text:
WORCESTER — For Jeffrey Archambo, the 35th anniversary Wednesday of the assassination of San Francisco politician and activist Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone had special significance.
Mr. Archambo said he came out 35 years ago, the same year that Mr. Milk, an activist and openly gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was gunned down along with his friend, Mr. Moscone, in San Francisco City Hall.
"His gay-straight alliance with George Moscone showed that you can't always bust down the doors of city hall to get what you want," Mr. Archambo said.
Mr. Archambo and about 25 others gathered at City Hall Wednesday to remember the anniversary of the killing of Mr. Milk and Mr. Moscone, shot to death by a supervisor who had resigned but wanted his job back.
The remembrance was held in conjunction with Worcester Pride. John Trobaugh, president of Worcester Pride, said Mr. Milk and Mr. Moscone's friendship was a chance to push for more straight people to come out as allies.
Christopher Robarge, president of the Worcester chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said Mr. Milk was a brilliant organizer who didn't really get into politics until he was 40. For example, Mr. Milk helped the Teamsters boycott Coors beer while the union was trying to get a contract signed with the beer giant. In return for Mr. Milk's efforts with the boycott, more gay truck drivers were hired, Mr. Robarge said.
Mayor Joseph M. Petty attended the event, along with at-large City Councilors Rick Rushton and Joseph C. O'Brien.
Mr. Petty said everyone is welcome in Worcester; Mr. Rushton said that 35 years after the death of Mr. Milk and Mr. Moscone, the community can celebrate that "we've taken a step forward because of these men."
Mr. O'Brien said one of his proudest moments in the city came when the city started issuing marriage licenses for gay couples; he said he joined several others at City Hall because he was worried there would be large protests. Instead, people stopped and got out of their cars to express their support.
During the ceremony, Mr. Trobaugh thanked Marc Guinette, owner of the Mailbox bar, for flying the large rainbow flag that motorists see from Interstate 290 in the Grafton Street area. It was one of the first things he noticed when he moved to the city with his husband and son.
"It's really important," Mr. Trobaugh said, as the flag hung behind him over the main staircase at City Hall. "This flag let us know it's safe here."
Contact Steven H. Foskett Jr. at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveFoskettTG


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Proposed cuts to NASA's budget would drastically scale back the agency's efforts to explore Mars and likely lead to hundreds of lay-offs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge, officials say.
Included in the more than $17.7-billion budget proposed for the space agency in 2013 is a $300-million reduction in planetary science funding that would hit JPL particularly hard.
The cuts eliminate two future joint U.S.-European Mars missions that would have been managed by JPL, eliminating positions for many of the scientists and engineers who built and launched NASA's celebrated Mars rovers.
"If nothing changes in the budget, the impact on us will be a few hundred workers next fiscal year," said JPL Legislative Affairs Manager Rich O'Toole.
The agency's fiscal year begins in October.
JPL's Curiosity rover is expected to reach the Red Planet on Aug. 5. Touchdown will conclude the roles of many on the Curiosity team, who would have gone on to participate in the future Mars missions slashed under the new budget, O'Toole said.
The loss of hundreds of workers would be the second massive round of layoffs at the La Cañada Flintridge laboratory in two years.
JPL suffered a direct $50-million cut in its 2012 budget, prompting preemptive layoffs of 247 employees in February and March of last year, many of those in administrative support positions. Nearly five dozen JPL workers retired in 2011 and were not replaced.
The proposed 2013 NASA budget, announced Monday by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, is $60 million less than this year's budget.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) has vowed to fight the cuts, saying funding reductions should be spread out more evenly among NASA's many scientific priorities.
"Planetary science is an area where we have always excelled as a nation, being able to do things no one else can. This is a leadership role we should not walk away from," Schiff said. "We already have to go to the Russians to get a ride to the space station, and it would be a sad state if we're superseded by the Europeans in planetary exploration. It's a defeatist view of what America is capable of, and not one that I share."
Bolden is expected to visit JPL on Feb. 22 and has asked to speak with the Mars Science Laboratory team during the trip, said JPL spokeswoman Veronica McGregor.
O'Toole said he expects Bolden to discuss greater collaboration, rather than competition, among NASA departments.
"We are going to work very hard with NASA to preserve the skills necessary for future Mars missions.…If that includes landing on Mars, [JPL's] skills become very important for that," he said.
Before budget cuts were announced, JPL and the European Space Agency planned to launch Mars missions in 2016 and 2018 that would continue the search for signs of life and prepare soil samples for possible return to Earth.
Bill Nye, chief executive of the Pasadena-based Planetary Society, said scrapping the missions would be a generational setback for America's planetary science program.
"The march toward looking for signs of life on Mars, you're never going to be able to get it back on track, at least not in the coming two decades," he said. "The rocket scientists, engineers, technicians — the only people in the world who are able to do this — will have to go find different work. Once you lose that ability, you don't just get it back."

subset: commoncrawl


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More than $100,000 was raised at the Laguna Playhouse California Dreamin' fundraiser held Nov. 16 at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point.
Founded in 1920, the Playhouse may be one of the oldest continuously operating theaters on the West Coast, but it hasn't lost any of its vitality. In 2011, the Playhouse was honored with the Laguna Spirit Award and the Chamber of Commerce Premier Business Award.
And the folks who attended the lively gala had a whale of a time.
About 300 Playhouse supporters, board members and staff duded up in Hobie Sports and Tight Assets beach-style casual outfits — never before were so many Reyn Spooners seen in the ballroom — for the surfing-themed gala. Flip-flops were de rigueur footwear, not political shenanigans.
"We were all able to relax and enjoy each other at this, our first casual surf culture-inspired event," said Karen Wood, Playhouse executive director.
Guests were welcomed by Joe Hanauer, president of the board.
"When we refer to the Laguna Playhouse, it has two parts: one is the physical place on Laguna Canyon Road and the other is the team of people who scour the planet for scripts to bring the entertainment to the place, as well as collaborate with other organizations like Laguna Beach Live!, Laguna Beach Dance and the Laguna Community Band," Hanauer said.
A seven-minute film about the Playhouse shown at the gala was the collaboration of Artistic Director Ann Wareham and Lauren Simon.
Laguna Beach businesswoman Heidi Miller and Playhouse development director and City Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson co-chaired the gala, which included dinner, a silent auction, a live auction, opportunities to win a trip to Kauai, a wine tower or a Daimler Benz smart car, and dancing to the music of Beach Boys-style band, Pappa Do Run Run.
Kristen and newly elected Councilman Bob Whalen, Mary and Whalen Election Committee treasurer Matt Lawson, the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau's Judy Bijlani, Dr. Gary and School Board member Betsy Jenkins, retired South Coast Water District Manager Mike Dunbar, Dave Sanford and Steven Dotorotos, Carolyn and Laguna Beach Clinic Director Dr. Thomas Bent, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kris Thalman and Patrick Quilter were among the throng of dancers.
Live auction items included a white South Sea Pearl Pendant, valued at $3,000, donated by King Plutaracho Inc.; a hand-signed Donovan Frankenreiter Dono St. Model Hobie surf board and an Explorer Stand Up paddleboard, compliments of Mark Christy, owner of Hobie Sport; and a homemade Gumbo dinner for eight cooked at the winner's home and served by Peterson and Councilwoman Toni Iseman, a priceless treasure from Stu Saffer; and a decorative blown glass plate from Bill Kasper, valued at $3,000.
Ken Fischbeck donated a week in a beachfront private home in the small Baja village of El Cardonal on the Sea of Cortez in Baja. The Visitors Bureau put together a package that ranged from a John Barber blown glass starfish to two nights stay in the Casa del Camino Hotel and a $250 gift certificate for the Rooftop, not to mention a La Vida Laguna kayak or paddleboard tour for two, Soul Surfing School lessons, Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari for two, and a Surfing Heritage Foundation family membership — total value, $2,000.
Caterer Jock Stalker donated a dinner for 12 on stage at the Playhouse — maybe for the winner of the walk-on part in the theater's holiday musical, "Plaid Tidings," also an auction item.
"Sister" Marypat Donovan, Laguna Beach Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda and Christy served as auctioneers.
The list of donors and sponsors was proof of the broad community support the Playhouse has mustered.
Henry and Deborah Mayhew were the Tidal Wave Presenting Sponsors. They congratulated the event committee and the Playhouse staff for a fabulous event on behalf of the "Big Kahuna" of theaters, which enriches thousands of lives through its mainstage and youth productions and programs.
Hobie Sport and Hotel Laguna were designated Trestles Sponsors. Waste Management of Orange County, Cody and Deborah Engle, and Joe and Jane Hanauer were dubbed Malibu sponsors. What no Brooks Street?
Capital Group Cos. Global, and Joe and Maryann Herrera were on board as the Hanalei Bay sponsors.
"We are happy to be supporters of California Dreamin' and the Laguna Playhouse, which has enriched our lives and others through exceptional theater entertainment and its many educational and outreach programs," was the testimonial from the couple in the event program.
Over the years, the Playhouse has received awards from the LA Drama Critics Circle, the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, Backstage and OC Weekly. ArtsOC named the Playhouse the Best Arts Organization.
Among the notables who have performed at the Playhouse: Bette Davis, Harrison Ford, Julie Harris in "Belle of Amherst," Charles Durning, Marlo Thomas, Roddy McDowell, Cloris Leachman, Sally Struthers and Rita Rudner.
Youth Theater Education and Outreach programs were recognized in 1989 as the Outstanding Children's Theater by the American Alliance for Theater and Education. The touring production, TheatreReach brings books to life on stage for elementary school children throughout Southern California.
The Playhouse deserves a big hand for its commitment to the Youth Education Program, which has introduced live theater to about 5,000 young people, according to a Capital Group statement.
Pearson credited the success of the gala in large measure to the efforts of the volunteers, Playhouse staff and the gala committee: Michelle Bendetti, Diana Mondini, John Benecke, Justin Myers, Charlene Chase, Karyn Philippsen, Francine Scinto, Rona Gromet, Phil Serrins, Maggie Hempen-Stempf, Teryll Sindell, Maryann Herrera, Temre Vouga, Madeleine Peterson, Ilona Martin, Toni and Terry McDonald (responsible for the table décor), Robin Woods, Leslie Anne Mogul, Caroline Wright, Bijlani, Christy, Kollenda, Wareham and Wood, many of whom were also sponsors, along with Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery, Madison Square & Garden Café, Crevier Classic Cars, the Surfing Heritage Museum and Quilter.
OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Call (714) 966-4618 or email email@example.com with Attn. Barbara Diamond in the subject line.


