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Measurement invariance: WLSMV vs. MLR
Mplus Discussion
Categorical Data Modeling
Arjan Berkeljon
posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 5:46 pm
I am evaluating measurement invariance with categorical indicators. I am following procedures in chapter 14 of the user manual in terms of model specification. Looking at partial invariance I am using modification indices and EPCs using the WLSMV estimator and TECH2 output using the MLR estimator. I wonder why, given the same model (aside from constraints for identification), only difference being the estimator, suggested parameter changes seem to disagree markedly. I had assumed results would be somewhat similar. Is my assumption incorrect?
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 6:26 pm
TECH2 gives the first-order derivatives. This corresponds to the numerator of the MIs, that is, they are not scaled properly to be in a chi-square metric.
Arjan Berkeljon
posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 6:48 pm
Understood, thank you. Is there any way to obtain information using either estimator such that a similar decision can be made regarding which parameter changes are most prudent?
As it stand WLSMV leads to markedly different conclusions regarding partial invariance than MLR and I am wondering if more agreement might be obtained.
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Monday, November 07, 2011 - 2:54 pm
We'll add modification indices for MLR in this case to our list for a future version.
As it is currently, you would have to do MLR for one item loading at a time and do two runs (with and without equality) then take 2 times the log likelihood difference as a chi-square test.
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Monday, November 07, 2011 - 2:55 pm
P.S. You can also use MLR in a model where the grouping variable is a covariate. Then look for lack of intercept invariance by regressing each item on the covariate at a time.
Arjan Berkeljon
posted on Monday, November 07, 2011 - 5:48 pm
Thank you for including that request. I will explore both options.
Martina Gere
posted on Thursday, February 09, 2012 - 4:10 am
Dear Prof. Muthen,
I get different parameters when using WLSMV and MLR too, but in a different context. I am running a model with two independent latent variables f1 and f2 (using ordinal item indicators), and dependent latent variable f3 (all continuous indicators). I am testing f3 ON f1 f2.
I used WLSMV for model fit. Regression coefficients were as expected (f3 ON f1 sign, f3 ON f2 not sign). In addition I ran MLR to get the loglikelihood estimate (because in the next step I want to compare loglikelihood with a moderator model, where I add f3 ON f1xf2 using XWITH). However, in MLR, regression coefficients are the opposite (f3 ON f1 not sign., but f3 ON f2 sign.)
Q1: What is the most appropriate estimator for my model, WLSMV, MLR, or something else?
Q2: Can I use ML instead of MLR as estimator in the models with and without the interaction (to compare loglikelihood)? ML leads to regression coefficients similar to WLSMV and as expected.
Q3: Why does MLR lead to different regression coefficients than ML or WLSMV?
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Thursday, February 09, 2012 - 12:50 pm
If you have a log of missing data and less than four factors, I would recommend maximum likelihood. If you don't have missing data and have many factors, I would recommend weighted least squares. Weighted least squares uses probit regression. Maximum likelihood uses logistic regression as the default but can also use probit regression.
ML and MLR produce the same parameter estimates. The parameter estimates for ML and MLR should differ from WLSMV unless you are using the probit link with ML and MLR. I would need to see the outputs and your license number at
to explain the differences.
Scott R. Colwell
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 11:38 am
Do you mind if your comments such as the first paragraph of "Linda K. Muthen posted on Thursday, February 09, 2012 - 12:50 pm" are cited in papers?
Thank you,
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 11:48 am
Not in a paper, I don't think. But this is drawing on the principles behind the two estimators. As we describe in the UG, WLSMV does not handle MAR, but ML does.
Scott R. Colwell
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 12:08 pm
Okay thank you. The UG is a good citation for missing data. My understanding is that if you have missing data, you should basically use ML or MLR.
As far as the number of categories in the observed variable, Beauducel and Herzberg (2006) suggest WLSMV outperforms ML, is that your experience?
Finally, as far as the number of factors goes, I've not been able to find a citation that ML should be used when you have less than 4 factors and WLSMV for more than 5 factors. Are you aware of one?
Thank you for your help.
Scott R. Colwell
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 3:34 pm
Sorry I meant Beauducel and Herzberg (2006) suggest WLSMV outperforms ML when the outcome variables have 2 or 3 variables.
Scott R. Colwell
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 4:19 pm
I did find a reference in Beauducel and Herzberg (2006,p. 201) and Dolan (1994). It appears that:
- WLSMV outperforms ML on sample size
- WLSMV outperforms ML with variables that had 2 or 3 categories
- Other than chi-square, there appears to be no difference in model fit statistics
- ML underestimates size of loadings when variables had only two or three categories
- Factor loadings and standard errors not affected by number of factors
- Even with small sample, large model and moderate loadings, WLMVS is better
- 5 categories is the minimum for 5 categories
- "It is clear that a method like WLSMV, which was designed to deal with categorical variables, cannot outperform ML estimation when the number of categories is very large."
Thus it seems to me that at least with binary indicators or 3 category categorical indicators, WLSMV is the recommended approach unless you have missing data, in which case, ML is likely better as it handles MAR.
However, this seems contrary to Dr. Muthen's Feb 9, 2012 posting that WLSMV should be used if you don't have missing data and have many factors, I would recommend weighted least squares. Weighted least squares uses probit regression
Does this sound correct?
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 6:19 pm
Yes, you can use the user's guide as a citation.
You can also use multiple imputation to generate data and analyze it with WLSMV.
You can have as many factors as you want with categorical indicators and maximum likelihood estimation. It may not be feasible to wait for more than four.
It sounds to me like the paper compares weighted least squares treating the variables as categorical with maximum likelihood treating the variables as continuous. This does not compare estimators but compares treating variables as categorical versus continuous. The important and valid comparison would be treating the variables as categorical with both weighted least squares and maximum likelihood.
Scott R. Colwell
posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 6:28 pm
Great. Thank you for clarifying. The Beauducel and Herzberg (2006) paper (in the SEM Journal) does compare categorical variables with WLSMV and ML.
It does appear that the WLSMV estimator is the better option, at least for binary variables...and as you say, if the data is MAR, imputing the data first takes care of the need for the ML estimator.
Thanks again,
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Thursday, March 01, 2012 - 7:09 am
We got the article. When he says ML, he means treat the variables as continuous. That is not maximum likelihood estimation with categorical variables. It is simply using the continuous variable maximum likelihood fitting function whereas the true categorical ML would use another fitting function. Many people are under the false impression that ML cannot be used with categorical dependent variables. This is a common mistake. The clue here is that he presents chi-square values which are not available when ML treats variables as categorical.
Irene Dias
posted on Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 12:29 pm
Dear Prof. Muthen.
