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If you are interested in building a website for a center, project, initiative or even for your personal profile, there are two primary options for having it hosted on the Northeastern server.
First, a few words about both options and WordPress.
Both of these primary options would involve building your website using WordPress. Originally designed as an open source "content management system" for blogs, web developers soon realized that WordPress is an ideal platform for any type of website, even those that don't use the blog function. WordPress has a number of key advantages:
- Easy to learn, easy to use: You can learn the fundamentals of WordPress — how to edit, post content; upload images, videos, documents; adjust the menu – in just a few hours, possibly as short as one hour.
- Low-cost: Whether on Northeastern's server or a commercial webhosting site, WordPress is a free option. No software or licenses to purchase.
- Themes: WordPress works by having themes – a collection of design code that determines the overall look and feel of a website: the shape, colors, fonts, and some of the features. Installing a theme is as easy as finding it, uploading to your website, clicking "activate," and then making decisions about some key features if the Theme has such options. There are thousands and thousands of WordPress themes available for free. And thousands more for very low cost, usually under $100. Switching from one theme to another is as easy as upload-activate. The entire look and feel of the website is changed in an instant. In addition, you can modify any theme by dabbling in a little bit of CSS editing (that takes perhaps another hour or two of training).
- Plug-Ins: In addition to themes, there is another set of code called "plug-ins." These add specific functions to the website. For instance, there are plug-ins that will add the set of social media sharing buttons to your website. There's also a plug-in that will deliver a mobile version of your website when someone visits your website using a mobile phone. Like themes, there are thousands of free plug-ins, and thousands more for very low-cost. Also, like themes, they are easy to find, install and activate. The beauty is that at any point that you might think, "Hmm, it sure would be nice if the website has such and such a feature," odds are there is a plug-in, or several plug-ins available that can add that feature for free.
- Widgets: Widgets are a lot like plug-ins. They add a specific feature, are largely available for free, and can be installed easily and quickly.
- Completely customizable menus: With some non-WordPress websites, the Menu is dictated by the website structure. In order to change the Menu, you have to change the structure of pages. With WordPress, the Menu is independent of the structure. You can have it mirror the structure but you're not limited to that. In addition, if you would like a page to be listed under more than one drop-down menu, you can do that without having to create two separate but identical pages.
1. EdTech's Template Program
One available option is through the Education Technology Center at Northeastern, also known as "EdTech." EdTech offers a "template program." The staff at EdTech custom-developed a set of themes that comply with Northeastern's branding guidelines. If you go with this option, you will receive more guidance and assistance along the way. The disadvantage is simply that you would be limited to the few themes that they have available. You can browse through their theme options before deciding.
2. Build Your Own on Northeastern's Server
You can request a website on Northeastern's server. You provide the ending of the URL which would begin with www.northeastern.edu. For example, let's say you want to create a website for a Center for the Study of Civic Development. You could request a website at www.northeastern.edu/civicdevelopment. When requesting the installation of the website, one of the options to select is "WordPress Installation." Select that.
Link to request a website on the Northeastern server: http://www.northeastern.edu/nuweb/nuweb-hosting/request-an-account
Usually within 48 hours (and often within 24), the "WebGroup" will set it up and send you an email. You'll activate it, establish a username and password. Then you're ready to log-in and build the website. Brand new WordPress websites always begin with a default theme, often named after the current year: "Twenty Twelve."
Considering alternative themes
You can use that default theme, adjust the fonts and colors, or browse around to alternative themes. The easiest way to become familiar with alternative themes is to click on "Appearance" in the menu on the left sidebar, and then "Themes" within Appearance.
You will see what your current theme is, a handful of featured Available themes below it, and a search bar to look beyond those featured ones. For each of these themes, there is a preview option if you just want to see how your website would look with that theme prior to actually switching.
If at some point you want to move beyond searching from within your WordPress admin area, you can just go to google and enter "Free WordPress Themes" and take it from there.
Based on my experience with WordPress, the single most time consuming activity can be searching through, considering and vetting various options for Themes, Plug-ins, and Widgets. I have even resorted to reading a few books on the subject of "best wordpress themes." I would be glad to share my own recommendations about themes.
In addition to these free or low-cost themes that can be purchased "off-the-shelf," another option is to have one custom-developed. This will usually cost between $5,000 and $10,000. So it is substantially higher than a free or low-cost one that's under $100. However, if it's critical that the website look and perform exactly as you want it, this is a great option to consider. Also, even at $10,000 the total cost of the web-development is likely to be less than an entirely custom-developed, non-WordPress website.
Beyond the Two Options of Having it Hosted at Northeastern
Alternatively, if you would like to establish a website independently of Northeastern, you would need to select a web hosting service like GoDaddy, InMotion, BlueHost, etc. Through these services you can both purchase the domain name (URL) and arrange for web hosting. The combination is usually less than $100/year. As you're setting it up, there will be an option for selecting WordPress. I don't provide the specifics here because it varies by web hosting provider.
I will periodically schedule some in-person or web-based trainings on WordPress as well as post some short instructional videos.
If you'd like a consultation or training, contact me, John Sarvey at email@example.com.


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Technology in the past few years has expanded so much and is continuing to improve daily. It is hard to believe how far technology has come over the past 15 years. I was born in 1986 and remember being so excited when my parents bought the first Macintosh PC computer in 1994. At this time we didn't even have Internet. The only thing I could use the computer for was to play games and writing papers for school. The old computer looked like a white box and weighed a ton! When I was growing up I lived out in the country so it wasn't until 1999 that we were even provided Internet service and it was dial-up at that. We did finally upgrade our "white box" in 1999 for a Dell PC. In just 5 years it was hard to believe how far technology had come.
I graduated high school in 2004 and purchased a laptop for college (which I still have). When I purchased this laptop it was one of the best available but it cost so much I nearly had to take a payday loan to cover the $2,000 price tag and it is 2" thick. Now I have a laptop that is ½" think and it only cost me $700. The old laptop I have had since college still works great but it weighs 10lbs so it makes it impossible to carry around when traveling.
When I think back to where technology was with computers when I was born it is hard to believe how far we have come. We now have iMac, touch screen, iPad, and iPhones. I recently purchased an iPhone and now I don't even need my computer. Everything that I once needed my computer for I can now do on my phone…well except write papers for my graduate classes. Technology has come such a long way over my life it is hard for me to understand where we may possibly be in another 25 years.
I recently read online by 2025 we should have cars that average 60 miles per gallon, 3D printing, and 3D computers that make the interaction like a Star Trek episode. This now is only 14 years away. If we are so great with technology why does our country have so many other problems? It seems like if we were smart enough to have 3D computers in less then 14 years then we would be able to find a cure for cancer. Hopefully by the time 2025 comes medicine and science will have taken a huge leap like technology and we will have cures for many diseases.
The use of tools by humankind is a process of discovery and also evolution, though it had remained generally stagnant for most of early human history.
Stone tools
Stone tools mainly for hunting have long been used by human beings even before the emergence of Homo sapiens. The era when stone tools were used by human beings is known as Paleolithic age or Old Stone Age, and it covers almost of all of human history till the time humankind learnt about agriculture.
For making a stone tool, a hard stone with flaking property was struck with another stone used as a hammer. This flaking made a sharp edge on the core stone and also made sharp flakes, either of which was suitable for use as tools primarily for hunting, scrapping, skinning and all the other basic functions associated with hunting and making a meal of the hunt. There were tools which helped in breaking of bones of the hunted animal, chopping of wood, cracking nuts open and even making out other tools out of animal bone and wood.
With the discovery of fire the human civilization had set on a journey which made it the most superior race on the earth. This simple source of energy which could have been used to roast the hunted animal, cook other food, scare away wild animals and such other uses made the human race confident, and discovery of this was a turning point in the evolution of technology as an aid for humankind.
Chocolate coins are an ideal gift. They are such a nice surprise and have a long history in the gift giving department. They are often given to children on holidays all over the world. They are typically wrapped in gold foil and have an ancient looking coin imprinted into the foil. They are delicious and a fun way to give chocolate.
History of Chocolate Coins
These delectable treats have a long history that is wrapped in authentic legends. It is rumored that the very first types of treats like these were made in honor of Cesar the ruler of the Roman Empire and were gifted to the ladies and gentleman of the Roman court. Of course these chocolate coins bore the face of none other than Cesar himself. Chocolate had been a much loved treat for quite some time when there fabulous treats were devised, however during these days the chocolate was not wrapped in foil but instead was wrapped in very fine sheets of gold so the recipient not only was gifted with a fine piece of chocolate but also had the luxury of a little bit of actual treasure.
This custom continued through many generations, for many years in the true tradition with the chocolate being encased in actual gold foil to look exactly like the coin of the day. Children were often gifted with these treasure to memorialize special dates and as rites of passages.
Of course now in modern times the gold foil has been replaced by gold looking foil but these delicious treats are still much appreciated. In some cases the coins are void of any type of foil at all, and the design is simply imprinted right into the chocolate.
