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Videos: Fund Manager Q&As
Asia Pacific Fund - Robin Parbrook
Schroders Australia Investment Director, Oliver Trusler, caught up with Head of Asia Equities (ex Japan) Robin Parbrook after the Schroder Asia Pacific Fund's 20 year anniversary. With over 25 years' experience investing in Asia for Schroders, Robin discusses his thoughts on the challenges and trends the region has seen and what he believes investors should expect looking forward.
Important Information:
This article is intended for professional investors and financial advisers only and is not suitable for distribution to retail clients. Opinions, estimates and projections in this article constitute the current judgement of the author as of the date of this article. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Schroder Investment Management Australia Limited, ABN 22 000 443 274, AFS Licence 226473 ("Schroders") or any member of the Schroders Group and are subject to change without notice. In preparing this document, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources or which was otherwise reviewed by us. Schroders does not give any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of information which is contained in this article. Except insofar as liability under any statute cannot be excluded, Schroders and its directors, employees, consultants or any company in the Schroders Group do not accept any liability (whether arising in contract, in tort or negligence or otherwise) for any error or omission in this article or for any resulting loss or damage (whether direct, indirect, consequential or otherwise) suffered by the recipient of this article or any other person. This document does not contain, and should not be relied on as containing any investment, accounting, legal or tax advice. Schroders may record and monitor telephone calls for security, training and compliance purposes.You should note that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.


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Major advance in sleeping sickness drug made by Glasgow scientists
A new study published in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases on September 6th presents a key advance in developing a safer cure for sleeping sickness. Led by Professor Peter Kennedy, researchers at the University of Glasgow's Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation have created a version of the drug most commonly used to treat sleeping sickness which can be administered orally in pill form.
Sleeping sickness or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected tropical disease of major importance. Transmitted by the tsetse fly and caused by the trypanosome parasite, sleeping sickness is invariably fatal if left untreated. Once the disease has crossed the blood-brain barrier and entered the central nervous system the most commonly used treatment is an intravenous course of the arsenic-based drug melarsoprol. Because melarsoprol has a low solubility in water, it is dissolved in propylene glycol and administered intravenously. The result is a highly-toxic drug that kills five per cent of patients receiving it and leaves many others permanently brain-damaged.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow combined melarsoprol with cyclodextrins molecules that surrounded the drug allowing it to be administered orally, increasing its solubility and releasing the drug more slowly in the gut. In laboratory tests the altered drug was shown to retain its ability to kill the infection, and was able to cure mice infected with the parasite after a seven-day daily oral dosing schedule. The drug cleared parasites from the brain and restored normal blood-brain barrier integrity.
According to Prof. Kennedy, "This new research is the most clinically important in the 20 years of our trypanosome research group. It has the potential of a major therapeutic advance and if it is equally effective in humans then it would also have a significant socio-economic impact because the duration of inpatient treatment would be shorter and some patients might even be eventually treated at home."
Prof Kennedy added: "You always have to be very cautious when extrapolating results from mouse models to the human disease but there are several reasons why we are quietly optimistic that this may very well work in humans too.

subset: commoncrawl


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This Is How Some People Feel About Weed: Man About To Bust A Nut Over A NY Train!
This character goes crazy over a damn train in NY
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April 1, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
The Schedule
Wednesday, Apr. 1, 7 p.m.
No. 12 UCSB vs. No. 4 USC
Robertson Gymnasium, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Tickets available one hour prior to match at Robertson Gymnasium
Broadcast by KCSB 91.9 FM
Broadcast online at kcsb.org
Available on Gametracker
Saturday, Apr. 4, 7 p.m.
No. 12 UCSB vs. No. 2 Pepperdine
Robertson Gymnasium, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Tickets available online through Ticket Return
Santa Barbara News-Press Kids to College match. All youth 8th grade and under admitted free.
Available on Gametracker
Against USC
Last Meeting: 2/26/09 at USC Result: USC 3, UCSB 1 (30-20, 21-30, 30-25, 30-18)
2009 Series: USC leads 1-0
2008 Series: Tied 1-1
All-Time Series Record: Tied 45-45
Last UCSB Win: 3/12/08 at UCSB
Result: UCSB 3, USC 0 (30-25, 30-23, 30-27)
Current Streak: USC one win
Against Pepperdine
Last Meeting: 2/28/09 at PEPP
Result: PEPP 3, UCSB 0 (30-24, 36-34, 30-18)
2009 Series: PEPP leads 1-0
2008 Series: PEPP led 2-0
All-Time Series Record: PEPP leads 62-28
Last UCSB Win: 2/15/06 at UCSB
Result: UCSB 3, PEPP 2 (26-30, 30-27, 37-35, 20-30, 15-13)
Current Streak: PEPP seven wins
Order Tickets Online
This season, fans have the option of purchasing men's volleyball tickets for home matches online through Ticket Return. Additionally, tickets are available by calling the Ticket Office at 805.893.UCSB or by visiting the Ticket Office, located in the Intercollegiate Athletics building on campus. Individual match prices are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (55 and above), and $3 for youths (ages 4 to 13).
Can't Make it to the Court?
KCSB 91.9 FM, UC Santa Barbara's student station, will once again provide live coverage of select men's volleyball matches on 91.9 FM and online at KCSB.org. Here's the remaining season schedule:
Apr. 1 vs. USC - 91.9 FM and online at KCSB.org
Can't Make it to the Court? - Part II
UCSB men's volleyball matches can be followed live online for no charge with Gametracker. All home matches and select road contests will be included. Just log on to UCSBgauchos.com, go to the men's volleyball schedule, and click on the Gametracker link for the match you're interested in. You can follow each point and see player statistics and bios. Gametracker runs on PCs and Macs.
Santa Barbara News-Press Kids to College Matches
The Saturday, Apr. 4 match vs. Pepperdine is designated a Santa Barbara News-Press Kids to College match. All youth (8th grade and under) will be admitted free! The program is designed to give local youth the opportunity to experience the thrill of top-notch collegiate athletics events in person.
Gauchos Take Down Tigers for Third Time This Season
Jake Rosener matched his career-high with 18 kills as UCSB handily swept unranked Pacific on March 27 at the Alex G. Spanos Center. It was the third time this season that the Gauchos, who won by scores of 30-26, 30-22, and 30-25, defeated the Tigers. UCSB dominated offensively, hitting .344 (51-18-96) to the Pacific's .212 (41-20-99). Even when Pacific swung strong at .355 in the third set, Santa Barbara rose to the occasion and hit an impressive .485 in that frame. UCSB out-blocked Pacific 10 to 9 for the match. Aside from Rosener, Jeff Menzel (12) and Cullen Irons (10) each posted double-digit kill totals. Menzel and Scott Slaughter each had five blocks and Mike Runkle had a match-high 10 digs. Splitting time at the setter position, Andy McGuire had 20 assists and Vince DeVany recorded 19. The Tigers were led by Jeff Hendershot's 14 kills. Joe Forbes had five blocks.
Irons' 17 Kills Not Enough at Stanford
Cullen Irons had a team-high 17 kills and added a career-high 14 digs and three blocks, but UCSB fell, 3-1, to Stanford at Maples Pavilion on March 28. Scores were 30-24, 30-19, 23-30, and 30-24 in favor of the Cardinal. Normally consistent outside hitter Jeff Menzel had an off night for UCSB, connecting on only 14 of his 39 total attacks while compiling 11 errors. Jake Rosener and Scott Slaughter added 11 kills apiece. Vince DeVany and Andy McGuire split time at the setter position, contributing 34 and 26 assists, respectively. Garrett Werner led the Cardinal attack, hitting .647, connecting on 11 of his 17 total attacks. Evan Romero had a team-high 19 kills, racking up a .359 hitting percentage on the evening. Kawika Shoji tallied a match-high 57 assists while adding five digs and two blocks. Erik Shoji had a match- high 21 digs.
Spreading it Around
Rare things happened on UCSB's road trip last week. At Pacific, Jake Rosener had a team-high 35 attack attempts. It was the first time all season that Jeff Menzel didn't lead the Gauchos in attempts. The next night at Stanford, Cullen Irons tied Menzel with a team-high 39 swings.
Cullen's Career Night
Cullen Irons got the start at outside vs. Cal Baptist and took full advantage of the opportunity. He established new career-highs with 21 kills, seven blocks, and 24.5 points. He became just the fourth Gaucho to lead the team in points for a single match, joining Jeff Menzel, Jake Rosener, and Scott Slaughter.
Slaughter Returns
After missing two matches due to a right ankle injury, middle Scott Slaughter returned to the lineup against Cal Baptist. He posted nine kills, two assists, three digs, two blocks, and 10 points. Slaughter had started every match prior to his injury.
From Defense to Offense
The Gauchos decided to switch things up for the Cal Baptist match. Andy McGuire, UCSB's primary libero, started at setter in place of Vince DeVany, who had started all previous matches at the position. McGuire finished with an impressive 69 assists while adding two blocks and two points, all career-highs.
Thobe or Not Thobe
Senior Matt Thobe has started UCSB's last five matches at middle blocker. Against Cal Baptist, he recorded a career-best eight kills and a season-high six blocks. In the previous two matches (UCLA, George Mason), Thobe led the Gauchos with three aces in each contest.
Devany Ups His Mark Again
Setter Vince DeVany has been toying with his single match career-high assist total all season. First, he tied it with 60 against BYU (1/30), then broke it with 65 vs. UCSD (2/6). Devany then totaled 69 at UC Irvine (2/11) and 78 against Stanford (2/21). Most recently, he amassed 79 in a four-set win at Hawai'i (3/5).
Menzel Pushing 1,000 Career Kills
Sophomore Jeff Menzel recently established new career-highs with 32 kills and 36.5 points against George Mason. To date, Menzel has 914 career kills (464 in 2009, 450 in 2008) and will be the 11th Gaucho in the history of the program to reach the 1,000-kill benchmark. The last to do it was middle Theo Brunner, who collected 1,163 kills between 2005 and 2008.
One-Armed Bandit
Jeff Menzel's arm has shown a lot of stamina as he has by far taken more swings than any other Gaucho. He has amassed 1,036 attack attempts this season. Second on the list is Jake Rosener with 482, 554 less than Menzel. As a team, UCSB has 2,867 attacks, 36% of those coming by way of Menzel's arm.
Aces High
Jake Rosener dropped in a career-high seven service aces at Pepperdine (2/28), which tied for second on UCSB's single match record list. Evan Patak had seven aces five times between 2006 and 2007. The school record for aces in a match is eight, set by Patak in 2004.
Mountain of Youth
This year's Gaucho squad consists of just two seniors - Mike Runkle and Matt Thobe. There are two juniors, six sophomores, and five freshmen. The recent regular starting lineup features four sophomores (Irons, OH; McGuire, S; Menzel, OH; Slaughter, MB), a junior (Rosener, OPP), and a senior (Thobe, MB). Runkle has been UCSB's primary libero as of late.
Gauchos Ink Two Highly-Touted Recruits
UCSB has received National Letters of Intent from two highly-touted recruits - middle blocker Dylan Davis (Corona del Mar, Calif./Corona del Mar High School) and setter Oliver Deutschman (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Crossroads School) - that will don the blue and gold for the 2010 season. The six-foot-eight Davis is widely considered the nation's top class of 2009 middle blocker and one of the top two recruits at any position. In club ball, Davis' highly-ranked Balboa Bay team won a silver medal in the 17-and-under division at the 2008 Junior Olympics, where Davis was tabbed a First Team All-American. He was also a starter on the U.S. Youth National Team that won gold at the 2008 NORCECA Championships and qualified for the 2009 Youth National World Championships in Italy this coming summer. Heralded as the top setter in the country from the class of 2009, Deutschman won gold at the 2008 Junior Olympics, topping Davis' Balboa Bay squad in the 17-and-under title match. Like Davis, the six-foot-four Deutschman was named a First Team All-American following the tournament. He was also a starter, along with Davis, on the U.S. Youth National Team that won the 2008 NORCECA title and qualified to compete at the 2009 Youth National World Championships in Italy.
BE Great
Earlier this year, UCSB Athletics unveiled the BE Great initiative. BE Great is dedicated to maximizing leadership ability, strong on-campus interaction, and general welfare for all 450 student-athletes and Intercollegiate Athletics staff at UC Santa Barbara. BE Great also focuses on personal and career development, diversity and social awareness, and ensuring academic success. UCSB has a 92% student-athlete graduation rate.
Gauchos Give
With the arrival of Mark Massari as Athletics Director in October, UCSB Athletics also launched the Gauchos Give community outreach initiative for all 450 athletes and 20 sports. Gaucho athletes give back to their community through free clinics, helping families during the holidays, providing financial and emotional support during tragedies, and touching the lives of youth.
The Gaucho Way
As a championship-caliber program, UCSB Athletics recognizes the responsibility that goes with it. This simply means all student-athletes, staff, and fans will behave with a champion's approach, creating a safe environment at games and events. All of those who attend, compete, or work at Gaucho events are caretakers of the passionate, exciting, and great experience UCSB is known for. This is "The Gaucho Way."
- UCSBgauchos.com -


