text:
5 U.S.C. 301, 552; 12 U.S.C. 1, 93a, 161, 481, 482, 484(a), 1442, 1462a, 1463, 1464 1817(a), 1818, 1820, 1821, 1831m, 1831p-1, 1831o, 1833e, 1867, 1951
This subpart describes the organization and functions of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and provides the OCC's principal addresses.
The OCC is charged with assuring the safety and soundness of, and compliance with laws and regulations, fair access to financial services, and fair treatment of customers by, the institutions and other persons subject to its jurisdiction. The OCC examines, supervises, and regulates national banks, Federal branches and agencies of foreign banks, and Federal savings associations to carry out this mission. The OCC also issues rules and regulations
The Comptroller of the Currency (Comptroller), as head of the OCC, is responsible for all OCC programs and functions. The Comptroller is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five years. The Comptroller serves as a member of the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, a member of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, and a member of the board of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. The Comptroller is advised and assisted by OCC staff, who perform the duties and functions that the Comptroller directs.
The Washington office of the OCC is the main office and headquarters of the OCC. The Washington office directs OCC policy, oversees OCC operations, and is responsible for the direct supervision of certain national banks and Federal savings associations, including the largest national banks and the largest Federal savings associations (through the Large Bank Supervision Department); other national banks and Federal savings associations requiring special supervision; and Federal branches and agencies of foreign banks (through the Large Bank Supervision Department). The Washington office is located at 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. The OCC's Web site is at
(1) The bank or Federal savings association has total assets of less than $3 billion;
(2) The bank or Federal savings association is well capitalized as defined in part 6 of this chapter;
(3) At the most recent examination;
(i) The bank or Federal savings association was assigned a rating of 1 or 2 for management as part of the bank's or association's rating under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System; and
(ii) The bank or Federal savings association was assigned a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System;
(4) The bank or Federal savings association currently is not subject to a formal enforcement proceeding or order by the FDIC, OCC, OTS or the Federal Reserve System; and
(5) No person acquired control of the bank or Federal savings association during the preceding 12-month period in which a full-scope, on-site examination would have been required but for this section.
(i) Has total assets of less than $3 billion;
(ii) Has received a composite ROCA supervisory rating (which rates risk management, operational controls, compliance, and asset quality) of 1 or 2 at its most recent examination;
(iii) Satisfies the requirements of either paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A) or (B) of this section:
(A) The foreign bank's most recently reported capital adequacy position consists of, or is equivalent to, common equity tier 1, tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios that satisfy the definition of "well capitalized" set forth at 12 CFR 6.4, respectively, on a consolidated basis; or
(B) The branch or agency has maintained on a daily basis, over the past three quarters, eligible assets in an amount not less than 108 percent of the preceding quarter's average third party liabilities (determined consistent with applicable federal and state law), and
(iv) Is not subject to a formal enforcement action or order by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the OCC; and
(v) Has not experienced a change in control during the preceding 12-month period in which a full-scope, on-site examination would have been required but for this section.
(i) Any of the individual components of the ROCA rating of the Federal branch or agency is rated "3" or worse;
(ii) The results of any off-site supervision indicate a deterioration in the condition of the Federal branch or agency;
(iii) The size, relative importance, and role of a particular office when reviewed in the context of the foreign bank's entire U.S. operations otherwise necessitate an annual examination; and
(iv) The condition of the foreign bank gives rise to such a need.
(2) This subpart also sets forth predisclosure notice procedures that the OCC follows, in accordance with Executive Order 12600 (3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 235), when the OCC receives a request under § 4.15 for disclosure of records that arguably are exempt from disclosure as confidential commercial information (§ 4.16). Finally, this subpart describes the fees that the OCC assesses for the services it renders in providing information under the FOIA (§ 4.17).
(3) This subpart does not apply to a request for records pursuant to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). A person requesting records from the OCC pursuant to the Privacy Act should refer to 31 CFR part 1, subpart C, and appendix J of subpart C.
(1) A record that is specifically authorized, under criteria established by an Executive order, to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy, and that is properly classified pursuant to that Executive order;
(2) A record relating solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency;
(3) A record specifically exempted from disclosure by statute (other than 5 U.S.C. 552b), provided that the statute requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue; establishes particular criteria for withholding, or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld; and, if enacted after the date of enactment of the
(4) A record that is privileged or contains trade secrets, or commercial or financial information, furnished in confidence, that relates to the business, personal, or financial affairs of any person (see § 4.16 for notice requirements regarding disclosure of confidential commercial information);
(5) An intra-agency or interagency memorandum or letter not routinely available by law to a private party in litigation, including memoranda, reports, and other documents prepared by OCC employees, and records of deliberations and discussions at meetings of OCC employees, provided that the deliberative process privilege shall not apply to records created 25 years or more before the date on which the records were requested;
(6) A personnel, medical, or similar record, including a financial record, or any portion thereof, where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(7) A record or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the OCC reasonably believes that producing the record or information may:
(i) Interfere with enforcement proceedings;
(ii) Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication;
(iii) Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(iv) Disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a State, local, or foreign agency or authority, or any private institution that furnished information on a confidential basis;
(v) Disclose information furnished by a confidential source, in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation, or by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation;
(vi) Disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure reasonably could be expected to risk circumvention of the law; or
(vii) Endanger the life or physical safety of any individual;
(8) A record contained in or related to an examination, operating, or condition report prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of the OCC or any other agency responsible for regulating or supervising financial institutions; and
(9) A record containing or relating to geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.
The OCC publishes certain documents in the
(a) Proposed and final rules; and
(b) Certain notices and policy statements of concern to the general public.
(1) Any final order, agreement, or other enforceable document issued in the adjudication of an OCC enforcement case, including a final order published pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1818(u);
(2) Any final opinion issued in the adjudication of an OCC enforcement case;
(3) Any statement of general policy or interpretation of general applicability not published in the
(4) Any administrative staff manual or instruction to staff that may affect a member of the public as such;
(5) A current index identifying the information referred to in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section issued, adopted, or promulgated after July 4, 1967;
(6) A list of available OCC publications;
(7) A list of forms available from the OCC, and specific forms and instructions;
(8) Any public Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluation;
(9) Any public securities-related filing required under parts 11, 16, 194 or 197 of this chapter;
(10) Any public comment letter regarding a proposed rule;
(11) Any records, regardless of form or format, that have been released to any person under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3) provided that:
(i) The OCC determines that, because of the nature of their subject matter, the records are or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests for substantially the same records; or
(ii) The records have been requested three or more times;
(12) Reference materials or a guide for requesting records or information from the OCC, including an index of all major OCC information systems, a description of major information and record locator systems maintained by the OCC, and a handbook for obtaining various types and categories of public information from the OCC pursuant to FOIA and chapter 35 of title 44;
(13) The public file (as defined in 12 CFR 5.9) with respect to a pending application described in part 5 of this chapter; and
(14) Any OTS information similar to that listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(13) of this section, to the extent this information is in the possession of the OCC.
(i) Through the OCC's FOIA Web portal at
(ii) Through the consolidated online request portal maintained by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(m)(1); or
(iii) Under this section to the Chief FOIA Officer, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219.
(A) Consolidated Report of Condition and Income (FFIEC 031, 032, 033, 034);
(B) Annual Report of Trust Assets (FFIEC 001);
(C) Uniform Bank Performance Report; and
(D) Special Report.
(i) The requester's full name, address, telephone number and, at the requester's option, electronic mail address.
(ii) A reasonable description of the records sought (including sufficient detail to enable OCC employees who are familiar with the subject matter of the request to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort);
(iii) A statement agreeing to pay all fees that the OCC assesses under § 4.17;
(iv) A description of how the requester intends to use the records, if a requester seeks placement in a lower fee category (i.e., a fee category other than "commercial use requester") under § 4.17; and
(v) Whether the requester prefers the OCC to deliver a copy of the records or to allow the requester to inspect the records at the appropriate OCC office.
(i) The OCC may deliver a copy of the records to the requester. If the OCC delivers a copy of the records to the requester, the OCC duplicates the records at reasonable and proper times that do not interfere with their use by the OCC or preclude other persons from making inspections; or
(ii) The OCC may allow the requester to inspect the records at reasonable and proper times that do not interfere with their use by the OCC or preclude other persons from making inspections. If the OCC allows the requester to inspect the records, the OCC may place a reasonable limit on the number of records that a person may inspect during a day.
(i) The district where the requester resides;
(ii) The district where the requester's principal place of business is located;
(iii) The district where the records are located; or
(iv) The District of Columbia.
(A) Search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other buildings that are separate from the office processing the request or appeal;
(B) Search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of requested records;
(C) Consult with another agency that has a substantial interest in the determination of the request; or
(D) Allow two or more components of the OCC that have substantial interest in the determination of the request to consult with each other;
(B) The tolling period ends upon the OCC's receipt of requested information from the requester or resolution of the fee issue.
(i) Notify the requester that the request cannot be processed within the time limit set forth in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section;
(ii) Provide the requester with an opportunity to limit the scope of the request so that it may be processed within that 10-day period or to arrange with the OCC an alternative time frame for processing the request or a modified request;
(iii) Make available the FOIA Public Liaison, who shall assist in the resolution of any disputes between the requester and the OCC; and
(iv) Notify the requester of the right of the requester to seek dispute resolution services from the Office of Government Information Services.
(1) To apply for dispute resolution assistance from the FOIA Public Liaison, requesters should submit a written request to the FOIA Public Liaison, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20219.
(2) For dispute resolution services through the Office of Government Services, requesters should contact the Office of Government Services as set forth at 36 CFR 1250.32.
(i) With respect to confidential commercial information submitted to the OCC or to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the predecessor of the OTS, prior to January 1, 1988, if:
(A) The records are less than 10 years old and the submitter designated the information as confidential commercial information;
(B) The OCC reasonably believes that disclosure of the information may cause substantial competitive harm to the submitter; or
(C) The information is subject to a prior express commitment of confidentiality from the OCC or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the predecessor of the OTS; and
(ii) With respect to confidential commercial information submitted to the OCC or to the OTS (or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, its predecessor agency) on or after January 1, 1988, if:
(A) The submitter in good faith designated the information as confidential commercial information;
(B) The OCC or the OTS (or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, its predecessor agency) designated the class of information to which the requested information belongs as confidential commercial information; or
(C) The OCC reasonably believes that disclosure of the information may cause substantial competitive harm to the submitter.
(i) It will not disclose the information;
(ii) The information already has been disclosed officially to the public;
(iii) The OCC is required by law (other than 5 U.S.C. 552) to disclose the information;
(iv) The OCC or the OTS (or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, its predecessor agency) acquired the information in the course of a lawful investigation of a possible violation of criminal law;
(v) The submitter had an opportunity to designate the requested information as confidential commercial information at the time of submission of the information or a reasonable time thereafter and did not do so, unless the OCC has substantial reason to believe that disclosure of the information would result in competitive harm; or
(vi) The OCC determines that the submitter's designation under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this section is frivolous; in such case, however, the OCC will provide the submitter with written notice of any final administrative determination to disclose the information at least 10 business days prior to the date that the OCC intends to disclose the information.
(1) A statement of the OCC's reasons for not sustaining the submitter's objections to disclosure;
(2) A description of the information to be disclosed;
(3) The anticipated disclosure date, which is not less than 10 business days after the OCC mails the written notice required under this paragraph (e); and
(4) A statement that the submitter must notify the OCC immediately if the submitter intends to seek injunctive relief.
(i) Is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government; and
(ii) Is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
(i) Provide satisfactory assurance of full payment, if the requester has a history of prompt payment; or
(ii) Pay the estimated fee in full, if the requester does not have a history of prompt payment.
(1) Afford an orderly mechanism for the OCC to process expeditiously requests for non-public OCC information; to address the release of non-public OCC information without a request; and, when appropriate, for the OCC to assert evidentiary privileges in litigation;
(2) Recognize the public's interest in obtaining access to relevant and necessary information and the countervailing public interest of maintaining the effectiveness of the OCC supervisory process and appropriate confidentiality of OCC supervisory information;
(3) Ensure that the OCC's information is used in a manner that supports the public interest and the interests of the OCC;
(4) Ensure that OCC resources are used in the most efficient manner consistent with the OCC's statutory mission;
(5) Minimize burden on national banks, Federal savings associations, the public, and the OCC;
(6) Limit the expenditure of government resources for private purposes; and
(7) Maintain the OCC's impartiality among private litigants.
