflecting the slowing in industrial activities. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, domestic steel shipments through November of 2013 were running 0.8% below the previous year while steel imports were 4.6% lower in the first eleven months.
"As anticipated, exports of corn, wheat, and soybeans picked up in the fourth quarter of last year. More important, the USDA anticipates further gains in our crop exports this year, which should boost grain movements. Based on increased production, consumption, and exports, we expect a rebound in grain haulings this year and next. After an 8.0% drop last year, we expect grain haulings to increase 3.1% this year and 2.1% in 2015."


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The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal Media. The opinions expressed below are the author's own.
Paul is now part of the fourth generation in America that is involved in farming and hopes the next generation will be involved also. Through his blog he provides analysis and insight to farmer tax questions.
Many farmers have seen substantial appreciation in their farmland values over the last decade. Many of these farmers are approaching retirement age and would like to "cash" in on these values and diversify their holdings. They do not have any children to take over the farm and are worried that values in their immediate area may see a substantial drop over the next few years or would like to geographically diversify their holdings.
One option to consider is to use a Section 1031 exchange on their farmland into an UPREIT. There are several UPREITS that are investing in farmland over a broad geographical area and others that are invested strictly in commercial properties. The possible appeal to a farmer selling their land is the deferral of their income tax and more broadly diversifying their risk. The UPREIT essentially trades units for the farmers land. In return, any income from the UPREIT is allocated to the farmer based on their ownership %.
In order to take advantage of these vehicles, you must find the appropriate UPREIT to approach to see if they are interested in purchasing your farmland. If so, then the transaction can be structured in a tax-efficient manner. Most UPREITS allow the farmer to cash in their shares at a later point in time. One drawback to these vehicles is that the farmer is no longer in control.
If this might appeal to you, you need to discuss this with your tax advisor. These are not common as a regular 1031 exchange, but are very much a viable option.
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user experience, and to be able to place an order on our website, you must have
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A true hiker for all of your off road adventures, the men's KEEN Targhee II is rugged, durable and ready for anything. The hiker features KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane to keep your feet dry while crossing over streams. The removable metatomical dual density EVA footbed cushions your foot to deliver unparalleled comfort to keep you moving.


