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Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
"An extraordinary book, one no reader will fail to find compelling and unforgettable." —Booklist, starred reviewThe star of her school's running team, Sadako is lively and athletic…until the dizzy spells start. Then she must face the hardest race of her life–the race against time. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the courage that makes one young woman a heroine in Japan." The] story speaks directly to young readers of the tragedy of Sadako's death and, in its simplicity, makes a universal statement for 'peace in the world." —The Horn Book "The story is told tenderly but with neither a morbid nor a sentimental tone: it is direct and touching." —BCCB


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Real Estate Info
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Search Recently SOLD Homes in your neighborhood - For Comparable Pricing
Applewood Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Colorado
Applewood Real Estate Stats and Trends for the week of April 19th, 2020: homes priced around $682,167 compared to $682,167 the previous week, to remain steady with no change in listing price. For Sunday, April 19th, the current national mortgage rate for a 30 year fixed mortgage is 4.51%; the 15 year fixed rate is at 3.90%. For a loan larger than conventional conforming loans, or 'jumbo' loan, the 30 year rate is 4.41%, while the 15 year jumbo rate currently is at 4.12%.

subset: commoncrawl


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Author, professor predicts collapse of unified America due to terminal economic and political decline
Steve Watson
Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008
A renowned Russian political analyst has repeated a prediction he made ten years ago that the economic and political turmoil in the U.S. will lead the country to collapse and divide into separate parts.
Igor Panarin, doctor of political sciences and professor of the Russian Diplomatic Academy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, repeated the prediction in an interview, published yesterday, with the widely read Russian daily Izvestia.
"The dollar is not secured by anything." Panarin commented.
"The country's foreign debt has grown like an avalanche, even though in the early 1980s there was no debt. By 1998, when I first made my prediction, it had exceeded $2 trillion. Now it is more than 11 trillion. This is a pyramid that can only collapse."
"It is already collapsing." He continued, "Due to the financial crisis, three of the largest and oldest five banks on Wall Street have already ceased to exist, and two are barely surviving. Their losses are the biggest in history. Now what we will see is a change in the regulatory system on a global financial scale: America will no longer be the world's financial regulator."
Panarin suggests that China or Russia, or a coalition between the two countries, would replace the U.S. as a new world market regulator.
He also stated that there is a move underway to replace the Dollar with "a common Amero currency as a new monetary unit", referring to the Security and Prosperity Partnership agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Panarin is an expert in the theory and practice of information warfare and has authored nine books, including "Information War in Russia", "Information War and Elections", "Information War and Power". His political essays are regularly published in various revered journals.
Citing intense political dissatisfaction due to lost savings, the rampant decline of industry, higher unemployment, higher prices, and "divisions among the elite", Panarin says he expects the U.S. to eventually break up into six separate parts.
Along lines similar to those of 1865 during the Civil War, Panarin predicts the U.S. will split into the following territories:
The Pacific coast, with its growing Chinese population; the South, with its Hispanics; Texas, where independence movements are on the rise; the Atlantic coast, with its distinct and separate mentality; five of the poorer central states with their large Native American populations; and the northern states, where the influence from Canada is strong.
Panarin says that only the hope of some sort of miracle economic turn around under an Obama presidency is holding back such mass upheaval.
While the prediction may sound alarming to some, it is not so far fetched.
Article IV of the United States Constitution provides for the creation of new states of the Union, requiring that any such creation be approved by the legislature of the affected state(s), as well as the United States Congress.
In the past there have been many attempts and proposals for breakaways and secessions. Many contend that the U.S. will continue to evolve and change in this fashion.
Most recently, earlier this year, the state of Oklahoma drafted a resolution (PDF) claiming sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment, serving notice and demand to the federal government to cease and desist mandates beyond the scope of constitutionally delegated powers. While this may be a leap away from secession, the increasing dissatisfaction with the federal government's role in the economic crisis could see more of the same kind of activity becoming commonplace.
Addendum: A version of the RIA Novosti article linked above has appeared unsourced on the Drudge Report today, minus the section concerning the move towards the Amero currency.
This article was posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 9:13 am


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Have I mentioned that I'm excited about Persona 4 Golden? Honestly, it's the one reason I'm thrilled to have a Vita, and one of the games I'm most looking forward to this fall. And would you look at that? Atlus has dropped a ton of new videos of the game on their YouTube channel.
I've never played Persona 4, and I still enjoyed the heck out of these. The one up top marks the beginning of the year. There are so, so many more—I haven't watched them all because while I don't care that much about early-game spoilers in games like this, I still want to go in fresh. But if you want to get a big, healthy taste of what the game will look like on the Vita, go nuts.
New Persona 4 Golden Videos [Atlus on YouTube]


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HALIFAX — Joel Lion looked with amazement at the plaque.
"The Jewish Legion: The 38th through 42nd Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers became known as the Jewish Legion. Camp Edward in Windsor, N.S., provided the training ground for over 1,100 Jewish troops."
"I knew the story of the Jewish Legion and its history, but never knew it was in Canada and Nova Scotia," Israel's consul general to Quebec and the Atlantic provinces said during a visit to Halifax and Prince Edward Island earlier this month that concluded his three-year term.
He then saw a plaque identifying David Green – later to become David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister – as one of the trainees at Camp Edward in 1917. The plaque said, "At 70 years, Ben-Gurion wrote [to the mayor of Windsor]: "I will never forget Windsor where I received my first military training as a soldier and when I became a corporal."
Lion was given a tour of an exhibit, mounted by the Army Museum Halifax Citadel, commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I, featuring original uniforms, equipment and pictures and with a replica of the Vimy Memorial in France.
The exhibit featured the sizeable contingent of Jewish volunteers, a number of whom went on to create the modern State of Israel three decades later.
Nova Scotia's close connection with Jewish volunteers who fought in World War I almost didn't happen, due to the intransigence of the British Army. At the time, Jewish activists were eager to join the Allied war effort and help liberate Palestine, which they wished to restore as a homeland for Jewish people.
When the war started, Palestine was controlled by the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, which was aligned with Germany and its allies. In December 1914, with hostilities just a few months old, the Jewish activists urged Britain to create a Jewish unit to be part of the British effort to liberate Palestine. Britain refused because it did not allow foreign nationals to serve in its army.
London did agree, however, to establish the Zion Mule Corps, a unit of Jewish volunteers tasked with transporting supplies by mules during the 1915 Dardanelles Campaign in northwest Turkey. Unfortunately, the campaign was a disaster and one of the casualties was the Zion Mule Corps, which was all but disbanded.
Two years later, with the war bogged down in bloody trench warfare in Europe, the British finally relented to Jewish pressure and agreed to create five Jewish-based infantry battalions as part of the Royal Fusiliers. Collectively, these battalions were known as the Jewish Legion and had the distinction of being the first Jewish military fighting formation in over 2,000 years. Members wore the badges of the Royal Fusiliers but with a Star of David patch on their sleeves.
One of these units was the 39th Battalion. It was recruited from American and Canadian volunteers and assembled in Nova Scotia, the closest embarkation point to Europe. Training took place at Camp Edward in Windsor under a Jewish commanding officer, Lieut.-Col. Eliezer Margolin. By all accounts, the soldiers lived in tents pitched below the Fort Edward blockhouse, a structure that still stands today. During its 10 months of operation, more than 1,100 American and Canadian Jewish volunteers went through Camp Edward.
When training was complete, the 39th Battalion was shipped to England and then Palestine, where it joined the 38th Battalion and saw action in the Jordan Valley and at the Battle of Megiddo, a decisive victory on the Ottoman front.
In all, 50,000 Jews served in World War I. They were awarded five Victoria Crosses, and 50 Distinguished Conduct Medals. Many founders of the State of Israel served in the Jewish Legion, Ben-Gurion, who trained at Camp Edward in Windsor and served with the 39th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers; the second president, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi; and the third prime minister, Levi Eshkol.
The Jewish Legion was disbanded following the armistice in November 1918.


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I skipped last week because we were out of town but wanted to get back to my new weekend feature, Quote It Saturdays, started by fellow book blogger, That Chick That Reads. I enjoy posting this weekly feature on my book blog and thought I'd try it on the CFS blog as well, with book quotes that especially spoke to me as someone living with chronic illness.
This week's quote is from a book of essays, Above Us Only Sky, by one of my favorite writers, Marion Winik:
Instead of burning my candle at both ends, I learned to light it only for special occasions.Marion was writing about plain-old modern life, with all its crazy stresses, but doesn't this perfectly express how we've had to change our lives for CFS?
Hope you're enjoying a relaxing weekend!


