text:
2003 Regular Session
To: Oil, Gas and Other Minerals; Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res
By: Senator(s) Johnson (38th)
SECTION 1. Section 53-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
53-1-3. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words defined in this section shall have the following meaning when found in Sections 53-1-1 through 53-1-47, inclusive, and in Sections 53-3-3 through 53-3-21, inclusive:
(a) "Board" means the State Oil and Gas Board as created by Section 53-1-5.
(b) A "certificate of clearance" means a permit for the transportation or the delivery of oil, gas or products, approved and issued or registered under the authority of the board.
(c) A "certificate of compliance" means a certificate issued by the board showing compliance with the conservation laws of the state, and conservation rules, regulations and orders of the board, prior to connection with a pipeline.
(d) "Developed area" or "developed unit" means a drainage unit having a well completed therein which is capable of producing oil or gas in paying quantities.
(e) "Drainage unit" or "drilling unit" means the maximum area in a pool which may be assigned to one (1) well so as to produce the reasonably recoverable oil or gas in such area, shall be established by statewide rules or by special field rules of the board, and shall be of such size and configuration as will foster, encourage and promote the development, production and utilization of the natural resource of oil and gas.
(f) "Field" means the general area which is underlaid or appears to be underlaid by at least one (1) pool; and "field" shall include the underground reservoir or reservoirs containing oil or gas or both. The words "field" and "pool" mean the same thing when only one (1) underground reservoir is involved; however, "field," unlike "pool," may relate to two (2) or more pools.
(g) "Gas" means all natural gas, whether hydrocarbon or nonhydrocarbon or any combination or mixture thereof, including hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, helium, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, casinghead gas, occluded natural gas from coal seams, compressed air and all other hydrocarbons not defined as oil in subsection (c) above.
(h) "Illegal oil and illegal gas" means oil or gas which has been produced within the State of Mississippi from any well during any time that the well has produced in excess of the amount allowed by law or by any rule, regulation or order of the board. "Illegal product" means any product derived, in whole or in part, from illegal oil or illegal gas.
(i) "Mixed waste" means oil and gas production waste which contains nonexempt concentrations of radioactive materials as defined by the regulations for the control of radiation in Mississippi and/or which contains concentrations or quantities of hazardous substances as regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
(j) "Noncommercial disposal of oil field exploration and production waste" means the storage, treatment, recovery, processing, disposal or acceptance of oil field exploration and production waste which is not commercial oil field exploration and production waste disposal as defined in Section 17-17-3.
(k) "Oil" means crude petroleum oil and all other hydrocarbons, regardless of gravity, which are produced at the well in liquid form by ordinary production methods and which are not the result of condensation of gas.
(l) "Oil field exploration and production wastes" means:
(i) Any liquid, gaseous, solid, naturally occurring radioactive, or other substance(s), including but not limited to, any chemical, produced water, sludge, oil-water emulsion, oil field brine, waste oil, sediment, scale or other waste substance(s);
(ii) Any equipment or any other related apparatus containing or contaminated with such substance(s) as set forth in subparagraph (i) above; or
(iii) Any land or structures containing or contaminated with such substance(s) as set forth in subparagraph (i) above, which is associated with, produced by, or used in the exploration, drilling, and/or production of oil, gas or other minerals within the territorial limits of the State of Mississippi.
(m) "Orphan well" means any oil or gas well in the state, including Class II wells, which has not been properly plugged according to the requirements of the statutes, rules and regulations governing same and for which a responsible party such as an owner or operator cannot be located or for which, for whatever reason, there is no other party which can be forced to plug the well.
(n) "Owner" means the person who has the right to drill into and produce from any pool, and to appropriate the production either for himself or for himself and another or others.
(o) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any state, municipality, political subdivision of any state, or any agency, department or instrumentality of the United States, or any other entity, or any officer, agent or employee of any of the above.
(p) "Pool" means an underground reservoir containing a common accumulation of oil or gas or both. Each zone of a general structure which is completely separated from any other zone in the structure is included in the term "pool" as used herein.
(q) "Producer" means the owner of a well or wells capable of producing oil or gas or both.
(r) "Product" means any commodity made from oil or gas, and shall include refined crude oil, processed crude petroleum, residuum from crude petroleum, cracking stock, uncracked fuel oil, fuel oil, treated crude oil, residuum, casinghead gasoline, natural gas gasoline, naphtha, distillate, gasoline, kerosene, waste oil, blended gasoline, lubricating oil, blends or mixtures of oil with one or more liquid products or by-products derived from oil or gas, and blends or mixtures of two (2) or more liquid products or by-products derived from oil, condensate, gas or petroleum hydrocarbons, whether hereinabove enumerated or not.
(s) "Refined hydrocarbons" means any refined petroleum products.
(t) "Royalty owner" means any person who possesses an interest in the production but who is not an "owner" as herein defined.
(u) "Supervisor" or "State Oil and Gas Supervisor" means the officer appointed by the State Oil and Gas Board pursuant to Section 53-1-7.
(v) "Underground Injection Program" means a program regulating the injection of any fluids produced or fluids associated with the exploration, storage and/or production of oil and/or gas and being among those other laws relating to the conservation of oil and gas as referred to in Section 53-1-17(a).
(w) "Waste" means and includes the following:
(i) The inefficient, excessive or improper use or dissipation of reservoir energy; and the locating, spacing, drilling, equipping, operating or producing of any oil or gas well or wells in a manner which results or tends to result in reducing the quantity of oil or gas ultimately to be recovered from any pool in this state.
(ii) The inefficient storing of oil; and the locating, spacing, drilling, equipping, operating or producing of any oil or gas well or wells in a manner causing or tending to cause unnecessary or excessive surface loss or destruction of oil or gas.
(iii) Abuse of the correlative rights and opportunities of each owner of oil or gas in a pool due to nonuniform, disproportionate, or unratable withdrawals causing undue drainage between tracts of land or resulting in one or more owners in such pool producing more than his just and equitable share of the production from such pool.
(iv) Producing oil or gas in such manner as to cause unnecessary channeling of water or gas or both or coning of water.
(v) The operation of any oil well or wells with an inefficient gas-oil ratio.
(vi) The drowning with water of any stratum or part thereof capable of producing oil or gas.
(vii) The creation of unnecessary fire hazards.
(viii) The escape into the open air, from a well producing both oil and gas, of gas in excess of the amount which is necessary in the efficient drilling or operation of the well.
(ix) Permitting gas produced from a gas well to escape into open air.
(x) The use of gas from gas wells, except sour gas, for the manufacture of carbon black, except and unless the board shall find that there are no adequate pipeline connections to otherwise market the gas.
SECTION 2. Section 17-17-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
17-17-47. (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this chapter, the State Oil and Gas Board shall continue to exercise the exclusive authority to make rules and regulations and issue permits governing the noncommercial disposal of oil field waste products and shall continue to exercise the exclusive authority to regulate Class II underground injection wells in accordance with the provisions of Section 53-1-17. * * * To the extent that such oil field exploration and production waste products may * * * constitute hazardous wastes under the provisions of this chapter, such rules and regulations shall be subject to the approval of the commission in order to insure that they are consistent with the requirements of this chapter and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-580).
(2) The commission shall have the exclusive authority to regulate the commercial disposal of oil field exploration and production waste products subject to limitations set out in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Mixed waste as defined by Section 53-1-3 may only be stored and disposed of according to the procedures implemented or permit issued and approved after the public hearing by the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board, the commission and the Department of Health.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.


text:
If Captain America was a realistic representation of the United States of America instead of some well groomed side part and perfectly pectoral'd ideal of a man, well, he'd be much fatter, much dumber and much more wasteful.
Using the USA's statistics and rankings in how it compares to different countries around the world in categories like education, mortality, obesity, etc., ADHD paints a much different image of "Captain America." One that reflects our sad reality.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dickinson's political science department is unusually large for a liberal arts college. Many of its members teach in Dickinson's interdisciplinary programs: Africana Studies, East Asian Studies, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies, Policy Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies. Our faculty are productive scholars of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Public Law, as well as dedicated and innovative teachers. Faculty conduct research on Russia, Latin America, Asia, Europe, policy issues, electoral politics, political communication, political theory, the presidency, US and comparative law, among others.
Our majors are actively involved on campus and in the department. Many are officers in Dickinson's student senate, are members of the college's Mock Trial team, are active in intercollegiate and intramural sports, volunteer at many local charities, and participate in service trips. Most of our majors also study off-campus at programs in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Washington, D.C.
Upon graduation, our students go on to study at graduate and law schools in the US and abroad. Recent graduates have gone on to study human rights, public health, public policy, international affairs, political management, and law at the best programs in the country and around the world. Many other graduates choose to serve in the Peace Corps and Teach for America or to pursue careers in local, state, and federal government, journalism, law, business, and broadcasting.
Contact Info
David Strand
Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science (1980)
Department Coordinator:
Maria Ritchie
Academic Department Coordinator
219A, Denny Hall
Mailing Address


text:
Stroke Warning Signs
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke and getting immediate medical help can save a life.
Get Immediate Help
If you or someone you're with shows the signs of a stroke, don't wait to seek help. Calling 911 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency Medical Services can begin treating you on the way to the hospital.
An easy way to recognize and remember the warning signs is to think FAST:
F = Face
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = Arms
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = Speech
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
T = Time
If you observe any of these signs, then it's time to call 9-1-1.


