text:
New to running? Got no idea on the gear? Finding it hard to motivate yourself for a run? Up For A Challenge writer, 4 time marathon finisher and former couch potato, Helen Tamblyn shares her advice on how to get started and more importantly, stick with it.
Running motivation
Running is a tough sport, especially in the beginning when you're trying to establish a routine and healthy habits. It can be really useful to focus on a reason for running when you start and use that as motivation when you don't want to pound the pavements. I started running in May 2010 when I decided I wanted to run a marathon. In July, I decided to run it in memory of a dear friend's mother. This was a great motivator in getting me outside. Whether it's completing a personal challenge, fundraising, losing weight or getting fit, focus on that reason and lace up those shoes.
Tempting as it might be when you take up running, you don't need a fancy GPS watch, the most expensive trainers and latest clothing. Shops like Sports Direct are on almost every high street and offer a huge selection of cheap clothing suitable for running. Make sure that you opt for dry-fit materials to wick the sweat away and keep you comfortable. Cotton t-shirts are a no go as they become heavy and uncomfortable with sweat and can cause chafing. Dry-fit tights and shorts are also a good choice for the same reason. In terms of trainers, it's a good idea to visit a specialist running shop and ask for a gait analysis. Everyone runs with a slightly different style and they will watch you run and advise you on the best style. Beginner runners are the most prone to injury and it's important to run in shoes that are right for you. Just because your friend swears by a particular shoe doesn't mean that it's right for you. Shops like Sweatshop and Runners Need are only too happy to help and offer advice to beginner runners and a gait analysis is free of charge and doesn't usually need to be booked. Don't be intimidated – they are there to help.
For female runners, please make sure you buy a suitable sports bra. Many women opt to buy whatever is cheapest, or even worse, wear two of their everyday bras. Running is a high impact sport and it's really important to make sure that your breasts are properly supported to prevent discomfort, back pain and even irreversible damage. If you are generously endowed on top, there are plenty of options out there for you. Online retailers like Boobydoo offer a huge selection of sports bras suitable for all sports in a wide range of styles and cater for all sizes. I especially recommend Enell and the Shock Absorber Run Bra. Remember, the sizes are a guide and it's a good idea to try them on and jump around. Sometimes you will find yourself sizing up or down as necessary. Sports bras can seem expensive, but you can often find cheaper deals on old season colours. Runners generally don't like to skimp on their shoes – don't skimp on a sports bra either.
We're a nation of gadget freaks, myself included. You might be desperate to buy the latest GPS watch with an inbuilt heart monitor that makes you a cup of tea and does your shopping, but at this stage, it's really unnecessary. You can download apps such as Runkeeper to track how far you've run, or use a stopwatch and map it out on MapMyRun.
Don't run before you can walk
It may sound obvious, but if you can't comfortably walk for a mile, you aren't going to be able to run one. If you don't already walk a lot, spend a couple of weeks enjoying evening walks of a couple of miles or so and get used to being on your feet. Once you feel conditioned to being on your feet, you can start thinking about running.
It's really tempting to start out by running as fast as you can for as long as you can, but this is a really bad idea. As I found out, it feels like the best thing in the world for about a minute and then you burn out, feel horrible and don't want to run again, not to mention the fact that you are setting yourself up for injury. Instead, pace yourself and take it slowly. Plans like the NHS Couch to 5k Plan are designed to build you up to running a 5k distance, starting with a walk/run approach, before eventually building you up to a non stop 5k distance.
And if you need a walk break, or need to stop early? That's fine. Listen to your body.
Don't forget to stretch
When I started running, I suffered shin splints often and it was because I never warmed up properly and my stretching habits after a run were terrible. Tempting as it may be to collapse in a heap after a run, make an effort to stay on your feet. Gently walk around to recover and keep the blood moving and then indulge in some gentle stretching. Have a look at the NHS website for some examples of stretches you can do after a run, as well as their advice for a warm up.
Find a support network
Running is tough and sometimes you'll have days where for whatever reason, you just can't complete the workout. Or you drag yourself through, but you hate every minute. It's ok, it's normal. You have to have a bad run to appreciate the good ones and it's the bad runs that ultimately make you stronger. But having a support network is really valuable and they will always pick you up on a bad day and cheer with you through the good ones. Take part in the #ukrunchat hour on Twitter for some great advice and support, or join one of the numerous Facebook running groups.
Don't give up
I love the feeling after a run. Sometimes I have a bad race and hate it at the time, but I always feel amazing afterwards. Exercise makes people feel happy and there is no doubt that the "runners high" definitely exists. Enjoy the good runs, persevere through the tough ones and track your progress. You'll be amazed at the improvements you'll make in your times and distances and how good you feel. Don't give up. Remember, tomorrow is another day and you can always begin again.


text:
Jump to navigation
Explore Further
Browse solutions by topic to the left.
Not sure where to start? Tell us your goals and challenges. Learn what's on the horizon. Understand core strategies for building innovation.
Find Innovative Solutions Now »
Government Innovators Network
A forum for innovation in the public sector
Philanthropy for Health in China
China, the USA, and Asia's Future
The Quality of Governance in China: The Citizen's View
Legal Standards and Autonomy Options for Minorities in China: The Tibetan Case
Direct Election of Delegates to Women's Associations
Participatory Budgeting and Local Solidarity: Governance in Porto Alegre (Brazil)
Citizen Assistance Service Charters, State of Bahia, Brazil
Citizen Assistance Service Charters, Brazil
Impact, Transformation, and Quality of Life
Meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through Innovation

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We are pleased to announce that our brand new Volare Concepts tile showroom in Newtown is now open.
It's been an action packed 3 weeks, but we have loved every second of setting up our FIFTH showroom.
Volare Newtown is centrally located at 15 West Fyans Street, Newtown and this store will be showcasing the very best of what Volare Concepts has to offer
The biggest range of large format Italian tiles, Europe's most illustrious subway and feature tiles, Hardy floor coverings and a huge range of porcelain and ceramic products to suit everyone's need and budget
We also have some super exciting stuff in the pipeline, make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram and watch for future posts about Newtown and the big impact we're going to make this summer.


text:
Kiss Face Emoji Bandana | Pink
Regular price $ 24.00
Unit price per
The Kiss Face Emoji Bandana features a vinyl kiss emoji printed on hot pink fabric. The bandana is backed with a cute black and white triangle pattern.
Item Details:
- Name is printed on triangle pattern (if selected)
- Double sided tie-on bandana.
- 100% Cotton
- Font color: pink + white
- Font: birthday pup
- No direct iron on emoji graphic
Bandana Size Guide:
(Breed examples are approximate and really depend on the amount of fluff! If you are unsure, please feel free to ask.)
X-Small (6"-9.5" neck circumference)
Teacup Breeds, Chihuahua, Yorkie
Small (10"-13" neck circumference)
Maltese, Jack Russell, Dachshund
Medium (13"-16" neck circumference)
French Bulldog, Mini-doodle, Mini-Aussie, Corgi, Boxer
Large (16"-19" neck circumference)
Labradore Retriever, Goldendoodle, Border Collie, Pit Bull
X-Large (19"-22" neck circumference)
Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Saint Bernard, Malamute
- For sizes below 6" or larger than 22" please inquire
Our original Bacon Bibs® custom dog bandana is expertly handcrafted for your pet. Each bandana is cut and sewn to order and is made with a scoop neck for comfort and top stitched for durability. The bandanas are hand washable and keep best when laid flat to dry.
Colors may vary slightly from what's shown on the monitor. :)
Always supervise your pet while wearing his/her bandana.


