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Better late than never... I stopped updating this blog back in 2012 but I have been active elsewhere:
My casual and family-related burblings are usually found on Facebook.
My musical adventures continue to be documented here and here.
My current (technical) blog is here: More Than Four
Five varietals; the two interesting ones are heirloom that we call "dark red" and "tri-tip" respectively.
Taken with my birthday present: Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
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Another season... last weekend i pricked out my 12 seedlings and potted them up ready for their next stage of growth. Just the right number for the garage window, where they will find some natural sunlight for most of the daylight hours.
These plants are a mixture of seedlings sprouted from seeds salvaged from tomatoes from 2009 and 2010. Last year, none of my "TriTip" seeds sprouted, but this year, all four of them activated. It is possible that the seeds from 2009 are fertile, but the 2010 "second generation" ones are not. Must experiment more.
The big red coffee grinder failed again. This time, the motor just raced while the burr refused to rotate. Clearly the rotating burr had come loose from the shaft of the motor.
Last time I disassembled the mechanism, I didn't take it far enough to see how the shear pin locks the burr to the shaft, but now I had no choice.
Yup, the shear pin was snapped into three pieces, two of them knocking about in the base of the grinder, the third piece solidly jammed in the hole in the shaft.
Shear pins are supposed to fail before the motor does, when something jams the shaft (like, say, a stone in the beans makes its way into the grinder). If they don't fail, the motor can burn out.
After I'd repaired the grinder the first time, I went on ebay and purchased a black unit that was advertised as "non-functional parts only", which was fine with me. I verified that the motor had indeed burnt out, and then ended up using parts of it to replace bits in our grinder.
So I had high hopes that the shear pin in the ebay-sourced unit would be intact and that I would be able to use it to replace the broken one in ours. No such luck:
Here you can see the motor, shaft, and bottom burr holder from the black unit, along with the broken shear pin from our original red unit, and the replacement pins I obtained via another ebay purchase.
It's tricky to see in the image above, but the shaft of the black unit is damaged from the failed pin:
I suspect that the pin fragment jammed the motor and that's why it burned out.
After obtaining replacement pins from a seller on ebay, I knocked out the remaining fragment from the shaft with a nail, and then tried inserting the new pin. Man - those things are tight! I tried using a hammer, but with limited success. This thing really needs to be pressed into place in a vise or similar device.
The problem is, you need to apply symmetric pressure on both sides ofthe hole in the shaft, or you can very easily bend the shaft - at which point, you've got an unusable component.
What's really needed is a jig of some kind. Something like this would have been perfect:
Unfortunately, I was impatient and I bent the shaft slightly before I knew what was happening. Dang! I managed to straighten it up most of the way, and tests show that it does not seem to impare rotation - that was lucky.
I ended up using the vise to force the pin into place, using a socket from my wrench set to support the shaft on the opposite side.
Re-assembling the unit was not difficult, and now it is back grinding coffee for us. Hooray!
(Dad passed away last week. Therefore, he will probably show up more than usual in my posts here. That's just how it goes.)
Dad apparently did not believe in jumper cables. When grandson/nephew #2 showed up at the door this evening with a flat battery in his van, I was sure I could find a set of cables in the garage. No such luck.
I do remember from years back in the past, that he had some kind of home-built gizmo that plugged into the wall and would charge up car batteries, whether the car was still attached or not.
Unfortunately, this gizmo no longer exists - and the van was down the road a ways anyhow, so this solution probably wouldn't have worked.
Thanks to his decaying, home-built arc welder that I decommissioned last week, I actually had all the parts needed to construct a nice set of jumper cables on hand. It would only have taken 30 minutes or so - less if prevention of catching fire wasn't a concern - but before I could put this plan into action, he'd called the AA.
So, I'm scoring this one point to Dad; no points to his grandson.
Dad's First Law: Anything can be disassembled, providing you have the right tools.
Dad's Second Law:To obtain complete mastery over something, you need two of them: one to take completely apart and potentially fail to put back together; and a second one to maintain in good working condition for the rest of its life.
Colin's Corollary: Spare parts are handy.
Apparently a screw came loose in our 1930's retro-style burr coffee grinder recently, and has been helping out the process of turning beans into dusty espresso. Yesterday it decided to jam itself in a place it wasn't supposed to be and, in turn, was chewed up like gum.
Since then, the grinder has been making these, well, grinding noises instead of the regular industrious hum. I dismantled it and actually found a replacement screw in my box of machine screws (various), carefully salvaged over the last 20 years.
However, I think the mechanism is irrepairably damaged, because I really don't like the noises it makes and it does not produce a consistent grind any more.
It's been very reliable up until now, and I would just buy another without question, except that it seems that Kitchenaid don't make it any more. Drat!
So we have a few days before we run out of ground coffee to make a decision and find a replacement.
So there I was, merily pedalling along the longer atherton loop, when a honey bee rear-ended my hand with an approximate impact velocity of 30 mph.
I say "rear-ended" because although the bee was most likely flying head-on in my direction, he left his rear-end behind in the flesh of my finger.
Heh. "Bee hind". Heh.
Anyway. I've always understood that you don't use tweezers to remove the stinger because you don't want to squeeze more poison into the wound. This may be true; but this doesn't mean you should leave the stinger in place either. I left my finger untouched and cycled all the way home before attempting to remove the stinger, and this turns out to be unwise. Apparently, the muscles in the aft-quarters will continue to pump. In my case, I couldn't stop cycling - I had no tools of any kind with me, or my glasses for that matter. If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is to try and brush off the stinger in a sideways motion, perpendicular to the sting.
I didn't do that, and by the time I got home, my finger was quite swollen below the ring (it was my ring finger!) and rather sore.
A new album from Yes? After 10 years, this highly unlikely event has actually happened.
Famous for changing the line-up every other album, this release is no exception: Touring keyboardist Oliver Wakeman is out of the picture, replaced by... Geoff Downes? My goodness:
Cover art by Roger Dean? Check. Extended compositions? Check.Produced by Trevor Horn? Check. Same line-up as the outstanding, excellent one-off 80's album DRAMA ? Check.
The problem here is that this sets up inevitable disappointment. There's just no way the album can live up to that standard.
And, indeed, it does not. This album displays a band that is creatively stretched, even with uber-producer Trevor Horn at the controls. 2/5 of the album is recycled Buggles material, and most of the rest of the album sounds like left-overs and filler.
Musically, these guys can still play. Even in their 60's, Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass) and Alan White (drums) are a powerhouse, and the execution and production of the music is flawless. But creatively, I'm not hearing the spark.
Even in the case of the stand-out track, the 20+ minute "We can Fly", the actual musical arrangement decisions are, in my opinion, wrong. This is not an extended composition, with development and recapitulation, but three songs stuck together with some instrumental filler, and a lot of repetition. Even the climactic reprise at the end of the track is so much less than it should have been. This could have been solved by taking the vocal harmonic development from the end of the first song, and moving it to the end of the suite. That would have cut down on the lyrical repetition in the first section, and given the final reprise the kick it needs.
This is not the 80's; and frankly, the band is not on top of their game. But why should they be? 30 years on, this is not the album it could have been. And yet, it is so much more than we could have dared to expect. Fans should (and will) rejoice in the first new Yes music in 10 years.
But clearly, the album title is a mistake. This should have been called "Pigs Can Fly".
The opinions expressed herein are my own. All rights reserved except where explicitly relinquished
© Copyright 2019 Colin Nicholls


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While Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is putting up a caution flag when it comes to the recovery of Robert Griffin III, the quarterback's doctor has no such qualms.
James Andrews, the noted orthopedic surgeon who operated on Griffin's two torn knee ligaments in January, calls Griffin "superhuman" in an interview with ESPN.
"He wants his recovery to be fairly private, but I can tell you he's way ahead of schedule. His recovery has been unbelievable so far," Andrews told ESPN.
SHANAHAN: Coach's tame assessment of RGIII
"RGIII is one those superhumans. First patient I ever had like that was Bo Jackson. And recently I, of course, had Adrian Peterson, who is also superhuman. They have an unbelievable ability to recover, whereas a normal human being may not be able to recover."
Both Shanahan and Griffin have cautioned against expecting him back for Week 1, with Shanahan most recently speaking on the topic during this past week's owners meetings.
"For me to tell you anything at this time is kind of ludicrous," he said.
Griffin first hurt his knee in a December game against the Baltimore Ravens. He aggravated the injury when he fell early in a 24-14 loss to Seattle in the playoffs. Though he stayed in the game, he was clearly limited and questions were raised about whether Shanahan should have allowed him to stay in.
PHOTOS: Best of Robert Griffin III

subset: commoncrawl


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Storage is still sexy, claims Iomega
Catwalk capacity
Iomega has updated its svelte range of designer 2.5in portable hard drives with a larger capacity model and a better connected interface. Provided you have the eGo to match.
Iomega's eGo drive, in sexy, supermodel silver
The eGo range, which first hit the
catwalks high-street back in June, already offered a hip flask-esque 160GB capacity model - reviewed here. But, the manufacturer's now added a 250GB model into the mix, for anyone needing more ego capacity.
Iomega's also increased users' connectivity options for both capacity drives, adding a second USB 2.0 port and a FireWire 400 interface for Mac users. However, it's also created a 250GB drive with just two USB ports and no FireWire interface though.
Since the fashion industry's colours are bound to have changed by now, the 160GB model's available in Jet Black or Alpine White for £90 (€135/$180). Those opting for the 250GB drive with FireWire have the additional option of plain red or silver and Midnight Blue for £160 (€210/$320). The 250GB drive without a FireWire port is available now for £140 (€190/$300).
Sponsored: What next after Netezza?