Familiar Net Bags
The chocolate coins today are sold in net bags, often with a pirates logo written chocolate coins on them. They are a familiar sight in most candy stores and other stores that sell novelty candy items. These items are also available online through many candy vendors that specialize in novelty candy. The net bags that these treats are sold in are usually made of gold plastic netting that looks a bit like a netted purse, all of it done to raise the excitement of the receiver of these sweet gifts.

subset: commoncrawl


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There are beautiful landscapes to enjoy and a whole host of recreational activities to pursue in Victoria's parks and reserves. The great outdoors beckons.
You can plan and do park activities on your own, or join one of hundreds of tours and activities offered by Licensed Tour Operators.
Joint management is helping to care for local parks
29 Jul 2014
Rangers from Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and Parks Victoria have joined forces to improve access to the Corringle Foreshore Reserve. The walking track to the popular reserve and fishing spot has been cleared and widened and the chain and board walkway replaced. Corringle Foreshore Reserve is one…
What's on
The First Shot Commemoration
5 Aug 2014 11:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday 5 August 2014 marks the 100 year anniversary of the first shot fired in the British Empire in World War I. This shot was fired from Coastal Artillery Gun Emplacement 6 at Fort Nepean on 5 August 1914 at 12:45pm, just 3 hours 45 minutes after war was declared…
The Melbourne Mega Bat Count
6 Aug 2014
The Grey-headed Flying-fox is the largest flying-fox (also known as a fruit bat) species in Australia. Each month the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology conduct the monthly bat count at Yarra Bend Park at dusk on the Wednesday evening closest to the risen full moon. This data is critical…
Heart Foundation Walking - Park Walk
6 Aug 2014 10:00am-11:00am
Enjoy the fresh air of this beautiful park and get an insight into the park's fascinating history, flora and fauna. This free guided walk run by Friends of Tarra Bulga National Park will lead you across the famous Corrigan Suspension Bridge which stretches through the rainforest canopy, and on either…
Heart Foundation Walking - Park Walk
10 Aug 2014 9:15am-10:30am
Come along and explore the natural beauty of Kurth Kiln. Ursula and Fran (Friends of Kurth Kiln) will lead a fascinating walk that will show off the park's history and some of it's unique flora and fauna.
Latest posts
Yes, it's freezing out there, but take it from our snow angel, there's still lot...Yes, it's freezing out there, but take it from our snow angel, there's still lots of fun to be had! Here are our snow pics from around Victoria today.View post | Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17.06
We'd like to say a special thanks this World Ranger Day to all of our fantastic...We'd like to say a special thanks this World Ranger Day to all of our fantastic rangers who help to care for Victoria's parks. They do an amazing job that includes a huge variety of work. Whether it's helping to fight fires, cleaning up after floods, building new tracks and trails, monitoring native animals and plants, controlling pest species or helping visitors to enjoy their stay, the list is endless! Thank you!View post | Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16.53
Timeline PhotosHRH Prince William the Duke of Cambridge gives his important World Ranger Day message and strong support to the world's rangers, who are the front-line of conservation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpt6vN0vwV0View post | Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16.35
Timeline PhotosToday is World Rangers Day - a perfect day to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all these extraordinary people taking care of and protecting our natural environment. At @[161854162881:274:Greenfleet] we work with Rangers for many of our native reforestation projects, like the forest we planted in Kinglake National Park, Vic. "Ion and Tony, Rangers in charge of Kinglake National Park pictured below, are two of the most passionate people I've ever met. Their work goes beyond protecting the Park and they play a key role in bringing the community together in this beautiful part of Victoria. It's always great to catch up with them and I can't wait to work with them for our upcoming planting days in the Park!", said Aline, our Marketing Coordinator.View post | Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13.10
Today is World Ranger Day and we honour those park rangers who have lost their l...Today is World Ranger Day and we honour those park rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and celebrate and acknowledge the brave, tireless, and critical role of the planets park rangers in protecting our world's natural and cultural treasures. World Ranger Day 2014 - July 31st - The Thin Green Line Foundationthingreenline.org.auA message from Sean Willmore (Founder of The Thin Green Line Foundation & President of the International Ranger Federation) The 31st of July each year is the one day, more than most, that we ask the world community to pause, reflect and honour those park rangers who have lost their lives in the line…View post | Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10.57


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Is a new computer part of your future? Wondering what to get?
Maybe I can help. It's been more than two years since I last wrote about buying a personal computer, and things have changed some since then.
First off, keep in mind that different types of computer users will be suited by different types of machines. One size doesn't fit all. That's why there are so many different ways to configure a PC.
Second, let's clear up one of the most confusing things for a lot of people, the difference between RAM and storage space. Both these components are usually described using the same measurement units, bytes (actually, megabytes and gigabytes), and I suspect that's why people get them mixed up. They are, however, completely different ideas.
Imagine for a moment, if you will, a person working in an office. The person has various tasks to do. Instructions for these tasks are written in booklets that are stored in a file cabinet in the office. Also stored in the file cabinet are papers on which the person records the result of the tasks that are completed.
Now, if we draw a parallel between this office scenario and a computer, we can compare the storage space of the computer with the file cabinet in the office. In a computer, this is usually what's known as a hard-disk drive. Sizes today typically range from 100 to 300 gigabytes.
Similarly, we can compare the memory in the person's mind, where the thoughts required to complete the tasks take place, with the RAM in the computer. After all, RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is pretty much what you have in your mind. In today's PCs, the size ranges from one to eight gigabytes. In humans, it varies widely.
One difference, it should be noted, between the memory in a human and the memory in a computer, is that in a person, the memory, we hope, persists. In a computer, when the power is turned off, the RAM goes blank. Aren't you glad you're not a computer?
Anyway, both memory and storage are measured in bytes, but now you know the difference.
So, let's get back to buying a computer.
If you are an individual, and not buying a machine for a business, you are probably going to get one with Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system installed on it.
I'm not going to get involved in the Windows-Macintosh-Linux debate here. That can be for another column. If you want a column about that, e-mail me. If there is enough interest, it could happen.
First rule: Get two gigabytes of RAM, or more. Vista is a memory hog. Microsoft will tell you that the minimum requirement is less than that, but take my word for it, you need a lot of RAM for Vista to be happy. I have no vested interests in either memory manufacturers or Microsoft's marketing, so you can trust me on this.
With the RAM issue taken care of, and if you are going to use the computer for surfing the Web, sending e-mail and nothing else, you have it easy. Almost any computer you buy new today will do that sufficiently well.
If you're in this situation, your decision can be made simply by picking out a manufacturer or dealer that you decide you can trust.
You're done.
If you are going to be doing more than that, you have to scale your computer's power in relation to the work that you do.
If you are going to be doing tasks using graphically oriented programs for such things as photo editing, using complex drawings or laying out complex pages to be printed, you will want more power than you typically get in the low-end machines. Pick a dual-core processing chip, such as the Intel Core2Duo or an AMD chip with "X2" in its name. You may also want even more than two gigabytes of RAM.
If you are a "gamer," playing the complex online games, you can never have too much power.
These guys get the dual-processor machines, each with multi-core chips, and video cards that cost as much as someone else's whole computer. The people who use these computers already pretty much know who they are, and what they want. They are limited only by the size of their wallet and their imagination.
So, about the only consideration left is the desktop-notebook issue. I'll give my usual notebook sermon now.
Some people need a notebook computer. Others think they need a notebook, but probably really don't.
If you're considering a notebook, keep in mind the drawbacks of a portable machine, as well as the advantages.
Notebooks are more expensive than a comparable power desktop. They get stolen more often. They get dropped and suffer damage more often.
It's more of a pain to get them repaired, especially after the warranty runs out.
In short, they're a higher-risk proposition.
Don't get me wrong, for some people they are just the thing. I use one myself on occasion for my job, but if you just want a notebook for the "cool" factor, take all these things into consideration.
If you're planning to buy a new PC, I hope I've helped in some small way. Keep in mind that these recommendations are intended for individuals.
If you want to get a machine for a business, it can get much more complicated, especially in the operating system area. There is not enough space here to get into that scenario. That could be a topic for a future column, if there is interest in it.
E-mail me at the address below if you have comments or suggestions for future columns.
Bruce Endries is former systems manager at The Daily Star. He can be reached by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Privatization During an Economic Downturn: Still Inefficient and Problematic
Altaf Rahamatulla on October 26, 2009 - 1:02pm
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates that in 2010 and 2011, states will face a combined budget deficit of $350 billion. As states grapple with the recession and search for the best methods to alleviate economic and budgetary pressures, some lawmakers continue to propose privatization as an effective policy. In the past few months, there have been proposals to privatize functions across the board: county zoos, libraries, custodial services, parking enforcement, youth shelters, group homes, ambulance services, airports, and transit networks. Wisconsin, for instance, has increasingly privatized the construction engineering services. Just in the past two years, the state outsourced 125 construction engineering jobs, each of which could have been completed by a state worker at a lower cost. Unfortunately, some officials are embracing this "everything must go" attitude towards public assets and services.