text:
Nashville, Tenn. - Tennessee State earned their first win of the season as they hosted the Tiger Invitational. The Tigers picked up a 7-2 win over IUPUI before going down 7-3 at the hands of Butler. TSU moved to 1-10 on the season, while IUPUI fell to 5-8 and Butler improved to 2-7.
The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run single by Jennifer Givens. Tedra Alford scored from third, while Ashley Haynes scored all the way from second base on a slap to the shortstop side of the pitching circle that Givens beat out.
TSU added a run in the third and another in the fourth in what seemed like déjà vu. Kiarra Freeman scored on an errant throw after stealing third base in the third. An inning later, Lindsey Burgess crossed home plate in the exact same manner as Freeman, extending the lead to 4-0.
IUPUI picked up two runs in the top of the fifth inning, only to see the Tigers answer back with three in the bottom half of the inning. Audrey Sensing was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to plate Freeman. Kate Morris drove in the final two runs of the game with a single to left center driving in Givens and Haynes.
Olivia Gamache (1-4) earned the win by scattering seven runs and one walk, while striking out three over six innings. Shea Morris struck out two in a perfect inning of work in a non-save opportunity.
Game two started in the same fashion as game one with the Tigers taking an early 1-0 lead when Kacey Daugherty scored on a ground ball by Haynes. The lead was short lived as Butler picked up runs in the third and the fourth innings to take a 3-1 lead.
Haynes led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a double to centerfield and scored on a sacrifice fly by Burgess, cutting the score to 3-2. The Bulldogs increased their lead with three runs in the fifth and another in the seventh.
TSU tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, as Freeman drove Burgess home on a two out single. Trailing 7-3 with two outs and runners on first and second, Kate Morris stepped to the plate with a chance to get the Tigers closer and extend the game. Morris drove the ball to deep centerfield, but the Bulldogs were able to track the long fly down and secure the win.
Shea Morris (0-6) took the loss as she allowed just two earned runs. The sophomore pitcher fanned eight batters, giving her a total of 19 on the weekend.
Haynes and Gamache were named to the All-Tournament team. Haynes batted .714 (5-for-7) with a double, a triple and three walk, giving her an on base percentage of .800 (8-for-10) on the weekend. Haynes also scored a team high four runs and picked up an RBI. Gamache finished with a 1-1 record and a 1.50 ERA.
The Tigers will travel to Irondale, Ala., for the Tiny Lassiter HBCU Classic. TSU will play five games during the three-day tournament, with the first on Mar. 2. Audio broadcast of Tiger games can be heard on tsutigers.com.
2013 Tiger Invitational All-Tournament Team
MVP - Alyson Clemente, Bradley
Brittany Burgess, Bradley
Mackenzie Camp, Bradley
Brianne Joseph, Bradley
Kelsey Rupert, IUPUI
Nikki Thomas, IUPUI
Leah Bry, Butler
Meaghan Sullivan, Butler
Jordan Eades, Morgan State
Tiffany Rubin, Morgan State
Ashley Haynes, Tennessee State
Olivia Gamache, Tennessee State
Tournament Champion - Bradley
Day 2 Results
Bradley-15, Morgan State-2
IUPUI-4, Morgan State-2
Bradley-14, Butler-7
Tennessee State-7, IUPUI-2
Butler-7, Tennessee State-3
Day 1 Results
IUPUI-1, Butler-0
Butler-8, Morgan State-3
Bradley-9, IUPUI-5
Morgan State-3, Tennessee State-0
Bradley-5, Tennessee State-2


text:
Romanian coach operator DACOS has placed an order for 14 VDL Futuras of the type FHD2-129. DACOS has been a loyal VDL customer for more than twenty years and has a fleet consisting mostly of VDL coaches. The new Futuras will be used for travel to and from various tourist destinations throughout Europe.
"The relationship with VDL is very important to us. It feels like a comfortable, trusted partnership. We are very happy with the VDL coaches in our fleet. So based on our good experience in the past, buying VDL again was simply the logical choice," says Alex Petrescu, General Manager of DACOS.
Siebren de Boer, Area Sales Manager VDL Bus & Coach: "This order confirms our good relationship with DACOS. We see it as a sign of appreciation that our latest generation of products will have the chance to prove their value with this loyal customer."
Since October 2015 EVW Holding has been the official importer of the VDL Bus & Coach products in Romania and is also responsible for the after-sales activities in the Romanian market. "For us, the delivery of these VDL Futuras is a wonderful start in the Romanian market. This will increase the visibility of the VDL brand, and the fact that DACOS, a decades-long VDL customer, has once again chosen VDL shows that the brand has a lot to offer," says Stefan Vâju, CEO EVW Holding.
Profit of Ownership
The VDL Futura is a coach that uses cutting-edge technology for maximum 'Profit of Ownership' by combining fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, powerful engines with an exceptionally low kerb weight. The Futuras for DACOS have a length of 12.9 metres and a 49+1+1 seating arrangement. Luxury Class 100 furnishings equipped with sockets for charging personal electronic devices provide passengers with maximum comfort.
From left to right: Paul van Houtum (Area Manager After Sales VDL Bus & Coach), Bogdan Sandu (Technical Specialist DACOS), Cristian Pavel (Driver DACOS), Alex Petrescu (General Manager DACOS), Siebren de Boer (Area Sales Manager VDL Bus & Coach), Eugen Iliescu (Logistic Manager DACOS).
DACOS is one of Romania's leading passenger transport companies. DACOS vehicles have long been a dominating presence on major routes between large cities in Romania. DACOS is also active internationally, carrying tourists all across Europe. DACOS was founded by Dan Petrescu in 1992. The first VDL coach was purchased second-hand in 1996. Thus the relationship with VDL spans a period of more than 20 years. DACOS is based in Ramnicu Vâlcea, in the middle of the country, but operates throughout Romania and is also a familiar name internationally. The fleet currently includes 44 vehicles, of which 40 are VDL products.
Valkenswaard, January 2017


text:
Instructors and students now have an easy way to track online quiz scores with the Norton Gradebook.
Go to the Norton Gradebook
The ebook version America: A Narrative History, 8e offers the full content of the print version at half the price.
StudyApp provides the perfect mobile solution for studying any topic anywhere. Use the flashcard mode to review key terms and figures from each chapter. The quiz mode allows you to test your knowledge and share your scores with your friends on Facebook.
Back to Top
Norton Website
Trade Books
W. W. Norton & Company has been independent since its founding
in 1923, when William Warder Norton and Margaret D. Norton first
published lectures delivered at the People's Institute, the adult
education division of New York City's Cooper Union. The Nortons
soon expanded their program beyond the Institute, publishing books
by celebrated academics from America and abroad. By mid-century,
the two major pillars of Norton's publishing program—trade books
and college texts—were firmly established. In the 1950s, the Norton
family transferred control of the company to its employees, and
today—with a staff of 400 and a comparable number of trade, college,
and professional titles published each year—W. W. Norton & Company
stands as the largest and oldest publishing house owned wholly by
its employees.