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Belwin Beginning Band Kit No. 1Various - Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.
What a budget stretcher! Four diverse beginning band selections that can be a complete concert or programmed separately, all in one package. Titles included are: Mount St. Helens (Bullock), an overture; Classy Clarinets (Davidson), a section feature; America the Beautiful (arr. Cook), a patriotic chorale; and As the Clock Strikes (Burns), a march. The student parts have all four titles printed on an easy-to-handle four-page part, completing this convenient and economical package.
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Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, February 22, 2013, 10:32 AM
Town Square
Fake weddings a 'success'
Original post made on Feb 22, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, February 22, 2013, 10:32 AM
Comments (15)
a resident of Monta Loma
on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:31 pm
One word sums it up: Disgusting
a resident of Jackson Park
on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:36 pm
wow, a whole 3 parents. it's not news, it's a tempest in teapot.
a resident of Waverly Park
on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:38 pm
I didn't see the names of the parents, who's children were married in the quad. I'm sure they feel slighted by the press.
a resident of Jackson Park
on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:02 pm
The only reason I'm glad this is getting press is that it seems to really chap the hides of some of the bigoted cranks among us. Whatever, yah, lets all get up in arms about this. Too funny. Some people cannot help but hate I guess. Better you than me. Get your heart checked, anger takes its toll.
a resident of Cuernavaca
on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:04 pm
There's no real evidence that it was a success, just a queer raised by a same-sex couple saying so and another lesbian chipping in. Most straight parents are too afraid to speak out about it because that will get them branded as conservative. Meanwhile a bunch of children are exposed to this disgusting behavior while the school board and administration look on also too afraid to take any real action. That's how we all live in gay America.
a resident of Shoreline West
on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:09 pm
I am so dissapointed that this reporter continues to twist and put words in peoples mouths. What was said by the parents and what he reports are so far apart. I respectfully request that the Mountain View Voice assigns another reporter to any future follow up of any stories related to the concerns addresssed by parents during the school board meetings.
a resident of Waverly Park
on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Why do bigots always like to pretend that speak for a large group who "is just too afraid to speak out"
Oen, you know what they say about people who are a bit too opposed to people being gay. Stay out of those truck stops you macho macho man.
a resident of North Whisman
on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:41 pm
One great thing about growing up here in the bay area in the 70's/80's was the true melting pot feel of the area - growing up with people from all walks of life, without anyone being excluded from any activities. Unfortunately, as the area has gained popularity over the years, it seems to have invited bigots to the area as well. I can't see how anyone can have an issue with this. This is the same as people having issues with people of mixed races being married. People are born the way they are born and there's no way around it. If YOU have an issue with it, that's your problem, not their problem. There are plenty of places in the country where, unfortunately, bigotry is still an accepted behavior. The bay area isn't one of them. Feel free to move if you don't like it.
a resident of Cuernavaca
on Feb 22, 2013 at 4:11 pm
glad those kids are waking up and building a future w/ more inclusion and less bigotry and hate.
a resident of Rex Manor
on Feb 22, 2013 at 4:13 pm
Egads....Kool Aid is so delicious
a resident of Blossom Valley
on Feb 22, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Yes glad, I totally agree. The social shift is well on its way and with future generations showing to be less homophobic than their parents generation, it will only gain momentum, something it has a hell of a lot of now anyways. There were days when blacks and whites couldn't get married either. One day we'll say "There were days two men couldn't marry each other". Oh, and the world will not end when that happens, but small minded people will still have to deal with THIER issues. Society will have passed them by then. It'll be their problem, not ours.
Mountain View Voice Staff Writer
on Feb 22, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Nick V is a registered user.
In response to the comment by M Nelson:
Anyone interested in hearing exactly what was said by the three parents who objected to the mock wedding (and to hear broader concerns expressed over the "Sex and Relationships article that appeared in the MVHS Oracle) can listen to a recording of the Feb. 11 board meeting here:
Web Link
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Feb 22, 2013 at 5:52 pm
I agree with everything that James from North Whisman said. So tired of small minded (scared) people.
a resident of Martens-Carmelita
on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:03 pm
And now we can all run naked in the streets too! I love Mountain View! (I just would never raise children here.)
a resident of Shoreline West
on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:55 pm
You think this is bad? I heard rumors that the next event will mock marry people who insist that the Earth is round. Expect God and lightning to be in attendance!
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I respect the International game just not the International- especially the Euro players, that the Rap's have brought in outside of Barbosa, Delfino, Rasho & Garbo. So as Melle Mel would say- step off!!
When deciding to fill your roster with a mix international & US players as TO has done under BC, BC better be sure that they can play in the NBA 1st because there are many US players who are willing to work hard for a roster spot with just as much if not more basketball talent. As we all know TO has been a US/International experimental team under BC and it has blown up in his face with Bargnani as the Franchise(marque player) while Bosh is in Miami chillin' like a villian.
Last edited by James Ballswin (Realizar); Sun Aug 22nd, 2010 at 01:12 AM.
Yeah! great citizens the american basket players...like Stephenson (tell it to his girlfriend) or Udonis Haslem and his weed..or soooooome much more, what a culture of crap if you let me. In work ethic almost ALL european players could give some lessons to american ones...all the day with the same bullshit...
If Your Uncle Jack Helped You Off An Elephant, Would You Help Your Uncle Jack Off An Elephant?
Sometimes, I like to buy a book on CD and listen to it, while reading music.
Last edited by SirChillyMost; Thu Aug 19th, 2010 at 12:31 PM.
He is not a Marquee player but thank goodness for 2 things
BC did not give him max money
DeMar and Ed Davis are Marquee players.
"I may be wrong ... but I doubt it"
If Bargni was paid like a franchise or marquee player then I would say fans should have beef. The fact is that bargni made 9 million last year almost half of what Bosh made. I can name 20 players who make more money and do far less then bargni.
Sirchilly what you write does show a sustained biased against international players and international systems. Every where in the world except for the US/canada develops their basketball players through a club system. If you haven't noticed that the rest of the world has caught up too the US. Just like Canada and hockey. The US still may have the best players and teams but that could change over the next 20-30 years as we do live in the information age. Only 15 years ago no one would have thought the US would ever lose a olympics after the dream teams came and dominated.
By Eyal Gil
We have no one to fight like mad for every ball, somebody who will scratch, hit and strangle to get to it. No one is ready to sacrifice himself. There's no one to commit a foul.
And yet rather than play the one person who comes close to this description, Uri Kokia, coach Arik Shivek opted on Tuesday to keep him on the bench, even though Bargnani was totally outplaying David Bluthenthal and Lior Eliyahu.
Once Kokia entered the game, the scary 2.13m center stopped scoring, but it was too late.
Avatar: Riverboat Coffee House 134 Yorkville Ave. billboard of upcoming entertainers - Circa 1960s
Memories some so sweet, indeed
Larger Photo of the avatar
Quote from well known personality who led their high school team to a state championship.As a captain, I played furiously. I drew a lot of fouls, but I brought everything I had to every practice and to every game. I left everything on the court because I simply wanted the team to win
People need nba.com to tell them this???? He can definitely turn into a really good player but i don't think he'll ever be a marquee player. Hope I'm wrong, but he will never be the #1 option on a good team. All star potential yes, marquee player no.
However, most of the increase has been due to Bargnani's minutes per game going up each season.
On a 36 minute basis his scoring and rebounding numbers have increased very little since his rookie season.
Only about 3% a year in scoring and rebounding.
However, at least those numbers are going in the right direction even if at a snails pace.
He has improved at a better rate in his PER and WS/48.
However both still remain quite low relative to the league average for starting Centers and PFs
Bargnani's PER last season was about 15.6. This ranked him 26th among Centers. It would be a lot worse if he was listed as a PF; i.e. 35th. No, his efficiency on offense will not go up if he is moved to PF.
In WS/48 his number was about .072. The league average is .100. Bargnani has never equaled or exceeded or even come close to the league average in WS/48 in the four seasons that he has been in the NBA.
Avatar: Riverboat Coffee House 134 Yorkville Ave. billboard of upcoming entertainers - Circa 1960s
Memories some so sweet, indeed
Larger Photo of the avatar
Quote from well known personality who led their high school team to a state championship.As a captain, I played furiously. I drew a lot of fouls, but I brought everything I had to every practice and to every game. I left everything on the court because I simply wanted the team to win
bargs can be an offensive leader.not a defensive one
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From Christians, we often get letters quoting scripture and telling us the Bible is god's word. From atheists, we sometimes get letters asking us about how the Bible came to exist–usually because they're in a debate with a theist online who is making claims about evidence of textual reliability.
When I was a Christian, I was swayed into accepting the religion by a set of claims put forward by professional apologist Josh McDowell. I was a naive 15-year-old living in the days before the Internet, and the claims Josh made that were impressive to me had to do with the meticulous record of Biblical texts and the reliable methods of reproduction of those texts. His foundational argument is that the Bible stories are trustworthy–in so far as accurately representing honest reports by the authors. That is, what people wrote is what they believed they saw. And we can trust the book we read today matches the original texts nearly flawlessly. His further arguments all springboard off Biblical claims. So, the resurrection then requires an explanation–because obviously the events in the gospels are accurately reported–so what did people see to make them think a resurrection had occurred?
Bear in mind most churches do not teach classes on how the Bible came to exist. And before the Internet, unless a child thought on their own to go and look for this information, they would surely be impressed by someone who is describing these events and scenarios in a way that made him sound informed and scholarly. In other words, a kid in this class would be impressed by perceived authority and accept, very likely, these claims without question–having never been told anything different.
It wasn't until I went to college that I actually met anyone who wasn't a theist (at least openly). Prior to that, everyone I met was some brand of Christian. And eventually, at college, I was challenged on my parroted claims from Josh McDowell's courses. In an effort to prove my fellows wrong, I ended up spending hours and hours in the basement of the UCF library where the "religion" section was then housed. It was there I first learned I'd been hoodwinked. From church histories produced by Catholic societies, to secular scholarship, they all agreed on the relevant facts: The origins of the Bible are quite opaque until centuries after the events they record–where they then surface as quite murky for some time further. What is recorded leaves any person with a working mind with the understanding that there is no basis for taking these texts at face value.
It was still many years later until I finally became an atheist. Eventually I found Bart Ehrman's book Misquoting Jesus. I loved it because it was as though he took all the research I had done and bound it into an easy-to-read, short book–and then added even more that I hadn't found, since, unlike him, my life's work has not been to study these texts in their original languages in great detail.
I've recommended this book to many people over the years who have expressed an interest in Bible origins. But I'm always disappointed when I realize that many people simply aren't readers. Now, however, I've found a way to remove all excuses and make, what took me many nights and hours in a university library basement, easy for you. On Youtube there is a 10-part lecture by Bart Ehrman on the topic of Bible origins, where he talks about the information in "Misquoting Jesus." Even if you don't have the stamina to sit through all 10 parts, I promise you the first two will be sufficient for you to grasp the point.
If, after viewing this, there is any doubt in your mind as to the level of (un)reliability of the Bible's content–then you have a mighty faith, indeed!


