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It wasn't until the birth of her child that U of T law professor Ayelet Shachar truly grasped the benefits of being a Canadian citizen. Shachar realized that her son – simply by being born on Canadian soil – had been granted membership into one of the world's most prosperous and peaceful societies.
Was it fair that her son gained such an opportunity, while a child born in Haiti or Ethiopia, for example, did not?
In her new book, The Birthright Lottery (Harvard University Press, 2009), Shachar, the Canada Research Chair in Citizenship and Multiculturalism, examines a broad range of philosophical and legal issues concerning citizenship. In particular, she focuses on the question of why nations continue to assign citizenship based on the accident of where one is born.
The idea of gaining privileges by such arbitrary criteria as one's birthplace or bloodline has been discredited and banned in virtually all fields of public life. Citizenship is perhaps the only area in which it still applies. "At present, nations award citizenship mostly by birthright," says Shachar. A child born in Haiti might not have access to clean water and education, but a child born in Canada will. "The harsh reality is that most people alive today – indeed, 97 per cent of the global population – are assigned citizenship by the lottery of birth and either choose, or are forced, to keep it that way."
To overcome this arbitrary system of allotting life chances, Shachar suggests looking to property and inheritance legal theory and history. In the feudal era, it was considered part of the "natural structure" that some families were wealthy estate landowners and others weren't. This notion of entitlement has long since been discarded in property law, but it persists with respect to citizenship, says Shachar. "Citizenship is not a 'natural structure.' It is a legal construct. And if we want to maintain it because we believe that it has a social value, then we can't be blind to the fact that it also has global distributive implications."
But what can be done? One idea explored in the book is placing a "birthright privilege levy" on those benefiting from the inheritance of citizenship, with the aim of eradicating this system's most glaring inequalities. Just as many countries established estate taxes to help "level the playing field," Shachar's proposed birthright privilege levy – a toll on citizenship inheritance, essentially − is conceived so that some of the good fortune of those who win in the birthright lottery is transferred to those who don't. "A serious consideration of the privilege of citizenship will also take into account the need for people to give back to the world," she says.
Another proposal Shachar explores is awarding citizenship based on a person's genuine connection to a country. This would ease the injustice facing individuals who have resided in certain countries for extended periods of time, but do not have a birthright claim to citizenship.
In putting these ideas together, Shachar's aim is to highlight the opportunities that come with citizenship as well as the need to justify our good fortune in the birthright lottery; in her view, privilege comes with responsibility. Shachar argues that because citizenship confers legal privileges, there must be a legal duty to address any injustice that arises from it. "If we want to preserve what's valuable about citizenship – identity, freedom and security – it is imperative to mitigate the effects of membership inheritance," she says.
Ultimately, Shachar hopes she will at least prompt people in well-off countries to ask themselves "What does being a citizen mean to me?" – and to realize that something they've taken for granted all along is actually very valuable. After all, what Canadian travelling abroad hasn't been told how lucky they are to come from Canada? "I want to motivate people to do something that will make a difference in the world," she says.
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Winning Your Students: Role of Teachers in Preparing worthy Global Citizens
Recently, a shocking news was flashed on news channels and headlines of newspapers about the murder of a 39 year old school teacher in the school premises by a Class 9th student in Chennai[1]. This news has shocked everyone and all of us were given to a thought of 'What's wrong with our teenagers?' What is that which is taking our students on the wrong track?; Why they are unable to differentiate between right and wrong?; Why they give up so easily to their impulses?; or What is that which is developing mental imbalances in our students? These questions require explorations in-depth. However, one of the important reasons behind all this is the pressure and stress exerted by the schools on students. This paper is the exploration of certain teacher related factors which impede learning and produce extreme level of stress and frustration among students.
There are many impediments to learning created by teachers, deliberately as well as undeliberately, in the classrooms. Teacher often do some mistakes that act as barriers to effective learning. For a teacher, it is important to know not only how learning takes place but also what can impede or block it. Teachers may unknowingly create many obstacles that can temporarily or permanent block students' learning process. This paper discusses the faults of teachers that impede students' learning.
Threats and Coercion
Threat is an enemy of any progress or promotion. A person who is always threatened or coerced to do something can never do well. It is the case with our children in classrooms. Children can show their excellence when their mind is free of teacher's threats and when they are not forced to do the things. Teachers should not create any pressure on students. Without being coerced, students can always show better results and can learn in a natural way where there is no fear in mind. Coercion and threats are common in our schools and it creates major barriers to students' learning. Coercive elements, whether in the form of grades, tests, or censures, are the single greatest impediments to creating high-quality education. Classroom threats "downshifts" the brain, rendering students virtually incapable of learning. The brain learns continually and consistently, without effort, in meaningful circumstances (Hart, 1983). In situations of threats and coercion, students' mind gets diverted to threats instead of learning and thus loses interest in learning rather it becomes a burden.
Children with learning disability are most vulnerable to threats and coercion because every day they use to get continuous threats from teachers who generally have not identified these children. Perceived threats create stress in students resulting in negative effects- children acting out or withdrawing.
A teacher can realize this problem with her own experience. For example, a teacher should think how she would feel when there is a threatening critical authority figure who is always waiting to pounce on her every mistake.
Fear of shame
Teachers many a times use some derogatory remarks in classroom for slow learners or distracted children. These remarks create a feeling of shame. Shame is a cousin of coercion and also reduces the likelihood of learning. The "shame on you" or "duffer" or "good for nothing" are such remarks that teachers, parents, siblings, or peers pass on to a child. This hurts the self-esteem of students and kills their confidence. Without self-confidence, many students experience chronic school failures. These disappointments, in turn, beget more shame. When a child is being declared as a 'failure' in school, the likelihood of becoming a 'failure' as person increases in the future.
Corporal punishments
Corporal punishments may take other forms than striking or spanking a student. It is sometimes interpreted as any action that could cause emotional or physical damage to a student, such as, taping a student's mouth or having a student stand with a book on head or making a child sitting in squat position. The courts of many countries in the world have put a complete ban on corporal punishment. The cruel and unreasonable punishments can ruin the whole childhood where a child suffers from trauma of being punished badly in front of peers. It can affect their participation and learning achievement in school. A child becomes severely reluctant to attend school and perceive school as a place of terror and fear.
Creating non-threatening learning environments
Experience acts as the organizing framework of the brain. Traumatic experiences activate hormones such as cortisol that in effect can give the brain a toxic bath. A traumatic experience becomes the most powerful architect of the child's brain. This neurochemical wash decreases the number of synapses, or connections, that are so necessary for learning. High cortisol levels during a child's early years increase activity in the brain structures that are involved in vigilance and arousal. Consequently, a traumatized brain has a hair-trigger set point that is easily activated whenever a child dreams of, thinks about, or is reminded of the original trauma or stress. Self-regulation and control are difficult for a child whose brain has been, or is being, flooded with stress hormones. It has also been found that the hippocampus, a memory-making part of the brain, is smaller in adults who were abused as children (Begley, 1997).
Other researchers have found that the human brain will "downshift" to more primitive structures when under stress. Goleman (1995) referred to this as a "neural hijacking." When under stress, the brain is programmed to respond in two ways: fight or flee. In times of perceived or real danger, it makes sense that the brain would resort to simple, basic patterns of self-preservation; however when the brain is hijacked, it is at the expense of critical and careful thought.
For example, schools and youth agencies often use forms of threat that disconnect the child from learning. Doing so raises stress levels. In-school suspension for punishment purposes, use of ridicule, and teasing are kinds of "discipline" that may shut down learning. Creating lists of rules and consequences that tightly control student behaviour and choice defeats the community's ability to build safe environments. Writing names on chalkboards and taking away points for misbehaviour may act as brain inhibitors. Sarcastic teacher comments delivered endlessly in power stances with pointed fingers, elevated voices, and red faces undermine learning.
Low expectations for children ultimately result in limited teacher effort to provide interesting or challenging experiences. Once the teacher decides that a child is not able, it gives him or her permission to limit experience. It may be that the teacher thinks appropriate experiences are being provided, but the reality is that he or she is insulating the child's brain from the kinds of enriched experiences that are so desperately needed (Bockern and Wenger, 1999).
It is important for a teacher to understand and manage self-emotion as well as that of students because learning to a great extent depends on emotions. Humans are also emotional beings; therefore, it can be understood that information sent and received is embedded in an emotional framework. In his best-selling book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, Goleman (1995) suggested that the intellect cannot work at its best without emotional intelligence, which he defined as knowing and managing the emotions of self and others:
"In the dance of feeling and thought the emotional faculty guides our moment-to-moment decisions, working hand-in-hand with the rational mind, enabling — or disabling-thought itself."
As a result, Goleman stated that it is imperative that we build schools that care about and teach emotional literacy:
"In a time when too many children lack the capacity to handle their upsets, to listen or focus, to rein in impulse, to feel responsible for their work or care about learning, anything that will buttress these skills will help in their education" Although any number of commercial programs and materials are available to teach emotional intelligence, "there is perhaps no subject where the quality of the teacher matters so much, since how a teacher handles her class is in itself a model … in emotional competence — or the lack thereof. Whenever a teacher responds to one student, twenty or thirty others learn a lesson" (ibid, p. 279).
Threats, coercion, pressure, punishments, mocking, bullying etc creates stress among students. Some of the stressors are:
- Not feeling safe in school environment
- Fear of punishments or scolds from teachers
- Fear of being mocked in the classroom by other students
- Fear of being labeled as poor in class tests/ project works/ assignments
- Bully at school or in the neighborhood
- Peer who snubs or makes fun of child (even a "friend" of the child)
- Conflict with a teacher, even when caused by the child's disobedience
- Conflict with a sibling
- Conflict with a parent, even when initially caused by the child's disobedience, especially when or if the child feels that he or she is under "performance-based acceptance" (PBA). A child feels this when an authority figure fails to "separate the sin from the sinner" (when they criticize the child instead of the negative behavior).
Lack of support and understanding on part of the teachers can produce stress in student that in turn can produce emotional responses such as anxiety, anger, discouragement, hopelessness, low-self-esteem, lack of motivation or interests.
These emotional problems do sabotage to the normal life of a child. It harms the body and produces some physical disturbances such as insomnia, frequent urination, headache, breathlessness/asthma like symptoms, bed-wetting, lack of focus or ability to remember things, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, increased heart rate etc.
These physical symptoms can impede learning by affecting focus and motivation. They can also function as good tests or indicators of stress in the life of your child.
When a child suffers from the above-mentioned emotional and physical problems, he/she easily accepts negative behaviour such as anti-social behaviour, argumentativeness, violent behaviour, suicidal actions, vandalism, disobedience, etc.
Teachers play an important role in a child's life. Whatever happens in schools affects a child equally as that at home. Therefore, it is important that a child get a good experience in the school/ classroom that can develop his self-esteem and motivation rather than destroying his enthusiasm to study or to enjoy life. Teacher should be a good friend to all her students and should completely shun the nature of being rude and sarcastic. She should become a counselor, a guide and above all a friend to children. With the positive behaviour in class, a teacher can herself see a difference in child's behaviour, confidence, attitude, ability to learn, and overall happiness. Remember, a child is a child. He cannot even realize what is going wrong with him and can only feel the difficulties that keep on collecting in the sub-conscious mind. He/she cannot even find out the real cause of their problems. Also, a child fails to convey his/her problems to the parents as he/she is not even knowing the cause. Parents might not be aware of the kind of environment the child is facing in the school. When a child faces a continuous discouragement, he/she accepts that the problem is within them and that they are not wanted at all. Therefore, being a teacher you should not let your student shatter. Teacher's behaviour lays the foundation of the pillar of child's career and life itself. Identify the learning impediments yourself that you create in your classroom knowingly or unknowingly for your students and bring change in your behaviour towards your students. Remember, the most important characteristic of a teacher is patience. With patience, you can make a big difference in a child's life and he will always recall your contribution to his success.
School is a place of joy and healthy way of learning. Threats, negative remarks, labeling, coercion, pressure, exploitation, bullying, mocking, violence, and negative punishments find no place in an ideal school. These impediments negatively impact the child's mind where he/she fails to take a right decision and turns aggressive and violent, if not withdrawn. Teachers can play an important role in preparing worthy global citizens who can give their valuable contributions to the global society. This can be done by exhibiting positive behavior and dignity towards students which is the best way of preventing them to turn into juveniles.
Begley, S. (1997). How to build a baby's brain (Special issue). Newsweek .
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. New York: Bantam.
Hart, L. (1983). Human brain and human learning. White Plains, NY: Longman.
Van, S & Wenger, L. (1999). Educational best practice or malpractice. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 7(4).
Deepshikha Singh
[1] A teacher was stabbed to death in the classroom of a private school of Chennai here on Thursday, allegedly by a 15-year-old student who was upset at being repeatedly reprimanded by her for not doing well in studies. The murder happened around 10.50 a.m. According to Fr. Bosco Periyanayagam, a member of the school committee, the boy ran ahead of others into the classroom, where Ms. Maheswari was sitting in a chair waiting for the students. After approaching her on the pretext of wanting to drop rubbish into the bin, he took out a knife wrapped in a paper and attacked her. (News from The Hindu, Edition: February 9th, 2012).