text:
Testimony for Hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security
on Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP-GPO)
Jane L. Ross, Deputy Commissioner for Policy Testified
June 27, 2000
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the government pension offset provision, commonly referred to as the GPO. Today I will describe for you how this provision works and the reasons Congress enacted it. I will then discuss H.R. 1217, a bill that is before this Subcommittee that would change the way this provision is applied.
The GPO affects Social Security beneficiaries who receive pensions based on work not covered under Social Security. These beneficiaries are retired workers who were employed by Federal, State, and local government entities. The GPO reduces or eliminates the Social Security benefit payable to a person as the spouse or surviving spouse of a worker.
In enacting the GPO, Congress intended to remove an unfair advantage available to government workers whose employment was not covered under the Social Security program. The goal of the GPO is to assure that Social Security dependent's benefits will not be paid to persons not dependent on the worker.
Description of GPO
The GPO affects government retirees who are eligible for two retirement benefits:
A pension based on their own work in a Federal, State, or local government job that was not covered by Social Security, and
A Social Security dependent's benefit based on their husband's or wife's work in covered employment.
For such a retiree, the GPO requires that the Social Security spouse's benefit be reduced--or "offset"--by two-thirds of the amount of the noncovered government pension.
To simplify the discussion I will generally talk about how the GPO affects Social Security benefits paid to wives. Actually, the provision also similarly affects benefits for other dependents--husbands, widows, and widowers. Also, when I speak of government
employment, unless I note otherwise, I am referring to employment that was not covered by Social Security on the last day of the worker's employment. This is the test used under the current law offset provision.
Rationale for the GPO
Let me now turn to a discussion of the rationale for the GPO. The GPO provision, enacted by Congress in 1977, is designed to replicate the dual-entitlement provision of the Social Security program for workers receiving a pension from noncovered government employment. The dual-entitlement provision, which has applied since 1940, requires that Social Security benefits payable to a person as a spouse or surviving spouse be reduced by the amount of that person's own Social Security worker's benefit. Thus, a person who works in a job that is covered under Social Security and receives a Social Security worker's benefit cannot also receive a full Social Security spouse's benefit. The dual-entitlement provision was intended to restrict the payment of benefits to those family members who were actually dependent on the worker.
Under the dual entitlement provision, if a person is entitled to a larger Social Security benefit as a worker than as a spouse, no spouse's benefit is payable because the person is not considered dependent on the other spouse. Similarly, if the benefit payable as a spouse exceeds the worker's benefit for that person on their own record, then the spouse's benefit is offset by the amount of the worker's benefit. As a result of the dual entitlement provision, nearly 6 million beneficiaries receive reduced benefits as spouse--which is to say that they receive the equivalent of the worker's benefit or the spouse's benefit, whichever is higher.
The GPO acts as a surrogate for the dual entitlement provision for workers receiving a government pension based on work not covered under Social Security because if the work had been covered, any spouse's or surviving spouse's benefit would have been reduced by the person's own Social Security worker's benefit. Government pensions are, to a large extent, a substitute for Social Security benefits. The result of enactment of the GPO is that spouses and surviving spouses are treated similarly, regardless of whether their jobs are covered under Social Security or not. Thus, the GPO helps ensure that those who receive Social security benefits as dependents were, in fact, dependent to some extent on the worker for financial support.
Visual Presentation
To better illustrate the dual entitlement provision and how the GPO helps replicate dual-entitlement, I've brought along several illustrative charts.
The first chart shows Mary, a woman worker whose monthly Social Security retirement benefit is $600. Mary's husband has a Social Security worker's benefit of $1,400, entitling Mary to a Social Security spouse's benefit of $700. However, because of the dual-entitlement provision, Mary cannot receive both benefits in full. Her $700 benefit as a spouse is offset dollar for dollar by her $600 worker's benefit. Consequently, she receives her worker's benefit of $600 plus the remaining spouse's benefit of $100 for a total monthly benefit of $700.
The second chart shows Mary's sister Nancy. Nancy worked in a government job not covered by Social Security. While Nancy does not receive a Social Security worker's benefit, she does receive a monthly government pension of $600. Like Mary's husband, Nancy's husband also receives a monthly Social Security benefit of $1,400 so Nancy is eligible for a Social Security spouse's benefit of $700. Since Nancy does not receive a Social Security worker's benefit, the dual entitlement provision does not apply. If the GPO provision did not exist, Nancy would receive her monthly spouse's benefit of $700 plus her government pension of $600 for a total of $1,300 in monthly benefits.
The third chart reflects present law and shows how the GPO provision affects Nancy's Social Security benefits. Under the GPO, Nancy's $700 spouse's benefit is reduced by $400, two-thirds of the amount of her monthly government pension. Thus, under GPO, Nancy receives her monthly pension of $600 plus a monthly spouse's benefit of $300 for a total of $900. As a result of the GPO, Nancy, who worked in a noncovered job, is treated like Mary, who is affected by the dual entitlement provision.
The fourth chart shows a comparison of the three examples. I believe that this chart demonstrates how the GPO was designed to replicate the dual entitlement provision and remove the favorable treatment under Social Security that previously existed for government workers who were not covered under Social Security.
Why the Offset is Less Than 100 Percent
Although the GPO provision is intended to accomplish the same purpose as the dual entitlement provision, the amount of the reduction under the GPO is different:
Under the dual entitlement provision, there is a dollar-for-dollar reduction: if a woman gets a monthly Social Security benefit of $300 based on her own work, then $300 is subtracted from any Social Security benefit she would get as a wife.
Under GPO, there is a two-thirds reduction. If a woman gets a monthly pension of $300 based on her own work in government, then two-thirds of it ($200) is subtracted from any Social Security benefit she would get as a wife.
The GPO replicates the Social Security dual-entitlement rule by assuming that two-thirds of the government pension is approximately equivalent to a Social Security retirement benefit the worker would receive if his/her job had been covered by Social Security. Therefore, only two-thirds of the government pension is used to offset Social Security benefits.
The other third of the government pension is considered as the equivalent of a private pension and is not used to offset Social Security benefits. Here again, the GPO affects government workers in the way that dual entitlement affects non-government workers: both groups of workers can receive a private pension without having it offset against their Social Security spouse's benefit.
While Congress settled on two-thirds of the government pension as the amount to be considered equivalent to a Social Security worker's benefit, actually there is no single offset rate that would be a precise match in every case. This is because Social Security and government pensions have different benefit structures and serve different purposes.
A 1990 Congressional Research Service study of the effects of the GPO on employees under the federal Civil Service Retirement System concluded, in part, that the net effect of these differences between Social Security and government pensions is that low earners probably have less of a reduction in their spouse's benefits under the GPO than they would under dual entitlement. Thus, low earners subject to the GPO generally do somewhat better than similarly-situated low earners subject to the dual entitlement provision and high earners do somewhat worse under the GPO than similarly-situated high-earners subject to dual entitlement.
Impact of GPO
As of December 1999, 305,000 beneficiaries had their benefits fully or partially offset due to the GPO. The following table shows some important distinctions in its effects on men and women:
|Affected by the GPO
|Benefits Fully Offset
|Average Monthly Offset
The difference in the average pension received by those affected by the GPO varies significantly by gender. For women, the average monthly pension amount is currently about $1,150; for men it is $1,950. As expected, the pension amount is larger for those who are fully offset. For women whose benefits are fully offset, the average pension is $1,400, but only $540 for women whose benefits are partially offset under the GPO provision.
Arguments for Eliminating the GPO
Critics of the GPO say that:
- The provision is not well understood and many people are unprepared for a smaller Social Security benefit than they had assumed in making retirement plans.
Reducing everyone's spousal benefit by two-thirds of their government pension is an imprecise way to estimate what the spousal benefit would be had the government job been covered by Social Security. Ideally, the way to compute the dual entitlement rule would be to apply the Social Security benefit formula to an individual's total earnings, including the noncovered portion, and reduce the resulting Social Security benefit by the proportion of total earnings attributable to noncovered earnings. However, this is not possible from an administrative standpoint because SSA does not have information on a person's noncovered earnings history.
The GPO unfairly singles-out workers with government pensions, compared to those with private pensions.
Arguments for Retaining the GPO
Defenders of the GPO maintain that:
- It is an effective method to cut back what otherwise would be an unfair advantage for government workers.
It is appropriate to provide different treatment for workers with government pensions if they did not pay Social Security tax on the employment that generated the pension.
There has been ample time for people to adjust their retirement plans since the provision has been in the law for nearly 23 years.
Had these workers been covered by Social Security, in many cases Social Security's dual entitlement rule would actually produce a greater reduction of spouse's benefits than does the GPO.
While not always perfect, because administrative considerations precluded applying the Social Security benefit computation rules to government employment, the GPO is defended as a practical way to prevent undue Social Security benefits from going to government annuitants.
Now I'd like to discuss H.R. 1217, the bill introduced by Representative Jefferson to modify the GPO. Under H.R. 1217, the GPO would be eliminated for individuals with combined monthly Social Security spouse's/surviving spouse's benefits and non-covered government pensions of $1,200 or less. If the combined amount exceeds $1,200, there would be a dollar-for-dollar offset for the excess above $1,200. The bill would also guarantee that the offset could not exceed two-thirds of the pension, as guaranteed under present law. The $1,200 amount would be indexed by annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).
Effects of H.R. 1217
We've prepared another chart to show the effects of H.R. 1217. You'll recall, Nancy, our government worker, receives a monthly pension of $600 based on her noncovered government employment. In addition, her monthly spouse's benefit of $700 is reduced to $300 because of the current law GPO provision. The total that she would receive would be reduced from $1,300 to $900. Under H.R. 1217, no reduction would apply to the first $1,200 in combined monthly benefits. The combined amount of her government pension and Social Security benefits--$1,300-would exceed the $1,200 threshold by $100. Consequently, Nancy's Social Security spouse's benefit would be reduced under the bill by this $100 excess. Nancy would then receive her full pension of $600 and $600 per month in spouse's benefits (after the offset).
The final chart shows a comparison of all four examples. It shows how H.R. 1217 compares to present law and how it compares to the law that was in effect prior to enactment of the GPO. It also shows the effect H.R. 1217 would have on noncovered government workers compared to similarly-situated persons who worked in covered employment.
By linking the application of the GPO to a dollar threshold for the combined amount of the monthly government pension and the Social Security benefit, H.R. 1217 would be a significant departure from the earned-right nature of the program. The strong public support that Social Security has enjoyed since its inception is based on the concept that the Social Security taxes workers pay establishes a right to benefits that is not dependent on a showing of presumed financial need. In this regard, H.R. 1217 does nothing for the millions of similarly-situated spouses with low benefits who have worked and paid contributions into the system but whose benefits are affected by the dual-entitlement provision.
SSA's Office of Policy prepared an analysis of the effects of H.R. 1217. Based on this study our analysis shows that:
- 50 percent of the beneficiaries now affected by the GPO would have their benefits increased under the bill, including 29 percent who would come out of offset.
- Of the women with increased benefits, 64 percent would be wives and 36 percent would be widows. (This parallels the distribution of women now in offset.)
- 90 percent of those who would benefit from H.R. 1217 have income above the poverty level and over 80 percent have family income over 150 percent of poverty.
I would like to highlight this last point in particular. It demonstrates that H.R. 1217 is not well targeted at low-income elderly beneficiaries, especially widows. There are legitimate issues regarding the need to alleviate poverty among low-income elderly, including those impacted by the GPO. H.R. 1217, however, is not well targeted to address those issues.
Cost of H.R. 1217
SSA's Office of the Actuary estimates that H.R. 1217 would cost approximately $2.3 billion over the first five years and $5.9 billion over the first ten years. The long-range cost is estimated to be negligible (i.e., less than 0.005 percent of taxable payroll.)
Informing the Public
While the GPO has been part of the Social Security law for many years, SSA continues to actively work to inform government employees about it so that they can properly plan their retirement. The annual Social Security Statement advises workers that Social Security benefits may be affected by a pension based on noncovered work and provides the title of the SSA publication, Government Pension Offset, that explains the GPO. This publication, as well as information about the GPO, is also available on SSA's website.
For Federal government employees, SSA works closely with the Office of Personnel Management to provide background materials on the provision including fact sheets and pamphlets. These materials are made available at OPM seminars open to all Federal employees who are within 5 years of eligibility for retirement. SSA also provides the same background materials to State and local government agencies and to unions, such as the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, for use in informing State and local employees.
Congress had good reason to enact the GPO. It was established to prevent workers who spent a portion of their careers in employment not covered by Social Security from receiving more favorable treatment under Social Security than comparable workers who had worked a lifetime in covered employment.
H.R. 1217 would provide higher Social Security benefits for many career government workers whose pensions from noncovered employment, in combination with their Social Security benefits, are below certain levels. Thus, this bill focuses on providing higher Social Security benefits to public sector retirees, who were not covered by Social Security during their years in government work, simply because their combined public pension and Social Security benefits are deemed to be "too low". But as previously indicated, 90 percent are not poor and 80 percent have family income that is at least 150 percent of poverty.
Finally, I think that at this time, any change in the GPO should only be considered as part of the broader context of long-term reform and extending the solvency of the Social Security program. This is because a change in the GPO would inherently involve changing the relative level of benefits for one group of beneficiaries over another.
I want to again thank the Chairman and the Subcommittee for giving me this opportunity to discuss the GPO and to share SSA's analysis on the legislation before this Subcommittee. As always, I am more than happy to provide assistance to the Members and will be glad to work with you to provide any additional information you request. I would be glad to answer any questions you might have concerning the GPO provision.