The lure is the supposed promise that privatization will deliver a short-term budget fix. Yet many privatization efforts, as this Dispatch will highlight, have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and botched services for the public. That privatization continues to move forward despite such a poor track record reflects pure ideology that the private market delivers the most efficient outcomes, even without demonstrable results. Some states may also be making the more cynical decision to pursue immediate short-term infusions of capital at the expense of long-term financial cost in pursuit of short-term electoral gains. In any case, privatization comes at the expense of long-term investments in the community, sustainable budget policy and public accountability. This Privatization Update is part of a series; for past analysis, please visit the Reform Government Contracts and Restrict Privatization section of our website and see our March 2009 and November 2008 Stateside Dispatches
Table of Contents:
- Recent Privatization Debacles
- Privatization of Public Services Costing Taxpayers
- Privatization of Public Assets Driven by Short-Term Goals
- States and Cities Taking Action
Recent Privatization Debacles
In recent months, there have been several examples of wide-raging problems with privatization, with even key proponents like Indiana and the City of Chicago finding high-profile privatization projects mired in failure.
Indiana Welfare Privatization Fails: In 2007, Indiana initiated an overhaul of its welfare system and granted IBM a $1.34 billion contract to provide services. From the outset, several Indiana lawmakers and advocacy organizations recognized the inherent faults in such a system, and called for an immediate halt to further privatization. In fact, two Republican legislators, Rep. Suzanne Crouch and Sen. Vaneta Becker, drafted legislation, HB 1691, which sought to prohibit the Family and Social Services Administration from expanding welfare privatization until a complete review was conducted to examine the effects and progress of the program.
Critics continually assailed the deal, warning that Texas took similar steps and failed miserably after the privatization of their welfare system left thousands of people without benefits for which they were eligible. Texas also experienced other critical failures after outsourcing welfare to Accenture. For example, a massive computer crash destroyed hundreds of the Texas Attorney General's records, including 8 months of work and evidence in 81 Medicaid fraud cases. Texas officials were not informed of issues that should have raised concern, such as lags in reporting and record retrieval failure.
Indiana's experience with IBM soon led to failure as well, as thousands needing financial help were denied access despite qualifying for help because of implementation errors. As Lois Rockhill, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank related, "[p]eople needing Food Stamps, cash assistance and health coverage have very little wiggle room. Falling through the cracks is almost like falling through the gallows with a noose around your neck. You are at the end of your rope." As more Indiana families faced the prospect of unemployment, rising costs, and foreclosure and turned to the government for support, a privatized welfare system failed to provide necessary services to the state's most vulnerable residents.
This month, Indiana officials announced that they would be canceling the state's contract with IBM. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels (who championed privatization efforts in the past, leased the Indiana Toll Road and proposed outsourcing the state lottery) admitted that the privatization initiative was a "flawed concept that simply did not work out in practice." He also cited the lack of face-to-face contact and county-based case management, inefficiency of welfare call centers, high error rates, and poor timeliness as the major problems created by the privatized system.
Kids for Cash: A recent scandal in Pennsylvania illustrates the potential dangers of privatized services. Two judges, Mark Civarella Jr. and Michael Conahan, received over $2.6 million in the past seven years from Pennsylvania Child Care LLC, a private company that operated a juvenile detention center, and a subsidiary, Western Pennsylvania Child Care LLC. The judges, who were instrumental in closing the county-run facility, assisted in securing a 20-year, $58 million contract for the company, used public money to finance the lease, and aggressively sentenced children for minor infractions in order to fill slots in the center.
In one case, Civarella sentenced a 17-year-old to a detention facility and five months of boot camp for helping a friend steal DVDs. In another instance, the judge sentenced a 15-year-old girl to wilderness camp for mocking a school official on MySpace. Many of the children had no legal counsel when appearing in court and the judges failed to explain that such services were available to them or their parents. The two judges plead guilty earlier this year and were charged with racketeering, extortion, bribery, money laundering, fraud and other crimes last month. Interestingly, Pennsylvania has the second highest number of privatized juvenile detention centers in the country.
This illustrates that privatization is a recipe for disaster, particularly when providing social services to vulnerable populations, such as the youth, elderly and poor, where public accountability is most necessary. Nevertheless, lawmakers still pursue such initiatives, even in the face of mounting evidence exposing the potential pitfalls of privatization. Michigan House Republicans released a report, Moving Michigan Forward: Investing in our Future, that offers an unsustainable plan claiming to reinvigorate the economy and close the burgeoning budget deficit. The plan mainly relies on massive cuts to education and health care, freezing enrollment in the earned income tax credit program, and a proposal to privatize the juvenile justice system.
As Beth Arnovits, Director of the Michigan State Council on Crime and Delinquency relates, although the current system needs reform, this kind of privatization plan would only exacerbate the problem and endanger provision of needed services. She points out, "[f]rom a public policy perspective it is not in the best interest of the counties, the kids or the state to do this. It's also not real savings...[a]ny potential saving, which is smaller than what is budgeted here, would be offset by how we would screw these kids up." In this case, the predominant danger of privatization is placing profit above the needs of the youth. Equally troubling, there is no system in place for proper oversight of privatized detention facilities. A 2004 US Department of Justice study of privatized juvenile detention centers found almost 3,000 allegations of sexual abuse.
Chicago's Parking Meters Leased for $1 Billion Less than Their Worth: Outsourcing social services is not the only instance of flawed privatization. In December 2008, Chicago leased its parking meter system to a private corporation for 75 years for approximately $1.15 billion. The deal was pushed through the City Council at a furious pace -- Mayor Richard Daley introduced the plan only two days before its approval by city aldermen.
Not only was the deal hastily moved through the Council, but meter rates immediately rose and they are expected to increase drastically over the next few years. By 2013, it will cost $6.50 per hour to park in the Loop, $4 downtown and $2 in neighborhoods. At the time of the deal's passage, it cost $3 in the Loop, $1 downtown, and $0.25 to $0.75 in surrounding neighborhoods. A report by the Inspector General discovered that the City ultimately received $1 billion less than it should have, citing the system's worth as $2.13 billion over the 75-year period. The Inspector General also found that city lawmakers failed to properly deliberate the plan in council, search for other methods of revenue generation, or calculate whether or not the deal was in the best interest of Chicago residents.
The public outcry was immediate. Residents are unhappy with astronomical rate increases and advocates criticized the lack of transparency in the process. In August, the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization (IVI-IPO) sued, claiming the city was illegally using taxpayer dollars to benefit a private company and that it had violated state law by removing the ability of City Council to set future parking policy and by allowing a private firm to exercise police powers. The case is moving forward after a Cook County judge decided last month that the plaintiffs had grounds to sue state officials.
Washington, DC experienced similar failures in the privatization of parking meters. In 2006, the city's auditor issued a report that highlighted several examples of contract abuse and mismanagement and found that the private management of parking meters was financially imprudent, increased costs by $9 million from 1999 to 2005, and lacked proper oversight.
AFSCME - Safety Net for Sale: The Dangers of Privatizing Social Services
IRP Poverty Dispatch - Privatization of Social Services
The Dallas Morning News - Abuse figures murky for juvenile centers
Harvard University - Implement National Board of Review to Oversee Private Juvenile Justice Centers
Left in Alabama - Privatization and the Juvenile Justice System: A Tale of Abuse, Neglect, and Lack of Oversight
National Center for Juvenile Justice - State Juvenile Justice Profiles
National Juvenile Defender Center - The Use and Abuse of Juvenile Detention
Office of the District of Columbia Auditor - Auditor's Examination of Parking Meter Contract Administration and Financial Management
Office of the Inspector General - An Analysis of the Lease of the City's Parking Meter
Privatization of Public Services Costing Taxpayers
The bottom line is that privatization does not usually deliver the savings for taxpayers promised by its proponents. Public accountability is lost and, unsurprisingly, contractors take advantage of the system to profit at the expense of the public.
Contractor Costs Add to New York MTA Public Transit Deficits: New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which is responsible for New York City's subway system, commuter rail lines and some bridges and tunnels, has faced cyclical deficits in recent years. Last month, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released an audit of the MTA's use of contractors and found that as the agency has been increasing fares and accepting public revenue to cover budget gaps, they have spent excessively on contractors without proof that it was a more affordable alternative. The audit cites that 15% of the MTA's operating budget goes to private contracts. In most cases, the authority could not prove cost effectiveness. The value of contracts tripled between 2006 and 2008, even though the actual number of contracts declined by 35% during that time. Almost 25% of all service contracts were non-competitive.
Partly due to excessive contractor costs, the MTA confronted a $1.2 billion deficit this year. New York lawmakers passed an "MTA bailout plan", which included a 0.34% payroll tax on businesses that are located in the 12 counties served by the MTA, a $0.50 taxi surcharge, and increased fees for driver's licenses and vehicle registration. In total, the plan will generate $1.76 billion annually. MTA fares also increased, but not as sharply as they would have if the state had not take action. DiNapoli commented, "[t]he MTA has raised fares and received more tax dollars to cover its deficits and debt. At the same time, the MTA expanded its use of personal service contracts without a thorough evaluation of the need or cost-effectiveness of those contracts. Now more than ever, every dime counts, and the MTA needs to manage public resources more carefully."
Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) Excessive Use of Contractors: The Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau conducted an audit of the WSDOT's use of state and private construction engineers in the quality assurance process for highway projects. In the past five fiscal years, the agency outsourced approximately half of all construction engineering work. At the peak, WSDOT private consultants were involved in 65% of all state highway projects. The audit additionally reviewed WSDOT cost benefit analyses of all engineering services from March 2007 to June 2008. During this period, 125 construction engineering jobs were outsourced, or about 60% of the total, that could have been done at a lower cost by state workers. In the end, using private contractors over state workers cost the state $1.2 million. The graph to the right depicts the trends over the past five years.
The review of the data spurred the bureau to recommend that WSDOT "electronically track the extent to which consultants serve as construction engineers on each state highway project, including whether they serve as the project leader or as inspectors."
Privatizing Worker's Compensation Insurance Programs: Both Oklahoma and Colorado are considering privatizing their worker's compensation insurance programs, CompSource Oklahoma and Pinnacol Assurance. Officials in each of these states are referencing Nevada and West Virginia as prime examples of the proper way to privatize worker's compensation. For instance, Oklahoma Rep. Dan Sullivan, citing rate decreases in Nevada, claimed, "I don't think there's any question that that's the way we need to go... It is a policy decision—is providing workers' compensation insurance a core function of government?"
However, Jane Moskowitz, a Nevada Division of Insurance actuary, states that the results of privatization have been a bit more complicated than the situation Rep. Sullivan frames. Moskowitz finds that employers in the residual market are generally dissatisfied with the private transition. She explains further that these employers are now paying surcharges on their policies that augment their insurance costs by up to 25%. A similar sentiment was expressed by Roy Wood of the National Council of Compensation Insurance. Woods argues that small business policyholders would likely see rates increase because they would be unable to subsidize them as the state-run program currently does.
In 2001, the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) finalized an $80 million deal with ACE Financial Solutions to take on $150 million in possible liability from workers' compensation claims. The deal resulted in savings of $13.5 million in 2002 and 2003 and reduced the number of claims the state handled. Unfortunately, the state's Office of Fiscal Analysis found that although the state saved money over that period, it was highly improbable that it would save money in the long run. Further, the short-term savings were mainly a result of the state using bond money to pay for the contract.
It was later revealed that DAS hired an inexperienced firm to evaluate the contract before deciding to go forward with privatization, resulting in "overestimates and overpayments...from misinformation and misadvice [and] improper oversight." Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal emphatically concluded that, "[p]rivatization spawned inefficiency, incompetence, and increased costs. We must reform conditions--lack of funding and procedures--that led to this bungled deal. The case proves privatization is no panacea. The state must adhere strictly to legal procedures mandating careful analysis of costs and benefits before any privatization deal."
Office of the New York State Comptroller - Metropolitan Transit Authority: Contracts for Personal and Miscellaneous Services
Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau - Construction Engineering in State Highway Projects
Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services - Oregon Workers' Compensation Premium Rate Ranking
State of Connecticut, Attorney General's Office - Attorney General Investigation Finds $80 Million Rowland-Era Worker's Comp Deal Badly Botched
State of Connecticut, Attorney General's Office - Loss Portfolio Arrangement
Privatization of Public Assets Driven by Short-Term Goals
Airports: Over a decade ago, Congress authorized the creation of a pilot airport privatization program. Tucked into the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996, Section 149 detailed a program that would allow up to five airports to form long-term leases with private entities "as a means of generating access to various sources of private capital for airport improvement and development." An interested entity would submit an application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To attract private investors, the legislation permitted the US Secretary of Transportation to provide exemptions from federal statutory and regulatory requirements. The exemptions would have to be approved by 65% of the airlines serving the particular airport. That same body is responsible for approving any fare or fee increases above the rate of inflation. The program additionally offers private contractors access to federal grants through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
Just one airport in the country has made use of the program since its inception. In March 2000, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey signed a $35 million, 99-year lease with a British company, National Express, to privatize Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY. Partly due to tensions with the surrounding community and the state, National Express backed out of the deal and the Port Authority reacquired the airport lease for approximately $73 million in 2007. According to the FAA, though a few airports have expressed interest in privatizing since the passage of the 1996 legislation, there is only one airport currently being considered for the pilot program.
Even in light of the failure of previous attempts, airport privatization still is being pursued by several cities in an effort to encourage economic recovery and increase city revenues.
- Chicago Midway Airport: In October 2008, Chicago approved a $2.5 billion, 99-year lease of Midway Airport to the private corporation Midway Investment and Development Company LLC. The deal would have allowed Midway Investment to collect revenue from parking concessions, landing fees and passenger facility charges, while the city would have continued providing police and fire protection. Chicago would have been the first major city to participate in the FAA's privatization program. However, the deal fell apart earlier this year, as Midway Investment could not front the cost of the lease due to the national financial crisis. Phineas Baxandall, a senior analyst at the United States Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG) believes that circumstances surrounding the Midway Airport are an indication of overall trends. In the National Journal, Baxandall comments that the public is wary of infrastructure privatization deals and the Obama administration is more restrained in its approach to privatization compared to those in past years. He concludes, "[w]hat was different about the Midway deal was that a private entity would manage broader policies and planning with a directer interest in maximizing profits rather than advancing public goals. The public would have relied upon the master contract agreement to keep the private operator in line, much like consumers rely on their contract right with an HMO, but without an exit option for 50 years... the collapse of the Midway deal is part of a larger trend against such deals."
- New Orleans' Louis Armstrong International Airport: New Orleans is considering privatization of the city-owned Louis Armstrong International Airport and will accept initial bids for long-term lease beginning early next year. The airport's governing board submitted a preliminary application to the FAA in August, which was approved the last month. Initial estimates project that airport privatization can garner $1.25 billion for the city. Nevertheless, there are several obstacles to the the project, including the city's ability to recover economically and continue its rebuilding process.
- Detroit's Mayor Intends to Pursue Airport Privatization: Detroit is being hit particularly hard by the recession. Historic levels of unemployment and foreclosure, population decline, and falling revenues, prompted Mayor Dave Bing to claim that the city now "hangs by a thread." This month, the Mayor announced that he seeks to privatize several public services, including Coleman A. Young International Airport, as part of an overall package that he claims will offer the city economic stability. Nevertheless, unions and candidates for both city council and the charter revision commission have derided the plan. As John Riehl, the head of AFSCME Local 207 in Detroit, stated, "I don't have any confidence that [private contracts] are going to save... Generally, we see that they cost more money...it reflects a lack of investment."
Transit Infrastructure: Generally, the public is wary of large-scale privatization of infrastructure. A 2007 poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that 84% of Americans were against privatization of highways. For example, following Texas Gov. Rick Perry's announcement that he was planning to allow Cintra-Zachry, a private investment firm, to build and manage the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC), the public steadfastly displayed its opposition. While Cintra-Zachry would profit from establishing tolls, the public stood to lose long-term revenue and influence in the transportation planning process.
Melissa Cubria and Kari Wohlschlegel of Texas PIRG point out that, "Rick Perry was re-elected with only 39 percent of the vote, and his three opponents campaigned strongly against the TTC. In fact, Governor Perry is now at odds with his party, as the state GOP party officially opposes the Corridor." This past month, the state's Department of Transportation affirmed the public's sentiment and declared that it would not proceed with TTC. A Texas Transportation Commission member bluntly stated why the project failed, "[t]he reason that's being given for the no-build option is that people don't want it. They said 'Hell no.'"
Federal lawmakers have additionally expressed their disapproval of such projects. For instance, in 2007, Rep. James L. Oberstar of Minnesota, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, affirmed in a letter that he and his colleagues would "work to undo" any road privatization deals that did not "protect the public interest and the integrity of the national system."
However, due to the recession, desire for immediate revenue generation, and the need for massive investment in infrastructure, several states and cities continue to embrace these type of projects. Presently, officials around the country are considering privatization of almost 79 roads. For instance, Arizona officials are moving ahead with privatization plans since the passage of a bill permitting public-private partnership to construct toll roads. Some other well-known instances of road privatization in recent years include Indiana's East-West Toll Road, the Chicago Skyway, and the SR91 Express Lanes in California.
Additionally, several cities are now initiating or planning privatization of entire transit systems.
- New Orleans, LA: NORTA, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, intends to pay a subsidiary of Veolia Environnement, a multinational French corporation, $56.3 million each year, and up to $600 million in the next ten years, to manage, operate, and finance streetcar and bus lines
- Savannah, GA: The city has begun negotiating with Veolia to operate its bus system.
- Houston, TX: Earlier this year, the city awarded Parsons Corp. a $1.5 billion contract to construct, operate, and maintain four light-rail lines.
- Phoenix, AZ: Valley Metro, Phoenix's public transportation system, outsources its bus services completely. Alternate Concepts, Inc., operates the city's new 20-mile light rail, and there are plans to outsource 37 miles more of rail in the near future.
- Los Angeles, CA: The city has outsourced 21 out of 200 bus lines.
Pitfalls: Although these projects promise substantial savings and a way for officials to generate short-term revenue, US PIRG finds, there are several pitfalls of infrastructure privatization, including:
- Loss of public control, transparency, proper government oversight, and ability to set standards;
- Transportation planning driven by profit rather than public needs;
- The eventual loss of public money;
- Private entities potentially enter into risky and unstable financial investments;
- Unreliable and excessive toll and fare increases.
