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Climate Change Creates Longer Ragweed Season
A changing climate means allergy-causing ragweed pollen has a longer season that extends further north than it did just 16 years ago, U.S. scientists reported on Monday.
In research that gibes with projections by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, plant and allergy experts found that ragweed pollen season lasted as much as 27 days longer in 2009 than it did in 1995. The further north in the Western Hemisphere, the more dramatic the change in the length of pollen season.
Ragweed pollen can cause asthma flare-ups and hay fever, and costs about $21 billion a year in the United States, according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"This is not something that's hypothesized, this is not something that's modeled, this is not something that may or may not occur depending on the math that you do," said study author Lewis Ziska of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "This is something that we're actually seeing on the ground in recent years."
Even in places where ragweed season didn't lengthen or even shortened slightly, such as Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, there was lots more pollen, which caused more intense symptoms, said co-author Dr. Jay Portnoy of the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Section at Children's Mercy Hospital, the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.
Ragweed is probably not the only pollen likely to have a longer season as the planet warms, Portnoy said in a telephone interview.
"We used ragweed as a marker but it's probably true for other pollens too," he said, including tree pollen that causes allergy symptoms in the U.S. spring.
Ragweed pollen was a reasonable marker because its season is naturally easy to track.
It's what's known as a short-day plant, which begins blooming when the days start getting shorter, that is, after the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice around June 21. It stops flowering with the first frost.
As global average temperatures have warmed, the first frost has been delayed, especially at higher latitudes, which has meant a longer season for ragweed. Because warming is greater at these high latitudes, the length of the season has been more pronounced.
For example, in Georgetown, Texas, the ragweed season actually shrank by 4 days between 1995 and 2009. But further north in Papillion, Nebraska, it got 11 days longer; in Minneapolis, it was 16 days longer, and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada, the season was 27 days longer.
Ziska said he was surprised by how big the change was in such a relatively short period of time: "I thought maybe 10 days, or a couple of weeks, but to see it up to almost 4 weeks was kind of interesting."
This could mean a change in the way ragweed-triggered allergies are diagnosed and treated. Clinicians who are unaccustomed to checking their patients for ragweed-related symptoms will likely have to start doing this.
"Things that used to be a fairly minor disease are now going to be a much more significant problem," Portnoy said.


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The basic framework for the effort was unanimously approved by Commissioners at the November 26 Commission meeting.
The agreement states that the county and Navajo Nation will "work together in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation to recognize and consider how to effectively manage the outstanding natural, cultural and recreational resources on state and federal lands in San Juan County, as well as the socio-economic conditions for the enhancement of the quality of life for all San Juan County residents."
The document outlines specific preferred outcomes, including:
• Enhance management of cultural and natural resources of importance to the Navajo, the County, and the general public;
• Enhance opportunities for economic and cultural development on lands in San Juan County;
• Reduce conflict and increase certainty over land and resource management, including wilderness and access issues on public lands;
• Improve communications and collaboration between the Navajo and the County in the management of federal lands within the County; and
• Enhance access to financial resources to support long-term achievement of the above objectives and desired outcomes.
A working group will meet in coming weeks to begin an 18-month process that will "coordinate and collaborate... on current issues and land-planning efforts."
Former Commissioner Mark Maryboy and Dennis Sizemore, executive director of Round River, helped coordinate the process.
Commissioners praised the efforts of the group. Commissioner Phil Lyman said it is gratifying to "take a concept and put it into a formal setting."
Lyman said there has been "a lot of give and take."
Mark Maryboy explains, "Navajos have always felt that the local people, whether they be Navajo or non-Navajo, should be at the forefront of discussing public lands."
Maryboy added that the proposed Greater Canyonlands National Monument effort, which has received support from a variety of national groups, should begin as a local effort.
"San Juan County should take the lead, with local people, regarding Canyonlands expansion," said Maryboy. "We look forward to a very positive, open relationship and think the citizens of San Juan County will be happy with the outcome."
Commissioner Bruce Adams said it was an outrage that the Outdoor Retailers, who recently signaled support for the Greater Canyonlands proposal, bypassed any local input on the matter.
"President Obama and Secretary Salazar have both said that any public lands efforts would begin at the ground up," said Adams. "They have said that this should be a collaborative effort."
"While the recreation industry wants the designation for recreation purposes, we have a group of people that are just trying to exist," said Adams. "Their needs have to be addressed."
Adams expressed hope for a positive outcome, "We share lots of common interests. With a good dialogue, we can come together."
In other matters at the November 26 Commission meeting, Commissioners
• Approved Elizabeth Mooneyhan as a temporary cook for the San Juan County jail;
• Approved a recommendation by a county insurance committee to discontinue use of an insurance broker in 2013.
• Instructed County Clerk Norman Johnson and Assistant County Attorney Walter Bird to review the county beer ordinance, which was last changed in 1988. The ordinance governs the possession, sale and distribution of beer in unincorporated areas of the county.
• Discussed the county budget process. Commissioners discussed budget requests with department heads on November 26, in anticipation of a budget hearing on December 3 at 6 p.m. Commissioners will approve a balanced 2013 budget by the end of December.
Phil Gaze approached the Commission with concerns about heavy trucks traveling through the Wilson Arch subdivision.
Glaze said that trucks are roaring down the streets of the subdivision. They travel on county roads from an old highway through the area.
Glaze developed the subdivision. He said the public has a right to travel on the road, he just wants to slow traffic and see that roads are maintained.
Commissioners agreed to discuss the issue with the road department.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bayfield wins back-and-forth battle vs. Grand Valley, 23-18
Post Independent Staff
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
PARACHUTE, Colorado – Grand Valley quarterback Tyler Scott received the snap from the opponent's 26-yard line and chucked the ball high into the air. Trent Reidle zipped up the left sideline and caught the ball maybe a step or two from the goal line.
Then came the official's signal: incomplete. The 6-foot-3 Reidle made the reception just beyond the sideline, and with no time left on the clock, bringing an end to a dramatic clash of 2A Western Slope League powerhouses.
The final: Bayfield 23, Grand Valley 18.
Behind 216 rushing yards and three touchdowns from bruising back TJ Pazell, the Wolverines remained unbeaten and took the upper hand in the chase for a 2A Western Slope League title. They're now 5-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.
"I honestly thought we had it, just for that second," said Scott, a 6-4 junior who racked up 138 yards and two TDs on 12-of-23 passing. "Seeing the ref wave it off just breaks your heart."
For the record, Scott didn't dispute the call.
"The referees did their job just fine," he said. "I'll agree with the ref."
As for Bayfield, watching the final play unfold did a number on the nerves.
"There wasn't a lot of thought, just reaction," Pazell said after a deep breath. "This means the world to me."
The Wolverines, last year's 2A state runners-up, entered the game with the No. 4 ranking in the latest Denver Post poll. Grand Valley, now 4-1 overall and 2-1 in league play, came in at No. 5.
"They're a tough team," Pazell said. "We knew we were going to have to give it our all."
Said Scott: "We thought it'd be a close, hard game. That's exactly what we got. That was a lot of fun."
Scott and the Cardinals put points on the board first, piecing together an 11-play, 83-yard drive off the opening kickoff. Scott and Stephan Padilla hooked up on an 11-yard TD pass to punctuate the march, which ran 4 minutes, 48 seconds off the clock. A failed kick left the count at 6-0.
It didn't take long for a response from Bayfield.
Moving the ball efficiently behind Pazell, who carried the ball on eight of the Wolverines' 11 plays, the Wolverines moved the ball 74 yards for a score. The powerful senior finished off the possession with a 3-yard TD run up the gut.
Early in the second quarter, the Cardinals cashed in on the first of three Bayfield lost fumbles with a 3-yard TD run by fullback Jake White, who powered his way across the line to close out a 50-yard drive. A failed conversion left the score at 12-7 with 8:22 to go in the second quarter.
Just over three minutes later, Bayfield closed the gap to 12-9 with a safety when officials flagged Grand Valley for holding in the end zone.
Pazell covered 18 yards up the middle for a rushing score that delivered the Wolverines a 16-12 lead with 3:46 left until halftime.
True to the back-and-forth nature of the game, the Cardinals came right back with a blow of their own.
Scott brought an end to a 69-yard scoring drive by finding Reidle on a slant over the middle for a 10-yard TD connection.
Grand Valley's kicking woes continued, though, as Bayfield's Drake Rhodes blasted through the line to block the extra-point try to make it 18-16 at the break.
The defenses settled in and got stingy after halftime, with the Wolverines posting the only score less than three minutes into the third quarter on a 31-yard run by Pazell on which he was barely touched – if at all.
All told, Bayfield collected 345 yards on the ground. Seven different Wolverines carried the ball as they did what they typically do – run, run, run.
"It's good to have fresh backs in there," Pazell said. "We like to keep rotating them in there and keep our legs fresh to wear on the other team. That's the triple option. You pound and pound and pound."
Tanner Zimmerman led the Cardinals with 72 yards on 16 carries. White added 47 yards and his score on 10 carries and Reidle finished with five catches for 67 receiving yards. Reidle also had an interception on defense as time expired on the first half.
Next up for Grand Valley is a trip to Pagosa Springs next week. Bayfield will play host to Coal Ridge, which scored a 27-0 win over Pagosa on Friday.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
Roaring Fork Schools putting new volunteer vetting policy into practice
Roaring Fork Schools volunteers who have already completed a comparable background check through an approved entity would be good to go.