subset: commoncrawl


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New Delhi: DCW chief Swati Maliwal was questioned on Monday for over two hours by Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) officials in connection with allegations of "illegal" recruitment in the women's panel.
A team comprising five ACB officers reached the office of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) at 11 am.
The officers also handed over a questionnaire to Maliwal seeking her reply to 27 queries within a week's time.
The ACB has taken up the probe on a complaint by former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh, who alleged that several AAP supporters were given plum posts in the women's panel.
Singh, in her complaint, listed the names of 85 people who, she claimed, got jobs "without requisite credentials".
"I have been asked 27 questions and given a week's time to reply. We have been asked how we did so many appointments to the women's panel. In a way, they are asking how did we manage to do so much work?" Maliwal told reporters after her questioning ended.
She termed the probe as an "attempt" to "silence" the women's panel that has been raising a lot of questions.
"In one year, we have handled 11,500 cases and attended 2.25 lakh calls on helpline number 181. The former DCW chief handled only one case. DCW asks questions whenever a rape is reported. This is disturbing a lot of people. But we will continue to raise questions," she said.
The DCW chief said she will answer the questions asked by the ACB within a week and "fully cooperate" with the probe by providing all documents sought by the investigative agency.
Maliwal alleged that Singh also appointed members to the panel during her tenure despite handling only one case in
eight years.
"We followed the due process for appointing members to the panel. While she (Singh) appointed wives of IAS and IPS officers without giving an advertisement for recruitment. We have all the documents and we will give them to the ACB."
Maliwal asserted that all the appointments in her tenure have been made following the "due procedure" and nobody was being given any "benefit".
Updated Date: Sep 20, 2016 10:23 AM


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CSU Theatre takes on Oh What a Lovely War with great success
This weekend is the last chance to see CSU's production of Oh What a Lovely War. As a history buff, I have a special attachment to the topic of life during the First World War, and so I am looking forward to getting another chance to see it this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The play, however, is much more than a historical account that only historians of World War One would care to see. It is actually chronicle of the war as told through actual songs, music, and documents from the time period. Authenticity is combined with drama, humor, and exceptional talent, to create an amazing collage of images and experiences that can move anyone.
First performed by Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London, in 1963, O What a Lovely War received the acclaim of London audiences and critics, winning the Grand Prix of the Theatre des Nations festival in Paris that year. It is now considered a classic of the modern theatre.
As a student in England, the 1969 movie version deeply impacted director Eric Prince. "People were shocked and amazed to see this subject matter on stage, presented in such a cleverly produced way, using humor to disguise the seriousness," said Prince. "For the current generation, it would be akin to making a comical musical about Vietnam or the Iraq War."
This show presents challenges for any production company. Director Prince, designer Price Johnston, music director Bruce Burbank, and choreographer Scott Wright collaborate on this immense project featuring stunning photos, archive images, iconic recruitment propaganda, and music, songs and dances from the time of the Great War of 1914-18. Advanced production uses hundreds of photos and films, making it a powerful, multi-level production.
It is not surprising that the highly demanding Oh What a Lovely War is rarely done at the college level. The cast at CSU is made of up 19 actors playing 130 parts, with some performers taking on 10 or 11 different roles. This musical gives students, including eight freshmen, rare opportunities for multiple character development and collaboration. Much of the difficulty lies in perfecting the wide range of British, Belgian, German, Russian, French, Austrian, Serbian, and American accents. To achieve accuracy, Prince relied on dialect coach Paul Meier. And the work of the CSU Theatre Department has already been recognized: Prince said that several of the original cast members he has consulted were "impressed that a university in the United States could even take it on."
The play provides a great perspective to high school students, as well as college age and adults who have studied World War One, but ultimately it is a story that affects everyone. "Great plays deal with great subject matter, elevating OWALW beyond entertainment with something relevant for every viewer," said Prince.
The CSU Theatre Department has turned their hard work and dedication into a musical like no other. This show reminds us of a history that cannot be forgotten, and teaches us a little bit about ourselves in the process.
For more information on Oh, What a Lovely War, including how to purchase tickets, please visit the CSU School of the Arts.


