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ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Mobasher, Barzin
- Arizona State University
- Chawla, Nikhilesh
- Rajan, Subramaniam
- Neithalath, Narayanan
- 1 Arora, Aashay
- 1 Hoover, Christian G
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- 1 Marzke, Robert
- 1 Vance, Kirk Erik
- Civil engineering
- 2 Materials Science
- 2 Sustainability
- 1 Cement
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- 1 Limestone
- 1 Material Characterization
- 1 Material Modeling
- 1 Novel Construction Materials
- 1 Phase Change Materials
- 1 Rheology
- 1 Ultra-High Performance Concrete
- Mobile Crowd Sensing in Edge Computing Environment
- The Effect of Disability on Subjective Well-Being across the Adult Lifespan: The Moderating Roles of Age at Disability Onset and Disability Type
- Mechanically Active Heterogeneous Polymer Matrix Composites
- Attribute-Based Encryption for Fine-Grained Access Control over Sensitive Data
- 并购背景下教育行业品牌价值研究
Concrete is the most widely used infrastructure material worldwide. Production of portland cement, the main binding component in concrete, has been shown to require significant energy and account for approximately 5-7% of global carbon dioxide production. The expected continued increased use of concrete over the coming decades indicates this is an ideal time to implement sustainable binder technologies. The current work aims to explore enhanced sustainability concretes, primarily in the context of limestone and flow. Aspects such as hydration kinetics, hydration product formation and pore structure add to the understanding of the strength development and potential durability characteristics of these …
- Contributors
- Vance, Kirk Erik, Neithalath, Narayanan, Rajan, Subramaniam, et al.
- Created Date
- 2014
Being a remarkably versatile and inexpensive building material, concrete has found tremendous use in development of modern infrastructure and is the most widely used material in the world. Extensive research in the field of concrete has led to the development of a wide array of concretes with applications ranging from building of skyscrapers to paving of highways. These varied applications require special cementitious composites which can satisfy the demand for enhanced functionalities such as high strength, high durability and improved thermal characteristics among others. The current study focuses on the fundamental understanding of such functional composites, from their microstructural design …
- Contributors
- Arora, Aashay, Neithalath, Narayanan, Rajan, Subramaniam, et al.
- Created Date
- 2018


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Thousands of Palestinians are facing a housing crisis because of inadequate urban planning by Israeli officials who run the east Jerusalem region, a U.N. report shows.
Souter is expected to discuss his decision during a weekly closed-door meeting. Souter wanted to notify his associates in private before making a public announcement, the source said. There was no immediate indication of when Souter officially would inform the White House. Previous retiring justices have traditionally informed the president by letter, delivered by a court staffer to the White House. There is no legal requirement the president be personally informed, but since he has the sole power to nominate federal judges, such notification is done as a courtesy. Souter, 69, will leave the Supreme Court after the current term recesses in June, a source said Thursday. Filling Souter's seat would be President Obama's first Supreme Court appointment — and the first since President Bush picked Samuel Alito in 2006 and Chief Justice John Roberts in 2005. Souter's departure will leave the two oldest justices — and the most liberal — still on the bench. Retirements for John Paul Stevens, 89, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 76, have been rumored for years, with many expecting that one or the other would be the first to give the new Democratic president a Supreme Court vacancy.
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Souter news sets off succession speculation
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Souter's decision came as something of a surprise, although he has long been known to prefer the quiet of his New Hampshire farmhouse to the bustle of the nation's capital. President George H.W. Bush nominated Souter for the high court in 1990. The justice disappointed many conservatives when he turned out to be a typical old-fashioned, Yankee Republican, a moderate with an independent, even quirky streak. David Hackett Souter had been on the federal appeals court bench for a few months when he was tapped to replace liberal lion William Brennan, a choice many Republicans hoped would move the Supreme Court rightward and reshape American law. Souter has had a long career in public service. He was New Hampshire's attorney general and a trial judge who later sat on that state's Supreme Court. Senate confirmation hearings to the U.S. high court were a breeze, because his federal experience was brief and his public stance on hot-button issues such as abortion remained fuzzy. "I have not got any agenda on what should be done with Roe v. Wade if that case were brought before me," he told senators at the time. "I will listen to both sides of that case. I have not made up my mind." One of the first surprises for conservatives came in 1992 when the Supreme Court reaffirmed the fundamental right to abortion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Souter was part of a three-justice coalition that ultimately decided the case. In doing so, the "no undue burden" legal test was established when states were considering limiting a woman's access to abortion. Souter's personality has made him stand out on the Supreme Court despite efforts to avoid the spotlight. A lifelong bachelor, he has lived alone in a tiny Washington apartment, escaping often to his family farm in rural New Hampshire. He has kept comfortably to routine, bringing a daily lunch of an apple and yogurt in a plastic grocery bag, eating alone in his chambers. Friends have said his favorite pastimes are reading, jogging and hiking in the New Hampshire mountains, activities he almost always does by himself. Colleagues dismiss reports Souter was ready to quit the court after the 2000 Florida ballot disputes handed the presidency to George W. Bush. But they privately confirmed what a personal blow the rulings had on the integrity of the court he loved. "He was very aggrieved by December 12, 2000," said Ralph Neas, former director of the liberal advocacy group People for the American Way. "He believed it was the ultimate politicization of the Supreme Court." To critics, Souter siding with the liberal bloc only reaffirmed their view of him as a disappointment. "He has not made a name for himself in any large body of jurisprudence," said Douglas Kmiec, a law professor at Pepperdine University who worked on high court nominations in the Reagan and Bush administrations. "He's been kind of a go-along guy in the context of the liberal or progressive side of the court. I think George Bush wanted more out of his judicial nominee than that, but that's what he got." But others think history will judge Souter in kinder terms. "[He's] a judge's judge," said Rebecca Tushnet, a former Souter law clerk and professor at Georgetown Law Center, "someone with deep respect of the institution and a deep faith in the ability of Americans in all branches to work things out."

subset: commoncrawl


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author & illustrator: Ann Margret Hovsepian
Adult coloring books are all the thing now, they are fun and not just for adults many older elementary through high school kids enjoy them. I know I like them they are relaxing and a great way to wind down. Ann Hovsepian has combined coloring books with a devotional and created a wonderful way for people to create beautiful, frame-able quotes to have around the house and do devotions at the same time.
The devotional page has a bible quote, which you can just read and reflect on or grab your bible and read the entire passage and reflect while coloring afterwards. After the quote she really dives into a real life application that makes the reflection time more meaningful. She also includes an activity to do on the color pages besides coloring. The coloring pages are so pretty and different degree's of coloring from faster and more simple coloring pages that you could finish in a day or two, to ones that might take quite a bit longer. You could use this as a day or weekly devotional. I think I will use it as a weekly that way I can take my time coloring and reflecting. That gives me 40 weeks of devotional time, giving me time to take a break for Lent and Advent devotionals. This would make a wonderful gift or group bible study. Not all quotes on the coloring pages are from the bible but they all go well with Restore My Soul.
summary: Grab your colored pencils and get ready to refresh your spirit with this coloring book devotional journey!
For lovers of the Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest coloring books, Restore My Soul is a beautiful, interactive devotional designed to celebrate our unique creativity and connect us with the ultimate Creator. Find refreshment in short reflections on Scripture and be inspired as you color accompanying intricate illustrations created for meditation and prayer. Both contemplative and imaginative, Restore My Soul is the perfect space for the artist in us all.


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Daniel Watson necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 387 diseños de 73 diseñadores freelance.
College Station Cat Clinic
We are a feline only practice with strong ties to our community and clients. We are currently moving from a small Victorian house to a brand new facility/hospital that has a Craftsman style. Our practice is full service including surgery, special procedures and boarding.
We would like a logo that feels comfortable to our established clients, while seeming professional and caring to potential new clients.
We need a logo that can be used for the business sign as well as business cards, letterhead, etc. We would like the logo to be simple, one to three colors/tones that would look good in color and black and white. We would prefer the logo to include a stylized cat or some related-feline image. Our current logo is a darker red on a tan background, but we are open to new color ideas as well.
Don't want:
Anything cutsie like hearts
Cartoons, clip art
no use of the veterinary "caduceus"
no "red cross/first aid" symbols.
*Creative and original works only
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Dolls' house by mistake
Ebeltoft Town Hall is located on the town square where the old streets of Adelsgade, Juulsbakke/Nedergade and Overgade meet. The town hall was built in 1789 on almost the same site as the first town hall from 1576. Originally it had white-washed walls in the Classicist…
Images from Ebeltoft Town Hall
Ebeltoft Rådhus på afstand
Rådhuset havde oprindeligt hvidkalkede mure
År: 2003 PHOTO:Ukendt fotograf
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The torture of Maren Nielsdatter
" The cellars under the town hall contained the town gaol. In the 17th century a number of the …


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In only its third season, the Alfred State Polo Club received more accolades by making it to the Northeastern Preliminary Tournament, and earning US Polo Association All-Star status for the team's captain, Abigail Campbell (construction management, Geneseo).
"We wanted to congratulate the Alfred State College's team participation," stated David Wenning, intercollegiate/interscholastic (I/I) program chair for the US Polo Association. "The I/I polo program has grown significantly in the last five years, and boasts over 40 intercollegiate polo programs across the US and in Canada. And we would like to recognize the dedication and hard work it takes to run a successful polo program at your school."
"I couldn't be prouder of my team," said Campbell. "The players and coaches all put their best efforts forward. We all really appreciate the support we've been given through both the US Polo Association and Alfred State."
Not only is the polo team successful, but with the continued success of equestrian sports, the college is adding western riding to the Athletic Department's varsity sports starting with the new school year in August. Varsity status shows Alfred State's support of equestrian competition and gives more students opportunities to compete at the highest level in horseback riding.


