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Cochin is the commercial capital of Kerala, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. Cochin proudly boasts a rich cultural heritage, but is one of the most fast paced and modern cities in India. It is also one of the finest natural harbours of the world and a major Indian port.
Cochin is basically a collection of islands and narrow peninsulas and can be divided into Ernakulam, Willingdon Island, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. An international airport and seaport, connect Cochin to the rest of the world. The city also has an outstanding network of road, rail, backwater, and a modern communication system
Cochin was once an insignificant fishing village. When the backwaters of the Arabian Sea and the streams descending from the Ghats caused the separation of this village from the mainland and landlocked the harbour, it became one of the safest ports on India's southwestern coast. The port assumed a new strategic importance and began to enjoy commercial prosperity.
When the Portuguese penetrated the Indian Ocean in the late 15th century, they arrived at India's southwestern coast. Navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral founded the first European settlement on Indian soil at Cochin in 1500. Vasco da Gama, discoverer of the sea route to India, established the first Portuguese factory (trading station) in Cochin in 1502, and the Portuguese viceroy Alfonso de Albuquerque built the first European fort in India in 1503.
The city remained a Portuguese possession until the Dutch conquered it in 1663. Much Portuguese architecture still exists in the city.
Always a tourist favourite, this city offers visitors plenty. Forts, palaces, museums, old churches, cool backwaters, palm fringed lagoons, beaches and the practicality of a contemporary metro.
Population : AApprox 1 million
Climate : Being situated very close to the sea, Cochin has a moderate climate. Heavy showers are experienced during the months June, July and August due to the South-West Monsoon. The North-East Monsoon brings light rainfall during the months of September, October, November and December. The months from December to February are pretty cool.
Best times to visit : Between November and February.
Fort Kochi
The Chinese fishing nets These huge cantilevered fishing nets along the backwaters are the legacy of the traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Built of teakwood and bamboo poles, they are fascinating to see. Adjacent to the fishing nets is the Vasco Da Gama Square, a narrow walkway with little stalls that serve fresh seafood and tender coconuts.
St. Francis Church
This Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 A.D. It is considered to be India's oldest European church. Today it is governed by the Church of South India (CSI). Vasco Da Gama was buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal 14 years later.
Vasco House
Located on Rose Street, Vasco House is one of the oldest Portuguese houses in Fort Kochi and is believed to have been the residence of Vasco Da Gama. Vasco House sports the typical European glass paned windows and verandahs, characteristic of the times.
VOC Gate
A large wooden gate with the initials VOC engraved on it, the VOC Gate is a little way off from Vasco House, facing the Parade Ground. The initials correspond to the monogram of the once powerful Dutch East India Company, which had its office here for almost 150 years.
Santa Cruz Cathedral
Built by the Portuguese in around the 16th century, this Roman Catholic church is famous for the beautiful paintings on its ceiling. It was demolished by the British when they took over Cochin in 1795. Until a new building was commissioned in 1887, there was no church on the site for almost a 100 years. The Santa Cruz church was declared a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Cherai Beach
The lovely Cherai beach, situated in Vypeen, is just a 15 minute ferry ride from Fort-Kochi. Besides the sea, sand and the sun, a typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby completes the idyllic picture that the beach paints
Dutch Palace
Also known as the Mattancherry Palace, it was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 A.D. A fine blend of Indo-European architecture, it acquired the present name after it was renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the center of the building is the hall where the Cochin Rajas held their coronations. This central courtyard also enshrines the deity of the royal family. Adjacent rooms contain 17th and 18th century murals illustrating scenes from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There are two temples on either side of the main palace, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
Jewish Synagogue
Situated close to the Mattancherry boat jetty, the Synagogue and the ancient Jew town built in 1568 A.D. is of great historical importance. The most distinctive features are its white willow-pattern tiles of which no two are alike. They are believed to have been presented by a merchant in 1763 A.D. You will find great scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded. There are also numerous finely wrought gold and silver coins, gifted to the Synagogue by various patrons. Colourful Belgian chandeliers add to the beauty of the Synagogue. Instances from Jewish history and the hardships the Jews underwent are depicted through paintings.
Parikshith Thampuran Museum
This museum, adjacent to the Shiva temple was the Durbar (court) of the Cochin rajas. It features collections of 19th century oil paintings, sculptures in stone and plaster-of-Paris, old coins and items of the Cochin royal family
Museum of Kerala History
This museum at Edapally, is one of the best looks into the history of Kerala. Significant historic moments of the past 2000 years are depicted through life size figures. There is also a one-hour commentary for each scene, along with a light and sound show
St. George Forane Church
This Roman Catholic church, considered to be one of the oldest churches in Kerala, was built on a plot of land donated by the Raja of Edapally. The new church adjacent to it was built in 1080. It is a well known 9 day feast held every year in the month of May.
Bolghatty Palace
Situated on the palm-fringed Bolghatty Island, amidst 15 acres of lush green lawns, this palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. It became the official residence of the British. Today, it is a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Hill Palace
The sprawling Hill Palace museum displays the erstwhile wealth and affluence of the royal family of Cochin. It has an interesting collection of paintings, antique temple carvings and other royal artifacts. Outside the museum is a botanical garden with exotic tropical trees. There is also a Deer Park in the palace compounds.
Special Festivals in Cochin
Nishagandhi Dance Festival
Held in February each year, this festival pays tribute to Indian classical dance. Visitors are treated to some of the most fabulous dance performances.
Kochi Carnival
The carnival held from December 25-31, offers a kaleidoscope of performing arts, including Kathakali, classical dance, martial arts and boat races.
This harvest festival commemorates a mythical time of social harmony, peace, and equilibrium. In the first month of the Kerala year,Chingam(August-September),floral carpets,made by women, grace the towns throughout the state; adorned elephants parade in Thrissur and long decorative boats race the backwaters of Alappuzha.
Saraswati festival
Also known as Dussehra or Navaratri, this festival is held between September and October. It is celebrated throughout India but takes on special significance in Kerala. Young children are taken to the temples and are introduced to the letters of the alphabet in front of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning.
This is the festival of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated between February and March. All night, people chant and pray in honour of the deity


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The Right Mix: Donatella Versace will have plenty of designer company at the 25th annual Fashion Group International's Night of Stars honoring "The Alchemists." While Versace will pick up the Superstar Award, Christopher Bailey, Francisco Costa, Carla and Franca Sozzani and Christian Louboutin will be the fashion award honorees. Bobbi Brown will take home the beauty prize, Philippe Starck will pocket the one for architecture and Harvey Weinstein will receive the entertainment award. Simon Doonan will host the festivities at Cipriani 55 Wall Street. The corporate leadership award will go to Net-a-porter's Natalie Massenet, while Paul Mitchell's John Paul DeJoria will accept the sustainability award and Bill McComb will do the honors for the humanitarian award on behalf of the Liz Claiborne Foundation.
In Model Fashion: Ben Grimes is the latest model making the transition from mannequin to designer. Grimes, a former face of Burberry's Brit fragrance, has teamed up with her designer friend Lily Parker to launch a capsule collection called LPBG. The collection will focus on silk dresses and separates, and is set to make its debut during London Fashion Week in September. "We have strived to bring old-school detailing to modern pieces," said Grimes. "There are no full-length dresses in the collection. We wanted the clothes to be more about kicking up your heels and dancing." Grimes and Parker — who has stints at Richard Nicoll's design studio under her belt — also have produced cropped jackets and shorts as part of their line. Grimes added that the two have taken their inspiration from fashion editorials in Seventies editions of Vogue and the idea of the perfect dress. Prices for the line are yet to be confirmed.
This story first appeared in the July 21, 2008 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.
Pinault, Hayek Split: PPR chief executive officer Francois-Henri Pinault and actress Salma Hayek have called off their engagement, which was announced in March 2007. Their daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, was born in September. In a statement, Hayek's representative said: "We are sad to announce the engagement of Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault has been canceled. There will be no further comment." PPR declined to comment.
Button Up: A year after apparel executives, seamstresses, jobbers and other tradesmen first pooled together to try to save the garment center by wearing pins that said as much, the New York district is still in peril. As a reminder to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others, activists have advised supporters to dig out their pins as a sign of solidarity. Just last week the CFDA's Steven Kolb, Yeohlee Teng and GIDC's Fatiah Hosein sent letters to CFDA members urging them to e-mail Jed Howbert in the Mayor's Office.
Climb Every Mountain: Jim Whittaker, the first American to climb Mount Everest, had some succinct wisdom to impart during a luncheon Thursday at — where else? — the Explorers' Club in Manhattan. What's a mountain climber's first thought after scaling the world's highest peak? "How to get down," said Whittaker, 79, of his 1963 trek. The event was the first of what Eddie Bauer president and chief executive officer Neil Fiske promised would be many more partnerships with renowned outdoorsmen as he seeks to return the brand to its roots. Whittaker will consult with Eddie Bauer on marketing and product development, including a performance expedition line, to launch in April.
Crystal Palace: Baccarat, the French crystal maker, is getting into the luxury hotel business. The company, which is controlled by Starwood Capital, has announced that it has agreed to build a Baccarat resort in the new Dubai Pearl complex in Dubai. Baccarat artistic director Chasik Gasmi will oversee the project.