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Ocean dumpers sail home leaving EPA agents in their wake
To hear Rick Stickle tell it, John Karayannides was the mastermind behind the dumping of 440 tons of oil-soaked grain from a U.S. cargo ship into the South China Sea in 1999.
Though Stickle owned the Iowa-based Sabine Transportation Co., Karayannides ran the company's shipping operations. And when a problem on a cargo vessel led to the contamination of a shipment of relief supplies bound for Bangladesh, Stickle said Karayannides came up with the plan and gave orders to throw the ruined grain overboard.
But a federal jury did not buy his story.
Stickle was convicted in 2005 of ordering the illegal dumping and in obstructing an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard. He was sentenced to a hefty fine and 33 months in federal prison. After serving two years in a prison camp, six months in a halfway house and undergoing two more years supervised release, Stickle, now 59, is back home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, working at a freight management company and trying to put his life back together.
Stickle said in a recent interview that he dreams of the day he will cross paths with Karayannides. And that is one area where Stickle and U.S. EPA are in agreement.
Karayannides, a Greek national, is among 16 fugitives currently sought by EPA for environmental crimes. His wanted poster can be found on the online fugitive directory -- www.epa.gov/fugitives -- operated through EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training (Greenwire, Jan. 4).
When it comes to environmental fugitives, Karayannides falls into a popular category. He is one of five on the list whose cases have to do with illegal dumping from a cargo or cruise ship.
Fred Burnside, who served as director of OCEFT until last year, said last week that environmental cases involving cruise and cargo ships have a greater tendency of turning into fugitive situations simply because of the international crews that are usually involved.
"When they are indicted in the U.S., often they are released on their own recognizance," he said. "They go home and they don't return."
Karayannides, Stickle and four other Sabine executives and Juneau officers were originally charged in the case of the S.S. Juneau in early 2004. The government had already won a guilty plea and $2 million in fines from Sabine over the incident but felt there was enough wrongdoing in the case to pursue additional criminal charges against the six men.
According to the indictment, the problem began when the Juneau arrived in Bangladesh in late 1998 and crew members discovered that a diesel leak on the converted oil tanker had soaked the grain, which had been part of a joint U.N. and U.S. aid shipment. Over the following month, company officials and the Juneau's officers tried to find a way to dispose of the cargo legally but rejected various options as too costly.
Instead, they decided to mislead Coast Guard officials in Singapore and circumvent a shipboard pollution control monitoring system so grain could be pumped out to sea during their return voyage to the United States. The dumping took a week and involved 15 Bulgarians who were hired in Singapore to do the dirty work.
The men covered up the incident when U.S. officials met the ship in Portland, Ore. But the cover-up began to unravel after a younger member of the Juneau's crew blew the whistle to the Coast Guard, and EPA and other agencies began to investigate.
Interagency agreement on dumping
These days, EPA is working with the Coast Guard to make it harder for commercial ships to dump illegally in U.S. waters.
Instituted a little over two years ago, EPA's Vessel General Permit (VGP) program requires ship owners and operators to perform regular inspections and more closely monitor and keep records on any vessel discharge problems related to commercial vessels.
After some early confusion over how EPA would enforce that program, the agency announced last month that it had reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Coast Guard to help with compliance monitoring.
"The MOU acknowledges that the two agencies still have much work to do to thoroughly implement compliance assistance, compliance monitoring and enforcement under the permit program, but the MOU begins that process," said Greg Linsin, a former federal prosecutor who worked on the Juneau case and now works for the Washington, D.C., law firm Blank Rome LLP.
"This means that, in the near term, the Coast Guard will be inspecting the vessel records documenting compliance with VGP requirements and will be reporting evidence of noncompliance to the EPA for follow-up."
Linsin declined to go into specific about Karayannides' role in the Juneau case, but assistant U.S. attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald, who helped Linsin prosecute the case, said last week the evidence indicated that Karayannides was involved in both the hiring of the Bulgarian workers and helping to come up with the false explanation that was fed to Coast Guard officials.
But whether, as Stickle claims, Karayannides was truly the architect behind the Juneau dumping is up for debate.
During Stickle's trial, the government went to great lengths to show that Stickle was a micromanager who kept his finger on the pulse of every aspect of his company's operation.
"According to even the stated opinion of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, [Stickle] was an intensely hands-on manager who regularly involved himself in the business' daily operations and decisionmaking," Watts-FitzGerald said. "From the government's perspective and the evidence introduced at trial including that of former co-defendants and the president of Sabine, Mr. Stickle was the ultimate decisionmaker.
But if Karayannides was simply a 25-year-old business school grad who got in over his head, he did not stick around to try to prove it.
By the time the Juneau indictment was handed down, Karayannides was already on the run.
After realizing that Karayannides was running an embezzlement scheme within the company, Stickle had informed local police and had him arrested. When he was released on bond, just before the Juneau indictment came down, Karayannides fled to Greece -- along with what Stickle says was about $10 million in the company's money.
Finding Karayannides
Stickle said finding Karayannides today would not be hard. He said Karayannides is living in the open and that he even knows former business partners who have run into him while they were traveling in Greece.
But after making an example of him, Stickle wonders if U.S. authorities are really committed to bringing Karayannides to justice. Or perhaps, as some have suggested, the agency is more concerned with the publicity it gets from adding him to the EPA fugitive list.
When contacted last week, EPA declined to discuss the Karayannides investigation.
"The case against John Karayannides is still an active investigation and like every environmental fugitive, EPA is committed to bringing this individual to justice," the agency said in a statement.
Watts-FitzGerald explained that a host of extradition issues are standing in the way of the U.S. government getting its hands on Karayannides.
"Very, very few countries in the world, and Greece is not one of them, will extradite their own nationals," Watts-FitzGerald said. "This is not an extraditable offence from Greece to the United States."
Authorities do have an outstanding arrest warrant for Karayannides in case he decides to return to the United States. Also, the U.S. government has filed a notice on Karayannides through Interpol, the International Police Organization, so there is also the chance he could get picked up if he decides to travel to other Interpol countries.
But that is small comfort to Stickle, who said he occasionally prints EPA's wanted poster for Karayannides and hangs it on his wall.
"Yeah, there were some guys who did some things wrong in this case, there's no question about it. But how would I know, 9,000 miles [away], what these guys are doing," Stickle said. "If this was my job to be the daily operations person in charge of this, I'd be all over it. ... That's what [Karayannides] was supposed to be."
But because Karayannides ran, Stickle said he became the fall guy.
"They needed a trophy on the wall," he said. "They needed the owner of a U.S.-flag shipping company to show as an example."
As for Karayannides, Stickle said, "I don't wish anything but bad things to happen to him."