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Ellis (Prod By Legin) - Bmore Boys / Oh Lord [Unsigned Hype]
"Check out the new video from ELLIS "Bmore Boys/Oh
off the BLURAY E LP (REMASTERED) available
at www.EllisBMC.com
DIRECTED by: Toni Branson " [m]
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The dreaded double pointed needles! Learning to use double pointed needles is probably the biggest leap a beginner knitter can take into the world beyond scarves. Hats, sleeves, mittens, gloves, socks… all pretty much require the use of double pointed needles. So if you're ready, here we go!
An Overview
Double pointed needles are used to knit things in the round that are too small for circular needles. For example, when you knit a hat on a circular needle, toward the top of the hat the stitches become so few that they no longer reach around the circular needle. At that point you need to switch to double pointed needles. Other projects start out too small for circular needles, like the Toadstool Baby Rattle, which is the project this tutorial is illustrating.
If you've never knit anything in the round before, it's very important to know that you never turn your work around when you knit circularly. In other words, the right side of the fabric always faces you. The major consequence of this is that some stitch patterns are different in the round than they are flat. For example, to knit stockinette stitch in the round you only use the knit stitch; you never purl. As you gain experience, this concept won't sound so complicated!
Double pointed needles come in a pack of five, but the knitting tradition in America is to usually use only four at a time. Three needles hold the stitches while a fourth knits them. Sometimes you do use all five, four to hold the stitches and the fifth to knit. This would come in handy when the pattern increases or decreases in multiples of four or if you can't fit all the stitches onto three. Either way, the instructions are basically the same, but this tutorial illustrates the more common use of four double pointed needles.
And, finally, I painted my double pointed needles four different colors to help you keep track of which needle is doing what!
Casting On
Cast all the stitches onto one double pointed needle. Try to cast on somewhat loosely, so that the stitches are able to slide freely on the needle.
Then slip 2/3 of the stitches onto a second double pointed needle. (In this case, there are 72 cast on stitches, divided by 3 = 24 x 2 = 48.)
Slip 1/2 of the stitches from the second needle onto a third double pointed needle. Each needle now holds a third of the total number of cast on stitches (24 stitches on each needle). (If the cast on is not exactly divisible by 3, then just have one more or less stitch on one needle.)
Join into the Round
In order to join for working in the round, you need the needle where tail and yarn are coming from (the "white" needle) in your right hand. This usually requires that you flip everything around, the needle in your left hand switching with the needle in your right hand.
Arrange the stitches so they are all facing the same way and aren't spun around on any of the needles.
Insert the fourth (empty) needle into the first stitch of the left needle.
Firmly knit the first stitch.
You're joined into the round!
Knitting with Double Pointed Needles
Continue to knit across the stitches of this first needle. Just pretend that you're knitting with two needles instead of four!
Having knit across all the stitches of the first needle, that needle becomes free to knit the stitches of the next needle. For example, the green needle knit all of the stitches of the yellow needle, freeing the yellow needle to now knit the stitches of the pink needle.
Keep knitting around and around, three needles holding the stitches, one needle knitting. (The first round is the trickiest because the needles tend to squirm around a bit. Don't despair! It gets easier!)
Tips and Details
End of the Round Marker
You don't usually need a marker to indicate the end of the round when you use double pointed needles. Instead, the end of the round is marked by the cast on tail. The first stitch of the needle where the tail comes from is the first stitch of the round.
If, occasionally, you do need a marker, it's easier to put it after the first stitch so that the marker doesn't keep sliding off the needle. Just remember that the first stitch is actually the one before the marker.
The First Stitch of Each Needle
If the first stitch of a new needle is a knit stitch, then make sure that the needle you're knitting with is situated under the previous needle (in this photo, the yellow needle is positioned under the green one, ready to knit the first stitch of the pink needle.)
This helps to prevent a column of loose stitches at the intersection of the needles.
If the first stitch on the needle is a purl stitch, then it's better to start the new needle above the previous needle.
Also, always give the first stitch of each needle a bit of an extra tug to close the gap between needles.
If you need to decrease at the end of a needle and only have one stitch left on the needle,
then slip that 1 stitch to the next needle, and do the decrease at the beginning of the next needle.
That's about it! Good luck with this new skill. I hope that it opens many knitting doors for you!


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West Point grads ready for post-Afghanistan future
With combat in Afghanistan winding down, members of the U.S. Military Academy's Class of 2014 insist they're equally prepared for the alliance-building future outlined by President Barack Obama at their graduation ceremony Wednesday.
But some of their mothers are breathing easier.
"We are relieved, but because they serve in the military I think there's always a cloud of 'What if?' and 'What's next?'" said Lynn Sheree Lesmeister of Anoka, Minnesota, flanked by two of her sons, Michael and Jeffrey, minutes after they graduated from West Point. "But at this point it's nice to think that some things are not an option."
Obama told the 1,064 graduating cadets that they were the first West Point class since the 9/11 attacks that might not be sent into combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. While stressing that the world was still a dangerous place, the president used the speech at the storied Hudson River academy to call for a higher "threshold for military action." He called for partnering with countries where terrorist networks seek a foothold.
For the new second lieutenants, that could mean working with diplomats instead of firing artillery. But the graduates — drilled for four years on duty, honor and country— said they were ready for whatever is ahead.
"We always know that something will happen somewhere," Michael Lesmeister said. His older brother Jeffrey Lesmeister said he was simply looking forward to leading soldiers and will follow the commander-in-chief's foreign policy.
"I'm going to go wherever the country needs me to go, so it doesn't really matter to me," said Daniel Heckman of Norcross, Georgia, who is headed into the infantry. "Some people might get the impression that being in the infantry is like being a football player and being in combat's like the Super Bowl and everyone wants to go to the Super Bowl ... but like President Eisenhower said, war is not so great." Obama had quoted a speech Eisenhower delivered to an earlier generation of West Point graduates.
The new officers have graduated at a time the Army is downsizing from 570,000 during the peak war years to 450,000 by 2017, and possibly fewer if automatic budget cuts resume. The reduction to 490,000 by October 2015 will include forcing out about 3,000 officers, cutting careers short well before they would become eligible for retirement benefits.
Graduate Jessica Wagner of Plymouth, Massachusetts, said she believes her class could go to the Pacific or Africa on more humanitarian-oriented missions. She added some of the points in Obama's speech about the military's evolving mission have been known here.
"When we all came here," she said, "we all assumed we were either going to Iraq or Afghanistan, then I think it was my freshman year they announced we weren't going to Iraq and more recently they said Afghanistan."
She said she had been preparing whether or not war was looming.
But her mother, in the stands during Obama's speech, called out "woo hoo!" when the president mentioned Afghanistan being a less likely place for the graduates to end up. Laureen Wagner said it relieved some stress.
"The reality sets in each year," the proud mother said. "You worry about them not getting through, then you worry about them getting through and what's going to happen."


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Disclaimer: There are 2,715 posts on my main blog, 609 on irevuo, and 223 on the Art of Blogging. Granted, some thousand or so of these posts are advertisements, reblogs, or sponsored posts.
This is quite a random threshold, the kind that doesn't necessarily deserve to be celebrated, but I felt like feeling grateful, so yeah… three thousand posts on WordPress.
But this is not just about me bragging. No. The idea is to write about what I learned, which is somewhat synonymous with offering you the kind of advice I wish I knew about before I set out on this journey six and a half years ago.
I'd say that I did a decent amount of blogging. Could I have done more? Sure. More is always the answer when it comes to how much work one can do. I could have written better posts, developed my projects better…
But the truth is that my writing has developed a lot since I wrote my first post on this blog, back in April 2012. For those of you who do not know this, English is not my native language.
I've also learned a few other things that I'd like to share with you.
Inspiration is everywhere
If you've been blogging for some time, you must have faced this challenge. How do you get inspired? Where do you get ideas from?
The thing is that ideas come from connecting the dots. It's that easy. Ideas come from past experiences , books I have read, conversations I have overheard. The obstacles I had to overcome.
Strong emotions inspire great ideas.
Did something happen yesterday that pissed you off? Good. Write about it. Explain why. Odds are that if you feel strong emotions about something, someone else will relate to you.
Maybe something about our society needs fixing. Maybe there's something you wish more people understood about your job, your passion, or something important to you.
Sometimes, ideas just flow. It's effortless. It's wonderful. Other times, I'd much rather do nothing at all.
If you look in the dictionary under the word "procrastination," you'll likely find an old photo of me. But I do force myself to write quite often. I have to write something every day, unless I risk going mad or something.
Blogging is about living life
Blogging has also taught me that you need to do your best to find that spark that ignites your soul. To go out there and live. To get your heart broken, to try to fix yourself, to fall down, to try new things.
The more you step outside your comfort zone, the more creative you become.
Bad experiences tend to make for great stories, and some pretty amazing blog posts.
And, yes, yes, some of my best ideas come from me staring at a point on a wall until I can feel myself dissolving into it. Oh, I also think about ideas for posts. Sometimes. Other times, I just stumble upon a cute quote and that alone inspires an entire post.
Read, read, read
The idea is that you should read books, other blogs, magazines, and pretty much anything you can get your hands on.
In day to day life I'm kind of funny because I was this socially awkward (to be read inept) kid at school and all I knew to do was read a lot of jokes and then tell them to other kids at school.
So, yeah. Read everything you can get your hands on. Good books, bad books, great blogs, awful blogs.
I'm not just talking about what other bloggers are doing, even though it's important to check the competition out, to see how they write their content, how they deliver it, what posts engage a certain audience enough to make them want to comment.
But I am talking about observing life. Like being in the back seat of a car. Just… witness. Everything around you. The people, the places you have seen maybe a thousand times before… I doesn't matter.
The more you stare at something, the more you notice.
Experiment. Not everything that works for other bloggers works for you or me. It's okay if you write something new and different and your post only gets 16 views.
You can always recycle content. After all, if you have a few main themes, you're bound to tackle them a few times. If it's something you care deeply about, you'll be writing about it more than once.
Have fun
This is one that most bloggers forget about. Heck, even beginners forget about it after about the sixth post.
Why do something if it doesn't make you smile?
Oh, you'll smile when you'll have the kind of success you're hoping for? Not really. You're just training your mind to be happy some time in the future, but not now.
And guess what's going to happen when that time will come?
You won't be happy. You'll come up with a new day, new goal to achieve, and then you'll be happy.
So, yeah. Have fun. Enjoy writing just for the sake of it, for the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas.
Having a schedule is important. Like really important.
Posting regularly matters a lot. Not often, maybe not as often as I do, but keeping to a strict schedule makes sure that your readers know what to expect from you.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to build a community
This is the last thing I learned.
It takes more…
It just takes more to build a readership than you thought possible in your most pessimistic thoughts. It takes a lot more effort, a lot more interacting with folks, writing posts that barely get one or two comments, it takes more of everything…
Just like that cliche with building a wall. Brick by brick. Will Smith said something about building walls…
I guess what I am trying to say is that you can't rush it.
Posts get written one word after another, and a successful blog is built one post at a time.