text:
By GORDON DICKSON, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
A legislative group will recommend next week that a conservator take over the Texas Department of Transportation, an agency under fire for planning toll roads in areas that don't want them and failing to keep track of its finances properly, officials said.
The staff of the Sunset Advisory Commission, which periodically reviews state agencies to see whether they're still functioning properly, is expected to release a report on the department next week.
The Transportation Department has been overseen by a three- or five-member commission with members appointed by the governor throughout its 91-year history. But several people who have reviewed drafts of the sunset report say one of the key recommendations is to replace the current five-member transportation commission with a single commissioner who would serve a two-year, paid term and report to the Legislature.
"TxDOT has become an agency that is focused on making money and deciding policy, and they need to get back to the business of building roads," said state Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, who serves on the sunset commission.
Harper-Brown declined to comment on the report itself. But she said better communication with Texans -- especially lawmakers -- is crucial to the Transportation Department restoring its credibility.
"Whatever tools we give them, that's what they need to work with," she said.
Read the rest of the article HERE.
BREAKING NEWS: Panel to call for axing Texas' transportation board
By GORDON DICKSON, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Perry Throws Down Gauntlet on Tolls and TTC
"Perry's not budging on transportation issues --foreign-operated toll roads and the rest."...read about it in the Lone Star Report
Good Austin Toll Road Dialog Goin on...
There's a dialog going on about the coming Austin toll roads and Sen. Kirk Watson Here. Join in!
TxDOT Officials Plead Guilty to Taking Bribes
Three TxDOT Employees could
face up to 10 years in prison.
Three former Texas Department of Transportation employees pleaded guilty Friday to accepting bribes in exchange for contracts, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
The former district maintenance administrator for TxDOT and the two inspectors pleaded guilty Friday morning to accepting bribes from an undercover agent in amounts ranging from $200 to $2,000 to award a "sweeping contract" worth more than $5,000.
Cresenciano Falcon, 56, Ray Llanes, 50, and Noe Beltran, 42, each face up to 10 years in prison and as much as a $250,000 fine for their parts in the scheme, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office. The three accepted the bribes in exchange for awarding a contract to help clean the highways.
A TxDOT representative said the contracts are important to keeping the roadways safe for motorists.
"Anytime there are allegations of wrongdoing with any of our employees, it's a sad time for our department," TxDOT spokesman Chris Lippincott said. "We are doing everything we can to cooperate with authorities and remain committed to integrity."
Few details of the alleged operation have been made public. The U.S. attorney's office did not return a call Friday seeking comment.
Falcon declined to comment when reached by phone Friday afternoon, and his attorney Ricardo Salinas did not return a call seeking comment. Efforts to reach Beltran and Llanes were unsuccessful.
Read the article online HERE.
And, from some weeks ago, make sure you read the original breaking AP story here:
The AP has still failed to report that Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT Executive Director, not only knows the three TxDOT employees who were indicted, but they are all "best friends", and they all profited together, according to an inside reliable source.
Read my report, called TxDOT Executive Director, With Ties to Indicted, To Resign Within the Year, Says Source.
Sen. Kirk Watson Gets a Back Door Deal - YOU GET DOUBLE TAX TOLLS IN AUSTIN!
After six months of being shelved, these new Phase II freeway tolls are back on track (the new toll on MoPAC is not shown on the map above). Sen. Kirk Watson must have gotten a very sweet deal for himself, behind closed doors.
In October 2007, CAMPO chair Sen. Kirk Watson led an effort to divert nearly $1 Billion tax dollars to shift Austin freeways into tollways (scroll down to see the article and map from a few days ago below). The vote passed with months of Watson twisting arms. Then TxDOT tried to pull a fast one in December — they told Watson to use local tax dollars. Watson threw a fit and now after six months of back door deals Watson got them to use State tax dollars to shift our Austin freeways to tollways.
A deal has been made behind closed doors.
First, a little more history. The group I formed and myself have been fighting these freeway tolls since 2004. We've gotten a lot of them pulled from the plan since 2004. But Watson came on the scene in Jan 2007 to get this double tax done for his special interest pals on the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
From the Statesman TODAY (buried in a "compiled from staff report" - don't forget the Stateman endorsed this phase II toll plan in 2004) :
Work on six projects can go on
Engineering work on six toll road projects, which the Texas Department of Transportation's money crunches shelved for six months, can move forward after a 4-1 vote Thursday by the Texas Transportation Commission.
The commission's nod essentially puts the projects — adding managed lanes to MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1); expanding portions of U.S. 290 East, U.S. 183, Texas 71 and the "Y" at Oak Hill as toll roads; and building one new road, Texas 45 Southwest — in the hands of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
That agency plans to borrow $65 million for engineering and right-of-way costs and needed the commission vote to move forward. Actual construction on the first of the projects, U.S. 290 East, remains at least a year away.
TxDOT rolls out 'policy' PR stunt to deflect criticism of CDAs
By Ben Wear, Austin American-Statesman
Non-compete clauses for tollways would be a non-starter under a policy the Texas Transportation Commission will consider Thursday.
Such language in toll road contracts, which generally prohibit a toll road owner (such as the Texas Department of Transportation) from building or expanding a nearby free road, or require compensation for doing so, have been controversial in Texas and elsewhere. TxDOT's contract with Cintra-Zachry, a Spanish and American consortium that will build and operate a southern section of Texas 130, requires TxDOT to pay up if it makes certain highway improvements within 10 miles of the road.
The commission Thursday will consider approving a "minute order" (what TxDOT calls its version of ordinances) prohibiting "any limitations or prohibitions on improvements needed to existing or future highways."
Read the whole article HERE.
Traffic Cameras Used for Voyeurism
By TheNewspaper.com
Traffic cameras in Shenzhen, China are being used for voyeurism. Earlier this month, officials from the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau arrested two control room employees named Liang and Xie who had used the traffic camera at Tangle Plaza in the district of Luohu to zoom in on nearby apartments instead of traffic.
Read the rest of the article HERE
Missouri: Citizen kills five at city council meeting
The City Council in suburban Kirkwood, Mo., had just finished the Pledge of Allegiance...when a citizen, who was fed up with his elected "representatives", burst into the meeting room and opened fire, shouting "Shoot the mayor!"
From the LA Times:
Thornton's brother, Gerald, told local television station KMOV that he saw justification for the bloodshed. "My brother went to war tonight with the people and government that were putting torment and strife into his life, and he ended it," Gerald Thornton said. "I'm OK with it."Read the article HERE.
New York: Tolling Board Drives Toll Free for Life
by TheNewspaper.com Editor
The board members responsible for imposing tolls on New York state motorists will never have to pay a toll in their lifetime. The New York Daily News reports that Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board members each get special E-ZPass transponders that provide toll-free driving and do not expire, even when the individuals leave their position on the board. Tolls in New York City currently range up to $10 for a one-way trip across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow has eight of these transponders that he can use on up to eight of his favorite cars, ensuring he will never have to pay that $10. Among the perfectly restored classics in his collection is a councours-winning 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. Another 1961 Spyder in equally fine condition sold at auction earlier this month for $10.9 million, the most ever paid for a used car.
Read the rest of the article HERE.
BREAKING NEWS: John McCain's Den of Lobbyists
Keith Olbermann reports on the lastest of McCain's lobbyist problems. This time it's Phil Gramm lobbying for the banks during the mortgage crisis while advising the McCain campaign at the same time on its economic policies.
The Global Economy Grinding Down
By Roger Baker
A 42 gallon barrel of crude oil yields 19 gallons of gasoline but only 10 gallons of diesel. Yet diesel (distillate) is expected to move all trains, planes, and trucks while also heating New England during the winter. Plus moving all the trucks and planes in China, and everywhere else too, plus many of the cars in Europe. Without enough gasoline, US drivers are greatly annoyed, but without enough diesel the global economy shuts down really fast.
With consumer spending now falling due to gas prices, this diesel bottleneck situation dictates cost-push inflation in the material necessity sectors of the economy like transported food (steel costs are rising sharply too). But meanwhile, simultaneous deflation in the discretionary spending sectors like cable TV and services.
Read "Soaring Fuel Prices Take a Withering Toll on Truckers" in the New York Times
New Must See News Stories
Chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission
illegally pays wife with campaign donations.
"TxDOT has failed to comply with the federal law
and federal implementing regulations."
General McCaffrey now Chairman
of HNTB pushes TTC
TxDOT on the TTC and CDA's:
"The Legislature will find a way to get
comfortable with this idea and find a
way to do business in this manner."
TxDOT tries to bridge rifts
with Texans in Congress
Michael Stevens, passed away today.
Mr. Stevens was a real estate developer who had a history of standing on the right side of transportation issues. Mr. Stevens was part of task force that released a critical report on Gov. Perry's TxDOT in 2006, which found that an indexed gas-tax could replace tolling in Texas.
Mr. Stevens was appointed to the Sunset Commission (see many of the appointees here in my report) this year by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, to help fix TxDOT. More about his passing HERE at Texas Public Policy, and the Corridor archives has archived reports.
Everything You Need To Know About Sen. Kirk Watson's Coming Freeway Tolls (Phase II Tolls)
CONVENTIONAL TOLL ROADS vs. AUSTIN FREEWAY TOLL ROADS
Conventional toll roads in the U.S. have always been perceived as being fair, since they supplement our public highway system, and they offer a public expressway as an alternative. It's also important to note that conventional tolls have always been whole new routes and primarily funded with investor dollars.
Freeway tolls don't offer crucial free expressways as an alternative. Instead, frontage roads with stop lights and growing traffic congestion are touted as an alternative.
With freeway tolls, TxDOT has a financial incentive NOT to address traffic congestion on frontage roads since increased traffic congestion provides higher toll tax revenues. This is a severe departure for TxDOT, since its focus has always been solving transportation issues -- not generating revenue through traffic congestion. Freeway tolls simply shift public
highways intended to be freeways into tollways.
Those who support tolling public expressways never mention the true cost of public subsidies involved. The total cost to the taxpayer, especially the taxpayer-funded right-of-way (ROW), is never shared with the public. Freeway tolls create expressway monopolies and are the most expensive solution to our need for roads.
For the most part, the finances of conventional toll roads have been segregated from public funds. While freeway tolls are primarily funded with tax dollars intended for free roads.
Pro-toll advocate and TollRoadsNews.com writer Peter Samuel made this statement about TxDOT and its freeway tolls:
"It has no coherent explanation for its project selection, or for the way tax and toll monies are mixed. It has been cavalier in proposing tolls on highways already funded -- breaching a long-established piece of political wisdom about tolling."TOLLS: AN INEFFICIENT FORM OF TAX COLLECTION
At a TxDOT commission hearing in October 2004, TxDOT had admitted it costs 25 cents to collect a cash toll, and 11 cents to collect an electronic toll. So, if the toll tax for a short span of road is 50 cents, 50% of the money paid for that toll goes to collect the toll.
TxDOT and the local Regional Mobility Authority are on record promising a 12 to 15 cents/mile rate. Conventional toll roads in the US have an average toll rate of 9 cents/mile.
The Austin American-Statesman recently reported that the newly-opened Central Texas Phase I tolls cost as much as $1.50 per mile.
That's 10 times the cost promised, and 16 times the cost of the average toll rate in the U.S.
Toll roads cost much more for construction, right-of-way, utility relocation, maintenance, and service than do non-tolled roads. For example, Central Texas Phase II freeway tolls would cost $123 million more to build as toll roads than they would cost to build as free roads.
The footprint of a freeway toll project is larger than what's needed for the free road since toll lanes and free lanes must be separated. Therefore, extra land for right-of-way must be acquired and utilities must be relocated. Our existing roads have right-of-way corridors for expansion, but were never planned for the larger footprint required by freeway tolls.
To illustrate, a typical roadway project devotes about 90% or more of the cost to build the road. Compare that to TxDOT's toll analysis for SH 71 in Central Texas where only 35% of the cost of the project is for roadway construction. Over half the cost of the $168 million project goes to buying new right-of-way and having to relocate utilities for the freeway toll road.
In 2005, the State Comptroller came out with an investigative report showing how Regional Mobility Authorities that toll public highways are creating double taxation, by diverting tax dollars intended for free roads, into toll roads. The report also showed RMA board members giving NO BID CONTRACTS (using tax dollars) to themselves and their friends. Board members of RMA's have property in the vicinity of toll roads that have increased by as much as 989%.
Assuming your car gets 20 miles per gallon, and an increase in indexed gas tax was less than 20 cents a gallon, you would spend less than 1 cent a mile for an indexed gas tax. Compare that to tolls of 15 cents a mile, which would be 15 times the cost of an indexed gas tax. A 20 cent toll per mile would be 20 times the cost of an indexed gas tax, and so on.
The Texas Transportation Institute report says tolls are NOT needed, that indexing the gas tax and placing the incremental revenue in the mobility fund to pay off bonds allows us to build the roads we need now.
Tolling Troubles Multiply Worldwide
By TheNewspaper.com
Public outrage over unfair treatment of motorists by toll road administrators in the United States and overseas are forcing mild reforms. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch (D) last week signed a law forbidding the motor vehicle department from suspending the drivers' licenses of those accused of skipping out on a toll. Instead, the state will collect fines of up to $1000 and hold the renewal of vehicle registrations until the fines are paid. The move was a direct response to a January incident where an innocent motorist was arrested and booked for failure to pay a single 75 cent toll -- a toll that he had actually paid.