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A photo call for the film Fruitvale Station, with actors from left, Melonie Diaz, Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer as they pose for photographers during at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, May 16. "Fruitvale Station" has received rave reviews at Cannes, and its power owes much to Jordan's performance, according to reviewers. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
by Jake Coyle
CANNES, France (AP) — Before "Fruitvale Station," Michael B. Jordan was glimpsed sporadically in supporting roles on TV shows like "The Wire" and "Friday Night Lights," and in films like "Chronicle" and "Red Tails."
That changes emphatically with "Fruitvale Station," a Sundance hit that premiered Thursday night at the Cannes Film Festival. In the film, he plays Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old victim of the infamous 2009 police shooting on the Oakland, California, transit system.
To humanize Grant, first-time filmmaker Ryan Coogler fashioned the movie around his last day: Jordan hardly leaves the frame.
"When I first saw it, I was like, 'Man, can we cut to something else? I'm tired of looking at myself right now,'" Jordan said in an interview by the beach off the Croisette. "That's when it really sunk in that this is sink or swim. Sink or swim. Hope I'm swimming."
Not only is the 26-year-old Jordan swimming, he might as well be doing swan dives along the Riviera. He utterly commands "Fruitvale Station" with star-quality charisma and an honest naturalism.
"I wanted to show that I could carry a movie," he says. "That's the next step. I want to do films. I want to be a leading man. A lot was riding on this."
"Fruitvale Station," which was simply called "Fruitvale" before the Weinstein Co. picked up the film for release July 16, won both the Grand Jury prize and the Audience Award for a drama at Sundance. Cannes has a tradition of cherry-picking the best of Sundance. Much as "Beasts of the Southern Wild" did last year, "Fruitvale Station" is playing in this year's Un Certain Regard section.
Jordan, who says he was merely hoping the film would make it into Sundance, was excitedly enjoying himself at Cannes on Thursday. He's planning to stay at the festival a few days longer than necessary, "to drink a little more, stay up a little later."
"It's electric," says Jordan. "It's like March Madness. It's that time of year where everyone's just in it, talking about movies."
But he's also trying not to get ahead of himself.


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September preseason games are cancelled; no layoffs for Stars' staff
NEW YORK — The NHL canceled its entire September preseason game schedule on Wednesday, the first on-ice casualty of the four-day lockout.
The league is wiping out all games through Sept. 30, a move it deems "necessary because of the absence of a collective bargaining agreement" with the players' association.
The NHL also said the 2012 Kraft Hockeyville preseason game, scheduled for Oct. 3 in Belleville, Ontario, has been postponed until 2013, bringing the total to 60 games called off on Wednesday.
The regular season is scheduled to begin on Oct. 11.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league has "no set policy on cancellations" of other games.
Also Wednesday, a person familiar with the plan says NHL employees at the league offices will switch to a four-day work week Oct. 1 because of the lockout.
The move will effectively cut salaries by 20 percent. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the NHL hadn't made the plan public.
Stars president and CEO Jim Lites said the team at this time has no plans to lay off any of its employees. The Stars were running on a skeleton crew while going through bankruptcy hearings but have since hired a full staff under new owner Tom Gaglardi. Lites said he didn't want to change the staff.
"These are good people and we feel about good about what we've been able to build here, so we don't want to change anything," Lites said. "If this drags on, we'll have to reassess, but we are going to attempt to work with the staff we have right now."
The league locked out its players at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, its fourth shutdown since 1992.
Ovechkin to play in Russia: Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is returning to his former Russian team Dynamo Moscow during the NHL lockout. Evgeny Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins has signed a deal with his former team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He was joined by Ottawa Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar, and Nikolai Kulemin of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ovechkin told a Russian news agency that he would think about staying in the KHL if NHL salaries were slashed.
Los Angeles Ducks defenseman Luca Sbisa signed with HC Lugano in the Swiss National League for the duration of the lockout. The 22-year-old started his hockey career with EV Zug in Switzerland. Kings forward Andrei Loktionov is headed to Russia, agreeing to play for Severstal Cherepovets.
Oilers arena on hold: A dispute between Oilers owner Daryl Katz and Edmonton politicians has raised questions over whether the team's new privately public funded $475 million downtown arena will get off the ground. Mayor Stephen Mandel has asked Katz to address concerns after the city was informed that the Oilers are now seeking a $6 million annual taxpayer subsidy to offset operating costs.
Staff writer Mike Heika, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times contributed to this report.


