text:
Secretary's Summary of Financial and Related Information relevant to Council's New Dues Structure Proposal
On May 12, 2011, the ASA Annual Election will open to eligible members. It will remain open until June 23. On the ballot for your approval will be Council's proposed changes to the ASA membership dues structure.
The March 2011 Footnotes reported that ASA Council voted unanimously at its February 2011 meeting to bring this revised dues structure to the membership for approval. The Council recommendation came after two years of discussion with the ASA Committee on the Executive Office and Budget (EOB). During that time, they considered how and when to both address the lost progressivity of the current dues structure and meet the challenge of decreasing Association revenues that began in 2008 with the national economic decline. Council also recognized the need for a new dues category for unemployed sociologists and reaffirmed the need to keep the current low dues of students and emeriti, while expanding and renaming the latter category to encompass all retirees.
In the first of two articles in the March Footnotes, http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/mar11/dues_0311.html, the ASA President, President-elect, and Past President as well as the current and immediate past ASA Secretaries addressed the progressivity issue. In the second March article. http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/mar11/ask_0311.html, I addressed the overall financial stability of the Association.
I have written three additional articles for the April 2011 Footnotes that focus on a series of financial issues relevant to eligible voting members' decisions about the proposed dues changes:
1. The sources and amounts of ASA revenues and expenditures: http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/apr11/revenues_0411.html
2. The revenue needs of the Association, actions taken in the face of declining revenues, and the impact of the proposed dues structure on both revenues and the cost of membership to various member groups: http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/apr11/duesstructure_0411.html
3. A comparison of the cost of ASA membership with comparable organizations: http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/apr11/dues_0411.html
To get the information to members as quickly as possible, I am circulating these articles in advance of their publication in the forthcoming April 2011 Footnotes.
A vibrant discussion about the proposed dues changes has begun online and in sociology departments. To expand this discussion, a new topic—ASA Finances and Member Dues Proposal—has been added to the ASA Forums page on the Association's website: http://members.asanet.org/forums/. Please note that discussion on ASA Forums is available for viewing without registration, but users must register and log in to post a comment. (Regular ASA IDs and passwords are not valid on ASA Forums.)
I hope you will carefully consider this dues proposal, ask questions on ASA Forums, and vote beginning May 12. ASA has always had exceptionally high voter participation for a scholarly society, and engaged members are crucial to continuing the success that the Association has experienced since its establishment in 1905.
If you have additional questions regarding ASA finances that you would like me to address, please send them directly to me at firstname.lastname@example.com. I am committed to providing access to information about the Association and its operations to ASA members.
Thank you for your membership and your dedication to our discipline.
Catherine White Berheide, ASA Secretary


text:
GerardButler.Net continues to receive Amazon.com commissions to help support the website expenses, but those commissions are down with the economic challenges of the times. While our website hosting fees are covered, we still have expenses like domain registrations, postal mailbox, postage for contest winners and our newsletter service. These expenses total close to $750.
Looking forward to 2014, we would love to cover those charges now so they are paid for the new year. If you would like to help support the website, click here. Every little bit helps and thank you so very much for all your support in the past.
Without you, the fans, we would not still be here over 12 years after we began!!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mark Ditka, son of Mike, is currently awaiting trial in Lake County, Illinois for his fourth DUI arrest, and for possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone) turned up during the ensuing search of his car.
Worse than merely awaiting trial for your fourth DUI? Testing positive for opiates during a pretrial screening. Worse than just testing positive for opiates during your pretrial screening while awaiting trial for your fourth DUI? When you claim to have a prescription for the opiates in question, and the judge calls your bluff and gives you 20 minutes to go get that prescription, and you come back two hours later claiming that you visited three Walgreens, and in each case, "their stuff was down." Worse than awaiting trial for your fourth DUI, testing positive for opiates, claiming to have a prescription for the opiates, getting called out for it, making the court wait two hours for you to find that prescription, and coming back empty-handed with a lame excuse? When all that stuff happens, and then your dad has a stroke later that day.
Such was the Friday of Mark and Mike Ditka. In the morning, Mark had to answer for the positive drug test:
Ditka, 49, insisted to Judge Brian Hughes that the drug had been properly prescribed. But after the judge instructed him to leave the courthouse to go and retrieve a copy of the prescription – an errand expected to take about 20 minutes – he returned more than two hours later without the prescription.
Ditka told his attorney, Robert Ritacca, that he went to three Walgreens and "their stuff was down."
Ritacca told Hughes that Ditka had a note from Walgreens that stated that their records only go back a certain amount of time.
"I swear on my children's lives I have a prescription," Ditka told the judge. "They said it would take seven days to get everything I want."
The judge gave him until 9 a.m., Tuesday. Also yesterday, Mark's father Mike suffered a stroke:
Ditka was at a suburban country club playing cards Friday when he noticed his hands "weren't working quite right," and then he had a problem speaking.
All things considered, it sounds like a relatively pleasant stroke experience, and in the evening, Ditka, 73, was able to report to the Tribune, "I feel good right now and it's not a big deal." He'll take the weekend off from his ESPN gigs and return to action the week after.
So the elder Ditka will be fine. The younger? Well, if you know a pharmacist in Lake County with loose morals, there's a guy there who needs your help.
Prosecutors: Ditka's Son Tests Positive For Opiates [Chicago Tribune]
Former Bears Coach Mike Ditka Suffers 'Very Minor Stroke' [Chicago Tribune]


text:
What would you do if you didn't play WoW?
The answer is, for me at least, the same things I do now:
- Yardwork and housework (cleaning up after hubby and pets)
- Play with pets
- Volunteer Scout stuff (developing a short summer camp)
- Read fantasy/sci-fi and the occasional hiker/backpacker novel
- Watch TV
- Find games to play when I get (quickly) tired of the non-interactive TV, preferably ones I can play cooperatively with friends.
- Hang out with my equally quiet and domestic friends for movies, crafts, and RPGs.
What do people do if they don't game?
A lot of the media and political anti-gaming stances are basing their opinions on the idea that either a) games make people violent and dangerous, or b) games are a waste of time that result in unproductive citizens.
Let's look at some of the things I see non-gamers do with the same amounts of their time:
- Go to bars to get drunk and socialize, often not remembering all the details of their nights and sometimes endangering others on the road afterwards.
- Host parties (that likely involve alcohol): more for the extroverts. Usually involves drinking or gossiping, and usually both.
- Sunbath for hours on end. Greetings, skin cancer.
- Watch TV all evening.
- Get high on drugs for lack of anything else to do that they view as "cool."
- Join gangs and wage turf wars.
Let's look at two of the most common alternatives:
- Why is sitting on the couch watching TV viewed as less of a problem by media/politicals (who tend to control society's general viewpoints and information) than gaming? I don't know for 100%, but I have a few possible ideas along the vein of propaganda control and advertisement marketing for economic stimulation.
- Why is getting drunk at bars viewed as less of a problem by media/politicals? At least we aren't out making the roads unsafe. Again, I don't know for 100% certainty, but I tend to believe it's because they're out spending money and being "social"... coupled with the fact that rowdy drinking's been a part of society for at least a couple thousand years, and gaming (and TV for that matter) is the new "upstart."
As I just mentioned, there are things that are healthier or viewed as more productive uses of time:
- Sports or martial arts
- Volunteer time (scouts, cleanups, helping neighbors, etc)
- "Community involvement" (ie politics)
- Family time... assisting homework, board games, teaching, attending little league, etc.
- Doing anything that spends money: amusement parks, hotels, theaters, sports events, etc.
Answer's easy: because of the legacy stereotype of the shut-in basement gamer who leeches off his parents and does not have the socialization to fit into "polite" society, in addition to media hype that likes to highlight the occasional cases of psychopathic violence inflicted by someone who happens to game. Since such cases are alarming and unusual, of course they make the news... but many read into its highlight as if game-related-violence is more prevalent or more "wrong" than violence over alcohol (including DUIs), drugs, money, social disagreements (work, mating, "turf" be it gangs or religion or politics or even sports teams, etc), and the psychopaths who happen to not game. There are violent people out there, and that's regardless of whether they happen to play WoW or CounterStrike or any other game.
In addition, who's to say a gamer is not productive when they have a stable, legal, productive job that they do well? Or a volunteer, playing on computers at a firehouse or rescue-squad station while waiting for a call to go out, a game that they can play together and drop what they're doing immediately when the siren sounds? Or a student, still earning good grades but taking a mental breather from studying to destress with a game?
Just because you enjoy gaming doesn't mean you can't have a more "productive" life than someone who doesn't game. I know people who don't game that lead less productive lives than I do, and I blog and raid!
Gaming--especially in a game as social as an MMO--is an excellent way to spend time expanding your horizons beyond what you can experience at home in your safe suburb in a non-life-threatening way, has interaction far more than a TV can give, yet still allows time to keep up with life, studies, physical fitness, and whatever else you want to do...
It all just depends on moderation.
I'm in a 3-night raiding guild: that's only 12 hours per week of committed raiding time. I get on just about every day for at least an hour or two to run a quick daily and see if I can get Anzu to drop, maybe say hi to friends if they're around, help them with something, or just chat with them about their day. That's time that most people I know and grew up with would instead spend just changing channels on TV complaining there's nothing to watch.
As relatively little as I do watch TV, there are some shows that I enjoy watching. For this, I have PVR: my TV records the shows I like, and I can watch them when I feel like it, often during my lunch breaks, which I am lucky enough to be able to go home from work for (a rarity in American society, where work commutes are often 30 minutes to an hour). I can fast-forward through commercials to reduce time that I personally view as "wasted" by those advertisements, where a 1-hr show is reduced now to 40 minutes (fits well into a 1-hr lunch break when you consider food prep, cleanup, and a short commute).
Short of the Long:
The way I see it, in the middle-class American society that I've grown up with and know, most people spend their "at-home freetime" watching TV. I--and many others--replaced that time with the more interactive gaming. Anyone who does game can still take care of family/house, go out for weekly social events, do sports or other physical exercise, and volunteer for things: I know, I do it, and I've gamed with others who can manage it with kids (just having to play less to account for the time they devote to their children). It all depends on how you handle your playtime: moderation in favor of other responsibilities to family and self.
I think gaming is a better use of that chunk of time that many in my society otherwise devote to drinking and watching TV.