(2) This subpart does not apply to:
(i) A request for a record or testimony in a proceeding in which the OCC is a party; or
(ii) A request for a record that is required to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as described in § 4.12.
(3) A request for a record or testimony made by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a government agency of the United States or a foreign government, a state agency with authority to investigate violations of criminal law, or a state bank or state savings association regulatory agency is governed solely by § 4.37(c).
(4) For purposes of §§ 4.35(a)(1), 4.36(a) and 4.37(c) of this part, the OCC's decision to disclose records or testimony involving a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filed pursuant to the regulations implementing 12 U.S.C. 5318(g), or any information that would reveal the existence of a SAR, is governed by 12 CFR 21.11(k).
(5) This subpart does not apply to requests for non-public information filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) before July 21, 2011. These requests are subject to the rules of the OTS in effect on July 20, 2011.
(1) Means information that the OCC is not required to release under the FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552) or that the OCC has not yet published or made available pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1818(u) and includes:
(i) A record created or obtained:
(A) By the OCC in connection with the OCC's performance of its responsibilities, such as a record concerning supervision, licensing, regulation, and examination of a national bank, a Federal savings association, a bank holding company, a savings and loan holding company, or an affiliate; or
(B) By the OTS in connection with the OTS's performance of its responsibilities, such as a record concerning supervision, licensing, regulation, and examination of a Federal savings association, a savings and loan holding company, or an affiliate;
(ii) A record compiled by the OCC or the OTS in connection with either agency's enforcement responsibilities;
(iii) A report of examination, supervisory correspondence, an investigatory file compiled by the OCC or OTS in connection with an investigation, and any internal agency memorandum, whether the information is in the possession of the OCC or some other individual or entity;
(iv) Confidential OCC information obtained by a third party or otherwise incorporated in the records of a third party, including another government agency;
(v) Testimony from, or an interview with, a current or former OCC employee, officer, or agent or a former OTS employee, officer, or agent concerning information acquired by that person in the course of his or her performance of official duties with the OCC or OTS or due to that person's official status at the OCC or OTS; and
(vi) Confidential information relating to operating and no longer operating national banks, Federal savings associations, and savings and loan holding companies as well as their subsidiaries and their affiliates.
(2) Is the property of the Comptroller.
(i) The OCC generally will require that the lawsuit or administrative action has been filed before it will consider the request;
(ii) The request must include:
(A) A copy of the complaint or other pleading setting forth the assertions in the case;
(B) The caption and docket number of the case;
(C) The name, address, and phone number of counsel to each party in the case; and
(D) A description of any prior judicial decisions or pending motions in the case that may bear on the asserted relevance of the requested information;
(iii) The request must also:
(A) Show that the information is relevant to the purpose for which it is sought;
(B) Show that other evidence reasonably suited to the requester's needs is not available from any other source;
(C) Show that the need for the information outweighs the public interest considerations in maintaining the confidentiality of the OCC information and outweighs the burden on the OCC to produce the information;
(D) Explain how the issues in the case and the status of the case warrant that the OCC allow disclosure; and
(E) Identify any other issue that may bear on the question of waiver of privilege by the OCC.
(i) Must show a compelling need for the requested information; and
(ii) Should request OCC testimony with sufficient time to obtain the testimony in deposition form.
(1) In a civil action, to the Director of the OCC's Litigation Division at the Washington office; or
(2) In a criminal action, to the appropriate district counsel or the Director of the OCC's Enforcement and Compliance Division at the Washington office.
(i) The requester was unsuccessful in showing that the information is relevant to the pending matter;
(ii) The requester seeks testimony and the requestor did not show a compelling need for the information;
(iii) The request arises from an adversarial matter and other evidence reasonably suited to the requester's need is available from another source;
(iv) A lawsuit or administrative action has not yet been filed and the request was made in connection with potential litigation;
(v) The production of the information would be contrary to the public interest or unduly burdensome to the OCC; or
(vi) When prohibited by law.
(2) The OCC may restrict the scope of any authorized testimony and may act to ensure that the scope of testimony given by the OCC employee adheres to the scope authorized by the OCC.
(3) Once a request for testimony has been submitted, and before the requested testimony occurs, a party to the relevant case, who did not join in the request and who wishes to question the witness beyond the scope of testimony sought by the request, shall timely submit the party's own request for OCC information pursuant to this subpart.
(4) The OCC may offer the requester the employee's written declaration in lieu of testimony.
(i) In a civil action, by notifying the Director of the OCC's Litigation Division at the Washington office; or
(ii) In a criminal action, by notifying the appropriate district counsel for current and former district employees or agents; or the Director of the OCC's Enforcement and Compliance Division at the Washington office, for current and former Washington employees or agents and former OTS employees or agents.
(A) After the requester has sought the information from the OCC pursuant to the procedures set forth in this subpart; and
(B) As ordered by a Federal court in a judicial proceeding in which the OCC has had the opportunity to appear and oppose discovery.
(ii) Any person who discloses or uses non-public OCC information except as expressly permitted by the Comptroller of the Currency or as ordered by a Federal court, under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, may be subject to the penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 641.
(i) States its awareness of, and agreement to abide by, the prohibition on the dissemination of non-public OCC information contained in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and
(ii) Agrees not to use the non-public OCC information for any purpose other than as provided under its contract to provide services to the bank or Federal savings association.
(i) Immediately notify the Director of the OCC's Litigation Division at the Washington, DC office and inform the Director of all relevant facts, including
(ii) Inform the requester of the substance of these rules and, in particular, of the obligation to follow the request procedures in §§ 4.33 and 4.34; and
(iii) At the appropriate time, inform the court or tribunal that issued the process of the substance of these rules.
(1) The requester shall retrieve any non-public OCC information from the court's file as soon as the court no longer requires the information;
(2) Each party shall destroy the non-public OCC information covered by the protective order; and
(3) Each party shall certify to the OCC that the non-public OCC information covered by the protective order has been destroyed.
Whereas, counsel for ______ have applied to the Comptroller of the Currency (hereinafter "Comptroller") pursuant to 12 CFR part 4, Subpart C, for permission to have made available, in connection with the captioned action, certain records; and
Whereas, such records are deemed by the Comptroller to be confidential and privileged, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 481, 1463(a)(1), 1464(a)(1) and 1464(d)(1)(B)(i); 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(8); 18 U.S.C. 641, 1906; and 12 CFR 4.12, and part 4, Subpart C; and
Whereas, following consideration by the Comptroller of the application of the above described party, the Comptroller has determined that the particular circumstances of the captioned action warrant making certain possibly relevant records as denoted in appendix "A" to this Stipulation [records to be specified by type and date] available to the parties in this action, provided that appropriate protection of their confidentiality can be secured;
Therefore, it is hereby stipulated by and between the parties hereto, through their respective attorneys that they will be bound by the following protective order which may be entered by the Court without further notice.
Dated this ______ day of _______, 19__.
Whereas, counsel for ______ have applied to the Comptroller of the Currency (hereinafter Comptroller") pursuant to 12 CFR part 4, Subpart C, for permission to have made available, in connection with the captioned action, certain records; and
Whereas, such records are deemed by the Comptroller to be confidential and privileged, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 481, 1463(a)(1), 1464(a)(1) and 1464(d)(1)(B)(i); 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(8); 18 U.S.C. 641, 1906; and 12 CFR 4.12, and part 4, Subpart C;
Whereas, following consideration by the Comptroller of the application of the above
Now, Therefore, it is Ordered That:
1. The records, as denoted in appendix "A" to the Stipulation for this Protective Order, upon being furnished [or released for use] by the Comptroller, shall be disclosed only to the parties to this action, their counsel, and the court [and the jury].
2. The parties to this action and their counsel shall keep such records and any information contained in such records confidential and shall in no way divulge the same to any person or entity, except to such experts, consultants and non-party witnesses to whom the records and their contents shall be disclosed, solely for the purpose of properly preparing for and trying the action.
3. No person to whom information and records covered by this Order are disclosed shall make any copies or otherwise use such information or records or their contents for any purpose whatsoever, except in connection with this action.
4. Any party or other person who wishes to use the information or records or their contents in any other action shall make a separate application to the Comptroller pursuant to 12 CFR part 4, Subpart C.
5. Should any records covered by this Order be filed with the Court or utilized as exhibits at depositions in the captioned action, or should information or records or their contents covered by this Order be disclosed in the transcripts of depositions or the trial in the captioned action, such records, exhibits and transcripts shall be filed in sealed envelopes or other sealed containers marked with the title of this action, identifying each document and article therein and bearing a statement substantially in the following form:
Pursuant to the Order of the Court dated ______ this envelope containing the above-identified papers filed by (the name of the party) is not to be opened nor the contents thereof displayed or revealed except to the parties to this action or their counsel or by further Order of the Court.
6. FOR JURY TRIAL: Any party offering any of the records into evidence shall offer only those pages, or portions thereof, that are relevant and material to the issues to be decided in the action and shall block out any portion of any page that contains information not relevant or material. Furthermore, the name of any person or entity contained on any page of the records who is not a party to this action, or whose name is not otherwise relevant or material to the action, shall be blocked out prior to the admission of such page into evidence. Any disagreement regarding what portion of any page that should be blocked out in this manner shall be resolved by the Court
7. At the conclusion of this action, all parties shall certify to the Comptroller that the records covered by this Order have been destroyed. Furthermore, counsel for ______, pursuant to 12 CFR 4.39(c), shall retrieve any records covered by this Order that may have been filed with the Court.
So Ordered:
Pursuant to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, Sec. 1216(c), Pub. L. 101-73, 103 Stat. 183, 529 (12 U.S.C. 1833e(c)) and consistent with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 701
The OCC's policy is to ensure that MWOBs and IDOBs have the opportunity to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in contracts awarded by the OCC. The OCC awards contracts consistent with the principles of full and open competition and best value acquisition, and with the concept of contracting for agency needs at the lowest practicable cost. The OCC ensures that MWOBs and IDOBs have the opportunity to participate fully in all contracting activities that the OCC enters into for goods and services, whether generated by the headquarters office in Washington, DC, or any other office of the OCC. Contracting opportunities may include small purchase awards, contracts above the small purchase threshold, and delivery orders issued against other governmental agency contracts.
(1) Obtaining various lists and directories of MWOBs and IDOBs maintained by government agencies;
(2) Contacting appropriate firms for participation in the OCC's Outreach Program;
(3) Participating in business promotion events comprised of or attended by MWOBs and IDOBs to explain OCC contracting opportunities and to obtain names of potential MWOBs and IDOBs;
(4) Ensuring that the OCC contracting staff understands and actively promotes this Outreach Program; and
(5) Registering MWOBs and IDOBs in the Department of the Treasury's database to facilitate their participation in the competitive procurement process for OCC contracts. This database is used by OCC procurement staff to identify firms to be solicited for OCC procurements.
(1) Submitting a valid MWOB certification received from another government agency whose definition of MWOB is substantially similar to that specified in § 4.62(a);
(2) Self-certifying MWOB ownership status by filing with the OCC a completed and signed certification form as prescribed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation, 48 CFR 53.301-129; or
(3) Submitting a valid MWOB certification received from the Small Business Administration.
(1) Submitting a valid IDOB certification received from another government agency whose definition of IDOB is substantially similar to that specified in § 4.62(c); or
(2) Self-certifying IDOB ownership status by filing with the OCC a completed and signed certification as prescribed in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, 48 CFR 53.301-129, and adding an additional certifying statement to read as follows:
I certify that I am an individual with disabilities as defined in 12 CFR 4.62(d), and that my firm, (Name of Firm) qualifies as an individual with disabilities-owned business as defined in 12 CFR 4.62(c).
The Deputy Comptroller for Resource Management shall appoint an Outreach Program Manager, who shall appoint an Outreach Program Specialist. The Outreach Program Manager is primarily responsible for program advocacy, oversight and monitoring.
This subpart describes those OCC examiners who are subject to the post-employment restrictions set forth in section 10(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) (12 U.S.C. 1820(k)) and implements those restrictions for officers and employees of the OCC.
For purposes of this subpart:
(1) The officer or employee has been authorized by the OCC to conduct examinations on behalf of the OCC;
(2) The officer or employee has been assigned continuing, broad, and lead responsibility for examining the national bank or savings association; and
(3) The officer's or employee's responsibilities for examining the national bank or savings association—
(i) Represent a substantial portion of the officer's or employee's assigned responsibilities; and
(ii) Require the officer or employee to interact routinely with officers or employees of the national bank or savings association, or its affiliates."
An officer or employee of the OCC who serves as the senior examiner of a national bank or savings association for two or more months during the last twelve months of such individual's employment with the OCC may not, within one year after leaving the employment of the OCC, knowingly accept compensation as an employee, officer, director or consultant from the national bank, savings association, or any company (including a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company) that controls the national bank or savings association.
The post-employment restrictions set forth in section 10(k) of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1820(k)) and § 4.74 do not apply to any officer or employee of the OCC, or any former officer or employee of the OCC, if the Comptroller of the Currency certifies, in writing and on a case-by-case basis, that granting the individual a waiver of the restrictions would not affect the integrity of the OCC's supervisory program.
(1) An order—
(i) Removing the individual from office or prohibiting the individual from further participation in the affairs of the relevant national bank, savings association, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company, or
(ii) Prohibiting the individual from participating in the affairs of any insured depository institution for a period of up to five years; or
(2) A civil monetary penalty of not more than $250,000.


