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Physicist John Madey to be awarded the Robert R. Wilson Prize in 2012University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Professor and Chair, Physics and Astronomy
The American Physical Society (APS) recently announced that UH Mānoa Physics Professor John Madey will be awarded the APS 2012 Robert R. Wilson prize "for the invention and first experimental demonstration of the free electron laser and important contributions to its conceptual development." The Prize will be presented to Madey at the APS April 2012 meeting in Atlanta, GA, from March 31-April 3, 2012.
The Robert R. Wilson Prize was established in 1986 to recognize and encourage outstanding achievement in the physics of particle accelerators. Robert R. Wilson was an iconic American physicist who lead the effort in creating the Fermi National Acceleration Laboratory and served as its director from 1967-1978. The Robert R. Wilson Prize is considered very prestigious among physicists internationally.
Madey received both a BS degree in Physics and a MS degree in Quantum Electronics from the California Institute of Technology (BS 1964, MS 1965). He then went to Stanford to pursue his doctoral degree. While at Stanford as a graduate student, Madey invented the Free-Electron Laser (FEL) and published the seminal paper on the theory of FEL operation. After receiving his PhD in 1970 from Stanford, he accepted a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship and led the effort at Stanford to develop the first FEL amplifiers and oscillators. Madey was appointed as Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford in 1986. In 1988, Madey was recruited by Duke University to start their FEL Program. In 1998, Madey left Duke and came to UH Mānoa to start the UH FEL Program. Throughout Madey's career, he has made numerous contributions to the physics of free-electron lasers and their applications. He holds many patents on innovative technologies.
As a child, Madey and his older brother, Jules Madey, were avid ham radio operators. Using their 110-foot radio tower built in their backyard in New Jersey, they helped many Navy crew members that worked in Antarctica to get in touch with their families (see article at http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/contentHandler.cfm?id=1688). Madey has often remarked that it was his early interest in ham radio that eventually led him to the invention of the free-electron laser. In addition to his scientific contributions, Madey has a genuine interest and desire to mentor a new generation of physicists.
Since their first demonstration in 1972, Free Electron Lasers have been developed as powerful tools for research in medicine and biology, electronic materials, nuclear physics and manufacturing by virtue of their high power and coherence and ability to operate at wavelengths at which no other light sources are available. It is now generally accepted that FELs represent the most effective light sources available for analysis of the complex crystal structures central to the understanding of fundamental biological structures and processes, and several major new facilities have been developed in the United States, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere to pursue this ground breaking new scientific program.
The UH Free-Electron Laser is one of the five free-electron lasers currently operating in the US. The faculty of the FEL group at UH are pursuing the applications of the UH FEL to the study of fundamental problems in classical and quantum physics and to atmospheric remote sensing. The faculty is also pursuing the development of lower cost, compact FEL-based x-ray and gamma ray light sources for applications in the imaging and analysis of crystal structures in proteomics and genomics and the identification of concealed nuclear materials.
For more information, visit: http://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/prizerecipient.cfm?last_nm=Madey&first_nm=John&year=2012.
For more information, visit: http://www.phys.hawaii.edu


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Ford, Toyota Unite on Hybrid Truck, SUV System
August 23, 2011 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on Ford, Toyota Unite on Hybrid Truck, SUV System
An unusual pairing of major auto makers is seeking to develop a gas-electric hybrid system for light trucks and sport-utility vehicles, a move to share the cost of new technology as both work to achieve the latest U.S. fuel-economy targets set by the Obama administration.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding on the collaboration, with a formal agreement expected to be signed next year. If an agreement is reached, Ford and Toyota would co-develop a hybrid powertrain system for larger, rear-wheel-drive vehicles such as big pickup trucks and SUVs.
Both companies already have hybrid systems that power front-wheel-drive passenger cars such as the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Prius, the top-selling hybrid in the U.S.
The Obama administration's new fuel-economy requirements—known as the corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE—call for auto makers to produce a fleet of vehicles that averages 54.5 miles a gallon by 2025, from the current level of 27.6 miles a gallon. Under the administration's plan, auto makers that offer hybrid pickup trucks can earn credits that make it easier for them to reach the higher target.
"Why now and why these companies is a reflection of the way CAFE standards are heading," Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said in an interview. "The simultaneous regulatory requirements to cut emissions, combined with the need to keep capital expenditures in line, means engineering is now getting ahead of company egos. We will see more of these partnerships in the future."
WSJ reported that Ford and Toyota need to move quickly to develop fuel-saving technology for larger vehicles. General Motors Co. already has hybrid cars and a hybrid version of its full-size trucks on the market. It pushed the administration to allow credits for hybrid trucks, according to people familiar with the matter.
"The [Environmental Protection Agency] requirements are a big challenge for us auto makers," Toyota research and development chief Takeshi Uchiyamada said during a news conference at Ford's headquarters. "American society can't do without trucks and SUVs. This collaboration we are forming with Ford is not only about lowering carbon dioxide but making trucks and SUVs more affordable for the customer."
Toyota initially resisted the Obama administration's new fuel-economy and emissions requirements, the people familiar said. The company argued that exceptions for full-size trucks benefited Detroit auto makers, they said. Toyota later supported the administration's move to raise the standards.
To read the entire article click here.

subset: commoncrawl


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WASHINGTON -- Visitors to Washington have seen the iconic
For about two years the U.S. Capitol dome will be covered with scaffolding while it gets its first complete restoration in more than five decades, starting next month.
The project, budgeted at nearly $60 million, is handled by the Architect of the Capitol, while the National Park Service oversees the Washington Monument repairs just over a mile away.
The dome will still be visible through the scaffolding, giving it a more transparent look than the monument, said Justin Kieffer, an Architect of the Capitol spokesman. And beyond the visual transformation during the repair work, the impact on
Kieffer said the dome is about 150 years old, "and we've been making sure that it's safe and been conducting small repairs when needed."
The cast-iron structure is the second dome to sit atop the Capitol. It replaced a smaller and potentially flammable wooden dome when it was built in the mid-1800s.
But the dome has not undergone a complete renovation since 1959-60, and more than 1,000 cracks have made it increasingly unsafe. Fixing the cracks and stopping any leaking are "required to ensure the building can last for another 150 years," Kieffer said. Another part of the restoration process is removing and replacing ornaments that are at risk of falling.
Public tours will still be conducted through the Capitol during the work, except for a few weeks when a canopy is installed in the rotunda to protect visitors. Tour groups will not go through the rotunda at that time, Kieffer said.
The Architect of the Capitol announced the contractor for the project this week and is working to establish an exact timeline to start and complete the project. TurnerSmoot, a joint venture, was awarded the contract.


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|Powered by QM on a Linux server
What is Open Source?
Open source also allows developers to extend the product by developing new components. Although it is easy to add new commands to the standard QM environment by writing QMBasic programs, you cannot make changes to the internal operation of the product. With open source you have full rights to make whatever changes you wish to the source code to create your own private variant of the QM environment. The General Public Licence also allows you to make your modified software available to others but only on the condition that all your changes and related software become open source too.
The open source version of QM is intended as a "sandbox" for developers who want to experiment with adding their own features to the core multivalue engine that cannot be implemented at the QMBasic level. This version is based on release 2.6-6 from November 2007 and contains only the core multivalue database components but it is adequate for the purpose for which it was released. The advanced features found in the commercial product are not included. It is unlikely that there will be a further release under the GPL.The source code is released as a package that will build on Linux though users are free to migrate it to other environments.
This version of QM and modifications made to it can be freely used and distributed within the terms of the General Public Licence. In common with all software released under the GPL, the open source version comes with absolutely no warranty or support. For guidance on which version is right for you click here.
The terms of the GPL require that, if you modify the modules that form the open source release in any way, you must also release those modifications in open source form under the same licence. You must not remove the copyright notice embedded in every source code module or the GPL licence message and warning re lack of support that is displayed on entry to the product.
Applications that you build using the open source version and for which you hold copyright to the source code are themselves redistributable under whatever terms you wish to apply. Software compiled on the open source version may not be executed on the commercial version or vice versa.
We strongly recommend that if you have a need for a feature that is not already in OpenQM, you discuss this with Zumasys with a view to adding it to the standard product. By doing this, you remove the possibly costly task of building the open source version, have use of all the other developments that have occurred since the source release and have a fully supported product.
Open source developers are encouraged to contribute new components to the product and will receive the contributions of other developers. Modifications must comply with the terms of the General Public Licence. For more information on how to develop modifications that are intended for submittal for inclusion in the product, see Developer Information.
Visit the open source download page or see the open source resources.


