text:
|2013-08-17, 13:03
|Link #9261
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Vereinigte Staaten
Age: 26
|2013-08-17, 14:31
|Link #9262
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Don't know if I want to get the E5 or grind my JTiger to buy the JE100 instead. I been busy now that I got a job and only doing the 300k mission and logging off.
Looks like i won some gold
FV215b (183)
Mozam 1641
Banki77 1595
CrunchyPickle 1554
BaronIsh 1518
Snypa 1515
lonemedic 1506
SuperCPI 1491
Brandx51 1481
Yenny 1460
Pen3 1454
Last edited by Pen3; 2013-08-17 at 17:37.
|2013-08-17, 18:01
|Link #9263
Big Game
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Exclusively Inside Your Mind.
I was damned to use a T82 because I do not know how to properly use its full potential(I`m getting a Hellcat and I`m keeping a T18)
|2013-08-17, 19:18
|Link #9264
Imagine Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: In A Certain Magical Place.
E5 is a great all rounder but a pain in the ass if you grind for it... I mean look at how long UTE is taking. Which is the best way to get tier 10s and enjoy them without having painstakingly grind is to free com the shit out the in between tiers. But overall worth the tank since they said it was a commonly used cw tank. Though you could just as same get a mbt like the Leo I or T62A, which are good tanks but will blow up within mind of exposure. Frankly I've having fun in the Maus trolling like episode 11... but lately I don't have time to even log on so I uninstalled on the desktops and will reinstall after I fixed my laptop. In the meantime I have just been watching anime try to catch up before fall anime comes out in around October.
But before I uninstall I am halfway to getting the trolling E100 and IS 4. Hopefully will be back before new anime season/series come out.
As for the Hellcat best line to get there is the M10 wolverine line becuz it does better than the turreted line becuz the T49 has a knack of blowing up alot in matches more than it's M10 wolf counterpart.
|2013-08-17, 19:22
|Link #9265
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
However, I don't feel compelled to use it very much.
|2013-08-17, 21:15
|Link #9267
Japanese Culture Fan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Planet Earth
Age: 27
|2013-08-17, 22:34
|Link #9268
Imagine Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: In A Certain Magical Place.
Well you'll need alot of gold rounds, becuz its already a fact that german tanks depreciate pen in their guns once you hit tier 10. It will suck if germies get another nerf in the guns, cuz i pretty much need to be within 200 meters if i want to kill something, cuz the gun is inaccurate, slow reload, slow traverse, only way to play it is a mid range brawler... ironicly i'm already a gold user on the germy tanks at tier 9 an 10, so it makes no difference to me. One Tip of advice is not to take too much dmg went on gold, cuz u will lose creds, even tho it suppose to be gaining something, don't know wat the break point of it is, since dps is good enough make it work especially on prem acct, crap i'm wasting prem acct days... meh i guess i don't care anymore. yeah anyways, if u do end up getting one and just use AP on it then GL making it work. I have an impossible time using AP for anything higher than tier 8.
From wat mr. jiggles says, AP = T8, APCR = T9+, HEAT = Arty
|2013-08-17, 22:58
|Link #9269
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Played two games with the partially-upgraded Centurion. First game was a Steppes loss, though I did just under 3000 damage with the second cannon. Second game was a win, but I didn't get to do nearly as much fighting. And my accuracy is about 95% over 50 shots fired.
The OQF 20-pdr should be a decent improvement, since right now the OQF 17-pdr Gun Mk. VII is reminding me of the Panther guns, where I'd hit things many, many times and only shave off tiny bits of HP.
So, this happened.
My team did win. It would have been terribly dishonoring if they had lost.
This also happened.
They took surprisingly little damage, but as usual that was a result of taking a very long time to get going.
|2013-08-18, 01:11
|Link #9270
I don't give a damn, dude
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In Despair
Age: 32
The Sherman Jumbo remains one of the toughest lil' motherfuckers to this day.
|2013-08-18, 07:26
|Link #9272
Deadpan Snarker
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The Neverlands
Age: 41
Well, managed to get the Su-152 this night (morning)
well, what can I say...?
Now THIS is what I call VII
Sure it's bone stock, horribly slow in manouvering and reload, but once baby spits...
Even against IX's I don't feel like some useless paperweight
For starters, it's cheaper to repair, and it can get me the 30 kill daily with a lot less matches and headaches
the stock gun can put a dent in most armor, anything below tier see half their HP blown away (if not more)
Even IX think twice before coming out of cover to take me on (stupid, because that gives me time to reload)
and that keeping in mind I have less armor and HP than the comet
Yeah, atm I need to make evey shot count, but at least it counts
Saving up for gunrammer and vents to really start packing (though first is an upgrade to the suspension)
|2013-08-18, 09:41
|Link #9273
Japanese Culture Fan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Planet Earth
Age: 27
|2013-08-18, 09:51
|Link #9274
Salt Levels Critical
Join Date: Oct 2007
Ok, I have 2 incredible screenshots from 2 consecutive games this morning:
First, I take every terrible game that has been posted here and raise you this:
Then the other - At least I was on the right side of this one. GG matchmaker, GG:
|2013-08-18, 10:28
|Link #9275
Imagine Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: In A Certain Magical Place.
thats rare to get a match were ppl start shooting teammates.
kimi told me when i got the SP to plat with him the first time he invited me to teh clan, that tier 9 and 10 games will always be unforgiving, looks like it hasn't changed at all. (already know for a fact since i play tier 9 and 10 alot before i crashed my laptop) got it back up, too bad i'm in the middle of reinstalling windows updates and programs i need to run it, so i won't be back until later. kinda sux i had to downgrade to a 5400 rpm hdd that i had for a back up drive if my laptop drive did fail on me.
btw u derping or using the 76er on that jumbo? I find the jumbo's selection of guns for tier 6 poor. i feel like it need a dmg buff, or maybe add a different 76er that has more dps. playing the 105 derp so long that the 76er feel under powered.
|2013-08-18, 18:52
|Link #9277
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Most people used to use the derp gun with the Jumbo, but since the derp gun is an unreliable money sink after the 8.6 changes and you can't really flank with a Jumbo... the gun selection isn't so good.
Meanwhile, with the help of the 30-kill mission, I have now made back all of the credits that I spent at the beginning of the month when I bought the T110E5, Leo PTA, T-54, and Centurion.
Since the only other tank purchases I have in mind for later are the Leopard 1 and T-62A, and I'm a long way off from them, I should be able to have a decent credit store when that research finishes... sometime around Christmas... or I can go bananas the next time they have a good premium ammo or consumables sale.
|2013-08-18, 20:06
|Link #9278
Big Game
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Exclusively Inside Your Mind.
I was using a Valentine AT at that time. Too bad I didnt even have a time to look for sniping spot because the track was damaged(would that make a tank move slower?)
|2013-08-18, 20:34
|Link #9279
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
|2013-08-18, 21:11
|Link #9280
Senior Member
Got the Indian Panzer and have delegated my T-34-2 to doubles-only status.
IP is quite slow (I have only the 9cm gun) but the depression is a very nice surprise, I was expecting 7 or 8. Armor is supposed to be trollish but seems very paper.
|mmo games, war game, wargaming.net, world of tanks
|Thread Tools


text:
Avatar Limited needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 100 designs submitted by 26 freelance designers.
We are a film and commercial production company based in Manhattan in New York. Our company is professional, intelligent, creative, innovative, hard working.
Marketing agencies, film producers.
A director on a film set often wears a hat. ManInHat sounds similar to Manhattan.
It must be clean, not cartoonish, intelligent, creative, confident, innovative.
A good idea could be to make the letters look like the NY skyline.
Feel free to use a hat in the design, but it is not necessary. We prefer more formal and trendy type hats (eg a bowler hat, a stetson or a trilby) than a baseball cap for example.
Preference for a simple black and white logo.
No film reel or camera to be used in the logo (these are too common in the industry).
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
They say that half the battle of the gym is getting yourself there. Well, with a home gym, that couldn't be any easier. Whether you're already a fitness fanatic or are looking for some extra motivation to get in shape, the prospect of having your own home gym is an attractive one.
The great news is that you don't need to live in a mansion for a home gym to be a realistic goal. Here are a few tips to help you make your dream a reality, even in the smallest of spaces.
Separate an area from your living space
The key to a successful home fitness regime lies in creating a dedicated space. If you get used to seeing your home gym equipment lying around your living area, you may stop making the connection between them and exercise. It's therefore vital that you separate your home gym from your home living space as best you can.
If you're not blessed with a spare room to transform into a home workout space, there are other ways to create the same effect. Consider making use of room dividers, book cases or even house plants to conceal your new dedicated workout area.
Select your equipment wisely
There's a vast range of home fitness gear out there. If you're working with limited space, you're going to have to choose wisely.
A lot of home gym gear is foldable, allowing you to maximise the space available. Another good idea is to shop for home fitness equipment that has multiple uses. If a bench allows you to work on your chest, arms and legs, then it's a smart investment. The more adjustable things are, the better.
Conversely, machines like treadmills and cycling simulators can prove a less effective use of space. Not only are they good for only one kind of exercise, but they don't offer anything that you can't get outside the home.
Fit a mirror
Home fitness is all about motivation. Once you get going, one of the best ways to motivate yourself is to recognise the progress you're making. Fitting a mirror on the wall of your home gym will allow you to keep an eye on how far you've come, as well as help you to perfect your technique.
Mirrors also have the added benefit of making a space look bigger – ideal if your home fitness centre is slightly on the small side.
Add a touch of luxury
Keeping on top of your fitness at home isn't all about utility, there should be a little fun in it too. One easy way to make your home fitness sessions more enjoyable is to bring some music into your home gym. Install a home audio system and create a playlist that'll get you pumped for the duration of your workout.
From home gyms to personal cinemas, our portfolio of luxury properties has it all. For a closer look at our homes all over the globe, visit the Engel & Völkers website today.


