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LAS CRUCES, N.M. - No one won a share of the $2.4 million in NASA prizes being offered at a New Mexico rocket festival on Friday, but some of the competitors recorded new "personal bests."
On the first day of this year's Wirefly X Prize Cup, Armadillo Aerospace's lunar lander prototype rose to new heights, even though a mishap spoiled its bid to win a prize in the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge. And one of the robot climbers in the Space Elevator Games reached the top of its tether for the first time, even though the task wasn't done quickly enough to earn a payoff.
For those teams and other competitors, the good news is that they all have a chance to try again on Saturday.
The X Prize Cup, conducted at Las Cruces International Airport, had its share of fizzles as well as fantastic blastoffs — and the impresario behind the annual event, Peter Diamandis, said even the failures taught a lesson.
"We need to tell people that failure is OK," he told the crowd. "It's OK to take risks, and some of these vehicles are taking real risks."
Pixel soars but suffers damage
One of those vehicles was Pixel, the rocket craft that Armadillo entered in the $2 million Lunar Lander Challenge. Pixel's task was to blast off under remote control from one launch pad, hang in the air for 90 seconds and rise at least 50 meters (164 feet) off the ground, then land at a second pad 100 meters (328 feet) away. Then it had to retrace its steps to return to the starting point, after an opportunity for refueling.
Doing all that successfully would earn the Armadillo team a $350,000 prize from NASA.
Pixel accomplished the first half of the task smartly, with Armadillo team leader John Carmack at the controls. As thousands of spectators cheered, Carmack guided the craft up to the required height, then over to the required landing spot. But Pixel landed a little bit harder than Carmack planned, and the feet on its legs broke off. What's more, the engine flared up with flames that burned some of the craft's circuitry.
Those problems ruled out the return trip, meaning that Armadillo could not win the $350,000.
"I was fully prepared to fly on bloody stumps back to the middle pad," Carmack said later. "But we wound up cooking a couple of wires."
Fly, fly again
Carmack said his team planned to fly again on Saturday, and after the spectators left, the Armadillo team hatched what could be a history-making plan:
- The team would try to repair Pixel, possibly using parts from Armadillo's other lander prototype, nicknamed Texel. If Pixel could not be repaired, Texel might be flown instead. In either case, another bid would be made for the $350,000 prize.
- Texel had been reserved for a more ambitious challenge - which involves 180 seconds of hang time and an uneven, moonline launch site rather than the smooth launch pad provided for Friday's bid. The prize for that feat is $1 million.
- But if Armadillo wins the $350,000 prize, the team might opt instead for a pure demonstration flight, aimed at breaking the duration record for flight by a rocket ship that takes off and lands vertically, team member Phil Eaton said. He said the current record is 142 seconds, set by the Delta Clipper in 1996.
Armadillo is the only team competing this year for the prizes. Any money that's not won - incuding $650,000 that was set aside for potential runner-up prizes - will be carried over for next year's competition.
In an e-mail, Ken Davidian, a contractor for NASA's Centennial Challenges program, said the space agency was backing the prizes "to stimulate the development of certain technologies relevant to NASA's return to the moon," as well as "to encourage the creation and success of new businesses and organizations that have proven operational expertise in the demanding technologies of interest to NASA."
Carmack said he was happy with his team's effort, noting that his landers were capable of more change in velocity, or delta-V, than the SpaceShipOne rocket plane that won the $10 million Ansari X Prize two years ago. He said Pixel and Texel were built with volunteer labor for "$200,000 or so and change." Most of the funds have been provided by Carmack, a millionaire video-game programmer.
Robot reaches the top
Over on the other side of the X Prize Cup grounds, more than a dozen teams were trying to win prizes worth a total of $400,000 in the NASA-backed Space Elevator Games. One competition requires teams to manufacture tether material that is stronger than the current standard, while another contest calls on teams to build beam-powered robotic climbers capable of making their way up a 50-meter (164-foot) tether in less than a minute.
The Space Elevator Games got their start last year in California, but this year marks the first time the competitions have been conducted at the X Prize Cup in New Mexico.
Friday's strong winds led many of the teams in the climber competition to pass up making an attempt — but the University of Michigan's team, led by Julie Bellerose, reached a milestone when its robot reached the top of the tether in six and a half minutes. No one had ever made it all the way to the top before, even though the pace was too slow to qualify for a prize.
Randy Lieberman, who leads the Spanish-sponsored Recens team in the climber competition, said this year's entries represent a significant advance over last year's. He also emphasized that his ultimate goal was to set the stage for the development of space elevators , futuristic "highways to the sky" that could theoretically drive down the cost of getting to orbit.
"The serious money really isn't in the competition," he said. "It's in making the technologies work for the elevator."
© 2013 msnbc.com Reprints