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Melges 32 World League Enters the Marina di Scarlino Arena
4 May 2017
Scarlino, Italy (May 4, 2017) - The Melges World League (MWL), the international regatta racing circuit for the Melges 32 and Melges 20 fleets comes alive once again with back-to-back racing on the Club Nautico Scarlino playing field.
The Melges 32 will be first in the water, rocket ready to showcase its speed and one-design agility on May 5-7 (Friday-Sunday), marking its second 2017 MWL event. The following weekend of May 12-14, the vibrant Melges 20 fleet will take the stage to complete its fifth Melges 20 World League event of the year.
Sixteen Melges 32 teams representing six nations (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Turkey and Russia) will make the starting line. Among them, a debut appearance for the German team of Sjambok with Jens Kuhne at the helm, and the Corinthian effort of Kim Haugaard helming Pelle P from Denmark.
Overall, as the fleet anticipates top competition in Scarlino, Matteo Balestrero's Giogi is on top of the standings, very prepared to make a stance in defense of his Melges 32 World League, European Division leadership.
Poised to challenge Balestrero are the usual suspects: European Champion Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino; Andrea Lacorte's Vitamina Amerikana, and International Class Chairman Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio on G-SPOT. Co-Owners Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina of the fantastic Torpyone have returned, as well as the Pavesio brothers aboard FRA MARTINA, each looking for a slice of speed with total determination to overturn the current leaders. The competition cards are stacked high in the Melges 32 fleet - it really can be anyone's game.
The first race of the Scarlino edition of the Melges 32 World League starts on Friday at 1300 (Euro) on Friday, May 5.
The Melges 32 World League European Division is supported by Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, Toremar, Lavazza and Barracuda Communication.
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.
1.) Martin Reintjies/Enrico Fonda, Caipirinha (Corinthian)
2.) Ahmet Eker/Andrea Rachelli, Eker
3.) Edoardo Pavesio/Manuel Weiller Vidal, FRA MARTINA
4.) Matteo Balestrero/Daniele Cassinari, Giogi
5.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Branko Brcin, G-SPOT
6.) Kilian Holzapfel/Jan Jasper Wagner, Junior Homanit (Corinthian)
7.) Christian Schwoerer/Jesper Radich, La Pericolosa
8.) Vincenzo Onorato/Cameron Appleton, Mascalzone Latino
9.) Kim Haugaaard, Pella P
10.) Jens Khune, Sjambok
11.) Andrea Ferrari/Pietro Sibello, Spirit of Nerina
12.) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Neugodnikov, Tavatuy
13.) Edoardo Lupi-Massimo Pessina/Lorenzo Bressani, Torpyone
14.) Francesco Graziani/Andrea Fornaro, Vitamina (Corinthian)
15.) Andrea LaCorte/Gabriele Benussi, Vitaminia Amerikana
16.) Fritz Homann/Michele Paoletti, Wilma
Official Yachtscoring Event Website
TOP FIVE RESULTS (2017 Melges 32 World League - After One Event)
1.) Matteo Balestrero, Giogi = 20 pts.
2.) Andrea Lacorte, Vitamina Amerikana = 19 pts.
4.) Edoardo Pavesio, FRA MARTINA = 17 pts.
5.) Lasse Petterson, Pippa; 16 pts.


text: Ah, the joys of the BioPark. Cuddly animals, scary critters, fuzzy plants, cool flowers, squishy fishies, massive sharks. The sights, sounds and smells of the Zoo, the Aquarium and the Botanic Gardens are enough to keep one busy for days. And what better way to fill your senses without emptying your pocket than at the July Half-Price Weekend? Oh yeah, that's right, admission to all three world-class parks is just $4.50 for adults, $2.25 for seniors and $2 for kiddos on July 20 and 21 for New Mexico residents. Discounted tickets can be purchased from any BioPark cashier from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. And don't forget to stop by the Dragonfly Festival at the Botanic Gardens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about this interesting, ancient insect and hang out by the U.S.'s first Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond. ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden • Saturday and Sunday • Jul 20-21 • 9 am-5 pm


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Name: Sofia
Age: 54
Location: Arizona
You are sick Dr DICK! I believe that porn is a sign of weakness in men and women. They cannot control their need and put their personal relationship in harm. Its degrading towards women and it gives off the wrong message to men about women. Porn is very harmful in peoples daily lives. Relationships come to an end because of men's porn addiction. Men have lost families, wives, girlfriends etc. because of porn. Men find themselves defending it so much that they end up losing the people in their lives who do not agree with it (wives, GF, BF, etc.) What does porn leave them? Nothing! Lonely nights with no one by their side and a PC full of nasty images. Porn leaves men lonely and pathetic. Men are destroying their lives to make a porn filmmaker more wealthy. What a great exchange.
So nice of you to drop by, Sofia, and thank you for being so solicitous about my health. Yes, I was sick, I had a little cold there for a couple of days, but I'm much better now.
Oh wait, you're saying I'm sick because I don't share your repressive opinion about pornography. I get it; you're another moral crusader who needs to denigrate those who don't share your beliefs. What is up with that?
Ya know the thing is, darlin', I actually share many of your concerns — a lot of porn is harmful and exploitative. It also can be very disruptive to people's lives and can cause serious damage to otherwise healthy relationships. I mean how difficult was it for you to come up with that critique? Taking pot shots at porn in this sex-negative culture is like shooting fish in a barrel. Get over yourself, girlfriend.
And ya know what else, ma'am, all the things you accuse porn of — being harmful and exploitative, disruptive, damaging to otherwise healthy relationships — you could say about the worst aspects of organized religion, the fast food industry, our government, the credit card industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the medical industry, the war machine and it's horrific profiteers, like Halliburton. And what about BP and the damage it is wreaking families, an entire way of life and on a whole ecosystem in the Golf of Mexico? The list goes on and on.
Hell, everything humans touch has the potential for becoming harmful and exploitative; it's the nature of the beast. Even your own tirade is harmful to and disruptive to those of us who are trying to make a difference in the adult entertainment industry. Trust me, you would have made a better case if you said you wanted to help change the status quo in porn, not just point out its inherent flaws.
And what's all this; "Porn leaves men lonely and pathetic"? Are you suggesting that you are the alternative? Perhaps, if you weren't so bitchy and condescending your men wouldn't turn to porn. Your abrasive personality and moral rectitude would drive the pope to porn.
Oh, and have a nice day! NEXT!
Name: Suzanne
Age: 25
Location: Auckland
Should a woman fake an orgasm to keep her partner happy?
Brilliant idea, Susanne! Rather than help your ineffectual lover overcome his inadequacy with the truth and a little tutorial on how to make you cum — lie to monkey about his sexual prowess.
I see nothing wrong with that! Other than when you're done fuckin' him, or he's done fuckin' you, the next unlucky woman he happens upon will have twice the work. She'll not only have to tell him the truth — that he sucks as a lover — but she'll also have to contend with his inflated ego. Thanks to you and the deception you practice, he'll be convinced that he's a fabulous lover when, of course, he's a Neanderthal.
What could be wrong with that, Susanne? D'oh!
Name: Emily
Age: 28
Location: Texas
How much should I tell my new partner about my sex life with my exes?
How about just enough to get his dick hard?
Hell, I don't know! Some guys get off on hearing all the gory details of the sexual exploits of their partners, albeit, it's a relatively small number of guys. Just keep in mind that most men prefer the bliss that is ignorance.
If you've been around the block a time…or six, maybe you best keep that to yourself till you find out how much the new guy can stomach.
Good Luck
Name: Phillip
Age: 31
Location: Austin, Texas
Dr. D, I've never had a problem with my sex life up until now. My wife and I have been very happy with our physical relationship. But, about 8 months ago, in a very vivid nightmare, I dreamed we were making love and when I came, the ejaculate was blood. I came blood. Everything in the dream stood still as I watched, almost like a third person, as my life flowed out of me. I woke in a sweat, and we've not made love since. We've talked about the dream, tried to be intimate, but I'm simply not able to enjoy the contact anymore. This is someone about whom I care deeply and with whom I am deeply in love. Considering professional help but would like your take.
Interesting! Yet another case of how one's psyche can override one's eroticism.
This is nothing to be toyed with, Phillip. Like an earthquake, this vivid dream has jarred you out of your happy, healthy sex life with your wife. And like anyone who has survived an earthquake, or a similar natural disaster, you need to put your life back together again as quickly as possible. I encourage you to seek a sex-positive therapist to help you break the spell of this nightmare.
The longer you let this thing hang out there the more perverse it will become.
Good Luck
Name: Lorenzo
Age: 33
Location: Italy
I can only get off by squeezing my cock with my thighs. I have done this for as long as I've masturbated. I only found out years later that you should use your hand. But this does not work for me. Is this normal or common?
Lorenzo, what you report is neither normal nor common. But do you really care about "normal" and "common" if this technique works for you? And what the fuck is normal anyhow — statistical normalcy? I think we can forget that being the arbiter of things sexual.
Apparently your masturbation technique isn't any less effective than those who employ a more "common" practice — like using one's hand.
Basically, there aren't a whole lot of "shoulds" when it comes to the style one employs to squeeze one off — and in your case, I mean that literally. If squeezing your cock with your thighs works for you — SWELL, knock yourself out!
Since you don't report that this method of getting off is getting in the way of your partnered sex, I think you should leave well enough alone and enjoy your uniqueness.
Good Luck
Name: Sam
Age: 22
Location: London, UK
Dear Dr. Dick, I am a young gay guy, and when I masturbate I am able to achieve orgasm and ejaculate; but when I am with another guy I do not cum. Don't get me wrong, I have a great time during sex, but my partner doesn't get me off. This is not a person-specific thing — this has been happening to me since I was 16.
Call it "delayed ejaculation", if you will; but it's more like "non-existent ejaculation"! The weird thing is, I don't mind myself; the foreplay and sex is totally hot and I'm as happy as a clam with that as it is. But my partners have always been frustrated and disappointed, as if ejaculation is the official mark of success to show the culmination of a great fuck. So they keep trying until they get tired, which I guess is inevitable.
Is this something I should be worried about if I'm otherwise okay with sex? Or should my partner be less concerned about the orgasm and just realize that it doesn't bother me. Many thanks and kudos for such an informative site.
Hey Sam, thanks for your kind words about the site, they're much appreciated.
As to the issue you present, it's not particularly uncommon. Many people are unable to, or choose not to, get off in partnered sex. And there are several very common reasons why. Without going into detail about that, let me just ask one thing. Are you able to masturbate yourself to orgasm when you are with a partner, like you can do when you are alone? If so, maybe you could incorporate that into your sex play your partner.
It's true what you say about some people thinking a sexual encounter is only "successful" if both partners shoot. That's nonsense, as both you and I well know. There's no necessary connection between an ejaculation and sexual satisfaction, just like there's no necessary connection between an ejaculation and an orgasm. If you cave to that way of thinking you won't help your misguided partners and you will be adding a good deal of performance anxiety to your sex encounters. And nobody wants that! Stick to your guns, Sam!
Good Luck


