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The San Francisco 49ers suddenly have a huge void in their receiving corps as they chase another Super Bowl berth: Michael Crabtree is sidelined after surgery on his right Achilles tendon.
San Francisco's leading wide receiver underwent surgery Wednesday, though the team is optimistic he will return at some point in 2013. Crabtree was operated on at Stanford by Dr. Tim McAdams one day after suffering the injury during 7-on-7 drills in an organized team activity.
"Michael Crabtree underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon that he tore yesterday," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Surgery was successful and we do not anticipate it will be season-ending for Michael. It was completely torn, and completely repaired."
Harbaugh would not speculate when Crabtree might return to play.
The 25-year-old Crabtree, the team's 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Texas Tech, had career highs last season with 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns for the NFC champion Niners, who lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl.
USA Today first reported that Crabtree was hurt during Tuesday's OTA, citing an unidentified source.
Harbaugh said Crabtree went in motion, planted to begin a route and "felt like somebody kicked him in the Achilles, which sometimes people say that feels like." Having the operation right away was considered the best option so Crabtree has the chance to return this year — unlike with running back Kendall Hunter last season, who had the same injury but the decision was made to wait some time before surgery.
"Good news is he woke up from the surgery and the first thing, asked the doctor how it went," Harbaugh said. "(The doctor) talked about the success of the surgery and he didn't anticipate he'd be out for the year. His comment to that was, 'Got no choice but to be back.' Every day now is a healing day, and that starts today."
This is a tough blow for the two-time defending NFC West champions after Crabtree's breakout 2012 season. He was one of the big reasons the franchise returned to the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years, clicking with quarterback Colin Kaepernick after his promotion to starter in November over departed 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith.
"It's a setback, but Michael's young, he's strong. Everything will be a positive approach to healing and we'll anticipate great things," Harbaugh said. "Another thing right now is if you look at the young receivers on our team that will emerge because they have to emerge. I'm excited to watch them compete for that spot."
Harbaugh wouldn't say whether the 49ers would look outside the organization for a replacement with Crabtree out, or even if the team would consider bringing back Randy Moss.
"We're excited for the young receivers that we have, and feel that somebody's going to emerge there," he said. "Competition will create that, and we'll look forward to watching that."
Anquan Boldin, acquired in a trade with the Ravens this spring, will be counted upon to carry a bulk of the load. Boldin missed Wednesday's practice for what Harbaugh called "some prior commitments for this week."
Boldin had 65 catches for 921 yards and four touchdowns for the Ravens last season.
Kaepernick and Crabtree were eager to get back on the field together after falling just short in New Orleans back in February.
"It's an injury. Nobody wants it to happen no matter who it is," Kaepernick said.
Kaepernick's fourth-down throw into the end zone in the closing moments sailed over Crabtree. Harbaugh and the 49ers argued that Crabtree got held, bumped by cornerback Jimmy Smith with safety Ed Reed trailing the play.
Crabtree also had five TDs and 30 catches on third-down plays last season — both stats among the top five in the NFL.
Kaepernick offered an easy explanation as to why they clicked so well: "He got open."
He has bounced back the past two seasons from several injuries.
After a 71-day contract stalemate as a rookie, Crabtree was sidelined during the 2010 preseason with a neck injury. Again a year later he was out with a broken foot sustained while working out in Alex Smith-organized practices during the NFL lockout.
In 2011, Crabtree led the team in catches (72) and yards receiving (874), but San Francisco came up short of a Super Bowl.
While he had four catches for 25 yards and a 4-yard touchdown reception in a 36-32 victory against Drew Brees and the favored Saints in the NFC divisional playoffs, it was the NFC championship game Crabtree remembers as a most disappointing day.
San Francisco's receivers had just one catch for 3 yards — yes, it was by him — and Crabtree was targeted four times in a 20-17 overtime loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
Crabtree said that performance helped fuel him last year.
"Obviously he's a great player, he's done a lot for this team," Kaepernick said. "We just have to have someone step up. He's not happy about it, he's just trying to get healthy now. Crab's going to work, he's going to be back."
The 49ers signed fourth-round draft pick WR Quinton Patton to a four-year contract. ... The team also claimed tight end/long snapper Kyle Nelson off of waivers from the San Diego Chargers and waived P Anthony Santella. ... Also gone Wednesday were S Darcel McBath, who Harbaugh said was ill; LT Joe Staley, C Jonathan Goodwin, CB Tarell Brown and LB NaVorro Bowman.


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Medium-sized shorebird with bright yellow legs. Plumage is essentially identical to Greater Yellowlegs; gray upperparts with white speckling, and white belly. Proportions are more important: bill only slightly longer than the head and straight; smaller overall than Greater Yellowlegs with shorter neck, rounded head, and cuter appearance. See also: Greater Yellowlegs.
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Your Online Guide To Birds And Bird Watching
Comprehensive life histories of North American breeding birds
Life histories of all species breeding in Mexico, Central America, and South America

subset: commoncrawl


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Courtesy of Dina Shacknai
Dina Shacknai and her son, Max, 6. The California mom believes her son's death last summer was no accident.
The mother of 6-year-old Max Shacknai believes her son was slain inside his millionaire father's Coronado, Calif., mansion last summer and wants police to find out who did it.
"He was a victim of assault and a victim of homicide," Dina Shacknai told NBC News on Thursday. "Even though nothing will bring my only child Maxie back, I owe it to him, as his mother, to make sure the true facts of his death are known."
Dina Shacknai is at odds with the conclusion of Coronado police, who have called Max's death a tragic accident. Police say the boy fell over a railing and tumbled down the stairs at his father's historic John D. Spreckels mansion on July 11, 2011. He struck the carpeted floor face first, fracturing his forehead, police said. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse when paramedics found him. Max died a week later at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Dina Shacknai and the boy's father, Jonah Shacknai, a pharmaceutical company executive and multimillionaire, divorced in 2009, she said. She said they kept their relationship amicable, for the sake of their son.
"We believed in co-parenting and wanted the best for Maxie," Dina Shacknai said.
Timeline of events in the Spreckels mansion deaths
She said Max was visiting his father, spending time at the mansion to be with his two step-siblings, Jonah Shacknai's two children from a separate marriage. The older siblings, however, were not at the mansion at the time of Max's fall, she said.
She said the terrible set of events continue to shock and horrify her to this day.
Max Shacknai
Days after the boy's fall, his father's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, was found hanging nude from a second-story balcony in the same house. The San Diego Sheriff's Department ruled Zahau's July 14 death a suicide.
Shacknai hired two independent experts to review the Coronado police's findings.
"Things just didn't add up to me," she said. "When I started this process all I knew is that I wanted the truth, wherever that led, like any parent would."
Forensic pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek contributed to the independent investigation, calling the classification of Max's death "inaccurate."
"It would be more accurate to certify that manner as a homicide, where homicide is defined as death at the hands of another," Melinek said in the statement.
Melinek said there is the possibility of a scenario in which Max was assaulted, leading to his fall from the balcony. Here's the investigator's take:
"The perpetrator injured [Max's] face and shoulder and Max then was pushed against or backed into the second-story railing, causing the pattern(ed) injuries along his back."
"He was then either lifted over the banister or escaped over the banister, falling down to the front entry way..." causing further injury to his back.
"He landed on the top of his head and collapsed with his legs following, rather than with his legs first and his face second."
Jonah Shacknai also asked California Attorney General Kama Harris to review investigators' findings that his girlfriend killed herself by tying her wrists and ankles and hanging herself.
Zahau's family also has called for a separate investigation. According to NBC News, the family appeared on two episodes of the afternoon television show "Dr. Phil" in November to talk about the case.
For more, view NBCSanDiego.com's report on mansion death investigation
A spokeswoman for the Coronado police said the department will review information presented by Dina Shacknai's investigators.
"They provided the information, we told them we would look at it. We don't even know what we're looking at at this point," Lea Corbin, spokeswoman for the Coronado Police Department, told NBC News.
Attempts to contact Jonah Shacknai were unsuccessful on Thursday. A telephone call to his lawyer's office was not returned.
'He was a gift'
A year later, Dina Shacknai said she is still filled with grief.
"He was such a beautiful, generous child and we donated his organs; his liver saved an infant and his kidneys went to two adults," she said.
"He was a gift to us and gift to all of us. I was the luckiest mom in all the universe," said Dina Shacknai as she fought back tears during a telephone interview from Arizona.
She said she misses her son's bright smile, and his voice.
"Every time I saw Maxie, I felt I had won the lottery. He was the best," she said. "It is a terrible thing to now know what happened to someone you love. He deserves justice."
View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.
NBCSanDiego.com contributed to this report.
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Nitrile rubber (R)
The term nitrile rubber is used for acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). This material has very good engineering properties and is a general-purpose sealing lip material. It is a copolymer manufactured from acrylonitrile and butadiene that provides good resistance to the following media:
- Most mineral oils and greases with a mineral oil base
- Normal fuels like gasoline, diesel and light heating oils
- Animal and vegetable oils and fats and hot water
Nitrile rubber also tolerates short-term dry running of the sealing lip. The permissible operating temperature range of nitrile rubber is –40 to +100 °C (–40 to +210 °F). For brief periods, temperatures of up to 120 °C (250 °F) can be tolerated.
SKF also offers a special nitrile rubber compound with a temperature range between –55 and +110 °C (–65 and +230 °F).