text:
Dear Tennis Friends,
I have been working on the Flextennis Houston Summer Play Groups today. Sill looking to fill a few play positions.
Could use a 3.5 to 4.0 man in the Woodlands area to fill in a play group. Also looking for a 4.0 man in the Katy area to fill in a play group. Could use a 4.0 man for the central area also. And a 3.0 + man in the West area... Have lots of messages out. Some of my coaching friends are trying to help me too. Hope to fill these positions this evening or tomorrow, as soon as possible. The groups have pretty good drive times. We are in the first week of our season, now!
If anyone in this Houston Tennis Partners Group has a suggestion message me on this page or text me at 713-818-9109.
Thanks for any assistance,
Coach Sam Chadwell, League Coordinator,
You can also find me at http://chadwelltennis.com
Views: 103
Replies to This Discussion
We are starting week two of Flextennis Houston today. I have filled all but one of my open spaces in the various play groups around town. I think I have done a good job of organizing groups with minimal drive times. If anyone would like to give this program a try please sign up for the waiting list at http://flextennis.com and I will stay in touch with you. If an opening for a substitute or a replacement player becomes available in your area I will contact you immediately.
I am also about to begin organizing one day and half day regional fun tournaments and mixers around the greater Houston area to stimulate interest in the Flextennis league program.
Wishing everyone a good summer. Hope to see you on the courts!
~Coach Sam
I want to sign up for this. Can't find on the site to sign up?
Hello Tri... The season has begun and I have filled all the play groups. Please sign up for the waiting list and I will add you to my event notification list. You will definitely be considered as a replacement player if a suitable position becomes available.
Thanks for your message!
Coach Sam
© 2019 Created by Mark / The Mayor. Powered by


text:
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $36 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc., is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2014. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes.
Canon | Facebook | @CanonUSA
Narrow by
- Strategy & Planning (32) Apply Strategy & Planning filter
- Marketing, Public Relations & Sales (22) Apply Marketing, Public Relations & Sales filter
- Operations (21) Apply Operations filter
- Business Plans/Startup Assistance (16) Apply Business Plans/Startup Assistance filter
- Accounting & Cash Flow (12) Apply Accounting & Cash Flow filter
- Human Resources (11) Apply Human Resources filter
- Customer Relations (8) Apply Customer Relations filter
- Financing/Capital (8) Apply Financing/Capital filter
- Technology (8) Apply Technology filter
- Buying or Selling a Business (5) Apply Buying or Selling a Business filter
- Franchising (3) Apply Franchising filter
- Legal Issues (1) Apply Legal Issues filter
- Other (1) Apply Other filter
- Tax Planning (1) Apply Tax Planning filter
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Module 3 - Creating Your Marketing Plan
In this module, you will learn how to market your business by doing a competitive comparison, creating a product and services description, developing a pricing strategy, identifyin Read more
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Module 5 - Funding Sources
In this module, you will learn about accounting and bookkeeping systems, sources of capital, the six C's of credit, and banking relations. Read more
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Module 1 - Startup Basics
If you're thinking about starting your own business, this module will teach you the basics. Read more
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Module 2 - Defining Your Business Concept
In this second module of the Simple Steps for Starting Your Business online course, you will learn how to evaluate your business concept. Read more
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Module 4 - Financial Projections
In this online training session, you'll learn the importance of financial planning, how to build your financial model, and how to understand financial statements, including an inco Read more
Customer Service: Small Business, Big Advantage
Small businesses have a big advantage when it comes to customer service. Read more
Infographic: Small Business Sales Are Up!
Small businesses account for 54% of all U.S. sales, and sales are steadily growing. Read more
What to Include in Your Operations Handbook
If you're away from your business, your employees need to run the company without you. Your operations handbook should enable them to handle any situation that arises. Read more
Understanding and Using Just-In-Time Inventory Management
What is just-in-time inventory management, and how can it help your business grow? The just-in-time (JIT) approach aims to keep only the minimum amount of inventory in stock. Read more
50 Technology Tips for a Well-Run Business
From enabling communication and collaboration to streamlining operations and boosting productivity, choosing the right business technology will make your life easier. Read more
Checklist for an Effective Sales Meeting
The more time your sales team spends in meetings, the less time they have available to actually sell. Read more


text:
10 Apps for National Nutrition Month
With spring's warm weather upon us, many fitness activities move outdoors and a new crop of fresh fruits and vegetables come in season. Appropriately enough, March is National Nutrition Month.
What started as a week-long event has now stretched into a month of making "informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits" encouraged by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
It's not always easy to eat healthfully, especially when a slice of pizza seems more convenient than a salad. But consuming a nutritious diet is not as hard as you may think, thanks to the many nutrition apps and websites available at your fingertips.
Improving your eating habits can be done in small steps. It may just start with using an app that indicates which fast-food restaurants offer the healthiest options. (This way, you can dodge the 840-calorie Baconator and spring for a 280-calorie grilled chicken sandwich.) Even if you've sworn off chains, these apps can still help you by monitoring what and how much you eat.
And if you think apps that track calories, ingredients, and nutritional facts are totally lame, think again. Even celebrity nutritionists recommend their clients use them. We talked to Hollywood media dietitian and television host Lisa Defazio, a registered dietician with an M.S. in nutritional science, to see what apps she recommends, and we were happy to see that a few of her favorite apps were some of ours, as well. We've rounded up 10 of the best to help you get and stay healthy and maybe even shed a few pounds along the way.
1 Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal
2 Calorie Counter: Diets & Activities
3 Calorie Counter by About
4 SparkPeople Food and Fitness Tracker
5 Calorie Tracker by Livestrong
6 Lose It!
7 Tap & Track – Calorie Counter (Diets & Exercises)
8 Calorie Counter By FatSecret
9 Restaurant Nutrition
10 Fooducate


text:
Rope sheaves unit rebuild service
Improve safety and reduce costs with maintenance-free rope sheaves
SKF has developed a new rope sheave concept. Existing sheaves are modified resulting in a maintenance-free solution that needs no relubrication. This resolves problems related to grease leakage. In addition, a patented security locking system ensures that the sheaves cannot fall off the machine.


text:
For the first time since the Illinois High School Association began hosting football playoffs in 1974, the finals were played in DeKalb at Northern Illinois University�s Huskie Stadium.
The first of this summer�s 7-on-7 competitions was held at NIU, and Rochester High School coach Derek Leonard made sure to get his team entered. The premise was the Rockets wanted to start the season where they hoped it would end.
Well, this story has a happy ending. Each of the past four Rochester football seasons have had happy endings, in fact. But the Rockets� 16-8 victory Friday night over Geneseo in the Class 4A title game was nothing like that 7-on-7 tournament back in June.
Rochester has won state titles with Colten Glazebrook running through a good Rock Island Alleman defense. It has won state titles with Wes Lunt and Zach Grant taking to the air against Richmond-Burton. And it has won state titles with Austin Green and Garret Dooley throwing and running all over Alleman again.
But Friday night the Rockets won with a defense that doesn�t exactly fit the profile of the finesse team that Rochester is perceived to be. The linebackers, Evan Sembell, Dylan Handlin and David Gunter, combined for 23 tackles, and the guys up front made the Maple Leafs earn every one of the 174 yards they gained on the ground.
Win one state championship and you get on the map. Win two in a row and you get a reputation. Win three straight and you become a dynasty. Win four in a row and you join the list of the greatest programs in state history.
With all due respect to the Ringate controversy of late October, the next thing on Rochester�s to-do list is to win one for the thumb.
Role of fate
Life has a funny way of working out. In 2004, when he was an assistant coach at Fairbury Prairie Central, Leonard interviewed for the vacant Riverton head coaching job. Jeremiah Johnson got the job, went 1-8 and 4-5 and was gone. How different might things be today if the Hawks had picked Leonard?
The next year the Rochester job opened up when Dave Jacobs, the program�s first head coach in 1996, left. Leonard applied, interviewed and was hired. Except for one thing.
�When I got this job, if they would have said, �You�ll be in the Central State Eight (Conference) in four years,� I would have never, never, never left Prairie Central, not in a million years,� Leonard said. �That would have not been a good job, and my dad would have told me the same thing.
�I never saw . . . it obviously was a dream. If you had told me four state championships ... never.�
Leonard�s dad is Sacred Heart-Griffin coach Ken Leonard, and for the first time in state history a father and a son won state championships on the same weekend after SHG beat Lombard Montini 38-28 in Saturday�s Class 5A title game. Between them they have eight state championships.
Getting it done
The questions everybody has are simple: How has Rochester become the first public school in state history to win four straight state football titles? What makes the Rockets different?
The man who put it all together shakes his head and smiles when the question is posed.
�No. 1, if you�re going to win you have to have talent,� Derek Leonard says. �We�ve had talent.
�No. 2, you have to work hard. There are a lot of people out there who don�t win because they don�t work hard. Early on, they just bought in, and the kids that followed them bought in. And it�s all going in the same direction.�
Leonard�s first team went 3-6, but the Rockets have made the playoffs every season since 2006. The first playoff win didn�t come until 2009, when a Sean Robinson-led team fell one point and one failed two-point conversion short of making it to the title game.
�It started in the Wil Lunt days,� Leonard said, referring to the former state passing yardage record-holder who was Leonard�s quarterback from 2005-07. �It meant as much to make the playoffs then. It just carried into what it is today. They just believe they�re going to do it.�
How long?
It has been a terrific run, 64 wins in the past 69 games over the past five seasons. Colleges have made Rochester a regular stop on their recruiting treks. But it can�t last forever.
Sophomore Dan Zeigler is the heir apparent at the headliner quarterback position. Sembell figures to step into the No. 1 running back spot. Leonard will have to tap into the underclass mix to come up with receivers. The offensive line � arguably the strength of the 2013 state champs � will have to be rebuilt.
And most of the big-play defenders graduate.
Runs like this don�t last two years, let alone five. Leonard says he�s prepared for � gasp � a 6-3 season should it come along.
�I think I am a lot more prepared than most people are,� Leonard said. �That day is going to happen. That�s the reality of a school our size. It�s going to happen.
�How long do you stay down? That�s the key. It�s going to happen. Hopefully it�s not going to happen too soon.�
But in some ways that could make the Rockets more interesting than they have been the past four seasons. It could remind Leonard of his days as the quarterback of the Illinois College football team.
�I loved the Illinois College experience because we weren�t great,� he said. �We had to find every way to cheat and steal to find a way to win.
�I had as much fun coaching my first three years here because we had to invent things. We look really basic (now) compared to what we used to be.�
Really basic and really successful. The envy of the state, in fact.
Contact Jim Ruppert: 788-1549 or email@example.com