text:
Qualified organizations can apply to pay by purchase order and/or for tax exemption status.
TCI is pleased to be a GSA Partner. Contract #GS-07F-0372U
This is not the SAFARILAND you are looking for.
No lion around here.
Our home page is here.
We've recently updated our site and moved some pages around. Please use search below or the menu bar to find the content you are looking for.


text: I-80 Planting Tour: Flooded Fields in Illinois April 26, 2013 12:33 AM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Tyne Morgan US Farm Report Host Email Sloppy conditions in Illinois have at least let farmers there quit worrying about the drought. Dave Kestel, a Manhattan, Ill., farmer, wishes he could be planting his corn right now. But, knowing that his soil is getting a much-needed recharge keeps him in a good mood. Kestel says that if the rains stop and the sun starts shining, he could be in the field in 10 days to two weeks. Even with this delay, he's not yet considering a different crop mix. "It is still too early to get too worked up," he says. "It is too early to start making drastic changes to production plans. Our subsoil is recharged, so I think we're in great shape." For More Information Have you started planting? When will you hit the fields? Submit your crop report to AgWeb's Crop Comments. Back to news


text:
hugapitbull wrote:Congrats on the new addition. I would be a total failure as a foster - I'd be like the crazy hoarder lady they have on the evening news
copperlegend wrote:ok, whoever said she'd become a member of our household permanently, you all get a biscuit! She is just the sweetest thing, and we've decided to adopt her. We're going to continue fostering, to keep her socialized and to help out more pups!
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text:
"My child is always stuffy."
"Her nose constantly runs."
"His sinuses are really bad."
These are the common complaints we hear in our Allergy Clinic, says Pediatric Allergist Jay Lieberman, MD. The majority of parents are frustrated when their kids are constantly congested, stuffy, runny or sneezy, says Lieberman. And they assume it must be an allergy – but that's not always the case.
In fact, the majority of children with these nasal issues do not have allergies as the cause of their symptoms, he says. These symptoms are often simply a reflection of "colds" or viral infections.
"Parents are often in disbelief when I tell them this because their child seems to have symptoms every day -- thinking that there is no way they can have this many colds," said Lieberman. "In fact, though, it's not uncommon for little ones to get colds one to two times per month, especially if they are in day care or preschool, and for these to cause symptoms for up to two weeks. While very annoying, this is not a sign of allergies or problems with their immune system."
There are no hard and fast rules that can tell you if the symptoms are allergic reactions or not. Here are some tips that can help, though:
- If the symptoms are usually associated with a fever or other symptoms such as cough or sore throat, they are likely due to a virus.
- If symptoms got worse when your child started school or since they have been in day care or preschool, they are likely not an allergy.
- If your child has the symptoms prior to 2 years of age, they are often not allergies.
- Symptoms of itchy nose, itchy/watery eyes and sneezing can be clues to allergy.
- If the symptoms are worse outdoors during the spring or summer in this area, they may be allergic in nature.
In the end, there is never really a downside in seeking allergy testing for these questions, Lieberman says. After all, the procedure is quite easy, painless and only takes 20 minutes to have an answer.
"Best of all for kids, most allergists do not use any needles or sharp pointy things to perform the testing. These days it is typically done with some small plastic devices. The test is very well tolerated once kids get over the initial fear. For some reason, and I can't imagine why, all they care about is whether it's a shot or not," said Lieberman.
Typical allergy tests test for allergies to:
- pollens (trees, grasses and weeds)
- mold
- dust mite
- cockroach
- cats
- dogs
If these are suspected triggers, the test may provide some answers. Just remember, not all that is sneezy, runny and stuffy is an allergy.


text:
Scrap Dragon:
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters Once per turn, you can select 1 card you control and 1 card your opponent controls. Destroy them. When this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to the Graveyard, select 1 non-Synchro "Scrap" monster in your Graveyard and Special Summon it.
SP = Short Print (Common);
SSP = Super Short Print (Common);
DNPR = Duel Terminal Normal Parallel Rare;
DRPR = Duel Terminal Rare Parallel Rare;
DSPR = Duel Terminal Super Parallel Rare;
DUPR = Duel Terminal Ultra Parallel Rare;
|No comments yet for this card.


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Ron Wyden: Puts Hold On PROTECT IP, Temporarily Withdraws Amendment On The PATRIOT Act
from the busy-day dept
Separately, in response to the news that the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved PROTECT IP, Senator Wyden has done what he did with COICA and put a hold on the bill, effectively blocking it for the time being. This is good news, as hopefully it will force those pushing the law to address the massive problems with the law. Here is Senator Wyden's statement:
Consistent with Senate Standing Orders and my policy of publishing in the Congressional Record a statement whenever I place a hold on legislation, I am announcing my intention to object to any unanimous consent request to proceed to S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act.
In December of last year I placed a hold on similar legislation, commonly called COICA, because I felt the costs of the legislation far outweighed the benefits. After careful analysis of the Protect IP Act, or PIPA, I am compelled to draw the same conclusion. I understand and agree with the goal of the legislation, to protect intellectual property and combat commerce in counterfeit goods, but I am not willing to muzzle speech and stifle innovation and economic growth to achieve this objective. At the expense of legitimate commerce, PIPA's prescription takes an overreaching approach to policing the Internet when a more balanced and targeted approach would be more effective. The collateral damage of this approach is speech, innovation and the very integrity of the Internet.
The Internet represents the shipping lane of the 21st century. It is increasingly in America's economic interest to ensure that the Internet is a viable means for American innovation, commerce, and the advancement of our ideals that empower people all around the world. By ceding control of the Internet to corporations through a private right of action, and to government agencies that do not sufficiently understand and value the Internet, PIPA represents a threat to our economic future and to our international objectives. Until the many issues that I and others have raised with this legislation are addressed, I will object to a unanimous consent request to proceed to the legislation.


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Views: 1033
I haven't read it, but Bo Bennett has a book called "The Concept: Introduction to Christian Nontheism".
"Atheism" encompasses a lot of..um...disbeliefs, from the general not believing in the supernatural at all, to the specific (and probably linguistically more correct) not believing in a theistic god. If you use the specific definition, then you are open to believing in other forms of supernatural entities (deism, etc.), although you should probably resign yourself to having to make long eye-glazing explanations every time you describe yourself as a religious atheist.
As an aside, I am all for qualifying "atheist". Qualification implies some level of complexity and nuance over the popular idea that atheism just means "belief that god does not exist". But I am looking for something catchier than "agnostic atheist humanist"
I like made up words. I will have to think about "Potentialist"; it may do the job for me ... on the other hand, it is too positive and I want to be negative, mean, hateful, judgmental, "don't get in my face" kind of not-enough-evidence-there-is-a god.
Write4U, you have me there: " creating a lack of belief (an emotional void) is more difficult than to offer a logical alternative which fills the void."
I also remember the "human potential movement" and how helpful that was for me to look to myself for definition instead of accepting others' definition of me.
Truthfully, my goal is to settle down my volcanic anger against religion and instead put something of value in its place.
"belief that god does not exist", does not fit my experience. I would say, "I find no compelling evidence god exists." If evidence showed up, I would say, "OK, issue closed."
Yes, I think that is the stance of most atheists. However, the average person-on-the-street would triumphantly announce, with the certainty that only ignorance allows, that you are then an agnostic, not an atheist.
agnostic isn't strong enough for my taste. If I were to qualify my stance, I would take the anti-theist path.
When a bee gets up in the morning, hunts for flowers to poke its nose into, flutters from flower to flower and it does not say, "I must do the work of the lord!" It does what bees do and in the process pollination occurs.
When a robin gets up in the morning, it sings, looks for worms, listens for worm or bug sounds, digs it out, eats it or takes it to babies, runs across the ground, poops, listens, pecks, pulls, eats and carries food back to the nest. It does what robins do and in the process carries on the processes of life, giving birth and caring for young, dies and returns to the earth, perhaps through the mouth of a cat.
When a cat gets up in the morning ... well, you get the idea.
When a person gets up in the morning ...
In my humble opinion, life has no meaning or purpose other than how we give expression to our lives and how we attend to our consciousness, now; not how we did it or someone else did it, or how we will do it; Life has meaning in the here and now. That is all. There is no reward or no punishment in some other realm.
For me, flourishing is the issue! Are the things I think, believe, say, and do, empowering me and those around me? Do I have the strength to stand publicly and defy abuse, delusions, denial, domination, exploitation, manipulation?
I would second Annet's Alain de Botton recommendation.
© 2019 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