I tested measurement invariance of a three-factor model with ordered categorical indicators (5 point likert) using ML. However, one of the reviewers is insisting that we should use WLSMV, and even directed us to your 2004 paper in the journal Structural Equation Modeling.But the problem is that I have some missing data and have no MAR. This impairs the use of multiple imputation, right? In this case, would you recomend using MLR? This paper indicates that in CFA, ML is adequate if we have more than 5 categories:
But is says nothing about measurement invariance. But it says nothing about invariance.
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The Meatrix II / 3:58 min
Learning about sustainable food and the problems with factory farming can be daunting at first, but, with a little effort, you can quickly learn enough to make the safest and wisest food choices for you and your family...
Additives // Much of the food we find at today's supermarkets is highly processed and contains numerous food additives. These substances are used to change the way food tastes and looks (altering the color and texture), to improve the nutritional quality of foods (adding vitamins and minerals), and to increase the food's shelf life to prevent spoilage.
Air Pollution // Industrial farms produce massive amounts of animal waste that is known to release greenhouse gasses into the air. Aside from the air pollution that comes from farm waste, the industrialized food system also burns significant amounts of fossil fuels to power the trucks that distribute products.
Animal Welfare // As farms have become more industrialized, animals have become more of a commodity. They are considered units of production, rather than living, breathing beings, and as a result these animals are treated inhumanely. But increasingly, more and more consumers are demanding better treatment of animals.
AntibioticsAntibiotics // Because of the crowded and unsanitary conditions on factory farms, animals are often fed low doses of antibiotics. Antibiotics are also used to make the animals grow faster. This is contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans.
Biodiversity // Biodiversity is important because ecosystems rely on the interaction of a variety of plant and animal species, and because various breeds of animals and plants have valuable genetic material. Industrial agriculture is one among many unsustainable human activities that has lead to rapid decreases in the world's biodiversity.
Buy Local // Most meals travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach your dinner plate. By eating food produced locally, you are helping yourself, the environment and your community.
Cloning // Cloning of animals used in food production is a controversial issue both because of its ethical implications and the potential threat it poses to human health.
Communities // Sustainable farms provide a welcome alternative to the problems associated with factory farming. Unlike corporate factory farm owners who have very little interest in the condition of local communities, sustainable farmers have a strong connection to their communities and a demonstrated commitment to preserving the surrounding land. In addition, workers on sustainable farms are treated fairly and earn a respectable wage.Dairy Feature Article
Dairy // Dairy foods production is a multi-billion dollar industry, and over the past century it has grown increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few major corporations. This has lead to widespread environmental damage, low standards of animal welfare, and mass production of milk tainted with antibiotics, artificial growth hormones and pesticide residues.
Economics // Proponents of industrial agriculture claim that large-scale factory farming is the most efficient way to produce huge quantities of inexpensive food and that without industrial agriculture, food prices would be excessively high. But the price of industrial food does not take into account the true costs of production. When these hidden environmental and health costs are factored in, industrial food costs more than sustainable.
Environment // Agriculture has an enormous impact on the environment, but whether the impact is good or bad depends on the type of agriculture used. Sustainable agriculture puts back what it takes from the environment, while factory farming pollutes our air, water and soil.
Factory Farming // Meat and dairy production in the United States has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. Small family farms have been replaced by huge livestock facilities, where animals suffer horribly, workers are mistreated, the environment is being destroyed, and where rural communities are falling apart.
Family Farms // Family farmers are being forced out of business at an alarming rate, and hundreds of small farmers sell their land every week. The dramatic expansion of industrial agriculture has made it increasingly difficult for small family farmers in the US, but many small family farms have found hope within the sustainable food movement.
Feed // Animals on industrial farms are fed the cheapest grains and waste products in order to fatten them quickly. This leads to widespread health problems, so low doses of antibiotics are also added to the feed. The result is unhealthy animals and unhealthy food for consumers.
Food IrradiationFood Irradiation // Irradiation is used to increase the shelf life of the food so it can travel longer distances and keep for as long as possible. This processing method has not been properly tested for safety and it depletes the vitamin content of food.
Fossil Fuel and Energy Use // Industrial agriculture relies on machinery to produce food and trucks to transport the food throughout the country, and likewise consumes massive amounts of fuel and energy. Sustainable farms work to minimize their energy use, and since their products are bought locally, minimal fuel is burned in order to transport their goods.
Genetic Engineering // Genetic Engineering (GE) is the process of transferring genes from one plant or animal to another. The technology has not been properly tested, so no one knows if GE food is safe to eat. Currently, crops are genetically engineered, and some believe that animals are next.
Global Warming // The millions of pounds of waste produced by grain-fed livestock on industrial farms releases massive amounts of methane into the air. Some scientists believe that methane is among the most important greenhouse gasses contributing to global warming today.
Health // Sustainable foods are healthier than industrial food because of higher levels of "good" fats and nutrients in grass-fed animal products and lower pesticide residues in organic foods. Meanwhile, industrially-produced food is detrimental to our health because it leads to outbreaks of foodborne illness, contributes to antibiotic resistance, and pollutes drinking water.
Heritage and Heirloom Foods // Farmers throughout the world once raised thousands of different animal breeds and plant varieties. However, since today's industrial farms rely upon only a few specialized livestock breeds and plant varieties, thousands of non-commercial animal breeds and crop varieties have disappeared, along with the valuable genetic diversity they possessed. Fortunately, a growing number of sustainable farmers are preserving agricultural variety and protecting biodiversity by raising "heritage" or "heirloom" animal breeds, fruits, and vegetables.
Hormones // Artificial hormones are implanted in beef and dairy cattle to make them grow faster and produce more milk. The US government claims the hormones are safe, but the European Union has banned hormones because of a possible link between hormones and some types of cancer.
Mad Cow DiseaseMad Cow Disease // Mad cow disease is transmitted when one cow eats the brain and spinal tissue of an infected cow. Humans can also contract vCJD (the human form of mad cow) this way, and over 150 people have died from this disease since the 1990's.
Organic // Organic food regulated by the USDA, and organic farmers must follow specific guidelines in order to label their foods "organic." For example, animals cannot be given antibiotics or hormones, chemical pesticides cannot be used, and meat cannot be irradiated.
Pasture Raised // Pasture-raised animals spend most of their time outdoors, where they're able to eat nutritious grasses and other plants as they would in nature. In addition to dramatically improving the welfare of farm animals, pasturing helps reduce environmental damage, and yields meats, eggs, and dairy products which are tastier and more nutritious than foods produced on industrial farms.
Pesticides // Pesticides are sprayed on crops that are fed to farm animals. Residues are stored in the animals' fat and tissue, and enter our bodies when we eat the meat. Pesticides have been linked to many medical problems.
Policy and Legislation // Current agricultural policy promotes industrial farming and neglects small farmers. In many cases, our tax money goes to support research and operating costs for large food corporations.
