text:
Statement by the Commissioner of Social Security
Fiscal Year 2004 Appropriation Requests
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am pleased to be here today to present the fiscal year (FY) 2004 appropriation requests of the Social Security Administration (SSA). I appreciate the Committee's interest and support of the Social Security Administration in the past, and I look forward to continuing to work with you.
Overview of SSA's Programs and Overall Budget
I will begin by providing you with a brief overview of the programs that SSA administers and the Agency's overall budget. SSA touches the lives of virtually every American because Social Security's programs provide protection against loss of earnings due to retirement, disability, and death. While it is often thought of as a retirement program, Social Security also provides benefits to disabled workers and their families, as well as to surviving family members of deceased workers.
Social Security benefits have significantly improved the economic well being of the nation. Poverty among the elderly has been reduced by 54 percent over the past 30 years. In 2002, 91 percent of people 65 or over were receiving benefits. In addition, Social Security disability and survivors benefits are a critical source of income for workers and families during a vulnerable time in their lives. About 9 out of 10 Americans age 21 through 64 who work in covered employment can count on receiving benefits if they become disabled. Approximately 98 percent of children under 18 and spouses with children in their care under 16 can also count on benefits if a working parent dies.
SSA also administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program which is funded from general revenues, not through Social Security taxes, and provides payments to needy individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled.
For FY 2004, about 98 percent of the $535 billion that SSA will outlay will be paid in the form of monthly benefits to more than 50 million beneficiaries. SSA's administrative expenses are less than 2 percent of total outlays.
SSA has four appropriation requests before this Committee: Limitation on Administrative Expenses, Office of the Inspector General, Supplemental Security Income, and Payments to Social Security Trust Funds. Social Security trust fund benefit payments are permanently appropriated, and therefore are not part of the budget requests before this Committee. But, it is important to note that the administrative resources that SSA needs in order to pay benefits and to manage the Social Security programs are part of the appropriation requests that we are asking you to support.
Consistent with Public Law 107-275, the Black Lung Consolidation of Administrative Responsibility Act, which transferred responsibility for the Part B Black Lung program to the Department of Labor, the SSA budget no longer includes resources for Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners.
Beginning with FY 2004, consistent with the Administration's plan to transfer the Medicare hearings function to the Department of Health and Human Services, SSA's annual budget request does not include the resources that would be needed to process Medicare hearings. The President's budget now includes the Medicare hearings function under the Department of Health and Human Services, which is accountable by law for management and administration of the Medicare program.
The President's commitment to current and future beneficiaries is clear. This request includes $8.53 billion for our Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) account, $90 million for the Office of the Inspector General, and $30 million for research. SSA's administrative budget is driven by the size of the programs we administer - both in terms of the work we do and the number of people we need to do it - and by our continuing efforts to improve service, efficiency and program integrity. This budget is an increase of 7.5 percent over the FY 2003 President's budget request, and effectively an 8.5 percent increase after adjusting for Medicare hearings costs in FY 2003 that are not in SSA's budget for FY 2004.
We are extremely pleased with the President's request, which we believe reflects a tremendous vote of confidence for SSA employees given their performance results last year. Our disability components completed a 7-year plan to become current with continuing disability reviews and exceeded FY 2002 goals in processing initial claims, despite an unexpected surge in disability claims filed. Our hearings offices cleared more than 530,000 hearings, almost 10 percent above their goal. Overall, SSA achieved a 5.1 percent productivity increase in FY 2002.
SSA's Service Delivery Assessment
SSA began a Service Delivery Assessment last year with a focus on the processing of claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) and SSI disability benefits because, from both a cost and service perspective, these programs present the greatest challenges. While costs associated with administering these two programs represent approximately two-thirds of SSA's administrative expenses, backlogs in disability-related workloads have been growing each year and disability processing times are too long. Ongoing workload receipts are rising as the baby boom generation enters the disability-prone and retirement years. An unexpected near-term surge in disability claims is exacerbating the problem.
Although approximately 40 percent of disability claims are approved within three and a half months of initial application, for applicants who exercise all administrative appeal rights provided under current law and current processes, an average of 1,153 days is required for a final Agency decision. Based on our analysis, almost 50 percent of this time in the process is caused by the backlog of cases.
The lengthy delay in service caused by backlogs is not unique to disability claims. SSA is facing enormous difficulties in keeping up with all of its work and in providing timely, responsive service to the public. Backlogs also exist in postentitlement workloads.
In addition, other large special workloads, including 467,000 special disability cases and 240,000 workers' compensation cases, will require a substantial dedication of the Agency's resources to ensure that affected beneficiaries receive benefits to which they are entitled.
Although we have not yet completed the detailed Service Delivery Assessment for all service areas, it is clear that eliminating backlogs and processing special workloads are prerequisites for providing good service to the public.
We recognize that constraints in resources and the projected growth in workloads require that we do business differently. Evidenced by our performance last year, as we complete the Service Delivery Assessment for each service area, we are committed to identifying systems and process improvements, implementing needed changes, and increasing Agency efficiency.
President's Request for SSA's Limitation on Administrative Expenses
Approval of the President's budget request will help SSA move toward meeting long-term goals by funding 2,275 additional workyears. SSA will be able to process over a hundred thousand additional initial disability claims compared to actual FY 2002 levels, which will enable the Agency to keep up with this important workload and to lower processing times for the American public. The President's budget also will enable SSA to begin to work down special disability and workers' compensation-related workloads to ensure beneficiaries are paid the right amount. The special disability cases involve SSI recipients who may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits because they have earned sufficient work credits to qualify for the Social Security program. The workers' compensation cases involve cases where disability beneficiaries' workers' compensation payments changed, but SSA was not made aware of the change.
Recognizing that SSA must improve its business practices, the President's budget provides the resources we will need to transform our paper-driven disability claims process to an electronic process in order to improve service and efficiency. The budget also supports initiatives that will continue to make it easier for the public to conduct business with SSA over the Internet or through automated telephone service as well as initiatives that will increase productivity in service delivery.
Additionally, the budget includes dedicated funding of $1.4 billion to ensure adequate resources for important and cost-effective workloads that reduce erroneous payments - continuing disability reviews, SSI non-disability redeterminations, and overpayment actions. This dedicated funding can help SSA effectively balance providing good service for millions of citizens and good stewardship for the American taxpayer.
It is important to note that the President's FY 2004 request assumes enactment of his FY 2003 request. We are currently assessing the impact of the across-the-board reduction and the higher pay raise in the FY 2003 omnibus appropriations bill on our performance goals in both FYs 2003 and 2004.
Keeping Up With Core Workloads
One of SSA's highest priorities is to improve service in the disability programs from initial claim through final review. The disability benefits provided through the Social Security and SSI programs assist our nation's most vulnerable populations - children and adults who are disabled. The length of time the disability determination process currently takes is unacceptable.
Initial disability claims are processed by State employees at State Disability Determination Service agencies which are fully funded by SSA. In FY 2002, the average time to reach a decision on a new claim was 104 days, or about three and a half months. Individuals whose initial claims are denied can pursue their claims through three levels of administrative appeal. Although most claims are resolved at the initial step or at the first level of appeal, individuals who exhaust all levels of administrative appeal can expect the process from initial contact with SSA to final decision to take about three years. Worse yet, the time spent actually working on the claim by Federal and State workers, while spread over the three years, only totals up to seven days. The rest of the time, cases either sit waiting to be processed, or are delayed for various reasons such as the collection of medical evidence or giving claimants time to request the next step in the administrative appeal process.
It is clear from our Service Delivery Assessment that we must reduce backlogs to significantly decrease processing times. In recent years, substantial backlogs of claims have accumulated because SSA has been unable to process all the claims received. In FYs 2003 and 2004, we plan to keep up with receipts of initial disability claims despite growing workloads -- the first time since 1997 that backlogs in initial disability claims will not grow. In FY 2004, we expect a small improvement in average initial disability claims processing time from 104 days to 103 days.
We also plan to process a significantly greater number of SSA hearings in FY 2004 compared to FY 2003. However, our ability to reduce hearings backlogs is affected by the number of initial disability claims and reconsiderations processed. As we process more cases in these initial steps, we expect that hearings backlogs will initially increase due to the substantial growth in hearings receipts. In addition, our current inability to replace Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) who retire or leave - due to the hiring prohibition as a result of the Azdell decision1 - has the potential to seriously affect our ability to reduce hearings backlogs. We will be examining temporary means for supplementing our ALJ corps in adjudicating hearings in the event that the ALJ hiring prohibition continues indefinitely.
Processing Special Workloads
