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Nation & World
California Democrats from neighboring districts part ways on health care
Reps. Doris Matsui and Ami Bera are both Democrats, represent parts of California's Sacramento Valley and vote pretty much the same way on most issues.
But when it comes to the president's health care law, they could be from different parties, even different regions of the state. The lawmakers both represent Sacramento County, which includes two congressional districts, each with a different balance of party registration.
Meanwhile, a poll this week shows a gap in support for the health care law between Democrats and Republicans in the state, in spite of the relatively trouble-free debut of California's health insurance exchange, the portal for signing up for coverage under the law.
Matsui has worked on health care issues since she came to Congress in 2005. She voted for Affordable Care Act when it passed in 2010 and has remained an enthusiastic supporter. She has opposed Republican efforts to defund, delay or modify it.
"The changes have to be changes that don't undermine the bill itself," she said.
In California's 6th Congressional District, which she represents and where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1, Matsui won re-election to a fifth term with 75 percent of the vote last year.
Bera's neighboring 7th district is about evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. He defeated a veteran Republican last year with 51 percent of the vote in a year when President Barack Obama won California by 20 points.
A physician who wasn't in Congress when the law was approved, Bera has criticized certain provisions and worked with Republicans to change it. Last month, he voted for a Republican proposal to allow more people to keep the health insurance plans they have, an idea that Obama also embraced. He has also co-sponsored a GOP measure to delay a tax on health insurance plans.
In his short time on Capitol Hill, Bera has formed personal friendships with many of his Republican colleagues and joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers called the Problem Solvers Caucus. Of the fractious debate over Obamacare, he doesn't "take the approach that this is always going to be a battle."
But Republicans won't give Bera any credit for working with them to fix a health care law he ultimately supports. The GOP sends out regular emails tying him and other vulnerable Democrats to the president's health care law.
"He's been a consistent supporter," said Daniel Scarpinato, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House campaign arm of the Republican Party. "He may want to get off the Obamacare train, but it's too late."
A Public Policy Institute of California poll this week shows the state evenly split on the law, with a sharp difference between parties. The survey, taken a month after the Oct. 1 rollout of HealthCare.gov, the federal website for insurance enrollment, shows that 60 percent of Democrats viewed the law favorably, while 80 percent of Republicans viewed it unfavorably.
Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., said it makes sense for Bera to take a more skeptical approach on the issue.
"Matsui has a relatively safe seat," he said. "Bera is going to have to work a lot harder to hold on."
Not only does Bera have a sizable bloc of Republican voters in his district, he faces an election where fewer Democrats could turn out. Pitney said the party of the president in office almost always loses seats in midterm elections.
Without Obama on the ballot in 2010, many of his core supporters sat out the election, helping Republicans take over the House. Bera lost that year in his first attempt to unseat the then-incumbent, former Republican Rep. Dan Lungren.
Both Bera and Matusi said their perspectives on health care were shaped by their personal experience with it, the former as a physician and the latter as a lawmaker. They both support the law's goal of expanding coverage, but part company on the next steps.
"We have to use every mechanism possible to make sure we get folks health insurance coverage that works for them, that meets them where they are," Bera said. "Let's get ahead of this."
Matsui counsels patience.
"As thing goes along, I'm sure there's going to be more bumps," she said. "But we can't lose focus on what we're trying to do here.


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HINGHAM – Kevin Graden enjoyed playing the underdog, said Steve Santacroce, owner of the South Shore Chiefs semi-pro football team.
On the football field, Graden was an undersized lineman, listed at 5 feet, 10 inches and 160 pounds, going up against linemen who weighed twice as much, said team head coach Jim Ewell.
"He enjoyed lining up against bigger people and showing them how tough he was," Ewell said. "He really enjoyed what he did and worked very hard at it."
Patrick McKunes said Graden helped persuade him to join the team this year despite the fact the Chiefs didn't win a game during their first two seasons. The fact that Graden stuck it out for both those seasons impressed McKunes,
"It takes a lot of heart to stick it out with a team that lost so much," McKunes said Sunday. "You have to give a lot respect to guys like that."
Graden, 31, died early Sunday after he lost control of his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Route 3 northbound north of the Derby Street exit.
State Police said the vehicle rolled over in the single-vehicle crash at about 1:21 a.m. Graden was the only person in the vehicle.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by State Police attached to the Norwell barracks, along with the department's collision analysis reconstruction section and crime scene services. The Hingham police and fire department, state medical examiner's office and MassDOT also assisted at the scene.
The Chiefs posted a tribute to Graden on its Facebook page Sunday.
"Kevin understood the importance of team on the field and the importance of brotherhood off it," it read.
Santacroce said the team will retire Graden's number 65 and pay tribute to him at an upcoming game.
"The team would not be here if it wasn't for his contributions," Santacroce said. "Losing someone like Kevin is like losing a best friend. There wasn't a single person who didn't love him."
Ewell fielded calls Sunday from players shocked by the death of the teammate they called "Skittles."
"It's really emotional," Ewell said. "He's a big part of our team."
Bill Stella, a player and general manager of the South Shore Chiefs, said Graden was heading to his Braintree home when the accident took place. Graden rode with Stella to Raymond, N.H., for a game Saturday against New England Football League opponent the Granite State Destroyers. After the Chiefs' first-ever victory a week earlier, the Chiefs lost to Granite State 17-7 on Saturday.
Stella said Graden knew he wouldn't get much playing time in the game because he had missed both of the team's practices this week because of his job as an electrician. Graden did get into the game for a few special-teams plays, Stella said.
Graden handled fundraising for the team last season, Stella said.
Graden grew up in Norwell and graduated from Norwell High School in 2001.
McKunes said Graden was always encouraging his teammates, something he will always remember.
"Every time I put on my uniform from here on in, it is in honor of him," McKunes said.
Fred Hanson may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Team mourns Hanover football player killed in crash
HINGHAM – Kevin Graden enjoyed playing the underdog, said Steve Santacroce, owner of the South Shore Chiefs semi-pro football team.