text: kevtcg 0 Posted August 15, 2013 Hi All I have an older style variax (300 I think) that I love! I would like to check and update it's firmware but I don't have a Workbench Interface etc. I am gigging this weekend with a guy who has an X3Live. Seeing as I doubt anyone can ship me a Digital cable before sat I was wondering if I can use a Standard Ethernet cable to get the update. I know this is not the "Correct" thing to do but it is something I can do in the time available. Will It work? Standard Ethernet or Crossover cable. And if anyone knows where to buy a Workbench interface bounce me a link :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Mar 10, 2016
Dawn Beams Back New Images of Ceres' Mysterious 'Pyramid-Shaped' Mountain-
"No one expected a mountain on Ceres, especially one like Ahuna Mons. We still do not have a satisfactory model to explain how it formed," said Dawn science team member Dr. Chris Russell, from the University of California, Los Angeles.
http://www.sci-news.com/space/dawn-cere ... 03691.html


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Welcome to the Promising Practices Network
The Promising Practices Network (PPN) website is a unique resource that offers credible, research-based information on what works to improve the lives of children and families.
Sometimes referred to as a "best practices" site or a "model program" site, PPN is both of those things and much more. In addition to providing summaries of effective programs in our Programs that Work section, PPN also features Issue Briefs that summarize the research on various topics, as well as Expert Perspectives, where child policy experts answered our visitors' most pressing questions on a variety of topics. PPN also links to additional research information in all areas related to child well-being, including their physical and mental health, academic success, and economic security. To promote successful implementation of best practices and model programs, PPN also screens and posts evidence-based information on effective Service Delivery.
In addition to the breadth of information PPN provides, visitors can rely on PPN to provide information that has met our high standards for scientific credibility, objectivity, and clarity.
June 2014 ANNOUNCEMENT
Promising Practices Network project is closed, website is archived
It is with regret that we inform you that the Promising Practices Network has come to an end. Due to funding constraints, the PPN project and website have been suspended for the foreseeable future.
Awards and Honors
The PPN website has been recognized with the following awards and honors:


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Now, I'm a roadie through and through – I like speed, I've never ridden anything with tyres wider than 25mm and certainly never used a rack so when I arrived at road.cc to collect the Kinesis Decade Tripster I wasn't quite sure what I'd let myself in for. It turns out though that the last couple of months of riding have been some of the most fun and carefree I've ever known.
Decade are part of Kinesis bikes and the Tripster is one of two road bikes being described as a fast commuter but thanks to the sheer amount of build options you can put in place once you've bought your frameset there is a world of possibilities.
Frame & Fork
Your £499 gets you a 7005 series double butted alloy frame, Kinesis's own carbon bladed fork (alloy steerer), the alloy seatpost, seat clamp plus headset. A size range of 51 to 63cm in 3cm increments should fit the majority of the cycling public.
Geometry is taken from Kinesis' Crosslight range with a tweak to the headtube length, 150mm on our test model which gives a slightly more upright position.
The option of running either 700c, 29er (which is basically 700c anyway) or 26' is a bonus, giving a choice of wheels and tyres depending on your style of riding or terrain. The huge clearances allow up to 47mm tyres with 700c and 1.5' on the 26' diameter.
A stated weight for our 54cm of 1700g is none too shabby when you take into account the intended use. To cover all bases there are mounts for mudguards, rack and discs with guides for either the rear brake cable or hose on both the downtube and non drive chainstay. The machined 135mm dropouts house the mount for the 'inboard' disc calliper keeping things out of the way of the rack.
The build quality is as high as we're used to seeing from Kinesis, solid looking welds topped off with a deep paintjob. The black option here looks great with the black components but it's also available in blue.
The Kinesis fork has, as you'd expect, a 1 1/8' steerer fitting into the integrated headset of the frame. The straight carbon legs match the frame having disc and mudguard eyes, unfortunately though no cable guide so the brake hose is taped to the fork.
Gears for go, brakes for slow
Flats, drops, knobblies, slicks – whatever you fancy you can stick it on the Tripster to work with your wheel choice. Our build contains a few goodies, most notably the TRP Parabox braking system. The little box of tricks under the stem converts the cable input into hydraulic pressure. The kit itself is pretty pricey at over £300 but that does include the convertor, front and rear callipers, all hoses and 160mm rotors.
Microshift's Xona components see a move away from the usual suspects providing the front and rear mechs plus 10 speed shifters. The shifters use two buttons behind the brake lever, one paddle like and one shaped almost like the shifter button on Shimano's Sora. On the rear changer, swing the paddle inwards to shift up the cassette while press the button above will bring you back down. Both button and paddle are positioned perfectly in terms of where your fingertips sit while riding the hoods. Price comparison, you're looking at around 105 money and while the shift isn't quite as clean as Shimano's mid range group the Xona has a positive clunk to it as you move between gears. The hoods are comfy too, which is what you want on a bike intended for time in the saddle. The mechs seem to handle the shift well and even with all the road crap sprayed up on country lanes the gear change remained spot on each time.
Bars and stem are provided by FSA and are again well suited to the Tripster's personality: functional and happy to take a bit of a pounding. The alloy Vero oversized bars have a shallow drop to help you get out of the wind without needing to drop into a full race tuck.
Freedom, based in Marin County, California, supply the Relax saddle, a well padded utilitarian perch that certainly looks a chunky beast. The padding though is quite firm so you don't get any of that bouncing in the saddle once your cadence picks up.
For a bit of decoration our Tripster is kitted out with some extras from Leyzene and SKS; we've got a rack, bottle cages and mini pump plus full mudguards.
As mentioned above, you can either go for 700c, 29er or 26' wheels though its recommended you use a minimum tyre width of 1.5' with the 26' wheel to keep the bottom bracket height the same. The Maxlights here are pre-production models of Kinesis's 29er's, tubeless ready 32 spoke rims mated to disc hubs. Production weight is said to be 1800g per pair which is pretty good for such a strong looking wheelset.
Touring tyres are from Freedom in 700c x 37mm size with a decent enough tread to handle the likes of hard packed gravel tracks as well as tarmac. They are good all-rounders coping with everything thrown at them. Obviously specific tyres for the terrain you're on will benefit but these rolled well and showed no signs of marking or cutting.
The ride
The type of kit you decide to adorn your Tripster with is going to reflect your riding style and what you want out of the bike but one thing is for sure is that you'll receive a responsive ride from the 7005 series alloy frame. With the tyres pumped up hard for road use the feedback is of a stiff frame that has enough compliance to take out the worst of the road buzz.
The 150mm long headtube gives a sensible seat to bar drop for all day in the saddle or an extra bit of visibility in traffic. The Freedom saddle is surprisingly supportive for such a plush looking perch and adds to the all day comfort. The longest stretch I put in was 5 hours of continuous riding and when I got off there wasn't a single ache or pain anywhere.
Strip the Tripster back to just its necessary components and give the pedals a poke and it'll respond accordingly thanks to the shared DNA with its stable mate, the Crosslight. Obviously the 10.5kg weight of our test bike means it isn't a sprinter but once rolling, acceleration is brisk. Stick on a set of slicks and there is no reason you can't fling it about like a race bike.
Even fully kitted (12.1kg) the Decade never feels sluggish, a little more relaxed maybe, but that's the beauty of the frame. Ride it to work all week with the mudguards, rack etc. taking in the lanes or the traffic filled city centre and it swallows up the miles easily. Come to the weekend, strip it down and head for the hills or local trails and play about with it.
Part of my commute allows the use of the towpath at the side of the Kennet and Avon canal and this is where the Tripster came into its own. Hard packed gravel track full of potholes and puddles sees the Crosslight influence comes through and the whole journey was done at speed, hammering through the holes and loose gravel as fast as possible. The carbon fork takes the impacts well and absorbs a lot of the bumps and jolts even with the tyres pumped up to max, keeping the steering direct without being twitchy and easily controllable if traction does start to break.
Loading up the Tripster sees very little change in the handling. I stuck a child seat onto the rack and strapped in my three year old daughter and even with the added weight over the rear axle the only noticeable difference was slightly lighter steering. It was still as confident and predictable as when unladen.
Braking was a bit of a mixed bag though. While I can see the benefit in discs for all weather braking and saving your rims I didn't find the TRP's had either the braking power or control of a well sorted rim brake. The front lacked the real bite I was expecting and the rear was way too easy to lock up.
The Microshift Xona gears were a pleasure to use and the slightly clunky feel of the changes suited the Tripster. Moving the chain across the 11-28 cassette proved no bother whether under load or not and the indexing stayed in tune. That decent spread of cogs plus the 48-34 on the Truvativ Elita chainset makes for comfortable in the seat climbing. There's no point getting out of the saddle on the climbs as it won't respond, so sit down, spin the pedals and it'll cruise on up any slope.
The Maxlight wheels are certainly strong using a 32 spoke three cross build. With 200 miles a week commuting on potholed back lanes and using the canal path these wheels took a real hammering. Hitting every pothole and rough surface I could resulted in no loss to trueness or tension. Even a trip to the woods trying to keep up with a mate on a full suspension mountain bike as we flew downhill hitting every tree root I came across had no effect on the build.
All in all the Decade Tripster is a cracking frame for £499 allowing for a one bike does all if you haven't got room, funds or need for a fleet of bikes. As a commuter the Tripster really shines though as whatever the weather you're going to make it to work and back.
There are no real downsides either; if I'm being picky the tape wrapped round the fork leg holding the brake hose is a bit naff. Other than that the frameset is perfectly designed for its intended use (or uses) allowing virtually any bike style to be created from a single frame. The paint stood up to being pelted with small rocks and gravel from the trails and the balanced feel from the geometry means you can ride it as hard or easy as you like and it always responds the same – no surprises.
Being able to just grab the Tripster and ride wherever I wanted regardless of terrain or weather was the deciding grin factor. It was decidedly relaxing to ride off into the unknown on my wide knobbly tyres.
The frameset is a great base to start building your perfect all round bike from.
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Kinesis Decade Tripster F&F
Size tested: 54cm
About the bike
State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.
7005 series alloy frame
Carbon fibre fork legs with alloy steerer
Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?
"The new Tripster is a unique frameset, designed as a 'fast commuter', but it can be built in a number of different ways to exactly suit the riding style of the individual." Decade's blurb has it pretty much spot on here, there are so many uses and options for the Tripster its unbelievable.
Frame and fork
Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?
The quality looks good with the deep gloss paintjob and logos give a top end finish.
Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?
The frame is 7005 double butted tubing while the fork has carbon fibre legs with an alloy steerer.
How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?
Our 54cm had a top tube length of 53.4 ctc which coupled with the 15.0cm headtube gives a slightly upright position ideal to the type of riding the Tripster is aimed at.
Riding the bike
Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.
Yes, the components our test model was equipped with helped absorb the vibration but the frame itself lets very little through in the first place.
Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?
Yes, the frame isn't harsh at all but doesn't show any signs of flexing either.
How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?
Good, especially off road which was probably more to it suiting the tyres better.
Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?
Only with the mudguards on.
How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Very balanced, quick enough without being twitchy.
Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?
Loaded or unloaded the handling is good with plenty of feedback.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?
The saddle was supportive and comfortable.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?
The FSA bar/stem combo was stiff helping on the rough terrain.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?
The wheels and tyres rolled well enabling you to keep the average speed up.
Not really what its about but it does enough to get you out of trouble.
Why would you!!
The drivetrain
Seemed to stand up to the dust and light mud off road.
Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?
I was impressed with the Microshift gears. A bit clunky to start with but this was bedding in throughout the test period.
Wheels and tyres
Fast rolling and pretty lightweight.
Tell us some more about the wheels and tyres.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels or tyres? If so, what for?
The Maxlight wheels were great, I gave them a real pounding and not a single grumble. The Freedom tyres did a good job on gravel and rolled pretty well on the road too.
The shallow drop of the FSA bars complements the Tripster.
Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?
All the components worked well. There is nothing bling here but if it was it would only look out of place. The solid look and feel of the FSA front end does what is required.
Your summary
Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.
Would you consider buying the bike? Yes.
Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?
The value rating above is just taking the frameset into consideration as the cost of the build is going to be down to your component choice.
About the tester
Age: 34 Height: 180cm Weight: 78kg
I usually ride: Genesis Flyer My best bike is: Ribble Gran Fondo
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
With 20 years of road cycling and over 150,000 miles in his legs it's safe to say Stu is happiest when on the bike whatever the weather. Since writing his first review for road.cc back in 2009 he has also had a career in engineering including 3D-CAD design and product development, so has a real passion for all of the latest technology coming through in the industry but is also a sucker for a classic steel frame, skinny tyres, rim brakes and a damn good paintjob.
His fascination with gravel bikes is getting out of control too!