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Fire causes chaos in downtown Shelton
Shelton: Downtown blaze injures 5, causes water main break, snarls traffic
SHELTON -- A fire early Monday led to a building collapse, a water main break and massive excavations that threw the city's downtown into chaos as businesses were forced to close, traffic was detoured and dozens of residents were displaced.
Five people were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
"We're the walking wounded right now," Mayor Mark Lauretti said later in the day. "No one anticipates something like this. An event like this always creates a lot of uncertainty."
That feeling heightened long after the blaze, which destroyed the four-story structure at 434 Howe Ave., was out. Evening temperatures plummeted, freezing some of the thousands of gallons of water that flowed over nearby streets onto the Derby-Shelton bridge after being pumped throughout the day on smoldering debris.
Just beyond the edge of the bridge, a construction crew dug a hole allowing Aquarion repair workers to get to the broken water main and restore service to nearly 1,000 customers.
"As a result of that break, everyone near that area either has no water pressure or reduced pressure," said Peter Fazekas, an Aquarion spokesman. "Don't expect that to improve until fire-fighting efforts are over and the pressure is able to build back up again."
Meanwhile, Fire Marshal James Tortora said he and investigators from the state fire marshal's office would sift through the collapsed building's remains to determine the cause of the blaze, which is believed to have started in the basement.
"I'm hoping we can get in soon," Tortora said.
Water wasn't the only utility turned off near the fire. Those same 1,000 customers were without electricity, as United Illuminating worked to restore power by late Monday evening. Yankee Gas also cut off service to the site.
The blaze, which began shortly after midnight, caused the building's upper levels, which housed 27 families, to collapse atop street-level businesses like Howe Convenient, a florist and a barber shop. Smoke, water and debris damaged the adjoining Liquid Lunch and Joy Lee Chinese restaurants. The city's building inspector is expected to determine if those two restaurants must be demolished.
"My first concern is that the area be made safe," Lauretti said.
An excavator worked into the evening, pushing the downed building's remains into piles for removal in nearby dump trucks.
"It's a nightmare," said John Anglace, president of Shelton's Board of Aldermen. "There's all kinds of chaos downtown. It will probably be several days before things return to any sort of normalcy."
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., announced plans to tour the site at 11 a.m. Tuesday with Bernie Sweeney, director of the Connecticut Small Business Administration, and Lauretti.
Monday's blaze is the latest in a string of fires over four decades that ravaged downtown, taking away the Sponge Rubber Products Co. in 1975, destroying the Boys and Girls Club in 1991 and leaving a vacant lot where the Hunters Corner gun shop exploded in 1993.
The building that burned Monday was built in 1880. It stood adjacent to Viaduct Square, which houses a post office that was forced to close when it lost power during the fire. The post office is expected to reopen Tuesday.
The lack of power and water forced the Naugatuck Valley Health District to post notices on nearby restaurants that they could not reopen until inspection. These businesses included Dunkin' Donuts, Danny O's, Subway, Little Tomato, Amici's and Stockbridge. Inspections of those businesses are expected to take place Tuesday, according to David Rogers, the NVHD's assistant director.
The downtown always bounces back, Lauretti said. A public park and river walk replaced a portion of the Sponge Rubber site and a bigger and better Boys and Girls Club was built.
"When one door closes, another opens," the mayor said. "Hopefully, this is seen as a good investment opportunity and an opportunity for economic growth."
Anglace, Lauretti and others were thankful no one was hurt seriously. Hours earlier, the city's volunteer firefighters and rescue workers pulled several people out of the flaming building and plucked others from the upper floors with tower ladders. A state police search and rescue team was at the site, as were troopers from the fire and explosion unit. But there were no reports of missing people.
Several pets, however, were believed to have died in the fire.
One tenant, who gave his name only as Joe, said he heard a woman screaming that her cats were still inside.
"The smoke was so heavy, I had to get really low to the ground to get out. I was gagging," he said.
Tenants said working smoke detectors, neighbors helping neighbors and the work of firefighters saved lives.
Gerard Murphy said he made it out of his burning apartment because the building's alarms woke him up.
"It was bad in there," he said. "I couldn't see anything in the hallway," Murphy said.
Kenny Wells, another resident, doesn't want to think what his fate might have been had a neighbor not banged on his door yelling "fire, get out!"
"The smoke was so thick I couldn't even see him when I opened the door," he said.
When firefighters arrived shortly after midnight, they encountered a raging fire with thick smoke.
"It was not a good feeling at all when we got here," Assistant Fire Chief Nick Verdicchio said. "We had heavy fire showing from the back of the building. It started to come out the front, so we just did a full-court press trying to get these people out of here, and within a half-hour ... the building collapsed upon itself."
Calls went out for additional help and firefighters from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, Milford and Woodbridge responded. Several times, crews were forced to withdraw when portions of the building collapsed.
"One of the obstacles we had was water supply," Verdicchio said. "We had a couple of nearby hydrants that were frozen. We had no water. So we had to scramble to find a water supply."
The Connecticut Red Cross and Team Inc. worked Monday to find temporary and permanent housing in the Naugatuck Valley for those displaced by the fire.
"We need landlords with one- or two-bedroom apartments to contact us," said Diane Stroman, a vice president at Team Inc., which is in downtown Derby.
Residents like Jean Wilkinson said she "lost everything in the fire ... I couldn't even get back in to get my pocketbook or my medicines. All I got is what you see," she said referring to the clothes on her back.
John Burgeson and Digital Editor Jim Shay contributed to this story.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Nightmare
Product Information
|Rearrange the numbers until they are in sequential order.
|Level 8 - Demanding
|Jürgen Reiche, European Wood Puzzles
|20 cm x 7.8 cm x 0.9 cm / 7.9 in x 3.1 in x 0.4 in
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A unique, well crafted wooden puzzle designed by European designer Jürgen Reiche. Very hard!
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Very easy to complete. Im kind of disappointed. The rating should be modified.
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Not a difficult puzzle. Initially completed in a few minutes, then realized that you are not supposed to rotate the pieces. That realization made me happy, however, after resetting and not rotating the pieces, i completed the puzzle in between commercial breaks of television show that I was watching. I was really hoping for a difficult puzzle as this is a gift.


