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Institutional investors and investment banks in the United States are increasingly taking a more global approach to real estate, scouring European markets for attractive acquisition opportunities.
While the level of completed transactions hardly constitutes a major wave, it may signal the beginning of a long-term trend. Pension funds have witnessed dramatic increases in their global stock and bond portfolios and consequently are finding themselves underinvested in real estate based on percentage goals.
Real estate investment funds - flush with capital - are "shaking the bushes and looking under rocks to place money already raised," according to Van J. Sults in London, managing director of international operations for Chicago-based LaSalle Partners.
French market draws attention
So far, most of the acquisition activity has occurred in France, where a growing number of American concerns are exploring ways to buy the troubled loan portfolios of French banks and insurance companies. The weak French economy has produced an opportunistic buying opportunity that has not been seen in the United States since the height of Resolution Trust Corp. (RTC) workouts in the early 1990s.
The market in France today "looks like the early l990s in the United States," says Squire Junger, worldwide director of real estate portfolio services for Arthur Andersen & Co., Los Angeles. Many of the same players - mostly insurance companies and banks - are over there with investors looking to purchase portfolios from institutions. "Just like there was in the U.S., there is a shortage of financing, unsure exit success and consequently high discounts and high returns," he says.
As of yet, there has been more exploration than activity. But nearly all of the major U.S. investors are taking interest and wanting to become active, according to Jeff
Giller, vice president and director of acquisitions and operations for Europe for J.E. Robert Cos., Alexandria, Va., an asset management and capital recovery services firm specializing in under-performing real estate, loans and operating companies. "Everybody is interested, but only a brave few have made capital commitments, and only a few have made deals. Just a handful have actually made a commitment to human resources, to participate and put up due diligence dollars," he says.
The total nonperforming loan market in France is estimated to reach the $40 million to $60 million range, and the amount of product is expected to provide a three-to four-year window of opportunity. Opportunistic buying could last even longer if the market continues, as it is now, in its inability to accommodate simultaneous transactions, Giller says. So far, transactions have typically seen three bidding teams who do not have the resources to do multiple deals. Until staffs are built up, transactions have to be run back to back, he says.
Junger says that he expects about four years of sales activity before the market sees a "maturation of buyers." At that time "the risks and rewards will decrease" as happened in the United States, he says.
Europe's first transactions
The first loan portfolio sale in France was completed in December 1995. Lehman Brothers teamed up with Cargill Financial and LaSalle Partners to acquire a portfolio of more than 200 loans with a book value of approximately $250 million from Barclays Bank of London, with Bankers Trust Co. serving as sales agent. The portfolio, which marked the bank's exit from the French real estate market, consists of a majority of the bank's commercial loan holdings: a mix of office, residential and retail property as well as land, most of which is located in Paris, according to Wilson Lee, senior vice president at Lehman Brothers, New York.
Lee, who is moving his base of operations from New York to London in anticipation of increased European activity and as part of the firm's plan to increase its global presence, says that the transaction represents a 50/50 co-investment between Lehman and Cargill. He says Lehman has been actively seeking French portfolios for acquisition since mid-year 1994, when the only American players in France were Lehman, Colony Capital, GE Credit Corp. and Goldman Sachs. But until the Barclays deal, "prices did not mesh," he says.
Three other French bulk sale transactions have also been completed to date and another is in the works. In June 1996, Whitehall Street Real Estate Fund, operated by Goldman Sachs, announced their intent to purchase a $750 million portfolio of distressed commercial real estate in France for approximately $250 million from Compagnie UAP, a major French insurance company.
In February, Whitehall, together with Shaftesbury International Holdings and Vines Management as European partners, purchased a $149 million portfolio from a unit of Compagnies de Suez, Paris. Whitehall's first French loan buy occurred in January, when the fund teamed with Westmont Hospitality Group of Houston to buy an affiliate of Credit Lyonnais that owns a portfolio of French hotels with 2,800 rooms. Bankers Trust served as marketing agent from the UAP and Suez transactions.
Lehman Brothers is now the lead bidder of three teams looking to purchase a portfolio of CrediSuisse, which consists of a mix of commercial real estate loans and development deals with a book value of approximately 21 billion French francs, according to Lee. The other partners in Lehman's team are Cargill and Cabot Square, which is a new fund with capital backing from CrediSuisse. A bid date is expected in the third week of September, Lee says.
Why the French market?
The market holds "enormous possibility," Lee says, explaining that France has been through a credit crisis similar to that which occurred in the United States in the early 1990s, putting banks under pressure to reduce their distressed loan inventory.
While there are similarities to the RTC period in the states, there are also many differences. Participants and advisers forewarn of the myriad complications of entering the French loan portfolio market. From stiff properly transfer taxes to a host of technical and legal issues, the pitfalls are many for those who are not well versed in loan workouts.
Lee says the market is no place for the inexperienced, who "could get hurt badly" because of weak information flow and complex legalities, which force the need for experienced local partners - and caution.
One major difference is the lack of government intervention in France. Instead of forming an RTC-type vehicle, the French government has injected capital into the government-owned Credit Lyonnais bank but has not taken over its assets, Lee says.
Giller of J.E. Robert says that it is "highly unlikely" that the French government, as it moves closer to European unification, will continue its support of the French banking system. In other words, much of the regulatory pressure that helped inspire the market in the United States is not evident in France. "Bank examiners took a strong stance against insolvent S&Ls in the United States. Once they were deemed insolvent, the government closed their doors and seized their assets. The government worked in a pro-active and efficient manner," says Giller, who is based in Paris. But in France, "regulators are not nearly as aggressive, and it does not appear that the government will take a further role in the mitigation of the problem. They are letting the banks work out the situation for themselves," he says.
"French culture, dynamics, customs, laws and tax structures are all different," says Sults of LaSalle Partners. "To be effective you need strong operating expertise. Forming a joint venture with a French entity helps cut through the problems." That is why LaSalle Partners decided to form an asset management partnership with Societe Generale known as Lafayette Parternaires.
J.E. Robert Cos. also formed such a partnership last year, Finestate & Robert, a real estate advisory firm based in Paris, with Company Finestate serving as a local partner.
Market challenges
Giller says one of the largest challenges in the French market is "understanding a very complex and very extreme tax system." High tax rates make it essential to create the proper structure and transfer vehicles. If the deal is put together correctly, one can end up paying almost no tax but, if structured wrong, the tax bill can end up being 20% to 30%, he says.
Giller mentions other problems, including the lack of adequate loan information from sellers. "Information most U.S. firms are used to having to conduct due diligence on a portfolio is much more deficient in France for a lot of reasons," he says. Banks have been sloppy in collecting information and loan covenants do not exist. "You don't have collateral information to price an asset as you do in the United States."
This translates into having to do a lot more "grass roots" due diligence. "You have to build rent rolls through a knowledge of tenants who probably do not have leases, and you must be willing to take risks on lease terms," Giller says, adding that another major difference in the French market is the structure of leases, specifically the common 3-6-9 lease, which allows most commercial tenants to terminate their lease agreement every three years. This is a major concern for underwriters, who must base pricing to factor in turnover costs.
The courts pose another possible problem, because the legal system has not been tested in terms of its methods for handling foreclosures and real estate-related bankruptcies.
"In the states you know the legal system and the time frame for unwinding a bankruptcy but, in France, you are faced with a system of laws that govern but are untested, with no precedents," Giller says. This results in a lack of confidence as to how much it will cost and how long it will take to get transactions through the courts, he says.
Despite all of the possible risks and headaches. the rewards can be great.
The discounted price of portfolio loans are typically in the range of 35% to 45% of the original face value, according to Lee, but such discounts may be misleading as some loans have already taken intermediate right downs. Opportunistic investors are seeking a 20% plus return on their capital, says Sults, who notes that those kind of opportunities have virtually dried up in the United States.
"The loan portfolio market in the United States has changed dramatically. It is now a deeper buyers' market with less inventory, as private sector banks have already unloaded most portfolios," Lee says.
That is leading many U.S. institutional investors to look for better opportunities abroad.
Pension funds reach out
French returns are stirring the attention of some U.S. pension funds, who will no doubt, over time, have more global real estate assets, following on the tails of their acquiring additional global stocks and bonds. It's the familiar pattern of real estate following other asset classes, Sults says.
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA), New York, has retained LaSalle Partners to explore ways to directly invest $50 million to $100 million in French commercial real estate, including Paris office buildings and other mainstream property types such as shopping centers and possibly industrial properties throughout France, according to Sults. TIAA intends to play an active role in both opportunistic portfolio buying as well as traditional direct investment, he says.
Bruce Miller, a lead partner at E&Y Kenneth Leventhal in San Francisco, which serves as a real estate consultant to California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), says that E&Y KL is advising CalPERS on forming a co-investment strategy with an experienced investment bank or capital company to take advantage of the extremely high returns and the same type of yields they experienced when they were one of the largest portfolio buyers in the RTC arena earlier this decade. Miller says possible target markets, besides France, include Canada, Singapore, China, South Korea and Mexico.
Other market possibilities
Spain is another European market that has been capturing the attention of U.S.-based investors since mid-1995, although the country is yet to see any transactions. That is largely because Spanish banks "were far from being ready to recognize the losses and narrow the bid-ask spread. They may never be ready to be put into the position to accept the losses needed for their portfolios to clear the market," Giller says.
"Italy is even further behind Spain, because sellers there are better capitalized than in France," Junger says. Other participants mention possibilities in Germany and Belgium, whose markets have their own individual differences as well as a thin market in Sweden and some re newed interest in Asia.
"Germany is waiting in the wings. Their banks are becoming burdened with nonperforming real estate, and we should see bulk sales there within a year," Giller says, adding that Germany could produce a greater volume of portfolio sales than France.
"The German economy is in the pits, overexpanded due to the expansion of East Germany. Development of the East was expected to happen faster, and losses from speculative projects there that never went anywhere are a large problem," he says.
The United Kingdom holds the chance for acquisitions of operating companies more so than buying portfolios from financial institutions, Junger says.
Exit strategies for French and other European transactions run the gamut of possibilties, Less says. Options include restructuring loans with borrowers or taking over management of the assets in conjunctions with local property managers. Securitization is another possibility. Junger reports that buyers are carefully considering securitizing portfolios with Europe-based agencies and that U.S. rating agencies have established offices in London to be part of the action. "Some of the portfolios may go through the securitization process, but the market has not matured and is not as broad-based in Europe as it is in the United States," he says.
But so far there is no secondary market for financing. But, Giller says what might happen is that international capital sources will recognize the attractiveness of this market and will find they will be safe on a loan-to-value and debt-service coverage basis. "The rating agencies are all here and interested, and they need to spend moer time getting comfortable with the market in terms of rollover riskes and 3-6-9 leases and the amount of time it takes to get through the foreclosure process. They need to understand the risks better before they issue ratings. It will take a year of evolvement and workouts before we see securitization market development," he says.
Overall, market depth and longevity also depends on issues of prcing and process - and whether sellers are pleased. If the sellers are satisfied as well as the buyers, there will be far more deals, according to Lee. "But so far, the jury is still out. If people go through he bid process and then the seller does not want to sell at those prices, the market could dry up," Lee says.
James B. Frantz writes about real estate issues from his home in New York.


