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NASHVILLE (Billboard) - A year ago, many were predicting a downturn — if not disaster — for the music touring industry in 2009 based on a gloomy economic forecast, particularly in North America.
A look at the top tours of the year shows that there were plenty of acts people wanted to see. A dozen of the top 25 tours topped 1 million in attendance, and Madonna and U2 reported 2.1 million and 3 million tickets sold, respectively. The numbers are based on data reported to Billboard Boxscore fro the print magazine issues dated December 6, 2008, through November 21, 2009.
In terms of grosses, five tours exceeded $100 million at the box office, and 18 were at $50 million-plus. Leading everyone is U2 with its groundbreaking 360 tour, which reported a staggering $311.6 million in grosses and 3 million in attendance from 44 sellouts. And that's just the first leg. U2's strategy of boosting capacities by staging a first-ever mobile 360-degree configuration clearly paid off. The band averaged more than $7 million in revenue and attendance of nearly 70,000 per show, surely the highest averages ever reported to Billboard Boxscore.
Not only is the Irish band's production fiscally sound, but it's also a crowd-pleaser. Word-of-mouth is driving ticket sales well into 2010.
With around 50 stadium shows scheduled for next year, compared with 44 in 2009, U2 is on a pace to top $600 million total, which will make it the highest-grossing tour ever, surpassing the Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang tour of 2005-07.
The second leg of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour finished second for the year, coming in at $222 million, on her way to the top-grossing solo tour ever. Madonna's numbers are also among the highest per-show averages ever, taking in an average $4.8 million in sales and 47,565 in attendance per show.
Bruce Springsteen continued his marathon with his E Street Band in 2009, morphing the Magic tour into the Working on a Dream tour without missing a beat. Springsteen's take for the year was $156.3 million from 72 shows and attendance of 1.7 million. The total take for the two tours, since October 2007, is $388 million and 4.1 million in attendance from 171 shows. Among them: the final shows of Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
AC/DC's return to the road after an eight-year absence continued in 2009, with the Aussie rock act grossing $135.3 million with attendance of 1.6 million in an international run that included stadiums and arenas.
If there's a surprise among the upper echelon of tours in 2009, it would have to be pop singer-songwriter Pink, who put up superstar numbers on an international scale. Pink's $102.9 million gross and 1.5 million in attendance is enough to rank her fifth among all tours and puts the artist on the map as one of the top earners in the world.
Dutch violinist/composer Andre Rieu staged the sixth top-selling tour of year, playing 112 shows to 834,992 fans for a gross of $95.8 million.
Coldplay's second year of touring in support of the band's "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" album was strong, grossing more than $84 million with worldwide attendance of 1.2 million.
Jonas Brothers proved that their career is still on the upswing, reporting $73.3 million and more than 1 million in attendance from 62 shows. This is the band's second straight appearance in the top 25.
Country superstar Kenny Chesney managed his seventh consecutive year with more than 1 million in attendance, as his Sun City Carnival tour drew 1,034,021 and grossed $71 million.
Seventies hitmaker Fleetwood Mac returned to the road in 2009 and quietly put up big numbers, grossing $62.6 million and selling 640,201 tickets to 59 shows.
And it was another year, another top-ranked tour from Dave Matthews Band, which in 2009 had the added juice of touring on a new record, "Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King." DMB grossed $52 million and drew almost 1 million in attendance.
The best news in the year-end chart is that there's a real infusion of new headliners into touring's elite. A shift in the trend toward veterans is evident, with two of the top 25 tours by acts that broke in the '60s, four from the '70s, five in the '80s and four from the '90s. Britney Spears, Coldplay and Brad Paisley (No. 24 on the recap) all released debut albums in 1999, but they're really development stories of this decade, along with fellow Top 25 Tour acts Jonas Brothers, Il Divo, Lil Wayne (the only hip-hop artist in the top 25 tours for 2009), Rascal Flatts, Pink and Nickelback. For a music business that many feel has struggled in the artist development arena, this is encouraging news.
please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/


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8 Jun
Hello dear! <3
I am finally back home. I was traveling for 10 days , saw 2 beautiful cities I fell in love with, Oslo and Gothenburg. Sweden and Norway are so amazing, food is delicious, people are really nice and thank you god that we had sun the whole time (even at night!). Now I am back home ready to update you with all looks, details, travel tips,..
Long vest are becoming big thing. In my closet you know they are already a BIG THING, but believe me when I say that they can make everyday outfit look much more unique.

subset: commoncrawl


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There are a few important things to keep note of when looking for the best firming eye cream in the market today.
- Find one that best fits your skin type.
- Make sure that the eye cream you're using is best for your age. A more mature person will need different ingredients in her/his firming eye cream while a teenager will need one that's gentler
Listed below are some of the best firming eye cream in the market.
Kinerase Restructure Firming Eye Cream
Kinerase Restructure Firming Eye Cream is a very skin friendly formula which does not contain parabens or sulfates at all.
If you're very picky about eye cream ingredients, this is the cream to buy.
This doesn't only help collagen production but it also helps in strenthening the skin around the eye area.
This results in lifted, moisturized and firm eyes.
Mary Kay Timewise Firming Eye Cream
This one gets good reviews from the folks over at Makeupalley. It claims to have made a difference in 96 percent of the women who used it in their study — a very high percentage for eye creams if I may say so myself.
Many customer reviews say that they have noticed diminished fine lines and reduction of dark circles.
It also makes the skin around the eye area feel smooth and firm.
Yonka Phyto Contour Eye Cream
This firming eye cream has various botanical oil extracts that make the eye area feel toned and firm.
This gets a 5 star rating from Dermstore.com users.
It is specially noticeable as a morning eye cream to get rid of puffiness. Users have noticed how good it is to revive and brighten tired looking eyes.
This cream has many long time users who use this as an eye firming cream and they swear by its effectivity in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Yonka Phyto Contour Eye cream can also be used not just for the eyes but also for the lip area as well.
DDF Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate
DDF Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate is an anti aging cream which firms up the eye area. It is also made for reducing puffiness, lightening dark circles and restoring smooth young looking eyes.
It contains Turmeric complex and caffeine which tightens the skin and soothes tired eyes.
A few reviewers have mentioned that the Turmeric can leave a strong smell.
This doesn't bother me at all, however as I'm used to the smell of Turmeric.
Aveda Firming Eye Cream
Some beauty consultants say that it is not necessary to apply eye cream on your eyelids.
This is because even some of the best firming eye creams in the market have ingredients that might just irritate that very delicate part of the eye area.
However, Aveda Firming Eye Cream explicitly says that it is safe enough even for eyelids. This is because Aveda Green Science Firming Eye Cream is an all natural product that does its work without having to resort to "possibly" harmful ingredients.
If you want to get the over all lifting effect that Aveda offers, then follow its four step system to achieve a smooth, toned and firm face in four weeks.
This system includes the Aveda Firming Eye cream, aveda lifting serum, Aveda Line Minimizer and Aveda Firming Face crème.


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The Asus VG278HE is another 27-inch gaming display with 3D Vision technology in it. While it may be old technology, this monitor packs a pixel response that is more than twice as fast as the standard HD display. It comes with a high refresh rate to back it up too.
High refresh rate
For all of you gamers who have powerful graphic cards that can play the latest game in full HD and 3D, you should remember that the monitor you choose is an integral part of your graphics experience.
After all, it is not your graphic card that shows the image to your eyes. Rather, your monitor does it. And if you want to correctly track fast moving enemies, you will need a monitor that has a high refresh rate. The Asus VG278HE provides you with an incredible refresh rate of 144 Hz.
Fast response rate
Specifically designed for the most gamers, the Asus VG278HE has a blazing 1-millisecond grey to grey response rate.
All in all, this monitor is a complete package of raw lightning-fast performance combined with support for the latest NVIDIA 3D Vision, allowing you to enjoy the latest 3D titles in all their glory.
The monitor's ports are conveniently placed on the back. The ports include an HDMI 1.4 port, a dual-link DVI-D port, headphone jacks and a D-SUB port.
Other features
Games, photos, and movies come to life when you use the Asus Splendid color management functions which allow you to choose a set of 6 predefined settings that will change the color hue and saturation according to your taste. Thus, providing the best experience possible, regardless of what you are viewing.
Features and specifications
- Size: 27-inch
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
- Response: 1 millisecond GTG
- Panel: TN
This monitor has an excellent rating as well as a lot of positive feedbacks from the customer on Amazon.


