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Follow my Publicity Board on Pinterest.
Leadership Wilkes-Barre Press:
01.25.10 Leadership Wilkes-Barre has a full slate of community projects Source: Citizens' Voice
03.07.10 Dream Builders Source: Times Leader
03.10.10 Slackin' Off Source: NEPABlogs.org
03.12.10 Wilkes-Barre's St. Patrick's Day parade lineup Source: Citizens' Voice
03.21.10 Leadership Wilkes-Comedy Night, Thursday April 8 Source: Another Monkey
03.26.10 Ryan Leckey Clips Source: Vimeo
03.27.10 Breslau/Lynwood Little League Source: Citizens' Voice
04.26.10 BILAA Opening Day Field Dedication Video Source: Vimeo
06.03.10 Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2010 Source: Citizens' Voice
06.03.10 BILAA Project Wrap-Up Source: Vimeo
NEPA Blogs Press:
05.25.11 New Header Wednesday: Sunrise over Sweet Valley Source: NEPA Blogs
06.20.11 NEPA Blog Reunion Source: Happenings Magazine
08.11.11 WFTE-FM Interview Source: WFTE-FM
08.31.11 New Header Wednesday: Sweet Valley sunset, 8/29/2011 Source: NEPA Blogs
10.12.11 New Header Wednesday: Hotel Sterling and Suquehanna River, Wilkes-Barre Source: NEPA Blogs
11.16.11 New Header Wednesday: Sunrise from Sweet Valley Source: NEPA Blogs
11.21.11 New Header Wednesday: Houses across from Nay Aug Park, Scranton Source: NEPA Blogs
01.04.12 New Header Wednesday: Sunrise over Sweet Valley 11/28/2011 Source: NEPA Blogs
03.27.12 Connecting the Blogs Source: The Weekender
03.21.12 NEPA Blog Fest draws candidates' attention Source: The Citizens' Voice
12.2011 2012 Winner "Best Blogger" Category Source: Greatest Around the Poconos
04.02.12 PA Live! Blog of the Week Source: WBRE-TV
09.12.12 New Header Wednesday: Tiki Torch in the Sunset at the River Grille, Plains Source: NEPA Blogs
12.2012 2013 Winner "Best Blogger" Category Source: Greatest Around the Poconos
12.19.12 New Header Wednesday: WNEP Backyard, Moosic Source: NEPA Blogs
01.16.13 New Header Wednesday: View from Penobscot Mountain from Transmission Towers Source: NEPA Blogs
ComputerWise TV Appearances:
WNEP-TV Appearances:
11/17/12 – Survived my first Santa Parade!
11/26/12 – Talkback Feedback
2012 WNEP Holiday Greeting
Pecha Kucha Night Presentations:
Other Publications:
01.18.03 A Story Runs Through It: Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania Levee System: Luzerne County Historical Society Source: Amazon.com
03.21.06 Allurements and Lamentations: Lou Orfanella Source: Amazon.com
04.10.07 Excursions: Poetry and Prose: Lou Orfanella Source: Amazon.com
BlogCon 2013 Press:
04.08.13 Mara Wilson rules, So do my IGGPPC girls, and a sneak peek at NEPA BlogCon Source: Darling Stewie
06.12.13 NEPA BlogCon 2013 Kick-Off Party Source: Justin Vacula
06.25.13 It's Kick-Off Party Time! Source: Mandy Boyle
06.26.13 NEPA BlogCon 2013 Launch Party Source: Brent Pennington: Photographer
08.01.13 Event Listings Source: The Sunday Dispatch
08.08.13 Datebook: Your guide to area activities and events Source: The Times-Tribune
08.08.13 Event Listings Source: The Times Leader
08.08.13 2nd Annual NEPA BlogCon Set For October 2013 Source: Pocono Moms
08.15.13 NEPA BlogCon 2013 Source: Karla Porter
08.29.13 Events to Benefit Blue Chip Animal Refuge Source: PAHomepage.com
08.30.13 Social Media Solutions: Should small businesses handle social media themselves? Source: Wicked Local
08.31.13 We've Been Nominated For The Food #NEPABOTY Source: EatMoreGyros.com
09.02.13 PensFans4Ever honored to be nominated for NEPA BOTY Award Source: HometownHockey.CA
09.02.13 PensFans4Ever Honored To Be Nominated For NEPA BOTY Award Source: PensFans4Ever
09.04.13 The winner is… Source: King of Kings Gyros
09.06.13 NEPA BlogCon 2013 Source: CrossValleyMedia
09.07.13 Honors and Awards Source: The Times Leader
09.10.13 How I'm Spending My Time: Blog of the Year Awards and BlogCon Source: Mandy Boyle
09.10.13 Blog of the Year Nomination Source: RandiLynn
09.10.13 Grandmaman Visit Source: Crafternoon Tea
09.10.13 September Meetup: Favorite WordPress Plugins Source: NEPA WordPress / Meetup.com
09.11.13 Giveaway: Win a ticket to NEPA BlogCon 2013! Source: Leslie IRL
09.12.13 The Scoop Source: The570.com
09.18.13 Vote for us to win Blog of the Year! Source: NEPA Beer Reviews
09.18.13 Speaking at NEPA BlogCon Source: PhilErb.com
09.18.13 NEPA BlogCon Radio Interview w/ Prospector Source: Rock 107
09.18.13 NEPA BlogCon visits STK Source: Save the Kales & RCN
09.18.13 NEPA BlogCon visits ComputerWise Source: ComputerWise TV & Blue Ridge Communications
09.19.13 Shit that happened when I wasn't here Source: mhryvnak.net
09.20.13 Friday 5s: Five Reasons to Love Living in NEPA Source: North East Bloggers Network
09.21.13 In Your Neighborhood Source: WNEP
09.21.13 Vote for Rants from my Crazy Kitchen! Source: RantsFromMyCrazyKitchen.com
09.21.13 NEPA BlogCon and Geek Creation Show: It's a regular Con Party! Source: LeslieIRL.com
09.22.13 PensFans4Ever Up For NEPA BOTY – Come And Vote Source: HometownHockey.CA
09.22.13 NEPA BlogCon 2013 Source: Justin Vacula
09.23.13 King's Mass Comm Professor Publishes Article; Professors to present at NEPA BlogCon Source: Kings.edu
09.24.13 Attention Pizzeria Owners – an Opportunity to Help a Great Cause and GAIN EXPOSURE Source: NEPA Pizza Review
09.25.13 bikeNEPA Has Been Nominated for the 2013 NEPA BlogCon Blog of the Year Award! Source: bikeNEPA
09.26.13 NEPA Blog Con Registration Source: Slavic Kitchen
09.26.13 98.5 KRZ Rocky & Lissa Radio Interview Source: 98.5 KRZ
09.26.13 NEPA BlogCon Returns this October Source: Geekadelphia
09.26.13 Developing College Students Through Community Projects Source: Karlaporter.com
09.29.13 WNEP Pointer Picture Video Source: WNEP
09.30.13 Good Things Are Happening / In Your Neighborhood Source: WNEP
10.01.13 NEPA BlogCon is this Saturday! See you there! Source: NEPA Geeks
10.03.13 Registration for second NEPA BlogCon closes tonight Source: The Citizens' Voice
10.03.13 NEPA BlogCon: Event to Highlight Creative Ways To Link Together Source: WNEP
10.03.13 NEPA BlogCon: Innovative Group Hosts Tech Conference Source: WNEP
10.03.13 Good Things Are Happening PSA Source: WNEP
10.04.13 #FF @NEPABlogCon 2013 Source: Well Said Cabot Blog
10.04.13 Speaking: NEPABlogCon and Beyond! Source: Casabona.org
10.04.13 I'm Delighted Source: KaitBurrier.com
10.05.13 Bloggers unite @ #NEPABlogCon Source: The Citizens' Voice
10.05.13 Second Annual NEPA BlogCon Source: WNEP
10.05.13 Second Annual NEPA BlogCon SOTVO 11PM News Source: WNEP
10.05.13 NEPA BlogCon: Pennsylvania's Best Ever Blog Conference Source: Save the Kales
10.05.13 Rooted Takes BlogCon Source: Rooted Now
10.05.13 How to Achieve Two Thumbs Up in Collaborative Work Source: Karlaporter.com
10.06.13 Second Annual NEPA BlogCon SOTVO 8AM News Source: WNEP
10.07.13 12 Ways to Make, and Keep, Your Blog Awesome Source: Social Media Times
10.09.13 Lessons Learned at NEPA Blog Con 2013 Source: suheiry, etc.
10.08.13 How Bloggers Can Create Rockin' Email Newsletters Source: Social Media Times
10.22.13 NEPA BlogCon like bootcamp for bloggers Source: The Wood Word
BlogCon 2012 Press:
04.02.12 NEPA Bloggers Call to Action Source: Karla Porter
04.02.12 NEPA BlogCon Announcement & Survey Source: NEPABlogs.org
05.04.12 Super Cat Meme, NEPA BlogCon & Star Wars Day Source: Darling Stewie
06.03.12 NEPA Digerati in Action Source: Karla Porter
06.03.12 NEPA BlogCon to Host Launch Party Source: The Citizens' Voice
06.18.12 98.5 KRZ Rocky & Sue Interview (MP3 Format) Source: 98.5 KRZ
06.21.12 NEPA BlogCon Launch Party Tomorrow Source: Gort42
06.21.12 For the love of blog Source: The Weekender
06.22.12 Rock 107 Interview ~ BlogCon Girls 06 22 2012 (MP3 Format) Source: Rock 107
06.22.12 NEPA BlogCon Launch Party Tonight Source: Mhryvnak.net
06.22.12 NEPA BlogCon Launch Party Tonight Source: NEPABlogs.org
06.23.12 PwnVFail Source: NEPABlogs.org
06.23.12 NEPA BlogCon Updates Source: Justin Vacula
06.24.12 NEPA BlogCon Updates and Whatnot Source: Darling Stewie
06.29.12 We've Launched! Source: Mandy Boyle
07.18.12 10 tips to market your professional self via your blog Source: Karla Porter
07.20.12 Come & See Me… In The FLESH! Source: GalaDarling.com
07.22.12 2012 Conferences for Mom Bloggers Source: Mom Spark
07.29.12 Road Apples, #128 Source: SGAlbert.com
08.01.12 The ladies behind NEPA BlogCon Source: Brent Pennington Photography
08.03.12 'Cuz Bloggers Do It Better. Source: Runningful.com
08.06.12 NEPA BlogCon: A local blogging conference for a cause Source: Pepperjam Exchange
08.10.12 NEPA BlogCon 2012 Source: Kuhcoon.com
08.14.12 We'll be on ComputerWise TV on 08.22.12! Source: ComputerWise TV
08.14.12 NEPA Blogcon 2012 Flyer Source: Justin Vacula
08.15.12 There's others like us?! Source: An Organized Mess (My Life)
08.17.12 NEPA BlogCon Guest Post (On Civility, Rationality) Source: Justin Vacula
08.19.12 NEPA BlogCon the blogging and social media event for everyone Source: Karla Porter
08.22.12 Upcoming Events Source: Gort42
08.23.12 NEPA BlogCon, NEPA's First Blogging and Social Media Conference to be Held September 29 Source: Lehigh Valley Women's Journal
08.23.12 Weekend: Your Guide to Entertainment in Northeast Pennsylvania Source: The Times-Tribune
08.23.12 ComputerWise Episode (HD Video) Source: Vimeo
08.23.12 Area's first blogging, social media conference set for Sept. 29 (pic) Source: Citizens' Voice
08.21.12 Blue Ridge Public Service Bulletin Board (pic) Source: Blue Ridge Channel 13
08.22.12 Why Magnify Your Style Should Win an Official NEPA BlogCon Press Pass Source: Magnify Your Style
08.25.12 NEPA BlogCon 2012 Source: SkepticBlogs.com
08.25.12 Origins of NEPA BlogCon and the Fearsome Foursome (Pecha Kucha Presentation) Source: Mandy Boyle
08.28.12 Save 25% on NEPA BlogCon Source: .NET Valley
08.30.12 SEPTEMBER EVENTS: with Save the Kales Source: Save the Kales
08.31.12 Running A Business Does Not Equate to Running A Country (Guest Post) Source: Gort42
09.01.12 NEPA BLOGCON Source: Lehigh Valley Style
09.01.12 NEPA BlogCon Source: Pocono Talk
09.01.12 NEPA BlogCon to benefit The Arc of Luzerne County Source: The Arc of Luzerne County
09.01.12 Bloggers and social media aficionados to support veterans at NEPA BlogCon Source: NEPA VMA
09.01.12 Blogging to Resume Next Week Source: The Pigeon Coop
09.04.12 PA Live! Blog of the Week: NEPA BlogCon Source: NEPABlogs.org
09.04.12 The First Ever NEPA BlogCon Comes to Luzerne County Source: Geekadelphia.com
09.04.12 Blog of the Week: NEPA BlogCon (video) Source: PAHomepage.com
09.04.12 Future Talk Show Host sponsors NEPA BlogCon 2012 Source: Bernard Talks
09.05.12 NEPA BlogCon Source: LCCC Student Intranet
09.05.12 Good Morning Pennsylvania (video) Source: Vimeo and WNEP-TV
09.08.12 I won a contest Source: Brent Pennington
09.10.12 I'll be Speaking at NEPA BlogCon 2012 Source: Jason N. Gaylord
09.12.12 Rock 107 Interview with Dave DiRenzo and Prospector (MP3 Format) Source: Rock 107
09.12.12 NEPA: Win a free BlogCon ticket by drawing a cat Source: Darling Stewie
09.14.12 #FF: @NEPABlogCon Source: Well Said – A Cabot Community Blog
09.14.12 Good Morning PA Source: WNEP.com
09.14.12 Tutorial Writing and Presenations Source: GP Animations
09.16.12 Upcoming Events Source: Gort42
09.19.12 BlogCon Cometh Source: The Weekender
09.19.12 Upcoming Blogging Events Source: Another Monkey
09.20.12 Weekend: Your guide to entertainment in Northeast Pennsylvania Source: The Times-Tribune
09.21.12 Patton Oswalt, NEPA BlogCon, The Perks of Being a Wallfower, oh and… It's the Last Year of My 20′s. Source: Save The Kales
09.25.12 BlogCon Interview w/ Rocky & Lissa Source: 98.5 KRZ
09.26.12 Online meets offline at NEPA BlogCon Source: The Weekender
09.27.12 Let's get nuts, bloggers Source: Electric City/Diamond City
09.27.12 Online writers join forces to produce blog convention (article) Source: The Citizens' Voice JumpStart!
09.27.12 Online writers join forces to produce blog convention (pic) Source: The Citizens' Voice JumpStart!
09.27.12 Busy Weekend Source: Gort42
09.28.12 BlogCon 2012 Source: AndyPalumbo.net
09.28.12 NEPA BlogCon Source: Not Cease from Exploration (Steve Albert)
09.28.12 Henri, Bagel heads, Toronto's national anthem and the Nintendo cartridge blow Source: LaurenOutLoud.com
09.29.12 Purchase Guerrilla History Prints Source: Cheri Sundra
09.29.12 Speaking at NEPA BlogCon Source: Jason Valenti
09.30.12 Shirt Surgery, NEPA BlogCon
09.30.12 NEPA BlogCon Source: NEPABlogs.org
10.01.12 NEPA BlogCon Postgame Source: Another Monkey/Harold Jenkins
10.01.12 Gala Darling: How to Spice Up Your Blog's 'About' Page Source: Tim Sohn from Social Times/Media Bistro
10.02.12 Top 6 Content Tips from Fashion and Beauty Bloggers at NEPABlogCon Source: Tim Sohn from Social Times/Media Bistro
10.02.12 Three Things Bloggers Don't Want To Do: My Keynote From NEPABlogCon! Source: Gala Darling
10.03.12 I Love Business Cards Source: Randi Dot JPEG
10.04.12 Out & About in and around NEPA BlogCon at LCCC (pic 1 of 2) Source: The Citizens' Voice
10.04.12 Out & About in and around NEPA BlogCon at LCCC (pic 2 of 2) Source: The Citizens' Voice
10.09.12 My Conference Doubleheader Source: Skeptic Ink Network
10.10.12 Events: NEPA BlogCon Source: Coriosity
10.20.12 13 No Strings Attached NEPABlogCon Sessions Online Source: Karla Porter
10.20.12 NEPA BlogCon: The Technology Wrap-up Source: Mhryvnak.net
11.11.12 Changing tools of media shared Source: The Dallas Post
12.08.12 Blogging Communities: Pioneers of the Digital Age Source: IndependentNEPA


