text: The year 2010 was tied with 2005 as Earth's warmest year in history, according to separate calculations performed by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Temperatures during 2010 were 1.12°F (0.62°C) above the 20th century average. Reliable global temperature records go back to 1880. NOAA reported that the Northern Hemisphere had its warmest year on record in 2010, the Southern Hemisphere its 6th warmest, land areas their 2nd warmest, and the oceans their 3rd warmest. Global satellite-measured temperatures of the lowest 8 km of the atmosphere during 2010 were virtually tied with 1998 for warmest on record, according to the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH). The 1998 temperatures were 0.01°C warmer than 2010, but the difference is so small that the two years should be considered tied for first place. These measurements are very sensitive to the effect of major El Niño events that warm the waters and atmosphere over the Eastern Pacific. Thus the 1998 El Niño--the strongest such event ever recorded--set a global lower atmospheric temperature record that had been impossible to match until 2010. Figure 1. Departure of temperature from average for 2010. Image credit: NOAA's National Climatic Data Center.Earth's warmest temperatures in 2010, relative to average, occurred in western Greenland and eastern Canada, where record-duration sea ice loss contributed to temperatures that were 9°F (5°C) above average for the year (Figure 1.) The coolest temperatures, relative to average, were in central Siberia, 5.4°F (3°C) below average. In addition to being the warmest year on record globally, it was also the wettest (Figure 4.)Figure 2. The latest rankings by NOAA of the hottest years globally since 1880. Earth's ten hottest years have all come since 1998, and the decade of the 2000s was by far the warmest decade in the historical record. Image credit: NOAA's National Climatic Data Center.Figure 3. Global departure of temperature from average for 1880-2010, as computed by NASA.Figure 4. Global departure of precipitation from average for 1900 - 2010. The year 2010 set a new record for wettest year in Earth's history. The difference in precipitation from average in 2010 was about 13% higher than that of the previous record wettest year, 1956. Image credit: NOAA's National Climatic Data Center.A record warm year during a deep solar minimum: an unusual occurrenceThe 2010 record warmth was unusual in that it occurred during a period when energy from the sun was at its lowest levels since satellite measurements began in the 1970s. The 11-year sunspot cycle causes a 0.1% variation in the amount of energy reaching the Earth. White et al. (1997) found that sea surface temperatures varied by about 0.04 - 0.07°C on time scales of 11 - 22 years due to this change in solar energy, with temperatures lagging the sunspot cycle by 1.5 - 3 years (because the ocean is slow to heat up and cool down in response.) So, although solar activity began to pick up somewhat in 2010, the 1.5 - 3 year lag in ocean temperature response meant that the record low solar activity of 2008 - 2009 was what affected global temperatures in 2010. Given that the departure of Earth's temperature from average during 2010 was 0.62°C, this difference would have been perhaps 10% greater had we been 2 - 3 years past the peak of the 11-year sunspot cycle. The previous global temperature record, set in 2005, occurred 3 - 5 years after the twin-peaked previous solar cycle. It is very difficult to get a record warm year during a deep solar minimum, making the 2010 record one likely to be broken later this decade as the sun begins to exert a greater warming influence on the planet.Figure 5. During 2008 - 2009, the energy from the sun arriving at the top of Earth's atmosphere (Total Solar Irradiance, or TSI) as measured by satellites fell to its lowest value since satellite measurements began in 1978. Image credit: Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos World Radiation Center.ReferencesSkepticalscience.com has an in-depth discussion of Solar activity & climate: is the sun causing global warming?Wunderground climate change blogger Dr. Ricky Rood has a comprehensive 5-part series on how the sun affects climate.Gray, L.J., J. Beer, M. Geller, J.D. Haigh, M. Lockwood, 2010, "Solar Influences on Climate", Accepted in Rev. Geophys, 2010.White, W.B., J. Lean, D.R. Cayan and M.D. Dettinger (1997), Response of global upper ocean temperature to changing solar irradiance, J. Geophys. Res., 102, 3255-3266.Thunderstorms hurl antimatter into spaceNASA announced this week that mature thunderstorms can produce antimatter when exceptionally powerful lightning bolts occur. The antimattter beams were detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The amount of antimatter produced is tiny, though, and probably not enough to help power a starship."Cap'n, we're running low on antimatter to power the warp engines. Can you fly in low over those thunderstorms to replenish our reserves? We'll use the transporters to gather the antimatter and funnel it into the antimatter containment vessel.""OK, Scotty!"


text:
Knowledge Management
From Professionaltips
Revision as of 16:25, 13 January 2011 by ALALibrarian (Talk | contribs) (→Implicit Knowledge and Storytelling)
Ricardo Chalmeta and Reyes Grangel. "Methodology for the Implementation of Knowledge Management Systems." Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, March 2008, Vol. 59, no. 5, p. 742-755.
Implicit Knowledge and Storytelling
Brown, John Seely. Storytelling in Organizations: Why Storytelling Is Transforming 21st Century Organizations and Management. Boston: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005.
Denning, Stephen. The Secret Language of Leadership: How Leaders Inspire Action Through Narrative. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2007.
Marek, Kate. Organizational Storytelling for Librarians: Using Stories for Effective Leadership. Chicago: ALA, 2011.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
LETTER: Concerns About Jerry Robison, Mike Martin and Area Y Annexation
At the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting (NHUAC) in White Center on April 5, 2012, regular agenda presenter Mike Martin, Burien City Manager, launched a public attack against some of the citizens of both North Highline and Burien who have been opposed to the annexation of Area Y/ White Center (White Center Blog 4/6).
Martin stated, "That shifts the ball into the court of the local community" and that the city "stuck to the facts and on the high ground" unlike some foes of the proposed annexation." He also said the process had been contentious. A number of my friends, neighbors, myself and good citizens are the people that he attacked and I believe these comments, although shocking, are telling. I believe that we have always taken the high ground on this issue and stuck to the facts. In contrast, Mr. Martin, some of the staff members of Berk, Jerry Robison and some of the City Council members have failed to give the public all the information on many occasions.
The Burien City Council members that appointed Jerry Robison knew that he had a conflict of interest on the issue of the annexation of Area Y. Mr. Robison has been the attorney for the NHUAC and the head organizer for the White Center Jubilee Days. This could hardly have been missed as it is plastered all over Mr. Robison's law firm windows. Additionally, Mr. Martin had been a regular presenter at the NHUAC meetings for years and saw the agendas where Mr. Robison was listed as the NHUAC attorney and heard Mr. Robison give legal, financial and political advice to the NHUAC. When questioned about this close affiliation and apparent conflict of interest, the NHUAC denied in writing that Jerry Robison has ever served as their attorney. The question of Mr. Robison's recusal on his vote on annexation at the last council meeting should be raised.
Even more interesting is that the Burien City Council has always been extremely cautious about who they appoint to the Council or to Advisory Board positions. Anyone with too extreme of a position historically has not been allowed an appointed position or has been removed from an Advisory Board Position as was the case with Doug Moreland being removed from the BEDP. In the past, anyone who has opposed annexation has not been allowed an appointment to any of the Council or Advisory Boards. So it is strange that Jerry Robison, who was the attorney of record for the NHUAC, head organizer for White Center Jubilee Days and an extreme political activist for the annexation of Area Y was appointed to the City Council. Jerry Robison has publicly stated that annexation of area Y is the legacy he wants to leave the city of Burien but he failed to disclose this and his close connections with the NHUAC during the election, at the forums, in his campaign materials, during Council meetings and at the testimony he gave before the Boundary Review Board.
Mike Martin and Jerry Robison have attempted to conceal the facts on a number of issues about the annexation of Area Y such as the validity of the details and financial projections that were shown in the Berk Report Draft. Mr. Robison has stated that these details are unimportant and Mr. Martin refused to have the draft revised and finalized before it went to the Boundary Review Board (BRB) because he implied it was too expensive to correct. Vital information such as the letter from the fire district was missing from the packet delivered to BRB which Burien citizens uncovered. BRB has never approved an application with this type of condition before now.
This issue of annexation has never been about what the majority of citizens of Burien or North Highline want or think is best for them. It has been about the political maneuvering for power, more land and the economic gain of a few politicians, land developers, some seemingly deluded members of the NHUAC and Burien City Council members. Honesty, ethics, the moral high ground and the facts have never been the arena that they operate in-related to this issue. Every voter in both Burien and North Highline should be asking who has allowed this miscarriage of truth and justice on this issue to go on for so long. Someone needs to answer from the City of Burien and the Burien City Council.
Lastly, I do not take lightly the attack by Mike Martin at a NHUAC meeting in White Center that anyone who opposes the issue of the annexation of Area Y White Center is not taking the moral high road and distorting facts. I have never heard him say anything negative about the people of North Highline even though some annexation proponents and supporters of NHUAC have called Burien citizens liars, racists and have made inappropriate and insulting accusations. I believe this behavior shows his ongoing disrespect for the Burien citizens who pay his salary and that he is supposed to represent and the hard work many have done to read all the reports, analyze, comment and present at various meetings. And why is he regularly going up to the NHUAC meetings and acting like the de facto City Manager for Area Y on the Burien taxpayers' dime?
– Debi Wagner
[Have an opinion you'd like to share with our Readers? Please send us your Letter to the Editor via email. Include your full name, and, pending our review, we'll most likely publish it.]