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Gauging the success of a first-ever event can be "a bit of a crapshoot," says Mike Glover, executive director of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. Will people show up? Will the weather cooperate? Will people enjoy themselves?
In the case of this weekend's first-ever (and soon to be annual) Hard-Pressed Cider Fest, though, the chamber couldn't have asked for a better debut.
Well over 1,000 people came to the Mt. Defiance Cold Storage Unit on Stadelman Drive in Odell last Saturday to sample some of the 40 or so hard ciders offered by the 12 cideries present at the festival, as well as enjoy food from a handful of local vendors and some live music. In addition to the cider, guests drank in the sunny skies, warm weather, and the brilliant whites and pinks of the valley's flowering orchards that were popping just in time for Blossom Fest, which also kicked off last weekend.
Glover said the cider fest was so popular that attendees quickly "blew through" the 900 tasting glasses the chamber had ordered for the event, as well as 200 plastic mugs left over from last year's Hops Fest that were used as backup tasting vessels for the cider fest.
The event started at noon, but by 3:30 p.m., it had sold out, reported Glover.
"For a first-year event, I was surprised by the level of interest from the community," he noted.
"It was a huge success," Glover added. "It exceeded our expectations."
The festival served as a way to showcase the Gorge's budding cider industry, as well as cideries from Portland and the I-5 corridor. The adult beverage has enjoyed a recent resurgence amongst American palates as imbibers look for alternatives to beer and wine or seek out cider due to its gluten-free properties.
The festival was friendly to cider neophytes, and vendors were more than willing to take the time to explain the nuances of cider making to their guests.
Mike Held, who came from The Dalles to enjoy the event, said he was a "novice, at best" cider drinker, but decided to check out the festival, in part, due to the drink's rising prominence.
"There are a lot of new ciders popping up and it's kind of the new fad, so I figured I'd try it out," he said.
There was certainly a lot for him to choose from. Cider, like beer, wine or liquor, comes in many varieties and not all are made from apples. Pears, berries, and other fruits are popular alternatives. Hops, while normally associated with beer, can also be used in ciders — a few of which made an appearance at the festival.
One such cider received top honors at a judging held during the festival where three cider experts — Glover didn't have details as to what their exact credentials were — tasted all the ciders to decide which would take home the Best in Show award.
The winner was Hop Stalk, a dry-hopped, rhubarb cider produced by 2 Towns Ciderhouse of Corvallis, whose rhubarb sweetness and hop bitterness produced a very balanced cider. Jake Bennett, a "cider wrangler" for 2 Towns who was pouring at the event, said it was his first trip ever to Hood River.
"I've never been to Hood River, but it sounded like a cool event," he said of the cider fest. "Going to first-annual events are pretty cool, because you get to be here right at the beginning of things."
While 2 Towns took home Best in Show, the crowd favorite was one from newcomer Rack and Cloth, a Mosier cidery whose entrance into the cider fest was its first-ever public event. Rack and Cloth won the People's Choice for Stony Pig, a dry cider that had a taste slightly reminiscent of a farmhouse-style ale.
Kristina Nance, who operates the cidery with her boyfriend, Silas Bleakley, was thrilled with the festival and the venue.
"I think it's fantastic. It's super well-organized," she said, adding that it was "great to showcase our new ciders along with some more established cideries."
Nance said Rack and Cloth, which is named for the process in which apples are pressed into cider, plans to open a tasting room at the former site of 10 Speed East in downtown Mosier. The site will also feature draft beers, seasonal farm-to-table food, and retail sales of produce and eggs from the couple's farm, Mosier Valley Organics, and is expected to open June 1.
Glover said the chamber is already planning to hold the cider fest again next year and is considering adding more cideries, establishing a remote parking site and a shuttle, as well as using more of the space available in the cold storage unit.
"There's room to grow there," he noted.
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text:
(Originally approved by the Board of Directors of the Society of Environmental Journalists on March 13, 1999; last revision April 18, 2015.)
A. Purpose and Principles
B. Policy on Acceptability of Income Sources
C. Policy on Fundraising by University and Host Sponsors and Co-Sponsors of SEJ Events
D. Policy on FEJ (Fund for Environmental Journalism) Fundraising and Grantmaking
E. Policy on Expenses
F. Financial Controls and Reporting
G. Investment Policy
H. 21st Century Fund Endowment
I. Tax Status Policy
A. Purpose and Principles
(From current practice and 7/31/10 and 1/29/11 board amendments.)
These Financial Policies are intended to allow SEJ to develop the resources it needs to be a vital, stable and dynamic organization, while protecting its integrity and independence. They are guided by the following principles:
Support for SEJ's Mission: SEJ may solicit and accept donations from acceptable sources that support SEJ's mission, without regard to their opinions or positions with respect to environmental issues.
Independence and Integrity: SEJ shall retain full control over the use of all income, other than those conditions agreed to through standard grant application processes. The organization reserves the right to decline or return any donation which, in the opinion of the board or the board's designees, may conflict with these principles or otherwise damage the integrity of the organization.
Transparency and Accountability: Solicitation, review and acceptance of all donations shall be conducted in accordance with these Policies, which will be considered among the organization's governing documents and be readily available to all members of the organization and general public. These policies are binding on SEJ employees and board members in their official actions. Exceptions are allowed only if approved in advance by the Executive Committee with a report to the full Board at the next regular meeting. Throughout this document, where duties are assigned to the Executive Director, it is understood that the Executive Director may delegate such duties to other employees or to consultants and other non-employees. However, in all such cases, the Executive Director shall retain full and sole responsibility for ensuring that the delegated duties are properly carried out.
Disclosure and Recognition: SEJ does not accept anonymous donations. The names of all financial supporters, and the range of their support, shall be published on the organization's website at least quarterly, and in the SEJournal at least annually. In addition, each year's IRS Form 990, which includes a listing of all donations of $5,000 or more, shall be posted on sej.org.
B. Policy on Acceptability of Income Sources
(From current practice, 3/14/98 finance committee draft policy, and 4/5/03, 3/20/04, 7/31/10, 1/29/11, 1/26/13 and 4/23/16 board amendments.)
1. Acceptable sources of income include:
- Direct program revenues, including membership dues; conference registrations; sales of subscriptions and other merchandise; mailing list rentals; and similar forms of earned income as may be identified and approved by the Board.
- Grants in any amount from charitable foundations, educational institutions and media companies, given for purposes consistent with the organization's strategic plan.
- Grants from any independent government or government-chartered agency whose mission is primarily competitive grant-making, such as the National Science Foundation.
- Unrestricted general support gifts or bequests up to $15,000 per calendar year from any individual or entity (other than charitable foundations, educational institutions and media companies, mentioned above) under the principles of support for SEJ's mission, independence and integrity, as described in section A. Total support from these sources may not exceed 20% of SEJ's approved annual budget in any given year. Prior Board approval is required for any restricted gifts and all such gifts or bequests over $15,000.
2. Restricted sources of income:
- Gifts from non-media corporations, government agencies, and organizations, other than those allowed under section B(1.) above, are unacceptable unless explicitly approved in advance by the Board, with the following exceptions:
—Matching gifts provided by corporations or other organizations through established employer matching gifts programs;
—In-kind gifts from such corporations, agencies or organizations, including speaker time and travel, documents, admittance to facilities, local transportation to or within facilities and nearby areas, or to revenues received under section B(1.) above.
—Sponsorship of annual and regional conferences. Donations must be transparent and follow the sponsorship plan as approved by the board. Sponsorship can be used for any conference expenses and can be applied to future SEJ conferences or events. SEJ retains full editorial control of event content and speakers.
3. Right of Decline and Return:
- SEJ reserves the right to decline or return any donation, grant, or other gift which, in the opinion of the board or the board's designees, may prove to conflict with the organization's independence or otherwise damage its integrity.
C. Policy on Fundraising by University and Host Sponsors and Co-Sponsors of SEJ Events
(Adopted by the SEJ board January 12, 2002 and amended January 28, 2006. Please see related Policy Regarding SEJ endorsements, Co-sponsorships and Partnerships for Journalism and Environmental Education Programs.)
SEJ welcomes and appreciates partnerships with universities or other educational institutions for national and regional programs. It should be understood by all parties that, while working cooperatively with host institutions, SEJ's board, volunteer leadership and staff are to remain in control of all conference programming, including agenda, invited speakers and session topics, and that no outside funding sources may be represented as sponsors or co-sponsors of SEJ events, without prior approval of SEJ's conference board representative and Executive Director. These funders may be listed in programs and/or on unobtrusive signage as contributors to and/or supporters of the host institution, but any such messages must be approved in advance by SEJ's conference board representative and Executive Director.
SEJ understands that these institutions may at times need to undertake their own fundraising efforts to meet their partnership commitments, and that in so doing these institutions are not bound by SEJ's internal policies governing the solicitation of grants and sponsorships.
SEJ requests, however, that when seeking outside financial support, hosts, sponsors and co-sponsors make every effort to seek a balance of sources. For example, whenever possible, corporate and/or government support should be balanced by support from environmental organizations, individuals and/or other institutions.
D. Policy on FEJ (Fund for Environmental Journalism) Fundraising and Grantmaking
(As revised by the board on April 18, 2015.)
The Society of Environmental Journalists will provide grants to journalists and news organizations through the organization's Fund for Environmental Journalism program. (Program history, applicant guidelines and current opportunities may be found on the FEJ page of the website.)
1. SEJ will accept underwriting for the FEJ grant-making program from foundations in response to proposals from SEJ, and also from individual donors.
2. SEJ will encourage donors to support environmental journalism with unrestricted grants, with the purpose of accepting and administering funds for story projects on any environment-related topic.
3. SEJ may accept funding support and establish FEJ grant opportunities that include:
- story projects on broadly defined topics
- beat reporting projects
- establishment of new staff positions focused on environmental coverage through grants made to news organizations
- funding opportunities for specific categories of applicants, for example students, early career journalists, filmmakers
- story projects limited to geographic areas, such as North America.
4. For FEJ competitive cycles, SEJ will not accept support from foundations or individual donors for overly narrow or specific stories specified or defined by the funders.
5. SEJ's executive director shall have decision-making authority for developing, purposing and acceptance of funding to underwrite FEJ programs, pursuant to due diligence and consultation with the Executive Committee as needed.
6. SEJ's executive director or designees will work with SEJ board-appointed members of FEJ judging panels to develop and enforce applicant guidelines and rubrics for use in the grantee selection process.
7. For competitive cycles, the SEJ-board appointed FEJ judging panel shall have sole discretion for selection of FEJ grantees.
Note: this statement of clarification has been added to program information pages of the Fund for Environmental Journalism to clarify policy and practice regarding editorial independence: "The Society of Environmental Journalists actively seeks underwriting for Fund for Environmental Journalism grants to journalists and news organizations that may be focused on particular topic areas. FEJ grantees maintain total editorial control of all coverage that is produced and disseminated. Donors have no right of review and no influence on editorial content that is made possible in part by their contributions. All proposals and binding agreements between donors and the Society of Environmental Journalists and between SEJ and grantees of the Fund for Environmental Journalism strictly reinforce this policy of editorial independence." -- Beth Parke, executive director, 10.7.2016