Precautionary Principle // Rather than banning the use of new technologies before they're shown to be safe, our federal agencies allow potentially dangerous products to enter the food supply, putting public health at risk.
Slaughterhouses and Processing // The US meatpacking industry is dominated by a handful of corporations that process massive quantities of meat in huge plants. As a result of inadequate food safety standards and lax inspection practices by the USDA, these corporations are able to operate unsanitary facilities and send out meat contaminated with dangerous bacteria. These facilities are also extremely dangerous, and meat-packing is among the most hazardous jobs in the nation.
Waste // Some industrial livestock facilities produce as much sewage as a small city, but they are not required to treat all this waste. Instead, the waste is held in large pools and spread on farm fields where it often runs off into nearby water systems.
Water Pollution // The waste from industrial farms leaks into streams, lakes, oceans and ground water with bacteria, antibiotic residue, pesticides and chemical fertilizer. This pollution can lead to the destruction of aquatic ecosystems and contamination of human drinking water.
Workers // Workers on industrial farms and in meat processing facilities work in hazardous conditions, and are underpaid and mistreated.
The Meatrix Web Site - www.themeatrix.com
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text:
That's All for the Crapometer!
I'd probably do synopses again (but not soon) but I'll never do this many.
We had 107 entries, 99 crossed the finish line.
Some were tossed overboard for excess word count, a couple for being not-synopsis.
As you can see it took seven days to do it all, and I didn't do much else. Oh, a pail of gin here and there but not much work.
I conclude from the emails and the comment trail that it was generally helpful. I learned a lot myself too. (I now know what a mage is! and to never try to out run a werewolf)
And if you're having trouble posting comments, it may be because blogger has this blog on "spam alert" after all the posts. I've written to them to say I'm real, and not trying to sell penis enlargers from Nigeria, but it may take them awhile to answer.
And I really really want to emphasize how pleasantly surprised I am that no one, not one single person, wrote back to say "Miss Snark you stink". You really handled some pretty snarky comments with a lot of grace. I have a lot of respect for people who can do that.
I'm now off to lie on the couch, swill gin, and read the Times. I'm probably not going to post much for the coming week, but I'll quit deleting your questions unread.
Here's to a happy and prosperous new year for us all!
Snark On!
51 comments:
- Mindy Tarquini said...
May you find George Clooney waiting for you at the end of your rainbow, Miss Snark.
- 1/01/2006
You don't need to outrun the werewolves. All you need to do is outrun your companion (or carry a nice, juicy steak with you to distract them with).
Seriously, your commitment to this was amazing. Thanks a million for helping us all be better writers. You deserve all the gin you can handle.
- 1/01/2006
Aside from the substance, Miss Snark, what you demonstrated is that you're someone who keeps her promises and brings in a project on time, paid or not paid, and damn the aggravation and the lost holiday weekend. In short, you're who everyone wants in their corner. If people stopped reading books tomorrow there isn't an organization in New York that wouldn't be glad to get you. (Okay, maybe the MTA.)
- 1/01/2006
Bravo, Miss Snark. What's the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for blogs?
- 1/01/2006
Dear Miss Snark,
Let me lead off a rousing round of applause for you and what you've done. It is truly amazing and should be required reading for every aspiring writer. I hope you are drowning in happy gin today because you deserve it.
You didn't tick me off by what you said about my synopsis... it was okay but not good enough. Some of the comments really got my panties in a snarl but wtf? It was a valuable lesson on how different people perceive the same thing.
Your comments about other people's synopses were-- amazing. I lost interest on several of them and admired your stamina-- not to mention that when your snark shines through, it's a lovely thing.
Now, get the gin pail, curl up with Killer Yapp and go watch something completely mindless on the Tube.
I consider what you've done for ME to be a gift. I thank you.
- 1/01/2006
- Kathleen said...
Thanks for all the hard work you did this week for us. I am amazed at how many people submitted. I can see future crap-o-meter openings being a few hours instead of two days.
Just wanted you to know that not only do the devoted snarklings love you, but you are revered throughout the writing internet.
May the rest of your year be car alarm free.
- 1/01/2006
Great job, Miss Snark. Your work is greatly appreciated. And great work to all the writers. They're gutsy and I'm sure much better for going through the process. Impressive.
- 1/01/2006
- quanty p biederman said...
Nicely done, Miss Snark. Now rest up, but please come back to us. As you can see, we really need you!
- 1/01/2006
Yay! Happy New Year, Miss Snark. Enjoy your well-deserved break.
much love from stumptown!
- 1/01/2006
- Tami P said...
While it make take some steel jewels to post our work, it has to take steel nerves to actually weed through it all, and give insightful, and helpful comments.
It is you that should be, and usually are, applauded.
Thank you very much for your work this week, and all year long as well.
Miss Write
- 1/01/2006
- Rick said...
Applause to both Miss Snark and everyone who faced the Crapometer with such courage!
- 1/01/2006
- Kelly said...
The Crapometer has been an amazing public service for writers. Your egalitarianism would make me doubt you're an agent, but your expertise is proof that you are one. Thanks a million!
- 1/01/2006
- Dave Kuzminski said...
Get those stiletto heels silver-plated. Then you won't have to outrun any werewolves or vampires. ;)
If Bonnie still hasn't figured it out yet, I am Batman, the dark knight they seek. I just can't state that openly on that other site where they're lurking.
- 1/01/2006
- Aethlos said...
- 1/01/2006
- Bonnie S. Calhoun said...
I dunno....I think we should give you a big red cape with an 'S' on it....Snark...Superwoman...take your pick. They sorta mean the same thing after all this!
Your holiday contribution to total strangers is amazing!
This 'seminar' reads like a 'how to' book (actually better than any I've ever read).
This is an invaluable lesson for all snarklings to absorb, even the ones who didn't submit.
I salute you Miss Snark, whoever you are!
Now clean your palate, and get back to your real work...vacation is over! :-)
- 1/01/2006
- Sandra Ruttan said...
Miss Snark, you should write the book on how to write a killer synopsis.
You deserve a standing ovation for all this input and advice and the tremendous learning experience you've offered all of us readers.
I'd offer to send gin, but I don't think "Miss Snark, USA" would quite cut it with the post office.
- 1/01/2006
- thatgirlygirl said...
*clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*
Thanks again, Miss Snark. You rock!
- 1/01/2006
- McKoala said...
Have loved every word and learnt heaps. The world will be a far less entertaining place without you to log on to every day.
Have a great break!
- 1/01/2006
- Tina said...
A well-earned and much deserved break to you, Miss Snark. I'm new to the Snarkling fold -- and to the Crapometer -- but I am consistently amazed and delighted by this constellation of fine people anchored by your snarky star. To happiness and prosperity for all, second helpings even. And many thanks.