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Search by Part Number, Brand, or by Year make Model, and or Part.
SLP Performance 31043A - SLP Loudmouth 2 Exhaust Firebird V8 Cat-back System w/3.5 Slash Tips; 1998-2002.
SLP's F-Body cat-backs have always been the best-performing exhaust systems in the business. Now they're the most versatile, too! Using our industry-exclusive modular design architecture, we've developed a line of systems that can be quickly reconfigured to fit changing performance, noise-level, and sound-quality requirements. Simply loosen a few band clamps, swap muffler types, retighten, and you're done. No other exhaust offers this level of performance and adaptability!
Along with the included race muffler, the F-Body Loud Mouth II system is compatible with our original Loud Mouth resonator (#31066). Get both for complete control over your car's sound and performance characteristics.
NOTES: Includes Loud Mouth II race muffler. Loud Mouth resonator sold separately.
Fits Camaro and Firebird Models.
|Sound Characteristics*
|Noise Level*
Open Resonator
(or muffler delete)
|Extremely aggressive; powerful high- and
mid-range tones with moderate resonance
|Muffling, Bullet-
Type Resonator
|Similar to original Loud Mouth, but with
a throatier tone and reduced resonance
|Deep, rich, and mellow; minimal resonance
* Volume and sound quality will vary based on engine and exhaust-system specifications. Loudmouth also refers to some systems without any resonators such as the 2010 Camaro Loud Mouth and the 2005 Mustang Loud Mouth Axle backs where the mufflers are removed altogether. Images below are representations in order to better understand the differences.
California Residents: Prop 65 WARNING: This product MAY contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
California Residents: TIRE WARNING: LMPerformance will not ship Tires to California.
Legal: Some or all of these parts may not comply with Federal, State, Province, and/or Local laws, ordinances, and regulations. Buyer takes all responsibility to ensure that any modifications or upgrades that have done conform to all applicable laws and regulations for road use, especially pertaining to safety and emissions. LMPerformance is not responsible for buyer not complying with Federal, State, Province, and/or Local laws, ordinances, and regulations. This policy shall be in force for all past, current, and future purchases from LMPerformance, Inc. LMPerformance will not ship ANY non-CARB compliant products to California where California requires products to be CARB certified such as Catalytic Converters and Induction Kits.
FREE SHIPPING: Please note FREE Shipping refers to shipping within the contiguous continental US only. All other locations extra.
IMAGES: Images may be a representation and may not reflect the actual product. Examples would be SPEC stage 3 clutch kits which all use the same photo.
Search Terms: 31043A SLP Performance SLP Loudmouth 2 Exhaust Firebird V8 Cat-back System w/3.5 Slash Tips Catback Pontiac Exhaust Systems Loudmouth II SLP Loudmouth 2 Exhaust Firebird V8 Cat-back System w 35 Slash Tips 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
SLP's warranty obligations for SLP® Parts and Accessories (individually and collectively "Part(s)") is limited to defects in
materials and workmanship, as solely determined after SLP's careful inspection, for that period identified in the chart
below that begins on the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period"). 90 Days from the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser. *Excludes SLP® Overstock Parts, NON-SLP® Parts and Accessories, SLP® Wheels; SLP Superchargers®
; SLP® Competition Parts, and SLP® Crate Engines, which the warranty coverage for the foregoing, if any, is separate from that explained here.
These are parts that other customers have purchased while purchasing the product on this page.
History and information about SLP Performance and their products.
Since 2001, LMPerformance has worked closely with SLP Performance to offer customers a wide range of performance enhancements to the American muscle car, the best known of which is its SLP Loudmouth muffler and SLP Camaro systems. With our SLP Performance parts line we have helped customers transform late-model rides into modern muscle cars like the Camaro SS and Pontiac Firehawk.True to its name, Street Legal Performance (SLP) has a vision "to not just provide performance, but to do so with the best engineering practices and quality possible, far exceeding the industry standards." Impressively, SLP was the first company in the performance aftermarket to develop and manufacture a 50-state emission-legal performance package specifically for V8 Camaros and Firebirds. LMPerformance carries SLP's best-in-class performance upgrades in the following product categories: TVS Supercharger Packages, Blackwing Cold Air Intakes, SLP Exhaust Tips, SLP Loudmouth Mufflers, Powerflo Headers, SLP Accessories, SLP Suspension, SLP Brake Kits and SLP Wheels. The range of applications offered by the SLP line is equally as wide. Below is just a partial list: Chevy Camaro, Corvette, GM/GMC Trucks and SUVs, Pontiac Firebird, GTP, G8, GXP and GTO, Ford Mustang and F-150, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Magnum and 300.
Reviews for SLP Performance's Other products are show below.
Current Mods:
K&N Flowmaster Blackbear custom tune
Current Mods:
SLP CAI, 160 deg. thermos, competition harmonic balancer,4L60E shift kit, 3400 rpm stall converter, 373 rear end gears, granatelli 85mm maf ,Diablo predator reprogram, dual exhaust.224/224/581/581 comp cam with 114lsa and dual springs.
Current Mods:
K&N intake, magnaflow muffler swap, SLP rear section (resonator delete) and BlackBear Tune
Below are other popular parts other customers have purchased for their Pontiac Firebird.


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GBP Commitments of Traders Data (COT)
EURO COT Data
British Pound Sterling COT Data
Japanese Yen COT Data
Canadian Dollar COT Data
Swiss Franc COT Data
New Zealand Dollar COT Data
Australian Dollar COT Data
Russian Ruble COT Data
Mexican Peso COT Data
Commitments of Traders
The chart above can be used to view the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) commitments of traders data (or COT in short) in an easily readable format. The data is published by the CFTC every week on Friday and contains an aggregated report of the different holdings of market participants in the US futures market (where you can trade currencies, commodities and metals such as gold and silver).
The COT report provides the data broken down to 4 different types of traders:
The COT report provides the data broken down to 4 different types of traders:
- Dealer/Intermediary - typically "sell-side" and include large banks (both US and non US) and dealers in swaps, securities and other derivatives.
- Asset Manager/Institutional - typically "buy-side" and include pension funds, insurance companies etc'.
- Leveraged Funds - typically "buy-side" and include hedge funds and money managers such as CTAs (registered commodity trading advisors) and CPOs (registered commodity pool operators) or unregistered funds as identified by the CFTC.
- Other Reportables - typically "buy-side" and include reportable traders that that do not fit into none of the first three categories.
Open interest is the total of all futures and/or option contracts entered into and not yet offset by a transaction. The aggregate of all long open interest is equal to the aggregate of all short open interest.
- Net Commercials position = Commercial long - Commercial short
- Net Large Speculator position = Non-commercial long - Non-commercial short
- Net Small Speculator position = Non-reportable long - Non-reportable short


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Harley riders compete as they test skills
Harley-Davidson riders are putting their skills to the test in a unique competition.
Riders said having the right moves makes for safer streets as some took part in a skills competition at Harley's Wauwatosa operation Wednesday.
It wasn't your average Harley ride -- weaving and turning with precision.
Tami Large of Florida said every maneuver takes focus.
"You've got a 900-pound motorcycle that you're trying to turn in an 18-foot circle, and it's hard," Large said.
Some riders said they made the trek from all over the country just for this skills test.
"As soon as we heard they were doing it we signed up and had our vacation plans going and we were here," Large said.
Matt Jenkins said this is his first Harley anniversary celebration, but this skills test is about more than winning a trophy.
"We're trying to just expose this sport to as many people as possible because our real hope, as much fun as we have, is that people will be interested, learn how to ride better, so all of us can get home to our friends and family every day," said Matt Jenkins of Chicago.
The top 30 riders from Wednesday will compete Thursday at the Summerfest grounds in the finals.


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After 2 months of work, Active Up is pleased to announce the release of
Html TextBox v2.2. The upgrade is free for existing customers!
Download now your copy: http://www.activeup.com/downloads/
!! Limited Time Offer: Save 25% on our WebControls Suite !!
For a limited time only ActiveUp are pleased to announce that there is 25%
off all new WebControls Suite purchases. This offer is valid until June 15th
.......Can you afford to miss out? Two new products will be added in the
suite very soon for free to new and existing customers!