In Florida, toll road agencies have told lawmakers that they might not oppose a similar modification to state laws imposing harsh penalties on toll cheats. The officials are motivated by bad publicity in the wake of a Circuit Court Judge John Galluzzo's ruling that banned the imposition of any penalties on motorists with a valid toll transponder account. Galluzzo was outraged by the treatment of a firefighter who was falsely accused of cheating and nearly lost his job as a result.
In Singapore, the Land Transport Authority admitted Thursday that around 300 motorists every month were being hit with "problems of compatibility" with its all-electronic system for paying tolls. As a result, drivers have been left to worry whether they would be fined for cheating each time they use the country's toll roads.
Read the rest of the article and find additional links here.
UPDATE: TxDOT Executive Director, With Ties to Indicted, To Resign Within the Year, Says Source.
and Chano Falcon (one of three TxDOT employees being
investigated by the FBI for bribery charges).
There is a LOT of corruption within TxDOT. Here's an article I did about TxDOT Engineer, Bob Daigh's close relationship with convicted criminal Pete Peters.
Perry Scheming For Special Session to Kill 391 Commissions?
There are rumblings in the Capitol that Texas Governor Rick Perry is looking at the possibility of calling a Special Session of the Texas Legislature to curtail the power of Regional Planning Commissions.
Why? Because Sub-Regional Planning Commissions have become the latest weapon in the arsenal of opponents of the Trans-Texas Corridor says Capitol Annex
Read how "391 Commissions" can kill the Gov. Perry and Sen. Watson TTC Land Grab.
High Gas Prices Drives Down Travel
Miles driven on U.S. roads in March declined 4.3 percent compared to the same month last year, the sharpest drop since 1942 when the Federal Highway Administration began issuing monthly driving reports. Texans pulled back even more, logging 4.9 percent less says the San Antonio Express.
VIDEO: Reenactment of Rep. Mike Kruse DUI arrest
Since DPS won't release the video of Rep. Mike Krusee's arrest (read the post below), I found something that I'd like to call a "reenactment video". Enjoy. : )
DPS withholding video of Mike Krusee's arrest
A few weeks ago State Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and had to spend the night in jail, see my post here for more details.
Now Texas Department of Public Safety is withholding trooper dashboard camera video taken during the arrest of Texas representative Mike Krusee. Why do our elected officials like Krusee and Mayor Wynn get special treatment when they are arrested? You know this info would be released if it was you or I with a DUI.
KXAN has the story:
"Using the Texas Public Information Act, KXAN requested the video after the state lawmaker from Williamson County was arrested for DWI earlier this month. A state trooper pulled him over after he noticed him driving erratically in northwest Austin. The license plate on his vehicle also had expired last December.Read the rest of the article HERE.
Elected state officials all have personalized license plates. Therefore, the trooper would have known he was pulling over a state official before asking for identification.
A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety said Krusee failed a field sobriety test. When asked if he had been drinking, Krusee said he had had one glass of wine.
DPS is using a section of government code that allows law enforcement entities to withhold information regarding an ongoing investigation, if they choose.
Krusee who, before his arrest, announced he planned on not running for reelection, helped pave the way for major toll road projects and stiffer drunken driving penalties.
Krusee sponsored House Bill 3588, which opened the door for the state's toll road system and the Trans-Texas Corridor. It also included a provision to create the driver responsibility program, which charges a $1,000 surcharge for first-time offenders convicted of driving while intoxicated, with additional penalties for repeat offenses.
The Capitol had buzzed that Krusee would be a candidate to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission once he resigned his seat in the House. Paul Burka, senior executive editor of Texas Monthly, speculated on his blog Thursday that the DWI did not help Krusee, mainly because it gave new ammunition to toll road opponents who oppose Krusee's appointment.
"Krusee has made himself a bigger target than he would have been otherwise," Burka said.
Structural Expert Warns Bridge Failure — TxDOT NOT Concerned
by Darren Hunt, El Paso 's ABC-7
Cracks have been discovered in a couple of bridges along Interstate 10.
Earlier this week, an ABC-7 viewer e-mailed pictures of cracks in the concrete bridges located near the Sunland Park exit going both East and West on I-10.
Although Texas Department of Transportation officials said there is no cause for concern, ABC-7 sought a second opinion.
We asked UTEP Engineering Professor Dr. Carlos Ferregut whether the cracks could lead to a much larger problem?
"Some of these cracks are due to wear and tear that I would consider regular wear and tear," Dr. Ferregut said.
But one crack, that ran across a beam, left Dr. Ferregut concerned.
"We will need to get TxDOT to send engineers to take a closer look at that crack," he said. "The geometry of the crack indicates a possible shear failure."
TxDOT officials said they inspected the bridges about nine months ago and they were deemed safe. They are not due for an additional inspection until August of 2009.
"Normally, if a bridge is in good condition, it's two years, every two years," TxDOT Transportation Engineer Tony Lujan said. "But if there's something wrong then we adjust from there and see how often we have to monitor."
Dr. Ferregut said he believes something needs to be done about that crack.
"It's the kind of failure that is brittle and doesn't give much warning," he said. "If for some reason we have a very heavy weight coming through, passing close to that beam, it could be potentially a failure situation."
Large Hole opens in Houston
Freeway, TxDOT clueless.
and Trash. TxDOT says It's Not their Problem
VIDEO: TxDOT and Toll Authority Scheme
to Force Public onto Austin's 183A Toll Road
TxDOT Program Placed Medicaid Patients
in the Hands of Convicted Criminals
and Unlicensed Drivers - Reveals State Audit.
TxDOT short exit ramp in Amarillo
causes many accidents - TxDOT might
fix the problem it created.
TxDOT Was Happy With Contractor
That Refused to Do It's Work
TxDOT Fails to Plan Ahead,
And People Die.
Texas Toll Roads are
Double Billing via TaxTAG
Toll Road Contractor Overcharges Taxpayers,
TxDOT Asleep at the Wheel
TxDOT Fumbles Bridge Estimate:
Taxpayers Pay 300% More
TxDOT Flushes $300 million.
TxDOT cuts Down Historic
Tree By Mistake.
TxDOT Engineer, Bob Daigh: Secret Deals,
Lies and a Convicted Criminal
More TxDOT Failures
AUSTINITES 30 Sec. ACTION ALERT: City Council Considering Huge Tax Give-Away to Domain Mall Owners
This Thursday, the Austin City Council is considering making mandatory huge tax give-aways (corporate welfare) to the owners of the Domain mall. This special interest lobbyist push gives Domain a huge advantage over independent businesses, and guess who pays higher taxes to cover this free money scheme? YOUR FAMILY
This could undermine the citizen initiative by Stop Domain Subsidies to change the city charter to outlaw such giveaways. Take 30 sec. and speak out. Click here to contact the City Council and tell them not to make tax give-aways mandatory.
Find Lowest Gas Price Near Your Home
Find the lowest gas prices, right near your home HERE. Thanks Dan!
Record Gas Prices Are Coming
Skyrocketing oil prices means YOUR gas prices will be even higher in the weeks and months to come. Some experts say gas prices will hit $8.00 a gallon, as we look ahead.
The San Antonio Express came out with an article last year that tells why high gas-prices negatively effect the prospects of more toll roads. The feasibility of all toll roads are based on traffic and revenue projections, which are tied to gas prices.
The Traffic and Revenue projections for SH 130 toll road is based on the assumption that motor fuel will remain in "adequate supply and motor fuel prices will not exceed $2.50 per gallon".
130 toll failed to meet it's 1st year projection by over $11 million dollars reported the Statesman. Who do you think pays for a failed toll road? Look in the mirror. Who do you think still makes a profit? Yup, the banks that floated the BILLIONS of debt.
Many folks are having a hard time affording $4.00 a gallon, and less folks will be able to afford $8 a gallon. It is time to sell your SUV, and move closer to your work.
Just a couple of months ago the Energy Watch Group put out a report that states that the worlds oil supply peaked in 2006, and production will start to decline at a rate of several percent per year. That means gas prices will only rise, and in the months ahead, you'll be thinking of the good old days when gas only cost $4.00 a gallon.
Hell, when the real shit comes down in the years ahead, Gov. Perry and Sen. Watson will be out of office, sitting on an island somewhere enjoying time with their family and the security of tons of money in the bank.
Read this article from The Australian Newspaper:
Our elected leaders must be on crack! I just took a look at my Travis County Appraised Value statement and my taxes for my house went up again this year. They screw around with our appraisal values as home values drop across the country. They must think we are stupid.
And the finger pointing begins.... RIGHT ON THE STATEMENT, they actually have the nuts to include this line, "The Texas Legislature does not set the amount of your local taxes. Your property tax burden is decided by your locally elected officials...".
They all have a hand in our pockets — monkeying around with these numbers, playing games with our tax dollars.
EVERYONE SHOULD APPEAL. 70% of property tax appeals are successful, but only 7% of homeowners appeal each year.
And, it's easy to appeal. My pal Dr. Peter Stern has a new post on how easy it is to appeal HERE at AustinatIssue.com's Town Hall. Odds are you'll win your appeal, and save hundreds of dollars, all for spending a little more than an hour of your time. I'll see you at the appeal hearing!
UPDATE 5/21: I just found out that it's possible not to have to go to a formal hearing to get your tax payment lower. In many cases the informal meeting with the appraiser, a one on one, could result in a lower tax payment.
EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Speaks Out About TTC Being Killed In Next Session
I just received a surprising email from State Rep. Leo Berman of District 6 this morning.
The email could be the first sign that the Ledge is finally serious about killing Gov. Rick Perry's TTC Land Grab. The Ledge also needs to stop the unaccountable double tax of TxDOT using our tax dollars to shift our public freeways to tollways.
Rep. Berman says he and Sen. Kevin Eltife are working together to stop the TTC. Watch the video from last year, with Sen. Eltife saying, "I think we've created a monster at TxDOT".
Rep. Berman is the chair of the House Elections Committee and a member of the House Government Reform Committee. Below is the email Rep. Berman sent me at 8:25am, in response to the email I sent him (and other Ledge members this morning), to announce my "silver bullet" post on this blog.
Mr. Costello:
A number of legislators are committed to killing the TTC next session. Sen. Kevin Eltife and I have gone public with that commitment. Both of us will work hard toward that end.
Leo Berman
State Rep. District 6
Have Texans Found a Silver Bullet to Kill the TTC?
Have Texans found the silver bullet to kill Gov. Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor land grab?
It looks like it. Citizen groups are now using the laws created by the special interests (which were created to form regional pro TTC groups) to form regional anti-TTC commissions to force TxDOT to answer endless TTC questions, that could last months, years and even decades if needed.
And, with the law on their side this time, they believe it's working.
Three Texas Citizen groups, American Land Foundation, Stewards of the Range and Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom have joined forces and are gearing up for a second "How to Fight the TTC Workshop", which will take place in El Campo, TX.
Since the first succesful workshop last month, which was held in Lufkin, the group has formed three new "391 Commissions", which could slow down and stop the TTC in different regions of Texas. The 391 commission is named after chapter 391 of the Texas Local Government Code.
The El Campo, TX Workshop is scheduled for this Thursday, May 15th, 9am-3pm at the El Campo Civic Center (map). Registration deadline is Thursday at 8:00 am
The workshop will teach Texas citizens and community leaders how to form a 391 Sub-Regional Planning Commission and all the needed details to help stop the TTC in their region.
Citizens opposed to the TTC, County Commissioners, County Judges, Mayors and City Councilpersons are urged to attend.
send this article to others.
T. Boone Pickens Is The Master, You Are The Serf
With the Texas Legislature's help, "T. Boone Pickens essentially created a public utility, giving him the power of eminent domain." Read about HERE.
Now a new article from North Texas....
Mesa: Picken's rep said
mogul's 'desire to be fair'
CHILDRESS - Boone Pickens has a public relations problem.
About 120 people crowded into the Childress Fair Park Auditorium here this month for a town hall meeting with a handful of state legislators in response to a series of meetings Pickens' Roberts County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 and Mesa Power are holding in connection with their plan to buy up a right-of-way from the Texas Panhandle to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for a water pipeline and power transmission lines. But significantly, Ray Floyd of Collingsworth County voiced a comment at the Childress meeting that others mentioned while waiting for the meeting to start.
"The way it was presented to me was very offensive," Floyd said.
He said if Pickens had approached the people here differently, it could have helped everyone.
"It looks like it is for his benefit only," Floyd said.
A number of people commented that when they went to one of Mesa's meetings, Pickens wasn't there.
When State Sen. Robert Duncan asked the people crowded into the auditorium here if the legislators present should support Mesa's project, nary a hand was raised. When he asked if the lawmakers should oppose it, almost everyone raised their hand. Some raised two hands.
The other problem at the meeting was that while most everybody agreed that the wind power project was good, transporting water from the Texas Panhandle was outrageous. No one wanted to talk about eminent domain. They only wanted to talk about sending Panhandle water to Dallas.
Read the rest of the article HERE.
Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kirk Watson Pimp Out Texas Highways
state politicians with agendas directed toward
providing for wealthy corporate benefactors."
Read the whole Weatherford Democrat article called "Taking the Low Road" (yes, it's Ric Williamson's hometown) HERE.
TxDOT Spends Fortune on Traffic Ticket Campaign Despite Claim to be Out of Money.
It's unknown how much TxDOT is spending for the whole "Click It or Ticket" campaign that was kicked off this week. The program supports a state and local police drive to hand out as many $200 tickets as possible to motorists who either forget to wear a seatbelt or make a personal choice not to do so. Although the agency has claimed to lack funding to expand the state's road network, it has created a lavish advertising campaign to promote the ticketing effort reports TheNewspaper.com.
Rick Perry's 'Highway Henchwoman'