Jacobs Consultancy Focus - New Interest in U.S. Airport Privatization
Federal Aviation Administration - Louis Armstrong New Orleans Privatization Pilot Program Fact Sheet (September 2009)
Federal Aviation Administration - Airport Privatization Pilot Program: Application Procedures (September 16, 1997)
Detroit Crisis Turnaround Team - Full Report
American Society of Civil Engineers - 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure
US PIRG - Private Roads, Public Costs
Texas PIRG - The Trans Texas Corridor: Evaluating and Protecting Against Risks to the Public from Private Toll Roads
States and Cities Taking Action
Given the ongoing failures of privatization, a number of cities and states are seeking new rules to rein in or even prohibit privatization.
Proposed Privatization Reform in Chicago: In response to the parking meter privatization debacle and the aggressive privatization efforts pursued by Chicago's Mayor Daley, Alderman Scott Waguespack introduced a public interest ordinance on leasing city assets with intent to provide city taxpayers enhanced protections and augment the ability of aldermen to critique future lease deals.
The proposed ordinance would require that city council members are notified of a potential sale or lease of a public asset and provided with the objectives of the project, the type of assets under consideration, and a time line of key events. It would also mandate that before the sale or lease of any public asset worth more than $1 million, the city hold a public hearing, make the exact language of the lease agreement and any pertinent documents relating to the plan public record, and permit an independent third party to evaluate the deal. Finally, the ordinance would only allow a maximum of 30-year lease agreements.
Prohibiting the Sale of Milwaukee Water Works: Following reports that officials were considering the sale or lease of Milwaukee Water Works as a means to fund various city services, Wisconsin Rep. Frederick P. Kessler introduced a bill to prohibit privatization of the public utility, adding that such an initiative would result in higher rates and reduced quality and service.
Food in Kentucky State Prisons: Families of inmates in Kentucky have complained that prisoners are receiving reduced quantity and quality of food. Rep. Brent Yonts contends that since the state entered into a $12 million food service contract with a Pennsylvania firm, Aramark, inmates have received less food and the inferior quality has led to the spread of illness in at least one prison. Rep. Yonts introduced a bill, BR 114, that would end the contract and only permit state employees, volunteers, or inmates to provide food service.
Reports and Messaging
A number of recent reports provide guidance to lawmakers in pursuing contracting reforms.
States Need To Provide More Effective Reporting on Contractors: In light of the failures and cost of privatization in these cases, states should make more of an effort to provide concise and meaningful data on the use of contractors and the extent of privatization. In some of the cases highlighted above, the public did not receive clear and comprehensive data until an audit was conducted.
In The State of State Disclosure: An Evaluation of Online Public Information About Economic Development Subsidies, Procurement Contracts and Lobbying Activities, Good Jobs First finds that states provide some level of disclosure of contracts, but that there is significant "room for improvement." Increasing transparency in the budget process is an essential reform to affect progressive change at the state level. To better serve constituents, ensure effective use of public revenue, and promote a fairer and more sustainable budget process, lawmakers must work towards more stringent transparency and reporting requirements.
Enhancing Online Expenditure Transparency: CALPIRG effectively makes the case for enhanced web-based transparency in their report, California Budget Transparency 2.0: Online Tools for Better Government. The report evaluates California's web-based transparency tools and offers a broader perspective on the emerging trend toward online expenditure disclosure.
The report notes that "at least 29 states currently mandate that residents be able to access a searchable online database of government expenditures. These states have come to define 'Transparency 2.0' — a new standard of comprehensive, one-stop, one-click budget accountability and accessibility." There are countless advantages to implementing this level of transparency: it enjoys bipartisan and public support, increases civic engagement, is affordable, permits a more precise view of expenditures, and allows for greater future savings and a more targeted approach to economic development.
The Public Interest Should Always be the Primary Concern: Illinois PIRG released Privatization and the Public Interest, which argues that Chicago's aggressive privatization efforts in recent years are faulty, do not provide long-term savings, and suffer from lack of public accountability. The report concludes that in the future, the city should adhere to a series of principles and standards that would ensure the best interest of the public is always in mind.
Call for Responsible Contracting: In a recent report, The Road to Responsible Contracting, the National Employment Law Project (NELP) highlights the need for greater standards to be attached to federal contracting projects. Citing limited benefits offered to employees, low wages, and substandard circumstances, the authors find that contractors who partake in substandard practices, "impose significant costs on taxpayers because their employees must rely on public safety net programs to make ends meet."
An evaluation of the current federal contracting system discovers little to no consideration of responsible practices. The authors offer several recommendations to improve the process, including more comprehensive screening of potential bidders, giving preference to contractors who provide sustainable wages and benefits, and improving contractor oversight and enforcement of labor standards.
AFSCME - Legislative Approaches to Responsible Contracting
AFSCME - Power Tools for Fighting Privatization
CALPIRG - California Budget Transparency 2.0
Good Jobs First - The State of State Disclosure
Illinois PIRG - Privatization and the Public Interest
NELP - The Road to Responsible Contracting
PrivatizationWatch.org - Services Being Privatized
The San Diego Daily Transcript - The failed 'managed care' experiment


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Fourth World Journal
The Fourth World Journal (FWJ) is the world's leading publication for ideas and analysis about and by writers from some of the world's more than six thousand Fourth World nations. Leading activists and scholars contribute lively and informative articles and essays and reveal what otherwise often remains hidden.FWJ delivers to the reader analysis, ideas and thorough scholarship that explains world events or activities that address climate change and the environment, political change, history, economics, social change, traditional knowledge systems and the creative arts.FWJ was the first publication to print Dr. David C. Hyndman's analysis of how the government of Indonesia introduced biological warfare in its offensive war against West Papua's indigenous nations (Summer 1989). Informative and incisive articles like "U.S. Expropriates Tribal Lands Legally," and an analysis of the "World Bank's Tribal Economic Policy" were first published in FWJ and were only later cited by other publications referring to the pages of FWJ. Articles and essays as varied as "The Human Rights Situation in Africa" by Moringe Parkipuny of Massai and "Potlatch Economics, a Lummi Perspective" by Larry Kinley have enriched scholar's understanding of Fourth world Peoples today.


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Amazing Grass is the most potent, convenient & afforadable way to help achieve you 5 + daily servings of vegetables
- Increases and sustains energy naturally
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- High alkalinity helps balance acidic PH levels
- Strengthens immune system
- Complete food with enzymes and all essential amino acids
- Natural source of anti-oxidants to help repair damaged cells
- Field grown outdoors through winter
- Vegan, Gluten Free and Raw
- A naturally balanced source of Phytonutrients and Carotenoids
- 2X more dietary fiber than an 8 gram serving of oat bran
- 2X more iron than a 30 gram serving of fresh spinach
- Excellent source of folic acid, beta carotene and vitamin C
- 25% vegetable protein by weight
- 100 % whole leaf powder...not from juice!
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Supplement Facts
Mix a tablespoon with juice, smoothie or water. Just one serving and you hit your daily quota of green vegetables. Recommend 1-3 servings daily.
Serving Size 1 scoop Servings Per Container 30 Amount Per Serving % DV Calories 35.00 Calories from Fat 0.00 Total Fat 0.00 g 0% Cholesterol 0.00 g 0% Total Carbohydrate 4.00 g 1% Dietary Fiber 2.00 g 8% Protein 2.00 g 4% Vitamin A (100% as Beta carotene) 3800.00 IU 80% Vitamin A (100% as Beta carotene) 3800.00 IU 80% Vitamin C 17.00 mg 30% Vitamin C 17.00 mg 30% Vitamin K 80.00 mcg 100% Vitamin K 80.00 mcg 100% Riboflavin 0.60 mcg 35% Riboflavin 0.60 mcg 35% Niacin 0.60 mg 4% Niacin 0.60 mg 4% Vitamin B6 0.10 mcg 4% Vitamin B6 0.10 mcg 4% Folic Acid 80.00 mcg 20% Folic Acid 80.00 mcg 20% Cobalamin (B12) 0.10 mcg 2% Cobalamin (B12) 0.10 mcg 2% Calcium 35.00 mg 4% Calcium 35.00 mg 4% Iron 2.00 mg 10% Iron 2.00 mg 10% Iodine 18.00 mcg 10% Iodine 18.00 mcg 10% Selenium 8.00 mcg 10% Selenium 8.00 mcg 10% Manganese 548.00 mcg 25% Manganese 548.00 mcg 25% Sodium 2.00 mg 0% Sodium 2.00 mg 0% Potassium 230.00 mg 6% Potassium 230.00 mg 6% Chlorophyll 42.00 mg 0% Chlorophyll 42.00 mg 0% ** Daily Value (DV) not established
Other Ingredients: Organic whole-leaf wheat grass powder (triticum aestivum), Organic whole-leaf wheat grass powder (triticum aestivum)
Gluten Free, Soy Free
Distributed by: Amazing Grass P.O. Box 475576 San Francisco, CA 94147
- Health Notes
OctacosanolOctacosanolThis nutrient has been used in connection with the following health goals
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:Athletic PerformanceDose: Refer to label instructionsPreliminary studies have suggested that octacosanol improves endurance, reaction time, and other measures of exercise capacity.(more)Athletic PerformanceDose: Refer to label instructions
Wheat germ oil, which contains a waxy substance known as octacosanol, has been investigated as an ergogenic agent. Preliminary studies have suggested that octacosanol improves endurance, reaction time, and other measures of exercise capacity.1 In another preliminary trial, supplementation with 1 mg per day of octacosanol for eight weeks improved grip strength and visual reaction time, but it had no effect on chest strength, auditory reaction time, or endurance.2References
1. Cureton TK. The physiological effects of wheat germ oil on humans. In: Exercise. Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1972, 296-300.