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The majority of pet owners dread the time in which they need to leave their pet for any extended period of time. Unfortunately, this is inevitable for the most part. Most pet owners need to leave town one way or another, whether it's for business or pleasure. In order to be able to focus on your travels and enjoy your time away, you need to be assured that your pet is cared for properly and thoroughly. From pet sitters to pet boarding companies, there are quite a bit of options a pet owner can choose from when leaving town. If pet boarding is your option of choice, PetGroomingFinder.com has created a network of elite pet boarders in the USA and Canada. Let us do the work for you and find you a trusted and reputable pet boarder in your local area. Check this task off your list of things to do before leaving town and focus on packing your luggage for your trip. Simply take a moment to fill out the form on this page, and we'll have 1 to 2 pet boarding companies contact you within hours. There is never any cost or obligation on your part to use the resources of PetGroomingFinder.com.
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Failover History
|1. A documented set of Failover specific Records (i.e. Failover Records) that are collected and managed, over time, with the specific intent to capture change details and meet the needs of requirements such as but not limited to audit, governance and recovery.
Read More
|1) The Semantic Root Noun for this term is: Failover
2) Semantically Related Terms: The "Failover Management Glossary"
3) The Failover Management Home Page covers much more about other related terms and concepts associated with this term or phrase.


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Originally written by Tim Pigeon
Young upstarts: look out, for the elder statesmen of melodic death metal have returned with yet another fine album. When a band has been making music for over 15 years, the results tend to be either another step in a slow decline to oblivion, or a mildly decent "return to form". But in the case of Dark Tranquillity, they have not been in a gradual decline, and they are playing with as much vitality as ever.
Fiction is the 8th full-length record for the Swedish sextet. For those who have spent the last decade in a bomb shelter, Dark Tranquillity are one of the founding fathers of the Gothenburg sound, along with At the Gates, In Flames, and a few others that haven't enjoyed the recognition of their townsmen. Cross early 90's death metal with the melodic stylings of Iron Maiden, and you have the basics of Gothenburg metal. DT's 1995 seminal album, The Gallery, set the standard for furiously melodic death metal, and while they slowed things down a little with Projector and Haven, the last three albums have only gotten heavier as time marches forward.
Fiction is a natural follow-up to 2005's Character, built on a foundation of heavy rhythmic work, more so than their mid-period work that relied predominantly on sweet melodic leads. The opening track ("Nothing to No One") even starts with a bass line – an instrument that is hardly noticed in most melodic death. "Terminus" is one of their fastest-paced songs to date, working in a backing electronic riff that gives the song a Mors Principium Estfeel. For a contrast, "Inside the Particle Storm" is a droning, slower track that evokes some of their very early work like "Lethe". Stanne's voice sounds more raw and harsh than in the past, and it fits in nicely with the loud, fuzzy production. While all of the tracks are winners, the true pièce de résistance would have to be "Focus Shift" – a song that sums up all that is the Dark Tranquillity of late. Catchy choruses trade time with relentless riffing, and all the while, the vocals are rattled off with intensity to spare.
Dark Tranquillity has been dedicated to making heavy metal their own way for well over a decade, never watering down their sound like others in the scene. For that they should be respected, but this album stands on its own merits, band heritage aside. Fiction makes a worthy addition to my hefty DT collection, and I recommend it to the rest of you as well. May they continue delivering quality albums for another 15 years.


