text: This is the accessible text file for GAO report number GAO-09-654R entitled 'The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Critical Infrastructure Protection Cost-Benefit Report' which was released on June 26, 2009. This text file was formatted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to be accessible to users with visual impairments, as part of a longer term project to improve GAO products' accessibility. Every attempt has been made to maintain the structural and data integrity of the original printed product. Accessibility features, such as text descriptions of tables, consecutively numbered footnotes placed at the end of the file, and the text of agency comment letters, are provided but may not exactly duplicate the presentation or format of the printed version. The portable document format (PDF) file is an exact electronic replica of the printed version. We welcome your feedback. Please E-mail your comments regarding the contents or accessibility features of this document to firstname.lastname@example.com. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. Because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately. GAO-09-654R: United States Government Accountability Office: Washington, DC 20548: June 26, 2009: The Honorable Robert C. Byrd: Chairman: The Honorable George Voinovich: Ranking Member: Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security: United States Senate: The Honorable David E. Price: Chairman: The Honorable Harold Rogers: Ranking Member: Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security: House of Representatives: Subject: The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Critical Infrastructure Protection Cost-Benefit Report: In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, damaging critical infrastructure, such as oil platforms, pipelines, and refineries; water mains; electric power lines; and cellular phone towers. The infrastructure damage and resulting chaos disrupted government and business functions alike, producing cascading effects far beyond the physical location of the storm. Threats against critical infrastructure are not limited to natural disasters. For example, in 2005, suicide bombers struck London's public transportation system, disrupting the city's transportation and mobile telecommunications infrastructure. In March 2007, we reported that our nation's critical infrastructures and key resources (CIKR)--systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on national security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters--continue to be vulnerable to a wide variety of threats.[Footnote 1] According to DHS, because the private sector owns approximately 85 percent of the nation's CIKR--banking and financial institutions, telecommunications networks, and energy production and transmission facilities, among others--it is vital that the public and private sectors work together to protect these assets. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created DHS and gave the department wide-ranging responsibilities for, among other things, leading and coordinating the overall national critical infrastructure protection effort.[Footnote 2] For example, the act required DHS to (1) develop a comprehensive national plan for securing the nation's CIKR and (2) recommend measures to protect CIKR in coordination with other agencies of the federal government and in cooperation with state and local government agencies and authorities, the private sector, and other entities. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 (HSPD-7) further defined critical infrastructure protection responsibilities for DHS and those federal agencies--known as sector-specific agencies (SSA)-- responsible for particular industry sectors, such as transportation, energy, and communications. HSPD-7 directed DHS to establish uniform policies, approaches, guidelines, and methodologies for integrating federal infrastructure protection and risk management activities within and across CIKR sectors.[Footnote 3] Also, in accordance with the Homeland Security Act and in response to HSPD-7, DHS issued, in June 2006, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), which provides the overarching approach for integrating the nation's many CIKR protection initiatives into a single national effort. The NIPP sets forth a comprehensive risk management framework and clearly defined roles and responsibilities for DHS, SSAs, and other federal, state, regional, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners implementing the NIPP.[Footnote 4] Within this framework DHS has emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnering with CIKR stakeholders, and relies on voluntary information sharing between the private sector and DHS to better protect and ensure the resiliency of CIKR in the United States. The Conference Report accompanying the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005, directed DHS to complete an analysis on whether the department should require private sector entities to provide DHS with existing information about their security measures and vulnerabilities in order to improve the department's ability to evaluate critical infrastructure protection nationwide.[Footnote 5] This direction was consistent with concerns raised by the House Appropriations Committee about DHS's progress conducting vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructure facilities generally, and security measures at chemical facilities in particular. The analysis was to include all critical infrastructure, including chemical plants; the costs to the private sector for implementing such a requirement; the benefits of obtaining the information; and costs to DHS's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP) (presently the Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP)) to implement this requirement.[Footnote 6] The Conference Report further directed us to review the quality of the analysis and report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 3 months after completion of the analysis. DHS provided us a copy of the report on February 23, 2009. According to DHS, the report was completed in 2005 and information was subsequently updated in June 2007.[Footnote 7] However, based on discussions with your staff and IP officials, the report was never delivered to the Senate and House Appropriation Committees. As agreed with your staff in March 2009, due to the age of DHS's report, this correspondence summarizes DHS's approach for preparing its report and documents the results of our efforts in order to fulfill our responsibility as directed in Conference Report 108-774. To determine DHS's approach for preparing the report, we reviewed the cost-benefit report and met with DHS officials in IP to better understand how the report was prepared and why it was prepared in that manner. We also compared it to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-4 which provides criteria federal agencies are to use when performing a regulatory analysis. Specifically, the circular, which is based on best practices, is designed to standardize the way benefits and costs of federal regulatory actions are measured and reported to (1) help learn if the benefits of a proposed action are likely to justify the costs, and (2) discover which of the possible alternatives is the most cost-effective. Among other things, the circular stipulates that the regulatory analysis include a quantitative analysis of costs and benefits.[Footnote 8] In unusual cases where there is no quantified information on either benefits or costs, the circular allows agencies to do a qualitative analysis and suggests that professional judgment be used to highlight those costs and benefits believed to be the most important. In either case, the circular calls for agencies to compare the benefits with the costs in the regulatory analysis. We conducted this performance audit from February 2009 to June 2009 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. Results: DHS used two contractors to complete the cost-benefit report at a cost of about $3.4 million.[Footnote 9] In August 2005, the first contractor developed a draft proposal that discussed the scope of the information required to complete the report and the security and vulnerability information currently available to DHS. It also proposed surveying the public and private sectors to collect information on the costs and benefits of providing vulnerability assessment and security information to DHS. DHS officials said that DHS rejected this approach because DHS was involved in developing a public-private partnership structure and officials believed that doing a survey on possible regulatory costs would have adversely affected the partnership building process. DHS officials also said that the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)--which requires agency requests for information to undergo internal and Office of Management and Budget review and approval and includes, among other requirements, public comment periods for the proposed information- gathering method[Footnote 10]--could have resulted in some delays in gathering data for the report, but it was not the primary reason for rejecting the proposed survey approach. DHS subsequently tasked the second contractor to complete the report using a different methodology, and according to DHS, this contractor produced a draft report in December 2005. This contractor compiled publicly available information on the costs and benefits to the public and private sectors of requiring vulnerability and security information be provided to DHS. Although the second contractor's report discussed potential public and private sector costs and benefits, it did not articulate which of these costs and benefits were most important, nor did it conclude whether the costs exceeded the benefits, or vice a versa, with regard to potential requirements for the private sector to provide information on vulnerabilities and existing security measures. Circular A-4 states that the objective of cost-benefit analysis is to produce a measure of the difference between benefits and costs and that when costs and benefits are based on a qualitative analysis, those deemed to be the most important are to be highlighted. DHS took receipt of the second contractor's report and, according to DHS officials, continued to revise it throughout the following year to incorporate information from the final NIPP and it's supporting sector specific plans.[Footnote 11] In addition to a discussion of potential costs and benefits, DHS's final report, dated June 2007, includes a general discussion of critical infrastructure risk management and associated information needs, an overview of the existing regulatory environment for each of the CIKR sectors, and the availability of security information and its utility to security partners, such as CIKR owners and operators.[Footnote 12] DHS officials said that they did not perform a cost-benefit analysis consistent with Circular A-4 because at the time they were required to do the report, they did not have quantifiable data to do such an analysis. They further explained that DHS was developing the report while DHS's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection group (now IP) was in the process of being established and prior to DHS's development of an accepted framework for compiling security and vulnerability information and assessing risk. In the absence of this framework, the officials said that contractor staff was tasked to compile material from published unclassified sources on the existing regulatory structure in the 17 sectors and draft the report, which was reviewed by DHS staff. They also said that DHS updated the report in 2007 to account for changes that had taken place since 2005, including a statutory requirement that DHS issue regulations requiring vulnerability assessments for certain chemical facilities and the development and implementation of site security plans for those facilities.[Footnote 13] DHS officials also noted that the interim NIPP was available while the draft was being prepared and it was used to help guide the development of the final report. DHS officials told us that they believe the final report was useful because it provided insights on different regulatory approaches across sectors and used appendixes to present more detailed regulatory overviews of three sectors--the chemical sector, the electricity sub sector of the energy sector, and the food and agriculture sector. They added that some sectors used this information to help write sector specific plans (SSPs) that are to augment the NIPP and detail the application of the NIPP framework to each CIKR sector.[Footnote 14] Nonetheless, DHS officials said that they believe that the report is outdated because DHS's CIKR program has evolved and matured since the report was originally completed, including DHS's efforts to promote and achieve voluntary information sharing between DHS and the private sector. Regarding the latter, DHS officials stated that they believe that the type of report directed by the Conference Report--that DHS analyze whether private sector entities should be required to provide information to the department--conflicts with the partnering/voluntary information-sharing approach DHS was already mandated to pursue under the Homeland Security Act.[Footnote 15] In February 2009, DHS provided us with a separate document referred to as the Executive Summary: Update of the Cost Benefit Report. This document included an elaboration of how DHS's partnering arrangement has evolved since the 2005 report was undertaken. This evolution occurred via the formation and continued maturation of the SSA concept, where the federal departments and agencies identified in HSPD-7 as responsible for CIKR protection activities in specified CIKR sectors lead the coordination effort for CIKR protection in those sectors; the formation of government and sector coordinating councils (GCCs and SCCs);[Footnote 16] and the issuance of critical infrastructure protection planning documents, including the NIPP and SSPs. Officials identified several other mechanisms that have been developed to share CIKR information and improve critical information protection. These include the CIKR Information Sharing Environment that is designed to address the complex requirements of information sharing among diverse sectors having different characteristics such as ownership patterns, history of collaboration, types and extent of interdependencies, and regulatory requirements. According to DHS, the Infrastructure Analysis and Strategy Division and DHS's Homeland Infrastructure Threat and Risk Analysis Center (HITRAC)[Footnote 17] have undertaken activities to enhance the ability of the private sector to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks and all-hazards incidents impacting CIKR. These activities include individual sector threat assessments and the development of a common risk model to be deployed across all sectors to evaluate risks associated with infrastructure security.[Footnote 18] We did not evaluate whether these actions are adequate to address the CIKR security and vulnerability concerns that led to the conference report language directing DHS to do the cost- benefit report. Such a study on our part would entail, among other things, a closer examination of the sources used by DHS to obtain cost and benefit information, including whether alternative sources or methods would yield more complete data, and discussions with representatives from some or all of the CIKR sectors to assess the completeness and appropriateness of the DHS approach--which is beyond the scope of this review. As discussed with your staff, because the DHS report is several years old and given DHS's evolving approach to CIKR partnering that it reports has improved CIKR information sharing and security, further analysis of the report would not be beneficial. Therefore, this correspondence represents the fulfillment of our responsibility as directed in Conference Report 108-774. Agency Comments and Our Evaluation: We requested comments on a draft of this report from the Secretary of Homeland Security. DHS provided written comments on June 17, 2009 which are summarized below and reprinted in Enclosure II. In its comments, DHS did not state whether it concurred with the contents of the draft report but emphasized that the primary basis for the approach taken in 2005 to develop the cost-benefit report was to assure that the Department's mandated public-private partnership building activity be performed without disruption. It said that a data collection effort to identify costs and benefits for a regulatory approach to collecting information from the private sector would have stopped this process with questionable success at acquiring the information. DHS added that the PRA was not the primary factor in the approach chosen as suggested in the draft report. We have revised language in the report to clarify that the PRA was, according to DHS, a contributing factor, not the primary factor, in making the decision about which approach to choose. Finally, DHS reiterated that the cost- benefit report has proved beneficial to DHS because it helped shape the development of the regulatory process put into place for selected chemical facilities and provided the basis for developing the current CIKR information sharing environment. DHS also provided technical comments which we have incorporated where appropriate. We will send copies of this correspondence to the Secretary of Homeland Security and interested congressional committees and subcommittees. We will also make copies available to others on request. In addition, this report will be available at no charge on GAO's Web site at [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov]. If you or your staff has any questions about this report or wish to discuss the matter further, please contact me at (202) 512-8777 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this report. In addition to the contact named above, John Mortin, Assistant Director and Tony DeFrank, Analyst-in-Charge, managed this assignment. Chuck Bausell assisted with design and methodology. Thomas Lombardi provided legal support and Katherine Davis provided assistance in report preparation. Sincerely, Signed by: Stephen L. Caldwell: Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues: Enclosures: [End of section] Enclosure I: Sector-Specific Agencies (SSAs), and Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource (CIKR) Sectors: The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) provides a framework for organizing and managing risk to the U.S.'s CIKR. The NIPP outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other security partners--including other federal agencies, state, territorial, local, and tribal governments, and private companies. Within the NIPP framework, DHS is responsible for leading and coordinating the overall national effort to enhance protection via 18 CIKR sectors. The NIPP assigns responsibility for CIKR sectors to SSAs. As an SSA, DHS has direct responsibility for leading, integrating, and coordinating efforts of security partners to protect 11 CIKR sectors. The remaining sectors are led by eight other federal agencies. The following lists the SSAs and their sectors. Sector Specific Agency: Sector Specific Agency: Departments of Agriculture[A] and Health and Human Services[B]; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Agriculture and Food. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Defense[C]; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Defense Industrial Base. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Energy; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Energy[D]. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Health and Human Services; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Healthcare and Public Health. Sector Specific Agency: Department of the Interior; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: National Monuments and Icons. Sector Specific Agency: Department of the Treasury; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Banking and Finance. Sector Specific Agency: Environmental Protection Agency; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Water[E]. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Office of Infrastructure Protection; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Commercial Facilities; Critical Manufacturing; Emergency Services; Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste; Dams; and Chemical Sectors. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Office of Cyber Security and Communications; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Information Technology and Communications Sectors. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Postal and Shipping. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration and U. S. Coast Guard[F]; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Transportation Systems[G]. Sector Specific Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Protective Service; Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Sector: Government Facilities[H]. Source: 2009 National Infrastructure Protection Plan: [A] The Department of Agriculture is responsible for agriculture and food (meat, poultry, and egg products). [B] The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for food other than meat, poultry, and egg products. [C] Nothing in the NIPP impairs or otherwise affects the authority of the Secretary of Defense over the Department of Defense (DoD), including the chain of command for military forces from the President as Commander in Chief, to the Secretary of Defense, to the commander of military forces, or military command and control procedures. [D] The Energy Sector includes the production, refining, storage, and distribution of oil, gas, and electric power, except for commercial nuclear power facilities. [E] The Water Sector includes drinking water and wastewater systems. [F] The U.S. Coast Guard is the SSA for the maritime transportation mode. [G] In accordance with HSPD-7, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security will collaborate on all matters relating to transportation security and transportation infrastructure protection. [H] The Department of Education is the SSA for the Education Facilities Subsector of the Government Facilities Sector. [End of table] [End of section] Enclosure II: Comments from the Department of Homeland Security: U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Washington, DC 20528: June 17, 2009: Mr. Stephen L. Caldwell: Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues: U.S. Government Accountability Office: 441 G Street, NW: Washington, DC 20548: Dear Mr. Caldwell: Re: Draft Report GAO-09-654R, The Department of Homeland Security's Critical Infrastructure Protection Cost-Benefit Report (GAO Job Code 440794): Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the draft report referenced above. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials recognize the short timeframe your team had to fulfill responsibilities under the Conference Report 108-774 reporting requirement on the costs and benefits of mandating private sector security measure and vulnerability reporting that accompanied the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005. National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) officials appreciated your team's professionalism in conducting this review in an efficient a way as possible to collect the information needed. The draft report contains no recommendations but summarizes and documents DHS's approach to developing this report. NPPD officials separately provided specific technical comments as suggestions for enhancing the draft report's clarity and accuracy. Officials reemphasize that the primary basis for the approach taken in 2005 to develop the Cost-Benefit Report was to assure that the Department's mandated public-private partnership building activity be performed without disruption. A data collection effort to identify costs/benefits for a regulatory approach to collecting information from private sector would have stopped the process with questionable success at acquiring the information. The Paperwork Reduction Act was a factor but not the primary factor as the draft suggests. The draft report describes the information sharing programs that NPPD staff discussed with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) team that have evolved from a public-private partnership foundation since 2005. Information from the Cost-Benefit Report helped to shape the development of the regulatory process that was put in place for selected chemical facilities and the development and implementation of site security plans for those facilities. In addition, the framework laid out in the Cost-Benefit report provided the basis for the development of the current Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource (CIKR) Information Sharing Environment described in the draft report. This CIKR Environment has since been adopted as the primary private sector component of the National Information Sharing Environment by the Program Manager of the Information Sharing Environment, the Federal Office established under the 2002 Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act to improve information sharing across the Federal government and with its security stakeholders. Consequently, the effort to develop the Cost-Study Report has proved beneficial. Sincerely, Signed by: Jerald E. Levine: Director: Departmental GAO/OIG Audit Liaison Office: [End of section] Footnotes: [1] GAO, Critical Infrastructure: Sector Plans Complete and Sector Councils Evolving, [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-1075T] (Washington, D.C.: July 12, 2007); and National Cybersecurity Strategy: Key Improvements are Needed to Strengthen the Nation's Posture, [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-432T] (Washington, D.C.: Mar. 10, 2009). [2] See generally Pub. L. No. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002). Title II of the Homeland Security Act, as amended, primarily addresses the department's responsibilities for critical infrastructure protection. [3] The 17 sectors identified pursuant to HSPD-7 are the agriculture and food sector; the banking and finance sector; the chemical sector; the commercial facilities sector; the commercial nuclear reactors, materials, and waste sector; the communications sector; the dams sector; the defense industrial base sector; the drinking water and water treatment systems sector; the emergency services sector; the energy sector; the government facilities sector; the information technology sector; the national monuments and icons sector; the postal and shipping sector; the public health and health care sector; and the transportation systems sector. DHS created the critical manufacturing sector as an 18TH sector in 2008. Enclosure I discusses how the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) provides the framework for organizing and managing risk to the U.S.'s CIKR and shows how the NIPP assigns responsibility for CIKR sectors to SSAs. [4] DHS issued a revised NIPP in 2009. [5] See H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 108-774, at 75-76 (Oct. 9, 2004) (accompanying H.R. 4567, the DHS Appropriations Bill, 2005, and enacted as Public Law 108-334, 118 Stat. 1298 (2004)). The Conference Report did not specify a date for submission. [6] As a result of a subsequent DHS reorganization, the applicable mission of the Under Secretary for IAIP now resides with the Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs. Although the Conference Report specifically directed IAIP to conduct this analysis, we have generalized this direction to the Department due to its subsequent reorganization. [7] Report to Congress: Mandatory Information Sharing for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources: The Costs and Benefits of Requiring Information from the Private Sector on Security Measures and Vulnerabilities, Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP), Partnership and Outreach Division, (June 2007). This report has been designated For Official Use Only (FOUO). [8] According OMB Circular A-4, a quantitative analysis of costs and benefits would require that benefits and costs be expressed in monetary or physical units, if possible, so that the regulatory alternative that maximizes net benefits (the difference between benefits and costs) can be identified. [9] DHS officials told us that, based on available records, the first contractor, MITRE, received over $558,000 and the second contractor, Energetics, received more than $2.8 million for work related to the cost-benefit report. [10] The purpose of the Paperwork Reduction Act , among other things, is to minimize the paperwork burden for individuals, small businesses, and educational and nonprofit institutions, federal contractors, and state, local and tribal governments, and other persons resulting from the collection of information by or for the federal government. See 31 U.S.C. � 3501. For a more complete discussion, see GAO, Paperwork Reduction Act: New Approaches Can Strengthen Information Collection and Reduce Burden, GAO-06-477T (Washington, D.C.: Mar. 8, 2006). [11] DHS officials told us that the document was last revised in June 2007. They said that they continued to coordinate the review of the last version of the report within DHS but no further versions were developed. [12] DHS's report also contains appendices that cover a variety of topics, including the issue of liability as relates to information sharing, for example, the damages the owner of a CIKR facility may face if it did not address identified vulnerabilities if an incident occurred; the applicability of different regulatory structures to critical infrastructure protection; and various approaches to the conduct of cost-benefit analysis. [13] See Pub. L. No. 109-295, � 550, 121 Stat. 1355, 1388-89 (2006). [14] Sector Specific Plans are to be developed by the sector specific agencies in collaboration with other sector partners. [15] See Pub. L. No. 107-296, � 214, 116 Stat. at 2152-55. See also 71 Fed. Reg. 52,262 (Sept. 1, 2006) (establishing uniform procedures for the voluntary sharing of critical infrastructure information with DHS) (codified at 6 C.F.R. pt. 29). [16] The GCC comprises representatives across various levels of government (federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial) as appropriate to the security and operational landscape of each individual sector. The SCC is the private sector counterpart to the GCC. These councils are self-organized, self-run, and self-governed organizations that are representative of a spectrum of key stakeholders within a sector. SCCs serve as the government's principal point of entry into each sector for developing and coordinating a wide range of CIKR protection activities and issues. [17] According to DHS, HITRAC is a joint infrastructure intelligence fusion center that combines the expertise of IP's Infrastructure Analysis and Strategy Division with that of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis in the Critical Infrastructure Threat Analysis Division. DHS officials said that HITRAC is to manage a range of analytic activities of Federal, State, local, and private sector decision-makers by integrating a variety of models, methodologies, and analytic techniques. [18] GAO has conducted evaluations of risk modeling, for example, see Highway Infrastructure: Federal Efforts to Strengthen Security Should be Better Coordinated and Targeted on the Nation's Most Critical Highway Infrastructure, [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-57], (Washington, D.C.: January 2009) and Emergency Transit Assistance: Federal Funding for Recent Disasters and Options for the Future, [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-243], (Washington, D.C.: February 2008). [End of section] GAO's Mission: The Government Accountability Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO's commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony: The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through GAO's Web site [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov]. Each weekday, GAO posts newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence on its Web site. 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iPhone rocks Seoul and sacred cows
KTF will probably sell between 300,000 and 500,000 iPhones in Korea, and Apple make a big splash for Christmas.
The buzz has been building up for many years, people have been massively preordering iPhones (over 60,000 units, to be compared to an estimated 400,000 base of smartphone users in Korea), and well ahead of the official release (yesterday), massively purchasing iPhone accessories.
As we mentioned before (see "iPhone wakes up Korean mobile internet market"), Apple will probably be associated with a boom in usages which should have happened much earlier : it's less a matter of design and hardware (Samsung and LG handsets have caught up in user experience), than a litany of missed opportunities, protectionist regulations, and terrible marketing (dissuasive pricing for data, app stores launched much too late...).
If Korean operators and manufacturers have no one to blame but themselves, at least KT / KTF will enjoy the exclusivity for awhile. And the context is perfect : hipsters don't have much choice for Xmas, all high tech fields considered. There are fantastic TVs out there, and the World Cup is coming soon, but that's a completely different range of prices.
Speaking of which... a "basic" iPhone 3GS 8 giga costs KRW 132,000 (about USD 112.6) for a 2 year subscription at the "basic" rate of KRW 45,000 (about USD 38.4 - the kind of basis many MNOs would love to boast). The 32 giga reaches KRW 365,000 (about USD 311), but the price goes down to KRW 264,000 for subs with a KRW 65k plan, and to zero for premium customers (KRW 95k / mo).
That's much more aggressive than what competitors expected, but Apple and KT obviously learnt a lesson from China, where the device struggles. Apple didn't want to fail in the homeland of two major rivals, and decided to forget about short term rentability.
What does it leave for rivals, beyond negative campaigning ? Differentiation by technology ? There's no DMB on iPhones, and that's the key techno for mobile TV in Korea... for the moment. And SKT customers pay for DMB TV, not KT customers...
You get it : the only way is to join the price war. In other countries, rival operators could counter the iPhone with a wider range of terminals but here, LG and Samsung control 90% of the market. Samsung and SKT united to discount iPhone rival Samsung Omnia2 to the max, dividing the price by two or three, and giving it away for subs who pay KRW 95,000 per month. The beauty used to sell for KRW 900,000, and incredibly enough, price cuts only started a few weeks ago, and by not even 15% ! So instead of acting as leaders and making the most of their window of opportunity, they wasted it milking the stupid cow.
By the end of the year, that will change. And the local smartphone market shall look a bit smarter.
mot-bile 2009