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I have absolutely no use for "social media" such as My Face and Spacebook. If I want to publicize my business I will use a website, and if I want to share pictures and information with friends and family I will use email.
I do, however, find Twitter very useful, not as "social media" as such, but, as a tax professional, to keep up-to-date on tax developments (it is a good way for taxpayers to keep up-to-date as well), and as writer of this blog to find items of interest for the BUZZ posts.
NATP has advised, via a "tweet" that previously registered tax preparers can now renew their PTIN onlne. This is the first I heard of this development.
You must first log in to the PTIN system. I tried but found that I did not have an online account.
Apparently, if you obtained your PTIN via paper Form W-12 last year (as I did) you must apparently wait to receive a Letter 4762 in the mail for instructions on establishing an online account.
So either click here to renew, or wait to receive the Letter 4762 in the mail.


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AssameseTtraditional Axomia Gohana is completely hand made, and only specialized hands can do it.Here jewellery is mostly influenced by nature (e.g birds,grains,animals) and others by musical instruments (drums etc) and few more by things daily used in an assamese household ( japi...a handmade headgear) .Here the main frame is silver made and finally it is covered with very thin gold foils or LEAF-GOLD( paat-sun). This particular kind of jewellery are very affordable and easy to maintain and they go very well with the local attire mekhela -sador.
There are three methods involved 1.with pure gold...here the main frame is made with 24 ct. gold and lac is used as a filling meterial . 2.here gold foils are used over a silver frame . This method is very popular because of its affordable price. 3.the jewellery is silver made and is gold plated. In all three methods stones and meenawork is used. This one is made using method 2 (kese gold) .


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Art Nourishes The Human Soul "Creativity, is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status." Sir Ken Robinson
Nurturing your child's creative intelligence. Providing nature classes for both children and adults. We also offer interactive workshops for educators who wish to incorporate nature into their classes.
Life is a beautiful journey full of magic and mystery. Each day is a gift. My mission: To return our children to Mother Earth and reawaken the awe and wonder in those of us who have forgotten.
Classes that awaken childrens' senses, minds and hearts


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Part #: SAN-2-U-SY-72
Light Green
ECA's low-profile Sand Dollar surface mount charger is a sleek, stylish way to insert power directly into furniture surfaces – from table tops to armchairs, conference rooms to waiting rooms, the Sand Dollar can accommodate your space perfectly. The Sand Dollar line of surface-mounted chargers and outlets come in three configurations and 8 bright colors.
This is the USB charging model featured in yellow. It is 2 inches in diameter, making it the ideal size for convenient power.
Furniture Integrations — Seamlessly blends power and USB charging ports across a variety of furniture lines in both new and retrofit applications.
Tamper Resistant Receptacles — Spring-loaded shutter mechanism keep foreign objects out; adding an additional level of safety in high traffic or lounge areas more prone to spills
Enhanced USB Charging Technology — Upgraded 2.1A USB ports charge your devices quickly, allowing you to stay connected anywhere, anytime.
Quick-Lock Mounting Mechanism — Allows for easy and secure installation that can be completed by cutting 2" or 3" hole into the desired surface and securing the Sand Dollar from below; accommodating a range of thick and thin surfaces from .25 inches - 2 inches.
ETL Listed for US and Canada.
Ask a Question!


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From the upcoming edition of The Catholic Key:
Justification through Works
Tuesdays at 9 pm CST on FX
By Santiago Ramos
When we say that a television show is "realistic," we usually mean dirt and broken sentences. The dirt is both literal and moral; the sentences always "sound like people talk." The sets look grimy and lived-in, and the actions taking place in them are ambiguous—they arise from multiple intentions, and whether they are right or wrong is something that we should be able to contemplate for a long time after the credits roll. The conversations which convey this ambiguity do not sound like they have been crafted and polished by writers, even though they have been; their artistry lies in that they sound artless.
This is all for the good, I suppose. Perhaps one of the positive recent developments in TV drama is the rise of this form of gritty realism in shows like The Wire, and that this realism allows us to say that some TV shows which take place on space ships (e.g., Battlestar Galactica) are more "realistic" than others (e.g., Star Trek).
But what about shows that are "realistic" in the more classical sense—in the sense of drama and tragedy? Shows which mimic first and foremost a moral decision, and the nervous indecisiveness which sometimes precedes such a decision?
That's what I was wondering as I watched the first few episodes of FX's admirable new police drama, Justified, based on a character created by the legendary writer of westerns and crime fiction, Elmore Leonard. The show deals with the crime-busting adventures of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), who once worked a more glamorous beat in Miami, but who is transferred to his home state of Kentucky after certain trigger-happy excesses which take place in the beginning of the series.
The scenery is "dirty" and "real": Eastern Kentucky looks cloudy and dark, it echoes with southern accents, and even though it is also full of recently-built plastic suburbs (erected on grounds where old criminals once hid their loot), it also contains at least one quaint bar (with shadowy booths) where everybody knows your name. Within the US Marshal's office, the dynamics between the investigators and enforcers-of-the-law reflect the tensions and friendships which develop in any real workplace. Clichés are avoided. This is not the type of show where the hero leads the charge and everyone is a Robin to his Batman.
Yet Marshal Givens does walk with a swagger, and he does wear a cowboy hat (though the show, obviously, takes place in the present day). The cowboy hat is joked about throughout the show, but it stays on Givens' head because he wants it there and he needs it there. So I was thrown off. On the one hand, we are not dealing with a light, criminal-action-caper type show; on the other, this is not cinema verité, either. What is the realism here, then?
My answer came watching one of the latest, and so far, best episodes, "Long in the Tooth." Immediately, in the teaser before the opening credits, we get the dramatic opening action which unleashes the plot: a good dentist, Roland Pike, who works for poor immigrants and takes tamales and cookies as payment, has been insulted by one of his few wealthy clients, and been humiliated in front of his receptionist (who is also his lover). Consumed by humiliation and anger, he goes outside and finds his client in his SUV; he pins him down, and yanks off two teeth with pliers. He becomes a fugitive, and his plan is to flee to Belize with his receptionist-lover and to start a new life as a dentist.
The police who chase him—led by Givens—are interested in catching him not only for the dental crime, but also because Pike was once an accountant for a Miami-based drug cartel. Pike has been hiding for five years—five years in which he changed his ways, became a dentist, and found a new life. But the law doesn't see this change; the law must make him pay his debts. Justified always depicts criminals who are on the cusp of escaping their criminal status; the difficulty in doing so—in finding justification—is the main theme of the show.
The final scene in the episode is, in one sense, unreal: it takes place on the border with Mexico, far from Kentucky. Pike is hiding behind a rock on the top of a cliff. An unseen sniper has been shooting at him and he can't escape. (The sniper is hired by the drug cartel, who wants their old employee dead before he can snitch.) A few feet away, behind an abandoned bus, is Givens, who has tracked him down, crouching next to the receptionist. Pike knows that a sniper finds his prey, kills it, and runs away. But if the sniper can't catch his prey, he will come down and shoot not only the prey but any possible witnesses—i.e., Givens and the woman Pike loves. So Pike must decide to make a sacrifice.
Even if the situation is unreal, Pike's deliberation is real, and the pathos… Well, the pathos is simply pathos, exaggerated and dramatic, and real.
Santiago Ramos is currently pursuing doctoral studies in philosophy at Boston College.