Another good article today... This time about Gov. Rick Perry's new pick for governing TxDOT, Deirdre Delisi, from The Houson Chronicle. My favorite snip that boils it all down happens to have come out of my mouth:
"She has zero transportation experience. Maybe she drives to work, but that's about it," said Sal Costello, who founded TexasTollParty.com to oppose the way tollways were planned under Perry.Delisi also has zero business experience. But that doesn't stop our corrupt politicos from going along with such an unexperienced person running TxDOT. Sen Kirk Watson, who has sided with Gov. Perry in the past on toll tax schemes, approves of Delisi. Sen Hegar and others have said NO.
"This is an agency that deals with billions of our tax dollars for transportation, and this person has no experience. That's frightening. What she does bring to the table is she's Gov. Perry's highway henchwoman."
Toll Lobby out in force this morning with comments, poo pooing Ben Wear's column below.
See the Toll Lobby comments supporting 130 toll here.
Statesman Slams 130 Toll (TTC primer)
The Statesman article below is significant. 130 toll road was the most expensive road project in Texas history at a cost of $1.5 Billion dollars. It was built as a primer for the TTC. Kirk Watson's Prop 1 from the year 2000 diverted $67 million city bond dollars (promised for Austin freeways) into SH 130 and 45N toll roads.
Texas 130 loses to I-35
your columnist pays $6 to get
there 20 percent slower
Ben Wear, Austin American-Statesman
Uh, maybe we just hit a light traffic day.
Based on a highly unscientific experiment conducted last week by your transportation columnist and accomplice Andrea Ball, taking the Texas 130 tollway as an alternative to Interstate 35 might not be such a good idea. At least not all the time, at least not yet. But I get ahead of myself.
Texas 130, if you don't know, branches off southeast from I-35 north of Georgetown, swings past Hutto, Manor and the Austin airport and then connects to U.S. 183 near Mustang Ridge. After a slight jog northward, you can get back to I-35 via FM 1327. In about a year, another toll road, Texas 45 Southeast, will in effect replace the seven-mile-long FM 1327 leg of that loop.
The tollways have been sold as a speedier alternative to the ravages of I-35 rush hour traffic. Toll road proponents have said that truckers, in particular, will flock to Texas 130 (and, eventually, Texas 45 Southeast) because time is money to them. Even with a $24 cash toll for truckers ($6 cash for passenger cars and pickups, $5.40 with a toll tag), the argument goes, it's worth it to save the time.
So I decided to test that claim. I'd drive the tollway during rush hour and recruit a colleague to drive I-35 at the same time, then compare notes.
The hardest part, it turned out, was getting a volunteer.
However, Andrea, who writes a philanthropy column among her other duties, graciously agreed (well, maybe not so graciously, as you'll see below) to be my transportation lab rat.
So last Monday morning, after synchronizing our watches on a frontage road just north of Texas 130's departure from I-35, and agreeing that both of us would drive no faster than 70 mph in unrestricted traffic, we headed off, me to the tollway and Andrea on I-35. Who got to the intersection of FM 1327 and I-35 first?
Andrea's account
(Based on copious notes she somehow took while driving at highway speed):
Early morning on I-35? I should still be sleeping. Maybe I am sleeping.
Awake or not, I am well prepared for my journey into the bowels of Austin traffic.
Nutz Over Chocolate Luna Bars? Check. Bottle of water? Yep. US Magazine to entertain me during the inevitable standstill traffic? Of course.
It's 7:15 a.m. I reset my trip odometer at the Texas 130 overpass. Traffic is light, and my 1997 Saturn clips along at a speedy 70 mph.
At 7:27 a.m. I hit my first patch of traffic at Exit 252 in Round Rock. Drivers slow down to 25 mph. Red brake lights dot the still-gray morning. I'm irritated. Bad traffic already? I hate Ben. Hate him.
By 7:29 a.m., the knot has unsnarled itself. Drivers hit the gas, quickly climbing to 50 mph or so. Not bad. Maybe I don't hate Ben as much as I thought I did.
The brake lights are back at 7:35 a.m., just as I hit the Yager Lane exit. Then, a few seconds later, we are once again cruising.
By 7:39 a.m., I am questioning myself. Have I misjudged you, I-35? Are you, in fact, the interstate highway of my dreams? You are so welcoming that even the other drivers are pleasantly courteous. (Except you, White Nissan. You know what you did.) My love beats strong for this much-maligned stretch of blacktop.
Three minutes later, I-35 and I are on the rocks. I'm in standstill traffic near the Super 8 Motel just south of Cameron Road.
Suddenly, the jam loosens. The next 18 minutes are a driver's dream. Bye bye, Capitol. See ya, Riverside Drive. Later, Stassney Lane.
By 8 a.m., 43.3 miles from our mutual starting point, I am sitting on the I-35 frontage road near FM 1327, waiting for Ben to arrive. I am skeptical. Something stinks here, and it's not just my car.
Meanwhile, on the toll road
The drive on Texas 130 is predictably uneventful and stress-free. With only one car visible about a quarter mile ahead and none in the rearview mirror, I set the cruise control to 70 mph.
I will have to tap the breaks only once in the next 46.8 miles of toll road. Much of the time there are no cars within 100 yards of me, and I see less than two dozen 18-wheelers the whole trip. The view is mostly of cows, green fields and old farm buildings.
Because the southern 8.7 miles of Texas 130 opened only two weeks ago and is still in a free promotional period, my toll tag will get hit with only $4.05 rather than the $5.40 that it will cost starting later this summer.
At 8 a.m., I am turning west on FM 1327. I pull up to Andrea's car at 8:09 p.m. Taking the toll road cost me nine minutes. And the toll I paid. But that's not all it cost.
My total mileage: 54.8 miles, 11.5 miles more than the direct I-35 route. My Taurus tells me that I got 23.7 miles per gallon, so the extra mileage cost me a little less than a half-gallon of gas. That's another $1.75 or so. I averaged 60.6 mph, Andrea 57.7 mph.
So, at rush hour, I paid almost $6 to get there 20 percent slower.
Read the rest of the article HERE.
Toll Road balloons an additional $100 million!
In Dallas, last night at 10, WFAA-Channel 8 ran a good story on the growing delays in the Trinity River toll road timeline.
According to Mayor Tom Leppert's own metric for the cost of delays, the toll road price has already ballooned an additional $100 million, the report said. Completion is at least a year behind what Leppert promised during the campaign for last year's referendum says Unfair Park.
Tolling Authority votes to increase cost by 3 times!
"The original FREEway plan to build overpasses and expand the highway as promised in public hearings in 2001 (and funded with gas taxes in 2003) came to $100 million and would have taken 18 months to complete (versus 3 1/2 years to build the toll road). Now the ARMA is deliberately deceiving motorists by saying a 5-year delay is somehow speeding things up. On top of that, they're crowing 'we saved you money' while charging taxpayers THREE times the price of the FREEway plan! The RMA also says there will be non-toll lanes, but fails to tell commuters their only non-toll option will be access roads with slower speed limits and permanent stop lights. That's not a choice, it's highway robbery," notes Terri Hall, Founder of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF) whose organization teamed up with Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas (AGUA) in filing a lawsuit to stop the US 281 toll road and FORCE TxDOT to install the funded FREEway improvements.
The taxpayers have demanded TxDOT install the cheaper, faster, and funded gas tax FREEway improvements on US 281 from day one (see the proof it's been funded since 2003 here.. For more than 3 years, the Texas Legislature, the San Antonio Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAMPO), and the ARMA have repeatedly thumbed their noses at the thousands of taxpayers who have attempted to reverse these organizations' votes to toll US 281.
TURF has also asked for a public vote on ALL toll projects, especially a freeway to tollway conversion. Make no mistake, this is a conversion. Every single lane motorists drive on today will be converted to toll lanes, and the NEW lanes will be frontage roads with non-highway speed limits and permanent stop lights.
"This is thievery pure and simple. It's criminal that our politicians have repeatedly voted to rip-off taxpayers in a massive money grab. There is NO excuse for failing to build the FUNDED FREEway improvements other than to make money. They can't make money off a freeway, only a toll road. In fact, 281 users need to know their FREEway will be converted into a toll road to fund improvements to 1604 in a BIG, FAT, UNFAIR Robin Hood scheme. It's a targeted new tax on driving at a time with record high gas prices with no end in sight," Hall said.
The US 281 toll project will also include a non-compete agreement where the ARMA agrees not to expand or improve ANY roads surrounding the toll road, which means Blanco Rd., Stone Oak Pkwy., Redland Rd., and Bulverde Rd to name a few. The ARMA says a non-compete would not prevent TxDOT, the City, or County from expanding roads, but none of those entities would dare put the toll bonds in jeopardy by expanding nearby roads and violating a non-compete investors demand. The ARMA is also declining to insure the bonds for this project putting the taxpayers on the hook if the road goes belly-up.
The ARMA is also relying on it's a risky traffic projection adding 25% to the already aggressive growth projections the SAMPO uses. Considering the soaring price of gas and the trend toward moving inside Loop 1604 and 410 to shorten commutes, the failure of the US 281 toll road is likely. Express-News columnist Ken Allard seemed to agree in his column last week (read it here.).
"This is fast becoming a risky boondoggle in a time of economic crisis. There will not be enough political cover for the politicians when this hits the fan," Hall finished.
Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson fired off a letter of concern about the financial viability of toll roads in this economic climate with high gas prices forcing people to change their behavior to reduce costs. Adkisson and ARMA Executive Director Terry Brechtel met today, but neither changed the other's mind.
HOW TO FORM A 391 COMMISSION to help stop the TTC
Any local elected officials, from any part of the state, can form a commission to ask TxDOT and the feds questions, which will bog down the TTC. Start talking to your elected officials and to get a 391 commission started today.
Anyone interested in learning how to form a 391 Commission to require TxDOT to Coordinate the TTC with their local community needs to read the article prepared by attorney Fred Kelly Grant titled "The Creation of the Eastern Central Texas Sub-Regional Planning Commission" on our website a www.stewards.us. This is the most complete explanation of how easy it is to form a Commission, and how effective it can be.
A new article from TODAY below...
creation of 391 Commission
BY DAVE KUCIFER, Navasota Examiner
After listening to presentations by three lawyers familiar with the creation of a Sub-Regional Planning Commission (SRPC), then having questions answered during a 391 workshop last Thursday, Grimes County Commissioners decided to place the item on their May 26 agenda as a discussion item. The workshop at the Navasota center drew a large crowd of area property owners, along with officials from Madison, Waller and Walker counties. Anderson, Bedias and Navasota city officials were also in attendance.
Those attending the meeting heard Fred Grant, President of Stewards of the Range and an attorney with over 30 years experience as a planning and zoning officer in Idaho, explain how local government and citizens banded together through a SRPC to protect private land and grazing rights.
Dan Bayfield an attorney and President of the American Land Foundation in Taylor followed Grant. Bayfield presented a comprehensive step-by-step outline on forming a SRPC.
Trey Duhon, a Waller attorney instrumental in the formation of the Waller County SRPC shared his views regarding a commission in Grimes County.
Focal point of the meeting was how local citizens and governments can protect private property from "high-handed" governmental take over such as the action proposed by TXDOT's I69/TTC plans.
Read the rest of the story HERE.
How Toll Authorities Violate the 7th Amendment
One Texas blogger named Denney says Toll Authorities Violate the 7th Amendment. Here is his story of how a $3.50 toll ballooned to a $300 bill, and how he's taking a stand.
Voters Continue to Show Unawareness about Bond Issues
Did you know bonds = higher future taxes?
Read about it as well as Kirk Watson's bond diversions from the year 2000 — join in the discussion HERE at AustinatIssue.com's Town Hall.
Austin to install first of red light cameras by May 24
Here comes the Red Light Camera SCAM to Austin, TX.
Do you think red light cameras help safety? Well, then let me tell you, "you don't know Jack squat". Austin will install the first red light cameras by May 24, says the Statesman today.
The revenue hungry City Council of Austin unanimously voted to install red light cameras for downtown intersections last winter. The $15.8 million contract went to Redflex Traffic Systems.
How does the red light camera scam work?
1) Slippery politicos say that Red Light Cameras create safer roads while numerous studies across the country prove they cause MORE accidents.So, is there a real way to reduce accidents and red light runners?
2) Once the camera's are installed, and council members get campaign contributions from the Red Light Camera company profiteers, they shorten the timing of the yellow light to make more money (SEE BELOW!).
3) The Contractor and Politicos gets paid first. Taxpayers pay for the machines and maintenance. Taxpayers also pay via tickets and more accidents after the timing of the yellow lights are reduced.
YES, It's simple, but NOT profitable. Lengthening yellow lights to 5-6 second does more to reduce accidents than Red Light Camera's.
AND, remember when Legislators pushed for half the funds of RLC's were to go to emergency rooms and trauma centers? That money is being diverted too, says many new reports!
Also, read this new article below...
on Short Yellow Times
A local news investigation has found that the city of Dallas, Texas depends upon short yellow timing to maximize red light camera profit. Of the ten cameras that issue the greatest number of tickets in the city, seven are located at intersections where the yellow duration is shorter than the bare minimum recommended by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), KDFW-TV found.
The city's second highest revenue producing camera, for example, is located at the intersection of Greenville Avenue and Mockingbird Lane. It issued 9407 tickets worth $705,525 between January 1 and August 31, 2007. At the intersections on Greenville Avenue leadding up to the camera intersection, however, yellows are at least 3.5 or 4.0 seconds in duration, but the ticket producing intersection's yellow stands at just 3.15 seconds. The yellow is .35 seconds shorter than TxDOT's recommended bare minimum.
"For 30 miles per hour, if your yellow time was less than three and a half, you would not be giving that driver enough time to react and brake and stop prior to getting to the intersection," TxDOT Dallas District office transportation engineer supervisor Chris Blain told KDFW.
A small change in signal timing can have a great effect on the number of tickets issued. About four out of every five red light camera citations are issued before even a second has elapsed after the light changed to red, according to a report by the California State Auditor. This suggests that most citations are issued to those surprised by a quick-changing signal light. Confidential documents obtained in a 2001 court trial proved that the city of San Diego, California and its red light camera vendor, now ACS, only installed red light cameras at intersections with high volumes and "Amber (yellow) phase less than 4 seconds."
Read the rest of the story HERE.