- 1/01/2006
Miss Snark - Thank you for the gift of your time and expertise. I've learned so much in the last few weeks. What an education! You have encouraged me, inspired me, sent me to the depths of despair, then convinced me to "gird up my loins", suck it up, and get back to work. You're amazing.
- 1/01/2006
- Problem Child said...
You rock, Miss Snark!
Enjoy a much-deserved rest.
- 1/01/2006
- Bonnie S. Calhoun said...
Dave...I knew she was talking about you. I wanted to know who the subject-bad-person is!
- 1/01/2006
- Lynn Raye Harris said...
I can hardly say it better than everyone else has, so just add my humble thanks to the pile. I've been with you since the very beginning of this blog. It's been a great ride. :) I wish you tropical sunsets spent in the arms of George, a bottomless gin pail, and the next great big bestselling writer in your stable. Aloha.
- 1/01/2006
- WannabeMe said...
Miss Snark, though I didn't get my synopsis in (I was out of town), I learned a bunch from your comments.
Thanks for sharing your Snarky wisdom!
- 1/01/2006
Miss Snark, you are an absolute gem to go through all of this for us.
Though I do have to say now, after seeing all the synopsis (synopsii?), that I see why most agents reject 99% of what they get. I only liked one out of all of these.
I have new respect for an agent's job. :)
- 1/02/2006
- beth amos said...
Let me add my thanks to the mix. It's been a very enlightening session and a big help to me. Thank you Your Royal Snarkness. I'm tipping a Tanqueray in your honor.
- 1/02/2006
- Paisley Scott said...
So.... what you're saying is you want us to start sending in new synopses now that you're done? OMG you're a glutton for punishment, aren't you? Well... if you insist.... Now what did I do with that synopsis about the werewolf callgirl and the dragon eating car alarm? Hmmmm... I'll have to get back to you on that.
JK, Miss Snark! You did a most excellent job here and right on the moolah. And I don't care what Lucy Lui says, YOU ROCK! ;)
- 1/02/2006
- M. C. Pearson said...
Love your creative use of WTF in some of your comments. In the Army we used 'whiskey tango foxtrot' to express the same idea.
- 1/02/2006
- Harry Connolly said...
Thank you for doing this.
- 1/02/2006
- Sal said...
Amazing, Miss Snark. Amazing that you read each and every one. Amazing that you took the time to comment, sometimes in great, gory, snarky detail, on each and every one.
Your analyses of the synopses provided a great lesson.
Sure, sure, you can say, "Focus. Tell me who the characters are. Tell me what the problem is."
Until I saw the wide variety of synopses turned in and how you reacted to them, I didn't really have a feel for what a synopsis can and can't do.
I'm starting the new year with revisions of a first draft. Before I begin, I plan to write a synopsis to see whether the story, characters, plot, and motivation hang together.
Thanks for following through on a generous offer, even though it turned out to be far more than you intended.
- 1/02/2006
I found your blog just before Thanksgiving. After reading the "first page" submissions in your archives, I ripped apart my treasured crime novel. I had the beginning buried in the middle. I wrote in passive voice. My main character observed while other people dug up the evidence for her. It was a crime, all right! Worse, I thought I had to send the entire ms with query letter in a box.
I did not submit a synopsis because I have nothing left but my revised first chapter and a lot of hope. I have learned more about fiction writing and publishing from Miss Snark in slightly over a month than from any other source in my entire life.
Thank you so much for your time, expertise and humor. May your international brood of Snarklings give you back more than 100 great books in 2006 to show for your efforts!
Emelle in Oklahoma
- 1/02/2006
- Kitty said...
- 1/02/2006
- AzGhostWriter said...
Great job! I have to agree with everyone that said you're tops. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing such a great job.
- 1/02/2006
- s.w. vaughn said...
*bows to Miss Snark, super-agent*
You are awesome. 'Nuff said.
- 1/02/2006
Nigerians offering penis enlargement? I would have thought size was NOT an issue for African men???
Miss Snark, you are SuperUberAgent! (Don't care what they say about Binky Urban - and you say you're not her so...) What you just did over the last week is sheer generosity of time and heart. Over the New Year weekend at that! It's been educational, informative and enlightening and I have the utmost respect for you and the work that you do.
Now how do I find out who you really are so i can send you a proper query?
Hope you discover some amazing new writers and laugh all the way to the bank in 2006!
PS I think you probably kick too much ass for George Clooney to handle!
- 1/02/2006
- Alli said...
Put your feet up Miss Snark, get Killer Yapp to wait on you hand and foot and enjoy the time off!
Thanks so much for all the time and effort - I'm sure every single person who read your comments will walk away with a better knowledge of what is required when it comes to writing the dreaded synopsis. You've taken the dreaded out for me!
- 1/02/2006
- Alli said...
literary fiction
"Lesbian, lesbian, lesbian," April Riley imagines herself intoning for two years in a remote African hut: maybe by the time her Peace Corps service is up she'll have gotten used to saying it – and being one. Then she can worry about coming out to her Born Again parents. Cathy Rudge, April's only friend on this nascent trip to Africa, is ten years and a messy marriage older than any of the other recruits; her wandering husband came home after two years away, just when Cathy had given up and joined the Peace Corps. Recruits only get 80 pounds of luggage to carry onto the flight, but both women have plenty they're trying to leave behind.
Their immersion in francophone Togo begins before the Air Afrique flight hits the tarmac. They are pressed in on all sides by a vibrant, chaotic world and met at the airport by their teacher, Henri, whose robes and deep facial scars seem the height of the exotic. But Stanford-educated Henri is plagued by family troubles and disagreements with the Peace Corps director, kept hidden from the Americans the way he hides his fluent English. The Volunteers' three month training is to be a highly regimented, French-only experience. Too bad neither Cathy nor April can speak much French.
On an early assignment, April spends a week in an inhospitable village, an experience made worse by her uncooperative Volunteer host, her own clumsy French, and someone's truly abysmal cooking. The chef in question turns out to be Gwendolyn, a transplant from English-speaking Ghana, as misplaced and as lonely as April is. Whether April's ready to be a lesbian or not, she's falling in love.
After a grueling month of training, Cathy still hasn't heard from her husband. The trainees are forbidden to leave the village and reminded of a cardinal Peace Corps rule: any Volunteer caught riding a bicycle without a helmet will have her service terminated. Yet, hoping to use a phone in another village, Cathy and April sneak out. Cathy is unable to contact her husband and fears he's, yet again, being unfaithful.
Having broken Peace Corps rules once, April goes AWOL to Gwendolyn's village at her next opportunity. There, she discovers a new law, requiring fishermen to obtain a permit in the distant capital city, has sunk Gwendolyn and her children into poverty. They can't afford the travel, nor the permit itself, so are forced to fish illegally at night, risking being shot by the gendarmes who patrol the area.