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Get ready for big savings on tax holiday weekend
For Pittsfield resident Cindy Carney, what better time is there to plan for a snowblower purchase than on the day after a steamy, sauna-like weekend?
Carney, and other area residents, are looking forward eagerly to the upcoming tax-free holiday weekend in Massachusetts so they can save the 6.25 percent state sales tax bite on each purchase up to $2,500. Vehicles, motorboats, restaurant meals and tobacco products are excluded.
"I need a snowblower because last Halloween weekend, I didn't have one and waited to shovel until the end of the storm," said Carney, a dental hygienist who works in Lee.
She acknowledged the irony of considering winter-weather equipment at this time of year, but the chance to save on a major purchase is irresistible. She said her friends have been talking over their priority items now that word has gotten around that the state taxman will be on holiday this Saturday and Sunday.
The state first instituted the idea in 2004 in order to boost retail sales on what's often a slow weekend for merchants.
Marshall Raser, president and longtime co-owner of Carr Hardware with his son, Bart, told The Eagle he is keenly anticipating the weekend.
"Last year's tax-free weekend was our biggest for any weekend at any time of the year in our history," he said. The original store opened in 1928.
Carr Hardware, with stores in Pittsfield, North Adams, Lee and Great Barrington, is offering a double dip, matching the savings on the state tax with its own 6.25 percent discount on all merchandise except sale items.
Raser, who started in the business on Feb. 20, 1962 -- a date he remembers with great pleasure -- said that he's not sure the upcoming weekend can match the torrid sales pace of the Aug. 13-14, 2011, event.
But he noted that his stores have been stocking snowblowers ever since June, several months earlier than usual, because of the intense demand prior to last winter.
Many customers, remembering the 100-inch avalanche of snow during the 2010-11 season, snapped up all available snowblowers last fall. Their new purchases came in especially handy for the pre-season, record-breaking Halloween weekend snowstorm last October, but then sat idle for most of the remaining season.
"Last year, we sold a boatload of them," said Raser. "I don't know if we can do that again this weekend."
Other in-demand items, he noted, include generators, both regular and "whole-house," as well as power equipment and tools, lighting and plumbing fixtures.
He explained that customers can apply the savings -- totaling 12.5 percent at his stores because of the matching deal -- to each individual item up to $2,500. He called the impact of the tax-free weekend "amazing." Sunday hours this weekend have been extended, running 9 to 5, at his stores.
At L.P. Adams Lumber and Building Supplies in Dalton, in its seventh generation of family ownership since it opened in 1900, proprietor Wayne Walton agreed that the sales tax break has "worked out well everywhere they've had it. Some people spend a lot, they seem to like thinking that they're screwing the government."
He said high-end products such as kitchen cabinets, doors and windows move particularly well as a result of the tax savings.
"It's been really big for us," he added, noting that extra staff is being assigned and store hours on Saturday have been extended by three hours; the town's oldest continuous family-owned retailer will be open from 7 to 4, and closed as usual on Sunday.
In Lee, Henry's Electric co-owner John LePrevost said "a fair number of people have been asking" about the tax-free weekend, but added that he wished the state had announced the dates earlier so customers could plan ahead.
Nevertheless, he's anticipating a surge of business. The store, closed on Sundays, will extend its Saturday hours, open from 8:30 to 4.
"It's all across the board in terms of what people are looking for," he said, reporting that customers have been checking out the merchandise such as outdoor grills, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners and refrigerators.
Last year, he noted, 70 percent of the store's entire month of August sales took place on the tax-free weekend, notching up a 15 to 20 percent gain compared to an incentive-free summer month.
The state Legislature did not approve the upcoming tax-free weekend until last Tuesday, the final day of its formal session. The state revenue loss is expected to total around $20 million.
"The sales tax holiday helps all of our members, but for those which cater to back to school, it kicks off the season earlier and stronger," said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. "That means more impulse buys, and a much more successful season."
Information from the Boston Globe was included in this report.
To reach Clarence Fanto:
or (413) 496-6247.
On Twitter: @BE_cfanto.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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Landmark service station sale and commercial property sale
Press Release – Bayleys
A high profile service station and car yard property with more than half a century of association with the local community has been placed on the market for sale. The property in Pukekohe just south of Auckland is owned by the Howe and Weston families, …Local landmark service station sale fuels interest in commercial property sale
A high profile service station and car yard property with more than half a century of association with the local community has been placed on the market for sale.
The property in Pukekohe just south of Auckland is owned by the Howe and Weston families, and has been since 1952. Up until 2006, a service station and car yard on the site operated under the Howe and Weston names, before the businesses were sold to Mobil and a Honda dealership. While the businesses changed names, the Howe and Weston families retained ownership of the land.
The 2496 square metre site on a major roundabout entry point into the town centre is now home to a Mobil service station and associated automatic car wash, and also houses the Honda dealership South City Cars Pukekohe Ltd. Pukekohe has been identified as the fastest growing urban area in New Zealand.
The Mobil operation has a lease expiring in 2015 with two further five year rights off renewal. Annual rental is $183,770 per annum. Meanwhile, South City Cars is currently on a month-to-month lease potentially running through until 2018 and generating $70,000 per annum.
The Mobil service station comprises a typical six lane service station forecourt covered by a 250 square metre steel and timber famed canopy designed at a height which allows trucks access to the pumps. Meanwhile, the 79 square metre concrete block wall retail and customer service building adjoins the 57 square metre car wash with self-draining concrete floor.
The open-plan Honda car yard showroom features 220 square metres of floor space with extensive road frontage to showcase cars on sale. A 346 square metre workshop and spare parts centre also contains staff amenities and a partitioned office area.
The property is being jointly marketed for sale through auction on March 7 by Mike Adams of Bayleys Auckland and Jason Woodyard from Barfoot & Thompson Pukekohe. Mike Adams said the 'gateway location' of this high profile corner site would ensure tenants on the property would always benefit from the town's continuing prosperity.
""The Mobil service station for example occupies the perfect 'first and last' location – it's the last service station on the town's business zone before drivers enter the commercial centre of Pukekohe, and by consequence is the first service station coming out of the CBD," Mr Adams said.
"With the added benefit of sitting on a roundabout, this ensures a two-way flow of traffic has easy access to the forecourt pumps. From a tenancy perspective, motorists will always need fuel, and by occupying a prime location so close to town, it's hard to see such a big chain as Mobil giving up this location.
"Meanwhile, the position of being on a key arterial road in and out of town also underpins the high-profile attraction of the adjoining showroom building. As Pukekohe's population continues to grow, as has been forecast by town planners, traffic volumes will increase at a parallel ratio – something which all retailers look for when seeking out new showroom locations," Mr Adams said.
Auckland City Council's latest long-term strategic planning paper for Pukekohe says that the township "will play an important role in the future of the district – accommodating the largest proportion of the former Franklin District's growth."
"Pukekohe is the main service centre in the district and is anticipated to grow substantially from an approximate population of 19,700 in 2010 to approximately 40,000 by 2051. In the eight years since 2001, Pukekohe has been the fastest growing urban area in New Zealand."
The Auckland Council growth management paper also notes: "As the main population and service centre in the former Franklin District, Pukekohe is suitable for accommodating a significant proportion of new business and residential growth in the district.
"Pukekohe's central role in the local economy will continue into the future. Its proximity to metropolitan Auckland, a thriving rural economy, along with an increasing residential population, will be drivers for economic growth. The larger population will provide critical mass to support a wider range off business and employment opportunities."
Mr Woodyard said that as Pukekohe's bulk retail and light industrial zones continued to radiate outward around the existing commercial fringe, the Manukau Road/Massey Ave site for sale would cement its place as a pivotal landholding between the two destinations. The venue is just a few kilometres from landmark Pukekohe Raceway where the New Zealand leg of the Australian V8 super-cars race is held.
"Under the Auckland City Council plan, the intersection of Manukau Road and Massey Ave delineates two of the most important zones for any growing town. We are confident that the long-term appeal of owning one of Pukekohe's most strategic sites will generate considerable interest from the investment sector," Mr Woodyard said.
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
Original url