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As former teenage students of the "Playboy philosophy" — Hugh Hefner's encylopedic exposition of his deep thoughts in a monthly Playboy column during the sixties — Rocket Man and I should not have let Hefner's seventy-seventh birthday pass without notice. George Will makes up for us today in his column: "Hef the winner."
HINDROCKET adds: It's hard to avoid the conclusion that, for better or worse, Hefner was one of the most influential thinkers of the past century. Our musings on the rise of the Playboy Philosophy in American public life can be linked to at left under the title "Clinton." The article, titled "Perjury Penumbra," was originally published in the Orange County Register.
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"Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time." Winston Churchill
"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." Inscription on the Liberty Bell


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FL Technics has implemented a project funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
In August 2015 AB FL Technics has implemented a project funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), "Establishment of new maintenance terminal for aircraft", project code VP2-2.1-ŪM-06-K-02-008, by Economic Growth Program second priority "Increasing business productivity and improving the business environment" , tool "Invest LT-2". Project value: 5.792.400 EUR (20 000 000 LTL), funding 2.896.200 EUR (10 000 000 LTL).
During the project, which started in 2013, FL Technics has acquired narrow-body and wide-body aircraft maintenance equipment, created 219 new workplaces.
Essential aim of the project – the acquisition of new equipment for the company's new aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul terminal in Kaunas (Lithuania). Meantime, in a long-term perspective the project aim is to develop company's technical capacities and further expansion of its capabilities, exports and labor productivity.
By virtue of European Regional Development Fund FL Technics acquired modern aviation equipment, increasing company's efficiency and competitiveness of the aircraft maintenance.


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February 08, 2013 08:13 ET
LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG--(Marketwire - Feb. 8, 2013) - Northland Resources S.A. (TSX:NAU)(OSLO:NAUR)(FRANKFURT:NPK)(OMX:NAURo) ("Northland" or the "Company") announces that it will publish its Audited Financial Statements and MD&A for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2012, including Q4 results, on February 26, 2013.
Karl-Axel Waplan, President & CEO, Northland Resources S.A.
Northland is a producer of iron ore concentrate, with a portfolio of production, development and exploration mines and projects in northern Sweden and Finland. The first construction phase of the Kaunisvaara project is complete and production ramp-up started in November 2012. The Company expects to produce high-grade, high-quality magnetite iron concentrate in Kaunisvaara, Sweden, where the Company expects to exploit two magnetite iron ore deposits, Tapuli and Sahavaara. Northland has entered into off-take contracts with three partners for the entire production from the Kaunisvaara project over the next seven to ten years. The Company is also preparing a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") for its Hannukainen Iron Oxide Copper Gold ("IOCG") project in Kolari, northern Finland and for the Pellivuoma deposit, which is located 15 km from the Kaunisvaara processing plant.
Northland Resources S.A.Peder ZetterbergActing CFO+46 708 652 120Northland Resources S.A.Anders AntonssonVice President - Investor Relations+46 709 994 970www.northland.eu
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Founded in December 2010 and operational since April 2011, Arctech is still a young company but draws on more than a century of expertise in building ships for waters where ice, and sometimes very thick ice, is an everday reality during the winter. The Helsinki Shipyard was established in 1865 and numerous icebreakers and other arctic vessels have been built there over the years. In fact, the Helsinki Shipyard has delivered around 60% of all the icebreakers currently in operation around the world.
Equally owned by STX Finland and Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, Arctech Helsinki Shipyard not only builds icebreaking vessels, it is also a forerunner in developing and applying new technologies in the field; and the yard's design unit has developed a range of advanced products for the arctic maritime cluster.
New-generation ships for Sakhalin
Arctech's current projects include two icebreaking offshore vessels and an icebreaking multipurpose emergency and rescue vessel.
The first two ships are being built for the Russian shipping company, Sovcomflot, and will supply the Sakhalin-1 Arkutun-Dagi oil and gas field in the Russian Far East and protect the field's production platform from ice. They represent the next generation of multipurpose icebreaking supply vessels and have been designed for the extreme environmental conditions found in and around the island of Sakhalin north of Japan.
Given that they will have to operate in thick drifting ice at temperatures down to -35 °C, the ships will have an extremely high icebreaking capability and will be able to operate independently in level ice up to 1.7 metres thick and penetrate consolidated ice ridges up to 20 metres thick.
Multipurposing closer to home
Arctech's third newbuilding, an icebreaking multipurpose emergency and rescue vessel, has been ordered by the Russian Ministry of Transport and will be used in the Gulf of Finland for icebreaking and towing vessels and floating facilities. The vessel is being built together with the Kaliningrad-based Yantar Shipyard, part of United Shipbuilding Corporation. When the hull has been completed in Kaliningrad, it will be brought to Helsinki for outfitting and commissioning.
This unique ship features a patented oblique design, based on the ARC 100 concept and developed for Arctech by Aker Arctic Technology. An asymmetric hull and three azimuthing propulsion units, providing approx. 7 MW of propulsive power, will allow the vessel to operate efficiently ahead, astern, and obliquely. The vessel will be able to proceed continuously in level ice up to 1 metre thick and generate a 50 metre-wide channel in level ice 0.6 metres thick.
Thanks to a very advanced oil recovery system, the vessel will be able to combat oil spills in rough seas when more conventional technology cannot be used.


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Field Worship Background
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This worship background displays a grassy field and a backdrop with picture of a mountain range. A sun shines brightly in the blue sky. The colors in the lower portion of the worship background are dark enough for displaying worship lyrics in a light typeface.


text: Heya, I am just wondering if you had about 150,000 unique visitors (IM related) on a daily bases, how would you blackhat them to earn more from them? Like cookie stuff them on various CB products, eBay, etc? The average daily cost for these users is usually around $500 (to keep up the traffic). Thanks in advance.


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MoveIdiot.com Launches Full Service Moving ManagerConsumers Who Need Help Moving Can Now Manage Entire Moves Online Through MoveIdiot.com (January 12, 2010)
RED BANK, NJ -- (Marketwire) -- 01/12/10 --
News Facts:
-- MoveIdiot.com is a free, Web-based service that takes the hassle out of moving by allowing users to manage entire moves online. MoveIdiot.com's suite of online moving tools solve the fragmented nature of moving by allowing users to organize items being moved, track shipped boxes, remember and complete important moving tasks and develop and maintain a moving budget, without ever logging out of the service. -- MoveIdiot.com ensures the packing process runs smoothly by allowing users to upload, host and organize all items being moved and categorize items by box and room. Users can upload items individually or batch upload through MoveIdiot.com's list of popular household items. MoveIdiot.com allows users to seamlessly print out packing details and create labels. -- MoveIdiot.com ensures that users never forget a to-do item through MoveIdiot.com's Moving Checklist, which alerts users of everything from when it's time to notify your doctor that you are moving to reminding you to visit the DMV in your new city. -- Setting and maintaining a moving budget is easy with MoveIdiot.com, users simply upload or input receipt information and select an applicable moving category (i.e. travel expenses, hotel expenses). As users input expenditures, they instantly have access to real-time spending statistics including percentages spent in each moving category and total amount spent on the move, making it easy to track and manage spending. -- MoveIdiot.com's highly-intuitive box tracking feature allows users to upload or e-mail tracking information from multiple shipping companies and view real-time updates through several different viewing options including an interactive map. -- MoveIdiot.com is a completely Web-based service that works on PCs, Macs and browser-equipped mobile devices. There is no software to download or install. To register for free, simply visit http://www.moveidiot.com and follow the registration steps. -- MoveIdiot.com is owned and operated by Advanced Technologies Group, LTD (OTCBB: AVGG), a publicly traded software development company.
Quotes, Attributable to MoveIdiot.com Executives:
-- "For the tens of millions of people who are on the move each year, moving can be a very overwhelming process. MoveIdiot.com's suite of online moving tools ensure that users are in control of their moves by making it easy to keep track of all their belongings, manage their to-do list and control their spending," says Alex Stelmak, CEO of Advanced Technologies Group. -- "We believe there is a real need for a service like MoveIdiot.com for consumers and businesses alike," continues Mr. Stelmak. "Whether you are relocating to a new home or a new office, moving is a very fragmented process and MoveIdiot.com allows users to manage the entire moving process from one place online."
About MoveIdiot.com:
MoveIdiot.com is a free, Web-based service that takes the hassle out of moving by providing users one place on the Web to manage entire moves online including organizing items being moved, tracking shipped boxes and developing and maintaining a budget.
Statements in this press release that relate to future results and events (including statements about the expected benefits of the MoveIdiot.com acquisition) are forward-looking statements based on Advanced Technologies Group current expectations. Actual results and events in future periods could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: whether the MoveIdiot.com acquisition ultimately proves successful; the impact of general economic, business and industry conditions; our ability to implement a major marketing campaign; our ability to effectively manage product transitions; and the success of money generated from advertisement agreements.
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James Corden to lend voice to Emojimovie: Express Yourself
- Bang Showbiz
- 11 October 2016
James Corden will play Hi-5 in the forthcoming animated blockbuster 'Emojimovie: Express Yourself'
James Corden is lending his voice to 'Emojimovie: Express Yourself'.
The 38-year-old comedian has jumped onboard the forthcoming Sony Pictures Animation alongside Ilana Glazer and previously announced lead T.J. Miller to help put together the big screen comedy based on emojis.
'Emojimovie: Express Yourself' will see Miller portray Gene - the only emoji to have multiple expressions - as his alter ego desperately tries to become "normal" like his friends Hi-5 (Corden) and Jailbreak (Glazer).
Director Anthony Leondis explained: "Hi-5 is a high-five emoji who is a highly motivated, and highly dramatic, hand on a mission, and the brilliantly versatile, ebullient and always lovable James Corden fits this part like a glove. For the rebel 'break all the codes' computer programmer emoji Jailbreak, Ilana Glazer is the kind of singularly free-spirited, fearless and funny actress to make girls really feel the empowered 'nobody's gonna keep me in a cage' attitude this character exudes.
"And, of course, T.J. Miller has proven himself to be one of the most genuinely inventive comedic actors around, uniquely capable of connecting and who can convey just about any expression."
The trio - who currently live in Texopolis, a bustling city where all your favourite emojis live, will embark on a "app-venture" through the apps on the phone to find the code that will fix Gene and make like his friends.
But the phone is later struck with threat at the fate of all the emojis on the gadget depends on Gene, Hi-5 and rule breaker Jailbreak, who must save their digital world before it's gone forever.
Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation, said: "Over six billion emojis are texted every day, and emojis have become a universal language that transcends age and culture.
"The power of emojis is that they allow you to express yourself in a fast and very fun way, and that is what our movie is about: self-expression. We are very lucky to have some of the smartest and funniest actors today bringing their unique voices to this movie."
'Emojimovie: Express Yourself' is set for release on August 11, 2017.