text:
HALIFAX - A woman who was subjected to several instances of racial harassment at a Leon's Furniture store in Halifax said Thursday she felt justice has been served after her former employer was ordered to pay her $8,000 by a human rights board.
Garnetta Cromwell, 46, said in a telephone interview that she was pleased by the findings of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Board of Inquiry, which concluded she had been discriminated against by her supervisor at Leon's Furniture Ltd. (TSX:LNF) in Dartmouth.
"It validates my credibility. I'm the most happy about that ... It was definitely worth the fight," said Cromwell, who is black.
She also said the problem of inappropriate racial comments continues to flourish in Nova Scotia and she is hopeful her case will act as a deterrent.
"I want the leaders in the workforce to take initiative and take charge and heighten their awareness of discrimination," she said.
The board found that Cromwell experienced 10 incidents of racial harassment while working as a sales associate at the big-box store from 2004 to 2008, when she resigned.
In one incident, Cromwell said that at a staff function her manager's husband repeatedly called her Contessa, a term she testified was commonly used for slaves working in a master's house.
The 73-page decision also said her supervisor referred to her as Condoleezza Rice, the former U.S. secretary of state, when she was talking to customers on the showroom floor.
"Being called Condoleezza Rice by one's manager in the presence of customers is not acceptable," the board says in its decision.
"The complainant is entitled to be treated professionally, particularly when dealing with the public."
In the event that led to her filing a human rights complaint, Cromwell said her supervisor asked her to come to his office for a performance evaluation in 2008. As she entered, she testified that he said, "Everybody out. It's time for a lynching."
The human rights board condemned the comment, calling it "unacceptable for a manager to threaten physical violence as a joke in a workplace."
It also said Cromwell faced excessive and ongoing discipline for workplace infractions at the store, while being discouraged from applying for management positions. She said she was suspended for missing work, a punishment she said was too harsh.
Cromwell, who declared bankruptcy and took a medical leave after the incidents, was seeking $10,000 in damages plus lost wages.
She said she would like to receive an apology letter, but she has yet to hear from the company.
No one from Leon's Furniture was available for comment.
The company has been ordered to pay Cromwell within 30 days.
Also on HuffPost


text:
Accessibility tools
Service tools
Language selector
Navigation path
Left navigation
Additional tools
European Commission
Brussels, 6 February 2013
Joint Statement on the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation
On the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation (6 February 2013) High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, responsible for Home Affairs, and Commissioner Tonio Borg, responsible for Health Policy made the following statement:
"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, millions of women and girls in the EU and around the world are subjected to the brutal practice of female genital mutilation and many more are at risk. 6 February marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation – a day when we raise global awareness about this issue and reaffirm our strong commitment to eradicating this extremely harmful practice that violates the rights of girls and women to physical and mental integrity.
Female genital mutilation violates human rights and the rights of women and girls. Our top priority should be prevention – helping to ensure that no girl will ever again have to experience this traumatic breach of their rights.
We need to complement existing national legislation prohibiting the practice by raising awareness about the detrimental effects of female genital mutilation on the psychological and physical health of women and girls and by providing support services for victims.
That is why the European Union is taking action both abroad and at home.
Beyond the EU, a joint EU-UNICEF project has helped thousands of families, communities and countries to change attitudes about female genital mutilation and other harmful practices in Africa.
We commend the African Union and its Member States for its leadership in the adoption by a United Nations Resolution to help tackle female genital mutilation. This is an important step forward in the global fight against violence and discrimination against women and girls. The EU is committed to reaching a strong and action-oriented outcome on Violence against Women in the forthcoming UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Within the EU, the new victims' directive will make sure that victims of violence against women, including victims of this harmful practice, get the specialised support and attention they need.
Particular attention is also given to this group in our asylum legislation. Women who are at risk of female genital mutilation, or parents who fear persecution because they refuse to have their child undergo this practice can be granted international protection in the EU.
On 6 March, we will be holding a roundtable discussion with leading campaigners and parliamentarians to discuss the way forward. We will consult governments, NGOs and those with direct experience of female genital mutilation. We will also make funding available for activities to raise awareness of this practice.
Violence toward women and girls is not cultural. It is criminal. The European Commission and the European External Action Service remain fully committed to combatting all forms of gender-based violence both within the EU and in our external relations."
Side Bar


text:
Rihanna Reaches No. 1 on U.K. Albums Chart
No surprise here: Rihanna's 'Talk That Talk' is the top-selling album in the U.K. The Official Charts Company reports that the record moved 160,000 copies in its first week, blowing away its competition and breaking several records in the process.
With 'We Found Love' holding down the top spot on the singles chart, Rihanna currently has the No. 1 single and album in the U.K. She also accomplished the feat earlier this year with 'Loud' and the Drake collaboration 'What's My Name.' That makes Rihanna the first artist since the 1970s — and the first female ever — to simultaneously occupy No. 1 on both charts twice in the same year with different releases.
'Talk That Talk' follows 'Good Girl Gone Bad' and 'Loud' as her third No. 1 album in the U.K. Boy band One Direction debuted right behind Rihanna at No. 2 with 'Up All Night,' while Michael Buble's 'Christmas' claimed No. 3.
We'll find out on Wednesday whether 'Talk That Talk' is able to debut at No. 1 on the American chart as well. Billboard predicts that it will fall short, naming Buble's 'Christmas' and Nickelback's 'Here and Now' as the spoilers that will likely keep RiRi from earning her first chart-topping album in the U.S.


text:
Here is girlies!! This is an awesome kit and it's packed full with paper and embellies!! I just wish I had more time to play before the reveal, but I am going to dive in to this one some more when I get some more time. Scraps of Darkness always comes up with a really versatile kit and this one in particular is one of the best so far!! Here is the current months sketch :)
I love the colors of this kit!! This is my take on the sketch and I used a picture that my daughter took while up in the hills near our home. I used the Martha Stewar doily punch for around the edges. These flowers on this layout are some of my favorite Prima flowers ever. I just love them!
This is such a cute pic of Brooklyn! I used all items from the kit, but I added the vine that Katie777 made and sells in her Etsy shop. She makes some gorgeous vines!!
This is a piece of Dusty Attic that SOD included in the kit for this month!! I decided to use half of the chippies and I inked then wiped some gesso over the top here and there. Look at the cute little star that came in the kit :)
I was due for some major distressing, so I decided this would be the layout for that. I tore up some cardboard for the edges and used a lot of water distressing for this one.
The little red roses were from my stash but the gorgeous red leaves and fluffy feathers are in the kit. I made this little bouquet with them.
At our Coast there is rarely snow and this is a pic of an average winter day over there. My kids are bundled but it's really not that bad. It is mostly just windy and rainy. All the goodies on here are from the kit.
Thanks for stopping by and God Bless!!


text:
Grants & Funding
Science "Bug" Contagious When Contracted Early
A team headed by two CCNY professors has been awarded $2.4 million over five years from the National Science Foundation to come up with new design/technology-based methodologies to teach physical science in urban elementary schools and disadvantaged settings. The program, entitled "Physical Science Comes Alive: Exploring Things That Go," is headed by mechanical engineering professor Gary Benenson and professor of science education James Neujahr.
Research has shown that early exposure to scientific concepts, such as matter and energy, has long-term beneficial effects on students' ability to excel in science later on. But many American elementary school children, especially in poorer districts, receive little, if any, instruction in science, especially physical science.
"Design provides a rich context for learning science, but it is rarely done in American schools, especially in the elementary grades," said Benenson. Technology education incorporates the kinds of analytical and critical thinking skills essential for careers dependent upon math and the sciences, such as engineering, architecture and industrial design, he added.
The program aims to produce four curriculum units on Force & Motion and Energy Transformation for the K-2 and 3-5 grade bands. Each unit will focus on the design and testing of kinetic toys, or the development of strategies for playing games that invoke principles of mechanics and electricity to achieve successful outcomes.
Training Teachers for Under-served Communities
Black men make up less than 5 percent of the teachers serving in New York City's schools. To increase those numbers and to better prepare new teachers for under-served communities, the University is partnering with the city school system in a $1 million initiative supported by Deutsche Bank.
The Deutsche Bank funding is the first phase of a new "Teachers as Leaders" program announced recently at the Clinton Global Initiative by the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation and its partners, CUNY and the Schott Foundation for Public Education.
The Teachers as Leaders program is designed to promote teaching as a preferred career path and improve the talent development model for teachers globally. The first phase will focus on New York City and incorporate structured apprenticeships, mentoring, skills development and scholarships for participating students.
Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost Selma Botman said these efforts will run in conjunction with CUNY's Black Male Initiative, which seeks to increase, encourage and support the inclusion and educational success of under-represented groups, in particular black males, in higher education. CUNY is expected to receive $730,000 over two years for teacher education programs.
The New York City Department of Education will help create the program design, a primary goal of which will be to address the lack of representation of black men in the education system by helping them succeed academically and serve as role models for all students. Black male teachers represent just 4.4 percent of the city's teacher workforce, according to the Department of Education.
"RISE-ing" Stars
LaGuardia Community College has received a five-year $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a project that will build on the school's award-winning, first-year programs in order to strengthen teaching in key second-year and capstone courses. Project RISE (Re-Invigorating Second-year Education) will stress faculty professional development through acquisition and assessment of core competencies, creating capstones, and continuing development of ePortfolios. The award will also enhance advisement and expand a new student peer advising network.
In Brief
Brooklyn College $304,894 from the National Institutes of Health for research concerning obesity; and $130,783 from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for biofuels research.
CUNY Graduate School $330,000 from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for its International Fellows Program.
Hunter College $304,011 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for research concerning spinal cord regeneration; and $282,877 from the NYC Department of Education to develop graduate courses relating to the education of students with autism.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice $218,500 from the U.S. Air Force to study small group dynamics in the evolution of global network terrorism.
LaGuardia Community College $150,389 from the NYC Mayor's Office for adult literacy programs.
Medgar Evers College $200,000 from the NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for adult and family literacy programs.
Queens College $232,500 from the National Institutes of Health for research on metastatic melanoma.
York College $297,100 from the National Science Foundation to promote chemical technology education and careers.