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LBJ Foundation Honors Ted Turner with 2015 Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award
May 15, 2015
AUSTIN, May 21, 2015 – The LBJ Foundation will present entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner with the Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award on May 21 at a gala ceremony in the LBJ Presidential Library. Veteran CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will conduct a conversation with the iconoclastic media mogul.
"Just as he paved a daring new path in the 1980s with the creation of CNN, Ted Turner continues to innovate today as an environmentalist and advocate of clean, renewable energy sources," said Larry Temple, Chairman of the LBJ Foundation. "His remarkable commitment to protect and preserve our natural world embodies the very spirit of Lady Bird Johnson and her own life's work."
As chairman of the Turner Foundation, Ted Turner has supported efforts to improve air and water quality, develop a sustainable energy future, safeguard environmental health and maintain wildlife habitat protection. Since its inception in 1990, the Turner Foundation has given more than $300 million to hundreds of environmental organizations.
An early advocate of alternative energy sources, Turner believes that investing in renewable energy is not only a prudent financial decision but also a crucial step toward ensuring our planet's future health. Turner is also one of the largest landowners in North America, and his Turner Endangered Species Fund works to conserve biodiversity of endangered or imperiled species.
"Ted Turner, just like Lady Bird Johnson before him, stands for a lasting devotion to conservation and the environment," Temple said.
The LBJ Foundation Board established the Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award in 1992. The award honors outstanding achievements in the preservation, restoration or improvement of the natural world that embrace Mrs. Johnson's style, energy and commitment to her work. Past recipients are U.S. Senator John Chafee, Laurance Rockefeller, Patrick Noonan, Michael Dombeck and Bruce Babbitt.
Lady Bird Johnson was President Johnson's partner in running one of the most active administrations in conservation since Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Among the major legislative initiatives enacted during LBJ's presidency were the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, and many additions to the National Park system – a total of 200 laws relevant to the environment.
By presenting Ted Turner with the Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award, the LBJ Foundation continues Mrs. Johnson's legacy of preserving our land and the beauty of our nation.
LBJ Foundation
The LBJ Foundation is a non-profit organization that was created by President and Mrs. Johnson to support the LBJ Presidential Library and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Through the fundraising efforts of its Board of Trustees, the Foundation provides support to the Library that enhances quality programming, expands educational outreach and exhibits, and administers grants for researchers and scholars. The Foundation supports the LBJ School in the outstanding education that it provides its graduate students in public policy and governmental affairs, community outreach, and the exploration of global initiatives. One looks to the past and the other to the future, providing an ongoing legacy for President Johnson's accomplishments and his vision for our nation. www.lbjfoundation.org.
Media contacts:
Jim Popkin
Seven Oaks Media Group
[email protected]
Anne Wheeler
LBJ Presidential Library
[email protected]
Quick Links
Contact Us
Anne Wheeler
Communications Director
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River St.
Austin, TX 78705
Office: (512) 721-0216
Cell: (512) 731-2351 call or text
[email protected]


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(Code of Shadows #1)
Carolyn Crane
Release: October 20, 2012
Goodreads Amazon
Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn't take life too seriously. What's the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up lots of awesome outfits and accessories. And then, on one drunken, horny night, she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy . . . who looks exactly like Paul Reinhardt, the super-sexy martial arts teacher who kicked her out of class three years ago.Review:
Fighter Paul Reinhardt has good reason to hate Sir Kendall, the character he brought to life to land a part in a TV ad; he'd do anything to forget him. A cross country road trip seems just the thing . . . until Paul finds himself inexplicably drawn to Minnesota and is shocked to discover Sir Kendall - in the flesh - with the girl he'd once loved from afar. He barges into Alix and Sir Kendall's love nest, determined to stop the madness - somehow.
But is superspy Sir Kendall transforming into something more dangerous anyone can imagine? And what will Sir Kendall do when Paul and Alix finally give into their mad lust for each other?
If you're like me you read that synopsis and went, "What the hell?" The concept for this book does sound a little crazy and farfetched - and it is. Thank goodness Carolyn Crane is a talented author who can pull off crazy. While this book doesn't come close to reaching the epicness of her Disillusionists Trilogy, I certainly enjoyed myself while reading. MR. REAL was quirky, sexy, funny, and mysterious.
The idea is that a witch managed to somehow create a magical spell using binary code and could then use said spell to bring images from online to life. Alix, our main character, stumbles upon this software and begins having a good ole time entertaining herself by bringing to life things like necklaces and outfits. I have to say that I didn't love Alix. She is partially what keeps this book from getting a higher rating for me.
Alix is described as being a thicker girl who is average looking but sexy. She is the black sheep of her family, always the screw up, and really wants to prove herself. These are all qualities that should make me sympathize with this character, but instead I just found her annoying at times. Her decisions and the thought processes that led to them were often stupid. I wanted to love her, and I do admit that she grew on me a little as the story went along, but she is not a heroine that I could rally behind.
For example, after conjuring Sir Kendall and having a romp of a good time with him Alix's continued reasoning for why she doesn't want to send him back to imaginary land is just plain silly. Sir Kendall is not a real man - she just created him from a picture for heaven's sake - but she agonizes over allowing him to live here and try to be real. Then there is all this stress over what will happen when she sends him back to his own world, including what will happen with the "bad guy", Hyko. Umm...nothing will happen. Won't they go back to being pictures? I was so confused by all this talk of Sir Kendall's world. It made it sound like he was instead from an alternate reality, but that is not true.
A character I did love was Paul. He is the real man who played Sir Kendall in a TV commercial and is none too pleased to discover him brought to life. Turns out the character of Sir Kendall has ties to Paul's traumatic childhood and this causes him to hate him more than he should. Despite having this blinding hate toward him, Paul manages to be realistic and level headed about what to do with Sir Kendall and thank goodness for him! Paul is sexy as hell and has feelings for Alix that caused a misunderstanding between them years ago. I loved reading from his perspective occasionally because it just made me love him more.
By the way, Crane gives us a couple of wonderfully sexy scenes that prove she is no newbie to crafting some well-written sex, so consider this one a paranormal romance mystery, with the paranormal element being the magical computer software. Despite some plot points that caused confusion and my issues with the heroine, MR. REAL still managed to be a good read that I enjoyed. The second half of the book far surpassed the first (the faster pacing and the arrival of Paul helped with that) and I found myself getting wrapped up in what was going to happen to Sir Kendall in the end. I will certainly check out the next in this series.
Recommended for fans of: unusual plot concepts, spy books, MMA fighters, books with magic, and dresses with horse heads on them.
This review is based on an advance copy of the book provided by the author.