text:
Saving Money on Groceries Without Coupons
Save Money on Groceries Without Coupons
We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy!
I usually spend less than $100 a week buying groceries for my family of four. And I don't use coupons — ever.
Yes, there are some extreme couponers out there who manage to spend next to nothing at the grocery store. But I don't have the time it takes to be that sort of coupon pro — nor would I benefit from the effort because coupons usually aren't available for the items I regularly buy.
So I've found other ways to keep my grocery costs under control. One reason I'm able to keep my weekly spending low is because I don't live in a large metropolitan area, where prices are higher. However, these ten tips should help you score savings wherever you live.
Choose the right store. The bulk of my savings come from shopping at Walmart rather than Kroger (the main options where I live). On average, my grocery bill is 20% less when I shop at Walmart. I compared the prices at both stores on 15 items I regularly buy and found that I paid $10 more at Kroger ($53.87 versus $43.50). The bigger the shopping list, the greater the savings. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine writers conducted a similar experiment and spent nearly $20 less on the same basket of items at Trader Joe's than at Whole Foods (Get the Best, Spend Less).
It might seem a little time-consuming to actually run this experiment yourself. But you only have to do it once — and the savings could be substantial. Think of it this way: If you were buying a big-ticket item, such as a TV, you'd probably invest some time to shop around and research prices. Although your weekly grocery bill may not seem like a major expenditure, you're shelling out $10,400 a year if you're spending $200 a week. That's a lot more than most TVs — which you could easily afford to buy if you cut your weekly grocery bill in half.
Read on for more tips.
Find alternatives for the most expensive items on your list. The next time you go to the grocery, hang on to your receipt and circle the most expensive items. Then, consider lower-cost alternatives for those items to rack up real savings on future shopping trips. For instance, red meat — as you probably know — isn't cheap. A package of four sirloin steaks costs three times as much as a package of four chicken breasts. Pork is another lower-cost alternative. (You'll be doing your waistline and heart a favor, too, by cutting back on red meat.)
Other budget busters are organic items and pricey cheeses. But you can lower the cost of these items if you comparison shop, opt for generic brands, buy produce only when it's in season and become more selective about the items you buy.
For example, the Whole Foods 365 brand tends to be cheaper than name-brand organics. Even the Walmart where I shop offers organic items — and they're cheaper than at Kroger. Plus, I tend to buy organic only for produce that is most susceptible to pesticide residue (such as apples, lettuce and potatoes — see the Environmental Working Group's list of the dirty dozen) or antibiotics and hormones (such as milk and eggs). Buying frozen veggies (even organic ones) also can be a big money saver, especially considering they won't go bad if you don't eat them within a week. And I save by buying fruits and vegetables when they're in season — otherwise, they can cost twice as much. As for the fancy cheese, consider it a treat and buy it sparingly.
Before you shop, plan your menu for the week. This will limit the trips you make to the grocery, as well as impulse buys. A colleague of mine says he and his wife rarely plan more than a couple of days' worth of meals for their family of four. As a result, they go to the store almost every other day and spend at least twice as much on groceries as my family does each month.
The Web site ZipList.com makes it easy to create a grocery list, which you can access on any phone (not just a smart phone) while you're shopping. If you do have a smart phone, you can use it to scan items you have at home that you need to purchase, and they'll automatically be added to your list. Plus, the site has more than 300,000 recipes, provides recipe recommendations based on ones you've already chosen and will add the ingredients you need to buy for recipes you select to your shopping list. Just be sure to make your grocery list while you're at home so you can scan your refrigerator and pantry to see what you actually need.
Use what you have. This goes hand-in-hand with planning. Use what you have so it doesn't go bad and you don't waste gas money on an unnecessary trip to the grocery store. The cooking site Gojee.com can help you find ways to use food items you already have. (See Lower Your Grocery Costs for more information.)
Skip prepared and convenience foods. Don't pay extra for the grocery store to do your kitchen chores for you. For instance, I tend to buy my vegetables in their natural form — rather than washed, cut and packaged in sealed bags — because they're cheaper that way. For example, butternut squash recently was $1.28 per pound, but the diced, 12-ounce packaged version was about $1 more at the same store. And I stay away from the prepared food section of the store because you pay a premium for salads and other dishes already made for you. I also don't buy prepackaged meals, such as Lunchables ($3 to $4 each), because it's cheaper to buy bread, cheese and deli meat, and assemble sandwiches on my own (which don't take much time to make).
Stock up when items you regularly buy go on sale. Some people advocate planning your weekly menu around what's on sale at the grocery. But this approach can backfire for a few reasons. Although on sale, these items still might be pricier than things you normally would buy . And you might end up with a lot of food you don't know how to prepare or that few people in your family will actually eat. Instead, I recommend that when items you regularly buy go on sale, stock up. Don't think of that sale as a one-time opportunity to get a single helping of your favorite food for less. If the item has a long shelf life (or if you have room to freeze it), buy several and score big savings.
Check unit prices. Make sure you're really getting the most bang for your buck by checking items' unit price, which most stores display. This price typically shows how much you're paying per ounce and can point you to the better deal. For example, my kids like frozen waffles and I tend to buy a package of ten each week — overlooking the larger package because of its higher sticker price. But when I bothered to check the unit price on the 24-pack, I realized I was missing a good deal: 13.4 cents per ounce versus 18.1 cents per ounce for the 10-pack. For some items, though, you'll get a better deal buying several smaller packages rather than one large package. That's why you should always look at unit price.
Buy certain items in bulk. We pay a lot less buying toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, batteries, rice and pasta in bulk at the warehouse club (see Warehouse Clubs: Deal or No Deal?). We also buy chicken breasts at the warehouse club because the package of a dozen we get there is usually several dollars less than smaller packages at the grocery store. Notice, these are items that are nonperishable or that can be frozen. We don't buy bulk items that will go bad before we can eat the entire amount.
Look down. Name-brand items, which tend to be more expensive, usually are placed at eye-level. So when you're shopping, look down (or up) for cheaper items, including generics. Yes, I'm loyal to a few brands. But for most items, especially canned goods, I'll scan the bottom shelf to find them several cents to several dollars cheaper than their strategically placed name-brand equivalents.
Don't buy personal-care products at the grocery. Unless you do your grocery shopping at a SuperTarget or a Walmart Supercenter, you're better off buying shampoo, toothpaste, cotton balls and other personal-care products at a drugstore or dollar store, where they're cheaper.
Check out these smart stories from Kiplinger:
5 Ways Supermarkets Try to Trick Shoppers
QUIZ: Warehouse Clubs . . . Deal or No Deal?
QUIZ: Dollar Store . . . Deal or No Deal?


text:
Fort Wayne, Indiana Phone: 260.432.7654
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Acne Scars
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Address: 2410 North Glendale Drive, Suite C Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804 Phone: 260.432.7654
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Return to our home page for more about your medical spa in Fort Wayne, IN and Fishers, IN.
Plastic Surgery Website Design & Hosting by Plastic Surgery Studios. Copyright 2019.


text:
Hello to all of the Java development community ,
I am a programmer in a school of animation and 3D cinema, which opened the possibility to attend school by distance learning, we have a working system using PHP, and we are prospecting the use of Java tools to create a new way to take content of lessons for students, would like to take advantage of the immense knowledge formed by this community, to take some questions on development using Java.
I wonder if you can create a client with java programming software, which accesses a server, which can be apache or tomcat or another, where each student to use this tool has the ability to watch the video lessons whose content is in HD protected, and in addition, interact with other students exchanging data in multiple media formats such as Video, pictures and text, talk and chat on this same tool. I should like to clarify that framework would be more efficient, which tool would be robust enough to support hundreds of students simultaneously accessing dealing with each request of a student as if they were threads.
In short I would like to know the capacity of java in me to provide a solution for implementing this system.
I thank you for your cooperation.