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I am loving the look of these Five outfits today! The natural earth tones really speak to me. I adore the boots they are all wearing,and I also like the cravat type bows a few of them are wearing at the neck. Hope you all have a great Friday! When the weather warms up I'll start posting spring fashion, it's still freezing here in the mountains of Utah. Clothes Designed by Carolina Herrera, images are from New York Fashion show
Original contemporary paintings including landscapes, portraits, and interiors by artist Trent Gudmundsen.

subset: commoncrawl


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International Tennis Magazine is published quarterly & distributed to over 60,000 UK tennis consumers, enthusiasts & players of all standards, covers many of the recent highlights from the ATP and WTA Tours.
The next issue of International Tennis Magazine will be published immediately following the French Open.
Please email firstname.lastname@example.com should you require any further information or wish to discuss PR, promotional & advertising opportunities in this or future issues.
internationalSPORTgroup™ Ltd
24 Church Road
Cheadle Hulme


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Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Starz Diner
Designed in a contemporary and simple setting, boasting a capacity of 200, Starz Diner is open for breakfast and dinner serving Asian and International cuisine. The restaurant features two show kitchens, where one can enjoy watching chefs in action and food served straight from the pan. Featuring two show kitchen, enjoy food served straight from the pan and watch our fun chefs in action.
The Starz Diner is known specially for its Asian selections of Malaysian delicacies. The restaurant offers some of Penang's best street food – Fried Flat Rice Noodles "Char Koay Teow", Rockin' Prawn Noodles, Penang "Laksa" and many more. One to die for from the Asian selection is the Hard Rock Fried Rice "Nasi Goreng" – fried rice with eggs, prawns, kataifi prawn, chicken satays, fish crackers and pickled fruit.
Some of the best Western selections at The Starz Diner are the Atlantic Salmon, grilled salmon with sautéed baby potatoes, caper salsa and glazed with lemon butter sauce, Spaghetti 'Aglio E Olio', served with shrimps, garlic olive oil emulsion, sweet basil and chili flakes, homemade Mince Pies and Apple Pie.
Lil' rockers are not forgotten at the Hard Rock Hotel Penang. The little ones deserve a little treat too. From the kids' menu, lil' rockers can enjoy a set meal inclusive of a main course, dessert and drink for only RM39 nett.
Opening Hours:
6.30am – 11.00am, Daily
5.30pm – 11.00pm, Daily
For enquiries, please call +604 8868 057 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Note: 2 days advance booking is required.Make A Reservation
Go Back to Dining & Nightlife


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As an android user, I'm sure you are aware what does an android OS is capable of, one of the best part of it is modding. There's to many android mods that exist in the internet but the problem is its compatibility to our device.
Make Your First MOD Now with Android APKTool
I present to your APKTOOL, the tool which most android modders are using to modify any android application. APKTool is a tool used to decode and rebuild android applications to apply some fixes or modifications. Other than that, what I like most of this is it's very lightweight and easy to use.
To make your first mod now with android APKTool, you must have:
1. JDK (Java Development Kit) - Download
2. Android SDK (OPTIONAL. install this if you want to edit 9.png, use ADB, zipalign and other utilities)
- Download
3. Notepad++ to edit XML files - Download
4. Winrar (to open compressed files and APK files) - Download
5. APKTool - Download
You can now start modding by following APKTool Basics: Modding Android Apps
I'll be posting here the tutorials so Subscribe Now with Facebook.


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Note: Images may show upgrades
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Pride Go-Go elite traveller 3-wheel mobility scooter is lightweight and easy to disassemble making it ideal for portability. Go-Go elite traveller scooter's compact size allows it to be navigated through tight spaces while also providing decent outdoor performance.
Availability: In stock
Mobility Scooter Buyer's Guide.
Pride Go-Go elite traveller 3-wheel mobility scooter comes with a standard 12AH battery but allows users to upgrade to an 18AH for improved travel range. The Pride Go-Go elite traveller 3-wheel scooter is lightweight, easy to disassemble, and ships with interchangeable panels in three different colors. Disassembly is easily accomplished with one hand and interchangeable panels allow users to modify the appearance very easily. The Pride Go-Go elite traveller's compact size allows it to be navigated through narrow hallways and tight spaces easily while also providing decent outdoor performance. The smaller 12AH battery can be kept for short trips or the 18AH battery can be used when the trips are planned to be day long.
Pride Go-Go elite order form
Pride Go-Go elite scooter manual
Mobility scooter measurement guide
Pride Scooter consumer safety guide
Pride Go-Go elite scooter specification
Pride Mobility Go-Go elite scooter brochure
The manufacturer warrants this product against defects in material & workmanship according to the schedule below:
The manufacturer will not warrant parts damaged by improper installation and/or repair on the part of the individual owner or normal wear & tear. The manufacturer does not warrant parts damaged by neglect, accident or misuse, nor parts altered or serviced by an agency not authorized by the manufacturer.
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Tel: (866) 563-6812 Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 5pm EST Fax: (860) 838-4671
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WATCH: Dog rescues cat with a cup trapped on its head
While the debate to determine if cats or dogs are better will never end (it's dogs), here's a video that will add some more fuel to the fire of the discussion.
The quick clip shows a cat with a cup trapped on its head struggle for 15 seconds or so to get it off. The trapped kitty moves around and shakes but isn't freed until an adorable black dog comes to its rescue.
After the dog quickly assesses the situation, it gently bites the cup off the cat's head so it can be free. I am a little surprised by how long the person filming the video lets the cat get trapped in the cup, but fortunately the good-hearted pup was close enough to save the day.
When you're in a love triangle with two versions of Hyun Bin, who do you choose? Find out in his comeback drama, Hyde, Jekyll, and I:


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Deep Red Reiki Distance Attunement
Deep Red is a new/old and truly
powerful, exquisite and special
frequency of LIGHT that may help
us in many areas and various issues,
especially in protection, grounding,
revitalization and deepest
psycho-spiritual cleansing.
* Awakening
* Psychic Protection
* Overall Empowerment
* Sealing Your Field / Space
* Reclaiming Your Divinity
* Reclaiming Your Power
* Revitalization
* Unfolding New Passion for Life
* Gaining Higher Will / Stronger Will
* Coming to the Front of Life
* Holding more Light, Life-Force and Love into your energy
system, body, mind, cells and DNA
* Helps on the Path to Enlightenment and Helps the Self
become One with All That Is / God/ the Source
* Brings forth many blessings and positive energies, overall
well-being, protection, guidance, light, joy, peace and love
into one's body, mind, spirit and everyday life! Boosting your
* Healing Energy and your Healing Power
Requirements: Must be a Reiki Master in order to received the Deep Red Reiki attunement.
Upon Receipt, please allow 48 hours for attunement and activation to take place. Information will be sent to you to let you know when the attunement has been completed, along with all necessary materials. Fee for course: $45
Deep Red Reiki
Attunement Email Course


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Champions were crowned in four divisions of the Broward County Doubles Championship at Pompano Beach Tennis Center last weekend.
In the Men`s A Division final, Brett Beattie and Karl Huber defeated Clint Lyons and Brian McGrath 6-1, 6-2.
In the Men`s B Division final, Jack Sayles and Don Grunheiser defeated Red Beattie and Fred Krais 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
In the Men`s C Division final, Roy Buri and Ron Szabo defeated Ken Steele and Doug Garwood 7-5, 6-3.
In the Women`s A Division, Marilyn Sherman and Karen Flannery won the championship by earning the best record in a round-robin format. Pat DeSanctis and Terry Lambert placed second.
In the Women`s B Division final, Pam Zito and Jenny Tunkey defeated Joan Robinson and Clare Grondin 6-3, 6-4.
Chet Polanin finished first among six players in the men`s division of a Deerfield Beach Recreation Department Saturday singles tournament at Pioneer Park. Rick Gross placed second.
Edwina DeVonyar finished first among six players in the women`s division. Kate Stuerwald placed second.
The Pioneer Park Tennis Center in Deerfield Beach is planning a men`s and women`s tennis tournament for Feb. 7-9.
The tournament will feature singles and doubles play in Open, B and C divisions. The deadline for entry is Feb. 5. For more information persons may call 427-3334.
The Pompano Beach Tennis Center is holding junior clinics through the winter.
Instruction for tots is held Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m., for beginners Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., for intermediates Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and for advanced players Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
For more information persons may call the Tennis Center at 786-4115.
Leroy Lawson scored the game-winning basket in the Orangebirds 14-13 victory against the Bucks in the Pompano Beach Recreation Department`s Junior Boys` basketball league. Walter Mobley led the winners with six points. Chris Methey paced the Bucks with eight points.