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|Stellar Projects
Welcome to the Stellar Projects Information Page! Listed below are the ten projects that combine to form the Delphi Stellar Communities Project. Scroll down the page and click on any title to view current news about any project. Within each area is a project overview, document library, and web resources. Please visit often to review new information as it evolves. If you have questions or need information, feel free to contact our Stellar Communities Team. Thank You for your interest in the Delphi Stellar Communities Project!
Owner Occupied Housing
Downtown Lofts
Downtown Streetscape
Washington St. Gateway Trail
Delphi Opera House Restoration
Facade Restorations
Downtown Parking Solutions
Downtown Utility Improvements
Quiet Zone Improvements
Purdue Solar House


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System requirements
Adobe Creative Cloud membership provides access to all CC desktop apps for download and installation on your local computer, as well as additional apps and online services. Desktop applications included with your membership are available in both Mac OS and Windows versions. The Creative Cloud website is designed to work optimally in the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. The site should degrade gracefully on older browsers; you may have trouble using certain features on those older versions. Internet Explorer 8 and earlier are not supported.
Mac OS: Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support, Mac OS X v10.6.8 or 10.7, 4GB of RAM, 10.5GB of hard-disk space.
Note that Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash Builder, Flash Professional, and InDesign do not require 64-bit support.
Windows: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor, Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, 4GB of RAM, and 10.5GB of hard-disk space.
Additional requirements:
- Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Encore: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Phenom II processor
- Adobe SpeedGrade: Intel Core i7 processor
- Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Encore, and SpeedGrade: Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (64 bit)
- Adobe Edge Animate: Windows 7
- Adobe Edge Inspect: Windows 7
- Adobe Muse: Adobe AIR 3.3