E. Policy on Expenses
(As revised by the board on October 17, 2008. New policy language approved by the board January 31, 2009.)
1. Whenever possible, SEJ expects board members to request that their employers cover travel costs associated with board meetings. When such assistance is not available, SEJ will reimburse board members for all reasonable lodging and transportation costs associated with attendance at non-conference board meetings, including parking but excluding rental cars, after a $100 per meeting deductible and up to a maximum of $2,400 per year per member. This cap will be based on attendance at three non-conference board meetings per year, and will be pro-rated if fewer meetings are held or attended. SEJ will not cover board member expenses related to the SEJ annual conference without prior approval, in cases of exceptional need, from the Executive Director and Executive Committee (or President). Board members shall make every effort to minimize expenses for which they will request reimbursement, including selecting the lowest available fares and rates. Meals for board members may be paid as part of a board meeting when board business is conducted. The organization will annually tabulate, report and include in the minutes all meeting-related costs for each board member, and any new travel reimbursement policy will be reviewed at the end of the first year after passage.
2. For SEJ staff and contractors, all reasonable and acceptable travel expenses will be paid for assigned business-related trips. Acceptable expenses include transportation, hotel, meals, telephone and sundries. Meal expenses and mileage reimbursement shall be limited to the per diem rate set by the Internal Revenue Service. One safe arrival phone call is permitted. Otherwise, only SEJ-related calls, using the most economical calling method, will be covered. Hotels and airlines used shall be economical, clean and safe. First class travel and accommodations will not be reimbursed.
3. Reimbursement requests for SEJ staff, contractors and board members must be filed within 90 days of the conclusion of the trip. Reimbursement requests must be sent to the SEJ headquarters with receipts attached.
4. No alcohol purchases shall be made or reimbursed by SEJ.
F. Financial Controls and Reporting
(Amended by the SEJ board July 19, 2003; January 28, 2006; and April 28, 2007.)
1. The Executive Director, in consultation with the Treasurer and Finance and Fundraising Committee, shall prepare an annual budget for the organization that provides for such programs and support services as are outlined in the current strategic plan, which shall form the basis for all SEJ spending.
2. The annual budget shall be considered and approved by the Board of Directors prior to the beginning of each fiscal year in a format created by the Executive Director and approved by the Finance and Fundraising Committee.
3. The Executive Director shall provide each board member with a quarterly balance sheet and narrative report on actual and projected income/expense and cash flow, with any significant variances from the approved budget identified and explained. The Executive Director shall provide detailed income/expense spreadsheets, cash flow spreadsheet, and all bank/investment account statements, as back up to summary narrative reports, to any board member at any time by request and at least quarterly to SEJ's Treasurer.
4. During the budget year, any significant change of income or expenditure shall be reported by the Executive Director to the Treasurer. For the purposes of this paragraph, a significant change shall be one which, in the opinion of the Treasurer, would significantly alter the annual plan of operation, or which would result in a change of more than 10 percent from the total amount of the organization's approved budget. Any such report shall be prepared by the Executive Director, in consultation with the Treasurer, and submitted by the Treasurer for review by the Board of Directors at their next regular meeting.
5. An Audit Committee, appointed by the board, shall arrange for and oversee an annual independent audit of the organization's financial statements. The Committee shall be composed of three members, at least one of whom shall be a board member other than the Treasurer, and one of whom shall be a non-board SEJ member. Committee members will serve staggered three-year terms. The chair of the committee, who will be the primary liaison between the committee and the Executive Director and the auditor, must be a board member. The Committee shall meet at times and in the manner of its choosing, but should make every effort to hold one in-person meeting per year with the Executive Director and auditor, within current budget constraints.
The Committee's work shall be guided by SEJ's Accounting Manual, and its annual duties shall include:
- review of all new laws, regulations and best practices regarding nonprofit sector finances and audit procedures;
- selection of an independent auditor, and determination of the auditor's compensation, in consultation with the Executive Director;
- entrance and exit conferences with auditor, and other conversations as needed;
- review and determination of acceptability of audit, Management Letter and any other supporting documents provided by auditor;
- ensuring the completion of the audit by August 15 of the following year;
- providing a written report on and copies of the finished audit, supporting documents and management's response to the full board by December 15 of the following year;
- approval of any non-audit services to be provided to SEJ by auditor/auditing firm;
- advising the Executive Director as needed on possible revisions to the SEJ Accounting Manual.
As part of the audit process, the Executive Director shall prepare a written response to all substantial questions, suggestions and comments offered by the auditor and Audit Committee, which shall be included in the Committee's report to the board.
The Executive Director shall also arrange to have the audit report and the Committee's report posted on SEJ's Web site in a timely manner and shall make a printed copy of the audit and Committee report available upon request.
6. The Executive Director, in consultation with the Treasurer, shall file all necessary forms with local, state and federal tax agencies.
7. The Executive Director and her designees shall have the authority to sign all checks of the organization. For all checks in amounts greater than $5,000 the Executive Director shall provide a copy, and an explanation, if the purpose of the check is not obvious, to the Treasurer within 30 days of their having been written. The check copy will include an acknowledgment and approval line, which the Treasurer shall sign and return to the Executive Director within 30 days, for filing with relevant bank statement.
G. Investment Policy
(From finance committee discussions prior to 7/98 board meeting, current practice, NCNB sample guidelines, and 7/04 board amendment.)
1. All SEJ operating funds shall be invested for maximum income consistent with the organization's cash needs and full protection of the investment principal. Examples of acceptable investments include treasury bills, certificates of deposits, and demand accounts such as checking, savings or money market accounts.
2. All SEJ endowment funds shall be invested in a manner designed for long-term growth and income. Fund management will tolerate moderate risk and strive to achieve its goals through a diversified portfolio of investments. The portfolio shall be selected by the executive director, in consultation with his/her chosen licensed investment adviser(s) and the SEJ board treasurer, and may include index mutual funds, bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit. No individual stocks or mutual funds other than index funds may be held, except any stocks donated to the organization, which must be sold within six months of receipt of the gift.
3. Full discretion, consistent with the principles above, is delegated to the Executive Director in consultation with the Treasurer and Finance and Fundraising Committee to determine the mix of assets, selection of securities and timing of transactions unless otherwise determined by the Board.
4. All investment portfolios and results shall be reviewed monthly by the Executive Director, quarterly by the Treasurer and at least annually by the Finance and Fundraising Committee.
H. 21st Century Fund Endowment
(Adopted January 24, 2004, amended 3/20/2004 and 7/31/2010.)
1. Purpose
The 21st Century Fund is SEJ's general endowment. The purpose of the Fund is to secure the organization's future by providing a vital layer of protection from the uncertainties of year-to-year fundraising for the operating budget. The Fund's proceeds will be used to help fund core operations (including staff and program costs) as well as special projects deemed by the board to be of great importance to SEJ.
2. Fundraising
a. Acceptable sources of Funds: The 21st Century Fund accepts gifts from individuals. Such donations are governed by the appropriate sections of Purposes and Principles and Acceptability of Income Sources (Sections A & B, above).
b. Control of Fund: SEJ shall retain full control over the use of income from the 21st Century Fund. The organization will accept no conditions or restrictions, express or implied, on any donations to this fund. This principle shall be included in all written and verbal solicitations, and/or acknowledgements, and shall be acknowledged in writing by all donors of $10,000 or more.
c. Balance and Diversity of Donors: So as not to be, or appear to be, overly dependent on donations from any particular sector or type of individuals beyond the journalism community, SEJ shall strive to raise at least 25% of its 21st Century Fund from SEJ members, founding and other former board members and other journalism leaders, and to raise the remainder from a broad array of individual donors beyond the journalism community.
d. Review and Approval Process: Solicitation and review of prospective donations of $10,000 or more, including review of any unsolicited donations of such size, is carried out by the Development and Fundraising subcommittee of the board's Finance Committee, in concert with the Executive Director and other appropriate staff members. The board may also authorize others outside the organization to solicit such funds on its behalf, provided that such persons work in concert with and are subject to the authority of the Finance Committee. No donations of $10,000 or more may be accepted through any other channels or processes.
Prospective donations of $10,000 or more must be approved by a majority of the Development and Fundraising subcommittee. As ex-officio members of the subcommittee, the SEJ Treasurer and President each have veto power over any prospective gift to the 21st Century Fund.
As with all SEJ income, donations of $10,000 or more are subject to the review of the full Board, and the Board reserves the right to reject or return any that may conflict with the organization's independence or otherwise damage its integrity.
3. Management, Investment & Spending
(Existing language — from revision approved by board 7.03. Amended by the board January 13, 2007.)
a. Management: The 21st Century Fund shall be managed and reported to the Board and Independent Auditor by the Executive Director with reference to two internal bookkeeping accounts: "21st Century—Donor" (funds contributed by individual and institutional donors) and "21st Century—Internal" (funds transferred from SEJ's operating budget by action of the Board). These funds may be co-mingled in a single investment account, provided that strict accounting records are kept and reported, to identify dollars considered to be within each category.
The "21st Century—Donor" account is a permanently-restricted account. Donations deposited in this account may not be transferred to another SEJ account. Only the interest, dividends and/or realized capital gains from this account may be used by the organization.
The "21st Century—Internal" account is a board-restricted account. Interest, dividends, and/or capital gains from this account may be used by the organization. In addition, by action of the Board, assets transferred into this account may be drawn upon to help pay for endowment fundraising-related expenses, or returned to SEJ's general operating accounts.
b. Investment: Assets in the 21st Century Fund shall be prudently invested to balance growth with protection of the principal of the underlying assets, consistent with the policies stated in section F, Investment Policy, above.
c. Dissolution: Should SEJ ever cease to exist, the Board at the time of dissolution shall donate the assets of the 21st Century Fund to another journalism education organization or academic institution in support of programs to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of environmental reporting.
I. Tax Status Policy
(From SEJ attorney Gail Ross, memo 3/26/93.)
1. To preserve the organization's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, the Board through its strategic plan shall ensure that the organization is operated exclusively for qualified exempt purposes, including charitable and educational purposes, and that no more than an insubstantial portion of the organization's activities are devoted to the furtherance of non-exempt purposes. Examples of non-exempt purposes might include a members-only job bank or health insurance program, or other activities that result solely in a private benefit without serving an overriding public interest.
2. No part of the organization's activities may constitute intervention or participation in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. No substantial part of the organization's activities may consist of political, lobbying or non-exempt purposes as defined in paragraph I(1.) above.
3. The organization shall offer no guidance to donors about the deductibility of their gifts other than to inform them that SEJ is a 501(c)(3) organization, gifts to which may be tax deductible under U.S. tax laws.


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How Many of Us Work From Home?
If you work at home, you're part of a growing number of employees who do so. In fact, according to a new report, twice as many people telecommute now than just 10 years ago.
A study done by business membership and research group the Conference Board found that while child care workers, writers, authors and sales reps are the most likely to work remotely, another group of professionals saw the biggest rise in telecommuting: records clerks, insurance underwriters, lawyers and computer software developers.
"A confluence of factors, led by the rapid expanse of sophisticated, secure and relatively inexpensive communication technologies, has sparked a quiet revolution in where and how many Americans do their jobs," said Amy Lui Abel, who co-authored the report and is a director of human capital research at the Conference Board.
Still, just two percent of Americans employees work at home — often because companies are wary of allowing them to do so. But Gad Levanon, director of macroeconomic research at the Conference Board, said, "Managers at all levels must make the 'mental shift' to trusting that employees are getting the job done without seeing them every day — and to have the strength to act decisively when they're not."


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Pace Picks Up on Tech IPOs
From Twitter to Lending Club to Atlassian to Marketo, a new crop of maturing tech companies are poised to hit the IPO market. Telis Demos reports on MoneyBeat. Photo: Tableau Software.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... is the Facebook IPO purse over one year Facebook's historic and notorious IPO from Twitter Lending Club to a glassy into Mark and though ... the new crop of maturing tech companies are poised to hit the IPO market ... tells him the Most Amanda wrote that story ... here to talk about it ... morning tell a story in a bomb aren't on it so this isn't exactly on ... time tsunami of tech companies hmm what you are starting to see some conman where it is in the in the aftermath of Facebook's IPO last year which is were coming up on one year anniversary of it ... on your story you starting to see change and so the mentality ... here in the silly well it's definitely to change the mentality we haven't quite so ... there have been some parts the IPO market the Tech IPO market to remain pretty busy in that select business software so like ... you've heard the stories about cloud computing about the DVR ... those deals and doing pretty well was one nil lead snake temple oh ... he sold more stock than expected higher price expected the deal in the data analysis for companies yet it's doing really well in theory it we have are in their I've tried and tried to use the heaven but I hear its ... duties are amazing schools they'll literally means ... the the I phone ... and ... I could make it for Apple the minutes and then as second pointedly consumer Internet companies ... like Facebook have been a lot slower to come back to market but we are starting to hear from bankers lawyers for companies that like ... Depp on the market is starting to gear up a little and so some of those around the horizon and year were renting for the next does because ... in a valuation expectations have changed alot since Facebook I don't think anybody has that while his belief that you know that these companies are to be ... you know her to be growing it ... E-mail outrageous pieces in a year to year from now on sale ... in the Markets column but that more into balance and I think those companies have spent the time ... he'll ... come growing into those valuations remain private ... the real trick or agency we just flashed up on the stock to strive for that was fertile and I saw ... them actually started trading yet by ... the the ... the ... the ... the ... the perception around these companies as opposed to Facebook in Facebook a year ago it was sold to hide this oversold ... and then they raise the price they raised membership and it was such a big to do ... and you look here a year later Facebook's stock is well below the IPO price just enough of the forty five dollars high it hit their twenty six and changeup a percent today ... you know ... I was ... on health the environment it was great for selling the stock right there a sixteen billion ... they did raise a lot of money but it was ... the sort of an unhealthy environment said to bring the company into ... yes I think I think that's what what we're going see now is you know that these companies that Apple for example ... he knows a lot excited about that he didn't price a valuation that was ... close to where ... you know some of the Facebook's and saying there's no pun surprise to know that those were ... approaching like ... you know twenty times in next year's revenues tables price more like around ten times next event which company runs an aggressive valuation but ... you know is much more in line with kind of like ... you know achievable but fast growing Burnett trick selling us if we start to see Sylvia valuations have come in the little that the still pre strong onto the market is hungry for growth when a slow growing ... and best economic environments if you've got company that can get double its revenues from the eighty year ... that something that investors really want to certainly ... the appetite for tech stocks is not going anywhere I think the question is whether or not he who believes in some the specific stores that Social and is it really ... the kind of this this amazing business model the world an emptiness a tennis match in the world ... because some doubts about that so valuations have ... had ... no comment a little bit and in the prom for some these companies if they raise monies privately between ... the lesser talked all about second mark and stuff like that while SM those companies raise monies at Facebook like valuations ... and kill me he would of done their IPO the beginning of the year telling me the IPO for giving me the money would be you know they need a little more time to come and grow into that where where that valuation suggests they were so in awe so if that means that the deals come in twenty fourteen ... details of that that's that's you know


