text:
Staff Picks
Don't forget to check out our staff picks for kids!
November 28, 2016
The Coaster
by Wurster, Erich
Bob Patterson is a coaster. Although he prefers to think of himself as an Everyman, which he is if it's every man's lot to have married a rich man's daughter and to be handed a job that requires little to no effort. Bob knows that he's phoning it in, and he's okay with that, defaulting to self-deprecating humor when forced to rub elbows with rich snobs at obligatory fund raisers. But, of course, nothing lasts forever, and as so often happens, once the snowball starts rolling, it picks up momentum and heft. Bob's father-in-law dies, leaving Bob to handle his vast financial affairs, a job that Bob is ill-equipped to do. And then an old college friend turns up; you know, that college friend, the one who did all the wild and crazy stuff that everyone else was afraid—or too principled—to do. Toss in the possibility for Bob to make it on his own when he's offered an opportunity to buy into a too-good-to-be-true deal, and, yep, right there you've got the beginnings of a perfect storm. With Bob right in the middle, coasting along. Until he can't coast anymore and has to (gulp) do something. Will he—can he—rise to the challenge?
The Coaster is also available as an eBook.
--Recommended by Cheryl Holtsclaw, West Indianapolis Branch
November 14, 2016
The Aeronaut's Windlass (The Cinder Spires, Book 1)
by Butcher, Jim
The Aeronaut's Windlass is the first book in a new fantasy series by Jim Butcher. He is the author of two other popular fantasy series: Codex Alera and The Dresden Files.
While there is magic and there are fantastic creatures, this is neither a traditional fantasy nor a modern urban fantasy. The world of the Cinder Spires is a completely new one. Etheric crystals can be used to fire blasts of electricity, heat or light. Crystals can make objects move or fly. There are talking cats and dangerous monsters. People live in huge multi-layered cities called spires. The surface of the world is dangerous creatures, and flying warships can go from spire to spire.
There are battles big and small, and the action is steady from the start to the end. The characters and creatures are fascinating. The story is one that you can't put down.
The Aeronaut's Windlass is also available as an eBook, an eAudiobook, and an audiobook on CD.
--Recommended by Keith Dinnage, Haughville Branch
October 31, 2016
Hard Measures: How Aggressive CIA Actions After 9/11 Saved American Lives
by Rodriguez, Jose A., Jr. with Bill Harlow
B Rodriguez, J.A. ROD
This memoir by the head of the Central Intelligence Agency's Counter Terrorism Center (CTC) in the aftermath of the World Trade Center terror attack of 2001 is a robust and spirited defense of the CTC's performance in that period. While there was immediate public and congressional support for the Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EIT) in the early years, criticism began to replace it as the public felt more secure; and mischaracterization of the EIT program increased.
The actual program included ten increasingly stringent actions designed to make a prisoner compliant, the last of which, waterboarding, was used on fewer than twelve prisoners and more than 26,000 U.S. military personnel. Critics also claimed that EITs were ineffective, in that men will say anything under duress and that all useful information was gained by other means. Mr. Rodriguez rebuts those claims by citing facts he is now permitted to reveal and by pointing out that corroboration was always sought from other sources. A highly readable insider account which contradicts many widely held beliefs.
— Recommended by Melinda Mullican, Wayne Branch
October 17, 2016
The Time In Between
by Dueñas, María
Author María Dueñas spins a sweeping tale of dressmaking and intrigue, spanning the years 1935 to 1942.
The story begins with fourteen-year-old Sira Quiroga, an apprentice in a Madrid dressmaker's shop. After several years, Sira's life and fortunes are derailed by both the Spanish Civil War and an unfortunate romance. She finds herself in Morocco, alone, and destitute. Fortunately, her natural talents as a dressmaker will both become her salvation and will lead her toward peril.
With the passage of time, Sira finds herself now leading a double life…she has evolved into one of the most celebrated dressmakers in Europe, and complete with a THIRD identity courtesy of British Intelligence, now has access to pampered Nazi officer's wives, their secrets, and all the accompanying dangers of being a spy during the end of the Spanish Civil War and the beginning of World War Two.
Author Maria Dueñas use of actual British Agents, Spanish politcos, and her marvelous descriptions of exotic 1930s and 1940s locales make for a very entertaining read. This novel has been called the "Spanish Downton Abbey". I might describe this story as Casablanca meets Gone With The Wind.
The Time In Between is also available as an audiobook on CD.
—Recommended by Mike Hylton, Irvington Branch
October 3, 2016
After This: When Life Is Over, Where Do We Go?
by Smith, Claire Bidwell
Author Claire Bidwell Smith debuted with The Rules of Inheritance, a memoir that chronicles her experience losing both parents to cancer at a young age. Now in her 30s with a career as a grief counselor and some distance from her losses, Smith's After This follows her exploration of the afterlife and the various beliefs and practices related to life after death. Through visits with psychics and mediums, psychotherapists, hospice workers and clergy members, Smith makes the reader feel like they're along for the journey, which is as much a metaphorical trip as it is a literal trip crisscrossing the country. She mixes a healthy bit of skepticism with a deeply compassionate perspective and the book winds up being as informative as it is therapeutic.
After This: When Life Is Over, Where Do We Go? is also available as an eAudiobook.
— Recommended by Carrie Voliva, Pike Branch


text: Yarbage Cub Review: Rich come on down... Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Rich come on down... The Cubs just landed Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher and John Donaldson. I have to say this is a great move for Jim Hendry. More on the deal later. posted by Chris at 5:59 PM Comments | Trackback << Home About Me Name: Chris Location: Kennesaw, Georgia, United States View my complete profile Site Feed Site Feed Coast to Coast Tickets Buy sports tickets online from Coast to Coast tickets. Buy MLB tickets today! We have Chicago Cubs tickets including a Wrigley Field seating chart, Boston Red Sox tickets, New York Yankees tickets, St. Louis Cardinals tickets and Los Angeles Angels Tickets. Recommended Links _________________________________ Onlineseats.com Chicago Cubs Tickets Wrigley Field Schedule Chicago White Sox Tickets US Cellular Field Schedule Cub Blog Army Cubs Blog Army CubsNet.com News Bleed Cubbie Blue Cut Jim Edmonds Cub Fan Nation Cub Reporter Cub Town The Cubdom CubsNet.com Desipio Media Ventures Die-hard Cubs Fun Goat Riders of the Apocalypse Ivy Chat Northside Lounge Old Style Cubs View From the Bleachers WGN-TV Baseball Blog 1060 West A Cub Fan Rants A Season with the Cubs Agony and Ivy Baseball Diamond News Behind the Ivy The Best Dan Cub Blog Period Confounded Confines Corner of Grace and Wayne CubbiePalooza CubLogger Cubs for Breakfast Cubs Obsessed Lingering Bursitis Peoria Northside Report Rooftop Report The Sports Pundit Temporary Bleachers Uncouth Sloth (R) 14 Days of Ambivalence 97 Years and Counting Big Lowitzki's Wrigley Ravings Chicago National League BallClub The Cubby Corner Cubs Now! Friendly Confines Full Servais Hoosier Daddy? (R) Just North of Wrigley Field TheCubsfan.com theMinards Tom Smith's Cubs Blog When is Next Year? Wrigley Blues Yarbage Cub Review Desipio Boards North Side Baseball CubbiesBaseball Cubscast.com Inside the Ivy Bleacher Bum Hangout Waveland Avenue Forums Other Baseball Sites Fire Brand and the American League Previous Posts Live Game Log: Post SorianoYour Killing Me SmallsWorking on somethingSlideshowCubs Win and Trade RumorsOh What a NightOpening Day - LIVE GAME LOG!!!!!What's in Store for 2008?162 Games to goGood Start, but talk to me in a month Keep Hope Alive

