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LeBron James gave Miami two big scares. The Phoenix Suns provided another.
The Heat survived them all.
Chris Bosh scored 29 points, and the Heat used a 17-0 fourth-quarter run to erase a 10-point deficit and beat the Suns 99-95 on Tuesday night for their 14th straight home victory.
James scored 20 points, shaking off a stinger on his right elbow in the first quarter — then a high-impact collision with Grant Hill in the final seconds, staying down for nearly 2 minutes before getting pulled to his feet.
He remained in the game. In the locker room afterward, James complained of a headache and seemed more soft-spoken than usual, though insisted he was fine.
"Never had one of those hits since I had on pads and a helmet," James said. "So it took me back to that moment. I don't know what exactly happened. ... I'm all right. I've been better. I've got a little headache. But I'll be all right."
James said he didn't believe he would need additional testing, such as exams to rule out a concussion. He also said he was not concerned about the elbow soreness, a problem that plagued him at times when he played for Cleveland as well.
"When I heard him saying what the score was, what the time was, I knew he was going to be OK," said Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who scored 11 of his 19 in the fourth. "I saw Grant get up before him, which was surprising."
Hill led Phoenix with 19 points. Marcin Gortat had 13, Markieff Morris 12, Jared Dudley 10 and Steve Nash finished with nine points and 10 assists.
James was chasing the ball and never saw Hill. Both players went down, and both said afterward they felt fortunate the play did not result in something more serious. James started to get up, got to one knee, then rolled over onto his back and grabbed his head with both hands before eventually making his way to the bench.
"I was trying to set a screen," Hill said. "I don't think he saw me and ran right into me. The old man got up and the young guy stood on the ground for a while. Luckily, he didn't get hurt. Luckily, neither one of us got hurt."
The Suns had the NBA's second-best record since Feb. 19, having won 11 of their last 14 coming in. Shannon Brown's 3-pointer with 7:29 left put Phoenix up 90-80, but the Suns missed their next 10 shots.
James, Wade and Haslem all made a pair of free throws to start Miami's late run, and the Heat tied it when Mario Chalmers stole the ball from Nash and set up Wade for a breakaway dunk.
Bosh made two more foul shots to put the Heat up for good, Wade made a layup while sprawling to the floor and stretched the lead to 95-90 after Suns coach Alvin Gentry was called for a technical, and James' jumper with 1:52 left capped the flurry. Miami made 13 of 16 free throws in the final quarter, while Phoenix was only 3 for 4.
The Suns missed four straight shots at the rim in one stretch, all in a span of 34 seconds, and the Heat started to roll.
"They made the plays down the stretch, but we also had an opportunity to make plays that we didn't complete," Gentry said.
Udonis Haslem added 15 for the Heat.
James had another hard fall in the early going. On a drive into the lane, James was hit by Morris and reached back with his right arm to brace himself for the fall. James appeared to hit his right elbow directly on the floor — he was wearing a pad on that one, though not the left — and stepped away from the foul line briefly while shaking the arm.
The Heat had another injury woe to deal with as well, with starting center Joel Anthony out of the lineup for the first time this season because of a sprained ankle. Dexter Pittman made his first career start in Anthony's place.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spent the better part of two days raving about the Suns' play of late, especially Nash. A sampling of the terms Spoelstra used to describe the Phoenix point guard: "maestro," ''timeless quarterback," ''relentless" and "tireless."
All were on display throughout.
Down by nine in the early going, Phoenix closed the first half on a 13-3 run, a spurt Nash started with a 3-pointer and one that sent the Suns in the locker room up 53-49 — even though Miami shot 58 percent in the first half.
Phoenix led by eight in the third quarter, holding Miami to 35 percent shooting, before the Heat rallied from a double-digit deficit for the third time in its last four home games.
"To finish the game, it was more our style, more aggressive in the second half — particularly in the fourth quarter," Spoelstra said.
Notes: Heat President Pat Riley celebrated his 67th birthday. ... Celebrity night: Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer was in the season-high crowd of 20,212, as were the tennis-golf power couple of Caroline Wozniacki (snapping a few photos with her phone) and Rory McIlroy, Miami Marlins standouts Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Johnson, NFL star Andre Johnson and comedian Jerry Seinfeld. ... Phoenix started a stretch where it will play 12 of 15 on the road, with three one-game "homestands" breaking up the various trips. ... Wade did not take a shot in the first quarter, only the ninth time in 583 regular-season games that happened. ... Nash shot 2 for 3 in the first quarter, raising his NBA-best percentage in the opening 12 minutes of games this season to 60.8.


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- compensation depends on experience
+ Bonuses
- Full Time
- Health Insurance, 401K / Retirement, Meal Plan / Free Food, Ask Us!
- Employer Very Likely to Respond
A Not Your Average Joe's Chef provides Leadership at restaurant level and manages the day-to-day operations and strategic vision of the kitchen operations in the restaurant. You will also develop, direct, and supervise Sous Chefs, KM's and hourly Team Members to ensure consistent execution of Not Your Average Joe's (NYAJoe's) quality standards, operating systems, procedure, philosophies, and culture.
What you will do:
- Mentor and develop the Heart of the House (HOH) Hourly Staff to support the organization's talent pipeline and drive growth.
- Achieve business plan and goals through effective financial management.
- Demonstrate and coach overall P & L awareness and accountability.
- Actively monitors food quality to ensure adherence with NYAJoe's standards. Provide timely feedback to Hourly staff, and lead action to correct any issues.
- Oversee the heart of the house on your shifts and ensure it is operating efficiently while maintaining food quality and sanitation standards.
- Ensure line checks and production are both completed in compliance with NYAJoe's systems and standards.
- Maintain Full and properly trained staff to operate restaurant effectively and ensure 100% staffing to Master schedules for all shifts.
- Ensure that all operations, recipe, specifications books, and training materials are current and maintained.
- Ensure building, equipment, furniture, and fixtures are in good repair, clean and maintained on a regular basis.
What we need from you:
- Minimum 2 years' experience working as Chef in a similar restaurant concept or successful Sous Chef with Not Your Average Joe's.
- Demonstrated track record of strong leadership and ability to lead high performing teams.
- Excellent leadership and motivational skills.
- Attention to detail and analytical skills.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage workload with minimum direction.
- Inspires cooperation and teamwork through self-confidence, positive attitude, and enthusiasm.
- Remains positive and calm under stressful conditions.
Perks of the Job:
- Great pay and bonus opportunities
- Flexible Schedules
- Dining Card for Personal Use (during and outside of working hours!)
- Health Benefits
- LIfe Insurance
- Long and Short Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Medical Spending Account
- Growth Opportunities
A Not Your Average Joe's Chef is responsible for serving our guests, our team and Not Your Average Joe's with unparalleled hospitality to create unforgettable guest and team member experiences every day! If this sounds like you, please apply today!
Restaurants aren't meant to be average! Stephen Silverstein opened the first Not Your Average Joe's in pursuit of the uncommon. In 1994, he worked to give his hometown of Dartmouth, Massachusetts a unique neighborhood place with great food and better company.
Today, we have 23 restaurants spread throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. We're building incredible spaces with every nail, and striving to be better with every opening. In doing this, we've created a culture where our people are our foundation – making the sky the limit where we go next.

subset: commoncrawl


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Houston Technology Center invites you to join us for a free Orientation seminar and learn how HTC accelerates the growth and success of emerging technology companies.
The seminar is open to anyone interested in learning about HTC's acceleration process. All companies applying to be HTC Clients are required to attend an orientation session.


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Additional Resources
Homeless ServicesDisplay menu
- ${title}
Homeless Services
There is a telephone and cell phone text scam that is affecting DPSS customers/EBT cardholders! Scammers are identifying themselves as CalWORKs or Social Services. Some messages that are sent indicate that the EBT card has been compromised or closed. The caller/text then prompts the customer for his/her 16-digit EBT card number and security PIN and requests the customer to call a number to reactivate the card.
There various versions of the EBT card scam. Customers/Cardholders should never provide any information. DPSS will never ask you to provide your EBT card number or security PIN. Customers/Cardholders who have already provided card numbers and PINs to a third party should call the phone on the back of the EBT card to report the EBT card as lost or stolen and change the PIN.
CalWORKs policy: DPSS ePolicy
Homeless Programs and Services for CalWORKs Families
The DPSS Housing Program offers a number of benefits and services designed to assist CalWORKs families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness to move out of the current housing crisis into affordable permanent housing.
The benefits and services provided under the DPSS Housing Program are listed below:
- Homeless Assistance Program (Temporary, Permanent, and Permanent Arrearages) Fact Sheet
- Moving Assistance (MA) Program
- Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction (EAPE) Program
- 4-Month Rental Assistance (RA) Program
- Homeless Case Management Program
- Skid Row Assessment Team (SRAT) Fact Sheet
- District Access Team
- Temporary Homeless Assistance Program (THAP)+14 Fact Sheet
These homeless benefit and services are administrated together by Eligibility Workers and Homeless Case Managers in CalWORKs district offices and Homeless Supportive GAIN Services Workers in GAIN regions.
To learn more about any of these benefits and services or to apply, visit the CalWORKs office nearest you.
Services LocatorDisplay menu
- ${title}
Services Locator
Find the LA County services and facilities that serve your area...
Useful linksDisplay menu
- ${title}


text:
choose type:
DescriptionThere's more to a great set of sheets than just their softness. 100% wrinkle free, twice as strong as cotton, and made from ultra-plush 90 GSM microfiber, iEnjoy Home's 4-Piece Polaris Patterned Sheet Set is in a league of its own. These sheets are hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial, making them especially ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies. They're machine-washable for easy cleaning and sport 16" deep pocket fitted sheets—perfect for oversized mattresses.


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Pork Adobo Fried Rice
Just the thought of Adobo fried rice makes my mouth water...this is such a basic and much anticipated breakfast using leftover adobo from the night before.... chop up some adobo, fry up some eggs...add some of the sauce... cya! Feel free to add vegetables if you feel the need, but I like mine plain and simple...like me!
3 cups cold rice
1 cup of pork adobo, shredded coarsely
1/4 pork adobo sauce
2 eggs, lightly beaten
vegetable oil
fried garlic chips
Adobo Recipe
3 lbs boneless pork shoulder, pork leg or pork belly, cubed
1 1/2 cup vinegar
3/4 cup Aloha shoyu
1 large onion, sliced
1 head garlic, minced
1/4 tsp peppercorn, crushed
3 to 4 cups water
2 tbsps vegetable oil
1/2 onion, sliced into rings
1 to 2 pieces bay leaf
Order Feng Shui Fried Rice Cookbook
Fried Rice Procedure
Heat around 2-3 tbsps of vegetable in a wide skillet. Saute shredded pork adobo meat until slightly crisp and dry.
Stir in rice until well combined. Slide rice mixture to the side of skillet and pour around 1 tbsp vegetable oil at the center of the skillet.
Lightly scramble egg in the oil. Mix in with the rice mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup of the pork adobo sauce.Place in serving platter and garnish with fried garlic chips, as desired.
Pork Adobo Procedure
Wash, cut pork shoulder into serving cubes and place in deep bowl. Add soy sauce, onions, garlic, bay leaf and pepper. Marinate for around 30 minutes. Squeeze marinade out of meat. Set aside liquid.
In a heavy skillet or wok, heat oil until very hot. Saute marinated pork plus the onions, garlic and bay leaf in skillet. Allow to brown, stirring constantly.
Add vinegar and allow to boil for around 1 to 2 minutes. Lower heat to medium-high. Simmer uncovered until vinegar is reduced, around 10 minutes.
Add water and reserved marinade, lower heat to low, and cover. Simmer for around 35-40 minutes, or until pork is tender, and juice is reduced and natural grease from meat has seeped out.


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The Central Connecticut baseball team dropped a doubleheader to visiting Bryant on Saturday, losing both games by the score of 4-1. With the losses CCSU is now 21-22 overall and 10-13 in Northeast Conference play. Bryant is 32-14-1 overall and 19-4 in the league.
In game one, the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning off of Blue Devil junior starter Nick Neumann. A two-out two-run double from Robby Rinn scored runners from second and third.
Central cut it to 2-1 on a sacrifice fly from junior J.P. Sportman in the bottom of the first.
Bryant added to its lead, making it 4-1, with a pair of two-out runs in the fourth inning.
Neumann pitched the complete game for the Blue Devils but fell to 4-4 on the season with the loss. He retired the final 10 batters of the game after allowing a pair of runs in the first and two more in the fourth. Bryant had eight hits and Neumann struck out four.
Central had just two hits in game one. Bryant's Kevin McAvoy moved to 4-2 on the season with the complete game victory.
In game two the Blue Devils took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning of game two. With two outs sophomore pitcher Dominic Severino singled to the third baseman and scored DelaCruz who had singled earlier in the inning.
Bryant took a 2-1 lead on a pair of two out runs in the sixth inning. The first came on a pinch-hit two-out RBI single from Karl Anderson, the second on an RBI double from Rinn. Two more runs in the seventh pushed the Bryant lead to 4-1.
The Blue Devils and Bulldogs will finish the weekend series on Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m.


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Welcome To The Snug
Our lovely small but perfect snug is on the main High Street of the beautiful Highland town Grantown on Spey. A great place to base yourself to explore the Cairngorms National Park right up to the Moray coast for fab days out and lots to do.
The Snug in Grantown is a studio apartment with a full size kitchen and bathroom off the main living area. We welcome bookings for two people or single travellers for minimum three night stays and can set the bedroom area up as two singles or a large superking zip link bed. Check Availability NOW
Self Catering Accommodation in the Highlands
Grantown boasts a variety of family run restaurants and small coffee shops so if cooking is off the menu for your break away you'll not go hungry. We are also just round the corner from the Co-Op so no need to stock up before you come.
The Snug is available all year round so please check our availability and book online now to start your Highland adventure and we live next door so are on hand to help with recommendations for days out or for lunch and dinner options.
The Snug is on the first floor with views up and down the High Street, access is via an enclosed stairwell and into a shared vestibule area. Please note there are stairs up to the property and there is no lift. The main entrance door is on the High Street.


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1,258 captures
12 Apr 2008 - 14 Aug 2019
INTERNET ACCESSDial-Up Internet
WEB SITESWeb Hosting Provider
SOFTWARE & TOOLSProtection Control Center
EARTHLINK CORPORATEAbout Us
|Home |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Partner Programs |
Careers |
Site Map
© 2016 EarthLink. All rights reserved. Members and visitors to the EarthLink website agree to abide by the EarthLink Policies and Agreements including the EarthLink Privacy Policy.
Automatic, silent updates keep you one step ahead of new threats and those not yet invented
Restores lost PC horsepower and boosts performance
Deep-cleansing tools scour and disinfect even the nastiest infections that lesser products miss
System Requirements
Operating Systems Supported
Mac Operating Systems
Android Operating Systems
iOS Operating Systems


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Poly Lift® Boat Lifts are the first choice for
knowledgeable boat owners. With a stellar
reputation and the best warranty in the
industry, Poly Lift® sets itself apart as the
trusted solution for protecting your watercraft.
The value of your
boat is important
to you. Poly Lift®
turns your dock
into a safe-haven,
protecting your
from the
and moving
around in
the slip. Eliminate the need
for bottom painting, while you enjoy lower maintenance
costs, more time on the water, better fuel mileage, and
retained resale value.
Roto Lift® Boat Lifts raise your boat above the elements, protecting it from wind and wave action in its slip and isolating your hull's running gear from the damaging effects of in-water storage.
Compare our construction and features to higher priced lifts, and you will find that Roto Lift® outshines the competition in the area that count most for reliability and durability, as well as smooth and quiet operation. Roto Lifts are customizable to fit any dock configuration! There are models available to fit in slips from 8 to 14 feet wide, to support vessels of all sizes.
We provide install and repair services for the Poly Lift®, Roto Lift®, and many other boat lift lines. Please give us a call with your questions. If we don't have your part or a refurbished part we can manufacture one for you. If at any time you need service on your Poly Lift® Boat Lift contact our service department by calling 800-535-5369 or click here to email our service department.
It is easy to make claims about a product, but it is the test of time and performance that defines them. Poly Lift® tanks are WARRANTED FOR LIFE...PERIOD!
Poly Dock® is a boat lift accessory Hydro Systems, Inc. created in the late 1990's to work with our Poly Lift® and Roto Lift® boat lift products. We wanted to provide a floating dock system for our customers in other parts of the country that was dependable as our boat lift products. MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the
Watch your Wake campaign, please CLICK HERE
Poly Lift® Sunrise Beach
17163 N. State Hwy. 5
Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
Poly Lift® Osage Beach
3864 Osage Beach Pkwy
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Email: email@example.com


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January 30, 2013, 12:48 pm
San Francisco edges Baltimore in Super Bowl in Tecmo Bowl simulation
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-17 in a Tecmo Bowl simulation by tecmobowl.org.
Colin Kaepernick threw two touchdowns and ran for another to be the MVP.
This contradicts the prediction of a 27-24 victory by Baltimore by EA in Madden NFL 13.
Check out the full game below.
« Previous Post


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Home » Rose Wallpapers » Beautiful Roses Wallpaper 26109
Beautiful Roses Wallpaper 26109
Description: Beautiful Roses Wallpaper 26109 from the above 1920x1080 resolutions which is part of the Rose Wallpapers directory. Download this image for free in HD resolution the choice "download button" below. If you do not find the exact resolution you are looking for, then go for a native or higher resolution.
Detail Of Beautiful Roses Wallpaper 26109
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Aurora is the third largest city in Colorado and is affectionately known as the "gateway to the Rockies". Boasting a diverse cultural heritage, it is home to the Buckley Airforce Base and has the distinction of having been named an "All-American City". If you find yourself bored on a weekend afternoon, it won't be for lack of things to do around Aurora. Offering more than 100 public parks and over 50 miles of hiking, biking and walking trails, getting outside to any of the 6,000 acres of open space is almost a requirement in any kind of weather. There are more than enough activities available to entertain and delight both visitor and resident. International cuisine competes with a large selection of ethnic restaurants for your dining pleasure, and Aurora is no slouch if you're seeking a choice of fine craft brews to sample. The many theaters, museums, retail centers and any one of the six world class golf courses make it a popular destination for a weekend or a lifetime.
Aurora,CO, Real Estate Market Update from REMAX Alliance,November, 2019


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Ears looking at you, kid! This larger than life rabbit needs a new home after his owner had to give him up.
The seven-month-old continental cuddly giant called Atlas is already about the size of a terrier dog and still has some growing to do!
According to the Scottish SPCA, he is a very friendly rabbit who loves attention and getting cuddles.
Atlas is also an inquisitive boy who makes everyone laugh with his mischievous character.
The charity's Glasgow rescue centre manager, Anna O'Donnell, said: "We are looking for a specific home for Atlas due to his breed and size.
"A standard rabbit hutch won't do, so his new owner will need plenty of space for him.
"Atlas needs an owner with the knowledge to properly care for him, so ideally someone who has kept a continental giant before."
If anyone is interested in offering Atlas a home they should give our Glasgow centre a call on 03000 999 999.


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New Fish for 2019 -Introducing 9 New Hand Picked Specimen Carp
19 February 2019
In October 2018 we were delighted to welcome 9 hand picked specimen carp to the fishery as part of a continued investment in the fish stocks at Cofton. You will find these stunning carp in their brand new home in the Trusham Specimen Lake.
In early 2018 we drained the lake and netted the fish removing the silvers and the majority of the small carp. Over 100 single figure carp were moved to the match lake. 80 fish from doubles to 24 lb were put back giving them the room to flourish and hopefully grow on. The new fish were sourced from top fish farmers at Priory Fishery have now settled in and will be gracing the nets of our guests this season and hopefully for many seasons to come.
5 of these fish weigh over the magic 20lb with the others not far behind. Young, scaley mirrors each very distinctive and individual. It is going to be exciting tracking their growth over the coming years. Trusham is now set to be an amazing specimen water with everything in place to make fantastic fishing memories. Weights for the new fish 23.6, 22.4, 20.8, 20.4, 20.2, 19.8, 18.8, 18.2, 15.3 all mirrors.
Book your accommodation for your fishing holiday today
Some of your kind words...
We have had a wonderful experience, the site is very clean, ALL the staff were friendly and helpful especially the bar supervisor, entertainment was second to none, we'll 100% return...
The Warren Family
I just want to say how impressed my fellow Motorhomers and Caravaners were with the welcome and service we received during our stay. Staff in the office were polite and helpful at all times. Scott the restaurant manager was most accommodating when I enquired about reserving space for 25 to 30 of us for lunch after a walk. The service in the restaurant was speedy the food hot and varied. We were very pleased with the standards. Staff in the restaurant were cheerful and polite and helped make our meal most enjoyable. We had such a good time that we will be returning again next year for our Xmas Rally.
The best holiday park we've been to in our motorhome. Our children aged 2 and 4 loved it. Great facilities, entertainment and activities in one of the best parts of Devon!
Peter, London.
Delicious fish and chips, friendly and helpful staff and delightful woodland.
Suze - Cornwall
Good location and dog walking, we'll be back and it can't come quick enough.
David - Portsmouth.
Loved the Zumba class! Can't wait to come back!
Elise - Exeter.
A* facilities, always very clean. The pool and food offer great value for money!
Chris M
Stayed in Honeysuckle Cottage, stunning views over the Exe Estuary.. fantastic place for a family holiday
Ian - Australia.
My little girls aged 2,3 and 5 loved the entertainment.. all they can remember is fun, fun and more fun!
Anonymous - Cheshire.
Quiet and relaxing in a stunning location.. Can't wait to return
Ethan R, Burnham-on-Sea
We usually camp 3 times a year and hire a caravan after the Christmas break at Cofton, and will continue to do so. We thoroughly recommend staying there. Great for families or just the 2 of you.
Jilly B, Cheltenham
Go for swimming and food at this fabulous holiday camp... facilities A-star so clean and just great value for money would defo use over and over again which I do.... I'm a regular visitor. Dip and dine always good option as the food and snacks are fantastic in the bar cafe area near swimming pool!
Chris M
Excellent toilet block and lovely hot showers. The on site pub was spot on with really friendly staff..
Joan L, Bromsgrove
The superbly equipped Woodside Cottage was beautifully clean with a fantastic Hot Tub. Waking up to horses and cows in the rear field.. stunning!
Katie, Teignmouth
So friendly and clean, it's a home from home and we couldn't go a year with a visit!
Bernice Procter, Swindon
I always pay a visit to Amelia's Pantry, you can just Relax, Indulge and Enjoy!
Ian Adams
'Wonderful facilities, especially the swimming pools! In a lovely setting, for us it is simply the best campsite we have found.'
Margaret Hayes, Leeds
We have been coming to Cofton since 2009 and have stayed at least 12 times. We love everything about Cofton: the location and scenery in and around the park, the quality and cleanliness of accommodation, the friendly welcoming atmosphere; Everything about Cofton is great!
Ethan Robinson, Somerset
'Dog walks, cycling, lovely country pubs… It suits our every need'
Kay Hancock, Bristol


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- Nov. 25th, 2008
- 0 comments
Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: … or how to avoid needing this shirt.Your boss sucks, and so does this economy. I try to be a good boss, but realistically I probably suck too. Since I'm that guy … and I'm the guy who decides things, let me tell you 5 ways — at least in my mind — that will help you keep your job at a smaller IT firm. 0. Learn to be useful in another IT capacity If you stink at HTML, learn it better. Developers frequently won't know all of the pains of cutting HTML pixel-perfect or dealing with Photoshop; but…


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Complying With The Section 608 Refrigerant Recycling Rule
Technician CertificationSteps For Replacing a Lost Card (Section 608)
Where to Return Used RefrigerantFind refrigerant drop-off locations
This page provides an overview of the refrigerant recycling requirements of Section 608 of the Clean Air Act of 1990, as amended (CAA), including final regulations published on May 14, 1993 (58 FR 28660), August 19, 1994 (59 FR 42950), November 9, 1994 (59 FR 55912), and July 24, 2003 (68 FR 43786). The fact sheet also describes the prohibition on intentional refrigerant venting that became effective on July 1, 1992.
- Overview
- Prohibition on Venting
- Regulatory Requirements
- Service Practice Requirements
- Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment Certification
- Refrigerant Leaks
- Technician Certification
- Refrigerant Sales Restrictions
- Certification by Owners of Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment
- Refrigerant Reclaimer Certification
- Safe Disposal Requirements
- Major Recordkeeping Requirements
- Enforcement
- For Further Information
Under Section 608 of the CAA, EPA has established regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) that:
- Require service practices that maximize recovery and recycling of ozone-depleting substances (both chlorofluorocarbons [CFCs] and hydrochlorofluorocarbons [HCFCs] and their blends) during the servicing and disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
- Set certification requirements for refrigerant recycling and recovery equipment, technicians, and refrigerant reclaimers.
- Restrict the sale of refrigerant to certified technicians.
- Require persons servicing or disposing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment to certify to EPA that they have acquired refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment and are complying with the requirements of the rule.
- Require the repair of substantial leaks in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment with a refrigerant charge greater than 50 pounds.
- Establish safe disposal requirements to ensure removal of refrigerants from goods that enter the waste stream with the charge intact (e.g., motor vehicle air conditioners, home refrigerators, and room air conditioners).
The Prohibition on Venting
Effective July 1, 1992, Section 608 of the Act prohibits individuals from intentionally venting ozone-depleting substances used as refrigerants (generally CFCs and HCFCs) into the atmosphere while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment (appliances). Only four types of releases are permitted under the prohibition:
- "De minimis" quantities of refrigerant released in the course of making good faith attempts to recapture and recycle or safely dispose of refrigerant.
- Refrigerants emitted in the course of normal operation of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment (as opposed to during the maintenance, servicing, repair, or disposal of this equipment) such as from mechanical purging and leaks. However, EPA requires the repair of leaks above a certain size in large equipment (see Refrigerant Leaks).
- Releases of CFCs or HCFCs that are not used as refrigerants. For instance, mixtures of nitrogen and R-22 that are used as holding charges or as leak test gases may be released.
- Small releases of refrigerant that result from purging hoses or from connecting or disconnecting hoses to charge or service appliances will not be considered violations of the prohibition on venting. However, recovery and recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, must be equipped with low-loss fittings.
Regulatory Requirements
Service Practice Requirements
1. Evacuation Requirements
Technicians are required to evacuate air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment to established vacuum levels when opening the equipment for maintenance, service, repair, or disposal. If the technician's recovery and/or recycling equipment was manufactured any time before November 15, 1993, the air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment must be evacuated to the levels described in the first column of Table 1. If the technician's recovery or recycling equipment was manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, the air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment must be evacuated to the levels described in Table 2, and the recovery or recycling equipment must have been certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization.
Technicians repairing small appliances, such as household refrigerators, window air conditioners, and water coolers, must recover:
80 percent of the refrigerant when
- the technician uses recovery or recycling equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993, or
- the compressor in the appliance is not operating;
90 percent of the refrigerant when
- the technician uses recovery or recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, and
- the compressor in the appliance is operating
In order to ensure that they are recovering the correct percentage of refrigerant, technicians must use the recovery equipment according to the directions of its manufacturer. Technicians may also satisfy recovery requirements by evacuating the small appliance to four inches of mercury vacuum.
2. Exceptions to Evacuation Requirements
EPA has established limited exceptions to its evacuation requirements for 1) repairs to refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and 2) repairs that are not major and that are not followed by an evacuation of the equipment to the environment.
If, due to leaks, evacuation to the levels in Table 1 or Table 2 is not attainable, or would substantially contaminate the refrigerant being recovered, persons opening the appliance must:
- isolate leaking from non-leaking components wherever possible;
- evacuate non-leaking components to the levels in Table 1 or Table 2; and
- evacuate leaking components to the lowest level that can be attained without substantially contaminating the refrigerant. This level cannot exceed 0 psig.
If evacuation of the equipment to the environment is not to be performed when repairs are complete, and if the repair is not major, then the appliance must:
- be evacuated to at least 0 psig before it is opened if it is a high- or very high-pressure appliance; or
- be pressurized to 0 psig before it is opened if it is a low-pressure appliance. Methods that require subsequent purging (e.g., nitrogen) cannot be used except with appliances containing R-113.
3. Reclamation Requirement
EPA has also established that refrigerant recovered and/or recycled can be returned to the same system or other systems owned by the same person without restriction. If refrigerant changes ownership, it must be reclaimed (i.e., cleaned to the ARI 700-1993 Standard of purity) by an EPA certified refrigerant reclaimer.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment Certification
The Agency has established a certification program for refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment. EPA requires that manufacturers or importers of refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, have their equipment tested by an EPA-approved testing organization to ensure that it meets EPA requirements. Equipment intended for use with air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment must be tested under EPA requirements based upon the ARI 740 test protocol (i.e., EPA Appendices B and B1 to 40 CFR 82 subpart F). Recycling and recovery equipment intended for use with small appliances must be tested under EPA Appendix C or alternatively under requirements based upon the ARI 740 test protocol (i.e., Appendices B and B1 to 40 CFR 82 subpart F).
The Agency requires recovery efficiency standards that vary depending on the size and type of air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment being serviced. For recovery and recycling equipment intended for use with air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment besides small appliances, these standards are the same as those in the second column of Table 1. Recovery equipment intended for use with small appliances must be able to recover 90 percent of the refrigerant in the small appliance when the small appliance compressor is operating and 80 percent of the refrigerant in the small appliance when the compressor is not operating.
EPA has approved both the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to certify recycling and recovery equipment. Certified equipment can be identified by a label reading: "This equipment has been certified by ARI/UL to meet EPA's minimum requirements for recycling and/ or recovery equipment intended for use with [appropriate category of appliance--e.g., small appliances, HCFC appliances containing less than 200 pounds of refrigerant, all high-pressure appliances, etc.]." Lists of certified equipment may be obtained by contacting ARI at 703-524-8800 and UL at 877-854-3577.
Refrigerant Leaks
Owners or operators of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment with refrigerant charges greater than 50 pounds are required to repair leaks within 30 days when those leaks result in the loss of more than a certain percentage of the equipment's refrigerant charge over a year. For the commercial (e.g. grocery stores and warehouses) and industrial process refrigeration sectors, leaks must be repaired within 30 days when the equipment leaks at a rate that would release 35 percent or more of the charge over a year. For all other sectors, including comfort cooling (such as building chillers), leaks must be repaired when the appliance leaks at a rate that would release 15 percent or more of the charge over a year.
The trigger for repair requirements is the current leak rate projected over a consecutive 12-month period rather than the total quantity of refrigerant lost. For instance, owners or operators of a commercial refrigeration system containing 100 pounds of charge must repair leaks if they find that the system has lost 10 pounds of charge over the past month; although 10 pounds represents only 10 percent of the system charge in this case, a leak rate of 10 pounds per month would result in the release of over 100 percent of the charge over the year. To track leak rates, owners or operators of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment with more than 50 pounds of charge must keep records of the quantity of refrigerant added to their equipment during servicing and maintenance procedures.
Owners or operators are required to repair leaks within 30 days of discovery. This requirement is waived if, within 30 days of discovery, owners develop a one-year retrofit or retirement plan for the leaking equipment. Owners of industrial process refrigeration equipment may qualify for additional time under certain circumstances. For example, if an industrial process shutdown is required to repair a leak, owners have 120 days to repair the leak. Owners of industrial process refrigeration equipment should reference the Compliance Assistance Guidance Document for Industrial Process Refrigeration Leak Repair for additional information concerning time extensions and pertinent recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
The leak repair regulations do not apply to refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment with refrigerant charge sizes less than 50 pounds (such as residential split air-conditioning systems). However, smaller equipment is not exempt from the refrigerant venting prohibition. EPA regulations prohibit the intentional release of all refrigerants during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
A detailed fact sheet about Industrial Process Refrigeration leak repair is also available.
Technician Certification
EPA has established a technician certification program for persons ("technicians") who perform maintenance, service, repair, or disposal that could be reasonably expected to release refrigerants into the atmosphere. The definition of "technician" specifically includes and excludes certain activities as follows:
- attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from the appliance to measure pressure within the appliance;
- adding refrigerant to (for example "topping-off") or removing refrigerant from the appliance
- any other activity that violates the integrity of the MVAC-like appliances, and small appliances.
In addition, apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided the apprentice is closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
The Agency has developed four types of certification:
- For servicing small appliances (Type I).
- For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II).
- For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III).
- For servicing all types of equipment (Universal).
Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test given by an EPA-approved certifying organization to become certified under the mandatory program. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.
Refrigerant Sales Restrictions
The sale of ozone-depleting refrigerant (such as R-11, R-12, and R-22) in any size container has been restricted to technicians certified either under the program described in Technician Certification above or under EPA's motor vehicle air conditioning regulations. The sales restriction covers ozone-depleting refrigerant contained in bulk containers, such as cans, cylinders, or drums.
The restriction excludes refrigerant contained in refrigerators or air conditioners with fully assembled refrigerant circuits (such as household refrigerators, window air conditioners, and packaged air conditioners), and HFC refrigerants (such as R-134a and R-410A).
Under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act, sales of CFC-12 in containers smaller than 20 pounds are restricted solely to technicians certified under EPA's motor vehicle air-conditioning regulations (i.e., Section 609 certified technicians). Technicians certified under EPA's stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment (i.e., Section 608 certified technicians) may buy containers of CFC-12 larger than 20 pounds.
Section 609 technicians are only allowed to purchase refrigerants that are suitable for use in motor vehicle air-conditioners. Effective September 22, 2003, EPA has restricted the sale of ozone-depleting refrigerants, approved for use in stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, to Section 608 certified technicians. Therefore, the sale of ozone-depleting refrigerants (such as HCFC-22) that are approved for use in stationary equipment but not for use in motor vehicle air-conditioners is restricted to Section 608 certified technicians.
More detailed information is available in an EPA fact sheet titled "The Refrigerant Sales Restriction."
Certification by Owners of Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment
EPA requires that persons servicing, disposing, or recycling air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment certify to the appropriate EPA Regional Office that they have acquired (built, bought, or leased) refrigerant recovery or recycling equipment and that they are complying with the applicable requirements of this rule. This certification must be signed by the owner of the equipment or another responsible officer and sent to the appropriate EPA Regional Office. A sample form for this certification is attached. Although owners of recycling and recovery equipment are required to list the number of trucks based at their shops, they do not need to have a piece of recycling or recovery equipment for every truck. Owners do not have to send in a new form each time they add recycling or recovery equipment to their inventory.
Refrigerant Reclaimer Certification
Refrigerant reclaimers are companies that reprocess used refrigerant back to virgin specifications. EPA restricts the resale of used refrigerant to a new owner, unless it has been reclaimed by an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer. Reclaimers are required to return refrigerant to the purity level specified in ARI Standard 700 (an industry-set purity standard) and to verify this purity using the laboratory protocol set forth in the same standard. In order to be recognized by EPA, refrigerant reclaimers must certify to the Section 608 Recycling Program Manager at EPA headquarters that they are complying with these requirements and that the information given is true and correct. Certification must also include the name and address of the reclaimer and a list of equipment used to process and to analyze the refrigerant. In addition, a checklist helps prospective reclaimers provide appropriate information for EPA to review.
Safe Disposal Requirements
Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment that is typically dismantled on-site before disposal (e.g., retail food refrigeration, central residential air conditioning, chillers, and industrial process refrigeration) has to have the refrigerant recovered in accordance with EPA's requirements for servicing prior to their disposal. However, equipment that typically enters the waste stream with the charge intact (e.g., motor vehicle air conditioners, household refrigerators and freezers, and room air conditioners) are subject to special safe disposal requirements.
Under these requirements, the final person in the disposal chain (e.g., a scrap metal recycler or landfill owner) is responsible for ensuring that refrigerant is recovered from equipment before the final disposal of the equipment. If the final person in the disposal chain accepts appliances that no longer hold a refrigerant charge, that person is responsible for maintaining a signed statement from whom the appliance/s is being accepted. The signed statement must include the name and address of the person who recovered the refrigerant, and the date that the refrigerant was recovered, or a copy of a contract stating that the refrigerant will be removed prior to delivery. EPA does not mandate a sticker as a form of verification that the refrigerant has been removed prior to disposal of the appliance. Such stickers do not relieve the final disposer of their responsibility to recover any remaining refrigerant in the appliance, unless the sticker consists of a signed statement that includes the name and address of the person who recovered the refrigerant, and the date that the refrigerant was recovered.
Technician certification is not required for individuals removing refrigerant from small appliances, motor vehicle air conditioners, and motor vehicle-like air conditioners, when preparing them for disposal. However, the equipment used to recover refrigerant from appliances prior to their final disposal must meet the same performance standards as refrigerant recovery equipment used prior to servicing, Persons involved in the final disposal of appliances must certify to their EPA Regional Office that they have obtained and are properly using EPA certified refrigerant recovery equipment. A sample form is available here (4 pp, 141 kb).
EPA has prepared a brochure on safe disposal procedures for household appliances that use refrigerants.
EPA also facilitates the recovery of refrigerant through its Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program.
Major Recordkeeping Requirements
- Technicians
- servicing appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of refrigerant must provide the owner with an invoice that indicates the amount of refrigerant added to the appliance. Technicians must also keep a copy of their proof of certification at their place of business.
- Owners or Operators
- of appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of refrigerant must keep servicing records documenting the date and type of service, as well as the quantity of refrigerant added.
- Wholesalers
- who sell CFC and HCFC refrigerants must retain invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the quantity of refrigerant purchased.
- Reclaimers
- must maintain records of the names and addresses of persons sending them material for reclamation and the quantity of material sent to them for reclamation. This information must be maintained on a transactional basis. Within 30 days of the end of the calendar year, reclaimers must report to EPA the total quantity of material sent to them that year for reclamation, the mass of refrigerant reclaimed that year, and the mass of waste products generated that year.
EPA is performing random inspections, responding to tips, and pursuing potential cases against violators. Under the Act, EPA is authorized to assess fines of up to $37,500 per day for any violation of these regulations. Information on selected enforcement actions is available in the enforcement section.
If you suspect or witness unlawful releases of refrigerant or other violations of the Clean Air Act regulations, you can file a report easily and anonymously by visiting EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance website.
For Further Information
For further information concerning regulations related to stratospheric ozone protection, please call the Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline: 1-800-296-1996. Lists of certified equipment may be obtained by contacting The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) at 703-524-8800 and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) at 877-854-3577.


text:
In my BotK game, i have a soundtrack. On the main menu, you can access 3 things
1: Play game
2: Bgm test
3: Exit
I can get everything to work fine. When in the Bgm test, if you want to go to the main menu, you hit the button, then it closes.
Look at my code and tell me how i can fix it. I've trieds everything, and all i can think is a Goto.
But that wont work either. It wont compile.


text:
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text:
// Adam4d has got a great post here that's well worth a read.
Author: James
Mountain Biking = Church?
// As a mountain biker I get this. I really do. Epic scenery. Adrenalin pumping through your veins. Mates hollering down the trail. It's the kind of video that makes me want to go grab some buddies, my bike and drag the sorry lot of us out onto the hills. I love Southampton; I really do. But it doesn't quite compare to the hills of North Carolina…
It did make me think though.
The brief picture painted of "church" I get, despite the word painting lots of different pictures in people's minds (and sadly, but understandably, not all good). A band-of-brothers united by the same mission I understand. But community isn't simply the same as friendship. Community, not some fake people-in-the-same-room-together thing, but true community is of the laying-down-our-lives-for-each-other flavour.
I realise the video wasn't intended as a theological treatise, but, whatever way you view it, one big thing is missing from the picture of church painted. Or rather, one big person.
'Church' without Jesus? Well, it's just not really church. In fact, 'church' without Jesus is simply religion.
The problem of Millennials
// Great post on threads by Hannah Mudge on "How do you solve a problem like Millennials?"
A Creation Liturgy
// Mosaic have wanted to have a weekend away together for a while now and a couple of weekends ago we finally managed to do so by camping together in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. And yes, the weather was on our side!
As part of our time together we headed into the woods on Sunday morning to engage in a "Creation Liturgy" I had pulled together, which I thought I would post here in case it's of help to anyone. I can't claim any originality as I drew from a couple of fantastic Proost resources heavily. Maybe the only claim I can make is to the "original" way I drew the bits together! Children and adults alike seemed to respond to it though.
Wish I'd taken some pictures though!
Anyway, here it is. Parts in bold are spoken together.
Why should a missional community gather?
// In Yoda style, 'Wrestle with this. I do.'
Just read Brad Watson's helpful post tackling the question of "Why does our missional church gather on Sunday". Unlike Brad I've come to the question from a different place as I am a child of the 'gathered' church. I don't have any distilled learning to share yet from our experience of the last 4 years with Mosaic and Exilio but may share some someday…
It's a good post to read anyway.
The missing generation
'Millennials' musings – part 3
// I introduced Millennials a few years ago (written by the coolest named couple in the world, Amy & Frog Orr-Ewing) in previous posts (part 1 – Intro, part 2 – What the commentators say) and have finally been able to pick it up again to digest some of the further gems within.
Here's some nuggets from chapter 2, 'Generational analysis':
The Orr-Ewings highlight 7 key characteristics on p47 of the 'Millennial persona', as they put it, taken from Strauss and Howe's, Millennials Rising:
- Special – previous generations have impressed upon them the belief that they are vital to the nation
- Sheltered – they are the recipients of some of the most radical youth safety policies
- Confident – they believe that good news for themselves is good news for the country
- Team-orientated – living life with others is paramount
- Achieving – they are the best educated and behaved adults in the nation's history
- Pressured – they feel the need to excel
- Conventional – they believe that social rules help
The authors also quote a report from the Evangelical Alliance Council Meeting on September 16, 2009 on 'The 18 – 30 Mission: A Missing Generation'
In research carried out by Innovista it was found that 96% of church leaders think that increasing the number of 16 to 30 year olds in the church is either more important or as important as any other top priority. Yet despite this, only 11% of the same church leaders felt 'well resourced' to do this in terms of people, training, and tools. p48
They are looking for a job that will give them everything. p49
The "magic" for Gen Yers comes in making a difference – producing something worthwhile – whilst working with a great team and getting the rewards they feel they deserve. p49
Teaching on giving will need to be strong and clear as will the link between caring about social justice and doing something about it personally as the gap between rich and poor increases. p52
Consumerism and brands
Due to the amount of adverts, the focus of the millennial consumer has become lifestyle image rather than functional need. p56
[Millennials are] used to not having to exert much effort. p57
To become part of the inner circle a brand needs to be trusted, agile, transparent, and engaging. p59
"Hyper communication" leads to constant multitasking, and the potential for CPA (continuous partial attention). p62
This point resonated as I've recognised the shifts in my behaviour over the last five years or so: multi-device consumption, shorter attention span, increased ease of distraction etc.
Quoting p46 of Smith and Snell, Souls in Transition,
The vast majority are intuitionists – that is, they believe that they know what is right and wrong by attending to the subjective feelings or intuitions that they sense within themselves when they find themselves in various situations or facing ethical questions… The majority of emerging adults interviewed had difficulty thinking of even one example of a situation recently when they had some trouble deciding what was the morally right or wrong thing to do. p64
If we succeed in reaching this generation for Christ they have the potential to rival the Victorians in the impact they make in the world in rebuilding the community and the family, tackling poverty and seeing massive social transformation in the face of poverty and inequality. Could they usher in another great Evangelical century? p70


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On my flight down to San Francisco this past weekend, I was reading an interesting article all about how most married couples could not fathom the concept of working together day in and day out. As I read it I had to chuckle as my husband and I have successfully ran a business together every day for the past ten years and have grown closer and have been able to build a stronger business because of our partnership.
Although we are married there are certain principles we follow that have helped us to shape a strong, productive professional partnership that hasn't broken down despite the immense amount of challenges we have faced. These six signs of great partnerships have become very apparent to me over the past few years and I hope they help you become a better partner to your partner (whether spouse or otherwise).
- They trust each other: When Dan makes a plan, I trust that he has my best interests at heart and that he has the capacity to do a great job inside his role without my interference. I don't second-guess his choices nor question every move that he makes.
- The respect each other: I don't tell him how to do his job (unless I can share some helpful input) and he doesn't tell me how to do my job. I verbally honor him in front of our colleagues and regularly express my gratitude to him for what he brings to the partnership.
- They give each other the freedom to mess up: Neither of us is perfect and both of us have made some big mistakes in the history of running our business but we are committed to letting the mistakes stay in the past and to not let them interfere with the organization's future. We don't blame, judge or criticize but work together to pick up the pieces and move forward.
- They play to their strengths. I don't try to do his job and he doesn't try to do mine. We give each other lots of space and don't attempt to manage each other. I accept who he is and the limitations he has as a leader and he does the same for me. We meet in the middle and work as a unit instead of looking at it like a who-is-the-best contest.
- They are honest with each other: Because we trust each other, we can be honest with each other when it comes to making difficult decisions. We share our doubts, fears and apprehensions with each other and don't worry about looking weak. The communication is open and we both accept that sometimes we may see things differently and have the permission to talk about it.


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On a clear day, all of Baltimore is visible from Adam Meister's flat roof. So are trashed alleys and boarded-up row houses. But where others may see ghosts of a happier time in the city's history, he sees resurrection.
Mr. Meister is the founder of a grass-roots campaign to revitalize the city - or for starters, at least one block of it. For two years he's been hosting a website, passing out fliers, and working closely with a core group of people interested in buying and rehabilitating neglected houses on a targeted block.
It's largely about the quest for affordable housing. But Meister's vision is much broader. The 27-year-old wants to reverse Baltimore's brain drain, appealing to hometown pride and introducing the city to people who, like him, grew up in its suburban "islands." He calls it the Rybby generation - Risk-taking Young Baltimoreans - but his buy-a-block campaign is also attracting empty nesters, a constituency he hadn't considered before.
"You know, like in 1967 when everybody went to San Francisco to protest war - we've got a war going on here on our own soil," Meister says, his eyebrows arching as revolutionary zeal flashes across his face. "People could put their bodies on the line by living here. I can see it like a movement - people moving to Baltimore."
The war imagery might stem from the fact that he just spent his first night in the three-story building he bought in October. There's a new alarm system and plenty of locks on the doors, but he keeps a metal baseball bat nearby. Break-ins and drug deals are a regular topic of conversation among homeowners here.
With four houses bought by members of his group so far, and another two in negotiation, Meister's dream is slowly becoming reality. But it's not happening in a vacuum. The city is in the midst of Project 5000, an effort to reclaim abandoned properties and get them into the hands of new owners and developers. Restrictions on suburban construction here and closer to Washington, D.C., are prompting more house shoppers to consider Baltimore proper. And with violent crime down about 30 percent since Mayor Martin O'Malley was elected in 1999, there's hope for reversing a longstanding pattern of flight from the city.
"People are looking at vacant houses - formerly looked on as blight - as opportunity," says Bob Embry, president of the Abell Foundation in Baltimore. "But to privately put together a group of people ... is unique, as far as I know. They're going into a neighborhood that has signs of resurgence but is far from being totally revitalized, so it is a bit of a risk."
The neighborhood is Reservoir Hill. It doesn't have a grocery store or much else in the way of businesses and amenities. But it does have residents who care. For any urban revitalization effort to be successful, experts say, it's crucial to remember the people who are already there.
"Sometimes too many of us will see an area that is dilapidated and assume that ... people living within that area really don't have the motivation to change [it], and that's always a mistake," says James Jennings, a professor of urban policy at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. "A vision like this [buy-a-block campaign] could be very empowering if it works with residents. If this becomes a strategy to displace people, then it really is a problem."
Recent home buyer Lenny Bonarek couldn't agree more. "I think it's pretty condescending for us to think that we're going to bring some sense of community here," he says, his denim overalls covered with a thin layer of wallboard dust. He and his wife bought a building last spring and are rehabbing it, temporarily living in the third-floor unit of Meister's place.
"There's a woman, my alley-neighbor, who's been here for 45 years," says Mr. Bonarek. "She's raised six wonderful law-abiding children, and she has grandchildren and everything else that she built when this neighborhood was good. And she refused to leave when it became bad. I'd say ... 30 percent of the people living here are owners - for more than 20 years."
No one in Meister's group wants to turn their block into "the next Bolton Hill," a nearby pocket of relative wealth with a median home price of $203,000, compared with $55,000 in Reservoir Hill. (Bonarek and Meister spent $15,000 and $41,000 respectively.) But they do believe more people need to start fixing up houses to create a critical mass of owner-occupied units. "The people living here are not enough to really successfully combat all the things that are going on," Bonarek says.
Safety in numbers is part of what inspired Meister's idea. When he wanted to start his own tech business after a successful stint at the height of the dotcom days, he moved from California back to Baltimore in search of a cheap place to live. He saw urban neighborhoods with so much potential, but moving there on his own was intimidating. "I was like, wait a second, I'd get eaten alive here," he says. That's when he decided to try to "form a neighborhood association before [we were] in a neighborhood."
On his website - www.TechBalt.com (originally set up for people launching Internet businesses in Baltimore) - he has a virtual neighborhood-watch program, an area where people can report on drug dealing and crime. And he promotes that kind of activism for the whole city.
Lynn Burke and Paul Reyes are gutting a place just down the row from Meister's, and they'll move in this spring. All that's left of the original are the brick walls, wooden beams and floors, and a stairway with a beautiful banister. Ms. Burke, who works as a substance-abuse counselor, says living in Reservoir Hill will give her a better understanding of her clients' circumstances. Mr. Reyeswill be five minutes from his office, where he does real-estate law, including pro bono work for fellow home buyers on the block.
Residents are probably curious about the small clusters of white people who started showing up recently in an all-black part of the neighborhood, Burke says. A few comments with racial overtones have come their way on the street, but they say they're getting along well with the neighbors they've gotten to know so far.
Rudolph Whitebey is one neighbor who doesn't need anyone to tell him what's going on. Every week he sees strangers peering at buildings near the one his family has owned since the 1970s. Back then, "apartments were full up and down the block," he says, standing on his stoop and looking out at an empty corner park. Despite the cycle of crime, flight, and deterioration, he has stayed: "I was raised up in the city, and I have no reason to run from nothin' that I see."
It doesn't bother him if white suburbanites want to buy here, even though he's sure many current renters will get priced out. "It doesn't make me sad," he says "because only the strong survive.... If you don't apply yourself and do the research to get the job done, then you can't blame nobody but yourself." Still, he knows that for people working long hours to try to make ends meet, that's a tough demand.
However, city planners can make affordable housing a priority for such residents, experts say. "Abandonment is a tremendous problem nationwide ... and a lot of cities are promoting mixed-income now as a solution," but it's often a complex, slow-going endeavor, says Elise Bright, a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and author of "Reviving America's Forgotten Neighborhoods: An Investigation of Inner City Revitalization Efforts."
Meister found a frustrating level of red tape when he wanted to buy abandoned property from the city, so he tracked down a private landlord who was ready to sell.
For their part, Baltimore officials say they've been speeding up the process of turning property over to buyers. They are pursuing a mixed-income strategy for Reservoir Hill and recently drew 900 people for a tour of 15 properties the city owned there, all of which were sold. "The city is on the upswing in a big way," says David Levy, Baltimore's assistant commissioner for land resources. "The appreciation [in home values] has been incredible."
Part of the demand comes from Washington dwellers such as Julie Ernst and Cem Ari."The people are so different here - they actually say 'hi' and talk to you," Ms. Ernst says.
They found out about Meister's group last winter and moved here in October. "We wanted to create our own community - you can never feel the community in D.C.," says Mr. Ari, who plans to attend graduate school in Baltimore.
They paid about three times as much as Meister, but their place had been rehabbed eight years ago, and it's on a nearby block with more owner-occupied houses. Their home and Meister's are frequent pit stops for buyers who haven't yet installed plumbing in their gutted houses.
Often TechBalt.com members - even those who haven't bought in the neighborhood - will help tear down a wall or toss old insulation into a dumpster. "I'm really shocked that there are a number of people who come to help us Saturdays and Sundays," Burke says.
No one knows how the experiment will play out long-term. As Meister drives a reporter around the city, he points out a neighborhood with colorfully painted row houses and landscaping. "This is what our neighborhood could look like," he exclaims. Recently he's received e-mails from other cities, most notably Detroit, where people want to copy the buy-a-block idea.
In the meantime, Meister still has his own grandmother to convince. She recalls the days when she pushed a baby carriage around Druid Hill Park, Baltimore's central park. It's just blocks from Meister's neighborhood, once occupied by wealthy Jewish merchants. But beyond the zoo, the park doesn't draw much of a crowd these days. He hopes one day she'll feel comfortable taking a great-grandchild there. She scoffs at that idea; the city will never get better, she recently told him.
Even Meister was surprised by the confidence of his response: "I said to her, 'You'll see it with your own eyes. In your lifetime, you'll see it change.' "


text:
Spotted This Morning: Buck's boots give Norton a gotcha
The Denver Post's Allison Sherry, who has been following Jane Norton and Ken Buck all over Colorado for months now, provides what strikes me as the reasonable take on Buck's "because I don't wear high heels" comment.
A recent Norton commercial asks Buck to "be man enough" to run his own attack ads.
That charge appears to be what prompted Buck's statement.
He followed the "high heels" comment by saying: "She has questioned my manhood, I think it's fair to respond."
Sherry points out that Team Norton started the gender game this spring, and has played the gender card off and on since. Her report provides several examples.
Your Spotted This Morning correspondent has three observations to help provide additional context.
First, the managing editor at the People's Press Collective, which provided the video, sent out an e-mail late last night that makes this point.
"At PPC we find it interesting that the Jane Norton camp is making much of Ken Buck's statement, given her penchant to mention her gender in other forums, even as far back as March," the editor, Michael Sandoval, wrote.
Second, Buck may have goofed, but Norton's feelings aren't at all bruised. Rather, she knows that if she can keep drawing Buck into the gender game, she wins.


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First of all, don't be surprised. Then, I suppose it depends a little what kind of hypocrite.
For example, if you are talking about a leader of a church — let's say for the sake of argument, an evangelical church that spends much of its efforts demonizing homosexuals — and this reverend is discovered having torrid, drug-fueled homosexual liaisons, then there is really little you can do.
Clearly, such a person is so filled with self-loathing that it will be difficult to punish the leader further. So, just fire them and let the healing begin, though I humbly submit that you may want to have a look at joining a less messed-up church. (Or better yet, join the Church of Kang, where we celebrate every new planet conquered with electric Jello shooters –grape and banana — drunken monkey sex, and several hours of grooming.)
If you've got a leader who says he's the man to bring transparency and decency back to government, and then refuses to talk to the media, let his own backbenchers have a say in policy, and generally acts like a dictator, you have two options: strap on your pink tutu, charge up your plasma weapons and storm his palace, or vote him out of office.
Of course, on my home planet of Neecknaw, we never discovered democracy, so we only ever had that first option.
And thank the Gods of Kang for that!
Next time: Thag want make fire. How make fire?


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The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and others have come together for karaoke. A global jukebox blasts world beats for the beautiful game. And all the while, an epic journey to save mankind wails away in another dimension in a game voiced by Jack Black as its lead character.
It's not exactly School of Rock, but instead, a heavy metal roadie adventure and very much what an adventure game should be.
Brutal Legend, created by Tim Schafer and released by Electronic Arts truly rocks. Jack Black is in rare form and his quips as roadie Eddie Riggs are clever in what's a very imaginative game as he embarks on a journey that requires shredding his way through demons and a dark lord that's enslaved humanity.
The humorous cut scenes and in-game commentary are what make this game truly unique. You don't have to be a fan of mid-'70s-to-early-'80s metal to get a kick out of Brutal Legend, but it doesn't hurt.
For something that speaks more to the Tween demographic, Disney Interactive's Sing It: Pop Hits for the Wii and PS3 offers a simple concept. Take music videos, add a USB microphone that comes with the game and let folks sing to their hearts content. It's not a bad idea, except without pitch correction software most people can't stay true to these manufactured hits, and the USB mic just plain sounds bad.
Finally, one of the true joys of video game soccer is the variety of world music built in each year with the FIFA series and this season's FIFA 10 sounds as great as it looks. But if headers aren't your thing, you can't go wrong banging your head with a Brutal Legend.


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Home › Classroom Resources › Calendar Activities
Calendar Activities See All Calendar Activities
Not your everyday calendar, here you can find important events in literary history, authors' birthdays, and a variety of holidays, all with related activities and resources that make them more relevant to students. View by day, by week, or by month.
February 1, 2020
Langston Hughes was born in 1902.
Students examine the poem "Dreams" and identify metaphors in each sentence. Groups of students then compose poems with metaphors for dreams.
Grades 7 – 12
Take part in the African American Read-In!
Students come together with family and friends to take part in a read-in of books by African American authors and report their results.
Grades K – 12
Types of Calendar Activities
Authors & Texts
Birthdays, publication dates, and more
Historical Figures & Events
Notable people and happenings in history
Holidays & School Celebrations
Special days and how to observe them
Literacy-Related Events
Celebrations that promote and encourage literacy


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#General Sadio Gassama
# general-sadio-gassama - Thursday 22 March, 2012
Soldiers overthrow government in Mali
Angry troops have seized power a mutiny at a military base near the presidential palace over the government's failure to settle a rebellion in the north of the country.Share Tweet7
General Election 2020
Your sayView more polls
Poll: Should voting in the Seanad election be extended?
AS GOVERNMENT-FORMATION talks continue post-general election, some focus is now turning to the Seanad election.
The upper house consists of 60 senators who are appointed or elected in three different ways: The Taoiseach's nominees, panels and the university panel.
There has been much discussion about the Seanad in recent years with many people viewing it as elitist and in need of being reformed or scrapped altogether. The public was asked in a referendum in October 2013 whether the Seanad should be abolished – 51.7% said No, 48.27% said Yes.
The public previously voted to extend voting rights to all graduates of Irish third-level institutions, but a law allowing this to happen has never been enacted. However, many people argue this is still unfair given how many others would still be unable to vote.
What do you think: Should voting in the Seanad election be extended?
Poll Results:
Opinion: 'I'm constantly asked if I can thank the handyman for carrying out their work - my work'
Laura de Barra, author of a new book Gaff Goddess, writes about why we need to take the gender out of DIY.
How I Spend my Money: A 26-year-old chef in Maynooth who is studying while working
This week, our reader shows how he manages to keep his spending down because he gets his meals at work.
Opinion: Why has the State invested €70m in a private company to look at our genetic data?
Dr Ciara Staunton says it is "unfathomable" that the government has funded the collection of 400,000 Irish genomes, shutting them off from most researchers.
The Irish For: Why do so many Irish politicians start out as teachers?
Darach Ó Séaghdha asks why we elect so many múinteoirí to the Oireachtas.
Dublin WeatherChange location
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Opinion: 'I'm constantly asked if I can thank the handyman for carrying out their work - my work'
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$9m RBS WorldPay hack mastermind avoids jail
Extradition unlikely
The Russian hacker at the centre of a massive $9.4m fraud against RBS WorldPay has avoided jail after he agreed to turn informant on his fellow cybercriminals and pay compensation to the bank.
Viktor Pleshchuk, 29, of St. Petersburg, Russia, received a six year suspended sentence after agreeing to pay back 275m roubles ($8.9m) to RBS WorldPay and snitch on his erstwhile partners in crime, Bloomberg reports.
Crooks broke into the computer systems of RBS WorldPay in November 2008 and created counterfeit payroll debit cards using the data they stole. They also succeeded in increasing the daily withdrawal limits on compromised accounts and obtaining PINs needed to withdraw funds.
Foot soldiers were then recruited to cash-out the compromised accounts using more than 2,100 ATMs in at least 280 cities worldwide to withdraw $9m overnight in around 12 hours. Pleshchuk allegedly monitored the withdrawals in real-time before unsuccessfully trying to destroy evidence of the break-in.
Pleshchuk's lawyer, Yuriy Novolodsky, implausibly claims his client was unaware of the gravity of his offence. "This is not a regular crime but a cybercrime and Pleshchuk didn't really have a full understanding of the damage he was causing," Novolodsky said, Bloomberg reports. "He pleaded guilty and is fully collaborating with authorities."
Local reports portray Pleshchuk as a hacker who played no role in organising the fraud, unlike US investigators, who put him at the centre of organising and commissioning the cyberheist.
Pleshchuk and seven other defendants have been charged in the US over the scam. However the Russian constitution has provisions that block extradition of its citizens, making it extremely unlikely that Pleshchuk will ever face a US trial over his crimes. Others implicated in the uber-fraud have not been so lucky.
Sergei Tsurikov, 26, of Tallinn, Estonia, was extradited to the US last month. ®
Sponsored: Detecting cyber attacks as a small to medium business


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Price $55.99
In Stock
M2machines (#52500-SC01-CASE) 1/64 Scale
M2 Coca-Cola Holiday Release SC01 - 6-Piece Case
Two 3-Piece High-Detail SETs in NON-RETURNABLE, Factory-Sealed Case
Each car is separately packaged in blister card packaging and includes an acrylic case. Incredible detail as never seen in 1/64 scale before, especially at this price-point, with small production runs! Also the added element of surprise with M2Machines' rare Chase Cars along with the even more rare Super Chase Cars inserted into cases at random.
Includes 2 each of the following:
*Cases are factory sealed, we cannot guarantee the contents or condition of each item in the case
Warning: Choking Hazard - Small Parts
not for children under 3.
Made By:
Item Number: 52500-SC01-CASE
Scale: 1/64
First arrived: 11/5/2018
Added to catalog: 10/24/2018
Recommended Age: 8 and up


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Black Friday turns passe
More customers, retailers embrace Thursday as start of holiday shopping season
This season could mark the end of Black Friday as we know it.
For decades, stores have opened their doors in the wee hours on the day after Thanksgiving. But this year, major chains such as Target and Sears ushered customers in on Thanksgiving itself, even before the turkey leftovers had gotten cold, turning the traditional busiest shopping day of the year into a two-day affair.
Despite an outcry from some employees, both stores and shoppers seemed to like it. Some people went shopping with a full belly, going straight from the dinner table to the stores. Others slept off their big meal and went to the mall before daybreak on Black Friday.
"I ate my turkey dinner and came right here," said Rasheed Ali, a college student in New York City who bought a 50-inch TV for $349 and a sewing machine for $50 when Target opened at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving. "Then I'm going home and eating more."
This new approach could become a holiday shopping season tradition.
"It's Black Thursday and Friday combined," said Jackie Fernandez, a retail expert at the consulting firm Deloitte. "This is going to be a new normal of how we shop."
It won't be clear for a few days how many shoppers took advantage of the Thanksgiving hours. But about 17 percent of people said earlier this month that they planned to shop at stores that opened on Thanksgiving, according to an International Council of Shopping Centers-Goldman Sachs survey of 1,000 consumers.
Meanwhile, 33 percent intended to shop on Black Friday, down 1 percentage point from last year. Overall, it is estimated that sales on Black Friday will be up 3.8 percent to $11.4 billion this year, according to technology company ShopperTrak, which did not forecast sales from Thanksgiving Day.
The Black Friday creep began in earnest a few years ago when stores realized that sales alone weren't enough to lure shoppers anymore, especially with Americans becoming more comfortable buying things online. Opening on Thanksgiving was risky, with some employees and shoppers complaining it was almost sacrilegious.
But many stores evidently felt they needed an edge, especially this season, when many Americans are worried about high unemployment and wondering whether Congress will be able to head off tax increases and spending cuts before the U.S. reaches the "fiscal cliff" in January.


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State Street in Downtown Madison, WI
Univ. Of Wisconsin - Go Badgers!
State Street
is located in Madison, WI (which is also the capital). It is the county seat of Dane County. Madison is also home to the
University of Wisconsin Badgers
As of the 2000 census, Madison had a population of 208,054, making it the second largest city in Wisconsin. Counting the city's immediate suburbs the area population exceeds 350,000. The city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Dane County and neighboring Iowa and Columbia counties, had a 2000 census population of 501,774.
In 1996, Money magazine identified Madison as the best place to live in the United States. It has consistently ranked near the top of the best-places list in subsequent years, with the city's low unemployment rate a major contributor. Madison has constantly been rated one of the top 10 best cities to live in, almost every year. The weather forecast of Madison city can be easily checked through
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After a campaign period that featured a more open media environment and greater freedom of assembly than in previous years, opposition parties made unprecedented gains in May 2011 parliamentary elections, though the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) remained comfortably in control of the legislature. In another indication of the opposition's increased ability to compete, a PAP-backed candidate won the presidency by an extremely narrow margin in August.
The British colony of Singapore obtained home rule in 1959, entered the Malaysian Federation in 1963, and gained full independence in 1965. During his three decades as prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew and his People's Action Party (PAP) transformed the port city into a regional financial center and exporter of high-technology goods but restricted individual freedoms and stunted political development.
Lee transferred the premiership to Goh Chok Tong in 1990 but stayed on as "senior minister," and the PAP retained its dominance. Lee's son, Lee Hsien Loong, became prime minister in 2004, and the elder Lee assumed the title of "minister mentor." In 2005, President Sellapan Ramanathan, also known as S. R. Nathan, began a second term as the largely ceremonial head of state.
The 2006 parliamentary elections resembled past elections in serving more as a referendum on the prime minister's popularity than as an actual contest for power, with both the electoral framework and the restrictive media environment favoring the ruling party. The PAP retained 82 of 84 elected seats, though the opposition offered candidates for a greater number of seats and secured a larger percentage of the vote than in previous years.
Lee Hsien Loong continued to pursue economic growth while using the legal system and other tools to keep media criticism and the opposition in check. The government maintained that racial sensitivities and the threat of Islamist terrorism justified draconian restrictions on freedoms of speech and assembly, but such rules were repeatedly used to silence criticism of the authorities. The Far Eastern Economic Review, owned by the U.S.-based News Corporation, was forced to pay some US$300,000 in 2009 to settle a defamation case brought by the Lees. Similarly, in March 2010, the International Herald Tribune apologized and paid US$122,400 in fines for an article on dynastic politics in Asia that the Lees considered defamatory.
The May 2011 parliamentary elections featured a more vigorous and coordinated campaign effort by the opposition, which fielded candidates for 82 of the 87 directly elected seats, the highest number since independence. The opposition Workers' Party took an unprecedented six directly elected seats, plus two under a system that guarantees the opposition at least nine seats in Parliament. Another party, the Singapore People's Party (SPP), was awarded the remaining seat allocated to the opposition. That left the PAP with 81 seats, though it had secured only 60 percent of the overall vote. Shortly thereafter, Lee Kuan Yew resigned from his "minister mentor" position, ending over half a century in government.
The first contested presidential election since 1993 was held in August, with all candidates running as independents in keeping with the constitution. Former deputy prime minister Tony Tan, the PAP-backed candidate, won with 35.2 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating three opponents. His closest challenger, former PAP lawmaker Tan Cheng Bock, took 34.9 percent, and the opposition-backed Tan Jee Say placed third with 25.1 percent. Businessman Tan Kin Lian, a former PAP district official, secured the remainder. The results confirmed the growing strength of the opposition, and the increased willingness of the electorate to vote against the ruling party.
Singapore is not an electoral democracy. The country is governed through a parliamentary system, and elections are free from irregularities and vote rigging, but the ruling PAP dominates the political process. The prime minister retains control over the Elections Department, and the country lacks a structurally independent election authority. Opposition campaigns have typically been hamstrung by a ban on political films and television programs, the threat of libel suits, strict regulations on political associations, and the PAP's influence on the media and the courts.
The largely ceremonial president is elected by popular vote for six-year terms, and a special committee is empowered to vet candidates. The prime minister and cabinet are appointed by the president. Singapore has had only three prime ministers since independence. Of the unicameral legislature's 87 elected members, who serve five-year terms, 12 are elected from single-member constituencies, while 75 are elected in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), a mechanism intended to foster minority representation. Historically, the top-polling party in each GRC won all of its four to six seats, so the system effectively bolstered the majority of the dominant party. However, the 2011 election demonstrated that this system could be challenged. Notably, the opposition Workers' Party captured a five-seat GRC in the May 2011 elections. As of 2011, up to nine members can be appointed from among leading opposition parties to ensure a minimum of opposition representation, up from three in previous years, though only three of these seats needed to be awarded in the latest elections. Up to nine additional, nonpartisan members can be appointed by the president.
Singapore has traditionally been lauded for its lack of corruption, and was ranked 5 out of 183 countries surveyed in Transparency International's 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index. However, issues of transparency remain a concern.
Singapore's media remain tightly constrained. All domestic newspapers, radio stations, and television channels are owned by companies linked to the government. Although editorials and news coverage generally support state policies, newspapers occasionally publish critical pieces. Mainstream media offered more balanced coverage of the opposition ahead of the 2011 elections. Self-censorship is common among journalists. The Sedition Act, in effect since the colonial period, outlaws seditious speech, the distribution of seditious materials, and acts with "seditious tendency." Popular videos, music, and books that reference sex, violence, or drugs are also subject to censorship. Foreign broadcasters and periodicals can be restricted for engaging in domestic politics, and all foreign publications must appoint legal representatives and provide significant financial deposits.
Recent high-profile cases illustrate the reach of Singapore's defamation and censorship laws, and the government's broader efforts to restrict speech. In November 2010, British author Alan Shadrake was convicted of defamation for a book in which he questioned the judicial system's impartiality in meting out capital punishment. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison, fined approximately US$16,000, and charged for legal fees of more than US$38,000. His appeal was rejected by Singapore's highest court in May 2011, and he was deported in July.
The internet is widely accessible, but the authorities monitor online material and block some content through directives to licensed service providers. Singaporeans' increased use of Facebook and Twitter, among other social-networking websites, has sparked interest in social activism and opposition parties, contributing to opposition electoral gains in 2011. Enforcement of internet restrictions was eased in the run-up to the voting, allowing broader online discussion of political issues.
The constitution guarantees freedom of religion as long as its practice does not violate any other regulations, and most groups worship freely. However, religious actions perceived as threats to racial or religious harmony are not tolerated, and unconventional groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church are banned. All religious groups are required to register with the government under the 1966 Societies Act. Adherents of the Falun Gong spiritual movement have been arrested and prosecuted on vandalism charges in recent years for displaying posters in a public park that detail the persecution of their fellow practitioners in China.
All public universities and political research institutions have direct government links that bear at least some influence. Academics engage in political debate, but their publications rarely deviate from the government line on matters related to Singapore.
The Societies Act restricts freedom of association by requiring most organizations of more than 10 people to register with the government, and only registered parties and associations may engage in organized political activity. Political speeches are tightly regulated, and public assemblies must be approved by police. A 2009 law eliminated a previous threshold requiring permits for public assemblies of five or more people, meaning political events involving just one person could require official approval. Permits are not needed for indoor gatherings as long as the topic of discussion does not relate to race or religion. In the 2011 campaign period, opposition parties held rallies without significant interference.
Unions are granted fairly broad rights under the Trade Unions Act, though restrictions include a ban on government employees joining unions. A 2004 amendment to the law prohibits union members from voting on collective agreements negotiated by union representatives and employers. Strikes are legal for all except utility workers, but they must be approved by a majority of a union's members, as opposed to the internationally accepted standard of at least 50 percent of the members who vote. In practice, many restrictions are not applied. Nearly all unions are affiliated with the National Trade Union Congress, which is openly allied with the PAP. Singapore's 180,000 household workers are excluded from the Employment Act and regularly exploited. A 2006 standard contract for foreign household workers addresses food deprivation and entitles replaced workers to seek other employment in Singapore, but it fails to provide other basic protections, such as rest days.
The government's overwhelming success in court cases raises questions about judicial independence, particularly because lawsuits against opposition politicians and parties often drive them into bankruptcy. It is unclear whether the government pressures judges or simply appoints those who share its conservative philosophy. The judiciary is efficient, and defendants in criminal cases enjoy most due process rights.
The government generally respects citizens' right to privacy, but the Internal Security Act (ISA) and Criminal Law Act (CLA) allow warrantless searches and arrests to preserve national security, order, and the public interest. The ISA, previously aimed at communist threats, is now used against suspected Islamist terrorists. Suspects can be detained without charge or trial for an unlimited number of two-year periods. A 1989 constitutional amendment prohibits judicial review of the substantive grounds for detention under the ISA and of the constitutionality of the law itself. The CLA is mainly used to detain organized crime suspects; it allows preventive detention for an extendable one-year period. The Misuse of Drugs Act empowers authorities to commit suspected drug users, without trial, to rehabilitation centers for up to three years. The penal code mandates caning, in addition to imprisonment, for about 30 offenses, though the punishment is applied inconsistently.
There is no legal racial discrimination. Despite government efforts, ethnic Malays have not on average reached the schooling and income levels of ethnic Chinese or ethnic Indians, and they reportedly face discrimination in both private- and public-sector employment.
Citizens enjoy freedom of movement, though the government occasionally enforces its policy of ethnic balance in public housing, in which most Singaporeans live, and opposition politicians have been denied the right to travel.
Women enjoy the same legal rights as men on most issues, and many are well-educated professionals. Few women hold top positions in government and the private sector. Twenty women won seats in the 2011 parliamentary elections, though Lim Hwee Hua, who became the first female cabinet minister in 2010, lost her seat. Despite the presence of an open gay community, acts of "gross indecency" between men are punishable by up to two years in prison.


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