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After waiting for almost a year, Vodafone finally launched its 3G services earlier this year in India. Tata Docomo was the first operator to launch its 3G services in India, followed by Aircel, Reliance, Idea and Airtel. Last week, Vodafone launched its 3G services in Uttar Pradesh. And now, Vodafone went ahead and launched its 3G services in Kolkata circle.
Speaking on the occasion, Sridhar Rao, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Essar East Limited said, We expect a strong uptake and high demand for these 3G Services and we welcome all our subscribers to faster, smarter, better world of Vodafone 3G.
Vodafone had grabbed 3G license for 9 circles Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai & Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal. Vodafone is expected to launch 3G services in the remaining circles, by the end of this month.
Vodafone offers video calling, high definition gaming and fast internet to their subscribers, along with exclusive access to retransmission of live IPL matches and streaming of entertainment and other content on their smartphones. Vodafone Mobile Internet plans is available at a minimum price of Rs 100 for postpaid and Rs.103 for prepaid subscribers, which offers 100 MB of free data usage. On the other hand, the Mobile Broadband plans is available at a minimum price of Rs.650 for 1 GB of free data usage.
Vodafone also offers local and STD video calling at Rs.3/min. Customers can also enjoy live TV with a subscription pack at Rs 150 monthly or Rs 7 daily.


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The good news came quietly - no fanfare, no news conference, no advance notice to anyone - at 12:16 p.m. Saturday under this headline:
'Savannah Harbor deepening Record of Decision signed by Army Assistant Secretary.'
The first paragraph of the news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Savannah District went directly to the point:
'Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Jo-Ellen Darcy signed the Record of Decision for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, known as SHEP, Oct. 26.'
The decision follows by about six months the issuance of the corps' final report recommending the expansion project for the fourth busiest container port in the country.
What it means is the agency after 15 years of study has given the OK for the proposal to deepen the Savannah River from 42 to 47 feet to move to the construction phase.
The signing of the record of decision completes the federal government's review of justifications for the project and meets President Barack Obama's "We Can't Wait Initiative" commitment to complete federal decisions on the project by November.
The project has drawn support from a broad base of public and private organizations and agencies, elected officials at several levels, private business interests and officials in the Obama administration.
They argue deepening is needed to accommodate more heavily loaded vessels and larger container ships expected with the scheduled opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2014.
"The Record of Decision affirms that deepening Savannah harbor to 47 feet is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and in the best interests of the nation," said Col. Jeffrey Hall, Savannah District commander and District Engineer. "SHEP has undergone a comprehensive approval process and is an effort that has involved not just the Corps but three other federal agencies and environmental agencies from Georgia and South Carolina."
The federal agencies that approved the project include the Department of Commerce, the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. They gave their approval in July.
"This is something a lot of people have worked very hard on for the last 15 years," said Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. "The fact that the announcement came earlier than expected is evidence of how critical this project is to advancing commerce and the economic health of the nation."
With the Record of Decision in hand, Foltz said Georgia Ports and the corps will continue to work together to finalize spending limits and begin environmental mitigation.
"A lot of the preparatory work can begin immediately, with construction under way no later than mid-2013," he said.
Before construction can begin, the corps must obtain congressional approval for an increase in the project's cost from $230 million, which was approved in 1999, to the current estimate of $652 million. In addition, a project-partnership agreement with the state of Georgia must be approved with the state expected to cover 30 percent of the cost.
That document would define how the costs to build the project would be shared, and is expected to be written to allow the state to use its money to begin construction.
The project is scheduled to be finished in 2016 and is expected to net more than $174 million in annual benefits to the nation with a benefit-to-cost ratio of $5.50 for every $1 invested.
A study conducted earlier this year by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at UGA's Terry College of Business found that Georgia's deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick supported more than 350,000 full- and part-time jobs and created a statewide economic impact of nearly $67 billion from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011.
In addition to adding nearly 57,000 jobs since the last study was released in 2009, Georgia Ports now accounts for 8.3 percent of total state employment - or one out of 12 jobs.
"Our transportation and logistics industry drives statewide and regional commerce while our deepwater ports generate revenue, create jobs and offer opportunities for growth in every corner of the state through our global transportation network," Gov. Nathan Deal said when the study was released.
Still, potential obstacles stand in the way. Lawmakers in South Carolina oppose the deepening and a state agency and environmental groups have filed three legal challenges that are pending in federal court in South Carolina. Additional lawsuits could be forthcoming and could muddy the waters further.
Corps officials said earlier, though, that construction can proceed as the cases wind their way through the courts.
It's time for that to happen.
Studies of the pros and cons of the project have gone on beyond any concept of common sense and have generated a stack of documents taller than the proposed five-foot deepening of the harbor channel itself.
But they're finally finished. The bureaucracy has been served. Due diligence has been done.
Now, let's go to work and get 'er done.