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Economist Robert Frank calls the current healthcare system a "failed business model" because people must rely on private insurers whose incentives are to exclude individuals who need care from acquiring coverage.
Economist Robert Frank agrees with Keynes who said that in an economic crisis, the government is the only actor with the capability to "prime the pump" of economic growth.
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To protect the citizens of the Commonwealth and to provide a safe, secure and humane environment for staff and
offenders in carrying out the mandates of the legislative and judicial processes; and, to provide opportunities
for offenders to acquire skills which facilitate non-criminal behavior.
The majority of offenders are "coming soon to a neighborhood near you" and as corrections professionals it is all of our jobs to assist in the reentry of offenders. We are working within the Department, with community partners, and state agencies to increase community safety and reduce recidivism rates. We would like to keep you apprised on progress in this important initiative and hope to receive your feedback and suggestions throughout this process.
DOC hired (7) reentry coordinators in the following prisons: (BCC/FCDC), (KCIW), (KSR 2 positions), (EKCC), (LSCC), and (WKCC). We also have four (4) Reentry Probation and Parole Officers in Jefferson County. The Reentry Probation and Parole officers have a specialized caseload of medium to high risk offenders for the first six (6) months of their release. They work intensively with this population to better increase their chances of success.
The Level of Services Case Management Inventory (LS-CMI) is an assessment tool used to measure risk of recidivating and is utilized to identify criminogenic needs. DOC chose this tool and trains all staff to administer this tool to offenders across the state, along with Case Management Plans (CMP).
DOC staff have been trained on Veterans Affairs benefits/resources, medical resources, mental health resources, substance abuse treatment, housing for sex offenders, parole processing, Parole Board assessments, processing of reentry paperwork, public advocacy resources, housing resources through Kentucky Housing Corporation, Adult Education resources, employment, social security benefits and disability, etc.
Please assist us in our mission to make Kentucky safer by reducing our recidivism rates. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions.
Pre-Release Community Resources
Family Engagement Sessions
Inmate Programs
Kentucky Labor Cabinet Apprenticeship Program
Governor's Reentry Task Force
Each month, the Department of Corrections publishes The Tool Box in order to keep staff, community stakeholders, offenders, and their families informed about reentry efforts in Kentucky. Prior to March 2013, the Department published two separate documents — The Tool Kit, which focuses on staff and community stakeholders and Homeward Bound, which focuses on offenders and their families. Please send article suggestions to Kerry Mears.
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area will only show up on your mobile site, and will in no way display
on your desktop-ready website.
All content should be mobile-ready. Find
mobile formatting rules at Sharepoint Help.


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If you're an avid consumer of RSS feeds, chances are you saw this news last night. Google has decided to retire its Reader aggregator as part of a new "spring cleaning" initiative. On July 1, the service will go dark, just like Google Video did last year (and like iGoogle will in November).
Google doesn't provide much of a justification for the move, oddly enough. All it says is that "usage has declined:"
We launched Google Reader in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.
That isn't sitting well with loyal Reader users, who have petitioned the company to reconsider. Already, the Change.org petition has 58,816 signatures—not bad, considering it only went up yesterday. Users have also voiced their complaints on forums like Reddit, where the related discussion thread has accumulated over 3400 posts. The highest-rated comment, which echoes many of the others, reads, "I'm horrified and completely at a loss. I've used Google Reader for years. What other RSS readers are there?"
Alternatives aren't lacking, thankfully. One of those is The Old Reader, which looks and behaves a lot like the Google service. The "Import" feature is currently overloaded, but you can still add feeds manually. Another good option is Feedly. That service currently syncs with Reader, but its developers have written their own back-end, and they say users can expect a seamless transition when Google pulls the plug. Feedly has also gotten a server upgrade to handle all the users jumping ship from Reader. (There are quite a few; Feedly was difficult to reach yesterday.)
I've been a long-time Reader fan myself—it's one of the tools I use to look for TR-worthy news—and have around 30 subscriptions. Checking all those sources manually every day would be impractical, so I've tentatively switched over to Feedly. I think I like it. The interface isn't perfect, but there's much less clutter than with Reader, and Feedly's iPhone and iPad apps are excellent.
I'm still annoyed at Google, of course. I'd much rather the company abandon Google+, which is constantly forced on me despite my objections. But at the same time, I can see where the company is coming from. Excessive diversification and fragmentation often leads to mediocrity, and Google has diversified relentlessly over the past decade. If all these "spring cleaning" moves can help Google's core services become cleaner, neater, and more polished, then perhaps it's worth it.


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Conviction, Pilot (2016) – Hayley Atwell's Second Chance
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
4 comments
My girl crush, dear Hayley Atwell. ;) I need to watch this yet but life's been so happily nuts I haven't gotten a chance to yet! =D Fantastic review though as always Rissi, making me yearn to watch it even more.ReplyDeleteReplies
Right!? Hayley is brilliant in everything she's in. I was just remembering the other day she was in Mansfield Park which means I need a re-watch. :)Delete
Hope you enjoy this when you have a chance, Meghan. Let me know what you think when you do. :)
I really enjoyed the first two episodes so far! I was so excited to see Hayley in a new show, because I'm still not over Agent Carter being cancelled.ReplyDeleteReplies
Right!? I'm glad you liked both episodes! I'm hoping to watch the rest at some point, but well, being the TV addict that I am, I'm currently watching WAY too many shows. ;)Delete
Have a thought? Don't be shy, go ahead and leave one... or two... or three! I reply to every comment. If you're new to the blog, please don't hesitate to introduce yourself and your blog - we love chatting around here!
Feedback and every comment is appreciated and read - I always leave a response; your opinions are respected and I ask that you show mine the same courtesy.
(If you post under "anonymous," please leave a name. If you don't have a Google account, you can type your name into the Name/URL and if you have no site, just leave "URL" blank.)
If you are still reading my ramblings, thank you for following this little blog and for being one of its supporters. I've enjoyed getting to know each of you, friends!


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Dragon Fruit Cheese Cake with Ice Cream and Cashew Butter Biscuits
Baking chicken in aluminum foil traps the moisture so that the poultry remains moist. Tightly sealing the foil while leaving air space above the chicken allows the hot air to circulate inside the package. Using this method of preparing the chicken allows you customize the flavorings you add to the chicken, to suit your tastes. Add your choice of seasonings to the chicken, top the poultry with fresh herbs or even include fresh vegetables in this steam foil packet for a simple meal.
Chicken in Foil with Mushroom, Asparagus & Wine or Chicken Stock
Author: Capsicum Culinary Studio
Recipe type: Main
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Enjoy this almost mess-free chicken with a side dish of whole grain rice, and you'll be consuming less than 30 percent of this meal's calories from fat.
- 4 chicken breast or thighs
- salt and pepper
- 12-16 asparagus spears
- 200g portabellini mushrooms
- 8 tbs semi-sweet wine or chicken stock
- 4 tsp butter
- 3-4 lemon wedges
- 4 large spring of rosemary
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
- Season chicken breast or thighs with salt and pepper.
- Place tin foil(30×30 cm) onto a flat surface, shiny side up, and place chicken in the centre.
- Cut mushrooms into quarters and snap the trunk from the asparagus before topping with remaining ingredients.
- Gather up the sides of the foil to create a parcel and bake for 20 minutes
Chargrill the chicken breasts or thighs before baking. Serve with minted new potatoes and garnish with parsley or chives. Tinned asparagus may be used if fresh asparagus is not available.
Related posts


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Nov 23, 2016
Popular messaging application GroupMe has a new feature available now, and it should be of interest to folks that are already immersed in Android Nougat.
Now, GroupMe allows users on Nougat to reply directly from notifications; the update also clears out some bugs.
The app remains free (with in-app purchases).


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#1 19/08/08 1:03pm
- psphero5
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- Registered: 19/08/08
- Posts: 1
just moved in dudes
hey guys, just talk to me, i know this is an exellent site cause i met a dude on a flight from san fransisco to London and he just had folders upon folders of psp games on his laptop and he wanted to do a 2 player so we did and then I asked him "where did u get that stuff" and then he told me about u guys! So lets get started!
#2 19/08/08 3:32pm
#3 19/08/08 5:43pm
- Alpha009
- Edge
- From: new york
- Registered: 03/02/08
- Posts: 1117
Re: just moved in dudes


text:
Hollinger Ordered To Take SunTimes Spat North
On Tuesday, Judge Peter Walsh of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware ruled that Canada was the proper venue for Hollinger Inc. and its bondholders to duke it out over the fallen media giant's 70 percent stake in the Sun Times Media Group Inc.,...
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text:
Critics: Evidence in 'Flush the Johns' prostitution sting cases flawed
Months after more than 100 men were arrested in a prostitution sting last year, only a small fraction of the cases have been resolved.
Critics say it's because of a major evidence flaw in the controversial "Flush the Johns" sting carried out by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office.
Of the 104 cases, 10 of the suspects pleaded guilty, one was acquitted after a trial and six cases were dismissed. The other 87 cases are still pending.
Defense attorneys say that the reason many of the cases haven't been resolved is because there were no audio recordings of any of the alleged interactions that prompted the arrests.
"This was a major operation, a lot of resources went into it, and why they didn't audio tape it is beyond me," one attorney told News 12.
The case against one of the accused men, Nicholas Sisti, went to trial today. Sisti's attorney says investigators have not produced a recording of the phone call his client allegedly made to set up a meeting for sex.
He admits that there's a video of his client in a hotel room, but says the video is very short and does not show an agreement for sexual activity in it.
News 12 reached out to the Nassau County Police Department and District Attorney's Office, but neither would comment on the evidence in the operation. The DA's office did say that it's fighting five of the case dismissals.