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It's been an honor to be a part of conversations with enterprise customers during a major transition for Research In Motion® (RIM®). We've had many valuable questions sent to us, and we're taking the opportunity to get answers from Robin Bienfait, Chief Information Officer (CIO) for RIM. Robin oversees the Enterprise Business Unit, BlackBerry Operations, Customer Service, and Corporate IT functions. In short, she plays a major role in leading the vision for BlackBerry enterprise solutions, and the execution of making that vision a reality. Check out our chat below:
Hi Robin, thanks for joining me today! I'm looking forward to representing our enterprise customers and voicing the questions that they have.
My pleasure Luke, it's both a challenging time and a very exciting time for us at the moment, and I'm glad I can help to address our customers' concerns directly.
Can you tell me a bit about your background and the role that you play with our enterprise customers?
Our customers are the reason we do what we do every day. My job is to meet customers where they're at and help bring solutions to them that work best for their environment. I spent 22+ years at AT&T through all sorts of engineering and network operations leadership roles. When I left AT&T to join RIM over 5 years ago, I had led 30,000 people all dedicated to building a scalable and reliable enterprise class network. During that time, I interacted with enterprise customers on a daily basis, as I continue to do today. I believe it's important to get to know the different pieces of a business – it's not just about being a leader, it's about getting involved in problems and solutions. I am 100% committed to using my experience, knowledge, and dedication to meet the needs of our enterprise customers – that's what I'm here for.
Ok. I'm going to get right into the tough questions that our customers are asking. I know it's important to you, and to all of RIM's employees, to make sure that our customers hear information directly from you. – How can enterprises be confident that RIM will be around until the launch of BlackBerry® 10, and beyond, as a stable solution provider?
Our leadership team is very aware that BlackBerry is facing a few challenging quarters as we approach the launch of BlackBerry 10 – and we know there is much work to be done. A few weeks ago in Australia I met with many of our customers from the banking and financial sector; these customers rely on us, and we need to re-confirm their faith in our ability to perform and deliver. And we will work to do just that.
All companies need to go through changes in their evolution and it is our turn right now. Thorsten is making a lot of changes to ensure the company is addressing its challenges to give our customers the comfort that the company is not standing still and will be here to meet their needs. I think it's important to look closely at the position that our business is in: We have $2.2 billion of cash in the bank, zero debt, are bringing in seasoned industry leaders who understand BlackBerry customers, are reducing costs in non-core areas, and investing in a plan to radically shift the company and the technology. I'm confident that we're well positioned. What's important is that we have a clear direction, are pivoting rapidly, and are absolutely committed to achieving these goals.
Our customers see a lot of media activity around RIM and speculation about its future. Will RIM be acquired or bought out, and if so, would this disrupt BlackBerry service for enterprise customers?
RIM is clearly a hot topic right now and many individuals and publications are speculating about our strategic options and future. We are a public company so media and analyst scrutiny is expected during such a major transition. The reality is straightforward: We have over 78 million customers that need our services on a day-to-day basis, and we're firmly committed to the launch of the BlackBerry 10 platform. Our primary goal is to support our customers and drive value for shareholders and employees by continuing to invest and develop our enterprise initiatives.
You know, strategic partnerships have always been a part of RIM's business model. We started building partnerships with carriers over a decade ago, and we'll keep building partnerships to bring the best expertise and technology into the services and products we provide. I acutely understand the strategic importance of RIM's network to our customers, and we are absolutely committed to upholding our long-standing history of providing this service reliably. The RIM network has supported critical functions for customers for over a decade; our global messaging infrastructure remains a competitive advantage.
At BlackBerry World 2012 you made commitments to our Enterprise customers: BlackBerry® Mobile Fusion as a cloud offering, and security for data at rest and data in transit for iOS and Android devices managed through BlackBerry Mobile Fusion. Can you provide an update on these?
We have a full roadmap and timeline for our enterprise offering and are well along the path of meeting these goals. As I said, we are continuing to invest in enterprise solutions and are dedicated to partnering with our customers to help them solve challenges and to help them succeed, it's a priority and focus for us. We continue to expand and scale our MDM solution, BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, including cross-platform management capabilities that we know are a major focus for many organizations.
It's a CIO or IT administrator's job to ensure that their organization's mobility needs are met. Why shouldn't they be planning for contingencies?
That's a good question, Luke. Customers certainly don't want to question their smartphone and connectivity – they just want it to work. Business continuity planning is a healthy practice for any business, and one that we often enable with BlackBerry solutions. But with a firm plan of action underway for RIM, demonstrable fiscal responsibility, and a deep history of security and support for enterprise, I firmly believe that we remain the clear choice for enterprise customers at this time. No one else has RIM's track record of protecting enterprise data.
Will the planned layoff of 5,000 RIM employees affect customer service?
I want to clearly answer this – we do not expect any effect on customer service. Our customers are the reason we exist and we're absolutely committed to helping ensure our customers' needs are met. I know the decision to reduce headcount is very difficult – difficult on the people affected, difficult on their team members, difficult on their families – but we're doing this to ensure the long-term success of the company. As Thorsten mentioned on the Q1 earnings call, support for critical functions like Network Operations, Customer Support, and BlackBerry 10 launch teams are our priority.
If RIM's recent performance hasn't been up to your expectations (and the expectations of many of our stakeholders), what changes have been made within RIM to proactively work to turn around performance? What additional changes are planned?
As I have outlined, many changes have been made to help build a strong and healthy future for RIM – we are focused on our priorities and keeping our line of sight on innovation. The culture is really shifting and streamlining. We've made radical shifts in top-level leadership to drive focus, reduced management layers, engaged in cost cutting initiatives, and a dedication to innovation via the BlackBerry 10 platform. We plan to continue this focus throughout fiscal year 2013 and in particular to meet the goal of cutting $1 billion in costs. We are pivoting strategically, and we're confident in the clear path forward as well as in our assembled, experienced leadership team. Thorsten has discussed many of these changes in his recent submission to the Globe and Mail. If you haven't read it, I'd encourage you to do so!
RIM has millions of customers waiting for the launch of BlackBerry 10. How do you know that BlackBerry 10 will meet their expectations?
Make no mistake; BlackBerry 10 is not a simple addition to our lineup of BlackBerry smartphones. BlackBerry 10 is a brand new mobile computing platform built on a rock-solid foundation of QNX technology that has been meeting the security, reliability, and performance needs of customers for more than 30 years. This platform will allow us to deeply engage with the mobile computing space and provide a springboard for rich future products and services. We are excited, we are dedicated, and we're confident in this platform. In terms of meeting the needs and expectations, we'll be partnering with many of our enterprise customers to allow them to take a look in advance of the launch, so they can see for themselves what we're working on. The BlackBerry 10 platform will be supported and managed by BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, a solution built on years of leadership and experience in the MDM [Mobile Device Management] space. So you can see that this is an entire ecosystem and platform built to enable businesses and their employees. Like I said – very exciting stuff.
How can I trust BlackBerry Mobile Fusion as an MDM solution when the future of RIM is in question?
Beyond what I mentioned about a dedication to reliability and BlackBerry network service for our enterprise customers, BlackBerry Mobile Fusion represents a fundamental strength of RIM. We pioneered not only the smartphone market, but also mobile device management – in direct response to the needs of enterprise customers for security, manageability, efficiency, and convenience. We haven't stopped, and won't stop, listening to our customers, and BlackBerry Mobile Fusion is tailored to meet the needs of businesses today. BlackBerry Mobile Fusion builds on the foundation of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which has almost a quarter million active deployments. It represents innovation in mobile device management that extends across multiple platforms. Managing mobile enterprises has been our strength for over a decade, and BlackBerry Mobile Fusion with BlackBerry 10 will position us for the future.
It seems that one of RIM's systemic issues has been product delays. How can customers be confident in RIM when BlackBerry 10 has been delayed more than once?
I know many of our customers are looking forward to the launch of BlackBerry 10, and they were disappointed by the delay into Q1 of calendar year 2013. The reason for this delay, as Thorsten has mentioned, is that we need more time to integrate all of the features that we've built. BlackBerry 10 is a combination of some incredible technologies, and the experience needs to be seamless. We will produce a stable mobile platform that delivers rich and exciting experiences for customers, and we refuse to compromise on quality in the process.
Thanks for joining me today Robin – do you have any closing thoughts for our enterprise customers?
Thanks for the questions, Luke. On behalf of all of RIM's employees, I want to thank our customers for their incredible support – it's clear that they're cheering for us and want us to succeed. It's truly an amazing experience to meet with so many influential business leaders in my work and to hear first-hand how important BlackBerry is to their business and personal lives. Their feedback is part of our daily evolution and growth and we wouldn't have it any other way.

subset: commoncrawl


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Beyonce to Design Maternity Clothes
Beyoncé Reveals Plans to Launch Maternity Line
Beyoncé Reveals Plans to Launch Maternity Line
We bet there'll be sequins! Beyoncé will soon join the ranks of the world's most fashionable women who've tried their hand at designing maternity clothes once they found themselves in a pregnant way. In an interview with Bazaar, Beyoncé revealed that she's working on a maternity line for the House of Deréon line she and her mom design. She told the magazine that, "I love figuring out designs that still make me feel edgy and sexy while pregnant. Flowy fabrics are always flattering . . . but I still rock my stilettos."
Beyoncé isn't Tinseltown's first expectant mama to think about what pregnant women want to wear — both Nicole Richie and Heidi Klum have designed maternity collections while pregnant, with Klum's clothes still being sold at Destination Maternity stores. This time, though, it's probably safe to say that the clothes will have more sequins and sparkle, given Beyoncé's signature look. Take a look at the singer's maternity style thus far, and tell us if you think her designs will rock pregnant mamas' worlds!


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While the massive tremor that ravaged the northeastern part of Japan did not cause damage to Japan's major production sites for DRAM and flash memory products, it may disrupt the supply of some key materials for the global semiconductor industry.
Elpida Memory's DRAM plant in Hiroshima and Toshiba's flash memory plant in Yokkaichi (Mie prefecture) escaped the slam of the devastating quake, but silicon wafer maker Shin-Etsu Handotai (SEH) was not so lucky.
SEH's main silicon wafer plant (the Shirakawa plant) is located in Nishigo Village of Fukushima, a prefecture close to the epicenter of the earthquake. SEH has shut down the plant due to a lack of electricity.
Although SEH has expanded the number of its production bases for silicon wafers to four in order to reduce its operation risks, the Shirikawa plant remains the most important production base for SEH. SEH has a production capacity of 1.2 million units of 12-inch wafers a month, of which 800,000 are produced at the Shirakawa plant, accounting for a 22% global share.
With most wafer foundry houses normally keeping a certain amount of inventory, a two-week suspension at the Shirikawa plant may not trigger a supply problem for silicon wafers. However, if it takes two months or even longer for the Shirikawa plant to resume normal production, it will become a major problem for global wafer shipments.


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PRETORIA, South Africa - South Africa's police head has appointed its top detective as the new lead investigator in the Oscar Pistorius murder case.
The decision came after it emerged the initial investigator, Hilton Botha, was facing attempted murder charges.
National Commissioner Riah Phiyega says Lt. Gen. Vinesh Moonoo will take over the investigation.
Phiyega says the Pistorius case "shall receive attention at the national level" and Moonoo will "gather a team of highly skilled and experience detectives."
She says Moonoo is the South Africa police's "top detective."
Botha's future in charge of the investigation into world-famous athlete Pistorius came into doubt after charges of attempted murder were reinstated against him in relation to a 2011 shooting incident, when he and two other police officers allegedly fired shots at a minibus.


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Our phones have been ringing off the hook the past few weeks (which is a good thing!) and we anticipate that this will continue as customers, prospects and partners work to get their arms around the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Omnibus Rule that took effect this week. While business associates have until September 23 to reach compliance, the Rule, which encompasses new requirements and modifications to the Privacy and Security Rules, could present some confusion in the marketplace.
To help, we partnered with Coalfire to provide our readers with the below top five tips to ensure a speedy transition. For further reading, you can also check out our joint-byline with Andrew Hicks of Coalfire that "Electronic Health Report" published, as well as our press release that we issued today.
- Know if you need to be compliant. Many people do not realize that shredding companies and office cleaning crews that may see patient data without realizing it are now liable. Anyone that has access to PHI, regardless of their position and how far removed they are from the covered entity, is now in full scope.
- Take a solid inventory of where data lives. Data is constantly being transmitted back and forth via applications, web servers and file servers. However, many organizations lack a comprehensive inventory of where all of this data lives. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the risk of data storage. Participants must be able to control physical and logical access to patient information and proactively protect against inappropriate access to the data at every exchange point. This is impossible to achieve without a solid inventory.
- Conduct a risk analysis and data classification. Under HIPAA, there is a clear requirement that companies need to complete a thorough risk assessment of the storage, processing and transition of ePHI data. This risk to data needs to be clearly defined and any control gaps need to be outlined.
- Control the flow of ePHI data via mobile devices. While there is not a specific requirement within HIPAA that addresses mobile devices, tablets and smartphones frequently hold ePHI data. Organizations need to implement corporate BYOD policies and have controls in place including passwords and remote capabilities to protect this data.
- Know the definition of encryption. There seems to be a lot of confusion around encryption as many people translate this addressable specification as being optional. Some organizations see "encryption" and after evaluating what it entails, decide that it costs too much money or is too difficult to implement. If there is a security breach, HHS officials will first ask if the data was encrypted. If the answer is no, the investigation can easily lead to fines, penalties and negative publicity. We recommend that our partners and clients conduct a thorough risk assessment to document all controls that may be at risk. This documentation serves as a road map for developing action items based on priority or level of risk. When a breach occurs, organizations need to demonstrate their due diligence to show that all risks were acknowledged, especially those that cannot be technically met. We cannot stress enough how thorough this documentation should be – it should be supported through a risk management program and updated at least annually or with the introduction of new risks. We have seen documentation ranging from 20 to 100+ pages; anything less than that will be insufficient.