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Holley's Terminator Throttle Body Fuel Injection
The controversy between carburetors and EFI has always been about complexity and price. Carburetors are simple—EFI is not. Carburetors are cheap—or at least cheaper than EFI. Those points have not really changed, but the lines are blurring slightly over the complexity issue. It used to be that you had to be a knowledgeable tuner capable of building a fuel and spark map to make a fuel-injected engine run. That part of the EFI game is no longer of concern. The new wave of self-learning EFI systems has made tuning really a non-issue, making aftermarket EFI much less complex.
Let's take Holley's Terminator throttle body system as an example. This is a relatively simple EFI system where you remove the carburetor and replace it with a throttle body. It flows 950 cfm and integrates four 80 lb/hr injectors that are capable of delivering enough fuel to feed up to 600 hp. The most difficult part of this installation isn't really the throttle body or even the electronics. The most challenging part is also the one that is most often overlooked—the fuel delivery system. All EFI systems demand a high-pressure (typically 45 to 58 psi) fuel system. This means the system must supply constant pressure, requiring a reservoir inside the tank where fuel always surrounds the fuel pump. The most common system employs an in-tank pump, which is also how the OEs do it. This keeps the pump cool with a constant supply of fuel. We call this out because many problems that rodders experience with EFI can be traced to fuel delivery issues, so it's important that a well-designed fuel system be an integral part of your EFI plan—rather than an afterthought. When it comes to street-driven EFI systems—engines run much better and with far less drama if the fuel delivery system is not an afterthought.
The self-learning part of the Terminator EFI system is based on feedback from a wide-band oxygen sensor located in the exhaust system. The sensor reads the free oxygen in the exhaust and calculates the air/fuel ratio from these readings, which gives direction to the computer to calculate changes to the amount of fuel delivered by the injectors. All this happens very quickly with the result that after you have answered some simple engine data questions, the computer does the rest. We've tested this Holley Terminator on a 590 hp 496ci Rat motor and we were impressed with how well it performed.
Among the inputs the system requires from you are engine displacement, fuel pressure, and the air/fuel (A/F) ratios you desire for idle, cruise, and wide-open throttle (WOT). We input 496ci for displacement, 43 psi for fuel pressure, and 13.8:1 for idle, 14:1 for cruise, and 12.8:1 A/F for WOT. We then calibrated the TPS—which is so easy your 10-year-old granddaughter can do it. With that, the engine fired immediately and ran great. Within a few minutes, the system had learned enough that we were out spinning the tires on our first testdrive. Sometimes these self-learning systems can have difficulty with cold start by delivering an overly rich A/F during warm-up. This didn't happen on our test of the Terminator, but we would need to test the Terminator on several different engines of varying displacements and cold start temperatures to speak with complete certainty.
One distinct advantage offered by the Holley system is that it is easily upgradable. This means that if you at some point in the future want to make some changes, Holley offers easy add-on options that do not require purchasing a new computer. For example, it's really easy to integrate electronic spark control. For our big-block, all we would need would be an additional harness, a free software upgrade, and a simple small-cap HEI distributor. If that sounds easy, you're catching on. If at some point you would want to change to a multi-point fuel-injection system with eight separate injectors, that's merely a matter of upgrading this same ECU to HP status with a simple software swap. If you begin to see the possibilities with this system that perhaps some of the other basic TBI systems don't offer, then you now know why we wanted to try the Terminator. In today's world, having more options is a good thing.
This is the Terminator kit (PN 550-406, $2,049.95, Summit Racing) that does not include a fuel pump but does use the upgraded Hard Core Gray finish throttle body. We've also included the optional color display in the upper righthand corner.
The Terminator throttle body integrates most of the necessary sensors as well as the injectors in an easy-to-install package. The wiring harness uses dedicated connectors so you would have to work really hard to hook it up incorrectly. Connect the sensors, the linkage, and the fuel line and that's about as easy as it gets.
Each throttle body contains most of the system sensors, including the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor (1), inlet air temperature (IAT) sensor (2), idle air control (IAC) motor (3), the injectors (4), and the throttle position sensor (TPS) (5). It might take you 30 seconds to make all these connections
Here is our Terminator system bolted in place on a 496ci big-block Chevy we used for our test. We relied on a Rick's Tank's fuel tank with an integrated in-tank fuel pump and a complete return system with filters. The system operated flawlessly.
The most important installation step is to always connect the main power and ground leads directly to the battery. Do not hook the Terminator main power lead to a common power lead in the wiring. Hooking directly to the battery uses the battery as a capacitor to minimize electrical noise causing driveability problems.
The Holley Terminator uses the exact same throttle body that is also used on all NASCAR engines. Holley employs an interesting annulus around each venturi that improves idle quality and off-idle throttle response.
The basic Terminator kit comes with this small handheld, which is all you need for input into the system to make it work.
If you are into electronic displays, you might consider upgrading to Holley's larger color display screen that is configurable for a cool instrument display screen like this one. We designed ours with (clockwise from upper left) a tach, air/fuel ratio, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, fuel pressure, and voltage. This display would look cool as a flip-down screen from underneath the dash.
The Terminator throttle body flows 950 cfm and with its four, 80 lb/hr injectors, it has the potential to deliver 640 hp at 43 psi fuel pressure with a 0.50 brake specific fuel consumption efficiency (BSFC). Well-built engines can lower that BSFC number to 0.45, which pushes the potential peak horsepower closer to 700 hp.
Holley offers several options for fuel pumps that can be run in-tank if necessary. Keep in mind that the key to a good install is an in-tank sump that will keep the pump submerged in fuel at all times.
This is Holley's illustration for the fuel delivery system mainly showing filters before and after the pump. This shows the pump outside the tank. If you use a system like this with a carbureted pickup in the tank, the engine will sag whenever the fuel uncovers the pickup. This occurs most often when the fuel level drops below half full.
The kit comes with an oxygen sensor and a weld-in bung. Locate the oxygen sensor as close to the engine as possible within the collector and above the exhaust centerline so that any moisture that might collect in the pipe will not contact the sensor.


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TV documentary features presidents' staff chiefs
Makers of a Discovery network documentary on presidential chiefs of staff have a perfect participation record.
All 19 living men who had that job gave interviews for "The Presidents' Gatekeepers." The four-hour documentary is expected to air in two parts early this summer.
Filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet (naw-DAY) said Saturday that their well-regarded previous documentary on the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in New York was a calling card that probably helped them convince some former chiefs to participate.
Chris Whipple, formerly of ABC News, and ex-White House photographer David Hume Kennerly are also producers.
Their longest interview was with former Vice President Dick Cheney, who was President Gerald Ford's chief of staff in the 1970s.
Cheney said a chief is more powerful than a vice president.


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Name: Lie Que
Chinese Name: 列 缺
Location: On the side of the arm, one thumb-width away from the wrist crest.
Benefits: headache, migraine, neck rigidity, cough, asthma, sore throat, facial paralysis, toothache, pain and weakness of the wrist.
To activate your body's self-healing power, first locate of the acupressure points that you need to work on for your specific needs. Apply firm pressure is the most fundamental technique. Use thumbs, fingers, palms, the side of the hand, or knuckles to apply steady, stationary pressure to the point for 1-2 minutes.
A general guideline to follow is that the pressure should be firm enough so that it hurts a little. The more developed the muscles are, the more pressure you should apply. If you feel extreme sensitivity or pain, gradually decrease the pressure until you find a balance between pain and pleasure. Do not continue to press a point that is excruciatingly painful.
It's important to drink plenty of warm water after the massage, helps to clear away toxic substances in our body.
Caution: please consult with your physician before practicing Acupressure.


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kidzsearch.com > wiki Explore:web images videos games
Pedagogy is the art or science of being a teacher.
The word pedagogy comes from the Greek word paidagōgeō, which means "to lead the child." In Ancient Greece, it was usually a slave who helped his master's son get an education. The slave would bring the master's son to school and carry his school things for him, such as a musical instrument.[1]
Academic degree
An academic degree is sometimes given for pedagogy. In the United States of America and Great Britain, you can earn a degree in education at the Bachelor's (undergraduate; BA or BS) or Master's (graduate; MA or MS) level. You can also earn an advanced degree called either a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); you can also get a degree for specific things, like a Doctor of Music degree in piano pedagogy.
Some people do not like the idea of pedagogy. They say that learning is something that a person does for themselves, not something that a person imposes on a person.[2] Pedagogy is mainly credited and acknowledged in Western society, but not regarded as a good thing in some Eastern secular and fundamentalist societies.
- ↑ Etymology Site on-line (pedagogue)
- ↑ Greenberg, D. (1987) The Sudbury Valley School Experience Back to Basics. Accessed November 26, 2008.