text:
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A Guide to Green Mortgages
EEM Lender Guide
Guide to Green Mortgages / Energy Efficient Mortgages
What's a "Green Mortgage"? It is a term that many, even the most environmentally focused of us, have not heard before. And it's not what you might think. It is not a marketing or public relations effort. It is a program backed by private and government mortgage programs designed to help you make your home more energy efficient.
Green, or "Energy efficient" mortgages, let you borrow extra money to pay for energy efficient upgrades to your current home or a new or old home that you plan to buy. The result is a more environmentally friendly living space that uses fewer resources for heating and cooling and has dramatically lower utility costs. The types of things that are covered include upgrades that you may have thought you couldn't afford like double paned windows, tankless water heaters, modern HVAC systems, and new insulation.
At this time, Energy Efficient Mortgages aren't second mortgages. Though they are created separately from your primary mortgage, they are ultimately rolled into your primary mortgage—so you only make only one payment per month.
Like most people these days, you probably already do your share of "green" practices like recycling and turning off the water when you brush your teeth. But you probably thought that really big things, like renovating or upgrading your home to make it more energy efficient were financially out of your reach.
Here are a few facts that will give you an idea of how upgrading your home can help save you a lot of money and reduce your home's carbon footprint:
Green mortgages are a concrete way for families to both save money and make a large scale change in the way that they live their lives in regard to the environment. Green Mortgages, either as part of a mortgage refinance or added on to a new mortgage, are a smart way to pay for energy efficient features to your current house, a house that you plan to buy, or to get credit for the features that your new home already has.
Making your house more energy efficient isn't just about helping the environment and saving you money. Energy efficient homes are cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, cost less to maintain, have lower monthly utilities costs, and generally last longer. Overall, an upgraded home is more comfortable all around. This means not having to deal with drafts in the winter, not worrying about the cost of cranking the AC when company comes over, and having peace of mind that your children, pets, and older visitors will always be in a comfortable, healthy environment.
Green Mortgages can help you do the following:
Whatever your reason for wanting to pursue this type of mortgage, the results are the same: a more comfortable, energy efficient, environmentally sound home that is cheaper to maintain and has lower monthly utility costs.
Purpose of this Guide:
You don't have to be a mortgage guru to use and understand this guide—and even if you are, you will be able to pick up some useful tips. You should find this guide helpful whether you are looking for a new home, refinancing an old one, or just want to know more about Energy Efficient Mortgages. After reading this document, you will have a better understanding of:
Part 1: What is an Energy Efficient Mortgages?
In this section, we dive into the ins and outs of Energy Efficient Mortgages, how you can qualify for one, and how you can get one.
What is an Energy Efficient Mortgage?
Oftentimes, the terms "Green Mortgage" and "Energy Efficient Mortgage" are used interchangeably. The official term for this type of loan, though, is Energy Efficient Mortgage or EEM for short. Use the term EEM if you are doing research online or talking to your lender to make sure that you are getting information on the right kind of loan. The main idea behind these types of mortgages is very simple and doesn't directly have a whole lot to do with saving the environment: Energy efficient homes use less energy and are therefore less expensive to own. People who have more efficient homes spend less per month on utility costs and theoretically should have more to spend on their monthly mortgage payments—and can therefore afford a larger mortgage.
At this time, an EEM is not a second mortgage. It is something that you get in addition to your regular mortgage or mortgage refinance and roll into your primary mortgage. That means that you only make one mortgage payment every month and there's no additional lien on your property for it.
If you are purchasing or building a home that you want to add energy efficient features to, you would first get approved for a regular mortgage for the purchase. Then, you would get an EEM—to be rolled into that mortgage—to pay for energy efficient upgrades.
If you are refinancing a mortgage for a home that you already own and you want to add some energy efficient renovations, you would again get the EEM to be rolled into the new mortgage.
Lastly, if you are purchasing a new home that already has energy efficient qualities, lenders recognize that your utility payments will be lower and will let you qualify for a greater overall mortgage amount. EEMs can be applied to most home mortgages.
And to make things even easier, you don't have to do anything to qualify for an EEM. In fact, if you already qualify for your main mortgage, you will (in most cases) also qualify for an EEM. And to make it even easier, especially if you are strapped for cash after the purchase of a home, you don't have to make an additional down payment on the EEM.
EEMs are insured by the Federal Housing Authority and the Veterans Administration (for past and present military personnel) and by the conventional secondary mortgage market (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). You get an actual EEM in the usual places: mortgage companies, bank, savings and loan associations, and other lending companies.
What's an example of how an EEM can work for you?
One of the best ways that an EEM can work for you is to increase your purchasing power and allow you to qualify for a larger mortgage. If you are purchasing a home that already meets standards of energy efficiency, you will pay lower monthly bills. As a result, a larger percentage of your income can be applied to your mortgage when it comes to calculating the total amount that you qualify for. According to the HUD website, on an FHA EEM, you can qualify for up to 33% of your debt to income ratio (that's the new mortgage payment, plus any existing loan payments vs income) with an EEM but only 29% without.
Here's an example of how this works from the HUD website:
If a buyer's total monthly income is $5,000. Then, their maximum allowable monthly payment at 29% is $1,450. And the maximum mortgage that they can get is $207,300
HOWEVER, with an energy efficient home:
The maximum allowable monthly payment for the same person at 33% is $1,650. And the maximum mortgage that they can get is $235,900. That amount makes a huge difference in the kind of house that you can afford! At the same time, your monthly bills will be lower, so you can actually afford it.
Are there different kinds of EEMs?
Yes, there are actually three different kinds of EEMs. You will need to talk to your lender about which one makes the most sense for you:
Lenders can potentially offer all three types of EEMs.
So, what kinds of things does an EEM pay for?
An EEM can pay for improvements like new dual pane windows, a new HVAC unit with air ducts, insulation, weatherizing, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, fixing or replacing a chimney, installing active and passive solar technologies, and other upgrades.
How much money can I spend on improvements?
Unfortunately, the sky is not the limit with the upgrades. According to federal guidelines, the maximum that you can add to the mortgage is either. So, you will probably be able to upgrade the insulation on your home but may have to let go of your dream of a full solar panel roof!
Who offers them?
EEMs are offered by most mortgage lenders through federally insured mortgage programs like FHA and VA as well as secondary mortgage market lenders like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Lenders can offer conventional EEMs, FHA EEMs, and VA EEMs. All of them offer slightly different plans and you should talk to a few lenders
Who is eligible?
Basically, if you already qualify for a regular mortgage, then in most cases you already qualify for an EEM. For the EEM to be eligible for inclusion in the mortgage (different from the buyer being eligible), the actual energy efficient improvements must be cost effective. This just means that the total cost of the upgrades has to be less than the total value of the energy saved over the operative life of the improvement. So, if a new double-paned window costs $300, it needs to save over $300 in energy costs of the course of its life.
How do you get an EEM?
To get an EEM, you first have to find out what improvements your home needs. And, though you may have had your eye on a new central air unit and other upgrades that you think you need, you have to follow the official suggestions. These suggestions come in the form of a HERS report. HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System and it's an evaluation of how energy efficient a home is. A trained Energy Rater goes to your home and completes an inspection to find out just how energy efficient it is. The rater will take into account factors like insulation, windows, heating and cooling systems, and local climate to give the home an overall rating. You will work with your lender to find a licensed Energy Rater.
A HERS report includes:
A HERS rating costs somewhere between $300 and $800 and you can finance it as part of the loan if it isn't paid for by the buyer, seller, lender, or real estate agent.
Once I have my HERS, how does it all work?
Once you have your HERS inspection, you can figure out how much money you qualify for and what upgrades you want to spend the money on. So, maybe you can get that new central air unit after all! Once the actual EEM has been worked out with the lender and the loan closes, the lender puts the money into an escrow account. The mortgage owner then has 14 days to hire professionals to make the improvements. You can do some of the improvements yourself to save money, but you cannot pay yourself to make the renovations. The money is then paid out to the borrower once an inspection takes place to verify that the proposed improvements have been made and the energy savings are real.
Part 2: Who needs an Energy Efficient Mortgage?
Three scenarios to help you to understand when it makes sense to get an EEM.
Example 1:
Nicole and Chad bought their home ten years ago. Though they love their house, it is older and hard to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. After a winter of particularly crippling heating costs, they thought about selling and moving to a more efficient home. Ultimately, though, Nicole and Chad decided that they loved their neighborhood too much to move and looked into what they could do to upgrade their home to make it more energy efficient. After extensive internet research, they decided that they needed to insulate their attic, replace all of their windows with double-paned windows, replace their central heating and cooling system, and repair the duct work. Unfortunately, they did not have enough cash in savings to get all of this work done at once. After talking to a broker friend about their situation, they realized that if they refinanced their mortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates, they could qualify for an EEM to pay for the improvements without any money out of their pockets except for the refinancing fees and the HERS report. When Chad and Nicole finally got their HERS rating, they found that they not only qualified for most of the energy efficient upgrades they wanted, but the report also suggested some other upgrades that they hadn't considered. Now, Chad and Nicole are happy with their home and glad that they didn't go through the nightmare of selling their home, purchasing a new one, and moving. Their home is more comfortable year round and because they refinanced, they also have a lower overall mortgage payment every month.
Example 2:
With a new baby on the way, the Miltons have more than outgrown their starter home. They decide to build a new three bedroom home two towns away in a better school district. In this town, they have a choice of two different builders. The first builder does not invest the time or effort to make his homes as energy efficient as they could be. However, his homes are less expensive—at least in the short term. The second builder invests the time and materials to create greener, more energy efficient homes. Unfortunately for the Miltons, the asking price on those homes is just out of their reach. The Miltons crunch the numbers and compare the two similar homes. It's not surprising that they find that the utility costs for the more energy efficient home are much lower. They are surprised, however, when they talk to their loan officer and find out that because the greener home costs less to maintain each month, the Milton's can actually qualify for a larger loan to pay for the home if they add an EEM to their regular mortgage. In the end, the family gets a larger mortgage to pay for the greener home. They also get the space that they need for their growing family and save money with lower monthly costs. Also, the temperature in their home is more consistent in all seasons which gives them peace of mind while trying to keep their young brood comfortable and healthy.
Example 3:
Brian loves the details, solid building techniques, and design of older homes. He has fallen in love with a house in his neighborhood that was build in the 1920's. The place is very charming, but it is in need of a serious overhaul to prevent it from being a utility money pit. It desperately needs improvements like an HVAC system (it previously just had window units), double paned windows, and extensive insulation. This isn't Brian's first house purchase. His last house also needed some repairs and he simply asked the seller to add the upgrades on as part of the purchase agreement. Unfortunately for Brian, he isn't the only one who has eyes for this particular house. The market in this area is extremely competitive and he is finding that he may not be able to offer as much money as some other buyers. His lender suggests that he stay competitive with other buyers who may have deeper pockets by applying for an EEM on top of his regular mortgage to finance the cost of repairs in his offer price. This ends up making his offer more attractive than others because the seller, who is an elderly gentleman, doesn't have to do the repairs himself. Also, Brian, who is particular about his houses, can get the repairs and upgrades that he really wants instead of suffering through whatever cheap repairs that the seller tries to make. Three months later, it is the dead of winter and Brian is living in his new home. He enjoys the old world feel and character of the house, but he doesn't have to deal with an endless struggle to heat the house and be comfortable.
Hopefully this guide has helped to give you an understanding of Energy Efficient Mortgages. If you've ever suffered through extreme weather in an inefficient home, you can instantly recognize the value of these kinds of loans. Pursuing an EEM can help you to feel more in control of your budget, your environment, and your family's impact on the environment. The ideas behind EEMs are fairly simple. However, as with any complicated financial agreement, the actual loans include some complexities and subtleties not covered here. While this guide is a great way to get an overview of EEMs we invite you to visit some of the links below to get a complete picture. We've also included links to further information on Energy Efficient home improvements and living a greener life. For more information, please read our EEM lender guide by state.
Valid from 11/19/2010 to 09/04/2011
Green Mortgages
Valid from 11/19/2010