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Atheros SOC
From LinuxMIPSJump to navigationJump to search
The AR531x/231x is a platform by Atheros, which is used for dual-band and single-band 108Mb/s routers and accesspoints. It is also refered as a WiSoC - Wireless System-on-a-Chip, and the radio inside often refered as RoC - Radio-on-a-Chip.
Atheros WiSoC generations/evolution
- AR5001 generation (802.11a only)
- AR5001AP (AR5311 CPU + AR5111 5GHz RoC)
- AR5002 generation (first dual-band designs)
- AR5002AP-G] (AR2312 CPU + AR2112 2.4GHz RoC)
- AR5002AP-X (AR2312 CPU + AR5112 2.4/5GHz RoC)
- AR5002AP-2X (AR5312 CPU + AR5112 2.4/5GHz RoC + AR2112 2.4GHz RoC)
- AR5003 and AR5004 generation (Super-AG technology). The AR5003 got merged into the AR5004. The new WiSoCs are/were in production, but they were not announced.
- AR5005 generation (MIMO technology, onboard AES engine, serial flash)
- AR5007 generation (radical decrease of BOM)
AR7100 is a family of the SoC: Wireless Network Processing Unit (WNPU) designed for home and enterprise WiFi access points, routers and gateways.
AR7100 includes:
- 32bit MIPS 24K processor core, clocked at 300MHz (AR7130); 400MHz (AR7141); 680MHz (AR7161)
- Two 10/100/1000 ethernet MACs
- High speed UART and GPIOs
- DDR and serial FLASH memory interface
- 32 bit, 33/66 MHz PCI 2.3 host interface
- Two integrated USB 2.0 MAC/PHYs
- PCM interface for telephone SLIC support
- I2S interface to directly support an external audio codec
- Bufallo WER-AM54G54 (AR5002AP-2X)
- D-Link DI-524, at least HW rev C1, but it only has 8MB RAM and 1MB ROM.
- D-Link DWL-2210AP (AR2313)
- D-Link DWL-2100AP (AR5002AP-G : core AR2312@180/240MHz, radio AR2112)
- D-Link DWL-7100AP (AR5002AP-2X)
- D-Link DWL-774 (AR5002AP-2X) (discontinued)
- LevelOne WBR-3405TX : AR2313A and Marvell 88E6060 switch
- Linksys WRT55AG v2 Product Link (AR5002AP-2X)
- Meraki Mini (AR2315) - source available for Meraki's own Linux port
- MicraDigital/Belkin F5D7230 (ver.1020ec) (AR2315A)
- Netgear WGR614v3.
- Netgear WGT624 Product link (AR5002AP-G) (v2 AR5001AP)
- Netgear WG102 (AR2313)
- Senao NL-5354 AP1 Aries2 (AR5002AP-2X)
- Senao NL-3054 AP3 Aries2 (AR2313)
- Siemens SE551 (AR2316)
- Sweex LW050v2 : AR2317, Marvell 88E6060, 8MB RAM
- Wistron CA8-4/CE8-1 aka Ovislink WLA-5000AP, LinkPro WLT-108AAP, Diswire CAP2/5 (AR5002AP-X)
- Wistron CR8-2 aka LinkPro WLT-108AAR (AR5002AP-2X)
- Smc WEBT-G aka Philips SNR6500 aka Siemens Wlan Repeater 108 (AR2316)
- X-Micro XWL-11GRAG : AR5002AP-G (AR2312A+AR2112) and Marvell 88E6060
OEM dual APs, internally identical:
- TrendNet TEW-510APB Atheros AR5312 SoC 220MHz
- Tonze AW-6660
- SparkLAN WX-7800A
- XtendLan WDAP-1001
and many more.
Atheros chipsets based wireless 802.11a/b/g devices
There was a page about this SOC at openwrt wiki


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More from Ciaran Hinds on "the Unheard of Dumbledore" in "Deathly Hallows"
Feb 26, 2010
Actor Interviews
There are a pair of new interviews online with actor Ciaran Hinds, who is set to portray the character of Aberforth Dumbledore in the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" films, in which more is revealed about his involvement in the production. FIrst, Collider has a video interview online in which Mr. Hinds discusses the time he spent on set, his knowledge of the role and books before filming, and his experience working with the cast. Noting that he "did about five days work on [the film]," he related he felt "honored to join the Harry Potter club" and be associated with the films. Calling his Aberforth "the unheard of Dumbledore," Hinds went on to speak about the kind of "genuinely fantastic" prosthetics used to transform his visage into one resembling being a part of the Dumbledore family.
A second interview comes courtesy of MovieWeb.com focuses more on the experience Mr. Hinds had while filming for the "Deathly Hallows" film. Quoteage:
What has it been like to play Aberforth in the Harry Potter films?
Ciarán Hinds: He is not in it for very long. I must warn you. Again, it was a great thrill just to be in it. He's not that involved in the story. I think he comes in near the very end, where he comes in and saves the gang from being torn apart by Dementors. He actually explains to Harry and Hermione, and Ron, the history of his brother when they were young. Even though he's gotten a few black marks for his behavior. They go through the whole cycle of it. But I'm not sure where that is going to be added to the story. It was a mystery to me why I was thrown into the pot. When I took a look at all of the other actors there, I have to say…I was very thrilled to be a part of it. I don't even know if you'll be able to recognize me in this. Hopefully I will look like Michael Gambon's younger brother. It was great fun to play.
What was it like to step onto that set for the first time?
Ciarán Hinds: It all looked pretty crazy. My major scene took place in a small room. It was a room under the pub that he ran. It was very much contained, the scene that I had to do. Then I had to shoot for two more days, where they had me running around this huge set. It had been ripped apart in a Morlock battle. It was covered with people running around waving a wand in a certain direction. That was the mad part of it that I just had one day on. Last January. Most of the stuff I did in the film was contained in a small room.
Many thanks to Snitch Seeker for the info!


text:
Our Lemon Mobiles Duo 319 accessories include the compatible Lemon Mobiles Duo 319 USB Cable for your Lemon Mobiles Duo 319.
If you need any assistance with Lemon Mobiles Duo 319 accessories please call us toll free 800-278-4002 9am-5pm CT Mon-Fri or email firstname.lastname@example.com anytime and our knowledgeable sales team will assist you in finding the Lemon Mobiles accessory you are looking for. All Lemon Mobiles Duo 319 accessories come with a Compatability Guarantee and Same Day Shipping.
To find accessories for other Lemon Mobiles phones please see our Lemon Mobiles Phone Accessories page.


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Lady Gaga: Alexander McQueen is Working Through Me
Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar
Alexander McQueen's untimely death last year shocked the fashion world, and while Lady Gaga mourned alongside the designers and artists he touched, she believes his passing came with a purpose. "I think he planned the whole thing: Right after he died, I wrote 'Born This Way,'" the singer explains in the May issue of
Harper's Bazaar
. "I think he's up in heaven with fashion strings in his hands, marionetting away, planning this whole thing." In fact, in a twist of fate, Gaga's record label moved the release date of "Born This Way," dropping it on the one-year anniversary of McQueen's death. "When I heard that, I knew he planned the whole damn thing," she continues. "I didn't even write the f—ing song. He did!" In the interview, Gaga touches on her relationships with designers like Hussein Chalayan, who created her Grammys "vessel," and Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti, who tapped her to walk in his Paris runway show last month. But one topic that really stirs up some passion is plastic surgery. "I have never had plastic surgery, and there are many pop singers who have," she states. "I think that promoting insecurity in the form of plastic surgery is infinitely more harmful than an artistic expression related to body modification." So as for the protrusions on her shoulders, cheekbones and temples she's been sporting lately? Pure art. "I am an artist," she says of those 'bones,' "and I have the ability and the free will to choose the way the world will envision me." For more photos and the full story, go to harpersbazaar.com/ladygaga and pick up a copy of the May issue, on newsstands April 26. —Kate Hogan
Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar


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Twins to reinstate Ramirez
Option Arcia to Triple-A Rochester
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN -- The Minnesota Twins announced tonight that they are reinstating outfielder Wilkin Ramirez from the Paternity List tomorrow. His fiancé, Karaine, gave birth to their daughter Venus on Sunday afternoon.
To make room for Ramirez on the 25-man roster, the Twins have optioned outfielder Oswaldo Arcia to Triple-A Rochester. Arcia went 1-for-3 in his major league debut tonight against the Angels.
Read More: Minnesota Twins


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Quote: I didn't really like that point sparring tournament because some people lose the flavor of anything they have been trained and they stand there with their leg up and chambered ready to kick the second you get close enough.
Quote:I cant stand point-sparring because it doesnt prove anything, when it comes to martial arts. Its more of a balance competition, who can keep their leg up the longest. What martial art focuses on this? NONE... so whats the point, to get a medal?
Quote: I am just tired of hearing people say "I fight full contact" then walk onto the mat dressed like the stay puff marshmellow man.
Quote:I have nothing against point sparring- but I do have something against point-stop sparring. I simply fail to understand how it is useful. Afterall, not only is the whole one-hit ko philosophy flawed IMO, but trying to judge what is the first strong techinque to score, can be a nightmare for the judge/referee.
Artifacts from the Ryukyu Kingdom missing since WWII.
Visit www.ShisaLion.Org
to view pictures
Stun Guns
Self Defense Products-stun guns, pepper spray, tasers
and more
Complete surveillance systems for covert operations
or secure installation security
Asylum Images
Book presents photo tour of the Trans-Allegany Lunatic Asylum. A must if you're going to take a ghost tour!