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STAGE TUBE: THE WIZARD OF OZ's Danielle Wade Talks Playing 'Dorothy' in Toronto
Today, Danielle Wade, star of the new Toronto production of The Wizard of Oz, appeared on The Morning Show to talk about playing 'Dorothy' onstage. Click below to watch the interview!
Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment & Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures present the all-Canadian cast of the North American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ, which opened on December 20 at the Mirvish Theatre.
Danielle Wade of LaSalle, Ontario, stars as Dorothy and Cedric Smith plays the Wizard. Also featured are Lisa Horner as The Wicked Witch, Jamie McKnight as The Scarecrow, Mike Jackson as The Tin Man, Lee MacDougall as The Cowardly Lion, Robin Evan Willis as Glinda the Good Witch and Charlotte Moore as Auntie Em.
The ensemble includes: Larry Mannell as Uncle Henry, Charlotte Moore as Aunt Em, Jordan Bell, Eric Coles, Sam DiGiuseppe, Chelsey Duplak, John Edwards, Kelly Grainger, Sarah Higgins, Julianne Hobby, Jason Huska, Zak Kearns, Ayrin Mackie, Anthony MacPherson, Stewart Adam McKensy, Julia McLellan, Kristen Pottle, Alana Randall, Adam Sergison, Sarah Slywchuk, AnDrew Taylor, Jesse Weafer, Cleopatra Williams, Ryan Wilson and Alyson Workman.


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The Time Stencil - mini
Item Description
The Time is one of three designs from the On the Edge series, my sixth release of stencils at StencilGirl Products.This is a 4" x 4" version of a previously released 6" x 6" design and is filled edge to edge with design elements and the phrase NOW IS THE TIME. This is a stencil with a twist: part stencil and part mask. You can use the stencil as a whole or simply choose to use the mask portion or the stencil portion on their own.
Made using a 7 mil mylar, heat resistant film, this stencil can be used over and over again. Perfect for mixed media artwork, journal pages, and other artful creations.
Please read my Store Policies which can be found at the link at the footer of every page. And please note: If you live in the United States, you can order directly and immediately from this site. If you require international shipping, please email me in advance of your order to discuss shipping options as international shipping can be variable and expensive.


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Britain probes sex-selective abortion claims
The British government on Thursday vowed to investigate newspaper reports that doctors illegally approved abortions that were requested due to the sex of the unborn child.
Thursday's Daily Telegraph claimed that it had hidden camera footage which showed doctors at British clinics offering to falsify paperwork in order to allow women to have terminations based on gender.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said he was "extremely concerned" by the allegations.
"Sex selection is illegal and is morally wrong," he said. "I've asked my officials to investigate this as a matter of urgency."
According to the Telegraph, undercover reporters accompanied pregnant woman to nine different clinics across the country.
Doctors at three out of the nine clinics agreed to arrange terminations even though the woman claimed she did not want the baby due to its sex, the paper claimed.
Abortions in Britain are allowed in limited circumstances, including when the pregnancy presents a serious mental or physical health risk to the mother and if there is a high chance the child would have severe disabilities.
Explore further
(c) 2012 AFP


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Morton Curved Back Wing Chair
Modern Living Supplies
Sculpted high back armchair. The chair is detailed with single loose down feather seat cushion on solid turned legs.
Seat height 18".
Seat depth 22".
COM requirements: 6 yards
5% up-charge for contrasting fabrics and or welting
COL Requirements:120 sq. feet
5% percentage up-charge for all COL or exotic materials
Custom orders have a lead time of 10-12 weeks FOB NYC. Lead time contingent upon selection of finishes, approval of shop drawings (if applicable), and receipt COM (if applicable). Multiple requests for finish samples will extend lead time. In circumstances that fall beyond MLS control (force majeure) lead times are subject to change.Lead time is based on deposit date and final sample approvals. Minimum 4 week lead time on upholstery items of fabric receipt.
Product Specifications
- Dimensions
- Depth: 27 Width: 32 Height: 39.5
- Lead Time
- 10 Weeks or longer (Made to Order)
Nearby Showrooms
About Modern Living Supplies
M|n modern living supplies creates bench-made furniture for the 21st century interior.


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April 13, 2012
Downtown Digital Arts Festival opens April 24
Come celebrate creativity in the digital arts at Columbus State! The seventh annual Downtown Digital Arts Festival showcases work by our student artists in animation, digital design, digital photography, and video.
Kojo Kamau
Special this year is a photo exhibit in conjunction with the 200Columbus celebration of the city's Bicentennial. According to Gene Strickland, coordinator of Digital Photography, there will be about 25 images that showcase websites that students built as well as photos of Columbus skylines and Columbus architecture and night scenes from past DDAFs to align with the Bicentennial theme. Photography adjunct instructor and well-known local photographer Kojo Kamau will showcase about 12 of his personal pieces at DDAF as well.
Other exhibits include web pages, digital designs, animations and film. The exhibits are open Tuesday, April 24, and Wednesday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00-7:00 p.m., and Thursday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Columbus State Conference Center on the fourth floor of the Center for Workforce Development (WD). On Thursday, April 26 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. the Showcase Awards Ceremony will take place in the Conference Center Ballroom. All events are free and open to the public.
Training opportunities offered for new and current managers
Whether you are new in your role as a manager or have been a manager for many years, the following courses will provide opportunities to gain new information and develop skills that can support you in working with your employees to serve the College and our students.
Nuts and Bolts of Supervision at Columbus State II
This course will provide information on a variety of topics necessary for supervisors and administrators to function effectively at Columbus State. The format will be a roundtable discussion and topics will include: hiring processes and the system, approving leave and the use of FML, dealing with issues of harassment and discrimination, safeguarding ethics as a publicly-funded organization, and managing the Disciplinary Process. The next session will be offered on May 15.
To register, click here: http://web.cscc.edu/is/employeetraining/register.asp?C=372&D=2452
Coaching for Performance
This hands-on course allows participants to discuss the challenges of coaching employees and practice skills to address these challenges. The next session will be offered on April 26.
To register, click here: http://web.cscc.edu/is/employeetraining/register.asp?C=222&D=2450
Please contact your Human Resources Employment Representative at ext. 2408 or Human Capacity Development at ext. 2406 if you have any questions.
April issue of Health & Fitness News online now
In the April issue of the Human Performance Center's newsletter, you will find articles on spring gardening to grow healthy foods, what to pack in your gym bag, the exercise of the month—Leap Frog, and much more!
Cocchi retires July 1, McClain to direct Disability Services
From left, Wayne Cocchi, Tiffany McClain and Renèe Hampton plan for Cocchi's retirement.
Wayne Cocchi, director of Disability Services, will begin his phased retirement on April 15. Cocchi has been with Columbus State for 32 years, and as part of the college's process for succession planning, Renèe Hampton, dean of Student Life has announced that Tiffany McClain, assistant director of Disability Services, will be the new Director, effective July 1.
McClain has worked in Disability Services for nine years. She served as the coordinator for Interpreting Services for five years and as assistant director for four years during which time she also served as the interim director for 17 months while Cocchi served as interim dean of Student Life. During her interim term, McClain led the department in reviewing and updating department policies, eligibility guidelines and forms. She enhanced service provisions, alternate media production, the department web page/social media and test administration. She also developed an online student handbook as well as increased collaborations with other departments. McClain received her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University, and her Master's in Counselor Education and Human Services from the University of Dayton. Tiffany is also a graduate of Columbus State, where she completed an associate degree in Interpreting/Transliterating Technology.
The Office of Student Life is also planning a reception for Wayne Cocchi to be held on Friday, June 1. Once details have been finalized the time and location will be announced. Please contact the Office of Student Life for any inquiries.
Delaware Campus to offer Law Enforcement Career Fair
Area law enforcement agencies are looking for educated, eager and capable candidates to work as public safety professionals. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office and Columbus State Community College are joining forces to sponsor the inaugural Law Enforcement Career Fair. Students should have their resumes ready and dress to impress on Saturday April 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Columbus State Delaware Campus. For more information contact: Stephanie Burns, Delaware County Sheriff's Office, 740-833-2882, email@example.com or Amy Ng, instructor, Law Enforcement, ext. 2591, email@example.com.
Child Development Center earns State's highest, Three-Star Award for Excellence
The Columbus State Child Development Center has received a Three-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development, the state agency responsible for licensing and promoting high standards among Ohio's early care and education programs.
"We applaud Columbus State for its dedication to children. By going above and beyond Ohio's minimum licensing standards, the Columbus State Child Development Center gives its young children the opportunity to grow and develop in a stimulating, nurturing environment," said Terrie Hare, chief, Ohio Bureau of Child Care and Development.
Step Up To Quality is Ohio's voluntary rating system for early care and education programs. Participating programs can earn a one, two or three-star rating by meeting an extensive list of quality benchmarks. Experts say these benchmarks improve the growth and development potential of children. The rating system also gives parents a useful tool for selecting quality early childhood programs.
"We are so pleased to receive this award which tells families we're serious about quality. Our Star Rating means we have more, and better educated, teachers working to prepare children for kindergarten with a higher degree of professionalism," said Jennifer Perkins, director of the Child Development Center.
Children enrolled in high quality early learning programs, particularly low income children, are more likely to stay in school, attend college, earn more money and be employed in high-skilled jobs than their peers.
Step Up To Quality is available statewide with more than 1,000 participating programs. To learn more about the criteria for the award, visit: www.stepuptoquality.org.
Columbus State HVAC student earns scholarship
Romulo Vazquez was recently awarded the 2012 Dr. Margaret Drake Scholarship from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). According to HVAC coordinator William Highley, this is the third year that a Columbus State student has received the scholarship. Vasquez also works in the Skilled Trades Department as a Federal Work Study student.
TRiO program's environmental program earns award from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
A project titled "Introducing Urban Youth to Environmental Careers" was recently selected to receive an Honorable Mention from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency during a review of completed grant projects. Columbus State's TRiO programs had received a $27,610 grant from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF) to provide a five-day summer camp that introduced 70 urban middle school students to environmental careers. Students were part of the federally funded Educational Talent Search program, and they participated in the summer camp over two years as part of an effort to encourage them to graduate from high school and enter post-secondary education. The students participated in campus activities, went on field trips and met professionals from Columbus Metro Parks, Shepherd's Corner Nature Center and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio.
Alexis Sherman, academic advisor in TRiO Programs, coordinated the project. The project will soon be showcased in a publication from the OEEF for prospective grant applicants, available on the EPA website at www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef.
"Great Colleges" survey deadline extended one week
The deadline to complete the Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Colleges To Work For" survey has been extended to Friday, April 20. If you received an invitation, and have not taken the survey, please do so. Search your email inbox for a message from "email@example.com" with the subject line The Chronicle's Great Colleges to Work For 2012 Faculty/Staff Survey Invitation.
A random sample of employees was selected to take the survey. The data the College will receive will be aggregate data. No responses will be linked to any individual. You participation is voluntary and you may choose to skip the demographic survey. You can view samples of the reports we will receive: the Topline Survey Results Report, the Topline Results by Job Category Report, and the Higher Education Trend Report Excerpt.
This annual study helps colleges assess workplace quality, culture and employee satisfaction and enables comparison to similar institutions. To make this survey work for us, we need your input. You will be representing yourself and your colleagues. Please help us celebrate and improve Columbus State!