text:
a Play in Four Acts
Translated from the Russian by
Gennadi V. Alexeyev & Dmitri G. Alexeyev
DRAMATIS PERSONAEJOHANN LOUIS EDWARD HOZ, scientist of a world-wide importance, Chairman of the League of Nation's Commission on Solving the World Economic Enigma and So on and So Forth. 101 years old.
INTERGOM, Hoz's lady-friend, 21 years old.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE, about 45 years old.
UBORNYAK, PYOTR POLIKARPOVICH, writer.
ZHOVOV, MECHISLAV EVDOKIMOVICH, writer.
FUSHENKO, GENNADI PAVLOVICH, writer.
SUENITA, Chairman of the "14 Red Little Huts" kolkhoz. 19-20 years old.
ZHELDOR, the railway station guard.
VERSHKOV, FILIP, a kolkhoznik of declining years.
KONTSOV, ANTON, kolkhoznik, 30 years old. Speaks and acts with a faultless clarity.
SEKUSHCHEVA, KSENYA, kolkhoz worker.
THE GUARD, the kolkhoz guard.
GARMALOV, Suenita's husband, ex-Red Army Soldier.
Suenita's and Ksenya's infants in arms.
Some passengers from a long-distance train.
The action takes place in 1932.
(Foyer of Moscow Railway Station. Flowers, tables, transparencies with welcoming inscriptions in foreign languages. A few of them in Russian. One large transparency proclaims: "For the Healthy Soviet Old Man! For Cultural and More Fruitful Old Age!".
( Whistles of faraway locomotives. Sounds of an orchestra tuning up somewhere on the platform. The Station Master is standing on the stage; he vigilantly inspects the premises, now and then replacing and rearranging the flowers -- for best effect. At the doorway is the Station Guard. The Welcoming Public Figure enters.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: How do you do, comrade. When do you expect the train from abroad to arrive?
STATION MASTER: "The Mighty Bird" Express is to arrive in two minutes. The dispatcher has just informed us, though, that the train is four minutes late. But I think the engineer will make up the time.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: I do agree with you; our transport system is entering an era of due punctuality.
(Long, distant, sorrowful whistle of the approaching train, broken up by speed and swirling wind)STATION MASTER: (officially) Trans-Soviet "Mighty Bird" Express Stolbtsy-Vladivostok is arriving at platform number one! In the parlor car deluxe travels Mister Johann Louis Edward Hoz, Honorary Member of the Stockholm Academy and Chairman of the Special Committee of the League of Nations for Solving the Enigma of the World Economy and So On and So Forth. (Glancing at his wristwatch) The delay -- half a minute! Engineer -- comrade Zhivago!
(The whistle of the train is heard within the station area. The sounds of squealing brakes. The train comes to a stop. The rumbling voices of the crowd. Greetings. A musical flourish. The Station Master, adjusting his uniform, steps out onto the platform. The Welcoming Public Figure is absorbed in a thoughtful pose. Johann Hoz enters the foyer hand-in-hand with Intergom. Intergom is holding a valise in her hand. They are followed by two writers: Ubornyak and Zhovov. After them comes the Station Master. The Welcoming Public Figure welcomes Hoz. He introduces himself to Hoz and to his lady-companion and utters a short welcoming phrase in French.)
HOZ: (irritated) I know, I know. Of course I know! I have already forgotten which languages I do not speak and what things I do not know. Russian, Hindi, Mexican, Hebrew, astronomy, psychotechnics, hydraulics... I am one hundred and one years old, and you are just a boy. (Getting even more annoyed) You are a boy! You dare to address me in French?!
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: Excuse me. Your lady-companion, did she also take the trouble to learn Russian?
HOZ: A boy! Stop irritating me on this irritated land! Intergom, tell him in Russian about all those trifles of yours.
INTERGOM: Down with anti-hay-stacking sentiments!
HOZ: What? What did you say? Fine girl! You know Russian better than I do! Repeat it right now. Can't you see how I'm tormented?
INTERGOM: Down with anti-hay-stacking sentiments! I read Soviet newspapers. I learnt it. Anti-hay-stacking sentiments means sorrow in Russian. It's ennui; it's not socialism.
HOZ: How bright of you!
INTERGOM: No, you're wrong. It's brilliant of me.
HOZ: Pardon. It's brilliant! What is it with me? I've started forgetting nonsense like that. Boys, girls, children, give me a walking stick made out of a grave cross so that I can shuffle off to that poor world beyond!
INTERGOM: You're a counter-fool, gramps!
HOZ: What?
INTERGOM: You are a counter-fool, which means you are a clever boy.
HOZ: (absorbed in thought) No one knows, Intergom.
STATION MASTER: (to Hoz) I congratulate you on your safe arrival. I wish you a pleasant journey about this greatest and as yet most alien-to-you country.
HOZ: Most alien?! No, you miss the point; all countries are equally alien and unwelcoming to me. But thank you.
(The Station Master bids farewell and departs.)
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: Welcome, Mr. Johann Hoz, great philosopher of weakening capitalism, brilliant master of opportunist trickeries, and I wish you... .
INTERGOM: To become a baby, a preschooler, a Pioneer, a dear friend of the new world.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: (to Intergom, sulkily) That's only partly true. (to Hoz) I am welcoming you to this gigantic, still unknown country on behalf of the laboring people, who are creating happiness and truth for themselves and for you. We are happy to meet you in our common home!
HOZ: I doubt that you are really happy on my account. (A short pause.) I have never yet made anyone happy or gay. (Looking at Intergom) Maybe her, perhaps, but nobody else.
INTERGOM: Oh, yes, Johann, I am terribly happy with your love!
HOZ: I know, I know it... You are a woman first, and only then a human being.
INTREGOM: Forward and back, I am everywhere a woman.
HOZ: You are counter-clever, Intergom... Oh, mademoiselle girl, I am sick and tired of living within my own organism, of this life, of the boredom of current facts; give me some milk, please! I am bored, mademoiselle girl, I am bored of all those conscious feelings... Some milk for me!!
INTERGOM: (Takes a small bottle of pasteurized milk out of her valise and hands it to Hoz.) Have a drink of milk, gramps. Calm down, please, don't think; your stomach is too weak... For God's sake, gramps, empty the bottle to the last drop. I love you.
HOZ: (Having emptied the bottle, he gives it back to her.) And now, I would like to have something chemical, caustic...
INTERGOM: (Digging in the valise) Here you are, I found something. God knows what. Something chemical and absolutely distasteful.
HOZ: Give it to me, I have to swallow! (Takes a pill from Intergom's hands and swallows it. He then right away turns to the Welcoming Public Figure.) Where is this so-called socialism? Just show it to me at once; capitalism irritates me!
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: I am ready to show you some individual elements of our system immediately... Here you are! Just to the right there is a mother-and-child room.
INTERGOM: That's very kind of you, thank you. But for God's sake, show us a room for the poorest old men and show us what they are doing there!
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: (Embarrassed) I'm terribly sorry, but it's being repaired at the moment.
HOZ: Don't be in a hurry, Intergom. There are no old men here; people in this country die on time. (to the Welcoming Public Figure) Chief, comrade, stop repairing the room for old men: there will be nobody to put in there.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: I have exaggerated a bit, Mr. Hoz. We don't even have such a room.
HOZ: Don't get embarrassed. I know that you are slightly... (mumbles something indistinctly).... But, after all, we are even much bigger rascals. Communist Greetings! (to all those present) Comrades, let's put it this way. They do have a mother-and-child room, but it's a mere nothing. They have few old men left and, naturally, there's no room for them. This is already a success. I'm right, am I not, gentlemen?
THE TWO WRITERS: (intensely, simultaneously, almost in unison) Hail! Valour! Wonderful! Gut! Cardinal! Merci!
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: You are grossly mistaken, gentlemen! We have a slogan: "For a healthy Soviet old man! For a cultural, more fruitful old age!" Just read it! (Points to the slogan on the wall.)
INTERGOM: Johann, are the Bolshevik old men as fond of women as you are?
HOZ: I doubt it.
INTERGOM: What would you do then if they overtake and surpass us in this respect?
HOZ: Then you'll join them, and I'll marry a young Komsomol girl -- younger than you.
INTERGOM: That's horrible, Johann!
HOZ: It's my way, Intergom. Don't you know that?
INTERGOM: Sure enough, Johann. Your passion makes my body progress.
HOZ: And it's withering as well, Intergom. Your body, I mean. While my experience is getting more rational.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: (embarrassed) Our country awaits you, Mr. Hoz.
HOZ: Yes, yes, of course. We'll set off straight away into the Russian expanse, into the open air, into the greenery of woods, onto the collective-farm stove of a new world, back to all that natural nonsense!...
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: The car motors have already been started. Just let me know the route you choose to take.
HOZ: Into the obscurity of history, to Asia, into the Eastern Void... We'd like to measure the brightness of that dawn which you supposedly have ignited.
UBORNYAK: May I inquire as to Mr. Universal Thinker's point of view about some critical universal-historical problems?
HOZ: What are you, I wonder; a worker?
UBORNYAK: I am a true Russian prose writer, Pyotr Polykarpovich Ubornyak. I hope you are acquainted with my books "A Poor Tree", "A Profitable Year", "A Most Cultural Personality", "Forever Soviet", and other works of mine.
HOZ: You hope in vain: I don't know any of them.
UBORNYAK: The peoples of the world are well acquainted with my international activities in defense of my homeland...
HOZ: Excuse my absolute ignorance on the matter. How has your activity been expressed?
UBORNYAK: When the threat of British intervention dangled over this country, I married a famous English lady. At the time of the Japanese military threat, I became betrothed to a high-born Japanese girl.