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If, as many legal experts predict, the Defense of Marriage Act is struck down by the Supreme Court, advocates behind the decadeslong movement for gay rights will have won a major victory. But the decision could also create a dense legal maze for gay and lesbian married couples, one that would surely lead to more lawsuits that could make their way back to the Supreme Court.
And striking down DOMA would not just affect same-sex couples, but their employers. Basically, said Jonathan Zasloff, a professor at UCLA School of Law, the result could be a "mess."
The problem resides in conflicting state gay marriage laws and how the federal government would interpret them. Last week, the court heard arguments about whether Section 3 of DOMA—which prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages—is unconstitutional. Justice Anthony Kennedy, generally the court's swing vote, seemed inclined to strike down the statute on the grounds that it interferes with states' rights to define marriage, raising hopes among gay rights groups that thousands of married same-sex couples will be able to access the federal benefits of marriage for the first time.
If DOMA is struck down, then same-sex couples residing in states that allow gay marriage will suddenly be included in the more than 1,100 federal laws that give benefits to married couples. Gay couples, for instance, could file jointly on their tax returns, apply for Social Security survivor benefits if their spouse dies, and take up to 12 weeks off to care for a sick family member without fear of losing their job under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
But what about a gay couple that gets married in New York and then moves back to North Carolina, or any other of the 38 states that have explicitly banned gay marriage?
At first glance, it appears they would have no access to these rights, and that their marriage would not be recognized either by their state or the federal government. During oral arguments, Justice Samuel Alito asked attorney Roberta Kaplan, who was arguing against DOMA, this very question. Alito asked whether a New York gay couple who moved to North Carolina could qualify for the same federal estate tax breaks that heterosexual married couples enjoy if one spouse dies.
"Our position is only with respect to the nine states ... that recognize these marriages," Kaplan responded.
In Kaplan's version of events, the Supreme Court could strike down DOMA and essentially create two different worlds for gay married couples in the country. In a handful of states, gay couples would enjoy all the benefits of heterosexual couples, but if they moved to the majority of the states in the union, their marriage would effectively disappear—for both federal and state purposes.
But Zasloff doesn't think that will pass muster. He predicts same-sex couples would sue the government, arguing that this policy violates their constitutional right to travel. (In the past, the Supreme Court has struck down states' waiting periods for new residents to enroll in welfare programs, holding that they violated the right of interstate travel.) Same-sex couples could also make a broader legal argument that the federal government should define "marriage" based on where a couple got married, not where they currently live.
The Supreme Court could sidestep this inevitable legal battle by explicitly noting whether the federal government should recognize same-sex marriages if the couples are no longer living in states that issued their license. But some experts say don't count on it.
Andrew Koppelman, a professor at Northwestern University School of Law, says he would be "astonished" if the Supreme Court clarified the issue in its opinion. Zasloff agrees, noting that Kennedy, who will most likely write the DOMA opinion if it is struck down, is known for his sphinxlike unwillingness to expound upon the details in his opinions.
That would leave broad discretion to the Obama administration to define the issue administratively, Koppelman says. The White House could direct federal agencies like the IRS to accept marriages based on where a couple got married, not where they live.
Should the Supreme Court justices spell out that same-sex marriages are not valid in states that don't recognize them, the legal differences between married same-sex couples in different parts of the country would be stark.
Under that scenario, Todd Solomon, a partner at the Chicago law firm McDermott Will & Emery, who focuses on employee benefits issues, predicts a gay-couple migration to the nine states (and the District of Columbia) that allow the unions, since Social Security, tax and other federal benefits are at stake.
Cathy Stamm, a consultant at Mercer, a human resources firm, said employers are also anxious to see what the Supreme Court will decide. She's advising firms to comb through their benefit plans that involve employees' spouses—anything from health insurance to pension plans to employee discounts—to figure out whether state or federal law will require them to cover same-sex spouses if DOMA is struck down. Solomon predicts that employees in same-sex marriages may sue employers if they deny certain benefits to their spouses if this happens.
Employers might face a particularly tricky situation if they're based in an area that allows same-sex marriage but their employees commute in from a state that does not. So, for example, would an employee with a same-sex spouse be eligible to take 12 weeks of family leave if he or she lives in Virginia but works in D.C.? Even though Virginia doesn't allow same-sex marriage, most labor laws are based on where the place of work is, so there's no simple answer. Stamm says employers hope the Supreme Court will help them avoid this legal thicket.
"There's a lot of confusion about what employers need to do," Stamm said. "I think employers would welcome some guidance from the court when they provide their ruling."


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Police officer involved in fatal car crash
Woman killed, sister seriously hurt in crash
An Albuquerque Police Department officer was involved in a car crash that killed another driver early Sunday, police said.
Investigators said the crash happened at Paseo del Norte and Eagle Ranch Road just before 2 a.m. Sunday.
Police said an officer was responding to a call when his SUV slammed into another vehicle, killing 21-year-old Ashley Browder and injuring her younger sister.
Investigators said the police SUV was headed west with its lights on, while Browder's white Honda was headed north when the officer T-boned Browder's car. Police said the two vehicles ended up on the curb in the northwest corner of the intersection.
"When we're trying to do our job to protect the public and something like this ends up occurring, it's very difficult," said Jessica Tyler, of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.
The sheriff's department is investigating the accident to provide a neutral perspective because it involved an APD officer and a fatality, Tyler said.
Officers said the sergeant involved had his emergency equipment engaged when the accident happened.
"It wasn't a pursuit, but I think he was trying to attempt to locate what had been reported. I don't know if he saw a vehicle or if it had been reported that a possible drunken driver (was) in the area," said Tyler.
Police said Browder was pronounced dead at the scene, and her 19-year-old sister, Lindsay, who was driving the car, is being treated at the University of New Mexico Hospital for a broken hip and a broken spine.
The officer was also taken to UNMH for evaluation, but had no major injuries.
"I'm sure that this officer or sergeant is very upset. It's very difficult to deal with," said Tyler.
Police shut down the roadway while they investigated the crash.
"It definitely hits closer to home for all of us because these are the types of jobs we have to do every day, but when we are involved in it, it makes it that much more difficult," said Tyler.
There's no word yet if the officer has been put on leave.
More details are expected Monday.


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Kevin Poorman built an outdoor kitchen that has been featured in magazine articles and TV shows.
You have probably heard the term "outdoor living." This has been listed as a major landscaping and gardening trend in recent years. But what does it really mean?
According to the 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (asla.org), outdoor living spaces (defined as kitchens and entertainment spaces), were the second most popular residential landscape feature with 92 percent of landscape architects saying they are in demand. The most popular residential outdoor design element in 2014 was "gardens and landscaped spaces," which received a 94.2 percent rating as somewhat or very popular. Outdoor recreation came in third at 75.8 percent.
In this survey, landscape architects who specialize in residential design across the country were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of outdoor design elements. Across all categories, 98.3 percent of respondents rated lighting as somewhat or very in demand for 2014, followed by seating/dining areas (97.7 percent), fire pits/fireplaces (95.4 percent), grills (94.3 percent) and installed seating (89.6 percent), which includes benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps and boulders.
So "outdoor living" can be considered outdoor relaxing and entertaining.
This night spot features a cozy fire pit, comfortable chairs and subtle but functional night lighting for the perfect evening soiree.
"Anyone can easily create an outdoor room," according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association in Arlington. Va. (hpba.org). "In general, the concept encompasses a grilling and eating area, pulled together with a hearth product, such as a fireplace, fire pit or chiminea. Some outdoor rooms are similar to indoor kitchens, with expansive counter space and full food preparation areas complete with sinks and plumbing. It's even possible to add a dishwasher and a refrigerator … Other outdoor rooms take the concept further with the addition of pizza ovens, cocktail bars, fountains, trellises, patio heaters, spas and pools."
You can install many of these hardscape items as DIY projects – some items such as fire pits, chimineas, grills, kitchen islands and gas outdoor heaters can be purchased as stand-alone features. Or if you would like a higher-end, built-in outdoor kitchen and fireplace, you can hire a landscape architect and a landscape contractor to design and install them for you.
Setting a colorful, cozy table (complete with hosta leaf napkins) can transform a plain "picnic table" into a fancy outdoor dining experience.
Whatever type of outdoor living space you desire, be sure your decisions are based on the kind of entertainment and living you and your family enjoy. Do not just try to keep up with the Joneses – build an outdoor room you love to be in. If you don't like to cook outdoors, skip the outdoor kitchen and grill. But if you love to read alone or have a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, create a cozy, quiet spot in which to sit comfortably. If you frequently have large parties at night, plan for outdoor cooking areas, overflow seating, space for dining tables, music systems and lighting.
The point is this: Be sure to create outdoor living spaces that fit your lifestyle.
Outdoor Living Features
A version of this article appeared in a September/October 2014 print edition of State-by-State Gardening.
Photography courtesy of Ron Capek, Jason Todd, and Patrice Peltier.


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James Sherwood of The Register reports:
Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC) has expanded its Amilo PC range with a netbook addition.
The Amilo Mini measures just 123 x 118mm and is based on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, with the machine running on Windows XP Home edition.
What really sets the machine aside from other netbook rivals, such as Lenovo's S9 and S10, is that FSC's model boasts interchangeable covers. It comes with one dark red clip-on cover, but more can be bought separately, including a transparent one that lets you slip a picture inside.
FSC's not willing to provide any further details about the Mini just yet, because it's keeping all the juicy features a secret until IFA, which kicks off in Berlin later this month.
However, the firm has said that the machine will be available to purchase this autumn for around £300 (€450/$600).