text:
Who Needs Brickies When You Can Print Houses!
World's largest 3D printer can print entire houses out of clay…
Claimed by its makers to be the world's largest 3D printer, 'BigDelta' can print
entire clay huts in one session.
The 12m high machine has been created by a group known as the World's
Advanced Saving Project (WASP).
The collective hopes that the massive 3D printer will provide a sustainable
system of low-cost housing production in future, in response to housing
shortages in developing areas.
Inspired by traditional clay huts, the houses can be printed from mud, clay,
water and natural fibres so that they're cheap to construct as well as being
ecologically sound.
According to the designers, the lo-fi houses are extremely durable, needing
only a replacement outer layer to be applied every few years.
The large-scale printer is relatively lightweight so that it's easy to transport
and construct, say it makers.
As with most 3D printers, the material is deposited in layers from the ground
upwards, via a nozzle.
Let us know what you think about this new technology in the comments
section below.


text:
The SS19 show schedule is now online!
The Copenhagen Fashion Week SS19 show schedule is now online. This season with the highest number of applications so far in Copenhagen Fashion Week history.
We're proud to present a show calendar with a powerful line-up of strong brands – from Ganni, Baum und Pferdgarten, By Malene Birger, Stine Goya and Designers Remix to Mark Kenly Domino Tan and Cecilie Bahnsen – as well as debutants such as Brøgger, Hofmann Copenhagen and Emilie Helmstedt. And many more.
The three show days will be kicked off by BLANCHE, who will do the opening show Tuesday 7 August 11am. To make room for private events in the evenings, there will be no shows after 7pm. The only exception is Thursday night, where Saks Potts will be the closing act and round off this season's fashion week show schedule at 8pm.
View the full show schedule HERE.