text:
Did you know that Adele has a dachshund she named Louie after he started howling to a Louie Armstrong song? Or that it's rumored Lady Gaga will be performing both the opening and closing songs at the 54th Grammys? Or that Alexandre Desplat is up for a Grammy for his Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 score?
Pretty cool stuff, right? We definitely think so, and it's all information that Wikia's music communities have been busy chronicling. So to make sure YOU know all about the amazing efforts of our rapidly growing music wikis, we're hosting a Countdown to Music's Biggest Night.
Starting this Wednesday, February 1st on the Music Wiki, we're counting down the 12 remaining days to the Grammys in many ways. Each day we'll be bringing you news and interviews from Wikia's Music Communities and we'll be hosting our first ever Grammy Pool where you can vote on your picks in top categories for Best Album, Best Song, Best Artist, etc. Whoever gets the most correct predictions wins our grand prize!
And to make sure we can all share Grammy predictions with each other (only AFTER the ballot page has closed, of course), we'll be hosting a LIVE CHAT (a.k.a. Grammy Gabfest) during the telecast so we can all be part of Music's Biggest Night in real time, together.
So stop by to view the daily calendar where we'll bring you everything Grammys. By the way, did you know that Bruno Mars, whose hit song "It Will Rain" featured on the Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 soundtrack, received 6 Grammy nods this year?
So come and join the fun right now on the Music Wiki!
Click here to follow the Fandom staff blog.
Interested in learning more about community management on Fandom?
Click here to view our community management blog.
Read through our Best Practices guides for keeping your community growing and healthy.
Join our Official Discord server for registered editors!


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Forum Software: Burning Board® Lite 2.1.2 pl 1, developed by WoltLab® GmbH


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Mastertronic announces full indie line-up for EGX Rezzed
Mastertronic has announced its full indie line-up for EGX Rezzed, which takes place this weekend.
Mastertronic headlines
Montague's Mount puts an Irish spin on first-person adventure to
Montague's Mount is a first-person adventure set on an isolated Irish island, packed with Gaelic and built by lone Irish indie developer. This launch trailer shows off its unique atmosphere in celebration of its arrival on a variety of digital distributors.
Speedball 2 HD coming to PC next month
A revamped version of classic future sports sim Speedball 2 is just around the corner.
Mastertronic to distribute select Bethesda PC titles at UK retail
Mastertronic will distribute a selection of Bethesda PC games to UK retail, the firm has announced. Titles Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 5th Anniversary Edition, RAGE: Anarchy Edition, Brink and Hunted: The Demon's Forge will be distributed throughout the UK "at a great savings."
Serious Sam 3: BFE launches worldwide on Xbox Live Arcade next week
Serious Sam 3: BFE will launch worldwide on Xbox Live Arcade next week, Croteam, Devolver Digital and Mastertronic have announced.
Worms Collection UK release date pinned down
Worms Collection, gathering together three of Team 17's classic combat games, is headed to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the UK.
Mastertronic to publish Gaea Mission in Europe, confirmed for gamescom
Bohemia Interactive has announced it's partnering with Mastertronic release its action-RTS Carrier Command: Gaea Mission in France, Benelux and Nordic regions as well as the UK on September 27. The game will be made available for PC and Xbox 360. A new public demo of the game will be also be playable at gamescom in […]
Mastertronic's Payne given OBE in New Year Honours
Mastertronic managing director Andy Payne has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's New Year Honours list, its been confirmed this morning.
PSA: The Cursed Crusade out today in the UK
dtp entertainment and Mastertronic have released The Cursed Crusade for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 in the UK today. The cooperative third-person action-adventure centers around a pair of cursed warriors fighting to save their souls in medieval Europe. The game features various fighting techniques, with over 100 different attacks and over 100 finishing moves through […]
Mastertronic latest
Montague's Mount puts an Irish spin on first-person adventure to
Mastertronic to distribute select Bethesda PC titles at UK retail
Serious Sam 3: BFE launches worldwide on Xbox Live Arcade next week
Mastertronic to publish Gaea Mission in Europe, confirmed for gamescom