text:
Brookfield boys swim to third straight Class M state crown
Recommended Video:
MIDDLETOWN -- After it graduated a wealth of talent from last year's state-championship team, it would have been really easy to overlook the Brookfield High School boys swimming and diving team this year.
Rather than spend this season rebuilding, however, the Bobcats never skipped a beat. On Tuesday afternoon, they captured their third consecutive Class M state championship and their fourth crown in the last five years.
"This group is small -- there are only 20 kids on the team -- but they wouldn't let Brookfield swimming fade into the background, and that's something I'm very proud of with this group," Brookfield coach Brian Reiff said.
Brookfield won with 646½ points, followed by East Lyme with 475. The Bobcats didn't place first in a single individual event, but their victories in both the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays helped seal the deal.
Brookfield's 200 freestyle relay team of Daniel Krentsa, Gregory Krentsa, Nick Miller and Rory Collins trimmed three seconds off its qualifying time to win in 1:29.13.
The Bobcats' 400 freestyle relay team of Daniel Krentsa, James Murray, Jeffrey Ragatz and Christian Ferrarie sliced more than six seconds off its qualifying time to win in 3:15.09.
"It was close for a while, but we started piling on deep swims one after another," Reiff said. "We won a couple relays to really put our stamp on it."
Brookfield opened the meet by taking third in the 200 medley relay. The team of Ragatz, Merkle, Gregory Krentsa and Murray -- three sophomores and a freshman -- finished in 1:40.27.
Individually for the Bobcats, Daniel Krentsa placed second in both the 100 freestyle (47.54) and the 200 freestyle (1:43.06); Collins placed fourth in both the 200 freestyle (1:46.64) and the 500 freestyle (4:50.04); Miller took second in the 200 individual medley (1:55.71) and third in the 500 freestyle (4:48.27); Murray placed fifth in the 200 individual medley (2:05.31) and seventh in the 500 freestyle (5:00.71); Ferrarie took second in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.58) and third in the 50 freestyle (22.13); Peter Lazorchak finished sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.35) and 14th in the 200 freestyle (1:54.91); Ragatz placed third in the 100 backstroke (54.57) and 13th in the 100 freestyle (50.72); Alexander Duffield tied for 10th in the 200 individual medley (2:06.21) and finished 11th in the 100 backstroke (59.54); Gregory Krentsa took ninth in the 100 butterfly (55.99) and 18th in the 50 freestyle (23.44); Joe Vitti finished 21st in the 100 butterfly (59.20); Eric Forsberg took 23rd in the 100 butterfly (59.92); Nicholas Merkle finished 13th in the 100 breaststroke; and Michael Poplardo placed 21st in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.14).
At Thursday's diving competition at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Sam Baluzy placed second (380.80), Daniel Dixon took 10th (273.25) and Matthew Delia finished 11th (272.85).
New Fairfield finished 12th in the team scoring, followed by Barlow in 13th and Bethel in 17th.
Barlow's Matt Mintz placed third in the diving (355.10) and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal took fifth (324.70).
For New Fairfield, William Kulp placed sixth in the 200 individual medley (2:06.13) and 10th in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.34); and David MacAskill took sixth in the 50 freestyle (22.38) and 10th in the 100 freestyle (49.29). Barlow's Daniel Fry placed ninth in the 200 freestyle (1:51.46) and 12th in the 100 backstroke (59.74).