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Oracle Corp Chief Executive Larry Ellison and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff publicly ended one of Silicon Valley's most bitter feuds on Thursday as they leapt into a major alliance aimed at selling more Internet-based software.
On a conference call to outline their new pact, the moguls, who in the past had been harsh critics of each other's businesses, said they plan to collaborate in the fast-growing area of cloud computing.
Their comments were a far cry from two years ago, when Ellison called Salesforce.com the "roach motel" of cloud-computing and Benioff ridiculed Oracle for selling "false cloud" products.
"Larry and I have worked together for, I think, 27 years since I first started at Oracle," Benioff told analysts and reporters.
Once a protégé of Ellison, Benioff left an executive post at Oracle in 1999 to found Salesforce, one of the first companies to sell business software services over the Web.
"Hopefully it will be the end to us getting a little too revved up at times, but the vast majority of those 27 years have been epic," Benioff said.
Ellison said they would "try to continue to be entertaining while making sure that the entertainment never distracts from our commitment to working together."
Oracle is the world's No. 3 software maker but it has fallen behind emerging players like Salesforce.com in providing Web-based software, or cloud computing, a fast-growing trend that Ellison had been slow to tap into.
Ellison and Benioff's reconciliation is the latest example of how technology alliances can quickly shift as businesses evolve, turning friends into foes, and vice versa.
"By Larry and I coming together, a door has opened that lets us go through into the future, and we're not going to be held back by how the industry was," Benioff said.
In the new partnership, which was announced earlier this week, Oracle will integrate some of its cloud-based software programs with Salesforce products. Salesforce will also expand its own use of Oracle products and standardize Oracle products with its own offerings.
Their cooperation should help the two companies sell more cloud-based software.
Benioff formed Salesforce with the blessing of his former boss, who contributed $2 million in seed money. But they quickly became rivals after Oracle started selling software that competed with Salesforce products, and Benioff fired Ellison from his board of directors.
Oracle and longtime rival Microsoft Corp have also cozied up to each other, saying this week they would support each other's cloud platforms and increase sales opportunities. On Wednesday, Oracle announced a tie-up with cloud-company NetSuite, which is partly owned by Ellison.


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EmilyLong needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 60 designs submitted by 16 freelance designers.
Time Rescuer
I work with other entrepreneurs and creative types saving them time, energy, and reducing overwhelm by a) taking care of the behind-the-scenes aspects of their social media or b) helping social media newbies get started, explain things in easy-to-understand terms, and helping them effectively use social media marketing. I'm someone who doesn't come across as the typical "social media expert" type but can take the stress off of these entrepreneurs by being able to talk in layman's terms while actually being able to effectively use and teach social media. I rescue time for them to use for their genius work.
My people are entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, creative types, and professionals who are busy and overwhelmed. I tend to attract women in their mid-30s to early 60s but do work with some men as well. My people tend to be more right-brained (creative, intuitive, holistic) and want to focus on the creative side of their work. They are action oriented and happy to let me take care of the busywork details.
Catchy yet classic and professional.
Fun and creative.
Bold colors but not neon - bold blues, oranges, greens. (see Twitter account for examples of bold colors I like http://twitter.com/emilyrlong)
No red or brown or black as major focuses - no red at all.
Would prefer the focus to be on the "Time Rescuer" brand rather than the social media aspect.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Free Audio to download from Carrigaline Baptist Church.
You can either play the audio directly in your web browser (requires flash plugin to be installed) or else click on the 'download' link to save it to your computer.
Book: Psalm (1), Colossians (1).
Sermons (1)
|Living Church: Singing to God
|Psalm 98:1-9 (Part of the Living Church series).
|Preached by Jonny Grant on January 22, 2012 (Sunday Morning).
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Carrigaline Baptist Church Audio by Carrigaline Baptist Church is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.


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The Foreign Office is being stretched "almost to the limit" as it attempts to cut spending at a time of international turbulence while having to cope with additional demands such as the London Olympics, MPs have said.
The Foreign Affairs Select Committee called for William Hague and his department to adopt a "more realistic approach" to what could be achieved given the cuts imposed in the 2010 spending review.
The MPs also raised concern about the future funding of the BBC World Service and strongly opposed plans for its wider commercialisation.
In its review of the FCO's performance and finances in 2012/13, the committee was told a planned 10% cut in the number of UK-based staff at the FCO would not be met by the original target of 2015, but will instead require an extra year.
The MPs heard the FCO was on course to make savings totalling approximately £170 million over the Spending Review period to 2014/15 but warned of the effect on the department.
The committee's report said: "There are signs that the FCO is being stretched, almost to the limit. One of the symptoms is the prospect that the department will need an extra year to meet its target of a 10% headcount reduction in UK-based staff, largely because of 'sustained pressure to deliver an ambitious policy agenda'.
"We believe the department may be in danger of trying to do too much at a time when capacity is being limited. A more realistic approach by the department and by ministers is needed, as well as a clearer definition of priorities."
The MPs said that "on top of the day-to-day business of sustaining a foreign policy at a time of particular turbulence in the Middle East and elsewhere", the FCO had also had to meet the demands of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the expansion of the network of diplomatic outposts and an increased emphasis on commercial work.
"We conclude that in future the department will need to attach greater importance to living within its means and will need to recognise that there are limits to what it can take on," the MPs said.
Tory Sir Richard Ottaway, the committee's chairman, said: "We're sounding a warning. We have no problem with an active and ambitious foreign policy. But we're getting a distinct impression that the FCO may be trying to do too much when capacity is limited by a tough spending review settlement.
"It's actually had to increase staff in order to cope with policy demands, and it's not on track to meet its target of a 10% headcount reduction in UK-based staff by 2015. What we're saying is: be realistic, live within your means, and make sure that priorities are clearly defined."
From April this year the BBC World Service will cease to be funded by the FCO and will instead be paid for through the licence fee.
The committee welcomed the BBC's commitment to increase the World Service's funding by more than £5 million to £245 million from April, but called for funding levels for future years to be announced.
"We strongly welcome the increased funds which the BBC will make available to the BBC World Service in 2014/15 but, given the BBC's argument that licence fee funding offers greater financial security and scope for long-term planning, we are surprised that the BBC has announced figures only for 2014/15.
"We urge the BBC to announce funding levels for the BBC World Service for the remainder of the current BBC charter period and at least to maintain in real terms the 2014/15 funding levels."
The MPs opposed ideas for the future of the World Service, including wider commercialisation, and were also concerned that the protection for the World Service's interests within the corporation's governance structure "is not as strong as is being claimed, and the picture appears to us to be one of steady erosion of World Service influence within the BBC".
The committee recommended that the World Service should be represented on the BBC executive board and that the director of BBC global news should be a member of the management board.
A BBC spokesman said: "The World Service has undertaken commercial activity for many years, for instance through syndication to partner radio stations overseas.
"The World Service has been tasked with increasing this activity, first by the FCO in 2010, and then by the BBC Trust in last year's draft operating licence.
"We have introduced advertising on our Russian, Arabic and Spanish language online sites and trialled some advertising on our FM radio frequency in Berlin. The BBC's reputation for providing impartial and independent news will always take precedence over wider commercial goals.
"Beyond April 2014, if this position regarding commercial funding is maintained in our new operating licence, we will continue to explore appropriate opportunities which could lessen the cost of the World Service to licence fee payers.
"We have always made clear that commercial activity will only ever constitute a small proportion of our funding and that there will not be advertising on the World Service in the UK."
A BBC Trust spokeswoman added: "The detail and governance for any changes to the existing commercial funding arrangements for the World Service would be subject to agreement with the Government."
She went on: "We have secured better funding for the World Service, when it comes under the licence fee this April.
"Every year, the BBC Executive prepares a rolling three-year budget which is considered by trustees in March and this year's will take us through to the end of the current charter period.
"As in any organisation, budgets are subject to review depending on priorities and circumstances, but there is no intention to reduce the level of World Service funding."


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Collisions VR experience: in conjunction with the Songlines exhibition
Collisions is a stunning VR experience that invites visitors on a journey to the land of Indigenous elder Nyarri Nyarri Morgan and the Martu tribe in the remote Western Australian desert. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lynette Wallworth.
The Collisions VR experience can be purchased as a standalone ticket or in combination with the exhibition Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters.
Tickets: Collisions VR $10 (plus booking fee)
Collisions VR + Songlines exhibition bundle $20 to $22 (plus booking fee)
Allow up to 30 minutes for Collisions VR and up to two hours for the Collisions VR + Songlines exhibition. Plan your visit during peak times to ensure you arrive ahead of your booked session.
Note: The VR experience is not recommended for children under the age 13 and people with certain medical conditions. Glasses cannot be worn under the headset, but the focus can adjust to most vision types. Please read the health and safety notice before buying your tickets.
Nyarri Nyarri Morgan. Photo: Piers Mussared.


