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Discussion in 'Mock Draft Talk' started by Blake, Mar 20, 2013.
This thread is for all discussion relating to the 2013 Texans Talk Member Mock draft.
Well, I'm glad you're back SM.
haha I guess I just really love the draft so I will help steelb and company out. Ive been away for quite awhile, I just cant handle arguing in this forum format all the freaking time. Anyways, back to the show.
I'm gonna sit this one out, but here's a listing of all the draft picks in order including comp picks: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/71298/current-2013-nfl-draft-order-2
I'm sure we can get this moving quickly with everybody chipping in.
It's good to have the "pros" manning it.
You guys just tell me what you want me to do.
Should we set a deadline for closing "registration"?
I can take on a team or two if needed, but like I said, I will be happy to sit
out and let somebody has a go at it.
Draft starts Monday 7 AM. Wolf 6151 is on the clock. I know he works nights and may be asleep at 7am. So he can PM the pick if he needs too.
What the hell are the Brownies going to do without you? They're going to hell in a hand basket for sure.
I think they will be much better off, I haven't been following the draft prospects all that much this year. I wouldn't be much use beyond the 3rd round.
Kinda the same thing here but I missed it last season so I'm going to take some time, from somewhere, and participate this time.
You guys can make a pair! And why not?
So do we post our picks here, or in the TT Mock Draft signup page?
I'm going with the obvious pick Luke Joeckel-OT from up the road a bit. Just like the real draft since I'm first I can be premature and sign my guy early with Monopoly money. Not having a 2nd round pick is going to suck though.
1. The Kansas City Chiefs select Luke Joeckel-OT.
For the time being, let just say that Steelb is available early in the morning and I will take over the mid-shift before he relieves me in the afternoon.
Blake and Texan4Ever are kind enough to help; I only help with the time, as I think I have that the most.
We will have plenty of helps from the folks you've noticed in different posts and threads.
I wanted to offer help last year, but I figured they didn't need me.
At any rate, please have your says about anything.
The reason I want to exclude myself from the mock draft is solely because I think I can be of help in any other capacity, no matter where the calling is from.
I have enjoyed the mock drafts for a few years now even though I was never a participant.
I appreciated the works of people who made it possible
So let's have some fun!
You know what; I was thinking about this.
I thought it would be neat if each of the participant creates a separate thread about "their team".
I think it will be a good excercise for many of us to learn about different teams without having to spend too much individual efforts.
Personally; I would love too. There's just not enough time in the day though.
Blake, you're up next with the Jaguars and the #2 pick.
Srono and the Raiders, please get ready with the #3 pick.
oK I am ready lol I thought I was the Bears.
I didn't think we were starting till Monday? No matter, did my research on the Giants. This is going to be interesting.
As I understand it the draft does begin 7am Monday morning. In the spirit of the draft I made my selection early because I was #1 and just like a real team with the first selection that will sometimes sign their selection to a contract a day or 2 before the draft.
Jags take Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
He will sit this year while Gabbert sinks or swims. But new head coach gets his new QB to grow with.
Will the Jags pull this move in real life?
I think they will, but they might trade down a few spots !?!?
They have to beat the eagles for him. While I doubt the eagles will move up to take Geno, I heard rumors the owner wants him. If someone else wants him they'll have to jump in front of 4
Separate names with a comma.


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THURSDAY, Feb. 7, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors may sometimes be too pessimistic about a patient's potential for recovery after a major bleeding incident occurs in the brain, a new study suggests.
As a result, some families could be deciding to stop their loved one's life support too soon, pre-empting the possibility of successful rehabilitation and recovery from a certain form of stroke.
The research found that more than one-third of people who have had life support stopped after having a type of bleeding in the brain called an intracerebral hemorrhage -- considered the most lethal form of stroke -- might have eventually regained an acceptable level of functioning if the life support had been maintained.
According to the American Stroke Association, hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 13 percent of the 795,000 stroke cases that occur every year in the United States.
"It has become clear that we're probably not fantastic at predicting outcomes in these patients," said Dr. David Tirschwell, lead study author and co-director of the University of Washington Stroke Center at Harborview, in Seattle. "There seems to be some built-in pessimism among doctors about how patients will do."
According to Tirschwell, the crystal ball can often be rather cloudy in these cases. Most decisions to withdraw life support are made by a spouse or family members in consultation with physicians in the first few days after hospitalization from the intracerebral hemorrhage, he noted.
The new research suggests that this time frame is often too soon for doctors to be able to offer a reliable estimate of the patient's chances for recovery. "People can look pretty bad today, but it's hard to make the leap about what things might be like a number of months down the line," he explained.
Intracerebral hemorrhage results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue.
The study, scheduled to be presented Thursday at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting in Honolulu, estimated what outcomes might have occurred among a group of patients if they had had more aggressive care.
The researchers began by studying the records of a group of 590 patients 18 years or older who had severe intracerebral hemorrhages and were admitted to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center between 2005 and 2008.
From those patients' records, they identified factors that could be associated with the withdrawal of life support, such as age; functional status before the brain attack; degree of brain damage; size of the hemorrhage; preexisting medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (a dangerous form of irregular heartbeat); first temperature after hospitalization; and whether the patient had a breathing tube in place for respiratory support.
The researchers then matched 78 people who were removed from life support with 78 who were not, making sure each pair shared a similar set of factors. The study found that about 38 percent of patients who had had life support withdrawn might have had an acceptable outcome if life support had continued.
Tirschwell described the study as "more of a demonstration than proof of anything in particular," noting that it does show that a positive outcome is possible in patients for whom that may not have been predicted. He also noted that for some older patients with low levels of functioning before the hemorrhagic stroke, it might not be inappropriate to withdraw life support.
"It's complex; our message only is to be cautious in predicting outcomes and don't be overly pessimistic," Tirschwell said.
Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Why might physicians be prone to be overly pessimistic about these patients? Tirschwell said he thinks many of the health care providers in hospitals don't have either a long-term perspective or the benefit of seeing how many of these people progress through rehabilitation.
He also explained that physicians and family members often overestimate the challenge of potential disability when they're deciding if they should withdraw life support. "Even if Dad loved to play golf [and won't be able to do that anymore], people have an amazing ability to adjust to new circumstances. They often report a very acceptable quality of life," Tirschwell said.
But Dr. Rafael Ortiz, director of the Center for Stroke and Neuro-Endovascular Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, expressed some concerns about the study. He said that while more cases may be reversible than ever before recognized, physicians need to be sensitive to how people would define a "good quality of life" for themselves.
"For some, it is going back to work and having a completely normal life," he noted. "Some people go back to a normal life. But the majority will have some disability, and some will have severe disability or death."
More information
Find out more about hemorrhagic stroke at the Dana Foundation.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dosa Hut is the best restaurant in Melbourne; at least it is if you have $6.50 in your pocket and a hankering for Indian street food, which neatly outlines the problem with picking "best" restaurants. It's contextual. I hate recommending restaurants to people that I don't know because I'll get their context wrong with invariable certainty. Dosa Hut has the utilitarian feel of a joint built by someone whose chief skill is making dosa rather than interior design. Cheap lattice and leftover Christmas decorations spruce up the hasty mango paint job.
Above is the lamb dosa ($6.50), a pancake with a gradient from crispy on the outside edges to chewy at its core, filled with cooked ground lamb and masala. There are not less than 20 different dosa on the menu and I haven't been in Dosa Hut once when they have had a stock of paneer, India's favourite cheese, to make any of the three or four paneer dosa. The tray's contents are spicy/sour tomato chutney, the ubiquitous sambar and coconut chutney. I'm still not sure how it is possible to make coconut chutney that keeps its whiteness whilst retaining chili heat.
Location: Dosa Hut, 604, Barkly Street, Footscray. Open 12:00pm to 10:00pm every day.
Phone: (03) 9687 0171