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The CHA Winter 2013 show begins on Saturday, January 12, 2013. At a media preview event, I took some photos of some of the fun new products that will be on display.
My first favorite is a fun new embroidery book, called "Emma Broidery's Memory Thread How-To Guide by the folks at DMC. The designs in this book are easy to make and were specifically designed to be used with their popular memory thread line. One of the fun patterns in this book is a cute gingerbread house ornament.


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Kansas points the way to our energy future
Southwest Kansas gets little national attention. I recall a Calvin Trillin story about a small town there on the parched plains, isolated and insignificant. Yet the town had become a vital part of the Vietnam War because of its factory, then frantically manufacturing concertina barbed wire. Before that, Truman Capote made the small town of Holcomb, Kan., infamous with his book "In Cold Blood," about a farm family, the Clutters, murdered by two drifters.Now Holcomb has become the focal point for our great national and international debate about energy. Two 700-megawatt coal-fired electricity power plants proposed there have been denied a necessary state air permit. The reason: their carbon dioxide emissions. Noted the Washington Post in a front-page story: For the first time a government agency in the United States cited greenhouse gases in rejecting a coal plant.Unlike so many syrupy corporate pronouncements about "doing the right thing," the Kansas official who announced the denial was clear about the issue. It would be irresponsible," said Rod Bremby, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, "to ignore emerging information about the contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change and the potential harm to our environment and health if we do nothing."In the past, our criteria for evaluating power generation have been relatively simple. Electric utilities, true to the wishes of their consumers, wanted reliable electrical service at low cost. Coal delivered on both counts; it's both cheap and plentiful. More than 50 percent of the nation's electricity is produced by burning coal.Our criteria for energy choices are now broadening. "Kansas must take advantage of renewable energy and conservation as we progress through this century," said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. "These additional coal plants would have moved us in the wrong direction." Even inside the boardrooms of utilities, there are now admonitions about a future "carbon-constrained world." The writing is on the wall, and well-run businesses are now jockeying for position in this changing world of energy. President George Bush may never have issued a clarion call for change similar to Jimmy Carter's "moral equivalent of war," but change is happening despite him.That's not to say the future is crystal-clear. There is no one easy alternative to coal. Wind, hydro, biomass and other power sources will continue to expand. Ground-source heat pumps, now novelty items, are likely to become mainstream, as they already are in resource-poor Scandinavia. Solar appears poised for a breakthrough. And nuclear is increasingly touted as a powerful option, though it remains problematic.The greatest gains can be had by wringing greater efficiencies out of existing supplies. We have done this before, quietly but with large and lingering successes. The disruptions in oil supplies during the 1970s sparked innovations in energy use that yielded the burgeoning economy of the last 20 years. We are now going through a similar retooling, only this time with even greater changes likely, and even more at stake.These are exciting times. Our backs increasingly to the wall, we are discovering that there are new ways to live, and also new ways of looking at the world. Electricity and heat don't necessarily have to be imported. We are rethinking our infrastructure.Considering these changes, I reflect upon the life of my grandfather. He was born in 1890, the year the frontier was declared closed, in a sod house in northeastern Colorado, in country like that of Holcomb, Kan. His family burned cow patties for warmth, rode horses for transportation and, I suppose, burned coal oil for light. The first electricity for streetlights was introduced in 1892, in the mining town of Telluride, Colo., but much of the rural West waited for decades. Not until the 1940s did my grandparents get electricity. Soon, they had radios and, in time, television, with Elvis Presley, the Beatles and all the rest on Ed Sullivan.Last summer I visited the high prairie where my grandfather was born. A windmill remains, but today, other windmills march over the horizon on the bluffs near the Nebraska border – dozens of them, each nearly 400 feet high. We are adapting, as people always have. Now it's time to evolve again. Sometimes it takes a swat from a state regulatory board to wake us up to the urgency of innovation.Allen Best is a contributor to Writers on the Range, a service of High Country News (hcn.org). He writes in the Denver area.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.


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Note: this was originally intended to be a comment on Adam Saltsman's "Contrivance and Extortion II" post on Gamasutra, but it got way too long, so I decided to post it here instead
Hey Adam, I'm glad that you're bringing all these issues up and starting this discussion, and I think (maybe) I can convince you of the benefits of freemium games, or at least present an alternative viewpoint. I should also point out that I've never made a freemium game, and that I usually make the kind of games I imagine you'd enjoy.
To start off, I think we need to talk about perspective.
You (just like me, and a lot of other people here), approach games as a game designer first. This has a bunch of interesting side-effects. The first is that we have "game-designer-itis", where we play a lot of games, but usually only play them long enough to grok what they're about and to experience whatever it is that makes them unique. This is why people like us love games like Braid where there's very little repetition. Every single level introduces a new element, a new twist. There's no fluff, no filler.
On the other hand, we never finish most blockbuster games for the same reason. They just get too repetitive. I've never finished Halo, Gears of War, GTA, etc. It's not because I couldn't finish them, in fact, it's just the opposite: I knew I could finish them, so I didn't see the point; I had already explored all of the systems that the game had to offer.
Now let's be clear, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the way we approach games, but I don't think it's fair to assume all gamers are the same as us. A lot of people play games purely as a form of entertainment, and so they want as much of it as they can. They're not nearly as concerned about whether each moment they're experiencing is unique or not, they just play games as a way to escape normal life, a way to kill time, a way to be someone they aren't.
Ok, so how does this all tie in with freemium games? There was a fantastic presentation at GDC 2011 called "The Fantasy of Labor". If you have access to the GDC Vault, I highly recommend you check it out. The ideas I'm writing about here are rooted in the concepts that were presented there.
The core idea of the talk is that all games require three things from a player, in varying amounts depending on the game: skill, luck, and labor. A game like Street Fighter requires mostly skill, a game like roulette requires mostly luck, Farmville requires mostly labor, etc.
The common attitude in both the game development and "hardcore gamer" communities is heavily biased towards skill-based games. These games are appealing to the majority of the traditional gaming community, but they have flaws. The talk goes into detail into quite a few issues, but the most important take-away is this: *a lot of players do not want to play games that require skill*.
Now let's move from skill to labour. There are a huge number of players (a large portion of the "casual" demographic) who *enjoy* games that are labour based, and dislike games that are skill based. They want a game where they know that the longer they work, they will always improve, no matter what.
It took me a long time to come to grips with the fact that some players really don't want a game with interesting gameplay or systems for them to grok. They just want something where the more time they spend, the more results they'll get. They aren't looking to be rescued by some well-meaning game designer, saving the day, saying "no, this is what games really are! Try all these interesting systems, look how intrinsically motivating this game is!", instead they just want to check boxes on a checklist. They *want* to.
Alright, now for the final piece of the puzzle. In your post you implied that the only reason someone will pay to skip ahead is if their urge to complete the extrinsic checklist overpowers their enjoyment of the intrinsic mechanics of the game. I heard someone summarize the main take-away of your post as this: "If a game lets you pay to skip playing, it's not fun. Why wouldn't you want to play?".
One issue with this argument is that it doesn't consider all of the other elements that make up a game, especially the aesthetics and mythology. I think we can agree that it's possible for these to motivate certain players way more than "the desire to experience the mechanics" or "the desire to improve their skill". Players will sometimes want to advance just so they can experience more of the story or more of the aesthetics, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Now coming back to the checklist. I think this is probably the main point I want to make: some people actually enjoy filling out the checklist. And really, it's not just some people, but a large portion of players in the casual gaming space. Even more importantly, they don't enjoy the kind of games that *you or I* wish they would enjoy. Specifically, they don't want games that require skill, and they don't want games with interesting mechanics (unless there's also a checklist attached).
One more thing: even if you think I'm completely fabricating the existence of this type of player (I can assure you, I'm not), I think we can probably agree that even regular gamers can become this type of player *some of the time*. For example, long after I'd grokked all of the core mechanics of Tiny Tower, I kept playing for weeks because of the desire to see my tower get taller, and I loved every minute of it.
So to wrap up: freemium games are giving players what they want.
An afterword: I really want to be clear that I'm not saying "freemium games can do no evil", because they can, and a lot of them do. I simply want to point out that the core mechanics of these games are not inherently evil, and that they fulfill the needs of certain types of players.