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Los Angeles, CA (August 3, 2010)—
Engaged to be married?
Tough economic times pushing back the big date?
The chance has come to have your everlasting
moment come to fruition
with beautiful wedding bands
to keep you close forever!
For the first time ever, David Tishbi Handcrafted Jewelry
is sponsoring its own Wedding Ring Giveaway!
Celebrating his twelve years in business
and the launch of his NEW Eternity Collection,
David Tishbi will give away
12 sterling silver and gold wedding bands to 6 lucky couples truly in need.During the month of August,
David Tishbi Handcrafted Jewelry,
the brand that is in style forever™, will review hundreds
of submissions letters from couples and draw
from those most in need.
Winners will get the wedding ring of their choice
from the Eternity Collection.
The campaign is open for submissions beginning
If you are interested in submitting your story,
please visit the David Tishbi website.
You will need to provide a brief description
of your situation and copy of marriage license.
We request that submissions be honest and fair.
Please, only one submission per couple.
David Tishbi Handcrafted Jewelry urges you to give
back to the community.
You can preview David Tishbi's handcrafted collections at our website,
accompanied by a lifetime guarantee.
David Tishbi Jewelry is carried in retail establishments
I have previously reviewed the work of David Tishbi via product review. Images sourced from various David Tishbi sites.


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You can see the photos and my notes here: Demonstration of the "etching" process
You can see more of my etched beads on flickr.
What a wonderful way of working! I'm just beginning to use polymer so still very much in the 'learning' stage, but I am soooooo going to try this....ummm, once I've got more than three colours in my clay palette! Thank you so much for sharing.
Kate :-)
Thanks for sharing. Great demo and you are a great artist.ReplyDelete
This is so cool! I was wondering how you got the color in the clay to look like a shape of a rose or leaves or something. Now I see that you let the clay speak for itself...then you carve. I like this!ReplyDelete
I think it's incredibly generous of you to share your technique on Flickr-- great shots and very inspiring! I especially love the faux bois and the fish-- ah, the fish!! You remind me a bit of Carole Blackburn but it's all your own! Great stuff, glad I found you.ReplyDelete


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Saturday, April 7, 2012
Please donate to help the fight for lower fuel prices and a better deal for drivers
[ posted by Mr Dawson, 07.04.12 12:19 ]
You sound as fed up as the rest of us now.
[ posted by Jo Summers, 07.04.12 12:22 ]
Many thousands of us must have signed your petition to the Govt - what else can we do? There surely must be some way of bringing these people to their senses - but what can it be? The entire situation becomes ever more frightening and those of us on restricted incomes (OAPs for example, with elderly parent(s) still living), or with adult children who live in different areas from oneself, really DO need to be mobile! Apart from which, having lobbed out the dosh for a car, road tax, motor insurance &c &c, it's a bit galling to find that having paid all that out it's damned difficult to afford to fill the car up!
[ posted by shaun, 07.04.12 12:26 ]
It makes my blood boil what this government is doing."In it together" I think not.
[ posted by markwill, 07.04.12 12:40 ]
Theres only one way to beat a stupid tory, thats on the nose, get rid of cameron and osborne as they will destroy the tory party for decades then labour will end up in another hung government with those pathetic liberal knobs
[ posted by mick murphy, 07.04.12 13:50 ]
Child like naivety and you expect to be able to reason with them by "talking" ,you don't talk you have to "act" they are totally out of control with "determination to ruin this country,it is though there is a lot of truth in the conspiracy tapes about the "Illuminate"etc,as though these acts by this Government is hell bent on killing off "democracy" to be replaced with state control wake up and start acting before it is too late
[ posted by Stewart Denny, 07.04.12 13:56 ]
Everything we but requires to be transported and delivered and is now costing record levels . These diddies must know this too . The most pathetic thing about this is the liberals who are that desparate to be in " power " that they just agree to anything that Cameron and his loonies say and do . If they were real politicians they should withdraw their support and demand a general election now , but they wont and lets be honest Milliband is a diddy too !
[ posted by Lee Davies, 07.04.12 15:23 ]
As a lorry driver it has been a nightmear trying to do my job for the last couple of years due to the constant rising price of fuel. So many transport company's have gone out of buissness or they are selling of a truck to cope with it and the driver is then laid off . This government does not give a toss about the little people trying to get on and make ends meet, all they care about is themselves . I think the transport industry needs to get together and stop all deliverys untill the gov drop the duty and tax for all users , bring the country to a standstill and then see who's got the power
[ posted by Johnny, 07.04.12 17:38 ]
Some analysts are predicting the price of oil to rocket even further, but I've noticed these people have tended to work for the toxic banks that have had a hand in the rampant speculation that has made the commodity so artificially high. However there is talk that the price of oil will actually fall in the coming months, and it seems as if more and more analysts are coming out and predicting this as long as the events in Iran don't dramatically take a turn for the worse.
[ posted by Kade, 07.04.12 19:00 ]
A car is a necessity, not a luxury. To be taxed close to 66% on fuel is an absolute joke!! For the majority of us who have lives (work, visiting family/friends, gym, shopping,socialising etc etc) a car is crucial in modern day, without it the country's economy would take a huge tumble.. Yet we are being taxed as if a car is a luxury! What we need to do is arrange a national strike day for everyone who uses there car daily... the impact this will have on the economy will be huge and maybe only then this useless government will see that cars are crucial for everyone in this modern era and to the economy.
[ posted by dave barnes, 08.04.12 11:45 ]
[ posted by Dougie, 10.04.12 09:48 ]
I have a little part time job, it's nothing special - just delivering bundles of papers to garages for a couple of hours in the mornings. It costs me almost HALF of my earnings in fuel! This government are a disgrace! They are only concerned with lining their own pockets, and bleeding the country dry! We MUST do something and bring the country to a standstill, make these out of touch idiots see that they are killing the U.K.
[ posted by jim, 12.04.12 08:45 ]
for as long as we absoultly need fuel, the govt see it as an ideal way to make money. As there is no alternative to it. They simply see that we MUST buy it, regardless of the tax imposed. Of course this is crippling the economy but the govt is too short sighted to care about this. It does not matter which colour govt are in office, underneath the rosettes they are all pretty much the same beast. I really don't know what the answer is, how to make them listen, all I know for sure is that political pressure/petitions/lobbying/reports stating that lowering duty would add to the economy/campaigns have all,quite spectacularly, failed.
[ posted by George, 18.04.12 23:09 ]
Having just driven from the UK to the Netherlands through France and Belgium; I can only draw the inevitable conclusion that one of the strategies of this government to reduce the deficit is by hammering the motorist. There seems to be a co-ordinated policy by European governments to increase the duty on fuel in order to raise as much revenue as possible .. the price of petrol in the three countries was on a par of approximately Euro 1.78 to Euro 1.89 in some places. The millions who smoked 20 cigarettes and drank two pints a day on average is now a thing of the past. Now it's the motorists' turn to bear the brunt of revenue raising. We still have some way to go to match the prices in Europe but by the beginning of August we will be one step closer and if followed by another rise in duty later in the year we may well see a price of £1.50 by December 2012 for regular unleaded. By the end of Dec 2013 .. all bets on £2.00/litre.
[ posted by Richard, 26.04.12 12:22 ]
We need a sustained public crusade against the fuel prices and if that means shutting down the delivery of all fuel, to garages and fuel depots in the whole country, to the public services and including rail and buses, and especially the airports, before the Government will listen, so be it. This is a war against the people and our fuel taxes are wasted on the £207 billion plus the £33 billion = (£240 billion See the 2012 Budget page 8) wasted on welfare and social security, excessive housing rent support payments upto £21,000 per year; excessive child income benefits for those earning even upto £42,000 per year,( most families live on a lot less than that without scrounging more benefits), handouts to illegal immigrants, asylum seekers and others who wont work, and the general spend on the country. The roads never benefit from this, and the answer is to unite against any government that does not listen to the people. But, finding get one politician with balls to lead this crusade will be a problem; they are all feckless and stupid, hence the need for sustained action against these vicious fuel duty escalator taxes, VAT and further taxes on fuel. The world price of oil does not demand these internakl UK taxes.
[ posted by terry kernan, 26.04.12 15:40 ]
i think that the simplest and best way to send a clear and long lasting message is to reduce our reliance on the fuel that is taxed so heavily. doesn't make for comfortable living, but then revolutionaries rarely do.
[ posted by keith, 28.04.12 15:58 ]
This stupid country has gone stark staring mad and there is no end in sight to this idiocy.Firstly,why are we putting up with this unelected"goverment"and it's crap.We should be doing what other countries are doing and boot these rich boys out.Don't the people of this sad country realize that you cannot have these rich toads lining their pockets,and those of their banker/finance mates,whilst pretending that they are putting all the wrongs right when in fact they are robbing us stupid.Secondly,we have got to change the archaic voting system that resides in this country so that we can stop another bunch of gangsters putting themselves into goverment such as Cameron/Clegg/Osborne.I am afraid the only way we will rid the country of these toads is by force,because if we don't there won't be a country left.Is it not worth going without your car for a week or so to get rid of these parasites.
[ posted by George, 15.05.12 11:33 ]
Reported in today's news (15 May 2012) the Coalition government has looked at the feasibility of taxing drivers per mile driven to compensate for the loss of fuel duty as cars become more fuel efficient and the switch over to electric cars becomes more prevalent by 2029. Toll roads are also under consideration. So whatever the outcome, motorists have been targeted and ear-marked for the longer term as the most likely demographic for continued and sustained revenue raising through a combination of fuel duty, toll roads, mileage charging and congestion charging in cities; on top of road tax, speeding fines and parking fines. When government revenue falls, the political instinct is not to cut back, but to tax more heavily. Tax them until the pips squeak .. one former chancellor was reported to have commented! When Labour proposed mileage charging, two million people registered their opposition. Now it's back on the table courtesy of the Coalition. Sadly democracy has become government by the elite, of the elite and for the elite !