text:
[Skip to content]
Cybercrime is not a remote threat for toll operations
The rise of cybercrime is starting to impact tolling concessions, as Colin Sowman discovers. Yahoo's revelation that it has taken two years to discover that it had suffered a security breach resulting in hackers stealing the details of 500 million users is shocking - although the hackers only gained access to users' names, contact details and encrypted passwords.
Ertico coordinates big data debate
David Crawford finds that agreeing a common data standard for auto manufacturers' onboard sensors, navigation system companies and map makers is proving a complex task.
Asecap debates the future of tolling
Colin Sowman reports form Asecap's Study & Information Days event in Madrid. At Asecap's (the Association of European Toll Road Operators) recent Study and Information Days event there was no doubt about the subject at the top of the agenda: the European Union Directive 23/2014/EU. This will introduce fundamental changes to the concession model under which Asecap members operate more than...
All Products
All News
All Features


text: U.S. Winter Propane Shortage Prompts Senate Hearing on Causes May 2, 2014 03:58 AM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Bloomberg Email Propane shortages last winter that left many U.S. homes and businesses without heat and sent prices to a record are prompting policy makers to consider how to prevent future scarcity. U.S. inventories of propane and propylene tumbled for 19 consecutive weeks from October to February and slid to 25.7 million barrels in March, the lowest level since 2010, according to Energy Department data. In the Midwest, where more homes use propane for heat than anywhere else in the nation, stockpiles plunged to an 11-year low. Widespread supply declines came as bitter cold boosted demand and as U.S. exports of propane increased, raising costs for those needing to keep spaces warm during the winter months. The benchmark price in Kansas jumped 25 percent in the past year to $1.06 a gallon yesterday and surged to a record $4.95 on Jan. 23. That was nearly five times the average of 98 cents for the time of year. "As policy makers, we need more than just Econ 101 as we consider options for preventing such a crisis from recurring," U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski said yesterday at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing in Washington. "We need to have a deeper understanding of the factors that were at play." New pipelines have allowed producers to ship natural gas liquids, including propane and butane, from the central U.S. to the Gulf Coast. From there, materials can be sent overseas. The U.S. exported 110.2 million barrels of propane and propylene in 2013, nearly double the volume of a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Admistration. Shipments abroad totaled 9.57 million barrels in February. The Midwest sent 1.8 million to the Gulf during the same time. NGLs, which are pumped from wells along with natural gas and separated at fractionation plants, are used as feedstock in petrochemical plants, as diluent for heavy crude in pipelines and in gasoline blending. Back to news


text:
Jimmy Etheredge is a senior managing director at Accenture responsible for leading the company's business in its US Southeast region, which covers 10 states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia—as well as the District of Columbia. In this role, Etheredge focuses on bringing innovation to clients, attracting top talent and strengthening the company's impact in its local communities; he also serves as member of the North America Leadership Team and the Global Leadership Council.
Additionally, Etheredge is managing director for the company's Atlanta office, where he provides oversight for developing local business relationships, expanding civic presence and fostering employee engagement.
Before being appointed to his current role in December 2016, Etheredge was senior managing director of Accenture's Products operating unit in North America, where was responsible for Accenture's business across a set of consumer-relevant industries: Retail; Consumer Goods & Services; Life Sciences; Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Infrastructure & Transportation Services; and Air, Freight & Logistics and Travel Services.
Among the other leadership roles that Etheredge has held during his 29 years with Accenture are global Customer Relationship Management lead for the Resources operating group and global lead for Accenture's Retail Utilities practice. Etheredge spent six years based in London with global responsibilities before returning to Atlanta in 2007.
A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in industrial engineering, Etheredge is an ardent supporter of his alma mater and a member of the Alexander Thorpe board of directors, the Hill Society and the Georgia Tech Lacrosse Advisory Board. He was honored as an inaugural inductee into the Georgia Tech College of Engineering's Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni. An active member of the Boys Scouts of America, Etheredge sits on the Atlanta Area Council Board of Directors.
Etheredge lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children.


text:
The Safe Routes To Schools (SRTS) program is highlighted in the current edition of the Federal Highway Administration's on-line publication Public Roads. The article "Safe Routes To School – Making a Big Difference Via Small Steps," by Rebecca Crowe, Raquel G. Rivas, and Kathy Norcross Watts, describes in detail the many communities across the country that have successfully implemented SRTS projects. As a result of the program, many communities have seen a significant increase in the number of children walking or bicycling to school, thereby leading to less traffic congestion, less carbon emissions from vehicles, cost savings for families, and healthier lifestyles for children.
The Safe Routes To Schools program was established in 2005 as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The law authorized $612 million in federal transportation funds for state department of transportations (DOT) to administer their own programs. SRTS funding could be used for constructing pathways, trails, sidewalks, bike lanes and other safe right-of-ways, as well as for education and awareness of the program. The article reports that "As of April 1, 2009, all 50 states and the District of Columbia are participating in SRTS, with 5,200 schools participating."
As a member of the National Safe Routes To Schools Coalition, ASLA is working with other partners to urge Congress to reauthorize and enhance the SRTS program in any upcoming omnibus surface transportation legislation. ASLA is a supporter of S.1156, legislation introduced by Senator Tom Harkin (IA) to reauthorize the SRTS program and expand its eligibility to include high schools.
Kevin FryDirector, PR and Communications email@example.com JR Taylor PR Coordinator firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Cars are rolling Art. But they don't always start that way. Here are photos of some cars we've worked on, owned or just admired. See where they started, cools places they have gone, and how we got them there.
You can also check out photos of some of the automotive parts we build and sell.
Action shots from the BADASS (British American Deviant Automotive Sportscar Society) sessions, building their MGB GT 455 Roadmaster Project
Select a Page
Roadmaster 1
Roadmaster 6
Roadmaster 7
previous/next image
click image for full-size
The BADASS Crew Working on their MGB GT 455 Roadmaster Project
Sightings of The BADASS (British American Deviant Automotive Sportscar Society)
Roadmaster Project
Roadmaster Completed
Customers' Cars
Customer Builds
Pete's Cars
Cars Gone By
At the Track
At the Shop
Powder Coating
Road Trips
Project Roadmaster by BADASS
Member, British Motor Trade Association
Moss Motors Distributor
© Copyright 2005 - 2018, Mantell Motorsport, All Rights Reserved.


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
"Machete" started as a joke, in a way. It was one of the fake movie previews from Quentin Tarintino and Robert Rodriguez's "Grindhouse" double feature. Rodriguez claims he always thought of it as a feature, but the fact is the preview was made before the feature film, which is definitely odd. Either way, I am very glad that they ended up making a full movie out of the idea.
The strange origins of this film aside, the cast may create a bit of head scratching as well. The star of the film is Danny Trejo, one of those actors you've seen a hundred times (he usually plays a tough guy), but you don't know his name. Okay, so a character actor gets a starring role in an ironic B-movie. But he's backed up by Robert De Niro, Steven Seagal, Jeff Fahey, Lindsay Lohan, Cheech Marin, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Tom Savini and Don Johnson. That's a weird cast, to say the least. But it's also quite awesome.
The story, if you care, goes a little something like this: Machete is a federale who has been targeted by the evil Torrez (Seagal). He ends up in America, looking for jobs with fellow illegal immigrants. Machete ends up in the middle of a political and literal war over immigration. Don't worry, it's not nearly as serious as it sounds. In fact, if I had to classify this movie, I would call it "Mexsploitation." That is absolutely a compliment, by the way.
Much like a blaxsploitation film, "Machete" is about a Mexican who is fighting the government while also getting with every lady who looks his way. It's also made in an intentionally poor manner and meant to be funny.
The important thing is that it accomplishes all of this. What makes it all possible is the use of Danny Trejo. It is great to see him as a star. I had a grin on my face just for the sheer fact that I was watching a movie starring Trejo. It makes sense for him to be a star, though. He's not nice to look at, sure, but what a perfectly grizzled action star.
Trejo is not alone, though. Like I said, this cast is quite the anomaly. I'll try to stick with the highlights. Steven Seagal is very enjoyable in the villain role. It was nice to see him in a theater for a change. De Niro is obviously having fun here and he gets to ham it up as a redneck politician. Rodriguez (who I usually abhor) is actually okay in this one. Alba is just kind of there, but she does have a moment or two. Marin was fun in a short role. Jeff Fahey made for a great shady political adviser. Lohan wasn't bad. And Don Johnson stuck out as a vigilante border patrol agent. In all honesty I had no idea Johnson was in this until the opening credits rolled. It was doubly amusing when he was credited as "Introducing Don Johnson." My only complaint is that Tom Savini seemed completely wasted. He was set up as a rival to Machete, but it never came to pass. Here's hoping that the DVD contains an awesome deleted showdown between the two.
The acting and casting is superb but this is still an action movie at heart and the action holds up. It's a bit CG heavy at times, but that's understandable since Rodriguez runs his own production company and CG is probably cheaper than practical effects at times. For the most part, this is a hilariously brutal film. It's called "Machete," after all, and there are machetes aplenty. So body parts get cut off and blood sprays everywhere and it's all in good fun. If anything, though, the movie is not as bloody and action-packed as one might assume.
The movie actually has a kind of statement, though it's not to be taken seriously. Once again, this is a Mexsploitation film, which means illegal immigrants are going to be portrayed in a heroic light. That may rub some people the wrong way. I've already come across some message-board complaints about the film being too "left wing." I can understand that, I guess, but this movie is so tongue-in-cheek that it shouldn't bother anyone. I was just thankful that it didn't stick with the "Grindhouse" look. The beginning is grainy and all, but it gets cleaned up after the opening.
"Machete" is a weird movie no matter how you look at it. But, more importantly, it is a very good time. I don't care what your stance is on immigration, if you're so bitter when it comes to that subject that an intentionally goofy movie like this bothers you, then you should stay away from film in general. If you have a sense of humor and you like a good ridiculous action movie, then you should check out "Machete."
A Cannelton resident, Harris is a movie buff and blogger who posts reviews of films at www.canneltoncritic.com.
Add new comment
Read and share your thoughts on this story


text:
Dave and Gail
A man and his wife walk into the dentist's office and the man say's "Doc,,I'm in a real hurry,,I have two buddies waiting in the car,,I have a tee-off time at 10 o'clock at one of the best golf courses in the country. I don't have time for any of that anesthesia stuff, so I want you to just go in and yank that tooth right out!! The Doctor is thinking,,"Wow,,what a brave man to want to put up with all that pain,,No anesthesia!!" "Ok", say's the Doc,,,Which tooth is it??? The Man say's to his wife,,,"Honey,,open your mouth and show him that tooth" :D


text:
Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of its third-annual "battle of the buildings" Energy Star National Building Competition. 3,000 institutions from around the country competed to see which could reduce its energy use the most in a year, and several Texans came out on top.
The winner of the competition was an elementary school from New Jersey, cutting its cost by 52 percent. Following close behind in second place was the AAFES Fort Hood Warrior Way Express Store, which cut its energy cost by 48.5 percent, saving over $17,000 in energy costs.
The exchange service convenience store serves military families stationed at Fort Hood. The store said they reduced their energy by taking a "nuts and bolts" approach. The team started by getting all equipment in working order. Then, they implemented energy reducing equipment such as LED lights sensor lighting controls.
The San Antonio Federal Building was also listed as a top finisher, reducing energy expended by 34.4 percent, saving over $186,000 in energy costs. The building was renovated in 2012 to incorporate energy saving and green technologies. Dallas based HEI Hotels and Resorts was the top finisher for the hotel category, cutting energy use by 21 percent.
In total, the competitors cut energy costs by $50 million, saved over three billion kButs of energy, and reduced enough green house gas emissions to equal electricity used by over 43,000 homes.
"The impressive results of the National Building Competition help show that any building can take simple steps to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings where we all work, play, and learn," said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe, "All of the participants in the Energy Star National Building Competition are finding more and more ways to cut energy use, saving thousands of dollars and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."