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Column: Wabasha County readies for budget cuts
We have all heard the doom and gloom reports on the national financial situation, however, all is not doom and gloom in Wabasha County. The unemployment rate in Wabasha County was 5.9 percent at the end of 2008 and increased to 6.8 percent by the end of 2009.
While it is small consolation to those currently unemployed, the end of 2009 saw Minnesota with a 7.4 percent unemployment rate and a 9.7 percent unemployment rate nationally, leaving Wabasha County much better off than the nation as a whole.
While we all complain about taxes to some degree, it is interesting to note that the statewide county property tax levy change was a plus 3.2 percent in 2010, Wabasha County was 0 percent. Wabasha was one of just 11 of Minnesota's 87 counties to not increase their property tax levy in 2010.
After the governor's unallotment, the state average property tax increase was a plus 1.9 percent and Wabasha County was a negative 0.9 percent.
Overall, Wabasha County ranks 41st from the bottom of the list of 87 Minnesota counties average property tax rate in 2009, meaning 46 counties have a higher average property tax rate than Wabasha County. Of 12 southeastern Minnesota counties, Wabasha County had the fourth lowest average tax rate in 2009, with eight counties having a higher property tax rate.
There are eight of our southern Minnesota neighbors whose citizens pay a higher average property tax rate than we do in Wabasha County.
Wabasha County's outstanding net bonded debt is $20,395,000, which is significantly below the state-imposed debt limit of $73,349,475 based on the 2008 taxable market value of $2,444,982,500.
State statute allows county debt of no more 3 percent of taxable market value. The total Wabasha County debt is attributable to the new Criminal Justice Center, Wabasha County has no other debt. The county has not spent and incurred debt like the state and federal governments, we have consistently lived within our means.
Wabasha County has a long history of conservative fiscal management.
The County Board is reducing expenditures where possible and exploring new revenue sources, with an eye to providing effective services to the citizens of Wabasha County at an affordable cost. It is a fact that we will see further reductions in state government aid to counties, which will force all county boards to make some tough decisions.
In setting the 2011 budget, the County Board will have to take a hard look at individual services. Some services will no longer be able to be funded as they have in the past and some services may need to be eliminated. Which services are reduced and which are eliminated will require tough decisions, no matter what is done someone will be affected by cuts and they will not be pleased.
David Johnson is the Wabasha County administrator.