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Tee-up At Sandestin And Elevate Your Game
Names mean something on the links. In particular, those of iconic course designers like Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Rees Jones and Tom Jackson. All have contributed their design talents at Sandestin, helping to create an unrivaled experience for golfers who are as passionate about the sport as we are. Showered with awards (more than 30 now, but who's counting?) our four courses: Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, The Links Golf Club and our exclusive and private Burnt Pine Club, each have their own special challenges, rewards and unique characteristics. That's what has attracted high-profile events and competitions including the Champions Tour, NCAA National Championships. But they all share the incredible natural beauty of Sandestin's 72 holes spanning from the beach to the bay and the dedication of our PGA professionals and staff. Whether you're here for a casual foursome with friends or looking to work on your game at our Sandestin Golf Academy, remember we're here to elevate your game and ensure your resort experience is up to par.
Proper Golf Attire Required (including Practice Facilities) to include Collared Shirts and Spikeless Shoes. No Denim or Women's Halter Tops allowed.
Florida Golf Resort
- Top 75 Golf Resorts ~ Silver Medalist, Golf Magazine 2004,2006, 2008
- Top 75 Golf Resorts ~ Golf Digest, 2006
- Four 1/2 Stars ~ Golf Digest "Places To Play" 2006
- Gold Tee Award, Meetings & Conventions, 2002, 2003, 2004
- Meeting planners' choice for top golf and meeting hotels and resorts
- Top 100 Women's Courses in the Country, Golf for Women
- Best Golf in Northwest Florida, Birmingham magazine
Rates and Packages
At Sandestin, it's easy to ace your next Florida golf vacation with our competitive course rates and outstanding packages. Check-in with us and get a preferred tee time for your foursome or treat yourself to a golf getaway that pairs the chance to play on one of our four championship courses with a stay at the #1 resort on Florida's Emerald Coast.
Our Courses
The Links Golf Club
The Links Golf Club is the original course at Sandestin and was named one of the "Top Five Golf Courses in Northwest Florida" by Florida Golf News, The Links Golf Club is the ultimate in risk-reward golf, offering you some game-changing challenges while also providing spectacular views on the Choctawhatchee Bay . (Pro tip: accuracy and proper club selection are a must if you want to outfox the prevailing Gulf Coast winds). Renowned architect Tom Jackson designed this winding layout against the backdrop of the Baytowne Marina and the Choctawhatchee Bay with five bayside holes. The Links Golf Club plays from 4,897 to 6,710-yards and has four sets of tees. The Links Golf Club is located at 165 Sandestin Boulevard N, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 and can be reached at (850) 267-8144.Tee Times & Specials
Baytowne Golf Club
This esteemed course is now even more popular after an extensive renovation in 2005 by original course designer, the legendary Tom Jackson. Now offering one of the most sought-after golf experiences in the crowded field of courses in Northwest Florida, the Baytowne Golf Club has twice been hailed by Golf Digest's Places to Play with a stellar 4 ½ stars ranking. Routing here will take you from the beach to the bay and features some of the only elevation changes in the area. Excellent for all skill levels, the Baytowne course is as forgiving from the forward tees as it is challenging from the championship ones. The course also offers a fifth set of U.S. Kids junior tees, making great play for beginners, kids, or getting in a quick afternoon round. Baytowne Golf Club plays 3,002 to 6,804 yards. Baytowne Golf Club is located at 1199 Troon Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 and can be reached at (850) 267-8155.Tee Times & Specials
Raven Golf Club
Masterfully carved through the marshes, wetlands and pine trees of Sandestin, Robert Trent Jones Jr. crafted this unique and visually stunning par 71 layout into what he calls "a true modern traditional." Voted "Best New Course in Florida in 2000" by Florida Golf News, host of the Champions Tour in 2006-2007, hailed with 4 1/2 Stars by Golf Digest in 2006 and 2008, and named "#14 in Florida" by Golf Magazine, Raven is a must-play during your stay. This is where you can elevate your game on a course that presents an exciting array of shot options set-up by dramatic changes in color and texture, such as the large, undulating greens that make club selection an essential part of each round. Pair it all with Raven Golf Club's nationally recognized guest service and you have all the makings of an unforgettable South Walton golf experience. Raven Golf Club plays from 5,060 to 6,931 yards and offers four sets of tees. Raven Golf Club is located at 1199 Troon Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 and can be reached at (850) 267-8155.Tee Times & Specials
Burnt Pine Golf Club
Deemed the "Crown Jewel of Florida Golf" by Golf Magazine and recognized as one of the "Top 30 Courses in Florida" by Golf Digest and Golfweek, Burnt Pine Golf Club is a golf experience unrivaled on Florida's Northwest coast. Course architect Rees Jones proves in this 7,000-yard layout why he is one of the most respected architects in the world. Breathtaking views along the Choctawhatchee Bay highlight the back nine, while the front side brings golfers through the pine forests and wetlands of the Emerald Coast. Side by side with Sandestin's Raven Golf Club, it is the only place in the world where Rees and Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses meet. Burnt Pine plays from 5,153 to 7,001 yards and offers four sets of tees. Burnt Pine Golf Club is located at 3300 Burnt Pine Lane, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 and can be reached at (850) 267-6500.More Information
We recently traveled to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort with our one year old daughter and had a wonderful vacation. The Sandestin complex is wonderful and perfect for vacationing with small children. We arrrived on Sunday afternoon and check-in was a breeze. We loved the convenience of being able to walk to Baytown Wharf. Overall, our trip was perfect and we will be back! We had a wonderful time.
B.B., Cincinnati, Ohio 2014
Golf Shop
Baytowne/Raven Golf Shop: (850) 267-8155
Links Golf Shop: (850) 267-8144
Give yourself a competitive edge with the latest in golf gear available at our Golf Course Shops. Choose from our carefully curated selection of clubs, shoes, apparel, balls and other accessories to keep you and your game in top form. And if you're not sure about the right irons or which shoes are best for you, our professional staff is always ready to help you make the smart choice.
Maintenance Schedule
Call (850) 267-8155
Please take note of the following course maintenance schedules to avoid any inconvenience. We regularly maintain our four courses to assure you the best South Walton Florida golf experience possible.
The Raven Golf Club
April 29 - May 5, 2019 (Aeration of Greens, Tees & Fairways)
Aug 5 - Aug 11, 2019 (Aeration of Greens, Tees & Fairways)
Burnt Pine Golf Club
May 6 - 12, 2019 (Aeration of Greens)
Aug 12 - 18, 2019 (Aeration of Greens, Tees & Fairways)
Nov 4 - 5, 2019 (Over-Seeding Par 3 Tee Boxes)
Baytowne Golf Club
October 29 - November 4, 2018 (Over-Seeding)
Apr 30 - May 6, 2019 (Aeration of Greens, Tees & Fairways)
October 28 - November 3, 2019 (Over-Seeding Greens)
The Links Golf Club
October 28 – November 4, 2018 (Over-Seeding)
May 7 - 13, 2019 (Aeration of Greens, Tees & Fairways)
August 13 - 19, 2019 (Aeration of Greens, Tees & Fairways)
October 29 - November 4, 2019 (Over-Seeding Greens)


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Rapha Softshell Women's Jackets
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The old adage, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just insufficient clothing,' is directed at people who skip riding because they don't possess a good multi-purpose shell like the Rapha Women's Softshell Jacket in their wardrobe. There are so many days that are less than perfect, when a bit more protection would make the difference between staying in for fear of getting uncomfortably cold and going out because you know you'll be covered and warm.Rapha, which is headquartered in drizzly, cool, overcast England, knows these days, and this jacket might well be their signature piece. It's practical, stylish, and tough. The stretchy, flexible shell is made of Softshell, a polyester/spandex material that is lined with a Hytrel membrane. The poly/spandex blend makes the jacket comfortable to wear, and the Hytrel makes the jacket windproof and highly water-resistant. Rapha's design imperative gives this jacket a structured shape to better fit the femme geometry. Even the sleeves have been shaped; each is made of three separate panels to make a ...practical, stylish and tough, the Softshell is an excellent jacket with smart details... better, more comfortable curve to the arms. All these general elements make this a good jacket. It's the focus on the details that make the Softshell an excellent jacket.The offset reversed zipper means the jacket fits better when in the riding position and gives the jacket a cleaner look. There's a draft flap behind to keep the zipper from catching any clothing, and the top of the zipper nestles in a dock to prevent the pull from chafing your neck. Also on the collar is a bite grip so you can safely bite the jacket when zipping and un-zipping. The waist has a draw cord with friction locks to customize the fit around your waist, and there are three shaped pockets that are deep enough to carry a fair amount of stuff while still being accessible. The center pocket has a pump sleeve. The right pocket has an exterior zip pocket that can store valuables and an audio player with pink cable loops on the inside to thread headphones into the jacket. There's also a tiny hidden pocket on the right side seam.Best of all, there are some super-smart features that you'll notice when riding. When you're too warm, hidden armpit zippers allow for venting without having to cool your chest with the front zip, but when it's a little too cool and wet, secondary wrist cuffs that go around your hands can be deployed to further seal your arms from the elements. There's a drop-down panel in the back to cover your posterior if you're caught in the rain without a fender -- it even has a reflective Rapha logo on it. The shoulders have reflective piping as well. The left shoulder is rubberized so a messenger bag weighted on this shoulder stays in place.The Rapha Women's Softshell Jacket comes in Black. There's an embroidered Rapha logo in Black on the left arm. Sizes run from XX-Small to X-Large.
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MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — Oman will switch to a Friday-Saturday weekend to align its banking and business days with most other nations in the region.
Currently, Oman and neighboring Saudi Arabia follow a Thursday-Friday weekend. But other countries in the Gulf start their two-day weekends on Friday, the Muslim day of prayer.
The decree by Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, also ordered private companies to give their employees the same number of religious holidays as civil servants in an effort to make non-state jobs more attractive.
Oman has faced sporadic Arab Spring-inspired protests demanding greater employment opportunities.
The new weekend decree, carried Sunday by the official Oman News Agency, will take effect May 1.


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Christmas Sale
Save 20% off our entire range until Dec 24th, 2011.
Click on the license you would like to purchase. When purchasing, use the discount coupon from the email which was sent to you.
Do you need help with using your coupon?
Try before you buy. Download a free trial of the latest version of CallBurner. Keep in mind that this offer expires on Dec 24th, 2011.
Yes, we offer discounts on volume license purchases. Contact us for more info.


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The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the largest crib recall in U.S. history Monday, citing the potential dangers of cribs with dropdown sides.
The agency will recall more than 2.1 million cribs made by Stork Craft, of British Columbia, Canada, because of the risk that a child's head can get caught between the mattress and the side railing. As many as three deaths have been linked to the product. Stork Craft is one of the most widely purchased brand names in baby cribs.
This is not the first time cribs have been recalled due to such fears. Nearly 5 million cribs have been recalled over the past two years and the CPSC has considered banning dropdown sides altogether.
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
Included in the recall are 147,000 Stork Craft cribs produced under the Fischer-Price logo.
CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side.
The cribs' drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides also can lead to falls from the crib.
CPSC, Health Canada, and Stork Craft are aware of 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the United States and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in suffocation: a 7-month-old in Gouverneur, N.Y.; a 7-month-old in New Iberia, La.; a 6-month-old in Summersville, W.Va.; and a 9-month-old in Bronx, N.Y.


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Your outdoor living space is your sanctuary, a place of retreat when you just want to relax with family and friends — or just kick back by yourself. Why should the good times end just because the sun goes down? Here at Twelve Oaks Landscape, we take pleasure in creating light effects that are not only functional and safe but also beautiful to highlight your Gorham's Bluff home. Have you been searching for something more appealing and illuminating than the lone floodlight that casts a harsh unflattering light in one direction? Ditch the old lighting and update your outdoor landscape with a design plan that highlights just the right focal points. Proper landscape lighting needs to increase safety while adding value to the property at the same time. We can help you accent your yard through well-planned exterior illumination.
As residents of the Gorham's Bluff community in Pisgah, AL, your home and yard are a source of pride. Twelve Oaks can help you perpetuate that pride well after the sun sets, as we are industry leaders in comprehensive landscape management, as well as landscape design and build services. That's where our experience in exterior illumination comes in. We are known in Pisgah AL for setting the standard for innovation and quality highlighted by modern residential outdoor living. No idea where to start? Let us help with our comprehensive landscape lighting services.
There are many reasons to add just the right landscape lighting to accent your home's exterior. Here are a few:
Twelve Oaks Landscape is proud to serve Gorham's Bluff residents with a variety of lawn care services. In addition to landscape lighting, we can take care of all other aspects of your lawn care and management to provide the total package, such as:
Get in touch with Twelve Oaks today at (256) 997-9005 to get a free estimate and learn how we can illuminate your Gorham's Bluff property with high-quality lighting fixtures, such as area, step and path lights. We use products by Alliance Outdoor Lighting to provide you with the highest quality fixtures at an affordable cost. You can also view our services on our website here.