text:
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul tells Breitbart News Hillary Clinton is not in good health and she has not been forthright about her health challenges.Paul, who has continued as a practicing eye surgeon since his 2010 election to the Senate, says it's impossible to reach a conclusion about someone's health without an actual examination. "I think she has some significant health problems–I don't know what they are," he said. "Her losing consciousness, there, which by all appearances she did lose consciousness, is not something commonly associated with pneumonia," the surgeon said. Rand Paul who is originally a doctor and still is to this day, would likely know that Hillary's pneumonia diagnosis is pure garbage...Likely due to the fact he has seen people with the sickness during his years as being a doctor. He is absolutely right that losing consciousness is not a symptom of pneumonia in the first place. Common symptoms of pneumonia tend to be cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Sorry Hillary but collapsing constantly and needing support to stand up and constant weird head spasms are not symptoms of pneumonia, these are signs that Hillary is likely dying and has a neurological disorder...Which should mean she should be ineligible to serve. Multiple doctors have also stated that Non contagious pneumonia doesn't even exist, like always with Hillary's health news pundits and the Hillary campaign are making up her diagnosis to cover up the fact that shes probably dying due to a major neurological disorder.
Leave a Reply.


text:
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 NEWS) – Residents of an East Fort Worth Subdivision are upset about proposed plans for low-income apartments to be built nearby. And they are saying it would hurt home values.
The neighborhood is the Bentley Village Estates off Randol Mill. It's a quiet and quaint neighborhood filled with mature oak trees.
"This neighborhood was developed around the mid 70s," says Scott Willingham who lives in the neighborhood "I just love the fact that it's a hidden gem."
Willingham moved in almost 30 years ago, but he's now fighting to keep a potential new neighbor out.
Willingham and others say they don't want more low income housing built along the 8700 block of Randol Mill Road.
Councilwoman Gyna Bivens says there are about 3,000 low income units already there within a one mile radius.
"We just don't want anything in the area that is going to detract from our home values," says homeowner Steve Arnett "We have fought other things such as storage sheds and that type of thing. Also, they were trying to put a liquor store in we fought all that and have been successful so far and we hope to be so again."
Homeowners say they would love to see a grocery store or restaurants there instead of the apartments.
"I still have to take my family to the West side of Fort Worth , Hurst or Arlington to have a casual sit down meal I would love to see us get some restaurants where we can sit down after church after a ball game," says Willingham.
Councilwoman Bivens says the last thing the area needs is more low income housing and says the area needs diversity in income.
She hopes to meet with a panel of developers about what would be best in the area.
A decision is expected next Tuesday.
CBS 11 News tried to contact Atlantic Housing which is a non-profit wanting to build the apartments, but phone calls have yet to be returned.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Latest News:
[display-posts category="news,sports" posts_per_page="5″]
Top Trending:
- Sasquatch Genome Project Reveals Bigfoot Photos
- Tricks To Using The New iPhone Software
- Enter The "Show Your Spirit' Sweepstakes
- Mexican Monster Truck Wreck Kills 8, Hurts Dozens
- Nolan, Daniels Involved In Heated Confrontation
- PHOTOS: Your Pet Pictures


text:
Everyone's a Critic
Well, guess what, Isis? You're going to like the final version of the book better, because it does have pictures in it. The lovely Ian Schoenherr, who most recently did the art for The Apothecary, has created maps, castle diagrams, various Appendix illustrations, endpapers, the cover page, ornamental chapter openers, and, probably my favorite illustrations of all, double-spread part openers (the book is in five parts) for Bitterblue, and the final result makes me SO HAPPY.
If you "like" the Graceling Realm page on Facebook, you'll have access to some of the art, which is slowly being revealed there.
The process of working with my publisher and Ian on the art was fascinating. It was surprising -- and delightful -- to realize how involved I needed to be, and lots of fun, too -- I enjoyed every minute of it. Often, it wasn't until I saw a sketch that I realized there was some physical aspect of a space I hadn't bothered to explain to Ian, because I'd internalized it so much that I'd forgotten that other people wouldn't necessarily be imagining it the way I did. I had to re-learn that we all see different things when we read words. And it's really helpful to have a visual artist picking your book apart and trying to interpret it. Ian found some inconsistencies no one else had caught -- like a clock tower I'd slapped onto the wrong bridge -- just in time for me to change them in the text. And every time one of his sketches came in, I sat there speechless, overwhelmed by how lucky I was to have an artist who was making my world so beautiful. Feeling, deeply, that Ian was making my world more beautiful than I had ever managed to make it.
Thank you, thank you, Ian, for what you've done for Bitterblue. I'm certain Bitterblue herself would love the art too.
By the way, as long as I'm talking about the physical book, I'd like to share something about it, a little book secret that makes this author very, very happy. Look what's under the dust jacket:
| Nothing could be more appropriate for Bitterblue
than a secret key hidden under the dust jacket
The next part of this post is rawther promotion-y. I apologize for that. I'm trying to put everything all together in one post, so that I can get back to my usual blogging style next time and forget about the release for a while!
Some housekeeping: There's now a new way to follow my blog. I've joined Twitter, @kristincashore. I intend to use it only as an amalgamation feed for my blog -- whenever I blog, it will automatically tweet a link to the blog post. I will not be reading @-replies. Please pass my Twitter name on to anyone you think might want to follow my blog now that they can do so on Twitter!
A frequently asked question: Will I be traveling for Bitterblue's release? Yes, I will, domestically and probably also internationally. Domestically, I'll be at TLA in Houston in April, and then I'll be doing a book tour starting release day, May 1. I don't have my times or locations yet for the tour, but I'll pass them on as soon as I do. I'll also be at BEA in New York in June, though I don't know my schedule yet. If there is an international tour, it'll probably be in the fall. I'll keep you all posted on that possibility.
Finally, if you've visited the Graceling Realm on Facebook, you may already have seen this trailer... but for those of you not on Facebook (like me! I'm not on Facebook), here it is. Thank you to everyone at Penguin who worked so hard to put this together!


text:
Do you know how people found chocolates?
1500 B c People In Mesoamerica Learned to prepare beans, from beans they grounded to prepare chocolate drink. They believed that chocolate was a heavenly food.
Chocolate was used as currency too, Gifted to soldiers for success in battles. Anyone who loves chocolate owes a huge debt of gratitude to this Dutch chemist. He invented a process that created an easily prepared powdered hot chocolate, which, in turn, led to the production of creamy, solid chocolate as we know it. When the Aztecs began to dominate Mesoamerica in the 14th century, they craved cacao beans, which could not be grown in the dry highlands of central Mexico that were the heart of their civilization. The Aztecs traded with the Mayans for cocao beans, which were so coveted that they were used as currency. (In the 1500s, Aztecs could purchase a turkey hen for 100 beans.) By some accounts, the 16th-century Aztec emperor Montezuma drank three gallons of chocolate a day to increase his libido.
Click here to buy Chocolates
In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors such as Hernán Cortés who sought gold and silver in Mexico returned instead with chocolate. Although the Spanish sweetened the bitter drink with cane sugar and cinnamon, one thing remained unchanged: chocolate was still a delectable symbol of luxury, wealth and power. Chocolate was sipped by royal lips, and only Spanish elites could afford the expensive import.
Spain managed to keep chocolate a savory secret for nearly a century, but when the daughter of Spanish King Philip III wed French King Louis XIII in 1615, she brought her love of chocolate with her to France. The popularity of chocolate quickly spread to other European courts, and aristocrats consumed it as a magic elixir with salubrious benefits. To slake their growing thirst for chocolate, European powers established colonial plantations in equatorial regions around the world to grow cacao and sugar. When diseases brought by the European explorers depleted the native Mesoamerican labor pool, African slaves were imported to work on the plantations and maintain the production of chocolate.
Chocolate remained an aristocratic nectar until Dutch chemist Coenraad Johannes van Houten in 1828 invented the cocoa press, which revolutionized chocolate-making. The cocoa press could squeeze the fatty cocoa butter from roasted cacao beans, leaving behind a dry cake that could be pulverized into a fine powder that could be mixed with liquids and other ingredients, poured into molds and solidified into edible, easily digestible chocolate. The innovation by van Houten ushered in the modern era of chocolate by enabling it to be used as a confectionary ingredient, and the resulting drop in production costs made chocolate affordable to the masses.
The modern era of chocolate making began in 1828 when Van Houten patented his method for removing most of the cocoa butter from processed cacao, leaving a powdered chocolate. Untreated cocoa mass, or "liquor," the end result of grinding cacao beans, contains about 53% cocoa butter. Van Houten invented a hydraulic press which reduced the amount to about 27%, leaving a cake that could be pulverized into a fine powder, which we know as cocoa. To improve this powder's ability to mix with liquid, Van Houten treated it with alkaline salts, which came to be known as "Dutching."
With the cocoa butter separated from the mass, chocolate makers now had a new and intriguing substance. Adding it to chocolate creates a creamier and more malleable product, making it supple enough to be molded into bars and more elaborate filled confections.
In 1875, a Swiss manufacturer called Daniel Peter added milk to his recipe to make the first milk chocolate bar.
This wasn't a completely new idea; Cadbury produced their milk chocolate drink based on Sir Hans Sloane's recipe between 1849 and 1875. And Cadbury added their own milk chocolate bars in 1897. But Daniel Peter was still way ahead of them – using condensed milk rather than powdered milk to produce a chocolate with a superior taste and texture. Another Swiss manufacturer invented the conching machine in 1879. This refined chocolate, giving it the smooth texture we know today. Swiss milk chocolate dominated the British market – a situation the Cadbury family set out to challenge in the 20th Century.
Mexico as early as 1900 B.C. The ancient Mesoamericans who first cultivated cacao plants found in the tropical rainforests of Central America fermented, roasted and ground the cacao beans into a paste that they mixed with water, vanilla, honey, chili peppers and other spices to brew a frothy chocolate drink.
Olmec, Mayan and Aztec civilizations found chocolate to be an invigorating drink, mood enhancer and aphrodisiac, which led them to believe that it possessed mystical and spiritual qualities. The Mayans worshipped a god of cacao and reserved chocolate for rulers, warriors, priests and nobles at sacred ceremonies.
In 1847, British chocolate company J.S. Fry & Sons created the first solid edible chocolate bar from cocoa butter, cocoa powder and sugar. Rodolphe Lindt's 1879 invention of the conching machine, which produced chocolate with a velvety texture and superior taste, and other advances allowed for the mass production of smooth, creamy milk chocolate on factory assembly lines. You don't need to have a sweet tooth to recognize the familiar names of the family-owned companies such as Cadbury, Mars and Hershey that ushered in a chocolate boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s that has yet to abate. Today, the average American consumes 12 lbs. of chocolate each year and more than $75 billion worldwide is spent on chocolate annually.


text:
Charity rules tightened
InvestmentExecutive.com – news – The CRA's closer scrutiny is seen to be a call for increased compliance efforts for charities such as family foundations
September 2013. By Rudy Mezzetta | September 2013
The Canada revenue agency's (CRA) new guidelines on how it determines whether an organization will be considered to be a properly registered charity continues the CRA's recent trend of greater oversight of the sector.
For charities, including family foundations set up by high net-worth individuals, that means increased efforts to ensure their activities comply with the CRA's guidelines.
"Where there is a desire to have [a family] foundation operate some of its own charitable programs directly," says Camille Jordaan, tax associate with law firm Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Toronto, "clients now may have to incur additional time and expense to ensure that their foundation's charitable purposes are drafted in line with the guidance. Clients also may face increased costs and delays when they want their foundation to take on new charitable mandates or expand a particular program or activity."
Tax experts suggest the CRA's guidance entitledHow to Draft Purposes for Registered Charities, released in late July, is notable not so much for any new direction it provides, but because it updates and details formally the CRA's current regulatory process pertaining to charities.
"[The guidance] confirms what the CRA has been doing in practice for years," says Andrew Valentine, an associate in the charities and not-for-profit group of law firm Miller Thomson LLPin Toronto.
The CRA's recent released guidance provides the agency's recommended approach to drafting purposes – also known as "objects" – for organizations intending to become registered charities and for charities that are considering altering their existing purpose. "Purpose" is CRA-speak for the objective that the charity seeks to achieve. Relieving poverty, advancing education, advancing religion and furthering health are the four broad categories of charitable purposes.
The CRA guidance further states that a charity must define clearly both the scope of the activities through which the charity will seek to provide its purpose and the segment of the public that is the intended beneficiary of the charity's activities.
More detailed
The new CRA guidance requires charities to be much more detailed in their approach to defining their purposes and activities.
"[The guidance] requires more specificity up front [regarding the charity's stated purpose]," Valentine says, "and it gives charities less flexibility in terms of how precisely it carries out its charitable purposes."
In years past, the CRA had been more liberal in its policies toward charities' purposes and activities. "Previous policy," Valentine says, "allowed charities to have fairly broad statements of purpose."
Over the past 10 years, the CRA has increased its oversight of the charitable sector, particularly regarding certain donation receipt-related tax strategies in which the tax receipt offered exceeds the amount of the donation.
"The CRA's increasing scrutiny," Jordaan says, "of both registered charities and organizations seeking to become registered as charities can be seen as a reaction to various abuses involving charities that have come to light in recent years, including tax-shelter and donation-receipt scams."
In certain cases, the CRA has moved to deregister some charities altogether. The agency also has tightened its guidelines on what is considered to be a registered charity.
Charitable purpose
Organizations may be recognized as registered charities -and, therefore, be tax-exempt and able to issue tax receipts to donors – if they meet the criteria under the Income Tax Act (ITA). Primarily, the organization must have an exclusively charitable purpose and its activities must be focused exclusively on pursuing that purpose.
However, the ITA does not define what a charitable purpose or activity is. Therefore, the courts must look to case law to determine what qualifies as a charitable purpose or activity. The CRA sets the policy for administering charities, but the agency's guidances do not have the force of law.
The CRA may be overreaching its jurisdiction with its new guidance on charitable purposes, according to Valentine's newsletter regarding the guidance: "It is possible that [the] CRA's interpretation of the legal requirements for a statement of purpose may be challenged in court. In our view, the CRA's approach is much more restrictive than the case law requires."
However, in practical terms, the CRA's guidance is likely to have significant effect on how charities decide to constitute themselves and operate in the future, says Ted Hyland, a lawyer with Iler Campbell LLP in Toronto: "Charities tend to comply rather than take the CRA to court if they don't agree with the CRA's interpretation of the law and application of policies. Most charities don't have the resources to take up that fight."
< http://www.investmentexecutive.com/-/charity-rules-tightened?redirect=%2Fsearch >
This entry was posted on Sunday, September 1st, 2013 at 9:56 am and is filed under Equality Debates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Leave a Reply