subset: commoncrawl


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An Introduction to ANPR
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is probably the next growth product to take off in the UK,(and the world) in fact, it is already beginning to be the biggest potential earner for installation companies. Network systems were all the hype in recent years but have not really grown as the pundits originally predicted. One problem is that it crosses technological barriers and the needs of available bandwidth were conveniently obscured.
On the other hand ANPR technology is completely within the scope of knowledge of CCTV companies, although there are a few new terms and technologies to come to grips with. As with previous new developments there is plenty of scope for the industry to deliver more hype and misinformation. There are pitfalls for the unwary and this and future articles will aim to explain some of these for the customer and installer (or, systems integrator).
We are grateful for assistance in producing this article to CitySync for the APR system and Derwent CCTV for information on infrared illumination.
We will start by considering ANPR for a single lane using a dedicated camera and go on to discuss some other applications such as multi-lane systems and Town Centre systems with colour cameras.
Core Technology
If you scan a document into your PC and then open it in a word processor you cannot edit or alter it in any way. This is because it is simply one bitmap made up of thousands of individual pixels. However there is software available, frequently a freebie with scanners that can convert these groups of pixels into characters. This is Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which scans each group of pixels and estimates whether or not it could be a letter and replaces the pixels with the ASCII* code for the letter. For instance the ASCII code for the lower case 'a' is 01100001. So, the software scans the whole document and produces a page of letters exactly the same as though you had typed them in, which can be edited or manipulated in any way.
(*) American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
OCR is the fundamental technology used in ANPR and provides the capability to store and sort data. ANPR cameras need to be a special type and set up within certain important parameters as will be described later.
As a vehicle approaches the camera the software takes a series of 'snapshots' and stores them in a file. When the number plate is of sufficient size for the OCR software the frame is scanned and the registration number is converted to ASCII code and held in a list. This continues for a series of images according to the speed and position of the vehicle. The list is scanned for similarities and a 'favourite' selected to retain. The system would typically scan and compare 10-15 images, with 5 being considered the minimum for high accuracy. Note that this is the principle of the software we are describing; some systems only take one image at a certain position.
This then, is the start of the ANPR capture and is totally dependant on the correct set up of camera, lens, illumination, angle of view and configuration. Get one wrong and you have a disappointed customer who won't pay the bill.
At this stage we are concentrating on the number plate capture but there are many other aspects to be considered for a completely integrated system, which will be discussed later. Note that the ANPR capture considered here is monochrome.
The Behaviour of Reflected Light
To explain some further technology behind successful ANPR capture we need to look at the behaviour of light. A basic law of light is that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. However, number plates in the UK and most other countries have a special characteristic; they are known as RETRO-REFLECTIVE. The surface is covered in hundreds of tiny hemispheres which cause light to be reflected back to the source. This is the same technology used in safety clothing and signs. No matter from which direction the light is directed, it always reflects back and makes them very visible.
The Application of Infrared Illumination to ANPR
If a standard colour or monochrome camera was focused to read number plates it would have to contend with a huge variety of lighting conditions, daytime, night-time, sunlight, backlight, headlights, and so on. One configuration simply would not cope with all conditions, so there is a need to provide a constant level and direction of illumination irrespective of any other conditions. And so we come to the development of special cameras for continuous capture of number plate data.
The camera must be sensitive to the infrared part of the spectrum, to at least 850 nanometres. Then it must be fitted with a filter to restrict the visible part of the spectrum. The lens would have a manual iris set fully open and the shutter speed set to 1/1000th second. Finally an infrared source must be fitted adjacent to the camera.
Therefore, taking advantage of the retro-reflective characteristics of number plates, the illumination from the illuminator will be reflected directly back to the camera. Thus only infrared light will be seen without any visible light or other reflections or refractions. The picture will of course be black with no detail except for the number plate. The OCR software then takes care of converting the image to usable code.
Note that this is the sort of image on the monitor both day and night.
Cameras and Lenses
This then is the core of ANPR technology, but there are many other factors to be considered. The first of these are the selection of lens and the distance to view the vehicle. The size of a UK license plate on cars and commercial vehicles is approximately 510mm long x 110mm high. Motorcycles are different being approximately 255 x 200. However more significantly, the minimum height of the letters must be 79mm. The current UK font is Charles Wright, although there are some illegal formats seen. The size of the number plate and the actual characters will need to be of a certain size when seen by the camera for the OCR software to function. One line of thought is that the number plate should be 18% of the scene width; I prefer to consider the vertical height of the characters, which from previous research should be 3% minimum for a 400 line camera. This in fact equates very closely to the 18% screen width but is more logical when considering different shapes of number plates. (For instance when a car plate is 18% of the screen a motorcycle plate would only be 7 %.) Also note that motorcycles currently do not have to carry a front number plate, but this could change in the future.
This provides the first convenient way to calculate the lens angle. For 79mm high characters the scene height needs to be 2633mm. (79 being 3% of 2633). Therefore using a scene height of 2.633M and the known distance, it is a simple matter to calculate the lens angle and thus the focal length. At this stage the height of the camera has not been considered but would not make much difference for normal combinations of distance and camera heights. (See further notes at the end).The following table shows the lens angle for various distances and a scene height of 2.633M
Distance to target 5M 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Lens angle 29.5° 15° 10° 7.5° 6° 5° 4.3° 3.8° 3.4° 3° Focal length 2/3" 13mm 25 38 50 63 76 88 99 111 126 Focal length ½" 9mm 18 27 37 46 55 64 72 81 92 Focal length 1/3" 7mm 14 21 27 34 41 48 54 61 69 Focal length ¼" 5mm 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 51
From this table you can find the nearest lens focal length for the sensor size. Where the focal length falls between two available lenses, a vari-focal lens can solve the issue.
In instances where the camera height is large compared to the horizontal distance the number plate can produce the effect of being rotated vertically. It is important to check with the software provider if this is acceptable.
Vehicle Speed and Capture Rate
Another very important consideration is the speed of the vehicles to be monitored and the width of the area to be covered. There are again two important interrelated elements connected with vehicle speed. One is the rate of the image grabber software the other is the speed of the processor. With modern processors the latter can no be ignored.
Consider a vehicle travelling at 30 MPH, this equates to 13.4 Metres in one second. A UK camera produces 50 fields per second and the shutter speed is usually 1/50th second. In 1/50th second the vehicle would travel 0.27 Metres (268mm). This would cause a blurred image and problems with the OCR translation. For this reason the shutter speed should be set to 1/1000th second, in which case the vehicle would travel only 0.013 Metres (13.4mm). The same reasoning applies when trying to capture moving images with a 35mm camera. This is slightly less important when looking head on at a vehicle but becomes increasingly important when the vehicle is at an angle approaching the camera.
Camera Positioning
Where the camera is positioned other than directly in the line of the approaching vehicle the ANPR provider must be consulted. Many systems will not function with more than more 1 or 2 degrees of horizontal skew or vertical rotation. The CitySync system will cope with up to 30° of misalignment,
The positioning of the camera is a most important consideration for satisfactory operation of an ANPR system. This can vary the percentage of recognitions to number of vehicles from 30% or 40% to near on 100%. The camera location depends on several factors, such as:
Single camera covering a barrier entrance
Probably the best position is for a camera and illuminator in a 1M high bollard viewing directly at the approaching vehicle.
Single camera covering one lane
This could be a pole mounted unit about from 18M to 30M from the vehicle.
Single or multiple cameras covering multiple lanes
This is a special application requiring input from the ANPR provider.
Town centre cameras already installed
Usually the cameras will not have been installed with ANPR in mind and so the positioning will not be optimised, they will generally be colour with no infrared illumination and will operating with the shutter speed set to 1/50th.
The first thing to address is the shutter speed if it is adjustable. The best would be if the speed can be set remotely, if not each camera needs to be visited and the speed set manually. The optimum setting is to 1/1000th. Alternative settings may be 1/250th for traffic up to 5 MPH and 1/500th for traffic up to 40 MPH. Note that all these settings will affect the low-light capability of the cameras and a compromise may be required.
Another consideration is that the camera positions and heights would not be at the optimum for ANPR. Particular attention must be paid to the angles of skew and rotation and a guaranty obtained that an acceptable percentage of recognitions will be achieved.
Cameras on motorway bridges
Again a special application requiring input from the provider.
Congestion charging cameras
This application requires input from the ANPR provider and local authority before even starting to think of a specification.
Cameras in Police vehicles
These are normally colour cameras mounted on a swivel mount and can view images to the front or either side of the vehicle. This is another special application requiring input from the provider.
Overview cameras
It is often necessary to have a conventional colour image of the vehicle especially where prosecution or congestion charging is the application. This would be a separate colour camera mounted alongside or just below the ANPR camera. Saving the overview image is triggered by the ANPR camera registering a number plate. This then adds a colour image to the same file for future reference. It is generally a false economy to attempt to combine the number plate recognition and overview using a single camera for 24/7 operation.
Multi-national number plates
There are thousands overseas vehicles on the roads today, many of them with symbols and other labels incorporated into the plate. The ANPR system must be capable of reading all of these. The software should have a built-in list of such plate styles.
The ANPR database
Just capturing number plates and storing them is not much use by itself. The screenshot below shows an ANPR example review screen. The associated database should be able to provide much more information.
Searching should possible on several fields:
- Full plate.
- Part plate.
- Time.
- Date.
- Category.
- Notes added to image file.
Further functions could be:
- Counting vehicles in and out of premises, leaving a list of all vehicles on site.
- The length of time a vehicle is on site.
- Vehicle speed (from two cameras).
- Employee names can be associated with number plates and access allowed or denied to certain areas.
Example flow diagram for ANPR system
Vehicle speeds and distances
The following table shows distances travelled for different speeds. This will give some indication to the number of images that be captured. From this table it can be seen that fof a vehicle travelling at 50MPH at 1/50th exposure it will travel nearly half a metre resulting in a blurred image. Compared to only 22mm at 1/1000th exposure.
Image grabbers
These are sometimes known as frame grabbers or field grabbers or stores. In reality they all store images or single fields.
This is a particular area where you really pay for what you get. The main criterion is the speed at which images can be captured. For instance Video for Windows can only store about 8 images per second which is only suitable for very slow moving or stationary traffic. Whereas the Brooktree JG201 can capture at 50 images per second. Prices for image grabbers can vary from about £60.00 to £500.00.
This article has given an overview of ANPR technology, in some cases simplified to provide an understanding of the underlying principles. Many features will vary between manufacturers so don't assume because something is mentioned in this article it will be available from anyone. In some cases it may work to obtain number plate recognition and an overview from one camera but there will be a trade-off such as reduced low-light performance of a complete inability to recognise numbers at night. Beware of all-embracing requirements such as; 'one camera to read every number plate day and night, provide a colour overview and identify persons in the vehicle'
The need to enlist the cooperation of the ANPR manufacturer cannot be over-emphasised.
ANPR is the generic term generally used in the UK but other terms are common in other parts of the world. Such as; NPR (Number Plate Recognition), LPR (License Plate Recognition).
This chapter is supplied by Mike Constant and was originally published in CCTV Today. Mike is the author of 'The Principles & Practice of CCTV' which is generally accepted as the benchmark for CCTV installation in the UK.


text: German motorhome manufacturer Concorde Reisemobile GmbH recently unveiled its new Centurion 1200 motorhome at the CMT Holiday Exhibition in Stuttgart. The RVing Examiner reported that the launch of the mega-motorhome, based on the heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Actros truck chassis, had been plugged solidly on the company's Facebook page for prior to the show. Concorde's aptly named "Centurion" rests on the triple-axle Mercedes-Benz Actros 2542 chassis and includes full air suspension. Powered by a six-cylinder 12.8 litre engine that's mated to a fully automatic 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift transmission. Concorde — originally established in 1981 as an RV components manufacturer — began specialist trailer production in 1982 and motor home production in 1983. To read the entire article and view additional pictures click here.