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April 1, 2014 was a perfect time for the opening night of Second City's new review Depraved New World". I agree with the audience member who said, "It was a perfect show". It was certainly a show that brought much needed laughter to the audience. During the improv portion, most of the audience members were laughing so hard there were tears in their eyes.
It was very interesting to contrast this production with performances that my husband and I attended many years ago when both the company and we were young. In contrast to this tight, rapid paced and polished performance, the old days were experimental. The room was tightly packed as it is still, which brings a great deal of energy. It was a delight to enjoy the show now without the smoke that used to fill the room.
We knew Second City in the days before it developed its branches in Toronto and Hollywood and I recently read that "Second City is Taking Tokyo". Last summer, we attended one of the "Second City's Guide to the Opera" (view this article) performances, where the Second City flavor was transported to the stage of the Civic Opera House. It is interesting to observe the Second City format adapting to many different situations.
Returning to The Second City Mainstage, prolific Jeff Award-winning director Mick Napier leads returning cast members Steve Waltien and Tawny Newsome along with new cast members Chelsea Devantez, John Hartman, Mike Kosinski and Emily Walker. Jesse Case is the new Musical Director and Composer and Craig Taylor returns to the booth as Stage Manager. The producing team for "Depraved New World" includes Andrew Alexander (CEO & Executive Producer), Kelly Leonard (Executive Vice President), Alison Riley (Producer) and Jeremy Smith (Associate Producer).
Attending this performance on Second City's turf, the place where techniques that are now well developed began, was a real eye opener. There were many differences that caught my attention. The bare stage with simple chairs remains. The lighting is very embellished and has become important. There was once a feeling that the actors were learning by doing. The cast this night was talented, skilled and very polished. I remember the pace being varied. This night the performance was slick and fast paced. It included singing and dancing, and lots of cleverness.
The theme of what people are really thinking, presents the audience with typical Second City scenes including: musical orgies, blind dates and the innocent beginning of an international email scam. It was a wild, rapid-paced ride revealing what is happening behind the eyes of the beholder. The performance sizzled. The cast was terrific with Tawny Newsome and John Hartman being the standouts.
Second City is a great attraction to visitors to Chicago but for residents of this area, this show is balm after an impossible winter. Make your way to Second City for this terrific new show-now!
Tickets for "Depraved New World" start at $23.00 and are available by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at Second City's Website. The show schedule is as follows:
Tuesday - Thursday 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Sunday 7:00 p.m.
If you're hungry or looking for a drink, a full bar and appetizer menu is available throughout all performances.
Photos: Todd Rosenberg
Got kids? Note:
The Second City has a nightclub atmosphere and alcohol is served. Our shows contain adult content and language. Most of our shows are the equivalent of an R-rated movie. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when coming to the 11pm shows due to Chicago curfew laws. Please note we're not able to admit anyone under the age of 10. The Second City is best for savvy teen and adult audiences.
If you require special seating or accommodations (wheelchair-bound, hearing impaired, or visually impaired) please contact the box office at (312) 337-3992 to ensure the best service. Want to join a larger party but pay separately? Call (312) 337-3992 and the staff will be sure you're seated with your party. buy tickets now


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January 2016 by Dr. Sheila D'Arpino
Audience: Executive Leadership, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team
Video Length: 1:19
Are dogs in shelters developing health and behavior problems because of stress? And does that make adoption more difficult and less likely for those pets?
Certified veterinary behavior specialist Dr. Sheila D'Arpino has worked with shelter dogs since the 1990s, and seen the harmful effects of stress on sheltered dogs. Through her work at UC Davis, the Center for Shelter Dogs/Animal Rescue League of Boston, Maddie's Fund® and others, she's developed strategies to recognize those effects both in individual dogs and in the whole shelter population - yes, it happens!
Please join Dr. D'Arpino and Maddie's Fund® for How Stress is Sabotaging Your Dog Adoption Efforts.
Viewers of this webcast will learn:
- The difference between adaptive and maladaptive stress
- To differentiate acute, episodic and chronic stress
- The definition and meaning of stress
- How a pet's personality influences intensity of reaction to stressors, recovery from stress, and behavioral response to stress
- Factors that cause stress in a shelter
- The role of stress and welfare on health, disease and well-being in shelter and rescue dogs
- How to clearly identify and characterize stress and poor welfare in dogs
- The impact of stress on a dog's likelihood of adoption.
How Stress is Sabotaging Your Dog Adoption Efforts is part of an ongoing series of educational programs from Maddie's Institute, the academic division of Maddie's Fund®, providing the most innovative animal welfare information to shelter staff, veterinarians, rescue groups and community members to increase the lifesaving of homeless dogs and cats community-wide.
This course has been pre-approved for Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits.
About Sheila D'Arpino, DVM, DACVB
Dr. Sheila Segurson D'Arpino completed veterinary school and then a specialty training program in animal behavior with a focus on sheltered pets at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and 2005, respectively.
Dr. D'Arpino has worked as an emergency veterinarian, private practice veterinarian, shelter veterinarian, dog trainer, veterinary behaviorist and foster-based adoption program director.
Currently, Dr. D'Arpino uses the knowledge she gained and skills that she learned in her role as Director of Research for Maddie's Fund®. In her current role, Dr. Darpino's goal is to develop and support research that increases pet adoptions from rescue groups and shelters and improves pet well-being. She relies upon her background working in and with animal shelters, pet foster care programs, and veterinary medicine to lead Maddie's Fund research efforts.
Dr. D'Arpino is also a courtesy lecturer for the Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida and is the lead instructor for the Shelter Animal Behavior and Welfare online course.


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Call to arms
There's been a quiet notice that some addons have been contaminated with addons. Which? Well, for certain there was one called Titan Panel 3.0.6 new. The contaminated origin point? ui.worldofwarcraft.net. The origin of the contamination? A program called Stats Sniffer. So if you went there, do yourself a favor and clean your computer. Why?
I'm not at the call to arms yet, I'm setting background. And that needs you to go read the answer to Why – over at Breana's site. go. It's important. Then come back.
As I told Breana in the comments, I'm writing an email. And a letter – smail in the envelope letter. Basically, I'm copying the main part of the story and telling Blizzard this is unacceptable. That I want it fixed. That if this is the 'service' I can receive when an account is being looted, I have lots of fun things to do that occupy my time – I'll miss WoW, but not enough to risk THAT.
And I've added a suggestion – a simple one, one which is easily implemented but difficult to bypass. Again, the same as I posted in the comments. Blizzard, set up an auto-respond system with a complex login code – the same one various email and other sites use – with a SIMPLE instruction. If an account changes email, the account is frozen until the account holder responds to (and releases) the announcement of the change.
CALL TO ARMS: I ask you to add your voice. Don't sign a petition, don't stop at agreeing with me that this is bad and we should make Blizzard fix it. Act. Write an email. Write a letter. Ask in the official forums. Dear God, this is an easy problem to fix – FIX IT.
Thank you.
14 Responses to "Call to arms"
Thank you Kirk.
I think your kill switch idea is excellent, and I am surprised they don't already use it, since they have half of it already in place (the email that tells you have changed it).
The nightmare continued today. When Shia got his account back but then had to wait on-line for over two hours until a GM finally came on to say, "Well, we are going to investigate it. See ya."
I am going to post a comment on the Blizz Forums, tomorrow morning. Maybe, someone else won't have to go through this. I have known other people who's accounts have been hacked, but never have I ever watch it happen in front of me, and feel so damn useless. It is horrible and humiliating.
If you do send a letter, would you please let me where? I could send it to billing and accounts, but will that actually be read by someone, or just tossed to the compliant bin?
In the meantime, I recommend that you practice due diligence and not download any addons that contain binaries. An addon which contains only pure LUA code cannot steal your account. LUA code can only do what Blizzard explictly allows it to do, and getting account details is not one of those things. The LUA code isn't even running at the login screen.
You got your facts wrong. Listservs and other email-using software do not lock your account if your email address changes. They simply continue to use the old email address until the owner of the new email address confirms that he wants the address change to happen. This is a countermeasure to avoid spam, not to safeguard your account. If the attacker can change your email address, your account has already been compromised. There's no point in crying over spilled milk at that point.
Also, your proposed solution has several issues that need to be addressed before it's even usable. First of all, changing the email address is no requirement for an account compromise. If I have your account name and password, I can just log in, vendor/disenchant every soulbound item and send everything to an another account. That takes 5 minutes tops. I don't need to change the email address. I don't need to change the password. I don't need to change the password hints. I don't need to change the billing information. I don't need to change anything to do that. Furthermore, I think that an overwhelming percentage of email address changes are completely legitimate. Automatically locking an account when the email address changes is thus annoying at best.
A hotline would be a better solution, but not without tradeoffs. The most obvious one is that the hotline could also serve as a denial-of-service tool for the attacker. If you have an important event or a raid coming up, the attacker can just use social engineering, impersonate you and claim that your account has been compromised. This would lock your account and you'd have to wait for Blizzard to sort it out. Credit card companies can do this, because getting your card temporarily locked out is several orders of magnitude less of an hassle than having all of your money stolen. That is not the case with WoW accounts.
[…] are here for you, Shia. You are not alone. em Gun Lovin' Dwarf Chick via Priestly Endeavors Mais uma vez muito cuidado a instalar […]
Kirk, here is the link the the forum post. Let the fun begin!
This EXACT thing happened to one of our guild officers over the weekend, except that it happened late at night and nobody was around to notice. They left everything but his pvp gear because that's not vendorable. They also tapped into the guild bank since he was an officer. Nothing so sad as seeing a hunter in full PVP gear missing a gun (because they took his).
We're still waiting word, and it's been four days.
The kill switch is a good idea but I agree that I think passwords should not be allowed to change without confirmation via email. That would take an extra step but ensures that this sort of thing won't happen.
The thing is, if your house is robbed, you can call the police and file a report. Here, you can do nothing. Part of the problem is the feeling of helplessness.
The situation is MUCH worse when a guild bank is involved, because then the burglary affects everyone in the guild.
One final comment: You really need to post something about this to the places that have some real influence, like Metafilter and Slashdot. This is a real-life example of how identity theft can wreak havoc in a game, but the biggest issue is that Blizzard is not treating this like a real crime. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE PEOPLE PROSECUTED AND CHARGED WITH REAL CRIMES because even though they are pixels, they still steal things that do not belong to them.
[…] am shamelessly stealing the title of this post from Kirk's post at Priestly Endeavors, in response to Breana's article, "Compromised," at Gun Lovin' Dwarf Chick. I […]
[…] Call to Arms – Priestly Endeavors […]
[…] for all your thoughts and comments regarding the topic. Also, very special thanks to Kestrel and Kirk for calling out our WoW community to take […]
[…] post joins Kirk's CALL TO ARMS on this […]
I relay also the Call to arms on my blog. Hope it will helps.
[…] Kirk's article Call to Arms […]