HOZ: Very prudent. The intervention, as is well known, failed; but your services were of inestimable value. Who did you marry during the Civil War?
UBORNYAK: A most educated daughter of a respectable Russian general.
HOZ: Well done. Among the fools you look clever enough, Mr. Ubornyak.
UBORNYAK: Following a good old-time Russian tradition, according to the heart-felt friendliness of our most noble, most grateful, perfectly wonderful national custom, allow me to embrace you and give you a friendly kiss, so as to make this moment really cultural and historical!
HOZ: (Pointing to Intergom) You'd better kiss her on the cheek. She is in charge of my feelings.
(Intergom offers a cheek, puffing it out. Ubornyak kisses it in the most polite manner.)
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: Two more writers are dying to be introduced to you, Mr. Hoz: Mister-Citizen Mechislav Zhovov and Mister-Citizen Gennadi Fushenko.
HOZ: Make it quick, please. I need reality, not fiction.
(Mechislav Zhovov slowly approaches Hoz--almost touching him--with a shy smile, keeping embarrassingly silent.)
INTERGOM: Don't you find, Johann, that his face looks like a happy root-plant? I forgot the Russian term for it.
FUSHENKO: It's typical Russian vegetable, Mademoiselle.
INTERGOM: A happy pumpkin!
(A pause. Zhovov keeps silent.)
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: (To Hoz) He can't speak. He has ten dependants to support. But he is glad to see you.
FUSHENKO: (In a low, but persistent voice) Mr. Hoz, I am a member of the Board of the Writers' Union. I write stories from Turkish life....
(Hoz pays no attention to Fushenko. A pause of complete, stagnating bewilderment.)
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: Maybe Mister Hoz will speak more scientifically on the aims and purposes of his visit to this country where socialism is being built?
HOZ: Scientifically?! Stop irritating me! I've come here to enjoy myself and make merry. I'm traveling for trifles!!
UBORNYAK: (Portentously) You are mistaken, Mr. Hoz. Here in this country, which occupies one sixth part of the world's dry land, where....
FUSHENKO: Mr. Hoz, I....
HOZ: Stop pretending to be serious, gentlemen. You can't help laughing in this country, but instead you try hard to think! Just have a good laugh and show sympathy!
FUSHENKO: Mr. Hoz, I orga--....
HOZ: Very well, then. Keep on writing stories, playing with your fame.
(The sound of a train, arriving at the station; the buzz of the crowd of passengers. By the sounds one can guess that an ordinary interurban train has arrived. Some common passengers mistakenly enter the concourse stage, but Zheldor, the Station Guard, turns them out. Two passengers, however, manage to get by Zheldor and cross the stage, carrying sacks. A third passenger, who quietly and accidentally went by unnoticed, is Suenita. She carries bundles over her shoulder, hanging down on both sides; a sack of dried crusts and a mug over her back--a heap of books, tied up by a rope in front. Suenita is a dark-complexioned southern woman; she looks very tired and dirty after a long journey. She examines the people and the setting with an amazed look in her somewhat sad eyes.)
HOZ: (Observing Suenita) What a poor creature of nature!
SUENITA: We do not belong to the rich... How can I get to the Kazan Railway Station? I have to go back to the desert.
HOZ: (Examining her motionlessly) What is your name, creature of God?... Where are you hurrying, Soviet child?
SUENITA: I'm not a child. I'm the Chairman of the "Red Huts" shepherds' kolkhoz. I'm going back home to the Caspian Sea.
HOZ: What a marvel of life...a child is ruling a countryside kingdom! From where are you coming, my defenseless one?
SUENITA: I'm not defenseless -- we have a kolkhoz, my husband is serving in the Red Army. I went to Leningrad to receive a library as a reward.
FUSHENKO: Comrade Chairman, how many farms have been collectivized? Are kulaks still active? Are there any small breakdowns in your organized economic work? Should we urgently send a breakdown-liquidating brigade of writers to your kolkhoz? I am a member of the cultural association...
SUENITA: (thoughtfully) Writers?... Are they clever? There are fourteen little red huts in our kolkhoz. We don't have anything to read; we've read everything already. We read aloud at night. By lamp-light; the glass has cracked because of the flame. I read, and the people around me are thinking. And beyond the circle of light and thoughtful listeners is the darkness of night and the rustle of the Caspian Sea waves. We've read every book we have, and now they've become uninteresting. We found it dull to live only by our own brains. Then, because I kept a good account of my work-days, I was rewarded with a library. Well, they wanted to send the books, but they didn't. They were rather slow. Those bureaucrats don't care a bit about socialism. I decided to go get the books myself. So I did, and I got the books all right. Now I would like to get to the Kazan Railway Station to get a ticket for non-reserved seats..
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: Just look and see, Mr. Hoz, this small creature of socialism.
HOZ: No. A gigantic creature, my dear. All of God's world is hidden in the microcosm of this poor little thing. (to Suenita) Give me your hand, my happy one!
(Suenita meekly holds out her hand. Hoz kisses it.)
SUENITA: You'd better spit now. Because my hand is pretty dirty. And besides, hands are not for kisses; hands are for work and embraces.
UBORNYAK: She has taken a short-term hygiene course.
SUENITA: Yes, I'm an assistant nurse and even can act as a midwife.
HOZ: And have you tried having a child yourself?
SUENITA: Yes, I managed that already.
INTERGOM: Do you need any eau-de-cologne for your hands?
SUENITA: As you like. Not really. Where is the Kazan Railway Station?
FUSHENKO: Would you like me to get you a ticket without any queue?
SUENITA: How can you do such a thing?! There are a lot of people queuing up. It's against the law. I myself used to punish people for stealing a kilo of millet.
UBORNYAK: He can do anything, my dear. He even lives without queuing. His turn passed long ago, but he still keeps on living the cultured life! Genya, let's kiss each other!
FUSHENKO: Let's kiss, Pyotr Polikarpovich! (They kiss each other.)
INTERGOM: (to Suenita) Would you like some milk?
SUENITA: I used to drink it on the kolkhoz. Good-bye. I'd better go and queue up to get a ticket. I am afraid I'll be too late. Why are those two kissing each other? It's disgraceful!
HOZ: Wait a bit. I'll go with you. Can an old-timer join you?!
SUENITA: You're too old. We have no timber, you know; if you die, we have nothing to make your coffin out of. Then we'll have to just bury you in the sand.
HOZ: That's fine with me. Good-bye, gentlemen! Keep on writing your works, go on hailing and welcoming expresses! Take care!
( Hoz and Suenita walk towards exit.)
INTERGOM: (rushes after them) Johann! Where will I live? Johann! It's a foreign country for me, I'll die without you, Johann!
HOZ: (halting for a moment) Well, what next? Go on, irritate me, irritate me! Let the nonsense out of your body!
INTERGOM: (Pressing herself against him) Johann, you have exhausted my youth with your love....
HOZ: Yes, I did. I am a man, am I not, Intergom?
INTERGOM: Don't leave me like this! Have a drink of milk, have something chemical to eat. Let's go to the hotel and forget all about it. Take me to the desert with you; I'll wither away in Europe without you. (starts crying).
HOZ: The angels alone die for love and live in the wilderness. Intergom, you are a woman; you are not fit for the desert. In a few hours' time you'll be smiling again....
SUENITA: Dear old man, all the trains for the kolkhozes are leaving. We'll be left behind.
HOZ: Wait a moment. We'll soon have everything arranged, poor things!
INTERGOM: (in tears) Where will you have your milk, take your pills and tablets? Who will you love now? I've studied you, I've gotten used to feeling, and now I'll have to forget!
SUENITA: I'll feed him with what I have in my sack. I have enough dry crusts and crumbs.
HOZ: (to Ubornyak) Well, Mister Writer! Intergom is a Dutch of Flemish blood, though she was born in Russia. I think it would be be very useful to improve moral and political relations between your homeland and Holland. Take Intergom under the protective auspices of your love. Can't you do a favor for the Queen of Netherlands?!
INTERGOM: Oh, Johann! I am so incredibly sad just now! Well, kiss my hand!
HOZ: There now, Intergom, calm down: you know well enough that life isn't anything serious. Farewell, my poor body! (Kisses Intergom on the forehead and leaves her, approaching Suenita.)
UBORNYAK: (to Intergom, offering her his arm) Allow me to offer you most cultural friendship and hospitality! My door is open to all of Europe!
SUENITA: (to Hoz) Let's hurry up, gramps; let's get to our village. My kid's crying there.
HOZ: Let's go, you creation of God. Give me a dry crust from your sack to suck on.
SUENITA: Later. Let's get on the train, then you can guzzle all you want.
WELCOMING PUBLIC FIGURE: Mr. Hoz, the Buick stands ready for you. The engine is warmed up; the car is on duty for you.
HOZ: Turn it off. I'm beginning to get warmed up myself; let the engine cool down.
(Departs together with Suenita).
UBORNYAK: (with Intergom on his arm) You'll start an excellent and serious new life in my home, my dear and most sweet Madam Intergom.
(All on stage depart. Ubornyak takes Intergom by both her hands. )
UBORNYAK: Oh, my dear Dutch girl! Yours is a wonderful hydrotechnical motherland! Together we shall write novels and -- sketches! I have a dog named Makar at home; the beast will be crazy about you!
INTERGOM: (smiling) Oh, yes, Mr. Ubornyak, I'm fond of novels. And I love Makars, too -- they are so very nice!
UBORNYAK: Oh, dear, let me have some of Hoz's milk!
(Intergom takes out a bottle of milk from her valise and hands it to Ubornyak).
INTERGOM: Help yourself, please.
UBORNYAK: (after drinking down the milk) That scientific old man had a very cultural habit! By the way, my most excellent one, how could you live with that decrepit old geezer?...
INTERGOM: (smiling) Oh, Mr. Ubornyak, life is not so serious!