We have three special workloads that we urgently need to process as expeditiously as possible due to the amount of time affected individuals may have been paid incorrectly and/or to prevent future erroneous payments. Due to the size and complexity of the workloads, we have developed a realistic, multi-year plan to work the cases. Without adequate funding, we are unable to process these workloads without adversely affecting ongoing service delivery and stewardship activities.
Special Disability Workload
One of the conditions for eligibility to SSI is that individuals file for any other benefits they may be eligible to receive. A large number of SSI recipients have been identified who may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance payments because they have earned sufficient work credits to qualify for the Disability Insurance program. To keep this from happening in the future, we have rewritten computer programs and retrained technical employees to identify eligibility as it occurs.
Although our corrective actions will prevent a recurrence of this backlog, we still must review nearly a half-million special disability workload cases. We have trained employees and established cadres who began processing these cases in FY 2002. Due to the complexity of this workload, our hands-on experience has demonstrated that these cases require significantly more time to review than originally expected. We expect to complete processing the entire workload over several years. In FY 2004, the President's budget allocates $142 million to process these cases.
Workers' Compensation Workload
A number of Disability Insurance beneficiaries have been identified whose workers' compensation payments changed, but SSA was not made aware of the change. Since the amount of workers' compensation can affect the amount of disability benefits a person is eligible to receive, some of these individuals have been paid incorrect amounts of Social Security disability benefits. SSA is reviewing the cases and verifying the amount of workers' compensation payments to ensure that correct Social Security benefits are being paid. In FY 2004, we expect to process 40,000 cases.
SSI Pre-effectuation Reviews
In addition to the special workloads, we expect to process a new workload based on the President's proposal to require SSA to review at least 50 percent of the favorable decisions for SSI disability and blindness cases involving adults by FY 2005. This supports the President's management reform to reduce erroneous payments and will improve the accuracy and integrity of the SSI and Medicaid programs. Since the Social Security Disability Insurance program already requires pre-effectuation reviews, this will apply consistency across both disability programs. We expect that this workload will result in SSI program savings of hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Congress has indicated support for this proposal. The House of Representatives recently passed the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2003, which includes a provision requiring SSA to review at least 20 percent of favorable SSI disability determinations in FY 2004; at least 40 percent in FY 2005; and at least 50 percent in FY 2006. In addition, in the previous Congress, the Senate Finance Committee reported legislation with a similar provision for pre-effectuation reviews of SSI allowances. The phase-in period for these proposals is different from the President's budget proposal. The Administration is committed to working with both the House and Senate to ensure that the legislation is consistent with the President's budget.
Implementing Service and Stewardship Improvements
We are currently engaged in the second phase of our Service Delivery Assessment to identify mid- and long-term strategies to reduce remaining delay time in the disability decision process that is within our control. Our initial analysis shows us that there is no one way to make the disability decision process faster and better. More efficient processing will require many improvements - some large, some small, both near- and long-term - to achieve our service goal. It is important to recognize that even with infinite resources and the best laid plans, the workload challenges SSA faces cannot be fully addressed in one year. They are the result of a multi-year build up of backlogs and service delivery issues that began in the 1990s, and a multi-year strategy is required to address them.
As we develop proposals for mid- and long-term changes to our disability processes and policies, we also are making several nearer-term improvements, which I will discuss briefly. Together, these actions should begin reducing processing times, improve the process for both claimants and employees, and increase efficiency.
Accelerating the Electronic Disability Initiative (AeDib)
To reduce delays as a result of mailing, locating and organizing paper folders, SSA is accelerating its transition to an electronic disability process. AeDib is a major Agency initiative that will move all components (i.e., the field office, the State Disability Determination Service, the hearings office, the quality assurance office) involved in disability claims adjudication and review to an electronic business process through the use of an electronic disability folder.
When the process is fully implemented, components will be able to work claims by electronically accessing information that is collected, produced and stored as part of the electronic disability folder. AeDib will significantly change the business process and the ways components interact with disability claims. It will contribute to SSA performance objectives of more timely and efficient adjudication at all levels, and will increase Agency efficiency. This budget supports substantial progress towards national implementation of AeDib by the end of FY 2004.
Improving the Initial Disability Determination Process
SSA has engaged in a number of efforts to redesign and improve the disability determination process by testing several initiatives over the past several years. We carefully reviewed the results of these initiatives to identify the elements that show the most promise. Based on this review, we have decided to:
- Encourage early and frequent contacts with claimants during the development process;
- Eliminate the claimant conference at the end of the process; and
- Temporarily extend the "elimination of reconsideration step" feature in the Prototype States that are currently doing this, while SSA develops an alternative approach.
Improving the Appeals Process
The amount of time the SSA appeals process takes has been a major concern. The Hearings Process Improvements (HPI) initiative, which was implemented in 2000, has not worked. Based on analysis of HPI, SSA has made the following near-term changes to the hearings process:
- Include ALJs in early case screening to more quickly identify cases for dismissal and possible on-the-record decisions;
- End the requirement that cases be certified as "ready to hear", removing a step in the process;
- Develop and implement a short form for fully favorable decisions that will take less employee time to complete;
- Allow ALJs to issue fully favorable decisions from the bench immediately after a hearing; and
- Expand the use of technology in the Office of Hearings and Appeals, including video teleconferencing, speech recognition and digital recording of hearings.
These are just the first steps that SSA has taken and will continue to implement to meet the challenge of providing a timely, efficient and quality hearing process. As part of the Service Delivery Assessment, SSA has compiled a range of ideas and recommendations on potential improvements to the disability process from a variety of sources. These are being evaluated for possible implementation.
Expanding Electronic Service Delivery
During FY 2002, the number of visits to SSA's website rose to about 40 million, an increase of 40 percent over the prior year. SSA is in the final stages of redesigning our website to make it easier for the public to find the information and services they need, and to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. With major forms online, we are moving to a strategy more focused on increased use by the public, which will allow greater access for citizens to our services and allow us to reach them more efficiently. The Internet Social Security Benefit Application is the flagship service that SSA offers and one that has potential for higher usage and greater return for the Agency. We plan enhancements for better understanding and ease of use, and are developing a promotion plan that will include working with third parties to assist in the claims process.
Increasing usage will be a challenge as a recent Department of Commerce study substantiates that a "Digital Divide" exists in this country, and that the elderly are significantly less likely to use the Internet than their children. To increase use of electronic services, SSA's overall communications program includes a comprehensive plan to promote current online services and services that will come online in the near future. The plan includes direct marketing to those nearing retirement age and cooperative marketing and ventures with interest groups, advocacy organizations, employers and educational institutions. The plan also includes exploring a public education advertising campaign to inform the public of services available online.
In addition to increasing usage of our current electronic services, we will continue to expand the number of services available online. We will also continue to address authentication (privacy and security) issues. We at SSA have a long tradition of protecting the public's privacy, and we have built on the experience that we gained from our current electronic services. We are constantly evaluating existing and new technologies that will help us to provide electronic services conveniently and securely. We are striving to achieve the right balance between personal privacy and system integrity by adopting procedures that protect information from unauthorized disclosure while ensuring the accuracy of the data through authentication of its source.
Improving Telephone Service
This budget assumes the number of calls to SSA's 800-number will basically remain level because of increased use of SSA's website and implementation of a new system that has improved our call handling efficiency. As a result, we believe that we have reduced the need for beneficiaries to make multiple attempts to get through to the 800-number. Through technological enhancements, we are continuing to improve call delivery management. For example, we are currently giving beneficiaries automated access to basic information concerning their benefits, and we plan to increase the amount of information available that can be accessed.
Improving Productivity
SSA has set a goal of achieving an average of at least 2 percent per year improvement in productivity. In FY 2002, SSA achieved a 5.1 percent productivity increase over FY 2001. However, it is unrealistic to expect productivity improvements to continue at the FY 2002 rate -- it is more reasonable that, over time, we will achieve a modest annual increase in productivity with some increases and decreases depending on specific workloads processed and initiatives implemented.
Advances in automation will be key to SSA's productivity improvement. Projects are underway that utilize technology to improve SSA's wage reporting system, the claims process, and the postentitlement reporting process. SSA continues to expand the electronic government initiative that began several years ago. This Internet initiative increases opportunities for the public to conduct business with SSA electronically and provides access to several claims and postentitlement options. As discussed earlier, a major initiative in the FY 2004 budget is the Accelerated Electronic Disability Initiative (AeDib), which is projected to have a significant impact on disability processing time in the long-term as we transform the paper-driven disability claims process to an electronic process.
Improving Program Integrity