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Pfhorrest wrote:Weapons and HUD are both implemented as plugins and so can also be turned off in preferences, though I'm not exactly sure what happens when you do that. I'll try to check later tonight.
Pfhorrest wrote:The new mothrids monsters are pretty awesome! The only criticism I have of them is their flapping motion while they move is kind of silly to see from a distance. When they're just standing there upright, they're super creepy, and the flailing action when they're in your face is really scary too. Could their moving animation maybe be slowed down a lot (so they more glide than flap), or possible have the most splayed-out frames removed from the moving animation (so they remain mostly upright while moving, then splay their tentacles out when they're up in your face attacking)?
President People wrote:Round 3 is ready. Sorry for the wait!
Mothrid has a floatier animation
• The method used to prevent Mothrid's sound from restarting also makes other nearby active Mothrids silent, potentially interfering with attacks from multiple directions. There is no way around this that I know of, other than to either:
(A) Space them far enough apart that only a single Mothrid is within earshot at a given time.
(B) Keep them in close enough proximity that it doesn't matter which makes the sound.
The Nightmare seems to have a habit of ceasing its attack once it reaches the player. Before I changed its float height, it was dipping down to the floor and just sitting there, as if waiting for a pat on the head. Cute, but not exactly the effect we're going for. Even though its float height is now above the player, it does pretty much the same thing, waiting on top of your head until you make a move. Giving it a melee attack didn't seem to work, and messing with the flags didn't have any positive effect. I'll tinker with the behavior a bit more and see if I can stop it.
Still on the list is giving the Nightmare some alpha/glow masks, and the .mml for the Banshee's own OpenGL stuff is MIA.
Pfhorrest wrote:Any ideas Treellama?
Pfhorrest wrote:FWIW I've been playtesting on a split-out version of "The Dead Live In The Catacombs" (the spookiest Ch5 level IMO) to see how they play outside of the test map.
I think it could maybe stand to be even floatier still? (i.e. slow down the animation even more)
I think maybe checking the "Keeps with clear shot" (or whatever it's titled) flag might help with this. Then the Nightmares won't charge at you, they'll stay where they are and shoot from a distance. That would also further distinguish them from the other two monsters who both charge at you.
I was thinking it might be cool if the Nightmares also were invisible when idle/moving but then opaque black (with their creepy glowing eyes) when attacking, like the Banshees are. So you barely know there's even any enemies there, until suddenly this black blob with glowing green eyes appears, spits fire at you, and then vanishes again.
ravenshining wrote:Anyway, this weekend I finished touching up The Tangent Universe, and I played through it and at least one other version. The one I played didn't have any differences I could find aside from all the fighting, I'm wondering if it might be easier to add monsters and whatnot to my modified TTU, than to change the geometry and lighting of the others.
I'd have posted earlier, but I keep getting this obnoxious "You cannot post so soon after your last" message. I haven't timed how long it takes, but it lasts more than an hour.
treellama wrote:I can't tell what the texture is supposed to look like, so it's hard to diagnose the problem.
Mipmaps wouldn't cause blockiness, but DXTC could. If you turn it off, you should be getting the (huge) original textures.
I like the texture updates I've seen so far, by the way. I think the maps need a lot more differential shading to catch up! Lots of screenshots in this thread have geometry that would be easier to make out in 3D (and less boring!) with better shading.
President People wrote:I had tried that flag, but it doesn't move at all if you're within sight, and I wasn't sure if you wanted that. Though, I was experimenting solely on the included test map. I'll play with it further on an unmerged map to see what happens.
Pfhorrest wrote:So it seems like mipmapped bump maps do this blocky thing in large solid-color areas regardless of opacity.
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Audi A5 Sportback
Audi A5 Sportback
Audi Sales
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How can a sports car offer space, comfort and versatility? Meet the Audi A5 Sportback, an inspired iteration of the beautiful A5 Coupé. With the same, muscular stance and defined flowing lines, in addition to class-leading driver assist and infotainment technology, the A5 Sportback is an imaginative five door concept that can become your reality.
The A5 Sportback delivers performance on par with its design. Choose from a range of highly efficient turbocharged petrol or diesel engines, including the new 2.0 TFSI quattro with 185 kW of power and 370 Nm of torque. With Audi drive select, you can tailor the performance characteristics at the touch of a button to suit your driving preference.


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Random Clip Of The Week: Non Driving Female Trying To Get Out Of A Parking Lot By Any Means! (Wrecks Her Car)
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By Joshua Katcher
**UPDATE** Click HERE for NYC store locations.
Beneath the Williamsburg Bridge, just off the East River, multitudes of microbes are silently ripening a viscous concoction formulated by two Argentinean transplants. The contents of this mixture, and of the modest kitchen itself, are poised to transform the face of one of the most impassioned and rapidly-growing foodie cultures: vegans.
Legend has it that thousands of years ago, in the deserts of Arabia, a nomad carrying milk in a sack made from sheep intestine produced the accidental first batch of cheese curds. Her movements agitated the amalgam of milk and intestinal enzymes and, under the hot sun, produced what we call cheese. Rennet (or Rennin), an enzyme that is a product of calf stomachs and sheep intestines is a key ingredient in typical cheeses – not only making most cheese undesirable for vegans, but also for vegetarians – many of whom imagine that cheese is somehow produced without harming animals. Some veal with your cheese?
The world of vegan cheese-like-imitations usually consists of heavily processed soy products simply made to look like cheese at first glance – and never followed through by taste or texture. Some Vegan cheese-esque products are notorious among the adventurous, and tend to elicit the response "well it tastes ok if you cook it in something and add a ton of nutritional yeast, but never on its own". Placing a block of vegan 'cheese' on a board among fruit and crackers would be considered heretical among cheese connoisseurs and self-aware vegans alike. "It Melts!" is usually the selling point for these rubbery replicas and even the long awaited 'Scheese', imported from Scotland is a yucky disappointment after months of anticipation by American dairy-abstainers. The only tolerable soy-based cheese is 'Follow Your Heart' Monterey Jack. Even still, none of these so-called cheeses even deserve the title 'cheese'.
Enter Veronica and Pablo of Dr. Cow, a small company that got its start making granola. They use raw, organic tree nuts like cashews and macadamias as the base of their cheese products. They apply different cultures and molds, and age it like any udder cheese. The final products are irresistible, delicious, and obsession-worthy artisan cheeses that are not only amazingly savory and versatile, but they are 100% raw, vegan, and full of probiotics, enzymes, protein, healthy fats, and omega fatty acids. While conventional cow's milk-based cheeses are laden with cholesterol, chemicals, hormones and a host of other objectionable attributes – not to mention the ethical and environmental concerns of animal agriculture and dairy-collection, Dr. Cow's cheeses are an anomaly; Healthy and deviantly indulgent.
Pablo and Veronica have relayed to me that they are continually refining and perfecting the process of making these cheeses. There is a hard Parmesan-like variety, bleu cheese, Roquefort molded, cream cheese, herbed wheels, truffled squares, blue-green algae layers, flax-crusted, and my favorite – the original soft cashew wheel that is reminiscent of a soft, sharp cheddar. Apparently they are experimenting with Swiss Cheese bacterias now. They are pioneering a new cheese, and there is no reason that any food lover shouldn't take them seriously. "We are perfecting a process that involves balancing many ingredients, carefully controlling environmental humidities, temperatures, and ripening processes. New York City is our testing grounds, and we certainly plan to expand".
If you want to try these cheeses, visit Pure Food & Wine, Organic Avenue, Marlow & Sons, or Westerly Natural Market. Click Here. They also take personal orders!
DB's Etiquette Recommendation: Bring a wheel to your next gathering. I have given this cheese to many people, placed it out at parties, and tested it on devout dairy devotees. The one resounding response I hear is "Oh my god, this is really good. Really good."
**UPDATE** Click HERE for NYC store locations.