The Peace Corps assigns April and Cathy to work in neighboring villages, they move to Cathy's house for the last phase of training, studying the tribal language with Henri. Henri inexplicably avoids meeting with the tribal chief; this rudeness creates havoc in the tribe. Further complicating their visit is the Prefet, a government functionary who was once a school rival of Henri's and is now visibly delighted with his new power over Henri and his American trainees.
"When I had my daughter," Henri tells Cathy and April, "I swore that I would not cut her cheeks with the balafre." And he touched the gouges on his cheeks, marking him as a member of the tribe. "How could you cut your baby's skin?" But his mother stole his daughter away when Henri was off teaching for the Peace Corps, and she cut the scars into the girl's face herself, wounds which still have not healed. Henri has been unable to face his mother, now wife of the chief, ever since.
As soon as training is over, April moves not to Henri's uncle's village, but to Gwendolyn's. Gwendolyn has gotten sick and is struggling to take care of her children. Cathy is left to cover for April's absence, which becomes impossible in the face of the Prefet's pressure and the rising anger from the village chief.
Gwendolyn's village life is shattered when a truckload of gendarmes arrive, drunk, torching fishing boats and nets, as well as the permits each family worked so hard to obtain. April tries to intervene but the soldiers, unhappy to have an American witness their violence, arrest her. April evades them only long enough to help Gwendolyn, now very ill, into bed, where she kills herself by overdosing on the very pain medications April has brought her.
Cathy, now in regular correspondence with her husband, is growing homesick and increasingly frustrated with her village situation. Not sure what has happened to April, she answers a strange summons to the remote house where April, dazed and worried about Gwendolyn's children, awaits the Peace Corps director and her certain deportation. Desperate to stay, April asks Cathy to convince Henri to speak with his uncle, hoping the chief can appeal the Peace Corps on her behalf. But asking for his mother and uncle's help requires Henri forgive what they did to his daughter.
Henri approaches his mother for the first time since she cut his daughter; he also sends Cathy to ask the Prefet to exert his influence as well. Speaking with the pompous man, who clearly delights in the failings of the Americans, Cathy realizes that the thing he values most is his reputation and his power. Her only chance of saving April's Peace Corps service is to forfeit her own, gambling that the Prefet would avoid the humiliation of losing all of the Americans under his jurisdiction.
Cathy sets off on her bicycle, into the desert, without a helmet, on the one paved road the director must take to bring April back to the capital. Sure to see her, he should, by his own threat, deport her for breaking this rule. Cathy hopes his pride, like the Prefet's, will force him to chose to deport one Volunteer instead of two. When his van stops for Cathy, he's irate, but his choice is clear: he will let April stay. Cathy will be the one to go home.
This is just plain excellent.
- 1/02/2006
- Writer Webs said...
Thanks for the insightful look at how an agent sees a synopsis. Hopefully, authors will pay attention and learn greatly from your helpful advice. That would serve all of us (Writers AND Readers) much better!
- 1/02/2006
Oh sure come in at 99% and then start thinking about Gin and putting ones feet up. Gawd these agents nowdays...:)
- 1/02/2006
- tremblor said...
You are amazing.
Thank you for sharing your valuable time and thoughts with us.
You deserve a weekend in the Caribbean.
- 1/02/2006
- J.R. Turner said...
Wanted to add my 3 Cheers for a Superb Synopsis Snarkfest!! *G*
Thank you TONS Miss Snark--as like everyone else, I learned soooo very much ;)
- 1/02/2006
Thanks so much for your hard work. You've provided an invaluable lesson to all writers and hopefully you'll reap the rewards the next time a query letter crosses your desk.
- 1/02/2006
I've read all kinds of books and websites, trying to figure out how to write a good synopsis, but nothing has been more useful to me than reading through the Crapometer's victims, paying close attention to my reactions, and then comparing those reactions to yours. Sometimes a mess of real life examples is exactly what a person need to figure the thing out.
Thank you so much for doing this, Miss Snark! You are the cat's pyjamas, the poodle's pink tam, and this Snarkling's favorite writing resource!
- 1/02/2006
Much luck may it do us...
- 1/02/2006
Well, this Pixie Princess thinks you're one helpful person for a snark. What IS a snark anyway?
You made me focus on my Synopsis. I'm back to sweating over it. And since Pixies only sweat when they're really concentrating . . . You've made me work.
I'll take snarky comments any day. And I'll treasure them as if they were the Gold of Ophir.
- 1/02/2006
- David Isaak said...
The Crapometer has gone AWOL again? Praise the Lord!
Much as I respect the hard work La Snarkita put in, I'm eager for, as Warren Gamaliel Harding put it, a return to normalcy, with Miss Snark's commentary focusing on whatever happens to wander in front of her crosshairs...
- 1/03/2006
- Tess said...
Thanks for all your hard work on the Crapometer, Miss Snark :-) Your efforts are much appreciated. And my hat is off to all those brave writers who submitted a synopsis. I wasn't one of them.
- 1/03/2006
- Jerilyn Dufresne, author said...
You did a great job.
And I'll wait patiently (or not so) for the Synopsis chute to open again. Jer
- 1/03/2006
- Sal said...
re the article in the timesonline.co.uk, which anonymous/RRBrklyn mentions up there, above the anonymous post from the Pixie Princess ...
Victoria Strauss has a few words to say about the exercise.
- 1/03/2006
I've been mostly away from the keyboard over Christmas and New Year, so I haven't had a chance yet to look through all of the posts -- but I will be looking at them. The ones I have seen were enormously helpful in giving an agent's-eye-view of a synopsis. Thank you very much, both for your comments on my synopsis in particular, and for the general excercise.
- 1/04/2006
A belated thank you for going to all this work to help enlighten us. I came here on a tip from a friend and found myself entranced by the wealth of real information. For the first time I have a glimmering of what a synopsis is and how it's supposed to work.
I will be rewriting mine :)
Thank you again.
- 1/15/2006


text:
Higher income limits now in effect for WIC program
July 10, 2012
The Allegheny County Health Department announced higher income limits for its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program are now in effect.
"WIC isn't just for families on public assistance. WIC eligibility is based on both income and medical or nutritional risk, but the income limits allow WIC benefits for many working families with modest incomes," said Acting Health Director Dr. Ronald E. Voorhees.
The income limits, based on family size, will increase by 2.5 percent to 3.3 percent and allow more families to qualify. As of May 31, WIC served about 16,000 individuals and has funding to enroll an additional 800 to 1,000.
The new limits are an annual gross income of $20,665 for a family of one; $27,991 for 2; $35,317 for 3; $42,643 for 4; $49,969 for 5; $57,295 for 6; $64,621 for 7; and $71,947 for 8. Add $7,326 for each additional member beyond 8. Unborn children are counted when the woman is pregnant.
WIC is a federally funded program for income- and medically-eligible pregnant women, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of five.