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Health System Responsiveness
WHO's work on health systems responsiveness aims to develop the technical tools to assess, monitor and raise awareness of how people are treated and the environment in which they are treated when seeking health care. It upholds, as part of the Equity Team, a particular focus on inequitable treatment associated with social status. It aims to develop the associated norms and standards for assessing responsiveness, in particular focusing on the use of user-oriented questionnaires.
The concept of responsiveness was developed as part of WHO's broader conceptual framework on health systems developed in 2000, which identified three focuses for health system goals: health, responsiveness and financing fairness (World Health Report 2000)66顺彩票app. The framework's underlying reasoning behind including responsiveness was that as a social system, the health system, like other social systems (e.g. justice, education), was expected by its populations to meet a core goal plus, common social goals expected of all social systems, in addition to their main aim.
Latest Releases
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66顺彩票appWHO Constitution, Executive Board and World Health Assembly
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News, events, fact sheets, multimedia and contacts
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Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements
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Annual report on global public health and key statistics


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University Bands
WIU Home > COFAC > Bands > Ensembles > Chamber Winds
WIU Chamber Wind ProgramStudents in the WIU Wind Ensemble are presented with the opportunity to further develop musical independence through our chamber wind program. Our two chamber wind ensembles meet weekly and present a concert mid semester both fall and spring.
The "WIU Chamber Players" is conducted by Dr. Mike Fansler and the "WIU Chamber Winds" are conducted by Dr. Matt Thomas. Students are exposed to both standard chamber wind repertoire as well as more contemporary works. Recently, the chamber groups have performed the music of: Adler, Beethoven, Bird, Dvořák, Gabrieli, Gounod, Grieg, Haydn, Hindemith, Husa, Jacob, Krommer, Lully, Mozart, Palestrina, Persichetti, Raff, Sibelius, Strauss, Sweelinck, and Washburn.
- Dr. Mike Fansler, Director of Bands
- Dr. Matt Thomas, Associate Director of Bands


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Yes. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires Federal agencies to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees or applicants with disabilities, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship to the agency. An undue hardship means that a specific accommodation would require significant difficulty or expense. A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that allows an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential job functions, or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the workplace.
Federal agencies are required by Executive Order 13164 (EO 12164) to develop written procedures for providing reasonable accommodation. You may gain greater understanding of your specific situation and alternatives available to you by reading the agency's reasonable accommodation procedures. Different agencies place responsibility for reasonable accommodation in different offices. Contact the agency's personnel office, reasonable accommodation coordinator, civil rights office, selective
placement program coordinator, disability program manager or EEO office to request a copy of an agency's written procedures.
There was an unexpected error when performing your action.
Your error has been logged and the appropriate people notified. You may close this message and try your command again, perhaps after refreshing the page. If you continue to experience issues, please notify the site administrator.


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There are people in Laguna Beach who remember what it was like 20 years ago today.
The cobalt sky was stained gray. Flames 100 feet high barreled from the canyon. Winds whipped at up to 92 mph. People wandered downtown in mouth masks, eyes peeking through ash-covered skin.
"It's like war. It's like somebody dropped a bomb on the city," Brian Govenor said in 1993.
They thought they'd stand at Main Beach and watch the flames devour their land, their schools, their homes. They thought it was the end of Laguna.
But it wasn't.
That day serves as a poignant reminder of what could happen – but hopefully never does again.
"I made it clear: Any more water than what we had could have helped, whatever that means," Fire Chief Rich Dewberry said in 1993.
There was frustration after the fire. Firefighters said there wasn't enough water. Residents shook fists at the City Council over a 3 million gallon reservoir that had beenvoted down. It could have added nearly three hours of additional firefighting, according to Register reports.
But things have changed since 1993.
Residents can't build homes with shake shingle roofs. Firefighters have better training, apparatus, communication and mutual-aid agreements. The water district has two more reservoirs and backup generators. City Hall has tighter regulations and prepares with disaster simulations. Community members take initiative and educate the public on fire danger.
Residents understand that living in this seaside paradise comes at a cost. It's a place that's been torn apart by natural disasters – floods, fire and landslides. Laguna Beach is unlike any other city in the county – surrounded by wildlands and hilly topography with only roads ways in and out. Just last year, a 4-acre brush fire broke out behind Ruby's Diner.
Fire is still on the mind. The state has had 1,000 more fires than at the same time last year, officials said. Laguna Beach had only 3 inches of rain this year – far less than its average of 10 inches. Its hillsides are dead, Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said.
But some just don't get it.
Firefighters recently found evidence that someone launched sky lanterns in Top of the World park – sending burning matches floating above Laguna's dry hillsides.
This summer, juveniles started a bonfire in the wilderness park, people were found using sparklers during a photo shoot and a car's backfire started a small fire – all in Laguna Canyon. The incidents are within 3 miles of where the 1993 blaze started,LaTendresse said.
In a town of only 12 firefighters, Laguna Beach can't ignore public indifference. Firefighters rely on the public to be as vigilant as ever – not create a catastrophe.
Since 1993, many Lagunans have taken preparedness into their own hands.
A group of volunteers known as the Red Flag Patrol affix magnetic stickers to their cars and hang flags from their windows, spreading the word about fire conditions.
The city's Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee recommends regulations that could help in a disaster. Better signage on city streets could help mutual-aid responders unfamiliar with the town, its members say. The group recently met with Los Angeles City Fire Department about parking regulations on red-flag days, to see if they would help in Laguna Beach.
A new program will put volunteers who have completed community emergency response team training within Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Alta Laguna Park in hopes of informing the public and deterring criminal behavior.
"You just have to let it go," Laguna Beach resident Wave Baker said in 1993. "It's not in my power. It's in the power of the wind and the fire."
The city can't stop a wildfire from happening, but Laguna Beach has worked to ensure that its hillsides, its homes and its infrastructure don't act as fuel.
The city has continually expanded its efforts to prevent fires in Laguna – like expanding its fuel break program, made its building code more stringent and examining undergrounding in the canyon.
Goats, which started grazing in 1990, have had their chomping grounds expanded throughout Laguna's hillsides. With the work of goats and hand crews, vegetation has been removed from around 320 acres in 14 fuel modification zones. The city plans to expand these zones over the course of three years.
While the city can control public land, controlling how far homeowners go to protect themselves proves difficult.
In the months following the 1993 fire, fireproofing was critical. In 1993, Laguna Beach led the state in tough building codes, the city said. While new or remodeled homes follow tight rules – with boxed-in eaves, double-pane glass and stucco walls –construction under the older rules still exists.
Matt Lawson, a member of the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee, says your preparedness is only as good as your neighbors. During the 1993 fire, embers fell haphazardly on homes – skipping a block or even a neighborhood, he said.
"I think people who own older homes, particularly in areas that weren't really touched by the '93 fire, really need to look at their situation," Lawson said. "There's only so much our fire department can do to protect us, and we need to take responsibility ourselves."
Firefighters such as Capt. Gary Ganger and Engineer Jeff Priest, who fought in '93, get a tad nervous when they drive around Old Top of the World or Bluebird Canyon.
"(Bluebird), to me, is the biggest fire threat if it ever catches," Priest said.
In these parts, there are homes that look like "Old Laguna," or the Laguna that burned. The homes have wood construction and open eaves. Vegetation climbs over their roofs. Combustibles are strewn in the yard.
While dead vegetation on private property is regulated against, live vegetation isn't – and both pose a fire danger, LaTendresse said.
Right now, the city is looking at making defensible space – the removal or modification of vegetation around a home – either a voluntary or enforceable regulation, City Manager John Pietig said.
Lack of defensible space – yards filled with ornamental plants and combustibles – aided in the spread of the 2008 Freeway Complex fire in the Santa Ana Canyon area, LaTendresse recently told the City Council. The fire destroyed more than 300 homes.
Evacuation is tricky in the coastal town, whose only arteries are Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road. While it doesn't have control over the highway, the city is aiming to make the canyon road safer by moving utilities underground and looking at adding additional lanes. Not only can utility poles hinder evacuation, they can serve as ignition.
Laguna learned this on Sept. 16, 2012. Fire investigators named a Southern California Edison pole as the source of the small brush fire that required roughly 170 firefighters to control. The utility gave the city $63,403 but didn't accept fault for the fire.
"Their goal, I think, is just widespread destruction," Dr. Kenneth R. Fineman, a Huntington Beach psychologist who treats fire-setters, said of arson in 1993.
But neither utility poles nor a car backfire caused the 1993 Laguna wildfire – it was an arsonist. A suspect was identified but was never arrested due to lack of evidence
The case is still open.
That fear – the fear of human nature – still stirs in firefighters when the Santa Ana winds perk up, the brush is dead and the air is dry. Fifty percent of fires are started by arsonists, according to a Laguna Beach investigator.
"When fires start burning, people get weird," LaTendresse said of arsonists. "It's our worst nightmare."
More than ever before, residents are the eyes and ears for public safety – hopefully causing someone with malicious thoughts to think twice, LaTendresse said. He hopes the improvements – like expanded fuel break zones, red-flag programs and further regulations – can prevent the worst from occurring.
"I think we knew the potential was there and reality occurred that day. We've been fortunate since 1993," LaTendresse said. "Never say never."
Contact the writer: 949-492-5135 or jclay@ocregister