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|Human Resources Administration
For purposes of efficient and effective management of human resources, the County operates within a uniform system called the Douglas County Personnel Rules. These rules have been adopted by the Board of Commissioners. The system governs promotion, transfer, layoff, removal and discipline of employees. The Human Resources Director is responsible for administering the County personnel policies. Questions directed to Human Resources will be responded to in the same business day.
Human Resources is also responsible for coordinating changes in the Personnel Rules. Employees may submit suggested changes with supporting documentation to the Board through the Human Resources Director. The Director will research the proposal, request input from elected officials, department heads, and other employees and make a recommendation to the Board. Except in emergency situations, proposed changes will be posted for thirty days to allow interested employees and opportunity to provide further input. When the rules are periodically reprinted, the adopted changes will be incorporated and new copies distributed. During the interim, policy memos on a standard format will be used to document changes.
The Human Resources (HR) Director serves as the Countys Affirmative Action Officer. The Director is responsible for ensuring all employees and job applicants are treated equally in matters of County employment, programs and activities without regard to a persons race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or age. In conjunction, the County also does not discriminate on the basis of disabling status in admission or access to employment, programs and activities
Douglas Countys Affirmative Action Policy may be found in Douglas County Personnel Rule #24.3. Click here for Douglas County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Resolution document. Any questions or concerns about affirmative action can be directed to the HR Director. You may email the HR Director at email@example.com or call 440-4405 during regular business hours.
The HR Director tracks contract timeframes and prepares and coordinates the bargaining process with relevant departments. Human Resources performs all record keeping, administrative functions and policy roles associated with collective bargaining. Human Resources is responsible for contract interpretations and will work to advise departments on any contract administration issues. Human Resources acts as liaison to the union as requested by the respective department head.
The compensation structure of Douglas County is typical of governmental agencies. Predetermined salary ranges are assigned to each classification. Generally, each salary range has a minimum and maximum salary, with steps within the range. The ranges reflect the relative responsibilities of the classification, availability of labor, prevailing rates of pay (sometimes referred to as market comparison) and financial conditions of the County.
Human Resources will periodically, and upon request on a time available basis, review salaries for positions or for classifications. Department Heads may make their written requests for a salary review of a position to Human Resources. Normally, this action occurs in conjunction with the budgeting process. Appropriate forms will be sent to the employee through the department head and, upon their return on a time available basis, review will begin. Particular attention will be given to both internal comparisons and market pricing of jobs.
Human Resources recommends to the Board annual adjustments and, through collective bargaining, negotiates adjustments for bargaining unit employees. Upon request by department heads, the Human Resources Department may make recommendations on exceptional increases, hires above step, and review of incentive programs of interest to department heads.
The compensation and pay plans are updated, printed and distributed annually.
Employment related compliance reporting required by regulatory agencies is completed by Human Resources. As the employers representative, we are required to complete:
The Countys employee benefit program consists of: vacation and sick leave, holidays, retirement, and medical, vision, dental and life insurance. Supplemental benefits are also available to employees such as deferred compensation, short-term disability and other insurance.
Personnel rules and discuss holiday, vacation and sick accruals and leaves. For specific interpretations or alternatives, email Human Resources at email@example.com or call 440-4405 during regular business hours.
Human Resources works with an Employee Benefits Committee in designing a health benefit package to best meet employees' needs. Human Resources is actively involved in the request for bids process when new carriers are contemplated and serves as liaison between the Board of Commissioners and the committee.
Visit our Insurance Eligibility/Options (click here) page on our web site for an explanation of the benefit package. This is not a complete description of plan benefits or exclusions. For further information, consult the plan booklet(s), call the carrier(s) directly, or email Human Resources at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 440-4405 during regular business hours.
Due to the nature of insurance, changes frequently happen. Human Resources will update you with new inserts and pages to plan booklets as often as needed.
Human Resources will work with supervisors to help correct performance issues. Human Resources will offer a neutral point-of-view and help develop an individualized strategy to effectively deal with each issue. This role might be as a mediator, through work planning exercises, referral to employee assistance service, or working with employees to help them find other positions that better match their personal qualifications.
Human Resources has available a library of books, magazines, audio cassettes and videos on various employment-related subjects including health and wellness, recruitment and selection, management, on-the-job training skills, self-helps, risk management, and safety subjects. These materials are available to be checked out. Human Resources also has available, a one-piece, portable VCR television unit that can be used when showing County training videos. The VCR is available for use by departments on a check out basis.
The Human Resources Department conducts a monthly orientation session for employees hired during the preceding month. An invitation is sent monthly to departments with the names of those employees scheduled to attend. Orientation is an opportunity for the new employee to meet the Human Resources staff with whom they will deal for everything from insurance to general policy. At orientation, each employee will receive a copy of the County Personnel Rules, a brief introduction to the County and the answers to general questions they have. A typical orientation session would include:
The orientation is designed to be conducted in two parts. The individual department will provide information as to specific operating policies and procedures within the department. This would most likely be done within the first week of employment. Because Human Resource's discussion with new employees deals with generalities, we encourage employees to check with their supervisor or department head for specific department policies and procedures.
If good faith efforts toward correcting performance issues fail, Human Resources is available to advise supervisors, effectively document and correct performance discrepancies. This includes, but is not limited to, drafting letters to employees for department head signature, counseling with the employee, mediation between employee and supervisor, liaison with the union if appropriate and referral to employee assistance program.
In disciplinary actions that may involve suspension, demotion or dismissal, the Human Resources Director must be contacted. The Human Resources Director must be consulted before initiating termination.
Human Resources maintains personnel files of current and former County employees. The file in Human resources is considered the general file and contains: original employment application, copies of all Personnel Action Forms (PAF"s), and employment related correspondence. ~The file maintained by the employing department is considered the official file and contains: performance evaluations, copies of PAFs, disciplinary material and correspondence.~
When an employee terminates County employment, departments must send the departmental personnel file to Human Resources and it will be merged with the Human Resources files and stored for future use as the complete and official personnel record. Periodically, these closed files are microfilmed or digitally imaged.
The county utilizes a position classification plan that is maintained by Human Resources. The primary purpose of a classification system are:
Upon request, and on a time available basis, Human Resources will review positions for appropriate position classification assignment. Human Resources will also assist departments in establishing appropriate classifications for new positions or positions affected by reorganization. Generally, classification review requests for both existing and new positions will be handled in conjunction with the annual budget process. When a department head determines there have been significant changes to a position, either by increased or decreased responsibilities and assignment of duties, a request to conduct a position classification review can be submitted to Human Resources. The request for review can be in memo form. The appropriate forms necessary for Human Resources to study the position will be sent to the requesting department. The forms used FOR review a position are:
This same procedure is also true prior to requesting approval of anew position. Recruitment's for newly approved positions will start after all classification work is conducted by Human Resources.
Human Resources may conduct a "job audit" with the employee, and talk to the supervisor and department head concerning the functions of the position. Comparisons with similar positions will be made both within the County classification system and pre-selected comparative Oregon counties.
Human Resources will prepare an Evaluation Statement summarizing the review process. This statement contains background and history of the position, classification series determination and the conclusion of the review, including the recommendation of Human Resources.
Human Resources will then meet with the department head, presenting results of the study. If Human Resources and the department head are in agreement, the department head signs the Evaluation Statement, notifies the employee of the results and, if a change in classification is proposed, processes the personnel action form. It then is presented to the Board through the budget process
If there is a disagreement between Human Resources and the department head and/or the employee, we attempt to resolve the disagreement. This could entail further "job audits," requesting more supportive information from either the department or employee and further surveys. If we are still unable to come to agreement, the department head and/or employee can submit the proposal to the Board for their consideration and final determination.
In order to maintain standard language, formal position classification specifications are written and maintained by Human Resources. When there are changes to a position that affect the specification, Human Resources will update the written specification. Department heads with employees in those classifications are contacted for their input to the updates.
In conclusion, we want to emphasize that position classification is concerned with the duties and responsibilities required of positions. It does not measure employees ability, personal qualifications or performance level. Further, when conducting a classification review, the following are not considered: length of employment with the County, unusual personal qualifications, personality, volume of work, efficiency or inefficiency, unusual diligence or overtime, or staff shortages. These issues relate more to performance evaluation or other Human Resources functions and are more appropriately handled in that realm.
Some aspects of the recruitment and selection process are centralized, others are decentralized, depending on the particular circumstances worked out between Human Resources and the recruiting department.
The Human Resources Department is responsible for EEOC and AA reporting and for compliance with the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection and various civil rights statutes and Presidential Executive Orders. Additionally, the Human Resources Department is charged by the Board of Commissioners to aid in departments in hiring the most qualified people available. To this end, some of the processes are centralized.
When departments have vacancies, Human Resources will discuss and advise on various recruitment strategies. We will place all necessary advertisements and collect applications. Upon request, we will screen applications using various techniques, defend the process and respond to inquiries from applicants. Human Resources will assist in developing appropriate tests and structure an appropriate interview and selection process and assist with interviews. On a time available basis, we will do background investigations/reference checks and will always be available to coach department personnel in appropriate and effective selection procedures. Click here for Selection and Recruitment Process and Forms.
Human Resources also believes in significant line department involvement in the recruitment and selection process and believes that, through its quality involvement, results can be greatly enhanced.
Workers compensation, safety, property and casualty.
Workers compensation. Human Resources will work with each department to help them understand the correct procedure to follow if an on-the-job injury or accident occurs. Click here for an On The Job Injury Report. The Risk Manager in Human Resources is to be notified as soon as possible when an accident occurs and will aid the department with the required paperwork internal investigation and can act as a liaison with the injured employee and medical providers. Human Resources will assist with a return-to work program.
Safety. Any safety concerns should be directed to the Safety Manager, who serves as the County Safety Officer. The Safety Manager serves as liaison between the Central Safety Committee and the Board of Commissioners. Because certain safety functions are centrally administered through the Safety Manager, that person arranges for safety audits, instructs department heads in safety procedures, coordinates the functions of safety committees and otherwise researches and reports on safety issues and concerns.
Liability, Property Damage and Automobile. The Risk Manager will instruct departments in County policy and procedures and assist legal counsel and claims administrator in the preparation of cases. The Risk Manager is to be notified as soon as possible when an accident occurs involving damage to the public, and will aid the department with the required paperwork and internal investigation. The Risk Manager may act as a liaison with the public and the Countys claims administrator.
From time to time, Human Resources is assigned special projects by the Board of Commissioners. These have been coordination of annual blood drive, annual United Way campaign, Christmas food drive and summer employment of the students through UT&E. Other assignments have been to conduct one-of-a-kind surveys, research, presentations, etc.
Human Resources will, on a time-available basis assist departments with other human resource-related special projects.
Human Resources will arrange for in-house/on site training where it is affordable at the request of the department head. Human Resources will also conduct training or arrange for in-house training in areas that are appropriate.
Human Resources also posts fliers of local training in the main lobby of the Courthouse. (Local being defined as within the Northwest region) All seminars presented by Career Tracks, Skill Path, the Prior Group, etc available upon request.
Currently, Douglas County belongs to two local training groups: Inter-agency Training Network (ITN) and Douglas County Employers Council (DCEC). These groups bring quality, low-cost training to the Umpqua Valley area. Training opportunities through these groups are organized through the Human Resources Department. If your department has any suggestions for training through these groups or for on-site training, please email Human Resources at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 440-4405 during regular business hours. Click here for current training opportunities.
The criteria used by the State of Oregon Employment Division in determining if an employee is eligible for Unemployment Benefits is "did the employee voluntarily quit with good cause or was the employee discharged for misconduct?"
The County is charged for all unemployment claims paid by the Employment Office and, therefore, has a public interest responsibility to challenge any claim where the employee was discharged for misconduct. Incidents when a temporary employee is laid off or an employee quits to relocate with his or her family are considered a "voluntary quit with good cause" and Human Resources does not appeal any decisions for benefits. If an employee quits to go to another job, or if no reason is given, or if the employee is discharged for reasons of misconduct on the job, Human Resources will appeal any decision for benefits.
Human Resources involvement starts when the ex-employee files with the local Employment Division office for unemployment benefits. The local office will examine the employees reason for leaving and verify it with Human Resources. When an administrative decision is issued from the local office it either grants or denies benefits. If the decision is to grant benefits , the County may appeal the decision or if it is a denial of benefits, the ex-employee may appeal the decision. If an appeal is requested, the issue will go to a hearing. This is usually either a telephone hearing or one held at the local office. At this time, both sides will present their case and documentation (evidence). Witnesses may be used. The Hearings Referee will issue a decision soon thereafter. If either side is still unsatisfied, they may appeal that decision to the Employment Appeals Board. If a satisfactory decision cannot be reached, the final step is the Court of Appeals. Human Resources will request County Counsel consider appealing cases to the Employment Appeals Board and then on to the Court of Appeals when we feel a damaging precedent would otherwise be set.
Departments and Human Resources responsibility for unemployment claims
As with any employment termination, whether voluntary or involuntary, it should be documented. If the employee quits giving two weeks notice to go to work for another employer, you need to ask that employee to put that resignation in writing. If you are terminating an employee, that employees personnel folder needs to reflect any verbal warnings regarding job performance, any disciplinary action, and any letters of suspension or termination. Any recommendations that an employee seek help through the Employee Assistance Service should also be noted. In summary, any documentation that shows that the employee is being terminated for cause should be in the folder.
Often Human Resources will need to call you and verify reasons for termination or for the employees resignation. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Without it, the hand of Human Resources can be tied in the Employment Divisions process and hearings.
Should the County or the ex-employee appeal the administrative decision, Human Resources will represent the County in the hearing. Human Resources will need any copies of documentation and may call supervisors or co-workers as witnesses for the County. However, Counsel will not be able to introduce any new evidence to the Court. Any documentation or witnesses must be introduced to the Hearings level to be admissible at a later date. Thus, once again, your cooperation is needed from the beginning to make the process effective. During 1990, careful monitoring of Unemployment Benefits claims saved the County potential charges of over $20,000.
In summary, Unemployment payments come out of the Countys Benefit Trust Fund. In order to protect the County, communication with Human Resources and documentation are the best ways to handle it.