text: CPUC History & Organizational Structure In 1911, the CPUC was established by Constitutional Amendment as the Railroad Commission. In 1912, the Legislature passed the Public Utilities Act, expanding the Commission's regulatory authority to include natural gas, electric, telephone, and water companies as well as railroads and marine transportation companies. In 1946, the Commission was renamed the California Public Utilities Commission. The Governor appoints the five Commissioners, who must be confirmed by the Senate, for six year staggered terms. The Governor appoints one of the five to serve as CPUC President. The CPUC employs economists, engineers, administrative law judges, accountants, lawyers, and safety and transportation specialists. The Office of Ratepayer Advocates is an independent arm of the CPUC that represents consumers in CPUC proceedings, pursuant to statute. The CPUC has a Public Advisor who assists the public in participating in CPUC proceedings, and a unit that is charged with informally resolving consumer complaints. CPUC Divisions Our Executive Office ensures that procedural matters are handled in a timely manner and is also responsible for efficient internal operations. The News and Outreach office raises the awareness of the CPUC by informing and educating the media and the public about the CPUC's services, policies, and decisions. The Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division (CPED) serves as the first line of defense for California utility customers. CPED collects and resolves consumer complaints, establishes and enforces rules and regulations for transportation carriers, and investigates allegations of utility waste, fraud, and abuse. The Office of Governmental Affairs represents the CPUC before the State Legislature and Executive Branch and oversees representation of the CPUC and State of California before the United States Congress and federal agencies. The Energy Division assists Commission activities in the electricity, natural gas, steam, and petroleum pipeline industries. The Communications Division assists the CPUC in developing and implementing policies to promote competition in all telecommunications markets and to address regulatory changes required by state and federal legislation. The Safety and Enforcement Division has safety oversight of electric and communications facilities, natural gas and propane gas systems, railroads, light rail transit systems, and highway/rail crossings, licensing, consumer protection, and safety oversight of motor carriers of passengers, household goods, and water vessels, and regulatory oversight of hot air balloons and some air carriers. The Division of Water & Audits supports the CPUC by investigating water and sewer system service quality issues and analyzing and processing utility rate change requests. The Legal Division supports the General Counsel who is the attorney to the CPUC. The General Counsel, working with the legal staff, represents and appears for the People of the State of California and the CPUC in all actions and proceedings involving any question under the Public Utilities Code or under any order or act of the CPUC. The Administrative Law Judges process formal filings, facilitate alternative dispute resolution, conduct hearings, develop an adequate administrative record, prepare timely proposals for Commission consideration, and prepare and coordinate Commission meeting agendas.The ALJ Division administers the Commission's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Administrative Services provides finance, facilities, contracts, and other administrative functions to the entire CPUC. The Internal Audit Unit performs audits of the CPUC's internal controls and management, and provides consulting services as requested to assist CPUC operations. Internal Audit reports directly to the CPUC through its Finance and Administration Committee, and operates under a charter approved by the CPUC on January 11, 2018. The Office of the Safety Advocate (OSA) is the CPUC's newest Division, established in Fall 2016 pursuant to legislation to "advocate for the continuous, cost-effective improvement of the safety management and safety performance of public utilities." OSA will participate in CPUC proceedings as an advocate on utility safety concerns to inform the official record on safety related risks and provide transparency of safety information. OSA will also recommend improvements to the CPUC's safety management policies, procedures, and safety culture. The Public Advocates Office participates in CPUC proceedings, workshops, and other forums with significant dollar impacts on consumers that address issues of consumer protection, development of fair rules for competition or other significant policy issues, and that address service quality, rate levels, and rate of return. The Public Advocates' mission, as defined by Senate Bill 960 in 1996 and embodied in Public Utilities Code Section 309.5, is to "obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels."


text:
Game 81 at NOH: Jazz Win!
Actually, the title should read, "Jazz win, but I didn't get to watch the second half because my oldest friend chose a game day to get married."
It was the first time all season that the Jazz led from tip to finish, and their 10-point halftime lead was a product of 1) horrid Hornets shooting; 2) decent execution and defense; 3) CJ's shot being functional (this was only the third game since his 40-point night that CJ's shot over 42%). It was also great fun watching the 3-rookie lineup that played early in the 2nd.
I had to leave at halftime, so I recruited an extremely reluctant and unwilling C [Spurs fan] to guest-blog during the second half.
Here are her observations (jotted down on the back of a New York Times crossword puzzle which she asked me to return to her):
–Andre's (sic) AT&T "Keys to the Game" spot was the funniest moment of the second half
–Maybe Andre (sic) was calling Hayward to discuss their mutual haircut
–They asked which three Jazz HOFers played in New Orleans. I got Pete Maravich right. The other two were somebody Bellamy and somebody somebody.
–Tyrone's suit is ugly and it matches the Hornets' lettering on the baseline and colors in the key…
–…as does Harpring's tie
–The stupid announcers think the Hornets have no chance against the Lakers but yes against the Spurs
–Nice dunk and block at the end of the 3rd quarter
–Yay for Francisco's three straight buckets. Last time he scored was March 5th.
–Gray from the Hornets has the same hair as Andre (sic) but not as shaggy
–Where's Andre (sic)? He's the only Jazz player I recognize. Besides Francisco of course, because he was a Spur.
To close, I have a question for Ty Corbin. The Jazz were super shorthanded. Foul trouble was not an issue. Millsap lost an eye and Big Al had four fouls. We're not jostling for post-season seeding. This was the second-to-last game of the season. WHAT'S UP WITH FAVORS' PALTRY 23 MINUTES??? Please don't jackpot around with our future. Thank you very much.
Unintentional Dirty Quote Machines of the Night
** Boler on Hayward: I like the strength of this rookie. He's able to push it up and in.
** Matty: Jazz fans, still can't watch the game at your house? Maybe you should come to my house…for all your HDTV…needs.
** Matty: That's how you finish, Boler, that's how you finish. You don't go up soft.
** Matty on Millsap: He's got a unique ability to contort his body to find a way for the ball to go in.
** Boler to CJ, post-game: Little head down lately, just because of a bit of a slump…Stroked it well, and you seemed to work the ball inside and out tonight. (IMO, this one is an instant classic.)
SurlyMae permalinkApril 12, 2011 11:04 pm
I asked my partner the same thing, about Favors' limited playing time. He explained it to me in a way I could easily understand: "When Gunnar (my Dobe) was a puppy, you didn't take him out on the (mountain) bike at full speed, did you?" (No, I didn't.) "You gotta bring 'em on slowly. At least, that's what I'm hoping Ty is thinking."
SurlyMae permalinkApril 12, 2011 11:05 pm
And btw, C's notes are freaking hilarious. Loved it.


text: This photograph, "Play Street," was taken in 1972 at St. Columba parish in Philadelphia, PA. St. Columba, which closed in 1993, was formerly located at 2340 W. Lehigh Avenue. I'm sure these children have fond memories of the fun sisters who worked there! Photo is courtesy of The Robert and Theresa Halvey Collection, Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center, Philadelphia, PA.


text:
GOP wants crazy after all these years
In politics, snubs are more important than invites.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and social conservative, has been refused a speaking spot at the Conservative Political Action Conference to be held next week just outside Washington .
Story Continued Below
CPAC, as it is known, is the Ames Straw Poll without the fun.
The Ames Straw Poll held in Iowa has free drinks, free eats, free face painting and free country music followed by a bunch of speeches and a meaningless presidential straw poll.
CPAC has a bunch of speeches and a meaningless presidential straw poll.
Previous CPAC straw poll winners have included President Jack Kemp (three times), President Phil Gramm, President Steve Forbes, President Gary Bauer, President Rudy Giuliani, President George Allen, President Ron Paul (twice) and President Mitt Romney (four times.)
Winning the CPAC straw poll would be a kiss of death except that two winners — Ronald Reagan (three times) and George W. Bush (once) — actually survived it and went on to the Oval Office.
Statistically, it is far better to lose the straw poll than to win it, which may be why Christie says he is not upset by being snubbed. "It's not like I'm lacking for invitations to speak around the country," he said.
Christie is being punished because he appeared in public with President Barack Obama to thank him for Hurricane Sandy relief for New Jersey and also because Christie later berated Republicans in Congress because they held up that relief.
But that is only part of it: Christie is being snubbed because he is a winner in a party that embraces losing as a sign of faith and purity.
Two of the major speakers at CPAC will be — drum roll, please — Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney.
The CPAC 2013 official motto is: "America's Future: The Next Generation of Conservatives."
It is a little hard to see, however, how either Palin or Romney represents America's future or the next generation of conservatives.