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Osaka, Japan October 29, 2010 - Defending champions Russia serviced notice of their intent to keep hold of their crown with a four-set (21-25, 25-9, 25-17 25-11) victory over the Dominican Republic in the opening match of Pool D at the FIVB Women's World Championship at Osaka Municipal City Gymnasium on Friday afternoon.After dropping the first set, Russia came storming back as the young Dominican squad tired and eventually ran out of gas. Ekaterina Gamova led the way for Russia with 20 points – the 202cm Gamova was a dominant force, scoring 15 points on attack alone, while Tatiana Kosheleva added 15 points. Prisilla Rivera finished with 16 points for the Dominican Republic who made 26 errors to Russia's 16 in the match.FIVB Women's World Championship Japan 2010 official page
Marcos Kwiek's team made a bright start to the opening set, taking a 7-3 lead before Russia ran off three straight points to pull back to 7-6. In the space of four points, Lisvel Elisa Eve then blocked or redirected three shots to help the Dominicans move 12-6 in front. Russia responded with a four-point sequence to make it 14-10 but their opponents kept pushing and extended the advantage to 23-14. Vladimir Kuzyutkin's team then scored six straight points to close the score to 23-20 before Rivera finished off the set with a deft tip – her seventh point of the opening set.Russia quickly turned the tables by taking a 12-4 lead in the second set behind some fierce spikes from Gamova and company. She scored 13 points as the holders ran away with the set, prevailing 25-9. Gamova shone again in the third set which Russia won 25-17, producing an impressive save before returning to deliver the block that gave her team an 18-11 lead.The momentum had now clearly swung Russia's way after the Dominicans' spirited efforts early in the match. The eastern Europeans were consistently rebuffing their opponents at the net and they wrapped up the win by taking the fourth set 25-11. Russia will play Turkey next on Saturday, while the Dominicans will face Korea.