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Erik Mortensen (1926-98) for Balmain
Time and again plans are changing. . . Due to different circumstances.
I am looking for another collaboration - to display all my clothes for a big discount-sale, as I told you about in this post a couple of weeks ago.
Is there any shops or empty rooms out there, that needs some attention or is up for a collaboration ? If you know of something, feel free to suggest it!
For any reference, I will give you extra discounts on top of my offers! -Or a very good price for placing a new order!
- Sharing is caring -


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Gionee Elife S8 Specification Features Price Review Release Date : Yesterday Gionee announced Elife S8 at MWC in Barcelona. Along with this handset company also showcased their brand new "LOGO" which is influenced by the smiley emojis and through this new logo company has tried to re-position themselves as a global company.
Gionee Elife S8 Specification Features
If we talk about the design and build of this handset then it definitely steals the show in terms of its looks. It boasts full metal body with a non-removable battery. Though Gionee claims that they have bring new invisible antenna loop design but when one have a close look he can see the antenna strip which is running along the edges of the rear panel.
It sports 5.5" Full HD AMOLED Display delivering screen resolution up to 1080X1920p. Just like apple phones even Gionee Elife S8 incorporates the new 3D touch Pressure sensitive technology. The bezels present on the side are quite slim giving it a look of bezel-less design. It also amalgamates finger print sensors on the "Home" button.
To further protect the screen it also embodies Corning gorilla Glass 4 protection. When one keep pressing the camera for long time then it automatically starts the front camera so that one can click selfies, similarly long pressing home button results into option of 'change the wallpaper' and so on.
There is also a new feature which bring the apps when hard press on the edges. It is powered by Octa core processor which is clocked at 1.9GHz. The processor is based on MediaTek's Helio P10 and as we all know that Helio P10 is usually encompassed in the mid-range handsets. The processor is combined along with 4GB of RAM. It bears 64GB of storage on the board which can be further expandable up to 200GB with the help of MicroSD card slot.
It accommodates 16MP of shooter at the rear which comes along with RWB sensors which means now the usual green pixels are replaced by better white pixels that are more sensitive and f/1.8 aperture with both laser AF as well as phase detect AF. On the front we have 8MP of shooter on the board mated along with ¼ inch sensor size. One can even adjust the videos by beautified video modes.
It functions on google's latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS which is topped by Gionee's Amigo 3.2 UI. The highlight of this phone can be considered as its ability to run Whatsapp by both the SIMs on the same phone. To augment the audio quality, it also interpolates 70-dB high sensitivity audio system along with AKM4961 chip. It also includes features like "Multi-dimensional noise reduction" and "3D recording".
It houses whopping 3000mah battery at the rear which comes along with the fast charging feature that can charge the android phone at 18W. it entails connectivity features like dual hybrid SIM slot, 4G LTE support, 3G, USB with MicroUSB, Bluetooth V4.0 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS, FM radio etc. It comprehends sensors like accelerometer, proximity and compass.
It will be launched at the end of the month March at the price of Euro 450.


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Pacers Lose to Timberwolves in New Year's Eve Game
INDIANAPOLIS--The Pacers New Year's Eve match-up against the Timberwolves ended in a disappointment. The final game of 2017 was a 107 to 90 loss for Indiana. The team's shot in the arm this year has been guard Victor Oladipo's scoring. But, he's out with a knee injury.
"I feel like it just one of those things. We're coming out slow right now," said backup point guard Joe Young. "But, I feel like we're gonna overcome the adversity and get the intensity going back in. We're staying positive."
Young, who slept on the practice court earlier this season, had a career high of 20 points scored Sunday.
.@JoeyBuckets3 led the #Pacers in scoring tonight with 20 points. pic.twitter.com/PJZjEi6yLm
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 1, 2018
"We talked about it earlier in the season, even before the season started that there would be some tough times," said forward Damien Wilkins. "Only way to get out of those tough times is to remain tough and stay together. Don't lose confidence. Don't lose hope and don't fragment."
The Pacers have been on a losing streak since Oladipo's untinely sidelining. Head Coach Nate McMillian said over the weekend that Oladipo won't be back until he's fully recovered, but did not give a timeline. He only said Oladipo needs to rest his knee.
"We're not the only team goes through tough stretches like this and it won't be the last," said Wilkins.
PHOTO: Pacers.com/Walter Thomas


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Does your company have an employee of the month program that is falling short of your expectations? Or worse yet, it appears to be a complete failure? Don't give up on it! It may just need a few tweaks to get it back on track in 2012.
First, think about what's not working and why you're struggling with running an employee of the month program. Here are some suggestions on how to address some of the more common shortfalls:
Not enough nominations each month -- Your program may be lacking the awareness, and constant reinforcement, it needs. Display fun, promotional posters in lunch and break rooms, send out reminder emails to submit your nominations, talk up the program and why it exists at regular department meetings, and give each winner his or her moment in the spotlight through coverage in newsletters, on the intranet and in announcements at company-wide meetings.
Perception that program is a popularity contest or unfair -- Certainly, some employees are "negative Nellies" and will find fault in anything you do to improve employee morale and motivation. But what about the well-meaning employees who dismiss your program because they think it's based on favoritism? The best way to prevent (or counteract) this perception is to clearly state the award criteria to your staff, and make sure everyone has a chance to nominate an individual -- not just coworkers or a narrow group of middle managers.
Employee morale remains low -- Understanding employee morale isn't a one-size-fits-all formula. What puts a spring in one employee's step may leave another employee cold. That's why your employee of the month program needs to be part of a company culture that treats employees with respect, encourages positive interaction between coworkers, and values regular, constructive feedback between employees and their bosses. Without this foundation, employees probably won't rally around your program and may consider it a weak attempt to enhance workplace motivation when their other needs are not being met.
Lack of enthusiasm about the actual award -- What are the employee of the month awards you give out? Perhaps that's what is falling flat, and not the program itself. It may be time to introduce a new award -- whether it's a more modern plaque or award, a colorful candy jar or a snazzy, engraved pen. And don't forget to attach the award with a special workplace perk, like a reserved parking space or extra time off. You may want to provide a few options, as well. Some companies offer a choice of, say, three retail gift cards with the recognition award so winning employees can pick what shopping excursion they'll enjoy most.
Breathing new life into your employee of the month program
Labels: awards, employee morale, employee motivational products, employee of the month program, employee recognition, EOM program
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Lyrics Depot is your source of lyrics to Keep On Dancing by Chris Rea. Please check back for more Chris Rea lyrics.
Keep On Dancing Lyrics
Artist: Chris Rea
Album: The Road to Hell: Part 2
I got a friend who loves the music
He got a red hot groove
But he don't use it
I get so afraid, he's gonna lose it
If you gotta gift - man, don't abuse it
Keep on dancing
The experts say they really care
They don't have a clue what's out there
The teachers tell the children not to swear
And the drunken lawyes
Leaves the kid
To pop something in
To kill the fear... it's not fair
Keep on dancing
I'm a frightened Dad, worried sick
Hear what I say?
I could put something in here
You know what rhymes with it
The whole world seems to end
In c.k.e.d
You ain't fooling me anyway
Keep on dancing
Are you ready here comes
Steve Gadd
Keep on dancing
See em run for the books, cos
They just don't get it
They throw it at me
But I've already read it
Before they speak,
Some-one already said it
We can't be friends
Cos Karl Marx don't rhyme
With Mercedez-Benz
I need credit
You can shove it
You know why?
'Cos I love it!
Keep on dancing
Chris Rea Lyrics
Chris Rea The Road to Hell: Part 2 Lyrics
More Chris Rea Music Lyrics:
Chris Rea - Coming Off The Ropes Lyrics
Chris Rea - Do you still dream? Lyrics
Chris Rea - Guitar street Lyrics
Chris Rea - Little blonde plaits Lyrics
Chris Rea - Only with you Lyrics
Chris Rea - Red Lyrics
Chris Rea - The mention of your name Lyrics
Chris Rea - Windy Town Lyrics