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2009-05-13 / Columnists
Pets, Pets, Pets
"Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair. Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen," hearing these lyrics at the terrific revival of Hair on Broadway, prompted the refurbishing of a canine coif column I did 13 years ago called "TheHair of the Dog". First an historical paw note about the Hippie Hounds… As a long time owner of the ultimate longhaired hippie dogs-Afghan Hounds, I chuckle when I think how Afghan aesthetics had Flower Children fooled. Afghans were quite popular with hippies in the early '70s because the dogs looked just like them but the breed's free spirit temperament and high maintenance coat made them too much work for the commune crowd. It was too hard to make a peace sign while carrying a pin brush. Besides independent Afghans never stayed put off leash during tambourine practice. Thus these Hippie Hounds were inclined to dash off for the opposite coast faster than you could say "Haight Asbury". Some time during the Age of Aquarius hippies learned laid back Labs suited their lifestyle better. Afghans went back to the show ring, lure coursing, and lounging on the sofa in style.
We now return to our regularly scheduled commercial- "The Hair of the Dog". …Are you listening Miss Clairol®? You are being offered a marketing gimmick that just might take off.Madison Avenue knows that dogs in ads evoke that warm, fuzzy feeling and sell more merchandise, so why not name your hair dye colors after appropriate breeds?
Afterall the title of the shade and the associations it conjures help to make the sale. Even before adding dogs to the equation, cosmetic companies realized the same consumer who'd snub "Murky Mud Mahogany" would grab the bottle if it were labeled "Bronze Bombshell Brunette". I stumbled on this advertising gold mine by accident when I complimented a shelter friend telling her that her new darker shade of blonde was "Afghan Hound Apricot" which happens to be my favorite color of my favorite breed. Later as I was applying a rinse to drown out my own "Schnauzers" (grays), I thought: "Wouldn't this "Ash Blonde" solution sound more provocative if renamed "Lady & the Tramp Buff"? The shade would have a sultry hint of fantasy while stirring memories of the most romantic scene in all of cinema- the Disney Dogs sharing spaghetti & meatballs al fresco while the cooks serenade. Other bottle blondes might prefer lovable, but mischievous "Goldilocks Retriever" or spunky, yet cute "Tawny Toto".
So you want to be a redhead? Leave "Awesome Auburn" on the shelf. Instead wash in some "Irish Setter Scarlet" to bring out the feisty Miss O'Hara in you, or "Vizsla Paprika", if you want a spicy Hungarian accent, reminiscent of the glamorous Gabors. Just for men- there's the literary "Big Red's Red" or "Bloodhound Blush"- macho, nose to the grindstone, plus forever faithful. Back to earth tones- discover "Collie Collage" since no one's more beloved than "Lassie"; for a sporty look, there's "Springer Spaniel Splash" or "Liquid Chocolate Lab". If you want to go darker, then select "Scrappy Scotty" or "Rottweiler Rinse". What if you prefer frosted locks? Try pert and petite "Yorkshire Yearning" to drift back to the Wuthering Heights moors of Catherine and Heathcliff; "Best In Show Brindle" to capture those Lilly Munster streaks; or "Beagle Blend" if you're hunting for adventure. Our spectrum of color hasn't forgotten the mature set. Senior citizens, try your favorite type of white. "Maltese Malted" is upper class- straight, yet snobby; "West Highland White" blots out those unsightly Lady MacBeth spots, while "Borzoi Borscht" brings you the mystique and aristocracy of Anastasia. Elderly blue-hairs, dab in some "Kerry Blue Terrier Tint". It's electric. Enough said. My "Schnauzers' are creeping back again. Time to call my groomer for a touch up.
Babylon Town Shelter (643-9270) Pets Waiting For Homes: This tiny, young male Chihuahua in the Puppy Room was found by Pathmark in N. Babylon. He's a bit scared which often happens with Chihuahuas in new situations. "Smudge" in C-3 is a super sweet spayed female cat. Theshelter at 51 Lamar St. W. Babylon is open for adoptions from 10 to 3:30 weekdays and 10 to 2:30 on Saturday.
Female: Sussex Spaniel mix Cage 29; "Hallie"- blue eyed Pit Cage 38; "Tyra"- Rottie mix Cage 42; calico "Katie" in the lobby.
Male: Bichon in Puppy Room; Beagle Cage 13; Cocker mix Cage 17; "Rocky"- Hound Cage 12.
Upcoming Pet Events: •Babylon Shelter "Buddy Cares" Pet Fair- Sun. May 17 from 1 to 4 at Tanner Park in Copiague.
•Last Hope Dog Walk & Low Cost Microchip Clinic (for dogs and cats) - Sat. May 30 from 1 to 5 at Wantagh Park-Call 661-6164 for chip info.


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Seattle area Olympian Jennie Reed has a cool new bike for '09. She's a track sprinter, so stout is of prime importance. It's all super-aero'd out and the back end is so stiff I couldn't even squeeze the rear drops at all. Her $800 Carbon track-bend bars were pretty darn cool too. I love swinging by my Local Bike Shop – you never know what you'll see!
BTW – this thing isn't so svelte. That much carbon gets a little hefty. Oh, and there are aparently only 50 of these bad boys being made. "No comment" was the response on how much the frame/fork cost.


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A vegetarian diet is a meal plan made up of foods that come mostly from plants. These include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. A vegetarian diet has little or no animal products.
Types of vegetarian diets include:
- Vegan: Diet consists of only plant-based foods.
- Lacto-vegetarian: Diet consists of plant foods plus some or all dairy products.
- Lacto-ovovegetarian: Diet consists of plant foods, dairy products, and eggs.
- Semi- or partial vegetarian: Diet consists of plant foods and may include chicken or fish, dairy products, and eggs. It does not include red meat.
Alternative Names
Lacto-ovovegetarian; Semi-vegetarian; Partial vegetarian; Vegan; Lacto-vegetarian
Healthy facts about vegetarian diets
A well-planned vegetarian diet can give you good nutrition. A vegetarian diet often helps you have better health. Eating a vegeterian diet can help you:
- Reduce your chance of obesity
- Reduce yourriskof heart disease
- Lower yourblood pressure
- Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
Compared to non-vegetarians, vegetarians usually eat:
- Fewer calories from fat (especially saturated fat)
- Fewer overall calories
- More fiber, potassium, and vitamin C
Getting enough nutrients
Anyone following a vegetarian diet needs to make sure to get enough important nutrients. This is because it may be hard to get all the calories and nutrients needed for growth and development and to maintain good health. Careful planning may be needed for certain groups of people such as:
- Young children and teens
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
- Older adults
- People with cancer, more severe lung problems, and other illnesses
Vegetarian diets are usually high in fiber. High-fiber diets may lack calories, which can lead to:
- Growth and development problems in infants and children
- Poor growth of a baby while still in a mother's womb
- Weight-loss in those who are ill or older
Vegetarian diets often lack certain vitamins and nutrients. You may want to pay attention to the following:
Vitamin B12:
- Sources include eggs, milk products, and foods that have B12 added to them (fortified).
Vitamin D:
- This vitamin is found in fatty fish, egg yolks, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D, such as soymilk and cereals.
- Zinc: Sources of this mineral include beans and foods fortified with zinc, such as milk and cereals.
Iron: This mineral is found in beans, green vegetables, and foods fortified with iron such as cereals.
- Eating foods that are high in vitamin C at the same meal as iron-rich foods increase iron absorption. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.
- Calcium: Sources of this mineral include milk, seeds, beans, nuts, green vegetables, and foods fortified with calcium such as fruit juices.
Protein: Sources of protein includefish, eggs, beans, soy products, nuts and nut butters.
If you eat fish, eggs, and dairy, getting enough protein should be easy. Even if you do not, proteins from plants can still provide a healthy diet:
- Soy protein, such as soy nuts, tofu, veggie burgers, chicken substitute, and soy cheese
- Legumes and beans, such as navy beans, split peas, chickpeas
- Nuts, peanut butter and other nut butters, almond milk
- Seeds
- Whole grains
Vegetarian diets that include some dairy products and eggs are nutritionally sound.
You may want to work with a dietitian to ensure that your nutrients are adequate.
Other Tips
When following a vegetarian diet, keep in mind the following:
- Eat different kinds of foods, including vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and dairy and eggs if your diet includes these.
- Limit foods that are high in sugar, salt (sodium), and fat.
- Do not make up for a missing nutrient by overeating another. For example, do not eat a lot of high-fat cheese to replace meat.
- Instead, choose protein sources that are low in fat, such as beans.
- If needed, take supplements if your diet lacks certain vitamins and minerals.
- Learn to read the Nutrition Facts Label on food packages. The label tells you the ingredients and nutrition contents of the foodproduct.
American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian diets. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109:1266-1282.
Craig WJ. Nutrition concerns and health effects of vegetarian diets. Nutr Clin Pract. 2010;25:613-620.
Thedford K, Raj S. A vegetarian diet for weight management. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011;111:816-818.
United States Department of Agriculture. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 2010. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 2010.
Review Date:
Reviewed By:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.


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The Leader series continues this week:
by Laura Schofer
"Not there yet," Wilton Robinson said, referring to the long civil rights struggle for African-Americans. "That's why we have to keep moving forward, stay engaged and be committed to the belief that we can all sit at America's bountiful table as one people."
Wilton Robinson of Roosevelt and formerly of Freeport, pauses. "But in order to move forward, there are times you need to look back; learn from the past so we can make things better for the future. You have to make the journey."
Over the last month or so, Mr. Robinson took that journey back to 1963, a year of momentous change for many Americans, but especially for African Americans. He was present at two events – the 50th anniversary march in Washington D.C. on August 24 to commemorate the August 28, 1963 event led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and then on September 15, he attended the 50th anniversary service to mark the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama. The past and the present had come together, "for a better future," he said. "I remain hopeful. I believe in a higher power, one that works for the good of the people."
March on Washington D.C.
On August 24, Mr. Robinson was in Washington, D.C., along with members of the 1199 organization. He, along with his mother Mary Robinson of Freeport and niece Mary, took a bus to Washington D.C, marching both in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to demand that our government not ignore the stalled economy, underemployment and a criminal justice system of mass incarceration of African American men that has been coined as the "new Jim Crow."
In 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, overlooking the Reflecting Pool, before a throng of people, black and white, Dr. King gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, calling for freedom, color blindness and the pursuit of happiness.
In 2013, Wilton Robinson stood at the King Memorial and listened to Dr. King's son, Martin Luther King III, speak about immigration reform, voting rights and the right of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," said Mr. Robinson. "He spoke about his father, about the original march and what challenges were ahead of us. It was very inspiring," he said.
"The first time everyone marched for jobs. Now we had a starting point. We could celebrate our accomplishments but also look at what needs to be done," said Mr. Robinson.
50th Anniversary Memorial Service at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
Wilton Robinson sat in the upstairs gallery of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on Sunday, September 15, exactly 50 years after the tragic bombing of the church's Sunday school that took the lives of four little girls – Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNairk, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson.
He had been invited to participate in this celebration by the church's Pastor, Reverend Arthur Price Jr, who had made the journey north last year to speak at the Roosevelt Public Library. Mr. Robinson is the library's President.
The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church is a monument to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The church served as the organizational and staging background for youth marches of the 1963 Birmingham Campaign. Ultimately, Birmingham was the site of one of the most dramatic segregation confrontations during the nonviolent movement.
Fifty years later, invited dignitaries sat at the front of the church to commemorate those times. There was Reverend Jessie Jackson, Andrew Young and Reverend Joseph Lowry. Bernice King, Dr, King's sister, was present and Attorney General Eric Holder presented the Congressional Medal of Freedom to the families of the four children killed that terrible day.
"As I sat there, it took me back to when I was a child," said Mr. Robinson. "I'd go to church and watch all the elders in the front of the church. The elders were recognized as people of stature in the community," he said. "It was very moving to be with so many people who have been a force in the civil rights movement, especially for someone of my background, someone from the South."
Mr. Robinson's great grandfather died at 103 years of age on the very land in Mobile, Alabama where he was once a slave. "I thought about my great grandfather, about my grandparents," said Mr. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson's grandfather was a Baptist minister in Alabama during the civil rights movement. "He and my grandmother were involved with the NAACP and with voter registration. It was hard," he said. "They had to meet in churches, the only place we could congregate. That's why the church in Birmingham was bombed. They knew there was organizing going on there, including a voter registration drive."
Now the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church is a symbol of racial and cultural unity representing hope and understanding. The church was designated a National Historic landmark in 2006.
The future?
"As President of the library, I want to create excitement about these [historical] events and use them to help create a brighter future," said Mr. Robinson. "We can prevail, we can succeed. We have to keep moving and one day we'll reach the mountaintop."