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- Welterweight
Khan makes Brook promise after fierce exchange
Amir Khan and Kell Brook became embroiled in a bitter verbal war on Thursday, which finished with Khan promising on national television to fight the Brit if Brook beats Timothy Bradley.
Khan and Brook have long been linked to an all-British war, but the former has always considered the latter to be leagues beneath him. That remains the case.
"I used to box Kell all around the ring," Khan told Sky Sports Ringside. "That's the honest truth, I was at England camp..."
"You got schooled," interrupted Brook.
"Come on, I never got schooled," Khan laughed. "I was training for the Olympic Games, Kell was in the juniors, and I used to school Kell in the ring."
With both men becoming increasingly irate, a tense atmosphere descended as Audley Harrison sat between the warring pugilists. And it was Khan's taunt about being on a different level that sparked the most heated exchange.
"The fans want it, it's a fight the fans want to see. I'm going to move up to 147 very soon, and then I'll be in the mix," Khan said.
"I still think I'm a league above but if I have to step back a league to knock him out, I might have to do that. I think he's bitter about the treatment he got in sparring."
Brook, who was largely overwhelmed in the talking department, argued: "I'd knock him out. He gets knocked out every time without a doubt. You can't hold a shot."
At that stage Khan rattled off names that he has either faced, or tried to fight, before accusing Brook of ducking them. Khan then promised that he will sign a contract to fight Brook as soon as he beats Bradley - the WBO welterweight champion - in a yet-to-be-arranged bout.
"You turned down Bradley. You turned down [Marcos] Maidana," Khan said. "If he beats Bradley, I'll fight the winner of Bradley and Kell Brook. I've said it."
"You said that about Matthew Hatton," Brook countered. "You said you'd fight me if I beat Matthew Hatton."
Clearly pumped up, Khan then leaned across Harrison to finished the debate, saying: "I didn't say that, but if I fight you I'd knock you out."


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I just read in Smart Computing magazine, page 70, May 2008 issue, that a new kid on the block is Spicebird. The article ends, "At that point, Spicebird really will be a realistic alternative to Microsoft Outlook."
Also The Calendar Planner by Reel Logix informed me that some time this year, the company plans to integrate an e-mail module with its software. Competition, Poco Systems.
Don't get me wrong, I like Barca a lot and have been using PocoMail/Barca since 2004; but it would be nice to have more features in Barca that are missing, and these features are in Outlook.
I am just writing and talking, Poco Systems.
Thanks for listening.


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5) Luke Field – "Hehehe"
You want high energy and high octave? Hear no further than this gem of a chuckle. His giggle is so adorable, it would make a flirtatious school girl just give up on chasing the prom king. Usually positioned in front, you cannot mistake it.
4) Tom Whitaker – "HA!"
Hide grandpa when this character is laughing, because just short of the sirens it could be mistaken for an air-raid. Keeping with the combat terminology, it also isn't just the low frequency but the positioning. Tom Whitaker is a flanker. Rarely seated, almost always standing on the side, this laugh-vigilante will sneak up and strike when you are least expecting it. No one is safe.
3) Mike Marbach – ______
This is the only qualifier whose laugh can not be transposed onto paper: . That's right, silence. Nothing. Like a beautiful comedic nymph whose laugh was stolen against his will, it is unclear what he did to upset the Gods. But it is there, and if you listen close enough, it can be magic to your ears. Listen. Closer. Can you hear it? No? Then you are not listening.
2) Cara Schmidt – "HeeHaw!"
More refined than a cackle, just short of a shriek, this lovely ladies laugh could overpower the collective audiences of Dane Cook and Carrot Top combined*. Her to-herself-laugh while reading Sunday comics would embarrass any of your at-the-expense-of-others laughs* (*research pending). You want to feel like a champ? Just tickle this girls funny bone and you have the inside track to "killing it". Legend has it, she is a big pun connoisseur.
1) Joe Gates – "ggggggha ha"
There are two parts to the Frank Sinatra of Philadelphian laughter. As any good symphonic orchestra, it starts of slowly like a spring-time brook receiving the melting snow from the mountains above. A steady, constant flow of warmth and sincerity. Just when you think its about to end, it crescendos. This vocal maestro smartly adds more bass and the volume climbs until you are in the middle of the Mississippi River, next to Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, laughing too much to realize they are a little bit racist. I would literally perform only for this gentleman and be OK with it.


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Judge Posner has thrown out the entire case in the on-again, off-again Apple versus Motorola dispute. Citing that neither side was able to produce any real damages, both sides have been sent packing. The case has been in jeopardy for several weeks now, and Posner has previously dismissed the jury trial that was requested. The trial that started way back in 2010, long before Google came into the picture, is finally finished.
The full opinion and order is embedded after the break (courtesy Chris Ziegler of The Verge), but the tl;dr version is that there will be no injunctions, neither Apple nor Motorola sees any money from each other, and we, the consumers, finally win one. Hooray!
Source: The Verge


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First Love with 1.06 Carat Lab-Created Diamond - 14k White Gold was added to your cart.
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VANCOUVER - The Insurance Corp. of B.C. is warning vehicle purchasers to beware of a possible flood of vehicles from the United States that have been flood-damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
The public auto insurer issued the warning after the American Association of Motor Vehicle Transport Administrators said tens of thousands of vehicles on the U.S. east coast were submerged in salt- and bacteria-contaminated waters.
Transportation Minister Mary Polak points out that more than half a million vehicles were damaged during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and thousands of those vehicles were imported into Canada — even though they're not legal to drive on our roads.
Flood-damaged vehicles are classified in Canada as "non-repairable" and don't qualify for road use.
Ian Christman, the registrar at the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of B.C., says the best way to protect yourself from getting one of these vehicles is to buy from a licensed dealer who is required to know and disclose the history of the auto.
Those who buy from a private seller are urged to watch for damp or musty odours inside the vehicle and to look for signs of rust in the vents and test all electrical aspects of the vehicle.
Also on HuffPost