text:
In a recent column in The New York Times, Paul Krugman poses a question that is less cynical and more sincere than it might at first appeal. "Future historians will, without doubt, see Katrina as a turning point," he wrote. "The question is whether it will be seen as the moment when America remembered the importance of good government, or the moment when neglect and obliviousness to the needs of others became the new American way."
In the past, such a cynical question could be answered positively with confidence. Today, unfortunately, the answer to that question is a matter of national soul-searching.
Just what kind of a country are we? Under this administration, policies have routinely and continuously passed that hurt the poor and favor the wealthy; they have benefited industry at the expense of our environment; they've worked to break down the public school system; have eroded our national infrastructure; depleted the nation's armed forces and discredited the nation's foreign policy on the world stage.
Yet this president seems to think truth makes no difference. Lies told to the public on matters of policy — foreign and domestic — have become legion. From the reasons to invade Iraq to denials about the prison abuse at Abu Ghraib, from Pat Tillman's death to Jessica Lynch's faked heroism; from the outing of Valerie Plame and the hollow conviction to oust whoever was responsible for that felony offense to the Department of Justice fiasco. Every cover-up and wrong-doing is denied by this White House, even when the evidence plainly shows otherwise. There appears to be no honor in truth-telling or accepting responsibility for mistakes and failed policies.
With the latest census data on income, poverty and health insurance, as Krugman points out, the report "by any normal standard was a devastating indictment of the administration's policies … After all, last year the administration insisted that the economy was booming — and whined that it wasn't getting enough credit. What the data show, however, is that 2006, while a good year for the wealthy, brought only a slight decline in the poverty rate and a modest rise in median income, with most Americans still considerably worse off than they were before President Bush took office.
"Most disturbing of all, the number of Americans without health insurance jumped. At this point, there are 47 million uninsured people in this country, 8.5 million more than there were in 2000 … Bush's only concession that something might be amiss was to say that 'challenges remain in reducing the number of uninsured Americans' — a statement reminiscent of Emperor Hirohito's famous admission, in his surrender broadcast, that 'the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan' advantage.'"
Further eroding the public's confidence in the national leadership, Krugman notes that "Mr. Bush's solution (is) more tax cuts, of course, (which) has about as much relevance to the real needs of the uninsured as subsidies for luxury condos in Tuscaloosa have to the needs of New Orleans's Ninth Ward.
The question Krugman poses again in a slightly different form, "is whether any of this will change when Mr. Bush leaves office." And, again, it's not clear that that positive forces will prevail.
"There's a powerful political faction in this country that's determined to draw exactly the wrong lesson from the Katrina debacle — namely, that the government always fails when it attempts to help people in need, so it shouldn't even try," Krugman writes. He notes that presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former Republican governor of Massachusetts, is touting such concerns, quoting Romney as saying: "I don't want the people who ran the Katrina cleanup to manage our health care system," as if, as Krugman writes, "the Bush administration's practice of appointing incompetent cronies to key positions and refusing to hold them accountable no matter how badly they perform … is the way government always works. And I'm not sure that faction is losing the argument. The thing about conservative governance is that it can succeed by failing: when conservative politicians mess up, they foster a cynicism about government that may actually help their cause.
"But why should we be surprised by any of this? The Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina — the mixture of neglect of those in need, obliviousness to their plight, and self-congratulation in the face of abject failure — has become standard operating procedure. These days, it's Katrina all the time."
What's really frightening is that it's not that difficult to see how such negative thinking about the role of government could take hold among those Americans who elected George W. Bush in the first place. It's hard for some voters to admit that their judgment was that far off; it's easier — and allows them to avoid taking personal responsibility for electing him — to blame it on the system and to paint government as the failure.
Whether the nation rejects such conservative cynicism and reaffirms its faith in good government could be, as Krugman suggests, an historic turning point.


text:
A few days ago I received an e-mail from a distraught reader who noticed something odd about the Spring Update: it was killing all his custom rosters in his sports games. This is an issue that will only affect a small number of 360 owners, but for now it's a major annoyance in the hardcore sports gaming community. What exactly happened?
Many dedicated users put together their own rosters in games like College Hoops 2K7 and then upload their saves to community sites. The sites share game saves using a variety of products like Datel's X-SATA or other memory card transfer kits. This allowed the sports community to trade rosters, create teams, and enjoy the work of others. Pretty cool, right? Except Microsoft was worried about people trading game saves; it could lead to achievement fraud or some other bad thing in the future. It had to be stopped.
The method Microsoft used to deal with this was pretty heavy-handed; apparently they downloaded every save on these community sites, looked at the console markers on each one, and then in the Spring Update included that list of markers so that any saves shared between consoles would be marked as corrupted. Not good news for the sports gamers out there, and if you were in the middle of a season I guess it's some tough luck. 5WG goes on about the topic:
Of course, sports gamers know this isn't about cheating: it's about rosters. The hardcore want their rosters current and accurate, and the developers often can't (or won't) provide that. Especially with NCAA games that prohibit the sale of the game with player names intact, roster makers give a title "legs." There's no cheat here: just a group of people giving back to the community for little or no compensation. I will be shocked if this doesn't get resolved in some way by the time NCAA 08's mid-July release rolls around. This has always been the title that benefited the most from a nudge-nudge-wink-wink relationship with community roster makers and the unlicensed file transfer devices they rely on. EA knows that this game will suffer without the support of the roster makers, even going so far as to make sure that well-known editors get early copies of the game so that rosters will be released that much quicker.
We know Microsoft is trying to stop cheating and keep their system safe, and there is nothing wrong with that. The problem was that in taking this brute-force approach, it alienated a large number of very loyal fans who saw their community crippled by the Spring Update. Couldn't there have been a better way to handle this? I refuse to believe that just because roster traders are a small part of sports games they should have to put up with losing their rosters, these are people who buy sports games year after year and play extensively on Xbox Live. It behooves you to keep them happy.
I'd like to thank George for the initial e-mails, links, and information to help put this story together.


text:
Points: 0 Medals: 0
Points: 0 Medals: 0
Do you really want to remove a user from your friends?
Switch to:PC version Chromebook version Mobile version
We've recently updated our Privacy Policy and our Cookie Policy. Please take a moment to check them out. By continuing on our website, you consent that you read and understood these updated policies.


text:
Air NZ's top 10 picks for Hokitika
Wildest of foods put Hokitika on world map
It's easy to savour the delicate flavour of the famous West Coast whitebait but how do you feel about a little worm sushi, a mountain oyster (a sheep's testicle that is) or maybe even a horse semen shot!
These are just some of the rare and sometimes risqué delicacies on offer at Hokitika's Wildfoods Festival held every February.
The festival was the brain child of local woman , Claire Bryant, who decided her home made West Coast gorse flower wine and rose petal brew should be shared and what better way than a festival celebrating the flavours of the wild West Coast.
That was 21 years ago and today the festival is so popular that ticket sales are capped at 15,000.
People come from all over the country and overseas to sample the wares which also include less challenging but equally delicious options such as shark, venison, wild boar and hangi meat pies (hangi is the traditional Maori in-the-ground method of cooking meat and vegetables).
This is truly a one-of-a-kind festival and one that should be experienced at least once.
Other highlights to look out for in Hokitika include:
Shantytown – a recreation of a pioneering 1900's West Coast village where you will have the chance to ride a steam-train and pan for gold
The National Kiwi Centre – view West Coast creatures including the Kiwi in the centre's nocturnal house and take the chance to feed giant eels
Artisans – watch local crafts people at work as they blow glass, turn wood and work with pounamu (the Maori name for New Zealand jade or greenstone)
Te Waipounamu Maori Heritage Centre – learn the history of Maori occupation in the region
Mountain biking – the region has a wealth of unpopulated tracks through the local area
Kayaking and rafting – with rivers that drop rapidly from the Southern Alps to the sea there is white water for every level of rafter and kayaker
Golf – play on a true links course at the Hokitika Golf Club with splendid views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and other mountains in the Southern Alps
Walks – from walks around the town to scenic circuits of Lake Kaniere and Lake Mahinapu and expeditions into the native rain forest there are walks to suit all ages and abilities
Coast to Coast – this is an exceptionally challenging endurance event which sees hundreds of athletes cycle, run and kayak their way from Kumara (just out of Hokitika) across the Southern Alps to Christchurch on the east coast. To watch these people set off in the early hours of a February morning is quite a sight
West Coast hospitality – the hospitality of Hokitika and other West Coast towns is legendary. Make time for a chat or a beer in a local and experience it for yourself
Air New Zealand flies between Hokitika and Christchurch linking it with 25 other destinations on the domestic network. For information and to book flights to Hokitika visit www.airnewzealand.com
Artikel von
Air New Zealand - Hokitika
Air New Zealand is New Zealand's national carrier and the only airline which specialises in getting you to, from and around New Zealand.


text:
$ 28.00
$ 0.00
Anchal Project - Scarlet Rose Bandana Scarf
Anchal's bandana scarf is one-of-a-kind & handcrafted from two layers of vintage cotton sari. Each piece is held together by a traditional Indian kantha stitch and features the hand-stitched name of each artisan.
- Made by an Artisan in Ajmer
- Machine wash cold & hang dry.
- 22" x 22"
- Vintage sari material may contain small imperfections or patchwork, enhancing the character, charm, & story of each piece.
- Item #B160515
With every purchase of an Anchal product you are supporting a woman's journey to empowerment & financial freedom in India. A portion of each purchase is allocated for educational workshops, design training & health care.