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About Us
The International Law Society strives to cultivate discussion and study of international and comparative law. One of the Society's goals is to monitor developments in international law. Members of the International Law Society have worked across the globe, in places like Oxford, Egypt, and Switzerland. Interested students can obtain information about study abroad programs. Additionally, the organization provides global-thinking students with information about getting internships and careers with organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
Contact us firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Multivariate analysis: methods and applications
Wiley, Aug 22, 1984 - Business & Economics - 587 pages
Structural Sensitivity in Econometric Models Edwin Kuh, John W. Neese and Peter Hollinger Provides a pathbreaking assessment of the worth of linear dynamic systems methods for probing the behavior of complex macroeconomic models. Representing a major improvement upon the standard "black box" approach to analyzing economic model structure, it introduces the powerful concept of parameter sensitivity analysis within a linear systems root/vector framework. The approach is illustrated with a good mediumsize econometric model (Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model of the United States). EISPACK, the Fortran code for computing characteristic roots and vectors has been upgraded and augmented by a model linearization code and a broader algorithmic framework. Also features an interface between the algorithmic code and the interactive modeling system (TROLL), making an unusually wide range of linear systems methods accessible to economists, operations researchers, engineers and physical scientists. 1985 (0-471-81930-1) 324 pp. Linear Statistical Models and Related Methods With Applications to Social Research John Fox A comprehensive, modern treatment of linear models and their variants and extensions, combining statistical theory with applied data analysis. Considers important methodological principles underlying statistical methods. Designed for researchers and students who wish to apply these models to their own work in a flexible manner. 1984 (0 471-09913-9) 496 pp. Statistical Methods for Forecasting Bovas Abraham and Johannes Ledolter This practical, user-oriented book treats the statistical methods and models used to produce short-term forecasts. Provides an intermediate level discussion of a variety of statistical forecasting methods and models and explains their interconnections, linking theory and practice. Includes numerous time-series, autocorrelations, and partial autocorrelation plots. 1983 (0 471-86764-0) 445 pp.
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This is one of the best books on Multivariate Statistics thta I have ever read. I strongly recomend it to any scientist interested in multivariate statistis.
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algorithm approach associated assumptions canonical correlation analysis canonical variate causal Chapter cluster column common factors computed conditional probabilities coordinates correlation matrix corresponding covariance matrix criterion data matrix defined deletion denoted derived space diagonal dimension dimensional discriminant analysis discriminant function discussed distance effects eigenvalues eigenvectors elements endogenous variables equation Euclidean distance example F-value factor analysis Figure given independent variables indicated individual KSI 2 KSI LAMBDA latent class model maximum likelihood mean measures method multiple multiple discriminant analysis multivariate normal Note null hypothesis objects observed variables obtained orthogonal overidentified parameter estimates posterior probability predictor variables principal components analysis probability problem procedure regression analysis regression coefficients regression model relationship residuals restrictions rotation sample scores shown similarity solution squared standard statistically significant stimulus space structure sums-of-squares Table techniques test statistic variance variance-covariance matrix vector zero