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The Commission on Higher Education in late March adopted a report to the Governor and Legislature on the capacity of New Jersey's higher education system, culminating more than a year of extensive background research and broad public input.
The Commission concluded, based on recommendations by the Blue-Ribbon Task Force on the Capacity of New Jersey's Higher Education System, that the state has a generally efficient higher education delivery structure, and there is no need to establish, close, or consolidate institutions. Nearly all the public colleges and universities have cost-efficient enrollment levels, and systemwide there is low program duplication, extensive interinstitutional collaboration, and efficient use of space. The report does identify some areas of unmet need, however, and makes recommendations for the future.
The Commission and the Presidents' Council will address some of the recommendations jointly, through the work of the Long-Range Plan Review Committee, created to monitor and update New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education. The committee will examine four areas related to the Commission's findings and recommendations regarding capacity.
The Commission cited the need for multi-institution centers, rather than new colleges, to improve access to postsecondary degree programs in underserved regions of the state. Such centers are recommended to respond to potential student demand in the northwest, southeast, and coastal regions of New Jersey, where there are limited opportunities to pursue four-year and graduate degrees and where the college-age populations are projected to grow. (See related article.)
The Long-Range Plan Review Committee will also examine the many facets of institutional quality, including the enrollment of high-achieving students. This topic flows out of the capacity study finding that although New Jersey's high rate of college student outmigration harms neither the state's level of educational attainment nor its supply of qualified employees, recruiting and retaining high-achieving students can enhance institutional quality.
Also on the committee's agenda will be the Commission's recommendations that institutions justify, combine, or phase out low-enrollment programs and that occupational supply and demand data be considered in relation to long-range planning.
Other ongoing Commission efforts also respond to the capacity study. For example, to ensure access to higher education for students who are academically or economically disadvantaged and those who speak English as a second language, the Commission will continue to seek increased state support for Tuition Aid Grants, the Educational Opportunity Fund, and the Education of Language Minority Students program.
The Commission will heighten efforts to establish a program for building maintenance and renewal at senior public institutions, as recommended in the capacity report. The Commission has called for such funding since 1995 to address deferred maintenance and renewal needs and protect the state's substantial investment in the infrastructure of its public colleges and universities. Such funding will help to ensure the optimal use of facilities, and should take precedence over funding for new construction.
The Presidents' Council is finalizing a proposal to improve articulation between colleges and ease student transfer, addressing another finding of the capacity study. In addition, a committee of the Council and Commission will continue advising the two bodies regarding an interconnected technology infrastructure for higher education and an appropriate operational environment for distance learning, another issue addressed in the capacity report. Finally, both systemwide and institutional accountability reports will focus on efficiency in meeting state needs and inform future planning and decision making.
|The Commission's recommendations and a summary of the blue-ribbon task force's report are available here. To request a copy of the Commission's full report to the Governor and Legislature, please call 609-292-4310.
Rutgers and Brookdale Plan Partnership for 4-Year Degrees
Residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties will benefit from a proposed partnership between Brookdale Community College and Rutgers University to address a critical need for public education beyond the associate degree in these rapidly growing counties.
The evolving alliance accords with the Commission's recommendation to establish multi- institution partnerships, rather than build new colleges, where there are unmet higher education needs. The alliance ultimately will provide site-based access to both baccalaureate and, where appropriate, graduate programs in Monmouth and Ocean counties, neither of which is home to a senior public institution.
Brookdale Community College officials said they initiated the joint effort partly in response to surveys of Brookdale graduates, who identify local access to public baccalaureate degree programs as a highly desirable educational option. Brookdale students typically enroll directly from high school, and nearly three-quarters seek transfer opportunities. The closest public senior campuses are at least one hour away from the Lincroft-based community college. Despite good relationships and articulation agreements with independent colleges and universities in the region, the need for local access to less expensive, public institutions remains.
The Brookdale-Rutgers partnership will not just serve "traditional" or currently enrolled college students. The partnership will serve "working people, who are part of the economic future of the community, looking for higher education opportunities," said Dr. Peter Burnham, president of Brookdale Community College. He said that, initially, most of the instruction offered by the partnership will focus on Monmouth County.
Dr. Burnham sees the evolving Brookdale-Rutgers alliance as fulfilling the original concept of restructuring, "a major philosophical underpinning of which was to develop an environment where collaboration would help break down some of the artificial barriers between and among institutions of higher education in New Jersey."
While the proposed alliance is not the first partnership between a community college and a university, both partners see the alliance as a tremendous opportunity.
"Collaboration between Rutgers and Brookdale faculty, who are developing site-based programs for the new partnership, has already improved articulation between the two institutions for students seeking a traditional undergraduate experience," said Dr. Raphael Caprio, Vice President for Continuous Education and Outreach at Rutgers.
Stevens and NASA Link to Inspire Minority Students' Interest in Science
Stevens Institute of Technology and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are taking science classes to new heights in the hopes of inspiring minority students to pursue advanced study and careers in science and technology.
In the first year of the pilot project, Stevens' Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE), linked nine NASA engineers and scientists with students and teachers from schools in Union City, Hoboken, and Jersey City. The mentoring project aims to provide the science teachers with enhanced educational resources, particularly Internet-based data and information. It also strives to offer positive role models for minority students by introducing them to Hispanic NASA professionals who have succeeded in scientific careers.
The NASA mentors communicated with the teachers and students through e-mail and two face-to-face meetings. In addition, the Stevens-NASA project brought the teachers onto Stevens' campus for monthly professional development workshops.
Coordinators hope that desktop videoconference technology will enhance that communication in the project's second year.
Increasingly, communications technology enables busy professionals to serve as a resource for students and teachers without losing time from demanding jobs. Throughout the nation, volunteers in the scientific, engineering, technology, education, and business communities are using e-mail and other technology applications to serve as "telementors" who help students and teachers expand their subject knowledge and learn about career opportunities; they also provide support, encouragement, and positive role models.
As the project begins its second year, several teachers involved in the pilot and several new teachers will spend two weeks working with the NASA mentors at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland to identify the scientific topics that will be enriched by the NASA mentors' technical knowledge and experience.
In testimony before the appropriations committees of the state Senate and Assembly, Commission Chairman Alfred Cade offered support for Governor Whitman's proposed budget and sought funding to address two additional priorities.
Mr. Cade said the proposed budget for FY 1999 takes steps to address rising higher education costs and enhance quality, and the Commission applauds the Governor's ongoing commitment to student assistance. The recommended $10 million increase for the Tuition Aid Grant program will allow for an increase in both the number of grants and the amount provided to needy students. He told the legislators that increasing state support for community colleges will move the state closer to providing one-third of operating costs at these institutions, as recommended by the Commission since 1995. The additional $12 million (an 11% increase), with a commitment by the Governor of $12 million in each of the following three fiscal years is "an extraordinary step toward a more balanced funding partnership," Mr. Cade said.
The chairman said that earmarking for performance-based funding 1% of the operating aid allocated to each two- and four-year public institution will improve accountability and enhance quality.
Many of these recommendations, and others supporting various aspects of the higher education budget, address funding needs the Commission identified in its Budget Policy Statement. Recognizing that all needs cannot be met, Mr. Cade requested consideration of two additional priorities the Commission considers important to preserving access, affordability, and quality. He pointed to the significant contribution of New Jersey's 14 independent colleges and universities with a public mission and urged the appropriations committees to provide a $2 million increase as a step toward the total $7 million necessary to bring these institutions to the prescribed statutory funding level. Mr. Cade noted that the independent sector was the only one not slated for increased funding.
Mr. Cade also called for $10.5 million in additional funding for the senior public institutions, for a total increase of 3.1%. He recommended delaying the movement of fringe benefits to institutional budgets until the responsibility for collective bargaining is assigned to the institutions. This delay will make $6 million more in discretionary funds available to the senior public institutions this year. With an additional $4.5 million for the operating budgets, the Commission hopes that tuition increases at the senior public institutions can be held to the rate of inflation.
Mr. Cade noted that the state's contribution to institutional revenue plays a pivotal role in keeping public institutions affordable. He said the Commission believes additional state operating aid is necessary to avoid driving tuition even further beyond the desired one-third share of institutional revenues.
Mr. Cade said the Commission also sees the need for greater institutional cost containment, augmented by increased revenues from gifts and grants, particularly at the research universities, which are making strides in this area.
"Our concern continues to be providing a higher education system that fulfills its responsibility to serve the needs of the state and its citizens. Our colleges and universities are critical to New Jersey's quality of life, its economic well-being, and its ability to respond to the demands of the 21st century. For these reasons, the state's ongoing investment in higher education is essential," Mr. Cade concluded.
The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education in April awarded grants to 15 New Jersey colleges and universities for precollege enrichment programs that help at-risk urban students complete high school and pursue college-level study in the sciences, mathematics, and technology.
The $2.9 million College Bound Grant Program, established in 1986, provides on-campus support services, academic classes, and other activities for urban students in grades 6 through 12. The 15 grants to institutions in each sector of New Jersey's higher education system will enable nearly 2,000 students from the original 30 urban school districts designated as "special needs" to participate in on-campus enrichment programs during the summer and the regular academic year.
"I am extremely pleased that this competitive grant process enabled the Commission on Higher Education to fund five new campus programs and expand College Bound's presence through New Jersey," said Alfred Cade, chairman of the Commission.
"With these 15 grants, the College Bound program will continue to help historically underrepresented students finish high school and go on to college," he said. The Commission and the College Bound Advisory Group will showcase the 15 funded programs at a kick-off event to be held Tuesday, June 2 at 10 a.m. on the campus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark.
|College Bound Grant Recipients
|Burlington County College
|Ramapo College of NJ
|The College of New Jersey
|The Richard Stockton College of NJ
|Essex County College
|Rowan University
|New Jersey City University
|Rutgers University
|Mercer County Community College
|Seton Hall University
|New Jersey Institute of Technology
|Union County College
|Passaic County Community College
|William Paterson University of NJ
|Seton Hall University