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Summer Financial Credit Policy
Students will be charged and liable for registration fees and non-resident tuition (if applicable), according to the summer refund schedule, for any and all classes in which they are enrolled on the first day of classes. Students may swap classes within the first two days of classes without financial penalty as long as they remain enrolled in classes. If a student drops all classes from the University on or after the first day of classes, they are liable for part or all registration fees (and non-resident tuition, if applicable) depending upon the date of drop/withdrawal. Exceptions are granted only for U.S. compulsory military service.


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The following pages link to Example db walk tree:
"You don't have the right IP address. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200." - Paul Villano
All trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners. This site is not sponsored, endorsed, or run by the U.S. Government.


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The third article of our Licensing Logic series brought to you from the Microsoft Licensing team, this time focusing on Azure.
Microsoft Azure is a bit of an unsung hero in my opinion; it's a $1 billion business for Microsoft and yet I'm still greeted by a lot of blank faces and frowns of uncertainty when I ask if people are selling or using Azure services.
As this is a licensing blog, I'm not going to describe Microsoft Azure but I will point you to the blog of Steve Plank, a technology evangelist on Azure here at Microsoft. I'm quite sure many of you will be familiar with Steve. His words of wisdom can be found on blogs.msdn.com/b/plankytronixx and he has a great cartoon-style way of explaining things. One of his explanations I reference a lot is how Azure virtual machinescan be beneficial to customers with legacy applications.
Virtual machines, storage (great for disaster recovery solutions) and compute are three of the easiest services or commodities to understand and to licence and I'll come back to these a little later.
How do I buy/licence Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure is an ever-growing bundle of distinct cloud services, over 60 currently, which customers can use across our network of global datacentres. Each one of those services has its own cost and each one has its own usage-metre so typically you pay for consumption. Any solution you deploy on Azure is going to consume a mix of these services, each charged at their own price and unit. For example storage is pence per gigabyte per month; compute power is per compute size per minute and so on. This model is very similar to a mobile phone bill where you have a number of different charges accruing to your total monthly bill such as landline calls, premium rates, roaming services, data and texts. Luckily the idea of different usage meters and pricing does not affect the licensing.
Customers purchase Azure services through two primary licensing vehicles:
1. Microsoft Online Subscription Program (MOSP)
2. Through an Enterprise VL Program
MOSP is buying directly from Microsoft. Anyone can visit azure.com and sign up for the services. There's a choice of pay-as-you-go (PAYG) which is typically the highest price but needs no upfront commitment and does offer volume discounts, or to sign up and purchase a commitment offer where you commit to pay a set, monthly amount over a 6 or 12 month period and we reflect your commitment by offering a discount of 20-32% off the published PAYG consumption rates. Should you exceed your monthly commitment amount, the overage (yes that is a real word) is charged at the published PAYG rates.
Unlike Amazon Web Services (AWS), this commitment discount is across the board so you could commit £10,000 on compute and you'll get at least 23% discount on storage services. Unused commitment funds can roll over between months but can't role over to another term so it's often wise to choose a 12 months commitment term as it gives more time to use the funds.
Purchasing through an Enterprise program (EA) will usually deliver our best prices; significantly lower than the PAYG rates. We also recently committed that we will match the AWS published price for three key commodities: compute, storage and bandwidth and from March 2014 prices will drop for Block Blobs Storage and Disks/Page Blobs Storage to match AWS prices. And EA customers will gain an additional 27-36% discount off those matched prices. So that's a huge benefit and you can be confident about your workloads being cheaper to run than on AWS.
Azure is classed as an additional product through an EA so you just buy as much Azure commit funds as you think you'll use (in quantities of $100 per month). If you use more services than your commitment, you'll get the same discount rates on that overuse; no extra paperwork to sign and no penalties for going over. So if a customer had committed £100,000 but went on to spend £1,000,000 in a quarter, we'd happily say yes and the only disadvantage is they could have obtained a better discount level by increasing their commitment prior to the overuse.
An alternative way of purchasing Azure Services through an Enterprise program is through the Server and Cloud Enrolment (SCE). One of the previous blog entries described SCE which came into being in late 2013. SCE makes it easy to combine your on-premises server and cloud commitments to Microsoft. If you want to learn about SCE in more depth please view the previous blog or the September 2013 recorded spotlight call.
In the SCE agreement, you make an install base commitment to one or more on-premises products such as Windows Server or SQL Server and this provides your EA discount level. If you make an on-premises commitment you can start using Azure services without needing to make an upfront monetary commitment in Azure. The prices you'll pay are determined by your EA level discount and because you've made an on-premises agreement, we'll add another 5% discount on top. So it's possible to gain a maximum of 41% off the Azure published PAYG prices through SCE.
If you only want Azure through an Enterprise program and don't wish to make one of the on-premises commitments you can sign up for an Azure-only SCE. So perhaps this is ideal for an ecommerce organisation who are going to utilize a great deal of cloud services but don't have the on-premises minimums for the other components of the SCE. In this situation you do make an upfront monetary commitment and working with your LSP, you can gain the equivalent of an EA price level based on that commitment.
As you can imagine, there's a lot more detail to licensing Windows Azure so you can read more detail on all of these licensing options here and I'd also encourage you to listen in to our monthly licensing spotlight calls where we cover this and other topics (you can view archived calls here).
For resources: the Pricing Overview for Microsoft Azure in Enterprise Programs provides information on how Windows Azure is priced and billed for customers that purchase it through enterprise licensing programs; the Microsoft Azure Training Kit includes technical presentations and hands-on labs to help you learn how to use Azure features and services; we're also happy to announce a new free ebook Introducing Microsoft Azure for IT Professionals.
Want to find out more?
Join our monthly Spotlight Calls for more information. Each month we host a call for customers to join and find out more about updates and how to license…..This month we are covering Software Assurance Benefits. To register please use the following link: https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/InviteOnly.aspx?EventID=E2-53-94-BF-65-68-8C-BE-3A-28-A9-78-C5-08-82-00&Culture=en-GB&community=0 and invite code – B677ED.
You can also take a look at www.getlicensingready.com for cheat sheets and videos on different products and programmes and can also work on becoming a Microsoft Licensing Expert by taking the modular exams.