2. Saint-John M, McNaughton L. Octacosanol ingestion and its effects on metabolic responses to submaximal cycle ergometry, reaction time and chest and grip strength. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1986;6(2):81-7.
Octacosanol is a waxy substance naturally present in some plant oils and is the primary component of the sugar cane extract called policosanol.
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Comments about Amazing Grass® Wheat Grass Powder:
great product! mixes great with orange juice.
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Comments about Amazing Grass® Wheat Grass Powder:
When taken daily, I have noticed a boost in my energy and mood. I feel better overall. I tried adding a scoop to my morning shake, but no matter what I put in the shake to cover the taste, the entire thing would taste like grass. it is MUCH easier to just stir in a scoop into a glass of orange juice and drink it that way. The orange eases the grassy flavor. So as long as you don't mind your mouth tasting like a freshly mowed lawn, I'd recommend the product for the great results.
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The wheat grass powder is great!! I put a scope with my vegan protein powder and almond milk berfore my work out to make sure I'll get complete protein. It does not has weird taste and blends in well with other stuff in the shaker. I have bought 4 of these so far and I'll continue to buy it!
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Q. I'm 55 and my wife is 54; like a lot of 50-year-olds, we are playing catch-up with our retirement savings. Unlike a lot of my peers, I'm making more money now than I ever have and can see this continuing for the next 10 or so years. I started my own niche business and it's going like gangbusters, putting us in a high tax bracket. Our adjusted gross income is now between $150,000 and $180,000. My wife helps me but is not officially on the payroll. For the first time in our lives, we hired a money manager and a CPA. The problem is that we are receiving conflicting advice from each of them concerning retirement savings.
Our money manager set up a solo 401(k) with a Roth 401(k) component, but he thinks we should invest all that we can in the pre-tax 401(k). This would include my personal contribution of $23,000 as an employee and my company matching contribution of around $10,000. Our CPA thinks we should make my employee contribution in the Roth 401(k) since my company match has to go into the pre-tax 401(k). The CPA says that this way when we retire, we will be able to keep ourselves in a low tax bracket by making taxable withdrawals from the pre-tax 401(k) and tax-free withdrawals from the Roth 401(k) to meet expenses. Our money manager argues that with our projected maximum savings in the 401(k), assuming a reasonable rate of return and a 10 percent withdrawal rate in retirement, we will still be in a much lower tax bracket in retirement than our current bracket.
They are both respected professionals, and we can understand both sides, but we are now conflicted as to which type of plan my personal contributions should be made. Is there a problem that our advisers are not on the same page? Any advice would be appreciated.
A. It would be nice if your advisers were in agreement. If you haven't already, maybe you could encourage them to discuss the matter and explain why they feel the Roth 401(k) or traditional 401(k) is a better fit for your personal employee contributions. There may be some information about your personal situation that one of them is missing. I don't see where either of them would benefit if you took the advice of one versus the other. You may want to meet with an objective financial adviser or tax professional and get a third opinion. Without knowing your total financial situation; I can only provide some general advice, but it may be helpful when discussing the matter with a third party or your current advisers.
If you don't already have a lot of retirement savings and you are currently in a higher tax bracket than you expect to be in retirement, I'd tend to agree with your money manager. If you are able to achieve a 10 percent rate of return over the next 10 years and continue to make employee and employer contributions of $33,000 each year, your account value will be just over $525,000. A 10 percent withdrawal would generate a taxable income stream of $52,500. If you add to this amount a maximum Social Security benefit at full retirement age of $2,642 for you and 50 percent of that amount for your wife you will have an additional $47,556 of income of which 85 percent of $40,422 will be subject to tax. Projected total retirement income subject to tax is $92,923. Even before taking deductions and exemptions, this is less than your current taxable income.
Unless your CPA knows something about your situation or future changes to tax rates of which I'm unaware, making the employee contributions into the traditional pre-tax 401(k) makes more sense to me. If cash flow allows, you and your wife should contribute to Roth IRAs in addition to your 401(k) plan. The maximum each of you can contribute is $6,500 ($5,500 plus a $1,000 catch-up for those wage earners and spouses age 50 and over). Assuming a 10 percent rate of return $13,000 invested each year for 10 years, you will have $207,186 in your Roth IRAs.
Holly Nicholson is a certified financial planner in Raleigh. She cannot answer every question. Reach her at askholly.com or P.O. Box 97128, Raleigh, NC 27624


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Pauline Sara Chandler (MEd)Adjunct Faculty
Department of Management
Consulting Experience
My consulting has included work with nonprofits, small businesses, schools and colleges. From 2004-06 this work was completed with students through the Tomey Center of Antioch University New England.
Climate and Culture
Many schools struggle with culture and climate issues. I have found that the root of these challenges is often weak communication. My consultation usually begins with a climate and needs assessment through surveys, focus groups, and observations. Following an evaluation of the results, I have worked with the teachers and administrations to design interventions. I have designed workshops and classes for schools on how to navigate difficult conversations, how to develop trust in teams, and how to develop personal and professional boundaries for communication in schools. On going evaluation and feedback helps the staff to assess their growth and celebrate needed changes.
Strategic Planning
Small non profits recognize the importance of developing a strategic plan but there are often challenges to meeting that goal: finances, time needed to create the plan, and staffing availability. We have designed a streamlined process to assist small non profits in developing a 5 year strategic plan. We work closely with a team of staff, board members and community members to understand the needs and the culture of the organization. Surveys and focus groups help us to understand the staff and clients. We then work with a committee to develop a plan of action. In a recent consulting project, we worked with a committee once a month for five months. This approach made strategic planning customized, streamlined, and efficient.
Evaluation and Needs Assessment for Program Development
Many schools and non profit organizations are receiving grants to develop new programs. Most funders are requiring an evaluation plan be a part of the grant application. The Tomey Center has helped craft grant evaluation plans for multiple schools and non profits grant applications. The evaluation plan is customized for the project goals but often involves a pre evaluation with a needs assessment component utilizing focus groups and surveys. It also includes ongoing assessment, follow up evaluation, and a final report. Our job as program development evaluators is to provide feedback to an organizations' leaders so they can make decisions on action steps.
Service Learning and Leadership Development
Service learning has become an important venue for experiential learning. There are complexities to introducing students to new organizations and communities as volunteers and learners. The Tomey Center has supported faculty in developing service learning programs and infrastructure for elementary, middle, high school and undergraduate programs. We have helped schools to assess and improve their service learning programs.
In addition, many college students are participating in service learning projects. We have developed a Student as Leader training program to assist students in developing their leadership skills prior to their service learning projects. These leadership workshops help the students to be more effective in their service, more welcome into the communities where they are serving, and more skilled at navigating change initiatives. These workshops have been implemented broadly in one national environmental service group.
Courage to Teach
Courage to Teach is a national teacher and leadership renewal program. Parker Palmer has developed this program for teachers and it is housed in the Center for Courage and Renewal, http://www.couragerenewal.org/.
The Tomey Center was asked to be a program evaluator for the implementation of Courage to Teach in several New Hampshire schools. As the evaluator, we follow the program implementation and outcomes for two years. Our goal is to support the Courage to Teach model and raise questions about how a school is impacted by a group of teachers being trained in Courage to Teach listening, reflection, and collegiality.


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Dried fruit usually consists of ready-mixed candied peel, currants, raisins and sultanas.
Check the sell-by date and buy dried fruit that has been sprayed with vegetable oil, not mineral oil. It is usually cheaper to buy individual dried fruits if you cook regularly.
Dried fruit is used by regular cake-makers and steamed pudding fans. It can also be added to mincemeat. However, most recipes benefit from controlling the proportions of the different dried fruits.
Article by Sybil Kapoor
Type the ingredients you want to use, then click Go. For better results you can use quotation marks around phrases (e.g. "chicken breast"). Alternatively you can search by chef, programme, cuisine, diet, or dish (e.g. Lasagne).
BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
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By Molly Day
All the Dirt on Gardening
Daffodil planting season is here and it is time to shop the stores or place your mail order for daffodil bulbs to plant in October and November.
The American Daffodil Society website (www.daffodilusa.org) has tips for successful bulb selection.
• Order early — This is not a marketing gimmick. Early orders generally get the pick of the crop. Your chances are better of getting exactly what you order with no surprises.
• Read the fine print — Check the guarantee. Terms vary widely. Will they replace or refund in case of problems. Are the bulbs guaranteed true to name?