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Welcome to the second instalment of Better Know a Bias or Why Your Argument Sucks and You Are Wrong. What I want to illustrate with this series is that while we all believe ourselves to be rational, the evidence suggests otherwise. There are countless examples of ways in which our reasoning and decision making abilities are flawed. Becoming aware of them will help us to be more rational, to be right more often than wrong. It will also serve as a handy compendium to throw at trolls. It might also prevent you from buying a Ronco Showtime Rotisserie.
Anchoring is when people base their evaluation of an item or decision making process on one piece of information. They "anchor" all subsequent analysis to the first piece of evidence they encounter. Any piece of information can act as an anchor. Generally speaking anchoring is a consumer bias, it has the ability to significantly impact the amount people are will to pay for an item. This phenomenon was most notably demonstrated by Dan Ariely at MIT.
Ariely and some colleagues held an auction with 55 students from his marketing research class. They were trying to prove the existence of something called arbitrary coherence. Ariely explains, "although initial prices can be "arbitrary," once those prices are established in our minds, they will shape not only present prices but also future ones. (thus making them "coherent")" They were also interested in the ability of a random number to influence the price a person was willing to pay for an item. The key question was "would thinking about one's social security number be enough to create an anchor? And would that initial anchor have a long-term influence?"
The professors presented the various auction items to the students. A few bottles of wine, cordless keyboard and mouse, a book, and some fancy chocolates. The students were given a sheet and asked to write the last two numbers of their social security number beside each item. Then write that number as a price. Next they answered yes or no if they were willing to pay that amount for each item. Finally they were asked to write the maximum amount they were willing to pay for each item. The sheets were collected and the winners given their prize. The students maintained that writing down the last two numbers of their social security number had not influenced their bids. What did the data say?
After analyzing the data they found that "the students with the highest-ending social security digits (from 80 to 99) big highest, while those with the lowest-ending numbers (1 to 20) bid lowest." How much more were those with higher social security digits willing to pay? Those "in the upper 20 percent placed bids that were 216 to 346 percent higher…than those of the students with social security numbers ending in the lowest 20 percent."2 An arbitrary number has the ability to influence how people value an item. This is the key to selling Ronco Showtime Rotisseries.
Start with the arbitrary $400 and by the time they have worked their way down to 4 easy payments of $39.95 people believe that they're saving over $250 on their purchase. Just putting the number $400 in your head influenced the price you'd be willing to pay. This study shows that first impressions are extremely salient. Once a price or value has been established it influences our interpretation of subsequent data. While anchoring usually affects consumers it can also influence the way we evaluate hockey players.
Draft Position as an Anchor
The role that Nazem Kadri will play on the Leafs is a topic of much contention this summer. Many feel that should he fail to make a significant impact at the NHL level this season his future with the team is in jeopardy. This seems a tad rash. Drafted 7th overall in 2009 Kadri has played in 30 NHL games posting 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points. He has also showed off his Nifty Mittens in the shootout. He ranks 12th in games played among his draft class and 10th in points. He has also seen success at the AHL level to the tune of 41 points (17 G, 24A) in 44 games with the Marlies. All things considered, Nazem is doing well in comparison to his peers.
Yet people are still concerned about his development because they have anchored their expectations to his draft position. Nazem is hardly the only player to be evaluated based on his draft position. Careers are defined by something the player has absolutely no control over. At this point Kadri's draft position is irrelevant, the only thing we should be concerned with is if he becomes a capable NHL player. Most of the evidence suggests that he will be. Why are you freaking out?
The lesson we can learn from anchoring is that one piece of information has the ability to define all subsequent analysis of a player. Our first impressions are incredibly powerful and hard to eradicate. Once we have established the value of a player, as a result of either draft position or salary, it is incredibly difficult to alter that perception. Most people are unaware they have anchored themselves to one particular stat or another. We must be aware of our brain's natural tendency to create anchors and to try and combat it by ensuring our opinions are based on as many relevant factors as possible.
So when someone tells you that Osgood should be in the Hall of Fame because he has 400 wins and a few cups, you can inform them that their argument is flawed because they have anchored themselves to irrelevant data.
- If you haven't seen it, go watch, I'll wait. Although I won't be held responsible for any purchases of Ronco Showtime Rotisseries.
The story about the auction comes from Dan Ariely's book Predictably Irrational. He also wrote a blog post about it.


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The ECOSYS M2540dw, a monochrome multi-functional printer, with advanced features for the budget conscious business. A Copy, Print, Scan and Fax solution, designed for ease of use, exceptional print quality, reliability, and low TCO with ECOSYS long life consumables. On-The-Go printing and scanning capabilities allows workgroups of all sizes to easily drive their business from anywhere. With print speeds up to 42ppm, advanced security features, and convenient walk-up USB accessibility, the ECOSYS M2540dw can affordably take your business to the next level.
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|Max Monthly Duty Cycle
|80,000 Pages Per Month
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|250 Sheet Drawer; 100 Sheet Multipurpose Tray
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|8.5" x 14"
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|Standard/Optional Drawer: 90 lb. Index; MPT 120 lb Index
|Network Connectivity
|10/100/1000BaseTX, Wireless 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
|PRESCRIBE, PCL6 (PCL5e/PCLXL), KPDL3 (PS3), XPS


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BMX: Morenci's BMX track at Wakefield Park will serve as the host site a 700 point BMX race weekend Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10.
Single point races are scheduled Aug. 7 and 8. Registration is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. both nights and the cost is $8 a rider. Races will begin as soon as possible, after registration is completed.
A Michigan State Championship qualifying race with double points is scheduled Saturday. Registration is from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $20 a rider.
A Redline Cup qualifier with triple points is scheduled on Sunday. Registration is from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $30 a rider. Open class registration costs $10 per rider.
For more information, call 517/458-7094 or 458-6302 or visit www.morencibmx.com.
Boosters: The Morenci Athletic Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. Monday to organize for the new school year. The meeting is planned in the high school library.
Agenda items include discussing the organization's budget, looking at scheduling needs and general organizing for the year.
Parents of Morenci athletes are encouraged to attend, along with anyone with an interest in Morenci school athletics.
Bowling: Want to give bowling a try — for free?
Funded in part by the Michigan State USBC Bowling Association, five bowling alleys in Lenawee County will participate in an open house program this weekend.
From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, anyone can stop in for two free games of bowling, including free shoe rental. Additional games can be purchased when time and space allows.
Children must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
In addition to Mor-N-C Lanes, other participating alleys include Rich Lanes in Blissfield, Hudson Lanes, Ten Pin Alley in Tecumseh and Lenawee Recreation in Adrian.
5K: The Dennis Donahue Memorial Trot for a Track 5K run started big in 2006 and grew a little bigger last year. Organizers are hoping for even more runners and walkers this year.
The third annual run is scheduled at 9 a.m. Aug. 24 at the Lyons ball park, with the one-mile fun walk following at 9:15.
The first year of the event brought in $32,000 for the Evergreen Athletic Boosters and their effort to help pay for the new track at the high school.
Last year, $26,000 was raised in addition to a $10,000 donation that brought the total to $36,000.
The Boosters' goal, Karen Donahue said, is to contribute a total of $125,000.
More than 500 participants registered for the race and walk last year, she said.
In addition to the run, there are raffles, a 50/50 drawing, refreshments and other activities.
Early registration—through Aug. 10—costs $15. After that, the fee rises to $20.
For on-line registration and other information, visit www.trotforatrack.com or send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Fayette: Practices for fall sports teams gets underway Monday for Fayette athletes.
• Golf—High school golf participants should meet at the track, with their clubs, at 8 a.m. Monday.
• Volleyball—Junior varsity and varsity volleyball players should meet at the new school at 7:30 a.m. Monday. Junior high players should meet at 8:30 a.m. at the new school. All players should use the high school entrance.
• Cross country—Junior high and varsity runners should meet at Harrison Lake at 4:15 p.m. Monday.
Summer Ball: The Morenci Summer Ball Program officers have scheduled a meeting for coaches and anyone interested in the program at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. Baseball and softball coaches are encouraged to attend.
Coaches who have not turned in their ball equipment should do so at this meeting.
Topics of discussion will include closing out the 2008 season and planning for the 2009 season.


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Even though dust particles are neutral, they tend to be attracted to a charged surface. I am guessing this is due to charge induction.
Is there a way I can compute the attraction? how will it vary based on:
separation distance. I think the distance will affect as inverse square law (1/r^2) [Coulomb's law]. But to calculate the force, I need to know how much charge has been induced ( how do I find that?) and does that vary due to separation distance.
type of dust. Do all material act the same , or are some material gets more charge induced? ( metals, for example with more free electrons)
the size of dust particles. Intuition suggests that bigger particles will be induced less, but I am not sure.


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Despite repeated pleas from family, friends and the FBI, Verizon took its sweet time getting around to helping out in the search for woman in Kansas City who was last seen being abducted on camera in a Target parking lot. When a technician did finally arrive three and a half days after being initially asked, they were able to locate her body within 45 minutes using her mobile phone as a guide. The authorities believe that Verizon's participation could not have had an impact on her death, but they are struggling to figure out why they took so long to help out. Was it laziness or incompetence?
The Johnson County District Attorney, Phill Kline is leaning towards the latter explanation:
There was a lack of understanding on their end of what they were incapable of doing. I was on the conference call with Verizon, and we had three technicians telling us different things and using different terms, and we can't guess their mind. We've got a girl that's missing. We have a girl that's missing, we have a likely abduction, we need to find her.
So far, Verizon has not offered up an official explanation. Whatever the reason, Verizon really dropped the ball on this one. Obviously, their actions in this situation lead to two or three extra days without closure for the family of the deceased. In case you were wondering, Target went out of their way to help on their end. So at least we know that they can be trusted should something terrible go down while you are perusing their electronics department for batteries.[Fox via Consumerist]


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Remember Diaspora? An open source initiative that powers you to stay social and have control on your data as well. It has recently rolled out Makr.io which lets you share images. Well that's not just yet another image sharing network, it has a different angle.
Start by signing up for a free account with the service using your Facebook account or any email. Once you get in you will get to see what might appear as a flowing image feed. On a deeper study you will notice every(or most) image is remixed with some words that emphasizes the perspective that inspired the image. You can re-Remix any image and add your own text or effects. Images can be imported by URLs or uploaded from your local storage as well.
However simple the idea might seem, the image sharing on the service has a story telling angle which is the USP for the product. The images shared on Makr.io can also be shared across Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest. Although Diaspora's new initiative reminds me of Cowbird, the latter is a little better in storytelling while Makr.io is dead simple to use.
The whole campaign relates to the developer company's core motto of preserving data ownership rights for users. According to the developers,
…..It isn't just that people need to be able to own their own data, it's that user data as it stands has no tangible meaning. We believe that ownership of data can be more valuable when you have the ability to create meaningful moments and experiences with your community.
Makr.io is solving the second part of the problem. It is an exploration of social communication that lets people make things they are proud of, and collaborate with other users….
In an age where every big shot social networking websites are busy taking control of every byte of data you share with them, Samaritan companies like Diaspora brings the sense of security back in the game. And that the community is so far responding well(Diaspora is already among top 2% of all open source initiatives) to the cause. More similar initiatives need to get born to help restore the freedom of web that it used to enjoy once.
While concluding with Makr.io, I can hardly resist a line and to append one of mine to it. An image says a thousand words although an image with the right words tells a story.