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Under Ball's guidance, the Central Connecticut State University swimming and diving team has continued its reign at the top of the conference, as the Blue Devils have placed first or second in each of the last seven years. The Blue Devils have won more individual events (70) and team relays (19) than any other Northeast Conference program. Ball's success with the Blue Devil program is reflected in the team's 10 consecutive top-three finishes at the conference championship meet.
During the 2012-13 season, Ball led CCSU to its third consecutive second-place finish in the NEC, falling to Saint Francis (PA) by only one point. Central had 10 athletes selected to the All-Conference team (more than any other NEC school) and finished 41st in the Collge Swimming Mid-Major Poll, also the highest of any NEC school.
Ball has guided many swimmers toward achieving superior individual accomplishments. In 2005-06, Jaime Crowley concluded her career with six individual championships, collecting victories in the 50 free and 100 breast. Crowley also was named ECAC Swimmer of the Year award following wins in the 100 and 200 breast events. Teammate Lindsey Snyder was a eight time NEC champion over her four-year career. Snyder, the 2004-05 NEC Rookie of the Year, was also a three-time ECAC champion. In 2008, she was named NEC Swimmer of the Year and earned CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-America honors. Three-time NEC Diver of the Year Juliana DiPlacido won four straight one-meter diving titles and three three-meter crowns. Kristen Jurzynski made her mark in the Northeast Conference by capturing the titles for the 500 free, 1,650 free and 400 individual medley, finishing her career with six NEC titles. Last season Erin Crowley culminated her career with three individual victories at the conference meet, giving her six during her final two seasons.
Five years ago, the Blue Devils emerged as one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference. With Ball's coaching, they set 27 pool records, 15 school records and five conference records. CCSU finished third in the NEC but were the top finisher among full-time members of the Northeast Conference. Jaime Crowley, then a junior, was named NEC Swimmer of the Year after placing first in the 100 breast, 50 free and 200 breast. Crowley also became the second Blue Devil to compete at the NCAA Championships. DiPlacido continued her dominance on the boards, winning the one-meter and three-meter events while earning NEC Diver of the Year for the second straight year. DiPlacido also became the first Blue Devil diver to compete at the NCAA Diving Regionals. Snyder, meanwhile, was named NEC Rookie of the Year after taking home first place in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events.
Ball coached three swimmers and a diver to Northeast Conference Championship titles in his second season. Crowley, then a sophomore, placed first and set a new conference record (1:04.84) in the 100 breast, while Joanna Bocer, a freshman at the time, placed first in the 500 free. Senior Amanda Kravolic placed first in the 200 fly, and DiPlacdio was named NEC Diver of the Year after placing first on the one-meter board. Ball also led two relay teams to conference titles in the 200 medley and 200 free. Both teams set new NEC records.
In Ball's first year with the team, the Blue Devils went 4-10 in dual meet action. With the success of senior Tammie Repass, they brought home a third place finish at the Northeast Conference Championships. Repass was named the 2003 NEC Swimmer of the Year after winning the 500 free, 200 fly and the 400 IM. Repass then qualified for her first-ever Olympic Trial Cut while earning an 11th place national ranking and 51st place world ranking in the 200 butterfly.
Ball called his first campaign as head coach of the Blue Devil women's swimming and diving team "the most educational year" of his career. "I learned the ropes of becoming a collegiate head coach," he said.
Ball, who brought a wealth of experience from both the USA Swimming and NCAA levels to New Britain, is the director of the SoNoCo Swim Club. His club team has produced several top-16 national age group swimmers in addition to Junior National, Senior National, Olympic Trial and U.S. Open qualifiers and finalists, national team members and a national record holder. Most recently, Ball placed two swimmers on the U.S. Junior Pan-Pacific Team.
Ball began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant with the University of Connecticut swimming program in 1993, helping the Huskies through the most successful period in the school's swimming history. Upon his arrival, Connecticut won eight team championships (four New England, four ECAC) and several New England, ECAC and BIG EAST championships.
Ball competed for Southern Connecticut State University, where he received his undergraduate degree. He later earned a Master's Degree in secondary education from the University of Bridgeport. While at Southern Connecticut, he captained the Owls (1987-88, 1988-89) to a pair of successful campaigns. He specialized in the breaststroke events and, at one time, held several pool records throughout New England. A two-time New England Champion and NCAA Qualifier, Ball was named an NCAA Division II All-American after finishing sixth at the 1987 NCAA Championships.
In 1990, the Connecticut native opened the highly-successful and competitive Connecticut Swimming School, designed for high school swimmers. During its three years of operation, many students achieved national time standards and high school All-American status. The former elected member of the Connecticut Swimming Board of Directors and an American Swimming Coaches Association Level 4 certified coach, Ball has been selected to coach elite training camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as in the state of Connecticut.
A 1999 Enfield (CT) Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Ball and his wife, Karen, reside in Willington, with their children, Billy (22), a graduate of CCSU, and Jason (17).


text:
I see where Mitch Kupchak said this season is about saying farewell to Kobe Bryant. Seems to me it's more like this season is about saying farewell to this season.
Paul Feinsinger
Agoura Hills
I was at the Lakers' shoot-around Sunday morning, and when Mitch Kupchak said to all of us fans that the team's focus this season was to bid farewell to Kobe Bryant and not develop the young players, the entire audience gasped. Did he actually tell us that Kobe's farewell tour was more important than the future of this franchise? Yes, indeed he did.
He also revealed to all of us the basic pitch the free agents heard last summer. It sounded something like this: Come...


text:
The New York Foundation for the Arts cordially invites you to a pre-holiday swap meet.
Bring your books
Bring your art supplies
Bring your saucepan
Bring your clothes
Bring whatever you want
Bring 5-10 items that you'd like to swap along with a $5 entry fee*
Jeff Hnilicka of FEAST (Funding Emerging Art with Sustainable Tactics) will emcee
Baked goods for sale from Sweet Tooth of the Tiger's artist's residency bake sale program
*All proceeds will go toward keeping NYFA Current, the New York Foundation for the Arts' online arts magazine, a stable, sustainable program.
Thursday, December 10, 6-8:30 p.m.
New York Foundation for the Arts
20 Jay Street, 7th floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 366-6900
RSVP to email@example.com
For directions, click here.
All gently used items not swapped will be donated to Angel Thrift Shop, whose proceeds benefit programs for individuals and families affected by substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness.


text:
The San Antonio Spurs won their second round series with the Golden State Warriors last Tuesday, and the team learned it would be playing the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals the following night. By the looks of San Antonio's 105-83 Game 1 win on Sunday, though, it appears as if the Spurs have been preparing for this matchup for over two years.
It was over two years ago that the Grizzlies shocked the Spurs by topping the longtime contender in their opening round series. And though both rosters have changed somewhat in the years since, the core of both teams' value system (talking and movement for San Antonio, rugged low post and defensive play for Memphis) remains the same. Because the Spurs pulled out early against Golden State, though, and the Oklahoma City Thunder never really looked like a contender against Memphis in the second round, you get the feeling that the Spurs coaching staff was multitasking throughout last week, mindful of its eventual showdown with Memphis.
It showed throughout Game 1, as there was no letup from San Antonio. The Spurs absolutely refused to let the Grizzlies make a sound entry pass, taking away the most productive part of a Memphis offense that sometimes struggles to score even with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol going all out. On the other end, San Antonio made the West's best defense look undisciplined and downright amateurish at times, flooding the lane with drives and taking advantage of a Grizzlies team that for some reason kept leaving shooters open in the corner. The Spurs capitalized by hitting 14-29 three-pointers on the afternoon.
It was somewhat shocking. The Spurs are to be respected, but for the entire season the Grizzlies have done well to communicate defensively and stay on the same page. And yet throughout Game 1 Memphis' defensive spacing was way off; even when the team connected on shots, allowing it to steady its half-court D.
Memphis just had no answers for Tony Parker who not only was able to spearhead that drive and dish game, but he routinely embarrassed both Grizzlies guards and big men with his step-back jumpers on the left side. Parker finished with 20 points and nine assists in just under 33 minutes, needing only 14 shots to do his damage. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Matt Bonner had far too easy a time setting up for three-pointers in both the corner and up top. Tim Duncan missed six of nine shots, but his defense was superb, and the Spurs offense produced 28 points on 40 field goal makes. It was a clinic, done in the face of the best of the West.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, just could not adapt.
Unable to get good position or even the ball at times, Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph missed seven of eight shots and didn't attempt a free throw, failing to score until the 9:29 mark of the fourth quarter. Center Marc Gasol was able to get more shots off, but he was reduced to improvisational forays around the hoop, and missed nine of 16 in Game 1.
Mike Conley paired his bad defense with four of the team's 12 turnovers, Tony Allen was caught ball watching and gambling defensively a few times, and the Grizzlies only made their run (working the deficit down to six midway through the third quarter) based on the hot touch of Quincy Pondexter (17 points off the bench), and Jerryd Bayless. Not exactly the duo you'd trust to lead you to the NBA Finals.
The execution was just too much for Memphis. The Spurs clearly had the right amount of rest, rhythm, and (especially) preparation in place to be ready for whatever the Grizzlies threw at Gregg Popovich's team, and Memphis just could not adapt. They'll have time to counter that punch, in the hours before Tuesday's Game 2, but what happens when the Spurs anticipate those counters ahead of time? Does Memphis hit the mat, again?
This series was always going to be a struggle. It's surprising that its first outing was only a struggle for one side, though. San Antonio sure did its homework.