• Compare prices — Prices are not the same. Our opinion is that you do get what you pay for. Cheap bulbs are generally cheap for a reason. Smaller bulbs generally give smaller and fewer flowers. If it seems too good to be true, it may well be!
• Be aware — Some general bulb merchants routinely change bulb names and some may even substitute varieties without your knowledge. We can't control it and we certainly don't encourage such practices. Ask other gardeners on Web forums about their experiences with specific suppliers.
• Visit a daffodil show this spring — Your local or regional spring daffodil show is a perfect place to view many different types of daffodils. You can easily find out which varieties do well in your part of the world.
Muskogee's Daffodil Day at the Thomas-Foreman Historic Home (www.thomas-foremanhistorichome.com), 1419 West Okmulgee, will be March 29, 2014. The event will include a tour of the home and a tea presented by Muskogee Garden Club members.
Last year Muskogee Garden Club members planted 1,000 historic daffodils from Old House Gardens (www.oldhousegardens.com). This October, they are adding more bulbs to the beds on the Okmulgee Street side. On the advice of Jason Delaney, the bulb supervisor at Missouri Botanical Garden, more large-cup, early varieties from ColorBlends (www.colorblends.com) will be planted.
Delaney recommended Brackenhurst daffodils because they have "stems of steel" and can withstand our strong spring winds. The other two, strong, perennial, early blooming varieties he suggested are Ceylon and Pimpernel. Pimpernel's orange center can become almost red some years, according to Delaney.
Daffodil growing tips from the American Daffodil Society:
• Plant bulbs in soil prepared to 12 inches deep in a well-drained, sunny place. Hillsides and raised beds are best. Drainage is the key.
• Plant with the top (pointed end) at least two times as deep as the bulb is high, (top of 2" bulb is 4" deep), and plant even deeper in sandy soil.
• Top-dress with 5-10-10 fertilizer when the leaf-tips emerge. As they flower, top-dress with 0-10-10 or 0-0-50.
• Daffodils need lots of water while growing. Water immediately after planting and keep them moist until the rains come. Continue watering for three weeks or so after blooming time; then stop watering.
• Leave daffodils in the ground for three to five years, and then move them to a new location.
• Never cut the foliage until it begins to yellow.
This week Timber Press (www.timberpress.com) released a new book about them, "Daffodil: The remarkable story of the world's most popular spring flower" by Noel Kingsbury with photographs by Jo Whitworth. List price $27.50.
The book has fun facts about daffodils, their history, and photographs of hundreds of varieties.
Kingsbury is British so the text is Europe and Britain-centric though it does not detract from the key information provided.
Kingsbury recommends bulbs from Elise and Richard Havens (www.mitschdaffodils.com), Brent and Becky Heath (https://store.brentandbeckysbulbs.com), as well as hybrids identified as being developed Robert Spotts, and Harold Koopowitz.
Whether they are miniature or tall, yellow or white, daffodils bring spring cheer.


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The plan for 70,000 teachers, troopers, and judges has taken a $2 billion hit in the stock market.
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, in a year-end report, the Nebraska Investment Council says the plan lost 27.8 percent.
The portfolio offers defined retirement benefits, a specific monthly amount, generally based on salary and years of service.
The state guarantees the monthly benefit, which means state tax dollars will likely be used to make up the losses.
Gov. Dave Heineman's budget calls for a dip into the state's cash reserve, which is expected to hold a record $593 million at the end of this fiscal year.
He proposes using $40 million each of the next two years and holding $200 million for contingencies, most of that because of the possibility that the falling stock market will deflate the state's pension plan.


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Burbank Home
Featured Articles from the Burbank Leader
'One Woman s Journey' begins at center
By DAVID LAURELL
September 12, 2007
As the clock's hands inched closer to 7 p.m. on Friday evening, photographer Cynthia Alarcon's eyes darted around the Burbank Creative Arts Center giving everything a final visual nod of approval. In just moments the doors of the gallery would open to unveil her "One Woman's Journey" exhibit that photographically documents her travels and experiences over the past two decades. The reception, staged to celebrate the opening of Alarcon's retrospective, was not just a beginning, but also a culmination of a 20-year journey and a yearlong period of reflection.
Magnante's career up in the air after move by A's
August 3, 2002
Finding a quality left-handed relief pitcher is a rare commodity in major league baseball these days. Thus, former Burroughs High baseball star Mike Magnante has enjoyed success and a fine career as a pitcher for 10 years with four major-league clubs. Late Tuesday, Magnante, 37, was designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics, just days before he was due to be eligible to receive his major-league pension. Players must have at least 10 years of major-league service to earn a pension.
Love was all around at Tennis Ball
October 16, 2004
Joyce Rudolph The competition was stiff during the first Tennis Ball dinner dance. But no one was near a court. Instead, a superb array of silent auction gifts kept guests running back and forth to the bidding sheets during the fundraiser for the Family Service Agency, now known as Families First in Burbank. City Manager Mary Alvord was mistress of ceremonies and welcomed the more than 200 guests to the Oct. 8 event at The Castaway. A steak-and-salmon dinner was served and dance music was provided by the band Orange Colored Sky. Mayor Marsha Ramos presented Kermit Floyd, president of the board of directors, with a Mayor's Commendation for his financial guidance of the agency.
Letter -- Darin Ryburn
August 11, 2001
In response to the three articles in the Leader regarding the shooting of a dog by Officer Anthony Valento, it is unfortunate that the Leader must resort to innuendo-laden articles to sell newspapers. While the shooting of the animal was, indeed, unfortunate, the portrayal of the animal as a friendly family pet and "hero" belies the fact the animal exited the owner's house and bolted across the front lawn onto the sidewalk, mere feet from where Officer Valento was standing on the parkway.
This etcher is wild at art
By Joyce Rudolph
June 7, 2006
Rudy Droguett has risked his life for the love of his art. The artist, who is in his 70s, has traveled to Africa twice to take pictures of wild animals, which he later uses as subjects in his scratchboard etchings. He's come close to losing his life, he said. During one trip to Kenya, the vehicle he was riding in had a flat tire. There was a lion lying under a tree nearby watching the entourage. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Droguett got out of the vehicle to take a picture.
Fight in store allegedly leads to stabbing
December 25, 2004
Mark R. Madler Four men are scheduled to appear in court Monday in connection with a stabbing of a Glendale man. Officers responding to a fight in a convenience store parking lot late Tuesday night at Glenoaks Boulevard and Naomi Street found a blood trail at the scene leading them to believe someone had been injured, said Burbank Police spokesman Sgt. Jay Jette. A 25-year-old Glendale man was taken to an area hospital with three stab wounds that were described as non-life threatening, Jette said, adding that the man has been interviewed by detectives.
Hobby Lobby to move in to former OSH building
By Alene Tchekmedyian,
April 1, 2014
Hobby Lobby, a retail chain that sells crafts and home décor, is slated to open in Burbank this summer in the former Orchard Supply Hardware building. The Oklahoma City-based company, which currently has 20 stores in California, will open in the 72,000-square-foot building located at 641 N Victory Blvd., according to company officials. "We feel that we can bring a very unique shopping experience to the area," said Hobby Lobby spokesman Vincent Parker in an email. "We are looking forward to becoming part of the community.
Murphy left with 'empty feeling' following decision
December 14, 2002
BURROUGHS HIGH -- Coach Linda Murphy has been a girls' volleyball institution at Burroughs High for 18 years. However, the former Olympic player and respected coach will not be back for her 19th season as the Indians' mentor, as the school has decided to replace Murphy. Murphy said she was shocked when she was informed she would no longer be running the Burroughs program. Preferring not to talk about the situation and reluctant to address the decision by the school's administration, Murphy instead relayed her feelings in a fax on Friday.
Burbank police shoot window, arrest suspect
By Christopher Cadelago
March 30, 2010
UNIVERSAL CITY - A 30-year-old man wanted on attempted murder charges in Indiana led police on a multi-county pursuit that ended shortly after Burbank police officers opened fire in a busy intersection, shattering the driver's side window, later striking the man and sending him to a local hospital, authorities said. Beginning near the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County, Steven S. Satterly led California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase on the westbound Foothill (210)
IKEA: Burbank council approves construction for Swedish company's largest U.S. store
By Alene Tchekmedyian,
March 12, 2014
This post was updated to include more information. Swedish furniture giant IKEA got the unanimous green light from the Burbank City Council this week to build its largest furniture store in the nation in Burbank. The retailer, which opened in Burbank in 1990 as its first store in California and sixth in the United States, will relocate roughly a mile away to a nearly 23-acre lot located at 805 S. San Fernando Blvd. The 470,000-square-foot megastore - which will be nearly double the size of its current location - is scheduled to open in August 2016.
Christopher Wilke, 12-year-old battling rare form of cancer, dies
March 20, 2014
Christopher Wilke, the 12-year-old Burbank resident who was fighting a rare form of cancer , died Thursday at 9:33 a.m. "He passed peacefully this morning, he wasn't in any pain," said his father, Joe Wilke. "He was resting comfortably and surrounded by his family. " Christopher was diagnosed in early January. He was the first patient on record at Children's Hospital Los Angeles - and among the youngest patients ever - to be diagnosed with a pure cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile duct, according to Dr. Hung Tran, the hospital's pediatric oncologist and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at USC's Keck School of Medicine.