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Admission, Registration & Tuition
How can I apply to Hunter College as an undergraduate/graduate student?
Undergraduate students can apply for admission to Hunter College online at the CUNY Admissions page. Graduate students can go to: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/graduateadmissions/applying. Our Prospective Students page also provides information about the general admission application process for undergraduate and graduate students.
What is immunization and how can I remove an "immunization stop" to proceed with my registration?
All undergraduate and graduate students admitted to CUNY must show proof that they have been vaccinated against the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) before they can enter a classroom. You can remove the "immunization stop" by providing the Hunter College Office of Health Services proof that you have received your vaccinations.
Click on Immunization Form.
Are undergraduate international students required to take a CUNY placement exam after they have been admitted to Hunter College?
Please review the following link for more information about the CUNY placement exam: http://www.cuny.edu/academics/testing/cuny-assessment-tests.html
Do I have to attend orientation as a newly admitted undergraduate/graduate student?
New students receive advising through orientation. Undergraduate Students should consult their MyHunter pages and instructions are sent to their Hunter e-mail accounts about Academic Advising Services orientation for new students. Graduate students will need to check with their respective departmental advisors for Academic advice and registration
What can I do if my request for a visa is delayed and I cannot attend any of the orientation meetings?
Contact the International Students Office at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive any immigration-related information. Graduate students are recommended to contact their departments directly. Click on the following link http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/academics for a list of academic department and disciplines.
Who can help me choose my classes and register once I become a student?
Students register online according to the registration calendar set out by the Registrar's Office.
Once enrolled undergraduate students have access to advising services to help them meet their academic goals. From the first year through graduation, students will be invited to participate in specific advising programs.
NOTE: All international students in F-1/J-1 status are also strongly recommended to attend an immigration workshop to understand their immigration responsibilities and learn about the academic support services available to them.
How many credits must I register for as an international undergraduate or graduate student?
U.S. Immigration regulations require that undergraduate international students register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester in order to maintain their legal status. Graduate students are permitted to register for no less than 9 credits, with written permission from their departments.
What is the required Grade Point Average(GPA) at Hunter College?
The minimum GPA required at Hunter College is 2.0 for undergraduate studies and 3.0 for graduate students. To better understand the Hunter College grading system and to calculate your GPA before and after your admission, visit: http://registrar.hunter.cuny.edu/subpages/gradingsystem.shtml.
Where can I get help if I am experiencing academic difficulties?
Visit http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/advising for information on how to speak to an academic adviser. We also strongly recommend that you contact the International Student Office to learn about the other support services available to you as a student in F-1 or J-1 status.
How much is the tuition for international undergraduate and graduate students at Hunter College?
International students are considered "out of state residents" for tuition purposes. The tuition rate for non-residents is calculated based on the number of credits they take each semester. Visit the Bursar's Office site at: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/bursar/tuition-fees for more info.
Does my tuition payment also cover my housing fees?
Tuition payment does not cover housing fees. An estimate of a student's educational and living expenses for one year is provided in the Certificate of Eligibility (SEVIS I-20) application/information for Undergraduates and Certificate of Eligibility (SEVIS I-20) application/information for Graduates.
Does Hunter College provide health insurance to international students? Is it mandatory? How can I apply?
At the present time, student health insurance is not mandatory for international students in F-1 status. Exchange students in J-1 status, however, are required to have their own health insurance coverage when applying for the visa or status. A list of student health insurance options is provided for informational purposes.
Does Hunter College provide financial aid or loan information to international students?
In general, international students in F-1 and J-1 status are not eligible to apply for financial aid from the schools funded by the U.S. government. However, if you experience difficulty paying your tuition in full at the time of registration, you can enroll in the TuitionPay (SallieMae) Payment Plan offered through the Hunter College Bursar's Office. Visit http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/bursar/services/payment-planfor more information. Additionally, a list of tuition assistance options for international students is provided for informational purposes only at: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/is/grants.
What is New York State Resident tuition? Can international students apply?
New York State resident tuition rate is the rate that students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to apply for if they meet the requirements established by the college and CUNY. International students in F-1 or J-1 status are not eligible for the in-state tuition rate. For information on which non-immigrant classes are eligible for the CUNY in-state tuition rates, visit the OneStop website.
Visas and Immigration Regulations
What must I do if I want to enter the United States and study at Hunter College as an international student?
First, you must apply to Hunter College for admission and receive an official letter of acceptance. Next, you must request the appropriate visa from the United States embassy or consulate in your country.
How can I apply for an F-1 or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa from abroad or change my immigration status in the U.S. to an F-1 or J-1?
In order to apply for an F-1 (student visa) or J-1 (exchange visitor), you must first be accepted to Hunter College. If you are applying for the F-1 visa, you must request the school's SEVIS I-20 form. J-1 visa applicants must request the form DS-2019. To learn if you are eligible to change your immigration status in the United States, please contact the Hunter College International Students Office
By email at firstname.lastname@example.com or telephone: 212-772-4864.
What is the SEVIS I-901 fee?
All international students who apply for the F-1 or J-1 Exchange Visitor visa to enter the United States for the first time must pay a SEVIS fee to the Immigration Department at least three days before their visa interview. The fee is used to maintain each student's record in the SEVIS Immigration database. You will need to have a SEVIS I-20 (F-1) or a DS2019 (J-1Exchange Visitor) in order to pay the required fee. Students who want to change their current immigration status to F-1 or J-1 while in the U.S. are strongly recommended to first contact the International Students Office. For more information on this topic, go to http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/is/repository/files/SevisFeeBasics.pdf or www.FMJfee.com.
What is the difference between a visa and immigration status?
The visa is the ink stamp with an expiration date that you will receive in your passport. It allows you to enter the U.S. When you arrive at a port of entry in the U.S. you will receive your immigration status which will be stamped on your I-94 card (arrival and departure record).
Your immigration status states whether you have been permitted to enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student. You must maintain your F-1 or J-1 status valid at all times.
Can I register for a semester of classes at Hunter College on a B-2/B-1 (tourist/business) visa?
The B-2/B-1 (visitor/business) visa is issued to individuals who wish to travel to the U.S. for pleasure or business-related activities. If your plans are to study, you must apply for admission and request an F-1 (student) or J-1 (exchange visitor's) visa in your home country or change your immigration status in the U.S. For more information about these processes contact the International Students Office at email@example.com.
How long can I remain in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status after I complete program of study or stop attending classes?
U.S. Immigration regulations allow F-1 students to remain in the country for an additional 60 days after completion of their program of study (last day of final exam) or post-completion OPT (optional practical training). Students may use this 60 day grace period to prepare for departure, transfer to another school or change immigration status. J-1 students are allowed a 30-day grace period after completion of their program of study or any academic training. The 30-day grace period may be used to prepare for departure, transfer to another school or change immigration status.
Does the Hunter College International Students Office extend my SEVIS I-20 or DS 2019 form automatically?
The Hunter College International Students Office does not automatically extend your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019. To extend your stay in the U.S. you must visit the International Student's Office at least one month before your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 expires.
Can I extend the date or change the visa stamp in my passport in the United States?
You can renew or change the visa stamp in your passport by visiting the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Visit the U.S. Department Of Homeland Security embassy site for more information on the process at http://educationusa.state.gov/. In some cases you may renew your visa in Canada. Email the International Students Office at firstname.lastname@example.com for more information on this topic.
Where can I get advice and free legal assistance with an immigration problem or concern?
Contact the International Students Office via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or come during student walk-in hours for information and advice on Immigration regulations and maintaining your legal status in the United States. For free legal assistance, you can visit one of the free CUNY immigration centers. Contact the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project for information and locations of the free clinics www1.cuny.edu/sites/citizenship-now/about/contact-2/
What is an H-1B visa?
The H-1B status or visa is a non-immigrant visa category that allows the individual to work temporarily in the U.S. in a specialty occupation. An individual in H-1B status may only engage in part-time studies that are incidental to his/her primary responsibilities in the United States.
Can I study on an H-1B?
A person holding H-1B status is not permitted to enroll in a full-time academic program. Visit our H-1B status link for more information about other requirements of this visa category.
Housing Information
We recomend that any international students interested in living on-campus visit both our Housing FAQs and the Residence Life page.
Employment in the U.S.
Can I work in the college after I have been accepted?
Your immigration status (F-1/J-1) and your educational level (undergraduate/graduate) at Hunter College will determine if you are able to engage in part-time employment soon after your acceptance and enrollment in the college. Visit http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/is/employment on the International Students website for information about the eligibility requirements.
What kinds of employment are international students permitted to engage in while studying in the U.S.?
International students in F-1 or J-1 status have a number of employment options in the U.S. available to them. There is on-campus employment, curricular practical training and optional practical training, among others. Go to the http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/is/employment section of the International Students Office website for information about these options and the application procedures.
Are international students required to file and pay income tax while they study in the U.S.?
All international students are required to file income tax forms at the end of the year. If employed, students must file and pay income tax, based on their earnings and immigration status. For more information about tax requirements for international students, contact the International Students Office via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or go to http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/is.
What is employment based on economic hardship?
Employment based on economic hardship is part-time work permitted by U.S. Immigration Services for international students who can demonstrate that they have experienced unforeseen financial difficulties.
What is academic training for J-1 Exchange Visitor holders?
Academic training is part-time employment that may be granted to eligible J-1 students during or after their course of study. Visit our Employment website for more information about academic training and the specific requirements.
What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and how can I apply?
CPT is a form of part-time employment or internship F-1 students are permitted to engage in while they pursue a full course of study. U.S. Immigration regulations specifically state that the training must be directly related to their majors. Click here for more information on the eligibility requirements.
What is OPT (Optional Practical Training) and when can I apply?
OPT is a form of employment or training F-1 students are permitted to engage in during their course of study or upon graduation. U.S. Immigration regulations specifically state that the training must be directly related to their majors. Click here for more information on the eligibility requirements.
Can I extend my post-completion OPT?
Post-completion OPT is generally approved for 12 months. As per Immigration regulations, it is possible to extend your OPT for an additional 17 months if have earned your degree in a specialized field called, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). For a list of STEM degrees, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website at: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm.
What are my immigration options when my post-completion OPT ends?
As per U.S. Immigration regulations, F-1 students allowed 60 days of grace period after their post-completion OPT ends. Students may use this 60-day grace period to depart from the United States, enroll in another academic program or change to another immigration status, if eligible. Contact the International Students Office via email at email@example.com or stop by during walk-in hours if you have specific questions about your OPT status.
Additional ISO Services
Do I need to request an appointment to speak with a Hunter College International Student Adviser?
You may visit the International Students Office during the student walk-in hours listed on our website. To make an appointment to speak with one of the international student advisers, please refer to the International Students Office contact information.
How can I meet other international students at Hunter College?
The Hunter College Office of Student Activities provides many opportunities for you to meet other international students by participating in events on campus or joining student clubs. For more information, go to: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/sa. Additionally, One-To-World is a non-profit organization that sponsors many educational and cultural events for international students. For more information or to become a member, go to: http://www.one-to-world.org.
Can the International Students Office help me open a bank account while I study at Hunter College?
The International Students Office can provide you with a school enrollment letter and additional information about the requirements for opening a bank account in the U.S.
How can I apply for a social security card or driver's license?
Click here to learn about the requirements and the steps you must follow in order to apply for a social security card for F-1 students and here for J-1 students. Visit the DMV website for information about New York State driver's licence and click here for information about applying for a New Jersey driver's license.
What student activities or events does the International Students Office organize for international students?
The International Students Office organizes information workshops and events each semester on a variety of topics. Check regularly on the student EVENTS and NEWS sections on our site for updates on upcoming events and the latest immigration news.
Where can I report a change of address?
You can report or submit a form for change of address to the Hunter College Registrars Office and also complete this form for the International Students Office within 10 days of your move.
How do I receive immigration updates and/or a listing of International Students events and topical workshops?
You can subscribe to our new International Students Listserv. The listserv will enable the International Students Office to email all international students who subscribe to the service. Subscribing is an excellent way to keep yourself well-informed and it only takes 1 minute to sign up! To subscribe, send an email using the example that follows next.
To: firstname.lastname@example.com
Subject: SUBSCRIBE
Body of email: SUBSCRIBE INTERNATIONAL-L John Smith
What is the best way to commute to Hunter College?
Public transportation is available to the Hunter College campus on 68th Street and Lexington Avenue. For daily commuting to the campus by public transportation students are recommended to purchase monthly unlimited metro cards ($112 for 30 days). Visit http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/abouthunter/maps/68th-street-main-campus to view a map of Hunter College and get directions to the different campus locations.


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The government has spoken about how to improve the nation's financial health, after its annual budget plan, approved last month, indicated a shortfall of NT$273.9 billion (US$9.18 billion) for next year, which will be the first increase in the deficit in five years. Moreover, President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) administration is proposing its first-ever share sale plan for state-run banks and bluechip companies to increase revenues.
The latest statistics show that national debt amounted to NT$5.377 trillion at the end of last month and it is approaching the debt ceiling of NT$5.702 trillion, or 40.6 percent of the average GDP for the past three years. Minster of Finance Chang Sheng-ford (張盛和) last week said the ministry was drafting plans to both control the growth of government debt and expand its revenue sources in compliance with the Public Debt Act (公共債務法).
His remarks came after Council for Economic Planning and Development Minister Kuan Chung-ming (管中閔) said late last month that the council was proposing measures to increase government revenue. Among the measures they proposed is the sale of
government-owned stocks. An initial plan for such sales includes a total of NT$44.1 billion shares in Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co, Mega Financial Holding Co, China Steel Corp, Chunghwa Telecom Co and Taiwan Fertilizer Co.
The finance ministry says the government aims to sell other stock in companies that carry no policy initiatives or in which the government is not a majority shareholder, such as Central Deposit Insurance Corp and Taiwan Land Development Corp. The second-
stage share sale is also part of the government's privatization drive for state-run companies, following the successful privatization of Taiwan Salt Co, Chunghwa Telecom, China Shipbuilding Corp and Taiwan Cooperative Bank during former president Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) administration from 2000 to 2008.
Before getting too excited about the sale plan, which still has uncertainties due to opposition from labor unions and its need for approval by lawmakers, the government must realize that the main purpose of selling its stocks should be to loosen its control over those companies, rather than earn money.
Government officials have correctly said that insufficient revenues are a key factor to the nation's fiscal difficulties. Unfortunately they still refuse to face up to the real issue in the current tax structure: A fast-shrinking tax base and too many tax breaks, which have seriously diminished the government's finances.
Like its peers elsewhere in the world, the government favors tax cuts, as well as increases in social security and pension-related spending, to win approval from businesses and the public. However, it is time for the government to review its generous tax cuts and welfare spending.
While policymakers believe their ideas will increase the productivity of individuals and corporations, the truth is that its policies have led to higher, not lower, budget deficits. The increase in tax revenues has not kept pace with economic growth over the past five years.
Tax equity should be the fundamental policy of any government. If tax cuts only benefit rich people and large companies and increase the tax burden on low and middle-income earners and small businesses, the government must end such unfair policies immediately.