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I have always loved being outdoors which reflects my love of capturing God's Awesome Creation. (Including his ultimate creation: people!) And I love sharing it. I hope you like the images and that they may produce in you a love for the beauty of nature as well.
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20
"Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?"
— St. Augustine (354-430)
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The Ducks received the gift of an early power play Monday night at the Honda Center. Nazem Kadri of the Toronto Maple Leafs hooked Teemu Selanne of Anaheim only 1 minute, 30 seconds into the game, committing an unnecessary infraction well away from his own net.
Instead of making the Maple Leafs pay, instead of capitalizing on an early mistake by the opposition, the Ducks failed to click on the power play and, what was worse, they lost whatever early momentum they might have generated.
The game turned away from the Ducks and toward the Maple Leafs later during the pivotal first period, with Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel scoring goals that propelled Toronto to a 3-1 victory in coach Randy Carlyle's return to the Honda Center.
Toronto goaltender Jonathan Bernier stopped all but Corey Perry's second-period shot off a goalmouth scramble among the 44 shots the Ducks fired at him in his first game in Southern California since the Kings traded him to the Maple Leafs last summer.
"When a goalie is sharp and you don't create traffic in front of the net, where he can't see the pucks coming, you're not going to score," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He was seeing everything. He was stopping everything."
Bernier faced nearly unrelenting pressure after the opening period. The Ducks outshot the Maple Leafs by a whopping 35-12 after the first period. They also recorded the final 11 shots and the last seven scoring chances of the second period.
"Tired," Bernier said when asked how he felt after the Ducks' second-period onslaught. "This building was really hot tonight. But we survived and when we came back after the second, that's when we said to ourselves, 'We weathered the storm and we've got to come out hard in the third.'"
When the Ducks couldn't score on the power play, they suffered letdowns, according to team captain Ryan Getzlaf. They misfired on four power-play opportunities against the Maple Leafs, including two in the third period when they tried to rally from a 3-1 deficit.
"We've got to gain momentum from power plays whether we score or not," Getzlaf said. "We've got to use them to our advantage. We can't let not scoring bring us down all the time. We get down every time we don't score on the power play.
"Instead of using the momentum we create during the power play, we feel if we don't score we kill it all. That can't be the case in our group. We're too good. We have too much skill out there to feel that kind of pressure on the backs of everybody."
The Ducks are in a 1-for-19 power-play drought since returning from the Olympic break. It's something they'll need to correct immediately. They have lost their lead in the NHL's overall standings to the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks are only four points behind the Pacific Division.
"The last three games I thought we've done a great job," Getzlaf said. "We've worked hard, gotten pucks back after shots. We've shot pucks. They're just not going in. I'm not accepting that.
"Those are the things we have to focus on as a group. We need to support each other through these things."


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Washington (AFP) - American warplanes have bombed Islamist militants in northern Iraq near the Mosul dam, the US military's Central Command said on Thursday, in the latest air attack on the extremists.
"US military forces continued to attack ISIL (Islamic State) terrorists in support of Iraqi Security Force operations, using fighter and attack aircraft to conduct six airstrikes in the vicinity of the Mosul Dam," it said in a statement.
The air raids were carried out over the last 24 hours, a US defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.
The air attacks come after President Barack Obama called for decisive international action against the "cancer" of jihadist extremism in Iraq and Syria.
The latest strikes destroyed or damaged three Humvee armored vehicles, another vehicle, and "multiple" homemade bomb "emplacements," Central Command said.
The US military has conducted 90 air strikes in Iraq since August 8, including the latest bombing raids. Of those 90 operations, 57 have been in support of Iraqi government forces near the Mosul dam, it said.
Obama approved the air raids amid rising alarm over the threat posed by the Islamist militants who have seized territory to the north and west of Baghdad.
The air raids coincided with global outrage over the gruesome execution of American reporter James Foley by the Islamic State jihadists, which was revealed in a video Tuesday.
US officials acknowledged that American special forces had tried this summer to rescue Foley and other US hostages but the bid failed.
Obama on Wednesday said the Islamist extremists had to be defeated.
"We will be vigilant and we will be relentless... From governments and peoples across the Middle East, there has to be a common effort to extract this cancer so it does not spread."


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ACA NeoGeo: Magician Lord
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Step into the sorcerer's world! Elta, the last descendant of the MAGICIAN LORD is on a journey to find the eight missing volumes of the Sorcerer's Books... To end the years of chaos and horror, and to help the land he loves.
Game News
- Nintendo Switch Eshop Adds Four New Games TodayUpdated Aug 17, 2017
- Neo Geo getting new handheldUpdated Jan 25, 2012
- NeoGeo titles coming to PSN Dec. 21Updated Dec 7, 2010
- Shippin' Out October 28-November 2: Guitar Hero III, Hellgate, Manhunt 2, SimpsonsUpdated Oct 29, 2007


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The Whipples were neighbors of Pittsford artist Hilda Belcher (1881-1963). The girl's name was Nellie, the young boy was Joseph called Joe, and the older boy's name is unknown.
Hilda Belcher was born in Pittsford but later moved to New Jersey, were she attended school. She studied at the Arts Students' League in New York City with Robert Henri, George Luks, George Bellows, and Kenneth Hayes-Miller, and became a prominent prize-winning artist specializing in portraiture. She was elected an associate of the National Academy of Design in 1926 and became a full academician in 1932. Examples of Belcher's work are owned by the Pennsylvania Academy of Art, the Newark Museum, the High Museum, Vassar College, Middlebury College, and the Fleming Museum at the University of Vermont. In 1940 Middlebury awarded her an honorary degree as one of Vermont's leading artists. Belcher's mother, Martha Wood Belcher, was also a talented artist and both maintained a home and studio in Pittsford throughout their lives.


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You're Overlooking These Soaring Dow Stocks
Transportation stocks have produced a much bigger rally recently.
Throughout the world, investors watch the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES:^DJI) not just because of the 30 major companies that are components of the average but also as a sign of broader trends throughout the broader U.S. stock market. But as valuable as the Dow is as a barometer of overall market conditions, there are a couple of industries that it almost completely leaves out. As it happens, one of those sectors has been soaring, and investors who focus only on the Dow Industrials have missed out on a big bull run.
The sector in question is the transportation industry, and the Dow Jones Transports have left the Dow and the rest of the market in the dust lately, having soared 16% just since the end of November. Let's take a closer look at the Dow Transports and the trends that have led to such massive returns, with a view toward figuring out whether those gains are sustainable and justify investing in the stocks that make up the Transportation Average.
Get to know the Transports
The Dow Transports include 20 companies spanning the different sub-sectors of the industry. Among the components, you'll find railroad companies, airlines, trucking companies, marine transportation companies, and intermodal logistics and delivery companies.
Like the Dow Industrials, the Transportation Average is a price-weighted measure. That means that the companies with the highest-priced shares have the most influence on the average, and right now, Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) and FedEx (NYSE:FDX) are the two stocks priced over $100 per share, giving them weightings of roughly 12% and 10% respectively. By contrast, low-priced JetBlue accounts for only about half a percent of the average's weight.
The big move in the Transports
So what's behind the Transports' surge? Since the end of November, airlines have been the biggest gainers in the average, with Delta soaring almost 45% and United Continental jumping 30%. As anticipation of an impending merger between American Airlines and US Airways turned into reality, airline investors celebrated the potential for tighter pricing power and less competition among the biggest U.S. carriers in the industry. Smaller airlines posted gains, but they weren't as big as those of Delta and United.
By contrast, trucking has proven to be a mixed bag for the average. CH Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ:CHRW) has been the worst performer among the Transports, as its only losing stock with a 6% drop since the end of November. Despite having risen in anticipation of higher demand, CH Robinson plunged after missing earnings estimates earlier this month. As the company has tried to build up its market share, margins have taken a back seat, threatening profitability and making investors think twice about whether to pay fairly high earnings multiples for the stock at current levels.
All of the Transports share some common traits but have their own particular spins on many issues. For instance, fuel costs are a big driver for all transportation stocks, but railroads have a fuel-efficiency advantage over airlines and trucking companies that plays a vital role when energy prices spike higher. Similarly, certain types of goods lend themselves to transport by particular methods, and so strength or weakness in those areas of the economy leads to favorable or unfavorable conditions for the transportation stocks that depend on moving those goods.
Pay attention to the "other" Dow
After such a strong rally, it's no easier to predict whether the Transports' rally will continue than it is for the Industrials or any other stocks. With the catalyst that drove airline stocks higher having played itself out, the Transports will need to find another reason to move higher if they want to sustain and expand on their rally.
More generally, though, the key lesson to take away is that while the Dow Industrials have a good cross-section of companies that span across most major industries, leaving out transportation and utility stocks leaves some significant gaps. Keep your eyes on the other Dow averages to make sure you get the complete picture of what's happening in the stock market.