text:
Fighting Bribery out of Self-Interest
The fight against corruption in Egypt mostly only serves individual interests. An audit office exists, but it is not independent. There are, however, sings of change. Frederick Richter reports from Cairo
For years there were rumors, then suddenly Mustafa Bakri knew everything. The editor in chief of the independent weekly newspaper Al Osbou published a series of articles about Ibrahim Nafie, who was until July of this year the head of the state press agency Al-Ahram, in which he listed in embarrassing detail the state money Nafie had pocketed. Nafie took in a half million dollars per year, disguised as commissions for the sale of advertising.
Over the course of his more than 20 years in office, he is said to have accumulated 70 million dollars. Corruption is rampant in Egypt, Nafie just happens to be a prominent example that came to light this year. "Everywhere in the third world corruption is a function of power and authority, on the one hand, and yet without accountability, on the other," says Saad Eddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian-American sociologist and one of the most renowned critics of President Hosni Mubarak.
Incredible power without accountability
"It reaches the highest levels in Egypt, with a president who has incredible power without accountability and he has authorized his aids to direct certain areas without much accountability."
Ibrahim Nafie was in fact a close confidant of Mubarak and simultaneously his mouthpiece at the state press agency. So the state banks turned a blind eye. Now Nafie has stumbled and his fall tells a lot about why the fight against corruption in Egypt is not making progress.
An insider at Al Ahram suspects that Safwat Sherif, a political heavyweight in Mubarak's NDP party and also one of Mubarak's long time confidants, supplied Mustafa Bakri with the necessary information and documents. Until the summer of 2004 Sherif was information minister, he had been in power as long as Nafie, and he had a few scores to settle.
This is how most corruption scandals come to light: rivals vying for power and money use their knowledge of their competitors' transgressions. On the other hand, the article appeared in the midst of the presidential election campaign in September.
Thus the fight against corruption in Egypt mostly only serves individual interests. An audit office exists, but it is not independent. "This office has disclosed several large corruption cases," says Ibrahim. "But they always need the green light from the president himself. In each case it later came out that they had known about the violations for a long time, but the timing of the disclosures seems to have been politically motivated."
Corruption in Egypt is so omnipresent that no entrepreneur, official or citizen can avoid it. It has become a fixed part of the economy as well as everyday life. Everyone is involved, many profit from it. So is anyone really interested in fighting corruption? Saad Eddin Ibrahim counters the notion: "Not everyone has authority which they can abuse. And the most well known people, political leaders, fight against corruption."
The Al Ahram company
One of the few of these well known people has his office so deep in the towers of Al Ahram that the light of day doesn't fall there. On his desk are newspapers and books piled so high that it looks like a fortress. The desk is occupied by Ahmed El Sayed El Naggar, editor in chief of Al Ahram's annual strategic economic report for political and strategic studies.
In the first issue published in 2000, El Naggar documented the corruption scandals surrounding the privatization of the Egyptian state economy in the 1990s. Businesses were sold off for less than the price of the land they possessed. He had already written about Nafie's commissions early in 2004. As a result, he was prohibited from writing for the agency's daily paper.
"I have no documents, therefore I can't say anything," El Naggar says today in relation to the accusations against Nafie. He now puts his trust in transparency and documentation and is waiting for the results of the judicial investigation.
During the twenty plus years of Ibrahim Nafie's time in office, Al Ahram never produced a single statement of their accounts. Yet it is said that the press agency is a conglomerate with around thirty companies. One produces office materials, another pharmaceuticals, a travel agency is said to be among them.
Al Ahram nonetheless has approximately 570 million euros worth of debts, and the two other big press houses, Al Akhbar and Al Gomhorreya, together have accrued an equal amount of debt. In early November the Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif asked the new heads of the three press agencies to attend a crisis session.
Corruption index ranking
On the corruption index compiled by Transparency International (TI), Egypt weighs in at 3.4 points out of 10, which means it ranks 70th. TI has no formal chapter in Egypt, but only a loose network of individuals and groups that feel responsible for the work of TI.
Helmy Aboul Eish, former director of SEKEM, tried two years ago to bring together twelve organizations. After about six months, he gave up. Aboul Eish says that the groups were trying to use the fight against corruption for their own political agenda and personal interests.
Now another attempt is underway. Hossam Badrawi, a known businessman from the reform wing of the governing NDP party, wants to formalize TI's presence in Egypt in the coming weeks. He admits that the fight against corruption in Egypt often serves personal interests. For this reason he wants to invite representatives of the opposition parties. "The principle is to have people there from different directions and groups, not just from one organization."
But Ahmed Sakr Ashout, professor for management at the University of Alexandria, is skeptical. He is listed on TI's homepage as a contact person for Egypt. He fears that the government wants to use Badrawi to control the fight against corruption, so that no independent groups can force the issue.
"It is very difficult to distinguish between people who have a genuine interest in fighting corruption and those who want to use the issue for their own political purposes." He hopes that Badrawi doesn't get much further than Aboul Eish did, because this would hurt the movement.
In fact, Aboul Eish and Badrawi are both close to the government. Both are being discussed as candidates for minister posts. Aboul Eish recently became the managing director of the EU-financed Industrial Modernization Center, which works closely together with the ministry for industry. There are also indications that the fight against corruption is gaining more importance in the government. During an economic conference in October, five ministers sat on a podium before the public and openly told one another stories about cases of corruption from their everyday lives.
Corruption is expensive for Egypt. According to a study by the University of Passau in Germany, there is a close connection between corruption and direct foreign investments. If a country is able to add on another point on the TI index, it can bring in 15% more investments. But the influence of the reformers in the cabinet and in the NDP is limited, and this insight has still not been picked up on by everyone.
Minister censored by television station
Minister of industry Rashid recently complained in the Al Ahram Weekly that prior to an interview with Egyptian state television, he was told not to mention the word corruption. "I am being censored by my own television station!"
Nonetheless, Saad Eddin Ibrahim sees progress. Egyptian civil society has become more involved in fighting corruption. In addition, the independent press has greater freedoms now. "Their investigative journalists are doing a great job."
The most effective means in the fight against corruption are democratic elections. Regardless of who it was that sent Mustafa Bakri the information about Nafie, his articles constituted part of his campaign for the journalists' union in September.
The agitator El-Naggar was elected to Al Ahram's administrative council in October, in part because he gained a reputation among his colleagues as a proponent of transparency. He wants to use his new office to gather information about the sea of corruption. "I want to find out what all belongs to Al Ahram."
Frederik Richter
© Qantara.de 2005
Translated from German by Christina M. White
Reforms in the Arab World
"Corruption Is Just a Different Kind of Tax"
People who can neither count on an independent judiciary nor on a rule-bound administration are plagued by insecurity, harassment and dependence on personal good will. Arab countries under authoritarian control provide plenty of examples, as writes Martina Sabra
Interview Saad Eddin Ibrahim
"The EU must Cease Support of Repressive Systems in the Arab World"
The director of the Ibn Khaldun Centre in Cairo, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, says that he has observed positive signs that Arab states are opening up to democracy. But, he says, the reform process requires that Islamists not be shut out of the political dialogue
Kifaya – Enough is Enough
Egyptian Youth Demands Change
The "Kifaya" movement, named after the slogan "Kifaya – enough is enough," has recently announced that it has founded a youth – movement. It will work under the umbrella of "Kifaya" to promote the aims of the movement and support its activities in its struggle for freedom and democracy


text:
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
I'm trying to copy the way, e.g. blogs or events do these, but I can't seem to get either one right. Any pointers?
Here's how you can include the wysiwyg editor:
The editor by default adds itself to a textarea with
id="webpage-body", although you can specify a different one like this:
{! admin/util/wysiwyg?field_id=my-field !}
And here's an example yes/no select box:
Thank you! How about image and file upload fields?
For admin-facing forms, here's what I'd do for images:
And similarly for any type of file:
(note: make sure you're on the latest master branch for these :)
I'm still working on the documentation for helpers like
{! admin/util/wysiwyg !} and
{! filemanager/util/browser !} but for now there is some info in the files themselves on how to use them:
Thank you again. I'm really enjoying working with elefant so far.
I have another question but I will start a new thread for it.
Glad you're enjoying it :)
OK, that's all working. I tweaked the image preview so that it would show the selected image if the form reloaded because of an error:
{"Preview"}:

I'm wondering about refinements:
You've been so helpful and I really appreciate your time and don't want to impose more than I already have done and will do with other questions. However, if you have any suggestions as to how to go about those I'm all ears.
Other nice-tos:
Thinking about the multiple images and files some more... The uploader allows multiple uploads, but I don't think it allows multiple selections. Not sure what the best approach is -- maybe a link to the file manager and somehow auto-create a folder for the current property?
In my home-made CMS I used related tables, but I'm not sure how well that would work with elefant.
Thanks for all the suggestions, this definitely got me thinking! I broke things down by point to keep organized :) Here we go:
Image::resize($file, $width, $height) to resize programmatically. This is found in
apps/filemanager/lib. You can even use it as a filter in a template via
{{my_image|Image::resize (%s, 50, 30)}}.
apps/filemanager/conf/config.php, you can use their image editor on any image in Elefant.
/files/properties/$id/ for each property and move or duplicate the files there when the properties form is submitted.
First I created a quick CRUD app with the command:
./elefant crud-app listing id name description images
Then I tweaked the schema to lengthen the fields:
create table listings (
id integer primary key,
name char(48) not null,
description char(128) not null,
images text not null
And here's my modified
apps/listings/views/add.html with a possible multi-file solution:
The Javascript and CSS ought to be moved to separate files and included here and in the edit form to avoid duplicate code, but otherwise it seems to work pretty well.
This looks great! Investigating now...
I was playing with this idea a bit more and thought it could be made into more reusable components, so I just added
filemanager/util/multi-file and
filemanager/util/multi-image helpers to the master branch:
The comments in both of the handlers have usage examples, and here's a working demo as well:
Let me know what you think!
Forgive the noob question, but how do I pull those helpers into my build of elefant? I can do it manually but I guess there's probably a slicker way.
Right now you'll either need to be using git to clone the master repository (or fork it on Github, then you can pull new changes into your copy and keep a history of your own changes too), or download the files individually if you're not using git.
We're close to a new beta release that will include all this stuff, but there are a couple things left to finish up before then.
OK, I started over with git; trying the handlers now...
Still playing; looks good so far. With the auto-select, will it be possible to auto-select all the files uploaded, if more than one are uploaded at a time? That would make the lack of ability to choose multiple less of an issue.
Are there filemanager utilities to move files/create directories or should I just do that in straight php?
Thinking about the caption issue... The file manager has an option to add a description to an image. How is that stored?
Is it possible to preselect the filebrowser's path? Something like
{! filemanager/util/multi-file?path=/files/properties !}or even
{! filemanager/util/multi-file?path=/files/properties/data->id !}
Nice-to: I like the way you can click on the image to remove it. Could the cursor change to an X or similar, possibly red or purple to match the file-multi X, to make it clear that clicking will remove the image?
I would like to move the files to files/properties/property_name. Is there a "convert text to safe to use as file name" function already defined?
Here's one if not.
function clean_image_name($name, $link_separator="-") {
$name = preg_replace("/[&;'\"[\],<>?\/+!@#$%^*()[:space:]]+/", $link_separator, $name); // can't just do :punct: because we need the .
$name = preg_replace("/".$link_separator."{2,}/", $link_separator, $name); // "--" -> "-"
$name = str_replace("$link_separator.", ".", $name); // "-." -> '.'
return strtolower($name);
OK, so I got the images moved to their own folders and I would like to show a gallery for each property. Is it possible to do something like this?
{! filemanager/gallery?path=properties/{{ name|none }}&order=desc&desc=yes&style=embedded !} I'm having trouble getting it to parse correctly. That turns into this:
<?php echo $this->controller->run ('filemanager/gallery', array ('path' => 'properties/<?php echo $data->name;?>', 'order' => 'desc', 'desc' => 'yes', 'style' => 'embedded')); ?
Also, is it possible to turn off the popup in the embedded gallery and just have it update the large image?
Back to the multi-image field: It would be great if there was some way to let the user sort it. I added a single image "Main image" field above it, but that wouldn't be necessary if they could drag the images around. The trick in either case will be telling the gallery what order the user has chosen, since it goes by directory contents not db info.
I investigated the file manager's properties field some more. It's stored in the db in its own table. Would it make sense to query and update it from the listings app? (For use as captions.)
I've added the auto-selection for single-file uploads, as well as remembering your previous path when reopening the dialog, so that should help reduce the friction of choosing multiple files a bit.
I also added a
path option to the
$.multi_*() options, so you can start them off in a specific folder now too. Paths omit the
/files/ prefix, so
/files/design would just be
design. For example:
$(function () {
$('#browse').click (function () {
$.multi_image ({
field: '#images',
preview: '#images-preview',
path: 'design'
Sorting the images/files is a good idea. I think we can add that via drag and drop to the multi-file/image preview box.
For showing an X to say "Click to remove", I tried adding a CSS :after block that would hover the "Click to remove" text, but couldn't get it showing here for some reason. I'll have to play with changing the cursor instead. For now, the title text does show "Click to remove" but that always takes a second or two to appear.
And to answer your question about the gallery paths, here's the syntax you're looking for:
{! filemanager/gallery?path=[name|none]&order=desc&desc=yes&style=embedded !}
Except you'll need to include the full path in the
name value, because sub-expressions in includes only match the whole property value. It looks for the
[ and
] characters at the very start and end of the value, otherwise it takes it as an ordinary expression.
Doesn't the sorting conflict with the "Click to remove"? Or is there a clever way to get both?
Thanks for the path option; works nicely.
Haven't played with adding drag/drop yet so it might have issues, but I think there are workarounds to get it working nicely.
Sorting the Images would be awesome. I don't know if it's possible, but what do you think about, organizing the files similar to the Navigation admin menu. There could be an edit and an delete button on the draggables, similar to the Folder Icon on the navigationadmin.. Edit for renaming and editing Description. Then all the Files would be on one Screen... What do you think about this?
Question about
Image::resize: what do styles cover, stretch, and contain mean? Which would I use if I want to resize a 2000x1500 image to 640x480, but I don't want to pixellate a 400x300 one?
If the original images doesn't have the same ratio as the resized image there are three options to deal with it. Cover and contain keep the ratio and work similar to the CSS property: background-size (http://www.w3schools.com/cssref/css3_pr_background-size.asp) stretch doesn't maintain the ratio and distorts the image.
Cheers betaman
Thanks. What's the difference between cover and contain?


text:
Cooking For Engineers
Analytical cooking discussed.
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
I grew 4kg of tomatoes... now what?
Cooking For Engineers Forum Index
View previous topic
View next topic
Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 4:20 pm
Post subject: I grew 4kg of tomatoes... now what?
I suppose I'm looking for a simple recipe for spaghetti sauce from homegrown Beefsteak and Roma tomatoes, and a method for preserving sauce for months. The tomatoes I grew this year might keep me in sauce for three months, but I could grow enough next year for twelve months of sauce.
My digestive system is unimpressive in its handling of onions and acidic foods, so I wouldn't mind substituting baking soda for sugar, and I'd like to hear about onion alternatives for Mirepoix.
Thanks in advance.
Back to top
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 1194
Location: central PA
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 4:42 pm
Post subject:
for long term storage, the options are freezing or canning - unless you happen to have a spare freeze-drying chamber in the garage....
if you're going to can - I would recommend NOT adjusting the pH of tomatoes when canning - only at the time you use them. all of the tomato canning advice/methods/times/etc are predicated on tomatoes being on the acid side - change that and you could have canning disaster.
I have several gallons of garden tomatoes in the freezer for the off season (g) all I do is wash/quarter/core/de-stem them, into a pot and simmer down - in my case with onion / green pepper / celery / bay leaf / of nothing at all - bit of salt & pepper.
since I don't know how I'm going to eventually use any specific quart, most of them are just tomato with a dash of salt. I process it further for smooth & lumpy sauces, pizza, Italian style dishes of all kinds....
as for an onion replacement - would leeks work?
Back to top
Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 3:03 pm
Post subject:
Leeks, onions, garlic, and chives are all close genetic relatives. Every one of them except perhaps chives give me a stomachache and often a headache as well. It's annoying how pervasive onion and garlic are in recipes and in other people's cooking.
4.2kg of tomatoes reduced to 0.97 kg of watery tomato paste, with the beefsteaks reducing to 28% of their mass, and Roma to 43%. Beefsteak = water balloon.
I made one batch of spaghetti/pizza sauce, but it's not nearly as good as the stuff I buy in a jar. Limiting myself to ingredients I had on hand, I sweetened it with a scoop (72g in 1300g of sauce, actually) of brown sugar, and now it's way too sweet and tastes like molasses. I guess sugar is way more potent than I realized. Perhaps I should add some salt to balance it out?
Aside from that, I'm not sure if I have the correct spices in there, or whether I should care about that. I really don't understand spices.
In defense of my sauce, I do like the chunks of carrot and celery, and the tomato seeds. So, it's not the best I've had, but it is edible.
Back to top
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 1194
Location: central PA
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:48 pm
Post subject:
sounds like a good start - you do have a challenge duplicating ye' olde' 'taste' without the onion & garlic - those are rather pervasive in Italian dishes - altho Italy is not the only cuisine that uses tomato sauce.
have you tried onion or garlic powder? (not onion/garlic salt) I have no clue if that "should" lessen the effects of the fresh but it might be worth a try.
if you check out the ingredients on store bought type sauces you like that may give you a pointer for further experiments. I use bay leaf, paprika (there's also a smoke paprika - pretty strong . . .) wee bits of cayenne for 'kick', celery seed, caraway. gosh, need to think abit on what all might work.
there are any number of "spice charts" on the web - most of them list "by spice to dish" vs "by dish to spice" so it takes some reverse engineering to glean out good suggestions.
as for the overpowering sugar, my thought would be to make another batch without sugar and dilute it. salt is use to enhance the sweet sensation - chocolate stuff is a good example - but I'd be leery of just loading it up with salt. vinegars, soy sauce?
Back to top
Display posts from previous:
All Posts
1 Day
7 Days
2 Weeks
1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
Oldest First
Newest First
Cooking For Engineers Forum Index
All times are GMT
Jump to:
Select a forum
Cooking For Engineers
Cooking For Engineers Website Discussion
Messages from Michael
Comments Forum
Travel Comments Forum
Useless Stuff Comments Forum
Food, Cooking, & Dining
Cooking Tips
Cooking for Two
Favorite Foods
Tools, Equipment, and Gadgets
General Food Discussion
General Discussion
Anything Goes
Engineer Speak
post new topics in this forum
reply to topics in this forum
edit your posts in this forum
delete your posts in this forum
vote in polls in this forum
Powered by
© 2001, 2005 phpBB Group


text:
Style # 203158
Bonded Stripe Knit Dress is rated out of 5 by 10.
Rated 5 out of 5 by xixino1 from LOVE the dress The dress looks and feels so much more beautiful and comfortable on my body than I expected. I ordered a XS - I am 5'3 about 110lbs. It's snug, but I like how it is close to my body. There is this mesh fabric right on top of the black and white section of the dress, very cute. Also, a surprise because I didn't know that before I ordered it online. I can't speak for anyone else, but I really like this dress, so elegant and so sexy at the same time. You can dress it up like for going out with a pair of heels, or dress it down with flats for work.
Date published: 2013-01-26
Rated 2 out of 5 by MsTopKats from Disappointed I was so looking forward to receiving this dress, but when I got it and finally tried it on, I was very disappointed. The dress overall fits well except around the bust area. It shows too much of my bra on the side, which is a no-no for me. Also, the stripes portion is covered by a mesh material, which is not noticeable in the picture. Unfortunately I cannot return this dress as it was final sale. I will not be buying dresses online again.
Date published: 2013-01-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by Tootie from This dress is gorgeous This dress is perfect for a night out, it has a perfect fit, and it is true to size. i would definitely recommend this dress to anyone. I am also looking forward to shopping for more dresses out of BeBe.
Date published: 2013-01-14
Rated 2 out of 5 by Toffee from Runs small I've bought 3 dresses at the BeBe store, in size small or xsmall, that fit perfectly. I felt comfortable ordering this in small but found it tight in the hips, I'm sure medium will be too large, will need to go to the store in the future.
Date published: 2013-01-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by Ybka from Great dress!!! Love the dress!!! Fits prefect!!! I usually get size medium in dresses and ordered medium fits perfect!
Date published: 2013-01-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by DressUpGirl from Looks Amazing On The dress is heavier than I expected, but the weight of it keeps it from riding. It feels great when you have it on. The fit hugs you in all the right places without being constricting. It allows you to breath, yet holds you in where you need it! I'm 5"7, 128lbs and ordered a small. I love this dress.
Date published: 2012-11-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by jsdigsme from Boyfriend Approved! I have been eye-ing this dress for weeks and finally went to the store twould be a better fito try it on. I ended up getting an AMAZING deal on it. I'm 5'3'', 113lbs and purchased it in the Small. Boyfriend wouldn't let me walk out of the store without him buying it. I'm a sucker for an exposed zipper and/or pockets on a dress.
Date published: 2012-11-26
Rated 5 out of 5 by Rianaob from This dress is beautiful! Looks very plain on the hanger. I am 5'3 110 either wear an XS or XXS. XS fit me perfectly smooth lines and good curves. Looks much better on than on the hanger.
Date published: 2012-11-24