text:
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text:
primera necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 105 diseños de 19 diseñadores freelance.
Primera Marketing Inc. and web site is http://www.primeraworldmarketing.com
Our core business is Promotional Products, Branded Clothing under Primera Clothing Company (PCC) and other Wearables. We also do Graphic Design and Product Design of these marketing products and clothing.
We source the product from Domestic and offshore (Importer) We will also export product. The 2nd part of our firm also builds Mobile Web Applications and programming for iPhone Apps also for Blackberry, iPad, Android etc.
We also do Web site design and development and programming.
Our current customers are some of the largest liquor, beer and wine manufacturers and distributors in the World! We have gained this by being a little on the cutting edge but not too far from the main stream. These big brands we sell to don't stray too far for the products they choose to put their name on. Mostly ages between 24 to 35 but varies by brand.
On the tech side for iPhone apps we have customers in the music industry but we do not want to limit ourselves to that area. We are targeting any company that can use the mobile media as cost effective advertising.
One thought is that a logo that may encompass the "globe"
in a world marketing company but this is only one idea and it would have to be cool like no other as these have been over done and bore me to tears. (u know what I mean)
"Brand Solution Providers" could be used as our Tag line but not necessarily.
The files we will require are:
Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
Web file format - .jpg and layered .psd (RGB)
Please do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo
This is our first try with this Web Project, and if it goes well I could use this on a weekly basis.
Come on kids...show me some cool shit!
Let's see what you can do!!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Is there anything that LaCie's d2 external DVD recorder can't do? It's fast, writes most disc formats (including double layer), offers dual USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces, and even connects easily to both Macs and PCs.
Like many of its competitors, LaCie doesn't manufacture the business end of its recorders. Rather, the d2 is actually a repackaged ND-2510A model from NEC. It offers a conventional, yet well-rounded, set of features including writing DVD±R discs at 8X (ZCLV), DVD±RW discs at 4X (CLV), DVD+R DL at 2.4X (CLV), CD-R at 32X (ZCLV), and CD-RW at 16X (CLV) while reading prerecorded DVDs at 12X (CAV), DVD±R/RWs at 8X, and prerecorded CDs and CD-Rs at 40X (CAV).
One of the d2's key selling points is the ability to write double-layer (DL) discs. However, the cost and scarcity of DL blanks, combined with lengthy recording times and uncertain playback compatibility with DVD devices, realistically limit that use to authoring and prototyping chores. During testing, a full Verbatim 8.5GB DL disc took roughly 43 minutes to record. The result then successfully played in 64% of an assembled suite of 40 devices (computer DVD-ROM drives and recorders and set-top DVD players and recorders). In comparison, a 45% result was achieved previously in a similar test involving a DL disc written by a Sony DRU-700A recorder [see June, pp. 38-40]. The LaCie's more favorable outcome is most likely attributable to the introduction of DL-aware firmware in some newer recorders included in the experiment. And by default, the LaCie d2 records DL discs using the prerecorded DVD category code (book or bit type) to trick some playing devices into accepting what is otherwise unknown.
During evaluation, the d2 suffered from an odd performance bottleneck when connected through USB 2.0, preventing the unit from writing above 6X speed. LaCie's technical support could not duplicate this problem and suggested that the Adaptec DuoConnect interface used in the test may have been the culprit. FireWire performance, however, was on the money, with Nero CDSpeed 3.12 producing full Verbatim DVD+R discs in 9:25, DVD-Rs in 9:29, DVD+RWs in 13:44, DVD-RWs in 14:10, and CD-Rs in 3:31.
The review unit came bundled with Easy CD & DVD Creator Basic 6, Easy Media Creator Basic 7, and Toast Lite 6. For an additional $30, LaCie also offers two other options including Pixela's CaptyDVD or Toast Titanium.
Perhaps just a little large and heavy, the external LaCie's d2 can still be moved around at will and, with its full set of features, really fits the bill for those seeking a switch-hitter for mixed Mac/PC offices.
System requirements: FireWire-equipped Mac G3+ running OS 9.1 (10.2.3 or higher for DL); IEEE1394 or USB 2.0-equipped PC running Windows 98SE/Me (2000/XP for DL); 5GB free HDD space for SL discs and 10GB for DL discs.


text:
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NO ACCIDENTS REPORTED!!! THIS SPORTY SEDAN IS IN GREAT CONDITION!!! MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! SILVER IN COLOR! QUALIFIES FOR THE TOYOTA CERTIFIED WARRANTY!!!!!!!!!!!!! BLUE TOOTH***************BACK UP CAMERA********************POWER SEATS!!!!!!!!!!!! MUST SEE!! COME TEST DRIVE IT HERE AT HALEY CERTIFIED CENTER 8301 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND VA 23235! CALL TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT 804-228-4000! Buy With Confidence! Most of our used vehicles are backed by our Haley Preferred 90 days or 3000 miles comprehensive warranty, lifetime state inspections, and a 72 hour no questions asked return policy. See sales associate for details.
The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, finance charges, documentation charges of $599.00, and any other fees required by law. We attempt to update this inventory on a regular basis. However, there can be lag time between the sale of a vehicle and the update of the inventory.
**With approved credit. Terms may vary. Monthly payments are only estimates derived from the vehicle price with a 72 month term, 4.9% interest and 20% downpayment.
*Number of views in last 30 days
† Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
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(540) 345-1666Call Now
1530 Courtland Road NE • Roanoke, VA 24012Get Directions
Open Today! Sales: 8:30am-8pm
Open Today! Service: 7am-7pm
Open Today! Parts: 7:30am-7pm
Phone: (540) 345-1666http://maps.google.com/?q=1530%20Courtland%20Road%20NE%2C%20Roanoke%2C%20VA%2024012


text:
(Juniper) Electric Color in an Evergreen
Juniperus lights up the landscape with shades of chartreuse in spring, yellow in summer and orange in the fall. This evergreen has surprisingly soft foliage, is easy to grow and is drought tolerant. Juniper requires no pruning but may be shaped in early spring if so desired.
Hardy in zones 4-9 and deer resistant Juniper is heat tolerant so plant in full sun. With a horizontal spreading habit of 1' tall and 7-9 feet wide Juniperus is well suited as a groundcover for rock gardens and sunny slopes.
Good Vibrations® Gold
Starting at: $16.99


text:
Murdoch: No surrender (part 2)
Issued on: Modified:
Rupert Murdoch turns the attention from phone-hacking by his journalists to the alleged cozy treatment served up by one of David Cameron's key cabinet members. François Picard's panel asks which of the two – Murdoch or Cameron – is in more trouble now.
- Dave CLARK. Paris Bureau Deputy Chief, AFP;
- Waddick DOYLE. Head of the Chair of Global Communication, AUP;
- Jean-Claude SERGEANT. Professor emeritus, Sorbonne Nouvelle University. British Media specialist;
- Claire ENDERS. Fonder and CEO, Enders Analysis (from London).
Produced by François Picard, Anelise Borges, Wassim Nasr.