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The Spanish spoken in Valladolid [Va-yer-do-lid] is said to be the purest, some say poshest, in the country. Hablan muy claro (they speak very clearly). It's also renown for being perishingly cold there, so much so that the Estadio Jose Zorrilla has heaters fixed into the roof of the stands to keep the punters warm during matches.
Historically, Real Valladolid have flip-flopped between the top two divisions. They've spent 40 years licking their lips in La Liga and 30 licking their wounds in the Segunda Divsion. Despite being tipped for promotion, the Pucela are having a decidedly average season and the fans aren't happy. Their socios (members) are down in numbers from 18,500, this time last year, to 12,500 and the dwindling home faithful have turned their anger towards the owners of the club.
Real Valladolid have always been the main team of the Castile y León region. A few fans dislike their near neighbours UD Salamanca, but nobody gives two hoots about other local teams Zamora CF and Palencia. Their main rivals are, somewhat surprisingly, given the distance involved, Sporting Gijon. Clearly, this rivalry was dreamt up before the advent of high speed trains. It only takes an hour to get here from Madrid on the AVE these days. It'll cost you though.
"Make sure you eat some Lechazo (baby suckling lamb) and drink plenty of Estrella Galicia (beer)" demanded my Spanish amigo Juan before my visit. So we did. Bar hopping in Spain is one of life's great pleasures, and the Calle de Correos, set just of the Plaza Mayor is the place to go in the old quarter. With a caña here and a tapa there, eat, drink, laugh, sing, everywhere a great seat. It was food and drink that had us dabbing away at our chops with a napkin and beaming with contentment. Delicious.
The football ground is a 20 minute or so bus ride out the to west of the city. There's a huge shopping centre just across the main road where some fans hang out before games, but that wasn't for me, obviously. I pitched up in the bar of the training ground directly opposite the main stadium. The good news is that Nirvana and Madness tunes were blasting out across the bar, the bad news was that I was pretty much the only person in there. Fans arrive late to games in Spain, very late.
There is no club shop at the stadium. Not even a measly trestle table selling knock off scarves. Nothing, nada. Well, aside from a lady selling pipas and jelly babies out of the back of a van. I had noticed a club shop on the Plaza Mayor, but even that had been boarded up. This means, that with a capacity of 26,000, I'm declaring the Estadio Jose Zorrilla to be the biggest club stadium in Europe without a club shop. It's not a fact but it's true, possibly. They need a bit of Zorrilla marketing there, no?
Match tickets for this game cost €20-€45. But EFW is big news in Spain nowadays and the club had offered me a press pass. Their media officer, Mario, took me under his wing and escorted me up to a press box at the top of the main stand. Nice, very nice.
Look, a fox, on the pitch. Woof! Or more of a screaming-bark isn't it? Anyway, the fox in question was Pepe Zorrillo, the clubs mascot. He is a cross between a fox and a Castillian gentleman according to Mario. Dynamic, friendly and cheerful he may be, but I couldn't help thinking the budget had run dry half way through the making of his costume.
All the pre-match talk was of Javi Guerra, current owner of the number 9 jersey for the home-side. In recent weeks, Malaga, Deportivo and Racing have been sniffing around with a view to snap him up in the January transfer window. "There has been interest from other clubs", he said "But I like it here, and I came to help the team gain promotion" he added, whilst trying to catch the eye of his agent.
As the teams trotted out, with a half fox, half man for company, the two sets of ultras gave it their best shot to ratchet up the noise levels. They were situated in opposite corners of the stadium. They two groups have differing political views, not an unusual occurrence in Spain. On the left we have the Fossa Gerrafoni and on the right, Los Ultravioletas. Valladolid is supposedly a fairly right leaning city in terms of politics, and some cruel cats have referred to it as 'Thatcher-dolid' in the past. Ouch.
Oscar side-footed the home-side into an early lead, but just a minute later Tenerife had equalised. Okey-dokey, ten minutes in, two goals, tiqui-taca football and the best seat in the house. I was hooked. But I am not a fan of music on the PA after goals, oh no. After Oscar had popped in the opener, they played Daddy Cool by Boney M. Aright, a fitting tribute to Bobby Farrell (RIP), nice touch, I'll let it pass. But no, they play it after every home goal. Is that Daddy, Daddy Cool? You decide. "We do it because we like it" said Mario.
I'll tell you what was cool, and that was Nauzet with his Beckham-esque free kick which regained the lead for Real Valladolid midway through the first half. This was brilliant. It was cold, but there were those aforementioned heaters in the roof of the stand. Not a problem. There wasn't too much noise, but then again, who'd be a Tenerife away fan? You'd have to have buck teeth and whiskers along with very deep pockets to follow them over land and sea. They had eleven fans at this game, and Sombreros off to that second XI for making the journey.
Real Valladolid battered the home goal in the second half as Tenerife fought like caged tigers to keep them out. Aragoneses in the opposition goal was inspired. The referee did his best to ruin the spectacle, booking nine players, but this was hardly Zorrilla warfare. With the game nearing its conclusion Tenerife swung a hopeful free-kick into the mixer which substitute Iriome glanced into the net with his noggin. 2-2.
A cacophony of tutting echoing around the stadium for the final few minutes. Some fans looked towards the board of directors, voiced their anger and waved their fists. Others shuffled off in a huff and the ultras unveiled a ready made banner of protest. Relative joy had turned to despair all too quickly. For the neutral, it had been a thriller at the Zorrilla. The local Vallasoletanos thought otherwise, however.
I made my way down the post match press conference where I was soon joined by the buoyant Tenerife gaffer, Juan Carlos Mandiá Lorenzo. He struggled to hide his grin and a rough translation of his press conference would read something like "I'm as happy as Larry, bollocks to the lot of you and have some of that."
The mood changed as the home boss, Abel Resino Gómez stepped into the room with a face like thunder. His bottom lip quivered as he blamed tension, money, the weather, the crowd, the fox and the lack of a club shop for defeat. Something like that anyway. He was in a mood, that much I do know.
So that was my first game of 2011. I didn't know that it would turn out to be a fitting tribute to the life of Bobby Farrell, but I'm glad it turned out that way. I headed back into town to listen to a string of disco hits and continue where I'd left off on the food and drinking front. Valladolid is a perfect weekend destination if you're thinking of your own EFW. It's cool, Daddy Cool.


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On this special game day episode, we go inside the homes of NFL superstars Brian Westbrook, Visanthe Shiancoe, and more. Tune in!
The Hunt: Three or Four Bedroom with an Amazing Kitchen
Wendy and her client Kirsten are on the hunt for a three or four bedroom with a nice kitchen. Watch video here.
Square Feet: Inside Minnesota Viking Visanthe Shiancoe's Home
We're behind the doors Minnesota Vikings Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe's home. Watch video here.
Designer Living: "New Vintage" Style
Tamara Kaye-Honey shows us her signature, eclectic "new vintage" style. Watch video here.
Square Feet: At Home with Brian Westbrook
We're with former NFL superstar Brian Westbrook in his Maryland home and ranch. Watch video above.
Tips of the Trade: Interior Design with Barbara Moore
Barbara Moore shows us that there's more to interior design than meets the eye. Watch video here.
This episode of Open House was hosted from Smyth Tribeca, 85 West Broadway, New York, NY. For more information on this property, please contact Alexa Lambert at Stribling & Associates at 212-452-4408. View the listing.


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Top flight deals to Bremen (BRE)*
Fly to Bremen with KLM
Together with our global network, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers flights to Bremen, serving Bremen Airport (BRE). We have worked hard to establish a strong reputation for punctuality, and we intend to keep it this way. Book your next flight to Bremen with us today!
Top Bremen attractions
- Hole of Bremen: an underground collection box that plays music as a thank you for each coin deposited.
- Schnoor Quarter: the oldest district of Bremen built in the 15th century, boasting a labyrinthine of streets and numerous historic sites.
- Peter's Cathedral: a stunning church with a history dating back to the 11th century, and a museum that will teach you all about it.
- Bremen's Town Hall: a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important examples of Brick Gothic architecture in Europe.
- Marktplatz: a traditional German marketplace, where you can shop from local artisans, and grab a bite to eat.
Bremen is a proud city, and rightfully so: the architecture in the Altstadt (Old Town) is beautiful and impressive. Walking through the cobbled streets of the Schnoor will immerse you in the past, and for something to eat, visit the Schlachte and choose from one of the restaurants overlooking the harbour. Visit our travel guide for more tips about your trip to Bremen!
What's the best way to get around Bremen?
Bremen is the tenth largest city in Germany and has a great public transport network. If you want to make the most of your time, taking the tram or the bus is the quickest way around. However, if you want to experience the city like a local, the best way to do it is on two wheels. Hire a bike and cycle around to experience all this wonderful city has to offer!
What's the weather in Bremen?
It's mostly temperate and humid. Between June and September, the average temperature is 18°C (64°F). Winter extends from mid-November to mid-March, and it will rarely be warmer than 4°C (39°F). Although it is cold, the maritime climate in Bremen means it rarely gets snow.
Weather in Bremen
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25 °CFriday14/08/2020
26 °CSaturday15/08/2020
26 °CSunday16/08/2020
24 °CMonday17/08/2020
22 °CTuesday18/08/2020
21 °CWednesday19/08/2020
19 °CThursday20/08/2020
*All amounts are in CHF. Taxes and carrier surcharges included. No booking fee applicable (credit card surcharge may apply).


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A new iPad will cost consumers a minimum of $499.
But hidden behind that hefty price tag and beyond the components nestled behind a shiny exterior is a Chinese person making on average $14 a day.
The conditions of Foxconn, Apple's manufacturing partner in China, have long been under scrutiny by labor rights groups and consumers.
Apple's new CEO Tim Cook has gone on record saying it is a priority to clean up any safety violations at the plant.
Now American Public Media's Marketplace has put out a behind-the-scenes tour of how an iPad is actually made at Foxconn and what a worker's day actually looks like.
New Video Takes Users to iPad Assembly Line
A new iPad will cost consumers a minimum of $499.