text: Enjoy home theater artistry with your Full HD PC! - Native HDMI output- PCI Express 2.0- Full HD Technology- Hybrid Graphics multi-GPU system Shop Modal header Enjoy home theater artistry with your Full HD PC! ASUS Exclusive Innovations ASUS Features Native HDMI Connector: Build in Multi-channel 5.1 surround audio 0db Noiseless Cooling: Enjoy quieter and better thermal solutions Full 1080p HD support: Get smooth, high quality HD video playback from most entry level PCs, or free up the CPU for other tasks while you enjoy the movie ASUS Splendid: Watch movies on PC is as good as on Top-of-the-line consumer television ASUS Gamer OSD: Real-time overclocking, benchmarking and video capturing in any PC game! ASUS SmartDoctor: Your intelligent hardware protection and overclocking tool ASUS Video Security Online: Keep an eye on your home at all times no matter where you are Graphics GPU Features Powered by ATI RADEON® HD3450 GPU PCI Express® 2.0 ATI™ Hybrid Graphics: Combine an ATI Radeon™ HD 3400 Series graphics card with a compatible AMD 7-Series Integrated Chipset to improve gaming performance and multi-monitor productivity. (Please download the latest driver for better performance.) Unified Video Decoder (UVD) for Blu-ray™ and HD DVD Built for Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Full support for Microsoft DirectX10.1 and Shader Model 4.1 enables stunning and complex special effects OpenGL®2.0 support ATI CrossFireX™ multi-GPU support: Compatible with motherboards that support ATI CrossFireX technology I/O SpecificationsPCI-Express 2.0DVI-IVGANative HDMI Connector HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)HDMI means High Definition Multimedia Interface, it carries both HD video and 5.1 surround audio for a clean, high definition connection. And it can transfer both audio and video in only one HDMI cable without messy cables problem. This option means a greater choice and simplification of installation for consumers when connecting to PC monitors or home theaters for maximum enjoyment of full HD 1080p content.


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Rating: 5/5
831 reviews
All Labels
Want to see everything in one place? Here you'll find all of our wine and beer label designs from every category (excluding POP labels and Submit Your Design).
Step 1: Choose a Label Design -> Step 2: Choose a Shape & Color -> Step 3: Customize your text & images


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Matrix Reloaded (Persephone) Maxi Poster
• Maxi Posters measure 91.5cm x 61cm (36 inches x 24 inches)
• We can ship up to 4 posters safely in 3mm export quality tubes.
Remember to add a poster tube to your order when ordering posters.
This product was added to our web site on Saturday 18 January, 2014.
Current Reviews: 0


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Pebble Smart Watch Starts Shipping Today
As promised at CES 2013, the Pebble smart watch starts shipping Wednesday.
Pebble is the most successful Kickstarter project of all time, raising more than $10 million from nearly 70,000 backers. The watch works in conjunction with your smartphone, making it easy to see who is calling, control your music and receive notifications. Even better, app developers can build Pebble support into their apps, extending the watch's capabilities even more.
On its Kickstarter blog, the Pebble team shared the latest status on shipping and mass production.
Pebble says that while it is working on adding shipment tracking to its account fulfillment page, it isn't there yet. Therefore, the company implores users not to start emailing about shipment tracking.
Today, less than 500 units will be shipped out from the factory, with more units to follow soon. Pebble has created a humorous IsPebbleShipping.com website to keep users connected.
On the app front, the Pebble Android app will be live in Google Play on Jan. 24. The iOS app is still in review. If users get Pebble before the app hits the App Store, they'll still be able to receive notifications and music, but they won't be able to upgrade the PebbleOS or install watch faces.
As one of the backers, I can't wait to get my hands on Pebble (no pun intended). Are you excited about the Pebble? Let us know in the comments.
Photos courtesy of Pebble


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Tax reform initiatives put forth by both the Republicans and Democrats fail to protect retirement savings, according to Brian Graff, executive director and CEO of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries.
Graff said he is most concerned about Rep. Paul Ryan's interview this past week on Fox News in which he said he would like to eliminate or drastically reduce incentives for 401(k) plans. "This could be a disaster for small business retirement plan coverage," Graff said.
Ryan's comments were part of an overall discussion about the plan's elimination of tax incentives for higher income folks as a way to pay for lower tax rates overall.
"Taking away incentives for small business owners and decision-makers is really, essentially an attack on 401(k) plans. The guys who get hurt are the workers who might get left without a plan at all," Graff said.
Ryan, R-Wis., is chairman of the House Budget Committee and author of the GOP's budget plan that was introduced last week. As part of the plan, Ryan said he would like to eliminate all exceptions, loopholes and deductions from the tax code.
"The tax code is patently unfair: Many of the deductions and preferences in the system—which serve to narrow the tax base—were lobbied for and are mainly used by a relatively small group of mostly higher-income individuals," Ryan said. He also proposed restructuring federal retirement benefits so that federal employees would have to "make a more equitable contribution to their retirement plans."
"I don't think he fully appreciates the dynamics that if you don't incentivize small business owners they are not going to bother with a plan in the first place. Taking away incentives would dramatically impact retirement security for workers in a negative way," Graff added.
Graff said that the ASPPA also is not thrilled with President Barack Obama's deficit-reduction plan, which was proposed at the end of 2010. He said that Obama's budget amounted to a "double tax" on those who would offer retirement plans, reducing incentives for higher income people who won't get as big of a tax break and capping any tax breaks at a lower percentage.
Obviously, any talk about tax reform is just talk right now. Nothing is going to move ahead until after the November election, he said. "This is just prep talk. Obviously we have great concern when people talk about eliminating incentives that are so critical for the future of American workers. They shouldn't be talking so casually about something that could have such a dramatic impact."
A recent report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute explored the possible consequences of modifying the federal tax treatment of 401(k) plan contributions.
The EBRI report, written by Jack VanDerhei, looked at Obama's proposal on federal debt reduction, "The Moment of Truth," which was issued in December 2010. The document proposed modifying private-sector retirement plans by capping annual "tax-preferred contributions to the lower of $20,000 or 20 percent of income," sometimes called the 20/20 cap.
He also looked at a plan proposed by William Gale, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and director of the Retirement Security Project at The Brookings Institution, that would modify the existing tax treatment of both worker and employer 401(k) contributions and introduce a flat-rate refundable credit that would serve as a federal matching contribution into a retirement savings account.
Previous reports on the subject talked about the negative effect these proposals would have on individual retirement savings, but did not look at how the changes would affect plan sponsors or plan participants' ability to accumulate retirement savings, VanDerhei said in the report.
Surveys of plan participants and plan sponsors have shown that some would change or reduce their contributions if tax incentives for 401(k) plans were changed.
"Recent surveys of plan sponsors also suggest that not only would some matching contributions be changed in response, but that some employers would cease offering these retirement plans altogether," the report stated. "Smaller employers were more likely to respond negatively to the proposed changes than larger employers."
EBRI baseline analysis indicated that plan-sponsor modifications, combined with individual participant reactions, would result in an average percentage reduction in 401(k) balances of between 6 percent and 22 percent at Social Security normal retirement age for workers currently ages 26 to 35.
Plan size had a lot to do with the severity of the response. 401(k) plans with less than $10 million in assets would experience average reductions in participant balances at retirement age of between 23 and 40 percent for workers currently ages 26 to 35, the report found.
EBRI's report took into account findings from a 2011 report by The Principal Financial Group that determined that if workers' ability to deduct any amount of the 401(k) contribution from taxable income was eliminated, 65 percent of the plan sponsors responding to the survey would have less desire to continue offering their 401(k) plans. The EBRI report also used data from a 2010 AllianceBernstein report that questioned plan sponsors about how they would respond if employees could no longer deduct retirement savings plan contributions from their federal taxable income and had to pay federal income tax on anything an employer contributed to their savings plans. In exchange, they would receive an 18 percent match from the U.S. government.