text:
Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport
Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport
815 Elkridge Landing Road
815 Elkridge Landing Road
Linthicum Heights, Maryland
United States
Check In: 3PM
Check Out: 12PM
Check-in Age:21
Book With Us Advantage
- Best Price Guarantee
We promise you access to the guaranteed best available prices, or your first night is free.
- Online Reservation Guarantee
Your room is guaranteed.
- No Booking Fees!
We do not charge any booking fees for making reservations directly with us.
- Data Privacy and Site Security
IHG takes your privacy seriously and works to protect you. All personal information you provide is encrypted and secure.
Welcome to Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport
We are a full-service hotel located just 1.2 miles from Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
The Holiday Inn BWI Airport hotel is your Baltimore suburban gateway location for getting around the Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C. areas. Business and leisure travelers alike can experience the convenience of our Interstate 295 location on West Nursery Road in the BWI Hotel District that makes getting around easy. We offer 24-hour complimentary shuttle service to BWI Airport, BWI Amtrak Station, MARC, the Light Rail and the local area within a 2 mile radius..
Nearby attractions include: Baltimore's Inner Harbor, M&T Bank Stadium home of the Baltimore Ravens, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Maryland Zoo, Baltimore Convention Center, Horseshoe Casino, Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium, Historic Annapolis and the US Naval Academy.
There is so much more within a short driving distance including: Northrop Grumman, Fort Meade, Port of Baltimore, Coast Guard Yards and The Arundel Mills Mall and Maryland Live Casino.
Convenient to University of Maryland College Park, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Columbia and Washington, D.C. all its monuments, museums and attractions are 30 miles south of the hotel.
Kids Stay and Eat Free
Kids ages 18 and under stay for free when sharing their parents' room. Up to four kids ages 11 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn® on-site restaurant.
*View Terms & Conditions for Details.
Port Discovery, Baltimore National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Camden Yards, M&T Bank Home of the Ravens, Inner Harbor Duck Tours, Baltimore Zoo, Dave and Busters, Six Flags
|Kids Stay Free
|Kids Eat Free
|United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Mexico, Caribbean
|18 and Under
|11 and Under
Free High-Speed Internet
- Wireless Internet Available in Rooms, Suites, Business Centre, Public Areas and Meeting Spaces.
- Standard Wireless internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
- Standard Wireless Fee: 0 USD
Shuttle/ Parking
- Car Parking Available
- Complimentary Daily Self-Parking is available
- Need extended parking while away on travel? Reserve our "Park, Stay and Go" package, available online and through our reservations department. Please contact the hotel directly. Parking is complimentary during your overnght stay only.
Pet Policy
- Pets allowed
- Guide Dogs Allowed
- Pets Walking Area Available
- Pet Fee per Night: 20 USD
- Pet fee is non refundable, per pet per night. Pets are limited to two per room and under 80 pounds combined pets must be on a leash outside of guest room. Housekeeping service will be limited during your stay if pet is not in a kennel.
Credit Cards
- American Express
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Diners Club
- Carte Blanche
- Discover
- Smoke-Free Facility
- Number of Floors: 5
- Total Number of Rooms: 137
- Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 137
- Number of Accessible Rooms: 7
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Current Renovation: 2019 To 2019
- We will be redecorating to enhance our guest experience! Come on in to see why we are so excited!
- Public Spaces Renovated in: 2013
- Public Entrance
- Guest Rooms
- Lifts
- Public Restrooms
- Registration Desk
- Exercise Facility
- Business Centre
- Number of Accessible Meeting Rooms: 1
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Registration Area
- Accessible Guest Rooms
- Business Centre
- Meeting Room
- Exercise Facility
Hotel Areas with Accessible Routes from Accessible Public Entrance
- Accessible Self-Parking
- Van Accessible Self Parking
- Ramp Access
- Portable Bathtub Seats
- Closed Caption TVs
- Telephone with TDD
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Guest Rooms
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Public Spaces
- Communication Kits with Visual Alarms
Provided by Hotel
You can be assured that when you stay at an IHG Green Engage Hotel, you are participating in an advanced, world-wide sustainability effort. We understand that it is important for you to have an active role in protecting our environment and that's why we've made it easier for you to choose a hotel that matches your sustainable values.


text:
NJ Supreme Court Says Cops Need A Warrant To Obtain Cell Phone Location Data
from the another-small-victory dept
The New Jersey Supreme Court joins a handful of other courts in deciding that law enforcement agencies need a warrant in order to obtain cell phone tracking data.
The case itself goes back to 2006, dealing with three warrantless location requests placed by police to T-Mobile. These "traces" were used to track down a suspected burglar. Once on trial, the defendant moved to suppress, which the court agreed with, stating he had a reasonable expectation to privacy in terms of his cell phone data. However, the evidence was still allowed under an "emergency aid" exception. On appeal, the court allowed him to reopen his challenge of the suppression ruling but its decision aligned itself with many others, stating he did not have a reasonable expectation to privacy for information "in plain view." This specific challenge proceeded to the state Supreme Court, resulting in this ruling.
The ruling is somewhat state-specific. The court found that, historically, New Jersey's Constitution afforded greater protection against warrantless searches than the Fourth Amendment. (This relies on previous rulings by NJ courts, as the wording is nearly identical.)
This Court has found that Article I, Paragraph 7 of the New Jersey Constitution provides greater protection against unreasonable searches and seizures than the Fourth Amendment. When people make disclosures to phone companies and other providers to use their services, they are not promoting the release of personal information to others. Instead, they can reasonably expect that their personal information will remain private.Splitting off further from the third party doctrine claim of reduced privacy expectations, the court offered this observation.
Viewed from the perspective of a reasonable expectation of privacy, what was problematic in 2006 is plainly invasive today. We are not able to draw a fine line across that spectrum and calculate a person's legitimate expectation of privacy with mathematical certainty –- noting each slight forward advance in technology. Courts are not adept at that task. Instead, our focus belongs on the obvious: cell phones are not meant to serve as tracking devices to locate their owners wherever they may be. People buy cell phones to communicate with others, to use the Internet, and for a growing number of other reasons. But no one buys a cell phone to share detailed information about their whereabouts with the police. That was true in 2006 and is equally true today.The court's argues that the more specific the data is, the greater the need for a warrant, and so-called metadata is surprisingly specific, especially when location data is included. Many investigative and intelligence agencies have gathered a lot of phone records by pushing the narrative that cell phone users are complicit parties in the creation of this data and therefore, willingly ceding their expectation of privacy. The New Jersey court's ruling is a strong rebuttal to that narrative.
This ruling will be effective moving forward and the court has decided not to apply the new standard retroactively. The new requirement goes into effect in 30 days, which may mean NJ telcos are in for a few last-minute fishing expeditions. The justices have kicked the case back to the appeals court and instructed it to apply the new ruling in determining whether its use of the "emergency aid" exception to allow the warrantless evidence was proper.
It may be a very venue-specific decision, but it's another small step towards restoring the expectation of privacy to cell phone users and their data.
Filed Under: fourth amendment, new jersey, privacy, third party doctrine, warrants


text:
Orpheus in the Underworld
Operetta Bouffe with one intermission by Jacques Offenbach ()
Opening night of the performance took place on 28th of October 2016
Big stage
23 April 2017, Sunday, 19:00
French composer Jacques Offenbach wrote captivating music of his comic operas on topical subjects. They always had a place ridicule, satire, frivolity, and touching lyrics and, of course, unbridled fun.
In the St. Petersburg Theatre of Musical Comedy "Orpheus in the Underworld" first saw the limelight in 1931.
On the production version of the works of contemporary People's Artist of Russia Yuri Alexandrov. Ten years ago, his performance of "Bluebeard" on the product of Offenbach, delivered on the stage musical comedy, has been awarded the highest theatrical prize of St. Petersburg "Gold spotlights". And over the years, the director has repeatedly appealed to the heritage of outstanding composer, performing performances of his works at various stages of the world.
For the new play at the Theatre of Musical Comedy the original libretto by Hector Cremieux processed. The plot of the ancient myth of Orpheus, descended into hell for his wife Eurydice, which built "Orpheus in the Underworld" features found close to the Russian audience really. The images of the Olympic gods manifested signs of public familiar (and not only) people, not so long ago occupied the horizon of the former Soviet Union.
Comic situation remained unchanged and unexpected situations in which characters fall into this very unusual history. As well as exquisite music, a meeting which will be a boon for music gourmets. After all, despite the fact that the famous cancan, which became the hallmark of the operetta genre - comes precisely from "Orpheus in the Underworld", Russian viewers virtually unfamiliar with the music of the French classic. And, referring to the work of Offenbach, Theatre musical comedy genre continues to acquaint judges with the best samples of world music repertoire.


text:
Facebook Q2 profits rocket shares 23%
Facebook is bouncing back.
Doubts about the social-media giant's role in a mobile world were quieted Wednesday after the company blew away earnings estimates as users flocked to its mobile apps. In pre-market trading Thursday, shares soared 23%.
More than a year after its beleaguered initial public offering, Facebook is showing signs that the No. 1 social-networking venue may be turning the corner and realizing its vision of making money from connecting users around the world.
"A few more quarters like this one, and investors start to see the turning point," says Ronald Josey, an analyst with JMP Securities.
The company reported quarterly profit of $333 million, or 13 cents a share, which was a dramatic turnaround from the 8 cents a share the company lost in the same period.last year.
ZUCKERBERG: Facebook still cool with teens
After adjusting for one-time and special charges, the company earned an adjusted 19 cents a share, which easily topped the average analyst's expectation of a profit of 14 cents a share.
Investors paid particular attention to signs that Facebook is making progress moving into the lucrative mobile market, considered so critical to the future. The company reported 819 million monthly active mobile users, up 51% from the same period last year. Mobile advertising amounted to a healthy 41% of Facebook's total ad revenue.
But while investors were fixated on mobile, the company also demonstrated strength in its ability to turn users into dollars. Revenue from advertising jumped 61% to $1.6 billion, accounting for 88% of the company's total revenue. Total revenue also beat expectations, showing that the process of turning Facebook Friends into money continues to improve, says analyst Colin Sebastian of Robert W. Baird. "This is a good signal for the future," he says.
Fears that Facebook users are burning out on the service certainly didn't show up in the stats. The number of monthly active users is 1.15 billion, up 21% from the same period last year. "People are using Facebook on a more active basis, which flies in the face of concerns of usage," Sebastian says.
The question remains whether Facebook investors, still in the red from the ill-fated IPO more than a year ago, can finally be rewarded for their patience. Shares closed Wednesday up 38 cents to $26.51. That means the stock is still down 0.5% this year, leaving Facebook investors out of an 18% rally in stocks since the beginning of the year. Even more painful is the fact that Facebook is down 30% from its $38 a share IPO price.
There are still questions about how the company might make money from video ads and search, two areas Facebook is pursuing. "Things are good for the time period, but there's still a long road ahead," Sebastian says.
But another quarter or two like the second one, and analysts think Facebook might be able to reach the promise investors were hoping for at the time of the IPO.
"Any time you see a company of this size growing at (this pace) and seeing acceleration," Josey says, "that's something you don't see often."