SSA's mission demands that we balance our commitment to service with our obligation to be good stewards of the programs we administer. We must protect the integrity of the trust funds and our general fund programs by seeking efficiencies, avoiding erroneous payments and combating fraud. To accomplish this, we must have adequate resources to process our program integrity workloads. The people of America, who fund the Social Security and SSI programs through their payroll tax contributions and income tax payments, expect and deserve well-managed programs providing accurate payments that safeguard their trust.
The complexity of SSA's programs sometimes results in paying beneficiaries incorrect amounts. SSA's efforts to improve payment accuracy encompass a broad range of activities designed to prevent and identify erroneous payments. The President's request includes dedicated funding of $1.4 billion to ensure adequate resources for important and cost-effective workloads that reduce erroneous payments - continuing disability reviews, SSI non-disability redeterminations, and overpayment actions. This dedicated funding can help SSA effectively balance providing good service for millions of citizens and good stewardship for the American taxpayer.
This budget also reflects the plans and activities in the Agency's SSI Corrective Action Plan. Issued in June 2002, the plan outlined a multi-pronged approach to improve stewardship through increased detection and prevention, new measurement strategies, potential changes in SSI policies and Agency accountability. We are extremely pleased that the General Accounting Office (GAO) has removed the SSI program from its high-risk list of government programs considered especially vulnerable to waste, fraud or abuse. In doing so, GAO recognized SSA's progress to improve the management of the program. We are continuing our efforts to improve our management of the SSI program across three fronts - improved prevention of overpayments, increased overpayment detection, and increased collection of debt.
Described below are important activities we are working on to improve the integrity of both our Social Security and SSI programs, including major efforts discussed in the SSI Corrective Action Plan.
Processing Significant Numbers of Continuing Disability Reviews
SSA conducts periodic reviews to ensure that only those beneficiaries who are truly disabled continue to receive benefits. Cap adjustment funding for SSA's CDR program from FY 1996 through FY 2002 ensured that the Agency was fully funded to carry out its 7-year plan to become current in processing CDRs. We estimate that in FY 2002 alone savings from these CDRs will have reduced the Federal deficit by about $3 billion, and that significant additional savings will continue to accrue from them for many years into the future. SSA's experience shows approximately $9 in program savings for each $1 invested in CDRs. In FY 2004, we expect to process over 1.6 million periodic CDRs.
Conducting Significant Numbers of SSI Non-Disability Redeterminations
The most powerful tool available for eliminating erroneous SSI payments is the redetermination process, which focuses on the income and resource factors affecting eligibility and payment amounts. Periodic redeterminations are required by law and result in hundreds of millions of dollars in payment changes. Because redeterminations are so effective in reducing erroneous payments and in ensuring program integrity, SSA continues to conduct them in substantial numbers. In FY 2004, we expect to process nearly 2.5 million periodic redeterminations, the same number as in our FY 2003 budget plan. SSA's experience shows approximately $7 in program savings from overpayments collected and prevented for each $1 invested in redeterminations.
Expanding Computer Matches
SSA will test a process using authority granted by the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 to access the records of financial institutions, which will provide access to information on unreported income and assets of SSI recipients. SSA also is conducting a test using credit bureaus and other public databases to detect unreported income and assets.
Strengthening Debt Collection
We strive to achieve high levels of payment accuracy in order to minimize the amount of program dollars paid incorrectly. However, due to the complexities of our programs, it is inevitable that some debt will be created. For example, the Goldberg/Kelly decision is a legal requirement that precludes SSA from reducing a recipient's SSI payment without due process, resulting in
overpayments continuing while the recipient exercises appeal rights. In addition, we send payments on the first of the month for the month that is about to occur, but changes in circumstances later in that same month can make the check already sent incorrect. These "unavoidable errors" amount to between one-half of one percent and one percent of all SSI payments every year.
Our debt management program currently makes use of many of the debt collection tools available under existing law, and we are in the process of implementing the remainder. In FY 2002, SSA collected almost $2 billion in debt.
Improving the Representative Payee Program
SSA appoints representative payees for individuals who are incapable of managing or directing the management of their benefits. Each representative payee, whether an individual who represents only one beneficiary or an organization that represents hundreds, is required to account for the benefits received for each beneficiary and how they were spent. During FYs 2003-2004, we will use several initiatives to strengthen the representative payee selection and review process, including expanding organizational payee credit checks and corporate officers/fiduciaries background checks to include large volume payees. In light of intense congressional, media, OIG and advocate scrutiny, and based on an in-depth Agency analysis, SSA has examined the operation of the representative payee program.
Combating Social Security Number Misuse
The terrorist attacks of September 11th reinforced the need for a concerted long-term effort in the area of Social Security number misuse and identity theft that could potentially identify future terrorist threats and reduce other potential problems resulting from SSN misuse. SSA formed a high-level response team which meets regularly to develop recommendations to strengthen enumeration policy and procedure. Implementation of these initiatives will ensure that SSA is strengthening its capability to prevent those with criminal intent from obtaining and using Social Security numbers and cards.
This budget incorporates recommendations of the team. Some examples include:
- Elimination of driver's licenses as a reason for issuance of a non-work SSN for non-citizens;
- Verification of any birth records submitted by U.S. born citizens age one or older applying for an original SSN as of June 1, 2002;
- Verification of all alien documentation submitted by non-citizens in support of applications for an original or replacement Social Security card, effective September 1, 2002; and
- Mandatory interviews of all first-time SSN card applicants aged 12 and over.
SSA is working on new regulations for these items as needed. Also, we are working on new regulations to clarify the evidentiary requirements for certain international students applying for an SSN. In addition, we have instituted a range of new data sharing initiatives with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Department of State (DoS) that will improve integrity with respect to non-citizens. In October 2002, we began the first phase of "Enumeration at Entry", an initiative that makes use of information in INS' and DoS' automated systems to enumerate select classes of non-citizens as part of the process of being admitted to the U.S.
On November 13, 2002, SSA opened a pilot Social Security Card Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Center processes requests for original and duplicate Social Security cards for residents of the borough of Brooklyn. Centralizing this workload has improved service to the public and has expedited the review of documents that must be verified under the new requirements we have established (listed above). In addition, it helps ensure that only qualified individuals with valid documents receive new Social Security numbers or replacement cards.
The Agency also implemented changes to make Death Master File updates available on a weekly basis to speed up distribution of the data to users. Timely issuance is critical to prevent identity theft of deceased SSN-holders.
Other FY 2004 Appropriations Requests
I would like to turn now to a brief summary of the other appropriation requests for FY 2004.
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
$90 million for OIG - Since becoming an independent agency in March 1995, we have had our own Inspector General whose mission is to protect the integrity of SSA's programs. A strong OIG, working together with SSA employees in local offices, is the most effective means we have to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in the programs we administer. A strong OIG also is essential given the need to continue working with law enforcement in conjunction with homeland security efforts.
The request for FY 2004 is $90 million, representing a $7 million increase in resources from the FY 2003 President's budget. This increase of 8.4 percent will cover mandatory increases in OIG's operating expenses, including salaries for its staff and other costs such as rent and supplies, and will help OIG to begin staffing a Social Security Number Misuse Response Team. This team's primary focus will be to protect the integrity of the SSN by providing assistance to SSA, Congress, the public, and other law enforcement officials on SSN misuse issues. OIG also will continue to pursue anti-fraud activities on a variety of fronts. The Cooperative Disability Investigations Team will continue disability program fraud investigations while other personnel will continue pursuing SSI fraud through the Fugitive Felon Project.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
$37 billion for the SSI Program - The SSI program ensures a minimum monthly level of income to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals. An individual's income, resources, and living arrangements are evaluated to determine the monthly SSI payment. This request includes $34 billion for Federal benefit payments to about 6.7 million aged, blind, and disabled beneficiaries and $3 billion to reimburse the Social Security trust funds for SSI administrative expenses, to provide for vocational rehabilitation services, and to fund extramural research and demonstration projects.
Payments to Social Security Trust Funds
$21.7 million for Payments to Social Security Trust Funds - This request will serve to reimburse the Social Security trust funds for the costs of certain benefits and administrative expenses properly charged to Federal funds.
The President's FY 2004 administrative budget for SSA - including $8.53 billion for LAE and $90 million for the Inspector General - will provide the resources to help us:
- Meet the challenges of growing workloads by keeping up with retirement, survivors, and disability claims;
- Process special workloads to ensure affected beneficiaries are paid the right amount;
- Prepare for the future through service and stewardship investments;
- Reduce erroneous payments through dedicated funding for major cost-effective program integrity efforts; and
- Combat Social Security number misuse to protect the American public.
Given the President's many competing priorities, I believe that the increase in SSA's budget request reflects the President's strong support and confidence in our ability to continue to improve service for the public and to accomplish results. Your approval of the President's budget request is vitally important to improving service for the American people.
I thank you for the opportunity to present SSA's budget request to this Subcommittee and look forward to working with you and other members of the Congress as we work toward meeting our goals to improve service and stewardship for the American public.