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Lion Silicone Bib with Crumb Catcher
Lion Silicone Bib with Crumb Catcher
Shipping Info
If you choose FREE or the first class mail option, once your items are in the mail, the package is no longer the responsibility of Three Little Tots. We will not replace lost or stolen packages. If you purchased the priority or priority express shipping option, your package did come standard with insurance and we will file a claim.
For international orders, the buyer acknowledges responsibility for any import or customs fees and/or taxes.
Most orders received will be processed the next business day. Overnight orders, second day orders, orders requesting Saturday delivery or any special shipping requests should be placed before 10am CST. Unfortunately, due to Harrison's chemo treatments on Monday's, for your order to go out on a Monday it would need to be placed by 10pm CST on Sunday. If you need a package by a certain time call us and we will do what we can to accommodate.
What is your turn-around time?
Can I combine orders?Due to the increase in volume we are not able to combine orders at this time.
Return PolicyOur items can be returned or exchanged. Return's will be subjected to inspection and the amount refunded will be based on the quality of the return. If you received the wrong/damaged item you have 24hrs upon receiving the item to email email@example.com.
For sanitary reasons, pacifier clips and teethers can not be returned.
HelpHave questions? Inquiries? Or just want to share you and your family's Three Little Tots experience with us?
Designed in the USA, these silicone printed bibs with crumb catcher are stylish while keeping your little one comfy and clean. Made from food-grade silicone, our silicone bibs with pocket are BPA and phthalate free.
Features a thinner layer of silicone around the neck for a lightweight and comfy fit but a deep front pocket that is perfect for catching food, keeping your baby and surrounding area clean. Easily rolls and folds for placement in a diaper bag. A perfect silicone bib for toddlers.
Easy to clean, our silicone bib resists stains and does not absorb water. Wash with soap or place in the top rack of the dishwasher. While out in public, wipe down the bib with a wet wipe before taking it home to clean.
• Silicone bibs are dishwasher safe
- Review
"No Touching" Car Seat SignsCan I customize the "no touching" tag design or wording?
Unfortunately, the tags are manufactured and can not be customized.
Do the tags include something to hang them with?
Yes, they include a hanging strap that allows you to secure the tag to various sizes of diameters of car seat handles.
How can I hang my tag on the canopy of my car seat or the canopy of my stroller?
You can get one of our stroller clips to hang your tag off of your car seat. They are a $1 accessory when you purchase the clip and the tag together or you can buy the clip separately for $4.50.
How do I clean my tag?
The signs are completely waterproof. Feel free to use soap and water at home or your favorite sanitizer wipe when you are out and about! The hanging strap can be cleaned with soap and water to remove lint.
Where do I hang my car seat tag?
The included strap allows you to hang the tag anywhere on the car seat handle. I would recommend to the left or the right side of the middle. That way it is not in the way when you are lifting the car seat. There is also an option to add a hanging clip to clip your tag onto the canopy of a stroller or car seat as a paid accessory.
Do I ever need to remove my tag?
Yes, it is recommended to be removed from the car seat while in the car. Also, it is recommended to be removed if you are collapsing and storing your stroller.


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Any word on discount/free parking in SF?
I'm considering getting one of the new Civic hybrids and doing a bit of the ol' cost/benefit shuffle. I know that LA and a few other CA cities have adopted free parking for clean air vehicles. I was wondering if anyone has heard any news on this for SF. I did some searches at the SF Chronicle, Guardian and only came up with one article saying that SF and Berkley were "thinking about it." I think that article was from '04. has anyone heard anything on this? I can't find anything. I'm sure anyone that lives here would agree that parking is a MAJOR issue and I'm very curious about this lovely free parking incentive that they have going on down in LA.
(BTW - shouldn't the Bay Area be leading the pack with this kind of incentive program, instead of falling behind?)


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The 21-year-old escaped punishment for the challenge which left Frenchman Haidara in hospital when the Football Association ruled they could not charge him retrospectively because the incident had been seen by one of the match officials at the time and not deemed worthy of a red card.
It will take a second scan next week to determine the severity of the damage and subsequently how long the 20-year-old will be out of action, but it is understood the club currently has no plans to resort to the courts.
That could, however, still be an option open to the player who, it is understood, is yet to receive an apology. Haidara has been inundated with messages of support since he left the field on a stretcher and early indications are that his injury may not be as serious as was first feared.
But as they await definitive news, Newcastle, who issued a strongly-worded statement from managing director Derek Llambias in the wake of the FA's confirmation, are considering their next move.
Llambias, who described McManaman's challenge as "extremely dangerous", indicated that the club would lobby the FA to change their rules to allow them to take retrospective action against players in similar circumstances with the incident at the DW Stadium falling outside the "exceptional circumstances" of the current arrangements.
One of the avenues open to them is to raise their concerns with the Premier League to prompt a discussion at a meeting of the 20 clubs.
Should the clubs between them agree, they could submit proposals as part of the ongoing consultative process between the game's so-called "stakeholders", the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Footballers' Association, the League Managers' Association, Professional Game Match Officials Limited and the National Game.
However, the current procedures were agreed and adopted during the last closed-season and like any other rules and regulations, could be changed until the end of the season.
While McManaman was not charged with any offence, Newcastle's assistant manager John Carver and Wigan coach Graham Barrow have until 4pm on Friday to respond to allegations of improper conduct as a result of their respective actions during the aftermath of the incident.


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WORCESTER � Despite a lack of support by the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and its Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, the Worcester Police Department received $113,000 for an explosives detection dog.
Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said the Central Region Homeland Security Advisory Council voted 11-2 Tuesday to approve the funding. The two dissenting votes were from West Brookfield Police Chief C. Thomas O'Donnell Jr., the president of the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police, and New Braintree Police Chief Bert DuVernay, according to Worcester police.
Chief Gemme sent a letter to the council reassuring it the dog would be used for Central Massachusetts departments upon request. This is similar to other equipment supported by council funding, the chief said.
"We understand our role and the need for mutual aid and the concept of regional security," Chief Gemme said. "There is a clear need not only in the city but in the region. The only other bomb dog in Central Mass. is with the Auburn Police Department."
The Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association said it would not support the explosives detection dog unless Worcester police signed a mutual aid agreement with 67 area communities. Chief Gemme said the agreement would give full police powers to on-duty officers for the 67 communities. It would have allowed those officers to make minor motor vehicle stops and enforce misdemeanors such as trespassing or disorderly conduct in Worcester.
But officials from the chiefs of police association said it had no intention of having officers from outside of Worcester do that type of enforcement in the city. The mutual aid agreement would simply clean up legal issues involving officers crossing into other jurisdictions, they said.
Neither the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association nor CEMLEC, a subdivision of the association, supported Worcester's request. The lack of support stalled Worcester's proposal. Worcester police ended up asking the council to approve the request for funding without the support from the agencies.
In the June 3 letter, Chief O'Donnell said the associations' board thought that without the mutual aid agreement with CEMLEC, the member towns were skeptical the dog would be a "truly regional asset."
Chief Gemme said extending the full police powers to the 67 communities wasn't acceptable. He said he believed the agencies were using the bomb dog request as a way to have Worcester police sign the mutual aid agreement.
Worcester police have worked with other departments in training police dogs, and train police recruits from outside departments within Worcester's police academy. The chief said this shows Worcester understands the need to assist departments regionally.
The chief called the approval vote without the support unprecedented.
"I was optimistic the council would make the decision based on the strength of the proposal and the need for the resource," Chief Gemme said.
In the aftermath of the April 15 Boston Marathon bombings, Worcester police reviewed their ability to respond and safeguard events in the city. Officials said they found there was a need for an explosives detection dog and submitted a proposal to the area Homeland Security council.
While Worcester, the second-largest city in New England, has no bomb dogs and relies on outside agencies, Boston has 31. Chief Gemme said he understands some would say the dogs did not detect the bombs that killed three people and severely injured hundreds in Boston, but his department should also not turn away such a resource.
"No amount of law enforcement is going to prevent all types of crimes and incidents, but we want to be in a position where we can provide the maximum amount of security for the residents and visitors to the city of Worcester," Chief Gemme said.
Police Sgt. Timothy M. Watts, who wrote the proposal, will be the dog's handler. A dog first has to be selected, then receive certification from a 10-week accredited program for explosives detection, the chief said. There will be ongoing training as well.
The dog also could be used for incidents involving firearms, the chief said.
The money approved by the council will pay for the dog, a vehicle for the sergeant and dog, training and various types of equipment. Worcester police hope to have the dog ready in four to six months.
"Boston is the largest city in the commonwealth and has 31 bomb dogs, while Worcester is completely absent of any bomb dogs," Sgt. Watts wrote in the proposal. "The recent Boston Marathon bombings and the subsequent manhunt has demonstrated the region's critical shortage of explosive counter-terrorism capability."
Contact Scott J. Croteau at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottCroteauTG


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25th year aniversary edition! Officical re-releases of the devastating debut EP from now-veteran Kyoto thrashers Warhead! Amazing Japanese hardcore from 1991. An absolutely jaw-dropping slab of intense, ravening thrash, blasting through five songs in less than eight minutes with an absurd amount of energy and power.
I think this is one of the best Japanese hardcore EPs out there… a classic! Originally self-released by the band and then later reissued by Devour (Japan) and Amok Records (Germany). – FAREWELL RECORDS/BREAK THE RECORDS


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Rick Genest, aka Zombie Boy, has tattoos that are very real, and hard to look past. The skeleton-drawn skin has inspired everyone from Nicola Formichetti to Lady Gaga, but it's hard to look at Rick in the (blacked-out socket) eye, and see him as anyone other than a walking tat show. Enter Schön magazine, who recently hired photographer Matthew Lyn to capture Rick "without" his tattoos, and peek into the personality underneath the flesh. Click through to see what Rick might look like underneath it all. (Design Scene)
Image: Via Matthew Lyn