Trial involving convicted sex offender, Burbank school district to begin
By Kelly Corrigan,
March 7, 2014
A lawsuit alleging Burbank Unified officials failed to properly oversee a teacher - convicted of having sex with a middle school student in 2009 - is scheduled to go to trial later this month. Amy Beck, then an instructor at David Starr Jordan Middle School, turned herself into police in March 2010, admitting she had a sexual relationship with the then 14-year-old student between the spring and fall of the previous year. She later pleaded no contest to one count each of unlawful sexual intercourse and committing a lewd act on a child.
The angel of rock 'n' roll
By Jonny Whiteside
June 16, 2012
When rock 'n' roll singer Jimmy Angel hits the stage at the Smoke House restaurant on Saturday, it will be just another stop along a decidedly tumultuous five-decade career path. Angel, who specializes in a mixture of retro-1950s big beat and fiery Memphis soul, has performed from the Tokyo Dome to Las Vegas showrooms to Manhattan's famed Copacabana - where he appeared no less than 39 times. Angel, now 77 but as clear-eyed and energetic as a man half that age, had a unique ace-in-the-hole throughout his early career: He was a close protege of Mafia don Joe Colombo, a Profaci family enforcer who rose from the ranks to become head of that crime organization in 1962.
Burbank welcomes New Year's babies
January 3, 2012
The first baby born in Burbank in 2012 was Keily Urive, the first daughter born to Jessica Ortiz and Eduardo Urive of Sunland. Keily (pronounced kay-lee) was born at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center at 7:12 a.m. on Jan. 1 and weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces. Keily is also a younger sister to her brother Kevin, who is 1 1/2 years old, according to hospital officials. The first baby born in Glendale in the New Year arrived at 4:24 a.m. Jan. 1 to first-time parents and Glendale residents Elina Hovhannisyan and Roubik Rostamloo.
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August 1, 2014
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has chosen former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel to lead an advisory committee for 50th anniversary events commemorating the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam War Commemoration Advisory Committee will provide advice, vision and oversight for events in communities across the nation.
The committee also will advise organizers of an educational program to preserve the legacy of Vietnam veterans.
President Barack Obama announced the commemoration effort at a ceremony at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington.
Hagel is a twice-wounded Army combat veteran of the war who represented Nebraska in the U.S. Senate from 1997 to 2009.
U.S. military advisers were first attached to South Vietnamese units in 1962.


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Has done what he said
On Nov. 6 we will have a rare opportunity to re-elect an incumbent who has done what he said he would do, is doing a good job in difficult times, is respected by other elected officials and knows how to live within a budget.
Grand Traverse County Sheriff Tom Bensley is that incumbent, and he deserves our votes.
Ralph Cerny
Traverse City
Right person for job
Please vote Kirsten Keilitz for Probate Judge. I have known Kirsten for 15 years. She is a person of integrity, dedication and thoughtfulness. She is committed to serving the community, whether as a past board president for United Way or as a regular volunteer at legal aid clinics. She practiced family law. Now she serves as a referee for the court, where she presides over hearings and makes recommendations to the judge on domestic relations and family law matters — a role that requires the development of judicial skills. She is the right person for the job.
Ellen Kohler
Traverse City
Don't be fooled by ads
Please vote "no" on proposal 6. The TV ads "for" this proposal are incorrect, misleading and are paid for by the billionaire who wants no competition for his bridge. We should not turn down this offer from the Canadian government to pay for the new bridge from Canada to Detroit. What a deal. But you must vote "no" if you want the bridge to be built and paid for by the Canadians. Do not be fooled by these TV ads. Don't let a billionaire legislate via TV propaganda. Vote no on 6.
Len Price
Traverse City
Dedicated, committed
I have known Tom Bensley for many years and have always found him to be honest, dedicated and committed. He has truly brought a high level of professionalism to the sheriff's department and continues to exhibit outstanding managerial and leadership skills. Tom Bensley is the right person in the right job. We need continued vigilance in our local law enforcement — and with Tom Bensley as the sheriff we can be assured that will happen.
Please join me and vote for Tom Bensley for Grand Traverse County Sheriff.
T. Michael Jackson
Traverse City
Request is excessive
Having supported every school millage for 50 years, I nonetheless recommend voting against the flawed Traverse City Area Public Schools' $100 million millage request: $26 million for a performing arts center, a large, state-of-the-art theater for student productions, is excessive as it just enhances current activities of a small number of students. Prioritizing it ahead of most other academic infrastructure improvements is wrong.
This is not an emergency. TCAPS still has its existing millage, which pays salaries, maintenance, etc. Let's wait for a more reasonable, transparent proposal next year before taking on a questionable 10-year, $100 million debt.
Fred Swartz
Traverse City
A lifelong resident
Being a lifelong Northern Michigan resident, Dr. Dan Benishek treasures our Great Lakes, evidenced by his active membership in the Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan Washington group which promotes helpful legislation. Never has he voted to pollute the Great Lakes.
Dr. Dan Benishek voted for the Asian Carp Prevention Act of 2012, vital for protection of the Great Lakes. I live on Green Lake and appreciate his environmental help. He also has been a competent surgeon for 30 years. As a concerned citizen I will vote for Dr. Dan Benishek.
Mildred Komrska
Changes landscape
Most Michigan residents support renewable energy, but I cannot support Proposal 3, the "25x25" proposal that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. This proposal would require the state's energy providers to supply 25 percent of their electric generation from renewable sources by 2025. What's its estimated cost? $12 billion.
The citizens of Northern Michigan cannot afford higher utility costs. Constructing the estimated 3,100 additional wind turbines it would take to meet the requirement of the proposal would dramatically change Michigan's landscape. For these and other reasons, I'll vote no on Proposal 3 and encourage others to do the same.
Carl H. VanDomelen
Boyne City
Has life experiences
Having practiced law in the Probate Court for 35 years, I know Melanie Stanton is the only candidate qualified to be our next Probate Judge.
She has diligently represented abused/neglected children, juveniles, elderly, trusts, mentally ill, guardians and parents involved in custody for 16 years.
As a former nurse, mother and lawyer for 20 years, Melanie has the life experiences necessary to make wise and impartial decisions affecting families and individuals in our Grand Traverse area. Dedicated to serving the people — with experience voters can trust — vote Stanton for Probate Judge on Nov. 6.
William M. Conklin
Traverse City
Regulations to protect
During the time Dan Benishek has been in the U.S. House of Representatives it's clear he has not been representing citizens like me who want our land, water and air protected from any more poisoning by toxic pollution. Time after time he has voted for bills that gut, seriously impair or defend protective regulations. These regulations were to protect the health and lives of people who live on the land, use the water and breath the air.
Vote Benishek out. Vote Gary McDowell in. He is wiser.
Anna Hildebrand Weese
Traverse City
You deserve him
If you wish for a debt increase of at least $1 trillion a year, higher taxes than ever, more problems with the Middle East and around the world with more people in the world hating the United States of America, higher gas prices, higher food prices and utility prices through the roof, you should vote for President Obama; you deserve him.
Donald Duchene Sr.
Traverse City
Obstruction campaign
Since 2010 the Republican-led House and the filibuster-controlled Senate have blocked Obama's recovery initiative. On inauguration day 2009 leading Republicans met to plot a campaign of obstruction. During that month when 800,000 Americans lost their jobs, the GOP was making sure Obama would not succeed. As a result of GOP obstruction, the present Congress had a record low 10 percent nationwide approval.
Despite the recession inherited from President Bush, there's been a steady growth in jobs, record advances in the stock exchange and turndown of two unwanted wars. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans do not represent the interests of the American people.
William W. Wells


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Seminary Housing planned south of AU campus
Anderson University is preparing for the construction of the first phase of a seminary housing project south of Decker Hall. The seminary housing project is made possible through the generous support of Dr. James and Elizabeth York. The project will provide apartment units for students studying through the Anderson University School of Theology and their families. Construction of the seminary housing project will be located on Walnut Street, between 6th and 7th Streets in Anderson.


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For the first time in home photo printing you can print still photographs from your captured HD movies with extraordinary technology called Full HD Movie Print. The all new Full HD Movie Print software turns your favorite HD movie clips captured with your Canon EOS Digital SLR or Powershot cameras into beautiful prints4! Built-in Auto Duplex Printing allows you to easily print on both sides of the paper without having to manually turn it over. This feature can help reduce your paper consumption by up to 50% so you can save money and help the environment all at the same time. Preview your images before you print on a 2.4" LCD while automatically correcting your photos with Auto Photo Fix II.
For your scanning needs, Auto Document Fix automatically delivers advanced image analysis and area-by-area data correction for text that's easy to read, and pictures that maintain color tone and contrast. While Auto Scan Mode automatically recognizes the type of original you're scanning, then scans and saves with the appropriate settings.5 Enjoy added computer-free photo printing versatility via compatible memory cards, USB Flash Memory Drives, PictBridge and optional Bluetooth devices.6