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Everyone's buzzing about cupcakes and globalization this week--what better way to feed your interest than an interview with Rita Halkias, proprietress of Simply Rita, an Athens, Greece-based cupcake business? If you're curious about cupcake culture in Greece, search no further! Here goes:
CakeSpy: Can you tell a bit more about what made you decide to start a cupcake business?
Rita Halkias: When I moved to Greece around 2 years ago there were so many things that I missed from back home, my family and friends, Dunkin Donuts coffee, diner food (yes, although all Greeks in American own diners there is not one diner in the city of Athens) and cupcakes of course. I started experimenting in the kitchen to try and create the perfect cupcake. I then began to bring these cupcakes to various events and people would go crazy! Everyone started raving about these American cupcakes, one thing lead to another and things have really been great ever since.
RH: I am self taught. I received my bachelor's degree in Special Education and my master's degree in Assistive Technology. When I lived in America I taught in a maximum security prison as a State School Teacher for several years. My father however, coincidently owned a restaurant that was located a few miles away from the prison. After my teaching job I would go help out at the family restaurant. I was in charge of the dessert menu; this is when my love/obsession for baking began!
RH: No, cupcakes are not popular here in Athens. I guess you can say I am the first to start the trend!
CS: What sets apart your cupcakes from others?
RH: My cupcakes are baked to order; always ensuring that they're fresh. Being a compulsive perfectionist can be a bit exhausting at times, but it seems to work in my favor, since my cupcakes end up being one of a kind. When customers contact me for an order, my primary objective is to accommodate their ideas and needs. The cake itself is always super moist and fluffy.. My frosting is sweet, but not toothache sweet like some other cupcakes I've tried in the past. Also, most of the cupcakes on my menu are musically inspired, with "Hollaback Girl" and "Sweet Thang" being some of them. It's amazing how the sweet sound of a melody can inspire me to create something that satisfies my palette!
CS: How is your blog going to play a role in your business?
RH: My blog will definitely help my business because it'll help my customers to get to know me at a more personal level. Forming lasting relationships with my customers is essential to running a successful business. Like my dad used to say in his heavy Greek accent, "here our customers have names; they are not just another number"!
Writing a blog is more interactive than a website, which makes it great for networking. Following other peoples' blogs helps me keep up to date on the latest cupcake trends.
CS: What are your most popular flavors?
RH: Apple pie cupcake with cinnamon buttercream frosting; Nutella stuffed chocolate chip with hazelnut frosting; Peanut butter stuffed banana cupcake with chocolate frosting (my favorite).
CS: Are you selling only cupcakes, or other baked goods as well?
RH: Mostly cupcakes but I also do cheesecakes, chocolate dipped cheesecake lollipops, and custom made cookie lollipops.
CS: Stepping away from cupcakes for a moment, I'm curious about baked goods in Athens. What other types of sweets or desserts are popular where you live?
RH: Where do I start? I guess the easiest way would be to make a list:
- Loukoumades: Fried dough in the shape of a ball traditionally topped with honey, walnuts and cinnamon, but recently a shop has started filling them with Nutella!! YUM!
- Baklava: Walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar layered in between phyllo dough then drenched with gooey sugar syrup.
- Galaktobouriko: Custard filling layered in between phyllo dough and topped with simple syrup.
- Ekmek Kataifi: Layered kataifi, custard, whipped topping and walnuts topped with simply syrup.
- Kourabiedes: butter cookie dipped in confectioners sugar
- Poungi: Pastry dough stuffed with ricotta, cinnamon. and sugar that is deep fried then topped with honey and walnuts.
There are so many others but those have to be my favorite!
CS: What are your goals for the future?
RH: I have so many personal goals set for myself, but as far as my business goes my goals would be to continue to run a successful business where my customers are truly valued, and to possibly expand in the future!


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Have I mentioned I love my macro lens. We had some issues in the beginning when I was learning how she worked but now that I understand and have learned to change my composition to accommodate those limits, I love her.
By using my macro lens I have been able to explore the world with the same wonder as my four year old. The macro lens allows you to see the smallest detail and turn an everyday object into something magical.
While taking these photos my son turned to me and said, "I think we got it Mom, you can go download them and post them for me." I almost responded with, "Back in my day we had go to the darkroom..."
I swear this may have been the world's largest dandelion. The puff on this thing had to be about the size of a small orange.
Another science project/chicken treat. We bought these meal worms at the bait store and fed most to the chickens but are going to watch 3 go through metamorphosis. Anyone remember that from 3rd grade?
Who doesn't love a good dog nose?