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On Monday 22 April, Israel ratified the extension of the "Citizenship and Entry into Israel" law for the thirteenth time since 2003.
The law breaks multiple international conventions, has been dubbed "racist" by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and denies Palestinians the basic human right of leading a dignified family life under one roof. It states that the Israeli Ministry of Interior "shall not grant the inhabitant of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza strip citizenship on the basis of the Citizenship Law, nor on the basis of Entry into Israel Law, and the area commander shall not grant a Judea, Samaria or Gaza Strip resident a permit to stay in Israel on the basis of security legislation."
To simplify, if a Palestinian living in the West Bank or Gaza strip wants to marry a Palestinian living in Israel, they are not permitted to do so by the Israeli state.
To protest the extension, tens of people gathered outside the office of the Israeli government in Jerusalem on Sunday, 21 April in Part Two of the Love in the Time of Apartheid campaign. A Palestinian bride sat outside the office with an empty chair next to her symbolizing the absence of the groom, with people chanting and brandishing signs remonstrating the injustice of the law with slogans like "Israel is in our bedroom" and "In sickness and in health till Israel do us apart."
In place since 2003, the law was created as a "security measure" against Palestinians who were using marriage as a "weapon" to gain access into Israel to conduct suicide bombing campaigns during the second intifada. The unlikeliness of this justification and the continued usage of the law marks it as another mechanism to uphold the system of apartheid in Palestine, separating Palestinians from their homeland and segregating friends and families from each other. Although it was originally drafted as temporary, it has been extended every year since.
At the time of the passing of the law, thousands of Palestinian spouses living inside Israel were applying for family reunification permits in an attempt to gain citizenship. As the law was passed, these people became illegal immigrants and were forced on a mass exodus into the West Bank and Gaza. The law also includes a clause stopping Palestinian children from being granted citizenship if they wish to live with their Palestinian parent with Israeli citizenship.
This law touches us all in the same way. It shows that it is part of one systematic occupation and apartheid that all Palestinians should fight regardless of their location
This law touches us all in the same way. It shows that it is part of one systematic occupation and apartheid that all Palestinians should fight regardless of their location
Chief Palestinian negotiator Sa'eb Ereket recently spoke out against the law by saying it is "attempting to distort the Palestinian social fabric."
In effect it bans family unification where one spouse is an Israeli citizen and the other is a resident of the West Bank and Gaza. Almost all of those affected are Palestinian families. The Ministry of Interior is only entitled to grant citizenship on the provison that the person in question "identifies with the State of Israel." Such a decision is of course taken on the basis of the "Jewishness" of the person, and their active residence in "Judea and Samaria." In other words, if you are Jewish and living in the West Bank, the law does not apply to you.
To resist its repeated extension, Palestinians from all the West Bank have initiated the Love in the Time of Apartheid campaign. The first action was taken at the beginning of March, when a couple attempted in a symbolic act to get married at Hizma checkpoint, a vital road link between Ramallah and Jerusalem.
As Najwan Berekdar, spokesperson for the Love in the Time of Apartheid campaign states, "Our campaign may be specifically targeting this law, but it generally comes to challenge and reject the racist Israeli policies towards Palestinians."
"What makes this law different to others is that despite this law being one of 60 discriminatory laws against Palestinians living in Israel, it relates to Palestinians everywhere," he continued. "So while people in the West Bank are fighting the settlements, checkpoints and the [Apartheid] wall, and we [Palestinian citizens of Israel] are fighting discrimination, land confiscation and housing demolitions, this law touches us all in the same way. It shows that it is part of one systematic occupation and apartheid that all Palestinians should fight regardless of their location."
The discriminatory essence of the Jewish state
Citizenship is a question left unanswered in all nation-states around the world. Its very existence permits freedom and liberty to some, but not all. The British Citizenship Test in the UK or the Naturalization Self Test in the US are prominent examples of racist regulations that safeguard subjective notions of identity, and attempt to hide reservations of Islamophobia and general prejudices against "the Other." Yet the very basis of a constitutional democracy attempts to highlight the citizen over the identity of the nation, and efforts are made to achieve that end if, at some points, it may seem to be going in the opposite direction.
However ever since its formation in 1948, Israel has supplanted the notions of equality and fraternity in favour of creating a Jewish-only state, based on the preference of one race over another. When it comes down to it, Israel uses the Holocaust rhetoric to justify a societal genocide of Palestinians.
Adaleh, the Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel based in Haifa, has recently released a "Discriminatory Laws Database" to monitor racist Israeli laws. It details more than 50 Israeli laws that actively discriminate against Palestinian citizens of Israel. Some of the laws also violate the rights of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza as well as Palestinian refugees elsewhere. Hassan Jabareen, founder and General Director of Adaleh, highlights specific laws that further force Palestinians into a sub-class.
The Admissions Committee Law, enacted in 2011, legalizes the establishment of admissions committees in the Naqab desert and the Galilee. These committees control the granting of permissions for housing units and plots of land, and therefore have almost full discretion over who can live in their village or town. For instance, the law allows the committees to reject applicants deemed "unsuitable to the social life of the community... or the social and cultural fabric of the town." It also permits them to adopt specific criteria for residency, and restrict entire groups completely, especially if particular towns deem themselves as having a specific "Zionist vision."
In an interview with Mondoweiss, Hassan states how "for the first time, the issue of Palestine under occupation wasn't a serious matter" for the previous government, and their rhetoric showed less concern for external issues like the West Bank and settlement expansion. Rather, the government re-focussed its Orwellian lens onto the "1948 problem" and the existence of Palestinian citizens of Israel and their defamatory resistance to the essence of citizenship in Israel.
Current discourse amongst top Israeli politicians has eliminated most Palestinians. They simply do not exist within Zionist rhetoric. This has already been transferred to the masses through various means, especially the lack of historically accurate education and the general redefinition of what it means to have equal laws. As Israeli historian Ilan Pappe recently wrote, "It is only a matter of power and opportunity before the vision becomes reality" and the incremental ethnic cleansing of Palestine becomes genocidal.
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The efficient transport of molecules is essential for the normal function of cells and organs and the design of devices for medical applications and biotechnology. "Transport Phenomena in Biological Systems" provides an introduction to the integrated study of transport processes and their biological applications. The book consists of four sections, which cover physiological fluid mechanics, mass transport, biochemical interactions and reactions and the effect of mass transfer, and transport in organs and whole organisms. In order to provide students with a firm understanding of biological transport processes, engineering concepts are provided within the context of specific biological problems. Examples and problems elaborate on the concepts in the text or develop new concepts. The introductory chapter presents a brief overview of transport processes at the cell and tissue level and relevant concepts in cell biology and physiology are presented throughout the text. An appendix provides an overview of relevant mathematical concepts used in the text. The problems at the end of each chapter require either analytical solution or numerical solution using MATLAB(R). This book can be used for both introductory and advanced courses. Advanced topics covered include transport in the kidney, oxygen transport, receptor-mediated processes, cell adhesion, transport of drugs in tumors, and whole body pharmacokinetic models. References are provided for further study.Truskey, George A. is the author of 'Transport Phenomena in Biological Systems', published 2004 under ISBN 9780130422040 and ISBN 0130422045.[read more]
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The family and friends of Kelley Swanson had been waiting for more than an hour. The City Council's docket was crammed with resolutions, proclamations, contested board appointments and various ordinances. They sat in the back, quietly waiting for docket item 22. Eventually, 62 minutes into the meeting, the mayor called on the item they came to support.
Docket item 22 had an innocuous title: "Consideration of a Request to Hold a Race in Honor of Kelley Swanson in the Del Ray Area on Saturday, June 3." Nevertheless, about 50 people sat in the back rows of council chambers to make a visible show of support. They were there to honor Swanson, the 18-year-old soccer fanatic who unexpectedly died from septicemia several days after graduating from T.C. Williams High School last year.
"I know that there are a lot of people who are here tonight to make sure that we do the right thing," said Councilman Rob Krupicka. "Since we don't have a public forum tonight, I'd like to ask them to stand up."
With that, the Kelley Swanson fan club silently rose. The mass of people at the back of the chamber was a striking group, and the look of determination on their faces was evident. A palpable sadness hung in the air as they stood there, silently supporting a fundraising race to honor their daughter, sister, friend and teammate. When they sat down, Krupicka made a motion to allow the event. Vice Mayor Pepper seconded the motion, and then the City Council voted unanimously to allow the race to wind through the streets of Del Ray and Rosemont.
LINDSEY SWANSON, Kelley Swanson's sister, was responsible for rounding up the group and making sure they showed up to City Hall. In the year since her sister's passing, she has become the leader of a new foundation to continue her sister's life work — using the teamwork of sportsmanship to help children with special needs.
"Kelley had a passion for life that was unparalleled," said Lindsey Swanson. "We wanted to do something to honor her, and this race seemed like the perfect way to do it."
The race has already raised about $30,000, and the foundation's goal it to raise $62,000. A multi-sensory room will be donated to the city's Therapeutic Recreation Section, an organization that Kelley Swanson had been involved with for eight of her 18 years. On Sundays, she made her way out to Simpson Field to play sports with children with special needs.
"It was exhilarating for her," Lindsey Swanson said. "She looked forward to it every week, and she loved the kids."
On the field, Kelley Swanson's friends were not children with "special needs." They were teammates — working toward a common goal. For Swanson, it was a way to play sports and have fun while doing something good. For the children who participated in the program, it was an unforgettable experience that local organizers call "buddy sports."
"Kelley was a tireless volunteer to the program, offering her time and energy to buddy baseball, basketball and soccer programs," wrote Kelley Swanson's father, Sanden Swanson, in support of the City Council's approval of the race. "Kelley always put words into action in supporting this recreation program. She never thought of her support as anything other than giving Alexandria's children an opportunity to have fun."
THE KELLEY CARES 5K Run/Walk will snake through Del Ray and Rosemont on June 3, streets on which Swanson was a familiar figure for many years. Registration starts at 6:45 a.m., but those interested can pre-register at kellycares.org. The race will start at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of George Washington Middle School, which is directly behind the Braddock Road Metro station.
The course will begin at George Washington Middle School and continue through the neighboring Rosemont and Del Ray communities before finishing back at the school. For organizers, it was important to hold the race in these areas because of their importance to Kelley Swanson.
"Kelley was a seventh-generation Alexandrian," Lindsey Swanson said. "She had deep roots in the city, and she knew these streets very well."
The course will start by heading north on Mount Vernon Avenue, turning left on Luray Avenue and then heading north on Commonwealth Avenue. Participants will make a U-turn at Uhler Avenue and then head south to Chaplan Street — eventually turning left on Mount Vernon to circle back to the middle school.
"Kelley Swanson lived much of her life in the Del Ray area, and we believe this is a fitting tribute to her legacy," wrote Del Ray Citizens Association President Laurie MacNamara in a letter supporting creation of the race. "We are offering out full support to this worthwhile event."