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Wisconsin's S.B. 236 would allow sale of potentially harmful raw milk.
Source: DFA news release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. –This week Jeremy Bruecker, field representative for Dairy Farmers of America's Central Area, spoke before a hearing of the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Rural Issues against S.B. 236, which would allow the sale of unpasteurized (raw) milk products to consumers in Wisconsin.
"Raw milk is a confusing term to customers, and more important, a dangerous term," Bruecker said. "Raw milk is unpasteurized milk that could include many harmful and dangerous germs and pathogens. It can contain bacteria, viruses and parasites."
Under S.B. 236, a dairy farmer would register with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and then be authorized to sell unpasteurized milk and milk products directly to consumers on their farm..
"Pasteurization is the most proven way to ensure that harmful and life threatening bacteria and other pathogens are removed from the milk supply," Bruecker said. "Harmful germs usually don't change the look, taste, or smell of milk, so only when milk has been pasteurized can you be confident that these germs are not present."
Bruecker acknowledged there are several claims of supposed benefits from drinking raw milk. He noted that none of the proclaimed benefits have been substantiated by medical literature.
"The entire industry suffers when consumers become sick from drinking raw milk. I urge you to oppose the effort to allow for raw milk sales in Wisconsin," Bruecker said, urging sound opposition of S.B. 236 to protect dairy farmers' interests. Bruecker and DFA were joined by others, including the Wisconsin Safe Milk Coalition, made up of health, consumer and agricultural interests.


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Stream of high picks ready to help Panthersby Alain Poupart
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- The message from Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon on the first day of free agency was pretty simple.
"We're going to go with our young guys. That's been the plan all along and that's the way we're going to go," Tallon said during the team's developmental camp this past week.
The Panthers have been stockpiling high-end prospects since Tallon joined the organization in May 2010, and those players began arriving during the past two seasons. Erik Gudbranson, the third pick of the 2010 NHL Draft, was a member of the defense for the 2011-12 Southeast Division champions, while Jonathan Huberdeau, the third player chosein in the 2011 draft, won the Calder Trophy last season.
Taking their timeBy Alain Poupart - NHL.com Correspondent
Aleksander Barkov, the No. 2 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers on Monday -- but he and the team are not going to rush his recovery from shoulder surgery. READ MORE ›
A handful of other prospects made their NHL debuts during the 2012-13 season, among them forwards Quinton Howden and Nick Bjugstad, as well as defenseman Alex Petrovic.
Now, however, the Panthers will lean even more on their young players. That was the take after that first day of free agency when Florida saw center Stephen Weiss, the longest-tenured player on the roster, leave after signing a five-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
"We've got to go in a different direction with our young guys," Tallon said. "The [Aleksander] Barkovs and Bjugstads and [Drew] Shores and [Vincent] Trochecks -- those are the guys that are our future. That's what's going to have to get done here."
Barkov was the No. 2 pick in the 2013 draft, and the Panthers are hoping he can recuperate from March shoulder surgery quickly enough to make the opening-night roster.
Trocheck, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound right wing, might be a season away, but he's coming off a 2012-13 run that saw him capture the Ontario Hockey League scoring title with 109 points in 63 games split between Saginaw and Plymouth.
Bjugstad (6-6, 215) played the final 11 games of last season with the Panthers after signing his first pro contract following his third season at the University of Minnesota. He finished with one goal and no assists.
"It was an eye-opener for me," Bjugstad, the 19th pick of the 2010 draft, said. "It was more so for me to learn and get a grasp of what the game is like. It was a short time but it was a good experience for me. Probably not the best on paper, but I think it'll help me in the future and this coming training camp confidence-wise. I learned a lot and it was a good experience."
At the very least, Bjugstad ended the season on a high note. After being kept off the scoresheet in his first 10 games, he scored a goal in a season-ending 6-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"Mentally it was good for over the summer knowing that I can produce a little bit, at least, in the NHL," Bjugstad said. "It helps my psyche a little bit."
While he began his pro career at the highest level, Bjugstad might need some seasoning in the American Hockey League before he's able to make an impact for the Panthers. Bjugstad said he was going to focus on his training the rest of the summer to help his chances of starting the season in the NHL.
"I can't control who's playing where," he said. "I just have to make sure I'm training my best and doing whatever I can to make that team at the start. I've got to play with confidence and make sure I'm doing the little things right, playing a good two-way game."
Shore began last season with San Antonio, the Panthers' AHL affiliate, but never went back after getting a call-up early in the NHL season.
He impressed his coaches from the start with his all-round game, including solid faceoff work, but was slowed down the stretch by a wrist injury that eventually required surgery.
Shore went 17 games without a point late in the season before coming up with a goal and an assist in the final three games.
"It's probably, in terms of hockey, the toughest thing I've ever had to do," Shore said of playing through the injury. "At the same time, I got a chance to play in the NHL and it was something that I wanted to do. I'm just looking forward to being fully healthy coming into training camp and being an offensive guy.
"I want to develop and turn into an offensive player. I think I have the skills and talent to be an offensive player in this League and it was something I really wasn't as successful as I would have liked to have been last year, but it's something I'm confident this year I'm going to take a step forward in."
Howden played the final 17 games with the Panthers after getting a one-game call-up in January.
The 6-2, 189-pound forward failed to record a point, but the 25th pick of the 2010 draft started making an impact with his strong skating in the final games.
"I was frustrated at the time," Howden said. "Everybody wants that goal. But I was helping the team, contributing in ways, and that's all I really wanted to do. As long as I can come back and contribute in those little ways, then that's all I want."
Petrovic, a second-round pick in 2010, got his first taste of the NHL with a six-game stint to end the season.
With the Panthers having bought out veteran Filip Kuba and allowing Tyson Strachan to leave via free agency, Petrovic finds himself with a strong opportunity to join a defense that includes Brian Campbell, Mike Weaver, Ed Jovanovski, Dmitry Kulikov and Gudbranson.
"I'm ready to make that next step," Petrovic said. "Last year gave me confidence that I can play in the game and be effective, too. For me it's just getting stronger in the upper body and coming in with a lot of confidence and just showing them that I'm ready to play here."
While Tallon has high expectations for his young prospects, he also wants them to understand that they will have to earn roster spots.
"I don't care about age. I don't care about anything but performance," Tallon said. "It's what dictates who plays and who doesn't."
When the Panthers reconvene for training camp in September, a lot of attention will be put on veterans coming back from injuries, players like Kris Versteeg, Sean Bergenheim and Ed Jovanovski.
More importantly, the Panthers coaching staff and front office will need to evaluate and determine how many of their blue-chip prospects are ready to be full-time NHL players.
In other words, has the future arrived for the Panthers?
"You got a scent of it last year," Howden said. "Guys went down with injuries [and] you saw me, [Bjugstad, Shore and Petrovic] all make our debuts. It's going to be a good team down the road.
"We're all excited. We've been together now for three years or something and built good chemistry off the ice. Eventually, over time, that's going to continue to build chemistry on the ice. If we all come back and prepare and use our experiences from last year, we should start off on the right foot."


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SEATTLE (AP) Looking to add depth to the infield, the Seattle Mariners acquired versatile Robert Andino from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for reserve outfielder Trayvon Robinson.
The trade instantly gives the Mariners an experienced infielder who can play second base, third base and shortstop. Andino is likely to fill the role held this past season by Japanese infielder Munenori Kawasaki.
``With Robert having major league and playoff experience and still relatively young, we thought that it made sense to make this trade and let him come in and compete,'' Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement.
Despite struggling at the plate, Andino has played in 266 games the last two seasons for the Orioles. Andino started 106 games last season for the Orioles, including 96 at second base, but also spent time at shortstop and third base.
Andino is out of options and is arbitration eligible. The trade left Seattle's 40-man roster at 37.
Robinson played in 90 games over the past two seasons for the Mariners. He hit .215 in his limited major league time, but was caught in a log-jam of outfielders, along with Mike Carp, Casper Wells, Carlos Peguero and Eric Thames, seeking playing time with the Mariners.