text:
Mobile phone giant Carphone Warehouse and electronics specialist Dixons have announced a £3.8 billion merger deal. Something Pocket-lint revealed was in the works last March.
Dixons, the owner of Currys and PC World, will join with Carphone Warehouse to create a new firm known as Dixons Warehouse. The ownership will be split evenly between the two firms.
While Dixons operates more than 500 Currys and PC World stores in the UK, Carphone Warehouse commands 2000 stores.
The merger should save the companies £80 million per year. Dixons Chief executive Sebastian James said: "Together we can create a seamless experience for our customers that will enable technology to deliver what it promises - that is, to make their lives better. This is a very rare thing, a merger which is based on what is happening out in the world, rather than internal navel-gazing"
Carphone Warehouse says the merger should create significant job numbers "resulting in an increase of approximately 4 per cent".
But some current staff will loose their jobs in the merger, says Dixons. Around 2 per cent are in the line of fire "as a result of the rationalisation of certain operational and support functions".


text:
Exporting can bring secure, long-term growth for successful businesses. But starting to sell overseas or expanding your existing export business can put a strain on your cashflow. In the short term there can be additional upfront costs, such as logistical costs, product customisation or additional payroll costs.
Export finance can help you meet these upfront costs and allow you to:
- increase your available working capital to fulfil export orders
- get paid earlier for completed orders
- offer better payment terms to your customers so you remain competitive
If you're a new business, usually trading for under 2 years, you may be eligible for a startup loan.
Both new and more experienced exporters may qualify for government-backed finance through UK Export Finance (UKEF), which seeks to ensure no viable UK export fails due to lack of finance or insurance from the private sector. As the UK's export credit agency, UKEF can issue loans, guarantees and insurance policies to help you offer competitive terms to your buyers while managing your cash flow and payment risks. Most of the companies UKEF supports are small or medium-sized, but it supports exports for any size of company and across all sectors. Speak to one of their export finance managers for free, impartial guidance on finance for exporting.
Support is also available from the following Exporting is GREAT partner companies and organisations. These include online finance platforms, which represent hundreds of FCA-regulated and approved UK lenders. Finance options are available for companies that have been turned down for traditional bank finance. If you've been trading for under 2 years, you may be eligible for a variety of start-up loans or could benefit from crowdfunding options.


text:
FTR Associates' Shippers Conditions Index for February fell over two points following a similar decline in January. The current reading of -9.5 reflects an expectation for increasingly difficult conditions for shippers as 2013 progresses, which is good news for trucking companies.
The SCI is forecast to be choppy over the next few months with further deterioration occurring in the second half of the year. The introduction of the new hours-of-service rule in July will be the next step in what is expected to be the largest wave of trucking safety regulations in history.
A cumulative effect of these regulations will be a reduction in driver productivity, resulting in a substantial tightening of already tight truck capacity. FTR continues to predict rate acceleration which will increase shipping costs as the effects of HOS play out.
The Shippers Conditions Index is a compilation of factors affecting shippers transport environment. Any reading below zero indicates a less-than-ideal environment for shippers. Readings below 10 signal that conditions for shippers are approaching critical levels, based on available capacity and expected rates.
Lawrence Gross, senior consultant for FTR commented: "Although substantial uncertainty exists with regard to the near-term path of the economy, shippers need to be prepared for a difficult second half of the year. If the current path of slow economic growth remains intact and the courts do not delay the implementation of the new hours-of-service framework (a development we view as increasingly unlikely), then the stage will be set for a significant tightening of truck capacity, resulting in reduced service levels and higher rates.
"While the situation is similar in some respects to the last such occurrence in 2004, there is one important difference. While 2004 was a relatively short-term blip, we believe that 2013 will be the door-opener for a prolonged period of difficulties that could last several years".


text:
SOURCE: Premier Holding Corporation
December 12, 2013 08:30 ET
This New Sales Training Tool Enables Rapid and Comprehensive Training for New and Existing Resellers of PRHL's Proprietary Technology, the E-Series Lighting Control
This New Sales Training Tool Enables Rapid and Comprehensive Training for New and Existing Resellers of PRHL's Proprietary Technology, the E-Series Lighting Control
TUSTIN, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 12, 2013) - Premier Holding Corporation (OTCQB: PRHL) today announced that its subsidiary, Energy Efficiency Experts (E3) is launching its new sales training program for its proprietary E-Series technology. This sophisticated sales training program is for the entire sales channel of the E-Series lighting control from PRHL, and includes electronic and web-based tools, modifiable collateral material, portable demonstration units, and live, hands-on instruction to better enable its expanding sales force to professionally perform this consultative, prescriptive sales effort.
"The E-Series technology is the perfect efficiency solution for those clients who have high-bay, or high-mast HID lights, where HID is currently the most efficient lamp on a lumens per watt basis in these applications, and a practical cost-effective alternative to LED," said President and CEO of Premier, Randall Letcavage. He adds, "The E-Series technology makes these efficient lamps even more efficient at a fraction of the cost of LED. It simply connects in front of a bank of HID lamps creating serious savings without negatively effecting performance. Scaling up a national sales force to be able to specify the technology is a critical step in our aggressive expansion strategy."
This Sales Training Program is being delivered to hundreds of independent, internal and alliance resellers including, among others, Muni-Fed Energy, Nor-Cal Reps, and Western Glass.
"In specifying lighting upgrades or retrofits, it is critical to offer the right choices for the client's unique facility, operational needs, and budget. This program enables our resellers to assess, specify and calculate the value proposition for the E-Series technology and compare it to other options so the customer can make an informed decision," said PRHL Vice President Lawrence Young. He adds, "This program furthers arms our talented sales channel to offer more versatile solutions than any other lighting specifier. They are able to quickly determine where and when the E-Series upgrade to their existing lighting system is the practical solution... and if not, E3 has access to all other retrofit technology options. This program enables our sales channel to provide our clients more and better choices than anyone else."
The program was spearheaded by Vice President Young, who oversees the E3 Subsidiary for PRHL and has decades of international and technical training experience, including being a founding member of MOLI, the Microsoft Online (training) institute in Redmond, Washington.
Premier Holding Corp. Safe Harbor
This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipate," "optimistic," "intend," "will" or other similar expressions. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
About Premier Holding Corporation
The Company provides financial support and management expertise, which includes access to capital, financing, legal, insurance, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and management strategies. The Company's mission is to acquire clean technology companies and/or green products and services that are accretive and that can be seamlessly integrated and utilize the overall economics of such products and services for the benefit of its customers. Through subsidiaries we offer renewable energy production, energy efficiency products and services to commercial middle-market companies, Fortune 500 brands, developers and management companies of large-scale residential developments. Additional integrated business offerings include direct energy services as power purchase agreements (PPAs), energy financing and leasing of generation programs in urban and rural real estate environments, lighting efficiency systems and refrigeration systems. For more information visit PRHL Investors Relations: www.prhlcorp.com.
About Energy Efficiency Experts (E3)
E3 is an Energy Services Company (ESCO) formed by PRHL to provide the best of breed solutions to its clients by utilizing proprietary technologies and high level industry relationships. By maintaining a "product agnostic" approach, E3's experts will prescribe the best solution for the unique circumstances of its clients after careful survey and analysis. Through its ever-growing acquisitions and alliances, E3 strives to provide the most current, and fully-vetted solutions in energy generation and energy reduction technologies, as well as management tools which capture the client for future opportunities. Recent acquisitions include Active ES Lighting Controls technology and The Power Company. Strategic alliances include Orion Energy Systems, Muni-Fed Energy, Nor Cal Reps, Western Glass and Restoration and Tinting, and Energy Innovation Enterprises. These alliances further advance E3's business strategy of providing only those technologies that have proven themselves in the field in both technical sophistication/reliability and financial justification. For more information visit: www.prhlcorp.com.
For more information contact:
Green Arrow Consulting760-698-9632
Connie Absher949-260-8070
For more information contact:
Green Arrow Consulting760-698-9632
Connie Absher949-260-8070
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LoveOlli Scented Candle - Daydream Believer
The LoveOlli Daydream Believer Scented Candle is fragranced with a soothing blend of Lavender and Vanilla.
Why you need it:
LoveOlli Scented Candles are made from all natural soy wax, have a 40 hour burn time and are carefully hand poured using high quality fragrances.
Each candle comes in a printed glass which can be reused as a pretty tea light holder or flower vase. LoveOlli Scented Candles are packaged in a beautiful vintage inspired gift box, and include a decorative box of pink headed matches, making them a perfect gift.