subset: commoncrawl


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Luxurious Resort Style Living at the Beautiful Westman Village
409, 121 Mahogany Center SE, Calgary, Alberta T3M 0T2
Welcome to Luxury Living at Westman Village
Take a virtual tour of the unit.
Brand new, never been lived in, 1 bedroom 1 bathroom + Den apartment. This modern apartment has a kitchen that is fit with stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter and cupboard space. Enjoy a great south facing balcony. The brightly lit master bedroom has ample space and has a large closet. The 2nd bedroom brightly lit as well. The unit also includes in suite washer and dryer, air conditioning, a storage closet with built in shelves, and an underground parking stall.
As a resident of Westman Village, you will enjoy full access to the heart of the community, the Village Centre. This amenity rich building is situated in the middle of Westman Village and will be surrounded by lush landscaping and water features that sets Westman Village apart from anything Calgary has ever seen. At the Village Centre, you'll find over 40,000 sq. ft. of entertainment, social and wellness options. The fitness facilities includes a large gym, cardio & weight training equipment, MODE yoga & spin classes, swimming pool with a two-story waterslide, hot tub, steam room, golf simulator and walking track. Relax and enjoy the resident's lounge, library, theatre room, Market Café, arts & crafts studio, woodworking shop, indoor garden, and multi-purpose areas for your special events or clubs meetings. On your way to the Village Centre, enjoy the outdoor scenery or make use of the underground pathway on those rainy days. A full-time concierge and recreation director will be on-site to help you make the most of the day. By living at Westman Village, you will also have full access to Mahogany Lake Beach Club, kayaking, swimming, skating, and much more.
There are lots of shops on the Retail Street at Westman Village. Currently there is Analog Coffee, Chopped Leaf & Create Pharmacy, Diner Deluxe, Mahogany Dental, Sphere Optical & 5 Vine Wine Store, Marble Slab and Dolphin Cleaners. As well as Chairman's Steak House. Alvin's Jazz Club is now open in the Journey Club Building. As well as an abundance of shopping in the area.
Rent is $1643.00 per month, parking included. Security deposit is equal to one months rent. Tenant pays electricity only.
To book an appointment or for more information please call 403-809-6266
This unit is professionally managed by Simco Management 403-234-0166.
- Listing ID : 1058
- Bedrooms : 0
- Bathrooms : 0