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2017 Mazda MX-5 Retractable Fastback: 4 little annoyances I discovered in a week
Let me start by saying I love the new Mazda MX-5 Retractable Fastback. In addition to a beautiful design, this little two-seater is fun, fast and affordable.
In terms of how it drives, I have no complaints. And during my first-look test drive, I found very few flaws– other than the fact that taller drivers and passengers might feel scrunched.
A week with the car gave me a bit more perspective. I'm not sure any of these are deal breakers – at least not for me – but they are little annoyances that you should be aware of before you buy.
No back-up camera
I thought this was particularly odd since a back-up camera will be federally mandated for the 2018 model year and the RF is all-new for 2017. The test vehicle had navigation, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, but no back-up camera.
When I pointed this out on Instagram, one of my followers bluntly stated: "Folks who need a backup camera in a Miata shouldn't have a license." I might agree if this were the soft top, but there are plenty of blind spots with the beautiful but big rear flying buttress pillars. Rear cross-traffic alert helps, but it doesn't solve all blind-spot issues.
Key needed for trunk
While the doors have passive entry, the trunk does not. So you may tuck your key away in your purse or pocket, but as soon as you need to access the trunk, you have to fish it out again.
For dudes, this might not be that big of a deal. But for a woman with a bottomless purse, finding the key once it's tucked away is like finding a needle in a haystack.
This would bother me less if there were a trunk release inside the car.
But there wasn't. At least I couldn't find one.
No auto-up windows
Now, I feel like I'm picking knits. But I drove with the top down a lot during the test week, and I really appreciated that when the top was down, I could easily tap the auto down window buttons to get the open-air experience I wanted quickly and effortlessly.
But when it was time to close up, the top mechanism put the top in place but left the windows down. And rather than auto-up windows, you had to hold the buttons until the windows went up. I know, #FirstWorldProblems.
Slow charge USB ports
Yes, another First World problem, but if you habitually charge your phone while driving, it could be a big deal.
I had my phone plugged in while I was using the Waze app during an hour-long drive, and my phone actually lost battery life rather than charging. I suppose I would have lost more if I hadn't been wired in, but still.
On the way home my battery life was below 10 percent, so I wired in again, closed all apps and put my phone on airplane mode. When I parked the car, my phone battery was only up to 40 percent after an hour and a half of charging. In contrast, when I plug in at home or while using a battery pack, I'm usually back up to around 80 percent in the same time frame.
This wouldn't be such a big deal if there were a 12-volt slot to plug in an alternative charger.
So, the upshot of all this is, if you're a driver looking for a fun car to drive, the MX-5 has your back. And, for the base price of $32,430, you can't beat the experience. Just be sure to bring a portable battery charger for your phone.


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You might have read lately about "adventure" or "gravel" bikes. Part cyclocross bike, part road bike, part touring bike, these rides are designed to help you go anywhere your imagination can take you—on or off road.
Over the past few weeks we got a chance to test out Diamondback's Haanjo. We loved it so much that after the test was over we bought one for ourselves.
About The Bike
The Haanjo comes in two models, both of which we got to test out. Both are built around a high end aluminum frame and fork, with disc brake mounts, fender mounts, and rear rack mounts. The geometry of the Haanjo is pretty relaxed, with huge tire clearance (both bikes come with WTB All Terrain 32mm tires). The emphasis here is clearly on keeping the bike capable of going off road while staying stable and comfortable for the rider.
The Haanjo Comp comes with a Shimano 105 10-speed road group, short cage rear derailleur with an 11-28T cassette, drop bars, FSA Gossamer 46/36 'cross crankset, and TRP's exceptional Hy/Rd mechanically-activated disc brakes.
The Haanjo comes with a Shimano Sora 9-speed flat bar road group, long cage rear derailleur with an 11-30T cassette, flat bars, FSA Gossamer 46/36 'cross crankset, and Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes.
We tested both bikes.
Unboxing and Set Up
Unboxing and set up for both bikes was pretty straight forward, since the bikes come 90% assembled. Just put the front wheel on, put the handlebars in the stem, and install the seatpost/saddle (already assembled). Each bike also comes with a pair of platform pedals, spare spokes, and some zip ties whose purpose remains a mystery, since they weren't really necessary for setup.
Both bikes did need to have the brakes and derailleurs adjusted, but it wasn't anything too major. The Avid BB5 brakes set up like any other mechanical disc brakes. The TRP brakes can be a little more frustratingly simple, so let us save you the headache: look for the knob with a picture of a lock on it. Unthread it counter clockwise until it pops up out of the socket. This will unlock the actuating arm. Once that is done, proceed much like you would with any other mechanical disc brake set up.
We added our own pedals, bottle cages, and saddle packs.
The Ride
After spending a few days riding the Haanjo, we pretty much fell in love with the bike. It rode like no other bike we've ever tested… and we ride a lot of bikes. The best word we can think of to describe the ride feel is "confidence". Whether we were on the road or on the trail, on the flat bar version or the drop bar version, we always felt confident in the bike's ability to handle anything in its path.
The bike actually feels less like a CX bike-meets-road bike than it does a rigid mountain bike-meets-road bike…something that sounds admittedly dubious in theory but turns out to be amazing in reality. The Haanjo is easily the most versatile bike we've ever ridden. It doesn't really excel in any one thing—it's not as fast or lively as a road bike, nor as capable and controllable as a mountain bike—but it does very well in pretty much everything.
On the road the bike accelerates nicely, with smooth, predictable handling. The geometry on both bikes is also really nice for long days on the bike. The tall head tube, and slung-back geometry put you in a nice upright position that makes it easy on the back. The aluminum frame and fork feel nice and stiff for fairly snappy acceleration without any noticeable frame flex (even with a loaded rack on the back). Surprisingly we didn't get any of the harsh road chatter we expected from this full aluminum rig, and the ride felt plush and comfortable. The WTB tires aren't exactly the best for road riding, since the beefy tread and increased rolling resistance can slow your roll a little. For extended road riding, we replaced the WTB All Terrains with some Continental Gatorskin Hardshell 700x25c road tires.
Off road, the bike was just awesome. The handling almost felt more like we were riding a 29" mountain bike, instead of a twitchy CX bike. Thanks to the more upright geometry we were even able to take the bike over some more technical sections of trail without worrying about it too much—we felt totally in control of the bike. Off-road is also where the WTB tires came into their own. They really hooked into the trail nicely, with plenty of grip in the corners and hills, so we had the confidence to go full bore when we wanted to. The easy CX-style gearing meant that we had plenty of low-end gearing to make it up even the hardest inclines.
The stopping power of both the Avid and TRP disc brakes was impressive, even in the rain, mud, and dirt.
The Verdict
Just awesome. If, in some sad alternate world, we could only own one bike, it would easily be the Haanjo. Its ability to literally do anything and go anywhere is unmatched. Sometimes with a bike like this, one that tries to be all things to all people, you end up with a bike that's really nothing to anybody— but not in this case. Diamondback really cracked the code and delivered up something truly remarkable… which might be why every shipment we get sells through so quickly.
We did everything on the Haanjo: commuting, road riding, trail riding, gravel riding, bike camping with a fully loaded rack. The Haanjo is a bike that's limited only by your imagination.
When the test was over and we had to give the bikes back, we were a little sad. So sad in fact that we decided to go out and get ourselves a Haanjo flat bar. We look forward to seeing where it takes us in the days ahead.