text:
Curri Ghost theme is a simple but eye catching Ghost blog theme with Ghost 0.4.2 & 0.5.x support along with many slick features.
It's the follow up to our Curri HTML theme (http://themeforest.net/item/curri-retina-ready-cv-template/5149358).
The theme is built with Twitter Bootstrap 3.2.0 and features a timeline blog list with 5 different timeline styles to choose from. Its fully mobile first and responsive and supports all types of media within posts (images, videos & sound clips) and even Tweets & Facebook Statuses! Disqus commenting is also supported.Behind the design, the theme supports both Facebook & Twitter meta tags & provides rich snippets support (schema.org) to make your theme stand out in search results!!Key Features:
- Built on Bootstrap 3.2.0
- Font Awesome icons 4.2.0
- Ghost 4.2.0 & 0.5.x support
- Retina Ready!
- New: Infinite Scroll pager or traditional pager
- New: Embedded Tweet & Facebook Status support
- IcoMoon Icons
- Mobile first & Fully responsive (wide, normal, narrow, mobile)
- Clean well commented code, easy to customise
- Simple, bold, clean design
- Valid HTML5
- JSHint Compilant
- Google font (OpenSans)
- Drop down mini menu
- Featured media support (first image, video or sound clip in post is used)
- Disqus commenting
- Slick share widgets
- Share widgets
- Sticky post header
- Rich snippets support (schema.org)
- Facebook & Twitter meta data built in
- Regular updates
version 1.3, 27/10/2014
- Ghost 4.2.0 & 0.5.x support
- New: Author profile pages & multi user support, see: author.hbs
- New: Support for tags pages, see new tag.hbs file
- New: Support for home template, see new home.hbs file
- New: Support & example of Custom Page Templates, see new page-contact-us.hbs file
- New: plurals helper example, see: home.hbs
- New: featured post tag
- New: Use "post image" on index & post if present
- Added package.json file
- Swapped pageUrl to page_url usage
- Bootstrap 3.2.0 upgrade
- Font Awesome 4.2.0 upgrade
version 1.2, 12/02/2014
- Ghost 4.0.1 enhancements (static pages, menu & error template)
- Bootstrap 3.1.0 update
- Font Awesome 4.0.3 update
- Added animate.css transitions
- Minor documentation changes
version 1.1, 27/11/2013
- New: Added support for Infinite Scroll pager jQuery plugin
- New: Added embedded Tweets & Facebook Status support
version 1.0, 31/10/2013
- Initial release


text:
klia2 WITNESSED A SMOOTH OPENING AND COMMERCIAL OPERATION WITH THE FIRST ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE BY MALINDO AND CEBU PACIFIC
02 May 2014
Kuala Lumpur, 2 May 2014 - klia2, the world's largest purpose-built low cost terminal for low cost carriers witnessed a smooth commercial opening and operations, with the first arrival and the first departure flights from the terminal today.
Malindo Air flight OD1027 from Kota Kinabalu touched down at klia2 at approximately 12.05am with 110 passengers on board.
Cebu Pacific Airways flight 5J502 to Manila was the first departing flight from klia2 at 1.20am, with 147 passengers on board. Passengers of this flight were also the first to check-in at klia2.
From 2 May the airlines which will operate at klia2 are Malindo Air, Cebu Pacific Airways, Lion Air and TigerAir. AirAsia will move to klia2 by 9 May when all their flights will arrive and depart from the new terminal.
Malaysia Airports expects 7,000 passenger traffic movements daily for the initial phase of operations, and 50,000 passenger traffic movements on 9 May onwards after the move of AirAsia group of airlines to klia2.
With the start of commercial operations at klia2, gateway@klia2 which duals as a public transportation hub and a retail mall was also commercially opened for public. Transportation hub includes fully gated car park which can accommodate 6,000 vehicles and full hospitality services amongst others. It also provides ERL, taxi and bus services which link passengers with a quick and convenient transfer between the city, KLIA and klia2. Gateway@klia2 is also Malaysia first and largest airport mall open to travelers and public to shop, eat & relax with over 200 outlets across 350,000 sq ft of retail space.
The LCCT-KLIA will cease operations after 9 May 2014. For the convenience of passengers departing from the LCCT-KLIA before 2 May and arriving at klia2 after 9 May, complimentary shuttle bus service between klia2 and LCCT-KLIA will be provided by Malaysia Airports from 1st May until 15th May 2014. The shuttle bus will be available every 15 - 20 minutes. The shuttle bus can be boarded at the same location for bus services in LCCT and at Level 1 of klia2 terminal. All public transportation into LCCT-KLIA will be operating as usual until 9 May 2014.
The immigration, security and customs counters at LCCT-KLIA will also continue to operate until 9 May. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines to confirm details of their flights departure to avoid any inconveniences.
Passengers arriving and departing for the first time at klia2 were presented with special souvenirs to commemorate the inaugural event. The event was graced by YB Dato' Ab. Aziz Kaprawi, Deputy Minister of Transport, accompanied by Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Chairman of Malaysia Airports and Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports.
klia2 is one of the largest privately funded projects and will spur the local economic growth and employment opportunities. With klia2, KLIA now has a total capacity to handle 70 million passengers per annum to cater for the rapid air travel growth and remain competitive within the region.
klia2 is built as a national infrastructure asset to cater to the needs of the airlines, government, public and the airport. klia2 is an iconic national project which seeks to cement Malaysia's position as a leading global aviation hub.


text:
Patrick2 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 171 diseños de 25 diseñadores freelance.
DemandStreet (http://www.demandstreet.com and http://www.demandst.com)
DemandStreet provides a trio of services to small businesses – optimization of online social media presence, management of reviews and reputation, and administration of rewards and discount programs – allowing them to focus on what really matters: keeping customers happy and growing their bottom line.
We deliver these services at low cost to business owners through a unique combination of social media experts and scalable web technology. Partnering with sites like Facebook, Yelp, Google, and CitySearch, our platform expands the visibility of businesses, while ensuring the additional attention garnished and feedback received is done in as positive light as possible.
Once we have a logo we love (from you hopefully!), we will be looking to create a site that is extremely easy to understand and navigate – our target audience is small business owners who are not, in general, sophisticated web users; they may have heard of Facebook and Twitter from their children, and Yelp from their customers, but they don't necessarily know why they are important, how they should use them, or how to navigate a complicated website.
The site that will make use of this logo will be a very clean, modern, "web 2.0" look and feel (think mint.com, meraki.com, 37signals.com, etc.) and thus the logo should fit in well to that style.
The only thing that our customers have in common is that they are small business owners who are extremely busy and benefit greatly from our services; what each business does varies and includes your typical professionals (e.g., dentists, dermatologists, accountants, etc.) to home services providers (e.g., pest control, carpet and tile installation, landscapers, etc.) and everything in between. This logo should appeal to people trying to grow their businesses while making their lives easier -- complexity is bad, simplicity is good.
A couple designs we have seen on this site that we really like are:
- http://99designs.com/users/284331/f…ns/3956597
- http://99designs.com/logo-design/co…entries/70
We want something similar and not too noisy ..
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
***Announcement: It would mean so much if you supported...
Staying sober
- by 5SOS-is-life
- Rating:
- Published: 30 Nov 2014
- Updated: 30 Nov 2014
- Status: In Progress
Charli is a strict sober companion, and her next client is Luke Hemmings from the famous band 5 Seconds of summer. Luke doesn't like Charli very much at first, and Charli doesn't care because Luke is just another client, or is he?
Join MovellasFind out what all the buzz is about. Join now to start sharing your creativity and passion
Loading ...