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Gibson / ES-347 / 1980 / Natural / Guitar For Sale
All original blonde ES-347 with lots of binding and gold hardware. Has two hot "Dirty-Finger" humbuckers with factory coiltab function. Except for two small dings at the back it is in great condition. Comes with original case.
Wutzdog-Guitars, Germany
Welcome to our page here on V&R.
Between 1995 and 2010 we ran a small fine quality vintage guitar shop in the centre of Bavaria/Germany.
Since April 2010 we have been doing online business only.
Here on this site we offer our vintage guitars and, exclusively, our unique handmade Veranda-Guitars. However, it is still possible, by appointment, to test any guitar in our showroom. Also, we ship our instruments within Europe.
All instruments are subject to prior sale. So call first for availability. We only get to sell the one piece and then it`s gone!
If you wish to reserve any piece, please call us and make arrangements.
We ship inside Europe with DHL. All shipping charges & insurance are customers responsibility.
All prices must be paid in € EURO.
We only accept Bank Wire Transferes. Sorry, no Credit Cards.
We are not responsible for typos.
We do our best to be both accurate and conservative with each description of condition. But errors happen - sorry.


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I consider an emergency fund to be an essential part of financial preparedness for every person. If you or your family doesn't have one, you need to start building one now.
Let's start off with the basic idea of what an emergency fund is. I like Dave Ramsey's definition of an emergency fund: An emergency fund is a rainy day fund, an umbrella. It is for those unexpected events in life: a job loss, an unexpected pregnancy, a car transmission going out, and so on. This is not an investment or a Bahamas fund!
Dave goes on to suggest that a person have an emergency fund of $1,000 while they're paying off high interest debt (any debts above 8% interest or so), but grow that to an emergency fund of three to six months of living expenses when they're focused on their lower interest debts.
Those are reasonable numbers, but where do they come from? Honestly, I think those numbers are just good, rough approximations of the needs that a typical American will have from their emergency fund.
I think there are several factors that can help you figure out how big your emergency fund needs to be.
The absolute first step you need to take is to understand what a month's worth of living expenses is for your family. The easiest calculation is to simply figure out how much money goes out of your checking account in a typical month, which you can figure out from checking out your account balances.
Next, do you have any dependents? How many people are depending on your paycheck?
The more people that you have depending on your paycheck, the larger it should be. A good general rule of thumb is to have one month of living expenses for each dependent in your life. So, if you're married without children, two months of living expenses is a reasonable target.
I believe that dependent count is the largest factor in determining how big an emergency fund could be. The more dependents you have, the more opportunities there are for a real life-altering emergency that can really affect your life and the greater the impact of something like a job loss can have on the financial stability of your family. Because of that, it makes sense to have a larger emergency fund.
Beyond that, do you own a home? If you do, you should have about 2% of your home's value as an additional amount in your emergency fund to take care of inevitable and unexpected home repairs that won't be covered by your home insurance.
If the roof on your house runs into problems, you're going to be hit with a big and unexpected bill. The same thing goes with your air conditioning or your furnace. What if an uninsured disaster has a negative impact on your home?
If you don't have money on hand, emergencies like these can break you. It's a good idea to have additional money in your emergency fund based on your home value.
So, if your home is worth $200,000, you should have an additional $4,000 on top of the months of living expenses indicated above.
It's easy to see how these factors add up to give the range that Dave mentions. A single mom with two children living in an apartment might want to look at three months of living expenses, as should a married couple making $50K per year and living in a $200,000 house. On the other hand, a couple with three children in that same $200,000 home might want to consider something more along the lines of a six month emergency fund.
Figure out an emergency fund size that's right for your life and start saving for it. When things in your life don't go as planned, you'll be glad you have it.


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Unusually for a day off, I was awake at 9am.
I decided it was time to try once more to go to the Immigration office near Shinagawa, and re-apply for my visa extension.
Only having two pieces of toast and coffee, and struggling to get ready, I was out of the apartment after an hour.
If you ever have to do this, I'd strongly advise doing visa applications in the morning. Unlike last time, the initial line was virtually non-existant and I only waited a little over half an hour to get my application looked at.
I filled out a postcard with my address so hopefully in a week or two I will get it, telling me my visa extension has been approved. I have been having a lot of trouble getting mail recently. For some reason my mail has been returned to sender on more than one occasion. Strangely, my mobile phone bill has come without any problems.
I'm still waiting on my following month's national health insurance bills to come through, and the next one is due the end of this month.
Damn you Japan Post!
From Shinagawa I made my way to Akihabara. The gf asked me to get a USB memory stick for her. It was also a good excuse for me to look for my retro 80's games.
Arriving at the station, "Together In Electric Dreams" played on my iPod. How appropriate.
Even though I've been here many times I still find new things here. I saw some nice watches in a hidden alleyway, where I had to go up stairs. One watch was see-through for 4000 yen, and another had a unique way of telling the time for 1500 yen. I didn't buy either of them. Two watches are plenty for now.
No such luck with finding Nazo No Pyramid. The games they have here are mostly overpriced. I managed to to get a 2GB Silicon Power Flash drive for 980 yen. The cheapest I could find.
For the first time since I've been in Japan, the police questioned me on the street. They asked if I spoke Japanese, checked my gaijin card, then said they wanted to search my bag and jacket.
I'm surprised they never asked before. I've actually been wondering if any police would ever interrogate me. Even though I was expecting it to happen, I felt a little uncomfortable and so did they when they said it was part of their job.
I'm sure I looked really suspicious to them.
On a lighter note, I couldn't help but notice this sign in front of Aso Bit City.
Look closely.
First it says, "Any Plans For The Weekend?"
Under that, it says, "Jerk Off Myself"!!
I keep trying to think how that could've be translated, but from my sources, the japanese translation is pretty much the same. Weird.
Aso Bit City has a lot of anime character goods. Today I found the coffee mug in the store that I lost a lot of money playing for, in Yokohama. I realised how much I did the catchers more for the challenge, than the actual item.
It features Miku Hatsune.
She is part of the Vocaloid singing PC software that allows you to create songs without singing any words yourself! Too easy huh?
Apparently she has quite a big following in Japan.
Can't get enough of cute Miku? Maybe you will after watching this video.
It's hard to believe that it's not a real person singing the melody. The simulation is really convincing.
Akiba is just one big toy shop to me. Maybe that's why I like it so much. Great lightsabers for 12,800 yen. An Alien figure for about 1100 yen.
What's not to like?
To finish off the night the gf wanted to eat out, so we had some nice okonomiyaki and ankomaki near her apartment in Yotsuya.


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BYERLEY Bear goes for a fifth win at the Western Point-to-Point meeting The Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge on Saturday
PUBLISHED: 11:13 06 February 2014 | UPDATED: 11:13 06 February 2014
BYERLEY Bear for owner Roger Knowles, will be looking to make it five out of five wins this Saturday (February 8), at the Western Point-to-Point meeting The Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, writes Donna Harris.
Having won his fourth consecutive win this season at last weekends meeting held at Black Forest Lodge, Byerley Bear is entered in the AGA Ladies Open race here. The race is a qualifier for the AGA National championship, there are several quality horses entered which will be ridden by some of the country's top lady jockey's. The challengers could be Double Mead from the Alexandra Dunn yard, having only been beaten once last season when second to Mid Div And Creep, and having wins in double figures this 12-year-old mare looks a likely contender. Silverburn is another with strong claims, this gelding is full brother to Denman, and was himself not far off top class in his prime, winning Grade 1 races at Sandown.
With six races on the card, the confined race sponsored by The Green Waste Company, heads up the days event with a start time of 12 noon. Great Gusto joined Nikki Frost's yard this summer and has previously won a hurdle race under rules, he should go well for Bryony Frost who rides him out daily.
Exeter Racecourse sponsor the intermediate, Sobre Tresor won the Novice Riders race here in January under jockey Taylor Pook, and followed that up with a fourth at Chipley Park then ridden by Josh Newman, having led until approaching three out. Ailanthus from the Kayley Woollacott team started her career with a few quirky errors, but made amends at Little Windsor when taking the Restricted, staying on well under Robbie Henderson.
The open maiden is sponsored by Savills (Cornwall), in which the Charlotte Davis-trained Corton Ridge ran third at Chipley Park under Will Biddick and would look to improve for that run.
Mr and Mrs Peter George sponsor the mens open race in which trainer Ed Walker has two entered. Blazing Whale won first time out at Chipley Park, in a 16-runner Intermediate in the hands of Robbie Henderson. Hameldown Tor from the same yard also ridden by Henderson, was third at the same meeting behind winner Certain Flight, it will be interesting to see which horse Henderson gets the leg-up on. Googoobarabajagal fought gallantly here to win the mens open for jockey Michael Heard and will looking to repeat that performance. Will Biddick could get the ride on Champagne Rosie if not having prior engagements at Larkhill.
The restricted race closes the days events and is sponsored by Stimson and Tieken, in which Whensallymetsally from the Keith Cuming's yard ran second under Will Biddick at Chipley Park, the combination was unlucky to be caught in the final 50 yards finishing three quarters of a length behind Illicit Illusion.
This is an ideal venue for winter racing, with convenient viewing locations. There are tarmac access roads to car parks. Bar, bookmakers, trade stands and hot refreshments are all under cover in the exhibition hall.
Entry is £10 car and driver, £5 per passenger and children under 16 free.
Course is located off A39 west of Wadebridge. Post code PL27 7JE.
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Sidmouth Herald. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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I am writing my thesis and in many cases I want to take the reader through an example. For example:
Besides the advanced composition rules, it is also important to have a set of basic rules to help in controlling some of the elements of the frame. For example, I may want to have a river across the diagonal of the frame yet I want some animals near the river to be in the top-left corner of the frame. I can use the diagonal dominance rule on the river to assure that it is shown diagonally but the other advanced rules cannot be of any use for placing the animal in the top-left corner of the frame. For this, I have implemented the following basic composition rules and found them to be enough for most applications:
As you can see, I am talking the reader through an example to help distinguish how basic composition rules are also important. So which is better to use here, "I" or "We" meaning I and the reader? Or actually, is the second case even understood in English writing or it will be understood as there are many authors, or the author is showing off?
I don't feel comfortable with "I" because it gives a personal feeling to the statement. In other words, how am I important here? So it is some experiment that I have done so that I must say I.