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Is there some software I thin plug-in for download what will do the next thing.
While I surfing the net and I find good page and I wanna see ther code .htm or .html or .php or.... code. And I simply in my browser go somwere and look at that page code in browser!
I've curently on my computer IE 6 and Opera!


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Welcome to x-masworld.com
Welcome to Glaskugelhaus
Here you can find the most unusual and unique blown-glass Christmas tree ornaments. Many of our products are unique to Glaskugelhaus, so they are not available in local stores or other Christmas markets. Shop our new ebay-onlineshop now for 1000+ handcraftted ornaments.
Check out our ebay online store or visit one of our authentic Christmas Markets in the U.S. or Germany for german glass Christmas ornaments from Lauscha, Germany, the birthplace of blown-glass Christmas ornaments.
Some of the many brands we carry include: Goebel, Krebs, Inge-glas, Inge Glass and Lauscha Glass. Old World German Christmas ornaments and decorations make great Christmas gifts!
e.g. Angel, Santa Claus, Pickle, Bird, Snowman


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incl. VAT
You can purchase from 4x4 Tyres with complete confidence and peace of mind. As standard we provide a 28 day money back guarantee in addition to our product warranties, which provide lifetime protection against product fault or defect.To find out more see our dedicated Warranty page.
You may return your unused product for a full refund within 28 days of delivery.
Should you require assistance in getting the goods back to us, please do not hesitate to ask and we will get a quote from our carriers on your behalf.
To request an exchange / return, please call a member of the 4x4 Tyres Customer Service Team on 01789 867 323 who will talk you through the process. You can also refer to our Returns page to see the process in more detail.
Please note that Deko option is only available at checkout if total price of your order is greater than £280.
Consumer credit service provided by Deko in association with Close Brothers
Retail Finance. Deko is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (Consumer
Credit Licence: 0616240). For more information please refer to our frequently asked questions or visit
Close Brothers Retail Finance is a trading name of Close Brothers Limited. Close
Brothers is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. For more
information please visit


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Last month I had the great pleasure of traveling to Dubai to speak and teach at GPP 2013. It was an incredible experience and I was able to meet some awesome people and photographers. GPP was an incredibly well planned and exciting week of workshops and seminars by some of the top teachers in the industry. I tried to pop in on a few different workshops when I had 10 minutes or so to spare, and I learned so much, even in such a short amount of time.
I had many great experiences and interactions on this trip, but perhaps the best part of the whole trip was dinner each night. Not because the food was incredible (Well, Ravi's was), but it was the people I sat next to at dinner: David Alan Harvey, Greg Heisler, David Burnett, David Hobby, Zach Arias, Peter Hurley, Joe McNally, and on and on. Wow. How fun! Talk about great conversations and stories.
In addition to being one of the teachers, I was also asked to participate in the shootout on the last night of the week. The GPP shootout is a fairly new tradition that has caught on like wild fire. 3 photographers competing against each other under less than ideal circumstances. The rules are explained in the video, but basically you are given an assignment in front of 350 people, and from that moment, you have 20 minutes to think, light, shoot and edit a picture from start to finish. After all 3 photographers have finished, the crowd votes on who they think won. My competitors were Zack Arias, and Lindsay Adler. It was intense, but I have to say, after feeling nervous for about 30 seconds, I really enjoyed it. Not to mention, I love how my picture turned out! Now I have Leibovitz and Heisler in my collection.
So what was the assignment? Create a portrait of one of the greatest portrait photographers of all time, Gregory Heisler. Fortunately, I had gotten to know Greg over the course of the week, so I knew he was an awesome guy, and that helped a bit. Before I packed my bags for Dubai, I had anticipated, or at least hoped the assignment would involve shooting a portrait, or at least photographing a human one way or another. To be at least somewhat prepared, I brought a few props just in case (turtleneck and wig). I only needed 2 of them as it turned out, so I'm going to keep the other options a secret for now.
The video above is condensed quite a bit, so there is a lot you aren't seeing and hearing, but this is a great recap of how it all went down. Congrats to Zack Arias on winning! He was talking trash all week, and he backed it up by going for the jugular. And by that, I mean he put a teabag on my head. Which I should have been more humiliated by, but I was too shocked at the time to fully know what was going on.
David Hobby (strobist.com) wrote a very flattering blog post about the GPP Shootout from his perspective which is worth a read if you are interested. He has done the shootout before, so he has a good perspective from all sides of the event. Thanks David for the kind words, and thank you Mohamed, Hala, and everyone else at GPP for being such wonderful hosts! I hope you all enjoy watching this, and maybe I'll see you in Dubai next year.


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Although a rose by any other name may smell just as sweet, the new way of how we define government support to small businesses may not pass the smell test.
For some strange and unknown reason, the Small Business Administration has changed how it defines government support of small businesses, which will inadvertently destroy many small businesses, especially those supported through the Department of Energy.
As with most BureauSpeak, this may a bit tough to follow – the SBA decided that government agencies need to increase their support to small businesses to 10% of their budget. Sounds good. Sounds like an increase. But it's not.
To get credit for supporting small businesses, government agencies like DOE and DoD will be forced to make that support be through prime contracts. Prime. As in Directly-To-The-Government. Not through subcontracts from an existing Prime. In fact, the agency will get no credit if the contract is a sub to an existing Prime, like most are with DOE.
Although I really support the SBA and think they do a wonderful job in general, the brainiac who came up with this idea knows nothing about the DOE. It is EXTREMELY difficult for a small business to be a DOE prime contractor.
It might work for the Department of Agriculture, but once the word plutonium enters a contract, things get a little weird.
And as you might expect, it gets a lot more expensive with a lot more paperwork. Throw in the Price-Anderson Act, the huge liability of working with radiation, beryllium and asbestos, the extensive training requirements, safety issues, QA audit requirements, and the host of accountants, lawyers and HR people needed to be a prime to DOE, and you can imagine that few small businesses could even submit a proposal to be a prime contractor to the Department of Energy.
Everyone in the field knows this. That's why most DOE support to small businesses is as subcontracts from an existing large Prime like Bechtel or Lockheed Martin - you know, the big guys that already have the legions of lawyers and accountants needed. Once the big guys have done all the work setting things up, it's much easier to get the actual small businesses on board, very much like supporting an intern or an apprentice.
And the Primes get a lot of credit for this, as they should, both with the government and with the local communities that are the real beneficiaries of this support. Often, the prime contracts include small business set-asides, or goals, that are tied to award fees. This is a time-proven system that works very very well.
DOE has done this for small businesses so capably that at the Hanford Site in Washington State, DOE provides over $500 million in subcontracts to hundreds of actual small businesses through its Primes, over 40% of DOE's budget at this site. Amazingly higher than any other government agency. The innovation, the breakthroughs, the educational benefits, all the things that thrive when real small businesses are supported by the government, have all thrived here because of this support.
However, only a fraction is through prime contracts to small businesses, so the SBA is unhappy, and most of this support won't count as support anymore. In fact, DOE's last SBA score card was an F (DOE gets an F), even though the previous year they got a B for just about the same support (DOE gets a B).
The DOE has tried to explain this to the SBA, tried to push back, and has held off the most egregious harm as long as it could. But word came down recently from above that the DOE better tow this SBA line or else! (Not sure how SBA could have this much power over DOE, but hey, I don't have the Org Chart.)
So only the biggest small businesses will be able to compete as a prime to DOE. Restructuring things to meet the new SBA rules will cut DOE support to small businesses even more (it takes a lot more money and time to put a prime contract in place and monitor it directly and that money will have to come from DOE's small business allocation itself). DOE will transfer most of this support from actual small businesses to only the biggest small businesses, e.g., those with almost 500 employees or almost $30 million/yr, depending upon which NAICS code is used.
Not really the Mom&Pop league.
And that's the unforeseen collateral damage of this policy. Real small businesses will be driven out wholesale, Mom&Pop companies will simply fold, especially those in the cities and towns where the DOE sites exist, that need them the most, and that grew up along with the DOE mission. Because SBA's new rules also don't care whether these businesses are local or not.
Small business support at this site with drop from about $500 million to maybe $200 to $300 million. There is an easy administrative fix to this problem. Subcontract dollars are as well-tracked as direct support. Just give the agencies credit for getting the support to small businesses regardless of the specific contractual vehicle.
I know someone sold the White House on this plan because it sounded like the government would increase support to small businesses. But it only sounds good to those who don't know this song.
[Personal disclosure – I work for a small business that has a subcontract with a DOE prime and has been a government prime. Fortunately, we are big enough to be a prime, so if this new SBA philosophy stands, we won't be in the same no-win situation of the really small businesses]