text:
Average Cost: $
Website: View Website
View all listings by Portiuncula Center For Prayer
As a Retreat and Holistic Center we welcome all who seek respite and renewal. The staff at the Retreat House is here to provide service in support of the serenity, and spiritual direction you seek. We have 5 wonderful hermitages for you to enjoy in addition to our rooms in the retreat house. The staff at the Holistic Center is here to provide service in support of healing and revitalization. Offerings include Therapeutic Massage, Healing Touch, Ortho-Bionomy, Reflexology, Healing Facials.
Average Cost: $
Environment: River / Stream, Rustic, Woods
Gay Friendly: Yes!
Special Needs: Allergies, Wheelchair Access
Restrictions: No Smoking
Language: English
Room Types: Cottage / Cabin, Hotel
Food: Restricted Diet Options, Vegetarian or Vegan Options
Meal Availability: Available On Site, Kitchen - Private, Provided - All Meals
Reservation Criteria: Check web site for all upcoming retreats.
Retreat Contact: Kate Galgan
Phone: 815-464-3880
View Retreat Website
Organization Contact:
Portiuncula Center For Prayer
9263 West St Francis RoadFrankfort, IL 60423-8330United States
Organization Website: View Organization Website
by region: (view map)
by state:
View Gay Friendly Retreats (509)


text:
Weistec improves the performance of the factory intercooler by separating it from the engine cooling system. The M157 cooling kit includes a dedicated performance heat exchanger, trunk mounted ice tank reservoir, and all the necessary fittings and lines.
Essentially, this leaves the factory system now dedicated to just cooling the engine rather than the engine and intercooler. Also, the factory factory heat exchanger is positioned between the radiator and AC condenser meaning heat radiating from those elements will affect it. The Weistec unit is mounted where it can get cool air from the grille above the bumper beam.
Another great performance product from Weistec Engineering for your AMG, get it here for $1999.99: http://www.weistec.com/m157cooling.html
Key Features:
- Separates Intercooler from Engine Coolant
- High Performance Heat Exchanger
- Optimal Heat Exchanger Placement
- Weistec Trunk Ice Tank for Greatly Increased System Capacity
- All Hardware, Lines, and Fittings Included


text:
Ethiopian Shiro Spread Recipe
Recipe by Ashley Beck
Shiro is an essential part of the Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. A favorite during Lent and Ramadan, it's often prepared with minced onions and garlic, and some regions even add ground ginger, chopped tomatoes and chili peppers to the smooth, chickpea flour-based mixture. Served with injera or this honey bread, it's predominantly a vegan dish although some versions contain meat.
2 medium onions , diced
1 tomato , pureed (or 4 oz tomato puree)
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup Shiro powder (dried chickpea powder)
1-1/2 to 2 cups water
1 tbsp Berbere (Ethiopian spice mix)
1. Start by pureeing the onions in a blender. Dump the onion mush into a hot dry skillet. Stir frequently until the water evaporates and the onions start to get just a tiny bit of light brown color. Once the onions begin to color a bit, add 1/2 cup of oil and berbere. (If you like more of a kick, add 2-3 times more than the suggested amount.)
2. Let onion, oil, and berbere infuse for a mintute or two then add pureed tomato.
3. Before you add the shiro powder, make sure that you have the water close by. Add your shiro powder gradually, briskly stirring. It will get thick very quickly. Once the shiro seems pretty well mixed into the oil, add 1-1/2 to 2 cups of water. Stir well.
4. Simmer until shiro spread is at desired consistency. Can be served with pita bread, rice, roti, or Ethiopian honey bread.


text:
Brazil's apparent success in persuading members of a WTO panel that the U.S. cotton program injured its producers could be a long time bearing fruit and could actually work against world trade reforms, U.S. officials warned.
Testifying before the House Agriculture Committee, Ambassador Robert Zoellick said his Office of the U.S. Trade Representative almost certainly will appeal the ruling, a process that "could last months or possibly a year or years."
Zoellick also said the ruling, details of which have been leaking out since it was transmitted to the Brazilian and U.S. governments April 26, could undermine ongoing efforts to reform world agricultural trade in the Doha Round negotiations within the World Trade Organization.
"There is no immediate impact for farmers and ranchers around the country," said Zoellick in an apparent reference to newspaper headlines that have said the WTO ruling would mean the end of U.S. farm programs. "This is a marathon, not a sprint."
While U.S. and Brazilian officials have agreed not to disclose details of the ruling, sources have said the three judges — one from Australia, one from Chile and one from Poland — on the WTO dispute panel found largely in Brazil's favor.
Brazil, which filed the complaint in September 2002, has said that the U.S. cotton program, and in particular, Step 2 of the farm law's Three-Step Competitiveness program encouraged U.S. farmers to increase their production, resulting in lower cotton prices worldwide.
But farm-state lawmakers have criticized Brazil's claim that excess U.S. production pressured world cotton prices.
Force market loan
"Brazil claims that our policies caused low prices, but the fact of the matter is that low world prices from 1999-2001 caused supports such as marketing loan gains to kick in," said Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, said in a statement.
"Our commodity programs are fully consistent with commitments made in the last WTO agreement, and an analysis done by cotton economists at Texas Tech University in Lubbock shows that world prices would not significantly increase with elimination of our cotton programs."
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and ranking member Charlie Stenholm of Texas noted that many countries regularly deny access for U.S. agricultural products for many reasons, including non-scientific barriers for U.S. beef, grains, fruits and vegetables.
"We have said repeatedly that gaining access for U.S. agricultural products is the most important objective of the ongoing WTO negotiations," they said. "Changes to countries' agricultural policies should come through the give and take of negotiations, not through decisions that do not appear based on WTO rules."
Zoellick said he believes the WTO ruling, if not corrected, sets a bad precedent for the future of the WTO's agricultural trade negotiations.
"If other countries decide to stand back and litigate their way, as opposed to negotiating a new agreement, I think it will be a very complicated and nonproductive approach for everyone."
National Cotton Council leaders, who have accompanied U.S. Trade Representative attorneys to the WTO hearings on the Brazilian complaint, said they believe the ruling will be overturned on appeal.
"If the published reports are accurate, the interim decision is unfortunate and, we believe, incorrect," NCC Chairman Woody Anderson said. "This dispute highlights the difficulty associated with any nation designing farm policy to serve domestic goals while meeting international trade commitments."
NCC commitment
Anderson said the National Cotton Council will continue to work with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure the final WTO decision is in keeping with the intent of the Uruguay Round Agricultural Agreements. "The Brazil cotton case is very complex - with many decision points throughout. It is unwise to speculate about the WTO panel's ultimate conclusions using incomplete press reports."
Anderson said the NCC understands that the United States has not commented directly on the confidential Interim Report. He added that the NCC believes that the current farm program provides an important safety net for the farm economy while complying with our commitments under the WTO.
"The council is very appreciative and encouraged by the vigilant defense of the farm bill in separate statements by Senate Ag Committee Chairman Cochran, House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and ranking member Charlie Stenholm of Texas, and the Bush administration," the Texas cotton producer said.
"We are in consultation with the U.S. government concerning the report. It is very unlikely there will be any immediate impact on current U.S. programs. Any changes to the cotton program that are warranted, given the panel decision, will only affect future crops of U.S. cotton."
Anderson said that the Brazil challenge covered a wide array of U.S. programs over a significant number of years and Brazil had a good chance, given the broad scope of its challenge, for the panel to side with them on a few points.
"We hope that, when given a chance to review the entire determination, we will have a better idea of how the panel ruled on a number of technical items," he said. "We can fully evaluate the impact of this decision on the U.S. cotton program only after we completely understand the panel's rationale."
e-mail: [email protected]


text:
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Dusty Thursday: Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 10/101 - What is a Dusty?
I talk about dusties every Thursday but I don't think I've really spent any time defining what a dusty is. If you ask most people, they would say it's a hard to find or out of production bottle of whiskey. But if you really talk to people about dusties, many would say that what they are looking for are bottles that were out of production before they started drinking (or seriously drinking) whiskey.
Enter Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 101. Unlike many of the dusties I've covered here, this bourbon was available when I started becoming a whiskey fan. In fact, it was the first bottle of bourbon I ever purchased. Around 8 or 9 years ago, I had been drinking Scotch for a few years and was trying to learn about bourbon; a friend recommended this ten year old version of Wild Turkey 101; I think I picked it up for around $35. Needless to say, I loved it and I was on my way to bourbonland. A few years later, they repackaged Russell's Reserve at a lower proof (45% abv). Since then, the 101 proof version has become a dusty treasure, but it's hard for me to think of it as a dusty, since I remember seeing it on the shelves.
I haven't had a sip of the Russell's Reserve 101 since that first bottle, so I was excited to get some and see how it compared to my memory.
Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 101, 10 years old, 50.5% abv.
The nose is candy sweet with a good measure of wood. The palate is rich and woody with some rye notes. There is a lot of age on this for ten years. Tasting blind I would likely guess it was older. I'm getting sentimental now, this really reminds me of why I started drinking bourbon. It revealed what bourbon could be and shaped many of my early opinions. I'm lucky I started with this. If I'd picked up something else, I might never have bothered to buy a second bottle (then again, maybe that would have been a good thing - at least I'd have more available closet space).
This really is a great bourbon and it saddens me that it's no longer around, but Dusty Thursdays can be bittersweet, especially when the whiskey comes with memories.
9 comments:
- Greg said...
You picked a good one. My favorite in rank order of older WT offerings; 8/101, 10/101, 12/101. Older Turkeys are some of my favorite bourbons.
- April 19, 2012 at 5:07 PM
- sku said...
Greg, I haven't had the pleasure of the 8 or 12 (that's the split label right?). I've only heard good things though.
- April 19, 2012 at 5:19 PM
Wild Turkey line has slumped since the warehouse fire.
- April 19, 2012 at 7:35 PM
- Greg said...
Shoot Steve. We'll have to remedy that. Not sure I have any 12 year open, but I have a couple years of 8 year that I can probably sample up or ya.
- April 20, 2012 at 4:26 AM
- SteveBM said...
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Russell a few days ago. Great guy. Talked about the 101 Rye shortage at length. He is amazed at the surge in popularity for rye. Said lots of distilleries feeling the effect. It'll be awhile before we see a steady supply of product (he mentioned a few cases here, a few cases there) but it'll be back. They are doing the 81 to compliment the 101 much like the 81 and 101 bourbons. Looking forward to popping into Wild Turkey on my next Louisville trip.
- April 20, 2012 at 8:04 AM
I just wonder how the new modern distillery will effect the flavor of WT. I cannot help but think it will hurt it. I think anytime you automate natural processes you loose something. I remeber when this bottling came out. Sadly I never bought one. Wish I had now.
- April 22, 2012 at 2:46 PM
I must admit that WT products have been surprisingly good for their price range. I finally got around to getting Rare Breed. I wasn't convinced by the reviews until I got myself a bottle and it is now one of my favorites. I haven't gotten RR because everyone balked about the lowered proof. However, I wonder if it's really that bad?
- April 24, 2012 at 7:27 AM
Had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Russell in Louisville many years ago and had him sign one of my WT RR 101 .. infact, I have one bottle left that I have saved and opening tomorrow, Jan. 27, my 60th BD. It has been too long and can't wait any longer.
It's unfortunate it's no longer around .. but I was fortunate to meet the man responsible for such a great bourbon. JB
- January 26, 2013 at 5:40 AM
- sku said...
Happy 60th jwb-mi! What a great way to celebrate it!
- January 26, 2013 at 7:12 AM