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Related Tags
Related Tours
Jinci Temple
The best way to get to know a city is joining China Tours, we provide all of Jinci Temple information. Meet new people and get Jinci Temple details about tour packages, travel guides, blogs, photos and Q&A with China Tour Advisors. Enjoy our highly valued service with budget prices, great choice to save cost for single travelers, friends and small groups.
A city with more than 2,500 years, the historical and cultural Taiyuan is bestowed with many places of interest. This tour takes you to see the most famous temples which bear the long history and glorious culture of the city. You will visit Jinci Temple, Chunyang Palace and Twin Pagoda Temple with th…
See the three most famous temples in Taiyuan to get the essence of its long history and glorious culture. You will visit Jinci Temple, Chunyang Palace and Twin Pagoda Temple with this tour.
Shanxi Province boasts a long history and glorious culture. This tour takes you to visit cities of Datong, Pingyao and Taiyuan, where you will experience the essence of Shanxi ancient culture by way of Buddhist architectures and temples, Shanxi merchant culture and Yungang Grottoes.
This is a specially designed tour for you to explore the historical and cultural cities of Taiyuan, Datong and Pingyao to experience the glorious Shanxi local culture and merchant culture, and Buddhist culture. Also you will explore the sacred Mount Wutai.


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Go Tell it on the Mountain
God of countless names and infinite goodness…
Monday, August 14th, 2006
Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald is the VII bishop of Alaska of Episcopal Diocese of Alaska.
God of countless names and infinite goodness, your living love is inscribed in every particle of your Creation. As we acknowledge your liberating possession of all the universe, we pray that our life in this world will honor the living relationship that is the union of all that is good; we pray that our life will also create and not destroy. Reveal yourself once again on the Mountaintop and call us home to you and each other. In the name of the living creative Word that you spoke and speak yet today. Amen.


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Planning, value(s) and the market: An analytic for "What comes next?" – A paper on London boroughs fighting back on AirBnB and PDR
Nancy Holman, Alessandra Mossa, and Erica Pani have published a paper entitled, Planning, value(s) and the market: An analytic for "What comes next?" in the journal Environment and Planning A. The full paper can be accessed for free by clicking on the picture above, or clicking here: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/85767/ Abstract For 30 years planning has been attacked both rhetorically and materially in England as governments have sought to promote economic deregulation over land use… Read More
Lent Term Seminars 2018 schedule
The Lent Term Seminar Series programme is here! The Regional and Urban Planning Studies Programme and LSE London are glad to present their new seminar programme starting from January 2018. This event is open to all. We are looking forward to seeing you! Join us for a series of other seminars on urban related themes such as planning, housing or economic development. About the event Time: 5-6.30pm MONDAYS Room: Alumni Theatre (Room… Read More
New Open Access Book – Self-Build Homes: Social Discourse, Experiences and Directions
LSE London's Melissa Fernández and Kath Scanlon contributed a chapter to this new open access book entitled Self-Build Homes: Social Discourse, Experiences and Directions. The chapter, titled Of Flux or finality? On the process and dynamics of a co-housing group in formation, gives an account of how five years after Featherstone first came together, it found itself ina sense, starting from scratch. This is this same Featherstone project described in one of… Read More
Challenges for our Home Ownership Safety Net: UK and International Perspectives
How has the safety net for mortgage borrowers in the UK evolved over recent decades? And how does this compare with the way this has been experienced in other countries? These are some of the major questions taken up by a new report entitled, Challenges for our Home Ownership Safety Net: UK and International Perspectives. The report was authored by LSE London's Professor Christine Whitehead and her colleagues, Peter Williams, and Steve… Read More
Response to Mayor's draft housing strategy from LSE London
Response to Mayor's draft housing strategy from LSE London December 2017 This response draws on discussion at an academic and policy round table held at LSE on 13 November 2017, with attendees from LSE and from other academic institutions and research centres with a London focus. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all participants. The general approach The draft contains many sensible and commendable policies. However inevitably it… Read More
London Build, a construction expo at Olympia
On the 25th October 2017, LSE London attended London Build, a construction expo at Olympia. The goal of the expo was to understand what the current challenges are for the construction sector as well as to grasp this sector's relationship with the current housing policies. The expo was divided into several summits, leaving the audience free to attend a wide range of discussions. We chose the Future London summit with a series… Read More
Next steps for housing in London and the South East: affordability, meeting demand and the future for social housing
LSE London attended a Policy Forum for London keynote seminar: Next steps for housing in London and the South East: affordability, meeting demand and the future for social housing, organised by Westminster Forum Projects on the 13 September 2017. Here are some of the arguments that were presented. James Murray (Greater London Authority) presented the Mayor's draft housing strategy. He explained that London needs to play a bigger role in public sector… Read More
East of England Migration Review: Understanding the Relationships between Migration, Employment and Housing
On 18 September 2017, LSE London's Christine Whitehead and Ian Gordon presented at an event entitled Rethinking an Old Problem: Innovation in Housing Supply and Demand, hosted by East of England, Local Government Organisation (EELGA). The event centred around concerns over the gap between housing supply and demand, which has been exacerbated by a reduction in house building over the past 40 years. This has had far reaching consequences on affordability of… Read More
A taxing question: is SDLT suffocating the English housing market? A report for Family Building Society
On 14 November 2017, LSE London launched a report entitled, A taxing question: is Stamp Duty Land Tax suffocating the English housing market? The document was commissioned by Family Building Society and authored by Kath Scanlon, Christine Whitehead, and Fanny Blanc. The report looked at how Stamp Duty Land Tax (SLDT) has changed over the years and its impact on household behaviour, on the housing market, and the overall national economy. While… Read More
The Future Social Housing Provider, report for Flagship Housing Association
What will a typical English housing association look like in 10 years' time? Will the plethora of small and medium-sized associations coalesce into a handful of mega-organisations? Will associations build more homes for private sale than for social rent? LSE London looked at these issues in The Future Social Housing Provider, a report for Flagship Housing Association. The publication, co-authored by Kath Scanlon, Christine Whitehead and Fanny Blanc, was launched on 13… Read More


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Vivid Sydney has been recognised as a world leading event, taking out one of the top honours at the 2015 Pacific Asia Travel Association Grand and Gold Awards.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney won the Gold Award in the Marketing – State Government Destination category, recognising State or city tourism organisations.
"This is great news for NSW and this win highlights how important the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas is for our great State," Mr Ayres said.
"The win reinforces the professionalism of Destination NSW's marketing promotional activities and the success of how they work with partners to develop travel packages and other activities to increase awareness of and visitation to Vivid Sydney".
"The popularity of Vivid Sydney continues to increase with 1.7 million people visiting the festival this year on the back of this campaign. This included the sale of over 26,000 international Vivid Sydney travel packages with more than 11,000 packages sold to China".
Source: Destination NSW
Flamin' Galah Sydney Tours and Airport Transfers are very active during the Vivid Festival as at this time of year there are many more tourists in the city looking to do trips. The festival is remarkable and often we discuss the attraction on tours such as our Home and Away tour to Palm Beach, Summer Bay.