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Garth Brooks Added to 'Teachers Rock' TV Special
It's almost time to "celebrate" the back-to-school season and country legend Garth Brooks is getting in on the related fun. The singer will join the likes of Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley at the for the 'Teachers Rock' TV special, which is set to air live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Friday, Aug. 17 at 8PM ET.
Country Music is Love confirmed the news that CBS had added Brooks to an already stellar lineup that includes other major names in the country genre. The concert celebrates teachers and education, and it happens to take place just as back-to-school madness begins.
Other non-country acts set to appear include Usher, Adam Levine and Josh Groban. Other music, film and sports stars are also slated to attend the event, which is presented by Walmart and benefits several non-profit organizations, as well. Additionally, the concert will feature scenes from the teacher-themed film 'Won't Back Down' starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. It will also include personal recollections from the likes of Meryl Streep, LL Cool J, Jennifer Garner, Jack Black, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Morrison and Miranda Cosgrove about the importance of education in their lives.
Be sure and tune into the special in two weeks, Brooks, Underwood and Bentley fans.


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I have been rebuilding historical instruments for over 30 years. I have been working in various museums and private collections all over Europe and in the USA measuring and studying numerous historical instruments. I am now working for museums. After an education as fine mechanic I started to study musicology, information-theory and linguistics. My special field of interest was research of tone colours. Since 1973 I have been working for musicians and composers arond the world for whom I have invented and developed various sound generators. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)
Category: Builders/Restorers/Suppliers / Wind Instruments
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Summer days among the deadliest for teenage drivers
The deadly days have arrived for teenage drivers, along with new data about what makes the warm-weather months so dangerous.
While the overwhelming majority of crashes involving teen drivers are the operators' fault, 40 percent of those interviewed for an insurance industry report said they had no control over whether they got into an accident.
"Seventy-five percent of teen crashes are caused by driver error. It's troubling that so many believe they have no control over whether or not they will crash," said Chris Mullen, director of technology research at State Farm insurance.
Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers, and preliminary indications are that after declining for several years, they increased in the first half of 2012. A report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which receives information that states send to a federal database, showed that deaths of teen drivers nationwide increased by 19 percent in the first six months of last year.
Federal data show that the average number of teenagers who die in accidents doubles during the three months that begin when school lets out for the summer. Seven of the 10 deadliest days for teen drivers are clustered in those months, and some of the dates from 2011 are likely party weekends: the last Saturday in June, two days of the July 4 weekend and a Sunday late in August just before universities launch their fall terms.
"Beyond dispute, summertime emerges as the deadliest time of year for teen drivers and passengers," said John B. Townsend II of AAA, who tracks teen fatality statistics. "What's more, weekends are particularly dangerous for teen drivers."
Surprisingly, a study released Tuesday by Ford showed that two-thirds of teen drivers and 58 percent of their parents believed that winter was the most dangerous season for teenagers on the road.
Some of the reasons for teenage traffic accidents may also have been brought out by the Ford report: Two-thirds of teen drivers say they are distracted when behind the wheel; 42 percent said they turn up the radio so loud that they can't hear nearby vehicles; and more than half say they listen to an iPod or MP3 player.
The research by State Farm confirmed earlier studies showing that while most teenage drivers are aware that distracted driving is dangerous, many of them engage in the risky behavior. Three-quarters of those contacted by the company said they'd asked a friend to stop texting while behind the wheel. But almost half of them admitted to reading or sending text messages when driving themselves.
More than 90 percent said they used a seat belt, the report said.
Despite common parental laments that their teenagers don't listen to them, State Farm said that two-thirds of teenagers said that the best way to learn driving skills was with their parent in the car. More than half of them said their parents provided driving advice.
AAA found that 980 teen drivers and their passengers died in crashes nationwide between Memorial Day and Labor Day of 2011.
"To keep teens safe during these dangerous months and the rest of the year, parents need to be especially vigilant about communicating with their teens about safety and enforcing household rules about driving," Townsend said.


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(IFEX-TMG) - Members of the IFEX-TMG have written to the International Association of Judges (IAJ) to appeal for support for judges in Tunisia, who are being persecuted for openly calling for judicial independence or for criticising the government. The letter is being sent to the IAJ and judges' associations worldwide as part of the IFEX-TMG's lobbying campaign to promote judicial independence and end the use of administrative sanctions to punish dissident views in Tunisia:
Mr. José Maria Bento Company, President
and Mrs. Fatoumata Diakite, First Vice-President and President of the African Regional Group of the IAJ
International Association of Judges
Palazzo di Giustizia, Piazza Cavour,
00193 Rome - Italy
tel. +39 06 68832213
fax. +39 06 6871195
e-mail: [email protected]
CC. Mr. Antonio Mura, Secretary-General
Delegates for African affairs:
Mr. Giacomo Oberto, Deputy Secretary-General
Mr. Raffaele Gargiulo, Deputy Secretary-General
Dear Mr. José Maria Bento Company and Mrs. Fatoumata Diakite and colleagues,
The International Freedom of Expression Exchange Tunisia Monitoring Group (IFEX-TMG), a global coalition of 20 IFEX members, is writing to you to express its deep concern at the unabated persecution of the democratically elected board members of the Association of Tunisian Judges (Association des magistrats tunisiens, AMT) since its takeover by government supporters in 2005.
IFEX-TMG has been documenting various forms of this persecution since its second fact-finding mission to Tunisia in September 2005. The latest and sixth fact-finding mission to this country, where the price for freedom of expression has continued to rise over the past five years, was conducted from 25 April to 6 May 2010. Its findings were documented in a report released on 6 June in Beirut "Behind the Façade: How a Politicized Judiciary and Administrative Sanctions Undermine Tunisian Human Rights", mainly based on interviews with prominent academics, lawyers and judges. (See: http://ifex.org/tunisia/2010/06/07/tmg_report/ )
This politically motivated harassment continues to spark protest and solidarity among Tunisian civil rights advocates.
In 2005, these judges were arbitrarily transferred from Tunis to remote locations, hundreds of kilometres away from their families. In 2006, the statutes of AMT were amended to prevent judges assigned away from the capital Tunis from running for the executive committee of this association. This discriminatory amendment clearly was aimed at targeting the ousted leadership of AMT solely for its commitment to the independence of the judiciary enshrined in the 1959 Tunisian Constitution and the 1999 Universal Charter of the Judge.
In August this year, AMT Secretary General Kalthoum Kennou was moved from Kairouan, in the center of the country, much further away from Tunis to the southern city of Tozeur, while other targeted colleagues have seen their assignments outside the capital of Tunisia extended. They have also been denied promotions.
Unsurprisingly, the government supporters in charge of running the board of AMT since 2005 have turned a blind eye to the vengeful government measures inflicted on their colleagues, including the arbitrary and repeated deductions of large portions of their salaries.
On 25 August, the Tunisian Observatory of Labour Rights and Freedoms reported that the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights took in July and August 800 dinars and 1200 dinars respectively and without any explanation from the salary of Judge Ahmed Rahmouni, president of the democratically elected board of AMT. His wife, Judge Leila Abid, has not been spared from the same continuous harassment. Her salary for the month of February 2010 has been arbitrarily withheld.
The state-run media gives voice to the government-backed AMT board, but not to Judge Rahmouni and his persecuted colleagues of the democratically elected board in 2004. On 15 August, Judge Adnane El Heni, president of the pro-government board claimed in a statement quoted by the daily Assabah, which is owned by one of President Ben Ali's sons-in-law, that the decision to transfer Judge Kennou from Kairouan "was not arbitrary." A written and well-documented response to this groundless move was ignored by the state-run press, which remains one of the most muzzled in the world, according to international press freedom groups.
In addition to Judge Rahmouni, the response which was published on 21 August by the opposition weekly Attariq El Jedid, was signed by the following independent and persecuted Judges: Kalthoum Kennou, Wassila Kaabi, Raoudha Karafi, Leila Bahria, Hamadi Rahmani and Noura Hamdi, who continue, together with their respective families, to pay a heavy price for their unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary.
Judge Kaabi had a rare public opportunity earlier this year to shed light on the ongoing persecution imposed on her and her brave colleagues and the drastic restrictions on their freedom of movement, 53 years after the establishment of the Republic of Tunisia. (See: http://bit.ly/bVOU1V )
Judge Mohktar Yahyaoui, who was fired in 2001 for calling on President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to loosen the grip of the executive branch on the judiciary, and his family have also been harassed without respite. (See: http://bit.ly/bZv3v8 ) He remains deprived of the right to leave the country and his daughter, Amira Yahyaoui - currently studying in Paris, France, has been denied the right to have her passport renewed over the past two years.
Thank you for any action you might wish to take to help end the persecution of these brave and independent judges and to protect their abused right to freedom of association, expression, movement and equality, which are all guaranteed by Tunisia's Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Tunisia ratified more than 30 years ago.
Yours sincerely,
Amadou C. Kanoute
ARTICLE 19, Senegal
Rohan Jayasekera
IFEX-TMG Chair and Associate Editor, Index on Censorship
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
Index on Censorship
International Federation of Journalists
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
International Press Institute
International Publishers Association
Journaliste en danger
Maharat Foundation
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Norwegian PEN
PEN International
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - AMARC
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers


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MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Tool Corp. continues to expand the fastest growing 18V cordless system on the market with the introduction of the new M18 Cordless Multi-Tool. Designed to increase productivity and ease of use for professional users, the new tool delivers up to 50% faster cutting and 2X longer run-time than the competition, while featuring time-saving solutions like a tool-free blade change and universal accessory adaptor.
"We continue to find ways to bridge the gap between the speed of corded options and the convenience of cordless solutions," says Christian Coulis, Director, Cordless Product Marketing at Milwaukee Tool Corporation. "Featuring Milwaukee's Constant Power Technology to maintain cutting speed under load, the new Multi-Tool truly delivers superior performance with the fastest cutting speeds in its class to increase productivity on the jobsite."
With a variable speed of 11,000 to 18,000 OPM and 12 speed settings, users can match the speed to the application at hand to complete tasks such a flush or plunge cuts, removing grout, grinding thinset, sanding or scraping.
Ideal for remodelers, flooring contractors, maintenance repair technicians and electricians, the M18™ Multi-Tool comes complete with a universal accessory adaptor to allow the tool to work with all major competitive accessories on the market, as well as a tool free accessory change that allows the user to quickly move from one application to the next.
In addition to the Multi Tool, Milwaukee will also introduce two accessory attachments with this launch that can be purchased separately to further increase productivity on the jobsite. The new Dust Extraction Kit will give users the option to keep their work area clean of debris, and the new Depth Stop Kit will give users the confidence to complete plunge cuts without damaging hidden materials.
Powered by Milwaukee's revolutionary M18 REDLITHIUM Battery, the M18 Multi-Tool is compatible with the entire M18 System, now offering over 50 cordless Lithium-Ion products. Milwaukee is committed to the ongoing development of this platform and will continue to provide innovative solutions that offer industry leading reliability, performance and ergonomics.
2626-22 M18™ Multi-Tool (2626-22)
• 14" Long
• 4.15 lbs
Includes 2626-20 M18 Multi-Tool, (2) M18 XC High Capacity RED LITHIUM Battery Packs, M18 and M12 Multi-Voltage Charger, (1) Accessory Adaptor, (1) Plunge Cut Blade, (1) Sanding Pad, (5) Sanding Sheets and a Contractor Bag
*Also available in a compact battery kit (2626-22CT) or as a bare tool (2626-20)
Accessory Options
Dust Extraction Kit (49-90-240)
Depth Stop Kit (49-20-241)
About Milwaukee Tool Corp.:
Since the company began in 1924, Milwaukee Tool Corp. has led the industry in both durability and performance by providing the best in professional, heavy duty tools and accessories. With an unwavering commitment to the trades, Milwaukee continues to lead with a focus on providing innovative, trade-specific solutions. Whether it is through their leadership in LITHIUM-ION technology, as seen in the M12, M18 & M28 Systems, time-saving accessories or innovation new Hand Tool and Test Instrument product lines, Milwaukee is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced solutions for the trades that offer increased productivity and unmatched durability. Milwaukee Tool Corp. is Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY). For more information on the full line of Milwaukee products, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit MilwaukeeTool.com.
Source: Milwaukee Tool Corp.
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A prophet, someone who can see the future. Can change the laws of physics to his advantage. Generally gives unfortunate prophesies or changes in laws of physics rather than good. Prophet obsessed with taking over the world.
Napoleon must have been a Tofique or something.
by iamacompletebeast October 16, 2010
buy the domain for your recipe vlog


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Illinois man recreating Lincoln funeral train car
ELGIN, Ill. (AP) — To mark the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination next year, an Illinois man is constructing a full-size replica of the funeral train car that carried the president's body from Washington, D.C., to his final resting place in Springfield.
David Kloke is leading an effort to recreate the historic funeral procession attended by 3 million Americans who camped by train tracks waiting for the fallen president in 1865. The train car is scheduled for completion by 2015, kicking off a nationwide traveling exhibit tour, The Arlington Heights Daily Herald reported (http://bit.ly/1p07D8C ).
"I like Lincoln. I was always inspired by him," said Kloke, of Bartlett. "He did a lot more than the slavery issue for this country."
Kloke is the owner of Kloke Locomotive Works in Elgin, a business that builds historic trains. Planning for the project began about five years ago when Kloke, with the help of about a dozen volunteers, began reviewing drawings and photographs of the original car in his shop.
He says the plan is to have a historic locomotive pull the car from Washington to Baltimore. It then will be trucked to Springfield for display in May. After that, the exhibit tour will begin when the train car travels across the country.
Dubbed "The Lincoln Special," the original train car was built in 1864 with the intention that it would be an office car for the president. Lincoln never used it, saying it was too fancy during war time. The car burned in a prairie fire in Minnesota in 1911.
Bill Werst, executive director of The Lincoln Train Project, a nonprofit group created to fund the project, says the train will be put on rails and available for visitors to ride. The group has raised more than $100,000 for the project, but needs about $600,000 total. Werst says he is confident they will raise enough money to complete the project.
"It's an educational project," he said. "We're not looking to make money on it. We're looking to expose as many people as possible to this."


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Must-See Wedding Venues
From waterside to city side, casual to sophisticated, Florida's Paradise Coast is filled with exciting ways to celebrate your big day. Here's a look at just a few.
Historic Memories
For a day as special as your wedding, why not be surrounded in an atmosphere filled with historic charm? The Old Naples Historic District in the Third Street South shopping area offers several memorable locations, including Palm Cottage and the adjacent Norris Gardens, multiple public beach access areas, and several restaurants with private dining areas and garden courtyards.
Naples' downtown Main Street, Fifth Avenue South, offers a scenic area alive with arts, entertainment, shops and restaurants. Elegant boutique hotels such as The Inn on Fifth offer an intimate setting for your reception and put your out-of-town guests in the center of pedestrian-friendly downtown Naples. Outdoor locations include Cambier Park and Sugden Plaza. Rent a horse-drawn carriage for an extra-special touch for the bride and groom's arrival or departure.
Linked Hearts
For any woman who competes with the golf course for her man's attention, here's a venue that'll make him excited to help plan the wedding. Golf courses have always been a popular wedding location because of their majestic views and ability to accommodate large parties at their clubhouses. And for those who love golf, it's a great way for you and your guests to enjoy a golf outing as part of your wedding weekend. Florida's Paradise Coast boasts some of the most luxurious golf resorts in the nation that offer indoor and outdoor sites with breathtaking views, superb catering, special wedding packages and much more.
Love Gone Wild
For something really different, tie the knot at the Naples Zoo. Their Rainforest Grove offers a secluded setting that's surrounded by a natural living canopy of giant ficus trees and views of African lions. At the NGALA Private Reserve, your guests will enjoy the company of Coulter, the giraffe; Lexus, the Leopard; Zambie, the Camel; and Zeus, the Zebra, not to mention a one-of-a-kind atmosphere featuring spectacular architecture, tropical foliage and unique water features. Naples Botanical Garden has acres of cultivated gardens reflecting the plants and cultures of Florida, Brazil, the Caribbean and Asia, flowering tree groves, a beautiful Palm Allee that provides the perfect aisle and much more to provide tranquil yet breathtaking settings as only Mother Nature can. The beautiful Windstar Garden Room provides a lovely venue in air conditioned comfort for your reception. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary's education boardwalk leads to a small, secluded amphitheatre with a canopy of old cypress trees, perfect for an intimate ceremony for nature lovers and available by special arrangement.
Beach Magic
The beach is perhaps the most romantic place on Earth, and Florida's Paradise Coast provides all the elements for the beach ceremony of your dreams: soft white sand, gentle waves, swaying palms and magical sunsets. Many beach resorts offer everything you need on site to make your day unforgettable. You and your guests will enjoy a truly tropical ambiance and that feeling of being away from it all, yet you'll still have access to every convenience. The south beach of Marco Island and multiple sites along Naples beach are popular ceremony spots on the public beaches with spectacular sunset views. If you opt for a non-beach wedding location, you can also stage a photo shoot at sunset at one of the area's many beautiful beach locations.
Passion For The Arts
For a refined and inspired wedding, make an art gallery your venue, such as The von Liebig Art Center. You'll enjoy Naples' sophisticated culture in galleries filled with modern works of art, scenic views of Cambier Park and the excitement of Fifth Avenue South just a block away. Artis - Naples, home of the Philharmonic Center is another fine choice for an elegant and enchanting setting.
Rustic Romance
For the adventurous at heart, the Everglades is filled with natural wonders and a taste of Old Florida. Reception venues such as the Oyster House Restaurant in Everglades City offer lodging, boat and canoe/kayak rentals, fishing and sightseeing tours, nature trails, and an outdoor chickee raw bar – all on site. Other great accommodations include the Ivey House Bed and Breakfast, which also offers guided eco tours, and the Rod & Gun Lodge, which has a marina on site and boat access. Tours for small groups are the specialty of Everglades Area Tours, including kayak and motor boat eco tours, kayak fishing, and more. It's sure to be an unforgettable experience for you and your guests as you celebrate your special day, explore the Everglades and see wildlife unlike anywhere else in the world.
The Love Boat
Exchange your vows surrounded by miles of sparkling water on a cruise. Many boats are available for private charter on Florida's Paradise Coast, whether you want your wedding to be big or small, formal or casual. Sea Excursions has a variety of charters and cruises, including sunset and dinner cruises. Two luxury yachts, the Naples Princess and the Marco Island Princess, can accommodate more than 100 guests. You may even have a few unexpected guests such as dolphins. And for even more magic, plan a cruise for the sunset and dancing under the stars. You can even set your wedding date for a full moon. That's amore!Back to top of page
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