text:
A letter in the 10-17-06 Tomahawk Leader
Letter To The Editor:
On Saturday, Oct. 7, the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial was blessed at its permanent home in Wisconsin Rapids. My father, Thomas Beckman, died in the line of duty on Jan. 3, 1978, trying to save a home in the Merrill community. Because of this, my father's name is engraved on the memorial and his name will be read at the blessing Saturday.
I would like to thank everyone who may have donated and supported this wonderful memorial honoring every person who gave their own life to save the life of someone else. Unfortunately, my family was never directly notified of the event by the Merrill Fire Department. My family discussed our disappointment with Steve Quam, a member of the Milwaukee Fire Department and member of the Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Committee. Mr. Quam contact all the fire departments in the state by letter asking them to notify the families of the firefighters as the state did not have a database at this time.
I would like to express my sincere disappointment in the Merrill Fire Department for not at least trying to directly contact my family. I did find out about the event on Friday, Oct. 6. I live out of state and have a very young child. This makes it impossible for me to make travel arrangements at this late date. As the only fireman to ever die in the line of duty in the Merrill community, it breaks my heart that they did not feel it important enough to respect my father's memory by making a phone call to my family. My only hope is that they will be more professional and respectful of some other family in the unfortunate event Merrill would lose another firefighter.
Thank you for your time.
Susan Beckman-Ryman
Bettendorf, Iowa
No notification of honor …
Letters to the Editor from the Tomahawk Leader.
1 post • Page 1 of 1
- Administrator
- Posts: 679
- Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2001 1:01 am
- Contact:
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Return to "Letters to the Editor"
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests


text:
From compact 3-door cars to spacious SUVs and people carriers to vans, we offer a large range of reliable vehicles to suit your individual needs.
Choose from a variety of rental cars in this category . Whether you are looking for fuel-efficiency, space, or comfort and style you are sure to find the perfect hire car no matter where you are going or what you're doing.
Need a bit more space? Our range of People Carriers offers the flexibility you need when 5 seats just isn't enough. So whether the extended family is coming to stay, or you're taking them away we can make your journey more comfortable.
Our SUVs offer plenty of flexibility with seating capacity, power, and luggage room. Whether you are going on a weekend family trip or exploring the countryside we are sure to have the ideal SUV for your needs.
Planning a DIY project or moving home? Our range of small to extra large vans are ideal for transporting bulky items that just won't fit in your personal vehicle.
Whether you need a van for a home improvement project or move, or for commercial use, our fleet is available for daily, weekly and monthly rentals. We have great value vans available when and where you need them.
Our Flex-E-Rent service provides business solutions for specialised vehicle needs, including temperature-controlled vans and accessible minibuses


text:
- Home
- Harley Davidson Signs
- Harley Davidson Rider For Life Sign
Product Description
Harley Davidson Rider For Life Sign Ande Rooney Harley Davidson Embossed Tin Sign Collection utilizes lithographed on tin process, this makes for a more detailed and intricate sign. The result is a reproduction novelty sign that maintains the quality and affordability that has made Ande Rooney Harley Davidson Signs a household name.
- Measures-12"W x 18"H
- Ande Rooney authentic reproduction embossed tin sign.
- Signs have holes for hanging.


text:
Today, the Vandehei/Harris article on POLITICO argues, re: last night's election results
What's now clear, in a way that wasn't before, is that these results
reflect a genuine national phenomenon, not simply isolated spasms in
response to single issues or local circumstances.
This is a stark and potentially durable change in politics. The old
structures that protected incumbent power are weakening. New structures,
from partisan news outlets to online social networks, are giving
anti-establishment politicians access to two essential elements of
effective campaigns: publicity and financial support.
Yup. I don't want to go the full "lonely voice in the wilderness" route on POLITICO's co-founders, but I've been saying that for a while.


text: JBS Posts Surprise Profit Slump on Currency Losses; Shares Fall May 15, 2014 05:26 AM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Bloomberg Email JBS SA, the world's biggest meat producer, reported an unexpected 69 percent decline in first- quarter profit after currency-hedging costs partly erased gains from its poultry businesses. The shares fell. Net income dropped to 70 million reais ($32 million) from 227.9 million reais ($103.1 million) a year earlier, the Sao Paulo-based company said in a statement late yesterday. That trailed the 233.3 million-real ($105.5 million) median estimate of four analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg. While the company's poultry business is benefiting from declining prices for corn used to feed chickens, the cost of protecting against currency swings led financial losses to surge 11-fold to 869.3 million reais ($393.3 million) in the quarter, JBS said. Profit was also hurt by losses at the U.S. beef unit as a cattle shortage pushes up prices for livestock that JBS buys to process at its abattoirs. Beef is "the most challenging business for JBS," Chief Executive Officer Wesley Batista said on a earnings conference call today. JBS fell 2.4 percent to 7.84 reais ($3.55) at 10:50 a.m. in Sao Paulo. JBS's Pilgrim's Pride poultry unit in the U.S. has been cutting costs at plants and helping boost operating earnings, Citigroup Inc. said in a May 7 report. The gains at the poultry unit "set the stage for another strong year," said Alexander Robarts, an equity analyst at Citigroup who rates the stock the equivalent of hold. To contact the reporter on this story: Gerson Freitas Jr. in São Paulo at firstname.lastname@example.com To contact the editors responsible for this story: James Attwood at email@example.com Carlos Caminada Back to news