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Parents Must be the Solution
Parents Must be the Solution
Parents must be the solution to the issues facing public education. The educational divisiveness in our country centers around loss of local control, erosion of funding, political influences and overall lack of confidence in public education is hurting students. This impact has a compounding effect over time on students future earning potential. The cuts to necessary funding results in larger class sizes, fewer support staff, technology voids and diminished budgets for instructional resources to name a few. If a first grade student experiences reduction of educational services their base knowledge is weakened. This only compounds with successive years of reduced services ensuring when the first grade student graduates they will be at a disadvantage compared to graduating classes that preceded him. The issues are couched in the here and now and not the long-term impact of decisions.
Parents must be the solution but it will take effort. In a previous Blog I cited a survey about parent perspectives on the impact of Common Core. What is concerning is the vast lack of information or more likely, understanding, of what influences are impacting the quality of education their child receives. If you are a parent of a child in school you must get informed and involved. Your involvement should start with understanding the curriculum, instructional practices and learning environment your child experiences every day. Seek to understand, ask questions and be an active member of a greater team seeking improvement. Avoid the natural pull towards emotional responses. Show up at the polls!
Be sure to fully vet the Board of Education candidates running for election. Dig deeper into their beliefs, qualifications, perspectives (holistic of single issue interest), who is funding their campaigns, their relationship building skills and then vote. These civil servants are volunteers and should be commended for entertaining a largely thankless endeavor. Vet those candidates who have a calling to serve students, staff and parents. After you vote, hold them accountable and stay connected with what is being discussed and voted on by your Board of Education. These men and women represent the collective good of the school district and not those special interests who may have helped them to get elected. Volunteer to serve on district committees. Connect your neighbors to their schools and the decisions that impact them. Most of all, be civil and model the behavior we expect from our children.
Once you have accomplished these tasks you will have a broader perspective of the great things your school district is doing as well as the areas that need improvement. You will understand that a school district is complex but that complexity will benefit your child. Now you are ready to engage your local Representatives and Senators. Research their positions, beliefs, voting records, level of engagement with local voters and who financed their elections. By doing this you will have a greater understanding and a starting point to begin your ongoing conversations with them. Your legislators have a very complex job as a civil servant just like your Board of Education members. Respect that but also never relinquish your position as the person who put them in office. They work for you and everyone else in their district.
Parents must be the solution to the issues impacting thier child's education largely but it will take a commitment to be involved, solution focused, civil and most importantly- be inclusive. As a parent, know what you expect for your child to be academic and socially prepared for the rest of their lives.
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Events DC, the convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, has selected Washington, D.C.-based construction management joint venture to build the city's new Entertainment and Sports Arena in the Congress Heights. The joint venture companies are Smoot Construction Co. and Gilbane Building Co.
"We're excited to bring the locally based construction management joint venture of Smoot|Gilbane onboard as part of the team for the Entertainment and Sports Arena project. We remain committed to utilizing the best and brightest while supporting our homegrown businesses," said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and CEO of Events DC. "We continue to stand behind our commitment to honoring opportunities for local businesses and District residents and building a state-of-the-art facility that will bring so many economic and civic benefits to our DC community."
Events DC and Smoot|Gilbane is expected to hold a series of workshops and job fairs for businesses and residents who want to work on the ESA project.
"We are honored to be selected by Events DC, and we are excited to partner with Gilbane Building Co. to construct DC's exciting new Entertainment and Sports Arena," said Mark S. Cain, president and CEO of Smoot. "We look forward to bringing our experience to building a fan-favorite sports and entertainment facility in Ward 8."
The proposed 4,200-seat arena will be a practice facility for the Washington Wizards, home court of the Washington Mystics and a premier entertainment venue. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017; the arena will open in fall 2018.
"The new Entertainment and Sports Arena project gives our team the chance to bring our best practices in NBA facility construction and our experience building on the St. Elizabeths Campus to benefit both the District and the Congress Heights community," said Drew Mucci, senior vice president of Gilbane. "We are so excited to be part of the transformation of St. Elizabeths East -- it's a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
Smoot and Gilbane have been partners for more than 50 years; the two companies constructed the University of Maryland's 17,950-seat Comcast Arena, among other projects.
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Fowler White has earned a reputation in South Florida as the firm to call on when insight and background are needed by the media on various legal trends and issues. Our attorneys are recognized authorities and innovative thought leaders who are regularly quoted on matters of significance by the most highly regarded local and national media outlets.
Florida law firm Fowler White Burnett, PA, has added a new shareholder who specializes in Maritime Law, as well as another shareholder who focuses on international tax planning and transfer pricing.
To read more, please click here.
"Fowler White Lures 2 New Partners in Florida, Including 1 From Struggling Sedgwick"
Fowler White Burnett has lured two new shareholders to its South Florida offices, one of them from struggling Am Law 200 firm Sedgwick, which has seen offices close and more than 30 lawyers defect across the country this year.
To read more please click here: http://bit.ly/2gKDBZF
Florida firm Fowler White Burnett PA has added two partners, including a former Foley & Mansfield PLLP toxic torts specialist and an ex-GRSH Law LLP immigration lawyer, to its office in Miami, the firm announced. In addition to the two partners, Fowler White also added an associate to the firm's corporate practice group.
To read, please click here.
To read the article, please click here.
Twelve Fowler White Attorneys Recognized In The 2018 South Florida Legal Guide
Fowler White Recognized By U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers 2018 "Best Law Firms"
Ira J. Gonzalez Recognized By Barry University As One Of Their 2018 Distinguished Alumni Honorees
Firm Featured in Law360 for the Addition of Maritime and Tax Shareholders
Firm Featured in Daily Business Review
Firm Featured in Law360 For Addition of New Attorneys
Shareholder Rory E. Jurman Mentioned in Law360 Article
15 Fowler White Attorneys Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2019 Edition And One Selected As "Lawyer of the Year"
Juan C. Zorrilla Elected Equity Shareholder At Fowler White
Fowler White Continues To Expand With Addition Of 7 New Attorneys
14 Fowler White Attorneys Listed Among 2018 Florida Super Lawyers And 2018 Florida Rising Stars
15 Fowler White Attorneys Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2019 Edition And One Selected As "Lawyer of the Year"
We are pleased to announce that 15 of our attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 list for outstanding attorneys. For The Best Lawyers in America© 2019, 7.8 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 60,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition.
Managing Shareholder Christopher E. Knight has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as one of the 2019 "Lawyer of the Year" award recipients. He has received this accolade for his work in Medical Malpractice-Defendants in Miami, Florida. Each year only one lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan region is honored by The Best Lawyers in America© with a "Lawyer of the Year" award.
The following Fowler White lawyers were listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 in the listed practiced areas:
Read More
Recent Legal Developments
Shareholder Esther E. Galicia writes about Recent Legal Developments in the Summer 2018 issue of the Trial Advocate Quarterly, a publication of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association.
Twelve Fowler White Attorneys Recognized In The 2018 South Florida Legal Guide
Fowler White Burnett is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized as a "Top Law Firm" in the 2018 Edition of the South Florida Legal Guide, 10 of its attorneys have been selected as "Top Lawyers" and 2 have been recognized as "Top Up and Comers."
The South Florida Legal Guide (SFLG) is published annually, and is a widely respected source of top legal firms and lawyers, by practice group, in the South Florida region. Candidates are nominated and voted on by their peers, which SFLG takes into consideration when making selections for inclusion as a "Top Lawyer."
The following Fowler White attorneys were recognized as "Top Lawyers:"
* Brian D. Elias - Securities - Litigation & Arbitration, Corporate & Business Litigation
* Timothy J. Ferguson - Product Liability - Defense, Torts - Defense
* Erin Gaskin - Medical Malpractice - Defense
* June G. Hoffman - Appellate
* Allan R. Kelley - Admiralty and Maritime, Litigation
* Christopher E. Knight - Product Liability - Defense, Medical Malpractice - Defense
* Fred K. Lickstein - Corporate and Business, Finance
* Richard J. Razook – Tax, International Tax
* Alice K. Sum - Corporate and Business Litigation
* Juan Carlos Zorrilla - Commercial and Business Litigation
Additionally, the following were recognized as "Top Up and Comers:"
* Gil O. Acevedo - Real Estate
* Avery A. Dial - Commercial Litigation
© 2018 Fowler White Burnett, P.A. All Rights Reserved
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19 sfaturi de la recruiteri pentru a evita cele mai des intalnite greseli atunci cand aplici pentru un job
Passionate about ITS?German speaker?Join us and start a new career! e
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|DK Global Recruitment
|Job type:
|Job level:
|0 - 1 years of experience
|Updated at:
DK Global Recruitment is a multilingual recruitment agency, based in Dublin, Ireland. We specialize in finding European language-speaking jobs for job seekers in many European countries. With years of experience in the multilingual BPO sector, we have developed advanced skills that we use to help Companies relocate candidates globally, and assist candidates to relocate smoothly and find their desired employment.Requirements
• Fluency in German and English
• Diploma / Degree holder or pursuing Bachelor Degree Courses
• Knowledge of Windows clients (7,8,10) is preferable but not mandatory
• Knowledge of messaging clients is preferable but not mandatory
• Previous Technical Support or Customer Support experience would be an advantage
• Pleasant and positive attitude
• Discuss cases with specialists to find solutions;
• Identify trends and high volume inquires that may indicate corporate-wide issues; inform management as appropriate
• Maintain good service level;
• Coach and provide feedback to team members;
• Train and develop team member;
• Recognize and reward quality performance ;
• Be proficient in all applications ;
• Excellent salary package
• Relocation package
• Meal Vouchers
• Christmas Bonus
• Dental plan (partial reimbursement )
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• Sport activities (partial reimbursement )
• Opportunity to work in a young and dynamic environment
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• Access to internal training , both for career and individual development
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• You will be contacted within 30 min of your application
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Canon PowerShot S120 review
Like Sony with its newest cameras for 2014, Canon is also focusing on speed when it comes to its latest device. It's claiming a new Digic 6 processor makes the 12.1 megapixel, 5x optical zoom Canon PowerShot S120 compact some 50% faster than its S110 predecessor. That pixel count may seem conservative for a camera that has a manufacturer's suggested price of £449.99, but the S120 comes with both a larger 1/1.7-inch backlit CMOS sensor than your average snapshot plus a brighter maximum aperture lens at f/1.8. So Canon has opted for quality results in low light without flash rather than ramping up resolution. That said, as a fall back, a pop-up flash is neatly sunk into the top plate for manual activation via a side switch.
Offering a more portable version of Canon's chunky G16 in some respects, what the S120 lacks because of its pocket size and slender dimensions is a proper handgrip, even if there is a padded thumb rest at the back to prevent it feeling too slippery in the palm. In addition the outer finish is similar to the shell you'd find on a mid range DSLR, such as Canon's own EOS range, so subtly connecting the DNA of the two in the mind of the photographer. But another attraction, aside from greater power in a smaller camera body, is the lens control ring at the S120's front. Toggle this left or right to zoom in or out – there is also a separate zoom lever encircling the shutter release button – or customise its use to access a range of key camera functions instead of having to wade through screen menus to select.
See also: Camera reviews
As a further bonus the camera's 3-inch, high 922K-dot resolution LCD screen – our only means of framing and reviewing photos and video, as the pocket proportions means there is no room for additional eye-level viewfinder, like on Panasonic's LF1 rival – is also a touch screen. Thus a flick of a finger and we were scrolling up or down through menu options as intuitively as on an iPad. Like most cameras with this facility, the S120 is also able to direct focus to a particular corner of your compositional frame by tapping that area on screen. Conventionally we'd have to focus on our chosen aspect, and then recompose the frame, before taking the shot.
Our chief recommendation as regards the PowerShot S120 is however is that here is a camera that delivers a sharp, rich image quality that belies its small proportions.
For us the slightly more expensive Sony RX100 (original or Mark II version) still has the edge for quality overall if you're looking for compact alternatives that will ape a DSLR's quality without sacrificing portability. However for Canon users there is little about the S120 that's found wanting.