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Monday, August 8, 2011
FREAKSHOW Trade Paperback Hits Stores Wednesday!
That's right - the full collected edition of FREAKSHOW, to date only available at last month's Comic-Con International in San Diego, will officially be hitting stores nationwide this Wednesday, August 10th! Above is a look at our trade dress, including some of the very kind words said about the book from various press outlets as well as from UP IN THE AIR and X-MEN: FIRST CLASS screenwriter (and attached Freakshow movie producer) Sheldon Turner!
Inside the collection, you'll receive not only the entire epic saga including issues #1-3, but also an exclusive pin-up gallery featuring guest artwork from such talents as Drew Rausch (ELDRITCH!), Chris Houghton (Image Comics' REED GUNTHER), Jorge Lacera (concept artist for BIOSHOCK), Francisco Ruiz Velasco (concept artist for HELLBOY II and THE HOBBIT) and more. Additionally, the collection features an introduction from attached Freakshow movie writer-director, Mark Protosevich (screenwriter of I AM LEGEND and THOR)! Be sure to ask your local retailer if they've ordered the trade from Diamond as copies are still available!
Posted by The Freakshow Team at 1:39 PM No comments:
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Greetings Friends and Members of Mill Mountain Zoo!
We are pleased to bring you the summer 2017 newsletter to share with you the exciting developments at the Zoo.
On July 4, we celebrated the 65th anniversary of the dedication and opening of the Zoo. As a part of our efforts to be a good civic partner, we offered free Zoo admission to members of the military, first responders, firefighters and police officers. We celebrated with birthday cake for our animals and human guests, animal-watching, educational experiences, and children's activities throughout the day. As part of our on-going anniversary celebration, we also sold family memberships at our anniversary promotional price of $65.
We are pleased to share with you exciting news of additions to our Zoo. In March 2017, we celebrated the birth of two Pallas cat kittens, Batbayar (male) and Norbu (female). On May 12, we hosted a baby shower and naming contest for the kittens. Norbu means "jewel" in Tibetan. Pallas cats are exhibited by seventeen zoos, which work cooperatively with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species. Pallas cats are native to central Asia and are listed by the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) as Near Threatened. Come visit Batbayar and Norbu in their exhibit at the ZooChoo station!
Katia the raccoon has also joined us in a renovated exhibit at the front of the Zoo. Although she took some time to adjust to her new quarters, Katia is delighting guests with her playful antics. Our Zoo family is growing and we look forward to welcoming more animals in the coming months.
As part of our on-going Virginia Wild concept, the Zoo continues the process of planning, designing, and breaking ground on other new exhibits, including heritage turkey, bald eagle, and North American river otter exhibits. We have completed the survey and design phase of the North American river otter exhibit. This new exhibit will be a multi-level water feature exhibit, located at the front of the Zoo. Currently, CAD drawings are being completed by a design firm with experience in similar zoo exhibits. The proposed North American river otter exhibit will also meet AZA standards. We are very pleased and grateful to announce that the Zoo is the 2017 recipient of generous grant funding from the Sam and Marion Golden Foundation; this funding is designated for a renovated children's play area adjacent to the new otter exhibit. We will begin work on the Adventure Play area in fall 2017.
Renovations and updates to the Conservation Station are complete. This Station serves as the hub of the Zoo's education programs. The Zoo's education staff has welcomed approximately one hundred children for the various summer camps, Breakfast with the Animals, and other educational programs this summer. We hosted nearly one thousand elementary school students for field trips during the spring.
Finally, mark your calendars for Brew at the Zoo on August 19th, and the next date in our Acoustic Fridays series, August 25th. Join us for great music and libations in one of the most beautiful settings in Roanoke.
Stay tuned for news about our plans for new exhibits promoting wildlife native to the Blue Ridge. Thank you for your continued support of Mill Mountain Zoo. We look forward to seeing you on the mountain soon!


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Senior Professional in Global Human Capital Management
Farah Andalibi is originally Moroccan and Iranian, she was born in the United Kingdom and lived in various countries including the UK, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the United States, France and Switzerland. Her rich international background afforded her the ability to blend into unfamiliar contexts and to gain an in-depth understanding of other cultures. During her tenure at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and while working within the Human Capital department, Farah conducted various analysis on the link between cultural intelligence and strong performance within an international business environment. She has worked in collaboration with Nanyang Technical University using IATA as material for this study and has contributed in developing the IATA Leadership Engagement and Development (I-LEAD) program. She was identified as a change agent and initiated various successful projects triggering considerable cost savings and simplifying the business.
After almost ten years working at IATA in various roles and to make broader use of her Human Capital learnings notably from Stanford Executive education, Farah moved to another leadership role at Vestergaard Frandsen (VF) directing their Human Resources department. During her tenure at VF, she has contributed to the Carbon for Water initiative by training households in Kakamega, Kenya on how to use water filters. A program that not only increased employees motivation and provided a purpose to their work but also a program that broadened their cultural understandings. Farah believes firmly that while Information technology has shrank the world into a global village, many conflicts, misunderstandings and business failures could be avoided by introducing cultural intelligence at the earliest stages of education. One of her aspirations is to develop culturally intelligent executive leaders and provide them with training and insight to run operations across geographical boundaries. Her dream is to scale up cultural intelligence by influencing ministries of education to introduce 'cultures' as part of a formal mandatory school subject.


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I received the Zoya Tickled Collection as a press sample from Zoya.com. It is part of the Tickled and Bubbly collection. The Tickled part consists of 6 creme shades that go very well together. In fact, they all went so well together that I decided to showcase all 6 in a skittle nail art mani!
Polishes used from left to right:
Zoya Tilda
Zoya Rooney
Zoya Rocha
Zoya Wendy
Zoya Kirtridge
Zoya Ling
Here's the art design I cam up with using the whole collection. I started with two coats of Kirtridge as my base coat. Then, I taped off my nails and from pointer to pinkie used Tilda, Ling, Rocha, and Wendy. Finally, I used my dotting tool and Rooney to accent it.
And now for you swatch-lovers, here is a plain swatch of each of the polishes in the Zoya Tickled Collection. All swatches are two coats. As we have come to expect from Zoya, the formula was easy to work with and self-leveled well.
Zoya Kirtrodge is a bright, Barbie pink color.
Zoya Ling is a bright, cheerful blue that's not quite cobalt in color.
Zoya Wendy is a medium coral color.
Zoya Tilda is a creamy medium green. I can't quite put my finger on what it reminds me of. (No pun intended.)
Zoya Rooney is a light purpley pink.
Zoya Rocha is a cheerful orange-red. It's definitely more orange than red.
I found myself wanting to describe each of these colors as cheerful. I think that's what Zoya was going for, based on the collection name of "Tickled". Well, I think they nailed it! This collection has a lot of versatility but blends very well together. You can tell they are a set.
Do you have a favorite?


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The company received the award for their support of Kernersville over many decades.
Announcement from Pope Companies on new President and CEO Denny Walker, effective January 1, 2017.
NC Governor Pat McCrory launched his 2016 re-election bid at Salem One, a tenant company in our South Park Business Center in Kernersville. Salem One was chosen as an example of a successful small business that has benefited from improvements to NC's economy over the past three years. So proud of Salem One and all the other successful businesses in South Park!
Our gift aids the college's Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program
Pope Companies announces the rebranding of one of our hotels to an EconoLodge
Learn more about how some of our new South Park tenants are bringing jobs to the area
South Park Business Center is growing, bringing in more job opportunities for Kernersville
Pope Companies is named one of the largest commercial property management firms in the Triad


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Open Studio with Artist Discussion and Critique
Thursdays, July 2 – July 30
10 am – 12 pm
Facilitated by Pat Saunders-White
Fee: $20 per time, drop in fee
Space limited to 6 artists per day.
Get to know other artists and grow your knowledge, support, and community by working together in all mediums. The first 45-60 minutes of each session includes a structured critique of 2D works of art. Everyone is encouraged to bring work in progress, finished work, and ideas they have for future work. Artists will then work on their own projects with supplies from the Museum. Coffee will be provided and participants are encouraged to bring snacks to share.