text:
What is the Google Sandbox?
The Google Sandbox is an alleged filter placed on new websites. The result is that a site does not receive good rankings for its most important keywords and keyword phrases. Even with good content, abundant incoming links and strong Google PageRank, a site is still adversely affected by the Sandbox effect. The Sandbox acts as a de facto probation for sites, possibly to discourage spam sites from rising quickly, getting banned, and repeating the process.
How would you describe the Google Sandbox in one sentence?
The Google Sandbox is very similar to a new website being placed on probation, and kept lower than expected in searches, prior to being given full value for its incoming links and content.
Why did Google institute a Sandbox?
It is thought that the reason Google created the Sandbox new site filter was to stop spam related sites from adding numerous purchased links–and ranking highly for their keywords from the date of launch. Since Google apparently considers a high number of links pointing to a site from the beginning to be rather suspicious, the links are not considered to be natural. Another possibility is spam sites would use various tactics to rise to the top of the search results, and gain heavy sales prior to being banned for being in violation of Google's Terms of Service; and then repeating the process continually. As a result, new sites are put into a form of probation, usually referred to as the Google Sandbox.
{mospagebreak title=Does everyone agree that there is a Google Sandbox?}
Not everyone agrees that the Google Sandbox exists as a separate filter from other alleged Google filters. Not everyone involved with search engine optimization even agrees that Google uses a system of filters at all. Skeptics believe that the phenomenon merely echoes already existing Google algorithm calculations, and the Sandbox effect is an illusion.
When did the Google Sandbox first appear?
Website owners and search engine optimization professionals began to notice the Google Sandbox effect, real or imagined, starting in March, 2004. Websites launched after that date were noticed to not be ranking well for their first few months live on the Internet. The rankings were seen as poor despite good Google PageRanks, strong incoming link totals, and overall good optimization practices being employed.
What types of sites are placed in the Sandbox?
While all types of sites can be placed in the Sandbox, the problem appears much more frequently for new websites seeking rankings for highly competitive keyword phrases. All sites may spend some time in the Sandbox, but those websites seeking rankings in highly competitive searches are probably in for a much longer duration.
{mospagebreak title=My site has never been in the Sandbox. Why not?}
You can avoid having your site in the Sandbox for several reasons. If your site was launched before the March 2004 Sandbox filter, your site probably avoided the problem. Sites targeting non-competitive keywords and phrases are often left out of the Sandbox as there is little point in applying the filter. Keep in mind, however, that even less competitive search terms can be Sandboxed, but their much shorter stay can often go entirely unnoticed. If you had ownership of a domain prior to the installation of the Sandbox filter, your site might also be spared its probationary period.
How long is a site in the Sandbox?
Stays in the Sandbox can vary from one to six months, with three to four months being the normal time frame. Less competitive searches will be given the much shorter stay, while hyper-competitive keywords will often spend six months in the Box. The most frequent length of stay is about three months for most search terms.
Are there variable lengths of stay in the Sandbox?
The stay in the Sandbox is highly variable. The more competitive the keyword, the longer the site spends in the Sandbox. The filter will be gradually decreased over time, and will lose most of its dampening effect in about three months. Of course, for the most competitive search phrases, the Sandbox filter might remain in full force for six months.
How do I know if I am in the Sandbox?
You can look for evidence of Sandbox activity. Does your site have a strong Google PageRank, along with good incoming links? Does it get excellent search results in some secondary search phrases? Then, if your site is still nowhere to be found for the most important searches, it is likely the site has been placed in the Sandbox.
{mospagebreak title=How do I know it's the Sandbox and not a Google penalty?}
If a site were suffering from a Google penalty, the site would not appear in the Google search engine results pages (SERPs) for even the less important searches. The site would also show no PageRank — not even a grey bar on the Google Toolbar.
I still rank well for some less important keywords. Why?
One of the most important characteristics, and indeed one of the marks of being in the Sandbox, is the continuation of strong placements for less important keywords. The alleged Sandbox filter is apparently designed to concern itself with the more competitive keywords since they are more likely to have spam sites, purchased and other links Google deems unnatural, and probably more manipulation attempts being made. That is far less likely in unimportant and non-competitive keywords, so they are generally left alone and out of the Sandbox filter.
If I join Google AdWords or Google Adsense, will that prevent being placed in the Sandbox?
Joining programs like Google Adwords and Google Adsense will have no effect on your site's duration in the Sandbox. Those paid programs could provide much needed traffic while your site remains in the depths of the Sandbox, however. Participation in the various Google advertising programs will not keep your site out of Sandbox, or shorten your stay, despite what some myths would have you believe.
Are there any other Google filters that act similarly to the Sandbox?
The alleged dampening filter on new incoming links is often mistaken for the Sandbox. It's thought by many search engine optimization experts that new incoming links are not given immediate full credit. The purpose of that gradual passing along of Google PageRank and link popularity is to discourage purchasing of links, as well as various linking schemes designed only to increase a site's standing in the Google search rankings.
{mospagebreak title=If my website is stuck in the Sandbox, how do I get out?}
The only real escape from the Sandbox is time. Depending on the competitiveness of your most important keywords, that time can vary from one to six months, with three to four months being the normal duration. In the meantime, continue to improve your site, and be prepared to make a rapid rise once the Sandbox probation ends.
What should I do while my site is still buried in the Sandbox?
While your site is in the Sandbox, it's an ideal time to continue to add fresh keyword rich content and new incoming links to your site. Adding incoming links will ensure that they also avoid any possible new link dampening filter that might be in effect. They would be well aged and ready to pass along their full value of PageRank and link popularity as the site rises from the depths of the Sandbox.
Should I continue to add content to my site while it's in the Sandbox?
Your website's stay in the Sandbox is an ideal time to add more theme relevant content. Concentrate on adding more keyword rich pages, and don't forget both on-page and off-page factors. On the page, make sure your title tags match the most important keywords for that page. Add a site map and make sure that all of your pages link properly to one another with appropriate link anchor text containing the keywords for that page. Off-page link anchor text should be set up to include keywords for the receiving page as well. Don't waste any of your available site improvement time while in the Sandbox. When the filter is lifted, your improved site will rise rapidly to its proper place at the top of the search rankings.
Should I keep getting new links to my website?
The Sandbox is an ideal time to start adding incoming links to your site. Because of the alleged new links dampening filter, adding links while in the Sandbox addresses two filters at once. If the newly added links are indeed dampened by a filter, then their full value should take effect just as your site emerges from the Sandbox. Be sure to add strong keyword rich anchor text to your incoming links, and vary it to include several keyword combinations.
{mospagebreak title=Are there ways of getting out of the Sandbox any faster?}
Only time can get your site out of the Sandbox. The duration in the sandbox tends to vary with the perceived competitiveness of the keyword phrase. That said, there are ways to hasten your rise to the top of the SERPs upon release of the Sandbox filter. By adding some powerful incoming links, with strong link anchor text, and by adding keyword rich relevant content, your site will rise quickly from the Sandbox. Note that the rise will take effect upon the removal of your site's Sandbox probationary period.
When my site started out of the Sandbox, its search rankings were still low. Is that normal?
Your rankings could remain weak for more than one reason. As a Sandbox survivor, your site was not in the rankings at all for your most important keywords. There is still a long climb ahead of you, and much work to do to achieve strong search placements. While your site is freed from the Sandbox, it may lack strong incoming links and good link anchor text. It may require more keyword rich theme relevant content. Fortunately, all of these problems can be resolved, and your site can continue its rise to the top of the SERPs.
How long is the climb to the proper search ranking after leaving the Sandbox?
The length of time required to achieve your site's proper ranking is difficult to quantify, since so many variables get taken into consideration. If you have been adding incoming links from theme relevant websites that are covered with strong anchor text, your rise will be much faster than someone who has not continued to add inbound links. Constantly adding keyword rich content will also assist your site's rise to search prominence. Of course, the more competitive the keywords you are contesting, the longer and harder the climb.
How can I avoid being placed in the Sandbox in the first place?
The Sandbox can be avoided to a degree by purchasing a website and making it live before it is fully ready for prime time. While the site will endure low rankings, it will start the clock ticking on its Sandbox duration time. Be sure to add as many incoming links as possible to get past the alleged new links filter. Keep adding content to your site. Anything that can be done to speed up your site's appearance on the Internet, including the purchase of an already existing domain, should be considered. If you have time working in your site's favor, it can be applied against your possible stay in the Sandbox. With proper time management, a site can avoid the Sandbox entirely.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Emily B. Pentzer
Frank Hovorka Assistant Professor in Chemistry
Millis 418C
Other Information
PhD, Northwestern University
BS, Butler University
Organic Chemistry, Materials & Energy, Polymers, Nanostructures, Self-Assembly, Composites
- BS Chemistry, Butler University, 2005
- PhD Organic Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2010 (NSF graduate research fellow)
- Postdoctoral Associate, UMass Amherst (Polymer Science and Engineering), 2010-2013
Pentzer Research Group Site »
Research Statement
The Pentzer group is interested in using organic synthesis to prepare carbon-based materials with tailored, novel properties for specific applications in the areas of solar energy harvesting and storage. A bottom-up approach is used to prepare new small molecules and polymers that contain functionality which dictate their intermolecular interactions as well as interactions with other surfaces, nanoparticles, and additives. By harnessing synthetic organic chemistry to tailor molecular design and control self assembly, novel conductive materials with controlled domain sizes and interfaces can be prepared and their structure-property relationships studied. Collaboration with scientists and engineers across various fields present opportunities to augment this work, allowing ideas to be taken from design to implementation to application
Positions Available
Applications for postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduate students are currently being accepted. Potential graduate and undergraduate students should email email@example.com for more information. Postdoctoral applicants should send a detailed CV to email@example.com