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By Caroline McGraw Oct 24, 2011 2
Group Homes: Finding and Assessing a Residence
After a generation of institutionalization, community-based residential placements for adults with autism have a great deal to offer to families today. For those who have not visited a thriving group home, picture a refrigerator covered with drawings and photographs, walls painted in individuals' favorite shades, and, most importantly, a lively group of people who can make a house a home.
But how do families of adults with autism find such a placement? How can parents and siblings help loved ones access residential services, which offer both independence and interdependence for their loved ones?
Most community-based group homes are Medicaid Waiver providers of residential services in their respective states, and as such, they are bound by the amount of funds they receive from their state and federal governments. The way Waivers function as regards housing varies from state to state, and eligibility requirements vary, too. While most residential providers receive funding from state and federal agencies, some privately funded housing providers (such as religious organizations) may rely on endowments, donations and volunteers to stay in operation. Some homes rely on all of these sources.
States have differing criteria for diagnostic, functional and financial eligibility, and as such, it's important for parents and caregivers to connect with their state's developmental disability office. Accessing these offices will allow caregivers find out whether or not the person in their care does qualify (or will qualify) for residential services.
However, there are a few general principles of the residential system of care for adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities that are consistent across the states. For many families of adults with autism, becoming well-versed in the structures that govern their particular state is a good first step in considering residential options.
How Wait Lists Are Structured
The structure of the wait lists for housing services varies by state as well; some states, such as Virginia, have classified their lists into "urgent," "non-urgent" and "planning" lists based upon the age of the individual and the level of supports they need. Likewise, some states, like New Jersey, have a "priority" list, automatically including people with disabilities whose parents are 55 years old or older. To find the regulations for a specific state, contact the state developmental disability office or access the regulations online, via the state's developmental disability website.
Generally speaking, Medicaid Waivers help individuals with intellectual disabilities to receive the supports they need to remain in their local communities. Because Waivers are state-specific, an individual cannot apply for residential services in a state other than that in which he has legal residency. This can be limiting; many individuals with disabilities are at a major disadvantage for receiving housing services because of where their families have chosen to live. For example, according to state reports as of September 2011, Virginia has 5,798 individuals with disabilities on their Waiver wait list; New Jersey has upwards of 8,000. These numbers are the norm rather than the exception; states are receiving Waiver applications in unprecedented numbers, and they lack the monies to fund slots at the rate of increased demand.
To be deemed in "urgent" need of housing and thus be prioritized on a Waiver list, extreme scenarios must exist such as: individuals at an obvious risk of exploitation, neglect or abuse; individuals whose primary caregivers are 55 years old or older; individuals whose primary caregivers are themselves struggling with a physical or intellectual disability, and individuals whose behaviors require additional support that their current situation cannot provide.
Assessing a Potential Residence
Since wait lists are long and residential placements few, an invitation of welcome to a community-based group home is a dream come true for families of adults with intellectual disabilities. Yet many group homes typically welcome just four to eight adults with disabilities. The small size of homes allows for a focus on each person's needs, but it also means that most residential care organizations can support only a small percentage of their applicants.
Furthermore, homes for adults with intellectual disabilities are rarely limited to one diagnosis, given that state Waivers for different intellectual and developmental disabilities are often grouped together. Thus, adults with autism are likely to be paired with adults with brain injury, Down Syndrome or mild, moderate or severe intellectual disability when it comes to residential placement.
When considering a potential residence, parents and caregivers may need to consider a difference in functional capacity as a factor in their choice. For example, if one individual with autism is high-functioning when it comes to personal care, placement in a home with adults who need a great deal of direct care support might seem counterintuitive. However, the needs of the individual and the nature of the home, might allow for this as a viable choice.
Such a scenario could be a poor fit for an individual with autism who needs others to encourage him or her to engage, but it could be an empowering experience for an individual with autism who enjoys helping and supporting others, and receives encouragement to utilize their gifts from staff. While the difference in functional and relational abilities does have the potential to distance housemates, with guidance, it can also allow them unique opportunities for growth.
Furthermore, residences for adults with autism should have staff prepared to teach new routines one step at a time. If staff members are not well-versed in transition planning, the transition may be much more difficult than anticipated. Independent living skills learned at home may not come easily in a group setting. Scott Hykin is a clinical psychologist with a practice in Bethesda, Maryland who specializes in working with young ASD adults. "We're often dealing with [individuals] with significant executive dysfunction," he notes. "It's easy to fall into the trap that all these [independent] behaviors have been internalized, and will be transferred to the new living situation, when really, they're contextual. It's easy for parents to assume that all of those behaviors will immediately transfer. [Instead], they're going to have to go through an up-and-down process."
Staff/Resident Ratio
Staff to resident ratio is determined both by state regulations and the needs of the individuals in each home. It is important that families understand specifics of staffing when considering a residential placement. Special staffing needs must be examined as well. If an individual with autism is placed in a group home and requires overnight support, for example, an initial needs assessment (typically spaced over a period of 60 days) will confirm this need. If requested by the residential provider, states will often fund an hour or more of awake-overnight support for all new residents during a transition period. This ensures that the needs of each individual are being assessed correctly.
Once data has been collected, the residential organization itself will need to apply for Medicaid funding for permanent overnight hours as needed, in order to pay for staff to give care during that time.
Who Are Staff?
Staff for residential placements must meet certain requirements, but once again, those requirements vary from state to state. Background checks, high school diplomas or GEDs and negative PPD/Chest X-rays are typical initial requirements. Further training often includes CPR/First Aid and Medication Administration Training (taught by an RN). Supplemental trainings may focus on human rights, behavior management, food handling, Universal Precautions, HIPAA training, etc. As a parent or caregiver, it's important to ask what staff qualifications are, and what type of screening and orientation process the residential organization uses when hiring and training new staff.
A Promise of Inclusion
For many residents, life in a community-based group home lives up to its promise of inclusion. In the words of one resident, "I get to go out in the community with my friends, go to [social groups], do email, do things I like. I invite people and they can come over for dinner, hang out and watch a DVD movie." Another resident, when asked what he likes best about life in his residential placement, says simply, "That it's home for life. And that we go out to lunch." Yet just two years ago, these adults with disabilities could only hope that they'd receive an invitation to their current home. The home in which they live received nearly forty applications for four slots.
Such a disparity is becoming ever more typical as the need for placements exceeds the number of residences available. In this era of deinstitutionalization, community-based providers can't keep up with the demand for beds. And federal and state monies are becoming harder and harder to obtain. Opening new homes can be problematic in some cases, as neighborhoods push back and protest adding group homes to their communities.
Lack of Choice: A Barrier to Successful Transitions
As exciting as it can be for residential providers to tell families, "Your brother/sister/son/daughter is being invited to live here," they also make calls to say, "We're sorry. We simply don't have the capacity to welcome your loved one." Unless one is a parent or caregiver, it's difficult to imagine how challenging this 'no' can be. And these conversations are happening everywhere. As a new generation of people with intellectual disabilities comes into adulthood, their families face rejection and a lack of resources at every turn. In her recent New York Times feature article, "Autistic and Seeing a Place in the Adult World," Amy Harmon comments, "With some 200,000 autistic teenagers set to come of age in the United States over the next five years alone, little is known about their ability to participate fully in public life, or what it would take to accommodate them."
In rare circumstances, however, selecting a residential provider can be a process of mutual assessment. Such was the case for one potential group home resident with a Medicaid Waiver slot in Washington, DC. Because two desirable residential providers had openings available at the time of their search, her family knew they had options. Knowing this allowed them the freedom to decide which—if any—residential placement would be a good fit for their daughter. Having options took the pressure off of the family and the providers, empowering both to make the best possible decision. Unfortunately, this scenario is the exception rather than the rule.
Typically, parents and caregivers are faced with a limited time to explore and decide on residential placement—due to factors such as parent's aging and individual's high level of need—and even more limited options for residential care. They feel pressured to find a place for their loved one, but the search can be disheartening. For many famlies, an individual can begin to transition into residential care only when:
- They have a Waiver slot;
- There is a demonstrated need for residential supports (for up to 24 hours per day) as determined by a formal assessment administered by a social worker or clinical professional;
- There is a qualified provider with a residential placement available.
For Maria Gillen, the sister of an individual with intellectual disabilities currently living a group home, the beginning of her search was discouraging. "I was looking for a place that shared my belief that every human—no matter their limitations—has tremendous value and potential," she comments. So Maria spent time getting to know the organization that currently provides housing services for her sister. She talked with leadership members and direct-care assistants alike, and was impressed by the open lines of communication. She attended house tours, fundraising breakfasts and community events, all in an effort to see whether or not the residential provider could deliver what was promised.
This need for exceptional homes far exceeds the resources available. There are not enough community-based homes for the adults who need them, and those that are available do not always embrace the ideas of inclusion and integration. Most states have not prioritized their resources for disability care, and as such, case managers are struggling to place eligible individuals in appropriate homes. It's a struggle that will only increase as more individuals with disabilities come of age.
According to recent testimony by Cynthia R. Mann, Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, although Medicaid continues to allocate more funds to community-based residential services, "the percent of Medicaid long-term care funding directed toward HCBS varies among States from 14 to 75 percent." Hence, there is great disparity in how the states themselves are allocating their disability services funding.
How Parents and Caregivers Can Prepare For Residential Transitions
If possible, parents should schedule visits with multiple residential providers prior to the time when their child is eligible for services. Parents will know whether or not their child is eligible for housing support based upon their state's eligibility criteria. And while the young adult with ASD may not be ready for a residential placement yet, understanding available options is crucial. The provider with the spot available in the near future might not be a good fit, and it's best to know that as soon as possible. Likewise, if a family visits and connects well with a provider who has no spots available, they will know to stay in touch and build a relationship for the future.
In addition, visitation may help adults with autism have a more complete perspective on life in a residential placement and help with their readiness for such a big move. Hykin notes that there must be "a balance between [parents] desperately wanting to give that independent experience to a young adult . . . and that young adult's ability to cope with such a transition."
Alvin, a resident of a group home, says when asked whether he was apprehensive about his move after fifty-plus years of life with his parents: "I wasn't nervous. Nope!" There was a reason for his confidence: Alvin had visited the residential placement regularly, participating in events for several years before receiving an invitation of welcome. As such, he was able to transition gradually, to feel at ease with the idea of a new house becoming his home.
If an adult with disabilities is resistant to the idea of moving, understanding the root cause of the anxiety is a first step in helping ease the way. Is she worried about changes to her daily routine? Is he afraid to live away from his parents? Families may wish to consult a mental health professional to help with this process.
Frequent visits to the new home, short stays at respite care facilities, creating written lists of current routines can prepare adults with autism for their own transitions. Likewise, if an adult is enthusiastic about the idea of transition, it can be a time for their parents to learn the love involved in letting go. With this in mind, some residential providers ask that adults with disabilities not stay overnight at their parents' homes during their first thirty days at the new house. Typically, families are encouraged to call and visit the group home instead. This is a request made to empower incoming group home residents, allowing them the space they need to adjust to their new home life.
"Depending upon the young adult, there's often a real and powerful desire for independence, for themselves," says Hykin. "[Parents often] don't want to put them in a position where they'll struggle. As caregivers, we're going to anticipate struggle; the question is whether or not they're moving forward."


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Rumors of the possibility of a new Command & Conquer title in the franchise have been circulating for quite some time. At the VGAs, Electronic Arts confirmed that Command & Conquer: Generals 2 is in development with BioWare at the helm.
Actually, while BioWare is behind the new entry in the franchise, it is being handled by a new BioWare studio called BioWare Victory. This studio actually used to be Victory Games, but has since joined the BioWare family.
The way that we are reading the plans is that Command & Conquer: Generals 2 will be a Frostbite 2 powered console title, while plans for a PC-only exclusive title are still happening. It is suspected that this PC-only C&C title will also be powered by Frostbite 2. (Look for Frostbite 2 to be the development platform for many EA titles going forward.)
Published in Gaming
Command & Conquer: Generals 2 confirmed
by David Stellmack on12 December 2011
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BioWare to be at the helm powered by Frostbite 2


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|Dr Gangan Prathap
(Former Director, NISCAIR, New Delhi & VC CUSAT)
Honorary Professor
Joint Director (Academics)
(On - Deputation)
|Dr. BAIJU. B
Joint Director (Examinations)
(On Deputation)
|Dr. Shine.N. Das
Joint Director (e-Governance)
(On Deputation)
|Bijumon T
Assistant Director (e-Governance)
(On Deputation)
|Sheeja P George
Joint Director (Research)
(On Deputation)
|Gopin .G
Joint Registrar (Academics)
|S. Venugopal
Joint Registrar (Exam)
|Mesiah Das .J
Joint Registrar (Student Grievance)
|Rajesh .A V
Assistant Director (Exam)
(On Deputation)
|Sreejith .B J
Assistant Director (Exam)
(On Deputation)
|Mahamaya V.J.
Section Officer (Exam Confidential Section )
|Praveen. R
Section Officer (Academics)
|Mohan Kumar A.S
Section Officer (Exam)
|Salil Rosh T.S
Section Officer (Administration)
|Asha.T. Varkey
Section Officer (Exam)
|Sumesh. M. G
Section Officer (Affiliation & Legal)
|Reena. S
Section Officer (Exam)
|Viji Kurien Thomas
Section Officer (Finance)
|Suresh Babu G
PS to PVC
|Sajila K S
Assistant (Exam)
|Oormila. T.R
Assistant (Academics)
|Binumon. S
Assistant (Exam)
|Kavitha. G
Assistant (Academics)
|Indulekha. R
Assistant (Administration)
|Jasar Ariat
Assistant (Finance)
|Binu .D
Assistant (Examination)
|Azeem Rasheed B
Assistant (Research)
|Jisha. B
Assistant ( Exam)
|Arathy.P. S
C.A to VC (On Deputation)
|Asok Kumar .S
Clerical Assistant (Administration)
|Rajesh Tennyson. E
Clerical Assistant (Examination)
|Suresh Kumar V.S
Clerical Assistant (Administration)
Clerical Assistant (Administration)


text: My local Long and McQuade has a P22 in Solana Burst. It's a 2012... New, not used... no scratches on the Top but a bit of a gouge/scratch on the side... I really want to get a P22 a week from today lol... I could also go for one in Armando's Amethyst in a different city that I could get shipped by monday. The 2012 has 53/10 pickups which I have heard are amazing, where as the 2013 has 57/08s... thoughts oh yeah... I snapped a picture with my iPhone either way I will probably have a NGD monday night!!!