text: Lorus; a watch you can trust. A watchmaker founded in 1982 which is incorporated within the prestigious Seiko brand, Lorus' expertise in technology has helped assimilate an assortment of models which are affordable in price but sophisticated in design. Lorus has recently delved into creating kinetic watches, on top of its already renowned timepieces such as solar, digital, duo-display and alarm chronographs. Lorus Watches cater for a wide-ranging demographic; whether browsing for men, women or children, Lorus will create a timepiece visually stunning and versatile which can adorn your wrist for years to come. At Total Watches, we have a variety of Lorus Watches to tantalise over. The Lorus Kids RG233GX-9 Watch provides a timepiece which is constructed with a rubber strap and navigable dial to help any child learning to read the time whilst offering a product resistant to damage. Our men's Lorus RT391DX9 Watch is decorated with a leather strap, silver stainless steel case and a blue dial with sub-dial chronograph and date window to keep any man informed whilst looking charming. For women, the Lorus RG296JX9 Watch is the impressive timepiece for the powerful woman, using a gold-plated stainless steel case, black and bracelet to ensure the highest quality.Mens Lorus Watches


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Is it pork-ageddon? Britain's National Pig Association has sounded the alarm that the world should brace for an "unavoidable" bacon and pork shortage next year.
The cause of the trouble is high pig-feed costs caused by what it describes in a press release as "the global failure of maize and soya harvests."
The organization notes that new data shows that pig herds are declining at a significant rate, not just in Britain, but around the world.
The way out of this coming catastrophe is to subsidize pig farmers to stem the loss of their herds, says the industry group. The organization has also launched a "Save Our Bacon" campaign, which encourages consumers to buy British pork products.
It's not just Europe that will be seeing shortages: The U.S. will also face a bacon shortage. The Guardian reports that the cost of bacon has doubled since 2006, and record droughts are to blame. Consumption of bacon is falling as prices have been rising.
"It's not that people don't want to eat pork, it's just that they increasingly can't afford to," economist Steve Meyer told the publication. "We've been warning about this for years. Now that we are talking about bacon, we've really got everyone's attention."
Sure do.
The Twitter response was predictably massive, as commenters took to the microblogging site to bemoan the state of a future porkless plate. @TylerMachado posted, "Maybe we wouldn't be facing a bacon shortage if you twee hipsters didn't put bacon on cupcakes, in mixed drinks, etc." @AJackart added, overdramatically, "I am officially on suicide watch, this is tragic!"
And @ACabot88 wrote, "The Mayans were right, the world is coming to an end."
The Gothamist actually tried to suggest bacon alternatives—soy bacon, anyone?
Few bacon lovers on Twitter seem inspired to try a meat-free diet. Unless forced. Posted @billy_reid_atl, "World without bacon? Say it isn't so! Enjoy it now... while you can."
@Hilda was already thinking outside the grocery store: "All this bacon shortage talk has me thinking, if I can't have backyard chickens, maybe I can get away with a backyard pig?"


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Governments watchful eye has pharma on guard
January 2010
Healthcare reform, alleged illegal marketing practices, drug safety concerns, patent expirations, stem cell researchas a new decade dawns, the pharma and biotech industries are caught in the diverse crosshairs of government scrutiny, both in the United States and abroad. As these and other pressing issues play out on the evening news, the editorial team at ddn is keeping our ears to the ground with a new content department.
Beginning this issue, our Government Watch section will profile some of the latest legal, legislative, and regulatory developments in the pharma/biotech arenas. The section, which begins on page 38 of this issue, will appear in odd-numbered months throughout 2010.
In our first month of coverage, we had a veritable grab-bag of stories to sink our teeth into, and settled on a wide range of topics to show our readers the various forms government scrutiny can take: federal oversight, state legislation, state regulation and international regulation, to name a few. Our writerswho are no strangers to reporting on such matterswere eager to hit the ground running and delve into these topics, but were met with an all-too-familiar roadblock: Fear.
Figuring that our pharma sources would welcome the chance to opine on healthcare reform and other government scrutiny, we hoped to ask the questions, sit back and let the answers flow. We soon learned, however, how cautious most companies are when it comes to such sensitive topics.
"While working on my story about the impact of healthcare reform on Big Pharma, I encountered more than a few companies that respectfully declined to comment on the issue," says our managing editor, David Hutton, who once covered legislation impacting the appraisal and valuation industries, both on state and federal levels. "I certainly understand why companies might want to decline to comment on legislative issues, but I firmly believe that it is in their best interest to publicly state their positions on key issues to be a part of public discourse on proposals that affect their business, and their bottom line."
Our writer Lori Lesko lucked out with her story on proposal to limit stem cell research funding in Missouri, but having earned her stripes covering hot topics for the real estate and settlement services industries, she knows all too well how challenging it can be to get sources to open up about sensitive topics.
"With proposed or actual legislation, pharmas should want to weigh in," Lesko says. "Although ddn will cover both sides of an issue, ddn would provide a forum for pharmas to make their case. Giving a 'no comment' or refusing to take phone calls only weakens one's position and casts a shadow on one's credibility."
Speaking for myself, covering an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) was familiar ground, as I once tackled a highly anticipated probe by the investigative arm of Congress into alleged illegal business practices by the title insurance industry. I recalled how, a year after that explosive report rocked the industry, most of the recommendations the GAO made to resolve some of its concerns failed to see the light of daysimilar to what has happened at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as you will read in the story.
I asked Marcia Crosse, director of healthcare at the GAO about that. "Has the GAO ever measured to what extent its recommendations are followed or implemented?" I wanted to know.
"Oh, yes," Crosse responded. "We have an adoption rate of about 80 percent within four years. Our target rate of adoption is around 70 to 75 percent."
It's not perfectbut then, it's the government. In my experience, government officialsparticularly if they are up for electionaren't shy about speaking their minds. I hope that when our editorial team gives you an opportunity to speak up, you will do so, and lend your very important voices to these crucial issues.
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Padres acquire prospect Dickerson from Pirates
The San Diego Padres have traded right-handers Brad Brach and Miles Mikolas, and outfielder Jaff Decker in separate deals for two prospects, including Eastern League Rookie of the Year Alex Dickerson.
The Padres sent Mikolas and Decker to Pittsburgh on Monday for Dickerson, a first baseman-outfielder who's from the San Diego suburb of Poway.
Dickerson spent all of 2013 with Double-A Altoona, batting .288 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs. In 2012, he was the Florida State League Player of the Year after batting .295 with 13 home runs and 90 RBIs.
San Diego acquired minor league right-hander Devin Jones from Baltimore in exchange for Brach.
Jones spent nearly all of the 2013 campaign with Double-A Bowie, going 4-7 with a 5.84 ERA in 24 starts. He also made one start with Class-A Frederick.
Brach, Mikolas and Decker were designated for assignment by the Padres on Nov. 20.


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NEW BEDFORD — The fledgling Center for Sustainable Fisheries takes its message to Seattle, Wash. in February to stoke discussion of changes in the way commercial fisheries are regulated.
NEW BEDFORD — The fledgling Center for Sustainable Fisheries takes its message to Seattle, Wash. in February to stoke discussion of changes in the way commercial fisheries are regulated.
The delegation will be led by Dr. Brian Rothschild, dean emeritus of the UMass School for Marine Science and Technology.
He will be joined by CSF chief operating officer Kate Kramer, who told The Standard-Times on Wednesday, "People on the West Coast have different ideas about the Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization."
That's the law that governs fishing regulation, and especially in the Northeast, NOAA has been accused of diverging from the intent of Congress and short-changing many aspects of what Magnuson requires it to do. High among them are: to use the best science; and, determine and mitigate the economic effects of regulations on fishing communities and economies.
In less problematic regions, there is less urgency to rewrite and reestablish Magnuson. But a paper just completed by CSF in response to a draft bill in Congress, is blunt about the shortcomings in Magnuson and forceful about what needs to be done.
This includes taking into account such things as the fact that things other than fishing deplete fish populations, but are not taken into account when setting quotas.
The paper says that the councils need flexibility "rather than being constrained by the current 35 pages of unintelligible Federal Register guidelines that may have little connection with reality."
"I think some of the bluntness is driven by frustration" on Rothschild's and Lang's parts, Kramer said. "It's part of the same argument, the same bickering for years. Let's be honest about what's not working here."
CSF proposes new agencies, reporting to Congress, that oversee fishing regulation in the manner of, for instance, the National Transportation Safety Board or the Centers for Disease Control, said Rothschild.
No such mechanism now exists for fisheries, frustrating those who feel that regulators are mismanaging.
"It's pretty clear that Congress doesn't have time or the expertise to provide oversight of the agency," he said.
The Seattle session, open to the public, will be held Feb. 11 following the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting.