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The Libraries new online resource for historical researchers - scholar, student or hobbyist - is all about the numbers. The Millennial Edition is divided into five sections broadly covering: population, work and welfare, economic structure and performance, economic sectors, and governance and international relations. Data relates to the social, behavioral, humanistic, and natural sciences including history, economics, government, finance, sociology, demography, education, law, natural resources, climate, religion, international migration, and trade.
Historical Statistics of the United States includes over 37,000 data series and statistics from more than 1,000 sources. The database covers the Colonial period until the year 2000.
Users can access Historical Statistics of the United States from the front page of the Libraries website, either through Library Catalog or by following the path: Find > Indexes & Databases > General & Multidisciplinary > Government Publications > Historical Statistics of the United States.
Posted October 16, 2006


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Britney Spears injures ankle on stage, cancels Vegas shows
LAS VEGAS – An on-stage ankle injury has pop star Britney Spears rescheduling her Friday and Saturday night performances on the Las Vegas Strip so she doesn't, oops, do it again.
A statement from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino where Spears performs her "Britney: Piece of Me" show said Thursday the star's doctor recommended she take the two days to heal.
The statement says Spears injured herself during a Wednesday night performance.
Video footage of the performer shot by an audience member shows Spears kicking and high-stepping on high-heels during her single "(You Drive ME) Crazy" before her left ankle gives way.
Spears took to Twitter Wednesday night to thank her fans for the well wishes, saying she "had a little scare on stage tonight with my ankle but I'm ok!"
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Those crazy cats over at NMA are officially off their rocker. Apparently they thought it would be a great idea to see what it would be like if you slammed Mario Kart into the testosterone-filled world of Vin Diesel's Fast and Furious. The result is so weird it almost hurts.
Mr. Diesel, Mario, Luigi, Wario and the Princess driving karts, Porches and a Jeep round the Rainbow road. What kind of drugs do you have to be on to come up with this stuff? I approve, even if it doesn't make any sense at all. [NMA TV via Jalopnik]


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Pop quiz: Take a look at this ad. Examine it closely. Study it intently. Consider it, um, fully. Now what exactly is it selling?
Uhhh, push-up bras? Umm, skin care products? Errr, flotation devices? No. No. And, seriously, no. This ad is selling — drumroll, please — shampoo. Yes, shampoo. The stuff you wash your hair with every day. I am in no way joking.
More specifically, this is an ad from Brazil for Pantene Pro-V. And, oh, it gets better. Just wait until you read the tag line, which translates roughly to: "Ensure that your hair will be the second thing he looks at."
Get it? The second thing! Or, if you're being a stickler about the numbers, the third thing. Groan. And just in case you're not into brunettes, there is a blonde version. Wow, you've got to hand it to Pantene and its parent company, Procter & Gamble. They certainly are equal-opportunity employers when it comes to sleazy objectification.
Gosh, where to start? We could spend hours dissecting the blatant, unapologetic sexism inherent in this campaign. But even from a simple "buy my product" standpoint, this ad seems to be an epic failure. I mean, I can't be the only one perplexed by how bad the model's hair actually looks? Unless, of course, this is a new styling line called "Stringy & Unkempt," in which case — wow, talk about your truth in advertising.
Now I realize that some cross-cultural differences are at work here — Pantene ads in some regions may be more conservative than others — but no matter the cultural climate, I think we can agree that using sex to sell in such a sexist way is not acceptable. And, more infuriatingly, the company is perfectly capable of making clever, funny advertisements touting its hair-care products in ways that don't demean. Take this spot used in New Zealand and Australia last year that touts its ability to restore "age-damaged hair."
See, that's how it should be done. But these new ads… just ick. Darn it, Pantene. Now this means I have to go find a new shampoo.


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Hawaii: You Go Girl!
Adrenaline-driven gal pal getaways in Hawaii.
Mancations Florida-Style
The Florida Keys and the Everglades are made for manly-man vacations, although tell your metrosexual clients there's room for them, too.
Holland America's Volendam
There seemed to be a recurring theme among many of the guests aboard the SS Volendam this past February. They had a desire to visit
Taking the Kiwi Leap in Queenstown
American writer and mythologist Joseph Campbell called on people to follow their bliss. Tourism New Zealand calls it "getting your life back"...
South Korea Off the Well-Trodden Tourist Paths
Although most savvy travelers praise the cosmopolitan bustle of Seoul, more travelers to Korea are seeking the country's rural areas, quiet...
Rail Europe: Riding the Rails in France and the U.K.
A unique travel experience is always an adventure. Combine that with visits to two of the most exciting cities in the world—Paris and London
A Singita Safari Adventure
Africa is an adventure—a continent full of exciting experiences, from the desert sands of Morocco and Egypt, to the game-filled savannahs
In and Above Cappadocia, Turkey
Not even Walt Disney could have dreamt of such lofty, multi-tiered housing for Tinkerbell—miles and miles of pyramid- and mushroom-shaped
An El Yunque Adventure
Whether it's a chic hotel within San Juan's city limits or a beachfront getaway in the wilderness, Puerto Rico's resorts have plenty of adventure
St. Lucia: High-Adrenaline Getaways
St. Lucia's wealth of wellness-oriented resorts pair high adventure with high luxury.
Seafaring Journeys
In Chile, it's all about getting away.
Lake Titicaca into the Heights
Few places in Peru offer such easy access to the adventure of cultural discovery as the 3,200-sq.-mile Lake Titicaca region, which straddles...
Getting Lost in the State that Smiles
Veracruz finds a well-deserved place in the adventure tourism niche.
Mexico's West Coast Flirts with Adrenaline
New products and old favorites fill up the action-packed Pacific coastline.
Happy Trails & Mayan Tales
Send clients on a journey to unrehearsed, unrestricted Mexico.


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Insurance2Go reveal their top tips for how to stay safe online
A guide to the Samsung Galaxy S9 - tips, tricks and more
Samsung's newest smartphone device, the Galaxy S9, boasts plenty of exciting new features to play with; including super slow-motion video and a dual lens camera, the S9 is a tech-lover's dream. Here's what's new with the handset, as well as some tips and tricks to help you benefit from the S9's brand new features.
Making the most of the Samsung Galaxy S9
Taking the perfect pic
The Galaxy S9 has a whole host of new features that take its already decent camera to the next level. Here are three ways to use the brand-new features to improve your photography skills.
Take pictures in low light settings
Typically, smartphones have struggled to take quality pictures in anything other than natural light, or artificial set ups. However, Samsung has seriously upped its photography game with the Galaxy S9, with the addition of improved low lighting shooting. This new function uses the dual-aperture system, which adapts to lighting levels in the same way the human eye does, in order to capture brilliant pictures, no matter the time of day.
This cool feature means that you can take quality pictures in dimly lit settings, like a restaurant or a bar. What's even better is that you don't have to do anything extra to capture those great pictures - the lens will automatically shift to pull in light in dark environments, and shift differently in daylight to create a sharp image. Amazing pictures, with no effort on your part. They've not dubbed it 'The camera that's brilliant in the dark' for no reason!
Shoot in slow-motion
The Galaxy S9's new, super slow-motion feature allows users to take HD videos in small bursts of stylish slow-mo, eliminating the need for additional apps to run this feature. In typical Samsung style, it is also an easy feature to navigate. To use, just simply:
> Open the camera app and swipe right until you get to the 'super slow-mo' setting.
> Choose between manually activating slow-mo or having it trigger automatically.
Dual rear-facing camera
The S9 is equipped with two rear facing cameras, which improves the depth and zoom of photos taken. This allows you to easily take quality wide angle shots, as well as use the optical zoom feature for great long-distance shots.
Brand-new tech features
As well as the S9's improved functions, Samsung has, of course, thrown in a few exciting brand-new features to get your teeth into. Check them out below.
New and improved speakers
Samsung has enhanced its speakers for the latest Galaxy generation by adding another speaker at the top of the phone for stereo sound, making them much louder than the S8 - 1.4 times louder, to be precise.
Intelligent Scan
Intelligent Scan is one of the S9's most impressive new features. It allows users to unlock their phone via facial recognition, rather than requiring a passcode or fingerprint. To use it, simply follow the prompts to set up Intelligent Scan when you first get your phone. You'll need to set up a backup PIN and password as well, however, for security reasons.
To set up Intelligent Scan later:
> Go to the 'lock screen and security' menu
> Select 'screen lock type'
> Select the 'Intelligent Scan' and then continue
To ensure Intelligent Scan is set up correctly, make sure that when you are registering your face, you're indoors and your phone is at least eight inches away from your face while it scans your face and eyes.
Turn into an emoji with AR
Developed especially for the S9, the new AR Emoji feature allows users to create digital, cartoon versions of themselves. Follow these instructions on how to make the most of this fun feature:
> Open the camera app and switch the camera so it faces you
> At the top of the screen, locate the AR Emoji option and tap it
> Tap the face symbol at the bottom of your screen and select 'create emoji'
> Make sure your head fits in the viewfinder and smile with your mouth closed
> Once this is done, select your gender and your AR character will be created
> You can now use your AR Emoji when taking pictures and videos and your Emoji should mimic facial expressions
> You will also find AR Emoji stickers in the Samsung messaging app
Bixby update
Smartphone assistant Bixby proves itself capable of several new and complex tasks with the new upgrade. One of the AI's newest tricks is the ability to translate foreign text in real time; simply point the camera at foreign text and see the translated version on your screen – magic!
What's more, Bixby features eight additional, different camera modes including: food, makeup, wine and shopping. All you have to do is point the camera at an object and Bixby will recognise what is in the frame and present information on the object over the top of the image. Impressive, right?
Enable voice wake-up with Bixby
If you want Bixby to answer your commands or questions without having your phone near you, simply:
> Tap the menu overflow icon in the Bixby home
> Click settings
> Tap voice wake-up
> Tap the switch next to off
> From here, tap the Bixby logo
> Follow the voice prompts
> After reading each prompt, click done
New design features
As well as improving the tech that comes with the S9, Samsung has gone and made some pretty impressive adjustments to the overall design and usability of the phone.
Improved fingerprint sensor location
Samsung has moved the fingerprint sensor for the Galaxy S9, placing it underneath the camera, instead of right next to it. This is to prevent you from smudging the lens as they unlock their phone.
Cool new colours
The S9 boasts a range of sophisticated colours to choose from including coral blue, lilac purple and midnight black.
Increased drop protection
A subtle but significant change for the S9, is the 0.2mm thicker, metal rim, meaning 20% less shock to the glass display if dropped, reducing the likelihood of your screen smashing.
A more durable display
The Galaxy S9 display is 20% thicker than its previous model, meaning the handset will be slightly more protected from bumps, scratches, cracks and scuffs.
Brighter displays
Another great feature of the S9 is its new level of brightness, which is 20% brighter than the Galaxy S8 screen.
Sound like some top features to you? Make sure your new Samsung Galaxy S9 is fully protected with an insurance policy from Insurance2Go. Take a look at our S9 insurance today.