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This time in this overview I am going to elaborate on you how to compile Free Coins for Spades Plus, one of the most popular games all over the world right now.
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01-31-2012 03:36 AM - edited 01-31-2012 03:43 AM
Let me mention, that i wrote some comments on the app to the developer, and some of them he implemented right away, others he added to a to-do-list. It seems that this is just another app that is for the users and aims to be as good and useable as possible. I thought first that the price for the full app is higher than optimal, but they really try to do their best to deserve it. In any case there are so few apps on the market for which it is worth to pay and which i would use each day and this might be one of them.
01-31-2012 06:38 PM - edited 01-31-2012 06:40 PM
Does it also have a recognition for formating handwritten notes to digital text? Maybe I missed it....
As i was told, pressure sensitivity is planned in one of the next releases, hopefully it will come indeed, and soon.
Also note that this app is bitmap-based, so it has its obvious advantages (lasso tool, proper eraser, smooth brushes, possibility for extra brushes later) and some disadvantages over quill (in quill you can zoom in as much as you want, but actually who would want to as the zoomed strokes does not look as good as with a subpixel wacom pen would, yet quill tends to slow down if you have plenty (i mean quite a lot) of strokes on a page. also vector export to pdf may look better and have smaller size, but shows slower... it is funny to see my drawing continuously appear as animated when i open them in a pdf viewer on the tablet).
Also lecture notes has underdrawing/highlighting, page reordering, continuous pages view, which are all handy.
overall, adding pressure sensitivity to lecture notes will make it a quite capable app. considering how i hate the palm-rejection of sketchbook, it may be my preferred app for drawing until sketchbook is not updated (or we got the dreamed os-level pen-only mode). with underdrawing i can even color my sketches, which i miss in quill.
in all of these apps i miss most the ability to reorder pages between notebooks (and for quill within notebooks is missing too yet), so i hope they both work on this feature. lecture notes dev is contemplating it as far as i know. stupid sketchbook does not even have notebooks, only a mass of pics is what you can see, without the ability to reorder.
finally note that quill is cheaper (even free), although lecture notes has a free trial version, from which you can export as many as you want.
Nice application recommendation!
I went ahead and bought it as the image import is amazing and exactly what I need for writing on powerpoint slides from classes. Instead of trying to annotate them using eZPDF. Importing them as images in Lecture Notes is much much better!


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About the Brand
Carmen de Tommaso's label launched right in step with couture houses like Balmain and Christian Dior, with some pretty key differences. At just 5'1″, de Tommaso was intent on designing for petite women, and she used her travels to the far-flung corners of the globe as fodder for her designs. Inspired by Africa and Asia, the line was always full of bright prints and stripes, and while it went dark for decades, the brand's recent re-emergence plays homage to that early playfulness.


text: As a reminder to all of you sports fans, B.o.B will be performing on Vh1 and Pepsi's Super Bowl Fan Jam on Feb 2, 2012 at 5 pm in Indianapolis, IN. That's next week! Click here to get tickets and enter this promo code: BOBPEPSI12 to receive priority access as a B.o.B fan! You'll be able to get tickets right in front of the stage. What you waiting for?


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Jeffrey Archer Message Board
Post to this discussion forum
Return to Jeffrey Archer book reviews
posts on 4/2/2012 4:15:34 PM
hey guys, i have a weird question for you. do any of Archer's novels have any sexual content? pls bare with me on this and answer if possible. thank you.
Tony Whelan
posts on 7/9/2011 9:42:45 AM
I first read 'As The Crow Flies' thirty years ago, and I have just finished rereading it. It is a page turner, but it leaves me unsatisfied. It's a bit of a stretch to of reality the way Daniel and Cathy become lovers/ brother and sister. There's too much time spent on minor incidents and details of venues than is properly given to some of the most important characters. I felt a bit disappointed the second time.
rose turner
posts on 11/28/2009 11:45:31 PM
i just read " As The Crow Flies" was wondering if there was ever a movie made of the book
posts on 7/30/2009 12:57:49 PM
One of the best ever written ~
posts on 10/29/2008 2:44:21 PM
I have just finished reading "Cat O' Nine Tales and other stories" and I have never enjoyed a collection of short stories so much. I have also enjoyed immensely your novels "A Prisoner of Birth" and "Kane & Abel". Both you, Jeffrey Archer, and Philip Roth are my most favorite authors. Please keep writing!!
posts on 10/11/2008 7:34:47 AM
i did this book as my analysis can you give me some of the characterization of the characters? the book is really intersing that i did it as my novel analysis... its really a mysterious one for me.. very Awesome
posts on 10/28/2007 8:33:33 AM
well i have read this book for 4-5 times now. i bought it just like that, never knowing that i wud actually get attached to it so much. its a great buk and inspires a lot.
shane barrow
posts on 7/26/2005 11:51:33 PM
My Grandmother Elizebeth connie Barrow Madien name Archer States that we are related to Jeffery Archer and she said he visted her in Queensland Austrlia when he was visting here a while ago. My Auntie says this is a true statment How can i check if this information is true? Has anybody got Jeffery email address? Thanks Shane
posts on 6/24/2005 2:33:53 AM
The only word that comes to my mind when i think aboutthis book is : AWESOME; it�s the best book i�ve ever read, and i do read a lot. I even cried and share happiness along with kane and rosnovski. This book should be read in all schools, seriously this book rocks.
sunaina masih
posts on 5/25/2005 9:32:39 AM
it would be really nice of yu if i get the summary of te book it should be detailed
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The Finance Department is responsible for collection and administration of property and business taxes, processes business license applications and other city business permits, accounts payable and general accounts receivable, purchasing and other general accounting functions necessary for the administration of city business. Please see the links on the left for additional information regarding a specific function.
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You will find below information about Nelspruit airport. Use the links below to read detailed information about Nelspruit airport: location, route maps, live departures and arrivals etc.
Skyscanner allows you to find the cheapest flights to Nelspruit airport without having to enter specific dates or even destinations, making it the best place to find cheap flights for your trip to Nelspruit airport. Use the links at the side of the page to browse for flight information or use the flight search controls above to start a new search.
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- See all airports in South Africa.


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text:
LBA-ECO LC-07 MONTHLY MEAN FLOODED WETLANDS HABITAT, CENTRAL AMAZON BASIN: 1979-1996Entry ID: LC07_MONTHLY_INUNDATED_AREAS
Abstract: This data set reports monthly mean inundation areas (square kilometers) for four cover classes of Central Amazon wetlands habitat: Open water (OW), river channel (RC) class, macrophyte (MA) class, and a flooded forest (FF) class, which also incorporates a flooded shrub class. The full study area was a 1.77 million km2 quadrant covering the Central Amazon Basin. Inundation was also calculated from three subsets of this area: (1) covering only the Amazon/Solimoes River mainstem and (2) the Eastern and (3) the Western halves of this mainstem area. There is one comma-delimited ASCII data file in this data set.
Related URL
Geographic Coverage
Spatial coordinates
Data Set Citation
Dataset Originator/Creator: FORSBERG, B.R.GASTIL, M.HAMILTON, S.K.HESS, L.L.LIMA, I.B.T.MELACK, J.M.NOVO, E.M.L.M.
Dataset Title: LBA-ECO LC-07 MONTHLY MEAN FLOODED WETLANDS HABITAT, CENTRAL AMAZON BASIN: 1979-1996
Dataset Release Date: 2011
Dataset Release Place: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Dataset Publisher: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center
Data Presentation Form: Online Files
Dataset DOI: doi:10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1049Online Resource: http://mercury.ornl.gov/ornldaac/#fq=fileID:1049
Temporal Coverage
Start Date: 1979-01-01Stop Date: 1996-06-30
Location Keywords
Science Keywords
ISO Topic Category
Ancillary Keywords
Data Set Progress
Data Center
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Email: brforsberg at gmail.com
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone: 1-865-241-3952
Email: uso at daac.ornl.gov
Contact Address:
ORNL DAAC User Services Office Oak Ridge National Laboratory
City: Oak Ridge
Province or State: TN
Postal Code: 37831-6407
Country: USA
Extended Metadata Properties
(Click to view more)
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date: 2011-12-15
Last DIF Revision Date: 2012-01-03


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Ed Lover's Cmon Son 23! Goes In On Lil B For Callin His Album Im Gay, Donald Trump Getting Clowned By Obama, Esther Baxter "You Was Pregnant F*ckin Derrick Ward"
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The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is a great way to keep kids up on their reading while they're out of school for the summer. You can either download an Imagination's Destination Reading Journal from the Barnes & Noble website, or pick one up at a participating Barnes & Noble store.
After reading and logging 8 books, kids earn 1 free book from the featured list on the back of the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Imagination's Destination Journal. It's super easy to participate, and the free book is a fun incentive for kids to read. Our daughter participated, and picked out a fun book on dolphins. She's excited to get started reading an additional 8 books, and earn another fun read.
The Imagination's Destination program runs through September 6th, 2011. Click HERE for more info about this great Summer Reading Program. Perhaps we'll see you there!