text:
Israel's New Goverment: Where is it going?
Monthly Report: May 2006Iyar-Sivan 5766
Out of a population of 6,276,883, of which 5,021,506 are Jewish, only 63% cast their votes in this election, a sign of apathy or hopelessness.The results for the 120 Knesset seats were as follow:
Kadima 29 seats. Ehud Olmert leader. Ran on a platform of unilaterally pulling out of much of the West Bank and drawing its own permanent borders. (Israel has never had permanent borders because the Palestinians have never agreed to the existence of Israel.) Middle class voted for KadimaLabor 19 seats. Amir Peretz leader. Former union leader with strong socialist philosophy. Ran on a platform of raising benefits for the unemployed and poor.
Likud 12 seats. Benjamin Netanyahu leader. Ran on platform of not unilaterally withdrawing from the West Bank, but allowing a Palestinian state only after the Palestinian Authority makes peace with Israel.
Shas 12 seats. Eli Yishai leader. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, spiritual leader. Party of Ultra-Orthodox Sefardic (Jews from Arab countries). Ran on platform of getting more benefits for the Orthodox sector, including the tens of thousands of men who have chosen to study in yeshivot and not to work holy loafers as Ze'ev Chafets in the Jerusalem Report calls them.
Israel Beiteinu (Our Home) 11 seats. Leader, Avigdor Lieberman, Russian immigrant. His party seeks to transfer some Israeli-Arab areas with its population to the Palestinian state. Lieberman also wants to require the 1.3 million Arabs to take a loyalty oath to Israel as a Jewish state in order to hold onto their citizenship. The police have been investigating Lieberman for years over his reputed financial and political connections with Russian mafia figures. He wants the office of Minister of Internal Security i.e. the police.
The National Union-NRP 9 seats. United Torah Judaism 6 seats. The first two Ashkenazi (European Jews) Orthodox parties merged on a platform of no withdrawal from Biblical Jewish lands. The UTJ, also an Ashkenazi Orthodox party, is mainly interested in receiving funds for its institutions.Pensioners 7 seats. A new party representing 750,000 Israeli pensioners. Their platform is restoration of the cuts in old-age benefits made by Netanyahu, followed by a gradual 25% increase in these benefits, and a doubling of government subsidies for medicine. Sixty-three percent of retirees have no pension.Meretz 5 seats. A leftist party for peace and security. Their goal is to exhaust every opportunity to return to the negotiating table and reach a political settlement with the Palestinian Authority.
United Arab List, Balad and Hadash three Arab parties with a total of 10 seats. No Israeli government has ever included them in its coalition; but they can be expected to support ruling governments when they feel actions are beneficial to Arabs.
PITFALLS OF BUILDING A COALITIONOn March 28, Israel held new elections. Although prime ministers are supposed to serve for a full four years, Ehud Olmert will be the seventh prime minister in 16 years, meaning that the governments tend to fall after about two years. All ruling coalitions must have a minimum of 61 out of 120 seats - therefore the largest party must establish an alliance of enough parties to meet the 61 seat requirement.If a coalition partner leaves the government and the number of coalition seats dips below the 61 minimum, the opposition can initiate a vote of "no confidence"; and the government falls. Therefore, for Israel to have a stable government ideally, it is best to have an alliance consisting of more than the 61 seat minimum requirement. The larger the coalition, the harder it is for some small party to bring down the government at will. The major obstacles to building a coalition is that (1) every party has its own leaders, all of whom want a ministerial position; (2) every party wants an oversized piece of the budget for their constituency; and (3) parties that have a security policy want the government to deal with the Palestinians their way.
Seven Deadly Sins that will bring Judgment upon Israel
Part Two
By Shira Sorko-Ram
Last month we listed three sins:(1) sex slaves(2) Tel Aviv becoming a homosexual world center (3) an abortion culture that are either spearheaded or tolerated by the government of Israel. This month we will address two other national sins that are in direct opposition to moral and righteous principles of the Torah (the Law of Moses), the prophets of Israel and the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah.Why write about these serious failures practiced by Israel's public servants? The first reason is that Israel must understand that the only way she will receive respite from her enemies bent on destroying her is to repent of her transgressions, turn to her Redeemer and show the fruits of salvation which is righteousness and justice.The second is connected. This information will help believers who love Israel pinpoint their prayers and intercession for the Israeli people - that salvation will soon come, as promised by the prophets. Yes! All Israel shall be saved!
Abandoning our Arab Allies
Nir (not his real name) was born in Gaza, apparently from a family of Arab collaborators for Israel, although his father never admitted as much to him. However, when Nir was small, his family had to flee several times and was resettled by the Israel security services in the West Bank. They were finally resettled in Israel proper in a mixed Jewish-Arab area.
He escaped death several times from Arab terrorists who suspected him of being a collaborator or spy for Israel
In the 1990's at the height of the first intifada, Nir was enlisted by Israel's Shin Bet (Israel's Security Services); and he supplied them with many names of terrorist gang members. During that time he escaped death several times by Arab terrorists who suspected him of being a collaborator or spy for Israel. His Israeli controller then gave him instructions to write a letter to the Palestinian Liberation Organization, asking to volunteer "to go out and kill Jews." The Shin Bet wanted him planted within the PLO. Ironically, the Israeli Border Patrol picked him up and found a copy of the letter in his pocket and without checking his story they beat him unmercifully for hours. All his pleas and explanations were useless. However, now he was exposed as other Arab prisoners had heard his explanations and were bent on killing him when he was put back in a cell. Only after the Shin Bet identified him as "one of theirs" was he put in a hospital to recover from his injuries.After his release from the hospital, his Israeli controller would no longer speak to him (possibly because of embarrassment of being responsible for such a blunder.) Though Nir was able to receive a residency permit in Israel for a few years, the Israeli security personnel stopped issuing his permit five years ago. Nir knows if he goes back to the West Bank he will be murdered; and so he hides out in an Israeli construction site where a contractor (who could be fined big money) gives him the equivalent of around $200 per month for cigarettes and food in return for guarding the grounds at night. He sleeps in a hidden "room" on the site. He is a fugitive, constantly afraid that he will be picked up by the Israeli authorities and tossed over the border to the West Bank where he will certainly be killed. Other Arabs, also illegal workers on the construction site, bring him food. They suspect him of being a collaborator but thus far are helping him stay alive. He has not seen his wife or his four children, aged 11-17 since 2001; although they are less than half an hour away. His brother, who was also a collaborator, hid together with Nir from the Israeli authorities. Unable to visit his family, he drank himself to death. Even when he was dying, Nir was afraid to take his brother to the hospital, terrified that they would both be caught and dropped off in the West Bank. And so his brother died. (Haaretz 10Mar06)This is clear, unadulterated injustice. For an Arab who had chosen, for whatever reason, to help Israel ward off suicide bombers and terrorists, Israel has an obligation to help these men stay alive and give resident permits to their families in Israel. These permits will then enable them to work in at least minimum-wage jobs, have medical care and send their children to school.Israel has helped many Arab allies resettle; at least 1000 families now live in Israel. Yet even with all the social help, the life of these Arab families is extremely difficult. Even most Israeli Arabs look upon them as traitors. Few Jewish neighbors wish to mix with them. They are outcasts.
Although there is no official number, some human rights organizations say there are currently altogether about 15,000 Arab collaborators several thousand of whom have been exposed and no longer can safely return to the PA controlled territories. (csmonitor.com) Israel has a moral and Biblical responsibility to protect these people. When Rahab of Jericho, at the risk of her life, collaborated with and protected the two Israelite spies, they promised her, "We will deal kindly and faithfully with you." Josh. 3:14 And so she and her family were spared by the Israeli army and they "lived in the midst of Israel to this day." Josh.6:25 Her loyalty and friendship to Israel were honored and respected. The Scriptures admonish:And you shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ex. 22:21 May we add, especially an ally. Today, the Israeli government's neglect of Arabs who risked their lives and the lives of their families for the sake of helping Israel is an injustice that cries out to the heavens.
Forcing Many Israelis into Life-Long Debt and Poverty through Draconian Debtor Laws
One of the most distressing and grievous national afflictions causing poverty and suffering in Israel is the huge percentage of Israelis who are entrapped in perpetual, hopeless debt. Israel is a nation of prisoners of debt. Obviously, some Israelis are in debt because of carelessness; but others are in debt because of misfortune or fraud (against them) or other reasons. The point here is that Israel has enacted laws which mete out life-long punishment to debtors who cannot repay. The government closes their bank accounts, takes away their passports and makes it illegal for them to own a business. Next, the banks add on ever-increasing interest that usually causes the debt to rise beyond anything the debtor can ever hope to pay back in ten, twenty, thirty or more years. The courts then begin a pay-back scheme by deducting a hefty amount from the debtor's pay check if he or she has a pay check.
Since many of those in debt make minimum or low-paying wages, taking a few hundred shekels out of their salary puts them and their families at or below the poverty level. Then the debtor has to take on more debt to feed his family and to make ends meet.
The worst dilemma occurs when the debtor fails to continue to make the court-ordered debt re-payments and he or she then goes to jail. Often Israelis, anticipating such a court decision, leave their jobs for fear of being forced to pay an amount for life that they do not believe is possible.
As economist Asher Meir says, the person in such a situation can never make a fresh start. "You are basically condemned to a lifetime of poverty, because all your earnings will be eaten up by your creditors who don't get any benefit from the arrangement, since the court has already approved a laughably inadequate payback scheme [as far as the creditor is concerned]." (J.P. 3Feb06)
In other words, the payback scheme is more to punish the debtor than to pay back the debt, which when compounded with interest, is often an impossible goal. These laws have generated a culture of poor people who then attempt to survive by living hand-to-mouth with low-paying temporary jobs wherein they don't report their taxes. This tragic situation is far more complicated and far reaching than what we are able to report fully in this article; but suffice it to say that once a person gets hopelessly in debt in Israel; there is almost never a legal way to earn enough money to survive and live a normal life. Leading a congregation of many new believers, we have seen time and again hopelessly in-debt Israelis accept Yeshua's salvation. No doubt, often the economic stress causes them to search for God; and thus they came to faith. But breaking this stranglehold of poverty is one of the most difficult tests our members face.One of our most outstanding members, who came to know Yeshua nine years ago after he had had a business failure resulting in a debt of $300,000, has struggled without respite for years to pay off his debt and to settle with the banks - simply to get free. The pressure we have seen this hard-working man and his family live under is inhuman. Today, he is still struggling, praying and believing that one day he will be free of debt and that he will able to work as a normal citizen.Another strong middle-aged believer in our congregation has led many people to the Lord. After losing everything in a failed business, he sought the Lord and found Him - no doubt with the help of the faithful prayers of his own brother. However, no matter how many times we talked to him, he has refused to go out and get a regular job. He has been fearful that the courts will claim such a high percentage of his wages that the result would be that he would end up in jail, unable to pay. And so to this day he lives with his family and does not work.Through the donations of our Maoz contributors to istandwithisrael.com, we have been able to help a few worthy believers to settle large debts by negotiating directly with creditors who agreed to accept a small percentage of the entire debt - arranged by lawyers that we hired. For example, after several years of praying and working to get free of a large business debt, one of our members, with our help and after many court appearances, is now debt free and studying for a new career. In other countries such as the U.S., England, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, where there is a process in dire circumstances to declare bankruptcy and to start fresh again, the economies are far more entrepreneurial and successful, says Asher Meir. (ibid.)Obviously, we are not for easy release from legitimate debt; and whenever someone is able to pay back his debt, he has a moral obligation to do so. But this country is plagued with financial hostages who have made a mistake or had bad fortune and are doomed to never have another chance to live normally again. Since they can't give their children a decent upbringing, the poverty cycle often becomes generational. The Lord loves the poor and the Bible lays down a precept in the law of the Jubilee. The principal of freedom from suffocating debt is found in Leviticus 25:35: If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him…so he can continue to live among you. Thus God created a plan to free his people from debt every seventh and every fiftieth year: At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts. Deut. 15:1 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty [from debt, loss and slavery] throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you…Lev. 25:10 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. Deut. 15:9,11Rather than advocating these exact laws to be reinstated in Israel, we are pointing out the moral, ethical and Biblical principle that no state should sentence multitudes of its own citizens to a lifetime of financial slavery and object poverty.Asher Meir sums it up: It is ironic and a bit of a shame that Israel, which gave the world this inspiring vision for a society with a built-in mechanism for a fresh start, has such a primitive system for realizing this vision. (Ibid.) Final section to be continued next month...
To "I Stand with Israel": Thank you so much for your help! We received our check of NIS 5,000* today. What a wonderful help from the Lord! We just started a business and have gone into deep debt due to problems with our car and other difficulties which we didn't anticipate as we started our new business and moved to a new place. We bless the Lord for His kindness just as "the water was up to our neck," your help lifted us up and showed us how good God is!! Efrat and ArieCongregation "Shemen Sasson", Jerusalem
Dear "I Stand with Israel", We, Yariv and Natali, thank you for your help and support of NIS 3,000*. At the time you sent us your financial support, we were in a very difficult situation due to our low salaries which are not sufficient to cover our living expenses. We were so grateful when we heard from our congregational leader Yuri Kalmikov that you wanted to bless us by helping us to pay for our studies. After finishing the army service, we wanted to get married but because of our faith in Yeshua the Messiah, we experienced difficulties marrying in an Orthodox ceremony, which is the only type that is recognized in Israel. We then had to fly out of the country for the wedding, and that expense was covered by money which had been intended for our studies. Because of that, I was concerned that I would not be able to complete my studies which would result in continuing the cycle of low-paying jobs. I wanted something better for my family. We thank you so much for your help and for the blessing of being able to continue my studies. Thank you, Yeshua the Messiah, for taking care of us. Yariv and NataliCongregation "Mayim Chayim". Haifa
Dear "I Stand with Israel", I want to express our thanks for the funds of NIS 4,000* that has been donated to Alexander B. a member of our congregation.
Alexander, the father of four, is the sole provider of his family. Your financial assistance made it possible for his wife to take a course in early education, which is her first opportunity to study and get professional training in Israel since their immigration in 2002. Thanks to your help, she is now studying and equipping herself so that eventually she will be able to help supplement her husband's income. I believe that this course of study and subsequently going into the workforce will also assist her in getting better integrated into Israeli society as she will have much to contribute. Thanks to istandwithisrael.com, yet another family of new immigrants will be helped as they make a new life in Israel; they will be a good testimony and honor the Name of Yeshua our Messiah. Thank you for your blessed ministry.
Leon MezinCongregational leader "Shavei Zion, Haifa
---------------------------------------------------------------------* NIS 1.00 = $ .22, $ .25 Canadian, .12 Sterling