WIC families receive nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and food vouchers redeemable at participating grocery stores for infant formula; infant cereal; milk; eggs; cheese; juice; cereal; peanut butter; whole grains, including bread, tortillas, oatmeal and rice; soy milk; tofu; jarred baby foods; dry or canned beans; canned tuna/sardines/pink salmon; and fresh/frozen/canned fruits and vegetables.
Additional vouchers are available during the summer to purchase fresh Pennsylvania-grown produce at participating Farmers Markets and Farm Stands.
For information about WIC and how to apply for benefits, call the Allegheny County Health Department WIC Program at 412-350-5801. Information also is available at http://www.achd.net/wic.


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With exception of the noble gases, gold is the least reactive chemical element known. It has been a valuable and highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since long before the beginning of recorded history.
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On December 13, 1929, the New York Rangers became the first team in the NHL to travel by plane when they hired the Curtiss-Wright Corporation to fly them to Toronto for a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs which they would lose 7-6.[8]
Day Nursery South Croydon
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hi nice to meet you, we can make friend ?
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You will be welcomed by our guide by arrival at Hanoi Airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of Hanoi to check-in in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request.
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After breakfast in our hotel we continue our trip towards My Son holy land. Located just 60km from Da Nang , My Son includes a complex of impressive temples and sanctuaries of the former capital of the Cham's Kingdom.
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This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request. Tonight you have dinner in a local restaurant and you overnight in your hotel in Hanoi.
Mission Critical Systems
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We begin our city-trip at the Restored Sword Lake, famous of the legend of the tortoise and the sword of 15th century . After the bombardment of this lake by the Americans in 1968 the huge turtle was killed and the little pagoda in the water is the final resting place of this legendary animal. We will continue our way with a visit to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This temple used to be Vietnam\'s first university founded in 1076.
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Hue was the capital of Vietnam, from 1802 to 1945 under Nguyen Dynasty. This charming and romantic city is known as the city of peace and poetry'. We arrive in Hue (by train or airplane) in the early morning. Go boating on the PerfumeRiver ,
Just saying hi. Hope you are recovered!
Um, feed it to your pets?
I must say that I'm now somehwhat fearful of trying candy corn, lol.
Ooh, I'm looking forward to the stuff, though!
I sent your discs yesterday, by the way.
That's good, as Minnie enjoys a regular tussle with Domo.
I think we do get Willy Wonka candy here. So I'm afraid you're stuck with it.
We have Cheerios and Lucky Charms, but I've never heard of Trix or Corn Nuts.
Aw, I know you don't expect anything in return, that's so sweet of you.
I do have the dramas ready to send you, though.
Shannon, try to be strong as you watch this -
I swear Minnie's a good kitten really!
Hiya Shannon, hope you're having a good week so far! Re. your thread, have you seen 'The Dreamers'?
Sorry about that. I'm gonna do them again, and this time I'll check and check again to be sure they are ok. Kuitan really is fab - I have a feeling you will like it quite a bit.
Shannon! Any news on those discs?
It's proof that Domo loves CC.
Thanks for accepting my request, btw.
Senior Member


text:
It's a pretty common scene in any airline's TV advertisement: A passenger leans back, reclining in their seat with a comfortable and relaxed grin that you just know is impossible to sustain when actually flying economy class.
Clearly airlines feel that the fact their seats recline is a selling point, otherwise the smug smiler wouldn't feature in the telly ads.
But the numbers from a survey by Skyscanner suggest the airlines might want to reconsider. The unscientific poll of 1000 fliers found that nine out of 10 respondents want reclining seats on planes banned.
The problem, of course, with reclining seats isn't that your seat reclines, it's that the seat of the ignorant b*****d in front of you reclines.
Although they're often good for a talking point (and I use them often in these pages), these self-selecting surveys from travel businesses are to be taken with a grain of salt - but the numbers on this are compelling. A quick scroll through social media seems to support the notion that many passengers don't want reclining seats.
For fans of distributive justice and economics, the reclining-seat issue is a modern version of the tragedy of the commons. Reclining my seat is not in the wider interest of everyone in the (inflight) community, but it's very much in my interest. Conversely, when everyone else reclines, that's not in my interest.
"It's partly because there are two general personality types while travelling," says Dr Becky Spelman, a psychologist from the Private Therapy Clinic in London, examining the psychology of so-called reclining seat rage. "There's the 'altruistic soul', who is considerate of others, and the 'selfish ego', who will look to increase their own comfort at the expense of others."
(Word to the wise: The survey found the most likely passengers to be "altruistic souls" were women aged between 18 and 24. Try to sit behind them. Men over the age of 35 were the most selfish. Er, that's me ... )
As with so much in life, common courtesy could hold the key. How about we try telling the person seated behind when we're going to recline? Trouble is, an aeroplane cabin is an odd mix of private and personal space in which we tend not to acknowledge, let alone talk to, the strangers around us.


text:
MOEA ready for Korean crisis
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said it has contingency measures that it can implement should the situation on the Korean Peninsula deteriorate, according to a report by the ministry to be delivered to a legislative committee today.
The measures include supplying information to help businesses find alternative sources of materials, keeping domestic businesses abreast of market changes, helping to handle trade disputes and stepping up assistance to Taiwanese businesses in South Korea and their Taiwanese employees.
The ministry said trade between Taiwan and South Korea totaled about US$27 billion last year. Taiwan's investment in South Korea amounted to US$550 million as of the end of last year, while South Korea's investment in Taiwan amounted to US$990 million.
There is no investment between Taiwan and North Korea, it added.
The ministry said that in the information, communications and consumer electronics sectors, the impact would be bigger, although the effects on the metal, machinery and chemical engineering sectors would be limited.
Taipower warns on plant costs
State-run Taiwan Power Co (Taipower, 台電) reiterated on Saturday that it would face estimated losses of NT$330 billion (US$11 billion) and possible bankruptcy if construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao (貢寮), New Taipei City (新北市), is halted.
Taipower acting vice president Hsu Yung-hua (徐永華) said that if a referendum approved scrapping the nearly-completed plant, it would take many years for the company to complete all follow-up procedures, including legal issues with subcontractors and decisions on whether to maintain or decommission existing equipment.
Before the fate of the plant is decided, it would cost an additional NT$7 billion to NT$8 billion annually if the start of operations at the plant is postponed, Hsu said.
Chlitina registers intent to float
Chlitina Holding Ltd (麗豐), a China-based skincare product vendor, is seeking to launch a primary listing on the local bourse, the Taiwan Stock Exchange said on Friday.
It is the first primary listing application submitted by a foreign registered company this year, the exchange said.
According to its prospectus, the Cayman Islands-registered company is expected to raise about NT$1.60 billion by issuing 8.91 million new shares, with a tentative price of NT$180 per share.