text:
By Damian Fanelli
"When I'm Sixty-Four"? That's so six years ago. Paul McCartney turns the big 7-0 today, June 18.
With that in mind, you'll probably come across a host of online tributes that laud the former Beatle's longevity, countless achievements and best-loved songs.
But while the masses will most likely praise "Band on the Run," "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Live and Let Die" and "Silly Love Songs" (well, maybe not "Silly Love Songs"), I'd like to draw attention to 10 tracks from McCartney's solo career -- a career that started 42 years ago, by the way -- that just don't get the love and attention they deserve in 2012.
They are presented in chronological order, according to their official release dates.
"Oh Woman, Oh Why," B-side of "Another Day" (Paul McCartney, 1971)
In February 1971, McCartney released "Another Day," his first single as a solo artist. It was a mostly acoustic, observational, "Eleanor Rigby"-style affair -- just light and fluffy enough for John Lennon to take a swing at in "How Do You Sleep?" from Imagine.
On its flip-side, however, was "Oh Woman, Oh Why," a fun yet lonely-sounding bluesy rocker in the key of A. McCartney's gritty, screaming vocal, which is right up there with his work on "Oh! Darling," adds a healthy dose of authenticity to the track. The fake gunshot sounds have the opposite effect.
The song is the first in a long line of non-album McCartney B-sides that includes "The Mess," "I'll Give You a Ring," "Sally G," "Flying to My Home," "I Lie Around" and "Rainclouds." It has been included on several CD incarnations of Ram, including the 2012 Ram Special Edition.
[[ Did you miss the Guitar World with Paul McCartney on the cover? It's available now at the Guitar World Online Store. ]]
"Eat At Home" from Ram (Paul and Linda McCartney, 1971)
John Lennon wasn't too crazy about McCartney's supposedly lightweight early '70s output -- but he did like "Eat At Home," calling it his favorite track on Ram.
The song, with its twangy riff and bountiful guitar parts, could've been a hit single for McCartney; instead, it'll go down in history as merely another album track. And while McCartney and his band have dug up and dusted off the album's opener, "Too Many People," on recent tours, the equally deserving "Eat At Home" is still waiting for its moment in the spotlight.
By the way, a previously unreleased live version of "Eat At Home / Smile Away" from Wings' 1972 tour is available on the iTunes version of the new Ram Special Edition.
"The Mess," B-side of "My Love" (Wings, 1973)
Excluding unreleased material, it doesn't get much more obscure than "The Mess," a live track recorded in 1972 and released as the B-side to "My Love" in March 1973.
It's a danceable ode (as the video below proves) that probably started out as several different song ideas that got grafted together in typical McCartney fashion ("The Pound Is Sinking" from Tug of War is another example of the McCartney patchwork method).
"The Mess" was originally meant to be included on Wings' Red Rose Speedway album (It was supposed to be a double album at one point), and there's even a studio version of the song out there somewhere.
"Big Barn Bed" from Red Rose Speedway (Wings, 1973)
Speaking of Red Rose Speedway, here's that album's opening track, "Big Barn Bed."
Like several of McCartney's much more successful tunes, "Big Barn Bed's" simplicity is its strong point -- right down to Henry McCullough's basic guitar riff in the song's intro. The soaring harmonies, shimmering acoustic guitars and weird but fun lyrics about big barn beds (huh?) and leaping armadillos don't hurt, either.
As a side note, McCullough, Wings' original lead guitarist, recorded a new version of "Big Barn Bed" for his 2011 solo album, Unfinished Business. But, um, please start with the Wings version.
"Famous Groupies" from London Town (Wings, 1978)
On 1978's "Famous Groupies," McCartney goes into semi-comedic storytelling mode to recount the tale of a fictional pair notorious groupies who do some pretty horrible things to the music-biz gents they supposedly adore:
"There was a classic story of a roadie named Rory / who used to practice voodoo on the side / when the famous twosome suggested something gruesome / All that they found was a crater two miles wide / Which left the music business absolutely horrified."
"Famous Groupies" is joined by other forgotten gems on London Town, including the forgotten single, "I've Had Enough"; the Elvis-inspired "Name and Address"; and the deep, dark and seriously awesome "Morse Moose and the Grey Goose."
"Spin It On" from Back to the Egg (Wings, 1979)
Although the Back to the Egg album cracked Billboard's Top 10 in 1979, it took a beating from critics, something McCartney still mentions in interviews. Big-shot reviewer Robert Christgau gave it a "C," and Allmusic won't budge on its tepid two-star rating.
It's all a bit incongruous, really, since many McCartney fans (myself included) consider it their favorite McCartney album. If nothing else, it is Wings' most rocking album, with heavy tracks like "Old Siam, Sir," "So Glad to See You Here" and "Getting Closer" setting the tight, overdriven, solid tone.
"Getting Closer" and "Arrow Through Me" got some FM airplay, and "Rockestra Theme," a thunderous instrumental featuring John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Pete Townshend and David Gilmour, earned a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. But "Spin It On," an unassuming little album track that clocks in at 2:13, is one of the album's hidden highlights.
It features some superlative playing by Wings' two newest members, drummer Steve Holly and lead guitarist Laurence Juber, who's now considered a fingerstyle master. In fact, its too-brief guitar solo represents Juber's shreddingest moment as a member of Wings.
"On the Way" from McCartney II (Paul McCartney, 1980)
McCartney briefly topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1980 with "Coming Up," a song that battled it out with Lipps Inc.'s "Funkytown." (Why do I know this stuff?)
But besides "Coming Up" and, to some degree, the album's second single, "Waterfalls," the rest of McCartney II has faded into the land of early '80s obscurity. Which is a shame, particularly in the case of "On the Way," a stark, blues-based number that features McCartney on heavily delayed vocals, bass, drums and lead guitar.
And while no one is implying that the former Beatle is some great, unheralded bluesman, he does a pretty convincing job on this track, especially in the terms of the guitar work.
For more examples of McCartney's lead guitar playing, check out this story about his top five guitar solos on Beatles songs.
"Souvenir" from Flaming Pie (Paul McCartney, 1997)
McCartney has released several "return to form" and/or "comeback" albums during his solo career, including 1982's Tug of War, 1989's Flowers In the Dirt, 1997's Flaming Pie and 2005's Chaos and Creation In the Backyard.
Flaming Pie, in particular, was lauded for its near-Beatles-level of quality (It even features Ringo Starr on several tracks and non-album B-sides). And while the album's title track and singles ("The World Tonight" and "Young Boy") enjoyed a good share of the spotlight, stronger tracks like "Souvenir" were generally overlooked.
This classy ode to Motown singles of a bygone era sports some gritty vocals and a meaty guitar riff during the choruses.
"A Love for You" from The In-Laws: Music from the Motion Picture (Paul and Linda McCartney, 2003)
The catchy "A Love for You" was recorded during the Ram sessions in 1971 but didn't make it onto the album -- proof that McCartney throws away more decent songs than most artists write.
Fans discovered the song in the '80s when Cold Cuts, an official collection of unreleased McCartney songs recorded from 1971 to 1980, was leaked, bootlegged and finally abandoned by McCartney. The song didn't get its first proper release until 2003, when it appeared on the soundtrack album for The In-Laws, the so-so Michael Douglas/Albert Brooks comedy.
A different mix of the song turned up this year as part of the Ram Special Edition release.
"That Was Me" from Memory Almost Full (Paul McCartney, 2007)
While Ringo Starr can't keep from making inane Beatles and Liverpool references on his last few solo albums, McCartney rarely looks back -- lyrically, at least.
But in "That Was Me," a song from his critically acclaimed 2007 album, Memory Almost Full, the former Beatle recalls his early, sweaty days on the way up, basically saying, "You know that young mop-topped Beatle guy in those ol' B/W videos? That was me, this older guy you're looking at now. All that stuff actually happened -- and sometimes I have a hard believing it myself."
But besides the fun blast from the past, the song has an ultra-cool bass line, a serious groove and a catchy, scat-style chorus reminiscent of "Heart of the Country."
[[ No band made a bigger mark on the 20th century than The Beatles. Guitar Legends: The Beatles takes you through the band's history, walks you through the making of three albums via interviews with the people who were there and gives you insights into the playing styles of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. It's available now at the Guitar World Online Store. ]]
Damian Fanelli is the online managing editor at Guitar Aficionado. His band plays "Eat At Home" and "The Mess."


text: NEWPORT, VT - Families of military personnel will have a Christmas tree this year thanks to the generosity of tree farmers in Vermont and New Hampshire.Tuesday, trucks from the Vermont Forest and Parks Department drove throughout the state to pick up trees at different tree farms and tree stands such as Breezy Hill Acres. Breezy Hill Acers has a stand across from the Cumberland Farms Store on East Main Street in Newport City. Carl Szych, owner of Breezy Hill Acers, has donated 10 trees for the program for the past 10 years."I'm very much supportive of the troops," said Szych. "They're taking care of us, keeping us safe."Drivers of the trucks took the trees to Bethlehem, NH. From there Federal Express trucks will transport the trees to where military families can retrieve them. The trees are primarily for families of deployed troops. Bob White of White's Tree Farm in Essex, who picked up the trees from Breezy Hill Acers, said that in the past some trees went to families who live at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Fort Drum, NY, and other years the trees went to Navy ships."You don't know where they're going to go until after," said White. "Some might end up going overseas."When Vermont had numerous troops deployed, many went to Vermonters. With fewer troops deployed, trees go to the national program. Vermont tree farmers became involved in the program long before the national program came into existence, White said. White, a veteran of the Vietnam War, participates in the program so that soldiers know they are appreciated, something that many veterans from his era didn't feel. The program has caught on and many people are now performing good deeds for soldiers. White was has been participating in the program about 10 years. White praised Federal Express for helping with the delivery of the trees. The Vermont Department of Forest and Parks has been helping with the program for six or seven years."It gives a good feeling to use our equipment when we can for a good cause," said Tom Cady, Regional Ranger Supervisor for the Vermont Department of Forest and Parks, who helped pick up some of the trees Tuesday. "The trees are a Vermont product that's going worldwide."As of last year, Vermont and New Hampshire tree farmers donated 103,000 trees to the program.


text:
Swimming Pool Blog
by Sean Griffin, December 7, 2011
Energy Saving Pool Pumps
When it's time to swap out that old pool pump or you're just fed up with paying high energy bills to operate your swimming pool, consider two-speed and variable speed pump replacement options that can save you big bucks! You will want to examine your options to most effectively reduce the power consumption from your swimming pool pump. With advanced motor drive technology and local mandates dictating energy consumption being consistently updated, you will want to make sure your new pool pump meets your expectations as well as local regulations. Even single speed pumps with energy-efficient motors will draw fewer Amps than a "Standard" motor which directly affects the monthly bill. Upgrading your swimming pool pump and adjusting run times can be a simple method of saving some money at the pool equipment. The original cost of any energy efficient option will be slightly higher in price but you could see a return on your investment in as little as one pool season!
When determining the best replacement pool pump you will want to review the current horsepower, desired/necessary flow rate, electrical restrictions, and the water returns the pump will be supplying. A variable flow pump capable of 3HP high flow rates might not be suitable for a stand-alone pool structure under 20K gallons with 1.5" piping. If you have multiple pumps that have multiple functions on a pool and spa combination you are a better candidate for variable flow or variable speed pumps.
2 Speed Pool Pumps
A two speed pump will have two different horsepower capabilities. One high speed horsepower and one low speed that usually operates at 1/8 of a horsepower. On low speed the workload on the motor will be significantly less and the amp draw required to turn the motor will be far lower. The resistance, or friction, against moving the water at a lower flow rate, as well as hydraulic pressure, decreases which reduces friction loss and also reduces operating noise. To ensure the water quality remains crystal clear make sure to lengthen the run time of a 2 peed pump so the entire body of water is turned over and filtered daily. Every pool is slightly different but in some cases the higher more energy consuming horsepower can be reserved for only Backwashing or vacuuming procedures. The goal is to run your pump as little as possible while still filtering every gallon daily. Some 2 speed pumps will have a toggle switch on the end cap of the motor to allow the user to go from high to low. You can also wire any two speed pool pump to a mechanical or digital time clock or incorporate it into an automated system. Certain control boards may need a 2 speed relay and an additional common line (white) which will be needed to accompany 2 hot lines and the grounding line when wiring up the electrical. To better gauge if you would benefit from having a duel speed pump you may want to consider some of the following:
Do you have a pool cleaner that relies on the main pool pump?
If you have a swimming pool cleaner that does not run off of a booster pump and solely depends on the suction or pressure supplied by the main pool pump it may need the higher horsepower to operate. If you rely heavily on one of these pool cleaners you will want to ensure optimal control of the pump through a time-clock or automated system.
Do you use a pool heater for the purpose of maintaining a desired temperature?
All pool heaters need the correct water pressure/water flow to operate. When the pump is on low speed the heater will not operate. If you mainly use your pool heater for "on-command" needs you still might be a candidate for a 2 speed pump.
Do you use or planning on using Solar Panels?
The lift needed to force water up through the solar paneling may not be sufficient when your pool pump is on low speed. Optimal use of solar paneling will require water be circulated through the paneling when temperature sensors determine it is best. Solar paneling is best controlled through automation.
Variable Speed Pool Pumps
Variable speed pool pumps and Variable Flow pool pumps have the highest capabilities of reducing energy consumption. Many of these state of the art pumps will have programmable controls mounted directly to the motor itself and all multi-speed pumps can be tied into a timer or automated control system. Variable Speed pumps will have multiple Speeds…the most common in the pool industry have 4 different operating speeds for pool, spa, solar heating, or water feature application. Variable Flo can fine tune the RPM's to achieve a specific Flow rate. Using only the necessary power to move only the necessary amount of water at an optimal speed can save up to 90% on your annual energy bill. You can get an actual price figure using a pool pump savings calculator.
Even if you determine that your pool is not a good candidate for a multi-speed or two speed pool pump newer model pumps will also be offered with an energy efficient motor. The internal design will draw less Amps and you can expect a return the price difference in 2-3 pool seasons.