text:
The Creation Of The Universe
The Alliance of the Good
Unless The Good Unite, Corruption And Cruelty Will Pervade The World
In our day, the world is forced to witness unprecedented violence, terror, oppression, fraud, imposture, deceit, immorality, fighting, bickering, poverty and hunger. It is obvious that these evil-inspired happenings are more common in our day than they were in the past days. For this reason, every man of conscience and wisdom needs to avoid all lack of responsibility and become more sensitive towards the suffering and injustice taking place in all parts of the world. The evil are in the majority and appear to be powerful, causing distress and anxiety for many people. Disbelief, or the religion introduced to man which is entirely divorced from the teachings of the original revelations, and non-adherence to the moral values of the Qur'an, have created fertile ground for the proliferation of corruption and all forms of wickedness on earth. God informs man about the devastation brought about by disbelievers to the world as follows:
Among the people there is someone whose words about the life of the world excite your admiration, and he calls God to witness what is in his heart, while he is in fact the most hostile of adversaries. When he leaves you, he goes about the earth corrupting it, destroying crops and animals. God does not love corruption. (Surat al-Baqara: 204-205)
The way to bring about an end to cruelty and evil of people who have lost all sense of morality and feelings of compassion, who ignore and even ridicule such values, is through the unity of good and conscientious people working for the dissemination of goodness. The kind of environment which will emerge, unless believers cooperate, is stated in the following verse:
Those who disbelieve are the friends and protectors of one another. If you do not act in this way (be friends and protectors of one another)there will be turmoil in the land and great corruption. (Surat al-Anfal: 73)
This is a heavy responsibility upon the believers, each of whom must strictly avoid contributing to such evil consequences. It is time to stop concerning ourselves over self-centred problems and to seriously strive for the good of other people. The majority of people read the stories about prophets and the lives of their companions in details, appreciate and praise the moral perfection they displayed, and talk of their courage and astuteness, their moderate attitude, as well as their resilience which did not bend even under severest hardship. These are the noble and self-sacrificing people God loved and to whom He gave the glad tidings of His paradise as a reward. Throughout their lives, they were unflinchingly honest and righteous. However, in our time, the good should not only talk of these noble people, but also follow in their footsteps. All conscientious people should compete with one another in attaining moral perfection like that of the prophets and the true believers who accompanied them. Otherwise, every conscientious person will be held responsible for all the cruelty, corruption, conflict and wars he witnessed in this world. This point is also stated in many sayings of Our Prophet (pbuh). One of them reads:
In this century, when the evil have intensified their activities, and the destitute, women and children are in need of so much help, it is essential that Muslims unite and support one another through any adversity, trouble and under other negative circumstances. In Surah Ali 'Imran, God informs us about the sort of brotherhood Muslims should maintain and the attitude a Muslim should adopt toward another Muslim:
Hold fast to the rope of God all together, and do not separate. Remember God's blessing to you when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together so that you became brothers by His blessing. You were on the very brink of a pit of the Fire and He rescued you from it. In this way God makes His Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will be guided. (Surah Ali 'Imran: 103)
Indifference is Equal to Being a Member of the Alliance of the Evil
As we have discussed earlier, fear of the reactions of the evil may lead to indifference to unjust practises. However, this is not the attitude assumed by people of conscience. This attitude is typical of those who are blindly addicted to this world and who chase after short-lived worldly interests.
Those who are hesitant to join the side of the good need to know that their silence and indifference will add to the corruption experienced today all over the world. For instance, if the poor and innocent are massacred in one corner of the world, and the people who claim to be good keep silent and watch it from a distance, they would actually be on the side of the cruel ones. Those who remain silent for fear of the cruelty and possible harm of the evil cannot hope to be rewarded in the hereafter as those who displayed patience.
Two men among those who were afraid, but whom God had blessed, said, 'Enter the gate against them! Once you have entered it, you will be victorious. Put your trust in God if you are believers.' They said, 'We will never enter it, Moses, as long as they are there. So you and your Lord go and fight. We will stay sitting here.' He said, 'My Lord, I have no control over anyone but myself and my brother, so make a clear distinction between us and this deviant people.' (Surat al-Ma'ida: 23-25)
One point deserves special mention here; the sincere and true believers striving for the way of God receive His support, whether they are alone or not. This is the promise of God to believers. God makes this clear in the following verse:
If you do not help him, God did help him when the disbelievers drove him out and there were two of them in the cave. He said to his companion, 'Do not be despondent, God is with us.' Then God sent down His serenity upon him and reinforced him with troops you could not see. He made the word of the disbelievers undermost. It is the word of God which is uppermost. God is Almighty, All-Wise. (Surat at-Tawba: 40)
Before you We sent other Messengers to their people, and they too brought them the Clear Signs. We took revenge on those who did evil; and it is Our duty to help the believers. (Surat ar-Rum: 47)
This being the case, taking every opportunity to support the alliance of the good with one's best effort is vitally important to attain a blissful afterlife for those who say "I am a conscientious and good person". God's Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), also stated that this will have a reward in the hereafter for a believer:
In the Qur'an, God informs us that those who turn their backs to the good in times of trouble, or do nothing when they are oppressed, will say "Weren't we with you?", when the good will attain felicity and when their rightness will be made clear to everyone:
Those who anticipate the worst for you say, 'Were we not with you?' Whenever you gain a victory from God, but if the disbelievers have a success they say, 'Did we not have the upper hand over you and yet in spite of that keep the believers away from you?' God will judge between you on the Day of Rising. God will not give the disbelievers any way against the believers. (Surat an-Nisa': 141)
In such a circumstance, impartiality would not be an acceptable attitude. On the contrary, as mentioned in the verses above, it is a trait peculiar to hypocrites.
In the face of such cruelty, everyone claiming to be among the good must give all the support they can offer. In this regard, they should first make clear with which party they side. That is because dubious is the sincerity of a person who remains silent about cruelty and fails to lend himself to the oppressed. As stressed numerous times earlier in this book, supporting the evil ones is not necessarily being side by side with them. Remaining indifferent to them serves the very same purpose. God warns man in the Qur'an thus: "And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you." (Surah Hud: 113) Being silent is another form of supporting cruelty. In his works, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi describes this situation as follows:
Those who perform good actions will receive better than them and will be safe that Day from fear. Those who perform bad actions will be flung head first into the Fire: 'Are you being repaid for anything other than what you did?' (Surat an-Naml: 89-90)
12. Muslim, Sayings of Muhammad, by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad
13. Imam an-Nawawi, The Complete Forty Hadith, p. 125
14. . Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Risale-i Nur Külliyati II (The Risale-i Nur Collection II), Emirdag Lahikasi (Emirdag Letters), Nesil Yayinlari, page 1183
15. . Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Risale-i Nur Külliyati II (The Risale-i Nur Collection II), Kastamonu Lahikasi (Kastamonu Letters), p. 158


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Jared Leto Claims Crazed Fan Sent Him Severed Ear as a Gift, Posts Photo of Severed Ear to Prove It (NSFW)
During an interview with British radio station Xfm, actor/singer/heartthrob Jared Leto was asked about some of the weirder gifts he's received from fans over the years.
Without batting an earlobe, Leto went on to recount the time he was gifted a severed ear by one of 30 Seconds to Mars' more "committed and passionate" fans.
"Someone cut their ear off once and sent it to me, that was very strange," the 41-year-old told Xfm's Phil Clifton.
"The Van Gogh move," Leto continued. "The note just said, 'Are you listening?'. I never knew who it was, who's missing their ear out there."
Xfm figured Leto was joking, and even said as much. Leto certainly wasn't helping his case by claiming he poked a hole in the ear "and wore it as a necklace."
But a few days later, with cries of shenanigans mounting, Leto decided to let his fans have it.
Literally: He posted a photo of the alleged ear to his Instagram account, along with the all-caps caption, "ARE YOU LISTENING?"
Some fans still think they're being played, with several noting that the bloody auricle bears a striking resemblance to a popular severed ear prop or could easily have been fashioned out of some paraffin wax and a strong desire to freak people out.
The last of which, Leto clearly has in abundance.


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Since there are readers of ICJ from all over the world let me mention that live streaming of the race by the Gazzetta dello Sport will begin tomorrow at 2:30 PM (Italy time), in Italian of course, here.
A time zone convertor you can use: www.timeanddate.com
Sometime in the past on the Muro di Sormano:
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome.
Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN
Contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com. There are more than 2,600 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Il Lombardia Live Streaming Video Information
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"Here Are a Few Things No One Will Tell You Right Before You Have Your First Baby" originally appeared on Medium and The Fatherly Forum, and was reprinted with permission.
Six months and everyone is mostly still alive. Success. I now feel equipped to say that having a child is frequently and simultaneously the best and worst thing in my life — it's a constant to-and-fro between heart-bursting elation and insurmountable regret. And what's more, you're all lying about it.
Living up to expectations
If you listen to social media, everyone's having "the most amazing time" with their new bundle of joy. Yeah, it's tough, but "Oh, I just love my little one! Loving every moment! Wouldn't change this magical experience for the world!"
I'm calling bullshit on this. People have a near limitless propensity to lie about their experiences in order to align them with general expectations. Events like having a child are supposed to be wonderful and perfect. You're supposed to be loving every minute of it. You're supposed to be overwhelmed with love and joy. And apparently you're supposed to be telling everyone about it, every second of every day.
But it isn't always that clear cut. Nobody wants to talk about the difficulties, the hardships or the doubts, because these don't match their own, and other people's, expectations. There's also the problem that comes with complaining about a choice you made, a choice not afforded to everyone. The result is a near-constant stream of updates from outwardly super-happy parents, joking about lack of sleep and dirty nappies, and generally looking like they're having the best time ever. Sadly, that conflicts with reality: inside, many of us are in an emotional shit storm.
For the first three months, my son was in a never-ending — and not uncommon — two-hour cycle of eat, vomit, poop, cry, nap. It was like living in a hate-filled library as any sound you made could potentially wake him, or remind my wife that I was doing something that didn't involve having a volatile child clamped to my nipple. His complete lack of ability to give any response, only demand everything, was soul-crushing.
Family would visit and exclaim, "Oh, he's gorgeous! Isn't being a parent wonderful?"
When I'd tell them, "No. No it is not. I haven't slept for more than three solid hours in three months. This is zero fun. I'm mainly trying to justify not putting him out with the recycling," I was met with shock and concern. Which just pissed me off because my family's tales of "wonderfulness" were always interspersed with little gems like, "I cried solidly for two days when I had you." What? But — you said …
The big fib
That idealized image that many feel obligated to present is a real problem. It provides a false comparison to which new parents inevitably compare themselves. Of course we can't live up to those ideals — nobody could, because they're simply not real. All they do is make parents doubt their own ability to raise a child because while they're having one of the most difficult times of their lives, everyone else is apparently having a f*cking hoot.
The truth is a lot less rosy: data from Germany suggest that having your first child might make you more unhappy than divorce, unemployment, or even the death of a partner. Parents are exhausted due to the nightmare that is breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, depression, domestic isolation, and relationship breakdown. If you happen to be highly educated and over the age of 30, then these effects are even more pronounced.
But we don't admit this. Feeling down after having a baby, the so-called "baby blues," is actually so common that it's considered normal and women are told to expect it. A further 10-15 percent of mothers suffer from full blown postnatal depression — although this figure may be substantially higher as many fail to even report it. Nobody wants to admit that perhaps they haven't got things under control, that they're not loving being a parent, that they don't feel that instant overwhelming bond and love for their baby, that maybe they made a mistake.
The solution? Lie. A survey by Kiddicare of 1,000 mothers, showed that 92 percent felt pressured to come across to others as the "perfect parent." As a result, 90 percent had lied about how well they're doing after the birth of their child, and 41 percent refused help from friends and family to avoid being seen to not be coping. Ironically, 98 percent of mothers also said they'd like it if people were more honest about the whole thing.
Break the cycle
This has to stop. By all means, discuss the great things: those first smiles, words, and blunders. But let's not give in to the stigma of admitting that sometimes we're not okay. We need to talk openly about how difficult it is, how distressed it makes us, how much strain it puts on our relationships. How quite often we can't cope, but how we have to because there is no way out. How sometimes we dwell on the notion that we've taken on more than we were prepared for, how often all we're aiming to do is to get to the end of the day and have a glass of wine and sit quietly for half an hour, or that we simply don't always know what we're doing. I know that sounds terrible, but it's the truth.
By being honest about parenthood it helps to balance out the fairytale that people feel obligated to tell. Ditching the bullshit is imperative, and we'll all be better off for it. But like I said, there are plenty of amazing moments that will make you feel that heart-aching love and attachment we've all heard of (like when they tackle porridge for the first time!) — we just don't need to pretend that's all there is.
More from Fatherly:
- Everything you need to know about raising a strong, confident, empowered daughter
- Show your kid these pictures the next time they complain about their room
- Afraid of raising overly entitled kids? Read this