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The Gandalf the White Premium Format figure is a stunning 1:4 reproduction. Gandalf stands over 20 inches tall atop the display base, posed in the heat of the battle to defend Minas Tirith. Gandalf wields his staff at the ready, awaiting the next attack, be it from orc, troll, or ringwraith. The figure is cast in high quality, heavy-weight polystone, and dressed in an expertly-tailored scale reproduction of the costume. Each figure is hand-painted and hand-finished, and individually hand-numbered. This is sure to be the premiere Gandalf the White collectible - reserve yours now!
As a member of the Istari, Gandalf is one of five great wizards sent to Middle-earth during the dark Third Age. The mission of the Istari is to advise and assist the forces of light in the destruction of the dark lord Sauron...
Limited to 500 numbered copies.
Product Size: Approx. 572mm x 419mm x 292mm*
In this exclusive edition you can change the right hand so that it holds Glamding. Limited to 500 numbered copies. This is number 131.
The Moria Orc Premium Format figure is a stunning 1:4 scale reproduction. Standing 20 inches/50 cm tall atop the display base, the Moria Orc posed in the heat of the battle, ready to attack any man, hobbit, or wizard foolish enough to enter Moria. Each figure is hand-painted and hand-finished, and individually hand-numbered for authenticity. This stunning figure is an outstanding addition to any The Lord of the Rings collection
This exclusive version is limited to 750 copies. This is number 306. The exclusive version has a second head, with helmet.*


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Here is the 2nd set of photos from the LA vs WAR art event held in Downtown Los Angeles.
LA vs WAR Pictures Part 1
LA vs WAR Pictures Part 3
LA vs WAR live painting
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
LA VS WAR Pictures Part 1
LA vs WAR gave LA artists a platform to exercise their freedom of speech and able to comment on the war. Hundreds of artists representing Los Angeles' diverse communities united in delivering a universal message of peace and understanding, and offering resistance and opposition to the US government's war policies.
LA vs WAR Pictures Part 2
LA vs WAR Pictures Part 3
LA vs WAR live painting
LA vs WAR Pictures Part 2
LA vs WAR Pictures Part 3
LA vs WAR live painting
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Saber Billboard Greetings from the Occupation
This morning I was treated to an amazing billboard done by Saber. The billboard is on La Cienega Blvd, a few blocks south from Pico Blvd on the way to the 10 Freeway.
The left side of the billboard has a picture of a soldier dressed as a clown. To the right of it says "Greetings from the Occupation" and under it says: "Wish You Weren't Here." To the right of it there is a Saber piece.
It is a really impressive billboard. I don't expect it to stay up long so I urge you take a look if you are in the neighborhood.
Update: Video showing Saber paint the billboard
Labels: Ron English, Saber
Monday, April 21, 2008
Piece of Mind Los Angeles Premier Review
After the movie two things came to mind. I want more! And.. When can I get my hands on the DVD?
We attended the Los Angeles Premier of Piece of Mind on Sunday, April 20, 2008. The movie was part of the Los Angeles United Film Festival. The movie was shown to what looked like a sold-out theater.
We were treated to 2 short films before the showing: Revolution, a music video highlighting civil rights. And, Memoirs of a Smoker which gave us a glimpse into the life of a drug addict, Deantre Conner.
Piece of Mind follows the lives of 4 Los Angeles graffiti artists: Augs, Yoink, Char and Paste. This is a well done, well directed and really well scored movie. The quality is on par with mainstream movies.
I was blown away by the amazing live action footage. We are shown painting on Billboards, Freeways and Rooftops. We also get to see some legal walls being painted. I would love to get my hands on the extra footage that was cut or did not make the movie.
The movie features commentary from all four artists. The movie also shows the viewpoints of the other side. The viewpoints of the non-graffiti world include defense attorney, Carey Caruso, (whom I saw watching the movie), Paul Racs, Director from the Office of Community Beautification and Father Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries.
(Directors Keegan Gibbs, Evan Romoff and producer Andy Fiedler)
I truly enjoyed the movie and I recommend it to both fans of graffiti and those wanting to learn about the Los Angeles graffiti scene.
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The Weak in Politics
Arranging a Knight at the Palace
You decide on the great issues facing the nation
When Tony Abbott fronts Parliament in 2015 what changes would you like to see in him?'
– A demotion to the backbench
– A willingness to renegotiate a Free Trade Agreement with the Senate
– A speaking style less like a malfunctioning mobile
– A preparedness to accept that Joe Hockey may not be as good at budgeting as he'd hoped
– An understanding that he's got to take over more responsibility for running the country from Peta
Conniving with Clive
Clive has offered to pay Alan Jones' costs in defending the action brought against him by Campbell Newman. The question remains however whether this will prompt Alan to come to the defence of Clive.
Heard down the corridors of power at Tennis Australia
'I hear Samantha Stosur is already very confident of her chances of losing in the first round of the 2016 Australian Open'
Green and Bear It
It is increasingly difficult to tell the difference between a normal hot summer's day and global warming. However the Greens believe that all weather should now be regarded as being caused by climate change in case you confuse it with the same weather a few years ago which wasn't caused by climate change but rather by the climate staying the same.
Heard down the Queensland corridors of power
'Why do you think Campbell Newman hasn't wanted Tony's help during the election?'
'In case he decided to bestow a knighthood on him'
I want to be absolutely clear about this
If the cost of Medicare sends the country broke would the Senate agree to a bankruptcy co-payment?
Heard down the Canberra corridors of power
'I hear Jacqui had a makeover during the summer break'
'She probably became chief whip for the Australian Sex Party'
Heard down the NSW corridors of power
'I'm surprised the ICAC hasn't put up candidates for the NSW State election'
'All they'd have to do to win is claim they're investigating their opponents'


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20 x 50 site for sale near Avalahalli
The site is located in Avalahalli, and is an A katha site fully approved by the BBMP, and has clear documents. The 20 x 50 site is located in a prime location and is available for Rs. 6,500 per sq ft (negotiable). Contact Gagan real estate at 9535387788, 8970936067 for more information.


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Peek Freans Sooper's Attempt to Break the World Record to Bring Glory to Pakistan on its 70th Independence DayAugust 21, 2017
Kick starting Independence Day celebrations in full gear- People were seen holding their breath as Peek Freans Sooper attempted to break the World Record for the 'Largest Cookie Mosaic' on 14th August, 2017! Get all the titillating details and check out who attended Pakistan's largest birthday bash hosted by Peek Freans Sooper below:Peek Freans Sooper, the Nation's favorite cookie, launched the patriotic campaign titled 'Sooper Hai Pakistan' across the nation. As part of the campaign, they attempted to make the world's largest flag made out of Sooper cookies on this 70th Independence Day.A ground breaking idea- that brought together the entire nation to see whether or not we could pull off such a large task- Peak Freans Sooper has always considered itself to be the nation's brand, and they consider it their responsibility to play a key role in making the nation proud.Other than the 200 employees of the EBM family, the event was well attended by Pakistan's key sportsmen and celebrities such as Shoaib Akhtar, Younus Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Anoushey Ashraf, Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman, Mira Sethi and Adnan Siddiqui.Keeping the brand's vision of being socially responsible, all cookies used for making the Flag will be donated to notable charities across Pakistan.English Biscuit Manufacturers has been baking delights for Pakistani consumers under the brand name Peek Freans since 1967. As one of the pioneers of the industry, and a dominating market leader, EBM continues to innovate on each front- product, quality, and communication.For more information visit: http://www.ebm.com.pk/