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But while actually creating a museum-in-name dedicated to the culture of death is unusual, it seems that the desire to do so may not be. This is because, in a shocking discovery made during investigations of health and safety code violations, two different U.S. abortion mills in two different states were found to have created their own "museums" of death — featuring dead babies and their body parts.
The most recent case involves a Maryland abortion facility owned by Steven Chase Brigham, a rogue abortionist and Medicaid fraudster who has had his medical license revoked in at least three states — in Pennsylvania because of botched abortions. Steven Ertelt of LifeNews.com reported on the story September 6, writing, "The Maryland Board of Physicians and Elkton, Maryland police compiled documents unveiling numerous problems and conducted a raid of his [Brigham's] Maryland abortion facility. Authorities who raided Brigham's abortion center discovered the remains of 35 late-term aborted babies in jars."
The case led to the suspension of the medical licenses of two of Brigham's abortionists, George Shepard, Jr. and Nicola I. Riley, because they helped their boss violate the law. Ertelt treated this aspect of the story in a September 3 piece, telling us that Riley was involved in a botched abortion in Elkton, Maryland, that, the journalist wrote:
led to the discovery of Brigham's scheme to circumvent late-term abortion laws by beginning the abortions at his New Jersey centers, which don't meet state health and safety laws to make them eligible to do later-term abortions, then transporting the women to Maryland for completion of the abortion.
Brigham led a car caravan of women from his Vorhees, Pennsylvania abortion center to his Maryland one after one of the patients was critically injured during the abortion at his Pennsylvania abortion business.
According to the News, Brigham put the semiconscious, bleeding woman in the back of a rental car and drove her to a nearby hospital instead of calling for an ambulance and drawing attention to problems at his abortion center, American Women's Services.
Perhaps even more shocking to many, this case mirrors one in Philadelphia from earlier this year, the "Shop of Horrors" case. In that instance, an abortion mill named the Women's Medical Society, run by one Kermit Gosnell, also came to the attention of authorities after a botched abortion — this one resulting in the death of the woman. And, upon investigation, reported Ertelt in a February 2010 article, "[officials] found the [sic] dozens of unborn children killed in abortions who were frozen for decades," and a suspension order relating to Gosnell's medical license cited "'deplorable and unsanitary' conditions at the clinic" and indicated that "'there was blood on the floor, and parts of aborted fetuses were displayed in jars.'"
So it seems as if a pattern is developing, with a museum devoted to death in Austria and abortion mills-cum-mausoleums on our shores. What gives? Matthew Archbold at NCRegister.com puts forth a theory, writing:
I used to think that the abortion industry were [sic] simply capitalists who allowed their greed to override their humanity. I used to think that maybe it was just feminism run amok and that cooler heads would eventually prevail. I used to think that pro-lifers were simply up against the extreme of secularized logic. Over the past few years though I've come to believe that it's more than that. It's worse than that. We're immersed in a culture with a death fetish. Our fascination with death is boundless.
In support of this thesis, I would point out that those actively pushing destructive causes are frequently motivated by more than just money; their endeavors are often a labor of lust. For instance, it has now been definitively established that sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, aside from being a scientific fraud, was a pedophile who used his "studies" of child sexuality as a cover for indulging his perversion. Is a similar phenomenon operative among abortionists? Do many of them have a fascination with death so great that they entered a field in which they could kill with impunity?
If we do have a death fetish, we wouldn't be the first civilization thus inclined. In fact, for most of man's history, the culture of death was the norm. The ancient Aztecs, for instance, would engage in human sacrifice, rending the hearts of the victims from their chests while they were still alive and then hanging their body parts in the marketplace.
And although we would certainly hope we had risen above that, it's apparent that the spirit lives on. As Operation Rescue's Troy Newman said, the abortionists' shops of horrors are "reminiscent of the actions of deranged serial killers who keep body parts as trophies." These were my thoughts exactly. And, really, what is the practice of aborting thousands of babies if not serial killing?


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AusReprints documents Australian comics, focusing on the neglected reprints from the 1940s to the 1980s.
The site has been developed with generous contributions of scans and information from many collectors. Click here for information on how you can help.
Spotlight Older
Do you know more? Zip Comics
The usual references don't mention 'The Oil Seekers' by Tony Rafty, which seems to predate his 'first' comic for NSW Bookstall.16 Jul 2018
Who is Hottie Lahm?
Most known for iconic dog Snifter during a long career at KG Murray, Lahm created Snowy McGann to fill the 1951 Ginger Meggs gap at The Sun.14 Jul 2018
Censorship 2: Straight Arrow #17
Was a provocative pose during poker too much for Aus editors? Or were there late changes to the original art for 'Uproar' in the US?11 Jul 2018
Censorship by colour: Battle! #24
This cover lacks intensity without Stan Goldberg's colours. With a dead soldier also deleted, it seems a deliberate censorship choice.8 Jul 2018


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Chris' Camera Bag
A Photo Web log by Chris Young
Winter birding
December 26, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Winter birding photos from the Springfield Christmas Bird Count Dec. 22 and the following day:
Above: A golden-crowned kinglet is spotted in the Lick Creek Wildlife Preserve near the west end of Lake Springfield.
An American robin feeds on frozen honeysuckle berries.
White-throated sparrow
Northern cardinal
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Blue jay
Next entry: Doe in flight
Previous entry: Icy landscape


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One of the radio stations I listen to has a female DJ who shills for a laser hair removal company. The commercial starts off with her commiserating with her listeners about all the time she used to spend shaving. But, of course, thanks to some laser hair removal appointments, that's all changed and she's so much happier now. Cue the unicorns and rainbows.
Then the DJ encourages her listeners to "take that time back." You know, because time spent grooming is, apparently, wasted time. Time you have to "take back." So, take control of your life, and make an appointment for a free consultation, and "take back" the part of your life you spend shaving.
I found myself thinking about the concept of "taking back" my time from, well, not specifically shaving, but any of my chores. Laundry? Cooking? Washing my hair? Changing the rats' cages? Is that also time I need to "take back?" Was that time wasted on something unworthy of me? It must have been. Otherwise, why would I need to take it back?
Which begs the question: take it back for what? So I could do something more worthy, one presumes. Create art? Save a life? Visit the sick? Surely I'm not supposed to take back my time and then squander it writing a blog post. Or visiting Facebook. Or watering the plants.
Perhaps we should all be more aware of how we spend our time. But I don't think I'm going to worry about unworthy uses of it, as if I'm above some personal grooming or household drudgery. Into every life a few chores must fall, and what's so bad about that?
I admit I don't like noodles and so most Thai food doesn't appeal to me, but I love yellow curry. It's how I evaluate a Thai restaurant — do they even serve yellow curry, and if they do, how good is it? Everyone else I've been here with has enjoyed what they had. Plus the people are extremely nice.
You'll find Simply Thai at 2470 N US Highway 67 Florissant, MO 63033. Their website is currently under construction, but you can find them on Facebook. Closed Tuesdays. The same folks also operate the Pearl Cafe just down the street at 8416 N Lindbergh Blvd, Florissant, MO 63031. The Pearl Cafe is closed on Sundays.
Everything I've had here has been wonderful. Try the beef nihari, a Pakistani staple. Zahid Khan and his wife Shaheena will make you feel like family. The restaurant is at 6800 Olive Blvd, St Louis, MO 63130. This restaurant doesn't have a website but you can find them on Facebook. Closed Mondays.
An Eritrean restaurant located at 6665 Olive Blvd St. Louis, MO 63130, not far from Spice N Grill. You can't go wrong with the key wot, lega tibs, or, well, with any of the dishes offered. Now offering lunch. Closed Mondays.
A prize for those who like Indian food. Located at 9720 Page Avenue St.Louis, MO 63132. The lunch buffet is reasonably priced and has a variety of dishes. They also make great samosas! They do have a website. Closed Mondays.
Yes, I love Joss Whedon. True, I never quite got the whole Browncoat thing; and while I have nothing against her personally, I have no idea why he casts Amy Acker in everything; and apparently I liked Dollhouse better than anyone else, but still. It's Joss Whedon, the guy who responded to the question "Why do you write strong female characters?" with "Because you keep asking me that question."
So I want to make it clear that I really, really liked The Avengers, a righteous kick-ass movie where everyone involved was firing on all cylinders. But watching it raised the question — considering Whedon's record with female characters, why didn't this movie pass the Bechdel test? At least two of the other Marvel movies passed — Thor and Iron Man II. But not The Avengers.
If you're unfamiliar with this test, it basically rates a movie by whether or not it meets these simple critera: 1. there are two female characters with names; 2. these two female characters appear in a scene together; and 3. these two female characters share a line of dialogue that is not about the male characters. That would seem to be a pretty low bar.
After all, Conan the Barbarian with Jason Momoa passed the test. Yes, you read that correctly. Conan-the-friggin-Barbarian passed the Bechdel test. Honestly. Because, somewhere toward the beginning of the third reel, Tamara (Rachel Nichols) and Marique (Rose McGowan) have a scene together where, for a line or two, they discuss a dress. And that's enough.
But The Avengers didn't pass. I still love Joss Whedon, but I have to admit, in modern internet parlance, I haz a sad
Ads are often boring or just plain stupid or even nonsensical. But sometimes, they're classics. Here are a few of my favorites.
Selling car insurance – with Burt Bacharach
Herding cats – don't let anybody tell you it's easy
It's a BIG ad – for beer. Best use of Orff's "O Fortuna" ever
Bring about world peace – all you need is some smooth dance moves, a little LMFAO, and a Kia Soul (doesn't hurt if the dancers are hamsters)
We're having friends over tonight for a marathon of Airplane and Airplane II. This will necessitate tea, Yorkshire pudding, brownies, bourbon balls, and oatmeal raisin cookies. The oatmeal raisin cookies were my grandmother's specialty and my dad's favorite. Here's the recipe, with some notes on how I have to modify it to get the cookies to turn out right.
3 eggs
1 cup lard (or butter or margarine)
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup sugar (but ¾ cup works better)
2 cps flour
2 cups raisins
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup of hot water (I heat it in the microwave to make sure it's HOT!)
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix sugar and lard – whip in eggs – dissolve soda in water.
Add flour with baking powder – add oats, raisins, and vanilla.
Bake 375 for 8 minutes. (I generally find that 11-13 minutes works best, though.)
Here's Sweet Betsy From Pike with a question. How will you answer? Doesn't every animal deserve a forever home?
I have this printed out and taped to my computer:
Every person who possesses a Western education and material quality of life is obligated to use that unprecedented power to do good on behalf of the billions who still live in the dark.
Words to live by.
And the newest post is . . . a picture!
Going to try something new. I've had a website since the mid 1990s but it has remained pretty much the same over all that time. Let's see how quickly I can navigate the new style of blogging-site, except without, perhaps, a lot of blogging. You know, I'm just really not *that* fascinating!