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Tooling Update
Aluminum End Effectors Lighten the Load on Press-Tending Robots
Responding to industry needs for faster and more efficient automated pressroom stamping lines, De-Sta-Co, Auburn Hills, MI, introduces the Accelerate collection of lightweight end-of-arm automation tooling. The end effectors reportedly are as much as 50 percent lighter than their predecessors, translating into production-line speed gains of 25 to 30 percent. Also, the lightweight end effectors improve ergonomics, resulting in higher worker-safety ratings.
Accelerate tooling is of high-strength aircraft-grade aluminum, allowing minimum wall thickness and overall weight without sacrificing strength and allowing stampers to maximize load-carrying capacity. This approach also eliminates the need to use more expensive, longer-lead-time materials such as carbon fiber.
Accelerate components also have trimmer, more elegant shapes than their predecessors. Greater flexibility provided by CNC machines, tooling and fixtures let De-Sta-Co contour the components to eliminate unnecessary bulkiness and weight. Further weight savings come from specifying thin-wall extruded tube instead of heavier solid bars or thicker-wall tubing.De-Sta-Co: 888/337-8226; www.destaco.com
See also: Destaco
Related Enterprise Zones: Automation, Tool & Die


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From our SEO company's Halifax area offices, we deliver effective Search Engine Optimization and Digital Marketing Services to our clients so they can compete online across town, or around the world. We make websites do more, bring more customers, communicate your image more effectively, or convert more prospects into buyers. Our services focus on using the web more effectively, whether through an improved online digital strategy, powerful search engine promotion, online public relations, email marketing – we'll help you figure out which of the many good online options is for you, and how to do it to effectively to produce real results now and in the long term.
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-Matt Napier, QC, Barrister. Boyne Clarke and Associates, Dartmouth NS
Some of our recent clients!
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Wall Heroes
Denver City Print
Denver City Vinyl Print
- Printed on High Quality Indoor Vinyl Material.
- Bright and Bold Water-Based, Kid Friendly Inks .
- Guaranteed Easy & Non-Damaging Removal.
- Printed in sunny Chandler, Arizona.
- Shipped in protective cardboard mailing tube.
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Note: *Actual print colors might be slightly different from product image due to different display monitors.*