text:
Find a SMART Meeting
SMART Recovery is a free group program assisting people with any problematic behaviours, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, Internet and others.
Our meeting guidelines include complete confidentiality
CBT based program using only research-backed techniques
Community meetings are free and open to all
What our participants say
Since attending SMART Recovery meetings I have learnt a range of tools to assist me in managing my drinking. I have been able to explore the psychology surrounding my drinking habits, analyse when I am susceptible to binge drinking, evaluate the consequences of such actions and set clear, definable goals which I actively work towards each week."
"I find the group format to be well run and a great format. It helps us to all feed off each other's experiences and offer assistance to those who are either new or struggling on a weekly basis."
"I have been attending SMART Recovery meetings for the past 15 months as part of my recovery from an ice addiction. The CBT based focus of SMART has helped me remain abstinent by assisting me to identify strategies that I can use to combat cravings and triggers, and to develop plans to deal with troubling situations as they arise."
Our Vision
SMART Recovery is accessible and relevant to all.
Our Purpose
Provide accessible evidence-based tools to help people manage addictive behaviours.
Our Social Impact
SRAU empowers people to help each other manage addictive behaviours for the improvement of the health and wellbeing of the community.
What is SMART Recovery?
SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training) Recovery is a free group program assisting people with any problematic behaviours, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, Internet and others.
Guided by trained peers and professionals, participants come to help themselves and each other using a variety of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and motivational tools and techniques.
"Watching our participants help each other and seeing them utilise practical tools and strategies to make progress is definitely the most rewarding part of what we do."
Counsellor, Registered Nurse, SMART Recovery Facilitator and SMART Recovery Australia National Program Coordinator.
Come with a purpose, leave with a plan.
4 Point Program.
- Pros and cons of problematic behaviour
- Triggers, beliefs and consequences Craving
- and urges
- Goal setting
- Areas of Importance
Become a meeting facilitator
SMART Recovery Australia provides professional training courses for peers and professionals wanting to become SMART Recovery facilitators and start new meetings within organisations or the community.


text:
Collect the colors you observe on your walk to capture your own color palette. Using the Procreate app on iPad Pro with Apple Pencil, you'll combine them to create an abstract painting to take home. Devices will be provided. Recommended for all skill levels.
Routes are wheelchair accessible.
15100 Potomac Town Place
Woodbridge, VA 22191


text:
You said: "Still, I think there's a lot of retro available to be mined from those decades. To start with, there's frugality. There's also a curious blend of independence and a willingness to pull together and work for a common purpose." -Add the concept of sacrifice in there. The greatest generation has a lot to teach those living in this age. Let's hope a great many of us can learn those lessons, and quickly.
Time for some new retro
For some time now, we've had good success drawing on the decades from the 1950s through the 1990s for our retro. Some bolder types have even made some use of the 1890s and 1920s--periods of wealth and excess--to inspire fashion, architecture, lifestyles, and the arts. The new economic realities, though, I think will convince us to draw on some new periods for our retro: the 1930s and 1940s.
In the United States, the 1930s are generally remembered as "the Great Depression," and not much else. In fact, it was a much more complex and subtle decade than that. Even the economics is more complex than that--there were actually two recessions in the 1930s, with a period of growth (albeit weak growth) from 1933 to 1937 in the middle.
Similarly, the 1940s are generally remembered as "the war years," even though the US didn't enter the war until 1941 and the war ended in 1945. Of course, the war had already been going on for years before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath held sway over at least the second half of the decade.
Still, I think there's a lot of retro available to be mined from those decades. To start with, there's frugality. There's also a curious blend of independence and a willingness to pull together and work for a common purpose.
So, any time in the next few years when you feel like seeking out some inspiration from the way things were done in the past, take a look at the 1930s and 1940s. There's lots of good stuff there.
That's not to say that there isn't great retro to be found in even earlier decades. The 1910s (a decade with three recessions and a war) offer plenty of art, literature, and economics to draw from. And, of course, there are useful things from decades even before that, such as Isabella Beeton's Book of Household Management from 1861 (also available as a free e-text from Project Gutenberg). Besides considerable advice on hiring servants, it has numerous recipes--complete with cost estimates circa 1860--and extends as far as discussing the raising of sheep and chickens.
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
The early 1930s and especially 1933 were a pivotal time in world history, a time when many things ended and many new things began. This website
makes a similar claim and tries to document it with 258 events of 1933. Even with that number, a lot of important historic turns are omitted.
A case can be made that life as it was being lived through, say, 1980 began in 1933 plus or minus a year. And a case could also be made that many of the changes beginning in 1981 represent a falling away from the ideas and practices of the most successful period of American history.
We may hope that Obama will be able to restore some of these good ideas and sound practices. For example, his announced plans seem to suggest that he's looking to a return to such successful projects as the Civilian Conservation Corps (begun 1933).
The 40's did have the best clothes....
My mom and my aunts have some great ideas they shared from growing up in the 30's and being young adults in the 40's during rationing and such.
Can I go ahead and coin the term "poorpunk"? Or maybe "depressionpunk"?
Or do those sound less like aesthetic movements and more like genres of people listened to by people I don't want rubbing up against me at venues?
aren't those kind of redundant? DIY vagabonds have been nostalgic for the 30s for decades! think about it:
- meatless meals
- hopping freights
- sleeping on sofas
- making music and playing for tiny audiences who are mostly friends
- tattered clothes
- lack of money
- picking through the trash
It's really amazing how incredibly frugal people were in the 1910s. I'm working on a historical newspaper project with U.S. newspapers from the 1910s, and people really knew how to stretch a dollar (and a dime). During WWI, a lot of foods were banned or strictly rationed - most importantly wheat flour, meat, oil, and sugar - so that that food could go to the troops. Newspapers of the time were constantly printing recipes that taught you how to feed your family with a bit of corn meal, corn oil, and milk. There are tons of ads extolling people that milk is food - basically, that it had enough nutrition that you could include it as a side for dinner. People were tough, but I think times were tougher, actually. There was a lot of suicide and murder-suicides, I think in part because of the strain and absolutely no mental health services, not to mention the troops coming back home totally traumatized. A common reason cited for suicide was simply being "destitute". Rough - but certainly a lot of similarities to the present.
In 1925 my (recently dearly departed) father was born into a family of 11 who had homesteaded in northwest Oklahoma. He grew up through the years of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. He always quipped that his family was so poor they never even knew there was a depression. During WWII, halfway through his senior year of high school, he joined the armed forces, which 2 brothers and 1 sister were already serving.
I wish he had felt comfortable retelling experiences of his childhood and the war years; but he never cared to speak of anything that could bring up unpleasant memories for him.
He was never a tightwad (as my mother claims) but he knew the important things in life were not things. He purchased high quality items taking care to make them last. If it broke he would fix it. If he couldn't fix it, could it serve another purpose?
In the summer of 1969, needing to attend a series of meetings for his job, he decided to buy a new station wagon and take the whole family along. It was the first (and last) new car he ever purchased. During that trip the car was in every Pontiac service center up the entire eastern seaboard. As soon as the warranty expired he had to rebuild the engine himself and sold it before anything else could go wrong. He went back to his old habit of buying a low mileage 2-year-old car once every 10 years, driving it until the wheels fell off.
He didn't trust banks. Every payday he bought US savings bonds, keeping them in briefcases in the back of a closet. In 1977, during the worst part of that recession, our family needed to move. Using the bonds, he paid cash for the new home, the old home rented out waiting to sell the house for its full value. Much to my mother's relief, he decided to conservatively invest the proceeds from the sale of that house.
I have so much to thank him for. Lessons of frugality and of the truly important things in life are but two of them.
I get a lot of inspiration from the home front in Britain during World War II. I have read lots about rationing, make do and mend, dig for victory, etc. through diaries, letters, scholarly books, etc. Rationing in Britain actually extended far past the end of the war, so the people had to get quite good at managing with less.


text:
About robert-adminThis author has not yet filled in any details.
So far robert-admin has created 0 blog entries.
If this will be your first visit, we have good news... it's on us! Just give us a call, print the certificate, or fill out the online form to claim your free first visit!
For your GIFT CERTIFICATE please call, fill out the online form, or print out the certificate below:
One redemption per household (Home address must be from Kingston and the surrounding area). Restricted to dog and cat appointments only (not valid for other pets). New clients may redeem one certificate at either hospital, not both. Cannot be combined with any other offer, or used toward boarding, grooming, prescription, and non-prescription medication, food or retail items. (Not for walk-in appointments)


text:
You are about to enter a website that may contain content of an adult nature.
Hello everyone, this is Indian cam girl DanielleMD here. I'm 27 year old Female speak English in the Indian live sex chat action. I am a nice girl, maybe a bit shy, but once you get to know me, you`ll see that i could be the one! I am kind, listener, funny with a great smile and a big heart!. I am the girl next door, we can spend some nice time talking or having fun, just like in real life. I like to dance, smile, i am at med-school, so i like also to help people no matter what are their problems.. I have a big sex apeal is my expertise and also what I will do in Indian live sex private show. I have Blue eyes, Medium Blonde hairs and my measurements are 95-65-95. For Turn ons: I am turned on by smart people, respectful and humor.. For TurnsOff: I am turned off by rude people. If you prefer kinks, then Tattoos,Shaved, are mine. I'm just hungry for a HARD cock, can't wait to see u in my Indian webcam sex chat room! :)
Show more models
This website contains indian cams, desi cam, free hindi chat and tamil sex chat related sexually explicit content.
You must be at least 18 years of age to enter this website. © Since 2012 myindiansexcams.com Indian Sex Chat Network All Rights Reserved
AllHosts1 - AllHosts2 - AllHosts3 - AllHosts4 - AllHosts5 - AllHosts6 - AllHosts7 - AllHosts8 - AllHosts9 - AllHosts10 - AllHosts11 - AllHosts12