text:
Promote our shirts on your own site and make money! $2 Per shirt!
Think you have a good shirt idea? Send it in, you could win $$$
Members only exclusive content and contests. Sign up now, it's free!
Tags: cereal rapist shirt, cereal rapist t-shirt, cereal rapist tee shirt, tony the tiger shirt, toucan sam, trix, snap, crackle, pop tee shirts, cereal rapist shirts, cereal rapist t-shirts


text:
|2011-10-22, 05:38
|Link #1021
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
|2011-10-22, 06:29
|Link #1023
Lets be reality
Join Date: May 2007
Vial = girl?
Not disagreeing on the similarities but you don't exactly put forward a compelling case...
|2011-10-22, 07:14
|Link #1024
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: event horizon
The scenario/formula is pretty much the same no matter how you look at it: boy meets super-girl, get super power, is now destined to "lead". It smells of copy/paste all over; similar to the problem harem usually have. It's different each time but same formula as far as the main plotline is concerned; and the problem is the main plotline is what's going to define it. They've already set everything up CG style with 1-man pincer movements and really flashy one-shot strategies with (stupidly) "precise" impossible-planning. It's like a spiritual successor to CG. Hell even the name GC is similar. We're now just moved into the CG school setting. How long before we get the "use power to hide identity" or "rebels are powerless with out you" I wonder.
The antagonist follow pretty much the same principles too. Instead of a crap-ton of field commanders you got 1-man leader person along with some Elites which pretty much make or break them. Needless to say the rebels are pretty similar too. 1 leader, with an extra support leader and everyone one else reduced to either peons, fodder or in this case fanservice.
That said Lelouch was a much more likable character. It's like we have Suzaku as main this time. Britania was also a much more likable antagonist, just because it was so wack and funny.
|2011-10-22, 07:26
|Link #1025
Amor Fati
Join Date: Oct 2011
|2011-10-22, 07:50
|Link #1026
Hyakko Fanboy
Join Date: Nov 2008
Age: 27
|2011-10-22, 09:09
|Link #1028
Don't Call Me Bro
Watched Episode 2 just now.
Any similarities drawn between Code Geass and this show are now fairly baseless. Glad that's out of the way.
Still, I am dropping this show. Not feeling that great about it, but Episode 2 really put me off this show. Here's why:
1. My fears Inori really is the submissive type willing to be used as a tool and treated like a sex-object by the creators of this show came true. That scene in the ventilation duct was so uncalled for - there are times for fanservice, but the particular timing was just SO wrong and it was demeaning to boot! Didn't like the nonchalant way Inori draped Shu's hand across her chest either. It's almost as if she likes being used this way. Factors like these just seem to degrade a heroine rather than give reasons to like her. I'm very disappointed.
2. Rest of the cast is flimsy too. Shu now comes off as generic shounen emo kid. Ayase's introduction was poorly handled and Kana Hanazawa just didn't sound right for that characterm even if Hanazawa voices shy characters generally and is shy IRL. Ayane Taketatsu and Tsugumi clashed even more for me with that style of voice - also seemed inappropriate use of catgirl traits in this case. Gai is just a royal prick. I can watch pricks in actions if they have charisma or some redeeming features. Gai has neither. Looks like more trope-style characters coming in the next few episdoes. There isn't a major character with the charisma or magnetism required to steer a show like this. So instead this feels like medium-grade shounen at best.
3. Really beginning to dislike the music - it's just not working for me. The ED theme is okay but I really don't like the OP theme and Inori's singing isn't doing it for me either. The visuals seemed a bit messy this episode - already wondering whether they spent too much budget on making Episode 1 look good.
4. The world setting/plot progression was next to none in Episode 2. Most other shows I continued with really set things straight in their second episodes - their intentions, settings and motivations became clear. Guilty Crown is already wasting time this early...I am not impressed with this.
I guess this show just isn't for me. For those continuing - good luck. I hope you enjoy this show. But I have seen enough to know the character types and style of this show just doesn't sit well with me at all. I'm better off not continuing.
|2011-10-22, 09:23
|Link #1029
Takao Tsundere Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Classified
Let's see:
Shu is a shy, strong but kind kid with a heart while Lelouch who is prideful, has daddy issues, a siscon, vicious mindset and a pathetic weakling.
Gai is sorta like Lelouch, if Lelouch was more honest about his opinions about his crew but doesn't treat them as pawns, isn't a smug, looks great, isn't a weakling and kicks ass.
Inori is almost emotionless girl but is a hard dutiful member while CC is a lazy, sarcastic bum who eats pizza all day.
Britannia is oppressive due to it's Social Darwinism and belief they are a better race than others while GHQ are oppressive due to a paranoid fear of a return of a virus that devastated Japan.
In conclusion, Guilty Crown is no Code Geass but something else.
|2011-10-22, 09:30
|Link #1030
Amor Fati
Join Date: Oct 2011
Shu is a follower. He does what other people tell him, and he's easily swayed by beauty. He decides to help out a terrorist and falls into a pathetic depression after knowing her for literally a minute. He's secretly loving the fact that he's been thrust into the role of a protagonist for two episodes.
Gai emotionally manipulates his comrades because he knows that they want to bone him. He's reckless and doesn't think his plans through. He would have gotten all of those civilians murdered if this show were more realistic.
Inori is an object. Half of the lines that come out of her mouth are about how she's a possession "I'll give you my everything; I'm yours; I already belong to you; use me." She has no personality, and is solely in this show for sex appeal.
The GHQ mass murder civilians cruelly without having any real aims. They just sort of do it for the sake of being mean. They're moustache-twirling villains.
|2011-10-22, 09:39
|Link #1031
Hyakko Fanboy
Join Date: Nov 2008
Age: 27
The cast is different, of course they gonna act differently.
How about the protag that suddenly meet mysterious girl, walked into warzone, meet the rebel n the rebel outdo the opposition in ruin city.
The worse thing is I don't even wanna to compare, they just too similar.
|2011-10-22, 09:48
|Link #1032
Takao Tsundere Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Classified
Maybe i have this kind of view point because everyone keeps saying Guilty Crown is like or resembles Code Geass. The comparison kinda bored and annoyed me to the point i just decided this if they say that then fine, it's their view cause to me, it's just a new exciting anime.
|2011-10-22, 09:49
|Link #1033
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
|2011-10-22, 09:53
|Link #1035
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: event horizon
Is there really anything particularly wrong with being another CG?
|2011-10-22, 10:22
|Link #1036
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: In my room
|2011-10-22, 12:05
|Link #1039
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
|2011-10-22, 12:06
|Link #1040
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: secret
Everyone has their own opinion and taste whether this is good and bad so in the end the one who decide is the one who watch it
after seeing the first two episode even if some people think it is a rip off as CG or think it is bad
all in all i like this show it is kinda entertaining and refreshing after watching so much anime this year and if they keep this pace up i sure it will be one of the best anime series this year
and yes i have watch CG, one for thing for sure is CG is CG and Guilty Crown is Guilty Crown
that is my opinion anyway.
comparing this anime remind of someone post long time ago someone comparing Busou Renkin with Bleach when it first come out =_="
|action, noitamina, production_ig
|Thread Tools