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Some of us are just not ready to buy another anchor. In the mean time, we may be willing to make minor investments to increase our safety and sleep. We might be willing to do this no matter what anchor we have.
Again, how many anchoring mishaps occur because the maximum holding power of the anchor has been exceeded? I would guess that poor set must dominate as the cause of problems, especially where average weather is involved.
So I am back to the beginning of my quest. If poor or broken set is the problem, how to I improve set or reset without buying another anchor?
I have always understood increasing scope as increasing the amount of rode that is parallel to or on the bottom. The parallel pull is supposed to bury the anchor as opposed to breaking it loose. If an anchor is only partially set, the next big load can do one of three things:
- Leave it partially set
- Break it out
- Fully set it
I am glad that Peter Smith posted his knowledge. It changed my thinking on the subject.


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Optus HFC network gobbled by NBN Co for AU$800m
"Black day indeed for the ACCC and competition in Australia" says Turnbull
SingTel Optus will hand over its 400,000 HFC network customers to NBN Co and decommission parts of the network following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's final approval of the AU$800 million HFC asset deal.
The original agreement was announced last June, subject to a raft of conditions including authorisation by the ACCC.
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims that the regulator had concluded that if it did not grant authorisation, competition between the HFC and the NBN would be "unlikely to endure in the long term due to the pervasive and enduring economies of scale associated with the NBN."
"The ACCC remains of the view that the public benefits, which are clear and quantifiable, on balance outweigh the likely detriment," he said.
The ACCC's findings claimed that it would be unlikely that the footprint of the Optus HFC network would be extended beyond the current 1.4 million homes, limiting the potential for its subscriber base to grow beyond its current level of around 400,000 broadband subscribers.
It also holds the view that the Optus HFC network would be uneconomic to operate once a critical mass of customers were lost.
NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley said "the migration of Optus' cable customers supports the NBN's business case and confirms the network as the cornerstone of Australia's digital communications future. This marks a shift from the past where a number of companies used their resources to duplicate network access infrastructure."
Opposition communications spokesperson Malcolm Turnbull mocked the HFC agreement stating in May, when the draft decision was issued, that it was a grossly anti-competitive move, based on an inconsistent argument. At the time he said "If you accept the ACCC's reasoning, then the people running the NBNCo are commercial morons."
He's since toned down his language a little, today saying the deal merely represents "A black day indeed for the ACCC and competition in Australia." ®
Sponsored: Detecting cyber attacks as a small to medium business


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Did you ever ask yourself how it could have been possible that some 60, 70 years ago a whole people – the Germans – hailed one man who then turned out to be a pretty bad guy?
I am not very surprised since I became someone who yelled Hail!
Up to the days I stopped yelling Hail! – or the equivalent – I, myself, definitely did not understand how a whole people could be so blind and miss what was going on in the 3rd Reich.
It was simple arrogance, through ignorance.
Fortunately I was able to change my arrogance of looking down upon the 'poor misled people of Germany' into a more humble understanding.
In order to accomplish this I first had to stop yelling Hail! myself, and then realize that I had indeed been shouting Hail!
I'm not old enough to live through the Hitler regime – so where the heck did I get a chance to yell Hail?
I'm not going to give you any names here because that would take away the fun for you to find out yourself, but I do tell that it was a group that many of you might know. You might have had a similar experience already, but for all of you who don't – go out and find it.
It was a group that started out great several decades ago. There was a lot of information, and procedures were available that allowed you to understand life a lot better. But I joined in much later when this group had already fallen into the trap of considering itself the one and only, becoming dogmatic and eventually considering itself a religion.
I have seen this phenomenon in many areas of life. The best account of this behavior was told by Thomas Thouw, who was the assistant at the physics department at the university in charge of me as a graduate student. He grew up as the heir of his uncle's karate mastership. Originally from Indonesia he ended up, after an odyssey, in Heidelberg, Germany. There he started a karate group to teach the real principles of this mainly spiritual art, not the type of karate as seen on TV.
Fortunately he was strong enough to see that his students had turned into his disciples and he had started to worship him as a guru. He knew that this violated all the principles of karate he wanted to teach, so he kicked them out, advising them to get a life.
This tendency of a group to find a guru, make a god, seems to be very prevalent. I have noticed this in movements from Macrobiotics over Chi Gong to even urine-therapy.
The quality of the technology behind this movements seems to be rather irrelevant. Good technology gives better results for more members but as long as something works really great for some professional followers the danger is there.
The group I had become a disciple in and had learned to yell Hail! happened to have really good data and technology, so it was easy for members to 'believe.'
The next step then was to 'press the help button'. We all want to help. Especially after we got something really good, something that helped us tremendously, we want to give back. This is the stage of the missionary. Obviously the missionary is 'better' than the subjects of his mission, but he definitely wants to lift them all up to his level.
See where the arrogance is coming in?
Unfortunately there are stubborn people who don't want to be helped. The situation escalates and so we created the next required element – an external enemy.
That's all the elements required to form a closed system in which internal propaganda can do whatever it wants. External data to measure the propaganda against are no longer available, so whatever the propaganda says becomes true. Anything that questions the propaganda data is infiltration from the enemy and only makes the propaganda data more true.
I was lucky enough to have kept one little tentacle out there in the other world. It was not strong enough to directly question the validity of the data that was fed to me and that I asked to be fed. But it was strong enough that I grouched enough to be eventually kicked out of this group.
This is when I stopped yelling Hail!, but it still took me years to face the fact that I had in fact yelled Hail! This was the time I lost the arrogance that expresses itself in a righteous "HOW COULD THEY?"
Now we have the reason why I can not proclaim "How could they?", when I look at my fellow Americans and see what they allow their government to do to them.
All elements are there:
- the initial good technology – the wealth and way of life in America,
- the belief in the system
- the mission
- the enemy
Currently the war on terrorism, the weapons of mass destruction, the patriots act are pretty hefty stuff to swallow, but listen, I believed that it was reasonable that, if I wanted to walk across the bridge to total freedom, I first had to knuckle down to a system that demanded to control every single aspect of my life.
Funny, eh?