text:
Celadilla del Paramo, Fojedo del Paramo and Villadangos del Páramo
Villadangos del Páramo is a municipality of León province. It includes the areas of Celadilla del Paramo, Fojedo del Paramo and Villadangos del Páramo. It has a population of 1,103 people.
International buyers make up 2.4% of the property market and the population of Villadangos del Páramo has grown by 79 (8%) since 2000.
Market activity in León province is currently 67% below its peak in 2007. There were 832 property transactions registered in Q1 2018.
Average monthly temperatures in Villadangos del Páramo (°C)
These prices are calculated at the start of each month based on the median prices of all properties listed with Kyero. We provide international buyers with over 200,000 properties from 3,000 agents for sale and to rent throughout mainland Spain and the islands.


text:
President Barack Obama passed a key test Monday night in case anybody is worried that he is the Antichrist.
Speaking at a campaign fundraiser at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, Obama was interrupted by a man identified as David Serrano who repeatedly yelled that "Jesus is God." As Serrano was being physically removed by Secret Service agents, he accused Obama of being the Antichrist.
That figure in Christian "last days" theology is believed to be a leader who, toward the end of time, will be an adversary of good while resembling Christ. The Antichrist will provide for the needs of the people but deny them eternal salvation. He is named in the New Testament books 1 John and 2 John and described by the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians.
John's account advises that the Antichrist will deny that Jesus is the Christ and will "not confess Jesus." In I Corinthians 12:3, Paul writes: "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."
As Serrano was being dragged away, President Obama gave the man his full attention, nodding as he watched the scene. Obama then attempted to pick up where he had left off.
Asked by Joy Behar onHeadline News whether America would vote for a "fat" candidate for President, controversial film-maker Michael Moore, who has never been accused of being too skinny, responded that most of America is fat and would probably identify with an overweight Commander-in-Chief.
Historical note: There have been a number of chunky Presidents. William Howard Taft had a 54-inch waistline and weighed more than 300 pounds. Legend has it that he got stuck at least once in the White House bathtub installed during the administration of the much thinner Franklin Pierce.
Incidentally, some claim President Millard Fillmore installed the first White House bathtub. You can blame journalist and satirist H.L Mencken, who wrote a fictional history of the bathtub a 1917 article in the daily New York Evening Mail. Mencken recanted his account of the Fillmore tub tale later, saying "My motive was simply to have some harmless fun in war days. It never occurred to me that it would be taken seriously."
Did Taft really get stuck in the White House tub? There are no official accounts of such an incident. However, courtesy of the website HerodotusWept, here is an account from Ira Smith, correspondence secretary for a number of U.S. Presidents — on the topic of Taft's weight-loss diet:
One of Mr. Taft's troubles was food. He loved it, and the more food he could get, the more he loved it. The rub was that after he moved into the White House, his doctor and Mrs. Taft were constantly on the alert to enforce a diet that would get rid of some of his surplus poundage. Mrs. Taft might be reasonably described as a strong-minded woman. She took dieting seriously — for the President — and this led to a lot of talk that in a less famous household might have been called nagging.
The President dieted, all right, but not when he could escape supervision. I remember once when I accompanied him on a journey to Ohio. When we got on the train, leaving the doctor and Mrs. Taft behind, the President began to perk up. He also apparently began to think about food, although it was ten o'clock in the evening. "Anybody seen the conductor?" he asked.
The conductor came a-running.
"The dining car…" Mr. Taft began shyly. "Could we get a snack?"
The conductor looked surprised. "Why, Mr. President, there isn't any dining car on this train."
"Where's the next stop, dammit?" he asked. "The next stop where there's a diner?"
The conductor believed it would be Harrisburg.
"I am President of the United States, and I want a diner attached to this train at Harrisburg. I want it well stocked with food, including filet mignon. You will see that we get a diner
"What's the use of being President," he demanded, "if you can't have a train with a diner on it?"
Another Taft anecdote:
He once found himself stranded at a country railroad station and was told that the express train would not stop for a lone passenger.He wired the conductor: STOP AT HICKSVILLE. LARGE PARTY WAITING TO CATCH TRAIN.When the train stopped, Taft got aboard and told the conductor, "You can go ahead. I am the large party."
Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union have joined forces to create the pro-abortion "Mississippians for Healthy Families" with a goal of defeating a constitutional amendment limiting abortion in the Magnolia State.
Christine Dhanagom of LifeSiteNews writes that "Yes on 26," a coalition of anti-abortion groups, obtained a copy of the Mississippians for Healthy Families' Statement of Organization for a Political Committee from the Secretary of State's office."
The official filing lists Nsombi Lambright, Kay Scott and Barry Chase as the organization's officers.
"Lambright is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Mississippi," notes Dhangagom, "Scott is the CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast, which covers Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi; and Chase is the President of Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood in Tennessee."
Chase's clinic made headlines in 2009 when one of his employees was caught in a videotaped sting coaching an actress posing as a 14-year-old girlm explaining to her how to lie about the age of her boyfriend — who the girl had said was 31.
A space on the official filing which requests a description of the purpose of the committee and the identification of "affiliated or connected organizations" is left blank, reports Dhangagom. Lambright is listed as the director and Scott as the treasurer.
Yes on 26 notes on its website the financial investment that Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, has made in the Mississippi campaign:
"Abortion, to put it plainly, is a very lucrative business, and this has been true from the beginning. By last count, Planned Parenthood (a tax-exempt organization!) has $951 million in total assets Kay Scott and her partners in the abortion industry have a very good reason to make sure Amendment 26 doesn't bring an end to their payday in Mississippi."
"The organization "Mississippians for Healthy Families" is simply a front organization for Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, who are attempting to prevent a pro-life amendment from being added to the state constitution, according to a state pro-life organization," concludes Dhangagom.
The Yes on 26 website also notes:
"John Powell, the ACLU's national legal director, says he considers abortion to be the ACLU's number one priority; the defense of the First Amendment, (the alleged heart and soul of the ACLU's mission), was listed third, after civil rights. Why? Simply follow the money. Defending abortion 'rights' is a much more lucrative venture than defending free-speech."
"Mississipians for Healthy Families" meanwhile accused Yes on 26 of setting up a "fake website." Indeed, "Yes on 26" uses the Internet address www.MississippiansForHealthyFamilies.com as well as www.YesOn26.net
If passed, the Mississippi amendment will define a person as "every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof."
Are there irreconcilable differences between faith and science? Not in the opinion of prominent scientists who participated in a five-year study by Rice University.
Researchers there found that only a minority of scientists questioned at major research universities say that religion and science required distinct boundaries.
"When it comes to questions about the meaning of life, ways of understanding reality, origins of Earth and how life developed on it, many have seen religion and science as being at odds and even in irreconcilable conflict," says Rice sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund.
On the contrary, a majority of the scientists interviewed said they view both religion and science as "valid avenues of knowledge" that can bring broader understanding to important questions, says Ecklund.
She summarizes her findings in "Scientists Negotiate Boundaries Between Religion and Science," in the September issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Her co-authors are sociologists Jerry Park of Baylor University and Katherine Sorrell, a former postbaccalaureate fellow at Rice and current Ph.D. student at the University of Notre Dame.
They interviewed a scientifically selected sample of 275 participants, pulled from a survey of 2,198 tenured and tenure-track faculty in the natural and social sciences at 21 elite U.S. research universities. Only 15 percent of those surveyed said they view religion and science as always in conflict. Another 15 percent said the two are never in conflict, while 70 percent said they believe religion and science are only sometimes in conflict.
Approximately half of the original survey population expressed some form of religious identity, whereas the other half did not, according to Ecklund, who is the author of Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think,published by Oxford University Press last year.
The study was supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation with additional funding from Rice University.
"Much of the public believes that as science becomes more prominent, secularization increases and religion decreases," she says. "Findings like these among elite scientists, who many individuals believe are most likely to be secular in their beliefs, definitely call into question ideas about the relationship between secularization and science."
Many of those surveyed cited issues in the public realm (teaching of creationism versus evolution, stem cell research) as reasons for believing there is conflict between the two. The study showed that these individuals generally have a particular kind of religion in mind (and religious people and institutions) when they say that religion and science are in conflict.
Other findings in the study:
Scientists as a whole are substantially different from the American public in how they view teaching "intelligent design" in public schools. Nearly all of the scientists – religious and nonreligious alike – have a negative impression of the theory of intelligent design.
Sixty-eight percent of scientists surveyed consider themselves spiritual to some degree.
Scientists who view themselves as spiritual/religious are less likely to see religion and science in conflict.
Overall, under some circumstances even the most religious of scientists were described in very positive terms by their nonreligious peers; this suggests that the integration of religion and science is not so distasteful to all scientists.