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Messes cleaned, maintenance conducted, problems fixed.
A small group of men stares intensely at something. Coming nearer, you see puppies, obviously still young, as they are small and only learn to walk. Cute as they are, the men look serious and exchange a comment here and there, making their mother nervous. But one man keeps her somewhat calm, while looking with others on the little ones.
The puppies are a completely new dog breed. The breeder hopes for better characteristics, the other men are mostly hunters and other dog-fanciers, that were called or came from own interest. If all looks well, they will have business. But now, they are just watching.


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Top 10 reasons to garden
In our hurry-up, busy world filled with electronic gadgets such as iPhones, tablets and android devices, where does gardening fit in?, asked a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
"The gadgets of gardening aren't flashy – a shovel, pruners, hoses and bags of seeds," said Martha Smith. "All are simple yet practical and guaranteed to bring satisfaction and sustenance."
A National Garden Bureau survey asked gardeners why they garden and their responses are inspiring.
Below are the top 10 reasons for gardening:
1. Garden for safe, healthy food
Reports of foodborne illnesses and contamination in foods have been widely publicized. Interest in organic gardening and the availability of organic produce has increased. Consumers are aware of additives and preservatives found in processed foods. An easy solution is to grow your own fruits and vegetables. It's estimated that during World War II 20 million homeowners had victory gardens that produced close to 40 percent of the fresh produce consumed in the United States. Start your own garden and know that the foods you and your family eat are fresh and safe.
2. Garden for exercise
You can get all the exercise you need in your own backyard for free! Gardening activities provide both cardio and aerobic exercise. Studies show that an hour of moderate gardening can burn up to 300 calories for women, almost 400 calories for men. Mowing the grass is like taking a vigorous walk, bending and stretching to plant a garden compares to an exercise class, and hauling plants and soil is similar to weightlifting. As we age, gardening can help reduce osteoporosis. If you have physical limitations, there are adaptive tools to help you get the job done.
3. Garden for beauty
A garden can enhance any outdoor setting. A house with a nice yard is a pleasure to look at and satisfying to live in. Simply adding a container of colorful flowers to a patio brightens your spirits. Trees and shrubs not only provide color and shade but shelter for birds and wildlife. Think of the garden as another room to be enjoyed whether you are inside or outside the house.
4. Garden to learn
You can learn by reading and you can learn by doing! Getting out and working with plants builds your gardening knowledge. Gardeners find that the more they learn about plants and gardening, the more they want to know. Plant problems lead to learning solutions. Removing a problem plant allows you the opportunity to try something else.
5. Garden to make money
The love of plants can lead to a rewarding job at a local garden center or a large landscape firm or to owning your own business. Whether growing flowers, vegetables or herbs, there are opportunities to sell your products at local farmers markets or craft shows. Landscaping an investment property can add to the resale value by as much as 15 percent. This "curb appeal" could make the difference between your house selling versus the house next door.
6. Garden to meet people
Gardeners love to share their gardens and their knowledge. Gardening is a great way to expand your social circle. Whether it's with a neighbor who lives next door or an Internet pal on the other side of the world, gardeners love to talk about plants. Meeting other gardeners through garden clubs and sharing surplus plants is an easy way to share information, ask questions and get involved.
7. Garden to be creative
Gardening provides an outlet for creative and artistic expression. The serene contemplative mood of a Japanese garden or the romantic feel of a cottage garden – let your creativity flow! Try something new every season. How about a new annual or a new spring-blooming bulb? Who knows, it may become your all-time favorite plant.
8. Garden to win
For people with a competitive streak, gardening is a friendly way to show off their skills. County and state fairs provide an opportunity to show everyone the giant pumpkin, beautiful bountiful beans or the perfect zinnia. 4H clubs promote gardening, offering educational opportunities for kids and a healthy avenue for recognition.
9. Garden for emotional needs
Gardens play an important part in our well-being. A garden might serve as a tranquil retreat or private escape from the demands of everyday life. A beautiful bouquet can lift the spirits. Pulling weeds can be a great stress reliever. A healthy harvest provides a sense of achievement and feelings of success. Gardening builds confidence and self-esteem.
10. Garden for lasting memories
Gardening is a great activity that can be shared with children and grandchildren – the gardeners of tomorrow. Memories of past gardens and gardeners are cherished. Help build these memories for the next generation. Today's kids are missing the joy of cutting a bouquet of flowers for their mom or tasting the sweetness of a cherry tomato picked right from the plant in Grandpa's garden.
"Whatever your reason – get out and garden," Smith said. "Turn off the television and put down that electronic gadget. Don't tell yourself you don't have the time. Find the time, and enjoy."
Contact Martha A. Smith at 309-756-9978, firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Retro Holiday - 5X7 Personalized Holiday Cards
'Tis the season for food, decorations, family, and holiday cards! Greet your loved ones this season with cards just as special as they are. Add a photo of your choice and personalized message for a uniquely personalized card that will warm everyone's hearts.
Greeting Card Details
- 5x7 card
- White envelopes included
- Available in felt, matte and pearl card stock
- Choose square, round, scallop, bracket or ticket edges
- Felt flat cards-100# paper with a textured felt appearance
- Matte flat cards-110# paper that ensures excellent image reproduction
- Pearl flat cards- 98# paper with a white pearlescent appearance
Shipping Info
Canvas, Framed Panos, and Home Accents ship within 5 business days.
All other products ship within 2 business days.
Shipping Timeframes -
Calculated for U.S. Address only. International shipping will take longer.
Economy: 9-12 business days via USPS or UPS
Express: 4-7 business days via USPS
Second Business Day: 4 business days via UPS
Next Business Day: 3 business day via UPS
Processing Info
Orders containing these items will be processed & shipped within 2 business days: Jewelry, cases and photo books
Write Your Own Review


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|St. Thomas, VI
|High School:
|Antilles School
Major: Naval Architecture
Why did you choose to come to the Coast Guard Academy? From seeing the Academy for my first time during AIM, I knew that the Military structure and atmosphere was the life for me. The Coast Guard Academy is the perfect fit for me because it is a small school and will allow me to become an officer in the Coast Guard where I can make a difference regarding the safety of boaters on the water.
How long have you been sailing? How did you start sailing? I have been sailing since I was six years old and I started sailing when I was finally old enough to get into the boat and start lessons. I started so that I could beat my brother in it.
What is your favorite thing about the sailing team at Coast Guard? I really love the sailing center and the venue even though the water is a little bit browner here. Ha Ha. Best of all, I love the close-knit feeling between all of the team members.
What are your future sailing plans and career goals after graduation? I plan to go to the 2016 Olympics and many more after that. As for the Coast Guard I want to one day become the Captain of the Eagle.
Tell us something that your teammates would be surprised to know about you. I danced Ballet for 16 years and enjoy making crème brulee.