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I could not decide but if I had to go with one I would have to choose Onepiece!
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I could not decide but if I had to go with one I would have to choose Onepiece!
i never watched one piece but have heard of it.
but my vote goes 2 FAIRY TAIL. it is the most awesomest show ever!!!!!!!!!
natsu is the best
i love fairy tail!!!!!!!!!! it's awesome!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Ranshiin; 02-09-2013 at 11:33 AM.
They are quite evenly matched but i love how FT has magic and weird yet cute creatures. Plus its twists are awesome and the characters' connections are wicked. I love how Hiro Mashima got the characters' appearance from Rave Master.
One Piece is nice and funny and it has PIRATES!!!! It is enjoyable but it has been going on for too long. It has been on going for about 13 years.
For a beginner anime addict it's hard to keep up specially now that it has over 500 episodes. Some episodes don't contain that much story and it really pisses me off.
For me One Piece too childish, i watched only few episodes and it doesn't suit my taste so i'd say Fairy Tail
i love both of them.......
I like both, but fairy tail wins for me \o/ absolutely love it! even tho it has the friendship syndrome Haha xD
one piece is better in battles and plot, but fairy tail is better in character design xD
Fairy tail!!!!
I really like both of the series, but if I really had to pick, I'd say One Piece. I love the humor, the epic battles, the plot, and how all the characters grow with each other after each arc. However, One Piece does have its slow spots here and there, but that happens with almost every anime. I also love the creativity behind the powers in One Piece. I am completely caught up on One Piece, and I love watching the battles because you never know what to expect.
Fairy Tail all the way! I'm more of a magic fiend then the whole pirate thing! Plus I would love to be an Ice Wizard....or Dragon Slayer Wizard!
Pfff. Fairytail is a lot better than One Piece. OP is just....so ugh.
Definitely One Piece. I don't dislike Fairy Tail, but I'm not really a fan of it either. I've tried watchin' Fairy Tail, and it just couldn't keep my interest so I've dropped it. Main reason would be the absence of blood. This anime has none, because it seems that it's aimed at a bit younger audience. I just can't enjoy a fight, if after flyin' through five buildings ya stand up with a scratch. Other than that, it has too many similarities with One Piece. It's about the same thing as One Piece, just two times worse. I'd always recommend One Piece over Fairy Tail.
I've watched One Piece since I was small, I was around 7 years old. I watched the dubed version first. (Not the 4kids grozit, the German one) And it was great, I enjoyed watching every single episode of it with my sisters even though I didn't exactly know what was going on, haha.
Then when I got older, I kinda "hated" it, or actually had to hate it. Well, I think girls shouldn't watch Animes, that's what everyone thinks in Germany, and I got a little mainstream. But then I started to watch AMV's and got a little interested, 'cause they got so far with the Anime. So, I ended up watching it again, without anyone knowing. Haha, I watched like 100-200 episodes during the holidays. (It was the Impel Down arc till the time skip)
But then my sister told me about Fairy Tail. I kinda wanted to give it a try. And I was impressed. It was great! I was really into Fairy Tail. I even liked it way more than One Piece. But after like 100 episodes I got bored. Lucy got bigger titts and Natsu acted more like Luffy over and over again. And Erza kinda lost her personallity. Dunno she's not the same anymore. Well, I tried to watch the newest episode, but I couldn't, it was too boring that I couldn't even read the sub titles anymore.
I didn't watch both of them anymore, I watched some other Animes. But I started One Piece again, after two episodes I was so into One Piece.. again! Hihi, it's just so awesome. It's so deep, also the Characters are so original, they have their own personallities, and are so different. I just love everything about it! And I don't understand why people dislike Oda's art.. It's good in its own way. Haha, well, too bad for those people, they're missing a lot!
But I'm not saying Fairy Tail isn't good. I still love the older episodes. And I still like Juvia and Wendy!
Wow, I kinda wrote a lot.
I have never seen "Fairy Tale", but it HAS to be better than "One Piece."
"Let us enjoy the Rain together. My Umbrella is always open for you. Knowing me is knowing never having to say goodbye. It never stops raining, does it?"
After completing Fairy Tail and watching 170 episodes of One Piece, I must say that I would pick Fairy Tail, even though the victory is only by one bit.
I find Fairy Tail more fun and more amusing to watch then One Piece, I never wanted to skip even few minutes of the anime(or the manga which I read afterwards), which I can't say about One Piece.
One Piece certainly has better story and isn't so predictable as Fairy Tail, but Fairy Tail is more catching, which is what matters to me.
I started reading Fairy Tail and stopped because it felt like everything was rushed. I like it when the story slowly unfolds but already in the second and third chapter of Fairy Tail you're introduced to this massive amount of characters and apparently he already has a mission ready for him. I'm not saying its bad I might take a look at it some other time.
What I like about One Piece though is that to me it feels like small story lines within the main story. Every island has its own background and the story slowly unfolds, in which the Strawhats slowly become involved. One Piece also gets you emotionally involved with the characters, even if they happen to be recent characters on the scene. I mean, we didn't even see Ace until Arabasta and since then we didn't really know much about him. Yet people could still feel emotion after what happened to him in the war.
One Piece was also the first show in which some characters looked unpleasant, yet you went passed that and actually laughed or cried at their story.
I would have to say One Piece, being it is one of the first animes I started taking seriously.I never could be bothered devoting my time into animes, but after watching One Piece, I carried on and fell in love with the series.I then started appreciating more animes as time went by, but when I watched Fairy Tail, I absolutely loved it and got the same experiences I got whilst watching One Piece.That being said it will never live up to One Piece for me.
I prefer Fairy Tail over One Piece because I like the animation and characters more. I also enjoy watching One Piece though. xD
I like both of them, I don't really discriminate on what kind of animation it is.
Fairy Tail with absolutely no contest. One Piece just doesn't work for me. It didn't hook me at all, but I can marathon like 10 episodes of Fairy Tail and still want to watch more. And though there seems to be a slight similarity in art styles (admittedly not as much as some people say there is) the character designs for Fairy Tail are just so much more appealing than those of One Piece. So for being more aesthetically pleasing and far more entertaining for me personally, Fairy Tail wins hands down.
I voted for fairy tail but they're both really good anime to watch
---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 PM ----------
Yu Yu Hakusho MUCH BETTER THAN BOTH OF THEM
it is the first anime i ever watched !!!!!!!!
One Piece by a large margin. I'm up to date with both the anime and manga of Fairy Tail and One Piece...and I've got to say, plot wise, character wise, comedy wise, One Piece takes the win. Fairy Tail doesn't have a consistent plot.
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Much has been written about how the market share of the six largest retail chains continues to grow. But a recent Food Marketing Institute study found the average size of a U.S. grocery store in 2003 was 34,000 sq. ft., the first time it's been below 40,000 sq. ft. in more than a decade. Chalk up the change to phenomenal growth in target-marketed, niche-oriented stores, particularly in the natural/organic, Hispanic and gourmet specialty niches.
Thus, the retail industry is consolidating at one end, while smaller, more customer-oriented stores are proliferating at the other. The trend is in keeping with what we often hear in agriculture — you either have to get big or become uniquely special.