text:
Japanese stocks fell sharply on their first day of trading in 2014, leading Asia lower on Monday, while in Shanghai, concerns over new listings weighed on share prices.
Coming back online after a long New Year break, the Nikkei Average NIK, -2.02% ended 2.4% lower on Monday. The main catalyst was a firmer yen USDJPY, -0.21% which had pushed higher against the dollar in the period over the holidays.
The dollar was trading at ¥104.48, compared with ¥105.30 late Tuesday, the final trading day of 2013. A stronger currency typically hurts Japanese stocks, as a firmer yen makes it harder for companies to price their products competitively abroad and reduces the value of repatriated profits.
The fall on the Nikkei Average put an end to a year-closing winning streak. The Nikkei surged 57% in 2013, its best year since 1972.
"To a degree, a consolidation move of some kind was in order for stocks after that long nine-day run-up," said Yoshihiro Okumura, general manager of Chibagin Asset Management. "The magnitude of the fall is understandable considering the dollar's weakness."
Chinese stocks were also weaker, as the impact of a reopened initial-public-offering market continued to weigh on local sentiment. Fifteen companies published their IPO prospectuses on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges on Monday. Analysts say that the pace of new share listings is faster than many had anticipated, raising fears of a short-term flood of new stock.
"It's a short-term reaction," Capital Securities analyst Amy Lin said, noting that the number of the IPOs in the pipeline is "higher ... than many had expected."
HSBC's China services Purchasing Managers' Index also weighed on sentiment. The gauge of expansion intentions in the services sector fell to 50.9 in December from 52.5 in November. This followed numbers released last week that showed a deceleration in both China manufacturing and services sectors.
The Shanghai Composite SHCOMP, -1.53% lost 1.8% in mainland China, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index HSI, -1.62% shed 0.6%.
Markets across the region were positioning themselves ahead of data due this week.
China is due to publish trade and inflation figures on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
And at the end of the week, the U.S. is slated to release its monthly labor report. This was a key indicator for much of last year, used as guide to determine when the Federal Reserve would start to cut back its bond-buying program.
Although the Fed put an end to such speculation last month, when it announced it would start to withdraw stimulus this month, the jobs data will still be scrutinized for further signs of strength in the world's largest economy.
Australia's S&P ASX 200 XJO, -1.05% fell 0.5%. South Korea's Kospi SEU, -1.25% gained 0.4%. Singapore's Straits Times STI, -1.09% was down 0.3% late in Asia.
In corporate news, Taiwanese phone maker HTC Corp. 2498, -0.64% HTCXF, +0.00% fell 3.6%, much steeper than the 0.5% decline on the Taiex Y9999, -0.86% after the firm managed to make a small net profit in the fourth quarter after selling its stake in a U.S. headphone company, though it recorded another operating loss due to falling sales.
Yue Li and Bradford Frischkorn contributed to this story.
More MarketWatch news:
Stock market to find out if the Fed made the right move
Year-end job gains key to Fed's next move
China service-sector growth slowing: HSBC data
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


text:
RATE:From $150-$289 per night
Maximum Occupancy: 2
One Queen Bed
Private Bathroom (ensuite)
Two Floors Up
No Elevator but we Help Carry Your Luggage
- Phone / Voice Mail
- Wi-Fi / Cable / Regular TV
- Alarm Clock / Hair Dryer
- Ceiling Fan / Central Heating / Air Conditioning
- Luggage Rack / Iron Ironing Board (no fridge)
- Gilchrist & Soames Soap and Shampoo, Shower Cap
Description: Room 302 is a simple retreat two floors up with a front street view over Columbia Road, facing upscale residential buildings.The large queen sleigh bed with soft white linen and non-allergenic comforter provides this room with the easy demands of a comfortable night for any on-the-go business traveler. There is an English style secretary's desk, complete with a selection of used books for your reading pleasure. A private all-white shower and tub are provided within the suite with standard amenities. No elevator service is available, but our staff is prepared to readily assist you with any luggage during your stay with us. The American Guest House is a Pet and Smoke-free property and we restrain from using aromatic sprays in order to accommodate allergy sensitive guests.
<< Previous Room | Next Room >> | View All Rooms | Book Now


text:
Our apologies... The page you requested cannot be displayed.
Unfortunately, the page you were trying to retrieve is not available on MyFWC.com. This could have happened as content on our site is constantly being reviewed and updated, and occasionally, deleted.
To assist in finding the page you are looking for, please try one of the following options:
Below is a helpful list of MyFWC.com's most viewed pages. If you still are unable to find what you are looking for, please use the search box in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
FWC Facts:Turtles are ancient, shelled reptiles that have existed for 220 million years. Florida is home to 27 turtle species, 20 of which are freshwater turtles.
Learn More at AskFWC
Get FWC News Feeds
Copyright 1999-2018 State of Florida • Technical Help •
EEO/AA/ADA • Privacy Statement • Advertising Statement & Disclaimer • Site Map
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building
620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL
32399-1600 • (850) 488-4676
Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2018 Agency Regulatory Plan.
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Employee Resources (Password required)
Intranet Portal | Outlook E-Mail | Retiree Info
Disaster Information for FWC Employees


text:
It's the beginning of the year, and that means the beginning of new diets and exercise plans for everybody. By late February, many people who may have started the year with good intentions have fallen off their plans. One diet that would be easy to handle, as it allows a variety of tasty foods, is the Mediterranean diet that's been surging in popularity in recent years.
Nation's Restaurant News reports on the diet, pointing out that it's less of a specific diet and more of an eating focus "with an emphasis on healthful high antioxidant-, fiber-rich ingredients such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and healthier fats derived from olive oil, nuts, and seafood." Both the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association have highlighted the diet as ways to manage health for years, with it encouraging a variety of foods.
The diet doesn't prohibit meat and meat products, but just minimizes them, especially in comparison to fish. Olive oil, fruits, and veggies are generally considered tasty components of meals that most consumers enjoy. The concept comes from the traditional diets of those in Greece, Spain, and Southern Italy. It features a significant amount of monounsaturated fats, which have been suggested to lead to a reduction of coronary heart disease risk, improve cholesterol regulation, LDL cholesterol reduction, and features other anti-hypertensive and inflammatory effects.
Naturally, these health benefits are ideal for many, focusing on not just losing weight and gaining more energy, but towards adjusting many ailments. The addition of red wine to the diet adds antixodants with their inclusion of flavonoids.
NRN's suggestions on how restaurants can include this diet include
Enhance the natural flavor of dishes through herbs and spices rather than salt. Basil, cilantro, ginger and saffron are just a few accents that can complement any sauce, dressing, marinade, soup or entrée.
Boost the use of fruits and vegetables. Bring color and variety to salads and seafood dishes with fresh, seasonal fruits, and add hearty vegetables to chili, soups and noodle dishes.
Provide alternative sources of protein. Use proteins such as omega-3 rich salmon, tuna or shrimp, or make substitutions available in place of traditional meats in entrées and salads.
Use extra-virgin olive oil in place of butter and highly saturated dressings.Use it to flavor salads and drizzle over vegetables and pastas. It can also be used in low-heat food preparation.
Add texture with fiber-rich foods. Infuse texture into dishes by adding fiber-rich beans and legumes into salads and side dishes, and nuts and seeds as toppings.
Replace refined grain breads and noodles with whole grains. Use brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta and wild rice in place of refined grains wherever possible.
Naturally, a new focus on wine in your restaurant could also find its way into the diets of your customers. Many of the items on your menu might fit with these suggestions, so it shouldn't take too much to adjust your menu to highlight the diet.


text:
Media October-December 2005
|News Release: October 21, 2005
|View Printable PDF Version
|Docket Number: ER03-563-000
Commission provides forum for LICAP settlement talks, encourages development of alternatives
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today provided a forum for settlement talks to help resolve the long-standing issue of appropriate compensation to secure sufficient electric generation capacity to ensure reliable power supplies in the New England region.
The settlement discussions are intended to give parties the opportunity to develop an alternative to the proposed locational installed capacity program, or LICAP, currently pending before the Commission. In directing the talks, the Commission emphasized that a plan must be in place before demand growth causes regional reliability problems.
"At oral argument held by the Commission last month, there was universal agreement that there is a problem in New England. There was also broad consensus that the Commission needs to act. This order gives the region an opportunity to develop a workable alternative to LICAP. I urge the parties to dedicate themselves to that end and reach a settlement," Commission Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher said.
By affording an opportunity to develop a workable alternative to LICAP, the Commission is acting consistent with section 1236 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which encouraged the Commission to "carefully consider" alternative regional views regarding LICAP, Chairman Kelliher noted.
LICAP, initially proposed in March 2004, is intended to assure sufficient electric generation capacity to supply system peak load under all contingencies in the six-state New England region. LICAP addresses localized scarcity of generation capacity resources within New England and accommodates differing needs in the region through regional price variations.
The Commission today expressed concern that, while demand for power continues to increase, especially in Southwest Connecticut and Northeastern Massachusetts, very little new generation is being added and the "status quo is failing."
"The collapse of generation additions and the threat that poses to reliability and just and reasonable wholesale power prices in New England cannot be ignored," said Chairman Kelliher. "I do not want to see the California crisis visited upon New England, and I do not want to see the Commission criticized for not acting to assure reliability."
In June 2004, the Commission ordered an administrative hearing to look into a LICAP market design that would appropriately compensate generation facilities needed for reliability purposes. The Commission is currently weighing an administrative law judge's June 2005 findings on LICAP. The Commission has deferred LICAP implementation until October 1, 2006, at the earliest.
During the administrative hearing, ISO-New England proposed a shortage hours adjustment to the payments that capacity resources would receive under the LICAP mechanism. This adjustment, according to ISO-New England, is intended to take into account the actual availability of each generator in contributing to system reliability during the critical hours of the year. In today's interim order, the Commission gave ISO-New England 60 days to submit additional detail on its shortage hours proposal for adjusting payments to LICAP generators and material on calculation of the potential cost impact of LICAP.
The settlement discussions will be overseen by a Commission administrative law judge, who will provide periodic reports to the Commission regarding progress in the pending discussions. Any alternatives to LICAP that emerge from the settlement discussions must be submitted to the Commission by January 31, 2006.
Concurrent with the effort to promote development of an alternative to LICAP, the Commission will continue to review the administrative law judge's initial decision in this proceeding.
|View Printable PDF Version