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Events for 29th November 2017
Events Search and Views Navigation
Girls Group
This group is for girls only and aged between 14-19 years old. The project aims to provide a safe and social environment for young girls to express their views and beliefs. We will be discussing and tackle issues around sexual health/safe sex, drugs and alcohol, fitness and health and many more. We currently have 15...Find out more »


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Another mascara review today! I got a little sample size of the Trish McEvoy High Volume Jet Black Mascara a while ago and I took this on my flight with me just incase I had an emergency sparse lash situation on the plane.
They say:
The marriage of Trish's revolutionary smudge-proof volumizing formula and tiniest-bristled brush enables Trish's High Volume Mascara to enhance lashes' volume like never before. Exclusive water-resistant formula washes off effortlessly without leaving a trace.
I have since lost the mascara tube, I think it's in Portugal somewhere so here it what it looks like:
Now, that brush is just up my street! It's a tight coiled and not too big.
This mascara follows the same formula as Kiss Me mascara – it forms tubes around the lashes and washes off easily with warm water. This is a GODSEND sometimes I tell ya – most of my mascara's require a lot of work to get off, especially Japanese ones so it's nice when it just slips off.
(*Admittedly it's not such a great idea when you are on holiday with watery eyes and baking hot sunshine).
Anyway on my lashes:
Yeah! I think this mascara did totally add length and volume to my lashes in seconds – it's surprising because the formula doesn't look particularly rich or fibery on the brush….
Overall, I really like this mascara! It's like Blinc Kiss Me Mascara (which I think doesn't do much to lashes – it was a phenomenon when it first came out but not dramatic enough for me) but with balls.
If you use Blinc but want more of a result this is the baby for you! I will buy a full size one in the future because I like the tubing technology (not right now as I have about 17 brand new sealed mascara's to work through first!).
The only fault I found with this was that it seemed to get thick quite quickly, BUT I had a small tester tube which is supposed to last 7 days so perhaps it was just coming to the end of it's life.
What do you think? Would you try this?


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Under intense pressure from Wall Street, public utilities in a growing number of states are charging customers upfront for costly upgrades to aging gas, water and electric systems. It's a shift in financial obligation that's rankling consumer advocates, who say companies are shirking their basic responsibility to keep infrastructure up to date.
The companies describe a combination of urgent needs — spurred by new federal regulations, rapidly changing economics and the simple passage of time — that's too costly to absorb into normal rates.
Breaking with tradition, state regulators are increasingly signing off on proposals to tack onto utility bills extra fees, called cost trackers, to pay for planned multi-million dollar system upgrades. In the past, companies could recoup costs only after a project's completion, as part of the normal ratemaking negotiations that take place with regulators every few years.
Trackers, on the other hand, can take effect almost immediately, increasing customers' monthly bills by amounts ranging from a few cents to several dollars, depending on a project's size and whether states cap the increase.
Illinois, for example, allows natural gas, electrical and water companies to use the mechanism.
Under a tracker rolled out in 2011, Peoples Gas can charge Illinois customers annual fees of up to 5 percent of base rates as it replaces some 2,000 miles of natural gas pipeline in the Chicago area, a process expected to take 20 years. Right now, the tracker is worth as much as $24 million each year.
"Consumer advocates across the country are recognizing this," says Mark Schuling, Iowa's state consumer advocate. His state has a mixed record on tracker requests. It rejected a proposal last year by the state's lone regulated water company, but passed legislation allowing trackers for electric utilities.
"It's a trend for sure," says Ken Costello, a policy expert at the National Regulatory Research Institute, which provides information for state utility regulators. "It seems to have shifted regulations."
Growing trend
The use of trackers isn't brand-new; the mechanism has long been available to many utilities, but traditionally just for unforeseeable costs, such as volatile natural gas prices or fallout from natural disasters. The burden of maintaining and adding infrastructure long fell outside that category.
Natural gas companies were the first to request infrastructure trackers, beginning in the mid-2000s. But other utilities soon followed suit. "Once somebody gets a new mechanism, it's like a herd mentality," says David Dismukes, director of Louisiana State University's Center for Energy Studies. "Everybody's got to have it."
With the flurry of recent activity, 18 states now permit natural gas companies to fully recover infrastructure costs through trackers, according to the American Gas Association. Eleven states do so for water systems, the National Association of Water Companies says. The practice is growing rapidly in the electric utility field as well.
All of this is stirring concern not only among state consumer advocates but among advocacy groups such as AARP, who say trackers unfairly shift financial risks to consumers who may never benefit from projects that can take decades to complete. What's more, these advocates say, letting utilities claim the money upfront — outside the traditional ratemaking process — erodes incentives to invest efficiently. Once regulators approve the trackers, it's difficult for them to scrutinize how that money is spent, and highly unlikely they would do so.
"It puts these rate increases on automatic pilot," Irwin "Sonny" Popowski, the longtime Pennsylvania state consumer advocate, said this month at a utility commissioners meeting in Baltimore.
Good for Utilities
There's no question that the trend is a boon for utilities and their major investors; a new supply of cash makes them less risky as an investment. Utility officials argue that this translates to better services and potential cost savings for ratepayers down the line. Additionally, they say, the practice prevents rate shock, letting utilities finance projects over time rather than all at once.
"Financially weak utilities don't do good things for customers," said Lawrence Borgard, president of Integrys Energy Group, at the commissioners' meeting in Baltimore. "Unless we have reasonable cost recovery systems, Wall Street is going to chew us up."
Undoubtedly, utilities are faced with huge challenges as they confront infrastructure needs: thousands of miles of natural gas pipelines not equipped to handle the country's surging production; an aging electrical grid that nearly all experts agree must become more sophisticated; water pipelines that, in some places, predate the Civil War.
Along with needed telecommunications upgrades, utilities' total modernization needs for the next 20 years could top $4 trillion, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners estimates.
"The systems that we have — they're old, and they're going to need replacement," says Erin O'Connell-Diaz, an Illinois commissioner. "These are essential services," she said. "It's how you put water in your baby's mouth. It's how you heat your home."
Such mammoth projects require unique funding mechanisms, she says, describing a tough balancing act for state regulators: acknowledging utilities' long-term sustainability needs, while managing the burden on consumers.
Diaz admits that it is difficult to explain the reasons for the added fees to ratepayers. Raised rates always draw attention, she says, but the fact that "your pipes aren't going to blow up" thanks to upgrades often get ignored.
Pipeline Problems
On the natural gas side, the nightmare of exploding pipes has drawn federal regulators' attention.
In September 2010, an interstate natural gas line ruptured in San Bruno, California, killing eight people and destroying 38 homes. The cause was a poorly welded and never-tested pipe installed in 1956. In 2011, an explosion in Allentown, Pennsylvania, killed five people. It was likely due to an 83-year-old cast iron gas main. Cast iron mains are especially prone to failure as they turn brittle over the years.
"An effective program for ensuring the timely rehabilitation, repair or replacement of high-risk gas pipelines might have helped prevent these accidents," Cynthia Quarterman, administrator of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, wrote in a letter urging state commissioners to speed up work on infrastructure projects.
With pressures such as those, utilities are increasingly touting the safety benefits of approving trackers for equipment upgrades. They continue to insist that needed safety improvements are otherwise unaffordable.
Critics Unconvinced
But many consumer advocates — and some state commissioners — aren't convinced that ratepayers should foot the bill for those projects and others. That burden, they say, should fall on utilities, who they are convinced can afford it. Maintaining reliability is one of utilities' "core responsibilities — their contract with the public," says Dismukes, the Louisiana State professor. "Why should ratepayers be holding the bag?"
Utility officials say trackers are needed because infrastructure upgrades don't help bring in revenue. But critics argue the investments yield benefits for companies, through improved efficiency and reduced future maintenance. And they say utilities aren't sharing gains brought by trackers.
Those are some of the reasons Maryland regulators are turned off to the shift in policy, says Douglas Nazarian, chairman of that state's Public Service Commission, which has rejected several tracker requests in recent years. "The financial pressures on companies are not out of the ordinary," Nazarian told Stateline. "They're getting paid faster to do the exact same kind of work."