text:
New England is blessed with an abundance of diverse and beautiful rivers that run throughout urban, suburban and rural landscapes to eventually drain to an abundant and extraordinary resource, the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England and is one of 14 designated American Heritage Rivers in the United States.
The designation of the Connecticut River as the first National Blueway in May 2012 was an affirmation that the preservation and restoration of this cultural and environmental asset is strongly intertwined with our quality of life and prosperity. The designation also acknowledges the decades of collaborative efforts of individuals and groups who saw the river's potential
and contributed to its restoration-taking it from being coined 'the best landscaped sewer' in the nation to being a nationally recognized treasure. Millions of dollars in public funds have been used to clean up the Connecticut River and its tributaries over the past decade and, as a result, the river is now much cleaner. The Connecticut River is a working river, and we invite
others to come enjoy it and help us keep it clean and full of life. Together we have an opportunity to be a model for the nation's rivers.
The information on this website will guide Connecticut River watershed residents and visitors in using the river for recreation and supporting its continued water quality improvement,
including information about:
- River access points for recreation
- Current water quality data including E. coli bacteria
- How clean is the river for swimming and boating at specific access points
- Posted fish consumption advisories
- Recreational trails in the Connecticut River watershed
- Studies and research concerning the Connecticut River
- News about efforts to clean up and improve water quality in the Connecticut River and its watershed
This website is designed to help you get out and explore the Connecticut River watershed.
Our hope is you'll love our watershed as much as we do. ENJOY!


text:
DiMasi's 6 goals, Paolini's 50 saves lead Trumbull past Fairfield
Connor Frawley and the Fairfield co-op hockey team were on such a roll that only a superhuman effort could derail them.
Fortunately for Trumbull, A.J. DiMasi authored one of those.
DiMasi potted six goals, leading the Eagles to a 7-4 win over Fairfield on Wednesday night at Wonderland of Ice.
"I was just plugging away each shift, to try to get the puck to the net," DiMasi said. "I was just trying to get the win for my team."
Nate Walker potted a goal and registered assists on four of DiMasi's goals. Trumbull goalie Matt Paolini also stopped 50 shots as the Eagles gained their second straight win.
"(Paolini) was a real big piece of our championship team last year," Trumbull coach Greg Maxey said. "We have to really rely on him."
Kevin Robinson recorded three assists, and Conor Scharlop had two as Fairfield had its five-game win streak snapped.
"I think we underestimated a good team," Fairfield coach Mark Pettorini said.
Frawley, who had pitched three consecutive shutouts entering Wednesday, surrendered five goals on just 11 shots before being pulled with 4:55 left in the second.
"He wasn't having the greatest game," Pettorini said, "but we weren't helping them one bit."
Frawley's replacement, Kyle Greenhut, didn't fare much better. Fairfield goaltenders allowed seven goals on only 15 shots.
"Defensively, we played terrible," Pettorini said. "And the mistakes we made, Trumbull capitalized on."
Three of DiMasi's goals came in Trumbull's four-goal second period. The senior forward batted one out of the air to beat Frawley for a power-play goal, lifting the Eagles' advantage to 4-2. Twice he pounced on loose pucks on the goal-line to score, including his goal at 9:52 of the second, which gave Trumbull a 5-2 advantage.
"Trumbull hockey is just crashing the net and finding those rebounds," DiMasi said. "I've been doing that for four years, that's how I've scored most of my goals."
Fairfield didn't wilt, scoring three of its own in the second. Zach Weinstein and Tom Kryspin potted goals just nine seconds apart, cutting the Trumbull advantage to 5-4 through two.
"Bang, bang, two goals, because we didn't make good decisions," Maxey said. "That's what happens when you have a lot of inexperienced kids."
Fairfield beat Paolini three times on re-directions, but Trumbull's senior goalie did not allow a third-period goal. Paolini stopped all 18 he faced in the third.
"We threw everything we could at him," Pettorini said. "He made some great saves. That's why he's got a `C' on his jersey."
After the teams were deadlocked at 1 after one, DiMasi and Walker scored just 17 seconds apart to boost Trumbull's lead to 3-1.
"It's nice to get a win against a good team," Maxey said. "I thought it was a quality win for us."
firstname.lastname@example.com; twitter.com/Pat_Pickens
Records: Trumbull 4-9; Fairfield 7-5. Goals: T--A.J. DiMasi 6, Nate Walker; F--Timothy Grace, Paul Barlow, Tom Kryspin, Zach Weinstein; Assists: T--Walker 4, Alex Pierre 2, Luke Bolton, Brendan McGill, Michael Antoniou; F--Kevin Robinson 3, Conor Scharlop 2, Mike Aquila, Kryspin; Goalies: T--Matthew Paolini (50 saves); F--Connor Frawley (6 saves), Kyle Greenhut (3); Shots: T--16; F--54.


text:
Established in 1942
by the American Society for Aesthetics,
The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism
publishes current research articles, symposia,
special issues, and timely reviews of books in
aesthetics and the arts. The "arts" are taken to
include not only the traditional forms such as
music, literature, landscape architecture, dance,
painting, architecture, sculpture, and other
visual arts, but also more recent additions
including photography, film, earthworks,
performance and conceptual art, the crafts and
decorative arts, contemporary technical innovations, and other cultural practices, including work and activities in the field of popular culture...
Read More
Philosophia Africana publishes peer-reviewed academic philosophical or interdisciplinary works that explore, inclusively, the pluralistic experiences of Africa and the Black Diaspora from both universal and comparative points of view. We also selectively publish original or critical interpretations of creative and artistic works that reveal vibrant intellectual cultures of modern Africa, the Black Diaspora traditions, and pluralistic, universally inclusive, systems of thought in the Americas, England, and Europe.
Journal on African Philosophy is an electronic journal sponsored by the International Society for African Philosophy and Studies (ISAPS) and published by Africa Resource Center, Inc. The Society was founded in 1995 at an inaugural conference held at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
About Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
©2004 erraticimpact.com
A service for the online network of worldwide philosophers
Associate sites:
contrapose.com, harmonicity.com, ecofeminism.net, panphobia.com, crasis.com, queertheory.com philosophy-books.com


text:
|Site Announcements
WWD GAMES now has over 19,000 games available for our members to play in the Arcade.
If you can't log in please Contact Admin with your username and the password you would prefer.
WWD Supporters: Rose, glen, sballweg, Eileen6
Site announcements are to be found here
There are currently 5,300 games installed. The games in the arcade have been played 68,895 times for a total of 1 year 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours 17 mins 2 secs.


text:
Vanderbilt's Space 204 Gallery Welcomes 2 New Exhibitions
Thursday, August 14, 2014,
- Location: E. Bronson Ingram Studio Art Center • 1204 25th Avenue South • nashville, TN 37240
- Room:
- Contact: Diane Acree
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
- Website: http:// http://www.vanderbilt.edu/arts/news.html
Vanderbilt University's Department of Art is pleased to announce the opening of two new exhibits in the Space 204 gallery. Intersections, a group show by MTSU faculty Barry Buxkamper, John Donovan, Sisavanh Houghton and Michael Baggarly, and Frill, by TTU professor Kimberly Winkle, will open Thursday, June 19, and continue through Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. A closing reception will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Space 204 is located at 25th Avenue South and Garland in the E. Bronson Ingram Studio Art Center on the Vanderbilt campus. All exhibits are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Department of Art at 615-343-7241 or visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/arts/news.html
Save this Event:
Google Calendar
Yahoo! Calendar
Windows Live Calendar
Share this Event: More...
Google Calendar
Yahoo! Calendar
Windows Live Calendar
Share this Event: More...


text:
From Serena and Lily
We believe that a good towel is one of life's little luxuries. Lofty, absorbent and quick to dry, these towels are one of the best around. Expertly engineered, they won't fade, fray or wear out. An embroidered motif (borrowed from one of our best-selling sheets) adds a pretty design detail to a pure white ground.
-100% cotton
-700-gram weight
-Machine wash
-Made in Portugal
-Hand Towel: 20 x... Read more