text:
China's e-commerce leader Alibaba Group plans to go public next year, likely on a U.S. stock exchange, and analysts estimate the company may be valued at around $100 billion, close to the market valuation of Facebook.
And while this valuation is a little more than half that of U.S. e-commerce leader Amazon.com, which has a market cap of $170 billion as of today, the Chinese online retail giant booked nearly double Amazon's sales in 2012, according to Internet Retailer estimates. Further evidence of Alibaba's dominance in China came on Nov. 11 when the company brought in $5.75 billion in sales in a 24-hour period during its annual "Singles Day" sales event, which is the Chinese version of Cyber Monday in the U.S. This is more than three times the $1.46 billion all U.S. consumers spent online on Cyber Monday 2012, according to comScore Inc.
The leaders of the two largest e-commerce markets in the world—China and the U.S.—already compete directly with each other in China, with Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall marketplaces going head to head with Amazon.cn. As Alibaba expands, aided by the billions it is likely to raise in its upcoming IPO, the two e-commerce giants no doubt will also compete in other markets, including the U.S.Related Articles/ SECOND 500 U.S. E-RETAILERSSmall retailers reap the benefits of selling on AmazonWith this in mind, Internet Retailer draws on company reports and its Top500Guide.com data to break down the similarities and differences between the two online retail giants.
One basic difference between the two is that Alibaba only provides an online shopping marketplace where other retailers sell, and does not sell directly to customers. In contrast, Amazon both sells merchandise that it owns to customers and also operates a marketplace. The key metric to look at here to compare the marketplaces is gross merchandise value, or the dollar value of all items sold on each platform. Alibaba reported that the volume of transactions on its two marketplaces, Taobao and Tmall, was around $170 billion in 2012.
Determining Amazon's GMV, however, requires some guesswork, because Amazon does not report it publicly. Instead, it reports total revenue, which was $61.09 billion in 2012. Some of that came from services unrelated to consumer purchases, mainly Amazon Web Services, a business unit that rents data storage capacity and computing power to other companies. Amazon doesn't disclose AWS revenue, but analysts estimate this at about $2 billion for 2012.
That would leave about $59 billion in revenue from sales of Amazon-owned merchandise, and the cut it takes from third-party sellers on its marketplace. Amazon has disclosed publicly that other retailers selling on its marketplace account for about 40% of the units sold on Amazon sites. And Scot Wingo, CEO ofChannelAdvisor Corp., a marketing company that helps retailers sell on Amazon and other web marketplaces, estimates Amazon takes an average commission of 10% on sales by third-party sellers. Doing the math, that suggests Amazon's own sales totaled just over $55 billion and sales by marketplace sellers $37 billion (with Amazon taking a 10% cut and booking some $3.7 billion in revenue). That would put Amazon's 2012 GMV in the range of $92 billion, or just over half of all sales on Alibaba.
Part of the reason that Alibaba is transacting nearly double the amount online than Amazon is that the Chinese company is serving a much larger pool of online shoppers. As of the end of 2012, the U.S. had 254.3 million Internet users, and China more than double that at 571.1 million, according to the World Bank. And China has more room to increase its base of web shoppers, as only 42.3% of its population uses the Internet, compared with 81% of U.S. consumers.
In addition, Chinese people use the web differently than U.S. consumers do. "Compared with U.S. people, Chinese people prefer engaging with others through social media and mobile," says Sun Baohong, a professor at the New York City campus of Beijing-based Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.
The numbers bear out that assessment. As of the end of June of 2013, there were 464 million mobile Internet users in China, according to the China Internet Network Information Center, three times the number in the U.S. In addition, the most popular Chinese social platform, Qzone, owned by Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Limited, had more than 600 million subscribers in the middle of 2013, Tencent says. In contrast, Facebook reported around 200 million U.S. subscribers at same time.
In addition to total sales volume, Amazon and Alibaba tend to diverge on such key operating metrics as average order value. The average ticket is $178 on Alibaba, while Amazon's is a little higher at $220, according to data available on Top500Guide.com. In the past year, Alibaba has expanded into many new categories, such as automobile and financial products, so its ticket price may increase in the future. Amazon has also been moving into more luxury categories, and its average ticket may increase as well.
Amazon's top category is books and other media, such as music and videos. In the third quarter of 2013, media represented 30% of sales on Amazon's sites, Amazon reported. By contrast, the dominant category on Alibaba marketplaces is apparel and electronics. In the recent Nov. 11 sales event in China, four of the top 10 sellers on Alibaba were apparel brands, and three others sold electronics.
In one area, however, these two giant e-commerce companies are moving on parallel tracks, and that is in mobile commerce. Both recorded a similar percentage of sales from mobile devices in 2012—6.5% for Amazon (or $4 billion out of its $61 billion total, according to Top500Guide.com) and 7% (or $12 billion out of $170 billion) for Alibaba—and the percentages are moving up for both. In the recent Single day sales event, 15% of Alibaba's sales came from mobile devices. Amazon's mobile sales will increase 100% to $8 billion in 2013, Internet Retailer estimates.
Diamond Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Presentation Sponsors:
Gift Sponsor:
Associate Sponsors:


text:
After months and months of debate, health care reform was ushered in this week. While coverage under the Affordable Care Act will not kick in until the first of the year, starting this week small businesses and individuals can start enrolling through the federal government's new Health Insurance Marketplace. Included in that is the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Here are 10 things small business owners need to know about the new SHOP Marketplace and how it is affecting them.
The Small Business Health Options Program is now open.
This week, the SHOP Marketplace was officially opened for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The SHOP Marketplace is a new program under the Affordable Care Act that is designed to simplify the process of buying health insurance for small businesses. The SHOP Marketplace offers businesses options for controlling the coverage they offer and the premiums they pay for each employee. The Marketplace also allows small businesses to compare and contrast SHOP plans with privately offered plans to ensure they are getting coverage that is most cost-effective for them and their employees.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-shop-marketplace/
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are not required by the new Affordable Care Act to provide insurance to their employees.
While the SHOP marketplace offers small businesses a chance to find coverage, they are under no obligation to do so. Obamacare includes no penalties for businesses with under 50 employees that choose not to offer health insurance to their employees. Starting next year, however, businesses with more than 50 full-time employees that do not provide coverage to their full-time employees may be subject to fines. According to the Small Business Administration, however, 96 percent of America's businesses are too small to be subject to these rules.
For more information visit: http://www.sba.gov/content/employers-with-up-to-50-employees
Small businesses are only eligible to obtain coverage via the SHOP Marketplace if they offer insurance coverage to every employee.
In order to qualify for insurance from the SHOP Marketplace, small businesses cannot pick and choose which employees to offer it to. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees must offer SHOP coverage to all of their full-time employees, as well as those that work more than 30 hours a week, in order to obtain coverage.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-shop-marketplace/
Each state is offering different plans and coverage.
While the SHOP Marketplace is a nationwide program, it is being operated differently in each state. Each state will either have its own Marketplace, partner with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to partially run the Marketplace, or have a Marketplace run strictly by the HHS. The Small Business Administration reports that 17 states and the District of Columbia are establishing their own Marketplace, with several others partnering with the HHS.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-marketplace-in-my-state.
Larger businesses will eventually gain access to the SHOP Marketplace.
While the SHOP Marketplace is currently only available to businesses with fewer than 50 employees, larger companies will be able to access it in the years ahead. Starting in 2016, SHOP Marketplaces in each state will be open to businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-large-business-owners-need-to-know/
Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees may qualify for a tax credit to offset the costs.
Small businesses that opt for coverage for their employees through the SHOP Marketplace may qualify to receive a Small Business Health Tax Care Credit. To be eligible, a business must have less than 35 full-time employees who are making an average of less than $50,000 a year. Starting next year, those businesses that qualify can earn credits worth as much as up to 50 percent of their contribution toward employees' premium costs. The smaller the business, the larger the credit they can earn. The credits are highest for businesses with fewer than 10 employees who are paid less than $25,000 a year.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/will-i-qualify-for-small-business-health-care-tax-credits/
Small businesses have the option of hiring a licensed agent or broker to help find the best insurance options.
Since navigating the new health care landscape can be confusing, Obamacare gives small businesses the option of working with a licensed agent or broker. These health care experts can be hired to help small business owners review and compare various coverage plans, choose a plan that best fits their needs, and actually apply for the insurance.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/can-i-use-an-agent-or-broker-in-shop/
Small businesses that want insurance via the SHOP Marketplace have the choice of several different options.
Thee are four different categories of health care coverage businesses can opt for through the SHOP Marketplace: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each plan offers similar benefits, such as ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, pediatric care and preventive wellness services, but are different based on the how much money employees contribute to the costs through their monthly premiums, as well as co-pays, deductibles and other out-of pocket costs.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/how-do-i-choose-insurance-thats-right-for-my-business
The self-employed are not considered an employer and must use the individual marketplace to find coverage.
Those who are self-employed, and who have no employees, aren't eligible for insurance through the SHOP Marketplace. Since the self-employed are not considered an employer, even if they hire outside contractors to do some work, they can only obtain health care coverage through the Individual Marketplace, which also opened for enrollment this week.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-im-self-employed/
While they might not have to offer them insurance, most businesses need to notify employees about the new Health Insurance Marketplace.
Starting this week, all businesses that are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act must provide a written notice to employees informing them about the Marketplaces, that they may be able to get lower costs through private insurance in the Marketplace based on their income, and that if they buy insurance through the Marketplace, they may lose the employer contribution to their health benefits.
For more information visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-i-need-to-tell-my-employees-about-the-marketplace/