text:
Trim is one of the most frequently used operation over String data types. A developer often come across a scenario where they have the string with leading and trailing spaces around string. If your business logic suggests that the logs around the spaces are not useful they should be trimmed. However, in SQL Server there is no TRIM function. When a TRIM function is used, it will throw an error.
For example, here is the script when executed it will throw an error.
-- The following will throw an error DECLARE @String1 NVARCHAR(MAX) SET @String1 = ' String ' SELECT TRIM(@String1) TrimmedValue GO
The above script will return following error:
Msg 195, Level 15, State 10, Line 4
'TRIM' is not a recognized built-in function name.
Let us not everything, why this simple function is not implemented, but try to resolve how we can achieve the result of the same function. SQL Server has two functions which, when nested can give us the same result as a TRIM function.
1) RTRIM – Removes the Spaces on the right side (or leading spaces) of the string
2) LTRIM – Removes the Spaces on the left side (or trailing spaces) of the string
We can combine them as following and it will not throw an error.
-- The following will work DECLARE @String1 NVARCHAR(MAX) SET @String1 = ' String ' SELECT @String1 OriginalString, RTRIM(LTRIM(@String1)) TrimmedValue GO
Let us see the same concept in following SQL in Sixty Seconds Video:
Additionally, if you want, you can create a user defined function which is used RTRIM and LTRIM and can use the function when trim functionality is required.
-- Create Function CREATE FUNCTION dbo.TRIM(@string VARCHAR(MAX)) RETURNS VARCHAR(MAX) BEGIN RETURN LTRIM(RTRIM(@string)) END GO SELECT dbo.TRIM(' String ') GO
Now when we are on the topic of the TRIM function, let me remind you one very important impact of this function if used in the WHERE clause. If any function is used in the WHERE clause, it will negatively impact on the performance of the query. SQL Server has to process the function on whole column leading Table Scan or Index Scan instead of Index Seek. This will increase the resource utilization and lead to poor performance. However, using this function in SELECT statement does not degrade performance much. In simple words – please be mindful of using any functions. Use the functions when you absolutely need it or enforcing business needs.
Related Tips in SQL in Sixty Seconds:
- SQL SERVER – TRIM() Function – UDF TRIM()
- TRIM() Function – User Defined Function
- Enhenced TRIM() Function – Remove Trailing Spaces, Leading Spaces, White Space, Tabs, Carriage Returns, Line Feeds
What would you like to see in the next SQL in Sixty Seconds video?
Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
18 Comments. Leave new
Hi Pinal,
Small Mistake in below Post
2) RTRIM – Removes the Spaces on the left side (or trailing spaces) of the string.
*Thanks & Regards,*
How do you figure? RTrim removes the trailing spaces (i.e. thos which come AFTER the text), which are those on the Right. That's why the "R" in RTrim. The spaces on the left are leadings spaces because they come first, thus the "L" in LTrim.
Hiii Pinal
In both the point you have written RTRIM function replace point 2 with LTRIM
Thanks Fixed!
Hi pinal
What are the best practices for keeping referential integrity across multiple databases?
question about Trim in comparison statements in where clause when data type is a fixed length char. At one time in SQL Server T-SQL at least it was not possible to get a correct match when look for "WHERE Field1 = 'at' " when Field1 was a char column of length 5. It was necessary to do either "WHERE Field1 = 'at ' " or "WHERE RTrim(Field1) = 'at' ". Based on your recommendations against it are you saying that this is no longer necessary?
Hiii Pinal,
row1 has LEVEL. row2 has _Level(space created at pre),Please help me how to remove this pre space?
I strongly believe one has use the "Replace" function too. This too will work.
SELECT REPLACE(RTRIM(LTRIM(Column_Name)),' ',") FROM Table
This query works fine in SQL Server 2008 and R2
You have to be careful of the data you are comparing. Including the REPLACE function will remove spaces internally in the column data. If you are looking for a result with a space in it, this won't work. Example, utilizing REPLACE would take the value "JOHN SMITH" and return "JOHNSMITH". I would recommend only using REPLACE where you are sure you will need it rather than with every LTRIM or RTRIM call.
Thanks for the tip! I thought for sure that TRIM was a default function of MS SQL but leave it to M$ for being weird. Thanks for clearing this up man!
How about this? Trim spaces(left & right) but will return a null value if the the field only contains spaces.
can you call a user defined function in stored proc as well?
i have a column value 'Sign_OR2408000391_221215FTO_257049_221215_261215_p2w.xml' but i need the result to be selected as only 'FTO_257049' AFTER FTO_ UPTO THE NEXT _.
Hi Friends..Can you pls let me know that how to remove the space with datas(for example: ' HUWH-')from a table and this output report is compared to another table field?
Pinal, time to update that article with latest function from SQL 2017 :)
That would be a new article Mr. Trim :)
Thank you so much. It is very helpful.
I enjoyed reading this post.
Thanks for educating the community.
Guru DevoBhava


text: From Cole-Haan, a chic leather satchel that's all about the details. With double handles, detachable/adjustable shoulder strap, front flap pocket, zip top closure, hanging logo tag, goldtone hardware, plus lined interior with zip and cell pockets. Dimensions: 16"L x 4" x 10"H. 5" handle drop and 22" shoulder strap drop.


text:
Dude, now if Melo starts playing like Glen Robinson, you will receive a permanent ban from this site.
I'm pretty sure 99% of this forum would agree that I know atleast 150% more than you...even after this thread where I raised up unchallenged points and I clearly stated I support Melo and I used this thread to rally for Melo after his poor play. No one was surprised to see Melo play like this. He did PLAY like Glen Robinson, now he plays like Melo.
Rob, like I said, if you jinx Melo, good bye.
Metro has come a long way baby like them skinny cigs from Virginia!!!!!
Melo is that dude.
The only thing I'd like to see from Melo now is make plays on defense. Send a message to the team and let them know defense is a priority. Scoring becomes easy when you play good defense.
I believe if Woodson doesn't overplay Melo, Melo will have enough energy to provide 32-34 quality minutes. Copeland can play and fill in for Melo for 16-18 minutes.
This is why the Spurs are so successful.
Duncan, Ginobili, Parker all participate in defense and offense. Two way players = success.