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Dennis Martinez
My name is Dennis Martinez, and I currently reside in Osaka, Japan. I've been working at startups for the past 10 years, mostly doing web development with Ruby on Rails and Javascript.
As of June 2015, I'm no longer accepting requests for contract work. However, feel free to contact me for anything related to my projects.
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico - Ponce
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, graduated Magna Cum Laude, included in Dean's List from 2000 to 2003
Able / Software Engineer
Working on partner and studio web application projects.
Self-employed / Freelancer
Helping individuals and companies create web applications, fix misbehaving applications, and scale growing applications.
Storenvy / Software Engineer
Responsible for the backend functionality of the main website and partner APIs using Ruby on Rails and assisting DevOps team with server administration.
RepairPal, Inc. / Senior Software Engineer
Responsible for the backend functionality of the website, mobile apps and partner APIs using Ruby on Rails.
JPM Global, Inc. / Software Engineer
One of the lead developers for BarterQuest, responsible for many of the application's early architectural decisions using Ruby on Rails.
Nova Terra Recycling / IT Supervisor & Software Engineer
In charge of developing and supervising all IT projects, developing web administration interfaces in PHP for ecommerce sites with integrated access to eBay.
Ruby & Ruby on Rails - 90%
Javascript 60%
Server Administration - 80%
Some of the tools I use
- Ruby
- Ruby on Rails
- Linux
- Sinatra
- RSpec
- Bootstrap
- jQuery
- Git
- PostgreSQL
- Elasticsearch
- Redis
- Memcached
- Vagrant
- Amazon S3
- DigitalOcean
Echo For Trello
Work done:
- Built entire application from scratch.
- Used OAuth for authentication with Trello.
- Used Sidekiq for setting up recurring tasks and handle failures automatically.
- Used Cron to trigger background tasks.
Tools used:
- Ruby 2.2.0
- Ruby on Rails 4.2
- PostgresSQL
- Sidekiq
- Linux (Ubuntu)
- Nginx HTTP Server
- Phusion Passenger
- Redis
- Sidekiq
- OAuth (connectivity to Trello)
Work done:
- Upgraded the entire application from Ruby on Rails 3.1 / Ruby 1.9.3 to Rails 3.2 / Ruby 2.0, and prepared the application to upgrade to Rails 4.0 / Ruby 2.1.
- Replaced the entire search architecture by replacing a single Sphinx instance with a three-node Elasticsearch cluster for reliability and scalability, and porting and refactoring our current search code.
- Assisted with refactoring the six-year codebase by beginning to split functionality into separate, individual services using Rails engines.
- Helped integrate Google Places API to help users select their address easily.
- Helped integrate Stripe API (Stripe Connect / Stripe Checkout).
- Implemented more rigid testing requirements with other engineers by requiring tests for any new functionality.
- Assisted remote DevOps team with server-related issues for our staging and production environments.
Tools used:
- Ruby 1.9.3 and 2.0
- Ruby on Rails 3.1 and 3.2
- MariaDB / Galera Cluster
- Elasticsearch
- Linux (Ubuntu)
- Apache HTTP Server
- Phusion Passenger Enterprise
- Redis
- Resque
- Memcached
- Stripe API
- Google Places API
- AWS (S3, Cloudfront, Redshift)
WaniKani to Anki Exporter
Work done:
- Built from scratch and open-sourced for the WaniKani community.
- Used two Ruby gems created by myself: wanikani for WaniKani API connectivity, and anki for Anki deck generation.
- Using caching for performance purposes and to avoid constantly calling the external API.
Tools used:
- Padrino Framework
- WaniKani API
- Memcached
- Twitter Bootstrap
- Digital Ocean
- Nginx
Work done:
- Upgraded the entire application from Ruby on Rails 2.3 / Ruby 1.8.7 to Rails 3.2 / Ruby 1.9.3.
- Helped automate building the entire architecture for RepairPal's car repair estimator tool, using industry-standard data from multiple automotive association leaders (AAIA, MOTOR, Mitchell, etc.).
- Built systems for daily reporting and metrics for the product team.
- Built tools using Twilio's API to automatically provision phone numbers for new auto repair shops entered in our system.
- Help build auto repair shop portal section to track phone calls made from provisioned Twilio phone numbers and provided easy access to call recordings.
- Suggested and implemented code reviews between developers using GitHub pull requests.
- Implemented more rigid testing requirements by requiring tests for any new functionality.
Tools used:
- Ruby 1.9.3
- Ruby on Rails 2.3 up to Ruby on Rails 3.2
- MySQL
- Sphinx
- Delayed Jobs
- Linux (Gentoo)
- Nginx
- Memcached
- Twilio API
- AWS (S3, Cloudfront)
RepairPal - iOS and Android apps
Work done:
- Helped build the front-end components using HTML5 and the Backbone.js framework.
- Helped add / modify the RepairPal API for connectivity between the mobile application and the server.
- Helped debug both iOS and Android apps on multiple devices.
Tools used:
- Backbone.js
- jQT
- iOS 5 / 6
- Android 2.x
Work done:
- Set up multi-stage deployment strategy with Capistrano for our site testing and production deployment needs.
- Helped implement unit, functional and integration testing practices using Ruby's Test::Unit library, as well as Cucumber / Webrat.
- Implemented and maintained various servers for development, testing and production purposes, including web and database servers.
- Integrated APIs from external sites, such as Twitter and PayPal.
- Handled customer support inquiries via email and online help desk.
Tools used:
- Ruby 1.8.7
- Ruby on Rails 2.3
- MySQL
- Sphinx
- Delayed Jobs
- Linux (OpenSUSE)
- Apache HTTP Server
- Phusion Passenger
- AWS (S3, EC2, Cloudfront)
- PayPal API
Email: email@example.com


text:
Sinful evidence of what they did together
When older people get tech stuff, they just go crazy over it. Just like this guy here, look. He is checking out the joys of using his brand new camera, taking pictures of his wife. The girlfriend of their son comes, and he invites her to join the scene for a few shots. The mother, well, this bitch! She starts undressing the girlfriend and things get pretty intense and hot as the old geezer keeps shooting. Then, of course, it's hardcore fucking all the way! Luckily for them, the boyfriend never came. He saw the pictures they made later, though. Poor dude!
ENTER MeetMySweet AND SEE ALL MOVIES
WHAT IS MeetMySweet.com?
You know this anxiety when you decide to introduce your girlfriend to your mom and dad? You want everything to go perfect and your palms may be even sweating. Imagine the meeting turns into a disaster, a sexy, sweaty, dirty disaster! At Meet My Sweet, girls meet their guys families - and get threesome! That's right, these old geezers and horny old bags still have it in them. The girl can't say no, she gotta show respect! Check out our crazy HD videos with girlfriend and family get-togethers going out of hand!
First impression is important, so she just starts following their nasty lead! Are you in love with your girlfriend? Well, how about her getting nailed by your own mom and dad? Gross? Or super-sexy? Find out now!
Latest MeetMySweet.com Updates:
Too much hot stuff to handle 29:36min
One thing she can do really... 31:07min
A family get-together sans... 23:22min
Easy with those moans, bitch! 22:06min
How you can get help from... 33:23min
A great gift and some fun 33:57min
Sinful evidence of what they... 37:08min
Son steps out, parents fuck... 23:39min
Where comparison can take you 33:19min
Party gone wrong, very wrong 28:21min
Fucked for talking too much 32:39min
A shower at the p's and more 28:55min
Sex addiction running in the... 37:08min
A set of lingerie and sinful... 26:05min
Crazy parents caught... 34:15min
A party comes so unexpected 32:34min


text:
April 6, 2006
Athletics director Dr. Steve Potts has announced that Robert Allen "Buddy" Harston has been named as the new golf coach at Lipscomb University.
Harston, a former member of the Bisons baseball team from 1970 to 1974 and an assistant baseball coach for the Bisons from 1974 to 1977 , is looking forward to returning to his alma mater after more than 29 years as a golf professional.
"We have been gone from Nashville for 20 years now," said Harston. "We are excited to be back in Nashville, but we just as excited to be back at Lipscomb. Being the coach of the golf teams is a perfect fit right now.
"There is a great athletic tradition at Lipscomb especially in baseball, basketball and golf. People who go to Lipscomb love athletics. That is enough tradition right there."
Harston, 53, replaces Dr. Ralph Samples, who is retiring effective at the end of the 2005-2006 academic year after 39 years as the golf coach. Harston will be responsible for both the men's and women's teams.
"We are so pleased and excited to welcome Buddy Harston back to Lipscomb University," said Potts. "Buddy is a man of great character and integrity and shares a strong commitment to the Christian mission of our institution.
" For almost 30 years, he has immersed himself in the game of golf as a competitor, teacher and student. His expertise and experience will enable us to build on the 39-year legacy left by Coach Ralph Samples."
Harston served as director of golf/head golf professional at Lexington Country Club from 1986 to December of 2005.
Prior to that position he was the assistant golf professional in Nashville at Belle Meade Country Club from 1984 to 1986.
Harston has also spent time in the Florida serving as director of personnel for FAF, Inc., and as an assistant golf professional at The Deerwood Club in Jacksonville, Fla., and Costa Del Sol in Miami.
Harston has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Lipscomb. He also spent one year in the graduate program at the Peabody School at Vanderbilt studying physical education.
He has been rated as a Class "A" member of the PGA of America since 1984. He has competed in 10 PGA and Senior PGA events.
Harston has not coached a college team, but he has assisted members of the University of Kentucky men's and women's teams in his role as a golf pro in Lexington.
"A college player is more committed than the people you would coach at a club," said Harston. "To me golf on the college level is not a team sport, it is an individual sport. For me to make the team better I have to make the individuals better."
Harston plans to emphasize two areas of the game with his Lipscomb teams as they compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
"No. 1 is the mental approach," said Harston. "The next thing would be the short game. I want to make them the best putters, chippers and pitchers of the ball in the conference. Seventy-five percent of our time will be working on the mental aspects of the game and the short game.
"You cannot win golf tournaments without putting well or without a short game," said Harston. "I have never won a golf tournament when I didn't chip and putt well. Hitting the ball well (off the tee) only gets you in position to score. You can lose by hitting poorly, but you can't win by hitting it great. You win tournaments at any level because your short game is great."
Harston was an assistant coach under the late Ken Dugan when the Bisons won the 1977 NAIA National Championship in baseball. He credits his past coaches for helping him develop his coaching philosophy.
"We were state champs in baseball when I played for Lynn Alexander at Glencliff High School my senior year," said Harston. "I learned a lot from him. I also learned a lot from coach Dugan in seven years with him."
His honors include: • Kentucky Senior Open Champions, 2005
• Senior PGA Championship competitor; 2003, 2004, 2005
• U.S. Senior Open Championship competitor, 2003
• PGA Championship competitor, 2002
• Kentucky Open Champion, 2000
• Kentucky PGA Player of the Year; 1989, 1999, 2000
• Kentucky PGA Teacher of the Year, 1993
• National PGA Teacher of the Year nominee, 1993
• Tennessee PGA Championship Runner-up, 1985
• All-Tournament Team, 1972 NAIA World Series (baseball)
• NAIA Bronze Glove Award , 1972, NAIA World Series (baseball)
Harston and his wife, Julie, have two daughters. Palmer, 19, is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University. Taylor, 17, is a senior at Lexington Christian Academy.