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The United States has the most powerful military in the world, comprised of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. If that formidable military is insufficient to defend America, then nothing is.
Despite that, Barack Obama uttered these astonishing words during the 2008 presidential campaign. On July 2, 2008, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the POS deviated from his pre-released speech script and said the following:
"We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
Obama never explained what he meant by "a civilian national security force." But Rahm Emanuel, who was Obama's first White House Chief of Staff, did say in a 2006 interview with the New York Daily News that all Americans aged 18-25 should be inducted into "universal civil defense training" — in effect, a civilian army. Emanuel's idea is also contained in his co-authored book, The Plan. Here's the audio of the interview:
All of which is not only evocative of the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth Movement) and the Soviet Union's Leninist Young Pioneers, it is also against a federal law, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. Here's what Wikipedia says:
"The Posse Comitatus Act is a United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385) passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction, with the intention… of substantially limiting the powers of the federal government to use the military for law enforcement. The Act prohibits most members of the federal uniformed services (today the Army, Air Force, and State National Guard forces when such are called into federal service) from exercising nominally state law enforcement, police, or peace officer powers that maintain 'law and order' on non-federal property (states and their counties and municipal divisions) within the United States. The statute generally prohibits federal military personnel and units of the National Guard under federal authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within the United States, except where expressly authorized by the Constitution or Congress. The Coast Guard is exempt from the Act during peacetime."
Fast forward four years from Obama's 2008 civilian-army speech.
On September 13, 2012, the Obama administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) graduated its first class of FEMA Corps. On that day, 240 young adults ages 18 to 24 were sworn into service at an induction ceremony in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Since FEMA Corps specifically recruits young people, we may just as well call them the FEMA Youth Corps. And since they all wear royal-blue t-shirts, I suggest we call them Obama's Blue Shirts.
What is FEMA Corps? This is what DHS says (I've embedded links to Wikipedia entries on CNCS and NCCC):
"FEMA Corps is an innovative partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to enhance disaster response and recovery capacity while expanding career opportunities for young people.
Established as a new unit within the existing AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), FEMA Corps engages young adults ages 18 to 24 to provide ten months of full-time service on disaster response and recovery projects. Members will be deployed to assignments ranging from working directly with disaster survivors to supporting disaster recovery centers to sharing disaster response and mitigation information with the public."
At the September 13 induction ceremony, members of the inaugural FEMA Corps class took the AmeriCorps pledge to "get things done for America" and heard from agency leaders about the important work that lies ahead. FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino and CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer were on hand to welcome the members and thank them for their commitment to service (see pic below).
This is the AmeriCorps pledge taken by the FEMA Youth Corps:
"I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done."
"I will get things done" — what "things"? Contrast the AmeriCorps/FEMA Youth Corps pledge to the oath taken by everyone who enlists in the U.S. military:
I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
On May 24, 2002, Representatives Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) and Tim Roemer (D-IN) introduced the 2002 Citizen Service Act (HR 4854) to add to the AmeriCorp pledge references to God and the Constitution. AmeriCorps members would be called upon to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States…without any mental reservation…So help me God." But the proposal stirred an outcry among current and former AmeriCorp participants who argued that the proposed pledge was divisive, "militaristic and religious," and might deter recruitment. Although the Citizen Service Act was approved by both the Subcommittee on Special Education and the Committee on Education and the Workforce in June 2002, the House of Representatives took no further action on the Measure, and the AmeriCorps pledge remains unchanged.
According to DHS, the first class of FEMA Youth Corps had taken one month of AmeriCorps NCCC training and FEMA position-specific training. The Blue Shirts will now be deployed to their first assignments, supplementing existent reservist workforce in assisting citizens and communities who have been impacted by disasters.
After completing 1,700 hour of service, FEMA Youth Corps members will receive a $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for tuition or pay student loans. Members will gain significant training and experience in disaster services that can serve as a pathway to employment in the emergency management profession.
FEMA Youth Corps members will be based out of five AmeriCorps NCCC campuses across the country: Sacramento, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Vinton, Iowa; Perry Point, Md.; and, Vicksburg, Miss. The program will engage 1,600 members annually when fully operational next year.
The blog FromTheTrenches observes that:
"While the idea of having a volunteer force of tens of thousands of volunteers scattered across the country to aid in times of natural disasters sounds great, the details and timing of this new government army is somewhat curious, if not disturbing. […]
Unlike most local disaster response teams who are volunteers, training periodically and only showing up when there's a disaster, the FEMA Corps will be a paid, full time, standing army of government youth. […]
Over the past two years, President Obama has signed a number of Executive Orders suspending all civil and Constitutional rights and turning over management of an America under Martial Law to FEMA. Also in that time, domestic federal agencies under DHS, including FEMA, have ordered billions of rounds of ammunition as well as the corresponding firearms. Admittedly, these new weapons and ammunition aren't to be used in some far-off war or to fight forest fires in California, but right here on the streets of America.
Individuals around the US have begun reporting the site of strange, new, heavily-armed FEMA fighting vehicles. What would a disaster relief agency like FEMA need with 2,500 brand new GLS armored fighting vehicles? According to the agency's own mandate, as well as President Obama's recent Executive Order, the answer is 'population control' during a time of Martial Law. […]
What is the US federal government preparing for? And why does it feel it needs an army of brainwashed youth, millions of guns, thousands of armored fighting vehicles and literally billions of rounds of ammunition, just to provide relief to the American people during a natural disaster? Any historian will tell you it sounds more like the arming of the Hitler Youth than an army of first responders fighting forest fires and hurricanes."
H/t FOTM's Maziel and Joseph.
See also:
- "Heavily-armored DHS vehicles seen on road," Sept. 20, 2012.
- "US Army targets Tea Party movement as extremists in 2016 civil war scenario," Aug. 16, 2012.
- "Armored military vehicles to patrol in Wisconsin," Aug. 14, 2012.
- "DHS orders yet another millions of rounds of ammo," Aug. 13, 2012.
- "DHS adds high-powered battle rifles to its arsenal," July 20, 2012.
- "Do you love freedom? Obama just designated you a terrorist," July 5, 2012.
- "Another Obama executive order declares state of emergency," June 28, 2012.
UPDATE (Nov. 12, 2012):
Where was the newly-graduated class of FEMA Youth Corps in all the cities and places devastated by Hurricane Sandy? There was not even a single reported sighting of an Obama Blue Shirt. Not one.


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Summary Report for:
33-9092.00 - Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Sample of reported job titles: Alpine Patroller, Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Lifeguard, Marine Safety Officer, Ocean Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist, Pool Attendant, Pool Lifeguard, Ski Patroller
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
- Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
- Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
- Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
- Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
- Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
- Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
- Observe activities in assigned areas, using binoculars, to detect hazards, disturbances, or safety infractions.
- Inspect recreational equipment, such as rope tows, T-bars, J-bars, or chair lifts, for safety hazards and damage or wear.
- Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.
- Provide assistance with staff selection, training, and supervision.
- Provide assistance in the safe use of equipment, such as ski lifts.
Technology Skills
- Desktop publishing software — Microsoft Publisher
- Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used
- All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled — Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
- Automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles — Automated external defibrillators AED
- Automatic pool cleaner — Pool vacuums
- Axes — Ice axes
- Direction finding compasses — Navigational compasses
- Emergency medical services first aid kits — Emergency first aid kits
- Emergency medical services rappel kits — Rescue rappel equipment
- Emergency response litters or stretchers or accessories — Rescue toboggans
- Extension pole — Reach poles
- Global positioning system GPS receiver — Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Handheld thermometer — Handheld digital thermometers
- Life rings — Rescue buoys; Rescue rings
- Manlift or personnel lift — Chair lifts; Tow lines
- Medical acoustic stethoscope or accessory — Mechanical stethoscopes
- Mercury blood pressure units — Mercury sphygmomanometers
- Mountain bicycles — Mountain bikes
- Orthopedic splint systems — Air splints
- Oxygen therapy delivery system products accessories or its supplies — Oxygen administration sets
- pH meters — pH indicators
- Public address systems — Public address PA systems
- Radio frequency transmitters or receivers — Avalanche beacons
- Safety harnesses or belts — Safety harnesses
- Shovels — Collapsible snow shovels
- Single gas monitors — Chlorine testers
- Skis — Snow skis; Snowshoes
- Snowboards
- Snowmobiles or snow scooter — Snowmobiles
- Surfboards
- Swim goggles or swim fins — Swim fins
- Two way radios
- Water analyzers — Water testers
- Water samplers
- Wetsuits — Scuba suits
- Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
- Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
- Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
- Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Speed of Closure — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Detailed Work Activities
- Administer first aid.
- Request emergency personnel.
- Rescue people from hazardous situations.
- Provide safety training.
- Patrol natural areas to ensure safety or enforce regulations.
- Monitor environmental conditions to detect hazards.
- Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.
- Maintain operational records.
- Record information about environmental conditions.
- Inspect facilities for cleanliness.
- Warn individuals about rule violations or safety concerns.
- Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
- Train employees in proper work procedures.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context
- Contact With Others — 85% responded "Constant contact with others."
- Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 64% responded "Very high responsibility."
- Face-to-Face Discussions — 74% responded "Every day."
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
- Deal With External Customers — 73% responded "Extremely important."
- Work With Work Group or Team — 72% responded "Extremely important."
- Freedom to Make Decisions — 72% responded "Some freedom."
- Structured versus Unstructured Work — 40% responded "A lot of freedom."
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 64% responded "Every day."
- Telephone — 59% responded "Every day."
- Frequency of Decision Making — 58% responded "Every day."
- Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 22% responded "Once a month or more but not every week."
- Spend Time Sitting — 33% responded "Less than half the time."
- Consequence of Error — 44% responded "Serious."
- Coordinate or Lead Others — 38% responded "Extremely important."
- Frequency of Conflict Situations — 21% responded "Once a month or more but not every week."
- Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 36% responded "Every day."
- Physical Proximity — 58% responded "Slightly close (e.g., shared office)."
- Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 39% responded "Every day."
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 38% responded "Fairly important."
- Spend Time Standing — 53% responded "Less than half the time."
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 47% responded "Very important."
- Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 31% responded "High responsibility."
- Spend Time Walking and Running — 40% responded "Less than half the time."
Job Zone
|Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
|These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
|Related Experience
|Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
|Job Training
|Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
|Job Zone Examples
|These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
|SVP Range
|(4.0 to < 6.0)
Interest code: RS Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.
- Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Styles
- Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
- Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
- Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
- Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Work Values
- Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Related Occupations
Wages & Employment Trends
|Median wages (2018)
|$10.77 hourly, $22,410 annual
|State wages
|Employment (2018)
|152,000 employees
|Projected growth (2018-2028)
|Faster than average (7% to 10%)
|Projected job openings (2018-2028)
|State trends
|Top industries (2018)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018 wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018-2028). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.


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Weicker: GOP doomed in midterm elections
This is probably not the "independent" political analysis Republicans in Connecticut want to hear.
GOP exile-turned-renegade Lowell Weicker Jr. on Wednesday gave his former party slim chances of reversing its fortunes in this year's midterm elections in the state he governed from 1991 to 1995.
Speaking to about 150 members of the Retired Men's Association in his former hometown of Greenwich, where Weicker was first selectman, the former governor, U.S. senator and congressman said Connecticut is likely to be stuck with one-party rule by the Democrats.
"Now, that's not the fault of Democrats," Weicker, 83, said. "It's the fault of the Republican Party, both in the state of Connecticut and nationally. I would hope that this party would broaden its base."
Fewer in numbers than unaffiliated voters and Democrats, Republicans in Connecticut haven't fielded a winning candidate for statewide office or Congress since 2006.
"I can't believe that Republicans aren't fed up with losing, losing and losing," Weicker said. "Unless the Republican Party presents a centrist group (of candidates) and a centrist platform, they're going nowhere in this state."
State Republican Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. said while he values the opinion of Weicker, with whom he speaks from time to time, the outlook for the GOP is favorable.
"With all due respect to my friend Lowell Weicker, this election will be a referendum on the economy and our future," Labriola said. "Our candidates are determined to lead Connecticut to economic growth and recovery, which is not even in the vocabulary of (Democratic Gov.) Dan Malloy. This is the best way to broaden the base of our party, through results, not demagoguery."
Weicker's bleak forecast for the GOP came the morning after the stunning upset of Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a primary race for Virginia's 7th Congressional District. He was beaten by Dave Brat, a tea party-aligned college professor who was heavily outspent.
"I think the Republican Party is going to have a real problem nationally with the tea party gnawing away at it," Weicker said.
Estranged from the GOP for more than two decades, Weicker ran for governor and won under the independent banner of A Connecticut Party in 1990.
"Like Al Smith, he could run on a laundry ticket and get elected," said Lloyd Hull, who introduced Weicker to the retiree group and was referring to the late New York governor. Hull's daughter is married to Weicker's son.
A former three-term senator who was a member of a special committee that investigated the Watergate break-in, Weicker is widely known for establishing the state income tax when he was governor.
"Even to this day, I have people who don't take kindly to me for instituting the income tax," said Weicker, who resides in Old Lyme.
Weicker defended the measure during the question-and-answer portion of the program at First Presbyterian Church, saying that he inherited a $1 billion budget deficit and lowered the state sales and corporate taxes as governor.
"I don't know where we got the idea that in the state of Connecticut, we can have it all without paying for it," Weicker said.
A supporter of Barack Obama in the past two elections, Weicker said the president deserves credit for championing the Affordable Care Act, but has disappointed on Middle East policy and his relations with Congress. He attributed the latter to the 2009 death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., a key Obama ally and University of Virginia Law schoolmate of Weicker.
"I think the absence of Ted Kennedy beside Obama -- to help steer him through the House and Senate -- that's been pretty devastating," Weicker said.
Harkening to his days as a liberal Republican, Weicker slammed the country's response to gun violence.
"To sit by and see our kids killed, I think, is just nuts," he said. "All assault weapons ought to be banned. All handguns should be banned. I am tired of looking at the pictures of the dead children."
firstname.lastname@example.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy


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Previous Lecture
Complete and continue
Introduction: Find a Business Idea You Love and Live the Life You Want
VIDEO: Starting Your Own Business Starts with a Great Idea (3:29)
Course Overview: How to Find and Develop a Great Business Idea
VIDEO: Learn the Steps to Finding a Business Idea and Building a Solid Foundation for Your Business (4:45)
Step #1: Overcome Obstacles such as No Money and No Experience
VIDEO: Business Ideas that You Can Start with No Money, No Experience, and Little Time (7:33)
CASE STUDY: How I Started a Successful Business with No Money and No Experience
Step #2: 45 Different Ways to Generate Great Business Ideas
VIDEO: How to Come Up with Awesome Ideas for a Business (18:15)
E-BOOK: The 300 Best Small Business Ideas, 105 Pages
Step #3: Ask These Key Questions Before You Choose a Business Idea
VIDEO: Critical Questions that Will Help You Select the Best Business Idea (15:42)
WORKSHEET: Key Questions that Will Help You Select the Best Business Idea
Step #4: Use this Proven Process to Choose the Best Business Idea for You
VIDEO: Introducing the 6-Step Approach to Finding Business Ideas (2:28)
VIDEO: Start Out With a Big List (1:38)
VIDEO: Rate Your Ideas on These 10 Key Criteria (4:32)
VIDEO: Knock Out Ideas that Miss the Key Criteria (3:47)
VIDEO: Score Your Ideas and Narrow Your List (2:31)
VIDEO: Research the Finalist Ideas (3:28)
CASE STUDY: Example of Using the 6-Step Approach to Choose a Business Idea
WORKSHEET: Use this Worksheet to Evaluate Potential Business Ideas
Step #5: Will It Work? How to Validate Your Business Idea
VIDEO: Introducing 6 Ways to Test Your Business Idea (1:29)
VIDEO: Market Validation without Spending Lots of Time or Money (7:08)
VIDEO: Technical, Production, Legal, Distribution and Investor Validations (4:22)
WORKSHEET: Use this Worksheet to Validate Your Business Idea
Step #6: Determine Who Are Your Ideal Customers
VIDEO: How to Find Your Best Target Market (6:35)
WORKSHEET: Identify Customer Segments and Competitors to Find Your Best Target Market
Step #7: Decide How You Will Stand Out from the Competition
VIDEO: How to Differentiate Your Business from Competitors (6:17)
CASE STUDY: How I Successfully Differentiated My First Business in a Crowded Marketplace
WORKSHEET: Use this Worksheet to Differentiate Your Business from Competitors
Step #8: Communicate Your Key Competitive Difference
VIDEO: How to Create Your "Unique Selling Proposition" (8:30)
WORKSHEET: Use this Worksheet to Create a Powerful Unique Selling Proposition
Step #9: Find the Perfect Name for Your Business
VIDEO: Introducing the 7-Step Approach to Naming Your Business (1:49)
VIDEO: Rule Out These 4 Types of Names Immediately (3:13)
VIDEO: Build a Long List of Applicable Words (7:11)
VIDEO: Combine Words Together and Add New Words (2:48)
VIDEO: Use These Criteria to Knock Out Words and Narrow Your List (1:25)
VIDEO: Score and Evaluate the Potential Names (15:22)
VIDEO: Test the Finalist Name Candidates (2:55)
VIDEO: Understand and Perform Trademark Diligence (10:57)
WORKSHEET: Use this Worksheet to Evaluate Potential Names for Your Business
Bonus Videos to Give You an Extra Edge in Starting Your Business
BONUS VIDEO: How to Launch a Business Fast and on a Tight Budget (7:34)
BONUS VIDEO: Why You Should Consider Starting Your Business Part-Time (5:11)
BONUS VIDEO: Why Locating Your Business In Your Home May Be Your Best Bet (5:43)
Quiz: Have You Mastered the First Steps of Starting a Business?
QUIZ: How Well Do You Understand How to Find and Develop a Great Business Idea?
Bob Adams E-Mail Address and Message
CASE STUDY: How I Started a Successful Business with No Money and No Experience
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Mayor of Novi Sad visits Bishop of Backa
His Grace Dr Irinej, Bishop of Backa received on October 15, 2012 at the Bishop's Residence, Mr. Milos Vucevic – the Mayor of Novi Sad who was accompanied by Mr. Milos Vucevic – Deputy Mayor. Protopresbyter Vladan Simic – Secretary of the Bishop of Backa also attended the meeting.
The representatives of the City's Authorities and His Grace Bishop of Backa discussed the relation and perspectives of the cooperation of these two oldest and most significant institutions in our city.
The Mayor expressed desire and readiness of the city authorities to cooperate with the Diocese of Backa and all the traditional Churches and religious communities in Novi Sad.
Source: Diocese of Backa