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Mexico – Taking on powerful, controversial causes, Bishop Raul Vera "becomes high-profile social activist"
The white-haired bishop stepped before some 7,000 faithful gathered in a baseball stadium in this violence-plagued northern border state. He led the gathering through the rituals of his Mass, reciting prayers echoed back by the massive crowd. And then his voice rose.
Politicians are tied to organized crime, Bishop Raul Vera bellowed while inaugurating the church's Year of Faith. Lawmakers' attempts to curb money laundering are intentionally weak. New labour reforms are a way to enslave Mexican workers.
How, Vera asked, can Mexicans follow leaders "who are the ones who have let organized crime grow, who have let criminals do what they do unpunished, because there's no justice in this country!"
In a nation where some clergy have been cowed into silence by drug cartels and official power, Vera is clearly unafraid to speak. That makes him an important voice of dissent in a country where the Roman Catholic Church often works hand-in-hand with the powerful, and where cynicism about politics is widespread and corrosive.
Vera's realm is a wide swath of Coahuila, a state bordering Texas that's become a hideout for the brutal Zetas drug cartel. It's where the current governor's nephew was killed in October and the former governor, the victim's father, resigned last year as leader of the political party that just returned to power with newly inaugurated President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Marked by his unvarnished speech, the Saltillo bishop's voice carries beyond his diocese here, especially when he weighs in on hot issues such as drug violence, vulnerable immigrants and gay rights.
In late 2007, Mexico City's Human Rights Commission denounced death threats against Vera and a burglary of the diocese's human rights offices. The following year, after Coahuila became the first Mexican state to allow civil unions for gay couples, a move the bishop endorsed, Vera was invited to speak at a U.S.-based conference for a Catholic gay and lesbian organization. In 2010, he was awarded a human rights prize in Norway.
Anonymous critics have hung banners outside the cathedral asking for what they called a real Catholic bishop. And last year, the 67-year-old was summoned to the Vatican to explain a church outreach program to gay youth.
Natalia Niño, president of Familias Mundi in Saltillo, told the Catholic News Agency last year that Vera had placed too much focus on supporting the gay community.
"A pastoral commitment to homosexual persons is necessary and welcomed, but not at the expense of the family and a solid pastoral plan for marriage and family, which is unfortunately being neglected in the diocese," she said.
Vera, who has had government bodyguards before, said he was foregoing similar security despite the criticism and threats. Such measures were rare and frowned upon in Saltillo, he said.
"I'm not the only one exposed, there are lots of people exposed who work with immigrants, with the missing," Vera said. "How do I cover myself? Them?"
Mexico's Bishops Conference did not respond to repeated requests for an interview about Vera. The church's hierarchy in Mexico did issue a statement in 2010 congratulating Vera on his human rights prize, and last year, the church condemned anonymous threats against him.
Vera's office often lends more weight to his words, especially when he speaks up about human rights, said Emiliano Ruiz Parra, a Mexican journalist and author of a new book that portrays Vera and other "black sheep" of the church in Mexico.
"Among the defenders of human rights he is the one who hedges the least, he says things the way they are," Parra said before Pena Nieto's Dec. 1 inauguration. "He's not afraid, for example, to take on the president, the one who's leaving or the president-elect."
Vera's homily on an October Sunday in Monclova included a lengthy diatribe about an alleged vote-buying scheme involving grocery store gift cards critics say were distributed by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as the PRI. Citing press reports, the bishop told the crowd organized crime paid for the scheme and helped Peña Nieto's victory. He also labeled as "collaborators" anyone who took a gift card in exchange for their vote.
"What we're seeing now is nothing other than the reaccommodation of the criminal groups with the new government teams," Vera said later as he raced back to Saltillo for another Mass. "The criminal groups always have their agreements with those who are in the state governments, in the federal government."
An industrial hub on the high desert about an hour west of Monterrey, Saltillo had long been known as a quiet haven in Mexico, distinguished by its auto manufacturing and a modern museum exhaustively detailing the surrounding terrain.
In recent years, however, the area has fallen victim to the drug violence plaguing other parts of Mexico. In 2011, 729 murders hit the state, compared to 449 the year before and 107 in 2006, according to preliminary figures released by the government this summer. Four bodies were found hanging from a Saltillo overpass earlier this month.
Until the nephew of Gov. Ruben Moreira was killed in early October, the political class had showed little concern for violence, Vera said.
"Fear of the conditions that Mexico is going through with the insecurity, with so much violence, makes us silent, and Don Raul is a strong voice who says what the rest of us are too scared to say," said Maria Luz Lopez Morales, a Vera friend and self-professed atheist who runs literacy programs for women in rural areas outside Monclova.
Vera arrived in Saltillo in 2000, after serving as the co-bishop in a deeply divided diocese in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, where Zapatista rebels were battling government troops. He came with a reputation as a social crusader.
"Ever since I arrived here, as I came from Chiapas and I wasn't a person who was going to support the government, since this moment they decided that my image needed to be restrained," Vera said. He pointed to critical coverage from a local television network where a host once displayed Vera's picture surrounded by flames of eternal damnation. Vera said he believed the host was paid to do the government's bidding.
In February 2006, Vera celebrated Mass at the Pasta de Conchos coal mine where 65 miners had perished and spent days with their families hammering the mine's owners, government officials and union leaders for dangerous working conditions.
Five months later, he travelled to Castanos, a small town near Monclova, where soldiers had been arrested in connection to the sexual assaults of more than a dozen prostitutes. He and his longtime collaborator Jackie Campbell started their own investigation, leading the diocese's human rights office to successfully push to try some of the soldiers in civilian courts, where several were sentenced.
Mysterious cars followed Vera and Campbell during that time. Campbell's home phone line was cut and Vera was threatened. Campbell eventually moved to Argentina for three years to escape the harassment and to pursue graduate studies.
Vera has also demanded investigations into the thousands of migrants who have gone missing while passing through the state and clamoured for a DNA database to identify bodies. In an email, the Rev. Pedro Pantoja, who oversees the diocese's migrant programs, said he's enjoyed total support from Vera and called his commitment to social causes "prophetic."
What's drawn perhaps the most controversy has been Vera's stand on gay rights, which even called Rome's attention. In 2001, the Rev. Robert Coogan, an American priest in Saltillo ordained by Vera, suggested starting an outreach program to gay youth, after a teenager came to him when his parents threw him out of the house. Vera lent his support to the program, called Comunidad San Elredo, and later escaped reprimand when called to the Vatican to explain it.
"It flows out of his conviction: The church is for everyone," Coogan said.
Parishioner Julia Castillo, of Saltillo, said Vera wasn't just making headlines with his bold stands. He was also inspiring Mexicans at a time when many are feeling besieged.
"He talks about all of the injustice there is right now, of all the danger there is, that we have to stick together to fight against the corruption, above all in the government and the police," Castillo said. "We like the way he is."


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Fenway Park's appearances in movies
Fenway as a character in movies
Boston's iconic landmark has appeared in several movies. The field has been the setting for Hollywood-style explosions, gun fire, confrontations, and, of course, baseball.
Check out clips, behind-the-scenes pictures, and learn a little bit of trivia about the films.
Mark Wahlberg is the latest actor with a movie that contains scenes shot at Fenway Park. In the comedy "Ted,'' about a Boston man with a live stuffed animal as a best friend, one of the climactic scenes is at the ball park. Director and co-writer Seth MacFarlane said the Fenway Park scene was originally planned to be set on the USS Constitution.
"It ended up working out for us very well because Fenway was a great playground for us,'' said MacFarlane. "There were a million different labyrinthine corridors and passageways that were a lot of fun to light and shoot.''
Pictured: MacFarlane talked to Wahlberg outside Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe between scenes on the set.
The Brad Pitt movie based on Michael Lewis's book picked up six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager who's credited with using sabermetrics – a stats-heavy approach to evaluating talent – to turn around his franchise.
The last few scenes of the movie were filmed in Fenway Park, with Pitt appearing opposite an actor resembling real-life Red Sox owner John Henry. Henry said he would've preferred Sam Shepard as his movie stand-in.
Blown Away
Tommy Lee Jones's irish accent is often listed among the worst ever attempted on the big screen.
In the novel "Prince of Thieves,'' which was later adapted into the movie "The Town,'' the narrator recalls, "In the summer of 1993, Gloansy had worked as a driver on the set of one of the all-time worst motion pictures ever made, a Boston bomb-squad movie called 'Blown Away.' ''
An odd flub in the movie: The announcer calls a home run "over the Green Monster'' even though the ball is shown landing over Fenway Park's right field wall.
A Civil Action
John Travolta played a lawyer in the real-life story of a legal battle over toxic waste dumping.
Travolta and costar Robert Duvall appeared in Fenway during a fake game between the Red Sox and the Oakland A's.
Almost 600 extras pretended that it was spring even though it was really frigid November.
A Civil Action
Red Sox #45 Pedro Martinez met Acting Governor Paul Cellucci and Steve Zaillian, director of the movie "A Civil Action,'' on field at Fenway Park in 1998.
The movie company had filmed at the park.
Fever Pitch
The movie directed by the Farrelly Brothers starred Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore.
While filming, the Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in decades and a new ending had to be filmed.
Jimmy Fallon said the original ending would have resembled the ending of the book the movie was adapting: "It's a love letter to the fans, which is why we picked the Red Sox because they lose… So I think the original ending was just we rip the contract up… So if they hadn't gone to the World Series, it would have probably just ended on that. Just them kissing on the field.''
Fever Pitch
It was the first time the park allowed filming during an actual game, including scenes of the "Sweet Caroline'' sing-along (a tradition that started in 1998).
Jimmy Fallon recalled one of his favorite moments at Fenway: "We did a scene where Drew [Barrymore] has to run across the field into my arms at home plate. It was after the game and we asked everyone to stay if they want to and everyone stayed. It's like 35,000 people here. I could not believe everyone stayed, and people were just cheering. It was so emotional and so good. I'll never forget it. It's such a great memory.''
Field of Dreams
This classic baseball film included this pivotal scene filmed at Fenway Park.
Kevin Costner's character has convinced James Earl Jones's character to attend the game with him. While there, they hear a voice to "go the distance.''
Somewhere among all the extras in the background of these scenes were Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in their first film appearances. The pair were still in high school when the movie was filmed. Affleck would later return to Fenway to film scenes from his movie "The Town.''
The iconic Citgo sign made an appearance in the film, as well.
It's seen every time a baseball player hits a home run over the left field wall at Fenway Park. (C-IT-GO)
The sign was upgraded to an LED display a few years ago because its original bulbs were no longer manufactured and could not be replaced.
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonder
Fenway Park recently started offering the stadium as a wedding venue.
Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson's characters in Legally Blonde 2 were planning to have their wedding ceremony there but for reasons related to the plot, (or maybe the estimated $25,000 price tag?) they did not.
Instead, the only connection to Fenway was the home base supposedly brought in for the normal ceremony.
The Town
Ben Affleck filmed some of the climactic scenes for his bank heist movie at Fenway Park while the Red Sox were playing out of town.
"I promised that I wouldn't actually show the real way money was brought in and out of Fenway Park,'' explained Affleck.
The film's premiere was held at Fenway Park, complete with a red carpet.
The movie crew took 13 days to film the Fenway Park scenes.
On one of the days, they interrupted a wedding.
"So we were shooting with automatic weapons there and we fired off a full mag and, we didn't know it, but there were some people getting married. People were screaming! They thought they were under attack! I don't know if we ruined a wedding or if it will end up a great story,'' said Affleck.
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Keek Social Video
Media & Video | 15.3MB
Media & Video | 15.3MB
Keek is a fun and easy way to capture, upload, share and watch videos, and is the hottest new free social media platform. Upload video updates directly to Keek, unlimited and free.
Use our popular social video network to peek into your friends and families lives with a 36 second video status update. Create a new social video network by sharing videos you shoot and discovering cool videos that other people have uploaded. Videos range from funny to intimate, so you can always find one that matches your mood.
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• Endorsed and loved by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian
• 'Keek keeps it simple' –Mashable
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✓ Watch short popular videos, share video clips and comment on your favorite vids
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Very happy to be in the running for Best Live Act at this year's AIM Independent Music Awards. Voting is now open - https://aimawards.lnk.to/bestliveact - and closes at 5pm on Tuesday 27th June. The five acts with the most votes
We are delighted to confirm that Sacred Paws will support us at our headline show at The SSE Hydro on 16 December 2017. They join Ride on the bill. We cannot wait. Tickets on sale now at http://mogwai.co.uk/shows
On Tuesday 3 October, we will play live as part of BBC Radio 6 Music Live. This performance will mark 20 years since we recorded our first Maida Vale session for John Peel back in 1996 - the first of seven sessions - the last being in 2004.
We are sorry to announce that due to ill health, Martin will be unable to join us for our BBC sessions this week and upcoming live shows until further notice. To say the least, we are all absolutely gutted but wish him a super
Due to phenomenal demand, we have added a second headline show in Manchester on 4 February 2018. Tickets on sale now HERE 2nd February has sold out.
Go behind the scenes of our live set up in the second episode of The Mogwai Podcast. Amanda chats to our FOH sound engineer Kenny, our guitar technician Gavin and catches up with our friend, label mate, and current tour opener Xander Harris.
Our 1997 compilation album of singles, b-sides and rarities from 1996-1997 gets its first official release on vinyl via our label Rock Action Records. It is available as a heavy weight white vinylwith download code and this format will only be
We are pleased to announce three 'Atomic' live performances in Japan later this year. MAY 30 - TOKYO, Ex Theater 31 - OSAKA, Big Cat JUNE 1 - HIROSHIMA, Club Quattro Ticket details will be announced very soon.
We are delighted to announce a number of 'Atomic' live dates in the UK later this year... AUGUST 27 & 28 - The Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh (as part of Edinburgh International Festival) SEPTEMBER 14 - Coventry