text:
As editor of Australia's only journal dedicated to advancing research in "Austrian" free-market economics and libertarian political philosophy, I invite you to browse the articles from the first issue, available for free online.
Physical copies can be ordered from Amazon for only $8. Please do contribute an article for the second edition.


text:
Flea market Sunday
I was on my way to breakfast when I passed this fountain at a local bank. The wind was blowing the foam around in circles on the south side of the building, and big chunks floated across the road.
Here's a lonely doll sitting in a stroller at the flea market. Perhaps she's waiting for Mom to strap in her twin.
This is one gaudy rooster, made even more so with high dynamic range. I think the owner asked $50 for this one.
Wanna be a luchador? Here's your boots! (For those of you who don't know what a luchador is, I feel for you!)
Now do you know what a luchador is? Pretty cool, eh. Now, try to imagine wearing one of these masks under a cycling helmet with a pro jersey and George Hincapie's old white sunglasses. You'd get lots of space on the road!


text:
Hi and welcome to the New York Roots (formerly known as New York History and Genealogy Project) -- a proud member of the PA-Roots family of websites! PA-Roots is a Pennsylvania Non-Profit Corporation.
We're so glad you stopped by. Our goal is to be entrance point for your research of your ancestors in New York. I encourage you to check out our "family" of county websites. We're seeking to provide the best resources to you. If you should have any questions in the area of your research, please contact the County Coordinator directly. If you should have a specific question about New York Roots, please feel free to contact me.
We're always in need of help! Check out the County Team Associates and Help Wanted links to the left for ways that you can get involved. You'll also want to check out New York DataBoards with over 4,815 pages of free data. Please feel free to post your query or share your data on the appropriate DataBoard.
We are deeply indebted to Debbie Axtman who originally started the New York History and Genealogy Project. Debbie has stepped down and we miss her.
You are visitor


text:
BOSTON, Mass.—The University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Athletics has announced that former Boston State College men's ice hockey player Joseph P. McLean, Jr. '69 will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2012 induction class.
One of the most outstanding hockey players in Boston State history, McLean will be one of 10 honorees who will be enshrined this October in the university's annual ceremony, which is also celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Already a member of the UMass Boston Athletics Hall of Fame with the 1967-–68 Boston State men's ice hockey team, McLean was a three letterman with the Warriors. During his time in Boston, McLean led Boston State to three consecutive Codfish Bowl Tournament championships (1967, 1968, and 1969), and was also named the tournament's Most Valuable Player in 1967.
After a standout season in 1968, McLean earned the team's Most Improved Player Award. Dominant on both sides of the red line, McLean was considered by his teammates and coaches as one of the most top defensive forwards in the program's history.
After graduating from Boston State, McLean continued to add to his academic resume as he earned a master's degree in history from Suffolk University and in law enforcement from Anna Maria College.
McLean would then go on to have an illustrious career in the Boston Police Department. During his 38 years with the department, McLean would earn multiple commendations for service and duty, including the Medal of Honor, which is the highest honor that can be presented to a Boston police officer.
His work in the community is just as impressive. He and his wife Janice started the Lance Corporal Joseph P. McLean, III Foundation in honor of their late son who died on active duty while serving with the United States Marine Corps. Since its inception in 1994, the McLean Foundation has distributed more than $500,000 to families in need and countless charities in the Boston area including, the Children's Hospital, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots.
For more information about this year's Hall of Fame induction ceremony please contact Maria Marcelino at email@example.com or call 617-287-7895.


text:
QSZ-92 pistol in 9x19mm, with laser pointer mounted on the rail under the barrel
QSZ-92 pistol in 5.8mm
The QSZ-92 pistol is a most recent development of the Chinese state arms factories, and, apparently, it is now adopted by the PLA (Chinese people's Liberation Army) forces. QSZ-92 pistol is available in two versions, with the only difference being caliber: one is chambered for most common 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum ammunition (QSZ-92-9), and another is chambered for proprietary 5.8mm ammunition with bottle-necked case and pointed bullets (QSZ-92-5.8). The development of the QSZ-92 pistol apparently began circa 1994, and it is in limited service with PLA since the late 1990s.
The QSZ-92 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It uses a rotating barrel to lock and unlock the slide on recoil. Frame of the QSZ-92 pistol is made from polymer. Trigger mechanism is Double Action, with external hammer and ambidextrous safety / decocker lever, mounted on both sides of the frame. Dual stack magazine holds 15 rounds of ammunition in either caliber. Front part of the frame under the barrel is shaped as an accessory rail to accept laser sights or flashlights. Fixed sights have luminous inserts for low light conditions.


text:
Conferencealert.co presents the smart web portal about information on academic conferences worldwide. Often at times, academicians/scholars and students need to attend the conferences on the interested topics for various academic purposes, but could not track them in a sequence. Fortunately, the solution lies here only by subscription of conference alerts for absolutely free of cost. The precisely drafted alerts provide relevant information associated with the conference commencing ahead. Remarkably, the subscribers can follow the conferences held in near future due to the conference alerts 2016 sent out early.
Suitable for any age group, the designed classified web portal enables user-friendly features for an easy navigation. The conferences held at domestic and international locations categorized under the country section helps you search them by selecting any of the listed country. Moreover, you can search the conferences by topics typically encompassing the several disciplines of Health & Medicine, Engineering & Technology, Law, and so on. After receiving a conference alert on related topic, you can prepare way ahead of its initiation.
We invite the event organizers of academic conferences/workshops all around the world to register the events on the portal and share information with our visitors. Kindly fill up the authentic details of the event in the mandatory fields to add an event. Following that, the event would add up within a maximum of 24 hours duration and without any charge for ordinary listing. Anyone can have an organizer and subscriber at the same time. So, why not subscribe the conferencealerts from now?
Welcome to the official website of the International Conference on Business Management and Social Innovation (ICBMSI). The conference will be held at Mysore, India on November 25th, 2018. The aim objective of ICBMSI is to present the latest research and results of scientists related Business Management and Social Innovation. This conference provides opportunities for the different areas delegates to exchange new ideas and application experiences face to face, to establish business or research relations and to find global partners for future collaboration. We hope that the conference results constituted significant contribution to the knowledge in these up to date scientific field. The organizing committee of conference is pleased to invite prospective authors to submit their original manuscripts to ICBMSI 2018.


text:
Shawn Daivari, Former WWE Superstar, Chokes Out Crazy Guy on Train
Former WWE star Shawn Daivari recently put his skills to good use, saving the day when a passenger went crazy on a train in Minneapolis.
According to reports, a passenger became belligerent, yelling racial slurs and threatening to kill everyone on the train. Daivari responded by putting the instigator in a rear naked choke hold. Witnesses report that Daivari's hold was so firm, the unnamed passenger actually peed his pants before Daivari threw him off the train at the next stop.
Daivari told authorities that other passengers had pushed the emergency button but no assistance ever came, so he jumped into action. Metro Transit police say they are aware of the situation, but had no further comment pending an investigation.
Daivari wrestled for WWE from 2004 to 2007. Since then, he has bounced around between the independent wrestling circuit and Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling.


text:
Genetics plays key role in tooth development
By now, we all know genetics plays a key role in a person's overall health. But did you know that genetics also could determine how your teeth develop? Microdontia – characterized by very small teeth – is a common problem that often runs in families.
Adults affected by this condition may have small teeth with gaps between them, making them look like baby teeth. Teeth that are too small may not fit together or chew properly, which can cause excessive wear and tear.
Fortunately, your dentist can correct this problem easily.
Dr. Charles W. Wakefield, professor and director of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, says that depending on the severity, you can choose composite bonding, porcelain veneers or crowns that can be applied to change both the size and shape of the teeth to provide a more "adult" appearance.
"Composite or porcelain veneers don't remove excessive tooth structure and are very conservative restorations," Dr. Wakefield says. "Composite bonding is used most commonly for younger patients whose teeth haven't fully erupted or for patients on a tight budget, but it doesn't last as long as porcelain veneers. Restorations made from porcelain often have superior durability and appearance."
Interested in this topic? Contact us for more information.


text:
By Sean Mortimer
You could be born and graduate high school between the gap when Kevin Harris and Chris Haslam discovered skateboarding. Normally, a generational chasm that wide strains a skate connection but these two renegade Canucks have inspired each other for years.
Nicknamed "The Iceman" due to his smooth style, Harris was ranked the second best freestyler in the world in the 1980s. Stacy Peralta describes Harris as the most natural skateboarder he's ever seen and the number one freestyler of that era, Rodney Mullen, points to Harris as his favorite freestyler. Similar to Harris, Haslam's created his own distinct style of skating and his unbridled creativity separates him from the hundreds of pros crowding skate mags and video frames. Watching him skate is like chewing a Starburst after a mouthful of Saltines and the avalanche of votes crowning him TWS Reader's Poll Champ in 2006 proved that skaters appreciated his unique flavor.
Both took lonely routes to skateboard fame that criss-crossed over the years. Harris grew up in Richmond, BC, a small mellow coastal city outside of Vancouver. Haslam recently bought a condo there and was a local at Richmond's RDS skatepark that Harris opened in 2003. Before relocating to Canada, Haslam spent years skating in Singapore. Tropical, yes, but regarding skate coverage it might as well have been Siberia. At the start of Harris' career in the late-'70s, Canada actually was an isolated tundra barren of coverage. Unable to follow anybody's path, Harris trekked out on his own to become his country's first professional skateboarder.
But Harris and Haslam are thankful for their years in the wild, forced to discover and cultivate skateboarding for themselves. Lacking direction from modern videos and the Internet's instant info feed, their discrimination wasn't tainted by industry peer pressure and trends. Instead, they allowed a multi-generational influence to shape their skating. Kevin supercharges 1960s smooth style skateboarding with technical tricks and does it better than it's ever been done. Haslam isn't afraid to blow the dust off ancient tricks and hybridize them with modern gnar moves.
The two Canucks met at the Oceanside Pier, the location of some of the earliest pro street contests.
How did you become aware of skating?
Haslam: I lived in Singapore for three years before I got into it. It was November '93 right before my thirteenth birthday. There weren't many skaters in Singapore at the time and my brother and I saw a guy from France skating around and we thought it was sick.
There were two shops in Singapore: Go Sports in the mellow area and Spitfire downtown. I always got my boards at Go Sports. Eddie Goh owned Go Sport and he'd been around since the '80s and had the old videos and I watched those. Was there Internet in 1993? I guess so but I didn't have it. The only way I learned about skating was from that store and Singapore is a heavy Navy stop point so there'd be skaters from the US stationed there for a week or so and they'd bring their boards.
Harris: It was '75 and skateboarding was happening in California, but I was in Canada. My friend had gone to California and came over with a skateboard. I didn't have a clue what skateboarding was but seeing that first skateboard is still vivid: It was red plastic with clear urethane wheels. I got on it and pushed around and the same day I talked my dad into buying me one at the sports store for $19.95.
I had no reference points to understand what it was. My friend told me, "There's this trick called tic tacks!" Instantly, everything revolved around skating. Anything to do with school, all my other sports—I just stopped and focused on skating.
(Video of '86 Oceanside contest. Kevin skates at 7:17 to AC/DC)
As you got more into skating, how did you learn about it?
Haslam: Definitely video, but random ones like the Invisible video or English and Australian videos. My parents are from England, so when they'd go back, they'd buy skate videos. Mostly, I skated with my brother.
Harris: We didn't care about anything else except California—we'd absorb any information about skating there. My friend across the street would buy SkateBoarder—the only skateboard magazine at the time—at 7-Eleven and stay up all night reading it repeatedly. The first magazine we looked at must have been missing fifty pages because we flipped through it so much. And you couldn't even figure out what skaters were doing in most of the pictures! [Scant sequences back then.]
But a few months after I started skating, the G&S team—one of the best teams—came to our local Dairy Queen. They were touring across Canada to promote the restaurant and skateboarding. Of course, it was raining during the demo and the announcer talked about trying to keep the demo going. I didn't understand why rain would affect skateboarding.
The big trick was the "Pineapple Flip" [Old-school kickflip: the toe is hooked under the board to flip it] and the announcer told us all to watch very closely because the board was actually going to flip under his feet. That trick blew me away. I'd tell all my family members and friends who didn't skate about this "skateboard thing" I was doing where you can ride along and actually flip the board under your feet and land back on it!
(Mullen's favorite freestyler still has it! This video was made by Kolby Harris for this article but it's been zinging around the internet the past week. The Gonz even rated it a "Right on." It really starts to kick in after 22 seconds.)
Haslam, what did California represent to you?
Haslam: I lived in Ontario for 10 years before moving to Singapore. Being from Canada, Vancouver seemed more attainable. That's when the Red Dragons were hitting up and I read the article "Rest in Peace Richmond Skate Ranch" [Harris' infamous private skatepark]. My goal was to get to Vancouver instead of L.A. I wanted to improve my skating and knew that there were people out there [in Vancouver] who were so much better than me.
Kevin, being a Canadian skater in the late-'70s, it must—
Harris: It sucked! Real pro Canadian skaters didn't exist at the time. I felt like a second-class skateboard citizen for sure. My goal was always to get to California and into contests. If I really wanted to skate all the time and get sponsored, California was where you had to be. Once I started competing in California, I got quite a few firsts and seconds and became known as "The Canadian Guy."
It was weird. The contests in Vancouver were higher-end and held in way bigger venues than in California, but they were still considered secondary. [Harris was five-time Canadian champion.] We skated in the Vancouver Coliseum with 5,000 people watching and then I'd come down to the Oceanside contest and less than half the amount of people watched. But the guys you wanted to skate with were in California. The contests were run way crappier, but mattered so much more because California was Mecca.
What was the scene like in Singapore when you started?
Haslam: There were maybe 75 skaters and no skateparks. I only saw the 20 who went to Go Sport and random guys downtown. I knew nobody was going to recognize a skater in Singapore. In '96, when I was fifteen, I moved back to Ontario for a year and during that time, they built a park in Singapore so I moved back to finish high school.
The park was terrible—six-foot ramps with a foot of vert. I had bought Thrasher Ramp Plans when I moved back to Ontario to build a quarter-pipe and it was better than any ramp in the park.
I was seventeen when I moved to Richmond, BC. A year after I moved there, the Richmond [public] park opened a block away from my house. I knew the level of skating was going to be higher but seeing Sluggo and Rick [Howard] and all these dudes completely shattered my dream of becoming anything in skateboarding. I thought there was a chance in Singapore—then I saw those guys and thought, There's no way, dude. I didn't skate with them. I figured they didn't want anything to do with me, that I was just another kid.
The dream was still there, but I continued going to college and just skated Richmond park every day. I just cruised the park and did my own thing and slowly went in the direction of doing my own type of skating. I didn't really go to downtown Vancouver to skate, it just wasn't my thing. I was never into skating with massive crews of people. I learn so much better around dudes I skate with all the time.
No one really skates Richmond [park] anymore. It's pretty trashed—the asphalt is coming apart in areas. It's pretty rough, but every time I'm back, I go there almost every day.
Haslam in Momentum's Por Favor
Harris: I thought the same way Chris did. At the Canadian contests, the organizers would bring in some top California pros and you could pick them out instantly. They looked different, skated with a different style, dressed different because gear out of California didn't hit Vancouver until a year later back then. I thought I'd never get to their level.
But when I came down to California for amateur contests, the judges scored me in the top five. I didn't know what was going on. I thought it was because I was a novelty and skated different and they didn't see me all the time. I thought by the next contest, they'd be used to my style and score me at the bottom.
I really thought I sucked. I was always paranoid that people I respected would tell me I sucked. I had my comfort zone in Richmond. I had a vert ramp in my backyard [arguably the best vert ramp in Canada at the time], ramps in the driveway. Even though the scene was going on in other areas of Vancouver, I had my comfort zone with my friends. And all the best skaters would come ride my ramp—even pros from California like Shogo Kubo and Frank Blood.
Continued in Part 2, coming soon.
Chris Haslam and Kevin Harris at the Oceanside, California Pier, 2008. Photos: Blair


text:
Maybe it's time for a 2018 recruiting thread. Here's Wilner on each team's top priority:
Here's the next kid we can be excited about up until the day he signs with USC:
*** Utah
Top target: OL Penei Sewell (St. George, Ut.)
Scout rating: 4 stars
Status: Uncommitted; offers from USC, Washington, Oklahoma, LSU
My comment: The top offensive tackle prospect in the west, Sewell is smack in the middle of Utah's wheelhouse: In-state kid at a position that is central to coach Kyle Whittingham's approach. Potential (or actual) recruiting pitch: Look what we did with Garett Bolles in just one year!


text: Terms of Use Privacy Policy Hide Entertainment Galleries Father's Day Gifts Father's Day Gifts Classic Dad New England Outerwear 3-Eye Boat Crepe Daniel Wellington Classic St. Andrews Watch Leather Head Baseball Glove Tanner Goods Utility Bifold Cuisinart 10-Piece Premium Grilling Set The America Craft Beer Cookbook Corkcicle Chillsner Beer Chiller Bespoke Post Box Of Awesome - Refresh Dapper Dad Timex Weekender Watch Stussy Zig-Zag Shirt RETROSUPERFUTURE Tiberio Racer Sunglasses Vintage Menswear: A Collection from the Vintage Showroom Converse Jack Purcell Imperial Barber Products Shave Bundle The Hill-Side Pocket Scarf Filson Tote Bag The Handy Dad RIDGID 18V X4 Hyper Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit (3-Tool) with Radio T3 Tactical Triage And Auto-Rescue Tool Best Made Co. Toolbox Tool Master Hand Tool Set Working Man's Hygiene Kit Carhartt Sandstone Twill Shirt Brooklyn Brew Shop Beer-Making Kit Bean Boot Sophisticated Dad Monocle Magazine Logitech Harmony Universal Remote Les Ateliers Ruby Motorcycle Helmet DeLonghi EC702 15 Bar-Pump Espresso Maker Merkur Shaving Set Cashmere Sweatpants By The Elder Statesman IWC Pilot's Chrnograph Watch Nike VRS Covert Tour Fairway Wood No. 5 Driver Tech Dad Baxter Of California 1.2.3 Kit Sennheiser MOMENTUM Things Come Apart: A Teardown Manual For Modern Living Nike Flyknit One+ Running Shoe Jawbone UP Wristband Netatmo Weather Station Olloclip 3-in-1 Lens Cocoon GRID-IT! Wrap The Dad Who Has It All (Bonus Category) Logitech Harmony Universal Remote AskMen Editors May 24, 2013 Share Tweet Flip 0 Shares A home-entertainment system complete with HD television, audio system, Blu-ray player, cable box, media streamer and other gadgets is essential for the sophisticated dad. But there's nothing sophisticated about managing half a dozen remote controls. The Logitech Harmony Ultimate remote renders all those other remotes obsolete and offers a single, smartphone-inspired touchscreen interface for controlling all your RF, IR and Bluetooth devices. Price: $199.99Buy it here. Back To Sophisticated DadMore Types Of Dads: Classic - Dapper - Handy - Tech Prev Next Recommended Reading Guy Gear Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts That Will Blow Him Away Life Commentary How Fatherhood Became A Lot Less Manly Health Issues What The World's Smartest People Know About Aging (And You Should Too) Entertainment News Trending News: Here's How Much People Spend On Dad (It's Less Than On Mom) Entertainment Galleries Literally Just 16 Good Dad Jokes To Get You Amped For Father's Day