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BALTIMORE - One of the greatest seasons in UMBC's NCAA Division I history came to a difficult end in frigid, blustery conditions at Retriever Soccer Park on Sunday evening. The fifth-ranked men's soccer team battled traditional national power and tenth-ranked UConn to a 2-2 double overtime draw, but the Huskies advanced to the NCAA Third Round by prevailing, 4-2, in penalty kick shootout.
Pete Caringi Jr.'s squad became the first in school history to host and compete in an NCAA Division I Tournament game. The team finished the campaign with a 16-1-3 record, while the Huskies advance to the round of 16 with a record of 12-2-7.
UMBC came back from one-goal deficits on two occasions in the second half to send the contest to extra time.
After a scoreless first half, the Huskies got on the board just 69 seconds into the second half as forward Cyle Larin converted a centering feed from Mamadou Doudou Diouf midway into the box.
But UMBC would respond in the 62nd minute. After Huskie netminder Andre Blake was assessed a yellow card, the Retrievers were awarded an indirect kick just outside the box. Junior Mamadou Kansaye (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) touched it to classmate Geaton Caltabiano (Lothian, Md./Mount St. Joseph) and UMBC's assist leader curled his effort just inside the near left post to even the score.
Diouf would figure in the go-ahead goal for UConn, as he skimmed in a header off a Adria Beso corner kick in the 74th minute.
Once again, however, the hosts were not to be denied. In the 77th minute, the Retrievers earned a corner and Kansaye's ball toward the back post was headed in by senior forwardPete Caringi III (Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall). It was Caringi's 13th score of the season and the 37th of his storied career.
The Huskies threatened late, but UMBC senior netminder Phil Saunders (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) made a leaping save of a Nicholas Zuniga header with three minutes remaining.
UMBC senior midfielder Kadeem Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y./Mercer County CC) had the best chance in overtime just 90 seconds into the first ten-minute frame. He cracked a 22-yarder toward the upper right corner, but Blake leaped and got a glove on it to deflect it wide.
The Retrievers proceeded to their fourth consecutive penalty kick shootout in NCAA Championship play, dating back to 2010. Saunders made a save on Juho Karppinnen in round two and the Retrievers led, 2-1 after two rounds. But UConn converted their final three efforts, while Blake made stops on Dacres and Caringi to close the 2013 chapter for the Retrievers.
UConn outshot UMBC, 15-12, and Saunders tied a season-high with seven saves. The Retrievers earned 10 corners to seven for the visitors, as each team capitalized on a corner apiece.
Notes: UMBC finishes the season with a ten-game unbeaten streak… The Retrievers 1-0-4 in their last five NCAA Championship contests and 1-1-4 overall… Five of six have gone to overtime… The game marked the final appearance for Caringi, Dacres, Saunders and backTravis Dennis (Bowie, Md./Roosevelt), who all saw action in the game… Caringi finishes his career with 37 goals (fourth on the all-time list) and 91 points (fifth all-time)… Saunders final record is 44-13-10, a winning percentage of 73.1.


text:
Python 2.6.1 Release
Python 2.6.1
Python 2.6.1 has been replaced by a newer bugfix release of Python. Please download Python 2.6.6 instead.
Python 2.6.1 was released on December 4th, 2008.
This is the first bugfix release of Python 2.6. Python 2.6 is now in bugfix-only mode; no new features are being added. Dozens of bugs that were reported since the release of 2.6 final have been fixed.
See the detailed release notes for more details.
- Andrew Kuchling's guide to What's New in Python 2.6.
- NEWS file contains a listing of everything that's new in each alpha, beta, and release candidate of Python 2.6.
Please report bugs at http://bugs.python.org
See also the license.
Python 2.6.1 Released: 04-Dec-2008
This is a production release; we currently support these formats:
MD5 checksums and sizes of the released files:
52b3d421f42bacfdcaf55f56c0ff9be4 13046455 Python-2.6.1.tgz e81c2f0953aa60f8062c05a4673f2be0 10960385 Python-2.6.1.tar.bz2 9ed57add157ce069c0f8584f11b77991 14481408 python-2.6.1.msi ece88acad43e854587a46aaa8a070c9c 14803456 python-2.6.1.amd64.msi ea72cc669a33d266c34aa9ef5d660933 23986137 python-2.6.1-macosx2008-12-06.dmg
The signatures for the source tarballs above were generated with GnuPG using release manager Barry Warsaw's public key which has a key id of EA5BBD71. The Windows installers were signed by Martin von Löwis' public key which has a key id of 7D9DC8D2. The signature on the Mac disk image was signed by Benjamin Peterson's public key which has a key id of A4135B38.
The documentation has also been updated. You can browse the HTML on-line or download the HTML:
|The binaries for AMD64 will also work on processors that implement the Intel 64 architecture (formerly EM64T), i.e. the architecture that Microsoft calls x64, and AMD called x86-64 before calling it AMD64. They will not work on Intel Itanium Processors (formerly IA-64).


text:
Croke Park Development, Phase 1
- Architect:
Gilroy McMahon Architects
- Award Type:
Regional Award 1996
- Location: Dublin
In the task of providing a modern world class stadium, Phase One has made a direct impact resulting in a new reference point for Dublin. The considerable mass of the Cusack Stand has been broken down in an elegant manner using a series of identifiable layers in the traditional layers composition and an exciting experience.
Architect's Comment
The fist phase of the redevelopment of Croke Park Stadium in Dublin was completed in 1995. Apart from meeting the stringent requirements directed by the environmental impact studies on safety, daylight and wind turbulence there was the serious architectural challenge of inserting a large building into an innercity urban context. The building is appropriate to the scale of the immediate vicinity, the scale of the middle distance and the scale af the city. This is achieved by designing the building as a series of 'layers' broadly broken into base, middle and top: the traditional classical framework.
Colour is used to reinforce form. The raised podium at main concourse level grows out of the ground. Above this, the slate blue transparency of the curtain walling, which mirrors the roofscape of the surrounding area encloses the levels containing restaurants, bars and conference areas. Finally, the top is a cloud grey tracery of roof masts, designed for maximum interaction with the sky.


text:
Vehicle Waiver and Release Form
I am requesting permission from the Skidmore College Department of Campus Safety to park the vehicle described below on the Skidmore College Campus during the period specified below. I am the registered owner of the vehicle, or affirm that I have the permission of the registered owner to leave the vehicle on Campus for the period specified. I agree to park my vehicle in the area designated by Campus Safety. I completely and fully understand that Skidmore College assumes no responsibility for safekeeping my vehicle during the below specified time period. I also understand that in the event of an emergency, the College may move my vehicle and any costs associated with the move will be my responsibility.


text:
Mission Valley Hilton Hotel Sells for $44.6M
Monday, April 8, 2013
Kalpana LLC of Newport Beach has purchased the 349-room Hilton San Diego Mission Valley hotel for approximately $44.6 million. The seller was HEI Mission Valley LLC, according to data from CoStar Group.
The 14-story property was built in 1988 on approximately 4 acres at 901 Camino Del Rio S.
The acquisition was financed in part with a $39.5 million loan from East West Bank, according to CoStar Group.
-- SDBJ Staff Report


text:
Geneste portlets
Geneste portlets
Other Sports at Kristin
We encourage our students to embrace sport in all its forms, and when a student's passion falls outside of our official codes we endeavour to support them by liaising with external clubs where appropriate. We also support a wider range of sports, outside of the official Kristin codes:
- Climbing
- Playball
- Running Club
- Surfing
- Taekwon-Do
Often a student will be a member of a Kristin team while also competing in competitions outside of the school framework. When this is the case we encourage these students to keep the school informed so that any achievements can be considered for Kristin Sport Awards.
For those sports not offered by Kristin (and where there is not a corresponding Kristin Sport Club), students are encouraged to follow their passion and participate individually. The Sport department will do what they can to support and facilitate this where it is appropriate. When students achieve success in these sports we encourage them to keep the school informed so their achievement can be considered for Kristin Sport Awards. The Kaipara Cups (Middle, Senior, Teams) are especially for these athletes.