text: The last week gave us Oregonians the first taste of spring and made me eager for the blossoming flowers and warm days ahead. Browsing our puzzles this morning made me itch for the sunshine and fresh air, especially with all of our new puzzles of flowers, butterflies, and birds. I picked some of my favorite brand new 2013 puzzles to share with you so you can celebrate spring fever, too!


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Let us start by understanding what is meant by postpartum depression (PPD). It is a sad truth that many new mothers undergo a postpartum depression stage where they are not even able to enjoy their new baby. Some women suffer mood swings, and a few experience postpartum depression which can last up to 1 year. Doctor's reports on nancylucina.com will tell you that the severe decrease in hormonal levels is the main reason behind PPD. According to http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/07/07/10-ways-to-cope-with-postpartum-depression.html, PPD can be handled by taking right care of new mothers. Care can involve anything like making time for yourself, staying active and scheduling your sleep to avoid sleeplessness due to baby care.
Scientifically, it is hard to explain the correct reason behind PPD. Hormonal imbalance is just a small chunk of the entire issue. Some observations have shown that a mother starts showing the signs of PPD right from her pregnancy days. A history of depression can be the reason for it or lack of support from people around. On the other hand, those women who are usually vulnerable to end up having depression due to over thinking the present and future scenarios.
It is advised to take a pregnant woman to the doctor to check for any signs of depression showing up. Early detection can be a great savior for the mother. Many women avoid talking about the emotional difficulties that they feel during the pregnancy months which is a huge mistake. Talking it out is a significant factor that helps people vent out the inner tension and feel relaxed. If we look at it the other way, the instances during and post pregnancy involve a lot of unpredictable and uncontrolled scenarios. The lack of control over day to day activity can also stand out as a reason for depression and anxiety.
Preparing yourself for parenthood is a significant commitment. It is probably not easy, but with the right support and decision, one can enjoy being a parent. Do not treat the responsibilities that come with parenthood as a burden. You will have to learn to chill out and relax as a human being. No matter what responsibilities you have, it is essential to let your brain rest for thinking clear and straight. Do not deprive yourself of sleep, sync your sleep with your baby's sleep. In this way, both of you will be able to get the right care at all times.
Try to do some mild exercises and meditation to keep your body active. A part of being a new mother involves being flexible as it may not be possible to have your morning cup of tea until afternoon. Taking care of a baby is no easy deal, but train your mind to be flexible. It will add up to your happiness and keep you away from any postpartum depression. Agree to take as much help as possible from your loved ones. It will ease up the task of baby and self-care. Interestingly, both the factors as mentioned above are very important for the health of a family.


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The great debate is on. Did W. Bush smear his hand on the backside of Bill Clinton's shirt after a Haitian hand shake out of obsessive germ phobia or was it a case of blatant and insulting racism? After all, the hands the ex-prez gripped were black hands, and the literature is filled with tales of whites cringing in horror at the prospect of shaking the hand of an African-American, or if forced to, wiping their hand on their pants, shirt, a handkerchief, or a napkin, or squirting a blop of sanitizer in their hands as soon as they're out of eye shot of the African-American. I remember several occasions seeing white men wipe their hands on the side of their pants or grab at a napkin to wipe their hands after shaking hands with a black man.
Even Obama isn't immune to the hand phobia slap; he famously and good-humoredly tells the story of his meet-and-greet encounter at the White House with Bush. The 43rd president quickly turned to an aide, who lathered his hand with a glob of sanitizer after shaking his soon to be successor's hands. Obama shrugged it off as a cold avoidance preventive. The President is right. Sanitizers, washes, rubs, and alcohol wipes are mandatory for anyone who regularly slaps hands with the public. Certainly presidents, ex-presidents, and politicians of all stripes slap more hands than anyone else. The risk of caching a cold or a flu virus always looms large in their thinking. Thus there are the ever present piles and gallons of handy wipes and sanitizers.
So it's likely that Bush, with no indulgent and dutiful aide standing by with the requisite sanitizer, reflexively used the next best thing -- and that was the backside of Clinton's shirt. We'll give him a pass on the germ avoidance angle. I'll also toss him a pass for his willingness, along with Clinton, to help raise millions for Haitian relief. It won't cancel out the monumental wreckage of his presidency, but it's a needed boost for Haiti, and that's a good thing.
Now there's Bush the racist. A parade of GOP politicians, pundits, and boosters routinely got and get caught with their racism oozing out their pores, with assorted racist quips, cracks, digs, slurs, slips and gaffes. But there's no public hint that Bush ever uttered a racist crack. By that standard, Bush is not a personal racist. On the other hand, there's much evidence that Bush maintained mute silence when GOP big wheels got caught red-faced and red-handed making racist remarks. Anyone remember Trent Lott? It's a case of judging a president by the company he kept. And there were plenty of racists in the GOP that he did keep company with.
Haitians, then, shouldn't take Bush's Clinton shirt wipe too personally. Bush would say that germs are on hands of all colors. It just so happens that the two times that he got caught wiping his hands happened to be after shaking black hands.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His nationally heard talk show is on KTYM-AM 1460 AM Los Angeles, Fridays 9:30 AM and KPFK Pacifica Radio 90.7 Los Angeles, Saturdays Noon PST.