text:
Taro® DP Series
Taro® DP Series lubricants are high-performance, medium- to high-BN, diesel engine oils for medium & high-speed trunk piston diesel engines. Taro DP Series lubricants are specially developed for use in medium-speed, trunk piston diesel engines burning residual fuels with a maximum sulphur content up to 4%. Taro 20 DP can also be used in combination with marine diesel or gas oil. Taro DP Series lubricants are blended from high-quality base oils and additives that provide an extra margin of protection against ring sticking, piston deposits & wear under the most severe operating conditions.
Taro DP Series lubricants have very good viscosity control when used in severe high-temperature service, and their excellent BN retention characteristics prevent corrosive wear over long periods of operation. The unique detergent and dispersant additive system provides outstanding piston cleanliness as well as control of fuel contaminants. This results in extreme reduction of both "hot" (piston lands and grooves, piston undercrown, purifier preheaters) and "cold" (crankcase, cambox, rocker area, fuel pumps, purifier bowl) deposits. Taro DP Series lubricants provide a high degree of water tolerance and have good water separation and base retention properties.
Typical Characteristics
Recommended Uses
Taro DP Series lubricants are recommended for all types of trunk piston diesel engines burning 1) marine diesel oil or low sulphur heavy fuels with a sulphur content up to 2% [Taro 20 DP]; or 2) residual fuels with a maximum sulphur level of 4% [Taro 30 DP]. Taro DP Series lubricants are approved by all major OEMs.
Performance Benefits
1. Wear Protection
High BN levels control cylinder liner wear effectively and protect bearings from corrosion. Highperformance, anti-wear additives provide excellent protection against adhesive wear for cams, camshaft and bearings. Taro DP Series lubricants also provide a high degree of water tolerance and anti-foam protection.
2. Detergent/Dispersant Properties
Keeps crankcases and oil control rings clean. Prevents deposit formation throughout the engine. Reduces lube oil filter blockage. Effectively handles insolubles.
3. Oxidation Stability
Oxidation inhibitors protect the oil against high thermal stresses, protect engine parts from corrosion and reduce undercrown deposits while promoting extended lubricant life.
4. Rust Prevention
Prevents corrosion of engine parts when the engine is not in operation.
5. Balanced Additive Combination
Provides minimum maintenance and downtime, long engine life and economical operating costs.
* Depending on the port designated, products may be delivered with or without the (X) identifier — e.g., Taro 20 DP 30X or Taro 20 DP 30 — however, the product typical test data both with or without the (X) identifier are miscible and fully compatible.
Typical test data are average values only. Minor variations which do not affect product performance are expected in normal manufacturing. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that the products are used in the applications for which they are intended. (November, 2011)
© 2007–2011 Chevron U.S.A. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC or their respective owners.


text:
The 'Bookmark with:' toolbar at the bottom of Directgov pages lets you add the page to social bookmarking websites.
Social bookmarks are a way of saving links to web pages that interest you, and sharing those links with other people.
Social bookmarking websites are free to use, but you will need to register with them to start bookmarking.
To use a social bookmarking website, you need to:
You will also be able to look at other people's bookmarks, and they will be able to view yours.
Social bookmarking websites all work in different ways and you may prefer to use one or many. It's worth having a look at the different websites before you decide which one you want to use. You can register with as many as you like.
The social media bookmarking sites that Directgov links to are third party sites and Directgov does not have any control over the way that these sites use your data.
You should read their respective privacy policies carefully to find out what happens to any data that is collected by these services when you use them.
Directgov helps you to link to the following websites.
Facebook is a social networking website that has millions of users worldwide. You register and create a profile. You can then add friends to your profile and exchange information with your friends. Facebook also allows people to start groups and fan pages as well as bookmarking other web pages.
Twitter is a social networking service. Users send short updates, or mini-blogs (known as tweets), that are no more than 140 characters long. You can collect followers and follow other users. You can also tag words, and search tags to find out what other people are talking about.
Google Buzz is a social networking and messaging service designed around Google's Gmail email service. Users can share information with each other, including links, photos, videos and status messages.
StumbleUpon is an online community of users who find and rate web pages, photos and videos. You can recommend pages you like and you can follow other users' recommendations.
Delicious is a social bookmarking service that allows you to discover, store and share web pages you find interesting. Users need to tag their bookmarks with relevant words, so that other people looking for similar information can find them.
Reddit is a social news service. This means it allows you to add bookmarks to news stories to a social website. Users can vote whether they like or dislike a link, and join in discussions about different bookmarks.


text:
Mission of the week
Congrats! You've successfully completed the Mission of the Week!
There are no new missions at this time. Please check back again later!
Personal Mission
Premium Badges
Looking for an extra challenge? When you successfully complete a
Mission in the designated amount of time, you'll be awarded a
custom Badge for your efforts. Badges will then be displayed on your profile
page for everyone else to bask in your glory. The more Missions you successfully
complete, the more Badges you'll receive! Try to collect them all.


text:
I went scouting for vintage stuff today. I thought I need to get out of the house. I have been spending too much time indoors lately sewing, which is great and I love being busy making and sewing things but every now and then I need a break. I have started on the Spring palette already and will share the first pieces with you soon. I still haven't got anything for the giveaway, I'm afraid. I haven't even got an idea yet but I promise there will be a giveaway soon and then it'll be worth taking part in it.
Anyway, here are some of the lovely finds of today. I haven't taken pictures of it all yet. The light went quickly once I got back home.
Vintage C&A llama fur coat. I loooove it, it's in awesome condition but unfortunately a bit big on me, even with a big jumper underneath. I will sell this one again. So sad it's not my size.
Cute crimplene dress. I think someone made this, there is no label inside and it looks like it could be handmade. Again, amazing condition. Very cute buttons. It's too big for me too but the self fabric belt and shoulder pads work wonders and I can get away with it.
1960s Liberty of London dress. It's a 'dollyrockers designed by sambo' dress and sooooo cute. A bit tight but maybe come summer I could fit into it. I think this is my favourite of all the dresses.
There is more to come but as I said, I need to wait for daylight again.


text:
This website uses cookies to ensure proper functionality of the shopping cart and checkout progress. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Click here to learn about cookie settings.
Registration is free and easy!
Please enter your email address below. You will receive a link to reset your password.
* Required Fields
« Back to Login
Stay up-to-date with our latest news
Eastman Group of Companies
We manufacture a high percentage of the products that we sell which, combined with our bulk purchasing power for the rest of the product range, allows us to be competitively priced whilst maintaining high quality and providing fast response.


text:
No products
Proceed to checkout
Reference: 8032862
115 000 VND Décathlon
Display all pictures
The minimum purchase order quantity for the product is 1
Add to cart
Warning: Last items in stock!
Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest
Decathlon Vietnam Co Ltd - a part of Decathlon Group. Registered Address: 561A Dien Bien Phu street, Ward 25, Binh Thanh district, HCM City


text:
Getting your goods to you swiftly and safely is of utmost importance to us, so please read the following information (in conjunction with our Terms) with regards to your order.
We entrust all our orders to our carefully selected fulfilment partner, Amazon UK, who aim to get them to you within 2-3 working days after dispatch. If you are a consumer and we are unable to deliver your order within 30 days, you may be able to take advantage of your right to cancel the order, please see our Terms to find out about your legal right to cancel.
All orders containing a subscription, or over £10, qualify for free delivery. For orders under £10, a small delivery charge of £2.95 will be applied before checkout. No delivery charge on the listed price over £10 during the promotion or special offer period.
Please note that orders received on a Friday may not be processed until the next working day, so please allow reasonable time to receive your notice of dispatch and delivery.
If your order is taking longer than expected or you want to find out when it will arrive, you can check its progress by looking in the 'My Orders' section of your online account. If you are not registered with us, get in touch and one of the team will be able to help.
If you have received a 'missed delivery' card from Royal Mail, you will need to either collect your package from a local post office or schedule re-delivery. Details for this should be printed on the card.
Currently, Razors by Dorco only deliver to addresses within the United Kingdom. For more information about our delivery policies, please read our Terms and conditions.
Returns & refunds
We pride ourselves on the high standard of our blades, and all of our products endure tough quality control checks. In the rare case that you need to report a faulty or damaged product, please follow the instructions below.
Faulty or damaged goods
If part or all of your order has arrived faulty or damaged, please notify us by email on [email protected]. You must contact us about faulty or damaged goods within 14 days of receiving your order.
Upon receipt of your email, one of our team will guide you through the process and either an exchange or refund will be offered (at our discretion). Please note, it is not necessary to send faulty items back until requested to do so by a member of our customer service team. We cannot be held responsible should the items get lost during transit to us.
Unwanted goods
If you are a consumer and for any reason you are unsatisfied with your order, you may be able to cancel it and request a refund. Please refer to our Terms for the time periods and processes you must follow to cancel your order and receive a refund. There are exceptions to your right to cancel and obtain a refund so please check out our Terms for full details. Our Terms also sets out our obligations on cancellation, the timeframe for refunds and methods we use to refund your payment.
Registered Customers: If you have an on-line account with us, you can cancel current or future orders from within your online account under "My Orders". Simply locate the order you wish to cancel or return, click "View Details" and select "Request Return". Alternatively you can use our Returns form.
Guest Customers: If you are a consumer and you placed your order using our speedy guest checkout, and you want to cancel your order and request a refund, please complete the Returns form. You will need your order confirmation number, billing last name, postcode and email address to hand.
If you have registered an online account with us you may check the status of refund under the "My Returns" section. If you are not registered with us and would like an update, please get in touch and one of the team will be able to help.
For more information about our return policies and your rights, please read our Terms.