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Monday, January 11, 2010
Should Barbados Consider Selling Public Sector Assets?
Barbados is now unquestionably a highly indebted country, that needs to improve its public finances as its key debt ratios move into the chilly air countries breathe when their ratio of debt to GDP exceeds 100 percent. IMF data in its 2009 Article IV Consultation report show Barbados' public sector debt was due to end 2009 at 116% of GDP and would exceed 131% by 2014. Public debt rose quickly in the previous half decade: the ratio rose from 87% in 2004. Another measure of the 'pain' is the ratio of debt to revenue, which rose from 185% in 2004 to 224% in 2009 and may reach 239% in 2014. Simply put: the economy is not growing as fast as the debt, and significantly government revenue growth is also lagging the rise in debt. These are worrisome developments. So, how to solve them?
Few ways exist to reduce these debt burdens quickly, especially during a recession, when the government finds it harder to cut spending and raise revenue, being tempted to do the reverse to help boost the economy. One option to give Barbados some breathing room while it tries to improve its public finances on a sustainable medium term basis may be to sell some government assets and use the proceeds to help pay off some of the debt. That would ease the immediate debt burden and ongoing obligations that come from having to repay interest and principal. Last October, the UK government announced a £16 billion programme of asset sales as part of a deficit reduction plan to bring down the massive state debt built up during the recession(see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/6305708/Gordon-Brown-unveils-16-billion-asset-sales.html). Britain is no stranger to high debt burdens or to asset sales.
One problem with implementing such ideas in Barbados is knowing what assets the government has and their worth. As the IMF reported in its 2007 Fiscal Transparency Report (see http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2007/cr07338.pdf), we have only a partial set of data about government financial assets and liabilities:
'Information on central government financial assets is published monthly and annually but is incomplete. The monthly and annual financial reports of the Accountant General that are tabled in Parliament contain statements of the central government's financial assets ... However, the statements do not provide a full picture of all financial assets, such as equity investments in public enterprises.'
Simply, the country does not know what the government is worth. That makes it hard to know how much we could reasonably expect from selling public assets, even without discussions about their value and possible buyers.'
Asset sales help reduce the debt burden, but such sales also let a government reconsider its overall policy of economic involvement. Is a wider policy of divestment appropriate? The government may want to review why some of its debts were incurred, and if these were initially for temporary or good historical reasons, whether those reasons remain. The government has shed assets in the recent past by selling some of its part of a rehabilitated Barbados National Bank. The government could offload its holdings in hotels or tourism-related activities. The government may also review providing certain goods and services which could very adequately be done by the private sector. It needs breathing space from fiscal burdens so no options should be off the table.
12 comments:
the government is not going to sell what little it have.It would prefer at some point when the going gets tougher to tax the people.They are all about"keep what yuh got and catch what yuh can".
- 11 January 2010 at 20:01
- Dennis Jones said...
@acox, your argument presumes that what the government owns is of benefit to it and the country at least in financial terms. What we know is that some of the assets are loss makers, and they may be harder to sell, but they are draining away the 'little'.
- 11 January 2010 at 20:44
I would not advise the government to sell any of its assets.
The last time the DLP Government did that it proved to be a disaster. It foolishly sold its stake in Cable and Wireless. They must not make the same mistake twice. The DLP Government should tough it out until the recession passes.
- 11 January 2010 at 20:50
Also Dennis I am extremely distrustful of the Nation Newspaper which was set up by Barbados Labour Party bigwigs in the early 1970s.
They may well be using you, unknown to you, to coerce the DLP Government into making a dumb move which they will exploit to the fullest.
I just do not trust the Nation Newspaper knowning its pedigree.
- 11 January 2010 at 21:00
- Dennis Jones said...
@Carson C. Cadogan, what would have been the benefit of not selling the assets ands why would you want the the government to have continued as owner? What outcomes did you see that would have been undoubtedly better?
Your comments about the Nation and its origins are interesting, not least to think that the government could be coerced. If that were the case then we should all line up to have our turn. Maybe I see power differently to you.
Suggesting that the Nation is a stealth or even open organ of one party may be valid but you leave the impression that without them the national print (or other) media landscape is neutral. That I do not believe. Even those one trusts can be harmful; but those whom one does not trust can more easily be countered.
- 11 January 2010 at 21:40
I am basing my point on the statement made in the article as stated:"Simply the country does not know what the government is worth". I assuming that if it is worth any thing of real value they would be hesitant to sell at this timebecause of the global recession and rather keep what they have, If it is worth nothing then they would be little or if anything at all to be gained by selling.
- 11 January 2010 at 22:17
- Dennis Jones said...
@acox, the gains from selling those that are draining the public purse can be big. One needs to consider whether the government should remain in the particular area of activity (eg hotels) and explore if there are buyers.
- 12 January 2010 at 05:53
- Dennis Jones said...
What has to be considered is what is the purpose of the public asset and is keeping it something a government can afford. The reasons are many, and may involve certain strategic considerations. Even if strategic, keeping it may be too much for a country. Look at Air Jamaica, which is losing US$10 million a month. Yet, even in these difficult economic times, a buyer (Trinidad's Caribbean Airlines, which too is losing US$7 million a month) looks to have been found. It may be a good or bad deal for Caribbean Airlines, but it opens up new opportunites for both Jamaica and Trinidad.
So, unless you have looked at the assets properly and what they are supposed to be doing then you cannot comfortably just take the view of 'hold them'.
- 12 January 2010 at 08:01
@DEnnis Jones
But then again dennis it may not be that simple to sell because of the world wide economic crisis.In that the government may not receive a substantial amount of its value.
HOwever I see the point you are making.
@carson Cadogan
In reference to which paper dennis
wrote the article.Politics make strange bed fellas
- 12 January 2010 at 18:34
- Living in Barbados said...
@cox, people seem to think that the world has come to a grinding halt because of the economic recession. There's a lot of business going on and difficult times may have little effect on the willingness of a buyer and a seller to make a deal.
Given that I've written in all of the main Barbadian papers it may show what a big bed there is :-)
In passing, people who play politics can do that all day long with nothing more than the will. Those who don't play politics can obviously be played. But not playing politics does not mean that one is not in control. One of the joys of one's own publication like a blog is that you play to no one's tune but your own.
- 12 January 2010 at 18:48
@dennis Jones
"People seem to think that the world has come to a grinding halt because of the recession". Fortunately or unfortunately that is the message being sent out by big business and leading economist.
That is a fact.
My response to "playing politics"
So as long as you know the characters and the part you are playing.
- 14 January 2010 at 20:01
- Dennis Jones said...
Dr Estwick proposes selling GEMS, http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/sell-the-gems-says-estwick
- 23 February 2010 at 19:22