text:
select Compare (0)
Compare Products
You have no items to compare.
The Tier1 UVS-12-WF is a stainless steel 12 GPM Ultraviolet disinfection system. A UV system is easy to install and requires little supervision, maintenance, or space. Just replace UV lamps when they burn out. Ultraviolet radiation is used to sterilize and disinfect water without using chemicals.
|Warranty Guarantee
|Unconditional Product Guarantee for Life of the Product


text:
You are about to enter a website that may contain content of an adult nature.
Hello everyone, this is Indian cam girl Eleonoraa here. I'm 53 year old Female speak English in the Indian live sex chat action. I want to be licked today over my pussy and ass holes!HOT SQUIRT! FINGERING! ROLE PLAYS! HARED SEX! DIRTY GAMES! NASTY FANTASIE!COME IN AND FUCK ME HARD. I am hot experienced mature woman! I know how to give men pleasure! I hope that time with me will be the best in your life!. SQUIRT! ORAL! TOYS! is my expertise and also what I will do in Indian live sex private show. I have Blue eyes, Medium Blonde hairs and my measurements are 45-38-45. For Turn ons: I love c2c. For TurnsOff: Nothing. If you prefer kinks, then Hairy, are mine. I'm just hungry for a HARD cock, can't wait to see u in my Indian webcam sex chat room! :)
Show more models
This website contains live indian sex cams, desi cams, hindi cam and tamil sex chat related sexually explicit content.
You must be at least 18 years of age to enter this website. © Since 2012 myindiansexcams.com Indian Sex Chat Network All Rights Reserved
AllHosts1 - AllHosts2 - AllHosts3 - AllHosts4 - AllHosts5 - AllHosts6 - AllHosts7 - AllHosts8 - AllHosts9 - AllHosts10 - AllHosts11 - AllHosts12


text:
Virginia Vital Records
This entry was originally written by Johni Cerny and Gareth L. Mark for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
The first laws of Virginia were called the Lawes Divine, Morall and Martiall, and were enacted by Sir Thomas Dale in 1610. Dale's Code required colonial Virginia ministers to record all christenings, marriages, and burials in registers, in much the same way those events were recorded in England. Most of the registers compiled in response to the law have not survived. In 1619 ministers were required to present the register to the Secretary of the Colony, and in 1642 the parish clerks were required to submit a monthly list of vital records to the 'commander of every monethly court.' Few, if any, of the monthly lists were recorded.
The House of Burgesses strengthened the law regarding vital records in March 1660. Act 20, An Act to record all Marriages, Births and Burials, decreed, 'That every parish shall well, truly and plainly record and sett downe in a booke provided for that purpose, all marriages, deaths and births that shall happen within the precincts of the parish, and in the month of March in every yeare, the person appointed by the parish so to do, shall make true certificate into the clerke of every county to the intent the same may there remaine on record for ever.' If the county clerks recorded the certificates, they are unfortunately lost.
Marriage in early Virginia was by publication of banns. In 1631 the House of Burgesses directed that marriage licenses were to be granted by the governor, although couples could have banns read instead and pay less for their marriage. Consent, either written or verbal, was required for anyone under twenty-one and for all servants. Marriages were not to be performed 'at any unreasonable tymes but only betweene the howers of eight and twelve in the forenoone.'
Marriage bonds were first required as part of the licensing procedure in 1661. The couple wishing a license gave bond to the county clerk that there was no lawful impediment to their marriage; the clerk then issued a license. Every September, the clerk forwarded to the Secretary of the Colony a list of licenses issued. These records were burned in the various fires at Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Richmond.
The existing marriage laws were superseded by an 1853 state law requiring county and independent city clerks to issue marriage licenses and keep marriage registers. Before a license was issued, the parties to be married had to offer the following information: full names, ages, places of birth and residence, proposed marriage date and place, marital status (widowed or single), parents' names, groom's occupation, and minister's name. After the marriage ceremony, the minister returned the information to the clerk, who recorded it in a marriage register. Many counties have the original form on file at the courthouse.
The majority of pre-1853 Virginia marriage records have been published. The Library of Virginia and the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City have the most complete collections of published Virginia marriage records; however, state and genealogical libraries nationwide also have excellent collections. For reference to these, see either John Vogt and T. William Kethley, Jr., Marriage Records in the Virginia State Library: A Researcher's Guide, 2d ed. (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Publishing Co., 1988), or Virginia Marriage Records from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, The William and Mary Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly (reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2002). A detailed explanation of marriage records is found in Loretto Dennis Szucs and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, eds., The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1997).
Virginia was one of the first states outside of New England to require its counties to record births and deaths. Registration on the county level began in 1853 and continued until 1896. Many counties abandoned registration during the Civil War, or at best recorded only a small percentage of births and deaths. Except in some independent cities, records were not kept between 1896 and 14 June 1912, when statewide registration of vital statistics began. Early birth records and indexes (1853'96), marriage records (1853'1935), and death records (1853'96) have been microfilmed and are available at the Library of Virginia and the FHL. Additionally, the Library of Virginia has marriage indexes on microfilm (1853'1935). A fully searchable online database for deaths is being developed and will eventually include 1853'96. See http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/opac/dripabout.htm. Researchers can access links to birth, marriage, and death records on microfilm <http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/BMDregisters/index.htm>.
Due to limited resources, the Virginia Department of Health will not provide copies of vital records for genealogy purposes. Certificates can be obtained by immediate family members only; thus, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, grandparents, etc., cannot obtain copies of vital records. Immediate family members can obtain a copy of a vital record from the Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000, within four to six weeks. Required forms can be downloaded or printed at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/applications-for-a-vital-record/. The Virginia Health Department has contracted with the VitalChek Network (see page 1) to assist people in obtaining birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates within two to five days.
Virginia divorce records from 1 January 1853 to the present are only obtainable from the Division of Vital Records (see address above). Earlier records are filed with the clerk of the circuit court or the Virginia General Assembly.
The Library of Virginia has a large collection of Virginia Bible records that can provide vital records information. See Lyndon H. Hart, A Guide to Bible Records in the Library of Virginia (reprint, Richmond, Va.: Library of Virginia, 1999). See also 'Using Vital Statistics Records in the Archives' online at http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/rn2_vitalstats.htm.
FamilySearch.org has a variety of collections available for free online:
- Virginia, Births and Christenings, 1853-1917
- Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
- Virginia, Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912
Records of specific counties include:
- Virginia, Orange County Marriage Records, 1757-1938
- Virginia, Surry County Marriage Records, 1735-1950
External Links
- Virginia Birth, Marriage, and Death Records - free up-to-date guide to accessing Virginia birth, marriage, and death records (FamilySearch Research Wiki). Includes links to FamilySearch vital record databases.
- Virginia Marriages Search Engine - free Virginia marriages search engine that has indexed marriages posted across the web.
- Virginia Obituary and Death Notice Archive - free Virginia obituary archive that has transcribed obits from across the state.
- Virginia Library of Files - free Virginia obituary and data files archive from across the state.
- Virginia Vital Records - links to Virginia vital record sources organized by county


text:
When it comes to wiring I am an illiterate and have 6 PECO turnouts to wire.
I have on hand a 17V DC and 20V AC transformer, Peco PL-10 turnout motors, and a Peco CDU as well as terminal strips and SPDT momentary toggle switches.
The wiring diagram with the CDU looks like it uses a buss type wiring plan but I think this is an over simplification. I want to use the strips to eliminate soldering.
Please give me some suggestions or better yet a thread (I searched) or web site showing a wiring diagram that a newbie like me can read.
Don't Ever Give Up
Don't Ever Give Up
Here's the wiring diagram on the instruction sheet that comes with the PL-10W motor:
Please keep in mind that this diagram shows the wiring to the motor only, if you have Electrofrog turnouts you need a PL-13 switch (or similar) to control the polarity of the frog.
This may be overkill but hopefully will help. I found installation to require more precision than I anticipated and had to re-install my Peco to eliminate binding. I detailed the installation procedure that worked for me per below. I soldered the spade lugs that will connect to the terminal strip, but you don't have to.
My subroadbed is 50" above the floor at this point, so I found access to the motor underneath for the install challenging at best. Replacing Peco's screws with Phillips and getting a long-shank #1 Phillips screwdriver was critical to my sanity, as was using an assistant to flip the points to make sure there's absolutely, positively no binding.
1. Prepare (2) 3-layer pieces of .015 x .250 styrene strip, (1) positioned outside each point rail. This holds the points in dead center.2. Drop a length of 3/64 brass rod, prepared with a 90-degree bend at one end, through the hole in the turnout's throw bar. This indicates dead center when working underneath.3. Cut shirt cardboard to fit the bottom of the turnout motor & punch a hole dead center for the actuator rod. This will center the rod and provide a place to start with the centered turnout points. Remove this template once the machine is initially positioned, as the actuator rod needs to move freely when checking for binding (see below).4. I then marked the centerline of the throw rod by extending a line from each end with pencil to the edge of the subroadbed, "wrapping it around" the thickness of the plywood, and connecting the points underneath. The line should bisect the actuator hole. Alternatively, one can drill a 1/16 hole through the subroadbed at each end of the centered throw rod and connect the points underneath. (Can also drop thin wire through these holes and connect those underneath).5. Next, strip 1" of 22 AWG wire to solder to the Green and Yellow positions on the right side of the motor and the bridged black positions on the left side, per the motor's instructions, inserting it front-to-back. 10 mm exposed on front assures an effective wrap and bond. Crimp & solder spade lugs to the other ends, crimping each lug at a right angle to the seam & inserting just enough insulation to assure a firm fit. Position the lug vertically and solder the wire inside the crimped connector. The insulation will stop the solder from running out. Position the lug so the crimping tube will fit over the edge of the terminal-strip.6. Hand-fit the motor, orienting it per the guideline and centered actuator pin. Remove the bottom template centering the pin. Have an assistant flip the points and position the motor to assure there's no binding. Support it lightly so it can "float' to a natural orientation, then support it firmly to assure the points move freely and fully. This step is critical. Remember, the motor doesn't put pressure on the points like a Tortoise; it simply has to move briefly to throw the points. Even a slight misalignment will cause the actuator rod to bind in the throwbar hole and prevent the points from moving properly. Make sure there's no binding.7. Have the assistant help steady the motor while you use a pin vice to pre-drill one of the (3) mounting holes. Use a replacement, phillips-headed fixing screw and long shank screwdriver to install that screw, making sure the motor didn't move. Repeat the process with the remaining (2) screws. Have your assistant move the points regularly throughout installation and note that the points don't bind and mate smoothly to the stock rails.8. Fire it up and hopefully conclude.
I did a quick Google search for "wiring peco points motors" and got plenty of hits--you should find something to help you with the wiring in there. In the meantime, I photographed my installation that included a Circuitron CDU. I connected the CDU per the illustration in the Peco turnout motor package:
Good luck!
Rick Krall
Hi Svien and Rick,
Your post answered some questions but raised others.
I had planned on using the DC side of the transformer and I see that is wrong, it should be AC. Does that mean the momentary contact switch is incorrect also? I seemed to remember reading somewhere that if you used a CUD momentary toggle switches aren't necessaty. Do you have any ideas about that
Now this is where I get lost. Where do I put the terminal strip(s) and how are they wired for more than one motor?
I am using insulfrogs.
I'm still studying the wiring. Your pictures really help.
As for the positioning of the switch motor I don't have that to worry about since I'm using Peco motors which attach directly to the turnout. The info will certainly be useful if I use any other below the layout top switch machine such as the Tortoise. I do have one on hand.
I'll try some googeling also and I'd appreciate any further thoughts you might have after reading this post.
Thanks to you both. It may not sound like it but I am learning.
I have found that instead of soldering the wires to the Peco switch machine, I solder Atlas rail joiners to the ends of the hookup wire. The Atlas railjoiners slip right on to the switch machine terminals with a tight fit enableing easy removal in case the switch machine has to be replaced
Your post answered some questions but raised others.
I had planned on using the DC side of the transformer and I see that is wrong, it should be AC. Does that mean the momentary contact switch is incorrect also? I seemed to remember reading somewhere that if you used a CUD momentary toggle switches aren't necessaty. Do you have any ideas about that
Now this is where I get lost. Where do I put the terminal strip(s) and how are they wired for more than one motor?
Hi Bob,
I don't know if the Peco turnout motors work with DC, maybe they will, but Peco recommends 16V AC. I'm also using Peco (Electrofrog) turnouts and PL-10W motors on my layout in progress, and plan on using an old Märklin transformer for turnouts and accessories.
The momentary contact switch is a must for Peco motors, this type of motors requires only a short boost of power otherwise they'll burn out in a very short time (unlike motors like the Tortoise, which use constant power to press the point rails against the stock rails).
The CDU have nothing to do with the type of switches you choose to use (IIRC), they are supposed to provide that extra "oomph" to overcome the tension of the turnout spring. The PL-10W motors I use are more efficient than the regular PL-10, and doesn't require a CDU.
Regarding terminal strips: When you look at the diagram in my previous post, you see that one side of the motor has one common connection, while the other side has two separate connections that are connected to the momentary switch. The common side can be connected to a terminal strip for all your motors, so long as the other side are connected to the momentary switches (one switch for each turnout you want to control separately).
What Svein said in his last post, Bob. Definitely AC, definitely momentary contact switch at the panel.
I only have (1) Peco, so I didn't have to gang them through terminal strips. I used terminal strips, however; just not for that purpose. Here's a shot of the black and red feeders coming in from the left to the 2-position terminal strip.
The black feeder feeds the black common you see going up to the Peco. The red feeder goes to the 3-position terminal strip. The yellow and green feeders come down from the Peco and connect to that 3-position strip as well.
For the Peco to operate, it must receive power from the black common and either the yellow or green feeder. So at this point you have the makings of a complete circuit (black plus yellow or green), but the Peco won't operate because those wires are all isolated within the terminal strip. They need to be connected--the black and yellow for the points to be thrown one way; the black and green for the points to be thrown the opposite way. The black's taken care of; power's gone directly to the Peco via the black from the CDU through the terminal strip. We now have to power the yellow and green.
They are powered through the toggle. That's why you see the red, green, and yellow wires leaving the terminal strip and going to the toggle off camera. The red powers the toggle. Throwing the toggle routes power from the red to, say, the green back to the Peco, where it "meets" power from the black common to complete the circuit and throw the points. Throw the toggle the other way, the yellow does the work and the points move in the opposite direction.
I don't know much about electricity, but I believe the above is correct. If I've erred, anyone please feel free to correct me.
Rick Krall
Hi All,
OK, it looks like you all have given me the information I need. Now it comes down to implementing it.
I also have to prepare a facia board for the toggles as well as attach another PL-10. I usually work on several different projects at the same time so it may be a while before I get the turnouts turning.
Thank you all and I'll be back in touch with the results, one way or the other.
Thank you all and I'll be back in touch with the results, one way or the other.
Well it's been six weeks and I was sure I'd be posting a success story tonight but it was not to be. I've been doing this that and the other all the while working some and thinking about the switch machine.
Today I fired it up and it didn't even groan or quiver when I worked the toggle. I couldn't believe it.
I've gone over the wiring and can't find anything wrong. The following crude drawing shows how I wired it. I did use a couple of crimped connectors but I've never had any trouble using them before.
Your comments will be greatly appreciated
The diagram looks correct. Do you have the transformer connected to the input of the CDU (it should have instructions that say which terminals are for the transformer and which go to the toggle switches). And what sort of terminal strips did you use? If they are the kind with pairs of screws with a raised strip between each pair, only the screws across from one another (the short dimension) are connected, the ones next to each other (along the long dimention) are not, unless you jumper the screws on the other side, either with wire or a "bus bar" that they make for the purpose. If you used the type with just a single row of screws, or a row of solder terminals, those are usually already connected so you cna connect the input to one terminal and run multiple outputs off the other terminals.
If everything is wired right, you can check for the CDU being bad by bypassing it, just hook the wires fromt he CDU output to the transformer INSTEAD OF (not at the same time) the CDU. There should be enough power to make the motors snap back and forth, the CDU just gives it more of a positive action plus protects the motor from burnout should the toggle switch stick. Oh yeah, what sort of SPDT momentary toggles are they? Generic ones with a center off, or ones made for the turnouts? Not sure about Peco but many of the ones made by the turnout manufacturers need an extra push to actually make the momentary contact - you flip the lever in the direction you want and then it pushes against the spring-loaded contacts to actually make contact.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hi Randy,
The terminal strips are the ones with the raised dividers. I have the "fork" type connectors to yoke the terminals togther as needed but for now I'm only hooking up one switch motor.