text:
A Cute Water Heater
A version of this article appears in the November/December 2008 issue of Home Energy Magazine.
November 06, 2008
Yes, there are cute water heaters. ECO-CUTE is a Japanese trademark and nickname for heat pump water heaters that use CO2 as a refrigerant. (Cute is the pronunciation of "hot water supply" in Japanese. Whether the technology is cute or not is in the eye of the beholder.) Water heating is one of the biggest single energy consumers in Japanese households. Maybe that's because of the climate, or maybe it's because we Japanese love to take baths. It takes 50 gallons of hot water to fill a typical Japanese bathtub, and the typical single-family household uses around 100 gallons of hot water a day. That helps to explain why high-efficiency heat pump water heaters are so popular in Japan. The ECO-CUTE water heater comes in two standard models. The 370 l tank, which holds approximately 100 gallons and is suitable for a family of three to five people, has a heating capacity of 4.5 kW. The 460 l tank, which holds approximately 120 gallons and is suitable for a family of four to seven people, has a heating capacity of 6 kW. The heat pump unit and the tank unit are connected by water pipes and are installed outside the house. Both ...
To read complete online articles, you need to sign up for an Online Subscription.
Once an order has been placed there is an automatic $10 processing fee that will be deducted with any cancellation.
The Home Energy Online articles are for personal use only and may not be printed for distribution. For permission to reprint, please send an e-mail to email@example.com.


text:
Right Now we
are placing anyone who buys a Global Ad with a 1
year commitment, in both rotations!
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their locating and marketing of
waterfront real estate. We will
accomplish this by providing tools and services
to create a professional and user-friendly web
more about how we can
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Add a Listing
Aviation Acres is an aviation real
estate database of properties for sale
for real estate agents and private
sellers (FSBO For Sale By Owners) to
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or major waterfront listings. Any one
who has an airplane hangar, residential
airpark home, major waterfront (for
floatplanes) or any other airport
related property for sale or lease can
use our site to help them reach the
aviation community.
Real Estate Agents
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been trying to sale? Pilots
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marketing it to the aviation community?
Our site is built much like an MLS would
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text:
Deliver a lunchtime playground cricket tournament for school years 7 to 9 at a local secondary school.
16 items found
Park or beach cricket connects with people where they already are – at the park or on the beach.
Tom talks about the importance of staying focused and being disciplined in cricket, and how we should strive for the same in our lives.
Life isn't always easy and it can be hard to keep pushing on.
Hear from Paddy about celebrating the highs and withstanding the lows, and how it takes effort to perfect your form as a cricketer and in life.
Chris feels the pressure of being an all-rounder and captain of his cricket team.


text:
Fresh Vegetables for Sushi
Fresh vegetables like cucumber and carrots are common in sushi. But for variety and authenticity, look for some specialized vegetables to add to your sushi-making session. These sushi-friendly vegetables may be sold at your local supermarket, or you may have to go to your neighborhood Asian market:
Japanese cucumber: Japanese cucumbers' skin is thin and delicious; they're not watery, so they won't make your sushi soggy; they have almost no seeds; and they're very tasty.
In a pinch, use English or hothouse cucumbers.
Daikon radish: Looks like a giant white carrot. After you grate it, daikon radish begins developing a very pungent odor. Look for firm, smooth, whole daikon radishes or chunks of daikon radish.
Daikon radish sprouts: Their sharp, peppery taste adds zip to whatever they're in. To clean the sprouts, rinse, pat them dry, and then cut off their roots.
Gingerroot: A fabulous flavor enhancer. Look for plump ginger with skin that's shiny, not wrinkled and dry.
Shiso leaves: A notched-leaf herb that's fragrant and full of flavor. Also called perilla and is nicknamed Japanese basil because of its similar taste, but it's really a mint.
Wasabi root: You lucky duck, you, if you can get your hands on expensive fresh wasabi root to grate as a condiment for your sushi.


text:
Our soft teddy bears and stuffed animals friends have delighted children of all ages for over 40 years!
Fiesta offers stuffed teddy bears, jungle animals, plush zoo animals, sea life plush, wildlife, stuffed cats and dogs, stuffed horses, barnyard, birds, reptiles, stuffed polar bears, penguins, animal plush backpacks, purses, puppets, stick ponies, ride-ons, Custom plush designs, Amusement arcade stuffed animals, Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Easter stuffed animals, and home decor.
Fiesta stuffed animals and plush toys are available at toy and gift stores nationwide.
Click on the SHOP menu button for online store
Fiesta wholesale plush toys. Wholesale inquiries welcome. Fiesta is a stuffed animal manufacturer and distributor, supplying cuddly plush toys, stuffed animals, and soft toys to zoos, aquariums, museums, hospital gift shops, drug stores, florists, toy stores and gift shops. Stuffed toys include teddy bears, zoo animals, dogs, cats, horses, insects, birds, dinosaurs, snakes, reptiles, and stuffed animals from the sea, forest, Arctic, North America, and exotic distant lands.
Fiesta stuffed jungle and stuffed zoo animals include stuffed elephants, stuffed monkeys, plush tigers, stuffed giraffes, stuffed koalas, stuffed pandas, plush white tigers, stuffed snow leopards, stuffed black panthers, plush zebras, stuffed lions, stuffed leopards, rhinoceros, stuffed monkeys, plush orangutans, hippos, plush gorillas, stuffed chimpanzees, stuffed lemurs, stuffed Okapi, African Wild Dog, and more.
Fiesta stuffed sea life, ocean, aquarium, aquatic, river, and pond plush animals include plush river otters, plush sea otters, stuffed manatees, stuffed sharks, plush dolphins, stuffed whales like the Blue Whale, Orca Whale, and Humpback Whale, stuffed Mako shark, Hammerhead shark, plush lobsters, and stuffed crabs like the Hermit Crab and Blue Crab. Additional sea life includes stuffed tropical fish, stuffed octopuses, stuffed sea turtles, jellyfish, sea horses, stuffed clown fish, white alligator, stingrays, and bat rays.
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Fiesta stuffed dogs include pedigree plush dogs (stuffed Husky, stuffed Poodle, stuffed Rottweiler, stuffed Labrador Retriever, stuffed Chihuahua, stuffed Pug, stuffed Schnauzer, stuffed Dachshund). Plush kittens and stuffed cats feature stuffed black cats, stuffed tabby cats and stuffed calico cats.
Fun and fantasy category of Fiesta stuffed toys include mermaids, plush dragons, pirate monkeys, unicorns, stuffed flowers, tie-dye animals and peace sign plush toys, cowgirl horse, princess teddy bear, cheerleader teddy bears, dinosaurs (T Rex, Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Spinosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops, Woolly Mammoth).
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Fiesta plush birds and insects include stuffed eagles, plush owls, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, stuffed scorpions, stuffed tarantulas, stuffed fruit bats, plush toucan, stuffed parrots, macaws, lorikeets, stuffed butterflies, stuffed bee and stuffed lady bug, stuffed pink flamingos, stuffed pelican, and stuffed ostriches.
Wildlife plush toys from Fiesta include the stuffed koala bear, kangaroo, pot-bellied pig, llama, Tasmanian Devil, lemur, bushbaby, coatimundi, meerkat, sloth, camel, emu, tree frog. Reptiles and snakes include stuffed green anole, stuffed iguana, stuffed rattlesnake, stuffed cobra, stuffed anaconda, stuffed alligator.
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Shop online for Fiesta stuffed animals and plush toys. Click on SHOP for link to Fiesta's online store.


text:
The Enigma - the 'unbreakable' German WWII cipher that has become an icon of cryptography and mystery. Learn how it works and why it is a great cipher for role-playing games.
Among the assortment of organized criminals who live in the great city, few command greater fear the Moonbeard Order.
They of course do not call themselves that, but have earned the moniker from their fashion of dying their large beards with lye to produce a distinctive crescent shape running from earlobe to earlobe. This is meant as a taunt for their enemies, for it clearly outlines their throats.
They also wear garb similar to the northern tribesman, carefully tooled leather and showing multiple, colourful glyphs.
They are feared due to the intense discipline that their group maintains, due to their origins as a warrior-sect.
They serve as paid thugs, enforcers and assassins within the city, with the client simply ordering a service from the organization, not hiring an individual. Apart from making the request and providing payment in full in advance, the order completes the assignment themselves.
Their order has many moles through the organizations of the city, and more than a couple of nobles. As such, no organized move has been made against them since their chief activity is directed against other members of the crime world. It is said that their services have been useful for those in power as well, further protecting them from persecution.
Their religion holds that their time in this world is vanishingly brief, and largely unimportant except as training for the Great Battle.
The order is very utilitarian with weapons choice - they simply use the tool needed for the occasion, though not without having trained extensively with it beforehand. Daggers, garrottes, swords, bows, battle axes, polearms, wagons, even siege engines have been used to carry out their contracts.