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Adelaide's Top Food & Wine Tours
Adelaide's Top Food and Wine Tours are personalised small group tours giving you a very special experience. There is something here for everyone, so why not 'spice up' your visit to South Australia?
Adelaide is world renowned for it's Fresh Local Produce, the Wine Regions of The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley. Together with Hahndorf - the oldest German settlement in Australia, not to mention the Adelaide Hills. So...
Go beyond your expectations for great food and wine when travelling in Australia, our full day wine tours to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills or perhaps the Clare Valley, provide you with the opportunity to engage and immerse yourself in each activity.
Danny & Innez
Your Friendly Tour Guides


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Is the sky falling? Probably not, but the birds that spend their time up there are certainly telling us something is wrong. Swallows, swifts, and nightjars are "aerial insectivores" - birds that specialize on eating flying insects. They spend most of their time flying overhead. Over the last 40 years, aerial insectivores have undergone steeper declines than any other group of birds in Canada.
These birds will only recover if they are valued as an integral part of our neighbourhoods and ecosystems. Across the country, Bird Studies Canada is engaging communities in monitoring, stewardship, and conservation for aerial insectivores. Our biologists are also playing a key role in drafting strategies to identify priorities and direct future action for these species.
Through our national web portal, you can help threatened birds by contributing to aerial insectivore research and conservation.
Report a Sighting
Learn More
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Ce projet a été réalisé avec l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.


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STRANGE BUT TRUE- Suck it up: Mouth-testing a vacuum's power
Q. Who put the original suck in the "suction sweeper," as the vacuum cleaner was once called? Exactly how much suck is in one? –B. Hoover
A. Today's variety can generate low air pressure equivalent to an elevation of 25,000 feet, or suction enough
to yank a man out through a gash in a plane's pressurized cabin, as demonstrated at the end of the James Bond film Goldfinger, says David Bodanis in The Secret House.
It all began in London, 1901, when Ferris Wheel constructor H. Cecil Booth attended a convention for the unveiling of a new device, a compressed air generator rigged to shoot out a stream of air for clearing away common dust.
Suddenly, Booth was struck by a better idea: Why not switch on the compressor to run backward so it would suck in the dust rather than merely moving it about? "The concept was so awesome that he needed to test it without delay," Bodanis says. "Booth returned to his office, knelt down on the floor, spread his lips over the carpet and proceeded to suck in furiously. He fell back gagging and choking, his mouth full of dust, ecstatic that his idea worked."
Q. Dreams are often bizarre enough to lead people to wonder if they might be going crazy. Can you assess your mental health by looking at your dreams? –S. Freud
A. Few studies have been done with psychiatric populations, mainly because these people are often taking medication that interferes with dreaming and recall, says psychologist Veronica Tonay of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of Every Dream Interpreted. But chronic schizophrenics have reported dreams with few friends and more aggression toward familiar people. Morbid themes were also present.
The clinically depressed have fewer and shorter dreams and characters that are generally family members or others from the past. Vacation getaways, happiness, and friendly interactions are typical, though rejection is common.
"However, because of the neurochemical changes that accompany both of these disorders," Tonay says, "it's difficult to say what these dream differences mean psychologically."
It's not uncommon for people suffering childhood abuse, a war experience, etc. to have "post-traumatic stress disorder," leading to nightmares that may not begin until years afterward. "If your dreams disturb you, and have been doing so for some time, please seek help to understand them," says Tonay. But don't jump to conclusions– other experiences and conditions can lead to bad dreams, so any diagnosis must be multi-faceted.
Q. What's the surprise in store for many a new scuba diver bringing back objects found underwater? –J. Cousteau
A. Treasured coins, medallions, etc. seem to shrink once they're fetched out, a result of the quirky way light behaves underwater, going slower in the liquid, then faster (refracting) as it passes into the airspace of the diver's goggles, says Dennis Graver in Scuba Diving, Third Edition. Objects there seem about 25 percent closer and 33 percent bigger than they really are. Once brought up, on the other hand, they may explode into colorfulness. Down below, it is dark, especially in turbid water, forcing divers to use their night vision, which mutes color and fine detail.
"Warmer" reds and oranges are absorbed while leaving the "cooler" blues, which is why deep clear water is blue and why "below 100 feet (30m) the underwater scene appears drab."
Q. Is there any scientific explanation for love– like why it happens between strangers? –A. F. Dite
A. There are laws of love just as there are laws of any natural phenomenon, says psychologist Phillip Shaver:
1. Romantic love, once thought to be largely Western, is now known to be universal, although it is not always– maybe not even usually–the basis for matrimony. "In cultures where parents or other authorities arrange marriages, love is often viewed as dangerous and foolish. Hence the popularity of Romeo and Juliet stories."
2. Early attachment is key, with the same bonds that grow between infant and caregivers being carried forward into adulthood and shaping romantic love, says psychologist Chris Fraley. Thus adult lovers indulge in touching, kissing, "baby-talk," and playful flirting.
3. Married couples tend to be similar in age, attitudes, social status, political views, religion, body build, looks, even height and eye color. Scores of studies show that the opposite of "Opposites attract" is true!
4. People raised together, as in a kibbutz, generally don't intermarry, perhaps a natural way of avoiding genetic ill-effects of incest, says Dr. Shaver. Part of the "rush" of falling for a stranger is self-expansion as the other's best traits are incorporated into oneself.
5. Are marriages made in heaven? They're made in the neighborhood as people whose paths cross again and again grow familiar, then fond, then familial. Sometimes the process can backfire, relates psychologist David Myers. Just ask the Taiwanese man who wrote 700 please-marry-me letters to his girlfriend. "She did marry–the mail carrier."
Q. True or false: Sand is to the deserts of the world as water is to the oceans. –T. E. Lawrence
A. Oceanic quantities surely reside in both, but the analogy doesn't hold because three-fourths of desert areas have no sand cover at all, with mountains being more typical, says Nicholas Lancaster of the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada. Where there is sand, depths vary dramatically, from a meter for the Simpson Desert in Australia to over 400 meters for certain sand dunes of the Algerian Sahara. In deserts of the U.S. Southwest, sand cover is rare (less than 1 percent).
Send Strange questions to brothers Bill and Rich at email@example.com.


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If you are having difficulties making home mortgage payments on time, if you are dealing with significant amounts of credit card debt or other forms of debt, or if you are worried about losing your home to foreclosure, it is in your best interest to sit down with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Not only will you learn more about your options, but a bankruptcy lawyer can give you a realistic assessment of your financial situation.
Attorney Clint Chase knows that while bankruptcy is not the correct option for everyone, it can be an effective solution in some situations, including those involving homeowners who are concerned about losing their homes. If you are ready to speak with someone about your options, contact us to schedule a free initial discussion today.
There are many questions to ask when deciding whether bankruptcy is the right option. How substantial is the mortgage debt and how far in arrears are you? If you no longer had any credit card debt or other debt taking your money each month, would your mortgage payments be affordable? Is your home worth less than the mortgage value, and if it is, how much less?
There are practical considerations to make when determining whether bankruptcy is an effective long-term option. No matter how far along the bank is in the foreclosure process, filing bankruptcy will bring the process to a stop. For some homeowners, bankruptcy will allow them to get current with their mortgages, keep their homes and get back to financial health.
In North Richland Hills or throughout Texas, talk with us regarding bankruptcy and foreclosure. Schedule a free initial discussion today.
Our law office provides legal services to victims of foreclosure as well as loan modification relief to clients throughout North Richland Hills. We can help!