I bypassed the CDU with power going directly to the terminal strips. Still no luck.
There is power circuit to ( - ) to the switch machine and + to the toggle and the wire with the crimped spade connectore checked out ok. The toggle is generic.
Do you have any other suggestions, and could it be the motor itself?
Well, this might be a little tough (not enough hands) but you could try disconnecting the wires at the switch motor and putting a meter on them, and hold the toggle in one direction or the other and see if you have any voltage (keep the CDU bypassed for this test). If you have power at the wires right at the switch motor, then that validates the rest of your wiring and the problem must lie in the switch motor. If there's no power there, work back and check at your terminal strips. Pretty much standard troubleshooting - don't overcomplicate things. If you have power at the source but not at the destination, just move along step by step and check. The problem has to be between the spot you last had pwoer and where it is missing. Electricity is really a simple thing - it needs a complete loop path to work. A break at any point stops things from working.
Or if you have a 16 volt or so light bulb handy - you could connect that instead of the switch motor, the light should be on as long as you hold the switch in the correct position. Again with the CDU bypassed - the burst of power from the CDU would burn out the bulb like a flashbulb. But if you don't have a meter - see if there is a Hrabor Freight ner you, they have them for $2.99. Even if you don't understand half the functions on it, the volts and continuity tests alone are worthwhile for model railroading.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
rrinker(not enough hands)
Hi Randy and Bob,
After reading your suggestions sveral times I decided to try Randy's. At first the big problem seemed to be doing this with out any help, but the light bulb in my brain finally lit up and I easily moved the toggle to the other side of the bench work. Using an alligator clip to hold a probe from the multimeter I had two free hands
In addition to the switch motor I also was attaching an auxilliay switch for an LED on the facia to be hooked up later. It is said that confession is good for the soul so here goes. When checking the wire connections I found I had power going to the auxilliary switch and not the switch motor. With 6 wire leads and only 3 wire colors I had accidentally gotten the leads mixed up.
Needless to say the switch motor is working wll although there is a humming noise when activated
The picture below shows the proper grouping before replacing the turnout.
The execution itself was simple but all did not go smoothly. I had to remind myself several times that I DO like model railroading.
Thanks Randy and to everyone.
The humming should go away once you hook the CD unit back up. That will give one quick jolt to move the points and then limit the current in case the toggle sticks so the motor won't burn out.
rrinkerThe humming should go away once you hook the CD unit back up
You were right the humming did go away but now there is another mystery.
Using terminal trips I wired a second switchmotor. The first one still worked but not the second one.
After checking the wiring and the connections I bypassed the CDU as you suggested previously and both motors work but with the humming. I can live with the noise but why wont' the second one work with the CDU??
Your thoughts appreciated.
Happy Railroading
Recheck the wiring. If one works with the CDU, then there's no reason why a second switch motor, wired identically to the first, should not also work.
Are your toggles momentary? It sounds like they are not - you need to use momentary toggles to operate solenoid switch motors. If the humming constant? If so, this is exactly the problem - and you are going to quickly burn up the switch motors. This is why it doesn't work witht he CDU. The first one flips, then the CDU limits the power output, so no humming - but the CDU also cannot recharge so trying to operate the second turnout means it's trying to run with the very limited current the CDU allows through, and it's not enough to operate the motor.
This is why I described this as a mystery....
The toggels are momentary.
With the CDU bypassed both motors work but hum as expected.
Reattached CDU and only the first motor worked with no hum
Disconnected #1 motor and #2 flipped back and forth once and that was all.
The only change I made was bypassing the CDU . The wiring has remained constant.
Here is the wiring diagram
Happy Railroading (?)
Diagram looks correct. Double check to make sure it really is wired the way you drew it. Check the toggles, it could be that #2 isn't a momentary one, or it's stuck. I believe the peco motors have two connections for the common feed, one for each coil - are they both wired on both machines? Not sure what else could be wrong, each individual switch motor shoudl be wired like the first one and you should be able to connect any number of those assemblies in parallel with each other to service every turnout on your layout.
If you're using barrier strips, make sure you've got a jumper from one set of screws to the next where you're using the strip to distribute power from the CDU out to the two separate units.
A CDU takes some time to recharge after activation. This might be as long as several seconds. So, if you throw the first turnout and then the second in quick succession, the CDU might not have recharged enough.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello Mr B
I'm using barrier stip jumpers so that isn't an issue, also I've paused between throwing the switches.
The oddity is that the first motor works perfectly and still does with the addition of the second but the second one doesn't. Both work when bypassing the CDU. This would make you think the CDU is the problem but if so then why does it work with the first motor? On the other hand if it is the wiring then why would they both work witout the CDU. Likewise the turnouts and toggels must be OK. I put the second one on top of the layout to make sure the accessory switch wasn't binding in the "excavation"
I'm going to reckeck the wiring connections and then reverse the wiring to the motors to see if that will make #2 work and # 1 not. If I keep moving things around I might just fix it without knowing what i did. This wouldn't be the first time that has happened.
With both working without the CDU says that everthing else is OK but then why would the CDU work with one and not the other.
Being a loner and with momentary toggels makes testing the circuits very very difficult.
Thanks for your reply.
Partial success but no hurrahs.
The + wire from the CDU was originally wired to the toggle and the --- wire to the common feed on the switch motor. This works on motor #1.
Reversing them on #2 and sending the + wired to the motor and the ---- wire to the toggel made a difference but not completely.
Throwing the turnout in one direction every thing works as it should but throwing it back even with a long pause it moves a little on the first push of the toggle and then snaps properly in place on the second or third try without pausing. Pausing at this point doesn' seem to matter.
Should I consider this satisfactory and permenantly install the turnout?
I haven't wired the LED yet and that will be only way I will know the turnout has activated properly.
Comments more than welcome.
Throwing the turnout in one direction every thing works as it should but throwing it back even with a long pause it moves a little on the first push of the toggle and then snaps properly in place on the second or third try without pausing. Pausing at this point doesn' seem to matter.
This sounds like you might have a problem with the toggle itself. Try just touching a wire to the center post and one of the outer posts of the toggle instead of using the toggle throw. Even better, disconnect the center post and touch that wire to the outer posts, thus taking the toggle out of the circuit.
Mr B after trying your last suggestion without any luck l decided to bite the bullet and install another complete assembly of a turnout, switch motor and accessory switch.
It's working like a charm
If at first you don't succeed try try again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and "Don't Ever Give Up".
Thanks to everyone who posted. You all helped in one way or the other.
Happy Railroading !!!!!
So, did you test out that second one again to see where the problem is? Try the same toggle with a different switch motor, and try a different toggle witht he same switch motor. One way or the other it should work, pointing to either a bad toggle or bad switch motor.
rrinkerSo, did you test out that second one again to see where the problem is?
As per Mr B's suggestion I checked out the toggels and they were OK. After I switched the power leads the motor worked fine turning in one direction but took several attempts going the other way moving a little bit at first and then snapping into position.
I hadn't planned on mentioning this but since you asked what I found wrong I'll tell.
I could blame it on Peco but the truth is that I didn't secure the accessory switch properly to the motor and it moved ever so slightly after the turnout was back in position causing it to bind just enough to cause trouble. When I reinstalled the switch on the track bed it moved freely.but something happened after that.
I've paid one heck of a price for this mistake. I can't count the number of times I crawed under the layout as well as the time spent. If I could have gotten comfortable under there I believe I would have taken a nap at times.
Next comes the LED hook ups
Once again, thanks everyone
Not sure if you are pulling up existing track to install the motors, or installing the motors on the turnout and then installing the whole thing as a unit, but if the latter, hook up an extra toggle at the bench with a couple of clip leads, plus a clip lead from the common, and test throw each one before you put it on the layout. That's not as much help if you already have the track fastened in place and are going back to install the motors since it's more likely that binding will occur AFTER you attach the motor to the turnout, but it might save you some extra crawling.
I usually make mistakes like this once, maybe twice before I realize there has to be an easier way and take a moment to figure out what I can do to make life more comfortable. I'll still contemplating my servo installs, although the brackets I have come with double-sided tape which should hold everything in place while I check the movement and then install screws for a more permanent attachment.
Looking ahead future installations should go much smoother. After all if hadn't been for the poor installation of the accessory switch there was no problem and we wouldn't be talking about this.
Before laying track I learned on the forum to remove ties from track connecting to turnouts so the rail joiners could be slid back enabling the turnout to be removed. The turnouts have not been ballasted but I did weather the rail of one and had to use Cody G's suggestion for loosening paint bottle caps,with water to loosen the joiners.
I look forward to the next installation with confidence but the LEDs on the control panel come next.
Thanks for your help.
Ah, ballasting. I install the machines on the Peco turnouts, mounted directly to the underside. This leaves a large, unsightly gap beneath the turnout. Using a tip I first read here, and then in MR, I put a piece of thin cardboard between the machine and the turnout when I assemble them. I pre-cut the cardboard with slots to accomodate the mounting tabs and throw rod, and paint the surface gray to roughly match my ballast. Then, I can lightly ballast right above the machine or leave the space unballasted (safer, but it doesn't look as good) without being able to see through to the floor.
Randy's suggestion that you bench-test your turnouts is a good one. I do that with all my switch machines. So far, no bad ones.
Randy & Mr. B
Thanks for the tips on testing and ballasting. It all makes sense.
The tiring part of this installation was the time and effort looking for a problem under the layout that didn't exist when it was actually on top.