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HILLSVILLE — The newly hired contractor on Carroll County's natural gas line project plans to begin installation next week.
Carroll's Industrial Development Authority took on the natural gas project as an effort to retain the Mohawk plant as part of the local business community.
Two bids came in from certified contractors before the regular October IDA meeting last Thursday, which was delayed from last Monday in order make a decision on awarding the installation work, according to County Administrator Gary Larrowe.
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Service with a (Surgically-Induced) Smile: Gender Norms at Work
I am so delighted to be guest blogging for Concurring Opinions this month and to be part of this exciting community. This month, I will be blogging on various intersections of law, social norms, gender, sexuality, family, and work. I have been researching some of these issues for my book project on Gender and Social Norms in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Marriage (contracted with NYU Press). Although today's topic is not part of this book research, it takes up many of the concerns that animate my work.
Recently, a plastic surgery procedure that has gained popularity among South Koreans has gained some major media attention in the U.S. The procedure, technically called Valentine anguloplasty and sometimes colloquially called a "smile lipt," is supposed to lift the outer corners of the lips into a smile, even when the putative smiler is not actually smiling. According to a South Korean plastic surgery center promoting its smile procedure, people of Korean descent like myself have shorter mouths and lower mouth corners than "Westerners," which means that I and others similarly situated supposedly have a greater tendency to look like we're frowning. "Perma-smile" to the rescue.
Considering the United States' status as a world leader in the consumption of plastic surgery, one would think that Valentine anguloplasty would hold some appeal, even to the blessedly long-mouthed. But based on the American media reaction, what's been dubbed "joker lips surgery" is not likely to catch on any time soon.
Smile surgery has actually been around for decades and isn't just a recent invention of South Korean plastic surgeons. The response to this latest supposed craze, though, is what interests me more than the procedure itself. No, not many of us want to look like this. But while the origins of this photo are murky, the hypocrisy of the reaction to South Korean women wanting to look smiley is clear.
What strikes me is how narrow the chasm is between the perma-smile of Valentine anguloplasty and the social norms that compel those of us not in South Korea, particularly women, to smile – a lot. Psychologists Marianne LaFrance, Elizabeth Paluck, and Marvin Hecht found that women smile more than men, particularly when women and men think that they are being observed. This effect corresponds with numerous studies with which LaFrance, Paluck, and Hecht engage concerning social expectations for women to smile and penalties imposed on men for smiling too much. Others have written cleverly about the common form of street harassment consisting of ordering women to smile.
Women pay the price of not smiling (or of the much-memed "bitchy resting face") on the street and in the workplace every day. People like nice women. And the smile is a proxy, although often a sloppy one, for that niceness.
For a woman to smile all the time, especially in the workplace, is — to borrow from Devon Carbado, Mitu Gulati, and Gowri Ramachandran — to perform "gender comfort," easing the way for women's presence. What's already a treacherous climb for women up to leadership positions in firms and corporations is made even more difficult by the added load of having to be smiley and perky all the while. Sociologist Arlie Hochschild has identified the strains posed by such "emotional labor," particularly for flight attendants expected to smile continuously to project concern, friendliness, and other emotions not necessarily felt all the time but considered necessary for the job.
We see the legal imperative and effect of the smiliness social norm historically and contemporaneously. I recently watched the excellent PBS documentary Makers: Women Who Make America (2013), which reminded me of the 1950s expectation for those women living the post-war American Dream to be cheerful, smiley, and content. Sixty years later, the norm persists. Social expectations for women's comportment often influence their willingness to negotiate, to ask for more, to complain.
In the context of the workplace, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, setting the statute of limitations for a pay discrimination case from each new paycheck affected by the discriminatory action, is an important step in remedying discrimination of which a plaintiff may be unaware. But it also importantly accounts for the social dimension of that unawareness. When one is socialized to be nice, it is difficult to suspect wrongdoing, even if it occurs over years.
Despite advances like this, social science accounts of workplace dynamics, particularly in the context of negotiation continue to give pause. While women suffer opportunity- and pay-wise from failures to negotiate, they also suffer when they do negotiate. Hannah Riley Bowles, Linda Babcock, and Lei Lai demonstrate in their research that women are judged more harshly than men for initiating negotiations for higher compensation, with perceptions of "niceness" and "demandingness" explaining resistance to female negotiators. In recognition of the threat posed by women seeking higher pay, one approach is Sheryl Sandberg's in Lean In, advising women negotiating pay to smile frequently.
This is all terribly depressing when I think of legal and social change. We teach young women to be assertive, but they will likely be judged for being "agentic women." When we think about women in the workplace, perhaps then it makes sense that some would try to create through facial alteration what many "Westerners" are able to achieve more easily without going under the knife and paying $2000 – a permanent smile and all that comes with it. 🙂


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JSchroeder needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 22 designs submitted by 12 freelance designers.
We are looking for a logo for our new online simulation Buckingbullbreeder.com. This is a game where users create and manage a small herd of bucking bulls.
Our current customers picked our new site name by an overwhelming margin despite its length. The logo does not necessarily have to include the entire "Buckingbullbreeder.com" in the logo.
We are very open on colors because we typically wait for a logo to go with a color scheme.
You can find a set of logos for our other sites at http://www.thirdrow.net. My favorites of those logos aret he logos for Trophyhorse, Showhorse, Cattle.com, and Showcats.com.
- Sharper feel
- Logo does not necessarily have to include the entire site name
- Excessively cartoonish
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Elden Street Players Announce Plans to Become Professional Regional Theatre
The Elden Street Players' (ESP) Board of Directors has announced plans to transition the 25-year-old community theatre company into the Dulles Technology Corridor's premier professionally-operated, not-for-profit regional theatre.
This fall, ESP will begin its evolution into NextStop Theatre Company. The reorganized, re-christened organization will build on ESP's history and resources to expand its reach and create an even higher caliber of theatrical productions for the Dulles area.
"When the ESP founders established the company, they set out to create a 'different kind of community theatre,'" said Elden Street Players' Board President, Todd Huse. "Rather than offering the same plays and musicals as other local theatres, they envisioned a company dedicated to producing artistically challenging pieces that were not seen on other stages; and do them well, for a price that made great theatre accessible to everyone. We have been fulfilling that mission for 25 years. So, now what? For us, the answer was clear. Take it to the next level. Raise our game."
Leading this new phase in the life of the organization is Evan Hoffmann, whom the Board has hired as the company's first Producing Artistic Director. Mr. Hoffmann grew up in Herndon and has been associated with the company for over twenty years. He has also developed a lengthy resume as a professional actor and director in the Washington, DC area, around the country, and overseas.
"It is truly a dream come true for me to be able to come home to Herndon and help guide this organization, that nurtured me and helped foster my passion for theatre as a young person, towards exciting new possibilities and a brighter future," said Mr. Hoffmann.
ESP plans to complete its 25th anniversary season under the current name and structure, ending in August with a production of the musical "Caroline, or Change." When the 26th season begins in late September, the organization hopes to greet patrons in the Dulles Corridor with not only a new name, but a whole new kind of theatrical experience.
When asked about the transition, the Town of Herndon's mayor, Lisa Merkel said, "Elden Street Players has been a longtime centerpiece of the Herndon arts community, and we look forward to their continued success as they transition to a professional theatre company. The arts are alive and well in the town of Herndon!"