The company, which has paid-in capital of NT$668 million, has a production base in Shanghai and sells its products in China both through stores it owns directly and through franchised outlets.
It has more than 3,000 sales outlets in China, according to the prospectus.
Fundraising activities are scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year, the company said.
Last year, Chlitina posted NT$572 million in net profit, or NT$8.84 in earnings per share, up from NT$305 million in net profit, or NT$4.12 per share, recorded in 2011.
Local firms urged to go Dutch
Taiwanese companies should consider mergers or acquisitions with firms in the Netherlands because of that country's transparent tax system, a Ministry of Economic Affairs official said.
Director-General of the ministry's Department of Investment Services Chiu Yi-cheh (邱一徹) said Taiwan and the Netherlands signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation in 2001, much earlier than a similar deal inked by Taiwan and Germany in 2011, and it has helped many Taiwanese firm operate in the Netherlands.


text:
Name: Porth Bach, Gwynedd (LL53 7BU)
Place type: Bay
Location: Grid Ref: SH 3253 2647 • X/Y co-ords: 232532, 326479 • Lat/Long: 52.80979919,-4.48609505
County/Unitary Authority: Gwynedd
Region: Wales
Country: Wales
Height: -1.3m
OS Explorer map: 253: Lleyn Peninsula West
Use OS Maps to see more detail including footpaths, bridleways, cycle tracks and rights of way.
Road Cycling
Plas Menai to Caernarfon for a Cuppa
On 04 March 2020 from 12:00am to 12:00am
Adult price: Free
Junior price: Free
** Open to ADULTS 16+ (Women & Men) **Join us for this ride starting at Plas Menai and taking the cycle path to Caernarfon for a cuppa before returning along the same route.You will need to bring your own bike (any type will do including e-bikes) and you will be supported by two qualified Ride Leader volunteers. The route is flat and on the traffic free cycle path. We will go at a pace to suit everyone and nobody is ever left behind. It will be a sociable outing and a good introduction to Guided Rides. A good excuse to get your bike out and come and meet the ride leaders.Feel free to ask us any questions before the date if you are unsure of anything.Numbers are limited so please sign up ahead of time.** Please bring your helmet and wear clothes appropriate for the weather. Don't forget money for the cafe. **We look forward to seeing you there!
Mountain Biking (Female only)
Coaching/Ride - International Womens Day #EachforEqual #IWD2020
On 09 March 2020 from 9:45am to 9:45am
Adult price: Free
Junior price: Free
The Minatour is suitable for real beginners, its a mix of flowy singletrack (so about a meter and half wide for this beginner trail), which is fantastic for learning how to do off road trails. We may also use some of the easier reds too - this depends on the group, and on the leader/s available. If we do any reds, they will be within the groups capabilities and no one is forced to do anything they do not want to do. We are aiming for a very sociable, fun ride and coaching session.
Bothy Cottage, in CRICCIETH
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
A charming stone-built cottage, more than 500 years old. Situated within the grounds overlooking the woodlands and the river of Talhenbont Hall Country Estate. Woodland walks, tennis and fishing on site. Criccieth 2 miles.
Conifers Cottage, in CRICCIETH
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
Stone-built 500 year old cottage, all ground floor, in idyllic wooded grounds of Talhenbont Hall. Woodland walks, tennis and fishing on site. Criccieth 2 miles.
Hunting Lodge, in CRICCIETH
Sleeps: 10, Bedrooms: 4
Large stone-built detached house, former gate lodge to Talhenbont Hall. Idyllic woodland setting with walking trails, tennis and fishing on site. Criccieth 2 miles.


text:
Your Name*Subject*Your Email*PhoneMessage*
As a department, we strive to work in partnership to protect and serve our community with honor, integrity and professionalism. We do this through building trusting relationships with residents and businesses in Lenexa.
Chief Thomas Hongslo leads our department and has been employed in law enforcement since 1989. He was appointed Chief of Police in October 2012.
He has a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a master's degree from Baker University. He is a graduate of the 232nd session of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute of Policing, University of Kansas Certified Public Manager Program and Leadership Kansas 2016.
Chief Hongslo is the past president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association and serves on the Board of the Directors for the Kansas City Metropolitan Major Case Squad, Safehome and the University Of Kansas Public Management Center Law Enforcement Leadership Academy. He also serves as a Police Chief Liaison for the Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Investigative Team.
Chief Hongslo is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Patrol and Tactical Committee and the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police Legislative Committee.


text:
Phillies might have interest in veteran Burnett
Free-agent right-hander will reportedly pitch in '14; has some ties to club
PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies finished last season with serious concerns about their rotation. Those concerns linger with Spring Training a little more than two weeks away.
So keep an eye on free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, who remains unsigned. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported this week that Burnett intends to pitch this season, and is open to signing in a place other than Pittsburgh. Philadelphia has been interested in Burnett in the past, and he could be a fit at the right price.
Burnett, 37, went 10-11 with a 3.30 ERA in 30 starts last season with the Pirates. He has links to the Phillies. Burnett shares the same agent as Cliff Lee, and he lives in Maryland, close to Phils assistant general manager Scott Proefrock. Their boys are friends.
Those things could help Burnett join the Phillies, although most importantly the finances must fit.
But Burnett would give Philadelphia more stability in the rotation behind Lee and Cole Hamels. Kyle Kendrick returns, but he posted a 6.45 ERA in his final 14 starts last season before finishing the season on the disabled list. Roberto Hernandez, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract in December, has a 5.19 ERA over 67 appearances (59 starts) the past three seasons.
At the moment, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Jonathan Pettibone are the top two contenders for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. The Phillies originally agreed to a $48 million contract to sign the Cuban star Gonzalez last summer, but that price dropped to $12 million following an issue with his physical.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has since reeled in any expectations for Gonzalez in 2014.
Amaro said Monday he has no Major League contract offers on the table, but that can change with a phone call or email.