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A departure ceremony got underway at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Army Aviation Support Facility in New Castle.
The National Guard's 153rd Military Police Company is deploying for a 12-month tour.
"What they're going to be doing this time is training Afghan military and Afghan law enforcement" in security operations, said Del. National Guard Colonel Len Gratteri.
It was not the first deployment for many of the families attending Thursday's ceremony.
"It's our third time doing it together," Susan French of Wilmington told Action News, gesturing to her child, "but his first with a child so it's going to be a little bit harder."
Vice President Biden's wife, Jill attended Thursday's ceremony, along with other military officials.
127 men and women are going overseas with this unit, and 127 families are already looking forward to them coming back home.
"You keep yourself busy and make those Skype calls and do the best you can," said Susan French. "You all get through it."
After Thursday's ceremony the group headed to New Jersey's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for training.
The group will spend four to six weeks at the base before heading to Afghanistan to relieve Montana's 44th Military Police Company.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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What Information We Collect and How We Use It: We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal data: Information about your computer and your visits to and use of this website, such as your geographical location, IP address, browser type, referal source, lenght of visit and number of page views. Information relating to any purchase of services or goods, information you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to our website services, email notifications and or newsletters. Any information tha you choose to send us.
How do we protect your informatio? We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you access your personal infomation.
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Please read the terms of booking in full. When finished, you can signify your agreement by entering your details below.
A deposit of £400 is payable to secure the date (please contact us for bank transfer details)
To signify your agreement to these contract terms, enter your details above, then submit the form.
This website follows a standard privacy and cookie policy.
Wedding Photographers in Edinburgh, Scotland, also shooting portraits and corporate photography.


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Congratulations to all our graduates! You worked hard for this moment, and we at the Sr.Helen Sheehan Library hope it feels good.
Enjoy your next steps — and remember, we're still here if you need us. After graduation, be sure to register with Alumae/i Affairs and retain access to Trinity's library resources.


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- Save settings to iCloud
- Restore settings from iCloud
- Save search rules to iCloud (per list A, B, C, ...)
- Restore search rules from iCloud (per list A, B, C, ...)
The settings/rules are first stored locally on the device (that is why those new commands work so quickly) and then later synced to iCloud. So, even if you are not online or not logged in to iCloud you can backup/retore your settings/rules (on the current device only).
You can use this feature e.g. to
- Save the rules of a list before changing them, so that you can restore them later
- Save the settings before experimenting with new settings - you can always restore the previous settings if something goes wrong
- Move your settings/rules to another device


text: An award wining actress, director and dramaturge. She has an extensive record on stage, on screen, and behind the scenes as producer. In 1991 Iman co-founded ASHTAR Theatre in Jerusalem, and has been instrumental in directing and devising several productions for the company. An internationally recognized theatre trainer specialized in Theatre of the Oppressed techniques. Over 33 years of her career, she acted and directed in 44 plays, 8 local and international movies and 4 TV series, and the casting director for some of them.


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Beyonce has made her first public appearance since the birth of her daughter last month (Jan12) by stepping out to support her husband Jay-Z as he performed in New York City.
The celebrity couple became first-time parents when the singer gave birth to baby Blue Ivy in January (12), and the Crazy In Love star has shied away from the spotlight since the birth.
However, she hit the red carpet at Manhattan's Carnegie Hall on Monday night (06Feb12) to support her rapper husband as he launched his charity shows in aid of the United Way of New York City and his own Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
During the event, the first of two concerts, Jay-Z took to the stage to perform with stars including Alicia Keys and Nas, while he also paid tribute to his daughter, telling the audience, "Put a hand in the air for Blue," before launching into Glory, a track he wrote in honour of his daughter's birth.


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We appreciate your business and our team is always here to help answer a question or provide additional information that you might require. Please complete the form below and be as specific as possible.
After you submit the form, a team member will contact you shortly with the needed information. Have a great day.
Should you require immediate assistance, please give us a call at (512) 520-5350
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#RunOnLess is underway! Excited to partner w @cwarroom @shell_US @PepsiCo & to get this efficiency roadshow rolling https://t.co/a6ykocmhHD
Countdown to #RunOnLess has begun! 5 days left until the trucking efficiency cross-country roadshow kicks off:… https://t.co/mrsUXgBigm


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Today is a very unusual day: i.e. the "leap-day" of February 29th, which only happens once every four years. In my time as a devotee of Antinous, this day has only happened twice before, and this is thus the third time it has occurred since 2002.
Many ancient societies reckoned leap-year in their calendars. The Romans had an interesting way of reckoning it, which gives its name to the present blog entry. Because February was at the end of their year, and was the final month in their calendar, February got an additional day before the Kalends of March. However, it was not reckoned as "the 29th of February" for them. Instead, it was reckoned as a "Bisextile Year." Now, I know what you're thinking: what do bisexuals have to do with tile-work? Sure, lots of Romans were what we'd call "bisexual," and I'm sure more than one Roman who made roofing tiles or tiles for baths was bisexual…but, that didn't mean that they got leap-years off or any such thing!


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BMW has just officially released these images via their new website BMW-i.com of their new i-Series i3 and i8 electronic motor cars. My favorite car on the planet is the BMW i8 due to it's innovative and sleek design. It is going to have all wheel drive with a turbocharged 3 cylinder. For more info go to BMW-i.com.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
BURBERRY PRORSUM Sheepskin Pea Coat AW11
This Dip-Dyed brown sheepskin Pea Coat with leather trim and military details gives off a very luxurious feel! Available now @ BergdorfGoodman.com for $4195.
BURBERRY PRORSUM Fair Isle Sweater AW11
Burberry Prorsum does a great job on this Fair Isle Sweater Fall/Winter 2011 release in some cool bright colors. Available now @ BergdorfGoodman.com for $895.
RUGBY RL Brown Herringbone Slippers AW11
These new Rugby Brown Herringbone Slippers are so frickin' cool! I need these in my life! The embroidered design is cool too. I can't wait for these to be released. Leave it to Rugby to make something this cool!
ALICE+OLIVIA Bailey High Neck Lace Dress
This High Neck Lace Dress is made with sequins, bead and rhinestone accents and is 100% nylon. Available now @ Shopbop.com for $596.
MARC BY MARC JACOBS Rhiannon Lace Romper
This cotton and nylon Lace Romper from Marc Jacobs is pretty special! Available now @ Shopbop.com for $378.
GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Rust Suede Platform Pumps
These rust suede Pumps from Giuseppe are beautiful with a 5.75" heel. Available now @ Shopbop.com for $695.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Sorry for the 3 day hiatus but I was on a much needed little vaca out in East Hampton, Long Island. I used my Blackberry for the above images but it doesn't look that bad. I spent the whole time on the beautiful Main Beach and Indian Wells Beach (which is a resident only beach that I got ticketed $150 for visiting) as well as my hotels' pool! I ate at Babettes which was a very friendly place with great service but not-so tasty extremely healthy food that was very overpriced. I stopped at the RRL Store and it was amazing full of chunky sweaters, nautical inspired pieces, vintage jewelry including a very-cool US Navy ring in silver and a silver chain with a surfer engraved round medalion for $495. The jeans were so cool but they had slim fit bootcut jeans? Why? Isn't that the equivalent to bell bottoms? Nonetheless they were faded to perfection like RRL's usually are.
BAND OF OUTSIDERS Spring/Summer 2012 Collection Preview
Here is a closer look at the Band of Outsiders Spring/Summer 2012 Collection via Tres Bien Shop's Blog. There are a lot of great pieces to look forward to. These are my favorite picks! Oh yeah and they are finally releasing their first ever jeans seen above in white in pic 12.
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Warner Bros. Acquires Movie Rights to Minecraft
Hey, it worked for The Lego Movie!
Following hot on The Lego Movie's knobby little heels, Warner Bros. has purchased the rights to make a Minecraft movie. In fact, Lego Movie producer Roy Lee is even working on it. In case you're unfamiliar with the wildly popular Swedish open world game, Minecraft allows players to interact in a virtual world where they can build different structures with 3-D blocks. It's sort of like … jeez, what else lets people build with blocks? Ugh, this is going to bother us all night.


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49 CFR 40.283 - How does a certification organization obtain recognition for its members as SAPs?
§ 40.283 How does a certification organization obtain recognition for its members as SAPs?
(a) If you represent a certification organization that wants DOT to authorize its certified drug and alcohol counselors to be added to § 40.281(a)(6), you may submit a written petition to DOT requesting a review of your petition for inclusion.
(b) You must obtain the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation before DOT will act on your petition.
(c) You must also meet the minimum requirements of Appendix E to this part before DOT will act on your petition.
[ 65 FR 79526, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 71 FR 49384, Aug. 23, 2006]
Title 49 published on 09-Jun-2018 04:52
The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to 49 CFR Part 40 after this date.


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Dave Cousins' hobby, for lack of a better word, is being "The Dude."
He's got the long mane of hair, and he's got the same worn-out sweater as Jeff Bridges' "Dude" character in the Coen brothers 1998 cult comedy classic "The Big Lebowski."
When he's not working as a web developer, Cousins travels to Lebowski-themed festivals around the country.
"I've been to the one in Louisville, Kentucky, which is the granddaddy of them all," said Cousins, 41, of Portland. "When I found my sweater on eBay, they wanted $300 for it. I guess they figured with all the festivals, somebody would pay that."
Cousins, however, offered a lower amount, and got the sweater anyway.
But being "the Dude" and going to Lebowski celebrations isn't all Cousins does. He bowls, which of course is central to the film and the Dude's character. But he also likes to raise money for charities in his community.
Three years ago, Cousins started "Viva Lebowski," a bowling and movie screening party at Bayside Bowl in Portland. (He couldn't call it "Lebowski Fest," by the way, because that's copyrighted.)
Some Portland-area venues have hosted Lebowski parties that included screenings of the film. But Cousins wanted bowling too, and a way to use the contagious weirdness of "The Big Lebowski" to do some good.
So when people pay their $20 to attend this year's "Viva Lebowski" on Friday, proceeds will be going to the United Way of Greater Portland.
"The first year, we raised money for a friend with MS (multiple sclerosis) who was having trouble running his business," said Cousins. "This year, we're trying to help the United Way reach out to a different demographic."
The bowling, Lebowski-loving demographic, that is.
In the past, "Viva Lebowski" has attracted 140 or so people, with about a quarter of those coming in costume. This year, the festivities will include an hour or two of bowling followed by trivia contests and costume contests, with awards for "Best Dude," "Best Walter" and other assorted characters. Then, around 10:30 p.m., there will be a screening of the film.
There will also be drink specials so you can drink like the characters in the movies. "Yes, there will be White Russians," said Cousins.
And Cousins will be in his full Dude persona, complete with his sweater and his hair.
It's not a wig, by the way. He really has Dude hair.
"I try to embody the essence of the Dude as best as I can," Cousins said.
Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:
Twitter: Ray Routhier
Life & Culture
There's no better time to see how the Portland Museum of Art's sculpture garden grows
Boston Red Sox
Phillies end Boston's winning streak with 7-4 win
Wednesday's major league roundup: Braves brawl with Marlins, then win
Boston Red Sox
Red Sox farm report: Hart keeps getting better
Conservative group's study suggests cash from outside has too much influence on state referendums