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Brussels, 21 March 2012
New EU Agency for managing large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice
Why a new EU Agency?
The European Commission is responsible for managing a number of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice. These systems facilitate information exchange between national authorities, thereby contributing to a secure environment and guaranteeing adequate protection of fundamental rights.
These systems need to be continuously available and kept technologically up-to-date. The Commission, the European Parliament and the Council decided that a dedicated Agency would be best equipped to contribute with the right balance of institutional relevance, specialisation and legitimacy towards end users.
The Regulation establishing the Agency (Regulation 1077/201) was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in October 2011.
What will be the tasks of the new Agency?
The core task of the Agency will be to keep the SIS II, VIS and EURODAC systems functioning 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring the continuous, uninterrupted exchange of data between national authorities. The Agency will also be responsible for the adoption of measures necessary to ensure the security of the systems and the security of data, organising training for IT experts on the systems under its management, publishing reports and statistics and monitoring research relevant for the operational management of the systems.
The Agency will take full account of the need to maintain the complete separation of data in the three IT systems under its management. It will also ensure that security and data protection requirements are fully met. This will provide a more cost effective, secure and accountable solution than managing the systems in isolation.
Who will run the Agency?
The Agency was set up in the form of a Regulatory Agency. It is governed by a Management Board with one representative from each Member State and two from the European Commission. The countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and measures related to EURODAC will also participate in the Agency. The Agency will be assisted by advisory groups composed of representatives from Member States which participate in the IT systems and a representative of the Commission. Europol and Eurojust will also be able to attend these meetings within the remit of their competences.
Which IT systems will be managed by the Agency?
The IT Agency will initially be responsible for the operational management of three large-scale information technology (IT) systems developed by the European Commission in the area of freedom, security and justice:
Where will the Agency be located?
The seat of the Agency will be in Tallinn (Estonia), while the operational management of the large-scale systems will be carried out in Strasbourg (France), with a backup site in Sankt Johann im Pongau (Austria).
When will it be operational?
The Agency is due to become fully operational as of December 2012. From that time onwards, it will be responsible for the operational management of EURODAC and VIS and will start preparations with a view to taking over operational management of SIS II in March 2013, once this system enters into operation.
Recruitment procedures are in progress. The initial priority will be to set up the technical units in Strasbourg that will take over the operational management of the systems as of 1 December 2012, as well as the backbone of the support units in Estonia, in particular, the administrative services, human resources management, finance and procurement and legal advice functions. The Agency's 2012 establishment plan provides for the recruitment of 75 staff members this year. An additional 45 people will be recruited in 2013 when the Agency is due to progressively move towards implementing the full range of tasks assigned to it.
Selection procedures for the Agency's Executive Director are in progress and it is expected that the successful candidate will take up his/her post in the autumn of 2012.
A medium term vision for the Agency
A dedicated, specialised Agency will be able to achieve important synergies and economies of scale, as all three existing IT systems will be under common management. After the start-up phase, the Agency will be able to gradually build expertise and know-how to eventually become a centre of excellence for the development and management of large scale IT systems in a policy area that supports the security and the free movement of people within the Union. Accordingly, should new IT systems be considered necessary to further uphold policy implementation in this area, their development and operation could, in the future, rely on the Agency's facilities and competencies.
For more information
See IP/12/258
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text: Got the phone at 11AM, scratched screen by 4PM. (no longer)Dissapointed Just like the title says, within 5 hours of owning this phone I have a large scratch on the screen. I have yet to bring it back to best buy as I am still at work, but hopefully they will sort me out with a replacement. I absolutely LOVE the phone otherwise, but from what I've seen these screens are quite fragile. It was in its own pocket most of the day for crying out loud! If BB replaces it the first thing I'm doing is buying a screen protector.


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Personal Travel Expert - John Lewis Oxford Street
- Recruiter
- Kuoni
- Location
- Oxford Street, London
- Salary
- Competitive salary plus uncapped commission
- Posted
- 20 Jan 2017
- Closes
- 20 Feb 2017
- Sector
- Travel Agency
- Job function
- Sales
- Hours
- Full Time
- Contract Type
- Permanent
We Live and Love Travel.... Do you?
There's a very simple reason why Kuoni consistently tops the awards, it's thanks to our outstanding teams who go the extra mile to craft the perfect holiday which is completely personalised to the customer, and it's what we are famous for. We are proud to be a 'Best Companies' employer and believe in treating our people as well as our customers.
Working as Personal Travel Expert in a Kuoni store it's all about you….
You will travel the world, you will sell the world
You will be empowered to be creative and innovative in how you build your relationships with your customers
You will be able to engage your customers in a true omni-channel environment
You will have a welcoming, positive, team orientated environment to work in.
You will be rewarded for your hard work and dedication with an uncapped bonus scheme and incentives.
We look for "Kuoni-ness"…... have you got it?
A positive outlook
Passionate about delivering excellent service
Desire to learn and continually expand your destination knowledge
'Can do' attitude where nothing is too much trouble
Flexibility to adapt in a changing environment
And, of course, well-travelled
If this sounds like you, join us as we continue to go the extra mile to craft the perfect holiday which is completely personalised to the customer in our fantastic Oxford Street store based in John Lewis.
Similar jobs


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TORONTO (AP) James van Riemsdyk kept the Buffalo Sabres reeling on Thursday night.
Van Riemsdyk scored twice to power the Toronto Maple Leafs past the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in Ron Rolston's first game as an NHL head coach.
Rolston, who until Wednesday was the head coach of the AHL's Rochester Americans, was hired as the Sabres interim coach following the club's decision to fire Lindy Ruff. Ruff, who also played 10 seasons for Buffalo, had been behind the club's bench since 1997 and was the NHL's longest-tenured head coach.
Prior to arriving in Rochester, Rolston spent seven seasons as a head coach with USA Hockey's national program, leading the under-18 squad to three gold medals and a silver in four world championship appearances.
Van Riemsdyk played for Rolston for two years, earning a world championship gold medal in 2006 before getting silver the following year.
``He's a big reason for the success I've been able to have as a hockey player,'' van Riemsdyk said. ``He really kind of instilled that confidence and trust that he had in me as a player and he put me out there in pretty much every situation in every game and allowed me to grow.
``There was obviously some growing pains my first year, but the second year I was able to blossom under his tutelage and I feel thankful for everything he taught me.''
But Rolston could only watch as the Sabres dropped their third straight and fifth of their past six games.
``I thought we played well in parts of the game,'' Rolston said. ``I didn't like our second period, obviously it was the turning point.
``We had too many turnovers, we were forcing things, long shifts in the defensive zone. It was the difference.''
Toronto erased a 1-0, first-period deficit with two goals in the second.
``The second period wasn't good enough,'' said Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who turned aside 33 shots. ``We stopped doing some things we did early in the game and it caught up with us.''
Van Riemsdyk's power-play goal at 14:28 of the third - his team-leading 11th - gave Toronto breathing room after Miller stopped him with a glove save earlier on the power play.
Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said van Riemsdyk's work away from the puck was a big reason for his success.
``He probably skated as strong in this hockey game as any game he has this year,'' Carlyle said. ``It's good to see him move his feet and be rewarded.
``I think if he continues to skate and move his feet the way he did tonight, I don't think he shouldn't continue to score if he's going to stay around the net and go into those tough areas.
``He's going to continue to play with our top-six grouping of forwards and he's going to maintain power play time, all of those things should indicate he can continue to make contributions. It's all up to him.''
Dion Phaneuf also scored for Toronto, which won its third straight home game. Ben Scrivens stopped 31 shots for his third win in five starts since James Reimer's knee injury Feb. 11.
Tyler Ennis scored for Buffalo.
Buffalo outshot Toronto 13-10 in the first period and also had the period's lone goal. Ennis scored his sixth of the season with high wrist shot to Scrivens' blocker side at 13:20.
Both goaltenders were sharp as Miller made a quality save on Toronto's Leo Komarov while Scrivens twice denied Thomas Vanek with a nice split-pad save.
``You just try to get on a roll and stop as many pucks as possible,'' Scrivens said of his stop on Vanek. ``Obviously I was fortunate he wasn't able to get the rebound up on me, but I gave myself an opportunity to make the save.
``Maybe a little bit of both hard work by me and unfortunate luck on his part.''
Phaneuf's one-timer with four seconds remaining on a power play at 1:15 of the second tied it. The goal was the 100th of Phaneuf's NHL career.
Buffalo's Steve Ott put a backhand past Scrivens at 7:08, but it was disallowed because of a goalie interference penalty on Kevin Porter.
Van Riemsdyk put Toronto ahead 2-1 at 18:04, converting a nifty 2-on-1 break with Phil Kessel as the Leafs outshot Buffalo 15-6.
``We didn't start very well. ... we got our skating game going in the second,'' Carlyle said. ``And once we can get on that forecheck and continue to throw that puck in and come at teams in waves, we can be an effective team grinding teams down.''
``That's what we felt the case was tonight because we didn't skate very well and were fortunate to get out of the first period with the score what it was.''
Notes: NBA slam dunk champion Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors took in the game. ... Toronto wore its third sweater for the fourth of eight games this season. ... Toronto entered the game leading the NHL in hits (476) and fighting majors (20). ... The Sabres and Leafs will meet once more this season, March 21 in Buffalo. ... Rolston has been Rochester's head coach since the 2011-'12 season, having compiled a 63-44-17 record.