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Subir Chowdhury is one of the world's leading authorities in
quality strategy. He is chairman and CEO of ASI Consulting Group, LLC --
the world leader on Six Sigma and Quality Leadership implementation consulting
and training. A respected quality strategist, Chowdhury's clients include
global Fortune 100 companies as well as small organizations in both the public
and private sectors. Hailed by the New York Times as a "leading quality expert," Chowdhury is the author of
twelve books, including the international bestseller The Power of Six Sigma, which has been translated in more than 20 languages and has
sold more than a million copies worldwide. Chowdhury's Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is the first book on the topic and is credited with
popularizing DFSS philosophy in the world. His Management 21C was selected as the
Best Business Book of 1999 by Amazon.com in U.K. and translated into more than
ten languages. His latest book titled The Ice Cream Maker garnered praise by leaders and prestigious media like The Washington Post, The Detroit News and has been distributed to every honorable Member of the U.S.
Congress (Senators and House of Representatives).
Chowdhury has received numerous international awards for his leadership in quality management and his major contributions to various industries world-wide. In addition to being honored by the Automotive Hall of Fame, the Society of Automotive Engineers awarded him its most prestigious recognition, the Henry Ford II Distinguished Award for Excellence in Automotive Engineering and elected him as SAE FELLOW. He also received the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' Gold Medal. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) honored him with the first Philip Crosby Medal for authoring the most influential business book on Six Sigma and elected him as ASQ FELLOW. He is also an honorary member of the World Innovation Foundation and International Technology Institute (ITI). In 2004 Chowdhury was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Engineering, Science and Technology (World Level) and the ITI honored him with its most prestigious Rockwell Medal for Excellence in Technology.
Chowdhury has an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, India, a graduate degree in industrial management from Central Michigan University (CMU), and an honorary doctorate in engineering from the Michigan Technological University (MTU). In 2003, in its golden anniversary, IIT featured Chowdhury as one of its top 15 eminent alumni and CMU awarded him with its Distinguished Alumni Award (which has been bestowed upon only 22 alumni in its 100-plus year history). Most engineering schools and business schools throughout the world include his engineering and management books in undergraduate and graduate programs. Chowdhury is frequently cited in the national and international media.


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The larger scale Brooklyn chest is made of reclaimed solid pine with a gray wash finish and natural color pine drawers. Curvy shaped front, four drawers and scalloped base. Each piece is hand-finished so no two are exactly alike. Aged brass French style drawer pulls. Reclaimed pine, by nature, is apt to have knots and imperfections adding charm and character and should be expected with this item.
48"W x 20"D x 33.5"H


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Probate & Contested Probate
Following the death of a loved one, sorting out their affairs can be daunting whether or not they have left a Will.
We understand that this is a sad and stressful time, particularly if there is any dispute about the Will or how the estate should be distributed. We can share the load.


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Shine on with Celebré Precious Gem Powders developed by Mehron, Innovators of Extreme Beauty Makeup. Celebré Precious Gem Powders are luminescent, radiant, sexy, glowing powders that will add a jewel like luster to your skin.These sparkling powders are made with a soft, silky powder that can be applied from head to toe for any occasion. Add a beautiful shimmer to skin for parties, dinners, professional performances or romantic evenings at home. Celebré Precious Gem Powders are Mehron's addition to their Studio and Stage Makeup Collection line made for stars like you. These silky, soft powders are available in birthstone colors.
Mayumi Squalane: One of the best skin lotion on the market! 7 Oils promote calming, soothing, and moisturizing at cellular levels. Skin will absorb quickly without leaving or feeling an oily film. Contains, Squalane (Olive and Sugar Cane), Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9, Hi-Vitamin A, C & E, Panthenol Allantoin, Beta Glutan.
Trending: La Femme, Spritz n' Color, Ardell Eyelashes, Clubman Pinaud