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Windows Longhorn Tweaking Guide
Windows Longhorn Tweaking Guide news post from TweakTown's online news computing and technology content pages.
Published Wed, Feb 19 2003 6:25 PM CST | Updated Tue, Jun 16 2020 4:29 PM CDT
One of our forum regulars, John Smitthers, has posted his own early Windows Longhorn Tweaking Guide in our forums. If you managed to find a leaked version of Longhorn, this to the point style guide promises to get your Alpha version of the upcoming Microsoft OS up to speed in no time.
As many of you know a Windows Longhorn Alpha was leaked in September of 2002. Most people think because this was an Alpha release, that it is not a stable functioning microsoft standard. Out of the box Longhorn is not only unstable, but slow. In this guide I will attempt to teach you how you can make Longhorn your primary OS. IMHO Longhorn is even better than XP Pro, when tweaked enough!Firstly it is important to obtain a bootable Longhorn Alpha. The original Longhorn Alpha is not able to be burnt and ran from CD, unless you follow the following tutorial, or similar Bootable Longhorn.More information in our Windows Forum


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I'm going to start this out with a picture of the weirdest streetcar shelter advertisement I've seen in quite a while:
Today, it was cold and bleak and gross. That's why I'm not writing this post until now – I was trying to think of something fun and happy to say, but I just couldn't do that when it was raining and sleeting outside. It's supposed to be spring here, dammit! Over the last few weeks, we've had a bunch of days where it was in the high teens (remember, we use degrees Celsius here) and even into the low twenties. And then suddenly this week it's been super cold again, and today there was snow. Even my cats were upset!
I skipped my run yesterday because I just couldn't make myself go out in the rain (it was pouring yesterday, but I'll get to that in a minute), so I forced myself out of the house and to the gym today to run on the treadmill. If it hadn't been for that, though, I probably would've just stayed at home, in my pyjamas, reading on the futon and cuddling Mona and Skittles. It was just miserable.
At least when I went out, though, it wasn't quite as bad as yesterday. Because yesterday, it was pouring rain like you wouldn't believe, and I went out in it! I met up with Amy (finally! she's only lived in the city for a month…) to go to a book launch at the Toronto Women's Bookstore. Normally, I would just walk there, but it was so gross that I decided to take the streetcar. Even then, I stood outside for about twenty minutes before the first streetcar arrived at the corner of my street, by which point I was soaking wet, and then thankfully caught my connection right away. I was lucky that I was getting off there, though, because the streetcar I was on stopped there and short-turned, leaving the people on it to go back out into the rain and try to catch a shuttle bus – which drove off before anybody from the streetcar could reach it. Poor buggers.
Anyways. The book launch! The book that was being launched – that sounds so weird – was Up Up Up by Julie Booker. When we got to the bookstore, it was fairly empty, but there were a bunch of chairs set up, and some people with video cameras. We hadn't realized that the launch/reading was being streamed online! At that point, Amy and I were pretty happy that we had chosen a seat behind the person who was taping the reading.
To be honest, I wasn't all that impressed with the book from the short sections that the author read. The first reading that she did was from a section about a "saving" in a Christian church-setting of some kind, and it just felt … weird. And the second reading that she did, didn't really make any sense: it wasn't clear when the speaker changed in the story, and it seemed like there was a lot of plot missing that we needed to have in order to understand. (As it turns out, the section that she read was the third part of a series of stories, so we really didn't know the backstory.) But other than that, it seemed fine. Sadly, though, the bookstore was super crowded, so we didn't stay very long once the reading was over.
Other than that, my week has been pretty laid back. It's been full of lots of reading (and listening to) books. I've gotten a bunch of books in the mail recently – some review books, some that I ordered online – and some of them are kind of scattered on the futon in the living room. It seems that Skittles was a bit jealous of my new acquisitions … look at how possessive she is of this book!
As for plans for this week coming up?
Not too much, though I might decide to go to a Toronto to Japan benefit event on Thursday. Aside from a couple minor things (a blood donation, for example), my week pretty much consists of work, working out, more reading, and getting as much sleep as humanly possible. Starting next weekend, I've got a festival pass for HotDocs, and I'm expecting to be very shortchanged on sleep for about a week and a half, so I'm going to stock up now! Or at least, that's my hope. We'll see how it works in reality.
How about all of you? Did you get snow today? Or is it nice and warm where you are?


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A portfolio landlord is a landlord with 4 or more mortgaged buy to let properties.
Minimum ICR on properties being financed by the Society:
• Re-mortgage no capital raising: Rental cover 125% of pay rate
• Re-mortgage capital raising and new BTL: Rental cover 140% of either pay rate +2% or 5.5%, whichever is higher
• 5 Years fixed rate: Rental Cover 140% of pay rate
All other BTL assets in the portfolio (not financed by the society) must meet rental cover of at least 125% of pay rate both individually and collectively.
The Society will lend up to a maximum of 10 properties in aggregate but with a maximum exposure of £1.5m to any individual
Maximum LTV is 75% on each property (this includes any fees to be added)
Each case will be individually assessed by an underwriter and exceptions to the above considered on a case by case basis. This will be dependent on the borrower having alternative sources of income to support shortfall from operating cash flow.
At FMA stage we will require four additional documents to be completed and uploaded onto the case.
These documents can be found below:


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School Mission
We are committed to setting very high standards for distance learning and know that the student-teacher interaction is key to student success. For this reason, we encourage all of our students to attend web meetings, and to adhere to the course schedule and all due dates. This level of rigor builds a strong work ethic and forges a classroom and school community thereby preparing our students for post-secondary studies.
School History
The Virtual Learning Centre has been offering Ontario Secondary School students a wide range of flexible, and well designed high school courses since 1997.
General Information
The VLC offers students a full range of learning opportunities powered by the latest online technologies available. Our aim is to provide a full range of courses available to students anywhere. We offer a variety of student-led, teacher supported activities to enhance the academic experiences of students.
- We offer a full range of courses to help prepare students for college, university, apprenticeship, or work
- For a full list of courses, please visit our website.