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Patient Resources
Barriers to Understanding Pancreatic Cancer Can Be Overcome With Improvements to Online Health InformationMay 23, 2016
Available information on pancreatic cancer was written at too high a level and contained inaccuracies regarding alternative therapies, a recent study has shown.
Socioeconomic Benefits of Marriage Improve Survival Among Married PatientsMay 11, 2016
A recent study confirms the benefits of marriage on patients with cancer, including socioeconomic status, psychosocial support, and a higher regard for health-related self care.
Readability of Online Pancreatic Cancer Info VariesMay 05, 2016
Lowest accuracy scores for alternative tx websites; websites with higher accuracy more difficult to read
Workgroup Increases Availability of Intimacy, Sexuality Resources for Oncology OutpatientsApril 25, 2015
Nurse-led interdisciplinary Workgroup on Intimacy, Sexuality, and Cancer improved education and access to resources in an outpatient oncology setting.
Psychosocial challenges of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC)March 09, 2015
Breast cancer during pregnancy presents additional psychosocial challenges as patients cope with a devastating diagnosis during a time of hope and promise for the future.
Why early stage breast cancer survivors opt for mastectomyNovember 06, 2014
Cancer stage may play a role in the decision to undergo mastectomy rather than lumpectomy for women with early stage breast cancer, according to recent research.
Upgraded Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator 2.0, with emojis, is available onlineAugust 20, 2014
A calculator to help men and their doctors assess the risk of prostate cancer has had a major upgrade to enhance men's and their physicians' understanding of a man's risk of prostate cancer.
Wikipedia Drug Entries Often Not Up-to-DateJuly 01, 2014
Patients frequently turn to digital media for drug information; however, many Wikipedia entries about medications aren't up-to-date and accurate.
Specialized apps extend the reach of communityJune 18, 2014
In Alabama, smartphone technology brings regional resources to patients with cancer; in New Jersey, it motivates adolescent survivors to exercise.
Statewide organization brings navigators together in a unified missionJune 17, 2014
The Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia is a unique statewide organization of people serving people with all types of cancer, at all stages, in all types of settings, with a diversity of education and training and a shared mission.
Developing an innovative online cancer information centerJune 17, 2014
An increasingly complex environment for cancer care and research highlights the need to streamline access to cancer information, especially clinical trials.
Majority of Wikipedia health articles contain errorsMay 29, 2014
Ninety percent of health articles on Wikipedia contain errors, new study finds.
Website information on colon cancer too complex and misses key concernsMay 01, 2014
Popular web information on colorectal cancer is too difficult for most lay people to read and does not address the appropriate concerns of patients, suggests a new study.
Disclosing a diagnosis to children: Tell or not tell?February 12, 2014
A significant part of counseling patients with cancer is offering guidance on when and how to tell their children about their diagnosis.
Patients now allowed to access lab test resultsFebruary 12, 2014
Final rule relating to HIPAA allows patient or personal representative to access results directly from the laboratory.
Tablet-based system of care aids autonomy for patients on their journey to survivorshipOctober 17, 2013
Novel program provides patients with a computer tablet preloaded with app and links to information, data, and providers specific to their care.
Easing patients' transition to survivorshipOctober 11, 2013
Survivorship plans should be based on patients' answers to these basic questions about their goals and wishes after treatment ends.
Nurses can validate patient navigation programsAugust 22, 2013
Demonstrating the value of patient navigation programs is essential for sustaining these initiatives in community cancer centers, and nurses play a key role.
Psychosocial support: Meeting the standard for quality patient careJuly 01, 2013
Clinicians and even patients themselves tend to undervalue the need for help with nonclinical concerns.
Skin cancer self-detection aided by visual aidsJune 21, 2013
The most effective images for skin self-examination are mole-mapping diagrams, baseline and lesions changing over time photographs.
Interactive tool from FDA educates patients about drug developmentMay 01, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the launch of a new interactive tool for educating patients, their advocates, and consumers about the processes involved in medication development.
Research findings show how rural hospitals can make cancer care more accessibleApril 10, 2013
Significant portions of Iowa's population were found to be an excessive distance from full-service cancer care centers, according to a recent study. However, that number drops significantly if visiting consultant clinics in rural hospitals are taken into consideration.
Dietary information for patients undergoing chemotherapyFebruary 25, 2013
Is there an evidence-based booklet on cancer and diet available for patients undergoing chemotherapy? Is there any evidence that sugar causes cancer?
Ingredients to look for in a sunscreenFebruary 25, 2013
What are the two most important ingredients to look for in sunscreen?
Drug allocation during a shortageFebruary 25, 2013
What criteria are used at facilities to determine which patients receive drugs during an extreme drug shortage when only a limited supply is available within the facility? How is this issue communicated to patients, if at all?
Financial support and resources are essential to cancer careFebruary 22, 2013
The financial burden of a cancer diagnosis can be significant. Oncology nurses should familiarize themselves with the organizations that can help patients.
Intervention helps mothers of children diagnosed with cancerJanuary 31, 2013
Bright IDEAS problem-solving skills training improves mood, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in mothers of children recently diagnosed with cancer.
Consejos para los proveedores de cuidado: ¿Cómo puede ayudarse usted mismo? (Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?)December 18, 2012
This fact sheet offers Spanish-speaking caregivers tips about how to take time to care for themselves.
Diagnostic Tests for Early-Stage Breast CancerDecember 18, 2012
This fact sheet provides an overview to patients of the general diagnostic tests that are used to determine their tumor type.
Living with Grief: How Can You Help Yourself?December 18, 2012
The death of a loved one is life-changing. This fact sheet offers tips to caregivers and loved ones focused around caring for themselves during this difficult time.
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ONA Articles
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Configure UserRoles in Rails
Orçamento $450-3750 MXN
I have an activeadmin rails project which I have configured ActiveAdmin, CanCanCan and Devise. I need the following roles:
- Admin: can access to all resources
- Client: can access to all resources except "Users Resource", can read all but can not create, edit or destroy any record.
2 freelancers estão ofertando em média $3805 para esse trabalho
I have 5 year experience in Ruby on rails, I have worked in and deployed many rails application to AWS and digital ocean with instance using Ubuntu OS.I Use Capistrano for deployment, also configured nginx with unicor Mais
Dear Client, Thank you for such a great opportunity. Your job posting has caught my attention requiring the skills of Ruby on rails and I am keenly considering your job post. I have excellent experience in Ruby on Ra Mais


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Last fall, Sanford I. Weill, the former CEO of Citigroup, sold his penthouse apartment at 15 Central Park West to the 22-year-old daughter of Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian fertilizer kingpin, for $88 millionmore than twice what Weill had paid for it. The sale was the largest ever for an apartment in New York, far exceeding the $48 million paid in 2011 for a twelfth-floor unit in the Plaza Hotel. It seemed inconceivable the record would soon be broken again.
And then, just a few months later, it was, not by another property on the East Side or West Side, but by the penthouse duplex of One57, a not yet completed tower on West 57th Street, near Carnegie Hall. Speaking to a reporter in May, Gary Barnett, the head of Extell, which is developing the property, confirmed that the duplex was in contract for a price upwards of $90 million. He refused to disclose the name of the buyer, saying only that it was recognizable name with a nice family.
Historically, each marquee property in New York has been a brand unto itself. There was 740 Park Avenue, with its Candela-designed limestone façade and its scent of old money. There was the Trump International, on Columbus Circle, a glimmering, garish protuberance reminiscent of a bar of gold. Most recently, there was 15 Central Park West, which was completed in 2008 but looks much oldera conscious decision by the architect Robert A. M. Stern, who hoped to achieve a symmetry with Manhattan's Gold Coast and the stone borders of the park itself. Hedge-fund titan Daniel Ochs has made a home at 15 CPW, as have Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein and at least six senior Goldman employees. The place is chunky, stolid, and elegant in an unsurprising kind of way.
One57 is sharp, vertiginous. Where 15 CPW sought to blend into its surroundings, One57 seems determined to stand outit looms over the drab commercial buildings and hotels on West 58th not so much like a waterfall, as the French architect Christian de Portzamparc has it, but as a gleaming, tumescent phallus.
When the building is completed sometime next year, it will stand 1,005 feet tall. That's taller than the GE Building, taller than the Trump World Tower, and 41 feet shorter than the Chrysler Building. From the penthouse at One57, on the 90th floor, you can see past the verdant rectangle of Central Park, over the knobby sprawl of upper Manhattan, and all the way into Harlem and the Bronx, which recede, on clear summer days, into a fine blue mist. It is the ultimate fuck you perk, for the buyer with the ultimate mound of fuck you casha view that no one else will have, a view designed to reassure a man that he is in fact a lord among serfs, a new king of New York, encased safely in the parapet of his castle.
Because let's be clear: Although Extell is happy to open the doors of One57 to old Manhattan moneyin fact, three residents of 15 CPW are reportedly interested in jumping ship for One57the building is not really for New Yorkers. It has been built for the fresh-faced global elite and their riptide of foreign money, which swirls every month out of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and straight into New York City. And foreign buyers don't want old. They don't want lived-in. They want new. They want glass. They want steel. Or, as someone involved with the construction of One57 puts it, Flash matters far more than tradition.
Extell will sell only 92 residential units in One57 (the first 30 floors will be occupied by a Park Hyatt hotel). This is a very small number. The floor-through units in the top eleven floors start at approximately $50 million; a duplex on the 75th and 76th floor, dubbed the Winter Garden, was listed for $115 million. (It went this summer for an undisclosed sum.) These are very big numbers. The contrast has not escaped the marketing team at Extell nor the brokers involved with flogging the units. Pamela Liebman, the president and CEO of the Corcoran Group, which is consulting with Extell on One57, says the tower is the real-estate equivalent of Augusta, the famously exclusive golf club. You don't talk about who's a member, she says. You don't ask who's a member. But if you can pay the price, you can be a part of the club.
When 15 CPW first went on the market, the press kept track of every new resident. Extell, by contrast, has repeatedly refused to identify its buyers. Barnett says that his clients want it this wayI'd love to identify them, he says. It'd only help usbut the protestation comes off as a little disingenuous, and it's hard not to see the whole cloak-and-dagger thing as just another way to play up interest in the building.