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Gov's capital gains plan has merit
In his State of the State speech, Gov. James Douglas announced two ways to generate additional revenue. The first was to lease the state's lottery for a one-time gain of $380 million. The second was to eliminate a loophole in the state's tax laws that benefited Vermonters with unearned income and capital gains. Closing the loophole would generate approximately $21.4 million annually.As Rep. David Sharpe, D-Bristol, notes in his legislative column on Page 5, the Legislature has so far been opposed to leasing the lottery for fiscal and values-related reasons. We wholeheartedly agree. The one-time benefit means little in the long-term scheme of things, and the trade-off would turn the lottery into an enterprise that preys on Vermonters who don't have the money to lose. It's an unseemly proposition.Both sides of the legislative aisle agree that closing the capital gains loophole is a good idea, and that's to the governor's credit. It's not only a substantial amount of money into the state's coffers each year, but it is an effective tax increase on the state's wealthiest residents. Kudos, then, to the governor for going against his pledge not to increase taxes and taking action on this oversight that needed correcting.And contrary to the Democrats' suggestion to use that money for expenditures they suggest would lower property taxes, the governor's plan to use the $21.4 million to lower income taxes for Vermonters has considerable merit.Here's why: • First, under House Speaker Gaye Symington's plan the promised property tax relief is questionable. What she proposed was adding $8 million to the transportation fund to pay for road and bridge repair; plus $7 million to the school construction fund; plus $5.4 million to the income sensitivity program (taking it from the current $90,000 cap to $125,000.) By allocating the capital gains tax windfall to fund and expand these programs, Symington says, the average Vermonter's property tax bills would decline.That's not necessarily true. It's quite possible that adding $8 million to the transportation fund and $7 million to the school construction fund will simply mean more projects will move through the system faster and schools and towns will find other ways to spend their allocated budgets, but without a reduction of anyone's property taxes. And while expanding the income sensitivity limits will benefit those families with incomes between $90,000 and $125,000, it won't help many others.Certainly, Symington's plan would help complete $15 million (annually) in road and bridge and school projects — and that's not a bad goal — but it probably won't give that money back to Vermonters in the form of reduced property taxes as many Democrats are claiming.• Secondly, there is benefit to not being the state with the highest (or close to it) income tax. Douglas' plan would rebalance the income tax brackets so that those Vermonters in the second bracket now paying 7.2 percent would pay only 6.5 percent; and those in the third bracket paying 8.5 percent would pay 7.75 percent. The top bracket of 9.5 percent would be eliminated. The move would knock Vermont down a peg or two — from having the second highest state income tax in the nation to the seventh highest, for example. Not that Vermont's new tax rates would be anything to brag about, but then we wouldn't have to be so defensive when trying to attract new businesses and higher-paying jobs to the state — and that's a significant advantage.Would some of Vermont's wealthiest residents benefit from reducing those rates? Sure, but then they are also paying much more by closing the capital gains loophole — so it is hardly a giveaway to the state's wealthiest residents.But the question is not, as Rep. Sharpe asks in the best progressive tradition, why are the rich benefiting when poorer Vermonters are struggling? The question is whether the average Vermonter will benefit to any noticeable degree when that $21 million is swallowed by road and school projects, or whether the state might have an opportunity to attract better paying jobs with an image that's slightly more tolerable to emerging industries and businesses?Angelo S. Lynn


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Company Refused to Pay Female Employee as Much as Men, Federal Agency Charged
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - A federal magistrate judge in Milwaukee has entered a consent decree resolving a job discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against PFERD Milwaukee Brush Company, Inc.
According to the EEOC's suit, PFERD violated federal law by not paying Dawn Fuchs the same salary that it paid her male predecessor as purchasing coordinator.
Denying a female employee equal pay for work which is the same as a male employee's in skill, effort, and responsibility, and which is performed under similar working conditions, violates the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
The consent decree settling the suit (EEOC v. PFERD Milwaukee Brush Company, Inc., Civil Action No. 2:12-cv-982), entered on May 8, 2013 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph, provides that PFERD will pay Fuchs $65,000 and prohibits future discrimination. Also, PFERD will train its employees, managers and supervisors regarding sex discrimination, an employer's obligations, and the rights of employees under the EPA and Title VII.
"Equal Pay Act cases are a priority for the EEOC," said John C. Hendrickson, regional attorney of the EEOC's Chicago District Office, which is responsible for EEOC litigation in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. "We are as committed to ensuring that women earn the same money for doing the same work as their male counterparts. We appreciate PFERD's willingness to provide relief for Ms. Fuchs and to prevent any further sex discrimination in its facilities."
According to its website, PFERD is the American subsidiary of August Ruggeberg GmbH and Co. of Marienheide, Germany, a 214-year-old world leader in the design and manufacture of abrasive tools, power brushes, maintenance brushes and power tools. PFERD is located in Milwaukee.
The EEOC's litigation efforts were led by Senior Trial Attorney Dennis R. McBride of its Milwaukee Area Office and Associate Regional Attorney Jean Kamp of its Chicago District Office.
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. Further information about the agency is available on its website at www.eeoc.gov.


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The pyramids are fantastic structures. Centuries later, we still marvel at their creation. In the days of the master-builders of Egypt, when the pyramids were built, those who were responsible for the design of a building or structure were also responsible for the construction. There was one person, or perhaps a unified group of people, slated to oversee the development of the structure from start to finish.
As the design and construction field evolved over time, the two functions - design and construction - have become separate. In certain cases, I have seen owners try to save money by not hiring the design team to play an active role in the construction process. Today, there is a definite shift back towards one team performing both tasks, and the Design/Build option is becoming increasingly more popular.
Design/Build Defined
In order to understand what the design/build option has to offer, you must first be familiar with the "typical" design and construction process most commonly used today and in the recent past. First, a design team will be hired to develop the drawings and specifications required to build the new (or renovated) facility. During the course of this design process, a rough budget may be given or obtained from other contractors looking to get a first crack at the work. Second, following the design process, the documents will go out to bid to several contractors. These contractors will offer pricing based on the documentation that the design team has developed. Once the pricing is collected and reviewed, a contractor will be selected to perform the work.
In Design/Build, the design and construction tasks are approached in a much different manner. First, a team is assembled which is capable of handling both the design and construction scopes of work. This team may consist of separate firms, such as an independent architect and an independent contractor, agreeing to work together on the project. It may also consist of firms that can handle both tasks in-house. Keep in mind that the team will include all of the different disciplines needed to develop the document package including, but not limited to, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Structural, Foodservice, Landscape, and potentially many more. This team will see the project through from a blank sheet of paper until the final punch list is completed.
Advantages of Design/Build
There are numerous advantages to using the Design/Build method for development, which is evident by its growing popularity. Perhaps the most important advantage is the single point of responsibility that the Design/Build team has. In the more traditional configuration, a designer and contractor often end up at odds during the construction phase. Frequently, the contractor will insist that the documentation was not clear while the designer will maintain that it was. These finger pointing exercises occur when a problem arises, with the underlying objective of the disagreement being who will end up taking responsibility for the misunderstanding. These "discussions" are not much fun.
The Design/Build format also allows for a streamlined process. Given that the key members of the construction team are selected at the beginning of the process, some of the documentation required to convey certain information in the traditional design process may be reduced or eliminated all together. For example, custom designed millwork counters may not need to be designed by the architect, with shop drawings repeated by the millwork contractor if the millwork contractor is already on board during the design phase. Instead, the millwork contractor could develop the shop drawings and have them serve as part of the design package. The end result is savings of time and money. When the design and construction entities are closely integrated, as they are in the Design/Build model, additional flexibility exists to fast track a project.
Case in point - I was working on a Design/Build project that had a very tight time line. In order to meet the aggressive deadline, the design package was broken out into three phases: demolition package, permit package, and interior finishes package. This allowed for certain design and construction functions to overlap, a virtual impossibility under the traditional approach. In this particular instance, the demolition was underway before the permit set was even completed. Design/Build does an excellent job of helping to control construction costs.
First, the contractors who are going to be involved in the construction effort are available to the design team during the design effort. This creates a forum by which the contractors can share their field experience and ideas with the design team, ensuring that the most practical and cost effective construction methods are incorporated into the design. Second, with the contractors on board, the budgets will be accurate and limit the need for significant design changes following the bid phase. In the more traditional design and bid process, it is not uncommon for the bids to come back higher than expected after the design phase has been completed.
The end result is a series of changes that must be made to align the design with budget - a costly effort at such a late stage in the process. As with any construction process, problems will arise in the field. As these problems do arise, and decisions must be made quickly, it is a tremendous benefit to have a construction team that is not only familiar with the design, but the logic behind it. This scenario improves the decisions making process. There are many other advantages of Design/Build, but these are some of the most significant.
Common Misconceptions
There are some common misconceptions about Design/Build, perhaps the most common being the protection of the owner. Many critics of this model feel that the collaboration of the design and construction teams is not in the owner's best interest. The main fear is that the design and construction teams will act in their own best interest, and not the best interest of the owner. The fact is there are easy ways to combat this fear and still maintain the benefits of the Design/Build model.
First, request from your Design/Build team the right to work on an open book basis. If you structure a cost-plus or fixed fee agreement, the profit will be known to all parties and permit the review of actual costs submitted by the manufacturer or sub-contractor. This improves trust between the owner and Design/Build team, allowing all to focus on the best solutions without the fear that the Design/Build team is proposing one solution over another because it is more profitable. Second, you can request to be part of the bidding process.
Typically, the contractors on the job will hire sub-contractors for portions of the work to be performed. These sub-contractors must bid on the work. Insist on being part of the bid process. You can interview the sub-contractors and develop a level of comfort before the final selection is made. As I am sure you can tell by now, I am a proponent of the Design/Build model. In fact, I have used the Design/Build method in my own development efforts. If you are about to embark on a construction project, you should give the Design/Build method some serious consideration. Ask your designers and contractors if they offer such an option. The benefits, as you will see, are substantial.