text:
Search results for: A 81 Sector -27 Noida
A 81 Sector -27 Noida
BuySellProp - Real Estate postal for Property Search in Noida (Rating: 0) , Votes:Our Real Estate Search is a free property search portal bringing you properties from all across the Delhi NCR region all in one easy to view format. Get instant access to all flats, apartments, villas, penthouses, office space, retail space & showrooms for sale in Delhi NCR featuring all the listings from Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and more.http://www.buysellprop.inCategory: Directory/Business/Real Estate
Business Insurance (Rating: 3) , Votes:We specialise in providing businesses with reassurance, peace of mind and confidence in their insurance policies. We have a team of experienced individuals who understand the business sector and who can establish what your business needs from an insurance policy. We are confident we can help develop an insurance policy to suit your business while keeping the price to a minimum.http://www.cornhilldirectbusiness.co.uk/Category: Directory/Business/Insurance
Nonprofit Fundraising Software (Rating: 3) , Votes:Fund raising software in the nonprofit sector can help organizations build the visibility needed to reach wider audiences, recruit more members and successfully reach financial goals.http://www.nonprofit-software.com/software-resources/fundraising/
Jobs in India (Rating: 491) , Votes:Devseeker is an online job board site where you can find engineering and software jobs in India. Browse jobs by location or sector, upload your resume and apply online to hundreds of jobs in India.http://www.devseeker.inCategory: Directory/Asia/India
Technology Wholesalers & Distributors Directory (Rating: 3) , Votes:An online IT based wholesale directory presenting information about the highest quality wholesalers, distributors, suppliers, buyers, dropshippers, importers, and manufacturers in world wide market of IT sector.http://www.techwholesalers.com
Business Profiles Compared To Peers. (Rating: 3) , Votes:The BizCompare.com site consists of 1.5 million U.S. businesses involved in the business services sector. The companies are organized into 19 major categories and further segmented into 108 specific industries. Key company info is presented in text and in graphs with comparison to their industrial peer group providing more context.http://www.bizcompare.comCategory: Directory/Business/B2B
Internet Marketing Consulting (Rating: 7) , Votes:Internet marketing consultants providing low cost services to the UK business sector. Our business promotion strategy is designed to improve any online marketing campaign.http://www.businessservicesuk.comCategory: Directory/Business/Internet
NEW Free Industrial Software, E-Books and Downloads (Rating: 71) , Votes:All free software and ebook downloads for the industrial sector Engineering, Maintenance, Management in manufacturing and other related industries. Free industrial related demos, software and E-Books.http://www.industrial-ebooks.com/
Zeducorp (Rating: 1) , Votes:This computer software and website consulting firm has been providing database and network solutions for personal computer users since 1983. Zeducorp specializes in server-based relational database applications using tools such as Data Access Dataflex and Miva Empresa.http://www.zeducorp.com/
Ink and laser printer cartridges (Rating: 0) , Votes:Leading provider of original and compatible laser toner cartridges, ink cartridges, franking machine ink cartridges and digital media. A total satisfaction guarantee is offered with every product, as well as same day despatch.http://www.ink-toner-uk.com
Related searches:
Webotopia provides a business directory designed to promote A 81 Sector -27 Noida companies, products and services whilst helping it's users find the A 81 Sector -27 Noida information they need. Webotopia business directory, with the help of it's dedicated support specialists and reviewers, enables delivery of A 81 Sector -27 Noida quality content, excellent customer support as well as value added services such as content publishing and press releases for it's users.


text:
When I worked night shift patrol one of my favorite arrests had to do with drunk drivers, commonly referred to as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). I'd observe something peculiar; inability to keep within the marked lanes, exaggerated corrections which were unwarranted as if to avoid imaginary objects in the road, bouncing off curbs and other driving patterns which indicated the driver was under the influence of alcohol or some kind of drug.
After becoming concerned for the well being of the driver and everyone that might come in contact with that driver I'd pull the driver over and conduct a field sobriety test. I'd note whether or not alcohol could be detected on the suspect's breath, his/her general ability to conduct themselves within an acceptable limit or were they too far gone to be safe. Could they understand basic questions and come back with reasonable answers; simple things like the alphabet were impossible for folks who were intoxicated.
Once I was convinced of their being intoxicated the State of Texas had these folks take a breathalyzer test to verify my observations. If they passed the test they got a free ride home; but that was very rare in deed. Most of the folks I put in jail for DWI had more than enough and then some and the breath test served only to back up my observations.
Quite some time after I retired Lawrence Tailor wrote about a scandal in the Houston area, the breathalyzer machines used to convict DWI suspects had not been properly tested; but they had been certified as if they had. The idea that a person responsible for keeping the public's trust above reproach had intentionally lied tainted every thing connected with the chain of evidence.
"DPS said she altered electronic records to make it appear she'd tested and adjusted the calibrations of machines when she had not."
Tailor's article included other alarming information; apparently Houston wasn't the only place where testing equipment related to DWI arrests had not been properly handled.
"…a state breathalyzer inspector who was "fixing" machines in Miami-Dade County by simply deleting evidence of malfunctions. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement fired her — but not until after she had cast doubt on as many as 10,000 DUI convictions"
Sloppy work is one thing; but this went beyond sloppy. Their criminally negligent actions undermined thousands of criminal cases. All the honest efforts to keep dangerous drunk drivers off the road would be thrown out of court; reasonable doubt had been established because of a handful of bad apples in the evidence chain.
In a separate quagmire around the same time, as reported in the Houston Chronicle, the crime lab responsible for testing DNA in the Houston area was actually closed because their work was done so poorly.
"Months before the troubled Houston crime lab shuttered its DNA division for a second time, analysts and a supervisor warned investigators of continuing problems, including contamination, questionable procedures, and lost evidence, according to a police investigative report obtained by the Houston Chronicle."
"Since the 2002 exposure of shoddy work and poorly trained personnel, HPD's crime lab has been mired in a forensics controversy that has cast doubt on thousands of cases and led to the exoneration of three men convicted with faulty evidence."
At what point does the public begin to seriously doubt the validity of any evidence submitted in a criminal case? As I mentioned earlier, it wouldn't take much for a defense attorney to create "reasonable doubt" considering this problem had been known about at least since 2002; six years and the problems continued without being corrected. Getting a conviction is tough enough without having folks contaminating the chain of evidence with sloppy documentation or worse, wrongdoing or shenanigans worthy of criminal charges.
More recently, as reported by Bridget Murphy in an A/P story this past week, Boston may have even bigger problems with their crime lab; the possibility of hundreds if not thousands of criminal cases being tossed out of court.
"A chemist at the center of a drug lab testing scandal admitted she faked results for two to three years, forged signatures and skipped proper procedures, a police report shows."
"Anne Goldbach, forensic services director for the Committee for Public Counsel Services, which oversees the provision of legal representation for indigent people, said the new documents show the problems at the Hinton State Laboratory are more troubling than originally believed. She said it appears there was unsupervised access to the lab's evidence office and evidence safe."
The movie, Mrs. Winterbourne, came to mind; something to do with criminal investigations and Boston, perhaps… Each family member, including the chauffer stepped forward to take the blame for a homicide of a sorry good for nothing black mailing old boy friend fearing that one of them had actually done it. The real shooter had already been captured and confessed; but none of the "shooter wannabes" knew that or had details of the incident; "I shot him in the heart", "I shot him twice in the head", I shot him from across the room", and so on until it became clear none of them had any idea what had gone down.
The detective conducting the investigation came out with a great line, "If I'm ever accused of a crime I'd want to be a member of this family" (or something close).
If you happened to be charged with a crime in the Boston area there's a better than average chance you could get off the hook. (Houston and Dade County Florida would be in the same sinking boat) There it is in black and white, Anne Goldbach, forensic services director has admitted there was "unsupervised access to the lab's evidence office and evidence safe." In other words the chain of evidence is now in question; anyone could have tampered with or removed critical evidence which now cannot be used in court. Worse, if critical evidence from that particular lab was used there are grounds for dismissal because the fruit of the tree has been tainted.
The public deserves better, much better. Our criminal justice system depends on the public's trust; something which may take years to restore, and all because of a few bad apples.
This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal, a publication whose banner reads, "Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution".


text:
California Department of Transportation
January 21, 2011
District 2 - Redding
Contact: Denise Yergenson
Phone: (530) 225-3260
Sacramento –Continuing the push to rebuild California's infrastructure and spur job growth, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) today allocated $1 billion to 107 transportation projects statewide, including $838 million from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. The remaining allocations came from assorted state and federal transportation accounts.
From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California," said Caltrans Director Cindy McKim.
Since its passage, $6.8 billion in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated by Caltrans and the CTC. Highlights of today's funding allocations for the northstate include:
The South Redding Six Lane project and the Dana to Downtown Landscaping project, both in Shasta County, received funding.
The $22.5 million South Redding Six Lane project will add a 12-ft lane and a 10-ft shoulder in the median in both the southbound and northbound directions on Interstate 5 (I-5) in Shasta County from the Bonnyview Road Interchange north to the I-5/SR 44 freeway to freeway interchange. This project has been developed through a partnership between Caltrans, the Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency and the Federal Highway Administration.
The $500,000 landscaping project on State Route 44 in Redding from the I-5/SR 44 separation to East Street will complete landscaping and install irrigation on the Dana to Downtown project, which completed in October 2010. This project is also in cooperation with the Shasta County RTPA. The Dana to Downtown project relieved congestion in the greater Redding area, improved highway safety, supplemented the Redding bike and pedestrian trail system and provided an enhanced gateway into downtown Redding.
For information about all projects that received allocations please visit:
# # # #


text:
KidzLabs Illusion Science
by 4M
Challenge you eyes with the classic illusion trick cards. View and create 3D pictures. There are over 20 optical activities included to experiment with and learn the scientific explanations behind them. The kit includes various illusion cards, a spinning top, markers, 3D glasses and more.
For ages 8+
For ages 8+
Ask a question about KidzLabs Illusion Science Ask a question about this product
Be the first to write a review on this product!
Please wait...
You May Also Like...
How to get VIP Club Prices
Anyone can be a VIP Member with:
Only $25/year
Your email will not be shared. We will only use your email address to respond to your question. When asking your question, please be as descriptive as possible, it will allow us to give you the most accurate answer possible.
Please wait...
Please wait...