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Thanks to the increasing popularity of medical marijuana, you can now easily make the most of CBD oil by buying hemp oil for sale. With so many uses and advantages that this oil offers, it makes sense to include it in cooking as well. So, in case you have been planning to use CBD oil in cooking, then here are a few tips that may come in handy. Let's check them out!
Best CBD Vape Oil Online
1. Search For A Reliable Supplier
When it comes to purchasing CBD oil, consider finding a reliable and renowned provider of wholesale CBD oil. There are many such suppliers in the market at present. So, take some time out of your busy schedule and look for a supplier who offers nothing but one of the finest quality medicinal hemp derived phytocannabinoid rich (PCR) CBD oil. You should find a company that takes great care towards the extraction process and produces an oil with nearly 70% cannabidiol (CBD) during the first extraction itself. When you get one of the highest natural CBD content, you can make sure that your food gets high benefits that are offered by CBD.
2. Know The Contents Right
Cooking for CBD oil makes it important for you to find out the right recipe. Search for a recipe that contains either a fat or an oil-based ingredient which you can mix with the cannabis concentrate. However, if that is not what your recipe is all about, then you can always mix the cannabis concentrate in a small amount of liquor like rum, vodka, etc., but avoid mixing it with a liquor that is water based as then it won't work as a carrier for cannabis oil.
3. Begin With A Small Batch
Not only should you take a small quantity of oil while trying your hands on cooking with CBD oil, but should also prepare a small batch first. First try the food so prepared and if it does feel right, then do prepare it again. But, the key here is to start smart, and start small. Once you are comfortable with the dosage of CBD so received, you can then make alterations in the future recipes, based on the dose that you can really enjoy.
4. Be Mindful Of The Temperature
When cooking with CBD oil, always be careful about the temperature as CBD tends to evaporate at temperatures higher than 160–180°C (320–356°F). Thus, keep a tab on the temperature level and whenever possible, cook on lower temperatures to be able to relish the true essence of CBD in your food.
5. Always Store It Right
There is no denying the fact that cannabinoids are heat and light sensitive. Therefore, if you don't really want to change the taste of the food prepared with CBD oil and degrade its quality, then it is advisable to store the food items in a dark and cool place.
So, what are you waiting for? Follow these simple tips and enjoy cooking with CBD oil and experience the benefits that this component has to offer.
Choosing The Right Company To Buy CBD Products From
Cannabis needs no introduction, this is one of the most talked about plant today. Many states are in debate as to whether they should legalize the sale and growth of this substance or not. With so many medicinal properties of cannabis begin discovered, there are places in the USA where one can freely buy medical marijuana as long as they are of the proper age and have a prescription for it. Some have even gone further to announce cannabis to be sold both as a recreational and medicinal drug while others are still debating its legalization.
While this has been going on for some time now, CBD is readily available in many places. CBD or cannabidiol is a substance that is found in the cannabis plant and is known to have all the medicinal properties of it. On the plus side CBD does not show any properties of THC which is another cannabinoid found in cannabis which causes the dizziness that people often face when using marijuana. This benefit has led to CBD products bow being sold freely in the USA.
From cancer to seizers and PTSD CBD can help deal with all such diseases and is available in many form now. But the most important thing that people who want to use such products need to remember is that they have to buy them from a reliable supplier. While there are many such companies that offer CBD oil online and much more only at a competent company will you find quality products that give you proper usage results. Thus, some points on finding the right company include-
· Go for one that hold experience- Companies that have been manufacturing and selling CBD for a while know the right processes that help in proper extraction and thus, will ensure that people get only the best products
· Find a company that offers American grown hemp products- While other countries also produce hemp products American grown hemp is more trust worthy as here advanced methods are used for purification and extraction. Buying these products ensures quality and reliability
· Look for variety of products- There are many who would not want to take CBD in vapor or smoke form, for them it is important that they find variety when then buy CBD products. From CBD edibles to CBD vape oil, creams, balms, pills and crystals all these are offered by leading suppliers now
· Ensure the company you buy from has its products tested- Testing is important to ensure that THC levels are minimum in the CBD products you buy and this is why you need to ensure that the company conducts proper testing
· Guaranteed products- There is no use of CBD if it does not give you proper health benefits and instead gives you the feeling of high. Thus, find a supplier who can ensure purity of products and ensure that you will get the health benefits that CBD has to offer
Thus, next time you are looking to buy Cannabinoid Hemp Oil or any other such products first use these point to find the right supplier for your needs.


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WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has issued an updated warning to Americans traveling to Haiti, citing murder, robbery and infectious disease.
The advisory issued Friday warns that no one traveling to Haiti is safe from kidnapping, regardless of occupation, nationality, race, gender, or age.
In recent months, the department says, travelers arriving in Port-au-Prince on flights from the U.S. have been attacked and robbed after leaving the airport. At least two Americans were shot and killed in robbery and kidnapping incidents this year.
Haitian authorities, the department says, have limited capacity to deter or investigate violent crimes.
The State Department also notes that cholera persists in many areas of Haiti. Medical facilities, including ambulance services, are particularly weak.


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Donate or Pay Dues
How can I donate or pay dues to Noisebridge?
|It's easy!
|Click one of these buttons!
You can help us!
Just signing up for a recurring $10/mo, $30/mo, $60/mo, $100/mo donation makes a simple easy step that guarantees we'll always be around with cavalcades of hackery and invention in San Francisco. Your donations will allow us to live up to our our dream of sustainable, individual donations covering our operating costs of roughly $8,500 a month including rent, utilities, Tor relays, and caffeinated beverages. Please consider donating for a full, calendar year so we can continue to rely and count on your support in becoming financially solvent! Paypal donations can be made to email@example.com. Anyone can donate!
Recurring Payment Donations
Recurring donations are super helpful!
- $10/mo $savior fund makes you a recurring supporter of Noisebridge! It is the cost of re-filling that old coffee cup at Starbucks 5 days a week for 50 cents.
- $30/mo $savior fund means $1 a day. It is an excellent amount, commonly donated to fund the day-to-day operation of your favorite non-profit.
- $60/mo $coffee fund, because it costs the same as picking up your morning grande coffee or just riding the bus.
- $100/mo $latte fund, the $bart or $latte fund, is reasonable for those who are comfortable donating more.
- More Repeating donation options:
$160/mo $80/mo$40/mo$20/mo
One-time Donation
Make a one-time donation to support Noisebridge!: donation
Members: Thank you for your participation and support!
- One-time Membership Dues payment: dues
Alternatives to Paypal
- Bitcoin: 1KxVgNmPdTyePLw27iixbH9yrRhNH7UfdK (see Bitcoin )
- Bank transfer: Wells Fargo and other banks offer online 'billpay' options for their account holders that set up regular recurring or single time payments. email email@example.com for the account and routing numbers that you will need for this alternative to using online middleman services.
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- give it to a board member or officer at the space, or mail to:
- 2261 Market Street #235-A
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- Cash: give to a board member or member at the space, or any of the donation buckets.
- For dues, please use an envelope labeled with your name, the amount, and "December Dues" (or whatever is appropriate).
- Patreon, where we are campaigning to raise $20,000 in monthly donations to match our increased new space operating expenses
Are donations to Noisebridge tax deductible?
Contributions to Noisebridge are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Noisebridge is an educational non-profit CA corporation for the public good, and we have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. All donations to Noisebridge since October 2008 are considered charitable gifts.
Whether or not your donation is tax deductible depends on your tax situation and other factors; consult your tax preparer. Please contact email@example.com and email@example.com should you require documentation of your donation.
Non-cash donations over $500 require filling out IRS form 8283. The rule for IRA account donations for owners over 70.5 years old has been extended through 2012, providing an option for fully tax-free donations to Noisebridge. Consult your tax professional for more information.
Non-cash donations over $5000 generally require an appraisal of the property prior to the donation to claim a deduction.
All non-cash donations must be in good condition or better to be claimed as a deduction. For non-cash donations over $500, make sure to bring a copy of your contact information so Noisebridge can send you form 8282 if required under certain circumstances. If you use a car to bring non-cash donations to Noisebridge, your transportation and parking expenses are probably (but not always) deductible. See IRS publication 526 for details and a list of records to provide to your tax professional so they can determine whether the deduction will be allowed.
If you own appreciated securities such as stocks, donating the securities in lieu of cash usually reduces your tax liability and may increase any tax refund due. If you have a retirement account with your employer, you may own securities and not even know it. Consult your employer's retirement plan administrator and your tax advisor for more details.
Are membership dues tax deductible?
Maybe. Whether you can deduct your dues hinges mainly on the amount of value you obtain from the dues, and many other things. There are too many factors to consider to give a hard and fast answer here. Some members do deduct their dues, but your relationship with Noisebridge may be different than theirs. There are also rare circumstances in which deducting your dues provides no net benefit to your tax liability. Please discuss it with your tax preparer.
Do companies match donations?
Yes! Please ask your employer. Some employers will match an employee's tax-deductible contribution to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit! Generally the nonprofit has to do some small amount of paperwork. Contact a board member if your employer will match, and we're happy to do this work!
In particular, the following companies are already set up:
- Google (as of July 2009)
- Microsoft