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Fibromyalgia is one of those disorders with an unknown cause but highly incapacitating symptoms. It is precisely because its etiopathogenesis (cause) is not known, plus the lack of specific effective treatment, that it has taken the medical community so long to recognise it as an illness.
An observational study carried out in Barcelona was published recently, in which the perceived benefits of self-medication with cannabis were evaluated in a group of women with this condition. This is one of those rare scientific studies where the results can be immediately clinically useful to patients and doctors alike.
It is thought that fibromyalgia is a disorder of neuropathic origin, i.e. that it is caused by a dysfunction of the nervous system.
Treatment with Cannabis
While there are different theories that attempt to go some way towards explaining its causes, today it is widely accepted that fibromyalgia is an illness of organic origin, with recognised physical causes, despite the fact that there are as yet no clinical markers on which to base a diagnosis, and that a diagnosis can only be given based on clinical manifestations from patients.
The theories to explain the causes range from a deregulation of neurotransmitters (principally dopamine and serotonin) to a dysfunction of the physiological mechanisms of stress regulation (what is known in medical jargon as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA axis).
Other theories base their explanations for the symptoms on a disruption to the immune system. Whatever the causes, it seems that treatment with cannabis fits in with every one of these theories given that, for example, we know that the endocannabinoid system is involved in physiological functions that include the regulation of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, the regulation of the physiological response to stress and on top of this, that the immune system is richly populated with CB2 receptors, which is why it can be highly influenced by cannabinoids, both endogenous and exogenous.
In fact, the main symptom of fibromyalgia is a very low pain threshold and the subjective feeling of pain is mediated, among others, by the three physiological processes mentioned, which is why, irrespective of what the causes may be, it makes sense to think that the treatment of fibromyalgia with cannabinoids could be a therapeutic option worth contemplating.
This is all the more so when you take into account the fact that other disorders that also involve neuropathic pain and that also have a disruption of the immune system as an etiological basis, such as multiple sclerosis, are treated with cannabinoids (Sativex, the first medicine based on cannabis extracts on the market, has recently been authorised in Spain for the treatment of multiple sclerosis). There is in fact a diverse group of functional clinical syndromes, in addition to fibromyalgia, for which no clear medical explanation has been found to date, such as migraines or irritable bowel syndrome, for which treatment with cannabis has proved helpful in some patients.
The investigator Ethan Russo has suggested as an explanation for this that the common cause of these disorders is rooted in a deregulation of the endocannabinoid system (http://es.scribd.com/doc/43672268/Clinical-Endocannabinoid-Deficiency-CECD-Russo), which seems the most plausible idea – even if it is only at this time another hypothesis to explain these clinical syndromes – given that they share a certain level of effectiveness of treatment with cannabis. Other symptoms inherent to fibromyalgia, apart from the pain – which is the main symptom – are chronic fatigue, morning stiffness, constant tiredness and affective disorders.
The study in question, conducted from the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona, was published in the open-access scientific journal PloS One(http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0018440).
Studies and statistics on the topic
A total of 56 women participated in the study, with an average age of 50 years, all suffering from fibromyalgia, of which half (28) self-medicated with cannabis and the other half didn't. All the women had a degree of illness between moderate and severe in accordance with the classification by the American College of Rheumatology. The women were recruited from fifteen different associations for patients afflicted with fibromyalgia and from a cannabis consumers' club, all in Barcelona. Both groups were matched in terms of sociodemographic variables, clinical manifestations of the illness (type of symptoms suffered) and pharmacological treatments received, both allopathic and based on complementary medicine. 40% of the women in the cannabis group had a history of consumption of less than one year, 32% of between one and three years, and the remaining 29% of more than three years.
Only eight of the 28 women had consumed cannabis recreationally prior to suffering the illness. All of them consumed marihuana, 54% by smoking it, 46% by consuming it as food and 43% by combining both. Eleven women consumed it daily, five between twice and four times a week, three less than twice a week and eight only occasionally. One consumption meant between one and two marihuana cigarettes for the women who smoked it, or one spoonful when it was consumed in food.
Twelve women smoked one marihuana cigarette per day, five between two and three, and three, more than three a day. For the source of supply, fourteen women obtained the marihuana through family and friends, seven acquired it on the illicit market, five from home-grown sources, and two obtained their supply from an association of cannabis consumers. Of all the women from the cannabis group, 19 had informed their doctor of their consumption. Lastly, 19 (68%) of the women from the cannabis group reported having reduced pharmacological treatment with prescription medicines thanks to self-medication with cannabis. Patients who used cannabis as self-medication used it both to relieve pain and to reduce the other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
Both groups were administered a series of scales to evaluate the level of severity of the illness, called the 'Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire' (http://www.institutferran.org/documentos/FIQ_espa%C3%B1ol_IFR.pdf), The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, (http://www.drmonteverde.net/files/GMM_2008-…pdf) and a questionnaire on quality of life called SF-36, (http://www.chime.ucla.edu/measurement/SF-36%20Spain.pdf). In addition to this, the women in the cannabis group were asked to indicate, on a scale of one to five, their perceived relief from the consumption of cannabis for a series of symptoms: pain, sleep problems, muscle stiffness, mood disorders, anxiety, headaches, tiredness, morning tiredness and digestive problems. The patients reported relief in almost all the symptoms in proportions ranging from 81% for sleep disorders to 14% for headaches. Not one woman reported a worsening of symptoms secondary to consumption.
The women were also asked to rate from 0 to 100, two hours before and two hours after consuming cannabis, the relief felt in a series of symptoms: pain, stiffness, relaxation, tiredness, wellbeing. In all of these symptoms there was a significant improvement when the ratings from two hours after were compared with the ratings from two hours before consuming cannabis. Finally, of the three aforementioned scales given to all the patients, only in the 'mental health' subscale from the SF-36 were there differences between the groups, with higher points from the cannabis group, which implies that the subjective benefits referred to do not necessarily manifest themselves in a clinical improvement. Future investigations must therefore elucidate whether the benefit referred to by the patients with fibromyalgia who self-medicated with cannabis is relevant from a clinical point of view.
Cannabis vs Pharmacological treatments
In summary, this is a naturalistic study, which has intrinsic limitations in terms of extracting definitive conclusions, but at the same time high ecological validity in terms of accurately reflecting the day-to-day life of patients with this type of pathology. It is worth highlighting in any case that the patients from the cannabis group were refractory to habitual treatments and that they had turned to cannabis as a last resort.
It would be interesting to investigate whether, in women suffering from this condition who are less resistant to treatment, cannabis could be more useful than the pharmacological treatments used, which have more side effects. In any case, the fact that thanks to consuming cannabis, these women were able to reduce their intake of other medications, didn't report suffering any major side effects from its consumption and subjectively perceived relief in the majority of the symptoms suffered, bearing in mind that the medication in current use shows little effectiveness in treating the symptoms, finding some type of relief at a negligible physiological cost could in itself represent huge progress in the treatment of their illness.
On another level as well, studies like this one will allow us to clarify in the future whether illnesses such as fibromyalgia are due to a deregulation of the endocannabinoid system and in this way gain an insight into the etiopathogenesis of this highly debilitating illness.
Author: Silent Jay @ Sensiseeds


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Serious Data Security
CMDI makes every effort to ensure that your data is secure. From the physical security at our offices and caging facility to the multi-layered approach to protecting our data centers, you can trust us to keep your information safe and keep your focus on winning your campaign or raising money.
Keeping Personal & Financial Data Safe
Crimson keeps your fundraising donor data secure. CMDI and all credit cards processed through our Crimson and WidgetMakr products, follow the standards established by the PCI Security Council. Formal extensive penetration test are conducted on our systems per PCI standards.
In accordance with the PCI standards, credit card numbers are never written or stored in our software or on our hardware.
When credit card numbers are received in hard copy form, per compliance requirements, they are handled in secure and monitored physical environments. Physical credit card numbers are stored securely and blacked-out after they have been used.
If you would like to learn more about Crimson security, please click here.
Secure Data Centers
The Crimson application and your data are maintained on secure, redundant SAN's that are virtualized in a high availability SSAE 16 Type 2 compliant data center. These top-tier data centers provide carrier-level support, including:
- 24-hour manned security, including foot patrols and perimeter inspections
- Biometric scanning for access
- Dedicated concrete-walled data center rooms
- Computing equipment in access-controlled steel cages
- Video surveillance throughout facility and perimeter
- Building engineered for local seismic, storm, and flood risks
- Tracking of asset removal
- Humidity and temperature control
- Redundant (N+1) cooling system
- Underground utility power feed
- Redundant (N+1) CPS/UPS systems
- Redundant power distribution units (PDUs)
- Redundant (N+1) diesel generators with on-site diesel fuel storage
- VESDA (very early smoke detection apparatus)
- Dual-alarmed, dual-interlock, multi-zone, pre-action dry pipe water-based fire suppression
Physical Security at the CMDI
CMDI takes every effort to secure the physical premises of our office and caging facilities. These security standards include:
- 24-hour manned security, including foot patrols and perimeter inspections
- Separate biometric access control to enter caging facility and offices
- Video surveillance throughout both the offices and caging facility
- Dedicated mail intake room, opening and sorting room, document scanning room, and data entry room with their own biometric access and video surveillance
- Tracking of asset removal


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Sandwiches in Review: Big Boy's Kitchen Sink
November 28, 2011
I posted before about being underwhelmed by Big Boy's new burger line. I had said that they need some new ideas to really stand out in the world of higher end restaurant hamburgers. Well, they must have heard me or something, because on my most recent trip to Big Boy I discovered they've introduced a burger to end all burgers. The Kitchen Sink consists of a patty, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, red onion, red relish, mayonnaise, American and pepper jack cheeses, bacon, chili, French fries, and a fried egg. It was such a daunting prospect that I required some convincing from my brother, but in the end I realized that this is the kind of sandwich I got into the business for, and good or bad, I needed to cover it.
And believe it or not, it turned out to be pretty good!! I know I have a soft spot for excessive burgers, but there's a lot going right for the Kitchen Sink. The chili, fries, and egg all work together well for a hearty, filling burger. As you work your way inward, you begin to reach the more traditional toppings, but the red relish and pickles lend it a sweeter, tangier twist. It's a lot of food, but all of the ingredients work together harmoniously enough to keep you engaged. I would've liked more French fries included, as I think potatoes are an underused sandwich element, but overall I was floored by how well a burger which seems like a dare worked.
The Kitchen Sink runs for about $9, which is kind of a lot. But it's definitely worth getting, especially to impress your friends. The chili, egg, fries and bacon combo alone is fantastic, and there's another burger's worth of ingredients besides.
Sandwiches in Review: Steak and Shake's Carolina Slaw Steak Frank
November 14, 2011
A while back, Steak 'n Shake introduced a line of hot dogs topped with various cheeses, sauces and other stuff. They're not unlike their regionally themed burgers in terms of ingredients, and come with fries and a drink. I've been dragging my feet on trying one. Hot dogs aren't a super high quality meal, and while they're a staple of ball parks and food courts, the idea of going out to eat and ordering one over a burger doesn't seem too appealing to me. I finally bit the bullet and decided to try the Carolina Slaw.
And I'm really glad I did. If you're going to order a hot dog from a restaurant, Steak 'n Shake is the place to do it. While "signature steak franks" sounds a bit grandiose, but this is actually a genuinely high quality, tasty frank. The Carolina Slaw's hook is the addition of cole slaw and mustard. It's good cole slaw, and there's plenty of it. It adds a nice texture to the dog, and is light enough that it doesn't overpower the meat. All in all it's a clever idea executed well with top shelf ingredients.
The Carolina Slaw, like other steak franks, runs for about $4-5 as a combo. I'd definitely recommend the one I tried, and would be willing to try another one. Like I said before, it's rare that I recommend a hot dog from a restaurant that serves other things, but this is one to try.
Sandwiches in the News: Kalamazoo Sandwich Guide
November 10, 2011
Today's post is a little different. In addition to blogging about sandwiches, I also write for the Western Herald, Western Michigan University's student newspaper. I generally cover crime/public safety and breaking news over there. As part of our restaurant guide, I wrote up a list of the best sandwiches in Kalamazoo in a number of categories, including wraps, vegetarian options, and subs. For those of you in Kalamazoo, this will be your bible. For those of you elsewhere, enjoy a glimpse into the local sandwich landscape. A couple of them will be familiar to long time fans, but there's plenty of new material.
And I suppose now is a good a time as any to plug my other projects, so I will!! I also write for a local music publication called Kalamazoo Local Music, which provides a great guide to the local music and concert scene. And if you like Sandwichtalk but wish I blogged about movies and TV shows and cartoons instead, fear not!! I run another blog called Gentlemen, Behold!! that covers different pop culture topics. If you like Sandwichtalk, I'll go out on a limb and say you'll probably enjoy GB.
I've been a little bit busy with all these different projects, but I hope to keep updating both blogs regularly. Check back frequently for the latest updates!!


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Radio City's famous Rockettes take their Christmas Spectacular on the road. You have two chances to can catch them in Philly on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Wachovia Center. The first show is at 4 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $59.50, $76.50 and $99. You can get them through ComcastTix.
The holiday show is definitely a family affair. It takes you on a magical sleigh ride to the North Pole. The kids should love that and parents, you'll be in awe of the incredible precision of the Rockettes as they dance.
The girls change eight times during the show and each Rockette does approximately 300 eye-high kicks during the show.


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I work alternate Saturdays, which means I have the Fridays prior to those days off work. This makes for a strange schedule that often confounds attempts to plan weekend getaways, and will likely prove to be even more irritating when more humans are added into the family mix one day. In the meantime, I secretly quite love my Fridays off. They are all mine, to do with as I please, and the most recent one was an example of a more or less perfect day (well, a massage and a butler would have made it utterly perfect, but, well, let's be realistic).
One of my favourite things to do on a Friday off is cook something elaborate or try a new recipe. I often find myself thinking how sad it is that our frantically busy world more or less prevents anyone from eating properly, or slowly, or truly enjoying the act of cooking a meal on a regular basis. [In the interests of full disclosure, I also work two evenings a week, which really messes with dinner hour]. Fridays off are my chance to push the pause button for a measly 24 hours and re-capture the fun of cooking.
I wasn't raised in an family of elaborate home cookers. My mother has some fabulous family recipes that she has shared with me, and some of my earliest memories are of helping her bake. During my school years, however, both my parents worked: I remember my father as the more improvisational, "forget measuring" kind of cook. He seemed to relish the chance to play in the kitchen, although he rarely had the time for it. Perhaps I got my love of food from him, since he loved many foods passionately even though his diet was restricted by medication and illness. Despite being under strict orders to avoid salt, I remember him spiriting me away for a plate of fries at a diner once on vacation, with strict orders "not to tell your mother;" I often wonder if this salty taboo explains my tendencies towards savoury over sweet. My mother says I certainly got the habit of drinking a glass of something (in my case, wine; in my father's case, sherry) while watching over a pot on the stove from him. After his death, the rest of my childhood and youth is a blur of school lunches, harried dinners before my mom's meetings, interspersed with mother-daughter pizza nights I treasured and the occasional delicious home-made chocolate chip square.
I only came to truly love cooking, however, and to be comfortable enough to experiment with it, in university, via a friend who first introduced me to brie, coffee made in a French press, and sun-dried tomatoes.
In many ways, I still live the life my mother lived (as sure a sign as any that I truly admire her passion and love of her chosen vocation): harried dinners before or after meetings and packed lunches to work (high school tuna salad sandwiches replaced with salad and fruit). Food doesn't always come first, and it's sort of tragic, I think, that with the way our weekday world structures itself, there is little room for devotion to a particular meal.
On alternate Fridays, however, food does come first in our house. This past Friday, after a leisurely breakfast and coffee over a novel, I planned my dinner (a mix of tried-and-true potato salad my mother used to make for me, and a new Asian-inspired tofu and veggie stir-fry, since the husband was pining for Asian food). I combined a long jog with a trip to the grocery store, spent the afternoon relaxing and cooking, to have dinner on the table when my tired husband came home.
I would probably get bored with a stay-at-home life on a regular basis, and I am admittedly a workaholic who is devoted to her professional life. Alternate Fridays, however, to be a lady of leisure who shops for the evening's dinner and meets her husband at the door, are a gift, an homage to an earlier, less busy time, when dinner hour was sacred and meals were prepared with care.


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"Rose about 7 and went to coffee shop in High Street, St Giles's, to read news of the week. After breakfast made for old Chelsea church and met some of our coal porters – Filkin, carman, Hollingsworth, screener, and Robinson, lighterman. After service I got prying about into all corners of the church looking for old dates, and when I went to make my exit, lo and behold I found the doors locked upon me and the door keepers all gone, an occurrence which I was mightily pleased at in that I had ample time to look over the antiquities, which I did, taking down epitaphs, examining some curious old books; went up to the top of the tower and walked about – 'a fine view of the Thames from thence'; got up in the pulpit etc. When at 20 minutes past two I was released from my captivity, after rather alarming the door keeper who seemed startled to find an inhabitant at that hour, made best way home for dinner, which was of course nearly cold, and stopped the afternoon at home and had tea with poor old Granny Shepard. — Gave ditto £1 to pay into bank. — After tea went to see Ann and took my coins which we looked privately over. — Got to no good neither though no great damage done. — Afterwards took walk up Tottenham Court Road and accompanied Granny Shepard from Soho Chapel homeward to Hertford Street."
[Editor's note: No entries on 4th or 5th May]


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Coalface Experience Collinsville
Hours: 7am-6pm, 7 days
About the Coalface Experience
The Collinsville Coalface Experience was opened in October 2004, on the 50th anniversary of the Collinsville Mine disaster. The Coalface Experience serves as a reminder, not only to those who died in the 1954 disaster, but also to all those who have commited their lives to mining.
The Coalface Experience begins with a video introducing the audience to the life of a coal miner and their families. Featuring interviews with locals, the film highlights the union spirit so strongly felt in small coal mining towns like Collinsville. Throughout the Coalface Experience there are multimedia displays about different aspects of coal mining, from the Pit Ponies to modern safety methods. As you move through the exhibit you will gain a personal understanding of the hardships and rewards found in the coal mining industry. The final display of the Experience, a 'pepper's ghost' film, re-enacts the 1954 mine disaster, bringing to life the men who lost their lives.
Stage 2 of the Experience focuses on the development of safety across the decades. The exhibit draws information from around Australia and the world to paint a picture of the importance of safety underground. The stage features an interactive 'touch screen' display highlighting the different dangers found in mining. There is also a film which demonstrates to the audience the ways that everyday miners ensure their personal safety underground.
19 Railway Rd, Collinsville QLD 4804


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By crocheting over a piece of PVC pipe, Redditor Rancor_Emperor's (aka Sean) sister was able to crochet up a purple sweater for her brother's corn snake, Spaghetti. She gifted the long tube to the pet reptile on Christmas.
"She asked me how long he was, and I was like, 'Well, he's about 39 inches last time I measured him.'"
...When Sean first showed Spaghetti the sweater, he happily wriggled his way inside of it, according to Sean.
..."Right before he sticks his head out through the end, he kind of parks it in there and waits," Sean said. "Then after a minute or two, he'll poke his head out and he'll sit there and look around for a while."
Sean posted a photo of Spaghetti in the sweater on Reddit and it blew up, capturing over 152K upvotes.
Rescue Snake Gets Special Crocheted Sweater For Christmas


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SBCGlobal emails have now a days become very famous and the people are widely relying on its email services. But there are times when the users want to change their SBCGlobal email password because of privacy and security reasons. So, for changing the SBCGlobal email password the users just need to follow the below mentioned steps or can simply contact the SBCglobal technical support. How do I change my password on my SBCglobal email account?
- Firstly, the users need to visit the link http://att.yah*o.com
- The users then need to select on the mail icon at the top right corner of the page.
- Then, just sign in with the SBCGlobal email.
- Users then need to select on forgot my password option.
- Now, in the top left corner the users will see an option of Hi, your first name. Users just have to select on it.
- Select on the option yah*o account information.
- Click on manage passwords and account security option.
- The users will then be directed to a new page namely the AT&T online management page (OLAM) page.
- In the OLAM page the users need to provide their email address and password.
- Users will be directed to a new page where they'll be able to change their password.
Further if the users face any more issues in changing their SB Global email password then they can directly contact the SBCglobal technical support team members and can ask for more information and solutions for it


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Diamond Dreams – Paint Night Event
Van Gogh Diamond Dreams Paint Night Event.
Join us at Diny's on May 24th to enjoy a ladies night out letting your inner artist out. You will enjoy a night hosted by Diny's Jewelers and lead by local artist and licensed art teacher, Lindsey LaPlant of Expressiely You. All while she instructs us step-by-step how to create a colorful nightscape. There are still just a few spots available for this relaxing event. So be sure to sign up quickly before someone else snags your spot.
Diny's will be providing complementary jewelry cleaning, along with drinks and something to snack on. Join us from 5:30- 8:30 pm for just $25 a ticket.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking right here.
Missed this event but still want to join a paint night? Check out Lindsey's Facebook page for other Paint Night events in the Madison Area.
Categories: Promotions
Sorry, comments are closed for this item.


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(12-04-2016, 01:06 AM)edmcardle Wrote: I am still searching for the Treasure Box sold around the time of Night Castle. It contained parchment paper pieces with lyrical prose. I think Blue Grape was in charge of merchandise at the time not Bravado.
As for meeting Paul...
He once presented me with a silver dollar which I treasure.
I do not know the significance of the silver piece, but it came from his pocket.
TSO's merchandise was better back then than it is now. I think I'm thinking of the same piece that you are, but I recall it looking like the tower of a castle. I have a merch flyer from 2003 that I think it's on, actually..


text: Two more NBA teams announced jersey advertising patches yesterday. Let's start in L.A., where the Lakers have struck a deal with the e-commerce site Wish (which I had never heard of until yesterday, although I'm sure that says more about me than it does about Wish). Here's how the patch will look on their . . . → Read More: Wishing for an Ad-Free Lakers Jersey? Too Late!


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- Mitsubishi Electric has launched the latest version of its Play-Out digital signage system. It is designed to enable signage industry professionals + SIs to create effective OOH networks using their existing skills.
- The company says it has been developedfrom the perspective of the DOOH market instead of a hardwareprovider. The objective was to produce a versatile, powerful platformthat will allow existing players to capitalise on the experience theyalready have, and translate that into the tools needed for the newdigital world.


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is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC
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Join 30,000+ industry professionals at The Buildings Show, North America's largest annual exposition, networking and educational event for design, architecture, construction and real estate. Together with Construct Canada, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, PM Expo and World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion will leave you with the tools needed to sharpen your skills and continue your professional development.
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Plan now and build your visibility with key influencers from Canada's building design, construction and real estate communities.Boost your business potential with face-to-face contact and get direct access to this multibillion-dollar specification market.
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Who Is Ananias the High Priest? (Acts 23:2) – ESV Study Bible and NLT Study Bible
I was studying Acts 23 for our Sunday morning Bible class and came across Ananias the high priest, who holds a trial against Paul (Acts 23:2). What do we know about this high priest and when did he rule?
NLT Study Bible:
Ananias was the Jewish high priest from AD 47 to 58. – slap him: He apparently assumed that Paul was lying and tried to intimidate him.
ESV Study Bible:
Acts 23:3 Paul, like Jesus, used the metaphor of whitewash for hypocrisy (see Matt. 23:27). Ananias was a particularly bad high priest. For the illegality of Ananias's action, see Lev. 19:15.
I was surprised that ESV Study Bible did not give us any information about Ananias. At least the NLT Study Bible gives us the dates of his rule. Ananias is a fairly interesting person. The Expositor's Bible Commentary states:
Ananias the son of Nedebaeus reigned as high priest from A.D. 48 to 58 or 59 and was known for his avarice and liberal use of violence. Josephus says he confiscated for himself the tithes given the ordinary priests and gave lavish bribes to Romans and also Jews (cf. Antiq. XX, 205-7 [ix.2], 213 [ix.4]). He was a brutal and scheming man, hated by Jewish nationalists for his pro-Roman policies. When the war with Rome began in A.D. 66, the nationalists burned his house (cf. Jos. War II, 426 [xvii.6]) and he was forced to flee to the palace of Herod the Great in the northern part of Jerusalem (ibid., 429 [xvii.6]). Ananias was finally trapped while hiding in an aqueduct on the palace grounds and was killed along with his brother Hezekiah (ibid., 441-42 [xvii.9]).
I think any of this information would have been useful for these study Bibles. The background information helps us understand why Ananias is quickly violent toward Paul and why Paul calls him a "white-washed wall." Ananias was evil in the core, while pretending to be the holy high priest of the Jews.


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Important Update
As a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19), all admissions events, both on and off campus, have been postponed. Until the situation changes nationally, alternative options for engaging with the HWS community will be listed on this page. Contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
We are excited to help you plan a visit to Hobart and William Smith Colleges! Visiting is the best way to learn more about HWS, all while taking in the natural beauty of campus and Seneca Lake.
The Office of Admissions is open every Monday through Saturday to welcome you to HWS with very few exceptions. Click Here to view our calendar and register for a campus visit or special program, all of which are listed in more detail below.
Information Session and Campus Tour
- Offered at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Monday through Friday and most Saturdays at 11 a.m. These last approximately 2 hours and include an information session with an admissions counselor followed by a student-led tour of campus.
- Open House Programs
Offered on select days throughout the year; please click here to view all upcoming dates. Open Houses typically last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are a great way to see campus while hearing from students, admissions counselors, professors, and campus advisors.
- Day in the Life Programs
- Offered on select weekdays throughout the year; please click here to view all upcoming dates. Day in the Life programs typically last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and allow prospective students attend classes and spend time with current students on campus. Families also have a chance to tour campus and attend various presentations while students live a "day in the life."
- Admissions Interviews
- We highly encourage interviews as part of our admissions process. Interviews last about 20 minutes and can be scheduled at your convenience when you register for an on-campus visit. We also offer off-campus interviews all across the U.S. throughout the year. Click here to view our upcoming off-campus interview locations.
- Visual Arts Tours
- We offer tours of our visual arts and architecture facilities by request. Please inquire about these while registering for your campus visit.
- Classroom Visits
- Designed for seniors or transfer students who have already visited or current applicants who are closer to making their final decision on where to attend college. Classroom Visits allow the most in-depth look at HWS and require five days advance notice for registration. These visits are customized for each registrant and will allow you to explore your personal interests. Please contact Jillian Augustine by phone at (315) 781-4514 or by e-mail at email@example.com to schedule a personalized Classroom Visit.
Please call the Office of Admissions at (315) 781-3622 or (800) 852-2256 to learn more about our visit options and to schedule an appointment. You may also register online for a Campus Visit.
Virtual Engagement Opportunities:
Watch a Recorded Information Session
Experience a Day-in-the-Life of a Current Student
View a Collection of HWS Videos
See What's Happening on Campus in This Week in Photos
Take a Self-Guided Tour of the HWS Campus and the HWS Arts Campus
Envision Yourself at HWS with 360 Degree Views of Campus
Connect with Your HWS Admissions Counselor
Read the Daily Update


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Welcome to Mack Transport LTD, Natonwide Car Delivery.
We are a family run business who pride ourselves on our personal, competitive and reliable service ensuring that our customer's vehicles are delivered on time and damage free.
Our fleet of new modern transporters enables us to offer a flexible service plus the loading versatility for an ever changing car delivery market.Learn more


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COVID-19 Update
All Team Members
Tom's diverse perspectives and passion for business, technology, corporate law, and corporate governance enable him to find innovative solutions to resolve complex client requirements.
Technology and governance solutions, mitigation and risk management, strategic company growth support and sustainability are areas that Tom has a personal interest in helping his clients better themselves for success in the marketplace.
Tom represents and advises clients on a range of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, amalgamations and corporate reorganizations, divestitures, private placements, and corporate financings. He has considerable international experience having acted for Canadian Crown Corporations and other parties in international transactions including intellectual property licensing transactions.
As a mechanical engineer by trade, former president of a Waterloo-based software company, and an active member on various boards, Tom's experience in both the corporate and legal worlds firmly position him as a highly-skilled, knowledgeable and trusted advisor to his clients.
A proud supporter of Kitchener-Waterloo's technology sector, Tom is a founding member and director of Communitech, the Waterloo Region technology association, the Chair of the founding committee of the Accelerator Centre on the North Campus of the University of Waterloo, and Vice-Chair, Secretary and director. He dedicates a portion of his time to helping young entrepreneurs start their businesses by providing strategic advice, guidance and ongoing mentorship.
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MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- An international observance of an "Hour of Code' took over science and math classes at F.E. Bellows Elementary School recently so kids could practice computer programming.
It was "Computer Science Week" so students got to nurture their creativity and problem-solving skills in the exercises.
These included a "Star Wars"-based module, called "Building a Galaxy with Code" and "Wayfinding with Code" based on the animated Walt Disney movie, "Moana."
"It is important for students to become interested in computer science at an early age," Principal Michael Scarantino said.
"Through our participation in the Hour of Code, we help students understand and appreciate the need for critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and engineers who will help shape the future, especially in the area of computer programming."
Jedd, a fourth-grader in Ellie Speros' class, said he enjoyed the coding exercises because it felt like he was playing games while learning new skills.
"Students have a great time exploring the various coding tutorials based on their favorite games, shows and movies, which only enhances their engagement and excitement," Scarantino added.
Click here for more information www.hourofcode.com on an Hour of Code.
Check back with Daily Voice for its coverage of Rye Neck High School and Rye Neck Middle School students collaborating during their recent Hour of Code.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


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Chic and Lacy Thread Necklace Free Crochet Pattern
The Chic and Lacy Necklace works up quickly and can be made for all apparel needs. From elegant, to casual, to feisty, to steam punk, color and beading choices give you great versatility!
#10 Crochet Thread
12-120 yards of #10 thread in one or more colors
B hook
Seed beads (optional)
(2) 12 mm buttons
Sewing needle
Sizes 12-17 inch neck
24 Dc=4 inches
Ch- chain, St- stitch, Sl st- slip stitch, Sc- single crochet, Dc- double crochet, Dtr- double treble crochet, WS- wrong side, RS- right side
Double Treble Crochet- Yarn over 3 times. Place hook into the designated st. Yarn over, pull through. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops 4 times.
Picot- Ch 3. Sl st in the 3rd ch from the hook
- If using beads, you must string them onto the thread before starting your project or new color.
- To get a bead in the middle of the picot, add it after the second ch of the ch 3.
- Beads can be added anywhere you desire.
- Shell count and bead amount needed are included in the sizes listed
- Base ch number is adjusted depending on neck size and desired tightness/fit of the necklace.
- Necklace version is only slightly longer than the choker version. If wanting a longer necklace, find the length you desire from the other neck sizes.
- Remember that this is a crochet necklace, not a metal one, so it will lay much differently than one you are used to. Expect this necklace to be nowhere as stiff as metal and allow for some adjusting to it to get it how you want it to look on you.
- If you need a certain length different from those listed, the base for this pattern is in multiples of 10+3.


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About Us
Smartpick is a sampling program created to ease the consumer's day to day life. Through the program you can get FREE samples of products and guidance on how to use those products in the best possible manner. The samples are curated based on your lifestyle to ensure that they make your everyday life easier. Try and experience India's best brands before you buy them. The program is a consumer initiative by Hindustan Unilever Limited
How it works
Ad is shown to selected group of audience
click on "get offer"in smartpick ad
Fill and submit the registration form
smartpick box is delivered absolutely free
Why smartpick ?
Products are handpicked for youIndia's Best Brands- Quality products
No hidden costs, Free Delivery / Value & EaseA Hindustan Unilever initiative
Discover Products
- Comfort Fabric Conditioner
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- Surf Excel Matic Liquid Top Load
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- Surf Excel Easy Wash Liquid
- Domex Fresh and Clean Toilet Cleaner
- VIM Dishwash Liquid
- Pears Pure & Gentle Shower Gel
- Lifebuoy Total 10 Handwash
- Indulekha Bringha Hair Oil
- Indulekha Bringha Hair Cleanser
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STILL NOT SURE ? See what our customers have to say
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Nice product for vessels cleaning. Few drops are enough to clean the vessels
The products received are wonderful. Will surely recommend others. Thank you very much for sending the samples to me.


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Shimano and Moro Deconto dominate Brazilian awards
Article Media Click images to enlarge +
Fishing giant Shimano and lure manufacturer Moro Deconto dominated the Pesca Trade Show Best New Product Awards in Brazil – taking seven awards between them.
Shimano enjoyed success in the categories for Spinning Reel (Stradic C14 FB), Apparel (Gore-Tex Raincoat), Monofilament Line (Technium) and Casting Rod (Zodias) to make it the biggest winner on the night with four awards.
However, Moro Deconto took the much sought-after top prize – Best in Show – for the Laguninha Nano, which was also successful in the Soft Lure category. To make it a clean sweep in baits, it also won the Best Hard Lure for the Apache IT-135.
The full list of winners was:
- Best of Show: Moro Deconto, Laguninha Nano
- Nautical Accessory: Minn Kota, On Board Battery Charger
- Kayak/Stand-up Paddle: Brudden Náutica, Manta Kayak
- Shooting Sports: Umarex, PCP Walther Lever Action
- Reel: Marine Sports, Venator Lite
- Spinning Reel: Shimano, Stradic CI4 FB
- Apparel: Shimano, Gore-Tex Raincoat
- Electronics: Raymarine, A98 display touchscreen, 9" – lighthouse 2
- Braided Line: YGK, G- Soul Upgrade X4
- Monofilament Line: Shimano, Technium
- Soft Lure: Moro Deconto, Laguninha Nano
- Hard Lure: Moro Deconto, Apache IT-135
- Casting Rod: Shimano – Zodias
- Spinning Rod: Marine Sports, Venator SE
- Fishing Accessory: Monster 3X Concept Lures, Tackle Box
- Camping Product: Brudden Náutica, Brudden Coolers 30 litres


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As I work with government entities, I meet people of all job titles who find themselves in the role of facility manager: community and recreation center directors, librarians, parks department personnel, police, and firefighters. As you might expect, some, but not nearly all, are experts in public procurement. After all, public purchasing is a discipline unto itself!
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and The Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP), list on their Principles and Practices website a list of global best practices for public procurement. Here, you can find a list of 20 documents outlining best public procurement practices. It's a lot to know!
One method of best practice outlined at principlesandpractices.org is the utilization of cooperative contracts, and the NIGP Sourcebook page highlights the U.S. Communities purchasing alliance at http://www.nigpsourcebook.com.
If you are making a government purchase, Missouri and Kansas state statute allows you to bypass the usual bid process -with all the associated time consuming record keeping, regulations, and contractor meetings-by utilizing a cooperative purchasing agreement.
Why is this true? These contracts have been nationally solicited and competed already and offer you the lowest pricing available to governments, and as such, satisfy your purchasing requirements.
And, did you know you can purchase an entire, turn-key carpet or flooring installation?
For more information on others in the Kansas City area who have utilized U.S. Communities for their flooring installations, please take a look at. http://allflooringkc.com/
governments-and-nonprofits. html?


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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Let it snow, let it snow....
e aren't quite sure who was more excited about the snow, us or Bailey. He LOVES everything about the snow, from playing in it to eating it. We had a ball just watching him.
Of course we had to take the famous picture of Mommy's belly. Not too pretty I might add. Keep in mind I'm only half way. GOOD GOD!!
Ok, so, if we have a boy, this is what I have to look forward to. Please help me! Kevin is like, "can you see me". Seriously, that is what he said.
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The Kranz Family
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Rice University Moody Center for the Arts
2013-2017 | Houston TX
Client Rice University
Architect Michael Maltzan Architecture
Structural Engineer Cardno Haynes Whaley Associates
Consulting Structural Engineer Guy Nordenson and Associates
Awards 2017 AIA California Council Design Honor Award
The Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University houses a diverse program of instructional, studio, performance, and exhibition spaces that encourage collaboration across disciplines. Emphasizing the idea of openness is a double-height space at the center of the structure and an upper story that appears to levitate over the floor-to-ceiling glazing at the ground floor. At the exterior two structural steel "starburst" column structures support masonry screen walls suspended above the ground level pedestrian plaza below. The above-grade structure is composed of a cast-in-place concrete foundation and ground floor framing with steel framed superstructure and concrete slab on metal deck. At the roof level, secondary steel beams frame the roof steps and provide support for the unfilled metal roof deck.


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Discussion in 'WERA National Endurance Series' started by RRP, Oct 10, 2017.
Those points posted yet?
Yes. Have been for a while.
Any chance you have a link? I can only find the points results from race 1, then again I also have problems finding apexes.
Just looked, round two isn't showing online, not sure what's up. Lemme work on it.
Fixed it.
I don't think the Barber round should count for points.
I'm all for adding a round and growing the series but adding a round halfway through the season AND making it count for points just isn't kosher in my humble opinion.
We've already made plans for the 3 rounds this year and unfortunately, since Barber wasnt on the schedule, I am unable to make it due to other obligations.
My team is committed to the series and we'll be out in force next year but I don't believe the decision to make Barber count for points is fair.
Sean...what say the powers that be?
I like pork, don't keep kosher sorry.
You don't like pork? I'm sad for you.
Now I want BBQ. There is a trailer here but think they only do brisket.
I'm going to go sulk into a pulled pork bbq sandwich at my local joint now.
Always a good plan.
What is date for Barber?
October 25. For those looking for sprints to run they can run the National classes and the AMA classes without having run any prior rounds.
I've got 54 lbs. of Butts ready to smoke this weekend. Will be served at my wedding reception this Sunday, come on down. Did I mention that it's being held at a brewery???
I'm trying my best to find a way to do Joisey and/or Barber
Got something else going on this weekend but thanks for the invite!
Last year at new Jersey a couple of the rules were different compared to any other track. Thinking specifically of the need for a fire suit to run the fuel can (though they compromised and said full leathers were ok). Any idea if the rules have been adjusted for this year?
It's going to be the same, it always has been that way for NJMP for the ASRA Team Challenges. We always just had someone in leathers do fueling. All pit crew needs long pants and sleeves.
Yep, no changes there.
Separate names with a comma.


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Look on glass was written for a 17-chord Japanese Koto and Marimba, premiered by Kazue Sawai and Ryan Scott in 2010. This new version for small ensemble shifts the focus to the marimba, creating a new context for what was originally an accompaniment to the Koto. Although the Koto is omitted in this version, its presence may perhaps be felt in the sparse plucky textures of this piece. The work is written in 4 movements, each acting as a miniature, or what I like to think of as a musical haiku. These haiku are dedicated to the annual promise of emergence from beneath what seems an impenetrable and unforgiving surface of hardened earth and ice.
Continuum premiered the arrangement for small ensemble on February 12, 2012.
Michael Oesterle, born in 1968, is a Canadian composer who lives in Deux-Montagnes Québec.