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This LPWAN WLRS-591EVB integrates WLRS-590 that provides ultra –long range spread spectrum communication and high interference immunity.
The WLRS-590 is designed & manufactured in a smallest form factor -SiP (System in Package). WLRS-590 integrates with Semtech SX1276 and a 32-bit ultra-low power Cortex M0+ MCU (STM32L073x), supporting 863-915MHz ISM-Bands.
This product is designed with multiple easy to use interfaces (I2C/SPI/UART/GPIO), For faster development, SparkLAN provides WLRS-591EVB. The EVB equips with a UART-To-USB bridge IC and can be powered by USB. Besides, a SMA antenna connector is also provided for easy antenna installation. WLRS-590 module provides a commands set interface that can use LoRa and LoRaWAN communication through UART interface.
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We live in a warmaking empire, where war is being waged indiscriminately in order to control and acquire resources -- namely oil in Iraq, and natural gas and oil in Afghanistan and the Caspian Sea. The U.S. continues to create mass violence in Afghanistan, bringing death to countless innocent Afghan civilians and nearly 1,000 U.S. soldiers.
The United States has also increased its military intervention in Pakistan and Yemen. According to the Pakistani newspaper, The News (Feb. 2, 2010), U.S. drone attacks killed 123 civilians in January 2010.
March 19 marks the eighth year of an immoral and illegal occupation of Iraq, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, and over 4,600 U.S. soldiers.
The U.S. goes on providing military and economic support to Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine. At the same time, Arab and Muslim men continue to languish at U.S. military prisons in Guantanamo, Bagram and in Iraq, where they have been grossly mistreated, tortured and denied due process.
As the world's leading nuclear superpower and arms dealer, with over 700 U.S. military bases worldwide, the United States provides a budget for its military that accounts for 48 percent, or almost half, of the world's total military spending. According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, U.S. military spending totals more than the next 46 highest spending countries in the world combined. For FY 2011, the Obama Administration is proposing to spend $708 billion on the military budget, including $7 billion to upgrade the nuclear arsenal.
From our sister publication: A Place to Call Home, a new series focusing on women religious helping people who are homeless. Read more
Meanwhile, the poor continue to be neglected, and, in many cases, treated as expendable due to corporate greed, political expediency and rampant militarism. War, economic exploitation and global warming claim countless lives daily. The victims cry out for justice. The earth groans in travail.
What would Jesus have us do? Living under the brutal occupation of the Roman empire, Jesus declared: "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel." (Mk.1:15) Living in the U.S. empire, we need to heed Jesus' proclamation now more than ever. During this holy season of Lent, Christians need to ask what it means to follow Jesus in a warmaking empire. Lent is a time for personal and societal repentance, a time for radical conversion, renewal and transformation. It is a time to examine what we really believe in and how we live and act out our faith.
Would Jesus support the use of drone weapons? Would he advocate a "just war theory," now a central tenet of church teaching? Would Jesus endorse the U.S war in Afghanistan, referred to by President Obama in his Nobel Peace prize acceptance speech as a "just war"? Would Jesus support the new war budget? Would Jesus support the existence and threatened use of nuclear weapons or any weapon of mass destruction? Would Jesus support any form of military intervention, occupation, torture or killing? From my reading of the scriptures, the answer to all these questions is an emphatic and absolute No! Jesus' commands are clear: Love one another! Love your enemies! Put away the sword! Forgive and you will be forgiven! Take up the cross and follow me!
Other scriptural passages that Christians read this Lent are also instructive.
In Deuteronomy we hear: "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19) Isaiah the prophet declares, "This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. (Isaiah 58: 6-7)
It is a tragic reality that the institutional Christian church -- Catholic and Protestant -- has strayed so far from the Gospel that it offers its support for U.S. warmaking. Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the U.S. bishops'conference declared: "Our nation's military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as their presence contributes to a responsible transition." In an article "Bishops Back Obama Afghanistan Strategy", (NCR, Jan. 8, 2010) Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, stated that President Obama's goals of "responsible transition" in Afghanistan must serve as the overall ethical framework for U.S. actions there.
I ask: How can the U.S., which has committed war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, ever bring about a responsible transition in either country? And why would the church be an advocate for U.S. military intervention which has caused the deaths of so many of God's children? Martin Luther King, Jr. made this critical observation about the efficacy of the church when he said: "So often the contemporary church is ineffectual and weak, with an uncertain voice. So often it is an arch defender of the status quo. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the 2th century."
The church should also heed the example of two its martyrs: Franz Jagerstatter and Archbishop Oscar Romero. Regarding the response of the church to the crimes being committed by the Nazis, Franz Jagerstatter, executed Nazi war-resister stated: "If the Church stays silent in the face of what is happening, what difference would it make if no church were ever opened again?" And Archbishop Romero, who was assassinated as he celebrated the Eucharist thirty years ago this March 24, declared to the Salvadoran military a day before his death: "When you hear the words of a man telling you to kill, remember instead the words of God, "Thou shall not kill." God's law must prevail. No soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the law of God. It is time that you come to your senses and obey your consciences rather than follow out a sinful command...The church... cannot remain silent in the presence of such abominations."
Thus, the church should be a clear and prophetic voice proclaiming the Gospel without equivocation or compromise. Instead of accommodating a warmaking empire, the church should be calling the nation to repentance, to make reparations to all of its victims, and to embrace Jesus' way of nonviolent love. It should declare that no Christian should participate in military service, make weapons, or pay taxes for war and killing.
During the Friday's in Lent, members and friends of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Pax Christi, and other peacemakers are conducting a Lenten Witness for Peace and Justice at the White House. We vigil a spirit of repentance and humility, inviting everyone to join with us in saying Yes to life, love, justice and nonviolence, and No to violence, injustice and warmaking.
I pray this Lent that our Church will reclaim its prophetic voice and courageously speak the truth before our warmaking empire. Prophet, priest and peace prisoner, Phil Berrigan, once said: "If enough Christians followed the gospel, they could bring any state to its knees."
[Art Laffin is a member of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in Washington.]


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PlayStation is set to get Valve's Steam download service – perhaps one of the biggest announcements at E3 2010.
And not only that, but Sony's PS3 will have "the best version of Portal 2 on any console" according to Valve boss, Gabe Newell.
Newell is one of the most accomplished games developers of his generation.
Definitive game of our generation
And Half Life 2 is still, for many, the defining game of our generation. So his approbation and approval of PlayStation 3 is a massive deal for Sony and for gamers.
"When the PlayStation 3 was introduced, I was the one of the platform's biggest critics," Gabe Newell.
"However, Sony Computer Entertainment has proved that the PlayStation 3 is the most open platform of all the current generation consoles and has worked extremely hard to make the platform the most desirable for consumers and developers.
"As such, we are delighted to announce Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 and believe the Steamworks support included will make it the best console version of the game."


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Starting this evening, Raiders of the Lost Ark returns to theaters for a brief week long engagement. But not just any theater. Doctor Jones is hitting the biggest screen possible—IMAX—as part of the promotion for the upcoming Indiana Jones trilogy release on Blu-ray.
Since the film was originally shot on 35 millimeter film, which is dwarfed by the 70 millimeter IMAX stock, the re-release is probably going to be blown up using IMAX's proprietary re-mastering technologies. But who cares? A lot of us were too young to see Raiders in theaters when it was originally released. Besides, what are you going to see instead, Kirsten Dunst in Bachelorette? Don't be ridiculous. [YouTube via TheForce.net]


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Educational programs provided by the Center for Financial Training deliver job specific skills and knowledge to the financial services industry. CFT College-level courses and informational seminars are available in a variety of formats, including the traditional classroom environment, online, and self-study. Most of the courses and seminars offered by CFT can also be delivered "on-site" at your financial institution.
The Center for Financial Training recognizes student achievements by awarding diplomas and certificates that reflect the most popular financial services related career paths. Many CFT students turn their financial training credits into college degrees thanks to college credit transfer recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE).
With over 100 years experience, the Center for Financial Training is your leading resource for innovative education and training. CFT career-enhancing solutions will exceed your expectations! Click on your state below to see a complete schedule of courses and seminars.


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OCAD Holiday Calendar
Contact Information
P.O. Box 457
Orange, TX 77631
Orange, TX 77631
Monday - Friday
8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Chief AppraiserScott Overton, RPA
News and Alerts
- 2020 Low And Moderate Income Housing Capitalization Rate
- Applicants Sought for Appraisal Review Board Service
- Appraisal District Public Information Packet
- New Personal Property Rendition Deadline
- Name and/or Address Change
- Notice of Availability of Electronic Communications
- Tax Payment Information
- Business Personal Property Owners


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Here she is, the chibi version of the pop singer everyone would love to hate but can't. I have received an enormous amount of requests for me to make a tutorial on "how to draw chibi Kesha", step by step, and so after a while of waiting I have the lesson for you all to enjoy. I figured I would switch things up a bit and make this chibi look almost like how Kesha acts in the spot light. I was going to add some glitter on one side of her face like she is almost always seen wearing, but then I thought that if the artist wants to add this feature they can do so themselves. Kesha's public and fans views her as being a massive party girl, and the reputation that she displays in her videos pretty much sums it up. She has a bubbly, very outgoing, and strong personality. Her songs are catchy, and she knows exactly how to entertain her fans. I had fun making this tutorial, and I know for a fact you will love learning "how to draw chibi Kesha" as well. Until my next return people, have fun and keep those pencils moving.
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


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Gorecki Alumni Center
The Gorecki Alumni Center, located in the heart of UND's campus, is a modern meeting, conference and special events space. The Gorecki Alumni Center serves as the welcome center to campus and offers several unique spaces to suit a variety of events. The Gransberg Community Room is the largest, with floor-to-ceiling glass providing a stunning venue for weddings, banquets, conferences, and ceremonies. The University's heritage is proudly displayed in the Gransberg Room's American Indian Heritage and Cable Pottery displays, with UND artifacts and historical artwork dispersed throughout the Gorecki Alumni Center. The Gorecki Alumni Center is striving for LEED Platinum Certification, the highest level of certification for sustainability and energy efficiency standards, will be the first in North Dakota.
Tuesday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Family-Friendly
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours
- ADA-compliant
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours
- Family-Friendly


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Offers to Brisbane from Jeju
Start your trip to Brisbane in style by flying with us.
Our comfortable seats allow you to relax completely during the flight. Our extensive lineup of inflight entertainment will keep you occupied during the journey, whilst our attentive crew will cater to your needs, ensuring you won't go hungry or thirsty.
Brisbane Airport is Australia's third busiest airport, serving nearly 30 destinations worldwide. Voted Australia's top airport for quality of service ten years in succession, you can expect great facilities at this Queensland hub. As well as airport lounges, duty-free shops, cafés and free WiFi, the airport offers excellent transport links to the city.
As the capital of Queensland, Brisbane is a thriving, vibrant city that is beginning to rival its louder contemporaries, Sydney and Melbourne. Packed with trendy cafes, shops and restaurants, Brisbane also enjoys buzzing nightlife and a captivating arts scene. With wall-to-wall sunshine for much of the year, this sub-tropical city is very much geared towards outdoor living, with attractive parks and activities alongside the meandering Brisbane River. There is even a man-made beach right in the heart of the city. Being the gateway to the world-famous Gold Coast to the south, and to tropical north Queensland with its wealth of attractions - including the Barrier Reef - Brisbane is the ideal hub for exploring the awe-inspiring east coast of Australia.See More


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Hire Elvis Tribute Band in Lincoln
Submit your event details to see a personalised list of Elvis Tribute Bands in Lincoln available to book instantly.
Elvis Tribute Bands in Lincoln to book instantly
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You might not be able to get the King of Rock and Roll himself to your event in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, but a tribute act could make your event the King of celebrations! Book one of our 18 Elvis Presley Tribute acts today! Among our top requested categories this month: wedding bands in London, jazz bands in London, string quartets in London, swing bands in London, DJ Hire London London, wedding venues in London., wedding bands in Manchester, DJ hire in Manchester.
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Recent review: absolutely fabulous. Karl was very lovely to deal with and his show is wonderful. I would highly recommend him.
Lee Newsome Professional Elvis Tribute Artist
Recent review: Elvis was absolutely fantastic he put on a great performance with audience participation and the comments we received was everybody had a brilliant night especially the Birthday Boy Stevie he's a massive Elvis fan so he didn't disappoint him. So if I need to book an Elvis again we'll come back to you. Thank you
Elvis Tribute Andy Jones
Recent review: Andy was fantastic very professional he made the party great singer 10/10 would recommend him 100%
About: Music available for weddings ( afternoon,evenings)/corporate events/functions. Full band,trio,duo( various combinations available - 1 guitar / 2 guitars / guitar keyboard / full band / full band i...
Someplace Outsida Memphis
About: Professional 5 piece Elvis Show band available for all occasions. Large repertoire of Classic Elvis tracks from 50s, 60s and 70s eras. Requests taken. Full costume etc
Antony Myers 'The Voice of Vegas Elvis'
Recent review: Thank you to Antony Myers for an amazing night of singing for my mum and dads 50th wedding anniversary. Everyone remarked on the singer and loved the song choices. Very professional and friendly, I will definitely be recommending Antony to anyone who is looking for a 5 star singer. June & Clive loved it thanks again.
Ivan B 1950s Rock-n-Roll Vocalist & Elvis Presley Tribute
Recent review: Ivan provided us with a fantastic afternoons entertainment from start to Finish would definitely be booking him again and would definitely recommend booking him
Jc Aron
About: 2x 45 elvis show or 2 x1 hour show


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Even though at the moment there're only four of us who've posted, I thought that I'd go ahead and start one of these, just in case anyone else decides to drop by in the future!
So I'll start off: *sings this next sentence* "Hi my name is Kat, and I like to do drawrings!"
At the moment, I'm 24 years old, live in Branson Missouri USA, and work at one of the live theatres here in town. My interests include movies, naturey stuff, cats of all types, and crafts.
For breakfast I enjoy cooking toast, eggs, bacon, toast, waffles and toast. (I'll give a popsicle to anyone who knows that movie reference!)


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Viewers Making the Series Appointment TV
The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) announced today it has ordered two additional seasons of its hit series "Coast Guard Alaska,"which follows a team of Coast Guard swimmers and rescue pilots stationed in Kodiak, AK, as they train and implement strategies to save lives while battling harsh, icy weather conditions. Produced by Al Roker Entertainment, the second season will feature five 60-minute episodes and will premiere in April 2012; the third season will feature eight 60-minute episodes and will premiere in October 2012. Season 1 has two remaining episodes to premiere Wednesday, Jan. 11, and Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 9 p.m. ET, and several replays of each Season 1 episode continue to air.
Set against the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska's majestic peaks and rolling mountains, along with the harsh oceans and treacherous terrain, "Coast Guard Alaska" shows us life for the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak as they balance duty and family, and how each one deals with the pressures associated with the job. From intense training to perilous rescue missions in icy waters, the show reveals the discipline, teamwork and camaraderie associated with the job. The series also explores what life is like off-duty on the base in a world so dependent on weather conditions, following the group as they enjoy nature's best offerings, from fishing trips on beautiful rivers to bear watching or barbecues with friends, family and colleagues. Seasons 2 and 3 will extend the geographic range of missions beyond Kodiak as their cases allow.
The debut season of "Coast Guard Alaska" has been a proven success for The Weather Channel, garnering ratings increases and great viewer response. To date, "Coast Guard Alaska" has shown a 95 percent increase from one-year-ago time period averages among A25-54, and viewership has steadily increased (91%) since the premiere episode (Nielsen/MultiTrak). "Coast Guard Alaska" has also seen social media success as the No. 5 trending TV show on GetGlue during the premiere episode.
"It's clear to us that viewers are making 'Coast Guard Alaska' appointment viewing," said Bob Walker, executive vice president and general manager of networks and content, The Weather Channel. "Audiences have really responded to this inside look at life in Kodiak for these real-life heroes who risk their lives daily to save others. We feel privileged to offer viewers more opportunities to get to know these incredible men and women."
Said Al Roker, president and CEO of Al Roker Entertainment, "I have always been fascinated by the Coast Guard and their incredible stories. It's gratifying and encouraging to see that so many other people are as interested as I am, and it's an honor to tell their stories."
"Coast Guard Alaska" is part of a growing stable of original content from The Weather Channel, which includes other recent additions, "Twist of Fate" and "Storm Riders," as well as upcoming series "Lifeguard!," premiering in March 2012. For more information, check out the show on Facebook.
About The Weather Channel Companies
The Weather Channel companies (TWCC) are made up of The Weather Channel® television network, The Weather Channel digital properties, and WSI. The Weather Channel is based in Atlanta and is seen in more than 100 million U.S. households. TWCC also operates Weatherscan®, a 24-hour all-local weather network; The Weather Channel Radio Network; and The Weather Channel HD. The most popular source of weather news and information, TWCC properties reach 60 million monthly Web consumers (weather.com and Desktop) and 32 million monthly mobile users (mobile Web and applications) and offers the second most popular mobile app on all smartphones. WSI, headquartered in Andover, MA, primarily provides business-to-business weather services, particularly for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. TWCC is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visit www.weather.com/press.


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Equivalent dynamic bearing load
The information in Equivalent dynamic bearing load, P can be used to calculate the bearing load F. When the bearing load fulfills the requirements for the basic dynamic load rating C, i.e. the load is constant in magnitude and direction and acts radially on a radial bearing or axially and centrically on a thrust bearing, then P = F and the load may be inserted directly into the life equations.
In all other cases, the equivalent dynamic bearing load must be calculated first. The equivalent dynamic bearing load is defined as a hypothetical load, constant in magnitude and direction that acts radially on radial bearings and axially and centrically on thrust bearings. This hypothetical load, when applied, would have the same influence on bearing life as the actual loads to which the bearing is subjected (fig. 1).
Radial bearings are often subjected to simultaneously acting radial and axial loads. If the resultant load is constant in magnitude and direction, the equivalent dynamic bearing load P can be obtained from the general equation
Perform calculation
Perform calculation
|equivalent dynamic bearing load [kN]
|actual radial bearing load [kN]
|actual axial bearing load [kN]
|radial load factor for the bearing
|axial load factor for the bearing
An additional axial load only influences the equivalent dynamic load P for a single row radial bearing if the ratio Fa/Fr exceeds a certain limiting factor e. With double row bearings, even light axial loads are generally significant.
The same general equation also applies to spherical roller thrust bearings, which can accommodate both axial and radial loads. Other thrust bearings, like thrust ball bearings and cylindrical and needle roller thrust bearings, can accommodate pure axial loads only. For these bearings, provided the load acts centrically, the equation can be simplified to
P = Fa
Information and data required for calculating the equivalent dynamic bearing load is provided in the relevant product section.
P = Fa
Information and data required for calculating the equivalent dynamic bearing load is provided in the relevant product section.
Fluctuating bearing load
In many cases, the magnitude of the load fluctuates. The formula to calculate fluctuating loads can be found in Calculating bearing life with variable operating conditions, fluctuating load.
Mean load within a duty interval
Within each loading interval the operating conditions can vary slightly from the nominal value. Assuming that the operating conditions like speed and load direction are fairly constant and the magnitude of the load constantly varies between a minimum value Fmin and a maximum value Fmax (diagram 1), the mean load can be obtained from:
Rotating load
If, as illustrated in diagram 2, the load on the bearing consists of a load F1, which is constant in magnitude and direction, such as the weight of a rotor, and a rotating constant load F2, such as an unbalance load, the mean load can be obtained from
Fm = fm (F1 + F2)
Fm = fm (F1 + F2)
Values for the factor fm are provided in diagram 3.


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This power is all routed to an all wheel drive system with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. A turbo, dual clutch, all wheel drive Mercedes with an entry level price point. Say hello to what will be the most popular AMG tuning platform going forward.
Official pictures leaked before when the official debut was supposed to take place 7 days from now at the 2013 New York Auto show are below:


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African American DNA Research Forum
Re: alone in L3
In Response To: Re: alone in L3 ()
Hi Debra,
The DNATribe autosomal information is the overall combination of what you inherit from your Mom and your Dad and not just one ancestry line (eg. mtDNA).
We should continue to explore our family history since we are lucky enough to match.
Messages In This Thread


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This is another in a series of posts for Ourfuture.org.
The Social Security Caucus, who could also be known as the "True Grit" Caucus began meeting yesterday in the U.S. Senate as a new sense of urgency grew on the same day as the Tea Party Caucus met. The five Tea Party Senators expressed a willingness to privatize the program just a day after newly minted House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said he'd be willing to make cuts for those under 55 to Social Security. In stark contrast Senator Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called Social Security "the most successful program our country has ever seen" at the news conference announcing the caucus. The group of six Senators that began meeting in support of Social Security are willing to stand up to the villains who would take away the great program like common thieves, using the usual smelly pile of lies about the program that have been told since its inception.
First, the program remains solvent for the next 25 years after being solvent for over 75 years. Is there anyone who could expect to have a perfect fiscal history for 100 straight years, let alone a freestanding government program that so many have sought the ability to tamper with?
During the press conference Schumer also made the point that the Tea Party caucus wants to privatize Social Security and privatizing it means ending it. Add to that correct remark that doing anything to cut Social Security benefits also means an end to it as we know it.
But by giving a song and dance about "insolvency" worthy of the Thriller video, some conservatives are pulling the wool over reporters' eyes and their constituents' eyes so they can do something to gut the program. Social Security is solvent until 2037, 25 years from this year. How many friends and relatives do you have whose bank accounts are solvent even for the next year, let alone for 25 years? Sure it needs to be fixed, but ultraconservatives who want to see the program killed always carp about Social Security's insolvency when what they really want to do is make cuts to the program so they can eventually make it collapse.
The program needs to be fixed as do our education system, our current economic situation, too many movies being made about vampires, the personal hygiene of the cast from the Jersey Shore and so many other things. But let's fix it, not kill it by pretending it's going to end tomorrow.
For some perspective, 25 years ago, in 1986, America officially observed Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday for the first time, Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer was a number 1 hit song on tape and vinyl, and Top Gun was the top-grossing film of the year. 25 years from now is exactly 12 new Congress' away from this one. Hopefully by then, one of the thirteen Congress' can find a solution or a combination of solutions to keep the program solvent for another 100 years or longer, but it doesn't have to be this one, or even the next one.
The fact is that another way to gut the successful program is by further raising the retirement age even though life expectancy for most Americans is not increasing, and for many Americans, life expectancy is actually decreasing. If we raised the retirement age we would slowly strangle benefits that on average are less than minimum wage already. Each year the retirement age would get raised by those who support benefit cuts for Social Security is nearly a 7% cut.
When politicians like those in the Tea Party Caucus tell reporters in the warm embrace of the Capitol they may raise the retirement age for Social Security but not mention this to their constituents at home, they're trying to sneak something by as clearly as the writing on Sarah Palin's hand, and as the Tea Party Caucus may attempt to do.
At the end of the press conference, because the media likes a good horse race or dueling Senators, a reporter asked about the Tea Party Caucus's efforts. Barbara Kenelly from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare spoke about the fact that we would have many more Senators committed to preserving and strengthening Social Security than the Tea Party Caucus ever would have committed to privatizing Social Security. Lo and behold, there appeared Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) walking down the hallway the press conference was being held in, who joined Schumer, the founder of the caucus Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in becoming a founding member of the caucus.
Also standing with the Senators in addition to Kennelly were Nancy Altman and Eric Kingson, co-chairs of the Strengthen Social Security Campaign, Roger Hickey, co-director of the Campaign for America's Future, Richard Fiesta, Director of Government and Political Affairs at the Alliance for Retired Americans, and pollster Celinda Lake, whose recent polling showed that no one including Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Tea Partiers, wants to see any of their benefits cut.
Tea Party Caucus members who want to privatize Social Security or cut benefits in any way should consider changing their tune on this issue and joining the Social Security Caucus or at least speaking honestly to their constituents about the issue they're so willing to tell tales about under the Capitol dome.
Brian Beutler at TPMDC notes Schumer saying "We're not crying wolf here. This is a serious movement to undo the most successful government program in the 20th century."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), clearly at least an honorary member of the new caucus, may have made the point more strongly on Meet the Press than the President made so well in the State of the Union, but trying to gut our most successful program that Americans nearly all support will never happen if they're remotely honest about what they're trying to do. If there's one thing that moderate and progressive Democrats can have true grit on, it's this issue. Hopefully more will join the caucus and more will protect, strengthen and preserve the program for future generations.
Related Articles
- 4th senator joins Tea Party Caucus (politico.com)
- Senate liberals organize Social Security Caucus (thehill.com)
- The Caucus: Senate Tea Party Caucus Holds First Meeting (thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Rubio Undecided About Tea Party Caucus (politicalwire.com)
- Obama draws line in sand on Social Security (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Social Security Backers on Alert (businessweek.com)
- House progressives press SOTU message: "Hands off Social Security!" (dailykos.com)
- Tea Party Caucus Takes Shape In Senate (huffingtonpost.com)


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Bibles in nightstands are a familiar amenity for hotel guests, but travelers seeking to read their favorite verse at one establishment will be in for a big surprise.
The Damson Dene Hotel, which touts itself as the perfect destination for a "peaceful break away from it all" in England's picturesque Lake District, is making quite a noise for replacing the Bible with "Fifty Shades of Grey" in its 40 guest rooms.
The steamy novel — part of a trilogy by author E.L. James — has become a worldwide blockbuster thanks in large part to the graphic sex scenes that have its main characters engaging in bondage, sadomasochism and other exploits.
Damson Dene owner Jonathan Denby, who bought the hotel from a Methodist group 10 years ago, said he had been pondering for a long time what to do with the Gideons Bibles that had been placed in the rooms by the previous proprietors.
He decided that in a modern secular society it was "wholly inappropriate" to keep a religious book in people's private bedrooms, so the search was on for a replacement.
"I was thinking originally of putting in a book by Ayn Rand — 'Atlas Shrugged' was my first thought," Denby told NBC News.
"(But) because everybody is reading 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' we thought it would be a hospitable thing to do, to have this available for our guests, especially if some of them were a little bit shy about buying it because of its reputation."
The choice to offer "Fifty Shades of Grey" was done purely for fun and just because the novel is so popular, not for any deep philosophical reason, Denby added, noting that he himself has not read the book.
Related: New UK hotel swaps Bibles for Kindles
The switch was made earlier this month, prompting cheers, jeers and lots of media attention.
Not surprisingly, the local vicar has been an outspoken critic. The Rev. Michael Woodcock — the parish priest at St. Mary's Church in Crosthwaite, where the hotel is located — declined to comment for this article, but he told British media that the hotel's decision is just a gimmick.
"It is a great shame that Bibles have been removed from rooms and very inappropriate to have been replaced by an explicit erotic novel," Woodcock told The Westmorland Gazette.
"The Bible remains a source of comfort and inspiration that many people do find helpful."
The hotel has also received plenty of public feedback criticizing the move, most of it from the United States, Denby noted. The Gideons Bible isn't as common in England as it is in the U.S., he added.
"People in the States feel much more strongly," he said. "We've had quite a few e-mails quoting the scriptures to us and suggesting that it would be a good thing to put the Bible back."
Still, most guests "have loved" discovering "Fifty Shades of Grey" in their rooms, Denby said. The hotel is also accommodating those who want to read the Bible, updating its guest handbooks to let travelers know that copies are available at the reception desk.
"We're not disposing of the books. We're keeping them and if people want to borrow them, then they're very welcome to," Denby said.
More on Overhead Bin
- United, Continental flight attendants swap scarves, ties for friendship
- Airlines gross more than $22 billion in ancillary fees
- TSA relaxing rules on snow globes at airport checkpoints


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By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
As the entire nation mourns the tragic loss of the 26 victims killed during last Friday's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., many of us have wondered, how in the world can those so close to the tragedy cope with their loss?
Part of the answer may lie with Comfort Dogs; 10 Golden Retriever therapy dogs that have been trained to help comfort people in crisis.
According to this story from The Chicago Tribune, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) of Addison, Ill. sent the dogs to Newtown, Conn. this past weekend to bring the survivors, and the community as a whole, the comfort that touching a dog or just being in the presence of a dog can bring.
"Dogs are non-judgmental. They are loving. They are accepting of anyone," Tim Hetzner, president of the organization, told The Tribune. "It creates the atmosphere for people to share."
Sadly, it was another shooting in 2008 at Northern Illinois University that got the ball rolling for the Comfort Dog program. A loosely formed band of dog handlers from LCC went to the campus with their dogs in hopes of bringing comfort to the students. The mission was so successful, the students petitioned to get them to come back.
Since that time, these dogs have gone to places hit hard by disaster, including Joplin, Mo., where a devastating tornado ripped the town apart in 2011. Earlier this fall, the dogs visited survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
One of the best parts of this story is that each Comfort Dog has a "business card" with its name and contact information, so the comfort doesn't have to end when the dogs leave. People who meet the dogs can follow "their" dog on Facebook, Twitter, or even send an e-mail.
Therapy dogs have long been recognized for lowering blood pressure and bringing a sense of calm to people, which is why they are regularly used in hospitals and nursing homes to comfort the sick and dying.
In more recent years, therapy dogs have also been utilized in schools to help children with speech impediments and to help children learn to read. For the same reasons Hetzner states above, they are nonjudgmental and will listen to a child no matter if they stutter or if they stumble over words while reading.
We pet parents have long known that our pets provide us comfort when we are ill, whether they just lie on our lap when we are crying or if they just allow us to pet them and tell them our woes when we are having a bad day.
Animals provide the unconditional love the people of Newtown, Conn. need during this time of deep mourning. We hope they find some comfort in these dogs.
Photo: Lutheran Church Charities
To see more photos of the Comfort Dogs group visiting Newtown, CT, please visit the image hosting site for Lutheran Church Charities at SmugMug.com
Source: Pet 360