text:
Old Mutual
- 500 - 1,000 Employees
- England, United Kingdom
- 1976
- http://careerslip.com/old-mutual
Welcome to Old Mutual Career Portal
Old Mutual is a leading international long-term savings, investment and protection Group. Trusted by more than 14 million customers for over 165 years, we have been serving the growing insurance an...
View Full Profile >>
View Full Profile >>
Resume Reserve Vault (RRV)
At Old Mutual, we recruit from time to time from talents (that have shown interest in working with us) stored in our Resume Reserve Vault. If we do not have a vacancy that interests you but would like an opportunity to join us, please submit your resume for future job considerations.Click here to Submit your Resume to our Reserve Vault
Jobs at Old Mutual
Group Company Secretary
- Old Mutual
- Bachelor's Degree
- 5 - 7 years
- Lagos, Nigeria
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text:
September 21, 2012
CENTC receives NSF reauthorization for $20 million
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $20 million grant over five years in reauthorizing the Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis based at the University of Washington, Department of Chemistry. The center, led by Karen Goldberg, Nicole A. Boand Endowed Professor of Chemistry, brings together 18 investigators and their research groups in chemistry and chemical engineering at 14 different institutions across North America. Their focus is to develop fundamental science needed to sustainably produce chemicals and fuels. Two other UW chemistry professors, James Mayer and Michael Heinekey, are also involved.
The center was established with a three-year NSF grant in 2004 with the aim of finding easier, more powerful and more environmentally friendly ways of manipulating the strong chemical bonds found in most materials. In 2007 the center received a $15 million, five-year award from NSF. Under the latest grant renewal, scientists will create and investigate new reactions and catalyst systems transforming various chemical bonds involving carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. The data will help devise new methods for the chemical industry that could provide consumers with a variety of less-expensive products created in ways that use less energy and produce fewer undesirable byproducts. The research focuses on basic science that can provide the technological basis for sustainable production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and fuels. The work has significant potential to increase U.S. competitiveness and bring increased energy independence, Goldberg said.
The center offers collaborative training for students as well as postdoctoral researchers. It has a number of industrial affiliates that provide guidance and facilitate commercial development of the center's research. The Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis is led by the UW and is funded as part of the NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation program.
Article by of Vince Stricherz, UW News and Information


text:
Happy Birthday, Margaret Mead! main content.
by AMNH on
Happy Birthday, Margaret Mead! Born December 16, 1901, anthropologist Margaret Mead first came to the Museum at the age of 25, in 1926, just after spending nine months in Samoa doing fieldwork. Mead remained at the Museum for nearly five decades, becoming one of the most influential social scientists of the 20th century.
"Without a pause," she remembered in her memoir Blackberry Winter, My Earlier Years , "I plunged into my first job as Assistant Curator..." Finding she had time to write, Mead soon finished work on her book Coming of Age in Samoa (1928), which introduced readers to the value of looking carefully and open-mindedly at other cultures.
Mead also began giving lectures, on topics eventually ranging from small, precisely observed details of life in Pacific cultures to the perils of sexual repression. (According to The New York Times, she once gave 110 lectures in a single 12-month period.)
What was she like? The Times evoked a bit of her presence: "The slight but sturdy Dr. Mead was possessed of virtually boundless energy, an unquenchable curiosity, a tenacious memory and a genius for organizing her time.
She often gave the impression of being ubiquitous because she was rarely at rest in any one place for very long and because she could not permit a moment to pass unutilized. In all this she had a zest that even in her 70's confounded friends and colleagues of lesser verve."
Mead died in 1978, at the age of 76.
Margaret Mead collected about 3,400 objects during her Pacific fieldwork; many are on display in the Museum's Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples. Nearly all can be viewed online on the Museum's Pacific Ethnographic Collection database. (To see artifacts collected by Mead, search for "Mead" in and select "Donor/Collector" from the pull-down menu.)


text:
Code Pink stood for Unity this afternoon. We witnessed the fusion of art and activism, politics and power, veterans and voters, women and warriors, all speaking out against the Iraq War. Nearly a dozen activist groups came together today in a coordinated effort to demonstrate a united front and express the outrage of the people in the Hart Senate Office Building as the Senate passed the Supplemental Funding compromise. 14 were arrested in the action, including Adam Kokesh of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Reverend Lennox Yearwood of Vets for Peace.
With our high visibility and reputation for consistent action on the Hill, CodePink took what appeared to be the point position on the action, but we mixed it up, to the surprise of the Capitol Police. We gathered together in the atrium of the building, a huge airy space that lends itself very well to our purposes. We rallied and split up into several teams, decked out in our flashiest pink regalia or in orange jumpsuits (some having just left a hearing on detainees). One CodePink group kicked off the entire action by dropping a small banner from the third floor while others of us proceeded through the open halls of the building singing. We distracted the Capitol Police, drawing attention away from other groups and leaving open the way for their voices to cry out against the continued funding of the War without intense scrutiny from the Police.
While the uniformed officers followed the women in pink, as is the custom now, our singing, banner-dropping contingent spread out on three sides of the upper levels around the atrium.
Marine Mom Tina Richards, local activist Pete Perry and other activists used the opportunity to read aloud letters from Gold Star and Military Families to the Democratic leadership of Congress with the full attention of tourists, students, staffers, supporting activists and the full coverage of the press in the lobby. CodePink then re-joined the other groups in the lobby, as planned, drawing with us the Police assigned to our groups to await the next phase of the carefully choreographed event. We wandered about on the ground floor, fully pink, some with pink tape marked with 3334 (today's reported death toll of American service personnel) holding up copies of the Constitution, drawing more warnings from Police. Just then a group of women from New York City, Artists Against the War, unfurled two 700 square foot banners from balconies on opposite sides of the fifth floor. One of the black banners, lettered in white, said "Your Silence, Your Legacy", the other was a direct quotation of the Articles of Impeachment from the Constitution. The crowd of more than a hundred in the lobby cheered as the banners were dropped, tied off and one of the two groups was arrested. The others led onlookers in a cry of "Impeach Now".
"I have to go vote now, but I didn't want to leave without saying thank you for what you are doing. We need these voices. Keep it up." - Anonymous Senator attending action
We stood there in the lobby surrounded by supporters of peace, justice and impeachment as the voices of the people rose up in Congress. The cheers, chants and shouts did not stop when the Police cut away and confiscated the banners. They only faded as the solemn notes of Taps trumpeted through the building, echoing off the walls and unsettling hearts. Taps is the traditional tune of military mourning and the occasion was indeed mournful. The final phase of the action was beginning.
But, before the planned funeral for the next fallen soldier began I was approached by a Senator, who took me by the arm and said, "I have to go vote now, but I didn't want to leave without saying thank you for what you are doing. We need these voices. Keep it up." I was a bit stunned and surprised and it took me a moment to realize that he was a Legislator because he had removed his congressional lapel pin (going incognito to the protest, I suppose), but I recognized him from hearings and later looked him up in a facebook directory.
Taps continued as he left me, his staffer urging him toward the door to head to the Capitol for the vote.
Adam, a former Marine Sergeant and Iraq veteran who served during the invasion of Fallujah, marched across the atrium wearing his black IVAW shirt and Marine camo hat bearing a ceremoniously folded American flag. He halted in front of Reverend Yearwood, a former Air Force Chaplain and the President of the Hip-Hop Caucus, dropped to one knee, bowed his head and offered up the flag while the next soldier to die in this war was eulogized. Rev. Yearwood, in his black shirt and white collar also wore his Air Force camo hat bearing his bars of rank. The two were making it clear to the world that their actions were validated by their status as veterans. Rev. Yearwood's words were filled with pain and his face a vision of determination as he explained that more would die every day while Congress continues to provide money to pay for the war. With or without a Veto from George, right now Congress is buying this war.
People and police were gathered around with press everywhere jockeying for shots of the two, who were somberly paying their respects to those who have fallen and will continue to fall in this unjust war. Just as the soldiers are the ones to bear the heavy costs of war Adam and the Rev were bearing the costs of this action.
The police approached, cutting through the crowd to warn them and notify them that they were about to be arrested for unlawful assembly and demonstration. They held their ground, following through with their mission to express the sadness of the entire movement at the loss of life in senseless, unwarranted aggression. In all, 14 arrests were made in association with the action.
Code Pink joined the coalition of groups which included Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, United for Peace and Justice, Artists against the War (We Will Not Be Silent), Voters for Peace, Democracy Rising, and Grass Roots America, among others.


text:
Even as the U.S. housing market healed as a whole, zombie foreclosures clawed their way higher in 10 states over the past year, creating a swath of lingering eyesores and unresolved financial turmoil, according to data released Thursday.
Nationally, the number of zombie properties -- homes that have started, but not completed, the foreclosure process and have been vacated by the owners -- dropped to about 141,000 in the second quarter, down 16% from the year-earlier period, according to RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure marketplace. But 10 states saw zombie properties climb higher over the past year.
These aren't the trudging monsters that are lucky to stumble into a mouthful of brains. Rather, zombie foreclosures sprang up 58% over the past year in New Jersey, 56% in Delaware, and 21% in Maryland.
Most of the states with more zombies are those that have seen foreclosure activity rise over the past year. Now that the foreclosure deluge is waning, banks have turned their attention back to properties that have been sitting in limbo for some time.
Looking nationally, foreclosure activity has dropped as the housing market and prices rebounded over the past year. Also, some states have passed legislation to help speed up the foreclosure process for abandoned properties, and some local governments are using land banks to acquire troubled properties, and either fix them up or demolish them.
The problem with zombie foreclosure is that they can be eyesores, driving down neighborhoods property values. Also, they're a non-performing asset for banks. And governments are missing out of property tax revenue to the tune of more than $400 million, according to RealtyTrac.
"Zombie foreclosures are the most visible lingering negative effect of the Great Recession housing crisis," said Daren Blomquist, a vice president at RealtyTrac. "For the banks, these zombies represent another black eye from a public perception standpoint."
--Ruth Mantell
Follow Ruth on Twitter @RuthMantell
Follow the Capitol Report blog on Twitter @CapitolReport
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Obama becomes mocker-in-chief of climate deniers, and more must-reads
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