text: Fresca Allier 24 x 19 Modern Bathroom Vanity FVN8125WG Info Description Documentation Return & Warranty SKU FVN8125WG Dimensions Vanity: W 23.5" x D 18.5" x H 33.5" Mirror: W 21.63" x D 6" x H 31.5" Material Plywood w/ Veneer, Ceramic Countertop/Sink with Overflow Items Included Vanity, Main Cabinet, Faucet(s), Mirror, P-Trap and Pop-Up Drain, Standard hardware needed for installation. Ships in Ships in 1-3 Business days The Fresca 24" Allier is a compact free standing vanity with plenty of storage space. This model is accented nicely with a matching mirror with small shelf. Optional side cabinets are available. Many faucet styles to choose from. Installation manual Warranty For inquires on the warranty of a product please view the "info" tab or contact us for details. Returns Make sure to inspect all items upon delivery. Contact us with any questions. For directions on returns, replacements, & cancellations please visit our Shipping & Returns page. Are You a Professional or Contractor? Click here EXTRA DISCOUNT Exotic Home Expo provides top tier customer service and competitive pricing to all trade professionals. If you are a contractor, architect, builder, or interior designer you can open a trade account with Exotic Home Expo. What A Trade Account Will Give You: Exclusive Discounts & Offers Not Available To Retail Customers E-Mail Notifications Of Sales & Promotions Dedicated Customer Service Representatives Help Finding The Exact Products Needed To Complete Your Project Other Trade Benefits e-Mail us a trade account request to email@example.com or call us (888) - 360 - 8783 and ask about opening a trade account today! We look forward to working with you! Configure your product Fresca Allier 24 x 19 Modern Bathroom Vanity FVN8125WG *Please Choose Faucet -- Please Select --Bevera Cascata (Brushed Nickel) Cascata (Chrome) Isarus Savio Sillaro Tartaro Versa Diveria Fiora Fortore Livenza Bevera No Charge Cascata (Brushed Nickel)No Charge Cascata (Chrome)No Charge IsarusNo Charge SavioNo Charge SillaroNo Charge TartaroNo Charge VersaNo Charge DiveriaNo Charge FioraNo Charge FortoreNo Charge LivenzaNo Charge *Select Side Cabinet: -- Please Select --No Side Cabinet Fresca Side Cabinet +$263.00Fresca Side Cabinet +$278.00 Fresca Side Cabinet+$263.00 Fresca Side Cabinet+$278.00 *Select Medicine Cabinet/Mirror: -- Please Select --No Medicine Cabinet Medicine Cabinet +$180.00 Medicine Cabinet+$180.00 * Required Fields $1,235.15 $999.00 Add to Wishlist | Add to Compare Qty: Add to Cart -OR- You may also be interested in the following product(s) Avanity LEGACY 40 x 19 Vanity V40-BU $1,300.00 $975.00 Avanity WINDSOR 72" Vanity WINDSOR-V72-WA $1,900.00 $1,425.00 Fresca Oxford 48" Traditional Double Sink Bathroom Vanity - Espresso FVN20-2424ES $2,613.67 $1,899.00 Fresca Torino 60'' Modern Bathroom Vanity Two Side Cabinets FVN62-123612ES-VSL $2,607.03 $1,799.00 Fresca Torino 36 x 18 Modern Bathroom Vanity FVN6236WB-VSL $1,663.71 $1,249.00 Fresca Torino 72'' Modern Double Sink Bathroom Vanity FVN62-301230ES-UNS $3,125.17 $2,149.00 Buy the Fresca FVN8125WG at ExoticHomeExpo.com. Research Fresca FVN8125WG online. Find FVN8125WG features and specifications. Get the best deal by comparing the Fresca FVN8125WG today.


text: Lifestyle Property for Sale 985 listings found Sort by: Latest listings Auctions Open Homes Lowest price Highest price Page 74 of 6612 ... 71 985 listings found We list new properties daily. Want to be notified when new properties are added to this search query? Login or Register to save your favourite searchesSave search


text: The Yaquina Head Light also known as Cape Foulweather Lighthouse, is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast of the United States. It is located in Lincoln County, near the mouth of the Yaquina River near Newport at Yaquina Head. Built in 1873, it was automated in 1966 and is currently an active aid to navigation.


text:
Repair work on a major downtown Chicago bridge may cause some headaches for commuters this week.
Chicago Transit Authority officials said Sunday that service will be interrupted for two nine-day periods while work begins on the 91-year-old Wells Street Bridge.
The project will involves putting new sections on the double-decker moveable bridge. Crews will dismantle and replace parts of the bridge. The sections will be assembled elsewhere and transported by barge on the Chicago River.
The first traffic detour goes through next Sunday. The second will be April 26 through May 5. CTA officials will also do track work. Several train lines will be affected, including route changes.
City officials say the bridge has been in service since 1922.


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We fight for military families: the Association's 2013 priorities, Part 3
This is Part 3 of a series explaining the National Military Family Association's legislative priorities for 2013. Read Part 1 and Part 2 here.
Some issues affecting military families can only be taken care of through Congressional action. We see most of the work on these issues being addressed through the House and Senate Armed Services Committees in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets the laws and regulations for Department of Defense (DoD) and the Services to follow. The funding of this legislation comes through the House and Senate Appropriations Committees with the Defense Appropriations bill and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
Congress did not pass the Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13), which began on October 1, 2012. They passed a Continuing Resolution or CR, which forced DoD to work on 2013 missions, projects, and programs with 2012 levels of funding. The current Continuing Resolution will expire March 27. While military paychecks are protected for 2013, essential services could shut down if the CR is allowed to expire. This isn't the first year we have had the threat of a government shutdown.
Pass the NDAA FY14
This is why our first "ask" for Congress is to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for FY14 and the bills that fund this legislation by October 1 in order to eliminate the uncertainty faced by the military community.
Increase Impact Aid
If you have children attending public schools, you should be aware of how important Impact Aid funding is to local school districts that educate large numbers of military children. We're asking Congress to increase the level of Department of Education Impact Aid funding to meet the Federal obligation to support school districts educating military children and continue to fund the DoD supplemental impact aid and grant program. Impact Aid funding has not kept pace with rising education costs.
Protect surviving spouses
Survivors of service members who have died on active duty or from a service-connected disability are unfairly penalized by having their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity offset by the Department of Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment. Under current law, survivors who are eligible for both SBP and DIC must forfeit a dollar of their SBP annuity for every dollar of DIC received. Often the offset eliminates the SBP annuity altogether. We ask Congress to end the DIC dollar for dollar offset of SBP payments for surviving spouses. For more details on this issue, visit the Survivors section on our website.
Ease transitions for the whole family
DoD does not always need Congressional approval to improve or change policies. We are asking DoD to address the informational needs of military families transitioning out of the military by expanding the opportunity for spouses to attend transition classes with service members and tailor information to address family transition issues.
Support families with special needs
It can often take DoD a long time to implement programs mandated by Congress. In the NDAA FY13, Congress charged DoD to start a pilot program to provide therapy for some families with special needs. We want DoD to implement the new pilot program to provide Applied Behavior Analysis to ALL eligible TRICARE beneficiaries.
If you have questions about our priorities for 2013 or would like to provide us with information about how these issues will affect you and your family, please leave a comment below. As I mentioned in the beginning of this blog series, we are sharing your stories, your experiences, and your suggestions to improve the quality of life for military families.
These are not the only issues we will be advocating for. When a new challenge surfaces that affects military families, we will make sure it is brought to the attention of the policymakers who can make a difference. We are listening to you and for you. We are your voice.
Posted by Kathleen Moakler, Government Relations Director at the National Military Family Association
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