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I should start giving a false equivalence award. Today I have for you a glaring example. In a column about how Romney lies, a DC-elitist pundit tells you that Obama lies, too.
False equivalence is when reporters and pundits in the "mainstream" news media feel they have to be "objective" to avoid seeming partisan. To achieve this they dig up nonsense in order to claim "both sides do it." Example: Twelve Republican Senators in coordination say something absolutely terrible and vile, but an anonymous guy on the internet left a comment at an unknown liberal blog (that the blog's author condemned and many of the other commenters suspect was a right-wing troll who does this all the time) saying something bad, too, so you see, voters, "both sides are the same" and you shouldn't let this influence your vote. In fact, since both sides are the same you shouldn't bother to vote at all, actually.
With no further ado I give you Richard Cohen, Mitt Romney, a man of falsehoods,
Time and time again, Romney has been called a liar during this campaign. (The various fact-checking organizations have had to work overtime on him alone.) … I watched, impressed. I admire a smooth liar, and Romney is among the best.
[. . .]
There are those who maintain that President Obama, too, is a liar.
So there you have it. Both sides are the same. Don't even bother to vote.


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Philosophy A Level (Distance Learning) at National Extension College *Fees Payable*
Course description
Exploring some of the biggest questions facing humankind, our home study A level Philosophy course will introduce you to ideas from some of the greatest minds to have contributed towards Western thinking throughout history. This wide-reaching distance learning qualification will encourage you to evaluate key philosophical concepts and themes and think about complex issues in new and challenging ways. You'll develop a set of transferable intellectual skills that will promote independent thinking, improve your ability to produce rational arguments and become better at weighing up evidence. These skills will prove useful when studying any other academic subject, and the study of philosophy is intrinsically valuable. This course is available at AS, A2, and the full A level.
You should allow for between 120 and 150 hours' study time for the AS, plus additional time for completing assignments. You will have tutor support for a period of up to 18 months from the date of enrolment.
Course content
AS Section A: Epistemology
- Philosophical argument
- Introducing epistemology
- Responses to Gettier
- Concept empiricism
- Concept innatism (rationalism)
- Empiricism and rationalism on knowledge
- Theories of perception – direct rationalism
- Indirect realism
- Idealism
AS Section B: Philosophy of Religion
- The concept of God
Arguments for the existence of God
The design argument – Hume
The design argument – Swimburne
- The cosmological argument
- The ontological argument
- The problem of evil
- Religious language
Entry requirements
No formal qualifications are required, but essay-writing skills are essential.
This course follows specifications 2175 (A level), 1176 (AS) and 2176 (A2) from the awarding organisation AQA. Full details of the specifications can be obtained from AQA's website.
AS – One exam: 3hrs (100% of marks, counts for 50% of the A2)
A2 – One exam in addition to the AS exam: 3hrs (50% of marks)
Eight AS assignments, A2 assignments TBC
No coursework
Please note that due to upcoming changes the final opportunity to sit exams for this course isSummer 2018.
Financial information
It's your choice: pay in full and discount your course fees, or spread the cost with our finance offer. To pay in instalments, you will need to enrol by telephone.
Representative examples:
Course fee: £545
Deposit: £54.50
Amount of credit: £490.50
Monthly payment: £81.75
Duration of agreement: 6 months
Total repayable: £545
Rate of interest: 0%(fixed)
0% APR representative.
Course fee: £325
Deposit: £32.50
Amount of credit: £292.50
Duration of agreement: 6 months
Total repayable: £325
Rate of interest: 0% (fixed)
0% APR representative.
- EU – £75 for the first course and £40 for second and subsequent courses
- Rest of the world – £130 for the first course and £70 for second and subsequent courses
Further information
Essential textbooks
- Lacewing, M (2014), Philosophy for AS: Epistemology and Philosophy of Religion, Routledge
How to apply
If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact National Extension College *Fees Payable* directly.


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Step One: Please choose service type and enter the location info.
DS3 T1 County ds3, t3, fiber, Ethernet line pricing is given in real-time from our selected data providers so you can make an informed decision for best high-speed internet in your county.
We have data services line pricing in the following Isle of Wight, VA Cities:
Call us today for the best quality solution at the best possible price in your area!


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Typically, in order to participate in the B Loan Program, a financial institution must be an Eligible Financial Institution ("EFI"). To qualify as an EFI, a financial institution will need to meet all of the following criteria:
IFC wants to ensure that participants make their decision(s) based on purely commercial reasons, and needs to ensure that participants are financially healthy. A participant cannot be incorporated in the country of the borrower, since IFC's B Loan Program seeks to attract offshore capital to IFC's borrowing member countries.
There is a committed group of financial institutions that frequently participate in IFC's B Loan Program. Currently, over 174 international banks and institutional investors are participating in the Program. Many of the participants are European commercial banks. Below you will find a list of the top 20 participants as of December 31, 2013.