text:
'Systems/Layers' is an ultimate winter album for me
― Y Kant Lou Reed (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 6 November 2011 20:15 (six years ago) Permalink
This sounds like it has potential:
― djh, Friday, 18 November 2011 23:32 (six years ago) Permalink
A new Jacaszek always has potential! Thanks for the link.
― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 18 November 2011 23:48 (six years ago) Permalink
Ah, surprised I'd not heard of him before:
― djh, Saturday, 19 November 2011 22:41 (six years ago) Permalink
A Winged Victory For The Sullen play Manchester, Glasgow and London in January: https://www.facebook.com/awvfts
London tickets here: http://bit.ly/rEacMQ
Happy to see that Sleepingdog are supporting as I missed them at Cafe Oto this week.
Their record is worth mentioning in this thread:http://www.gizehrecords.com/gzh31.html
― Super Receptor (Barnaby, Hardly), Saturday, 19 November 2011 23:46 (six years ago) Permalink
In the same vein as A Winged Victory, the Christina Vantzou album is worth a listen on Spotify. She's the other half of The Dead Texan btw in case the name's not familiar.
― next thing she's shaving my skrillex (NickB), Saturday, 19 November 2011 23:57 (six years ago) Permalink
can someone give me guidance on these Sylvain Chauveau albums (all on Type)? i have "The Black Book of Capitalism" already, it kills, just want to know what else is really good vs. skippable
right now i could get:
- S- Nuage- Singular Forms (Sometimes Repeated)
??? thanks
― ilxor, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 18:57 (six years ago) Permalink
all(?) the cds are in the boomkat winter sale btw (which might be why you're asking). lots of other Type bargains too.
― koogs, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 21:27 (six years ago) Permalink
actually, boomkat has samples (more samples if you click on the mp3 version)
― koogs, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 21:28 (six years ago) Permalink
Syvain Chauveau-related: I recommend the Deathprod-mixed On album.
― djh, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 21:59 (six years ago) Permalink
On is great yes.
As for Sylvain Chauveau, I think you should get Nuage and/or S. And if you dare also try and find 'Down to the Bone: An Acoustic Tribute to Depeche Mode', which is fantastic. Cover album of DM tracks with Sylvain singing. Hauntingly beautiful
― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 4 January 2012 11:34 (six years ago) Permalink
psyched for matt bourne's new album on leaf
― Crackle Box, Wednesday, 4 January 2012 15:27 (six years ago) Permalink
Items shipped to you:
Ordered Title Price (GBP) Dispatched Subtotal
1 ON (SYLVAIN CHAUVEAU / STEVEN HESS), Something That Has Form And Something That Does Not, CD £4.50 1 £4.501 RENE HELL, The Terminal Symphony, CD £4.99 1 £4.991 ROLL THE DICE, Roll The Dice, CD £4.50 1 £4.501 SVARTE GREINER, Kappe, CD £4.50 1 £4.501 SYLVAIN CHAUVEAU, Nuage, CD £4.50 1 £4.501 SYLVAIN CHAUVEAU, Singular Forms (Sometimes Repeated), CD £4.50 1 £4.50 Subtotal: £27.49
― ilxor, Friday, 6 January 2012 05:18 (six years ago) Permalink
yup! exactly why i asked. i got "Black Book of Capitalism" last winter sale. i usually try to get 5-6 Type things each year. got the other On album last year. waited on this one... i thought it'd be discounted this year... sure enough! yay boomkat
― ilxor, Friday, 6 January 2012 05:19 (six years ago) Permalink
still lots to explore, i haven't checked out the Zelienople, North Sea, Xela, or a bunch of others yet.... those any good?
― ilxor, Friday, 6 January 2012 05:20 (six years ago) Permalink
Oh man, you should get Xela's 'For Frosty Mornings And Summer Nights'! Warm bubbly electronica, the last great album in its genre as far as I'm concerned.
― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 6 January 2012 12:17 (six years ago) Permalink
Totally recommend Zelienople's last album, Give It Up. Really good ambient rock along the lines of late Talk Talk, Bark Psychosis or Dean Roberts/Autistic Daughters.
― Some English guy in West Bumblefrickin' nowhere (NickB), Friday, 6 January 2012 12:26 (six years ago) Permalink
awesome, thanks guys!
― ilxor, Saturday, 7 January 2012 21:22 (six years ago) Permalink
Got the Richard Skelton SKURA box (the DVD edition) for my birthday, so now I have everything (I was missing maybe 6 CDs before). Have been listening to it a lot; it's all great, of course.
― toby, Saturday, 7 January 2012 21:28 (six years ago) Permalink
Do you *really* need more than Landings?
(That isn't meant to sound as polemical as it does.)
― djh, Sunday, 8 January 2012 19:15 (six years ago) Permalink
I dug out his Wolf Notes LP, as *AR this weekend and loved it. Quite a different feel to Landings, mostly due to the vocals: http://soundcloud.com/_type/sets/ar-wolf-notes
― Super Receptor (Barnaby, Hardly), Monday, 9 January 2012 08:52 (six years ago) Permalink
Landings and Wolf Notes are probably the best, I agree.
― toby, Tuesday, 10 January 2012 13:05 (six years ago) Permalink
I'd like Wolf Notes more if it didn't have singing (or had a different singer).
― djh, Tuesday, 10 January 2012 17:32 (six years ago) Permalink
Is SKURA a good use of fifty quid?
― djh, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:03 (six years ago) Permalink
i love Landings and havent heard the *AR thing, but also recommend Marking Time, which was reissued widely last year (well... as widely as a Richard Skelton release is likely to be reissued)
― ilxor, Friday, 13 January 2012 00:55 (six years ago) Permalink
Quite enjoying the new Ryan Teague album - it sounded incredible in the shop.
― djh, Monday, 12 March 2012 21:25 (five years ago) Permalink
Can't seem to find any talk about the new bvdub double cd.. I sounds a small departure from previous works, more vocals and different rhythms.. anyone heard it?
― mmmm, Friday, 6 April 2012 15:11 (five years ago) Permalink
― djh, Friday, 6 April 2012 19:21 (five years ago) Permalink
since this is one of the only threads that had a discussion about it i just want to reiterate how awesome *AR is
― Lamp, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 01:01 (five years ago) Permalink
Can't stand the voice on *AR.
― djh, Tuesday, 10 April 2012 21:10 (five years ago) Permalink
yeah i can see that but she doesnt bother me
new record 'griis' on low point is p rad btw
― Lamp, Wednesday, 11 April 2012 01:58 (five years ago) Permalink
Was that A Winged Victory For the Sullen on Countryfile, just now?
― djh, Sunday, 29 April 2012 17:45 (five years ago) Permalink
I could imagine buying SKURA in a moment of weakness thought not fully keen on the idea of buying MP3s.
― djh, Sunday, 29 April 2012 19:58 (five years ago) Permalink
The new Richard Skelton, Verses Of Birds, is fantastic, very striking and rich but rather dreamy at the same time.
― boxedjoy, Thursday, 21 June 2012 11:07 (five years ago) Permalink
enjoying this new daphne oram collection:
― take the claude bolling (get bent), Monday, 25 June 2012 00:46 (five years ago) Permalink
is there any overlap with the Oramics 2xcd thing?
(have been to see the oramics machine in the science museum a couple of times now. but am not entirely convinced by what i've heard of the actual recorded output)
― koogs, Monday, 25 June 2012 11:37 (five years ago) Permalink
SKURA dvd: is it a case of just putting the disc in your computer and then ripping to another format to play? is the package nice?
― djh, Monday, 2 July 2012 20:46 (five years ago) Permalink
packaging is fairly nice iirc. dvd is properly tagged mp3 files, just drag and drop to your computer.
― toby, Tuesday, 3 July 2012 11:48 (five years ago) Permalink
v tempting. i don't think i can bring myself to commission one of those one off cd box sets ...
― djh, Tuesday, 3 July 2012 16:46 (five years ago) Permalink
Pleased with SKURA although I'd probably have preferred finished CDs.
The new album is very good, too.
― djh, Monday, 16 July 2012 20:07 (five years ago) Permalink
Working my way through SKURA.
Any thoughts on it?
― djh, Wednesday, 18 July 2012 19:00 (five years ago) Permalink
A cracker - and the literal embodiment of this thread - http://boomkat.com/cds/556557-morton-feldman-crippled-symmetry-at-june-in-buffalo
― Terabytes of FLACS of screaming (Call the Cops), Sunday, 29 July 2012 19:47 (five years ago) Permalink
SKURA was fifty quid well spent. Some beautiful stuff on there - though I have to confess I had to copy it all onto CD.
― djh, Tuesday, 31 July 2012 19:27 (five years ago) Permalink
Some new Richard Skelton oddities:
― djh, Thursday, 20 September 2012 18:14 (five years ago) Permalink
New Nils Frahm:
― djh, Sunday, 23 September 2012 18:10 (five years ago) Permalink
Michael Tanner on his new album:
The Cloisters, Michael reveals, was conceived during a time of deep personal dissatisfaction with the drone/ambient/classical minimalist 'scene' – one seemingly populated by "the same 30 blokes, making the same music in Ableton [loop-based music software], more often than not sporting the same beard. It was made under an awareness that I was lumped in with them, and internalising if/how I was really so different. It became an attempt to see if I could retain the style of music I've been making for 12 years now, but still try and get out of the box, so to speak."
Never really thought about the process behind making this music and/or Ableton. Can we name the 30 blokes?
― djh, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 18:38 (five years ago) Permalink
There's another Skelton album, too, by the way.
― djh, Tuesday, 6 November 2012 18:39 (five years ago) Permalink
More importantly can we name the beard?
― itt: 'splaining men (ledge), Tuesday, 6 November 2012 19:06 (five years ago) Permalink
Haven't managed to work out who any of these bearded people might be.
― djh, Sunday, 11 November 2012 11:08 (five years ago) Permalink
This sounds nice ...
― djh, Monday, 24 December 2012 22:04 (five years ago) Permalink