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Fifty-two college seniors from 31 Division I schools across the nation will attempt to show MLS coaches and scouts that they have what it takes to succeed in the pro ranks when they descend on Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for the annual adidas MLS Player Combine from Jan. 6-10.
The initial player list was determined by a panel of Division I college coaches, representing all conferences, who nominated and voted for players in conjunction with MLS coaches. These players will be joined by Generation adidas players, additional collegiate players from NCAA Division II and III schools, NAIA schools and Division I alternates.
The final player list of approximately 66 players, including international invitees and Generation adidas signings, additional Combine coaches and team assignments, will be announced at a later date.
The initial list for the MLS Player Combine is as follows:
2012 adidas MLS Player Combine Coaches List
Jim Barlow (Princeton); Jamie Clark (University of Washington); Brian Tompkins (Yale)
**additional coaches will be announced at a later date.
2012 adidas MLS Player Combine List by Position
GOALKEEPERS (4): Brian Rowe (UCLA); Chris Blais (University of South Florida); Jhojan Obando (Providence); Ryan Meara (Fordham);
DEFENDERS (16): Aaron Maund (Notre Dame); Andrew Duran (Creighton); Aubrey Perry (University of South Florida); Austin Berry (Louisville); Charles Rodriguez (UNC Charlotte); Charles Estridge (Indiana); Diogo de Almeida (SMU); Hunter Jumper (Virginia); James Kiffe (UC Santa Barbara); Justin Chavez (Tulsa); Matt Hedges (UNC); Mykell Bates (Santa Clara University); Nick Blake (UConn); Pat Sigler (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo); Shawn Singh (UCLA); Tommy Meyer (Indiana);
MIDFIELDERS (19): Alec Purdie (Indiana); Andy Rose (UCLA); Arthur Ivo (SMU); Brendan King (Notre Dame); Calum Mallace (Marquette); Christian Barreiro (UPenn); Eder Arreola (UCLA); Greg Jordan (Creighton); Kenney Walker (Louisville); Kevan George (UCF); Kirk Urso (UNC); Lance Rozenboom (New Mexico); Luis Silva (UC Santa Barbara); Michael Green (New Mexico); Miguel Ibarra (UC Irvine); Nick DeLeon (Louisville); Rafael Garcia (Cal State Northridge); Tony Walls (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay); Warren Creavalle (UCF)
FORWARDS (13): Antoine Hoppenot (Princeton); Billy Schuler (UNC); Brian Ownby (Virginia); Bryan Gaul (Bradley); Casey Townsend (Maryland); Colin Rolfe (Louisville); Ethan Finlay (Creighton); Evan James (UNC Charlotte); Evans Frimpong (Delaware); Karo Okiomah (High Point); Luckymore Mkosana (Dartmouth); Luke Holmes (Akron); Tony Cascio (UConn).
2012 adidas MLS Player Combine List by School
Akron University
Luke Holmes
Bradley University
Bryan Gaul
Cal Pol San Luis Obispo
Pat Sigler
Cal State Northridge
Rafael Garcia
UC Irvine
Miguel Ibarra
Eder Arreola
Andy Rose
Brian Rowe
Shawn Singh
UC Santa Barbara
James Kiffe
Luis Silva
University of Central Florida
Warren Creavalle
Kevan George
University of Connecticut
Nick Blake
Tony Cascio
Creighton University
Andrew Duran
Greg Jordan
Ethan Finlay
Dartmouth College
Luckymore Mkosana
University of Delaware
Evans Frimpong
Fordham University
Ryan Meara
High Point University
Karo Okiomah
Indiana University
Charles Estridge
Tommy Meyer
Alec Purdie
University of Louisville
Austin Berry
Nick DeLeon
Colin Rolfe
Kenney Walker
Marquette University
Calum Mallace
University of Maryland
Casey Townsend
University of New Mexico
Michael Green
Lance Rozenboom
University of North Carolina
Matt Hedges
Billy Schuler
Kirk Urso
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Evan James
Charles Rodriguez
University of Notre Dame
Brendan King
Aaron Maund
University of Pennsylvania
Christian Barreiro
Princeton University
Antoine Hoppenot
Providence College
Jhojan Obando
Santa Clara University
Mykell Bates
Southern Methodist University
Diogo de Almeida
Arthur Ivo
University of South Florida
Chris Blais
Aubrey Perry
Tulsa University
Justin Chavez
University of Virginia
Hunter Jumper
Brian Ownby
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Tony Walls


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Creamy Asparagus Chowder
Total TimePrep: 10 min. Cook: 30 min.
Makesabout 2-1/2 quarts
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 4 cups whole milk
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 4 cups chopped fresh asparagus, cooked and drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sliced almonds
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh tomato
- In a Dutch oven, saute onions and celery in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour. Add the potato, milk, broth and herbs; cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the potato is tender and soup is thickened, about 20-30 minutes.
- Add the asparagus, salt and pepper; heat through. To serve, sprinkle with almonds, cheese and the chopped tomato.
Nutrition Facts1 cup: 187 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
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Jun 20, 2015
Absolutely delicious! Don't need to change a thing about it!
May 25, 2015
Delicious!! When short on time, I have even made it using a can of cream of potato soup and adding the onions, asparagus, and seasonings. Although I did not use almonds. I actually used pine nuts, because that is what I had at the time. And I added a pinch of fresh cilantro and to me, it was one of the best soups I ever had!! I am getting ready to make it again tonight.
Feb 24, 2014
I had trouble thickening the soup. The recipe said "low heat" and I cooked for the allotted time and no thickening took place. The potatoes took quite awhile to become tender. My husband and I felt more spices were needed, so we added onion and garlic salt. it was a little too bland for our tastes.I liked the idea of adding fresh tomatoes, cheese and sliced almonds. I may try that on another soup recipe.
Mar 30, 2013
Delicious soup! After sauteing those vegetable indicated in recipe and adding garlic. Did NOT use flour. I added 3 small-medium white potatoes and the spices. Cooked until al dente in the 4C of chicken broth. Then added asparagus that had already been cut up and steamed and run under cold water. Added 2C 2% milk with 2C heavy cream at this point along with salt and pepper, and heated until warmed through. A generous amount of extra sharp cheddar was added for each serving. Yum! Didn't feel the almonds or chopped tomatoes added much.
Mar 26, 2013
We liked this alot. I added in some chopped ham and a couple of sandwich slices of American cheese. I served it undressed (no almonds, cheddar, or fresh tomatoes) for just the two of us. It's definitely a keeper.
Mar 25, 2013
This is especially delicious on a cool Spring evening. I served it with mini cornbread muffins. I used frozen asparagus and plan to make it again next week for a group of kids and grands. I will expand the recipe.
Mar 25, 2013
I cut the recipe in half. I made it exactly as written. I love asparagus and really like this chowder.