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Closeout Procedures for AES Federal Formula Funds
AES Federal Formula Funds (AES/FFF) Closeout Procedures for Hatch, Hatch/Multistate, and Animal Health accounts
The CA&ES incorporates specific Agricultural Experiment Station / Federal Formula Funds (AES/FFF) into the campus fiscal year end closing processes. The CA&ES Dean's Office is responsible to work with departments in closing FFF accounts. The closeout is very similar to Extramural Accounting closeout of other federal extramural funds. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
AES Federal Formula Fund Closeout Information
As background, federal formula funds are monies provided by the USDA to the UC (the UC Davis CA&ES is a substation), as a result of our designation as an Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and our corresponding obligation to maintain Hatch, Hatch/Multistate and Animal Health AES research projects. The college receives AES federal formula funds within two sets of UC fund numbers representing alternating years.
Odd Year funds
Formula funds allocated in a Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) ending with an "odd year" number, such as 2016-2017, are referred to as "odd year" AES/FFF.
Even Year funds
Formula funds allocated in a FFY ending with an "even year" number, such as 2017-2018, are referred to as "even year" AES/FFF.
* NOTE: AES funds include an automatic one-year no cost extension period and therefore must be fully expended within the 2 year allocation period.
For Example:
- An odd-year Multistate Integrated (OP Fund 21013) account with a funding allocation period of FFY 2016-2017 will need to close out during the following even year, which would be by the June Final 2018 ledgers.
- An even-year Hatch Regular (OP Fund 21006) account with a funding allocation period of FFY 2017-2018 will need to close out during the following odd year, which would be by the June Final 2019 ledgers.
Administrative Manual for the Hatch (Experiment Station) Act as Amended (applicable to both Hatch and Hatch/Multistate projects and funding):
Administrative Manual for the Animal Health Research and Disease Formula Grants (applicable to Animal Health projects and funding):
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Rogue FTP servers can be a menace. Not only do they pose a serious threat to company privacy, they can also stand in the way of regulatory compliance. In this post, you'll learn where these servers come from, what specific dangers accompany them, and how they can be detected.
How networks spring forth rogue FTP servers
First of all, FTP servers are not difficult to install. In fact, all widely used operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, included) already have built-in FTP servers and even FTP clients. It's just a matter of having a user with the know-how and enough administrator privileges to activate them.
Built-in FTP server on Mac OS X
There are also a lot of free FTP servers and free FTP clients which can be downloaded from the Web. Obviously, anybody who wants to use FTP can easily do so. That's why FTP is often the preferred ad-hoc solution by people who need to share files.
With enough know-how, some individuals can even set up public FTP servers, which can enable them to easily share files over the Internet.
But as ad-hoc solutions, FTP servers don't usually go through the company's normal software acquisition process. In other words, employees don't bother to seek approval from their IT departments (or even inform IT staff) before deploying them. Now that you know how these rogue servers come about, it's time to discuss why you wouldn't want any lying around in your network.
Dangers of having rogue FTP servers
We know that end users rarely pay attention to information security. All they're concerned with is to get their tasks done as quickly as possible. They don't bother to implement access control, authentication, authorization, encryption, and other proper security measures.
And even if these people wanted to apply security, they still lack the skills to carry out security measures effectively. Besides, deploying security tools without sufficient background on actual threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices can give users a false sense of security, which can make them even more vulnerable.
Moreso because we're talking about an ancient technology that first came into existence in the 1970's, at a time when the main motivation for developing Internet technologies was information sharing and had nothing to do with information security.
Because of FTP's inherently insecure architecture, attackers can easily carry out a number of exploits like:
Break into user accounts using brute force attacks; and
Perform bounce attacks to scan open ports, install rogue applications, execute commands maliciously, and steal files.
Let me give you one example that highlights the risks brought about by regular end users who install applications like FTP:
A tech-savvy employee named Jason wants to share files with a client. Thinking it's no big deal, Jason decides to deploy Windows' built-in FTP server on his Windows XP desktop without informing his company's IT department.
Just like most users, Jason accepts the default settings during installation. As a result, the FTP server he manages to deploy is set to active mode, the default mode of Windows XP's FTP service.
Sadly, an active mode FTP server is vulnerable to bounce attacks, which will not only allow attackers to identify and (eventually) gain access to other servers in Jason's network. Bounce attacks can also make it difficult for the origin of the attacks to be traced.
As fate had it, an attack ensues and it takes some time before IT staff discovers the security breach. By then, the attackers had already been long gone and the loot (confidential information consisting of employees' presonal information, financial data, and trade secrets) already passed on to the black market.
Jason had absolutely no intention of exposing confidential company data. But the data got exposed anyway.
While it may be almost impossible to stop end users like Jason (as well as those users with malicious intentions) from installing rogue FTP servers, you can certainly take steps to uncover these highly vulnerable servers before any harm is done.
Detecting rogue FTP servers
First, you'll have to identify all file transfer servers that have been deployed by your IT department. A list of these servers will presumably be found in your inventory of services.
Once the exact location/IP addresses of these servers have been pinpointed, you can then run a scan on your network to discover any file transfer servers (FTP or otherwise) that have been deployed without your knowledge. To do this effectively, you would need a network scanning tool like JSCAPE MFT Monitor. Here's how you would use it.
Let's say you have a LAN that has legitimate file transfer services running on Server 1 (with IP address 10.0.0.4) and Server 2 (with 10.0.0.5). According to your existing inventory of services, Server 1 should be running an FTP service and an FTPS service, while Server 2 should be running only one file transfer service: an SFTP service.
To verify that these services exist, you would enter them into JSCAPE MFT Monitor's list of Known Services as shown below.
You would then set up a scan that would search for certain file transfer services. In the screenshot shown below, for example, what are being searched for are FTP, FTPS (Implicit), and SFTP services. Under the Network section, you see that the CIDR address of 10.0.0.0/24 is entered into the IP Address field. This will instruct JSCAPE MFT Monitor to scan all possible IP addresses in the network, i.e., 10.0.0.1 - 10.0.0.255.
Alernatively, you can specify specific addresses (e.g. 10.0.0.4, 10.0.0.5, 10.0.0.6) if you're absolutely sure those are the only machines connected to the network.
Here's an example of how the results of such a scan looks like:
From that result, you would be able to determine what file transfer services make up your network and where they are located. We now know, for example, that a rogue FTP service is actually running on Server 2. In addition, we also now know that another rogue FTP service is actually running on an unlisted physical server!
Because of these discoveries, you would be able to quickly take action and deactivate those rogue services before malicious individuals can take advantage of them. It's best if you conduct scans from time to time to prevent possible rogue servers from staying active too long.
You've just learned how rogue FTP servers come about, what dangers they bring, and how you can detect them. JSCAPE MFT Monitor not only scans your network for rogue file transfer servers. You can also set it up to conduct scheduled automated scans as well as to notify you when rogue servers are detected. We'll talk about those features on another blog post, so stay tuned for that.


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this 2012 article by Hannon & Yendamuri explains the newest methods and modalities of treating nonsmall cell lung cancer (NCLC) as well as the importance of accurate staging for diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. Continue reading
What kind of pain should patients expect after thoracic surgery, and how long will it last? Also, is this normal? When should I call my doctor? Continue reading
Exploring the causes of mediastinitis in non-cardiac surgery patients with review of recent cases in the literature. Continue reading
Overview of spontaneus pneumothorax and treatment modalities. Continue reading
second in a series of articles questioning whether thoracic surgery remains a relevant treatment for pleural diseases – as discussed in an article by Davies et. al. Continue reading
by special request – a re-post of an article by Dr. Mazzonone, "Pre-operative evaluation of the lung Cancer Resection Candidate." Continue reading
In an investigational study, Akutsu et. al. (2010) demonstrated a significant reduction in post-operative pneumonia through the implementation of a dental hygiene program. Continue reading
Another study confirming the importance of pre-operative respiratory exercises for surgical patients – this one looking at cardiac surgery patients and the incidence of post-operative pneumonia. Continue reading
A look at the literature, including a recent systemic review: exercise is not only safe for lung cancer patients – but improves quality of life, and may (according to Jones) improve post-operative outcomes.. Continue reading
If you knew now that you were going to be in a horrible but completely unavoidable car accident in a few weeks -you'd do things differently, wouldn't you? You'd make sure to be in a car with the maximum amount of safety features (we'd all be in Volvos) with 6 air bags, automatic assisted braking, five point seatbelts and helmets. You'd do all of this, to ensure your survival. You wouldn't just hop into a pinto and drive off to work..
walk as if your life depended on it.. Continue reading
How to maximize your chances before lung surgery to speed healing, post-operative recovery and reduce the incidence of complications. Continue reading
and the snowball effect of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Discussion includes beta blockers and vitamin C as methods to reduce the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation with discussion of the literature supporting its use. Continue reading