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Basic information on wind energy and wind power technology, resources, and issues of concern.
Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover. This wind flow, or motion energy, when "harvested" by modern wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity.
The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. Simply stated, a wind turbine is the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines.
Horizontal turbine components include:
Wind turbines are often grouped together into a single wind power plant, also known as a wind farm, and generate bulk electrical power. Electricity from these turbines is fed into a utility grid and distributed to customers, just as with conventional power plants.
See Wind Energy Photos page for wind farm photographs.
Wind turbines are available in a variety of sizes, and therefore power ratings. The largest machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes. A small home-sized wind machine has rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter and stands upwards of 30 feet and can supply the power needs of an all-electric home or small business. Utility-scale turbines range in size from 50 to 750 kilowatts. Single small turbines, below 50 kilowatts, are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping.
See Wind Energy Photos page for wind turbine photographs.
Wind energy is very abundant in many parts of the United States. Wind resources are characterized by wind-power density classes, ranging from class 1 (the lowest) to class 7 (the highest). Good wind resources (e.g., class 3 and above, which have an average annual wind speed of at least 13 miles per hour) are found in many locations (see United States Wind Energy Resource Map). Wind speed is a critical feature of wind resources, because the energy in wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed. In other words, a stronger wind means a lot more power.
Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 1990, California's wind power plants offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants that would have otherwise been produced. It would take a forest of 90 million to 175 million trees to provide the same air quality.
Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Roughly 80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and installation. If wind generating systems are compared with fossil-fueled systems on a "life-cycle" cost basis (counting fuel and operating expenses for the life of the generator), however, wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses.
Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and birds and bats having been killed (avian/bat mortality) by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.
The major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that it is intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind cannot be stored (although wind-generated electricity can be stored, if batteries are used), and not all winds can be harnessed to meet the timing of electricity demands. Further, good wind sites are often located in remote locations far from areas of electric power demand (such as cities). Finally, wind resource development may compete with other uses for the land, and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation. However, wind turbines can be located on land that is also used for grazing or even farming.
Much additional information on wind energy science and technology and wind energy development issues is available through the Web. Visit the Wind Energy Links page to access sites with more information. In particular, the DOE Wind Energy Technologies page has good information on wind energy basics, and is the source for much of the information presented here. The American Wind Energy Association web site has an excellent FAQ page with information about wind technology, and the The Danish Wind Industry Association web site has extensive information about wind energy and technology, including a 28-minute video introducing wind technology.


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Published Feb 10, 2012
Buttercream or fondant? Where would you go for your dream wedding cake? see the Top 5 →
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The 2011 Dallas A-List awards are based on more than 53,000 votes from local North Texas-area experts.


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No. 1: Region-Building in Africa: Political and Economic Challenges / Frank Mattheis / South African Journal of International Affairs / August 2017
Reviewed in: South African Journal of International Affairs, 14 August 2017
Region-building in Africa: Political and economic challenges, , edited by Daniel H. Levine and Dawn Nagar, New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016, 348 pp., UD$105 (hardcover), ISBN 978-1-137-58610-0
Since its political independence, Africa has been rife with projects to achieve regional and continental integration. Every decade has seen dozens of new regional acronyms being created, from specialised agencies to all-encompassing institutions. The question as to what this plethora of organisations has achieved is thus as relevant as ever, and Levine and Nagar have attempted to address it with the edited volume Region-building in Africa: Political and economic challenges.
The book is substantial and constitutes a relevant reference point for the pan-African intelligentsia dealing with regionalism. Nineteen renowned authors provide contributions although, from the outset, it is striking that most are not based in Africa and only four are women (two of them providing chapters on non-African regions).
The structure of the book follows a conventional thread, starting with a conceptual section before moving to two empirical sections (one thematic, one geographic), and finishing off with a section on lessons from other world regions. The 19 chapters cover many central aspects of regionalism in Africa — although a number present a pot pourri of thoughts, with limited coherence and engagement with the political economy in Africa — and readers will find no shortage of evidence that regional organisations are struggling to make a difference for the continent's citizens.
The book holds particular value for readers looking for themes fuelling debates on regionalism in Africa. Postgraduates and regional policymakers will find dispersed but relevant insights into several contentious aspects: the schools of thoughts, the economic challenges and the institutionalisation of regional organisations.
A few chapters stand out, providing the individual quality lacking on the overarching level. For instance, the chapters by Louise Fawcett, Daniel Bach, Laura Gómez-Mera and Samuel Asante provide succinct and insightful summaries for those who have not yet been exposed to their voluminous works. Particularly worth reading is the chapter by René Lemarchand, which offers a relentless account of the political economy of Central Africa as a region. He brings the focus back to why regional integration has not worked in the first place. Recommendations made elsewhere to improve the efficiency of economic policies seem far-fetched once one has read his excellent dissection of the actual purposes of regional organisations.
However, the book has in common with African regionalism the fact that it comprises unsolved antagonisms. The editors seem unable to decide whether trade liberalisation and similar policies should be lambasted or seen as an objective to be achieved. Their understanding of regionalism remains fuzzy and often seems reduced to infrastructure and import-substituted industrialisation, without seriously engaging with the diverse reasons that contributed to their magnificent failure in past decades. The 'ideal form of integration' and the production of 'effective regions' remain catchphrases that lack substance.
Similarly, the editors are unable to develop a coherent and convincing stance vis-à-vis supra-nationalism, which is either seen as a damaging EU model or as a requisite to successful regionalism by means of sanctions and institutional autonomy. Whenever the EU model is denounced as being inappropriate for Africa, one wonders whether the authors assume it has been seriously applied on the continent or whether they engage in a pan-African phantom debate — especially when the lack of European pillars such as solidarity and freedom of movement is lamented.
The editors tend to present the relationship with the EU as one-sided, blending out African agency — in particular, how extraversion, opportunism and national egoisms on the African side have contributed to regional fragmentation. In a similar vein, to argue that state corruption might not be such an issue for developmental regionalism because it also exists in Asia, as one editor suggests (p. 320), sounds strikingly apologetic, particularly for a book stemming from a South African institution (the Centre for Conflict Resolution).
Meanwhile, the reader is overwhelmed by the number of organisations, agencies and authorities that have been created by African states, often without being able to properly discern the reasons for their existence, given the perpetual lack of public resources and their often negligible effect. Astonishingly for a pan-Africanist book, the Southern African Customs Union — the hidden star of a chapter intended to cover the Southern African Development Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa — is presented as a model for other regions. This is surprising given its strong imperial (some might say neo-colonial) character and its exclusion from the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community.
As is alas often the case in edited volumes, the section on comparative lessons (Section 4) remains an unfulfilled promise. Comparison is restricted to occasional side references without serious engagement on transfers to Africa, despite a section title promising to do so. The European chapter provides tentative suggestions for Africa, but if the name 'Africa' had been replaced with, say, 'Latin America', it would read the same. The Asian chapter does not mention Africa at all, let alone explain how its account of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is relevant to Africa. The Latin America chapter has the most systematic approach to comparison, but it also struggles to produce new insights. It is thus not surprising that the editors fail to guide the reader on what 'lessons' to make 'for Africa', and on how to resolve antagonisms such as whether overlapping regionalisms are a bane or just pragmatic.
The aspirant pan-Africanism of the book unfortunately often follows a narrow and deterministic understanding of the term, which ignores the more innovative alternatives Fawcett presents in her chapter, or the lessons Piers Ludlow draws in his. Although the importance of informal transborder regionalism is stressed in several parts of the book, the framing chapters fail to seriously address this and show how it is at odds with formal government-led projects. The state-centric understanding of regionalism seems difficult to let go of, which may be consequential when considering that many countries have no proper private sector as envisaged by integration scholars.
On the bright side, the malignant side of regionalism is acknowledged unquestioningly, which helps the book strike a balance between Afro-optimism and pessimism. In this sense, the book's most important contribution lies in outlining the promising avenues pan-African intellectuals can take to explain the limits and the failures of regionalism on the continent.
Frank Mattheis
Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation, University of Pretoria, South Africa


text:
My Mom's Zucchini Lasagna
My mom, Angela, passed away in 1985. She was from Sicily and I was just really beginning to get into cooking when she died. A short time ago, I was flipping through an old Italian cookbook of hers and saw this recipe, written by her, in the back of the book:
Angela's Zucchini Lasagna
for a printer friendly recipe, click here
- 3 pounds large zucchini, scrubbed
- 1 quart spaghetti sauce or thick tomato sauce
- 1 cup bread crumbs *
- 1 pound ricotta cheese (more, if you like - the original recipe calls for 2 pounds)
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 Tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon each dried oregano, basil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated
Slice zucchini into long slices. Cook in boiling water just until limp, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Combine ricotta, eggs, parsley, seasoning and half of the parmesan cheese and half of the bread crumbs in a bowl. Set aside.
In a 9x13 pan, spoon a thin layer of tomato sauce. Sprinkle with a quarter of the bread crumbs. Arrange layer of zucchini over this. Spoon half of the reserved ricotta mixture on top of the zucchini. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella cheese. Arrange the rest of the zucchini over this, layer more tomato sauce and the rest of the bread crumbs and top with remaining ricotta mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour or until top is brown. Let stand 20 minutes before cutting.
* When using bread crumbs, try making your own. Take any kind of bread you like, even leftover stale bread that you may want to throw away, and place in your food processor and grind until fine. Keep in a plastic container in the fridge and they will last a long time. Fresh bread crumbs are superior to what you can buy in the grocery store.


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Teaching with Historic Places
This program offers a series of lesson plans that use places listed in the National Register to examine subjects that are part of history and social studies curricula. Included among the many lessons now available on-line are eight that focus on Hispanic History:
Genero P. and Carolina Briones House
Discover the multicolored tinted concrete home of Texas bricklayer
and plasterer Genero P. Briones.
Casa Amadeo, antigua Casa Hernández
Find out more about this influential Puerto Rican-owned music
store in New York City.
Arkansas Sculptures of Dionicio
Explore the outdoor tinted concrete sculptures of artist Dioncio
Cultural Resources Management
"CRM" is the flagship publication of the NPS Cultural Resources Programs and contains articles on the full range of cultural resources management and preservation topics. The following issues deal directly with questions regarding Hispanic cultural resources. Search the CRM Issue Archives, then search by specific title:
Diversity in the National Park ServiceA highlight of the National Park Service's on-going efforts to reflect the diversity of American culture.
Library of Congress: Built in America (HABS/HAER)
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) collections document achievements in architecture, engineering, and design in the United States through a comprehensive range of building types and engineering technologies, including sites related to Hispanic history and culture. Searches on keywords like "Spanish," "missions," or "Spanish forts" will provide information on an array of associated sites. Most of the site records have publication-quality drawings, photographs and historical data.
National Register Information System
Since its inception in 1966, more than 73,000 properties have
been listed in the National Register. Together these files hold
information on nearly one million individual resources--buildings,
sites, districts, structures, and objects--and therefore provide
a link to the country's heritage at the national, state, and local
levels. Search by name, location, agency, or theme to locate National
Register properties associated with Hispanic history.
Past Hispanic Heritage Month Features
For more information about other Hispanic properties listed in
the National Register, please visit our past feature from 2000.
Spanish Colonial Research Center
As a way of recognizing our Spanish colonial past in the United
States and in commemoration of the Columbus Quincentennial in
1992, the National Park Service established the Spanish Colonial
Research Center in partnership with the University of New Mexico.
The center's primary purpose is serving research needs by providing
a computerized data base from Spanish colonial documents. More
than 85,000 pages of microfilmed Spanish colonial documents and
approximately 4,500 maps, architectural plans, and sketches of
North America have been accumulated.
El Centro Español de Tampa
| Casa Amadeo | Briones
House | Rodriguez Sculptures
Tumacacori NHP | Hispanic
Heritage Home | NR HOME
Comments or Questions
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text:
It is very exciting when a new idea or great innovation is planned that will have a big impact in the marketplace. The time, energy and resources that go into making great ideas a reality can be staggering; especially in industries where the pace of change is slow or the audience reach is large. In these cases it is even more important than usual that the market share is not already filled with competitors. Ideally, the innovation will lead to a permanent market space or niche where competition is so powerless that it is insignificant or even irrelevant. The question is what should be done to make this happen?
-Making and shaping your ocean-
Blue ocean strategies design sustainable market share in such a way that would be competitors have no influence. This approach uses a metaphor to describe market spaces and competition. Oceans are market space. The best kind of ocean is a blue one, however most oceans are red. Red oceans are the ones where competition is rife and there is "blood" in the water from the fierce fighting over customers, resources, and opportunities. Blue oceans, on the other hand, are market spaces where there is no competition.
Who wouldn't want their ocean to be completely blue? The difficulty is devising and then enacting such a strategy. At times, it may simply be impossible to make a truly blue ocean. In those cases, strive to make sections of it as blue as possible and minimize the red. The spectrum of blue to red should gradually be moving toward blue. With the gradual shift from red to blue oceans, there will be partial boundaries to competitors. Those partial boundaries make it so some competition is averted and the ocean is purple (part blue and part red). Small, controlled blue ocean spaces are a good start to making a large, encompassing ocean. That way you can scale the market share in a controlled manner that should allow for stabilization along the way. You want to build your market spaces in such a way that would-be competition has no impact. To do that, create boundaries, challenges or other means of preventing entrants from inhabiting the same space. The ideal would be to make your product or service truly unique. Typical boundaries or barriers to competition are as follows:
- Locking in contracts or exclusive partnerships
- Controlling the resources that the product or service depends upon
- Create a value proposition that sets your product/service far apart from others
- Secure and control all distribution channels for placement, geography, or other advantageous positioning
- Put up regulatory barriers like patents, environmental standards, quality programs or other initiatives that would promote your product/service while others would find it difficult or impossible to measure up
It is likely very difficult to set up a single distinguishing feature that truly sets your ocean apart from others and keep it blue. However, the combinations of several different strategic aspects like geographic focus, differentiated product, powerful and helpful intellectual property, and an organizational culture of fantastic customer service would create multi-layered boundaries.
Make the most of your efforts. By that, be sure that the design includes elements that will both create initial interest and have sustained interest over time. Innovation is very difficult to surface and then enact. Creating your blue ocean does not have to be for an entirely new market space. While that is a compelling time to pursue a blue ocean strategy, it can be done in any circumstance. Within the ocean you are now, in whatever state of competition it is, to become as blue as possible should be a strong pull for your organization's long term success and sustainability. The first steps to achieve this are to pursue it intentionally. By reading and learning more here, your first step may have already been taken. The next series of steps after formulation is to build it into your organization for successful deployment. That will have to wait for another post. Stay tuned!
-Extra resources-


text:
New iPad ad tells you to "do it all more beautifully" on a Retina display
posted by Victor H. / Jun 19, 2012, 5:14 AM
The new Apple iPad is an unmatched technological achievement - with a mind-blowing screen resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels, there has been no tablet to come even close to contesting its high-res king title. Apple is fully aware of that and wants to teach you too about how important having such a razor sharp Retina display is, and how it changes everything you do in a new ad.
The iPad ad is with the typical upbeat music and is great at demonstrating what the tablet is actually capable of. And frankly, isn't this the best way to advertize a product?
source: Apple via iMore
Related phones
PhoneArena Rating:
User Rating:
- Display 9.7" 2048 x 1536 pixels
- Camera 5 MP / 0.3 MP VGA front
- Processor Apple A5X, Dual-core, 1000 MHz
- Memory
- Storage 64 GB
- Battery 11560 mAh
21 Comments
1. adi4u4882
Posts: 137; Member since: Jan 10, 2012
-*yawns* -*closes browser* -*shutsdown laptop* -*goes to take a dump*
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 6:34 AM 8
15. stealthd unregistered
Clearly you left out a few of the steps you did: -*click on headline for article you know you aren't interested in* -*read entire article anyway* -*participate in the article's discussion* -*in doing so, encourage PhoneArena to write similar articles*
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 8:59 PM 4
3. ilia1986 unregistered
Sorry Apple. I'd rather actually be capable of 'doing' it on an Android\Windows device. On an Android device I can also do it 'beautifully' via customization and personalization. On an iOS device I can only watch other people do it. Via YouTube.
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 7:42 AM 5
4. remixfa
Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008
too bad they cant watch a lot of stuff without flash. hmm. "more of the same.. just higher resolution.. so you can see how boring it is with new clarity!"
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 7:46 AM 5
5. ilia1986 unregistered
Screw flash - the iPad can't even attach files for frack's sake!! This is so sad, really.
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 8:03 AM 4
18. remixfa
Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008
Apple doesnt own 95% of the tablet market, fool. Dont hate because all you see is little boxes with a "?" in the middle.. yea, thats where a flash video would go. how odd to pay so much money to only get 3/4ths of the internet.
posted on Jun 20, 2012, 6:35 AM 0
20. ilia1986 unregistered
If I were a Jew in Nazi Germany - and for the record - I AM a Jew - 95% of the population would also disagree with me if I said that killing Jews is wrong. Your argument is invalid.
posted on Jun 20, 2012, 9:19 AM 0
6. andro.
Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011
Having been using an ipad 2 and ipad 3 recently i wasn't really all that impressed with the ipad 3 screen,yes its sharper and a bit nicer than the ipad 2 but 'resolutionary' ??, essentially the same device with a catchy slogan to empty fans pockets.
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 8:28 AM 2
7. bubbadoes
Posts: 1225; Member since: May 03, 2012
Like I said yesterday, Apple isn't producing anymore and only promoting display, over display, over display. They are doing this campaign for the new Mac's and now the new ipad---wait for the iphone5-display with LTE and 4".
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 8:31 AM 1
9. -box-
Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012
So do the same restricted stuff, with a prettier screen, all while on an awkward layout (4:3 in the age of 16:9) , and overpaying for the experience, all while its makers are undergoing inhuman physical and mental stresses trying to build the silly thing. Well, I'm sold! I'll take eight! Oh wait, I forgot I have choices, and there's something I remember reading about that is like... a computer... that does more than this thing... what was it..... OH YEAH. Any netbook, notebook, or the new Surface tablet! Nevermind, cancel my order, I'm going with the future.
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 8:37 AM 0
10. appleDOESNT.com
Posts: 456; Member since: Nov 19, 2011
Hey Apple a few more pixels than 1080p on a 9.7inch display is total overkill in the first place. Not saying 1080p isn't a good thing, i am saying that most people can't see a difference from the myriad of 720p tabs at these pinner sizes.. You don't get more screen real estate with apple products just smaller pixels, most people cannot see the pixels at 720p so as usual, apple creates demand for nothing needed or cared for.
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 10:33 AM 0
11. theoak
Posts: 324; Member since: Nov 16, 2011
"... an unmatched technological achievement ..." Let the flame wars begin! ;) If those are not fighting words ... then I don't know what are :) Was this an Apple commercial?
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 10:51 AM 0
12. appleDOESNT.com
Posts: 456; Member since: Nov 19, 2011
iKnow, lol, apple didn't create hi rez displays, they simply added one to the iPad and it's 'unmatched technological achievemen't is just bad, BiOSed journalism here... Hey Vic, you are such a fanoby dude.. this ad shows you how to do NOTHING with a new display. Why, because it just has smaller pixels, nothing takes advantage of a higher resolution, other than small pixels and basically all the 720p and higher tabs have tiny little pixels.. heck most average folk can't even tell a difference fromt he iPad1's pathetic 1024 display to the new iPad but hey Vic, to each his own huh? not, you work for a website, try to be a little more objective, pathetic :/
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 10:57 AM 0
13. bayusuputra
Posts: 963; Member since: Feb 12, 2012
can't really see how this is an unmatched technological achievement - 4x the number of pixels with 4x the GPU power and battery to make up for that.. it's just common sense.. not an achievements.. and it's only the screen.. touching up the "surface" (oh, why did i use that name), just like make-up trying to cover up major flaws of the skin underneath it.. never really see the iPad as a tablet, i don't know why.. and if i get one as a gift, i will either sell it and get Android/Windows tablet, or if i already have a tablet, give it to close friend/family..
posted on Jun 19, 2012, 11:55 AM 0
17. AppleConspiracy
Posts: 637; Member since: Oct 18, 2011
It's all part of a bigger picture, in which Apple's long-term project takes place even from first Steve Jobs era in 1980's, and that's achieving complete visual transparency to digital reproduction. Apple was allways irritated by the fact that interface toward the user is not transparent, and great part of that is not just about manipulating content on devices in intuitive, more direct and imminent way, but also in domain of visual perception and transparency toward content. IT industry uses interfaces to manipulate content, and those interfaces are not transparent. In visual reproduction, there are pixels and in graphic and 3D business, anti-aliasing was much needed tool for partial reduction of this problem. Apple, unlike all of Industry, is not satisfied with this partial solution. Instead, they allways wanted the real thing, that is the true WYSIWYG. And they finally succed in that. Again, it's no matter of technological innovations as such, but their implementiation, and Apple is somehow the only company that has the courage to do it. If you do not understand what I'm saying about mimicry of high-definition digital reproduction, you will most probably misunderstand the real reasons why Apple is implementing this apparent useless eye-candy technology.
posted on Jun 20, 2012, 3:55 AM 0
21. roscuthiii
Posts: 2383; Member since: Jul 18, 2010
Unmatched technological achievement? I call bulls**t. It's an unmatched commercial achievement. The 3 things that make it stand out (cpu from Samsung, gpu from Imagination Technologies, & display from Samsung again) are all mainly somebody else's achievement. It's a whole lot easier to come by after the fact and say, "Oooh, let's just put this on the left and we'll throw an Apple insignia on it!"
posted on Jun 21, 2012, 3:07 AM 0
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text:
Banishing Bureaucracy: The Five Strategies for Reinventing Government
Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1997 - 397 pages
If you want to help your city save more without cutting service levels, as Indianapolis did; if you need to do more with half the staff, as New Zealand's state-owned enterprises did; if you want to double the effectiveness of your organization, as the U.S. tactical Air Command did—read this book.In the pages of Banishing Bureaucracy, David Osborne, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Reinventing Government, and Peter Plastrik, one of the most respected innovators to come out of state government in the past decade, provide a road map by which reinventors and political thinkers of all persuasions can actually make "reinvention" work.Reinvention is not just another word for reform, nor is it synonymous with downsizing, or privatization, or simply cutting waste and fraud. It is about something much deeper, something tantamount to changing the very "DNA" of public organizations so that they habitually innovate, continually improving their performance without having to be pushed from outside. It is about building an entrepreneurially minded public sector with a built-in drive to improve—what some would call a self-renewing system.Obviously, this is complex work that requires careful strategy, and that is just what Banishing Bureaucracy provides. David Osborne and Peter Plastrik lay out what they call the "Five Cs" for successfully reinventing public organizations:The Core Strategy, to help them create clarity of purpose.The Consequences Strategy, to introduce consequences for their performance.The Customer Strategy, to make them accountable to their customers.The Control Strategy, to empower organizations and their employers to innovate.The Culture Strategy, to change the habits, hearts, and minds of public employees.Drawing on a rich base of American and international case-studies, Banishing Bureaucracy delivers the battle-tested, strategic thinking that has proved itself around the globe, in every area of government—from national to local, from defense to day care.
Avis des internautes - Rédiger un commentaire
BANISHING BUREAUCRACY: The Five Strategies for Reinventing Your GovernmentAvis d'utilisateur - Kirkus
An upbeat but unpersuasive advertisement for solving the problems of government through public management reform. Osborne, coauthor of the influential Reinventing Government (1992) and Plastrik (a ... Consulter l'avis complet
Banishing bureaucracy: the five strategies for reinventing governmentAvis d'utilisateur - Not Available - Book Verdict
In this volume, Osborne, coauthor of Reinventing Government (Addison-Wesley, 1992), and Plastrik, a Michigan political strategist, assess the "reinvention" movement and recommend five strategies to ... Consulter l'avis complet
Table des matičres
Changing Governments DNA
Targeting the Strategies
What It Takes to Use the Strategies
Droits d'auteur
9 autres sections non affichées
Autres éditions - Tout afficher
Banishing Bureaucracy: The Five Strategies for Reinventing Government
David Osborne,Julia A. Boyd,Peter Plastrik
Affichage d'extraits - 1998
Banishing Bureaucracy: The Five Strategies for Reinventing Government
David Osborne,Julia A. Boyd,Peter Plastrik
Affichage d'extraits - 1998
Banishing Bureaucracy: The Five Strategies for Reinventing Government
David Osborne,Peter Plastrik
Aucun aperçu disponible - 1998
Expressions et termes fréquents
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Bureaucracy and Red Tape
Affichage d'extraits - 2000


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Veteran Realty Serving America
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© 2019 BRIGHT, All Rights Reserved. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the BRIGHT Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which Veteran Realty Serving America's Military, Inc. (VR SAM) participates, and is provided by BRIGHT through a licensing agreement. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Veteran Realty Serving America's Military, Inc. (VR SAM) are marked with the IDX logo and detailed information about each listing includes the name of the listing broker. The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Some properties which appear for sale on this website may no longer be available because they are under contract, have Closed or are no longer being offered for sale. Some real estate firms do not participate in IDX and their listings do not appear on this website. Some properties listed with participating firms do not appear on this website at the request of the seller. Data last updated
on 2019-09-18.


text: NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Despite the dark cloud hovering over Apple ( AAPL - Get Report), the tech giant received good news Wednesday, courtesy of Strategy Analytics. The tech-research firm reports that Apple shipped an estimated 27.4 million iPhone 5s during the fourth quarter, taking the smartphone crown from Samsung's Galaxy S3 and accounting for 13% of all smartphones sold globally. Some 17.4 million iPhone 4S were sold, up from 16.2 million in the previous quarter. Samsung shipped 15.4 million Galaxy S3s, down from 18 million in the third quarter, when the device topped the smartphone charts. Together, Apple's iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S accounted for one in five of all smartphones sold globally during the fourth quarter, according to Strategy Analytics. Strategy Analytics' numbers, however, aren't exactly out of the blue. Speaking during Apple's recent fiscal first-quarter conference call, CEO Tim Cook noted an all-time quarterly record for iPhone sales, driven by the iPhone 5 and strong demand in China. Clearly, Apple's latest iPhone has continued the company's run of smartphone success. "A rich touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the iPhone 5's success," wrote Neil Mawston, Strategy Analytics' executive director of Wireless Device Strategies, in a blog post. The analyst says Samsung is plotting to regain smartphone supremacy. "Samsung will surely be keen to introduce its rumored Galaxy S4 upgrade in the coming weeks to fight back against Apple's popular iPhone range," he wrote. In the meantime, the spotlight is firmly on Apple's iPhone. On Wednesday, for example, The Financial Times reported that Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn has implemented a recruitment freeze at its Chinese factories as it slows production of the iPhone 5. Foxconn, however, says the recruitment slowdown has nothing to do with the iPhone 5. "Due to an unprecedented rate of return of employees following the Chinese New Year holiday compared to years past, our company has decided to temporarily slow down our recruitment process," a spokeswoman said in an email to TheStreet. "This action is not related to any single customer and any speculation to the contrary is false and inaccurate." Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference last week, Cook predicted that the smartphone market will double to $1.4 billion in the next few years. "People love to upgrade their phones regularly -- I see a market that's great to be in," he said, adding that the iPhone is still only available to 50% of the world's subscribers. Shares of the Cupertino, Calif.-based firm slipped 2.1% to $450.27 on Wednesday, surpassing the Nasdaq's decline of 0.66%. -- Written by James Rogers in New York Follow @jamesjrogers >To submit a news tip, send an email to: email@example.com.


text:
Really? that's all it takes to garnish your vote? One paragraph that he makes because its what voters want to hear? Good to know even atheists can have the wool pulled over their eyes.
This might have been the clinch deal in undecided voters.
Who wins, is vital to the world, it was under Republican control that sent the world into a spin, and it takes more than four years to right the wrongs of ten years. In the last four years, Republicans have filibustered 80% of Democrats proposals, to Democrats 20%, and voters wonder why things didn't move forward???
No, not just this one statement, but it is the nail in the coffin for thinking women against Romney - if Obama doesn't win, and by the by, there is a very strong change Romney will win. This one paragraph is vital, not because its what voters want to hear, but because it affects 50% of any countries population - Romney, because he belongs to the mormon franchise, keeps women as walking incubators.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Paul wrote:
As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they wasn't to inquire abut something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
It is the loony tunes behind Romney that are the real problem - right wing theists who believe in armageddon, with Romney flip flopping on any given issue, and who want to take away the hard fought for laws, that give women the right to do what they want, with their own bodies. Absolutely vital, and not to be trivialized.
It is just one of the many reasons why Romney should not win. Romney is hiding behind his cross and cloth, just like the many warmongers and charlatans before, and no doubt, the many that will come after him.
Respect Existence - or Expect Resistance
So, thank you Gary Bergeron, and all the other men who support women's rights.
@Anonymous, The title of the photo was not mine, but from the website I lifted the photo from. It's not the ONLY thing why he get's my support, but it's a strong one. Thanks for the comment! :)
@Suzanne, Thanks for your post.
Women are not the property of men. Women are not a man's "better half" or even "the other sex". A book by Carol Tavris entitled, The Mismeasure Of Women, ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/0671797492/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=1457999... ), clearly explains this. It's time to discard the leftover baggage of religious tyranny used to control all human beings!


text:
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text:
A 21-month-old Georgia girl died after she was mauled by seven dogs as her grandmother slept nearby.
Bryan County Police were called to investigate the little girl's death around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The girl's grandmother was napping in the house and was awakened by a commotion outside her window.
Police told the Savannah Morning News the grandmother was not in time to save the child.
It was unclear how the toddler was able to get outside. Police said her 12-year-old brother was at home at the time of the attack and may have let her outside to play, or she may have used a doggie door.
The family owned nine dogs, and the girl reportedly played with them often. The seven involved in the attack were all pit bull and pit bull mixes and were all euthanized by Bryan County Animal Control after the attack.


text: About the website VisitOSLO.com is the Official Travel Guide to Oslo and our aim is to provide all the information you need to plan you visit to Oslo. The purpose of this website is to promote Oslo as a travel destination. VisitOSLO is responsible for design and content at Visitoslo.com, and has full rights and ownership to the site.Photos, information etc. found on visitOSLO.com are the property of VisitOSLO and may not be used by others without prior agreement.If you wish to use text from the site, please contact VisitOSLO, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. Open API Content from our information database is available through an open API. More on this: Use content from VisitOSLO's database Technical suppliers Web: Inmeta Database: TellUs Search from New Mind TellUsBooking: Visit TG Disclaimer 1. Whilst VisitOSLO endeavours to ensure that the information on this site is correct, no warranty, expressed or implied, is given as to its accuracy and VisitOSLO does not accept any liability for error or omission. Information may be changed or updated without notice. Price and availability of information is subject to change without notice. 2. VisitOSLO accepts no responsibility for the content of any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. Such links are provided for your convenience on an "as is" basis with no warranty, expressed or implied, for the information provided within them. 3. VisitOSLO can not be held responsible for the consequences of any mistakes or changes included on this web site. Contact us For changes or errors on content at the website, please send an e-mail to email@example.com. For technical errors on the website, please send an e-mail to email@example.com. Photos Photos for non-commercial purposes can be downloaded free from our online image bank. These photos are only available free of charge to persons who market Oslo as a travel destination, including tour operators, media and other players within the tourism industry. Questions concerning the image bank: firstname.lastname@example.com, tel.: +47 23 10 62 00. © Copyright National and international copyright laws protect the works of art represented on this website. The artworks may not be reproduced or made public in any way, analogue or digital, without permission from the right holders/BONO. Please contact BONO (Norwegian Visual Artists Copyright Society) in order to obtain a license: BONO (Billedkunst Opphavsrett i Norge) Kjeld Stubs gate 3 0160 OSLO Tlf. 23 10 03 50 E-mail: email@example.com Internet: www.bono.no Privacy policy


text:
I hope this is the first of many posts describing great changes in education. The news is full of major shifts on the education side (starter list to follow), but I've heard little about how organizations are responding to the news. Some people learn for learning's sake, but many of us complete formal education steps to gain greater capabilities and credibility at work. Novel approaches to education, like free on-line courses, with or without a University's stamp of completion, are of unclear value in the market. Please share, in the comments below, what you're hearing discussed or seeing in action within your organizations.
Things I'm tracking:
- MITx, an interactive e-learning effort, adding certficates to their free on-line program
- Stanford's on-line artificial intelligence course provides outside students a signed letter from the professor with their grade and classrank, but not credit from Stanford
- Three of Stanford's faculty leaving to start separate learning ventures
Things I'm wondering:
- Will the response be an increased focus on testing centers that provide external credibility?
- Will individuals take more responsibility for describing their personal and professional attributes -- realizing that these no longer exist in isolation? (Thank you to Jeff Nolan for helping me describe the issue.)
- Will organizations take greater care in assessing prospective hires with work sampling and simulations? (pdf)
- What will the discussions look like as candidates try to create value from their learning?
- How can industry and educational institutions work together to create new meaning around education outcomes?
- What are the most important questions for empirical research around these topics?
I've done my thinking out loud and I hope you will share your thoughts as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to watch and participate in the sensemaking.


text:
28 August 2019
New York
Media Supervisor
Digitas is a highly-caffeinated playground where brilliant minds come together to make bold, award-winning advertising. We use data-driven insights to guide our work, but we also believe in a healthy dose of spirited storytelling as we strive to transform the marketing landscape. Right now, we're looking for a crackerjack Media Supervisor who'll lead the team in bringing that transformation to life – someone known for incredible strategic thinking, brilliant client interaction and stellar management skills. Sound like you? Read on.
What you'll do:
You'll become known within the company as someone who can tackle quality control for all media planning, oversee the team on day-to-day projects, and artfully translate strategies into innovative media – all while building robust client relationships and developing your team's talent.
Day to day, that looks something like this:
We're looking for an ace Media Supervisor who is also a delight to work with, which usually includes:
Got what it takes? We'd love to hear from you.
Digitas is an equal opportunity employer.
We have 40 offices in 25 countries, each one helping to upend and redefine the landscape of strategy, creativity, media and technology. We're pumped about the accolades we've earned – cue Titanium Lions, Gold Pencils and making LinkedIn's Most InDemand Employer List of 2014 – but what energizes us most is the people we work with, the clients we work for and the never-ending challenge that confronts us: Producing amazing creative, day after day. On top of great values, great people and great clients, we're proud to offer many great perks – things like flex vacation days, tuition reimbursement, gym membership discounts and anniversary gifts for the many people who've been with us 5, 10, 20 years and more. And while we celebrate those who've stuck by us and shaped us into the creative force that we are today, we're always looking for great new talent help us grow even stronger. If that's you, well, come join us.
Digitas is an equal opportunity employer.


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Add to Calendar
August 14, 2019 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Blossom Healings
54 Main St
Topsfield, MA 01983
54 Main St
Topsfield, MA 01983
Bonnie Pagliuca
Healing with Bonnie
After experiencing my first Reiki session in 2006, I was amazed at the affect it had on my body and mind. Knowing this was something I wanted to share with others, I began studying under inspiring teachers and pursuing various energetic healing modalities. It has become been my passion to learn and share sacred healing methods with others. My intention during each session is to facilitate relaxation,restoration and rejuvenation for the client.~Reiki is a gentle but profoundly powerful energy therapy that treats body, mind and spirit by channeling the universal life force energy. 60 minutes: $85~Burnham Systems Facial Rejuvenation combines skilled hands-on sculpting of the face, neck and shoulders with the healing arts of head reflexology and nerve rejuvenation. This process, in addition to the use of essential oils, is used to awaken your beauty and renew your inner self. 75 minutes: $111


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Driftwood River
The Driftwood River flows from the confluence of the Big Blue River and Sugar Creek to the East Fork of the White River at Columbus, Indiana. It winds through farmland with wooded strips bordering both banks along most of its 16 mile length. The upper section is quite natural but limited development is noticeable along the southern reaches. Vegetation includes silver maple, box elder, green ash, sycamore, cottonwood, and black willow. The careful observer will notice wood ducks, great blue herons, kingfishers, fox squirrels, and spotted sandpipers as the season warrants.
Hunting and fishing is permitted at Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area in Johnson County off U.S. 31. In addition, picnicking and playground facilities can be found at Millrace Park in Columbus, the take-out site. Fishing in the Driftwood River can yield sunfish, rock bass, bass, and catfish.
The best put-in site is about 1 mile north of the confluence of the Big Blue and the Driftwood Rivers. From State Highway 252 and U.S. 31 at Edinburgh, go west one-half mile on Camp Atterbury Road to the public fishing site. There is a launching ramp on the northeast corner of the bridge over Sugar Creek for the beginning of a 17 mile trip down the Driftwood. Allow approximately five hours of canoeing time to complete the float. Near the Big Blue River and Sugar Creek confluence, take the East Channel.
The take-out site is at the public launching ramp in Millrace Park. The best route for your car shuttle is to take State Highway 252 to Interstate 65, heading south on I-65 to the State Highway 46 exit. Go east on State Highway 46 toward Columbus, cross the White River Bridge then turn left (north) on the first one-way street. Continue for two blocks and then at Fifth Street go west one block to Millrace Park.
The banks of Driftwood River for the most part are private property, so please respect the private property. Doctor and hospital facilities are available in Columbus


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We have compiled these resources to help you in your time of need. If you have further questions, you can visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, call us at (754) 201-4134, or contact us here.
Helpful Guides
Figuring out all the answers when you're trying to plan a service can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. We've created these resource guides as helpful tools to walk you through every step of the process.
There's a science to writing these memorials, and we're sharing every step with you.
In seven steps, learn just how to express a loved one's story in a way all will appreciate.
Here you will find different links to local businesses that provide helpful products and services.
Speaking at a funeral is an honor, but it can also be difficult. This guide will help you understand the different types of speakers and guide you through those decisions.
Funeral Questions
We have heard thousands of questions, and chosen to provide you with the answers to some of the more common questions relating to a funeral, a funeral service and funeral homes.
Accepted customs of dress and behavior in a funeral have changed over time, but courtesy never goes out of style. Here's what we'd like you to know about funeral etiquette.
You'll find the answers to some of the most common questions relating to the value of a funeral, or memorial service, the practices of funeral service and funeral home operation.
Grief & Healing
With our online grief support you're assured of our commitment to helping you through this difficult time. It doesn't matter what time of day, or what day of the week you need support, we're here for you. You can access online counseling services, join in group grief support, or watch our interactive videos, anytime: 24/7. No matter how you feel at this moment, you have our commitment - you're never alone.
Interactive videos explore the dimensions and dynamics of grief. Get the assistance you need from the comfort of your home.
These messages of hope, healing and affirmation are delivered to your email inbox every day. Subscribe easily, and unsubscribe when you're ready.
Other Resources
When a death occurs, the order in which things need to be done often depends on where the death occurred. That's why we suggest that you ask a friend for help - someone who is more able to think clearly, and give you the support you need.
Have questions about cultural funeral traditions and dealing with loss? We've got you covered.


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2018 Toro 42" TimeCutter SS4225 (74721)
Item Location
8333 Southern Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL, 33411
(561) 753-5296
Stock No: T0012
Our Price: Call For Price
|42" TimeCutter SS4225 (74721)
Request More Info
2018 Toro 42" TimeCutter SS4225 (74721)
Please enter your contact information and one of our representatives will get back to you with more information.
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This Toro TimeCutter SS4225 zero turn riding mower is powered by a 22 hp 725cc Kohler® V-Twin engine with AutoChoke. It features a 42", 4" deep, high capacity, 13 gauge steel mowing deck with convenient washout port, a 18" Extra-tall seat and 3 gallon gas tank.
22 hp (16 kw) 725cc Kohler® V-Twin Engine
42 in (107 cm) Mowing Deck is perfect for mowing in tight areas with many trees and landscaping
Smart Speed® Control System has three ground speed ranges (Trim, Tow, and Mow) giving you greater control of speed and maneuverability for cutting grass and pulling attachments
3-Year Limited Warranty - No Hour Limitations
Heavy Duty Rear Engine Guard: This heavy duty steel guard protects the engine from branches and debris as you nimbly maneuver around your lawn.
22 hp (16 kw) 725cc Kohler® V-Twin Engine: Kohler® V-Twin engines provide dependable performance and reliable starting, along with increased durability.
3-Gallon (11.4 Liter) Fuel Capacity: All TimeCutter riding mowers feature a large 3-gallon (11.4 Liter) fuel tank for more mowing with fewer fill-ups. Knowing when to fill up is simple thanks to the translucent tank, which also helps to prevent overfilling.
42" (106.7 cm) Mowing Deck: Toro's four inch (10.2 cm) deep, top discharge deck design provides superior cutting performance in all conditions. Anti-scalp wheels allow the deck to float over the turf and reduce scalping. Create your own natural fertilizer by adding a Recycling Kit® or make yard clean-up a snap with an optional Twin Bagging system.
Washout Ports: Deck washout ports (1 on the 32" (81 cm) and 42" (106.7 cm) decks, 2 on the 50" (127 cm) decks) create a pressure washer under your deck providing quick cleaning, maintaining optimum airflow for optimum cutting performance. 50" (127 cm) deck is pictured.
Heavy Duty 10 Gauge Unibody Steel Frame: The lower the gauge, the thicker the metal. That is why we use heavy duty 10 gauge steel. The unibody steel frame provides the optimal balance in rigidity and flexibility for quick, highly maneuverable mowing conditions.
Dual Hydrostatic Drive System: Independent hydrostatic drive systems provide responsive maneuverability and zero turning capabilities. These independent drives are anchored to Toro's unibody frame and reinforced with a cross member for lasting durability and performance.
Hitch Kit Standard: Hitch kit comes standard on all TimeCutter models. It's easy to increase the versatility of your zero turn mower by attaching a dump cart, de-thatcher, fertilizer spreader or other Brinly-Hardy attachments. (Attachments sold separately.)
Smart Speed® Control - Trim, Tow, Mow: Toro's Smart Speed® control system lets you choose from three ground speed ranges for optimal performance. Use low TRIM range to trim closer for maximum time savings, choose medium TOW range for towing attachments, or select high MOW range to mow large open areas and finish quickly.
Save on Average 45% of your MowingTime: The Toro TimeCutter cuts your mowing time almost in half*, which means less work for you and your mower. You'll not only have more time to enjoy, you'll extend the working life of your mower. *Time savings by yard size are from 2008 - 2012 survey results for Toro residential zero-turn mowers, as reported by owners.
Automatic Parking Brake: Automatically engaged when the control arms are moved outward. Simplifies operation by eliminating a separate parking brake.
Non-Slip, Easy-to-Clean Floor Pan: The pierced floor pan is perfect for homeowners who like their mower to look as nice as their lawn. Simply hose down the floor pan after each use and keep your TimeCutter looking as good as new. The non-slip pierced extrusions also provide an additional measure of safety.
18" Extra Tall Seat: When you're mowing for an extended period, there's no substitute for a good seat. The 18" extra tall seat offers permium support during longer mowing sessions.
3-Year Limited Warranty - No Hour Limitations: Product is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for three years without an hour limitation. See owner's manual for complete warranty details.
Engine: 22 hp (16 kw) 725cc Kohler® V-Twin Engine with AutoChoke
Fuel Capacity: 3 gal / 11.4 L
Cutting Width: 42" / 107 cm - 13 ga. 2 blades
Blade Tip Speed: 17,810 ft/min
Cup Holder: Standard
Engine Horsepower: 22 hp* / 16 kw
Engine Displacement: 725cc
Ground Speed: Mow(F/R) 7 mph/3 mph, Tow(F/R) 5.5 mph/2.4 mph, Trim (F/R) 4 mph/1.7 mph
Height: 37.3" / 94.7 cm
Height of Cut: 1.5" / 3.8 cm - 4.5" / 11.4 cm
Hour Meter: Optional
Length: 71.8" / 182.4 cm
Seat: 18" / 45.7 cm Extra-Tall
Steering Controls: Dual Wrap Around Levers
Tires: 11" x 4" (25.4 cm x 10.2 cm) Front, 18" x 7.5" (45.7 cm x 19.1 cm) Rear
Tool Box: Standard
Transmission: Dual Hydrostatic
Washout Port: Standard
Warranty: 3-Year Unlimited Hours**
Width: 45.3" / 115.1 cm Deflector Up - 53.8" / 136.7 cm Deflector Down - Storage Dimensions (W x L x H) 45.3" x 71.8" x 37.3" (115 cm x 182.4 cm x 94.7 cm)
Brinly-Hardy Attachments: Standard hitch pulls a variety of premium Brinly-Hardy attachments, such as a cart, lawn sweeper, dethatcher, aerator and sprayer. See your local Toro dealer for details.
Brinly-Hardy Direct Mount Attachments: Mount these premium Brinly-Hardy spreader and sprayer attachments directly to your TimeCutter for easy use. See your local Toro dealer for details. (Mount Kit part #131-3966 required.)
Deck Lift Pedal: Allows you to lift the mowing deck when changing the height of cut position and easily raise the mowing deck while mowing to avoid scalping.
Cargo Carrier: The cargo carrier is perfect for homeowners that need hauling capabilities for mulch, soil, garden tools and other items for working the yard. No "jack knifing" and it's easy to store. Model 79040 - Cargo Carrier. You'll also need weight kit - model 131-7658 and mounting kit - model 131-3966.
Anti-Vibration Floor Mat: This rubber floor mat is a great addition to your TimeCutter mower. Reduces vibration and dampens deck noise during mowing.
Hourmeter: Keep your mower in peak condition with an hourmeter for determining when to service.
Twin Bagger: Pick up lawn clippings, leaves, and debris quickly with our Twin Bagger. Our twin baggers have a 6.5 bushel (8 cubic feet) capacity.
42" (106.7cm) Recycler® Mulch Kit: Add the Toro Recycler mulching kit and create your own natural fertilizer. This patented system cuts grass clippings 6-8 times turning them into a fine nutrient-rich mulch to feed your lawn all season. The secret lies in the unique 'kickers' and baffles that direct clippings back into the blades to be re-cut before being released into your lawn.
Sunshade: Keep cool and dry while you mow. The Toro sunshade increases operator comfort by shielding you from the elements. (Model Number - 79011)
*The gross or net horsepower ratings of these engines were laboratory rated at 3600 rpm by the engine manufacturer in accordance with SAE J1940. As configured to meet safety, emission and operating requirements, the actual engine horspower on these mowers may be significantly lower.
Item Location
8333 Southern Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL, 33411
(561) 753-5296
Stock No: T0012
Our Price: Call For Price
|42" TimeCutter SS4225 (74721)
Request More Info
2018 Toro 42" TimeCutter SS4225 (74721)
Please enter your contact information and one of our representatives will get back to you with more information.
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text:
Sandra & Paul Bonetti
34a Schoolhouse Rd.
Edgartown, Ma. 02539
Phone 508-733-0672
Phone: 508-733-0572
Year-round passenger and auto ferry service
is provided by the Steamship Authority:
The Steamship Authority provides year-round passenger and auto (the only ferry that accommodates autos) ferry service from Woods Hole on Cape Cod virtually all day long. Advanced reservations are needed for cars, especially June through August, but passengers never need a reservation. Travel distance is 7 miles, and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. The ferry has WIFI, refreshments and indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful views of Vineyard Sound. Ferries dock in Vineyard Haven year round, and in Oak Bluffs mid-May through mid-October. Visit the www.steamshipauthority.com for schedules, fares, directions and parking information.
Seasonal passenger ferry service
is provided from many other ports, including:
Island Queen from Falmouth on Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Oak Bluffs. This scenic trip takes 30 minutes from Falmouth Harbor to Oak Bluffs, bicycles are permitted, and parking is available nearby.
Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry from
Falmouth on Cape Cod to Edgartown.
This 72 foot luxury fast ferry is the only ferry that sails into Edgartown Harbor.Cruise the waters of Vineyard Sound for a 75 minute trip to Edgartown.
Hy-line Cruises from Hyannis on Cape Cod,
Massachusetts to Oak Bluffs
This service offers both high speed and traditional ferry service from
mid-Cape to Oak Bluffs. Fares, and schedules vary, and parking is available nearby. Bicycles are permitted for an additional fee.
SeaStreak from New York and New Jersey
as well as New Bedford in Southeastern Massachusetts.
The New York to Martha's Vineyard service takes 5 hours with no connecting stops. WIFI, bar and refreshments and 12 large screen TVs available. The fast ferry service from New Bedford takes 50 minutes, and bicycles are permitted.
Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry from
North Kingston, Rhode Island.
Fast Ferry service takes 75 minutes, bicycles and pets are permitted. There is secure dockside parking provided. C, snacks and refreshments onboard. Seasonal service May thru October. Reservations highly recommended.
For access to every ferry schedule from every port servicing Martha's Vineyard, visit VineyardFerries.com or visit the individual ferry websites for schedules, fares, parking and driving directions.


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Openings are still available for the RV Technician Distance Learning Program beginning in late March, hosted by Northampton Community College and the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association (PRVCA).
According to a press release, two courses are being offered. RV Water Heaters (Beta 6018) will run March 26 through April 22, and RV Plumbing Systems (Beta 6011) will run March 26 through April 29.
RV Water Heaters will identify the various types of equipment and their individual components, along with proper installation procedures. Operational problems are then dissected and repair procedures are studied.
RV Plumbing Systems will allow students to identify and appreciate all types of plumbing systems associated with both fresh water and waste water systems. The various types of plastics used are discussed as are the various system tests mandated by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). A detailed look into the recommended winterization processes is also a focus. PRVCA said that the student "will have a complete understanding of how the RV incorporates the entire spectrum of fresh water and waste management."
PRVCA member employees will receive 50% reimbursement on tuition after successful completion of a course. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate that can be faxed to the PRVCA office at 717-303-0297 and a check for 50% of the courses tuition will be mailed to the student.
All of the courses are RVIA-approved and feature competency-based instruction, assignments and testing. The courses can also go towards RVIA/RVDA recertification credits. RV Water Heaters qualifies for 18 credit hours and RV Plumbing Systems qualifies for 24 credit hours.For more information on how the program works, call the PRVCA office at 888-303-2887. To register for the courses, call Northampton Community College at 1-877-543-0998.