text:
Lizzie wrote:KaseyHeartEdward wrote:Plus Cullen is an Irish Name!!!!
Yeah, that's true... I've encountered it lots of times.
Close to Ashfort Castle in Cong (Co. Galway) there even is a little restaurant called "Cullen's" (too bad I didn't have my camera with me...).
And cutesweetiezzz, I know exactly what you mean
Ireland is a very special place to me and I'm glad I've got the opportunity to live there for a while...
Wow that's amazing im hoping to do a study abroad program! And be able to stay their for two weeks which would be a dream come true!


text:
High Light's innovative technology has enabled Havaianas to develop a high heel wedge sandal that is higher, but lightweight. A combination of Havaianas butter-soft rubber and EVA foam allows extra height on a 1 1/2" wedge.
Heel height is 1 1/2" with 1" platform.
Rubber upper and sole.
Made in Brazil.
Havaianas are truly the best rubber sandals in the world. Havaianas are designed, marketed and manufactured by Sao Paulo Alpargatas S.A. The ultra-high quality of Havaianas is due to a top-secret rubber recipe created exclusively by Alpargatas. This highly guarded recipe makes the sandals soft as marshmallows, light, and highly durable. There are many knock-offs in the market place, but Havaianas customers know that there is no substitute for the authentic comfort and quality that only Alpargatas can produce.
Since Havaianas were created in the 1960s, Alpargatas perfected the Havaianas collections with a large variety of fashionable colors, styles and levels of thickness. Alpargatas showcases Havaianas on fashion runways around the world, as well as at the most prestigious events and retailers.
In Brazil, Havaianas are beloved and worn by all personalities from the average citizen to dignitaries and celebrities. Since being introduced to the United States three years ago, Havaianas have created an unprecedented cult following. Now referred to as the "best rubber sandal in the world," Havaianas can be seen gracing the pages of the hottest fashion and sport magazines, strutting down the runways at New York Fashion Week and featured at red carpet events. Stylish Americans, including top athletes, rock stars and celebrities demanded the butter-soft comfort of these inexpensive flip flops, making Havaianas available at the most chic retailers and surf boutiques nationwide.


text: I feel a little bit like Jake and Nog with a copy of Vulcan Slave The Revenge here, but I wondered about what we've seen of pon farr in the novels. I remember that the slash-tastic novel Killing Time has an alternate universe Spock mating with the Romulan Commander during what I think should be his next pon farr after the tv series. That is something I had thought about recently, what happened with Spock's pon farr between the tv series and STII TSFS. I think after that, his next pon farr would be his marriage to Saavik. Did any of the other novels ever acknowledge the Spock/Saavik marriage outside of the Vulcan's Forge/Heart/Soul series? I remember that Selar goes thru pon farr in New Frontier starting at the very beginning, and interestingly, Selar has a homosexual brother, and the novel all but says that homosexual Vulcans dont' go thru pon farr. I was shocked by that, but apparently Peter David has established that. I remember that Selar's father had serious issues with her brother having a relationship since he didn't got thru pon farr. I found that really strange, since surely there are logical benefits to a relationship besides pon farr arrangements, and it felt too much like homophobia getting worked into Vulcan, which definitely didn't feel very Vulcan to me. Still, it seemed to follow the pattern of Sarek and Spock where Vulcan fathers are controlling and even illogical in the demands on the son's lives. I remember there was a pon farr flashback in Vanguard. I'm not sure if T'Prynn did go thru pon farr or if it was just her unwanted fiancee who did. Some excellent stuff was done there with T'Prynn. Are there any other pon farr stories I've forgotten or not read.


text:
Townsell was re-elected in 2012 and has three years left in his term. But he told the Log Cabin Democrat he's ready for "anything that might present itself" and that he may not finish his current term.
Townsell, who is 51, said he expects to keep working into his 60s and that he's open to new job prospects — either in the public or private sector. He said he doesn't know yet what his next step will be but says he's not ruling out a run for the U.S. House seat representing central Arkansas.
Townsell has served as Conway's mayor for 15 years.


text:
I bought a used R11-S version for my brother-in-law as a Xmas present. I ordered it in "value" condition. It arrived with a few minor scratches here and there, as expected. However, it was in better condition than I had expected. Once again, golbalgolf delivers more than they promise. Thank you!
I just bought this club from Global Golf 2 weeks ago in "good" condition and it came in like it's only been used a couple times. Right when I got the club I took it to my back pasture and took a go at it. The first ball I hit goes far and straight, I hit my longest drive ever. This club is an answered prayer to me, if you get the chance buy this club and you for sure won't regret it.
This driver is one of the longest I've used.
Could not get use to jet speed and purchased this driver and what a great decision it has turned out to be


text:
I just downloaded Visual C++ and I am trying it out now but I got a problem. I can not seem to find how to create a new console application. I keep getting errors when I try to build an application. Next to that when I open a new file the example code that it displays for the "hello wolrd!" program looks nothing like C++ coding to me. I am trying to build the following program.
I know I did not code anything wrong because I can build it in CodeBlocks. Maybe someone could help me out here and explain to me step by step how I should build a console application coded in C++ in Visual C++ 2010 because I seem to be doing something wrong. And please explain why the example code looks nothing like C++ to me. It uses thefollowing statement for example instead of "std::cout" "console.writeline. And why it includes a file called "#include "stdafx.h"". I never seen that header file in my book and thought those statements where included in the header "iostream".Code:#include<iostream> #include<string> using std::cout; using std::cin; using std::endl; using std::string; int main() { cout << "Please enter your name: "; string name; cin >> name; cout << endl; cout << "Your name is " << name; return 0; }