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PISCATAWAY – New Jersey Blood Services will host a blood drive aboard its mobile bus unit to encourage residents to come out to donate blood for patients in need of lifesaving blood and blood products. The blood drive, in memory of Sean Hanna and sponsored by Grace Alliance Church, will take place on Sunday, March 13, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Timothy Christian School, located at 2008 Ethel Road, Piscataway.
Sean Hanna, a resident of Piscataway, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma in October 1993. He was seven years old. Over the next 14 years, Hanna bravely fought his disease and endured lengthy hospital stays and treatments that included chemotherapy, radiation therapy, drug therapy and bone marrow transplants. Hanna refused to let cancer define him and continued to live life with family and friends. His passion for life was evident through his high school years and as a student at Rutgers University. In April 2007, Hanna succumbed to graft versus host disease, but was cancer free.
Lymphoma is a general term for a group of blood cancers that starts in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system that defends against infection. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are the two main types of lymphoma. Lymphoma results when a lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) undergoes a malignant change and multiplies, eventually crowding out healthy cells and creating tumors. These tumors enlarge the lymph nodes and/or grow in other places that are part of the immune system.
Each day in the U.S., more than 40,000 units of blood are needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims. Approximately five million Americans will receive a blood transfusion this year, and the only place to get this precious resource is from volunteer blood donors.
New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center (NYBC) serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, urges New Jersey residents to please donate blood that will help to save the lives of patients in need of blood transfusions.
Sixty percent of New Jersey residents are eligible to donate, yet only 3.6% donate on a regular basis. The total number of red blood cell units transfused annually in New Jersey has steadily increased from 310,156 units in 1996 to 344,800 units in 2009, an 11% increase, resulting in a continuing need for New Jersey residents to donate regularly. In 2009, 12% of the blood needed for New Jersey hospital patients was imported from out-of-state due to area shortages.
The need for blood and blood products is always constant. NYBC urges residents to answer the call for blood donations throughout the year. Whole blood has a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets only 5 days. Individuals can donate one unit of whole blood every 56 days and platelets up to 24 times per year. One unit of whole blood can potentially save the lives of three people once it is separated into its component parts of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Businesses and community groups are encouraged to organize a blood drive.
To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.
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Anyway, I wanted to tell you about some giveaways that are going on in the blog world.
First, Shea from gr8findings is having a giveaway of some of her fine silver components. Shea actually won my giveaway from the Bead Soup Blog Party, so I was excited to enter her giveaway too!
(Picture taken from Shea's blog)
These are handmade by her! Aren't they yummy! I've never worked with fine silver before (is it different from sterling?) As you can tell, I'm clueless. The only thing I really know about silver is that it's extra super expensive right now and that it's pretty and sparkly! :)
The other giveaway is by our Bead Soup hostess herself, Lori Anderson. Check out her post here to enter. She's giving away seed beads. (I say those words in a whisper because I'm afraid of them. I've always admired seed beaders, but have been too afraid to try.) I was sent seed beads with my bead soup, but I use them pretty much as spacers, etc.
(Picture from Lori's blog)
Hop over to Shea and Lori's blogs and enter. Although, why bother - I'm going to win them both! ;)


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Though many of the biggest telecommunications companies in the world spent much of the last two years doggedly preparing for the transition to IPv6, few service providers are IPv6 ready.
Furthermore, some of the service providers who have upgraded to IPv6 are not offering IPv6 to their customers, according to Incognito Software, which just released the results of its recent "IPv6 Readiness" survey.
A migration from IPv4 to IPv6 is inevitable; the number of IPv4 addresses left unassigned is small and rapidly dwindling toward none. IPv6 creates a vast new pool of addresses, in addition to other benefits, including measures that should make networking somewhat more secure and reliable.
That said, service providers need to invest in infrastructure upgrades, and there remain issues with compatible device support, and customer education – the latter two being the biggest impediments.
Incognito Software polled 51 cable, wireless and wireline operators of varying sizes – ranging from regional players with up to 30,000 subscribers to large operators with more than one million subscribers – and included operators across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Findings of the survey include:
IPv6 adoption does not happen overnight, but most operators are optimistic about their roll-out schedules. Deployment timelines vary widely among companies, suggesting there is no "silver bullet" for adoption.
- Nearly 34 percent of companies currently in the process of adopting IPv6 expect to complete their rollouts within a year.
- 33 percent of companies that are currently in the process of adopting IPv6 expect to finish their adoptions within two years.
Some of the most aggressive estimates suggested that IPv4 addresses might have run out right about now. The global industry is clearly managing use of existing addresses and the remaining pool to stretch out the final deadline on the transition to IPv6 as best they can.
Executive buy-in is a key driver of IPv6. IPv6 adoption is highest among organizations where there has been an executive mandate set in place, and its success rate is directly correlated to the degree of interest shown by company management. Nearly half of organizations that are already IPv6-ready (43 percent) have acknowledged C-Level support as a primary motivator.
Dual-stack is still the preferred method of transition for most service providers. Nearly 90 percent of respondents selected this option (where IPv4 and IPv6 run parallel to each other) as their preferred method of IPv6 adoption, which is unsurprising due to the high number of IPv4-enabled devices currently available on the market.
"As service providers continue to search for ways to stretch their existing IPv4 resources, they are unearthing the reality that the industry's increasing number of subscribers, devices and services make the need for IPv6 simply unavoidable," said Stephane Bourque, president and CEO of Incognito Software. "Investing in a robust IP address management solution is important for operators who need to stay up-to-date on existing IP assignments and available addresses – especially for those who are using dual-stack methods to complete their deployments – so they can both attract new subscribers and anticipate potential conflicts before they cause serious issues for their existing users."
The full report and analysis is here.


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As a part of refreshing my canvas skills, I made a small firework. It didn't turn out quite as expected and needs some more finesse, but there you go.
I set out to create a binary clock, mostly as a part of laying down my new found npm build script knowledge.


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By bikinginla This time, they can blame me. It was just a few days before Christmas in 2013 when James Rapley went for a bike ride while on an extended layover at LAX on his way home to Australia for the holidays. He turned up Temescal Canyon Rd, where he was …read more
Via:: BikingInLA


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Proxy sites are developed to allow navigation around the restrictions on Internet network or an IP address to hide behind a proxy server to surf anonymously on the Net. Generally, proxy sites are freely available on the web, but some require a few times of access fees. If you want to create a free proxy, you can do so without having to invest money if you use the right tools.
How to create a free proxy site
1) Create your own website if you do not already have one. Webs and Weekly are two free services that can help you create your own website free of charge. With these services, you simply indicate type the desired name of your proxy site and follow the instructions.
2) For the design of the site, keep in mind that what is simple is always better. For example, with Web sites and Web visitors, you can choose a predefined template that will be displayed on every page of your site, but proxy sites generally consist of a single page. Once you have selected the design, you can add images or text by selecting "Add Images" or "Add Text".
3) When adding text to your site free proxy, make sure to write an introduction describing what your proxy service offered. For example, you can specify that the use of the service is free, it allows you to bypass the restrictions through Internet servers, and that the IP addresses are masked, or any other information you find relevant.
4) Then you need to go to the website Install. This will allow you to install a CGI proxy on your site. Click the "Start" tab displayed on the page. Then on the link "CGI Proxy". Let the version pre-selected and click the "Next". Then click on "Accept".
5) Type the name of your proxy site (myproxysite.com) in the text box displayed next to that says: Your Website. Type the user name and password that you chose when creating your proxy site. The user name is in the "FTP Username" and password in the "FTP Password". The rest is not mandatory and, therefore, you do not have to complete it.
6) Click "Next" and then click "OK" to complete the process. Bypass proxy CGI is now installed on your free proxy site and text field will be displayed: type any URL in the text field displayed on your free proxy site and you can surf anonymously and bypass the Internet restrictions. Share the URL of your proxy site for free with friends or colleagues and they will be also able to use it for free.