text:
Race Pimping
The Big Black Lie
Sexy Brilliance …
The Black Sphere
Race Pimping
The Big Black Lie
Sexy Brilliance …
Featured posts
Most popular
7 days popular
By review score
Nancy Pelosi's Game: Explode the Budget
Kevin Jackson
May 21, 2020
China Confiscates American-Made Products
Kevin Jackson
April 27, 2020
Trump MOCKS Leftists With Latest Chinese Wuhan Virus Development
Kevin Jackson
March 28, 2020
California's Impending Disaster, A Warning For America
C.P. Stetsko
March 26, 2020
Trump Policy Almost EMPTIES Welfare Lines
Kevin Jackson
February 27, 2020
Farmers are Stupid According to Presidential Nominee
February 17, 2020
Why Donald Trump WILL WIN in 2020
December 31, 2019
Trump Makes History Again: Labor Union Backs President
December 10, 2019
Economic Growth Defies Predictions, AGAIN!
November 27, 2019
60 Minutes: Syrian Refugees STEAL BILLIONS from Veterans and Children
November 13, 2019
It's Official: Trump Winning the Trade War
August 2, 2019
Democrats' 2020 Struggles Continue
June 11, 2019
Economy Roars At Dem Presidential Hopefuls
April 30, 2019
AOC Offers Another Bonehead Leftist Idea
April 17, 2019
Amazon Employees BUSTED: Listening to Alexa Conversations
April 12, 2019
Walmart to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos: Pay Your Taxes!
April 12, 2019
Obama Legacy Gets Another Blow as Trump's RECORD-BREAKING Continues
April 8, 2019
CNN Polls FAVORS President Trump
March 19, 2019
From my Friend Living in China: Trump CRUSHING China in Trade...
February 21, 2019
Trump's Economy to Leftists: Stop betting against me
February 1, 2019
President Trump's other Trump Card to Build the Wall
February 1, 2019
Trump Effect: NATO Partners Send $100 BILLION to Organization
January 30, 2019
America's Choice: Jobs or Mobs (Video)
January 22, 2019
Trump Could Shoot Democrats on Fifth Avenue and not be Impeached
January 18, 2019
What Trade War: China's Exports PLUNGE to Two-Year Low
January 16, 2019
How a Radical Democrat KILLED Democrats' Chances to Ever Beat Trump
January 13, 2019
History of Government Shutdowns: Trump Gives Democrats RUDE AWAKENING
January 5, 2019
Democrats Get Terrifying Economic News
December 10, 2018
Bloomberg: Leftists Admit Trump WINNING the Trade War
December 3, 2018
Guess What Group Might Sue Starbucks Now?
December 1, 2018
Trump Mocks Democrats: RECORD Revenues to Fed DESPITE Tax Cuts
November 25, 2018
Trump and the KEY REASON for Democrats' Midterm Demise
November 5, 2018
In time for Midterms: Trump Sets Another Record
November 2, 2018
ObamaCare Rates Continue to Torment Democrats
October 25, 2018
Blue Wave Dissipating As Trump Wins Surge
October 22, 2018
President Trump Smashes Another DC Lie
October 18, 2018
Mitt Romney Denies Leading 'Never Trump' Movement
October 16, 2018
Leftists Desperately Try to Credit Obama for Trump Economy
August 20, 2018
Trade War Over: Trump ROCKS EU Who Offers Concession
July 25, 2018
Trump Predicts a BIG SURPRISE for Democrats in Mid-Terms
June 17, 2018
What Advice Could Obama Possibly Give Democrat Presidential Hopeful?
June 15, 2018
Obama WHO? Best 500 Days than any U.S. President
June 7, 2018
California Politicians Use Water for Political Power
May 21, 2018
Trump Tricks Democrats into Armageddon on November 2018
April 29, 2018
Banned from Travel: Your 'Social Credit' Score is too low
April 9, 2018
Trump Again Proves Obama a Fiscal Idiot
March 19, 2018
Armageddon: US Steel Hiring BACK 500 Workers due to Trump Tariffs
March 16, 2018
California's Pending Recession: An Inconvenient Reality
March 8, 2018
Republicans Learn How to Fight: Create 'Crumbs Act' to Hit Pelosi...
February 14, 2018
Trump Tax Cuts Generate RECORD Income for Fed
February 13, 2018
GM Gives 50,000 Workers $11,750 "Crumbs" due to Tax Cut
February 8, 2018
Another Trump Economic Triumph Embarrasses for Obama
February 5, 2018
Another 50 Year First for America's Genius President
February 1, 2018
SHOCKING Chinese Response to Trump Tariff on Solar Panels
January 31, 2018
BETTER THAN REAGAN: Heritage Foundation on Trump's First Year
January 27, 2018
Blue State UTOPIA: California is Poorest State in America
January 22, 2018
President Trump SPRINGS the DACA Trap on Democrats
January 19, 2018
How Trump and the GOP saved this single black mother
January 19, 2018
Numbers Are In: 2018 BEST Holiday Shopping Season in a Decade
January 13, 2018
Armageddon: Fiat Moving Plant From Mexico to Michigan
January 12, 2018
Obama: GANGSTER President Who Tried to DESTROY Corporate America
January 11, 2018
President Trump's POWERFUL Message to the NFL
January 5, 2018
Donald Trump Saving Blacks and Latinos and Democrats HATE HIM for...
December 10, 2017
Trump POKES FUN at Obama's Little Economy
December 4, 2017
President Trump ENDS FREE MONEY for Immigrants [VIDEO]
November 25, 2017
Trump Wins: The Message Most MISSED from Keurig's Backpedal
November 16, 2017
RACISM: NFL Ratings Blamed on Inferior Product
October 31, 2017
1.5 Million FEWER Americans on Food Stamps
October 24, 2017
President Trump MOCKS Left: How About This ECONOMY! [VIDEO]
October 21, 2017
Democrat Presidential Candidate BOYCOTTS moment of silence for Vegas victims
October 3, 2017
Google Ultimatum to Conservative Website: Comply or Lose Revenue
September 9, 2017
Pelosi: 'Voters Don't Want to Hear us Criticizing the President'
September 5, 2017
Latest Trump Move Puts An End To Welfare Leeches
September 4, 2017
President Trump Stops MASSIVE 26 Percent Government Raise
September 3, 2017
Latest Obama Distinction EMBARRASSES Democrats
September 2, 2017
Trump Effect: Black Employment TORMENTS Democrats
August 21, 2017
Trump Slashes the Value of Amazon with One Tweet
August 17, 2017
Exposed: New EMBARRASSMENT for DNC
August 2, 2017
Trump SHOWCASES Obama's Legacy of Failure with Another HUGE Win
July 28, 2017
San Francisco Ban Showcases Racist School Policy [VIDEO]
July 24, 2017
Obama Says America Owes Him and I AGREE! [VIDEO]
July 18, 2017
You Won't Believe How Leftists Depict Trump's Housing Recovery
July 12, 2017
FAKE NEWS MEDIA Ignores Trump's Latest Victory
July 11, 2017
Trump Removes Obama's VICE GRIP from Crotch of Middle Class
July 10, 2017
Democrats in Trouble: 'Impeach Trump' Message Flatter than Road Kill
July 6, 2017
Check out How Obama Wasted $1 Trillion
July 4, 2017
White Billionaire Businessman BESTS Black Mogul Wannabe
June 12, 2017
Former Obama Staffer SLAMS America: U.S. No Longer a "beacon of...
June 12, 2017
Butt-hurt Obama: His Next Failed Move to Undermine President Trump
June 11, 2017
Al Gore CONFRONTED Over Failed Climate Predictions [VIDEO]
June 5, 2017
SHOCKING Reason These Muslims Were Arrested WILL APPALL TAXPAYERS
June 2, 2017
Black Democrat Congressman SLAMS OBAMACARE then removes tweet
May 30, 2017
The Federal Budget: How to GET A FREE CAR FOREVER
May 26, 2017
Trump's Budget Not Killing Kids But LIBERALISM KILLS MORE KIDS THAN...
May 25, 2017
LEFTISTS SILENT: CBO Confirms Repeal of Obamacare SAVES BILLIONS
May 25, 2017
CHECK OUT THE NUMBERS: How President Trump Is Saving America
May 23, 2017
LEFTIST SILENCE: List of Times Obama DESERVED Impeachment
May 18, 2017
Trump Triumphs in China TRADE DEAL: Did In Months What Obama...
May 12, 2017
Leftists Try to BLAME TRUMP on the biggest Obama FRAUD
May 10, 2017
Black Radio Host Shares How Obamacare IS Killing Black People
May 9, 2017
WOW: Have you seen the list of OBAMACARE TAXES President Trump...
May 8, 2017
Comedian Says Repealing Obamacare is Racist: So I Want WHITE PEOPLE...
May 7, 2017
HORRIBLE NEWS FOR LEFTISTS: Trump CRUSHES with New Jobs Numbers!
May 5, 2017
TRUMP WIN: Obamacare GETS TORCHED in Congress
May 4, 2017
Obama's Desperate America: Vandalizing Shops with a Mercedes
May 3, 2017
Puerto Rico's Healthcare Crisis: Why Obamacare MUST BE KILLED
May 2, 2017
Latest Move by President Trump PANICS THE LEFT AGAIN!
April 30, 2017
What CNN SHOCKINGLY ADMITS About President Trump First 100 days
April 28, 2017
Government Shutdown Averted: Trump Wins Round One
April 28, 2017
BREAKING: Judge Blocks Trump's Order Removing Federal Funding from Sanctuary Cities
April 25, 2017
As if America Needs Another Reason to Hate Chelsea Clinton [VIDEO]
April 25, 2017
HYPOCRITE: Millionaire Socialist Bernie Sanders Targets BILLIONAIRES
April 23, 2017
NEW STUDY: Trump Brings RECORD SAVINGS to American Taxpayers
April 20, 2017
Trump's Latest OBAMA LEGACY SMACKDOWN Just Happened [VIDEO]
April 19, 2017
United Airlines TOSSES More than Asians Off their Planes [VIDEO]
April 14, 2017
EMBARRASSING: President Trump PUNKS Washington Post
April 13, 2017
SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT: North Korea SUFFERS MASSIVE Humiliation
April 13, 2017
BERKELEY POLL SHOCK: California LOVES Trump's Policies
April 11, 2017
TRUMP WINS: China Offers Trade Concessions
April 10, 2017
CA Governor Moonbeam Brown Makes $1.8 BILLION Deficit Error
April 9, 2017
Ben Carson Uncovers MASSIVE HUD FRAUD Under the Obama Administration
April 4, 2017
BOYCOTT SUCCESS: Starbucks BEGS Conservatives to Come Back
April 3, 2017
HEY OBAMA: Trump's MAGIC WAND Creates Another 25,000 Jobs
March 27, 2017
Trump Welfare Reform: Leftists LIVID Over One Provision
March 21, 2017
DEMOCRATS CRYING: Under Trump CEO Confidence Hits Record High
March 20, 2017
Page 1 of 5
About Kevin
Contact Kevin
Privacy Policy
© Copyright The Black Sphere. All rights reserved.
Thanks for sharing!
We invite you to become a Black Sphere insider. Sign up for our free email newsletter, and we'll make sure to keep you in the loop.
Edit with Live CSS


text: Three Tips to Keep Your Rock Hill Home Comfortable During the Winter Months Posted November 24, 2015 The coldest temperatures in Rock Hill will hang on for a while. You may be daydreaming about summer, but you should realize you can be just as comfortable throughout winter. Your furnace makes this possible, so keep it operating well with routine furnace service. You count on your furnace to keep you comfortable in winter. It's important to keep it well-tuned with furnace service each year. When you take care of your furnace, it will take care of you and keep you comfortable all winter long. If you've already had your regular furnace service this year, we have some additional things you can do to make sure your home stays warm: Have an energy audit — you will find that many energy companies will perform an energy audit on your home to help you identify areas that can improve. It's amazing how many areas let hot or cold air escape. Weatherstripping — a great deal of cold air enters your home through open doors. But did you realize cold air could be sneaking in even when doors are shut? Inspect your weatherstripping and replace it if it's worn out or damaged. This simple task could block a lot of cold air from slipping inside your home. Recessed lighting — recessed lighting is one of the most common problems. They may permit a lot of warm air to escape through your ceiling. You can rectify this problem with a little caulk or aluminum tape. These tips will help a lot, but you can find many more tips to help keep your home warm and cozy. Or, give the experts at US Air Heating and Cooling a call at 803-220-0761 and we can help with that and schedule your annual furnace service if you haven't yet. You can also make an appointment with us online. Back To Blog


text: >> Although it does keep things together its a much larger PITA to work >> with. And I find it cumbersome to find the stuff I'm looking for >> unless >> I just happen to remember the Trac ID#. > > The search function is not worse than searching the mailing list.. Sure it is. I have my mail archive, nicely sorted and tagged, exactly as _I_ want it and I can easily drag out any mail I want. Having to use a separate application (and web-based too of all things) to access a fraction of the information universe I'm dealing with doesn't scale too well. >> Finding/implementing some sort of trac<->mailing list gateway >> would be >> ideal. > > Ok. So what should the gateway look like? > > I am pretty unreligious about which system to use, but we should stay > with what we decided to use at least until we find a better > solution or > we just fix the solution we have. But this is only possible if > there's a > common sense about the requirements. Well here's some of my thoughts to kick this off then, please discuss: 1) All developers should be aware of all patches; they can just press delete if they don't like the subject ==> All patches should be sent to the mailing list. 2) It should be as easy as possible to discuss patches, in free form, mixing patch snippets with prose (and flames and general silliness). When a patch author thinks he's had enough comments, he sends a new patch with some fixes and/or changes and perhaps an Acked-by: line. ==> All patches should be discussed on the mailing list; patches should preferably be sent inline (or if you really can only send attachments without getting mangled or word-wrapped patches, at least make sure the attachments are type text/plain and hopefully not encoded with binhex or quoted-unreadable or whatever). 3) No patches should go into a SCM tree without agreement from the tree's maintainer. ==> When a maintainer thinks a patch is good enough (after waiting a bit for discussion, perhaps), he signs off on the patch and either commits it or tells the author it's okay to commit. People read the SCM reflector to know when things went in (there are smallish delays often), and also to see what patches went in that they themselves didn't read (or participate in) (all of) the discussion for, but might be interesting for them nevertheless ["reading the changelog"]; when people are caught checking in stuff unauthorised (and they _will_ be caught) we can scramble their ssh key or force them to work from dialup or whatnot. 3) There is no need to keep all proposed patches in a tracker of any kind: software archeologists can go dig in the mailing list archives; for everyone else, all that matters is _what did actually change_ in the master repository and _why_, and the actual patches and check-in comments in the SCM tell that story. For people with short-term memory loss, there is this wonderful invention called the "threading mailer". ==> A tracker is a very useful tool for combined SCM monitoring, problem report handling, keeping track of the road map, etc.; it is *not* a good tool to organise people's personal code development (I prefer git and quilt, thanks), and certainly not a good tool for cooperative development. We need to work _closer_ together, in a sometimes non-linear or slightly ad-hoc fashion; communicate, and communicate freely; we don't need to be forced to sort and organise every little piece of work we do into millions of little boxes. Use the tracker for what it's good for: keeping track of the end result (the SCM, the problem database, the "big picture" of the current state of affairs). We don't need some unrelated tool to ordain how we should conduct or day-to-day business processes. 4) For accountability or just a paper trail, we have the Signed-off-by: lines, and those should stay with the patches at all time or they become meaningless. ==> The tracker can _track_ the sign-offs, that's fine; but it shouldn't be the main repository of-em (the SCM is for merged patches; all patches proposed to be applied but still in flight carry them inline with the patch). I hope this wasn't too long :-) > As always: He who sends a working patch usually wins. Nah, whoever gets the Signed-off-by: stamp-of-approval on his patch wins :-) Segher


text:
Challenges of African-American men in spotlight
Feb. 1, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Issues facing African American men will be in the forefront during Black History Month when a leading scholar and author on that subject visits Western Michigan University.
Dr. Joseph L. White, a psychologist and professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Room (Room 204) of the Bernhard Center. His appearance, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the University Counseling and Testing Center and is part of the Visiting Scholars and Artists Program.
White is co-author of the book "Black Man Emerging: Facing the Past and Seizing a Future in America." His presentation is titled "African American Men: Challenges During the Journey of Living."
For the past 38 years, White has enjoyed a distinguished career in the field of psychology and mental health as a teacher, mentor, administrator, clinical supervisor, writer, consultant and practicing psychologist. He received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Michigan State University in 1961 and, in addition to his teaching and research, has served as a supervising psychologist and staff affiliate psychologist to five hospitals and three clinical practices in Southern California. He has worked as a consultant with school districts, universities, private organizations, drug prevention programs and government agencies and was appointed to the California State Psychology Licensing Board by former Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr., serving three years as chairperson.
White's 1970 article "Toward a Black Psychology" in Ebony magazine helped usher in the modern era of African-American and ethnic psychology. Today, he is recognized as a pioneer in the field of black psychology.
In "Black Man Emerging," White and his colleague, James H. Cones III, move beyond the "endangered species" social pathology statistics and one-dimensional popular culture images of black males as athletes, entertainers, sit-com clowns, homeboys and occasional super-achievers to tell the story of the mind of the black male. The book traces the historical and psychological evolution of the African-American male from the dawn of civilization in Africa through the psychological transition into slavery and the long struggle for racial justice in America.
The authors explain the psychological and social challenges black males face as they move through life; how they think, feel and perceive the world around them; the major forces that influence their behavior, attitudes and identity; and the nature of the forces in America which affect the realization of their aspirations.
Published in 1999, the book has been acclaimed as a moving psychological and social portrait of African American men as they struggle against oppression for self-determination. Case histories and biographical sketches give the reader insight into how African American men confront dilemmas, move through difficult decisions and rebound from setbacks. The book delves into a variety of psychosocial styles and personality types black men have developed to resolve identity problems, build and maintain close relationships, cope with racism and discover strengths.
Booklist termed the book "a wide-ranging thoughtful look at the history of black men in the U.S. that takes a position on how to repair the damage of racism."
White's other book credits include "The Psychology of Blacks: An African-American Perspective" and "The Troubled Adolescent."
White's visit also is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, Division of Multicultural Affairs, Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, College of Education, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
The Visiting Scholars and Artists Program was established in 1960 and has supported some 500 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 65 academic disciplines. The chairperson of the committee that oversees the program is Dr. James M. Hillenbrand, professor of speech pathology and audiology.
For more information, contact Dr. Evelyn Winfield or Dr. Delores Walcott in the University Counseling and Testing Center at (616) 387-1850.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 616 387-8400, firstname.lastname@example.com
Office of University Relations


text:
Voice Actor
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Kevin Scollin is a voice actor who produces audio books for Audible.com.
When Kevin was in the 3rd grade his teacher told him he must have kissed the Blarney Stone. When he went home and told his mom this, she promptly smacked him up-side the head and told him to stop talking in class! He learned two valuable lessons from this: one, don't get caught talking in class; two, it's fun entertaining people by talking. And he's been doing it ever since.
With over 30 years of media experience, Kevin has been entertaining and informing in a wide variety of ways: as a top-rated Air Personality at a Major Market radio station; as a freelance Voice Actor for commercial, industrial and eLearning projects, as well as audio books; and as a father of three. (Hey, how many different ways can you read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?)
He's also appeared in two movies that may end up on Netflix one of these days!
To learn more about Kevin and his body of work, please visit his website (linked under the "Contact" tab).
Audio Books
Produced and Narrated by Kevin Scollin:
Listen to a sample of Forgive Me, Alex HERE (click on "PLAY AUDIO SAMPLE" right under the cover).
Up Next
Upcoming Narrations by Kevin Scollin:
Coming soon….