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Lobbyist Profile: Summary, 2012
|Lobbying Firm
|Fedn of Electric Power Cos of Japan
|Fedn of Electric Power Cos of Japan
NOTE: All lobbying expenditures on this page come from the Senate Office of Public Records. Data for the most recent year was downloaded on April 20, 2015.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: email@example.com


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Directors: John Moore
Actors: Bruce Willis, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Yuliya Snigir, Cole Hauser
Running Time: 98mins
Consumer Advice: Contains strong language and moderate action violence
Bruce Willis returns in his most iconic role as John McClane - the "real" hero with the skills and attitude to always be the last man standing. This time the take-no-prisoners cop is really in the wrong place at the wrong time after traveling to Moscow to help his estranged son Jack. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.
A Good Day To Die Hard is released in UK cinemas 14 February 2013 from Twentieth Century Fox.
View full details on A Good Day to Die Hard
Cinemas Online supply showtimes for every cinema in the UK. To find out what's playing near you and to register for weekly showtimes updates from your local cinema, just enter your postcode:


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Please login in order to report media.
Another attempt of trying to use my PDF style methods of media creation, this video is all about moles and how to get rid of them.
Anyone can get a mole anywhere on their body, but knowing how to get rid of one can be quite confusing.
In this short video Ive made some billboard style images describing what moles are and the different methods commonly used to remove them from the body.
You can see photos of what a DIY solution to mole removal is, what a traditional surgical removal looks like and even what a modern noninvasive removal is.
If youve never heard of radiowave technology is, you should keep watching as theres a fantastic little clip that explains this new way of saying bye bye to unwanted moles.
The short clip in this middle of this video is from Snowberry Lane.
If you want to watch the whole clip you can do so at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSqRfrUzCCs
And if you want the PDF this video was based on, visit my Slideshare page at http://www.slideshare.net/thePDFguy


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IIF Executive Program on Insurance Capital and Risk Management
24 - 27 Jun 2014
Organised by: Institute of International Finance (IIF) and Swiss Re
The IIF Executive Program on Insurance Capital & Risk Management will take place in Zurich from 25-27 June 2014 (with a dinner on the evening before on 24 June 2014).
This three-day executive program will succinctly cover the assessment and management of insurance capital and risks. An overview of the macroeconomic and regulatory environment for re/insurance companies will set the stage for more targeted sessions on enterprise risk management, risk modeling, economic-based valuation, capital management and insurance regulation. Experts will provide hands-on experience in the analysis of both the broader macro-economic and regulatory issues, as well as the technical aspects of insurance capital and risk management.


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Corporate Responsibility
The UC Davis Graduate School of Management has long been committed to driving positive change through the power of business, embracing community and ethical principles, and putting our collective ideas into action to build a better world. These core values are part of our mission.
Sustainability and corporate responsibility are woven into the very fabric of our culture, and the larger UC Davis community. Our new MBA curriculum deepens the integration of responsible business ethics, corporate citizenship and environmental sustainability. And we are widely recognized for pioneering research and teaching that ensures that business education is part of the solution to the challenges of globalization.
From helping to commercialize science and engineering breakthroughs, to applying new tools for socially responsible investing, UC Davis MBA students, faculty and alumni are innovative leaders, pushing for an inclusive and sustainable global economy.
Our collective commitment to the triple bottom line:
- Our UC Davis Campus Home Reflects Our Values – Maurice J. Gallagher Jr. Hall features a pioneering, eco-friendly design that is the first business school in California to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Platinum certification, the highest standard of excellence in green and sustainable construction.
- One of the first 100 business schools in the world—among only 20 in the U.S.—to adopt the United Nations Global Compact's first international guiding framework for academic institutions to advance corporate social responsibility.
- The Aspen Institute's Center for Business Education Beyond Grey Pinstripes survey ranks UC Davis among the top 10% MBA programs worldwide for integrating social and environmental stewardship into curricula and scholarly research.
- The Aspen Institute Center for Business Education's Beyond Grey Pinstripes survey ranks UC Davis among the top 8 small business schools and among the top 30 worldwide for leading the way in integrating social and environmental stewardship into our curricula and scholarly research.
- Our Child Family Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship hosts the premier academic program for commercializing green technology innovations, and is a springboard for moving green tech research out of the lab and into the world.
- From the Davis Net Impact Chapter—one of the most active in the U.S.—to the Community Consulting Group to our student-initiated ethics pledge, our students develop and promote programs that focus on integrity in business and community involvement.


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Tapanappa camping area
There are fantastic views along Tunkalilla Beach and over to Kangaroo Island from this lofty ridgetop campground on the Heysen Trail. It's also a staging post for challenging bushwalks to Deep Creek Cove and beautiful Boat Harbour Beach. You'll find it on Tapanappa Rd, 16 km south-east of Delamere. A permit is required from the self-registration station and you need to bring wood.
Contact information
Who to contact: Parks SA Victor Harbor (08) 8552 3677; or Friends of the Heysen Trail (08) 8212 6299 www.heysentrail.asn.au
Who to contact: Deep Creek Conservation Park (08) 8598 0263; or Friends of the Heysen Trail (08) 8212 6299
This campsite is located in Heysen Trail (Fleurieu Peninsula)
This section of the trail hits the coast, and offers spectacular scenery – from the inland forests to the stunning beach between Deep Creep Conservation Park and Newland Head Conservation Park.
Want to see your campsite photos featured here? Send us your photos.
Nearby Campsites
- Eagle Waterhole camping area (walk-in camping)
- Trig camping area
- Cobbler Hill camping area
- Stringybark camping area
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The data we do have show that killer whales at SeaWorld are living as long as their counterparts in the wild.
The issue of killer whale lifespan is one that is often misconstrued and overly simplified. The simple truth is that no one knows.
In peer-reviewed studies, scientists estimate that the average, or mean, life expectancy for a female is 30 years and a male is 19 years in the Pacific Northwest.[1] For whales in Southeastern Alaska, the maximum longevity appears to be in the 50s for females and late 30s for males.[2] So, in those two areas of the world, female killer whales live around 30 to 50 years and males live around 19 to 30 years.
SeaWorld has several killer whales in their 30s and one that is close to 50.
Because it can be misleading to compare life expectancies between whales in the wild and those in captivity, scientists believe that the most accurate comparison to use is the "Annual Survival Rate" (ASR). ASR is an estimate of the percentage of whales in a population expected to survive each year.[2],[3]
For instance: if we were studying a specific community of humans, this method takes into account that – in that specific population -- the number of children that are expected to survive another year is high, and the number of senior citizens expected to survive is low.
According to recent studies, the current ASR of SeaWorld's killer whales is similar to that of the Alaskan Resident whales.[2] The study determined that the overall average ASR for that population is 0.976. (This means that there is a 97.6 percent chance that a whale in that population will live another year.)
SeaWorld compared the study's results to the ASR's of its killer whale population. To take into account advancements in medical care and knowledge, we looked at four different time spans (1968-1983, 1984-1993, 1994-2003, and 2004-2013). Not surprisingly, the trend improves over time. The fairest comparisons are the two most recent 10-year periods from 1994 to present, during which the whales have had the opportunity to benefit from advancements in our knowledge, facilities, and husbandry and veterinary practices.
For both of those most recent periods of time, there is no significant difference between the ASR of our whales and the ASR of wild populations.
Additionally, a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Mammalogy by the Oxford University Press in July 2015 adds important insights to the debate over how long killer whales in human care live. The study found no difference in life expectancy between killer whales born at SeaWorld and a well-studied population of wild killer whales.
The study, "Comparisons of life-history parameters between free-ranging and captive killer whale populations for application toward species management," was authored by Todd R. Robeck, Kevin Willis, Michael R. Scarpuzzi, and Justine K. O'Brien and contrasts current published data for survival and reproductive activity of known-age Pacific Northwest killer whales since 1975 with the life history of killer whales in SeaWorld's care.
Click here to learn more.
Statistics used to determine longevity can use a few different methods, and can be manipulated to mislead people into false assumptions.
For instance, many animal rights activists will mix different types of studies when comparing the lifespan of wild vs. captive whales – citing side-by-side the maximum longevity for wild whales, but the average longevity of captive whales.
Using a human analogy: if one man in Japan happened to live to 116 years, but the average life expectancy for a male in the U.S. is 76 years, it would be false to say that "Living in the U.S. causes early death. People have a lifespan of 116, but in the U.S. they die early at age 76."
Let's look at some statistical results that can be generated and questions that can be asked which have often led to confusion or misrepresentation during population comparisons.[4]
1. What results are we comparing?
Different studies examine:
- The oldest a whale can get, which is maximum potential life-span. Since individual killer whales in the wild have only been followed for 40 years, the oldest known-age animal cannot exceed this value. All other proposed maximum-age projections are simply estimates.
- The average age at death of a whale that lives past its first year of life. This statistic creates bias against animals that are currently alive by excluding them from the analysis. It is not considered an accurate representation of population longevity.
- The life expectancy of a whale. This further must be defined as whether that includes any animal from moment of birth, or only those that survive to a particular known "starting age."
2. When comparing results, what variables have been taken into account?
Because of different variables, comparisons among different populations are often unreliable. This applies to comparing wild whales that live in different regions of the world, and also when comparing wild whales vs. those that live in zoological facilities.
For whales in the wild, those variables include different whale population life histories and environmental stressors: variations in food availability, shifting climactic conditions, and pollution. All affect wild whale health and mortality, and especially over short periods of time, can significantly skew statistics.
Other variables that affect comparisons include:
- Are young calves included? Studies of killer whale longevity in the wild generally exclude mortality of whales less than six months of age. They do this for a very practical reason: killer whale calves often do not become known to the scientists studying them in the wild until they are at least six months old.
So, to accurately compare the results of studies in the wild (which exclude these very young calves that have a high mortality rate), with the results of studies of captive whales (which typically include every birth), one should make a similar exclusion. This ensures that both sets of results are comparable. This is something animal activist groups almost never do.
Any comparison of research on young killer whale calves – even with the concern noted above – still shows that calves at SeaWorld have a much greater rate of survival than calves in the wild. But for the purposes of this discussion, and our best effort to equate variables, we have left calves younger than 6 months of age as a separate group, and out of both sides of this equation.
- Are unusual exposures included? In studies of wild whales, scientists will sometimes exclude animals exposed to a specific unusual event. For example, a study of Southern Alaskan resident killer whales excluded those that had been exposed to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.[5] Although this was an appropriate way to structure that particular study, it also can be argued that these data then underestimate the risks faced in the wild and therefore unfairly skews any comparison with animals housed in zoos.
- In facilities, do you include whales that arrive already in compromised health? Whales that come to a facility in a compromised state of health, such as from beaching and/or illness, should be excluded from zoological whale studies, because these whales would not be alive in the wild.
- In facilities, do you use data that reflect current conditions and the evolved state of medical knowledge and care? We know that care of killer whales has improved immensely – thanks to research made possible by maintaining a population of killer whales that we work with on a daily basis. For this reason, the studies that best reflect the longevity of SeaWorld's killer whales are those that have taken place since the 1980s .
3. How many whales are we studying?
As we mentioned previously, in any study, it's important to have a statistically valid sample size, and captive populations tend to be small, allowing individual aberrations to skew the numbers and distort comparisons with studies of larger populations. There is no simple solution to this problem, so we need to consider this effect when evaluating our results.
Moreover, life in the wild for killer whales is getting more difficult, as recent research shows. A study released in October 2013 by the Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance found that among Southern Resident killer whales, the number of reproductive-age males has declined 26 percent since 2009 – reaching the lowest number of breeding-age males since 2003, and a total population of only 80.[6] These studies are a reminder that the hazards and hardships of life in the wild should not be ignored or idealized when making comparisons with captivity, and they underscore the critical role that SeaWorld researchers are playing in helping to understand, protect and preserve those wild populations.
Independent of the complexity of the subject is our motivation, our mission, our expectation that longevity by any measure of the whales that we are privileged to care for in our parks will continue to increase and will one day outpace that of wild populations. It is important to remember one thing: NO ONE cares about the health and well-being of our killer whales as much as we do.
Discussions of longevity can become surprisingly complex, and it is easy for people to be confused or misled. As we have seen, a careful look at the data supports the view that the survival rates of killer whales at SeaWorld are comparable to those of the wild.
[1] Olesiuk, P. 2012. Population biology of the resident ecotype of killer whale in British Columbia. Materials of the killer whale workshop, Suzdal, Russia.
[2] Matkin, C.O., J. Ward Testa, Graeme M. Ellis and Eva L. Saulitis. 2013. Life history and population dynamics of southern Alaska resident killer whales (Orcinus orca). Marine Mammal Science: 10.1111/mms.12049
[3] Small, RJ and DP Demaster. 1995. Survival of five species of captive marine mammals. Marine Mammal Science 11:209-226.
[4] For a more comprehensive and technical look at the complexity of this subject, see van der Toorn, "Survival Guide to Survival Rates," Marine Mammals: Public Display and Research, 3(1) 27:38 (June 2000). The paper demonstrates the many pitfalls of comparing wild and captive populations, as well as invalid comparisons between "life expectancy" and "longevity." It recommended using survival rates instead.
[5] The Matkin, et al., study excluded whales it believes had been exposed to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.


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REEB Cycles is the American-made bicycle brand offspring of Oskar Blues Brewing. The company's first foray into suspension bikes, aluminum frames and curved tubes has resulted in the SqWEEB, a full-suspension trail bike built on the Boost platform with 135 mm of travel. Using a mix of 6000 series aluminum tubing, the first prototype will be the basis for evaluating design and future development for a production model. The SqWEEB will be on display at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in California.
More info: reebcycles.com
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EU State Aid Rules and the Lender of Last Resort: Challenges to the notion of state aid in the wake of the financial crisis
Title: EU State Aid Rules and the Lender of Last Resort: Challenges to the notion of state aid in the wake of the financial crisis
Author: KRISSINEL, Kira
Date: 2010
Citation: Florence, European University Institute, 2010
Series/Number: EUI LLM theses; Department of Law
This paper will attempt to elucidate the connection between LOLR theory and the current state aid regime as it applies to NCB intervention in the form of ELA and consider whether the two are compatible. Part I provides a brief overview of both the 'no crisis' and the 'in crisis' legal frameworks. Part II then ventures into the realm of LOLR theory, tracing back its origins and development recalling in particular its inceptions in late 19th Century and the subsequent academic debate as to the particular requirements for LOLR support. A parallel is then drawn between LOLR theory and state aid rules as they apply to ELA. Part III considers state aid rules and their application in the banking sector, specifically in relation to ELA, in more detail. An attempt to outline and analyse some of the problems with the approach to ELA under EU state aid rules is made. Part IV concludes, by making several suggestions on how the present regime could be clarified so as to avoid confusion in the area and promote legal certainty for central banks and governments.
Subject: Government aid; European Union countries; Financial crises; Government policy; Subsidies; Law and legislation; European Union countries
LC Subject Heading: Government aid -- European Union countries; Financial crises -- Government policy; Subsidies -- Law and legislation -- European Union countries
Defense date: 23/11/2010; Supervisor: Prof. Heike Schweitzer, University of Mannheim
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WANG YING does not think he looks much like Mao Zedong.
But some Communist Party officials, military leaders, and key movie producers who discovered Mr. Wang in a small theater troupe, say he does. And that has made the 37-year-old actor hot property during the nostalgic, politically charged birth centenary of Communist China's founding father.
During the run-up to the Dec. 26 anniversary, Wang, who in person only vaguely resembles the late Great Helmsman, has made ``The Fall Armed Uprising,'' ``Mao at Jinguang Mountain,'' and other Mao blockbusters that are standard fare this year in the propagandistic Chinese cinema.
In the last few years, there have been no fewer than 20 movies and television series depicting the Chinese leader, who has remained a controversial cult figure since his death in 1976.
Wang's family suffered greatly during the Cultural Revolution, and many fled abroad. But that does not bother Wang, who says he has no qualms about depicting Mao. ``I didn't have much respect for him at the beginning .... But my respect and admiration for Mao grew .... I have a cherished memory of Mao from the point of view of an actor,'' Wang says cautiously.
Confronting a powerful wave of Mao nostalgia, authorities are carefully nurturing the politically correct image of Mao: He made ``serious mistakes'' but still ``led the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese people in overthrowing the rule of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism in China,'' said a recent commentary in the People's Daily.
Analysts say the ruling Communists, who are jettisoning Marxism for market-style reforms, are struggling to show continuity since the founding of the Party and are glossing over contradictions between Maoism and economic realities in China.
Supporters of Deng Xiaoping, worry that hard-line Party officials are trying to overturn economic reforms and to encourage nostalgia for the past among Chinese uneasy about the chaotic transition to a capitalist-oriented economy.
``The Chinese people are deeply worried that what happened in the Soviet Union will happen in China. Against this background, people have come to cherish the memory of Mao Zedong,'' said an essay in a conservative magazine.
Still, the Communist Party can brook no alternative views. Last week, the Chinese government protested against the screening of a BBC documentary in Britain. The program, based on revelations by Mao's former physician and other former officials, crossed Communist propriety by depicting Mao as a sex-crazed aficionado of young women. The Foreign Ministry reacted angrily and said the BBC would be held responsible for the broadcast. However, no details of what that retribution might be were revealed. The documentary comes at a touchy time when China and Britain are bitterly divided over the political future of Hong Kong.
``He is seen as the father of the People's Republic and the unifier of the country,'' said Sidney Rittenberg, an American who spent 35 years in China and was both befriended and imprisoned by Mao. ``He is also seen as a great tyrant and destroyer.''
But for many in China, Mao is also seen as a commercial jackpot. In the hype preceding the anniversary, the late leader has inspired new songs and memorabilia.
In Shaoshan, the once-neglected village of Mao's birth, residents have raised a 3.5 ton bronze statue and renovated his home as a tourist site. Hundreds visit daily.
When Wang, the actor, was first chosen to play the young Mao, he was given two weeks to prepare himself. ``I had to take a short cut so I [was] sent to Shaoshan, talked to the old people who knew him ...,'' the actor recalls. Since then, Wang has gone far, in part through the patronage of military officials who like the nostalgia of the actor's films.
The Mao bonanza has drawn a lot of look-alike acting competition. Gu Yue, the actor who has most frequently played Mao on film, is charging more than $1,000 for an appearance and has started speaking and walking like Mao off-screen Chinese news reports say. ``He doesn't have a real understanding of Mao,'' sniffs Wang, who earns more than $600 per film. ``In acting, the actor has to think and to be Mao. But in real life, it is wrong to expect others to treat him like Mao.''
Wang says his dream is to learn English and portray the late Chinese leader in director Oliver Stone's proposed epic on Mao, which, not surprisingly, has been rejected for shooting in China by Beijing's leadership.
And even as the centenary year comes to an end, Wang still thinks he has a long career ahead of him. ``Mao was a great man. I think I will have a lot of chances to portray him in the future.''


text: Aranka Siegal born Aranka Davidowitz on June 10, 1930 is a writer, Holocaust survivor, and beneficiary of the Newbery Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, both presented to her in 1982. She is the author of 3 books, the best known of which is Upon the Head of the Goat: A Childhood in Hungary 1930-1944, a memoir of her childhood in Hungary before her 12-month sentence in the Nazi concentration camps, Auschwitz – Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen. Other works of hers take in Grace in the Wilderness: After the Liberation 1945-1948 and Memories of Babi. Her novels are sold globally, and have been converted into several different languages including, but not limited to, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, and German. Siegal herself talks 6 languages and is the fifth child of seven children.


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Hotels in Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom
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Great Yarmouth overviewVisitors to Great Yarmouth have positive things to say about this welcoming city and its seaside. You'll appreciate the many chocolatiers and coffeehouses. Nature lovers can visit Venetian Waterway Gardens and Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens while in Great Yarmouth. While you're in town, don't miss a chance to see sights like Joyland and Britannia Pier Theatre.
Where to stay in Great YarmouthA welcoming city, Great Yarmouth offers a variety of hotels and other lodging choices. There are 62 hotels in Great Yarmouth and you can shop as many as 35 deals for rooms on Hotels.com, some with discounts of up to 20%. We have room prices starting at 22 USD per night and here you'll find a breakdown of hotels by star rating in Great Yarmouth as well as in the surrounding area:
- • 2 5-star hotels from 99 USD per night
- • 71 4-star hotels from 43 USD per night
- • 85 3-star hotels from 33 USD per night
- • 7 2-star hotels from 25 USD per night
How to get to Great YarmouthFly into Norwich (NWI-Norwich Intl.), 19.6 mi (31.5 km) from the heart of Great Yarmouth. Great Yarmouth Station is the closest train station, located 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from the city center.
What to see around Great YarmouthKnown for its attractions including:
- • Joyland
- • Hippodrome Circus
- • Sea Life Great Yarmouth
- • The Pleasure Beach
- • Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
- • Venetian Waterway Gardens
- • Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
- • Norfolk Broads
- • Joyland
- • Britannia Pier Theatre
- • Pirates Cove Adventure Golf
- • The David Howkins Museum of Memories
- • The Tolhouse
When to visit Great YarmouthIf you're just starting to think about trip planning, you may be wondering when is the best time of year to visit. Here's a list of seasonal norms to help you arrange your travel schedule:
Seasonal temperature averages
- • January-March: 52°F day, 37°F night
- • April-June: 70°F day, 41°F night
- • July-September: 74°F day, 50°F night
- • October-December: 62°F day, 36°F night
- • January-March: 0.20 inches
- • April-June: 0.12 inches
- • July-September: 0.24 inches
- • October-December: 0.31 inches


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A Day at Cinecittà: San Suzie visits fake Rome, fake Assisi + fake NYC.
Rome, recreated: The set for the HBO series Rome at Cinecittà. (Photos by San Suzie)
In 1937, everyone's favorite Fascist, Benito Mussolini (he's actually the guy who coined the term) founded a movie studio to create propaganda films for his Nazi-sympathizing regime. Dubbed Cinecittà ('Film City'), the studio was heavily bombed by the Allies during the war, and afterwards, its soundstages were used to house thousands of Italians who had been displaced by the war. By the 1950s, however, Cinecittà had turned into the hub of La Dolce Vita of Italian filmmaking, serving as the set for most of Federico Fellini's films, and even American blockbusters such as Ben Hur.
Getting a tour of Cinecittà is about as easy as getting a private audience with the Pope. But, with a few well-placed phone calls by C-Monster.net's high-powered Hollywood agent, we managed to wrangle our way into a guided tour of the studio's incredible backlot on a positively sweltering summer day. We saw everything from the satanic-looking sculptures that appeared in Angels and Demons to a recreation of the hilltop town of Assisi where St. Francis received the stigmata ("it's too steep and inconvenient to film there," said our guide of the real Assisi). Most significantly, we got to see the house where Grande Fratello, Italy's version of Big Brother is filmed. The highlight, however, was walking through the $20 million dollar set for HBO's Rome, a sprawling set of painted temples and forums that gave us a far better sense of the Imperial City than a year's worth of trudging through ruins.
Click on images to supersize. Continue reading


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One thing I often hear while working with Genex member and customer herds throughout the Northeast is "my cows are not showing heat and conceiving the way they should." Let's take a closer look at the issue and address factors affecting animals' ability to show heat. First of all, one must determine if the problem exists throughout the entire herd or within a specific subgroup. To do this, analyze the dairy's computer record system. Specifically, analyze the records for reproduction and events that have happened by lactation or lactation group. Once the group in which the problem exists is determined, one will be better able to find possible causes and solutions, such as the following.
How does flooring affect cows showing heat?
Slippery floors can be a deterrent to cows exhibiting heats and can also cause injury to animals. Generally concrete is the most common flooring surface in dairy facilities. To make concrete flooring more cow-friendly, one could groove or scabble slippery floors. Caution must be used when using grooving or scabbling floor options, as not to make the surfaces too abrasive on hooves. Another option is to use grooved rubber belting or similar rubber products.
How does lameness affect cows showing heat?
Lameness causes stress on an animal. Lameness also tends to cause animals to lie down more and eat less. Obviously, if an animal lies down more, it becomes more difficult to observe signs of heat. And, if an animal eats less, lameness can cause a cow to lose body condition.
How does body condition loss affect cows showing heat?
It is a known fact in the industry that a one point loss in body condition can inhibit an animal's ability to exhibit heat. Keeping rations adequate to prevent body condition loss are critical. An old saying I have heard and believe has a lot of merit in this situation: "rations need to be balanced adequately to maintain production and reproduction." Remember a cow is a mother; she needs enough energy to produce milk (feed her calf) before she will want to reproduce again.
How does the ratio of open to pregnant cows affect cows showing heat?
The higher the number of pregnant cows in a pen the lower the amount of estrus that is shown; pregnant cows and cows in mid cycle are much less likely to mount cows in or near heat. A possible solution for this issue is to maintain a higher percentage of open cows within the breeding group.
How does transitioning affect cows showing heat?
The more metabolic problems an animal has when freshening, the greater probability of anestrus. According to the article, Effect of Disease on Reproduction in Dairy Cows: a Meta‑Analysis, clinical ketosis, dystocia and retained placentas are associated with more days to first service and a lower conception rate at first service (Fourichon, Seegers and Malher, 2002). Overcrowding of transition groups may also lead to more metabolic problems at or after calving. Some recently available data looks at bunk space for overcrowding rather than stall space.
How does failure of proper observation for estrus affect cows in heat?
Jeffrey S. Stevenson of Kansas State University says, "The greatest limiting factor to successful fertilization is associated with detection of estrus. It is estimated that approximately 50% of heats go undetected on the average dairy farm in the U.S." (1997). He goes on to state, "There are two important challenges in heat detection. The first is accurately recognizing signs of heat and the second is catching all possible heats in breeding heifers and cows. One might be quite accurate in catching cows in heat, but still have a major heat detection problem because too few heats are observed." One solution for the issue of failure to properly observe estrus may be to adequately train employees in heat detection technique. In regards to specific timeframes for observing animals for heat, the proper time to observe animals is not while they are eating; instead, for the best results, it should be every employee's job to make sure they observe animals at all times and properly identify the animals in heat. If herds are housed in stanchion barns, they need to be turned out daily, to conduct proper heat detection.
How does heat stress affect cows in heat?
As M.A. Varner of the University of Maryland explains, "The term 'heat stress' refers to the stress of hot weather and not the estrous or heat cycle." He goes on to share how reproductive efficiency is affected by heat stress. "First, cows are harder to detect in estrus and are sometimes classified as anestrus. Second, cows that are bred by artificial insemination have a hard time becoming or staying pregnant. The second problem shows up as low conception rate or high services per conception." A solution for heat stress is to have a great heat abatement strategy, which may include sprinklers, fans, tunnel ventilated barns, a source of water close to cows exiting the milking parlor, or multiple water sources for cows on pasture. In conclusion, there are many different factors that could cause a producer to say, "My cows are not showing heat and conceiving the way they should." To overcome the obstacles, a producer needs to drill down through all layers to find the source of the problem - problems that could relate to the cows not showing heat or people not heat detecting correctly. There are also products available to aid in heat detection – such as tail paint, Kamars®, heat detection systems, heat detection workshops and protocol programs – but I suggest not just putting a Band-Aid on an underlying problem. Work with your local resources (veterinarian, Genex consultant, etc.) to determine the problem and fix it from its source.
Fourichon, C., H. Seegers, and X. Malher. "Effects of Disease on Reproduction in Dairy Cows."
Theriogenology 53.9 (2002). 1729-59.Stevenson, Jeffrey S. "The question would be are their cows really not showing heat or are we not heat detecting correctly." 1997.
Varner, M. A. "Stress and Reproduction." Dairy Integrated Reproductive Management.
Special thanks to Jerry Bertoldo, DMV, Dairy Specialist, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Genesee County, N.Y.