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I Can Do Bad All By Myself CAM XVID - STG.avi
- Category Movies
- Type Divx/Xvid
- Language English
- Total size 1.4 GB
- Uploaded By Dubbers
- Downloads 177
- Last checked 3 months ago
- Date uploaded 8 years ago
- Seeders 0
- Leechers 1
Infohash : FF7DBA6DDA9170AF07024D5A34D435AE95531524
I Can Do Bad All By Myself CAM XVID - STG
General Information
Release Date......:18/09/09
Theatre Date......:23/06/09
DVD Runtime.......:01:49:36
IMDb URL..........:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1385912/
IMDB Rating.......:4.0/10
Video Codec.......: XVID
Audio Codec.......:MP3
Audio Bitrate.....:128
Resolution...... 704 x 352
File Info
FileSize : 1398M
PlayTime : 01:49:36.159
VideoCount : 1
AudioCount : 1
Video Info
Video 0# Stream
VideoCodec : XVID
VideoWidth : 704 pixels
VideoHeight : 352 pixels
VideoFrameRate : 23.976fps
VideoFrameCount : 157670
VideoBitRate : 1650
Audio Info
Audio 0# Stream
AudioCodec : MP3
AudioBitRate : 128000
AudioChannels : 2
AudioSampleRate : 44100
Get there in the end , anyway here's my rip of really nice cam,thanks to diamond for the dvdr of this. Quality wise....the picture is really nice,but the audio is clear but really tinny and low with some noise. Anyway it's better than nothing
Work Done
Stripped audio and filtered in adobe audition......increasing the bass lowering the vocals and lowering the treble slightly and also ran a standard hiss removal filter over it...Once,remuxed back to dvdr and then filtered the video....The video i changed the rgb colours,chroma,lum,gamma,contrast,rgb black base,used a contour and sharpen filters aswell.
Overall based on a cam V8.5 A5 M5........Not my type of film,the quality is ok for cam,just really the audio that lets it down.But i heard from a good friend there
Tyler Perry ... Madea / Joe
Taraji P. Henson... April
Adam Rodriguez ... Sandino
Brian J. White ... Randy (as Brian White)
Hope Olaide Wilson... Jennifer
Kwesi Boakye ... Manny
Frederick Siglar... Byron
Gladys Knight ... Wilma
Mary J. Blige ... Tanya
Marvin Winans ... Pastor Brian
Eric Mendenhall ... Man #1
David Paulus ... Miller
Randall Taylor ... Mr. Bradley
Tess Malis Kincaid... Ms. Sullivan
Joseph Edward Taylor... Announcer
When Madea catches sixteen-year-old Jennifer and her
two younger brothers looting her home, she decides...
- I Can Do Bad All By Myself CAM XVID - STG.avi (1.4 GB)
There are currently no comments. Feel free to leave one :)
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|YOGALife - Spring 1996
|Table of Contents
Memories of Swami Vishnu-devananda:
- A Different Kind of Swami
- The Spirit of Renunciation
- Cherished Memories
|The Yogi: Portraits of Swami Vishnu-devananda
|Swami Vishnu-devananda speaks: Questions and Answers
|How to Get Vairagya
|Sex is not compulsory
"Brahmacharya is a divine word. It
is the sum and substance of Yoga. Brahmacharya is the Achara or conduct by which
you attain or reach Brahman (God). It is life in the absolute. It is movement
towards God or Atman. Brahmacharya is purity in thought word and deed. It is
celibacy and continence."
- Swami Sivananda
Brahmacharya is the self-control, discrimination and will-power by which we learn to choose the "Good" over the "Pleasant". Human beings and animals have many instincts and emotions in common. However, humans have the distinct capacity to use discrimination to sublimate their animal instincts. This process of sublimation is the essence of Yoga. Regrettably, the double-standard of repressive morality amidst a popular culture of "freedom of indulgence" has made Brahmacharya both feared and misunderstood. Consequently, it is the most commonly neglected or inbalanced in the practice of Yoga.
In Brahmacharya, the will constantly asserts mastery over the senses and the mind. By asserting a primary dominance over the lower sexual and sensual tendencies of the mind, we obtain the discrimination and motivation to practice the other Yamas -Non-violence, Truth, Non-stealing, and Non-covetousness. Satya or "Truth" is practiced when the "Good" is chosen over the "pleasant". Because most acts of violence are done as an undisciplined response to unfulfilled desire, no Ahimsa (Non-violence) is possible without Brahmacharya. A regular practice of Brahmacharya is an important corner-stone to all Yoga discipline. For anyone wishing to take on this most essential Sadhana, I strongly recommend the book, The Practice of Brahmacharya, by Swami Sivananda. In the meantime, I would like to share a few insights that I have gleaned from my master Swami Vishnu-devananda in his attempt to transplant Brahmacharya in the West, and from my own long on-going struggle to understand and practice Brahmacharya - "the path that leads to Brahman".
"This world is nothing but sex and
ego. Ego is the chief thing. It is the basis. The sex is hanging on the ego.
Sex and ego are the products of Avidya or ignorance. Man - master of his destiny
- has lost his divine glory and has become a slave, a tool in the hands of sex
and ego, on account of ignorance."
-Swami Sivananda.
More than we would like to admit, our lives are dominated by habit and instinct.
Undisciplined life can be compared to that of a street dog, a series of meaningless
adventures - instinctive response to desire. Maya or the illusive power of God
controls this world, making all dance like marionettes with the strings of delusive
power of desire and infatuation.
Sexual attraction is at the root of most advertising, fashion, and mass media entertainment because people spend their money impulsively and illogically when sexual desire is stimulated or when sexual adequacy is challenged. Fortunes are made by transforming luxuries into necessities through the association of worthless commodities with virility and "sex appeal".
Society's main vices, from cigarettes to alcohol are sold with sex. Like the moth whose instinct draws it again and again into the fire, the whole world dances to the music of sexual infatuation casting away discrimination into a sea of excited emotions. Cinema, music, sports and even political "stars" are marketed as sexual commodities of our pop culture. We all complain of moral decay and sexism, yet are afraid to look to the source of the exploitation in an over-stimulated and unrestrained sex drive.
Even when it is not explicit, our culture associates sex with "life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness". Even among otherwise moral and religious people,
sex within marriage is often considered as an expression of youth, beauty and
virility. The Yoga philosophy and psychology of self-mastery, sees the search
for happiness and self expression through sex as symptomatic of the spiritual
disease of identification with the body, emotions and ego rather than the immortal
Self or Atman.
This false identification is considered to be the root cause of ignorance and the consequent sins of lust, anger, jealously, hatred, selfishness, etc. All Yoga practices serve to sublimate the subtle, psychic sexual energy or Ojas and transform it into spiritual energy or Tejas. Hatha Yoga involves directly channeling the Prana or vital life energy by directing it away from sensual and sexual pursuits and towards spiritual awakening.
A Yoga practitioner directly perceives during his or her practice of Asana, Pranayama, abstraction, concentration and meditation, that sexual thoughts and acts quickly drain the vital energy, or Ojas. Thus Yoga practitioners who do not control the sexual instinct become hypocrites, wasting their time in the mere show of spiritual practices while the vital energy charged and stored pours out the holes in the leaking bucket of an undisciplined mind.
When one decides to live the divine life of Brahmacharya, it is also possible
to fall into the other extreme. If it is really "the sum and substance of Yoga",
it must be conquered systematically over one's whole lifetime. As one of the
Master's disciples humorously put it when asked about Brahmacharya, "It's a
long word brother". New aspirants often make a major error in zealously transposing
their old habit of ego attachment from sexual indulgence to a fanatical and
self-destructive crusade of sexual repression. Swami Vishnu-devananda, though
a fervent advocate of self-discipline, and Brahmacharya, warned time and again
of the dangers of repression.
Swamiji used to describe the consequences of forceful, egotistical repression as "kick-back". He would ask his students to humbly respect Maya, or God's power of desire and illusion. "Only through Lord's grace," he would warn, "can we be freed from this Maya. The sexual instinct is the power of attraction of desire itself, which is the most powerful force in this Universe. To try to stand against it with one's will alone, is like trying to hold back Niagara Falls. We need God's grace."
This grace manifests as discrimination and dispassion for body identification, and the spiritual desire and will to practice Yoga asanas, pranayama, Satsang, prayer, Japa, inquiry and meditation; only with the strength of these positive habits can we hope to eradicate the disease of passion and open the eye of wisdom.
The Bhagavad Gita describes three types of pleasure: "That which is like poison at first but in the end like nectar - that pleasure is declared to be Sattwic, born of the purity of one's own mind due to Self-realization. That pleasure which arises from the contact of the sense-organs with the objects, which is at first like nectar and in the end like poison -that is declared to be Rajasic. That pleasure which at first and in the sequel is delusive of the self, arising from sleep, indolence and heedlessness -such a pleasure is declared to be Tamasic." - BG 18 37- 39
The worldly definition of pleasure is of the Rajasic type: sensual and emotional stimulation which Yogi's compare to an itch. The sex impulse charged with powerful instinct and habit essentially creates a nervous itching. The satisfaction of this impulse begets a delusive pleasure, which both further aggravates the irritation and depletes one's vital energy. Think what happens when you scratch a mosquito bite. The more you scratch the more the itching, until the bite becomes a burning sore, and finally a bloody wound.
The sexual act and imagination produces a Samskara or impression in the subconscious mind or Chitta. The Samskara raises a Vritti or thought-wave in the mind and the Vritti again reinforces the Samskara. Enjoyment thickens the Vasanas or subconscious instincts. Through memory and imagination, a revival of sexual desire comes in.
Brahmacharya is not only an important part of the renunciate tradition as a preparation for Sannyas or Swami. In the four stages of Hindu life, Brahmacharya is the first stage - that of the students training in self-control. Traditionally, children are initiated into Brahmacharya when they begin their student life. Self-control and spiritual education form a foundation for the second life stage, the Grihasta Ashram (householder life), as well as a life of renunciation. Grihasta (householder life) - is the only stage in one's life where sex is condoned, and then in moderation. Grihasta ashram is the time in one's life emphasizing social responsibility or Dharma . Sexuality becomes part of that duty as a means to bring children into the world. The example of lions which have sexual relations but once a year for this purpose is often cited as an ideal for householders. The Vanaprastha Ashram, (retired hermitage) forms the third stage of life. When children are established, the married couple leaves their worldly responsibilities and attachments and retire to an ashram to concentrate on Sadhana or spiritual practices in preparation for a life of renunciation. Life's last stage is Sannyasa (renunciation and meditation). This stage comes whenever one masters Brahmacharya. The other three stages are only a preparation for Sannyas. Swami Vishnu-devanandaji used to say, "The Sannyasi kicks the world before the world kicks him."
"You cannot always remain as a child
playing with dolls. You change into a teenager dancing and listening to music.
Then you move into the role of a responsible householder educating the children.
Then someday you are going to retire and give all the business, etc. to the
offspring, and the third stage 'Vanaprastha', will come. By knowing this, there
will be no problem. However, in the West, marriage lasts an average of about
5 or 6 years. Then they want to change their partner. They are tired because
they do not see the psychological thing happening. "Think about it! Our life
is very short, the householders life is fleeting. You will soon become old.
Before they throw you out of the house, before they take all of your money,
say 'I quit. I am going to be a Swami. Om Shanti"
-Swami Vishnu-devananda
. I have taken a few quotations from Swami Sivananda's masterpiece the Practice of Brahmacharya:
"You cannot attain perfect Brahmacharya by limited effort. Just as a machine-gun is necessary to kill a powerful enemy, so also, constant, vigorous, powerful Sadhana is necessary to annihilate this powerful enemy, lust. You must not be puffed up with pride for your little achievement in celibacy. If you are put to test, you will hopelessly fail."
"Sexual impulses can, with difficulty, be controlled. A rebellion of the sexual impulses takes place when you attempt to control them. Constant Japa and meditation for a long period are necessary to direct the sex energy into the spiritual channel. Complete sublimation of the sexual energy into Ojas Shakti is necessary."
"Yogic practices, meditation and so on will attenuate or thin out the sexual desire to a very great extent. But, Self-realization alone can completely destroy or burn the sexual desire and Samskaras in toto."
"Sex urge is a creative force. Unless you are inspired by spiritual ideals, it is difficult to keep the sexual instinct in check. Direct the sex energy to the higher spiritual channel. It will be sublimated. It will be transformed into divine energy. Complete eradication of lust, however, cannot be done through personal effort. It can be accomplished only by God's grace."
"For a liberated sage, this world is full of Brahman only. For a passionate man, this world is full of woman. He falls in love with a wooden post if it wrapped in a silken gown or a beautiful cloth with attractive borders and a petticoat. When a man is under the influence of passion and, excitement the sex impulse or force destroy his understanding and reason, overwhelm him and make him utterly helpless."
May you all realize the absolute through the courageous practice of Brahmacharya.
(Srinivasan, a senior disciple of Swami Vishu-devananda, is the director of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch colony in Woodbourne, New York. He and his wife, Lakshmi, have a daughter named SivaKami)
Related Pages:
Sex is not compulsory
Swami Sivananda
More than 100 books by Swami Sivananda
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Yesterday was the PR for Yahoo's new music service. Today comes the blog of Ian Rogers, the former Nullsoft developer who joined Yahoo a year and a half ago and has been working on the product pretty much ever since. His geek fu is very strong (a NeXT tattoo?), and today he lays out why Yahoo's shiny new product is actually a hard-core music geek's playground in drag.
A few of the highlights: support for Ogg Vorbis and the lossless FLAC codecs; plugin support, including a command-line shell plug-in; and support for the XSPF open playlist format (which means, in theory, you can take your playlists between compatible programs, something that Rogers and a few others have been pushing for a little while).
Yes, there's no Mac version today. There will be one later, he says. As for iTunes, "The $0.99 download is soooooo 2002," he says.
"Oh it ain't perfect," Rogers writes. "But neither are you, droopy pants."