text:
Adventures in Super Computing Challenge, April 23, 2002
SILVER CITY, April 23, 2002 -- A computer team from Silver High School took the top prize Tuesday in the 12th annual New Mexico High School Adventures in Supercomputing Challenge at the Laboratory. This year, the Adventures in Supercomputing and the NM Supercomputing Challenge merged to create the Adventures in Supercomputing Challenge (AiS Challenge). Nearly 170 students were at Los Alamos to take part in Monday's and Tuesday's activities. Fifty teams heard talks from researchers at Los Alamos and toured the supercomputing centers at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Twelve teams qualified as finalists and made formal presentations of their work to their peers and guests at the AiS Challenge Awards Expo. The archived reports of teams finishing the AiS Challenge can be viewed at http://www.challenge.nm.org/Archive/
First place went to Roeland Hancock, Team 90 from Silver High; he took home a $1,000 savings bond for his supercomputing project. His teacher, Peggy Larisch, received a computer for her classroom. Their mentors are Steve Blake and David Harris. For the first time, the students and teachers from the first and second place teams will be awarded a trip to NASA Ames Research Center of Excellence in Sunnyvale, California. NASA Ames is one of the many sponsors of the AiS Challenge.
A duo of computer aces, Robert Cordwell and Brian Rosen, Team 50 from Manzano High School, took second place with their project, "Tales from the Encrypt." They each received $500 savings bonds, and their teacher, Stephen Schum, was awarded a computer for his classroom.
Another innovation this year is that each student and his or her teacher from the first four honorable mention teams received a $100 gift certificate. Team members, schools, teachers and projects are:
- Tyler Hicks-Wright, Matt Mehne, Sean Smock, Albuquerque Academy, Team 6, Jim Mims, teacher, "Artificial Intelligence through Genetic Algorithms in Chess"
- Samuel Ashmore, Jessica Behles, Adrienne Cox, Geraldine Prashun, and Kenny Sutherland, Bosque School, Team 19, teachers Debra Loftin and Dorothy Ashmore, "Modeling the Spread of the West Nile Virus"
- Joel Lowry, Randy Brown, Tim Newell, Lovington High School, Team 45, teacher Pam Gray, mentor, Tom Laub, "The Winning Hand"
- Arne Goldsworthy, Sean Sehr, Sandia Prep, Team 71, teacher Neil McBeth, "Identifying Alternative Gene Splicing in Human Chromosome 22"
Each student and teacher in the set of second honorable mention teams will receive a $50 gift certificate. Students, schools, teachers and projects are:
- Jeremy Pepper, Alamogordo High School, Team 1, teacher Albert Simon, "Heuristic Encoding Algorithm for Effective Audio Resynthesis"
- Zach LaBry, Preston Dell, Eric Searle, Charles Whitehead, Hugh Wimberly, Albuquerque Academy, Team 6, teacher Jim Mims, "Shattered Glass: An Analysis of a Brittle Collision using Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics"
- Shaun Ballou, Paul Boyle, Joshua Langsfeld, Ryan McGowan, Matt Strange, Albuquerque Academy Team 9, teacher Jim Mims, "Modeling Solar Systems
- Ryan Merrick, Nathan Perkins, Bosque School, Team 20, teachers Debra Loftin and Dorothy Ashmore, mentor, Tom Love, "Advanced Parsing Algorithm for Optimized Indexing of Site Data found through TCP/IP Sockets"
- C.V. Harris, Denis Grayson, Richelle Winston, Magdalena High School, Team 47, teacher Brad Wayt, mentor Anna Johnston, "Twin Primes"
- Teresa Davis, Laura Stupin, Jennifer Bartels, and Robert Mansfield, Santa Fe High School, Team 79, teacher Anita Gerlach, mentors David Stupin and Dave Carrington, "A Study of Fluvial Processes in Desert Morphology"
Students from 36 schools around the state spent the last year researching scientific problems and writing programs to solve them on supercomputers at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. The goal of the New Mexico High School AiS Challenge is to increase knowledge of science and computing, expose students and teachers to computers and applied mathematics, and instill enthusiasm for science in high school students, their families and communities. Any New Mexico student in grades 7 through 12 can enter the challenge.
"The New Mexico High School AiS Challenge is unique because it offers supercomputer access to students at every level of expertise and stresses computational science research projects," said David Kratzer of High Performance Computing (CCN-7). Eric Ovaska (IM-2) coordinator of the AiS Challenge, feels that the some of the projects are graduate level projects and that we expect to see many of them working in the lab in the next decade.
Several participants can pursue their computing careers at New Mexico universities with scholarships awarded on Wednesday. The Amy Boulanger Memorial scholarship, from New Mexico Technet, good for $2,400 a year for four years at any accredited institution of higher education in the U.S., was awarded to Heather Menzer, Silver High School. Cristin McDonald from Bloomfield High School received a $2,500 scholarship from Intel Corp. Caled Crawford from Santa Fe High School received a $3,000 scholarship from Compaq Corp. Tyler Burgett, from Bloomfield High School, was awarded the NMSU Physics $1000 scholarship. CV Harris, Magdelana High School, was awarded an NMSU scholarship. Craig Stahle, Bloomfield High school, was awarded $2400 to New Mexico Tech. Altogether, over $21,000 in scholarships were given to AiS Challenge participants this year.
Other students took home awards for their exceptional projects in the 12th New Mexico High School Adventures in Supercomputing Challenge. Team 93, Silver High, received the Los Alamos National Laboratory Environmental Modeling Award. Davin Richardson and Monte Topmiller are the team members and their teacher is Peggy Larisch, and their mentors Joy Garcia and Berry Estes.
The Cray High Performance Computing Award was given to Team 50 from Manzano High School for their project "Tales from the Encrypt." Team members Brian Rosen and Robert Cordwell, teacher Stephen Schum.
Team 19, "Modeling the Spread of the West Nile Virus", Bosque School, received the Best Written Report Award from the Society for Technical Communicators. Samuel Ashmore, Jessica Behles, Adrienne Cox, Geraldine Prashun, and Kenny Sutherland are the team members. Their teachers are
Debra Lofton and Dorothy Ashmore.
The Technet Teamwork Award went to Ream 6 from Albuquerque Academy, whose members were Hugh Wimberly, Charles Whitehead, Eric Searle, Preston Dell, and Zach LaBry and teacher Jim Mims.
Team 92 from Silver High received the Los Alamos National Laboratory Best HTML award. Peggy Larisch.is their teacher. See The Challenge Archive http://www.challenge.nm.org/Archive/
The Tribune Lighthouse Award for best overall presentation was awarded to Team 79, Santa Fe High School. The team members are Teresa Davis, Laura Stupin, Jennifer Bartels, and Robert Mansfield. Their teacher is Anita Gerlach, and mentors are David Stupin and Dave Carrington.
Microsoft's Award for best use of MS Office went to Team 94 for their project "Dreams," from Silver High, members Ariel Wallin and Ryan Schnalzer, teacher Peggy Larisch.
KRQE Multi-Media Award for best graphics presentation was awarded to Team 9, "Modeling Solar Systems," Albuquerque Academy. Their teacher is Jim Mims. The team members are Shaun Ballou, Paul Boyle, Joshua Langsfeld, Ryan McGowan, and Matt Strange.
Team 19 from Bosque School, received the Search and Browse Award from the Council for Higher Education Computing Services, Inc. for best research on the Internet for their project "Modeling the Spread of the West Nile Virus." Samuel Ashmore, Jessica Behles, Adrienne Cox, Geraldine Prashun, and Kenny Sutherland. Are the team members. Their teachers are Debra Loftin and Dorothy Ashmore. Their mentor is Dr. Rudy Bueno.
Team 59 from Moriarty, received the Creativity and Innovation Award from Sandia National Laboratories for their project "Is It Really your Car? Or Just the Corner?" members Jamie O'Dell and Angelica Delgadillo and teacher Paula Avery with mentor John Russell.
The Judges' Special Recognition award went to team 68 from Picacho Mid School, team members Brendan Sullivan, Sean Turner, Reese Luckie, Cole Salopek, and teacher Jean McCray.
Students set up poster exhibits of their work in the AiS Challenge Expo. Here their work is shared with other teams and judged for awards. During the Expo students and teachers choose projects for special awards.
The Technical and Graphical Poster Awards are selected by students and teachers during the Awards Expo. Team 91, Students from Silver High won the Technical Poster award of $100 for the poster that will become the cover of the book of final reports.
The best Graphical Poster Award, which will be the basis for next year's logo for the web page and T-shirts is "Military Combat Simulation: A Study of Artificial Intelligence", from Team 44. Lovington. They will split a $200 cash prize. Their teacher are Pam Gray and Jimmy Crawford and the team members are Byron Buxkemper and Clayburn Griffin and their mentor was Wayne Sikes.
This year, the Teachers' Choice Award went to Team 90, from Silver High, Computer Modeling of Cultural Interaction and Evolution. Team 44, Lovington, won the Students' Choice Award.
The AiS Challenge was conceived in 1990 by former Los Alamos Director Sig Hecker and Tom Thornhill, president of New Mexico Technet Inc., a non-profit company that in 1985 set up a computer network to link the state's national laboratories, universities, state government and some private companies. U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and John Rollwagen, then chairman and chief executive officer of Cray Research Inc., added their support. This year, the Adventures in Supercomputing and the NM Supercomputing Challenge merged to create the Adventures in Supercomputing Challenge (AiS Challenge).
The backbone of the AiS Challenge is the cadre of state-wide judges who work with students at the kickoff conference and interim evaluations, read all the teams' final reports, participate in a conference call to select first-round finalists, and judge expo projects and finalist teams. Judges come from the AiS Challenge educational partners, Sandia, and Kirtland. Joe Watts, David Olivas, DM Quintana, Dennis Padilla, Tom Nelson, Gina Fisk, Lisa Gardner, Katherine Campbell, Tinka Gammel, Josh Neil, Douglas Wokoun, Eric Weigle, Bill McKerley, Julianne Stidham and Mike Fisk are judges from the Laboratory.
The AiS Challenge is sponsored by the Los Alamos National Laboratory, DARPA, DOE, NASA Ames Research Center and New Mexico Technet. Educational Partners are CHECS, Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, New Mexico State Department of Education, New Mexico State University, San Juan College, Santa Fe Community College and the University of New Mexico.
The Gold Commercial Partners are Compaq, Microsoft, Sandia National Laboratories and Siemens Foundation. Silver Commercial Partners are AT&T Wireless, Belew's, Office Supply, Cray, DP Signal, Gianopoulos Design, Gulfstream Group and bigbyte.cc, Intel Corporation, Kinko's, Lockheed Martin and ZiaNet. Bronze Commercial Partners are Albuquerque Tribune, Paul Duke, Home Run Pizza - Los Alamos, New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation, New Mexico Internet Professionals Association, George and Vera Pulley, SM3S (Tom Hill), Regional Development Corporation, Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES), Sprint PCS and Valor Telecom.
Visit the AiS Challenge web site at http://www.challenge.nm.org to learn more about the program and view this year's final reports.
The next big event of the AiS Challenge year is the Summer Teacher Institute where past and future AiS Challenge teachers are equipped to better help their teams compete in the AiS Challenge. See the The Challenge Archive http://www.challenge.nm.org/STI on the web.


text:
HappyChick wrote:On going huh?
I am OCD with the laundry too and the dishwasher. I will restack the dishwasher if someone else has put dishes in it. My socks are paired, folded together, stacked on end, and sorted by color.
Oh, and I'm a Wiccan. (I don't tell people that because they often times think that means I worship Satan)
So glad someone else does the sock thing. All of the heels have to face the same way in the drawer as well.
My best friend is Wiccan and is the same way for the same reasons.