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Admist concerns on capital outflows due to U.S Fed tapering and fear of Syria war, the market retreated quite badly in August with foreign net selling of USD 41.8mn across the 2 bourses. By the month-end, VN Index lost 3.7% to close at 472.7 whilst VN30 tumbled 1.72%. HNX was the best performer of the 3 indices when it only edged down 0.49%, closing at 61.19.
Read full analysis VAM Monthly Newsletter – August 2013.
Buoyant FDI continues to support recovery
As of 20th August, registered FDI reached USD 12.6bn, soaring 19.5% from a year earlier.Thiswas backed by 768 new projects mostly focusing on the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, the FDI disbursement edged up 3.8% y-o-y to USD 7.6bn and became a key factor contributing to the marked improvements in production activities. Indeed, while the employment index for the manufacturing sector in SOEs and private sector showed a negative growth, that in FDI sector still increased 5.6% y-o-y. Besides, FDI enterprises continued to be the main driving force to push export as they are contributing more than 60% of export and USD 2.7bn of trade surplus. YTD export turnovers advanced 14.7% y-o-y as of end August, however the YTD trade balance still suffers little deficit of USD 577mn due to a higher pace of import growth.
CPI accelerates but is still under control
The August general consumer price index edged up 0.83% m-o-m compared to previous month. Consequently, the year on year headline CPI was lifted up to 7.5% y-o-y, from 7.29% y-o-y in July. While aggregate demand was still weak, cost push effect became the primary reason for the return of inflation, in which electricity and gasoline price was adjusted up 5% and 2%, respectively. The healthcare basket, which was adjusted up remarkably in Hanoi, clearly produced the strongest effect. Fortunately, it only contributed little effect to the month-on-month CPI growth. The government's inflation target of 7-8% would likely be met provided that there is no significant shock of gasoline price in the rest of this year.
Fast tracking VAMC
Sector-wide NPL figure at the end of 1H2013 was announced at 4.65%. This figure was indeed encouraging as NPL has fallen sharply from 8% by the end of 2012. 30 credit institutions that had NPL higher than 3% will be forced to bring down NPL level to 3% by selling bad debts to VAMC. In a recent interview, VAMC's CEO said that in the next 2 months VAMC will issue bonds to swap for VND 10 trillion worth of bad debts of 10 banks. Banks with highest NPL will be given priority to sell bad debt to VAMC. The speedy execution of VAMC hopefully would help to clean up sector-wide bad debt more swiftly by year end.
More banking resolution to restructure banking system comprehensively
The PM signed a Resolution that allows SBV to assign financially strong banks or SBV itself, if there is no appropriate bank, to purchase stakes in weak banks which were unable to increase their capital or restructure themselves. Strong banks are requested to assist weak banks in both finance and management until their conditions come back to normal or acquired by other parties. This supportive resolution, together with VAMC formation, has clearly demonstrated the government's determination to restructurethe banking system and tackle the NPL issue.
More details on raising foreign ownership limit (FOL) plan available
According to the HOSE, the proposal on issuing Non-Voting Depository Receipts (NVDRs) was submitted to MoF. With the same model as Thailand NVDRs, an SBV subsidiary will buy and hold 10% of total outstanding shares of listed companies and issue equivalent NVDRs to foreign investors. Foreign investors holding NVDRs will be fully entitled to company financial benefit, but not voting rights. NVDRs will be converted to normal shares when foreign room is open. This NVDRs model will be applied to all companies. However, we do not think it will happen soon this year due to the amount of preparation required.
Our View – 8 months of the year has passed and the economy has started showing some modest improvements. Inflation is under control and the government's target would be likely to be met. More affordable borrowing cost is supporting production activities and making business environment more attractive. In addition, gold market has been gradually stabilized as the gap between domestic and global prices has been falling to half of previous high level. These improvements in economic conditions have prompted us to believe that the economy seems right on track for a gradual recovery. Furthermore, the government's serious effort in restructuring the banking sector and the future lifting of foreign ownership limit gave us reasons to be (cautiously) optimistic about the market despite recent pullbacks due to external factors, which actually revealed buying opportunities for some good stocks we have been watching.
Source: VAM, 11.09.2013
Filed under: Services, Vietnam, Banking System, FX Foreign Exchange, HaSTC Hanoi Stock Exchange, HOSE Ho Chi Ming Stock Exchange, Inflation, Market Analysis, Performance Report, VAM Vietnam Asset Management, Vietnam


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It's Hot! Staying Hydrated
July 14, 2011 - Dalia Jakubauskas
If you live in Florida you know that we only have 2 seasons –hot and hotter. Right now the state is well into the oppressively hot time Floridians call summer. For active types, or even for those who want to spend more that 5 minutes outside, these months pose special health risks. Staying hydrated and replacing lost fluids is of paramount importance, whether exercising outdoors, working in the yard or simply sunning at the beach. How much fluid to replace and what to drink depends on the individual and the type of activity. Athletes engaging in intense activities like marathons or long bike rides, have different hydration needs than say, a sunbather or casual walker. For most people engaging in moderate outdoor activities, drinking plain water is the best way to stay hydrated. Sports drinks, like Gatorade, are generally recommended only for those exercising at a high intensity and for a long duration. Sports drinks contain sodium that enables the body to retain fluids that are lost through sweat. They also contain carbohydrates (mostly sugars) intended to provide athletes the extra energy and calories they need to get through intense workouts. But for the average person not running a marathon or biking 100 miles, these extra calories can lead to weight gain. The National Athletic Training Association recommends that sports drinks have below 8% carbohydrate content. Above that actually impedes the absorption of fluids emptying from the stomach into the intestines. This is why sugary drinks and sodas are not the best way to rehydrate and may even have the opposite affect. Caffeinated drinks can also cause dehydration as caffeine acts as a mild diuretic, which is not such a big deal if you are walking on a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym, but can became a serious situation if you are jogging outdoors in 90-degree heat. So for most of us, drinking mostly water throughout the day along with other beverages like juice, are what the experts recommend. How much and when to drink is another challenge in itself. The following are some easy to follow guidelines from the Institute of Medicine, the health arm of The National Academy of Sciences, for staying hydrated during normal activities. • Men should consume about 13 cups of total fluids per day while women should drink around 9. Both men and women should also eat plenty of fruits and green, leafy vegetables, which contain high amounts of water. • Drink even before you feel thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Another indicator that you are dehydrated is the color of your urine (icky, I know). Dark means you're dehydrated. Clear and light means you're not. • For immediate rehydration, drink cool, not cold water, as cool water is more readily absorbed. For those who like exercising outdoors, The Texas Heart Institute has come up with the following guidelines to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.
For workouts of less than 1-1/2 hours: • Drink around 16 ounces of water 1 to 2 hours before exercising and then again 15 minutes before a workout. • Drink about 5 ounces of water every 10 minutes during exercise. • Drink 16 ounces of water or sport drink just after exercise. For longer and more intense workouts, the institute recommends following the same guidelines above plus suggests having about 34 ounces of water on hand per hour of exercise. A sport drink can be substituted for water every 1-1/2 hour or 2 hours during long periods of physical activity or if the weather is hot. If you do choose to exercise outdoors in the heat, look for these symptoms of heat stroke: weakness, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting or rapid heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop what you're doing and get out of the heat. Drink water and wet or fan your skin. If the symptoms persist and you don't feel any better call your doctor. If you feel faint or dizzy or have a temperature of 102 degrees or higher, call 911 or get immediate medical help. These symptoms indicate heat stroke, which can cause permanent physical damage and even death. So, don't let the heat keep you from the outdoors. But, exercise smart, stay hydrated and stay well.
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June 28, 2010
Carla Lewis-Long is the author of the children's books series, WHY I'M SO SPECIAL. Written primarily to explain to her daughter on how she came to be – surrogacy. The blog aims to point interested people toward more education and news on surrogacy.


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The very day before a suspicious car crash claimed his life, journalist Michael Hastings feared his Mercedes had been tampered with and asked to borrow a friend's vehicle, telling her that he was "scared and wanted to leave town."
The revelation, which emerged in an LA Weekly interview with Jordanna Thigpen, re-emphasizes the fact that Hastings was fearful for his safety having complained of being under scrutiny by the FBI.
Helicopters often circle over the hills, but Hastings believed there were more of them around whenever he was at home, keeping an eye on him. He came to believe his Mercedes was being tampered with. "Nothing I could say could console him," Thigpen says.
One night in June, he came to Thigpen's apartment after midnight and urgently asked to borrow her Volvo. He said he was afraid to drive his own car. She declined, telling him her car was having mechanical problems.
"He was scared, and he wanted to leave town," she says.
The next day, around 11:15 a.m., she got a call from her landlord, who told her Hastings had died early that morning. His car had crashed into a palm tree at 75 mph and exploded in a ball of fire.
Hastings' concern that his Mercedes had been sabotaged will spur theories that his car crash was not an accident, despite the release of an autopsy report earlier this week which did not indicate any foul play.
Although the autopsy report clearly indicated that the small amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana found in Hastings' blood did not contribute to the crash, the mainstream media has gone out of its way to portray Hastings as a troubled drug user who had relapsed and was about to head into rehab.
It seems far more likely that Hastings' drug use after being sober for five years was merely a reaction to the fact that he was being harassed by the feds. As Infowars reported, individuals from an unknown agency visited Hastings' home the day before his death.
The day before he died, Hastings also warned in an email that his friends and colleagues were being interviewed by the FBI and told them to get a lawyer, stating he was "onto a big story" and needed "to go off the rada[r] for a bit." Friends confirmed that the journalist was "very paranoid" about the feds watching him.
According to whistleblower organization WIkileaks, Hastings also contacted a Wikileaks attorney "just a few hours before he died, saying that the FBI was investigating him."
The Department of Justice indicated in a court filing last week that the FBI does have documents on Hastings despite the agency initially denying it had ever had him under investigation.
Speculation that Hastings could have been murdered center around comments made by former counter-terror czar Richard Clarke, who pointed out the ease with which modern vehicles could be hijacked via computer hacking. A Forbes video demonstrates how it is now possible to commandeer a car using an iPad.
Other questions have surrounded surveillance camera footage of the crash, which appears to show three explosions before Hastings' Mercedes comes to a stop. Witnesses also described explosions, with some comparing the sound to bomb blasts. Many automotive experts have pondered why the Mercedes violently exploded into flames.
– Michael Hastings' wife vows to "take down whoever did this"
– Richard Clarke: Hastings accident "consistent with a car cyber attack"
– Evidence indicates journalist Michael Hastings was assassinated
– Another whistleblower dead: journalist Michael Hastings
Source: http://www.infowars.com/michael-hastings-feared-his-mercedes-had-been-tampered-with/