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NBC Renews Welcome to Sweden for Season 2Matt Richenthal at . Comments
NBC has found success with another summer series.
The network announced yesterday that it has picked up Welcome to Sweden for a 10-episode second season.
The sitcom is produced by AMy Poehler and stars her brother as New York accountant who relocates to Sweden with the love of his life, played by Josephine Bornebusch.
Major Season 1 guest stars included Will Ferrell and Aubrey Plaza.
Welcome to Sweden has been averaging 2.9 million viewers on Thursday nights.
Earlier this summer, NBC also picked up Undateable for Season 2 and The Night Shift for Season 2.
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.


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How to CookVegetable
We Asked, You Answered: The "Right" Temperature to Roast Vegetables
Last week, the conclusions of my highly scientific study proved that roasting vegetables below 400° F is, in most cases, suboptimal.
Unless you're going for a very low and slow roast (200° and 250° F for upwards of an hour, so that your vegetables are silken through and through), the goal is to cook the outsides before the insides, so that you get crispy outer edges before inners get mushy—and this takes place at higher temperatures.
When we asked the audience their go-to roasting number, 48% said 400° F.
But the recipes for commonly roasted vegetables on our site suggest that we should have listed 425° F as an option, too. It may be the most common roasting temperature (though, as you'll see below, there are a few recipes that thwart the rule and go for 375° or 500° F).
Roasted Mushroom Salad: 425° F, 45 minutes
- Farro Salad with Roasted Mushrooms: 350° F, 20 minutes
Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto and Burrata: 500° F, 8 to 12 minutes (small carrots, left whole)
- Pomegranate Roasted Carrots: 425° F, 30 minutes (carrots halved or quartered lengthwise)
Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin and Cilantro: 425° F, 30 minutes
Roasted, Spiced, Almond-y Cauliflower: 425° F, 30 minutes
Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts and Tahini Drizzle: 425° F, 40 minutes
- Mustard-Roasted Cauliflower: 425° F, 25 to 30 minutes
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes Roasted in Coconut Oil: 400° F, 30 to 40 minutes (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- Sautéed Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato and Poached Egg Holiday Toast: 375° F, 45 minutes (instructions specify only "peel and cube")
Quinoa with Roasted Beets and Pear: 400° F, 40 to 50 minutes (whole beets, wrapped individually in foil)
- Spiced Beet Salad with Citrus-Ginger Dressing: 400° F, 30 minutes (beets peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks)
So with all this variation—in recipe method and opinion—what's a person to do?
Consider your vegetables and group like with like.
Vegetables are individuals. Treat them as such. ChefSteps recommends sorting your lot: Group squash, roots, tubers, and alliums together (on the same baking sheet, if you want!). They require a longer cooking time (ChefSteps recommends 45 minutes). Brassicas (cauliflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli) and mushrooms can be baking sheet buddies (they need only about 25 minutes). For both groups, ChefSteps suggests—you guessed it—425° F.
Cut the vegetable pieces so that they're more or less the same size.
Otherwise, the 1/2-inch cubes will be done long before the 2-inch ones.
Don't crowd the pan.
On a too-full baking sheet, your vegetables will steam each other, resulting in sog rather than crisp.
Use enough oil.
The oil moistens the vegetables (to prevent them from sticking to the pan) and it helps to transfer the heat from the baking sheet to the food.
Flip halfway through.
Give both sides of the pieces a chance to interact with the direct heat of the baking sheet.
Or go above and beyond.
Some commenters on the last vegetable roasting post advised blanching and shocking vegetables before roasting. By starting with almost-cooked veg, the oven has one job: crisping up the outer edges.
This article originally appeared on March 1, 2016. We're re-running it because Thanksgiving's right around the corner (really!).


text: Synthetic Systems Biology No gene-encoded function exists outside of its system context, and the selection and fitness are processes and outcomes that occur at the level of the system rather than the gene. The 'system' in this context may be as focussed as a pathway, local metabolic network, or cell; or it could be a population, a complex culture vessel, or some wider system. Also, while single functions might be abstracted, addressed, and constructed in laboratory research settings, ultimately synthetic biology solutions have to address multiple system properties that might be synergistic, competing, linked, or frequently unlinked. To take one example relevant to our work, in the design of a bacterial system to convert sugars from hemicellulose to ethanol, one would have to consider multiple design requirements including: The ability to use C5 sugars, predominantly xylose The ability to efficiently metabolise C5 in the presence of low concentrations of C6 / glucose The ability to efficiently produce ethanol The ability to tolerate ethanol at concentrations that were desirable pre-extraction The ability to tolerate inhibitors that are present in industrial hydrolysates of hemicellulose, specifically furfural The safety of the bacterium being used The 'engineerability' of the species and strains being engineered A solution-focussed engineering approach has address this as a whole, rather than taking a traditional experimental approach focussed upon each behaviour separately. Nobody would design a car without consideration to issues of the different but interdependent aspects of steering, suspension, acceleration, and braking – we believe that the same philosophy is necessary to design and engineer living systems. There is no point generating an efficient ethanol producing strain that is inhibited by low concentrations of either ethanol or furfural. It is inefficient to work with strains that are very difficult to engineer, or one in which its ability to produce the product will be compromised if removal of factors that potentially make it dangerous are removed. The whole problem must be defined and addressed as such. A particular strength of the comparative behavioural genomics approach is that enables us to determine the behavioural determinants for multiple system design requirements and to incorporate this into all stages of strain engineering and development.


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CL3P20 looking for fellow overclockers to enjoy small OC session (NCAL, USA)
CL3P20, member of the Overclock.net overclocking team, is hosting a small OC gathering on March 9. There are still two to three seats left for the event, so he's calling upon overclockers from the West Coast or Northern California to fill those spots. If you're interested, check out the forum thread at HWBOT or Overclock.net. To anyone considering going, I can promise you small, local OC events are usually a blast!
More information:
Quote from the thread over at Overclock.net:
After a long wait to brew the proper level of anticipation ... OCN and I will be hosting another private gathering for some of our West Coast members. A proper hardware list and attendance will be posted at the appropriate time. We will be torturing CPU's using the current revision OCN Marksman CPU Pot. Live-Stream will be ongoing for the duration of the event! March 9th - ~9am start for stream. (350L LN2)