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When the 9/11 commission holds public hearings next week, its central focus will be the choices that U.S. presidents made in fighting terrorism before 9/11. Just how committed to taking on al-Qaida was the Bush administration before Sept. 11? Some critics, including one former counter-terrorism insider, now say there was a surprising lack of urgency.
Shortly after taking office, President George W. Bush ordered a new, more muscular policy to eliminate al-Qaida. Helping draft that policy: Roger Cressey, a terrorism expert in both Democratic and Republican administrations and now an NBC News analyst.
Now Cressey is speaking out for the first time. He says in the early days of the Bush administration, al-Qaida simply was not a top priority, "There was not this sense of urgency. The ticking clock, if you will, to get it done sooner rather than later."
Cressey and other witnesses have told the 9/11 commission of long gaps between terrorism meetings and greater time and energy devoted to Russia, China, missile defense and Iraq than al-Qaida.
For example: One document shows a key high-level National Security Council meeting on Iraq on Feb. 1, 2001. Yet, there was no comparable meeting on al-Qaida until September.
Is Cressey saying that some senior members of the Bush administration viewed Saddam Hussein as a greater threat to the United States than Osama bin Laden? "Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. It was inconceivable to them that al-Qaida could be this talented, this capable without Iraq, in this case, providing them real support."
That spring, President Bush learned bin Laden was responsible for the attack on the USS Cole, which killed 17 sailors. Why was there no retaliation?
"You would think after an attack that almost sank a U.S. destroyer there would have been [a mandate] for some type of action. Yet we never saw that from the Pentagon," Cressey answered.
Bush administration national security adviser Condoleezza Rice insists that President Bush wanted to avenge the Cole, but not with a pinprick retaliatory strike, "We were concerned that we didn't have good military options. That really all we had were options like using cruise missiles to go after training camps that had long since been abandoned."
NBC's sources say that the camps in Afghanistan were thriving, that the United States could have hit the camps and killed lots of terrorists.
"Even if you'd been fortunate enough to — to get a few people, it clearly wasn't going to impress al-Qaida — al-Qaida had to be eliminated," Rice added.
Over the summer, the threats of an al-Qaida attack grew, focused mostly overseas. Finally, on Aug. 1, Bush's new policy, designed to eliminate al-Qaida in three to five years, was ready for a final decision.
Global dragnetBut the Bush team didn't get together until Sept. 4, one week before 9/11.
Can the Bush administration be faulted for spending nine months hashing out a policy? In retrospect, shouldn't it have done something?
According to Rice: "We were in office 230-plus days.… By the time that we got to the summer of 2001, at least 16 of 19 hijackers were already in the United States for the — for the final time."
The 9/11 commission now is looking into whether the Clinton and Bush administrations missed opportunities to get bin Laden and al-Qaida, asking what more could and should have been done to prevent Sept. 11.
More on the missed opportunities:
- Tuesday: How close did the United States come to getting bin Laden?
- Wednesday: What more could the Bush administration have done to get bin Laden?
Lisa Myers is NBC's senior investigative correspondent.
© 2013 NBCNews.com Reprints


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Well, the Finn generator gimmick isn't Japanese-exclusive, but this post over at Rocket News does remind me of a Japanese business man who was in a course with me at Uppsala International Summer Session–according to him, the typological similarities (the languages are not actually related) between Finnish and Japanese (and so, I imagine, between Korean and Finnish) meant that Japanese and Finnish business men found it easier to learn each others languages than to learn other languages. Apparently the enthusiasm for things Finnish in Japan goes beyond greasing the wheels of commerce–though I have to say, I don't think anyone is surprised that they (or anyone else on God's green earth) enjoys Moomin books…
Speaking of Finnish and Japanese, both languages are next on my list to learn–will have to choose one or the other, I suppose.
PS: My Finnish name is apparently Kaleva Viljanen–though I don't think anyone would be surprised to find a "K/Carl" or an "Olsen/Olson" in Finland, given the significant Swedish speaking population over the centuries.
When it comes to Finland, there's no shortage of opportunities for getting acquainted in Japan's capital of Tokyo. From cafes where you can chow down with cute, stuffed Moomin characters created by a famous Swiss-Finn, to Finland's top doughnut chain, Arnold's, and Fuglen, Oslo's coolest coffee shop, it's easy for Tokyoites to take their taste buds for a dip in Nordic cuisine.
Now, people in Japan have found a new way to get acquainted with Finnish culture with the introduction of a clever little name generator from VisitFinland.com. Simply enter your name and within seconds you're bestowed with the Finnish version, complete with a full explanation of the meaning behind your new name. We translated some well-known names and found they were connected to the wild nature of Lapland and mysterious tales of forest kings.
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Mineral Deposits and Construction Material Deposits Mineral Deposits and Construction Material Deposits
This dataset stores information on all known Tasmanian mineral deposits and mineral occurrences of economic interest. Metallic minerals, industrial minerals, fuel minerals, construction materials and gemstones are all included. Data is in GDA94 - long./lat. and is available to view or download in shapefile* format by using the Web Map Viewer or to download by using the link below:
* ArcGIS Explorer is available as a free download from ESRI Australia


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A resolution banning North Korean exports and limiting investments in the country was passed unanimously in the United Nations which is seen as a major setback for China which is the only International ally of North Korea. The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said it was "the most stringent set of sanctions on any country in a generation". ... Read More »
Tag Archives: UNFeed Subscription
Assad's Forces Still Left With Several Tonnes Of Chemical Weapons: Israel
In a warning directed towards the US, the Israel's military claimed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces still possess several tonnes of chemical weapons. The army has issued their assessment two weeks after a chemical attack that killed nearly 90 people in Syria. Israel has also blamed Assad's military for the chemical attack as many other nations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also ... Read More »
Syrian Gas Attack: 100 Dead, 400 Injured; UN Launched Investigation
In a shocking revelation, a suspected chemical attack in Syria has killed 100 people and more than 400 people suffering from respiratory problems in Syrian northwestern province of Idlib on Tuesday. A Syria medical relief group has claimed that the number of deaths might rise. The UN has also counted the tragedies on similar lines and said that the village of ... Read More »
Climate Change Hurts; Columbia Mudslides Kill 254, Including 43 Children
Pakistan Is World's Terrorism Factory: India At UN
India claimed that Pakistan has become the world's terrorism factory and need to introspect. Indian delegates were responding to Pakistan's allegation of bad conditions of minorities in India at UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva. India also said that Pakistan has alienated its own people through continued mistreatment of Hindus, Christians, Shias, Ahmadiyas, and other minorities. In a smart ... Read More »
China Again Blocks Blacklisting Of Masood Azhar At UN
China has blocked another proposal to ban the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader Masood Azhar and put United Nation's (UN) terrorist sanctions against him. The proposal was moved by the US, supported by the UK and France but China blocked it again at the UN security council meeting. The tainted JeM leader Masood is an accused in the Pathankot Air base attacks. ... Read More »
Iran On Notice Over Recent Missile Test – US
Donald Trump is having some tough times ahead as countries around the world are doing what they want to do but not following his policies. Recently the Islamic Republic of Iran conducted missile tests and American stance was as expected tough and hard. The National Security Adviser (NSA) said that the US has put Iran on notice because of the ... Read More »


text: This is not just another fairy tale. It's a saga about the everlasting battle between good and evil, and you are the main character. Since earliest times the glorious clan of dwarves is standing guard over the subterranean world. And this work is hard and all-important indeed. Only the few know that all the worlds are connected to each other with secret passages. Most of these passages are underground, hidden from strangers' eyes. A casual traveler enters a cave as a shelter from bad weather, but we know it hides a gate to another world. A gate from where unbidden visitors may come. The dwarves are guarding the passage secret and keep peace in their world... And now the world shuddered. For the majority it is just a natural disaster. But we know: the world substance is torn, it's time to take arms, go down and stop the invaders. Your mission is to purge the dungeons from the evil and gather as much treasures as you can - it will take plenty of gold and diamonds to repair the seal on the Gate between the worlds. The Warrior and the Wizard are the greatest heroes of their people. What do you prefer - slashing steel or will-power? Make your choice and start your journey. Remember, the fate of many worlds depends on you... Brave Dwarves - Back to treasures is a completely new product. The game offers 100 levels, hard to forget. Now the password system became handier. Also you will find handier password system, striking original music and brand new graphics. The Dwarves became even more attractive. A great deal of amusement is awaiting you and your kids.


text: What happens at the end of Moore's Law? Where do we go from here? Find out this summer with Professor Junichiro Kono! This course is open to ALL undergraduate students in the US, Asia, and Europe. All you need to do is go to http://online.rice.edu/courses/elec-261/ and click on Enroll Now. Once you are registered as a visiting student, you can access the course. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to be on the forefront of innovation!


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I received a jar of this jam in my Seattle tasting box from Foodzie, but I'm just getting around to reviewing it now… yes, I'm behind on my reviews. Sorry!
Product Description:
Local berries star in this perfectly sweet preserve. Super for yogurt, swirl into oatmeal or warm and pour over ice cream. The daring may try muddling or shaking into a mixed drink.
Learn more about BigSpoon Jam on their website.
Tea Suggestion:
Since I typically enjoy jam on toast and when I eat toast, it's usually breakfast time, it seemed only natural to choose a breakfast-y blend to enjoy with this jam. This Capital Breakfast blend from Capital Teas is one of the best I've tried recently! It has a very rich flavor with a hint of smokiness that really accentuates the unique flavors within this jam very well.
What I Think:
For the purposes of this review, I sampled this jam on toasted 8 grain bread as well as right off the spoon (it is called "BigSpoon Jam, after all!)
When I first opened this jar, I thought something might be wrong. This did not look like jam to me. It looked more like strawberry sauce, like the topping my gramma would make for strawberry shortcake or to ladle on top of morning waffles.
The strawberries are HUGE in this jam, and the rest of the jam is really quite runny, like sauce. It cannot be spread, like most jams or jellies, because there are the large, whole berries that have been rendered quite soft from the cooking process, and then there is the liquid, which when spooned over the toast, just sort of absorbs into the toast and does not allow itself to be spread.
But that does not mean that it isn't absolutely delicious – because it is! The berries are BURSTING with fresh taste, they taste like they are fully-ripened on the vine and full of that delicious strawberry flavor which is accentuated with a touch of vanilla to give it more sweetness and a hint of creaminess too. The lemon is very slight, just enough to give it an acidic brightness.
Even though this is a very runny jam, it really is delicious and very well balanced. I would not recommend it for your toast, but instead, do as suggested in the product description (above): add it to your hot cereal, or perhaps top your ice cream or yogurt with it.
My Final Thoughts:
This is delicious, but it is probably not something I'd buy for myself because it is a bit pricy and as a hot cereal/ice cream/yogurt topper, when used liberally, there would be about four uses in the jar. That's a pretty expensive ice cream topper. Yummy … but there are a lot of other delicious jams out there that are prices a bit more reasonably and this just wouldn't be worth it to me. All that said, this addition to the Seattle tasting box certainly did increase the value of the last box I received from Foodzie – and that makes me happy!


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NAPA, Calif. — In this rustic corner of California wine country, parents are fighting to prevent the closure of a one-classroom school established before the Civil War.
Near Las Vegas, families are trying to rescue two elementary schools with dwindling enrollment. And in a rural area outside San Diego, a 60-year-old schoolhouse closed because it had just seven students.
Rural schools such as these are being threatened as the economy forces deep cuts to education. Districts nationwide are preparing to shut down many campuses, and small, isolated schools are vulnerable because they serve fewer students and cost more per pupil to operate than larger schools.
"All over this country, the pressure is on to close rural schools," said Marty Strange, policy director of the nonprofit Rural School and Community Trust in Arlington, Va. "They are a target in these hard economic times."
Among the schools targeted is Wooden Valley Elementary School, which has one teacher, one teaching assistant and 20 students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Surrounded by ranches and vineyards in the rolling hills of Napa Valley, it is one of the oldest one-room schools still operating in California.
An icon of American culture depicted in the television show "Little House on the Prairie," the one-room schoolhouse dominated education before buses allowed children to attend schools more than walking distance from their homes.
A century ago, there were more than 200,000 one-teacher schools in the country, but that number dwindled to 335 in 2006, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.
'Difficult straits'
In rural San Diego County, enrollment at Palomar Mountain School was only seven students when it closed last year after six decades.
Outside Las Vegas, school officials recently postponed a vote to close Lundy Elementary and Goodsprings Elementary after parents protested. Both schools have fewer than 10 students, and Goodsprings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In Northern California, Wooden Valley has staved off closure many times before, but parents worry that the state's budget crisis is so severe that it could finally shutter a school that has existed in some form since the 1850s.
District officials have proposed closing their two smallest schools to help offset $10 million in cuts to its $115 million annual budget. The 17,000-student district also is looking into increasing class sizes, shortening the school year and laying off nearly 10 percent of its 900 teachers.
"We're in difficult straits," Superintendent John Glaser said.
Parents are raising money and lobbying district officials to keep open the old school, where children of different ages learn and play side-by-side. A decision is expected later this month.
"By closing our school they are taking away our way of life," said Wanda Berger, the school's PTA president and mother of two students. "It's the way our founding fathers went to school, and education was pretty strong back then."
California schools, which rank near the bottom nationally in per pupil spending, are preparing to make drastic cuts after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature last month reached a budget deal that reduces K-12 education spending by $8.6 billion — more than 10 percent — through June 2010.
"These cuts are completely devastating," said Bob Wells, executive director of the Association of California School Administrators.
California school districts are set to increase class size, close libraries, eliminate sports programs, scrap electives such as art and music, and lay off tens of thousands of employees.
The districts are also preparing to close dozens, possibly hundreds, of schools with low or declining enrollment and send the displaced students to other campuses.
"We can't afford to keep open all the schools we got," said Scott Plotkin, who heads the California School Boards Association.
Does size matter?
School officials say small schools like Wooden Valley are not cost-effective and that students can benefit from the resources of a larger school.
But advocates say that when rural schools close, children face longer commutes and parents become less involved. They also note that studies show that small schools lead to better grades and lower dropout rates.
"If we really cared about raising student achievement, we'd be creating more small schools, not less," Wells said.
The 20 students at Wooden Valley attend class in a schoolhouse built in the 1950s near the original wooden schoolhouse.
Teacher LeeAnn Ohlandt said it is a challenge teaching students at six different grade levels, but she encounters far fewer behavior problems than at her previous school.
"I love it," Ohlandt said. "I've become part of their families. I get to see these kids grow."
Although Wooden Valley does not have the resources of a larger school, parents say their children learn better social and communication skills and are not exposed to the teasing and bullying common in many schools.
Korinne Norlund, who has six children attending Wooden Valley, said she would home-school her kids if Wooden Valley closed.
"It's a very safe environment emotionally," she said. "There's no ridicule of any kind. It's just something you don't get in the average public school."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) says that acetaminophen, an ingredient in the leading painkillers, is the number one cause of liver failure in the United States. According to an FDA report, nearly 56,000 Americans go to the Emergency Room each year and 200 die because of acetaminophen over doses.
The FDA is working reduce acetaminophen overdoses and an advisory panel that the FDA assembled recommends taking Vicodin and Percocet off the market and lowering the prescribed dosages of over-the-counter medications containing acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is an ingredient in the leading pain killers on the market today including Tyleonol, Extra Strength Tylenol, Excedrin, TheraFlu and Nyquill. When taken in amounts greater than the recommended dosage, the liver cannot metabolize it and liver damage is a likely result. Some poison control centers say that acetaminophen overdoses are their number one calls.
If you or a loved overdoses on acetaminophen, you should go to an emergency room immediately. There are several treatments available: stomach pumping, activated charcoal or drugs to neutralize the acetaminophen. Poison control centers do not recommend the inducement of vomiting or drinking lots of water.
You should call an experienced personal injury attorney if acetaminophen caused your liver disease. Contact The Farber Law Group for a confidential and free case evaluation.
If you or a loved has liver damage due an acetaminophen overdose, you should contact a personal injury attorney to help determine


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One suicide per day. That's what the US military averaged in 2012. And some experts expect that number to be even higher this year. But help for service members is just a phone call away – from some Colorado veterans willing to listen.
They work at the Combat Call Center (877-WAR-VETS), a phone bank located in a non-descript office park in Lakewood.
A service of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the phone bank is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by veterans who are willing to lend an ear.
Veterans like Eric Simpson. He had a lot of satisfaction serving as a leader in his unit when he served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"A big part of my job was making sure the soldiers have the care that they need," Simpson told FOX31 Denver. "Part of my problem with readjusting (to civilian life) was that I didn't have that satisfaction, and now I get that here (at the Combat Call Center).
Since its inception back in 2009, the call center has fielded some 60,000 calls.
They get about 3,500 calls a month from soldiers near and far who need help. Some just want the number for a nearby VA hospital. Others just need to vent.
"There's a lot of times veterans don't think they have anyone to talk to or anybody to care about them. And we are here to show them that we are here to care about them," said Tom McCabe, who oversees the call center.
And it's not just Iraq and Afghanistan vets calling in. McCabe remembers one veteran in particular.
"He was about a 90-year-old World War II vet, he lived in the northeast, saw our number, and called us. His family was far away from him… and we just started having a dialogue. He was just a lonely vet, and when we got done he said 'I just appreciate you being there' and 'Would you mind if I called you some other time?' And I said 'of course not,'" McCabe said.
There's something unique about the operators at the Combat Call Center. Most all of them served in the military.
"That's the best part about this job, helping fellow veterans," said Army Reservist Andrew Carraway. He served in Afghanistan, and says his experience at war helps him relate.
"When I came back and I wanted someone to talk to, that was a big deal to me too," Carraway said.
The number for the Combat Call Center is 877-WAR-VETS. To learn more about it, click here: http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/media/Call-Center-PSA.asp.


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3 Jun, 2020 01:43:51
Swing Seat 398 - Showerproof Canopy, Padded Seat
This terrific value swinging bench seat features a black powder coated tubular steel frame and a padded swing seat. The roof canopy is showerproof polyester. The fabrics are black. Strong springs and hooks connect the swinging seat to the frame. The overall size is 5'7" wide x 3'11" deep (1700x1200mm). Instructions and fixings are included.
Prices fixed until Wednesday 10th June.
COVID-19: Please allow 2-4 days extra for delivery.
The prices INCLUDE NEXT DAY DELIVERY in mainland England, Wales and southern Scotland. Elsewhere delivery is 2-3 days at extra cost. You can choose delivery on any weekday. All fixings and instructions are included.
|With Showerproof Canopy
- Swing seat with removable canopy
- Grey powder coated tubular steel framing
- 50mm thick seat cushions
- Showerproof black polyester cushions
- Showerproof black polyester canopy
- Adjustable canopy with variable tilt
- Heavy duty coiled suspension springs with S shaped hooks
- Seat width approximately 4'3" (1300mm)
- Overall width approximately 5'7" (1700mm)
- Overall depth approximately 3'11" (1200mm)
- Overall height approximately 5'1" (1550mm)
- Allow at least 24" (600mm) clearance in front and behind
POWDER COATED STEEL: Tubular steel is cut to size and bent or welded as required to form a lightweight and strong frame. The steel is bent using jigs for greater precision. The steel frames are powder coated, a tough paint finish with good weathering properties. The dry electrostatic powder coating process ensures even coverage. The paint powder is electrically charged so it adheres to the steel frames. This process ensures a uniform coating which is baked onto the steel in an oven. A good example of powder coated steel is the finish on your washing machine and other domestic appliances. Powder coated steel furniture has a similar finish.
SHOWERPROOF CANOPY: This swing seat features a removable canopy which can be easily removed. At the end of the summer season the canopy should be removed for winter storage. The canopy should also be removed in windy weather. These simple measures will prolong the life of the canopy and protect your investment. The canopy is primarily a sunshade but it is also showerproof. It provides protection from light rain for a short period but some water ingress may occur during a prolonged downpour.
FABRICS: Use mild soapy water and a soft sponge to clean the fabrics. Abrasive cloths or cleaning fluids may damage the surfaces.
SAFETY: This swing seat should be placed on a flat, level and hard base. Concrete and paving are ideal, lawns are too soft. Children should not be allowed to climb on this product or to play around it without adult supervision. Jumping on this product is not recommended. Adults should sit down without excessive force. During the winter months and periods of adverse weather we recommend covering this product or storing it under cover with the canopy removed.
- Next day delivery or delay the delivery until you're ready - included in the price
- Saturday delivery available at additional cost
- AM delivery before noon available at additional cost
EXTRA COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION: This popular product is in stock now and we can deliver within a few days.
- Our normal next day delivery may be a day or two slower at present due to unprecedented demand.
- On the busiest days when our capacity is reached it is no longer possible to select that day for delivery. If so the next weekday is the earliest day available.
- If you do not select a delivery day while ordering please email us with your requirements as soon as possible afterwards.
- Please read on for full details of the delivery service for this product:
- FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY or delay the delivery until you are ready then YOU TELL US WHICH DAY TO DELIVER
- We always have a large stock of this garden furniture available - so we can always despatch your order immediately.
- Please provide at least one DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER where the driver can contact you on the day of delivery if needed.
- If you cannot be at home to receive your garden furniture we can deliver when you are out - please contact us for options.
- At most sites it is possible for the driver to deliver your garden furniture into the back garden unaided. Even if your garden furniture is too heavy for the driver to carry it far the lorries are equipped with trolleys for moving heavy items over hard surfaces such as concrete or tarmac.
TELL US WHICH DAY: You need to tell us when to deliver, whichever option you choose. We cannot deliver unless you tell us which day. You can select a delivery day when you order online or if you order by phone. Alternatively, you can order without specifying a day and request delivery later by phone or email.
NEXT DAY DELIVERY: Next day delivery is available throughout mainland England, Wales, southern Scotland and central Scotland. We deliver on the next working day if requested before 12 noon. For example, to request delivery on Monday just contact us before 12 noon on Friday.
DELAYED DELIVERY: You can request a delivery day weeks in advance or you can wait to choose a delivery day later. We can deliver on any weekday of your choice, just contact us before 12 noon the day before.
SCOTLAND: Delivery is normally next day to all mainland addresses in AB, DD, DG, EH, FK, G, KA, KY, ML, PA1-19, PA21-23, PA35-36, PH1-18 and TD postcodes. Delivery is 2-3 days to mainland and offshore addresses in all other postcodes.
OFFSHORE ISLANDS: Delivery is normally next day to the Isle of Wight. Delivery is within 2-3 days to the Scottish Islands, the Isle of Man and the Scilly Isles. Delivery to the Channel Islands is currently price on application.
NORTHERN IRELAND: Delivery is within 2-3 days throughout Northern Ireland. To see the correct prices please enter your BT postcode.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Delivery is within 2-3 days throughout the Republic of Ireland. To see the correct prices please select Republic of Ireland as the country and enter the first part of your Eircode postal code e.g. A65. After that you can see all of the products available at the correct prices including delivery throughout the Republic of Ireland. To place an order just phone us 7 days a week on 01603 721590.
2-3 DAY DELIVERY: In some areas next day delivery is not possible. 2-3 day delivery is the only option in Northern Scotland, the Scottish Islands, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Scilly Isles. In these areas the AM before noon and Saturday delivery options are also not available.
AM DELIVERY - BEFORE NOON: This low cost option is available at any mainland address in England and Wales. The AM delivery option is also available in Scotland to mainland address in AB10-16, AB21-23, AB24-25, DD, DG, EH, FK1-18, G, KA, KY, ML, PA1-19, PH1-14 and all TD postcodes. The AM delivery service is not available in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or at any offshore address. If your delivery is outside the specified time the charge will be fully refunded.
SATURDAY DELIVERY: This low cost option is available at any mainland address in England or Wales. Saturday delivery is also available in Scotland to mainland address in AB10-16, AB21-23, AB24-25, DD, DG, EH, FK1-18, G, KA, KY, ML, PA1-19, PH1-14 and all TD postcodes. The Saturday delivery service is not available in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or at any offshore address. To request delivery on Saturday just contact us before 12 noon on Friday.
NO HIDDEN DELIVERY CHARGES: The price you see is the price you pay. Our garden furniture prices include all delivery charges - unlike most others we do not add delivery charges during the checkout process. However the prices may vary in different areas. You need to enter the first half of your postcode to see the correct prices in your local area. If you have not already done so click here to enter the FIRST HALF of your POSTCODE.
- All garden furniture prices include VAT.
ORDER BY PHONE: You can pay with a debit or credit card. To order phone us on 01603 721590 seven days a week.
ORDER ONLINE: You can pay with a debit or credit card. We also accept password protected online payments using Verified by VISA or Mastercard SecureCode.
METHODS OF PAYMENT: We accept most major credit cards and debit cards including VISA, MasterCard, VISA Delta, VISA Debit, MasterCard Debit, Electron, Solo, Switch, Maestro and UK Maestro. We also accept secure online payments using Verified by VISA or MasterCard SecureCode. We do not accept American Express or Diners Club cards at present.
SCHOOLS, COUNCILS AND BUSINESSES: We supply many schools, local councils and businesses both large and small. The prices and terms are the same so you can order online if you wish. If you want to pay by BACS transfer or company cheque you will need to order by phone.


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The Curious Case of the Disciples Who Went AwayDr Mark Hitchcock, February 22, 2009
Part of the Various Topics Sermons series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
John 6:60-71
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. (KJV)


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I don't really post links on this blog these days, but once-in-a-while an article comes along that I feels deserve more attention than a quick link on Twitter.
Connor Tomas O'Brien write an enlightening post about avoiding medium-sized stuff:
The small stuff is okay, too. Tweets and Instagram photos and Vine clips – stuff that's easy to create and easy to digest. The small stuff can stay. The small-scale stuff is fun.
The medium-sized stuff: projects that don't really mean that much to me, but that take more than a trivial amount of effort to get finished. Recently, I've been taking on a lot of projects with timeframes measured in days or weeks. That's not long enough to do anything very interesting. These projects are not horrible to work on, but, were I to pan out and see my life on the scale of years or decades, I realise it's these particular projects that I'll end up forgetting, these particular projects that will lead me to wonder, "Hey, what did I actually do over this year and that?"
Big projects are scary. It's much more tempting to take on a bunch of medium-sized projects than one huge project, because in doing so you mitigate the chance of failure. But it's the stuff that could fail that's the stuff we remember, not the stuff that's safe.
I've been thinking a lot about this recently and I'm thankful to Connor for giving this thought a shape and meaning.


text: Department of Justice Olmstead Enforcement NASDDDS & NASMHPD Annual Conference November 12, 2013 Olmstead is a top priority for DOJ's Civil Rights Division • "Year of Community Living" – "The Olmstead ruling . . . articulat[ed] one of the most fundamental rights of Americans with disabilities: Having the choice to live independently. [T]his initiative reaffirms my Administration's commitment to vigorous enforcement of civil rights for Americans with disabilities and to ensuring the fullest inclusion of all people in the life of our nation." President Obama June 22, 2009 • DOJ Olmstead enforcement efforts – approx 40 matters in 25 states over the past several years Range of DOJ "Tools" • Investigations & Findings Letters leading to Settlement Agreements or Litigation • Intervention in private Olmstead litigation • Statements of Interest practice in private litigation on many Olmstead issues • Olmstead Technical Assistance Guidance • Olmstead website (www.ada.gov/olmstead) Segregated Residential Service Settings Settlement Agreements U.S. v. New York • Agreement between U.S., New York and proposed class of adults with mental illness in large NYC adult homes • Resolves litigation brought by New York P&A in 2003 alleging that State violates the ADA and Olmstead by relying on institutional adult homes to provide services to persons with MI • U.S. intervened following trial • Agreement must be approved by Court U.S. v. New York • Agreement provides relief to the roughly 4000 individuals with mental illness in 23 large adult homes in NYC • NY will provide supported housing to all eligible individuals with SMI in adult homes. At least 2000 and potentially more than 4000 individuals will transition to supported housing U.S. v. New York • Agreement ensures individuals receive services needed to support them in supported housing • Services include ACT, mental health clinic services, personal care services, home health services, care coordination and crisis services • Person-centered planning to ensure informed choice and successful transition • Agreement will be monitored by independent reviewer U.S. v. Virginia Settlement Agrmt. • Reforms of entire ID/DD system; relief for more than 5000 people • HCBS waivers for people transitioning out of state-operated ICFs, youth transitioning from nursing homes and large ICFs, and people with "urgent needs" on the waitlist (4200 waivers) • Family support program created for people on waitlists (1000 people) • Full range of community-based crisis services (crisis hotline, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization programs) • Expanded case management • Develop and implement Employment First policy and expansion of supported employment and integrated day opportunities • Integrated housing (including subsidies for independent living) • Expansive quality management system for community services U.S. v. North Carolina • Settlement provides community svs to 3,000+ people with mental illness in or at risk of entering adult care homes. • Services include supported housing, ACT, supported employment, transition supports, enhance QM, crisis services. • Second year of implementation. Steward v. Perry (Texas) • Case addresses persons with ID/DD in and at risk of entering nursing homes • Interim Agreement – While a comprehensive settlement is negotiated, Texas is expanding community alternatives: • New PASRR reviews of all current Texas nursing facility residents to identify those who have a developmental disability; • Service Planning Teams and Service Coordinators for all adults with developmental disabilities in nursing facilities or who are diverted from nursing facilities; Steward v. Perry • Community supports: • 635 home and community-based Medicaid waivers in current legislative biannium; • medical, nursing, and nutritional management supports and services, • integrated day, employment, recreational and other activities. • Diversion efforts: • identification of individuals with ID/DD at risk of entering nursing facilities, • Education about community alternatives, and • Diversion Coordinators to identify and arrange community services for such individuals. Other Agreements in Implementation • US v. GA – community svs. for 1,000+ people in state DD facilities and on waitlist and 9,000+ people in or at risk of entering state psych hosp. – DD relief includes waivers, family supports, crisis services, and case management • US v. DE – community svs. for 3,000+ people in or at risk of entering state psych hospital and private facilities – ACT, crisis services, supported housing, supported employment Ongoing Litigation Addressing Segregated Service Settings U.S. v. Florida • Complaint filed in July 2013 • U.S. alleges Florida violates the ADA and Olmstead by relying on nursing homes to provide services to children with significant medical needs U.S. v. New Hampshire • Case addresses people with MI in or at risk of entering state psych hospital and state-run nursing facility for people with MI Statements of Interest • DOJ has filed more than 35 statements of interest in Olmstead case since 2009 • Statements put forth DOJ's position on various Olmstead issues, including policies putting persons at risk of unnecessary institutionalization • Statements filed in support of both plaintiffs and states Segregated Days • ADA and Olmstead not limited to where people live; also applies to how people spend their days: – Lane v. Kitzhaber (Oregon): • Court found that ADA and Olmstead applies to all government services, programs and activities, including employment. Rejected argument that only applies to residential services and programs. Segregated Days (cont'd) – US v. Oregon (Lane v. Kitzhaber) • Ongoing litigation – US v. Rhode Island and Providence • Settlement Agreement – US v. North Carolina • Settlement Agreement – US v. Delaware • Settlement Agreement – US v. Georgia • Settlement Agreement – US v. Virginia • Settlement Agreement Lane v. Kitzhaber • Complaint and Motion to Intervene– alleges Oregon administers the State's employment, rehabilitation, vocational, and education service system such that people with disabilities are denied the benefits of the State's vocational and employment services, programs, or activities in the most integrated setting. – Includes "at risk" class: alleges Oregon fails to ensure that students with I/DD are provided with meaningful choices and preparation for work in integrated settings. Segregated Days (cont'd) – Lane v. Kitzhaber/U.S. v. Oregon (cont'd): • Factual allegations in the complaint: – Over 52% of participants earn less than $3.00 per hour. Some earn only a few cents per hour. – Individuals with ID/DD remain in sheltered workshops an average of 11-12 years. Some remain for as long as 30 years. – 61% received services in segregated sheltered workshops, while only 16% received any services in individual supported employment. Segregated Days (cont'd) • U.S. v. Rhode Island/City of Providence: – Found the state of Rhode Island and the City of Providence violated the ADA by overly relying on sheltered workshops to the exclusion of more integrated alternatives. • Vast majority of people in sheltered workshops could and want to be served in more integrated settings, like supported employment and integrated day settings. • Students with ID/DD at risk of unnecessary segregation in sheltered workshops. In-school sheltered workshop served as pipeline to adult workshop; lack of transition services to prepare students for more integrated options (e.g., internships, part-time jobs, and work-based learning) Segregated Days (cont'd) • U.S. v. Rhode Island/City of Providence: Interim Settlement Agreement – Provides relief to: (1) Individuals currently at state's largest sheltered workshop provider (TTP) or who have received services at TTP in the last year; (2) youth preparing to leave in-school sheltered workshop program (Birch) or who left Birch within the last two years; and (3) youth participating in the Birch program. Segregated Days (cont'd) • U.S. v. Rhode Island/City of Providence: Interim Settlement Agreement Under the Interim Agreement, over the next year, the State and City will work together to: • Provide career development plans, vocational assessments, and benefits counseling for all individuals at TTP and all youth leaving, or who recently left, Birch. • Provide supported employment services and placements to all individuals at TTP and youth leaving, or who recently left, Birch; • Provide access to integrated transition services to Birch students through a youth transition planning process beginning at age 14; Segregated Days (cont'd) • U.S. v. Rhode Island/City of Providence: Interim Settlement Agreement (cont'd) • Adopt appropriate Employment First Policies (the State adopted an Employment First Policy in March 2013 but, under the Interim Agreement, the City of Providence will also adopt one); • Increase supported employment and integrated day service provider capacity; • Implement quality improvement programs for supported employment, day activity, and transition services. Guidance and Website • Statement of the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead v. L.C. (June 22, 2011) • Website: www.ada.gov/olmstead – All settlement agreements, findings letters, briefs, guidance, testimony, speeches, etc. Contact Information Anne Raish Deputy Chief Disability Rights Section [email protected] 202-305-1321 Bo Tayloe Deputy Chief Special Litigation Section [email protected] 202-514-8103


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Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family members signal via heterotetrameric complexes of type I (T beta RI) and type II (T beta RII) dual specificity kinase receptors. The availability of the receptors on the cell surface is controlled by several mechanisms. Newly synthesized T beta RI and T beta RII are delivered from the Golgi apparatus to the cell surface via separate routes. On the cell surface, TGF beta receptors are distributed between different microdomains of the plasma membrane and can be internalized via clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytic mechanisms. Although receptor endocytosis is not essential for TGF beta signaling, localization of the activated receptor complexes on the early endosomes promotes TGF beta-induced Smad activation. Caveolae-mediated endocytosis, which is widely regarded as a mechanism that facilitates the degradation of TGF beta receptors, has been shown to be required for TGF beta signaling via non-Smad pathways. The importance of proper control of TGF beta receptor intracellular trafficking is emphasized by clinical data, as mislocalization of receptors has been described in connection with several human diseases. Thus, control of intracellular trafficking of the TGF beta receptors together with the regulation of their expression, posttranslational modifications and down-regulation, ensure proper regulation of TGF beta signaling.
Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family initiate cellular responses by binding to TGF beta receptor type II (Tf3R11) and type I (TpRI) serine/threonine kinases, whereby Srnad2 and Smad3 are phosphorylated and activated, promoting their association with Smadzi. We report here that T beta RI interacts with the SH3 domains of the adaptor protein CIN85 in response to TGF beta stimulation in a TRAF6-dependent manner. Small interfering RNA mediated knockdown of CIN85 resulted in accumulation of T beta RI in intracellular compartments and diminished TGF beta-stimulated Sniad2 phosphorylation. Overexpression of CIN85 instead increased the amount of T beta RI at the cell surface. This effect was inhibited by a dominant-negative mutant of Rab11, suggesting that CIN85 promoted recycling of TGF beta receptors. CIN85 enhanced TGF beta-stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation, transcriptional responses, and cell migration. CIN85 expression correlated with the degree of malignancy of prostate cancers. Collectively, our results reveal that CIN85 promotes recycling of TGF beta receptors and thereby positively regulates TGF beta signaling.
Funding: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Swedish Medical Research Council K2013-66X-15284-04-4
Transmembrane receptors with intrinsic serine/threonine or tyrosine kinase domains regulate vital functions of cells in multicellular eukaryotes, e.g., differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation. Here, we show that bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR-II) which has a serine/threonine kinase domain, and stem cell factor receptor (c-kit) which contains a tyrosine kinase domain form a complex in vitro and in vivo; the interaction is induced upon treatment of cells with BMP2 and SCF. Stem cell factor (SCF) modulated BMP2-dependent activation of Smad1/5/8 and phosphorylation of Erk kinase. SCF also enhanced BMP2-dependent differentiation of C2C12 cells. We found that BMPR-II was phosphorylated at Ser757 upon co-expression with and activation of c-kit. BMPR-II phosphorylation required intact kinase activity of BMPR-II. Abrogation of the c-kit/SCF-dependent phosphorylation of BMPR-II at the Ser757 interfered with the cooperative effect of BMP2 and SCF. Our data suggest that the complex formation between c-kit and BMPR-II leads to phosphorylation of BMPR-II at Ser757, which modulates BMPR-II-dependent signaling.
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are polypeptide growth factors that regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. BMPs bind to type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors to initiate intracellular signalling. BMPR-II is the type II receptor, its mutations lead to hereditary pulmonary hypertension, and knockout of Bmpr-II results in early embryonic lethality. To identify novel interacting proteins and explore signalling pathways that can be initiated by BMPR-II, we performed glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays with BMPR-II protein constructs fused to GST and extracts of mouse myoblast C2C12 cells. We generated three constructs which contain different parts of the cytoplasmic region of BMPR-II: full-length cytoplasmic part of BMPR-II, only the kinase domain, or only the C-terminal tail of BMPR-II. Proteins which formed complexes with these BMPR-II constructs were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D GE), and specifically interacting proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). We identified 33 interacting proteins; 11 proteins interacted with the C-terminal tail of BMPR-II, 4 with full-length BMPR-II, and 18 with a short form of the receptor with a deleted tail. Fourteen proteins have assigned functions in various signalling processes, suggesting links of BMP signalling to regulation of MAP kinase pathway, apoptosis, transcription, PKCss, and PKA. Five of the identified proteins are components of the cytoskeleton, and four are enzymes involved in metabolism, e.g., processing of estrogens or lipids. We confirmed interaction of PKC beta and CtBP with BMPR-II using immunodetection. We showed that the C-terminal tail of BMPR-II provides binding sites for a number of regulatory proteins that may initiate Smad-independent signalling.
Acquired drug resistance of tumor cells is frequently observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We studied murine leukemia L1210 cells sensitive and resistant to the cytotoxic action of cisplatin and showed that cisplatin-resistant leukemia cells were also refractory to TGF beta1-dependent growth inhibition and apoptosis. Addressing the question about the mechanisms responsible for the cross-resistance to cisplatin and TGF beta1, we found that cisplatin- and TGF beta1-resistant L1210 cells possessed a decreased expression of type I TGF beta1 receptor, while the expression of type II TGF beta1 receptor was not affected. Western blot analysis of Smad proteins 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, which participate in signal transduction pathway down-stream of the TGF beta1 receptors, revealed an increased expression of Smad 6, inhibiting TGF beta1 action, only in cisplatin- and TGF beta1-resistant L1210 cells. TGF beta1 and especially the cytotoxic mistletoe agglutinin increased Smad 6 expression in TGF beta1-sensitive but not in TGF beta1-resistant L1210 cells. TGF beta1-resistant L1210 cells also differed from TGF beta1-sensitive cells by the lack of expression of the pro-apoptotic p53 protein and higher level of expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Thus, the described co-expression of tumor cell refractoriness to an anti-cancer drug and to the inhibitory cytokine TGF beta1 is accompanied by multiple changes in the TGF beta1 signal transduction pathway and in other regulatory systems of the target cells. Besides, we found that various anti-tumor drugs and cytotoxic plant lectins increased the level of TGF beta1 expression in both TGFbeta1-sensitive and -resistant L1210 cells. A hypothesis is proposed that TGFbeta1 can at least partly mediate the effect of cell-stressing agents and, thus, the development of TGF beta1 resistance may be responsible for the appearance of tumor cell refractoriness to the action of some anti-cancer drugs.
Smad3 is an essential component in the intracellular signaling of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta), which is a potent inhibitor of tumor cell proliferation. BRCA2 is a tumor suppressor involved in early onset of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Both Smad3 and BRCA2 possess transcription activation domains. Here, we show that Smad3 and BRCA2 interact functionally and physically. We found that BRCA2 forms a complex with Smad3 in vitro and in vivo, and that both MH1 and MH2 domains of Smad3 contribute to the interaction. TGFbeta1 stimulates interaction of endogenous Smad3 and BRCA2 in non-transfected cells. BRCA2 co-activates Smad3-dependent transcriptional activation of luciferase reporter and expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Smad3 increases the transcriptional activity of BRCA2 fused to the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of Gal4, and reciprocally, BRCA2 co-activates DBD-Gal4-Smad3. Thus, our results show that BRCA2 and Smad3 form a complex and synergize in regulation of transcription.


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Science Calling will be interviewing Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, next Thursday (31 Jan). As part of this, I wanted to give you the opportunity to submit questions and topics that you would like me to ask Minister Sherlock.
Over the past few months there has been much unrest in the science community about science policy in Ireland. This led to The SciPol Impact series on this blog at the end of November last year. A number of different arguments about science policy in Ireland were presented through interviews and guest writers.
Minister Sherlock recently wrote a piece in the Examiner, Make Sure Science Keeps Its Spark, and as part of the Irish EU Presidency, he is addressing the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy about Horizon 2020 in Brussels today.
Now you have the opportunity to put your points to the Government. Please comment below if you would like to submit questions or topics about either Irish or European science policy.
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IUCN's Global Species Programme, in collaboration with IUCN's commissions and members, is working hard to ensure that the complexities of the impacts of climate change on species are appropriately considered in conservation activities, and that human responses to climate change consider and address how they can minimise the impacts to the biodiversity upon which they depend.
Anthropogenic climate change is increasingly being acknowledged as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and human societies alike. Significant changes in the climate system are already being observed, and the most recent projections of future climates suggest combinations of increased average temperatures; changes in the global water cycle; increasing ocean acidity and rising sea levels; continued loss of polar ice and montane glaciers; and altered weather patterns, including changes in the frequency and severity of extreme events.
Such changes have necessitated reconsideration of how we think about species extinctions, and even of how we approach conservation.
The ways in which climate change is expected to affect species are multiple and complex, but are generally thought to include:
- Loss or degradation of important habitats and microhabitats.
- Changing of environmental thresholds e.g. temperature, water availability/quality beyond those that a species can tolerate.
- Loss of important interactions between two unrelated species, or the arrival of new, negative ones e.g. disease.
- The disruption of environmental cues (e.g. for breeding or migration).
- The direct loss of individual organisms, or even populations, as a result of extreme events.
Species affected in the above ways will either need to move to new, more suitable locations or to somehow adapt to change at their current locations. Species that are unable to do this are likely to perish, and in some cases may become globally extinct.
IUCN is continuing to develop and apply their unique 'trait-based' approach to assessing species' vulnerability to climate change (see diagram below), and promoting the use of its outputs when developing or revising species conservation strategies.
Working in many corners of the globe, IUCN has been applying these methods to an increasing range of species, including vertebrates, invertebrates and plants, and have aimed to increase the capacity of stakeholders at many locations to interpret and act on their findings, or even to conduct species vulnerability assessments of their own.


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Weymouth Sealife Adventure Park – Review
Even though we live about an hour and a half from Weymouth we love a day at the seaside. We often head to Weymouth as there are lots of other activities to do as well as just the beach. One of the must visit places in the town is definitely Weymouth Sealife Adventure Park.
Last week our family visited Weymouth Sealife Adventure Park, we have visited before and it has to be our favourite Sealife Centre. It has lots of other attractions as well as the aquariums. The outdoor space is fab to sit down and relax too. I thought that I would share with you what was new for 2017 and our favourite bits too.
New Attractions
During this month they have an Octonauts attraction to become an Octoglow Explorer, so definitely worth a visit, if you have an Octonauts fan in your family. The kids get a little time to play and solve the Octoglow tasks, then they got to meet Kwazii Kitten.
My favourite new addition was the Turtle Rescue attraction. It is an interactive task for the kids to rescue, weigh, feed, hydrate and get their turtle. Once it is back to good health they can release back into the sea. The kids talked about Turtle Rescue all the way home, so was definitely a hit with them.
Also this year they have opened the pretty fantastic Caribbean Cove Playground. It is bright spacious and very child-friendly. There are parts for children of all ages from the sandpit to the climbing up the tall towers and sliding down the wriggly green slide. The area has a coffee shop, so parents can grab a cuppa while they relax and watch their children play.
There are also toilets in the area, so you really can spend a large proportion of your day in this area if the weather is fine.
Good Old Favourites
Every time I mention to the kids that we are going to Weymouth Sealife Park, the first thing they say is I hope it's sunny so we can go in the Splash Zone. And luckily on this visit, it was very sunny after all the summer rain we have had. So they got to get soaking wet and have loads of fun in the water. There is also the larger pool too but the littlest member of our family wasn't that keen on getting in there, so the others stayed in the splash area to play with her.
On this visit, we caught the Seal's talks and feeding time, heard about the otters during the talk. Plus we spent awhile observing the Penguins and comparing birthdays and names.
Walking through the ocean tunnel and spotting the turtles and sharks is always great fun too.
Once we had spent a good 6 hours in the Sealife Park we headed just across the road for a paddle, before we picked up so dinner and headed home. A great family day out, with some lovely memories made. Very much worth the trek.


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FREE Patriotic Artwork!
Give this to all the kids in your Children's Ministry, or decorate your office or classroom with this encouraging reminder to pray for our nation. This "Patriotic Artwork" artwork is formatted as a PDF file and designed to be printed on letter size paper.
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Phew, this was a whirlwind of a season….. we have been enjoying every moment and are now getting back into the rhythm of our "routine".
The season starts on Thanksgiving. We have spent the last few Thanksgiving dinners at our good friends house in their arbor out in their vineyard doesn't get better than that 😉 It includes, good friends, lots of kids running around, good conversation, good food and beautiful fall weather and sun.
After a day of good food we went for our post Thanksgiving hike. We headed out on a new trail that lead us to an ancient Redwood that looked like there should be dinosaurs walking around it – it was magnificent! Then we headed up to this reservoir for some good old fashion echo calls – the kids got a big kick out of that – not sure all the animals around the area were thrilled but hopefully it scared off the mountain lions!
The next day was spent trudging around Moon Mountain for the perfect tree! We always like to get the tree and the holidays kicked off early, it really gets everyone in the mood. It was a great day spent looking for our tree. Of course, Mama likes to walk around the mountain looking carefully at every tree while the kiddos run through the trees squealing with delight and Milo and Doug saunter along waiting for the call of "WE FOUND IT"! For some reason it always ends up being one of the first trees we were eyeing. I enjoy cruising around enjoying the sights and the smells, I don't really think I'm looking for the "perfect" tree, I think they are all great, I just enjoy the time spent out there with the family – so I will keep taking "forever" to find our "perfect" tree 😉
Next comes the decorating….
Then began the baking. Oh the baking, cookies, breads, more breads, more cookies, fudge. I have found two lovely recipes at rhythm of the Home that I have added to my holiday arsenal – so delicious – orange, cranberry walnut bread and cranberry ginger bread and so easy. The kids had so much fun making all the goodies to be passed out for our friends. Baking and singing was the theme throughout our house during December – good times 🙂
The first weekend in December marked the first Christmas recital for Ryder and what was supposed to be Saige's second recital, but…… a little bug took Saige down for the day/night (luckily she was back in the game the next day – of course) but Ryder made his debut in a hip hop routine and rocked the house 😉 He was a bit nervous but as soon as he got up on stage with his buddies he was a natural and then he came running off the stage after the performance just flying on adrenal and saying "that was too short, I want to go back and do it again!" It was priceless. Very proud of my little elf, but sad my little mouse missed her performance – oh well there's always next year.
The next adventure was the Santa Skunk Train in Mendocino. We usually go on The Polar Express but that was sold out way too quick – which I am now glad for – because the Skunk Train rocked!
That's one groovy looking Santa Train 😉 We made a weekend out of it with another family and had such a great time. We stayed on a bluff with access to the beach – which we enjoyed making our version of snow angels!
Then we made it to Glass Beach – I have been dying to go there. There is polished glass all over the beach. We had lots of fun collecting and trying to find unusual colors (only found blue and red in really tiny pieces). We all wondered what caused all of this glass to wash up on this little cove – much to our dismay, this area was an old dump – yes, we were frolicking on an old dump! UGH! It was still gorgeous, maybe the years of crashing waves has washed this area clean (and unfortunately dragged it all out for the rest of the world to enjoy!) Seriously who would build a dump on the oceans edge!
polished glass
great tide pools to play in, lots of urchins, a few crabs, some fish hiding and lots of anemones – which all equals lots of fun and exploring 🙂
The annual lighting of the snowmen happened Friday after Thanksgiving – which turned out to be a volatile stormy day and night. We were all ready to go but right as we were getting ready to put on our coats the sky unleashed its fury and we decided to sit this year out. So instead we visited the snowmen on a different occasion.
The deal with these snowmen is…. every year Cornerstone sets up these vintage snowmen (lots of them) and then lights them to start the holiday season. They have marshmallow roasting, frosty and rudolph played on a wall of one of the buildings with hay bales set up for seating, hot chocolate, etc. Everyone who has kids in Sonoma comes. It's a great time – too bad for the weather. I just love these snowmen – I would love one for our yard.
This little guy showed up at our house the first week in December. Not sure if you've heard of Elf on The Shelf? Well I heard about this a few years back, we had elves that looked just like him when I was growing up (they weren't elf on the shelf) but my mom always had them hanging out on the banister heading upstairs and I simply LOVED them! It was my favorite thing to get them out and line them up. I would pretend they were alive and I would talk to them. Well fast forward to somewhere around 2008 and here is a modern day version of what I used to pretend. So the story goes, the elf arrives, he is named by the kids, they can not touch him/her, they can tell him/her all their wishes, he/she reports to Santa every night whether the kids were good or bad and then he/she flies back to the kids home and is in a different spot every morning. So the fun part is when they wake up the first thing they do is look for the elf. Ours is named Nutcracker Boy 😉 Let's just say Mama had a couple close calls, a few mornings I heard Ryder's voice and I bolted out of bed, ran to Nutcracker boy and replaced him (once he got thrown across the room into the christmas tree!) Ugh! That got me a few times throughout the month. Ryder swears he saw his head move 🙂 On Christmas eve the elf flies back home to live in the North Pole until next season. He usually arrives sometime around Thanksgiving.
We had so much fun with this tradition this year. We even wrote our letters to Santa and gave them to Nutcracker boy to bring with him one evening 🙂
In between all this craziness I still remembered to enjoy the beauty of the season
And I think it was a little too much excitement for these two 🙂
New Years came in quietly – thank goodness 🙂
Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season. Would love to hear how you spent your season.
Peace and Blessings to you in 2011 – hope to see you all back here


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City Long Beach, Ca
Owner Luis "Speedy" Rodriguez
Car Club Highclass Car Club
One part Sulfuric Acid and 100 parts Chromic Acid is in essence what most of us refer to as chrome plating, and since 1924 the recipe for commercial chrome has gone virtually unchanged. While the use of chrome plating has humble beginnings, coating items such as door knobs, jewelry, and small car parts, its presence within the lowrider community was not readily felt until the late '80s when our competitive culture led each new car that came to a car show to be adorned with more and more chrome and gold finishing. While hot rod builders were painting over chrome bumpers and trim, lowriders were plating every bolt and possible metal piece found on their cars, accenting the colorful vibrant paintjobs of the day.
It was this environment that Luis "Speedy" Rodriguez would walk into when moving from Mexico in 1989. Speedy would soon find himself working at a local metal plating shop, which would eventually go out of business. Knowing he did not want to work for anyone else, and with a set of skills recently acquired, Speedy, one polisher, and one polishing machine became what is known as Speedy's Metal Finishing. "I always heard customers complain about missing parts or parts not being done in time," Speedy says. "I did not have a secretary or filing system at the time, so I had to get creative and find a system that worked for me." Speedy says he knew this would be key to his success.
His son, Jonathan, would eventually join the team, who at 12 years old came on board when Speedy's business was really starting to blossom. Within a few years they found themselves chrome plating some of the scene's heavy hitters, like Los Angeles Car Club, Stylistics Car Club, Game Killa, Lifestyle Car Club, Krazy Kreation, and more notably plating the frame of LOWRIDER of the Year, an '87 Cutlass Supreme RM Series, "The Big Payback."
Along with having some of the industry's top chrome plating, Speedy has steadily taken over the custom engraving market since the late '90s when engraving became a quintessential part of most every lowrider build.
From chrome, gold, engraving, and polishing, Speedy has become the go-to shop for all of the top lowrider builders. These days his work is displayed on many of his Highclass Car Club members' vehicles, as well his personal cars, like "Expensive Taste," a Cadillac covered from top to bottom with custom metal finishing, along with a '64 Chevy Impala that would end up on the cover of LOWRIDER.
"I am always on the scene," Speedy says. "You will never hear about people asking for their parts; my reputation is everything, my quality speaks for itself. I will not plate anything unless it has been copper dipped." There is only one way to find out, so visit Speedy and crew today for all your metal finishing needs.