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Women in Practice essay: Sarah Wigglesworth
Nearly 20 years ago when Katerina Rüedi, Duncan McCorquodale and myself initiated Desiring Practices, a series of exhibitions followed by a book on gender roles in architecture, women constituted 11 per cent of registered practitioners.
Desiring Practicesproposed a critique of the patriarchal basis of architecture, its value systems, knowledge and products. Our project asked: how can women's ways of knowing and doing posit new values and influence changes in existing patriarchal structures? This question is possibly even more relevant today than it was then.
Though many schools of architecture have an almost 50 per cent female cohort, female practitioner numbers now stand at 20 per cent. So representation is increasing, but not nearly fast enough. While there has been a great deal of emphasis on numbers, numbers alone are not enough, because if all we do is replicate existing values, women will have no opportunity to influence the culture of architecture.
The greatest drop-out occurs during the early years of practice, in the encounter with the twin cultures of the architectural office and the construction industry. While our academic counterparts have raised some important gender issues and critiqued the discourse, in what ways are women effecting cultural change in the world of practice? One example shows how little attention is given to this issue: competition (masculine way of doing) dominates the culture of architecture, but this approach is antithetical to the collaborative, explorative teasing-out of a project (female way of doing) that produces a really sustainable design proposition.
The large, business-orientated firms seek to be gender-friendly, but their culture is likely to drown out the female voice. Some interesting new practices organised by women are springing up, but their financial model means they are vulnerable in the current climate, and possibly not sustainable. But women's ingenuity could be used to invent new forms of association, valorising new knowledge or processes, and using our empathy and undoubted communication skills to address new audiences. We need new business models that reflect our interests and life patterns.
As people who tend to have portfolio careers, juggle competing needs, diversify their experience and make do financially, women are well placed to invent these new forms of practice. We already know that women fare better in work associations with life partners where the flexible work-life balance is well understood. Architecture is a subset of life, not the other way round. All the aims of an inclusive profession will fly away if we cannot accommodate people's life needs in the process of earning a living wage.
While this transitional experiment in new forms of working unfolds, the reality of contemporary practice – the cutting of fees, new disciplines invading the territory and our roles being rendered redundant – is an associated loss of status and income compared with other professions. Students are alert to this, and if the statistics coming out of UCAS are any guide (applications for next year's architecture courses are 20 per cent down), it is possible that charging high fees means students deserting architecture for other, more promising courses.
This will leave only the wealthy continuing the subject beyond degree level. We need to be careful that the toxic combination of increasing numbers of women with a downgrading of status does not simply turn architecture into a low-wage, 'feminised' profession such as nursing and social work, or a dilettante's 'finishing-school' subject. As the large construction companies increasingly call the shots and architects are relegated to the role of expendable aesthetes, the search for a reinvigorated practice that incorporates women's unique contribution to a realignment of the discipline, is especially important.
One possible solution could be to fight to raise salary levels – which ultimately means fees. This might sound perverse, attacking the problem from the wrong end, but hear me out. Raising fee levels is a signifier of the value we place on ourselves and bring to others.
To deserve higher fees means demonstrating clearly why architecture is worth it: and this means becoming political. Higher fees would not only help improve architecture's status, but crucially, provide choice. For women practitioners in particular, this would allow them to play a full part in shaping the future profession in new ways.
Importantly, it will keep attracting good women into the discipline, and it will give women freedom and confidence to influence new initiatives within the mainstream. Nothing will change unless we can do this. Women themselves must step up to the mark, regain the political initiative and fight for these principles. Nobody else will do it for us. Time is critical, for if we don't do it soon, we may have no profession at all.
Sarah Wigglesworth is professor of architecture at the University of Sheffield and director of Sarah Wigglesworth Architects
'Higher fees would not only improve architecture's status, but crucially give women freedom'
Architecture schools 'over-subscribed' despite 16% application drop
University building boom in battle to win students
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Clemson University
CLEMSON — Clemson University awarded 1,200 degrees Dec. 20, including the nation's first Ph.D. in automotive engineering earned by a woman and an honorary degree to a former astronaut.
Ala Qattawi made history when she walked across the stage to receive her doctorate in automotive engineering and congratulations from President James F. Barker.
Retired Gen. Charles Duke Jr., a former NASA astronaut who was the 10th man to walk on the moon, received an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Something "Strange and Unusual" may be coming to downtown Chester next month.
At its last meeting, Chester City Council discussed a request from Visionscape Media to film portions of a feature-length film in downtown Chester. Anil Dhokai is the writer and director of the movie, which has the working title "The Strange and Unusual."
"It's a feature-length movie about a supernatural TV reality show that is being cancelled," Dhokai said.
Homey, wholesome and hearty, this pork posole – a soulful Mexican soup – is perfect for a winter dinner.
Chock full of pork, veggies, herbs and spices, it's as flavorful as it is filling – a cold-weather pick-me-up the whole family will love.
See step-by-step photos of Geoffry's recipe plus thousands more from home cooks everywhere at www.justapinch.com/posole.
You'll also find a meal planner, coupons and chances to win! Enjoy and remember, use "just a pinch."
From release
Thanks to the efforts of the Lancaster Garden Club, the Christmas Tour of Homes on Dec. 2 attracted over 100 visitors, who spent the afternoon marveling at Rosewood, Craig House, and the Privette and Chastain/Zschoche homes. This twenty-sixth annual event featured private homes, historic points of interest, and beautiful gardens and pools.
From release
Advance tickets are now available for Habitat's Third Annual "Topping Out" New Year's Eve Party. Get your tickets now to "Top out" 2012 and bring in 2013 with us. The "Black tie optional" party will be Monday, December 31, 2012, in the ballroom of the Lancaster Moose Lodge, 200 Moose Dr., Lancaster, SC. Everyone is invited to join the fun.
The Embers are coming to town on December 9. People around here past a certain age will recognize that name – a well-known beach band that's still entertaining audiences across the Carolinas. But they're not coming to Lancaster for beach music, even though the Lancaster Shag Club is sponsoring the event. They're coming to do a Christmas Concert.
It already looks like Christmas in Van Wyck, with its streets lined with old-fashioned light poles.
The small community between Indian Land and Lancaster will spread holiday cheer with a Christmas parade at noon Saturday, Dec. 8, and the Lighting of the Way candle-lighting and worship event at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.
The two events, routinely held on the second weekend in December, are holiday traditions for those who like the charm of small-town gatherings. Both are organized by the Van Wyck Community Development Club.
Chris McGinn
For The Lancaster News
Add a little cheer to your holiday season by seeing the Community Playhouse of Lancaster County's "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" this weekend.
This year's performances feature 28 local actors, most of whom are children. Indian Land residents Sandy McAlister and Sydney and Sally Strader are among the cast.
If you love fresh eggs, read on.
The 2012 4-H pullet sale is this Saturday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. at Chester County Farmer's Market, 116 Columbia St., Chester. Eggs don't come much fresher than getting them straight from the chicken.
We love the bundt.
Sometimes called a fluted tube pan, these fancy baking dishes dress up any cake.
This yummy Pumpkin Bundt Cake is from home cook Candy Ayers of Minneapolis.
It is as pretty as a picture and as easy as pie.
Spiced with pumpkin pie flavoring, canned pumpkin and butterscotch pudding, it's a cake we bet you you'll find any excuse to bake.
See step-by-step photos of Candy's recipe plus thousands more from home cooks around the country at
Copyright © 2019
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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Economics and Education | Education Policy & Social AnalysisSkip to content Skip to main navigation
Economics & Education
The Department of Education Policy & Social Analysis
Welcome to the Program in Economics and Education
Economics is a powerful research and policy tool for scholars and educational practitioners who wish to develop a better understanding of educational institutions and decisions. The program in Economics and Education at Teachers College is a dynamic program that has maintained its position of leadership in this rapidly growing field. The goal of the program is to train students to apply economic concepts and tools to address both domestic and international issues in pre-kindergarten through post-secondary education.
Degree Programs
Master of Arts (M.A.)
This 33-point M.A. Program in Economics and Education is to equip education professionals and policy-makers with the skills required to interpret and synthesize education-related research, to design and implement effective educational policy, and to assess the consequences of education policy, both domestically and in international settings.
Master of Education (Ed.M.)
This 60-point program is intended for individuals who already have a graduate degree in a related field, who would like to build upon that foundation with additional training in Economics and Education. Required coursework mirrors the requirements for the M.A. degree, but gives students room to take more advanced courses in the economics and education concentration and related programs (including the other programs in EPSA as well as relevant courses in other departments/programs).
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
This 75-point program is intended for individuals who want to acquire advanced training in the theory, methods, and practices in the economics of education. It is a highly selective program to prepare individuals for leadership roles in teaching, research, or administrative settings.
Connect With Economics and Education
Student Resources
Contact Us
Program Director: Prof. Judith Scott-Clayton
Box: 011
Teachers College, Columbia University
212 Zankel, Suite B
Contact Person: Katherine Y. Chung, Program ManagerPhone: (212) 678-3677 Fax: (212) 678-3677
Email: email@example.com