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Ferris State Welding Engineering Department Receives Significant Donation
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Sunday, December 1, 2013
Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Appleton, WI, has donated more than $1 million worth of robotic-welding equipment and simulation software to the Welding Engineering Technology program at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. Included are three robotic-welding cells that Miller pledges to update every three years with new equipment, to ensure students stay on the leading edge of technology.
See also: Miller Electric Mfg. Co.


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You will find below information about Graz airport. Use the links below to read detailed information about Graz airport: location, route maps, live departures and arrivals etc.
Skyscanner allows you to find the cheapest flights to Graz airport without having to enter specific dates or even destinations, making it the best place to find cheap flights for your trip to Graz airport. Use the links at the side of the page to browse for flight information or use the flight search controls above to start a new search.
Airports near Graz:
- Maribor airport (60km)
- Klagenfurt airport (92km)
- Ljubljana airport (113km)
- Balaton airport (135km)
- Zagreb airport (147km)
- See all airports in Austria.


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Rapids forward Sanna Nyassi named MLS player of the week, but was his the best goal?
Three goals, one assist and another drawn penalty — over two games in four days — netted Rapids forward Sanna Nyassi the MLS Player of the Week award on Monday. And to think, he was starting only as a replacement for the injured Conor Casey.
Nyassi recorded his first career hat trick on Wednesday in the Rapids' 4-1 rout of the visiting New York Red Bulls. He also set up the fourth goal, after his shot from 40 yards out bounced off the post leaving Wells Thompson an easy finish.
Nyassi entered Colorado's starting lineup last week after star striker Conor Casey tore an Achilles tendon. Even with Casey's injury, Rapids coach Gary Smith has a crowded front line to choose from.


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Today's afternoon Cubs-Reds game featured a bench-clearing when Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman almost hit Nate Schierholtz with one of his triple-digit pitches not once, but twice.
Was Chapman trying to hit Schierholtz in a tie game in the ninth with one out? Probably not. Still, the Cubs dugout started yelling at him after the strikeout, which seemed reasonable. Even if this was just about Chapman's shitty control, they probably felt required to stick up for their teammate and say, "Hey, don't kill our outfielder, please."
That wasn't the end of it, though. After Chapman closed out the inning, he waved at the Cubs dugout. When the broadcast returned from break, both benches had cleared. No punches were thrown and no one was ejected, just a lot of shoving and yelling and your usual milling about on the field.
The Cubs won in 12 innings, 6-4.


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Gifted and Talented Students (V-D-6)
The Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act supports research, demonstration projects, innovative strategies, and similar activities to help elementary and secondary schools meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students. Outstanding talents are present in children and youths from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. Programs for gifted and talented students exist in every state and in many school districts, but the number and percentage of students identified as gifted and talented vary from state to state due to differences in state laws and local practices.
WHAT'S NEW--The No Child Left Behind Act
Focuses on What Works
- Supports scientifically based research. The statute now requires that research supported by the program be scientifically based.
Reduces Bureaucracy and Increases Flexibility
- Includes dissemination of high-level course work through technology as an allowable activity. Funds now may be used for technology to disseminate challenging course work to students in schools or districts that otherwise are unable to provide such instruction.
How It Works
This discretionary program authorizes the U.S. Department of Education to award grants and enter into contracts with state education agencies (SEAs), local school districts, institutions of higher education, other public agencies, and other private agencies and organizations (including Indian tribes and organizations and Native Hawaiian organizations). Funds can be used for programs and projects to meet the educational needs of gifted and talented students, for the training of personnel, and for serving all students using services, materials, and methods developed for gifted and talented students. The program also provides for the establishment of a National Research Center for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth, through grants to, or contracts with, one or more institutions of higher education, SEAs, or a combination or consortium of such institutions and agencies and other public or private agencies or organizations.
Key Requirements
Applicants must describe how their proposed services, materials, and methods can be adapted, if appropriate, for use by all students, and how the proposed programs can be evaluated. The U.S. Department of Education is required to give highest priority to programs and projects designed to develop new information that helps schools 1) establish and improve programs to identify and serve gifted and talented students, and 2) identify and serve gifted and talented students who are economically disadvantaged, have limited English proficiency, have disabilities, or otherwise may not be identified through traditional assessment methods.
How It Achieves Quality
Research supported by the program must be scientifically based, and program activities must be evaluated.


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And I can even understand you frantically calling me at midnight to get a refill. I guess I'd rather have you do this then get called at midnight by an ER doc because you seized and wrecked a car and hurt somebody.
HOWEVER, I DO NOT have your chart in front of me at midnight. When you wake me up I'm lucky to remember my own name. So telling me you need your refill at "the same pharmacy as last time" doesn't help. Neither does your insistence that "I think it's a Walgreen's, you know, one on the west side". We live in a big city here. There are Walgreen's on every other street corner.
And when you finally find a phone number, don't ask me if it's a 24 hour store, or where the nearest 24 hour place is, or what your co-pay is. I just call in the scripts. I am not the Shell Answer Man.


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At a mere 90 square feet one begins to wonder….can you even fit 25,000 ping pong balls in the space? The answer is yes, if you cover the walls in them. With built in shelves and dresser, this room just has the basics. What's the catch? Well there isn't a kitchen, but this is NYC and there are many apartments who don't have kitchens; instead they take advantage of all the amazing restaurants in the city.
Posts Tagged NYC
They say that their people in New York live like no one else; this is certainly the case for two residents who have taken up the task of living in apartments the size of a walk in closet. I had the great fortune to get to sit down with two women, Felice and Genevieve, who live in a 90 square feet and 105 square feet.
When it comes to living in a tiny space Genevieve told me you need "a place for everything and everything in its place" to make it work. Organization was something that she felt was really important for living in such a confined space. In the 4 years she has spent living in her 105 square foot apartment she has become quite masterful at maximizing space. Tiny House folks often talk about the "100 thing challenge" a method where-by we reduce our belongings to just 100 things.
There are, however, those things we simply can't part from, for Genevieve it was shoes….62 of them to be exact! With no closet she uses a bookshelf and baskets to store all her clothes and shoes. From looking at all the clothes, it's obvious that everything is kept "in it's place".
Felice put it well when she said "if something doesn't have a place, do you really need it?" I couldn't agree more and from talking to these two it was obvious that they were very conscious about what was in the space. Every item was intentional, thought out and agonized over out of sheer necessity. As a professional home organization expert, Felice spends allot of time in other spaces with people who have allot of stuff. She often starts out with clients by asking not what do you want to keep, but "What are the things you really want?" To select these items as if your house was burning down, which would you try to save first? By this method Felice is able to reduce her items to the things she loves most; In the case of her closet, when she opens it, she loves every piece of clothing there, if she doesn't absolutely love it, it gets donated.
After talking to lots of people about living in their Tiny Houses, I have noticed that people stress the need to go vertical, in the case of Felice and Genevieve, this was the case as well. Even in apartments with 9 foot ceilings, they stacked to the ceiling, in the case of their beds, they were lofted.
Sleeping in such a small place seems to be across the board be approached by the use of lofting the sleeping area. With only 23″ of space between mattress and ceiling, Felice felt closed in when she first moved in, leaving her wondering if she had made the right move. Nowadays, she loves the coziness of the bed.
That feeling of coziness is something that translates to the whole apartment. "It feels cozy, I have a friend who lives in a big one bed room 2 blocks away, and we hang out at my place." It is similar to living in a dorm room, where you have to fit all your worldly processions in a tiny space, but still make it livable, if not loveable.
Many of you know that I love to cook, so I had to ask about cooking in these places. Both apartments don't have real kitchens. They instead have a cooking section where they can throw together food, I was impressed to hear that Genevieve is able to pull of eggplant parmesan in here "kitchen". Living in New York does mean that they have access to great restaurants and stores, but when it comes to cooking at home, meal planning ahead of time is key. Genevieve is really big on meal planning and planning ahead. She makes meals that serves easily and can be eaten for several meals. "Planning helps keep costs and makes cooking easier."
Doing dishes is an interesting affair, without a sink in the "kitchen" they end up in the bathroom, even having to wash dishes in the bathtub and air drying them on a wire corner rack (check out the photo, you can see dish soap in the tub lol).
In such a small space I have always wondered how much you can really get done, but talking with these two it seems that you can pull quite a bit off. From making fancy meals, to having 3 guests spend the night, or in the case of Genevieve, running a blog about beer (check it out at thehopshoney.wordpress.com) . Felice did talk about how sometimes she felt that getting out of the space to do work was necessary to focus, but at the same time she does cherish free time at home. With being in such a great location, she has her pick of great places to go to. From parks, restaurants, cafes they are all right outside her door.
To read more about these two check out my two blog posts about Tiny NYC Apartments:
Many thanks to Felice and Genevieve for such great info


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OscarGuy wrote:Godard did not refuse the award, he simply refused to attend the ceremony. His excuse was that airlines don't permit passengers to smoke anymore, so he couldn't smoke on the flight.
Ah, so, but more than likely, he was looking for an excuse not to go. That way he could have his cake and eat it, too.