text: Seller: earths.ancient.gifts (29,694) 100%, Location: Taylorsville, Utah, Ships to: Worldwide, Item: 401547438370 Hello, here is a nice and 100% Authentic Late Stone Age to Upper Paleolithic Early Man artifact - atlatl, arrowhead, tool, scraper or knife - that dates to around 55,000 - 12,000 B.P.! It is believed that the Aterian tool technology may have been used by both Cro Magnon Man and Neanderthals as there was at least one Aterian site that reportedly dates back to around 80,000 B.C. !! It was found on an eroded site in the Sahara Desert - Algeria, North Africa. This Artifact measures a nice! 8.26cm or 3 5/16" in length! Combine and save on shipping.PAYMENT An invoice will be emailed to you within 24 hours. Payment is expected within 7 days, unless you have notified us that you would like to combine items. SHIPPING & HANDLING Domestic: USPS Priority Mail $6.95 or First Class Mail $3.95 International: USPS First Class Mail to Canada $9.95 or Worldwide $13.95 COMBINE AND SAVE ON SHIPPING! INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: Import duties and taxes are not included in the item price or the shipping charges. These are the buyers responsibility. If you are concerned about them, please check with your country's customs office before purchasing. RETURN POLICY We guarantee you will be satisfied with your item or we'll refund your purchase price, less shipping charge, upon safe return of the item in original condition within 14 days. Prior to returning the item, please contact us within 48 hours of receiving item. If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 24 hours of receiving as we will be happy to resolve any issue. Buyer is responsible for all return shipping charges. Material: Stone, Original/Reproduction: Original, Early Man artifact: Aterian Artifact


text:
Though Sens, Joe Manchin (R) of W. Va and Pat Toomey (R) of Penn. have reached a deal on background checks to take form as an amendment to the Senate gun control bill, a key piece of the White House's gun control plan is at risk of failure – specifically, the process by which law enforcement agencies trace the original source of a gun sale during criminal investigations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is using 1960s era technology to manage a 21st century problem. As gun traces increase under stepped up enforcement, the system must be updated in order to keep up.
The ATF's Firearms Tracing System is used to determine the "chain of custody" of confiscated weapons by matching serial numbers and other descriptive information to manufacturer and points-of-sale records. That information is used by investigators to link guns to suspects and to uncover potential trafficking.
You might think the feds would employ state-of-the-art computers to deliver the gun tracing information to police investigators within a few minutes, but far from it. The ATF's "system" is largely a manual process based on the use of microfiche, the same technology that libraries have been using for 50 years to archive newspapers and magazines.
When a trace request comes in to the ATF's National Tracing Center in Martinsburg, W. Va., employees trek to the microfiche department, where 500 million records are stored. They use special readers that magnify the itsy-bitsy images and report their findings. Urgent requests are turned around within 24 hours, but the process generally takes five days, sometimes longer.
That's not nearly good enough. The ATF processed 350,000 gun traces last year, a workload that's been growing and will continue to rise as lawmakers, in the wake of the Newtown tragedy, turn their attention to what had been a routine law-enforcement function. In mid-January, when President Obama introduced 23 executive orders on gun safety, he also issued a memo requiring federal law enforcement to submit trace requests for all guns recovered during criminal investigations.
The ATF, part of the Department of Justice, knows it has a problem in fulfilling that mandate. Earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder paid a visit to the National Tracing Center to have a look for himself. There's only one conclusion Holder could possibly reach: The Firearms Tracing System needs an overhaul.
ATF's chief information officer, Richard Holgate, euphemistically describes the microfiche system as a "target of opportunity." He would like to replace it with a faster, more efficient digital imaging system at a cost of about $4 million. That's not cheap, but it's a small price to pay to expedite a process that supports one of the White House's top priorities – and public safety. The ATF's overall tech budget this year is about $80 million, minus some $15 million if sequestration takes full effect.
Yet, as important as it is, upgrading the Firearms Tracing System hasn't made its way to the top of the ATF's to-do list. Mr. Holgate has had his hands full with other projects, including transitioning the agency's email system to cloud computing, making aggregate gun-trace data available to the public, and moving email records to an online archive.
As the ATF contemplates its next move, one step that's not an option is deployment of a modern database of gun owners or firearms registrations, which would really speed the tracing process up. While technically feasible, that's prohibited by the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986. The gun lobby wants to make sure that restriction remains in place.
The ATF must instead concentrate on accessing and integrating the records that are available under current law. As a step in that direction, it created a web application called eTrace that lets law enforcement agencies request gun traces online. The ATF could use computer-integration software and web technologies to streamline other parts of the gun-tracing process.
Other federal computer systems involved in gun enforcement are also in need of attention. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System buckled under a spike in activity late last year when the prospect of stiffer federal laws prompted a surge in gun sales. The FBI is bringing in Accenture Federal Systems to modernize the system.
But the National Instant Criminal Background Check System doesn't exist in a vacuum; the ATF operates a referral system that ties into it. When a would-be gun buyer completes an application, an ATF Form 4473, the FBI has three days to complete a background check before that transaction is allowed to proceed. If disqualifying information is discovered after a sale goes through, ATF agents have the sensitive job of repossessing the firearm. Those potentially dangerous situations could be minimized if the FBI and ATF were better at information sharing.
The bottom line is that the White House's gun safety initiative will only work if the computer systems involved are up to the job. When it takes 60 seconds to fire 45 rounds, but 24 hours to trace the gun, Washington has a major technology fix-it project on its hands.
John Foley covers federal information technology (IT) policy as editor of InformationWeek Government. His recent columns include "ATF's Gun Tracing System Is A Dud" and "Federal Gun Control Requires IT Overhaul." Follow him on Twitter at @jfoley09.


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Looking to hide your happy pills in plain sight? Need to keep your Viagra on you at all times but have no secure place to stash it? You never know when you're gonna get lucky (Just don't pop your pill before hopping on a 10-hour flight).
Check out these extravagant "stash rings" or "poison rings," which are specially designed to hide a single Viagra pill. You can also get them in different shapes to hide other pills. Or if you're a Bond villain, one of these'll surely come in handy next time ol' 007 is in town for a card game and looks the other way for a sec while he's holding one of his signature martinis.


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Carol's "Field of Fennel" Room
Like this entry? Favorite it below!
- Name:
- Carol
- Location:
- Watertown, MA
- Division:
- Light
- Inspiration for my palette:
- I saw the wall color in a home of a client's and knew I had to have this color in my bedroom because it has such a calming, peaceful feel. The Sticky Weed stencil from the Stencil Library, has always been a favorite of mine. I wanted to feel like I was falling asleep and waking up in a forest of these flowers, so stenciled them on the headboard wall, wrapping them around onto the two adjacent walls.
- Colors used in my room:
- A very pale blue green (Ben Moore's Quiet Moments) for the base color of the walls; white with pearlescent highlights for the stenciled flowers; yellow, white, gray and tan accents. A pop of color with the distressed blue chair.
- Tips for using color successfully:
- Don't settle for colors in your home that do not make you smile when you walk into each room. Think outside of the box. It's only paint, you can always repaint if you find it does not work for you.
- Palette:
- Field of Fennel


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Agriculture students prepare for tomato crop
This past Friday, students from the Fruit and Vegetable Production class (AG 4302) met at the field for their lab. They constructed a hoop house, which consists of PVC pipe and warming tarp.
The purpose? To draw heat into the tunnel and trap it. Tomatoes prefer climates that are consistently warm, so the hoop house will keep them at their preferred temperature until the cooler temperatures leave the Central Texas area.
Want more information? Visit the farm's Facebook page.
All photos by Bethany Hicks


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To + verb
For + noun/gerund
I stopped to have lunch.
I stopped for lunch.
I am currently teaching about 25 intermediate/advanced students. Their mother tongue is spanish and I am having a heck of a time explaining the usage of "to" and "for". I do not have a problem explaining them seperately however the questions occur when it is not clear which word to use.
Can you give me some help, please.
To + verb
For + noun/gerund
I stopped to have lunch.
I stopped for lunch.
That is a bit simplistic for what I am looking for. The problem exists because in Spanish they use "para" which is roughly translated into to and for. Hence, the problem occur with sentences like:
I listen to music.
In this case, your rule does not apply. Should I be teaching the verbs with there respective prepositions and the rule? For me it is not an issue but all of my students have a difficult time grasping the concept.
There are so many different prepositional uses. Many have to be learned on a case by case basis. The rule I gave is a simple one that covers the basic dual use of 'para'. However, there are many exceptions where preposition is governed by collocation; in your example, would any Spanish speaker try to use 'para' there? I don't speak Spanish, but know Portuguese, and the Portuguese would be more likely to use nothing with 'listen'.
To and ForOriginally Posted by margreen
Use "to" to express
1. destination 1. Were going to Paris.
2. before (in time) 2. Its a quarter to 2.
3. until 3. Well be in the office from 5 to 6.
4. comparison 4. He won by 2 games to 3.
I prefer sleeping to working.
5. receiver 5. I gave the present to her.
Use "for" to express
1. intended to belong to 1. This is for you.
2. length of time 2. Weve lived here for 2 years.
3. an arrangement 3. I made an appointment for May 3.
4. in favor of 4. Are you for or against nuclear arms?
5. reason 5. What did you do that for?
6. purpose ( + noun) 6. Lets go out for a meal.
7. movement towards 7. They left for America this morning.
8. on behalf of (to help somebody) 8. Ive cut my finger. Could you please
write a note for me?


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Law School Admissions / Re: DO NOT GO TO LAW SCHOOL!!!« on: July 13, 2012, 05:16:41 PM »
I find your (relative) support for night school to be an interesting angle (disclaimer: I am a non-trad considering a night school program, because I am finding my job/career/field is getting moving into an era where law/policy/contract details are becoming more important factors). I am a big fan of the idea that many of the great opportunities in the near future (e.g. next 30-50 years) will be an the intersection of multiple disciplines, and those people that find successful combinations of skills across disciplines can be in a nice position to capitalize.
An obvious downside to this is the amount of time and effort this takes. Not only does one need to develop skills in multiple fields, be prepared to stay relevant in these area, and the need to make and maintain contacts across said fields. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
One generic modification I would suggest to your career advice would be for those people who are starting out to consider things outside their region. There is no reason to limit your opportunities due to happenstance of your current residence.
Yes, I absolutely agree. It seems like you have a solid plan and are looking into law school with a clear objective of enhancing your earning prospects within an existing career while not quitting work for 3 years. MBA programs cater to people like you. I think the night law "stigma" if there ever was one is largely gone and people view it as a smart way to get ahead. It is only an extra year if you can hack working and studying.
the night law people I've met have always seemed to be a bit extra bright and motivated as a group.
I would add to my original advice that you could talk to lawyers and find out what their bread and butter business clients do. Typically, there are far less outside lawyers than people working for the client directly as business people. Often those business jobs are easier to get and possibly pay the same or more.