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As your team of insurance wholesalers, we're ready to deliver value through case support, revenue-producing ideas and advice. Let's connect!
Manulife Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada
Do your clients have family or friends coming to stay? Do their guests have insurance to protect them while they're here?
Manulife Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada can help protect against the cost of unexpected medical emergencies that may occur during their trip in Canada. Visitors to Canada Travel Insurance can be purchased prior to their departure from home or when they first arrive in Canada.
Who can apply?
- Visitors to Canada;
- Canadians who are not eligible for benefits under a Canadian government insurance plan;
- Persons who are in Canada on a work visa or Parent and Grandparent Super Visa; or
- New immigrants who are awaiting government health insurance plan coverage.
Plan options
Single-Trip Plan
Travel Accident Coverage
- Provides Emergency Medical Insurance for one trip for the number of days purchased.
- Included with the purchase of Emergency Medical Insurance and covers up to $50,000 for an accidental bodily injury or death.
Trip Interruption Insurance
- An optional benefit which covers the prepaid nonrefundable and non-transferable portion of the trip, should it be interrupted due to a covered event and the return to home country is required.
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For clients under 70 years of age
For clients age 70 to 85 years of age
- Eligible to apply for $15,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000 coverage
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Manulife Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada is not available to those age 86 or older.
Our team of insurance wholesalers are ready to deliver value through revenue-producing ideas and advice.


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My band has nine members, and as far as I know, only two of us are atheists. We don't discuss religion or politics, since those can be divisive topics, and we're more interested in building cohesion. I know that two other members also play in church bands, but that's all I know or want to know about my bandmates' religious views.
I'm in a newly-formed band called Philly Rock & Soul. I play guitar, and am also the band's webmaster. We play R&B, Motown, Elvis, and other great music from the 1950s through '70s. I was born in 1945, and this is the music that I grew up with from about age 10. I think of it as "my music"!
I just finished building the band's website, and would love to share it with all of you. You can check us out at Philly Rock & Soul. There are five audio clips and a video medley on the "Music" page, and if you like what you hear, please leave a message in our Guestbook, which is at the bottom of the "About us" page.
Rock on!
Views: 198
Sorry, the above link to Philly Rock & Soul doesn't work. Here's the correct link: Philly Rock & Soul.
I play with The Holland K. Smith Band out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We play a mixture of Blues, Jazz, R&B, 50s/60s Rock, and even a little surf. Holland wrote "Rock Party" which is a song that George Thorogood recorded and opens his shows with.
Hey Bergen! Love your band! Ruth has been telling me about your band. Wonderful!
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Despite headaches with Boeing's (NYSE:BA) 787 Dreamliner for travelers and investors alike, there's no question the company soared in 2013 -- up nearly 80% last year. The aviation juggernaut isn't planning to take a breather in 2014 either, and it's kicked off the year with three big headlines.
On Monday, Boeing announced a commitment from Air Algerie for eight next-generation 737-800 airplanes, a deal worth $724 million at list prices. Boeing's 737 family continues to be the most technologically advanced single-aisle airplane family, and investors cheer the airplane for its market base, superior efficiency, and low operating costs. All of which is good news considering the growth Boeing expects to see in the segment over the next 20 years.
Investors received another positive note from Boeing on Monday when it announced that its largest single-aisle airplane order in the Middle East was finalized. The order from flydubai is for 75 737-MAX 8s and 11 next-generation 737-800s. Those total up to a value of $8.8 billion at list prices, and flydubai retains purchase rights for an additional 25 737 MAXs. As the rest of Boeing's orders from the 2013 Dubai Airshow are finalized, expect to see Boeing's already gigantic order backlog of $415 billion to reach nearly half a trillion. As that happens, 2014 will be an important year for the company to begin ramping up production on its aircraft and improve deliveries to customers and value to shareholders.
Record 2013
Speaking of increasing deliveries in 2014, Boeing closed out 2013 by setting a record for the most commercial airplanes delivered in a single year: 648. Considering Boeing posted company records for deliveries, as well as for unfilled commercial orders, it's no wonder investors were ready to jump into the stock, sending it 80% higher in 2013.
Last year, three programs set records for deliveries. Boeing's 737 program delivered 440 next-generation 737s and its 777 program delivered nearly 100 airplanes. Finally, despite major headaches and doom and gloom headlines, the 787 Dreamliner program delivered 65 airplanes.
"The year ahead will be exciting as we prepare to deliver the first 787-9, continue the design work on our newest programs -- the 737 MAX, 787-10 and 777X -- while increasing our production rates on the 737," said Boeing commercial airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner in a press release. "We'll remain focused on meeting our customer commitments by delivering the best products and services."
On the dotted line
Investors are all hoping to avoid the production delays, problems, and budget overruns seen with Boeing's 787 program as the company looks to begin production of its 777X program. Currently, Boeing's Everett, Wash., plant is producing much of the 777 family. However, the company threatened to take away at least part of the production if the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers union failed to agree to its new contract extension.
The biggest point of controversy on Boeing's new contract offer is that it replaced a pension-like retirement plan with a 401(k) contribution plan. There was much turmoil among union workers about whether they should to try and keep the pension plan at the risk of losing their jobs. The first vote in November rejected Boeing's offer -- 67% of the union voted against the proposal. The workers wanted their pensions, Washington state wanted to secure thousands of jobs, Boeing wanted to cut its pension obligations while customers and investors wanted to make sure production was secured with an experienced workforce that would lead to on-time deliveries.
Politicians close to the development commented that Boeing had said that if last Friday's vote rejected the proposal, it would at the very least take the wing production of its 777X out of Washington state, with the final assembly yet to be determined.
For investors, it's a problem that won't need to be digested as Friday's vote narrowly passed Boeing's new proposal by a 51% to 49% margin. This removes a big uncertainty for investors and also assures Boeing that the machinists' union won't strike until 2024.
Bottom line
Boeing has a lot of momentum carrying it from 2013 into the new year. What's more, it can offer revenue transparency that few companies can on a giant backlog of orders valued between $415 billion and $500 billion, depending on when recent orders are finalized. It's also substantially increased its dividend by 50% to $0.73 per share, and has authorized an additional $10 billion for the company's share repurchase program. The company may not produce an 80% appreciation in share price in 2014, but Boeing has a long track record of delivering shareholder value through multiple avenues -- don't expect that to reverse this year.


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Pasco Bank Robbery Suspect Still Not Found
Around 10 a.m. today a white male about six feet tall and weighing an estimated 250 lbs walked into the Bank of the West branch on Clark Street in Pasco and tried to pull off a robbery. He may have been wearing a fake beard or disguise.
Authorities are still searching for the man and have released his photo seeking the community's help in identifying him.
Police say he did not show a gun, but said he had one. Officers interrupted the robbery with their arrival and were able to safely evacuate everyone from the building. As a precaution, authorities searched the building with the FBI and Tri-City Regional SWAT team. A sniper was positioned on top of the Pasco School District Booth Administration Building. The robber apparently did not get away with any money.
Longfellow and Emerson elementaries plus St Patricks Catholic School and and Captain Gray Early Leaning went into lockdown, as did Pasco High School. The lockdown was lifted around 12:30 p.m.
Authorities continue the search for the man and say he doesn't appear to pose a threat to the community. No other details have been officially released.
We will continue to update as much information as possible.


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Our Organisation
Welcome to the official website for Sukyo Mahikari Europe and Africa, one regional part of Sukyo Mahikari, an organisation that exists in over seventy-five countries worldwide, with headquarters in Takayama, Japan.
Our Practice
The Light of God is the spiritual energy or vibration of God's love, wisdom and will, which permeates the whole universe. Transmitting and receiving True Light is the basic practice of Sukyo Mahikari. People from all walks of life and religions practise this art, which is open to all.
Our Aims
In 1959 Mr Kōtama Okada founded the Mahikari organisation with the intention of helping people throughout the world to create a more peaceful and harmonious civilisation based on the tenet: "the origin of the world is one, the origin of all human beings is one, and the origin of all religions is one".
How to contact us
Contact Sukyo Mahikari in your area.


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So much for my new year plans to blog more! However, here are some books. I hope to have some knitting to show later!
False charity, by Veronica Heley [audiobook]. Read by Patience Tomlinson. Whitley Bay: Soundings, 2007.
Bea Abbott returns from New Zealand newly widowed and has to decide what to do with The Abbott Agency, a business dealing with domestic crises. Her son, an MP, thinks she should sell the house to him and move to the seaside, but Bea isn't keen. While she's been away, her son has hired a secretary, Maggie, who turns out to be great at housekeeping but a dead loss in the office; Maggie in turn has brought in Oliver, an 18-year-old computer whizz who's estranged from his family. In addition, Bea's late husband has also enlisted her ex-husband, Piers, to look after her. When Coral, an old friend and long-term client, reports losses due to fraud from a party-organising company working for tsunami charities, the unlikely household investigates. Very entertainingly written and well-plotted.
The house at Sea's End, by Elly Griffiths. London: Quercus, 2011.
Ruth Galloway's baby, Kate, has now been born, and Ruth is returning to work after maternity leave. The first case she is called out on is the discovery of six bodies in a grave on the sea-coast, in an area affected by severe coastal erosion. The bodies are tied together in pairs and seem to have been executed sometime in the middle of the 20th century. What should be an archaeological puzzle suddenly becomes an active police investigation when a contemporary body washes ashore - someone is killing the witnesses to the event and those investigating. As well as an excellent plot, the relationship between Ruth, Nelson and their baby is also intriguing, and Griffiths also explores the guilt a single, working mother feels around childcare and trying to juggle two full-time jobs.
Play to kill, by P J Tracy. London: Penguin, 2010.
Another extremely good Gino and Magozzi thriller which discusses wider issues. This time, what starts off as the mildly bizarre murder of a transvestite in a wedding dress leads to a more serious problem - someone is killing people and posting the videos to YouTube. Are the murders linked, or is there some sort of group forming which is performing these killings? As with anything (knitting, for instance), there's strength in numbers out on the Web, and people encourage each other along, in this case to carry out more and more extreme killings. As ever, the Monkeewrench geeks are also involved. The characterisation and tight plotting is great, and the relationships between the various characters are lovely. A slightly odd ending to this one - I'll be intrigued as to what happens next.
Pirate king, by Laurie R King. London: Allison and Busby, 2011.
The latest of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The plot setup for this one is really bizarre - Russell is despatched to investigate a film company which is making a film about people making a film of The pirates of Penzance. To add further complication to the story, once the crew reaches Portugal they recruit pirates to play actors playing English gentlemen disguised as pirates. The absurdity of the situation isn't lost on Russell and King really does run amusingly with it, possibly at the expense of a comprehensible plot and some of Russell's usual common sense. There isn't as much interaction between Holmes and Russell as usual - Holmes only appears at least halfway through the book - but it's an enjoyable read.
Moon over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch [audiobook]. Read by Kobna Holbrook-Smith. Oxford: Isis, 2011.
Sequel to Rivers of London; I'd been warned it wasn't as good as the first book, and it couldn't really be, because the entire setup was surprising the first time round and the author is sort of riffing on the atmosphere he's created. Which is appropriate, as someone seems to be killing jazzmen in Soho clubs. The sense of humour and absurdity in the style is carried on into this second novel, and the plot barrels along nicely. The geographic accuracy carries on, too, which is always fun - you can really follow them around the streets... One of the best elements, though, is that actions and damage are shown to have real consequences. So many times in novels, our heroes are shot, beaten up, tortured, etc., etc., and bounce back to appear in the next book with only the odd twinge to remind them. One of the main characters in the previous novel still isn't back at work, or anywhere near it, at the end of this novel, and there's a very moving final scene in this book.