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Japanese restaurant Miyajima
196 Lavender Hill, Battersea
London SW11 1JA
0207 223 1144
More red...
Miyajima is a Japanese restaurant located near Clapham Junction. At night you can recognise the place quite well because of its red display. The door is solid wood and does not really look like the entrance so first you wonder how to get in. Inside, it is black and red. Black for the tables and the ceilling. The rest is red, and deeply red. Put a chamaleon on that red wall and I believe it will die… The tables are canteen-like which is fine as they are quite large. Like at Franco Manca you choose-your-own cuttlery (chopsticks here) from a wood tin in the centre of the table. It's a bit classier than the recycled tin at Franco Manca of course, but the same principle. The menu is large and thick. Not like a phone book of course but there are many pages. I did not take the time to read everything.
As starters we ordered the salmon rolls (£3.60) and the California rolls (£4.10). They were followed by a tempura bento (£9.50) and a yakitori bento. As drinks we had two Miyajima juice (£2.50 each) and two Tiger beer (£3 each).
Miyajima juice
Good Tiger beer
Californian and salmon rolls
The salmon rolls and the California rolls were nicely presented and good, but not as good as at Tokiya which has better sushi. The wasabi was very fresh and quite strong.
Yakitori bento
Details of the yakitori
Tempura bento
Details of the tempura bento
The bento boxes were quite good, with generous servings. The tempura bento had 5 good size shrimp. Considering it cost less than £10 it was a very good value. The fried vegetables were good too. The only thing I did not like was some sweet confit stuff that was put into the salad. Also, the sauce provided here is not the usual tempura sauce. It was more like a lightly sweet soy sauce. The portion of rice was huge.
The yakitori bento was excellent too. There were three skewers with plenty of chicken bits. They were tender and well marinated. Same reserve about the salad: it is fresh but it could do well without the sweet stuff. Actually it is quite amazing how much food they managed to fit into the box. Everything is densely packed.
Cost and conclusion: it was £41.31 with a service charge of £3.76 included in the bill. Without the two beers and the starters it would be around £25 which is good value for money because the bento boxes are quite large. Friendly staff, reasonable prices and good food can resume Miyajima. I find it better than the other Japanese restaurant Ukai Sushi located accross Lavander Hill street but if you are into sushi mostly, Tokiya Sushi Bar not far on Battersea Rise is the best in this area and more authentic.
Italian restaurant Pizza Metro
64 Battersea Rise
London SW11 1EQ
Pizza Metro
It has been over a month since we have been to Pizza Metro, not that we haven't tried but it is often very busy. Tonight it looked good for a revisit. Last time we had the Ripieno which is a kind of calzone pizza with ricotta, parmesan, ham, basil, Napoli salame, tomatoes, and mozzarella (£9.95) and the Diego's with mozzarella, buffalo ricotta, Napoli salame, rocket, basil, olive oil and parmesan (£9.95). This time we had again the Ripieno and I decided to try another pizza just to see if they were lucky previously or really good at cooking all kinds of pizzas 😉 The new pizza was the Panna pizza made of thick Italian cream, mushrooms, ham, Napoli salami, mozzarella, basil and parmesan (£9.95). We also ordered some sparkling water (£3.25) and a good Menabrea lager beer made with corn (£3.95). It is a little bitter in case you do not like bitter beer.
Good Menabrea beer
The two pizzas
Ripieno pizza
The Ripieno pizza was – as previously – very good. It is a pizza that holds its heat very well, so even if you take your time eating, is going to stay nice and hot and fresh to the end. It is not an especially crispy pizza, but has a nice mix of flavours. Definitely worth trying.
Panna pizza
The Panna pizza was also a good choice. Heavy cream on a pizza has the potential to be a bit sickly, but Pizza Metro get the balance right here. It is just enough cream to complement the rest of the toppings, but doesn't overpower. Another good discovery.
Conclusion and cost: it was £31.11 with the 12.5% "optional" service charge included. As usual, I will complain about the service charge being automatically added to the bill. It should be fully left at the discretion of the clients. That said, in this case they deserved it as they were friendly and efficient. We really like the decor which is much better than at nearby Donna Margherita and the pizzas were better too this time. Highly recommended if you are near Clapham Junction!
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
44 Northcote Road, Battersea
SW11 1NZ London
Great burgers!
Last time we visited Gourmet Burger Kitchen we were so pleased that we decided to go there again. With the recent heatwave we somewhat lost our appetites and a simple meal of burger with beer sounded good.
We ordered a Kiwiburger (beetroot, egg, pineapple, cheese, salad, mayonnaise & relish – £7.95) like we did last time, and a Satay (satay sauce, salad, mayonnaise & relish – £7.75) for a change and also because I quite liked the chicken satay at the Pepper Tree. Unlike the Kiwiburger made of 100% Aberdeen-Angus scotch beef, the Satay is made of a fresh English chicken breast panko bread-crumbed and fried. We also ordered only one portion of fries (£2.75) as we discovered previously how huge they are. As drinks we had a Mac's Gold (£3.30) and a chocolate milkshake (£3.65).
Great beer and milkshake!
Let's start with the drink since we were quite thirsty. The beer was great, served well chilled as it should be. The chocolate milkshake was huge! It came in the large metal container it was made in, large enough that I was able to refill my glass twice. Really not bad on a hot day! I did not find the taste of the chocolate great but it was perfectly drinkable and not oversweet as it happens often.
See the beetroot?
The kiwiburger was very good. Please read the previous review about it at http://www.trusted-gourmet.com/2009/06/gourmet-burger-kitchen-44-northcote-road-battersea-sw11-1nz-london/ since nothing changed. We like restaurants that are regular in their quality.
Satay burger
The Satay burger was excellent! The chicken breast came very hot and perfectly fried. The satay sauce was good and generous in peanuts. It would not surprise me if some chunky peanut butter was used in the sauce.
Great fries
The fries were again quite good. They were very hot and crispy although not thin. This time we asked for garlic mayo to accompany the fries. At first you wonder a little about it because it has a greenish look, which, you have to admit, does not look too good for a mayonnaise. Better not to have too much imagination after seeing the geese at Wandsworth Common… Well, it was just the look as it tasted very nice and the garlic was real and even quite strong. A good mix with the fries anyway!
Cost and conclusion: for about £25 in all the burgers were quite good. It is possible to pay less if you go to their website and bring the printed voucher. They have specials like free beer etc. The service was friendly and efficient. Highly recommended if you are into burgers!
Thai restaurant Banana Leaf Canteen
75 Battersea Rise
London SW11 1HN
Banana Leaf Canteen
The Banana Leaf Canteen is quite a popular Thai restaurant in the Clapham Junction area. You can often see people queueing. Inside, the tables are like in a canteen but there are also some tables for two and they are quite large. I am sure on a very busy day it is possible to squeeze fit 4 people at them. You can see the kitchen from the dining area. We were sitting by the windows that were open, so I had my back right to the footpath & road.
As starters we had the Thai toast with coriander (minced pork and prawn toast with coriander and oriental seasoning, served with sweet chilli sauce – £3.95) and dark glazed "Chinkiang" ribs (£4.50), described as crunchy pork ribs tossed in sweet, tangy and spicy sauce made from the famous fragrant Chinkiang black rice vinegar.
As main courses, we took Ying Yang Laksa noodles with Thai fishcake (£8.25) – a mixture of wheat and rice noodles topped with our "house special" mildly spiced coconut broth laced with grilled aubergine, tofu and bean sprouts and garnished with lime wedge, coriander and crispy shallots; and Nasi Goreng with cashews & char grilled meat at £9.45. Banana Leaf's Nasi Goreng is jasmine fried rice with Malaysian blended spices, eggs, cashew nuts, pak choy and coriander. Garnished with lime wedge, mixed salad and crispy shallots, and served with our mild chilli salsa. The nasi goreng is served with a choice between blackened sweet chilli pork or chicken bakar jawa. The blackened sweet chilli pork are slices of leg of pork marinated in aromatic dark soy, palm sugar, chilli, garlic and ground spices. The chicken bakar jawa is chicken thighs marinated in an array of Javanese aromatic spices slowly grilled. I opted for the sweet chilli pork.
The Thai toasts were not very good. They were too greasy and without much taste because of it. The Chinkiang ribs were quite good. They certainly weren't crunchy as described (unless they imagined we'd eat the bones – which I imagine would be very crunchy indeed…). However, they were tasty with a sauce that tasted a bit peanuty (not spicy-vinegary). They could have used a bit more meat on them, but as a snack to start, were not too bad. It was nice to them to provide wet wipes as it was we needed to eat the ribs using fingers.
The laksa was fantastic – for those who like creamy, spicy food, this is nirvana. It was like drinking a very good Thai red curry. The only complaint I would have about this dish is that the Thai fishcakes were a bit strange – rather like fish-flavoured egg (I only ate half of them) and I have to say that another time (and there will certainly be another time) I would choose the chicken version as I suspect chicken would be much better. The tofu bits were not good, without any flavour. That was a minor part of the dish though, so my overall opinion is still positive (but if you're going here, I suggest trying chicken or prawns rather than fishcake). The Nasi Goreng was quite good. The blackened sweet chilli pork were tasty, tender and nicely crispy on the outside. A really great meat. The rice was good too, but beware of the red chilli pepper. I chewed on one of them without realising it was a deadly weapon. Lots of beer was required after it and we had in all 4 bottles of Tiger beer (£13). They were cold fortunately, despite the current hot weather.
Thai toast with coriander
Dark glazed "Chinkiang" ribs
Overview of the two starters
Ying Yang Laksa noodles with Thai fishcake
Nasi Goreng with cashews & char grilled meat
Overview of the two main courses
Another view of the Ying Yang Laksa noodles with Thai fishcake
Beware of the chilli pepper!
Cost and conclusion: it was £43.07 with the 10% "optional" service charge included. I prefer when the tip is left fully at the discretion of the customer. The service was efficient, but a little slow when it came to the bill. Whilst we waited, we chatted to a nice guy who was into computers and had a MacBook Air Overall, a good place but do not bother with the starters as they were not that great and the main courses were much better and quite subtantial. Recommended if you are in the area! If you are into pizza, right accross the road you have Pizza Metro which is a good Italian restaurant. Into burgers? There is a Gourmet Burger Kitchen located 2 minutes walk away.
Buona Sera (Italian restaurant)
22 Northcote Road,Clapham Junction, London, SW11 1NX
Reviewed on Saturday 11 April
Buona Sera
Buona Sera is located between Wandsworth common and Clapham Junction. The Northcote Road is full of restaurants we have to try! We have already been here once and were happy with the pizzas. This time we decided to try the full 3 courses. As starters we ordered Costino Piccante (pork spare ribs in spicy barbeque sauce – £6.80) and Funghi Ricotta (spinach and ricotta stuffed mushrooms, baked in tomato – £6.80). The Funghi Ricotta was good, tasty and plenty of ricotta cheese. The pork spare ribs were good and pretty hot. The sauce was spicy but way too sweet. The sauce looked familiar, like if it was coming from some already made cans.
Main Courses: we had a Caciucco (fish and seafood, tomato, garlic and chilli casserole – £13.80) and an Anatra al Balsimico (pan fried duck breast with honey and balsimic vinegar, served with sauteed swedes – £12.80). The Caciucco was very average, nothing to remember about it. The duck breast was too strong for me, like it happens with some venison. I do like eating magrets etc so when I write strong, I really meant it! The sauce was too sweet but considering how strong the meat was, it was ok. I think it would have been better to have pan fried potatoes than swedes. We had a bottle of Chianti which was fine.
Dessert: we ordered a chocolate soufflé with vanilla icecream (£3.90) and a cheesecake with vanilla icecream with red fruit jam (£3.90). The chocolate soufflé was good, with a strong enough chocolate and the ice cream was a nice addition. The cheesecake was at least a real baked cheesecake and not the overprocessed sugar-laden muck but not great either.
Costino Piccante
Funghi Ricotta
Anatra al Balsimico
Chocolate soufflé
Cost and conclusion: for £70 (tips included) we expected better. It is better to stick to their pizzas. It is a pity because the restaurant design is quite nice and the staff are all right. Another downside is the restaurant can get pretty busy so noisy. You almost have to yell for just discussing.


text: What can cover songs teach about finding your best path forward? Watch Barron Ryan explain how they helped him move past a harsh rejection, and how they can help you too. Barron Ryan has spent his entire career figuring out how to engage audiences with music almost no one listens to. He quickly realized that while classical piano and satirical hip-hop may be tough to sell, everyone loves a great story. Barron earned a Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Oklahoma, but after getting rejected by all the graduate schools that might impress you, became determined to blaze his own trail with music in which—as he puts it—Classic Meets Cool. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx


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This is my first attempt at a sync video which is based on an idea I had a couple of years ago. It's a little rough around the edges, and a little longer than anticipated, but I went with the flow and this is what came out.
Hope you enjoy!
p r e d a p o c a l y p t o
a poemstory by toure
a.k.a: inspired by the film of the same name
a.k.a: coming together with smoke glass and jaguar
there was this matrix
that was a monster in a tree whose vines were like snakes
next to a trap of sinking sand
after i became blue(ish),
just as i was beginning to worship the eclipse,
the monster made me prey
but i am jaguar paw (i am), and this is my forest
the monster's eyes are then like mine are now
as are the forest, i suppose,
and the snake, which was actually a vine snaking up a tree
next to a trap of sinking sand
somehow suddenly all around
now, i became dark, i saw
and the monster and i danced and laughed
at who the hell we were


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DMPRoadmap summer camp news
Image credit: Airstream CC-BY-NC by dwstucke
This summer we've made solid progress toward our DMPRoadmap MVP, done oodles of outreach for machine-actionable DMPs, and addressed some DMPTool and DMPonline-specific items. Keep reading for the high-level highlights and what to expect in the coming months:
What we're working on now…
DCC is running all three production services - DMPonline, DMPTuuli, and DMP Melbourne - on the new Roadmap codebase. Check out the Release Notes for v0.3.
Preparations for the DMPTool data migration include a comprehensive template audit. We're reviewing all funder guidelines to make sure guidance resources are accurate and up-to-date (in progress; a shout out to the MIT library for contributing to this effort!). We will also normalize the format and presentation of funder templates in the new platform and apply themes to make it easier for admins to add supporting guidance across templates (more about themes here and here).
Please note! The DMPTool brochure page https://dmp.cdlib.org now redirects to the main application https://dmptool.org. You may want to update your links. The brochure page was launched with the current version of the tool in 2014, but has become an outdated and unnecessary hurdle to getting to the part about writing a DMP. We're planning to provide dynamically updated tool usage info in the new version to supersede the brochure page.
The DMPonline services will also be migrating to the revised set of themes for the full launch in Autumn. Since this removes some of the existing themes, we'll be contacting admin users with advice on how to merge or remove redundant guidance.
New templates have also been added to DMPonline. These include an update for the Wellcome Trust which now asks for Output Management Plans covering data, software and other research materials, and a new template for the ERC. Further details are available in the DCC news item.
What to expect in the future…
More communications via blogs, listserv, Slack with a revised timeline and release date for the Roadmap MVP. Once estimates are in place, we can schedule usability testing with the DMPTool steering committee members and DMPonline community and prepare materials for a rollout (stay tuned).
More marketing and outreach about the DMPRoadmap project and machine-actionable DMPs. A huge thanks to our DMPTool street team for helping to spread the word (and stickers) at meetings on this side of the pond (RDAP, ALA, DUG/ESIP, ESA, upcoming DLF)! Extra props to Sophie Hou (NCAR) for presenting our poster at the US Geological Survey Community for Data Integration workshop and Sherry Lake (UVa) for taking a poster turn at the Dataverse community meeting.
Stephanie presented in a morning course 'Data in the Scholarly Communications Life Cycle' at the FORCE11 Scholarly Communications Institute (slides). Thanks to Natasha Simons (ANDS) for coordinating a great course!
Meanwhile, Sarah Jones and DCC colleagues have been making the UK/EU rounds. You can see slides from our presentation at the Jisc Research Data Network event, which give an update on new features and what's to come soon. We also ran DMP sessions at the inaugural EUDAT summer school and the CODATA research data science school. These gave participants a grounding in developing DMPs, FAIR and the tools and services that can help with this.
Where to catch up with us next on machine-actionable DMPs
Join us at the next RDA Plenary in Montreal (19-21 Sept) for an Active DMPs and Domain Repositories IGs joint session. There will be lightning talks and discussion of work in this arena including updates from two new RDA working groups - DMP Common Standards and Exposing DMPs - which each have case statements out for comment. Remote participation details to follow.
The FORCE2017 meeting in Berlin (25–27 Oct) presents another opportunity to engage on the topic. We just submitted a FAIR DMPs session proposal to refine concepts and define 10 simple rules for machine-actionable / active / dynamic / FAIR DMPs.
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Blog Tour w/ Giveaway, Except, and Review: Taking Control (Kerr Chronicles #2) by Jen Frederick
TBR Tuesday #61: Scan by Sarah Fine
Review Request: Dance the Moon Down by R.L. Bartman
Blog Tour w/ Giveaway, Excerpt, and Review: The Lover's Game by J.C. Reed
Blog Tour w/ Giveaway, and Review: Visions by Lisa Amowitz
Blog Tour w/ Giveaway, Teasers and Review: Positive/ Negativity by D.D. Lorenzo
Promo: The Painted Catch by Ronder Scott
(Surprise Post) Book Blast: Vampire Secrets by RaShelle Workman
Upcoming Posts:
JLA Cover Reveal
Blog Tour: Priya in Heels by Ayesha Patel
Blog Tour: Maid of Deception by Jennifer McGowan
Blog Tour: Some Boys by Patty Blount
Hope everyone had an awesome and book filled week stop by and comment 8)


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Harnessing Email: The 80/20 Inbox
Mark Docken, owner of InaFix MD, implemented a couple of ideas from my last newsletter that have revolutionized his email strategy.
Mark tells me he can't believe how much more time he now has left at the end of the day.
How did he do it?
1. Mark started by using the 80/20 rule to figure out which 20% of his activities produce 80% of his business.
2. He set up folders at the left of his screen to represent each of these 20% activities, in order of priority. Each folder represents a "rock" in his jar of time around which other stuff gets arranged.
3. He scheduled a recurring task in his calendar to review the folders at the end of the day to make sure nothing important has been left undone.
Simple, eh?
Here is Mark's recent email…
"Lois, I think you finally got through to me. I re-organized my email folders (email happens to be the hub of my entire business life).
"Here's how my folders look now:
"Everything that comes into my inbox goes into one of these 6 folders and is dealt with each day in order.
APPOINTMENTS are most important for obvious reasons since I schedule my own, they're the means through which everything else gets fulfilled, and goofing up here would affect me big-time.
CONTRACT is second because it pays the bills. Plus if I don't get my client contact hours in each week I throw away $$. So this folder includes any email that relates to my clients and immediate work opportunities.
GROWTH is next most important because the future of the business depends on it and without it there will be no….CONTRACTS. Into this file I put potential opportunities that I don't have time for right now, but want to follow up when I do have some time.
WORK comes in next. This includes jobs that are non-urgent, like various kinds of personal or client maintenance activities with no immediate deadline.
SAND is random administrative stuff that has to be done but makes me no money.
FILE is where I put stuff for future reference so it's out of mind but I can reference it if needed (i.e. client histories, interesting articles etc.)".
Mark further states:
"My goal is to take everything I complete in each folder and find a way of moving it up to the one above. For example:
-Turn Contracts into Appointments to ensure they get done and I take good care of most important clients.
-Take Growth emails and find ways of turning them into Contract work which is the best kind of work.
-Take Work emails and find ways of turning them into Growth by contacting those clients to generate referrals and more work.
-Take Sand emails and try to think of a way to turn them into Work.
-When Sand is empty I can go through the File and review what's in there. Of course, I don't get to this very often."
Brilliant! Way to go, Mark!
One thing I've learned through years of coaching is that everybody's different. So whatever system you create has to forward your business goals and work for you.
So here's your challenge. Ask yourself:
1. Which of my daily activities contribute the highest value to my business – my top 20%?
2. Which of my daily activities are producing little or no value to my business and need to be reconsidered?
3. How can I arrange my email Inbox (and other aspects of my business) to ensure I'm spending most of my time on my top 20%?
Yours in growth & learning,
Lois Raats
Business Coach & Founder
Ready2Grow Associates


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Michael L. Buckles
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Michael L. Buckles, 59, of Broken Bow, Neb., died Saturday September 21, 2013 at his home in Broken Bow due to cancer.
Mike was born December 4, 1953, in Martin, S.D to A. Robert and Mary Frances (Swanson) Buckles. He attended school in Merriman, Neb., and also Martin. He attended college receiving a Masters Degree. Mike was a life long educator, primarily teaching social studies and coaching. Mike was united in marriage to Kim Risse. They have two sons, Jason Buckles, Merriman, and Tigh Buckles, Lincoln, Neb.
Mike is also survived by a brother, Bob (Cindy) Buckles, Ainsworth, Neb, and a niece and nephew. Mike was preceded in death by his parents.
A wake service was held Monday September 23, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Broken Bow. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 24, also at the Church in Broken Bow with Father Jim Hunt officiating. Burial was held Wednesday, September 25, at the Martin Cemetery, in Martin, with Father Bryan Sorensen officiating. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date.


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In ARS8.1 Service Pack 2 is new feature for monitoring timeouts.
The BMC Remedy AR System server adds exception logging to the API and SQL server statistics feature. This feature provides additional options for managing API and SQL performance statistics.
The key additions are:
- A new log file, arexception.log, is the repository for all exception-logging activity. The arexception.log file is managed like the arerror.log file.
- API calls that reach the server and are not completed before the client times out are logged to arexception.log. A client timeout server event is also available that allows client timeouts to be detected through server workflow.
- API and SQL calls that exceed the defined minimum time threshold are logged immediately to arexception.log if the exception-logging option is enabled.
You enable exception logging for the performance statistics feature on the Server Statistics tab of the Administration Server form by selecting Enable Exception Logging in the API/SQL Performance Tracking form.
Server Statistics tab
The Server Recording Mode determines what information is recorded in the server statistics form. The values are:
- 0 — (Default) Recording is off.
- 1 — The server records only cumulative queue statistics (the sum of all the individual queue statistics).
- 2 — The server records both cumulative and individual queue statistics. One entry is written for the cumulative statistics and a separate entry is written for each queue.
The Recording Interval is at which the server records server statistics. The default is 60 seconds.
a server event entry is created that provides information about the API call that experienced the timeout. Client timeouts can be detected with server event workflow, which provides expanded capabilities for communicating with administrators and users. For example, if a long-running API call caused a client timeout, server event workflow could email the affected user and notify the administrator about the details of the timeout.
You enable server event support for client timeouts by selecting Client Timeout on the Server Events tab of the Admin Console:
The information provided in the Server Event form is tailored to notifications, with fields that can be easily used in the qualification and as substitution parameters in the notification text. For more information, see Types of events you can record and Viewing client timeout server event details.
Server event workflow
The standard BMC Remedy AR System does not include server event workflow, and the client timeout feature does not provide workflow with the form. The administrator must create the server event workflow. The following figure shows an example of the filter workflow an administrator might use to be notified of a user timeout:
Example of timeout in arexception.log. Servers gets "busy" notification and developer was not able to connect.
[<API > <TID: 0000000772> <RPC ID: 0000001374> <Queue: Admin> <Client-RPC: 390600> <USER: xxx> <Overlay-Group: 1> /* Tue Mar 22 2016 14:54:45.7690 */+GSI ARGetServerInfo -- as user UB00073 from Developer Studio (protocol 20) at IP address 10.119.200.109 // :q:124.9s]
[<API > <TID: 0000000772> <RPC ID: 0000001374> <Queue: Admin> <Client-RPC: 390600> <USER: xxx> <Overlay-Group: 1> /* Tue Mar 22 2016 14:54:45.7691 */-GSI FAIL -- RPC Client has timed out]
I thinks that this feature is very useful for admins, because you can monitor developers and users on MT and everything via API.


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LakePharma will manufacture and provide antibodies as starting materials for ADC development carried out by NJ Bio in a single, seamless workflow for clients, making therapeutic ADC manufacturing from initial antibody discovery to the production of the drug conjugates significantly more efficient both in time and expense.Read More
A series of distinguished speakers are scheduled to present the latest developments in next-generation therapeutics.Read More
LakePharma has opened a new office in Dallas, Texas. The new location allows LakePharma to better align its services with clients' demands in the rapidly growing biologics industry.Read More
LakePharma will have the ability to offer Twist's proprietary antibody discovery and optimization platforms while customers of Twist will have access to LakePharma's integrated discovery and development services.Read More
The Hayward, California facility offers GMP transient productions using the TunaCHO platform.Read More
With the Vector Center operational, the company now provides fully integrated solutions from viral vector design to process development and scale-up productionRead More
The new biorepository facility is dedicated to storing drug developers' biological materials in various temperature conditions.Read More
The Hopkinton, MA site can now manufacture GMP-grade plasmid DNARead More
The New Facility Enables Consolidated Offering for Antibody Discovery and Engineering ServiceRead More
The Bay Area Annual Event Will Be Held on October 5th at the South San Francisco Conference CenterRead More
Agreement Provides for Easy Access to H2L2 Platform Use with LakePharma's Discovery and Development ServicesRead More
The Bay Area Annual Event Will Be Held on October 6th at the South San Francisco Conference CenterRead More
The Cove at Oyster Point Blvd. Site Enables Closer Client Interaction and SupportRead More
LakePharma, the leading biologics company specializing in antibody and protein engineering, cell line development, and protein production, announced today the appointment of Hajime Tada, J.D. to the General Counsel position.Read More
LakePharma, the leading US-based biologics company offering integrated solutions for biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, and Distributed Bio, Inc., a privately biotech company developing computational and discovery platforms for antibody discovery and engineering, today announced a technology partnership providing LakePharma the right to apply Distributed Bio SuperHuman Library in its antibody discovery service to clients in pharma and therapeutic biotech companies.Read More
LakePharma, the leading US-based biologics CRO, announced today the formation of two key technology resource networks.Read More
Upcoming events- PEGS Boston.Read More
Delinia Delivers An Exciting Autoimmune Therapy To Celgene. LakePharma is proud to be a preferred CRO of Delinia and its success. Please click here for more information.Read More
Wall and Main: LakePharma offers hope for Worcester's growth. Please click here for more information.Read More
LakePharma, the leading US-based biologics CRO, announced today the appointment of Aaron Sato, Ph.D. to the newly created Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) position.Read More
With 298% three-year growth, LakePharma ranked #19 among The Fast 100.
Read More
The symposium brought together the Bay Area biotech community to discuss latest development in antibody therapeutics.
South San Francisco, CA – October 11, 2016Read More
For the 2nd Time, LakePharma Appears on the 2016 Inc. 5000 list.
Ranking No.930 with Three-Year Sales Growth of 425%.Read More
San Carlos, CA, July 26th, 2016. LakePharma Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its fully-featured website lakepharma.com. LakePharma is inviting visitors to explore its new website and E-Service Catalog.Read More
LakePharma's CEO, Dr. Hua Tu, will present at IBC's Cell Line Development & Engineering Summit on Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 in San Francisco.Read More
LakePharma announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnering alliance with Trianni, Inc., a private biotech company developing novel antibody discovery platforms. The agreement grants LakePharma the right to utilize the Trianni Mouse Platform for antibody discovery services.Read More
LakePharma's CEO Hua Tu will present at PEGS Boston on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.Read More
LakePharma announced today that it has acquired Blue Sky BioServices.Read More
On October 2nd, LakePharma hosted its annual Protein Engineering Symposium at the South San Francisco Conference Center.Read More
LakePharma announced the availability of a new parental cell line produced through a joint effort with Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD).Read More
The list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States was released by Inc. magazine this week and LakePharma was ranked at #883 with 507% growth over the past three years.Read More
LakePharma recently tripled its WAVE Bioreactor capacity, firmly cementing its place as one of the largest WAVE production facilities in the Bay Area.Read More
LakePharma hosted its second annual Antibody Engineering Symposium at the South San Francisco Conference Center on October 9-10, 2014.Read More
LakePharma was recently credited for its role with affinity measurements of the soluble production of biologically active single-chain antibodies against murine PD-L1 in Escherichia coli (E. coli).Read More
LakePharma hosted an Antibody Engineering Symposium for 150 attendees at the South San Francisco Embassy Suites on Friday, October 4, 2013.Read More
LakePharma published an article in the journal BMC Biotechnology entitled "Monoclonal antibody humanness score and its applications."Read More
LakePharma announced that it is organizing a symposium to bring together individuals and organizations in the Bay Area biotech community to discuss the latest developments in antibody discovery and protein engineering.Read More
LakePharma presented "Large Scale, CHO Transient Transfection and Rapid Generation of Stable Clones: >1 Gram/Liter Antibody Titers Within 2 Weeks and High Yield Stable Clones in Under 8 Weeks" during a Maxcyte Webinar on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT.Read More
LakePharma is now offering comprehensive protein analysis and characterization services.Read More
LakePharma collaborated with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists on an article recently published in Nature: "A PGC1-α-dependent myokine that drives brown-fat-like development of white fat and thermogenesis."Read More


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With the constantly evolving habits of consumers, it's imperative to bridge the gap between the customer and the marketplace. Our tenured experts at RED have a proven track record of acquiring, developing, managing and partnering with these unique properties in order to maximize their full potential. By refining and changing to these growing demands we have established ourselves as a leader in the real estate landscape.
With strong access to both lending and capital partners, RED Development is an active acquirer of select retail and mixed-use properties located in infill locations, particularly focused in the West and Midwest markets. Managing programmatic partnerships with the right players is a hallmark of RED Development's approach.
The company nurtures long-lasting relationships with a variety of investment partners – from pension funds and REITs to top-tier investment firms. Among RED's current partners are: AEW, VEREIT (NYSE: VER – formerly known as American Realty Capital Properties), Morgan Stanley, Macerich (NYSE: MAC), USAA and more. As RED looks to create value in today's real estate marketplace, the company is interested in partnering with other well-regarded financial organizations and investors in the U.S. and around the world.
RED Development and its team of first-in-class professionals is well positioned to be a key partner in the investment of high-quality, multi-tenant retail properties with upside potential. The RED team can execute on a highest and best use business plan through strong asset management, leasing/remerchandising and capital improvement programs designed to reposition properties, maximize operational efficiencies and create value.
RED selects projects for investment and repositioning, often seeing and acting on opportunities others miss. The following case studies feature the tailored, creative approach RED takes to elevate individual properties, driving value for all investors:
The Shops at Hilton Village – Scottsdale, AZ
Smart changes increase the property's value by nearly 60% in three years
In 2012 RED Development purchased The Shops at Hilton Village, a popular and well positioned property on Scottsdale Road. RED began a strategic repositioning effort for Hilton Village, with targeted renovations to refresh its original Spanish Colonial design and update signage, landscaping and lighting. The RED team saw potential in below market rents across the center and was able to execute on a leasing plan that increased NOI and repositioned the center.
The repositioning fine-tuned the property's merchandise mix—taking it from good to great. Hilton Village gained national tenants like Chico's, solidified lease terms with in-place tenants, added a new 15,000 square-foot CVS in place of the vacant and functionally obsolete office space and introduced three new restaurants – Bink's Scottsdale, TapHouse Kitchen and Slanted Rice.
Sales per square foot are up at the repositioned Hilton Village and the property now is valued at nearly 60% more than the purchase price. Thanks to strategic aesthetic improvements that hit the touch points that matter most to retailers and shoppers and an aggressive remerchandising strategy, RED re-positioned Hilton Village for long-term performance.
From the beginning, the RED Development team has exceeded our expectations. As a busy chef and restaurant owner, I have found RED Development's approach not only reassuring but also encouraging. They worked with us on every detail of our lease for Bink's Scottsdale, and were supportive of our marketing efforts. We look forward to growing the success of Bink's Scottsdale with the partnership of RED Development.
Kevin Binkley
Owner, Bink's Scottsdale
My firm represented the seller of Woodbury Lakes, and throughout the process, RED was an engaged and active buyer. RED's team performed a thorough and exhaustive review of the property and the closing occurred as scheduled for the negotiated price. I enjoyed working with RED and would welcome the opportunity to do so again – this is a very good company!
Robert B. Pounds, SCSM
Senior Vice President, Investment Services, Colliers International
Woodbury Lakes – Woodbury, MN
RED delivers dramatic occupancy gains that any owner would welcome
Excellent retailer relationships, unmatched market knowledge and ready financing made RED Development the perfect choice to acquire Woodbury Lakes in 2010. This 300,000+ square foot, all-outdoor center was originally developed by RED and OPUS in 2005, and subsequently sold to a pension fund advisor the same year. When the new property owner faced foreclosure, RED in partnership with its joint venture partner, developed the successful bid for the property and, importantly, was able to close the deal in 45 days.
With RED's focused leasing abilities and on-target property management, occupancy rates increased dramatically since RED's acquisition: from 76% occupied in July 2012 to 92% in July 2014, when the property was sold. A key was bringing new-to-market retailers to the project including buy buy Baby and Charming Charlie's.
The Shops at Town & Country – Phoenix, AZ
RED attracts retail superstars to refresh a Phoenix favorite
Bringing strong retail relationships to the table, in 2011 RED Development took an investment position alongside other owners in the extraordinary well-situated Phoenix shopping center, The Shops at Town & Country. RED had a long-term vision in mind – to renew the property in phases to better attract major new retail draws along the way in its creative update effort.
RED built on the property's prime location within the Camelback Corridor, Arizona's most prestigious and populous business district, by first bringing LA Fitness to the property and transitioning a former Black Angus into new retail space. Then, RED combined 30,000 square feet of small shop space to accommodate Phoenix's first ever Nordstrom Rack at the property.
Next, Whole Foods chose this iconic location to complement the existing high performing Trader Joe's while filling a vacant Linen & Things box. With this addition, the property also welcomed a refreshed roster of other retail and restaurant experiences – great names now include local favorite Pizzeria Bianco and first-to-market Snooze Eatery plus, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and many more. Today, the 300,000+ square-foot Town & Country is a match for its top-flight location next to Phoenix's best shopping, resorts and premier neighborhoods. In 2015, RED began developing 44,000 square feet of additional retail space including a 24,500 sf The Container Store, a 18,500 sf Forever 21 – F21 red and a 5,000 sf Orvis, all of which is now open at the property's front door.
Next, Whole Foods chose this iconic location to complement the existing high performing Trader Joe's while filling a vacant Linen & Things box. With this addition, the property also welcomed a refreshed roster of other retail and restaurant experiences – great names now include local favorite Pizzeria Bianco and first-to-market Snooze Eatery plus, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and many more. Today, the 300,000+ square-foot Town & Country is a match for its top-flight location next to Phoenix's best shopping, resorts and premier neighborhoods. In 2015, RED began developing 44,000 square feet of additional retail space including a 24,500 sf The Container Store, a 18,500 sf Forever 21 – F21 red and a 5,000 sf Orvis, all of which is now open at the property's front door.
In acquiring this property, RED was able to critically evaluate a situation and structure the transaction – in a way that achieved everyone's objectives.
Kevin Cooney
Vice President, National Bank of Arizona
Aspen Place at the Sawmill – Flagstaff, AZ
Mixed use development and new retail take property to the next level
Helping the City of Flagstaff avoid upcoming bond payments and charting a brighter course for a stalled retail development, RED was able to rescue a troubled public-private partnership and boost its own portfolio by acquiring a quality asset, Aspen Place at the Sawmill. Early in process, the bank sought RED's assistance to determine the project's market value and next course of action. Intense negotiations were required for this complicated deal, which succeeded in large measure because the City of Flagstaff was confident in RED's ability to deliver a complete, well-executed project.
RED continued to deliver, securing sought-after anchor REI for the property and partnering with ePartment Communities, LLC, to add an important dimension to the project: A mixed-use residential building incorporating 222 luxury apartments plus first-floor retail. RED sold a portion of the land to its residential partner, in a creative step designed to add long-term momentum, as well as a set of built-in customers and 24/7 energy, to the project. The new 24,000 square foot REI opened in Spring 2014 and apartments opened in Fall 2015.
Chandler 101 Centers – Chandler Festival, Chandler Village Center and Chandler Gateway
RED acts on spectacular real estate, nets quick results
In 2012, when RED Development identified the opportunity to invest in three well-paced shopping centers in the heart of the Southeast Valley's fashion and entertainment hub – Chandler Festival, Chandler Gateway and Chandler Village Center – the path to added value through imaginative remerchandising was clear. RED Development was able to acquire these assets by leveraging its strong joint venture relationships.
The transaction was off-market and RED gained access to the opportunity directly through it's a relationship with Macerich. From a capital standpoint, RED's tactical relationship with VEREIT (formerly known as American Realty Capital Properties) sealed the deal.
Although adjacent to Chandler Fashion Center, one of Arizona's top-performing regional malls, the three power center properties with combined GLA of more than one million square feet were underperforming, giving RED a significant reason to reinvest. The rapidly growing areas, young and affluent demographics and a strong and stable high-tech employment base provided a strong market with unmatched potential. Tapping its ability to leverage strong national, regional and local retailer relationships across three properties, RED worked quickly and efficiently with its joint venture/equity partners to turn these properties around.
In a true leasing success story, between mid-2012 and mid-2014, RED skillfully signed more than 118,000 square feet of new leases for the combined properties including Pier One, Famous Footwear, Conn's HomePlus, Mattress Firm and All American Outdoor, among many others. In concert with new names, RED ably secured more than 60,000 square feet in key lease renewals, including such traffic-driving names as DSW and Men's Wearhouse.
At Chandler Gateway, The Great Indoors (133,000 square feet) announced it would vacate the property during the due diligence period in 2012, RED was able to draw on its long –standing relationship with Walmart to sign a deal that will bring the popular discounter to the property and add significant value to the property and the surrounding market area.
Today the three Chandler properties are driving more value for investors thanks to RED's proven leasing abilities, operational excellence and decisive leadership.
RED stepped up to a company-defining challenge starting in 2005, when it entered discussions with the City of Phoenix regarding the empty, distressed core of the city's emerging, new downtown. Framed by two, high-profile professional sports venues – the Arizona Diamondbacks' home at Chase Field and Talking Stick Resort Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns – as well as the convention center, ASU's 10,000-student downtown campus and more, were two surface lots and an uninviting, seldom-used public park.
In 2006, RED purchased the central land parcel and also won the bid to redevelop Patriots Square Park – the first moves in formulating a highly complex, $90 million public-private partnership with the City of Phoenix that ultimately resulted in CityScape, RED's 1.2 million square foot, mixed-use office, hotel, retail and residential property that opened its first phase in 2010. The sleek and inviting CityScape delivers on its promise of new energy for Phoenix's commercial heart. In fact, localrevibe Phoenix magazine gives the development credit for revitalizing downtown: "Downtown Phoenix is finally catching up with some of the better downtown districts America has to offer, and the new CityScape Phoenix district is to thank for the much-needed revamp."
CityScape is the most important private sector project in downtown Phoenix and represents the best of what can be achieved by a visionary development team committed to quality. It could not have happened without the creativity and tenacity of RED Development. The RED team stepped up and during the toughest economic times we have seen in decades, they got the job done. It's not only a great project, it is a great gathering place for the entire community – they made their project, our project.
Phil Gordon
Former Mayor of City of Phoenix
RED drew on its own history of creating successful developments, along with its in-depth understanding of the Phoenix market, to pave the way for CityScape – by far the largest mixed-use development in the company's history. RED's focus on strong municipal relationships and transparent dealings helped the company to forge a set of mutually beneficial agreements with the City of Phoenix to provide key public support for the project.
These elements included a Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) framework and a $57 million Municipal Reimbursement Agreement for public improvements. For the private portion of the financing, RED was able to rely on its reputation with long-standing financial partners and ultimately closed on eight loans involving more than two dozen banks. This included a large loan finalized in January 2009, in the midst in one of the worst lending environments in decades.
In a hallmark of RED's inclusive approach, the company reached out to more than 2,000 stakeholders over eight months to build consensus for the new project. Comprehensive research, including a study from noted retail research analyst Jeff Green Partners, was all part of RED's thoughtful, focused approach to deftly managing disparate interests and creating a cohesive vision for the new CityScape.
With four buildings, 50,000 square feet of park/open space and 3,000 below-grade parking spaces – all with easy access and strong connectivity to Arizona's top sports attractions – today's CityScape dazzles in scope. Adding energy to the project is exciting retail and entertainment, including Urban Outfitters, Charming Charlie, Lucky Strike, Stand Up Live Comedy Theater and much more; a menu of great restaurants including Fox Restaurant Concepts – The Arrogant Butcher and contemporary Asian fusion Squid Ink Sushi Bar that open onto the street as well as into the heart of the project; a 250-room, 4-star Kimpton property, the Hotel Palomar; an upscale market/café the The Corner, EOS Fitness; and of course an impressive roster of tenants in the 600,000 square foot office tower. CityScape's newest addition, a 14-story tower featuring 224 residential apartments that sit atop the Hotel Palomar, opened in early 2014 and round out CityScape as a true live, work and play destination.
RED had a vision for downtown Phoenix and CityScape when many thought the proposition was far too challenging. But we saw the opportunity and created a "big city" concept that we thought could work. The result was well beyond our expectations.
Sam Fox
CEO, Fox Restaurant Concepts
RED Development takes a multi-dimensional approach to third party management by integrating and collaboratively using its expertise in leasing, development, construction management, operations, marketing, accounting, and capital markets to significantly increase value. RED manages and leases every property like an Owner – the primary focus is on maximum value creation.
RED is focused on partnerships with property owners who are specifically looking to reposition their properties in the market and in the local community, refine their tenant mix and add fresh uses, and/or redevelop the asset in order to realize full value. RED is selective in its third party management, and looks to bring its expertise to assets in markets with the most value-add opportunities. Focus is currently on infill markets where RED already has significant experience and relationships: Los Angeles and Orange County, CA; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Kansas City, KS and Lincoln/Omaha, NE.
Camelback Colonnade is a dominant power/neighborhood center located in central Phoenix along the popular "Camelback Corridor." RED took over management of the property in late 2013, and immediately started taking advantage of the property's infill location to unlock its full market potential.
In 2015, RED has taken the occupancy from 84% to over 96%. Key accomplishments include:
- Re-tenanted a vacant Mervyn's building, that had been vacant for 8 years (2008), with a new to market tenant, Floor & Décor
- Negotiated the renovation and 20,000 square-foot expansion of the successful Fry's grocery store
- Negotiated the addition of a new out lot
- Re-negotiated the leases for several national anchor tenants to increase term and rent
- Re-financed the asset and placed more competitive long-term debt on the asset
Through RED's multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to management, which is drawn upon extensive tenant relationships, a history of creating successful developments and experience working with municipalities across the country, RED increased the NOI from roughly $6MM (in 2013) to approximately $9MM (2015), which equates to approximately $45MM of value in roughly two years. As a direct result, there is continued growth potential for the future, including opportunities to refine the tenant mix, add multi-family housing and additional out lot buildings.
Lee's Summit, MO, an affluent community in suburban Kansas City, lacked appealing shopping and dining options for local residents. According to the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council, the community was losing an estimated $2 million in sales tax leakage before RED delivered the game-changing, 794,000 square foot retail project – SummitWoods Crossing – in 2001. In 2009, RED met the overflow demand from SummitWoods Crossing with a second project for the city, Summit Fair, a 602,000 square foot, all outdoor center anchored by two department stores.
SummitWoods Crossing has been an extraordinary success from the very beginning – marrying the best aspects of a power center with the draw of a regional shopping center and delivering increased sales year over year. RED's Summit Fair is meeting projections and also helps Lee's Summit capture important sales tax dollars that protect the local economy.
Both projects utilized a public/private financing tool called Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Tapping into new net revenue created by the shopping centers, the incentives have paid for more than $40 million in infrastructure and highway improvements, which themselves have jump-started additional office, restaurant and commercial development, as well as new, well-paying jobs in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit continues to thrive, in large part thanks to its effective partnership with RED.
The project has been a win-win for RED and the citizens of Lee's Summit. The town is home to some of the best shopping in the metro area, and, at the same time enjoys improved infrastructure and services as a direct result of the financial support the developments have been able to provide. The two projects have attracted some of the nation's best stores and restaurants as a result of RED's innovative developments, unmatched retailer relationships and strong local partnerships. Top names include: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, SuperTarget, Old Navy, Claire's, Chico's, Chili's, Children's Place, JCPenney, LOFT, White House | Black Market, Olive Garden, Macy's and so many more. The third project in the series, RED's Summit Place, is set to open in 2017 and further contribute to this vibrant suburban community.
RED has been a wonderful partner for the City. They came in and delivered not only what they said they would, but so much more.
Karen Messerli
Former Mayor of Lee's Summit


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Colin McFarlane, Durham University
Colin McFarlane is an urban geographer whose work focusses on the experience and politics of informal neighbourhoods. This has involved research into the relations between informality, infrastructure and knowledge in urban India and elsewhere. A key part of this has been a focus on the experience and politics of sanitation in informal settlements in Mumbai, which was part of an Economic and Social Research Council ethnographic project on the everyday cultures and contested politics of sanitation and water in two informal settlements. His current work examines the politicisation of informal neighbourhoods in comparative perspective, including African and South Asian cities.
He is author of 'Learning the City: Knowledge and Translocal Assemblage' (Blackwell), a book focussed on the intersections between urban inequality, materiality, resistance and learning, as well as related edited collections, including: 'Infrastructural Lives: Urban Infrastructure in Context' (Earthscan-Routledge, with Steve Graham), 'Urban Navigations: Politics, Space and the City in South Asia' (Routledge, with Jonathan Anjaria), and 'Urban Informalities: Reflections on the Formal and Informal' (Ashgate, with Michael Waibel).
In 2013, he was awarded the Leverhulme Prize for his research in urban geogrpahy. In 2010, he was awarded the Gill Memorial Award from the Royal Geographical Society for contributions to urban geography, and in 2009 a fellowship for his work on sanitation from Berlin's Irmgard Coninx Foundation in conjunction with Humboldt University.
Esther Agricola, Municipality of Amsterdam
Since 2015 Esther Agricola is director of the department for urban planning and sustainability in Amsterdam, where about 400 experts are working on metropolitan issues like urban strategy, urban design, regional planning, energy transition, circular economy, city and health, public space, climate change, connectivity.
In 2001 Agricola became the director of the Dutch Expert Center for Urban Renewal. She focused on creating a platform for public and private parties in which innovation and learning by doing was leading.
In 2007 she changed for the Amsterdam department for monuments & archeology. She focused on the cultural power of cities, on stimulating the cooperation between heritage, urban planning and economic development, putting transformation and re-use on the urban agenda.
Ellen van Bueren, the AMS Institute and TU Delft
Ellen van Bueren is professor of Urban Development Management at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology and Principal Investigator at AMS, the Amsterdam Institute of Advanced Metropolitan Solutions. In her research and teaching, she focuses on governance and planning of sustainable urban development, with specific attention for new forms of collaboration between public and private actors and civil society. She is teaching in MSc. programmes Management in the Built Environment and Industrial Ecology. Ellen is editor of the journals Smart and Sustainable Built Environment and Infrastructure Complexity, and has edited the text book Sustainable Urban Environments: an Ecosystem Approach (Springer, 2012).
Eva de Klerk
Eva de Klerk is a project booster and author of the new book "Make Your City – The City as a Shell". She is a frequently asked speaker in The Netherlands and abroad on the topic of participatory city development. Eva is known as the initiator of the redevelopment of the former NDSM shipyard in the north of Amsterdam. At the NDSM 'an Art City' was built in a giant shipbuilding warehouse by 250 artists, skateboarders and cultural entrepreneurs. It's the largest self-organized cultural sanctuary in Europe and the 'City as a Shell' philosophy she applies in her work has inspired projects in Berlin, Osaka en Seoul. Eva is also the chairman of The Guild of Industrial Buildings upon Het IJ, that represents the interests of 24 industrial and monumental artist's buildings in Amsterdam.


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Conception is Now a Comic
In case you want to find out why you have to make RPG babies with all these ladies.
Spike's baby making, dungeon crawling, world saving PSP RPG Conception: Please Have My Babies will be getting a comic conversion. The Conception: Please Read My Blog official blog reports that the comic will kick off with a preview in Dengeki Maou's March 27 issue. The full first volume will appear in the April 27 issue and will span 32 pages.
Readers will learn of the events leading up to the invasion of Granvania, the world that you and your party babies are attempting to save.


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With almost double the number of listings on the market in Western Australia compared to this time last year only those that are priced correctly will attract the attention of shrinking buyer pool according to RE/MAX WA Managing Director, Geoff Baldwin.
"When listing stock is in short supply and buyers are competing for properties pricing is important however when the market slows down, there are less buyers and are more properties available, using an effective pricing strategy is critical", Mr Baldwin said.
"The days of coming up with a dream price then adding on another ten percent are well and truly over as today's buyer is much more informed and simply does not have the time to be deciphering overpriced properties.
"It is a fact that most people are influenced by emotions when buying a property however they cannot become emotionally attached to a home if they never get to see it and overpricing is a sure way to restrict inquiry, viewings and to stale a listing to the market.
"Many sellers believe they can always bring the price down over time but one of the most asked questions when a buyer does like a property is "How long has it been on the market" and the fact is, the longer it's been for sale the less the buyer is likely to offer.
"Rather than just placing a fixed price on a property experienced agents will be able to suggest alternative pricing strategies that have been proven and will ensure maximum buyer inquiry and significantly increased competition for a listing.
"The records show the properties that sell within the first 30 days of coming to the market invariably sell for a higher price than those that are on the market for longer periods of time however many sellers come to the market overpriced and by the time they adjust to meet the market their listing is stale, they have missed many potential buyers and end up with a lower sale price.
"The market will always slow down as we move towards the holiday season and this year the slowdown has been accentuated by a general lull in the state's economy however there are still buyers in the market and they will always be attracted to and pay well for properties that are priced and marketed correctly", Mr Baldwin said.


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Sit back and relax on your quintessential southern porch of this well-maintained brick ranch. Tons of room for gardening, play, and entertaining all year round in this large yard on a corner lot. Bonus room off of the massive mudroom/utility room. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout all living spaces. Updated kitchen stainless steel appliances. Spacious living area with wood-burning fireplace. Storage shed in the back allows for extra storage.
Fireplace Wood, Pull Down Attic Stairs
Dishwasher, Elec Range, Microwave, Refrigerator
Attic, 1st FBR, First Floor Master Bedroom, Master BR w/ Bath, Porch, Utility Room
Disclosure Statement, Pet on Premises
Listing Courtesy of Broadsight Realty.


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advent 2
Isaiah 11:1-10
Matthew 3:1-12
Advent is more than getting ready for Christmas and getting ready to look back to the birth of Jesus. Advent is also about looking forward, preparing for something which has not yet happened, that is in the future; the appearing, the coming of Jesus. Advent then has both a backward and a forward looking aspect to it; it is a two faced creature of a season.
Advent teaches us about waiting and anticipating. But most people in our culture see waiting and anticipating as unnecessary impediments and attempt to obliterate them. We hold off singing our Christmas carols till deep in Advent, we don't even mention a baby until the 4th week of Advent. And every week we feel the growing anticipation, but we talk about being ready, looking for signs of God's presence, we try to practice being people of hope. In the church we talk about such things. And we feel the tension between the clash of cultures as the wider society grows impatient an wants to rush onto the next thing. We will still be talking about the baby well into January when everyone else is watching cricket, tennis and maybe even getting ready for the chocolate bunnies and eggs.
Both the gospel writers and those who put together the lectionary are adamant; you can't tell the story of Jesus, you can't get to Jesus, without first hearing John. He's the voice calling us to pay attention, to attend, to prepare and anticipate. But he is a strange one is John. He could be seen as the classic sandwich board man, wandering around in the desert lashing/urging/imploring all who will listen to repent, for the Kingdom of God is drawing near.
He is a explosive, uncomfortable, uncompromising figure who make his appearance in all four gospels and in our lectionary readings is front and centre every year in the second and third weeks of Advent.
I liken it to an unfolding play in a theatre. The audience have settled into their seats, they have come to see a drama about what God is up to, or not up to because the voice of God has strangely fallen silent for 400 years. the house lights have dimmed, the air of expectancy is almost able to be felt and touched. But the people cannot get past this fact; the voice of prophecy has been muted for 400 years. Seemingly God has abandone the people and left them to languish in hopelessness; but there are rumours something is again astir.
A shaft of light pierces the darkness and a lone solitary voice, still offstage is raised, carrying an ancient refrain not heard for centuries – like a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way , for the Reign of God is even now breaking in upon you. Repent, turn to receive."
All this because God did remain faithful; although the voice of prophecy had fallen mute for 400 years, although apparently David's royal line had become powerless, God was faithful and the vision has not died. You cannot kill off spirit. You cannot destroy grace.The shoot had been there all the time just waiting for the moment to emerge and grow.–It reminds me of the famous couch grass in the bitumen incident when i was living in Brunswick. We had bitumen footpaths over there and one day the workmen turned up to redo the footpath. They were very efficient; the sent the bobcat over it, ripped up all the old ashpalt and spread a good 2 inch of bitumen over it and sealed it all up good and proper. Beautiful job? Guess what? One year later, yep, green tough, tenacious, unstoppable, shoots clawing their way upwards, towards the light and the air. When there was no possiblity of life under there, life has emerged. Nothing more exotic than couch grass mind you, but it illustrates the point. With Isaiah, the shoots are not just common old couch grass, but the long awaited Messiah, the anointed one who comes to usher in the age of peace where humanity, and indeed the animal world, have finally weaned themselves off killing and slaughter and exploitatin. And some waited and continue to believe and hope and anticipate. And that kept them and the vision alive for those 400 years when there was no prophet in Israel.
And what you are waiting for affects how you wait, how you live. You expect nothing, have no hopes or dreams, then you will live like you have no hope. Probably get depressed or despairing. Or what if rather than expecting nothing much at all you are actually waiting for something fearful and scary to happen. How will that affect your waiting – how you live?
I have a confession to make. Once when I was a kid me and my mate Graeme Hancock who lived over the road went to Chadstone shopping centre. And I stole a sleeveless jumper from a clothing store. They were all the rage then. I went into the store, bought one and stole one. Put it into my bag. And as I was going out the door a guy who looked like he was another shopper (undervcover security I now know) came over and asked "Can I look in your bag?". Well, what could I do, and he saw the extra jumper and asked me to follow him out the back at which point Graeme Hancock took off. The manager left me in the office stewing for a good 15 minutes – probably deliberately and then came and gave me a stern talking to. And then asked me my name and address. And for some reason I gave him the right one and he did a big guilt thing about how I had let everyone down, especially my parents. I thought that might have been it but he spoke some chilling words as I left. I will be reporting this to the police and I think you can expect a visit in the next few days. I spent those days in hell. Nothing that happened that week could lift my spirits. It was a miserable wait. I was living in the "Advent" of a horrible upcoming event. The waiting around for something miserable to happen made those entire days miserable and I even got to the stage of wishing this terrible thing to happen and get it over and done with. . And then just when I thought maybe the police were not going to visit they did. I saw the car pull up and I ran into my room. I heard the voices at the door and then inside the house and then a stern voice of my mother calling me. And there in my own house were two police, one man and one woman. They gave me a dressing sown and said they would not take it further but I should take this as a very serious warning. And left and at which point my mother burst into tears and said she was ashamed of me and fancy me doing that and bringing police into her house. It was bad but no worse than that incessant soul destroying waiting.
But what if the one we wait for is not the police because we have knocked off a jumper but the gracious loving Lord? Won't that mean we will not live in fear and shame but joy and hope?
Be careful what you are waiting for, because you will be living in that advent/anticipation while waiting for it to come.
People of God in ancient Israel lived during wars and horrors and rumors of wars, yet they created this prophesy (this and many others) of a time in the distant future when all the nations of the world would turn around, and come together up on the mountain of God, and God would speak and teach and they would listen and God would adjudicate their disputes and all of their conflicts. And they would therefore no longer have to study for war. They would lay down their swords and turn them into plowshares, and turn their spears into pruning forks.
It was an impossible vision, an impossible dream, an impossible prophesy.
But was it wrong? Was it wrong to live out their lives expecting, anticipating, hoping for an age of peace and justice? Was it wrong to lean forward into the future living out an "advent" of the time when nations would turn their swords into plows hears? Was it wrong to live in hope?


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The Benefits of Using Humor in Your Speech
I'll be the first to tell you that humor is a tricky thing. You see, one person's humor is another person's "what were you thinking?" But, if you can weave some humor into your speech that gets the audience laughing; that is appropriate to your topic; and that doesn't offend anyone, you can reap many of the following benefits.
Put the audience at ease.
A relaxed audience is one that will be more present and available to take in the information you want to present.
Create a connection.
Humor often makes the speaker more approachable and likable. This helps them hear your message more readily.


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By Russell Ray, Managing Editor
During his first four-year term, President Barack Obama's policies compelled power producers to plan the retirement of 15 percent of the nation's coal-fired generation capacity and killed the scope for building new capacity fired by coal.
What does a second term mean for the most important segment of the U.S. power sector?
It means regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency will get their chance to follow through on new regulations that stifle coal and give power producers fewer options to meet demand with affordable electricity.
It means an army of EPA staff will be unleashed to quickly finalize the first greenhouse gas standard for power plants, a standard that precludes the construction of new, cleaner-burning coal-fired plants and discourages investment in clean-coal technologies.
It means the Obama-run EPA will be expanding its anti-coal agenda by proposing a greenhouse gas standard that targets existing coal-fired generation. It means ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants – a low cost, low emission and highly efficient source of power – won't be given a role in meeting demand and maintaining reliability.
According to one study, it means compliance costs will exceed $200 billion and consumers will pay up to $67 billion more for electricity.
|Obama's plan to discourage new coal-fired generation and phase out existing coal plants is as irresponsible as Germany's decision to exit nuclear power. It is a dangerous plan that relies on cheap natural gas and intermittent sources of expensive renewable power.
The EPA's New Source Performance Standard would limit CO2 emissions from new power plants to 1,000 pounds per MW. The average coal plant emits 1,768 pounds per MW. The average gas-fired plant emits 800 to 850 pounds of CO2 per MW. The NSPS essentially requires all new power plants fueled with coal to install a carbon capture and storage system, a risk that no utility is willing to take due to the cost, the liability and questions about the technology.
"I think the EPA will be finalizing an NSPS for new power plants, probably by the end of this year," said Todd Palmer, an environmental lawyer with Michael Best & Friedrick LLP."I think the NSPS proposal is quite deliberate in attempting to phase out coal on new assets and to improve overall efficiency."
Given another four years under Obama, the EPA is expected to extend limits on greenhouse gas emissions to the nation's existing fleet of coal-fired power plants.
Once pollution control upgrades are made to existing coal units, the big fear is that these units will be declared by the EPA as a "new source" of CO2 emissions and thus required to comply with a new carbon standard.
"I do expect that during the second term, we will see a new NSPS standard for existing power plants that will focus on GHG emissions," Palmer said."There really is a deliberate policy at work here to develop regulations that discourage new coal and phase out existing coal."
Achieving balance between economic concerns and environmental concerns should be the hallmark of all energy policy. In this respect, Obama's power generation policies fail.
Meanwhile, the gap between gas prices and coal prices is widening. As a result, power generators are beginning to turn back to coal. The price of gas used to generate power will be about 22 percent higher in 2013, according to the Energy Information Administration. The average price of coal will rise just 1 percent next year.
This means total U.S. generation fueled with coal will rise from 37 percent in 2012 to 40 percent in 2013, according to EIA's forecast (see the chart on pg. 236). The amount of power fired by gas will drop from 30 percent in 2012 to 27 percent in 2013.
The market is telling us that coal should play a starring role in this nation's plan to meet the growing thirst for electricity. Without it, consumer costs will soar, reliability will suffer and jobs will be lost.
The EPA is fully engaged in its war on coal. Dig in. It's going to be a long four years.


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Thanks for checking us out. We're glad you're here!
At Woonona Pressy everything we do is about Jesus. We `Connect' with God through Jesus, we `Grow' more like Jesus, we `Serve' with the love of Jesus and we `Go' into our world in the name of Jesus. In Jesus we are living proof of a loving God. We'd love you to be part of that too.
Pete Currie, Pastor
We'd love you to connect in at WPCC. Please stay for a cuppa afterwards, grab a Welcome Pack & let us tell you about our Connect Course.
The Connect Course will also fill you in on our Grow Groups. This is how we grow together in Christian community
Dal Proudfoot- Grow Co-ordinator
Once you've settled into your Grow Group we'll chat with you about serving in a Ministry Team. At WPCC everyone has a part to play.
Hazel Nisbet- Serve Co-ordinator
Each week we will encourage & resource you to live for Jesus wherever you live, work & play