text:
Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below. If you agree to the terms, please check the 'I agree' checkbox and press the 'Register' button below. If you would like to cancel the registration, click here to return to the forums index.
Although the administrators and moderators of CareCure will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of CareCure Forums, nor Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message.
The administrators and moderators want to remind all members that what they post enters the public domain, may be searchable on major search engines, and generally will NOT be removed by moderators or administrators after it is posted. Use discretion in posting personal, private information that you don't want to be seen by the general public, or that may embarrass you or your family.
Be aware that publically posting your email address will put you at risk of being spammed. CareCure encourages the use of Private Messages to correspond with forum members and to aid in sharing information with a limited number of people.
By agreeing to these rules, you agree that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws. Baiting on grounds of race, religion, and/or sexuality is also forbidden.
Violations of the above rule are open to the interpretation of the moderators and administrators. As such, offending messages can be removed without prior notice. Repeated violations will place your account at risk of being banned.
The owners of CareCure reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.
In the end, remember that CareCure is primarily a source of information on care and cure for the diverse population of paralyzed individuals. We ask that you respect the golden rule: treat each other with respect and do not attack other members.


text:
Auf Wiedersehen: UVA boots German House residents
Glenn Rife thought his fourth year in the UVA's German language dorm was a given until last month. That's when UVA informed the residents that fire code concerns mean that the Max Kade German House, the university's oldest language house, is closing indefinitely.
While this doesn't mean the end of German-language living– UVA's Housing Division vows to find replacement housing– what's been offered so far, Rife says, is "totally unsatisfactory."
The timing of the announcement has raised eyebrows among residents, who didn't find out they would be out of a home this fall until the parents of one resident wondered why they hadn't gotten a contract, says Rife.
Residents were then told that the lack of a second stairway in the 78-year-old house made it a danger for the students living there. Also, the building's fire alarm needs modification, and additional sprinklers need to be installed.
"The closing took everyone by surprise," says Benjamin Bennett in the German department. "The house has been inspected a number of times."
The issue of how residents were informed "leaves a negative impression in my mind that this the best option," says Rife.
"Essentially," says Mark Doherty, UVA's chief housing officer, "it was some late breaking information from the state fire marshal that necessitated major alterations if it was to continue as residential facility."
What's not clear is why the decision to evict comes so late in the school year. All university buildings are inspected on a regular basis, according to Ralph Allen, UVA's director of environmental health and safety, and he says of the upgrades, "None of it's really imperative."
Two environmental health and safety staff members who are deputized by the state fire marshal made the call that upgrades were in order. "I don't think anyone is making them shut down," says Allen. "We're recommending they do these things on the second floor, and they can't do them with students in there."
He notes that the recommendations are not violations because the building is grandfathered in under the fire code and "is perfectly legal." Violations are given a specific deadline for being fixed; recommendations usually have more leeway.
The issue was an architectural one: how to put on an additional stairway and make it work, according to Allen. Housing decided to move the residents elsewhere while a decision is being made about whether renovating the building is economically feasible.
"We're still trying to get a good design and estimate," says Doherty. At the moment, an official number is $200,000. "Part of our concern is if this magnitude of work needs to be done, what other work might need to be done?" he says.
"The problem with old residential buildings is they're not what you'd build if you were building for students today," says Allen. Fraternity houses pose the same sort of concern.
In January 2000, a fire in a dormitory at Seton Hall University in New Jersey killed three students. "After the fire at Seton Hall, we're quite concerned about protecting students," says Allen.
With the German House's prime location at 581 Brandon Avenue directly behind the UVA Medical Center, what are the odds it will fall prey to hospital expansion?
Unknown, says Doherty, explaining, "We need to look at the university's long-term needs for space. That's an inquiry that's ongoing at this moment."
UVA Health System spokeswoman Marguerite Beck says the German House won't suffer from hospital expansion plans. "It's not scheduled for demolition," she says.
"Our commitment is to continue with a German residential facility whether at that location or another," Doherty says.
The Housing Division offered two six-student suites at Gooch-Dillard, a modern Scott Stadium-area complex. That's what Rife calls "totally unsatisfactory to those of us accustomed to living in a house atmosphere."
Currently, German House residents dine together four times a week, speak German, and enjoy weekly German films. The Gooch-Dillard option allows access to a kitchen that would be shared with non-German speakers– with no provision for a dining space.
"We identified some spaces in Gooch-Dillard as sort of the best of a bad lot," says Doherty. "The timing of this news sort of limited options available."
"If we were all satisfied with the university's option, we'd jump on it," says Rife. Instead, he's looking at a house on Valley Road that can house eight people, a net loss of four spaces. And whether residents can afford off-campus housing is another matter.
Doherty says fate of the Max Kade German House will be decided by early this summer.
Max Kade was a German-born pharmaceutical magnate who made his fortune selling Pertussin. After World War II, he founded the Max Kade Foundation to promote better understanding between Germans and Americans. The foundation helped purchase the house on Brandon Avenue.
And while a German language residence will continue in some form or another, "It's sad because this might be the death knell of the German house that's been around since the early '70s," says Rife.


text:
Emulsifying Wax
Veterinarian Reviewed on June 20, 2012 by Paulina Nelega, RH
Posted in Uncategorized
Emulsifying Wax
Emulsifying wax is considered to be one of the main ingredients in making personal care products such as lotions and creams. This is extracted from fatty acids and ester isolation from plant oils. At room temperature, emulsifying wax is solid and may be marketed as small pellets or in small tablets. It is basically odorless but it does have a slight wax smell.
There are many types of emulsifying waxes and each may have a particular use in many types of industries. Each may have its own applications as well as beneficial properties.
History and Origin
Emulsifying wax is considered to be as a cosmetic emulsifying agent. The word is often followed by the initials NF. This means that the wax conforms to the specification of a governing body that is called the National Formulary.
Emulsifying waxes are created when a vegetable wax is processed with a detergent like sodium dodecyl sulfate. This procedure causes oil and water to bind and form into an emulsion and thus an emulsifying wax is created.
Ancient Uses
The uses of emulsifying wax were unheard of during ancient times. Skin care products which were equivalent to lotions and creams were made from the extracts of fruits and herbs which were then used to treat minor skin conditions such as dry skin, irritations, scratches, boils, etc.
Modern Uses
Emulsifying wax is used in more modern times as a medium for making skin care products. It can blend oil and water in facial creams, body lotions, moisturizers and other skin care products.
The ability of emulsifying wax to blend oil and water into a fine consistency is highly valued in the cosmetic industry as well. It is a common ingredient in many makeup products such as concealers, liquid foundation, toners, mascaras and liquid lipsticks. In the hair industry, emulsifying waxes are also found in pomades, hair creams, hair colorants and many other hair care products.
There are different types of emulsifying waxes available for both industrial and home use. It is important therefore to know the different wax types to use for creating your own kind of cream or lotion. If you will not add any emulsifying agent to a mixture of oil and water, it will turn back to its separated form after quite some time.
Side Effects
There are no side effects in the use of products with emulsifying waxes as a main ingredient. These products are considered non toxic even when used regularly. This chemical is also considered non irritating even for people with sensitive skin.
There may still be a small number of people who may find products with emulsifying waxes to be rather irritating to their skin and mucous membranes so it is best to consult with a dermatologist regarding a better skin care product to use. If you experience any type of skin irritation when using these products, you must completely discontinue product use and consult a doctor at once.
If you are have sensitive skin, it is best to find a product that can work with your skin type. Consider reading product labels of skin care products carefully before you actually begin to use them.
Our Expert
Paulina Nelega, RH, has been in private practice as a Clinical Herbalist for over 15 years. She has developed and taught courses in herbal medicine, and her articles on health have appeared in numerous publications. She is very passionate about the healing power of nature. Ask Dr. Jan


text:
Countertop appliances vs. large oven and range
Q. I prefer to use the kitchen range and oven for cooking, but I've heard it is more efficient to use small countertop appliances. Is this true and is there a simple way to determine which appliances are the best to use?
A. What makes one cooking appliance less expensive to operate than another is how much of the heat actually gets into the food rather than how much just ends up in the kitchen air and then lost. As much as 50 percent of the heat can be lost on a typical kitchen range.
This is why it is important, for example, to match the size of the pot to the size of the burner/element on a range. If the pot is too small, much of the heat is lost around the sides of the pot. Also using the recommended type of cooking utensil material for the specific range top type is important.
During winter, the selection of the cooking appliance is not as important as during summer. Any heat that is lost to kitchen air just reduces the heating load on the furnace or heat pump. It is not a one-to-one trade-off, but it does reduce the central heating cost somewhat.
During summer, any heat lost to the room air must be removed by the air conditioner. This makes it a double cost so appliance selection is more important. Another consideration is overall cooking time to minimize the amount of water vapor given off, which can worsen uncomfortable indoor humidity levels. Using small appliances outdoors or a solar oven makes sense during summer.
It is not always a simple decision as to when it is best to use a smaller countertop appliance instead of the range or oven. If the cooking time is the same as with the range element or oven, then the smaller, lower-wattage appliance generally will use less energy.
Another factor is the quality of the range and oven. If your range has a self-cleaning oven, it likely has heavier wall insulation than a standard oven and will save energy. Minimize the use of the self-cleaning cycle because it uses a lot of energy to get the oven super hot.
Whenever possible, select small countertop appliances that have a thermostatic control for the cooking temperature. This provides more precise cooking than one with just a low-to-high temperature dial. A timer is also good to avoid overcooking and wasting more energy.
A small countertop convection oven uses much less wattage than the large oven. The oven's convection fan uses very little electricity and the circulating air cooks foods much faster for less heat loss to the room. Using a pressure cooker also reduces cooking time.
Microwave ovens use less electricity because they cook fast and nearly all the heat goes into the food items. If you can bake several dishes at once in the range oven, it will use less electricity than running the microwave several cooking times. Baking many potatoes is an example where the range oven is better to use.
To calculate the cost to operate an appliance, find the wattage rating on the nameplate. Divide this by 1,000 and multiply the result by your $/kWh electric rate to get the operating cost per hour. If the nameplate lists amperage, multiply it by 120 to get watts. For appliances with a thermostat, reduce the operating cost by about 50 percent.
Q. My asphalt shingle roof has black stains on it and it looks bad. I cleaned it, but the stains came back. What is causing this and is there anything I can put on the roof to stop the staining?
A. The black stains are algae and fungal growth on the shingles from organic debris that settles on the roof. It usually is worse in shaded areas. Lay bare copper wire along the roof ridge. When it rains, copper ions flow down over the shingles and retards this growth.
There are also DIY roof cleaning and stain-blocking chemicals from Saver Systems. Once the roof is cleaned, the stain blocker should be reapplied every two to three years.
• Write to James Dulley at 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit dulley.com.


text:
Dear Friends,
First, I would like to start by thanking all of the students and their parents at our school and also welcome newcomers to come join our Kung Fu family. Learning Kung Fu together here at Pure Shaolin Kung Fu has made us one big family, and it is a family that we very honored to lead. Kung Fu is different from other sports: there are no seasons, and Kung Fu is ultimately about finding inner balance as well as learning respect. This respect extends to your body, to others, and to the world around you. In other words, even though practicing Kung Fu involves punching, kicking, and self-defense, there is much more to it than just physical movements. The practices and philosophies involved in Kung Fu will help you throughout life by enabling you to realize your strengths and weakness, helping you to discover your goals, and by giving you the means to reach those goals. The Tao of Kung Fu is a philosophy of life that is a collection of teaching for living in harmony with nature. Because of this, age does not matter, and Kung Fu can be a part of your life at any stage of your life.
A dancer knows how to dance with a sword; a warrior knows how to fight with a sword; but only the master of martial arts knows how to conquer his enemy with an invisible sword: one whose tip is made of wisdom, whose edge is made of integrity, the back of humbleness, the handle of honesty, and the tassel of passion.
Masters David and Grace