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November 4, 2011
By: Kevin McCarthy, Principal Analyst
You asked for a description of a recent Massachusetts law on the restoration of utility service.
In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) investigated the extent to which Unitil (operating as Fitchburg Gas and Electric) properly prepared for and responded to a major ice storm in the winter of 2008. DPU found that Unitil had failed to restore service to customers in an efficient, effective, and timely manner and this constituted a failure to meet the company's public service obligation to provide safe and reliable service. While DPU concluded that Unitil's performance might warrant monetary penalties, it concluded that it did not have authority to fine the company.
In 2009, the Massachusetts legislature adopted an act that (1) required DPU to adopt rules and regulations to establish standards for emergency preparation and restoration of service for electric and gas companies and (2) establishes penalties for violation of these standards. It required each electric and gas company to file an annual emergency response plan with DPU for its review and approval. The plans must be designed for the reasonably prompt restoration of service after a storm or other emergency. The act authorizes the courts to appoint a receiver to take over operations of a small electric or gas company during an emergency if the court determines that the company (1) has materially violated DPU standards for responding to emergencies or (2) based on other compelling evidence will not be able to comply with such standards without a receivership. The act also expanded the powers of the DPU chairman regarding electric, gas, and water utilities during emergencies.
LEGISLATION (2009 mass. acts ch. 133)
DPU Standards and Penalties
The act required DPU to adopt rules and regulations, described below, to establish standards of acceptable performance for emergency preparation and restoration of service for electric and gas companies doing business in the state. The act allows DPU to open a full investigation on its own initiative and requires it to do so on the petition of the attorney general or city council or board of selectmen in an affected city or town, to determine whether the company violated the standards. The petition must be filed with DPU within 90 days after the violation has been remedied. DPU must impose a penalty of up to $250,000 for each violation and for each day that the company violates the standards, subject to a maximum penalty of $20 million for any related series of violations.
The act requires each company to file a report with DPU by March 1 annually comparing its performance during the previous calendar year to DPU's service quality standards and any applicable national standards DPU has adopted. DPU may impose a penalty against any company that fails to meet the service quality standards in an amount up to 2.5% of the company's transmission and distribution service revenues for the previous calendar year.
Emergency Response Plan
The act requires each electric, transmission, and natural gas company in the state to file an emergency response plan with DPU by May 15 annually for its review and approval. The plan must be designed for the reasonably prompt restoration of service after an emergency event, i.e., an event where widespread outages have occurred in the company's service area due to storms or other causes beyond its control. DPU may fine a company that fails to file its plan $500 for each day during which such failure continues. The fines must be returned to ratepayers through reduced distribution rates.
The plan must identify (1) management staff responsible for company operations during an emergency and (2) additional supplies and equipment needed during an emergency and how the company will obtain them. The plan must also include
1. a system for communicating with customers during an emergency that extends beyond normal business hours and business conditions;
2. provisions for contacting customers who had documented their need for essential electricity for medical needs;
3. designation of staff to communicate with local officials and relevant regulatory agencies;
4. provisions on how the company will assure the safety of its employees and contractors; and
5. procedures for deploying company and mutual aid crews to work assignment areas.
The filing must also include a copy of all written mutual assistance agreements among utilities. DPU must treat the plan as a protected document under the Freedom of Information Act.
After reviewing the plan, DPU may request that the company amend it. DPU may open an investigation of the company's plan. If, after hearings, DPU finds a material deficiency in the plan, it may order the company to make modifications that are reasonably necessary to remedy the deficiency.
DPU may also open an investigation to review the performance of any company in restoring service during an emergency. If, after evidentiary hearings or other investigatory proceedings, it finds that the company's failure to implement its plan materially lengthened the time needed to restore service, DPU may deny the recovery of all or part of the service restoration costs through distribution rates, commensurate with the degree and impact of the service outage.
The act allows the attorney general, on his own initiative or on petition by DPU or the city council or board of selectmen in an affected municipality, to apply to the Superior Court to appoint a receiver to oversee the operation of an investor-owned electric distribution, transmission, or natural gas distribution company with fewer than 100,000 customers in the state. The act's provisions do not apply to a company that serves fewer than 100,000 customers if it has a larger affiliate in the state and the affiliates perform emergency restoration work jointly.
The court may appoint a receiver to operate the company if it finds that an emergency exists and that (1) the company has materially violated standards for responding to emergencies or (2) there is other compelling evidence that it will not be able to comply with such standards without a receivership. The receiver can be any person on a list established for the purpose by the DPU chairman and the secretary of energy and environmental affairs after they consult with representatives of the utilities. The court must set reasonable compensation for the receiver, consistent with DPU regulations. The company must pay this compensation from its revenues.
The receiver must safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the company's customers. The receiver may not take any actions or assume any responsibilities inconsistent with this purpose. The receiver has access to all company assets and records and may manage the assets in a way that will restore or maintain an acceptable level of service. The receiver may hire, direct, or manage any employee, discharge any non-union employee, order an internal management audit, expend existing company utility revenues for labor and materials, and make additional expenditures essential to providing an acceptable level of service. The expenditures must be funded in accordance with generally accepted utility practices. The company may petition the court to determine the reasonableness of any expenditure by the receiver. The company is responsible for any costs incurred by DPU or the receiver under these provisions.
No one may bring an action against the receiver without first securing the court's permission. The receiver is considered the beneficiary of any insurance policies held by the company relating to the liability of the company's directors or officers.
DPU may promulgate rules and regulations to implement these provisions.
Emergency Powers
The act allows the governor, upon declaring a state of emergency, to authorize the DPU chairman to take steps the chairman considers necessary to assure public safety and welfare through the priority restoration or continuing availability of electric, gas, and water utility services. The chairman has immediate access to all utility documents, information, and personnel needed to respond to the state of emergency and the information he obtains is exempt from the state's Freedom of Information Act to the extent needed to protect public safety.
Under this authority, the chairman may issue operational and management directives and order expenditures or other measures by any investor-owned utility that he considers necessary to respond to the state of emergency. These can include expenditures for personnel, equipment, and other assets or property of another utility that assumes responsibility for the restoration of service if, in the chairman's judgment, the affected utility is unable to restore service. The chairman may temporarily suspend any DPU rule or regulation and implement any emergency rule, procedure, or protocol needed to respond to the emergency. The chairman's orders expire in 30 business days unless the DPU commission extends the expiration date before then.
DPU may recognize any expenses authorized by the chairman as proper business expenses of the affected utility or alternative utility, subject to investigation and recovery through rates. The affected utility must reimburse the alternative utility for all its costs incurred within 90 days of the receipt of invoices for the cost of service.
Failure of any investor-owned utility to carry out an order by the chairman is subject to investigation and a penalty of up to $1 million per violation. The penalty must be returned to ratepayers through distribution rates. A utility aggrieved by an order or directive issued by the chairman may request a hearing within 90 days from the date the state of emergency ends.
REGULATIONS (220 Mass. code regs. 1900)
In April 2010, DPU adopted final regulations to implement the act. The regulations require each electric and gas company to ensure that it is adequately and sufficiently prepared to restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner in an emergency. DPU may grant an exemption from any provision of the regulations for good cause shown if this is not contrary to statute. Some of the regulations' provisions also apply to restoration of service in non-emergency situations.
Emergency Response Plan
Each company must submit to DPU an emergency response plan designed for the safe and reasonably prompt restoration of service associated with an emergency. In addition to the provisions required by the act, the regulations require that electric company plans include a process to (1) immediately update the company's Life Support Customer list when a customer notifies it of a medical need for electric service; (2) communicate with such customers before, during, and after an emergency; and (3) provide information to public safety officials regarding the status of electric service to the homes of such customers.
The plan must also set forth the content, format, and timeline for the company's annual reports.
A company's plan goes into effect when filed with DPU, pending review and approval, and remains in effect until a new plan is filed or DPU directs otherwise. If a company updates or changes its plan between annual filings, it must submit them to DPU as soon as possible. These changes go into effect when filed with DPU, pending review and approval.
Other Requirements
In addition, electric companies must at least:
1. implement all applicable components of their emergency response plan related to planning and preparation for emergency events;
2. at least annually, meet with state and local officials to ensure (a) effective and efficient flow of information and (b) substantial and frequent coordination between the company and local public safety officials, including coordination with local officials with respect to vegetation management;
3. conduct training and drills or exercises at least annually to ensure that (a) their personnel perform effectively and efficiently during emergency events, and (b) the company can restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner; and
4. maintain updated lists of local elected and appointed officials, state and local public safety officials, life support customers, and all internal personnel and external entities involved in the company's restoration efforts.
Each electric company must submit a report with supporting documents to DPU on its preparation for emergency events that details each meeting, training, drill, or exercise held pursuant to the regulations. During an emergency, each electric and gas company must provide periodic reports to DPU, appropriate regional Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency representatives, and municipal emergency managers, or their respective designees, that contain detailed information related to emergency conditions and restoration performance for each affected city and town.
Gas companies must at least prepare and follow written procedures consistent with those required by federal and state law. Each gas company must include these written procedures in their respective manuals for conducting operations and maintenance activities and for emergency response, and, where appropriate, in their manuals of written procedures to minimize hazards resulting from gas pipeline emergencies.
Each electric and gas company must restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner during all service interruptions and outages. During an emergency, this must at least include implementing all applicable components of the company's plan related to restoration of service. Following an emergency, each company must submit a detailed report with supporting documentation to DPU on its restoration performance, including lessons learned.
DPU Investigation and Penalties
DPU may open an investigation into a company's performance regarding emergency preparation or restoration of service. It must open a full investigation upon petition of the attorney general or by the city council or board of selectmen in an affected city or town to determine whether a company violated DPU's standards. Petitions for an investigation must be filed with DPU not later than 90 days after the violation has been remedied.
If after investigation DPU finds a violation of the standards, it must impose a fine of up to $250,000 for each violation for each day that the violation of the standards persists. The maximum penalty may not exceed $20 million for any related series of violations. In determining the amount of the penalty, DPU must consider, among other factors, the:
1. gravity of the violation;
2. appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the company;
3. good faith of the company in attempting to achieve compliance; and
4. degree of control that the company had over the circumstances that led to the violation.
If after investigation DPU finds that the length of a service interruption or outage was materially longer than it would have been had the company followed its plan, DPU may deny the recovery of all or part of the service restoration costs through distribution rates, commensurate with the degree and impact of the service interruptions or outages.


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I enjoy traveling and photography.
I'm pleased that a few of my images have been published by National Geographic, including:
Several more images were featured on its website and added to the Nat Geo Stock Collection (see NatGeo).
Thank you for visiting my photo gallery; have a look at my Blog for more details of photography tips and techniques, and travel/photo highlights.
Feel free to drop me a note or leave your comments in the Guest Book.
Best regards,