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New Fiesta Van - Ford2020 201 Sales Event
New Fiesta Van - Ford2020 201 Sales Event
Now for a limited time only when you order a 201 Fiesta Van in the Ford2020 201 Sales Event, not only do you get a great deal for the vehicle, you can also avail of our 3.9% APR. Check out how Ford Commercial Vehicles are the backbone of business at your local participating Ford Dealer today.
Email or Call me Back Book a Test Drive
Terms & Conditions
Offer outlined above applies to Fiesta Van vehicles ordered and registered between February 1st & February 29th 2020 at participating Ford Dealers. GRP excludes metallic paint, delivery and related charges. Model shown for illustrative purposes only. At participating Ford Dealers only (Full T & C's attached). §
[§]Terms and Conditions. *3.9%** fixed low APR Finance Example: Transit Custom 280SWB Base 105PS. Gross Retail Price (inc. VAT)† €25,915. Ford 2020 201 Sales Event Discount of €2,000. Customer Deposit/Trade-in €7,407.00. Finance Amount €17,283.00. 60 monthly payments of €310.18. Total Cost of Credit €1,764.96. Fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 3.9% as at 01/10/2019. Min deposit 20%. †Excludes delivery & related charges. Model is shown for illustrative purposes only. *Lending criteria and terms and conditions apply (>18s only). The fixed APR is inclusive of a documentation fee and purchase fee of €63.49 each. To qualify for this finance offer a minimum deposit of 20% is required. Rate quoted is correct as at 03/10/19 and is subject to change. Offer available on all new commercial vehicles excluding the Kuga Utility registered between January 1st 2020 January 31st 2020 at participating dealers. This is a Business Hire Purchase agreement provided by Bank of Ireland Leasing Ltd, trading as Ford Credit. Warning: You may have to pay charges if you repay early, in full or in part, a fixed-rate credit facility. ^This offer applies to Transit Custom models only registered between January 1st 2010 and January 31st 2020 at your local participating Ford Dealer. Models are shown for illustrative purposes only. For models not listed above we have some alternative finance offers for you to avail of. Please contact your local Ford Dealer for further information. Ford Ranger: WLTP CO2 Range 216 g/100km - 281 g/100km.


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Yesterday, the official Facebook page for SSX tossed up that splash image, and the deliberately-worded caption underneath sounds very much like SSX Tricky has a hand in the snowboarding title's upcoming DLC release.
"SSX fans have shown their love for the game's rich history," the game's makers said. "We love that history as well, and that's why we're excited to be bringing some classic elements to the newest SSX release in our upcoming DLC release. We'll be letting you know more on Monday, but for now we're off to launch some fireworks in celebration."
As commenter DocSeuss points out "That's Elise in her Tricky outfit!". That, plus the fireworks and lights, signals that the PS2/GameCube/Xbox hit is on its way back, in some form. Stay tuned.


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|Steinway Court Veterinarian offers high quality "state of the art" veterinary care for our neighbors in the Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst area. We are a State accredited veterinary hospital; The New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSMS) cited the Steinway Court Veterinarian for its state-of-the-art facility and its top-notch patient care.
To help us provide the best care, we have an in-house laboratory, which provides us with blood results in less than 15 minutes. We also provide digital radiology, medicine, surgery, dentistry, and avian and exotic care. The staff at SCV work together to serve the needs of pet owners throughout Queens. We provide a reliable, comfortable atmosphere for both you and your furry friend. To learn more about us, read our clients' testimonials.
|steinway court, veterinarian, veteriary, animal clinic, animal hospital, astoria, long island city, queens, woodside, sunnyside, jackson heights, elmhurst, new york, laboratory, digital radiology, medicine, surgery, dentistry, avian, exotic, pet, dog, cat, spay, neuter, vaccination, Robert Glasser GODADDY


text: The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) is currently conducting a consumer survey. The survey forms part of a short term consumer awareness and education program that ECTEL has undertaken, a prelude to the development of a long term strategy for the same. The purpose of the survey is to canvas the attitudes, views, knowledge and perception of consumers in ECTEL member states, which will in turn help to inform the development of the consumer education, awareness and protection strategy. The survey will be available until June 10, and can be accessed via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85WYDDT. The public is invited to participate.


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Chain bracelet with elements in the shape of the new Fendi logo. Small spring clip fastening and logo tag. Made of gold-finish metal and details in natural crystal.
Made in Italy
More details
- Product Code:8AG7366DMF089U
- Composition:100% Bronze + 100% Zircon
May we help?
Our Customer Care is at your disposal for any information or assistance you may require. Call us at +65 686 50199 or send us an email.
We're available Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm - 2pm to 7pm.
Find in store
Check if this item is available in one of our stores directly from the product page (or view our full list of stores)


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New NRA, Bloomberg PAC spending on Congress races hints gun debate far from over
The Washington gun-control debate in which President Obama and fellow Democrats are trying to promptly tighten firearms laws is emerging as a longer effort with both sides spending millions on congressional candidates who will help or hurt their cause.
The National Rifle Association spending on new ads this week was no surprise, considering the powerful and well-funded gun lobby spent roughly $18 million through its political arms in the last election cycle. And the group remains committed to protecting gun makers and the Second Amendment rights of gun owners.
However, the emergence of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his super PAC spending roughly $2 million this year on a special House race in Illinois suggests both sides are looking to bolster their positions in Congress through the 2014 races and perhaps beyond.
Bloomberg, a vocal advocate of strict gun control, through his super PAC Independence USA, paid for TV ads and mailers attacking two Illinois Democrats -- former Rep. Debbie Halvorson and state Sen. Toi Hutchinson -- who were running for Jessie Jackson Jr.'s open seat and have had high NRA ratings. The primary is Tuesday and considered too close to call.
Halvorson doesn't support a ban and has accused Bloomberg of trying to "buy an election."
Hutchinson, the early leader, has quit the race and put her support behind fellow Democrat and former state Rep. Robin Kelly, who like President Obama and other Washington Democrats supports an assault-weapons ban.
Their efforts follow a series of mass shootings including the Dec. 14, 2012, incident in Newtown, Conn., in which 20 first-graders and six adults were killed.
Two days later, Obama ordered a task force to come up with a set of proposals no later than January and called for "real reform right now."
Independence PAC spokesman Stefan Friedman pointed out that Bloomberg has spent money in previous races in which his topics of concern have been involved and suggested the mayor would continue with such efforts.
"The mayor has been clear, no matter where it may be, with issues like gun safety and the environment, he's going to be there to educate voters," Friedman told FoxNews.com. "The mayor's never been shy about spending what it takes."
He disagreed with the notion that backers of tighter gun laws are looking at future elections because they do not expect this Congress to pass bans on assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines. Friedman said the country "fully supports" Obama's reform package, which he expects to "pass immediately."
This week, the NRA ran full-page newspaper ads primarily targeting three Senate Democrats up for election in Republican-leaning states: Sens. Mark Pryor, Arkansas; Mary Landrieu, Louisiana; and Kay Hagan, North Carolina.
The group also purportedly ran in ad in West Virginia where Democrats hope to retain the seat of retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller and in at least 10 swing states.
The NRA could not be reached for comment, but group Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre has argued the president had gun control as a second-term agenda before the Connecticut shootings.
"It's not about keeping our kids safe at school," he said after the president's State on the Union speech this month. "That wasn't even mentioned in the president's speech. They only care about their decades-old gun control agenda
Bloomberg launched his super PAC weeks before the November election and spent more than $12 million to back seven candidates nationwide. Guns were an issue in the election of newly-elected Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, a California Democrat who ousted incumbent Democrat Rep. Joe Baca with Bloomberg's help.
However, Bloomberg's backing hasn't always equaled success. His super PAC supported former Rep. Robert Dold, R-Ill., who lost to a Democratic businessman, Rep. Brad Schneider.
Ben Tulchin, president of the San Francisco-based polling firm Tulchin Research, argues Bloomberg has been very strategic about where he spends such money and that he perhaps single-handedly changed the Illinois race.
"Without Bloomberg's money, it would have been almost impossible to have what happened," he said Wednesday. "He basically flipped that seat. … The two Democrats fell, but it was Bloomberg who knocked down the first domino."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.