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I Can't Draw an at
© Betsy B. Lee, 2003 (used with permission)
|Can you draw an at?
I can draw a hat.
I can draw a cat.
I just can't draw an at.
Can you draw meanings of here and there?
Dolch words like these are seen everywhere.
It's sure to make reading much more fun
To learn these service words in grade one.
Dolch words on lists for grades two and three
Aren't seen in grade one as frequently.
They still are found in first grade.
Knowing Dolch words gives reading much aid.
An illustration can give a clue
For guessing a word. That's certainly true.
Making a guess can bring a smile
Or it can miss by a mile.
Decoding words is another way
To comprehend what words say,
But Dolch words should be known on sight
If they will be read just right.
If sight word mastery is the goal,
Pictures are not the things to behold.
Pictures can help children visualize
But dependance on pictures can close their eyes.
Draw a picture with many a word?
I don't think that is absurd.
It helps the mind to live and grow
Like making a personal movie show.
When words don't sound the way they look,
Should readers learn from a list or a book?
A list is fine from time to time.
Dolch books are more fun, like rhythm and rhyme.
When all is said and all is done,
I'll take you back where I've begun.
I can't draw an at, a was, or a too.
Can you?
|Thanks to Betsy for sharing this poem with us!


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In fact, Mr. Lenny is not tall and was prematurely gray before taking on his post. But those are about the only things that have remained status quo since he and his team took over the ailing $3.5 billion marketer in February 1998.
At the time, a leveraged buyout had distracted management from a marketing focus. Ad spending had dropped precipitously. Nabisco's direct sales force, once the envy of the industry, was drastically scaled back.
Fewer new products were hitting the market. And existing product stars, such as SnackWell's, skidded to an all-time sales low.
Overall, the Oreo maker's cookie and cracker market share had eroded from the 44% mark to under 40% by early 1998.
"We had, quite frankly, abdicated our category leadership role," said Mr. Lenny, 47, in an interview at the company's Parsippany, N.J., headquarters. "Over the years we weren't supporting our brands, the category didn't grow, we lost share and competitors gained share."
Not anymore. Nabisco goes into this week's Food Marketing Institute annual supermarket trade show with a vastly improved direct store-delivery system; 30 product restages or seasonal products under its belt; and a 20% marketing spending jump.
Even though the unit's first-quarter share is flat, that's an uptick from the first half of 1998, which saw a 1 point loss. And in Nabisco's most recent quarter, the biscuit division reported a 2% increase in sales -- its third consecutive quarter increase and the first such showing in five years.
"I'm not declaring victory by any stretch," Mr. Lenny said. "But the turnaround is progressing."
By Mr. Lenny's account, that feat was accomplished by a simple formula -- becoming a company that's "consumer-driven and customer-focused."
That's meant looking outward first -- developing products and strategies based on consumer needs.
Nabisco revamped its internal operations, for example, dissolving its organizational line between sweet and savory snacks because "that's not the way consumers buy," Mr. Lenny said.
Nabisco also is working on a consumer model to deliver what it's calling Integrated Marketing Intelligence, defined as a means to determine and quantify the optimal level and mix of promotion for 20 of its brands.
The purpose is to find "where there are portfolio gaps and how best to spend our marketing dollars," Mr. Lenny said.
Those marketing dollars were once much more scarce.
"Not even adjusted for inflation, we were spending less on advertising in '97 then we were in '87," Mr. Lenny said.
Today, he said, "We are on the air with a Nabisco brand 52 weeks a year."
In 1998, Nabisco promised a 20% increase in marketing spending across the board, a figure the company is expected to match or exceed in '99, even though Mr. Lenny declined to discuss spending specifics.
But he hastened to add: "The story isn't that the biscuit company is increasing its spending. The story is that we are increasing our spending because we have brand-building initiatives."
Among those in '98 were the "Chips Ahoy! Chipless Challenge," a promotion that will be repeated and asks kids to find a bag of the cookies without chips, and the "Don't Eat the Winning Oreo" promotion, in which actual cookies were embossed with prize designations.
So far this year, Nabisco is running an "Islands of Adventure" sweepstakes tie-in for several brands with Universal Studios' new theme park and planning a second-quarter "Endless Summer" promotion linking its crackers with Coca-Cola.
Newly installed cracker shop J. Walter Thompson USA, Chicago, is preparing new advertising for Triscuit, Air Crisps and Wheat Thins, the latter reformulated with a wheatier, nuttier taste note.
Foote, Cone & Belding, New York, is at work on new Oreo advertising for kids and a teen-aimed spots for Chips Ahoy!
"What we're looking for is opportunities for these icon brands that haven't had some of the product improvements that have taken place in the category," Mr. Lenny said.
Last year, that meant lending news to existing products, with 30 restages or seasonal lines. Fig Newtons were rendered "more moist." Toastettes were given a Kool Stuf extension with new icing, flavors, packaging and promotions. Cheese Nips were given new Extra Cheddar and Pizza varieties. Wheat Thins got a new line extension, Big Wheat Thins, positioned as a crossover cracker to be used either for dips or as an accompaniment cracker.
Mr. Lenny holds up Teddy Grahams as an example of how marketing attention can revive a failing brand. In the 1980s, the teddy-bear shaped cookies were a $150 million business, but they had nosedived to $25 million in sales last year.
"We'd walked away from the kids segment," he reflected.
But Nabisco strode back in. It reintroduced the original bear shapes, refocused on the brand's original target market of 2-to-5-year-olds, broke new advertising and added a chocolate chip line extension.The result: "The business is up significantly," with double-digit growth, he said.
One reason Teddy Grahams stumbled was that the brand was a victim of Nabisco's fanatical focus on wellness, as it single-mindedly tried to pump up its flagging SnackWell's brand.
"SnackWell's was the most visible" sign of Nabisco's woes, said Mr. Lenny. "It was the hood ornament of our being able to turn around the company."
Not to mention an easy target for rival marketers.
The SnackWell's brand had shot up to $500 million in sales in three years, a phenomenal record. But it plunged easily, too. In 1996, '97 and '98, sales slid almost 20% each year; they bottomed out at $300 million last year.
Mr. Lenny said SnackWell's serves as an apt allegory to describe what had been wrong with the company as a whole -- it's habit of tapping an on-target trend but then not following through.
"We invented the wellness, better-for-you category and then we stood still. We let competitors come in," he said.
SnackWell's new ad strategy, along with new packaging and a stronger promotional focus on women, has helped put the brand back on track, although it still has a long way to go to regain its glory days.
Nabisco also is on the road back with retailers, Mr. Lenny said, after a disastrous cutback of its direct store-delivery system.
"What we lost was single-store ownership of a sales rep. It's very important in a DSD-oriented organization to have people in the stores once a week, and in high-volume stores, perhaps twice a week," said Mr. Lenny.
Nabisco erred in "splitting up that single-store ownership and having anywhere from two to five people call on a store. That's where you lose relationships."
The company has been rebuilding those bridges with a test program now in about 70% of the nation's grocery stores. It gives sales reps back a small number of stores to work with, and adds improvements such as weekend service with some accounts because, Mr. Lenny said, 60% of category sales occur from Friday through Sunday.
As far as Nabisco has come, Mr. Lenny remains a realist.
"Our business wasn't broken in a day, and it won't get fixed in a day," he said.
But it won't be for lack of trying.
"This organization has an unbelievable desire to win in the marketplace," the executive added.
Any doubts that the competitive fire is back in Nabisco's belly are banished by a walk through the biscuit division's marketing department. There desktops sport a framed photo of Keebler Foods' elf mascot Ernie -- lynched from the Nabisco